Hardy Love

Kit by Attic Treasures

My maternal Great GrandParents, Roy and Jimmy Hardy. The top picture was dated 1955. The middle pictue I'm guessing was when they bought the only house I remember, early 50's. Bottom picture is the last picture of them together, Christmas 1963. Great GrandDad passed away in April 1964, after an accident at work, US Rubber Co, Emeryville, CA. Which was 6 months before I was born. If you look close at him, you can see that he had a glass eye, and the top of his left ear is missing. He lost his eye as a teenager...cleaning a rifle. He lost the top of his ear in a fight around 1950...must have been with Mike Tyson's ancestor. If you look close at the display case, there are two family pics taken at Christmas time...years apart (I'll do layouts of them soon).

My Great GrandParent were from Oklahoma. Moved to California around 1944. They had 4 daughters and 1 son. Granny passed away August 1999.

We Salute You

War and Honor Kit By Element By Design

Mrs Carpenter's 3rd grade class wrote letters to my brother the soldier who recently arrived in Iraq. I snapped this picture so my brother could see who was writing to him. I loved it so much, I couldn't help but make this layout when I found the kit on Element By Design's blog. We are all praying for each and every member of the military to return home safely. And we thank them all for protecting our freedom. WE SALUTE YOU

My Man

Built Tough Kit By Raspberry Road

My husband is going to kill me when he sees this...but it's worth the risk. We are getting ready to celebrate 14 years together. I couldn't ask for a better friend, supporter, lover. We have had our trials, but never doubt our bond. Coming from relationships that were full of infidelity, secrets, and plenty of pain. What we have together is priceless.

Moving On...

QuickPage By Nutkin Tailz Designs

Here's both boys with their teacher at their new school. What a blessing to have moved here. This last trimester of school has been so rewarding. God is definitely showing me His hand in our move.

Josh got to go see the Dalai Lama a week after starting. Had a restaurant style dinner in class, swimming trip. And so much praise from his new teacher. He was presented with a "Citizenship Award" at the end of year Spirit Assembly. Mrs Hehn has been a blessing, who welcomed Josh into her class, praising his efforts, sending home THE BEST report card I've ever seen.

I thought Mrs Carpenter would have a full time job with Matthew. Considering what we had been going through at the old school. But she connected with him on levels only God could have arranged. The improvements Matthew has made in the past 2-1/2 months are phenomenal. Above and beyond as a teacher, she had math practice at the local library on a Saturday, and has spent time running with Matthew after school. We even talked about meeting through summer for running or at the library for reading. She will be teaching a combo 3/4 class next year, and is keeping Matthew. She also awarded Matthew a "Citizenship Award" at the end of year Spirit Assembly. And sent home a report card worth framing.

What a blessing these ladies have been. Only God the Father could create teachers like these ;))

Matthew---The Olivia Park Years

Kit by Raspberry Road Designs

Here's my youngest. About to turn 9 already. Matthew is my SURPRISE!!! baby. Hubby and I had talked about having another brother or sister to give Joshua a companion. But we had just talked, not deciding bi-laterally when that time would be. So I sort of sprung it on hubby (too late for him to say, "not yet") that I stopped birth control and 9 months later, her he was. Matthew was born on his due date... WOW

We survived the crazy apples and blueberries of Kindergarten with Mrs Harmon. Matthew was so eager to start school, that it honestly seemed cruel and unusual to go to school only two (sometimes three) days a week. But thanks to the wonderful personality of Mrs Harmon, Matthew learned. I am so glad that the district discontinued that crazy schedule, as I wouldn't want any other parent to suffer the emotional roller coaster that we rode that year. It was a hard year, but Matthew made it.

First Grade with Miss Ostlie almost seemed like the first year of school. Going every day all day. Matthew was a bit of a playful ham and was more in to play than learning. Nonetheless, Miss Ostlie was able to teach Matthew that he had the skill to learn. Slowly changing "I can't" into "I'll try." And he found out that "he could."

Second grade we insisted on Mrs Green (I loved being in her class and learning from her bubbly demeanor and interaction with the kids). Matthew still struggled with lacking confidence in his ability, Mrs Green proved to Matthew that he was capable of more than he thought. Matthew strived to make Mrs Green happy, which benefited him more than he realized.

Third grade proved to be a struggle. Sadly enough, Mrs Jackson had the duty of trying to deal with Matthew's immaturity. Because of the change from second to third grade being so different, Matthew seemed to regress. We were challenged with Matthew's not wanting to even go to school, tummy aches, and endless reasons to go to the nurse. In spite of all that, Matthew must have been paying attention when we weren't looking, as he took with him what he must have learned. I think Mrs Jackson is an awesome teacher, I'm just very sad that Matthew didn't seem to connect.

Mrs Reclusado and Mr Owens were so helpful this past year in trying to turn Matthew around. Devising incentives and rewards to get him to school. He was excited to get to school in the morning and go into the office to see them and get his stickers.

We miss staff and friends at OP. But we promise to keep in touch and come by from time to time to say HI. I thank all these teachers for building character, confidence, and attentiveness in my bubbly, spontaneous, comedian. Not only has he grown in size, he has gained values, respect and knowledge; in his years at Olivia Park.

Joshua...The Olivia Park Years

Kit by Raspberry Road Designs

My miracle boy. After 15 years of not conceiving, I was blessed with Joshua. God's gift to me for getting clean and sober and staying that way. I've tried every year to talk him into NOT growing up, but he insists he can't stop. I don't care how old he gets...he'll always be my baby.

New to the school near the end of 1st grade, in Mrs Smith's class we got to meet Mr Bananas and make a poster introducing Joshua to all his new friends. Mrs Smith made Joshua feel very welcome at his new school, even though he was only in her class for a couple of months.
Second grade proved to be quite the challenge. But Mrs Green made it easy. Having moved here from California just a few months earlier, we found that Joshua was struggling to keep up with his peers. Mrs Green built confidence in Joshua when he was feeling inadequate. She added rewards and incentives for his achievements, and even though he was still struggling, he wasn't quite so hard on himself. Making a huge difference in his attitude toward school.

Ms Herradura had "Josh" for third and fourth grades. Though he was still struggling, and even hit a bump or two with keeping up, Ms Herradura continued to build Josh's confidence in his abilities. Attitude being the difference between victory and defeat, by the end of fourth grade Josh was confident with himself. And still wears a smile over the 4 he got in spelling in her class.

Now in fifth grade, Miss Becker climbed to the top the "favorite" list. Mr Personality having totally come out of his shell, landed in a brand new teachers class, and couldn't have been happier with that circumstance. My guess is that he was 10 and having his first crush, and who better deserving than a budding young teacher with a heart of gold. Josh strived to make Miss Becker happy with everything he did, building his confidence even more. He's even a bit "cocky" now...which isn't entirely a bad thing.

It was bitter sweet to have moved near the end of the school year. But we said our "Good-Bye's" in March and we moved.

I thank all of the teachers there for building confidence, self-esteem, and self-assuredness in my shy, self-condemning, struggling child. Not only has he grown about a foot and a half, he has grown in maturity, morals, and knowledge.

WOO HOO

Miss Mary Marie

My Baby Love kit by Raspberry Road Designs

My baby granddaughter, born February 18th, 2008. She's such a cutie. Only get to see pictures of her...she lives with her parents in Oklahoma. Thank heaven for technology, we get pics of her almost every day.

Mom-In-Law

Creative Keepsake ScrapBook Designer

This is my very first layout creation. A tribute to my late Mother-In-Law. I used the program that my sister got me. I love the program, and still use it. My sis has long since outgrown it, and has tried to get me to move on...but...nother story.
I can't thank this woman enough for giving birth to my husband and raising him into a man I could retrain to be my own...LOL She and I had some bumpy roads, but we loved each other like mom and daughter. She passed away in Nov 2006, day after Thanksgiving. Holidays just aren't the same without her. But she did leave me with her famous recipes to share with my kids. Love you MOM

Averie Joy

Kit by Creative Victorian

Isn't she just cute??? I was just starting to play around with my digiscrap program, and all the supplies from my sis. When Averie's mom had sent me her picture... So I used it

Blessings Inherited

Inherit Blessings kit By Creative Victorian

2007...
Christmas Eve with my baby Sis and her family. Her house looks like the page of a victorian (clue) magazine at Christmas time. BEAUTIFULL!!!
New Years Eve at the senior center where my Dad plays bass in a "big band" called Camano Junction. I love going to dads gigs. There are a few of his off spring really into music and singing. I would be one of them.

I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!

Precious Bundle

Kit by Creative Victorian

Picture taken in 1980. My Dad newly wed to his fourth wife (and last), with their newborn baby daughter. I didn't know my dad growing up. In fact, I didn't know him when this picture was taken. When I did find him, he was everything I dreamt of n more. I wish I could say that we have the perfect family now...but, oh well, not meant to be. I love my dad...from a distance to keep peace.
My baby sis... we love each other. She is 15 years my junior. The "gifted" child of the family, she has got to have an outlet to create things or she goes nuts. The woman can whip out a quilt from scratch in a day. Many people enjoy her creations over the internet, all over the world. And she just happens to be my FAVORITE digiscrap creator...but I'm not telling you who... you'll just have to guess ;))

Me...The Classy Antique

Fairy Fantasia kit by Creative Victorian Designs

Here I am, so young, so sweet, and cute too. Center picture, I am about a year old. Bottom left, two and a half. Top right, I was 7.
I remember the top picture. Way back when photographers would come out to your house with all the equipment. GrandMother made this special dress just for that day. So cute with all it's raised polka dots n flowers. She loved that dress, and so did I...until I put it on. I kept telling her that it was "itchy." She promised I could take it off as soon as the photographer was gone. That had to have been the longest hour of my 7 years of life. What a smile... Can you see the pain in my face? All those little white polka dots had transfered to my skin and turned a pretty shade of red by the time I got to take it off. Turned out that I was allergic to the material. The things I had to do to make that woman happy...LOL

Granny Hardy

Arizona Fantasy~ Autumn Vision~Refined Legacy~Regal Mask
kits by Creative Victorian Designs

I guess I'm lucky to have known my Great GrandMother. Not many people get to know their "greats" as they have usually passed before their birth. Granny truly held our family together when I was little. The whole family gathered at her house for every holiday, birthday or just a weekend bar-b-que. We didn't need family reunions, we were never apart. I can only hope to leave the same kind of legacy for my kids , grandkids, and "greats;" if I live to see them. I just wish I had been in the kitchen with her when she was making her delicous chocolate gravy. I can still taste it, just can't make it for my kids.

Mother

Kit by Creative Victorian Designs

My mother age 8. Back when you could take a dollar into a store and walk out with a bag full of goodies. Little girls wore dresses to school. You could safely walk to and from school. If you had a TV at home, it was black and white and only got one channel.

The Fisher's

Kit by Creative Victorian Designs/Papers by Raspberry Road Designs

This is my maternal GrandParents Harold and Pauline(aka Dixie) and my Auntie Judith. I never got to meet my GrandFather... back in the day "X" meant "might as well be dead." Auntie Judith died at 18 months of age of Diptheria, while my GrandMother was on her back in the hospital with Polio and pregnant with my mother. GrandMother passed away in 1989, and I'm sure she and Judy watch us from their heavenly perches.

The Hardy's

Kit by Happy Scrappy (aka Attic Treasures by Anneli)


In this picture are my GreatGrand Parents Roy and Jimmy Hardy, Great Aunts Johnny and Wilma, and my GrandMother Dixie. I'm guessing that it was taken around 1940. GrandMother looks to be around 13, and there are two children missing. Probably not yet born.
I love old pictures. I can easily get lost wondering what life was like back then. No hustle-n-bustle of running from one activity to the next, grid-lock on the freeway, roag rage...the list goes on. I'm grateful for indoor plumbing, don't get me wrong. I just wish sometimes that life was simpler.
All but one has gone to heaven. GrandDad left us in 1964, GrandMother in 1989, Great Granny in 1999, Great Aunt Johnny in 2005.