Happy Valentines Day!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Hope you are all having or will have a great day!

Last night, after his prayers and songs, Jackson and I were chatting before I said goodnight. He had his little Valentines party at preschool earlier and this conversation then commenced:
Jackson: It's February, huh, mom?
Me: Yeah, Jackson, what kind of things do we celebrate in February?
J: Hearts?...
M: And what else?
J: Valentines? ...
M: Yep, and presidents...?
J: Presents?!!!
M: No, presidents like on the penny Miss Angie gave you. What president is on a penny?
J: {with much gusto and no hesitation} CHUCKEE CHEESE!!

I laughed so hard the gummy bear I stole from his Valentine stash just about went up my nose. Good times...!

What makes blogging so fun...

Friday, February 13, 2009

...is the great friends I have! I just love viewing all my blogging buddies blogs and getting such great inspiration and love the feedback on my own site! I'm a bit late in posting these awards but...
This award comes from my gorgeous single days best friend Wendy. She got married and moved to Florida so long ago and we used to have some fun times together. But she's got some talent so check out her blog!
And this one is from Lisa, one of my Swappers Anonymous sisters! Although I haven't been able to participate in any of their swaps lately, it sure is fun to look at what they've been doing!
So, I'm not sure what the rules are for these awards but all who come visit me are welcome to place these awards on your own blogs if you haven't already! I know you all have amazing blogs!
Side note: I work for an accounting firm and so please accept my apologies in advance to my blog groups. Although I do not do taxes, I do the prep work before the taxes and so I will be a bit slow in the blogging world until April 15th!

Happy Heart Gift Box

Thursday, February 5, 2009

I love this project. I CASE'ed this from my friend Vicky (yes, lot's of casing this month). The one she made for me had homemade chocolates in it and she used the "Sweets" stamp on hers. I can't believe the Polka Dot background went on the dormant list - WHAT?!! Especially with the new Texturz dies with the polka dots. Can't hardly wait to get and use mine! And the ribbon is retired, so sad...

Love You Much Hugs & Kisses

Sunday, February 1, 2009

This is a card I made to swap with my clubs. I love using felt with the Sizzix and so had to put it in there somewhere! (It's the red circle if you can't tell!)

Love You Much Valentine

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

So sad this tree wasn't in the new catalog. This was a club project CASE'ed from my friend Becky. I do love the new hearts punch!

Going through template growing pains

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Sorry to everyone visiting lately. I'm making some changes so hang in there... it will all be fixed soon! This is frustrating!!!!! Does anyone know how to change a template in blogger wihout losing your widgets? And if there isn't a way, how do you save your widget info and bring it back into the new template! I need Blogger for Dummies!

Picking one that fits me is so hard. Aargh!

Happy Heart Lip Balm holder

Friday, January 23, 2009

This is one of my club projects. I found these Coca Cola lip balm in real red, rose red and vanilla so they matched well!

Love You Much SA Swap

Monday, January 19, 2009

Thought I was dead?! Yeah, me too! Too much to do, so little time. So I'm back with the latest...
This is a swap I did with the Swappers Anonymous group on SplitCoast. The hearts overlap each other and hold themselves down. Then it can be opened with enough space to write a little note. I was fairly happy with the way it turned out.

Happy New Year!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Time to get back to work! I have a swap, my clubs, and two card classes to prep for this month. I think I've had enough time off from stamping! Wishing you all a Happy New Year (and to all my blog buddies, apologies for slacking last month!) Now to get planning!

Beautiful Season - Beautiful Message!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

A Season of Hope - Our Jackson turns 4

Thursday, December 18, 2008

I have had many ask me why I was playing Christmas music on my blog right after Halloween. Why? That music has so many messages of hope and gratitude and I would play it all year if I could get away with it. And Christmas 2004 was my husband and I's Christmas of hope. We had been married nearly 10 years and all attempts to grow our family were unsuccessful. Around Labor Day that year, we were called into our social workers office to find out our greatest dream was to be fulfilled. A birthmom had chosen us for her baby boy due on December 29th!!! Now I totally understand that 9 months of carrying a child is long and uncomfortable but those were the longest 4 months of our lives!! (And with a chance she could change her mind in that time, every day slowly ticked by). Halloween came and went I could hardly wait to start playing Christmas music when in the years past, Christmas was very meloncholy. It is very much a holiday for children and we sat by year after year with no children to share it with. I didn't care that he was due after Christmas, it was truly a Christmas to look forward to. As Christmas was a week away, we got even a better surprise. Our beautiful, sweet birthmom wanted us to have our baby by Christmas so with all things developing great, she was going to be induced on the 20th! Well, Jackson was as excited for Christmas that year as much as we were! We woke up on the 19th of December - 4 years ago tomorrow - to another phone call to find our birthmom had gone into labor. And a long labor... he was born around 5 PM! Because it was a closed adoption, she had the 2 days in the hospital with him all to herself and we went and got him on the 21st. That was a spectacular day and I will write more about that on the 21st. I really wish I could post a picture of our birthmom with Jackson. She was so sweet and they both looked like angels! (it was a private adoption and confidentiality is so important.) She never waivered in her decision to place him in our family.
So now I see very common ordinary placed things and think how lucky we are. We were at a movie the other day (sans Jackson) and I was noticing the booster chairs in a corner for children. Something so simple brought a smile to my face - we actually have use for those! And at one time, the high chairs at a restaurant. And I can venture into the baby department of any store and smile instead of wanting to cry! So Happy 4th Birthday Jackson! You have blessed our lives and family in so many ways. You are such a thoughtful and happy boy. Please don't ever stop the random nearly hourly "I love you Mom" 's. I AM your mom and you ARE my son and I love you! Truly a witness to all those who hope.

Happiness is...

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

...knowing that people actually view my blog and leaving sweet comments! Thanks to Twila for this nomination! Her blog is also worthy of such an award!

The rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate 5 other blog.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated

I have some great blogger friends who are so faithful to always check up on me the most often and also have super creative ideas on their blogs. So I'm awarding this to: Melissa Sauls, Jackie, Karen from PA, Jennifer Scull and ScrabbySue.

Thanks to all for visiting my blog! Your comments really make my day!

Awesome Christmas Display a few miles from my house

Monday, December 1, 2008

Pause my tunes on the right side to enjoy!

So December is my month off. Off from all classes, workshops and clubs. I get burnout about this time of year and need a little break. I won't have a lot to post as far as stamping goes but I will post any handmade Christmas cards I receive throughout the month.

This video is from the Holdman family who puts on a super cool animated Christmas display every year. We are so fortunate to live close by to enjoy it. This year, the display will be put on in a different location as they live in a gated community and the neighbors asked to have their privacy this year. Can't blame them - the line of cars to view the display is sometimes so long! We're hoping that display will be up so we can go view it for family night tonight. A link to the Holdman Christmas Display website is here. All donations he receives he donates to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Enjoy!

SA Christmas Card Swap

Friday, November 28, 2008

This one was made by Sharon Bridwell. Gotta love the felt snowflakes!

SA Christmas Card Swap

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This one was made by Stacy McCain. I borrowed her idea for the striped ribbon on one of my club projets. Cute card!

Another SA Christmas swap

Saturday, November 22, 2008

This swap was done by Lisa Dallas from the SA group. I didn't realize it was a gift card holder until I took it out of the plastic envelope and it popped open. How cool is that?