Is it Sunday yet?

I'm still alive. That I can vouch for. I can't really vouch for many other things. Like, my sanity. From this side of my body, I imagine my nerves looking worn out like old tires - very thin and in danger of tearing... The fact that I don't sleep much must be adding to it ;). I never ever could have guessed how much work my husband does on a daily basis! How many little things he holds together, how many pieces of information, how many threads that hold our lives and keep it on the track. He has been gone for a week and I feel like a zombie.

I am so ready for it to be Sunday :)

I (He) can do it:)!

I'm writing this on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Miro and Jakov went to Daruvar, a near-by town, where Miro was invited to speak at a Youth meeting. Tomorrow morning he leaves for Berlin. Wow... Next week will definitely be challenging for me and (the rest of) my house:). Driving Jakov to school, Josip to kindergarten. I hope it will be a sunny week, which would make transporting Luka much easier;) But, whatever the case, I can do everything in the One who gives me strength:)!!!

Anyway, I am SO glad Miro got this wonderful opportunity to spend a week listening to a lecture on New Testament Theology, having fellowship with many brothers from all over the world. I pray he comes home refreshed and energized.

Now, here is a little card I made the other day, using the same stamp set, Gina K's Oh Boy by Tami Mayberry. Last time I forgot to say that my card was very much inspired (if not copied;) by Donna Baker's card made with the same set. (Truth be told, I like EVERYTHING that amazingly talented lady does:)! So, here is my little attempt - the light is bad as usual, but I just love these colours. Hope you like it! Have a wonderful day, dear friends!

School time!

School started on Monday! On Monday morning, Jakov took his Hot Wheels school bag, bravely shushed his fears and became a pupil! This whole week passed without any problems. I am so proud of him:).

Josip also started kindergarten. I believe that somehow it was even harder for him - Jakov already knew some of his school buddies, while this was Josip's first introduction to his group...

We've all been a bit nervous this week, but I am so thankful to God for leading us through it all, without any major dificulties. I am praying for wisdom in dealing with my kids on so many levels - intelectually, spiritually, emotionally... Sometimes I really feel so inept for motherhood, or better to say, for being so important in somebody's life. I hope I won't mess up my boys' lives..

On a (much) lighter note, we've had some birthday parties in our neighbourhood these days. I am so happy that we are becoming a part of the area and that the kids get invited to parties. Actually, since we made those invitations for Jakov's birthday a while back, every birthday on our street sports home made invitations - I guess people like the idea! Who knows, maybe that's a beginning of a lovely ministry:)?

Here are two cards I made for those birthdays. First is a candilicious :) card for a girl who hasn't had much sweetness in her young life. The pink background has polka dots on it, but it's not clearly visible.

The second one was for Leonardo (no, he is not one of the Ninja Turtles;), J&J's friend.

Not so fast!

Actually, I meant I did not write this as fast as I wanted to:). You know, the usual excuses, or should I say, the usual suspects (there are four of them in my household... or five, including the dog:))

But, here I am, and I have some nice birthday photos to share. Jakov and his little guests had a great time, and the birthday party lasted full 4 hours!! Thankfully, 2/3 of that time were spent outside, where Miro was great at entertaining all the little football crazed boys. The girls spent their time talking to me(!) and singing the new song by Kim Verson (16 year old national talent show winner). I have it on our camera - it was so funny and cute!

After that, we spent almost three weeks in Dalmatia, visiting parents and friends. We stayed for ten days at a friends' apartment, while they were traveling - so gracious of them!

But you see, being back home didn't hurt any of us too much, especially Miro and me. Being away from home with three little kids can get pretty exhausting. However, we did get to spend a few carefree lying in the sand days...what more could I want? Well, maybe 7 of those:), but hey there's always next summer, Lord willing.

On the right side you can see some birthdays photos and photos from our trip. They are there because after some experimenting I now don't know how to change their position:D

Have a nice day, you wonderful people!!

YAY for CARDS BY ELI:))!!!

I was thrilled to hear that a wonderful friend of mine, Elizabeta Kushner, was into cards, and not only that, but that she is amazing at it and has her own fantastic blog!! It was such a joy to hear that I have a new card making buddy but also a huge encouragement for me to keep up with this blog of mine that gets advertised on our every prayer letter. I really apologize to anyone who had in the past come here only to find out that nothing is going on:(. I plan to do better in the future, and that is all dear Elizabeta's doing:))!

Well, as far as the news go, another birthday is coming up at the Balint-Feudvarski household, and it is Jakov's 7th! We will be celebrating on Saturday, although his birthday is on Sunday the 18th. However, with two Church services to attend, it would have been too much to squeeze in a birthday party as well:)

Here is the invitation for the happy occasion (I was really trying to avoid anything with monsters, aliens, or 'alien force' (Ben 10, for the chosen few who don't know):)).

I hope you like it. Little boats and lighthouses are also the theme of the boys' bedroom and I really like that boyish summery playing in the sand care-free feel.

And now I need to start preparing for the celebration, there is so much still to do! See you soon with the pics:)!

One More Card

Here is another easy card I made for Nina's blogiversary. The text says "I am the vine, you are the branches". My card is small and simple, but those words are larger than life - eternal!

Happy Easter everyone!

A new card

Maybe it's the March madness, but I've finally decided to write something:)! As the Spring enters our little town of Nova Gradiška, I am also feeling the need to stretch a little bit, take a stroll down the canal, or just stop to smell the flowers. Luka is finally out of his colic stage, and we sometimes sleep more than three hours at a time! What a change! Last night I actually awoke around 3 am, wondering if he was still alive:)

Today hasn't been that good since I am running a little fever and feel like I've been run over buy a truck:)). But hey, it's Easter soon and Easter is my favourite Christian holiday, so my spirits are up! Especially since Charlie and Barb are coming over on Saturday for a little preEaster brunch. Yes, it will be fabulous!!

Anyway, what really brought me out, hehe, is the challenge that Nina is offering on account of her 1 year blogiversary, over at her superb Crafting in Croatia blog. I am entering this card. I wanted to write 'Chantilly lace' as the sentiment (it just went so well with the card), but didn't have the stamp for it (lol), and it was too late to print it out... However, 'Just for you' is also nice. This is actually one of my favourite combinations of colours.

Hmmm, perhaps I'll make another one for this challenge tomorrow...;)