Just for Fun...

Hey there...

Yea... I did a few more Digi LOs just for fun... well - actually - I did them because they were 'Challenges' on one of the Message Boards I am on! You know me... all caught up... just using random pictures off my computer?! tee hee!?

(Stop thinking bad words about me!!! Seriously... knock it off!)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! (Na... RELAX a little... as for me? I have one word for you... 'truancy'! LOL!?)

Scrap On!

~Karrilee~

Just a couple of Digi's - to hold me over!

Yep - that's right!? I have been playing on the computer all day...
I have all those Tulip pictures that I am NOT printing out so I will have something
to crop with next weekend... I can't print them... no yet... the temptation will be too strong?!
But - my friend Renee challenged me... yeah - that's right - an Official CHALLENGE!


She challenged me to Scrap a ONE photo Layout... with no paper tearing?! What exactly is she saying?! What is that supposed to mean?! That I ALWAYS use tons of pictures and ALWAYS tear my paper?!!?!? She threw me a bone and said she would let me still use Ink though!?

Hmph?! Whatever?! LOL?!


So - I am laying in bed last night and it hit me... I can just upload a page from one of the MANY Mini's that I have done... they are tiny little 4x4's and you can only FIT one photo on the page! I thought about this for quite some time... thinking myself very clever... sure - I knew it wouldn't really meet the challenge - it wouldn't be a NEW Layout... still - the thought of her clicking on the link and finding a mini lo just cracked me up! I got up this morning giddy with my plan and went about gathering all my mini's...


Yeah... ?! Um - APPARENTLY I really DO have a problem with paper tearing, inking, and using multiple photo's?! I could not find that many lo's that didn't have paper tearing... and the ones I found - well - if you can imagine - I didn't really like 'em so much?!


I decided I would do a double layout using some of my yummy free download digi kits... There was a Challenge Sketch that I could do for one page and Renee's Challenge for the other... (OK - even Renee pointed out afterward that the temptation to TEAR the paper is pretty much gone when doing digi work... but - hey - I am sure it is still POSSIBLE... I just don't know how yet?!)

Anyway - it satisfied my desire to scrap... AND I didn't have to print out my Tulip pictures! LOL! Here are my ever-so-beginner-level Digi's:
























I also made a little Mini Baby Boy Purse/album... too fun! Gotta Love Daisy D's!!! This may be a gift... or a Raffle ticket donation - not sure yet?!





Anyway - hope you are all having a great week...
How's the move going, Darcie?!
Corinna... the face lift on the store sounds great... can't wait to visit and SHOP!!!
Na... praying for that Bagel Intervention... (don't wait until Monday, girls!)


Scrap Happy!
~Karrilee~

All Cropped Out...

Hey there...

Yes - I survived the Mega Crop weekend...

and yes... I apologize, but I am, once again, 'caught up'!?

I know... I truly am sorry!? I am sure I could find SOMETHING to scrap, but my albums are big enough without looking for extra things to do?!

Thursday night was a bit quiet really... it's not that we were missing many ladies, but I guess we were just focused!? I think we had a total of 7 of us there... my friend Renee made it for the first time and that was fun! A little preview of our marathon Scrap Weekend!

Luckily, since we packed stuff up on Thursday, we just kept it all packed away and knew what to ADD that we had forgotten the night before! I swung by her house on Friday around 5 or so and we loaded up the car and headed out to the Crop Retreat... it was being held at Keith & Keith... yes - that is a funeral home... it was actually in the chapel/reception area and was really set up great! We had round tables... not really a fan of round tables... but that is what we had on Thursday for some reason too. Anyway - it was good - two people per table... so Renee and I were together... we didn't really know anyone else - other than Connie who runs the show. We got settled in and started scrapping before we had dinner. After dinner, people started loosening up a bit and talking with each other which was great! I think a lot of them must already know each other - from attending other Crops I think... but they were friendly enough and we ended up staying until about 12:30 or so...

Here's the thing about Renee... she is so great... very fun and hysterical... we get along great - like we've been friends forever - but have actually just met recently... she 'gets' me and I 'get' her and I can see how we will grow as friends... AND the girl has some serious gear! She had stuff that no one else has seen yet! (Even the gal who runs the show and orders wholesale?! LOL?!) Everyone was browsing through her stuff and checking out her newest papers or paints or tools, etc! I used the new MM Glitter and Pearl paint... LOVE THEM both! Must have's, I tell ya! She is addicted - yeah - that's right, I said it! - to KITS! I can't even know how many she gets... but I am pretty sure her hubby can't know either?! LOL!? That is how she gets the newest toys before anyone else I guess?! She sort of said everyone was welcome to use her stuff... one gal took her up on it several times, but I felt bad just asking to borrow a piece of PP or something... I didn't want to overstep my friendship boundaries, ya know?! It's not like Darcie's Brads... I DID just meet the girl, ya know!? LOL!?

Anyway - we decided that we would go in later on Saturday... I had finished half of my pictures... so I had to pace myself - plus, ya know - we were not wanting to be gone the ENTIRE weekend... we ended up going in closer to 11:30 or so... just in time for lunch! Then we got busy and crafted pretty much straight through until 8 or so... I finished up with my pictures and was willing to start work on a blank mini or a Mother's Day gift... but she was feeling done as well. She has FM and sometimes has back pain and had trouble sleeping well the night before... so we shopped a bit and then packed up our stuff and headed home 'early'! All in all, it was a lot of fun! There is another Crop over the first weekend of May... I think we will go... at least for part of the time! I will not print out my Tulip pictures... and maybe will have some other pictures to scrap by then... or maybe I will have the Italy job ready to go... I do have a few mini's I am thinking about for Mother's Day - so I will have projects one way or the other I am pretty sure!

Sunday we skipped out on church and drove up the Mossyrock and enjoyed the Tulip Farm and nursery! So pretty! Last time we were there... it was a lot bigger! They had literally 1/4 of what they had in bloom last time... but as you can see - it was still a heck of a lot of Tulips!!!

Have I mentioned that I love Spring?! tee hee?!

Scrap On!
~Karri~

What's the Protocol?

OK... so - I have a question for you all...

While driving to the gym yesterday morning, I passed by an orchard and it just took my breath away! It has been getting pretty cold at night... so they are protecting the buds overnight. As I drove by, the sprinklers were still on and the ice was covering the trees and it just looked magical! With the clear blue skies, and the water spraying over the orchard, and the ice formed over the buds... just gorgeous! I once again wondered WHY I do not keep my camera WITH ME!? I go in spurts where I will have it with me at all times, and then I will change purses or something and it gets left at home for weeks and weeks! (And those are the weeks that I run across things I would want to photograph - of course?!)

Anyway - so this morning - in all my 'glory' (of no make-up, no brushing my hair, and in my sweats and thongs...) I remember to grab my camera and head out to take my kid to school (EARLY - by the way!) So - I take my same unusual route and come upon the same scene as yesterday - Frozen Springtime... (that would have been my layout title... maybe?!) Anyway - right exactly where I would have been standing to take the photo's... was somebody ELSE!? What?! Yes - it is true - someone else must have thought the same thing yesterday - because he was walking around getting MY shots... So - I circled the area a few times unsure of what the correct protocol was?! I wasn't sure who this man was... was he the Orchard owner... or a professional photographer... or just some guy who was driving by who happened to have his damn camera in his car... Sure - I know - I SHOULD have just parked the car and ASKED him... but I was suddenly concerned about the correct procedure... I am pretty sure I should ask the owner if I could photograph their orchard... but is this necessary!? It really didn't seem like it until I saw someone doing what I wanted to do... LOL?! So - what do you all think?! I mean, it is not public property... it's not a Building or anything... but it is just out there for all to see?! LOL!? What would you do?! Would you have asked permission or just gotten out and started shooting pictures?!

We are planning on going to the Tulip Farm on Sunday - so at least there I know I am welcomed to point and shoot all I want!!! I will have PLENTY of pictures from that outing - but still... those icy buds... with the blue sky backdrop... gorgeous!!!

~K~

Taxes, Truancy, & Temptation to Scrap...

Hey there...

Taxes...

Yes - it is Tax time... We of course already did our personal taxes early on this year... but now that I run a business - I need to file for that... I actually fill out a quarterly for state taxes and up until this point, it was fairly easy because there was very little business to report... now, however, I have to attempt to read through all the paperwork and learn how to file correctly. Just the thought of it makes me tired!? Luckily, Dave is really into it and is wanting to learn more about the whole thing... Have at it, is what I say! He can be my tax man... I'm good with that!


Truancy...

Oh yes - as Darcie vaguely mentioned a few days ago... we are having issues with our daughter and excessive tardiness. Let me first say - because it may be misunderstood if I don't say so up front - we aer taking this seriously... it is a problem and we are not flippant about it at all. Secondly, my daughter is SOOOooooooo not a morning person... I actually enrolled her in afternoon kindergarten back in the day on PURPOSE... so this is not like a new issue... she was never late, not one day, to Kindergarten! First grade, second grade... she would walk into class as the tardy bell rang... but she would make it... Third grade, Fourth grade, Fifth grade... same thing - give or take a few minutes here and there. So - when we started Middle School and we knew she would have to be in class an hour earlier... we prepared ourselves for this difficult transition. However, the excitement of a new school and new friends, new teachers, new schedules caused her to awake EARLY... yes EARLY - and we did not have issues with Tardiness until about mid-October. Towards the end of October, it got colder, darker, and harder to wake her up in time. I am a stay at home Mom - and I drive my kid to school myself - so there should not be any issues of tardiness... but she is simply too big for me to pick up and put in the car now... we would go round and round... After about 10 tardies I went in to the office in December to talk with the Attendance secretary. Her advise to me was to threaten the School Bus to my daughter... after all - she wouldn't miss the school bus! (What!??!??!?!) Of course, for her to take the bus to school - she'd have to be ready a half hour EARLIER?! Made no sense to me at all... but - we did work to be better. Let me just state, 'for the record', that when she is late - this means that she is walking into class as the bell rings. It's not like she is skipping 1st period - or even 1/2 of 1st period?! Anyway - at the end of March, I received a letter from the school saying that if she continued with her tardiness, they would hand over her file to the Juvenile Court system for Truancy. ??? Yep - truancy... now - I know - being late is horrible... I recently read a book that had a quote in it that said something like Being late is selfishness... it takes no account of anyone elses' time or schedules. Ouch?! So - we are working on it! She has been late a total of 14 times this school year... Now I know that that is actually a lot... but really - it's only been 3 times since January - which should show a great improvement. So - the treat of Juvie - well - our kid is really such a great kid - gets great grades, never is in trouble at school, is very respectful and responsible, etc - well - the Juvie/being put 'in the system' sort of cracked us up!? I mean - we made a note to not be late anymore... but it was so out of character for her - she shared it with glee...?! BUT THEN I received an e-mail from the school saying that they were taking Disciplinary Action against her for being late... on the day that I got the e-mail. Which just so happened to be a day that I took her to school over 40 minutes early?! At first, my brain went back to the 80s when my sister would skip school after my Mom dropped her off at the school... but after a few minutes, I realized that this is not my kid - even though we sort of joked about her Juvie threat, she was scared too - I knew she had to have been seated when that bell rang! So - I started to type out a response... then I took a breath - deleted that one, and prayed - and started again! I went in to talk with the school when picking her up and it turns out - they don't know WHY she was marked late that day and it shouldn't have happened?! Hmmm?! Well - how many of the OTHER tardies should she not have had to deal with!? I know that we have cut it close many times - - too many times - but still?! This little eye opener makes me wonder?! Anyway - from now until June - we will be leaving the house EARLY so she has plenty of time to get settled and in her seat!


Temptation to Scrap...

I still have a stack of photo's to scrapbook! STILL!?!??!?!?!?!? I know, I know... thank you very much! No - please, sit down... it's really not that big of a deal! I have had a stack of photo's to scrap for over a week... and each time I go downstairs I see it there... just waiting for me!? But - I managed to stay out of them! I have my Scrap group tomorrow night... and then I signed up for a weekend Crop here in town... Friday night/Saturday day and night... so - ya know - I had to wait so I had something to do?!?!! I don't have the new job photo's yet - so I have to have my own projects to work on! Anyway - I have been reading a lot... and walking/exercising... I think I read five books last week!? I had to keep busy to stay out of those pictures! Now - today - I have to go and sort of 'preplan' my pages so I know what to pack! I have met three new scrappers in the past month or so... they all have all the toys... I realized that I am a bare-bones scrapper - I like all the gadgets and all - but I don't spend my money on them so much... just ask Darcie - my hands used to be bruised from that @#$( QuiKutz of hers! LOL!? Anyway - as much as I love all the extra's and tools and toys - I love that they are not necessary to create a great page! Anyway - this is my Scrap weekend... I will be scrapped OUT (and caught up!) after Saturday night!

Scrap On!
~Karrilee~

Random Photo's

Hey there...

OK - well - I just thought I would add a few

random photo's from the past couple of days!?

Some of those Rome Cards,

...two more Guatemala Layouts,

(obviously not a two page spread?! LOL!?)

& of course - a few more Easter shots!

(No - Kaye didn't really wear shorts... but she did change into them after church!?

& Yes - I DID actually order some...

I think I have about 80 coming!!!

Just in time for my Scrap group next week!)

Anyway - Scrap On!

~K~

Happy Easter... Happy Spring!

Hey there...
Well, Easter Sunday is one of my most Favorite days!!!

Of course, it is the meaning - the gift of a Risen Savior - who did what He said He would do... who died for each of us individually... personally... and bought us a second chance! What's not to love about that?!

Then there is church... filled with visitors and friends and family... everyone is all decked out in their Easter outfits... the message is always strong and straight to the heart... & who doesn't love the songs of victory we sing of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection!?

After church, our tradition is to go to my in-laws... we have a delicious meal (which we always - and I do mean ALWAYS) open in prayer and all sing the Doxology together before eating. This family can SANG too... (and yes - I did mean to type SANG! LOL!?) They can harmonize on "Happy Birthday" and make you cry?! We enjoy a great lunch and then go about hiding the eggs for the little ones...

Oh - side note... Man, this is the year of transition with my 'little one'! She decided this year she would help HIDE the eggs - and not find any... even the ones with MONEY?! sigh... oh well!? (Not too old for the Easter Basket though... I even tried to put her stuff in a smaller basket - but she got down her Basket - that I made when she was maybe 2 - and had me switch all her stuff?! I wanted to use the smaller basket because she got less stuff this year?! Polly Pockets and sidewalk chalk just don't cut it anymore?! LOL?!)

So - luckily - we do have 2 little ones who still LOVE to find the eggs...and - it was a sunny HOT day out today here as well... so that is always a fun outdoor activity after a huge turkey meal!? LOL!? Oh yeah... after the hunt and a bit more visiting we came home and enjoyed some Sunday Afternoon down time! Nice! Then we had to get ourselves geared up and prepared for the reality that Spring Break is over and tomorrow it is back to early mornings...rushing out the door to school and workout... and all our other 'normal' weekly routines?! (Plus Tennis, now?!)

I did work on a few things last week... made some cards, ...met with my client - (which went great - she loved the album by the way and showed me 100s of photo's from Italy too... can't WAIT to get started on that project next!), ...sponsored a MommyTimeSales event that is coming up next weekend... like a huge flea market for Mom's!? We'll see?! It was a great opportunity for advertising the business! It was also Spring break - so we did a bit of shopping, movie watching, reading, overnighters, & my nephew was here for a visit too!

Anyway - I am so happy to find Spring really here...

now - if we can just hold on to it and not let Summer sneak up too quickly!?

Scrap on!

~Karri~

The Drop Off!!!

It is true... next week - I get to meet my client in person for a drop off...

I am finished with her Guatemala Album and since we live fairly close - we are meeting halfway and I will get to see her page through the completed album and watch her enjoy the finished product! I am so excited! She is also bringing with her the next project... an Album of her trip to Italy! Yes... someone is going to pay me to play with real pictures from Italy?! Life is good! If I can't go there myself... at least I can scrapbook someone else's dream vacation! LOL!

One day.... one day!!!

So... I now have some photo's to scrap with...

We went to a concert a couple of weekends ago

and had a blast! My daughter loved it (and so did we!)

We also went Wedding Dress shopping with my niece

and got SEVERAL pictures of her trying on dresses...

and yes - I got 'the shot' of her when she realized

that she was wearing her Wedding Dress!

Nice!!!

I also have some nice shots like these...

Kaye & Chloe were playing with Make-Up and decided to try to trick us...

it only worked on Dan... but they may have a future in Make-Up Artistry!

Of course... Darcie has some other pictures of the girls together

(ones withOUT the black eyes)

and so I am waiting to print my own out...

You all know if I print mine -

I will not have enough discipline to NOT scrap them...

so I must wait until she graciously uploads the other pictures...

Why is it that I am always somehow at her mercy?!

I think it is some sort of voodoo mind trick

that she does?! LOL!

Anyway - I also was hard at work making sets of cards,

paper coasters, and notebooks to match!

(Yes - I love my Spray Adhesive!!!)

I stalked the Michael's Dollar Bin and found some

paper coasters and notebook/journals

and made them to match a set of cards!

Too fun... & they turned out great!

(But I forgot to take a picture?!)

Also I have been searching for Paper Lines that

feature my niece's wedding colors...

Her colors are Black, Ivory/White, Latte, & Pink.

There are LOTS of choices...

I just sent her about 12 links to different lines.

With all the other wedding plans,

I may have just pushed her over the edge?! Oops?!

Although - she makes handmade Journals,

so it may be relaxing & exciting for her

to browse through them all!

So... for me - NEXT week is Spring Break...

who can know what we will end up doing!?

No big plans yet except a trip to the Factory Outlets...

I was feeling a bit guilty about the no plans deal,

then this morning - my daughter proudly told me that

she loves it best when we have 'no plans' because then she can relax

and we can do things spontaneously?!

Maybe I will take Na's lead and make a trip to the State Pen...??!

That would be fun!?

I will remember this time to take some cool Jazz pictures tomorrow night

when my hubby is playing music...

I want to do a page on him & I forgot my camera

the last two places he has had gigs!?

I will pack it today so I don't forget!?

Anyway - that is what I have been doing...

next week I think I will have fun Italy pictures to play with...

so I shouldn't be TOO impatient with Darcie

& her !@&# Kodak "Easy"Share or whatever?!

Scrap On!

~Karri~

Cute Frame... & Pictures to take!

Aaah yes... it is true!

I had fun making this little

"Make-n-Take" Frame

at the Crop I went to last week...

I have mad ea couple of these so far,

but I always used Mod Podge...

on Friday - we used Spray Adhesive.

Oh My!? I am IN LOVE with Spray Adhesive!

Gotta go buy me some of that

immediately!!!

Anyway - the crop was fun...

there were maybe a dozen ladies

by the time we headed out!
(We only stayed a couple of hours!)

I went with a new friend and we agreed

to only bring stuff to do the Make-n-Take!

I had a hot date with my Honey & we just wanted

to check it out and meet the other scrappers!

They were really nice and fun,

& we will plan on being there in May

when they do the next Crop!

Renee had plenty of things to work on,

but - sadly - as you all know - I do not?!

Still - no pictures?!

(Plus that Hot Date...)

BUT - this should be a BANNER Photo Op weekend!

Oh first - let me say - after the Crop on Friday,

I met her hubby (who I went to school with) and their kids,

then rushed home to Dave so we could go see

The Paperboys at The Seasons!

It was a great show!

The day before St Patty's

- so their Celtic sound was very popular!

They were a lot of fun...

Anyway - this weekend...

Yes - Photo Op's GALORE, I tell ya!

First... today - we are off to a concert...

my daughter's first 'real' concert!

We're not talking a fairgrounds show...

or even a concert at a local tiny venue!

We are going to see Stellar Kart,

Kutless, & the Newsboys tonight!

I am hoping they do not

confiscate my digital camera!?

Then, we are on to visit friends

(although I doubt I will take pictures then?!)

We are heading to my sisters on Friday...

and then on Saturday, on our way home,

I get to go Wedding Dress shopping with my niece!

Oh yeah! I am one of the wedding photographers

(& the Scrapbook Designer!)

so you KNOW I am taking pictures

of her trying on dresses!

THEN - when we get home...

we will get the chance to catch up

with those Beeler's!

(& ya'll know how photogenic

those Beeler's are!)

So... next week -

I will have somethin' to Scrapbook!

(& by Tuesday or Wednesday...

I will be caught up again?!)

(I... Just... Can't...

HELP... my... self!?)

Honestly, I can't!?

So - I do this type of thing:

I take pictures of random everyday things, & make a layout about it! I love this one though... and it is an important part of our everyday life that is often overlooked because it is not an 'event'! Anyway - love the Chatterbox Papers and the Ribbon Slide!

Scrap On!
~K~

Guatemala...Done!

Hey there...

yes - I have been busy scrapping

& creating & just plain old loving my job!

To think that I get paid for doing what I love

...isn't that the ultimate!?

Plus - my husband has had 3 paying gigs

in about 2 or 3 months

- with more opportunities coming all the time...

getting paid for doing what his passion is...

how can we not be loving this season

& be thankful for the blessings

that God is pouring over us!?

I have been writing as well...

just once a week

- but my year long commitment

is nearing an end,

so the next step

is fast approaching!

Oh - & have I mentioned lately

that as much as I love Fall,

Spring is a

CLOSE SECOND?!!??!!?

Blue Skies & Sunshine...

Trees starting to turn Green again

& Tulips pushing up through the soil...

Aaaah yes! Spring is fast approaching too,

& not a moment too soon for me!

I have loved getting to create layouts with

gorgeous photo's from Guatemala.

I will not post any lo's here as I have not

gained permission from my client yet.

But let me just say

- she has some beautiful pictures

to play with!

I actually have 3 more pages to add journaling to,

& then I am officially done!

I had my Scrap Happy group last night

& I actually remembered to take a few pix...

although the ladies there

mostly didn't want to be 'featured'

We had a good time & we're praying about

how to offer Childcare to help grow our Group!

We'd appreciate any prayers or ideas on that front!

It is Friday & I am going to an all night crop tonight...

although I only plan on staying a couple of hours tops...

(you KNOW I don't really have any photo's to scrap!?)

I do have one 2-page layout I am working on right now.

& I have a few pictures from Valentine's Day to scrap...

but tonight we are just doing the Make-n-Take frame.

I am going with a gal that I met from MySpace...

she is local & is wanting to meet other Scrappers...

so we are hoping that there will be other ladies there

that we hit it off with...

They meet again in May and then in July...

it's a 2-day crop & it costs $5 for both days!

They sell product there as well

& have goodie bags & Make-n-Takes too!?

So - I will fill you in on my impression of it soon!

Maybe Darcie will plan a trip here

around one of the future crops in teh Summer

although I know they will pale in comparison

to the Gatherings you all have 'there'!

Anyway - I am off to put away all my stuff

(the only down side of scrapping elsewhere?!)

Scrap On!
~Karri~

Up to my ears in Easter

Yes... it is true

I have spent days on Easter...

Only I have nothing to show for it...

Well - I have the mess left...

& it was for a good cause!?

Plus - it could bring in some new clients as well!

I was asked to donate a basket of Scrap goodies

for a local Christian School Fund raiser.

At first they were just looking for a Gift Certificate,

but I explained that a $20 or $25 Gift Certificate

won't buy much... maybe some cards, or a frame

but no Scrapbook itself...

Somehow - I ended up agreeing to MAKE the Cards & Frame

then of course, I went out and bought the Basket.

Then I had to have some filler stuff too...

so I scrapped a Candle Wrap to match the frame,

and bought a little bunny... some Boems Chocolates...

it turned out great and ended up being worth about $50.

Yeah... I know...

A Gift Certificate would have been WAY easier

(and cheaper!)

But... this is how I am!?

Oh - and then when everything was all put together in the Basket,

I forgot to take a picture?!

Here are some of the contents:

So...this was much of my week this week...

Last week was,

well - it sounds like it was similar to some of yours?!

Sucky and LONG somehow?!

I am better now!

Except for the fact in the midst of my intense emotional ride,

I found SEVERAL not gray - but silvery WHITE hairs..

oh yeah - NOT FUNNY God!?

I am talking several here... Crap!?

So - I am trying to get in to get a hair cut & color ASAP!?

So - next week HAS to be better, right?!

What I really need is

some guilt-free spending money,

coffee with girlfriends, a chick flick,

(some photo's to scrap),

and SPRING already?!

I want to see my Hydrangeas in bloom

& enjoy my Porch Swing again!?

sigh... so I wait... & pray for Spring!

Oh... yes - and I met a local Scrapper via MySpace.

We met for coffee and visited for a couple of hours...

She is hoping to join my Scrap Happy group next month,

but we will probably get together to Scrap before that!?

We'll see!? We both brought some of our own stuff...

She is good... which is always nice!? LOL?!

Anyway - Scrap On! Ladies!
~Karri~

Baby growing up!

So... yes - it is true...

my Baby is growing up!

It's not like it is a shock...

of course we have seen it coming

& have loved watching her grow...

this past week has made me

stop & remember back

to those early months

of newborn bliss...

where it seemed every time

you looked at them

- they changed a little bit!? Sigh...

Don't get me wrong...

as much as I adored those days

- I would not want to go back there again...

As much as that baby laugh, silly smile,

& cuddled, wrapped, warm

sleeping baby in my arms

stirs up wonderful memories...

I also remember the 4a.m. feedings,

countless diapers, fighting naps,

& all the paraphernalia that

comes along with toddlers!

But this past week has sort of

magnified some changes lately

and some that are just ahead...

Valentine's Day...

My Little One got three roses

& a box of chocolates

from BOYS?!

(Not her Daddy...

but real live BOYS?!)

Hmmm??!

I am not so sure about this?!

My girl is not Boy Crazy...

she has had a very limited number

of crushes in her short life so far.

But, to see her confidence & joy

in the mere attention and admiration

from the opposite sex

has been both fun & frightening!

She walks a little taller this week,

she seems happier & a bit more confused...

she has this glow about her...

You see, she is not so sure about this boy...

he is nice & she is considering liking him...

But - I think that she may like the fact

that someone likes her

more than she likes the one who likes her himself.

Of course - we all know & remember,

if someone is nice to us & shares their feelings,

it can make them more attractive!

So - it's been fun to watch...

& I am blessed that she still does

tell me all about her days...

including her thoughts and feelings

about this boy.

We've had the talks & knows

that not only is she not allowed,

but she herself knows that

she is too young to have a 'boyfriend'

whether that is in name only,

or it includes phone calls

& seeing each other outside of school!

However, it doesn't mean she won't

- at least once in awhile -

want it!?

A few days after Valentine's Day,

there was a moodiness & hormonal shift

in the universe of our home

that was intense & - well - edgy.

Now we know...

Changes are happening

and it's a new season in our home...

Bring on the Vitamin B people...

You know what I am saying!!!

So... we have had plenty of

Mother/Daughter talks this week...

talks about grown up stuff,

as well as cuddling moments that cause me

to catch a scent of baby powder

& shampooed hair!

Aahhh - God is good!

My daughter & I,

our goal is to have a Christian version

of the relationship that

Lorelai & Rory Gilmore share!

I have done little Scrapping...

I have a new job but am awaiting the

Journaling before I can

actually dig into it!

I have worked on a few pages

for this client,

& I am looking ahead a bit

& working on some Easter card sets

for a local auction coming up in March!

My Scrap Happy group was good last week

...a total of 6 of us there...

but it was fun and everyone

accomplished at least one page?!

I am looking into organizing childcare

for that night through the church

so that will probably open up to

more regulars!

Today - I am called to pray...

our churches' Women's retreat

begins today through Saturday

and as much as I really wanted to go,

God told me to stay behind and pray.

So - after arguing with Him about that for awhile,

I submitted & obeyed

& am of to cover this weekend in prayer!

Scrap On!

~Karri~