A few more days til I can announce my great news, I can't wait!!!

Til then, here are some pics of Cay on his first day of Preschool (Monday).
There has been a tad bit of crying b/c he's so tired. He is still getting used to taking his nap an hour later than normal. But other than that, he is totally loving it!
And Mama is loving the extra 2.5 hours I get to myself. I'm doing some work for hubby, things that he needs done to be more productive at his job.

I also cut Caleb's hair myself a week ago. It was getting really long on top. I saved the hair but forgot to take pics. Bad bad Mommy! :(
I guess I can always use these pictures...

At home ready to go:

He just walked into class.. didn't even kiss me goodbye, LOL:

He loves his teacher:

Ready to go home for a nap.. Let's go home, Mama!


TFL!! Have a great weekend, everyone!

I'm alive!! LOL

I've been SO bad about blogging lately, I'm so sorry.
I'm still here. And I've been making lots of creations for my new DT gig. I can't wait to show you!! :)

My baby starts preschool on Monday. I'm sad but, I know this will be an awesome thing for him.
And this week he started asking and answering questions.
Each day we find that the things we thought were Autism are going away. All I can say to that is Praise God!! LOL

Here are a few cards I forgot to post last month. Simple and easy. Love the embossed star one :)



TFL and have a great rest of the weekend!

I'm SO excited! People DO read my blog. YAY!! LOL

I just received the news of this award via email from my friend Cheryl.
Thank you SO much, Cheryl!
Here's what the email had to say:


"Congratulations, Scrapbook News and Review, the leading paper crafting magazine on the internet, has noticed and is impressed by your blog. We appreciate the time, effort and creativity that you share with the crafting world and to show our approval, we've included this unique blog award for you to proudly display.
This award is possible only if you've been nominated by our staff or readers and have been approved by our editors. We encourage you to display it proudly and link it back to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. We thank you for all you've given to the blogging world and encourage you to keep doing so. We'll keep watching and enjoying."

Thanks so much SNR and Cheryl! I will display my blog award proudly :)

Oh my gosh, it's Friday already!!

This week has just FLOWN by! And I've been crazy busy!!
No scrappy layouts for you, sorry. I have a bunch to share but I have to wait til I can.. tee hee :)

Caleb just turned three and is starting Preschool in a little over a week! So all week I've been selling stuff like mad to scrappy friends and on 2Peas to make some money for some school clothes (used but nice condition) for him and for tuition.
I can't believe my little boy is going to SCHOOL!! How crazy is that!
They grow up SO fast *sigh*

Here are some pics from my crop last weekend. I took alot more but it's so expensive to have them sent from my cell phone to my email so I'll just post three. These ladies are all good friends now and just SO sweet! I *luv* them :)

Kelly & Shannon.
Kelly drives all the way from Fishers to scrap with us :)
And Shannon cracks me up! She's the reason why I don't get much done at the crops, LOL.


Melissa (co-founder) & Barb.
Barb drives all the way from the west side of Indy for our crops! And she also won a contest I had going on. She won a Fiskars trimmer. Way to go, Barb!

Here is Melva sharing her laptop and Cricut with some of the other girls. Mama Melva is SO sweet!

Well, I'm off to make dinner. Hopefully I'll get some scrapping done this weekend. Have a great one, y'all!

A Few New Things...

Hi all!!
I got three layouts done over the weekend. Here are two I did at my crop yesterday:

Cardstock: Bazzill
Shaped paper: Fancy Pants
Film strip transparency: LYB
Fuzzy brackets: SEI (inked with Staz On)
Black Thickers: American Crafts
Metal photo corners: Making Memories
Misc Buttons and fiber

(Thanks Melissa Brinduse for the metal photo corners.. I think they really finished the layout for me.)

Kraft paper: Hobby Lobby
Chipboard star: Scenic Route (inked with Staz On)
Chipboard Alphas: Thickers by AC
Patterned Paper: Making Memories
Metal Hinge: unknown (opens up to reveal journaling under picture)
Unknown misc buttons, fiber, ric rac and burlap

(Thanks Jenny Boone for the pics you took of Caleb (baseball) and the kraft paper!)

The third LO I did is for a new venture I'm starting on Sept 1st.
I've decided to not return for a second term on the DT at If It's Groovy so that I can pursue this new venture.
I loved IIG and am thankful to Deb and all the great fellow designers I made there. Thanks for making my term fabulous. And of course, I'll still follow the IIG blog and do the challenges :)

I'll post my new work on my blog on Sept 1st. And I'm sure I'll do a few more things before then that I can post. See ya then!

Have a great Sunday!!

August If It's Groovy DT Layout

Hi all, sorry I've been away for a while. This has been a crazy busy week for us.
I have an awesome, exciting announcement to make but am going to wait a bit.. I'll keep you guessing.. tee hee.

Here is my challenge layout for the If It's Groovy DT. I'll post the other work I did for the DT later in the month after Deb has posted it on the IF IT'S GROOVY blog :)





The challenge theme this month was "Office Supplies" so I used a binder clip, my EK Success notebook paper border punch and staples.
I also used some really OLD specialty mulberry paper that I've had since I first started scrappin' and made a cloud and stitched on it. I think it's cute :)

My monthly crop is next Saturday.. I can't wait! I have a ton to work on.

I'll leave my relatives/friends that care with some pics of Caleb taken Saturday at Monkey Joe's bouncey place in Indy. He had SO much fun!!

This was a super big slide he went down by himself several times. He LOVED it!!

Have a great week, everyone!

Thirty Five

It used to be such a scary number to me.
I used to see it and think, I can't have kids after I'm 35.. as if my ovaries all the sudden will go bad.

Well today I am thirty five...
And I don't feel a day over 25 and I'm actually at PEACE today. Knowing that when the time is right, we'll have another baby.. another blessing.
No, we aren't trying. It's not time yet. I am on my weight loss journey. 18 pounds down and so many more to go. I'll get there.

Thank you God for thirty five.

August Design Team Sneaks

Hello all!
I'm excited to announce that I've been asked to stay on the Design Team for IF IT'S GROOVY for another term. (Thanks Deb *grin*)

And I have to confess.. Being honest, this Summer has been crazy for me. Between vacations, Caleb's Birthday, guests from out of town coming in, my best friends' visit and just trying to focus on spending more time with my two favorite boys, I've had little time to scrap or blog. With the exception of my one day a month that I crop with friends, I've cropped here at my home just a few times this Summer.
Some would say I'm a slacker but I assure you, I'm not. I'm NOT blocked this time.. Or lazy. I just haven't had the time.
Some of my close friends know that in the past couple of months we have come to realize that Caleb might be slightly Autistic (communication only) so I've been trying to spend extra time with him during the day.
And potty training.. oh my goodness! He has no interest. So I gave up on trying and haven't been pushing it. He'll be four before he's potty trained but I guess that's the breaks. How do you make a child that can barely ask/answer questions understand potty training? It's been tough. It hasn't "clicked" with him yet.
Yet the kid can now count to 80 uninterrupted, knows his ABC's forwards and backwards. Knows all his colors, shapes and numbers and can recite several nursery rhymes. Sometimes, it makes no sense to me.
Anyway, I don't want to get into all that but let's just say my world has been rocked a bit. We will know FOR SURE if he is Autistic in Sept or October. We are waiting for his eval at Riley Child Development center in Indy.
In the meantime, I'm trying not to read too much on the internet b/c it is all freaking me out and just making our anxiety about it worse.
He has a few signs but there are also signs of Autism that he doesn't have at all. So we are praying that he is just stubborn and doesn't want to conversate just yet, LOL.
Here is a picture Carli took Tues night of Cay & I.

I don't allow my picture to be taken very often. I've never liked pictures of myself and I've gained a ton of weight since having Caleb and I'm just embarassed of myself. And I have a major butt chin that I hate.. so you'll rarely see pics of me (if you haven't noticed that already, LOL).
But I like this one. I am kissing him and he is just so happy to be with his Mama :)

My birthday is Sunday.. I am hoping for some scrappy time but we'll see.. I might opt for a play day and dinner out with my boys instead.
So have a great rest of the week, everyone! I'll see you back here after the 1st!

Carli is in the house!!!

My BFF (since we were 12!!) is here from Grand Cayman. It's been a great time catching up with her .. I've missed her! *sigh*
One of these days (hopefully SOON) she's moving back to the states. It can't come soon enough, she is my rock and the only friend that has ever loved me through thick and thin (literally). She's never judged me for my mistakes and "gets" why I am the way that I am and loves me anyway.
Alot of my pics didn't come out but here's one that did. I plan to get some of her and I soon.

Here's Cay and "Auntie Carli". He just loves her. She took me to the Doctor Friday (that's another story *sigh*) and he just sat on her lap out in the waiting room the whole time I was in with the Doctor.. he was SO good for her which shocked me! LOL

And here's my little guy. He has the prettiest blueish-brown eyes.



We are off to the bounce/gymnastics place.. We're signing Caleb up for soccer/gymnastics soon and want to get him used to the place.

Have a great day, everyone!

Hi All!

Hi everyone, I'm still Ms. Busybody.
My BFF #1 Carli is here from Grand Cayman and is coming over tonight to visit. I can't wait!

And in scrappy news did I tell y'all I sold four of my Cricut carts to my fellow croppers so now I'm going on a three day scrapbooking retreat in October with the Not Just Scrappin' gang!!!?? WHOO HOOOOOOO!!! Never would we ever be able to afford to go on my own.. Even though it's cheap (only $109), that is alot of money to us right now. So, I feel SO blessed to have sold some stuff and be able to go now!! YAY!!
There will be about 50 of us gals.. I can't wait! It's going to be a blast!!!

I've never been away from Caleb for more than 6-7 hours so this should be interesting. But, I'm really looking forward to it and am anxious. I'm wondering how I'm going to fit everything in our car, LOL.

And last night I sold a few pre-made layouts and about 300 sheets of scrapbooking paper for some extra money for some ATG gun adhesive.
I'll be set for about a year with the adhesive I bought. WHOO HOO!!!
Now I just need to get a rolling crate.. wonder what I can sell to buy that... LOL.
I love this trading and selling scrappy supplies I don't ever use. It's COOL :)

Have a great day, everyone!

Backwards ABC's & a recipe for you!

Caleb started reciting his ABC's backward yesterday.. Just totally out of the blue. And FAST, too!
At first I thought "oh my, he's super super smart".
But then I realized, this is just another sign that he might have Autism.
Anyway, check it out.



And here is the recipe for a dish my friend Koty made for the crop on Saturday.
It is sooooo yummy and relatively healthy.

Oriental Cole Slaw
1 bag cole slaw mix
1/2 bunch of green onions chopped
1 package Ramen noodles (UNcooked)
3oz bag salted sunflower seeds
1.5-2oz bag slivered almonds
Mix together in bowl

Dressing:
Mix in bowl 1/2 packet Oriental Ramen noodle seasoning pack
1/2 packet Chicken Ramen noodle seasoning pack
1/6 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Then pour on salad and mix.
YUM!!

Now I am on a diet so I tried the dressing with olive oil and it did NOT taste the same at all. It wasn't very good. So I don't recommend it.
Doug isn't a salad person and he LOVES it! So give it a try :)

My Crop Layouts

Here are the layouts I made yesterday at my crop.
I always take alot of supplies but never enough, I'm always missing something that I need so my crop layouts never really please me. But these are okay, I think.
As my hubby says. "You don't go there to scrap, you really go there to chat with your friends!". And, he's right. That's what I do.. chat. ALOT. LOL
I also have two cards to show but those will have to wait til August 1st. And I really LOVE one of them :)

Full of So Much Wonder
Paper: Paper Loft & Basic Grey June Bug
Chipboard Alphas: Bo Bunny
Flowers: Basic Grey June Bug & DCWV paper posies
Other: unknown twine, white Bazzill cardstock, Colorbox chalk ink

My Daddy, My Friend
Paper: Basic Grey Archaic
Kraft Paper
Border Strips: Basic Grey Archaic
Daddy/baby Chipboard Dinos: Basic Grey Archaic
Alpha Stickers: Pink Paislee
Buttons: Fancy Pants
Journaling spot: Colorbok
Other: Magic Mesh, unknown twine, Colorbox chalk ink; Heidi Swapp distressing tool

TFL and have a GREAT week!!

Hi Hi Hi!!

I am home from my all day crop where I was able to complete two layouts and one card. I know, not much for eight hours but hey, I'm a talker, LOL.

Here are some pics of some of my crop buddies (taken on my crappy cell phone camera).

Koty & Lefa.
Ironically, I used to date Koty's brother in HS.
He was my show choir dance partner for a year and prom date senior year.
It's ironic that we now scrap together, LOL.

Quinette.
She comes with her Mom Melva who is just the most awesome Mommy in the world!
I love those two girls!

Mindy Lou Who.. She is a sweetie and makes the best cakes and cake pops. She also let's me use her Cricut machine all the time cause I'm too lazy to cart mine to the crops, LMBO :)

I'll have pics up tomorrow of some of my work!! Come back and see me then :)
Byeeeeee!

Okay, finally some promised pictures

Hi Everyone! I've been busy. Way busier than I'm used to.
And I've just had NO time to keep up with my blog (and other things).
So pardon the tardiness in posting Caleb's birthday pictures.
Here are a few (unedited) pics. I have a million more but I'll spare you, LOL.

Now I'm off to do my daily chores and plan out some "kits" for use at my 12 hour crop tomorrow. I find that if I don't have a plan, I get nothing done except talking, LOL.

Have a great weekend, everyone!
*****************************

6/26/09 The day before his Birthday. Escapes in Muncie. They have really cool tubes, ball pits and stuff for the kids. This is Caleb up really HIGH in the tubes (Doug's sister Erin is behind him).

Caleb coming down the slide with Aunt Erin.


The day OF his Birthday. Free spray park fun!

Playing with cousin Ryan.

Still pretty leary of the spraying water but he warmed up to it.

Party time!! 6/28/09
The baking of the cake. This was my first time EVER baking a cake (the other is for the cake balls I made).

Caleb and I made the kids little treat bags and cake pops. They were SO yummy and everyone complimented me on them. Thanks Mindy for the recipe!! :)

The set up. Even though later we decided to eat and have him open presents outside. It was just too nice to pass that up, LOL.

Caleb's elbow in the cake, LOL.

Opening presents...

Cousin Ryan LOVED Aunt Jenny's cake!

Some of the party guests:

Looking at one of the cards. The Backyardigans card, I'm sure. LOL

My Mom & Step (adopted) Dad.

My little brother and his wife (who is pregnant with "Baby Bean").

TFL!!