I love how this layout turned out!!

It is a little busier than most of my layouts but I used a ton of little scraps to punch out the mickey heads and I used up a ton of silver brads and blank MM tags. I really love how the border around the picture and the border in the middle of the page turned out!!



I also love how the title turned out, I used some Mickey Mouse paper and some of the MM chipboard letters. You can't see it well on this scan but I also wrote in my pretty silver pen on the photos. Just thought it was a nice touch.

Very happy right now -- it doesn't happen often that what I see in my head actually really looks like it on paper! :)

Where did the week go?

It was Monday -- I remember that and then I blinked and it is Thursday already. I feel like I haven't gotten anything done and all I have been doing is laundry.

Time is moving way to fast. Fall will be here again before we know it.



In diet and exercise news....
I restarted my diet that I got from the dietican yesterday. Threw out a ton of junk and then the boys and I went grocery shopping. I decided to do it 3 days at a time. Yeah it will be more expensive since I will be shopping every couple of days but staying on a diet for 3 days doesn't seem as horrible as thinking about staying on a diet for a whole week. I made a meal plan for all of us for the Wednesday Thursday and Friday. I did really good yesterday and so far today it is all good too. In fact it is almost snack time. :)

Also went for a really long bike ride last night. My hip flexors are killing me today, we went down a really nice hill unfortunately that meant we had to go back up it. But I did what the guy showed me and I down shifted as far as I could and it took a lot of pedaling but I made it up the hill. I was really proud of myself for not giving in and walking my bike up the hill.

April DT challenge layout

for I Dream of Scrapping.

This month's challenge was to use flowers. Luckily I had these pictures from last summer when I. picked me a bunch of "flowers" and we made chains out of them.

High and Tight

Before After

He met a marine this weekend and wanted to be an Army/Marine just like Daddy -- we still haven't gotten it through to him that they are 2 different parts of the military but he so much enjoyed having the marine show him how to do pull ups and chatting with him that he wanted to get his hair cut. So after much crying on mommy's part -- here is my handsome not so little boy.

VEISHEA 2006

Check it out here if you would like to learn more about the history and what VEISHEA means but so far it has been pretty calm and we have had fun.

Last night we went over to campus and bought some carnie food (corn dogs and fried cheese curds and fresh lemonade) and then we watched the battle of the bands for awhile until the kids got bored and wanted to move on. We also checked out the engineering colleges display of construction equipment and the ag engineering display of farm equipment.

Today we are going to the parade and going to check out the international food festival. Plus we will check out the engineering department and see what they are doing today and possibly the bug department because supposedly they put a pretty good show with their insects.

American Pride

I read this on my friend Toni's blog and I SO SO SO hope that it is a true story because it really needs to be. And I wanted to post it on my blog too so hopefully more people will read it. :)

"One of my sons serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops. Everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.
But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock. The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly,' Yes, I always wear it and probably always will.'

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi. A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman:

'Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straightenout the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid"Everyone within hearing distance cheered!"

Inspirational Notebook Swap

I hosted an inspiration notebook swap with my military scrapping wives and this is my entry. I hope that whoever gets it likes it. I got the idea for the swap from Heidi Swapp. She had an article about being creative and making sure that you keep you ideas someplace safe so you don't lose them.

Tag Swap

At I Dream of Scrapping we are doing a tag swap and I choose to do baby tags.

This is how it turned out. The scan isn't the best since I couldn't get it to lay on the scanner flat but I like how it turned out.

Some cards to share.

Just a couple of cards that I have made recently.

Happy Belated Easter

Just wanted to share a semi cute picture of the family on Easter day! The boys looked so cute in their Easter clothes.

The Easter bunny brought them each a butterfly/critter net and a little bug house and a little vacuum to suck the buggers up with. Pretty cool, I thought!

What a good day!!

Yesterday was an awesome day!!

First -- hubby and I went out and got our anniversary/mother's day/father's day presents. Mine was in the store cause I had called the day before and made sure they had the 2 I liked so I could try them both but hubby's won't be in until Thursday cause he needed the 23 inch frame (daddy long legs). We got bikes. His is a hybrid mountain bike that he can ride back and forth to school and also with me and the kiddos and mine is a casual touring bike. You should see it -- it is so cute and comfortable. We also got a trailer for behind them to take the boys for rides. We have great ambition of becoming one of those couples who rides our bikes everywhere. Luckily Ames is small and flat. It will save us money since gas prices are going up.

Second -- I am now the proud member of the Scrap Spot online's Design Team. I got an email yesterday asking me to join and well of course I said yes!! I am so excited to be on the team!!

Well now to go take a shower and get dressed and take the boys for a spin around the neighborhood again. I can't believe this is exercise. :)

Top Ten -- Week 2

I kinda did this one last week too after my top ten bad habit or things about me that I would want to change but I will do another one because heck there has to be good in me somewhere right?

Top Ten Good Habits or Good Things about ME!

1. I am a good driver. I used to have terrible road rage but I have learned to lighten up and have become a very good safe driver.
2. I love to sing while I work out. I don't have an incrediable voice but I still love to sing at the top of my lungs.
3. I am good with animals. I have never met a dog that won't come up to me and let me pet it.
4. I produce wonderfully strong children. Even 5 or 6 weeks early my boys were big and strong, and still are!
5. I am a wonderful cook. It shows on my hips but I can create a wonderful meal none the less.
6. I am good with money. I am the financial office of my household. The paycheck may be small but I can make it stretch.
7. I am good a getting a good deal on things. Kinda ties into #6 -- but I have to admit, I am awesome at shopping.
8. I have the straightest hair. I know it is really genetics and all but I can go to bed with a wet head and still have stick straight hair in the morning, used to drive my college roommates mad! Thanks mom and dad.
9. I believe in people and always give them the benefit of the doubt. I have to say that sometimes I am too trusting but I don't think that is a bad thing. I know how to take care of myself and I would hate to be one of those people who always thinks the worst of people from the get go.
10. I have a huge imagination. I always have and I can see it rubbing off on my oldest son already. :)

Wear your heavy coat today...

... cause hell hath frozen over!!

Dhubby actually picked up his dirty clothes and put it in the laundry. WITHOUT BEING ASKED OR NAGGED FIRST!!

:)

My neice.

Here she is along with my sister!! Look she is even giving me the peace sign! :)
Look at all that hair -- what a cutie!

Top Ten -- Week 1

I found this on Lacey's blog and thought I would try it too. It is from Digi Top Ten.

Week 1 Top Ten

Top Ten of your worse habits or things you would want to change about yourself??

1. I am my own worst critic.
2. I apologize for things I have no control over.
3. I spend too much time in the virtual world of the internet and not enough time in the real world.
4. I spend money impulsively.
5. I have a hard time giving up control to others.
6. I have a hard time trusting others.
7. I worry too much about what others think of me.
8. I am a people pleaser and try to make everyone happy when I should try to make myself happy.
9. I have a problem with food and saying no.
10. I need to learn to like myself.

Top Ten things you would not change about yourself ?

1. I am smart.
2. I have good hands and use them well.
3. I am independant and can take care of my family when my husband is deployed.
4. I have good common sense.
5. I am a good mom.
6. I have pretty eyes.
7. I am strong.
8. I am loyal.
9. I am a good cook.
10. I can make my kids smile.

I am an aunt!

Well she started pushing at about 7:30pm last night and finally at about 10:00pm they started prepping her for a c-section. She was just getting tired from pushing and the baby would crown but wouldn't get any farther.

She had a baby girl at 10:43pm last night by c-section. Mom and baby all very healthy. I haven't seen pictures yet but mom says she has a full head of long black hair just like S. and I both did. And she has good healthy lungs.

I didn't even ask about a name when mom called me so I am assuming they are still naming her what they originally picked out for a girl. She was 7 pounds 14 ounces. And mom didn't know how long she was.

Evil Ladybugs?!

You would think they had horns and tails and tiny little pitchforks the way my 3 year old acts around them. I am not sure sometimes what scares him more the ladybugs that get in our house or the vacuum cleaner.

They actually aren't ladybugs, they are some weird Japanesse bettle that look just like harmless ladybugs but these actually bite and they stink to holy high hell when you squash them. But they love to sunbath on the back of the house during the nice months and then when I let the dog in or out they get in. Tons of them. And they bring their friends the Boxelder Bugs.

I feel bad for I. but they aren't really going to hurt him -- just like I would never try to vacuum him up in the vacuum but it is one of his irrational fears. Anyone know how to get rid of them or at least keep them out of my house? I think the Easter Bunny is bringing him a bug vacuum and little house so he can keep them in.

Well the clock is ticking...

My brother in law called me about 12:45 this afternoon and told me that S.'s water has broken. They are at the hospital right now.

So I am going to be an Auntie here shortly.

Mom promised to go over and take pictures and email them to me ASAP after the baby is born.

I can't wait to see the baby -- anymore guesses boy or girl? I guess we will find out shortly if it is Evelyn or Leo!!

Liza Palmer

I just finished Liza Palmer's first book "Conversations with the Fat Girl" and I loved it! According to her blog she has another book coming out in Spring 2007 -- which is too too far away for me :( I want more now. I know selfish aren't I?

This is a wonderful book, I know not my normal suspense thriller but definately a must read if you are a Jennifer Weiner fan -- she wrote the book "In Her Shoes" that was just made into a movie. I love her stuff too and if you do you will really want to read this one.

Love notes..

Well if you ever get an email from me and it is full of garbly gook. Never fear it is probably just a love note from little E.

He has been getting into my chair here and playing with the computer key board and mouse. He has actually deleted things off the desktop and openned up windows. Maybe one of these days he will teach me how to use Photoshop. :)

De Ja Vu

Have you ever had a de ja vu kind of feeling. I seem to notice things in 3 every once in awhile and it is the same creepy feeling.

Like yesterday, I was reading a friend's blog and she was talking about ginger cookies. Nothing special just happened to mention them. Well later on I am reading a book and the main character goes into an oriental food market and buys amoung other things ginger cookies. And then last night before bed I was watching tv and there was a show on about a cooking reality show or something like that and the guy was making sushi and behind him was a sign that said -- yep you guessed it ginger cookies.

How weird is that? It happens to me all the time though. Like one day, a girl on one of the sites I visit was talking about freecycle.com. I have never heard of this before this day. Well later on I was reading yet another blog and someone else was talking about freecycle.com. And then I happened to need to search something and on Yahoo one of the most searched for things of the day was -- yep guessed again -- freecycle.com.

So do you think it is just me and that I really want to use freecycle.com -- I don't think so, it would just be easier for me to take stuff to goodwill. And I really hate the taste of ginger so I can't actually think that I subconsciencely want ginger cookies. It is just strange.

I am such a list maker...

and sometimes I think it is a sickness. I make lists for everything -- grocery list (check), list of swaps I am in (check), list of things that I have to do today (check), list of things that I need to get done sometime in the future (check), list of movies I would like to see (check), list of books I would like to read (check), list of websites I visit (check), list of list (need to work on that one).

It is so weird, cause I never take a list to the store but I have one here on the fridge. I never take my list to the library but it is in my day planner. I don' t know if it somehow makes me feel safe and in control to have a made a list but I do.

I am Jen and I am a list maker. :)

The bad thing about being a SAHMommy...

... is there are no sick days and no vacation.

Dhubby work up this morning and was feeling sick and actually said to me that if he didn't have a test today he would just skip class and stay home and sleep all day.

Now this year has been bad for everyone getting sick and we have shared our fair share of the germs and when I got sick and just wanted to sleep and get better did he ever offer to skip school and let me sleep? NOOOOOO -- but now that he is sick he thinks that he should just be able to lay around and get better.

It just makes me so angry because I am supposed to be some sort of superhuman that doesn't take time out for herself and I don't want to be rant and rave about this but I just wonder when is it my turn?

1:23 04-05-06

Only happens ever hundred years.

How 'bout that!

Secret Agent Man

Just to have a little fun today -- can you decode my secret message in my post? You have the decoder ring right in front of you!! :)

If you can read this post what your favorite snack food is in my comments! And don't tell!!

:) :D

Spring

I love that it is almost 8 pm here and it is still a little light outside. Almost makes losing an hour of sleep worth it. :)

Plus -- I am sitting here right now and there is a bird sitting on the roof singing to me. How can you not smile?