Decorating with Pink

After years of throwing little boy parties, I finally get to host a little girl birthday party. My gorgeous niece will be turning two at the end of this month and the party is at my house. I get to decorate with PINK!

Any one have any great gift suggestions for her? Trust me I have the tutu and pink fu-fu outfits covered but still want to find something for her to play with. Do you have any ideas for a two year old girl? If it makes a mess or noise, all the better. I have years of pay back to deliver to my brother and sister-in-law. :) -hmm is she too young for make-up and nail polish (just kidding).

Quick Page Freebie

Yes, That is my Child

It seems like yesterday - no thats a lie. It seems like forever ago but I do remember the one or two times it happened, that I was the one staying out all night. Now I struggle to stay away so I can go pick up my son who is now the one who stays out all night. When exactly did this happen? - well actually, I know - it happened tonight!

Luckily there was a speed scrap at My Life and Scrap that kept me awake and away from cleaning my house (thats what Saturdays are for). Here is my layout from the speed scrap. I kind of like it.

Credits:

Charity by Dream Big Designs

Delight by SAS Designs

Be Happy By SAS Designs

A Different Exposure Point

Cody had his school concert last week and he did it in typical Cody fashion. He was the only kid to have his hat on backwards. He stood up and kept waving when he was supposed to be sitting. And by the end, he was sitting when he was supposed to be standing up and singing. But he and those around him survived through the entire concert so I am a proud mom.

Credits: Dream Big Designs' Charity Kit at My Life and Scrap

Big Sale at My Life and Scrap

and a Night Owl Speed Scrap tonight at Midnight EDT

Not American Idol

Yikes, it is Sunday evening and I remembered that Cody's school concert is tomorrow and he needs a brown shirt. Why do I do these things to myself? I will need to make a quick stop tomorrow after work. What are the odds of finding a plain brown shirt at the first store that I stop at?

Here is a little conversation Cody and I had about his upcoming concert:

Me: What songs are you going to sing?

Cody: I don't know.

Me: If you don't know, how are you going to sing them.

Cody: Its not American Idol Mom. It doesn't really matter. You can't tell if I don't sing because the other kids sing.

Just a heads up for anyone who is looking for a latter Speed Scrap. My Life and Scrap will be having a speed scrap at Midnight EDT on Saturday May 1st.

Easter Race

I have totally sucked at exercising and Pepsi has somehow slipped back into my diet. So I was determined to get back on track today. I exercised and lifted weights (and not just the cute little pink ones) this morning. Now my knees hurt and I have been lazy all day. Ugh! I'm just not sure a hot bod is worth the work. And Pepsi tastes good!

Of course I was at the speed scrap last night at My Life and Scrap. It was a tough one for me but I am pretty happy with the layout. I LOVE (yes that is shouting) the moments when my boys get along.

Credits - Rabbits and Chickens by Rucola

Tulipping by RebeccaPSP

and Itty Bitty Alpha by Weeds and Wildflowers

I need some scrapping help.....

Last night's speed scrap was a blast like always. I just love the ladies at My Life and Scrap. Everyone is so welcoming and fun. My layout is of my niece and sister-in-law at Easter. The boys and I went to see my brother and his family this year for Easter. It was the perfect week-end. For you scrappers out there I would love some constructive criticism on this layout. I believe these colors can work together but I'm not completely happy with this. Any ideas on what it needs?

Credits:

In the Easter Parade

March Pixel Edition

Project 356 - Today Dates

Saturday Speed Scrap

Tonight I will be claiming rights to the computer in order to join the Speed Scrap at My Life and Scrap. I would love, love love to see you there. Come join us!

Quick Page Freebie

Green Spring Freebie

I came home from work yesterday and my oldest son had folded the laundry, picked up around the house and was cooking supper. Isn't he a great kid!!! Yeah, of course he wanted something. He is working on me to lend him money to buy a new lap top and then let him pay it off by cutting grass all summer. I don't know - a few more days of getting spoiled like this and I may give in.

Here is a little something for you and you didn't even have to make me supper.

Today's Mini Kit Freebie

Created by BrittBree

First soccer game of the season = first trip to the Emergency Room

My son, Layne has been so excited today was his first soccer game of the season. The kid is all about soccer. He practices 3 times a week and is in the yard dribbling every night. About 10 minutes into this long awaited first game he took a ball to the right of his head. He went down, glasses went flying and then he was back up and into the game. However, color was draining from his face, cold sweats set in, he was dizzy and felt sick. When he got pulled out of the game for a break, his coach saw that he was not ok. Thankfully a trip to the ER found that it is only a minor concussion. He is heart broken that he can't do any sports for a week. That means missing his first track meet of the season. We are not going to know what to do with all this spare time for a week.

Today's Freebie

Created with Samceline's You are my Son-Shine kit

Somebunny Loves You

Seriously it is almost the middle of April and this is my first post of the month. Shame on me. Life has been hectic but is working itself out. The boys and I went to my brother's for Easter. I hope everyone had as nice of a holiday as I did. My youngest who isn't normally into being cutesy and looked at insisted are wearing Easter Bunny ears when we went out for dinner. The speedscrap on Friday at My Life and Scrap helped me to quickly scrap the page. There will be more pages coming as I now am loaded up with pictures of my niece again. I love getting to do girly pages.

Credits: Everything from Delight by Sas Designs

My new room!

To prove that I am a strong independent woman I decided to give my bedroom a overhaul and do it all myself. Somehow along the way the room became very girly. Can a strong independent live in such a room. I think I can. I love it.

It is the first time I have ever painted an entire room all by myself. It took me two full days to paint. I am a slow messy painter so I am a total prep freak. No, I can't say I enjoy spending hours putting painters tape around all of the trim but if I didn't things would be a mess. Plus my wall are very textured (I remember the day the kids discovered that their dirty socks could stick to the wall) which makes covering every speck of the old color a bit of a challenge. On top of that I am a slight perfectionist. I believe it took me half a day to paint the top two inches of my walls. Getting that line perfectly straight is not easy.

My Favorite Details

I hit the jackpot in Hobby Lobby's garden section. I love this vase and I found flowers that match those in the bedspread. Isn't the little doggie the cutest. I believe my Mini-Schnauzer was the model for this little piece of art. Ah and notice the curtains. All lacy and super girly.

Another great find in the garden center. Notice the open spaces? It made them the perfect disguise for all my little gadgets while they charge (ie. phone and Ipod).

You just know that I will be putting together a scrapbook page about my room. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't come up as one of the topics of My Life in Scrap Challenge at My Life and Scrap. I have really enjoyed this challenge (but I am about a month behind).

Speed Scarp at 9pm EST tonight.

Come join me at the Speed Scrap tonight at My Life and Scrap! I am hoping to get lots of scraping done tonight. Its gonna be a calories don't count, butt in front of the computer all night kind of night.

Lifestyle Change???

Thankfully the snow is all gone! I did clean house yesterday so today has been a lazy day. I read a book, played some "Clue" and haven't done much else. I did exercise and took the dog for a extra long walk because I have gained 4 pound over the last 3 weeks. How can this be? Yes, I dropped off a bit on the exercise. I blame American Idol. Instead of exercising 4 days a week I was only exercising 2. And yes Pepsi has been my breakfast on a few (not all) mornings. Ah, and it was Girl Scout Cookie time. But seriously, I wouldn't say I've been bad...I just haven't been good. Is the thing they say about life style change instead of a diet true? Do I have to be good all the time for the rest of my life? I'll ponder that while I walk the dog for the 2nd time today. Hopefully I won't walk up to the connivence store to get a Pepsi.

Today's Freebie

Thanks to Kate Designs for these wonderful Photomask Freebies

Happy Spring

Is this a joke? It's the first day of Spring and we have snow. I am not loving it. Oh well, my house does need some attention. I guess it will be a day of cleaning and maybe I'll find some time for scrapping tonight.

Today's Freebie

Perfect for my Spring Pictures

Created with kits from Samceline

A Facial for my House

Between the feeling of renewal with spring in the air and changes in my life, I am having the urge to give my house a face lift. Well maybe not a full blown face lift, more like a facial... some little changes to refresh. I am starting with my bedroom and going bright and girlie. If all goes well I will start with the painting today. I was going to start last night but quickly convinced myself to wait a day and join the speed scrap at My Life and Scrap. Yeah, my layout is from Christmas so I am a little bit behind. The photo is of my mom and my niece.

Credits:

Everything from Holiday Delights by RebeccaPSP

except for the paint from Hazel Olive's Glitter meets Grunge (re-colored)

Today's Freebie

Thanks to Kate Designs for a wonderful photomask freebie

Friday Speed Scrap

I am out of the running for the scrap-off at My Life and Scrap. Yeah, I am a little bummed but have to admit the final 3 are FABULOUS. I am proud to have kept up with them as long as I did. And of course its not all bad. Now I will have time for the Speed Scrap on Friday. You should stop by too. There are always great prizes for all who post their layout.

Today's Freebie

Created with Alice in the Mirror Kit from Designs by JLO

A Breath of Spring

We are starting to get a tiny taste of spring - temps in the 40s! I always find it interesting that 40 feels so much warmer in the spring than what it did in the fall. The snow is just about gone and has revealed 100s of little gifts my dog left all over the yard during the winter months. But I don't care because spring is on its way and I am so excited.

There is on more round to go for the Scrap-off at My Life and Scrap. I will find out today if I am moving on. It is down to 6 people (who when I look at all of their layouts, I have to admit are much more talented than I am but I still hope to fake my way through). This weeks prompt was "My Job". Well I normally enjoy my job but it all of a sudden felt pretty boring when I tried to come up with a layout. So, I lied and said I was a juggler. Ok, it wasn't exactly a lie, more of a play on words.

Credits:

Papers from Decanence by RebeccaPSP and And Many More Designer Collab by Samceline

Alpha from Keri Schuller’s Kiddie Christmas (re-colored)

Acrylic Bubbles Action by Mandy Steward

Today's Freebie

Created with A Breath of Spring Kit by BrittBree

I will be creative, I will be creative, I will be creative...

Yikes, my layout for the Scrap-off at My Life and Scrap is due tomorrow and I have chosen this week to loose my creative mojo. I have downloaded a hypnosis recording that promises to release my inner creativity. I will be listening it to it tonight and throughout the day tomorrow. Send creative thoughts my way.

Chickensocks Scraps has just joined the MLAS design team. Is that not a great name? I am still waiting to hear how she came up with it. If anyone knows, please share. She is having a 50% off sale to celebrate her opening. Stop by and check out her colorful kits.

Today's Freebie

A great mini kit from Tempus Fugit

It was a Good Day!

I finally got it! I've been lusting after it for a while and came close but it had remained out of my reach until yesterday! Yes I am the proud wearer of My Life and Scrap's Layout of the Week button.

In addition to that I am also moving on in the Capture Life Scrap-off. We are down to 6 people and the pressure is on. This week's prompt is "My Job". Suddenly my job feels like the most boring job in the world.

Ok, enough tooting my own horn but yesterday was just such a great day, I can't help it! Gotta hold onto the good stuff when it comes along.

Today's Freebie

Created with Refreshing New Year Collab at My Life and Scrap

I was NOT fat!

Ah, after having my PC in the shop for a week I'm back. But guess what, the darn thing still isn't working right. It won't shut down!?!? Maybe the poor thing is trying to make up for lost time when it was sitting all lonely on a shelf at the shop. So now the dilemma - do I give it up for another week or do I cross my fingers and hope it starts to behave again? I know, I really need to get it fixed - but UGH!

My conversation this morning with my 6 year old as I was getting ready to exercise.

Cody: Mom, you look skinnier (see why I love the kid). Is that why you exercise?

Me: No, I exercise to be healthier so I can play with your kids some day. - Ok, I totally lied to him, of course I want to be skinnier but I am trying to raise my 3 sons to not judge their future wives based on their body shapes

Cody: How much did you weigh when you used to be fat (see why the kid drives me crazy?)?

- Wait a minute! I don't think I was ever fat! Maybe had a few pounds to loose and certain areas were a bit softer than I may have liked. Any way it got me to work out extra hard and then add a jog with the dog to my day. Hmmph- fat!

So I got my PC back just in time to create a layout for the "Capture Life" Scrap-off at My Life and Scrap. I really had no idea what I was going to do and wasn't sure how I'd do under the time crunch plus I didn't have any great pictures to use but I am happy with the finished product. Love it when a layout just somehow magically comes together. There are 12 people still in the contest and the judges will narrow it down to 6 this week. I have no idea how they are going to be able to pick just 6. The layouts are all so awesome and different from each other. Check them out here: Capture Life Scrap-off. Here is my entry - the prompt this week was "My Home".

Credits:

Today by SAS

Pure Passion MLAS Collab

Photo Negative Mask by Tempus Fugit

Lazy Summer Day's MLAS Collab

Boys Retreat by Catherine Designs

Summer Solstice by New Life Dreams

Journaling:

We bought the house at 10096 Timothy Street 6 years ago. When I look around at my beautiful home, I see the bleach stain on the carpet from when my oldest tried to help me by cleaning up after the dog. I see the dents in the garage from my middle son’s soccer ball hitting the doors. I see my youngest son’s hand writing on the garage floor when he practiced his letters in permanent marker. Yes, all of these little blemishes stressed me at the time but now I see them as reminders of how this house has become our home.

Today's Freebie:

Created with Refreshing New Year

Speed Scrap - Friday @ 9pm EST

Credits:

Papers by Catherine Designs - Art and Soul Collab
Paint swatch by Catherine Designs - Boys Retreat
Stitches by Syrin

I created the above My 3 Sons Layout as part of the My Life in Scrap Challenge at MLAS. It has been nominated for Layout of the Week. Stop by and leave a comment to help me win this one. The nominated layout with the most comments wins. I have been chasing after this honor for a while.

Credits:

Alpha from Vintage Euphoria by Bubblescrap Designs and Rebecca PSP

Everything else from Early Morning Paper by Mama Mia and Kate Design

Above is my layout from last week's speed scrap at My Life and Scrap. They have a speed scrap every Friday at 9 pm EST. I would love to see you at one of them. It's alway fun to see how different everyone's layouts are (especially with people like me who don't follow directions well).

Today's Freebie

Created with A Long Winter's Nap at My Life and Scrap

Happy President's Day

I swear President's Day is one of my favorite holidays. No I am not huge history buff big into all of the presidents. Its my favorite because it is a paid holiday for me and requires no holiday prep work. To celebrate the boys and I went out for lunch and then to see a movie - The Lightening Thief. We ended breaking into two groups with my middle son and I sitting across the aisle from my oldest and youngest sons. During most of the movie I was regretting bringing my youngest to the move as it was a bit too intense for a 6 year old. At one point the movie's hero was fighting a greek monster (sorry, not up on my greek mythology so I can't be a whole lot more specific). At the end of the fairly scary fight scene, the theater is quiet and then I hear my 6 yr old tell his brother "That was Awesome!". Of course he loved the movie. We'll see how the dreams go tonight though.

Today's Freebie

Created with A Long Winter's Nap Collab at My Life and Scrap

The Birthday Sale is still going on. Everything is 30% off right now.

Its your birthday!

Happy Birthday My Life and Scrap!!!

Be sure to stop by My Life and Scrap today. It is the beginning of their big birthday celebration. There is a special birthday blog train (you'll end up with a great free kit by the end) extra challenges with great prizes (a web cam, a bamboo tablet and more) and of course a sale.

Today's Freebie

Created with A Long Winter's Nap at My Life and Scrap

Birthday Sale at My Life and Scrap

School is being canceled on a regular bases due to snow. I can't remember the last time the kids had a full week of school. I tell you this not to be whining (which I am doing) but to give you back ground for the following story.

I had dropped my middle (but not forgotten) son off at soccer and I was going on a date with my youngest son, Cody (yes the toothless one). He wanted to go to Bishops - a buffet restaurant. They have his favorite food - carrot souffle (perfect for a toothless kid). Any way, on the way to the restaurant it began to snow (of course, its seems to always be snowing). Cody got very worried and said "I hope Bishops doesn't get cancelled!" - No honey, that only happens to school.

I am so excited to have a three day week-end ahead of me. And it is perfect timing because so much is going on at My Life and Scrap for their 1st Birthday. Right now the entire store is 50% off. Check out some of the goodies I have in my shopping cart.

Be Happy

Bark Avenue

Felicitous

Today's Freebie

Created with A Long Winter's Nap Collab at My Life and Scrap

Should I be worried????

My son lost 4 teeth last week - should I be worried. I am pretty sure he pried the last few out. He has developed an understanding of money and knows two teeth equals four dollars which equals one pack of Pokemon cards. I have my hands full with that child.

Happy Birthday to My Life and Scrap. There are lots of fun things going on - big sales, fun challenges and lots of great prizes being given away. If you haven't stopped by MLAS lately now is the perfect time. You won't believe how our little baby has grown.

Today's Freebie

I Don't Recognize Myself

Who is this person that I am turning into??? Other than my one lapse, I am staying committed to my exercise routine. Last night I managed to do both things I wanted- I had fun with the speed scrap at My Life and Scrap and then about 10pm I did my exercise routine. I am finding that I am getting board and need to find some variety, so after my work out I was online ordering a new exercise video. Any suggestions for fun videos or what I can do to keep my workouts interesting?

Here is my layout from last nights speed scrap. Not only do I end up with a great layout quickly but everyone also gets a participation prize for posting. Come join us next week.

Credits

Word Art is from Boys Retreat by Catherine Designs

Everything else from Project 365-Today by SAS Designs

Today's Freebie

Today's Freebie was created with the Refreshing New Year Collab at MLAS

30 Days to Create a Habit

I have been told that it takes 30 days to create a habit. I don't buy it. I have been exercising for 41 days. No, thats a lie! I have been exercising for 40 days. Two days ago was my first day that I skipped on a scheduled exercise day. I am thinking tonight will be the 2nd day that I skip. When does the "I feel so much better when I exercise" go into effect. I am waiting! I do not feel better, in fact my knees hurt.

Instead of exercising tonight I will be joining the speed scrap at My Life and Scrap. Oh, we'll see maybe I'll do both.

Have you gotten to know Z Pink Boudoir Designs yet. She is the newest designer to join My Life and Scrap and all of her kits are currently 50% off.

Date Night

I don't have much time tonight (I have a date with my son - It's American Idol night) but I do want you to know about some thing going on at My Life and Scrap.

Save Big with Thrifty Thursday

And join the fun for Friday's Speed Scrap - I plan to be there.

Sportsmanship Award

It is soccer tournament week-end here. My son's team is pretty much out of the running for placing in the top three but they have their eye on the sportsmanship award. They have been sticking around cheering on their friends who are playing on other teams. Its kinda cool to watch them and to see how much they are just enjoying the game even when they're not winning. A good life lesson I think.

Lucky for me the tournament is in our town so I am still getting some time to get other things done between games. I was even able to squeeze in yesterday's speed scrap at My Life and Scrap. Here is my layout:

Credits:
Doggy Tales by Thao Cosgrove
Suddenly by Totally D
I Got a Date Vol 2 by Sir Scrapalot
Kicking up the Leaves by Gina Huff
Tulipping by RebeccaPSP

Today's Freebie

Created with Sweet Halloween at MLAS

Busy weekend ahead for me. My son will be playing soccer in the Iowa games this week-end. I just have to point out a major draw back for indoor soccer - the lighting is terrible for picture taking. This means I will spend my entire week-end at soccer and probably not have any decent pictures to scrap with at the end of it.

If your weekend isn't quite so busy be sure to stop by the speed scraps going on at My Life and Scrap.

Today's Freebie

Created with kits by Samceline at My Life and Scrap