Baby Blessings

I'm so excited I can finally show this to you. I have been waiting, 1) for my bestest, oldest friend, Jennifer, to finally have her baby and 2) for her to receive this gift before I posted it! Both have happened, so now I can show!

I wanted to do something special for my friend... I found this sketch and tweaked it a bit. I came up with this card. I found the ribbon many, many months ago in New York (seems like forever ago!!!) and have yet to find a reason to use it.. till this card. You can't really see, but the circles on the ribbon actually match the rose and green on the card. Perfect!

This was my baby gift for Jennifer's little girl, Sophia. I found the chipboard "BABY" some time ago and knew exactly who I would use it for! I had to wait till I found out if it would be for a girl or a boy! Once that was found, I got to work!
I used a pack of coordinated paper and started out!
I had so much fun designing each page and trying to figure out what to add.
I added some "picture" spots that she can choose to replace with pictures of little Sophia or leave as is. (That stamp of a baby always reminded me of my little Riley!)

Then I added some scriptures, spots to write memories and some pretty flowers...

A little bling, here and there, some paper piercing...

And put it all together!

I love how all the colors and patterns fit together and made it all flow. I had SO much fun with this project, I may need to venture on to other projects with more of the chipboard words!!!

Summer is Officially HERE!!!

Yep... Summer has officially hit Fort Hood, TX!!!

The boys and I were playing in the front yard when the breeze carried a faint, but familiar tune. Was that annoying, repeating yet distinct music the same music that used to make my heart race as a child? The light in my boys' eyes made the sugar high I knew would come so worth it! They were so excited! They had just bought new wallets at the PX and they STILL had money in it, so they felt they HAD to spend it! Can you blame them when yummy goodness can be bought for only $2.00!!!

So begins a new summer. Full of heat, sweat, water, popsicles and sleep! I can't wait!!!

Card Catchup

I've been busy and haven't been able to post any cards, so thought I'd take a moment to catch up. I've got a few more projects to post, but I'm waiting to hear from the recipient before I post them on here! I don't want to her to see what she's getting before she gets it!

This was my Mother's Day card to my mom. I LOVE this image, but don't get much of a chance to use it.. although I should use it more! I have a few new toys I LOVE to use now! Paper Piercing Templates and Pearl Dots!!! I have used both of them on this card and I love how it came out!

One of my on-going projects is making cards to send to members of our church on our Prayer List. Those undergoing surgery, continued health cares or anything, really. My mom is the coordinator of this committee and is always buying cards to send out... I decided they needed a personal touch! It gives me a reason to stamp (gotta love it!) to use my supplies (need to do that!) and to give back to the church. I say a little prayer with each card I make, hoping that the person getting it will be touched by God.

A close-up of one of my favorites of the bunch.

Again, a close up of one.

Detect a pattern? I love the "bling" on this one!
My second set of cards included this style for the men in our church.

And here is the feminie version.

My quotes above were from my new set from Our Daily Bread Design. I LOVE them! I think I may have to go back and purchase the other set of scriptures since I now have a *NEED* for them! My template and pearl beads are also from that site. GREAT site and great group of ladies that showcase their products!

New members to our family

Yep... we have new members! I took the plunge and bought some pets for the kiddos. I miss having pets in the house and I thought I would start with something rather contained. I've been researching the different options since we were in New York and finally decided on Guinea Pigs. I found a Guinea Pig Rescue Team in Austin and found these two cute sisters. It's better to keep them in pairs, as they tend to do better, physically, healthwise and socially.

Meet Specter and Spike.

They LOVE their veggies!!

Spike seems to be camera shy.. Specter on the other hand will pose when she sees the camera!
Piggin' out at the Hay Tray! Their main food supply is Timoty Hay and fresh veggies. One of the cheapest animals to feed! Their digs. The cage is made from metal "cube" shelves found at Target and plastic cardboard called Coroplast. I actually got the cage free with the pigs from the shelter. It was dropped off with them, and it came home with me! It still would have only cost me about $40 to make the cage! Not too bad! The more room the little pigges have, the better they fare. They like to run around... kinda like my kids! Wish I could put them in a cage sometime!

I never know what I'm going to find!!!

As I continued to review the pictures on my memory stick, I stumbled upon these. My Brodie-girl has a good eye for photography!!! I NEVER know what I'm going to find when she's had the camera in her hands!!!

Her My Little Pony wall stickers:

Ariel blowing bubbles:
Her Dollhouse family... ready for not sure what!

Believe it or not, from left to right, it's:

Daughter, Grandmother, Mother, Daddy.
Guess we do start to shrink when we get old!

Easter pictures... a little late!

It's amazing what you find when you go through your memory stick! I forgot I had these pictures of Easter morning to share!!!

Here's my motley crew!!! I think they clean up pretty nicely!

I alwasy loved decorating easter eggs the night before and I've carried that on with my children. Here are the spoils of our labor!!

Riley's Eggs:

Riley has amazed us as well as his Sunday School teachers. This was one of his "Creations." He did this all on his own and when asked about it, this was his answer.

"It's Goldgatha. You know, the place where Jesus was crucified with the 2 other thiefs? That's why there is 3 crosses. But Jesus was innocent, so I'm not sure why he was put up there. I'm just glad he got alive again." We were in total shock! We knew he had been going to sunday school, but he amazed us in his understanding. Even his Sunday School teachers have commented on his grasp and understanding of what they are teaching him. He always knows the answers and takes it one step deeper than what they cover. He's going places, that one!!Randy has always had the ability to make us laugh! This was no exception. I LOVED his creativity and his way of turning these eggs into a chance to laugh. They remind me of the McNugget commericals from McDonalds!!

And we have our Brodie-girl. Her creative side is starting to break through! She LOVES the sparkles!!!

They say not to put all your eggs in one basket, but when they are this cute, you can't help it!!!
Brodie's Easter dress. This is actually the Easter dress I wore when I was 3! My mom saved it all these years and now it fits my little girl!! I think she looks much cuter in it! I'll try to scan a picture of me in it, but it may be next Easter before I remember it's on my camera!!

The morning treasures!

Picture Pages...

Ok... can anyone tell what's going on here?

Thought I would try and stump y'all on a Wednesday Night.

Take a guess before you scroll to the bottom of the picture.

Did you get it?

If you are military, you probably got it right away, huh? Yep, I got stuck on the road at the dreaded hour. 1700, or for those civilians reading, 5:00pm.

Why is it dreaded? Ok, maybe that's a harsh word. I actually take pride in what's going on. It's called "Retreat" on a military base and it signals the end of the work day, when the flag is lowered. Depending on what base/post you live on, bugle calls signal significant times throughout the day. At 1700, all traffic stops, all those outside are supposed to stop what they are doing, stand and face the speakers playing the music or the flag pole bearing the flag being lowered. Here at Fort Hood, they play "Retreat" and then "To the Colors." When we lived at McConnell AFB, they played "Retreat" and "The National Anthem." ("To the Colors" is the bugle equivalence of "The National Anthem.") I've always taken pride at standing along those serving our country and show my appreciation for what they are serving for. Yes, it can be a hassle, since I always seem to try to leave base at 1700, but it makes me take a moment and say thanks. I can take 5 extra minutes to salute the flag, and at the same time, say thanks to those serving.

It's amazing when I'm outside with the neighborhood kids at 1700. It's cool to watch kids as young as Brodie, stop playing, stand up and face the speakers showing respect for the flag. Once it's over, they go right back to playing without skipping a beat. It's just another aspect of their lives and lifestyles. Oh the joys of being a Military Brat!

My little man

Today was a big day for Colt. He has a lower GI and a Barium Enema X-Ray. He was a trooper and did great through all of it. It was much harder for Mom to watch him cry!!

Now it's just a matter of waiting for the results!!

I took this picture in the car after our stint at the hospital. We took in his "ACU Hug" and he was patting it's back as he sat in his car seat. I love my phone!! It takes great pictures!!!

I love those eyes!!

And then a moment later, I took this picture. What a profile! For some reason I love this picture. There's just something about it. I think I'll just stare at it longer till I can figure it out! Thought I would share pictures of my little man on his rough day.
Thanks for looking!!