Happy New Year!

I want to start by wishing you many blessings on this New Year...I hope you laugh and pray often....I wish that you meet all your goals....I wish that you have a healthy 2009....I wish that you find peace in your heart....I wish that you accomplish everything you wish....I wish you love in all kinds of ways....I wish you to scrap until your heart is content....I wish you are able to let go of all the things that are keeping you from moving forward....I wish you joy....I wish that if you haven't found the love of God yet, you are on the way....I wish you the BEST....what you deserve, nothing but the BEST.

I got an email today of certain advices for the New Year and I would like to share them with you.

- Go through your cell phone, caller id, calendar, and email addresses and discard all the people and events that mean you no good or don't benefit your life!
- Stop making excuses about your life and make changes!
- Keep your opinion to yourself! We all know what others should do, but what about you?
- If you are involved w/ a person, job, or circumstance that is doing more harm than good, do yourself a favor - LET IT GO!
- Take care of your kids and devote a weekend or two when you spend"quality" time with them. Who cares if you miss out on a "mix"!
- If you are not saved....get saved!!!!!
- Get your debt in order! Eventually you'll want a nice home and car in your name!
- Stop spreading senseless rumors and try to get your own life in order!
- Listen more! Talk Less!
- Give without worrying about it!
- Tell people you love them before your hear about some great tragedy in the world or lose a close friend!
- Speak clearly and not ignorantly! Anyone can be a fool.
- SAY NO TO DRUGS!!!!!
- If you can't say it to their face, don't say it.
- Stop waiting on Tax Season and Save Now!
- Eat what you need and not just because you can!
- See how long you can go without checking your cell phone when it's not ringing.
- Be more positive and stop being a grouch!
- Appreciate everyone. WHY do we put each other down for the most ridiculous things?!?
- Men and women! Cry more! It's therapeutic.
- Stop tripping about not being where you want to be! What have you been doing to get there?!?
- If you aren't in relationship, it's not the end of the world! Self love is waaaaay more valuable!
- STOP pointing out what you think are others' flaws to hide your own.
- FORGIVE! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! All of us have been forgiven for some low life things! So open your heart! Remember - God forgave you.
- Men, stop trying to be so hard when it comes to relationships. Let that guard down before you lose the one that's meant for you!
- Stop trying to get everyone else told and let God speak; try keeping your mouth shut!
- Learn a new hobby! Broaden your mind.
- Stop trying to change everyone into what you think they should be or how you think they should act; do YOU meet everyone expectations?
- Live today like it's your last day, love like God taught us, and laugh like you've never laughed before!
- Lastly , if it's only 5 minutes a day have a little talk with Jesus! Let Him know you want to be better today than you were yesterday and watch Him turn things around for you! "God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."
- Pray about everything and worry about nothing!

Love,

Bessie

I hope...

that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Sorry that I didn't post before, but it's been crazy around here. It took me two days to get my house back to normal...needless to say that my house was a madhouse. Ironically, this Christmas, even with the economy the way it is...Santa was very good.

These pictures melt my heart...

On Christmas Eve we went to my aunt Liz's house. It was only 10 of us, but we really enjoyed it, it was warm and cozy. Unfortunately, my family has been through several problems and some don't talk to others and we don't make big parties like we used to. I miss that a lot...we were a very united family...it's all down the drain now. It didn't bother me though because the most important people in my life were with me which are my kids, hubby, and parents...although someone very essential in my life (air that I breathe) my grandma/mother wasn't there because she lives in Puerto Rico...that would've been my greatest gift, but I'm thankful anyways because after 20 years battling with cancer, 81 years of life...my God still has here around. I love you, mami! I love you, my Lord! Here are some pictures:

It was also special because my cousin that I haven't seen for 4 years was there. It's unbelievable how living in the same state we let that long passed by before seeing each other.

On Christmas day, we were home in the morning and at my mom's...then we went to my grandma's house from my dad's side and spent the afternoon there. I was very exhausted from the night before and the day...but we really enjoyed it. I have to say that there is nothing more breathtaking that the look at my kids face opening their gifts.

Here's my son's pile and his favorite gift. Yay, baby, finally you got your blue Nintendo DS.

Here's my daughter's pile and her favorite gift was this American Girl that she named Nikki...she loves her, and so does grandma (that would be me, lol).

Now on a scrappy note, what is a post without scrapping somewhere? You all know that I'm big fan and luckily for me cyber friend with Val & Janna. These amazing and talented gals are heading towards a new crafty adventure: Got Crafts? You know I will be on that journey with them. Two of their latest additions are Val's Desktop Calendar and Janna's Dates to Remember.

The downloads section of the Got Crafts? site is all about downloadable project ideas and inspiration. What that means for you is that with just a few clicks of the mouse, you can have a crafty project to create and an afternoon (or late night :) of creative bliss! All of the current downloads are $16 and are available in a pdf format. Downloads include numerous process and finished product photos, supply lists, instructions and helpful tips. I think you'll really love these cool projects! Just wanted to add that there's also still time to sign up for GOT SKETCH MINI-their FREE sketch mini class. You'll get a taste of what their online interactive classes are all about. It's only available until December 31st so HURRY on over to SIGN UP NOW!

Finally, here are three LO's that I did for my kit club, Apron Strings. There are doing 12 challenges until Epiphany Day or Three Kings Day as I call it. On the first LO titled Noel the challenge was to use one picture; on the second challenge titled And Away You Go the challenge was to use only two colors of cardstock (no patterned paper); and the third challenge was to use 3 colors scheme (I used brown, blue, and white). There are two more challenges that I haven't done yet. One is to use a bird on the LO and the other one is to use 5 circles or rings. I'll probably work on those during the week or weekend.

Wow this was a lengthy post and lots of pictures. Ciao for now!

I'm so upset...

because yesterday was my kids Christmas show and my Cybershot slip out of my hand (don't ask me how? I'm still trying to figure it out) and died. Yes, it died and I couldn't take picture of the show. Now, I'm upset because my camera broke, but I'm more upset because I couldn't take any pictures of the show. A show that will not repeat ever again (at least a Pre-K and a 1st grade show).

My son, didn't perform...he just stood there holding his teacher's two fingers, who was hiding (or trying) behind the curtain, and he didn't even sing. I hope he gets over it, I'm sure he will. I still remember my daughter's pre-k graduation where she cried through the whole ceremony. Yeah, through the whole ceremony (maybe like an hour or hour and a half). Poor babies of mine.

My daughter on the other hand performed beautifully! She will love the stage just like her mom. I used to perform in every single play, show or whatever they were doing at school. I loved it! Hubby took video though, thankfully!

Well, needless to say that I had to ask Santa for a new camera, but obviously I couldn't wait because what about Christmas Eve...unfortunately I only had one camera (economy, you know). I wanted the Rebel, but hey what am I thinking...so I ended getting a Canon for now, because I know that eventually I will get my Rebel.

It's snowing here so the kids are out of school, and I'm home warm and cozy. My mom is working and I'm hoping that she gets out early. The roads are really bad. We are going outside later to build a snowman.

I'm working on some desktop backgrounds for the new year. Here's what I got so far:

This one is for the month of January...

And this one for the month of February...

This one for the month of March (this month is Shawn's b-day hence a photo of him)...

And April....

Thanks for stopping by!

In case you missed it...

Due to a popular demand, Valerie & Janna decided to make their popular Got Sketch 101 & 102 classes available for those who missed the first go-around of the workshop series. While the original classes were interactive with teacher and student participation, prizes, forums and a gallery, these offerings will be more of a print-and-go format for your convenience. As usual, there's no homework, classes are self-paced and EVERYBODY gets an A+! They are offering all of the complete and original class content in an easy-to-navigate online classroom and a great price, especially if you take both classes.

Click here or the mini banner for more information.

On another note, I hope that this Season brings you and all your family many blessings...TODAY & ALWAYS.

God Bless You All!

Feeling a lot like Christmas...

I can't believe that Christmas Day is only 10 days away...unbelievable. My son asks me every single day when is Santa Claus coming to his house...poor guy....he's dying to see if he gets his Blue Nintendo DS (oh yeah, it has to be blue). I've been working on some digi mini albums from the Shabby Shoppe (I love her shabby style) to give as gifts...so let me share a CD album I did for my brother-in-law. He lives in Puerto Rico and came to visit us on August (so the pictures are from his visit)...he's going to be very surprised when he gets this in the mail.

Here are three LO's that I did recently.

This is my DH & DD and the journaling reads My heart belongs to you, Baby Girl!


This one is a very emotional one for me. I love her face in this picture, but it was also heartbreaking because she was crying. The journaling reads: This picture makes me wonder what are you thinking about. Are you thinking about the future? Are you thinking about the friends you are leaving behind? What are you thinking, Baby Girl? It makes me wonder...as such the title of this LO. BTW, the person holding her hand was her favorite teacher in Pre-K, her comfort. :-)



This one is of my Mom & my son when he was just 2 days old.

Now take a look at this: this is the Christmas picture...

Now, the best gift of all..

And finally, isn't this cute? LOL!

Happy Monday!

So this was my weekend...

First, I put up the tree with the kids on Friday. I bought a new tree at Walmart for $35 and I'm still amazed at how nice it looks for the low price. The kids love it too...there's something about Christmas that makes me happy. Every time I glance at my tree I smile...today my daughter caught me, and she asked me Mommy, why are you smiling? Because I like my tree, baby....oh me too.

On Saturday, we went to Disney on Ice...they featured Cars, Little Mermaid, Lion King, and Tinkerbell....it was amazing. I took a whole bunch of pictures...I'll work on a mini album some time, don't know when...maybe 3 years from now, LOL, with all the catching up I have to do.

Today, was a relaxing day. I scrapbooked a bit...and that always makes me happy. Here are some LO's that I did....I completed two others but I can't share them yet since I'm submitting them to a design team contest....let's see how that goes. I'll keep you updated. I'll know by Friday if I was chosen or not. These two LO'a were done with sketches from Valerie & Janna at the Got Sketch mini free class.

These pictures are from 2003 when my baby girl started crawling. She looks so adorable. Once she started crawling, all she wanted to do was be on the floor.

On this LO, I always laugh with these pictures. They were at the babysitter's house and since I didn't send them coats she put them some coats from her daughter so they could go out and play with the snow. Seeing Shawn with that coat is hilarious.

On another note, my sister is getting married in January. I'm going to Puerto Rico for 4 days, needless to say that I'm so happy since I haven't seen my family for 2 years already. I wish her the best, and I can't wait to see them all.

Well, here in New York is freezing and I'm not liking it one bit...I'm still struggling a little bit with the flu, but I'm feeling much better. Can't wait for the Spring to be here, LOL. Good night, everyone.