Remembering my new baby Isaac

My baby is THREE! Hummmm.... kinda depressing! Of course this is nothing compared to next month when Josh turns 18! OH GOLLY, will I be feeling old! It is so funny to think that when Eli (who will turn six this coming Saturday) turned three years old, I had an almost 15 year old, a 23 month old, and a 5 day old baby newborn!

I am not surprised that I don't remember anything of that time back then. The body has a funny way of forgetting traumatic events so you don't suffer longterm anxiety about things, I guess. Isaac is a miracle baby. Literally born gray and blue, still as the night. It took the doctors 45 minutes to get him to breathe. But they didn't give up. We were very lucky. Lucky that he finally did come to life. Lucky that he eventually began to nurse. And very lucky that he didn't have permanent brain damage. There is now nothing wrong with him at all; and from what the doctor said, "I thought you would have a very very sick baby for a very very long time", he meant permanent brain damage where he would have ended up living basically as a vegetable for the rest of his life.

Thinking back 36 months ago to this moment, where he had been ambulanced over an hour away to another hospital, having only touched his hand before they took him away makes me remember how precious he is and how grateful I am to be his mommy. Sure, he drives me nuts with his obstinate ways, but he sure knows how to soften the edges with that huge grin and delightful giggle of his! Happy Birthday, Isaac! I love you more and more each and every day!

Gonna Make him Smart!

WhizKid, by VTech, is a learning system that you can use alone or connected to your computer! You can buy separate cartridges/DVD sets for it at different age/grade levels. Eli is getting the Scooby Doo set on Saturday for his birthday and KayLee has two coming for her birthday in May with Dora the Explorer and the Disney Princess' sets! It has learning activities for reading, math, letters, shapes, science and even music! So, I guess I know what this laptop will be doing tomorrow! Isaac got the WhizKid system and the Thomas the Tank cartridge PreK set, too! Can you tell he is happy about it?

VSmile GAMES!

Isaac played 'Go, Diego, Go' VSmile game all day today. My parents, Grammy and Grumpy (YES, he wanted to be called GRUMPY!) gave Isaac that one and this one below, the Backyardigans game. YEP, this was the last thing we had to yank out of his hands before he went to bed! He was comforted knowing that the VSmile was going on the charger to be fully charged for the morning!

Cleaning Rampage

I have been cleaning like a mad woman. There is only so much I can take, and a nasty refrigerator is NOT one of them. I went through all of the condiments and found some dressing and cocktail sauce that had expired a looooooooong time ago. SO long that I won't even tell you the expiration date. YEP, THAT long ago!!!

I have a glass top stove and decided to get the special cleaner out that actually DOES get off the burnt on food. It took me three times, but 95% came off. So, it is all sparkly pretty now!

Mopping the kitchen floor is always fun since it is so big and I do it on my hands and knees. But it HAD to be done. I think I had a mini-snack ready from just sweeping up the crumbs before washing it down with the cleanser! The trash has been taken out again (filled with expired refrigerator items) and tons of used paper towels.

I went ahead and made the new italian spaghetti sauce for tonight's supper. Now all I have to do it cook the noodles. Scott can do that while I wrap Isaac's presents for him just to tear open 5 minutes later! I went to kraft.com and found a recipe for a 'healthy' spaghetti. It tastes pretty good from what I can tell without the pasta. I made a double batch so Scott could have some for lunch later this week. He usually takes his lunch since he says I cook way better than any restaurant there in Evansville. I think he is just wanting to save money by NOT eating out and is giving me a compliment in the process!

Well, I am off to go get Isaac's birthday cake. He chose Blue's Clue's yesterday at the store, so I need to go get it and some ice cream as well. I hope I don't forget the candles! I gave Isaac a birthday present early this morning to appease him until the tonight when he will get the rest of his presents. He has been playing with his Go, Diego, Go! Vsmile game ALL day! Well, not ALL day, KayLee is lucky she has a brother who is nice enough to share, even on his birthday with HIS birthday present... so KayLee has had it some too. That must be the reason why I got so much done today! I was wondering HOW I was so productive, a new toy! Hmm... I may need to stretch out those birthday presents ALL week! HA HA!

Later, Gators!

Sweet Sorrow

My excitement quickly turned to sorrow when I opened my newest package of lampwork beads! Look at my poor little babies! All shattered and unusable... well, just the three periwinkle ones. Not to worry, they will be replaced, no biggie. Lampwork artists know how stringers on the outside will just flake off if the temperature isn't just hot enough on the outside for them to adhere for a lifetime. Donna admitted she probably had the temperature off just a touch.... She's SUPAH and is willing to make those again, or another, I just have to let her know! Don't cha just love the aqua ones with orange dots around the outside? WOO HOO these babies rock!

Monday is...

ISAAC's Birthday!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Just left......

...Yeah, he just left the home show to head home and he is an hour away. UGH. It is 9:41pm and I have not been able to return to the hobby room since the last post. I had to do dinner, clean up, get the kids ready for bed, get them IN bed (that is a whole other feat), KEEP them in bed (AGAIN a whole other feat!)... I returned some emails, put on my jammies and am going to HAVE to go to catch some Z's! I am spent!

I will post some more goodies tomorrow!

NIGHTY NIGHT,

as my friend, Robyn, would say!

Caught the Bug...

NO, not the bad one, the CREATIVE ONE! YEAH! I am headed to the hobby room, check back to see what I whip up today! Enjoy the sun! Soak it in!!!!!!!!

Those were the days!

Aren't you glad these days are behind us!?! Look at TRUE info about this pic HERE!

FIRE RAINBOW!

Learn about this HERE! I found this just so beautiful!

Worn Out

I told you that he ran around like a madman in the last post.... Look at Eli.... Falling asleep at the table at snacktime tonight. The time is wrong on my camera, it was really 8pm when this was taken (I need to figure out how to change that time!). He was fighting so hard from going to bed, claiming that he wasn't tired! HA HA HA! He probably laid his head down to watch tv while eating his snack and fell asleep! Ain't he so cute, looking all serious during his dream? I will be back tomorrow with a newbie that will be your next "have to HAVE" item!!!!! LATER!

What a Day!

From one kid to another, someone always seems to be ill. Either Josh has a migraine, or someone falls out of the play mustang car and gets a head injury.... KayLee is fine now, no more flu bug for her, but now Isaac went to the clinic today with a 103 fever and has strep! Eli had strep with a strep RASH just a couple of weeks ago, so I should have expected it, but honestly I forgot all about it! There always seems to be someone 'out of sorts' as Mary Poppins would say!

Today was a crazy day. Days with Scott missing are always crazy. Scott has been working a home show in Evansville where his company/office is based. He is a sales Rep for Indiana Wholesalers and sells building materials, including Marvin Windows, doors, trim, flag poles, attic staircase pull downs, you know stuff you need to build a house. Well, I guess you don't need a flag pole to build a house, but you know what I mean! HA HA! Scott will be missing tomorrow as well, so I am anticipating another crazy day with the kids.

On a happy note, today was seriously BEAUTIFUL! It was the first day the kids (minus Isaac since he was resting in bed with his sippycup in hand) got to play outside without coats on. I still made Eli wear his denim jacket since he had short sleeves on, but KayLee went outside with a sweatshirt, fleece dress pullover and tights! She was so happy and ran like she was so "FREE"! She came up to me and hugged my leg and said, "Mommy, I love it today outside!". What a sweetie, she is such a loving child and is so beautiful within, too.

As for Eli, he ran around crazy, drove his mustang like a mad man, which reminds me that I need to go swipe out the battery and recharge it overnight tonight... he then went over to our neighbors house with Zach, another kindergartener his age. I love Zach. He comes over to the front porch where my craft room is... he just stands there until I notice him. He doesn't knock on the window. Or the front door. Just watches me patiently until I get done with what I am doing, to only then wait until I come to the door and get Eli for him. He is seriously a sweet kid. I am glad he is our neighbor for my Eli. I hope KayLee dates him someday, they would make a cute couple! HEE HEE!

The newest order came today. If only Scott wouldn't be gone tomorrow I would be making some really cool items tomorrow. I guess they will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon and next week to get some newbies posted! OH, and Ms. K from Florida loved her illusion bracelet, so I guess I should post "SOLD!" by it! I think I might just make a couple of those now and then as I have had sooo many compliments on it! Since Ms. K is in Florida, I wore it to the store today and back home, just to be sure it wears okay and doesn't fall apart for some odd reason! It is such a great bracelet and I had FOUR people comment on it! Gave them my card and invited them to join the blog, too, of course! Everything is fine with the bracelet! I love it actually and think I might just have to order some more of those beads and make myself one!

I am going to go for now, but will try to show you something new tomorrow!

HUGE HOOSIER HUGS!

Working on Orders!

HEY HO! I have been working on orders today, trying to get ahead of the game. I am expecting an order of crystals and sterling to come in tomorrow via Fed Ex. I get so excited when I see that big boxey truck, ha ha! I would post what I was working on today, but I can't. These are some items that are gifts for some locals; could they be for you???

There is also another store interested in seeing some of my goodies, so I am going to stop over there tomorrow and see what their contract contains pertaining to sales commissions, minimums, etc. I am just excited to find out that another boutique is interested in my items, that is so neat!

I have also been asked to be a guest 'teacher/educator' at a library a couple of counties over for their children's summer program. I am not sure exactly what it all involves, but I think I will be teaching an art class to preschool to 6th graders, as well as sharing a book pertaining to art. I just came across the absolute perfect book about 'painting' to read to the children as well! So, I hope our dates pan out so I can share this wonderful book with the children, as well as share an art project with them!

JCAC also is inquiring about some summer preschool classes. I would be teaching every day for an entire week, possibly two weeks. So, depending on those dates and requirements, I might be doing those, too! I love the art classes, they ARE so much fun!

That is enough for now! I just got the kids to bed a bit ago and Josh is gone at a WildLife/YoungLife meeting, and Scott should be home soon from his home show. I think I will go shower and relax for 10 minutes in the hot steam and lather on some Bath and Body Works shower cream, gotta love that stuff! My favorite is Velvet Tuberose. OH MAN! YUM-MY!

Blessings on your Evening!

April is Madness...

NOT MARCH! I am still under the weather. KayLee is better, though. I am too pooped to poop and know that even more beads are on their way for another order for Ms. K, in Florida! GAK! These days and nights are running into each other!

I have the illusion bracelet designed up and just three crimps left to finsh it. I just couldn't get to the beading table today! There's just always something to do when the kids are home! I am down to just a couple of keychains... sold another one today to Ms. C in Ireland! THANKS! Guess I should make a couple more of those before Mother's Day! They are a perfect gift! ALSO Secretaries Day is April 22nd, in case you need another excuse to buy yourself something (if your boss is a butt and doesn't appreciate all you do to give you his own gift)! Ha Ha!

Hope your evening was fun like mine, see you tomorrow with the illusion bracelet, it is gorgeous with all shades of the rainbow! You'll love it!

Exhaustion is Catching UP!

WOW, I am behind in my posting, ain't I?!? My apologies about that! I ended up at BIG O TIRE this morning with an almost dead battery, which threw me an hour off course by 9:30am! I cleaned like a mad woman (never did get those sheets washed for my bed, which is still naked at this point) for just over an hour and picked up the kids from Geri's. We went home with McDonald's Happy Meals and I took advantage of some down time during the BackYardIgans. One of my newbie customers came over to pick up a bracelet (and was pleased with her lentils) and I got to work finishing the illusion bracelet for Ms. K in Florida. IT IS SWEET! I ran out of daylight, so I will post that one tomorrow after I take some pics of it in the sun.

While beading today I watched 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Have you seen this movie? I was kinda bummed, to be honest. I bet that is why it didn't do better in the Box Office. It is SUPAH cute, really. But it still leaves ya feeling kind of sad and pitiful, in my opinion. Anyhoo...

After I picked up Eli at school, we went to the bank and then grocery shopping. Have you EVER gone shopping with a 5, 4 and 2 year old at the same time? Yeah, it was lovely. Wore me out in 45 minutes flat. I came home, helped Eli with homework, cleaned up a bit, and by then it was supper time. YES, the day went by fast!

I am headed to watch FlightPlan next with Jodi Foster, I like her movies usually, so I hope I am not disappointed.

Hope you have a great evening

and

a WONDERFUL day tomorrow!

Fairytale for BOTH!

I love this paper by Stampin' UP! Soft Sky is a very popular color from what I can tell on other people's blogs. I never would have put Chocolate Chip with it until I saw it in this patterned paper. I think this is the PERFECT anniversary card, wedding card, or engagement card. It is still feminine with the touch of red hearts and organza ribbon, but still masculine with the brown color and striped paper. Not bad! I have two cousins (one male, one female and NOT to each other, that would be gross! ha ha!) getting married this summer, so I might just have to put two of these aside for them! Congrats, David and Jodi!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

When I make 'Thank You' cards I always think of all of the people I should be sending them to! Kind of makes me depressed because I then realize exactly how much I haven't been saying it! This can be for a man, too, since there is just a single flower instead of a bouquet! I think this is a pretty one with Soft Sky and More Mustard as the two main colors. Oh, by the way, "THANKS For Reading My BLOG TODAY!" HUGS!

Thinking of you when sad or happy!

I learned from my Grandma-in-law that 'Thinking of You' cards are the BEST to have on hand at any given time. They can be for happy times of celebration or sad times of sympathy or sickness! So, I designed this one in chocolate chip brown and a muted cameo coral, so that it could be for both! Thanks, Grandma!

Whew!

What a fantastic day! Besides K still being under the weather, it was a great day! I had time to tackle the paper-table and made some great cards. I can't post ALL of them yet, since some of them are for a couple of people that read my blog often. BUT, the ones that I CAN post I will get pics of and show to you tomorrow! I tend to play with beads more than paper since I always have orders for beads and with paper, not so often. Kinda sad, because that lust for paper is torturous!

I will be out tomorrow morning running errands and meeting up with people to run their goodies over to them. AND I want to go see Ms C in Ireland and show her a couple of the keychains (posted below) since I know she was wanting one soon for her best friend's birthday. Then of course the regular Wednesday trip to McDonald's after picking up the kids at 11am from Geri's. I know it is only three hours a week, but I get so much done in those three hours without the kids on my heels!

Hope you had a great day

and I will see ya'll tomorrow!

Can't do it!

I was going to play a mean joke being April Fool's and all, but I just can't do it! I wouldn't want to upset my friends and blog readers, so I am refraining from any practical jokes today! NOW, if something horrible ends up happening today and I post about it, it will NOT be a joke... I just hope that I haven't just jinxed myself!

KayLee is staying home from school today. She is still under the weather with a temperature at 5am this morning, which means no school. I have lasso'd Scott into taking Eli to school this morning since Josh can't; this keeps me in my pj's a bit longer since I am still feeling bad still a bit with my "friend" visiting!

I am feeling yucky, but still yet a little creative, so since I have to make some cards today I will put those juices to work at the scrappin' table! All of my kids' birthdays are in April and May, so I may just make them a special card as well! I know they don't appreciate the hardwork that goes into crafting a handmade card, but they still know I made it for them and that makes them feel good!

Have a wonderful day and don't play too mean of a joke on me, if you see me! I buckle easily!

Reporting some good news, K is 85% recovered. She is still sluggish, but manages some cute smiles over the computer laptop screen here at the table. I am not letting her wander far from me, just in case of the 'creepy germs' coming back, as she would say.

I am wrapping up some orders late tonight and will attempt to bring you all something new... possibly Ms. K's (from Florida) 'Illusion' bracelet she ordered a couple of weeks ago... That is under-construction as we speak, started it a few days ago, but haven't finished it yet.

See ya'll after a bit!

Did you say a prayer today?

Yep, she's sick. REALLY REALLY SICK! KayLee has NEVER been sick like this before, poor little thing! She is such a trooper, though, she hasn't whined once (believe it or not!). If she is feeling 'yucky' she does her thing and lays back down. Then waits patiently for it to happen again! So, IF you aren't feeling sick right now, say a little prayer of thanks! We always pray when bad things happen, but never seem to remember to say thanks (even for the little things!!!) when all is well!

Eli's teacher called earlier about another thing, but she mentioned that she was on her way home to take care of her little sick Sydney, who happens to be in KayLee's preschool class! SO, it really must be going around! Take some vitamin C and wash your hands! HA HA! Back later....

Ah, it's Monday... Yeah, right!

Good Morning to you! I hope you all had a constructive weekend and got tons done OR at least got tons of rest!

My little KayLee is sick, the yuck yuck type of sick. So, I am taking it easy with her in the living room. We are biding our time till Chicken Little comes on in a bit on the Disney Channel. It is one of our favorites! Her fever is up to 101.6, so she is feeling real bad! POOR THING!

On a happier note, my brother-in-law ran his first marathon over the weekend in Virginia. He beat his own goal by 20 minutes! He's a maniac! He ran it in 4 hours and 10 minutes!

Congrats, JIM!

Freebie for April!

A lovely sterling silver and Swarovski Crystal bracelet is up for grabs! I decided NOT to do a lampwork bracelet, because not everyone likes that style of jewelry. HOWEVER, almost everyone LOVES silver and sparkle! SO, here is the freebie for April! I changed the date to encompass the entire month because its' value is so high and I just can't afford to give more away this month. In an earlier post this month I mentioned keeping the giveaways around $50.00; and since I already donated over $200.00 in jewelry during March for four fundraisers, THIS IS IT! I hope you all understand the reasoning and aren't too upset with me! Enough said!

Keep those votes coming and this beautiful bracelet just may end up on YOUR wrist... OR it could be a wonderful present for MOM for Mother's Day... hmm... NAH! I would keep it, too! HA HA HA! The above picture isn't very big, so I thought I would post it here, too! CLICK to ENLARGE for the beautiful details of the Aquamarine Aurora Borealis Cube Crystals and Light Aquamarine and Aquamarine Satin Bicone crystals. I hope you love it! Its' value is over $50.00 and that doesn't include my time! It took me over an hour to wrap up these dangles!! NOW do you want to give me a vote? HA HA HA HA!

ENJOY and GOOD LUCK!

Just a note: Please notice the detail of each dangle. Each one is wrapped at top for strength and durability. Some jewelry designers just bend or curve the wire into a loop at top and then attach it to the sterling link bracelet. Doing so does not guarantee the dangle to hold while under stress. I felt I should explain this, as most people don't know what to look for when purchasing QUALITY artisan jewelry. If you ever have a question concerning the 'construction' of my jewelry, please holler!

Waiting for the SUN!

Good Morning! I am waiting for the sun to come up to take some pictures... Till then, I realized that I am still #2... WHAT??? I read the website wrong; they aren't resetting the counter till the end of APRIL, not March! WOO HOO! I get to be #2 for a little while longer, depending on votes, so that is SUPAH exciting!

Gonna go take an Advil and try to cope, if you know what I mean... I can't wait till they perfect that endometrial ablation.... I may get that done after I hear someone speaking GOOD things about it. My friend had it done and pretty much said she wouldn't want her worst enemy to have to go through that! WOW! Must not have been a good experience, eh?

Later, Gators!

Uh, no freebie yet....

Sorry, guys, I started working on some orders left over from last weekend's show and from a couple weeks back (a friend ordered something for her mom)... long story made short, no freebie to show ya. Even if I had it done I wouldn't want to post it because the picture would totally suck without natural light!!!

So, I will do that first thing in the morn and get some awesome pictures taken and will post it ASAP~ I PROMISE!!!!

There, I said it, I PROMISE!

Update to Darla and Kelly F: I will be emailing you both tomorrow and will be sending pictures for your approval... again, waiting for natural light to take the pictures of your beauties! Oh, what the heck, I will post them for everyone to see, too! EVERYONE should see these knockout bracelets! They are both so totally different in styles and colors, it will be neat to see the two of them next to each other!

Blessings on your evening!

I'M SO EXCITED!

And I just can't hide it, no no no NO! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it, OH YEAH!

Can you hear the music playing in the background??? HA HA HA! I just wanted to make a quick post to apologize for not posting the freebie yet! I have been working on something all morning/afternoon since Scott's Uncle Gary left at 11am! Scott left with the kids to see his cousin Austin play baseball, and I haven't moved my butt from my secret project since then! I should be able to reveal this exciting thing pretty soon, I will try NOT to keep you in suspense for long, I promise!

Thank YOU ALL so much for the votes to get me to #2!

YOU ALL ROCK!!!

I will be back in a while with the freebie, so check back!

Starting Over!

I am just 3 votes away from 2nd place and NOW they are going to reset the counters! The website resets the votes every 90 days for it to be fair for all of the new websites that join up during the inbetween time like I did. So, I guess I just have to start from scratch, which isn't a bad thing... NOW I could possibly get to 1st! HEE HEE!

I have some 'family-company' dropping in this morning for a visit; so after that I will get things rolling again with the freebie-posting and some new items, too! Enjoy your morning!!

EDIT: 2:12pm....

I AM #2!!!

YEAH! WOO HOO!

THANKS, GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!

FIVE AWAY...

...from 2nd place!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!

I will post the freebie tomorrow!!

Enjoy your evening!!

Just had to share...

a picture of KayLee. She was playing in the dirt (with a lot of water already in it) in our wheelbarrow and then backed up or something (according to my hubby) and it tipped over and splashed muddy water all over her! OH GEEZ! How funny is this? HA HA!