~Sleepy~

I am sleepy! Didn't get to bed until almost 1am and both babies wanted to sleep with us . Let me tell you 4 people in a queen is 2 too many! LOL! My crop was a success! Thanks for all of the well wishes. It was a lot of fun! I didn't have as many people attend as I expected but, that should have been expected. Right?
Today I need to clean up my scrap space. I trashed it sorting everything to take to the crop. Yikes!!!!! I can't just leave it a mess either, as it is our dining room. If nothing else Darling Riley will assume that Mama has finally decided to let him have a free for all with her stuff. So, not gonna happen little man!!!!!!!


Behold~ Crop Snacks!!! You can see the rest of the pics and an updated events schedule on my scrap happenings blog. The link is in the side bar!



What do I know this morning????? That coffee is GOOD! Yes, I knew this before but, I am so feeling it this A.M. There is not enough sleep for me. That comes with having kids. Although, I am terrible at letting myself relax. Maybe I will try that today. Being one with relaxation!!!!!

*F*R*I*D*A*Y*

That's right people it's Friday... All day long! I have so much nervous energy right now I am not sure what I'm gonna do with myself. Hopefully I can find some way to put it to good use. Why am I this way you ask??? Well, in the beginning. Just kidding! I have my first crop tonight. My crop, I'm hosting it and in charge and I am so dang excited! I actually have a few people attending that I have never met. They are attending because they want to, not because they are related to me. LOL! Good times! I will for give an update on how the evening goes down. Plus, I will have pics to update my Scrap Happenings Blog! www.alwaysscrappin.blogspot.com for those of you who are interested in my events! Seriously if you are in the Portland area you should come to one, it's gonna be a lot of fun! and that is what it's all about right? F*U*N!

I have a layout to share from yesterday. Taylor's 5 month page. I have been a good girl thus far and gotten his month page done on the day. I am really proud of that. Although some months have been more of a challenge then others to get it done! It's really important to me though. He is growing so fast and learning so much. I have kept the format for each page the same. This has made it really easy and when they are all together they will have a certain sense of uniformity. Which is so not something I usually go for but, for this it really works. Plus, unlike Riley Taylor doesn't have a baby book, so these pages will just have to do!

In a really bizarre twist of events we got the goverment cheese from out upstairs neighbors. I have no idea why and we have never met them before the afore mentioned incident. It was about 7pm and Andy's watching TV and I am getting stuff together for my crop (these details really are not important to my story but hey it's my story and I'll tell it my way!) So, we hear a knock at our door. Very unusualy because we weren't expecting anyone and we never talk to our neighbors. We just don't live in that kind of community (sadly). It's the girl from upstairs and her Dad with a box of food from their church and they want to know if we would like it. I am puzzled by many things here but, we graciously took the box and thanked them. Now we have never spoken to them ever, in fact I am not sure I have ever seen them before. It cracks me up really. We don't need the things that they brought us and will be donating them to the church. I have no clue what made them do that but, it did make me laugh.
(The author in no way means to offend those who are on welfare (Goverment Cheese) as she has been there herself in the past)

Taylor had Rice Cereal with a spoon yesterday. He was not swallowing it so I had to go back to the bottle feeder. His appetite has grown so much that ! think he really needs the suppliment. He is going through SO MUCH FORMULA!

Have a great weekend people!

5 MONTHS~

Yes, today my little cutie pie is 5 months old.!!!He's getting to be such a big boy! I realized this yesterday when he was playing on his blanket with his toys. I know that might sound incredibly simple but, just the fact that he was playing with toys is a big deal. A week ago he couldn't even hold a toy and now he seeks them out. Although his little noggin is too big for him to crawl he rolls around and tries to get onto his knees. Plus, he is possibly the most genuinely happy person that I have ever met. He smiles in his sleep, it's true. I can only take credit for a normal amount of happiness (taking care of him, playing with him, giving him cuddles) the rest is all Taylor. He's just so smiley. He smiles with his whole self and it's infectious!!!!!!!!!!

I finished two LO's yesterday. The Dare was really hard for me. I have noticed that there is a real lack of color in my gallery and I am not that good at saying nice things about myself. I know scrapping yourself is important but, it kind of made me feel full of myself. KWIM????

This little beauty is just for fun! I love my morning coffee and my MUGS too!

EfferDare # 37~ Positive Self Talk~

I really love how this turned out. Funny too because this is just not my style and yet I created it! Go figure!

Ok, so you are probably wondering why Riley is wearing girls sunglasses. Well here's the story. Sunday at the B-day party Ry thought it would be fun to wear his Cousin Ashlynn's sunglasses. He was dancing to the music and flirting with the 1 girl that we aren't related to. What can I say? My kid is a little Mack Daddy! LOL!

You Are Diet Coke

You are energy in its purest form. No need to complicate things with sweetness. And while people may hate your aftertaste, you are seen as a necessary evil. Your best soda match: 7 Up Stay away from: Coke

What Kind of Soda Are You?

***RAK WINNER***

Thank you to everyone who commented on my blog Saturday! I am happy to announce that Maureen won the RAK!!!!

It has been way HOT here the last few days! Sleeping is pretty much a no go. Even the babies are having trouble sleeping! The weatherman says that it should be cooling off today, we shall see.

I have managed to get a little bit of scrapping done lately, which is nice. I have had so many dealines lately that scrapping for me really hit the spot! (blogger won't let me post pics)

Thanks to my husband we had a water fight at his parent's house yesterday. It was just the thing to cool off and it was sooooo much fun. Just don't tell my DH! LOL!

Have a fabulous day people~

A Birthday, A Layout, and RAK contest!

Today is my little brother's birthday! We have always been close. BFF since day one. I was the first person on this earth to see your awesome little self. I just can't believe you are a teenager already. Well, rock on little brother because you are the sweetest, coolest, most awesome 13 year old that I know!!!!!

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

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I managed to get 2 1/2 layouts done yesterday and 5 cards. I'm still in the planning phase for a few of my classes and always on the lookout to create new card designs.

Although I have a ton of scrap projects on my plate right now. I took the day to play and do some LO's for me. Just for fun!!! And it felt so amazing. I can't even tell you how good it felt. The best part is now I have all of this creative energy. I guess that is a lesson for me. Letting go a little is a GOOD thing! There you have it people. Maybe let you a little yourselves today. You just never know where it might take you.

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In Honor of my Brother's birthday we are gonna have some fun! If you are a lurker on my blog or a regular poster I am gonna offer a RAK today. A randomly drawn RAK for anyone who comments on this post today.

The prize will be 2 of my handmade cards! So what are you waiting for? Post!

Friday all day long~

It's Friday! Since DH has been home the days have started to blend together. I however have a blissful day to myself. DH took the kids to his Mom's for the day. It gave me the chance to do my LO for the Ali Edwards Patterned Paper Challenge on 2Peas. Love it!

I am out of printer ink right now. Which seems to be a good thing. It's forcing me to use the older pics that I have yet to scrap. I no longer scrap in chronological order, so some things get overlooked. Anywho, I have projects to finish and I am happy to do them with out interruption!

~Stuff~

The guy I spoke to at CK was super nice and they offered to replace my book. I appreciated the great service! I have several suggestion from people on what I should do with my tattered copy. Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I have decided to donate it!

I have been crazy busy lately and I hate that. I feel like I am missing so much. I have been trying to take more pictures with the digi so that I can catch all of those little moments that will otherwise be completely lost. So, I think this is the perfect place to share a few of those pictures.

Hi Mom!

~A Boy and his Cow~

Who Me?

Cheese Mommy, Cheese!

A little layout I did last week and forgot to post. I have been getting a little scrapping done lately. Mostly things that I need to complete for some deadline or anther. I spent a good part of yesterday finishing a circle journal for a recipe group I am in. It turned out cuter then I thought it would.

Have a great day people!

WTF???

So, I finally get my New Ali book from CK yesterday and this is the condition that it's in! It looks like it's been run over or something. Completely thrashed! I am so disappointed. I waited forever for it and now this. I will never order from CK again!

Love this little dude!

Sweet Sunday Morning!

This is a great way to start your day!
Riley woke up before I did and clearly wanted out of his crib. Now it's coffee and web surfing in the living room for Me and cheerios and milk for Riley. He's watching OPB and everyone is speaking Spanish. I am not sure that he's really watching it. I think he just likes the fact that he can turn it on and off. And in the grand tradition of his family, Riley is obsessed with the remote control. Now they are singing in Spanish and he's kinda diggin' it. I guess music really is universal! What a cool little dude I have!






I had a scrapbooking epiphany while I was sleeping. Some really awesome ideas floating around in my brain. I hope I will be able to
remember them or the even harder part. Translate them to an actual page. I feel re-energized and that'd awesome. For too long I have felt a little tired and unmotivated. We shall see what the day brings us. We will be hanging around the apartment again today. Andy still can't walk very well, so going anywhere is completely out of the question. I think he is really gonna go stir crazy though. I'm not sure he has spent 3 whole days in the apartment in the 3 years that we have lived here. Which reminds me that our anniversary is coming up as well as his birthday. Last year I had a huge surprise party for him. This year I think we'll probably go a little more low key. Family and BBQ and presents. My August is really starting to fill up. All of my weekends are booked and I am starting on the weekdays. Still it's good to stay busy! Andy should be back to work by then and our lives can go back to somewhat normal. Whatever that is! LOL! Well I think I have rambled long enough. Although it felt really good! I will leave you with a pic of the fabulous Riley and some shots from my class yesterday. All of the pics will be on my other blog. Have a great day!

All is well!

First of a big thank you for all of the prayers, love, support, good wishes and everything. Andy's knee surgery was a success. He is recovering on the couch. Looks like he might be there for a few days. He's been well stocked up with movies, books, and snacks.

Today was my first class. It was a success! I'll share pictures with you tomorrow. There weren't as many people in attendance as I had hoped but, I think it was a perfect start. They made altered frames. It was amazing watching them work, seeing their finished product! I mean they all had the same basic supplies and yet their finished products were so completely different. Each and every one of them took the project and really made it theirs. I love that. Love the creative flow. Watching the process. Watching people loving what they are creating! So amazing and inspirational.
I updated my events schedule on my scrap happening blog for anyone who is interested. I will be posting class pictures there as well. www.alwaysscrappin.blogspot.com .
Good night!

Wired~

Pack the diaper bag.
Pack lunch for Riley.
Repack diaper bag.
Go into Riley's Room, forget why I am in there.
Start too look at an old CK, stop... No focus.
Didn't sleep well. Woke every few hours.
Have had only one cup of coffee. Feels like I have consumed POTS.
Today Is Andy's Surgery. Trying not to think about that.
Have been calm and not worried until this morning.
Now am one giant raw, exposed nerve.
Must breath. Must not worry.
Everything will be fine.
Will not think of the not so fine.
Swallow hard, throat is unusually dry.
stomach is in knots.
Thought blogging would make me feel better.
Help me purge my mind.
Apparently not so.
Think I will dress the kids.
Double check that everything is ready.
Anything to stay busy.
Anything to keep from thinking.

Organization

So what is my best scrap space organization tip?

Probably to clean up after each project. I have a very small space. Actually it's our tiny dining room. It's completely been taken over by my scrapbook stuff. So it's super easy for it to get out of control messy! Which I don't want because there are no door to close to hide the mess. There is also the Riley factor. He is always trying to get into my stuff. So, yes I find that life in my scrapbooking world is neater and more productive if I clean up after each project.

Riley is 20 months old today! Growing so fast and getting so big and independent. I swear it's like I blink and he's a different person. I guess that is what's suppose to happen.
Anyway, lots to do today. I will leave you with a few pictures!

Riley is obsessed with driving!

Taylor & Daddy in Grandma's front yard!

Summer Lovin'

Two Peas Challenge is all about your favorite BBQ~

To know our family is to know that my husband is absolutely 100% obsessed with BBQing. When we were dating he made me a BBQ'd waffle. Yes it was pretty disgusting but, also funny. I think in his mind if it isn't BBQ'd it isn't cooked. To his credit he is getting really good at it. He makes the tastiest teriyaki chicken kabobs and his grilled veggies make my mouth water. Of course that is truly as close to veggies as he gets. All of this food talk is making me hungry. I think I know what to have for dinner tonight!

Spent most of yesterday and going to spend today preparing for my class on Saturday. I am sure that I am spending way too much time thinking about it. However, it is my first class and I want it to go well! So I am gonna cross my fingers and see where it takes me!

Have a good one people~!

Saturday Stuff

2 Peas Blogger Challenge: what scrapbooking supply do you find yourself using on almost every LO? (mine is ribbon!) :

I find that I can not create an LO without ink. Weither I am inking the edges of something or actually using a stamp. I LOVE ME Some Ink!!!!! OF course there are countless other products that I adore, even drool over but, If we are talking consistency then it's gotta be ink.

Yesterday was a good day! Love when I can say that. Went to the Stampin' Up open house and I was by myself (my Mom got really sick and couldn't go). This is huge for me. Usually I get all weird having to go somewhere by myself. I only knew my demo and she was super busy but, I enjoyed seeing all of the displays and playing games. I tried a couple of times to start conversations with people but, they just looked at me like I had two heads or didn't even look at me at all. Oh well. I did win a prize in the "cake walk". So it was all good. Although I must admit that when my number was called for the cake walk I almost didn't want to claim my prize. I had a return of the shy, wallflower me. I quickly pushed her away and claimed my pack of beautifully embellished cards! I was naughty and ordered a few things out of the new catalog. a pack of gorgeous paper and some background stamps (I'll share them with you when they get to me). I felt like I owed it to my Demo (the sweetest woman even) to purchase something. She is new and didn't have any of her other customers attend.


I also went to Michael's and scored some loveliness at their $1 spot. If you haven't been lately you should check it out. I was amazed at what they had! I'll edit with pics later.

We got home and I had MAIL! Love when a package comes in the mail!. It was my first Memory Works order! It came really quickly. I ordered it after hours on Monday, Tuesday was a holiday, my order was processes Wednesday and at my door on Saturday. Too Cool! I ordered some business supplies (catalogs, order forms) and some We R Memory Keepers paper packs (hostess gifts) some Heidi Swapp distressers (goodie bags) and some some HS stamps (too cute). I feel very spoiled as I recount my loot. Although the MW stuff is business and the SU stuff I was doing a good thing(wink,wink). The M's stuff was just too lovely too pass up plus I will use them in my RAK's! Oh, and I got my August issue of CK! This is a good issue folks. If you haven't gotten yours yet I think you will love it. AE has a cool article (yes, I do think all of her work is fab) but this one is really interesting, trust me!
Ok, I am Out. I have a million and 1 things to do today. Oh, I almost forgot. I made this LO last night for a CJ. Have a fab day people!

Saturday Morning~

It is really starting to warm up outside. This post will have to be short. I must get ready. I have a Stampin' Up Open house to go to this morning. I am pretty excited about it. Should be fun and it's free so I thought I'd check it out. You just never know who you are going to meet at one of these things. KWIM?
The baby had a rough night. Poor little dude has COLD, that he got from his big brother stealing his bottle, taking a drink, and then giving it back. He sounds terrible. He really is so sweet about it though. He is laying down and coughing, when I lean over and check that he is ok and going to stop coughing he just smiles at me. He has a DR. On Monday, so if the cold isn't gone I can tell the DR.
It is going to be beautiful here today. Clear sky, and already warming up. I am tired and wish that I could pep up. Luck for my that I have a BIG cup of coffee to help me in my pursuit of pep. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day. I am out!~

New Blog

Yesterday afternoon I was feeling a little better and a lot bored. I have several projects on my plate right now so I thought I would work on one of them. Writing my newsletter. The actual writing part didn't take long. Unfortunately, nothing is ever as easy as it seems. Then came the tweaking. Everything I know about computers I have pretty much taught myself. And apparentlty it's not much. LOL! My file was too big to upload to my web site. No matter how I tried to make it smaller it just wouldn't work. So, I thought to myself, how about a newsletter blog. Easy to maintain, easy to navigate, and I can easily add pictures of layouts or whatever I need. So I am unveiling my new Always Scrappin' New;sletter Blog Scrap Happenings www.alwaysscrappin.blogspot.com . There I will be able to communicate information about product, sales, workshops, fun ideas, anything. So much less stressful! And that is something I think we could all use less of, stress.~

Sick & Tired

The boys and I are sick. I think it might be a cold. Whatever it is we feel like crap. It's hard enough functioning when you feel sick, add having to take care of two little sick ones when you can barely function is no good. I feel like doing nothing. Like just sitting here typing is what I am going to accomplish today. It's sad and it's hard for me to cut myself some slack because I am sick. I feel lazy sleeping in the middle of the day, when I know that there are things I should be doing. My head feels like it's gonna explode. Need an advil~

Fabulousness!

Our 4th was fabulous! We spent some quality family time while we waited for fireworks. Riley loved them and Taylor slept. Love the holidays!

My Brother Daniel, chilling in the grass!

Taylor Plays with Froggy!

Riley plays with Daddy while he waits for the fun to begin!

Fabulous Fireworks!

Happy 4th Of July!!!!

Favorite Line Of Paper!

Need I say more?

Have a great holiday! I am off to make a card for my Nana's b-day!

Holiday Magic!!!

Sunday blogger challenge is all about holidays~

I love holidays. I am just a holiday person. My favorite is Halloween. I love to decorate my Nana's house and make special treats (caramel apples). Take what ever kids are available and willing trick or treating. I just love the whole nine yards. It just feels like magic. Like when I was a kid.

We have different traditions for different holidays. Christmas is obviously choked full of special things. Easter always has ham dinner. Fourth of July has been different things because Nana's b-day is on the 3rd. Lately we have been going to see a fire works display. When I was a kid Mom would buy the fireworks and light them off for the whole neighborhood. Labor day was spent celebrating Mom's birthday. Valentines day my parent's always bought a little box of chocolates for each of us kids.

I want my kids to have those same kinds of holiday memories. I plan on carrying on some of those awesome traditions that made life so magical.

Sweet Summer~

Riley lounging on Grandma Linda's Deck! Good Times!

Bad Habits~

Blogger challenge is on bad habits.
Probably the worst thing I have been doing lately is overcommiting myself. I am terrible at telling people no. I end up overbooking myself and then I get stretched way thin. It can be tricky when balancing family, family, and starting a business. Throw in all of the other things that always seem to come my way and it can get complicated. I do it to myself. I will admit it. I need to learn how to say "No" or "I am busy". Someday maybe I will get there but, probably not today. So, for now I will just keep on, keepin' on. Now where did I put my coffee cup?
Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!