Dooms Day

No. I'm not talking about some political rant about how I think North Korea is fixing to give us a dooms day. It is grocery day! YIKES!!! Not only will I spend most of the day out from store to store in order to get the most for my dollar, but I will have no dollar when I get home!!! Our state has cut teachers pay and we lost a whopping $200!!! That is 2 WEEKS worth of groceries! I have 4 boys to feed and it's almost summer break!!!!

I know God will supply our every need. I don't doubt it at all, but sometimes my flesh thinks it has to run the show.

So, with all that being said... I got crafty.

We've been trying to spruce up the house, but we are on the tightest budget ever so here's how I added a pop of color and homeyness to our dining area.

We will paint the walls (eventually) some kind of taupe or brown and then the walls and decor will match the curtain that I made a couple of months ago. Whatcha think???

Post Reunion News

This was, by far, the best reunion yet!! There were new babies, new pregnancies, new proposals, new friends. It was a blast!!

There are tons of pictures, but I thought I would share a few.

This is Chyenne. I used to keep her and she followed me all day, which I loved! I've promised her that she could stay with us some this summer. She's very excited about it!

Probably my biggest surprise was seeing my ex-aunt. She was my very best friend, but when she and my uncle split, I never saw her again. She's awesome! We've exchanged emails and I can't wait to catch up with her. I've really missed her!

This is her son and his girlfriend. Somebody please tell that boy he's not old enough to date. It seems like yesterday he was still running around in diapers.

And here are the infamous twins! We always get a picture of the four of them when they are together.

It was a wonderful weekend. I'm still giddy over the fun we had.
Now I'm off to bury my nose in my editing software again. There is no end in sight!!!

Weekend Time!!!

Yea!! It's finally the weekend!! We have big plans for this long Memorial Day weekend. My Mom's, Mom's entire family gets together every Memorial Day weekend and this year everyone is gathering at Mom's house. She had people flying in yesterday, there are a few driving in today, and tomorrow is the annual barbecuing of the pig. Man! It don't get much better!!

I love my God. I love my life. I love my country (even though I strongly disagree with the direction we are headed). I'm so thankful to all those who have fought to keep us safe and free (including my FIL).

Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying the freedoms that we often take forgranted.

It's a pretty awesome life we have. Simple, but fantastic!

On the Unity blog yesterday, one of the challenges was to make a card or O with stars. Here's mine.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!

I love Cosmo Cricket!!

I just simply adore them!!! They have awesome giveaways and their blog ROCKS!

With that being said, Scrapbook.com is having a contest featuring a HUGE CC giveaway. I think they do it every month, but this is the first time I've tried for it. I looked over the competition and let me just say, it is fierce! I really don't think I have a chance, but Early Bird is part of the prize and I really really really want that kit! I'm not sure how they chose because they say something about voting for your fave five. If that's the case, please feel free to go vote for me! LOL!

Anyhoo, I was totally felling the pressure because these girls are spectacular so here are my 2 layouts.

I liked this one, but I didn't think it met the 95% CC criteria.

I really love the way this one turned out and I'm certain it meets the criteria, but I still doubt it's good enough to win.

What do you think?? I could really use some ego pumping comments! LOL!!

Love the sketches!!!

I absolutely love sketches!! They are a useful tool that help me knock out several pages in a short period of time and who doesn't need to that!! There are so many places to find sketches. A lot of people use Page Maps, but did you know you can also find sketches at Scrapbooks etc., and Creating Keepsakes site. I found some fantastic sketches on http://scrapsketches.blogspot.com/

http://www.tessategendraads.nl/skecthes.htm

http://cis-stylish-sketches.blogspot.com/

But by far my favorite sketch blog is 52 Weeks, 52 Sketches.

They do a weekly random drawing for a nice prize. Everyone loves a chance to win free scrap stuff... right?!!!?

Here is a layout I did using 52 sketches.

3 WEEKS & 5 DAYS!!!!

Only 3 weeks and 5 days til my big boys are home for the summer!!! I can't wait!!! I know. Most people dread this time of year, but since the twins started school, it seems we have no time together. They will be teens soon and I want to know these boys as well as I can before that hits.

Here's a project I did for Scrap My Memories. I made this cute little book of colors for Baby and to my surprise and pleasure... he loved it!!

Every page has 2 barn doors that open to show some random object in a specific color. It was a blast to make.

I saw these ring covers in an Etsy store. They were WAY too expensive for me so I made my own.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Country Mouse

Do you remember the story... City Mouse, Country Mouse? At the early age of 4, I knew I was a country mouse. Why?

1. I love the outdoors.

2. I LOVE playing in the dirt, especially the mud after it rains!!

3. I hate when people are watching me.

4. I love long walks with no fear of being mugged or ran over.

5. I love going to bed to the sound of frogs.

6. I love the smell after it rains.

I could go on and on about everything I love about the country. My boys could too!!!

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Here's me and my Mom

I love her so much, but I think I'm adopted! LOL! Really. I don't think I look anything like my Mom. What do you think? (I look like my Dad if you were wondering).

And here are the precious one's that call me Mom.

I am truly blessed!!

WARNING: Severe Venting Alert

Have you ever had one of those days??? Well, we had one of those days that turned into one of those weeks that has turned into one of those months!!

Story 1

One of my hubby's co workers did something at school that you aren't suppose to do. It was nothing disgusting or illegal. Honestly, we don't even think it's that bad. So, he admitted to it from the beginning. Well, my hubby was called into the office and is being blamed for the WHOLE THING!!!!! My hubby is getting "a letter" stating he used bad judgement while the co worker is having NOTHING done!!!! My hubby had NOTHING to do with the entire thing, but it all happened behind his shop so he's taking the fall for it ALL!! The coworker has not been reprimanded or anything and to make matters worse.... the coworker is my hubby's very best friend. Everyone at work is upset and the coworker feels awful.

Story 2

I am very sensitive. I mean, I've been known to cry over cartoons. My heart gets broken easily and so for this reason, I don't let many people near me. Well, recently I was pretty much chewed out... no, I was chewed out for something and I had NO idea I was doing anything wrong! Apparently, I made someone feel as though I were taking advantage of them. I never meant to, I certainly didn't know they felt that way and I feel just awful about the whole thing. I HATE getting fussed at especially when I have no idea I've done something wrong.

Story 3

Do I really need a story 3???

Wesley and I have retreated. We are clinging tightly to our family and our God. For now, we just can't get past the hurt we feel. Between the realities of life and the extra drama we've experienced we just want to get away. Hurry summer vacation!!!!!!!

On a brighter side, I've done lots of scrapping! It's great therapy when life gets to be tough.

Please pray for us. That our hearts will heal, our true friendships will stay strong, and that our faith in the One True God will grow because I think this is only the beginning of this journey.