Amanda has been at it again - making a TON of new templates. And since I live and die by them, this is good news for me. She just completed 3 more 2-pagers and needed a sample of one of them in use...perfect excuse for me to do some more scrapbooking. So when Ben walks by with his eyebrows raised and wondering why I'm "playing" again, I can explain to him that this is an important marketing function and I am working!
We didn't do a lot over Spring Break this year but we tried to do something fun and cheap every day. One day we went to Glen Rose, TX and met my cousins at Dinosaur Valley. We had such a great time and hiked as high as we could go. Wendy is my cousin's wife but they've been married forever. After we did the park thing, we went to my cousin's house in Stephenville. They have some property there and are renovating an old home. In the meantime they all FIVE live in a 400 square foot cabin. It's totally crazy but looks like so much fun. My cousin is an Aggie who hocks bull sperm, which just shows there's a job out there for everyone. I used Emily Farnworth's Zuzu's Petals and her Watercolor Alpha to create this layout.
Today I'm taking it easy. I should be cleaning the house...but I'll get to that eventually. We got 2 extra kids this morning because my friend is recovering from a medical thing and when I went to Target, I ended up bringing another child home - a girl that goes to school with Nolen who just loves my little girls...only I could leave with 2 kids and come back with 3. So now everyone is playing and we have built in babysitters for the day.
Our weather has been crazy around here. Lots and lots of rain! I personally love the rain. I woke up to the sound of soft thunder this morning and I was immediately excited. It's like rain automatically gives you a license to sleep a little late, curl up on the couch and watch the tube...or if you're my kids, run up and down the sidewalk like wild banshees. The second they see the rain falling all three run outside and play in God's sprinkler. It's really an awesome thing. Such pure and simple pleasure. Nevermind a bathing suit. Fully clothed is much more fun. So tonight I scrapbooked their adventures. Nolen runs too fast for me to catch him on camera, so it became a Gracie and Ella page.
The girls and I ran up to my local public pool and played in the splash area today. You just can't beat it - $1.50 and unlimited fun! I'm really trying to do something every day with the kids, even if it's a walk around the neighborhood. To heck with the dishes!
So...the Potato Bar is still going and here's what I did with $1.98 tonight! I used one of Amanda's Templates and Tamra Burwick's Paper Packs to create this page. These items are here just for the Potato Bar, so if you want them, better hurry:)
Gracie loved the pool today! I'm so glad I went. Now, off to make Rice Krispy treats with the Ella:)
Just 24 hours until the Potato Bar opens! We'll have nearly 200 items at 99 cents each!!! And the free with purchase is incredible...but you'll have to come back on Tuesday to see it. Remember, the Potato Bar will only be open for 3 days, so you're going to have to hurry.
If you are not already on our email list, be sure to sign up. We'll be sending out a special gift to those who sign up between now and Thursday. And it's a great way to get special coupons and learn about sales, freebies, etc.
So...here are some of the items that will be just 99 cents from Tuesday - Thursday. There will be even more on Tuesday, so be sure to check back.
Today was supposed to be an all-day sweat-fest...but the weather was not on our side. I'm part of a group at church called Disciples at Heart. It's a mentoring program that has given me the awesome opportunity to mentor a very cool high school girl named Laynie. As one of our all group get-togethers, we volunteered to help finish a Dallas Habitat for Humanity home. Unfortunately, it rained. We couldn't paint like we had planned so we just caulked and spackled and called it a day. Even though the day was cut short, we had a great time and it was definitely a team building exercise.
I wasn't really very familiar with Habitat - I knew of it - but not much more than that. I always thought the houses were built by volunteers and just given away. But in fact, the houses are sold (not for a profit) to the homeowner. AND the homeowner becomes a partner in the building project and invests 400 hours of their own time - with the help of family & friends. The homeowner to be, Camesha, was there the entire time, working right along side us. She was so excited and proud of her home. It was just so cool to be a small part of such a big thing for someone.
I came home and put the pictures from today in another one of Amanda Lee's Photo Stacker Templates - this one has 30 pictures on it! I just love them because they really tell the story. One of Summer's papers is used as the background - from the Tea Party for Two Paper Pack.
Tonight we have a babysitter for the kids. We're going to a good-bye diner for a friend of ours, Albin, who is moving to Atlanta. I hate goodbyes!
In May, I became an aunt for the very first time! It was very exciting but scary because little Paul was born premature. He spent a couple of weeks in the NICU. I made this page for them to hang in their room using Amanda's Photo Stackers ~ Fill 'er Up! I told you I'm addicted to her templates! This collage really told the story of those first days. I've never seen my brother so happy. And I think the baby has the coolest name!
The girls finally met their cousin on Sunday. We left straight from church, picked up my mom, stopped by Sonic for corn dogs and limeades and drove to the Casa View area of Dallas where John and Autumn live. It was a beautiful day! John had Tejano music playing on the back porch while the girls played on their jungle gym and their dog pranced around with a log in his mouth. You know you're Texan when there's not an ounce of Mexican heritage in your family but you still listen to Tejano music! We stayed for a couple of hours, then went home and all took naps. I just scrapped the day. Emily Farnworth's stuff was perfect for the pages. I used her Plug n’ Play Templates-Collection 1. I really just love two-page spreads. And I used one of her My Three Son's kits - this one was Chip.
Wow! It's been a crazy 6 month journey that has left me stronger, happier, more focused...better. And I'm finally ready to blog again! I officially lost my job January 1st and without an income to speak of, the ongoing expense of a 7,000 square foot space and an overall attitude of resentment...full of fear and anxiety...well...I just wasn't in a good place. But God is faithful! And when I gave up and truly let God step in and take over, amazing things happened. I feel healed. We have enough work to keep us busy and enough money to get by. But what's even more wonderful than meeting our financial needs is how we've grown as a family. For the first time in my life, I have my priorities right. And I feel it from my head to my toes. God first, family & others second, and everything else will fall into place.
I think there were several turning points during this time but one that really stands out is when this dear friend of mine (and she knows who she is) asked me if I could remember a time that I wasn't stressed out. Well, I was stumped. There have been times when maybe I wasn't as stressed out as other times...but completely not stressed? Probably not.
So I printed this scripture out and pasted it up on the fridge:
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?Matt 6:25
The last part grabs me..."who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" And they didn't even have blood pressure monitors back then!
My friend who asked me about my stress history is the same person who really walked with me through this whole process...who prayed for me, and who really invested herself in my problems. She was an amazing example. And not only did she get me through it all but she showed me what I want to be for others. She was completely selfless, completely patient.
It's great to be on the other side of my journey but I don't want to forget where I've been. I don't want to slide back into the stressed out, workaholic life I was living. My work is important. I get great joy out of growing the business and completing projects. But I have to remember that my Gracie is only 21 months old once in her life. And one day Ella won't want me to play with her. And Nolen is at the precious, precious age - where we see a glimpse of the man he's going to be one day. We need to be here for him...listening to him, directing him and nurturing him. His wife will thank us later. So, this blog is going to be a mix - mostly personal fun stuff with a little Polka Dot Potato sprinkled on top. And I'm going to try and blog through my personal scrapbook pages. As usual I'm behind and I'm hoping that will help me catch up.
I'm focusing on the little details of life and just enjoying every second of the summer. Last Thursday we had a great evening together as a family. Sonic was giving away FREE root beer floats from 8 pm to midnight. So we all walked up to Sonic together and enjoyed our ice cream. Afterward, we walked to Target and grabbed some groceries. There was no room for the toilet paper so the girls used it as a great big pillow. It's was a great night!
Here's a two page spread that I just finished about the evening. I used one of Amanda's awesome Photo Stacker templates. This one is from the 2pagers pack 1. I'm completely addicted to them. I used the Adorable Leonardo kit by Nandinha Menezes. I love the colors and there are so many papers and elements to choose from! She did a great job on this kit!
My brother John got married over the weekend! I'm so happy for him. The wedding was small and sweet. They truly seem happy together.
It seems I have some security issues on my blog b/c the Magic Scraps security certificate has not been renewed. I need to spend some time updating the location of my graphics. I really need to spend some time blogging. There's so much I want to write...but I'm in between lives at the moment... It's a painful, exciting and scary all at the same time. And with all that I need to get accomplished in these last weeks of December, blogging has just not been the priority...
But I'll definitely get back into the swing of things soon!
I am so dang excited about this weekend that I can't STAND IT!!
I should preface this by saying that there's a lot of work involved...but, that's okay. We're having another one of our FAMOUS scrapbooking supply garage sales! PLUS, there will be a crop going on, Desiree of Tater Tots Studios will be doing photo shoots all day...just tons of activity!
Normally I completely stress about these situations. But not this time. Nevermind I haven't even started organizing my "stuff". Why am I not stressing?? Two things. First of all, last week, Ben and I went to Super Suppers. This was the most AWESOME experience. In just under 2 hours, Ben and I had prepared 12 meals for the month. And really, they last a dinner and a lunch so it wasn't just 12 meals. Plus we drank sangria and enjoyed each other's company! So, no stressing about food and I can look forward to delicious and healthy meals with no thought involved. I'm dying to go back! Emily has promised to try it with me.
Why else am I not stressing? Well... we have our "regular" babysitter, Michelle, staying with us over the weekend to help with the kids. So for once, Ben can help me prepare for the day and I won't have to pull an all-nighter! It was such a win-win. Her family is camping for the weekend but she really needed to stay home and work on a project so it all worked out! Ben and I are a little nervous about getting the taste of what it's like to have a nanny...so I hope we don't get too spoiled.
Emily called and is in the mood for a payday celebration, so she's picking up Pei Wei and coming over to have lunch with me at the office!
So, don't forget...
AMAZING SCRAPBOOKING GARAGE SALE 1232 Exchange Dr Richardson, TX 75081
Okay...it's time. This will be the mother of all blog posts. I feel just the slightest bit caught up. It's an illusion, I'm sure. But it feels good, nonetheless.
This last weekend was such a blur. Got back from Utah, worked, late night digi crop at the lounge (1 am), double header soccer game on Saturday and in between I went racing around for Halloween garb, made 3 Halloween costumes from scratch, dropped Ben off to do country carnival setup at the church, fed the girls at Sonic and then attended the country carnival! Whew! I'm exhausted just writing about it! I was literally making the costumes on the soccer field. Insane! Here are some pics of the day though...made all the running around so worth it.
Can you tell what the girls are? Well, Polka Dot Potatoes of course! It's clear that I have no balance between family life and work life, isn't it.
Emily and I got back from Utah on Friday where we both taped classes for CKU Home Study. I'm still on a high from it. 3 days looking at the mountains. In reality, I only needed to be there for about 3 hours b/c that's how long the taping took but I managed to plop myself in a cube at the CK offices and continue working just like I was at home...only with a much prettier view. It was kind of fun to see what a day of office work would be like at CK. Here is a pic from the set. I'll be sure to go into more detail on the project on my PDP blog.
While in Utah, we went over to Theresa Collins' house. Way fun just sitting around and chatting. Love her...how real she is. Cool chick.
I never posted much about Memory Trends...shame on me! We really, really had some fun. It was so good to meet some of the girls from DST and really get to hang out. I missed the kids so much! I haven't seen my mom much since she took care of them. I think she got her fill. Can you tell that my mom doesn't read my blog? :)
I really loved hanging out with the FX Foto girls {Susan & Mary} and Christine {all pictured above with our caramel apple martinis} and Angie Pederson. And it was just lovely being with Ben. It was nice to know that we in fact still do get along...and least when the children aren't around. It really did bring to light just how much stress the kids put on our interaction with eachother. 5 years and counting 'til Gracie goes to Kindergarten:)
Before Memory Trends, Emily and I went to CKU Houston...but again...I failed to blog it. What an amazing event it was! First of all, Em and I road tripped it...in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. We found the greatest candy store on the way with all the old fashioned candies and what I call WT candies...Chick o Stick, Bit o'Honey, Rocky Road...all my favs. And if you don't know what WT stands for...too bad. I'm not telling you. It was such a surreal event for us. Neither really knows what our future holds...well...Em actually just got great news yesterday so read all about it...But it was great b/c we were there with other Texans...girls that were there from the beginning. It dawned on us while we were there that we've supported every CKU since they took the show on the road. We started in Texas (San Antonio) and ended in Texas (Houston). 5 solid years of being at every event...Amazing! I'm so incredibly happy that Emily will be at all of the events next year but with an equally amazing company as Magic Scraps...Imagination Project. Congrats Em!!
While in Houston, I did something very, very random. The Philadelphia Phillies were in town playing the Houston Astros and the Phillies were staying at our hotel. So this boy that I went to elementary school through high school with is an announcer for the Phillies. His name is Scott Franzke. Being the totally unashamed person that I am, I called down to the front desk and asked for his room. Long story short, we met for drinks on Saturday night. I really don't think we had spoken to eachother since 8th grade...I was a very awkward kid...oh wait, I'm still awkward...nevermind. Here's a pic from our chance encounter: me, Scott and his wife. {pic coming soon}
Somewhere in between Houston and Memory Trends...I think...we celebrated 2 birthdays. Nolen turned 10 and Gracie turned 1!
For Nolen's birthday party, we had a campout at the office. Five 4th grade boys with indoor tents and 7,000 square feet at their disposal. Does it get any better than that? They had so much fun.
Gracie's birthday party was a little less planned and not so well executed but it at least occured. The decision to even have her party was very last minute...like 24 hours before. About an hour before the party I was running around trying to fine "the" cake. You know..the cake I should have ordered from somewhere but didn't. I hit Super Target, Minyards, and then Tom Thumb...and found something at Tom Thumb that I could "live with". One big cake with a matching smaller cake. I had Happy Birthday written on one and Gracie on the other. The loser behind the counter unfortunately had TERRIBLE handwriting and the word birthday didn't quite fit on the cake...it's like when a 1st grader runs out of room when writing and just goes up the side of the paper...same thing here. It was horrible. So...I'm standing in line lamenting about this hidious cake and talking with Emily on the phone. I get the register and I don't have my card. Like hell I'm not at least getting the card price for these cakes. I ask him to look up my # using my telephone number. He can't find it. I give him 2 more numbers it could be under...no luck. I think to myself...this is it...his my way out of this thing!! I look at the poor teenage cashier and just say "nevermind...forget it!..." and do a terrible thing...I leave the 2 cakes there and literally run out of the store...all the while with poor Emily on the phone still chatting away. I raced out of the parking lot fearing the manager migh come chasing after me. Now I still had no cake for daughter's first birthday and 30 minutes until the party started. I ran by Albertson's...no luck... My last stop was Kroger and I hit the jackpot. It was cute and perfect! Whew! That was a close one. Here's a pic of the prize cake!
Finally, Emily promised a long time ago that I would post the youtube of Gracie's first steps at Kate's open house. I uploaded it ages ago but never did post it. So if I haven't completely bored you by now, this should do the trick. And...if you've acutally read this all the way through, please comment. I would like to know that this was all not in vain :)
One final thought...many people ask me "how do you do it all?" Well...it's very simple. I DON'T! Here's a perfect example...last Friday night I had a Pampered Chef Party. {It's not closing for a few more days so if you need anything, order here} The house was superficially clean thanks to Ben but our bedroom housed the MOUNTAIN of clean clothes that never seem to find their way to the closet. I had thoroughly threatened the children's lives to keep the bedroom door closed which had worked most of the night...until someone was wondering what came of Ella and started looking for her. Well, she was discovered and so was my big secret. I had had two glasses of wine so it didn't seem so bad at the time...I snapped a pic...we all had a good laugh...and the clothes to date are still there.
So I thought this was the perfect scary picture to end my Halloween post. Have a great day!
We're here! Me and Ben ALONE! In Las Vegas! What a dream come true. Thanks mama for taking care of the kids!
I do miss the kids a ton. I'm so worried about Gracie's hand. It looks aweful but she doesn't seem to be bothered by it.
Nolen worked 5 hours last night on a social studies project that was due today... I'm so proud of him that he finished it. Not real proud that he waited until the last minute...but at least he won't have another trip to the principal's office.
I'm so bummed...there's an event tomorrow evening with my high school class - Class of '90 - that I'm missing b/c I'll be on a plane. I hope everyone has a blast and we do it again. I would so be there if it was at all possible...
Okay, I know how pathetic of a blogger I am and I really will give a full account of the last few weeks...soon. I'm a binge blog reader and becoming a binge blog writer...I'll get better.
But here's a glimpse into my last 72 hours:
I've slept just 8 hours
Finished a major portion of my 2005 taxes for my accountant {I hate taxes and have procrastinated 'til the last minute...and the most ridiculous part is that we're owed a return}
Nearly finished my CKU Home Study Album - Count your Blessings
Turned my son into the principal for not doing his homework...again! He's now grounded from EVERYTHING but books and physical exercise...and he's still hasn't finished his homework tonight.
Did some major first aid on Gracie b/c the poor thing got a hold of the hot water spigot on the water cooler and majorly scalded her hand. She cried for well over 2 hours straight and now has great big blisters popping up.
Spent time with my sister and step sister who surprised my mom with a visit from Florida this week.
...And this is in addition to the regular day to day family and Magic Scraps stuff
See why I don't blog more? Coffee is finished brewing so I have to go. It's never a good sign when I start a pot of coffee at 10 pm.
No, she's not a serial killer...she's a roller girl! Last weekend my mom and I went to the Dallas Derby Devils championship bout to watch her skate for the last time this year. OH MY GOSH was it fun!! I want to be a roller girl! I want to be SMASHLEY! I've been day dreaming about it.
My sister has been skating for about a year now. She's really, really good! Put all your preconceptions of what you think roller derby is out of your mind. Okay, I'll admit that it's not my usual crowd and there's definitely some minor dramatics going on but it's not fake! My sister is a jammer...which means she's basically the quarterback. She scores all the points by skating past her opponents as they attempt to body slam her off the rink. This is serious stuff! I loved watching these huge girls just bounce off my sisters trim 120 pound, all muscle frame. It was awesome! She's awesome!
I also learned important things like what a beeramid is... it's a pyramid made from discarded beer cans. The skaters often slide into them in between periods.
Jim Heath (the Reverend in Reverend Horton Heat and Reverend Organ Drum) played during 1/2 time. It was such a fun night. I'm so glad we made the trip out there. Oh, and her team, the High Seas Hotties, WON!!
Here are some pictures:
Mary in action!
Check out LOTS more pics here at the league photographer's website, who is coincidentally my sister's boyfriend.
So, if there's any local girls brave enough to give it a try, my sister will do a private clinic for us so we can try it out:) Just let me know!
Wow! Boston is an amazing city!! We had such a good time at CKU Masters and taking Nolen was a truly awesome experience! He had such a great time...learned SO much about our country's history. We walked and walked and walked. I really loved being able to give Nolen my undivided attention...no baby sisters to interrupt his thoughts or mess with his stuff. Just the two of us hanging out. And being there with Emily was a blast too. Luckily Nolen and Emily both remembered their PJs. It was a big concern of Nolen's that one of them might forget. Here are some fun pics from the trip.
Dinner at No Name was great! Nolen and I got boiled lobsters and worked a little for our dinner.
This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.
One of the really cool things we got to do was visit the Body world exhibit at the Museum of Science. It was really incredible. After he got a look at a real smoker's lung compared to a non-smoker's lung, I really don't have to worry about a thing. It's all he could talk about for days.
The memories we made together last weekend were amazing. I'm so glad we went together. It was also neat for Nolen to see what I do when I go to CKUs and what it's all about it. I love how comfortable he feels in the crazy make and take setting and in the classroom. He's so easy going and really gets interested in what I do. He's a really cool kid.
CKU Home Study
I got great news this week. I'll definitely be doing some CKU Home Study classes. These are going to be so much fun! I love it b/c everyone can take it, no matter where you live! My classes are a little bit digital and a little bit traditional and a LOT of fun!! So be on the lookout for them soon. More details to come...
Labor Day Crop
We decided to have a crop at the Magic Scraps office on Monday - Labor Day. I can't wait to get caught up on some layouts and projects! The crop is just $5 which covers lunch. EVERYONE gets a goody bag, so come one and all...digi or traditional...it's open for all!! Just let me know you're coming! e-mail: ashley@polkadotpotato.com
It's about 3 am and I'm desperately trying not to fall asleep. We leave for Boston in just 3 1/2 hours! Yippee! Never been to Boston so I'm really excited. It took me quite a while to get packed tonight...so no sleep for me! I'm too scared of falling asleep and not waking up in time so it's best for to suffer through and then crash on the plane. I don't really like sleeping on the plane b/c it never fails that I wake up with my mouth wide open...so embarrassing.
I'm really, really excited about this trip because my son is coming with me! I used miles to get him a ticket so he's taking a couple of days off school. I really wanted to take him somewhere special this summer - just the two of us - because he did really well on his 3rd grade testing and I wanted to reward him. Chicago came to mind but unfortunately the funds just weren't there. This is actually so much better b/c there's so much more history involved with Boston. Plus, I've never been there so it's fun for me, too!!
This week was fun but busy. On Monday, a bunch of us girls got together to celebrate my birthday and Kate's birthday which is Friday...Happy Birthday, Kate!! Emily, Pam, Jen, and Kandice treated us to a lovely evening! We went to Grand Lux which I adore b/c of the beignets. I could eat those things all day long!
Ben's sister came over last night to visit. She's very single and pretty much looking for a man...so we looked at match.com. Wow! What a bunch of losers! I got so sick of reading "I'm seeking a woman who values personal fitness as much as I do" C'mon...just say it...You want some skinny chic! You don't care if she's fit! Anyway, most of the guys wanted to make me vomit so we took that off our list of ways for Arides to meet a man. Now Ben is trying to drag her to the singles group at church. He's a sweet brother.
While I'm on a rant and rave...I have a comment about the whole layered look that's in. I really love it...very cute...long shirts help hide people's cracks...good things:) But...then again...is it just a plot to make us buy more clothes? So, one top isn't good enough...has to be two? three? I'm cheap. I don't like buying 2 shirts for one outfit. Makes no sense to me! Another thing...I was so happy to have the big shirt thing back. It's comforting to me. Takes me back to my teenage years in the 80's...minor problem...my hips are huge!!! 3 births later, a shirt pulled tight around my ass is just not a pretty thing! Oh well...Debby Schuh recently told me that once you've worn a style, if/when it comes back in, you're too old to wear it again. That's some sound advice...nay...fact. So no Cyndi Lauper and early Mondonna outfits are in my future...darn it all!
Last night Ben and I worked late at the office...like 7:30. We've gotten in a terrible habit of driving through for dinner...Boston Market, Taco Cabana, Chili's to Go...ch-ching, ch-ching!! We couldn't bare to spend another $25 on dinner even though that $25 also bought a little bit of sanity with it...nevertheless, it had to stop. So we went home determined to scrounge together something that resembled dinner.
Ben remembered that it was our Schwan's delivery day but since it was now nearly 8 pm we thought we were out of luck...driver gone home. Ben paged him anyway, just in case... Well, he came flying by the house in his big yellow truck and terrified that he would keep going, I flew out of the house to chase him down! Of course, at that point he was just backing up to park in front of the house. Ben and the driver got a good laugh at my behavior, but who cares...we have a freezer full of food! It's not the cheapest thing in town but when compared to dough we've been shelling out for dinner, you can't beat it. It tastes good too! Love the veggies, meatballs, tortellini, pork chops, french bread, breaded mushrooms...just to name a few.
We have a babysitter booked tonight b/c it's my birthday and Ben and I are going to Saltgrass for dinner...yes, the big THREE-FOUR! How did that happen? I just graduated from high school the other day :)
I hope Ben stays awake during dinner tonight. We have been desperate for him to repair our office network so he went to bed a little early last night (if 10 pm is considered early) and woke up at 2:30 am to go back to work. Isn't that crazy!? He's wonderful...everything is working! Yay! More intro to digital scrapbooking classes tomorrow. I'm so excited!!
Okay, where on earth does time go? We have about 15 functioning hours in an average day and I swear it feels like I only get to use about 1 of them....and yet I'm always doing something...at least I'm out of breath a lot...probably b/c I desperately need to get to the gym...but anyway...
Monday was back to school for Nolen. It's actually getting harder now than it was when he was in Kindergarten **FOURTH GRADE** I can't believe it! He was so excited he could barely stand it. As we got in the car, he asked "You do have your camera, right mom!?" What a great kid! I think I'm having such a hard time just because he is getting so big...and before I know it, he won't need me anymore! What if he has a crush on some cute girl this year? How am I going to deal with that?? This is the year when those "will you go with me" notes get passed around. I'm just not ready!! He's started being self conscious about random things...like his teeth. He's been using White Strips. And the first day of school he brushed once with whitening toothpaste and one with breath strips toothpaste. Who's he trying to have good breathe for?? He won't tell...
The relationships he forms now very well may alter his life forever. Example: the summer before 4th grade I met Tracy Adams, one of my closest and dearest friends to this day. Just before my senior year of high school, Tracy's boyfriend Jeff Jacobs introduced Ben and I to each other...and today we celebrate that meeting...we met August 16, 1989...married August 13, 1990 and the rest his history. Tracy and I just found out last week that Jeff passed away in March from a boating accident. It was sobering to see my 3 kids running around the house and know that if he hadn't made that one phone call to an old friend from junior high, Nolen, Ella & Gracie wouldn't be here. Heavy...
It was back to class for more than just kids this week! On Saturday, Polka Dot Potato had its very first intro to scrapbooking class taught by yours truly. It was exciting to see people learn and have fun! Here's a pic of the second class. I'm a TOTAL dork and forgot to snap a pic of the first one. You can see some more pics of the lounge here. Polka Dot Potato, Rehashed.
On Sunday, I got another bad case of baby fever when our friends Joel & Melody came with their son Grant and 3 week old baby, Kate. Isn't she beautiful?! There's nothing like the feeling of a house with a newborn in it. So comforting! While they were here, I snapped this cute picture of my girls sitting on the fireplace.
We switched internet hosts for the potato site which was loads of fun...we were down for about 2 days and still have some kinks to work out... But on the other hand, I've really been able to catch some odds and ends up at the office and feel like there is an end in sight to the chaos.
Over the summer, I worked on the logos for the spirit shirts for Nolen's school. I've prepared the art for the shirts over the last several years but this year's shirts really turned out cool! I actually didn't come up with the idea for the boys shirts...the cute PTA moms in the pic did that...but I am so pleased with how they turned out and I really can't believe I did the art! We decided to use the Dallas Mavericks logo as a guideline for ours...since we same oh so close to winning the championship...
We even had basketball shirts made for the boys. We sold over $2,000 worth of spirit items which is HUGE as we are not a wealthy school. Wahoo for the MST PTA!!
Ok, I have a confession to make and hopefully when Wendy reads this she'll laugh...I really, really thought that the 14th of August was a Tuesday. I knew that I had to speak to the Dallas Moms of Twins on the 14th...but when you don't realize until about 40 minutes before the event that in fact Monday is the 14th, there is cause for complete panic and pandemonium! Especially when the event is about 40 minutes away and you planned to spend that evening preparing the one hour talk the next day. I have no idea how it all came together...but miracles do happen because my computer didn't crash even once during the presentation! Thank you so much for having me, Wendy! I hope everyone enjoyed it! I had to laugh because in the middle of the realization of where I should be, Ben said, 'honey, can't you just call and tell them that you screwed up?' and I snapped back 'NO! I told Wendy I'd be there with bells on!'...yes, I actually wrote that in an e-mail so I was not about to disappoint! Really, it was probably so much better that I didn't prepare... I have a horrible habit of way over-preparing for events like this. It was a real blast I just love to see the wheels turning!!
Well, I don't know what came over me tonight...but I confessed to my husband that I'd like to have another baby. What is wrong with me!? Not now...no...more like 3 years from now. And it all depends on getting this new business up and running. Let's put it this way...if God presents the opportunity again, I'll take it. There's just something about all these rug rats running around that I love! ...the giggles and goofiness...we'll see.
My computer has a power supply issue and it likes to overheat and shut down in the middle of saving important documents. I have this problem daily...my fault...I bought the generic power supply and you get what you pay for. Well, it happened just now and while I wanted to scream profanity from the top of my lungs, I refrained and picked up the American Baby magazine that just came in the mail. I'm glad I did because I got a good laugh out of this door hanger for a baby's room.
Amanda has been at it again - making a TON of new templates. And since I live and die by them, this is good news for me. She just completed 3 more 2-pagers and needed a sample of one of them in use...perfect excuse for me to do some more scrapbooking. So when Ben walks by with his eyebrows raised and wondering why I'm "playing" again, I can explain to him that this is an important marketing function and I am working!
We didn't do a lot over Spring Break this year but we tried to do something fun and cheap every day. One day we went to Glen Rose, TX and met my cousins at Dinosaur Valley. We had such a great time and hiked as high as we could go. Wendy is my cousin's wife but they've been married forever. After we did the park thing, we went to my cousin's house in Stephenville. They have some property there and are renovating an old home. In the meantime they all FIVE live in a 400 square foot cabin. It's totally crazy but looks like so much fun. My cousin is an Aggie who hocks bull sperm, which just shows there's a job out there for everyone. I used Emily Farnworth's Zuzu's Petals and her Watercolor Alpha to create this layout.
Mary in action!
Friday...Happy Birthday, 
