And we have a winner!!

Thank you all so much for the kind comments on my blog hop post! To be honest, I was (and still am!) honored that so many of you loved that page! Heck, my little page even made the 'featured project' section over at Two Peas In A Bucket!

Now, on to my winner.........

Drum roll, please...........

And the winner is............................................

LORI !!

Lori, I have your email and will be getting in touch with you soon!

Thank you all for stopping by & being a follower of my blog! I am so incredibly excited about the good, fun & inspriring things to come!

Paper Issues Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the Paper Issues Blog Hop!!

Im linking this project up to the Paper Issues Tree Hugger Linky Party!

(Crate Paper pattern paper, Basic Grey buttons, Studio Calico wooden heart,  Fiskars punch)

For the Paper Issues Blog Hop, I created this page of my family using the new Crate Paper Farmhouse collection. I *just* got this paper collection in from the Paper Issues Store ( you DID know we have a store, riiiight???).  Use the coupon code of HOP25 to receive 25% off your order now through Monday.

Want to win this collection of 15 sets of American Crafts Thickers??? Become a follow of my blog and leave a comment that you are following me now, and I will draw a winner on Monday!M ake sure you leave an email adress for me to contact you at if you want a chance to win!

Edited to add: to become a follower, look to my sidebar and notice that there is a heading that says "Friends" and a 'Join This Site' button. Click there & it will take you to the steps to become a follower!

Ready for the next stop on the Paper Issues Blog Hop??

 Then head on over to meet  Joan Lidell.

If you get lost on the Blog Hop, here is the order!

Crystal Beshear

Michelle Hernandez

Joanna Bandelin

Jodi Baune

Holly Humpert

Monika Wright

Jennie Mc Garvey

Melissa Priest (ME)

Joan Liddle

Tiffany Call

My friend, Stephanie, issued a challenge over on her blog. To blog from your heart. I love this idea! Honestly, sometimes I feel like I have a put on your happy,brave face whenever I blog, even if brave and happy is the last thing I am feeling. Today I am blogging from my heart.

Today I am thankful its raining. A slow, gentle rain with a cold nip in the air. It is peaceful & serene. This past summer, we had over 100 days of 100 degree weather. And I am glad it is over! Fall is here, and I am excited. Fall brings some of my favorite things to do: go to the tri-state fair, Alex's birthday, Halloween, fall decorating...such a busy - but fun - time of year for my family.

Today I am planning my husband's 38th birthday that is Saturday. He hates making the day a big deal, but I just can't help but want to spoil him. So we are going to go to the fair (he LOVES the fair!) and then to dinner. I still have to run to the mall & the Harley Davidson store, but things are coming together.

Today, I am feeling really conscience about my weight. I struggle so much with it. More than I should. I had lost about 20 pounds earlier this year, and they have been creeping back on. I have started running again, and have set a goal of running in a 5K the weekend of Halloween. I know I need to drop the cokes I have been drinking, but oh its so hard! After this weekend, I am going cold turkey. I just feel so much better without them (once I get through the caffeine withdrawals!).

Today, I am nervous. The March of Dimes is featuring our 'story' with prematurity at their annual black tie event. I talk about what it was like having a premature daughter every day (so it seems) but the idea of them videotaping it, and showing over the news & in front of rich-y type people makes me scared. My insecurities with my weight are playing into my fear BIG TIME. Not sure when they will come to interview & tape us, so the unknown weighs on me as well. We have gone to this event for the past five years - its fun to dress up in a beautiful gown and have Alex in a tux. Just nervous about being so vunderable, you know. The purpose of them telling our story is to help raise money for 'Fund The Mission" - a section of the night to raise money to stay local to help families who have premature babies. I am scared that our story will be a flop, and no one will give.

Today, I am waiting on a call from one of my best friends from design school, Sarah. She is at 39 weeks & about to have her little baby Olivia. She has a Dr appointment right now (she is already at a 4), so maybe she has progressed some this past week. If I can't have any more babies, one of the best things in life must be your bestie have a baby! I cannot wait to love on Olivia & spoil her! I miss having a little girl around here, and cannot wait till Olivia makes her grand appearance.

Today, I am glad that we are hosting a Life Group for married couples for church in our home. I admit it - its a pain to have to clean the house, top to bottom, every Wednesday. But, oh am I so grateful for the ministry that it is being done! Alex and I have a good marriage, but it is so nice to be encouraged to keep respecting and loving each other. It's like a mid-week boost for us. Last night, the message was about (the woman) giving her husband respect even when she doesn't feel like it, and (the man) loving his wife in a way that she can understand. Alex needs respect just like I need love & reassurance. So blessed to have a part of this ministry - even if it is only baking desserts and cleaning the house for it! The joke around here is that I am a 'holy hostess'. LOL

And just for fun, here is the link for the cupcakes I made this week. They are amazing!

Have a great day!

Sassy Lil Sketches Reveal



It's that time, again! Today is the second Tuesday of the month, which means I have a great new sketch and layout from Sassy Lil Sketches for you!!!

How cool is this sketch? I love the scallops & the banner! It all just makes me happy, happy, happy!!!

I have to tell ya - I have a really hard time scrapbooking Halloween photos. All of the photos are just, so themey, that they never get used. Not today! These photos were perfect for this sketch! I did change the banner up just a smidgen, from the sketch, but it all works!

Why don't you come over to Sassy Lil Sketches and play along with this reveal?? We are giving away some awesome prizes this time around! Our sponsors this month are:

(for paper layouts)

and

(and digi layouts)



It's super easy to link up your work to the blog & play along! You should try it!! Who knows! You just might win some goodies from our sponsors!!

Want to play with more Sketches from Sassy Lil Sketches?? Go check out their new ebook & get one for yourself! You won't regret it!

September 11, 2011

(clipart from Stephanie Ackerman)



Five on Friday (Finally!!)

T.G.I.F.

Really, folks. *sigh* I should say nothing really went wrong this week. But oh, was it a long week! I did get a new car (and its sweeeeeet!) that we are going to pick up tomorrow in Lubbock. I love this new car, but the headache that comes with buying a car is outragous! Glad thats over!

I played along today with the Sketchy Thursday Blog. For some reason I am in the Halloween frame of mind, so I scrapped some old photos of the kids.

Fun stuff, yes?? Ok, back to my Five on Friday. This week, I am listing five new recipes that I am going to try  or have tried recently. Let's face it - I am not a good cook, so rest assured these recipes will be easy, quick and no strange ingrediants that I would need a map to find in the grocery store. :0

 

1. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream Need I say anymore? I didn't think so.

2. I love a good sweet potatoe in the fall. My husband, however, does not. I don't care this time. I am going to be making these Sweet Potatoes Ruth Chris style.



3. These bar-b-que sandwiches are delish. They were a huge hit when I made the Tuesday for dinner. Stick it all in a crock pot and go. Heck, I can do that!!

4. A kiss pie? Yes, please!

5. Have you ever had the sugared pecans that you can find at craft shows and at the fair? This recipe is supposed to be a perfect knock off of them. And you do it in the crock pot. 'Nuff said, yes?

Thats all for today! Thanks for stopping by & have a blessed day! 

Sketchy Thursday

Hey y'all! Wanted to jump on and share a layout I did the other night while I couldn't sleep. LOL I was cruising through my blogs that I read and came across Sketchy Thursday's and loved their sketch. So I played along, lol! This page also just happens to go along with the Paper Issues theme this week, school.

This photo of Ben is so typically Ben. LOL.  He always has a book in hand, and here lately, its been a history book of WWII. For this page, I pulled out my Basic Grey Oxford collection. I loved how effortlessly and easy this page came together. From start to finish: 30 minuets, and that includes sewing the red paper. Love this!

Got to go, we are heading to Lubbock today to go to the car dealer. Momma is getting a new car!!

It's a Giveaway!

Happy Labor Day, Friends! It's been a fun - yet draining - long weekend for us! More about that later ;) I have been meaning to jump on here to and tell you that my friend, Stephanie Howell, joined forces with me (cue the superman music) and  is hosting a giveaway on her blog for Holden Uganda.To enter, all you have to do is go & vote for Holden Uganda's founder, Sarah. She is in a contest to win a grant to help build more wells. It only takes a second, and the the impact you can make will be life changing!

I cannot tell you how much Holden Uganda means to me. Knowing that my daughter's memory is living & giving hope to the people of Uganda brings so much joy to my heart.

The verse we chose for Marcy's Well says:

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:10-11

I absoultely believe this, with all of my heart. God has used Holden Uganda and Sarah to help heal my heart. I gain strength each and every day, knowing that we are making a difference in someone else's life.

Thanks for letting me set my heart out for you all to see!

5 On Friday (the wordy edition!)

Im sitting here, typing this post, multitasking.

I am eating Captain Crunch (I forgot how good it is!).
I am downloading photos.
I have a mini daushound on my lap.
Oh, and I have a cough that won't go away. lol

Today has been one of those days where its just overwhelming what I need to get done. Some of it will get done, while most will just left behind. And I am learning to be ok with that.

On to my Five on Friday.....the theme is 'what I've been doing':

1. I have started running again. Nothing long distance, mind you. But I am *trying* to get moving more. It's hard when you're shy (I can be) and very uncordinated (yep, thats me). But I have completed my Couch To 5 K workout everyday this week. Im debating on redoing the first week, just because I feel like I am *finally* kicking its....ya you know...lol!

2. I have worked on a few layouts...can't share them just yet. But one of them I love.love.love.

3. I have also been cordinating with a few of my scrappy idols on a giveaway. Let's just say a Studio Calico giftcard is involved - as well as helping people half away across the world have access to clean water. Win, win. Let's just say that my giveaway has to do with this:

4. I have a blog hop coming up too. It's with Paper Issues. I will post more details about it soon! And speaking of Paper Issues....I have another 'school' related project brewing in my head. It involved an apple and a leaf. LOL

5. I have been volunteering at the March of Dimes. We are having our annual black tie event in about 6 weeks (gasp!) and our family has been chosen to be featured during that night, in hopes that our story about prematurity and infant loss will inspire others to donate to the March of Dimes. Im scared. And nervous. And I have been shopping for a new cocktail dress. Anyone have a link to a great online store? LOL

Have a blessed Friday! The boys are off to their dads, so it is just Alex and I this weekend. We will be spending quality time cleaning the house for the start of our new Life Group (for Church). This semester our group will be focusing on having a blessed marriage. I. AM. EXCITED.