Bubble Gum Valentines!

Valentine's Day parties are upon us this week,

and as usual, I am getting mine done just in the nick of time!

My kids are totally into bubble gum right now,

so these bubble gum valentines are perfect for them!

They are super simple to make too if you've got a camera and photoshop!

First I took a side view of my daughter blowing.

Then I cropped it so her head was in the left half of the photo 

and there was space on the right.

I added a big pink circle for the bubble and put the message inside.

I am in LOVE with how they turned out!!

I think they're super cute, and I can't wait for her to give them to her friends!

They were fairly inexpensive too, with prints at Costco,

and mega packs of bubble gum I found on Amazon!

I attached the gum with double sided tape and they are ready to go!

My son is older, so we made his different without a photo.

Who knows what middle schoolers think is cool, but hopefully they'll like it!

You can download the file HERE and make your own bubble gum valentines!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

XO

Jaime

We Don't Have to Agree to be Kind

I am a person with strong convictions.

I am friends with people who have their own strong convictions.

Sometimes we agree...

and sometimes we don't.

I always find it interesting that when people don't agree,

they feel it necessary to try to convince others to see their viewpoint.

Often with angry words and accusations.

I wonder if anyone has ever been convinced in this manner.

I suspect not.

I have watched with sadness as people on both sides of an issue 

feel it necessary to bash each other and belittle their opinions.

It's a waste of time and only creates more communities of hate rather than unify us in love.

"Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

Dr. Martin Luther King

As the political and social views fluctuate please remember:

1. Be Kind.

2. Be Respectful

3. Be Loving

We don't have to agree on ANYTHING...to be KIND to one another.

Please share the below images if you believe we can be kind even when we don't agree.

I love you my friends...

no matter what you believe.

XOXO

Jaime

There is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Something to be Thankful For!

Download HERE

I have always considered myself to be the luckiest girl ever.

This year really tested my ability to find my blessings some days.

But I know that even on the worst days, 

there is always, always, always something to be thankful for!

It became kind of like a game sometimes, to find that something.

On days when I couldn't get out of bed, I could be thankful I had a bed.

Thankful I was alive, thankful my family was there, 

thankful for the beautiful view out my window.

I am not perfect at it, but I have become more thankful.

And it's easier for me to see the blessings in my life and in other's lives too!

Can you imagine how joyful our world could be 

if we all focused on our blessings instead of our trials??

Brighten your corner of the world by playing the thankful game!

You will make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

You are more powerful than you know!

XO

Jaime

Winds of Change

This year has been one of many changes for our family.

A year ago our life looked something like this:

Every morning we would sleep in til 8 or so until the children went off to get breakfast.

 I stayed in my bed until 9 when we started school in our pajamas

 and stayed in them until right before Daddy came home 

when I showered and changed into clean pajamas.

My wardrobe consisted of church clothes and pajamas, with a couple every day outfits.

We left the house maybe once or twice a week for groceries or some other random errand.

We went to the doctor every couple of years when we got too sick.

We mocked those people running around crazy with school schedules.

Our life was simple and relaxed, and relatively easy.

And then bit by bit, our simple life changed.

We started school, as independent study students at a charter school.

We started going a couple days a week, and now our children are there full-time, 

with me working as the librarian.

Cancer came on the scene, and our years of infrequent doctor visits were a thing of the past.

We were at the doctor multiple times a week, 

filling more prescriptions than I've had my whole life.

We are up every morning and out the door fully dressed with no idea when we'll be home again.

My wardrobe has evened out and my pajamas don't dominate the drawers anymore.

I have makeup on everyday.

My hair has gone from long to short.

And my world is bigger and more satisfying because of all the people I have come to know.

Download HERE

When I read this quote recently, it rang so true for me.

I have watched people fight the changes in their lives and it has made them sad.

I promise that if you will have the faith to build a windmill,

you can harness the power of the winds of change in your life

and use them to move you forward to a bigger and better destiny!

I know because this year we have been blown, but not blown about,

as we have embraced our new reality and rejoiced in the blessings of change.

XO

Jaime

All About That Bass Printable

One of my greatest joys is music!

I love a great melody or beat and always sing it loud!

All About That Bass is a great song with a catchy tune and fun lyrics.

(There are a couple parts where I turn the radio down when my kids are in the car!)

Download 8x10 HERE

Download Notecard size HERE

I've taken the core message of the song and made it into a printable!

You can put it on your wall, on your kids' wall,

or take the notecard size and mail it to a friend 

who might need a little encouragement!

Whatever you do, remember...

Every inch of you is perfect, from the bottom to the top!

XO

Jaime

Gratitude

I love the quote, "Gratitude turns what we have into enough."

But I have found that in my life, gratitude turns what I have into much more!

Family * Home * Jesus * Church * Beautiful World * Friends
Siblings * Parents * Cars * Food * Water * Internet * Job
Books * School * Electricity * Clothing * Shoes * Indoor Plumbing
Sunshine * Rain * Beach * Mountains * Clouds * Sunsets
Body * Health Insurance * Technology * Temples

Gratitude is the reason I don't feel bitter about my diagnosis.
Several months ago, as I began to feel that a new trial was coming,
I prayed to my Heavenly Father that me would keep my children safe.
I prayed that the burden would be placed on me instead.
I feel that my prayer was answered, and I am grateful.

When my life feels overwhelming, and I feel like I have been dealt an unfair blow,

I start thinking about all the ways it could be worse, 

and all the people who are enduring harder things than me!

So when I was listening to counsel from our church leaders this morning, 

I found the address on gratitude to be especially applicable to me right now 

and I found so many great quotes that I wanted to share with you!

This one was my favorite.

Probably because of the rainbow.

I hope you enjoy it as much as me.

If you like it, feel free to pin it or print it as an 8x10 for your own home!

Download HERE

Download HERE

Your SMILE is your SUPERPOWER!

I took this picture on the beach at a bonfire with friends.

We were all having a great time and every time I look at it I smile!

Many people have marveled at my ability to stay positive through the breast cancer diagnosis.

I had one friend ask me if it was just a front.

Although I do have moments of fear and uncertainty, of being overwhelmed with the changes in my life,

I really do feel calm and positive.

It's YOU!

You buoy me up with your smiles and love.

Anytime I'm feeling like this really stinks and I don't want to do it, I get a message or a visit from a friend.

and all of a sudden it's okay again!

Never underestimate the power you have to make someone's day with your smile!

You have changed my day for the better many times.

Thank you friends.

And keep SMILING!

Print this sheet and send a card to someone who needs to know 

how they have blessed your life with their SMILE!

(Download HERE)

You've Wormed Your Way Into My Heart Valentine!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here's a simple idea for the gummy worm lovers in your life!

My little gummy worm lover is excited to give these to everyone in kindergarten!

These bag toppers print 4 on an 8x10 print and are so easy to put together!

Just print, cut, fold and staple!

Download HERE!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Kindness Begins With Me Printable

Happy New Year Friends!

I've seen lots of great resolutions and words for people to focus on in the new year.

The one word, really the one thing that I always want to focus on and teach my children is KINDNESS.

Be Kind.

Always.

It's hard. People behave badly, make poor choices, and irritate us.

Okay, maybe that's just me.

But I'm determined to resolve again to make no excuses to be unkind to anyone.

Because kindness begins with me.

How else will my children know the way, if I don't show it to them.

How else can I become more like my Savior, if I don't love and serve with kindness.

Kindness begins with me.

Download HERE

You can find more Kind printables HERE!

Merry & Bright Printables!

My favorite theme for this holiday season has certainly been

MERRY & BRIGHT!

Everywhere I look the most creative bloggers 

have incorporated it into their decorating and I love it!

I included it in our Christmas card and some printables for you!

This 8x10 is a quick decoration for your wall and easy to frame for a gift!

And this set of 4 would be fun to cut up 

and include with gifts or just as a friendly note!

I think they would be a great note for a friend at any time of the year!

And I'm loving this print even more with a red frame and glitter polka dots!

Whatever you do, be Merry & Bright!

DOWNLOAD 8x10 print HERE!
DOWNLOAD Cards HERE!

Nelson Mandela Printables

It seems appropriate at this time of peace on earth and joy to all men

that we celebrate the life of the great man, Nelson Mandela.

Here are some of my favorite Mandela quotes as free printables for you!

Download HERE!

Happy Friday to you!

S'mores Goodie Bag with Free Printables!

Summer is totally S'more Season!

We live near the beach and we love to make s'mores at the fire pits there!

But in a pinch we have been known to roast our marshmallows on the stovetop.

Today I've got a fun gift you can give a friend to celebrate summer!

Just wrap up a package of graham crackers,

a bag of marshmallows and 2 bars of Hershey's chocolate,

along with a couple roasting sticks!

And I've even got a couple cute printables to tie on for fun!

Choose one and print as a 4x6 at your local Costco or print center.
Download HERE:

S'mores Friends
Keep Calm S'mores

Happy S'more Summer!

Hooray for Summer Printables!!

Happy First Day of SUMMER!!

There is a certain freedom of spirit that comes with sunny skies and warm skin.

You can feel the happiness soaking into your soul!

I love this quote by Henry James!

It just makes me happy!

And of course we need a traditional Keep Calm print as well!

I love these colors!

So go get some ice cream and print one for yourself!

(Download HERE)

Hooray for SUMMER!!

Father's Day Questionnaire!

We LOVE our Daddy.

Our Daddy is strong and brave, goofy and silly, frugal and fun, 

hard-working and fun-loving, and most of all totally loves his family!!

We have a tradition in our house for the kids to fill out a questionnaire 

about their Daddy every year for Father's Day. 

It's so fun to read their answers!

Print it out and have your kids fill it out!

You and your hubby will be giggling over their sweet answers!

Happy Father's Day!

Don't Forget to Be Awesome!

This week one of my daughter's darling dance teachers had a birthday.

Her favorite color is orange!

I wanted her to remember how much I appreciate her love for my little girl.

So I made her this printable and put it in an orange frame!

If you want one too, you can download it HERE in orange or pink!

Don't forget to be AWESOME!!

Be Kind...

This week has been a little crazy in our community.

Our hearts have been broken and we have asked why!

And I have discovered yet again that I have misjudged and been critical...

when I should have been loving and helpful.

I turn to this quote again and again in my life,

as I struggle to be a better person.

And I pray each night with my family that we may Be Kind.

It also comes in pink, yellow and blue...because I like options.

You may download HERE for free...for personal use only please.

XOXO

Jaime

I Can Do Hard Things...with CHOCOLATE

Welcome to a new year, a new beginning for many!

Although I do love the sparkling cider and poppers and party hats...

I don't really buy into the whole New Year's resolutions thing.

Why?

Because I know I will fail and it will be a whole year before the next New Year.

So I make daily resolutions.

Not so much pressure, and they can change from day to day.

Because I also have a problem making up my mind.

Many bloggers have chosen a WORD...

a special word to focus their lives around for 2013.

While I am inspired by all the pledges to:

Live with joy

Have more patience

Listen with understanding

Love each day

etc.

...I wish to choose a word that I can truly embrace.

CHOCOLATE

To encourage me in my resolution I have made a printable.

I kind of love it!!

Eeeeeek!

They can be downloaded HERE in pink and blue.

You're welcome. :)

Happy Chocolate to You!