Meredith Cardall-Candy Cane Lane

Credits: Meredith Cardall-Candy Cane Lane kit. It was Zander's turn to put up the star this year. And yes, I think Josh threw out his back doing this! LOL oh man...it was a riot to watch!

Credits: Meredith Cardall-QP using Candy Cane Lane. I know this is a holiday kit but the second I saw it this layout I loved it and it made me think of LOVE. So hence the wedding layout. Josh and I on May 21, 1994.

For Unto Us Collab

It's here! For Unto Us collab kit!

Adios!

Will be away from the computer most of the day (insert ALL). Going to help my sister look at houses and to have our Thanksgiving dinner with MY family today! Birthday was awesome and not over yet!

I won an award for Creative blogger (7 times!) and I will do my best to play along but I am running out of time.

I also have a major huge big time Charity Collab Kit to share with you all. I don't have the full details yet but I know it will go on sale at PlainDigitalWrapper today. It is to help a mother of twins who lost one and the other one is struggling for life as well. I haven't been able to read the whole yet. (too teary-eyed and emotional right now). But from what I hear...its a touching story and this time of year very emotional for me personally.

Here's a sneak peek of just the elements.

Thanksgiving

Just another layout using Krystal Hartley's Bless-ful kit. Template by Sine of Scraporchard. And a plug for BLACK FRIDAY....Almost all of Sine's store is on sale for $1. So if you love her templates. RUN FOREST RUN....

Krystal Hartley-Blessful

Credits: Krystal Hartley-blessful available at funkyplaygrounddesigns and its on $1 for one day! Same thing as every time. So Hurry! These are Josh's siblings. His two sisters and his Nephew and Clay. This was sort of an impromptu picture. But truthfully...I so happy we did it. We don't have many photos of all of us together. Might have to turn this into a tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving

First of all...HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! My favorite holiday! Yes, I was born on Thanksgiving day so that is probably why!

I am going to reveal the gift I got from Shell.

And now the reason she got this for me:

Zander Photo taken Memorial weekend 1999
Will Photo taken winter of 2004

She was sick of seeing my layouts being just things happening now! LOL So she said she had to get me this scanner! GOD LOVE HER. I sat and cried while looking through all my old duplicate photos. These have all been scrapped, mind you, but back in my CM style paper days. It will be so nice to redo some of those older paper layouts into my new digi style!
THANK YOU SHELL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. God knows what I would do without you in my life. You put a smile on the face of my children and me more times than I can count. You are so generous and I want you to know these gestures will NEVER go unnoticed in the end. BLESS YOU!

SHELL MACKAY- THANK YOU SISTER!!

Yeah...I truly have THE best friends in the world. I had a package delivered to me today from San Jose, Cali. I am NOT going to tell you what is was right now...I will wait and show you all what is was later. I took pictures of me with my gift UNOPENED and then one with it opened. I will show you those later too.

I need to go and find some things first. So I won't be around much now. I will be busying sorting and searching and then another S word. And for the first time, I don't mean sh*tt*ng!! Only my family will understand that comment! LOL No McDonalds for this girl! heehee

THANK YOU SHELL!!!!! You know I love you but I want everyone else to know it too!

W4 Country Radio Station

So my all time favorite radio station evah....Sends me a Birthday Email today! Wahooo!

Well crud...I was gonna hook ya'll up with the link but the site is down! hahaha story of my life!

Tomorrow is the day!

yep...I hit the big 3 8 Tomorrow...what the heck...how did that happen? I am hugging the rim of 40 and it sorta makes me a little sad. Just a little. I have never and will try to never let my age bother me. I am looking forward to tomorrow and today I will reflect on my last year and just be so thankful for what I have.

I am so grateful for my family, friends, and cyber friends. I sometimes think I don't deserve to be so happy but life is what you make it. Sure I could sit around and feel sad about things in my life and wonder how I can change things. But what good will that do? Nada!

So that's my big A-ha moment for the day! Enjoy your life and hug your family a little longer.

Randi Oh- Fresh Snow

Credits: Randi Oh and Sweet Digi Scrap of GottaPixel.net collab called Fresh Snow.

Christmas Tree Update

Ok...we took off several stands of lights and then just put some back on to fill in the bare spots. Zander got the star put up and we are almost finished. Now the clean up begins. I hate that part of the day. The mess....

The Christmas Tree event

Ok...so every year I love to have my tree up for my birthday. It's just something I love to do since I never could as a child. Well having the DH that I do, he always makes sure that happens for me. So he goes down last night and brought it up from the basement. We put it together, plugged in all the pieces (prelit) and bam...every other set lights. UGH...I forgot last year something happened and we lost a few strands of lights. So we spend a few hours fiddling with it and come to the conclusion that we need to take OFF the lights. And we will just put our own lights on it now. (cheaper than buying a new tree)

So our goal today is to get the lights on it and get it decorated. It's a long process to decorate our tree. We have to reflect on each ornanment as we put it up. The kids all have to get their memories out and then we have to put the boxes back. Just a tad OCD about my stuff. I have all the original boxes and packagings. And everything MUST be put back the proper way or else.

So I will let you know how the day progresses. It's Zander's turn to put the star on the tree this year. Even years- Zander. Odd years-Will. Off to wrap the lights and bring up the many many boxes of ornaments!

Post it...like you stole it

and that is exactly what I have done! Saw this on Shell's blog - so I nicked it. The idea is that the things in bold are things you've done.
It is going to be fun to see what everyone has done!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band Do the black song flutes in 5th grade count?
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity-my kids are charity too right!
7. Been to Disneyland--it was Disney WORLD actually.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis --I am scared of bugs, thank you
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris --Had a dear friend go and send me a post card though!
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning--I'm sure I have but it was never diagnosed as such.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I was there but you are not allowed to go inside)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked--are you kidding me...my mom would have killed me!
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors--I have no clue where I am from
35. Seen an Amish community--I live right along side Amish country! LOL
36. Taught yourself a new language--Took Spanish 3 in HS but still NO HABLA ESPANOL
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-I was 5, mind you! LOL
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke --My family is a karaoke nut...I personally HATE IT!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant --Can't afford my own meal
44. Visited Africa--At the Toledo Zoo~
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy- I still have one of my first baby dolls!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar --NEVER WILL EITHER
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job--Walked out of one once though!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book--just my photobooks! heehee
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someones life -My own, literally
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous--Unless you count concerts as meeting someone, no.
92. Joined a book club--I hate to read now
93. Lost a loved one more times than I wanted
94. Had a baby - twice!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake Ok- I didn't swim in it but I was there!!
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day -back when I loved to read as kid!

um...yeah...what a life I have lived. I haven't done a lot by these standards, have I! LOL But I never go places and that was a lot of the questions.

Mr. Muehlfeld's last day

It was a cool day. We had all the kids sit in a circle on the floor and we played God Bless America (inside joke on that one) and then all the kids did the wave as he came in! It was funny. So we tried to keep it as upbeat as we could. Plus he is doing a Maternity leave for another teacher in a couple of weeks or less so its not like they won't see him any more at all. There were tears shed but Zander did great. He told me later that he almost cried outside when they were coming in. He goes out to recess with them too. See why we love this teacher. I can't even begin to explain our feelings for this teacher. He just has way about him that makes the children respect him to no end. And I feel the same about the current teacher in the class. She is freaking awesome. We have yet to have a teacher that doesn't touch us to the core. And that is how it should be. So for all you teachers out there...please know you matter.


I have had a less than happy week personally. I am really struggling with an issue in my life that I am not sure how to handle. I will just be still and pray. The answer will come to me. I am really stressed out with this whole President position. I am not enjoying it right now. I feel like no matter what I do, or say, it isn't the right thing. I put my heart and soul into everything I do. Its just how I work. But when I do that and have some not so positive comments said, it really hurts my feelings. I know I need to learn to take the good and the bad but its hard for me to do. I want everyone to be happy and when I feel like they aren't, it breaks my heart. So see, I don't make a good leader. I am go getter, yes, but not a leader. I don't have the right personality for it. I know that now. So I won't be doing this next year. I'm a people pleaser not a leader.

I do want to share my next project/fundraiser though. Here is what we are currently selling for our Parent Group. These items can be shipped for additional $7/item. They are gorgeous! Enjoy!

Krystal Hartley-Angels Among Us

Credits: Krystal Hartley-Angels Among Us available at Faithsisters.com AND....only $1 today!

Sad day ahead

Tomorrow/today since it's almost 1am...
is going to be a sad day in Zander's classroom. Their student teachers last day is today. Zander just adores this man to death. And I personally think he's awesome, myself. He's so wonderful with the kids. Not to take anything away from his regular teacher. She's wonderful too. But I can promise you that there will tears shed tomorrow. And I have been an emotional basket case for the past few days anyways. So I am going to pack some tissues for sure. We are going to have a little going away/good luck party for him in the afternoon.

I have to remember to take my camera. I will need to get a photo of the kids with him for sure. Especially my son and him. How did I get so lucky to have both of my kids adore school! Zander got all A's yet again. He has yet to have anything but. I am worried about the time when he gets his first NON A grade. He tells me each time...I will always have all A's. I pray you do, buddy, I pray you do! BUT...If you don't, I will love just the same as yesterday! And William's report card was super as well. He's reading well still and loves math. He will sit for hours with this dry erase board and work on Multiplication/Division. I have no clue where this love of math comes from...I hate and I suck at it. So trying to explain times tables to a 6 year old was not my strong point. BUT....I must have done it well enough because he sits there and does them, correctly!
Can't say that I know a lot of first graders who work on math for fun!

Yep, I'm bragging and yep, I have the smartest kids this side of the Mississippi! How blessed am I? I mean really! Night!

Cowboy

Credit: Kim Cameron of GottaPixel.net-Country Roads.

Masks and Title are by Sine of ScrapOrchard-SO Retro masks and alpha

Just some ramblings

So I got an email that my GINGER layout using Sine's Templates and Amy Sumrall's kit is going to be featured as Layout of the Day (LOFD) or Gallery Stand Out (GSO). WAHOO! But I can't take all the credit since I just put it together. So go tell those ladies THANK YOU for the wonderful products they put out for us to enjoy and play with as we like.

Let's see...what else...oh yeah.. Against my better judgement, I started a FaceBook Account. (Insert a sarcastic: THANK YOU SHELL) I have no clue what I am doing there, why I need one, or if I even want it. I mean, my blog is my baby. This is my 'go to' place for keeping my family, friends "in the know" about my oh so boring life. I feel like I am double dipping into my time by having an account. So don't expect me to post there. I just don't like change. I am comfortable here in Blogger land.

So I got a little card in the mail from said enabler above and inside was a little magnetic R for my fridge. I was tickled pink to get that happy day gift. Seriously, how blessed am I to have such great friends? TOTALLY BLESSED FOR SURE! I am secretly working on saving money for a trip to the state of California. But I can't tell her or she will get her hopes up and it might not happen. So if you happen to talk to 'the enabler' please don't mention my intentions. My goal is to get myself and Zander there. I think it would be so cool to get him to LEGO land too. Not sure how far LegoLand is from a town called San Jose? Need to google it, I guess.

I'm also happy to report that DH job situation is slowing working out for the better. Can't give much more details on this yet but just know that we are going to be ok! God does answer Prayers! THANK YOU!

So my BFF, Amy K., was gone to Cancun for her 40th Bday and I have YET to hear from her. So if you see this AMY....email or call me. OR ELSE...public threat should make her call me, eh?!

My Sister Amy Jo has been "buying a house" or so she tells me, for the last 5 weeks. I am starting to think she was only dreaming this. So if you could send her some good vibes for a closing date, I am sure she would really appreciate it.

My FIL had his knee replaced yesterday. Went well but....he let the pain get out of control and now his is MISERABLE. So yet again...needing Prayers for his speedy recovery. He's my rock so I need to him get better soon. This man is amazing. He has an opinion on everything and I love that. He adores his family to death and would do anything to help them. So I want him to know he loved. Feel better soon, Dad.

Going to my Mom's and Josh's Grandma Pat's for Thanksgiving. Can't wait! I LOVE THANKSGIVING. It's my favorite holiday. I was born on that day some, oh, soon to be, 38 years ago! My mom never lets me forget it either when we have our dinner. I have asked for Strawberry cake this year for my b-day. I hope they put chocolate frosting on it though. Guess I should have told them that, huh? Amy Jo...did you see this?! CHOCOLATE FROSTING PLEASE!

So are you all caught up on my life?! If you read this far, you must really love me! And for that, I THANK YOU! Need all the love I can get!

Kristin Aagard-How I Wonder 2

Here's another layout using Kristin Aagard- How I Wonder kit. It's such a fun kit with so many different options. You wouldn't really know this was a Twinkle Star/baby kit. She really gives you so much to work with you can really personalize it to make it your own theme. Yellow Flowers are from her Bubble Bath kit though. Everything else is from How I Wonder kit.

Connie Prince- O Holy Night

Credits: Connie Prince- O Holy Night kit available at GottaPixel.net It's on sale right now for $4 too. This was a RAK from Connie. And I truly thank her for it! There are also some very cool Nativity rubons in this kit too. I just wanted to do something out of the normal with it.

Happy 40th Amy K.

Today is my BFF's 40th Birthday. She is probably in Cancun right now soaking up the sun with her DH. He was taking her there. Witch...err...I mean WISH I was going too. So I used Nikki Painters newest kit-Luv my girlz to show her how much I love her. This was from our last girls weekend event to Ikea. Seriously folks, I love this lady as much as I do my own family. I would do anything for her and I know she would do the same for me. How lucky can a girl be to have such a friendship. I just wish she didn't live over 3 hours from me. But then again...look at all my other TRUE FRIENDS...they either live thousand of miles from me or half way around the world. It's so weird to me that I call someone I have never met in person before a TRUE FRIEND. But in todays world, its highly possible.

So to those who are my True Friends, You know who you are, THANK YOU! I can't even begin to imagine life without you. I am just sad that I will probably not see some of you ever again. But that will never ever change my love for you!

Krystal Hartley-Feelin' Frosty

Credits: Krystal Hartley-Feelin' Frosty ONLY $1 TODAY ONLY!! HURRY! Click on kit to find it!

Template by SarahBelle

New CT member!

I am offically a new Creative Team Member for Nikki Painter of FaithSisters.com. I have loved her stuff for a long time and she just recently did a call for new CTM and she was kind enough to let me play.

So I am officially at 7 CT and I am at my limit. I can't imagine not being on any of them either. I love what I do and am so honored to be apart of these teams. I have made some life long friends by doing this. Its funny how things happen when you least expect them too. I was so lost when TLC closed down. I wasn't sure what I would do. And now I work for the nicest people and I am proud to call them friends. This is the least stressed I have been in awhile about life. It feels good. The holidays are coming and I am so THANKFUL for each of you. You all have a small part in my life and I will be forever grateful.

I have come to find that life is going to happen no matter what so you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride. Hang on...

Kristin Aagard-How I Wonder

Credits: Kristin Aagard-How I Wonder available soon at PickleBerryPop.com

I also snuck in a few other elements of hers (the blue beads in the background are from her So Blue kit and the Staple is from her Pieces of him kit)

This is little William all the way back in 2007. Gosh how time flys. He surely wouldn't be caught taking a nap these days! LOL

Hybrid Card

This is just sneak peek at what SINE is working on for next week. It's a set of 8 cards. Yes, they are Holiday cards but....look what I did with the tree one! shh...I made into a cake!
Credits: Card Templates by Sine of ScrapOrchard (coming soon!) and then of course, Krystal Hartley stuff. I mean really, do you think I could go a day without using something of hers. I know I have not said this in a long time...but....SHE"S MY HERO! Seriously...I am just so inspired by this woman. Miss you Krystal! Get well soon!

Artisan Notebook

Here's my layout for the November Issue of Artisan Notebook Publication. It can be found on page 30!

Credits: She's full of Scrap-Autumn in my heart available at GottaPixel.net

Jennifer Barrette-You Keep Me Warm

Got to play with another kit from Jennifer Barrette. Her stuff is so great. This kit is called You keep me warm. It's a fun winter themed kit but not too over the top winter.

Go check it out!

ETA:::This layout was picked for layout of the day at GottaPixel.net! Whoot!

Happy Birthday Wendy M

Just wishing one of my dearest friends a very happy birthday today!

Go leave her some love! She's down with a foot injury to boot!

Jennifer Barrette-Beauti-Fall & Sine

Credits: Jennifer Barrette-Beauti-Fall available at GottaPixel.net and template by Sine-SO Inspired available at ScrapOrchard.com

Jennifer Barrette & Krystal Hartley Collab

In the Neighborhood! This is a collab kit from Krystal Hartley and Jennifer Barrette. William's Halloween Musical at school. He was so excited to do this. He did great. You can see him on stage by the arrow and in the circle of close up picture. They were allowed to were costumes but he didn't want too.

Teacher BDays

I was asked to create some flyers to hang up in the teachers lounge with the birthdays of the teachers/workers for each month. So I did! I used templates by Sine of ScrapOrchard and Krystal Hartley kits. Some are collabs with other designs too. Theres something there by GingersScraps too. If you really want to know about specific month and the stuff used...email me or ask me in the comment sections. There is stuff there from Libby Weifenbach, Zoe Pearn, Jennifer Barrette, Corina Neilson, Faith Sisters Collab. Again if you want to know something specific just ask!

Sarah Meyer-Season of Change

Credits: Sarah Meyer-Season of Change available at Gottapixel.net. Fall alpha on bottom layout is by Kristin Aagard. It was a freebie on her blog.

SlingShot

Credits: Kristin Aagard-Sweet Apples available at Gottapixel.
Template by Sine: SO ScrapLifted.

Hybrid Calendar

I made myself a calendar/scrapbook for next year! I left it blank so that I can add a photo for each month. This will assure me that I have kept track of everything and I will have a mini book ready to go at the end of the year! Wouldn't these make awesome gifts! I am going to look at doing more using different products. This was my weekly project for GottaPixel. The templates, papers, stickers, are by Kristmess.

Election 08

I am still in shock as to what has truly happened this year. It will go down in history no matter what the outcome. I am sitting glued to my TV with my oldest son discussing what this means to the world. I did my part and voted. I voted for my school, for my friends, for my country. I have done everything I could to make my vote count. I just pray we see a change for the better no matter who gets the leadership position.

Oh...and oldest won a spot on the student council today! heehee He has always said he wants to be president. He might have to settle for president of student council?! Lord knows we don't have the 'name' for him to run the country!

Be back later. Fingers crossed that my vote mattered.

Amy Sumrall-Lipstick Jungle

Here's a freebie kit from Amy Sumrall that will be at the Daily Scrapper sometime next month. So you have to wait a while to get this but I can't keep this layout from my sister. I have to show her and you get to share in the sneak peek with her!

Credits: Amy Sumrall-Lipstick Jungle available at the Daily Scrapper next month. And her alpha freebie on her blog now!

Template by Sine as is the Text path! These text paths are so freaking cool. You can pick your font and just adjust the size based on what you type! She has some that are available now called SO Swirly and the shapes will be coming soon! They are called SO Framed....watch for them next week at ScrapOrchard.com.

ScrapOrchard CT Call

They gave you a kit and wanted you to create two original layouts. (no templates) So I did these. But I am not sure if I can commit to this or not. So I am not sure if I am going to submit these for the contest or not. Not even sure I could make it to the last round anyways, right. Should I try or not? Help me decide!