Hello, Graduate! :)

Blessings on this Sunday morn! :) 

 Life has hit full throttle here and I just can't seem to find time to craft or blog, but that just means life is busier and blessed more than ever in other wonderful areas :) With 4 kids, schools ending, a bevy of activities and ceremonies for each, and *surviving* Prom week (yes, week - what a production!) with dd18 and her circle of friends, and moms, all joining us here in our home for the photos and the mommy's *after* party.  Our oldest daughter is also graduating High School in a couple of weeks and starting college in the summer (rather than take off in the Fall) and it's been a whirlwind.  Needless to say, we booked a week long vacation for the end of June at a resort to unwind, relax and sleep!  If I could have sat down to write myself a letter to know what these past few months would be, I still would not be anywhere near prepared but that's the beauty of God's plan for us and knowing that our lives are filled with the presence of God in all things, even in the busy-ness :) I look back and reflect my mantra for this year: Simplicity and think - wow, this month more than ever am I feeling WHY I chose that word!  Lord, hear my prayers.

So how about I'm behind in creating my own card kit!  ::: Oops! :::  Apologies!

With the Dueling Darlings duel this month, Jeanette and I were the hostesses with a wonderful theme: 

Making Memories, Celebrating Moments!

Since May is traditionally the month of celebrating Mother's Day, many anniversaries, upcoming June weddings, Holy Communions and Confirmations, graduations and so much more, we thought we'd take this time to celebrate the moments that mean so much!  

I knew I wanted to make a graduation card kit this month around (one of the perks of being the hostess - so much to chose!) so I sent the Divas identical card kits using this theme.  Here is my take on my card kit!

 I searched the 'net looking for the perfect papers to match the stamp I chose to use, Tessa Tassles from Kraftin' Kimmie.  In my search, I found Carta Bella's Beautiful Moments and I bought just by the name :)  And wow, are these papers lush and gorgeous!  I had trouble deciding which paper to choose so I sent the girls all of them, along with ribbons and an assortment of embellies and topped it off with the crown jewel - Tessa Tassles from Kraftin' Kimmie ~  how I adore Kraftin' Kimmie stamps!

We also asked the teams to share a celebratory moment that was special to them.  For me, I think one of the best moments was seeing my husband finally become Dr. Santi and holding our 1 year old daughter (yes, the same one just now graduating!) - she clapped her little hands when they called his name to my enthusiatic "there's daddy" - having no clue what was really going on, but she was happy to be there none-the-less!  It's incredible to think he'll be doing the same for her in a few weeks at her graduation, too :)

Blessings to each of you and be sure to stop by and see all the Dueling Darlings to see what they made this month!

You can find them in my sidebar right over there ~~~}

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you a blessed, 
beautiful SONday :)

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

2013 - Word of the Year :}

Hello, dear friends!

Today's post is one that speaks from the heart :)  As I watched my 8 year old son riding his bike at the park, shouting "YAHOOOOOO!" every time he passed me, I smiled at the realization that this is truly what life is all about. 

 The simple moments. 

When we stop long enough to cherish the small things and 

 when a hug and a smile and an "I love you" are simply enough :) 

At the beginning of each new year, I chose a 'word' to guide me through rather than make any resolutions.  My word of 2012 was "Grace" which was the mantra I used to simply give me the courage to face the new year ahead. I tried hard to incorporate that in all the things that I did last year ... fellow-shipping with friends, bible studies and adventuring into areas that made me really uncomfortable but did them anyway (God is my sun and shield!)

This year?  I am refocused, recommitted, re-energized and ready to live a year of Simplicity. 

Simplicity?  According to Websters, that has a meaning of being simple, plain, freedom from hardships.

And yes, that's true! 

 But more-so ... beyond that ... I want to slow down more and share this world God intended us to be with them on a more deliberate level.  I've always been a stop and smell the flowers kind of gal.

And the sandcastle builder, the nature walker, the cloud watcher, the rock skipper, the one who watches two butterflies dance in flight and think "Thank you GOD for that beautiful moment!"

But there is so much I know I'm missing.  This is the year I plan to recapture it back again :)  Simplicity.

My dear husband jokes: "Simple?  Like we're going to make our own homemade toothpaste and grow turnip greens?"
Fun-ny!

A couple years back, I bought and devoured Ann Voskamp's "One thousand Gifts" book.  I was so inspired, I started a list of my own WITH photographs to memoralize in my smash/scrap books.  

 And I got to Feburary! 

 For real. 

 I just looked at my Grace-i-tude List 2012 (that would be the year of Grace and gratitude list combo!)  and seriously ... I got up to #161.  And a goofy ending to a very short list that was ... here, I'll share:

161.  My “This isn’t a souvenir, it’s a proof of survival!” t-shirt from zip-lining.  

Alrighty, then.

God, I hear you.  I know there is a lot that I am missing.

But I am thankful for much. My children know and worship an awesome God.

They put him first in all things - thoughts, prayers, actions towards others.
And for me?  I can learn to let go of any and all things that do not bring me closer to him!  Simplicity.

So the next time we are on those bikes?
We'll take time to get off and skip a few of those rocks.
Because the rocks aren't there to block our path. 
 They are there for us to pick them up and skip the across the water of life. 

May you be so richly blessed this year.
May God speak to your heart and guide you!

Big hugs,
Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly


*I'd like to leave you with a few of my favorite quotes from my journaling :)

*Voluntary simplicity is not a grim cutting back, it's discovering and filling the genuine human need to do work that you love. --Cecile Andrews 

*When you realize you have enough, then you are truly rich. --Tao Teh Ching

 *Live simply that others may simply live. --Gandhi 

My verse of the Year: 2013

 Pray about everything; tell God your needs...

If you do this, you will experience God’s peace,

which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

Philippians 4:6, 7 

Great big special thanks to Melanie at Only a Breath for taking the time to make the blog buttons as a wonderful reminder for all of us to remember the reason for the journey!  I'm humbled to receive this and am grateful to your generosity and creativity!  

Linking this post to:

Only a Breath: Link up to Word of the Year
My one Word:  Community Link up

and the FaithBarista: