It's been a few days since I've had time to update!  I have a few layouts to share tonight. 
The first one came about because of the Flashback Friday challenges on the pub at 2 peas.  One of the posters challenged us to do a layout about what we wanted to be when we were a child.  So, of course, I journaled my story about becoming a nurse.
The journaling on the layout says:  I can't remember a time when that "want" wasn't there. That "need" to be helpful to someone, that empathy always burned in my insides, that deep wanting to fix everybody.

I remember trying to help my great aunt Soak her feet when they were sore. I used to fix tea for my grandma when she wasn't feeling well. I helped wrap my grandma's legs with elastic bandages when her varicose veins were bothering her. I always tried to make everybody feel better.

My nursing plans were delayed a long time. I chose marriage and motherhood over college and career out of high school, but as I approached my 40th birthday I realized I still needed to fulfill that other "need" I attended college and finally graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing!

I used kits called Stitches 5 by Twinky, Flower stitches by Christine Mortimer, paper by Hero Arts, (extra spring).

My second layout will be part of my Christmas album of memories.  The journaling says:

 Over the years we've collected many ornaments made by our children and grandchildren. Many of these ornaments were made as school or Indian Maiden projects. Some of them have photos of the artist on them. Some only have the artist's name. This, for some reason, has become a matter of contention between my children. We have several ornaments with Becky's picture on them. Several years ago Debbie started the tradition of hiding the nut. (one of the ornaments is a nut with Becky's face on it. This year the contest took on a new dimension. Debbie offered to pay Amy 100.00 if she hid the ornament so we couldn't find it. But I saved the day. The nut is safely on the tree!

(by the way, the "contention" is all in good humor). I used 25 days of Christmas template (Manipulated), very boyish kit by Bella Gypsy, paper arrows kit by Khadfiel.

The third layout is another one about ornaments.  Ones that mean a lot to us or have some other important significance.  The journaling says:

Most of our ornaments hold a special memory or have some other significance. Take for instance, the top
heart.  Hannah and Adam made that ornament for us that year.  The next ornament represents the Christmas
we spent with Debbie’s family in San Diego.  The next photo shows two ornaments.  One represents our dog
Ashlee, who is no longer with us, and the little dog ornament looks exactly like our dog Molly!  Such great pals.  The next two ornaments are new to us this year.  We bought them at an Estate sale in our neighborhood.  The lady loved Christmas, and hand made many of her own ornaments.  We gave these a new home. The little red ornament is one Becky made for us out of dough.  And the last ornament represents Earl’s love for his trains.  Each of these ornaments generate their own special memories. As we swiftly march towards Christmas day, may the Real joy of Christmas ring in your hearts.  May you be warmed by sweet memories of the past, and may you make new memories to cherish in the years to come.  May God bless you and yours during this sacred season.