Happy Mother's Day to All

So, how does my miniature family celebrate Mother's Day, you ask? Well, that's simple. The girls play with their cousins while their Aunt Krissy and I whine and complain about NOT getting a new Coach (purse). Well, the weather was nice and we were outside lots...without our new purses, but, hey- we did get the most wonderful little "Mom" key chains that Ashli and Jessi made at school. I was also given a delicious bag of tea, and a TON of very sweet letters and such that Lexi wrote about me. In them she stated that her favorite things about me are that I make her meals and take her to Park Meadows (our mall). Oh, and she also thinks it's funny when I "talk to Diesel". Gosh, I hope she doesn't hear what I am REALLY saying when he eats my sunglasses and remotes!!! Brett was in New Mexico, so it was a very uneventful holiday...I think I even picked up dog puke twice. We ended the day at WalMart where I had to console my oldest, and teach her a small life lesson. WalMart isn't exactly the place I would choose to share such times with my girls, but that's where we were when I had to explain why they weren't invited to a family gathering. Even though I didn't have the answer, I DID explain to my girls that no matter what they were excluded from, they would always-no matter what- have a place at home, with me. The afternoon started out rough, but ended pretty sweet with a few bedtime stories and prayers. Just the three of us. I couldn't ask for more. OK, maybe a Coach........

Happy Birthday, Monster!!!

We celebrated Jessica's fifth birthday with a small party of friends, neighbors, and family. She was so excited to pick out her very own cake a couple of days before. No surprise that it was a Barbie "Island Princess" cake, but that is all she wanted. Then I had to go and ruin it by forcing the girl in the bakery to write "Happy Birthday Monster" on it. But, that has been her nickname since she was born...because she was such a wonderful baby. Well, now I think we have jinxed ourselves because that is exactly what she is becoming!!! Anyway, here are a couple of snapshots from her little gathering. Notice the frosting on the faces?? Yeah, that's a new tradition in our family. I don't know where in the heck THAT came from!! Hmmm.......

It's Been Too Long!

After seeing all of these wonderful layouts from others, I decided to open up my HUGE digi file and start scrapping!! No more shopping, just scrapping...for now, anyway. No more "collecting", just using! So, here's a quick page I did using the ever so talented, Jen Ulasiewicz's QP. I know it's just a QP, but, OMG! Look at it! Her stuff is breathtaking!!! I think I own her entire site, now. This picture of Lex and Jess is over a year old...I know that because it was taken with my point-and-shoot, Kodak. Thank God for QPs!!!!

Many Thanks to Helen!!!!!!!

So, this morning I opened up an email from Helen, and I was so surprised to see this BEAUTIFUL gift from her!!! OK, it took me some time to figure out what the heck she was talking about...she said something like "my best picture ever" and she "couldn't resist". I didn't see the layout until AFTER I searched other emails and her blog, trying to make sense of her message. But, when I finally used my brain and saw this amazing page, I was speechless!!!!! I just love what she did with this amateur picture I took of Lex yesterday, after her haircut!!!! I think I am going to recruit Helen to finish my pages for me. See, it takes me a year- at least- to get around to scrap a picture. But, it takes Helen....who lives in AUSTRALIA.....minutes to scrap my pictures- from the very same day!!!!! Helen, you are hired!!!!!! HUGE hugs to you!!!! Mwa!!!! Thanks so much!!!!! Lexi and I love it!!!!!

Girl's Day

Lexi has been bugging me for almost a year now to get her hair cut "short". Since the first day of Kindergarten, she has mentioned cutting her hair like Grace's. So, I finally gave in. And, since Jannes and Jess needed trims too, we decided to make a day of it. The girls asked me to take a before and after picture of their new looks, and I obliged....gee, what a surprise. Lex and Jannes opted for shorter, classic bobs, while Jess told the girl at the kid's salon to cut her hair "long"!! That's Jess. I just love Lexi's new look- it's totally her!! And, she looks so darn cute too!!! I can't believe it took me so long to let her do this, but that's me. Anyway, this is for you, Grandma and Aunt Gina...hope you guys like it!! Lexi sure does!!

First Attempt at a Collage!

Well, Helen is bothering me again. It seems that my slide show of digi layouts was not enough to pacify a pestering Aussie. So, as per her request, here is a digital layout- posted individually! Dang! This is actually a two page layout that I completed for a circle journal, and I really like how it turned out. The theme of this journal was "Simple Pleasures". I have never, ever tried a collage before, but I do love them. This is definitely NOT an artistic collage like those of my mentor monkey...aka SR...aka....Lizzy. But, here you go, HELEN!

Digital Layouts