what a record

I know...I am a feast or famine blogger. Either I do a ton of posts all at once or I don't blog at all for a week or more. I told you that I am trying to be better.

I have this picture of Aimee and I that I took a week or so ago. It's one of those pics where I am stretching my arm out as far as I can to take a picture, hoping that we are both in the pic once the shutter goes off. This one, I actually like but haven't gotten around to scrapping yet, so I thought I would at least show it off here. Isn't she sweet? I love little baby kisses.

going on a trip

..."in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky.....LITTLE EINSTEINS." If you have kids you might recognize that song.

We are going on a little trip, not in a rocket ship, though we might have wished so once we head out on our first 9 hour road trip with all three kids to visit my sister, Ellie, in Colorado.

The girls are so excited to be able to play with some of their cousins. Since we moved down here to Texas we haven't been able to spend much time with the Nearing side of the family with everyone so scattered about the western U.S.

We'll most assuredly have lots of fun pics to post after our trip. Wish us luck! Thank goodness for portable DVD players and some yummy snacks.

create something beautiful

That was the requirement of Leah's last Biggie challenge over at My Scrapbook Nook. All she told us was to make layout that would be lovely for her to gaze upon. Nothing else. Totally open-ended and free for us to interpret however we wished.

I wasn't sure what I would scrap- a picture of a place that is beautiful to me, perhaps a wedding picture or a picture of the girls. I didn't think I would do a page about me, but think that in my scrapbooking it is also important for me to share a little about myself.

I have always been a little bit self-conscious of my looks, was teased about various things growing up and I don't always have the best esteem. My sweet husband, however, tells me I'm beautiful even on the days when I feel the worst, haven't had a shower, etc. What a sweet man. I am so grateful that I married him.

This is the page I created using the June kit from the Scarlet Lime.

a beautiful quote

I was reading a blog today and found this. It is from President Gordon B. Hinckley, recently passed away and past president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said,

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experiences."

~Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

What a great thing to remember as we create memories with our loved ones.

A spa day for the Mama

For Mother's Day Matt surprised me with a gift certificate for a "half day of beauty" (that's what they call it at the Avalon Day Spa here in town). I will admit that I was a little taken aback by the thought of it because I am so not the pamper-myself type. Not that I know what "type" that is. I guess I just pictured day spas as something beautiful rich people did. Not me. And I am so incredibly private and modest about my body that the thought of having to lose my clothes for a while wasn't all that appealing.

Anyway, today was the day. Matt had even called to set up the appointment for me since he had the day off. What a sweet and loving man. I went there a little apprehensively, not sure what to expect for the next almost-4 hours while he galavanted about the town with the girls and his mom. I worried about how little Aimee would do since she tends to get upset lately when I just leave the room.

I started out with a manicure, and even having my cuticles pushed back (still not sure why they do that)wasn't so horrible with the the lovely peaceful music playing in the background. Next was the dreaded massage, which turned out to be quite nice and relaxing. I could have fallen asleep on the table while she rubbed out all of the knots everywhere and I listened to some more nice, calming music in the dimly lit room with the nice-smelling lotion the masseuse was using.

After I was all relaxed from the massage I went for a facial. Another thing I'd never done before. This was all SO new to me, but I was enjoying myself and kicking myself for giving Matt such a hard time about sending me off to this place. Sounds horrible, I know, but I just didn't know what I was getting myself into.

After the facial my skin was positively radiant! I ended with a pedicure, which was great as well- my heels have not felt this good in a long time. The time went by too quickly, and it was back to business as usual.

Thank you again, sweetheart, for the nice day. I took a picture of my cute toenails for posterity's sake. Aren't they cute?


When we got home I had a package waiting for me as well. What a great day! New October Afternoon goodies from Erica at AC Bailey. You can't have a much better day than that! I can't wait to get going on my next assignment!

The new Me

Well, maybe just the old me with a new hair-do. It was high time for a change...my hair was getting long, Aimee had recently found a love for yanking on my hair and it's been so hot and muggy here lately so my hair always conveniently found it's way back into a ponytail. I decided to go curly this time instead of just getting my hair cut. Poor Matt wasn't sure what to do with himself since it's been a while since my hair has been curly. Please excuse the wierd picture, but at least this gives you an idea of what my hair looks like now. You know how it is when you are reaching out in front of you as far as you can so that you can take a picture of yourself? That's what I was doing. And, when I do that I end up with a really dorky look on my face. I hope that's not what I look like all of the time.(the dorky look, that is, lol.) Anyway, here it is...

Letters of Love from my Hubby

Those of you who know us well know how Matt and I met. To make a long story short, Matt met this girl named Ginger (who I used to babysit when I was younger)while he was going to college, and she eventually married his brother. They thought that Matt and I would get along well, and they were right! We "met" through email long before we met in person. We got to know each other so well that we felt comfortable and at home when we finally did meet.

I'm participating in a little contest at My Scrapbook Nook and we were challenged to do a page based around a letter, an email, etc. and here is my page.

And the winner is....

I used an online random number generator and the winner is #19, Croppycatter. Please send me your address, along with a list of the kinds of things you like and I will get your prize on its way! Thanks, everyone, for playing along.

In honor of Aimee

She will be 8 months old in a couple of days, so I wanted to share this layout that I put together for a sewing challenge at My Scrapbook Nook. Isn't she sweet? I love this cute little girl. She is so sweet, happy and mellow. The last 8 months have passed so quickly and our little baby doesn't look much like a baby anymore.

So...

What do you think of the new blog? Is it easy enough to read? I'd love some feedback.

Somebody help me please

I have been trying to make this blog cuter, and kinda like this new flowery template I found, but I haven't been able to change from this nasty yellow color. I have tried going into the settings area of Blogger to change the colors and...nothing.

Any ideas?

Happy Birthday to me and a gift for you

Last night and this morning has been stormy, stormy, stormy. Now I am sounding like my 2 year old who likes to repeat everything three times.



I guess that good ol' Mother Nature was protesting my getting older just as I am. Yes, I am 33 today. The funny thing is that when I was a teenager 33 seemed SO OLD. Now that I am there, it doesn't seem so much that way. I do feel old sometimes, but having three kids with lots of energy would make almost anyone a little tired.

So, Happy Birthday to me. If anyone makes a comment on this post I will do a random drawing for some scrapbooking supplies. Maybe that will generate some traffic here :)

Matt and the girls already sang "Happy Birthday" to me and we'll be heading out to have breakfast with some of his family in a little while. The rest of the day will be pretty low-key as well. I think we'll have a nap to recuperate from last night's lack of sleep, and maybe we'll go see a movie. Have a great day!

Do you know the way to Santa Fe?

Do you recognize those song lyrics? What movie are they from? I guess it's "My Best Friend's Wedding," right? Anyway, I was singing the song for whatever reason earlier today and Hailey, my almost-4 year old said, "I don't know the way because I'm only 3. I'm not old enough to drive yet. That's why I don't know. It's only a song, Mommy."

Then Sarah piped in and reminded me that it's not Santa Fe, it's Santa CLAUS. Good point, Sarah dear.

Another brilliant observation from Hailey today: we were going to Rosa's to get some lunch for Matt since it's "Taco Tuesday" and Hailey informed me that she could only have one taco because she only has one mouth. Silly, silly girl.

I am so glad that I write these things down.

Cosmo Cricket

Cosmo Cricket (a scrapbooking product manufacturer, for those who may not be familiar with the company name) is looking for a new design team. I figured, what the hey! It's always worth trying even if you don't make it. I love their products- the rich colors and beautiful designs. SHHH!!! We will be including some of the new Cosmo Cricket paper in the August kit of the month at AC Bailey. Yes, you heard it here. A little sneak. But that's all I'm going to say!

Here is a page I made for a guest design team spot at scrapbooks.com back in February using papers and other elements from the Gretel line:



Good luck to everyone who tries for the team!

Under Construction

Please pardon the mess while I reorganize this blog. I was getting a little dreary from the old brown template and want to spice things up. Some things that I had on the old blog were lost in the transition,and I don't know that this will be the template I end up with. It may take a few trial runs before I find something I really like and want to stick with.

I lost my old sitemeter and am starting over again at zero. Zilch. Not that there were that many people who read my blog, but now my blog is really feeling lonely. Feel free to browse and leave a comment or two. Hopefully before long the dust will settle and this will be looking great again!

I wanna say it

We always have a blessing on the food before we eat a meal. Our kids know that and often "fight" about who gets to say the prayer. One day I asked Hailey to say it and Sarah yelled out, "I wanna say it!" Hailey wisely told her, "Heavenly Father wants to hear from all of us." Smart girl. And, you know? She's right. Sarah gave in and said simply, "ok." And that was that.

Today for lunch I said the blessing and then Hailey and Sarah wanted to say it as well. So I let them. After all, He wants to hear from all of us, as Hailey said. So, that food is very blessed. Silly girls.

My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

you never know, dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away.

My girls love to sing that song, and it's so cute to hear them sing it to their little sister, Aimee, or to others they might talk to on the telephone. I've come to know a little Sunshine lately, too. The My Mind's Eye My Sunshine paper kit, that is. I was excited to see it in the AC Bailey store, but even more excited to see it in person and to get to play with it!! Here are some projects I made using that paper- a layout, a journal to record funny things the girls say, and an exploding box. I made these for a challenge at myscrapbooknook.com. So fun!!!

An ode to the Daddy

I know that I am a day late for Father's Day, but late is better than never, right? So, just so my dear husband and father of my children doesn't feel left out, here are some pictures of him and the girls. He is a wonderful patient and loving father who always drops what he is working on to spend time with his kids. I love you!!

June Kit at AC Bailey

One of the great benefits of being on the design team at AC Bailey is that Erica, the owner, lets us help her design the kits of the month. So fun to have some input as to the papers and other extras that are included in the kits each month. For June we wanted something bright and summery, and ended up including the "About a Boy" collection papers. I was a little skeptical, as you might expect, since I have a house full of girls. I knew it would be a challenge to use such decidedly "BOY" supplies for my very pink girls. It was a challenge, but so much fun, and pushed me a little bit creatively to come up with pictures and layouts that would work well with these products. Here is a look at what I was able to put together. The ribbons were fun to work with, as were the Making Memories ready-to-glitter stickers with the fun orange Doodlebug glitter. Nice and messy and a great scrapping time!

Basic Grey Sugared

This paper collection has become one of my new favorites. With the stripes, florals and especially the giraffes, flamingoes and elephants how can I resist. You can imagine the fun I had with it for my June design team assignment at AC Bailey. SO fun. Here are a few pages and a card that I put together.

We'd like a room with a flushing toilet, please

Yes, I know that I have been neglecting this blog lately. Things have been a little crazy around the house. We just finished up our Scrap Scouts challenge at AC Bailey and have a month off before we start our next one, but I've been busy participating (not in charge of anything this time!)in a month-long challenge at My Scrapbook Nook, another of my favorite places to be online. The talent there has been amazing, and I've been having lots of fun with their challenges.

Ok, so I have gone completely off topic here.

For our anniversary Matt and I (and little baby Aimee, of course)went to Carlsbad, New Mexico for a little much needed R&R and a little break from the daily grind. It was only a 3 hour drive, but by the time we got there we were so ready to be out of the car. Especially little Aimee. She was such a trooper. Matt got us checked into the hotel, we went to our room and got everything unloaded and then I walked in the bathroom only to see the toilet clogged. Yuck. So, Matt called the manager and we were given a new room. A king-size suite. SWEET! Yeah, bad joke.

Anyway, we got our things and I jokingly told Matt that we should make sure the toilet flushed before we decided to stay. We really wanted to be in that room. It had a king-size bed, a living room area and kitchen, and most exciting of all- a jacuzzi tub. So, we checked the toilet and it FLUSHED. We were so excited. And then a few minutes later when I really had to go, it didn't flush again. We were so bummed. We decided to wait it out and see if the reason it wouldn't flush was because there were so many people at the hotel that weekend (graduations and Memorial Day) and were so glad we did.

One piece of advice for the next time you stay in a hotel...check the toilet to make sure it works before you get all of your things unloaded. You would think that a flushing toilet came standard with all hotel reservations, but apparently that is not always the case.