4 Generations

While the last couple months have been tough, we were able to set some time aside this Easter and enjoy some time together as family. We enjoyed a wonderful meal full of ham, cheesy potoatoes (my favorite!), green bean casserole, rolls, corn...all followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos.

We also took some time to take some family photos...here is a priceless photo I will cherish always...4 generations together.


Hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Christ has risen!!!

xoxo

Never say never.

Never say it won't happen to you. Never say that because it is not in your family that you are not at risk. What am I talking about?

Cancer.

I hate this word. Cancer has officially changed our life, and not for the better. Within the last month, my mom has been through so much because of this disease.

Specifically, she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She has been through a lumpectomy (which did not get it all). She has been though emergency surgery due to a hematoma. She has been through numerous doctor visits, scans, tests, procedures...and now, she has been diagnosed with the worst stage, the terminal stage. It is in the rest of her body-her lymphnodes, her liver, her spine, her pelvis, and her ribs. She is in pain.

She is now undergoing aggressive chemo. The next 3 months will determine the length and quality of her life. Hopefully this will decrease her pain, but unfortunately at the same time will make her sick. And make her lose her hair...


(picking out her wig...)

We are trying to stay positive...definetely looking to God through all of this. Luckily, we all have so much incredible support from countless family and friends. I could not be thankful enough for that.

So, we are in the midst of a very rough journey. But we will get through this. She is strong. And no matter the end result, we know that because of our Lord and Savior, she will win either way. But I am praying we will have lots of time left with her on this earth...

Five years.

I can't believe it has been five years.
Five years since my dad has passed away.
Since I got that dreaded phone call.
And drove that 20 minute drive that seemed to last an hour.
Five years since I lost a bit of my heart.
It has never mended.
Miss you dad. Miss you with all of my heart.
I found this on my computer a few days ago. Thinking of that day still takes my breath away.

I heart this

Keaton brought this home from school the other day. I love that underneath the people (us) she wrote 'this is love.' Seriously, how awesome is that?

xoxo

total patriotic randomness

ok--so i was just on facebook and a friend of mine posted faith hill's rendition of the star spangled banner from a few superbowls ago. love, love, love. so, of course as i was watching it, i started clicking on different renditions that popped up on the side of the screen. i will preface this all to say i am a nerd-i totally cry every time i hear the star spangled banner. especially at the part where it says 'and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that the flag was still there...'.
while i don't really talk politics on this blog anymore, many of you still know that i am very interested in politics and current events as well as this country's history. i love reading about the founding fathers and famous individuals that throughout history have made such a huge impact on this country.
so...as i am motivated, i am going to post some of my favorite you tube videos that are patriot driven, starting with the afore mentioned faith hill rendition of the star spangled banner. (grab your kleenex)



and of course, whitney houston's performance of perfection:


and this renders me speechless everytime i watch it (no matter what you think of the man). total chills:


and this one...can't believe it has been 10 years as of this september:


and this brought me to tears as i watched it live:


I can't hear this song without balling. God bless those who have sacrificed for our country and for our freedom. thinking especially about my cousin jeremy.


and this is so cool.


God bless this man. such an inspiring message.


as i am putting this blog together i am thinking this would be a great post for 9/11 or for the 4th of july. but then i remember that we should be reminded of these things everyday. we should always be praying for our soldiers and always be reminded of their sacrifice. we should always remember what happened on 9/11 and how the country came together afterward. we should always remember how this amazing country was founded and how truly blessed we are to live here. God bless America.

Exciting News...

As many of you know, I have a scrapbooking studio downtown where I hold crops and classes. My goal was to someday open a scrapbook store...

Unfortunately, after feeling it out for over a year now, I don't know if the store would be supported in this small town.

So plans have changed.

I am still opening a store. But one with less risk. And I think even more fun.

I have decided to open a Craft Shop! It will be filled with homemade crafts made by local people. By extremely talented people. I am so excited. I have commitments from a number of people, but am still looking for more.

My goal is to have a wide variety so all ages can shop and find something they need or want. My goal is to support local crafters, to give them more opportunity outside of craft shows to sell their beautiful items. My goal is to be a place where someone can stop in and get that special,homemade gift for a friend or family member.

I will still be holding scrapbooking events. And selling some scrapbooking products. And hopefully, after we get settled, I will also be offering a wider variety of craft classes, taught by the very talented individuals who will be selling their items in the shop.

I am sooo excited about this new venture! Please contact me at nicmackin@hotmail.com if you are interested in selling your homemade crafts in my shop!

xoxo

reminiscing...

i have been in the mood lately to scrapbook mallory's baby photos. technically, i have already done so...i did an album of her first year where i did a double spread for each month, the design of each month the same. it is nice to have her first year documented, but i missed out on doing those fun 'individual' pages of her. so, i grabbed january's scarlet lime kit (with some additions) and did some layouts of mallory's early months.








wasn't she just a precious little baby? thanks for looking.
xoxo

Valentine's Day Mini-Album Class

Valentine's Day will be here before we know it...are you stumped about what to get your loved one? I have the perfect idea for you!

I will be holding a Valentine's Day Mini-Album class on Monday February 7th AND Tuesday February 8th at 6:30 PM. This would be a perfect way to document your loved ones--either for yourself or as a gift for a spouse, family member, friend...the ideas are endless.

You are welcome to make more than one...but will need to let me know ASAP as I have a limited number of these albums.

More details:

*You only need to come one night, although you are welcome to come both if you are making multiple albums.

*You may come to the class and do the album without photos if you wish to add them later.

*We will be doing some painting, so keep that in mind...(I am a messy painter, ha ha).

*You will be able to fit 20 photos in the album, sized 4x4 or smaller. I printed mine in black and white, which looks great with the color scheme.

*The album (as I made it) is the typical Valentine color combo of red, pink, cream and black with a mix of vintage papers and elements. Texture-wise, we will be playing with cardstock, patterned paper, felt, burlap, vintage papers, trims, paint, and glitter...this album has great texture!

*You may customize as you wish...for instance if you want a more masculine album, you can take out the pink elements pretty easily. I will have some additional supplies on hand to help make those adjustments.

Here are some sneak-peek photos. (Pardon the glitter everywhere...I apparently didn't get it wiped off before I took photos). I will have red, pink, cream and black paint available so you can customize the color of your covers.








If you are interested in coming to a class, please message me or email me at nicmackin@hotmail.com. Once I have a list of attendees I will send out an email of supplies needed, etc.

Happy scrappin'!
xoxo

All About Vintage...new videos!

These videos highlight my vintage pieces I have in my room and how I use them to organize some of my supplies...enjoy!


You may also view by clicking here.


You may also view by clicking here.

You will probably see some of these pieces again a I talk about the individual supplies...but this will provide an overall look into how I have incorporated antique pieces into my room. Enjoy! 8 )

always dance...

mallory loves to dance. she does it everywhere. she especially loves ballet, specifically 'barbie movie' ballet (swan lake, pegasus, etc...). at home, she dresses up in her princess gowns and twirls away.

these pics were taken at the omaha zoo. we were walking along and then all of the sudden mally stops in place in the middle of the road and just starts dancing. love it. keep dancing, my girl.