To this....
And he did so well his first night in a big boy bed! I can hardly keep him out of his new bed. I guess he was ready for the change.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
White board saves the day!
I don't know why it is, but this little white board hanging on our refrigerator has been the best thing for our family. Things go so much smoother and the hubs and I end up working so well together if I keep it up daily. I've always kept daily to-do lists but they have always been on paper, in my circa, in my home management binder, etc. Is it because this is so easy to see? Is it because it's so easy to change? Probably some of both and more.
Here's a quick overview of how we do this:
Every evening, after Carter is in bed, Jon and I sit down in front of the TV and work on projects or just veg - it's our little quiet time. At some point, I'll grab my home management binder which includes a calendar on which I write pretty much anything going on and my daily to-do list. I transfer all the information for the next day onto the white board and add anything else we need to do including all the little things that I don't normally write in my binder - like unload the dishwasher or a detailed list of the trash needing to be taken out, just so Jon is aware of EVERYTHING needing to be done, even the little things in my head and can help if I get behind.
We start the next day by trying to get everything done on the list, starting with the most urgent. Usually by lunch / nap time I can see where we are at and how the day is going and can start prioritizing by what I think we can reasonably get done by the end of the day. I put an "E" for evening next to the items we can do after Carter goes to bed, an "A" for things to finish in the afternoon and an "N" for things that are not necessary and can be moved to the next day. The little spot in the lower right corner is for items we run out of that I need to transfer to my grocery list. As you can see, we don't get everything done in a day. But that's ok, moving forward is still progress!
For whatever reasons it works, we'll keep it up. I like seeing all those little red checks at the end of the day!
Sunday, January 01, 2012
A Christmas Ornament
For lot's of reasons, I made several Christmas gifts this year. Here's one of the ornaments that I made for my aunt.
I just love the delicateness of the snowflake! Several of these were supposed to go up in my Etsy shop before Christmas but never made it. I do have 4 or 5 hanging around. If you are interested in purchasing any, drop me a line via the comments or email and I'd be happy to send one out to you!
Friday, December 30, 2011
MIA?... Yeah, pretty much....
Here's a quick run down on what's been happening with our little family and then on to new posts about the recent Christmas celebrations and new projects!
In case you didn't notice the oh so small change in the "About Me" box - we are expecting another baby in April! This will be our 4th baby, the 2nd (Lord willing) to be placed in our arms and care. Needless to say, dealing with pregnancy woes and a toddler running around has moved blogging to the back burner. Baby bump pictures forthcoming!
The most life altering event (yes, even more than being pregnant) happened over the summer / fall. You may have noticed random posts about Jon's grandparents, I never really did say much about what was going on.
Right after Carter was born, Grandpa went in for open heart surgery. After starting the operation, the Doctors found lung cancer and closed him up without performing the heart surgery. He did fine for a little over a year, but early this spring he started to decline along with some health problems for Grandma. It's a very long story about what happened, but it was one of the most difficult and most touching times in our lives. We spent a lot of time over there taking care of them, the whole family pitched in, it was amazing. Grandpa passed away at home in October and to the very end he never complained and only showed love and concern for his family. I've only seen one other testimony to the power and work of the Lord Jesus in someones life like that. Anyone who knew this man was privileged indeed.
In case you didn't notice the oh so small change in the "About Me" box - we are expecting another baby in April! This will be our 4th baby, the 2nd (Lord willing) to be placed in our arms and care. Needless to say, dealing with pregnancy woes and a toddler running around has moved blogging to the back burner. Baby bump pictures forthcoming!
The most life altering event (yes, even more than being pregnant) happened over the summer / fall. You may have noticed random posts about Jon's grandparents, I never really did say much about what was going on.
Grandpa on his last birthday here on earth.
Right after Carter was born, Grandpa went in for open heart surgery. After starting the operation, the Doctors found lung cancer and closed him up without performing the heart surgery. He did fine for a little over a year, but early this spring he started to decline along with some health problems for Grandma. It's a very long story about what happened, but it was one of the most difficult and most touching times in our lives. We spent a lot of time over there taking care of them, the whole family pitched in, it was amazing. Grandpa passed away at home in October and to the very end he never complained and only showed love and concern for his family. I've only seen one other testimony to the power and work of the Lord Jesus in someones life like that. Anyone who knew this man was privileged indeed.
Grandpa's last time outside - we made him breakfast.
48 hours after Grandpa died, the whole family got on planes to Wisconsin for Jon's brothers wedding. Anyone who has dealt with a family wedding (especially one that involves major travel) knows how stressful the months leading up to such an event can be. Because we were all dealing with Grandpa at the same time, it became quite an emotional few months. Then add in 2 pregnant women - one of them dealing with the fear of a third miscarriage (me and Jon's cousins wife) and you have a recipe for disaster! Amazingly, the entire family walked away relatively unscathed.
(Yes, tiny baby bump here!)
We were so blessed to be able to rent an entire house for the week where the whole family plus groomsmen stayed. It was (even with the stress of the wedding) a relief to have the week between Grandpa's death and the funeral together having a little bit of fun. Sadly, Grandma wasn't with us.
P.S. Carter did GREAT on the plane!
So that was our summer and fall in the smallest nutshell I can get it. I have several posts in the works, most of them about projects I've been working on and some about Christmas and some of them covering both topics! So I hope you all with stick with me as I get back into the blogging swing, there will be some really great stuff and lots of changes coming up!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Stampin' Royalty challenge #87
I decided to join in on Stampin' Royalty's card challenge this week, back to school! I just love fall and back to school, new clothes and "office" supplies! Ok, maybe I'm a geek. Anyway here's my card and the list of supplies. To me, this would be a card that I would give a teacher - I just love the notebook paper look.
Image © Stampin Up!
Cardstock: (I actually just used some old paper I had on hand, but here's what I would have used if I had gone "true" SU!) Soft Suede, Whisper White, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie
Stamps: So Happy for You (Sale-A-Bration), School Lines
Punches: Eyelet Border, Spiral Border (retired)
Big Shot: Floral Fusion sizzlit, Little Leaves sizzlit
Accessories: Brads (this was one I had on hand)
Let me know via email if you would like to place an order for any of the supplies to make this card!
Monday, August 29, 2011
PPA108 Card challenge
Pals Paper Arts card challenge for this week was to soften the edges. Well, that challenge is perfect for the card I had to make this week!
Jon's grandparents 55th wedding anniversary is this week and I wanted to go with something soft and elegant. It's a very special and emotional time for everyone as this is their last anniversary together on this earth. We are praying right now that Jon's grandpa makes it till then.
I wasn't sure what colors to use, I even thought about their wedding colors (but I don't know what they were). When looking up the "meaning" of the 55th anniversary on google the result was emerald. So... the color of the card. I also decided to try a new technique I learned in which you partially emboss. I will provide details and instructions on how I made this card later. But for now here is the supply list, all items are SU! unless stated otherwise. Any of the Stampin Up! items you can order directly from me, just email me with what you would like to order.
Cardstock:
~ Green (not sure what brand)
~ White (Whisper White)
Tools:
~ Framed Tulips embossing folder
~ Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
~ Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
~ 3/16" corner punch
~ Stylus (available through SU! September 1st)
Accessories:
~ Basic pearls
Of course adhesive as well.
Image © Stampin Up!
Jon's grandparents 55th wedding anniversary is this week and I wanted to go with something soft and elegant. It's a very special and emotional time for everyone as this is their last anniversary together on this earth. We are praying right now that Jon's grandpa makes it till then.
I wasn't sure what colors to use, I even thought about their wedding colors (but I don't know what they were). When looking up the "meaning" of the 55th anniversary on google the result was emerald. So... the color of the card. I also decided to try a new technique I learned in which you partially emboss. I will provide details and instructions on how I made this card later. But for now here is the supply list, all items are SU! unless stated otherwise. Any of the Stampin Up! items you can order directly from me, just email me with what you would like to order.
Cardstock:
~ Green (not sure what brand)
~ White (Whisper White)
Tools:
~ Framed Tulips embossing folder
~ Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
~ Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
~ 3/16" corner punch
~ Stylus (available through SU! September 1st)
Accessories:
~ Basic pearls
Of course adhesive as well.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Farewell to Summer Stamp Camp!
Come say farewell to summer and hello to back to school with these late summer / early fall inspired projects.
We will be making a watering can decoration, 4 cards (2 each of 2 designs) and a kitchen towel.
There will be two options for you to take the class:
1. Saturday, September 10 at 2pm
2. Monday, September 12 at 7pm
The fee is $20. Below are details about how a stamp camp works and why I am charging a fee.
Please R.S.V.P. by phone, text or email so I can have enough kits and food!
*Please note that the colors of the cardstock will be slightly different. I made the samples with the cardstock I had on hand so that I could place an accurate order. If you would like samples of the actual colors we will be using, please let me know*
Why a stamp camp?
I've had a lot of feed back from my customers saying that they want to make things but really don't have the time to, the space to store the supplies or the money to purchase all the tools. This way, for a small fee, you can make cards and gift items using my tools and pre-made kits.
Basic idea of a stamp camp:
I will have all materials provided for you (except scissors and adhesive - please let me know if you need to purchase these through me so I can order them and have them available at the stamp camp). Everything will be cut out and put together in kits at each table. Each table will have the kit and all the stamps, inks, punches, dies, etc. used to make the project. You assemble the project at the table and then move on to the next table / project until you have completed all items. Of course there will be snacks and drinks in the kitchen which you can go and get when you are feeling to weak to finish your project ;)
Why the fee and how much?
The fee for the stamp camp is $20 and covers the cost of the cardstock, buttons, ribbons, towels, etc. used in each project. But $20 for cardstock? Yes, there is a little more built in to cover the cost of the tools, stamp sets, ink, dies, punches, etc.
Is this a "party" and am I to place an order with you?
No. There is no obligation for you to place an order. Because I am placing an order for the supplies, I am "making my own quota" so I can stay a Stampin Up! demonstrator and provide you with more great cards. If you would like to place an order for something you need or just really want I'd be happy to put an order in for you.
We will be making a watering can decoration, 4 cards (2 each of 2 designs) and a kitchen towel.
There will be two options for you to take the class:
1. Saturday, September 10 at 2pm
2. Monday, September 12 at 7pm
The fee is $20. Below are details about how a stamp camp works and why I am charging a fee.
Please R.S.V.P. by phone, text or email so I can have enough kits and food!
*Please note that the colors of the cardstock will be slightly different. I made the samples with the cardstock I had on hand so that I could place an accurate order. If you would like samples of the actual colors we will be using, please let me know*
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Stamped images © Stampin Up!
Why a stamp camp?
I've had a lot of feed back from my customers saying that they want to make things but really don't have the time to, the space to store the supplies or the money to purchase all the tools. This way, for a small fee, you can make cards and gift items using my tools and pre-made kits.
Basic idea of a stamp camp:
I will have all materials provided for you (except scissors and adhesive - please let me know if you need to purchase these through me so I can order them and have them available at the stamp camp). Everything will be cut out and put together in kits at each table. Each table will have the kit and all the stamps, inks, punches, dies, etc. used to make the project. You assemble the project at the table and then move on to the next table / project until you have completed all items. Of course there will be snacks and drinks in the kitchen which you can go and get when you are feeling to weak to finish your project ;)
Why the fee and how much?
The fee for the stamp camp is $20 and covers the cost of the cardstock, buttons, ribbons, towels, etc. used in each project. But $20 for cardstock? Yes, there is a little more built in to cover the cost of the tools, stamp sets, ink, dies, punches, etc.
Is this a "party" and am I to place an order with you?
No. There is no obligation for you to place an order. Because I am placing an order for the supplies, I am "making my own quota" so I can stay a Stampin Up! demonstrator and provide you with more great cards. If you would like to place an order for something you need or just really want I'd be happy to put an order in for you.
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