SO MUCH TO SAY!

WOW...I didn't realize I haven't updated my blog in nearly 2 weeks and so much has gone on in our little lives! School started and I became a substitute teacher. Kindergarten is testing all the children (which will be repeated toward the end of the school year) so I have had a Kindergarten class last week and this week for half a day and as much as I LOVED my little class I had, my house is a WRECK! LOL Last weekend we also went to Allen, TX (near Dallas) for a karate tournament, so I really had no time to catch up!

So, school is going great for the kids. DD is having a talking issue, but she's my DD, so she comes by it naturally!!! ROFLMBO DS is awesome as usual and both of their teachers are very pleased with them! I'll get to sub DS's class at the end of Sept when his teacher is out of town so I am very excited about that!

Karate.....my kids ROCKS! Both kids participated in the Texas Twister in Allen, TX at the Southfork Ranch! DD is a Tiny Tiger and received a medal and she is very VERY proud of this! DS placed 2nd in weapons and 3rd in forms, but a judge told his instructor he scored him wrong and he should have had a point more, so it basically would have at least put him in a tie or 2nd place, if not 2nd place itself. Sparring didn't fare so well, but he gave it his all and knows what he needs to improve! All in all he did GREAT and I am so proud of both of them! Here they are with their medals!!! Our next tournament isn't until early October and the best part is the 2nd one in October, Daddy will be home to watch! They are very excited about this!!!

The kids also had color belt testing this week and DS is now a green belt and DD a yellow belt! DS has joined Leadership so he has a fabulous gold stripe in the middle of his green belt! This will allow him to earn points at tournaments and possible be a state champ in forms, weapons and/or sparring!

After our tournament, we didn't visit the Southfork Ranch because I had a "date" with my best friend from Radiology school! She and her family have lived far away for several years now and it's been at least 8 years since we last saw each other! It was like there was never any time between the visits because the conversation just flowed like it always did and the best part.....our children met each other for the first time and it was AWESOME!!! She has twin girls who are 4 and they and DD became fast friends. But, the BEST NEWS: as soon as their house sells.....THEY ARE MOVING BACK HOME!!!! I am so excited, you have no idea! I miss her so much and thank goodness for email and Xmas cards over the years, but it's going to be wonderful having her close again!

So, this has been my life for the past 2 weeks! LOL I have totally enjoyed it but I am exhausted and I am so happy Monday is a holiday! I have to say that substituting is definitely going to keep me busy this year! I am about to start scrapping and I am very happy to do so....it's been nearly 2 weeks! YIKES!

Beginning of a Busy Week

Happy Monday everyone! This is the first day of a very busy week for us! I have errands to run, supper to cook, and karate classes to get the kids to! I'm also running up to the school to sign up on their substitute teachers list! At the end of this week we're heading out for a karate tournament in Dallas, TX!!!! So excited since both kids are going to compete this time!

BEST EMAIL THIS A.M. -- Basic Grey picked up my "Thinking of You" shaped card I made during the CSS and RSC crops! I am very excited....here's my link: http://www.basicgrey.com/catalog/idea_gallery_info.php?idea_gallery_id=22584

Hope you all have a GREAT week!

SCHOOL IS IN!!!

Friday my kiddos started school again! DS is in 4th grade and DD in Kindergarten! They were so excited to return and see their friends and who the new teachers were! Even though we attend public school, we have to wear uniforms, which has it's advantages!



I was really looking forward to this day and I stayed busy, but boy it was quiet around here.....TOO QUIET!!! I never thought I'd hear myself say that!

Tagged by Terrie!!!!!

My dear friend Terrie tagged me and now I need to finish these statements and then tag someone.....

I'm happiest when....I am surrounded by my kids and my husband and we're snuggled all together watching a movie!

Someday I'm going to... learn to relax and not sweat the small stuff (but it's really hard)!

When I'm really down, what I want to do is... surround myself with happy people and my children. There's nothing like a little one looking at your and saying "I love you Mommy"!!

I feel anxious when...me and my husband argue; or I have dreams of my children hurting.

I like people who... down to earth and REAL!

All it takes to make me happy is... my children, my husband, a beach, Jalepeno chips or an ice cold Corona!

What I really want to do is...raise my children to be respectful of themselves and others and give them the happiest childhood I can; travel to Australia or Africa.

A person really should...think before they speak and MEAN what they say. NEVER LIE.

If I could do whatever I wanted, I would...travel to meet all my scrappy girls and my friends who live far away!

And now my turn to tag someone......hmmmm....Sandy....it's your turn!!!!

SUPER SALE at CREATIVE SCRAP SHACK!!

Don't walk....RUN to Creative Scrap Shack for 35% off the entire store (excluding kits and gift certificates)!!!!!! Carman has graciously given this discount on NEW CHA items as well!!!! Click the link below and check out her inventory! Pop onto the message board too and say hello....and that Tricia sent you! ;)

CSS Link: http://www.creativescrapshack.com
(For some reason the links to CSS from my blog are not cooperating, so please copy and paste the link to your browser.....Thank you!)

Busy Week

WOW...it's already Wednesday! This week has been really busy! School starts Friday, so we spent most of last week completing our shopping list for school. Once we get the backpacks from the monogram shop, we're ready to go!

Keileigh had to get 4 shots for kindergarten and she was AMAZING!! The nurse giving the shots was an angel and Keileigh only said a low "ouch" with the first one! Needless to say, the Barbie she's asked for was her reward for being so brave!

Saturday and Sunday I scrapped a bit! CSS held the "Endless Summer Crop" and although I didn't get much accomplished on Saturday, I did Sunday. Here are a few of my creations:











My 4 Generations: Me, My Grandmother, My Mom, and Keileigh Photo taken when Keileigh was 1 day old!





Last night, I made my card for PageMaps, but I can't share until the September newsletter comes out! Once it's released, I will share with you all!!!

I MADE THE CSS DT!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG....can this week get any better???? First my bday was awesome....and now this!!! They just announced the new Design Team members at Creative Scrap Shack and I am now PART OF THAT TEAM!!!! WAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Congratulations goes out to Martha and Jules as well!!!! You all have no idea how much this means to me! I almost didn't try out, but then decided to do it and then didn't think I had much of a chance....LOTS of talent in this call!

I can't wait to share my creations with you all! Speaking of that, I am at CSS today all day for a CROP!!! Come visit if you need some inspiration!!!!

CSS ROCKS!

Are you a BAD GIRL???!!!?

OMG this site is just YUMMY!!! I saw a post about it on Zarah's blog so my inquiring mind got the best of me! Ok, I am just plain nosy and OMG....the colors alone would keep me visiting this site!!!! It's called BAD GIRLS....and I also see my pal Cari Fennell (who is a major deal in the SB world IMO) there on the DT!!! So, now I have placed my logo here hoping they check me out!!! There is a chance to
win a RAK if the Patrol finds their logo on your site, in your siggie, etc.!!!

If you're BAD...click here! http://www.badgirlskits.com



I swear every DIVA should check this place out! I have registered and now I await my approval, but I think I'll be hanging out a little to see what all these "bad girls" have up their sleeve!!!

Pictures to Share

I have finally downloaded all of my pictures from DD's bday and my day as well! I want to THANK YOU each and every one of you who have sent messages to us and please know I truly cherish each one!!! Being part of such a wonderful crafty community has linked me with some incredible and talented people and I am blessed to have met you all either online or in person!!! Thank you again.....yesterday was one of the best days I have had in a very long time! And finally.....here are some pictures!!!

Check out these BEAUTIFUL flowers my love sent me...stargazer lily and roses are my favorites....he did great didn't he??!!!!?

And finally some pics of my DD's big day at Michael's....I highly recommend a party there!

32 Years Ago.....

32 years ago, my parents welcomed a big baby girl! ROFL I was considered "huge" back then, and now I would be average! Anyhow...yes....today is my birthday!! WOW...I can remember thinking 30 was "old" and always wondered what it would be like to be 30-something. Well, I can attest I really don't feel any different than I was at 23. There are differences though: I'm wiser, I'm more confident, I'm more emotional....but when I look at myself...I don't see an age; however, when my body aches, I totally feel way older than 32!!!! ROFL

My day is going to be great! I get to hang out with my kids, eat a great lunch (with my fav dessert: Millionaire Pie) at my mom's house; go to karate and then later tonight meet my dad and his wife for supper! So, I plan to have a HAPPY day!

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Last night I finally did some scrapping! I'm very behind on my July CJ with one group, but in an hour, I had 2 pages I am very happy with! We had to scrap our favorite holiday, without using Christmas OR duplicating one already used! Well, I LOVE Christmas from the reason for the season to the fun stuff, and birthday was already used....so I had to get my thinking cap on! My friend Carol and I tossed around ideas and I came up with Groundhog Day!!! This year was so fun waiting to hear about the little guy because my son was aware of this particular day now and he was thrilled when the groundhog came out before we left for school!!! It was very exciting for him, so I have a new found love for Groundhog Day! LOL

Lots to tell!!!

First....I am very excited to announce that I have been published in the August/September 07 addition of Ready, Set, Create!!!! I am on page 36 of the first set with my LO "True" using Scenic Route!!! Next I am on pages 119-120 with some altered tins I made for Teacher Appreciation Week in May!!! I am so very excited!!!

Second...a friend of mine from CSS...Tam...is now selling her Whatchamadoodles in the CSS store! You really should check out her mini albums and her handmade ribbon flower buttons! OMG...too cute!

Third...I have HOLLY BUTTONS!!! OMG...you need some buttons! Holly is my sweet friend from WeB who custom makes buttons with LOTS of yummy details on them. She was a doll and sent me a few and I cannot wait to use them! I have some other things ordered from her, so once they are in, I will definitely post them here! Check out her buttons and bling here: http://scrappybuttons.blogspot.com

But for now, here is a pic of the buttons she sent me:

Guess who's 5????

This is the face of a 5 year old!!!! My baby girl's birthday is today and it's a bittersweet moment! She's entering the world of "young ladies" while leaving her "baby days" behind her. I had a moment last night while reflecting on the last 5 years with her and I cried tears of joy. How was I chosen to be blessed with such a sweet soul who is full of love and tells me hundreds of times a day "I love you Mommy"?? How did God know sending me a girl was just what I needed in my life....diva-ness and all! I never could have guessed what these years would be have been like when she was born, but I cherish every waking moment I have with my girl....who will always be my baby girl!!!! I love you Keileigh!