Happy 8th Birthday Mallory!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!  I love you so much!

I can hardly believe that Mallory is turning eight today!  I know that people say this a lot....but where does the time go? 

I sat yesterday and watched this precious girl....just thinking to myself....you can not be about to turn eight!  I looked over last night, and immediately I noticed something different about Mallory.  She looked so grown up......she had changed....it seemed like over night.  I smiled at her and she smiled back.  I am sure she was wondering.....why are you staring at me Mama? 

I was having such mixed emotions.....look at her, she is beautiful, she is sweet, she is fun, she is smart, she is so full of life.....but then my brain would switch gears to.....she is growing way too fast, how can I slow this down, does she know how much I love her, do I make the most of every moment that God has given me as her mother, am I teaching her the right things and the right ways?  So many things running through my head.....

I never believed how quickly time would pass until I became an adult with my own children.  I am sure that Mallory doesn't realize how the time passes...... she is unaware that she is changing and maturing .....and growing up way too fast!  So many times she has said to me....Mama, I can't wait until I am 16! ..... or Mama, when am I going to be old enough to ____________? (you fill in the blank with your own experiences)

When she says things like that I just want to pick her up and hold her and tell her not to wish her life away and that the time will come soon when she will be able to do those things that she is only wishing for right now. 

I want to tell her to enjoy her youth and be happy and content with your life now.  Remember that God has blessed you so much!  Take your time and savor every minute you are given!  Oh, there is so much more I want to tell her.....but before I can say it all.....she is off and running to the next thing on her mind. 

Lately, I have been hearing two songs on the radio a lot....I know why they are so popular and why people really listen to the words of the songs.  If you get a chance today....click on these links and take a few minutes to listen to the songs.  Even though I get emotional when I hear them.....I still listen and try to take in the words.  They help me....they remind me.....they encourage me.....to make the most of every moment with my children! 

You're Gonna Miss This:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--58666527

Don't Blink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dp4ySSg4QG8g

Have a great day and remember to savor each minute you are given! 

Tag! You're It!

One of my good friends Amy tagged me a little while ago....so I am going to finally take the challenge and then tag some of you.

Here are the rules:
1) Write your own six word memoir
2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere
4) Tag at least five more blogs with links
5) Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
OK, here goes:

Where did he get those curls?

I just started looking through my pictures, that I just recently uploaded...and I came across this one and it melted my heart!  I love this little guy so much!  I know that he is a wild man and that he challenges every ounce of patience that I have a lot of days....but he is such a sweet boy....and I LOVE that he loves to cuddle with his Mama!  Wish he would stay that way forever! 

So back to the 6 words at the top of the photo....Where did he get those curls?  That was one of the first things I noticed in this picture....Mallory has pretty wavy hair, Kennedy's is straight as a stick, and Parker .... well, he has the curls!  He get's that from his Mama.....I think.  I have never seen his dad with curls...LOL!  But just recently I have discovered just how much natural curl I really do have in my hair and I am amazed at how three pregnancies and a few years can change what was once "straight" hair to what you see above.  No perm for me.....just as I like to joke around here...."my natural beauty"  LOL

So I am tagging.... Briana, Leah, Amy M., Jolene, and Traci

Just copy and paste the rules at the top of this post and follow the instructions. Tag whomever you chose....just make sure to let them know you are tagging them.

Finally, for those of you who still check my BLOG  regularly.....you might have noticed a post telling how to win some prizes.....the cutoff date for submitting to win the RAKS is going to be Monday, May 5th.  I will announce the winners on Tuesday morning.

BOO!!! Did I scare you?

Yes, I know....you are all SO EXCITED!!!!  My blog is back!  Been gone way too long...not even going to get into the reasons why....just going to get back on track.  I would show you a great picture right here in this first post to remind you all of who I am....but I forgot to hook the stupid external drive up to get the pictures to post....so there will be pictures soon!

So,  in order to celebrate the return of the long lost blogger.....I am going to give away a RAK!  I have been spring cleaning around here and have some awesome scrapping stuff that I would love to find a good home for....just not my home any longer....I gotta get rid of some stuff! 

Here is how it works:  You comment and leave me a link to where I can view your most recent favorite scrapbook page or crafty item that you have created and why it is your current favorite (it could be the cool product you used, the journal, the sentiment, or just the sketch and how it all came together.....but if you are a scrapper like me it should be easy to come up with all kinds of reasons why it is your fave!).  I will put the names in the drawing for every comment that I receive and draw one name.  Then, for the second part....I will allow my girls and my hubby to judge the entries and will give away another RAK for that winner the project that they give the Blue Ribbon!  TWO RAK's....yeppers....that is what I said!  Just remember to tell us where to go to view your fave!

And if you are concerned about the RAKS....don't worry.....I promise it will be good!  Just ask any of my scrapbook buddies what happens when I clean out my scrapping space!

Happy 4th! Family photos and a few more things...

Good morning!  The sun is shining bright and it is already hot here this morning in Alabama!  My hubby is working today and me and the kids are planning on spending the day out in the pool and having some fun.  I actually have secretly planned to scrapbook this afternoon ..... after I wear the kids out and bring them in for napping and/or watching a movie later this afternoon.  :)

 Old Glory....I love seeing this flag hanging from the front of our house each time I pull in the driveway!  It reminds me of the freedoms I have and of all the men and women that have fought and gave their lives for that freedom!  Pray for and remember OUR soldiers today....both past and present....AND be sure and thank God for this great country and the blessings we receive as a result of being citizens of this great country!

The last few days I have been printing lots of sketches off of some really cool sites that I have familiarized myself with lately....Pencil Lines and Page Maps are probably my two favorite....however, there are a few more that I have found and I will share with you soon. Oh and one that I found on my buddy Leah's blog....Little Book of Sketches....I am quickly growing fond of it!  Check these sites out!

I am working on some birthday gifts for some of the girls friends and some wooden letters and coasters for home decor.  I plan to share my finished projects with you soon!  Also, I have been printing pictures and getting pages together a little this week and really hope to be able to share some new layouts after the weekend is over.

I have gotten so far behind in my scrapping...and it makes me so mad at myself....because I DEFINITELY collect plenty of cool supplies to be able to do all the cool pages....and I have collected and continue to collect many idea book, magazines, and websites that I view and think....I can do that ....

However, I never seem to be able to start or finish a layout....it stresses me and makes me uninterested when I think of how far behind I am....IT IS TOTALLY OVERWHELMING TO ME!!! and the madness has to stop!!!  :)

I am so so tired of not getting any pages done....so, I have come up with a system that seems to be working for me....I will share it with you in the next post....I had to do something so that I would get my tail in gear and preserve all these precious memories that we have made as a family....maybe you can pull something from it and use it in your own scrapbooking.

I have some pictures to share with you today....I mean come on....is it really a post if there are no pictures?  LOL

First, we had our yearly family photo done this past weekend and I was pretty happy with the way turned out...we were supposed to get my mother and father -in -law with us in one of the sittings, but at the last minute they couldn't come....hopefully we can get one with them soon!  We went to Hollis Photography....which we have been going there for some time now....and as always they did a great job!  You can go to the above link and click on the button that says View Your Photographs Now and then our password number is 5678.  Type that in and you can view a slide show of our family photos.  Let me know which one you think is the best....cause I am having a hard time choosing!!!!!

Here are just a few others that I have taken over the last few days that I thought were cute!

Just "Croc" -ing around outside!  Parker finally got his first pair of Crocs and he is trying to figure them out....he will walk in them...but does not seem too sure about them... :)

Some outside fun in the backyard yesterday with the bubbles!

Good morning Sleepy Head!  Took these this morning when I went in to get Parker....he was in there singing and letting me know it is TIME to come and get me Mama!  :)

Have a great day and enjoy the festivities!

More later....

Too may first's to count...and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hey everyone!  I have so much to tell you and a bunch of pictures to share with you....a bunch of first's to talk about....

• First time I have had the chance to sit down and update my blog and actually start to get back into a routine here at home in several weeks
• First night in several weeks that I actually feel caught up on housework and laundry
• First day (well actually today is the second day...but I started typing this last night  :)  ) of a new week and the first of many new posts to share with you.....I hope
• First day that we have had rain in a long time...and I hope we get some more tonight.  We had a pretty good shower this afternoon and it really cooled things off and I am so thankful for the rain!  We REALLY needed it!
• Parker finally got his first haircut a few days ago....bye, bye little curls....my little man is growing up to fast!
• Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 After

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• First time to have one of my children not scream and go into hysterics around a dog....Way to Go Parker!

 

• First ballet recital for Kennedy

• First pool party of the summer

• First time Parker has ever been brave enough to run into the sprinkler (while the water is on) by himself

• First trip to the Kiddie Carnival...however, I am sure that there will be many more to come during the summer!

• First taste of a Cheeto for Parker...it ain't easy being cheesy!

• First look at my finished flower gardens out front....It took us over a month to finally get everything transplanted and mulched and like we want it.....it isn't perfect....but we are pretty happy with it.....now for working in the backyard! 

 

•         
•   

 

• First time I have had the chance to really and truly THANK ALL OF YOU from the bottom of my heart for the friendship, kind words, emails, and most of all prayers for my family and for my Gram and Pap over the last few weeks.  I have made so many new friends because of this blog....and many of my "old" friends read my blog....it has just really and truly been a blessing to me to communicate with friends through this medium and know that there are so many people out there thinking about and praying for our family when we were in need!  It sort of becomes like your extended family I guess....I mean I have learned a lot about all of you and your families from reading your blogs....I feel like I have known some of you all my life....and I am sure you have learned a lot about me from my blog, emails, and all our commenting back and forth.    So enough mushy stuff....but just a big THANK YOU!!!!  Love to all of you!

Isn't she beautiful???

**Explanation:  I haven't forgotten about my promise to keep my blog updated...after I posted last week there were some unexpected events that happened and this is the first time I have been able to sit down and update since my last post...keep reading for more details.

Well, both people in this picture are beautiful to me...but both for very different reasons.  This is a picture that I took last October when were we in Memphis with my grandparents.

I will admit that I don't have a lot of pictures of my grandparents...and believe me, I plan on changing that real soon...life is way to short to not make all the memories that you can while you still have the ones you love the most here with you.  (Edited:  I starting typing this post a couple of days ago and since then I was able to get some really good pictures and will put them randomly in this post for you to see)

Let me give you a quick summary of what I am talking about.  About 6:30 am last Wednesday,  I received a phone call from my Papaw telling me that my Gram had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital.  Emotions were running high and I didn't have much information, nor could I get much at the time from family because there was just so much happening.  I immediately said...We are packing up and will be there as soon as possible.  Now, you have to know that I live 6 to 7 from where she is in the hospital.  Needless to say, Shane and I started slinging clothes and bags and got things ready and hit the road.  We made really good time and arrived at the hospital the evening.

So here is the short of it....basically, she had a heart attack on Tuesday late afternoon and was rushed to the emergency room and later admitted.  The doctor came in late the evening and confirmed that she had indeed had a heart attack.  Early the next morning they took her back for a heart cath. and found one complete blockage and on the opposite side a blood clot that the doctor removed. 

We are home now from the hospital...she got to come home on Friday.  She is doing pretty well and will have some cardiac rehab starting in a couple of weeks and has some new medicines and dietary issues to overcome....but I think she is going to be just fine!  Of course this has been a scary experience and the emotions that she and all of us are having right now....I think are normal....but with time, I think we will eventually all get back into the swing of things.

Here are some precious pictures that we made this afternoon...I love them so much....Gram is not a picture person....in fact normally she won't let you get a good picture of her....but she did this time and I am determined to get more. 

Gram with her grandson Jordan....below, me and Gram

me and my kiddos with Gram....love this picture

So, instead of going through all the details about what happened to my Gram and about what she still has to go through....I wanted to share with you some lessons that have really hit me hard this week.

1. Life is too short and you need to make the very best of each minute you have and take advantage of every opportunity you have to tell the ones you love how much you love them.
2. Memories last forever....so take lots of pictures and make lots of memories with those that you love.
3. Be prepared!  In every way...make sure you have your life in order, make sure you live your life in a way that will help you to get to your final destination in eternity.
4. Be strong and rely upon your faith to help bring you through tough times.
5. Prayer is the strongest and most helpful and healing thing you can do for yourself and for those you love....in good and bad times.

And lastly, back to the title of this post....I love this precious lady.  She is so beautiful to me...from outside to in....and although I didn't tell her often enough....I am so grateful that my life has been blessed by her presence  and constant love and support.  She has a beautiful soul and a loving heart!  Her family is one of her greatest treasures and we are all so lucky to have her in our lives!  She is beautiful in every way!

Thanks for reading and letting me share this story with you.  I am planning on updating this week while I am here this week...and now that things have settled down just a bit. 

More later...

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!