My life, my love, my reality...

Weekend update take 3

This is the last time I am going to try and create this specific post.  I will try to keep it to a minimum. Dang Typepad. It has crashed on me twice. Aarrrggh!

This weekend = nice.  LOL.   I got some scrapping done.  I made this album for my little Madi:

I would attempt to show you the entire album, but Typepad apparently has a problem with the amount of pictures I showcase on this darn blog...hence the crashing.  I used a kit from Keep In Touch shoppe and I am so excited I finally got to rip into it.  The colors are definitely up my alley. Very girly.

Sunday night was the beach bonfire for Illuminate.  A couple of pictures from the evening.

Madi and sand = completely in her element! LOL!

Dan and some of the gang.

Some girlies from the college group. 

It was a blast.  Madi and I only stayed for a little bit due to the fact that her bedtime is at 9pm and she would definitely need a bath after playing in that sand.  I mean she was practically rolling in it and eating it. Gross!  I for one do not really like sand.  It drives me nuts and I can't stand the way it feels on my skin.

Oh....and thank you for all of those who prayed for my friend Bre! They had their precious little girl Peyton.  She weighed 8 lbs and 12 ounces.  They call her their little sumo.  Hopefully I will get to meet Peyton soon and with the parents permission will post pics when I can.

That is all for now.  I don't want Typepad to crash on me again. lol! Blessings!

Tiff~

I forgot to add...

I recently purchased a kit fromKeep In Touch. Gorgeous isn't it! go grab one!

Tiff~

Fun new sites!

On of my favorite things to do is search the internet, check blogs and find brand new companies to shop at that I never would have found on my own.  I love that about blogging.  I have found some fabulous finds and I am going to share them with ya'll today.

First up: The talented Heather Bailey.  Oh man she makes me swoon.  I don't even sew. I don't know how!  But I hope to learn with her beautiful fabric and oh so fun projects. Just look at these strawberry pin cushions!

Gorgeous eye candy!   Plus, she has a fresh line of Patterned paper and embellishments for the devoted scrapbooker.  I hope to pick some of her line up real soon. 

Lately, I have been heavily into vintage and shabby chic.   I have browsed through different magazines such as Romantic Country magazines and I found this site and shop through a regular read of mine: Sadie Olive owns an online boutique in Southern California, and her stuff is gorgeous.  You can definitely get in a lot of trouble there, so browse wisely and with caution.  But don't blame me if you end up spending a fortune!  

And if you are looking for a fun purse for the summer....look no further than Etsy.  I recently requested from my husband this purse from the Pink Lemonade Boutique there. Gorgeous no?  I hope to have that purse in my hot little hands soon and in time for my birthday! You can also check out the Funky Bag Lady as well. Great purse shopping there.

Looking for new stamps to try out?  Check out the Unity Stamp Co.  They just released their new sets last night, so I had to check them out and I am very impressed. So I grabbed just a couple. And if you order in the US, you pay just $5.00 for shipping. Not bad at all!  So quick go check them out before they are completely gone.  They are great!

Well that is all they new sites I have for right now.  So whenever you have time stop by! Have a great day!

Tiff~

Weekends go by too fast

This weekend flew!  I feel as if I had so much to do and not enough time to do it all. I guess that is just how it is going to be for awhile.  Our family is still trying to get into routine after coming home from vacation last week.  I did manage to get all the laundry done.  Now I just have to focus on cleaning the house.  Speaking of my house, I absolutely hate my vacuum.  I want to throw that thing over the balcony and spend the $500 or so for a Dyson.  Our current vacuum sucks up nothing!  But enough about that.  How about I update ya'll  on my weekend!

Let's start with Friday.  I originally had plans to go to the movies with my friend Michelle.  However; we had to reschedule due to a couple of the gals not feeling well.  Dan wanted to hang out with his friend that evening but that didn't work out either.  Soooo....Dan and I got a date night! Woo Hoo!!!!! We first went to Chili's for dinner and then we headed over to the movie theater to watch The Love Guru.  And seriously, the Love Guru sucked.  I just didn't think it was that funny.  I just don't understand why you have to go completely dirty in your jokes in order to be funny.  Dan wasn't to thrilled with it either.  We kind of expected it to be that way, but I think we really (naively) hoped it would have been less crude.  Oh well.  We did have a good time together.  Everytime we go to the movies together, we ALWAYS have to buy popcorn, coke and some candy.  It is our thing.  We know it costs an arm and a leg, but we don't care.  We are just giddy we are alone and without an adorable 2 year old on our arm asking us for a billion things at once. LOL!

Can you see the giddiness? LOL!

Then Saturday, we didn't really do a whole lot.  We just hung out at home because quite frankly it was really too hot to be outside.  And Dan had to clear out some of the boxes in our bedroom so that I could start decorating it.  We have lived there for almost a year and it is still isn't finished! Ay!  I have a lot of work to do.  I did however sneak a picture of Madi napping.

She is no longer sleeping in her crib, but I think I might buy her very own toddler bed and some new bedding.  That way she can feel like her bed is her very own and she will enjoy sleeping in it. 

Then on Sunday Madi and I headed to the pool!

Her new crocs that Daddy bought her. She loves them. Personally, those shoes are ugly, but kids seem to love them!

She is a ham!

Later that afternoon while Madi was taking a nap, I thought I would steal Stephanie Howell's idea and make Madi her own hair clips. 

I was pretty proud of myself.  It was a lot of fun!  I had so many flowers and buttons and jewels that I just needed to use them.  They are quite girly and Madi loved them!

I also made a card using the Studio Calico June kit although I am having trouble uploading it on here.  I can't even upload it into photobucket, so the file may be corrupted.  I hate that!

Anyway, that is all for now.  Hope to write later!

Tiff~

This will be a sort of rambling post

So many different things going on in my head and my heart. But first, can I just start off by saying that last night's game with the Lakers and the Celtics had to be the most depressing thing I have ever witnessed in sports history.  Of course if I were a Laker fan, which I am not, I am not even a basketball fan.....I would be really upset for my team.  However, how cool was it for  Kevin Garnett!  I mean I was feeling really emotional for the guy. Finally his dreams of winning a championship have come true.  I am happy for him.  My hubs called me a traitor, but he had to agree that even he felt happy and emotional for the team.

Anyway, so after the game was over and I got Madi down without a fuss for her bedtime and we said our prayers together, I was off scrapping!  This is the first time I have been able to do any layouts since coming home from vacation, so it was a nice treat for me.  Plus Dan was sitting really close by studying for his message on Sunday so it was nice I didn't have to scrap without my buddy next to me. Here is what I managed to get done:

A card using those fabulous Inkadado cupcake  stamps I picked up at Scrapbooking Oasis last week.  Love them!

A birthday card for my sister Sheena, whom I mentioned in yesterday's post.

A quick 8 1/2 x 11 layout (a size I rarely do, but I had lost my mojo for awhile and it helped jump start some creativity.) Just to play with products and put them on paper, even if it doesn't look stellar totally helps me!

Another 8 1/2 x 11 layout of things I love.  Such a fun layout to put together.

This morning, I actually woke up on time and was able to get into work a little after 8am.  It was nice to have a few moments to myself, to sip on some coffee, read my email and pray.  I work at a Christian University, so one of the perks is that often our Dean has us come into the conference room to pray together as a group.  I have been a little overwhelmed to say the least this past week, so I definitely needed a refresh of Him.  And speaking of emotional, our Dean spoke in regards to Luke 10:21-27: the most pivotal part of the passage that we are first to Love the Lord with all of our heart and we are then to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

The passage also talked about how God has revealed his mysteries not to those of status, of wealth and stature....but to those who are pure in heart.  With a humble spirit...who realize that their "holiness" so to speak is nothing but filthy rags.....but by the grace of God we can be pure in His sight.....by accepting the gift of His son Jesus Christ. 

I don't know why, but the image of my daughter popped up when she spoke about those who were humble and pure in heart.  My daughter last night as I got her a cup of milk before bed folded her little hands and began praying for her family.  I could distinctly make out Uncle Ken and Cassie and her cousin Jenna.  Dan and I looked at each other and we smiled.  God has revealed Himself to our daughter, and  we hope we have honored God by showing her to seek Him in everything, even if it is just saying a small prayer before getting a cup of milk.  A little child will lead them as the bible says.  I am learning more about the love of  Christ through my daughter than anywhere else, aside from God's word.

I have been thinking too about my own spiritual journey, especially this year.  I feel as if my faith has been hit hard.  Today in our weekly meeting, the Dean challenged us with this question: "What is in the hidden places of our heart?"

*gulp* I mean, I have to search deep to see what is hidden so deep in there, that sometimes keeps me from seeking God with all of my heart, for wanting to keep Him at a safe distance.  If He gets too close, I fear that I will be unpresentable in His sight and the vision will be ugly.  I do realize He loves me and will continue to pursue me....for I am His daughter....but it can be scary to stop serving yourself, and start serving God.  The bible says you cannot serve two masters.  And I know it has not been God who I have been loyal to.

Well, I think that is enough rambling for now.  Tonight, I hope to really dig deep and answer this question.  I will share the results with all of you as soon as God reveals what He needs to reveal.  May you all have a wonderful evening.

Tiff~

Happy Hump Day!

I am sooo glad it is finally Wednesday.  That means only a couple more days until Friday, a day I am so looking forward to. 

Last night I told you all that I was going to try and get some scrapping done.  Mission accomplished. I finished a card for a certain person.  *Pam, if you read this....you say NOTHING! =)*

Here is the card:

The prego stamp is called Pregabella from the oh so fabulous Stamping Bella.  I had bought a few of the Bellas from her awhile ago and I finally got to play around with it.  I colored her in with my copic markers that I purchased from Eclectic Paperie and I used Crate Paper's Blue Hill collection.  And as you can see I used my Threading Water border punch....fabulous!

Next layout is of me and Madi in our shades:

I had a sketch, but I didn't follow it at all.  Used some Heidi Swapp flowers and the paper and other embellishments are fromStudio Calico's May Kit.  I love their kits.  They are always gorgeous and I always get tons out of them.

It is a good thing that I was able to get some time alone, because today started off really crappy! Pardon my french people, but seriously.  I woke up at 7:30am. Had to get dressed, get Madi ready for her babysitter's and then I had to stop for gas.  Only when I stopped for gas and grabbed my purse, I realized that my wallet was not in there! WHAT!  I am seriously trying to rack my brain to figure out what the heck I did with my wallet.  I have a feeling I left it at Madi's daycare.  Please Lord let it be there! Otherwise, I am screwed!

Dan and I plan on having a nice dinner at home tonight.  I told him I was craving steak.  Nope, not prego.....just really want some steak.  Because it sounds delicious.  We also discussed the Philippines on the phone today.  I was feeling really sad that I wasn't going to go with him when he leaves in July (for two weeks mind you!)  I really want to be with him.  He suggested that Madi and I go with him.  He leaves in  July....how the heck am I going to request time off to go to the Philippines for two weeks?  He suggested we talk about it and pray really hard!  I would hate to be without him for two weeks.  And I think it would be a great experience for Madi to see a different country (she would get her own passport and have a stamp that said she visited the Philippines and any other country we would have to stop in due to layover!)  What do you all think?  We are planning on having another baby by next year, so this may be the only time that we will be able to do this together until they are older.  Prayers and input are much appreciative (as long as you are not mean.

Well, that is all I got for right now.  Will post tomorrow!

Tiff~

The weekend has come and gone

I swear! Three day weekends go by too fast!  And I really wanted to tell you guys all about my weekend, but I can't for the life of me remember what the heck we did on Saturday. I think we went to Target to pick up some much needed materials, but again, I can't remember what they were. *smile* Oh well.  It was fun shopping though. 

On Monday we headed over to my parent's house to hang out.  I didn't get to see my Mom for Mother's Day because she was really sick from her medication and treatment. She is feeling much better, Praise the Lord!  She still feels really tired and nauseous on some days, but it is much better than we anticipated her feeling.  It was good to see my folks and I know they enjoyed seeing Madi.  They hadn't seen her sweet face in a few weeks and my Mom would call every couple of days to see how she was doing.  Oh and I made my family those famous Apple Dumplings for dessert. Once again...a BIG hit! Check out the Pioneer Woman and seriously....make those dumplings! They are amazing!

By the way....anyone in Southern California notice how much gas was this morning? $4.00 people. $4.00 stinking a gallon.  So pretty much between childcare and gas for my commute to work.....there goes my entire paycheck from APU.  Not literally, but pretty darn close! Ridiculous! 

Tonight is the Studio Calico June Kit reveal.  The party starts at 12 midnight Eastern time....so for Pacific time peeps, hit up the website at 9pm to grab your kit and some add-ons...they will go fast! I unfortunately won't be there because my home computer is still on the fritz.  Lame. 

This weekend I started a new bible study by Beth Moore.  She is by far one of my favorite bible teachers.  She gets us deep into the word and she stays in context to scripture.  You really learn a lot from her studies and you will learn the word and memorize scripture by the end of it.  She expects it of you!  The study I am doing is called Living Beyond Yourself: studying the fruit of the spirit. On day 3 and I am amazed at the findings.  So much to gain from the book of Galatians.  So much truth and knowledge.......you can't help but grow when you are in the Word of the Lord daily, coming to Him for your daily portion.  So if you don't currently have a bible study or are in the Word, here is a good place to start.

Well, that is all I have for now. May I leave you with a couple bits of scripture that I found convicting and encouraging this weekend.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Have a great Tuesday!

Look what I got!

So today I had to run quite a few errands on my lunch break.  I thought it would take me the entire hour to get them done, but alas, I was very lucky it really only took up half.  So I stopped into my FAVORITE LSS and lo and behold...I found the latest Making Memories Noteworthy Line

I also bought some much needed white cardstock since I am completely out!  And then I picked up Lisa Bearnson's book 50 Moments; Scrapbook the pages that Matter Most. Sooo excited to check out this book.  =)  If your local store doesn't carry it, you can buy it here.

So far work today has been pretty uneventful.  I did start on my mandatory training at APU regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.  It is 2 hours long and I just couldn't sit there for two hours.  So I did one hour in the morning. Maybe if things don't pick up, I will start it back up and finish it. 

Well, that's it for today.  Nothing new to report except that the Lakers are playing tonight and my hubby will be in front of that couch and he has requested that I make these tonight. Easy and delicious! 

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommies out there!

Tiff~

A short post

I did get some scrapbooking done on NSD.  I thought I would post it for ya'll!

I am loving the Pink Paislee papers.  Gorgeous!  And I love that photo of Madi stuffing her face full of birthday cake!  Yummy!

I am off folks.  I can't really blog a whole bunch.  But I hopefully will be back tomorrow. I am starting a detox with these products I received and I will be back to write a report! Love to you all!

Tiff~

Some fab stuff!

So this weekend was good and bad.  Of course on Saturday it was national scrapbooking day, and although I was feeling particularly under the weather....I headed out to my lss and picked up some goodies!  Madi came with me and we had a lot of fun together.  She ran around the whole store.  It is a little hard to shop with a two year old who is not caged to her stroller!

She did manage to let me take a picture of her though:

She loves scrapping....gotta start them young. 

By the afternoon, this was her:

She was out cold!  Of course I should have been taking a nap, but no....there was too much cleaning for me to do to be able to enjoy one.  Such is life!

And I also got to purge some supplies that I have not used and I probably won't use.  I am giving them away on this blog!  Check this out!

TONS of stuff that I am giving to one lucky person!!!!!!!! 

And do you see that?  That is a Sassafrass poster.  Yep, that is going in there too.  Yippee! So just leave a comment on this post and I will pull the winner on Friday May 9th.  Blessings!

Tiff~