a change...

I like change. Well, I actually like little changes - ones that don't involve a lot of thinking and a lot of work. Like my hair. I change my hair style quite often and when I do, it's a little easier to do - (refer to layout below). Less hair equals less time. Oh, this layout goes so well with the new color scheme of the blog too!



So, I changed the look of my blog. Not hard to change - not as hard as I thought it would be, just pick a new template. I have been wanting to change it for awhile now, but just never did. I decided to this time because I wanted to add the MM Idol logo to my side bar and display it with pride and I needed to update the template to accomodate a picture so here it is. Someday, I want to venture into a more personalized touch. Create and add some of my own elements. Right now though, I have no idea how to do that, so this is good enough for now!

15 years ago...

today, I was married for time and eternity to my sweetheart and friend.

Yes, I used to die my hair red - at least at the time of my wedding. It has been several other colors too but we remember the red because of the wedding pictures. 15 years seems like a lot. Especially when I look at how young (and thinner) we were in this picture. Four kids later and working on our 3rd home, we're doing pretty good I think! Going out to dinner tonight...somewhere fancy!

Oh, and Chloe made the lead in her school's 6th grade play - she will be Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. What an accomplishment! We would try to help her ahead of time with her lines and, it's hard to recite and speak Shakespeare talk. I'm very proud of ya, kid.

panic...

Seriously, I had a small moment of panic yesterday. I thought I missed putting up the next challenge for MM Idol. It was weird that after 7 weeks of challenges, I didn't have one to do and it freaked me out a little! There is a little interview up at the Making Memories site...about me. I still can't believe it's over - but I'm really so excited!

I love this Easter picture of Chloe - she was so fun during the contest. She would tell all of her friends and teachers about it and remind them to vote every week. It was so neat to see how proud of me she was and how excited about it all.

And, our house is STILL for sale. This is so stressful. It's been on the market for about 5 weeks and we have shown it close to 30 times. Not even one offer yet. There are so many houses in our neighborhood for sale too so that makes it harder. I had one agent come and walk through and ask if they could leave their car in front to go look at other houses - I mean they are in walking distance. Our house is more money than the other houses too, it's bigger with more upgrades and that makes it harder to compete. Our new house will be finished in about 7 to 8 weeks and I really want this one under contract so I can focus on the new one!

this is it...

...a very special day for Isabel - her birthday! Happy 9th Birthday, Isabel! She is growing up so fast and accomplishing so much - and she is so stinkin' cute in her sassy Easter dress. Love you lots!

...and here it is:

my entry for the MM Idol contest. I was informed a little more than an hour ago that:

I WON!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted, and encouraged me, and stood by me! Thank you to my husband Scott, who was just a nervous as I was and thank you to Chloe, my cute daughter who announced to everyone what it was and what they needed to do! I am so excited for what lies ahead - challenges and opportunities.

the FINAL challenge...

Wow. I can't believe the final MM Idol challenge is here! You can see the projects and vote HERE.

I just want to send a big THANK YOU out to all of you who have been voting and participating in this contest. It means so much to be picked from such fabulous creations to go forward each week. It feels awsome and I am amazed I am here! And, regardless of who you vote for, it is the voting that makes this contest - so thank you!!

So, if you haven't done it yet...GO VOTE!

inquiring minds want to know...

Okay. I'm a snack lover. It shows in my waistline (among other places), and it's pretty bad when I can call a few snacks a meal - and not a very good example to the kids either! So, I have a question for you; but I'll get to that in a minute.

My new friend, Wilna - you might know her as the first and most fabulous MM Idol, has asked me to help her in an awsome RAK she is doing. She needs you to answer a question - in the form of a comment on MY blog. Then, to be eligible for the RAK, she needs you to visit some other blogs and leave comments there too. Here is her blog: Wilna, so you can see what else you need to do!

So, now to the question you need to answer: "What is your all time favorite scrapping snack?" If you care to elaborate on your answer, feel free to!

The layout posted above is all about one of my son's favorite summer time snacks. It's just something you have to eat in the hot summer heat and everything about it is appealing - the intense color, the refreshing cool down in your mouth, and the blast of fruity flavor...yummm.

Welcome...to the final challenge...

Yes - I made it - top 3 of MM Idol! I'm actually a little shocked and surprised - the competition was really amazing and I was so nervous! So a huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted...even if it wasn't for me - your support of this contest is great and very much appreciated by all of us.


If you didn't know already, this was mine. Such a fun challenge with chipboard!

MM Idol Challenge #6

It is that time again...voting has opened for the next round of MM Idol - go HERE. You will notice that there are no names or recognizable family pictures associated with any of the entries. They wanted this challenge to be a truly anonymous project - for the focus to be on the technique and not the person. The technique was to do something new with chipboard.

There are several things I have loved about these challenges each week, the first is the parameters. I like limits. I truly believe - for me - that limits and boundaries cultivate creativity. I'm a little leary about this project though, espcially after seeing the other fabulous creations by the other 4 finalists. They are pretty amazing! I have also enjoyed Wilna's encouraging words on the Making Memories blog. She was the first MM Idol last year and if you have ever seen her stuff, you know why. I look forward to her weekly inspiration and have been able to learn something new every time.

So, if you haven't voted yet - get to it!

WhooooooHoooooo!!!!

Just releaved....I made the top 5 on MM Idol! Thanks so much to friends and family who have been following me on this journey and supporting me with your votes. Here was my project...

...I will get the next challenge a little later today - so you have stuck with me this far, now let's take it all the way baby!

well, did ya?

vote - I mean. There are still just under two hours to vote for the 5th challenge. It was an anonymous post this time, but anyone who knows me or my family will be able to figure out which one is mine - especially if you have the "time" to look :). I'll post the project when the voting is closed.

It is amazing some of the stuff you can find on YouTube! Here is a darling little home made video we found one day, just doing a search on our last name. It's a little dorky in a sweet way - listen to the words. Chris is not related to us (that I know of) but anyone who writes a song about Disney Princesses is okay in my book!