We Love Candy

Who doesn't love candy? My kids have inherited their mom's sweet tooth. Although, as I've matured I forgo the sour patch kids, smarties, and other pure sugary goodness, but will still indulge in dark chocolate. Caleb is my chocolate guy, Alexis loves peanut butter cups, while Zach and Alyssia love anything sour. Although we have our own preferences in candy, we all agree on a really cool candy store - Mrs. Whizzy Fizz Popp's in Bolton Landing, NY.

The kids love the oversize Adirondack chair out front and it's become a tradition to take a picture of them sitting in it. I love taking similar pictures each year, but the challenge in scrapbooking is to create layouts that don't look the same every year. So far, this is my favorite candy store layout.

Scrapbooking Tips:
I created my own candy embellishments for this layout so I could match the paper I wanted to use. I have a lot of candy stickers, but they weren't large enough to fill the pink strip. So I pulled out my candy2share stamps, dies and inks from The Stamps of Life. I stamped the wrapper in licorice ink and then filled in the candy with guava, ocean and grape ink.

Although I loved being able to create custom embellishments for this layout, they looked a little dull. I added a clear dimensional glaze to the candy and then sprinkled some glitter on the glaze while it was still wet. I was really pleased with the finished result, although they did have to dry for a couple of hours before I could add them to my page. I used foam adhesive to attach them to the layout. 

To check out these cool stamps visit The Stamps of Life: candy2share

Stealing Mommy's Coffee

One of the aspects of scrapbooking I enjoy the most is capturing those little everyday moments that time would definitely erase. This layout captures one of those memories. 

These photos were taken when I was homeschooling Caleb and he was in third grade. This layout shows Caleb stealing my coffee while we were doing schoolwork. I had left the room just to grab something, and when I got back to the kitchen, Caleb was drinking my coffee! I loved the expressions on his face, and in the second picture with the way he raised his eyebrows, he reminded me so much of his father.

To anyone this layout would look like just a little kid with cute expressions. But most importantly, this layout documents a miracle! We were told that Caleb would only experience weakening muscles and wouldn't progress from where he was when he was two years old. Doctors said he would never write. Here he is doing his own writing on a worksheet and LIFTING A FULL MUG TO HIS MOUTH! That is the miracle. Caleb's muscles were holding their own, and getting stronger. 

You don't realize how much you take for granted until you're given a front row seat to someone battling a disease or disability. The little things that are mindless for you and I might be something to celebrate in others!

Scrapbooking Tips:

I challenged myself to make at least 50 layouts using my The Stamps of Life 6x6 paper pads, and their stamps & dies, and this is one of those layouts. I used their YAY collection pattern paper pad, Coffee Statement Set, coffee4two stamps and their Coffee Cup Dies. 

I created the embellishment and title by using the coffee4two stamp and then cut it out with the coordinating dies. I adhered it to my layout using foam adhesive to give it dimension. I then created the simple title using the Coffee Statement Set. I do admit I cut out a couple different color combinations until I settled on the white text and red background. 

Because I wanted to lay the title over my embellishment which was already dimensional, I added two layers of adhesive foam under the "ee" and just plain tape adhesive under the "c" . This way the title laid flat against the embellishment but still popped off the page.

The Stamps of Life carry so many great products that are versatile for both card making and scrapbooking! I am really enjoying incorporating their products into my scrapbooks. It's definitely stretching my creativity! You can check out The Stamps of Life coffee themed products here: TSOL Coffee Products

Think Geek

This was a fun layout to make! I feel like I was able to capture so much of my boys' personality in this one photo. . . . 

It was summer vacation, and Zachary asked me to take him to Think Geek. If you have never been to this store let me describe it as a paradise to my video game, Star Wars, Marvel, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda loving sons! There are all sorts of figures, collectibles, T-shirts and oddities of every kind. Want of waffle maker of the Death Star from Star Wars? They have it! What about a dress suit covered in R2D2? This is your store! Or how about a larger than life statute of the Infinity Gauntlet from the Avengers movies? Yep - they have that too!

Both boys wanted to go, so I made a deal with them. They would have to go to the gym with me, and then we would go right from there to the mall. We got to the mall ten minutes before the stores opened. I suggested we wait in the car and listen to music. Nope, they wanted to get the store just incase it opened early. 

Think Geek is conveniently located right across from the food court and a comfortable sitting area. So I suggested we could sit down and we'd be able to see when the doors opened. Nope, they had to stand right at the doors. I sat down and snapped this photo. An older man was sitting there, chuckling at the boys and asked me what type of store that was that the boys were so excited to get in. After I explained it he just shook his head and laughed.

I decided right then that I was going to do a layout with this picture, even if the only reason is it makes me smile. I want to remember this little moment in time where the boys were so excited they couldn't wait to get into the store. If I hadn't taken this photo, I doubt I would even remember this day. Now that it is scrapbooked, I'll never forget their eagerness, my conversation with the old man who was also enjoying the boys, and just how much I enjoyed that morning with them.

Scrapbooking Tips:

This was an easy layout to put together because I scrap lifted myself! I had already used this layout twice before, based off a Scrapbook Generation sketch. 

                    

The simple background of four pattern paper squares is such a great way to showcase one photo, and I'll admit that this is one of my favorite "go to" layouts for a quick and easy page. One major difference is that I did not put a title on this layout. Because you can see "Think Geek" so plainly across the storefront, I let it do double duty as my photo's focus and the layout title. 

Because my boys are such video game lovers I had some cute pattern paper and controller embellishments in my stash. They fit the merchandise of Think Geek perfectly and that's what I wanted to emphasize. 

Close up of the journaling

Brothers are Better than Super Heroes

In our house, brothers (& step sisters) are better than super heroes! While I do not have the same experience or perspective as my kids, I can only imagine how hard it must be to have a special needs sibling. As hard as I try, I know there are times where Caleb's needs demand more of my time, attention and resources.

I can't begin to tell you how much "guilt" I could carry as a parent. I feel guilty when I suggest an activity for the kids that Caleb can not participate in, such as jumping on the trampoline. If  I recommend they play video games, which Caleb loves and excels at, I feel guilty because I'm encouraging something sedentary and non-educational. And don't even get me started on finding accessible activities to do on vacation that the whole family enjoys!

Zach has been Caleb's best buddy his entire life. When Caleb would drop a toy, Zach would pick it up. If Caleb needed his iPad plugged in or video game changed,  Zach would help him. As soon as Zach was big enough to move from his crib to toddler bed, he would come get me if Caleb ever needed anything at night. He would tip toe to me and announce, "Cawub needs sumptin [something]."

Since 2017, when treatment for SMA became available, Caleb's doctors appointments and treatments have greatly increased, and his care providers are three hours away. Zach and Alyssia have come along for the ride, many times by choice, to be supportive of Caleb. It melts my heart to see how much they're willing to support their brother.

I've done many layouts documenting Caleb's medical treatments, but when I saw these pictures of Zach, I just knew I had to do a layout on what an awesome brother he is. I knew exactly what papers I wanted to use - Echo Park's Imagine That line because it had some super hero embellishments - and that is what Zach is to Caleb - a SUPER HERO!

Spinraza Rock Star

Here is a layout that shows just what a rock star my son is! I made it at Caleb's request to "showcase" a major part of his life - medical procedures, and a picture of an xray taken during Caleb's Spinraza injections.  I added a bright yellow arrow to highlight the needle in his back, in between the hardware from his spinal fusion. He was also proud of the toy Yoda one of the staff gave him after his procedure!

I know that many times I talk about scrapbooking techniques, but today I want to share part of Caleb's journey with you. This blog is called Scrapping My Blessings, and the fact there is now a treatment for SMA, is one of the biggest blessings in our family's life. I created this layout to remember that even in the midst of trials we would never choose, God has been faithful 

Caleb was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). He has never walked, and has prolonged muscle weakness throughout his entire body. Every four months we drive to Rochester for Caleb to get intrathecal injections of Spinraza, which is an amazing drug that halts the progression of Caleb's disease. If you are like me, and are not sure what intrathecal means, it's an injection into the spinal canal so drugs can reach the CSF, or cerebrospinal fluid. Think spinal tap . . . 

Caleb is awake for these procedures and is absolutely amazing! While we are in the prep room, the doctor comes in and puts some numbing cream on his back. Thirty minutes later they wheel him to the procedure room and transfer him to a table under fluoroscopy machine, which was described to me as a "x-ray" movie. 

A close up of the X-ray photo I used on this layout

Once positioned, the doctors inject lidocaine into the lumbar area to numb Caleb. Then they try to find what Caleb and I call the "sweet spot" where they can inject the Spinraza. When Caleb had his spinal fusion surgery back in 2017, the surgeon worked with the neurologist and this team to make sure that 3-4 vertebrae in the lumbar area of Caleb's spine were not fused so he could get these treatments. It takes the doctor time and patience, along with the guidance of the x-rays, to get the needle into the correct area.

Because headaches are often a risk of any type of spinal injection, they take out 5 cc's of Caleb's CSF before injecting 5 cc's of Spinraza. From the time they get Caleb on the table, it takes about 10-15 minutes! Caleb always jokes with his doctor to see if he can do it faster than the last time, to which he always replies, "I'm going to take as long as I need to keep you safe."

The whole time this is going on, I am sitting behind a wall, watching through a window and listening. Caleb spends the entire procedure talking about Star Wars and video games with the Child Life Specialist who sits up by his head with an ipad, with the sole purpose to make him feel comfortable and distract him. He hardly says, "Ouch". He might make a noise when they first stick him with the lidocaine, but there have been many procedures where he never even says, "Ow."

This whole experience has taught me so much as a mother, and a Christ follower. First, it proves to me that God does have a sense of humor! I have never been great at medical stuff and have passed out many times in doctor offices (and even once at the dentist). Here I am, suiting up to go into procedure rooms with my son, and watch as they use scary looking needles on my baby and I don't even flinch. 

I've also learned that Caleb is an amazingly strong kid! There were so many emotions when he was first diagnosed, and Dave and I knew that there would be many doctors and procedures in his future, and I cried at the thought of everything he would have to go through. While Caleb doesn't like to have medical treatments, God has blessed him with a maturity beyond his years to understand that the long term benefit outweighs the momentary discomfort. He has complete trust in God that everything will be ok. His faith never wavers. At times he may be sad, or wish things were different, but now that he is older, he's told me with sincere conviction that he knows God has a purpose for his life. 

Finally, the most important life lesson I have learned is to recognize God's peace that transcends all understanding. We ask for lots of prayer on appointment and procedure days, and I can tangibly sense God's presence in these scary, sterile rooms, watching Caleb repeatedly go through painful experiences. I have a calm come over me as I silently pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians who work on Caleb. I ask God to guide their hands, and protect Caleb. And the miraculous thing is, I feel his presence right beside me. I know that he is in that room standing right beside Caleb. I can't describe in words, but there is such a holy presence, more powerful than anything I have experienced, a still voice whispering in my ear, reassuring me, "I am here." 

Beach Time

To say that this is a crazy time is an understatement. However, if there is one thing that my life has taught me is to count my blessings, and one of my biggest blessings during our quarantine is that I have more time to scrapbook. When I was upset, stressed or worried, Dave would always take care of the boys and would send me to my scrapbooking area and tell me to just, “Scrap it out!” And that is what I’m doing with all my extra time, and I am so grateful for this creative outlet that is such a stress reliever! Looking at photos of my family is one way I can count my many blessings.

This past weekend I participated in my first online crop through Scrapbook Generation’s Scrap Squad, which is a Facebook group run by my all-time favorite scrapbookers, Allison Davis and Debbie Sanders. They presented a couple of scrapbooking challenges, giving us until Sunday at midnight to complete. When our pages were done, we’d upload a picture and it was so much fun to see all the amazing layouts completed! Talk about scrapbooking inspiration!

I’m sharing the layout I created for the 8x8 paper challenge. Debbie Sanders had created multiple sketches featuring 8x8 blocks of paper. Our challenge was to pick one sketch and design our layout. 

I pulled out some photos and paper I had set aside for an upcoming vacation album I’ll be working on. Using different colored papers, I cut my 8x8 squares and adhered them on my white card stock.

Then I arranged my 6x4 photos and 4x4 photos on my layout. One element I added that wasn’t on the original sketch was a ¼” striped border on top of the 6x4 photos. I LOVE using stripes on my layout because it’s a quick easy way to add a lot of color.

My favorite element on my layout were the hibiscus flowers and leaves. I made these flowers using the tropical2stamp dies from my all-time favorite stamping company, The Stamps of Life. You can purchase your own hibiscus stamps and dies here: tropical2stamp dies

I matched the color of my hibiscus flowers to the colors in the striped paper. I framed the upper left corner of the photos and the title. But to create a visual triangle, I added one more flower on the bottom row of photos.

This layout was so easy to put together and I loved the results! If you’re looking for a quick and easy layout to get your creative juices flowing you should check out these free sketches from Scrapbook Generation: Sketches Using 8x8 Paper. Happy Scrapping!

Father's Day

In recent years, Father's Day has been a painful day for the boys and I as it tends to highlight Dave's absence. There's nothing I can do take away the boys' pain, except maybe a few extra hugs and a shoulder to cry on. However, since God brought Jim into our lives, we have a reason to really celebrate again. These photos are from our first Father's Day with Jim. The first of many celebrations as a blended family. 

One thing that I am learning as part of a blended family, is that holidays can trigger or exaggerate emotions that lurk right under the surface. Not only for the boys and girls, but even for Jim and me. While we are happy that we all have each other, there is pain because this is not how any of us originally pictured our life.

While we do not have this whole blended family thing perfected, one thing that amazes me is how God's grace is so evident in how our kids respond to each other on these special holidays. For example, today, Father's Day 2019, Alyssia used her own money to buy flowers for the boys to place on Dave's grave. On holidays where the girls have to split there time between mom and dad, the boys are genuinely willing to wait to celebrate until the girls have arrived. 

So today, we celebrated. The girls celebrated their father and the boys celebrated the memory of their dad and the awesome step-dad they have. We laughed and cried (a little!) but most of all, recognize the blessings of a heavenly father who made us a family and is faithful to continue to knit us all together with every new memory we make!

Scrapbooking Tips:
I wanted a masculine looking layout and didn't have any other photos than the ones of Jim opening up his presents. My solution was to create a grid layout. I loosely took this idea from a Scrapbook Generation sketch, but had to adjust it because I did not have a lot of photo options to work with.

I used 6x6 pattern paper from The Stamps of Life to create the background and banner detail in the upper right corner. I was happy to have this Father's Day documented and the bright, cheerful look to the layout!