TEN YEARS AGO

I went on the first date with Billy. And it was free (for him) and he was guaranteed a kiss. But let me back up a bit- to 2 years earlier.

I went out with my college roommates and met up with a friend from high school. After the club closed we went back to her house along even more friends. Well- most of these friends were guys in the Aggie band. So I was just hanging out talking with some other friends from my high school and getting to know everyone there and where they were from. Two guys sitting near me said they were from East Bernard- which is 15 minutes from where I grew up. So we were comparing notes about who we knew from high school and kinda playing six degrees. Those two guys were Billy and his cousin who was visiting. AND BILLY DOES NOT REMEMBER THIS! And I am sure you can figure out why he does not remember.

Fast forward to 1996. I went to the football game that day in the hot sun with a nasty cold. Had a great time but was dead tired. I had promised my roommate that I would go to a party her boyfriend was having and made another promise to a friend (from the previous story) to stop by her house. I almost bailed on both. But I felt bad for my roommate and friend because when guys have parties there are usually a shortage of girls and I did not want them to be all alone. I met my roommate at the party and stayed for a while until a weirdo kept following me around. So I headed to the next party. Much nicer! I knew almost everyone there and was having a good time. A few guys around me wanted to play dominoes but were short one person and asked me to play. I sat down and we were introducing ourselves. Billy was telling me who he was and where he was from and I stopped him and told him that I already knew him. He did not remember! I still tease him about that! We had a good time talking and he walked me to my car.

The next week he called me and asked me to the football game but not to Midnight Yell (fellow Aggies will understand this and those that aren't Aggies- sorry). I thought this was weird because they both kinda go hand in hand. Then I started thinking that he already had a date to yell practice and she couldn't come to the game. But one of Billy's friend informed him he was an idiot for not inviting me to both (THANKS BOB!!!) and he called me back and asked me to yell also. And that was our first date! And it was free and he got to kiss me because that is the tradition at A&M to kiss when the lights go out at yell and after every touchdown during the game. And we know Billy will not break any Aggie traditions. We had a great time and it was the start of something big.

The last ten years have been the best of my life. And now you probably know more than you want to. I wanted to write this down for my boys. I want them to know that what they see now is the same as it was ten years ago. Our love has not changed, the fun we have together has not changed and the traditions have not changed. We still kiss after every touchdown. We have a great story and I want them to know it. Your life has already been planned for you. You just have to follow your heart.

IS IT NOVEMBER?

Garrett asks this question about 387 times a day. He is sooooooo ready for his birthday. I have already received his wish list and the details of his party. He has it all planned. And he only has to wait 44 days for his party. We are having his party early since his actual birthday is right before Thanksgiving. So this is your Save The Date for all the aunts and uncles out there. November 11, 10 a.m. at Chuck E. Cheese.

The rest of the post is for my digi-scrapping friends so my family can stop reading. (Even though I know they won't)

And speaking of birthdays...



Dani is having a birthday bash Saturday morning (10 EST) you don't want to miss! There will be fun, prizes and that cute kit! It will be at www.yourfavoritepair.com in the chat room. If you want more information look HERE

Here are 2 layouts I did using it with birthday pictures. I plan on putting these in the baby books.





(dotty border is from Maddy's Smile by Dani Mogstad)

So I guess I will see you bright and early Saturday morning???

SICKIES

We are all a bunch of sickies! Well- I don't think Billy is but I am sure it is coming. Lance has it pretty bad. I took him to the doctor Monday and got some medicine for his sinus infection. And now Garrett is very mopey and emotional which usually means he is getting sick. I have not felt that great the past few days but I hope I am now over it.

We got the Fisher-Price catalog in the mail and it is now property of Garrett. He walks around with it informing us of what he wants for his birthday (which isn't until late November) and Christmas. He has a pretty good list going. Most of it is Geo-Trax and Cars.

That is all I can think of to say today. Guess the cold medicines are kicking in because I am spaced out! So I will finish out this post with some more layouts.




CREDITS HERE




CREDITS HERE



CREDITS HERE



CREDITS HERE


CREDITS HERE

THE END OF SUMMER

Our last summer beach trip for 2006. Good times, great memories and so sad it is over.

ALONE

I went to WalMart alone. All alone. It felt very weird but wonderful! I was having a good day until I looked at the back seat and saw BEAR!!! I rushed to the church and dropped bear off all the while thinking that my poor little baby was with out his security blanket. Horrible mommy guilt right now!

Last night Garrett had AWANAS and he wore his vest for the first time. He was so proud! He knew all his memory verses and motto. I took a picture but it turned out bad. Sorry. Lance and Daddy stayed home this time.

Nothing else exciting to report. I am getting over a cold and just trying to keep up with the laundry and toys.

I will try to have something a little more entertaining next time. I do have a few layouts to show. Okay- I just realized I have a lot of layouts to show!!! I'll come back tomorrow and post the rest.




credits: everything is from Jennifer Layden's Autumn Solstice kit available at The Digi Shoppe. Fonts are mom's typewriter and bluecake

Journaling: Never a dull moment around here. You two always seem to be together- playing, fighting, spitting, making a mess or following each other around. And when Mommy pulls out the camera you turn into two little hams. On this night you were on the ottoman yelling “cheese” and “eeeze” so I would take a picture. And then came the silly faces! I hope that you will always be best of friends and the bond you have now will continue to grow.




credits: papers are from Jennifer Layden's Kristen kit available at The Digi Shoppe, stitching is from Jennifer Layden's Essential Elements and the font is pea Alisha




credits: Christy Lyle (green paper and blue plaid from Rugged One, blue cardstock and bow from Huckleberry Ice Cream with Angela Barton, pin from His Nursery with Robin Carlton, denim alpha, tag is from cardboard shapes-recolored, string is from Priceless Moments), stitching is from Gina Miller, Kraft paper is from Amanda Rockwell's Charlie kit and scallop edge is from Shabby Princess. Fonts are pea girly girls script and Chelt Press Trial




I love this picture of Garrett and his cousin Shelby walking together at the zoo.
Credits: papers from Gina Miller's Designers Studio Kit 10, ric rac and stitched border from Gina Miller's Fall Flower kit, X stitch is also Gina's and the heart is from Kimberly Giarrusso. Font is pea Olson.




I did a photo swap with Dani Mogstad and lifted Amandagale. I was super excited to scrap Lexi! She is a cutie!
credits: papers, ribbons, flowers and eyelets from Dani Mogstad's Sassy Pants, stitching from So Square stitching and the binder clip is from Everyday Romance. Font is pea xoxo from karen.
I found the quote at 2 peas from SassiAngel. It reads: What are you thinking? What do you see? What are you dreaming? What will you be?
Outside of the window there's so much to do. The world is just waiting for the wonder of you.
scraplifted this: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12732&cat=500&ppuser=288&sl=a

TOO MUCH FUN

What a great Saturday we had! So great we all ended up feeling pretty yucky today! So let me give you the re-cap:

7:00 Lance wakes us all up
7:15 Daddy and the boys make breakfast and Lance proceeds to eat all the scrambled eggs
8:45 The guys leave to go get haircuts and I start getting dressed
10:45 Leave to go to the company picnic
12:30 Finally get there after a stop at Sonic for drinks and another stop to find the pacifier
12:45 Eat BBQ lunch and Popsicles
1:00 Ride the carousel, train, get snow cones and popcorn, play miniature golf and skee ball
2:00 Put Lance in the stroller to rest while Mommy plays bingo and Daddy and Garrett play more golf and hit the pinatas
3:45 Boys run around while we wait for the door prizes (we didn't win)
4:00 Ride the carousel and then run down the hill to catch the last train ride, take a look at the petting zoo and other animals they have there
4:30 Leave the picnic, stop at Sonic for supper and go home- EXHAUSTED!

But wait- that is not the end!

6:45 Boys get cleaned up and ready for bed
7:15 Garrett is sacked out and Lance is talking to himself
8:30 Mommy gets sick and goes to bed
12:00 Garrett wakes up and Billy finds him in the kitchen getting a drink and tells him he can sleep in our bed because "I not felling better" as Garrett puts it
1:45 Mommy moves to the couch because Garrett won't stop playing with her hair (doing this in his sleep)
2:00 Lance wakes up crying- find paci and all is better
2:15 Drunk neighbors come home and start fighting and slamming doors
3:00 Lance is still awake so I get him some warm milk
3:30 Mommy finally falls asleep
7:15 Lance wakes us all up


So we ended up not going to church and just laying around resting today. And I think it will be an early night for us all!

We had a great time yesterday and I got some pictures of the boys enjoying it all. Wanna see?

FRIDAY NIGHT

Just a quick update tonight. Lots of playing and fun times this week! Even more fun tomorrow! We will be going to a family picnic for Billy's work. Should be great- there is a train there and I know that is what we will do the entire time. And it is now 9:00 and I am ready to go to bed. How sad!

COUSINS

There is nothing sweeter than watching the three cousins together. How is it that they only see each other a few times each year but seem to be best of friends every time they are together? They just fall back into place- never missing a beat.

We went to the zoo yesterday with Grandma, Shelby and Deanna. It was a blast! Perfect weather, no crowds and happy kids! Garrett and Shelby were too cute holding hands all day and repeating everything to each other. And for some strange reason they were both very excited to see the giraffes and when we finally made our way over there they could have cared less! I think the animal they enjoyed the most were the monkeys. The monkeys were playing chase and Garrett thought it was the most hilarious thing ever! But the most memorable part of the day would have to be the splash area. My boys went wild!


Lance had it good! Hat on head, map in hand and Grandma pulling the wagon.


The three monkeys outside the World of Primates.


Lance in the splash pad at the Children's Zoo.


This is Lance knocking on the goat. He doesn't pet- he knocks.


On the carousel ride. I took the pictures since carousels make me sick.

TIRED

I started my allergy medicine again and am super drowsy. I am determined not to get a sinus infection this fall! So hopefully after a few days my body will adjust and I will be back to normal.

We had a busy but great weekend! We went to the in-laws Saturday afternoon to see Shelby and Deanna (and Susie and Ann) and the boys had a blast! Lots of running and screaming little children. Well- it was only 3 but it sure did seem like more! I took a bunch of pictures but most are a blur because they never did stop moving.

After all that we took the boys to my parents, dropped them off and ran! Not really but we did leave them there. We had a seminar at church Sunday afternoon and I just did not want to leave Lance there all day. I knew it would be tough on him. So they got to have time with both sets of grandparents this weekend. And I got to sleep for more than 10 hours last night (I did go to bed at 9:00)

That is all I have to say. I am going to feed the boys and let them play with Daddy. I want to watch a few 9/11 remembrance programs on TV tonight. For some reason five years later is just as hard. Having children really does make you realize how precious life is. And to take every opportunity to hug, kiss and say I Love You.




credits: Christy Lyle's Campus Casual kit, paper tear is Kim Hill's and fonts are Problem Secretary and pea Alisha.

A NEW DO

Today was Lancer's first day at MDO. He walked right in, grabbed his bear and started playing. Not even a little glance back at Mommy. Just about every other kid in the room was crying. I think all the crying kids confused him. I just hope the day goes well. Nap time is about the time when he will start missing me. Here are a few pictures from this morning. Did not get that many because Lance does not stand still!





And what did I do with my free time you ask? This:





Got my hair cut! Three and a half inches in the back and five in the front. And I have bangs.

Time to go pick up the boys!

DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE?

Because this post could take some time to read! So much has been going on and of course I am going to tell you about it ALL!

***Labor Day Weekend***

We had a great time doing nothing! We went to the grocery store, played inside and outside, a lot of cleaning, and NO accidents! And I didn't not have to cook at all so that made my weekend perfect :)

Saturday Billy pulled out the Slip N Slide (or swim n slide as G calls it) and they had a blast!








Yesterday my parents came over and we swapped beds. Here is our new bed:


(not the greatest picture) Last night I slept SO good! It was like I was in my own bed. The only way I knew Billy was there was because I could hear him snoring.

And yesterday afternoon Billy was feeling restless so we packed up and went to Katy Mills. We went to look at the fish at Bass Pro but that only lasted about 5 minutes. Lance loved it- he was trying to say fish and would laugh when they came near. Billy actually wanted to venture out into the mall (SO not like him!) and we had a good time window shopping. We went pass Lunar Golf and Garrett put on his puppy dog eyes and said he wanted to play "night golf" and I couldn't resist. So he did one round of golf and had a blast! Lance just sat in the stroller and tried to figure the whole black light thing out.


***Mother's Day Out***

Today is the first day of MDO. Garrett was very excited to go. In fact, he walked right in and put his things away and NEVER looked back! I did not get a goodbye hug or kiss. Lance was VERY upset that he could not stay. He will have his turn Thursday. Before we left I took Garrett outside for a few pictures. I can not believe how big he looks and how adorable!








***Scrapbooking***

Garrett's class has an All About Me book with pages from all the students. These are his pages:



credits: Dani Mogstad's Fresh Air kit and font is SP You've Got Mail


This is a page of my favorite t-shirt:

credits: tags and paper tear from Kim Hill's Bits and Pieces, string from The This Love Collection- Everyday Romance by Dani Mogstad and the papers, stitching, threaded ribbons, alpha are from Dani Mogstad's Fresh Air kit. Fonts are Mother's Typewriter and pea Elizabeth.

I came across this picture when I was cleaning and had to scan it and use it! Garrett was around 3 months old.


credits: Credits: Misty Mareda's Daylight Fading paper and element packs. GORGEOUS! Tag string is from Christy Lyle's Priceless Moments Elemental Pack.

Here is the original:
I need to post this before I lose it all! Have a great day and check back Thursday for Lance's back to school pictures! If he will stand still long enough.

NOISE

Constant noise. For some reason Garrett suddenly has a desire to talk constantly-mostly questions. Random stuff. Why did the baseball cross the road? Momma are you wearing pink? How old is Daddy? I have 2 eyes. C is for cookie. Is it time for snack? What are you doing? What are you doing next? That was over the span of 2 minutes.

And Lance blabs all day long also. Only most of his is unintelligible. And the boy loves to talk on the phone- real or not.





credits: Jennifer Layden's Brody kit available at www.thedigishoppe.com



Absolutely nothing is going on today. And I love it! I am about to go do my 2 mile workout video because it is too hot for me outside (yes Billy- I AM a wimp). And then plan on doing a little digital window shopping. And sometime this weekend we are going to tackle the kitchen and clean the pantry, drawers and cabinets out. I am sure we will have plenty of help with that.

And for my scrapping friends...

Check out this sale:


And I think she extended the sale. LOOK HERE



I love this kit and hope I can find a good Shelby picture to go with it! The embroidered alpha and little rainbow are too cute!

OK- Lance is asleep now. Time to put the tennis shoes on.

MORE

credits: Shawna Clingerman's Techno Grunge kit. Font is SP Holy Guacamole



credits: Christy Lyle and Robin Carlton's 2 Scoops- Princess Buttercup (available at www.sweetshoppedesigns.com), hearts are from Dani Mogstad and the font is Susie's Hand



credits: papers and cardboard are from Shawna Clingerman's techno Grunge (available at www.mylittlescraps.com) eyelets are Christy Lyle's and the twine is Kim Hill's. Fonts are cheltpresstrial and amanda's hand.



credits: solid pink paper id from Dani Mogstad's This Love Collection- Solids, everything else is from Maddy's Smile by Dani Mogstad (available at www.designbydani.com) font is pea jenny script and pea Elizabeth. *Thanks for the help Kirsty!*



credits: Dani Mogstad's Old School kit available at A Cherry On Top, stitching is from Puppy Love by Dani. Font is Highland Perk.

Wow! Yes- I have been busy! When the house is quiet (except for Billy snoring) it just pours out of me. It doesn't hurt that my designers are making such great stuff to work with!

There is a lot going on today in the digi world! New stores opening and products being released! I was going to advertise for Jennifer today but the site is down right now! So look for her links and pictures tomorrow. But for now I will leave you with a few sites to visit:

Design By Dani If you look around you might find my bio, picture and a few of my layouts. And check out the month long celebration and contests.

Your Favorite Pair Cutest page design! And that kit is now my favorite! Can't resist the denim- those that have been to my home know that!

My Little Scraps Shawna's brand new site and store! Love her doodles! And she has 3 little boys- God bless her!



Time to go put a load of laundry in and run the dishwasher. I also need to clean my desk off and find the missing earring. It is bugging me that I can't find it.