just completed

Haven't done a layout in a long time. Just finished up these two. The layout on the left is from the day Ethan had his dental expander removed- a big deal at our house! The second layout has 2 cute pics of the boys. In the first picture, Sam and Ethan are hugging, but in the second picture, Ethan has gone beyond hugging. Love Sam's expression in that one! Love those boys!

my next class

Here are a couple photos of my upcoming class for Valentine's Day. It is quick and easy to put together.

There are definitely more than 10 things that I love about Phil,so this is just a little taste. I just hope I'll be able to wait until V. Day to give it to him!

odds and ends

Well, everybody seemed to enjoy the album the other night. It's really quite an easy concept. One layout per month- with as few or as many photos as you'd like. The cover is simply a clipboard cut in half. The interior pages are large index cards alternating with 6x9 envelopes. Embellishments include a swirl painted on with a foam stamp and a couple of strips of pattern paper.

I've got a couple more classes in the works- a Valentine's themed one and a memory/ vintage-y one.

Tonight, I finally used a Christmas gift that I received- a body exfoliating scrub. My skin feels fantastic and smells so good, and somehow I think my skin looks like a lighter color!

I got a pair of those new walking shoes by Sketchers. I wore them around the house tonight- my feet are sore, but I think that's more from wearing shoes for 14 hours today and being on my feet most of that time. Anyway, I'm going to wear the new shoes to work tomorrow. I'm anxious to put them to the test.

Here's a blog I've started following lately. I love this lady's work. Actually, it's where I got the idea to use a clipboard as a scrapbook cover. http://mollyirwin.typepad.com/

latest project

Tomorrow night is the monthly crop at church. We used to do a different project every month for a make and take. This year, we're going to start a "Year In Review" scrapbook. Each month, everybody will complete one layout so at the end of the year, each lady will have a completed album. Our group has grown since last year, and we all look forward to our "Girls' Night Out."

I've also been working on two mini albums for upcoming classes. I'm really excited about both of them. I'm hoping to put on the finishing touches tonight after I get the fellas in bed.

goals for the new year

I am not one to make new year's resolutions, as they never seem to "stick." However, I do have some goals for myself this year:

1. This one is obvious- to blog more often.

2. To become a stronger Christian

3. To watch my temper (which will in turn help me be a better wife and mother)

4. To lose some weight

5. To get my business of teaching

scrapbooking reallly rolling

and finally 6. To get our finances in order

All of these are pretty do-able with a little effort and a lot of faith.

Life is pretty much like a cafeteria line- it offers us many choices, both good and bad. The Christian must have a spirtiual radar that detects the difference not only between bad and good, but also among good, better, and best.

-Dennis Swanberg

Busy, busy

We took the boys to Laser Zone for their "good report card treat." At report card time, they get to choose where we go for a family outing- usually it is something involving laser tag. All 3 boys (including Daddy) had a great time hiding behind walls and ducking around corners. I was a frequent target as I was feeling a little under the weather and wasn't giving them the competition I usually do. Laser Zone is a three story, very dark building with ramps and lots of places to hide. I'm surprised Ethan didn't get nervous wandering around in the dark by himself. We were the only ones there, which was nice as it wasn't crowded; however, fewer people mean fewer targets!
My brother has been working on getting a website up for me. Very exciting!

back again

Ah, what a week it's been. Ethan came home from school with 102 degree fever last Friday and was sick all weekend. We went to the doctor Monday afternoon where we were informed that it was only a virus and should be just about done. Lovely. While I am very glad that my son is nearly better, it cost me $21.60 to be told what I pretty much already guessed.

Sunday night he felt well enough to soak in the tub. I got him set up with music in the background, toys, and a spa bubble maker, then I crossed the hallway to straighten my scrapbook area. Within a few minutes I heard, "Mom, look!" And this is what I saw:

Chloe in the tub with Ethan! I don't know which one was having more fun!

I've been having some great creative bouts lately. Last night I made a card for a contest. I'm not usually a card maker, so I felt that I needed to do something a little unusual with it. . . so I made it out of burlap! Then this morning, I cranked out a one page layout for another contest. Whoo, I love being productive!

This weekend, I'm heading out for a girls' weekend with some old friends of mine from nursing school. We're headed to San Marcos for the Creating Keepsakes Convention and for a little sight seeing. Looking so forward to it!