love you more - giveaway!

i thought it would be fun to do a giveaway [in a not so secret attempt to boost facebook visibility/traffic].  i figured if i was going to do the giveaway it would also be fun to share the story behind the art too!  there is very rarely a piece of artwork i do that doesn't have some sort of story behind it. 

"love you more".  i have done a number of art pieces based on this simple statement.  why? because i say these three little words no less than 100 times a day to my kids.  i started saying, "love you more" to luke one night several years ago as he kept telling me, "no, mamma i love YOU more".  from that evening on it just sort of stuck.  even still there are times (usually when i am trying to get the kids to bed) when a battle of "love you more" begins as we chant it back and forth to one another.  gotta love those kids and all the love we share.

so, getting back to the giveaway....i will be giving away the above 8x10 wood plaque, just in time for valentines day!  all you need to do to enter is go to my facebook page and "like" it.  i so appreciate all the support and love i have received on this new journey!

Grace and Peace!

doing my part

yesterday, i, along with many others, sat through a beautiful memorial service for a wonderful man.  today, i made the choice to do my part in living out his mantra of "whatever it takes".  after communicating with the family i made the painting, i had done earlier in the week, available for purchase.  100% of the profits will go back to the family (50% to the twins education fund and 50% to their Relay For Life team). 

Please feel free to give directly to their Relay For Life team or visit my Etsy store to view the details on how to purchase a print or plaque.  I have no idea what type of funds will come in as a result - but i knew i needed to do my part.

whatever it takes

"whatever it takes".... three simple words.  however, these three words have moved me and so many as we reflect on the life, drive, perseverance and most definitely love of a family and community. 

andy cross was a beautiful man.  he and his wife fought harder than i can begin to imagine as so many do who are fighting cancer.  they shared and lived out "whatever it takes" as they passionately lived their lives helping others, raising money for the fight against cancer and fighting with all their might through the good and bad news.  they continued to live life to the fullest and showed love deeply.  i am in awe of this family and their strength.

today as i sat down to paint - this is what came out and i wanted to share it and their story.  you can read andy's obituary here.  whatever it takes!