Last Day of the Month

Finished up my final challenge page for Feeling Scrappy today! Can't wait to see what next months challenges are. I hung out at home today until my Dr. appointment at 2:50. Scheduled my surgery for May 30...subject to change. I've got to get Chris to commit which day is best for him to get off work. Tomorrow - I get to crop all day, YEAH!

{Play Day}

Nothing too fancy today, Just did one page this morning while waiting to go out for awhile with my friend Tonya! We turned in our recipe swap pages and hit the Hobby Lobby in search of new treasures (neither of us need anymore really). I think we were both on our best spending behavior. I can't wait till this weekend when we attend out National Scrapbook Day crop! It's gonna be a fun day. Hoping to finish a couple more pages up by midnight tomorrow for the April challenges...and looking forward to what May will bring!

End of the Month

How quick this month has just flown by! I'm working to try and finish up some of the monthly challenges at Feeling Scrappy! Here are a few I did today...

My girlie

Last weekend I shot a few pictures of my oldest daughter Katie. She wasn't really expecting to have tons of pictures while at the farm, and she didn't fix her hair or make-up. but this one one was the best and I can resist putting it up. It is basically SOOC (straight out of camera) with only a slight burn on the edges. I noticed when I got home there was a bit of a sunbeam on her head and right shoulder...I'm not crazy about.

Crops {R} Fun

This layout is for a recipe swap I participate in. This months theme was picnic foods. Since I take this dish to potlucks occasionally, I thought it would be appropriate.

I completed this layout for a challenge on Feeling Scrappy. It is for the Book of Us Challenge, this months theme was Family Shoes.

I completed this layout for a challenge on Feeling Scrappy. It is for the Book of Me, this months theme was your purse.

This layout is of Chris birthday from this past weekend at the farm.

Party Pages

Here are the rest of the pages I got done yesterday while participating in the online scrap with us party...at Feeling Scrappy!

Adoption Day April 22, 2006 (Chris' birthday & Earth Day)
I got to scrapbook these pictures 2 years to the day of which they were taken - how cool!

Easter Sunday April 16, 2006

I did this page last week of Ivy with her best friend & teddy bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy eating breakfast. April 2006

Don't miss the party!

Today we are having a scrapping party appropriately named "Scrap with us" over at Feeling Scrappy. There are tons of challenges - something to appeal to everyone! Come join us to get your name in the hat for something great and to have a ton of fun!

Here is the 1st page I've completed today!

Family {favorite}

I'm working on my recipe for a recipe swap today. Decided to make my mom's famous mac & cheese! I skipped breakfast and as it for lunch - and now I feel almost sick!!! I just love the stuff!

I made meatloaf to go with it (Chris and Katie's favorite) so I went ahead and set it up too...so I could put it in a book fro Katie - of our recipes.

Through my daughter's eyes...

When I upgraded to a DSLR back in February, my youngest daughter wanted my old camera. Since my older daughter had been given a very nice one for Christmas, I let my 9yr old have it. (with the condition she had to allow my husband to used it when he wanted). Today at the Farm was her 1st real opportunity to get out and about clickin'. To my surprise when I loaded the card tonight, she took 95 pictures - about 75 are in focus on what she intended to shoot! This one was my favorite.

by Ivy Palin

The dog is a stray taken in by our family member who lived there. Her name is ham-bone and she's pretty easy going! Ivy said ham-bone was laying down, so Ivy laid down to take her picture. I think she may have some potential!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

The crop went great and I believe that everyone had a great time getting together to get some work done while visiting. We're no heading out to the farm for the day ~ and ~ they'll be lots of pictures to share tomorrow!

I only got 2 pages done because (as most of you already know) I talk way too much and get easily distracted! I'm gonna have to work on improving in those areas...and get workin! {lol}

The day after...

[ lol ] Well it's the day after the BIG DAY and I thought I'd share with you the thank you card we are sending out to Ivy's friends who attended the party last Friday.

I'm hosting a crop here at my home on Friday with some friends in a scrapping meet-up group (if your a local friend and I haven't invited you already - please come, 6pm). I've been cleaning abit and trying to gather my "tool" into one location to make it easier to use them when I sit down to work. I'm looking forward to it...hopefully we'll have a good turnout and get alot accomplished (like catching up on gossip) hehe!

What a difference 10years makes

Ten years ago today...

I checked into Baylor Hospital in Irving, Texas and by 7am my baby girl had been delivered via a scheduled c-section and was in the hospital's nursery. Little did I know that day, as I laid in recovery, that she and I both would undergo many challenges within the days and weeks ahead.

April 17, 1998

She faced a heart murmur & pneumothorax (several holes in her under-developed lungs), while I suffered from a heart condition of another kind. A broken heart and a crumbling marriage, abandoned by a young husband at the most difficult time of my life as I knew it. Those days were dark and troubling for both Ivy and I, in different ways of course...but we both fought through it and are stronger people today for what we endured during that time.

Ivy and I share a bond that only a mother who's child has almost been ripped from her earthly arms can understand. She is strong and stubborn, never admitting her faults, or handing out apologies...but she can also be kind and gentle, still and sweet...she can show honest care & concern for others who are hurting or down. She is my girl! A girl just like me! I understand her when no one else can. We are 2 peas in a pod, cut from the same cloth, Like mother, Like daughter... She is MY GIRL! A girl just like me!

Happy Birthday My Dear Ivy-Brooke

Mother's Day 1998

Almost 10!

My youngest daughter will be 10 tomorrow - where on earth did the years go? She asked me to make her some type goodie to take to school and share with her class. Today, thanks to a wonderful fellow Pea, who happened to post a link to this blog, I was struck with great inspiration!

Three hours later and some WAY TIRED feet from standing on the ceramic tile so long
....wah-lah!...they are done!!! Ivy is so proud to take them and all i have left is to wrap them and tie ribbon!

I can't wait to make Cupcake Pop's again!

Is this Politically Correct?

OK - so my 14yr old daughter is kinda crafty like her dear ol' mom. I recently unearthed some letter beads while cleaning and she's been making bracelets. Tonight she wants me to check them out - and as I take a peak I am beyond shocked!

The first words I can utter out of my mouth are simply "KATIE!!!" as she begins to giggle! "What are you thinking Katie" I ask, "What mom?, Don't you like them?".
"Yes" I tell her "but why would you ever make a bracelet that says that?"
She in turn replies to me "mom, that's our motto in Ms. Gerb's class right now - we're studying the holocaust, and we love Jews".
I am still in shock as I get up and walk away from these possibly offencive bracelets.... and return with my camera in hand. "Mom" she calls to me "are you gonna post that on your blog?"

Birthday Lunch

Today was the annual birthday meal for Ivy, she picked Red Lobster's. Somehow my kids have always sucked "birthday weeks" out of us - vs- BirthDAYS!

Took a couple pictures of the in front of the restaurant after church. Katie is in front (love the pink eyeshadow by the way) and Ivy's peeking out around the pole!

The party is over (celebrate)!

Thank goodness my house is empty except for me and Chris tonight. The 5 girl guest from our sleepover birthday cleared out by 10am and we took the girls to my mom's for the night and I promptly came home and took a 5 hour nap! That was the highlight of my day!

Now a quick picture from last nights game of toss the bear around the living room and beat the H*LL of of the ceiling fan!

{Birthday} #2 for this week...

Tonight was Ivy-Brooke's 10th birthday party with her friends. (Her actual birthday in Wednesday the 16th.) She had a sleepover with several friends (what was I thinking when I agreed to that?!?!) We went to CiCi's pizza for dinner, watches skits they created, played the play station, opened presents, danced a bit, had cake and ice cream...and then they FINALLY disappeared into her bedroom!!! I was beginning to wonder if they would ever give us a moments peace! They've all been really good for us and we've had a great night! Here are a few pictures from tonight...Enjoy!

Been awhile...

This is my first layout I've gotten done all week with Chris home on vacation! This is my entry into an online challenge for May Guest Design Team Member at Back-Porch Memories! It was a fun layout to complete with the bright and fun Making Memories papers I picked up last week.

I also managed to clean off my kitchen table and put all my supplies away in the laundry storage room (yeah)! They are typically spread all over, but Ivy is having a birthday sleepover on Friday with her friends...and I think we will be needing the table! (LOL)
My new memory arrived today for my computer. It was really getting bogged down with all my photos and editing software - but she's running like a champ now.
Next on the list - a new memory card. Well, enjoy the layout and hopefully next week I'll get back to producing a few more layouts!

Just some pretties today

My hubby Chris is home this week on vacation, so my daily routine has been greatly altered and I haven't gotten much accomplished. I took a stroll through the yard this morning while he was still sleeping and took a few pictures. I have some new Irises open, a shot of my favorite garden statues and my 'lil pup and friend Sassy! We finally got our truck back and Chris is happy to have he new wheels back (literally-lol)!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Sneek Peek...

Too busy partying with my favorite nephew today....I'll get back on track tomorrow!

Sights and Smells of Spring...

Just a couple photos I look a few days ago for the photo challenge on Feeling Scrappy. I still need 3 more to complete the challenge...but I love these too much not to share!

Stickles

While I can't wait to play with these babies...I got them in the magical mailbox not at Joann's...they were in there waiting for me and I just threw them in the picture not thinking!!! I don't know anywhere locally that sells them, I bought mine off Ebay from this seller....they were cheaper than anyone else on Ebay and got here in 2 days! I bought 4...cost me $9.96 s/h included!

{ I heart Cleaning }

NOT!!! Ok, well on days like today I like cleaning. I was straightening up the laundry room and finally got tired of shifting my old textbooks from spot to spot and decided to gather them all up to sell them back to the college bookstore. This particular set of books were my Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 and Chemistry books. They cost me a bit under $500.00 just a couple semesters ago because I had to buy all new, because they had just updated (blah, blah, blah)!

2 lab manuals they wouldn't buy back because they've already come out with "newer editions"! They must love telling people that! So I got a whole $67 back! You heard me right started with 5 books for $500 - sold 3 back for $67! I'm in the WRONG business huh?

Anyways - the great part was taking my money on down the street to Joann's and buying some scrapbooking stuff I wanted (hehe) Don't tell Chris!

{ storyboards }

My very first storyboard...from Ivy rollerskating this weekend (with Kate's Girl Scout troop).