Sick of me yet?

now we get to Tall Ship Festival and the fountains of Navy Pier...I've scrapped a few of these..will have to share a latest layout or two also huh? I'm a little behind. I've done my layouts for the 3 scrappers, 3 ways of Freakie's..but I'm not allowed to share those...I've also done the auction layout that Joan won but alas I haven't scanned that one yet.

And may I say I surprised myself..because she sent me dreaded WINTER pics...the pics themselves..adorable but I am not a winter girl. So therefore I jumped out of my comfort zone to do them.

Ok, ok the Tall Ship Festival..find August to read about it..sorry I'm not retyping..just sharing photos of it!

Some of my faves if you will!

This little cutie

almost got Kev to say he wanted to adopt again...but we are pretty much on the no track again. I keep waffling too. SIGH...the timing is all wrong right now..but I'd love to go back.

This is our friends' new adorable baby! :) Her big sister is from AnnaGrace's town..and we all adopted together there.....made for a nice reunion. You can see the three girls below :) The big sister also shares AnnaG's bday and wore AnnaG's baptism gown at her baptism....which was from China...following all that?

Anyway we hosted and had one big family stay with us..it was a riot..and amazingly calm considering the parents were outnumbered by kids two to 1 :)

We took them to Riverwalk near us...it was nice to walk around..I'd like to do that again when we have time to visit the fountains, etc

We can't wait to see how everyone's grown in a year or so!

More CHA stuff

Hey I am behind...this dumb blog was broken forEVER! Here are some more. I particularly love Linda fondling MY personal scrap stuff LOL

For the first time ever I brought Katie with me....she was a wildwoman doing make and takes with Mom for the first day..by day 2 she was WORN out and bored. :) She hung out with Jess (I think her personal idol!) and had a great time though overall.

The Chatterbox Guys were so jealous that we kept taking pics w/the My Mind's Eye Guys..so we had to share the love :) Even Jess got out from BEHIND the camera on that one...

I think we even broke Linda of thinking how much fun it was!


I love the picture of the DT...I must have been working on that first order with Janet at Am Crafts at the time. It's amazing how stressed I am and it's only the first booth. Of course the bagpipe playing dudes walking through scared the beejesus out of me as did my mom after she picked up her motorized cart..she came whipping around the corner on TWO wheels....Lance was having a laughing fit over the site of her yelling..outta my way ;)

Overall a fun time...I was with a HUGE entourage so I didn't get to spend as much time with any of them that'd I have liked to. CHA is a horrid busy time for me with placing orders and such but at least there is plenty to see and do to amuse yourselves...right? I hope? LOL

Kung Fu Grip

yep it's the man who caused us to have a giggle fest at 2am during CHA....what can I say..we are easily amused, no?

:) HOLY cannoli it worked..I get images again..consider this a warning..it's gonna be a photo fest for a while now ;)

well it's official

no matter what I do I can't get the *(&%&% image uploaded..something is odd in Denmark...so you get me in all my glory writing. BORING ;) Bonni said she couldn't believe I updated....HA she never does her blog.....

I cleaned my scrap desk this past week...got a big ol box to donate and labeled everything. Did that stop me from loading up on new stuff? Heck NO...I've got Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket and Heidi Swapp filling my drawers..it's all so pretty. Anna has her own drawer now and loves to "scrap" with me. She told Jess- scrapping makes me happy.... LMBO The kid has got it honestly at least!

She's SO funny lately. I mean just so much fun to be around. Knock on wood she's in her own room after I lay down with her at night and mainly sleeping mostly through...the sleep for ME is amazing. I'm much nicer to be around! ;)

Ok this blows..come on admit it..no photos...man I am steamed....and I don't know how to fix it....I'm hitting the dumb image button..but nothing! Nada, zip...Kev won't look at it I bet...hmm

Has it been that? long????!

I mean long enough that your friends and family email you and tell you- um update the blog dangit LOL I've been busy ok? I mean truly busy....July was jam packed with one thing or another! Then we caught our breath in August and I swear it's almost over!!!!!

I'll try and upload some photos of the things we've been doing. Just wrote this whole thing about adopting and decided to erase it...when I have something to say I'll say it enough said!

Ok so what have we been up to? Well Kev's mom got out of the nursing home- YAY to her..months ahead of schedule and she's walking with a walker! So we saw them in the beginning of August..and then we went to the Tall Ship Festival..what a wonderful day. I'd advise skipping eating on Navy Pier- rip off city....but the festival was so nice...and then the kids literally played for 3 hours in a fountain in a free park right in front of Navy Pier..they loved it!!!!!
Ok so I am remembering why I didn't update..I was doing this before and the dang thing would not load my images! So it's happening again..will try one more time!!!!!
Hmm still not working..not sure what I am doing wrong....one more chance and then forgetaboutit!

a HA the wedding pics

of course part of my week...here's just a glimpse:

1. The laser printer breaking when I had 50 boxes to label that HAD to ship
2. Me throwing a hissy fit at said printer and getting paper jammed.
3. Me grabbing a pen and getting it all exploded on my hands...
4. Me grabbing my head with said hands and getting it on my face- ink that is.
5. Losing my whole long post on the wedding for my blog....ARGH
6. Riss going nutso and saying she wanted to move into her own place- she can't even remember where she put something and thinks she can live alone
7. Riss trying to quit babysitting for me and yet still wanting me to pay. Um what?
8. Fixing scanner -who knew that restoring the settings after not having it scan right for months would work.

Needless to say that's why I've been so absent....that and CHA...so the wedding was so NICE. :) I got over the fact that the coordinator was SO rude to me - and luckily for her I didn't just step out of the aisle on her runner but had to WALK on it all the way down the aisle to the crying 3 yr old to get her up the aisle for the wedding. :) I apologize now to my brother and Vicky for my butt being on their video. But i did warn the videographer that I'd have to go and do it...I just KNEW.

Anna looked adorable..the kids looked great...Mikey danced the night away. What a guy..he won over quite a few ladies hearts there.

I had fun dancing my legs off..too bad we had one family member pick a fight with his mom in front of everyone....ppl just don't know how to behave. The band was awesome...and I can't wait to see the professional pics....I have a few I'll share but not today..everyone is in the pool waiting for me and the damn alarm clock that Anna set and woke me up with this am is ringing like crazy. it's this huge number from limited too that katie's friend got her for her bday. it sucks if you ask me ;) It's loud and like a fire alarm. UGH

Peace and out...one pic for ya Ok two or three :) I love them all and you'll see some on recent layouts too.......
forget it..twice now I've uploaded two things and it's disappeared....so I'll do more later!

Having quite the week

it's been a doozy...let's hope this weekend is better...we have kev's college reunion for his friends..they do this yearly so it'll be nice to catch up with everyone and it's at a house only minutes from here so that is nice too. :) But it's gonna be 90 something and I will be crabbing i am sure! So I have lots of layouts to sneak...here's one or two with an upcoming August kit...it took forever and lots of blood, sweat and tears with the company but they finally came through with the papers! I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks...it's always fun to give them to you. I got these two layouts done today lickedty split too...using a Kim sketch and a Monica sketch..luv you both..thanks for the continued inspiration. :) I scrapped 2 layouts yesterday too..felt good...since I've been so wrapped up in CHA ordering. SIGH Here's hoping next week is better. I have half my dt coming in to stay with me..should be interesting...should I warn them that Kev's bark is worse than his bite :wink:

More sneaks from me in a bit. The next two if you are REAL nice are very NEW kits..Sept ones...whoo hoo! Even the DT hasn't seen these yet!

Weekly Blog Challenge #2-

Have your kids describe you in 5 words:

Mikey:
1. Nice
2. Funny
3. Cool
4. hardworking
5. giving

Katie:
1. Creative
2. Smart
3. Beautiful
4. Kind Hearted
5. joyful

AnnaGrace:
1. cheetah
2. mommy
3. (when asked if I am pretty she says no I am ugly - oh boy)
4. nice
5. good

OMGoodness is that funny or what? They came up with some real good ones...I disagree with the UGLY and CHEETAH though ok?????

And on my kids:
What *I* Say about them:

Mikey:
1. Smart
2. Handsome
3. Good hearted
4. Polite
5. hysterically funny

Katie:
1. Poised
2. Beautiful
3. Good hearted
4. Polite
5. super smart

AnnaGrace
1. A pistol
2. Beautiful
3. Funny
4. Polite
5. Hellraiser

Kevin:
1. Funny
2. Very, very smart
3. Sexy and handsome
4. Hard working
5. Good hearted
6. Kills bugs
7. Shops for me
8. tall and handsome
9. Bluest eyes I've ever seen (next to my brothers)
10. Kissed by angels (tons of freckles that I love)
11. The best bald head in the world...and the cutest mustache
12...ok so the list for him can go on and on..... :)

Blog Challenge Fab FIVE

Our first week it's to list 5 things we like about ourselves...sigh I HATE thinking about me...goes against my grain ya know? But I will try...the cool part is that we are to take our list and do a layout or two based on it..either the whole list or a section of it. Should spark my creativity!

1. My generosity
2. my hair (Yes I've finally made peace with it!)
3. that I am always willing to lend a hand
4. the love I have for my family
5. My honesty

There ya have it..only sort of like pulling teeth :)

Blog challenge #5- What Crayon Color Would I Be?

If I was a crayon what color would I be? Wow..only one color? I could be red: Fiery, fierce and bright. Or even Blue- calming, cool and happy, or Yellow- bright and sunshiny. And even some days gray- dark and tired. I guess in all honesty I am ALL colors - a rainbow....64 pack of crayons- sharp with new points on them (I'm picky about my crayons ;) I can be all colors.....for different reasons on different days ;)

Challenge #4 - Going Cheap, Slightly Damaged

For sale: A 33yr old "well-rounded" woman. Likes to get her sleep, needs help in the store usually....she's fiesty and fiery and fun loving. She comes with four dependants and only wants serious inquiries for people willing to help support those other dependants. In other words no more dependants :) She's loyal and honest and hard working....fairly messy but the cleaning people come with her. A great cook and a fierce friend....and attentive wife. No returns ;)

sneakie peekie?

ok so I said I'd give ya one right? Here's one upcoming kit that I love!!!! It's called Funk and Spunk..love this paper ...love our upcoming SDJ...I just LOVE kits..ScrapADDICT.com kits that is ;)

I might have another one or two lurking about..but not now ;)

Hotter than Hades

That about sums up our trip to AZ. You know Kev has been kidding me that I am bad mojo to these places we visit. We went to FL two years in a row and both years hurricanes hit the places we stayed at and were to stay at...demolishing the one. (think ground zero) :( Last year was the Ft Myers one where we couldn't go due to hurricane damage.

And this year I picked AZ..I know that the month wasn't ideal..although we had hoped it wouldn't be too hot yet (ha..it was the highest it's been - unseasonably warmer than what it usually is) but figured it would be good to see it. Kev has been hankering to have his retirement state picked out and I nixed Florida. I've got news for him...AZ isn't on my shortlist either LOL

Anyway we go...we had a hard time of it trying to find a hotel with not a lot of notice for our trip in..esp in the mtns where hello everyone in az goes to cool off..but we muddled through. Saw the Grand Canyon and that was INSPIRED because we went in the early am..man was that line to get IN long when we left.

Ok so it's a natural wonder. yadda yadda...but frankly I hate heights and get sick and sure enough I was nauseous for the long 4 hour drive back to Phoenix. Seriously sick. I got some nice photos I think. I digress...the reality was we passed Sedona on our way down and decided to skip it for Thurs...um by then the Brins Fires were out of control and seemed to have started the day we passed the town. SIGH So now I get ribbed that I started the fires LOL My Mojo does not appear to be good...bad enough that family has asked me to skip their particular areas for vacationing

What else we did in AZ? After going with the flow and NOT exiting the condo during the daytime...we shopped, went to a water playground and swam- a lot and scrapped of course. 20 layouts done is not bad..I had wanted 30 but the dang time change really screwed me up!

What a HOLE...that is what Kev told the kids to say when we got there. A little funny.....there is this awesome stone tower you can go up and see better from there right? Well I stay on the ground level with Anna and I see ppl all over going up there and also ppl going around the guardrail for better photos- are you NUTS???! Anyway I look up and see this kid hanging from the top (my camera was up w/Kev) and I am thinking..what idiotic parent *allowed* their kid to hang over the side like that...I look again and you can hear me yell..Michael Edward Anthony...it was MY idiot son. With my dh no where near him. I laughed so hard after scolding him to not do that again. Just a clear reason why Kev should NOT watch the kids ;)

We had no internet access..it was going to be $10 a day. Ouch so we skipped that. And then the pool bar and grill? Closed by 5pm each day..not cool when we made it there by 6pm..just little things that didn't endear me to this location. I loved Prescott and also Old Scottsdale.....I'd live in either one of those..but Phoenix was not that good.

Cheap Entertainment

It's amazing how this one little toy - in perfect condition from a garage sale can become a beloved toy in literally 2 min :) But it's true..total cost? $8 and I didn't even buy it - Nana did.
She loves this thing...and it even reminds her to put back the toys when she forgets....put your lipstick where you got it...it talks and the lights light up too. Ah Bliss. I've been a bad blogger again but in my defense I was dealing with vendor issues and separating Prima flowers- hello go plastic please..because the glass is breaking every which way. And then doing subscription. Why so much work? We leave for Arizona tomorrow at 4am. 3 days of driving (24 hours total) and then we get to relax in 115 degree heat and return home a week later :) I'm angling for CABO WABO baby - I might have Kev convinced but he insists on us alone. I really want our kiddies to go too. We'll see who wins out. Katie also had her bday party. Omgoodness....7 girls make a LOT of noise...they stayed up til 4am and were wiped the next day. Mom still made her come down and work in the office (mean mom!). I'll include a shot of her too before I leave!




I can't believe how grown up she looks..everyone says she does not look 11...I am in BIG trouble..look for this and lots of other photos to be scrapped SOON. I love how long her hair is getting btw..I'm so gladI am making her grow it out. She loves having me use the flat iron on it..looks cute..time to put her back into carter's clothes and make her look younger!

Stay out of trouble while I am gone ;) As for Splurges..our #3 blog challenge here : http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum I have to say I get pedicures and my hair colored. I did have a massge for the first time ever in Nashville and could easily be addicted. But my hair being colored is a splurge..so are new bras for the first time in a long time being in the RIGHT size..highly recommend getting fitted. Mine were done at Lane Bryant and my girls are up high again and proud. Love it! Go out and splurge for yourself too.....makes you a happier wife, mother and friend, daughter, etc.

I'll miss you all....any bets on how many layouts I get done? I hope a lot!

3 Obscure facts about me- Blog Challenge #2

Ok folks..check in at http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum so you can visit our Gotta Chat forum and join in the fun ok?

This week's challenge: 3 Obscure facts about me....

Not sure so I'll do a free association list of me:

1. I used to bite my nails
2. I worry about everything
3. I scratch my head when I am nervous
4. I was a HS state soloist and placed 2nd division in the IHSA competition using an Italian opera song
5. I was heavily involved in musical theater in high school
6. I finally got a good nickname at the age of 3o-something- FEE - thanks to my nashville sisters for it.
7. My nickname was Fish in HS..I hated it.
8. I'm the oldest of three and the only girl
9. I am an over achiever and highly competitive

Hope that works! Thanks for reading!

Sneak Peek, Arizona, In Laws

Where to start...a lot of you know that my MIL fell over Memorial Day weekend (also Katie's bday)....and broke her hip. We rushed up north (3 hours one way) to be there for her emergency hip surgery and and were there and back...me personally going up on Sun, back on sun alone, back on Mon with kids and Mom in tow and then back again that night and back up again 1 day later with Kev for the week...I'm exhausted still thinking about it.

We were able to get meals made and frozen (when I say we I mean ME) for him for when she's home (he's eating at the nursing home with her now)..and she was able to get a partial hip replacement...it was harrowing because the meds made her SO groggy so they were worried about another stroke. They did say she had suffered a heart attack a few months back too.

She's in a nursing home/rehab place now until she can walk and get around. We are very appreciative of those who have been keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. It's meant the world to us.

We leave in a week or slightly less now for AZ...it's gonna be great to relax and see D again...she's one of my nashville sisters. Her daughter was also adopted and is a cutie pie..it'll be nice to get the girls together. :) Expect lots of photos - you know me! Oh speaking of photos..Miss Jess is flying in for CHA along with half my DT and I've already roped her into taking family pics of my kids and me and Kev...so fingers crossed we have some good shots..I'd love to get one to frame on my wall....Please from my mouth to God's ears..esp with these four jokesters!

Let's try the sneak peek again..I'm about to give up girls! Yay it worked...and this kit is my fave for now...I love Ginger's stuff :) And this kit is coming up in a month..YUM

Who said three is easier?

You know it dawns on me that it can also apply to the number of children I have and not just Anna's age....but I digress..which I tend to do a lot also. Besides I consider Kev a kid too so I technically have four and he's my biggest baby :)

This is one recent layout I did..I'll include another at the end as a MAJOR sneak peek if you gals are nice to me ok? I appreciate people reading my blog and I've heard from some family and friends who say they read it to keep up to date on everyone..so this will be a catch up one of sorts...yes the baby is making me nuts..she's teething and it appears that she teeths for a year for each darn tooth..it takes FORever to come in and she's a raving beast while it happens..so based on that you are correct..she's never agreeable. :) But I love her anyway. She's settling down now hopefully after no nap either. Three has been hard..she's VERY vocal btw...but a stinker too...very smart..never, ever a good combination!

A few recent Annaisms: She wanted into the bathroom where Daddy was um going...and why he thinks HE can go with the door locked is beyond me..I haven't had a bathroom experience withOUT kids since 1993! SO he refuses to open the door and Anna looks at the lock...goes to the pantry with a chair..gets a box of spaghetti out and brings a noodle to the door and pops the lock and proudly tells daddy she broke in on him. LOL He was laughing SO hard. The little imp!

She also was singing for Daddy tonight and the "guys" (k and m)...this is always bad as she sings fine...and perfectly on key...head, shoulders, knees and toes and they are all laughing and encouraging her and somewhere it goes south..to the boobies to be exact! So it becomes head, shoulders, boobies, toes. She gets a laugh and does it over and over ad nauseum. She's really into us and the family now..she likes to wake up every night and says...we are a flamily mommy- snuggle me..aww heart wrenching and yet so dang annoying to be up at 2am each night...her wall drawings have ebbed (please oh please let this stay true)....and she's talking about her painting class in a month "without you right mommy? You wait outside? I go by myself....I'm a big girl?" All said as questions ..we'll see...

Mikey- will turn officially 8 on our vacation to AZ - he's going under the water...taught himself with Katie's help a few days ago and is swimming like a fish now. He did really good in school and is getting so big!

Katie...got the excellence award from the school and the president of the US...for having a 3.5 grade pt average since grade 3....(or above..she's actually straight a's) and also for being in the 85% tile or higher on her terra nova tests...she's 11 now and boy oh boy do I feel old. :) She's still doing well in piano and swimming like a fish also.

Kevin....hey I said he was my biggest baby :wink: He's still at the same place and he also loves the pool.....he is also working out more this year :)

Me..hanging in there :)

Ok the sneak peek now!ok it's not working..maybe later BWHAHAHA

About Me Blog Challenge #1

So they are doing a blog challenge on MY boards..hello..I'm a little slow..figured my blog was neglected so I would catch up and do this! Plus I have some cute layouts to share :)

favorite color: blues and yellows..bright colors

word I most liked to be described as: thoughtful and caring I guess....generous..

best meal I cook: my lasagna is what made Kev fall in love with me..I love to cook so I hope I do things well..mozzarella chicken

favorite dessert: love chocolate cake

favorite book: to kill a mockingbird..for humor the janet evanovich series..one for the money, etcI have TONS of faves though....huge reader!

favorite outfit: used to be my sweats and tee shirt but then Lucy had to go and get me purdy'd up :) So now my peasant tops and jeans with a little jean jacket over it (but I am holding those CROCS)- remind me..they need an entry of their own :)

usually in bed by: 9pm as I lay down with Anna :) Since she gets up at 5am-6am it evens out right?

favorite sounds: rain, music

I wish: anna would go to sleep and sleep through the night each night!

What I crave: sweets right now :)

Surround me with: I'd always say family but ANNA is making me nuts lately....she's playing pixel chix and it's not enough it's loud she's yelling to it over it. So surround me with quiet and sleeping children :) and lots of chocolate ;)

My week

I am not feeling very chatty LOL A keeps waking up yelling about her phone..the gift she got from her future auntie at the wedding shower! Inspired actually- a princess purse, makeup and phone, etc. She's sound asleep having a temper tantrum..surely you jest????

Anyway it was a beautiful day for the shower.....they took our gifts and the bridesmaids opened them? as we got there- which was a new one for me...and then they put them on display with cards. The food was good and ppl in good moods..except for me.. LOL I don't know - could it have been the lack of sleep from the night before? More than half of my family did NOT recogize me with blonde hair and long curls..lol I can't wait til the wedding.

the kids looked adorable and a would NOT pose for pics with the bridal party without her big sis...sigh I knew that would happen....

I decided to curl A's hair to see if I liked it..so I did and we'll have it done for the wedding (she's the flower girl)..too cute....

My dear, darling hubby did me the biggest favor and went..he didn't even attend OUR bridal shower so this was a major dealio for him :) He looked handsome and sat with Mikey at the guy's table - thanks baby for always being there for me and knowing what I need even if I don't :)

SO the shower itself was at Galleria Marchetti..beautiful place....they used to run the Como Inn - so of course the food was good. We had appetizers and drinks in the courtyard...where Kev's bald head got a nice sunburn...poor sweetie! Then we moved inside for the main part of the shower..which was basically a meal, a toast and then that was it..since the gifts were all done already. K smashed her head HARD on the marquee on the way in.....so after setting her up with ice and aspirin we were ready to have fun. A got that princess purse which taught me to have gifts for A at the wedding..one to get her up the aisle..another one wrapped for photos..since she refused to pose for pictures until someone handed her the shower favor box....then she posed but only in K's arms..which is gonna be hard since she's not in the wedding. Anyway they did awesome..I'll upload some more photos. :) K and Aunt Vicky (the bride) and A and her Uncle David (my brother- the Groom :)

Katie's dance recital

we lost the headband but she still had attitude and was awesome. I wasn't thrilled when they released my child to a nuthouse and I couldn't find her for 20 min....but I digress....

here she is :)

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to take a super quick minute to wish everyone out there a wonderful mother's day. To people wanting to be mothers- may your wishes come through even if it seems unobtainable...to those who aren't mothers yet and to those who are. :)

And I'll close with this: Every year I have the same discussion with my dh:

Me: Did you buy the cards yet?
Kev: For who?
me: For Julie (birthmom) and your mom?
kev: No- you get them
Me: Sigh

why do I sigh? Because every year I get NO card or one ripped out of a notebook or he buys one the day before and then *I* have to buy everyone else's cards. It seems a simple task...but it annoys me and it's difficult although I provide GREAT amusement to those at the store. And every year he tells me..you are not MY mother...jerk..hello i am your kids mother....you need to set an example.

so this year I tell him no gifts..because he just this week had them install a dvd player in the car- yes! Finally no talking from the kids as we drive LOL

so anyway I go to the store...what to buy? Not too sappy as kev hates those...the bmom card is troublesome..they don't have- thanks for not aborting me..and the mother ones are too sappy..like a mother - well she is technically his mother ya know? So we finally settle on an ambiguous card. :) His mom..well the one I ALMOST bought- dear mom.....I hope god answers all your prayers this mothers day- had me peeing myself....we all know she prays regularly to DIE...great...that one was almost purchased. Finally settle on a nice one for his mom..and I get home..to the following conversation:

Kev:: where are those cards
me: On the buffet table
kev: Which one is whose? omg it's $4 - that's not julie's? That's expensive
me: I don't look at the price dingbat..if you don't like them - we say this every year- go buy your own cards next time..it's hard enough if i am reading them

sigh

MEN!

I did NOT fall in

Nor did I get blown away by a tornado. LOL Sorry I forgot about my little blog- was busy living life!

I'll give a little recap about my lovely weekend away- followed by the flight delay from hell!

but first photos :) ah this one at left..before I was kissed by one of my friends (must remain nameless- to protect the innocent)..wait I just mentioned me! Anyway look at the same one's finger - gasp.
I got to Nashville pretty much on time from Chgo..was very nervous..pretty much had decided to skip the whole thing LOL But then thought that maybe I shouldn't do that...but the plane was so small I could stand in the center aisle and reach both sides.

So if you've never done a girls weekend - esp with massages, drinking, laughing, crying and shopping- YOU SIMPLY MUST.....I am still rejuvenated from it a few weeks later. I've never laughed so hard or cried so much with these girls...I left a part of myself with them and took on new and daring pieces of all of them with me. It was the best of times. :) Not one bad moment the whole weekend..and none of my kids...ah pure bliss

We plan on doing it every other year and the alternating years will be with families...we had Chels- the martha stewart- never-sat-down type catering to our every whim and they all voted that next year I get to host the family affair LOL

I simply can't wait to see them all again and frankly think we should make our weekends yearly :)

Anyway I am here and alive...the past weeks brought:

-2 new helper bees Carole and Claudeen...god bless their little helping hands
- resolution to a situation at Katie's school- finally after being best friends with this girl and then things going south and this girl bullying katie for months. And today I just spoke with the asst principal again saying that they needed to go to the social worker for conflict resolution. Amazing how they wanted to not do this since there is only 15 days left....
-bought a pair of thongs...don't ask...all a result of my weekend and LUCY :)
-a clean house- I cleaned before the cleaning ppl on wed and the result is a pristine house.,.now to keep it that way with three pigs. :)
-a mother's day brunch at my house..complete with in laws and mom and gram
-the end to my brother and sil's wedding album...hope they like it
-1 measly layout done. 1. SIGH
-work relatively caught up...now it's time to ship kits again
-badge registration for CHA
-orientation for middle school

and now I rest :)

More from me soon.

Nashville or bust babeee

I am leaving town..blowing this pop stand.....i'm a basket of nerves..flying alone (still hate to fly- 17 hrs to china one way did NOT cure me of that) but it's girls weekend and my peeps and me....sigh how could I not go? Plus it's easy to cave and buy a NON-refundable ticket quickly a few months ago and push it out of my mind. Now it's looming.

I've gotten the token gifts for Chels' kids....made my gifts for the girls..and have to pack. I took the easy way out for the kids...bought A some stuff now and will pull it out with my luggage on sun LOL

And have to find stuff for K and M. Otherwise I am sure they'll all be fine..and two nights with NO kids..yay me. Big dilemma..bring scrap supplies or not? My girlfriends are not
scrapping..should I bother? I hope to figure that one out soon because if I have down time I love to scrap! And I love to scrap and can do it at a group gathering no problem :)

So thoughts?

I'm a freak

Your Stripper Song Is

Super Freak by Rick James "That girl is pretty wild now The girl's a super freak The kind of girl you read about In new-wave magazine" Freaky? Yes. But you're also pretty darn funny.

What Song Should You Strip To?

thank heavens it's OVER

I am not an easter fan..just ain't...but here are my kids.... :) They've been getting on my nerves lately.....hopefully this too shall pass....

Anyway we had a low key event at my mom's..she invited the outlaws....she's nicer than I am..we had ham and potatoes and all the fixings and we had a poker tournament while the kids played bibleopoly with my FIL....and I almost won....we (Nicole and I split the winnings :) Made Tom mad...we are like that...women...split it, get along, etc Not so cutthroat ;)

1st and last easter egg dyeing

Yep I said it..who the heck thought up this thing? I mean it's bad enough I had no newspaper or wax paper. That should have been a clue to STOP the presses..but with A helping...and then M's friend from next door we've dyed the table red and the chairs a blue. OMG It was a nightmare. I mean seriously. A knocked over the pink dye shortly after we started and I realized that the packing material from Making Memories while waxy on one side was not wax paper..it leaked right onto the table and dyed it a bright pink. So after that and scrubbing for 20 min with 409 M's friend knocks over the green..onto the table, chair and FLOOR. OMG we ran for the cleaner and there is one spot on the table and a lot on the chair from heck that I need to recover anyway.

Here ya go...our reward..again NO more egg dyeing here.

It was a blue, blue day

Tom says it's too dark...LOL but I adore my new fireplace wall...this is opposite that sunny yellow kitchen below in an older post :) And my family room *will* be a creamy yellow in the same yellow family as the kitchen when I decide to paint it. :)

I love paint and how it makes me feel....M wants a navy blue on his bedroom wall (not! This one required a dark primer..ugh) and K wants polka dots. Oh man they crack me up. Looks nice next to our new IKEA shelving unit..need another to balance poor mitzi )

how much is that doggy in the....

don't ask...I am so, so annoyed....mind you the big sister was to be
watching little Miss THANG while I was working in the office...right around the corner from her.
I turned around and I swear big sis was gone for 1 second...and I heard big brother go - uh oh...she drew with crayon on your wall. We've been having issues lately...any ideas on how to stop it?? Anyway when I looked it was a perfectly drawn dog of all things...I mean better than the other two could draw....so now dilemma....mad because she used my WALL or freak out because she has serious talent? It beats the scribbling she's done on walls, doors and dressers.....after this she drew a fish and grass on my bedroom wall..and when I examined my mom's oil painting (one my mom painted btw) I noticed that the duck pond that A's so fond of had a new inhabitant...a large non-scale duck..but a freaking duck nonetheless. SIGH We erased that one off..but this - um found out the hard way that magic eraser does NOT work on builder's paint that is flat. :( Oh well my little artiste....

Little Brothers Rock!

I've neglected my little blog. Sniff sniff..but I am back with a few posts :) My brother Tom is so nice....I've been sick - with a sinus infection/fever/bronchitis for like 2 months...from Feb 12th...finally went back to the doctor a 2nd time and got more antibiotics. BUT I had Wicked tickets right? I had gotten them as a surprise for K's 11th bday...and sure 'nough I am sick as can be. I was so dizzy....and not feeling well.....

Anyway Tom volunteered to take her...of course they were like 4th row $80 tickets....but she had a great time withUncle T lavishing her with attention and we rescheduled our girls' night out to when I was feeling better. Thanks Tom...you're a peach.

And he'd shoot me if I didn't mention it..but if you are looking for property he's a real estate agent and is a good guy too...call him at 773-616-6488 ;) Public service announcement off!

It's my party and I'll sleep if I want to

Yep she slept..I should have known and had her party at midnight when she's usually awake..she slept while the girls ran around screaming around her. We took few pics....I was SO tired and Mom didn't make it - but we visited her later that day.

Notice in our 2nd pic she has NO desire to be doing her candles and cake? Mikey and I blew out the candles..what a crabby gus. :) I'm very lucky that a good customer Scrapnsmile (Laura) is driving in from MI this weekend to help me pack kits. There might be a chance that I catch up after all ;) Tomorrow it's scrap day here..I'm not getting up til I scrap at least 2-3 pages :)
Wish me luck.

My Baby is turning THREE

I can't believe it...she looks so cute in her new clothes and I got some awesome photos of the two who were here (K is out at a friends). She is getting so big....her phrases and everything and has a total understanding of things...it's like it clicked in her head finally and when you explain something she goes ok.

Yesterday we were outside after eating out and the kids were going to ride bikes...she said..I want to ride MY bike....and we said ok..and she goes Ok? and we say yes and she says; Don't worry I'll be careful - waving her hands like we were going to leave her out there. ROFL

Another cute one...The alarm goes off this am and I get to it to turn off and she goes Whew..that was close. :)

Here ya go..one photo from the shoot and the rest you'll have to see on layouts!

Future's So Bright

I've gotta wear my shades...it looks SO many different colors of yellow in different light- it's amazing..It's sure as heck NOT boring ;) And the fireplace wall has been primed a nice dark grey and will be going bold blue shortly. We want to do the entry in a burgundy red but that's a lot of work on real high ceilings.

Here ya go though!

She's too sexy for our boards

no way she's disco dancing ;)
Holy cannoli woman...yeah you are taking it off the boards never to be seen again right? HAHAHAHA

Doncha love technology? I figure it's payback for NOT getting your ticket to Chicago yet. So get on that would ya? My dear friend Anita here teases me that she is coming in to help out with "our" Mom and to visit and then nothing but net. SIGH

And then one day I open my boards to go read and see this image of Anita as her AVATAR and almost fall out of my seat. You totally suck girl you know that right? I mean that adorable face, those kissable lips and that come hither look? Who took this photo? If it was the little one- please bring her with ya ok? I need some pics. :) Dang straight hair of yours..you are too freaking hot for words. Smooches Love! :)

mellow? yellow?

ok it's NOT mellow---think mustard but you know how when you get a wild hair? Well I got one and had to get the kitchen painted. Obscene with all the other stuff going on in my life....for those following- riss came through the surgery with flying colors...she was released on Monday and is now resting at home..those that sent cards- thanks so much she's so thrilled with each new one that arrives :)

No new photos of the kitchen..although it's relatively clean. I hired a cleaning lady last week and she starts tomorrow. I think I am totally in love with her. :) She's been working in this area (and lives near here) for over 10 years....and I got along with her great when she came out for a quote. Praise be...finally someone to help me out. You know how you get so sick of your OWN voice always nagging everyone to clean up while you do it all yourself? I figured it was time to get help!!!!

So that wild hair. I don't know what to start with...but I decided that the fireplace wall should be painted..at *least* that wall..figured it was easy...and that kitchen was daunting to me. So I picked red....and then taupe for the entry and dining room and um I forget the color now for the kitchen....some other color..thought about doing the kitchen red too and Kev freaked..man he wanted white..that was it. No creative vision in this man's head So ok I go and get paint and while I went to get it I saw a picture of wedgewood blue and some other color so I commit to the blue in the kitchen now- following me yet? LOL So I buy a quart of the blue and decide- I hated it. I know it's stupid right? I painted a wide swatch on the kitchen wall and part of the fireplace wall. I could never see it that color..so odd.

So Kev said let's go check out our Menards (I had gotten the stuff from Home Depot)...get to the place and decide on yellow LOL the rest is history. Now what colors look good with a bright mustard yellow? I got a different like caribbean blue for the fireplace wall and might do the whole family room that color to make it be more toned down :)

Anyway that is my whole day yesterday in a nutshell...whee

Tomorrow the house will be sparkling..I'll pack orders probably and scrap please? LOL I have to make all the to-go boxes for Anna's bday party on Sun and then get the treats in them. Plus I have to get the cake made (a flower cake) and hang the streamers, get balloons and hang the chinese lanterns :) oh yeah and make the sauce - we are having pot stickers and homemade pasta sauce, veggie tray and other goodies..might need to make more food..oh yeah a salad :)

Spring Flop and I'm too sexy...

oops I mean festival....Mom will tell you- what a joke...it was um over $50 we'll never see again. LOL

I think I expected this show in a theater..unfortunately it was more like a dance recital of kids in chinese dance in a gym at the college..it was OVERsold and crowded and disorganized.

They had some games for the kids but we literally sat from 12noon until it started at 3pm and I didn't even last the whole time...and we were squished in like sardines.

Longest day of my life. And I am still not feeling 100% so I was wiped out after.

So I am back..and NO I didn't go password only but thought for a while that maybe I had locked myself out. :)

I tried this am to get a decent shot of the kids...give me a break...25 shots later...omg they were beasts....all in their nice clothes and acting like morons LOL

So what's been going on since I've been locked out? I did subscription and it took me about 3days with all the stopping from being exhausted ;)

I had quite the day last week and I was all set to write about it..but it seems so stupid now anyway -I did book my ticket to Nashville...a group of us who met when we were all adopting are getting together for a GIRLS ONLY weekend. It's amazing but I am flying alone and spending time away from the barnacle baby.

I realized after this past week that we are probably done having kids..lots of little things and a nice compliment from my brother Tom convinced me.....now if he'd just get himself married and him and Nic can have all the babies..I'm ready to spoil some nieces and nephews :) And with Dave getting married this summer- sigh...soon right? Someone will make me an aunt again.

Anna has her flower girl dress ordered..it's cute....with this tulle with flower petals in it..and when I asked if she was going to be in Uncle dave and aunt vicky's wedding she said- where's my princess dress...alas she hated it on and told me it scratched her....I can't wait to see what hysterical thing she does on the wedding day. She threw a 15 min tantrum when she realized that on Sat it wasn't uncle dave's wedding. :)

And yes I got my dress for Dave's wedding..it was getting more and more obvious that I had NOTHING fancy enough....it's a pretty formal wedding I think...at this nice hotel in downtown Chicago and well my um wardrobe runs to stains and sweats - so we went to Von Maur- that store ROCKS (think free alterations) and found a black silk beaded number. Fancy schmancy. :)

So I wrote that friday I went to the doctor? Or maybe I didn't..but i was so sick on friday that I sucked it up and went. Yep..3 weeks sick and finally went to my new doctor who is a doll...I love that man...of course he gave me antibiotics...so maybe that is where my love stems from? I have bronchitis and a nasty sinus infection- yeah yeah yeah the same crap Bonni had about a week or so ago..I was jealous what can I say? It's funny cause I gave her *such* crap when she was sick and didn't go in and then I wait 3 weeks..and have the same dang thing. LOL

I took Gram to the store this weekend and then to lunch..she's such a dollface..I wish you all could meet her..too funny and sweet...I showed her the layout with her in the big book from Joanns and she kept saying...would you look at that...doesn't that beat all...LOL I'm so glad they chose a layout with Gram....she's my doll :)

Ok So what do you get when you have three hams and no smiles? Dad...who sings behind me I'm too sexy for my body..which gets them giggling and we end up with this:

where did my blog go?

ok so I ignore it for a few days and now it's telling me I am not authorized to view it...pretty sad state of affairs....

Oh well maybe it will return with this post? If not I am going to scream...well maybe not since my throat is sore still and I feel like crud.

Children are overrated

Yep I said it....maybe it's cause it is winter still and cold and the kids are all cooped up but they are making me batty....

A thinks throwing a fit guarantees her whatever she wants.....M tells her no and they are like oil and water and K is mouthy. I need a vacation :) Doesn't help that I've been pulling 10 hour days for the business..what the heck. A hobby indeed ;)

We took them to the park today to get the heck outside for a while. Anna slept soundly when we returned. :) I'm ignoring the computer after today and heading to mom's to scrap and watch the OSCARS..it's tradition with us..we dish on all the dresses, etc :)

NO KIDS - repeat after me- NO Kids :) Even though she's mouthy at times she's a doll right? She's a huge help with Miss Nastypants too :) Poor kid...does a lot around here.....no excuse though LOL. Any not feeling very sage so I will just sign off for now. Filling preorders for Basic Grey and Chatterbox and American Crafts can do that to ya. If you haven't ordered that stuff do it soon as it's flying out the door here. Peace and OUT

Held Hostage?

It's true Carolyn posted a comment that she's holding my blog hostage and if I post no ONE will get hurt! So here ya go ;) I listen when ordered around. I know I haven't updated in a big..I've been in a MOOD...man oh man. I have a moody - overemotional 10 yr old...who is obnoxious to be around and now the almost 3 yr old has been a beast..chicken pox for her and then the 7 yr old has been ok actually.

Don't read if you don't have time..fair warning it's gonna be long LOL So this past weekend I went to Mikey's Blue and Gold dinner...I wish I had brought more reading material..seriously - it's that long. But the food was good and Mikey was *so* proud to make both his bobcat and his wolf at the same meeting. He did NOT want to go up there though. I had to push him up there to get it. Then the rest of my weekend was subscription. Ah my least fave thing to do next to packing kits

But it's all done. YAY...then my week was spent at doctor's. People wonder why we help Riss with her healthcare...she's nuts...she fell over a toolbox at my mom's a week or so ago and never told anyone. She's limping around like an invalid and mom finally asked what was wrong. Her leg was freaking 3x the normal size and all shades of black and blue, etc..so off to the doc and hospital then on Monday from 2:30-9pm. Yep 9pm...

While there I can say without a doubt I had a Grey's Anatomy moment and while I'd love to be able to say it was an Alex- closet-sex moment it was more of the -code Yellow moment and what the hell is yellow? Is that like Black? The staff wasn't amused but I sure had a chuckle over it.

Hospitals are so much LESS glamorous than that show..seriously!

So on Tues I had to go to Riss's doc appt for her mass. It is a mass and is presenting like cancer :( The doc wants her in for surgery- she'll be in the hospital for 5 days and then we'll see when he's in there if he takes the kidney or just the mass. It's on the outside of the kidney so that's good. Not sure til the surgery on the 23rd of March if it's cancerous or not. Please keep her in your prayers.

Then on to the doctor for mom- this was a funny one- she'd probably kill me but do you know the amt of material at a behind doc? I mean seriously! I could NOT stop giggling. Did you know you can just drop trou and kneel on a table that moves up and down and angles for his viewing pleasure? OH MAN I am so eating her high fiber diet with her...no visits for me. He told her that in bolivia they are considered married now.

He came in saying mom looked familiar and I felt like saying...do you say that to all the butts you see? All holes look alike? See what I mean? I couldn't stop giggling. So at one pt I tell him that the poop is knee deep in here w/his compliments ;)

Poor mom...but if I had to suffer in there like that. Oh and a funny about the waiting room- it's jam packed...but they have 3 normal chairs and then this space age type thing.it's like a seat sling ok? And they are all attached together onto metal. I really should grab a photo of them. I took one look and grabbed one of the two chairs that were normal but this guy comes in and takes mom's chair. Being the good daughter that I am i go sit in the damn thing and would you know I almost fell...not very comfy and the guy behind me kept bouncing like mad. One new guy comes in not realizing the new age nature of this beast and falls into his chair and almost snaps my neck. Mom was laughing so hard.

So anyone like chicken? If I get enough requests I will go type by beloved Chicken/Broccoli casserole here..it's SO dang good...I mean you shred munster and then use a cream sauce and omg it's good :)

What else? I will tell you that 10 yr olds and mouths are overrated! What is it with them? It's all the end of the world and it's all a drama. I am so sick of arguing with her. Projects due at the last minute she forgot about because you know MO-OM I can remember and rarely write it in my assignment book...she forgot the papers today too. Am I bringing them to her? I doubt it. We'll see if she remembers she forgot it. :(

At any rate she better settle down soon or I am raffling her off..no returns on that one ok?

And finally my final thought- If you are bold enough to ask me how much my adoption costs and to say you are going to "get one of those" do not even presume to think I am going to want your jerkoff of a dh to COLD call me to sell crap for you. Um hello???

Yep so I get a call yesterday on my biz line....it's some guy and did I remember his wife from "happy nails" in dec..we talked about adoption. Takes me a minute or two but I did finally place the obnoxious woman. And it wasn't at happy nails idiot...it was a different name..but anyway I digress....this gal did say to me she wanted to get one of those..and meant my daughter. Unfortunately my mom came in after and when I was explaining to this gal I didn't have a card (yeah right) mom whips one out. It's all her fault ok?

So this guy goes on to snip at me - do you remember. I'm like yeah but we have lots of ppl who ask us about adopting- duh. So ok he asks if I am interesting in options and do I have 8-10 hours a week to devote to his streamline marketing..where they cut out the middle man by adding me the middle man to sell things to consumers from like best buy. I was dumbfounded and he heard silence so now he's like- HELLO are you there. I'm like YES i am listening. He says so let's get together for coffee and interview each other..I'm like HELL No. So I say I don't have an hour for myself let alone 8 a week and I am sorry. He's like incredulous and says we are talking 6 figures here. I'm like no thank you and do you know that SOB hung up on me without even a goodbye.

I'm like...oh no you don't and go look at my caller id and no freaking number registered so therefore I couldn't call his behind back and ream him out. How freaking dare you?

It's an imposition enough to call me and ask me about china adoption- but to think that gives you license to then cold call me and get nasty when I am not interested is just plain absurd. Hope I see that broad again in happy nails...I'll use my happy nails on her face. And if they allow her to adopt I'll vomit.

MAN
that's it...how do you like that???

LOL
so ladies are you sorry now that Carolyn hijacked me? See why I was ignoring my blog? I'll end with ONE layout I like and that's it...since the other two are poop!

Mea culpa

Ok so I ignored you all a bit...I have been working like a dog seriously And for the last two days have walked on the treadmill....walking 3x a week is not working for me but now I've set it up that I walk everyday..no more excuses..just get down there.

Read Amy is on a soup diet but it's hard enough ignoring the brownies and other goodies...can't fathom eating only soup right now...don't think I am not saving that diet though for the future if I don't drop the weight before my brother's wedding ;)

Of course A is as thin as a rail and I am not so I better start the soup diet now

Ok so my week so far...pedicure on Monday- love Mario Tricoci...best pedicures around. So now my feet are not offensive to myself....but it's subscription time and I am tired. Plus I am working on my weight and then worrying about a possible 4th child and my brain will NOT relax.

So we were in the Chinese buffet place today....odd waitress...fawned over Anna - deliberately misunderstood Anna's province (I know I am saying it right for cry pete) and then told me...oh she a banana....white on the inside and yellow on the outside...ok first..if I am going to compare my kids to food - why not a twinkie...and 2nd....wtf? I was seriously annoyed......and then she asks the million dollar question- oh she no speak chinese no more--- um yeah just as well as you speak english. I politely point out- she was brought to the US at 8 mos of age...not too much Chinese was being spoken yet as far as I knew but she just didn't get it.

Then again here's the rest of the day there...the bill comes and I about pass out...it was $41 for me and three kids to eat the buffet and I am not even stuffed because hello I am eating 1/2 of my normal intake....omg I was floored...turns out that 4pm there must be dinner and there were no signs posted..and well frankly the food was crap..what a disappointment...esp with this new budget we are on.

So when I left I thought to myself...so we are comparing ourselves to fruits are we? I am a prune- sucked dry from my overpriced, horrible dinner LOL

How's that for fruity?

That's it's I am in such a funky mood I am not fit for polite company (then again some of my readers..)

OH yeah..forgot the main reason for my foul mood...I get an envie the mail with a gift subscription from my outlaws..I'm thinking - cool maybe Soap Opera Digest...or whatever right? It's the freaking Portals of Prayer- their Lutheran um I guess daily devotions book. Now I am steamed.

Why you ask? These ignorant people have an incredible knack of badgering Kevin on issues and usually right after I convince him we need to find a Church..sure 'nuff...anyway I emailed the publisher and pointed out that I've been catholic my whole life much to my outlaws dismay and that since I was just going to chuck their information into the trash they might as well remove me from the mailing list even if my dh's parents are too stupid to figure it out. And they removed me.

So how to deal with it? Talking to them won't net me anything....so I have decided to fight fire with fire..first catholic charities magazine...and then some other religions too. Those (**%^%^%$%$$%$% idiots.

pretty cool!

saw this on another blog..thought the words were very TRUE :) Go to this site to add it to your blog :)

http://www.snapshirts.com/custom.php

What's new....? Nothing much...today I am scrapping if it kills me..but I have a pile of work sitting next to me....a huge pile..that really should be entered into qb before taxes are done.

The house is a mess...what else is new? I am hoping we get it cleaned soon...and this weekend we have lots going on....packing kits on sun (love ya mom) and tomorrow a CNY celebration...Anna's first playgroup. YAY we are bringing these awesome easy to make pot stickers (Ling Ling) from costco..they and the plum sauce that comes in there are delish.

Contemplating signing up for thegrocerygame.com Elaine mentioned it on our boards and it sounds good...esp if I can save 65% on groceries. :) Hey if any of you sign up use Elaine's name if you know her or mine please...we can earn free weeks...

I am hoping it saves me SOME money somehow.

That's it...ok off to scrap :)

Maybe I'll post a layout later.

If you haven't visited the store lately- Basic Grey preorder is up as well at Cbx...MM going up later this weekend and we are hoping to have the product soon.....we are almost sold out of BG and we also are offering the new American Crafts rubons for sale....not too many of those left either...they have a TON of letters! And are packaged so smartly!

Also lots of other new stuff in the store now. :)

More from me later and hopefully more pics soon!

Santa Baby

I've been singing this crazy song all season. And I saw a layout in some magazine that had that title and I said..bingo :)

So here's my sneak peek..totally UNlike an xmas layout. :) using an upcoming kit name is hush hush LOL

Using Bonni's awesome sketch which I think might meet a Catherine challenge too!
Enjoy!

Paved with good intentions

I thought today...Wed..Anna would to go visit Rissi..I'd get my few orders cleared off the desk..do the Post office and head home and SCRAP...well the best laid plans right? Monday Kev was sick with the stomach flu...I was determined to NOT get it. Yesterday Anna wakes up w/a fever...turns out she was probably our first sick one...Katie comes home sick after school...Mikey follows..I'm fine...hahaha...until about dinnertime when I get super nauseous and then get sick. Fun! NOT...three kids home..kev is well enough to go back to work and Anna is healthy enough to be a PITA...and I am sitting here miserable. I am going to try and scrap later...working on laundry now and just sitting and staring ;)

Never a dull moment...of course we have play tickets friday..we got the subscription series for Broadway in Chicago - but alas haven't been to one play yet. They have changed every date and it's been a disaster. What was supposed to be Me, Mom, Riss and Pat has turned into 4 other tickets for Pat's friends and no one is ever available at the same time. We had to forgo the tickets the first play cause Mikey was at the ER for his foot. Now I'm sick. I better feel better...I want an ADULT dinner :)

The past week in review: Katie's concert was fast but nice...she really has stage presence...um with me and her Nana as her relatives is it any wonder? (for those that don't know..placed 2nd in state solo competition in hs/have had professional singing lessons/mom and i have been in tons of plays..and musicals- it's in the blood ;) Even Mikey who has to attend with Katie each week was singing along to all the songs...I know his future too!

Other than that and cleaning the basement..nothing much.

Sorry I've ignored the blog for a few days...maybe I'll upload a sneaky again later :)

Sneaky Peeky

What is this? A sneak? This is one of our upcoming Feb kits...I'm going to be sneaking some here and there - you never know where you will catch one ;) This is from one of my talented DT- Carrie..and her adorable little one! I finally did a layout w/this kit but you'll have to wait for that one :)

Gung Hay Fat Chow

No matter how you spell it or pronounce it..it's the YEAR OF THE DOG...We suspect now that Anna had the stomach flu when we celebrated - which would explain her odd behaviour and not eating, etc. But we had fun nonetheless :) No parade for us this year which was sad because of rain. I had the cutest book for Anna about her first CNY and she kept asking us to read it and wanted to go see the dragon and lion...when we read the books she kisses them both. :) The local restaurant was pleased that we celebrated the day and accepted our "Gung Hay Fat Chow"s and told us it wasn't Happy New Year but the phrase means to have a prosperous and rich new year. So I told them I wished that for them. Of course Miss Anna had them enchanted. And she was her usual shy self except when she was yelling Happy MY New Year ;)

Here's the little one in her Chinese silks. Katie had an asian top on and Mikey had no silks this year..we'll get some for next year. And we found a chinese playgroup- it's a miracle....we belong to the FCC - Families with Children From China and there was a link for playgroups..hope it turns out to be a great group of people...we meet them for a CNY part in a week!

It'll be nice to be active with other families that resemble us :)

So that was our CNY- out to dinner with family and friends and next year we may bring food in and do it here....reading books and sweeping out the old year for a prosperous new one.

It is truly amazing that we were chosen to be Anna's parents and that we have the joy of knowing her culture...they are truly an amazing culture and people. I can't wait to show my baby China...(Stace- plan on that trip in a few years :) Kev and I talked and we think we'll go back to China in about 3 years with the whole family. And no I don't think to adopt again but stranger things have happened I guess ;)