Wednesday, July 30, 2008

{looking back}

Over the last month or so, I have been trying to reconnect with friends and family members who I have neglected! It started with Mary sending me an email with links to blogs for some of our college buddies! It was amazing to see how their lives had changed so much. They are all married and have families. Then some of my college roommates found each other and it has been so much fun to see what they have been doing with their lives. Some are married with lots of children, some are married with one child or no children yet. Some aren't married yet at all. I joined Facebook and have been able to find and reconnect with even more friends, even from highschool! I ran into one of my good friends from highschool the other day in the produce section of the grocery store! Did I mention that I went to highschool 2000+ miles from here. I got in touch with another friend from highschool the other day who put me in touch with several other friends. I have had such a great time reminiscing about the good times that I had with these girls. Some times weren't so great, but it's so nice to know that I can email these girls, after almost 10 years, and they are still happy to hear from me.

I am trying to finish up some scrapbooking challenges at SweetShoppeDesigns right now. One of the challenge is to talk about your favorite birth year. I would have to say that looking back, the birth year I would choose as my BEST age so far, I wouldn't have chosen FOR anything while I was going through it. 16. That was a big year for me. We moved to Maryland from Florida. I was so angry with my parents for making me move. Once we got settled in Maryland, I was so grateful. I went from having a few good church friends in Florida, a couple of which it turns out weren't actually friends at all, to having a HUGE support group. I instantly walked into a well-established friendly youth group. This group supported each other through everything. That's not to say that there weren't fights and disagreements, but they were minor occurances. This group taught me that it was okay to be different. It was okay to be yourself. They showed by example how to include other people. I am extremely grateful for the friends I was able to make that year and how they shaped my life for good. And I am so excited to reunite with some of these friends in a few weeks!

ps - If you are one of the Olney ward girls, send me a message or leave me a comment and I'll make sure to let you know when/where once I figure that stuff out!

New Layout with SaraAmarie's Cari Collection


these pictures are of Hannah from our trip to California! She loves popsicles!
supply list:
Missy Strand's Cookie #43
SaraAmarie's Cari Collection at SweetShoppeDesigns
SaraAmarie's Like A Zebra Alpha at SweetShoppeDesigns

Layout with a bunch of Krystal's stuff


this photo is from ainsley's nap yesterday. this kiddo is a little tornado! she is never ever still.
supply list:
The Sky is Falling by Krystal Hartley for the FPD Teacher's Pet Contest
frame from Sunkissed by Krystal Hartley & Misty Cato at SSD
green button: by krystal hartley from the let's connect collab
black frame as template with pink paper by krystal hartley from Ooh-La-La collab with Amy Sumrall
cover girl alpha by krystal hartley

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

new layout with Misty Cato's stuff


these are pictures from the pioneer day parade last week. it was such an amazing experience. i love living in utah!
supply list:
All American Girl by Misty Cato & Robin Carlton at SSD.
Worn Photo Overlays by Something Blue Studios

New layout with some SweetShoppe stuff


this is hannah the other night playing with all of her toys and dressed up in her wedding dress-up stuff. Yes, it's really a slip from another dress-up dress!
supply list:
I So Pretty kit by Misty Cato & Jennilynn Designs at SweetShoppeDesigns
Worn Photo Overlays by SomethingBlueStudios
Going Places Alpha by Misty Cato at SSD
glitter paint, notepaper from saraamarie's Lighthearted kit at SSD

A Little Girl is Still Missing

REACHELLE SMITH
I got an email forward today about a missing little girl. I don't usually do anything with forwards, normally don't even read them, but this one just tugged at my heart. This little girl has been missing for two years. I looked her up on Snopes. This is a real story. The photo is from the FBI's Missing Persons Investigation. I linked the picture to the FBI's site. The man she was believed to be with was found dead of an apparent suicide. The FBI doesn't have any leads to go on. I have never seen this little girl, but maybe one of you has. She is from North Dakota. I wasn't going to do anything with this, but if it were my little girl, I would want someone to post her photo. Here are the details...

DESCRIPTION

Date of Birth: September 10, 2002 Place of Birth: Unknown
Sex: Female Hair: Brown
Height: 3'6" Eyes: Brown
Weight: 40 pounds Race: White

THE DETAILS

Reachelle Smith is missing under suspicious circumstances. She was last seen at her residence in Minot, North Dakota, by her guardian at approximately 1 a.m. on May 17, 2006. When the guardian awoke the next morning and found Reachelle gone, the guardian's male roommate stated that Reachelle would be spending a few days with his mother, with whom the child has a grandmother-type relationship.

On May 22, the guardian awoke to find the roommate missing, along with her own van. She called police to report the missing child and roommate. The roommate was later found dead in the van, by an apparent suicide, outside of Minot. Reachelle was not inside the van.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Layout with a bunch of stuff!


Oh my goodness! Here is a scrapbook page I did for FUN!!! Okay, I did it for the Spin-a-Lift challenge at SSD, but it was for fun, too!
The pictures are from the beginning of this month!
Supply List:
Scraplift of NikkiARNG's Precious to Me layout at DST

Sunkissed Kit by Misty Cato & Krystal Hartley at SweetShoppeDesigns, FaithSisters & PolkaDotPotato
Paper from All American Girl by Misty Cato & Robin Carlton
Krystal Hartley's
red frame: Piano Room Kit
cloud: Moody Hues: Energetic Kit
at FaithSisters & PolkaDotPotato


edited to add: HAHAHA! Can you tell that the background in this layout is the same as the background I used for my blog??? :) How funny is that? It looks like my pictures are floating on my blog!

New layouts with Natalie Bird's new products

these pictures are from may, i think...
supply list:
Natalie Bird's This Way or That Way at PickleberryPop, ColorLineDesign & Scrapable

more pictures from may...
supply list:
Natalie Bird's Fruitie Patootie at Scrapable, ColourLineDesign & PickleberryPop


these pictures are from july 2007. hannah had so much fun catching fireflies with aunt shelby & the sweet little neighbor boy, jim
supply list:
Natalie Bird's Country Chic kit at Scrapable, PickleberryPop, ColorLineDesign

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Tagged... for real this time!

I got tagged by Dana, my college roomie... who I am surprised still talks to me after having to live with me and all my crazy quirks! :)

The RULES
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Post these rules.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Some of you may know these about me already...

1. I am a clean freak. But you can't tell by looking at my house. It's a big pile of clutter! I'm also a packrat!

2. All of the screws in my lightplates and electric plates are at 180degrees. They all have to line up perfectly. We have one in our family room lightswitch that is broken so it hangs crooked. I am seriously considering super-gluing it in place.

3. I am an obsessive email checker. I check my email all day long.

4. I hate clowns. HATE them. Little people startle me. But I am getting better. I don't physically show my discomfort anymore. But my teeth clench and my heart starts racing. Strange, I know... no reason, either.

5. I have a shower routine. I follow it exactly every single day. If I am in a hurry and try to shower fast and not shave my legs that day or something, it throws off my entire day!

6. My toilet and sink and my kitchen get bleached everyday. every. day. I don't like germs.

Do you like my new look?

Okay, girls, click out of Google Reader and tell me what you think about my bright summery blog! It just feels like a good August blog... and will probably stay through September as well!

This is the new Sunkissed Collab Kit by Misty Cato & Krystal Hartley, available at SweetShoppeDesigns, FaithSisters & PolkaDotPotato. Love it!

Apparently, I am country music...




You Are Country Music



You are friendly, down to earth, and fairly conservative.

You are true to your friends and your upbringing. Change is hard for you.

But beneath your old fashioned attitude, you are expressive and artistic in your own way.

Very few people can express pain and pleasure as eloquently as you can.

Tagged!

Okay, so I tagged myself! I found this on Robin's blog...

The Rules: Answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Your significant other? bedroom
3. Your hair? ponytail
4. Your mother? chicago
5. Your father? adorable
6. Your favorite thing? coke
7. Your dream last night? forgotten
8 Your favorite drink? COKE
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. The room you’re in? family
11. Your hobby? scrapping
12. Your fear? clowns
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? elsewhere
14. What you’re not? patient
15. Muffins? meh.
16. One of your wish list items? camera
17. Where you grew up? south
18. The last thing you did? yawned
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Favorite gadget? externalHD
21. Your pets? non-existent
22. Your computer? on
23. Your mood? sleepy
24. Missing someone? Momma
25. Your car? junk
26. Something you’re not wearing? socks
27. Favorite store? Roberts
28. Like someone? sure
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? earlier


Play along if you would like to!

New Layout with SaraAmarie's Cari Collection


more california photos! before thomas turned into a lobster, he had a lot of fun throwing the kids around the pool! they love uncle tommy! this is for the Spin-a-Lift Challenge 7/20 at SweetShoppeDesigns.
Eve Recinella's Prince & Princess Layout at DST

supply list:
SaraAmarie's Cari Collection at SweetShoppeDesigns

New layout with Eva Kipler's Cherry Slushie Kit


these pictures are from earlier this month. hannah loves her popcorn!
supply list:
eva kipler's cherry slushie kit at sweetshoppedesigns

New Layout with Ooh-La-La by Krystal Hartley & Amy Sumrall


these are pictures of ainsley & i in california... we'd been out in the sun all day...
supply list:
Ooh La La by Krystal Hartley & Amy Sumrall at FaithSisters, PolkaDotPotato & Gotta Pixel
frame from Sunkissed by Krystal Hartley & Misty Cato at FaithSisters, PolkaDotPotato & SweetShoppeDesigns
striped ribbon, leaves from Piano Room by Krystal Hartley at FaithSisters & PolkaDotPotato

New Layout with Sunkissed by Krystal Hartley & Misty Cato


these are pictures from last month. my girls LOVE to play outside with chalk!
this is for the paper2digi challenge #25 at the sweet shoppe

supply list:
Scraplift of Jennifer Johner's Peek Layout
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=741784

Sunkissed by Misty Cato & Krystal Hartley at PolkaDotPotato, FaithSisters & SweetShoppeDesigns
Misty Cato's I Can See Clearly Style File

New Layout with Eva Kipler's Instant Oasis Kit


these are pictures from our trip to california. i love these shots of ainsley!
supply list:
Eva Kipler's Instant Oasis Kit at SSD, some recolored
a from Krystal Hartley's Cover Girl Alpha at Faithsisters & PolkaDotPotato

New Layout with SaraAmarie's Cari Collection

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

it's almost here...

It's my COMPUTER! i keep hitting refresh on my browser button to check the delivery status. it's been in salt lake since SUNDAY and it isn't in my house yet! Tomorrow is the estimated delivery day and of course i have ERRANDS to run tomorrow! that's just not fair! i was going to wait until Thursday to take Ainsley back to the pediatrician (did I mention I am a GREAT mom?!) but they are closed because of Pioneer Day, so I am going to take her back tomorrow. and i have to run to Costco again! i feel like i spend my entire life there lately! i need to get a few scrappy pages uploaded and printed, too. hmmm, that's what i will go do now. nothing like a little bit of tedious photo editing to pass the time. oh my gosh! i don't know if i will be able to SLEEP tonight! I spent all evening cleaning off the kitchen table, where my computer is going to go for now... at least until we can find a spot for another desk. I am thinking about getting one of those rolling carts for the tower so that we can actually use our table to eat, too! Good thing it's a big table!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Coming Soon...

New blog design... I already have the kit all picked out.... the header is made... the papers are uploaded. I need to make my favicon and a few accessories to make my blog look pretty. But it's almost ready! It's about time! As much as I love these bright springy colors, I am ready for something a little more mature and relaxed... The kit isn't even out yet so I have to wait until SATURDAY! Or maybe I'll sneak it up on Friday night... is that okay, KH? I am trying out some new things, so if it looks a bit funny in your browser, let me know so I can tweak it! :)

a new layout using Misty Cato's products

This is Hannah on Saturday in her dress-up clothes. Being sick didn't stop this little princess from getting all dressed up and pretty!
supply list:
I So Pretty by Misty Cato & Jennilyn Designs at SSD

Mamma Mia!

I went and saw Mamma Mia! on Friday night with my best buddy, Mary & some of her friends. I absolutely ADORED this movie. I don't know ABBA music. Pierce Brosnan usually annoys me. But I LOVED this movie! I loved everything about it. Yes, Pierce Brosnan's voice isn't the greatest in this movie, but I thought that made it more REAL. I laughed until I cried, and then I cried some more and suddenly I was laughing again! Beautiful performances. And bonus! Colin Firth is in this movie! I <3 him!

Okay... off to deal with cranky monkeys!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Remembering Summer 1996*

I was reading the From Our Blog 2 Yours Challenge at SSD, and I decided that I would blog not about a summer job that I had, but a very special experience that I had in the Summer of 1996*. I was 16, almost 17, and it was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. I had to fulfill my community service hours in order to graduate. We moved to a school that required a set number of hours, the summer after my sophomore year. I thought for sure that they would only make me fulfill half of the required hours because I was only there half of my high school years. Nope! I started looking around for opportunities to fulfill my required hours. During that summer of 1996, I had the opportunity to more than fulfill my required hours. I volunteered to be a camp counselor at Camp Friendship. Camp Friendship is a week-long summer camp for kids under the age of 16 who either have cancer or have a sibling with cancer. Most counselors at Camp Friendship have to be 18 or they do it to fulfill internship requirements for college. I went into that week with the intent of just fulfilling my hours. By the end of the week, those kids had my heart! Hook, line and sinker! I learned so much from observing and interacting with these kids. They are special. They have faced death and they are surviving. Maybe only one day at a time, but they are surviving. They are good kids and are so sweet. They have so much love to give and share. Don't get me wrong... they were kids. We had our share of fights and pranks, wig hiding, time-outs, dancing, swimming, running, obstacle courses, canoeing and crafts. These kids live life to the fullest because they don't know how many tomorrows they have. I learned something special from those kids. I learned to live my life to the fullest. That doesn't mean that I can shirk my responsibilities and live totally in today, but I can enjoy my time on earth and maybe spread some joy!

**Thanks, Becki, for pointing out my mistake in years! :)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

scrapbook page share...

These pictures are from our June visit to the cabin. :)
I did this layout for the One Word Challenge at SSD.
supply list:
Eva Kipler's Home Tweet Home Kit at SSD

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I need a vacation!

What? Didn't you just get back from TWO vacations?

Hmmmmm. Yes, I guess that is true. But that was really just two family reunions. I am talking about a no-kids vacation! Doesn't that sound marvelous? Heck, I'd settle for a night away! One night of sleeping ALL night without kids crying or begging to climb in bed with me. No stumbling out of bed and stubbing my toe at 1am, 3am and 5am to find the dropped bottle or to get a new one. I really don't care where it is. I'd settle for a vacation in my own house with just a good night's sleep. I'm sure it will be better when the kids aren't sick. Yep, I think Hannah is getting the sinus infection, too. Lovely.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

ainsley update

I ended up taking Ainsley to the pediatrician today. She has a severe double ear infection. She is on antibiotics and will hopefully be able to go back on formula tomorrow night, once she stops running a fever. I'm not even going to try to start milk right now. She has lost a couple of pounds, that she couldn't afford to lose. So, it looks like we'll be turning her carseat BACK around. She's gonna love that. Once our health insurance kicks in I have to take her back in for a well visit and shots and we'll talk more about her weight then. As long as she gains weight between now and then, the pediatrician isn't too worried. If she maintains or loses, then we'll be worried. I don't know about the doctor, but I am worried NOW! But that's my job as a mom.

So, my mom bought Hannah a super-duper scooter for her birthday and gave it to her early when we were in Chicago. I got home from the doctor's office today and there was a HUGE box in front of my front door... pretty much blocked 2/3 of the height of the door and was as wide as my door. It was THE SCOOTER!!! Hannah was so excited to see it! It's supposed to not tip over at all... for a scooter that's not supposed to tip over, Hannah sure spent a lot of time on the concrete tonight! She kept falling and hitting her knees. No blood, though, so it was all good. We spent a little while outside tonight, and we're going back out tomorrow morning probably. She loves that thing. Her helmet is getting a little small on her head so we need to get her a new one.

We found some awesome deals on new laptops today! We were so excited, well I was so excited and I think Thomas was excited that I would stop nagging him to let me get some computer time. So, we found two that we really liked and the price was right, so we did some research... absolute garbage. Big name computers with big name components... BIG problems with overheating and motherboard failure. Shocker! So, we didn't get a new computer for me. Our other two options are a Dell and a Lenovo. We can get a better deal on a Lenovo, but there are problems with screen glare. Probably not a good idea for someone who spends as much time working on a computer as I do. Then, we keep going back and forth... should we get a desktop or a laptop? We have found some pretty smokin' desktop deals. Ugh! Frustrating.

Ainsley learned how to climb out of her crib tonight. I was in the kitchen doing dishes. She woke up and wanted out of her bed. I didn't want to get her out because I wanted her to go back to sleep. The crying got louder, as it usually does right before she falls asleep. Then I look over my shoulder and Ainsley walks into the kitchen carrying her bottle. WHAT??? I went and asked Thomas if he got her out and turned her loose. He said he didn't. Then we were sitting on our bed looking at computers and she did it again. My personal time is officially OVER. I can't leave her in her crib while I even take a shower anymore. I usually shower during her early morning nap. I can't do that in case she wakes up and tries to climb out of her crib. Hannah never did that!!!! At almost 2 years old, she attempted to ONCE. I have no idea what we are going to do with this monkey. She can climb just about anything. Thomas walked into the family room a few minutes ago and she was sitting in the leather chair with my glasses on her face and pretending to read my book. Little stinker.

Okay, she is still fussing. I need to get off here and go to bed, too, and hopefully she'll go to sleep when I stop pounding the keyboard. If anyone has any advice or input or has seen a killer deal on a computer, let me know! I don't want to build one because our luck STINKS right now and I really would like something under warranty. Seriously. How many people's laptops break 2 MONTHS out of warranty? FRUSTRATING! Okay, going to sleep for real now before I get all riled up! Ash, we looked at Macs and they were too expensive for what we want to spend right now. Even with a student discount.

Please remember, my blog is where I come to vent. I get my bad moods out on here so that I can be sunshiny and happy for my kiddos! :) We really are very blessed and we know that and we are grateful. We just seem to have a little black raincloud following us right now. That's okay. We can deal with it! :)

Monday, July 14, 2008

funny Hannah story...

So, last night I was putting Hannah to bed and she started talking about wanting to be a mommy soon. I told her that when she was older she could get married and then be a mommy.
She said, "I wonder what kind of husband I am going to have."
I said, "Well, he'll be someone who loves you lots and hopefully he'll have a LOT of patience!"
Hannah said, "Like a doctor?! A boy doctor? Doctors are girls, Mommy!"

I laughed so hard! Number one, she confused patience with patients. But then she thinks that doctors are girls. How different is that than when I was growing up? Female doctors weren't as easy to find. Hannah has never seen a male doctor. I had to tell her that both boys and girls can be doctors. It's just funny that she perceives the role of doctor as a female occupation when the rest of the world sees it as a predominately male occupation. The world is such a different place through the eyes of a child.

This weekend, when Thomas took Hannah to the grocery store with him, she was wearing a dress. She was sitting in the back of the cart and had her knees pulled up so that Thomas could put groceries around her. Thomas told her to pull her dress down so that the mean yucky people at the store couldn't see her p&%nties. She was disgusted that anyone would want to look at those anyway. Later that night, we all ran back to the store and Thomas teasingly asked her if she wanted to stay in the car or come into the store with us. She said, "I don't want to stay here with all these yucky people who want to look at my pa&^ies. " It's so sad that she has to lose some of her innocence because of dirty yucky people. But we live in an area where there are TONS of convicted s&^ offenders. So we have to teach her to be safe. I wish the world was a safer place for my kids.

Some Scrapbook Pages


supply list:
MMullens Cookie Template #41
Misty Cato's Going Places: The Collection



supply list:
Scraplift of Juliet's Laughter Layout at SSD
Eva Kipler's Life is a Journey Kit at SSD

Saturday, July 12, 2008

not a great day...

So, I woke up this morning to a completely fried laptop... NOT good. It looks like the motherboard went out. Thomas took it to the computer doctor this morning and they said that I could get it fixed... it would run somewhere between $500 & $800... uh, no thanks! That's a new computer! So, we looked at building a temporary system that we would just let Hannah use when we can afford to buy a new laptop. But that was still another $300. Ainsley is still sick. We think she may have an ear infection. If she is still feverish & cranky on Monday I get to take her to the health clinic. That oughta be fun! I'll probably head to a better part of town first. :) We drove by the health clinic earlier tonight and the sign outside said
Birth & Death Certificates
w/ Immunizations
Huh??? They can't even get their sign to sound intelligent. Don't wanna see their doctors. I actually called them a few months ago when Ainsley needed shots and the receptionist whispered to me, "Don't bring your kids here if you don't have to. There are a lot of really sick people and the doctors don't usually treat kids." Hmmm... not instilling much confidence in me. Anyway... so at least the nasty diapers have stopped. We completely took her off formula and milk. She loves Pedialyte. We may never get her back on milk. That kid has a sweet tooth. She wouldn't eat much today, either. She wouldn't eat her bananas or applesauce. So, I asked Thomas to pick up some rice at the grocery store and she LOVED it! We don't usually keep rice in the house since I am allergic to it and Thomas doesn't like it. I guess we're gonna have to start. She started feeding herself with a spoon today. She has been trying to do it for a while and has been mildly successful, but today she did really well!!! She is getting to be such a little girl! Hannah is so much fun lately. She is just so funny and so compassionate when she wants to be. And that child is addicted to GLITTER! We bought some glitter glue pens to work on a craft project the other day and she has already used up almost all five glitter pens. There was glitter everywhere last night. All over the counter, her paper, her dress, the dishtowels, her cup... you get the picture! Well, if my camera weren't falling apart you could see an actual real picture. I don't know what is wrong with it. It just doesn't stay focused. If we are outside in super bright light it takes photos fine. If you are in the house if the outside light isn't amazing, the pictures are fuzzy. Even with a flash. It's really bizarre. I don't know if the motor is burning up or if the battery just isn't holding a charge well. The camera AND battery are over 10 years old. I just LOVE this camera and I really hope it isn't dying on me. I will cry, for real, I promise. And that brings me back to my story about how sweet my Hannah is. I was so tired this morning. I have gotten MAYBE three hours of sleep a night for the last two or three nights because of Ainsley being sick. I have scrubbed my bathtub more times than I care to count in the last three days. I have washed sooooo many bottles and cups. I have done more laundry in the last three days than I normally do in TWO WEEKS! Crazy. So, I woke up a bit cranky. Then Hannah woke up Ainsley and I got really cranky. Then I turned on my computer to see nothing but a black screen and I just got really upset. My cell phone is barely working. It keeps turning itself off. It's not even a year old! I actually need to just call and get a new one sent to me. But then I tried to take some pictures and they were all fuzzy and I was just sooo frustrated! Ainsley had ANOTHER nasty diaper and I just couldn't take one more thing. I realized that we didn't have any Pedialyte so I asked Thomas if he would run to the grocery store so that I could get Ainsley cleaned up and bathed AGAIN and wash her sheets AGAIN. So, Thomas, being the great husband that he is, grabbed Hannah and took her with him. They came home with everything on my grocery list (and a few more things!) AND Hannah walked in and handed me a bouquet of flowers that she picked out for me at the florist. No, they didn't just grab a package of flowers at the grocery store. They went to the florist and Thomas let Hannah pick out flowers for me. Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Nope. The VERY SWEETEST THING ever was that Hannah walked in and said, "Mom, thanks for everything you do for us. I love you so much!" I just picked her up and squeezed her and almost started crying. I love my baby girl!

Anyway... to recap... no sleep for two days... broken laptop (with all my kits from the last week not backed up)... cell phone that keeps dying... camera that won't take focused photos... not being able to work on my scrapbooking... sick baby... SWEET HUSBAND AND DAUGHTERS who tried to make it all better! And even though the problems are all still there, I just smile every time I walk through the kitchen and see my flowers. Maybe I'll move them to the family room where I can see them more!

So, if y'all don't hear from me for a while, it's because Thomas and I are trying to share one computer. Those of you who know us know that is NOT an easy thing... and no idea when we are going to be able to get a new one... I may have to get a new hobby for nighttime. Maybe I'll try sleeping. Good night!

long time no blog...

Things have been really crazy around here lately. With all of the traveling we did, it was nice to get home. We came home from Chicago with Ainsley on a schedule. And now it's pretty much non-existent. I miss it. We had a really busy few days when we got home and everything was just chaotic. Now, she is sick and is sleeping at really strange hours, which makes for a really cranky Mommy! We're not sleeping a whole lot around here these days! Hannah is having a hard time with being home and having to entertain herself and is getting into mischief around here. Every time Ainsley falls asleep, Hannah suddenly gets a burst of energy and runs and dances and sings until Ainsley wakes up. Unhappy Ainsley, unhappy Mommy, unhappy in-time-out Hannah.

Oh well! that's it... Will blog more later. Thomas needs the computer back!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

layout with Eva Kipler's products

this picture is from a couple of weeks ago at my momma's house! isn't ainslers adorable?! eva's kit perfectly shows off this photo! Love it!
supply list:
missy strand's cookie template #39
eva kipler's chalking the way kit at sweet shoppe designs
misty cato's acrylic style file

new stuff from Krystal Hartley

I have been really busy this week! Krystal Hartley, a good friend of mine, and a designer I work with, created an absolutely amazing digital kit that is being released today! You can find the kit at Faith Sisters and PolkaDotPotato.

There is also a coordinating alpha that wasn't really intended to coordinate, but it does really well! I LOVE this alpha! I can see myself using it over and over again!



These pictures are from the 4th of July!
supply list:
Krystal Hartley's My Piano Room kit at Faith Sisters and PolkaDotPotato


Krystal asked me if I would be willing to make an album for her and of course, I said YES! I loved working with this kit! You can get this album free with the purchase of the kit at both FaithSisters and PolkaDotPotato until July 16th!


and this is the album I created with it! Ignore the dust on my lamp, please! :)

And now I am off to work on another project for another designer! :)

Friday, July 04, 2008

some new scrapbook pages

These are all the pages I have done for the last three weeks. I have been in a creative rut with my layouts lately, so I have been doing a lot of the challenges at the Sweet Shoppe and they have helped quite a bit! I'm pretty happy with my layouts!

supply list:
inspired by: tri mommy's Colleen Rocks layout at 2Peas
Krystal Hartley's Moody Hues: Energetic Kit at PDP & Faithsisters
Krystal Hartley's Cover Girl Alpha


supply list:
Kay Miller's SSD Cookie Template #37
Kay Miller's Blue Lagoon Kit


supply list:
inspired by: gracielou's wonder layout at ssd
eva kipler's happy dance kit at sweetshoppedesigns
joy from eva kipler's wild blueberry kit at sweetshoppedesigns


supply list:
Aggie Aviso's Cookie Template #40
Melon Blossoms by Misty Cato & Manda Bean at SSD



supply list:
eva kipler's tree hugger- dirt lover kit at ssd
stitch from eva kipler's happy dance kit at ssd



supply list:
scraplift of Real Riches by Peppermint

blue paper, green swirl, brown photo corner: Krystal Hartley's Fathers Kit from the Faith Sisters June Collab Kit
blue flower, pnk flower: Misty Cato's Adorable Me kit at SSD
pnk ribbon from Misty Cato's Tangy Treats Kit at SSD
heart from Misty Cato's Tangy Treat Add-on from her blog



supply list:
Natalie Bird's
The Vally Kit at Natalie Bird Designs
Fancy Flourish
Spring is in Bloom
Misty Cato's Acrylic Style File



supply list:
Scraplift of Junebug's Love These Feet at SSD

papers, buttons, bracket by Krystal Hartley
flowers, alpha from Misty Cato's Tangy Treats Kit at SSD
misty cato's acrylic style file
melissa bennett's borderlines
melissa bennett's fit 2 be tied



Thursday, July 03, 2008

Fireworks Quiz




What Your These Fireworks Say About You



You are deeply passionate about a few things in your life.

Everything else, you couldn't care less about.



Your passions tend to hold steady over time. If anything, they intensify.

Once you hold on to something (or someone), you don't let go!