Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Thankfulness....

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. ~Benjamin Harrison

Although this blog is about "Inspired Design", (and all things about the home) today is about My gratitude (and yours as well, I am sure) to those who gave their lives so that we have the freedom to enjoy our homes, and the ability and gift to have our own home. After living over seas for many years while my husband was in the Navy, I know first hand what many families sacrifice for us to have this privilege, living in a safe & free country.

So thank you for the ability to allow my son to play tennis....
and more importantly to practice good character, and give the opponent a pat on the back.

For the privilege of the fun of playing a sport! (Yes, I said that!)

For the ability to use determination to do fun and hard things.

To get good at something....

For soft landings....
and for the freedom to have days filled with sunshine and smiles. My grandfather was in Pearl Harbor while it was bombed, as an enlisted man in the Navy. I was blessed to be able to hear HIM tell the stories, however many were not as blessed. To them and their families we are so blessed by your bravery.
May we never forget, and never forget to take care of our men and women in the armed services. To our readers who are in the military-although words are not enough-Thank You!
May God bless them and their families.

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. ~Daniel Webster
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Shower the people you love... with love...James Taylor


My mom's dear friends all get together for "us" kids when there is something to celebrate...Weddings (in this case), Babies, Books, Birthday's...any old way to celebrate life and each other!
I love these ladies...
Real Joy: Thankfulness in friendship (1Thessalonians 1:2 & II Timothy 1:3)


I thought you'd love these pictures! So many Creative Ideas for Showers!
(You can double click on the pics to make larger don't forget, and to forward just hit forward-for mom's friends- like you would an email! To go to actual blog, hit the grey Inspired Design Blog/Words at top of page)

Ideas to note: *Curly kids straws are fabulous. They come in big packs of 12 for a dollar or two. They are fabulous alone or tied with a bow, with colored lemonade!
*We all always add to regular invitations a bow :)
or as they did above a yellow leaf for "Registry Info"
*My clever mom (ok, where I steal all my ideas from, truth be told)
cut slits in plain white tablemats, and the girls (mom's friends) ran grossgrain ribbon through them!

Simple White Gerbera Daisy's (Favorite! 5 made a big impact)

Ok...celophane is fabulous. How can a gift not look amazing tied with celophane and a big huge bow! Of course, look how beautiful mom and honoree are! (beautiful inside and out!)

Simple and Gorgeous!
Below, ribbons and cake? Yes, easy and gorgeous! I love....

Amazing Mrs. Kriz and Patty! Gorgeous cake and bow (removable, so I am sure will get used again!) Borrowing is a great thing! All those black and white checked items are borrowed from MOI! We are constantly packing and trading b/n my sis, my mom and I. Always celebrating someone or something! (Not big things...simply for the privilege of being alive!)
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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Jump to the sky, Hannah





Watching the polevaulters and their coach......
Saying I am not a sports girl is well...an understatement? (My dad is probably muttering "prolific understatement" as he reads this) I think sports are so overrated today. All this talk about teaching character and lots of other "stuff"...I'm so over it. Now, don't get me wrong...I like to walk (sometimes even run), ski (if it is 60* and sunny), and watch my kids or friends kids play whatever....As for role models in the sports industry...well, you read the paper....
BUT....

Polevaulting-- I am all over it! Talk about teaching great character? This is it! The coaches cheer and coach not only their girls, but the girls from the other teams. Our coach (who I will get to in a minute) coaches other girls when their coaches are absent. The coach from Agoura is wonderful to our girls, and when "our" coach Ben, was gone (only once I think) He coached our girls like they were there own. The girls from oppossing team root the other girls on, cheering and hoping for PR's for each other. (Even privately they all hope each other does well, and are actually sad for each other when they don't) Our team, pictured below, is really an amazing group of girls. They root for each other, are sad when one doesn't do well, and thrilled when each other (Kim) does phenomenally well, or when any of them PR, they all run, cheer and, of course, hug!

Ok, are you starting to get the feeling that I love these girls? Well, I do. Last week in Carpenteria we had some close calls, and a hard jump off, which brought me to tears, and brought the girls to....PRAY! See photo below! It got a little nervewracking...I was praying...then I see the girls go huddle up, and pray....Right there on the field. Well, does anything more need to be said? (Jeremiah 29:13)

Ok, I saved the best for the last. Their coach...is amazing. He has a quiet and strong way about leading these girls. Leading by example, calm and diligent, teaching them the skills necessary (as 5 went to CIF finals, 1 Alternate), but teaching them teamwork, and things I can't even put to words. I am blessed (as our whole team/parents/grandparents are) by Him and His family for the lessons they taught the girls. I do not say lightly to our coach, his darling wife, and their polevaulter...Our lives are richer because of you! We love you all!




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Picture Worth 1000 words......



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