September 12 of 12~

If you have facebook you may have seen some of these pics already if not.. woot! This 12th of September was spent back in my hometown of Fulton, Missouri and over at my brothers in Boonville, Missouri. It was a great day.. but way too short! So here we go...

Back home we believe in starting them out early... hunting that is! Here my brother Neal is helping his g/daughter out with her bow {yes she has her own bow}. All the boys took turns as well {yes they have their own as well} hehee.. Then later in the day it was the BB gun, I didnt get any pics of that, but let me just say teaching them about gun safety will probably take more than just one lesson.. whoa was I a nervous wreck!

Miss Jadyn doing the "apple dance".. a great reminder that its apple pickin' time.. she got these out of their front yard and was so proud.. but warned "they're awful wormy".. uhh yuck! ;)

So here is lil miss bashful... Savana always tries to hide from me... I dont know why? Is it because Im larger than life to her? orrrr could it be I always have a camera stuck in her cute little blue eyed face!?!

Oh boy is JR on the move.. he is crawling everywhere and is in general a good baby boy.. He is just about to walk, but crawling seems to be his fav.. here he is with his Daddy {my brother} Daniel. I thought this was a great photo of them!

While at Dads.. we were outside on his front porch waiting for BBQ.. we came along this creature.. a praying mantis.. I love how big it is... and it reminds me that country is where its at.. the kids just loved it.. uh well all of them except Hunter and he said.. "uhhh ewww gross!"

Getting to see Preston is always a sheer pleasure for me... He HATED getting his picture taken this time.. but I just had to.. he is so handsome and dammit if I cant see him as often as a Momma'd like then I better have some photos huh?!

And one of the MAIN reasons for heading back home this weekend.. Amanda.. my sweet niece Amanda who is bound to pop any day! She barely looks pregnant, but is READY she tells me. I went crazy at Kohl's with the baby outfits and made her an altered A to hang in the baby's room.. She plans on naming her baby girl Addison.. she is due 9/21. I cant wait!

The "magic wand" was hungry for some grilled chicken too....

No weekend is complete without stopping at Sonic to get a Route 44 Strawberry Slush.. I am sooo thrilled for Happy Hour and rarely miss an opportunity to partake!

ahhhhh water.. good ol H2o... my brother is actually training to be a MMA fighter... Hello, we arent as young as we once were! hahaa.. but its cool.. he has always been into health and fitness and this is just a normal thing with him.. watching him drink his weight in water. ;) hehee

Here he is that water drinking maniac.. my brother Neal. I cant believe how close we've become in our adult life. Im so very thankful for him... He prays for me and I for him.. we keep each other in check I think. I wish we could live closer for sooo many reasons!

andddd last but not least... lil miss Jadyn with her Fairy wings, skirt and slippers that I got her so that she wouldnt feel left out with all the baby gift giving. She wore them non stop for the day even though it was hot and they were sticking and cutting into her. Which reminds me of that song.. Thank Heavens for Little Girls.. because she truly is a wonderful little spunky girl!

Operation "Happy"~

Ok.. soooo look at this face....
Now...are you happy? ... are you smiling?... I know you are.. how can you not be?... LOL.. Imagine this lil boy looking out the window at you in a crowded WalMart parking lot. You would not believe the number of folks this little boy made "happy" this weekend.

Story~
Saturday we had went to lunch and there was a gumball like machine outside the restaurant and boy Hunter always wants to get something.. so we were looking and they had the bubbles with faux mustaches, goatees and sideburns.. we told him he just had to and he immediately agreed!

Todd and I were laughing so hard we could barely contain ourselves. Hunter started to get sad because he thought we were laughing at him.. we told him nooooo we are not laughing at YOU.. we are laughing because its so stinkin' cute and it makes us HAPPY. He said well, I want to make more people happy.. so we hatched the plan to keep it on while trying to find a parking space at WalMart. And the plan worked marvelously! The smiles, the confused looks and the howls of laughter made Hunter happy with his decision to keep it on. We told him how we were so lucky to have him to make our days and ultimately maybe make someone elses day too. With all the stress out in this world.. its nice to lighten up and have some fun from time to time.

We took this pic to send to Melly as she had to work all day Saturday and we thought itd cheer her up too. I told Hunter.. definitely like Father like Son!!!
Have a great week.. and keep well.. so much crap going around right now.. its got me, it had Hunter and its just rotten! Im doing billing at work and we are heading back home this weekend so I dont know when I'll get a chance to share my recent scrapbooking projects, but I will try to real soon.. Im so excited to share with you! ;o)

Have a safe weekend!~

Well, I really havent had much chance or much to blog about this week. I havent been scrapping.. altho, I have been jotting down ideas and drawing out the sketches in hopes to get to scrap this long weekend hopefully.

Last weekend I had wanted to scrap, but we decided to take the day off and take Justice out to Cahokia Mounds to the museum and movie to learn about the Indians called "Mississippians" He is studying about the mounds in class. I thought wow, this is perfect we live so close! He was able to come away with more knowledge and a poster and brochure to take back to his class and share. Here is a pic of him pretending to be scared of the dog that was "running wild" on the reservation. He cracks me up! haha

In other news~
I changed my blog look YET AGAIN.. what do you think? ... I promise to leave this til the first of October.. hehee {unless I find it getting cooler outside.. and that will make me want something more fallish} ;) I think the flowers in the header and the roses just remind me of my Grandmas antiques. I miss her. I could just look at all of her antiques for days.. Just get lost in the design and beauty of the dishes she had.

This week Hunter has been studying safety with his playmates at "Sandys" ... Im so happy to have found her and so happy that she works with Hunter the way she does. He says she is the Grandma he "never" had. hahaa. She has them in a great routine and works with their manners and then holds "school" and "creative" time every single day. I love that she is old-school and teaches him Nursery Rhymes and old stories like Johnny Appleseed and Little Black Sambo.

Back to what I was saying. This week they were studying safety and she helped them each make their own little policeman outfits complete with hat and stop sign. Here he is posing.

Hunter studying safety couldnt have come at a better time. This past weekend we were talking with Justice and Hunter about "safe words" and about what to do when a stranger approaches.. or even someone they arent sure of.

Also, this week I got the most wonderful news from Preston. He has finally made the decision to head back to school in January to become a Law Enforcement Officer. He has to quit his job to go to this three month Academy, but luckily for him he has a great work ethic and the place he works for will more than likely let him come back to work until he finds a permanent job in the law enforcement area. It also helps that he is living at home with his Dad and basically has no bills at the moment.
Im just so proud of him. He has wanted to be a Police Officer since he could talk and say what it was he wanted to do. He told me he figured he better go now while he has the chance.. while Rachel is in school and the economy is bad. By the time they graduate and get out into this cold world they may have half a chance... ;) I cant wait... I will update more as he goes along. Right now he is shadowing a local City Police Dept. and working as much as possible to pay for his schooling up front.

I dont know how I got so lucky to be blessed with 3 very smart and handsome young men. But I thank the Good Lord every day and night for it!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day Weekend! ;o)

Bring on Fall!!!~

YAY... its the first day of September.. I just love it.. its beautiful outside and the weather is great... I just LOVE this time of year!!!!

Today is also my nieces birthday.. Aimee.. gosh I love ya girl!
In other news... The Nest has set up its new September Scrap Contest! Here are the deets~Ok, September is a celebration of our Labors.. so .. Id love it if you would base your layout on just that.. "The fruits of your labor"... "labor pains"... anything to do with labor!

Follow these rules as well!

L is for lace... use lace {material or paper} on your layout
A is for aged... distress somewhere on your layout
B is for buttons... use a button or two on your layout
O is for orange... use the color orange somewhere on your layout
R is for reminisce ... Journal your memories on your layout

All layouts are due to be emailed to me by midnight Sept. 30th. @ jinxi666@yahoo.com
A vote will be put up on October 1st!

Good Luck.. you are playing for a prize valued at $20.00 from YOUR favorite scrap company!!!!

I hope you have a great September and BRING ON FALL!!!! ;o)

Wild Honey~

There was a time that I really disliked U2 ... but when they came out with the All That You Cant Leave Behind album that I decided I have been missing out on a really awesome band. Anyway.. when I think of how many times I stole my ex-husbands cd to listen I just laugh... such good memories of driving down the road with the windows open singing out loud to my hearts content! I soooo should buy this ... and maybe I will... til then.. I want to share this song that really struck me. Enjoy! ;o)

First day of school jitters!~

Well not for me.. but for several lil chickies I know... My niece Mariah, my cousins daughter Kloee and Preston's girlfriend Rachel. This is Kloee's 2nd year so she has it downpat {altho, this is her first year being an RA}, but the other two.. this is their first year

... and I'm not going to lie.. I shed a tear or two for them both last night. I know it must be exciting yet scary as hell to be faced with a huge campus, be away from family and familiar things and "boyfriends" heheee.

I know they'll be fine.. I just feel for them. I've wished them luck and best wishes.. and pray they're in their element real soon!

I think poor Rachel is super homesick already and had some nauseating moments...but she says, thankfully for Preston she always feels hope. Now isn't that a nice thing to hear about your son?! I know he is a good person and will do whatever it takes to make that girl happy. And the biggest news yet this year from him.. something that shocked even me... he moved back in with his Dad to be closer to Rachel. I hope they treat him right.. Lord knows he deserves it. I know this is a big thing because Preston really has some issues with his Dad, but then again it may be a good thing so that they can work on their relationship some more. We'll watch and see.

I leave you with one of my fav pics of Preston and Rachel!Have a great 1st day of college... to you Rachel and to all of my lil chicks!!! ;o)

The Nest~

Some of you may know this.. and some may not.. but for the past couple of years I have headed a forum that was built amidst the breakdown of a former forum that I belonged to and that a lot of my scrappy friends belonged to as well. Well, over the years we had a bit of drama and with that bad apple lost a few regular posters. With a majority of the girls coming from one area.. others were feeling left out and whatnot. I never wanted it to be that way and they did not intend that either, but it happened. We all knew each other and we hadn't advertised much and just stuck with our small little group. It probably isn't a good thing as it stifled things almost to a stand still. I thought many times of just shutting it down.. I even gave the lead over to my friend Cat and though we still collaborate together just haven't done a whole lot with it for the past 6 months or so. but...

Recently, it just seems that I cant find what I miss from our little place on the web. I like coming "home" and chatting about anything.. not just scrapbooking. I like to focus on real things happening to us and it just so happens that a lot of us scrapbook. I decided to give the forum a new look and a new name and start advertising again.. not only for scrappy folks but anyone..and everyone. With Facebook being so prevalent right now it may be tough, because well we have each other, but not games.. or surveys... haha those things we get hooked on.

Butttt... I would love it if you stopped by and just give it a try. Don't be shy.. post to any subject.. we have a TON. And in addition.. I am going to start the monthly Scrapbook Layout Contest again starting in September. This could be an opportunity to win some great crafty stuff. Also, I would love to see swaps again.

Please come by.. register and tell your friends.. Id appreciate it!!! ;o)

Here is the link {or you can click on the picture above}~ The Nest

Happy Friday~

Hello people! Its Friday... thank goodeness!

I thought Id post a layout that I did this past week.. most have probably already seen it, but if not, its here. Im pretty happy with it, it came out the way I wanted it to and I got my scrap on even if for just one layout this week! ;o)Also.. lately Ive seen this on several blogs and forums... A new way to flip your photos into old looking Polaroids! So cool. I chose these pics of my niece Mariah. I just love her style.. she is not afraid one bit to think outside the box. I'm also choosing these because in just a short couple days she will be moving into her dorm room for her very first year of college! Woot Woot!

Im soooo excited for her! I cant even imagine the emotions she is going through right now.. but I do know that for me and the rest of the family we will be praying she has a good time and doesn't get too homesick!
I hope its nice in your neck of the woods.. it certainly is in ours.. Im going to enjoy the weekend.. I hope you can too! Take care til next time... :)

We've come a long way baby~

Proud to say.. today is our 5th Wedding Anniversary!!! Yes indeed, 5 years ago today I married my best friend. We met online and were together quite quick. I'm positive that most of our friends and family.. and maybe even us thought that this would never last. And to the amazement to my personal friends who know how many times I've been married know that this marriage has happily lasted longer than any nuptial before. ha! ;o)
Well, we are still going strong.. It hasn't always been easy, but one thing about us.. we are stubborn as hell so its always worked to our advantage. I can't express how happy I am today and in my life!

Here are some pics of the Mr. and me along the way...

Cable De Charter and other mishaps~

Well.. we didnt go to get cable at Cable De Charter.. and boy oh boy were the boys mad! hahahaa. I tried to tell them that we were going to Fort De Chartres... of course they know Charter is our area cable company and I guess they just couldnt wrap their little minds around it. hahaaa Once we got there and they saw that it was a fort.. they were in awe! hahaa.

So yeah.. Saturday morning we got up and got ready and headed out for the drive to Prairie De Roucher where the Fort was.. it was built by the French in 1700's.. it was hot, it was neat and it was VERY quiet. There were only 2 other families there when we got there..so the boys really got to run the place and explore. We also got some one on one time with one of the workers who told us some stories and background. It was a good experience.. and Im glad we went.. the boys had a great time as well. Here are some of my fav pics and the LINK to the others!

In other news... yesterday Todd and I both had our first experience with Hunter cutting himself bad enough we had to take Hunter to the doc ... He got a hold of my razor in the tub while taking a bath and commenced to shaving off the side and tip of his thumb. Poor kiddo. It took quite a hunk off and we just couldnt get it to stop bleeding and the more blood he saw the worse he screamed.

We got him dressed and our buns in the car and to the doc.. of course by the time we got there and the wait it had stopped bleeding and he was in better spirits. They cleaned it up and bandaged it up and we were on our way. He was pretty brave considering. So pain meds for the throbbing and stinging.. a new toy and breakfast out with Mom and Dad and he was feeling much better.

Todd did end up staying home with him. He kept saying his eyes were watering.. but I think he was just holding back his tears trying to be brave! I feel awful of course for leaving that stuff out where he could get it. I just never thought. Im so happy he didnt cut his lip/face as he said he did try shaving his face.. YIKES!


Yeah.. so my life has been crazy.. and that was after me staying home from work on Monday due to this crazy weird thing that is going on under my left ribs and the worst back cramping I think Ive ever experienced! I thought getting older would thwart those "girlie pains" .. I think not though.. geezh

I hope to work on some scrappy projects tonight as not much on TV. Ive gotten addicted to Big Brother and its taking up 3 nights of my week.. hahaa.. and Mondays is Intervention.. Im such a couch tator.. but after a long day at work all I want to do is veg sometimes.

I hope your week rocks..thanks for sharing mine! ;o)

My mojo has re-appeared!~

So the other night I made one card and put away my stuff for a couple days.. I got the award yesterday and boy did it just jog me... so last night, I tore into the scrapbook room and created 3 more cards for the MSW crop and one of their challenges! Thanks for looking.. I hope to actually maybe create some layouts this weekend, altho we have a pretty busy one planned with Justice being home and us going out of town Saturday...

.. but sweeties.. Im back in the saddle again! Woot Woot!!!Have a great weekend!!! ;o)

Lookie! Lookie!~

What a WONDERFUL honor that has been bestowed upon me.. I'm so stinkin' happy!


My blog was chosen by the awesome Scrapbook News and Review Magazine administration staff upon being nominated by my scrappy friend Cheryl ...THANK YOU!!!!

Im shocked, honored and so very happy... if you didnt know already- SNR is the leading paper crafting magazine on the internet and to be associated with such a fantastic community and peers.. Im super elated!!!!.... In fact it makes me want to get craftier to share more with anyone who reads or comes along my blog.. What a great mojo booster huh? YAY!!!

Im going to proudly display this banner on my blog and bask in the glorious happiness it has brought to me... hehee ;o)

Hi!~

Hello there.. so I told a big ass lie.. I have not scrapped a bit! I have the feeling I want, but I also feel like Im waiting on something.. what? Im not sure. ;( Anyway.. I did do these 2 cards last week, one for my Mom and one for my Dad, they both have Birthdays in August. So that is that. Lately Ive gotten all of my work done at work and just catching up on some extra little things and finally getting to work on the Policies and Procedures manual after 3 years. Well, it was my goal last year, but time just got away from me. I looked today and they hadnt been updated since 2004. Can you believe that?.. Crazy! After I get that done... it will be time again to start in on the next quarters billing. We did have a meeting a week ago about getting new software, but since have heard nothing about it. It seemed like a fantastic program and would make my life sooo much easier, but again.. havent heard a thing about it.

In other news.. Todd and I opened another savings account this week. We have lived paycheck to paycheck for sooo long. It feels good to do so, but I still have a couple little credit cards Id feel much better if paid off. That will all happen by April of next year. Whew! We are trying really hard to cut out eating out all the time. Not only are we spending our savings, we are not losing any weight by doing that. So far we are doing very well. Of course its only the 2nd week too. hahaa. But we are committed and thats what matters right?!

And lastly... with taking my lunch to work I found the most fantastic pudding. Swiss Miss Tapioca.. goood Lorday..it is delicious!!! Smooth, creamy and the vanilla is so tasty.. then you add the bursts of tapioca... YUM... total YUM!

And... I shall leave you with a few random pics we've taken lately.. and a fact.. I uploaded 144 photos for just June/July.. and that wasnt all really that I had.. but goodeness.. can you say addict? hahaaWe tried a new Mexican restaurant out... not good at all.. but we had fun time anyway!

Hunter wanted his toenails painted blue soooo bad.. His Dad wasnt too happy, but I thought what would it hurt?! He is just expressing his artistic side right?.. Im not worried.. and its blue for cryin' out loud! He was happy thats what makes me happy... and after all....He is still VERY much my lil rough and tough boy... one who has an amazing love for Lego people/aliens and monsters! hehee

and last but not least.. his self portrait.. the boy LOVES to take pics.. especially of himself! haa!

Have a great week ya'll! ;o)

Updates~

I updated and added a few new links and blinkies... take a peek at the side bar!

Today I will scrapbook and no one can stop me! I'm going to scrap the challenges over at MSW for their ABC crop that is going on the whole month of August.. I'm sure they'd love to see you there too!

In other news.. I'll probably be changing my background and header again... why I get so bored with them I'll never know.. but its fun changing so I go with it. ;)

I also have two new cards that I made that I need to d/l to show ya.. will do so soon.

Have a great weekend! ;o)

Home Collection~

by Febreze...

Today Im writing a lil post to share with you something that I came across in the House Beautiful magazine I rec'd yesterday in the mail. I cant tell you HOW I started getting that magazine, Im just glad that I did. I love it and everything new it shows me each time. And each time I come away with another idea or product that is a must try!

Today is no exception.. I found this new Home Collection by Febreze ... I particularly like the flameless luminaries! I totally love living in the dark aka cave.. living by only candle light in the evenings.. just makes me feel "homey" and while doing so hides cobwebs and dust ;) hahaa. I love that there are different styles and fragrances!

Here is what the website says about them..

Inspirational design and unique scent make the perfect combination for a refreshing atmosphere. The new Febreze Flameless Luminary accents your home with scent and style. It comes with decorative, scented shades you can change to let a flickering light shine through. Replace your scented shades with the latest scent and design every season of the year.

When you’re ready for a new look with a new scent, simply replace your current scented shade with a Flameless Luminary Refill in a scent and design combination you like. To replace it, just remove and discard the old shade and place your new scented shade on the base. Look for seasonal Flameless Luminary Refills in limited edition seasonal scents and styles. It’s more than decor, it’s a breath of fresh air.

Anyway, if you have tried one of these or are going to in the future please be sure to let me know what you think and I will do the same in return! Now.. get your shop on! ;)