It's all in the mind

Last week Jared had his Re-Test for the national physical tests for which he 'failed' in the 1.6km run the first time round. During the first test a month ago he had suffered a combination of shoes that did not fit (he was wearing an old pair of Ryan's), stomach stitches (probably drank too much just before the run), no practice (he had no idea how fast or slow he had to run), and loss of confidence (it seems to me he 'gave up' halfway through). I felt so bad as I should have helped and not let him go in so unprepared and end up feeling lousy. So the last few weeks we had been doing a bit of training (together with dh who is planning and training for the marathon in dec), and prep talking, :). And last friday he did it, not just passed, but came back with a 'gold' timing! He amazed me! And of course we are all so proud and he feels great and has learnt a valuable lesson about training, preparation, and perseverance. We read this verse to him, from
Romans 5:3-5"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
It wasn't sufferings, but perhaps to a ten year old failing and being last in something like that is, and then overcoming it - I hope it stays with him! And it is a lesson we have been trying to teach him, and yet do need to learn ourselves. I too am guilty of complaining and wanting to run away from my 'troubles', may this verse humble and encourage us all. :)

And now more layouts from Langkawi!
Credits: Background paper by GypsyCouture, word art by Zoe Pearn, stitching by Creashens, stitched flower by Sweet Genevieve designs


Credits: background paper by Studio Mgl, dots by Nivole Seitler, chandlier by green box creations, Lets'Eat by shabby princess


Unfortunately I did not capture Jared's winning run on camera, but I do have these! This is from a 365 template from Weeds & Wildflowers. I'm beginning to enjoy using templates - so quick to scrap! :)




Here's my next 365, this is inspired by Ali Edwards timeline layout in the latest issue of CK, love her original ideas and most of all, her approach to recording life.
Credits: circle stamps by Miss Mint, dotted frames by Weeds&Wildflowers, Captured Moments stamp by Nina Scrap Designs, All you need stamp by Jackie Ecles
You can download this hereThanks for all your comments and love!

Interview

Today I took leave to bring Ryan to an interview at a prestigious secondary school, as part of his admission application. We have much mixed feelings about him applying to these schools, especially because of the stress of going through GAT tests, interviews, selection camps, and also about whether going to such a school is really necessary, or good for him? Right now we are taking the approach of letting him apply, and supporting him through it, while praying for the Lord to show His good and perfect will for him by opening or closing the doors.

In any case, it has been a growing process for him as he asks himself questions (in preparation) such as why do I want to go to such and such a school, what subjects would I like to study, he even brought along his social studies projects on ''homelessness" and 'nuclear weapons' to show. Here's the cover I did for him!

Before he went in I told him the best thing to do is to be honest about his answers, no need to try to impress. And guess what? When they asked him what are the qualities he has that got him selected twice as model student, his answer? " I really don't know! " Haha! That's my son, I'm sure they'll remember him! He did finally go on to describe what he thinks was the selection process. Great answer, don't you think? So proud of him! :)

I had been lending digi scrapping supplies for my children's many school projects. Here's a maths game project Jared did using the Yellow Submarine kit by Faith True. Cute, isn't it??Since I was on leave, had some time to complete a few more layouts. Here's shots taken around our hotel in Langkawi, so beautiful I had to make a layout just for them!
Credits: Background paper from Eclectic Designs by Gabi , tied string peg by Britt-ish designs, word tags by Chantal, Viewfinder and butterfly by Melanie Johnson.
And here's photos from an island-hopping boat trip we took. For some reason the boys did not inherit the love of the sea from me and dh (who dreams of diving with his sons one day), they are terrified of speedboats, the bumping off the waves, and generally grit their teeth every time we do boat trips. Still, they are improving, and this time they only had to close their eyes and braved it :) I'm sure those diving trips will be coming up soon!Credits: Background paper by Ginna Miller , tabs, "paradise"sign, stitching all by Dani Mogstad, word art by Sahlin Studio
The templates are in the store here

And here's one more layout from the boat trip in Langkawi, to watch eagles feeding - quite an awesome sight - sitting in the boat in silence, watching them swoop down and then up with such precision and stateliness.
Credits: Background paper by Kaye Winiecki, red string by Viva Artistry , string frame downloaded from Scrapartist Muse , alpha by Rachel Giallongo , acrylic element by Veronica Spriggs
This template is now available as a set in the store HERE

From Rested to Hectic

We're back from our trips, back to school, back to work, and boy, how quickly we went from rested to hectic! First we went to Langkawi, Malaysia, with the boys, and then took off to Bintan, Indonesia, just dh and me, for two nights, to enjoy couple time! This is our third trip in 15 years without the kids, and it was soooo good! Still by the third day we were really missing them and talking about them. When we got home, I told them how relaxing it was for us (not to mention rather romantic) without them around, and they said "same for us too!" LOL! How they wish we leave them alone everyday so they can read and play computer games all day long! :)

I know I should refrain from issuing orders at them all day long, and make sure they have enough down time and quiet time (without me hovering around) to just hang and dream, but it is so hard! Mothers are mothers and it's what we do! If you haven't watched this video of The Mom Song you must!! Tell me you didn't laughed till you cry by the end of it... :) I felt so much solidarity with all moms in the world, I am not alone!

Reply to Comments
There was a question on how to separate the double template and save them as left side and right side on my previous post : Please see this post here for some instructions on that, I would have included the same instructions in jpegs in the more recent template zip files too. Let me know if it doesn't help!

Now here's my layout for P365 of the week we spent in Langkawi, Malaysia. We're so blessed to be so near to tropical paradise! This layout is scraplifted from Becky Higgins' sketch and layouts in the August issue of Creative Keepsakes, love her sketches!! I don't think I should make a template out of it, but you can easily make it yourself, the two largest photos are 8x6, the two photos on the bottom left are 6x4, and the three photos down the right are 4x4. Everything will fit in perfectly on a 24x12 double page! A tip: For such layouts where the photos 'touch' each other without gaps or frames, choose photos that are distinct in colors/background to border each other so that they will stand out and pop. Conversely if I want to do a layout with lots of photos that are similar in colors or backgrounds ( like the beach layouts below) then I use frames to visually separate them.







Credits: Purple paper by Andrea Victoria, blue paper from Ohana by Brit-tish Designs

Next two layouts from our Langkawi trip - beach, beach, and more beach! We're beach bums alright! I have so MANY photos! Was in the mood for layouts entirely engulfed in photos, haha! The templates for these layouts are in the store here - thanks for looking!







Credits: Background paper by Faith True , twigs by Carol Abram, leaves by Seni, chalkboard alpha (modified) by Kate Hill.







Credits: Background paper, beach sign, and wooden frame from Ohana by Brit-tish Designs, sea shell from Yardbunny designs.


Now here another of my P365 layouts for the week before, I'm so happy I'm keeping up well with P365 so far, I absolutely enjoy it, and am totally looking forward to seeing it in a book by year end - hugs to whoever came up with this idea!!







Credits: Blue and Purple papers by Andrea Victoria from Designer Digitals' Challenge Gallery, love everything there! date strip by Brandy, numbers by Donna Duncombe, tag by Julie Marie, all downloaded from digiscrap addicts.




And here's the template for you - download here. And thanks for your lovely comments every time!