Friday, August 22, 2008

"This too shall pass" goes both ways............

I got phone calls from both of my "grown-up" far away daughters today. For those of you who don't know me--I have some serious issues with my Mother. I am working on them and making baby steps but the goal still seems very far away. I am seeking peace to save my sanity and to be able to advance in my eternal progression. I realize this might offend some who read this but it is a big part of who I am and who I am trying to become--and blogging about it helps--just to get it off my chest. One of the reasons I struggle with my mom is that she needs to call me at least 4 times a day--and once we recorded 19 on the caller ID. If I don't pick up she will call every other phone in our family until someone picks up. Consequently--I'm not big on making phone calls. All my children know that when ever they leave home that I will not be calling them very often. They are not offended--they just call me and that way it is when they have the time and I don't interrupt anything.
I cherish their calls. And to have 2 in one day is a fabulous treat! But it has also made me a little blue. I really miss them. Phil left on Monday to go back up to work at Prudhoe Bay and he will be gone for 4 weeks this time--I really miss him too.
Anyways, when I feel like this I usually get out the scrapbooks. I love to scrapbook and in 2004 I made an "I Hope" album for my daughter Natalie. She wanted it down in Utah with her so I just finally scanned it into my computer so I would have a copy. I was looking at it and it made me think about how fast time has passed and I remembered a saying I once read that said that we should be careful how often we say "This too shall pass" because along with the bad things going--so were the good things. It had a profound effect on me. When I get in these moods and look at these pictures of my daughter growing up and get all teary eyed and pathetic--I have to remember that the goal was to raise a future adult. That I need to enjoy the journey and each step in life's progression--but I think it's okay too to miss those little chubby cheeked, squishy babies too. I think that's why I love scrap booking so much--a permanent place to save all my memories and treasures so I can visit them anytime.
Sorry--I went on so--sheesh--lighten up already!!!
My friends have always told me I should upload this onto a scrapbook site but I never could bring myself to do it--I'm not very good with rejection-----I know "Who knew?!!" So I decided to put it on my blog--I'm not sure how that is different but it is. I got the idea for the I Hope book in a magazine but the the design and most of the journaling is all mine. Sorry this is so wordy and now the pictures will seem to go on forever!! Hopefully you can find something to enjoy!










































































































8 comments:

annie said...

AMAZING!!! You're so talented. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! :o) Very creative. No wonder she wanted it with her! :o) So cool. What a treasure for her.

Anonymous said...

THAT is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Little GrumpyAngel said...

Lisa, this is so beautiful. I love that you opened your heart and revealed a little more of yourself at the beginning of this post. I can't see how anyone can be offended by honesty. I love that you are sharing this I Hope album. It is amazing. Your daughter is so blessed by the love that went into putting this together. I looked at each page and read each word and was very touched. You are awesome. I hope I meet you in person someday.

Carla said...

WOW! First-where did you get all those quotes? Second-I love the black and read. Third-did you come up with all those page ideas yourself Ms Crafty? And fourth-you said "When I get in these moods and look at these pictures of my daughter growing up and get all teary eyed and pathetic--I have to remember that the goal was to raise a future adult." I think Heavenly Father (and probably Mother) go through the same 'growing pains' its part of love and why we want Eternal Families-this love stuff HAS keep on going! (not to pry, but do you think maybe those feelings are what your mom is going through?) God bless you, and keep loving your babies-even if they aren't 'squishy' anymore;)

Boyd Family said...

Lisa, thanks for sharing!! That was beautiful.

kitchenditcher said...

Oh Lisa....that was so great!! How lucky your daughter has such an insightful mom. I am going to let that bounce around in my head and come up with something similar for my girls. Thanks for sharing and the wonderful idea!

And I know that your children will call you often...........

Mackenzie said...

Lisa,
You probably don't remember me, but I was a friend of the Smart's, and often babysat your girls with Sierra, and maybe Annie. My name is Mackenzie and I still live in Fairbanks. I found your blog from Annie's. This is simply amazing and beautiful. You have given her a gift to treasure for a lifetime. If someone had made something like that for me, I too would call for it!!!!

Redhoodoos said...

I read this post earlier and have thought about it for the last couple of days. I think it is so wonderful that you would do this for your children. SO much time and love was put into this. If I lived closer to you - I just might be tempted to get into scrapbooking. I'm just not very good with scissors! lol.

I really do think I might try something like this for my kids.