The Story of our Life

Not going to lie...

December is always a hard month for me.

It hasn't always been hard...in fact, the one Christmas we had our daughter it was wonderful. We were broke. Broker than broke. But we were happy and complete.

Now, we are far from broke. And mostly complete. Excpet for the whole Marcy left. Gosh I miss her.

We took a beautiful silver tree - with hot pink and lime green ornaments - to the cemetary last night. I've been dragging my feet about going there. I KNOW she isn't there (she's dancing in heaven). But it breaks my heart. So I just haven't gone.

I'm thankful I went. I was a bawling mess once we had her tree secured to the ground. It's. Just. So. Hard. I didnt take a photo of it (I sorta wished I had). *sigh* Some might think it is morbid to take a photo of a tree that is at your daughter's grave. The way I see it, I am documenting how we shared Christmas with her.

Ok. Enough of the sad. It's Christmas, or its almost Christmas.

I have been working on my December Daily. I am a couple of days behind, but have everything there for me to get caught up. My plan is to share the entire album when its complete.

I sorta feel like my album is 'kindergarden-ish' compared to some I've seen. I'm ok with that. I took what I had, in the time I had, and captured memories for later.

Another good thing that happened this month?

I turned 31. And, yes, it's a good thing. I am embracing it.

This is the year that I am going to quit having regrets.

One regret that I've had is that we never had a family photo done when Marcy was alive. We had no money, and even if we could have afforded it, Marcy was way too little (at barely 3 pounds), to take into public for a photo shoot. Anyway, six years later, I finally got my photoshoot. You can see it here.

Yeah, I need to loose some weight. But, other than that, I love these photos. They are us, in all of our goofy-not really sure how to smile, but trying anyway-selves!  I cannot wait to scrapbook these with my Studio Calico kit!

Speaking of Studio Calico, I have a wish list for other there. Nothing can cheer a girl up like getting goodies in the mail, so here's my list!

Fiskars Cloud Punch #1

Fiskars Cloud Punch #2

Studio Calico Weekday Stamps (there was a month set, but I missed out on them. REGRET!)

Mister Huey in Dark Calico, Warm Calico, and Classic Calico.

All of the Jenni Bowlin Inks.

Betty Crocker, Buster Brown, and Dear Abby. I can only afford to get two of them this month, but I am in love with all three. Now to decide who I must leave behind. I just don't think I can decide!

 

That list isn't too long, huh? I am anxious to get to order the new kit Studio Calico. They always cheer me up! I've gotten their kits for a whole year now, and I have to say, I have NEVER regretted subscribing with them. Pure bliss in a box!

Ok, its late. John has a friend spending the night and I should probably go find them & see what they're up to. They are being way too quiet! I'm going to leave you with a photo (becauce Roscoe is just too cute NOT to share!)

 

xxoo,

M

Things I am loving right this very moment

It’s been a while since I have made a list like this,  so here goes!

In no particular order…..

*I am loving kraft paper. Seriously. I use it – ALL THE TIME!

*I am loving that Karen Russell’s Photography Class is starting next week. So excited to learn how to take better photographs! Thank you Alex for letting me take it!

*I am loving Coldwater Creek. I spurlged this past week and bought: the city jeans, a great no-iron shirt (can’t find a picture, sorry!), this jacket and a shirt to go under it, and this jacket, and  these trousers. I know, I know. None of these clothes are hip, and young…but honestly, I love how they make me feel! Almost business-like and pulled together! I should mention that I had a 40% coupon and didn’t pay full price for anything. I love THAT even more!

*I am loving a recipe that I saw on Good Morning America this morning. We made these for dinner, and let me tell ya – I love them! And the boys do too!

*I am loving my school schedule. I have so much more time to be creative, and I am seeing doors being opened professionally that I never thought I would see.

*I am loving Fall. It’s almost here – tomorrow the high is in the low 70’s (and 50ish at night!). Cooler weather means the Fair will be here soon, as well as Alex’s birthday.

*I love that Alex is older than me. Hehehe. He turns 36 next week, and I love him more the older he gets!

*I love my boys. They are growing so quickly. Football starts this weekend. Lord, please keep them safe!

*I am loving all of the new Pink Paisley, and Jillibean Soup. I love that I have found a reliable scrapbook store that keeps their inventory fresh, and loaded weekly with all of the hot new items. I love that she ships out pronto, too.

*I love that all the new Fall season of tv shows are starting to begin! Tonight is Glee’s Season Premier. Haven’t seen it?? Oh, you must!

Know what else I love???

Huh?! Huh?! Want to know?

 

I love you!!

xxoo,

M

Happiness

A quick share tonight. We have wonderful, glorious thunderstorms here and I can’t wait to go scrap with the door open so I can hear the rain. The boys are gone the entire month of July ( you’d think that this would be good, but really, I just miss the heck out of them!). After getting my photos developed I found this little gem of a photo that I had forgotten I had taken. And it brought my heart a little dash of happiness. Here is the resulting layout I made in the midst of being happy.

(Oh, and I used a little October Afternoon paper of this page, because you all know that makes me happy too!)

xxoo,

M

Blog Hop

Well, you have made it to the last stop on the Blog Hop. If you want to play with our hop, you will need to start at the TMS Blog. Click HERE to go to the first stop!

For my challenge, I want you to use two different fonts as well as some distressing somewhere on your layout!

To submit your new, never before seen layout, email it to [email protected] before July 26th at midnight. The winner will be announced no later than July 28th.

Now, to the fun stuff….what you will win if your layout is chosen! If we pick your layout, then you will win a prize pack from Nikki Sivils. Nikki has just released a brand new line of scrappy goodies from her new company!

Now lets get scrapping!

xxoo,

M

Things I Love

1. I am loving this punch by Fiskars. Isn't it just lovely?

2. I think these are so sweet - I went ahead and ordered them for me! They are from Jenni Bowlin.

3. Ordinary Courage is a blog that I have started to follow. Has ideas that are definately worth a second thought.

4. This place has a ton of free fonts, and will even make your handwriting a font. Super cool.

5. October Afternoon has a new line of papers. I. LOVE. THEM. Don't you?

6. I am thinking about canceling my monthly stamp subscription, in favor of getting the Studio Calico Kit. It is to die for, and I love all the vintage-y goodies. Now to convince Alex I need it!

7. This is a great tutorial on how to can get more use out of your Fiskars Threading Water Punch. Love more bang for your buck.

8. Basic Grey has two new lines out. Junebug and Lemonade are super cute - though I doubt I would ever use all the papers.

9. This video is a RIOT. This old couple could very easily be my parents. Lord help us. Oh, and I love Kris Allen's No Boundries song.

10. Now, my #10 favorite is this song - All that I Can Say by David Crowder. He's from Waco, and honestly, this song has been on my heart all week long. It's a keeper.

 (My favorite photo of Ben and Alex from Memorial Day.)

October Afternoon Goodies

Yes siree. Got a package from October Afternoon in the mail (remember, from winning the contest on their blog?). Papers, stamps, stickers, rubons, even a cute pin to wear. So nice to have happy mail! Thank you October Afternoon!

Things I Love

It's been awhile since I made a top 10 list of products I love. So, here goes.

10. 3M ATG Tape/Gun. I now buy my tape from Here. Cheap, and quick (cheap!) shipping. And AWESOME customer service (you know that can make or break a company!).

 9. Jillibean Soup. Their kraft collection is my favorite. 

 8.  Fancy Pants Soiree. Will definately be getting some of this.

 7. Just Chillin from Making Memories is calling out to me. I bought some at Michaels & at Target - now I just have to use it!

 6. Basic Grey's Lime Rickey. Got this coming too.

 5. Dotted Swiss by Bazzill Basics.

 4. Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday. This paper had been sent to me to use, and boy! I love it (I used it on my Beautiful Mess layout). And while I am at it, I love  their Snorkel line as well. I have a project in the works with this....can't wait to share!

 3. I love the whole new Jenni Bowlin line, but these Reader Buttons are my favorite.

 2. This Owl is calling my name. 

 1. All of the new American Crafts thickers  are awesome. They stick wayyyy better that the last release. Gotta love that ;).

xxoo,

M

Tuesday

Hello Friends! Sorry about the yucky blog title post for today....I am short on thinking of something funnier for now. Better luck next week! LOL

Had a busy weekend scrapping for the Anniversary Crop at the Mosy Scrapper. Can't believe its been a year already! I created a ton this weekend - and honestly, I loved it. The challenges pushed me to scrap & not worry so much about getting it right. Instead, I just needed to get it done! On this first layout, I used some Cosmo Cricket that was sent to me (cute stuff, I might add!). Sorry about the bad scan - its been super windy and/or overcast for the last couple days.

 

 

I loved this layout Annie & her big ole brown eyes. Ahhh. The days when she was still cute. LOL   The papers are a new line from Making Memories - so girly and fresh.

 

Tomarrow I will begin posting my new layouts for the Mosy Scrapper Kit for April. I can't wait - I am acutally scrapping pictures that I have had for awhile but was never inspired to scrap them yet. Thanks for the mojo Christa!

 

Oh! And the new Page Maps for April are up! Such inspiring work! Off to print them off to add to my collection....

 

xxoo,

M

How about that?

I won over on the October Afternoon blog! Basically you submitted a layout that you had done using October Afternoon papers, and then the DT picked one to get a suprise box from them. I am just tickled over this!

October Afternoon

Over on the October Afternoon blog, they are encouraging scrappers to post their projects that use OA. Well, you all know how much I {heart} October Afternoon....and this layout is one of my favorites of all time!

XXOO,

M