Oh Boy.

...there has been a lot going on around here over the last couple weeks...

but FIRST...i will share some scrappiness with you!!!

Jan.21 i WENT to a crop...can you believe it?  i got out and PLAYED with my scrappy peeps!

it.was.nice.

here's what i made that day...

(and plz forgive me for not cropping all of them.  TIME = tick, tick, tick....)

becuz i recently made a "HE" layout for tyler, i had to do one for miss c as well...plus i had fun digging through her old photos and remembering all her little "courntey-isms" from back then...

...this is another one for miss c...

...i loved adding the hidden journaling behind the photo frame...

...and another one for miss c...

i saw marcy penner had made a L/O with skates, after i had taken our photo, and loved her idea...so thanks for the inspo on making a layout of "someTHING" other than people!!

...and becuz i did one for her...i had to do one for tyman too!!

...and this one is for ty's album...

awwwwww, i know!

...and last weekend, on Jan.27, i went out with the gals to another fun crop.

however, i was feeling really exhausted and only made this one layout for miss c...

...so, that's the scrappiness shared...

i am currently trying to purge and organize my own scrapbooking space as it seems come a new year, it also brings new motivation...are you going through this as well??

...and PLEASE note that these are the "during" photos...hahahahaha!!!

...remember back in november when i shared that courtney had her semi annual dance exams?

well, it takes a while for her awards to arrive as they come from SCOTLAND!

but, they finally arrived!!!

...and in this last week, it's been CRAAAZZYY...

we've had a band concert for courtney,

...a hockey haricut for tyler...

(i miss his mop already...)

...a dance competition for courtney...

( hi susan! )

7 dances = 7 medals that day!

:)

...and ONE VERY EXCITED return of Dustin Byfuglien to the ice for miss courtney!!!

and this week also gave me insight first hand to the most wonderful gift of LOVE!

...as mentioned here and there on my blog, courtney's former dance teacher, Lynn Stephen, was diagnosed last January 2010 with terminal lung cancer.  her struggles continue, despite her prognosis back then.

lynn is truly an amazing friend of our family...she is a part of our family.

she is trying to cope with the large upcoming expenses that will come with her palliative nursing in her home and seeking outside funds to assist her wishes has become neccessary.

by ways of my scrapbooking hall crops, i have chosen this avenue to do what i can to help raise any kind of funds to help her along her journey to keep her wish of remaining at home in the grasp of her hands.

i quickly ( and boy do i mean QUIKLY ) put together a two day hall crop fundraiser, i am calling "Crop for Lynn" and i can now get back to my original statement of the gifts of love!!!

I cannot express the beautiful gift and spirit of GIVING that sooooo many of my friends in my scrapbooking world have shown to me for this event!!  The outpour of support has been tremendous and selfless...

This expression of loving and giving to my friends needs has brought me to tears on so many occasions because every time i get a call or email from someone else stating what they would like to do, just reaches into my heart and pulls and overflows with the kind, loving generosity of the people whom i feel closest to...

I have always said to others that i truly have the best girls in my scrapbooking world, and you all never seize to amaze me over, and over again...

my expression of gratitude and appreciation are boundless.

no words can describe how very deeply touched i am.

there are not enough THANK YOU's or hugs, or tears of joy that i have been feeling every day as i plan and prepare for this SOLD OUT crop for lynn.

you are all a blessing to me and i am so very fortunate to have first hand experiences of your love!

x0x0x0

...be back soon...