Patterns to Ponder

Grateful for Print Shop Knowledge and a Daughter that Inspires Me

 Pattern: noun

"An original or model proposed for imitation; the archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be copies or imitated, either in things or in actions; as the pattern of a machine; a pattern of patience. Christ was the most perfect pattern of rectitude,patience and submission ever exhibited on earth."

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary

My amazing daughter is about to turn 16. She finished Driver's Ed. She already passed her driver's test (with a perfect score!!!). Now it's the waiting game. Just a few more days and I'll have a driver again. Woo-hoo. It's not just the driving aspect that is exciting. It marks a huge milestone, new opportunities, a day she's long awaited. I'm happy for HER!!!

One exciting moment is her first boy-girl party. Yes, she's been to other people's parties, but this is the first party for her that has included boys. This is a big thing! She's had her list made, game ideas mixing in her mind, and endless food possibilities mulling around for MONTHS! In preparing for the big day, she found a super cute birthday invitation on one of the popular photo sites. No problem...only $1.46 per invitation. WOW! Multiply that by 30-40 people and you're spending over $50.00 just for the invitations - a little piece of paper that will just be tossed in the garbage. She realized the expense and said, "Mom - I like this invitation. Could we design something like it?"

Yes, we can! We went to work with my favorite little desktop publishing program, Print Shop. It is one of my best friends on my computer and has provided so many amazing creations that have saved money and time. We played with different colors, font styles, and font sizes. We came up with the following:

I cropped out all the personal info, but you get the picture.

Now, zap it to Costco's photo center and for $4.00 total, you have some darling invitations, ready to deliver. With the money we saved ($40 plus), we can buy the food for the dinner at her party. With a little bit of desire, time, knowledge, and patience, money is saved and knowledge is gained, but more important, a lesson is taught. Those lessons, one by one, will be passed on to our children, and their children, and their children. The responsibility of raising stick-to-it kids is one that affects our entire posterity. 

Think of the things you've learned from your parents. Many of those attributes were picked up from their parents and so on. Now it's our turn to pass these patterns down - good or bad. What are you passing down? Kind of scary to think about, but amazing at the same time. Am I passing down patterns of righteousness, kindness, responsibility, integrity, virtue, love, time, service, self-reliance, knowledge, and industry? Definitely something to ponder!

This simple invitation was one way to instill a pattern of frugality and self-reliance. Multiply it by dozens and hundreds of childhood lessons and it becomes part of them. That's one powerful invitation! Can you plan and carry out the party for me, too?

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!