Peterson Stories

Feelin' the Love | Valentine's Decor

2012-02-08T08:59:00.000-05:00

I love decorating for the season or holiday. If I'm going to be in this house all day every day, I at least want it to look festive. Last year I used most of these ideas around the house...old post here.

I found this super adorable idea on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.

Source: theidearoom.net via Sara on Pinterest

If you are looking for an inexpensive yet time consuming, labor intensive craft that it sure to give you carpel tunnel syndrome and hot glue burns and blisters, this is for you! They turned out adorable, but two was all I could handle. Maybe if I would have made them with smaller styrofoam balls??? Ah well, we live and we learn.

I paired these little death balls with a cute *FREE* printable from my pal Becky Higgins. Click here to download for yourself. You can thank me later.

Here's another one. They can both be found in the free section I linked above. This was one of my dollar store frames spray painted pink. I've used these for several little projects in the past.

Next up, I gathered all the silver frames I had and swapped out the photos for my "XOXO" collection. I made these last year, I think, inspired by the lovely ladies at Tatertots and Jello. Scrapbook paper, clear glass pebbles, glue...Super easy, super cheap, super cute.

I also made a little heart with my stones and grouped it with any red/pink/white frame I had sitting around.

There are so many great ideas out there. Are you ready for Valentines day?

Oh yeah...I just picked up my prints for B's Valentines for his class...how cute are these??

Are you kidding me? Again, free printable. I can fit 2 on a 4x6 photo and printed them at Costco for $.09 or $.13 or something. Couple packs of Fun Dip and BAM...adorableness!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Project Life Update: Week Four

2012-02-01T10:11:00.000-05:00

Another Week has flown by. I barely stayed caught up this week. I really tried to get out my camera and take a few pictures rather than relying solely on my phone. (Somewhat successfull?) I did get out a few times to work on my photography class assignment, so that was helpful.

I forgot than when you use a different style page protector, that you have to incorporate it again the next week on the back...duh. This is style G and since I didn't really have many vertical photos that I loved, I improvised. Not totally loving what I came up with. Ehhh.

View without the album and last week behind it.

Left Side (back side of Design G)

I was so excited to use my new stamp set that my super awesome Cousin Tara surprised me with this week.

Right Side. Two things I tried this week: Going all digital on the title card and printing it as a photo. I used Jessica Sprague's Clementine elements, and also Ali Edwards freebie "one little week". Since I don't have a Silouette or anything to cut it out, I just did the whole thing digital. Turned out kinda cute.

The second thing I tried this week was a "week in review" card using the bi-fold journaling card and the days of the week stickers. It wasn't a very eventful week, so this was a little boring. But...that is my life.

So that was my week in a nutshell. I'm linking up (late again) over at the Mom Creative. Come on...everyone is doing it!

Project Life Update: Week Three

2012-01-26T09:27:00.000-05:00

I'm not really sure why my photos are so dark and grainy??? Not about to bother with more shenanigans, it took long enough to get this up here to begin with. Anyway...

Left Side...put the title card over here today since my right side was design G...I wasn't really sure where else to put it.

Again, used my Clementine digital papers from Jessica Sprague and put Instagram Photos right on there. Come to think of it, I believe every picture this week was taken with my phone...oops!

Right Side...Design G. Some Chicago Pics, name badge from the conference, and take-out bag from dinner, as well as a few pics my mom gave me. Since they had the kids over the weekend, I wanted her/their story in here too. Weather was awful this weekend and we didn't do as much in Chicago as I would have liked...very limited photos. :(

Title Card: I've been seeing lots of embellishing on title cards with the week #, and duh...love it. I may print the week on these in the future, but this time, I stamped right on my Martha Stewart Kraft Label and embossed in black. Also added a few washi tapes, tag, and number sticker from Clementine kit.

Used up my last of the arrow stickers from Studio Calico...must get more of these. Love them!

Lots of Jillibean Soup and My Mind's Eye label stickers this week.

More label stickers and washi tape. Can't get enough of these two products lately.

I'm linking up (better late than never) over at The Mom Creative! Lots of inspiration over there

Project Life Update: Week Two

2012-01-17T07:53:00.001-05:00

Full 2 Pages and one Insert

Left Side. Lots of photos. Used Clementine Digital Papers and Elements on a few photos (as I mentioned here)

Right Side. Attached a few ticket stubs from a movie and Meijer Garden.

and also a C-line flip up page protector to add a few extra photos from the winter walk we took.

and finally...after a little garbage picking...

I picked out a few things to show that we are actually eating healthy...or at least trying to.

So there is our week. I'm linking up over at The Mom Creative. Lots of Project Life Goodness going on over there!

Winter Wonderland...uuggghhhh.

2012-01-15T16:02:00.001-05:00

It has been snowing like crazy the last few days. Lots of schools had a snow day friday, and it kept coming all day yesterday. I know I have said this before, but it is worth repeating...I do not enjoy the snow. Not so much at all. I don't enjoy driving in it. I don't enjoy seeing other people drive in it. I do not enjoy shoveling in it. I do not enjoy playing in it. I do not like it here nor there, I do not like it anywhere. I do not like it ~~Sam~~ Sara I am.

HOWEVER...

I have two children that do not share these opinions of mine. (And one husband who outright disagrees with my opinions...not that he has any say around here.) Lucky for all of them, the sun was out in all it's splendor today, so I gave in, and we all went for a walk around Frederick Meijer Garden. IT.WAS.MAGICAL.

There were about 2 other cars in the parking lot, so we had the place all to ourselves.

We were all bundled up and just walked around looking at how different everything was under a blanket of fresh snow.

The sunshine felt amazing and helped keep us out there a little longer than we normally would have been able to.

The blue skies were stunning, and created a perfect backdrop to the crisp white snow, and countless empty branches.

We found a few reminders of Christmas left over.

It was an absolutely stunning afternoon.

After our walk, we headed inside for some hot chocolate and found some pretty things there too!

It sure was pretty, but I'm looking forward to the butterflies coming back!

I guess if this snow is going to be around, I might as well enjoy it...oh...and did I mention I taught myself how to fire up (and actually use) the snow blower this week?

Sure did!

Don't mess with me.

Intro to Photography. Yay!

2012-01-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, some friends and I were hanging out and we started talking about taking a photography class. Normally when things like this come up over drinks, it sounds like a great idea, but does not come to fruition.

When said friend brought the idea back up via email a few weeks later, I jumped on the opportunity to strengthen my "photography skills". I've always thought about doing this, but probably wouldn't have pursued it on my own. We decided on a day and time and got ourselves registered. Last night was our first class, and to say that I was excited is a complete understatement.

The teacher was awesome, very passionate about photography, and easy to understand. Of course last night was just the intro, so lots of camera exploration and lecture, but over the next seven weeks we have so much to cover. There's even homework! I can't explain how exciting this is to actually use my brain again! :)

Also having a night away each week where I don't have to feed, bathe, and put kids to bed is an added bonus. I'm thankful my husband is supportive. I'm thankful the tuition cost isn't an obstacle. I'm thankful for friends that share my passion. This is one happy girl right here.

Project Life Update (Cover & Week One)

2012-01-10T15:20:00.001-05:00

I have already gushed and gushed about my love for this project...so I'm going to jump right into my update for the week. First...I threw together this cute little title banner for my weekly update posts. LOVE that the digital elements are available to purchase and download immediately!!!! (more on how I will be incorporating these elements below).

This is the opening page of my 2012 album. Totally love the idea (and FREE printable from Cathy Z) for a 6x12 title page. I tweaked the idea a bit and cut one of my 12x12 papers in half, printed the title on cardstock, cut it out and incorporated a photo. I raised the cardstock with pop dots for a little more dimension.

On the back side of the 6x12, I have photos of the kiddos. LOVE, LOVE these photos from Stacey Clack Photography! (you're the bomb Clack!)

Since the photos were only 4 inches wide, I attached them to another patterned paper, used a few digital elements in Photoshop Elements to jot down the kid's ages, and adhered a big fat ribbon I had laying around that kind of matched. MAN, those kids are cute!

Found these cute little acrylic letters and just stapled them right to the paper and photo.

January 1st fell on a Sunday so I struggled with how to approach my first week since I lay out my weeks Starting with Monday ending with Sunday. I decided to use this space for my One Little Word.

(See this post to know why I'm including this.)

As the photo above shows, I'm hoping to include some little blurbs about each kiddo. Maybe about Dan and I too? I did this last year, and I liked the little "snapshot" of who they were at the beginning of the year. They have changed so much!!!!

Here is my first week. Again, since January 1 fell on a Sunday, I just grouped it all together and did 8 days in a spread. Oh well. I put my title page on the top right corner so my Friday, Saturday, & Sunday are together. Weird? Maybe...it just seemed to work best last year, so I'm going with it again eventhough I'm going with the weekly approach vs. photo a day.

Left Side. Some DSLR photos, some iphone photos. Trying not to abandon my camera, but that darn phone is just so convenient! Since I've been using Instagram photos a ton over the past few months, I keep running into the obstacle of what to attach my square image to? Last year I used my 12x12 patterned paper, my bi-fold journaling cards, random scraps of paper...but a thought occurred to me...

Why not use the digital papers I purchased that coordinate with the kit??? DUH.

So that's what I did. I always crop my photos in PE before uploading them to Costco anyway...Why not just put a patterned paper behind the 3.5 x 3.5 instagram and print it as a 4x6? (added a shadow behind the image so it looks more 3 dimensional.) Saves my 12x12 paper, and only costs about $.13 each. May seem like a lot of steps, but this process has become pretty streamlined for me. The entire digital collection is about $20, I've already used it a bunch! LOVE!! Thank you Becky and Jessica Sprague!

I'm linking up over at The Mom Creative for Project Life Tuesday.

What to do with Christmas Cards?

2012-01-09T14:49:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite things about Christmas time. Yes, I'm a huge nerd. Snail mail excites me. Opening up the mailbox everyday and seeing a big stack of cards (or maybe just one or two) makes me happy. Bryce seemed to embrace this little quirk of mine and would ask to help me open them up each day, and we hung them up right away.

The kids loved looking through them and seeing our family and friends. After taking them down though, I feel bad just throwing them all away. I saved 2010's cards and didn't do anything with them, so the kids found them, played with them, trashed them, and I still find them in random places throughout the house????

When I saw this idea from the brilliant girls over at eighteen25 did with their Christmas cards, I totally had to do this. Free Printable + book rings = adorable!!

What did I tell you? Adorable!

So Long 2011!

2012-01-06T08:29:00.000-05:00

Just finished up my last week of 2011 and I'm thrilled! Still can't believe that I managed to stay caught up throughout the entire year! I think the reasons I was able to do this were:

First, making it a priority to upload and order my pictures every single week. Even if I didn't get to Costco to pick them up, at least the photos were chosen, edited, and ordered. For the most part, this worked. Costco is fairly close to pre-school, so I tried to pop in and grab them when I picked up B.

Second, I am so fortunate to have a space that is just mine. This is HUGE. I can set things on my desk away from little hands...I can work on it when the time allows then leave it unfinished and it won't be bothered or in the way.

Other than that, it was just a part of my week that I really look forward to. I enjoy this project. I treasure it actually. It is a creative outlet for me, and has helped me to look at life (especially through my camera) in a different way. I am so very thankful that I have this album (these albums) to look back through.

Moving on...here is my very last 2011 completed week. Yay!

Very simple. Nothing extra...just pictures and words.

Anyone else amazed at how much supplies they have left? I used them sparingly throughout the year for fear of running out, but to my surprise, I have a zillion journal cards left??? Also a few title cards left over, so i used one above for my instagram photo.

My brilliant cousin Tara gave me this awesome tip...shrink down your subway art (like these) to 3x4 and use it in a journaling spot for a seasonally appropriate filler card. Love this idea!!! I will totally be doing more of these this year.

I wasn't in the mood to do anything clever with my back cover page. Too excited to move on and work on my Clementine title page. I just used the basic cards and included one of Becky's new Big Envelopes for some of Bryce's "artwork" from school this year.

Have to get something on that title card. These are awesome! Almost everything I put in the envelope was flat, so it didn't take up that much space. It also fits nicely because I split 2011 into 2 albums. I had several extra inserts and didn't want to strain the rings and make it difficult to flip through. (learned that the hard way in 2010)

I am super excited to get started with 2012. I love that so many people are on board with this project this year. I love that a creative team has been put together to share their creativity. I am so inspired by the ideas I've seen. Can you tell I'm giddy? NERD.

I just had to share this title page from last year...This is exactly why I love this book. I flipped to the front of my album when I finished up my last layout and was blown away at how much Sydney has changed over the last 12 months. I have every single tiny change documented in these 52 pages and I can see how much she's grown right in front of my eyes. Amazing!

One Little word 2012

2011-12-30T08:20:00.000-05:00

I've never been big on New Year's Resolutions. I don't recall ever really making one for fear of not following through. It's a great concept though...really...for the right person.

Last year I came across a blog post by Ali Edwards and was totally inspired. Every year she has been choosing a word (and sometimes it chooses her) to focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as she goes about her daily life. I love this quote from her blog :

"A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."

Last year, I found myself in a place that I didn't really care for. I wasn't enjoying life as I felt I should be. I thought, maybe if I change my focus a little bit, stop wishing things were different somehow, I can enjoy what is right in front of me. That's when I decided to choose my word for the year. Present. To live life right now, not in the past where I cannot change things, not worrying about tomorrow, or next week (although as much as I would like to deny...I still do these things), just being present. I have to say, this was huge for me!

This word became a background thought after a few months, but it has stayed with me throughout this past year. I even went as far as having the word engraved on a little charm I could wear it as a tangible reminder on the days it was just... not there.

I found that by focusing on this word, I have been able to stop and look at mundane things with more appreciation. Yes, it sucks that my life revolves around a 2 and 3.5 year old, their temper tantrums, their endless questions, their inability to zip up coats and put on their own boots, and countless other things, but having this reminder makes me realize that this is temporary. They are healthy, they are safe, they are funny, they are small, they are here, they are mine. This is our "present" and pretty soon it will be gone.

I'm very satisfied with 2011. Nothing too big was accomplished, but tons of small memories were created. More importantly they were documented. I was present this year. I did my best to be in the moment and stop wishing time away. Looking forward to what God has in store for our family in 2012! Happy New Year!

Project Life, December

2011-12-29T13:15:00.001-05:00

Catching up on some Project Life posting. One more week and 2011 is complete! Loved the Turquoise Kit, but I'm kind of ready to start Clementine!

I made this insert a few weeks ago using Ali Edwards layered templates. I didn't participate with the December Daily project, although I would have loved to. It takes all I have to keep up with PL, so I highly doubt I would have completed a layout a day for a whole month. I decided to snap some pics around the house and just include a little insert for the month of December. I love how it turned out.

Week of December 5-11

Poor Dan celebrated his birthday on Sunday, but unfortunately B and I spent most of Saturday night puking. Made a little collage of the pics we took on our Christmas Light drive. (got to wear sweats and stay in the car for that!)

also jotted down a few thoughts from the week and a few moments I wanted to remember with some cell phone pics to go along with the story.

Love these Ali Edwards Long Journalers They make it so easy to record some extra info/pictures without taking up a ton of space.

Week of December 12-18

Week of December 19-25

Full spread of week of Christmas. Ended up with 2 inserts.

Included our Christmas card we sent out with a gift bag I received. Loved the Kraft paper and cute little Santa. (6x7.5 so I just used Becky's 6x12 page protector and snipped off a few inches.)

Love, love, love the "joy" and "peace" cut outs. They actually came attached to a Christmas card I received and I knew immediately when I opened it up that I wanted to use them in my album. The joy is glittery and the peace is gold metallic. Love them. I am totally going to keep an eye out for future Christmas cards to pull stuff from!

Extra Photos in a "design f" page protector. Just snipped off the two right columns. I think I want to add a few stickers or a little journaling? Not sure I am liking them so plain.

Anyway, that is all! I have a ton of elf on a shelf pictures from the month and I really want to do something with them. The kids had so much fun with Shelfy, so I thought I would make a little flip book for them. We'll see.

A few of my favorite Christmas Memories

2011-12-28T08:01:00.000-05:00

Wheeeeeew. Hard to believe it has come and gone already. We watched a DVR'd Prep & Landing last night and as soon as it started playing, Dan and I both looked at each other at the same time and said...."How sad???" All that anticipation really makes it hard for Christmas to be over.

We had so much new stuff come in this house, it was our first priority to make room for everything. Sadly, that meant some furniture had to be moved around, and the tree had to go. :( Talk about depressing! I like to keep it up well after the New Year, but it just made sense to get rid of it. Dan was off on Monday so we cleaned, purged, organized and got this house in order. Buh-bye tree...it was nice having you!

Ok...on to Christmas festivities...

World's best babysitter made this gingerbread house with my kids...I know...she is amazing.

Awful picture, but lights up outside

Kids decorating Christmas cookies with their buddy Ben

The finished product...well, some of them.

Trying to stay ahead of the game and wrapping gifts before Christmas eve.

Our Christmas cards. This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas time. Love getting the mail everyday!
Here's a few more of my fav's.

There were a zillion more pics, but these are the one's I have printing for PL right now, so that will have to do. It was a wonderful Christmas and I'm so thankful to have been able to be with each and every one of my families over the weekend. So much to be thankful for. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T08:02:00.000-05:00

Christmas is near!

2011-12-16T06:46:00.000-05:00

Are you enjoying your holiday season??? We sure are :)

Project Life Week of Nov 28-Dec4

2011-12-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

It's hard for me to believe I am still completely caught up with my album this year! It has been so nice to have a groove, and continue to work on this project week after week. I haven't gotten sick of it, I haven't fallen (too) behind. There have definately been weeks that I slipped, but for the most part, it has gone pretty smooth. Only 3 more weeks left of 2011!! I am super excited for the ladies I have ~~pressured~~ encouraged to try this project for 2012. Can't wait to see what they create!!

Week of Nov 28- Dec 4

I ordered a few items from Two Peas in a bucket on Black Friday. I think I saved 30% on everything. Not bad. My order came this week, so I got to try out a few of my new things. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these scrap pads from Studio Calico. Awesome for journaling! Also, these cute little Smash Pads from K&Co are perfect for recording cute little quotes the kids say.

On a related Project Life Note...the new products finally became available at Amazon this week. With the help of my fellow Stalker Tara, I was on Amazon the instant I found out and order my new Kit. I decided on Clementine because of the pretty colors, and cute patterns. I loved the Turquoise this year, but I wanted something a little more feminine this time.

Love it!!! :) According to my order, it should be arriving next week. Yay! Like I told my cousin Tara...my Fed Ex guy may want to be cautious...I'm going to be a little more than excited when it arrives (that was the clean version of the story).

So happy with this project (if I haven't already said that a million times), with the flexibility of it, the endless possibilities, how it motivates me to capture the little things instead of just the big stuff, how it still allows me to be creative but remains simple at the same time. If you are reading this and do not consider yourself a "scrapbooker"...I think you should give this a try. Especially if you have small kids! I swear I don't get paid for this (although it would be nice if I did), I just feel so strongly about capturing and documenting memories, and this is the perfect way to do it.

Now go take pictures and document something! You will be happy you did!

Super Nanny...I mean Super Shelfy

2011-12-07T13:52:00.000-05:00

I think I might be putting a little too much pressure on poor "Shelfy". I'm not gonna lie...I throw the guy under the bus several times a day (figuratively, not literally), and I am totally enjoying that he has to be the bad guy. Over the last week, things like this are constantly slipping out of my mouth: "You two better stop fighting over that __________ (insert insignificant thing they are fighting over)...Shelfy can see everything you are doing and he is going to tell Santa". "I sure hope Shelfy didn't see/hear that". "Do you want Shelfy to tell Santa you just did that to her (him)?"

Every day after he is discovered, I move him to his "perch" up above the stove where he has a clear view of the whole house. Nothing goes unnoticed from this vantage point!

What the heck am I going to do after Christmas is over and I have to pack him back up in the box and store him away???? I think I am getting more out of this elf on the shelf concept that the kids.

I thought it was only appropriate that our elf is a little silly and naughty...just like my kiddos. Here's what he's been up to this past week!

Left to right:
1. Shimmied up the light fixture (don't mind the dust)
2. Got tangled up in some garland
3. Had a marshmallow fight with his dinosaur friend
4. Drained my ipod listening to Christmas music all night
5. Left a money trail to my purse where he...
6. Fell asleep in my wallet
7. Got into Sydney's potty chart stickers and played with some toilet paper
8. Drew a silly face on a photo with dry erase marker
9. Soaked in a marshmallow bath

Silly Shelfy!

Introducing...

2011-11-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

Yup...we are really original like that. I read the book to the kids and we talked about how he needs a name, and this is what we decided on. Shelfy...our elf...on a shelf. At least we won't forget his name!

Hopefully with this little bugger watching carefully and reporting back to the big guy, these kids will whip it into shape these next few weeks. HA...I can't even say that without laughing. Who are we kidding? Oh well, at least we'll have a little fun in between timeouts from here to Christmas.

I noticed on Pinterest last night there were tons of cute ideas to do with "Shelfy". I am totally going to use these.

Source: flickr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: homestoriesatoz.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: s118.photobucket.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: raeoflight-photography.com via Sara on Pinterest

Project Life Tuesday

2011-11-29T16:40:00.001-05:00

Here are the last few weeks. Believe it or not...I've had them done, just haven't gotten around to snapping pictures and uploading them.

November 7-13th

November 14-20

Took my post from here and copy and pasted it into a long journaler from Ali Edwards. Love these. Included my b-day cards from Dan and kids on the back. (and yes, I'm totally aware of the horrific sewing job. I really need to get a real sewing machine. This hand-held p.o.s. that I've been using is just not cutting it. (and I'm too lazy to change out the obnoxious red thread)

November 21-27

Used a digital template from Cathy Zielske to document our Christmas Tree (and allowed me to include a few more photos). Printed them as 8x10. Not very happy with the quality of my photos this week. For some reason, the color was way off and they are totally blown out. Please excuse the bad pics! Bought the Turquoise edition digital journaling cards from Jessica Sprauge.com. Loving how much easier it is to print on my cards now!

Hope your album is coming along nicely. Can you believe it is almost December?! Four more weeks and this album is complete! Holy cow!

Thankful

2011-11-23T12:28:00.000-05:00

In addition to my birthday list of 31 things, I sure am thankful for my two little turkeys!

{Found some "pinspiration" here and here . We used both ideas for our turkeys.}

Hello 31

2011-11-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

Really...31? How in the world did THAT happen? I swear I was just 21. I swear we were just newlyweds. I swear I just found out I was pregnant with Bryce. I swear time is not flying by at warp speed!

Instead of focusing on how awful it is to get older, I am going to embrace my old age (ha ha ha) and be grateful for everything I have.

Here is my list of 31 things I am thankful for today:

1. That God allows me to wake up every morning and start a brand new day.
2. I have a husband who adores me.
3. I have two beautiful, healthy, energetic, smart, funny children.
4. I have a roof over my head and a safe place to sleep every night.
5. I have enough food to fill my belly and keep me going (sometimes a little too much)
6. I am not battling any diseases or addictions
7. My family loves me.
8. I have awesome friends that love and support me.
9. I have access to medical care if and when I need it.
10. I have the ability to read and write.
11. Simply put, I can enjoy my freedom every single day because of those who serve and protect our country.
12. That my husband has a job!!!!!
13. My husband has a job that provides us with everything we need (and more)
14. My husband has a job that allows me to stay home and raise our children.
15. That I was able to attend college and graduate with a degree.
16. I have been able to travel to some amazing places.
17. I have conveniences that are often taken for granted. (running water, heat, clothing, reliable vehicle, washer/dryer, electricity)
18. I have babysitters that I can count on that allow me to get a break from my kids.
19. That my struggles are not how will I feed or clothe my children, but what will I feed them or pick out for them to wear. (Thanks Stacy and Amy for all the new-to-us clothes!)
20. I have been blessed with creativity.
21. I am able to enjoy luxuries such as iphone, lap top, ipod, flat screen tv, etc. That is not meant to be boastful, but honestly thankful!
22. I have the ability to worship my God freely.
23. I belong to an amazing community at The Branch.
24. That I have grown spiritually over the last year thanks to the bible studies I have participated in, and the fellowship of the women involved.
25. That I am forgiven.
26. I feel safe in almost every aspect.
27. That I continue learn new things and have the ability to evolve.
28. I may not have been blessed with a beautiful singing voice, but I sure sound good in my car.
29. I have humor, and can laugh at my mistakes.
30. That I woke up to flowers, a sweet card, and my favorite Starbucks coffee.
31. My kids sang happy birthday to me, hugged me, and told me they loved me. Amazing.

I am very blessed, no doubt. Life is not perfect. Things can always be worse.

So with that being said...Happy Birthday to me! 31 should be a good year. :)

A few goodies and a cool new app

2011-11-14T13:23:00.001-05:00

While the boys were doing yard work this weekend, Sydney and I snuck out of the house and hit up our local scrapbook store. I've had my eye on a few items, but I didn't have the patience to order them online. There is nothing like walking out of a store with product in hand! I'm loving the look of little extras in my project life layouts. Here's some of the goodies I picked up.

K&Co Smash Pads (blank and Quotes)
Amy Tangerine Mixtape
Several different cardstock papers (see below)

Jillibean Soup Journaling Sentiments
My mind's Eye Label Stickers

Love, Love, Love how these are all printed up with journal blocks that are 4x6 and 3x4. Perfect size to work with Project Life layouts. Super excited to use these. I found that several manufacturers had these 12x12 sheets. I picked up a few different themes (travel, Christmas, everyday.) from Jillibean Soup, Teresa Collins, Echo Park, Simple Stories, and Crate Paper. I love my Turquoise edition from Becky Higgins, but let's face it...It's November...I've been doing my best with the same designs for 11 months and I'm getting a little bored.

I posted last week about some of my favorite project life blogs I visit. I gathered up some links for simplicity and put them together on a separate page for easy reference and inspiration.

Speaking of Project Life eye candy...big announcement over at Becky Higgins' blog! Yay! A new creative team has been put together and I'm so excited for the inspirational projects that will be coming.

Finally, I just downloaded a new app for my phone yesterday.

It's called diptic and you can create collages right from your phone. I used it to create the photos at the top of the post. Kinda cool. (and only $.99) Seriously, I'm obsessed with my phone. Just ask my husband.

Guess what's been going on over here??

2011-11-11T09:04:00.000-05:00

Ok, we are still SO FAR from being out of the woods, but to see urine come out of my sweet little 2 year old babe and land in the toilet was one of the greatest things my eyes have witnessed. Shoot! Once she is out of diapers, I need a new excuse to make a "Target Run". You know...for the necessities!

Project Life Update

2011-11-10T15:49:00.000-05:00

I have been trying SO hard to stay on top of this project. For the most part, I have been successful. Sometimes life gets in the way and things get put on hold. I have been working the last few days during naps to get the last 2 weeks completed. Yay! I'm back on top. Completed album to date. That feels good!

A few notes about these 2 weeks...

After getting my new iphone, I pretty much abandoned my real camera...have to be careful of that. I was obsessed with my phone and couldn't put it down, so almost all pictures are cell phone pics.

The entire week of Oct 24-30 was focused on Halloween it seemed like, so I just went with it and did a very orange-y theme to incorporate all of my photos. I got a shipment (thanks MaryAnn) of Becky Higgins new page protectors and wanted to try some out. didn't plan my photos very well and felt a little overwhelmed with the new layout. Hmmm...need some inspiration for these page layouts going forward.

The following week was both light on photos, and yet had several little (somewhat insignificant on their own) photos. I decided to fill a few spots with "extras" (fed ex note, shipping label/packing slip/paper coterie tag). I also did an 8x8 insert with 2 traditional scrapbook layouts. (Can't remember the last time I did a "real" page?) I had an adorable picture of Sydney that I wanted to focus on, as well as a few snapshots of how we spend our mornings while B is at pre-school.

I really tried to stretch myself the last few weeks and incorporate different things into my PL. All of 2010 was 4x6 photos...pretty much...that's it. I have been so incredibly inspired by some fellow PL-ers out there. Mish Mash and Glue Stick Girl specifically. Amazing. You have GOT to check out this post from Lisa (Glue Stick Girl) Tons of amazing information. Totally bookmarked this post!

I'm very excited to hear all the buzz going around about Project Life, the new products, and the people who are jumping on board. I cannot say enough great things about this type of scrapbook album. It can be anything you want it to be. I am so glad that I am coming close to completing my Second Full Year of Project Life. Life with two toddlers is nothing short of crazy. I have the majority of it documented, so years from now, when all of this is a complete blur, I can flip through and relive all of these precious moments. (and probably skip past the not so precious ones).

You should totally join me in this project!! Here's how you get the stuff yourself:

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/

Oh yeah...Project Life Tuesday is totally back on...so I'm linking up with Jessica and her peeps over at the Mom Creative.

Halloween Hangover

2011-11-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

I've been recovering from a crazy week. Still eating candy, despite my awful, cavity filling dentist appointment yesterday...ugh. Pretty much every spare minute I've had has been spent working on designs for my new site. So, since I'm way behind on my project life pictures, I thought I would at least upload my Halloween pics.

A few pre-halloween treats

Trick or Treating at Dan's Office.

Bryce's Halloween Party at school

Our Pumpkins

Getting ready to hit the neighborhood on Halloween

Kids did great trick-or-treating. Sydney thought she was supposed to eat every piece of candy right there when she got it...so that really slowed us down. I think they had fun though.

There were even treats for the adults too. Aaaaaa-mazing.

Hope you enjoyed your Halloween too. Happy November!

Big News...

2011-11-03T22:33:00.001-04:00

Well, I might be a little crazy, but I have some big news.

I've decided to start my own little business! Yay!

I have been throwing the idea around to start a blog design business for a while now. I finally got up enough nerve to go for it! I've been designing (and re-designing) my own blog for the last several years, and have learned a ton about blogger in the process. About a year ago, the idea came to me (I think it was my mom actually...maybe Dan???) that I could totally do this as a business. I initially brushed it off, but over the last few months I've really gotten serious about it. This summer I started asking friends (and cousins) if I could give their blogs a little free makeover to build up a portfolio. It was excellent practice!

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite bloggers MaryAnn over at Cherish Everyday posted about wanting a new blog makeover and was looking for suggestions for a designer. I thought...what do I have to loose? I sent her an email telling her that I would love to help her out (even if I wasn't a legitimate designer, I had no site, no portfolio, but I was just willing to give it a shot.) For some crazy reason, she agreed??? After some emails, some phone calls, and lots of ideas bouncing back and forth...we came up with this:

I think it turned out great! MaryAnn was very happy with the results, so I would say it was a success!

So...if you are interested in spicing up your blog, head on over to my new site and look around! I'm going to provide a wide range of services from full custom blog design, to just a new header, or side bar tabs.

I'm super excited about this new adventure. It will require some serious focus around this house and some mandatory afternoon rest time for all residents under 4 so I can get some work done. Wish me luck!!!!!