Toot Toot! Blog Train here!

Hey all! Welcome to the Blog Train! We are having a HUGE sale over at ScrapMatters! Go check it out!


I have a great grab bag out today. It will be available through Monday! On Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, I'll reveal it!


My favorite holiday tradition has only been a tradition for a few years. In 2002, H and I had been reading books about and discussing Christmas being Baby Jesus birthday for a couple of weeks. He asked while on the airplane home for Christmas if we could make a birthday cake for Jesus. It was then and there the tradition started. We gather at my parents' house and the kids of the family (both mine and my hubby's side) bake a cake for baby Jesus. While it is cooking in the oven, we read the nativity story. It has become a great tradition that I love!

You should have just come from Maria's blog.
Now, I have a contribution for SM's blog train! I have some gift tags for you! Click the image to grab them!



Now, I know you are ready for the next stop, but WAIT! I also have the QP of the day. I made this one for you from my Beautiful Blessings Kit! Awesome! Click image to download it!


I know I am behind on a couple of my blessings, but have them written down. If I have time, and the energy...I'll get them up here! Otherwise, it might just be the LOs I do for my album! Hope everyone has a great time on the blog train! Your next stop.... Sya's blog!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey world! Its Thanksgiving in the States! So sorry about not posting yesterday, but I seriously have an excellent excuse! Are you ready for my story?
About 5 pm on Tuesday, I was standing up and had a massive pain in my back. I thought I just pulled a muscle or something, but nothing worked at relieving the pain. About four hours later, I could not find any relief or a position that I could sit, lay, or stand in. My husband was at work and told me that I needed to go to the ER. So, I did. He met me there and after many tests later, i was admitted! I had surgery Wednesday afternoon to remove my gallbladder. I got out of the hospital this morning.
I'm sorry I couldn't get yesterday's qp posted, but today I'll give you a 2-fer! Here are the next two pages!



Grad them here and here!

And, be looking tomorrow for the SALE at SM!

See you all here again tomorrow for the next QP and the Blog Train! Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you all in the states and Happy Thursday for those of you not here!

Freebie Alert!

Hi all! Here is the next QP by Erin!


Download it here! Leave her some love!

Another QP Freebie!

Hey all! Here is the next QP freebie! This one was created by Emilee!

Don't forget to leave some love for Emilee to say thank you! Grab it here!

I really want to write more, but I have a killer headache! I just took some meds and am going to lie down on the couch. Hope all of you have a great night/day!

Blessing #23

Blessing #23: Relaxing days: I have been blessed today. I had a relaxing day at home. The house was clean; the Christmas tree put up. I put some logs on the fire. Awesome! I woke up, watched television, took a shower. I did clean out the cabinets in the kitchen, but after that, I laid around. It was awesome! I guess I needed to rest and have a day that there wasn't much going on! M played with her doll house and watched television. Oh, and she played in a tent made out of sheets. What a blessing a day full of relaxation has been!

Here is a picture of the tree. M and I put it up Saturday.


Heath called last night to inform me they had an accident at the duck lease. H had been playing with some of the other boys out there and tripped. He fell face forward into some sharp rocks and busted his head open. I guess this is when you are thankful that your hubby is an ER doc! He had some glue with him and glued H's head back together! Here is what it looked like tonight when they got home. Ouch!!!


And here is a page I did this weekend. SM has an "Everyday Magic" challenge each week. This week's was to scrap your Scrap Space. Here is my office. It's where I basically live! I do my freelance work, designing, scrapping, and general surfing the net here.

Credits

A Special Gift

At my request, some of my Haynay Hunnies have joined me and made a QP to give away. We will be giving a way a QP a day all week long as a celebration of Thanksgiving here in the US. They are all done with my Beautiful Blessings kit.

The first QP was completed by Sarah.


Grab it here!
Don't forget to leave some love when you grab it, say thank you to Sarah!

Blessings 20-22

So far behind! Too busy cleaning my house for my in laws. They are coming on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. Can't wait!

Blessing 20 and 21: Robyn and Amber: my sisters. Robyn is my older sister. Amber is my younger sister. (Yes, I'm the middle--this is probably what is wrong with me!) They are two of my best friends. We talk daily-sometimes more than once a day! I have been blessed to grown up with these two ladies! Both of them have supported me as I've moved all over the northern hemisphere! Plus, have been wonderful when I had both of my babies. I know that I can turn to either of them in a time of need or in a time of joy! I love you both!!!

Blessing 22: A mother/daughter day: I've never really had one of these as the mom! Heath and H are duck hunting this weekend. So, M and I have had the best day! OMG! I had no idea even at three years old, it would be so fun just to hang out together! We started by going to Garden Ridge. She was amazed by all of the Christmas stuff there! Not that we bought any, we didn't! But, I did buy a new rug for in front of my sink. Fun and exciting I know! After GR, we went to lunch-had soup and quiche. Love it! Then on to Pier 1 to spend a gift certificate I had. We looked and looked at Christmas ornaments and ended up buying several-I let her choose them all. So fun! Then, we came home. We put up and decorated the tree. She actually helped me the entire time, she never left like H usually does after 3 ornaments! We took a nap together, ate dinner, and then I held her on the couch. Today was a blessing, and I cannot wait to have even more! I'll post pictures of the tree later! YEAH!

Am i actually caught up on my blessings....you should all be on the look out! I have a special surprise for everyone this week! Can't wait to share!

Blessing 19

Blessing #19: Music: I love music. I rarely drive in the car without it on. It calms me, invigorates me, motivates me, comforts me. I usually listen to New Country, but love some rock splashed in there too! Siruis 60 and "the Pulse" are my favorites. In addition, I listen to it while working and scrapping. I feel fortunate to be able to hear wonderful tunes and great songs!

So, here is another page for my blessing book. I did this a couple of weeks ago, but had to save it. It was for the Template Tuesday challenge at SM. Go here to participate! You'll earn a point in our challenge system!


Plus, I did the Speed Scraps Tuesday afternoon and last night. The first one is from last spring when it snowed here.


credits

Then this is from last night. I think my page turned out good-considering the pictures were so stinkin' bright! The pics were from Heath and his dad's trip to Argentina a few years back-yeah I know I'm behind! But, at least I try! ;)

Credits

M and I went on a small hike yesterday-and i mean small. We went across the street to the woods. We just walked up and down the outskirts of the trees, but she had a great time. She believed she was on a real adventure looking for a little boy named "Hike." That made me laugh. I think I got some cute pictures of her, but not sure. I'll download and share at another time!

More Blessings...

Blessing #17: the amazing colors of fall: I love fall. I love the trees changing to colors I forget exist. I am blessed to live across the street from a patch of woods. (We don't have any actual trees in our yard.) But, I smile each time I walk outside this time of year. The trees are gorgeous colors of red, yellow, and orange. It reminds me how awesome God is! Here are some pictures from far away, the colors are so much more vivid as you get closer!



Blessing #18: Laundry: Yes, that is right. I said it. I was doing my 4th load of laundry yesterday thinking how much I actually dislike washing, drying, folding, putting up all of these clothes. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Hello!?!? At least you have clothes! How many people in this world-in this country have very few clothes, or the proper clothes for the weather? How can you be so ungrateful for being blessed? Therefore, I am blessed to have a ton of laundry to do every week.

We also have a Speed Scrap at SM tonight if you can make it. Andrea is hosting and I am sure it will be great!
Here is the awesome participation prize by JenLin Designs:

Blessings #15-16

Hey all. I haven't been on the computer in two days-which is amazing in itself! HA! I have done my blessings tho and wanted to share so that I have them chronicled.

Blessing #15: Football: yes, I am including this! I love it, all phases and levels of it! My family all got to attend the Baylor v. Texas A&M game on Saturday. It was cold, but we were prepared and all bundled up! I even have pictures, but they are in a camera that is in my hubby's car. Oops. I love competition. I am a very competitive person and love to watch a good game-especially when/if my team comes out on top! (Speaking of...yeah Cowboys!) I also love the atmosphere at a good college football game-the cheering, the enthusiasm of the players, the bands, all of it! So fun!

Blessing #16: DVD players in the car-not just a personal DVD player-we've had those, but we got a new car that has the DVD player built in. AWESOME! I had a 6 hour drive home yesterday and for the first time in over 2 years, I only heard: "Mom, I have to go to the bathroom." out of my kids! God bless a DVD player! When we started driving back and forth from TX to AR, M was a little over 1 YO. And, she would scream 3/4 of the time in the car-no exaggeration. She's gotten better over the years, but to not have a sound from my kids-amazing. (I should say-H has always been a joy in the car-outside of the car sickness he has!)

Okay, I'll be back later today with another blessing. Have a good day-I'm trying to get well. I have bronchitis...the football game might not have had a good result on my health!

Blessing #14

Blessing #14: Jenni, Janet, R: My cousin, Jenni, my aunt, Janet, and Jenni's daughter, R are visiting mom and dad's weekend. We just have so much fun together. Tonight we visited, ate mexican, drank margaritas, and the girls played. Jenni and i are 2 years apart. We used to spend days at a time together in the summer. We loved playing together! Now, its is so fun to see our daughters-who are only 6 weeks apart-play and play! They are such a blessing! We don't see each other nearly enough! It will be a fun weekend full of fun, food and tomorrow-Baylor vs Texas A&M football game! Awesome!

Blessing #13

I'm a loser.....lllloooosssser! I totally forgot to do this yesterday. But, I totally know what I'm going to write about. Then, will have another one tonight! And, I already know that one too!
I did work much of yesterday on my album for Jessica Sprague's "Stories in Hand" class. Very excited to start writing for that. I just have one more thing to do to finish it. I bought myself a Bind-it-all! Yeah for the 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby! Anyway, i bought the metal binder thing too small, so i'll go back to buy the bigger one today. Very excited! I might start binding all sorts of stuff now!
Blessing #13: Medicine! My family is sick-okay I guess not Heath since he isn't here. But M has had an upper respiratory infection. H's asthma is acting up and he's got this head cold virus that I've had forever! Anyway, I want to say, I am blessed to live in a time and place that medicines are available. M started some antibiotics on Monday, and she is already a totally new person! H's constant coughing has been remedied by some wonderful prescription cough medicine and his inhaler. YEAH! Oh, and not to mention the motrin and tylenol that helps with fever! Thank God that we have meds to help us get better...now if I could just find something to restore my voice that I lost last night! ;)

First Spread of my Blessings Album

Here is my first spread of my album. I did it with Brittish Designs' Two Pagers-Set 2 Template pack. Awesome. i also used my Beautiful Blessings Kit. So excited about my album!!!

Blessing #12

Blessing #12: Laughter: I love to laugh. Its so fun-it seriously even burns calories! I have laughed often tonight about many many different things. My dad told jokes at dinner-one of my favorite past times! H told some hilarious stories tonight. In addition, I often make myself laugh. I tend to be a sarcastic person and tend to confront serious situations with sarcasm and humor. So, I laughed and laughed tonight (not that tonight was serious-obviously it wasn't). Have I mentioned I love to laugh? It reminds me of that song in Mary Poppins. "I love to laugh...hahaha...loud and long and clear...." That is a great song. If you haven't seen it lately or you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to go watch Mary Poppins. I wish I floated when I laughed, that is the only thing that would make laughing better!!!

Blessing #11

Blessing #11: Freedom and those who fought for it: Today is Veteran's Day. I am blessed to live in a free country with men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the US to stay that way. Both of my grandfathers were vets. I grew up on stories of my Granddad Clyde (my dad's dad) getting "lost" in Paris and being one of Eisenhower's body guards. (Granddad Clyde was much more willing to talk about his WW2 experiences and to show us pictures.) My Granddad Wink had pictures of Calcutta, India that I remember looking at, but he didn't talk about his experiences very much. I am so blessed to live in a country where we honor our vets. I do believe we could never do enough for them, and a day of recognition is just a drop in the bucket. So, thank you so much to all of you out there who have served our nation in the Armed Forces. You are greatly appreciated!
Today, we had a good time in Waco. Though M is sick with an upper respiratory infection, we did have a couple of errands. I also am starting Jessica Sprague's class: Stories in Hand. I am collecting all of the supplies to make my album--which is turning out to be difficult b/c I am not at home with all my paper scrap supplies. I am going to have to raid my MIL's supply tomorrow and get this finished! I am making H do math and reading every day until his assignments from school get here. He is reading "Speed Racer" and just discovered he is on his last chapter. He is truly amazing-he can pretty much pick anything up and read it! M on the other hand, pointed out "x" last night in the Exit sign at the urgent care clinic. I was impressed. She can also recognize M and E. M is definitely her favorite as she just stood over mom and the computer yelling at her "TYPE AN M, TYPE AN M!" Awesome. Miss Heath alot. Ready to see him, unfortunately he has to work. Okay, hope everyone has a great day/night!

Of Course...its a monday!

So after the lovely weekend I've had, I woke up several times last night to M coughing. She woke up this morning with a fever-of course, its Monday! Oh well, by 7:45 I was at the store buying meds. She is now laying on the couch. We are about to watch Toy Story 2. Maybe I should take pics and use Britt's Toy Sheriff kit and make a page! I just might do it!
Anyway, so to relax a bit, I have scrapped this morning. This afternoon, I will work on the last part of my project. I sort of did the Speed Scrap-I started and worked for a half hour-then took a break with the kids-and came back to finish up just in the nick of time! Here is what I came up with!
Credits
I really love how this page turned out! Christy hosted a great SS!

I also did my blessings page this morning. But, it has to wait until next week to show. Sorry.

Blessing 10: Love between Siblings: It is so special to see H and M love each other so very much. Yes, we have our fill of fighting, but in the end, they would always stick up for one another! H is so great at helping M do all sorts of things: turn on lights, get her a drink, turn on Noggin. M also helps H out: she protects his stuff from others who might want to play with it! Heath and I have always wanted our children to love each other beyond measure. I think we have our dream!

Daytime SS at SM!

Hey all! Christy is hosting a daytime Speed Scrap today at SM!

Be back later for my blessing!

Beautiful Blessings

What a weekend. I am absolutely exhausted! But, I still have my goal of a blessing a day.

Blessing 9: Memaw--my mom: Memaw: Memaw is so selfless. She always puts everyone else’s needs before her own. She has been a wonderful role model for me. Not only to be a great mom, but she showed me the importance of a good work ethic, how to love others, and to love God. I love you mom! You are a wonderful mom and memaw to my kids--who love you bunches.

I finally have finished my kit specifically designed for my blessings; therefore, I have named it "Beautiful Blessings." This kit is full of great things-an all in one perfect kit! Here it is....



I have also made this second full alpha to match. It has upper and lower case, numbers and punctuation.
This week only if you buy the BB kit, you will get the second alpha too! Awesome deal!!! Go Grab it at my store!

This is so exciting for me because this is the first kit my Hunnies have introduced for me! Look at these beautiful, gorgeous layouts!!!


Mary did this first--and second--one:

Sarah did two, also! How gorgeous. She actually used all of the papers on the first LO!



Emilee made this fab LO!

Danielle did this beautiful one:

And, here is the one I did. I will be slowly catching up on last week's blessings-making them into LOs. I'll show you some of those as I go! But my goal now is to do my blessing as a LO from this point on. And, by the end of the month, I will have an album! So excited about that!


Now, as a thank you for all of you, I have made a small Add-on Freebie that matches the kit. I hope you enjoy this! click image to download! Don't forget to leave some love if you get it! Thanks! Hope all of you have a great day!

Blessing #8

Blessing 8: Family Bonding: Why was today hard to come up with something? Because yesterday was SO easy? Because after yesterday, then some things seem so menial. Oh well. After sitting at the computer and pondering, I came to a conclusion. I am thankful for my family, for the fun we have when we are together! My two sisters, my parents, and I spent much of the day/afternoon together. We mostly watched football and just sat around-with a few errands in between. All of the discussion, the screaming at the television, playing with the kids, cooking lunch/dinner, it was a day that I cherish. I am thankful for the blessing I have in my family: Robyn, Amber, Mom, and Dad. you guys are awesome!

Blessing #7

This is an easy blessing to come up with! I'm late today because of my day. it was so awful! I woke up this morning to a phone call my dad was being rushed to the hospital.
Blessing #7: My dad's life: God took care of my daddy today. we knew he was having some abnormalities with his heart. But, we didn't know how bad. when we had severe chest pains this morning, he told mom to call 911. Then, luckily, took aspirin and some nitroglycerin pills. Because of those, his pain had reduced a bit by the time they got to the hospital. To make a long story-a very long story-short, they took him to the cath lab, found that he had a 100% blockage in his LAD in the form of a clot-also known as "the widow maker"--this kills 1 out of 4 people that have it ( think this is what the dr said, i need sleep), and they usually don't know there is anything wrong. They gave him blood thinners, cleared the clot, ballooned another vessel-or something- and put in 2 stints. All of this happened, and my dad officially did not have a full blown heart attack. Amazing. Seriously. My blessing of the day, daddy is still with us, is doing good-sleeping at the hospital recovering. Thank you God for saving my daddy! So lucky-that is what the doctors said over and over.
My daddy and the grandkids last Christmas!

Blessing #6

Time for my blessing of the day:
Blessing 6: M--My daughter is awesome. I am so blessed to have her in my life! M loves to have a good time, even at the age of three, she wouldn't pass up a party! Even as a baby, she wanted to be in the middle of everything. In addition, M makes me laugh at least three times a day-I'm not just talking a giggle, I am talking a belly, out loud laugh! She is FUNNY!
So a story-this was from Monday. I should preface she is constantly eating candy from
Halloween, and tho I am not a health nut, I can't stand the kids
overloading on candy. She has a sweet tooth so just cannot control
herself.

"M you cannot have any more candy today. Did you know that on
Nov4, after every Halloween, the candy fairy comes and eats all the
candy? [side note: this does happen at our house-i throw all the candy
out-and yes I did do this-only a 20 minute fit followed when M discovered it.] "
"NoOOOOOOOOOOoooo!!!!!"
"Yes, I'm sorry, but the candy fairy is best friends with the tooth
fairy. And the tooth fairy loves to come and give you money for your
teeth when you lose them. And, your teeth need to be nice and healthy
for the tooth fairy. Candy makes your teeth yucky."
"NNNNoooo! [not quite as loud] I know Mommy. I am going to hide the
candy so the candy fairy can't eat it!" (I'm giggling at this point)
"Where would you hide it?"
"In my closet, she'd never find it there. Its too messy." (here is where I busted out laughing)

Anyway, she just so inventive. I love you M! And, of course I must show a couple of pics of her...so cute.
1 YO, her second Easter, she was trying to learn to walk!

18 months: we had just moved to Little Rock in this picture.
2YO at Disney. She loved that Mickey--even danced with it!


3 YO in Colorado this summer. Love this picture of her. She was just playing on the porch!

In addition, I also did this at Britt's Speed Scrap last night! Don't forget the one I am hosting Friday at 1 PM central!!!

Speed Scrap at SM....Blessing 5

Hey all! Just wanted to say that Britt is hosting a SS at SM tonight! 9 Central! In addition, I am holding one on Friday!

This is the participation prize!

Now, for Blessing 5. H: I don't know where to start with my son. He is just so wonderful. He amazes me every day with how smart he is! He took a math test yesterday. I asked him how he did and he looked at me like I was an idiot. He says "Mom, it was math! I am SURE I made a 100!" Too funny. He is like both of his grandfathers! He loves numbers. He always has. I could truly go on and on with how he amazes me. But, I need to hold this to a certain amount of space. I might have to throw him in again as another blessing later on! I am so thankful that God gave me my son! He looks like me. But, he is SO my husband's personality. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him! I love you H!
These are some of my favorite pics of him through the years!

H: 18 Months old. Hunter and I went to Barbados with Aunt Amber. We were both reading Harry Potter so he thought he should too! Too funny--he is now reading HP1 for real!
H: 2 or 3??? In Colorado, totally pouting! How cute is he!


3 YO also in Colorado. Heath, H, and I had gone camping. He loved roasting marshmallows! Heath's all time favorite picture we've takenHwas 5. How cute is this picture. He was very into being a cowboy then!

7 YO: this summer in Colorado. SO grown up, and totally a ham in front of the camera!

Introducing....Haynay's Hunnies!!! (and Blessing 4!)

Okay, where do I begin!??! What an electric day! Everyone is so excited about the election today! I cannot wait to see the results of this history making election. Which leads me to...

Blessing #4: The Right to Vote. How blessed am I to live in the United States! I thank God often that I am an American with so many rights that many do not have! Today, I want to celebrate the privilege and responsibility I have to vote as a US citizen! How exciting!!! Here are some pics I took this morning of where I voted. (heath wouldn't let me take pics while he was there, but I went back and took them...got some weird looks too. But, I needed to record this day in my own way!)



I would also like to announce my new CT--Haynay's Hunnies!!! I am so excited about this fabulous group of women! Be looking for some of their most fabulous LOs!!!


I hope everyone has a fabulous day! And, if you haven't yet....GET OUT AND VOTE!!! (yes I did yell!)