Beach Days

We just got back from spending a week at Oak Island and it was amazing. The weather was gorgeous, the kids were amazing, and we just had the best time. Since so many people are asking for pics, I figured I'd just share a few here...makes it much easier than emailing to everyone!!! ♥

So there are a few of my faves...I think I actually took over 500 photos in all and I can't wait to have time to sit and go through them all. We had such a wonderful time and I think we're all made for the beach life.

Read more...

I admit it...

I think I've officially failed (again) at P365. It wasn't the picture taking that got me. I do that everyday. It was the constant uploading, editing, journaling, blogging, and the pressure that finally did me in. Sure, I could go back and catch up from here...maybe I even will. Or maybe I'll start again and just forget the missing pics. Who knows. I'm just going to be happy with what I got and see where that takes me.

I am happy that I've been doing more scrapping. I'm so lucky to get to create for some fabulously talented ladies because that helps motivate me even more to get all of the memories recorded. Here are a few recent layouts:

I have even more to share, and I certainly will get around to that soon. These aren't linked individually, but you can find them all (and view full credits) in my gallery HERE.

In family news, everyone (including Max) is finally well. The sickies are officially gone and I'd like it to stay that way. Ry is playing baseball and is totally obsessed. C is dancing and loving gymnastics. We are staying busy, but we can see that the school year is winding down and we're thrilled. Summer is just around the corner!

Read more...

Will the sickies ever end???

I'm beginning to think not. It seems like everyone's been sick for weeks. It's amazing that we're still even functioning on a somewhat normal level. I'm still scrapping a bit and designing some--I even became exclusive to The Digichick this week. YAY!!! I'm thrilled about that and loving my new design home. It's fabulous!

A few recent layouts from me (click for full credit):

We are all more than ready for spring to be here and for all this sickness to be behind us. Really, it can't be here soon enough.

Read more...

Sick, Sick, and More Sick

Everyone's sick. Our house is just an inferno of germs and yuck. C and I have been sick for about a week--nothing major, just cough/cold miserable-ness. Today Ry's school called and he had to come home because now he's sick, too!!! Luckily Shane was home to help me with everyone because I accidently took Nyquil instead of Dayquil this morning--that's been interesting!!!

Puppy Max is hanging in there. He actually ate a bit today:

He is just pitiful, but he's really a fighter! We're taking the best care of him that we can. We really hope he can pull through this!!!

On another note, I was in a major scrapping mood last night and actually finished a couple of layouts! Amazing, huh? I may even try to scrap more tonight--if I don't fall asleep first.

You can see full credits by clicking on the pages. :)

Dinner time is soon--we're having homemade soup. Yummy!!!

Read more...

Poor Puppy

Our new puppy, Max, is very sick. We got him on Feb. 12th, so we've only had him for 10 days but he already seems part of the family. The kids absolutely adore him. He's such a great little puppy--sweet and gentle and calm. Just what we need. We noticed he had a bit of a cold last week and when he went to the vet Friday for his puppy shots, she confirmed that he did have a cold. She was pretty sure it was nothing more because he didn't have a fever and he was eating and playing normally. We didn't worry. Yesterday, though, he got really sick. We could tell he was having trouble breathing and he stopped eating yesterday afternoon. He just seemed weak and miserable. He's back at the vet now, and it's not looking good. :( We're not sure what's going to happen, but for now we're just really sad. I'm so scared that he won't make it and I'm even more afraid of how the kids will react. This is just awful. Any puppy prayers and positive thoughts are appreciated!

On a happy note, today is my Gran and Granddaddy's 58th anniversary! Happy Anniversary, Gran and Granddaddy!!! I love you! ♥

Read more...

100th Post

This is my 100th post on this blog. That's kind of funny to me. I have never thought of myself as much of a blogger, but it's something I've really come to enjoy. I wish I had something groundbreaking or amazing to share with this post, but really it's just kind of an ordinary day! I couldn't sleep last night--I don't know why, really, but I just couldn't relax. I decided to scrap--shocking, right?

I thought it was funny that I scrapped Ryan in both layouts...usually I mix it up and do more boy/girl/boy/girl and so on. I think I'm on a boy kick lately. Scrapping usually relaxes me and it did last night. After finishing/posting my pages, I was ready for bed...just as Ry was waking from a bad dream. I got to spend the night tossing and turning in his bed while he slept (and hit and kick and punched and rolled from side to side) like a baby. Motherhood...there's never a dull moment!

Read more...

Time Flies...

My goodness, has it really been since last summer that I blogged here? I think I've been so busy with my scrapping and design blog that this poor personal blog has been neglected. I have lots of good intentions (more about intentions in another post), and one is to get back into regular blogging. I'm no good at keeping a journal, really. This is much easier for me. I think I can do it.

Super quick recap:
The kids are bigger.
We have 2 (TWO?!?!) dogs. One is a brand new puppy. Oh help me.
Hubby still works, I still stay at home.
We have lots of fun stuff on the radar.
I have lots of intentions (see??? There I go again...)

I have photos to share and all that good stuff, but it will have to wait until later. Right now I have a little girl who is ready for gymanastics class. It's so fun.

Read more...

Beach 2009

We just got home from a week at the beach and we all had a wonderful time! The weather was gorgeous--sunny every day! The ocean was warm, the kids were well behaved, and we just enjoyed every second. I took over 1,000 photos, but obviously can't share them all here. Here are just a few from our wonderful vacation:

The entire trip was so wonderful that we hated to come home! Ryan still has a couple of days of school left, Shane has to get back to work, and I have to get back into the swing of things at home. It will take some time, that's for sure! ♥

Read more...

Happy Birthday, Ry-Ry!!!

Six years ago today, at 9:39 am, my baby was born. It had been a long pregnancy...4 months of bedrest, many complications, lots of long, hard days. Even his delivery wasn't easy. After an emergency c-section, he was born perfect...the most beautiful, perfect, HEALTHY 7 pound 2 ounce, 20 inch long baby ever to be born.



At 9 months old, he was a happy, smiley, loving baby who loved nothing more than a good "nursey."



18 months old with a personality that was really beginning to emerge. Beautiful blue eyes and into everything. He was beginning to be a real boy...running, jumping, falling. Growing.



2 years old...handsome. Boyish. Growing and learning every day. He already had a baby sister on the way!





3 years passed so quickly. Ryan was truly a little boy now. Every day he surprised us with how quickly he was learning new things. He started to become interested in sports and wanted to pay everything.



Already 4 years old...shaggy hair, a total boy. Loving being outside all the time and hanging out with Daddy. Protector of baby sister and mommy snuggler.



5 years old...the age that brought the most changes so far. He became a total boy. No longer so shy, more outgoing and passionate about the things and people he loves. Began kindergarten, made new friends...just amazing in every way.



And now. Ryan is much more of a boy than a baby. He loves his family. Daddy is his go-to guy for everything. Caroline is his best friend, playmate, and tormentor. Mommy is his lovey, his snuggler, his boo-boo fixer. School is fun and he loves being with his friends. He's a sports nut and plays everything he can play...watches it all, too. He's reading, seems to be some sort of math genius. Loves his church, loves God. Compassionate, understanding beyond his years. Underneath that tough boy exterior is a heart of gold.



Happy birthday, Ry-Ry. We love you.

Read more...