Merry Christmas!

Yep, its a little early, but I thought I better post this before I got too busy.
Tonight DD is in a play at church and tom'w. is full of cleaning, laundry, packing and grocery shopping for oldest DS who has to stay behind....we leave for Ohio bright and early Friday morning through Jan. 1st.

I wanted to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

DD's Worship dance

Last Sunday our church had its Christmas contata...sorry this is terrible video...but you can at least see what a good job these girls did. Led by the Pastor's wife...our DD is the girl 4th from the right. The ribbons they used were pretty gold, red and silver. I would show you the other video, but they look like *ghostly angels*!

BPS...Gift of Words

Thanks, Andrea, for the post to ask how this class went....

I really enjoy BPS classes...I decided to use my $5 coupon I received in an email from them on this class taught by Amy Sorensen called a "Gift of Words". It was only a two week class, which is all I could handle at this Christmas time.
I had already written our Christmas letter for this year, but the reason I took the class was to stretch my mind and to think and write better to those closest to me. Amy's class was about writing word gifts on how to go about that. She gave us "prompts" to help encourage the word gift we needed to share. I was encouraged by her class though, to share now with my family and not wait for a tragedy to strike when it will be too late for those family and friends who are close to me to know what they mean to me.

If you want to check out Am's blog...she has some wonderful writing prompts to get those thoughts flowing... Amy's blog

DS asked his boss...

...BUT the answer was "no". At least he asked...which is all I wanted him to do.
But, I wonder if he had asked a month ago...maybe he would have been given the time off??

I got to get use to the idea that our kids are growing up and can't always do what I want them to do. I am going to miss him at Christmas though!

Just signed up for a class at BPS...

Big Picture Scrapbooking, called "The Gift of Words" by Amy Sorensen...hoping it will springboard the Christmas letter I have yet to write!

Our oldest DS...his school and work

...he is an employee of UPS(hired last March) that was promoted to a supervisor position. Am I proud of him, YES! But at the same time I see how much he has to work(night shift) and he also is a FT student finishing up his second year at AACC. His father and I want him to get his diploma and DS wants to work so he can pay for his own school. I am proud that he is taking on this responsibility and is doing both.

So, why am I posting this...well, its like this: every year we go to Ohio to vacation at Christmas time. We have done this since our oldest DS was 8 weeks old! Except for a couple of Christmas we couldn't make it due to a DD being born and another time when the in-laws weren't going to be there and my mom told us she didn't need us to come home just for her.

We told DS over a month ago to settle up and get the time off for Christmas.
Its almost time to go to Ohio and DS hasn't asked his boss for the time off, yet. He says he knows he can't get the time off, that all UPS employees have to work the whole month of December. Well, I want my family together at Christmas time...I just want him to ask his boss. If the boss says no, then fine...but I want him to ask. I understand he maybe afraid to ask...whats the boss going to say "No"? Well, so be it, then at least, I know he tried to get it off.

We don't want him to spend Christmas by himself..and if he ends up staying here, has he thought about how much we will worry over him?? Is he getting enough to eat, rest, keeping busy with the right stuff...? We don't want him to be alone.
...and all I ask is for him to ask his boss.

Garage door, DH's brakes and Doodling...

I need to be finishing up my Christmas cards but haven't had much time this past week.

Have had a garage door opener brake...DH found what he thought was the problem...we ordered the part...it came on Monday, and DH fixed it! Woo-hoo..just it time too...its too cold to park the vehicles outside! PLUS, its soooo convenient to unload groceries when its raining!

Then DH's brakes decided to sound out...so took it into the shop and got the bad news that he has to replace all the brakes, the hydraulics need replaced, too(and possibly the rotors). So, its Merry Christmas to DH and I AGAIN this year! LOL! I am greatful that we have the money to be able to afford the repairs! PTL!

At Craft Happy , I have been taking a FUN doodling class and at least have been doing something creative! Hope to get to some card making this weekend!

Hope to be problem free hopefully for the next month!

We had a wonderful time at our friends the Dixons. We have been taking turns hosting Thanksgiving for over 14 year now! It really was our turn to host, but Cindy and Tim insisted since our TV broke(last March, and there are no plans to replace it). Their were fifteen of us!
In our two families alone there are 13!
Here are a few pictures from our holiday....

Worry...I shouldn't have...

BUT, I am a mom and thats in my job title, right!?

Oldest wanted to go to a concert up in PA that was 2-1/2 hours away with his friend and at 19 yo ha a great driving record and I should let him right? Well, after much trepitation, we decided to let him go...thank goodness for cell phones! Its not that I didn't trust him...its always the other drivers that I worry about!

He called when he got there...he called when they left...what more could I ask! He got home safe and sound....whew....

He is a responsible kid and I love him...how do you learn to let go and let them fly on their own?? I feel its in baby steps and this was definitely a milestone this weekend. I will always worry about him, he is our son!

I am not alone am I??

Family Night

It was Family Night last night... with the fire place a blazing, we roasted marshmallows for s'mores...read abit with the kids. Now WHY didn't I think to take pictures, I don't know...I will next time!

Today is our DS's birthday!

He is our oldest...he turned 19 today!

He has been sleeping all morning(he works UPS nights)
and we finally woke him up because he has a college class at 12:30...fed him some Apple-Fritter bread hot out of the nuker. He loved it...now I need to find a recope how to make it homemade, since it was store bought!

He gets home soon from class, so I am in the process of making him his birthday cheesecake.
Funny thing...he loves the cheesecake from Jello...not the REAL stuff!

After dinner out between classes we plan to have our cheesecake before he heads back off to work at UPS(yes, he has class till 9pm and he has to be at work at 9:30pm!)

The cool news is last week after only being at his job since March he was prompted to a supervisor position...here he was last Thursday when he reported for his first night...

Tagged by Starr!

1. If you could have $100.00 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?
Embellishments...I have a boat load of paper already! Collecting since 1996!

2. If you had to choose between only using stamps or rubons, which would you choose?
Stamps!

3. If you knew how to do awesome cards and layouts and could only do one for a whole year....which would you do?
LO...I could do a year in review and have this for my family's heritage book!(hmmmm now there is an album idea!)

4. Would you rather own a scrapbooking store or have your own scrapping room at home....(can't have both..he,he,he.)
A room...a store would take up too much time...and time is precious to me!

5. And last but not least, what is your CURRENT cardmaking or scrapping style...
Eclectic...I blow with the wind...I like it all!!

Starr, I changed up the number to tag...I am lucky if I get one in...and its to my buddy, Michele!
Please answer the questions on your blog and tag 1 more people to answer the same questions....make sure you list on your blog who you are tagging....Thanks

BUSY weekend!

Our church is having a community Fall Festival OPEN house today. So we will be spending most all of day there, helping to set up, work the festival and then clean up. It finally stopped raining, so hopefully people will come and have fun.

Then tom'w. we are coming our three services together into one(the traditional, contemporary and spanish services... 500+ people). It will be the first time we have been able to combine like this since we moved into our bigger church bldg. After the service then we will set the cornerstone and then luncheon afterwards. I am going to need a nap I am sure afterwards!

We are all fixed...hopefully!

DD got all the questions answered on her PSAT on Weds. Since this was a big timed test...we were worried about her finishing on time. NO problems! She feels like she did well...we will see, The results are due Dec.

The guys finished our work on the new heat pump Thursday. They broke two of our ceiling tiles.(you know those white false ceiling type tiles?) They went and bought a box of 5 and replaced them. AC works BETTER then before. The inspector is due here on Monday. Hopefully all will check out ok.

The plumber came and tighten some bolts...no more leaking. Should have figured that since 4 kids use that bathroom alot! Now I have more priming to do on the kitchen ceiling!

After all that has happened the past two weeks...this shirt is so true!

Says: "Its hard to stumble when you are on your knees".

The tire from DH's blow-out weekend!

Wanted you all to see how the Lord was watching over DH last weekend!

Plumbing and Heat and the PSAT

We need these two, right! I just primed the kitchen ceiling area where we had a leak in our bathroom last March and wouldn't you know it...the kids bathroom has a leak now!
How did I discover it...a new leak area in the kitchen ceiling right by the area I primed!

Dh came home and figures it may be a seal that needed replaced. So, we went to Home Depot and got what we needed and he replaced it. It was leaking a few drops...he tightened it some more and now we are just waiting to see if its fixed. The plumber is scheduled to come out tom'w....

AS far as the heat goes...the heat/AC guy is here now beginning work on replacing our heat pump and fan coil. He said it was the best route since they are phasing out the refrigerant we have now in three years. Look forward to a more efficient unit!

AND speaking of the PSAT...our DD is taking it at this moment at the local high school.
She knew she was going to take a *test run* this year...next year in the eleventh grade it counts for state scholarship consideration.

Youth weekend...

It turned out wonderful...the 4 girls we hosted(along with our DD) were her overnight, but didn't get here till 10:30p.m....so you know they were up late! Their Bible Study leader also stayed...they did a lesson each night after they arrived here, of course, AFTER they had a snack! I made brownies Friday and Saturday we did chocolate chip cookies on Sat...hmmmm, maybe thats why they stayed up late....the sugar??

On Sun. at church during the later service, we had The Turning that played(plus, they played all weekend for the youth retreat!) -http://www.myspace.com/theturning to play at our service and a GREAT Youth speaker by the name of... Chris Brooks, he was awesome! You can listen to a great talk he gives here... http://www.wayfarerministries.org/Media/index.html (...click on the link for Media Player/Real Player under Chris Brook's name)


It was great to get home and have a wonderful evening with the kids...it was a beautiful fall day!

Dh and I made chili and corn muffins for supper and then we walked in the crisp fall evening air!

Angel was watching over my DH!

He went to a baseball card show up in PA today(3 hrs away)...and he called with the news he had a flat in York (which is 1-1/2 hrs away)and couldn't get the lug nuts off the '06 Toyota Sienna! A guy had stopped to give him a hand and the guy gave me directions on how to get up there in case My DH couldn't get it fixed.

Sitting here praying and waiting..DH just called back... the *guy* took him to a gas station where they got ahold of a tow truck and the guy put his donut spare on so DH can drive home. The *guy* who helped him was named Micah and he attended the Washington Bible College there...tell me he wasn't an angel sent to rescue DH!

He should be home a 2am..

October 3rd already!

Decided to change up the color abit here...



also found this quiz on Lindas blog about What Gemstone are you?

here is mine:

Your Gemstone is Topaz

Comforting, considerate, and stable. You are down to earth and grounded.

What Gemstone Are You?

Busy week!

Last week was a busy one...Scott flew down south for work for the week. Give you a clue where he went...he got to visit the Alamo. He said it was in the 90s there all week...but not humid like it gets here.

The same week he left we were busy with a dear friends from church making them a dinner. They have a large family...9 kids( TWO sets of twin girls). Their mom had to go in the hospital for several days...thankfully she is ok now. DD helped me make dinner for them...we made chicken nuggets, twice-baked potatoes and two peanut butter pies. Seems like we had been cooking all afternoon! Well, I guess when you cook for 16 people it can be all afternoon!

Anyway, the blessing for me was, after we delivered the dinner..the kids (ages 1yo to 13yo) all thanked us before we left. BUT after we got home...the oldest boy, called us and wanted to say thank-you again and tell me it was the best dinner he had had in a long time! Sweet, huh!

On Weds.,it was hot...92 degrees, so, I decided to take the three youngest to see Mr. Bean's Holiday.(oldest DS had already seen it) It was a riot...that man can distort that funny face so well. It was really a clean movie...an actual "G' rated movie. Afterwards we stopped for a quick burger...it was a fun evening out with the kids.

Thursday, the weather was warm still...85. Funny thing though the house was so warm inside even with the ac on...it was cooler outside. I worried abit after I looked out the window to see the fan blade was not moving even though it sounded like the ac was on. Called the heating and cooling guy and he discovered our 22 yo unit needs to be replaced! I didn't tell my DH till after he got home from his trip!

Anyway, met DH at they airport on Friday night...so glad he is home now!

Its been awhile...

I have been busy...I am sure those of you who read this have been, too, for whatever reason...school starting, fall projects, trips, LIFE! But, I am trying to get back into the swing of things.
We started school on Sept. 4th ...our 14 year. Oldest DS is in his 2nd year of college...his major(which he just declared) is Computor Systems Information... which basically means, he likes to take apart and put PCs back together.
DD started 10th grade and presently working 10 hrs a week as a page at the library.
13yo DS is in 8th gr. and 10yo DS is in 5th gr... they are both involved in playing soccer twice a week.

The most exciting news in we have been planning a new church bldg for 13 yrs. We have been in the present church since 1959. Last Friday, we finally were approved to occupy our new church home! Here is a picture of it.
http://www.firstbaptistlaurel.org/newcampus

Our two oldest had seen the new bldg a couple of months back, but the rest of us choose not to see till we had to actually move into it. Well, there was a baby shower yesterday and we got to go to the NEW BLDG. All this week we will be helping out with moving in...most of the stuff was moved into the church several weeks ago. We ran into a few stumbling blocks with the Fire Marshall...but now all is inspected and approved. We have not had Sunday school for the past three Sundays, which has been a nice break for this 3rd gr. Sunday School teacher!

So, this Sunday we will be in our church. Our church family had mixed emotions...all four of our kids accepted Jesus as their savior and were baptized in that church, some were married in it, some raised their families, etc...its a sad time, but it is also a joyful time as we look forward to making new memories in the new bldg.

A Fun Quiz...

My friend Linda Had this quiz on her blog...thought it was a fun one!


Sponsored by After Midnight! (opens in new window)
Dove Lake Bright Blue

The image of a boy sunning himself on a homemade raft out on a peaceful lake is one that speaks to many of us; to you louder than to most. The tranquility, the harmony and balance, that you bring to your craft is the height of perfection. Most of us will never attain such peace; you find it instinctively. If ever you were graded on your art, 'composition' alone would earn you an A.


To take this quiz yourself, just click here!

*****Hmmmmmm, this doesn't sound like me!

Tagged by Tammy!

Tammy tagged me. The tag goes like this: Write 8 of your blog friends names in a unique way and post them. Then come back over and let me know. You must write the blogger's name that tagged you, then add 7 others....Well, I was able to get 8 done!

Cozy Crop Weekend!

Ok, if you are ever wanting to take a scrapbook retreat and live sorta near Lancaster, PA...look into the Cozy Crop Scraphouse! I recommend it highly!

I left on the 17th to meet up with 7 other GFs I know from a carding website called Simply Senitments...I have only met two of the in person...but the other six I have chatted with online for up to 3 years! Checked in and we got aquainted and went for dinner that evening at a local Amish family style rest...yummy(I forgot my camera, but Laurie had hers!) http://www.goodnplenty.com/

We then came home changed into our jammies and crafted the night away! We all brought so much stuff! We enjoyed playing with each others crafting toys/tools!! We managed to do alot of stamping of images, too...this place even had a closet full of tools..Sizzix, AccuCut, stamps...plus, Laurie brought us her CTMH stamps and Monica her Stampin' Up stamps! Sherry brought us lots of goodies to pick out and Monica made us these cute lil' note pads in this metal tin. I went to bed late...was having too much fun, but then I had to go to bed when my eyes were burning so bad I couldn't see very well!
We had muffins/scones and coffee for breakfast and headed off to a local craft/flower warehouse in Blueball, PA! 135,000 sq. feet of space! Candles, ribbons, baskets, gardening stuff, home decor, bath and body stuff, crafting stuff(of everykind you can imagine) and a HUGE scrapbooking section. http://www.800padutch.com/z/flower&craft.htm

I could have spent ALOT of dough there, but managed to put lots of wants on my wish list and kept the amount I spent under $25! We only spent about 4 hours there...three of us left and headed for lunch. The rest stayed for a few more house to shop...they were die-hard shoppers! Good thing we drove 2 vans.

We had a wonderful evening of crafting...some making scrapbook LOs, some doing card making.

Sherry from PA got 40 Christmas cards done! and Shari from NJ got her grand daughter's cards done...she also taught us how to make bows with this cool little tool and showed us how to use the Bind-It-All by Zutter...cool tool...I want one! Stayed up late again. Some girls had to go early(Sherry was already gone to drive back for church, so I missed saying goodbye)Monica got up the next morning and started back to attend a successful fund raiser. The rest of us got in alittle extra time...stamping images, finishing LOs and cards. We started cleaning up and ordered a pizza for lunch. We allsaid our goodbyes and headed back home. It was rainy and dreary, kinda like I felt. BUT, we are doing this again next August...already registered! looking forward to it!

I was able to get 5 LOs done and one card done!
(Sorry, I can't figure out how to get the pics to show up here..but if you click in the Photobucket "Show slideshow" hopefully you can see my pics!)

Home!

Me, mom and MIL

Our 10yo

Our 13yo

DD and her grandpa

Hope you enjoyed the photos!
Its been awhile for a good reason!
We went to Ohio for family vacation Aug. 1-12th! LOVE to visit with the family...we stay at my in-laws(they have a bigger place) and I go between to visit with my mom(who lives an hour away). My in-laws have a pontoon boat...so its always great fun to go out on it....the kids enjoy the tubing, swimming and fishing! It was great I even got my mom to drive up with me one day for lunch and a ride!

The local-yocal ice cream place we go to has ice cream cones... a 1/2 dip for $1.00! It looks like a two dip scoop we could get here in MD, but would cost $3.00! My fave flavor...Strawberry cheescake.
We also spent a wonderful day/overnight with my SIL and her four kids at the beach and boating with FIL...and we had to get ice cream again!

It was a relaxing vacation and now I am off to prepare for a fab weekend in Lancaster with some online crafting friends!

Found some family relatives!

I talk to my dear mom in Ohio weekly and we somehow got on the subject of her sister that died many years ago who lived in Minnesota. I asked her did she know whatever happened to her sister's husband or kids? She said "no". She only knew they had 3-4 boys. So, I asked her if she minded if I tried to do some research on the Internet...she said "go ahead".

That same afternoon I Googled the sister's name and came up with nothing. Then I put in the family name and the city and town she lived in. I got three names that came up...all girls names...all in the same zip code and one email addy. I thought the easiest way would be if I would try the email first. I explained to this person, I was in search of relatives and not money!

The next day I received an email back and it was the sister-in-law of the youngest son of my aunt. She worked at a local college and this was her email(as they didn't have a PC at home!)

She then asked how did I get her name and email and I told her of my Internet detective work!
She also told me the other two names I found were also relatives!

She wrote me a longer email giving me names of my cousins, their wives and kids! Plus, the phone number of the youngest son to call him! I have yet to call , but plan to tom'w!

The reason for my search...you see my mom is the youngest of 11 kids...she was born in 1930 and she and her brother in Texas are the lone siblings still alive. My mom's family were never really close. My mom's other sister(who died 3 years ago) and my Uncle in TX started keeping in touch over 5 years ago. My Uncle in TX doesn't have kids and I felt this need to find out about the one aunt who lived in MN and her kids. I am so glad I did!

Thats my story about found relatives and how the Internet can prove to be very useful at times!

Tabby,the Drama Cat..long story.

Yes, we have a drama kitty! She came with our house when we bought it three years ago...the owners asked if they could leave her since she was an outdoor cat. Took several months before she warmed up to us. Once the cold weather hit though, we were able to entice her inside quite easily!

We have fallen in love with this cat...stupid cat. Why, would I say such a thing?? BECAUSE, she scared us half to death today. She goes outside at night...but during the day, when SHE is ready, she makes her presence known at either door so we will let her in. Well, she had been in most of the morning and after lunch. I was sitting at the PC and she was behind me FAST asleep on the couch. All of a sudden I hear her throw herself off the couch as her nails snagged into the carpet it looked like she wrenched her body as if in a seizure. She got up and then ran into the WALL.

She laid down for a few seconds then walked behind our couch where she made the most pitiful meows. I yelled at one of our sons to get a towel...she had piddle alittle on the floor behind the couch, I picked her up and she was panting very hard and her body was limp.(which normally, if you picked her up would have been pushing to get down from your arms) She never meowed anymore, but had the most pathetic look on her face. I laid her down on another couch.

All kinds of thoughts went through my mind...did she break a leg, did she wrench her back, was it a seizure...was it just a normal kitty BAD dream or was she dying?? I was going to take her to the vet, but the nurse in me decided to wait it out...I even thought it would be a possibility we may have to have her put to sleep.

She laid there for almost half and hour. She started moving around abit and it looked as though it couldn't be her back. Our ds went out to get something on the deck and the cat looked at the sliding door as though she wanted out. So, he held it open and she got up and trotted over and went out. We watched her jump down three stairs and then run, yes( I said run) across the deck to her favorite bush to rest under. Her gait was good...so, no broken legs. We watched her for alittle while then she took off for parts unknown. I even thought perhaps, she may go off and die somewhere. Three hours later...ds said "Mom, come look, Tabby is back and she looks normal".

She did look normal..like her old self. Of course, for me the best indicator would be if she came in the house and ate some food and drank some water. She did!

So, she is our drama cat...scared us to death.(almost)

BTW, its funny, she no longer sleeps on the couch where she use too...now she sleeps on the *hospital couch*!

This is how she sleeps...she is fine!

DD going away for a week...

...on a Youth mission retreat to Virginia! I am happy for her...it will be a great experience. They are helping to fix-up homes around the area.(kinda like Habitiat of Humanity) She did a similar thing up in NH last year when she went on a youth leadership retreat.(she is on the Youth leadership council) I am proud of her and praying for her this week as they travel around.

Me...Tagged!

Ok, Debbie tagged me...so here go my 7 unknown facts about myself and tag 7 other people.

1. I was born a spoiled by my parents being the only DD(my mom didn't teach me to cook or clean)
2. My dear dad died when I was 21 from Lung cancer which spurred me on to become an RN.
3. I don't like sand, unless there is a shower nearby!
4. I love to learn new crafts...and have a ton of unfinished projects with a ton of supplies collecting in my *Happy Room*.
5. I have more friends that live out-of-state then in-state!
6. I LOVE Christian Contemporary music and see one to two concerts a year.
7. Never been tagged before ...this is my first time!

My seven tagged friends(hopefully, they will still call me friend!)

1. Suzanne

2. Michele

3. Benita

4. Tammy

5. LindaH

6. JudyB

7. Cindy

New spray medium to play with!

I found some new toys...they are sprays that glimmer! I caught the first preview when Tricia from CS showed them on her show Craftweekly online. I ordered them and sprayed the chipboard on this card...cool huh!



CLOSE-UP...

Son is Home!

Can you *hear* the relief in my voice! Anyone who has a teen knows what I am talking about and anyone who has younger children...you'll be there someday!
I am so happy he is home...tired and sunburned, but home SAFE!

Here are some pics of his Creation 2007 experience!

DS and DD... oh to be young again!

Our two oldest are BUSY...their summer seems to be filled with trips! Our two youngest are happy to be at home and play with neighbor friends!

Oldest DS is heading to Creation 2007 up in PA tom'w. through Sunday with some friends from our church. Its like a Christian music week long festival with all the names in the Christian Music industry!
http://www.creationfest.com/ne/

I am a wee bit jealous! He gets to see Newsboys!(and LOTS of others I would love to see) I asked him if he would take my camera and get pictures...he said he would! Can't wait to hear all about his experience there! Tent camping isn't for me...however, if he has a blast there...I may need to change my attitude for next year!

DD is at a leadership *camp* all week...even though they are just doing daily activities(no sleepovers)...today they are heading off to a mission project up in the BIG city north of us.

I think I forgot to mention that DD got a job at the local library as a page about a month ago!
Its the same job that DS left several months ago(after working there 3 yrs!)
She applied and fortunately, DS was such a great worker...they figure DD will be too!
So, she also has to work this evening at the library....she is going to be one tired girl.

Well, I am off to get some cleaning done...blessings!

June busy already!

June is flyin by...no surprise there. Seems like the older I get the faster it goes!

We have had a another teen added to the family....our middle son turned 13!

Now there are three teens in the house!

DD made him a birthday cake, and it was moist!

We had a nice family birthday celebration...DS got gift card and $$ from his grandparents and he wanted the LOTR(Lord of the Ring) trilogy book set and we got him that and gave him $$ for some other things he wanted.(unfortunately, it didn't come from Amazon till Monday and his bday was two days before!). He oldest brother gave him a new PC game...LOTR, of course!

Well, I thought it was time to play and change up my blog header...

Flourish doodle by Dawn Moore...Font is Edwardian Script.
Photo taken by DD to show my *highlights*...hence 'My Tinhair!'

Swimtime!

We got the pool opened this week, just in time for some HOT days, too!

This was the FUN shot of the three youngest...doing handstands in the pool!

Our yard!

WHAT A MESS! *erizon has been tearing up our yard for the past 2 weeks! First, they tell us they are only digging on the ther side and they next day they make several holes in our yard to put in new cable that we will probably not get. Now, they even have to cut a 1' x 1' in our driveway! They have 10 foot easement up into our yard...they better leave it BETTER than it was before! The guy came up to the house again today to tell me whats happening. He said the county says that I have to dig a hole to bury all that cable in your yard since we have to leave it for the weekend...but he said all he needed was my word "no" not to dig and they would just put a snow fence around it. sheeshhh..they should give us a FREE trial for all that we have to put up with! Done with my vent....

Lots to do this week...

We finished school last Friday! Woo-hoo! You could say we were ready for summer break!

All the kids passed, so we will have a 10th, 8th and 5th grader this fall...and our oldest DS made the Dean's list again for his first year in college! We are proud of the kids!



My back is better and just in time to open the pool! We took off the tarp over a week ago and noticed that the water level was wayyyy down! Thinking we had a leak, we talked to the pool people and they thought that we should look for a visual tear/hole and we found nothing. They recommended just filling it and see how it goes. It took 4 days(10 hrs each day) to fill the pool up!



Now the past several days we have been balancing the water, cleaning and putting in the steps, vacumning and getting it ready to open this weekend. Well the boys tried it our last night...they couldn't wait any longer! Its suppose to be in the upper 80s this weekend, so the water will feel GREAT!



Tonight looks like a wonderful night to grill out! Beef Fajitas! DS gets to eat out...he is going to the Prom again with a dear friend from church. I made him take a camera and said he MUST get someone to take a picture of them! He just left to get his hair done.(sounds funny, doesn't it?) His friend's sister does hair...so she is doing them both up!

A whole week has flown by...

A whole week! I am back...after a back pull on Mother's Day! I woke up to turn the alarm off and wrenched my back! I am better today after several days of Motrin, but am still gingerly moving about!

Exciting news! DS finished his first year of college! AND he made the Dean's list again!

DD played a song for the family last night on her electric guitar...it is sooo cool to hear her play and that it sounds GREAT!

Middle son is growing up...he can mow the grass!(with much watching out by dad)

Youngest son can't wait till the pool is open...problem...we may have a small leak in the liner.
After the tarp was taken off, there was a 2 foot drop in the water level. Going to have to go to the pool palce to check it out.

Mother's Day was very nice, I was treated to a Chinese lunch and a Mexican dinner.(made by DD!) It was wonderful to be treated like a Queen for the day!

Eating, oil change and some shopping!

We had family night last night...ate out at Red Robin. Boy do they have delicious burgers! Oldest DS couldn't make it cause he was taking his Music Fundamentals final.We got his to go..hope he did well.(He will know his grades by the weekend!)

We came home and DS was home from his test, so he ate and then we played a few games..Catch Phrase and UNO. Its a blast playing, we are so competitive!

This morning, I had to get up early and take the van into get an oil change. While I was over there I needed to stop at ACM to pick up some craft supplies for our 3rd gr. Sun. Sch. project this Sunday...we are making Mother's day flower pens. I will try to remember to take a pic. I also picked up a few play toys...a CuddleBug die,
some Graduation stickers, and two canvas 8 x 8 albums. One for a friend's DD who is having a bridal shower soon!

I need to get off here and finish my Mother's Days cards..blessings all!

May already...

...Hard to believe!

Today is DS's last two finals for his second semester in college! He made it through the year and we are hoping he made the Dean's list again like he did in his first semester. I am so proud of him!

DD applied for a job at the local library(that DS quit last month , so he could work for UPS)...she should know by Saturday. It was her first job interview! No matter the outcome, I am so happy she took the initiative to try!

DD has dinner week again! Woo-hoo...that gives me time to get some things done that I don't normally get to till they go to bed. She made a taco chicken last night that was YUMMY!

Its Family night tonight, and I need to figure out something fun to do!

Yea...I figured out how to do a header for my blog!

Nothing fancy...but I made it, but I must give credit for the doodling...my online 123-Scrap friend, Dawn! Thanks Dawn!!

My Family

Its Sunday!!

I LOVE Sundays!
Up early for Church. (well that part is hard...but its fine once I am up and showered!)
Back home for lunch and then a nice nap! Isn't that what Sundays are for!

BUT it is sooooo pretty here today..sunny and 70s and here I sit at the pc!
After dinner, I will be walking(have been every night with DH for weeks now!)
I need to get to that mint by our steps in the backyard...a couple of dear scrapping online friends told me what I needed to do with it...DIG IT UP~ That will not be an easy job...but it is taking over the area to our pool and nothing else will grow. Hopefully need to get to that tonight and this week...

Recent LOs

Curriculum Fair was great! Saw alot...bought some things we needed! I finally got through most of all the catalogs I got....and now we need to finish up school and then I will decide on what else is needed. I got through some of my homeschool cabinet and pulled out some books we no longer can use...sold them on Vegsource for a nice chunk-of-change.

So, I finally got some time to put up a few LOs...first one is of our DD at her recent birthday at her grandparents...they always celebrate her birthday before we drive to home.

This one is from a sock exchange the Youth girls had this past Christmas....

Hopefully will have more time this weekend to scrap some more...

Curriculum Fair tom'w...

I so need to get my book list ready for it!

Its great to have homeschooled for 14 years...you are NOT swayed by the latest curriculum.
HOWEVER, being a book lover, even a list cannot stop me from purchasing something new!

I look forward to seeing all the new stuff out there...we are pretty set on Math and English and having those books already passed down from our graduated son helps!

Another thing...this is the LAST week of my BIG Picture Scrap booking 12 wk class, "Library of Memories" with Staci Jullian of Simple Scrapbooks. I am sad and glad...its been a GREAT class!
Everything is saved and printed out to start on when school is over. I need to begin scrap booking again and this class will help me to accomplish a goal for the year.

Well, off to begin the day with our children!

Our youngest turned 10 today!

So hard to believe our baby is growing up!



It was a fun day for him...we had a wee party for him with 3 of his friends here at the house.

Played a few games, ate hot dogs and had a cookie cake complete with a Pikachu cake topper!

He got a few of his favorite things...Pokemon cards and Bionicles! What every parent wants to

hear, "It was the best birthday ever!"

My Birthday!

Hard to believe another year has come and gone...but what a year its been.


I am blessed beyond words with dear family and friends...BUT


My most wonderful blessing...


DH and I celebrated our 24th anniversary just last week!


What better present to have for this birthday~

Swap completed!

I have been tardy with a few swaps lately...okay, I am always tardy but after completeing this one I am turning over a NEW LEAF...one swap at a time and I start it and finish it wayyyyy before the swap due date!

So, my latest swap was with some dear friends from CHW...I did these two LOs: one winter and one fall...using all Club Scrap paper that I have been hoarding!

BIG Toot!

I couldn't believe it...I got my new Simply Sentiments mag in the mail! AND as I open the issue...out pops a birthday card I had made and submitted several months back. I had TOTALLY forgotten about it. Well, I wasn't thinking, I just figured Sherry was being nice and sending my card back to me. Then I started looking through my issue and oogling all the wonderful cards that were accepted and there mine was on page 27! I couldn't believe, TOTAL shock! This truly made my day, week, month, and year! This is only the second time I have submitted! It was almost a year ago when Sherry accepted my very first cards and published them!
Explosion Birthday card

Toot-toot!!

Taxes are done!

I am sooo glad we decided to go with the Tax Lady this year! We called her on Wednesday and she got us in Thursday...plus with a new tax credit with our college student our refund looks GREAT this year! So she is e-filing for us and we should have our refund in 7-10 days! Time to go look for a new couch!

Its a rainy/sleety mix and cold here today after having 70 degrees here for a few days.
Hope to have a fire going tonight after DH gets home from his baseball card show...praying he gets home ok from VA(an hour away).

Looking forward to some much needed crafting time tonight...I have a ATC swap I am LATE on and need to get those out tom'w.

Making chicken wrap ups tonight as soon as DS gets home with some red pepper!

Taxes, Homeschooling and a Lovely Day

This is what is keeping me busy of late...we are trying to find a good CPA to do our taxes...with Seth in college and using up those Series EE bonds we bought since 1992, our taxes will need a more experienced hand then what we have this year. I just called a recommended CPA today and am wondering whay no call back as of yet...I know its their busy time....but I guess they have enough business. Will try another tom'w.

Homeschooling always takes alot of time during the day with the three kids ( plus, keeping up with whats happening with our oldest in his first year of college! ). BUT, with their portfolios due in a couple of weeks I have to start pulling it all together. Fortunately, we have great kids who date their papers...so its much easier pulling it all together into their folios! They are due 4/2 so I still have a bit of time.

However, it was so nice today(60s and sunshine)...that while DH had the kids cleaning out the garage...I was making burgers on the grill. I am not as good a "grill master" as my sweet hubby, but I got the job done without burning them to a crisp!
DH and I were able to get out and walk tonight after dinner, read together as a family(Acts 7 and 8) and then enjoyed some homemade banana pudding!

Newsboys...ROCK!!

We went to see the Newsboys in concert at 1st Mariner. DD and DS loved the two groups that were on prior to NBs...Stellar Kart and Kutless.

I LOVE the Newsboys latest "Go" album! It was the best concert yet...

The band was awesome and I am hooked on their website videos now:

http://www.newsboys.com/index.php

Here a few pics...friends and church pastors(that white stuff is confetti!)

Here is Peter...

Duncan the drummer was awesome...loved his twirling drum stage!!

Loved Jeff Frankinstein..the keyboard player!(he is on the right,sorry its dark!)

Here is Paul Colman with his lil' daughter before the show while they were setting up.

He is the new gutarist for the Newsboys and he is wayyyy COOL...you gotta LOVE those Aussie accents!

It was an awesome concert...and I will definitely "GO" see them again!