Project Completed!

Ram's parents had 3 boys closer in age than our Lambs. She has told this story several times.

Nice friend from church: "I don't know how you do it with three young boys. When do you ever have time to do projects?"
Ram's mom: "PROJECTS????, I'm just happy if I'm allowed time to take a shower each day!"

I have felt that way since we got married. First I was teaching, then we got ready to move, then I planned to not work and just try to get our stuff organized but I got pregnant, then Lamb 1 never slept because he had MSPI, then Lamb 2 and soon Lamb 3 came along, then when I finally felt like I had time to do projects we moved, then when we were finally settled then Lamb 2 needed a lot of attention and therapy. I am finally seeing a possible end to some of the therapy and finally feel ready to tackle some projects. I wouldn't trade the last 12 years for any other way, but I simply have not had time to do anything extra.

I have had this project in mind for several years. Ram did his vicarage near New Orleans. I visited him during Mardi Gras and we went to a parade and did other sightseeing. We have had a box of souvenirs sitting in the attic, basement, or garage since 2001. Each time we moved I got rid of a little and the box is much smaller than it was in 2001. It is silly to just have stuff in a box where no one can see it. A few months ago I bought a shadow box with this in mind. I made it today and Ram hung it up in our bedroom. I am so happy to cross this off my to do list! Thank you, Ram, for hanging it so the project is completely finished.

I learned from this project that if I ever do another shadow box I should take a picture of it before it is behind glass and there is glare. I played with my camera for awhile and these were the best photos I could get.

This was the kind of project that I would have asked my sister to do or help me with because she is so talented in projects like this. She lives too far away and doesn't have plans to visit soon. So I had to do it myself. I was very pleased with how it turned out since I have never attempted anything like this before. I couldn't fit everything in that I wanted, so I may do a small shadow box by it. I think I'm addicted to this kind of project now. It was fun to use a hot glue gun! I'll have to start watching my coupons for craft stores to buy more shadow boxes.

This was actually a plastic cup and I liked it because it had the date on it. It was too wide for the box so I cut it. It says February 17, 2001.

This was another cup that I liked because of the date (1973). It was a little smaller so the whole cup fit.

The middle part was from a necklace from the 1992 LCMS National Youth Gathering. It says "A Time for Joy"

Here is the completed project with a photo of Ram and Ewe in New Orleans in 2001.

Nearly everything in this box was thrown to us in the parade so it was free. I think some church members gave him the masks as a gift. I used a really good coupon and sale to get the shadow box. 

It makes me smile to see memories of us during our year of engagement. Plus Ram had an excellent vicarage and I like to remember that time too.