Currently

Drinking:  Lavender lemonade.  The temperature is slowly rising in Oregon.  I've been looking for yummy drinks to cool me off.  My mom and I both enjoy lavender, so we thought we would make our own lemonade.  Plus, it helps get rid of stress which is a huge bonus.

We took 1 cup boiling water and mixed it with 1 teaspoon lavender.  Let it seep for 20 minutes.  Strain into two cups and fill the rest of the way with regular lemonade.

Listening to:  King of My Heart, Peter Pan, H.O.L.Y, Gracia Todopoderosa

Praying:  For Fun in the Park, VBS, and youth group.  This weekend there is an outreach event in the community where we will be sharing about our church.  I'm praying that God opens up doors for new people to come learn about Him.  Next weekend we have... VBS!  We are in full throttle planning mode.  We turned the church into a cave yesterday.  I'm praying that the event would bring new people to the foot of the cross and glory to Him.  Tonight we have youth group.  I am praying that God would be planting seeds in the heart of the middle and high schoolers.

Eating:  Downtown Portland has the most wonderful place called Waffle Window.  They have amazing waffle concoctions, and they just opened a cart 20 minutes from my house!  Yay for not having to find parking downtown to eat a yummy waffle.

Creating: These simple picture frames.  15 boxes of old books sit in our entryway as I type this post.  We cleaned out the attic space at my grandma's old house.  We can't quite bare to get rid of them yet, so we decided to put them to use in a cute craft/gift.  I made two, one for me and one to send to a friend for her birthday.

I found a book full of old maps, and since I love traveling I used pieces from those pages to collage my picture frame.  I stuck a picture of me and my world traveling bestie when she came to visit me in the DR last year.

What are you eating, listening to and praying about this summer?

Con mucho amor.

Why doing laundry is exhausting

What's been going on: People complain about doing laundry in the US.  I have to admit, I used to be one of those people.  It takes time to sort the clothes, move them from the washer to the dryer, and fold them when the load is done.  Here in the DR it is a slightly longer process, one that leaves me frustrated, weary, and discouraged.

From: here

I am not sure why the maid doesn't manage to get to any of my laundry or sheets, but I need to work on having a better attitude about it.  It is incredibly nice of her to clean the rest of our apartment.  My roommate works hard all day too, so I should be happy that Ramona gets everything of my roommates cleaned.

Last week we didn't have water for several days, so I couldn't do my laundry.  Yesterday we did not have electricity for the evening, so I couldn't do my laundry.  Once the electricity came back on, it war pouring down rain, so I couldn't do my laundry.  We hang dry our clothes and sheets, so there is no possibly way for them to dry when the porch is dripping with rainwater.

Today everything aligned and I was able to get it done.  Except first I had to wash the porch that was covered in dirt from the rain yesterday.  We don't have a bucket, so I had to run back and forth using a bowl of water to dump onto the patio.  Then I proceeded to use our new outdoor broom to sweep muddy water down the drain.  I had to rinse the broom several times because it was so muddy.  I had to be so very careful hanging up the clothes, making sure none of them fell on the still slightly brown floor.  I attempted to pour a little detergent into the washer when half the bag dumped in... I had to get a bowl and spoon to fish out all the detergent.  Por fin, they are drying and waving in the wind on our front porch.

Stay and Wait by Hillsong has been on repeat this afternoon as I struggle with the laundry and lesson planning.

I just feel so worn out, and the week has not even started yet.  Oh Dios, ayudame por favor.

From: here

Con mucho amor.

Love Does

What I'm reading: I just finished reading Love Does by Bob Goff.  It took me one day to read.  I gobbled up his words, and I felt like Jesus was speaking right to me while I sat curled up in my blanket.  Lots of the quotes and stories resonated with me.  Some connected with my heart for teaching, while others made me think of my love and passion for traveling and language.  

One of the chapters is titled "Lose the cape."  Goff discusses how Jesus wants us to be secretly incredible people.  He doesn't want us to scream or announce when we do these amazing feats, He wants us to say nothing to anyone (Mark 1:44).  This made me think of teaching.  There were so many days I felt like a secret super hero, quietly saving the world, even when I was thinking I didn't make an impact.

God is a really incredible teacher.  And I am a really poor student.  How many times does He teach us the same lessons, over and over again?  I sometimes don't listen to Him, and I fill my life with distractions.  He still calls me His daughter, His princess, and His beloved.  How often do I still care about students who drive me insane?  The answer: not enough.  I had that revelation last spring during my student teaching.  I never really thought about the direct correlation between how I want to teach and how God teaches me, and the world.  Challenging jobs for the both of us.  

God loves answering our impossible prayers.  Sometimes it feels like when I pray, well, I don't think God is listening.  But I know He is.  I've gotten so much better at praying honestly.  I'll sometimes yell at Him.  Or cry.  Or just sit there.  Because sometimes I just feel like I don't have words for how many incredible things He is doing in my life.  Arranging and rearranging things in ways that only He can. 

The quote above reminds me of this blog post written by pastor Jarrid Wilson.  It's all about stepping out and how God uses change to help transform our lives.  This next phase of my life is all about change.

The epilogue of the book ties back to the title - LOVE DOES.  Goff asks the question "so what should I do?"  I just graduated from college.  I have my whole life ahead of me.  I'm trying to figure out where Jesus wants me to go.  Goff suggests trying to figure out what the next step is.  He writes, "For most of us, that next step is as easy as picking up the phone, sending an e-mail, writing a letter, BUYING A PLANE TICKET, or just showing up.  After that, things start happening.  Things that perhaps have God's fingerprints on them.  You'll know which ones do and which ones don't.  Pick the ones that do" (216).  What a powerful part in the book.  So here I am, God, with a plane ticket to the Dominican Republic for a year.  I think God has some pretty big things up His sleeves for me.  Someone recently told me that they hope I have the strength to do what God is asking of me.  That is going to be my word for the year.

From: here (really great blog post, btw)

God's plan for our lives is pretty simple Goff says.

<< your loves + your passions + your interests + what God said He wants us to be about = the answer >>

What I'm listening to: Suits has an exceptional selection of music each week.  Here are some of my favorites.

All I Want - Dawn Golden

Love Me Again - John Newman

For My Help - Hayden Calnin

Be What You Want - Epic Pop

What's inspiring me: 

From: me, here, and here
Con mucho amor.

My Week

What I'm doing: This week has been full of fun activities! Nothing out of the ordinary special, but just those little things that make you appreciate life.

Wednesday Mariah and I went to church, which was really fun. We sat inbetween Kari and Rachel. We stayed after the church service was over and talked with Tina and her daughters for awhile. I did not even realize how long we were there until my host mom texted me and said, "where are you?!" I am always surrounded by wonderful people who care about me.

Thursday was a rainy day. There was more rain than usual because of hurricane Sandy. The other Spanish class did not have class that day, so I was a little disappointed that we did. Our teacher just disappeared. When she returned she had a whole thing of hot chocolate for everyone in class! It was SO nice of her!

Last night Mariah came over and we went to the mall and got popcorn. We watched The Mask. When it was done, her and my brother and I were all just talking in my room. He was telling us stories from his life. I swear he is one of the wisest people I know. We always have heart to hearts at night. Sharing experiences and life with people is one of my favorite parts about Costa Rica.

What I'm watching: My host brother was shocked when he kept listing off movies and I kept saying that I had not seen them. It is funny because the same exact thing happened over the summer with one of my coworkers. He was so surprised that I had not seen so many popular movies. My brother decided that we need to have lots of movie nights before I leave. We watched Inglourious Basterds on Sunday night, and The Mask last night. I thought The Mask was going to be a scary movie, but my brother kept telling me it was not. I didn't exactly believe him... It was funny but silly. I fell asleep through a small part of it, though. Whoops!

My favorite one that we watched this week was Patch Adams. We watched it on Thursday night, and it was SO good. Made me cry, but it also has such a good message. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

• When Patch is talking to God after a difficult time in the movie: "So answer me please. Tell me what you're doing. Okay, let's look at the logic. You create man. Man suffers enormous amounts of pain. Man dies. Maybe you should have had just a few more brainstorming sessions prior to creation. You rested on the seventh day. Maybe you should've spent that day on compassion."
• "See what no one else sees. See what everyone chooses not to see... out of fear, conformity or laziness. See the whole world anew each day!"  
• "All of life is a coming home. All the restless hearts of the world, all trying to find a way home. Picture yourself walking for days in the driving snow; you don't even know you're walking in circles. How small you can feel, and how far away home can be. Home. The dictionary defines it as both a place of origin and a goal or destination. Eventually I would find the right path, but in the most unlikely place."

What I'm listening to: I love Christian music, and listening to it in Spanish is even more magical. Worship is such a wonderful way to connect with God. One of my friends showed me these few new songs that I love.

• El Aire De Tu Casa - Jesus Adrian Romero
• Solo Cristo - Hillsong
• When God Ran

This afternoon is a huge first communion lunch for Angelica. I really hope that I can understand what is going on and that people will talk to me. Tonight is youth group, and tomorrow is church! Hopefully tomorrow afternoon Chandler and I will go shopping too. I am having shopping withdrawls. :) Hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend.

Con mucho amor.

telefono celular

What I'm doing: Today was FULL of adventures. This morning during class we learned about the banks, and then we went on a walking tour of the city. We saw schools, churches, the library, the post office, and more. We finished our tour early and wandered the city. I made my first purchase in Costa Rica: shampoo, conditioner, a towel and a notebook for school. For lunch I had rice, beans, and salad.

This afternoon we had our first history/culture class. We talked about different types of observations. This weekend is a festival for the city, and we are supposed to take notes and observe what is going on. After class got over the real adventures began. We tried to get cell phones... One store did not have the chip people need. We went to a tiny store where an old man tried to help us at first, but he could not hear very well. Then a lady tried to help us. No one could understand eachother and she kept yelling at us... We ended up leaving because everyone was just frustrated. Other people in the store kept laughing at us too!

Right after we left that store we were standing on the street corner laughing so hard we were crying. All of a sudden a lady comes up and asks Sydney where to buy a cell phone. Who would come up to a group of white people and ask us where anything is?! Such an adventure though...we could not stop laughing at the afternoon's events.

What I'm listening to: Kari Jobe is a Christian artist who sings in Spanish and English. A mi Corazon Tranquillas is one of my favorite songs right now. Listening to Spanish music helps me with my listening.

Con mucho amor.

13 days

What's going on in my life: In 13 days I will leave for the adventure of a lifetime.  I will be studying abroad in Costa Rica.  I have not posted much this summer because I have been working two jobs, but I want to post while I am abroad.  I want to capture moments, memories and stories for friends and family to read.  Going abroad is not just an experience for me, it is an experience for those that I share life with as well. 

What I'm thinking about: I follow Jefferson Bethke on Twitter, and I just discovered that he has a blog.  His last post was about giving God glory no matter where you are...God puts people exactly where they need to be.  It made me feel content about being in Costa Rica.  It is exactly where I am supposed to be in this season of my life. 

What I'm listening to: Home by Phillip Phillips.  I was obsessed with watching the Olympics, and this was the song they played while talking about the gymnastics portion of the games.  The lyrics go along perfectly with the next chapter of my life. 

"As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home."

This is a picture of my new home.
From: here

Con mucho amor.

Jackson Michelson

What I'm listening to: Jackson Michelson came and played at my school recently, and he was amazing!  He is a Christian and has played at Younlife camps, as well.  I got his cd after the show and I have been listening to it non-stop.  Add him on fb or follow him on twitter, because he's the best.

from: here
What I'm taking pictures of: This week was full of ups and downs.  It snowed!  I went shopping for a photo album to start Project Life (I didn't find any), and I am headed home to celebrate my sissy's birthday.  The first photo is a candle holder from Ross.  I loved the quote: with faith we can achieve all that we believe.  The second photo is a sort of picture of the snow at school.

What I'm reading: The Laziest Ways to Lose Weight popped up on my MSN homepage today.  I need to start working out again.  I go through phases when I am very motivated, then other time when I'm not at all.  My favorite tips from the article:

• Don't go shopping when you are hungry, and only buy what is on your list.  This month I have lived off campus, so I have had to make my own meals.  I have been working on making specific shopping lists for only what I need.  It's faster, and you buy less junk this way!
• Buy ready to eat snacks.  At school, I will always go to the store and buy chocolate or chips.  However, lately I have kept carrots and apples ready to eat.  I have also been buying healthy granola bars.  These are way healthier and quicker to grab and go. 
• Drink water before every meal.  It makes you fill up faster.
• And my favorite: sleep!!  The article says: "People who slept 5 to 6 hours a night gained 4.5 pounds more than those who dozed for 7 to 8 hours nightly."

My mom also sent me this article, How to be Full of Wonder.  I loved the simple tricks to live a happier life.

And this beauty blog, Maskcara, that has great hair and makeup youtube videos!  Plus her latest entry is about Friday Night Lights, one of my all time favorite shows.

Best Day Ever

What I'm doing: I saw this quote in a friend's apartment, and I LOVED it!

What I'm listening to:  My friend accidentally downloaded the wrong version of Let Me Love You, but discovered this artist, Alex Lambert, who is so good!  His name sounded familiar since he was on American Idol in season 9.  My favorite songs?  DJ Got Us Falling In Love, Use Somebody, and  Wonderful World

What I'm creating:  So I thought I brought a blank notebook with me to school52WoL prompt for me this week: What describes your perfect day?

What I want to make:

• I found these bracelets while I was on stumbleupon.  So cute.
• These cherry blossom lights to put in a vase on a desk or dresser.
• Pretty paper flowers to put on bookmarks or decorate journals with.
• This cute polka dot shirt from this wonderful website.

Two or More and Books Galore

What I'm listening to:  Today at work I spent a great deal of time in my car, so I was listening to the radio.  And I heard my new favorite song...Cheers by Rhianna is so good!  "Life is too short to sit around being miserable."  It is the perfect song for summer and the weekends.  Love it.  :)

Also, last Sunday at church I had the opportunity to listen to Two or More.  The group consists of three brothers and one of their friends.  They also sing in spanish, which I thought was neat.  Here is the Lords Prayer as a song.  Here is Lord I Lift Your Name on High.  They spoke inbetween playing songs, and I loved their message about how regardless of the plans we make, God has bigger plans for us.  One of the brothers said, "When the chips are down, you may not be happy, but when you love the Lord, you have a joy in your heart."

photo from: here 

What I'm reading:  Tonight I went to Powells and got a few books.  I had checked out Creative is a Verb, but as I started reading, I realized that I needed to buy it so I could underline and mark up all of the pages!  Patti Digh is a genius and gifted writer.  "This is a book about waking up to the beauty around you-the beauty of seeing more and livijng more deeply" (p. 14).  This book has quotes sprinkles throughout the pages, which I love.  And at the end of each chaper Digh has activities to help readers become more creative.  She talks about using index cards as a canvas, which reminds me a lot of a different index card project... :)  I'll post quotes and activities I like from the book as I read it!

I also got a devotional called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  My friend had the book and read me a few passages throughout school last year.  And when I found it on sale for $5, I knew I had to buy a copy for myself.  The cover is a brown color, so I think I might paint or collage over it, which is what another friend of mine did.  Put my own creative twist on it.

What I'm watching:  Last night I went and saw the movie, The Help.  I had also read the book, but the movie was SO good!  I almost started crying several times...and I did not cry in the book.  So I think that shows how good it was. :)  Emma Stone (Skeeter) has been in so many movies lately.  Easy A, Crazy, Stupid Love, and now this one!



photo from: here

The alumni dance went very well this weekend.  You can read all about it on my friends blog, here. :)  What was your favorite thing you did this weekend?

Much love.

Harder than it seems

What I'm creating: It is much more difficult to get back in the swing of things after being on vacation!  Its taken me all week to clean my room and still it is not very organized.  But here are my ICAD from this week.  I used mostly pieces of envelope and office supplies.  I also made a page in art journal #2.

What I'm listening to: The finale of So You Think You Can Dance is next week!  Not only do I love watching the amazing dancers, but I love discovering new songs from the show.  My favs from this week were:

-After Tonight (Justin Nozuka)
-Wonderful World (James Morrison)
-Schoolin' Life (Beyonce)

Much love.

Friendship

What I've been doing: Spending time with friends these past few days has made me so excited to go back to school, even though there is still a month and a half left or so.  I was in Seattle on Saturday, and we went to Pikes Place and the gum wall!

What I'm listening to: One of my friends showed me this really good video about a different way to curl hair.  Not only does the lady have pretty hair, but she also has a wonderful voice!  They perform covers of different songs, including Look At Me Now, Written in the Stars, and Forget You.  Soooo good!

What I'm creating: I have not had much time to make new art journal pages at the moment, but here are a few ICADs. :)  I just used pen on these.

Make sure to tell a friend how much they mean to you! :)

Much love.

Josh Ritter

What I'm reading/What I'm listening to: If you have not heard of Josh Ritter, you seriously NEED to look him up.  Not only is he the nicest guy ever, but he is an amazingly talented singer/songwriter/author.  Tonight my dad and I went to a book signing and we met him for the second time.  His recently published book is titled, Bright's Passage.  Not only did he remember us, but he was so thankful that we came and supported him.  Plus he gives the best bear hugs.  My favorite song at the moment is Come and Find Me.

What I'm creating: Here is a present I made for a friend for her birthday.  Her favorite colors are blue and purple, and she loves giraffes!

Here is a page from art journal #2.  I just made a simple collage and added a sticker in the middle.

Well I am going on a train tomorrow to visit a friend so I will write again when I get back on Sunday.  It's my first train ride, and I am so excited.  I feel like I'll be in a movie...riding a train and everything. :)  Have a great weekend everyone!

Much love.

Alas We Aspire

What I'm listening to: My wonderful sissy made me a cd, and track #3 is Alas We Aspire by Amy Stroup.  The song was featured on Pretty Little Liars and it is a new favorite.

What I'm creating: I went to Michaels again today, which is becoming a problem.  I buy too much whenever I go there!  I got three new stamps, several sticker sets, and cute tags with flowers on them.  I used one of the stamps in both the projects I made tonight.

Here are my ICAD cards for the 5th and 6th.  July 16th marks 45 days of creating cards, which is halfway through the project.  I need to find a cute box or something to put the cards in because at the moment they are all paperclipped together, and now the paper clip is about to burst!

Here is journal #2.  I used the gift card spreading technique for the background, and I used my new stamp on this page as well!



What I'm looking at online: I was searching through different blogs today to look for inspiration and I can across this site, and I LOVE her journals!  She has beautiful ones on sale at her etsy shop, and I literally spent two hours searching through all of her old posts about art journals. 

Much love.

Saturday Love

Lately, Saturdays have been my favorite days of the week.  Its nice to relax and not have to work, plus I have been having adventures out and about.  Today it was actually sunny and I went downtown with my family.  Mom, sis and I got pedicures while Dad drank coffee and waited patiently. :) We then walked around and shopped.

What I wore/What I'm reading: I also loved today because I got my new Glamour magazine.  They focused on street style in this issue which I thought was neat, and they featured fashion bloggers.  Gabi Gregg at http://www.youngfatandfabulous.com/ is my new icon.  She is a gorgeous plus sized blogger and I LOVE her style.  And I love how she does not care about her size.  She posted photos of her in a bikini and even a tent style maxi dress, both which would be considered "no's" for bigger people.  One quote from the magazine interview was, "Ignore the rules.  I always tell my readers to stop saying 'I wish I could pull that off,' and just do it!" 

So today I decided to wear my romper!  Huge fashion risk for me.  I've been trying to find the perfect cheap romper and I tried on a strapless one earlier this summer that just did not look the best.  But I ended up finding a tank top style blue one from Forever21 that was on sale for $10 so I thought I might as well buy it.  And I loved wearing it today!  It keeps me cool and is so cute for the summer time.  Here it is paired with a white tank, forever 21 necklace and Nordstroms sweater (with Dad and sissy downtown):

from: here and here

What I bought: While we were downtown I made a few purchases, of course.  I found washi tape!  I've been reading about it on a million different blogs, and I found it at a bookstore.  I also discovered this vinal type fabric that came in a ton of different prints.  It was $3 a foot so I just got a little but I think I am going to use it for a journal or planner cover.  My mom got me this cute pen that says it has an extra large ink holder and will last for 7 years; I just liked the cute feather on the top. :)

What I'm listening to: I have never watched The Voice before in my life until this week.  I watched the final episode, and although I was not thrilled, I loved Javier Colon's voice!  Here is the youtube video of Stich by Stich which is the first song I heard by him.

What I'm creating: The first page I painted yellow and cut out several quotes from another book I got at a thrift store.  I found the frames in a different Nordstroms catalogue, and the red flowers is a stamp from my aunt that I put on top of blue watercolor paper I made.

The second page is a collection of papers I got today.  The black and white frame was the wrapping from the new pen I got today, and the checked paper is from my pizza today!  Don't worry I tore it off before it got all gross from the pizza, although my sister was mortified when I told her I was going to use it in some project. :)

My mom thought I should make the photos bigger so readers could see my pages better!  What do you think of the larger size?

Much love.

With Every Heartbeat

What I'm listening to: I've been stealing good new songs from watching So You Think You Can Dance.  Ryan and Caitlynn are my two favorite girls, and for guys I love Tadd.  But this week Melanie and Marko danced to I Got You by Leona Lewis.  Another one of my favorite songs from this weeks show was With Every Heartbeat.  I love using tv shows to find song inspiration.  The Friday Night Lights theme song, Your Hand in Mine is one of my favorite songs ever.

What I'm creating: For my best friends birthday I made her a canvas!  I used purple colors and I think it turned out pretty.  I also used the stud stickers I got a few weeks ago from the Michaels sale. 

Much love.

Tonada

What is making me laugh: Tonight at dinner my sister was telling us how she watched some movie or show called Prada to Nada.  My mom was so confused though, because she thought it was a new brand or something...called tonada.  Which made us all laugh, so that is the reason behind the post title. :)

What I'm creating: For ICAD 23 I used the prompt "scissors" and cut out a heart.

Here is the latest page from my art journal.  I took pieces from construction plans and made a watercolor heart on it.  The quote says "There are 1,440 minutes in a day.  Take at least 15 for yourself."  This quote is making me think about job opportunities in the future and how I should make sure I enjoy what I am doing for each minute of the day.

What I'm listening to: Yesterday my friend told me about James Vincent McMorrow, and I am loving his music.  My favorite song is We Don't Eat.  So good.

Much love.

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

What I'm listening to: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay.  I purchased it on itunes a week ago and I already have 19 plays!  Love it.

What I'm creating: One of my friends wanted me to make her something so she could frame it!  The qualifications?  Pink/purple color scheme.  Here is the final product:

Much love.

Mashup

What I'm listening to/What is inspiring me:  Music mashups have been around for a long time, but I just have never heard them before!  A few months ago a friend from school had me listen to this miracles mashup, and I really liked it.  Fast forward to this morning at church...we were talking about mashups.  The pastor explained how hip-hop was originally a mashup of different old music, put together in a new way, to create something new.  The mashup of past and present events in your life creates the song that you present to everyone else. 

What I'm wearing:  I got two of the cutest shirts at Target today.  I am loving tie dye, and both shirts were on sale which made me even happier. :)

from: here and here

They have similar shirt options and ideas at Forever 21.

What I bought:  Today I also went to Michaels to see if there was anything I could not live without.  Not surprisingly, I found a few things. :)  Their website has additional coupons that I did not even think to use.  I spent less than $13 on all of this stuff: love photo holder, soar blue journal, stud stickers, "go against the flow" notecards, three white 5x7 canvases, blue and white ribbon, and five stamps, including a mini set of the alphabet!

What I'm creating:  Here are ICAD 17, 18 and 19.  My favorite is 19; I recylced the prompt "colors of the sunset" by using orange, yellow, peach and red watercolor pencils and sharpie for the circle and "love."  Last summer I took a watercolor class with my aunt and I absolutely love using that medium. 

Here is my 30-day journal challenge entries for the 15th and 17th.  I am loving all of Janel's creative ideas at her blog, Run Withe Scissors.  Some of them are a little more challenging that I still have not done yet, like the scavenger hunt and the page only filled with lines.  Whoops!
   

 

Under my favorite tv shows I put Swamp People.  If you've never seen or heard of it before, here is a clip.  It is a group of people who live in the South who hunt alligators.  My sister and I have been watching it lately.  The people speak English, but they need subtitles because their accents are so strong.  Hilarious.

Lastly, here is my latest page in the art journal I've been working on!  I used the new "H" stamp I purchased from Michaels to create the border on the side of the page.  The word highlighted on the inside of the heart says, "joys." 

What I'm decorating with:  Just like on the page above, I love initials!  This is an idea I created because I have ended up collected a bunch of differnt styles of my initial and I thought it would make a nice collage over my bed.  The three top ones are from Michaels, and the bottom one I've had in my room for a long time and I covered it in tissue paper from a retail store.

Other initial home inspiration:

from: here and here and here

Sorry for not posting in the past few days.  I have been busy and very tired but I will try to keep posting daily next week. :)  What joys have you experienced today?  What is the soundtrack of your life and how are you presenting it to the world? 

Much love.