Yes I am still alive. . . . busy and crazy but that is really all i know! I could list all the things that have gone awry - scott-sleep apnia/kk-asthma & allergies/kaden-swallowing issues/me - oh where do we start? LOL/and on and on and on. but instead i'm trying to stay focused on LIFE. the good things. because i'm sure that we can all sit and list everything wrong in our life and surroundings, but whining never seems to help anything anyway. at one point in the last few weeks, i started counting in 3's. as "bad news travels in 3's" When i got to 9, i had to stop myself. At what point does "bad news travel in 3's" and at what point do we start frantically looking for that 3rd peice of bad news. ? just a little point to ponder. and another point we should ponder - how many rounds does GOOD NEWS travel in? i think this came from oprah, but an old friend once told me to sit down every night (with cup of hot tea in hand) and write down 5 good things in your life. chances are you won't be able to stop after those five. it seems to help. if we dwell in the ugliness of life. it just seems to darken. but if we start reaching for that sunshine - rainbows just may appear. So anyway - here's my 5 - what's yours.
1. In the whole scheme of things - my family is alive and healthy. Most of us are bruised and banged up a little here and there (emotionally or physically), but surely nothing we can't handle. might just need some cheese with all our whines . . .
2. I have been blessed with an understanding husband (of this psychotic obsession to scrapbooking that i have) and 2 beautiful children. they might drive me insane at least once a day but boy are they cute! (oh- even scott)
3. I have been blessed with some of the best friends, new and old, close and far. None of which I could ever imagine my life without.
4. I have a beautiful home. a solid roof over my head (and if it leaks a husband who knows how to fix it!) it may not house my dream scrapbooking room, my bamboo floors, or my doggy suite, but we've made it our home. (now if i could just get that hubby of mine to stop digging holes in my backyard or tearing down walls . . .)
5. OH - i just have to squeeze the power of DVR in here. without DVR i could not survive. of which - i've just realized that i didnt' watch Grey's Anatomy yet . . . and what is up with Private Practice? and if you have not yet watched Cupid - it is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE. must see! i even caught scott giggling while watching it! ok - so now i feel much better than dragging on about all that is wrong. Anyway - sorry so long - here are all my LOAD's: enjoy!
LOAD day 7: (above) Nana and Kaden August 1st. Ok - this was a challenge. this will be a two page spread, but it took me so long to piece this one together that page 2 will be for tomorrow's LOAD challenge. (which at this point - is today already! I must learn to go to bed on time) I had one and a half sheets of paper that i wanted to use on both pages, so i am using the whole sheet on LOAD 8 and I had to make it look like this page was the same. But all in all - I think it actually turned out cuter than i imagined.
Credits: PP and felt (About a Boy paper line by michelle coleman, fancy pants designs)Staples, Buttons, Vellum Quote Strip, Journal Tag Rub ons (stitches, baby boy, Debbie Mumm for Jo-ann fabric and crafts)Alpha (giggles, thickers, american crafts)Love this paper!! sorry can't stop bragging about it! so happy Shellmar pointed me in its direction! thanks girl!
LOAD day 6: Scott, Me and Kaden. holding our little man on his second day here. he was SO tiny. the brute is now 23 lbs at 10 months old. This boy paper line really made a difference on these bland hospital pics. Credits: PP (Signature Collection, Creative Imaginations) CS (Red and Blue, Bazzill) Chipboard Corner (Bazzill) Alpha (K monogram, Close to My Heart) Template (granny, In stitches)
LOAD day 5: Kaden My little man pg 1. i love this precious little boy. and i love this paper line. i cut out some of the airplanes to pop up. and yes, i even stitched on a page! again - from the Shack (hmmm. i must visit there - quite a bit!) Credits: PP (Signature Collection, Creative Imaginations) CS (Red and Blue, Bazzill) Chipboard Corner (Bazzill) Alpha (K monogram, Close to My Heart) Template (granny, In stitches)
LOAD day 4: Kaden on his tucker sling (wedge) for the first time. And, for the first time - he SLEPT! what a relief it was to see him so peaceful. Credits: PP and felt (About a Boy paper line by michelle coleman, fancy pants designs)yellow striped ribbon, staples, brads, Quote Strip (Archivers) Journal Tag (Memory Boutique)Rub ons (alphabets transfers to go, K&Company) Alpha (wassail, Basic Grey)Love this paper and felt pack - Also from the Shack! I've held on to these pictures for awhile. they are so pale and boring, but with this All About a Boy line - I have to say the pictures look amazing. (oops am I bragging there?) thanks fancy pants!!
LOAD day 3: kaden - just like his sister - got so mad whenever those bubbles stopped on his bouncy seat. i have a series of photos identical to these - only of karlie. I just used some simple striped paper and cardstock. some buttons to play as bubbles. Alpha is from Thickers, American Crafts.
LOAD day 2: My mom and my children. I love the 3 of them snuggled together! Paper and supplies found at my favorite store, the Scrap Shack!!! Credits: Paper and Frames (Magie May's paper line, Deena's Penny Lane, My Mind's Eye) CS (Blue and Purple, Bazzill) Buttons, Alpha (thickers)