It's all those Little Things

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.  ~Author Unknown

Oh, girls...life has been hard in the Ackman house for sure...but let me tell you things are getting so much better!! I am grateful for all the little things that have helped me along the way.

Yesterday I received a sweet surprise from fellow blogger and friend Maggie. We met on the Brave Girl's website and quickly connected.  Turns out we have a mutual friend...how crazy is that?! Remember the little girl, Lizzy that had a stroke last year? Well her family used to live in Las Vegas where Maggie lives and they attended the same Ward {church} and they were {and still are} friends! Small world, huh?!

Anyway...check out this awesome card Miss Maggie sent me....

Along with the card she mailed me two fabulous necklaces and this!!!

Soooo me don't you think?

Maggie, I appreciate your thoughtfulness and have a teeny, tiny something headed your way;)

Painting has been helping me through the stresses of the past few weeks...last night I began working on backgrounds for my "Heart" series.

I want these pieces to be full of texture and depth. Many more layers to go here...can't wait to show you what the finished look will be.

I have also been working on more Brave Girls...

My friend Carolyn was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last fall. Her courage and attitude during this most difficult time has been the inspiration for these Girls. Each one is filled with Words to help those women battling cancer.

Each Girl sells for $20.  Now through June 1st...ten of that will go directly to Carolyn's Relay for Life Team. I am sooo excited to help with this wonderful cause.

Looking forward to reading these magazines!! I am a magazine freak. Love them:) 

I was over the moon yesterday when I went to the mailbox and found my latest edition of Somerset Studio.

Not so happy though with this note that came with it...

Hoping I can talk my husband into buying me 2 years this time around...I mean I get that totally awesome clip art CD FREE!

The last thing keeping a smile on my face this week is my daughter Em.

On the Ackman Farm-October 2011

It's been a rough couple of weeks...but my girl...we have overcome a lot and what I know for sure is that I love her. I will protect her and be here for her no matter what! 

We went to Wal-Mart yesterday and she found these....

Lotions and foot scrubs. "Mom, let's have a night of pampering!" I couldn't resist...and at just 98 cents a tube we bought both. Looking forward to spending some "spa" time with my Emma:)

I leave you with this thought...

There must be a tomorrow, because my life overflows today.  ~Lois Chartrand

What little things are you most happiest for today?? Please share!!!!

Doodle-le-do!

Do you remember these? Lettering and doodle books were all the rage 10 plus years ago. Lindsay Ostrom came out with most of these along with Zig...{the marker people}. I bought every single one. I was determined to re-create all those fancy letters on my scrapbook pages!

Little did I know that all these years later I'd be pulling them out again for use in my art journals and paintings. I am sooo happy I didn't give these away during one of my whirlwind make-overs:)

With all the STUFF going on in my life right now...time in the studio has been zero. My heart just hasn't been in it. However I longed to create something...

So last weekend I pulled out all these books, my bag of markers and a small journal.

 Here's the first page...kind of primitive I know, but it's been awhile!

My favorite part of these books are all the cute, little doodles!!

They show you how to create everything from flowers to hearts to what they call "swhoopies".

For two nights I sat on my couch, markers in hand and doodled.

Considering the stress I've been under this was the perfect medicine. I can't get over how relaxing it was. For a few hours I forgot about my troubles.

I copied some from the book and made up some of my own. As I doodled I thought of several ways to use them in my art and my Brave Girls.

I think doodling is my new thing. I LOVE it!!

I must tell you, girls...even though life has been almost too much to bear these past few weeks...good, good things are happening.

Sweet things.
Good business things.
Opportunities for my husband that he's only dreamed about.

We are learning from all this hurt and frustration and relying on our Savior Jesus Christ to help us through.

He is the answer.
He is always the answer.


"Fear knocked at the door.  Faith answered.  And lo, no one was there."  ~Author Unknown
 

Have you ever seen these books? Do you doodle? What are your favorite blogs/books on doodling? Please share!!

Sneek Peek-Joy Jam

Happy Friday!! I am feeling absolutely amazing this week. And a BIG part of that is because of how I've eaten for the past 6 days.
As a part of my New Year's Resolutions I am following the "Eat Clean" plan by Tosca Reno. 

Now Tosca is just like me {and maybe just like you!}.When she was 40 years old she was fat and frumpy...look at her today...WOW! She is 52 years old and in the best shape of her life.

Tosca says that 90% of what we eat determines how we'll look and feel...90%!!

The past 6 days I've eaten 5 to 6 small meals a day and taken out all the sugar in my diet. I feel fantastic!! I will be sharing more of this plan, recipes and what I eat next week.



So many things are bringing me JOY...I am linking up with "You're Heart Makes a Difference" and spreading my joy all over blogland!!

This little family of mine brings me JOY every single day!! This is us on New Year's Eve...oh what fun ringing in 2012 with this crew!! We had our bubbly and Times Square on TV and we were set:)

This sweet girl of mine is so JOYful.

She is silly and funny, too. Whenever someone's down Em will start talking in a goofy way or dancing around, spreading her light everywhere she goes. People just naturally gravitate towards here goodness. I want to be just like Em when I grow up!



The abundance of warm weather and sunshine this week has brought everyone in my small town so much JOY!! It's January 6th and my windows are open!!










And finally...my NEW and IMPROVED studio
 is bringing me joy and making my heart sing...

Here's a sneak peek at one of my shelves and a few of my favorite things....

Be sure and come back Monday for a complete tour.

What brought you JOY this week??

  Stop by for Friday's JOY JAM!!

It Truly is a Wonderful Life

My favorite movie of all time is the Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life". 

This year...more than any other 

it seems to fit what's going on in our lives perfectly.

Lately I've seen my husband

look like this many times throughout the day...

We shut down our Domino's Pizza store down last week.

The store that has been our main source of income for over 20 years.

Why we shut it down is unimportant.

The fact is we did. 

And while a part of us is extremely happy we did...

the other part is a bit frightened.

To say our income has dropped substantially in the past 2 weeks is an understatement.

But yet, we are good.

We are.

We are so very blessed.

We have other sources of income that will sustain us.

Pay our bills, keep food on our table.

There will be no extras.

None.

We knew that going into it.

But still it's scary.

We have worries and concerns about our home, our family.

My husband shares a lot of the same characteristics with George Baily.

He's always helping others...

always.

Every time that scene comes on where George is taking his own money

for his honeymoon and passing it 

out to the citizens of Bedford Falls I just laugh...

it's so my husband.

I can't count how many times Dave has

taken from us to give to others.

That's just how he rolls.

Throughout this ordeal rumors have been swirling around

town that the Ackmans are losing everything.

That we were forced to shut down.

Those rumors hurt.

It's not so easy walking into Wal-Mart when you feel like

all eyes are on you.

But for the most part...

those people that know us and love us...

they have been wonderful.

I am so grateful for them.

My husband is, too.

It's not easy on him.

He's the one out in the trenches...

making sure are bills get paid.

Making sure we can do this without too  many problems.

That's why I started keeping a Gratitude Journal again.

Having a grateful heart keeps me cheerful.

Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

A grateful heart...

A cheerful life...

A smile for everyone we meet.

Tonight as we snuggle on the couch and watch our favorite classic

I will be counting my blessings.

And even though I'm not sure what 2012 will bring

I know that I lead a blessed life. I have so much.

My family.

My friends.

My faith.

A warm home.

Food on my table.

Love in my heart.

It truly is a Wonderful Life.

Merry Christmas Girls!!

Heart JOY

Oh happy day!! It's Friday:)

I am linking up with "Joy Jam" today...what a great way to end my week...remembering all things that brought me JOY.

Remember I told you I had one more story to share  with you from my first show I did a few weeks ago? Well, I do and it touched my heart so much...I don't think I'll ever forget it.

So, I'm at the show. Ladies are stopping by, checking my work out. Some are buying and some just smile and tell me how much they love my work. As I finish wrapping up a sale I look up and notice a middle aged woman, somewhat disheveled looking, gazing intently at each one of my pieces. She never looks up...her eyes go from one piece to another. I can see that she's really getting my work. My words and images are speaking to her heart.

After several minutes she looks up at me and hands me a dollar bill. Puzzled, I tried to figure out what the dollar was for...she didn't have anything in her hand but my business card.

"That's my business card, Ma'am...you don't need to pay me for that."

"Oh, yes I do. You see I love your work but I can't afford to buy a piece so I'll just take this so I can keep it with me and remember these words."

Holding the card close to her heart, with tears welling in her eyes she gave me the dollar and turned to leave.

"Please don't stop what you're doing. It's so beautiful. People need to see your work."

If this had been my only sale of the day it would have been enough.

Thank you dear, sweet, kind lady for making my day and bringing JOY to my heart.

This man right here loves me. He gets me. He is my very best friend!! Dave you bring me JOY:)


We never thought we'd be able to have children. We tried for 4 years to have our son, Jackson. After tests, tests and more tests we found the problem and got pregnant!! What a JOY my life has been because of Jacks!!

Two and a half years later my sweet girl came along...Miss Em!

This is Em on the left with her friend Conner after the High School play a few weeks ago.

I think the greatest thing that has given me JOY this week is phrase...

I don't know about you...but it seems like I need to forgive myself daily. Each day something needs a fresh start. What a great JOY it is to know that yes, I can start today.


So what brings you JOY? What gifts have you noticed in your life this week??

Random Monday

So many things to be thankful for this week!

This was our Thanksgiving table. I can't believe I actually got to be in the photo!!

Of course we had an abundance of food. All quite delicious. What a wonderful cook {hee, hee}


These two kept snitching ham all afternoon.

I make a ham and turkey each year. We love them both...and you gotta have turkey, right?!

Sunday was my son's 1 year anniversary with his girlfriend Sarah...

"Hey, Mom can you make Sarah and I brunch on Saturday...I want to surprise her but since I always burn the eggs...."

"I would love , too Jacks:)"

 On the menu...

scrambled eggs
bacon
chocolate chip pancakes
milk

She loved it.

Have you seen this book??! Thanks to my daughter's art teacher I now own it.

This is so darling. Love it!

And speaking of girly art my sweet Mama bought me this for my Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

It started a few weeks ago...but I haven't had time to stop by the classroom yet! Good thing Christy gives you 6 months!

Oh and thanks to Andria...I am participating in 1001 Journals with April Cole!!

I still must tell you the two beautiful stories from my first craft show AND tell you some exciting news!! I will tomorrow {promise}. Blogger is being soooo slow today and this post has taken waaay too much time to write!!!

Here's a background I created...15 in all this weekend:)

How was your holiday??

My Wish for YOU

Best Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is here, so our minds have turned
To what time has taught us, to what we’ve learned:
We often focus all our thought
On shiny things we’ve shopped and bought;
We take our pleasure in material things
Forgetting the pleasure that friendship brings.
If a lot of our stuff just vanished today,
We’d see the foundation of each happy day
Is special relationships, constant and true,
And that’s when our thoughts go directly to you.
We wish you a Thanksgiving you’ll never forget,
Full of love and joy—your best one yet! By Joanna Fuchs  

My Blog friends...you are some of the very BEST people I know. Thank you for your support. Thank you for sharing your hearts with me.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Friday's Joy Jam!

Happy Friday, girlies! I don't know about you but I am soooo ready for Friday and Thanksgiving Break!

I started my morning teaching Seminary to my class then went to the gym for a 25 minute jog/walk then I was able to spend 55 minutes at the massage therapist. Oh what JOY that brought me!! I am feeling so good now {big smile on my face}

Sooo many things bring me JOY! Here are a few of them....

No, I don't have these shoes...{sure wish I did!} These represent 2 weeks of exercising. November 7th I committed myself to an on-line Healthy Holiday Challenge for 8 weeks. I have a partner and everything:) In 2 weeks I have joined the gym again and do anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes of cardio, stretching or yoga a day. It was slow going at first but as of yesterday I was adding jogging bursts during my treadmill time. My heart and mind are all in sync...feels so good:)

Along with working out I am eating cleaner {trying to avoid high fat snacks and sugar} as well as drinking more water. There is nothing so good as an ice cold glass of water with lemon. Makes me feel good inside and out.

Oh how I LOVE Thanksgiving! Each year I spend the morning cooking turkey, stuffing, pototoes and more while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the kids. I make sure and have Christmas tunes close by, too.

Would you look at these two?? Jackson and Emma!! This seems like ages and ages ago...but yet, it doesn't. Funny how that goes. Em was about 3 here and Jacks was 5.

Here they are today....nearly 17 and 14.

And finally I am soooo JOYFUL because of this cold-blooded man....;)

Yes, Breaking Dawn opened at 12:01!!! My family and I have our tickets and will be headed to theaters EARLY for our 9:45 show tonight. Can't wait!!!

I love the idea of JOY and am linking up with a NEW blog. Check it out!

Link up here.

What's bringing you JOY this week??

I've got an Attitude!

Today is the day I Bless our home.

I will take out the mop, the broom and dustpan.

The vacuum and sprays.

I will dust and pick-up and

create

a clean and peaceful environment

for my family.

"The greatest part of our

happiness or misery depends

on our dispositions 

and not on our circumstances."

  -Martha Washington