Scrap and Sniff

Extreme Couponing Week 2! All Stocked Up!

2011-11-06T18:11:00.004-06:00

I purchased:

4 boxes of Kleenex Cool Touch tissues

11 small bottles of suave shampoo and conditioner

6 large bottles of suave shampoo and conditioner

1 large suave lotion

5 bottles of suave body wash

1 suave deodorant

18 Ricola Cough Drops

2 vicks vapo drops

1 box of zantac

1 box of cold/flu spray

14 bottles of Axe Body Wash

6 tubes of crest toothpaste

6 rolls of Charmin toilet paper

8 rolls of Viva Paper Towels

1 4 pack of Venus disposable razor

4 pounds of Dunkin Donuts seasonal coffee

4 Glade Scented Oil Refills

2 Glad Scented Oil Candles

1 box of Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers

216 count Huggies Natural Care Wipes

4 bottles of Tide Laundry Detergent

25 - 4x6 photo prints

Retail Cost: $384.64

I paid: $76.53!

Savings of: $308.11!

Love the couponing

Gratitude Journal #31

2011-11-02T11:53:00.002-05:00

The last post for the month and I am taking the cop out! I am so grateful that I have so much to be grateful for. At times its easy to take your eyes off the prize and let depression take you over. It's so important to know that there is SOOOO much out there that is wonderful and worthy of praise and gratitude to my God for providing my life with so much blessing and love! AMEN!

Gratitude Journal #30

2011-10-30T15:15:00.002-05:00

Trick or Treat! I am grateful today that my kids have a great neighborhood to trick or treat! I have the cutest little Power Ranger and Smurf EVER!

Gratitude Journal #29

2011-10-30T12:07:00.002-05:00

I thought I was going to have a hard time looking for 31 things to be grateful for but now its the end of the month and I'm thinking of all of these things that I haven't even covered yet! What a great feeling. Today I am grateful for brothers. Not just each child but how they interact as a unit. Altogether there are SIX boys all related somehow - steps - halfs - and wholes but all brothers. Watching Joey and Jackson play, James and Joey snuggling, Jackson's other half brothers, and James and Joshua talking or playing video games is so fulfilling. I remember how special it was to spend time with my brother too!

Gratitude Journal #28

2011-10-29T02:34:00.003-05:00

Today, on the day of my brother's birth I would be remiss if I didn't show how thankful I am that I grew up with a loving sibling (who smells like snuggles and tastes like Dr. Pepper) . I don't remember ever really "fighting" with Troy - maybe a war of wills on occasion but I think with our age gap we each had our own thing going on and we got along quite well. I see a lot of Troy and my relationship mirrored in my own children and it warms my hear that legacy is continuing. Troy is a great man and a good husband and someday soon will be a great father as well. I'm so proud of the man he has become! Love you Tazzer....you will always be my baby brother to me. Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Gratitude Journal #27

2011-10-29T02:00:00.003-05:00

This is going to sound strange but I am grateful for a new hobby - Couponing. Its weird to think that this could become a hobby but there is a strange rush from walking out of a store with $50 worth of product for only $9.36. It's almost like we are stealing or something but its completely legit. Thanks to Kassandra for opening this door to putting my logical brain to use to save money and retrieve things that we need for our house. I think this might really help me fight through the winter malaise.

Gratitude Journal #26

2011-10-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

I am SO grateful to have good friends in my life - whether they be in real life or online, friendship is one of the things that really drives my life. Whenever I think that I should really pare down the amount of friends I have on Facebook, I go through the list and think about the times that I have shared with each person, posts we have traded through message boards, watching people's children be born and grow up, sharing a cup of coffee (or a more choice beverage), or just chatting on the phone or online. I didn't realize how much I missed having real girlie time doing a project until I started scrapping more with my friend Keri and couponing with Kasandra. It really does fuel your soul! I wish more of my online friends were closer so we could hang out more but nothing makes my heart happier than those times where we meet in the middle and truly soak in each other's company. Thanks friends.

Gratitude Journal #25

2011-10-25T11:07:00.003-05:00

Today I am grateful for the soft plush bedding that we got for our wedding. (Hey that rhymes) That moment that you finally lay down and stretch out in bed is made all the more luscious when you are surrounded by pillows and mattress pads and comforters that feel like clouds surrounding you. Yay for softness and comfort!

Gratitude Journal #24

2011-10-24T20:03:00.002-05:00

I am SO grateful for books :) Specifically I'm glad that I have a Nook eReader. I have always been an avid reader from the time I was little on and I'm happy that my kids have taken that to heart and love to read as well. At this point this year I have already read or listened to 44 books (14,814 pages of text) already and I'm in the middle of two more (one on the Nook and one on Audio). I'm glad I have a way to keep my mind sharp and my imagination rolling. I have a dream of someday writing a book but who knows if anyone actually would want to read it ;)

Gratitude Journal #23

2011-10-24T20:00:00.002-05:00

Today I'm grateful for my amazing online community who is more like a family to me than my family is sometimes. It was five and a half years ago that I discovered Have Your Way With Paper and instantly fell in love with the ladies, the support and the creativity that flowed from the people there. Now I'm a co-owner of the site, I've met most of the people there in person and it feels so much better to be able to squeeze on them in person than it ever did to get to know them online. Thank you HYWWP family for being such a rock for me over the last five years!

Gratitude Journal #22

2011-10-23T22:05:00.003-05:00

What a great month of thankfulness this has been! Today I am grateful for my 4th and final son Joshua! Even though he doesn't live with us right now - I look forward to every phone conversation and Skype that we get to have. He is a smart and handsome little guy and I couldn't be more proud to have him as my stepson. Love you Josh!

Gratitude Journal #21

2011-10-21T14:17:00.002-05:00

ALL CAUGHT UP! For my last entry of the day I am grateful for my van! Last year I bought a 2005 Saturn Relay van from my parents. It's big enough to cart around all six of us at the same time and at the same time I can carry all of my sample cases with me as well - form and function - its all tricked out with the DVD player built in, power everything and my favorite. Remote Start! I can't wait to take advantage of that this winter!

Gratitude Journal #20

2011-10-21T14:12:00.002-05:00

I am grateful to have a DVR in my life. With my work schedule I am never home during "prime time" for TV watching so I love the fact that I can relax with my family and enjoy the programs that we like to see together whenever we can fit it into our busy schedules. It's a small invention that has made a big difference in my life, not missing out on these little things that we enjoy.

Gratitude Journal #19

2011-10-21T14:00:00.002-05:00

I just realized that I have gotten 3/4 of the way through my gratitude journal and I've only been grateful for 2 of my 4 kids by name! Today I am grateful for my little guy Jackson! He is going to be seven next month and I can't believe the time has passed so quickly! Jackson was one of the most tremendous surprises of my entire life and my life has been blessed tenfold since his birth. He is an amazing kid! He is an awesome reader and an awesome big and little brother. Our lives have changed so much over the last three years but he has rolled with the punches and matured through everything. I love you Jackson you are my first love!

Gratitude Journal #18

2011-10-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

FINALLY I have a day off so I can catch up on my gratitude journal. This past week would not have been possible without the help of my beautiful and amazing Keurig machine! My mom got me this tremendous contraption with some kind of deal on her favorite channel, QVC for my birthday last year. I started out as a skeptic having fallen prey to several different coffee machines in the past but I gotta say - I am TOTALLY hooked on my Keurig machine. It makes amazing coffee in minutes perfect and rich every time and with tons of different choices of coffees and teas and cocoas. I am proud to say that I am grateful for my Keurig machine!

Gratitude Journal #17

2011-10-17T09:36:00.004-05:00

This is going to sound a little petty compared to some of the things that I have talked about here but I am grateful today for my iPod. I love the ability to take my audio books, podcasts and music with me to pass the long hours on the road. It makes me happy to be able to feed my brain while I'm passing the miles.

Grateful Journal #16

2011-10-16T11:29:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for my stepson James. He made the tough decision over the summer to spend his senior year living here in Iowa with his dad and me so that he can get in state tuition to Iowa State University next year. I know it was hard on him to start his 3rd high school, but he got a job, joined a club, went to driver's ed over the summer and has been doing great despite a heavy class load laden with A.P. Chem and A.P. Physics. This morning he got up and made sausage and eggs for me and the kids. Although sometimes it visibly annoys him that there is a 2 year old and a 7 year old that take up a lot of the time and energy in the house, you can tell that he loves his little brothers. I'm so proud of the man that he is becoming.

Gratitude Journal #15

2011-10-16T11:26:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was definitely grateful for peace. I had a nice peaceful appointment and then copped a little nap and snuggle with my husband before he went to work and I went to pick up the kids from my parent's house. It was so refreshing to have a peaceful day that wasn't jammed full of appointments and obligation. It definitely made me appreciate the simple things in life.

Gratitude Journal #14

2011-10-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

I'm such a slacker - three days late on my journal - but hey this is the most I have blogged for over two years so that's kind of awesome.

Friday's topic was Scrappy Thankfulness.

I am thankful that we live in a house that allows me to have a little corner of our basement as my designated cropping spot. I have a big bookshelf and two desks that make up my space that houses my papers and books and tools and embellishments and it makes me so happy that I can wander down there any time - the kids have their play space and my husband has his computer area all set up in the same room so we can all be together doing what we love at the same time.

Gratitude Journal #13

2011-10-13T11:43:00.002-05:00

Today - the day of parent teacher conferences I am grateful for my children's education. Yesterday the principal of the school actually called me to tell me that my son was a joy to have at school and that he got a special certificate to reward him for his good behavior. Now that's the kind of call from the office a mom can't wait to answer! I'm grateful that Kindercare is giving Joseph such a head start in learning and in life and I'm SO grateful that James was able to finish out his education in a brand new high school with supportive teachers!

Gratitude Journal #12 - Modern Marvels

2011-10-12T11:43:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for the miracle of modern medicine. I woke up yesterday with no voice and not being able to breathe through my nose - but thanks to Theraflu Benadryl and Flonase I can breathe and function and make it to work. Some days its the little things.

Gratitude Journal #11 - Momma Taught Me

2011-10-11T10:21:00.003-05:00

One of the most influential people in my life has always been my mother. I was adopted when I was three months old but you never would have known it - I have been told all my life that I look like my parents - and I do. God knew what He was doing when he placed me in their arms.

Throughout everything that I have been through my mom has given me a lot of advice and a lot of help but the one thing she taught me that I am still grateful for to this day is that nobody can define me. No matter what the circumstances the only one who can tell me who I am is myself. Sometimes I forget but I always come back. Thanks Mommy!

Gratitude Journal #10 - Jobs

2011-10-10T08:30:00.004-05:00

Today's topic is about work. On a Monday morning it is easy to sink into the first day of the work week grudgingly. However this economy has left a lot of people without any work at all and in really bad shape.

I am grateful that I found my calling in sales and to have found a company that allows me to shine without having to do the things that I'm not good at. I get to represent a product line I can believe in and I still have plenty of time to be a mom and a wife. I never feel like I miss anything in my kids life due to a job! Sometimes its hard being on commissioned sales its either feast or famine some months but I make enough to support the family.

I'm grateful today too that my husband has a great job that he loves and gives us what we need financially. I love hearing about how well he does fixing people's problems and supporting his store. We are truly blessed!

Gratitude Journal #9

2011-10-09T10:17:00.003-05:00

Today I am grateful for grace. Even though we don't deserve second chances and mess up and fall short every day - Grace covers us and allows us to go on living every day with blessings that overwhelm. It's only by the Grace of God that I am here today in this place with this family. And for that I am truly grateful.

Gratitude Journal #8

2011-10-09T09:38:00.002-05:00

I am SOOOO grateful for my parents! Ever since I was little they have been my biggest fans and my best support system. Now, seeing how much my children adore them and how much they still support and take care of me and my family, I am more grateful than ever that God saw fit to make them my parents. No matter what they are on my side and by my side.

Gratitude Journal #7

2011-10-07T13:45:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for my loving and adoring husband. We have been through so many ups and downs over the years but now I could not imagine my life without him. He is an outstanding father, an amazing husband and a wonderful man all around. He provides for us, keeps us all clean and organized and makes sure we (I) stay on track with our budget. Most and best of all though, even on my darkest days or when I am being unfair and cranky - he still holds me in his arms and tells me "that doesn't change the way I feel about you. I love you." And I love you too baby - more than I can ever tell you in words. **end mushy gushy post**

Gratitude Journal #6 - Technology

2011-10-06T09:02:00.002-05:00

I really believe the Internet is the piece of technology that has blessed my life the most. I have met some of my best and most amazing friends through online servers. I even met my husband due to an online dating site. Now we keep in touch with our stepson in San Antonio and get to see his face and hear his voice through Skype - its truly amazing technology that holds the world together. Not to mention it now extends to our smart phones and email and Facebook so we can share our world at the blink of an eye with anyone we want to see.

Gratitude Journal #5

2011-10-05T09:39:00.005-05:00

Today I am reminded how blessed we are to live where we live. Jackson got to participate in "International Walk To School Day" and I happened to have the morning off so I could go with him on his journey. It was such a joy to see him interact with his friends and watch literally HUNDREDS of elementary students pour out of their houses, down the streets and into the school. I am reminded of the fact that not all children have that luxury of being able to play on a safe cul-de-sac like my kids can. I am grateful that we live in a safe community where everyone looks after each other's children and we can live without fear.

Gratitude Journal #4

2011-10-05T07:52:00.004-05:00

I didn't get this posted yesterday even though I did put it up on the official challenge board. I think maybe its because its a hard one for me. Yesterday's assignment was to talk about something about yourself for which you are grateful. Why is it so easy to look around yourself and see all of the blessings but it is SO hard to look inside yourself to be thankful for what you have in your heart.

So today I am grateful for me. I am grateful that my kids have a mom who loves them so completely and would literally do anything for them. I am grateful that I can be a loving, faithful and devoted wife to my husband. I am grateful that I was given skills that allow me to provide enough for my family that we can live comfortably if not richly. No matter what my flaws - I am still grateful to be who God made me to be.

Gratitude Journal #3 - Fun!

2011-10-03T08:21:00.002-05:00

Today's assignment was to talk about something that I am grateful for that is FUN!

This is going to sound really generic and obvious but the fun thing that I am grateful for is my scrapbooking - not just because its a creative release for me and gives me some "girlie time" but because it inspires me to take my kids out to events and gardens and fun things to do and take thousands of pictures. Even if they never really "appreciate" the hours of work and love that I have put into the books that I have done for them, they will have memory sticks upon memory sticks of photos and videos documenting all of the fun we had over the years and, for me, that is something to be grateful for!

Gratitude Journal #2

2011-10-02T09:45:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for a God a church and a faith who truly does provide for us when we are faithful to pray. The last few years have been one challenge after another for our family. Through all of the relationship issues and healing, moving houses, financial stress and gain, having a baby, and fluid living situations for our oldest two I had a source of comfort support and comfort in my church. Many challenges were full of pain but my God is a BIG GOD who turned all of that pain to his glory and blessed us beyond all imagining. As I sit in this warm cozy home and sip my coffee and watch my children play and laugh I know without a doubt that I could not have made it to to this point on my own.

Gratitude Journal #1

2011-10-01T16:48:00.004-05:00

Our good friends over at The Scrap Room are hosting their 7th birthday celebration this month - the theme for their anniversary is Gratitude. At the end of the month you should have all of the makings of a journal of things that make your heart sing. I loved the idea but I also wanted to have all of my responses in one single place. So I thought I would try to update my blog with my journal entries here so I can come back to them and share them with my friends and family at the same time. Without further ado...

Gratitude Journal #1

Today I am grateful for my youngest son Joseph. I love all

of my children equally, but today when I came home from work feeling beat down and defeated, I could hear his tiny voice even before I got up the stairs calling

"MOMMY!" with all of the enthusiasm and joy of a two year old - just the sound and smell of him made my heart soar and my spirit sing. I am so glad I have that little miracle in my life.

Non Stop Excitement

2011-09-11T09:31:00.002-05:00

It feels like I haven't been even able to slow down to breathe since the wedding. So many wonderful things have been happening in our lives!

1. James decided to become a permanent member of our household. While he was visiting, we visited Iowa State's campus and he decided to go to school there - in order to get in-state tuition however (a savings of over $11000.) he had to graduate from an Iowa school so he is living with us - going to SE Polk - got a job at Hy-Vee as a cashier/sacker - joined a club at school and has been slipping in to Iowa life so well - I'm so proud. We miss Josh like MAD but maybe someday he will be here too :)

2. Work has picked up a LOT - that has eliminated a MAJOR source of stress in our lives. We have been able to pay off/down some stuff and beef up our savings account to get us through if anything unexpected happens. I can't even tell you how much weight that takes off our shoulders!

3. Yesterday we had my Joseph's SECOND birthday - that's right my little baby boy is turning TWO. I can't believe how fast that happened!! It feels like just yesterday that I was holding him in my arms and now he is this little fire ball - so smart and charming and **whew** NOT going to start crying today...

I have actually started on the wedding album. **yeah that's right not even 4 pages in the Disney book I started 1.5 years ago but more than that in the wedding album already** so more to come with that.

Happy September everyone.

Hopefully it won't be another two months

I AM MARRIED!

2011-07-11T13:29:00.005-05:00

July 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM I became Mrs. Chad Potratz! I can't believe the day has been and gone and now - we are married and happy and I have matching dinnerware. The love support and prayers of everyone that helped us get to this point have been AMAZING. I have been incredibly blessed. Check out this amazing video of some of the candid shots taken by my ultra talented brother in law!

http://youtu.be/GW2GXlVw36k

Countdowns Galore

2011-05-02T09:05:00.010-05:00

There are only 9 weeks left until my wedding day! I am so excited and getting nervous at the same time. All the plans are done - its just writing checks from here on out. We meet with the wedding coordinator at the church on Friday morning to discuss the setup of the church that day and then it is GAME ON. Dress fittings and hair appointments are scheduled and I have my shoes and tiara covered thanks to my sweet friend Pam.

But before any of that happens my stepsons are coming in from Texas on June 21! Only 7 weeks away! I cannot wait to see them again and neither can the little boys. Everything is set up for them to be here. The couches are here the bunk beds are up the loft is in place and the family room downstairs is ready for all kinds of kid action. We have the pool passes in hand and a great time planned for everyone. We can't wait.

In celebration for everything I am really busting my tailfeathers to get in shape. Its been two weeks (only one if you count not cheating at all and working out every day) and I'm 6 pounds down. Of course I walk like a grandmother because of all of the sore muscles but its worth it to see that scale move! I feel like I'm swimming for all the water I have been drinking but again SO worth it!

On top of that I had a scrapathon last Friday at my fiancees request (guess I was getting cranky with a lack of cookies and muffins in my system) so he sat me down at my table with a cup of coffee and my newest Scrap Room kits and off I went. I don't know if I have ever had a night where the ideas, the sketches, the pictures and the paper, just fell together so easily. I walked upstairs at 1 AM with five and a half pages DONE! The first 4 are pictured here! I'm pretty proud indeed.

Here is our easter family picture - using the Basic Grey Hopscotch line and a sketch from Trisha at Sketch Inspiration

This is JT in a monkey suit - it was school pictures at Kindercare. Again borrowing from a Trisha sketch using Bo Bunny's Ad Lib line of paper.

Another older photo with a new line. Again a TSR kit and a Sketch Inspiration sketch. This time using the My Little Yellow Bicycle "Twig" line. Look how little my chubbo was!

This last one was a struggle for me - not to put together but to find the right papers and sentiment for. Its of my sweet Mary Todd at her sister's wedding only 5 days before she passed away. The TSR kit featuring Stella Rose from My Minds Eye finally gave me the perfect blend of spunk and elegance to bring out what I loved most about her. Thanks for looking!

12 weeks left!

2011-04-16T09:41:00.002-05:00

12 weeks.

84 days

2,016 minutes

Until I become Mrs. Potratz!

No point just getting excited :)

Welcome to the HYWWP "Over the Rainbow" Blog Hop!

2011-03-12T20:07:00.005-06:00

Welcome to the Over the Rainbow blog hop! One of the things scrappers love most is COLOR! During this journey you'll encounter all seven colors of the rainbow and some of our favorite things about those colors. In order to play along all you need to do is leave a comment on each blog saying what you love about the color featured on each blog. You can even just tell us your favorite thing (scrappy or not) that is that color! Once you reach the pot of gold, post ROY G. BIV!! and you're done and ready to start cropping with us!

Hi! thanks for visiting my blog! I am featuring the color Violet. It's ironic that I picked Violet since eggplant purple is one of the colors for my wedding in July! Everything in my world is a shade of dark violet right now...on the other hand its a color that I have never used in scrapping at all besides as a small accent color like on this layout.

So I have a challenge ahead of me learning how to scrap in purple...Speaking of challenges...leave a comment on my blog with how you have overcome a scrappy challenge and be registered for an adorable kit from S.E.I.

If you started with Jenny's blog then you have officially completed your rainbow and its time to head over to Lisa's blog to continue the fun!

Be sure to join us at Have Your Way With Paper for our "Lucky You" Crop next weekend - fun and prizes for all! Thanks for playing and we'll see you there!

E is for eeeeewww...

2011-02-26T09:46:00.002-06:00

I'm going to spare you the picture but there has been a nasty illness raging through our family this week. It started with a pretty benign occurrence on Sunday with Jackson. The boy hardly ever throws up so I was a little concerned but he never spiked a fever and he seemed to be fine. By Thursday night JT couldn't keep ANYTHING down. A little after midnight when I woke up with him for his 5th time, it finally hit me and I was up every 45 minutes with my own special kind of hell. Yesterday we had a little bit of quarantine happening in our house. Jackson spent two days at my folks house while JT Chad and I all dealt with this GI unpleasantness. Everyone seems to be better today thank God! Not exactly the "E" I was looking for but hey reality isn't always pretty...

D is for Disney

2011-02-12T10:38:00.002-06:00

It seems like so many things in my life revolve around Disney From the constant din of Disney Junior and Disney Channel on TV, to the entire collection of Disney Classic Movies from when I was a kid that the boys play on repeat down on the VCR downstairs, to our vacations. Both boys have been to Disney World and Jackson has been TWICE and once to Downtown Disney in California when he was about 9 months old. Growing up I was all about Disney music and I still have many collectors edition prints and of course the new fangled VHS tapes lol. There is just something so magical about everything Disney that captivates both my imagination and that of the kids as well.

C is for Creativity

2011-02-01T14:41:00.004-06:00

If there is one thing that I pride myself on its my ability to be creative - and not just in an artsy craftsy kind of way. Being a single mom for as long as I have meant that I had to get really creative with finances at times, finding creative things for the kids to do, and of course my obvious creative outlet being my scrapbooking. Its not often that I find something that occupies my mind and satisfies my need to create while at the same time being soothing and calming and makes something that my family will treasure forever. I am so blessed by that.

B is for BOYS!!!

2011-01-16T19:45:00.002-06:00

Ah yes...I am Boy Crazy! But not in the way I was when I was in high school but still crazy for these boys of mine. Somehow I ended up with not only my own brood of Chad, Jackson and Joseph but also JT's big brothers James and Joshua and Jackson's little brothers Jacob and Cameron. Not a speck of pink in my world. Not a drop of Estrogen. Just a bunch of dirty stinky BOYS but I wouldn't rather have it any other way :)

A is for Adventures

2011-01-13T09:47:00.003-06:00

My sweet friend Jenny forwarded this idea of using the alphabet to keep the blog going. She is WAY more organized than I am but I wanted to try it out and put my own spin on things. More of a "theme" than specific things that start with that letter.

So starting at the beginning. A is for Adventures.

Travel has always been a big part of my life. When we were kids every year represented a new road trip. My dad's van went all over the country, California, Washington, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona, and every point in between - you name it - we went there. No matter how much money was tight, there was always a trip to go on.

I have pulled that forward into my kids' lives as well. Just in the past year we went to Disney World, Minneapolis, the Quad Cities, Kansas City, I got to go to Chicago and I just got back from Cancun, Mexico last week. That's not even including all of our little adventures to the park, the Iowa State Fair, the pool, the lake, pumpkin patches, even if its just in our own back yard its so important to have those experiences and Adventures to hold on to and pass on to my grandkids too. I wonder where 2011 will take us?

Bah Humbug

2010-12-16T13:50:00.002-06:00

I only WISH I could get more into the "Christmas Spirit" this year. Yes the tree is up - the bannister is wrapped in holly, the stockings are hung on the breakfast bar with care but I just don't "feel" like Christmas. I am just tired. The weather is dreary and its sometimes a struggle just to get my motivation going. *sigh* This weekend may just be the jump start that I need. We are heading down to Kansas City on Saturday - Jackson gets to see his dad and I get to go out to dinner (kid free!!!) with the KC Core 4! Nothing gets you more in the spirit than the plaza lights and free flowing bottles of wine with my 3 best friends.

My November goals ended up being a bit more ambitious than I had original thought but that's not bad - just different. My relationship with Chad is going better than it ever has before - he is being extremely active in the lives of both boys and attentive to my needs too. We are all settled in to the new house - four more loads of stuff have gone to various charities so my life is feeling much more streamlined now. I have been promoted to the Sales Manager at the office which is a lot more responsibility but its also a good way to get my finances in order as well. I have three guys on my team all with their own quirks but its going really well so far!

I'm just hoping for a really happy 2011 to look forward to!

Goals For November

2010-10-21T16:57:00.003-05:00

FAMILY: Only 60 min of TV time per day every day. Home Cooked Meals

MONEY: Rebuild Savings to $1000 again, Pay cash for replacement TV.

INTELLECTUAL: Read one fiction book and one non fiction book

SPIRITUAL: 30 minutes of quiet prayer and meditation each night before bed.

BUSINESS: 50% closing ratio. Learn ordering process.

PHYSICAL: 30 day shred. EVERY!DAY!

RELATIONSHIP: 1 telephone call and 1 hand-written letter to a friend I haven't talked to for awhile per week.

Starting Over

2010-10-21T16:41:00.003-05:00

This last week has been a bit of a "do-over" so I thought I would start over on my blogging as well. This week my yearly flu outbreak hit and quite possibly at the worst time it could. In the middle of a move - training some new employees and a visit from Jackson's father. Any one of those things singularly would be a lot to handle at a time but altogether was a complete disaster.

But I am feeling better now and I actually figured out that getting sick was a bit of a blessing in disguise. You see for awhile now I have been looking toward November 1st is my "new year"; my fresh start. I am moving into a new house. I am training a new employee so there is a huge opportunity for financial gain in that endeavor. The plan is to embark on a new physical regime as well. I want the new place to wash away all of the heartache of the last few years and really be some place that has a new feeling for the kids and for myself. A true new beginning. So this illness has been - to put it bluntly - cleansing. I haven't been able to keep much of anything down and I slept for 12 hours straight last night but it has left me oddly clear. All of the toxins and awful eating have been literally flushed out of my system and has left me with this burning desire to do and be better in all aspects of my life. I have been purging my possessions in an effort to not have to pack things that I don't want to carry with me to the new place. I am getting rid of all of the excess in my life and starting completely fresh. Internally and in my external "junk" too.

I really want this to extend into all parts of myself. Parenting, money, fitness, emotional/spiritual, intellectual, business, the whole package needs to be overhauled and it started with this unintentional purging of the inside. Just thinking about how I have lived for the last year kind of makes me feel sick. I have not been very fiscally responsible, my eating habits have been atrocious, my energy levels have been abysmal, I have not spent the precious time with my kids that I need to, have not fed my friendships and relationships with any real nourishment. I need to do better. So starting today I am focused on the task at hand - really taking responsibility for all aspects of my life and making TODAY my fresh start.

Thank you all for joining me on my journey.

Know what I love the most...

2010-08-14T00:38:00.004-05:00

...about this little "hobby" of mine? The people! There ain't NO people like scrappy people to get you fired up and motivated and creatively charged. I'd like to welcome Lisa Burt (http://livelovescrapbooking.blogspot.com) to my crop circle! Lisa emailed me about my Memory Works consultantship and, after a series of emails we met for lunch and traded stories. I know so many people around me just shake their heads when I do things like pick up friends at the Scrap Store or my online girls on HYWWP but the women that have come into my life through this medium have been the greatest blessings that a girl could ever dream up.

Even MORE inspiration has just been pouring out of our amazing sponsor - Sketch Inspiration I was totally scared of this kit when I first came across it - there is so much glitter and glamour and sparkle and its totally out of the element of where I usually create that - well - it gave me the shakes a little...but I kid you not, after working with it for only just the past few weeks I have used up all but a few scraps of each sheet and ALL of the flowers and brads and ribbons. Skyline and butterfly kisses both came from that kit Every luscious drop has been squeezed out of this kit and I have loved it. Not only that but Sketch 136 was the inspiration for "butterfly kisses" below. I never think of using circles but I think it really sets off that photo. The last one is just for fun - wanted to showcase my HYWWP girls from our Chicago trip a few weeks ago. Miss them SO muchly.

T - 4 days until Derrick arrives and operation redo the house goes into FULL effect! I promise photos will ensue - this is going to be really interesting...

It has been awhile.

2010-08-06T00:58:00.006-05:00

So I thought that I would take a few moments and update you on the comings and goings of life at the Stuart household. Insomnia does have its advantages ;)

Starting at the top: I am no longer with Metlife (has it really been JANUARY since I last updated this thing?) I now work for CNA Company in home improvement sales - windows, siding, gutters and gutter protection. I never imagined that would be what I am doing but - here I am and I'm doing great. It looks like I may even be brought on as a trainer for new recruits!

Still scrapping! Never as much as I want to but my page count is up to 80 for the year so far so I can't complain! More importantly I am really enjoying my pages again and have PLENTY of subject matter. Namely our trip to Florida in April, Chicago in June, and two growing blooming boys to keep me in photos!

Here are some of my latest. Family Tree and Smile Marathon are both ALL because of the August Sponsor for Have Your Way with Paper. Trisha at Sketch Inspiration provided our design team with this absolutely beautiful kit full of glittery beautiful papers and coordinating embellishments. I'm so in love with the whole thing. Smile Marathon is based on her sketch 135. Nothing better than a sketch to jump start some creativity! Stay tuned for more.

Next on the docket - My Jackson! Can you BELIEVE that he is going to be in Kindergarten in two short weeks? He has just grown up overnight. Yesterday he had on a shirt that was WAY too big for him in April and it fit him perfectly. He continuously amazes me though. His new affinity is talking on the phone and he just sounds so completely grown up...observe....

And the baby! He hardly even seems like a baby anymore. He started walking at 8 months and hasn't stopped since! He definitely keeps his momma on his toes!! He is 11 months old now and totally rules the roost. I have him enrolled in the Kids Academy in Bondurant starting in October - I can't wait to see how much he learns and grows and gets interactive when he is around more structure and other kids his age!

So that's the update - I will try not to suck so much at updating my blog in the near future.

New Site - New Crop!

2010-07-16T08:54:00.002-05:00

There are exciting things happening in the universe of Have Your Way With Paper! I guess I haven't posted but me and Lisa Baldwin took over ownership of the board back in May and this last week we just launched a brand spanking new forum! If you have been missing from the community or even if you have never peeked in on Paper now is a GREAT time to join the conversation on www.haveyourwaywithpaper.com Register today and join in on our housewarming crop Friday through Monday! It will give you a chance to win an amazing prize from this month's sponsor SEI scrapbooking! Come on over and check it out!

Crop till you DROP!

2010-02-05T08:11:00.002-06:00

Head on over to Have Your Way With Paper this weekend for a fun filled online crop that you will just LOVE! Contests - challenges - and even a Super Bowl of Scrapping style game that will keep you hoppin'. Not a member of HYWWP? this is the perfect opportunity to jump right in and get inspired! Hope to see you at the crop!!

What happened to January?

2010-01-28T16:17:00.003-06:00

Two snowstorms, one ice storm and a hoar frost later and the month is OVER! Ok technically its not over for two more days but - you get the drift so its time to review my January goals and look forward to my February ones!

January Checklist
1. Complete 30 day shred
I can say with pride that I am up to level 2 in the shred process - I didn't do it every day like I should - life and kids just get in the way of that all too often - but I did DO IT and that is progress!

2. Get Caught up on Bills and Savings
Here again I can proudly say that all of my bills for this month are paid with enough left over to stash some in savings and plunk down a deposit for the condo for our trip! YAY!

3. Clean up and Clear Out
Not as much progress as I'd like to see but I did institute a "winter things" bin for all of the gloves and hats in the kitchen and have done a decent job of keeping the clutter under control. More is needed but the end of Winter will be a BIG help in that one!

4. Recommit to my job - no comment

5. Weekly Creativity
I completed 17 layouts this month - not quite one a day but I'm definitely on track for a 200 page year if I keep up this kind of pace. AND I have some cropping scheduled this weekend too YAY

On to the February Goals:
1. Take the lead in our MetLife Biggest Loser contest! This couldn't have come at a better time - what great inspiration than a 200 bonus for the winner and bragging rights. It's a 13 week competition that puts me right in "Orlando Swimsuit" territory! Perfect timing!

2. $1000 in the bank and a new debt elimination plan
To help with the finances I have taken on a second job doing home improvement sales. It's working out great and I'm actually really good at it - who knew - with the money I make in this next month I want to go back through my baby steps on the Dave Ramsey Plan. 1st is the emergency fund of $1000 and then putting together my budget and a debt snowball. These medical bills are going DOWN baby!

3. Have a 50% closing ratio on all appointments whether they are Met or CNA!
I know that I can do it - and I know that I can get paid for them so I'm going for it - full force on both jobs and see how much I can push myself this next month. I need the energy!

4. Keep weekly "self appointment"
2 jobs - 2 kids = EXHAUSTED me. So I need to make time to do some self soothing in there somewhere so it is my goal for the month to schedule an appointment once a week for me to spend some time with me. That could be time spent scrapping - napping - doing a devotional or just praying and being quiet but momma needs an hour or so to make sure that I am still Kris not just the J's mom.

I just realized that none of my goals include my kids - of course keeping them happy and healthy is just a bonus of having a happy healthy mommy JT is growing up SO fast he's already sitting up and giving out kisses - he is so interactive! and my Jackson - Oh My Golly! He loves to tell me he thinks that I'm beautiful and I love to hear it! *sigh* I am so blessed.

Dirty Little Secrets

2010-01-18T14:07:00.004-06:00

I have a confession and an admission to make today but first I must profess my love for my hairdresser Linda - she took my moppy momma hair and made it kicky and easy at the same time. Check it out just ignore the tired, puffy eyes..Love my baby boy being my photographer I guess it runs in the bloodstream!

Alright got that excitement out of the way - isn't it amazing how its the little things that thrill me these days. OK confession time. I had a very - we'll just say non-proud parenting moment this morning with Jackson. We have a set routine where I go down and take a shower while Jackson gets dressed then he comes down to "surprise" me with his outfit selection. Now - he is a typical boy with a closet full of khakis jeans polos and t-shirts and there are VERY few combinations that he can come up with that actually surprise me but today I can honestly say that today I was surprised...

Yup that's right my sweet little boy found a sweater vest with a polo hanging in his closet and decided that the fashionable thing to do would be to put it on without the polo underneath. So, as I peeked out of the shower curtain to see this lovely ensemble and burst out laughing - right in front of him - I didn't mean to I just couldn't. He was so upset that he shouted "don't laugh at me mom" and stormed out of the bathroom. I felt HORRIBLE. Of course not horrible enough to stop me from taking pictures of him and post them on the internet but I felt awful anyway...so I have officially laughed in my son's face - awww.

I also had a realization due to a thread on Have Your Way With Paper about why we scrapbook. Yes we tell ourselves that we do it for our kids - that the hours and dollars that we spend on these books are so that the kids will have treasured memories but I came to the realization that that's not REALLY why I do it. I'm surrounded by numbers and gutters all day long and I need this as my creative outlet - I'm glad that I am documenting my kids lives and putting down my thoughts about the photos I take and I love going back through my old books to see where my family has been and where we are going but I fully expect my boys to not really care about the time and effort I have put into these pages. Maybe someone some day will appreciate them but even if nobody cracks the spine of these books again I am satisfied that I was able to progress in my own art and that it has at least been appreciated among my peers.

So here are my latest creations.

Our little tricksters - based on Sketch 106 from Sketch Inspiration

And an attempt to fly through some of my stash:

Now that the cat is out of the bag...

2010-01-06T13:37:00.004-06:00

I can FINALLY announce that my dear lovely friends at Have Your Way With Paper have graciously selected me to be the Guest Design Team Member for January -March! I'm SO thrilled to be a part of such a talented team and I am so committed to making each project I do worthy of the title!

January's sponsor is May Arts - I cannot WAIT to get my package of ribbons and start playing with them! Go check out their blog it is totally full of inspiration and some unique ways that I never thought of before. What a great first way to be able to stretch and challenge my creativity to incorporate an embellishment that I don't use very often.

Here are my first creations of 2010 and I'm genuinely happy with the way they turned out!!!

And - just because - some new years cheer from my biggest blessing of 2009!

2010 - Best Year Ever!

2010-01-04T11:00:00.003-06:00

So - 2009 pretty much sucked with a few outstanding exceptions (i.e. Joseph's birth) but 2010 is going to be the best year ever! It's up to me to make it happen and I have to keep an awesome attitude but I know I can do it with a little bit of goal setting and perserverance. Instead of making over arching "year" goals I have decided to split it up into monthly goals instead. Nice way to tick things off one at a time and feel accomplished along the way. So here we go followers - I'm putting this out there so that I know what my responsibilities are and that you are all going to be cheering me on...at least you are in my head.

January Goals:
1. Complete the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred program
After a couple of weeks of holiday break I'm ready to shred. Each workout is only 20 minutes I know that I can carve that out of my day somewhere and really commit to getting my buns in shape. Disney World is only 4 months away now!

2. Get caught up on bills and restart savings and giving plans
Yup - there are a stack of medical bills from Joseph's arrival, a couple of store charge cards and other random bills that are in need of some attention - with the disappearance of child support and having my mill SLOWLY rebuilding at Met - its been hard to catch up much less get ahead. BUT with the addition of Job #2, I have made enough so far to get caught up now to work on the "getting ahead" part of that equation. I gotta get good at making my tithe to the church and to myself before paying everyone else. I smell a spreadsheet in my future!

3. Clean up and clear out
Shock and amazement but organization has never been my strong suit (insert sarcasm here) But I"m taking the house by the horns and coming up with new ways to organize especially the back entrance to the house for gloves, mittens and papers that come in every day. This week is going to be a test to see if I can get the kitchen in order. Wish me luck.

4. Recommit to my job
Lately it has been way too easy to let Metlife slide...mainly due to a lack of income/paycheck...but I'm trying some new work arounds to try to get me down to one job again! I've zeroed in on the things that I stopped doing that I need to start doing again and I'm hoping that the energy that I will not be expending on trying to keep the house and life in order can be channeled back into making MetLife work and be more prosperous for me.

5. Weekly creativity scheduled into my week.
When Joseph was born I started a Project 365 with one picture representing each day. It's been so much fun! Now there is another challenge that was presented...actually it was just a suggestion that my friend Chelsea put out for herself - and that is 365 scrap pages. One Layout per day! Lord knows I have the supplies and the pictures to accomplish the goal...the next thing will just be finding the time. When I think about the last few months of scrapping activity it does break back pretty close - I've been doing 5-10 layouts per weekend depending on how much time I have set aside to do them. If you add in crops at the church once a month and the digital 365 layouts that I'm going to be working on (which automatically count for 50 LOs right there) - I might come darned close. Hmm...

Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2010!

Snow Day Photos!

2009-12-09T23:11:00.003-06:00

The following post is a reason NOT to let a scrapbooking camera wielding Momma have a snow day with her kids...

It started off as a peaceful day...

Jackson and I finally got the tree trimmed...

JT watched Jackson and I bake three dozen oatmeal and honey cookies

...and then things got just a little crazy...

...but it was totally worth it!!!

Snow Day...

2009-12-09T16:16:00.002-06:00

How many times have I just WISHED for a day that I didn't have to go to work and stay home snuggling with my boys and what happens when I actually get one??? I go STIR CRAZY! A giant dump of snow 14 inches deep came through over the last two days just in time for the wind to kick up and drift it up five feet in my driveway...it definitely makes me glad that Courtney convinced me to buy the BIG snowblower when we were shopping for one last year - sure it may not be paid off yet but I am now reasonably convinced that I will be able to leave my driveway (whenever that may be).

At 4:20PM we have dug out the driveway, completed The Firm "High Def Sculpt" workout, scrapped two pages, drank a pot of coffee, trimmed the tree, baked three dozen cookies, harvested two full crops of blueberries in farmville, made a casserole for dinner and I'm getting ready to sweep, mop and vacuum the floors and groom the cat. Jackson has been my big helper and has watched about four hours worth of PBS kids (which was not all bad - he did come in when I was taking cookies out of the oven and told me the difference between a hard "G" sound and a soft "G" sound...thanks Electric Company...)

I'm thinking about setting up a photo session in front of the tree later - hmmm...wonder if he would be up for that...he does have a new haircut...and the baby has been good...and mommy is bored...pictures will be forthcoming no matter what...

**update** Just found out that Southeast Polk has already cancelled school for tomorrow - jeez one more day of this and my entire house will be SPOTLESS

SO much going on!

2009-12-01T11:21:00.005-06:00

It feels like life has been SO insane lately - I guess that is partly because it actually has been! Work has been going well - if they ever decide to pay me (!!!) It has taken this long from being back to work to start getting regular paychecks again which has caused quite a bit of heartburn on my part - Luckily I have a lot of business that should place rather quickly so the tightness in my budget should loosen up soon (PTL!!!) See we have worn out the baby too!

The only way to describe my boys at this point is Fat and Happy. JT got baptized on the 15th, Jackson turned FIVE years old on the 22nd, 2 Thanksgiving celebrations on the 26th and we have a Preschool program to go to tonight and the Church Christmas play on Sunday. Somewhere in all of that we have managed to put up the tree but haven't gotten it decorated yet and I am in the process of rearranging my room and closet. No wonder I'm exhausted. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

In case I don't get much blogging done between here and there, Merry Christmas to all of you! Thank you for the blessing of your friendship!

I'm so Thankful (2009 edition)

2009-11-24T12:08:00.003-06:00

In no particular order I am incredibly grateful for:

An amazing family and friends that I couldn't have handpicked better if I tried. ~~ TWO healthy, happy, intelligent, cuddly boys ~~ A God that watches over me and brings me through dark times ~~ Learning the very definition of unconditional love ~~A cozy, warm roof over our heads ~~ Employment in a time where jobs are scarce ~~ The opportunities that lie ahead of me in 2010 ~~ Getting to meet some lovely ladies in Texas who proved to be more of an inspiration in person than they are online ~~ Ann Taylor ~~ Did I mention my parents? They get two spots ~~ The 50 pounds that I left in 2009 ~~ my blackberry ~~ The ladies in my small group for teaching me how to love and pray ~~ having my Mac hard drive covered under warranty and replaced for free! ~~ Adventure Life Preschool for helping Jackson learn and grow ~~ Dr Roose and the staff at Mercy Medical Center ~~ Burt's Bees Lip balm ~~ Did I mention my amazing friends? They get two spots too...

...and for having so many blessings that I wouldn't even know how to count them all!

Back to Work

2009-11-11T16:31:00.002-06:00

Back to work - and back to blogging - isn't that funny how that works out. Seriously though, I wanted to spend the six weeks I had off totally and completely drinking my children in. Yeah - it still sounds weird to me to say childREN instead of just child but may oh my how I have been blessed by these two little miracles in my life. It was SO hard to leave them to go back full time but money needs to be made lol. We are nearing the end of our second week and have fallen into a new routine...not as fun as the "sleep in and watch cartoons" routine of my leave but its working for us either way.

There is nothing more satisfying than waking up in the morning and having JT on one side of me and Jackson curled up at my back. It makes for cramped sleeping quarters but it is a true reminder of God's blessings in my life. Know what the best part is? Seeing the two of them together. Jackson just LOVES his baby brother...and is so protective of him. It's something that I pray the two of them never ever lose. Last night, Jackson conned his way into getting to sleep over at Nana and Papa's house and he wanted me to put JT in bed with him so they could snuggle before I went home with him. They just layed there in each other's arms and cuddled while Jackson listened to his audio book before bedtime and JT stared adoringly at his big brother. It brought tears to my eyes to see that between them.

My mom is keeping the boys during the day (speaking of blessings) and it works out amazing. Jackson goes to preschool in the afternoon and my brother comes over and sits with JT so mom doesn't have to take him out when she goes to take Jack to school. My kids are surrounded by the love of their entire family all day long. No center could ever compare to that(!!!) Watching Jackson learn and grow in school is just tremendous. He loves to go and see his friends and I can see a definite difference in his maturity levels and his intelligence levels too. He's even voluntarily participating in the Christmas musical at church as well!

I couldn't be a prouder momma (can you tell?) But they make it so easy on me that it is hard not to be. *sigh* I'm going home to hug on them some. Until next week...

Happy Halloween

2009-10-22T16:20:00.001-05:00

...from the Stuart Ghouls...

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Three and a half weeks

2009-10-08T14:37:00.002-05:00

What a blog slacker I have become...I do have a good (and very cute) excuse though. JT is a good baby but man, I forgot about how intense it is to be a child's sole source of food and comfort. It seems like he has grown SO fast - at his two week appointment, he had gained TWO whole pounds from where he was when we left the hospital. Craziness. I really don't want to go back to work. It's been so nice to get to spend time with him and Jackson getting to be a family together every day. I never thought that I would be one that would want to stay at home with the kids but I am loving every second of it right now - maybe its just different now that there are two...maybe its just a change within me. Whatever it is, I just wasn't prepared for how much my heart would expand to incorporate two little boy's love. I wasn't prepared to go on preschool field trips with the other SAHMs and love being there. I wasn't prepared for any of this - but God prepared my heart in advance and He will provide for me and these little men. I am so incredibly blessed - really truly blessed.

Joseph's Birth Story

2009-09-15T09:06:00.003-05:00

Looking back on the blog posts I was able to do yesterday it amazes me how fast everything went after the last post I was able to squeak out.

After my water was broken the contractions started coming fast and regular I held out as long as I could before getting the epidural when the contractions started going one on top of the other. At about 12:30 the anesthesiologist came in and started the process. They had to try THREE times to get it installed - by the end of the second poke, I was ready to tell them that I would be fine - lets forget about the epidural altogether! The doctor was great though and having my father there to help me breathe through the pokes and all of a sudden the biting pain became just some abdominal pressure and I could relax a little. My mom and Josie arrived right after 12:30 right after the epi kicked in and the waiting game began.

A little bit after that though, my blood pressure started dropping (it bottomed out at 78 over 42 !!) and when my bp would go down Joseph's heart rate would go down as well. We rolled over, we changed positions and it still didn't do any good. Finally the nurse had an idea to go ahead and check Joe's progress and voila - the second I got on my back and a semi upright position he pushed down, totally effaced and his heart rate stabilized. It was time to push! The quote of the day goes to my mother who said that he brightened up because he "finally saw daylight!" All of a sudden, the room filled with nurses preparing things, draping tables, opening trays, warming up the lamps...and my heart was completely filled with love and joy for the baby that was coming soon. Josie read some of the posts that were left for me from all of my online sisters on HYWWP during the melee.

35 minutes of pushing later, Joseph Todd arrived in the world at 7lb 14 oz, 20 1/2 inches long and every bit of beautiful. I could not be happier, after everything that I have gone through over the past 40 weeks, I feel like I could burst with happiness that he is finally here and healthy and just beautiful. I can't believe that he is so little! I had geared myself up to have an 8.5 - 9 pound baby and here he is just so teeny and beautiful.

The internet here is super slow so if you would like to see pictures, there are some on my facebook profile as well as on Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/aremid129/StarredPhotos

Thank you so much to my friends and family for all of the prayers and support. I truly could not have done this without you. We are so incredibly blessed and we love you all!

Love,

Kris, Joseph and Jackson

Joseph's Birthday - Update 2 9:15 AM

2009-09-14T09:15:00.004-05:00

Things are going great the East Tower. I got to watch the sun rise over a foggy morning in Des Moines, had a little nap and did some scrap website surfing with Kathy the Awesome Nurse. I found out that my favorite OB out of the practice is the on call today - I was really hoping that she would be the one who would deliver me (!!!) AND Kathy the Awesome Nurse has the same camera I do so she took some cute pictures of me and Dr. Roose and posed for me to take pics too. Always helps to have scrappers on hand during the important days! Is it strange to be having fun at a labor induction? Water broken - here we go.

Dr. Roose and I

Kathy The Awesome Scrapping Nurse and Ashley the equally awesome non scrapping nurse

Joseph's Birthday - Update 1 6:50 AM

2009-09-14T06:51:00.003-05:00

I'm here! It's been an early morning already but not too bad. So much for the idea that I would get some good sleep before coming in super early. I laid down at about 9:30 - gave up trying to sleep at about 11:00 and decided to take a shower to try to relax. I'm not sure but I think I finally went to "sleep" at about 1:00 AM only to get up again at 4:45 to have another shower and head in to Mercy. I got here at about 10 min to six and have spent the past hour getting checked in, getting to know Kathy "the awesome nurse" and got my IV started. (YAY FUN). So far so good.

It's kind of nice to have a few moments of alone time this morning to pray and meditate on Joseph's birth without any chatter or distractions but my laptop and itunes. Just sitting here listening to John Mayer and the sound of Joe's heartbeat on the monitor.

Here comes Kathy the Awesome Nurse too hook up the pitocin and antibiotics. It's show time!

edited to add: Kathy the Awesome Nurse was looking at my blog when she came in - turns out that she is a Stampin Up rep. There is a fall catalog in my future!!! See - today is the day that was destined to be JT's birthday!

All in His timing...

2009-09-12T21:55:00.006-05:00

It's been pretty public knowledge that I have been miserable the last few weeks waiting for Joseph to arrive. Well today I got confirmation that God is in the timing of JT's arrival...

Joseph's middle name (Todd) is after my friend, Mary Todd who lived with Jackson and I after he was born, worked with me... Truly my best friend...Mary passed away 3 years ago due to a congenital heart condition on - get this - September 14th - the day I'm going to be induced! Somehow I had written down in my planner that her date was the 17th of September...but that was the date of the funeral service. Her mom reminded me today about that when she read about my induction date on Facebook and we spent some of time talking about how Mary was smiling down on us and giving us this baby to always remind us of His providence to our lives. The circle of life will be completed in 30 hours, 37 minutes...not that I'm counting...but if you want to there is a link below lol.

So even though waiting until the 14th wasn't in MY timing it definitely was in HIS! WOW! GOD IS GOOD ALL.THE.TIME!

Countdown to Induction

The Light At the End of a Very Long Tunnel

2009-09-10T19:18:00.003-05:00

After three nights of sleeping only in two hour segments and alternating between my bed, Jack's bed and the couch I was feeling pretty beat up - I got to my appointment this morning ON TIME (!) and spent some time in the waiting room just praying that the doctor would listen to the misery in my voice and do something to help me out. Well - God answers prayers! The doctor took one look at me and got on the phone with Labor and Delivery to see if they could get me in tomorrow. The elective spots were all taken up (darn) but I am scheduled for induction Monday morning at 6AM. In the meantime, I will keep walking and seeing if I can get him out on his own...Come on JT - lets do this thing!
Jackson started preschool on Tuesday as well! I can't believe my little man is in Pre-K already. Next year he is Kindergarten bound! Wow! He is such a blessing and checks in on Joseph every morning. To celebrate his big brother status, we gave his room a bit of an overhaul. He has wanted to paint it blue for some time so on Labor Day we headed to Lowe's and Target and got everything we needed for a brand new room! Here are some highlights from his first day and his new bedroom!

I can't believe that the next update here I will be the mom of TWO boys! Wow.

BTW - painting stripes is a lot harder than it looks on Trading Spaces!!!

A little "Green" breakfast before preschool Key Lime Yogurt, Honeydew Melon and milk in a Green Cup

SO stylin'

Outside of the preschool!

Jackson with his class

A little ice cream after pickup.

Could this be my last appointment?

2009-09-03T12:03:00.002-05:00

I actually got to my appointment EARLY today and still had to wait until 20 minutes after my appointment started to get in to see the OB. I was willing to wait though -I got to see my favorite doctor out of the practice today!

I'm at 3 centimeters now - and 50% thinned. PROGRESS! She said all of the walking I have been doing has been helping. She ruptured my membranes to get things stirred up a little and told me to keep walking especially if I start getting regular contractions.

I was supposed to have been able to schedule an induction date but - since next week has Labor Day, and a bunch of people wanting to schedule their induction for 9/9/09 or 9/11 it is totally full. So I have to wait and see if I am still pregnant next week before I can schedule a time. Let's just hope this membrane thing works! This turkey is COOKED!

Labor and Delivery - Part 3

2009-08-31T12:04:00.003-05:00

Joseph is being a little bugger again today! It all started yesterday with a whole lot of pressure whoa momma. The nesting was in full force - the house is CLEAN -the car is CLEAN - groceries are stocked...then at about 9:00 last night I started - um - cleaning myself out. So I had about an hour devoted to the bathroom and finally got to sleep around midnight.

I woke up at 2:30 AM with AWFUL contractions. I started timing them and they got to about 5 minutes apart, went down and took a shower, came back up and they stepped up to 3-4 minutes apart and lasting 30-50 seconds even after sucking down two 32 oz jugs of water so I called the on call OB at around 4:30 and she told me to come in. So I called my mom - woke up Jackson and packed a bag for him and headed in. This time I got to skip the triage unit and went straight to a delivery room. Where they showed my contractions spiking - and Joe's heartrate would jump along with them. The problem was - no dilation...the first nurse checked and said that I was still too posterior and she couldn't reach with her little fingers. I was able to get up and walk around which was lovely and contractions were still coming regularly (and painfully I might add).

They had a nursing change at 7:00 AM so we did another exam - and she said that, despite the painful contractions, I was still only at 2 centimeters and - for some reason - they have my due date down as the 16th not the 12th so I was only 37.5 weeks according to their charts even though I was 38 on Saturday and wouldn't do anything but send me home and hope I dilate on my own. The worst is that the nurses kept reiterating that I wasn't supposed to go in unless the contractions were getting more and more intense (um - HELLO - they were - that's why I came in!!!) I was crying at that point knowing there was nothing I could do about the pain but that Joe was just being stubborn.

Mom took us home and Jackson wanted to stay with me instead of going home with Nana. Stopping to say that he was a complete angel the entire time at the hospital, he played quietly with his toys and rubbed my back - even wished on a star before we left the house that he would see his baby brother today. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a sweet little boy. He didn't even complain that I woke him up at 5:00 AM. By the time we got home it was nearly 9:00 and I was exhausted emotionally and physically so Jack and I laid down and napped for a couple of hours.

I'm sitting here now drinking some Red Raspberry tea - had some lunch and Jack and I are going to spend the rest of the day walking to all the parks in town and trying to get Joe to move himself down. I'm still having contractions...this stinks. I know he will come on his own time but man, he's giving us a run for our money at this point. Ugh. Prayers that he either starts cooperating or at least calms down enough to let me rest and go about my day would be nice.

Thanks for all of the well wishes. It feels so good to know that Joe's arrival is being prayed over by so many people. Let's just hope he comes soon and lets us love on him for real. Thank you friends!

The latest in the weekly checkup saga...

2009-08-27T11:41:00.005-05:00

Wish I had better news...but I want a total do-over on today's rainy gross day!

Had a dr appt this morning at 8:30 - left the house at 7:45, took J to mom's realized the car was out of gas, stopped for quick fill up, on the road again - got stopped by a friggin freight train at the crossing in town - then got stuck behind a guy going 45mph on the Interstate ;swearing . Arrived at my appt 12 min late and the nurse gave me the stink eye and told me we needed to get going right away at which point I started tearing up and apologizing...gotta love the preg hormones...had my exam, I'm still only at 2 cm and "thick" and my Strep B test came back positive so I'll have to be on IV antibiotics during delivery to make sure it doesn't pass to Joseph during birth (Strep B is harmless - like strep throat to you or me but could cause complications for little dude's immune system). So - I went home to lay down for a couple of hours...I don't have any appointments until 3 and I need to not think about how frustrating this is trying to keep him IN for 8 weeks only to have him not want to come OUT when the time is actually right...

So here I am in all my bellied up glory.

When will JT arrive?

2009-08-21T19:02:00.001-05:00

Register your guesses by following the link below! There are prizes for the person who gets closest to his arrival date AND weight! Thanks for playing!

Baby Update

2009-08-20T18:08:00.003-05:00

I'm going to post the last trimester appointments here so I have them for the baby book - hope you all don't mind.

We had our ultrasound and weekly checkup today - Joseph is doing great - he's down low in my pelvis and I'm dialated to 2cm! The doctor thinks that my contractions and recent "other unpleasantries" are due to a prostaglandin release - good news for progression of labor since that is what starts opening things up for him to come through.

I got an ultrasound today too he is a big boy! Measuring out to be about 6 pounds 12 ounces! Couldn't get any really clear pictures since he's so big but its enough that he's healthy and growing! If I go to term they are anticipating an 8.5 - 9 pound baby!!! WOW!!! Jackson was only 8 lb even. So I'm going for a walk tonight and hoping to get him loosened up some more so I keep seeing progress. Only 3 weeks max to go! Come on baby boy lets do this thing!

Next appointment is next Thursday at 8:30 am!

State Fair Weekend!!!

2009-08-16T20:17:00.009-05:00

I celebrated the release of myself from my sofa by going to the fair!!! Friday afternoon was a hot day - so my dad insisted that I be pushed around in a wheelchair **eye roll** but I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. But at least we got the traditional picture of Jackson and Papa by the Hy-Vee sign. 4 years running baby! The highlight of the fair this year! WINNING an Honorable Mention for my Iowa State Fair themed scrapbook page! I was so excited to have a ribbon for my work! WOOT!

That night my bestest friendest from high school, Heather, came to stay with us! She made the most ADORABLE diaper cake that was waiting for me when we got home! I'm so blessed to have such amazing friends!!! I just wish she didn't live all the way up where the buffalo roam so we could see each other more often!

We stayed in our jammies for way too long on Saturday then went out and had a yummy lunch at Fazoli's and got stuff for a girlie night of dying hair and giggling. 2SB forever! Then we got up way too early on Sunday and headed to the fair again this time with her husband, daughter and MIL- despite having to dodge giant bananas flying off the back of a pickup - we made it and I (sans wheelchair) tried to walk this baby out of me! It didn't work but it did tucker us out into an early night! Back to work today - let's just hope that Joseph decides to come out SOOOON! Here some other fair photos - coming soon to a layout near you!

Me and my ribbon!

GROUP HUG - Heather Jack and Laina!

Jack and me in the ag garden

Jack and the giant pumpkin

FINALLY 36 weeks! long update

2009-08-13T00:04:00.008-05:00

This is officially my LAST week of modified activity/bed rest and not a second too soon!! Although the whole concept of staying at home/working from home sounds delicious its also VERY boring. I have done a lot of scrapping though - watched two full seasons of "Weeds" on Netflix - all of Joseph's little clothes are clean, hung up, and his room is organized and I am completely caught up on all message boards/blogs/facebook/pogo. Sheesh.

In between all of that - my brother got married August 1st at the Blank Park Zoo. It was a lovely ceremony and everything went so smoothly - besides - check out my little bubba in his monkey suit!

Ashley and I showing off our bridesmaids gowns and beautiful bouquets.The happy couple sharing their first dance.

The other bright spot was the lovely baby shower that my sweet friends Autumn and Terri threw for me at the church. We got diapers and wipes and essentials galore and some cute little outfits as well! I used the gift cards I have gotten along the way to order my diaper bag and a changing table organizer too! He is going to be one well dressed little baby! Thank you SO much girls for this blessing for our new addition. We love you so much!

Sporting the belly by the gift table. See how seriously BLESSED we are???

Terri's super yummy cake with the real sugar frosting that we have been drooling over for MONTHS!

and...a few of my recent pages that I think turned out lovely...thanks to the ladies at HYWWP for the tremendous online crops that were such an inspiration!

And the winner is!!!

2009-07-28T15:57:00.002-05:00

The winner of my little section of our Happy Blog Hop is...

Chelsea L

Check out her blog Scrapbooking to Stay Sane to see some of her beautiful work. I had a BLAST reading everyone's responses and hope everyone will stay in touch!

Sorry this is a little late - we have had some "excitement" the last few days - no baby yet but it wasn't for lack of him trying to get out! Two trips to maternity triage, a shot of terbutaline and a couple of weeks of bed rest (aka working from home) and he should stay put for long enough to get us into the "OK to deliver zone" before he tries another jail break...I hope at least. On the up shot - that should give me some time to scrap a little before he gets here! **fingers crossed**

Chelsea - send me your contact information and I'll get your RAK out to you! Congratulations and thanks for playing!

A little extra Happy for the Hoppers!

2009-07-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

As if this hop weren't happy enough!!! Our brilliant friend Erin has organized an online weekend crop at Have Your Way With Paper Sign in to our message boards and Find the "Crop the Weekend Away" forum for some amazing, inspiration and scrappy (and non scrappy) challenges.

Don't forget to scroll down and comment on the blog hop post for your chance to win a Pack of Thickers, some GORGEOUS K & Co chipboard flowers, and a mystery embellie! Thanks to all of our participants and new followers. Welcome to the Paper Snob universe!

Spread a Little Happiness - Blog Hop!

2009-07-23T09:06:00.004-05:00

Hello and welcome to the Happy Blog Hop Sponsored by Have Your Way With Paper! I hope that everyone is feeling inspired and - well - HAPPY today!

For this stop, tell me about three embellishments that make your pages happy *and you scrap happy too...*

Mine would have to be: chipboard, layered flowers and felt, and THICKERS!

Post your top three embellies for a chance to win a prize pack with all three of my faves!

When you are done continue hopping along by visiting the lovely and talented Lisa and let her positive thoughts lift you up too!

Crazy Day

2009-07-18T21:56:00.005-05:00

Thursday was a day that can only be called crazy. I have been fighting some back pain for a few days and, after Wednesday night's small group meeting I was convinced that I should call my OB's office before my next scheduled appointment on Tuesday to make sure everything is OK. I described everything to the nurse on call and she said that it sounded like I was having back contractions and sent me into the maternity center at Mercy to be monitored. I was a little dehydrated so they hooked me up to some fluids and monitored the contractions for a few hours - which remained mild and not regular - They did a test called FFN (Fetal FibroNectin) which is supposed to predict pre-term labor in the next couple of weeks. Ooh BOY is that a fun swab to get done! It came back negative and all of the exits are still closed up so they sent me back home on "modified bed rest". Which basically means, "take it easy", no heavy lifting, no prolonged or repetitive activity, but I'm not strictly in bed for the next 8 weeks thank GOD! So I went home, slept for four hours, drank a ton of water and felt MUCH better.

I did get clearance, as long as I made my brother carry everything and didn't overdo anything, to still go to the David Cook concert at Simon Estes

Amphitheater that night!

It was SUCH a nice night, even a little chilly, and his part of the concert was only a little over an hour. It felt SO nice to just be me for a couple of hours - the last thing that I get to do that is all about me before everything gets more complicated for child care - especially since mom is going to be watching Joseph full time and she will have Jackson half days when he is in preschool. It makes it hard to ask for a few extra hours in the evening even just Jack - much less with both boys...so the timing was weird but I'm glad I got to go before Troy gets married in a couple of weeks and I become mommy of two.

I've also determined that I am not built to rest...I'm so used to doing everything on my own that it is SO hard to watch my dad mow my lawn for me and to not be able to lift my son whenever I want to. I just want this baby to get here so I can get back to being myself again. I just keep chanting - 8 weeks left - 8 weeks left - just hang in there...

2009-07-09T13:33:00.004-05:00

Yes, I haven't updated in ages due to some home Internet issues. (God bless those dear folks at Qwest for completely ignoring my need for service...) It seems like a lot has happened since that but really not much has.

I crossed over into the single digits counting down the weeks left until Baby Joseph arrives! 9 weeks and some change. When last we left the saga I was having to repeat the torture that is the three hour glucose test. I got there as early as I could, got two blood draws into the darn thing and - well - lets just say that Joseph "rejected" the glucose solution and I was sent home without finishing the test. I was PRAYING that the doctor's office wouldn't make me retake it and, since the levels on my first two draws were fine, they said I wouldn't have to and just watch my refined sugar intake.

According to the ultrasound from a couple of weeks ago, JT is in the 78th percentile for size so he is still growing just fine even though I have yet to gain any of my 32 pound weight loss back at all. I have a goal of gaining two pounds before my 32 week appointment on the 22nd but I've been battling a nasty sinus infection so I'm not sure that's going to happen...anyway, here is the official 7 month photo - thanks to Terry for taking it for me at the last church crop! Man I really do look as tired as I feel.

AND I miss my hair! It got hacked off (way too short) at the salon last weekend so I am hiding from cameras until some of it grows back...it should be just about perfect in time for the wedding though so that's good!

4th of July weekend was a BLAST Jack and I got to spend some time with some good friends, Josie, Jeremy, Heather, Andrew and Jaci - we had 5 children running around and playing, got to see a great parade and between Thursday and Saturday got to see three of the best fireworks displays in Des Moines. We went to the annual concert at the capital and ran into some friends from Jackson's daycare. It was just a wonderful time! More pics to come when I can log on from my home computer.

I hope everyone's holiday went well! Love to all!

Weekend Update.

2009-06-29T22:34:00.006-05:00

Before I get to the weekend's events...

Today - I happened to be in the little town where the bridesmaid dresses were ordered so I decided to stop by to see how "frankenstein" my gown is going to have to be since I ordered it in February... I went in to the dressing room fully expecting to not even be able to zip the darn thing up but it was actually LOOSE on me. They are going to have to take in the bust and maybe let out the sides a couple of inches after the next few weeks but they probably won't even have to add any extra fabric to it. Yay for not having to pay for too many alterations but - um - how big WAS I before I got pregnant??? Sad that I'm actually smaller 7+ months pregnant than before...ugh - anyway - here is awful cell phone pic I took when I was there.

The weekend was VERY busy all around. Saturday night some of the ladies from church landed at my house after a night of bowling and brought over a FIRE PIT!!! I LOVE IT! We all sat around toasting marshmallows and just enjoying one another's company. THANK YOU LYNN!!! I just can't wait to figure out a way to landscape the back yard to accommodate the pit...may have to be a "next spring" kind of project!

It was a good weekend for scrapping up at the church on Saturday - I struggled with my first layout for-EVAH trying to make the papers that I had originally bought for these pictures work...I was about to give up when I pulled out this Bungle Jungle from Sassafras Lass and - voila - brilliance

The second one had been in my brain since I found this paper at Convention at the beginning of the month. The crate paper "lil sprouts" line is perfect for the nursery color scheme. I'm totally ready for him to get here as soon as he's ready to come! 10 weeks left - what torture...

In the next post - torturous medical procedures and the pregnant women who have to endure them...

Not AGAIN!

2009-06-23T20:48:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was my 28 week doctor's appointment and I must say that it was a colossal disappointment!!!!

I had to take my 3rd trimester blood glucose test - yup failed the 1 hour and have to go back next Wednesday to take another torture test (aka the 4 hour GTT).

Then I got verbally flogged by my doctor for losing another 3 pounds...my mom was with me and attested to the fact that I really am eating as much as my nauseous stomach will allow...so I got shipped off to the ultrasound where Joseph was NOT cooperating, had his back turned to us, so all we could see was spine. He is still measuring exactly on schedule. He weighs 3 pounds and his heartbeat and digestive function all look good.

I was totally bummed and the oppressive heat outside made it really hard to move myself through the last half of my day. Ugh - where is my fast forward button? I need it to be September TOMORROW!

Monday Comes Too Soon

2009-06-21T23:43:00.004-05:00

Mom and Dad's time share definitely comes in handy when talking about weekend getaways! This time we took off Friday afternoon and headed to the Wisconsin Dells for a few days. It was wonderful to get away for a couple of days and spend some quality time with the little man...we spent way too much time getting wrinkly in the water park at the hotel - ate some yummy food and found the few missing items from Joseph's wardrobe at the outlet mall. The highlight though was Jackson's first mini golf game! Best $6.50 ever spent in the history of his short life. Check out these photos - it was a gorgeous course and J caught on so quickly to the instruction that papa and I gave him!

Tomorrow is the last ultrasound before I get to meet my newest little man in person and up close. Mom is bringing Jackson along...I can't wait!!! Hello third trimester. T-11 weeks to go!!!

A Burst of Creativitity!

2009-06-15T10:57:00.004-05:00

The trip to Dallas must have been just what I needed to spark my creativity - between Friday night at home and Saturday night at Josie's I completed SIX layouts...and consolidated the 6x6 pages we did at convention into one 12x24 spread! One still needs a journal spot and a couple of embellishments but I am just thrilled with what a little bit of organization and the feel of some new yummy product in my hands can do!

The "before" shot - my purchases from convention.

My Iowa State Fair entry for this year - the title is made up of pictures I took of sights around the fair, corn dog, funnel cake, grand concourse and midway.

Jackson's first Bam Bam Trophy!

The "Big Brother" page for Joe's book.

The "Nana and Papa" page for Joe's book.

The top picture is a group shot of the texas girls when we first met, the one at the bottom was from the last day right before we got on the shuttle.

A "Roe" collage...our queen bee...

Confessions of a fat girl...

2009-06-14T23:06:00.006-05:00

OK this is going to sound bad but its not meant to be self depricating...just eye opening

I was just going through some old photographs and discovered something alarming - I actually look better now - almost 7 months pregnant - than I did a year ago at the same time. I'm still able to fit into the same clothes but I'm down to one chin and carrying around an extra person. WOW. Check out the photographic evidence.

Not beating myself up but - seriously I'm ashamed to see what I was compared to what I am now...see for yourself.

May 2008 vs May 2009

April 2008 vs April 2009

June 2008 vs May 2009

What a week!

2009-06-11T12:29:00.005-05:00

How do I even begin to talk about my last week? How do I put into words the inspiration, the laughter, and the feeling of family that I got to experience for three glorious days in Texas? Seriously? How am I supposed to do that??? All I can say is how grateful I am that God brought these lovely ladies into my life.

They were sneaky enough to plan a surprise baby shower for me, although I still can't believe that they were able to plan that all behind my back. With a beautiful 6x6 album waiting for pictures of little Joseph, a birthday surprise for Paula, amazing shopping (I even stayed under my budget!!!), and yummy food (more than you can imagine!) Thank you ladies for making my last trip before JT joins our family a pink boa wrapped, lovely weekend!

more photos at: http://hywwp.shutterfly.com

Speaking of Joseph, his nursery is almost complete! My neighbor's new wife had a cradle that she gave to us and it was waiting in the garage when I got home yesterday! All I need now is a changing table and I am all ready for JT to arrive!!! A big thanks to Josie for letting me borrow some of her boppy and bumbo and tub and clothes - he is going to be SO set up!!! Only 98 days to go...and its only a week and a half until I get to see him on the ultrasound again! Check out the nursery - soon to be filled with the next member of the Stuart family. Wow - just wow.

On the road again

2009-06-02T22:02:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is going to be AWESOME! Having fun with one of my dearest friends at one. Running what could be a very lucrative appointment at four and then I am off to Kansas City for the night before hopping a plane to TEXAS for the first meeting of the Have Your Way With Paper crew! I have been anticipating this for months and now it is finally here! Wow. Many photos will be taken fear not...

Speaking of photos - I took a ton of them at Courtney's bridal shower. Here is the link if you are interested. I think everyone had a good time - played some games, ate some yummy cake...doesn't get much better than that. Only 59 more days to the wedding. Guess I should go see how much extra fabric they are going to have to add to my bridesmaid dress lol

the link: http://troycourtneywedding.shutterfly.com

BUSY couple of weeks

2009-05-29T11:35:00.003-05:00

I have been SO busy this past week - even though I have been SICK most of the week too. But it was a good kind of busy - work has really picked up lately which is a total blessing! It is SO nice to know that my finances are finally picking up and that things will be good again for me in the next few weeks.

Jackson's last week of preschool is next week and his last Bam Bam game is on Saturday morning. I'm so darn proud of the progress that he has made this year! He is really growing into a little man. He is going to be hanging out with my mom over the summer so that will be very special. Going to the pool, and the library and the Kids Cafe'. He is excited and so am I! It makes me SO anxious to be able to go through it all again with Joseph! It is the biggest blessing in the world to watch these little babies become independent little men and I am so happy that God saw fit to make me a mother again, even though I was sure that Jackson would be my one and only.

Speaking of Joseph, I had my 24 week appointment this week - I lost another 3 pounds but he is measuring really well (check out the belly below) and he is VERY active so the doctor isn't necessarily concerned but she did schedule me for another ultrasound next month (yay!) and I have my second round of glucose tolerance tests (only the 1 hour this time around - another yay!) After that - I'm in to the doc's office every two weeks until the last four when its every week! It's going by so fast - but not fast enough for me. I want him here!!! The nursery got painted last weekend and my neighbor lady said that she has a crib that I can have for FREE! Yes, I was in love with my nursery furniture and yes I will miss it - but I can't argue with FREE over $900 furniture

My scrapping mojo has been back full force too! I completed five layouts (only 4 of which I have scanned so far though) last weekend with Josie and I'm thrilled with them all. (see below).

So the end of this busy week is going to be even MORE busy-ness...After Jackson's Bam Bam game there is an awards ceremony where he gets his trophy and then we have the bridal shower for my future SIL - followed by her bachelorette party. Then only THREE MORE DAYS until I'm in Dallas, TX with my girls from Have Your Way With Paper!!!! I cannot WAIT to hang out with these ladies and have some fun and relaxing time away from home before the baby comes. Can you tell I'm ultra excited?

OK - here are some peeks of my layouts

This is back from New Years Day but I finally found the right embellies!

I think this one is going to be a state fair entry for this year - Jackson and I in the same costume 26 years apart!

I just LOVE my new Lime Rickey! It makes me happy!

FINALLY an excuse to "pink up" a layout! I need to wear pink in group photos more often!

An extremely crazy weekend! pic intensive

2009-05-18T12:42:00.018-05:00

What a TREMENDOUS weekend this has been - it was SO refreshing to get out of town for a few days and be reminded of Kansas City and all that I did and learned and grew into there, all of the amazing friends that are still part of my life from that time period. I'm SO blessed to still have these people in my life!!! If it weren't for all of my wonderful friends and family in Iowa, I'd be back there in the blink of an eye...

We started down on Friday morning and drove through torrential rain storms and to Heather's house to get to spend a little time with her and Amelia before going to set up at CJ's for the party. Would you just look at this sweet little thing - nearly one year old - walking around - throwing balls - and that luxurious red hair. I swear this child smiles with her entire face!

The party was awesome! I can't even tell you how proud I am of Heather for having the drive and determination to not only hold TWO doctorate degrees but also graduate Magna Cum Laude, in the Honor Society and win three other prestigious awards with her class. All while maintaining her home, her friendships and having her gorgeous daughter. You amaze me my darling!!!

Saturday morning was the real surprise...after 5 years of nothing but casual emails/facebook contact, Jackson met his father and two younger brothers! We met for a late breakfast at Mimi's Cafe in NKC at 10:00 and it all went really well! We all sat around talking like old friends, the boys were playing, holding hands and running around like they had known each other all their lives. I'm so glad that we opened this door and I pray that we can all continue to be in contact and that the boys will always know their brothers. They even had a baby gift for Joseph (man I wish that blankets were that soft for adults too!)

It feels SO good to let go of all of that anticipation and wondering and just know that all is well. I appreciate all of the advice and concern that my friends have shown, just know that I was totally at peace with this decision, have prayed over it and I believe that this is what was right for Jackson as he grows into more questions about his upbringing...Here are some of the photographic highlights (there is more info after these)...

Jackson meeting his dad...

Jacob (2) , Eric, Cameron (7 mos) and Jackson (4) together for the first time...

Jacob and Jackson sharing a brotherly hug.

Just the boys playing outside

...and if that weren't enough excitement for one weekend...I had promised Jackson that we would go swimming at the hotel - but there was one catch - the hotel we stayed at didn't have an indoor pool - only an outdoor one and it was still WAY too chilly for that! So we had to pack up our stuff and head down to the NKC Community Center to hang out in their indoor pool. 2 day passes and we spent the next two hours trying out Jack's new eye goggles that he got as a prize for being good at preschool. Here he is in his fashion eye wear and showing off his "kung fu fighting" moves.
Then we topped the whole experience off with Dinner with Katie, Marcia and Mike Todd at Chili's and a brunch with CJ, Shawn, and Dave on Sunday morning! We pulled into Altoona JUST in time to make it to small group at the church - we came home after that, did some laundry AND I actually finished scrapping a page (below) that I started a couple of weeks ago. No wonder I'm dragging butt today!!! I am SO satisfied though - sometimes the Lord knows just what we need to refresh our spirits...now if I could just have this baby TOMORROW I'd be a very happy little girl! I know he still has some cooking to do but I am getting antsy to have him in my arms!!! Patience is a virtue I know but its not something I have to like right?
...

Finally a happy post!

2009-05-08T11:12:00.004-05:00

(scene: Sitting at Panera after getting two signed applications from a new client and sipping my green tea on the patio enjoying this gorgeous day for a few minutes before I go into the office and just feeling happy)

May is a great month for me! For the first time in over a month I'm feeling really optimistic about life. Business is picking up so my finances feel much more comfortable. The weather is GORGEOUS (I forgot how wonderful the sun on my face makes my spirit feel). My sweet, lovely little boy has been snuggly and affectionate. Joseph is constantly reminding me of his existence by thumping around inside my ever expanding tummy. My comfy little women's group at the church that embrace me with prayer and support. A family who knows exactly what I need at the right time. And friends who 'listen to the call' and make sure that my Mother's Day is special. I am surrounded by love on all sides and it truly lifts me up and makes me a better mother, daughter, businesswoman, and friend.

AND...

I was chosen to be this month's "Spotlight Member" at Have Your Way With Paper !!! My favorite website and web community. The ladies there are AMAZING, talented, supportive and all around wonderful and I am SO blessed to have each and every one of them in my life. I have been so humbled by this honor, which includes my own forum letting me comment on my work at various stages, and answer all kinds of fun questions from my girls. I can't believe I get to meet most of you in a little less than a month! WOW! I couldn't ask for better friends!!!

AND...

I get to go to Kansas City this weekend for my lovely friend Heather's med school graduation. I'm so proud of her I could just piddle - I have never known someone who has been so dedicated to a goal and makes it happen no matter what. She is a phenomenal doctor, friend, mother and wife. Congratulations my love! I can't wait to have the whole "core four" together again. Nobody celebrates better than my ladies. Jackson is coming down with me and we're going swimming at the hotel and going to see Grandma Marcia too! It's going to be a fantastic weekend!!!

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Have a wonderful weekend all of you and Happy Mother's Day to those of us blessed with babies!

An award and the Halfway Point!!! (ultrasound photos and belly shot included)

2009-04-30T16:34:00.004-05:00

My sweet friend Roe sent me a darling little blog award! Man do I love my Scrappy sisters over at Have Your Way With Paper! Thank you Roe!

And now to pay it forward...I'd like to award:
Lisa: http://positivelylisa.blogspot.com/
Jenn: http://justjennc.blogspot.com/
and
Erin: http://erinebailey.blogspot.com/

Well deserved ladies!

I had my big level 2 ultrasound today and let me tell you - I am so in love with this little guy that it is simply amazing. I had a regular appointment too - lost another three pounds but Joe is doing great so they aren't concerned. My dad surprised me and was able to come even though he didn't think he was going to be able to and we got to see Joseph up close and personal. All four chambers of his heart were busy pumping blood, he was kicking and playing with the umbilical cord and stretching his tiny little spine out. He weighs almost a pound now and is 7 inches long. What a blessing ultrasounds are! To get to put a little face on this tiny life. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you. Jeremiah 1:5"

Here are a couple of photos that I got to take with me...Awwww...

Sucking his thumb

His tiny little toes

And yes...I know Joseph - you are still a boy (with a hand next to his leg)

Josie took this last weekend when I was exactly 19.5 weeks or totally halfway. I'm getting to be more baby than me (finally!)

AND - I already have the last ultrasound photos scrapped - go me!...

This weekend is National Scrapbook Day (May 2nd) so keep a lookout next week for some more creations from my table!

Just Walk

2009-04-23T14:42:00.003-05:00

Today has been one of "those days" starting off just fine with a happy smilely little boy, the sun peeking in through my bedroom window and filling my room with light but my whole body just ached, my head hurt and getting out of bed was the real struggle even though I knew Thursdays were essential to my business. So I successfully launched myself out of bed, got bathed while my son got himself dressed (without a fight I might add) and headed out the door...

Well, I made it as far as the intersection at Hubbel and Broadway before I had to pull over and add "Owner of Scary Trucker Motel" to my list of "People I get to Meet while Pulling Over to Get Sick." Yum. Needless to say - that didn't help the fatigue OR the headache, but still I plugged along through the first half of my day (amount of productivity yet to be determined).

Blessedly, lunch break came around and I went to my secret sleeping/reading place and instantly was out for a little over an hour! I woke up feeling better and spent the rest of my extended lunch break (since I stay late on Thursdays) reading "The Shack" and my lessons for the week, man that always makes me feel better...the things I read always have a way of lifting me up and making me shift my thinking just a little bit. So today here is what I got out of today's session.

We were made to be loved and when we forget that is when we fall. We are meant to walk together as a unit with no heirarchy, no superiority, no chain of command. We are called to walk, without questioning and trust that God will guide our path, it is when we take our eyes off His will that we start to sink - like Peter walking on the water.

I read that story again for the first time today wishing that I had the fortitude of faith to step out of the boat and onto the water in the first place but all I can do at this point is Just Walk. Take one step at a time and trust that the next one will have sure footing under it. (or at least that there will be someone to catch me if I slip and fall). I can't fear what the future will hold because anything that I dream up at this point is not real...at least not yet... I just have to trust and have faith that the next step that I take will be on the right path and not let myself take my eyes off of the goal.

Maybe that is why all of this is happening to me now - why I need to be alone - to discover these truths and use them to set things right. As I read, I come across so many things that I wish I had in my heart before the breakdown. But God uses our suffering to His good...if it weren't for recent events, would I have delved into this study? Would I realize these truths? Would my heart be prepared to love as I have never loved before? Maybe - maybe not...

I only wish I could share this all with the man I love - the only unresolved hurt is the lack of contact from him. No calls, no emails for two weeks now. I hope he's OK. I pray for him every night and hope that he is finding the peace in his heart that I am discovering in mine. To let him know that our baby is healthy and growing and wiggly. To let him know that I know now what true love is supposed to look like and to realize where we fell short of that ideal. And to tell him that I forgive him for the pain and ask him for forgiveness as well.

Well - I guess that's all the naked honesty I have in my system for now. Until next week...

I got to SCRAP this weekend!

2009-04-19T20:12:00.003-05:00

Man it feels good to have some creativity flowing out of me again - here are a few examples of my work for the past couple of weekends of cropping with Josie, the Christian Creativity group at church and Ashley! I'm so happy with all of the layouts!

Jackson's uniform for Bam Bam Baseball!

This one is going into JT's baby book..

The card Jackson made for me at preschool for Valentine's Day

My Own Personal Warhammer

2009-04-16T18:54:00.004-05:00

I am not a gamer - in fact, those of you who know me and my situations, know that the online game "Warhammer" was a major source of stress and problems in my relationship...so to clarify this has nothing to do with the addiction/game but its my own personal warfare of a more spiritual nature.

I got led today to a Joyce Myers book called "Battlefield of the Mind" praying that it will help me tame the thoughts of self-worthlessness (if that is a word) that have been plaguing me and waking me up in the middle of the night. I read the first chapter in the car this afternoon and I want to use this space - as public as it may be - to help me chronicle this journey to spiritual health and track my own progress.

So today I'm starting my own Warhammer of the mind. Putting on the armor of faith and waging war against the keeps that have been set up in my mind that harbor my self doubt, my fears, my past disappointments, my insecurities - basically all of the things that I used to unconsciously drive Chad away and are keeping me veiled in this depression. Instead of fighting spider monsters or seven legged creatures in a virtual realm...I have to fight against the demons in my spiritual life.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Tricky business indeed but I have faith. I have a rare weapon on my side.

2 Corinthians 3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient.

I never thought I'd be one for battle, but this is one I must win to be strong for my boys, for my business and friendships to thrive and to understand the meaning of the struggles that have been placed in my life. I only pray that my journey will help others discover where their true weaponry lies as well.

Yesterday I was...

2009-04-15T12:39:00.005-05:00

SUPERMOM!

OK, so maybe not exactly supermom but I was pretty darn productive and darn proud of myself for being that way.

I picked Jackson up from school and since it was a gorgeous day outside he got to play outside while I deep cleaned and reorganized the kitchen. Simultaneously, I taught him to use a fishing pole, swept and mopped the floor, kicked a soccer ball with him, disinfected the countertops, helped him dig for worms in the front yard, sorted through assorted papers laying around the kitchen, fed him dinner, switched out the laundry, gave him a bath while I cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed the hallway, filled out rebate paperwork while watching AI with J and we both fell asleep at 9:30 exhausted but happy and snuggly.

So I am exhausted (!) today but walking into my sparkly kitchen this morning made it all worth it! Now all I need to tackle is the basement...a task I'm not looking forward to not because of what is down there but what is not...

The last day...

2009-04-10T09:56:00.005-05:00

Today is the last day of my 20's. It's been quite a decade to be sure. I'm taking a little photo journal today: This is me and Jackson this morning. We snuggled a little extra long this morning and I got to savor him for just a few minutes without the craziness.

Work had a little party for me - lots of food and they decorated my workspace with streamers!

I'm heading out to do a little scrap shopping with Josie in a little bit and then cropping till I drop tonight! I can't think of a better way to send off the last 29 years and ring in the 30's!

Some of the highlights of my roaring twenties (in no particular order):

Met and reconnected with all of my most amazing friends both online and in real life.
Became a better daughter and friend.
Going to Europe for the first time - London, Paris, Germany, Vienna, Prague
Running the scoreboard animations for the Royals
Doing video and editing and writing for a National TV Show (The American Outdoorsman)
Travelled all over the US, (Chicago, Minnesota, Omaha, L.A., San Francisco, Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida (DisneyWorld!!), St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Branson, Wisconsin Dells, Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City and I'm sure more that I haven't even come up with yet...)
Learned to hold my liquor.
Attended games at 9 major league baseball parks (Royals, Cardinals, Astros, Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Twins, Cubs, White Sox)
Ran my own video production company
Seen Aerosmith live (6 times!!!), and many other live concerts!
Graduated from UMKC
Became a mother (twice)
Bought my first property
Learned the names of every engine on Thomas the Tank Engine
Lost my best friend
Became Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny
Rode an official OCC Chopper
Put my feet in both oceans
Fell in love (twice)
Had my heart broken (twice)
Have been in two major and one minor car accidents
Learned what it really means to be a true friend and a true Christian.
Became obsessed with scrapbooking
Got my P/C, Life and Health Series 6 and 63 licenses.
Started my own practice with MetLife.

I have had:
3 different apartments (Warwick, Village Park, Lenexa)
8 different vehicles (Cricket, Focus, Taurus, Magnum, Caravan, Ugly Car, VUE1 VUE2)
1 townhome
1 condo
1 house
3 cats (currently only 1)
1 child with one on the way...

What a full decade! I am so incredibly blessed. Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey I wouldn't be where I am right now without each and every one of you!

Counting My Blessings

2009-04-07T10:39:00.005-05:00

A thankful heart is the best place to start. Today I am grateful for:

A God who loves me unconditionally
My family who has been by my side constantly
A little boy who sings songs about new baseball shoes and reminds me what true joy is all about
Saltine Crackers
Being employed in a job that I enjoy and having a chance to start with a fresh outlook on my business
FRIENDS that have rallied and commiserated and prayed for me.
Feeling my new little boy moving around inside of me.
Having a clean, cozy home to raise my family.
A chance for everyone to get themselves stable and prepared for what is coming this year.
TiVo
A creative hobby that helps me save memories for my family.
My VUE!

God is good all.the.time. Just can't forget that.

A week I never want to repeat

2009-04-03T13:55:00.004-05:00

But its over now. I now know exactly what I need to do and focus on to get better and move forward. Not just for my sake - but for the sake of my boys...that's right pural boys. The one good thing that came out of this whole experience is getting to see my new little man active and happy inside of me. THAT is what life is all about not the drama - not the accusations - but that little life - that little glimmer. That's my focus.

The only other good thing to come out of this week is the tremendous support that has flowed so freely from my friends and my amazing family. They have circled around me and supported me, let me cry on their shoulders, driven me to the doctors and called me from far away to check on me. I am truly blessed and I know that God is watching over me and my boys and will keep us safe no matter what.

Random Tomfoolerie

2009-03-31T13:27:00.003-05:00

Last weekend was awesome. It was pretty mellow but it gave us a chance to just get away for a couple of days, eat some good food, see some good friends, spend some quality time in the pool (three sessions of about 90 min each!!!) and do some shopping at the outlet center on the way back! I even read an entire novel while I was gone (Digital Fortress by Dan Brown).

Gina, Bryan and Kyla joined us Saturday night after driving up in winter weather conditions from Southern Illinois. She is one of my best friends - we met when I was pregnant with Jackson on a single mother support board and we only get to see each other once or twice a year so that was a total treat!

Here are some pictures of our goofing around:
Kyla, Gina and Jackson cracking each other up - Now WHAT are we having for breakfast??? LOL)

The whole crew at the Iowa Machine Shed (above)

Playin' in the pool (below)

The three musketeers!

Late this week but...

2009-03-26T18:32:00.002-05:00

'Tis the way when you are busy busy busy...I did pretty well on my goals for last week - I was pretty proud. The house is currently very clean and I feel like I was a really good mom and girlfriend.

It DEFINITELY helped to take time out every day to reflect, pray and focus my life. It's amazing how much a little perspective can do for you - I started off Wednesday spending an hour before I went into work, collecting my thoughts and finding a peaceful place and lo and behold, I spent the rest of the day busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. Good things on the horizon and none too soon either! My business needed that kick in the tail in a BIG way!

I've also come to the shocking realization that in a mere two weeks I will be turning 30!!! It's not that the milestone disturbs me or anything its just one of those things that slips by you and then sneaks up, sheesh.

Meanwhile while life has been marching on - look what made an appearance...a little bump...(no not the one on the backside) thanks to Ashley for taking the photo for me...crazy right? Only 5 weeks from today we find out what is cookin' in there. I still believe that it's Isabella Mary but I'm practicing my reaction just in case there are boy parts in there again, yes I will love it no matter what but I haven't talked to anyone yet who doesn't believe that there is a girl in our future. April 30th we shall find out - and believe me - you all will be the first to know!

I'm so glad its Friday. Tonight we take off for Bettendorf for the weekend with my mom and dad and Jackson. I get to see some friends that I haven't seen in a long time and Jackson gets to spend all weekend getting pruney in the pool. It'll be nice to get away a little bit - read my book, eat some good food and spend time with good friends. Oh yes - there will be photos!!!

Until next week!

A change of approach (Roles and Goals)

2009-03-19T11:48:00.008-05:00

OK - if last week was the week for my massive pity party - this week will definitely be different. I am going to drive myself to greatness through the use of lists and goals and - to make sure I stay on track - I get to post them publicly and either do them or suffer the shame of having to admit that I fell short. Going back to my Franklin Planner days I've split them up into main categories of life so I have a track to run on no matter where I am or what role I'm performing. I built each of these things into my actual schedule so I have a course of action each day!

Roles:
Mother
- Spend at least one hour of electronic free time with Jackson outdoors each day
- Eat dinner at the table with the family without reading or being distracted.
- Begin a chore chart/commissions for Jackson to help him learn responsibility in the household.
Girlfriend/Homemaker
- Control "over emotion" by being clear in communicating with Chad.
- Keep on top of the budget and inflow - outgo issues.
- Make a nice dinner at home at least twice a week (and no frozen pizza doesn't count)
- Store away winter jackets in front closet and organize shoes in the kitchen (rearrange???)
Daughter/Family Member
- hook up Beta/VHS players and begin the process of transferring the last of the old home movies.
- get scanner hooked up to downstairs computer
- be more grateful for the blessing that is having family close and show that more fully
Financial Advisor
- FOCUS when at work on the tasks at hand (yes - I realize the oxymoron of blogging at work but I do get a lunch break...)
- Reach out to current clients and natural market for referrals to help grow my business.
- Utilize my calendar better to maximize my time for prospecting/case development and follow up appointments. (See more people - make more contacts - build more relationships)
Friend
- FEAST Friday night - restore relationships with CJ and Dawn.
- Send some mail to my friends. They deserve it.
- Have a lunch with someone I haven't seen face to face in awhile.
Woman/Self
I know this shouldn't be the last on my list - and its not in real life but it seems better that way (besides this is the hard part and maybe you won't make it this far).
- Set aside time for myself once a day (lunch breaks?) to do discipleship homework, meditate and pray.
- Get back on a workout schedule of 2x/week "The Firm" tapes and walking outdoors with Jackson.
- Spend a few hours on Sunday organizing the scrap area and sitting down at my table - letting my creativity flow for awhile.
- Make sure I am getting enough rest for me and the baby. Don't stay up just because I feel like I "should".

Just remember: If God brought me to it - God will bring me through it.
Whew - better get to work!!!

Can I whine for just a cotton pickin' minute?

2009-03-12T15:29:00.007-05:00

I'm sorry for this completely self serving pity party post but - I tell you what this has just been a week from hell and I need to get it off my chest for a sec.

but first....our baby's first photo...photogenic already isn't she?

Let's just start with Monday morning - the bane of my existance anyway (well except for Thursdays but that's a whole different can of worms...) 4:00 AM...a rude awakening of my little boy crying because he threw up in his room. Mind you I can count on one hand how many times he's actually done that so I call in and call him into preschool when, lo and behold, the big kid gets sick too. YAY!

I have an OB appointment in the afternoon where I get to do a glucose tolerance test - for those who don't know this means I have to go have a completely empty stomach - nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours prior except for a sugary glucose drink one hour before I go in. So I leave my crabby boys alone together to go in and take this test - which I presently fail by 7 points and have to be scheduled for a THREE hour exam on Thursday. I get reprimanded by the doc for LOSING 9 pounds in my first trimester but get to hear baby's heart beat (160).

That night - after I put Jackson to bed. I start getting sick. Fabulous. Spent all day Tuesday going between bed - the bathroom - and the sofa...yuck. Seriously....YUCK.

Wednesday I haul myself into the office - check on our tax return and - without going into too much detail - get screwed in that regard - have lunch with a friend which did not settle well and very wisely decide not to go back to work for the afternoon.

So today was the big three hour test - for those not familiar with a three hour test let me explain. You go in 12 hours fasting which means I couldn't eat anything after 8:30PM Wednesday night. I hauled into the "draw center" this morning where they proceed to take two vials of blood out of my arm and send it to get a baseline. I'm then sent to sit in a freezing cold waiting area for an hour before the tech comes out and gives me the ever so yummy glucose drink. I then find out that there is a waiting area on the second floor that is very warm...I go there with my book for another hour then get ANOTHER vial of blood taken. (still no food). Wait another hour in warm sunny waiting room for ANOTHER vial of blood to come out(...that's right still no food...). Finally get really into my book when its time for the fourth and final blood draw and then am released by the vampire queen to go about my day.

Shaky and woosy I find myself at the Burger King across the street consuming my body weight's worth of chicken fries and a large Coke after which I felt much better and went to collect a receipt from a client and felt MUCH better. Upon arrival at the office my secretary passes me four notes from a client needing immediate assistance. I save that account after some time but have so far pulled out a big ZERO for appointments this week between illness and cancellations which does not look pretty on a paycheck...

By my clock it's 5:10. Time to start calling to drum up some appointments. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me to get some quality appointments next week and some business in my hopper. It can only go up from here RIGHT?

No point...

2009-02-27T23:26:00.003-06:00

I'm just sitting here watching the cat eat all of the little goldfish crackers that were glued on Jackson's preschool project.

The goal was to represent "the ocean" (brought to you by this week's letter "O") using construction paper and goldfish crackers. It seems our ocean has been invaded by the predatory Plix shark and now leaves only the powdery remains of the orange crackers still stuck in the Elmer's glue that held it in place.

There goes the dream of seeing that artistic work hanging in the MOMA someday.

But yet I can't help but think - what would possess the cat to eat goldfish crackers today after never showing an affinity for them before. Why would he choose the art project when, on any given day, a smorgasbord of scattered and forgotten goldfish crackers are scattered on floors and couch cushions throughout the house.

Maybe my cat has a glue habit.

Maybe I haven't been getting enough sleep lately.

One of those seems a more realistic option than the other...

Scrap and Sniff

Extreme Couponing Week 2! All Stocked Up!

Gratitude Journal #31

Gratitude Journal #30

Gratitude Journal #29

Gratitude Journal #28

Gratitude Journal #27

Gratitude Journal #26

Gratitude Journal #25

Gratitude Journal #24

Gratitude Journal #23

Gratitude Journal #22

Gratitude Journal #21

Gratitude Journal #20

Gratitude Journal #19

Gratitude Journal #18

Gratitude Journal #17

Grateful Journal #16

Gratitude Journal #15

Gratitude Journal #14

Gratitude Journal #13

Gratitude Journal #12 - Modern Marvels

Gratitude Journal #11 - Momma Taught Me

Gratitude Journal #10 - Jobs

Gratitude Journal #9

Gratitude Journal #8

Gratitude Journal #7

Gratitude Journal #6 - Technology

Gratitude Journal #5

Gratitude Journal #4

Gratitude Journal #3 - Fun!

Gratitude Journal #2

Gratitude Journal #1

Non Stop Excitement

I AM MARRIED!

Countdowns Galore

12 weeks left!

Welcome to the HYWWP "Over the Rainbow" Blog Hop!

E is for eeeeewww...

D is for Disney

C is for Creativity

B is for BOYS!!!

A is for Adventures

Bah Humbug

Goals For November

Starting Over

Know what I love the most...

It has been awhile.

New Site - New Crop!

Crop till you DROP!

What happened to January?

Dirty Little Secrets

Now that the cat is out of the bag...

2010 - Best Year Ever!

Snow Day Photos!

Snow Day...

SO much going on!

I'm so Thankful (2009 edition)

Back to Work

Happy Halloween

Three and a half weeks

Joseph's Birth Story

Joseph's Birthday - Update 2 9:15 AM

Joseph's Birthday - Update 1 6:50 AM

All in His timing...

The Light At the End of a Very Long Tunnel

Could this be my last appointment?

Labor and Delivery - Part 3

The latest in the weekly checkup saga...

When will JT arrive?

Baby Update

State Fair Weekend!!!

FINALLY 36 weeks! **long update**

And the winner is!!!

A little extra Happy for the Hoppers!

Spread a Little Happiness - Blog Hop!

Crazy Day

Weekend Update.

Not AGAIN!

Monday Comes Too Soon

FINALLY 36 weeks! long update

An extremely crazy weekend! pic intensive