Merry Christmas

Good day everyone...I hope and pray that you are having a blessed Christmas and that you are having a chance to enjoy your families.

Christmas here has been hectic and fun. We had our annual Buday Christmas on Christmas Eve, though this year we had it at my sister's beautiul house...she's got such a pretty house...since my parents are redoing their porch and it wasn't feasible to have it at their house this year, my sis graciously offere her home. Fun was had by all and gifts flew like crazy in usual Bday tradition.

Yesterday Kevin & I had an opportunity to see the movie Fireproof. He got the movie owner (who is a very good friend of my sister) to show it just for us (long story on that one). Needless to say, it was an AMAZING movie...oneI think every married couple MUST see...and one I will definitely be buying for our collection as well as many people I know cause it was just that good...has a great message.

We then spent last night with hubby's family. Lot's of fun there as well...and the annual passing of Grandma's moose was passed along to Adam and his family...looking forward to seeing what they come up with when they pass it on to us next year. I already have some ideas as to what we want to add to the happy moose.

Today we are just kind of taking it easy. May have to slip into work for a little bit to get the church calendar done and then possibly going out to celebrate hubby's sister's birthday. But more or less today is just a relaxing and just straighten up the house day...relaxing is definitely a welcome change around here...trying to remember how to do it, but it is nice.

Hope you and yours are als enjoying the Christmas season and may God richly bless you this coming new year!

Hello...my name is Tammy...and you are??

I know how lame am I?? Well let me tell ya, I've been quite busy as usual and every time I think it's going to let up...on comes something else. I just started buying Christmas gifts on Sunday and hoping and praying they get here by Christmas Eve or I'm going to have some very unhappy people on my hands...I don't think I've ever waited this long and it seems to get worse every year...so to those whom I give gifts to....I'm already apologizing for next year because let's face it...it's just not getting any better I'm afraid ;-)

Still working at the church, which in all honesty is a huge blessing cause it has helped pay some of the bills. And it's nice to be amongst adults and be around in the outside world a bit more, but my home is missing me if you catch my drift. Between the job and hustle and bustle of the holidays, my house is not in the best shape...not only that I just got out our Christmas decorations Saturday and my tree is still sitting in the living room with no lights...It truly is sad. Though lights are usually hubby's job, though may have to take that one on as well...once I get twenty minutes ;-) ...Hey maybe after Christmas!

Well as much as I could ramble on and on I've gota ton of things on my plate that I really need to be doing, so until I get those extra twenty minutes...thsi little update will have to do for ya!

Hope all is well with you and that you have a Merry Christmas!

The way of life today

My eyes have been opened in so many ways these past few days...being a stay at home mom kind of puts you in a bubble and I've been in that bubble for almost 9 years! I'll work backwards here...

First of all today I had to do the Accelerated Reader program with Colton's 1st grade class...I volunteer twice a week...I LOVE IT!! I have such fun watching the kids grow and learn to read and how they are so proud of themsleves with what they are learning and reading...it's fun to watch and experience. Today I was about done when the principal came over the loud speaker and said that the school was in locked down. Immediately the kids hunched against the wall and everyone got really quiet, lights were out, no one moved...well not very much anyway, after all we are talking 6-7 year olds. Thing that struck me is that no one seemed overly scared or concerned...they just hunched down and smiled as if it was no big deal. Now granted like I said these were 6-7 year olds, but I was scared...and believe me, they may say that there is no prayer in school, but while I was kneeling on that floor I was praying...for the kids, the school, everything. It struck me that unfortunately that is what our kids are subjected to in today's society...kind of like back in the day when you did bomb drills and went to bomb shelters...a bit before MY time mind you, but I'm sure the same thing...long gone are the days of the simple fire drill or tornado drill...now the kids have lock down. Scared me...and makes me worry about my kids...and its a shame that our children have to be subject to that...that there are those out there that don't care if they hurt you...it truly is sad.

Also on another sad note, and I apologize for the downer post, but since working at the church I have had my eyes opened to how bad our economy in our area truly is and how so many people are truly hurting out there...it first of all makes me extremely thankful for all that I have, and it burdens my heart to see those out there struggling. I pray that somehow this economy can turn around and very very soon! More of our factories here in town are shortening work weeks and threatening closing...I pray that it turns around soon, but I' afraid it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Well...I better go, again sorry for the downer post...on a good note...we are going to Sandusky this weekend to go visit Kevin's Great Aunt Thelma...we always celebrate Christmas with her before for she leaves for Florida...so though I heard it's supposed to be extremely cold this weekend, I pray we have a good relaxing time...we are overdue for it.

Take care and have a good weekend!

Life...

Life is tricky...one minute things are going in a certain direction...next you are off going in a direction you didn't think you'd be going. As vague as that sounds let me explain...up until two weeks ago I was a stay at home mom doing her thing...plate was full enough...so I thought...then God stepped in....answered in a way, a prayer I prayed a while back, and though I would have never wanted it to be answered that way, He did answer. I am now an employed momma...only part time 18-20 hours a week, but am employed. Our church secretary had a heart aneurism (or however you spell it) and will be out of commission for at least 2-3 months. In steps me...the closest fill in...and I'm honored to do it...really I am....I just feel so sorry for Shirley (our secretary) and hope and pray she gets better soon...I do have a new appreciation for the work she does in our church office though...she is very organized...which helped me out a lot. So I is a workin' woman again. And let me tell ya...after spending the past almost 9 years (hard to believe it's been that long) out of the workforce...it truly has felt a little weird being back at it in a job...actually very weird. I really have enjoyed being at home...maybe a bit too much and I've been spoiled (if you can even say that being a SAHM)....I love being at home.

But honestly this job came at the right time...of course it did, because it was God's time...not mine. I was wondering how we were going to do Christmas this year, and hey God answered. HE is truly good!

So other things...hmm...well I'm still taking my class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking....having loads of fun with that, even if I am a bit behind on my assignments...learning lots and loving it!

Taught a scrapbooking class at our church Tuesday night...the challenge that we are currently doing at Faithsisters, I'm teaching the ladies at church and we are using paper bag albums to do it....now I've been teaching scrapbooking at the church for a couple months now and usually have no more than 4-5 ladies. Tuesday night I had 22 counting myself....22!! I was stunned...luckily I had a sign up list so I had an idea beforehand how many would be there...but I even had a couple extra show up...It was a super class...the ladies (and boys...I had a couple preteen boys their with their mom)seemed to realy enjoy it and I got many compliments...it was so amazing...God has been good!

Other than that I'm just trying to get into a routine since I'm not home during the day doing hte normal things I usually do so I'm doing laundry now before I leave for work, and then before I pick the boys up from school, then of course afterwards...house cleaning will have to wait for Thursdays or the weekends...but overall...I'm adjusting OK.

Well I need to get some projects done...maybe even straighten up my office (ha-ha)...until next time...have a super week!

Time passes so quickly...

I have been so busy lately...and I've been missing being on here in blogger-land...but life and time passes so quickly...took some time this past weekend to take in some of the fall season during the annual area Fall Farm & Foliage Tour. What a beautiful weekend for it too! A bit nippy at first, but OK towards the end. However this year was a different year for me...it was just Colton and I this year. Austin...well....he just wasn't at all interested in going so ironically Papa stopped by that morning and saved him from my "evil plan of taking him out into nature". Brennan...well...my brave and amazing Brennan went on his first official Cub Scout camp out (and man was it ever cold the night they camped...I felt so sorry for him and every moment I was awake that night I prayed for those guys!) Hubby went camping with him too...in a tent I'll have you know....and if you know my hubby a tent is NOT how you camp...camping is pulling in with the motor home with satelite TV, air conditioning and the works (of course a heater this weekend would have been SUPER!) Needless to say they overall had a wonderful time...Brennan can't wait to do it again. Though I have to say I had the most terrible time dropping him off...I cried when I left him...I've never left him behind like that before...I mean he's been to Grandma & Papa's and the neighbor's house, but to leave him to go on a camp out with a bunch of other boys and I wouldn't be there....it bothered me a lot...I'm very protective of that little guy...it was rough and I'll just leave it at that.
That's when I realized how fast these boys are growing up...Austin is pushing those teen years (uck!) and Brennan is sprouting again and I can't get enough food in that kid at the moment...I swear I'm going to walk in the kitchen and all our food is going to be gone! And Colton...can I just say how much fun I had with Colton during the Farm Tours...we don't get a lot of mommy Coltie time anymore like we used to so it was kind of nice. He's growing up so fast too and boy is he ever sharp and smart! He has a way and a charm about him...which is his saving grace let me tell ya!
Well off to another week of busyness...I'm praying that at some point this all starts to slow down some, but I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yet...maybe someday.

Later~

And so...

I feel like I've been a very bad blogger lately...been thinking a lot this past week as to how busy life seems at the moment and how much I long to be bored...I would love me a bit of boredom at the moment. Now that the fair is over I was really hoping for a little repreave, but nope...not happening...nothin' doin'...so here I am plugging on and taking just a few moments to take a small break and update on life and how things have been going lately...

Lead the Singspiration at church Sunday night...honestly I do not like being up front in front of people and speaking...in fact I pretty much hate it...I don't consider myself a limelight person, but God for some reason keeps putting me in that position...the Singspiration went very well and I was truly blessed.

Listed about 17 auctions on eBay last night....if you are interested in any Bare Escentuals makeup or Cabbage Patch dolls...check them out there.

Found Colton's blankie yesterday...WOOO HOOO....was so afraid it was gone forever...I think I was more upset about it than he was...can it be that Colton is getting past the blankie stage?? Though today he has been clinging to it since he's home from school with a cough, but funny thing is I haven't heard him cough since his brothers went to school...hmmm...guess who's going to school tomorrow ;-)

I'm currently enrolled in a scrapbooking class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Design Your Life by Cathy Zielske. So far I am truly enjoying class (and if you are interested you can STILL sign up for class until tomorrow)...though I do know a good bit about scrapbooking I feel I learned it kind of backwards and that my design is hit and miss...so thus the reason for this class...hoping to fill in the pieces I may have missed about design along my scrapbooking way...so far I'm enjoying class and learning a lot...though it truly is keeping me quite busy in an already busy schedule.

My house is a terrible mess...enough said about that...

Colton won a cookie bouquet from our Fair today...his name was put in a drawing and they drew his name...he also won a book that co-ordinated with the cookies...we just got done enjoying the book and the cookie...here he is enjoying the cookie.

Well got to go and get ready for my scrapbooking class at church tonight...feel a little off kilter about teaching this class tonight...way too much going on and mind is just not focused on it. Hopefully that will change between now and 6:30 tonight.

Hope you are having a good week.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

All I can say is that God is good...so good...as many of you know, September is a busy month for me as I prepare for our County Fair...Well...hard work and God's gifts He bestowed on me paid off...Here is my scrapbooking display:

And I got 1st place and Best In Show...shocked...yes I'm shocked...as often as I've tried and always failing short, but this year I guess was my year...woohoo! I also got

a ribbon for 2 of my afghans (3rd places), my crocheted pumpkins (2nd place), and A first place for my black & white flower photo, 2nd for my black and white Fair photo, and 3rd for my black and white General Pictorial photo. Very happy and just glad that I made enough again off my ribbons to pay for my fair pass...which is what I strive for anyway...especially since the price of tickets went up this year.

On another note, going to be trying to do the "Week In Your Life" Challenge that Ali Edwards is putting on this week...I've taken a few photos, not sure what else I'm going to do yet, but hey I've got good intentions. If you want more info on the challenge see Ali's blog here.

Hope you are having a good week...and wow this is the last day of September?!?!? Where did that go??? Have a super October!

Faith Sisters Birthday Bash This Weekend!!

Join Faith Sisters for our Birthday Bash Cyber Crop!

Who: YOU are invited!

When: September 26-28th

What: Challenges, Prizes (traditional and digital,) Sales,Chats, New Goodies and MORE!

Where: http://www.faithsisters.com/

Why: To celebrate our 1 year birthday!

Earn points toward winning prizes by doing challenges, purchasing digi kits from our shop, and more! Earn an EXTRA 5 Points for inviting a NEW friend to the crop and have them sign up and participate in the forum!

Download this mini kit that is a part of our Birthday Bash Collab Kit forFREE for a limited time!

Come and join the fun!!! Hope to see you there!

Blow wind blow...

So today was spent taking care of or helping others with the HUGE windstorm we had here last night...and let me tell you if it was anything like they had in Texas...God bless them because this windstorm was the worst I'd ever expereinced...though fun to watch though...I know...I'm strange...but I honestly was out in it and just in awe of the power of the wind...it's amazing how God can just cause a gentle breeze or a 75 + mph wind. Trees were of course down everywhere...shingles blown off some houses...some cars smashed by trees...like this one that was smashed only three houses down from us... but luckily we were OK...many places in town received worse damage...the Wendy's sign got shattered, a gas station's roof blew off almost...lots of destruction...in fact the boys didn't have school today and may not have it tomorrow because the area where the school is still has no electricity...luckily we have been OK in the electricity dept. too. Our old neighbors were with us a good portion of hte day because they had no electric. So exciting night to say the least.

Hubby is feeling better, thanks for your prayers...just pray that he would take better care of himself...he attempted to walk to the post office yesterday (almost a mile from our house) and today he mowed the lawn. He's not a very good patient. Needless to say I've been a bit upset with him.

Well hope you are having a good week...another busy one here...always busy ;-)

New FS Challenge and continue to pray please!

We got back into the swing of things over at Faith Sisters and we have a new challenge this week...so if you're into scrapping and want a challenge check it out! Here is my layout for this week:

Also I ask that you continue to pray for my hubby...he's in a lot of pain and we had to go back to the chiropractor today...he goes in Monday for another appt. and possible MRI to see if maybe he ruptured or herniated a disc. Praying it's not that...he has to take Monday off and he may possibly be off for more depending on the verdict of the MRI...though he has sick leave built up...not really wanting to do that....hubby is not a good patient if you know what I mean. Please pray that it's just strained or something minor like that and not something he's going to have to deal with for the rest of his life....BTW...finally found out why he hurt his back...guess he jumped off the wall behind the boy's school...It's pretty high...not quite a story high but close...go figure! Spring chicken he is not and I think he's finally figured that out the hard way. Thanks for your prayers.

Scratch that...

Hubby hurt his back pretty bad yesterday...had to cancel our anniversary trip...which is just as well...it's supposed to rain all weekend. Please if you can take a moment...pray for him that his back starts feeling better soon.

And before I forget....Happy Annivesary Mom & Dad!

Right now...

As much as I hate to be this impersonal with my blog lately....life is in overdrive and time is of the essence so here is my life right now....

....Just celebrated my 19th wedding anniversary with my high school sweetheart...hoping to get away this weekend...and thanks to my mom who watched our boys long enough for us to grab some dinner...thanks Mom!

...Finally was able to get back to Wednesday morning Bible Study....nice to get back into that.

...Just sold a bunch of college books on eBay....eBay is keeping me really busy...which honestly is good because I have a couple trips planned I want to go on...maybe West Virginia again to Scrap Camp or maybe a one-day New York City trip....FUN!!!

...My Mom and Dad will be celebrating their Anniversary this Friday...I think it's 42nd?? That still only makes me 29 though ;-)

...Been doing great with my work outs...lost 10 pounds since March and into my size 8's again...woo-hooo!!

...Tired....lots going on and going to bed too late.

...Working two days a week at the school helping Colton's class with AR reading and testing. Those kids are so cute!

...Colton has gotten his card flipped 7 times so far at school (this is the school's discipline)...I think he's trying to beat Austin's record of 8 card flips in the first 9 weeks. Thing is...have you ever met a person who just honestly could NOT help getting into trouble?? That's my Colton...he tries so hard to be funny. He got his card flipped last week for putting crayons on his head and ears. This week it was for putting his scissors in his mouth...I think the principal and I are going to be on a first name basis soon :-) Just kidding.

...Brennan is on an AG day field trip today learning about Agriculture.

...There is a new Faith Sisters challenge up today.....go check it out here. Just got my page done in the nick of time.

...Probably going to dinner at the girlfriends house tonight...yeah!

...well more later...gotta run! Have a super week!

I am....

...enjoying the silence of my house at the moment...kids are all in school and hubby has finally returned to work after a 2 1/2 week vacation. Ahhhhhh.....

...preparing for my Scrapbooking class tonight at church. I am teaching or shall I more approriately say, heading up a scrapbooking class at my church. Kind of nervous...I always am when I'm in front of people.

...getting ready to clean my main floor of my house. Having company over tomorrow.

...tired...stayed up a little too late watching a cooking show with hubby.

...out of my Millstone's Decaf Chocolate Velvet coffee...bummed about that.

...probably going to have to go back to the grocery store and pick up the can of black beans that I forgot for tomorrow's dinner. RATS!

...picking up the boys from school in an hour...so I guess if I'm going to clean I better get moving ;-)

...fixing homemade pizzas for the boys for dinner.

...hoping you are having a good week...talk more later!

Soo...officially...

So we've taken our (probably) last camping trip of the year...Colton is officially 6 now and had a nice party...boys are now officially in school...hubby is on vacation though this is more of a working vacation working on the house and cars and stuff. So my vacation officially won't start until next week (LOL!!) It seems like I've been away so long and that I've been in a blender...so much going on and just spinning around dizzier than all get out...of course some would say I am dizzy as all get out, but that's another story.

So needless to say I'm keeping this short for now...too much going on and can't seem to think straight. But such is life. Just wanted to say Hi...I'm still here...talk more when I can.

I'm going to miss 5

My little guy turns 6 tomorrow...makes me sad...he's growing up and it truly makes me sad. I SOOOOO enjoyed 5...I think with all my boys, 5 was a great age. And with Colton he's been a pistol and a true bunch of fun at 5. Let's see what 6 has in store.

Also this young man is also celebrating his birthday tomorrow...here is a picture of him holding Colton after he was born...time truly does fly!

Happy Birthday Dad and Colton!

Not much longer...

So the eternal question to mothers right about this time of year is, "So, are you ready to send your kids back to school?" Now if you would have asked me last week I would have said NO...I really do enjoy having my boys home and knowing that they are safe here...but if you were to ask me this week...I'd give you a resounding YES! Isn't it funny how life just cycles like that. Though I'm still scratching my head wondering where the summer went...I can tell that the boys are ready to go back to school because they are just SICK of each other and they are currently in that "I'm just enjoying picking on you and thus annoying mom to the fullest extent" stage. And so life goes...but honestly, though I've enjoyed the summer (again wherever it went) but I'm ready to go back to some sort of routine...summer is bunches of fun wuth the freedom of not having to be anywhere and all, but it's time to get back into a routine...I'm ready....not for the early mornings mind you, but a routine nonetheless.

Been busy with VBS this week. I was in charge of crafts again this year. And this year we took the VBS to the kids. We went to a local playground about 4 blocks from our church and held our VBS there. Overall it has been really good and thank God the weather has been really good...we were supposed to get rain Tuesday and yesterday, but God held it off and we have had a great time with the kids.

Now with VBS about over it's time to gear towards our next camping trip which will again be at the Brown Farm...we'll be staying up there 3 days next week and having the youngest one's birthday party up there. Hard to believe he's going to be six....he's, well they all are growing up so fast.

Well I better go for now...lots to do.

Check this out!

I just got Layout of the Day at Scrap In Style TV....check it out!

http://scrapinstyletv.typepad.com/sisterhood/

Bad blogger..bad..bad Blogger I am

WARNING...SUPER LONG POST!!

No I haven't died, or been kidnapped (well...it is summertime you know...I have been KIDnapped by my boys so to speak)...just been super super busy this last month and in all honesty no intentions of letting up anytime soon. As I wrote in the last post, we did get a camper...and we used in during hubby's vacation a few weeks ago. We had lots of fun and boys loved the camper...even if we were only 10 minutes away from home. Here's a picture of the camper: We stayed three days up at the Brown Farm...my sister, her husband and her son came and spent some time camping with us too...which the boys TOTALLY enjoyed...they were so excited to see them pull in...just ask my sister ;-) Here are a few pics from our camping trip:

After our camping trip...we went from camping in the great outdoors to a 4 star hotel...talk about both ends of the spectrum! We got a free trip through our bank yet we were limited to where we could go...one of our last options was Dearborn Michigan...(we were hoping to get to go to Cincinnati...but they were already booked)...so off we went ot Dearborn...and I'll admit it...I wasn't too thrilled about going to Dearborn...just because I was afraid the boys would get bored and have nothing to do. Overall the trip to Dearborn went relatively well....we of course visited The Henry Ford Museum...which the boys enjoyed...and we actually closed the place down...in fact the boys (and Kevin) got so caught up in doing a project that they actually had to tell us they were closed and it was time to leave. The next day we went to Greenfield Village (which is right next to The Henry Ford Museum)...though Kevin and I liked it, towards the end the boys were getting bored...though they enjoyed the schoolhouse and the teacher who taught there as if in the old days...I think they appreciated their teachers a bit more now. ;-) It was cute. If you do go to Dearborn...head to Buddy's Pizza....best pizza I've ever had...in fact on our 4 day trip we went twice including for a late "brunch" before we left Dearborn...very very Yummy! Then there is the BD's Mongolian Grill....I ate WAY too much and boy was it ever so good. You got to make what you wanted and they fixed it for you right there on their grill...super tasty! Oh...then polish it off by just going down the block a piece and head to Coldstone Creamery...I'd never been to a Coldstone before...though it was a bit pricey, it really was very good...you got to pick out your ice cream and then add whatever you wanted to it...I got the Chocolate Cake Batter with Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips...yum! Austin got Green Apple Ice Cream with Gummy Bears...hey as long as he ate it...and he did...to each their own. Our hotel was really nice...though I have to admit I looked like a dork trying to find the button to activate the elevator and the boys and I couldn't find any button anywhere on the elevators (there were 6)...until we saw this pedestal in the middle of the room that housed "the button"...I know there were people who must have thought we were a bunch of hicks...oh well...we thought it was funny. Overall it was a good trip after all. Here are some pics:

Of course coming back I have been hopping it seems non-stop...a mom never gets a vacation, especially after the vacation! Now I'm trying to get things caught up after being away for 2 weeks, Brennan started summer school, we had a small flood in our basement and had to rearrange some things, all of us went to a baseball game with the church...that was fun...dime a dog night...Brennan ate 4 1/2 hot dogs! I've got VBS on the horizon (I'm in charge of crafts again this year), and Colton's birthday coming up and school (yes I said the dreaded word) starts in about 3 weeks...yikes where did the time go?? And my boys just seemed to really sprout this summer. Kind of ready for them to go back, but really not...kind of looking forward to getting back to a routine, yet not looking forward to homework time and all that stuff. I really do like having my boys home. I like knowing where they are and that they're safe.

Well I think I've rambled on enough...I apologize for being away so long...but life called and I was living it...hopefully I'll be a better blogger once school starts again. Hopefully you are having a great summer as well...God bless ya!

And So Life Goes...

So how's your summer goin'? Well mine is going and seems to be going fast...Hard to believe that June is almost over. WOW!

So this past Saturday hubby and the family went and bought a used tent camper...now we will be able to go camping...which Brennan has been begging and begging for a camper of some sort since we went camping last summer. Hoping to use it when hubby takes his vacation in July. So excited. Brennan even had been praying for a camper in his evening prayers...and now has said thank you to God for his camper...he's so excited as well of course!

We have had two full rainbows this week over Coshocton...a sign maybe?? The one we saw on the way home after buying the camper and then tonight. I have pics...will upload later.

Today Brennan and Colton and I did some science experiment. Brennan received some science kits for Christmas and we finally broke them out today and used acouple of them. We worked a little with his weather set (which he LOVES weather...he even loves to watch the Weather Channel)...then we did a rocket with backing soda and vinegar...which we only got to work once, but hey it was fun anyway, then we played with the diving submarine that you used baking powder with....Brennan sat for almost an hour and played with that. Nice bonding day.

Well it's late and time to get to bed...update with photos soon.

Wow has it really been that long??

Wow...look who's been a bad blogger lately!! Things have been a bit topsy turvy since hte boys let out of school and hubby's been on vacation. Boys got out of school the end of May and honestly I love having them home...yet it has thrown me off my schedule so I've been trying to truly no avail to go back to some sort of schedule, but hey...it's summer...schedule...no schedule...it all works out and the days go by quickly with or without one.
Hubby was on vacation these past two weeks and it was more or less a working vacation...we worked around the house, cleaned lots of cars and just tried to get caught up on things.
I had a birthday while on hiatus from my blog not that I want to advertise birthdays anymore, but Brennie (my sweet tender hearted one) was so determined to buy me a present and was so disappointed when he wasn't able to get me one on my actual birthday (hubby was out of town at the time), but hubby took him later that week to buy me my very own WEBKINZ! Yes I've been blessed with adopting my very own Webkinz...now I can play with all my boys online with their Webkinz...and I have to sheepishly admit it IS quite addicting...I know I am truly a sad individual.
So now that hubby is back to work I can finally be on vacation and get things accomplished that I want and need to accomplish (as long as I can stay off this computer...it truly just sucks me in and I can't get away from it!)
So I hope you are having a great summer...I know I am so far. See ya real soon I hope!

So...

So...been away a little bit...sorry 'bout that...so much going on with the last weeks of school (only 2 more days now)...field trips, helping at the school, then just keeping up with home and hubby tossing jobs my way...I'm finally seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel now finally.

Hubby is away at classes for the next two days in Cincy for the USPS....so it's just me in the boys chillin' out. Great bonding time.

Speaking of bonding time, worked on the ant farm that Brennie got for Christmas since God just seemed to plunk hundreds of ants on my front step tonight...thought it was a great opportunity to work on that. Brennie, well honestly all the boys, but Brennie most of all loves that kind of thing...he loves to examine how things work especially when it comes to nature and animals....he's so caring. When I was collecting the ants he was like, "Now Mom, this isn't going to hurt the ants is it?...are they going to miss their family, cause if they are going to miss their family maybe we shouldn't do it." He's just so kind and tender hearted...like today as he was playing recess (He has recess right before school lets out) I was in my van and he came over to the fence to give me a flower....things like that are what makes being a Mom sooooo stinkin' great!

Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday Kevin!
I love you bunches!

As a Mom, some days are just two shower days

I know Mother's Day has already passed, but as a Mom I have to say the usual "it's the hardest job in the world yet the most rewarding" line cause it is true. Some days are easy days where you are just hanging out with your kids playing or watching a movie together...other days not even trusty duct tape could keep it all together.... and it's funny it all just works out anyway...who cares if there is a mess on the counter or dishes in the sink. As mother's we try so hard to get it all done and done right...when in the end all that matters is family.

Tuesday, well actually all this week, is a busy week...field trips, meetings, etc...just lots going on. Tuesday however was a crazy day...I had to get Austin up early for school because he had a field trip that morning, then I get all the boys finally off to school and I try to do a few things around the house, get a shower and rush up to the school to do lunch duty, do some errands around town, run to Wal Mart and do a few things at home, run and get the boys from school, hear that it's going to rain the next few days and figure I better get the lawn mowed today, so I mow...by now it is now 5 p.m....I have a meeting in an hour, run in the house, get my second shower, make quick sandwiches for the kiddos and get them out the door and was 5 minutes late for my meeting and ran in there like my hair was on fire...but it was all good and OK and no one cared. Even though I'm the secretary....but hey...such is life. Then I get home from the meeting (hubby lagged behind talking to some people) at this time it's after 9 p.m. past the boys bedtime...rush and get them started for bed...kitchen is a wreck...sink is full...finally get boys in bed, start on kitchen....finally about 10 p.m. or so kitchen is cleaned, and I finally collapse on the couch to watch my DVR recording of American Idol...tried for an hour and a half to call for David Cook to no avail...thus at midnight I finally called it a night...thus the life of a mother...for those of you who are mother's I'm sure you can relate...those of you who are not...I'm sure I just scared the pants off ya...but truly, it really is all worth it...right moms??

Here's to every day being Mother's Day

New Survivor Series

I'm not one much for the show Survivor...but this new one sounds like it would be worth watching ;-)

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry,and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cup cakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails manicured and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book and then pray with the children each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth andcomb their hair by 7 :00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father willbe required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday,height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

have a great Mother's Day!

Tired and sore...

So after a busy weekend of hefty scrapping...today was a busy day of getting caught up on things that needed done. So here is what I did:

Stayed up till 1 a.m. this morning organizing my scrap paper...finally unpacked all my scrap paper from when I went to Michelle's Studio and got it all organized by manufacture and cardstock is organized by color...it's such a good feeling and it looks so nice!

Did my work out and laundry.

Worked in the yard...I pulled weeds...I raked...I dug some things up...I mulched...I mowed...I swept...I straightened. Yard is starting to look good again. Still have to mulch and work on the front hill yet and use the weed eater, but it's coming along.

Took the boys to get haircuts today...made dinner.

Took 2 showers today...now I'm relaxing for a moment on the 'puter and getting ready to make a list of what I need to do tomorrow...more cleaning...time to rid out...time to spring clean...time to get a grasp on things that have needed to be done.

Until tomorrow...have a great week!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

OK...now that I have you in that Christmas spirit...it's not exactly Christmas I know....but it is like a holiday to me...guess what this weekend is...and no it's not my birthday quite yet. Any ideas??? Well it's....

National Scrapbooking Weekend!!

Now for those that don't scrapbook...sorry...and a question..."Why not??" I know I'm freakishly passionate about this hobby but I want to hear if you aren't a scrapbooker, why you don't scrapbook?? Do you just not feel creative enough? Think your pictures aren't good enough? Just intimidated? Don't be shy...tell me...I'm hoping to start a scrapbooking group again at church soon and I've already heard some of the reasons....but hey give me yours, that way if someone says the same thing to me I'll already be prepared ;-)

I'll be spending part of my time at FaithSisters this weekend (I only say part because hubby is working and hey the kids do have to eat and I have to be there to break up any arguments...I mean not that my boys argue with each other or anything ;-) )...so if you are a scrapper...PLEASE...stop by the FaithSisters site...they are having challenges and prize giveaways all weekend...and if yo uare a digi scrapper especially...there are lots of sales going on...plenty of coolness out there...so if you ARE a scrapper what will you be doing during our happy holiday???

Have a super duper weekend!

Out of the mouths of babes...

OK...I have to say...my boys just crack me up...Now my two older boys have been very busy taking their state tests the past two weeks....now yesterday before we left for school Brennan frantically tells me..."Mom, Mom...I think today is hat day at school." I look at him kind of funny because usually they tell parents when they are having these "special priviledges" at school. I'm like "really buddy??"...he's like..."yeah mom...my teacher told us that we needed to bring our brain hat."...I stood there and thought for a moment...brain hat?? Then it hit me..."You mean thinking cap buddy?"...."Yeah that's it mom...I need my thinking cap...can we get it?"

Hee-hee...gotta love 'em!

Also if you happen to be surfing the net and are a digi scrapper...check out these Freebeies at FaithSisters.

Hope you are having a good week.

So Let's Review...

OK...I just have to say how cute my boys are right now...last night we were getting the boys ready for bed...and hubby asks Colton if he got his card flipped at school (card flipping is our school's form of discipline for those who may not know)...and Colton unfortunately did yesterday...I guess him and another boy were hiding instead of going to the Art room. Of course his 5 year old (and very intelligent) brain tries to explain to his daddy why he got his card flipped...well daddy I wasn't really hiding I was just playing and I wasn'tready to go into the room yet. When hubby asked Colton to explain again what he did...he looks at his daddy plainly and tells him...OK daddy....Let's review...I lost it...I had to walk away...where does this little guy get this stuff...it's like the day at church when he wanted me to spell sun for him (he kept spelling it s i n...appropriate at church I guess)...and after I spell it for him he says, "That's very interesting Mom." He is such a trip!

Then there is Brennan who came home yesterday with bandages on his elbow and leg..his leg all skinned up...I asked him what happened...He tells me he caught the football and another boy pushed him to the ground to get the football. Now if you know Brennan he doesn't play much with the other kids...he says he has no friends and he usually plays alone on the playground...so I honestly was kind of excited to hear that he was playing football with other kids...after a long conversation...come to find out he wasn't actually playing the game...he was in the middle of the field and accidentally caught the football...he wasn't actually in the game, he was just in the wrong place and happened to catch the ball and caught dirt too in the process...I was upset to hear the boy who pushed him didn't apologize, but one of the big prayers I have had this year is that Brennan would have a friend. And the last couple months he's mentioned this boy that has been playing with him and befriending him. Well yesterday this boy saw that Brennan got hurt, personally took him to the office to get cleaned up and gave up his recess to help my Brennie...I was so touched by that...and the power of how God answers a mother's prayer. God is good! It's good to know that even amongst children there are those who truly care about others.

Hoping to watch Hans Christian Anderson with the boys this weekend (yes the 50's Danny Kaye movie)...hope they enjoy it like I did as a kid.

Oh...also...If you are a scrapper and well if you are obsessed with it as I am...you know next weekend is National Scrapbooking Weekend...well in honor of that Faith Sisters is having a celebration on their web-site...there will be prizes, scrapping and tons of fun....so stop on by...you know I'll be there ;-)

Have a super weekend!

After much anticipation I bring you...

My Kitchen...the pictures aren't the best...with the new doors this room is a little dark, but it really look gorgeous IRL...here are a few pics:





Even though this is NOTHING like what I originally wanted or planned and this project gave me more headaches than anything I've ever dealt with...after all I was aiming for a more rustic feel...I do actually like it...even if the doors are much darker than the background...I'm going to call it chic rustic...or maybe contemporary rustic...what do you think? If you're close by...come by and check it out.

Been keeping busy with boys school projects, church stuff and scrapping this week...also trying with not much success to start spring cleaning, but oh well.


Going to keep this short as I have not been to bed before 1 a.m. this week and I still want to watch American Idol on my DVR before I retire this evening...but before I go...


If you happen to know how to convert a .wma file to an .mp3 file could you please let me know how?? I have a song I need to sing at church this Sunday and it's in .wma and I usually haven't had any trouble, but it's been a while since I've done it so maybe I'm doing something wrong...any help would be greatly appreciated! And please remember I'm blonde...I need details ;-)

Have a great week!

Check this out...

Going to keep this super short, got to pick up the boys in a few minutes...but I just went to the Faith Sisters site and one of the fellow Faith Sisters, Dahlia, who asked me to join her Creative Team featured my layout from her last challenge on the website...you can see it here. I'm super honored and excited...God has been blessing me greatly in this area of my life and I am super grateful...God is good!

Have a great day!

What a great weekend!

Sometimes it is just nice to get away. This past weekend I went here. So nice to see Michelle and Christina again and just get away and just scrapbook. Huge thanks to hubby for taking care of the kiddos all weekend and my super father in law that helped hubby just about finish putting my cupboard doors on my kitchen...it looks FABULOUS! I love it! I will take pictures tomorrow when the sun (hopefully) is out and I can get a better picture. Anyway fantabulous weekend! I got 18 pages done and another 9 pages done in a mini album I am working on. Here are some pics of the weekend:


This studio used to be a bar and these girls converted it into an amazing crafting studio...I had an amazingly awesome time...I'd have to say more fun than Scrap Camp, just because it wasn't as noisy and cramped (there was only about 12 of us compared to 100 at Scrap Camp) and it just seemed more relaxed. I liked it a lot. Plan on going again soon, once I sell more eBay to pay for it ;-) That's how I paid for this trip...my eBay monies...well worth it too! I do owe hubby $ 23.00 cause I just HAD to buy one of those cute new ribbon organizers...that I filled up today and it is just too cute and now all my ribbon is in one spot and most of all visible! Thanks Michelle and Christina for an amazing weekend and all the awesome food (yes they fed us too)...the Taco soup was amazing!


They had a layout contest from the weekend and the campers voted and I tied for first place...I'd show you the layout, but it's for the next challenge on Faith Sisters so after Wednesday I'll show you. But the other girl who won with me made this layout that I voted for because I thought it was truly amazing:

Here are a few of my layouts:

Then on Sunday Christina and another lady invited me to go to a church service at an area church...kind of like an inner city type mission church to describe it...it was a very upbeat church that their target seemed to be teens, single moms and the homeless...honestly I had a great time. Their praise team ROCKED! The worship was truly amazing and just feeling God move there was all I could say is WOW...it was nice to be at a service for a change and not be "in" the service doing something. Totally helped me to focus more on just worshipping God. It was a great experience.

Again...the whole weekend was an amazing time...will be doing it again hopefully soon...I got my cupboard doors on my kitchen...kids were good while I was gone...life right now is good.

Now back to reality and getting back into the groove.

Have a great week!

I want one of these

OK...I don't usually get to excited about these die cutting machines, but I've seen this one and I want one...it's portable, makes cute designs and from what I hear more reasonable than the other bigger models which I really wouldn't get the use out of, but I really like this one...may have to save my pennies for this one. Check it out:



Also don't forget my giveaway below...you have until Thursday.

Back to life....back to reality...and Lurker where are you? I've got a prize for you!

OK...now that I have that crazy song playing in your head...been extremely busy lately...busy at the school, busy doing things for the church, busy at home, busy trying to get things squared away...just lots going on....today it was another non-stop day. Had to go to the school for "Pastries for Parents" day...it's their finale for their Right to Read week...and they got to wear their pajamas to school today...it was great to go to the school and eat donuts with my babies! Then it was off running errands and grocery shopping (man is that ever getting expensive anymore!) and then hubby took me out to lunch at English Ivy...yummm...I had a bowl of their Mexican Cheese soup...oh my...so delicious...my favorite soup from there...so tasty and spicy! Then I was home for less than an hour and had to pick up the boys again...man these days just go faster and faster!

On to other things...I did get my movie that I mentioned in the previous post Dan In Real Life...so cute...may watch it again tonight...maybe while I'm working in the office that is. Oh also rented Indiana Jones first movie...can you believe I've never seen this movie all the way through?

OK...you may have noticed that I have this map on the right hand side of my screen...tells me where in the world people are reading my blog...I'm amazed as to where people are reading from...Montana, California...even Singapore?!?! (Jaz is that you???) So I want to prompt you out of your lurking...I know all who read may not be scrappers, but I'm going to make the assumption that you are...so if you post a comment to this post....just say Hi...(a name would be nice too, but I'm not picky) I will pick a name at random this Thursday evening and you will be the happy new owner of these foam stamps. So come on...quit lurking and talk to me ;-)

Have a great weekend all!

Movies and Books

Busy month ahead...but just had to share some books and movies I've seen recently.

If you haven't seen Horton Hears A Who yet at the theatre...it's funny...the kids loved it...even Austin who at first had absolutely NO interest in going and moped the whole way there...ended up laughing through the whole movie.
And of course the movie Enchanted which is a totally endearing "can't get that song out of my head" type of movie...take all Disney's prince/princess movies and roll it into one and you have this movie....the boys love Pip the chipmunk...Apple??

Dan In Real Life...I liked it more than hubby did, but totally funny/sweet movie...loved the scene when Steve Carell's character is playing the guitar singing "Let My Love Open The Door." Loved it! I don't go out and buy a lot of movies...but this one WILL be in my video library soon!

If you are looking for a good somewhat romantic movie...this is on is good. Chocolat stars Julliette Brinoche (Which is also in Dan In Real Life), and Johnny Depp...whom my sister loves....Wendy you would like this movie. It's about a woman and her daughter that open up a chocolatier across a church in this small village and how she changes the town...endearing.

Becoming Jane - Chose this movie because I loved Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries movies and of course The Devil Wears Prada...though Anne plays a great part, this movie was a bit slow and didn't end the way I thought it would. I'd give it a 3 out of five stars...if you are into those english movies like Pride and Prejudice and the like you'd probably enjoy this one more.

One movie I cannot recommend is Atonement...no picture here cause I just don't think it deserved any more time wasted to it. A total waste of two hours in my opinion. I saw where this movie got such rave reviews (which usually is a sign that it's gonna stink), and so hubby went ahead and rented it. The same main male chracter in Becoming Jane played in this movie...and he's a great actor for these type of English back in the day movies, but this movie was pointless until the very end where they finally reveal the jist of it...which after an hour of watch soldiers on a beach just didn't cut it for me....I was left exhausted and frustrated. If you want a good foreign movie that takes place during the Holocaust rent "Life Is Beautiful" ...far better movie...it made me cry and it will touch your heart.

As far as books go, I finally finished 40 Days of Purpose again...and also read a book by David Gregory and I'm in the middle of his second book. I think I also told you I finished Captivating too...quite a trip with this reading thing.

Boys are doing well and everything is pretty good here. Fixing dinner tonight for a lady in our church who was in a car accident last week. April is going to be a crazy month between meetings, boys study groups at school, me taking a weekend away, trying to get things straightened away here...lots to do. So I guess I better get busy....hope all is well with all of you...Take Care!!