Home Sweet Home

Well, sorry I haven't been around much for several days. We went on our house hunting trip! I am glad we went and the boys did amazing! They were fantastic on the flight both there and back. There first plane ride...now that is scrapping material! The hotel experience was interesting to say the least. They have never slept anywhere but their cribs so it was hard each night to get them to bed. Got better but then I think Cameron is either getting more teeth (maybe the molars?) or he is sick. It got cold while we were there (lows in the 30s one night). I loved the weather. It was such a beautiful time of year and honestly we can't wait to get moved.

So, no scrapping for me since the boys wouldn't go down each night. Must play catch up the next few days. Sleepy, sleepy right now so heading to bed. Hope everyone has a great week!

So in love...

I am so in love with these two little guys and this man. :) Aren't they just the cutest little things? Noah was eating faster than I could put food on his plate tonight...which is always a great thing to us. We are so fortunate to have such good little eaters (most of the time). Hope they stay that way!

I have learned a few things about hubby these last few days. Every time we come up to a new area he is pointing out scrapbook stores. Heck, he was spotting them faster than I could! As we sat talking this evening and he was looking at some info and he pointed out to me that the place we are moving to has a scrapbooking and spa retreat! Can you imagine that?!?!?!?!?! I can go and get a massage and then scrapbook the day away. Now how cool is that? And how cool is he for finding it for me!

I seem to have lost my mojo the last few days on the scrapping front. Hate it...have so much in my head and when I go to put it together it just isn't coming out the way I wanted it to. So will put it aside for a day or two and go back. Always seems to come together at some point so will be patient. That is something I am learning to get better at. So thankful for that!

Are you ready?

Ho-hum

So, not too much happening the last two weeks. Guess that gives me too much time to think. Just been trying to keep things up so this house will sell! I know it will when the time is right so not stressing about it but I will say I will be happy not to have to worry every time I leave the house if they will call and I didn't have everything picked up. Pain in the rear. So enough complaining...

I did this layout for the scrapbook challenge I host for my playgroup. As I posted the challenge it just came to me what I was going to do, the photos, the kits I was going to use. The hardest part was trying to figure out the font to use. Come to think of it I bet I have an alpha that would be cute...I didn't think of that while doing the layout! Anyhoo...this is the first time things have just come to me that easily in a while. I guess many years of no creativity takes it out of you. What is it they say, use it or lose it. Guess I thought I had lost it.

Credits: Blue, red and cream papers - Cute as a Button by Amy Sumrall; White paper - Oh Boy! by Julia Makotinsky (Little Dreamer Designs); Template by Andrea Gold; Brush: SwirlsII by Obsidian Dawn; Font: Tiza and MS Serif

Does anyone else just feel scatter brained half the time? I feel like I sometimes am going to 10 directions and not getting anything done because I get overwhelmed. I have got to get better at focusing on one (or two) things at a time and just getting it done. So strange because when I am focused on something I get SO much done. Bad thing about that is when I am focused on something that is all I want to do. I know there is a happy medium out there somewhere and I just have to find it. Suggestions anyone?????

Look what I learned how to do!

How cool is that?!?!?!?! I have been wanting to learn how to do both glitter and these pretty stars for a while now. I see them everywhere and just think they are beautiful. Look what I taught myself this morning! Not sure if I can duplicate again but I will have to so I can write down what I did. I didn't know if it was possible in PSE but it is. Yippee! I was going to dry and track down my copy of Photoshop after the move but right now I have no idea where it is. And impatient me just couldn't wait. Now I can make pretty, sparkly stars from time to time. I know, I am such a geek! But the world of digital scrapbooking is calling my name...

Family History

So, I have been curious about my family history for a long while now. It seems every time I want to start undertaking the task of doing research always seems to be an extremely busy time in my life. Is there a reason for this? I am beginning to wonder. Hmm... But as I am starting to get serious about the boys' scrapbooks I am really wanting to be able to put a family tree in there and make them aware of their ancestors.

On my moms side the family name isn't all that common so her side has been much easier at tracking people down. My maiden name however is a very common one and so has been next to impossible for me to find anything. My father only has 2 siblings still alive and one of them has some information for me...I just have to wait until she is finished compiling it before I can find out some of the answers to my questions. I am really hoping to be able to go and visit here in the next few years and do some research.

So many things I want to do and just always seem to get so focused on one of them. Tunnel vision, that is what I have. Here lately it has been for scrapping. I just want to sit and scrap all day. The thing with that is I end up spinning my wheels. I do a layout, then I keep tweaking it and tweaking it. The ones I complete just seem to fall into place. If it is one I started and am "tweaking" I am beginning to wonder if it will ever get completed. Ha! I am always secretly envious of these gals who can pop 3-4 layouts out in an evening and just be thrilled with them. Perfectionism can be a real pain...ya know?

Happy Tuesday!

I am a wee bit nervous about the move. I have so much to do and just not motivated right now to do it. I think the house not being shown much has a little to do with it. I know it will sell when it is meant to but man can it play with your mind. :)

Not a lot of srcapping the last 2 days. I haven't even been taking many photos. What's up with that? I have been trying to get organized for the coming weeks and so far, so good. Just need to take care of a few loose ends and we should be in good shape. For now that is. Ha!

The boys are just so cute and seem to be going through a growth spurt or something. We have to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather before it gets too hot here. But hey, we will be having 2 Springs this year for the most part. Yippee!

The world of digital scrapbooking is HUGE. I can surf all day long and still not be able to cover a fraction of it. I have come across this very cool site though that I have quickly fallen in love with. I have been head over heals with the layouts posted here and still trying to go through all the forums and information when I have a minute here or there. A lot to go through so going to take me some time.

Okay, off to work on the house some more and keep making my lists. What would I do without my lists?!?!?!?!?!?!?

The color orange...

Credits: Hip to be Square by Beth Kern; Brush (Broken Glass) by Obsidian Dawn; Font: Another

When Cameron was born he had a squished head. Even c-section, his little head was tilted. As soon as I saw him I knew he would have to wear one of the helmets. Every time we would go for a check-up I would ask out pediatrician if she thought he would need one. Each time she would tell me I would be surprised at how their little heads grow and form. Well...finally around his 6 month check up she said I should look into the doc band. Man, the process to get fitted for one of these things is not a fun one. I have pictures to prove it and I just haven't had the heart to scrap them. Some day I guess. But he did so well wearing the band. I had several friends who had them with their children and heard their stories of how the child wouldn't sleep well for days trying to adjust. I had it all in my mind that I was just not going to get any sleep for a few days. Cameron just amazed me. I think he slept better with the thing on! He didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest and after a while would fuss when we went to take it off. I joked by the end of it that he wasn't going to be happy to not be wearing it anymore because he had learned he could roll around and roll into something and it not even bother him when he hit his head. It did take some time for him to get used to not having it any longer but I am so amazed at how well he did. But then again they both continue to amaze me every day...

And can I just say I have become addicted to brushes!!!!!!

It's Friday...woo-hoo!

Okay, well...it's almost Saturday really. This day just flew by! I guess that is what happens when you are having fun. I had to laugh this afternoon. The boys LOVE getting their shoes put on. They will crawl into my lap and the other waits anxiously beside me for his turn. Today, I was putting one of Noah's socks on and he grabbed the other one and started trying to put it on his foot. It was the cutest thing ever! And then when we got home Cameron started fussing as I was taking my shoes off. He wanted his off too! They just crack me up every day with something new.

Speaking of cracking me up. The other morning I come in after their nap and this is what I walked in to. So we started calling him Tarzan. Maybe he is trying to make a new fashion statement for boys. Have no idea how he managed to do this but it cracks me up to look at the pictures even. You can see on his little shoulder where there are red marks from him obviously scratching himself while taking it off. Too funny.

Pray this house of ours sells soon! We have decided the last week of May would be the move date. I am a little nervous but know it will all work out. Just have to keep the faith. But hey, I will have tons of time to scrapbook since we will be living in temporary housing for 2 months. Woo-hoo! See, there is always a positive side to everything. :)

Rilee

Credits: Dreaming in Pink by Scrapping Hideaway; Brush by Obsidian Dawn: Font: Angelica

This beautiful little gal is my best friend's little one. They were over playing a few weeks ago and we were all on the patio. She is such a doll and since I don't have a little girl of my own I have to scrap her from time to time to get my pink fix. He, he...

We are off now to have some professional shots done of the boys. Man do I hope they cooperate. I have been wanting to have this done for a while and can't wait to see how they come out!!!!! Her photography is just beautiful and promise to share when they are ready. :)

Beautiful weather here...

Wow, we have been having some amazingly beautiful days here. I had to take the boys to the park yesterday just because it would have been a total shame not to get outside. I even had to turn the heat on the last few days at night! That doesn't happen often here this time of year. I will say I am looking forward to having this weather a little more often once we move. We should get it twice a year instead of just for a week or so in the Spring. Yippee! But will also have lots more winter and wimpy me just isn't sure how well I am going to do those first few years. I always thought I wanted to live back up north but I was so small when we lived there I don't even remember it. Sigh. Have time to think about that much later on...right now it's time to start focusing on when we are going to make this move and get this house sold here!

Been trying to sign up for a few more CTs this last week or so. Most will be giving results by the end of this and next week. There are a few I am just jonesing to get on. I LOVE the designers stuff and would welcome the opportunity to scrap for them. Actually, come to think of it everyone I am scrapping for right now I love. Why else would I have applied? Silly me. I am looking forward to lots and lots of scrapping when we go on our house hunting trip though. Since we will be in a hotel when the boys are napping and go to bed at night I will have lots of computer time. Yippee! Or at least that is the plan. He, he...

Okay, off to get some things done while the boys are napping. I have got to start getting things packed and find which mover we are going to use. I really want to check out the PODS thing...maybe I'll go and call them right now. :) Hope you all have a great day!

Go check it out...

My Scrap Shop is having a contest to give away a custom kit. Go check it out here.



And if you are at a loss for something to scrap this month, check out her list of things you can scrap for April. Very cool!

Finished...

I finished up two layouts I had started but just never really had time to finish. The first page I had posted before but made changes to. Still not totally satisfied so I am sure I will keep playing with it but the second page I am happy with. :) Now I just have to sit and scrap the strawberry pictures from this past weekend.

Credits: background, blue paper, red button, tag and pin - Cute as a Button by Amy Sumrall; Vine - Pretty Doodlie Dodads by Amy Sumrall; Green tag - Brothers by Andrea Gold; Font: 1470 Jenson
Page 2-Credits: bacground, blue paper, red button, - Cute as a Button by Amy Sumrall; Vine - Pretty Doodlie Dodads by Amy Sumrall; Ribbon and green tag - Brothers by Andrea Gold; Swirl brush by Obsidian Dawn; Font: Ampersand

And speaking of strawberries. My little guys devoured every single one of them the last two days. They couldn't get enough. I was in shock yesterday when they did it but today when they ate the other half I just couldn't believe it. They went from turning their noses up at them to not being able to get enough! Too funny!

Back to scrapping for me...I'm on a roll tonight so want to keep going. :)

Beautiful day!

Oh my gosh it was such a beautiful weekend. We took full advantage of it too. We went to a new waterfall park today they have in the area. It was beautiful and the boys loved it. I took some cool shots so man I have so much scrapping to do and just from this last week! I know I can't scrap them all but it is so fun preserving all these memories...especially when they are so fresh in my mind. I didn't have that luxury when they were very tiny.

So here are some cute photos from today. I had turned around at one point in the car and Noah had put his hat on all funny. I had to grab the camera.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my new camera? It takes such awesome pictures and I haven't really even learned to use the thing! I am hoping after we move and get settled in I can take a few photography classes. They have tons of schools around there so it shouldn't be too hard to find one that will work.

Off to bed for me. Hope everyone has a great week!

Wow...the week flew by

Man, I can't believe I haven't posted since Wednesday. Well, I guess I can but it just doesn't feel like it has been that long. I got way sick that night and hubby had to take off work Thursday because I just couldn't get out of bed. Of course Friday I still wasn't totally up to my usual self and today we went and picked strawberries (yes, again) and then they showed the house this afternoon. Whew...3 days...gone.

I did get some scrapping in last night. I worked on 3 layouts. Finished 2 for the most part but one is just the front page to a book so probably not interested in that one. :) We did go to the park the other day and I got some really cute pictures so had to scrap this one. :)

Credits: Simply Fall Paper Pack by Beth Kern

Swirl and Rope brushes by Obsidian Dawn

Font: Caligula

My little guys are growing up way too fast! They are both little pros at walking and hardly ever crawl any longer. So hard for me to believe! They are also both starting to talk more. We have a big surprise for the grandparents when they come to visit next month. :)

Feeling puny

I am feeling really yucky tonight. It started slowly this morning and now my throat hurts so badly when I swallow I just want to stop swallowing! I have had strep once and I am praying this isn't what is happening again. Fever wasn't that high today so keeping fingers crossed it is just some viral thing. Going to head to bed soon...have to get better for my little guys!!!!! They were so good today about me not saying much and just kind of playing quietly with me. I just hope they don't get it too!

Amy has a cute freebie on her blog...cute quick pages. :)

Reality

Well, I guess the reality of us moving is finally starting to sink in. I am so not ready to go. Here all along I thought I was fine with it, and I guess I am. But I am now starting to realize all the things I am going to miss here. Sigh. I know it will all be okay, just starting to realize I had better get going on getting everything ready. Makes it kind of real now.

I got to work on a layout last night but my computer is acting up more and more. Still hoping to get a new one when we move and just use this one for internet. Plus I want a faster one that can handle the graphics programs better. You know the next purchase will be a tablet. :) Just have to figure out which one to get.

Off to finish downloading the nearly 400 pictures I have taken the last few days. Thank goodness for digital! I have no idea how I end up taking that many pictures in such a short amount of time. Then when I look at them it doesn't seem like 400 pictures to me. Anyone else ever feel that way? :)

Update: Just went over to visit Amy's blog and she has a fantastic coupon for 50% off anything in her store! Head over to pick it up. :)

So go and check out Liz and Colie's new place on the web... Been There Scrapped That! Today is the grand opening and they have some awesome things in store for everyone!

This beautiful kit (Carefree) is yours when you sign up and register at the site!



And this awesome one (Sublime) will be given away to 5 lucky winners at the end of the day just for stopping by, saying hello and introducing yourself! How cool is that?!!?!?!?!??!

Let's help them start off with a bang and have some fun scrappin'!

I can't believe the weekend is already more than half over. I just want to freeze time for a while. I have come to terms with the fact that everything is not going to get completed on my "To Do" list, simply because I keep adding to it. :)

I did get some scrapping in last night before I totally crashed. I have felt kind of blah the last few days and think I have been fighting off getting sick. Thankfully I am fighting it off and it hasn't gotten the best of me just yet. I just feel really tired all the time.

Credits: Secret Rebel by Colie's Corner

Template by Jen Caputo

Fonts: 3rd Man and Adler

I love to watch the boys do this. They get on each side of the door and play "open and giggle." I think it is the funniest thing ever. And this day Noah decided Cameron should be on the same side so tried to pull him in. They crack me up!

Okay, I have been intending to make a weekly menu for a long time now. A few weeks ago Megan had posted a "master menu" she had created. I can't even begin to thank her enough! This was the jump start I needed to get my rear in gear. Last week was the first week I had made one and it worked out wonderfully. I made several changes to make it work for me, and of course I am searching for recipes to add to mine, but over all it is such a great tool! I will say it made grocery shopping so easy and I didn't have to try to figure out what to make each day, already done and at my finger tips. Easy to change around (Which we had to because of house showings) and even hubby could follow it. Woo-hoo! I finished creating week 2 this morning and going to try and get weeks 3-4 done this week so I can get back on track with heading to the grocery store first thing on Saturday mornings. So thanks a million Megan!

Bluebonnets

This is our last year in Texas so I had to take the boys to try and get some pictures. We went on two different days. The first day Noah just was not happy to be there. The second day Cameron was the one who didn't want to be there. Ugh! I have been wanting to try this type of layout for a while now and think this came out rather nice. :) What do you think?

I thought it was Friday...

Shucks, I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday...only Thursday...sigh. Oh well...I guess in reality weekdays and weekends really don't make a difference to me other than hubby doesn't have to work on weekends. So why should I care???? Silly me.

So, yesterday afternoon I was coming down the stairs with Noah (playing with him of course) and fell the last few steps. Thank God I didn't drop him or fall on top of him is all I can say. I think I have a slight sprain though. My ankle is a little swollen and hurts. Hubby made me stay off the feet all evening with ice on it and wrapped it for me. That seems to have helped tremendously. Hopefully this won't take long to heal...it's kind of annoying.

I was working on the strawberry layout again yesterday. Got some great ideas from the CT team I am on so will be playing around more this weekend probably. I also want to complete the second page because that will have all the journaling on it. I am amazed at how much more I get some with the digital than I did with paper. It just seems to come so much more easily for me. Hmm...I always thought I needed to do something with computers...just never really sure of what until now!

Strawberry picking

We had so much fun today picking strawberries. I enjoyed myself so much I sat and ate a big bowl of fresh strawberries and whipped cream and had to do a very quick layout. :) We are eading back in another week or so and hoping M will be able to go with us. I think he would have fun watching the boys squish strawberries and make a mess. They were so dirty when we left I could have just thrown them in the tub. It was way too cute! Okay, off to bed for me but couldn't resist sharing. I'm probably going to fiddle with it more but couldn't resist. :)

Credits: background, tag and pin - Cute as a Button by Amy Sumrall

vine - Pretty Doodlie Dodads by Amy Sumrall

Ribbon and green tag - Brothers by Andrea Gold

Font: 1470 Jenson