and I have how long??

oh my
I have to run
just one more errand
make one more meal
fold one more set of laundry
check my bag... again...

I went to the doc today... She set me up on some machine that watches baby's heartbeat, counts contractions and when the baby moves, kicks or wiggles I push a button and it registers...
nurse walks in..
"hey, that was a big contraction.... did you feel that??"
uhhhhhhhhhhh, yeah... but it wasn't the pull the bottom lip over my head to handle the pain so it's all good...
right???? lol!
So Dr. Emily checks and I am effaced at 50% still.... but all those crazy contractions I had this last weekend finally got some dialation... to a 2
This is where I was the night before with my other 3... ack!

time to put it in hyperdrive....
I got the calendar to mark what the baby does and who comes to visit for the first year...
I have done this for all of my kids and it's always something fun to look at after the year is gone.. but also it helps when I have to go to the pediatrician to ask questions... I can never keep things straight...

I have been looking for a WaterBaby for Mr. T... he is not too happy that a baby will take over a crib. It's not imperative that we move the crib up but it sure does make for cute photo ops! lol! Anyway, a waterbaby is a dolly that can be filled with water so it has the weight of a baby rather than a doll. It does not poop, pee, cry or anything else... it is just there to be snuggled by the youngest sibling. The nurses are all into this at our hospital and know that we have done this for the other kiddos so they put warm water in the dolly, wrap it in a hospital blanket and put a cap on the baby just like the real baby. It is then put into the baby bassinet in the hospital room so that the sibling has a chance to meet her/his baby and take care of it.

So, one more thing... find the baby for Mr. T so he has a baby of his own....

checklist

focal point (photo of kids)
knobby thingy for back pain/labor
ponytail holder.. even though I chopped off my hair!
watch for counting contractions
Rosary to ask for Mary to guide me in my labor and to be a good mother to my children
brush
makeup
slippers
robe
camera
back up batteries
extra cards
scrappy paper for footy prints.. awwwwwwwwwww
presents for kids from baby (Polly Pockets and Waterbaby)
newborn onesies
clothes for going to hosp.
clothes for coming home
nightgown for hospital
car seat purchased

Need to do...
phone list
snacks in bag for kids to have when they come visit
pick name
have dh wash baby coming home outfit in Dreft (waiting for this one since we don't know if #4 is a boy or girl)
grab pillow
place car seat in van

I want to be a princess when I grow up...

Queen V:mama.... when I grow up I want to be a princess.
Me: oh really? (dh and I glance at each other)
Queen V:yep, I want to be a princess... like Princess Mia.. and people will call me Princess Mia.
DH: sweetie, I have news. You can't because I am not a king.
Queen V: oh, Daddy. You can be a king if that is what you dream. You can do whatever if you want to and be a king...... and tell us whatever you want us to do.
D: Whatever I want you to do, huh?

I just had to pop up from dinner and write this down so we didn't forget the wisdom of a 5 year old...

Just dream it and you can be it.

birthday girl... you mean the world to me!!

Our oldest turned 8 yesterday and as a child in our home you get to pick the menu and Mommy gets to figure out how to do it...
here was the 8 year old's menu
bacon wrapped shrimp (yummy)
pecan crusted trout (I cook this in olive oil on the stove)
risoto
dinner salad (compliments of Grandee)
fresh fruit: cantelope, grapes, strawberries (strawberries are a staple in this house since she arrived! lol!)
fruit juice mixed with sprite
desert was a Betty Crocker Icecream Torte It was so easy and so delicious!! Usually the kids test my ability to create this 3D cake with a barbie sticking her head out as a mermaid or some princess... not this time- strictly icecream and brownie! She said she wanted to keep it easy for me since I have been going so crazy with nesting and Braxton Hicks contractions...

So what does the birthday girl get?? Well, aside from that yummy meal she got a new bike!! She gave her older bike to her younger sister because she didn't have one. yep, that is the kind of kid she is... gives to others in need and turns the other cheek when needed... what a good kid. We had the bike specially made for her and it will last a while :) I am glad- she deserves it!!

materials used:
paper:coloriages by Fran
border: will have to look up, sorry.

oye- quick run down on my crazy week...

Monday: found out I am 50% effaced
Tuesday: took my kids and best friend to zoo and bought a big girl bike for my oldest... shshhhhhhhhhhhhh- it's a suprise for her birthday!
Wednesday: I can't remember so we will blame it on the baby sucking my brain cells from me....
Thursday: Bunco for the first time
Friday... today: dd's birthday :) Yippeee!!

side note...Mr. T is now getting a new name of "bruiser".. one because he is going around licking everyone... yep, even strangers... and he is continuously wrestling adn chasing the girls...
Lady G got her lip popped by him (I am not even sure how) and a remote thrown at her head...
Queen V had her neck sat on... he seems to be going for the neck.. ugh.. what is up with 2 year old boys??? sometimes I just don't get them!!

whew- what a week!
so.. tomorrow is a birthday party for both of my girls and then off we go to Mass followed by bed!!! I need sleep!
I hope to do more nesting on Sunday to get my ds's room in order.. it's a wreck!! Mr. T has been a tornado for sure!!

materials used for digi LO:
papers, bird, heart, flowers: Patricia Amaral
cluster frame: Welli Designs
quote: Elegant Word Art by Bethany
overlay: Lively Up Designs

old memories

So today dh and I packed up the kids to head back to his granparent's home. Nobody has lived in this home for 2 years now... we are just now going through items...
We all got to chose different things.
What was special to each one of us... the daughters had already gone through a bunch but today was more of a time of the grandkids to pick. Dh asked what was important to us...
a well worn quilt that perhaps his greatgrandma made
a Rosary made from the fruit of a sweet gum tree (that will go in our room, I think, and hang on the wall like Grandma and Grandpa had it.)
a Crusifix that will go above our bed
a Walter Cronkite autobiography we gave Grandpa for Father's Day in 1997
some pilsners that match highballs in my grandparent's home
and then the girls got to pick out some costume jewelry.. they were so happy!

What a day... full of memories.... and silly stories...

Meerkat, it's what's for dinner...

remember the old beef commercials with Sam Elliot talking in the background about how great beef was.. I can't remember the song that played but I can hear it in my head... at the end of the ad Sam comes on and says, "beef.. it's what's for dinner!"

Well, in Lion King 1 1/2 they say, "meerkat, it's what's for dinner... " Cracks me up.. this is all I can think when Queen V asks to see them at the zoo. She does a great meerkat impersonation and yes, I have pictures of it.. I need to put it on a LO. She cracks me up and when I start laughing she can't help but laugh about it too! lol!

Her little camera won't work so she and her sister took their summer writing journals to the zoo to draw photos of the animals they saw. From there they will journal or write poetry around the picture.

I just got this new action from Patricia Aranal.. the ribbon tie action.. it is so cool. I wanted to test it out on a LO before I try and create a few things for my photography clients. With the baby coming I will have to put my camera down and perhaps create some cards or templates to use for other photographers.

crazy settings... I don't know what I was thinking! lol!
f3.2
1/640
iso800

materials used:
template: Shandy Vogt
bow action: FafBr
papers : Patricia Amaral - Digital Designer
http://scrap-a-dream.blogspot.com

Change in Priorities coming full Circle

I was given this horse when I was 14 and she was 3. She was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen...
I was given her and her companion, Cloud, who was 6. Cloud died 2 years ago. YoYo has the pasture all to herself with neighbors bringing other horses in and out... She is something so cherished from my teenage years. Having grown up my priorities changed to being responsible toward my family more... She is an old lady now who grazes when she likes, where she likes, doesn't answer to the kick of my heel...
Now my own Lady G has taken a liking to horses... where will this lead our family in years to come??? hmmm


materials used:
QP: Rebecca Labbe
quote: Designer Digitals


Photograph:
f4.0
ss 1/125
iso 200
wb: cloudy

Happy Anniversary (a little late)

I just realized the date... and it is too late to call my sister and wish her a Happy Anniversary!!! Yep, the baby of the family got married a year ago and I was fortunate enough to be there to witness it!!!
She made a lovely bride!!!
She picked a great man who loves her dearly.... you can tell when you see them together....
What a sweet couple they make!

already in the first year of marriage they have experienced
1. birth of their first baby
2. new job for L
3. picking out a new home together... twice!!
4. getting ready for a move...

whew!! that's a lot to tackle in one year!!
Happy Anniversary, you guys!! I love you to pieces! to the moon and back!!!!
May you have many more wonderful years together, sharing each other's company and falling in love again each day!!!
Big hugs and kisses!
Me

Forever Cousins

since my scrappy room is an avalanche of paperwork from the end of school, dh taking over my space for a home office and constant artwork by my 2 little girls..
I am going to have to get serious about doing digi..
I have not done any scrapping in quite sometime
except for the occassional card to accompany a present
I took my dd out to the front pasture to get some sunshine shots
I saw how the sun hits the bitterweed my horse won't touch the other night and thought- THERE!! it's perfect there!!!
Well, instead of sunshine we got raindrops which we desperately need!
I still got to practice on my focus and exposure!
settings for photo:
f2.8
1/250
iso 200
I know the ap is pretty wide but I didn't want to raise my iso... should have since there was some noise on my photo but I still like it!!

materials used:
quote png: http://sonjascraftspot.blogspot.com/
paper/frame: http://www.digitalcandy.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=5901
tempate: http://jilljackscraps.blogspot.com/
soft blue paper: http://imaginebyfran.blogspot.com/

hello... anyone out there?

ok
I had to get my life in order
started to build my photography portfolio and it was really picking up the pace
I have a new niece that I photographed...
came home and thought God was done with us having more children
apparently not
we are blessed yet again
after so long of waiting
to have baby #4 coming into our lives in a few short weeks
I have kept it to myself
until I couldn't any more
there is no escaping
one gal at the park overheard me talking to a friend
another baby?
are you serious?
I could not dream of it.
I am 40
really??? so am I...
God has a great sense of humor...
I wanted to be a young mom.. playing with kids without knees creaking! lol
My mom says she is too young to have a daughter with gray hair
I guess not since I have a head full! lol!
I do not color my hair when I am pregnant.
Oh, sure, some people say it's ok
I cannot even dream of the risk.
We waited 9 long years
I had 9 surgeries
countless medications and procedures
and nothing...
until I had what I call my "come to Jesus meeting"
Now, every 2 years we are blessed... with beautiful children...
it's time as my oldest said.. she knew we would have another because the youngest is 2
I will try and write more and share more before this bundle arrives...
Here is a shot of me and my oldest on Father's Day...

Super Princess... you are remembered

May the angels carry you higher
May you feel the warmth of God
May your light shine in those who love you...

For those who have not heard me speak of or write aboutSheye or of her daughter, Ava this blog entry is all about the love a mother shows her children, her husband and her family. I started reading Sheye's blog a few years ago and so related to what she had to say about being a mom to a free spirit. I laughed and nodded as she typed and loved the way she captured her children on film. Last year a tragic accident occurred- but one with a lesson I quickly taught my children, my friends and anyone who would stand still long enough to hear about the Super Princess and how one day she found herself locked in her parent's car... not knowing how to get out. Teach your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren.. .how to get OUT of your car!!! Teach them how to crawl to the front, try the locks, try the door handles on "Mommy's side" and to lean on the horn!!!! It is so vitally important. It is Ava's lesson to us all.. .along with being a super princess.
Go to Sheye's blog and leave some love...
Go to Ava's website and light a memorial candle...

most of all.. hug your children, breathe in deep when you hug them... snuggle them to sleep- it won't spoil them.. just YOU!

tagged, Mr T and lovely conversations

my little guy with his new big boy hair cut.. his grandma cut his hair... he looks so cute!

These are the rules:-You must post the rules before you give your answers.You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details.

M is for Married.. to the best man ever!
A is for Aritisic when I find the time
R is for Real... I am a real person... take me as I am
I is for Inspiration... I find ispiration in people, things, stories to make me a better mom and wife
E is for Entertaining.. my dh says he married a cartoon character.. that is entertaining.. right?? and not something bad? lol

I am going to tag: Michelle(twistedsoda), Allison (again.. sorry sweetie!), Inkastamp (sorry, Ana.. I need help! lol!), I still need to find one for R and now E... hmmmm who will be next??

I found Sandy's blog by way of the Organized Junkie and boy, does she throw a party! She has a book that she swears by and posted about it here non her blog: The Reluctant Entertainer. I love a good conversation.. my parents would talk for hours and I want to have my kids see me and my husband do the same... communication is key for sure in a family...

5 things about me...

I have been tagged by the Garage Sale Diva!!
Five things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. teaching Texas history, department chair for the social studies dept, mentor to 5 teachers
2. completing my house plans
3. having surgery... again
4. watching the birth of my godson
5. sleeping as late as I wanted on the weekends

Five things on my to do list today:
1. make good Sunday breakfast
2. Laundry
3. make recipe of fresh guacamole! yummy
4. play with my kids outside
5. read to my kids

Five things I will do when I'm a millionaire:
1. pay off my bills
2. get dh flying lessons and his own plane
3. place enough aside for kids' college
4. get new furniture
5. give to worthy causes more often


Five things I'll never wear again:
1. peg leg pants
2. Huxtable sweaters
3. leg warmers
4. wedding dress (got married once and that is how it will be forever!)
5. Big, fluffy bows in my hair (diva said this and it made me crack up! lol!)


Five of my favorite toys: (I am going to make this from the past too...)
1. my camera
2. Adobe Photoshop
3. trampoline
4. my Geronimo horse I used to play with for hours on end as a kid
5. the tall pine tree in my parent's yard I used to climb all the time


Five banes of my existence:
1. people who don't say please, thank you or you're welcome (have some common courtesy people!)
2. liars
3. my weight
4. people telling me I am spoiling my kids
5. that the damn dryer eats socks!

I am going to tag...

1. Allison
2. Durcan Designs
3. Ana

more silliness from Queen V

as I go back to tuck in Queen V and Lady G...
Lady G: Mama, V said she smelled smoke.
Me: Probably the fires outside people are burning in their homes...
Lady G: no, she said she smelled smoke in here
Queen V: no... uh... it was just me, I farted...
Me: so it was smoke! hahahahaha
Queen V: no, G, it was me... my tushy stinks... (this in all seriousness)
Me: so, G, if you see smoke and fire especially coming from her tushy, call me! I'll come running! (laughing at this point)
G and V: fire from the tushy>??? (all serious.. I better turn this around... )
Me: girls, I am just kidding... it's all ok.. no fire coming from your tush or smoke... go to sleep...

and that is how my sweet darlings got tucked into bed last night... ahhhhh sweet dreams, little stinky ones!

by the way, the card is what Queen V made for her aunt for her birthday.. they are playing soccer and my dd's mouth is open yelling, "MMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!"

the world according to Queen V

love 4 year old intuition...
Queen V told her grandmother tonight....
"if you swallow an icecube you will become and iceberg!"
makes complete sense to me and to her grandmother...

created a quick "kickstand card" tonight.. super simple following SCS instructions!


now, if I could just get some sleep tonight minus the insomnia I have had lately... having that and chasing 3 kids is not a good thing... makes me quite grumpy and lethargic....

finally, some glue on my fingers!

it has been way too long since I had glue on my fingers...
I love glue, colors, paper... and checking out other blogs.. I love to go to Ana Wight's blog and this entry of Dirty Polly I swear looks just like my oldest with her hair in pigtails!!! I have to go get this one... it is just as sweet as my Lady G... and can't you just see this on the pages of my girl??
Well, I did a LO of her from a little photo shoot we did before Christmas. She was feeling like my budding photography business was creeping in the way of me being a full time Mommy... so this came from that. I asked her if she would be my model for trying different poses, letting me practice exposure and lighting.. My favorite is the one of her putting her foot in her mouth!!! She could have killed me when I put it on a LO! lol! love it anyway... shows her goofy side :)

She picked out her shot, her card and gave it to her very best girl friends... I love it! She did rather well! Now to get Valentine shots....

Shakin' in the New Year Crop at TSB

Our Shake Up the New Year's Crop is underway! Come join us for a great
time as we challenge you for 5 whole days. That's 5 days of cropping
goodness to get those projects completed.

Some of the fun we will be having include:

-- over 14 challenges to get your mojo moving
-- 3 FREE classes (from transparencies to dimensional sticker creation
to chipboard fun)
-- RAKS/DOOR PRIZES each day
-- Sponsor prizes from Paper Trey Ink, Doodlebug, Cosmo Cricket,
DragonFlaireStudios and more!
Shakin' in the New Year


Come join the fun. Sign in today to get your name in for a free RAK!

gaining speed!

I have so much to share with you! Our family is going at lightning speed and something had to give and this was it!

I get to read a few blogs here and there and one that keeps me going is 5 Minutes for Mom Being a mom of 3 I need 5 minutes! Just the other day my dh was shewing kids out of the potty while I was trying to take care of business... at least I can say my kids try using the potty early for being a part of this activity.. lol!

Anyway, have you been to 5 Min for Mom recently?? They have the coolest give aways! Today they are giving away a miniature Mustang!!! not a horse.. have one of those.. but a replica of a Ford Mustang.. we have a real one of those. Dh bought the body for the car when he was in 8th grade and by the time we were dating in college he had the AC put in place.... he drove this muscle car for quite some time until he had to drive through the canyon in Dallas.. if you drive Dallas traffic you know where this is... Also havin 2 horses at the time we needed a pickup truck to haul hay.

Here is the Pedal Car they are giving away. How cool is this?? The same year as dh's fast back!!!! Dig all the retro toys they have at this shop!! This totally takes me back to my childhood and why wouldn't you want to share parts of your own childhood with your children... makes it all so much sweeter!!! My kids have what dh and I call the Fred Flinstone mobile... you know- they move their feet and it goes... with these pedal cars the kids have to have that coordination used in riding a bike... but this is so much fun!! When we were kids we had a John Deer pedal tractor that we enjoyed so much!
If you have kids and want to relive a part of your childhood vicariously through them go join 5 Minutes for Mom and see what all the fun is about!!

been gone so long...

who knew that beginning a new adventure in my life would be so crazy~~
I started taking photos of friends and strangers to bring some income into our home. I knew it was the time to do it.. but now to make even tougher decisions...

I have to really think what is important to me..
to my family.. .
what is necessary and what is simply a want.

I finally scrapped this week but have not yet hooked up my computer to my scanner.. bummer. I have to get that done soon!!!
Christmas cards are being designed- even the envelopes have a stamp and extra inking on them- I think it makes it look just.. well, better!
What about you?? Do you put a little something extra on the envelope? It just takes a second of time.... it's like putting a bow on a package!