A Burst of Creativitity!

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...

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!

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

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

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!