Out of This World

My youngest was watching me stamp Mother's Day cards and declared "Let's make a card" for Mr P. She picked Lawn Fawn's Out of This World set and asked for green ink, since it's Mr. P's favorite color. She was so excited!! She requested some glitter, so we added some!

Get Well Wishes

I have a few friends who are under the weather. I thought they needed a little love via snail mail.

One of them loves frogs.

Thanks!!

I was the co-chair for the set up and decorations for our Young Women's (church group) Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. The night before we needed to set up, I was chatting with some ladies from our church group. One of them volunteered to help us set up. I was so excited when I asked her the next morning if she still wanted to help and she said YES!! I found out that she loves the color red (the floral centerpieces were red and white). She was a ROCK STAR!!! We couldn't have gotten things ready for our dinner without her. I wanted to make her something to say THANK YOU!! I'll have to think a bit on which one, but I'm leaning with the top card. 

Prayers and Hugs

I've had a few friends who have recently lost family members. Butterflies bring me peace, so I thought I would share them with my friends.

I had a cutout of the prayers sentiment from some adhesive backed paper. I gently used it as a mask with my Distress ink.

Gift for a Friend

I have an amazing friend who is always so complimentary of my craft creations. She is such a huge support, so caring and great to be around. I thought I'd make her a little gift to say "THANKS!!"

One Year

It's been one year since we welcomed Sister Missionaries into our home. We have loved having them here and getting to know them. Shutterfly was having a special, so I thought a book would be perfect to remember and celebrate.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Build your own high-quality photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Forever Ours!

We **finally** were able to take Cutie Pie to the temple and be sealed to us forever. We were touched by our friends and family that were able to attend this special event with us. My mom made white dresses for the girls. When they brought Sweet Pea and Cutie Pie into the room, they looked like angels. After the ceremony, the sealer asked Sweet Pea to join us by the alter to look at the "forever mirrors". Our family went on forever! We took some pictures afterwards.

A bit of silliness

Sweet Pea want a picture of her dressed in white on the family picture wall

Such a beautiful girl

The kiddos

Momma and her girls

A small portion of our extended family

Watching our hungry, little miracle

Daddy and his girls

Our eternal family

Sisters

All worn out

We are so grateful to have Cutie Pie in our family and now ours FOREVER!!! We will be eternally grateful for her brave birth mom who lovingly placed her in our family. We also are so grateful to our friends and family who have loved, supported and prayed for us throughout this amazing journey and experience!! THANK YOU!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

This morning Ms A enjoyed her first parade as a spectator. Our neighbor invited us to join her and her family to watch the parade. We cheered and clapped for the military and the marching bands. We has a wonderful time. Thank you Amy for the invite and enjoyable morning.

Later some other friends invited us over for a delicious barbeque and fireworks. We had a wonderful time chatting with friends, eating the amazing food and watching fireworks. Ms A had a little mishap with a sparkler, but after some love from mom and burn medicine from Rebecca, THANK YOU, she was back in the game having fun!

Playing with a sparkler.
Ms A has declared that the Fourth of July is her favorite holiday, along with Easter. She was grinning and cheering most of the evening.

Blanket Buddies.
Ms A and Mr L got a little chilly as the evening progressed, I grabbed a blanket and they snuggled in for the FABULOUS firework show!!

Dessert...I ***LOVE*** my trifle dish and the Triple Berry Trifle (layers of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with angel food cake, cheesecake pudding and grated white chocolate) was a perfect addition to my dish.


Thank you Rebecca and Paul for the wonderful evening!!

Newest Creations

My dear friend brought over some beautiful hydrangeas after a rough week. They cheered up me up after my week long self pity party. Thanks L!!!

The flowers were a perfect springboard for this card:

Since I had my stamps out and some creative juices flowing, I played a little more and came up with these. My card stash needed to be replenished as well. :)



Ms A usually asks if I'm making any cards for her with hope in her eyes. This little card had a pretty dress in her favorite color with sparkles... perfect!!!

Kindergarten Graduation

Ms A completed Kindergarten with a singing program on Friday (Aunt Sara came to see her sing a pleasant surprise for Ms A). Her classmates were adorable as they sang the some of songs they have learned this past year. After the program, we looked through her projects and workbooks and ate cake. She said her goodbyes to her friends with the promise of playdates this summer.
She was so sad to say goodbye to her teacher, friends, helpers and bus driver. We made cards for her teacher and bus driver. Her teacher sprinkled each of the kids with "First Grade Dust" to help them get ready for the new year. A wonderful idea, since she's a little tentative about being a first grader (and the homework). :)

We thought it would be fun to have her picture taken in the same clothes she wore the first day of school. Can you see a difference?!? I think she's grown a couple of inches.

September 8th, 2010

Of course, she loves to pose for the camera and we had a time before the bus came, so we had a little fun. To finish the exciting day, Grandma Gayla and Grandpa Allen surprised her when she came home on the bus.

Utah Here We Come

Since we were a short three hours away, Ms A, my mom and I went to Utah to visit family and friends.
It was perfect timing for us to meet Reed's newest niece, Ms B. We were so excited to meet and hold Laura and Russ's newest little one. CONGRATS Laura, Russ and family!

We had a great time staying with Stephanie, Reed's oldest sister. Ms A loved playing with her cousins. They introduced us to their library and amazing Rec Center. {next time we'll have to aim for the summer time and bring our swimsuits to play in their pool.}

I was also able to have dinner with three of my childhood friends, Shanna, Janae and Tonya. We met sweet Mr X who is almost three months old. Ms A loved rocking him in his carrier. She was so attentive and caring. Thank you ladies for the wonderful evening! It was fabulous catching up!!

We visited the Salt Lake Temple grounds. Ms A was excited when the sister missionaries turned on the English version of the narrative of Jesus Christ.

April 2011
Always a water girl, Ms A had to dip her hand into the various water features around the temple just like she did when she was 16 months old.
August 2006

The HIGHLIGHT of our trip was being able to visit with my dear, sweet friend, Caitriona, and her husband, Tim. I met Caitriona fifteen years ago when she came to New Hampshire on work visa from Ireland. She saw a commercial for The Book Of Mormon and wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ. Over the next several weeks my missionary companion and I taught her Christ's gospel, her heart was touched and she decided to be baptized. The next day she flew back to Ireland and we have not seen each other since {we've kept in touch via letters, email, Skype and now Facebook. (I love technology!)}

Caitriona is an amazing person who I have been so blessed to be a part of her life. I love hearing how she find answers to problems through reading the scriptures, attending the temple or receiving a Priesthood blessing. She reminds me every time we talk of the joy found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tim, Caitriona, Ms A, Grandma Valerie and Heather

It was wonderful to walk around the temple grounds and pick up **right** where we left off 15 years ago. My heart smiled as she caught me up with the things she's been doing, her testimony and about her dear husband, Tim {so happy she found such a kind gentleman to be sealed to in the temple.} Love you Caitriona! I am so happy we were able to get together!!! I can't wait to see you and Tim again and meet your little one!