June 29th

June 29th, 2009 is a day I will always remember. It is the day my beautiful mother passed away. She had battled Stage IV lung cancer for just two short months.  By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer was too far advanced; her body already weak. Mom probably didn't weigh more than 80 lbs by the time she died.

My dad, sisters, and I were with Mom when she died...just loving on her while crying our  eyes out. I remember feeling relieved that she was out of pain. And that I wouldn't have to walk into the house and see my mother so frail, when all of my life she had been so strong and energetic. Mom always had a smile for you, a hug. You would walk into the kitchen and she'd ask you if you needed anything. Mom was a giver.

I remember just living on adrenaline while Mom was sick...praying constantly to God to heal my mother. Or that this was all a horrible dream that I would wake from.  Even til the end, Mom tried to comfort all of us, as well as ensure us she was ok.  She would tell us, "My body is sick but my soul is healthy".  Still, even now, its hard to find comfort in that. Just plainly because she isn't here. I believe 100% in God's plan and that it is a good thing Mom isn't in pain. But, as I said, she isn't here. She's not watching her grandbabies get bigger (she LOVED being a grandma).  I can't pick up the phone and share something the kids said or did. I can't meet her for Chinese over her lunch hour anymore. 

I know if Mom was here, she would tell people to stop smoking.  Mom smoked most of her life...and it killed her. Lung cancer has also taken my maternal grandparents, a great aunt, and a cousin. 

 Miss you Mama every hour of every day. My life is not the same without you!! It never will be. I can't wait to see you again in heaven. 

Donna Ann Witt

August 19, 1954-June 29th, 2009

The Paper Life sneak peeks!

The very talented and awesome Amy Coon has some exciting sneak peeks over at The Paper Life!!     Very excited for her and all that she has coming up!

Amy was  nice enough to share a layout I did with her Country Estate line.  :)

Meet Me in St. Louis........

The family and I are headed to St. Louis overnight. My husband was given 4 free tickets to tonight's Cardinals's game.  Unfortunately, the kids weren't excited about going. So, Chris invited our good friends, the Strohbeck's, to go with him. The kids and I are going to hang out at the hotel pool and probably rent a movie.

Tomorrow,  Chris and the kids are heading back home and I'm going to visit my bestest friend, Natalie, who is currently in treatment getting help for her eating disorder. I haven't seen her in months and I'm just over the moon excited to spend some time with her!! 

In honor of our friends Jeni and Craig, as well as my Natalie, going to share a mini dog album I did for Hailey's teacher last month.  I used a 4x4 acrylic Maya Road coaster album. I love how tiny it is!  My paper was Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers.  The cute pop up doggie embellishments are by KI.  Very simple but thought Mrs. Wilson could use it as a brag book for her Herman :) 

paper flower tutorial

A few friends have asked how I have made these flowers, so thought I'd put it up on my blog.  By no means did I come up with it, as I'm sure I saw it in Creating Keepsakes LOL. Anyway, they are very easy to make and cute!

1.  Using any size circle punch, punch out circle from any double sided paper.

2.  Using scissors, cut counterclockwise starting with outside of circle, circling until you reach the center.

3.  Once you have cut, starting with the outside, fold paper in on itself.

4.  Use a liquid glue (such as Glossy Accents) to adhere flower to base.

5.  Adhere embellishment (buttons, Dew Drops, blingage) to center of your flower with liquid adhesive.

6.  If desired, use distress ink on edges.

Life is Good....

That is my dad's motto: Life is Good.  I hope everyone who celebrated had a good Father's Day.  My family got together earlier this week and had dinner at my dad's.  The kids had fun walking down to his new pond that he and a friend just installed.  As one of his gifts, I made him this mini book capturing his 50th surprise birthday party last July.  

One of the most awesome things about my dad is that he's is always there for us.  Always has been.  He and my mom met when I was a bratty 13 yr old teenager.  It had been my mom, me and my brother for awhile. I was pretty territorial when it came to my mom. Thank God he stuck it out with me through my growing pains. I know it wasn't easy! I love him for that. My dad is techinically my step dad but he's Dad to me. He's the one who walked me down the aisle; the one my kids call Grandpa. 

I'm grateful for the way he loved my mother...always showing her how special she was.  I know Mom is proud of the way my dad has taken care of us kids as well as how he's tried to fill  the void with the grandkids. 

Love you Dad!!!