Hello again!

Hello everyone! Its been a while since I have really posted here. Its been crazy with starting homeschool this month and the never ending errands to run. Thankfully I have the Lord by my side to help me through it all. I just wanted to touch bases with you all and let you know that all is well. Although I do ask for prayer. I hurt my back yesterday and its still going on. Its my siatica. Very painfull! Hopefully it will be better tomorrow. Well, can't stay on too long since sitting does begin to hurt. I will keep you all posted. Take care and God bless!

In His love,
Leslie

Hello everyone! I read this article the other day on my Focus on the Family magazine I get for free monthly. It was such a blessing and conviction. I felt so blessed to read this that I thought I'd share with y'all. Hope you enjoy it.

In His EVERLASTING love,
Leslie


*************************

Does the Honeymoon Have to End?

Keeping the romance alive through the years.

by Sandi Greene

One night during our engagement, my fiancé, Bob, and I went out for dinner with his parents. His dad unlocked the passenger-side door of the car for his mom without opening it then walked around to the driver's side. Bob’s mom noticed this and sarcastically pronounced, "Well, I guess the honeymoon’s over!"

Bob and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. We didn't understand why they expected so much of each other and why they were rude when things didn’t go their way. I promised myself I would never be that way.

A year later, after we married, I was in our kitchen trying to prepare some breakfast before work when Bob walked in from the bathroom.

"You always forget," he said, irritated. I looked up to see him holding his electric toothbrush. "You always forget to plug this back in after you blow-dry your hair."

"Sorry," I said quickly, wanting to get out of there before a confrontation took place.

"How am I supposed to brush my teeth now?" he asked. I thought about a million things I could say. Instead, I ignored him and picked up my purse.

"I just wish you would try to remember that this is important to me," he added.

"Well," I shot back defensively, "I wish you would remember to put your white clothes in the first hamper and the colored clothes in the second hamper, but that doesn't happen."

"Great, here we go again with what I don't do right,” he said. "Why don't you just tell me what you expect me to do?"

"I don't expect a lot," I started, knowing I shouldn't open this can of worms but irritated by his inconsistencies. "Just some basics, like remembering more often to tell me you love me, being a little more romantic, throwing away these soda cans you leave lying around and helping me with the dishes and the trash."

"Oh, is that all?" He shook his head and went into the bedroom. I rolled my eyes, walked out the front door and slammed it behind me.

I drove to work in tears, wondering if I had made a mistake getting married. While we were still engaged, many people told us to enjoy the beginning because "after that, the honeymoon's over." Maybe they were right, I contemplated.

I rubbed my forehead and thought back to the week before our wedding. I was at work, and a woman congratulated me on my engagement. "I've been married for 12 years," she said, emphasizing 12.

I remember waiting for her to say the same thing about the honeymoon ending. Instead, she said. "And after all this time, we're still on our honeymoon. You don't ever have to let it end." I had never forgotten those words or the glimmer in her eyes. How I wished I could go back to that conversation and simply ask her how. How in the world do you not let it end?

I got home that night and didn't say much to Bob. We sat in the living room, watching TV and eating dinner. I was tired of the unspoken tension.

"I'm going to bed," I said, getting up. "Are you coming?"

"No. I'm going to stay up and watch TV," he said.

Figures, I thought. I got into bed and wanted to cry. But before I could, Bob walked in. He tucked the covers around me and kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you," he said.

I closed my eyes and felt a flood of emotions. It felt so good to be loved. But most of all, I was humbled by his humility.

"Hey, Babe," I said as he began to walk out of the room.

He stopped. "Yes?"

"I promise to plug in your toothbrush tomorrow morning."

He chuckled and nodded.

Over the following years, many such moments would keep the honeymoon "on." Moments when we acknowledged that what's not important to one may mean the world to the other, moments when we learned to let go of the expectations that don't really matter. Sure, marriage is never perfect, but as we try to love the other without expecting anything in return, the joys of the honeymoon stay with us still.

This article first appeared in the Couples edition of the September, 2008 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2008 Sandi Greene. All rights reserved.

Sandi Greene lives with her husband, Bob, and their two children, Justice and Micah, in Arizona.


http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/marriage/A000001214.cfm#

Scrapbook Supplies

Okay, so I forgot to include that the rick rack and buttons on my layout below where from Walmart. I got them from their fabric section at a very reasonable price. I think it was almost $2 for the rick rack and you get 4yrds. Anyhow, just thought I'd share. God bless!


-Leslie

Kindergarten Layout

Hello again! Here is a two page layout I wanted to share with y'all. I made this today. I don't have the pictures for it yet, but will soon. I didn't take pictures of my son on his first day of schooling, but they will be of when he is doing his schoolwork. So, that why its a kindergarten layout. I just realized I was going to use my b&t paper on both and used different ones. Oh well! I guess it goes. Let me know what you think. More ribbon? More rick rack? How about more buttons? I will also be placing some printed journaling on the first page next to the picture. I will sure take pictures of the finished look to share. Okay, till next time...

In His love,
Leslie




I used my cricut to make the title with Base Camp cartridge.




The stars where made by placing stars I cut out with my cricut
using George and Basic Shapes. First I placed them on the paper with
repositionable adhesive and then out lined them with chalk. I just bought
my first set of chalk and really recommend them. They are Pebbles Inc.
chalks. I love them! Then I removed the stars and voila!


I outlined my title letters with brown chalk. I like it. Do you?

Beautiful Templates for your blog!!!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to post a quick one. Hope all are well! I found this blog and her layout are beautiful. They are free and if you scroll all the way down she gives you instructions on how to. Hope you will love them too. God bless.

http://alliebrownslayouts.blogspot.com/

In His love,
Leslie