How much snow did you get?

So much for making a snowflake curtain that you can now barely see...

(I am slightly worried about this snow mound up on our second story overhang.)

The snow has piled up today...at least 20 inches and it's still falling!! As long as our power doesn't go out again, we're perfectly content with the pile up. Bring it on!



Happy Snowbound Day!!

My Snowflake Curtain

The landing at the top of our stairs has the best window. It is in fact what sold this house to me. The sun streaming through the window was so beautiful. I imagined myself sitting underneath it, reading a book.

When I saw this blog post and this photo...I knew my window needed this stunning curtain of snowflakes.

I'm loving the results and that this few hour project cost me nothing!!
Now I just need to finish that ottoman so I can grab a book and make full use of this window.

I wish I had more time...

Every day I find a new project that I drool over.

And I think, "If only I'd seen this earlier!"

So, I'm starting my "I want to make this" list of teacher/neighbor/friend gifts for 2010 and those just so cute things that I need to have it in my house.

Anyone up for another craft day?


1. Personalized soap bottle at How Does She... (Could there be a more perfect teacher gift for this time of year?)

2. Snowflake curtain by Bugs and Fishes. (I must admit that I couldn't wait to do this one. I had the perfect place and I just finished it!! Will post photos soon. And aren't those snow flakes incredible?)

3. Ornament favor by Twig and Thistle. (This just makes me want to have a party, so I can make these. I may need to hit the post Christmas sales and stock up on some bulbs.)

4. Magnetic mini calendar at Little Birdie Secrets. (I see so many possibilities with this and I know just the place to find the best supplies...

5. Sucker Holder at How Does She... (I'd use it to hold cake pops. And I'll need several different themes...)

6. Book Wreath by Living with Lindsay. (I think I even have some left over books from my last book project).

7. Little Birdie Ornament from Little Birdie Secrets. (I want my tree to be covered in these or they could be used as gift tags or attached to a plate of cookies. So many possibilities.)

More to come...

My Life

"Continually goes above and beyond, consistently exceeding objectives and expectations."

Man, I wish I was the one who said this first.

Why did Rob's work have to beat me to it?

After a fun family night last night, Rob asked if he could pick up the last of the Christmas presents for me.

I was caught off guard.

But extremely grateful that he was aware that there were still a few more things to do.

I'm so blessed.

Yesterday, I mentioned that my blow dryer was on the fritz.

When I woke up this morning, I found a new blow dryer on the bathroom counter.

It's the little things...

That remind me

of how blessed I am.

And what a great life I have.


11 years isn't long enough.

Sickies.

You probably think this is a post all about my children and the swine flu and how tired I am and how much I'm missing my husband right now.

But it's not.

Today we skipped church. And designed.

I had the kids draw pictures of monsters. We picked our favorites and made them into stuffed animals.

And then named them Sickies.

Because my children are sick with the swine flu and I'm tired and I miss my husband terribly.

by Tyler

by Jared

by Evan

by Mom for Anna

I think we found a new family pastime.

That Little Turkey

Because of this...
And this...

With a little bit of this...

I just had to go with this...
It made sense to me.


And does this look like the face of a child who would be sick only a few hours later.
He must have had the ham.

The World. The Moon. Deep Thoughts by Andrea Handey.

I don't know why, but I think 4 am visits by my daughter declaring, "I have to go potty!" are somewhat endearing.

And then when I realize that she has a fever, I ball her up and put her in the bed next to me.

And love every minute of it.

Morning 2. 3 am.

High fever and labored breathing.

Not really endearing.

But to be able to hold her heating pad body in my arms and swipe the sweaty hair from her face as I monitor her breathing patterns and pray my heart out for her, I am reminded of why I signed up for this job.

And even though I am beyond exhausted,...

I love these mommy moments.

I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Or even the moon.





Sniffle. Sniffle.



I've been so excited about going.

I even have flair.










(courtesy of Rob's co-worker. Thanks, Michelle and I hope you have a VAMP-tastic time!)

But I can't leave my baby in the middle of the night when she needs me the most with a 15 year old kid asleep on my couch.



Anyone want my ticket for the midnight showing of New Moon?



Whaaaaaa!

Help, please.

The great Denise of Denise Beatty Photography took our family photos while we were in Massanutten (photos will be shown soon).

I especially loved the photos of the kiddos...

But I'm having a hard time deciding which to print of Evan...

#1

#2

#3

You can vote on the side bar or leave a comment.

Thanks for your help!!!

We're back...

And what a perfect way to unwind from our mini vacation then to sit inside all day away from the cold rain. Couldn't get better then this!

Happy to be home. Going to enjoy my time with my husband before he leaves, again.

Here are just a few highlights from our trip to Massanutten...

Shenandoah Caverns.
Route 11 Potato Chip Factory. We love Salt and Vinegar chips. And Habanero.
Geocaching.
Swimming.
Indoor Waterparks.
Arcade, unlimited play for everyone for only $9.
Horseback riding.
Mini golf.
Family pictures.
The Balloon Freak and stuffing 8 people and 7 large balloon things into the minivan and then driving home.
Late night game night. Shhhh...
Not eating out, yet managing to gain lots of weight.

It was a fun trip. I love being away from the everyday life. But still love my everyday life. And happy to be back at it.

And can you believe how nicely this group of kids clean up. This is a once in a lifetime shot.

Happy DSD!! Choo-Choo

Are you here to celebrate Digital Scrapbook Day??

If you're following along on the ScrapMatters blog train, then you should have just come from LuAnn's blog.

And I've got a little frame cluster for you for FREE. It was made using the new ScrapMatters Design Team collab "A Slice of Life." This fab kit is free with a $15 purchase!!

Download HERE
(download available until Thursday 11/12)

Thanks for stopping by! And tell Maria I said "Hi!!"

Dental Dilemas...again?

After our last dental visit, I posed the question "How do I help my kids become better flossers?" I received several suggestions and took none of them. HAHAHAHAHA. Really, I just kept doing what I was doing. I'd occasionally remind them to floss. Sometimes I'd help the little ones floss. And a few days before their dental visit, I pestered them to no end.

It must have worked.

No cavities. Great brushers. And even better flossers.

And while we've got flossing on our minds...

A little modern art from our youngest flosser...

Reduse. Reuse. Recycle.

Halloween was a great day. I think there should be a law passed...making Halloween always on a Saturday. All of our crazy Halloween fun was all last weekend. So yesterday was all about having a stress-free day. WooHoo!

We were invited to go to Cox Farm for a birthday party. Rain was looming in the forecast. The ground was muddy. And I had visions of Anna's tulle costume being torn apart, so we pulled out the kids costumes from last year and revisited Star Wars!!


We had our traditional Mummy Dogs for dinner and the kids headed out for a rainy evening of Trick or Treating with friends.


Sigh...another Halloween has passed. Now to start scheming up ideas for next year!!

I love Halloween.

Just a little NUTTY!

This is why I cannot leave her unattended and why I can barely squeeze a shower in.

This is also why I love her so much.

She is so tasty.

I love peanut butter. Preferably with chocolate, though.

Surviving AND Thriving

Seriously. What happened to us? You'd have thought we fell off the face of the earth.

Right now we are in the midst of probably our busiest weekend of the year. And we're taking it all in stride and enjoying every minute of it.

Last night was our annual Spooky Dinner. The tradition started years ago on Halloween night, but the kids were so excited to go Trick or Treating that they forgot all about the whole eating thing, so we moved it up a week.

The kids look forward to this every year and get so excited about planning decorations and the menu (and signing off cubscout requirements in the process!!) and choosing the perfect costumes.




And now we're off, busy preparing for the Primary Program on Sunday and the Church Fall Festival tonight. Just call us "Busy."