Finally!

Remember this post?  Well, it has taken me a little time...but I finally am posting some pictures from my brother's wedding back in June.  It was definitely a memorable day with all the weather related inconveniences....but still a great day!

I am definitely a person who likes to combine and conquer as many things as I can into one project...and that is what you get in the pictures below.  Not only am I finally getting to post what I had promised weeks ago...but I am catching up on my memory keeping too.  I have finally been able to somewhat conquer  my severe "OCD" about having to scrapbook chronologically....or even that every picture must make it to a scrapbook...or that each scrapbook has to be made in a tradition 12x12 album....  So, now that I have been able to try some new things in my scrapbooking....it has been amazing at how much more I can accomplish in my few spare minutes each day.  Also, the fact that I have been gravitating toward doing more digital pages helps too....they are SOOOOO simple and easy for me to complete!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox greeting

So if you remember my post from the other day....it listed 5 goals of mine to complete and then I will tackle the next 5?

1. Increase the amount of time I spend in prayer and bible study.
2. Get our family on a schedule and routine that works without us stressing over being somewhere at a specific time.
3. Make and document memories more about all the little things my kids are doing....this translates to scrapbooking for me!  I would like to set aside two hours a week to work on catching up on the kids scrapbooks.
4. Keep a journal of everyday events.
5. Recognize my talents and gifts and not focus on what I CAN'T do...(with that being said...my goal for this is to learn more about photography and improve on my designing abilities and hopefully make a full time hobby/business from it...)

 

As you can see...I have succeeded in at least beginning a process...not to say that I don't have room to improve and will continue to move forward on these items.  #1...well, that will always be my first and foremost area to improve upon....so it will never be crossed off the list.   I have started and we are working towards #2 and #5 and I will post about them tomorrow with some photos I took this afternoon and a new schedule that we are going to begin tomorrow.  So check back for that info!

Have a great evening everyone!

Five on Friday

Let me just start by saying that I am a LIST maker!  I feel most organized and able to complete projects if I have a list made in my handy little notebook that I carry around everywhere I go.  I started to post yesterday and get back on track with Thursday Thirteen...and I will get back to that next week...but decided that thirteen items in this next list was a little too much to start of with for me.    In the meantime, I wanted to share some thoughts with you about my goals for the near future.  Hear me out....don't go clicking that red X up in the top right corner of your screen and telling me goodbye just yet.  :)

Life is a balancing act.   Wow!   I know that the first statement comes as a real shock to most of you.  However, it has taken me 33 years, 4 months, and 1 day to learn this very important lesson!  I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and I am trying to do some self-renovating (is that a word?)  I have said all summer...as soon as I get both girls settled into the school routine...there are many things I want to focus on for myself.   So now that we have completed our first full week of the school year...I think it is time to begin!  I know most people set goals in January...but I have chosen to start fresh now....a new school year for my girls and a new year for me too!

Yesterday I was going to list 13 goals that I have set for myself to accomplish during the first semester of this new school year.  My goal is to have these things accomplished, active and working, or just plain finished by Christmas time. Do you think I will make it?  :)    After contemplating that for a long time....I decided to break it up into smaller, more attainable lists.  I don't want to feel overwhelmed!  I don't want to bite off more than I can chew (which is usually what I do  :) )  So, for today I thought I would share the first five goals I have set.  As I complete things or begin to see them working well....I will mark them off and list a new 5!

I believe we all have room for improvement in our lives...even in what seem to be the most insignificant areas... I KNOW that I do and this is just really something that I need to do for me to feel like I am improving ....but also for the good of my family.   I have always used this BLOG as sort of my journal....mainly because I find it very easy to sit and type and express my thoughts.  So, I plan to record and update progress on this site to help me stay on track.  Here we go!

Here are the first 5 things:

1. Increase the amount of time I spend in prayer and bible study.
2. Get our family on a schedule and routine that works without us stressing over being somewhere at a specific time.
3. Make and document memories more about all the little things my kids are doing....this translates to scrapbooking for me!  I would like to set aside two hours a week to work on catching up on the kids scrapbooks.
4. Keep a journal of everyday events.
5. Recognize my talents and gifts and not focus on what I CAN'T do...(with that being said...my goal for this is to learn more about photography and improve on my designing abilities and hopefully make a full time hobby/business from it...)

I know these first five are not quite as tangible as "Make the bed everyday."  But it is a starting point for me...and I am happy to say that I have already started making progress.  One last thing is this:  I know I am not perfect and don't think I have set unrealistic goals....these are just starting points and things I am going to try to focus and improve on one item at a time.  I still will have days where I don't feel like I accomplished many if any the goals...but I can wake up the next day ready to start fresh again!

See I can go ahead put a checkmark by #4 and #3...I am back to journaling here on the ole' blog and have scrapbooked a little this week.  Great start....I think!

 

 

Testing the new design...and a pretty picture!

You might want to grab a Dr. Pepper, some popcorn, and maybe even some candy before you dive into this one.....:) WARNING! Danger!....This is a long post!

I cannot believe that I have let soooo much time pass since I last updated this blog!  I know I have been a bad blogger.  I have tried several times to update, but they have been late at night and to be honest....when I would sit down to type, I would have a brain dump and then I was so tired and sleepy that I just couldn't do the thinking necessary to write.  :)

This has been one of the busiest times in my life that I can remember.  Maybe it just seems like that because I am getting older, the kids are more active and getting older themselves, maybe it is the nice warm weather and the need to get outside, ???  Maybe it is that fact that I have been officially diagnosed with migraines (duh....I already knew that) and my doctor has been trying to help me get them under control over the last several months...without much luck.   I don't know, but I have felt swamped over the last couple of months and I am finally, just now feeling like I can breath again.

I have soooo many things and topics I could tell you about....so many things that I have documented with pictures and I even keep a running list of BLOG topics.....remember, I told you in an earlier post....I am a list maker!   :)  But the main idea I want to convey right now is gratitude to all of you.  Thank you for wondering about me, emailing me, calling me, sticking by me and still looking at this blog....even when the title "Grab a coke and dive on in..." keeps popping up on your screen each time.  Thank you for being my friends and caring whether or not I was still alive.  :)  I am grateful for all the sweet people I have met through blogging and I plan to keep going.  I enjoy writing here and going to different people's blogs and reading and commenting.  I have still been reading blogs for the last month, and keeping up with all my buddies out there...and I have enjoyed it so much. 

Let me just say this...I am back now.  My vacation from my blog is over!  I never intended to be gone so long and it didn't make me happy  :(  I think now that school is out and we are not on a strict schedule with bedtimes and things anymore.....that the hecticness of my life will calm down some.  I guess I sort of feel like I am taking an oath here....I, Heather Jewell, do promise to return to commenting regularly on blogs I read and to keep MINE updated regularly so as not to provoke emails that say...."Are you still breathing? "

I feel like I have my groove back and I am ready to rock and roll.....so here we GO!!!

I really don't even know where to start and what to tell you first....so here is a collage I made with  some snapshots of what has been going on over the last month or so. 

So much has been going on since I last posted!  We have had several birthdays in our family....including Mallory turning 7 and Parker turned the big ONE!  We have had dance practices going on to get ready for Kennedy's ballet recital, installing a new fence, finishing a swingset,  and re-doing all our front flower beds, ...throw in Mother's Day, a few short trips, a Senior banquet, and just having some fun outside because summer weather is here in the south!!! Oh, and of course I forgot about redecorating the girl's bedroom.   We have been a very busy family, but that is just our life and we have a lot of fun watching the kids grow and change....even though it is much too fast for me!!!

I plan on sharing lots of pictures this week about many of the above mentioned things we have been up to....so keep checking back!  Also, stay tuned for a RAK later on this week.  I have some goodies to give away....just because you all have been so good to remain loyal visitors.....even though lately have done a lousy job of keeping up to date!  So.....like I said....stay tuned for a jam packed week here on the 'ole blog!!!

I will leave you with a few more pictures and captions...

Mallory and Parker have birthdays two days apart in May.  So here they are celebrating with family and a big cookie cake! 

 

Parker was sitting outside the other day while Shane and I were working in the flower gardens out front and here come his sister to dress him up with flowers.  He loved and thought it was funny!  Couldn't resist this picture!

 

 

 

Mallory and Natalie(Leah's little sweetie) on Mallory's birthday.  We took a little trip that day and had a blast!

 

 

This has become one of my favorite candid photos. I played in Picasa with this one for a little bit and this is what I did. What a bunch of sweeties!!!

 

More later...and like I said earlier...thank you to all of you who have shown concern...I am fine....just been really busy....but this too shall pass and for now I HAVE MY GROOVE BACK and I am back to bloggin'

Have a great day!

Grab a coke and dive on in!

Ok...so this post is going to be somewhat random and knowing me it will probably be lengthy too....I have so many things to catch up on around this house and with my blog and my blogging buddies.  I am sorry that I STILL have not got around to commenting much...but hopefully I will get to soon...maybe this evening...maybe by the end of the week.

What have we got going on right now?   WHEW!!!

• In the process of getting a fence built around our back yard...and I am beginning to wonder if that is going to happen.  Hopefully, we will hear today or tomorrow what day they are coming out to start the construction of the fence.  I am so ready to have the fence up!
• Shane is still putting the new swingset together...that had like 500 pieces and 99 steps in the instruction booklet

 

• In the middle still of redoing the girls room...have made a good start on it....but still have a little way to go....of course more pictures later when I am finished.  BTW, this is a totally different bedding than what I showed you a few months ago...we went a different direction with the decorating.

• Previously, as you can see, the room was themed in ladybugs...red, white and black...so these are some pictures from now and in the middle of changing things out....the red is going and going to change the colors up to pinks, purple, teal, pale yellow, and lavender....when I get it all finished I will post the final product!  :)
• Have finally cleaned out and purged a bunch of clothes and shoes in various closets around the house.  Feel good about that....and glad I am DONE!!!
• Parker is walking and a busy little boy....which in turn makes Mama a busy Mama!  Nuff said!  :)
• Had a great birthday on Friday the 13th....no bad luck here...just a nice evening celebrating with my family. Thank you to all who sent cards and well wishes.  It was so nice to have so many people thinking of me!  :) Sweet Amy sent me the coolest card....so nice of her to think of me!  I try to keep birthdays low key because I like the idea of stopping at 29 and not celebrating after that...LOL....but THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone that wished me a Happy Birthday!  You all are too sweet!

• Have recently gotten several new scrapping items and I can't wait to use them all.  I need some help though from all you die hard scrappers.  I have PLENTY of supplies, have pretty cool ideas, love to scrapbook and alter things...no problems there...but how do you do it?  I always have such good intentions, but never seem to get any work done....and I just keep COLLECTING supplies and cool stuff....BUT????  Help me out and give me some suggestions....I thought about making a monthly calendar and identifying specific days to work on specific things...but not sure it that is practical??  I just want to be productive and get some pages done....but just can't seem to get it all together! I'll share more pictures of this in a later post.

• These little babies are so cool and were so cheap at Michael's...thanks to Telah and Leah for giving me the head's up on these!

 

• Have two birthdays coming up in the next few weeks...and I am trying to plan for those.  Mallory will be seven and Parker will be ONE!  Doesn't seem possible!  Makes me kind of sad that my little man is growing up so fast....well for that matter, all of them are....and I don't like it at all!  They are supposed to stay babies forever....aren't they?  :)

• and lastly, I am going to work on tidying up my blog a little and giving it a facelift...I need to update pictures and change some things around....obviously, I have not done a good job at taking a photo a day....so I am going to change that around too....so check back and take a look over the next little bit and let me know what you think about the changes.

That's enough for now...more later!  Have a great rest of the evening!

Did you miss me? I'm NOT dead...

Maybe I set a record for the longest absence from my blog ever....Nah!  But man, I was gone for awhile...every time I would think that I need to sit down and let someone know I am still among the living...well, something would take precedence and blogging just had to wait!  Also, maybe I just wasn't really in the mood to blog about anything...like I have said before...I think maybe I just needed a break. 

Springtime is definitely here in North Alabama.  How about where you live?  I love the weather and the beautiful things I see everywhere I look outside...but along with that come the dreaded POLLEN!!!  It is now plaguing our area and so begins the sneezing, watery eyes, and of course more sinus trouble around here for many people. 

My friend Telah, suggested to me that maybe I needed to do a I'M NOT DEAD post....so here it is!  :)  I will admit I have been really busy and neglected my blog....I have read many over the weeks, but just stopped blogging and commenting on other blogs....and for that I apologize.  I let something get the best of me and just couldn't shake a funk that I was feeling.  But the sun is shining and it is a new day that God has blessed us with and I think I might be ready to get back into LIFE!  :)  I promise I will be back to commenting and visiting all your blogs soon....very soon!  Thanks for sticking by and for all your emails and comments and concern for if I was alright.  Very sweet to know that I was missed! 

Of course since it is has been over a month, I have tons of things I want to tell you about....but have no idea where to start.  So let me just give you a few glimpses of life here with me over the last few weeks...

So there you go!  Just some quick glimpses...I just uploaded 173 pictures from my camera this morning....that tells you how long it has been since I have been in catch up mode and felt like getting anything done. 

I can't wait to share more with you...but for right now I am off to get a new driver's license...since mine expires today!  YIKES!  Glad I remembered and didn't get stuck with an expired license!  Then I have some errands to run...of course it wouldn't be a trip into town without having to stop by Wal-Mart for something...right?

Love to you all and thanks for stopping by!  More later....

And the winner is....???

Ok...this will be a super short post and I will be back later to update on some more things that are happening....but I have some people that have been already messaging (bugging) me this morning wanting to know who the winner of my RAK from the other day is....let me just say that I put all the names in the bag last night and let Mallory draw out the winner (and no Jamie...I didn't put your name in twice...:)  )

Mallory was so excited and couldn't wait to do the drawing...we even took pictures of course...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about that face?  Too funny!

 

 

 

 

So she drew a name out and I said read it...and she did...and I just started laughing!  The winner is .... TELAH!!!! 

Now, for those of you who don't already know...Telah is more than just one of my bloggin' buddies.  She lives about an hour from me....but we are good friends in "real life" too!  That is why I found it so funny!  Nope, this wasn't rigged....but I thought how funny and Mallory kept asking what was so funny and after I told her, she kept saying I can't believe Mrs. Telah won!  She was even saying that this morning as she walked out the door to school.

Well, after she went to bed last night...I was sitting here thinking....and decided that I would have Shane draw another name and give out two prizes.  I didn't want any of my loving blog friends to think it strange that some how Telah won...LOL...plus I was feeling generous I guess.

So the second winner will win this.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to my little box and tried to pick out some stuff that would be equivalent to the other prize....and the winner of that drawing was .... APRIL!!!

Congrats to both winners!  Thanks to everyone who left comments....I will do another RAK later in the weeks...but this one will require a little more thinking...so be watching!

More later!!!  Have a great day!

As promised...more to share!

UPDATED:  I decided not to draw the name for the RAK giveaway today.  I am going to wait until Monday morning to do that to give everyone a chance to leave a comment and have their names entered into the drawing.  Also, I guess I should have given a little more info about the products I am giving away.  The flowers are PRIMA...they rock!  The letters and the tags are not CHIPBOARD...sorry...but they are quality cardstock...and I have some that I have used and love them too...so I just wanted to clarify that for y'all!  :)

Well, it has been a busy day at our house and I am tired!  It started off early and pretty much stayed at a steady pace all day.  I had three kids home today, instead of just two.  I got the call that school was releasing early today and that meant I had to swing into gear and be ready to pick up Mallory in the car line at 11am.  Don't misunderstand...I am not complaining...with the weather like it was here today in Alabama...I want my babies home with us...I just feel better knowing that they are here with me. 

There were storms throughout most of Alabama today, but for the most part our storms were nothing compared to what areas south of us received.  There are many families that are suffering and need our prayers right now!  If you haven't already heard about it on the national news, just take a listen to the next newscast...I think the last I heard is that there are 5 confirmed deaths from where the tornado hit Enterprise High School earlier today.  We are being told that the number will most likely rise as they search through the night for others that are possibly trapped in the debris.  So sad and it just makes my heart ache for those families that are suffering.  It just reminds me to count my blessings each and every minute!

Ok..now on to some happier news...even though I haven't been posting a lot over the last couple of weeks...I have tried to keep reading my favorite blogs and commenting when I can...one trend I have noticed is a lot of blogger's doing RAK...so you guessed it...I have a RAK for all my readers!  Here is the key...if you don't leave a comment, you have NO chance of winning. That's it....ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is leave a comment!   I know there are still a lot of lurkers out there that visit my blog, but don't leave a comment when they visit.  So stop that lurking and show me some love!!!  I will have one of my little sweeties draw a name on Saturday and will post the winner sometime that day.  Now, since I have done a major clean-out of my scrapping area....my loss is going to be your gain...because I have a whole box full of goodies to give away in RAK's.  Here is what you will receive if you are the winner of this RAK:

Now here is what I need your help with...I bought this little beauty at my LSS a couple of weeks ago...and guess what I paid for it?  Six dollars...it was in the clearance section and regularly priced at like 29 dollars!  I was excited....I thought to myself, now surely I can alter this in some way and make it a beautiful piece of home decor.  So, leave me a comment and give me some of your ideas on what you might do with this.  There are four "coasters" that fit in the bottom wooden tray and sit up to display.  I think the measurements on the coasters are like 3.5 inches square...or something like that.  I finally pulled them out of the box last night and am ready to work on this project...so tell me....What do you think?

And finally, here are a few more things I have been creating while I was gone...

 a 6x6 fabric album all about my favorite quotes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

altered paint can made to send to a good friend of mine that just recently had a new baby...

I am in the process of finishing these books for the girls...this one is Mallory's and the one below is Kennedy's...I made these books out of an 8x8 chipboard book...tore them apart  and covered all the pages of the book and then made it like a flip book by putting a metal ring in the top corner to hold it together....as soon as I finish these I will post the pages and show the whole thing to you.  I planned on having these finished much sooner, but just haven't got it all together yet.  I used two bedtime stories and each book is titled like the story and then when I did the journaling I altered it to fit either Mallory or Kennedy (using their names) and I can't wait for them to see them and to read the books to them. 

The one above is Kennedy's.  I really like how it turned out!

Well, I am off to bed for now...gotta get some rest and quit staying up so late.  :) 

More later...

Stay tuned for the new season premiere of...?

Hey everyone!  I have not fallen off the face of the earth, nor moved to Siberia, not been on vacation, not being lazy (wink, wink), nor have I been living on a remote island somewhere.  There is no reason to call 911....so don't get any ideas Telah!  LOL

I will be back soon and have a written list in my little notebook about three pages long on topics that I want to tell you all about and of things I want to show you.  Problem is....I have been working so hard on crafty things, mothering my children, visiting doctors, tackling massive amounts of laundry, celebrating birthdays, ...oh, and did I mention that I have three young children???  LOL

Anyway, I have been reading or trying to keep up with all my buddies and their happenings.  Hopefully, by Monday I can be back and going full speed ahead in BLOG world.  Sure do miss you all...but thanks for sticking with me and all the sweet comments that y'all are always leaving for me!  You are the best!

More very soon...

Five on Friday

Five Things That I Have Learned This Week:

1. I have learned that the mountains we face in life, sometimes are bigger than we think we can climb and we get down and discouraged.  But we have a help in those times of stress and worry and trouble...God is always with us and will help us if we just ask.



2. I learned that sometimes, even when you think you don't need it, having help from friends can really make the difference...thanks to Kim, Tandy, and Melissa for all their help and concern this week.  We couldn't have done it without you all! 



3. I learned that (or maybe I should say it has been brought to my attention more) my husband is wonderful!  Everyday I find new reasons to love him and I couldn't ask for a better man to be my mate for life.  Thank you Shane for all the sacrifices you make and all you do for me and our children!  We love you very much!



4. I learned that no matter how much you plan and prepare, that when you have three children...always have an alternate plan!



5. Finally, I have learned that you don't have to know someone up close and personal to consider them your friend and that I keep adding to my list of friends almost daily.  Thank you to all my friends out there in the blog world...Jolene, Cheryl, Telah, Leah, Bethany, and Amy, and I am sure there are others that I am gonna miss listing...but you know who you are....I am thankful for all of you!

Links to other Five On Friday participants:

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:

Ten on the tenth! (warning!!! lots of quick lists...long and jam packed with lots of information and links to click on)...

Edited* - Ok, Ok....I know that this didn't get posted till the 11th....oh well....but still was meant for the 10th...LOL

Can you believe we are already 10 (well, actually now it is 11...but it was ten when I was writing this....HA!)  days into 2007?  2006 flew by and I guess they all seem to do that the older I get...I know especially since I have had children they have flown by very quickly!  I intended for this post to come on New Year's Eve and that is how I originally starting developing it...but plans changed and I didn't get the post ready in time....so I thought tonight I can still do this...and just make 10 lists of our top ten things....so here you go....10 different lists with the top 10 in each category.  Shane and the girls helped me out on the post by coming up with their list...plus I asked Shane to give me some ideas....so that it isn't just from the female perspective....plus I want him to use this site too to update and communicate with family and friends...but so far no luck!  :)

So a little Top Ten  post to help bring in the new year...remember these are in no particular order and just the top ten for each of us this year....I helped the girls a little with their lists...but they did most of it on their own!  I was proud of them for that!  Shane and I struggled with our lists a little bit....but it was good.  It made us stop and think about some things!!!  I kept trying to explain to Shane that it doesn't have to be a list of top ten things.....

I explained to him that it can be an event, a person, a website, a new toy, a bargain, a game, a funny email or story...ANYTHING...just something that was significant to you in 2006....Enjoy!  And this is for everyone...feel free to take this idea and run with...consider yourself tagged and give us your Top Ten of Most Memorable for 2006.

Shane's Top Ten of 2006:

10) Sunday nights after church with dinner and watching Extreme Home Makeover.

9) Mike Shula was fired as the head football coach of Alabama and the fiasco of a coaching search. Come on coach Saban! Come to Bama!   (Edited** - Yes, we got him!!!  Woo Hoo! )

8) Was clued into the computer game World of Warcraft and have been playing every since.

7) Finally got to go out with my wife for several hours and no kids on our anniversary. We hardly ever get time to ourselves, so that was a big deal.

6) After changing job positions to get back into programming, I managed to get my old job back when the funding for the new job ran out unexpectedly. Also, I survived funding cuts in September and December on my new/old job. It has been an interesting year at work.

5) Watching Mallory’s soccer games and practices.

4) Getting to know and try to understand the diva in Kennedy. Here is a memorable quote from Kennedy…”Daddy, you’re an idiot.”

3) Got to watch, in person, my high school football alma mater win the state 5A championship with my daughter, Mallory. Go Golden Eagles! Now all I have to do is watch my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl  and I’ll have seen my three favorite football teams win it all in person!!! (Athens – 2006, Alabama – 1992, Pittsburgh - ????)

2) Got to see several of the kids that I teach/have taught in the 5^th and 6^th grade bible class at West Hobbs Street Church of Christ be baptized and added to the Church. It is always a thrill to get to see that.

1) Parker Shane Jewell was born!

Heather's Top Ten of 2006:

1. Our family grew by two feet this year...Parker Shane joined us in May!  It has been a pure joy having him here and watching him grow and change.
2. Started my blog this year and have learned many things about code, weblogs, linking, etc....that I didn't know before.  It has been so much fun keeping it current and meeting so many new friends because of my blog! Cheryl, Amy, Traci, Lindey, Jolene, Jamie....and these are just a few!!!  (of course I could mention Telah and Leah, but I already knew them...LOL)
3. Still coping with some very hard losses this year...losing someone you love and grieving with your dearest friends teaches you a lot about life and the brevity of life.  Two losses this year that will impact our family for many years to come...Mrs. Zelma and Sydney Kathleen...(love you Danny and Tandy and we are still praying for you) ....and I am grateful for what we have learned and how we have grown as a family!
4. Mallory's soccer games on Saturdays and dance class every Monday with Kennedy, Jolie, and Jessie! 

How fun!  The girls have had a blast!  Here is Kennedy with her dance teacher.  This is her first year to take and she really looks forward to it every Monday!  We have a little tradition of going to McDonald's and getting lunch before we go to dance class and she likes doing that...I like it to!  It is something that just she and I get to do together and it is special for her...I know, I know, McDonald's is not my dream restaurant...but it is for Kennedy!  :)

5.  Gatlinburg Trip with my "Sisters"...staying in a beautiful cabin...sleeping, eating, and scrapbooking...and a little shopping.  Ahhh...it was so nice!

6.  Reconnecting with some friends from my college days...Joey and Jennifer, Danny and Jennifer, Jay and April, Crystal, David and Erin, Tony and Laura....and some others are out there...I have missed so, so much for such a long time and this past year I felt like I made some reconnections with long time friends...(I don't know how many of you will see this or even visit this blog....but if you do leave us a comment, email us and let us know how you are doing.) 

7.  Taking my first photography class...or at least attempting to attend with my buddy Melissa...I want to take more and learn a lot more about photography and editing programs.

8.  Camp Ney-A-Ti Mini Camp with Mallory for the first time...we had a blast and it was great to spend time with my girl!!!!

9.  Parker's stay in the hospital at 6 weeks old...very scary to me and still very memorable to me.  Thankfully everything turned out ok...and he certainly is a strong, healthy, hearty baby boy!  :)

10.  Painting and decorating the nursery for Parker.  It was so much fun and I learned that  I was a lot more crafty than I ever knew I was....I really enjoyed painting the farm animals and doing the artwork for his nursery.  It was fun finally getting to decorate for a little boy!  :)

Mallory's Top Ten for 2006:

1. I got a digital camera for Christmas!
2. I got a new baby brother for my birthday!
3. My favorite movie that I saw was Princess Stories DVD.
4. I got to go to Club Libby Lu for my birthday party with my friends Jenny and Alli.

 

 

 

 

 

5.   My favorite game was Trouble.  (I was shocked by this considering how much she begged for Operation...but oh well...I wanted this to be her list not mine)

6.  One of my favorite trips was going to Build A Bear Workshop and making a cheerleader bear that I named Bama.

7.  My favorite book is the Bible. (So proud of this kiddo....this answer was with no prompting from us and I just loved the answer)

8.  I love the color pink! 

9.  My favorite place to eat was Rainforest Cafe.

10.  I lost my first and second tooth! 

Kennedy's Top Ten for 2006:

1. My favorite thing to eat is fruit! (I like bananas, oranges, strawberries, and apples.
2. My favorite movie that I watched was Dora Easter Egg Hunt.
3. I love the color purple!
4. My favorite game to play is Disney Scene It.
5. My favorite place to was McDonald's...big shock there!  NOT!
6. My favorite book was Dora's Easter Basket.
7. My favorite place to go was the Disney Store in the mall and to the skating rink.
8. I started taking ballet and tap dancing classes and I love going to class with my buddies Jolie and Jessie.
9. My favorite toy is my pink Leapster.

10.  I got to celebrate my birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.

Top Ten Favorite New Toys from 2006:

I thought that you might like to see some of the cool finds (or at least I think they are cool) that my kids received this year either for birthday or Christmas...from us or someone else in the family....

1. Mega Mask
2. Air Hockey and Pinball portable game
3. Fisher Price Digital Camera
4. Fridgi Gears
5. Magnetix Blocks
6. Betty Spaghetti
7. Leapster and game cartridges
8. Knock It Down Block Town (Domino set)
9. Buckaroo Game
10. Chutes and Ladders

Top Ten Favorite Reading Materials:

1. Scrapbooing Magazines ( BHG Scrapbooks, SS, CK,)
2. My Bible
3. Tom Clancy novels
4. J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Online news
6. Marianne Richmond Books
7. Junie B. Jones
8. Beverly Lewis Series
9. Blogs
10. Taste of Home Magazine

Top Ten Favorite Websites we have found and/or like to visit daily:

1. We 8 There (restaurant reviews) 
2. Humor with/clean jokes
3. Two Peas In A Bucket
4. VideoCure
5. The 9
6. Polka Dot Potato
7. ESPN
8. Christian Answers (movie reviews)
9. Birthday Alarm
10. Fact Monster

Top Ten Favorite Songs and Videos:

1. My Wish - Rascal Flatts
2. Par Avion - Mike and the Mechanics
3. In My Daughter's Eyes - Martina McBride
4. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
5. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer
6. Everybody's Fool - Evanescence
7. I Hope You Dance - LeAnne Womack
8. Spoken For - MercyMe
9. Something's Always Wrong - Toad the Wet Sprocket
10. Dream Big - Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Top Ten Sporting Event and teams:

1. I.U. Basketball
2. Alabama Football
3. Marshall Football
4. Firing Coach Shula hiring Coach Saban
5. Firing Coach Davis and hiring Coach Sampson
6. Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl '06
7. Athens Golden Eagles winning State 5A Championship
8. Rutgers unbelievable season in football
9. Atlanta Braves Baseball
10. Alabama Basketball (Too bad they got thumped by Arkansas in their first SEC game)

Top Ten Restaurants and foods:

1. Macaroni Grill (yum, yum, yum)
2. P.F.Changs (the first time we at this restaurant was in Palm Springs, California....since then we try to find one whenever we are traveling...we have been to this restaurant in Nashville, Houston, Washington DC, and I hear there is one in B'ham....also I think Huntsville is getting one in the new mall.....)
3. Outback (gotta love those bloomin' onions....or at least Shane does.  But they don't love him...)
4. Red Lobster
5. Olive Garden
6. Sarge's Shack (yummy rice)
7. Fast Food- Wendy's and Burger King
8. Dominos Pizza
9. Steak Out
10. All Steak (Cullman, Alabama)

Whew!  I know this is a long post....but I wanted something to get my husband and children involved...plus...this was a great tool to help journal some for my Year in Review scrapbook...and I wanted to share some things with you that maybe reveal a little more about us!  Plus, there are some good links here and I always am excited when I find something new or a cool website to visit. 

More later...:)

The Tooth Fairy Strikes Again!!!

How lucky can one girl get?  I mean...come on....Tooth Fairy twice in one week and then in just about another week Santa is coming to visit!!!  Well, here you go Mallory....like Mama promised.... here is your shout out about losing your second tooth!!!  Now you can sing... "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!"  I can't wait to see how much the Tooth Fairy leaves you this time??? 

I think we made all the phone calls already and she shared with everyone....but if we missed you, we are sorry!  She had to call all the grandparents and tell them the story about how it happened and how mama pulled it in the final stages. 

Speaking of grandparents....I have attached a second video clip in this post at the request of a certain Grandma Patty...lol    And of course, I know that all the other grandparents that look at this blog will enjoy seeing this clip of little Parker.  The quality is not the best because it was taken when the living room lights were off and I caught him going after the ornaments on the tree for the first time.  It was too cute not to video and the only thing I had handy at the time was my digital camera.  Enjoy!

Photobucket Tags: " rel="tag">

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.

Missing In Action...

Good grief, I have fallen way behind in my blogging and have so many things that I have wanted to post about....new reading material, new products for scrappers, new projects that I have finished, Christmas decorating, just sooooo much going on and to tell you about.  My friend Telah has done such a good job of updating her website and keeping it up to date and I honestly don't know how she has done it, plus she has found time to scrapbook.  Also, Leah has put a new banner on hers....and it  looks great!

I downloaded the newest version of Photoshop Elements and I am going to play with it a little bit and try it out before I make any purchases.  I played with it a little last night and made a new banner for the website.  What do you think?  It took a while to get the size right, but the actual making of it wasn't that hard....I had the picture saved on my hard drive and just added the text.

I also changed and added some new pictures to my slide show.  Now I have about 25 other new things to do on this site and update...LOL....plus we are going to decorate the Christmas tree tonight. 

Parker has his six month well visit check up this afternoon and I can't wait to see what he weighs and how long he is.  That boy is big!  I took him to have his pictures made on Tuesday and I had to buy an 18 month outfit to fit him....and then it just barely fit!  I will update you all on the progress....it will be funny I am sure. 

So be watching for santa pictures, new pictures of some of my creations, pictures of our Christmas tree decorating, my new finds....and much more.....I am making my New Year's resolutions now....I promise I AM going to do better and update this website more frequently now that we are all over the sickies and things seem to be getting back to normal.  I am off to catch up on my blog reading and commenting, take care of my precious kiddos, and get ready for our afternoon doctor's appt.

Have a great day!  More later....