Glory {Art} Rewind Update & a Wedding!

Hello dear blog readers! I am sorry it has been quiet. My life has been swamped since the end of March, and I knew it was just going to get more crazy. It's all been great stuff but truly more than I am used to--getting daughter moved to be near the medical school she will attend in July. She also just got married in mid-June so wedding fun overtook everything. Then one of my other daughter's purchased her first home. I went down to meet the movers to help her move in and get out of her apartment. So, two moves and a wedding with other fun things thrown in between. I hope you will understand why I did not post this month. Please use this time to catch up on previous studies! Have a blessed weekend, and enjoy a couple of photos.

Update on My Daughter

Several of you have e-mailed me asking about my daughter's open heart surgery that she had on February 10th. So, I thought I would share an update since we are once again in the hospital. First, the original surgery a few weeks ago went amazing. She was in the hospital for 7 days, she went home and was able to walk a mile, and we felt like things were going great. Then Thursday, March 3rd, she had a follow-up appointment with the cardiothoracic surgeon. She was then admitted back to the hospital for fluid build up around her heart. She had heart surgery late yesterday afternoon, and I now sit in ICU with her again. We are praying this is the last surgery for a LONG time. She has been through SO very much but I have seen God in SO, SO many details. Here is just one story from yesterday:

"I kept telling Ashley this morning that if God so blessed us with the anesthesiologists that took care of her a couple of weeks ago, that we would be witnessing God's sovereignty and glory. Well around noon today, one of those anesthesiologists walked into her room. I broke out into tears. Then as they took her back to pre-op, we learned that the second anesthesiologist that helped Ashley for her last open heart surgery found out she was here and changed cases around to be part of her surgery today. I have never seen Ashley so excited. The dream team is back together taking care of my girl. God is so good and so amazing."

Thank you Father for Your goodness to our family, and thank you all for your prayers!

How Can They Be 21?

Today, our precious girls turn 21 years old. Where has the time gone? As I have been awake this past week thinking about our girls, I have been focusing on the blessing it is to be their mom. It has also been the greatest privilege to share Christ with them. I have tried to live these scriptures as they have grown up, and I continue even though they are away in college.

Deuteronomy 6:7 "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Proverbs 22:6 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

I told our "oldest" on Sunday that I have been blessed to watch them grow into woman living their lives for the Lord. I don't care if they have pictures of when they were young or have "stuff" to pass down but I want the generations to come to know the faith I have and that I lived for the Lord and shared it with our girls. That is the gift I want them to have the most. I pray I have lived it out for them. I watch them in college now relying on the Lord as they grow, and I could not be more proud!

Psalm 71:6 "From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you."

Girls, I pray in this next year and in the years to come that you will continue living your faith each day. God sees your struggles, hears your cries, and He also rejoices with you in the victories. He holds you in His hand and is always with you!

Psalm 73:23-24 "Yet I am always with you; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory."

If you missed the story of their birth, feel free to read their birthday post from last year by clicking here.

1 1/2 Years Old (NICU Party)

And this was unplanned but the girls are standing in the same place in the photo above as they are in the photo below from Saturday night. A God moment I am sure! What beautiful Godly women they have grown into. We couldn't be more proud!

Saturday Evening (3 days away from 21)

Here they are headed to their special 21st birthday dinner. The restaurant created a dessert just for them "on the house." They said it's not everyday they get to celebrate a birthday with triplets. The photo doesn't do the dessert justice, and I couldn't fit the entire thing in the photo. The lighting was also very dim so I got what I could. It surely tasted amazing though!

Happy 21st Birthday precious girls. We love you more than you can ever imagine!

Update on My Daughter

First, thank you all for your prayers for our daughter. It has been a long road but one filled with many miracles. I am in awe watching God take care of her as He has. Last I posted, she could not move her legs after having a spinal fusion on May 22nd. By May 26th, the neurosurgeon felt that he needed to go back in and see what was going on. Turns out she had a hematoma that was possibly causing problems. They also removed some scar tissue and a bit of disc. I was home during her 2nd surgery because I ended up getting the stomach flu. It was horrific, and I hated coming home but I could not afford to get her sick. She called me that night after surgery and said "Mom, I can move my legs." No one expected that. Yes, there were many praying including you but it wasn't looking like she would be able to move her legs even after the second surgery. I cried and cried falling to my knees praising our precious Father. 

Psalm 30:20 "Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me."

Once she was able to move her legs, the physical and occupational therapists began working with her. They felt she would have to go to an inpatient rehab or acute nursing care facility for several weeks. That was another blow to us because of other things going on in the family, it was not something we felt our family could handle at this time because those facilities were over an hour away. We again reached out for prayers, and after 8 days in the hospital, she was released to our home on Saturday! Again, another miracle. She has in-home therapy now, and will already have her third session today. She is in tons of pain but is always smiling. It is truly like night and day where she is now compared to last week. That is because of our Great Physician!

Thank you all for your prayers for our family. God is visible not only in His creation but in His daily miracles. He is still in the miracle business. Are you watching for them in your own life?

A Birthday Book with {Video}

My precious mother and her identical twin turned 70 yesterday. I do not know how it is possible. Here they are back in the 1980s celebrating their birthday in France. They are a pair, and they still love to dress alike. :) Love you Mom and AK!!!!!

Anyway, when Dad turned 70, I made him a "70 Things" book. You may remember that book. If not, click here for that post. Since I made Dad a book, of course I needed to make Mom one too for her 70th birthday. So, I went to work writing down the 70 things that make her special. I had some input from my girls too via e-mail as two of them are away at college. Hubby was out of town on business so we had to do the best we could. 

This is a very quick album to make once you think of the "70 things." I print the "70 things" and then just stamp and use washi quickly throughout the book. I do use a Smash Mini book when I make these, and the covers are usually not too detailed in their design. The chipboard piece is from Blue Fern Studios, and it is called "Birthday Wishes."

Here is a video showing the inside of the book. I hope you enjoy it and that it gives you some ideas for a milestone birthday in your family! Blessings,

Product List (click product tags for more info)

View blog post for supplies

{Life}

Today's post comes as an update and apology. First, my apologies for not getting the Scripture Challenge posted last Sunday. There has been a lot going on here, and I physically and mentally could just not get it done. Please forgive me. Now a little bit about what has been going on.

If you remember this layout below, it shares a bit of the things we have been dealing with this year. Well, things have really been hard this month and lots of things have happened in just the past 17 days.

Kody Boy

First, we had to make the terrible decision to put down our Kody Boy on Saturday, October 4th. He was only 3 years old and had epilepsy. On October 2nd, he had a seizure that lasted six minutes, and at that point the vet and our family knew it was time to make a decision. Since August 2013 we have been trying to get his seizures under control but were never able to. He had been on many different meds that he took 5x each day, he had been to the ER vet countless times, and we did all we could for our precious boy. We are thankful he is no longer suffering but the decision was so difficult especially since he was only 3 years old. Rest in peace our Kody Boy.

Surgery Scheduled

Then one of our daughters has been dealing with a disc herniation since July. A second MRI on October 7th revealed that it has gotten worse. Since October 7th, we have had countless hours and days at various doctor's offices. And we found out Wednesday of this week that our daughter will have back surgery within the next couple of weeks. This surgery is usually 85% effective but in her case they are only giving her a 50% chance of success. Our choices are to leave her "as is" and not do surgery or give this a try. She currently has a handicap tag and a wheelchair because she cannot walk far at all. Leaving her "as is" was not an option. If she has worsened this much in just 3 months, where will she be by January without surgery? Prayers for a successful surgery, outcome, and recovery would be much appreciated. We are looking at a surgery date of either 10/30 or 11/4. We are waiting to hear from the neurosurgeon's office.

Celebrations

Then during this time, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends in Ohio. We could not attend because of my daughter's back issues and many doctor's appointments. It was so hard to miss such an amazing milestone in their lives. Here they are as a young couple in their first year of marriage. Dad was career Air Force as a fighter pilot, and Mom was by his side through it all raising the family while he was in Vietnam and through many TDYs, moves, and you name it. My parents are a great inspiration to me, and we love them so much. Happy 50th Mom and Dad!!

But through all of this we trust that God is the author and perfector of our faith. We use these times to grow and glorify Him. He has the plan, and we completely trust that.

Hebrews 12:1a-2a "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

With Him we will not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:3). Thank you all for your prayers and understanding during this time. Joyfully in Christ,

{20 Years} Ago Today!

Twenty years ago today, I had a regular OB appointment.

Twenty years ago today, I was excited to get my favorite chocolate milkshake from Burger King after my appointment. It was my treat for getting out and off of bedrest for the day.

Twenty years ago today, we were told that Baby A had died.

Twenty years ago today, the perinatologist said he would deliver the babies on September 2nd since Baby A was already gone.

Twenty years ago today, my OB spoke up and said "No, what are you doing for lunch? These babies are being born now."

Twenty years ago today, I was rushed in for an emergency c-section at 33 1/2 weeks.

Twenty years ago today, I did not get my chocolate milkshake but we got the three greatest blessings we could EVER hope to have in our lives—our beautiful, amazing daughters! And Baby A was still with us!

At 4 Weeks Old (first group photo)

Age 5

Saturday (at almost 20)

They have very "sun sensitive" eyes so our photo shoot did not work. Baby C (on the right) was consoling Baby A (middle). 

Father, I thank you for intervening that day. Had the babies not been born that day, Baby A would not be here today. She would never had made it to September 2nd. You knew that. We didn't know You, Father, at the time but you created us. You created these beautiful girls, and you have huge plans for them. I am so thankful that you drew me unto Yourself so that I might not only know You but that the girls have learned about You and come to know You for themselves as their personal Lord and Savior. There is no greater gift in my life than the sacrifice of Your son for my sins and the beautiful gift of these three amazing, amazing women. Thank you, Father, for your immeasureable gifts to us! Amen!

How we love these girls tremendously! Happy 20th Birthday precious girls!!! We miss you and love you dearly!!!!

Winter Storm {Pax}

So are you in the path of this storm? Have you been hit already? We are still in the midst of it. We are enjoying the snow so very much. I don't think I have been in snow like this since 1983! The beauty of the large snowflakes falling and collecting everywhere is just breath-taking! I thought I would share a few photos with you. I don't know when in my lifetime I might see something like this again. I am enjoying every minute of it.

Our 2 1/2 year old Keeshond that has epilepsy and other neurological issues. He loves the snow.

My mailbox looking so beautiful with the snow.

And here is what my front door looked like this morning.

We certainly have not gotten 25 inches of snow but we have drifts that high around the house. I can't even get out of my garage. They are saying we may not be able to get out until at least Sunday. Wow! Stay safe, and enjoy the weather wherever you are! Have a blessed Thursday!

{HSCRC13} Hymn #20, I Need Thee Every Hour

Hymn Challenge #20: I Need Thee Every Hour
Words by: Annie S. Hawks
b. May 28, 1835; d. Jan­u­a­ry 3, 1918

Music by: Rev. Robert Lowry
b. March 12, 1826; d. November 25, 1899

Annie S. Hawks was born in Hoo­sick, New York. She began writing poems when she was very young, and her poems began appearing in newspapers when she was 14 years old. She mar­ried Charles H. Hawks in 1857. They attended Hanson Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where Rev. Robert Lowry (a great hymn writer) was pastor. He saw her talent and gave her a challenge and told her “If you write the words, I’ll write the music.” We studied Rev. Robert Lowry in last year's Hymn #8, Christ Arose. Click here to read more about Rev. Lowry. Her husband, Charles, died in 1888 so she moved to Ben­ning­ton, Ver­mont, to live with her daugh­ter and son-in-law. She died at the age of 82 in Benn­ing­ton, Ver­mont. She wrote over 400 hymns during her lifetime.

Friday morning my mom called. She said told me to praise the Lord that my father was still alive Friday morning. He was fishing with his best friend on Thursday, and a guy ran into them throwing my dad overboard. Dad went down 50 feet. He had on 2 sweatsuits because it was cold along with his life jacket. He doesn't always wear his life jacket but he put it on because he was so cold. His best friend couldn't pull him back in the boat. My dad was a fighter pilot and is a great swimmer but was being pulled down by all of his heavy clothing. He said he would have drowned had the guy that hit them not helped rescue him. He lost a lot of "things" but that doesn't matter as he is still with us. I still can't believe this happened, and I am SO thankful he is okay!!! God's mighty hand of protection has seen to it that he is still with us for a reason! God must still have big plans for my precious daddy! God was there with my daddy in that moment he needed Him most.

Psalm 31:2 "Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."

Psalm 40:17 "But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God, do not delay."

Psalm 86:1-2 "Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to You; save your servant who trusts in You. You are my God."

Do you feel like God is there when you need Him most? We have to walk near to Him to experience Him. Are you walking near to Him in everything—good times and bad? One of the many blessings of knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is that He is with you always. He is there in good times and in bad but if we don't learn to acknowledge Him in the good times, how will we find Him when things are rough? We truly need Him every hour!

Psalm 73:28 "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds."

Annie S. Hanks wrote the following about today's hymn (quoted from Kenneth W. Osbeck's Book "Amazing Grace") :

"One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became filled with the sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my mind and these thoughts took full possession of me."

We must stay fixed on Him at all times. I know when I am not fixed on Him, things don't go right, I am usually miserable in some way, or displeased with myself. When I am fixed on Him, I can see a huge difference in how I act and feel and how I get through certain situations. If we see how amazing our lives are when we are fixed on Him, then why do we continue to go it alone? I need Him every hour. How about you?

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Psalm 73:28 "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

Below is the sheet music to this hymn, and click here to listen to an acapella arrangement of this hymn.

For my 6x6 page today, I used the Psalm 73:28 verse noted above because I felt like it said it all—I desire to be near to God, He is my refuge, and I love giving Him the glory. I also used one of my art journaling cards. If you missed that post, click here to see how I made my card. And lastly, I put quite a few things on this page that represent my relationship with Christ:

• I crumpled up the sheet music and then spread it out again. It represents me being broken and sinful yet His blood "smooths me out" and makes me clean.
• The Blue Fern Studios Country Picket Fence shows that I can't come before Christ without accepting Him as my Lord and Savior. He is a Holy God, and I cannot approach Him unless I have been cleansed by the blood of Christ which takes down that fence (barrier) between the Father and myself.
• The Blue Fern Studios Blue Fern Bits (hearts) represent my heart attitude.
• The colors—black represent when I am without Him, things are dark and seem hopeless. With Him, my life is filled with joy and bright colors.
• The clock—that I need Him every hour of every day!

Papers: Basic Grey RSVP, Paper Trey Ink, Art Journaling Card by Patter Cross 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Blue Fern Bits (w/Gelatos metallic mint, melon, and blueberry), Country Picket Fence (w/Gelatos chocolate and Tim Holtz embossing powder walnut stain) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot 
Embellishments: Petaloo Wild Blossoms fuschia and aqua; Prima leaves and clock face; Tim Holtz mini gears; Dew Drops; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Have a blessed week ahead!

What Matter's Most

Most of you read that our daughters' friend passed away in a tragic car accident a few weeks ago. Some of you also know that one of our daughter's was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation earlier this year. Yesterday, I got an e-mail from our daughter with something she had written. I want to share it with you today, and I pray it touches each of you to help those with unseen disabilities or hurts and that it draws you into a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the Glory forever, Amen. 

What Matter's Most
How many people are on this earth? 7 billion. How many of those 7 billion people do you know? How many of the ones you know will you remember? Krystal is no longer here. She was given 18 amazing years on this earth. There is nothing left but the memories. Sadly those will fade because we as humans are weak. What matters? What really lasts?

If you were to look at me and I would tell you that I have a rare and severe neurological malformation would you believe me? Probably not. Why? Because I look normal but inside I am anything but. I have Chiari Malformation. My skull is too small for my brain. My brain is now in my spinal cord that can cause migraines, blood flow restriction, nerve damage, brain stem compression, dizziness, double vision, neck/shoulder/back pain, and csf blockage. I no longer remember a day without pain. I cannot drive or do everyday activities that everybody else can do. So why am I telling you all of this?

In 100 years I probably will not be remembered. All that may be left of me, if anything, would be a rock with my name and some dates. I will be in heaven having a good time with no pain and restored function. No one would care about my old stuffed animals in an auction house or what I did or did not do in life. What matters is if you had a relationship with Jesus Christ. Notice I said relationship. Not if you knew Him or knew of Him or were a part of the Christian religion. It is a 2-way relationship with Jesus. Krystal is reaping the benefits of her relationship face to face with her Father, her Best Friend, her Savior. Will you?

I asked you earlier if I looked like I had a neurological malformation. Look around you. How many people are suffering around you that you are missing? It is easy to see the obvious injuries or emotions when they are shown, but what about the hidden ones? The smallest gesture can forever change someone’s life.

God has called us to impact others and share Him with the world but what about our own lives. God has given us life, our time, our health, and the people around us. Through Krystal and through many other people’s lives I have learned to cherish every moment and every encounter; but how do you take advantage of your time and your health. Here is what God has shown me through Chiari, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Everybody has good days and bad days; take advantage of every good day. If there is a day or even a moment where I have a little less pain I go play golf, or my saxophone, or just go outside and enjoy. Whatever it is less pain, dizziness, weakness, eye problems whatever I get out and enjoy the break God has given me. Get out and enjoy what God has given you. Enjoy God’s creation, take a walk, enjoy time with friends, maybe even make some new friends. I wish I would have taken advantage of the days without pain and everything else that I deal with now. It has now been a year and instead of getting better I have gotten worse. Would I change my life if I was offered a new one? No. Why? Because I have learned things that I could not have learned any other way, and I have grown closer to God because of it.

So to sum this all up, one day nothing will be left of all of us. No memories, no meaningless things, nothing. All that we can be guaranteed of is heaven, eternal life with our Savior, and Best Friend, if we submit ourselves into a relationship with Him. Then we need to share our hope and our relationship with others, because life is short. Finally we need to notice the unnoticeable’s instead of just the obvious.

God loves you and that is all that really matters.

Thank you God for Krystal and her simple gesture of sitting next to me which turned into a friendship that I will never forget. Thank you also for Chiari and the lessons you have taught me through it and the lessons you will continue to teach me through it although I still can not wait for the day of healing. Thank you for our school and the family of students, faculty and staff here. Let us be a campus on fire for You that can never be extinguished.  Amen.

Living for You God, Caitlyn

Off to College!

I can't believe my own post title—"Off to College." Have our girls grown that fast that they are now in college? I unfortunately must say 'yes' to that question. We have spent the past 5 days getting two of our girls settled in their new town and dorm room. I have been telling people that I would flood the U.S. when we said good-bye but I didn't! And I certainly cannot give myself any credit. It was all God. I have prayed and prayed that He would cover me in His peace, and He did just that. Thank you Father! I am in awe of what He has done these past five days. He has them at such an amazing Christian school, and I know they are right where He wants them. In fact, one of the things the school shared with us is that this university is:

"An invitation to ordinary men and women to be transformed by an extraordinary God."

I know He is going to transform them, and I can't wait to see how He grows them and molds them into the Godly women He has created them to be. I think that's why I didn't cry much either because I am so excited for them. I can't believe I am even writing this. Yes, there have been some tears but not nearly what I expected from myself. LOL! God is good. And here are a few photos:

This is "move in morning." It was pouring down rain. This particular picture was on the school's Facebook page, and they happened to get my car as we moved in. A local church takes everything to the dorm room for you. They made it SO easy!

And our first look at their room—concrete walls, drab, and icky. :)

Hanging pictures and getting settled in.

I forgot to get a final picture but it looks SO much cuter now. I think they will enjoy it.

We left them around noon today. One of our girls had an audition at 2 p.m., and she was invited to join the university orchestra playing oboe. We got the call from her as we were driving home. We were so excited but then it got even better because they have invited my other daughter to learn percussion to join the orchestra also. She actually plays saxophone and guitar but with her Chiari Malformation, it bothers her head to much to play her saxophone. So, they are going to have her learn and play tympani! She has wanted to play percussion for many, many years but she was already in too much. God heard that desire and has blessed her with that. They even said they would look into music scholarships for each of our girls but my daughter told him to "Please give it to someone else in need." When she told me she said that, yes, I did cry. I was so proud, amazed, and thankful.

Well, enough of my "proud mommy sharing." Thank you for joining me in my excitement. Now I have to see how we adjust to a quiet household—just the 3 of us. What does God have in store of us now? I can't wait to see! Have a blessed week!

Where I've Been

Happy Tuesday everyone! Sorry for my "disappearance." We have been away on Hilton Head Island celebrating:

Yes, it was hubby's 50th birthday. We surprised him with lots of great things, and my prayer was that he know just how much his family loves him. He knows that but on his 50th, I wanted him to feel it in a special way. Let's just say that my prayer was answered in a mighty way! It was so fun to watch our surprises unfold during the day for him and watch him enjoy. We truly had a wonderful family vacation and birthday celebration.

So, now it's back to the daily routine. Tomorrow I will have another layout to share so I hope you will join me. Blessings,

Documenting the Difficult

Little did I know that when I posted the hymn challenge last Sunday and said this:

"Are you willing to trust God with your suffering and know that He has a great plan? Endure suffering well in His strength! Your present trouble does have a divine purpose and a plan. Trust Him and abide in the peace that only the Holy Spirit can give."

. . . that just one day later we would be in the midst of a family difficulty. One of our girls has been diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation (CM). Chiari Malformations (CMs) are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. When the indented bony space at the lower rear of the skull is smaller than normal, the cerebellum and brainstem can be pushed downward and into the spine.

So, what does this mean for our family? First, we have to see a neurologist locally; praise God that is happening today! We also must see a neurosurgeon so that our daughter can have surgery to remove part of her skull to halt the progression of damage to her central nervous system. Recovery will be a long road from what we understand, and we are praying this all happens quickly so that she can continue on with her college plans in the Fall.

So, how have I decided to best document this? I told my husband that I need a notebook. It's going to be a long road. I want all of our questions, notes, and information in one place. We have also already been receiving beautiful prayers in e-mails, on her CaringBridge site, and via phone call. How will I keep it all together?

Well, God showed me this morning that I can use a Simple Stories album. Perfect!! I have already added paper to the notebook with questions for today's appointment. But I can also print prayers and comments on cards and add to the page protectors as encouragement. I can add photos of the journey. I can even use the page protectors to keep business cards from each physician. It will serve as the perfect spot for everything, and who knows how God may use it in the future.  Here is a page I started this morning with two of the e-mails I received. Nothing fancy, just get them printed and in the page protectors. Washi tape adds a quick and super easy bit of color.

I have more to print just not time yet. What an encouragement this will be to the family to look through these!

So, don't be scared to Document the Difficult! It could be a source of encouragement too. Blessings to each of you!

Iced In and Chance to Win!

Well, the ice came down hard yesterday, and we are still iced in this morning! I have to skate everywhere when I take the dogs out. Even the ground is ice. I thought you might enjoy a few photos of our ice rink. The hill to the right going down leads to hubby's garage. Hmmm, I don't think he is going anywhere today either. I guess none of us are!

And I don't think our poor puppy knows what to do though he is loving the cold!

And lastly, Blue Fern Studios has joined CSI today for a blog hop. Leslie of Blue Fern Studios is giving away an amazing set of chipboard you don't want to miss! So, jump over here and scroll down to see what Leslie is giving away and how to enter to win!!! I would LOVE for one of my blog readers to win this amazing chipboard!!! It is truly wonderful to work with.

Enjoy the day everyone, and stay safe and warm! Blessings,