WOW! Has it been two weeks?

Hi everyone!  I am finally back!  I didn't intentionally mean to take a break from Bloggin'...it just happened that way!  I have been really busy with a lot of different things.  From sick kids all the way to spending a lot of time in my little scrapping room creating some cool stuff.  I have missed y'all...but let me say that I am so touched by the sweet emails and comments I have received checking up on me.  Y'all are the best!!!

I have so much I want to share with you and if I tried to do it all right now in one post...well, you would probably fall asleep at your computer...so, I have decided to split it up into several posts.  I have added a bunch of new pictures to the blog sidebars and I am going to show you a few in this post too.  So, be sure to check out some of the new pictures!!!

I have MIA for so long that I have kept a list of topics I want to cover when I return to BLOGGIN'!  That is sad, I know...but true!  I am a list maker!  I carry a little notebook around in my purse constantly and have several different list going at all times.  Usually, I have a To Do list, a grocery list, a Projects I Am Working On list, a Scrapping - Want to get list....let's see....maybe that is it.  But I love to make lists...it helps to keep me organized and I just feel better when I have a list to look at!  :)  How about you?  Are you a list maker...do you feel lost without your list? This little beauty is my new notebook, that I just started writing in today, because my other was full, and here is how it looks already...

Now, if I can just mark some things off the lists...I will be doing good!  :)

Well, I mentioned that I have been spending a lot of time working on projects...which means I spent the majority of my time here...

Yep, this is my glorified closet...as I like to call it!  It serves the purpose though and it is majorly overcrowded...but I still manage to get projects done in there.   I think I told you all that I had done a major cleanout and purge on supplies and I am still finding things that I have no use for any longer...so I guess you could stay that I am still cleaning out...however, I do think that I have it pretty well organized and like I want it to stay...at least for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, since I have spent so much time in this room lately...let me share some of my projects that I have completed.  I'll admit, that I haven't done near as many layouts as I could be doing...instead I have been altering things and making....

Here is an Art Journal that I made for myself...to help me record sketches, ideas, etc...to aid in my creative process.  This was very simple to make and cost next to nothing.  I altered the front and  back and then put three different tabs on the inside pages...Ideas, Quotes and sayings, and sketches.  I left plenty of room for adjustment if want to add some different tabs in it as I fill it up and go along.  Next, since I was on the cleaning out and organizing trip...I made this to help with my over abundance of crafting magazines...I went through all my out of date magazines and decide to make a way to save what I liked from the magazine and donate the rest to Mallory's class....or some teacher at her school that would like to have these to use for class projects....this is what I came up with...

I bought this three ring binder at a local store a while back.  I actually bought 4 of them....and I have been working on the other three for another purpose...and I will share them with you soon...

Anyway, I went through my stash of supplies and this is what I had when I finished. (ignore my reflection against the plastic covering)  I used MM rub-ons, paper flowers, American Crafts tags, and various ribbons.  BTW, let me just say that I have never used my Cropadile on anything very thick...I punch holes right thought this binder with no problem whatsoever!  It ROCKS!!!

Here are a few more pix of the binder...I made tabbed inserts for the inside...and at this time I have only gone through two old magazines...but I have a pile to go through and now, I have a place to put all the things I want to keep from the magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am excited about this system and about cleaning out my magazine basket and only keeping special editions and current copies of magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wanna know why we made these cards?  Yep, that is right!  My baby girl, Kennedy, has officially turned the BIG 4!!!  Her birthday is today!  Four years ago at this time, I was in amazement and awe...that God had blessed my life with another beautiful baby girl!  I am so thankful for the blessing of my children!  Kennedy is a precious gift from God and I can't even imagine how dull our lives would be without her presence!  I love you sweetie Peanut Kennedy!  Hope you had the best birthday ever!!!  Here is what she woke up this morning and found...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Mama let her eat a choc. iced cupcake for breakfast....after all, it is her birthday!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I feel better now that I have accomplished typing this post...but I still have so much more to share!!!  It is getting late and I am getting sleepy....so I will close this post in just a minute and post again tomorrow.  Oh and BTW, Tunes on Tuesday will be back I think....that is if you like it...I have wondered if it is just a silly thing to post or if it is at enjoyable at all  for y'all???  Just not sure right now...so let me know what you think???

Thanks for sticking with me over the last couple of weeks.  I am glad to be back and look forward to sharing some more with you tomorrow!

Much more later...  :)

Five on Friday...

First of all,  let me give a shout out to one of my good friends Telah...we were discussing today about trying some new things with our blogs... and I think that I have come up with a plan from some things from what I have seen out there on others blogs.  Telah came up with this Five on Friday...and I love it!  Great idea Telah!!!

So from here on out...I am going to do my best to post Five on Friday.  I am gonna add the linking part of the post at the bottom...for anybody who wants to participate.  I know there are others out there like Thursday Thirteen and Works for Me Wednesday...that you can link to and I think that is so neat.  So, I am going to try it.  Hopefully, if it works you can link up and we can get a good number participating.  If you have any other prompts for posting....share them with us all and let us know about them!  I like the idea of having a structured topic to help guide my thoughts and it gives your readers something to look forward to.

Five Things I That I Use Everyday:

1. My Laptop: Yes, this is something I use a whole lot during each day!!!  I use it for conversations, entertainment, studying, contacting others, banking, business....just all sorts of things....and it is hard to imagine life without it...honestly!  Let's face it....I use my laptop as much or more than probably anything else I own....and I am glad too...because without it I wouldn't be meeting all of you wonderful people. 



2. Lysol Wipes:  Use these things all the time...for wiping down countertops, bathrooms, door handles, toys, etc....I need to count someday and see how many I use in a day!



3. The Microwave:  This is a necessity...especially when you have kids.  I use my microwave soooo much each day. 



4. The Diaper Genie:  Man, I used this a lot today!  I am so thankful for it too!  Whew...can't imagine having a baby without it! 



5. My Deodorant:  Oh yes, can't go without this on any given day.  Although, I don't think I stink...:)  I just don't feel fully "dressed" without it! 

Links to other Five On Friday participants:

Update and goals for the new year...

***Update*** - I am working on the 2007 Photo a Day spot still.  I am trying to get a calendar to put up there with a picture on each box of the calendar day....so far no luck and I have tried a couple of things...If you know how to do that and have a suggestion, please let me know.  Thanks!  I have photos for most of the days in the new year and really want to stick with the challenge...but just don't like the current format!

So Christmas is over...my tree is still up...stockings still hung by the chimney with care...children are nestled all snug in their beds...cause school started back this week         ...and man...we DEFINITELY needed to get back on a bedtime schedule!  :)  No, I haven't taken down my decorations yet...not really ready to...and I haven't had time to really.  We haven't even celebrated Christmas with Shane's family yet...cause his mother was in the hospital on Christmas day and the rest of us were all sick!

I have been a bad blogger...but am going to try to catch up a little.  I have been a little overwhelmed and pretty busy just being a mama and a wife....you will see why...

I actually feel relief tonight.  I feel like I sort of know now that we are heading in the right direction and that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.  Although, I have tried to remain positive throughout, my little family has had a rough few weeks. Nannie (aka my mother-in-law) came home from a stay in the hospital on Christmas day and has made some improvements.   All three of my kids have been sick...my husband has been sick ...and yes even Mama has been sick.  Kennedy and Parker have both had bad ear infections, fever, and the doctor says...RSV...and is treating them with Albuterol and some steroids.  Not good...but necessary I guess.  Mallory has another sinus infection.  Shane has had ear and sinus infection and the doctor says bronchitis....ok... all this has been going on since the week before Christmas...so you see why have not spent a lot of time posting or commenting on blogs. 

Please know I am NOT complaining...I know that I am still extremely blessed just to rise out of the bed each morning and greet a new day....I am just thankful that we are starting to show some improvement.  And today I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel because the doctor scheduled Parker to get tubes in his ears next Wednesday morning....first thing!  Yeah!  I know that most mama's would not be excited about this....but I have been there done that,  so to speak with the girls....and it has helped tremendously.  I am glad to do it and for him to get them...we are on the 6th ear infection....I think...since late October.  Poor guy!  He just can't get rid of it!!!  Mainly, I just want everyone to get healthy again and feel better.  I feel like all I have done over the last few weeks was take care of sick kiddos and try to keep my head above water to get Christmas "stuff" taken care of...but I intend to change all that .... and to try and regain some sense of normalcy here in this LIFE of mine!  Woo Hoo!

Several friends of mine have posted about their resolutions or goals for the new year of 2007....so I thought I might give it a try too....hopefully I will do better this year and strive to stick to my goals better....I need to be more accountable for these....cause I always seem to make 'em and then never seem to follow through for the whole year....how about you???

Here they are in no particular order....I just made a list of 10 goals...I tried to keep them attainable and doable....I want to really try to improve.

1. Pray more.
2. Read to my children each and every night...I NEED to do better about this!
3. Keep on top of sending cards...birthday, get well, anniversary...etc
4. Work on one scrapbooking project every week! 
5. Have family devotional each night after dinner and baths.
6. Make an effort to take better care of my body and be healthier.
7. Have one date night per month (time for just me and my wonderful hubby)
8. Make more of an effort to tell people that I love,  how much I love them and how important they are to me in case I never have that opportunity again....I have had it happen and have regrets that I didn't take advantage of the time I was given....don't want to feel like that again.
9. Make more time for personal Bible study
10. Continue to use the Internet to:

•  meet wonderful new friends,
•  blog and keep my family and friends updated on what is going on with us,
• learn more about developing my digital scrapbooking skills and get great new scrapbooking ideas
• help me get more organized
• and to improve and learn in the area of photography

Y' all have a good night...working on a post for tomorrow....gonna get back to my daily blogging....or at least do the best I can.  Sure have missed y'all!

 

More later....and I promise I will be commenting on all your blogs soon....very soon! 

Thanks for visiting!

Tag You're It!!!

My friend Telah tagged me yesterday, so I decided to meet the challenge and also tag some others.  It has been fun and I have learned some things that I would probably have never known.  Thanks Telah!  Now....Tag You're It!!!

A - Available or single: Nope…very unavailable.

B - Best Friend: My husband

C - Cake or Pie: Cheesecake is my favorite…any kind

D - Drink of choice: My homemade tea sweetened with splenda…I drink about a jug a day on my own…lol

E - Essential Item you use everyday: microwave, my washer and dryer, my laptop, and my dishwasher

F - Favorite color: Purple and Kelly green

G - Gummy Bears or worms: worms-the sour ones are my favorites

H - Hometown: born in Bloomington, Indiana (Monroe County) and grew up there for the most part…my dad was in the Army the first few years, but after about age 4 I was there for the duration

I - Indulgence: My newest one is the Peppermint Candy Kisses that my friend Jolene let me know about in her blog…Yum Yum…..and I am secretly happy that nobody else in my house really cares for them… :)

J - January or February: I like February…three of my favorite people have birthdays that month…my hubby, my youngest daughter, and my Gram

K - Kids & Names: yes…three little ones… Mallory, Kennedy, and Parker

L - Life is Incomplete Without? My faith, my family, and my friends

M - Marriage Date: December 19, 1998

N - Number of Siblings: 4 others…..I am the oldest of the five….yep….there is one boy and all the rest girls….Heather, Chad, Adrienne, Brandi, and Brittany

O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P - Phobias or Fears: mice…..there is a story behind that…but we won’t go into that…and disappointing others

Q - Fave Quote: The heart remembers all the moments when a little love made a difference….the one that is on my blog…it is one of the ones that is newest to me…but I love it!!!

R - Reason to Smile: My hope of Heaven, my wonderful life and family, my many blessings

S - Season: Spring

T - Tag 3 or 4 people: Leah, Amy, Jolene, Cheryl, and Jamie…ok…so I am breaking the rules…but I don’t care…I want to know more about my new friends!

U - Unknown Fact about Me: I have lost 160 pounds over the last two years!

V - Vegetable You Don't Like: English Peas…hate them, hate them, hate them!!!

W - Worst Habit: Worrying would have to be the worst…but also grinding my teeth and popping my bubble gum!

X - Xrays: LOL…I don’t have enough room to type all that…let’s see…knees, sinus’, stomach, neck, teeth…that is all I can think of….don’t they want to always do xrays now???

Y - Your Fave Food: I love just about anything from Macaroni Grill…Italian!!!!

Z - Zodiac Sign: Aries…but I don’t ever read anything about that or keep up with it.

My thoughts and musings...

Good morning!  Let's see....has it been?  Yes, the sun is shining, I am blessed beyond measure, and I am alive and well.  It has been a busy morning around this house already and  it is only 9am.  Already, the garage door has been fixed, the cable company is on their way to see what the problem has been with our connection (and of course the internet and cable are running fine this morning), made several phone calls, cleaned up the kitchen and working on laundry....but now it is time for my time.  I do this almost every morning....at least I try to...sit down with my breakfast and a glass of tea  and read my email and look at some websites....

Today is also Ten on Tuesday....and you will find that at the bottom of this post.  I want you all to know that I am really enjoying writing to this website because it makes me think about things that I normally wouldn't think about and it makes me search my memory to record things that maybe I might not have written down without having a place to do so....all that I write for you to read is saved and I will look back at it and someday my children will probably look back at it and wonder, laugh, cry....who knows???  I was thinking about this last night when I was reading some emails....why do I write and record things?  why do I attempt to scrapbook?   Well, for my children... 

 Because I want them to understand how important family is and how lost you would be without people who love you. Because I want them to value friendships and relationships and treasure the moments that they share with their dear friends.  Because I want to teach them that every moment in time is significant and meaningful and not to let time pass you by too quickly....take advantage of every moment that you are given.  Because I want them to understand how much I love them and how special they are.  Because I want them to know where they come from and how they became who they are.  Because I want them to understand and love traditions and to carry them on with their children....oh there are so many reasons why I scrapbook and try to do things that will leave something for my children to look back at in later years...I just hope that someday it will all be meaningful to them too!

Now to switch gears a little....here is a little fun list for you today. 

 

Top Ten Things That Adults Learn From Kids:

1. There is no such thing as child-proofing your house.
2. A 3 years-old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
3. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "Uh-oh;" it's already too late.
4. Play-Doh and Microwave should never be used in the same sentence.
5. Super glue is forever.
6. No matter how much Jello you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
7. You probably do not want to know what that odor is.
8. Always look in the oven before you turn it on.
9. Quiet does not necessarily mean don't worry.
10. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy. It will however make cats dizzy.

I got these from a website that I found the other day and I laughed till it hurt....mainly because I know my day is coming....and I will experience some of these.  There were lots of good, humorous things I found....I may do a few more in the next few days if you all like these.  Enjoy and have a good day!  :)

What I love about Fall...

There are a lot of things that I love about the fall season...cooler weather, changing leaves, caramel apples, Halloween, warm sweaters, football...I could name more.  However, the thing I dread the most that always seems to strike when I least expect it is the CRUD.  You know what I am talking about...that yucky nose, runny eyes, sore throat feeling that you don't go to bed with, but wake up with and it just seems to drag you down for the rest of the day.  I can deal with it....cold medicine and rest will help....but what I can't stand is when my little ones get it....because there is really nothing I can do for them.  Nothing really seems to comfort them and of course they are not happy about cold medicine being forced down their throats...so that is a battle.  That is the worst part of the season for me....but this too shall pass. 

Speaking of best and worst...I have a little quiz for you about this.  Take a look at it and post back with you answers....let's see what everyone has to say....and for all you scrapbookers out there...maybe it will help prompt an event that you want to scrapbook about.

Best & Worst

1. The age in life you've most enjoyed so far: 30
2. The age in life you disliked most so far: teenage years
3. The best day of the week: Friday and Sunday are my two favorites
4. The worst day of the week: Tuesdays
5. Your finest cooking accomplishment: My chili
6. Your worst cooking disaster:hmmm....nothing really bad...but have a lot to work on
7. The color that looks best on you: red, black, green
8. The color that looks worst on you: not sure
9. Your favorite movie of all time: Steel Magnolias and Cinderella
10. The worst movie ever made: Dumb and Dumber!!!!!

Can't wait to read everyone's answers to this post!

Hopefully I will get to log on this evening.  I am off to try and get a few things done around the house while my little man is sleeping.  He doesn't feel too well and I am trying to let him rest...however it isn't going to well this afternoon.  Lots of projects I want to complete this week and have a list a mile long of things I need to do...got to get on a better schedule and get more accomplished each day.

Have a great day and evening!  More later on...

Quiz #2

1. My current occupation is:  homemaker
2. My dream job is:  my current job
3. If I could live anywher in the world, it would be:  hmmm....not sure on that one....but would like to live closer to my family
4. If I could be someone famous, it would be:  really don't want to be famous, but think Laura Bush is pretty cool
5. If I had a million dollars, the first thing I would buy is:  some things that missionaries in foreign countries are needing desperately right now
6. The best birthday gift I could receive would be:  anything my kids make me
7. Wen I was a teen ager, I thought that at my age I would be a:  missionary
8. The goals I am currently working on are: reading my Bible more, memorizing scripture in Psalm, keeping a journal, being more consistent with my discipline
9. When I am 80, I hope I am doing: Breathing :)
10. The person I'd like to be more like is:  Jesus

Quiz #1

Been reading and looking through a new magazine called Scrapbooking Shortcuts with quizzes and questions.  It is really great and gives some really great quizzes and thought provoking questions to help you brainstorm and get the creative juices flowing.  I am going to attempt to include some of these quizzes periodically in my posts.  So for tonight .... here is the first one that I did.  Please feel free to post a reply and answer the same questions to help everyone get to know each other....it is only ten questions and these are pretty easy:

Quiz #1

1. The last person I sent a card to : I believe it was a thank you card to the Smith’s
2. What I ate for lunch today: Chicken nuggets and a coke            
3. Something I just learned: how to BLOG
4. My favorite song this year: Believe by Brooks and Dunn
5. The last book I read: My bible and Lisa Bearnson’s third book
6. What I am wearing right now: plaid fleece pajamas
7. The last phone call I made: to Shane in Wal-Mart from my cell phone
8. Inside, I don’t feel very different from when I was (how old)? 20
9. The last restaurant I ate at was? Chik-fil-A
10. My favorite TV show is: Law and Order: SVU

It is still raining here this evening...but I am not complaining.  Thank you God for the wonderful sound of the rain hitting the roof.  We needed it so badly and it is such a refreshing sound. 

I think it has pretty much been raining all day here.  What about where you are?

Just want to say thank you all for all the kind words, comments, and emails that you have been leaving about this website.  I am really enjoying developing it and hope it becomes a tool for my family and for yours.  I have already met several new people and am hoping to get to know many of you better. 

Also, thank you to many of you who have emailed or asked about our friends that were mentioned in an earlier post.  They are still going through a very difficult time and have a difficult road ahead of them but they are a precious family.  They are strong people.  They rely upon God and prayer and they covet your prayers.  Without being too detailed, please just remember to pray for the Norris family and for God to help them deal with their tremendous loss.  Prayer is so powerful and is the best help we can give them!  Thanks!