Who's Refrigerator is This?

Recently my non vegetable and fruit eating Husband read an article in Trail Running magazine about being less acidic in your body and trying to be more balanced or have your body be more alkaline. The article explained all the benefits to this and that basically you needed to cut the "crap" out of your diet and eat more "whole" foods like fruit and vegetables. Not rocket science or new news to most of us out there, but for whatever reason this article hit home for Kenny.

In turn amazing things have happened at out house. The first evening of this change he ate a big bowl of broccoli. Never in my almost 8 years of knowing him have I seen him eat broccoli!!! The other day I called him at work and could tell that he was eating. I asked what he was eating, you may want to hold on for this one, carrots! He has gone to the grocery store with me the two weeks to help pick out the fruit and veggies he wants. Our refrigerator has never ever looked like it does now. There isn't room for all the vegetables and fruit that we've been going through. I can't say that he so far loves most of what he has been eating, but I'm super proud and happy to see him try celery, apples, broccoli, etc. It's a great example for Shane and I'm super happy to add more of these items to my diet as well.

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine's Day 3x3 Card Workshop

Tired of those boring store bought Valentine's Day cards? Want to send your kiddos to school with something way cuter? How about sending cards to your friends and family this year for Valentine's Day? What ever you may need them for, these fun, and super easy to make 3x3 Valentines Day Cards will be perfect for all kinds of uses.

You can make them in a set of 12 for $5 or a set of 24 for $10.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 3rd at 7pm

If you would like to join me for this workshop, just drop me an email to RSVP.

This idea was "lifted" from the very talented Vicki over at Wizard's Hangout.

Potty Power!

Right before nap time on Friday, Shane decided he didn't want to wear a diaper and wanted to wear underwear to bed. I thought, "uh-oh", this can't end good, but went with it. Shane ended up with no nap on Friday, but we did end up going with it and have been potty training all weekend long. I can't say that I was planning on doing this quite yet, but Shane decided he was ready, so we figured we better be ready, too!

I've been super impressed with his potty training so far. He had zero accidents on Friday (1/2 day of training), 3 accidents on Saturday, and 1 accident on Sunday. He even has managed to go #2 in the potty. And woke up completely dry from nap today, as well. We've tried hard not to ask him if he has to go, instead trying to let him figure out when he needs to. He has done a great job announcing "pee" and running to the bathroom on his own. We even did a few errands this weekend. The potty rode in the back of the SUV and we had him pee in it before heading into a store. No accidents out in public, as of yet.

There have been a couple times I just wanted to throw the diaper back on him and preserve the "simpleness" that comes with it. Or maybe I just want to stop him from growing up. What ever the reason may be, we've kept foraging on. Sooner then later my little baby is going to be out of diapers. And preschool isn't much further away either. They really do grow up fast!

Water, Water Everywhere

Shane has an odd love and hate relationship with water. He wants to play in the water faucet all day long, splash in puddles till he freezes from the cold, and pour water into container after container. BUT if there is any mention of washing his hair, water becomes the enemy.

He has gotten to the point that he hates having his hair washed so bad, that it is the first thing he asks when he wakes up, if his hair needs to be washed today. We can't seem to find a way to make the hair washing situation not as bad. Eventually we figure he'll realize it isn't worth the fight he puts up (and man, he can put up a fight!).

Last week, I took Shane and Dahlia to the best mud puddle road around! We went there last year and they had a blast splashing. This year I don't think I had ever seen Shane so extremely happy about what he was doing. I was kicking myself because I didn't have my camera. He was just giddy with joy from kicking, jumping, splashing and walking in the huge puddles. I poured almost two inches of water out of his boots on the walk back to D's house.

It's a love hate kinda relationship, that tends towards the love until you pour it on his head!

Wordless Wednesday

Bald Eagle

On Christmas Eve while my Dad was out taking a walk, he spotted a young Bald Eagle (we know he is young because he doesn't have a white head yet) laying in the grass next to the road. After he got back home he called the local wild life authorities in the area so they could be aware of it. Since they are a species of importance and also that their feathers are very value to Native American tribes. After the call was made we all went down so that we could have a closer look at such an amazing animal.

It appears that the big guy flew right into the power line, cracking his wing right in half and giving himself quite the jolt. His claws were black from being "fried". He didn't make it through this experience. When my Dad found him he was dead and the wild life people came to pick him up.

You don't usually get a chance to see such an impressive animal up close, I wanted to share the pictures I took.

Blog Candy Winner Is....

I used the true random number generator and got #3 -- which is Lori Miller. Congrats Lori. I've contacted you via email. When I get your address I'll put them in the mail.

Thanks everyone for taking a peek at my cards and leaving comments.

Two in One -- Blog Hop and Blog Candy

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for January!

All artwork on the hop will feature January's SOTM, "True Friends". If you have come here from Jena's blog you are on the right path! This is so simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! If you visit all the blogs you will see over 60 examples of CTMH artwork.

This month I will also be randomly selecting one person to win all 3 of my blog hop cards! To be entered, just post a comment below. I will draw a winner on January 2, and post the winner on January 3rd.

On all 3 of my cards this month I used paper from the Felicity paper collection that is only available through the end of January (or while supplies last). I am so so so, in love with this collection.

Card 1 -- I cut the middle out of one of the SOTM images and popped it up with 3D foam. I also used bitty sparkles on the corners, to add a little bling to it. The two little flowers are from the Felicity collection stamp set.

Card 2 -- This is a 4x4 card, which is my favorite size to make. The flower is from the new Just Blooms Paper Flowers in the Spring Idea book.

Card 3 -- I used a Mojo Monday card template to create this 5x6 card. I layered two of the SOTM images together and popped them with 3D foam. The flourish is part of the Felicity collection stamp set. I couldn't pass up adding a couple bitty sparkles to it either. Did you know that you can now get 100 bitty sparkles in the new Spring Idea Book for just $2.95? I am in sparkle heaven!


I really fell in love with this month's SOTM after sitting down and using it. I found it very versatile. I hope you do too!

Don't forget to post a comment for a chance to win all 3 cards.

Now "hop" on over to Carla's Blog to see her work!

Felicity Artwork

I made these two layout this week using the Felicity Collection. Just loving this set of paper, die-cuts and stamps! Can't get enough of it. As always, click on the images to view them bigger and better.


For this top page I had two extra pictures I really wanted in the layout, but didn't want to do a whole other page for them. So I used a product called Flip-Flaps from Close To My Heart. This was my first time working with them, and I look forward to playing around with it more in the future. I really like the concept of it.

The empty space below the one on the left is waiting for a picture I need to get from Kenny's Mom. It's a picture of Kenny as a kid lined up like the above picture with all his cousins. I thought it would be nice to have two generations of cousins side by side.

Hey, Hey It's My Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday to Me! Man, what a birthday it has been. It is so true that time flies when you are having fun, because I can't believe that my birthday is almost over already.

It started off with a surprise sleep in. I thought Kenny had gotten up at the normal time to get himself ready for work. He normally gets Shane for a little while in the morning before he goes running, but this morning I rolled over and it was way past time for me to be up. Turns out Kenny wasn't getting ready for work because he took the day off. Surprise #1!

There were a couple yummy breakfast options for me. As well as directions to be ready to leave the house at 9:30. Surprise #2 and #3. We left and ended up in the Starbucks drive through, Surprise #4. Then did a confusing circle and ended back up at a friends/neighbors house where Shane was dropped off for some play time. Surprise #5 and a big thanks to the Hakamada's for taking in the little guy for a few hours.

I still had no idea what was in store, but I found myself at Bellevue Square Mall doing some kid free shopping. Surprise #6. Then lunch at one of my favorite places, McCormick and Schmick's. Surprise #7. After getting back home I was informed by my very tricky Husband that I had an appointment in 45 minutes, so I better not get to comfortable. Surprise #8 was a facial at InSpa.

Back at home I was able to complete a scrapbook layout and some quiet time just to myself. Surprise #9 arrived in the form of pizza for dinner. The evening was rounded off by surprise #10, yummy cupcakes and a happy birthday song, by my two favorite fellows. Shane has perfected saying "Happy Birthday".

There are still a few hours of my very special 33rd birthday left and I plan to enjoy every minute. Thanks to all my friends and family for sending and calling me with birthday wishes. A big warm hug to my great Husband for making today very special. I have definitely felt the love today!

UPDATE: Surprise #11 was a DVD (Benjamin Button) after Shane went to bed.

Wordless Wednesday

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month

CELEBRATE PAPERCRAFTING WITH THE STUNNING FELICITY COLLECTION!
The collection features decorative die-cut paper, three gorgeous color schemes, and a D-size stamp set that include flowers, flourishes, argyle patterns, birds, and an entire alphabet! Your papercrafting possibilities are endless!

There are three ways to get the Felicity collection:
• Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95
• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp
sets (A, B, C, D, and E-size) and receive one collection FREE!
• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced Close To
My Heart products and receive one collection FREE!

The campaign also has enticing opportunities for hostesses and
new Consultants. Hostesses get the collection FREE with a Home
Gathering sales total of $400 or more, and new Consultants
who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the
collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit.

This collection is only available through the end of January or while supplies last.

Christmas Weekend

We spent Christmas this year in Sequim with my family. I don't know if Shane got the concept of Christmas 100%, but he did become very fond of Santa, Rudolph and Frosty. He was super excited to go to Mema and Papa's house which was pretty much good enough for him, but on top of that he got to open up surprises. What more could a 2.5 year old ask for.

Outside with Daddy sprinkling Reindeer dust. A mixture of oatmeal, sugar and sprinkles. Shane was super excited to feed Rudolph. At one point though we were concerned he thought he was actually going to get to see the little guy in person. Luckily, we got that issue cleared up with out many tears.

Watching the train under the Christmas tree. A favorite past time.

Leaving cookies for Santa. The first thing Shane asked about when he woke up was if Santa ate his cookies. He was super concerned that Santa left a little bit of milk and some crumbs of the cookies behind.

Opening his present from Santa. It was a train, just like he asked Santa for.


Having a little rest in his new sleeping bag from Mema and Papa.

Sitting in his truck that he got from Mema and Papa. He calls it Tonka.

Wordless Wednesday