Please read- I need your help!

On August 2nd, some close family friends of ours were in a plane crash in San Diego http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=12911943

On board were Greg, his wife Lori and their 3 children Summer (11) Tia (10) and Austin(8)

Lori was pronounced deceased at the scene and Austin later passed in the hospital

Greg and the girls are in bad shape with countless broken bones and many surgeries ahead of them.

Summer and Tia are in medically induced comas to help their bodies heal.

First and foremost, I ask for your prayers for the Crane Family

Second, I am organizing a card drive for the girls.

I cannot imagine the physical pain these young girls are facing and the emotions they must be feeling.

Be it a small gesture, I believe a card could brighten their day and bring a smile to their face.

If this is something you'd like to do then simply make 2 cards (one for Summer, one for Tia)and mail them to me, I will mail them in one giant care package to the girls.

(I'd like to do this by 9/1)

Tara Powell

708 SW Joseph Circle

Grain Valley MO 64029

Since this tragedy has taken place I have really started to look at my life differently.

We truly don't know how long we have on this Earth, how long we have with those we love.

God could take any of us at any time. No one is untouchable and each day is a gift.

I can't imagine the pain that this family is facing now.

The unthinkable truly has happened.

I just pray everyday for their healing and for God to comfort them in their time of complete sorrow.

I took this photo while in Steamboat Springs and I think it totally sums up God's promise.

Even in the midst of the darkest of storms, he will never leave or forsake us.

I had some free time the other night and made a few layouts

This first one is Koby and Mia back in 2004, they were so little!
Finding these photos brought tears to my eyes, it seems like just the other day they were this little.

They start 1st and 3rd grade this week for Pete's sake!

Next time I blink they will be grown.

Here are a few baseball layouts of Mr. Koby, the MVP pitcher

I am so proud of the leadership he has shown on the team

While at the World Series one of the other players fathers made a comment about how Koby was one of the "Saltiest" players he'd seen.

I asked him what that meant and he explained...

"It means he has pure grit and is totally committed to his team and the game. Every game he leaves his heart and soul on the field"

To hear someone say that about my son just made my day.

I just love these pictures of him, he is such a little guy still but in these photos you can just see the pressure of the game on his face.

He holds himself to such a high standard and isn't satisfied unless he does his absolute best.

The kid truly eats, sleeps and breathes baseball.

I am so proud of his determination and dedication.

Last week my youngest sister, Natalie, and I went to the Lady Gaga concert. Talk about a show! We had so much fun. And yes, if you are wondering that IS a giant bow on my head ;)


Thanks for reading my super long post, I promise I am going to try and be more diligent with updating my blog!

Have a great weekend and remember to kiss and hug those you love.

An update from Tara- BIG news!

I have some big news, I won't keep you in suspense...

I am due around Valentine's Day! We recently moved into a new home...
I have been concentrating a lot on my mixed media art work
Here is a piece I recently finished
It is on a 40X60 canvas and has several different textures and mediums on it
It is available for sale in my store


Here is a 4 piece canvas that I recently sold
These canvases were 12x12 each

July 17 was my birthday, I am now 29

(eek!)

I know 29 is still young but I have a sneaking suspicion that

the years will just fly by from here on out.

What's that saying?

"The days are so long, but the years are so short"

For any of you that have moved and had to move all of your scrapping supplies

I'm sure you can relate, it is NOT fun!

Paper weighs a TON and it really gives you perspective on how

fast the stuff can accumulate!

Lately I have been very good about not buying more scrapbook supplies

unless I know it's something I am going to use in the very near future.

It is so easy to let this hobby turn into a product hoarding frenzy and

that is SO not what it's about

It's about preserving memories and in 15 years my kids won't care

whether I used the latest or trendiest products on their scrapbooks

With school being out my scrapping time has been pretty non existent

but here are 2 pages I managed to quickly crank out

the other night:

Koby has started moved up from machine pitch to kid pitch baseball

He is one heck of a pitcher, so fun and intense to watch!

During a recent game he had 9 strike outs and held a total shut out

until the last inning of the game

We recently went to Steamboat Springs, CO to take Koby's team

to play in the World Series.

It was the first time I'd been to the state and I fell in love!

The mountain air, the amazing scenery, and everyone is so active!

Everywhere you look people are riding bikes, walking their dogs,

I just loved the lifestyle there.

We will go back next July and I am counting the days.

I would love to go there this winter and see Colorado in it's snow covered majesty.

I doubt being pregnant on skis is that good of an idea though...

I can make all the promises in the world about trying to blog more often

but the reality is life happens and gets in the way

I miss blogging and miss hearing from all of my online friends

All I can do is try to get back in the habit of updating, once it

becomes more of a habit it's easier and becomes second nature

Thanks for reading my update

I hope each and every one of you are doing well!!