Military Photo Box for our Sons Part 1

Hi to all,

Robin here, for another fun Wednesday

Post.  I have been making a book about our sons

who serve in the Military.

I have been thinking about this box for a long time.

Saved it from years ago when we had a retail store, it was

a box that a frame came in, but didn't get used.

Here is the original box.

I looks pretty cute just the way it is,

but I wanted  to put my own twist to the box

and specialize it to represent our sons

who serve in the Army.

 Here is my new box.

I wanted to show our love of Country 

on the box, and still represent our sons.

I covered the box in Coffee on Creame Classic Glitter Swirl CS.

Then I added lots of elements to the box to represent the USA,

the Army, our Name, and what we believe.

I so love the Statue of Liberty paper, because you can

use it in so many different ways.  Here I have made one of the

rectangles into a tag, then added other elements on top.

Red Stars die cut from Red Glitter Chipboard.

Red mini dew drops.

Glitter Fireworks Die cuts

The small flag is a pin that I found in my mother's jewelry box.

The Silver Star is from one of our son's uniforms, 

The name embroidered O'Crowley is what is actually on each

of their uniforms they wear everyday.

The mini flag, just an old cloth flag from many years ago.

The words from the Declaration of Independence (retired Robin's Nest)

I used the brown and beige colors because they are

the colors they wear everyday to work. 

Star made from Blue diamond drops.

Here the box is open with 

the first page sitting on top inside the box.

These are our sons,

all serving in the Military as I write.

Next week, I will share with you

the pages inside my box.

and

My Tribute to our sons.

Watch for part 2 next week!

May all of you as we celebrate our Nations

birth find peace and joy and happiness.

We are able to celebrate the 4th because of 

soldiers like our sons, who served our Nation many

years ago, and today we are able to celebrate

because of the thousands of men who serve our country

every day.

A mother could not be more proud.

Happy Independence Day!

Ciao,

Robin

South Africa

Good Morning!

From South Africa

Dana and I have been in South Africa for over a week

now.  We currently serve for our church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 

as missionaries for the Welfare/Humanitairian Department.

Dana and I served for 2 years in Ethiopia 

as Country Directors, for the Church's NGO 

Latter Day Saint Charities while we were there for 

2 years.  We did everything from financials,

Paperwork, and finding and implementing projects there.

After we came come in Dec of 2011, 

We were called to serve as technical specialists

for the Food Production Programs throughout the world.

We are on our 3 rd year doing this, 

our first assignment was in Arizona and New Mexico 

working on projects with the Native American People.

Over the last 2 years we have been to

Projects in the US, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.

This is our first assignment back to Africa. 

This trip we have traveled to the Durban area

And met with a partner Enterprise Ilembe, who does 

Garden projects with local people, they 

Have are formed into coops

And they grow vegetables for the school food

Program implemented by Nelson Mandela for the

Children in South Africa for better nutrition.

This was an awesome visit, 

We see that the women are the workers and the 

Important part of keeping the gardens watered, weeded, and 

Harvested.  Every garden we visited the women's were

Going down to the nearest creek or water hole, fill their buckets

With water, and haul it up the hill to their plants.

Most of their day is spent doing this,

We are hoping that we can bring water closer to them,

By purchasing pumps, pipe, and sprinklers so they can spend

More time in caring for their plants, keeping the weeds down

Have better productivity, and become self reliant.

So they can purchase all they need on their own with out

Any assistance.

So this has been a very productive trip.

We are still waiting for the financial 

Figure from the partner, how much will it cost to

Supply the things needed, listed by the garden group,

We plan to help 7 coop groups there.

Tomorrow we leave for Madagascar, 

It is our assignment to go and see 2 food 

Projects already in process and write up a report on 

How they are doing.

We are excited to do this work!

Hugs,

Robin