Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired...

says Evey!

One sick little girl can really put a wrench in my blogging schedule! :) Eve is in my lap chattering right now. She is begging for me to play the Myst series with her again. She loved the characters and the "spooky music". Due to her high fever, cough and general lethargy she was forced to miss "Dessert with Dad" at her preschool. Michael told her he would take her for ice cream at Bruster's. Not only was Eve sick, but I had my final Wilton decorating class for Course 1. I was able to get my cake baked, iced and smoothed with all of the decorator icing prepared. Unfortunately, I left 2 of the tips I needed in the dishwasher due to being distracted. While I was getting ready to leave and taking care of Eveybug Michael was repairing my brakes. I told him on Sunday that they were hashed and having to stop quickly and pull over for an ambulance to pass did them in. He drove the car to work on Monday and agreed that they were bad. He has been working 50 hour weeks, getting ready for scouts, helping with homework, cuddling a sick Eveybug and getting no sleep because he is in our full size bed with a sick toddler. All of these factors combined he still was able to run to the auto parts store and get new pads and rotors for my car and fix the brakes. He drove my car to work this morning and said he thinks all is well.

Eve has had her bath, her fever is gone, but not her runny nose and cough, so she is staying home again. She will be by cake decorating trainer for my push to finish my last cake decorating assignment. My roses came out ruffled because my icing is too stiff. I think they look "Shabby Chic".

::::::::::::::::Please Take a Second to Check Out::::::::

my new "Humanitarian" section. I have links to Free Rice and a new one for a 20 minute video called "Story of Stuff". I found that 20 minutes incredibly informative and thought it very worthy to share.

::::::::::::::::Finished and on Order::::::::::

I finally finished my SIL's Christmas present and ordered it today. I sent her the Shutterfly link so she could check for errors. She said she really liked it, so that make me happy. Here is the Front and Back Cover:



Credits: Font: Grinched, Kay Miller's Lagoon Kit, Kate Hadfield's Vehicle, Pirate and Animal Doodles, also Summer Collab Kit from TLP, Susan Long's castle doodle, Erica Hite's Dear Diary Doodle for the banner.

Here are a few layouts:

I will update the credits for this one soon.



This is one of my sweet nieces, Isabell.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Doodle E Doo at The Digichick
Designs by Angelica E.: Happy Doodles
Kate Hadfield: Lovebirds, Chipboard Doodled Hearts
Ida: Heart Doodle Alpha
Natalie Braxton: Strings from the February B.Y.O.C.
Kristin Cronan-Barrow: Lovedovey glitter

A couple of nieces and a nephew playing in the leaves.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL at The Digichick
Ida: Fall leaves doodles, Crayon Doodles
Catrine: Explore Solids
Katie Pertiet: Taped frames

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Dawn Inskip Layouts::::::

I made these as part of a tryout for a guest c.t. spot using her freebie::


Eve likes to imagine she is a flower fairy when the azaleas bloom in our front yard.


Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Connorbuck at The Digichick


Aaron and Rachel are like a couple of lizards on a wall when it comes to climbing.
Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MISH at The Digichick

I will update tomorrow, as Eve should be back to school. I have been tagged by Carol and also need to hand out my blog awards. Later today is the teacher conferences for Rachel and Noah...should be interesting!

Smiles!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity, Jig:

We have arrived home...again! We were a bit soggier and a lot sandier, but none the worse for wear. I, however, did break Rachel's glasses on Friday night and she had to go through Saturday and Sunday a bit blurry. Michael is taking her glasses by Sear's Optical today to see if they can be repaired. I took a slew of photos and some video at one point had filled up my 1 gig card and my batteries had run out. I borrowed my sister-in-law, Laura's, Nikon D40 and played around for a hundred, or so photos. My sister-in-law, Lettitia, had a bunch of fun crafts for the kids to do: puppets, design your own frisbee, bracelet making, and foam photo frames. The children put on a puppet show with their creations on Saturday. My brother-in-law, Reuben, helped the everyone tye dye shirts (onesies for the baby boys). My BIL, Stephen, did a quick tutorial with Reuben on creating spirals, then started helping anyone who wanted that pattern, too.
The weather over the 3 days was mild a sunny. We did have spotty showers, but nothing heavy until time to break camp. Michael and I had our campsite cleared and stowed right after breakfast. Stephen had his family do the same because he had a flight to catch for work. After we were done with our stuff Michael and I helped out by babysitting the cute nieces and nephews. I got to hold the newest addition to the family, baby Elliott. I walked him around in the baby sling, then let him sit in my lap looking at all of the activity until he fell fast asleep for 3 hours. Michael played with Spencer who was absolutely sweet and watching the other kids play in the sand. He never slept and never fussed. Michael, at the same time, held Corinna. She had recieved a bite to the arm by her twin sister, Dakotta, and needed some TLC. Michael held her and she fell asleep for a couple of hours. There was only one tent still set up when the heaviest rains came, so everyone took refuge for about an hour under the tarp in our common family area that was set up on the first day. During a lull the last of the tent was put away. The rain picked up again, but we got the main tarp down and made sure the campsite was clean. On the way out I saw a penny (heads up...good stuff) and at a campsite that wasn't ours, or any one's for that matter, there was a plastic knife on the ground and right next to the knife was a dime. Boy howdy, I was eleven cents richer!

The family reunion was held at Duckett's Mill on a little peninsula jutting out into Lake Lanier. Their was a lot of shore line exposed due to low water levels. The kids spent their time picking up the shells of the fresh water clams and digging in the Georgia red clay. All of the kids loved swimming, even Eve who had to be rescued TWICE! The first time Eve had trouble in the water Michael was on the shore watching the kids. Eve was even wearing a life preserver that had a little bit of bouyancy, but not much. I guess since the shore has a staggered plateau effect she must have stepped down to deep, or a wave hit her. I heard her crying out for daddy. I know the sound of distress in her voice, so I took off running to the shore from our tent. By the time I got to the ridge overlooking the shore Michael was coming up the path with Evey. She had swallowed some water and was scared, but other wise she was okay. Michael was drenched and he was wearing his blackberry phone. I suppose today he will tell work that baptizing his phone was an unfortunate consequence for saving his daughter. Now to the next time.
Eve was brave and excited to return to the water with all of her cousins the next afternoon. My sister-in-law, Shelene, was watching her kids, so I went down to life guard mine. I had been using my SIL's camera at the the time, so I jokingly said, "I better take this off encase I have to go save Eve." I put the camera away and went to a rock on the edge of the shoreline. I think it had been about 15 minutes when Eve gurgled, "Mom" as loudly as she could. I ran in a grabbed her up out of the water. She cried for a bit, and said she was pushed by a girl in a blue swimsuit, but wanted to go back in. My niece, Kyra, grabbed my shoes out of the water. (Did you know that Croc flip flops float?) Eve insisted she would stay in the water right at the shore line and she would be fine. So I perched on the rock and they all played until dinner time.

Rachel and her cousins Afton and Rebecca slept in a tent set up next to ours on Friday night and then Afton said that it was her turn on the air mattress in her parent's tent so she wasn't sleeping over another night. So, on Saturday night Rachel and Rebecca's voices were the last thing I heard as I drifted off to sleep.

I forgot to tell you how I managed to break Rachel's glasses. The shower facilities at Duckett's Mill have much to be desired. There were no benches on the shower that had the best water pressure and was big enough for the girls to shower together. I also made Aaron shower in the other side (much to his dismay...but hey...there were curtains!). Aaron's side had a shower that would hold a host of Lilliputians, but was entirely inadequate for shower supplies and a change of clean clothes. So with no good place to leave the glasses Aaron and Rachel gave me theirs and I put them in my pocket. I bent over slightly to wash Eve's and I felt a bend. I pulled the glasses out and Rachel's created an L shape. I was so mad! I felt really bad, too because I was projecting how I would feel if I had to go around for days having things blurry. Rachel was really sweet about it. She accepted my apology for breaking her glasses and had a great, yet blurry time.

I will finish uploading photos to the family website when Michael gets home from work. I have a few hundred and I can only upload 4 at a time. I think I've uploaded about 30, so far. FUN!

:::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::

On Saturday night we finished reading Escape From The Carnivale. The kids and I enjoyed the story. Noah was, especially, eager to read each new chapter. The imagery in the book is written so vividly that it helps you visualize the scenes very well. The book has a mixture of magical creatures, a far away island setting and pirates, so it is great for all ages and genders. The theme of a little girl and her friends getting into trouble because they have delibrately disobeyed is one that everyone can identify with at some point in their lives. How they get out of a terrible fix is a great story. There is also a fun twist in the chapter right before the end of the book. This story is an enjoyable read. If you get the opportunity check it out!

::::::::::::::::New Family Reading Book:::::::


The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime. We have already plunged into the first chapter and the story line is moving at its normally quick pace. The kids all groaned when I stopped reading. This one looks to be another great installment!

:::::::::::::::::::Salute to the States:::::::::



_{Background: Alexander by Janel Kretschman,
Journaling Bits and Music Doodles: Kate Hadfield,
Font: DB Michael, Jane Austen,
Painted Alpha: Rachel Young,
Vintage Frame and Cluster Frame: Nancy Comelab,
Alpha: Christina Renee}

Weekend Events

It was a sleuthing weekend. Friday night on a classic movie channel they showed the original Nancy Drew movies from 1938-1939 with Bonita Granville. I was able to watch the first two, but Michael had to work the next morning so we went home. Rachel watched the remaining two movies and especially liked the final film called "The Hidden Staircase".








Emma Roberts did a great job as the new Nancy Drew. The story line could have been better, but it was a good start. Maybe they will do more. I really wanted her to solve a mystery along side her chums George and Bess. I'm glad they made sure she had a roadster...so cool!


My mom took Noah and Evey to see the new Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. She reported that they were very chatty during the movie, but that they enjoyed the film. Noah was very animated while trying to explain the story line, which always makes me laugh.
:::::::::::::::::Father's Day::::::::::

I made Michael a slideshow of photos from 2006-2007 of him doing things with the kids. We went to hear Reuben speak in sacrament meeting, then we were invited over to Stephen and Shelene's house for lunch. The Stephenites know how to feed a crowd. There were pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and omelets to order. The kids loved playing with their cousins.

I called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day and my stepmother, Alice, invited the kids to stay a couple of days. We went by our house and grabbed some clothes for the kids, then stopped by mom and Jim's to give him his shutterfly book. His eyes are coming along great.

Then, to my dad's. My niece and nephew were happy to see their cousins, too. Tyler ended up wanting to go home with his mom, so Tracy took Haley, Tyler, Rachel and Eve to her house, while Noah and Aaron stayed with Paw Paw and Granny. They hope to go to a bounce house today.

Michael and I came home to a quiet and messy house, so I guess I will take this break from the kids being home to clean up after them.

I hope y'all had a fabulous weekend!

There's Even More Where That Came From:

Surprised that I had yet another bunch of climbing layouts? I think I'm done now.



Text:
Even though Noah was nervous he roped up for his second climb of the year on this same wall. Michael belayed and gave encouragement. Noah was able to get higher than he had before.

_{Naked Stamps by Meredith Fenwick, Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton, Font: DB Michael, Tasty Tattoo used as an overlay, background paper from Chalked Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney, "U Shine" doodle by Bee Good Designs, doodle arrow by Kate Hadfield, backward staples by Jenn Patrick}

Text: Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it."
---- Lt. John B. Putnam Jr. (1921-1944)

_{Background papers from Chalked Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney, Grunge Alpha by Birgit, black bunch Alpha by The Powers Sisters, Naked Stamp Sheet by Meredith Fenwick, Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton, Font: DB Michael,Dalyhand, Cold Coffee, Ripped and Torn template by Jen Caputo, Tasty Tattoo used as the two corner overlays, date stamps by Amber Clegg, backward staples by Jenn Patrick}

Tree Castle Island is our current family reading book. The story takes place in the Okefenokee Swamp. The kids like the different terms they are learning about in the story. For example, there are islands called "blow ups" that are made of peat moss which appear like a normal island, but when you step on them you sink. Another term is "hammock" which, in this context, means an area in the swamp with hardwoods like oak and sweet gum. We have only completed 3 chapters, so I will give my review when we complete the book.

:::::::::::::::::::::It's Midnight::::::::

and Rachel is creating collage faces using my digital scrapbooking magazine. The faces are very quirky and she's having fun. What a great combination!



::::::::::::::::More Lidocaine, Please!::::::

The family has been applying periodic doses of lidocaine to our red skin. Hopefully we will be better in a couple of days.

::::::::::::::::College for Kids::::::::

Today Rachel begins her third Summer in the College for Kids program. She is involved in their future authors class. She loves creative writing and the program is to help expand her ideas for writing. The school has a vanity press, so all of the participating students will have their finished writing piece printed. Grandpa plans to pick Rachel up tomorrow, so they can talk about her first day. Michael will then pick her up the rest of the week. Michael can't go Monday because he has his regularly scheduled apheresis appointment at the Red Cross.

:::::::::::::::Discover Magazine::::::::

has an article on Autism in their April 2007 issue. "Autism: It's Just Not In Your Head"

::::::::::::::::Fuzzy Math:::::::::

Discover Magazine had an interesting math question, which I posed to Michael and he answered it immediately, then went on to explain how he came by that answer. Here is the question from the magazine: Heavy Eggs.

What interested me more about this question happened at our family swimming over at Stephen's house. I had Michael ask two of his brother's the question and they thought about it and gave their answers. They were close. Noah, in a very brief stint out of the pool, came up and began explaining how to get the answer. Michael and I listened as he explained the process correctly using his hands to mimic how to go about weighing the eggs. He didn't mimic the words Michael had used, but used his own ideas. We didn't realize he had been paying attention. What a funny dude!

Here is another funny Noah story on Grandpa Jim's blog.

:::::::::::::::::Christmas 1974

My mom found these photos and I remembered having such a blast for years with these toys:

Text: I'm not sure if there was anything left on the shelves for other kids in 1974. Some of my presents included a doctor's kit, playdoh, View Master, a make-up and hairstyling set, Barbie's Jet, Barbie clothes, new pajamas and a Baby of Mine. I went to get the kids who were spending the night with my mom and on the floor was the red leather Barbie jacket which is the one in the photo.

_{Background paper from by Kay Miller, Beauty Mark blog freebie by the Powers Sisters, Handpainted Alpha and Holiday Label by Michelle Coleman, Really Big Ribbons by Natalie Braxton, Vintage frames by Nancy Comelab, Font: Dalyhand/Jane Austen}


Smiles...and OUCH!...off to apply lidocaine!

I Scream For...

I reworked a couple of layouts from photos I used a year ago.



Noah enjoys his chocolate chip ice cream at Bruster's Ice Cream. Noah and his classmates got to ride in a Hummer Limo and receive a huge scoop of ice cream for selling $300.00 worth of Sally Foster Giftwrap for the PTA fundraiser at Camp Creek Elementary (Actually, his Granny Sue Towhey sold it all for him at her office at Emory Clinic.--- Thanks Granny Sue!).

Dear Diary kit by Erica Hite,
Staples by Michelle Coleman,
Brushed Striped Alpha by Sausan at Scrapbookgraphics,
Borderlines by Sande Krieger,
background paper from Authentic by Sara Carling,
Font: DB Michael by Darcy at Blueflombingo / Mia's Scribbling


ICE CREAM!


Rachel's favorite flavor is Cotton Candy Explosion (it contains Pop Rocks).
Color Me Funky by Kate Hadfield,
Stars by Lisa Whitney,
Simply Irresistable by Gina Cabrebra,
Ribbon by Natalie Braxton


:::::::::::::Samurai:::::::

Michael has been busy working on a homemade Samurai armor. Stephen had someone manufacture the individual pieces and got a huge spool of red shoelace thread to connect the pieces. It will look so cool when he finishes.

:::::::::::::James Bond::::

My mom let us borrow Casino Royale with the new Bond, Daniel Craig. I enjoyed the style and I always enjoy Judi Dench's performances. The stunt scenes were incredible.

We are now watching the Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. I will review tomorrow.

Halloween Costumes:

Eve as Tinkerbell:


Noah as Patrick Star (Spongebob's best friend):


Rachel was a lovely Rag doll:


Aaron received the most compliments for his costume:

His Uncle Stephen, made the chain mail by hand. Michael contributed the fabric with the fleur de lis. The bow was borrowed from Grandpa Jim:

{Shear Determination}

_{paper and acrylic paint strokes from Michelle Coleman's Gypsy Rose, Painted Alpha, stitching, number stamp and staples by Michelle Coleman, "T" Charm by Mo Jackson, ribbon from Sandra Boddington's Mulberry Memories, Font: Pea Lis and Typeset}
Text:
"Teresa's medication had started to make her hair fall out in clumps, and she decided to go ahead and cut off the rest of her hair and wait for it to grow back rather than wait for it all to fall out. She asked me, Tabitha and later, Christopher to cut our hair also. We did and here are some of the pictures of our bald heads." Papa

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; that was the diagnosis for Teresa. Shelene and Stephen noticed here pale color and lethargy during our family Halloween party in 2005. At that time they were acting as Teresa's foster parents, but as of 14 June 2006 Teresa, along with her 3 siblings, were adopted. We love this girl and it is obvious that her new siblings give her their full support and love!
---

I have been amazed watching the Stephenites work together to help each other. I was so impressed that Tabitha would shave her head at the request of her little sister. I was thinking how Tabitha had gone all Natalie portman---Vendetta...ish on us. I always thought she had a beautiful smile and eyes. Teresa has such an adorable chin. From what I hear from their family Teresa is technically in remission. There have been several cagey moments with secondary illnesses that have been attended to quickly. It is great to see them all smiling!

It's All About Form!

_{Credits:
: Granny Smith Papers by Ali Folendore, Arrows by Design by Dani, alpha by Shabby Princess, Overlay by Nancy Rowe Janitz
Program Used:
: Photoshop 6.0
Fonts Used
: Peas Girly Girl Script, Pea Daisy Doodles, Weathered SF, DymoFont Inverse, Pea Carrie
Elements/Extras
: To make the seeds I used the prongs from Studio Chic by Shabby Princess}

Text: This mouth shape for maximum trajectory & velocity!

The upper lip over the bottom lip will produce the dribble and drop effect. Where the seed lands on your shoes.

The thrilling pastime of seed spitting.



My BIL and niece in a watermelon seed spitting contest at our family reunion in 2005. The discussion at these events always centers around how to hold your mouth to get the seed to go the farthest. I am a feeble spitter, so I can only get the seed about a foot a way from me. I remember being okay with getting in trouble for spitting watermelon seeds at my sister Tracy. There is some kind of juvenile satisfaction with getting to do this every summer.

------------

The kids played in the sprinkler at my parents' house tonight and my stepfather took some great photos. Noah had some great "Noahisms", as we call them, about his trip through the sprinkler: "Let's show this sprinkler what we're made of!" He told Rachel, "Bend over and give it a taste of your underwear!" It's at times like these I usually tell him that his planet called and wondered how he is doing? I hope to be able to do a layout with the photos because they were really fun.

-----------

Thank you for your comments Julie P, I really appreciate your thoughts!