Brodie's New Room!

Welcome to Brodie's new "Big Girl Room!" We went with a Princess Theme, as you can tell. We're trying not to make the room look like Disney threw up, so we will see how that goes!
Brodie's Wall, complete with her Princess Pictures! Picture 2 is Brodie's new bed and her toy box. Picture 3 is her favorite place now! She loves her "Princess Chair" and her new tea set!

Birthday FUN!!!

We had a pretty good day today. 6 Cadets came to celebrate Brodie's birthday with us. We had tacos, nachos, rice (you'd be proud of me, Dad... it turned out!) Mexican Eggrolls and of course CAKE!!! The cadets helped deck Brodie out in Princess gear... glasses and a Fairy princess outfit, complete with wings and slippers! She got a really cool Princess purse with brushes, mirrors and even lipstick! (she calls it her "marker") She absolutely loves her Princess Tea Set!!! She immediately went up and had a "tea party" with Randy and Riley at her Princess Table. (pictures in another post...)



Here's the Princess Cake that I made for Brodie. It turned out better than I thought it would. It actually ended up being 4 layers, a lot of cake, but it made it look better than being smaller. The hardest thing was taking it apart when it was time to eat it! I look forward to the next one I can make.. the boys have already picked out their castles for their birthday, so it's going to be fun!





We were singing "Happy Birthday" to Brodie and she wasn't quite sure about it till she found out she would get to blow the candles out! Then she couldn't wait for us to finish! (Those are two of our Cadets behind her.. they are tooo cool!)





Here's Brodie's favorite part!!! She was upset she only had 2 candles to blow out, so we re-lit them and she did it again! She would clap after she finished and look around to make sure everyone else was clapping, too! She seemed to have a good day. She danced for the girls here and tried on her sunglasses over and over again.


I did learn a few good things in the past two days preparing for today and I thought I would share them:
1. Never put your contacts in after you cut an onion. Even if you wash your hands, wait. I'd suggest you wait about a week before you put your contacts in if you have come into contact with an onion!
2. Liquid Cheer can cover the floor of a 4x6 laundry room in under 10 seconds. It's really hard to clean up (even though it's soap!!!) and when you put towels you've used to clean them in the washing machine it makes A LOT of bubbles.
3. Baking Soda refreshes the carpet when sprinked and vaccumed. And the sofa. And the coffee table. And a 2 year old girl.

So... those are my "Heloise Hints" for today!

Stamping fun! (finally!!!)

My friend Angel has been doing some Sketches from Sara and their creations have been so inspiring I decided I wanted to play, too. I picked a Sketch that I thought would work with the project I needed to do and I am pleased. It really helped me start with something in mind and having something to work with, yet allowing me to be creative on my own. I decided on Sketch #20. I am making birthday invitations for Brodie's 2nd birthday, and thought the 3 boxes worked awesome to spell out TWO. I wasn't sure about the oval, but decided on "sweet" since that's what she is most of the time! I have been looking for an exuse to use the flower punch I picked up on sale at Michaels several months ago, so I had to add it in!
Details: I wanted it to be bright and colorful for the little girl she is, so I went bold and bright. I got my color inspiration from the DP "Sweet" and went from there. Green Galore CS, a strip of Tempting Turquoise under the DP, the letters are stamped in Tempting Turquoise layer on YoYo Yellow and Marvelous Magenta. The oval is cut using the CM oval cutter, stamped in Tempting Turquoise and layered on TT as well. The flowers are cut out of, again, Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow and Marvelous Magenta.

We have a new family that just moved in down the street and I wanted to give them a "welcome card." I looked through my selection and found this perfect one that I got in a card swap oh, so long ago when I was a SU! Demonstator. Lori C did this card and I THANK HER since the card is perfect, quick and ready to go! Our neighbor has 3 little boys and one due as of yesterday, and they just moved in last week, so I wanted to give her husband something with my name and number on it in case he needed anything.

So, now that I am completely inspired, I'm going to go stamp... but first.. the UPS man just delivered Brodie's BIG GIRL bed, so I have to go have some fun setting that up, first. We also got her birthday presents from Grandma and Grandpa Hale... THANK YOU!!! I can't wait to see her face when she opens them! We decided to do her room in Princess since she loves them... but I'm hoping it doesn't look like Disney threw up when we are done! She has Princess bedding, a little table and chairs, a toy box... but everything else is pink and purple, so I think that will tone down the Princess explosion!

He answers...

I have to tell you about my morning... bear with me if you wish.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about our decision to move here. I've been struggling with if we made the right choice or not. We've been extremely financially strapped, where we thought we would save quite a bit moving here and living on base. I'm attending PWOC at the church, but I still don't have that "welcome feeling" that I've had at other churches. I have been praying that God would lead me to a friend that I can feel that closeness, too, and yet I still feel so isolated and alone most days. I recently got back in touch with a friend from High School and she was catching me up on the goings ons in the town I gratuated from. It's just strange to think I could have been married for almost 15 years if I had stayed there. Wow... Anyway.. that just brought up a lot of "what if's" I've been thinking about. Did I make the right choices in my past... did I do what was right for myself and my children. Could I have handled my divorce differently... I think my pregnancy is taking a lot of out of me this time. I'm not used to having "boy hormones" and I think we are fighting for alpha position right now!

This morning during my 15 minutes of "my time," I put my worries into God's hands, and just asked him to show me that we made the right decisions by coming here... show me a reason that we are here. So, this morning Brodie and I made our way into a near-by town and the road I normally take was closed. We were forced to take a slower, windy road that I wasn't sure would take me the right direction. As I wound VERY SLOWLY down this road, that honestly I had always wanted to take but never had the "time," I began to look around. We are just starting to go through the color changing time of fall. The trees vary anywhere from blazing red, brilliant yellow, multiple shades of green and some browns, pretty, but still brown. This road winds right on the cliff and edge of the Hudson River. There is a low rock wall bordering the right hand side as you drive and after that is a sheer drop to the water. (I have to give it to those that built these rock walls we find all over this area. They are awe inspiring just from the way they are built.) At one point, the trees were so thick that they created a tunnel over the road. The sunlight filtered down and almost made a "stained glass window" appearance through the leaves. It was beautiful. I began to appreciate the beauty of nature that I lost while living in flat, treeless Central Texas. I came up to a clearing in the trees and was truly speechless at the sight before my eyes. The leaves parted just enough to show a glimpse of the Hudson River. Normally the Hudson is not the most beautiful river to gaze at, but this view was amazing. You couldn't see any roads, bridges, buildings or houses. Just the beauty of the mountains on the other side of the river, in full glory of the sun. The colors were breathtaking. I rounded the corner and there was a tiny island in the middle of the river with ruins from some sort of castle or building. (Reminds me, I need to search to see what that was.) It was perfect. I love castles, expecially those that are in ruined state, so this was just my view.

I continued the drive appreciating the fact that I had to take that road, even though it took about 20 minutes extra. I passed a church that normally has funny sayings on their marquee out front that I enjoy. This time, I almost slammed on the brakes to make sure I read the sign right. This was the simple message: "You asked. I showed. Did you see?" I passed it on the way back home, so I know it wasn't a fluke... I have asked for "signs" in the past, and I know I've been shown the answer, but never in true "black and white."

So for now, I will take what I have, not worry about what I did or didn't do in my past, and enjoy the scenery more. We are surrounded by beauty on every side of West Point. It's time I open my eyes and see and enjoy.

Flower Swirl

I got this idea from a "thank you" card I receive, but I'm not sure I like the outcome. I can't figure out if I need something else or if I should just leave it alone. I might tweak it in the next few days, but who knows!
Details: Tempting Turquoise paper, layers with Gable Green. Inked with Tempting Turquoise and Whimsy Jumbo Wheel. Flower from "In the Spotlight" inked in Pixie Pink on Pixie Pink. Words from "So Many Sayings." Pink Glitter adhered with Scotch Quick Drying Adhesive.

Hopefully, I'll get another chance to stamp tomorrow..

Yep, I guess I'm pregnant

Ok... I guess I can say I'm fianlly feeling pregnant. This is me at 22 weeks. It kind of happened overnight. I went from not looking pregnant to "baby belly." He must be growing rapidly, or just trying to get the biggest room! Only 17 weeks to go. Hopefully I won't get much bigger...that much more to lose!

I'm off to start my Monday... just wanted to post a picture of my "baby."

Progress, you just can't see it yet

I actually got to stamp today, but I've got nothing to show for it... I worked on Baby Announcements and Christmas cards and I'm not ready to show them before I mail them! I'll probably post the ones I didn't like, eventually.. :-) I'm trying to be productive and get things done before the baby comes... at least ONE thing I can control!

We've had a pretty lazy, rainy day. Watched Army lose, Texas Tech lose, barely, and now we are watching UT KICK BUTT against Rice. 55 - 7 and they still have a quarter left to go. Normally I don't root for UT, but at least it's a Texas team!

We have some cadets over to watch UFC (Ultimate Fighter) so I'd better go claim my seat before the show starts!!! Yeah, I know, it's not girly... the cadets are impressed that I follow this, too.

Anyway.. Happy Sunday, early!

Baby's Room: Stage 1

Ok.. I know I didn't do much yet, but at least I did something and I'm excited to have something to look at! We are very strapped for storage room, so the closet in the room that the baby will be in has become our only storage closet, hence a need for a "new closet." I found these Closet Organizers at Babies R Us and decided I could figure something out to put everything for the baby within reach of the changing table... which is yet to be purchased. It will go under the 4 pockets on the right hand side... at least that's the plan. I combined an extra storage area on top of the white wire shelves (right now it's the resting place of the animals), with the hanging clothes within reach. Eventually all his little socks and scratch mittens, onesies, burp clothes, etc will go in the little white baskets... and knowing me, I'll make labels for everything to go with his theme, Jungle Babies. When I get the diaper stacker, that will hang by the pockets on the right and put all the diapering needs will be right above the changing table. I also am looking forward to finally having a mobile or something hanging above the baby's head while I'm changing diapers... something I have always tried to do, but never managed to figure out how. I can see it all in my head.. now it's just a matter of waiting till I can get everything piece by piece... but it will all come togehter. We have a mattress for him.. no I didn't take a picture of that :-) We are waiting for Brodie's Big Girl Toddler Bed to get here so we can move the crib into the baby's room. Until then.. at least I have SOME clothes to re-arrange!
I hope y'all don't mind my posting such a simple picture, but I'm getting excited about this baby! I'm determined to do as much for this one as I did for my first. I'm trying to avoid that whole guilt trip for not doing as much for the last... guess I should catch up on Riley's baby book, too! Poor middle children!

Baby Fun!!

We got mattress today for the baby... now it's just a matter of waiting for Brodie's new "Big Girl Bed" to get here and I can actually start doing something to the baby room. I haven't been able to do anything yet, and it's been driving me carzy!!!! He has been VERY active lately. He went from nothing to not stopping! It's great to feel him so active, even when it hurts! I'm finally starting to show, although not much. By the end of the day, I FEEL huge, even though I don't look like it yet. I know I should be grateful I'm not huge... that much less to deal with AFTER the baby is born, but since he's my last, I would have liked to look somewhat pregnant except the week before I'm due!
I'll take some pictures when I get something done in the baby's room. I'm documenting this one, just so he can't say "4th children get overlooked and forgotten!" I got his baby book today, so I'll start that soon, too.... fun fun fun!!!

My Gallery

I finally took the time to not only take pictures of some of my cards, but to actually upload them on My Gallery site. There is a link on the left hand side that will take you there, and you can see some of them scrolling below the Baby Boy ticker, too. Now I have more reason to work so I can update them more often! I'm expecting a delivery from Stampin' Up soon, so I'll have more to play with, too! Check back later for more!

A Camping we did go....

This weekend found us camping in the woods of New York. We had a really good time, despite the RAIN that started to fall Friday night and continued until AFTER we had taken down all the tents to prepare to go home Saturday afternoon. The boys earned quite a few of their Wolf Achievements and Electives. They got to light the Campfire at the Pack Meeting Friday night, too. They even earned a patch for that! We took several nature hikes, played lots of games and one of our Wolves even caught a fish for all to see!
Here is a picture of my Wolves singing songs around the Den campfire. They did an awesome job outsinging the adults. They are good group of boys and I think a good time was had by all. They kept their spirits, and energy levels, up even when soaking wet!
Brodie got to go shopping with Daddy. She had a rough night, but now he has an idea of what I've been through the last 2 years! One night won't hurt him! I know I will be VERY thankful for my comfortable, soft bed after sleeping on the ground last night! Now I can see why some people take air mattresses with them! Nothing wrong with advancements in technology (and portable beds!)
Now comes the fun of cleaning up all the mud from our wonderful experience. Maybe I should invent a disposable Tent....hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

When mistakes turn good!

This morning didn't start off on a very good note. I had a hard time making myself get up when the alarm went off. The boys were dragging as well... Brodie didn't sleep very well last night and we were all awakened several times. I was out of my favorite oatmeal flavor, out of my decaf tea I drink in the am, there was just enough milk for the boys cereal (how do 2 boys go through a gallon of milk so fast!!!!) Luckily, it's Pizza Day at school, so I didn't have to make lunches! I fixed my Cream of Wheat and was in the process of fixing Chai to drink. Brodie came running in and bumped my leg causing me to spill the chai mix into my Cream of Wheat... great. Now I have to go through the whole process again! I decided to stir it and see if it was something Brodie would eat.... and wouldn't you know it! IT WAS AWESOME TASTING!!! Just enough flavoring, not too strong. Actually better than my cinnamon/sugar I had planned on. I was thrilled! But now, I didn't have enough Chai to make my drink.. so I drank it diluted while I ate wonderful tasting Chai Cream of Wheat! I can't wait till Monday morning!

So, now I'm off to finish packing for the CampOut tonight... yeah, and we are expecting rain starting at 10pm and continuing all night into Saturday morning. Lovely! I know I won't melt, but the thought of all the mud I will have to clean up.. yuck. Part of me hopes they cancel the campout, but then what will I do with 68 hot dog buns???? Cookout at my house, y'all!

Brodie says...

I think the picture says it all!!! The ultrasound went great today, except much to Jason's dismay, it was a boy. I didn't realize how much he had his heart set on another little girl, but I'm sure he'll come around. Afterall, there is something about a daddy and his "little man." At least we have already been blessed with a girl, and now hopefully she won't feel replaced by a new little sister. I'm excited either way. I just wanted him to be healthy... don't we all? He's measuring only a week over his actual age, so that's good. I'd rather him be big than not growing. And since I'm having a C-Section, he can be another 10lber and I won't complain as much! However, it would be nice to have a small baby this time, so he will remain little a little longer since he's our last!

We had decided on a name, but now that we know the sex for sure, we are changing it again. We haven't come up with something that we like, yet, but I'm sure we will before long. Any suggestions? We don't want something "everyday" since none of our other kids have "normal" names!

We've registered at Babies R' Us and Burlington Coat Factory. It's amazing that the prices for something things are as much as $40 cheaper at BCF! We chose a bedding set, Jungle Babies, at BCF and the rest of the stuff is registered at BRU. I had too much fun looking at baby stuff, and I think I got a little carried away registering! Jason and I went to BRU and did most of the registry by hand.. that little gun is TOOOO much fun to use! Now I just need to go back and find a diaper bag! I'm so picky about those, but I guess it's been narrowed down some!

Thanks to everyone for being so patient! I know I wasn't!!! I only got one picture from the U/S today and it wasn't a very good one. Not sure what is up with that!!! Maybe the Dr. will give me more on my next appointment... who knows! Anyway... thanks for playing!!!

Second Try

My first attempt at a ribbon holder was nice looking, but as I started using the ribbon I realized it was a pain! The larger ribbons were getting smooshed and when I tried to refil one of the spools, I ended up pulling all the ribbon out when I opened the top. Something needed to be done! So... after many trips to Michaels and brainstorming, I came up with Idea #2. So far, it's worked great! Easy to see the ribbon, easy to pull it out, and even more important, easy to refill when I'm out of a color! I found a 20 slot plastic storage box... mainly used for beeds, buttons and small items. I took my handy dremmel tool and cut a slit in the bottom of each section. After sliding the ribbon through the hole, I secured it on the bottom with a sticky-dot (not sure of the technical name, but that works!) After all the sections were filled, I simply closed the lid. Easy-peasy. I've used it several times and it works like a charm. I simply pull the ribbon off of the sticky dot, cut what I need and it's ready to go for the next time. I actually finished a color the day I made it and refilling it was SOOOO easy! I have one box for my 3/8" grosgrain, one for my 5/8" sheer ribbon and then one that is an mixture of the two. It's easy to see what I have and how much I have of it... important for those large projects that you need multiple ribbon strips.
This is just a picture of the top of it showing how nicely the ribbon fits in each compartment. Most of the ribbon I have rewound on wooden spools (I did a ribbon swap wit a friend and so some of them I didn't have the spools they came on.) The lid lifts freely and snaps securly shut.

I'm sure some of you could care less about my ribbon delima, but I was so excited, I had to share it with someone, and my husband is in the "other" catagory!

Oh.. and one more thing for those that continued to read.... LESS THAN 24 HOURS TILL WE SEE OUR LITTLE ONE!!! Check back tomorrow for the results!!!

A Different World

I hear this song on the radio and realize how much things have changed. Yes, some of the changes are for the better, but life was so much different back then..more laid back and free. (of course, I was a child, so I might be wrong!) We did all the things we shouldn't do and yet we turned out alright... well, some of us at least. :-) I've really been doing some thinking back to my past, and what I wouldn't give to play a game of kick the can, or flashlight hunt with the kids in the neighborhood again... I can still taste the "flavor" of water from the garden hose. Trading stickers with my friends, sleepovers, staying out till the sun went down and then trying to stay out even longer after mom called. Leaving the house after breakfast and spending all day outside... stopping by the neighbors to get a drink was just as good as checking in with mom. Where did all the fun go???

A Different World
Bucky Covington

We were born to mothers who smoked and drank
Our cribs were covered in lead based paint
No child proof lids, no seat belts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are, still here we are
We got daddy’s belt when we misbehaved
Had three TV channels you got up to change
No video games and no satellite
All we had were friends and they were outside, playin’ outside

It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world

School always started the same every day
The pledge of allegiance then someone would pray
Not every kid made the team when they tried
We got disappointed and that was all right, we turned out all right
No bottled water, we drank from a garden hose
And every Sunday, all the stores were closed
It was a different world

The innocence of kids

Randy lost another tooth Wednesday night, and of course, I was caught without quarters....again! I rounded up some dimes, wrote a note from the Tooth Fairy and threw in some Chuck E. Cheese tokens. He was quite satisfied and even wanted to take the note in to class to show everyone! If only we could have the innocence and believeablity of a 7 year old, this world would be MUCH more fun!

Tomorrow is the first home football game here at West Point. Talk about chaos already! Parents are here to go to the game with their cadets and things are nuts. I've been warned to either stay at home all day, or leave early in the morning and not return home till WAY after the game is over... oh and to be ready for my parking spot to be taken by a parent who "doesn't care if you live here because their cadet is more important." Gotta love it here! People will park where ever they want, regardless of the "No Parking" signs just so they can be closer to the stadium. I either plan on hiding in my house and stamping all day, or heading out to look at baby stuff I can't buy yet... not sure which one my energy level will allow me to do.

Until then.... have a great weekend!!!

Fruit of my Labors

I finally finished my projects... and I'm ready for a break! I'm rather pleased with how these came out, all 30 of them! They took some creative flair, since my paper supply is running low, but I really like the color themes. I'm anxious to start the study tomorrow. I need a fresh breeze in my stuffy life right now. A spark to get me back up to where I need to be.

This pregnancy is taking more out of me than I thought it would, but I'm hanging in there. I guess there is a reason why you are meant to have kids young! It's tiring!! We had a very busy weekend and it wiped me out. I'm ready for rest, but not sure if I will ever find that again! Randy's cub scouts started today and we had 15 boys out of 22 show up for the first meeting. WOW!!! 15 seven year olds is STRESSING! How do teachers do it!?!?!?!?!?

Ok, it's midnight and Brodie and I have an early AM, so I'm going to get to bed. I'll post more soon... you know, as soon as things slow down! :-)