Packing and such

So, I have spent the last week of my life doing laundry, doing laundry and ummmmm did I mention the LAUNDRY. One thing I may have told you before is........... I HATE LAUNDRY.

Ok, I don't hate the actual laundry or the clothes (in fact if they were a few sizes smaller--- I would be in love with clothes). What I actually loathe is the PUTTING AWAY. Maybe its because we definitely do not have enough space to put all our stuff, what can I say - I am a shopper!

But alas, it must be done because we leave in two days for a HILTON HEAD mini vacation. My good friend Chrissy is getting married, and I am so excited to be going down to witness the long awaited event! All my college buds will be there with the families so it should be a hoot!

We leave Thursday morning, and we will come home on Tuesday. Then, I have my last two tutoring sessions, then I will be heading to the lake! My home away from home--- my comfort zone, my true relaxation spot --- where my extended family will be! I can't wait to see Candy!
Beaching here we come!

Then we come back to go to Myrtle Beach with my in laws for a week in mid July --- then I HOPE HOPE HOPE my mom is still at the lake so that I can go back for a second round of rest and relaxation! But we shall see!

In the midst of all this my sister is moving to Texas - BOOO HISSSSSS!

Maddie misses her Jo Jo

My aunt was in from Indiana for part of the week. Sadly it was to mourn a close member of her family that passed away (quite suddenly) -- but we did get to spend some time with her yesterday. Maddie Jo LOOOOVES her Jo Jo (hence the middle name Jo!) - and asks for her constantly. She doesn't yet understand the 'distance' factor between here and Indiana!

But anyway -- it was a short but sweet visit with Jo Jo-- and MJ misses her already!

Gettin all proud and stuff

Ok, I took this picture the other morning. I woke during a lightning storm, and I just stood on my porch watching the sky light up in amazement. Then I thought, "I wonder if I can snap a picture of this!"

Sure enough --- this is what I caught. It only took me about twenty pictures to get it!

And, yes... I am quite proud!

Gangster!

Yea, one of the designers over at Digital Candy had this as her AVATAR. I told her I was totally stealing it because it made me laugh out loud!

Some Layouts ....

Here is the first scrapping I did in a LONG LONG TIME. It was so fun, and it really is my first true love. I do love taking the time out of designing to scrap ! I need to do it more :)

The good news is that Christie and I partnered up for the Birthday Race over at Digital Candy, so my scrapping fix will be met ;)

This one is called Forever Sisters and it is made with Beckie Wallace's AWESOME kit called At the Ballet - it is available now EXCLUSIVELY at Digital Candy - ELEMENTS and PAPERS.

Here is one I did for the Candy Jar Challenge over at Digital Candy!

It's done with an old pic of MJ and you can see the CREDITS HERE.
Here is one I did for the Scraplift Challenge over at Sunshine Studio!

It's called - SWEETHEART and you can see the CREDITS HERE Last is one where Christie forwarded me a blog featuring this free template! It is amazing ;)

You can check out Lauren and the CREDITS HERE.
SOOO FUN!

How Nerdy are you???

Ok, I got sucked into this one because in my courses I often joke that I am somewhat 'geeky' in that I do love computers in a big time way :)

So I took the test --- How Nerdy Are You?



Overall, I scored as follows:

44% scored higher (more nerdy),
2% scored the same,
and 54% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean?

Your nerdiness is:

Somewhat nerdy. I mean face it, you are nerdier than about half the test takers.

Does it say something that I am slightly proud of it????

Happy Birthday Madelyn!

Well, today was my girl's third birthday. I truly can not believe three years has past since I had her; it seems like just yesterday. I know that is very cliche, but it is so true. I will never forget what it was like to have her, and bringing her home for the first time. She is so grown now... so helpful with Lauren --- a wonderful sense of humor and her mommy's clumsiness --- her Daddy's eyes -- and oh, that curly hair!

I know I am so lucky to have Madelyn -- I don't remember too much of what life was like without her. I know I was a totally different person, and she has changed me for the better. Anyway, I know she was given to me for a number of reasons.

A little story, when we found out that my Gram had cancer... I prayed and prayed. I am typically not an overly religious person, but I do pray. I prayed that my Gram would live long enough to see me graduate and to have a baby. Now, at this time having babies was actually the furthest thing from my mind. I was in college, working a few jobs to get by and just really focused on 'my' future career.

A few months later, I got pregnant with Madelyn. It was unexpected, and I really didn't know how this would affect my schooling - yes, that was my first thought. Once it all sunk in, both Mike and I were super ecstatic and very eager to move on to this phase in our lives together.

Unbelieveably it fit in perfect time-wise with my schooling. I ended up having my last final on a Friday afternoon, and giving birth to Madelyn the following Wednesday. We had set up 'back up plans', but it ended up working out perfectly.

So, when I had Madelyn my Gram was undergoing treatments so she was unable to come to the hospital to see us. We left the hospital and drove directly to her house. She met little Madelyn, and I will never forget how she held her and just talked about how 'perfect' she was. She stared at her for a long time, and just fell in love with her instantly.

That was in May, and my Gram passed away in September.

She didn't get to see me graduate the following May -- a difference of a mere few months.

I didn't understand why I had made that wish; that prayer for my Gram to see me graduate. I mean, I was proud of myself and I knew she was proud of me. But this wasn't my first degree, and it was never really a topic of conversation other than in passing. So, why was it so important to me that my Gram be there.

Well, I didn't realize a few things until after they were over.

First, my prayers really WERE answered in a way. God knew my Gram wasn't going to make it to my graduation -- that is why I got pregnant. It was His way of saying, ok then -- we are going to have to mix things up here.

Secondly, it was important to me that my Gram see me graduate because I was selected to be the speaker, although I didn't know it yet when I made the wish/prayer.

So, she didn't make it to see me graduate but, see, I know she was there. I am sure of this, and only 'some' could see -- she was actually standing behind me with her hand on my shoulder the whole time. Otherwise, I am not sure I would have made it through my speech with how scared I really was.

So, Madelyn may not remember her Great Gram but BOY oh BOY do I have stories for her ;)