Happy Birthday Kristen

9 years ago today a miraculous event occurred in our life. The little girl we had been waiting to meet for nine months was finally born and placed into our arms. She was so sweet and precious and we were all absolutely enamored with her. Even the nurses were immediately taken by her. She was the only little girl in the nursery that day and they really spoiled her. They brushed her hair into one little curl on the top of her head and placed a tiny little bow in it. It was so cute, I left it there for a few days.

I am holding here only a few moments after she was born.



Here are the three men in her life, both of her grandpas and her daddy, doting on her already.



Here she is the day we brought her home from the hospital, bow and all.

Country Cool

Kristen insisted on wearing her new American Girl western outfit to church Sunday morning. She and Emily make the most beautiful cowgirls, don't you think?

Reliving A Good Memory Part 2

Day two of Kristen's weekend long birthday celebration meant a trip to her grandparent's for dinner and birthday cake. She decided that she wanted an ice cream cake. I made an easy ice cream cake by layering ice cream sandwiches, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce and pecans. It was a little bit messy, but oh so delicious! I let the girls decorate it with candy hearts, sprinkles and pastel m&m's.

With our hands full of dishes bearing birthday cake, potato salad and rolls we made the short trip across the street to John and Janie's. We were greeted by the smell of delicious grilled ribs. John had worked his magic once again and dinner was perfect. This is one birthday tradition that I hope Kristen keeps alive.

Reliving A Good Memory Part 1

Kristen enjoyed her 8th birthday celebration so much that she wanted to relive it all for her 9th, right down to the tiniest detail. Just like last year, Kali came to stay a few days with us, starting with Thursday night.

I bought them both cute and comfy pajamas which they put on after a long soak in a bubble bath. I braided their hair so that it would be wavy the next day, kissed them goodnight and put them to bed. I'm sure their dreams were filled with all things pink and girly in anticipation of what the next day held for them.

Trent's Trip To the ER

Tyler has been to the ER twice, once when a liquid-filled toy burst in his eye and once when he tore open his arm climbing a barbed wire fence. We were lucky the first time. The toy was non toxic and other than giving us all a good scare, no harm was done. The hospital didn't even charge us for that visit. The second time required stitches and a Tetanus shot.

A little more than a year ago, Kristen made her ER trip when she broke her arm. After meeting with the Orthopedic Surgeon, it was decided that she would need to be sedated while he set the bone, with the possibility of surgery. Once in the operating room, the Dr. decided that she did indeed need a metal plate to stabilize the bone in her arm.

Maybe Trent felt left out or maybe it was just his turn. I don't know, but I sure hope we never have to see the inside of an ER again. I don't know how my parents raised 5 kids, all of whom played sports, ran around town, played on the Railroad tracks, climbed and played in the train cars, jumped on trampolines, and did all manner of things, without one serious injury. Not one! I told mom today that her grandchildren are making up for it. lol

The kids love to play on the hammock. I know that sometimes they swing on it and play in it in ways that were never intended. Yesterday they were playing outside and swinging in hammock when Trent fell out. He landed, stomach down, catching himself with his hands. Apparently, his left arm took the brunt of the fall.

He came in the house and laid down on his bed. I wasn't even aware that he had been hurt for a while. He finally decided that the pain wasn't going away anytime soon, and came and found me. He was crying, sobbing. I'm not the type to panic and Trent is very dramatic, so we took the wait and see approach. His arm wasn't swollen, it didn't look or feel strange, he could wiggle his fingers and make a fist. But, he was in pain and he was scared.

I felt sick. I was cold, clammy, nauseated, dizzy. It was an uncontrollable reaction that took sensible me completely by surprise. I don't know why it affected me that way, I guess after the experience with Kristen, I knew how bad it could be. That and the fact that Trent was so upset and in so much pain.

I gave Trent some pain medication, put his arm on ice and laid him in his bed. He dozed off after a little bit and I went and took a nap myself. I felt better when I woke up and it seemed that I was thinking straight again. His arm still wasn't swollen and he wasn't in any pain. So, we decided we would wait and see how he felt in the morning.

He woke up crying at about 3:15 a.m. I gave him more medicine, more ice and we both went back to sleep. Kristen and Tyler went to Sunday School with their grandparents and Justin and I took Trent to the ER.

I warned him how much waiting would be involved. Waiting to be admitted, waiting on the nurse, then waiting on the Xray, then waiting on the Dr, then waiting on the nurse again. All in all it wasn't too bad. We were there for right at two hours.

The Dr. showed us the Xray and said that he has a Torus fracture, also known as a buckle fracture. It is common in children and usually in the forearm. His arm is in a splint that he has to wear for a few days before they put a cast on.

He's not in any pain now and for that I'm thankful. I've also had time to reflect and think about how fortunate I am that I've only dealt with broken bones and cuts. Things that don't really have long term affects and aren't life threatening. I have a lot to be thankful for. What if Trent had fallen on his neck or head? As aggravating as it is to deal with a broken arm, I'll take it and without complaint.

Here's a picture of the little invalid, looking rather proud of himself. 

Something To Blog About

I know I've neglected this blog terribly, it's just so hard to find the time to sit down and post. It's not everyday that I have something to brag about, so I've made the time today.

I'm a guest designer for The Daily Scrapper this month and am featured in the current issue. There is a two page interview with a samples of my digital layouts. I feel so honored to be working with these talented ladies this month, and to have the opportunity to share in their fabulous work.

Here's a little tease for you. Be sure and click the link below to read the entire interview, from there you can navigate the rest of the newspaper.  Which I highly recommend, if you have the time.

The Daily Scrapper Guest Interview

Tagged

I need to jump back in here and what better motivation to do it than answering a tag!

Yvette aka Alohamama, a very talented and super sweet scrapper tagged me.  The instructions are to list 6 uninteresting facts about myself and tag 5 people.

1. I'm a terrible blogger 

2. I sing in the shower

3. I always drive 10 mph over the speed limit on the highway

4.  I like to read Non-Fiction

5.  I drink a Caramel Latte every day

6.  I wear reading glasses at the computer

Gosh, I sound like a nerd!!  lol

I'll tag- 

Kristen Rice, 

Katina

Janelle

Shen

3 Layouts

Trent is the subject of the first two pages. Isn't he just the cutest, the sweetest, the squashiest thing ever!!  The first page uses Aja's new Pumpkin Patch Mini Kit, which you can get for free with a $5 purchase at her store now through 10-31. The link to her store is on the right.

The second page uses Creashen's adorable Bye Bye Birdie Kit.

The final page showcases my naturally beautiful daughter, using Catherine's Woodland Retreat Kit.

The Case of the Missing Kids

In the last post I established the fact that peace and quiet is a luxury at our home.  I was enjoying one of these rare moments Friday evening after cleaning Janie's house.  I got home just before sunset, tired and ready to sit down for a while.  I told the kids to enjoy the cool, fall air and play outside until dark.  

I went in the house and did just what you would expect, sat down on the couch with my Macbook in my lap, surfed and wound down a bit.  After a while I thought I could hear a faint sound that sounded like the kids screaming.  My kids are loud and they scream and yell a lot (it's imperative that we live in the country), so I've learned not to panic each time I hear something suspicious going on outside.  If they need me, one of them will run inside for help.  

Sitting there in the room that's almost dark by now, I'm reveling in the fact that I'm alone, all alone! Ah, the glory of it!  All alone with no one to bother me, no one to ask me to do something, no one yelling at me. But what is that strange, far away din that sounds like "Mooooooooooooooommmmmm!!!!"  And it's nearly dark by now, where are the kids?  Overcome with curiosity and a little trepidation, I got up and went outside.  

I went out the back door, but no one but the dog was in sight, who begged and pleaded with me to play with him.  I quickly apologized and went off in search of the kids.  I walked around to the front:  nothing, no one.   And then I heard it again "MOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!."  It was a chorus of all three of them calling for me with an urgency that made my heart jump!

I ran in the direction of their screams, up the drive way to the front field.  I couldn't see them, but I knew they had to be sitting on the other side of the hill in our front pasture.  I kept running, praying with each step that this was just some kind of joke.  What kind of predicament could they be in that could possibly prevent all three of them from coming to the house?  Whatever I expected it was surely not what I found when I topped that hill.  

There they were, all three of them sitting in the grass, shivering from the cold, clutching their bare, sticker covered feet!  I couldn't contain the giggle that emanated from the deep sense of relief I felt and the comical sight they made.  I didn't laugh for long, because Trent was really upset.  He got the worst of it:  stickers in his hands and feet and even on his little rear end.   He was so distressed, tears streaming down his sweet, little face "Mom what took you so long?  We've been yelling and yelling for a long time."  Talk about the guilt trip of the century!  I bent down and pulled all the stickers out of him before moving on to Kristen and Tyler.  I told them to stay put and I would be right back with their shoes.

I don't know how many times I've told them to wear shoes outside. They don't listen.  They know the risks and they choose to gamble! What's a mom to do?

The Burden of Deceit

The peace and quiet that settles over the house after the kids are in bed is a treasured commodity  around here.  Wednesday night, I was just settling in for a few moments of that luxurious P&Q when Kristen came bursting from her room, tears streaming down her face, her lip quivering like a leaf in the wind.  She barely managed to say "mama, I have to tell you and daddy something."  I braced myself and said "what is it, sweetie?"  Through another torrent of tears she said "remember that time the light bulb burst in the middle of the night.  Well, it didn't happen like I said."  "Okay, how did it happen?"  "Well, I was playing and washing one of my doll's dresses and put it on the light bulb to dry."  Me- "And it shattered the bulb?"   "Yes."  "And you lied about it?"  "Yes."  "Why did you lie?"  "I was afraid I would get into trouble."  "Why did you decide to tell me about this now?"  Through the final and most intense flood of tears, "I couldn't hold it in any longer."  

My little girl had been carrying around this burden for months.  It ate at her in the stillness of her bed.  These thoughts, along with guilt of my own, for understanding the fear that she felt was caused by knowing that I would have been very upset and angry had she told me the truth, crowded my mind.  For you see, I remember that night when she broke the light bulb and she had to come and get me out of my bed to tell me.  I don't remember her explanation for its breaking, but I do remember being concerned for her safety and making sure that all the glass was carefully cleaned up.  Had I known that she was playing when she was supposed to be in bed and taking the globe off of her lamp to dry a wet doll dress, I would have been just a little less concerned about the glass and a whole lot more concerned about her disobedience and foolishness.  And I'm not very nice when you get me out of bed, unless you're sick or bleeding or have some other emergency that you couldn't help!

We discussed how the truth is always better and how she learned two valuable lessons through all of this.  Never put anything on a light bulb and always tell the truth.  Deception is a cruel burden. It's the truth, no matter how hard it may seem, that sets you free.

2 Pages

I seem to be totally inspired by the photos I took of Kristen and  they just really go well with the new kits my designers are releasing. Here are two pages and I'm working on another.

Everything on this page is from a brand new collab between Aja Abney and Emily Merritt, Fairy tale. It's on sale today at Scrapartist and We Are Storytellers.

This page uses a new kit by Sausan Designs, Sweet Grunge. You can find it at Catscrap.

Together

Trent's Turn

Here's the baby of the family.  Ain't he sweet?

Tyler's Turn

Today, I took the boys to their grandmothers for their turn in the spotlight. Here's a few captures Tyler, my oldest, my ten year old baby, who is really growing up quickly!!

Black and White

Here's a story board of b&W photos from today's session.

What do you do when God gives you an angel?

You take her photograph, of course! I have been planning for several months now to photograph Kristen in this dress. My original plan was for the spring, but when she broke her arm, we decided to wait until she was cast-free. She hasn't worn a cast since mid April, but I've just been putting it off for one reason or another. Today, I decided to just do it. I fixed her hair and we headed down to Grandma's where I thought we would find better backdrops and props.

I wanted to accomplish a few things with this shoot. First and foremost was to capture some beautiful photos of my princess. Secondly, I wanted to practice my photography skills. I was mainly concerned with my metering, as it seems that I always have to brighten every photo I take after I import it to my computer. I was very pleased to find that I did much better this time. The biggest struggle I had was coming up with poses! I hope to get better with practice! Practice, practice, practice! Here's just a small sampling of the photos I got tonight. I cropped all of these to 8*10 and used Christian O'dell's Lightroom Presets. You can find this awesome set of presets for sale at Catscrap.

While I'm at it

I may as well tell you about two new kits! Nikki Beaudreau has released a fabulous boy kit, entitled Rock-It Science. Here's the page I made with it-



Creashen's released another wonderful kit at Catscrap today, Bye Bye Birdie. Here's the page I made using it-

Neglect and a Freebie!

I'm so glad this blog isn't a living thing, depending on me for food and water, it would be near death's door by now! I'm not going to spend a lot of time feeling guilty and trying to explain why I've been so remiss in taking care of this new commitment. It would be a waste of time! All I can do is start afresh and try to do better in the future, right!? Now on to the good stuff--

Check out Catherine's Blog and download this awesome freebie that coordinates perfectly with her new kit, Woodland Retreat.

A Little Digi-News

One of the most talented and friendliest of all the scrappers in Digi-land started designing just a few weeks ago.  Everyone involved in the Digi-world knows her and admires her for her beautiful and creative art and the wonderful inspiration that she brings with each and every page.  Yes, I'm talking about Catherine aka Chud23. Her designs can be seen at After 5.

You can imagine how excited I was when I received a PM from her asking me to be a part of her Creative Team!  I wasted no time in sending her my answer, lest she changed her mind! lol Here are two pages I made using her kits. Friends for Life consists mainly of Zen Attitude and most of the items on Be Bold are from Girls' Retreat, released just a few days ago.  

Little Davis's Pizzeria

We've had a lot of fun rowing Little Nino's Pizzeria this week, especially knowing that we'd be making our own pizza for our final lesson. Have you ever thought about all the lessons to be learned from eating pizza? No, I'm not talking about the lesson I'm sure we've all had to learn a few times when indulging in Pizza, namely, overeating leads to guilt and weight gain. Instead, I'm talking about nutrition, food groups, digestion, managerial skills required to run a pizza business, measurements, fractions. We even learned about homonyms, such as need and knead. The list really could go on and on and we covered most of that and more in our short daily lessons, all the while having fun together!

And to top it all off, the kids did an excellent job making the pizza. It was absolutely delicious!! It looked home-made and rustic, which is just two of the things that give homemade foods so much charm! They all helped rolling out the dough for the crust. Kristen was in charge of the Spinach Garlic Mushroom Pizza (my favorite), and the boys shared the responsibility of putting together the Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Pizza.