Today is our wedding anniversary!! (and the sketch, but Ill get to that!)

Jason and I eloped, and got married IN Hawaii, on the beach. (Fun times getting that dress there in ONE piece!)

My dress was BEAUTIFUL!!! You cannot see in the photo,but there are little purple rhinestones all over it! See I told you I LOVE purple!!! Jay didn’t want to wear a purple shirt, but it was the beginning of him having little say! LOL! OK Just kidding. He gets enough say! LOL! No, seriously he agreed it would look nice to match, even though he wasn’t that thrilled.

I tell the ENTIRE story and have a Smilebox photo album for those of you who may want to see more ——>HERE!

Wow has time past so quickly. Back then I never thought I could love Jason anymore than I already did. Boy was I wrong. Sappy I know! But if you knew him, you’d love him too. He is the most amazing person. Truly.

We had a traditional Christian/Hawaiian Wedding. It was SO amazing. Part of our wedding vows were taken from a card Jason gave me while we were dating! It was beautiful. We both got all teary. I’ll never forget it. PERFECT DAY.

We got married on a private beach in Turtle Bay, Maui.  Just him and I! More details are on the other page.

I guess I am just happy to celebrate that we have made it through some of the toughest times, in a couple’s life.

A child with daily special needs, which he happily took on once we starting dating. I knew he was amazing when we were at a birthday party with 16, 3 year olds, and he was playing right there with them. It was hot, and Alexa doesn’t do well in the heat. Suddenly she threw up a TON of Cheese Curls in my hair! Mind you, it is down to my waist at that point. He didn’t even hesitate, he grabbed some napkins and began cleaning her and my hair! I KNEW that day, that he was a real keeper. Then when Alexa got hospitalized for a bad croup./pneumonia, we had to hold her down to put in IV’s (this I normally did alone, as Alexa’s “father” would not even come to the hospital, let alone help), he was right next to me. I began singing to her “How much is that doggy in the window?”, then Jason quickly chimed in and sang “ruff ruff” It was the cutest thing. He stayed the entire hospitalization, as I encouraged him to go to work. But he wouldn’t leave. When we got discharged he had come home to make sure the house was clean, fridge was stocked, and had balloons for Alexa, and flowers for me. Laundry all caught up. I just felt so blessed to be with someone so thoughtful.

A unplanned pregnancy with Noah. Yes, thats right, Noah was not “planned”. But he turned out to be an amazing blessing (as are all my children). Jason could have walked away, but he was happy! He had Noah’s name all picked out and everything within 3 hours of finding out. He was so amazing to me everyday of my pregnancy telling me how strong, and beautiful I was. He was the BEST labor coach. When I had Noah, he presented me with a “book”. It was a typed up diary he started the day he found out I was pregnant. Each week he would type up what was going on, how he felt, funny things about the pregnancy or appointments. He then printed it up, after his past entry about the birth of our son, and put it in a bound folder. He brought it to the hospital after going to get my Dunkin Donuts coffee! LOL! It was to date the most amazing gift he ever gave me. I BALL when I read it. To have a man take the time to document his feelings and whatnot and do that was amazing. I couldn’t read the entire thing for months. My hormones were crazy.

Buying a home that needs to be totally re-done! Those have been FUN times, and still going.

Dealing with my EX. Who is no walk to the park. We are forever taking the high road. Its hard for Jason to see him ditch Alexa all the time. He loves her like his own, and he doesn’t understand how a man could do that to a child.

Then dealing with Alexa’s Cancer. We were told right away, that this could destroy our marriage if we weren’t strong enough. I was scared for that. Alexa’s father bailed on us because he never wanted to deal with anything that wasn’t 100% perfect and happy. He was very selfish that my attention was not on him all the time. He went and got a whole new life. Jason assured me we were strong, and would work together, no matter what. We promised to be honest and talk about everything everyday. He is my rock. He really helped pull me through that, an now we are so much stronger. Our love is deeper. We can make it through anything.

There are of course many more things, but I was just reflecting on how blessed I am to have a man like that. I cannot say enough about him. I am so happy to have him love ME, every-bit as much as I love him. He is the kind of guy who makes you feel like you are the ONLY woman on the planet. I always feel loved. He treats me as good today, as he did when we were dating.

I am just so lucky, and every thankful.

So I know no one really cared to hear all that, Im just in a sappy mood I guess.

Moving on…………..

Here is the sketch!

Use the Keyword mytimess02 if you upload anywhere, since people seem to want to have a code 😀 Send us a link back here so we can see your take. I always do my best to comment on every challenge player 😀

People have asked about elements of the sketches.

For example: Can the image be a flower instead of a circle?

YES!! WHATEVER YOU WANT! Whatever YOU see. Whatever inspires you in the sketch. Go for it. There are NO rules here. Well one, and that is to have fun!!

I made two today!!! One for the sketch, then another for my card to Jay for our anniversary.

Poppy remembering……….

I LOVE this Poppy set by Lisa called Remember. I have 2 other cards I whipped up after this one, to share soon. I just love any set that has open and solid images. Papertrey is PERFECT for that. This was inspired by my card in the PTI reveal. Sometimes you need a PUSH for the mojo, and that inspiration is exactly what helped me get warmed up. 

The Poppy Red is just a gorgeous color. I love it against the black. I also love monochromatic combos 😀 Its great for lack of mojo-which was me, after not stamping for a week!! The satin ribbon makes any card look luxurious!

Then I took the sketch, and I flipped it!!

The flower became my circle.

I made a wish

This is the card I made Jay for our anniversary!! Isn’t it ADORABLE?!!!

Boy loves girl, girl loves boy 😀

They are images from Magnolia. Sentiment is a SU! one -Stem Sayings

I get my Magnolia from here –> [email protected] Just email Diana and she can email you the catalog. She ships to US and Ca if you are wondering. She also has some of the newest images 😀 I need to get some of those now too.

The shame is you cannot see the dimension :C He is cut on, and sitting on the bench, and she is cut out, popped out more than him, and her sneakers are popped out too! Really cute. I LOVE dimension. I love them popping past the layer 😀 I love that I didn’t have to color an entire “scene” to get a cute card! LOL!!!

I also love the flower buttons, and the pierced butterfly trail. You know I always have to use a butterfly if I can. I went with more “masculine” colors, and NO RIBBON!! I think he will like it. Jay loves my more “embellished cards”. You know 50 layers, and lots of stuff. I like clean. I think its a happy medium here.

I also hope this helps you visualize the ways a sketch can inspire you 😀 Don’t forget to check out my FABULOUS team of girls who also post with the sketch!

Thanks for reading!

Later

What am I going to do without my EMAIL?!!

 I am having MAJOR  email issues. So bad so that the support tech had to escalate my issue to a big wig. It will take at least 2 days to fix :C

OMW! I can’t even believe that.

Bottom line I have not been able to get new emails, well since yesterday, since over 36,000!!!! Emails from the past few months are trying to get resent to me by some weird fluke! BIG system glitch, that they have no idea what is going on.

Obviously I can’t let that many into the inbox, and we can’t delete them from the main place.

Long story short don’t email me till at least Monday, because every email till then will get deleted. I can email I just cant get my responses.

Its very frustrating!!!

Anyway-tomorrow is the sketch 😀 and my anniversary! I am getting my hair done too, AND we have a date (AND a baby sitter!!) so that is the silver lining of the day. More important than any email is Alexa’s labs are great!! No signs of the Leukemia returning-Thank YOU God!!!

So tune in tomorrow if you can

PS Amber is looking great too 😀 So we should all be great for the Wedding.

Till tomorrow.

Look at that face!

Here <—-is peek at Amber’s Birthday card!

As you can see, today wraps up my final day as the JustRite Stampers Guest.

I want to thank everyone there for allowing me to particapate as a Guest Stamper. I had so much fun challenging myself to bring you all some fun things to share this week.

I really want to thank you for the lovely comments you left for me, be it here on my blog, or on the JustRite Stampers blog. They are all so sweet, and made my day!

I hope everyone at JustRite Stampers enjoyed the way I was able to incorporate their products, as much as I had fun doing it.

Hi everyone

No additional eye candy today, besides my post at JustRite Stampers (see post below). Im feeling so sick today and can barely sit up. I have a terrible cold, and sore throat. Pounding headache. One word-BLAH!

But I did forget to share some things (OOPS!)

OOPS! I forgot to let you all know about this Check it out HERE!

Also every Wednesday there is a challenge! Check this weeks out HERE!

AND Drumroll…………………….

Details HERE!!

Also ATS issues weekly challenges as well! Check them out HERE! 

The kids go back to school next Wednesday so that means I may actually get to play along! YEAH! MY TIME!!!

WARNING NON STAMP RELATED 😀

 Its my blog so Im going to share this non-informative, shout out to myself anyway! LOL!!

 I have been working out everyday and eatting well. Avoiding ONE temptation at a time. Not looking at the BIG picture. Kind of like an exercise AA program! LOL! One day at a time.

In a week and a half I have lost a size! I don’t know about the pounds because I thankfully don’t own a scale. I think I’ll just go buy clothing, so I don’t get obsessed with the numbers! I did measure myself today since I am starting a new workout program (hopefully tomorrow if I can stand), and I would like to see what results I get from it. I also have to say seeing the numbers of myself is HORRIFYING!!! It will definitely help me resist that Caramelo bar or bag of twizzlers!! Maybe I should paste them to the fridge? Um, no. maybe not.

SO…………YEAH!!! I went to buy something for the wedding I have this weekend, and while I still look hideous, I look better than I did last week! LOL!  So I feel really good about that. I am seeing results of my hard work.

I guess my point is, if you have a goal SEE IT, DO IT, LIVE IT!! No matter what it is. Everything takes hard work, but if you put in the effort you can do anything. I have done this with many OTHER areas of my life and had much success with that mentality. I am truly determined this time around. If I can get through a child with cancer, I can work hard to lose a few pounds. I have done it before, then had more kids, and the list of excuses goes on and on.

 I just had to share with you. I know many of you are struggling with this too. So thanks for “listening”.

Enjoy the day.

OH this is a cute one for all those Trick or Treaters!

Go–> here <–for your full view 😀

HI world. I posted 2 posts each day for the last 3 days. So scroll down!!

Thanks (as always) for checking in

OH! Is that what you think it is?

 YES!! My all time most favorite thing-ever!

This is such a Lauren project as I like to call it 😀 Yes I am speaking in the 3rd person. I am in love with this set. I know I keep saying that, but I mean it. There is no shame in loving what you do!

PEEKY PEEKY over HERE!

Hope you like it.

Gourd-geous

I have to say I don’t usually get into fall cards, but I love these gourds. They are great for this time of year, and the often all dreaded masculine card 😀 The coloring was so fun. This set is Happy Harvest, with paper by Basic Grey.

WOW! Did it ever get chilly here in New Hampshire! It’s like I wished in the cold :C

I think I have a nesting thing going on right now due to all the changes coming. Last night at 9pm I went to get the mop out on our back porch (we let it dry outside), and I went past the playroom and about had a PANIC attack. It was a DISASTER!

Im not even joking. I just too a good look around and said my house isn’t as clean as it should be, or use to be, and needs a total overhaul!

I think I did this too because when I get upset, I clean. Alexa has her follow up Friday, maybe thats whats getting me. There are a few things actually, but thats another day.

 That lead me to look at the Kitchen, then living room, and office, then the bathroom cabinets,  and then on from there I realized how things have suddenly been getting put into corners of the room, and everything was just plain old cluttered!! Oh and DUSTY! I could have knit a sweater from the dust I got off an end table I swear. I saw my house was “picked up looking” but not very clean, like it should be.

 So I began not only just cleaning, but reorganizing my entire house. My husband was like OH! NO! What are you doing? AND Why? Its 9pm, and do I have to help? I will say he re-organized the drawers for me, and did the dreaded JUNK drawer. Dont say you don’t have one. Even the neatest of neat has one.

I am super proud and happy to say every little corner of my house is now clear, spotless and even my cabinets and drawers, you name it-totally cleaned and reorganized! All this exercise got me going. I can’t even sit still for 5 minutes.

It all REALLY started when I had to go through the kid clothes and make them try stuff on to see if it stays or goes. I then cleaned their drawers, and closets to make room for the new stuff. That sparked the drive-the feeling of accomplishment!

We donate all the kids clothes and winter jackets. Unless its stained or ripped. Its a great feeling to do that, since a lot of their clothes are still nice, just too small.

OK see I got off on a tangent and this was the point of my post below! LOL!

As the end of August nears my favorite thing of the year happens! Back to school :D, Apple picking, AND the Deerfield and Hopkinton fair comes to the area! The Deerfield fair is our family favorite and it is always on Alexa and Jason’s  birthday weekend. We always take a Friday and go as a family. Even when its FREEZING! Alexa’s day is the 29th Jays is Oct 1. I try to do separate weekends for them.

So “great news” (NOT!!!!) Amber was up so sick with a cough, sore throat and nasty fever all night :C Poor baby. I was up with her rubbing her back and head. I am wiped. The worst part is she is IN the wedding we have on Sunday! I hope she is better by then. Now I am feeling sick, and Alexa has a nasty cold.  What is AMAZING to me, is that last winter, while she had Cancer she was the healthiest of all of us here. Which was great. She had a few things come up but nothing like usual. 

So are you on the sick train too?

WOW! Do I ever sound like a downer-sorry. We just have way too much going on this week. I haven’t stamped since last week!! I can’t even believe it. I have barely even been home. Maybe not stamping has me cranky?

Now Im just too tired to get motivated.

OH well. Let me share one more of my projects for today, then maybe get some rest-keyword, maybe.

Happy everything

This card is seriously beyond simple, but I love it. Think fall wedding wishes. Change out the paper and flower color to match. Simple. Its from the same Happy Harvest set, with the sentiment from Say it in Script.

So that is all for me.

I need to go lay on the couch with Amber.

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What could this entire photo possibly entail?

Now go take a look —->here<—-!

I would love to know what you think. I was so happy with this one.

 Warm fuzzies

I am so not into winter right now (as it is about 87 degrees) but I really LOVE this particular Magnolia image. I don’t know their names, as Im not a huge Magnolia buff-but if you do, please chime in.

 I get mine from here –> [email protected] Just email Diana and she can email you the catalog. She ships to US and Ca if you are wondering.

 She is just so gosh darn cute. PLUS I got some of these felt snowflakes, so I had to use them before I forgot and they lost their flare with me. No idea where I got them, but I love them. All in shades of purple! My most favorite of colors.

They went perfect with my Papertrey Ink Guidelines paper.

Here is a close up

You cannot tell by the photo but I did my shadowing using the Pebbles Pearlescent chalks. Its just so pretty and shimmery.

Don’t think of this as a winter card! Think of this as something that gives you warm fuzzies! That is exactly what I get when I read peoples comments (and while I almost always forget to link them) blog awards, and tags. I also love when people email me to tell me in what way I may have helped inspire them to do something. Can I get a great big AWE!!! Seriously!! You are all just so amazing.

 Some recent awards come from Suzanne, and Kristy! Thank you.

I also have to give a shout out to my BFF Tracey who started a blog! FINALLY!!! You can see her here. Make sure you say HI!! Speaking of which I need to take a moment and comment myself. YIKES. I have hardly been home since last week.

Ok I better run. Taking the kids to Discovery Zone today. Fun stuff.

Later.