[I forgot!]

Read the last entry first....lol! Go to this special forum HERE, lift a layout of mine and post it there! You could win a $15 gift certificate to Sweet Shoppe Designs. TIA, you should do it!!!!! Hint hint!

[Finally did it!]

I switched my blogger account to beta. I really don't understand what that is (didn't care to read it) all I know is that my hubby said it probably would be better. LOL! So, things look a little odd right now, but when I have time (ha ha) I'll get it updated.

[TOOOOOOOOOOOOT x2]

This month at Sweet Shoppe Designs I am the "Treat of the Month"! Just click that link there and you'll be taken to the front page of their shoppe. You can read about what that is there and follow more links to see my bio and answers to questions they asked me. You'll also see layouts on that front page that were "lifted" from my pages. Do you know what an honor this is? LOL! I feel so odd about it because I never thought in a million years that I'd be picked. So, I'm enjoying it and every once in a while I have to go back and look at it. :)

My other toot is here: Multi-Photo Scrapbook Layout Gallery (it's a blog). My layout "Oh Wow" is there! I had submitted a bunch of layouts just the night before and was SHOCKED to see it there! In fact, I didn't see it until the 2nd of January. It's a really great blog, if you like to do multi-photo layouts. Hopefully, you'll see more there some other time! :)

[Christmas & New Years]

The holidays went by WAY to fast! I hate to have to take my tree down already, in fact, before Paxtin was born (1/18/05) we would leave it up as long as we wanted to! I think the longest we left it up was until EASTER. Yes, Easter. I don't know what I was thinking. LOL! Now that Paxtin has his birthday in the middle of January, that's my goal date. I must have it down before then. Anyway, the boys all loved their gifts and Anakin even acted thankful this year, Tristin didn't....LOL! It was nice to have Anakin act differently this year though. Paxtin, he didn't care. As for me, I got a new camera! A Canon Powershot something or other. I seriously can't remember the name of it for anything. It's just the opposite of my old digital camera. It's small enough to put in my pocket or purse! I love that. New Years Eve was just like any other day really. David played drums with a band at a local outreach coffeehouse for a bit and was home around 11ish. We watched a movie and I scrapped a little. All in all we had a great "vacation". David was home for the week inbetween Christmas and New Years Day. Oh, the one sucky thing...I got a cold on Christmas Day. I swear it started at my parents' house that afternoon...and I am still coughing. I am coughing so hard it hurts my back! I told David I wonder if I broke a rib. Okay, maybe bruised it? I don't know but it doesn't help having to pick up a 29lb almost 2 year old! He's heavy! (And Tristin weighs 30lbs and is a little over 4 years old!)

Okay, I must try to finish my SBB E-Team layout tonight. :) Night! Hope you enjoyed my ramblings!

Christmas cards are out (minus a few I am waiting on address from my Mom on).
Shopping is done.
Albums are not.
Decorating is not. (Still need to decorate the boys' tree in their room.)
Cleaning is not.
Wrapping is not.
Grocery shopping is not. (Last minute dessert items and a veggie tray for my Mom and Dad's house)
Baking is not.
Stressed? Me? Yes...

We only have to travel to my Mom and Dad's house (an hour away) on Christmas Eve. I have no complaining about that. David's parents are going to PA to be with David's brother and family. I just feel stressed about the deadline of Monday morning! David is taking off work tomorrow, so that will help a lot. I'm going to start making Chex Mix this afternoon and the kids and I will do cookies on Saturday. The only other thing I'm planning on making is something for my Dad...something with no sugar. ;)

So...I got my results of my sonogram back on Wednesday. Let me first just say again that I love my new OB! LOL! Remember, the yucky one told me that the reason I was bleeding was more than likely the breakthrough bleeding you have on the Depo shot. He did briefly say something about fibroids. Well, it was NOT breakthrough bleeding. I have 3 fibroids. I'm pretty sure I knew about one of them. They told me about it when I was pregnant with Paxtin. They said sometimes they can cause bleeding during pregnancy...etc. Well, my OB said that the lining of my uterus looked good (HUGE answer to prayer)...and that one of the fibroids (the bigger of the 3) was pushing up against my uterus (not in it). She said that she thinks that is what caused it. She has no idea why now...etc. So, this is the plan. She gave me a Depo Shot (yeah!!!!) and I got back to have another in 3 months and then I see her a month after that just to make sure everything is okay. She said that if I was sure that I was done having babies, she'd suggest having that fibroid out. But, because we aren't ready to do anything permanent, she is willing to wait. Now, if I start to bleeding again, we'll have to re-think things because of my health and probably have the thing out. She just doesn't want to do it now and weaken my already weak chances of getting pregnant again. PCOS SUCKS! Sorry, just had to say that. No, we're not going to activily try to get pregnant, we just want the option if we decide to a few years from now. I can tell you that I'm 95% sure we won't! LOL!

Fun. Tuesday Tristin woke up and puked...and did a few other times during the day. He's now fine. I just hope and pray no one else comes down with it. It was around this exact time last year that everyone had the flu but ME! David, Anakin and Tristin all had it at the same time!

Tuesday I was able to go to Anakin's school and help make gingerbread houses. So cute. I've got pictures...but they are on my camera. :) My NEW camera...yes, I got my Christmas present early! I will have to go look and see what the name is...I can never remember! Until then...

[One big post...]

Blood work results are in...I'm anemic. No big surprise there...except that for all 3 of my pregnancies, I never had to take iron, even after giving birth! That's how much blood I've lost! LOL! So, iron pills it is.

My sono is tomorrow.

I was in denial that Thanksgiving crept up so fast...I'm not in denial that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! It seems impossible. I need to get my Christmas cards addressed, stamped and mailed; finish my shopping (just a few things); figure out what we're sending my BIL/SILs; mail a few packages; finish decorating; make cookies...it goes on and on! I'm sure most of you can relate.

Anakin came up to me and asked if we could order some sugar cookies from Market Day (through the school). I read it and then it dawned on me...OH MY GOSH, this would be so much easier than making them from scratch. Done. LOL! I love to bake, etc. but with the kids it's just not really fun. Does that make sense? They don't have the attention span to really make cookies from scratch. Plus, there's not a lot of time. So, we're going the easy route this year (again). I will, however make some frosting from scratch because it just tastes better. Then, I'll let the boys go nuts with the sprinkles because they all love them and David...LOVES them. Me, not so much...and I don't need to be eating them!

That brings me to another thought. My Dad is now taking medication for diabetes. I shouldn't be eating sugar either...because of my PCOS. So, I'm going to try to find some really good diabetic "sweets" recipes. I think I have a recipe for a cheesecake made with Splenda (my best friend). I just know that with the holidays, I'm going to want something sweet and my Dad will too. Maybe I'll wrap something up for him too. ;)

Hmmm...there are always 10,000 things I think of to blog about when I'm NOT here and typing. Oh oh oh! I've got a big TOOT coming soon. I'm not sure if I'm suppose to say anything yet, but it's coming in January. Stay tuned!!!

Here are some recent layouts that I'm pretty proud of. You can see all the credits at my gallery at DST here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=138

My favorite picture of Anakin and Tristin...using some of Jen Wilson's yummy stuff:

Here's one that I really didn't want to do at first. I didn't like the photos but as I worked with it, I began to LOVE it. It's using the December kit by the Elements Team at SBB:
and some more yummy Jen Wilson stuff. Anakin lost his first tooth last week and a few days later his second. What fun memories!
And a fun layout about something that Anakin said. It was actually a conversation with me...but, I didn't include me asking him why? LOL! I will have to say here (because I didn't in my credits) that it was David's idea to take the picture like this. I, of course, took it...LOL! Trish Jones' stuff is rockin' here! Love that paper...and I'm pretty proud of the shadowing on this one.
There is a layout that I will be doing soon...we're taking the boys caroling for the first time this year. Carrie Stephen's kit "Celebrazione" is just too amazing. I love those little carolers there. I seriously can't wait to use it! So, watch for that. :) Oh, here's the link: http://www.fishscraps.com/Store/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=65&products_id=417

Night!

[It was time...]

BEFORE AFTERI loved his curls, took tons of pictures of them, but I was sick of the poof. LOL! Now, I have a big boy. Sniff sniff...isn't he cute!!!!! I don't regret it at ALL! I'm just glad his cute curls are sticking out in the last pictures we had taken. LOL!

[My Christmas Card]

Had to share this too! We got pictures of the boys and my Christmas card is done, ordered and hopefully on it's way to my mailbox! I will get them out EARLY this year! YIPPPPEEEEE! Aren't my boys adorable?! :) (Credits: Everything but the staple is by Jen Wilson, the staple is Kim Christensen's)

[Update on me]

I'm still bleeding. That's the bad news. The good news as quickly as I can put it:

1. I got rid of the OB/GYN that I was forced to see (had to see someone b/c of the bleeding, he was the only one available...now I know why)!

2. Made an appointment with another OB/GYN, a female.

3. Called to make an appointment with my primary care doctor to see what HE would say about it all. I, thankfully, already had an appointment for a week later. Forgot about it. ;) It was today, I just got back. Here's what I learned:

My doctor said he can't really take care of the bleeding...that's the GYNs job, of course, I knew that. So, I pressed on and asked more questions...and I'm soooooooooo glad I did.

He asked about my "ring" (Nuva Ring), I told him I lost it because I was bleeding so bad. He said, "They didn't try to stop it?" HELLO!?!?!?!? He said, "Did they do a blood test?" HELLO again! My thoughts exactly. I told him that I wasn't feeling comfortable with my doctor (and I named him) and that I had made an appointment with another doctor. His face lit up and he said and I quote, "I'm so glad you said that. I have such a hard time recommending doctors, I can't. My wife goes to her (the doctor I'm going to see) and she's good, educated, listens, etc. I ALMOST CRIED. Apparently, what I was thinking about the doctor I didn't like...was right. I was told several times after that that my primary doctor was so glad I was seeing the new doctor. OKAY...so, he also put in orders for me to get blood work done.

I feel such a HUGE relief!

[Pictures...finally!]

First, I must say that since I started digi scrapping, I have gotten pickier about my portraits of the boys. But, we can't afford the amazing photographers that I see here in town. We just can't. I have come to the conclusion that I value my day to day pictures much more than the portraits. I still want the portraits, lol, but it just doesn't matter that they aren't perfect!

So, having said that, here are Tristin's 4 year old pictures that we had taken at Sears tonight. (As usual, I can't get a few of my pictures uploaded....errr..)

Update, School News, CT News and a bunch of other stuff...

- Still bleeding and getting pretty sick of it. I call the doctor on Monday to give an update and see if I can start birth control. If not, it's D&C time, I want this over!

- Paxtin's been sick. Cold and an ear infection from Hell! You know it's bad when he won't lay down at ALL. It took me 24 hours to figure out it was not a toddler issue...it was his ear!

- Friday night my friend Jenny kept the boys all night! You don't know how much that means to David and I. She's really the only one besides my MIL that watches them overnight...and my MIL really doesn't want to do all 3 boys. :( Jenny is their honorary Aunt. LOL! So, Friday night we went to our favorite Chinese resturant, went to see "Stranger Than Fiction" (very good movie) and then came home to start watching the first year of the X Files on DVD. LOL! I watched 3 episodes, I think David made it through 1 and 1/2. I was on my computer too though...I think that's why I stayed awake. The next morning we picked the boys up around 9:30am because Jenny had an open house for her townhouse. We picked up some breakfast (totally not healthy!) and came home. The rest of Saturday is a blur. Why? Because we watched our friends' 3 boys! We had 2 - 6 year olds, 5, 4, 2 and 22 months. Basically, 2- 6 year olds, 2 - 4 year olds (because the 5 year old just turned 5) and 2 - 2 year olds...all BOYS. We don't have a big house and I was reminded of that once they were all here and running around.

- I've held 2 baby girls in the past few days and I'm sad. I thought I was done. I don't want to be pregnant again, I really want to get myself healthy. Then, David drops this one on me...he'd possibly like to have another. WHAT????? Our heads are spinning with 3 boys and he wants another? (I'm assuming boy here!) I just don't know if I can do it. Am I horrible if I say that if we knew 100% that it would be a girl, I'd do it? UGH! So, that brings us to the adoption talk. David is worried about money and I'm worried he doesn't really want to do it. He reassured me that he does and I told him not to think about the money. LOL! So, nothing has changed in what we want to do...it was just a shock to me that he brought it up.

- My weight...ugh, let's just say that I haven't been the best or the worst and I've only gained 2lbs back of the 16 I've lost. It's hard, specially being all hormonal!

- I'm so in denial that Thanksgiving is around the corner. I think it's "my" year to host it. We used to do both parents at the same time and I don't know how comfortable they are doing that anymore. So, we'll have to figure something out. I won't have to fix 2 meals though...at least they aren't picky there.

- Christmas pictures. Not done. :( I have GOT to get busy. I need to take pictures of the boys AND get them to Sears to have a quicky done there for the grandparents...UNLESS I happen to get a good one myself. I need a better camera!

- Speaking of which, I think I want a new camera for Christmas and my birthday...and Valentines Day and our Anniversary (that covers through April!) LMBO! I've also decided that I am not ready for a camera with lens' and a huge learning curve. I don't have time to mess with it right now. Maybe when the kids are all in school...I'd really like to take some photography classes. In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for a little GOOD camera? I need to go search on DST www.digishoptalk.com
see if I can find some old threads.

- I know I said I was done applying to CTs when I got on Jen Wilson's team www.jenwilsondesigns.com. But, an opportunity came up and I had to try...and I got it! I'm now on Trish Jones' CT! www.trishjonesdesigns.com. I am feeling like maybe I need to consider giving up a few of my spots, but I am so torn. So, I'm going to see how it goes for a few months and then decide. Right now, I am required to get 11 layouts plus I have 2 teams that just say 1 per kit and 2 teams that aren't active right now - Creative Snaps and F & F....so, averaging it's 15 layouts a month. In October, I did 16...that was before I got Trish's team. I can do it, right? LOL! I don't doubt that I can, I'm just worrying about what other people think and I shouldn't do that!

-Moving On...can I brag? I try not to share this with many people in real life because I don't want to seem like I am being snotty or trying to show someone up. KWIM? Anyway, we got Anakin's first standarized test scores back from school this week. Now, I know that they don't tell everything and he's just in 1st grade. But, I'm remembering back when I took them, I'm pretty sure I was average. LOL! Anakin's scores were almost all Above Average! The only one he didn't get AA in was "Environment" and that was only 5 points away from AA. This kid amazes me. On another note, he got into his first school fight this week! UGH! It was 4 kids and out of the 4, Anakin was the one that got in trouble. That is probably a good thing because it made him think about it. Now, in trouble means he got told to stop by one of the volunteers at recess...not going to the principle's office. Anakin is very sensative so it was not a good day. But, by suppertime, Anakin went and told 1 of his friends that he was sorry (the one he was really fighting with) and they are best buds once again.

- My next post will probaby be what we bought the boys for Christmas. I love reading what people are getting...so, I thought I'd share ours. :)

[Emotions]

I am an emotional person. With all this hormonal stuff going with me...it's not good because it's like 200 times worse! I was blog hopping tonight and ran into Andrea Burn's blog. Here: http://embellishbyandrea.blogspot.com/ She's pregnant with boy #2. Just reading about the comments people have said to her...wow, it just brought a rush of memories back to me. Not good ones. While I was pregnant with Tristin, my 2nd boy, it was ok. I handled the comments okay. I still had a little hope that #3 would be a girl, right? While pregnant with Paxtin, my 3rd, it was hell. People were so mean. The comments were awful, even from friends. I don't even want to repeat them. How in the world can people make such rude comments and worse yet, IGNORE the fact that I am pregnant. It was like my pregnancy didn't matter. I'm not being selfish or bitter or making it up! Even my hubby noticed it. Anyway, I think about this often when I am looking at Paxtin...I could have missed THIS.

Him. He's such a joy. He's been the easiest baby. He's almost always content. He's super smart (of course...lol) and is just...gosh, he's just adorable. I cannot in a million years imagine my life without him. It's hard having a 6 and 4 year old. I hold Paxtin and just enjoy his little self. Him poking my nose repeatedly and saying "nose" "nose" "nose". Hearing him call David "Honey" because that's what I call him. Ugh, I could go on and on. I'm not sure why I'm blogging this. I guess I just needed to "talk" about it and David is sleeping. lol! Okay, so...emotional...yes. AND I can't stop eating sugar. Not good for the "change of life" diet!

I'm back at in on Monday. I'm giving myself one more day of whatever and then I have to do it...

[On a lighter note...]

I love it when I read blogs and they tell what they have bought. I don't know why, maybe because it's just a window into their life? Well, I love to shop but I don't do a lot of it for myself...unless you're counting digi products! Case in point...I haven't bought a purse in probably 7 years or more! Well, this week Paxtin and I went to Meijer and I looked. I've been looking everywhere and just haven't liked the styles. Too many tossles and eyelet things. Save those for scrapbooking people! But, I found this (sorry, that's the biggest pic I could find) purse. The one I bought is red but not bright. I don't use the long strap either. It's so not me. I've been carrying a diaper bag for almost 7 years! When I saw this, I knew it was done. I can throw a diaper in here and a few wipes...and Paxtin's passy and forget everything else! LOL! Anyway, it has a paisley print on it and that's so not me either...but I LOVE it.

Two things David bought this weekend that totally suprised me. I don't have pictures so you'll have to go off of my description! LOL! We took the boys to Tanners Saturday to buy apples and some apple donuts (see, I told you!!!!!!). http://www.tannersorchard.com/ I found an old lantern type thing that you put a candle in...and he bought it for me! We don't buy things like that a lot. ;) Then, he was looking around (not normal either) and he found a clock thing...okay, I'll take pictures because I don't know how to describe them! But, anyway, he piled that in our cart too. It was fun to have HIM pick something out and actually want to buy it. I get so sick of having to ASK him. He says I shouldn't feel that way but I do! I don't bring in money...and I like to shop so I have to hold back! K, I'll get pictures and update this tomorrow...

I'm so procrastinating! I should be working on my hard drive...I'm almost done sorting through everything and rearranging and copying the things I want to keep available at all times. Tomorrow comes the BURNING! Then, the backup to my external hard drive....and then I can scrap! I've got tons of new kits and elements to download from my Creative Teams! I'm so behind! :(

[I missed my blogger anniversary!]

October 17, 2005 - I started this blog! I can't believe it's been over a year already!

[I'm sooooo proud of Anakin!]

We received Anakin's 1st report card today. All E's (exceeds expected) and a 100% in spelling. The teacher even commented that he is a great reader. :) I'm soooooo proud of him...almost makes me want to cry! LOL! We have his first conference tomorrow. It's a "student led" conference so Anakin will be showing us what he's been working on, etc.

Also, last Saturday Anakin had his first JBQ (Junior Bible League) Meet. Basically, the kids are givin questions and they have to learn them and the answers word for word. Then, they use buzzers to buzz in and answer the questions. The goal is to know the QUESTION within the first few words...sometimes the first 2 words! Can you imagine? Well, get this...Anakin blew us and most of the competition away! David and I were completely shocked. Not that he's not smart and doesn't know his stuff...we just weren't sure how he'd deal with the competition. So, they had 6 rounds. Out of those 6, Anakin "quizzed out" on 5. That means that he answered the maximum number of questions allowed - five. Because of this he gets 10 extra points. :) Okay, back up... round 1, 2, 3, 4...they went great. Round 5 he had a breakdown. He was starting to get tired and restless. The competition was buzzing in before him (even if they got the question wrong...that made it worse for Anakin because he knew it) well, his team mates also dominated this round. It was kind of funny because they were pretty quiet the other rounds! So, Anakin started to get upset and then it happened...he got a question wrong. There are two questions that are almost the same and he didn't get enough of the question to know which one it was. :( Anyway, round 6 came and thank God we had a few minutes to talk to him, reassure him and let him take a breather. He was a little off in this round too but only because the other team was quick and good! BUT, my boy did it! He quizzed out again! He ended up in Second place overall (individual) and their team came in 3rd for their division. Not bad for their first meet ever! So, here's a layout I did yesterday. I'm suppose to be cleaning my hard drive...burning DVDs and getting stuff off of here! I'm doing it...I just needed a break! (Of course my photo isn't showing up, so you can check it out here):

http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35324&cat=500&ppuser=138

[Get ready for TMI!]

TOO MUCH INFORMATION...I've been having some bleeding issues the past few weeks. Last week I saw a new OB/GYN...he basically told me to call the office if it got worse. Well, on Monday, it did. I was bleeding very heavily and had HUGE clots. Worse than after having the boys! They started me on some estrogen which is helping to slow it down. I asked the doctor today (when I went back to see him) how that works. He basically said that the lining of the uterus "evens out" with estrogen. Anyway, why am I worried about all this? Well, I'm in the middle of a 3 month cycle of the depo provera shot! I'm not suppose to be bleeding AT ALL. I knew spotting was one of the side effects...I didn't realize GUSHING blood was. (Sorry) So, they talked about doing a D&C to clean things out. We're holding off on that to see how things go on my own. Next month, I'm switching birth control. I'm trying the Nuva Ring...anyone tried it? LOL! It's that or an IUD and I don't want to do that...unless David gets snipped and then there's no chance for fertilization. Ugh...I feel so odd about all of this. This isn't suppose to be happening! I already have PCOS...I have to deal with that crap every day. The hair loss/growth, the moods, the medication, the depression, the weight gain...now this. UGH!!!!

Okay, I'm off to bed! If you made it through this entry...you earn a star. ;)

[Digging out]

I just realized that my inbox has 730 emails...130 some UNREAD. What in the world? No wonder I forget to respond to emails. I'm sorry friends!!! I'm digging out right now.

[Colds]

Everyone has colds. Coughing snot up (sorry)...allergies, asthma (Tristin)...I hate this! No one is on allergy medication YET. We usually end up having to by now, but I'm putting it off. I hate drugging the boys (Anakin & Tristin).

[Doctor Appointment]

I'm going to a new OB/GYN today. Get ready for TMI! I am on DepoProvera...I get a shot every 3 months. I'm on month 2 and I'm spotting. I shouldn't be! So, off to the GYN. I am nervous.

ETA* - My appointment went well. Dr. Galvan was really nice. I guess I'm just going to stay with him...because, get this...he had to EXAM me. I wasn't expecting it and there is nothing like having to spread your legs for a guy you don't know...LMBO!!!!!!!! Anyway, he things my bleeding is just from the Depo shot. I'm due for a shot in a month...and he gave me some info on another form on bc. It's the one that lasts for 5 years. I didn't realize I could do that one because of my blood pressure, etc. But, he reassured me that I can do it. I read a brochure and I'm going to do it. It's the same medication as the Depo, it's just not as much and for a longer period of time.

My new friend, Kristine, watched the boys for me while I went to the doctor. She had already planned on having them for an hour anyway. It worked out perfectly! We originally had planned to swap sitting every week. We both wanted to volunteer in our boys' classrooms. Jake, her oldest, is in 1st grade and was in Anakin's kindergarten class. He's in a different class this year. Anyway, I talked to Anakin's teacher and she informed me that she doesn't need Mom helpers for the day to day activities. (In kindergarten and 1st grade they do "centers" where they work on things and then move to the next "center" and work on something else.) She only needs helpers for the bigger activities. Well, okay, made me feel like an idiot for asking. She's young...seems a little TOO confident. I know, that's not bad, but when you make me sit in my 1st graders chair and you stand up in front of me and bark your info...makes me feel little and worthless! I wonder how the kids feel!?!??! So, I asked Anakin! I asked him if he still liked her. He said, no, she's bossy. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! We talked a little more and he admitted that he likes her, he just doesn't like how she talks to everyone. I totally know what he means! I didn't let him know that though.

Okay, I'm about aready to fall asleep! Later!

[I won a contest!]

I almost forgot! Check it out here: http://www.acherryontop.com/article?a=810. (Okay, why did it post this picture and not the others? UGH!)

[Here it is...the biggest TOOT ever!]

Jen Wilson asked me to be on her Creative Team!!!

For Lindsey (or anyone else that isn't a digi scrapper - LOL!) she's one of the most talented digi designers that I know. www.jenwilsondesigns.com She has a paper line too... :)

So, this is how it happened. Jen had a little contest asking for unique 'nostalgia' element ideas. I immediately started thinking...and the things that popped into my head first were: - carnival glass (for the color and textures), - old drawer pulls, - old radio dials (for dates) and I think there were a few others...I can't remember now! So, I started looking online for examples. I got eBay searches in the results so I started searching there. I found some great examples and I also found amazingly cool "employee badges" from...the 40's, I think. Of course, the one I really liked expired and the seller took the picture down before Jen saw it...I'm still searching for another one like that. (Yes, emailed the seller and did NOT hear back from him...errrrrr.) So, Jen emailed me and basically said she loved my ideas and a few emails later I got an email about filling out a something...I was confused and read on... I about fell off my chair. I sat there in disbelief because although I teased her about needing me on her team (hee heeee) I never EXPECTED that it would ever happen. But, it did.

Picture me doing the happy dance! :) Okay, maybe not.

[New Layouts]

Seriously, I don't get blogger and it's issues with loading pictures! It won't let me load them. You can see my new layouts at DST: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=138 Make sure and check out the one of Tristin called "Clark Kent"...he's too cute.

[Tristin's 4 Year old Well Check-up]

Tristin went to the doctor this week. He's only 30 lbs and short (can't remember but it's below the 10th percentile. His weight is the 2nd percentile. He's TINY...if he stays on this growth curve or whatever it's called, he'll be 5' 5". Which, isn't surprising since David is only 5' 7". I just feel bad for Tristin. I never thought in a million years that my kids would be so small. I'm huge! I'm 5' 10" and (I hate it when people say it, but it's true) I am "big boned". I've come to realize that there are a lot of tall women out there...I've ran into a lot lately, not sure why...that are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo skinny. I mean, almost to the point where it looks wrong. I've never been like that! So, I'm just worried about him. Everything else checked out great and he got 2 shots. Poor guy, it's been a year since he's had one and man, he was NOT happy about having to have one!

Funny story...on Tristin's birthday I was telling him about the day he was born (I honestly can't remember if I shared this already so read on and humor me). He asked where he came out...first he asked if he came out my mouth. LOL! I told him no and quickly said, "you came out my pee pee". Yes, we call penis' pee pee's so I just decided to call mine that. Come on! I have 3 boys! So, the doctor asked something...and Tristin started talking. He likes to talk and rambles BIG TIME...changing from one subject to another and goes into long made up stories. Right now he likes to talk about trying to find Jerry, I think from "Tom & Jerry". Anyway, he started talking about being in my tummy and how he was scared. LOL! Then, he paused and said, "but, I came out my Mommy's pee pee and I was happy". OHHHH MYYYYYYYY GOSH. I think I turned beet red and the doctor cracked up! I'm sure he had to have told someone when he left that room! LOL!

With that, I say have a great weekend! I'm doing the touch up painting in the living room (we procrastinated yesterday because David had a temp and we had a date - we took the kids to the sitter and sat at home and watched Lost!)...dishes and laundry today. Fun fun! Hopefully, I'll have living room pictures tonight. :)

[Crazy]

My life has been even more crazy than it normally is...on Tristin's birthday, we started some home improvement. A friend of ours refinished our hard wood floors in our living room. That took 3 days. Since then, David has been painting the room. It is taking forever! He works all day then comes home and works on it right away. I usually take the boys out of the house or take them outside or downstairs. Our life seems so crazy right now! We are looking forward to being able to eat at our kitchen table again, sit in the living room on our new furniture...and just have room to walk around! Here are some pictures:

***UGH! Why?!?!?! I accidently deleted this picture and now I can't get it re-loaded! I will try again later or tomorrow...I know you really want to see my nasty before pictures! ;)

This is the before shot of the floors.
Nasty...I can't believe it took us this long to get them refinished!
You can see where the couch was...lol!

Here's Paxtin playing...it's been hard to keep him out of the room! I think
he's holding David's "safety glasses" here. He loves them!
You can see the refinished floors in this picture. I didn't have time to get an "after"
shot because we went staight to painting once the floors where finished.

That is the sample paint we bought...and it will be the final color on this one wall. :) Don't ask me why David painted that shape!

Tristin painting the primer on last night...
in his underwear! LOL! I already did a layout of this
(see on the sidebar). He loves to paint and had so much fun!

...and Anakin paiting the primer. He kept moving too much so his pictures were blurry. :( I think maybe Virtual Photographer can fix it for me.

[Sickies]

In other news...Paxtin has been sick since LAST weekend. He had a fever last weekend and then broke out in a rash last Tuesday. I took him to the doctor on Wednesday because I was suppose to watch 2 boys on Friday and I knew the Mom was leaving on Thursday. I was right in what I thought it was...Roseolla...and it's viral. So, I didn't get to watch the boys. Thing is...Paxtin didn't have a fever for like 5 days and now it's back again...and this time higher. His dots are almost gone though. I'm wondering if he's got something else working on him now. Teeth? I don't know. But, Tristin has a low grade fever now...and he's going to have to miss his first day of school tomorrow. :( I'm just praying he'll be well enough to go to school on Wednesday. He has his first field trip to "Safety Town" and the Fire House. Speaking of Field Trips...Anakin has one this week too. He gets to go to a pumpkin place where they have mazes, rides, etc.

[I've been holding this in...]

I've got a HUGE, the biggest ever...Toot coming. I can't share and it's driving me nuts!

[Random Info]

This weekend I went to a huge garage sale that was put on by the Mom's of Multiples group here in town. Now, I'm sure there were lots of nice things there, but I was totally disappointed! Maybe it's because Anakin is wearing a 5-6 now and the selection is bare when you get past 4T. I don't know. But, most of the clothes were horrible. I can look at the sale racks at Target and get better clothes for maybe a few dollars compaired to the ratty clothes I saw at the garage sale. I did try to help my friend find her little girl some things too. I couldn't believe all the 80ish looking dresses that were there! Maybe I'm just too picky? LOL! I like my kids to look nice even if they are wearing Walmart clothes (which, they do a lot). Actually, I just picked up their Christmas sweaters this week at Walmart. I'm going to have to watch Anakin though...we stuffed him into the biggest size (5T) so he could match his brothers. He actually wants to match them. I'm afraid he might have to wear something else come December...but, we will run to Sears and get their pictures taken before he grows out of it! Good thing I've got 2 other kids that can take turns wearing it so it will be worth the $9 I paid for it! LOL! Do I sound cheap? :P

[Lost]

I know I'm like 20,000 years late on this craze. LOL! I wanted to watch the first season and things just got to crazy and I never got to. Well, David and rented the first DVD to the 1st season and we were hooked. I was instructed (by David) to go get the whole 1st season on DVD as soon as we were done watching the one we rented. It was cheaper just to go buy it. :) If it's anything like we were when we started watching Smallville (we watched 3 seasons in a few months so we could get caught up to watch the 4th when it started! LOL!!!!) ...no we won't be ready to start watching the first show of the season on Wednesday!

[24]

That's another one we just started watching! We rented it the same time as we did Lost. I'm sure we'll be buying those DVDs too.

[Okay...]

it's time to go watch Lost. At least I blogged, right? ;)

[My baby...turns 4 tomorrow]

Tristin, that is, my second baby! I can't believe he's going to be FOUR. Where has time gone?

I don't want to say that I favor any of my boys but Tristin has such a special place in my heart. He is my miracle baby in such a different way than the other 2 (isn't that cool that they all have such a cool story to their conceptions/birth). We tried and tried to get pregnant with Tristin...and after a little over a year, we finally did it with the help of a little pill called Clomid. I found out around this time that I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). My life has been different ever since.

While Tristin was in my tummy, they told me his legs were short....then around 38 weeks they told me that he was small...and he still is! I worry about him...about his health (he has asthma, they think and allergies) and his growth.

He's still so tiny, still wears mostly 2T pants (although I did try on his 2T jeans from last winter and they are too short...so, I need to find some of those jeans that you can change the waist so they won't fall off of him!).

Anyway, he's my cuddler and my happy boy. He tells me he loves me out of the blue (something that Anakin rarely ever does or did!), he appreciates the things we do...he's just so different than Anakin!!! I love Anakin, don't get me wrong...I just tend to appreciate those differences more now than ever. I try hard not to point those out to make him sad though. Anakin has so many good qualities too.

Here is Tristin at 2 days old, still in the hospital:

and here he is just last weekend. He still has his cute cheeks. :) Happy Birthday, Buddy! I love you! You'll always be my Sweet Pea!We've got big plans for tomorrow (not really). We're going to McD's for lunch...he's eating, not me! ;) Then, to Tobin's Pizza (our favorite) for a free pizza and cookie for his birthday! LOVE TOBIN'S! Then, afterwords, it's his "Superman Birthday Party"! We're having Ryan, Paige and Morgan (our neighbor kids) over for cake and ice cream and some party favors. Tristin is so excited...and you know what? So am I!

He got to celebrate his birthday at pre-school today too! He's one happy boy!

[I like being a loser!]

Down 13.4 lbs in 6 weeks! I did this layout for the contest at JenWilsonDesigns.com. You can see my loss in my face (still have a double chin, but my face is thinner).

[I won!]

I won a prize in round 2 of Jen's contest last week! I won a $20 gift certificate to www.ginamillerdesigns.com. :) Here is my winning lo: ugh, it won't let me post it! I'll try again tomorrow!

NIGHT!

[Loser!]

Another 2.8 lbs GONE! :) That's a total of 12.2 lbs in 6 weeks!

Not much else to blog about right now...maybe later.

[Another Blinkie!]

I made this for my newest Creative Team:

It looks so odd...I hope it's just Blogger... gonna have to figure that out.

[I got tagged...]

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?

The Bahamas

2. What's your favorite article of clothing?

I guess if I have to answer, I'd say my black capris. I don't like my clothes...boring...t-shirts and shorts.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?

Eyes, that's what attracted me to David in the first place! :)

4. What's the last CD that you bought?

Oh man, it was a CD for David. I can't remember the name!

5. Where's your favorite place to be? Disney ;)

6. Where is your least favorite place to be? In the dentist chair getting a filling or something worse.

7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? I don't really like to be massaged!

8. Strong in mind or strong in body? Neither? LOL!

9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Whenever Paxtin wakes up. Somedays it's 5:45 and some days it's 7 am.

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? Since I just got it, I'd say my George Foreman Grill.

11. What makes you really angry? My boys when I've asked them for the 10,000 time to do something.

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? I want to play the bass...oh or a cello. ;)

13. Favorite color? It's a tie, Sage and Red

14. Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? SUV

15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Yes

16. Favorite children's book? Right now it's "Put Me in the Zoo" (I think that's what it is called!)

17. What is your favorite season? Fall (well, I actually like the changing of all the seasons!)

18. What is your least favorite household chore? Mopping!

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be? Now I feel like I'm answering my boys' quesitons! Right now, the ability to become thin at the snap of my fingers!

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it? None

21. Can you juggle? Nope, but I'd like to learn!

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? My Gramma

23. What's your favorite day? Christmas Day

24. What's in the trunk of your car? I don't have a trunk...in the back of my Suburban I have a double stroller, a little car kit my dh put together (windex, etc.), a first aid kit and a blanket.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? I'll take dead cow over raw fish any day! DITTO Julie! ;)

Okay, it's my turn. The last time I tagged someone, they didn't do it. Just so you know, it doesn't hurt my feelings! So, I tag:

Carrie (EthansMom)
Amy Tanabe
Carrie Stephens

[I scrapped tonight!]

Frick & Frack are debuting their first kit at Digital Freebies tomorrow...actually, it's today so I think it's okay to spill the beans here. This is the layout I did with their kit "Naturals - Queen Anne's Lace:

for full credits, see here: http://digitalfreebies.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13547/cat/500/ppuser/337.

I actually started this one at my crop this weekend. I didn't get too far...so, here is the finished layout. This is retrodiva's "Passion" kit from Digital Freebies.

full credits here: http://digitalfreebies.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13522/cat/500/ppuser/337.

And then I did this tonight. I love how this one turned out. As soon as I saw the inspirational piece, I knew what I wanted to do. Here is the inspiration:

So, this is the layout I did:

Isn't Paxtin cute! I can't believe he was really that small...he's growing up way to fast!

The full credits are here: http://www.jenwilsondesigns.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=436&cat=500&ppuser=22.

This is the layout I did at the crop this past weekend. I figure I spent like 13 hours on it. I had a hard time getting started, plus I talked a lot in the beginning. LOL! This is for Jen Wilson's Meaningful contest. I don't expect to win anything, I just want another excuse to use Jen's stuff! I'm loving her new site. It's forcing me to use her stuff. Usually my focus is on CT kits. So, here it is:

okay, settle for a link, it's not letting upload it.

http://www.jenwilsondesigns.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=377&cat=500&ppuser=22

Carrie (Ethansmom) and Kellie...oh and Amanda (Ritter), I owe you emails!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!