Thomas was "discovered" by a modeling agency while we were still living in Nyack. They told us to submit a test photograph and they would have it reviewed to see if they wanted to sign him. Well, he scored 95 out of 100! The agency really pushed us to sign him up. He received tons of calls for auditions, but I was unable to take him into Manhattan as often as they needed us to. The few times we did go, it was a fun experience to watch him strut his stuff in front of the cameras. The auditions lasted only a minute or two, but the trip into and out of the city took at least an hour and a half, not to mention finding parking in Manhattan as well as waiting our turn. It just wasn't my thing.
But he did have a professional photo shoot and these were some of the pictures he took. I'm certain that if I had more time he would have been cast to sell something. He was a beautiful baby!
Kit is Precious Moments by Jennifer Labre Designs, sketch by Feeling Scrappy Sketchapalooza
The kids were excited about starting summer camp. Well, most of them. Scoty wasn't thrilled, but he's admitted that he's had at least a little fun. The camp runs for 5 weeks and they take swimming trips and put on an end-of-camp show for their families. I love seeing them in their uniforms! Notice the English mistake on this one! :D
Another stunning kit by Jennifer Labre Designs! This one is After the Rain with a Date Code embellishment added for fun! :) Template by Fiddle Dee Dee Designs
I read about a call for creative team members for a new(ish) designer at TheDigiChick.com. I hesitated to make application because, frankly, I lack digital scrapbooking experience. But, before I went to sleep the last night of the call, I decided to just go for it. I applied.
AND I WAS SELECTED TO JOIN THE TEAM!!!!!!
My designer is Jennifer Labre from Jennifer Labre Designs. I'm excited to have been selected to work with her beautiful products! I'm so thankful she decided to give this newbie a chance! Hopefully this inspires me to scrapbook more...and maybe blog a little bit more, too!
Here's the first layout I created using one of her kits, Sunkissed: Sunset:
It's been a long time since I've blogged, and it's not because nothing exciting has been going on! :) Just the opposite, in fact! We've been busy with work, language study, language study program development, a trip to Thailand for a conference, school, ministry, etc.
Phew. Life is good. I'm thankful that I had the chance to travel to Thailand for a language coach workshop. I'm also thankful that my coworker was able to come along. We had a GREAT time! The conference was helpful, interesting, and informative. And we had fun getting out every evening to see something new. She was a great travel companion!
I spent yesterday evening with a group of teen-agers and their mothers and aunts at a Mother's Day event (the Arab world celebrate Mother's Day on March 21) in Jericho. I taught the girls how to make an altered frame using lots of materials donated by friends from the US. It was a fun evening!
Life is good and I am blessed. No matter the political or emotional turmoil that may surround me at any given time, I know that I am where God wants me to be! The peace that fills me heart is indescribable! I am grateful for all of life's blessings!
I love music. My kids have often said that our life is like a musical because I'm constantly bursting into song and singing. I love all kinds of music, some because of the beauty of the music itself, but I'm usually drawn to music because of the lyrics. It should come as no surprise that I love music in my second and now my third language as well! I love to sing worship and praise songs in Arabic with my church family here. I also enjoy listening to popular music to see how much I can understand.
As part of our Hebrew language study we sometimes listen to music. Some of it has been silly. Today we heard a song that immediately caught my attention. It's by an artist named Gaya. The words are really pretty so I went searching online for the song. I found the version I'm sharing here. It's the artist, Gaya, singing with mentally challenged children. Somehow, it makes the song even more poignant. I'll include a translation for you all following the video. I hope you enjoy the song as much as I did. I'm such a sucker for tear-jerker kinds of songs! :P
And, with the exception of a few words, I was able to understand this song in HEBREW! Pretty miraculous to me! Enjoy! :)
Don't Worry
Don't worry. After the noise there is quiet. After the rain comes a rainbow in the clouds. Don't worry. Don't worry. If there is pain, there is love. After the crying there is always a reason to laugh.
All of us are a little lonely sometimes. All of us are a little afraid sometimes. Let's give a hand and let's not be afraid. For all of us there is one hope. For all of us there is one love. For all of us there is one belief that will take care of us.
Don't worry. After the war peace will come. At the end every dream comes true. Don't worry.
No, don't worry, little one (boy). Also, you will become grown up. You'll never understand everything. Only, you'll say, "Don't worry, little one..."
Who can believe another year has passed? I know for many it wasn't a great year. In fact, for many it was pretty awful with layoffs and financial difficulties and health concerns. But I pray that you can all count your blessings, even in the midst of struggles. I pray that 2010 will be better and brighter and even more blessed!
For me, I said goodbye to two family members. Uncle Tommy passed away after a prolonged illness in February. Papa Joe left this world in June. The whole they left is huge and I still cry when I think of the coming years without them. But, I am also thankful for the influence that they had on my life and for the joy they brought to the world.
Losing my grandparents over these last few years has been difficult. I still miss Mam-mam, who passed in 2005, with all my heart. They live in my memories and have all played a part in who I have become.
But as I look ahead to 2010, I'm so thankful that we still have Na-na with us. What a blessing that my children have known and loved their great-grandparents and that there is still time to build even more memories! I pray that Na-na remains healthy for many years to come.
I pray for all of you a wonder-filled New Year. May you know God's peace and strength. And may you always be ready to count your blessings!
