Scrapbook Samples & a GIVEAWAY!

I've been waiting for the hubs to fix iphoto on my laptop so that I could upload pictures again. I'm happy to say, I can finally do that now! So....I wanted to share with you what I've been up to in my spare time the last few weeks. Then, I want to offer you a chance to win a GIVEAWAY:

"Fun in the Sun" - My handsome little dude struttin' his stuff out at the lake

Love the flip flop stamp - such a cute detail!

"Caleb" - This page completed Caleb's first 12X12 photo album! Love his sweet little baby face in that picture!

"LoveLoveLove You" - Some old pictures from a trip to the zoo last summer that I love and wanted to scrapbook. Finally got it in a fun layout.

"Look-a-likes" - I wanted to keep this page very simple because it was really to document how much my kids look a like in this photo!

"St. Louis" - Pictures from our trip last year to St. Louis. Someday, I'll get around to scrapbooking ones from this year!

And HERE'S your opportunity for a GIVEAWAY: I made this page for the hub's grandparents. I loved the pictures and the layout, but could not come up with a title. So for now, it's title-less. 

To enter this giveaway, please 1. become a follower and 2. Come up with a title for this page:

Here's the words to help with the context:

The giveaway deadline will be Tuesday, September 7th - I will choose my favorite title for the page, but I will randomly pick a winner so everyone has a fair chance of winning - the winner will receive a Scrapbook goody bag (I don't have a picture)! I will announce both next week!

Looking forward to hearing what you come up with!

Kids say the darndest things...

I thought it was time to do another rendition of 'Kids Say the Darndest Things' - especially mine. I haven't been good about writing them down lately, because our schedules have been chaos, but all their recent episodes keep running fresh in my mind. Brace yourselves...

1. My kids are on 'healthy vs. junky' kick with food. Ever since we did a nutrition unit at preschool, the kids constantly ask me if things are healthy or junky. I'm thankful for their curiosity in this subject, but it doesn't always mean they eat healthier (although Faith did yell at me once after ordering McDonalds that she would never eat it again cause it's too junky. She still ate her meal.) Anyway, the most frustrating thing is that my kids argue back and forth on random food items. We were walking through the grocery store, and they were naming things as they passed. "That's healthy, this is junky" etc. Then, being the hilarious and oh-so-clever 3 and 4 year olds that they are, started saying things like "You're junky. No, grandma's healthy." and so on. Finally, Caleb got fed up and shouted in the middle of the grocery store, "Faith is healthy. Mommy's healthy. Daddy's healthy. And I'M A WOMAN!"

I'm not sure where any of that fits into the healthy vs. junky story, but I stopped the cart to burst out laughing and beg him not to shout that so loud in a public place while explaining to him that he is in fact, NOT a woman.

My thought exactly.

2. Speaking of saying ridiculous things in public places, the next one is worse: I took the kids to the bathroom at a restaurant after eating lunch. As we're opening the door, Caleb asks, "Mommy, is this the girl's bathroom or the boy's bathroom?" When I told him it was the girl's bathroom, he stops. "If this is the girl's bathroom, then why is there a boy in here?" I look up to see a not-so-feminine looking woman washing her hands at the sink! I'm thinking, "Okay, just keep walking and pretend like you didn't hear it." But no. Caleb asks again. Finally in the stall, red from the neck up, I said as loud as I could without being obvious, "Caleb you're in here because you have to come with Mommy to the girl's bathroom." Phew! Conflict diverted, right? I hope so.

3. My kids recently got vaccinated for school. So Faith is very concerned about going to the doctor. We made an appointment for Caleb to see an allergist next week, because we think he may be allergic to mosquito bites and worse, bees. Caleb is fine talking about it so I was telling him that we're going to see a special doctor to check to see if he's allergic to anything. Faith was freaking out saying she'll just stay home with Daddy while we go, or asking over and over if Caleb was going to get shots. When I reassured her that she was not going to have to see the doctor this time, she announced, "Good. Cause I'm not allergic to anything. Except Giraffes. I love Giraffes." She also told me I might be allergic to them if I really liked them.

What? Crazy girl.

(Driving to VBS for Crazy hair day)

4. I always seem to have one inappropriate potty humor joke. Welcome to my family. Yesterday, when Caleb was in the bathroom, I went in to go help him and he proudly announced, "Mommy, I pooped. Wanna smell it?"

No thanks, I'm good.

I'm sure the hubs would be proud.

And the winner for 'Kids Say the Most Precious Things' this week is Faith:

"Mommy, if you say God when you're not supposed to, you need to say sorry to your heart."

How can you argue with something so precious? Especially when she's right.

Love my precious, crazy, loving, ridiculously neurotic kids!

A good friend is cheaper than therapy

My entire life, I've gone in and out of close friendships with women. Graduating, relocating, jobs, marriage, and children has changed a lot of friendships and evolved some others. It used to make me sad that I've never had one best friend since childhood who knows me in and out. Now, I can look back and realize how blessed I am to have crossed paths with so many extraordinary women and have had the chance to share intimate friendships with them. I'm lucky to still know and love my high school girlfriends, who I wouldn't change for the world.

Today, I want to dedicate this post to a recent friend that has rocked my world, Sarah. I met her while doing the Christmas Musical at church 2 years ago, then came home and told the hubs, "I want to be friends with that girl - she's amazing." I rarely have instant connections with women like that. And, I was right. Her personality is contagious and I adore spending time with her. She has quickly become one of my best friends and I don't know what I would have done without her (or her family) in my life over the last year. She loves with her whole heart and as I was looking back over my recent Facebook pictures, realizing most of them included her, it filled my heart. She is one of the most beautiful women I know, and I'm proud to call her my friend.

This post is getting a little deep. It was supposed to be lighthearted and fun, I'll blame my sappy pregnancy hormones! I want to share our fabulous pictures with you:

When we first met: Imagine Christmas 2008, getting ready backstage:

On our way to the Zoe conference in Nashville, TN:

Love how silly this girl is:

Forever bonded: We got our tattoos together!

Never too old for a sleepover:

Rockin' out in Louisevill, KY @ Youth In Action:

Being fabulous:

Love this girl:

I hope you have a good friend in your life to share precious moments with. I'm thankful for mine, because a good friend is cheaper than therapy!

Peanut

I realized that I announced my pregnancy a few weeks ago, but haven't given an update yet. I also realize I promised not to turn this blog into baby central, but this is MY blog about MY life, so a few updates here and there are inevitable.

"Peanut" is no longer the size of a peanut. Though that will remain the baby's nickname until we found out when we're having, at 13 weeks, baby is about the size of a peach.  A peach still seems pretty tiny to me, but it's big enough to have my belly popping out already! I definitely popped about 11 weeks, but hey - this is my 3rd time around! Here's my progress:

4 weeks:

6 weeks:

8 weeks:

10 weeks:

12 weeks:

But at least I now am starting to look pregnant and not just 'bloated'. This pregnancy has already proven to be much more challenging than the first two. I've felt very ill and fatigued. But doc says everything looks healthy and that's all that matters. I'm looking forward to finally being into my 2nd trimester, where pregnancy really gets fun. I've gained about 5lbs, which is right on track. 

I've made the decision to work full time between two jobs at least up through the end of the year. It is my goal to pay down some debt before peanut arrives so that the added cost of another child will not bog us down. It sounds spoiled, but this is first time since I've had kids that I've had to work full time and I'm a little worried at how my pregnant body is going to handle it (not to mention, it bums me out to think about how much time I'll be missing out on with my kids). But it's for a short season and I know it needs to be done.

All in all, I am looking forward to the months ahead. It'll be nice to feel like we're getting on a good financial track, and preparing for this little Valentine (due Feb. 14). I can't wait to find out what we're having! I'm far too impatient to wait! =]

Sunday's Getting to Know YOU

Another long hiatus, I apologize. SO much has been going on! The hubs and I were up sick all night throwing up and fevered, and a pipe in the shower busted and dumbed  a couple gallons on water into our basement - NOT GOOD.

Anyway, I'm trying to ease my way back in with the fun and easy blog carnival, Sunday's Getting to Know You

*wanna play..copy the questions..answer them..then come back here and link up*

The Q's.

1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?

Not by themselves, no. But if it's paired with a goatee or other facial hair, possibly. I'm a sucker for 5 o'clock shadows.

2. What's the last concert you've been to?

Wow, I'm not sure I even remember, it's been awhile. It very well could have been Alicia Keys two summers ago.

3  What was your favorite 80's sitcom?

I would have to say Punky Brewster, or Who's the Boss

4. Were you named after anyone?

My middle name, Marie, is after my paternal grandmother.

5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing?

No, I usually wear them ASAP

6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time?

Well, I haven't been blogging much lately, so most of my spare time has involved sleeping. And picking up extra hours at work.

7. What is your favorite department store?

I would have to say Target - LOVE Target!

8. If  you were to get Laser Hair Removal..where would you get it?

If I never had to shave my legs again, I think I'd be okay with that! =]