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!