What have I been up to? --------------------> TWO NEW COMPANIES!!!

So, I have had a lot of readers emailing me and asking me if I am still alive and crafting! LOL!  Well, YES, I am!  I don't get to craft as often as I like, but that was the situation I knew was coming when all of my kids would be in school fulltime, during the day!

And with the onset of fulltime-first grade for my youngest this past fall, I took on a new business in direct sales with Scentsy!  I started my adventure on August 31st and have successfully achieved their goals they put in front of you in your first 70 days!  (Only 2% of consultants can say they have done this, so I am pretty proud of myself!)... anyhoo... if you want to read my story, you can read it on my website.  I haven't updated it in awhile, so just know that my team now consists of 9 or 10 gals now in four different states and my home smells just delicious!!  If you don't know what Scentsy is, basically they are a safe-alternative to candles!  Your home can smell yummy 24/7 and with the safety of NO FLAME!  These wax-warmers work with light bulbs, so there's no fear of fire!  Awesome, right?

CLICK: www.yougottahavescents.com

You can see the Warmer of the Month and the description of the Scent of the Month HERE at my website!  The warmer is perfect for those Mother's Day gifts and the scent, Cerise, is just light and sweet-smelling, like Cherry Blossoms in France!!  Plus, the best thing is that the specials each month have a 10% off Sale to them!  So take advantage of these beautiful items for your mom today!  (or if you want to really impress your mother-in-law, trust me, THIS WILL do it!

If you are looking for a side-income, then let me hook you up with trying out Scentsy without committing to the $99 joining fee!  Email me to learn how to do that, it's FREE and easy to try it, you will see!!!

WHAT is the 2nd company, you ask???

Well, in February, I joined another BRAND-SPANKING NEW direct sales company, called Jamberry Nails!  I love the opportunity that exists with Jamberry, it's about as ground floor as you can get and the company has doubled from 1K consultants to 2K consultants in the almost 8 weeks I have been a part of it! WOWSERS, right?  What I love about these, is that they are for any type of nail!  Even SHORT AND STUBBY ONES like mine!!!! 

CLICK: www.NailApparel.com

What makes Jamberry awesome is that they are heat-activated, vinyl nail shields that last FOREVER!!  I mean, like 2-3 weeks on your fingers and 4+ weeks on your toes!  You heat them with a hair dryer to apply them with a water-tight and water-resistant seal and then you have to heat them again to remove them!  They are top-notch, quality stuff, let me tell ya!!  Here are some samples....

To see how they apply, go to my blog and watch the video: HERE!  They really are awesome and the hottest trend in fashion!!  Be the first on your block to wear them and the FIRST in your CITY to sell them!  I had sick children for over a week and Spring Break with them home after that and still managed to make a good amount of money, so that should say something to ya!!  Read up on the company's opportunities and exciting latest nails on my blog today!  if you want to try a sample, just email me, they are free!!

CLICK: www.NailApparel.blogspot.com

If you are interested in selling Jamberry Nails, join my already growing team, be sure to see 'nailapparel' when you join, that's me!!  It's a great company, as is Scentsy!  Both are very moral and ethical and full of lovely ladies that want you to grow!  NO back-stabbing and things of the sort on my team or amongst my fellow teamies of my upline directors!  We are a good bunch!!

Let me know if you want more info on Scentsy or Jamberry Nails!  They are both just fabulous companies and I love being a part of both of them!  I work while the kids are in school and around their baseball practices and games, around doctor appointments and stuff of the sort.  It's awesome to still be a mom and work and make money!  I put my family first and make money in the process, it's wonderful!  Let me know if you want the same!  Nicole xo 812.630.1570 xo

The BEST BIRTHDAY EVAH with pictures!

Seriously, I just had the best birthday EVER and would just love to share it with you if you can tolerate a lot of jibber jabber!!!!!!!!  AND PLEASE, when you are done reading this entirely too long post, that you share your favorite birthday with me!!  I would love to hear it!

My hubby surprised me by taking the day off of work today and he even arranged a babysitter for our youngest, so we could spend the day together ALONE!  Maybe I should first clarify that we never ever ever spend time alone.  We live in a town where neither one of us has ANY family whatsoever.  I mean, like, NOT ONE.  So, we can't just drop the kids off at 'grandma's' and have a date night, you know what I mean?  And, we are both too tight to spend money on a babysitter to get some time alone.  But, after today, I think we might do it once a month, or every other month!  Because I honestly can not tell you how many times today that I have said, "This is the BEST BIRTHDAY EVAH!" and I am sure it has a lot to do with just being able to spend time alone and enjoy each other's company!!!! 

Wanna hear how the day has gone so far???

Let me first tell you that he let me sleep in!  YEP, he did kid/school duty!  That is not fun and not an easy task, let me tell ya.  Did I mention that we have ONE bathroom and three kids still at home?  7, 6, 4... and ONE bathroom, need I say more?  Besides KayLee not getting her teeth brushed, it went off without a hitch!
Scott took them to school, took Isaac to the babysitter and then took me away to Evansville, which is about an hour away.  First we hit Hobby Lobby!  I got tons of scrapbook papers by My Mind's Eye, some glitter brads, two embossing folders and two Copic markers!  {I didn't think it could get better!}  WELL, I was wrong!  He then took me to Dick Blick Art Supply!  I got 9, YES NINE, more Copics!!  WOOHOO!  I think they have ALL of the colors on display at their new store [insert giggle here]!  That was sooooooo awesome drooling over all the colors!! 

Once we finished there, we were getting pretty hungry, so we headed to my favorite restaurant EVAH, Rafferty's!  OH MY, their house salad is to die for and I had the prime rib with Au Jus!  OH MY GOSH, and I even added some Garlic Mashed potatoes! YUM!  We were going to have the cheesecake, but I just couldn't do it!  Scott had to finish my steak for me!  HA!

After we let our tummies settle, we headed for the mall!  Just Bath and Body Works, that's all we had time for since I spent too much time drooling over those Copics!  LOL!  I HAD to go to Bath & Body Works, you see, because I had a coupon for a free item, albeit a travel size!  I will take anything free!  Well, I ALSO had a 20% coupon off my entire purchase AND they were having a 'Buy 3, get 2 FREE' special, SO I TOTALLY indulged on that!  HEEHEE!  I got two of my favorite Velvet Tuberose Body Washes, another in Black Amethyst, a Black Amethyst Body Spray and a Black Raspberry Body Spray!! OH and my travel size item I got a new 'flavor' White Citrus body spray!!   OH MY GOSH, I forgot to tell you that I even bumped into two of my long time gal pals, Karen Skorge and Kiley Martin!  They were kidless today and decided to head to Evansville, too!!  So, it was great to see them and share my day with them and let my hubby soak in all the glory!  LOL!

Before we left Evansville, Honey, (if you don't know, I NEVER call Scott by his name.  I always call him Honey, or call him Daddy when talking in front of the kids) ....tried talking me into the Pie Company for a gourmet coffee and slice of dessert, but I was still so full so I refrained!  We had a nice hour drive home talking about 'us stuff', like our future plans and the possibility of us getting a larger home if we decide to stay in Jasper for more than five years.  After we got home, I retrieved the mail and had NO BILLS!  AND I got a card from one of my sister-in-laws, Jodi!  That was so supah sweet of her to remember me, especially since her birthday was five days ago and (although I didn't forget her birthday) I failed to send her a card!  I KNOW, I KNOW!  I am a cardmaker that forgets to send cards! 

I had 15 minutes to spare before the kids got off the bus and Honey went to get Isaac at the babysitter's, so I checked my email!  Well, it was just full of emails (some forwarded from Facebook) wishing me "Happy Birthday" from friends, design team gals and family!  Even my oldest son, Josh, who's in college told me he loved me!  That made me cry happy tears as he doesn't elaborate too often  how he feels, being of the male-gender and all! 

But wow, let me tell you that this is at the top of the charts as far as birthdays go!  I do not know of a happier day!  I feel loved, I feel appreciated, I feel like I did when I dated Scott, and that was the best time of my life!  I don't know what tonight holds for us, but I can't think of a better way of finishing it off than with some crafting!  I have a few orders that HAVE to be done tomorrow, so I will be working on those, and then after that I get to pack! 

Tomorrow, we are extending the birthday fun with a 12 hour Crop!  YEP, along with another 8 or so girls, I am headed to a Susan G Komen fundraiser CROP!  There are over $3,000 of prizes to be won!  I am taking my Copics and digis that are printed out on cardstock already and COLORING ALL DAY!!!! WOOHOOOO! 

AND as I write this at near half past four o'clock, my honey just told me that my birthday present didn't make it in the mail on time. He KNOWS how much I love Eddie Bauer jeans (they are the only jeans that fit nice on my baby-stretched body!) and he ordered me a gift card using our Visa reward points!  So, now I even have that coming!!!  Seriously!  I am in tears!  I just can't express how blesssed I feel today!

I am the first to admit that my life is NOT like this at all everyday.  Honey and I disagree, of course, and I am by no means a perfect wife, to say the least!  But for him to go and do all of this for me today after some of the stuff I have put him through, not only means so much to me, but amazes me as well!  Thank YOU, HONEY!!!  Well, thanks for letting me share my birthday with you!  I really just had to tell you guys what a wonderful day I have had and hope that this sweetness continues!!  And don't forget that I would love to hear your favorite birthday, too, if you would like to share it!

Hugs!

HAPPY 2010 ! ! ! !

Just a quickie POP IN to say Happy New Year! 

My parents are visiting for a Late Christmas/Early New Year and I haven't wanted to do much except spend time with them and the kids!  I thought I would post some pics of them opening their gifts!  Grammy and Grumpy also went in on the Wii this year, but wanted to give them something to open when they arrived a couple of days ago....

We have had a blast having Connect 4 Challenges! HA!  Operation is a hoot now!  There's MORE than just that nagging buzzer sound, so fun!!  Josh was camera-shy, but he was there accepting a monetary gift from my parents!

Here's me and my girl, KayLee, she's showing off her new robe!  She has been wanting a robe since her cousin got a robe LAST Christmas, so she's Ecstatic she got one finally!  AND a rainbow one at that!  Thanks, Grammy and Grumpy!

Even PEPSI, our so-called 45 lb. puppy got her own Christmas present (actually ordered it last summer, but my sister had been holding it for me since then!)  Pepsi LOVES her new Southern Living at Home pet bowl set.  This has been a blessing, let me tell ya!  She chews up the plastic ones if we leave them down, so this set she is really leaving alone!  AND I got it on a super sale clearance! WOOHOO!

Here's a pic of the view of our bedroom at Raccoon Lake (Indiana) where Scott's parents invited all of the entire family to stay for Christmas this year.  We were there for four days and three nights and there was more than enough room for our 10 adults, 3 teens and five little ones! SO MUCH FUN!  Thanks, PEG & JERRY!  My FAVORITE INLAWS! HAHA!

I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW!  You are just dieing laughing right now, aren't you!?  HAHA!  YEP, those Andersons... some funny family I married into huh? HAHA!  Thanks, Jodi (to the right of me in the red vest) for the awesome craft project!  We all had to make our own elf hat!  Notice my hat is a mistletoe hat so when I wear it, it is okay for my honey to kiss me! LOL! 

AND A HUGE SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY SISTER, KRIS, for giving me three awesome packs of Basic Grey Papers for Christmas! I AM IN LOVE with them and even made a card for tomorrow using the Perhaps set!  So come back tomorrow and see my newbie card! SEEYA!

Happy New Year!!

Ummm....

No card today, sorry.  I'm busy working ahead to have things ready for you to see over Thanksgiving so I don't have to 'work' over the holiday weekend!  SO, today is a personal post!  So, I might as well show you my Wonderwoman and my boys who were Transformers were Halloween!  Hope you enjoyed it!

Back tomorrow with something new!

Medical Update

This is mainly for family that lives far from us.... my surgery went fine today. If you want to catch up about this, CLICK HERE!

Actually the screw-removal went MORE than fine! I am walking without the boot already, cautiously, of course. AND I have only had to take a HALF of a pain med! I am already feeling 90% better than the last 8 weeks, let alone the last 6 months! So, those thoughts and prayers worked! Praise Jesus!

By looking at the 2" screws, it makes me wonder if they were just too big for my ankle and that was my problem with them protruding too far out the exit-side. Sorry for the visual there...

ANYHOO, I am WAY more positive in my attitude now and have a ZEST for life that I haven't felt in over 6 months since this began in April! Let's hear another "PRAISE JESUS"!

And to help you understand further, I even went downstairs a couple of time to get puppy food, do a load of laundry and THEN even went and took the not-so-small puppy out to potty; all this without discomfort! That tells ya I am on the mend, right?! I can't wait to get the okay to start exercising again, even if it is just 3 minutes a day of walking! I go back on the 12th for a check-up....

That's all for now! I will keep you updated about it here and there. THANKS to everyone for their emails, PM's and phonecalls, they are so appreciated right now, you have NO idea!

Check back around midnight for my new card using THE SWEET STOP's new sketch challenge! It is one you surely that will get you inspired, so you won't want to miss it! Check out the rest of my fellow designer's cards today, too, at The Sweet Stop! There's some great artwork there!

Have a super weekend!

KayLee's picture day 2009-2010

Just had to share my beautiful daughter with you guys! Even after she cut all of her hair off, SEE THIS POST HERE ABOUT THAT, her smile still shines and makes her prettier than ever! You may need to click on the second picture to see it, but her jeans have SPARKLES in them! So cute! I wish they could have gotten THAT into the picture!

While I love ALLLL of my four children, I am so glad that I got at least my one daughter. Although there is DAILY DRAMA, she really brings me so much love and sweetness. When I am sad, she pats my leg, when I am upset, she tells me it will be 'okay'. I am so blessed to have her.

Love you, KayLee Jeanne!

ONE DOWN, three to go....

Here's a pic of my JOSH. He and I are on the road as I type (I pre-scheduled this post!). One last trip up to Indianapolis to leave him up there for college at IUPUI (Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis). Classes don't start until next week, but he wanted to get familiar with the campus and hopefully make some friends and get settled a bit.

Hard to believe that my first born, who I have had with me HALF of my life (he's 19, I am 38) is going to be non-existant in our home. It is going to be very hard without him, to say the very least. Especially for me. Having an adult around this summer has been such a blessing for me. Someone to have ADULT conversations with, keeping me from being consumed by the Disney Channel or Spongebob and just simply helping me through these past couple of weeks since I got stuck on crutches. His endless days of vacuuming, doing the dishes for me and helping me feed the kids lunch are over; LUCKY HIM! LOL!

Poor PEPSI (our new puppy) is going to be LOST without Josh. With myself on crutches, the walks will now become extremely limited in length and few and far between! At least this is just temporary until my ankle heals!

I know Josh is VERY excited to leave the nest and feels he is going to do very well and succeed at IUPUI. He's turned into a fine young man and I can SO see him being a CEO some day like he aspires to do! IF you knew how smart he IS, it would amaze you!!

Well, wish HIM luck and say a prayer for ME that I make it through without sobbing all the way home! HAHA!

I am proud of you, my JOSHI!!

GO JAGUARS!

THE AFTER....

For those of you who are wanting to see the "AFTER" of the "BEFORE PIC" POST from yesterday, here you are!

She may look happy now, but let me tell ya, she nearly CRIED when she saw all of her hair cut off!

And, after all that, she gets a sucker!!!!

Miss Julie DOES have magic scissors and managed to cut off her mullet and make KayLee into a MINI-ME !!!! Well, she doesn't really look like me at all, she's the feminie-spitting-image of her father, but at least she has a short, cute hairstyle like mine!

At least for now.... until she cuts it again!

2 Days Prior to School-Self Inflicted HAIR CUT

What would you say if you came upon this sight in your bedroom hall?



Had a bit too much fun with the scissors and paper.....

Here Eli is helping me gather hair in KayLee's room..........
Notice the cut up paper in the background....
ALL collected in the bucket..............

Profile Mug Shot........

Where did the piggies go??

Lookin' a bit guilty..........

A bit embarrassed, too...........

Told KayLee that our hair dresser better have 'MAGIC SCISSORS'......

She promised to never cut out her side pig-tails again.......

Seeing the magician, Uh, I mean hairstylist tomorrow.....

WISH KAYLEE LUCK!

Guess What?

I had surgery on my ankle TODAY!

I went in for a second opinion on my ankle at noon and had surgery to put screws in my fractured ankle 2 hours later! Yep, that is right! A FULL ON FRACTURE that wasn't really correctly diagnosed by the last doctor. This doctor was so kind and understanding about the fact that my insurance was changing to a new company as of TOMORROW { AND not to mention the fact that I had been dealing with this since APRIL} that he put me in the operating room ASAP! Otherwise I would have had to come up with more money for the deductible and couldn't really afford to do that. So, basically it was NOW or NEVER!

Maybe that is why they call him DR. LOVE!! No, really, that IS his name! Dr. Michael LOVE! LOL!

I am in a lot of pain, but my awesome friend, Chas, is really helping me get through the fears and concerns I have right now! Sorry I didn't call and tell any of you (parents, sister, friends) in advance, but I didn't have time to!

Well, I am gonna get some sleep, I NEED IT! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the SheetLoad of Cards and Whimsie Doodles DEBUT Days!! These two companies that I am lucky enough to design for ROCK out the best sketches, the best digi's and the best creative inspiration! So, don't miss out!

Big Huge Hugs to you all, especially CHAS!!

My Weekend!!

Yes, I married the CUTEST guy with the BEST SMILE! Here's PROOF! LOL!

I am sure you all haven't been on the edge of your seats to know what I did this weekend, but I did tell you that I would have some pics to share! HEE HEE! Don't tell my hubby, but here he is in all of his YOUTHFUL SPLENDOR! HAHA!

We went to his 25 Year Class Reunion this weekend, and BOY how did I have fun! I was sincerely SHOCKED to see how much our Eli really does actually look like Scott. AND here all this time, I thought at least ONE of my four was favoring me instead of their dad! UGH! ;o)

Aren't those dimples to die for?? SO CUTE! Wait a minute, there's really only ONE dimple and that is what our Isaac has! WOW, so weird!

Above: Another Eli-looking pic of Scott in 9th grade.

Above: Here's where I really saw Eli in Scott, it is the cheeks and jaw line, and eyes. OK, well, the entire pic minus the blond!

Above: Here's Scott at 9 years old or so! HAHA! Isn't he just too cute with his JAWS shark from Jeff Kult's birthday party? HAHA!

Above: OH, and it has been confirmed that KayLee looks like him, too, since this could just be KayLee's birth pic instead of Scott's! THOSE EYES! AW!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed seeing Scott in his earlier years, I know I enjoyed snatching these for my blog! Now on to put them on FACEBOOK for the ultimate embarassement, uh, I mean, SHARING! HAHA!

See you all tomorrow!

Ankle Update

Well, I finally heard from the doctor about my ankle... YEP, a low-grade fracture. Uh, I guess I should have listened to the doctor when he told me that all I had left to do is a bone scan BACK IN APRIL!!!!!! I had a regular x-ray, but sometimes hair-line fractures don't show, and I guess this is true of low-grade fractures, too, unless this is the same as a hairline fracture. I don't know! LOL!

My stubbornness and my (shall we say) "money-conscious" hubby didn't make the decision to get the bone scan EARLIER easy. But, finally after nearly three months, I had had enough of limping when I walk and seeing my ankle swell up like a balloon!

According to my girlie, Kelly, she said that it mustn't be 'that' bad since they aren't concerned about getting me into the doctor right away. I don't even see the Orthopedic surgeon until WEDNESDAY! UGH! Here I finally go and try to take care of it and they put me off!!! It serves me right, though, doesn't it!? HAHA!

Thanks for all of the emails and comments of concern! Looks like I will live after all! HaHa!

Have a great Friday NIGHT!

Bone Scan

Happy THURSDAY!!

I am headed to the hospital to have a bone scan of my ankle done today. Back in early May I did something to my ankle {long story which would bore you} and after ruling out a blood clot a few weeks after that, I was told by the doctor that the last thing was to do a bone scan to look for a hairline fracture or who knows what!

So, I go in at 12:30pm to get some kind of nucular or nuclear or whatever medicine intravenously, then go home for three hours, then head back to get this 'special' xray done. I was told it is not all that bad, but just takes time. You know what happens if it is a fracture? Yeah, a fashionable LEG BOOT! I almost would rather have a plaster cast so I could get together with my friends and have everyone help me ALTER IT with scrapbook paper, ribbon and embellishments!! HAHA!

Wish me luck!

Wanna save some MOOLAH?!

Friday greeted me unkindly. I went to go plug in my cell phone which had a SLIVER of power left and well when I tried to start the charging process I noticed that it basically had NO PLUG. The darned, uh, the 'new' puppy found it and had chewed the end near OFF!

SO, off I went to shop for a new cellphone. I was out of contract so I knew I could get a new cellphone dirt-cheap compared to shoveling out money for another charger that I bet I wouldn't have been able to find since my phone was so old! LOL!

So, the comparative pricing begins..... First I went to AT&T.com, my carrier. SHOPPED for hours, but did find a few that I found really exciting! MP3, Digital Camera with 3.2 Megapixel, the works! After I took KayLee to dance class, Isaac and I went to Walmart to see what their local AT&T in-store site had to compare to. To my surprise I found the THREE phones I had narrowed my search down to (from AT&T.com's website) right there at Walmart! AND they were even CHEAPER! WOW!

SO, I go home... and got to thinking... walmart DOT COM!!!!!!! SO, I searched Walmart~online for their prices and found that they were even CHEAPER!!! OHMYGOSH! So get this! I got a $399.99 Blackberry Curve 8900 phone for ONLY.... are you ready? .... a $36 activation fee! THAT IS IT! The activation fee at AT&T would have been just $18, but the exact same phone at AT&T would have been $149 if I had bought it through them!!

So, let's do some math here.... $167 at AT&T.com or $36 at Walmart.com??? Hmm.... NO BRAINER!

ETA: Just saw on amazon.com this link HERE, which shows the same phone for $499.99!!! OMGosh!

You can also go to LetsTalk.com, and see nearly the same prices. I guess LetsTalk.com buddied up with Walmart.com to do a special promotion together, so I had to click a couple of boxes to 'okay' and 'approve' the fact that this was going through LetsTalk.com somehow, but I checked it out and all of the reviews were fine! OH, and if I had purchased this same phone through LetsTalk.com directly it would still have been less than AT&T at $100.00, but it was still higher than Walmart.com, GO FIGURE!

SO, all in all I ended up having an AWESOME day! I think saving over $350.00 on something that I use EVERY single day is a STEAL, don't you?? If you would like a $25.00 coupon to use towards a phone at LetsTalk.com, let me know and I will hook you up! I already sent out a few to my friends, but if you are wanting one, let me know with a comment on this post and I will get'r done ASAP!

I hope you had a wonderful day like I did and I hope your weekend is Da'BOMB!

Another MEME for you......& a BLOG CANDY WARNING

Got another meme for you..... play along if you like! Hook your answers back up to SUNDAY STEALING! WHY am I doing these MEME's?? Well, I want you to get to know me better! AND I HOPE that you will also do the MEME's so I can get to know YOU better, too!

A – An advantage you have – I have a way of remembering numbers: phone numbers, financial numbers, addresses..... it actually comes in handy! Oh, I am also good with a tape measure, I can design just about anything with my kitchen/cabinet designing background!

B – Blue or brown eyes – GREEN!

C – Chore you hate – putting away the laundry, kitchen floor

D – Dad’s name – Donald

E – Essential start of your day – Shower, Teeth brushing and Coffee

F – Favorite color – PINK (yellow is second)

G – Greatest thing you’ve ever done that made you feel really good – waiting until the wedding night to consummate my 2nd marriage! Awesome things do happen to those who wait!

H – Habit you have – Good habit: Hoarding Ribbon; Bad habit: Hoarding Ribbon

I – Issue you hate that the world tries to make you pursue – Being SKINNY

J – Job title – Freelance Artist and Artisan Jewelry Designer

K – Kohls or Target – Target

L – Living arrangements – streamlined, simple, Shaker

M – Music you like – 80's, Top 40, Alternative

N - Nicknames – Niki

O – Overnight hospital stay – four births

P – Pet Peeve – Copycats & Liars

Q – Quote that you like most – Never Explain, Your Friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe it anyway!

R – Right or left handed – Right

S – Siblings – one sister, HEY KRIS!!

T – Time you wake up – during the school year: 5:30am; Summer: whenever!

U – Underwear – I would hope so! Lacy!

V – Vegetable you dislike – I think I like them all, even okra!

W – What makes you run late – the crazies (my kids)!

X – X-rays you’ve had – Chest, foot

Y – Yummy food you make – Cheesecake

Z – Zoo animal – Oh, those crazy monkeys!!

Comment on this post with your link, if you decide to play along!

Check back for another BLOG CANDY!

A little meme for you....

I saw this at GLITTERBABE GREETINGS who saw this at HOOTIN' ANNI'S who saw it at SUNDAY STEALING. For clarification of what this really is go there. Of course you are supposed to hook this up to me first and then all the way back to SUNDAY STEALING, but if you decide to play just link up SUNDAY STEALING, it's okay, I won't be mad!!

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss... was to thank me for making cookies, from my 4 year old this morning after lunch.

2. I am listening to... HGTV, what else? Oh, and Pepsi snoring, what else?

3. I talk... fast.

4. I love... being artsy fartsy, and not stressed out! Oh, yeah, and my hubby, at least most of the time! LOL!

5. My best friend/s... have disappeared over the last few days, not sure where anyone is or what they are up to. Hope everyone is okay!

6. My first real kiss... I regret. I wish I had waited for someone that I really loved instead of just giving in to curiosity.

7. Love is... wonderful with the right person

8. Marriage is... wonderful with the right person

9. Somewhere, someone is thinking... where can I find an awesome custom jewelry designer? oh, yeah, in Jasper, Indiana! HAHA!

10. I'll always... love chocolate, raspberries, cheesecake......... OH, and of course my kids, LOL!

11. The last time I really cried was because... of the same reason I had cried before really hard. Same Ol' Same Ol'....

12. My cell phone... is old and boring, I need a new one with internet hookup like my cool friends have!

13. When I wake up in the morning... I take Pepsi for a walk {and then drink a lot of coffee}

14. Before I go to bed... I take Pepsi for a walk! {and then say my prayers}

15. Right now I am thinking about... taking Pepsi for a walk! JK! I am thinking a day of crafting would be nice, but since it is Father's Day I doubt that will happen!

16. Babies are... overrated. The poo-ing, the slobbering, the waking all night... {Can you tell I am finished having kids?}

17. I get on Myspace... never, FaceBook, when I want to check in with distant family and local friends.

18. Yesterday I... said goodbye to my minister after a 21 year reign in the pulpit. I have known him since 1988 when I was 17..., yeah, so what you can add! I know I am 38, Thanks!

19. Tomorrow I will be... taking Josh to IUPUI for freshman orientation/registration....sniff sniff...

19b. Today I will be... glad to see Josh home safe from Dallas and then working on earbling!

20. I really want to be... able to get into a bathing suit without embarrassment. I know that sounds shallow, but three kids in three years does a chore on a body that is older. Can anyone say NO ELASTICITY..... Talk about a sharpei puppy.... need I say more?

Well, that was fun! Hope you learned a bit more about me that you wanted (but probably didn't NEED, LOL) to know! Hope you play along!

Have a great Monday!

Pepsi Update

Well, Miss Pepsi is doing well! She's made herself right at home, obviously. She is so funny! SHE SNORES! I KNOW! Isnt' that hilarious?? I guess that way I know when she is really sleeping and not just laying down! HA!

See ya soon!

Today's Riley Appt. SEMI-Conclusion

FIRST...... I need to SHOUT OUT to my oldest, JOSH, who flew to Dallas, Texas, today! He is participating in the Business Professionals of America NATIONAL COMPETITION this week! GOOD LUCK, JOSHI!!

Scroll down for info on today's appointment at Riley for Eli......

ABOVE:
Josh always goes with me to take the 'crazies' to 9am kickball...... I snuck this pic of him last week......

ABOVE:
Here are the 'crazies' playing Rock, Paper, Scissors while waiting for the doctor to see Eli..........

ABOVE:
KayLee was laughing at her reflection at the examining table...........

ABOVE:

The 'crazies' decided to hide from the doctor behind an examining table, in a corner.... Funny thing to see all THREE of them able to fit in a small space of about 10 cubic feet!

ABOVE: Hamming it up for the camera and getting stir crazy waiting for the doctor!

UPDATE: As expected, Eli had a bone age test (xray of wrist/hand) and had blood drawn. Our diagnostic pediatric doctor we were told to see attempted to have us take Eli to see an endocrinologist after her initial assessment, but the scheduling didn't work out. So, we will be having to do that in 4-6 weeks.

In her opinion, after (A)reviewing the heights of my and Scott's family members, (B)understanding Josh's past history of having taken growth hormone shots three times a week for an entire year, resulting in 1/2" of growth, (C)finding out that Scott didn't grow until after high school, and (D)that he was shorter than his three younger sisters until jr/sr high, she's not concerned at all about Eli's stature. OH, and (E) seeing that he is very active in sports (wrestling, basketball, baseball) and keeping up with his age group and also the fact that he is sharp witted and intelligent, she is not expecting a low or non-active thyroid issue. I didn't know this, but she said that a child that has an abnormal functioning thyroid usually shows a lethargic personality and slower ability in learning... well, that is NOT our Eli with all A's and sports-oriented!

Of course we are still going to check out the thyroid and blood-work, just to rule out any other medical issues. But over all, she anticipates hearing a clear result of the tests! SO, that is the update on Eli who is 7 and has the stature of the average 4 1/2-5 year old! - OH, and she did mention that KayLee and Isaac were smaller, too, and after seeing that, she just is determining that our combined family genes are shrinking the kids, LOL! NAH, she didn't really SAY that, but that is what she meant. Dr. S was awesome and we are supah grateful we got a doctor that actually did listen to US, our family HISTORY, and Josh's medical ISSUES, too.

SEE Y'all TOMORROW!!

I have a card for ya!

bummed

That is all I can say.

I can't sleep. I am sure that it has NOTHING to do with the fact that I had a two-plus hour nap this evening from 7-9pm (LOL!), but you never know!

I wasn't going to say anything, but really I am bummed because I didn't get a phone call today that I was hoping to get. I applied for a design-team a few weeks back and since the new designers will be announced today, I am guessing I wasn't picked. Sigh. I know I could have just kept quiet and not let you all know how I was 'not picked', but you know me. I don't sugar-coat things well. I wear my heart on my sleeve too obviously sometimes, I should probably work on that.

I was really hoping and praying to be a part of this team, too. For many reasons, almost too numerous to mention, really. But that is okay. I am guessing that 'why' it didn't work out is what is best for what HE has planned for me; whatever that may be!

I just had to share and get it off my chest so that I could go to sleep. This would have been my FINAL design team that I was allowing myself to be a part of. I know I am a busy woman, wife, mother, sister and friend, but this team would have been such an honor and such a blessing for me in so many ways.

Oh, well. Maybe I will try again when there is another call from them. It makes me wonder what I need to do 'until then' to make it the next time. Change my style? Add MORE ribbon? Use LESS layers? GASP!! SURELY NOT! LOL!

Well, like I said, I am sure that God has a reason for it. AND if the reason IS for me to work on tweaking my style, so be it, I can do that! If it IS to give me more free time, since it is summer, I am cool with that, too. I just really had all of my fingers, toes and other extremities crossed for this one.

{Note to Bev and Alicia: I will tell you both who it was for, in a separate email soon, just so you know why I am going on and on and on about this, OK? Please don't think that I do not appreciate being a part of your teams!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS and am so grateful to you BOTH!!}

Ok, I feel better now! Thanks for listening everyone, I am gonna hit the sack and wake up happier because I know you all were here for me! LOL!! Hugs to you all and blessings on your day that the Lord has made just perfect for you!!

Christian Paper Crafts Magazine Sneaky Peek!

SORRY, BUT I just HAD to post another sneak peak of a card that I made for Christian Paper Crafts Magazine's DEBUT FALL ISSUE! I know that you all say that you can't stand sneak-peeks because it leaves you wanting to see more, but this card is my favorite! The papers and colors are just gorgeous and the stampset is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! I just can't wait to see this magazine in my hands so that I can share with you all of the details of my cards as well as show all of the other items that have been created by the design team (ANGELLA, JANETTE, DANIELLE, and TAYLOR) of Christian Paper Crafts Mag, for this first issue!! But until then, this will have to do!

{Did I mention that I am the featured Designer for the first issue, too? WOW! It is such an honor to be asked! THANKS, CINDY!!}

Well, I think that is enough torture for now!

BY the way, tomorrow at church, Josh is getting honored for graduating from High School last week. Seriously, it is hard to believe he has been finished with High School for an entire week already! I guess I should also add that it only took him 7 days UPON graduating to get his FIRST motorcycle! YEP, today he got it. I guess I couldn't push it off any longer. He HAS been motorcycle-endorsed for two years now AND is 19 AND is finished with high school. GOOD-BYE to the BOY, HELLO to the MAN! LOL! {Congrats, JOSH!}

Happy SUNDAY, tomorrow!

Enjoy the day HE has made just for you!