Letters From War

I found this video at Just a Flip Flop Mom's blog and wanted to share it with you.

Remember

National Cemetary - Memphis, TN

(Dan and I took Ainsley here today. It was very touching!)

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"Memorial Day"

As we stand here looking

At the flags upon these graves

Know these flags represent

A few of the true American brave

They fought for their Country

As man has through all of time

Except that these soldiers lying here

Fought for your country and mine

As we all are gathered here

To pay them our respect

Let's pass this word to others

It's what they would expect

I'm sure that they would do it

If it were me or you

To show we did not die in vein

But for the red, white and blue.

Let's pass on to our children

And to those who never knew

What these soldiers died for

It's the least we can do

Let's not forget their families

Great pain they had to bear

Losing a son, father or husband

They need to know we still care

No matter which war was fought

On the day that they died

I stand here looking at these flags

Filled with American pride.

So as the bugler plays out Taps

With its sweet and eerie sound

Pray for these soldiers lying here

In this sacred, hallowed ground.

Take home with you a sense of pride

You were here Memorial Day.

Celebrating the way Americans should

On this solemnest of days.

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© 1999 by Michelle Keim,

Commander of Royersford VFW Post 6341 in PA.

Thursday 13 - NBA Players who were not drafted #1, #2 or #3

Yes... I am disappointed that the Grizzlies are drafting 4th this year. (Darn ping pong balls!) BUT... even at #4, there is still a very good chance the Grizzlies will pick up a great player who will make a difference next year.

Here is a list of 13 NBA players I found here. Although these players were not drafted #1... #2... or even #3, they have still left their mark on the game of basketball and have helped their teams achieve greatness.

1) Larry Bird - drafted #6 - 1978

2) Clyde Drexler - drafted #14 - 1983

3) Charles Barkley - drafted #5 - 1984

4) John Stockton - drafted #16 - 1984

5) Karl Malone - drafted #13 - 1985

6) Dikembe Mutombo - drafted #4 - 1991

7) Kevin Garnett - drafted #5 - 1995

8) Kobe Bryant - drafted #13 - 1996

9) Steve Nash - drafted #15 - 1996

10) Tracy McGrady - drafted #9 - 1997

11) Vince Carter - drafted #5 - 1998

12) Dirk Nowitzki - drafted #9 - 1998

13) Dwayne Wade - drafted #5 - 2003

(Feel free to leave your favorite "non-#1-#2-#3-in-the-draft" player in my comments.)

Wordless Wednesday

Ainsley with her Ma

Click here for other WW participants.

Weekend highlights

1) After church on Sunday, Dan and I participated in a bone marrow drive for Ethan Powell. It was so easy and so worth our time. Our prayer is that one of us will be a match for either Ethan or someone else who needs a bone marrow transplant. (We are now part of the National Marrow Donor Program.)

2) I attended Carolyn's Scrapbooking Party. I found some neat new blogs and won two great prizes!

3) Our beloved Cubbies defeated their crosstown rivals ~ 2 games to 1! (Derrek Lee came off the bench to hit a grand slam on Saturday.) Cubs are currently in third place in their division...only 6 games back from the Brewers. Go, Cubbies!

4) We went to see our house. It is very,very close to being finished! (Carpet and tile is in ~ front door is painted ~ doorbell installed ~ and our street number is on our house.) Sorry I don't have any photos to share this time. It looks like one month from today and it will be "officially" ours!

Hope your weekend was as nice as ours!

My first layout...ever

Here it is! (oh my...)

Notice it is only one page.

I didn't know anything about double page layouts at the time.

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I agree so much with Carolyn when she says...

"...I wished I had a scrapbook mentor in the beginning to tell me not to start scrapbooking with such important photos."

In 1998, a good friend invited me to a scrapbooking party and asked me to bring 4 - 6 photos from an event with me. So...I took photos from the trip to Hawaii that Dan and I took to celebrate our engagement...

one of the best trips Dan and I have ever taken together.

WHY oh WHY did I choose those photos??? I look back now and wish I, like Carolyn, had worked with these photos "AFTER I figured out what I was doing, and after I was comfortable, after I knew what not to do!"

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Alas...this trip would have made the cutest little scrapbook. (sigh...)

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As I look back on this page, I try to keep in mind what is important...

this is where I started scrapbooking.

I.started.scrapbooking!

Although my style has dramatically changed,

the photos are

PRESERVED

and

the page TELLS THE STORY

of our trip together.

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(scroll below for more party fun!)

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UPDATE: I am so excited that I won another prize from Carolyn's party!

A book ~ "When Couples Pray" by David & Jan Stoop

(Thank you, again!)

Party Friends and Party Games

Here are some of the FUN to read, INTERESTING and oh-so-CREATIVE blogs I have stopped by today during Carolyn's party.

Click here to join in the fun!

(Scroll below for a "Welcome" post for all of you party hoppers!)

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Scrapping Servant - Our gracious hostess - Carolyn!

The Northern Southerner - She is getting married a week from today!

Love, Life, Family...and then some - She shares a sweet, "blissful" layout.

WeSnLaNi - She shares a link to view several of her layouts...all of which are beautiful.

Sunny Days at the Beach - One of the bloggers I read quite often is part of the party, too.

Scrapbook Ideas - She is giving away a super nice party favor!

Just a Flip Flop Mom - She and I have been scrapbookers for the same amount of time. (10 years)

Sunny Kids - You have to check out her "Palooza Head"!

Living for God - I love the name of her blog. She has really great photos posted, too!

Thoughts from the Hill - I really like how she has her scrapbooking goal posted on her sidebar! (good motivation!)

Lentz Family - Her blog header is very cute...a digital layout. She also lives in Missouri. My homestate!

My Life with Lola - As soon as I saw her blog, I was excited! She has "The Office" season finale recap. (One of my favorite shows on television.)

Lessons from the scrapbook page - She seems very inspirational. I really like her blog's motto: "create the life & layouts you've always wanted"

Making Scrapbooks - She has a slide show of a "thank you" album she created for a teacher. How special!

A Place to Call Home - I like her blog design and her post called "If you give a homeschooling mom a cookie."

Training Hearts - She has one of the cutest blog designs I have ever seen. You can pick which "theme" her blog design is in.

Ponderosa Pinings - I love the photo on her blog with the pinetrees. It reminds me of the many trips we have made to Rocky Mountain National Park.

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VETERAN BLOGGER GAME

Click here to see my first blog post. (March 15, 2006)

UPDATE: I just won a wonderful prize for this game.

The prize is the Beginner ScrapPack, courtesy of Haley.

(Thank you so much!)

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Welcome, Scrapbook Party Hoppers!

If you are stopping by my blog by way of

Carolyn's Scrapbooking Party...

WELCOME!

I am so happy you stopped by my little corner of the web.
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I started scrapbooking almost ten years ago so I could

preserve my photos

and

add stories to the photos I have.

I have also given some of my creations

as gifts to loved ones...

which has brought joy to my heart!

(a gift from the heart)
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I am currently working

on the first album for my daughter,

Ainsley.

I know this is something

she will cherish...

as it will be a recollection of her childhood.

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My favorite scrapbooking supply source is

Close To My Heart.

If you aren't familiar with CTMH's beautiful exclusive products,

click here for their website.

(...or ask Carolyn!)
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Before you go, please leave a comment.

I would love to visit your blog!

My #1 Song

Do you know what song was #1 the day you were born?

According to Billboard magazine, "War" by Edwin Starr was #1 on my birthday. (September 8, 1970)

On Dan's birthday? "Everything is Beautiful" by Ray Stevens

On Ainsley's birthday? "In Da Club" by 50 Cent (oh, my!)

And just for kicks...the day Dan and I were married? "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men (...and what a sweet day it was.)

Click this fun link to find out your #1 song.

You're invited to a PARTY!

To celebrate National Scrapbooking Month,

Carolyn (aka - Scrapping Servant) is hosting a blog party

on Saturday, June 19. (That's tomorrow!)

Even if you don't scrapbook, you have to stop by for a visit.

She is giving away such fun gifts and you could win one.

To go to the party, click on the button on my side bar.

(Click here to read a previous post I wrote about Carolyn's blog!

I am so glad that we have become bloggy friends.)

Lucky Charms

Our beloved Grizzlies are hoping for lots o' luck on Tuesday at the NBA Draft Lottery. Jerry West will be taking two very special lucky charms with him to New York City as it is decided which team will be taking the number one pick.

Click here to read the story.

Here's wishing the Griz luck!

Princess Ainsley turns "4"

4 years ago our little princess was born.


As my blog header says, I am blessed to be Ainsley's Mom.
She is growing up in the Lord, is kind to others, loving to her friends and family and has a cheerful heart.


"...and I love her!"

Praying for Ethan

If you haven't visited the website for this sweet little boy, do it now!

Click here to read Ethan's story and how you can help.

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(On Sunday, Dan and I are going to participate in a bone marrow drive for Ethan. Click here to see if a drive is close to you.)

Our house - part 5

sod ~ outdoor light fixtures

mailbox

doors

cabinets

indoor light fixtures ~ paint

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Closing date = mid-June.

We are so excited!