Me,Andrew, and dad time

About two weeks ago Andrew asked if we could go to Reynolds Park and hang out. It was just him and his dad and I at the time, the other two kids were out of town. Andrew loves to draw, a hobby that he does very well, and that is also something that I used to spend a lot of time doing in my earlier years when I had nothing better to do. So at his request, he and I drew the lake scape.

This was our inspiration.

Michael doesn't draw, so he walked around taking picturesof nature with his new phone. Takes very clear pictures, huh?

The neat part about sharing this time with Andrew was us going back and forth asking, "how did you draw this?" or " is this too much shading?". Neither of us dominating, but learning from each other. We loved it and vowed to do it again soon.

Michael is very fond of nature pictures; this was his favorite that he took that day. Fred and I will also try to draw this, maybe I will blog those pictures later.

It was nice just setting back and relaxing, something I don't take time to do, and enjoy the beautiful creation that

has been placed before me to enjoy.

Thank you Father for this gift.

Happy stamper today!!!

I went to a SU! sale today, well, yesterday and the day before too...and got over $800.00 worth...my cost for...are you ready for this? $380.00. Can you believe it? I could not. Not only did I get to rack up on the saving, so did Joann...I don't even remember what her savings was...but it was huge...so that made it even better. Now she will several options to choose from on her first work shop.

Heads up for all of our stampin' buddies...we are getting together a Christmas in July work shop. It is so exciting having some one along side of you to do business with. I don't feel like a loner anymore. Stay tuned for future blogs on the date, time what to expect along with some great door prizes to give away.

Still have four spots left in the "Best Ever" workshop on the 2nd of May. Let me know if you are interested by the 19th of April so that I can get our merchandise ordered.

Thought I would share a couple of pictures of my family that were taken on Micah's 16th birthday.

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How truly I am blessed.

My baby is 18 years old today...

Yeah!!!! He is an adult!!! Today at 12:48 pm my baby boy became 18 years old. He shares a birthday with my uncle Troy and one of my dearest friends, Mimi. Happy birthday everyone. I have several pictures to share with you from his party tonight...

Oh, how he loves this Affliction shirt from the May's...although he decided not to wear it tonight due to the cake, ice cream, and etc...he wanted to make sure it was ready to wear tomorrow to school.

Every boy going off the college needs a TomTom to get them around...that's a navigational system. He is always taking ours so we thought it would be a good idea for

him to have one of his own.

Alicia brought her crew to celebrate with us...

Grandpa Shorty and dad ...

Joshua and Jessie...look what she and Micah did to his room...

The balloons provided lots of entertainment through out the night...loud entertainment.

Happy Birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday Joshua, happy birthday to you.

Fred tried to help him blow out the candles but they would not go out...I really didn't plan that. I had no idea they were trick candles. I just told the lady behind the counter that I needed 18 candles...no, really.

They were using their fingers to try to put out the candles. Every time they would pick one up to take off the cake it would light up again. It was quite funny.

I am very grateful this year that my children have all me healthy on their birthdays and that they are good kids. It is a blessing to be the parent to all three of our children and I wouldn't change a thing. Love you kiddo's.

Valentine Goodies

Yes, last night I had some ME time with the girls. We stamped for a couple of hours and just enjoyed each others company...and let out our frustrations on each other, after all, that's what friends are for, right?

Lynn and Lisa before the workshop having a little fun with the noodles...

Watch out Deb, it's coming your way!!!! I don't think she saw it coming.

Here we are just chillin', eatin', and talkin'...you know girl stuff...
Now let's get started.We made baskets full of Hershey's Kisses, Acetate goodie bags shaped like a sour cream carton from a fast food restaurant, and a sweet little Valentine. Now for some of you that are on top of things you notice something about this stamp set that just isn't quite right. I know, I used last years Valentine stamp set only because SU! is so behind on shipment (due to a overwhelming Christmas flow) that I did not get my new stamp sets in(ordered on the 26th of December not to arrive until the 15th of January). So, I will make some more with the new stamp set when they come in and share them with you.

This is the sweet little Valentine that was so simple to assemble the coloring took most of your time. I use Real Red, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White card stock. The Slit punch was used to hold the Valentine together...how sweet.

Valentine box with goodies inside was made with the same cardstock used in the above picture, the Scallop punch, Scallop Circle punch, Crop-a-Dile and twine. Real Red is the ink used. If you are interested in the pattern for the box contact me and I will email it to you.Now this was the hit!!!! Acetate, Snail, Real Red and Whisper White cardstock, Real Red Ribbon and Real Red ink. This was simple and didn't take no time to assemble.

I have also made up to- go kits if you are interested. I will supply all of the material(candy not included), stamp the card stock, and have instructions in each kit. The Acetate Carton kit is $1.50 for ten, the box and Valentine Kits are $2.00 for ten. Let me know if I can assist you in any way.

Now I am going to share something with you that I found in my mom's closet. Family portraits of the days gone by. These are precious to me. Now I know you are not interested in my old family photos but the reason that I had to include them was because I plan on binding my blogg into a keepsake book and I wanted these pictures included in it just in case they were to get ruined. I know that is very corny but as you can see they are already messed up due to aging and being packed away.

One last thing...the coolest thing happened last night. I was watching t.v. and my former pastor, whom is also my cousin, was on t.v.. How crazy is that? Yes, he was on TBN and mentioned his little home town of Paragould AR...yea, he hasn't forgot about us. The best part of it was hearing him share his passion for the Lord again. He has always been a motivational speaker and his segment left my husband and I saying WOW! We have got to get that passion back of going out to the people instead of bringing them to us(church). Check him out on the my side bar under Troy Gramling or Flamingo Road Church.

I pray that each person that reads this blogg will have a blessed day. Remember you were created for such a time as this...make the most of it.

Pics of Us...and a card

Sorry, I made a commitment to blog and already messed up. I am home all day but when it comes to blogging that's just not a priority. I believe my last post was about going shopping with momma...it turned out to be pretty great. First we took her to Merle Norman where her buddy Donna did a complete facial on momma, aren't you jealous?

Momma said that her time in that chair was the most relaxed she has ever been...

thank you Donna!!!!!

Doesn't she look great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't had much time to scrap but this is a card I whipped up pretty quick. This is a new stamp set coming out in this new catalog on the 19th.

Good Day!!!

It's a great day, isn't it? It is for me. My mom got up this morning ready to get out of the house for the first time since undergoing two brain surgery's in November. I believe that she is getting her strong will back...I don't know if that is good or bad, hummmmm. This could get very interesting for me, huh? My sister in law and I are going to venture out with her to shop for a new pair of pants; notice that I said (a) meaning one, pair of pants. She has lost a lot of weight and her pants now make her feel big, so we will oblige her today by taking her shopping. Please pray for us!!!!

I have really enjoyed these next set of pictures that I will share with you. My mom had purchased our family a Wii for Christmas. We set the gift out on the table and told the kids to open it together since it was for all of us...mom and dad too. Can you imagine what they thought it is was...look how enthused they look.

At the slight peek of what it was, look how their expressions changed...I love it. Forget the gifts from Santa, an Ipod for the two younger ones and Punching bag for my oldest...it was, "get out of our way...let's get it hooked up dad!"

Oh, they were so sweet to let sissy go ahead and open it the rest of the way. They didn't even notice the other games with it or controls...just, "let's get it hooked up".

I must say that we have had a blast with it. I will try to get some pictures of us playing it when the opportunity comes my way.

In this picture my mom is receiving a gift from Micah, a picture of the two of them together two days before the first seizure. This is her inspiration to get back to good health again.

Great gift Micah.

Our gifts from our children, Mike and I, and gifts to each other, came from a very loving and giving family this year. Some friends of ours went out and purchase gifts for our family and had them wrapped and under tree before we got home from the hospital. Even decorated my house...how cool is that?

This Christmas has been very different...laying down our pride and letting people help us, cherishing every moment with our family not knowing if it could be the last...not just because of cancer but because of life in general. We should treasure each day with family and friends. I think that that is what I am convicted of the most...just enjoy! Things don't have to be perfect, my house may never be cleaned again, but someday, I will have all the time in the world. So for now, I will spend my time playing Wii with my kids and hubby and set at the table with mom and a cup of coffee or some of Deb's hot cocoa and just enjoy talking.

I don't know what the new year holds for us, but what I do know is this; "For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I know that my God is good and all things work for His glory and purpose and I will hold that thought near my heart throughout this next year while battling cancer with mom and Michaels dad. May God bless you all this New Year.

New commitment????

Ok, I am going to try to stay more faithful to my blogging now that I have more time on my hands. Isn't life funny...I have gone from no time; working and running with my kiddos nonstop and being a wife to a stay at home mom again that is not leaving the house much and setting with my mom. Now don't get me wrong, I don't regret having to stay at home and be with my momma, it's just funny how sudden life changes.

Well anyway, I have some pictures from our family Christmas to share with you,

I hope that you enjoy.

This is a picture of Joshua with his new girlfriend...now she is a keeper and she is even of the same faith that we are. Now how great is that? I don't dare tell him that because when I have in the past...bye bye girlfriend. I have watched this young lady grow up with my daughter and know her very well; and for that I am very grateful.

Oh, my little brother...well he isn't that little...six feet seven inches...nevertheless, my little bro. He loves Taco Bell so we blessed him with a gift certificate to enjoy a meal on us. He deserves it!!! He has been the best help in the world with mom...having to give up some of his family time so that I can leave and have family time. I love my bubba!!!

This is his beautiful wife and my precious sister- n- law sporting her new Bath and Body bag with some nice smelling lotion.

This is a picture of my brother and Christine's kids...aren't they handsome?

We are treasuring our time with Max, he will leave in a week to go back to Boot Camp. We are some proud of him for giving of himself to our country.

I know before I get some emails from my friends, yes, they are in my bedroom but notice that I am in there with them, with a camera, lol. Joshua did his own shopping this year and even paid for the gifts himself...now that is a first. He used all of his tip money that he had been saving...I am so proud of him, he is growing up. Nat is opening her clothes from American Eagle.

Here she is sporting the necklace that he gave her. She loved it and it looked great on her, but what wouldn't.

I think that she liked her gifts...good job son.

Now here he is opening up his...Jake Cologne...I think. A teddy bear with lots of candy and ...

his North Face jacket.

How typical is this, sissy helping big bro out so that he looks his best. I think she had as much fun watching them open presents from each other as I did. Could be because she went with Joshua shopping and knew what all he went through to get the right gift. She is a pretty good sis.

My dad and his wife Vic came over to spend Christmas Eve with us...Bubba and I went in together and bought my dad a TomTom, now no more arguments because he won't stop and ask directions...haha. I am very thankful this holiday season for the relationship that my mom and dad have...the best of friends. Mom even hangs out with his wife. I know it's weird but how precious it is for Bubba and I. Dad and Vic were by our sides through each of the brain surgeries mom went through. They are precious and that is what Bubba and I needed during that time, our daddy by our sides...thank you Vic for letting him!!!! Although I don't know if anything outside of an emergency would have kept him away.

Ahhhhh, now here are my babies...

This is a precious picture of my momma with all of her grand kids. This picture is priceless!!!

Now Christmas with Mike's family on Christmas Eve...

My kids setting with there uncle Craig, whom loves the bug the far out of anyone who is close to him...sorry Natalie. At least Joshua did warn her and she was on her toes. She went right back at him...you go girl.

Take a guess who got to be Santa...yep, Andrew delivering the gifts.

Fred opening his gifts from papa.

How funny Fred was...he got $90 in gift cards. He doesn't know which one to spend first.

Micah opening her gifts and daddy trying to hide...you have got to be faster than that dad.Joshua opening his gifts from Papa.Oh, and here is Papa and Will, my nephew.

I guess that I need to save some pictures for tomorrows blog. Hope you have enjoyed our Christmas and remember to cherish this time with your family...you never know when it will be the last.