Hello, Good Bye

Today, 4 months ago we left Lincoln, Nebraska.

It was really {REALLY} hard to say good bye to our friends. But our lives must go on.

From Lincoln, we flew to the sunny California. We spent about 9 days visiting old friends and family. We also did a little vacation. We visited Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier, drove along the Pacific Coast Highway and walked around downtown Hollywood. It was one of our best vacations ever!

October 1st, 2012, we flew 10 and a half hours across the Pacific Ocean to Taiwan. Spending 12 hours layover at the Taipei International Airport. Last but not least, flying the last 6 and a half hour to Surabaya, Indonesia.

Dustin and Phoebe were excited and enjoyed the trip so much. Leo and I shed some tears as we left our best memories behind.

It's not quite 4 months since we landed in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Surabaya is my hometown. The city where I was born and raised and spent most of my teenage years.
A place where we're going to call 'HOME' for awhile.

Ever since we left the States, our lives have been changed.

Leo and I are having the most difficult times adjusting to the new lifestyle. On the other hand, Phoebe and Dustin are having a really great time learning and enjoying their adventure.

We miss Lincoln so much. It's our HOME and it's where we left our hearts.

As the new journey begun, we will try our best to welcome new things and possibilities. We're looking forward to the new adventure. And, we definitely will create the most awesome memories ever.

Good bye 2012...and welcome 2013.

It's better late than never. So, let me wish you the best and most memorable year EVER!!!
Happy {belated} New Year!!

Life Changes

Dear Friends,

I've been putting this off  for awhile now and I think that today is the best time to share with you about my big life changes.

The first one is ~ My family and I are moving overseas in a few weeks. We're going home to Indonesia, a place where my husband and I were born and raised.
This sudden change isn't really a delightful one, but we believe that this is God's plan. So far, he's been in control and we're on the right track.

If you ask me WHY? well, here's the story.

12 years ago, I came to the United States of America as a student. I went to College here in Lincoln, Nebraska. My husband came a year later. We both have all legal papers. However, those student papers were expired at some points. So, we decided to pursue permanent resident status for both of us. The process began 7 years ago. There were lots of prayers have been said and the answer never came.
In the beginning of this year, we finally got a result, and the answer was a big NO.

My husband and the lawyer decided to appeal the case, then again we have to wait for another year or two.

A few weeks ago, while in the process of renewing his driving license, the DMV officer told him that he can't have a new one...not until he has a real documentation that says he's a legal permanent resident. He called the Immigration office, and his Immigration Officer couldn't help him either. He has to wait until next year when the judge give the verdict for his case.

My lovely husband felt that he's a dead man walking. We all lost hope.
This is when we both decided to just go home for a few years and let the kids meet their grandparents {my parents have never seen them in person since the day they were born} and also learn the culture.

After all...we realized that this isn't a bad idea at all. But as a human, I'm all scared, excited, and frustrated.

I hope this personal matter answers the big WHY question.

Here's an image of the world map.

We leave Lincoln, Nebraska, to Los Angles, California. Flying out from LAX to Taipe, Taiwan. From Taipe we fly to Surabaya, Indonesia, to meet my parents. From Surabaya we're gonna go to Bali, where we eventually will live.

No jobs waiting for us. No house. No car. Nothing. Our lives will start all over again with 2 kids. Scary? I'm terrified.

Im trying my best to stay positive and have faith. Trying to be strong for my husband, and be patient for my kids.

Well...enough for that....my tears are falling down uncontrollable. :D

The Second Change ~ will be this blog. I LOVE blogging..and am trying my best to keep up with it. A couple of months ago, I decided to make changes here, on my blog.

When I started, I dedicated this blog solely for crafting life. Sharing my greatest passion. However, I realized I wanna do more rather than just sharing my crafty works.

So....with all this moving craziness, I will move forward with the vision I have for this blog. You will see more about my personal life and other things. I hope you don't mind...and actually will enjoy it!

Wow...I think I was over exaggerated when I said big life changes. I thought I would have more than 2 changes, but these are the only ones I came up with. Silly me!! but they're big though!!!

I guess this is enough for a day.
Thank you for letting me share and please remember me and my family in your prayers.

So Happy To Have You Layout ~ Frosted Designs Sketch Challenge # 48

Hello and Happy Tuesday,

I can't believe that it's been 6 months being on Frosted Designs Design Team. I'm totally honored and proud to be part of it. One of the best teams I've ever been in.
I was given a chance to continue on to the next term....but, at this moment, I'm not quiet sure what to do.

Anyway...the last layout sketch challenge and my last layout are all up on their blog.
It's really worth it to check the blog out, the DT rocked the last challenge and the sponsor is really generous with the winning prize.

Well..here's my layout that I titled 'So Happy To Have You'.

The picture was taken 5 and a half years ago, when Dustin was just born. It was a beginning of a new family. My hubby really LOVES this photo...and my...I'm glad that I finally finished scrapbooking it. 

I guess that's all for today.

Will see you again soon.

So Cute So You Layout

Happy Tuesday dear Scrappers,

A new sketch challenge is up on Frosted Designs Blog.
Here's the sketch,

and here's my take on the layout,

I went through my pile of pictures in my external hard drive and found this really cute photo of Dustin, and I printed right away.

Anyway...
I hope you come and play along with this week sketch.

Thanks for stopping by...until later :D

The First Day......

of August and I've been back to my normal {and crafty} life about two weeks ago now.

My dear Mother In Law went back home to Indonesia and I'm back to the same old routines. My kids were really looking forward to it. They just hated when their mom worked too much outside home. :D
And I'm definitely happy to finally made a real mess in my scrap corner.

A couple of days ago, I checked my blog and realized that I haven't been blogging in like a month and a half. Well...{I don't want you to count how many times I've said this....but again}...I'M Back!

While I was busy working, I had some chances to re-think about my life and my blogging life. I decided to make some little changes. You will see this along the way.

Anyway... I have a new layout to share.
This layout was made for the newest and most current Layout Sketch Challenge at Frosted Designs Blog. So lets not wait, here's my layout titled 'The Prettiest Face'

This is a 8.5x11 layout and I just LOVE making layouts like this.

The picture is my daughter, Phoebe, and it was taken this past Mothers Day. My hubby wanted to take a self portrait of him and her...and for some reasons the camera zoomed in without him knowing. Although the picture didn't come out the way hubby wanted, but we all think that this is a picture perfect.

So yeah, that's all for today and I hope you all a great rest of the week.
Thanks for stopping by.

Camera Ready Layout ~ Frosted Designs Sketch # 43

Hi guys,
I still love blogging and scrapbooking..but these past few months I have been busy and I just can't keep them update or going like I used to. So..I hope you understand if this blog is kinda quiet.

I do {however} LOVE to share my projects that I created for Frosted Designs Layout Sketch Challenge. I just enjoy being on this team!!

Anyway...here's the latest sketch challenge {#43}

and here's my layout

When I saw this sketch for the first time {a couple months ago}, I kinda don't like it. However, a few weeks ago...when I decided to work on this project...I found out that this sketch is actually fun and CREATIVE!!!

So...I hope you like what I created and again don't forget to play along.

Have a great week, and Take Care.

Soon To Be Parents Layout ~ Frosted Design Sketch Challenge # 42

Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day celebration.
Our family went to the lake for a fun day in the water...then went home for lots of good food my hubby and his friend created on the grill. Ooohh and the weather...{can't start on that}, it was just PERFECT. No heat, no humidity.

After getting my kids ready for bed, my hubby and I were just talking about the new week....for some reason...we both thought that tonight was Sunday Nite. We got it mixed up...and I realized that I need to make a blog post for the new challenge over at Frosted Designs Blog.

Now, since my post a little bit late...I got to see my fellow DT members creations, and My Oh MY....they are just stunningly beautiful. It always fun to see the samples from them...because all of us have different style. So go check them up...and be sure to play along too :D

Here's the new sketch challenge. A fun and beautiful sketch...

and here's my finished layout..

I named this page 'Soon To Be Parents' because the picture was taken few months before my first child was born.

And again...this layout, most supplies came from Cocoa Daisy May kit.

Anyway...thanks for stopping by. Fingers cross...I will post more layout other than Frosted Designs challenge reveals.

Have a great week

Baby Mine Layout ~ FD Sketch Layout Challenge # 41

Hello and Happy Tuesday everyone,

Another new layout sketch challenge is up at Frosted Designs Blog, and this week the sketch is really fun.
So without further ado, here's the sketch

and here's my interpretation

This layout is all about miss Phoebe when she was only 5 months old and the pics were taken 3 years ago.

Recently, I joined/subscribed to Cocoa Daisy Scrapbook Kit and most of the supplies are from the May kit. I added some embellishments from my stash and I made that embroidered tags.

Now, I hope you can come and play along with the challenge. We also have a generous sponsor that not only donate an amazing prize but also share a special discount just for Frosted Designs FANS to use it at her AMAZING online store My Scraps and More.

So...let's get scrappin :D

I hope to be back soon. Take Care!!!

Papa's Little Girl Layout ~ Frosted Design Sketch # 40

Happy May Day dear Scrappers....

Oh how I miss the blogging world. It's been awhile and it seems forever since I actually opened blogger.com

As you all might know that my MIL is here visiting us. She's been here for the last 3 weeks and there's still lots of adjustment to do.
My scrap-room is finally organized and cleaned and I'm actually so excited about it.

Anyway...Im hoping to be back to the normal life again soon. I really miss scrapping and making layouts.

Today, I have the latest scrapbook layout I created for Frosted Designs Sketch # 40.
Here's the sketch provided,

and here's my take on it,

I LOVE LOVE these pictures of hubby and my baby girl...They're so cute together. And I had a ton of FUN creating this page. 

Have you checked my fellow DT's takes on the sketch? They have created really outstanding sample pages...and I hope you're all inspired. So...come and play along with us. 

Well...until then scrappers.

I wish you all a very blessed May and Happy Scrapping.

Play Silly Layout ~ Frosted Designs # 39

Well..I'm back today with a new layout sketch challenge over at Frosted Designs.

So...here's the sketch

and here's my layout

Today post is gonna be really short...because I'm actually in Denver picking up my MIL {she flew in from Indonesia to Denver with her brother who lives in Denver} and need to drive back home.

So...until then scrappers...and don't forget to play along with the challenge.
Take Care.