PARENTS
05201 - A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW
( 8x10 - 0158 )

A hundred years from now…

It will not matter what my
bank account was
The sort of house I lived in
or
the kind of car I drove.
But the world may be different because…

I was

“IMPORTANT”
in the
life of
a
child.

A PARENT HOLDS THEIR CHILDREN'S HANDS
 ( 5x7 Print _ 05259P )

(8x10 Print - 0087P )
(8x10 Print - 0087PH - Heart mat )
A
Parent
Holds
Children's hand
For a short time…
Their hearts…
Forever!

A SPECIAL MOM AND DAD
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 5x7 Print - J50)
( 8x10 Print _ J2295 )


A n Angel up in Heaven smiled down through sunshine bright

S he reassured me with your love that all would come out right
 P atient, kind and caring . . . you're my blessings from above
 E veryday I'm guided with your precious, heavenly love.
 C hildren that are taught from youth are Heavens' sweet reward
 I n all they do they learn to trust and comfort in the Lord.
 A nd when they're grown, their spirit's strong and they can plant a seed.
 L etting their love blossom in anothers' time of need.

M om, you're extra special . . . you're a jewel in Heaven's crown. You . . .
O pen up your heart to me . . . you never let me down.
 M y heart belongs to you . . . “I love you” and I'll always be. . .
By your side and in your heart . . . you mean the world to me.

A gift from each of you I hold your traits that you possess
 N ow when I lay down to sleep I pray in thankfulness.
 D epending on our Father to protect our family
And keep us all together now, and through eternity.

D ad, I look to you for strength . . . your stern and gentle hand
 A ll the ways you teach me and how much you understand.
 D ad, you ease my growing pains and I know that when I'm grown . . .
I'll be a better person all because of love you've shown.

A PARENTS PRAYER
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 5x7 Print - J5101)
( 8x10 Print _ J2097 )

Lord…through Your grace © please give us Your eyes ©
 That all things of matter-we'll recognize.
LORD…through Your caring © please give us your ears
To hear Your solution for calming their fears.
LORD…just as always © reside in our hearts. ©
 To foresee an answer before trouble starts.
Bless our instruction with Your perfect touch. ©
 Through giving our love © they desire so much.
LORD…be our voices © that through word and deed ©
 We'll impart the knowledge they'll need to succeed.
Inspire our teaching through love that you give ©
 Make us examples of how they should live.
Last of all LORD…
We're convinced there's no length ©
 To what we'll accomplish through
Your constant strength.

CHILDREN ARE AS KITES
( 5x7 Print - 05395 )
( 8x10 Print _ 0350 )

I see children as kites.
You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are breathless.
They crash and you add a longer tail,
They hit the rooftop…you patch and comfort;
Adjust and teach.
Finally, they are airborne…
But…they need more string.
And you keep letting it out…
And with each twist of the ball of twine,
There is sadness that goes with joy.
Because the kite becomes more distant,
And somehow you know that it won't be long…
Before that creature will snap the lifeline
That bound you together.
And soar…free and alone.
Only then did you know…
You did your job!

CHILDREN ARE LIKE BALLOONS
( 8x10 Print _ 0135 )

Children are like balloons with a message inside.
They start off small and then
We inflate them with something of
Ourselves.
As we pour our lives into them…
They spread sunshine, give joy, brighten the days
Of Grandmas and Grandpas and cheer up the sick.
They remind us if being young and that life is fragile.
They celebrate living
When discouraged…they are like a balloon that deflates. A
Simple opening allows us to refill them…with hope for the future.
A feeling that they are special with the knowledge that God loves them!
Their enthusiasm…
Is like a balloon carried on the wind with never ending energy.
They sway and drift. It's then that they need our prayers and loving
Guidance, without too much pressure that would cause them to burst.
The time comes © sprinkled with tears and joy © When others
Are able to read the messages we have written on their hearts.
So we let them go
And let God have His way with our precious balloons.

DEAR MOTHER AND DAD
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã

( 8x10 Print _ J2143 )
 * A note from a deceased child

D ad and Mom I never meant to cause you pain or grief. ©
 E ven though our time together here on earth was brief.
 A step into the Kingdom is graduation of life. ©
 R easons known to God alone © for here there is no strife.
 E ach day I will be with you Mom © for work continues here.
 S o please let joy within your heart and soul wipe out each tear.
 T he guarantee that I survived my death come from above.
For death itself has never had a power over love.

M om, I think you're awesome © and you always did your best.
 O ften I thank God for you © for I am richly blest.
 T hrough every devastation © God's pure love comes shining through.
 H elp someone that needs you © that is God's will for you.
 E ventually we'll be together through eternity.
 R ight now © be there for the one who needs you desperately.

A nd God will bless you both for all the loss that you are feeling.
 N ow as you bless each other you'll begin your hope and healing.
 D ear to me you'll always be © for love lives on somehow
And all the things I felt before © I'm felling for you now.
 D ad, please never blame yourself for I still love you so.
 A nd somehow deep inside your heart © I'm sure these things you know. ©
 D ad a life on earth is just a wisp of time you'll see
Compared to all the joys we'll share throughout
Eternity. ©©


IF I HAD MY CHILDREN TO RAISE
 ( 5x7 Print - 05379 )
( 8x10 Print _ 0151 )

I'd finger-paint more © and point my finger less.
I'd do less correcting © and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch © and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less © and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes © and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious © and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields © and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging © and less tugging.
I would be firm less often © and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first © and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power…
And more about the power of love ©

IF I HADN'T HAD CHILDREN FIRST
 ( 5x7 Print - 05348 )
( 8x10 Print _ 0097 )

If I hadn't had children…
I probably would have had
More money and material things. I
Probably would have gone more places,
Gotten more sleep, pampered myself more.
My life would have been much
More boring and predictable.

As a result of being a parent, I have
Laughed harder, cried more often. I have
Worried more and hurried more. I've had
Less sleep, but somehow, I've had more fun!
I've learned more, grown more.

My heart had ached harder, and I've
Loved to a capacity beyond my imagination.
I've given more of myself, ©©©©©©
 But I've derived more
Meaning
From
Life!


INSANITY IS HEREDITARY
 ( 5x7 Print - 05112)
Insanity
Is
Heredity…
We inherit it from
Our
Children!

IRISH FATHER
( 8x10 Print _ 0310S ( shamrock ) )
 * this print fits in an 8x10 shamrock mat

God made a special person with
a twinkle in his eye.
A smile on his loving face;
A person strong and wise.
I call this man my Father
a descendant of the sod.
My
Father
here on earth to love;
My special gift
From
God.
IRISH MOTHER
( 8x10 Print _ 0309S ( shamrock ) )
 * this print fits in an 8x10 shamrock mat

There is one and only one whose heart
will fail you never;
One who lives from sun to sun
with constant, fond endeavor.
There is one and only one on earth,
there is no other.
In Heaven
a noble work was done
when God gave us
a
Mother.

I SEE CHILDREN AS KITES
 ( 8x10 Print _ 0088 )
I see children as kites.
You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are breathless.
They crash and you add a longer tail,
They hit the rooftop…you patch and comfort;
Adjust and teach.
Finally, they are airborne…
But…they need more string.
And you keep letting it out…
And with each twist of the ball of twine,
There is sadness that goes with joy.
Because the kite becomes more distant,
And somehow you know that it won't be long…
Before that creature will snap the lifeline
That bound you together.
And soar…free and alone.
Only then did you know…
You did your job!

MOM AND DAD (MY WEDDING DAY )
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 8x10 Print - J2034 )

M om and Dad I thank you for a perfect wedding day.
 Y our special way of caring how you went out of your way.

W hen it comes to planning…You just seem to have the knack.
 E ven if I tried I could never pay you back.
 D iamonds now adorn my hand as we begin our life.
 D reams are now reality as I become a wife.
 I n every prayer You're always there in asking God to bless.
 N ow and all through-out our lives with joy and happiness.
 G atherings on holidays the laughter that we share.

D oing things together through a Love that shows we care.
 A lthough this thank-you comes to you for such a perfect day.
 Y ou surely know it means much more than words can ever say!
“I Love You”

MOTHER AND FATHER ( ON MY WEDDING DAY )
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 8x10 Print - J2058D )
 ( *From Son Or Daughter . . . BE SURE TO SPECIFY )

M other I can't count the ways that you've influenced me.
 O f all the tender moments that I cherish lovingly.
 T ruly I have always known your special love and touch.
 H ave graced my life in all the ways I treasure © “oh! So much.”
 E ntering this marriage now I'll take along with me.
 R emembrances of childhood © and how they helped me see.

A love grows stronger when its nurtured through a caring heart.
 N ow and always through eternity © “till death we part.”
 D ad, our family's special © and I'm proud that I belong.

F or you were never hesitant to chow me right from wrong.
 A very fine example © You were there to guide the way.
 T o me…you're more than “father” © cause our friendship grows each day.
 H ow can I just say “thank you?” © For in your special way.
 E ach value that you gave me © makes me what I am today.
 R emember © I'm your daughter still . . . although I'm now a wife
Now you'll have a son to share
the joys ahead in life.…

MOTHER AND FATHER ( ON MY WEDDING DAY )
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 8x10 Print - J2058S )
 ( *From Son Or Daughter . . . BE SURE TO SPECIFY )

M other I can't count the ways that you've influenced me.
 O f all the tender moments that I cherish lovingly.
 T ruly I have always known your special love and touch.
 H ave graced my life in all the ways I treasure © “oh! So much.”
 E ntering this marriage now I'll take along with me.
 R emembrances of childhood © and how they helped me see.

A love grows stronger when its nurtured through a caring heart.
 N ow and always through eternity © “till death we part.”
 D ad, our family's special © and I'm proud that I belong.

F or you were never hesitant to chow me right from wrong.
 A very fine example © You were there to guide the way.
 T o me…you're more than “father” © cause our friendship grows each day.
 H ow can I just say “thank you?” © For in your special way.
 E ach value that you gave me © makes me what I am today.
 R emember © as I take my vows…You're not losing a son…
Just gaining a sweet daughter and our joys have
just begun!


MY SPECIAL PARENTS
Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 5x7 Print - J50)
( 8x10 Print _ J2046 )
 * Written for the parents of a handicapped child

M y presence here was never meant to cause you pain and tears . . .
Y et through my birth You're realizing all your greatest fears.

S o very much © I wanted to fulfill your every dream ©
 P recious dreams are empty when they're different than they seem.
 E ven though I'm “special” © God thought you were special , too . . . The
C aring and the nurturing I'll need to get me through . . .
I s only given to the ones on whom He can depend ©
A ll of this confusion doesn't have to be the end.
 L ove me as My Savior has for I'm His “Little Lamb” ©
P lease don't try to understand . . . accept me as I am.
 A s every hug and every smile you both might have to spare . . .
R eally means so much to me in knowing that you care.
 E mbrace me with a tender heart © if you can find the strength
 N eeding you to touch me I will go to any length . . .
T o try to be as close to what your dreams have held somehow ©
 S eeing that you're all I have to hold and love me now.

PARENTS LOVE
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã
 ( 5x7 Print - J50)
( 8x10 Print _ J2296 )
SYMPATHY

P erpetually, you hold a place no other love can fill
 A nd it grips my heart in ways I know it always will.
 R ecalling how you often put my need before your own
 E ach time you stood beside me, I could never feel alone.
 N ow I think of times when you would wipe my tears away
 T urning sadness to a smile with something you would say.
 S ouvenirs of yesterday . . . your warm and caring touch. Your . . .

L ove and laughter are among the things I miss so much.
 O ften I have thought about how fragile life can be. Then . . .
V isions of my childhood years come back to comfort me.
 E ven though you're with the Lord, I know you're watching still
And helping me to find the strength to carry out your will.


0102 - PARENTS OF TWINS
There are two to wash
and two to dry.
Two who laugh and two who cry!
Double the diapers © Double the pins ©
 Why were we chosen to be the
Parents of twins?
The answer comes clear at the
End of the day
As we tuck them into bed
And silently say…
There are two to kiss and
Two to hug… ©
 But best of all
There are two
To
Love!

POLISHING MEMORIES
 ( 5x7 Print - 05)
( 8x10 Print - 0051 )
I have no time to sweep the floor.
The table collects dust like never before.
The wastebasket is full; there are marks on the wall.
The telephone's ringing ; can't take any calls.

I'm sitting here rocking my tiny new son.
Closing my eyes to the days work not done.
I know from experience that future becomes past
These moments are treasures
I want them to last.

Long after he's grown I'll sit in this chair…
And feel the soft touch of his baby-fine hair.
I'll rock by this window till the first star appears…
Polishing the memories of my
Childbearing
Years.
REFLECTIONS OF LOVE
 Written by : Jill Fantin ã

( 8x10 Print _ J2142 )
*Available To Him Or Her
R eflections of a moment in a time so precious now
 E very dream you hoped and planned © changed overnight somehow.
 F or God entrusted you to raise him for a few short years.
 L ong enough to learn to love him through his miles and tears
 E ncouraging and guiding him with strength to help him grow.
 C aring for his needs in ways that only LOVE could know.
 T ime cannot erase those years © together © that you shared.
 I mportant in his dream world you looked forward to fulfill.
 N o one else could love him in the way you always will.
 S omehow in one hundred years © the things that matter now.

O f such a great importance will be lost in time somehow…
 F or all that is remembered is that special loving touch. ©
L oving and then letting go © although it hurts so much.
 O ften giving without gain © but knowing in your heart. ©
 V alues you both instilled © gave one small child a start.
 E ven though your loves' reward was through each bitter tear
The world is now a better place for having had him near.

SCHEDULE FOR NEW PARENTS
 ( 5x7 Print - 05)
( 8x10 Print - 0161 )
© Bathe the baby © Dress the baby
Hold the baby © Feed the baby ©
© Change the baby © Hug the baby
 © Kiss the baby ©
© Feed the baby © Wash the baby ©
 Change the baby © Love the baby
 © Hold the baby © Change the baby ©
 Hug and Kiss and Love ©
 The baby
 © Repeat this routine daily ©
 Warning…In case of fatigue or
Drowsiness…
Nap while baby is napping.
Weekend…
Send the baby to
Grandmas!

SUCCESS
 ( 8X10 Heart Mat Only - 0147H )
You can use most any measure
When you're speaking of success ©
 You can measure I tin a fancy home…
…Expensive car…or dress.
But the measure of real success
Is the one that you cannot spend
It's the way your kids describe you ©
 When they're talking to a
Friend.

THE BEST THING A PARENT CAN SPEND
 ( Specify CHILD or CHILDREN )
 ( 5x7 Print - 05323 )
(8x10 Print - 0250 )
The best thing a parent can
 spend
on their children is
 time.

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS
 (8x10 Print - 0107 )


I will appreciate each of my children for what they are
not for what I want them to be
I will relate to each child as an individual, instead of
“the kid.”
I will take good care of myself as a person, so as not to
smother my children as a parent.
I will acknowledge each and every little acceptable
behavior, and not just the “biggies.”
I will give my children as many “facts” as I am able and
trust them to weigh these facts and make responsible decisions.
I will not allow my children to use or abuse me, for I know
this will damage them.
Knowing that my children are on a short term loan to me,
I will introduce them to every possible responsibility,
so that they won't be too shocked at “independence.”
I will let my children know that I love them unconditionally,
whether I like their decisions or not.
I will allow my children to face the consequences of their
own actions and not to constantly protect them, as I
know I will want to do.
I will feel successful when I am no longer need as a
parent.


THERE'S A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR THE PARENTS
 ( 5x7 Print - 05014 P )
( 8x10 Print _ 0228 P)
 ( Fill in sexes and number of children )

There's a special place
In heaven
For the Parents
of
____ boys/girls

YOU ARE THE LOVING PARENTS
( 5x7 Print - 05335LP)

( 8x10 Print _3008LP )

You
are the
Loving Parents
that have blessed and touched
my life on the day your precious
daughter joined me as my wife. You've
given me a lovely girl to share my dreams
and love and I will be indebted
to the Father up above. To me you're more
than parents for our friendship grows
each day. Together we'll be strong and
cross all paths along the way. And so I'd
like to thank you for this precious
dream come true. We'll deeply cherish
family this enriched in love by
You!

YOU ARE THE PARENTS
( 5x7 Print - 05335P)
( 8x10 Print _3008P )

I received the day I wed your son © and
I just want to thank-you, now, for all the
things you've done. © © You have given
me a gracious man with whom I share my
life. © You are his honored parents © And
I'm his lucky wife © © © You used to
pat his little head and now I hold his
hand. © © You raised in love a little
boy, © © © then gave to me a man!