Beautiful Banner

I am sure you have noticed that banners, in all shapes and forms, are uber-trendy in papercrafting right now and I am in LOVE with them.  I made banners for Isabella’s first birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day…and many for absolutely no occasion.  Shelli Gardner, co-founder of Stampin’ Up! loves them too and so much so that banners are her Creative Challenge for this month.  So….I really wanted to join in.  An excuse to make one more.  Don’t need excuse really, but did enjoy making something for me after all the decorations I just finished for my niece Jill’s baby shower.  Check out the next post for lots of pictures of our fun time.

Until then, enjoy my heart banner.  All supplies by Stampin’ Up! and you can purchase them in my store 24/7…

I {Heart} Banners VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I have this on the big mirror over the fireplace in the den so I had to take it down and put it on a contrasting color for the photo.  And, I still haven’t finished my new picture-taking place, so the photos are not the best.  But, I am sure you get the drift.

I can’t sign off without sharing a memory from yesterday of sweet Bella and her Poppy checking out the Camellia she plucked from the bush in our backyard.  My loves. 

And, I wouldn’t be offended if you left a comment on her cuteness!

Snowed in with a Princess!

So, we were planning to go to Franklin to see sweet Isabella on Monday.  But, with snow in the forecast for both here and there, we decided to get ahead of the weather and headed out Sunday after church.  We figured that if we were going to be snowed in, why not be snowed in with a Princess.    It didn’t start snowing in Franklin until after midnight and when we woke up on Monday morning there was 4-5 inches on the ground and it was so beautiful- just like our sweet little Isabella.  I couldn’t wait to show her the snow through the sunroom windows.  I think she was impressed, but you just can’t be sure what they think at 7 weeks!
 
We gave her a bath one night- all five of us were assigned a task.  One to get the water just right, one to disrobe the baby and then keep her warm, one to hold the towel ready for the hand-off and two to wash all those cute baby parts.  Bo said it reminded him of an oil change.  One baby and five people running around doing their respective jobs.  She was a little peeved at first, then relaxed and seemed to really enjoy it.  By the time we finished and the water started cooling you would think she was at the spa…totally relaxed and very interested at the baby in the mirror.
Here are a few pictures – I think you might enjoy them.

 

Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)

No Greater Joy

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4

This is one of my favorite Scripture verses as it probably is for many parents.  Today was especially joyous for Bob and I as we listened to our oldest son’s testimony on his last day as Youth Pastor at Nashville Chinese Baptist Church.  Bo and his wife Jennifer are expecting our first grandchild, little Isabella, in just a few weeks and he felt it was time to step down in this role he has held for five years so that he can devote his free time to their first child.  It was so inspiring to hear how God has worked in his life.  He quoted Paul’s message in Romans 8:28 as the guiding force in his life these past few years as he and Jennifer have dealt with her illness and how blessed they are that God is providing this miracle baby to them. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

We enjoyed this special morning with our youngest son Scott and Jennifer’s mother, who just arrived from Shanghai to help with the baby for the first year.  And, on Friday night we were overwhelmed by the generosity of the church and the special night they had arranged for Bo and Jennifer.  Delicious food, wonderful comments from the members thanking Bo and Jennifer for their dedication to the youth and then a church-wide baby shower.  More than 75 people attended – over half of the membership.  It was so much fun.  Before the gifts were opened, many offered “baby” advice- all very good and some very funny.  I was so proud and so thankful that we were there to enjoy this special time in their life.

God has blessed us with two wonderful sons- both dedicated to Christ and to furthering the kingdom.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

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Blessings,
Diane 

Technorati Tags: Romans,Scripture,Isabella,Nashville Chinese Baptist Church

Countdown to Bella – 40 Days and a Wake-Up

Isabella Song Stader should arrive on the morning of November 26th and so many people are waiting to love this miracle baby.  Here are a few special memories pre-Bella.  Hope you enjoy!

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Blessings,
Diane 

Technorati Tags: Isabella,Shower,Baby,Bo,Jennifer

Terrific Weekend! New Baby and the Name Game….

Oh, what a terrific weekend!

All my children were here visiting and we were also blessed with a new addition to our family.  Sons Scott and Bo and sweet DIL Jennifer arrived at various times during the week and we had such fun.  We celebrated (a little late) Jennifer’s birthday- she turned 29 on July 4th, and niece Marcie and hubby Michael’s first child, Easton James Williams, arrived at 5:12 a.m. on July 10.   I cannot believe I was holding this sweet angel just 30 minutes later.  Things have really changed since my fellas were born.  All went well- God is good.  I’ve added a few photos – isn’t he adorable?

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It was so nice having my boys and Jennifer around for a few days.  We ate great and large and visited family and laughed and just had a great time.  It was totally a baby weekend because Bo and Jennifer are having our first grandchild in early December!  And it’s a girl!!! Jennifer is doing great and we are all so excited about this miracle baby.   At Jenn’s birthday get together we all got to “vote” on the name.  Bo posted the “top ten” on a chalkboard and everyone voted for their top three.  Scott assigned a value to each place and tallied the official results.  And the winner?  ISABELLA….with AnnaKate and AnnaBelle coming in 2nd and 3rd.  I guess we all knew that Bo and Jenn’s top name has been Isabella from the get-go and they hadn’t even heard of Twilight when they picked it!   So, as of today and, maybe subject to change, we will be welcoming Isabella Song Stader later this year.  Sweet!!!

Sure hope your weekend was wonderful too.

 

Technorati Tags: Bo,Jenn,Marcie,Michael,Scott,Baby,Isabella,Easton