For My Daughter...

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day...

{fbc} water play day Layout

This LO (layout) is of the water play day we had at our church (first baptist church-mustang). I was in the mood to do something bright and cheery, so I chose these photos of Zoie.

Here are the products I used:

k.i. memories - pop culture "feather boa" background patterned paper

k.i. memories - green star patterned paper (from pack)

Paper Studios - green and purple patterned paper, polka dot and striped patterned paper

(unknown brand) - blue textured cardstock and flower diecuts (from swap)

daisy d's Cardstock Stickers - tabs

summer memories - ribbons

American Crafts - "thickers" felt letter stickers

Spare Parts - black polka dot brads

Thanks for looking,

A Few Favorites...

Here are a few of my "favorite" layouts that I have done. I'm really bad about not journaling, so I need to get caught up on my pages with the journaling and I will be able to post more.


I will post more later... when I get them done. :)

Getting Caught Up On My Scrapbook...

I have to admit, I am soooo far behind on my scrapbooking it isn't even funny. I haven't done Zoie's 1st or 2nd Christmas, either of her birthdays, 4th of July...
I found some time today while Zoie was watching Dora the Explorer (OVER and OVER again) to scrap, and I decided to pick up where I left off, which was Zoie's 1st Christmas.
I worked on it off and on today, and I am very pleased with the final outcome.

I have one or two more swaps to complete, including an A-Z recipe swap where I have to make 26 of the same recipe, so after I finish those I am not going to join anymore that involve "work". I really need to set a goal to get caught up on my scrapbook. It stresses me out that I am so far behind, especially when I keep taking more pictures that I will eventually have to scrapbook as well. At least I can cross off her 1st Christmas. Next is to finish Easter, then 4th of July for 2007. I then have some summer pics to do, and Halloween and Christmas. Oh yeah, and her birthday. Then at least I will be up to the current YEAR. (sigh.) It's so hard with a 2-year-old who wants to get into everything, or wants to "help" mommy. I think I am going to get some activities, markers, crayons and more stickers for her so she can work on her own thing while I am doing mine. Or if all else fails, I can pop in Thomas or Dora and she will be occupied for at least an hour. Ha ha!
Gotta go for now. My bed is calling my name as I didn't get much sleep last night and Zoie was up before 6 am.
Until next time,

Cards I Have Made...

Here are a few cards I have made over the last few months for various challenges and swaps on the PaperCrafts website. You can click on each image for a larger view.







Thanks for looking,

Find the Fun at the Oklahoma City Zoo!

On Sunday, June 6th, Zoie and I drove to OKC to meet my bestest friend Jessica and her hubby, Jason. I met Jessica when I lived in Germany, and we've been there for each other through thick and thin. She's a great friend!

Here are a few pics from the zoo. It was so hot that most of the animals were sleeping. We still had a blast though!

Afterwards we went and ate down in Bricktown at Chelino's, my favorite restaurant in the world!

I'm so happy I got to see her, even if it was for a short while. I can't wait to take a trip to Illinois and see her again soon!

I'm an official BLOGGER!

I decided it was time for me to start a blog so that I can keep people posted on our lives. I'm pretty new to the whole "blog" scene, but eventually I will get the hang of it. I thought now would be the perfect time to start since so much is changing around me.
I have been a loyal member of the PaperCrafts Magazine's online community for several years now, and yesterday we received news that our beloved site is being merged. It has caused an uproar in our little community, and there are mixed feelings on the issue. My biggest problem is that we weren't notified. All they told us months ago was that we were going to have a "site upgrade" and it would be bigger and better. Well this is definitely bigger, as Creating Keepsakes, PaperCrafts and Simple Scrapbooks merged to one site. It is very difficult to navigate around, and that is probably why I have loved PaperCrafts so much. It is definitely an "older" site, but it is very user friendly. So we will see about this new change. I just wish we were more informed and the editors would have given us fair warning about the change and what to expect, as well as some instructions on how to use the new site. They still have not told us about the new "site", but someone just happened to stumble across it. I know eventually I will figure it out and get the hang of it once the glitches are fixed... I guess we will just have to wait and see how it goes!
So on that note, I figured this would be a great time for me to start my own blog, as well as get caught up on my scrapbooks that I am so far behind on!
And here is a little info on what has happened in my life lately...
Zoie turned TWO. Yes, TWO. I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up. She is so smart and just a joy to be around. For the most part anyway, when she isn't throwing one of her "terrible-two's tantrum"! I am so blessed to have her in my life, and I really feel God gave her to me to save me. My life was, in some sorts, out of control. I was lacking love, purpose and meaning, and Zoie has given me all of those things. I love her with all of my heart.
I am working full time now! I found a job in real estate with C.B. Richard Ellis. We manage 3 medical offices. I do accounting, invoicing, work orders, answer phones, file, etc. The typical receptionist work. My official title is a "Real Estate Coordinator." I really like it.
Zoie and I are MOVING OUT! I am excited and ready. I found an apartment that is very nice, and pretty affordable. It is new and has a golf course, tanning beds, two pools, a gym, game room, etc. It costs the same as the apartments near my house that are very old. The only difference is mine would be a two-bed, one-bath instead of two bathrooms. Zoie's young enough she doesn't need her own bathroom, so one will be just fine for us. The only problem is that they don't have one open. They told me it would be the end of June, then it turned July, then August and now we are looking at September. I told her if one doesn't come open in Sept. then I am looking elsewhere. So we will see if something comes open.
I was recently diagnosed with arthritis. I have been having pains in my hands and feet, and since it runs in our family I had them test me. They did some blood work and it came back positive. Your ANA levels are normally 1:20 or 1:40. Mine was 1:320. So she told me to start taking Tylenol for Arthritis and if it doesn't help she referred me to a rheumatologist. It is the same one my mom uses and she likes him. Hopefully I won't get to that point yet. I've also been having stomach issues, and they tested me for ulcers. It came back normal, so at least I don't have a bleeding ulcer. The doctor put me on Nexium to help with the pain. It really does help, so I will just keep taking those before I end up getting an ulcer.I guess that is really all for now. I just wanted to try out my new "blog". I will try and post some pics soon too.