Self Portrait Tuesday #2 (and catching up on birthday celebrations)

This is my self portrait for today:
I am standing on my porch so you can see the snow which is definitely dictating my day today!

I just returned from a forty minute trip all the way to---

the next exit down the freeway from me and back!
typically a 15 minute trip and not actually my destination!!

I was going to Salt Lake to get some book cloth for my book binding class tonight but, leaving it until today was obviously a mistake! The roads are terrible- slick and slushy, full of semi trucks and arrogant drivers who kept passing me on the shoulder while I was stopped in non-moving traffic! The visibility is minimal. And the wind is blowing really hard- it was pushing my car around! So, I turned back and came home.

I guess being housebound is not all bad- I have a chance to catch up on my blog! The last couple of days have been busy.

On Friday, we celebrated Kate's birthday. It was the best party we have ever had! Just two friends came for a late night with Kate. We had balloons and confetti. We made a tent out of streamers and placed mattresses on the floor under neath them. We had pizza, played games, decorated cupcakes, and opened presents. We watched a movie in our "party tent" and then Kate and her friends played shadow games and told scary stories with their flashlights while I put my younger kids to bed. I took the girls home about 10:30pm, put Kate and Megan to sleep on the mattresses in the living room, and went to bed just after 11pm! It was perfect!

Monday was Kelly's birthday. Ethan and I made him chocolate chip cookies- one of his favorites! I don't make them very often because they are not one of mine. After school, the kids and I delivered some to Kelly at work. We walked in singing, "You've had a birthday, shout Hooray..." I think he was embarrassed by us, or maybe for us. But we wanted him to know we were thinking of him.

After dinner, we used some of the chocolate chip cookies to make a homemade version of Never On Sundae (a dessert from The Pizza Factory- chocolate chip cookie crust with vanilla ice cream, topped with caramel and chocolate sauce.)

I never know what to do for Kelly. I'm still trying to figure out his love language. It is not gifts, though it is mine, so I bought him a couple of things anyway. He and I both loved The Prestige, which just came out on DVD. So, we gave him that. And, on those rare occasions Kelly shares some emotion, he loves to say "Wunderbar", so when Hannah posted about Wunderbar candy bars, I knew I had to get him some! His main gift is still a surprise- we are leaving him clues and he has to figure out what it is. I'll post more at the end of his hunt!

We will have one final celebration on Sunday. My brother, Ben, also had a birthday in February. So, all my family that is here in Utah will get together to celebrate all the February birthdays. We'll visit and have dessert. And then we have a break until almost June- when we will have three more!

What's the best party you ever had? What do you do for the men in your life?

I have a ten year old!

My first baby is now in the double digits! YIKES! I can't think to hard about what is just around the corner- it freaks me out. So, I'm trying to focus on all the things I love about my sweet Kate right now. In honor of her tenth birthday, here are ten interesting things about Kate:

1. Kate is a voracious reader- it is quite possible that she has read more books in her 10 years than I have read in my 30+! She reads that much! What I really envy though- she remembers what she reads!
2. Kate still believes life should be fair.
   
3. Kate has her dad's brown eyes and his love for trivia, useless facts, and just plain wanting to know things. They are SO funny together!
4. Kate defiantly likes to be right and to enforce the rules.
5. Kate's favorite color is light blue.
6. Kate is friends with everyone, but only has a couple of really close friends.
7. Kate shares my love of organizing (though, not always my style of organizing!) and my love of all things paper (wanting to buy stationary everywhere we go!)
8. Kate still "furrows her brow" (the indian name she was given by her dad at one month old, and for good reason).
9. Kate is afraid of the dark.
   
10. Kate has to work at being happy and making good choices, but she always does in the end.

I am pretty much amazed by Kate- her height, her movements, her smile, her intellect, her genuine love for me and each member of our family... I think she is wonderful! I appreciate all she does at our house. She is first born and Kelly and I are learning on her. She bears that burden well, most the time. As scared as I am of the future (boys, hormones, dating, driving...) I am excited to watch as she continues to grow and becomes an even more amazing friend, student, sister, daughter and all around fabulous person!

Happy Birthday Kate!!

100 Things About Me

I am finally ready to post this list. It was harder than I thought. Maybe because I am still learning who I am. Maybe because I wanted to include different things than I listed on my birthday post and my happy list. Whatever the reason- it is done now and it is the real me!

1. I can listen to The Return of the King Soundtrack (The Lord of the Rings) ALL day long.
2. I have driven 40 miles with the radio on scan- I guess I don't really like the radio.
3. I am more judgmental than I'd like to be.
4. I have one volume- loud.
5. Green was my favorite color for 14 years. I still love it, but my favorite color changed a couple of years ago to barn red.
6. Sudoku and Electronic Yahtzee are how I waste my time.
7. I believe there is a science to eating sandwiches and it requires them to be cut in triangles. (Then you can eat the crust all the way around and your last bites are the center, which is the very best part!)
8. I have five children- I like to say we have a "hand-full" (with a little giggle- I'm so proud of myself for coming up with that!) {With my five cute children, enjoying the lights at temple square}
9. I yell at my kids- a lot. Hate that.
10. I talk with my hands.
11. I love to read aloud in my children's classrooms.
12. I own over 400 rubber stamps (not including my alphabet sets). {The stamps shelves I commissioned Jill's husband, Randy, to make and hang for me!}
13. I graduated from BYU in Elementary Education.
14. I love to play D(ance) D(ance) R(evolution).
15. I am a visual learner.
16. I think it is impossible to have too many cute bags. {The super cute orange purse that Michelle gave me.}
17. I LOVE newborn babies. LOVE them! If you have one, I will come hold them for you all day and all night! Well, I'm not really free to do that. But I totally would if I could!
18. I love food. I eat for comfort, for entertainment, for boredom... I have to try really hard NOT to eat! My favorite excuse- my kids drove me to eat! (Yes, I know Oprah would just die! I'm over it!)
19. I have long legs. That means my pants have been too short most my life. How I LOVE that they now make 12 LONG!
20. I love dessert. I have it after every meal. {One of the yummy desserts on my cruise}
21. When I cook, whatever the sugar is supposed to be- I make it a heaping one!
22. I love taking dance classes with Kelly- I like to imagine us doing the most amazing dance routines in my head. Too bad we really look so ridiculous!
23. Making dinner and putting my kids to bed are the worst parts of my day!
24. My drink of choice is lemonade- freshly squeezed, pink, strawberry, mint (really, it is way good!)... just don't give me that diet garbage! If I'm gonna have a lemonade, it better darn well have sugar in it!
25. I'm not funny. I don't enjoy comedies. I don't appreciate a good joke. Although, I enjoy funny people. Funny.
26. I cry when I laugh.
27. I love to sing, loud of course! But, I can't carry a tune.
28. I am addicted to paper.
29. I prefer caramel over chocolate but never turn down chocolate!
30. I want a convertible. I really, really want a convertible.
31. Fall is my favorite season. I love spring bulbs, the first snow, the Fourth of July... but I love everything about fall!!
32. I have a crush on Jennifer Garner- still.
33. I prefer to wear socks and I like them knee-high!
34. I think games are a waste of time, but I play because Kelly likes to.
35. I like the table set. In my ideal world, silverware would match, water would be served in a glass pitcher and napkins would always be cloth. In the real world, I settle for a clean tablecloth.
36. I think BIG- but I never pull off exactly what I plan.
37. I am always late. Everything takes longer than I think it should- especially getting out the door.
38. I love to organize.
39. My imagination is excited by walking through Office Max. Don't you love those pink pads for taking phone messages?!
40. I can't ever remember what movies I've seen or what books I've read. I have to ask Kelly if I have seen/read something.
41. I am finally learning to act on good intentions.
42. I try to always have a book or magazine with me to read while I wait for school to get out, at the doctor/dentist, before church meetings... I have read a lot by doing that!
43. I love to vacuum. I worked at an art college in high school. I had to vacuum this really long hallway. I'd start at the far end and match my lines so that when I finished, there were 6 really long, straight lines down the entire length of the carpet. What a happy sight!
44. I have taken 11 months of piano lessons in my whole life- they weren't enough! I really wish I could play the piano.
45. I took one semester of string orchestra in high school to play the cello. I really wish I could play the cello.
46. Megan is taking violin lessons. I really wish I could play the violin.
47. I lived right on a lake in Washington but only water skied once- it was a disaster!
48. I have a hard time getting myself out of bed, but then I feel guilty for wasting my morning.
49. In this world, there are spenders and savers. I am a spender. I married a saver.
50. I'm the oldest of 8 children. There are less than 11 years between me and my youngest sibling.
51. I don't hang on to things- I have a single box with a sample of art work, school papers and what not from my five kids. They'll thank me when I die and don't leave them a house full of junk!
52. I love throwing things out! Cleaning out the closets, the toy box, the drawers... and getting rid of what we don't need!
53. I love to fondue. {Cooking fondue on my birthday}
54. I secretly dream of making money by selling my handmade books. Right now, it is just a dream.
55. I have to call Kelly every day to ask him how to fix my network or my xbox or how to use my computer or get into a program... I am definitely technologically challenged!
56. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude every time I see the American Flag.
57. My favorite time to go shopping is Back To School- notebooks, crayons, pencils... everything new, sharp and organized. Delightful!
58. I love a clean house. I don't mind cleaning my house. I HATE that every job I do is undone within the hour and every room I clean means another one was trashed... it's like Mr. Incredible said, "Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!"
59. I crave a Dr. Pepper about every 6 months.
60. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have felt a witness that it is true and living the gospel brings me the greatest happiness in life.
61. One of the most common misconceptions about me is that I am a social person. I imagine myself throwing fabulous parties and carrying on conversations with ease- but I am actually socially inept and talking to people I don't know is really hard for me.
62. I never played sports. That's not true- I played Lacrosse for two weeks but then the coach quit and we never found another one. That was the extent of competitive sports for me.
63. My current hobby is book making. {The wedding book I made for my sister, Kathryn}
64. I do NOT garden- I can't stand dirty hands and I can't get anything to grow.
65. I do NOT camp- I can't stand dirty kids and I can't build a fire.
66. I pre-ordered 12 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Samoas are my favorite.
67. I am a fast walker.
68. Once I have gone to the trouble of coming up with an idea, I feel like I should mass produce it. I have a talent for efficient production lines! (I think I developed this talent by helping my dad staple handouts for classes he taught.)
69. I could not survive without a dictionary. (Too bad I don't have a memory for all those words I looked up!)
70. I hate the smell of coffee- heaven forbid I should have to walk past it in the grocery!
71. I would love to travel down the Pacific Coast on a train.
72. One of my best childhood memories is playing The Three Billy Goats Gruff on small bridge behind my house. It is still one of my favorite stories to read to my children.
73. I want to be a learner, though it is not easy for me. (Still no memory. Isn't that annoying!)
74. I do so much better with things that are convenient!
75. My first response is "the glass is half empty," but I work to see that "the glass is half full."
76. If I had more cupboards, I would have more dishes- I love cute dishes! (And they would be so helpful for #35).
77. If I could change one thing about the way I look, I would get rid of my double chin. (Thanks Mom.)
78. I like to be surprised.
79. Hands down, my favorite scrap booking product is rub-ons.
80. My heart races every time I see a Harry Potter trailer- can't July come any faster?!! (If you didn't know, that is when the fifth movie and the last book are released! Yipee!)
81. I always imagined I would be a nicer, more involved mom than I am.
82. I have a short temper.
83. I am easily annoyed.
84. I have very little tolerance.
85. I'm working on all of these.
86. I'm not a good phone talker (see #10).
87. I always wish I could do more.
88. I'm sure I have the wisest mother ever and I love being around her!
89. I will make my bed at 10:00pm so I can crawl into a made bed an hour later. (There is just something about a made bed and clean sheets that makes me sleep better!)
90. I love going out to eat. If I was asked to pick a favorite, it would be hard. But, I would probably pick PF Chang's (lettuce wraps and honey shrimp) or Outback (alice springs chicken and cheese fries). Boy, I'm hungry! :)
91. I don't like to drive. I prefer to ride. I am too easily distracted by thoughts, conversation, signs... (that does not change #30!!)
92. I have a passport that will be stamped for the the first time in April, when I go to Paris with my girlfriends!!
93. My favorite days are the ones when you can open a window.
94. I love coats & jackets, but I rarely put one on.
95. I wasn't going to start a blog (gasp!) but Jill convinced me. And I am SO glad that she did!
96. I love photos that are close up!
97. It lifts my spirits to look out my bedroom window at Mount Timpanogas.
98. I love writing with a really sharp pencil.
99. I don't think I'm really good at any one thing, but I am happy with all the things I have tried: photography, scrapbooking, book binding, dancing (ballroom, salsa, folk and ballet), gymnastics, piano, cello, calligraphy, toll painting, floral design, fondue, candy making, napkin folding...
100. I am happiest now, at this stage of my life, then I have ever been.

Self Portrait Tuesday

I just got home from my Book Binding class. It has been a long day. I didn't make it to the shower. If I had not had to leave for class, I would have oatmeal and yogurt rubbed into my shoulder. What little make-up is on my face is from church yesterday... but I have never really taken a self portrait, except modeling my book club shirt. So, what the heck! The challenge was issued and this is my response: I wear glasses to see far away, which means rarely. But they were still on from my drive home. I hate my smile because my gums show, but I love my teeth- all straight with no braces! If I like a dentist or not depends a lot on if he says I have nice teeth :) Silver hoops are the most common pair of earrings I wear. Pony tail is pretty much standard, even though I hate the shape of my face when my hair is pulled back. Kelly calls my eyes aspen. I call them mud. The thing I should have done sooner in life- wax my eyebrows! I love when someone else shapes them!

The Hunt is Over

Emily walked in from school and said, "Dad's home!" Sure enough, Kelly had just pulled in to the garage. He had red, tired eyes and a smile that said, "Oh well."

Kelly left on Sunday night for Wickenburg, Arizona. He has been playing the Dr. Pepper Hunt for $1,000,000. There are 23 coins hidden somewhere in the United States. Some are worth $10,000, others worth $25,000, one is worth a million dollars! When he registered to play, he entered his zip code for the clues that would lead him to the coin closest to us. He followed those clues to Wickenburg. After spending the entire weekend explaining his reasoning for each individual clue to me and to each of the kids, we decided he needed to just go- go and try. He spent Monday learning the town and looking around the Historical Sites of Wickenburg. When the next to last clue was posted online at 1:00am this morning, Kelly knew immediately where to go. He parked his car at the well famous for making liars of those who drink its water and started to search. One guy from Phoenix crossed the street and joined the search just after Kelly. Thirty minutes later, the other guy found the coin. It was hidden in a black leather bag in the joint of a fence post. Drat.

So, Kelly is home a day early. He said, "It was fun to be a treasure hunter. It is probably more fun to be a treasure finder, but..." Oh well. We had no expectations of claiming the prize. Still, we are disappointed. It would have been easier to lose to a whole town of treasure hunters than it is to have lost to one guy who happened to look in the right place first. (And who knew what to look for thanks to his friend in Boston!) But, Kelly went. He tried. He was right about where it was located! He had a good time. He is home safe. We can't be disappointed about any of that! And if you ever need to know ANYthing about Wickenburg, Arizona- Kelly's your guy!

Hunting Widow

Don't worry, Kelly has not decided to pick up a gun and go hunting for deer or duck. He decided to pick up his compass and go hunting for treasure!

Since the day we met, Kelly has had a head full of what I deem to be "useless" facts. When we were dating, he drove to California to try out for Jeopardy (he would not have had to look up how to spell Jeopardy like I just did!). The first gift I ever gave Kelly was just before he left on that trip- a box of useless facts. Some were written on paper, others were attached to related objects. But it seemed a fitting gift to wish him luck.

In the 13 years since, I have daily marveled at the things Kelly knows! He often says things that are truly random, sometimes silly, frequently helpful, occasionally bizarre and terribly unimportant but always interesting. I don't know how he retains it all! I don't quite know even how he learns it all- his response is always, "The internet is amazing!"

So, now his love of useless facts and internet search engines has him off looking for a valuable coin in what I will leave as an undisclosed location ;) He left Sunday night and will be home some time on Wednesday. We have no real expectations of him finding valuable treasure, maybe some trinkets to bring back for the kids. But, the kids love saying their dad is a treasure hunter and ask me every five minutes if he has called to report. I love that Kelly is off on an adventure!

He asked me recently if he had any hobbies. I said flat out, as I left the room, "No." I've posted before about my wonderful husband who eats, breathes, dreams and speaks code. Computers are his job and his hobby. (Which makes buying him a birthday present really hard!!) I could not think of any other strong interests. But, I had just forgotten- because trivia and games are definitely a hobby for him and this treasure hunt is just the kind of thing he loves!

Good Luck and Happy Hunting Kelly! I love you!

{And while you are gone, I am crafting, blogging, and matching socks while watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice- Elizabeth Bennett just turned down Mr. Darcy's proposal of marriage!!}

a good thing, simplified

I am a big fan of Chicken Cordon Bleu. But it is a lot of work and I am so not talented enough to pound the chicken into squares for rolling! So, when I found this recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, I had to try it! Michelle, my gourmet friend who shares every good recipe she knows, might just die when she reads this- I've always wondered if she has ever even made a casserole. But, I grew up on them. It was all I could cook as a newlywed. So the word casserole doesn't ever turn me away. Especially when it simplifies something!
Anyway, we have made it twice now. It is a new favorite. I may try and tweak the recipe a bit, the stuffing flavor is a little overwhelming. I think it would be good with just bread crumbs or maybe smashed up Ritz. But, if you like chicken cordon bleu and you like simple, you might just like this! (If you care, I found the recipe in a ward cookbook.)

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

6 chicken breasts, uncooked
8 slices of ham
8 oz. swiss cheese, sliced
1 pkg. Stove Top Stuffing, prepared according to box
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 c. milk
salt and pepper

Lay the chicken in a 9 x 13 pan. Salt and pepper the chicken.
Layer four slices of ham, then half the swiss cheese. Repeat.
Spread prepared stuffing on top of last layer.
Mix soup, sour cream and milk together. Pour over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Productive Saturday

It's late and I'm tired. But I didn't want to break my posting trend, so I thought I'd share what we accomplished today:

• Buy and hang a second shelf above the washing machine, then organize contents.
• Vacuum behind and wash down the washer and dryer.
• Rehang the shelf that was pulled down in my closet.
• Fix all the holes in the dry wall.
• Organize (and throw out) kids toys.
• Rearrange Soren and Emily's room (mostly for vacuuming and toy collecting purposes!)
• Wash four loads of laundry, fold and put away six!
• Make 2 week menu and do grocery shopping.
• Play with Ethan. Play with Ethan some more.
  
• Cook dinner.
• Bathe 4 of 5 kids.
• Exercise.
• Watch Lego Thriller on YouTube and double check Kelly's answers to the Dr. Pepper Hunt for a million dollars (may not be much of an accomplishment, but was nice time spent together after kids went to bed!)

I just heard the shower turn off. That means it is my turn and then sweet dreams- which they should be because I have no obligations in Primary tomorrow! Hooray!

puzzle: a problem, game or device that calls for inventive skill or reasoning

Ethan has a new hobby- puzzles! He does them ALL day long and we have watched almost no television and not a single dvd in three days! He loves working on them that much! However, we have been to three stores to find more puzzles for Ethan to do!

He now has quite a collection of puzzles, including: Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Barbie, 2- Toy Story, Clifford, Pooh Bear, Elmo, Scooby, and Curious George. Each puzzle has 24 or 25 pieces and is designed for children 3 and over. Ethan can do all of them completely on his own. In fact, unless he is tired, he does NOT want help! He is very specific about which puzzle he wants to do. He does not want to put them away until the table is completely covered with finished puzzles, then he is happy to "mess up" the puzzles and put them in the bags- so he can start the process all over again!


It all started when he pulled out this Beauty and the Beast puzzle from our game shelf. He and mostly I spent a whole morning putting it together. He LOVED it and after I put it away, he wanted to do it again. It takes quite a while, so I pulled out a smaller puzzle instead. I realized that he did most the work, so I pulled down another one and left him to it. A little while later, he came running in to the kitchen shouting, "Done Mom, Done!!" Sure enough, he had finished it without my help. And now, he's an addict!

I love watching him work. I wish I could see what was going on in his brain! These are some of the things I have observed:

• He likes to match up eyes. It's the one thing that gets him quite excited before the big finish.
• He generally puts faces together first.
• He seems to have good spatial ability because he turns the pieces to try and fit the needed shape even if the piece doesn't end up being the right one (does that even make sense? are there names for the part of the puzzle piece that is cut away and the part that sticks out?)
• He does not have any sense of straight edges though. They are always the last thing he does, except for the few pieces that have very obvious parts to the picture.
• When he does a puzzle again, he remembers the pieces- he picks one up and knows right where to put it or he knows just what piece he needs next.
• He is very serious when he works. His face reads serious concentration.

Once the last piece is in place, he jumps and runs for hugs and smiles from ear to ear... It's almost like watching a victory dance, you can tell he is absolutely delighted! What you can't tell is if he is delighted with himself or with the puzzle! Either way, we love seeing his happy dance!

The possibilities of this hobby are progressing. For both of us. We have added music to the background (Classic Disney of course!) which has him dancing while he works. We are adding tables to give him more space. And I am realizing how much this frees me up to do things! If I can tear myself away from watching my amazing little guy, I just might get some things done!!

Tagged (by Hannah)

6 Weird Things About Me

1. I hate drinking from a can. Totally wicks me out- I have to have a straw!
2. I LIKE circus peanuts (and I leave my marshmallow bag open on purpose!)
3. I hate having dirty hands- flour, dough, glue, paint... can't stand the feel of any of it, I have to wash my hands immediately!
4. I don't like to sit with my back to the room/door. I have traded places with people at restaurants so I can "look out" instead of looking at a wall.
5. I hate television but can't help watching it if the tv is on. I know it is a waste of my time, but if it's on, I must listen!
6. I wanted to avoid sharing this one, but can't come up with another- I pick at my feet. It drives Kelly crazy! I have really dry skin and I have only ever had one mediocre pedicure, so when I'm reading or watching a movie, I scratch it off. Terrible, I know.

6 Things That Make Me Happy (right now)

1. Dinner cooking in the crockpot- dang, it smells good!
2. Ethan's really contagious laugh
3. When my children say, "Yes, mom!"
4. Fresh flowers
5. When Kelly cleans my bathrooms (thanks kelly!!)
6. Posting two days in a row!!

It has been SO fun to read everyone's lists. I don't really know who is left to tag. If you haven't been, considered yourself tagged now! (Jana and Collette?!! My mom and sisters?!!)

not my favorite holiday...

Valentine's Day is definitely NOT my favorite holiday. Working at a flower shop on a college campus pretty much ruined all hope this holiday had of being in my top ten! I spent too many years arriving at work by 3:00am, watching girls be absolutely silly, helping boys with their ludicrous requests, being yelled at for deliveries that did not arrive in a restricted classroom at precisely 10:08am... and did you really want to know how much those roses cost that you just paid $60+ for? (NOT 60 dollars!)

If there was even a glimmer of hope that it might creep back on to the list, that was killed by my terrible experience of trying to find Valentine cards and treats LAST week! Maybe it is my own fault- "Valentine's" has been in the stores since December! But I just couldn't bring myself to buy Valentine stuff before the third week of January and then I wanted to let my kids choose their own Valentine's- so I waited. I waited too long because apparently, one week is NOT enough notice for buying holiday supplies. For a girl who lives deadline to deadline, it does NOT work for me to have stores replacing Valentine's with Easter the week BEFORE Valentine's Day!! Sheesh!

I won't go into the boring details, I'll just say that everything worked itself out (after four stores and some serious lobbying). We were ready for Valentine's Day! Or, so I thought!

I seriously procrastinated my "craft" for Emily's class party. I didn't realize how badly until this morning when I was running from Robert's, who had NO heart dies for my Sizzix machine, to Forget Me Not, who doesn't open until 10 and I was supposed to be at the school at 10:45! I frantically cut 300 paper hearts with the only heart die in the store (sorry to the three ladies waiting for me to finish!) and raced to the school, arriving 6 minutes after the party was supposed to start! Luckily, the class had not quite settled down from recess and I had minimal set-up. So, my craft worked itself out too. But what a lousy way to spend my morning!

{this is my craft, made for me with love by emily- looks better in person. the flowers are made from three hearts folded in half and glued to make a three dimensional flower. each child could take their "bouquet" home to their mom or a loved one. big hit. don't procrastinate next time!}

Despite all this, I don't hate Valentine's Day. It was a great excuse to send off lots of good mail (for some of you, remember my mantra: better late than never!).

{the stash I sent out yesterday- the lady behind me in line was NOT happy!}

It was the cause of much good mail received! Thank you Grandma Hot Tub, Grandma Texas, Pam, Amy M. and Hannah!

I loved watching my kids write their Valentine's- so cute what they say and think! (Where was my camera?!!)

I have a wonderful husband who used his online savvy and cheapskate spidey-sense to buy me flowers I wouldn't be mad at him for buying- at least, that is what we agreed on and I don't know otherwise!So, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope there is something good for each of you today and I'll see you tomorrow at Target for some Easter preparations!

read my back!

Do you know people who come up with the most awesome ideas, things you would never have thought of? Jill is one of those people! On Wednesday night, Jill brought our Christmas presents and I was stunned! The sheer genius- it was a book club t-shirt! She and her husband, Randy, designed the logo and then she had them printed on this fabulous chocolatey brown shirt! Why our book club is called renegade is a long story, but I LOVE the name! And printed on the back are the twelve books we are reading for 2007! I can't remember the last time I was so excited to get dressed! My self portrait doesn't really do the shirt justice. And I tried to take a picture of the back in a mirror (yes, that meant all the words were backwards). But I had to share this fabulous gift from one of my favorite people- thanks Jill!! Now we need a book club photo shoot before my kids stain my shirt :)

last birthday hoorah!

I started this post yesterday but Ethan was done waiting for me after checking email, blogs and writing my creative post. Hopefully my sweet book club friends don't think I am ungrateful for not posting right away about my wonderful birthday dinner! I am SO grateful for the night out, the good food, the baby to hold, the friends to commiserate with (seems everyone was sick or taking care of sick kids), and the PRESENTS!!

Before I get to the wonderful presents, I must say how much I love birthdays with girlfriends!! I did not really have girlfriends until this group found each other. Now, I can't imagine life without them! You have probably heard the Swedish Proverb that says Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. That is exactly how it works with my friends! The good things are SO much more when you have friends cheering for you, supporting you, complimenting you... and the bad things don't seem so bad when you have friends comforting you, relating to you, praying for you... I am so very blessed to have such good friends!

The real fun of your birthday, is you don't have to bring anything to the party! You just show up and find laughter, food, presents and dessert! I'm not even sure who brought what this time! It was all there and served to me... if only every meal could be so enjoyable! We had enchiladas, rice, salad, seven-layer dip and this dessert- I don't know what it was but it was yummy! If you knew how much I hated making dinner every night, you'd know that this was a gift in itself! Thank you, Thank you!!

Are you ready to see my present now? Have I made you wait long enough? It is so fabulous... you better brace yourself!



I'm told Michelle pulled this fabulous book together. She made the divider pages (don't you LOVE the tabs!!) and each of my friends made a page for me. You will never doubt that there are people who love and appreciate you when you have a book like this! As I read the notes from each of my friends, I was reminded how much history I have with these wonderful women! Why is that so comforting? Maybe because in addition to the laughter and fun, we have been through tears and sorrow. These women know me better than I know myself. The beauty of the book is it makes all of that tangible- I can hold in my hands all the love, support, laughter and understanding they have given me and for that, I am profoundly grateful.


Included with my book were gift certificates to University Mall. Such a stroke of genius! I have not been to Archiver's yet- paper anyone?! I LOVE See's Milk Chocolate Buttercreams- 1 pound or two? In case I have not rubbed it in enough, I'm going to Paris in the spring and I'd love something new to wear... do you see the brilliance of this gift!

Thank you my wonderful, amazing, generous friends! Thank you for reminding me that I am worth celebrating and celebrating well!

do something creative ALMOST every day!

I have been waiting to post about the projects that ar e finally finished AND delivered! Book club got together last night for my birthday dinner and I was able to give my surprise to my wonderful friends!! {I had read the idea in an issue of Real Simple to give a present to your friends on your birthday and of course, LOVED that idea.} Now that they have seen them, I can show you what I've been doing!
My book club gift wasn't anything big, but I found these cool letter magnets at Robert's back in November. I have wanted to decorate them but never found the time. I love Paper Source's motto to "do something creative everyday" and when I decided to take some control and choose to make a life I loved, I knew this had to be part of it. So, I have done something creative almost every day since. Including these magnets!! Some days, it is minimal. And I am always slow, but I love my days so much more when I make that effort to work in my happy place!

Here are some of my other projects:

For Kate, made to match her new beddingFor Megan, made to match her new bedding Angela and Micah's late Christmas present (it took me forever to find clock hands small enough!! and the idea is a total copy of Michelle's shadow box for Jill's birthday a couple of years ago!!)

I made two shadow boxes for Emily but can't find the pictures. I also organized some of my digital photos while watching movies with Kelly. (Can I just mention how much I love Mission Impossible and Mission Impossible 3!! MI 2 and World Trade Center- ehh.) I am now working on a book for Kelly's parents and Good Mail. And I am loving creative time! Those people at Paper Source are really on to something!!