Belated posting...a few layouts

I did these layouts several weeks ago, just posting now :(

I love these pics of Jim!


The first day of school...these are so sweet...

Highlights

I highlighted my hair this weekend. Woohoo. Nothing drastic, but something different. Here are before/after pics.

Before...


After...

Feeling Scrappy, again

It's been a while since I had the motivation, but I'm getting it back. Last week I made this tri-fold frame for mom for her birthday (a little belated, of course). This was fun...a nice change from the typical layout. Rather simple, too.

Tri-Valley Cheerleading Competition 2008

I survived it!!! Woohooo. I'm tired and cranky, and have had enough to last me another year! It was fun, to a point. Loved seeing the spirit and motivation in these girls. Kinda made me wish I was a kid again, too. But...wow...have you ever seen so many school girls in one place??????? Woah! lol Crazy!
I hung out at the aud. for 10 hours! Why??? Because this is my first year and I'm learning! lol. Sarah had to be there at 8, was going on around 9'ish. Lizzy was on in the afternoon, came with her coach, so that wasn't a problem. Only had to deal with getting one kid and myself out the door. Thank goodness...since we had to be there by 8 a.m. And, those who know me...know I don't do mornings well..
We arrived, getting there was easy, at that time. Parking was nuts, but not too bad and the lines weren't long. We found Sarah's squad and I found a decent spot to park myself. It was a long wait, anticipating Sarah's team going on. But, with my Dunkin Donuts coffee, and my box of Munchkins that I snuck in...I did ok. Observing, while waiting...I found where the girls were sitting with their squads, across the way.

Sarah's the one not in her seat, of course.


Lizzy was up in the "nose bleed" seats. I think she's leaning against the back wall.


Mount Markham Flag Squad...
(They're just so cute) Sarah's on the right.



Afterwards...full of excitement! (Sarah kinda looks ticked lol, but, really, she was excited).


And the Jr. Pee Wee's...(that would be Lizzy's squad)
They rocked!!! Only three spots away from making the championships!!!! Way to go, Colts!


Of course, then there's the Tri-Valley Dance Party. While waiting for the judgest to compile the results, this is what we had for entertainment. Imagine 100's of school-aged cheerleaders shouting, "Who Let The Dogs Out". C'mon girls, that's just a scrapbook layout waiting to happen..."Who let the cheerleader's out"!!!!! Tthey also played other great songs, like, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and the "Chicken Dance" lol.


Both girls got to bring home participation trophies. Sarah, was especially, proud of hers. As for me, well, yes, it was a long day, but I'm very proud of both of these girls for all their efforts! They're both champions, in my book!

It Still Feels Good

After 10 years of marriage...."It Still Feels Good."!!!! Yes, that's a Rascal Flatts song,and, oh so true. 10 years ago, Jim and I walked down that aisle, and I'd do it all again. To commemerate the special event, I thought I'd share with you bloggers some wedding pics. Hopefully, I will get a new pic, to do a "then and now" for ya'all.
Here's how it started, a mutual friend had introduced us, back in the Spring of '03. I was with someone else (we won't go there, now) for three years, and ready to get out of that miserable relationship. Jim came to my rescue. We started dating and it got serious, fast. I knew he was going to be the one. After two years he proposed, on my birthday. I was sick, we were leaving for work, and he got down and asked me to marry him. Even though, I new it was coming, it was all the sweetest thing. After four years of being together, we finally walked down the aisle. It was September 12, 1998, and I can still remember it, like it was yesterday. It rained in the morning, briefly, then got humid and sunny. Temps were in the low 80's, all in all a beautiful day. Aside from misplacing the marriage license (another long post lol), it was the perfect day. Until this day, people still talk about what a GREAT reception we had! If I could re-live the day, I would! It was amazing then, and is still amazing now. I wouldn't change any of it, for the world. Now, I have everything one could ask for. A wonderful husband, two beautiful children, a house, a job, and plenty of good friends. Life is great and as my grandmother quoted, "I have been blessed". Thank you God, for it all!
I can't wait to see what adventures the next 10 years will bring!!!

Back to School

These little girls survived the first day of school...and so did mommy. Sarah loves Kndergarten. For the first time, in years, Lizzy, actually, enjoyed the first day. They both came home with smiles. Lizzy made sure her little sister got on the right bus to go home. So cute how she looked after her. Time goes by so fast. I can't believe they're growing up. They'll be graduating before we know it. But, for now, we'll enjoy these precious moments, while we still can.


Today is RED week in Kindergarten. Each week, they focus on one color. Yesterday Sarah had to bring in something red, for show 'n tell. She chose one of my artificial roses to bring. On Wednesdays, the kids dress for that color. So, today, Sarah wore red. Isn't she just adorable???

Both girls are little cheerleaders, this year. I will have plenty of pics to post and scrap, as the season goes on. Within the next few weeks, we will also be starting our Girl Scout activities. There are always pics with them!

The Ultimate Babysitter Survival Kit

Have a favorite babysitter and want to give the perfect gift? Here is the Ultimate Babysitter Survival Kit. Everything your babysitter needs to survive a long day, with your children! All good and bad, of course. You have to have an open-mind and sense of humor to appreciate this!

Crayon - to remind you to color yours and the children's day bright and colorful
Rubberband - to remind you to be flexible
Bandaid - heal hurt feelings, yours and theirs
Puzzle Piece - you are an important part of these children's lives
Paperclip - to hold it all together
Mounds Bar - to replace the "Mounds" of love you give your children
Starburst - to give you a "burst" of energy when you need it
Ear Plugs - when you just can't take anymore
Wiggly eyes - so you will have an extra pair in the back of your head
Rope - for when you get to the end of yours
Gum-Stick with it
Hugs and Kisses - because lots should always be shared

***Thank you for a fun summer!
Love,
Lizzy & Sarah Foster.

"I Love Your Blog" Award

Two of my friends have nominated my blog for this award. To return the thank you, I've nominated them, and a few others...

1. Born2Scrap (Kelly)
2. scrapsofourlife (Angela)
3. Allmomentsremembered (Stacey)
4. Corina Michelle (Corina)
5. That's My Story (Stacy)
6. Happy Paper Craft Happenings (Anita)
7. thescrapdiva (Tiffany)

Operation CKC~Charlotte

The alarm went off at 6:30 Friday morning. I'm nuts to get up that early on my vacation, but it was all worth it. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive to Charlotte, NC, coming from Anderson, SC. I went by myself. I got there easilly, with the help of the gps. I found a parking lot right across from the Convention Ctr. When I arrived I got my Vendor Faire pass. I used my $2 off, downloadable coupon and got my wrist band. I checked out the list of classes, and decided since I had plenty of time, I'd see what was still available. "Playful Pages" by Simple Scrapbooking had some room left and the price was reasonable.



My first stop was, of course, the Vendor Faire. I knew I had a couple of hours to kill before class, so why not shop? Isn't that what I was there for, anyway? I walked in and had to pick my chin up off the floor. This was my first, of any kind, scrapbook convention. I was in awe! It could've been disappointing to some pros and I wouldn't have known the difference. Scrapbook vendors all over the place, selling anything and everything. Wow! Yes, of course I took pictures. At first I felt silly. It was still early, and not many were walking around with cameras, just yet. But, heck, I knew I'd regret it, if I didn't.





I refrained from buying these....lol


Time went by fast! Next thing I knew it was time for class. I had to go up a few floors for the classroom.


We received our kits to work with and got to work, right away. Class was fast paced, but a lot of fun. We did the base of two layouts with instructions to add things later. We received a lot of different products to work with, with plenty left overs!
Here are the layouts I did. I added the title, journaling, and photos later.
This first one is, "Summer Vacation". The pp's by Scenic Route, Bookworks Mini Alpha & Number Series by EK Success, and Dill Blossom alpha stickers by SEI.
Words along the side read, "Waves, Sun, Sand, Beach, Lazy, Fun, Splash". We dotted some of our buttons with the Sakura White Souffle Pen.

Ok, this layout was supposed to be about family, but I kind of revised it, with the pictures I had in mind. It's called, "Animal Bonding". Products you see here are, Heidi Swapp ghost letters, BoBunnyPress Clowning Around & Pep Rally Stripe, Bazzill Cardstock, SEI stickers (again), 7gypies 97% Complete "family".
The journaling reads this, "an-i-mal One of the, several, definitions of the word, "animal", from www.Dictionary.com describes an animal as this, ~ "An in human person, brutish or beastlike person." The adjective is described as, "pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature."
So, are these two animals? What do you think?"

Everything was included for the layouts, except the adhesive. Even though I had a hard time keeping up, it was fun, and I'd do it again!
After class, I saw Donna Downey! I've never met a scrapbook celeb before. Although, I didn't meet Donna because the line was too long. I was hoping to see Alli Edwards, Becky Higgins, and more, but I'm honored to have Donna's photo!

After seeing Donna and getting over the shock, I found a "make 'n take" and made this fun little clipboard! Everything was included here. These kits were for sale, but I didn't buy one. This would be a great activity for kids, especially if you had your paper pre-cut. So fast, fun, and easy!


By now it was time to get back on the road. Charlotte is such a beautiful city, I couldn't leave without several pictures!







Ok, so what did I get while I was there???? That's the most important question! lol. I made out really well, considering I was on a budget. I found the Queen & Co. $1 bins, and some goodies for future Cheerleading layouts! I also found...STICKLES!




PS...If you're at a CKC, don't forget to stop by the Skinny Cow booth for a FREE Ice Cream! Sorry, no pics :( lol