Growing up in a military family was both challenging and a gift. Challenges such as having to relocate every few years. It meant moving into a new house, starting a new school, making new friends and sometimes learning new cultures. We can’t forget about the separation while my dad was deployed, gone for months. But, we always had each other through all of those challenges. We considered it a gift to be able to travel all over the world, learning another language, meeting new friends and getting to redo our bedroom with each move. During this time we learned that home is where the heart is and the family. So remember to take those family pictures and cherish every minute!

Another important lesson we learned growing up as an “Army brat” was family values. We were taught kindness by the way we treated each other, caring by the way we supported each other, self discipline in little things in life that prepared us for big success, loyalty in consistency in doing what we said we would do, honesty by being truthful in every part of our life, and we were taught integrity which made us who we are today. I can only hope that our children learn the family values that we were taught so they will continue to grow and succeed in everything they do.

Family by Vanessa Menguita Gutierrez

Supplies: Papers: Webster’s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Thread: DMC, Ink: Ranger.

Design Notes: I did some distressing on the cardstock, paper tearing on the patterned paper and hand stitched the title Family and formed a triangle on stitching the three sides.

Journaling: The secret in life is family

Family Love by Kathie Davis

Supplies: Papers, Chipboard, Buttons, Stickers: Rusty Pickle, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Stamps: Fancy Pants Designs, Studio G, Ink: Clearsnap, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels, Other: tag, paint.

Design Notes: Glimmer mist was sprayed on the chipboard for a quick easy finish. I used red acrylic paint on the flourish stamp so it would stand out against the blue and white paper. The family photo is encircled with machine stitching and chipboard stars.

Journaling: Family Love: these colors don't run.

Our Family by Mariska Naaktgeboren

Digital Supplies: Serendipity by Joyce Paul Designs, Fei Fei's Stuff, Word Art: Tracie Stroud.

Design Notes: I used a sepia picture to match the papers.

Journaling: Together, our family