Merry Christmas!

There was a Christmas a few years back where everyone but me had the flu. I mean, puking all day/night flu. I guess we're trying to see if we can beat that. Anakin started puking yesterday and thank God it was over by lunch...but, he can't swallow today. I took one look at his throat and knew he had strep. David took him to the walk in clinic (the only thing open at the time) and yep, it's Scarlet Fever/Strep. He's got an all over red rash to go with the sore throat. I feel so bad for him. I think this is the 3rd time he's had strep this year. I took everyone's temp before the boys went to bed and EVERYONE has a low grade fever. BLAH.

I didn't get my Christmas cards done this year. I still would like to do them. I saw the funniest thing on Shabby Miss Jenn's blog (http://shabbymissjenn.typepad.com/shabby_miss_jenn/) today. Check out her blog and watch hers. Here is mine. I leave you with a touch of humor. God knows I need it to make it! Merry Christmas!

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

My favorite photos from 2007. I couldn't pick just 7, like I've seen on some of my friends' blogs. ;) I'm sure I have even more, but I decided to go through my photos quickly. LOL! Enjoy!

Featured Scrapper at DST!

See here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=96378

A Morning of Firsts

Anakin woke up to this...he lost his 2nd top tooth in the night. Too cute!
AND... Shadow's first snow! We only got a little bit, but it was perfect for Shadow. He loved it! It brought back memories of Izzy (Shadow's look-a-like) from when I was a teen. He'd get snow balls all over him, so bad we'd have to give him a quick bath to melt them!
Another first...these photos are a few of my first pictures with my new Rebel XTi! Yep, I must have been good this year because Santa got me one.

Thanks, Santa! :)

Peek-a-boo...Merry Christmas!

An Update on Shadow in Pictures!!!

Isn't he the sweetest?

Shadow's 8 week photo shoot. LOL! I really lucked out and got this while I was playing with him in the leaves. I took a bazillion shots and got a few good ones, that's all that maters! ;) We're dealing with "the poops" still. David called the vet and got some medication for him. He had shots/meds a week ago, ate some cat food (that'll do it) and was switched to a different food (Melissa, we switched to the 'other' food you suggested. Petco here is not carrying the other one anymore. They said it wasn't popular enough. Whatever. We were desperate because we didn't think THAT would happen, so the switch was a little abrupt, I'm sure. Poor puppy!)

You can see the credits for that layout here: http://www.myscrapbookart.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14095&ppuser=54

Shadow's 2nd Day

Wow, we love this puppy! :) I just wanted to quickly say a "public" blog thank you to Melissa and Brad, the breeders. Today we started taking Shadow outside to go potty. We also had the Wee Wee pad out. He had a few accidents early this morning (in the kitchen, not on the pad) and then we started taking him outside. He's gone potty every single time and has only gone one other time...and that was on the pad! We're thrilled! Of course, we are on major potty watch all the time...after eating, after sleeping, after playing...but, hey, it's working! So, thank you guys for everything YOU did while he was there. We at least feel we're off to a good start.

One thing we are learning. Don't leave anything on the floor! LOL! We're used to 3 messy boys. I'm just wondering how long it'll be before something gets chewed and their lesson will be learned!

Shadow also got into our vet today. Everything checked out fine. He had a couple shots...which I can't even remember what they were, David took him.

Oh...he'd better stop chewing on my Crocs and computer cords! 2 things you don't mess with. LMBO! ;)

Meet Shadow Deuce Fox!

Our new cockapoo puppy! We just got him today. I will post more pictures soon. The boys are super excited and Tristin has already asked about 1,000 times if he's ours to keep. LOL! David came up with the name Shadow. "Scooby" just didn't fit because he's so black. We thought about naming him "Izzy" after the dog I grew up with or even "Deuce" meaning the 2nd Izzy. So, we went with Shadow and I snuck the Deuce in as a middle name. LOL!!!! He's sleeping at my feet next to the couch right now and Popeye (our 14 year old cat) is sitting across the room staring at him! Shadow already tried to play with Popeye (David got it on video, I'll have to see if he'll You Tube it for me!) :)

Happy Halloween from the boys!

a police officer, Link from Legends of Zelda and Diego!

It can't be October already?!?! I did the contest...again...

I'm in a bit of shock that it's already October! I've been busy, but not too busy to blog!

I competed in Miss Mint's contest again this year. Last year, I got 1st runner up, this year, I got 2nd runner up. Kind of sick of always of being the bridesmaid and never the bride, if you know what I mean! Miss Mint was sweet and said something like "at least you're consistently in the top 5" or something like that. That's true. I should look at it in a positive way. So, here are my contest layouts from this year. You can see the credits in the gallery: http://www.peppermintcreative.com/.

Counselor?

In other news...I started seeing a counselor as suggested by my doctor. He thought maybe it would help my depression and weight issues. I met him and instantly liked him. We had a great "session" and I walked out of there smiling. Seriously, no one can tell you that you're "normal" like a counselor. LOL! I have been thinking through a lot of things in my life lately and my weight problem is one of them. I've just have been having a huge problem just STARTING to do those things that I know I need to do. Eat right. Exercise. Get more rest. Drink WATER. ;) So, my counselor suggested that I a) Keep a journal of what I eat. Check. I've already got a journal waiting for me to do that. b) Weigh myself everyday so I can see the ups and downs and the loss! c) Start exercising. Do as little as much as I want...to just start it. d) Come back and see him in a month. I walked out of the session and gave up Coke and regular pop right then and there. I figured if I didn't just go cold turkey, I wouldn't do it.

Well, I started a new antidepressant a month and a week ago (from the time I saw the counselor) and then had a re-check with my regular doctor. Guess what...I had already lost 8lbs without even trying or knowing! My doctor was happy. I was EXCITED. Since then, I've lost another 8.6lbs! I've lost 16.6lbs! (I haven't weighed in a few days because I've been sick and haven't cared. But, tomorrow, it's back to it!) I honestly can't wait to tell my counselor. LOL!

Recent Layouts

Now that I've talked in circles and am too tired to go back and edit it...I'll leave you with a few recent layouts. I haven't been feeling very creative lately. Kind of...blah. But, there they are:

Most of the goodies I've used here are either Emily Merritt's or Jacque Larsen's both at http://www.thedigichick.com/. You can see my gallery for credits: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=24

Stand Up & Scrap Contest

I was participating in the Stand Up & Scrap contest. I decided tonight to quit. I'm sick of putting my all into a contest and say I'm not going to be disappointed and then I am, when I don't win. People aren't "in" to my style. I get that. I'm sick of feeling like I'm judged anyway. You know, no comments on my layouts...2 views....whatever. I'm not playing that 'game' anymore, so why on earth am I doing this contest? UGH! I'm frustrating myself! So...I quit. I'll spend that extra time obsessing about those layouts reading to my boys. ;)

I'm in SHOCK!

A few DAYS ago...like a week ago...I submitted some layouts to two different magazines. I just got an email from one of them...they want one of my layouts!!!!!!!!! I don't know what all I can tell now, so when I find out I'll tell. :) This was one of the major things I wanted to accomplish this year. I've had several layouts in digital magazines online, but never in print. Whooooohooooooo! :)

Last Weekend

My Mom was put into the hospital last Friday (for pain - and she just had her second back surgery in 2 months this morning) and we had planned on visiting her on Saturday, so we still went...we just had to go to the hospital instead of the house. While there, we took a bathroom break and Paxtin had to check out all the vending machines. I love this picture. It screams CURIOSITY! We did find 10 cents in the change hole. LOL!!!

We then went to the Peoria Zoo. For some reason I thought the "Africa part" was open, well, it won't be completed until NEXT June. Opps! It's an okay zoo...I actually think our zoo in Bloomington is better. But, we had fun.

Then, on Sunday...

The kids' pastor baptized him. He rocks! We are so blessed by him and his wife, Lisa and kids. Then, this might have been on Monday... David started spraying the kids with the hose and they got him back! LOL! (Yes, I helped!) They ended up going swimming because they were all soaked anyway. The kids were happy!
I think that's it. This weekend...well, David just left with Anakin to go to a Royal Rangers camp out. They'll be back tomorrow afternoon. So, Tristin, Paxtin and I are going to have a movie/pizza/bowling with the Wii night! Tomorrow...I might surprise them with a trip to a water park. ;) I've got some scrapping to do too. :)

Yesterday was crazy. Anakin went to the pool with a friend for most of the day. Tristin had his last day of summer school (it's called Preschool Playmates, it's just a lot of fun stuff) and Paxtin and I just stayed home. We picked up Tristin and came home, had lunch and I promised them we could swim in our pool before naps. The boys were outside playing and I got my suit on and came out. I took about 10 steps and was stung by a wasp TWICE. OOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUCH! I can't remember the last time I was stung. I'm thankful that it wasn't one of the boys that got stung! David ended up coming home to check out the sting (we are guessing what stung me because there was a nest right next to me, the wasp must have been on her way back to the nest -- or leaving it. We've walked by the nest many times and this has never happened. Yeah, David has known about the nest for weeks! Let's just say he sprayed it last night.

Okay, so we waited an hour or so and then I took the boys into the pool. We swam for a bit and Paxtin said he was done and he went to the side of the pool. I turned my back for 1 second and started to walk to the other side of the pool (where we usually get out) and then told him to come over here...I turned around and he had slipped off the edge (we have one of those pools you blow up the ring and then fill it) and was going under. I swear, that had to have been the scariest thing I've ever seen. My poor baby. We have been thinking all summer that he was pretty safe in there. He can stand, walk around and play. We figured he would be able to stand back up if he went under. This was a horrible reminder that NO, he wouldn't be able to! Ugh...enough about that, I'm just glad I was only 2 steps from him.

Anakin came home from swimming. He had a great time. While he was there, he said he hit his head - apparently hard. Then, he was going to get in his bed (he jumped on it - on all fours) and his head landed on a transformer that was under a blanket. Of course, it had to be the only metal one he owns! OUCH!

Hmmm....what else. Paxtin fell down our basement stairs! I heard him going to the stairs and he was messing around jumping from one to the other. I didn't think about it...until I heard the thump thump thump and then the screaming. He's got a rug burn on his leg and I'm sure it'll be bruised. I looks like he landed on something at the bottom. You know, a toy or something that should be somewhere else!

Then.... David left to go see a movie with a friend and I took the boys down to our neighbor's house to get Anakin. We were there for a few minutes and then I had that sinking feeling. UGH, I locked the door behind me! (Habit) I came back to the house PRAYING the garage door was unlocked. Most of the time I lock it. There are times though that David will go in the garage to get something (this time it was the wasp spray) and he'll leave the door open a crack. Don't ask me why, he just does it. Can't stand it...it's like air conditioning the garage! So, I opened the big garage door and then went to the door to the kitchen. WHOOOHOOOO David left the door open! LOL! One time I'm happy he did it!

I went to bed at 9:30pm. I NEVER EVER go to bed early. I'm normally up until 1am or later! Anyway...I think that's everything crazy that happened yesterday. I'm hoping today is quiet! ;) We're going to the library (for the 2nd time the whole summer)...Anakin was doing the reading program. We have so many books...he was just reading the ones we have. I think that's all we've got planned! I've got some cleaning to do and hopefully, the boys can run around outside before lunch/naps. :) Have a great day!

Before I go, here are a few recent layouts. You can go here to see the credits: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=24

Emily Merritt has started designing at is selling at http://www.thedigichick.com/. I'm loving her bright primary colors! Here are a few layouts I've done for her:

This one is for Carrie Stephen's team. I love these pictures of Paxtin and Morgan (our neighbors' little girl). Look at the top two...you can see Paxtin shaking his booty! LOL!

Then, there's Popeye yawning. Too funny. He's on the couch inside and I was outside playing with the boys. He had his paws on the window so I was trying to take a picture without getting a glare...then he yawned. Perfect! LOL! This was for one of my newest teams - Shawna Clingerman's (http://www.mylittlescraps.com/). LOVE her stuff.

Day 2 on the Potty Train!

6 Successes
2 Accidents

Paxtin peed on Anakin & Tristin's bedroom floor and unfortunately on Tristin's pillow (it was on the floor...they were making forts, of course)! LOL! The other accident was poop, so...wow, I'm proud! :) Not sure what tomorrow will bring with church. I'm sure we'll have to put him in a pull-up.

I have felt like crap today. I had a headache last night and woke up with one this morning (hate that). I don't think I've ever had a migraine, but man, this could have been one. I took a nap...woke up and felt even worse! The light was too bright and the boys' voices (they like to hum a lot...I mean a LOT) drove me nuts. I quickly sent them outside to play. ;) Like they minded! I feel a little better tonight, but I need to go to bed earlier tonight. So...night! :)

We're riding the potty train!

(That's something Tristin said when he was potty training, "Mommy, I don't want to ride the potty train!" Too cute!

Let me start this post with this. I should have started potty training Paxtin in DECEMBER. He was ready. He was willing. He was able! LOL! But, I didn't and here we are in July. Paxtin is 2 1/2. Wow, he's 2 1/2!!!! My baby!!! Anyway, we started in full force yesterday with underwear, stickers and candy for rewards. We had four successes and five accidents. We're calling THAT a success. LOL! We had to force him (which is pretty easy considering he WANTS stickers and WANTS 2 M&Ms just for trying!) a few times.

So, today is a new day and he woke up and actually peed on the potty 1st thing and once again a few minutes ago. A great start! No accidents! He's too cute! :)

Okay, how can I not show this too? Here's Amy Martin's ad for this week. I've got 2 layouts in it AND Tristin is them...LOL! (Now I have all 3 covered. ;)) www.the-lilypad.com It's the best! Check out the gallery there...it's amazing!

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!
There's a lot of tooting going on over here!!! For my non-digital scrapbooking friends, that means I've got something to yell from the roof tops! Look...2 of my babies are in 2 different digi newsletters this month!

First, Anakin in Dani and Amy Martin's ad for "Funky Free"...one amazing kit! Get it here: http://www.the-lilypad.com/ or http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/ It's the red one in the middle...the layout I shared in my last entry.

Second...the layout I did for the http://www.digishoptalk.com/ newsletter. The fab Carrie Stephens at http://www.fishscraps.com/ is the designer for the month. I sooooo love this kit...love you Carrie! LOL! Here's Paxtin.

THEN...I got a PM from Emily over at http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/. I got Layout of the Week for this:

That's Paxtin again...using Shawna Clingerman's new kit "Pile of Scribbles and Funk" at SSD. Whoooohoooo! I got a gift certificate to the store!

And...I should have a layout featured here tonight (or tomorrow): http://scrapngal.blogspot.com/ for my Scrapnfonts Design Team.

It's nice to have something good to blog about again! I had a rough afternoon with Anakin...which ended in a good evening with the family (thank you God). We lit a few sparklers and did a few confetti poppers (or whatever they are called) and threw a billion poppers (as we call them)...the things you throw at the ground and they pop. Oh...the boys LOVED them. I've got lots of great pictures but I need to save some for future use (there's a contest coming up, not sure if I'm going to enter, but I may...).

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!

Innocence

I sometimes forget how little Anakin once was! He was such a serious baby (and now a very serious 7 year old). We used to call him our "little man" with his big eyes, baggy underneath and crinkly forehead...he was so sweet. It's almost therapeutic scrapping this photo. I tend to dwell on what we need to work on or change...the behavior. Ugh...but sometimes I still see this sweet face. Anakin doesn't realize that when I look at him, I do see this little baby. The innocence...it's still there. :)

OMGosh...it's a bladder infection. UGH!!!!!!!!! I just went to the doctor...took my prescription in and guess what the pharmacy said...that the doctor that wrote the prescription is not covered under my insurance! WHAT? I have Health Alliance insurance...I go to Carle Clinic...it's all Health Alliance! So, I'm calling the nurse advisory number ) right now (at almost 10 pm) to have them figure this out! I need the meds so it doesn't turn into another kidney infection!

AND...we went to the water park today. One that has water shooting out of the ground. LOVE those. I don't have to worry about the boys falling into a foot of water (that's at the local pool) face first. Yes, I worry too much.

Okay, seriously, this post has been sitting here for a few days now. It's now Monday...David is still coughing up a lung and today has been horrible for me! I haven't been drinking enough water, well, I wasn't. I am now. I hate kidney infections!

Until next time...

I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've blogged! Let me share a few new layouts before I hit ya with the personal stuff! LOL!





You can see all the credits at my gallery here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=24

So, for the personal stuff...

The main reason I haven't blogged is because I just didn't want to jump on here and complain and sound negative all the time. You know...if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. (See Mom, I did learn something while I was young.) I'm talking about my personal issues, my frustrations as a SAHM of 3 boys, my depression. It's not something I think I need to share with everyone...or the 3 people that read my blog! LOL! What has me wanting to blog now? Well, I got into contact with some of my 'old' high school friends over at http://www.myspace.com/. It made me realize something. It made me realize how unhappy I am with myself! Note...I say myself, not my life, my family, my kids. I am unhappy with how I've let myself go. How my physical body and my spiritual life have changed so drastically since high school. Both really started to change after I had my kids. No, I am not blaming them, but myself! My decisions haven't been the best and it's because I haven't really felt worthy of the attention I need to give myself to change! I'm consumed with taking care of my 3 boys and hubby that I just ignore myself and honestly, I medicate myself with food. Meaning, when I'm stressed out with the boys...I eat. You get my drift. Anyway, I have lots to change to make things better for myself and my family. David and I are talking things thru and trying to make changes in our lifestyle (eating better and getting exercise). I'm also going to try to blog more about what is REALLY going on with me. I've gotten so good at hiding my true feelings. I promised myself that I wouldn't do that anymore, that I will be honest and not hide behind my fat any longer!

If you would, please say a prayer for my Mom and Dad. My Mom is having her back fused (I think in 2 places) on July 5th. She needs prayer for healing and for her pain before and after the surgery! It's bad. Also, please pray for my Dad...I'm sure this has to be HARD on him and he won't say it.

I'll end this post with a little boys news:

o Anakin...I don't even know what to say! Sometimes I feel like our relationship and his behavior is the worst there is. I always hear of how wonderful other kids are...please tell me I'm not the only one dealing with this!!! UGH! He has been on Summer break for what? 2 weeks...and I'm about ready to climb the wall! He's been acting like a 2 year old! I feel like he has NO respect for me (or David really) and just wants to do his own thing. We're working on a behavior chart and a chore chart. I think he needs that visual confirmation. I love Anakin so much and he just doesn't receive it well. That hurts. If anyone has any suggestions, please tell me!

He started camp (once a week for many weeks) thru David's work last week. He loves it. Summer Bible School starts on Monday too...both he and Tristin get to go this year. :) Some of my best memories are of going to Bible School.

o Tristin...little T. He's soooooo funny. He's obsessed with Superman and Spiderman right now. We have been letting his hair grow (his bangs) and he's getting a "curl" like Superman. LOL! I love his imagination. Tonight is the first night he has worn big boy underwear to bed. He's been staying dry at night for over 2 weeks, so we thought we'd try it. He wakes up almost every night and has been really good about going to the bathroom and going right back to bed. :) Tristin started "summer school" last week. It's like a preschool playgroup. They are in the same classroom that he was in last year in Pre-K for 4 year olds and he'll be in the 5 year old Pre-K in the Fall.

o Paxtin...he is a joy. I keep saying that, but it's so true. Maybe it's because he still thinks I'm cool. LOL!!!! He has been a Mommy's boy a lot recently. I love it, of course. He has started talking in long sentences and it's so fun to hear what he'll come up with! I can't even think of an example right now...I'm going to have to start taking some notes! LOL! Just an odd FYI...I am letting his hair grow back out. We tried the big boy shaved look and it just made him look so old! I missed his little curls. Even if they don't curl as much as they used to, it's still adorable!

Okay, that's enough, I'm tired! Hope you're glad to see me back! :) I'm glad to be back. Now...if I could just get someone to re-do my sidebar for me. ;)

Happy Easter!

Here are a few outtakes!

Copying their big brother...

Mono Update

Anakin ended up having it for at least 3 days, if not 4. We kept him home from school the first day after Spring Break...and he didn't have a temp, he was just exhausted (but he couldn't have gone anyway since they are suppose to be temp free for 24 hours before returning). We let him go on Tuesday, even though I probably should have kept him home. He had earned a movie (at a local theater) with his class for reading 500 hours during a certain time. I just had to let him go. LOL! Anyway, everyone is better...but Tristin is still acting tired at times and his glands are still swollen. We still wonder if Anakin and Paxtin just reacted different to this sickness because of the differences in their immune system.

Busy Day Today

I've got lots of pictures to share, let's see if Blogger will be nice to me tonight...forgive me, I didn't edit any of these photos and I'm NOT a photographer. ;)

Here's Anakin's "cheese" look...man, does his head look huge...or is it just cause he's skin and bones? LOL!

Today we colored Easter eggs...

Oh, this one makes me laugh! Tristin doing his "deer in head lights" look. :)

Paxtin...he really loved coloring eggs this year and surprisingly, he didn't make too big of a mess!

We also went to an Egg Hunt, which was put on by our church. I was with Paxtin the whole time, so I didn't get shots of Anakin or Tristin. David got one or 2 of Tristin with his camera...poor Anakin...he missed his group starting their hunt. But, someone ran and got him a bag (David had the bucket in our wagon and we couldn't see him - long story, but Anakin was in line to get a balloon animal and we 'thought' we had time....) Anyway, Anakin ended up helping clean up the 2 year old "section" of the hunt. There weren't a whole lot of 2 year olds...probably because it was FREEZING outside. I don't think it was even 30 degrees...and it was WINDY. I've never been so cold! Okay, here are some pictures...keep in mind I was just holding the camera out and taking pictures while I was trying to help Paxtin grab eggs. LOL! It was humorous, I'm sure.

That last photo cracks me up. I'm sure I'll scrap that somehow! ;)

We also made Resurrection Buns today! If you don't know what those are, you can read about it here: http://homeparents.about.com/cs/eastercrafts/a/eastertradition.htm

I am just sharing the pictures I took of Paxtin, they are too cute! He really got into this too. David was helping him with it...here he is stealing a bite of the uncooked biscuit. YUCK!

He didn't mind it too much...he did spit it out after this though!

Plopping "Jesus the Marshmallow" into his "tomb of a biscuit"! LOL!

So, we wrapped them up and we'll eat them in the morning. Tristin is excited...he doesn't remember what happens (the marshmallow melts and "Jesus" is gone/alive). I can't wait to see his face...I'll try to get a picture.

I must go stuff their eggs...we're doing change this year instead of candy. We knew they'd get enough of that at the egg hunt. ;) Yes, we celebrate the Christian part of Easter...that's the most important. But, we also let the boys have Easter baskets, hunt eggs, etc. We don't "do" the Easter bunny. I just never thought to start that and I'm glad. ;)

Later!