Terrible Two's? Let's Party!

Riley turned 2!

He had a Cars birthday family with family and friends. It amazes me that we can take over 200 pictures at an event and have only a hand full of usable pics. I have included a few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure.

It's all birthdays this week. I know someone with a birthday every day this week except Thursday & Saturday.

Super Duper Busy~

nO i DID noT go and forgeT about my Sweet liTtle bloGaroo. I havE been crazY buSy. To busY to even list the borIng detAils. Just Know that all Is welL and wIth the eXception of a Nasty coLd I am sUper duPer. RilEy's BirtHday pArty is saTurDay. Also it's nOt to lAte to paRticiPate in the cArd dRive foR soLdiers. If yoU are interesTed let me Know. It'S a reaL gooD CauSe!

Cards4troops@msn.com

HaVe a gReat dAy aLl!

And Now Your Regularly Scheduled Program~

I am back,at least in body. The move went well and we are mostly unpacked. However, I am in a funk. I don't feel like creating, or reading, or anything much really. I have a ton of projects to do. My keyboard misses letters and the spacebar sticks. Driving me nuts. I have a cold, am hungry but don't want to eat. Can I have some wine with my cheese. Please! ok,enough about me. Riley is watching the presidential news conference. That kids amazes me, doesn't have the patience to play with play-doh but, watch a Looooong speech, ok!

Have a good one people~

Step away from the blog~

Greetings fellow bloggers, or at least blog readers. How was the weekend? Mine was super duper busy. Had big packing/cleaning plans and our laptop died. Now it's in the shop, I am using a loaner.
Moving on Saturday. Am also taking Shimelle's new class. Lots going on which means that other things will have to be left undone. So I am most likely not going to be blogging this week. Just can't commit the time and such. So have a great week and if you read my blog check back next week. Hopefully we will have set up the computer @ our new place.

Cheers~

Out with the old...

Ok, I confess. I am an addict. Addicted to throwing things away that is. Seriously I am on a major kick, I can't stop. Could be worse I suppose.

I was playing around with photoshop yesterday and created the new banner. I need to get a book on it because man is it ever a complicated program.

Ok, I know this is a super short post but, I have things to throw away.

Have a great weekend!

Introducing Capt. Whiner & his sidekick Mr. Dribbles

It's 6:33am, still dark outside. However, thanks to DH's super early meeting this A.M. we are up. Riley is being uber whiney. He wants his brother's bottle, he wants to sit next to me, he doesn't want me to touch him. On, and on and on. Normally I can handle the whining ( a new thing for Ry's age) but, at this hour it's tough. I am sure that coffee was invented for just such a morning.

I spend yesterday cleaning, sorting & cutting paper for my paper swap. I am trying to balance packing with this deadline for the swap. Cutting hundreds of sheets of paper gets pretty boring quick. So, I try to change it up with the cleaning and packing. It seems to be working pretty well on both fronts. I was in one of those great but, rare throw everything away moods. Where I suddenly have no emotional or otherwise attachment to all of our crap. I am hoping to be graced with the same mood today. Although I have a feeling that a nap is going to be needed. Or maybe I can at least get the duo to take one so that I can think.
Enough rambling...

Sharing

Went to the LSS yesterday looking for Journal Spots & masks. They didn't have either of them but, I still got some goodies. Who could resist all of the newness that is pouring in daily?? Not I.
Mostly PP (some 7 Gypsies, Scenic Route & the cutest new line from EK Success.) Open stock Metal letters. Slide mounts & some orange brads for a friend.
I am trying out a new 2 part scrapping philosophy. Not every page has to be a masterpiece & Why am I saving the good stuff. I am hoping that this will free me to create more & enjoy the process.

I managed to complete 4 layouts yesterday too! That is major considering the creative rut I have been in the last few ummmm MONTHS.

The last one uses some of my new paper! Well that will have to do it for this post. Riley is sick and I have major deadlines.

Cheers!

Lazy Saturday~

I have been fighting with this LO for days. There is nothing complicated about it but, for some reason I had the hardest time making it come together. I think it turned out pretty cute though. I though it might be nice to get Ry's first halloween pics scrapped before his 2nd. LOL!

Have a great weekend all!

here we go again

I have a meeting with someone who I haven't seen in awhile. I am a little nervous. It's an emotionally charged meeting, not all good. I want to be cool. Please, let me be cool. I need to vacuum. I would rather Pea and not think........

~Thankful~

The "S" list:

My automatic coffee maker.

It's so nice waking up to fresh, hot coffee!

My boys. They never fail to surprise me!

My family. It's so nice to be with people who just let you be you!

My new Snow Patrol CD.

I bought the wrong one by accident, what a great thing!

Scrapbooking. Even when I am not, I know it's there for me.

Having enough, being enough.

It's a good thing!

Stuff~

Good coffee and music. This new one by Jars of Clay rocks my socks. I have always loved them and this new album does not disappoint. Ok, so I don't actually have the album yet. Just what I can find on the net. You can be sure that I will be buying it as soon as I have the $$$$. 'Cause I am diggin' it!
Gonna try to get my scrap on this fine Friday. Have a birthday present to make, that will be late no matter how you slice it. This weekend is stacking up to be majorly busy. I will take this moment to enjoy my coffee and my Jars!
Cheers~

Greeting Cards for Soldiers~

So far I have gotten a good response. Anything that you could send would be appreciated. I am hoping to send out as many cards as possible. You can either send them to me or you can visit www.anysoldier.com and pick a solider yourself. Either way works for me, it means a lot to me to have people participate. I have created a new email address for this drive. If you would like more information you can email me cards4troops@msn.com .
I am planning on making this an on-going drive. If you are interesting in participating for the holiday season then I need your cards by the beginning of November. However, all greeting cards are appreciated.
Thank you!

Support~

I have something very important to share with you today. Yesterday I was surfing the net when I should have been cleaning. I stumbled upon this website . Basically it a place where you can read the profile of a soldier who is representing his or her men who recieve very little or no mail. Imagine being so far away, in a war zone and never hearing from home. Some of the profiles ask for stuff (food, hygene items etc.), the main thing to me is just sending a letter or a card. Something that lets them know that they have not been forgotten. It takes literally minutes to sit down and write a letter that could brighten someone's day. This isn't about politics, this is about people. People who are doing their job and deserve to know that people care about them. Don't be surprised if you get addicted. I can't tell you how many profiles I read. I cried my eyes out. I know that the way that I can help is to send a letter. Well it's most likely going to be a lot of letters. Please consider doing this. Thank you.

*Edited*
I am going to be hosting a greeting cards for soldiers workshop. I know all of you are far away from me but, I was wondering if any of you would like to participate. These would be going to soldiers who receive little or no mail. I could give you the information and you could send them yourself or you can send them to me and I would send them out with all of the others. I am hoping to get a big response from this. After all they deserve to know that they are not forgotten. Please let me know if you would like to participate. No pressure. Just our way to send some love to those who need it! Thanks!

smk1117@hotmail.com

Get to gettin'!

Did this LO last night for the BOS challenge over at 2 Peas. So happy to get one more picture out of my box. You can see my LO here .


I really want to scrap for me but, I have way too many projects that need to be completed. Both scrappin' and non. I should probably make myself a list. I always like being able to cross stuff off of it. Yes, I am weird. Maybe I could give little updates throughout the day. Although that would take time and honestly I am not sure I would stick with it. Having trouble staying motivated and all.
I am boring myself. Have a good day all~

For your viewing pleasure~

A few days ago Glo had a list on her blog about all of the ways that she is not perfect. I told her if she made it into a layout then I would too. Well here you go:

Seriously Flawed!

The Truth:

I am bossy.

I'm messy & anal (bad combo).

I yell when I get mad.

I pout.

I'm a pack rat.

I like things done my way.

I hold grudges.

I forget about the laundry & have to rewash it... ALOT!

I don't drive.

I spend way too much $$ on scrap stuff &

too much time on the pc.

I worry about everything!

I am flawed!

I seriously recommend that you check out Glo LO on her blog! It rocks!

2nd tag~

I got tagged by Glo

The rules are : List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Dont forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog!

I am tagging: Kimberly, Vicki, sahily, sofia, and Amber...Let the craziness begin!

1. I can't have anyone in the kitchen with me when I cook, or I freak out.

2. I count the dashes that make up the numbers on a digital clock, alot!

3. I will eat hamburgers but, I won't eat ground beef in anything else.

4. I always sing in the car and get pretty annoyed when DH turns down the radio.

5. I NEVER wear my watch at home but, feel completely lost and naked without it when I go out.

Tagged~ Twice!

Sofia tagged me~
Four jobs I have had in my life: Bowling Alley Attendant, Sales Associate, cashier, Admin. Assistant
Four movies I have watched over & over. Anne of Green Gables, While You Were Sleeping, Notting Hill, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Four places I have lived... With My Parents, and in 2 apartments when I got married
Four TV shows I like to watch...Grey's Anatomy, According to Jim, 30 Minute Meals, Justice
Four places I have been on vacation.. Spokane WA, -Victoria, Canada- Redwoods in California- Oregon Coast
Four blogs/web-sites I visit....1. Two Peas in a Bucket 2. Donna D's Blog 3. Ali E's Blog 4. The Dares
Four of my favorite foods... Enchiladas, Ice Cream, Coffee, Strawberries
Four places I'd rather be right now... Book Store, the beach, sleeping, out to lunch
Four people I would tag:1. Glo 2.
Melissa 3.Bonnie 4.
Dana

Style~

So I don't know if you remember a while back I was a having a color crisis with my scrapbooking. As in I don't use enough of it. Well I have discovered a few things about myself. Things that I know to be me.
My Style
I like my cardstock to be brown, green or blue of various shades.
I secretly love purple but, don't know how to use it.
I stick to pretty much the same colors with my patterned paper
Although I adore anything that looks aged, and aged with type sets me over the edge.
I often feel afraid to use the supplies that I really like.
I love buying new supplies, perhaps I am more of a collector then actual scrapbooker.
I like things on my page to be even, balanced and they have to make some sense to me.
I rarely measure.
If a page takes more then an hour then forget about it.
I love paper tearing.
This is what i know for now.
What do you know about your scrapping self?

~As promised~

Happy Scrappin'

I got some scrappin' done yesterday which was a win. I felt like creating all day but, was soooo tired and had trouble making myself actually do it.

This is for the AD Inspiration challenge on 2Peas.

I used a Becky Higgens Sketch for this one.

It felt kinda nice to have a "road map".

So When I was scrappin the boys were napping and all of a sudden I hear this thump and then Riley started crying. Yep he took his first giant step out of his crib. he did a reenactment for me.

That is as far as I let him get. I thought it might make a cute page. Is it a sickness when you think about everything in terms of it's scrapability? Must ponder.... LOL.

Malt Balls

Ok so some of you want to know what's up with the malt balls.
Basically, I ate to many of them and got sick. Ever since I can't even look at them. In fact just thinking about it is making me feel sick. I wish it was a more exciting story but, those are the facts. LOL!

Me, Me, Me....

How do you take your coffee/tea?- Most days black, special occasions a vanilla latte
How do you like your eggs? -Scrambled
Favorite breakfast foods: -Shari's County Fried Steak Platter!
Coke or Pepsi?- Diest Coke
You're feeling lazy. What do you make? -Grilled Chicken Breast Salad
You're feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?- Half Hawaiian, Half Pepperoni
You feel like cooking. What do you make? -Chicken Parmesan
Do any foods bring back good memories?- Nana's Cinnamon Rolls
Do any foods bring back bad memories? - Malt Balls
Do any foods remind you of someone?- Everything Bagel W/Strawberry Cream Cheese
Is there a food you refuse to eat?- Most Meats
What was your favorite food as a child?- Parmesano Noodles & Cooked Carrots
Is there a food you hated as a child but now love?- Mac & Cheese (yeah, I am weird)
Is there a food you loved as a child but now hate?- Malt Balls
Favorite junk food: - Fries
Favorite dessert: - Chocolate Anything
The perfect nightcap?- Hmmmm, not sure.
Do you have any weird food habits? - Not that I know of. I love to dip stuff.....

Coffee Good~

Stayed out way to late at a wedding reception for some friends. It was a blast. It was mostly in Spanish and I don't speak the language but, it didn't matter. Let me tell you, they are one family that knows how to PARTY! It was serious fun, dancing, toasting the happy couple, laughing. I could use some more sleep but, I have to get ready for church. Will try to post some pictures later. The weekends are always crazy.
Cheers~

Memory Lane

All of my cleaning has sent me on some serious trips down memory lane. It's amazing what I feel sentimental about and what I am over. When I was younger I kept everything. Everything had to mean something. Now that I am older, I realize that things (to a certain degree) are just things. While I am still not willing to part with everything from my youth, I did purge more then I though I could. Some things I can't believe I kept. I have to tell you that it feels refreshing and light to walk into a room and see some empty space in place of clutter and chaos. In some way it feels like taking out the physical trash makes it easier to deal with emotional baggage. Feng Shui baby! When I was younger I kept a scrapbook. Not a pretty, well layed out, color coordinated one. No this one was before I even knew what scrapbooking was. This was about capturing the bits and pieces of life. The stuff that I collected here and there and taping them in my book. I guess in some form or another I have been scrapbooking forever. It may seem silly to some but, to me it's nice to have that record of who I was at such a young age. I like knowing how much I have grown as a person and how I really haven't changed at all. Yes, I am rambling but, sometimes I think that it's a good thing. Thanks for putting up with it. I mean that is what a blog is for right. Although I have to admit that since I have been bloggin I have neglected my paper journal. Now in my world the cardinal rule of journaling is never cheat on a journal (don't start a new one before the old one is finished). I sure hope this doesn't count. LOL.

I invite you to spend a few minutes clearing out the clutter (if you have none then you get a gold star). I promise you will feel the difference~

Purge~

Purge and you will be set free. That kids is the name of the game today. I have pretty much purged my scrap stuff, allowing me to create 3 LO's yesterday. Nothing spectacular, but complete. That is what I think I need to go for to keep the creativity flowing. Completed pages. They can't all be masterpieces, you know?

[ Snarky blogger is holding my pictures prisoner, I am just waiting for the ransom note]

DH keeps telling that I don't need to start packing yet, and I think that he is off his rocker. I am not sure he understands how much stuff we have and what packing incurs. I did the packing for our last move. All I can say is thank goodness I am not pregnant this time around. That was buckets of no fun. The flip side is that I have 2 more people to pack for. How much stuff can 2 people with the combined age of 28 months have you ask. Well, don't ask! Let's just say that Goodwill will be receiving a sizable donation from this household. With that I am off to purge. Have a good day~

Thoughts~

It is cold this morning. I am trying not to turn on the heat yet. It just seems too soon. I am not ready to settle into Fall yet. Don't get me wrong, I love Fall. The colors and smells, the celebrations and really just the feeling that it gives me. However, I have loved this Summer and I am not ready to admit that it's over.

We are moving in 2 months. I have begun the process of cleaning and sorting. I am not thrilled about this move but, I will be ok. We are downsizing apartments and I am losing my scrap space (among other spaces). I am trying not to be selfish. It's just that scrapping means so much to me and I have ALOT of stuff. I have been purging like a mad woman. I got rid of a stack of patterned paper that was as big as the one that I kept. That has to mean something. I am in the process of condensing. Seeing how I am going to live out of a tote. It's hard because with less space, I will have to be more motivated to take everything out and then clean it up again. That's life with a toddler, always into everything. I am trying not to whine too much. I know that I am blessed in a lot of ways. Life for the most part is what you make of it.

Coffee is good this morning. I am going to just enjoy it. Cheers!

Coffee and good and HOT this morning. I slept in and that never happens. Now I feel sort of out of it. We went to dinner last night at a casual dinner and the boys were really good. This is excellent considering that the time before Riley had a stage 3 meltdown. It had never happened before in public and man was I embarrassed. What can you do? I tried everything, crackers, color crayons, and none of it worked. Alas, my husband had to take him to the bathroom and that calmed him down. Life with a 1.5 year old.

Today is Saturday. I am hoping to go to this fun little scrapbook store across town. They are a little far from my house but, they have a ton of open stock embellishments which is what I need. The weather is still holding out (getting cooler but, still sunny). Who know how long before the rain sets in. Maybe we will take the boys for a walk today, they always love it.

Enjoy your weekend~

Creativity~

I altered my journal and I am pretty happy with the result!

Love it when I can just play!

~The Front~

~The Back of the Book~

Big Adventures....

Hello all... So sorry that I haven't been bloggin much lately. I have been trying to spend more hands on time with my boys. This means less time at the computer and much, much less time to blog.

Today we took a walk (Riley is his stoller and Taylor in the snuggly) to the Mall. I needed a new journal for a BPS class that I am taking. This is always a great way for us to get out of the apartment and enjoy the weather, some fresh air and all of the construction at the mall. Seriously, half of the parking lot is torn up. It was a challenge to figure out how to get us safely from the sidewalk to the mall and then back again. Never fear, we were victorious! After 4 trips back and forth from Barnes and Noble and Borders to compare their journals I finally chose one. Thee one!!! LOL! Riley got a new book for being such a good boy.

As you can see I also bought a book for my Nana for Christmas and The sisterhood of the traveling pants for my sister and I to read. Now let me explain. Yes, I did get it out of the teen reading section. I loved the movie and wanted to read the book. Plus, since I had Taylor I am lucky to be able to focus on reading a billboard let alone a whole book. I figure it was a good place to start. KWIM???

Ok, people I have a journal to alter and some laundry to do. Have a good one!

Long Weekend.................

Long weekends always throw me off. It feels like Sunday night and not Monday. I am sure this will affect my entire week. It's time to get back to work. I have been a little off lately. Wanting to focus only on my personal scrapping. I needed the break. Now it's time to get back to it. I have classes that are booked and need to be prepared for. I have a ton to do. At least my down time wasn't wasted. Below are all but one of the layouts that I completed. Have a fabulous week!

A friends wedding!

My boys! LOL!

Riley at one week!

My neice Hannah and her pink unicorn Pig.

Tay Tay!

The Boys and their Aunt Teresa

Taylor and Mommy~

TGIF~

Scrapped yesterday and waited for the guy to come fix our dryer. Riley watched me make dinner (he thought it was pretty neat). We had baked spaghetti and I hope they liked it because we are having it again tonight. LOL! I have been in a MAJOR scrappin' rut. I forced through it yesterday and actually feel today that old familiar itch to scrap something. Yipeeeeeee!

Baby Riley~ 1 week old!

Riley and Daddy~

My niece Hannah and her pink unicorn Pig!

That's all I have for today! Have a fabulous weekend people~

Gloomy Good Morning!

It's dark and cloudy out this morning. I am not quite ready to surrender the sunny days of Summer but, it looks like the weather didn't ask me. I will just have to deal with it.
I went walking yesterday. A must considering that I am in the apartment most days with the kiddos. So it was just me and my burning lung. I think it's a good thing on a physical level and emotional. It gives me a little me time to clear my head and breath. Lots and lots of breathing going on. I have been thinking a lot about physical health lately. I am not a very active person, never have been really. When I wake up in the morning I have aches and pain that never used to be there. I am only 25 for crying out loud, far to young to feel so old and unhealthy. No one is going to get me in shape for me though. It's sort of amusing to me the things that run through my mind as I am walking along. I will try to remember them for my next post. Does anyone else find themselves in their everyday life composing blogger posts in their minds? Sometimes I do it and it cracks me up.

Riley has added a couple new words to his growing vocabulary. "Caw, caw mmmm mmm." and he moves his hands up and down like he's moving a steering wheel (translation - Car, Car mmmm mmm.) He also said "Sow" which is sorry. He is learning so fast. Still doesn't have his R's down but, it'll come to him.

I have not been gone or forgotten about my little blog. I tried to blog twice last week and blogger wouldn't publish my posts. They sort of went poof into cyber space or something.

Monday again. Hubby is gone to work. I have a ton of housework and swap stuff to do. Life should sort of get back to normal soon. Whatever normal is, right?

This weekend was interesting. Friday night we went to a wedding reception. The bride was beautiful. We saw old friends and it strikes me how quickly life changes. I suppose there was nothing quick about the changes, I am just now noticing them and I am not always a fan of change. I am always amazed and saddened at how being in certain place or with certain people can make me punch holes in my own life. Like I just don't measure up in my own mind but, only when compared to ideals that only exist in my mind when put in those specific scenes. I know this probably makes no sense. That's alright. Just something I need to get out of my mind. I completely own all of these feelings. No one made me feel them, I did it to myself. I am always my biggest critic. Enough with the depressing.

Taylor turned 6 months old yesterday!

I think that's all I have to say about that~

Created a nice long sincere post and blogger ate it.

I give up!!!!!!!

Enjoy

Hang it out this morning. Watching QVC online. Love that! Not really buying anything but, love seeing the product and getting the page ideas. Thinking about scrapping a little (if the babies will cooperate) . Started some laundry. Enjoying the slow pace of this morning!

Cheers~

Burnt Out and stuff~

The baby has decided to join me for blogging this morning. I feel sorta bad that I just don't have the time to blog every morning. So, if you read my little blog daily and are not seeing new posts I am sorry. I think things will be better once the Summer is over. Fall is a much slower time of year for us. Well at least it always used to be. My new lovely banner is courtesy of a RAK I won from this lovely blogger http://chrisjenkins.typepad.com/ . I love it and still so excited that I won! Thanks again Chris!


Continuing my quest for color. I went to 3 different Scrapbook stores on Saturday trying to find something that would inspire me. It just wasn't happening. I saw things that were pretty but, nothing that gave me that feeling. I actually started to feel a little panic growing inside me that maybe I had lost my ability to create. My mojo has left the building. I did buy a few things at the last store because they were on clearance. I am sad to report that they are completely me (browns and blues). I struggled thorough a simple little LO yesterday. I thought if I actually create something it'll jump start things. No such luck. It was really hard to make myself stay at the table and finish it. That is just not right. I think maybe I am burnt out. So, maybe it's not just color that I need but, some inspiration too!
{Was going to post the LO but, the blogger Troll will not let me!}

In other news Taylor has 2 teeth now. He has been working on them for about 2 weeks and they finally popped up. They are sharp. He is holding his own bottle now too. Getting way to big too quickly. That happens though.

White Walls

My apartment has all white walls. Except the dining room. It has half of a grey/blue wall. I am so tired of white walls. This could be one of the biggest personal drawbacks for me to living in an apartment. I can't paint the walls.

I have been noticing lately a real lack of color in my life. It is everywhere from the walls of where I love to the clothes that I wear and especially my scrapbook pages. They are all brown and blue. I am not sure that I even know how to use other colors. I sit and wonder why I am drawn to these colors. Well I am bored with them. I need a color infusion and I need it NOW!!!! So if any of my lovely blog readers know how I can kick up the color in my little world please let me know. Do you know of a really juicy and colorful line of scrapbook stuff that would help me. I am so willing to be enabled right now. Anything to get this color train moving. I would appreciate it so much!

A big thank you for all of the anniversary well wishes. It was so sweet of you all!

We had a nice dinner and saw a movie. A calm, quiet celebration. Sometimes that is simply the best way! Especially when you are the parents of 2 under 2!

I had a class last night. I am always so amazed at how people can take the same products and make them completely their own. So much creativity and originality. I just love it!

We are hoping to have a quiet weekend. There are a lot of events coming up and this might be our last Summer weekend to relax and play.

Would love to get some scrapping done. I have a long list of To-do's but, what's new, right?

Have a fabulous weekend all!

Let's raise a glass!

Three years ago today we said "I Do!" .
So many things have happened since that day.
2 kids, a move, multiple jobs. Varies medical emergencies. A few vacations, a lot of laughs, too many needless fights. what does it all boil down to?
A Boy and a Girl
who vowed to love each other forever
before God and more witnesses then they planned for.
We have been blessed in countless ways.
Today I get to reflect on those blessings.
Reflect on all of the reasons that we said "I do".
How crazy is it to meet your other half when you are 11 years old.
No, I didn't love him then, the opposite actually.
But, I love him now and always will!
Cheers!!!
T

Monday Again!

Busy day ahead of me! Lots of deadlines to meet. Cup of coffee in hand and I am breezing through my morning routine. Email, blogging, making a list for my day. Hopefully I will be productive!
Have a great day!

The Weekend~

So somehow I managed to go through most of yesterday with the sense that it was not Saturday. My days have all started to blend together. I think this is due to having Andy home 24-7. Today looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. I have a ton of scrapping projects to do but, I would rather go play. We shall see...

Yesterday I had a Bridal Shower to go to for a friend. I made her some Thank You cards. I thought she could use them. I remember how many I went through when I got married. I made here 5 different designs. This is just one of them.

My MIL gave her stamps to go with and then we also gave her some freesia body spray and bath gel. Just a little something to make her feel special. To pamper herself!

The Weekly 2Peas Blogger Challenge is to post a favorite picture and tell why:

This is so hard for me. I have so many favorites. A lot of which I don't have uploaded onto my computer. If bloggger will let me I will share a few of my top favs with you.

Riley playing with the hose. I love how this pic captures his playfulness.
First pic of Riley with his eyes open. He's not crying just peaceful. I know he looks a little funny because he was just born but, I think he is so SWEET!

My niece Hannah and Riley! Love this one of my little Hannah Banana!

Have always loved this pic of DH!

I had another picture here of DH and Taylor but Blogger decided not to be nice anymore and it ate my picture! Errrrrrrr.

Weiner Wagon and feeling low.....

Yesterday I was in a funk most of the day. Towards the afternoon the funk sorta turned into a general pissy attitude. There were moments when even I couldn't stand being around myself. So, not good. KWIM???
Andy tried to cheer me up by taking me for a drive. He got really excited when after aimlessly driving around a destination popped into his mind. I know where I am going to take you for lunch he says. Thus we end up at the Weiner Wagon. Literally a wagon on wheels sitting on the sidewalk in downtown Vancouver. I didn't get anything to eat but, Andy seemed to be in heaven as he was eating his heart attack special aka. Chili Dog Ala Mustard, Cheese, Sour Cream, & Fritos. It was the scariest thing I have ever seen!!!!!!!! (Sorry that I don't have a picture for you) It made me feel so unhealthy just watching him.

Anyway, I am feeling tired today but, better. My Saturday class got resheduled and I have some cards to make for a wedding shower tonight. I figured every bride could use some lovely handmade Thank You cards.
I have a ton of scrapping to do for circle journals, gotta keep 'em moving. I'm off to find another cup of coffee. Cheers!

Last Scrapper Standing~

Those fabulous Effer Dare girls ( www.fortheloveofeffers.blogspot.com ) are having a Last Scrapper Standing contest. The first challenge was to include all of your journaling on your pictures. It had to be a sizable amount of journaling too, not just a few words. I have never entered a contest before but, LOVE doing the dares. So I entered! I have no delusions that I will win, I am just having fun and honestly loving the experience! So many awesome and talented entries! I would be on cloud nine if I made it past the first round. Whatever the outcome I am so pleased that I tried!
Journaling reads~ "Riley, you are pure joy! I love that you delight in simple things. You are wonderment. You spread happiness everywhere that you go! I love you!!!"

A bloggers life for me......

So sorry that I have been MIA lately. I have been living the life of the super busy mommy. I have been lurking since Monday because I have had too much that I could blog about and I just didn't know where the heck to start. Does that ever happen to you?

We got home Sunday late afternoon from camping. It was a nice little trip. The company was top notch and the food was not too bad ( I did the cooking. LOL). My favorite part will probably always be the camp fire! Love everything about it! Although when we got home I had to double was everything to get the smoke smell out of it. Plus, I got a cold. As family vacations go it was an 8 out of 10!

Riley before his hair cut~

Friday as we were packing I decide to trim Riley's hair. Well he decided that he didn't want to cooperate. As I trimmed he moved and it kept getting shorter and shorter and well you get the idea. The finished product was one that I could not fix... Daddy had to get out his clippers. It is now known in our family as

HONEY, I BALDED THE BABY!!!

Needless to say I cried as Andy buzzed him. Thus ending my days as the family hair trimmer....

Andy's birthday was Monday. I had a birthday dinner for him. Very low key, just family. It was nice relaxing and visiting. (There was going to be a picture here but blogger will not cooperate)

After the party we watch Hells Kitchen. I am sad to say that we are slightly addicted to it. Oh, the drama.....

I need to finish cleaning the apartment. I am having a small 101 class on Saturday. I finished my Last Scrapper Standing Effer Dare last night. I wasn't sure that I liked it so I started another one. Then I realized that I didn't have the paper that I thought I had. So this morning I need to run to the LSS and see if they can save my poor little Layout. I will try to post them both tomorrow.

Have fabulous day all~

Ann & Andy~

Today I am drinking my coffee out of one of my favorite mugs. It has raggedy Ann and Andy on it. They were a gift from my sister for Christmas a few years back. It's fun because my husband is Andy and I am StephANie. Get it? It's funny because I call my DH AN sometimes. He doesn't seem to mind. Anyway, today is Friday and it looks like we will be going camping with my sister's family and my husbands' parents. How does that happen you ask.?Well both parties wanted us to go camping with them this weekend. We are making the best of it and combining the two. The more the merrier, right? It should make my DH super happy. He has been itching to go camping for some time now. His birthday is on Monday so it's perfect timing. Although he is having a low key birthday this year. I threw him a huge surprise party last year.

So what are your plans for the weekend? There are not many weekends left so get out there and enjoy the nice weather. (Hopefully it's nice where you live!)

Blogger Challenge: challenge:
what are your favorite movies/shows to watch while scrapbooking? or do you listen to a specific type of music to get the scrapbooking flow going?

Well, I don't watch TV while I scrap but, I do listen to music. Usually I will find a CD that strikes my mood and I will listen to it over and over again until I am done with it (it doesn't get listened to for a few months after that). Usually my little one helps me pick the music. He has his favorites that he like to dance to. It's really funny to watch. He loves his music!
I managed to complete a layout yesterday! I am pretty happy about that!

Have a fabulous weekend all!

Beating the BLAH's~

A big thanks to Sofia and Melissa! Your encouraging words meant a lot to me!

I feel better today! I pushed through my BLAH's and completed two pages yesterday. I am not crazy about the first one (the source of my scrappers block) but it was amazing and freeing how just the process inspired me. It's such a catch 22, you know? I need to create to be inspired and sometimes I can't find the inspiration to create. LOL. I love irony!



The blogger challenge is all about self portraits. This is a hard one for me. I am getting so much better at including myself in my pages. It is kinda like therapy. I just want to leave my kids with a well rounded idea of who their mom is/was. I came to realize that there are years of my life where there are very few pictures of me and they are horrible because I wasn't smiling or I was trying to get away from the camera. Now I tell people when I take their pic and they won't smile " Trust me you are gonna wish that you had smiled!" It's important for everyone to be in their pictures. No matter how much you just don't like your image. You are beautiful and wonderful and fabulous just being you. I know this might sound like a bunch of BS but, I think it's true and I think that we need to remind ourselves constantly.

So, as Melissa on 2peas wonderfully suggested, GO TAKE A PICTURE OF YOURSELF TODAY!

Round and round and round~

Do you ever have those days where you just want to stay in bed?
I was so tired this morning I could barely drag myself out of bed. If it wasn't for Andy the baby might not have gotten fed (Just kidding). There really is no reason why I feel so tired. I guess I just have a case of the BLAH's. Everything seems a bit stale to me. I have had the same LO on the table half scrapped for about 3 days. That's so not my scrap style. If I don't complete a page in one sitting then I just lose the feel for it. Does that ever happen to you? I really would like to know where you get your inspiration to scrap from? I could use a HUGE dose of it right now. KWIM???

I am off the play with the baby. He has learned how to make the raspberry sound with his lips. So funny and super cute!

August

Well people it is August.... This is already shaping up to be a crazy, busy month. Birthdays, classes, doctors appointments, camping trips, an anniversary. I am exhausted and the month only began like 7 hours ago. Seriously though, this is the first Summer that I have been able to enjoy in like 6 years because, I am blessed to be working. Not in the sense that I have to go into work early and leave in time to go home, have dinner and sleep. Only to repeat the process over and over again. I know that many of the people who are reading this are going through this exact process right now. I realized that it's part of life. I realize that I am starting to ramble. It's my blog so I'm allowed to, right??? My point is that if you can enjoy the Summer do it. It passes so quickly!!!

Andy and I went to You, Me, and Dupree yesterday. It was ok. Parts of it were pretty funny. It was all over the place, you really couldn't tell where it was going to go next. Owen Wilson was funny! I would say rent it but, don't see it in the theater.

I have projects to finish and Andy's birthday is next week. I have one present for him but, would like to get him something else. So, if anyone knows a good gift to give there soon to be 26 year old husband. I would love the ideas..... I am off to enjoy my coffee before the babies wake up!

~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!