Ryder David

I made this chipboard brag book for my co-worker Terra. She is returning to work today after an 8-week maternity leave. (I know it will be hard for her to leave Ryder, but her mom will be his babysitter.) She can put his newborn pic, plus one pic for each month of his first year of life. I hope she likes it.

I added his stats and name to the first two pages.

I used rub-ons to designate each month, then put Happy 1st Birthday where his one-year-old pic will go.

I stamped the back and signed my name. You can also see here how the back side of each chipboard star has alternating cardstock colors. I did the same for the fronts. Scroll back up to the first pic to see. Thanks for stopping by! I need to journal a few scrapbook pages, then I can post those hopefully sooner than later!

Thanksgiving 2009

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house on Thursday. These pics are in no particular order.
Kevin giving Jack some good lovin'. I tell ya...this dog could be petted 24/7!

These are two very sleepy dogs that morning. I gave Riley a bath so he'd be all clean and fluffy. Jack got a good brushing so he'd be super handsome.

Jack, Riley and Tucker. The little ones have changed so much in a year! They are so much lighter in color. Riley is about 9 pounds, Tucker about 6 pounds.

My sister Rhonda and her two daughters, Julie and Brooke.

Mom, Dad, Steve, Rhonda and I. Steve and his rocker shirts!

Julie, Josh and Tucker

George (Charles' first cousin), Charles (my nephew) and Steve (my brother)

Three rocker dudes!! Notice Steve's ornery face!!!

Our little family

So much to be thankful for this season and always!!!

Grateful for Kevin

I am grateful for my husband Kevin. He truly is unconditional. At times we drive each other nuts, but in the end we're truly best friends. We've endured some very stressful past few years with his job layoffs, plant closing and general life stuff. Through it all, we've always had each other to hold. God has blessed us immeasurably and for that I am grateful! We have a home filled with the pitter patter of silly dogs, a pantry that's always full enough, bills that are always paid and most importantly we share a love for the Lord. We're not perfect by any means, but he is perfect for me! I love you, Kevin!

Enough

You are my supply my breath of life

Still more awesome than I know

You are my reward worth living for

Still more awesome than I know

All of you is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice of greatest price

Still more awesome than I know

You're my coming King, You're my everything

Still more awesome than I know

All of you is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are more than enough

More than all I want, more than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know, more than all I can see

You are more than enough for me

All of you is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

Jesus, all I have in You is more than enough

Enough by Jeremy Camp

To listen, click HERE.

This year, I am certain that He is more than enough in my life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude Basket

I will be taking this basket of candy favors to work today. Each one is filled with a bit of chocolate goodness. I want my co-workers to know how much I appreciate them, so I have stamped a Bible verse on each tag. The secret is that on the back of each tag, I have written a personal note telling them something in particular about them for which I am grateful. For example, on Dr. D's I wrote that I am grateful for his example of determination. He has gracefully dealt with some difficulties from his neck surgery and rehab that really stands out to me. I have watched him work hard this past year in getting back in full swing at work. His determination speaks volumes.

This project was an exercise in remembering that the little things about those I am around each day are a blessing. I am so grateful for my job, where I work and the ones I work with each day.

In everything, give Thanks! I Thessalonians 5:18

Cards from Joan and Connie

This is our Halloween card from Joan. This stamp cracks me up, because it reminds me of little Riley. He doesn't bite, but he likes to jump up and nip if you don't give him attention. He's a rascal! I love how she layered the punches for the sentiment.

This is our Thanksgiving card from Connie. I love the color combo and the curly label punch behind each circle. I am grateful for both of these wonderful ladies in my life!

Upside Down Dog

These fun dog patterned papers from Basic Grey, along with a crazy dog picture made this one fun to scrapbook. That Jack sure keeps me laughing!

I only had one sheet of the dog paper, so I simply found a dog to cut out that was behind where the photo would go. An easy way to get more bang for your buck from one sheet of paper....a simple embellishment from your patterned paper. The only other things I added were some tiny Making Memories alpha stickers, four yellow brads and some faux stitching. Silly boy!!

Scalloped Baby Buggy

All credit goes to Patty for this idea. I browse her blog regularly and was thrilled to find this idea. My friend Claire just had a baby girl. Her name is Natalie Claire. She wasn't named after me, but I still love the name. You see, mine is VERY similar. I am Natalie Clare (without the "i"). I sent this card to the Klein family to welcome baby Natalie.

Now after seeing Patty's post again, I see that I should have made the horizontal punched border the width of the buggy. Oh well...I think Claire will still like it. :)

Easy Fall Cards

I made several of these two styles for some quick and easy fall cards. I made some with Happy Birthday, some with Friendship and some with Thanks So Much. The sentiments are all from a retired SU! set.
I don't remember the brand of the patterned papers, but they were a more recent line at the local scrapbook store. On the Friendship cards, I added an orange button. I distress it by sanding with my sanding block.

On the Happy Birthday ones, I used a shell button tied with linen thread.

Just something random for today. Remember Mr. Cactus in THIS post? This year he has more blooms than ever. Certainly reminds us of our dear former neighbor Mr. Black who gave him to us when he moved away. I love the hot pink blossoms. This plant is so low maintenance. It gets watered once a week or less, sits atop the stereo speaker and loves the natural light in the living room. I still keep him in this simple plastic pot with the plate underneath...just as he was presented to us. Keeps the memory of Mr. Black fresh in our minds. He was a dear man.

I have ZERO energy today. I opted not to swim at the Y with mom. I really need to get on the treadmill and burn off the pizza I ate at lunch. I was tired when I got up and I'm sure I'll go to bed tired. It's just a lazy, partly rainy Wednesday, I guess. I'll get crackin' on my to-do list tomorrow. *snore* :) Thanks for stopping by!

Need to Catch Up!!

Yeah, I am a bit behind on getting things posted. I need to show you Joan's Halloween card, a funny "upside down dog" scrapbook page, some cards with fall colors, and a cute baby buggy card. I have an easy week ahead and will try to get caught up real soon. Thanks for enduring my lazy blog posting. Ugh. I hope to be back on track about Wednesday. See you then!

Got bones?

I got the boys new bones at Wal-Mart tonight. Got home, opened the packages and laid one bone in front of each dog. Riley grabbed both in his little mouth. I chased him to get this picture(upstairs and back down, mind you!), all while trying not to die laughing. Now, when I look at the picture, I die laughing again. We don't call him THIEF for nothing, you know. Oh brother! His mouth had to hurt. Look how far it is stretched! Dogs are so funny! Luckily, he surrendered one and they are both happy dogs right now chewing away on their new bones. LOL!

OH, and an announcement for everyone. A world's record was broken in our house Sunday night at approximately 6:55pm. My Christmas cards are done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amen!

Today's blessings:
*comfy loungewear
*swimming at the Y with mom
*sneaking fries out of the bag from A&W while mom drove (she got Daddy and Kevin coneys and fries, yum!)
*finding the perfect cards of encouragement to send to someone I love (oh gosh, yes I bought cards instead of stamping them....I need them pronto and can't wait to stamp some.)
*having all the screens out of the windows and put away up in the garage
*cracking up at dogs who love Momma's lip balm...eww, I got licked on the mouth!
*seeing my precious neighbor Wanda
*Kevin raking leaves for Wanda just because
*oh, the list could go on and on....
*and lastly....my freedom! Happy Veterans Day and hope each of you had a chance today to stop and thank God (and a veteran) for your freedom. If not, do it now. Thanks for stopping by!

A Card and Two Wild Pups

I made two identical cards for two couples who have anniversaries this week. I got the frame stamp at the local scrapbook store and the words are from a retired SU! set. The leaf punch is by Creative Memories. I have had that one forever.

This weekend, I got some different toys out of "Mommy's bag of tricks" for the boys to play with. The thing is...these toys have to be supervised. They like to bite things apart and Jack's teeth are so strong. The bad thing is that if something gets bitten off, it gets eaten. So, Momma played toys for a while and got two hilarious videos of them. This picture cracks me up. Riley wanted BOTH toys at once. I gave Jack the Dubble Bubble squeaker and Riley had the rope toy. While he played rope toy with me, he had to keep one eye (LITERALLY!) on the Dubble Bubble squeaker in Jack's mouth. What a goofball! LOL!

Well, then Riley thought Jack had had it long enough. Jack hates squeakers and when he first put it in his mouth, he got this goofy look on his face like"what do I do now?". He really wanted to just bite it in half. Anyway, so Riley went over and grabbed it from Jack. He's such a toy hog! LOL! Enjoy the videos below. The first one is of Jack and what I say to him. My southern accent really comes out in the first sentence when I say the word "off". LOL! Turn your volume up for the second video to hear the series of growls between the two. They crack me up!

Blondes Have More Fun?

Well, I don't know if blondes truly have more fun. I seem to have fun no matter what color my hair is, but I still wanted my blonde hair back. The blessing is that when I got to the salon today, Abby told me my mom had left me a surprise. I said "Is it food?". (Typical question for someone who loves food, huh? LOL!) No, she said mom had already paid for my haircut and highlights. I cried. My mom just knows when I need her. Little did she know that money is super tight these next two weeks and I had budgeted my hair appointment into it all. How blessed I am!! Thanks, Mom!

I had another busy week. I am so glad it's Saturday now and that the weather is scrumptious! The sunshine makes my heart smile. Later this evening, Kevin's mom is taking us to dinner. She treats us every now and then since we don't see her much. Then, we are going to the Saturday night service at church. We usually go Sunday morning, but I told Kevin since I was up early today, I prefer to sleep in tomorrow. It's the same message, so we can go on either day. I want to work on Christmas cards more tomorrow and oh, yeah...isn't there always a pile of laundry to do? Ugh. ha

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cards for the Troops-Part 2

For the other cards, I used Kraft for the base and some neat desert-colored patterned paper. As I made the cards, I asked God to bless each person who prepares the packages they will be sent in as well as the individual soldiers who will receive them. I pray that they will each know God's peace while they are serving our wondeful country away from their loved ones. I am so grateful to be able to go to and fro, worship freely and enjoy the good life here in the USA. Did you notice the shape I used for the sentiment? Mimics a soldier's dog tags. :)

Cards for the Troops-Part 1

I made some simple cards for the troops using Real Red, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue and Whisper White colors. I bought this set from SU! just to make some cards for the troops. It's the least I can do to say thank you for my freedom I enjoy daily. The focal piece was cut out using my one and only set of Nestabilities. Love those things! Will have to get more some day.

Check back soon to see the other version I made using different colors and patterned paper.

Gotta count some blessings out loud today:

*lost 4.4 pounds this week....total now is 13.4!

*having a job I love and getting paid fairly to do it!

*two pups that are so happy to see me at any given time!

*Dr. R's expertise in injecting my left wrist today...darn carpal tunnel! The right one gets shot tomorrow! Did you know that insurance won't pay for both sides to be injected in one day? Gosh! This time he hit a nerve and talk about OUCH! Holy cow! Felt like my fingers were on fire! Ouch! It will feel better in about 2 days.

*clean sheets on the bed!

*a furnace that works!

*pajamas!

*the sky lit up by the full moon!

How has God blessed you today? I bet your list would be so very long, too! Thanks for stopping by!

Connie's Halloween Card

How cute is this?!!! Thanks, Connie for this wonderful Halloween card. Love all the details!