New Artwork...

It's been forever since I've posted new artwork. I've been so busy with all the family activities that my hobby has been put a bit on the back burner. Anyway, I wanted to post these canvas projects that I made for Devin and Bryce's mom (my husband's ex-wife). I had these fabulous soccer pictures of the boys that were taken this summer by my brother-in-law Michael VaughAn. He is a wonderful photographer and if you want to check out his artwork, his website is http://www.mgvaughan.com/ . I painted the canvas black and used some soccer paper and cranberry cardstock. Fun and easy but really cool. I was kind of hoping that she wouldn't like them so that I could keep them for my house. Oh well, I am glad she liked them but I guess I'll have to do a set for this house too!

Fondue...

For Christmas dinner, it has always been a tradition that we have a fondue dinner. The tradition was started by my mom and dad when they were dating. All of the children have carried on this tradition and it wouldn't feel like Christmas to us if we didn't have fondue. We all LOVE it and look forward to it every year. We do a meat fondue along with baked potatoes, salad and bread for dinner and have a yummy chocolate fondue for desert! Mmmm. My kids ask me why we don't get one of those chocolate fountains but I like using the traditional fondue pot and forks (plus the chocolate tastes better). Here are some pictures of our fondue dinner.

Christmas Day!

Ok...I knew that I wasn't going to be able to keep up with my Christmas countdown but I DO think I got the most important things in there.

I thought I'd post some pictures of our Christmas morning. We had a great time! The kids were so excited and they all "camped out" in Michael and Connor's room. They made sure to block Devin in so that he couldn't get out and peek (he's been known to do this). Jeff and I were up until 2am getting things put together and the kids were up bright and early at 4:58am! We always have a tradition of having the kids get a picture together in mom and dads bed and then we line up (youngest to oldest) and file out to see what Santa left. Santa has started wrapping the presents that he leaves because Devin is such a peeker. This year Santa left all the kids (except Parker) air soft guns. They have already been having tons of fun with those. Michael, Devin and Bryce got new PSPs, Connor got a new scooter, and Parker got a Wow Wow Wubzy toy! Then we had the kids go downstairs to see if Santa put a new ornament on the tree and they found that there was a new tv for the family down there! It was a totally fun day and the kids had a great time! I had a great time too as I received the new camera that I've had my eye on for a while! I LOVE seeing the excitement of Christmas through my children's eyes. It's truly delightful!

Christmas Countdown Day 8...My Children

Parker

Connor (aka Condor)

Devin, Michael and Bryce at the Weird Al concert.

I always knew that when I grew up, I wanted to be a mother. I had my heart set on nothing else other than that of raising a family and although I've been thrown a few curve balls in my life, that aspiration has never changed. So many people have to leave their children with others while they work and I count my blessings everyday that I am able to stay home with my kids. I'm the one that gets to pick them up from school, I'm the one that gets to participate in school functions, I'm the one that gets to teach them their colors, shapes and letters. I LOVE MY JOB!! We have had to sacrifice some things in order for me to be able to stay at home. It hasn't been easy and I know that there will always be some sacrifice involved. I only get one chance to do this and I know that when my children grow up, they will always remember that I was available to be there for them and that means everything to me.

God has not only blessed me with three children of my own, but also saw fit that I should take a hand in helping raise two more of His children. This roll has taught me more patience than I've ever known. I love all of these boys! They are truly special spirits and wonderful kids and I love each of them to pieces!

Day 9...My Husband

I'm truly so thankful for my husband! He is a wonderful man and I love him more and more everyday! He knew that when we married he would have to fill the roll of my children's father. He has done that with flying colors! He loves them just like they are his own children and that means more to me than anything. He also puts up with me, so that really says a lot for him! He is a man of great faith and isn't afraid to share that with other's. He has a wonderful sense of humor and makes me laugh constantly! We always have a good time together and he truly is my very best friend! I am so lucky! :)

Countdown to Christmas...Day 10

Saturday was the first day that I was actually in the Christmas spirit. This month is just flying by and I've not felt at all like it's Christmas time. On Saturday, it snowed (finally) and it was super cold and I was able to spend the day scrapbooking and listening to Christmas music. It was a very pleasant day. Anyway, I wanted to do a little countdown to Christmas of things that I'm grateful for on my blog. I was originally going to start this on Saturday but I was too busy scrapbooking. I'm going to try to keep up with it but I guess we'll see what happens. So here goes...

Day 10 - I'm grateful for my Savior

I am not one to wear my faith on my sleeve so my comments might be unusual for people to read but that's ok. I am so grateful for my Savior! I am in awe of His unending love! I am truly so thankful for the sacrifice that HE made for me that there are no words that I could say that would thank Him enough. I am so imperfect and rely on His sacrifice everyday. I had a long conversation with Connor on Saturday about the birth of the Savior and explained the symbols of the Christmas star and the gifts that the wise men brought. This was a bit eye opening for him (although it's been told to him before, I think this is the first time it's actually sunk in) and I could see the lights going on in his brain. His birthday is December 27th and he is proud that it's so close to the birth of Jesus. When I first saw this nativity set, I had to have it for 1 reason only. That reason is that I LOVE that Mary is actually holding Jesus! As a mother, that's exactly what I would be doing with my precious baby. Have a blessed day everyone!

Have they been good?? It's all relative...

So, I was trying to get some pictures of the kids to send out with our Christmas cards this year. This is a HUGE chore! First off, we only have Devin and Bryce on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights and those nights happen to be the same nights that my brain goes on vacation. So Saturday night I got them all together, got the pictures taken, put the kids in bed and then went to play with the pictures on Photoshop. Well, I didn't realize that my camera settings were off when I took the pictures so we had to retake them again Sunday night. For some reason, whenever a camera comes near Bryce, he has to make some sort of weird face! The child doesn't have a normal smile in him! I ended up taking about 20 different pictures total and (if you can even believe it) these were the best ones. Now you can see why I take so many of Parker...he hasn't learned to be camera shy yet!

The pictures pose a good question...how good have the kids been this year. I guess that depends on the day. If you ask them, they have all been perfect angels but I guess it's all relative.

Busy Bees...

I just realized today that it's been over a month since I last posted (if you read my last post, you know that I spend a majority of my day keeping both eyeballs on Parker). Anyway, I just wanted to post and let everyone know that I'm still here but we've just been very busy bees lately. The kids were all out for Thanksgiving break and we had a wonderful time together. I was actually sad to have the kids go back to school. We put up our Christmas decorations on Saturday and have already had two ornaments broken! It's going to be another learning year for Parker. Michael asked me why I don't put the glass ornaments closer to the top of the tree and the truth is that MOST of the ornaments on the tree are glass and that would make it top heavy. I guess we'll just have to learn the hard way. I sat down with Parker yesterday and was watching an old Disney cartoon called Small One. If you haven't seen it, it is a beautiful story about the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem. I always cry when I watch that cartoon and Parker was looking at me as if I was crazy (which maybe I am a little). Anyway, I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas season!! Oh, and here is a picture of Parker in front of our "blazing" Christmas tree.

FOR SALE: 1 TODDLER...CHEAP!

If I had remembered what a toddler acted like, I may have decided not to have another one. I think that God makes them so cute so that you don't kill them! Here is what Parker was up to tonight while I was tucking the other boys into bed. He made a little "ink pad track" and walked up and down it, not only mixing the colors together on the ink pads but also leaving little foot prints all over my carpet, couch, the Wii Fit board, pillows and a blanket. My friend Teri has already offered me $1000 for him (however, I think she may change her mind when she sees this) so maybe we should start the bidding going down. Do I hear $950? Anyone? Here are the pictures of Parker and his feet of many colors.

Latest Projects...

Set of 5 tags using So Sweet Seasons stamp set.

This has two pockets, one for a tag and one for a gift card.

Fall card using Treasure Life stamp set and chalk popping technique.

Using Bethlehem stamp set

Uses Playful Flourishes, Shining Star, and Bethlehem stamp sets.

Uses All Decked Out and Feathery Flakes stamp set. Opinions please!! Do you think I should give the snowman a mouth? The stamp set has a smile mouth and a circle mouth. What do you think?

I know that I haven't posted any projects lately but that's because I've been busy working on them! I have a craft fair coming up and needed to make some cards for that. Most of these cards were inspired by other people. The gift card holder pattern came from Nona Davenport (thanks again Nona!). Hope you enjoy!

*All products used are Close To My Heart

The Economy Must Be Bad...

Last night was sooo much fun! We were able to take Connor and Parker trick-or-treating without having to wear coats or snow boots! We had a great dinner over at Carole's and then took the kids around the block. We didn't even make it all the way around the block before Parker's bag was so full of candy that he was dragging it on the ground! I'll have to post pics of the kids later because I forgot my camera last night and had to borrow Carole's.

Anyway, on to the story of the day... someone toilet papered our house last night. It was a very amateur job, however. First off, they only used ONE (yes I said one) roll of tp!! No shaving cream, oreo cookies, lunch meat...nothing like that. Just one, lone roll of tp. I guess the economy really is getting bad if we can only afford one roll. If whoever graced our yard with their presence last night would like a lesson in the art of TPing, please let me know and I'd be glad to go with you.

Fall Fun...

All of the kids wanted to be buried in the corn box!
Devin
Connor aka Condor
Devin trying to suffocate himself.

The big slide! Parker climbed up and went down by himself.

Flying corn kernels!
We found our way through the corn maze. Not as hard since we're toward the end of the season! I told the kids if they cheated that they wouldn't get a treat after we were done. They took that very seriously. LOL

Bryce and Parker on the hay jump.

Devin on top of the hay maze.

Connor making his way through the hay maze.

With the kids out of school, I had the opportunity to get them all together and take them to the corn maze and pumpkin patch. It was tons of fun! The kids had a blast and it was so nice for me to connect with all of them together. It made me, once again, count my blessings times 5! Every one of these boys contributes something different to this family and I love every single one of them regardless of whether I gave birth to them or not. They're all good boys and wonderful young men.