I Heart Faces/Best Face Photo for May

This week's iheartfaces challenge is Best Face Photo for May.  I had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful family this weekend.  Three grown children, their parents, and their children.  They are truly a wonderful family. This is one of the grandchildren.  Look at her eyes.  I didn't even edit them.  She has truly amazing eyes.  Wait, the whole family does.  I can't wait to share more photos.  

I Heart Faces/Yellow

This week's I Heart Faces challenge is yellow.  This little girl has a tiny yellow bow.  I had a lot of other choices for yellow...backhoes, bulldozers, etc.  I thought I'd go with something softer and more girly.  Since, my daily life is filled with boys and dirt.

Summer Reading (My Recommendations)

Hi.  Lately, I've started my reading habit again.  I denied myself for a long time because once I start a book, I will not put it down.  My husband was not so happy about this fact.  I have realized, however, that reading makes me very happy.  I will mention two things in this post.  One, is my iPad, and the second are my book recommendations.  My husband and I bought an iPad pretty much when they first came out.  I think that they were basically the best inventions ever.  Everything is at the touch of your fingertips.  On my iPad, I have installed the Nook from Barnes and Noble.  I prefer this "reading" app to the iBooks app.  To me, it is much easier to use.  I have also found that it offers far more titles at a cheaper price.  Okay, so now to my recommendations.

I cannot recommend this series ENOUGH.  It has everything in it:  suspense, mystery, romance, great characters.  This series is probably the best series I have ever read.

Another beautifully written novel.  It is a classic.  If you have ever read "The Hobbit" or "Lord of the Rings" this is a great book.  It is far less tedious than "The Lord of the Rings."  Exquisitely written!

This is another well written book.  The first in a series as well.  It is about fairies.  A little strange, yes.  It is a great read.  

This is a beautiful love story.  It reminds me of my grandfather as it is told from the perspective of an old man in assisted living.  (Especially since the circus train passed through Joliet, Illinois).  This book is just plain lovely.

I love Kay Scarpetta.  I grew up reading these novels.  If you love a good mystery, this is the book for you.

As much as I love Kay Scarpetta, I also love Alex Cross.  Another great novel series that I've been reading for a very long time.

I just started this series.  It has a great main character.  Lots of suspense and supernatural events.  I really enjoyed this book.  I love when you can't stop thinking about a book after you put it down and no matter where you are, you wish you were home reading it.  This is one of those books.

I guess, I have quite a varied taste when it comes to books.  Although, I will say I love a good series.  And if you have any other recommendations, please share them in the comments.  I would really love to hear from you.  Have a great evening!! 

Adjusting...and a card

Supplies are from MemoryWorks Express

Things have been crazy, busy around here.  My husband started a new job.  He leaves the house at 5 am and gets home about 7:30 to 8:00 pm.  It's been hard adjusting to a brand new schedule, but we're finally getting used to it.  The boys have been a huge help to me.  They've picked up extra chores around the house.  I think the worst part is just missing my husband.  I miss not having him home to converse with.  There is only so much you can discuss with your children.  Plus, they seem interested in other things like playing outside or watching TV.  How dare they.  Don't they know I'm interesting?  (haha)  School is almost out, and I am really excited about that.  I'm finally starting to feel crafty again.  It's been so long since I have been.  I think it was dealing with the unknown about my husband's job, and finally the anticipation to get started with it. 

 Maddie lost his front tooth this weekend, and he looks older all ready.  My little monsters are growing up.  Wolfie has Strep Throat, again!!!  This is the third time since March.  I don't know what we're going to do. I guess I'll disinfect everything again.  I am pretty worried about it.  I just want him to get over it.  

There are so many posts, I'm behind on posting.  I promise, I will get busy.  Also, one of my good friends had a little baby girl.  I'm making her an album.  That means I get to make something girly!!!  That is quite exciting for me.  Well, I guess that is all for today.  I have to make dinner before the kids start whining.  

Memory Works Express May Kit

This Kit is AWESOME!!!!!

I got it in the mail this weekend and I LOVE it!

The MemoryWorks Express kit is only $29.95* per month and packed full of goodies!

 

*Doesn't included shipping, handling & sales tax.  

 

May 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper

{1} 12x12 Hello Sunshine - 100 Days of Summer (Simple Stories)

{1} 12x12 Endless Summer - 100 Days of Summer (Simple Stories)

{1} 12x12 Camp Stove - Campfire (October Afternoon)

{1} 12x12 Tent Trailer - Campfire (October Afternoon)

{1} 12x12 Fly Kites Die Cut "Soar"- Lime Twist (My Minds' Eye)

{1} 12x12 Kites "Soar" - Lime Twist (My Minds' Eye)

Solid Cardstock

{1} 12x12 Dragonfly (Bazzill)

{1} 12x 12 Cherry Cheesecake (Bazzill)

{1} 12x12 Festive (Bazzill)

{1} 12x12 Lemon Drop (Bazzill)

Embellishments

{1} 12x12 Flash Cards - 100 Days of Summer (Simple Stories)

{1} 12x12 Sheet Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers - 100 Days of Summer (Simple Stories)

{1} 12x12 Sheet Expressions Cardstock Stickers - 100 Days of Summer (Simple Stories)

{1} 3x4 ½ Fly a Kite "Soar" Title - Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)

{1} 3x6 Fly a Kite "Genuine" Journal Card - Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)

{1} 3x3 Buzzzz Mini Clear Stamp (We R Memory Keepers)

{8} Wooden Buttons - Assorted Sizes (Maya Road)

{4} Wooden Mini Spools (Maya Road)

{5} How's the Weather Mini Chipboard - Assorted Styles & Sizes (Maya Road)

{5} Tootsie Flower Pot Flowers - Assorted Styles & Sizes (Bazzill)

{5} Envy Flower Pot Flowers - Assorted Styles & Sizes (Bazzill)

{5} Flat Broke Flower Pot Flowers - Assorted Styles & Sizes (Bazzill)

{1} Yard Lime Bakers Twine - Lime Twist (My Mind's Eye)

{1} ½ Yard  3/8" Aqua & White Gingham Ribbon  (Creative Impressions)

{1} ½ Yard ½ " Lime with White Dot Ribbon  (Creative Impressions)

{1} ½ Yard Jumbo Orange Rick Rack  (Creative Impressions)

Cards 

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Dragonfly (Bazzill)

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Cherry Cheesecake (Bazzill)

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Festive (Bazzill)

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Lemon Drop (Bazzill)

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Lemon Lime (Bazzill)

{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

Visit my website for ordering information.

Maddie's Birthday Card

American Crafts Cardstock, Embellishments:  BoBunny

Here is the card I made for Maddie's birthday this year.  We had a great time celebrating.  I'll post pictures in a later post.  I also made some more cards this weekend, and I'll post them when I transfer them to the computer.  

We had a really nice weekend.  Very relaxing.  We went swimming at the local aquatic facility.  It was nice to have my husband home.  We're having a turkey dinner tonight.  School is almost out...I can't wait.  Anyhow, enjoy your evening!

Maddie's 5th Birthday Layout

All Supplies are BoBunny

This is from last year, when Maddie turned 5.  Yes, I happen to be  a year behind in my scrapbooking.  I haven't even done any scrapbooking since I went to my retreat in February or March.  Whatever month it was.  Things have been super busy here.  My husband changed jobs, and last week was spent preparing for it. He started yesterday.  Well, gotta go.  Have a nice evening.  

I Heart Faces/Motherhood

This week's I Heart Faces challenge is Motherhood.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I had a good one except for I think I had a touch of the stomach flu.  And Maddie had it, and my mom had it.  But, other than that, I am thankful to be a mother.  I love my three boys beyond belief and they fill my life with so much happiness (and craziness).  My husband is the best, and I couldn't ask for a better partner to help me through this life.  He supports me in all that I do.  He has helped me to be a better person, and a better mother.  And BTW, this is not me...haha.  It's the momma to the baby I showed you last week.  Have a wonderful evening.

One person...

I was thinking last night, and today about how one man can change the world.  Osama Bin Ladin forever changed this world.  He brought sorrow and fear.  I will never forget September 11.  My brother was in New York going to school when it happened.  He heard the planes fly in.  He saw the second tower collapse.  We were unable to reach him because "All circuits were busy."  It was a scary and horribly sad day, indeed.  I told my kids about Osama Bin Ladin's death and how his evil brought changes in this world that have taken us down a hard path.  One of my boys said "Well now that he is dead, everything can be reversed."  The innocent mind of a young boy.  I told him it couldn't.  That it wouldn't bring back the people who died, and it wouldn't bring back the leg of my husband's friend (he was shot in Afghanistan and lost his leg).  But, I told him, one person can change the world.  And this change does not have to be bad.  It only takes one person to bring out the best in this world.  We can all do our part to make it a better place.  I want him to see the positive in this.  To see the positive in this world.  To know that one person can make a difference for the good of the man.  It doesn't take much, just being kind to a stranger or helpful to someone  in need.

And, I do want to say a huge Thank You to all of our servicemen and women.  Those who have fought, those who have been injured, those who have died, and for the families that have been there to carry the burden.   THANK YOU!

I Heart Faces/Soft and Sweet

This week's photo challenge at I Heart Faces is Soft and Sweet.  What could be softer and sweeter than a newborn baby.  This little cutie is one week old.