From our readers (and me)

This LO was submitted by Monique.

Title = een vader is.... / a father is....

Journaling reads: Een vader is iemand die jaar na jaar je voetbalteam coacht!

In English: A father is someone who coaches your soccer team, year after year.

Monique and I are part of the design team on the littleshopofsketches blog. Tanya provides a sketch every fortnight which the team interprets.

This week I paid a tribute to my Father.

Journaling: I wish we could connect again and I was able to trust enough to be that vulnerable to show you my heart. I love you and even now need to know you love me too and that you're proud of me. Just say it "you love me too." May 2009.

Stefanie's challenge 59

I struggle to be as vulnerable as Tracy was in the previous post.
I also feel hurt and that when my father divorced my mother he divorced me too.
Now he is in Germany (we left Germany and came to South Africa when I was only 4) and I am so English that the language becomes a barrier too.
Neither of us is brave enough to risk, both of us afraid of being hurt again.
But the little girl buried deep inside of me would love to hear her Daddy say back to her; "I love you, too."

My journaling:
Looking at these photos of Opa with you my son, I realise how much all three of you children have missed out on.
He is such a hands-on Grandpa getting down to your level and interacting with you. I can't remember him being like that with me, but I remember being a spectator while he did that with my step-sister and my cousin.
The divorce and subsequent language barrier have extracted their toll on us all.
Photos from January 1996
Journaled Father's day 2009.

Tracy's challenge 59

Dear Daddy

I was 6 years old when you left me. I recall that I didn’t see you for a very long time – how long I don’t know because I don’t remember much of my childhood. But for almost 24 years after you left I felt very, very sad.

Mommy told me you loved me very much when I was a baby. I really, really wanted to believe her. But you left me …

I don’t remember doing anything wrong – I don’t remember chasing you away. I do remember trying so hard to please you – to be perfect.

You told me you loved me but then why did you leave me? I didn’t understand.

I looked at you with stars in my eyes for a very long time. I tried so hard to make you love me …

For almost 24 years I felt empty, lost and alone …

You walked me down the aisle and then you disappeared. You left me again …

I married a man so very different to you. He is responsible and he loves me so much – he shows me in so many ways. He looks at me with stars in his eyes. At first I couldn’t comprehend how he could love me so much when my own daddy left me? I was waiting for the time when he would leave me too. I was sure that I would do something to chase him away and for a long time I didn’t allow myself to be completely happy – it couldn’t be me he really wanted to be with.

I am 30-something now. I don’t need you so much anymore, daddy. You see, I have somebody who really, really loves me like I need to be loved and who takes special care of me. I tried to push him away - he stayed. He tells me he’s not going anywhere without me. I believe him! I deserve his love!

I’m okay now. It doesn’t hurt so much anymore.

I understand so much more about you now. I know you are a very different man. I know you have regrets. I have a gorgeous child of my own and I am so grateful he has a daddy who is raising him to be strong and yet gentle with lots of love and security.

I know that you love me. You love me the only way you know how – it may seem limited to me because I love with ALL of me – but it’s ok now.

I love you too, daddy and I forgive you …

Your daughter always, Tracy

Shayne's challenge 59

Being a dad is what you're meant to do.
You have an endless supply of patience and love for our girls.
They look to you for guidance in most situations.
There is nothing that a love or a hug from you cannot fix.
You are hands on in every situation and I love you so for that.xxx

Lynn's challenge 59.

This is my LO,
“Angel to watch over us”,
for the male relationship challenge.

The photo is of me with my Auntie Jennifer. My Grandad passed away almost 3 years ago & we both miss him a lot. She was his only daughter & I was his only granddaughter. When I was little my Grandad would draw with me & there was always a red clip on the jar of pencils. Now the clip sits on the shelf above my scrapbooking desk & I think of him every day when I see it. I've included a little red heart clip on my LO to represent this.

Journaling reads:
I know that Auntie Jennifer misses Grandad as much as I do.
It's a comfort to think of him watching over us from heaven, taking care of his little girls.

Helen's challenge 59.

Her journaling:
Close up of some of the details.

Cabbie's challenge 59

journaling:

what a great dad you are to us.

you always see to it that we get the best of everything.

you made us laugh, smile and most of all, you really want the best for all of us.

we are blessed to have you, dad.

Liza's challenge 59.

Title: Papa knows best

Journaling:
Blessed, that is how I feel to have you as our father. We are lucky to have been guided and inspired by you. You have been a very good teacher and have taught us most of what we know about raising our own family. As you always say, we should live life to the fullest. We are living it the way you would have wanted us to do it. And still, we know that you are thinking of us ahead of your own self. Supportive and selfless, nurturing and protective, that is who you are, because father knows best.

Shannon's challenge 59

*my kids get to see a side of my dad that i never did, and that's the Pop side....and i am thankful that they have each other to share this special relationship with -- my dad means so much to me and i am so lucky that my kids get to experience life with him in it*

Journaling:

Pop Life is a little bit more relaxed than yours. Pop Life is a bunch of little moments for you to pluck out of the sky and keep forever. You're both lucky to have Pop Life.....it's a great life with people like Pop to share it with....

Nicole's challenge 59

I never thought I would end up WITH YOU.

You lived so far away from me and told the worst puns ever.

Yet here I am WITH YOU.

Over time, I learned that puns can actually be funny and that distance doesn’t matter if you really love someone and want to make it work.

WITH YOU I have a beautiful family that I adore.

WITH YOU I have a best friend that I can tell everything to and I can honestly say if I had to pick between spending an evening with you or my friends, I’d pick you.

I don’t think many wives can say that.

WITH YOU I don’t feel alone.

WITH YOU I have more than a lot of people could ever dream of.

Despite the problems we do have, I still choose you because WITH YOU I am home.

Pamela's challenge 59.

Journaling

about my husband (James) with my birth daughter (Josephine)...

In Your Hands... You hold my world! There is no one else I could conceive of trusting with this precious task... You are my anchor, my truth, and my choice.

Mia's challenge 59

Title: Walk A Little Slower Daddy

Journaling:

Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!~author unknown

Janis' challenge 59

Journaling:
When I met you I just knew that you're going to be a great family man - - and I was soo right. The kids are crazy about you, I adore you - - you are the wings behind our family. We're lucky and blessed to have you, Dad.

Another one from our readers... (# 58 age)

From Lynette.

@ 27

Wynand it is your 27th birthday today.

You have grown into a wonderful young man, husband and father.

April 2009.

Cindy's challenge 59.

Where I Love To Be

Riding high on Daddy’s shoulders is where I love to be.

He carries me when we need to walk far & I can see far, and we always have fun being silly. When I am tired I can rest & Daddy doesn’t mind when I squash his head or spill my drink on him.

Its the best place in the world.

Melissa introducing challenge 59.

they call him Papa

He didn't start off as Papa.

We called him Grandpa & somehow Ethan translated it.

He's taken to the job like a pro!

Both CJ & Ethan get excited to see him & the rest of us are chopped liver when they have the choice of us or him.

And who can blame them?

He flies them around the house, takes them on walks & wagon rides, goes fishing & on boat rides. To the boys, Papa isn't another way to say Grandpa. Papa is fun.

Challenge:In honor of Father's Day, journal about a special male relationship.

Be it your own father, your husband, your Grandfather, an Uncle, or a teacher. Whoever he is, let him know why he's special.

Another reader's submission

here at 2 years old, i was just oblivious!
sometimes i just can't help but wish going back to this stage of serenity

This one is from Katrina.

Readers roundup.

These are from Tertia.

Journaling reads:

i) Coming home from school one day, you wanted to know whether God made people. When I said yes, you double checked and asked if He made everybody. When I said yes again, you thought for a while and then asked: "What do the doctors do then? Do they just stir us?

"ii) You adore all the members of your family and love to give hugs and kisses.

iii) You have an imaginary friend - Katie. Katie lives with you and has a brother that you don't like.

iv) Your best friend at school is Shana and you look after her

.v) You prefer sweets and chocolate to food any day!

vi) Your favourite snack is a chocolate muffin.

vii) You love all animals and get really upset when you can't watch Animal Planet in TV. The big cats are your favourite.

viii)You are getting so big that you don't want to sit on oupa's lap all the time anymore. The other day when he asked you to come and sit on his lap for a while, you answered that you had 'no more sits left for the day'!

ix) 6 more random facts:

- You would like to have even more animals apart from the three dogs and four cats you already have.

- You are going to be a great mommy, because your friends and dolls are cared for so well. No child of yours will ever be cold or hungry.

- You love school. Your teacher is mrs. Krige and you adore her.

- You can't wait to go to Physio every Tuesday. You have to go for very low muscle tone and you have made great progress.

-You LOVE tea and will drink tea whenever you can.

Then a little admin.

Lynette won the Kaiser craft stamps from May/June.

I am happy to provide a RAK as a lucky draw for participation but would like at least 5 LO's in the "kitty" before I do so.

Cindy's challenge 58

Me @ 35

· Happy
· In love with my partner & children
· Feel self fulfilled
· Creative
· Business Minded
· Confident
· Forthright
· Positive about where my life is heading
· Emotionally strong
· Live for the moment
· Know that I can do whatever I set my mind to
· A bit too overweight, oh well!
· Love and miss my mum
· Proud of my achievements
· Have great hopes for my future
· LOVE MY LIFE

Pamela's challenge 58.

Title: her top 10 @ 7

1. cats
2. pink and blue
3. art
4. meatballs
5. my friends
6. my family
7. Easter
8. swinging on my backyard swing set
9. doctors
10. cute furry little hamsters

Another one from me.

Title: Amost 40

Ok, I said it! Yes I do know that 40 isn't old, but it is to me. All my life I have thought 40 was over the hill - you know middle-aged. Well here I am at 39 and I am dreading it. I do feel pretty childish in my desire to stay young. The reality is that we all get older. I know this however I didn't realise your age doesn't change how you feel on the inside. I still feel 23 at heart. My outside does not look 23 anymore, sometimes the mirror gives me a shock. Inside I still feel young and full of life. This is not how I expected 40 (or 39) to feel.

Actually I don't know what I thought 40 would feel like. It always seemed so far away- until now. I guess I have to start acting like an adult and look at the positive things in my life. Honestly I would not change anything. I just like to throw a little verbal tantrum every so often. I love my life - all 39 years of it. God has truly blessed me with all of my desires; from getting married to a wonderful guy, the three children I wanted, a blue- eyed Siamese who adores me and a white corolla Verso.

Here's to another 39!

(just a little aside - now that 3 more years have passed I can freely admit nothing makes you "grow up" faster than having a teenager in the house, never mind 2!)

Stefanie's challenge 58

9th birthday
You invited all your school friends for a swimming and sandart party.
the jumping castle was up and the time seemed to fly by too quickly.
It was so special that Bronnie was here to celebrate with you too.

Lynn's challenge 58

Journaling reads:
I don't know what I thought I'd be like at 23, more grown up I suppose.
I don't feel 23 & probably don't look it either.
Mum was married at 23 but I'm nowhere near ready to settle down.
So for the moment I'm just going to enjoy the freedom that comes with being young and single.

oops!

Sorry this got left off Helen's journaling.

(Lyrics courtesy of Taylor Swift) Aged 21 - from "Fearless"...I can still relate to this at 42 and just want you to know that I will always be around whenever you need me...(We are the 2 flowers on this page - both still growing)...finding out who we're supposed to be...but, lucky for you, you're still 15.

Helen's challenge 58

TITLE - LIFE @ 15

Journalling reads:-

'Cos when you're 15 and somebody tells you they love you, you're gonna believe them, and when you're 15 feeling like there's nothing to figure out...well...count to ten...take it in...This is life before you know who you're gonna be...at 15. When you're 15 and your first kiss makes your head spin round...but in your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy in the football team...but I didn't know it at 15. And when you're 15 don't forget to look before you fall. I've found that time can heal most anything...and you just might find who you're supposed to be...I didn't know who I was supposed to be at 15 (either)...

Mia's challenge 58

Title: @36 Living, Learning and Being Thankful

Journaling: I am thankful for many things --- simple things yet truly wonderful and life-changing things. A lot of times, we take for granted what we have in life: the food we eat, the clothes we wear or the air we breathe. There are times when we are consumed by the thought of the things we want or we think we need and fail to be appreciative of what truly matters.

I am thankful for electricity and water and the comfort that it brings into our homes. I am grateful for the Internet that has enabled me to communicate with a lot of families and friends and the wealth of information it brings. I am happy that we have a roof on our heads, a car to bring us around and good health for everyone.One time Nadine simply commented, “I’m happy I have eyes to see.” I don’t know what she saw or what made her say that but her innocent comment made me ecstatic that she has learned to appreciate other things aside from the material ones. How many times have we taken our senses for granted? The colors and things that we see, the sweet sounds that we hear, the food that we taste.

I am deeply grateful for the ways we have all grown as a family the past few years- in ways we never expected we would have to. Our move to Cagayan was not an easy decision for us but with lots of prayers and discernment, we felt that this was best for our growing family. And somehow it has proven in itself. I am grateful for the conveniences the city brings, the car rides to school, the breakfast dates with my husband.

As a family, I feel we have grown closer to one another, knowing each other more and learning the little quirks that go with each personality. With this, we have learned to deal with the frustrations and obstacles that come with life. It has made us grow. Our life is far from perfect. There is still so much to strive for, to work on in our lives. But I am hopeful that with our goals in mind, anything can be achieved. It is, nonetheless, the journey that’s what matters most.I am thankful for expressions of love, especially within our family. I know everybody is different when it comes to how much “love they show”, but I really believe that there is no such thing as “being too loving”. I love that my kids feel comfortable and it comes natural for them to kiss us and to say I love you. When we bring Raya to school every morning, she never fails to hug us and whisper, “I love you SOO much!” (Emphasis on the SOO.)

It really is a wonderful thing to pause for a few moments and realize the number of things we all have to be thankful for in life. No matter who we are or where we are. There are blessings when we choose to 'see them'.

Cabbie's challenge 58

Title: 4 is four
you seem to be afraid of the water at first but in the end, you were the last to get up from the splashes! you had a great time!!!

Janis' challenge 58

It was only when I hit my 30s that I became a little conscious of my age.
I try to embrace it good naturedly -- age is just a state of mind I tell myself.

More so, these days, 30s is the new 20s -- and this will make me 22 soon.

Who's afraid to grow old then?

Nicole's challenge 58.

@ 35 I know...that I do not have all the answers.

that I only regret the things I didn't do, not the ones I did.

that the love from a child is the purest thing there is.

that it is never too late unless you are dead.

that tomorrow always gives us another chance.

Cabbie's mother's day LO.

Sorry I missed posting this one, please forgive me?title: mom's tips

journaling:

though my mom is living quite far from me, we have this constant communication through phone calls. these are some tips which i got from her all through the years:

a. a mother will do everything to keep and protect her children.

b. always be grateful.

c. be kind to everyone.

d. love your husband as you love yourself.

e. you should cook.

f. spic and span your household.

g. don't get hungry.

h. education is very important.

i. constant communication is a must in a family.

Shayne's challenge 58

Title: three defining me.

You love “nut-butter” on your toast
Your toast is not allowed to be too crunchy
You have finally mastered the art of “in out” with your legs whilst swinging
Your favourite stories right now are the Apple Tree Farm Series
You love watching your Clamber Club DVD and tap tap tapping along
You are fully potty trained
You go nowhere without Tigger
You still need to nap during the day otherwise you’re a misery by 5pm
You generally sleep for at least 11 hours a night
You just love cuddling, hugs & kisses
You know how to throw a tantrum of note
Puzzles are becoming a firm favourite and you can now do at least 8 pieces by yourself
Another favourite meal is Dad’s homemade pasta and gnocchi (with pesto)
Choccie Milk is the first thing you drink in the morning
You hate having sticky hands
You love eating veg
You want to dress yourself and get changed at least twice a day
You are the light of our lives and we all love you to bits!

Introducing Challenge 58: from Liza.

They say age is but a number.
They're probably right.
But behind that number is a meaning, a realization of what that age brings to that person's life.

Create a layout using "age" as a title.
Journal about the significance of that age for you or that person you are scrapping about.
What realizations do you have as you contemplate on that particular age.

Her journaling:
Can you believe it? Twenty years has passed since you first came into our life. You were such a tiny baby that we never thought you'll grow up to be this big. You're already a man and old enough to make decisions of your own. We hope that we have nurtured you enough to be the best that you can be. We are your family and know that we only want the best for you. There is more to experience with life. Reach for your dreams and always persevere. Life is what you make it and we know that you deserve the best.