Moab

We had the best time in Moab last week...

This is what I did this afternoon...

Here's a layout I created today for the 4-play challenge over at Design House Digital. 

Now I HAVE GOT TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER!!! or my whole day will be wiped out!

but it was FUN!

CREDITS HERE

Thanks for stopping by.

Brynn

It is so nice to have the kids back in school! It gives me more time to digi-scrap. Here is a layout I created for the 4-play challenge over at Design House Digital.

This is my sweet granddaughter, Brynn! 

Journaling -Brynn is four years old and just starting preschool. She is in Sister Emily’s morning class. She is learning so much by watching her favorite television show,“Umizoomi.”  She loves reading especially Dr. Seuss books. She loves playing with Peyton, Charles, and Cooper. Surprisingly, Brynn is really good at making her own bed. She is always watching out for others. She is thoughtful and kind. Brynn is our precious little sweetheart!

I also used the template from the August Blueprint Challenge HERE

My First Half Marathon

WOOHOO - Last Saturday I ran my first Half Marathon.

If you would have told me in April 2012 that in August 2012 I would be running a half marathon, I would have told you, "You're CRAZY!"  I have never been a runner. I have never really liked running and I thought my body was too old and had too many problems to become a runner.

I WAS SO WRONG!!

On May 1st some of my sweet girlfriends at the gym talked me into signing up for the Hobble Creek Half Marathon. They told me they thought I could do it even if I believed I would have to walk much of the way. I went home that morning and before I could chicken out, I signed up online. I trained three times a week. I used Jeff Galloway's run/walk method. I actually started to enjoy the training. I mostly ran along the Jordan River Parkway and it was beautiful. I saw some of the prettiest sunrises in my life. I saw all kinds of birds and I even glimpsed a baby fox that fearlessly darted back and forth in front of me.    

I was pretty proud of myself for trying something NEW! In fact, the first time I ran ten miles I posted this on Facebook:

 "I am so proud of myself and I have to share it with the world. For all you runners and athletes out there, this may not seem like much but for the first time in my entire life I ran/walked TEN MILES this morning!!! I can't believe I did it!!!

Some friends at the gym talked me into signing up for the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon and I am so glad they did because after this morning - I THINK I CAN ACTUALLY DO IT!

I may have to walk a lot of the way and it may take me forever but on August 18th I will complete that 1/2 Marathon. I may come in last but that's okay because at least I will do it and everyone has to start somewhere-RIGHT?

Anyway thanks for sharing my proud moment. At 45 years old, I AM MADE OF STRONG STUFF! GO ME!!!"

 

I got lots of sweet Facebook comments and "likes" and I felt empowered!!!

Here is the journaling on my scrapbook page about MY FIRST HALF MARATHON:

The day finally came; the day of my Hobble Creek Half Marathon. I had been thinking about and preparing for the race since I signed up on May 1st! I couldn't sleep at all the night before. My right foot was hurting from my plantar fasciitis. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run. I prayed that my foot would feel better and I would have energy and be able to fall asleep. At about 2 a.m. I was finally able to sleep.

I woke up an hour and 41 minutes later and jumped out of bed. My foot felt better and I felt happy and well rested. I knew that I had to meet my gym friend, Janessa, at 4 am off the freeway at 126th South. I HAD TO HURRY!!! Because of the rush, I forgot my "sports beans." My dad got me some Jelly Bellies called "sports beans" that help runners sustain their energy during marathons! During my long runs, I usually ate the beans about an hour into the race and they helped me sustain my energy for the next two hours. I wondered how I was going to go those two extra hours without that energy. I had faith that everything would be okay. I was running off pure adrenaline and the hope that things would work out. 

Things definitely worked out. I started the race. The pace was great. I have never been a runner before, so in order to train for the race, I did a lot of run - walking. I would try to run for a minute and then walk for a minute and pace it back and forth. During the race I ran more than I ever had. I didn't even walk much at first. My pace was great! I was going faster than ever before. About an hour into the race, I felt like I needed energy. I wondered how I would make it the final two hours. As I ran by a couple running the other direction, I smiled and admired their golden retriever. The man said, "You look like you could use some energy. These bars are the runner's secret." He handed my two energy bars and told me to eat one now and eat the other 3 miles down the road. Those bars saved me!!! I felt so blessed to have those bars that I almost bawled. I ran down the road chewing with tears in my eyes. 
I AM THE MOST BLESSED PERSON!

I had to walk most of the last two miles of the race but I MADE IT! At the very end of the race, Garrett, Raylynn, Kelsey, and Jersey were there with signs saying "Go Mom!" and "Go Grandma!" I practically cried when I saw them. I was so happy that I was finished. I DID IT! I completed my first half marathon today! Brett called me and I told him how great everything went. He was bow hunting with Braden so he wasn't able to attend the race. I told him how blessed I was. 

Kelsey, Jessica, Raylynn and I have decided that we are going to run the SLC half marathon come April 2013. I would like to cut my time down about 30 minutes and I think I can do it! I am looking forward to running a race with my girls!
 

 There it is all laid out in writing. I can't believe I actually did it! I can't believe that I want to run another one. I can't believe how much I love RUNNING!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to the World

We have a NEW GRAND BABY!

Our oldest son Garrett is now a new daddy!

 CREDITS HERE

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Merry Christmas

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December 1st

Since it is the first day of December I thought it would be appropriate for me to post a layout from our Christmas morning last year.  If you haven't stopped by The Shabby Shoppe Blog lately, you really should!  Today they posted another wonderful FREE template for all my digiscrappin' friends. I used that template to create this layout

 CREDITS HERE
Thanks for stopping by.

Braden

This is my sweet senior ....
that I love so much!!!

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I went to my Thursday cycling class this morning....

...it was fun but it wasn't quite like this. LOL!!!

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I can't stop scrapping!

Brett is out of town on business in Chicago.  Of course when he is away it is open season at the computer and I have spent 90% of my free time sitting and scrapping! In fact, my bum is getting a bit sore! NO LIE!!!

Here are some of my creations. This first one is created especially for Jacob's memory book. I think this kid has the most pages in his book because I went digital right after he was born and I have volumes of layouts. I love that I can print them for his memory book and put one in our family album also. Digital is so cool that way!!!
CREDITS and COMMENTS HERE

Of course I am missing Brett so I scrapped a layout of us...
CREDITS AND COMMENTS HERE

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Happy Birthday Jennifer

It is my niece's birthday today. Happy 25th Birthday Jennifer!!! I made the sweetest layout with a picture of her daughter Madison. I created this one for a post over at the
Shabby Shoppe Blog spotlighting "Happy Trails."

Jenn, this isn't your real gift but I thought it would be fun to show you my creation with Maddie's adorable photo!

CREDITS and COMMENTS HERE

Thanks for stopping by.

Gracie Collection and Laundry Day Templates!

I am so excited this morning because I am finally able to post some of the layouts that I have been working on! You see, Shabby Princes just released the most beautiful collection and templates I have ever seen!!! I am in love with these goodies! Go take a look HERE

This is my sweet Breanna on her first day of third grade.

CREDITS HERE

I have been looking through some photos from the beginning of the year.  I had so much fun scrapping Braden's 16th birthday. Although this photo is not the best, I wanted to make sure I wrote down some memories from his special day.

CREDITS HERE

Last but not least, here is a layout about the sweetest girl in my world - Kelsey!
CREDITS HERE


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Love You Sweetheart!

The Shabby Shoppe blog just posted the

Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge {16}

Head on over to download a fabulous free template!
Here's what I did with mine

                                                                       CREDITS HERE

                                                                    Thanks for stopping by.

Play at Your Own Risk!

I'm afraid of geese. I can't remember all the details but I know that I have had a run in with an angry goose in my past. Because of this, I DO NOT mess around with these birds. I was a little surprised when my youngest son, Jacob and my oldest grandson, Charles (along with two other crazy boys) thought it would be fun to chase the geese.

Here's my layout of the boy's craziness created for my
Product Spotlight over at the Shabby Shoppe blog.

CREDITS HERE
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Awesome!

I've been reading a blog called 1000 Awesome Things. Usually when it shows up in my google reader, I smile about the subject, laugh and think "Yeah, that is pretty awesome!"

Here is one of my 1000 awesome things!

SUNSETS

Around our house, we think that sunsets are spectacular. We have such a great view of the sky from our yard!  Here's an especially pretty summer day turning into night!

CREDITS HERE

I adore my Dad!

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this great man! We just spent our family reunion up in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho where I got to spend lots of time visiting and laughing with him. My Dad is getting older (he's in his seventies.) I don't know how many years we have left together so I cherish every second! Yesterday was a bit nostalgic and I scrapped a page about our
2011 Father's Day

CREDITS HERE

Thanks for stopping by.

What happened to my Summer!

I am looking at my blog today and cannot believe that I haven't posted anything NEW for months! How does that happen? March 3rd was my last post and it is already August! WHAT?!!!

I have still been writing for the Shabby Shoppe Blog so I haven't completely given up on blogging! If you click on my name (under the team contributors) on the right hand side you can see any posts I have created!

In fact, I have been creating some really fun pages with my Shabby Shoppe goodies! I wanted to post some recent layouts that I have had a ball scrapping!

I created both these layouts for the NEW RELEASES over at the Shabby Shoppe!

This is my sweet grandson, Charles and his mom, Kelsey! Love these two!!!
You are Mom's Superstar!!!

Follow Your Heart
 This is me and my sweet daughter, Breanna!  I've always loved these photos of us together!

Thanks for stopping by.

NEW

Since I blogged last I have scrapped 2 new layouts. 

I never take the time to post but today is the day!

Remember the "Sweet Sweet Smile" Carpenter's song HERE

I was humming it as I scrapped this layout- I always loved that song when I was a kid!

CREDITS HERE

Today there is a new free template and challenge posted  at the Shabby Shoppe Blog. This is the layout that I created for that post.  As I was working on this layout, my sweet Breanna and our dog Zoey were laying at my feet (no lie) cuddled up together. I was working in Photoshop recoloring her shirt (which I am really not that happy with) when she said - "Mom, I look like a bobblehead!" Hilarious. I looked closer and she did - LOL!!! But, I ran out of time and was unable to work any more on the recoloring - ah well - Bobbleheads ROCK! 

And Breanna, you are an awesome bobblehead!

 CREDITS HERE

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Mom and Me

Here is a fun layout I came up with for the product spotlight over at the Shabby Shoppe HERE

Journaling - My dearest Breanna, you are seven years old now. You are much more stubborn and always wanting your own way. In many ways you remind me of myself at your age. I remember my second grade teacher, Mr Pugh, always telling me to have a better attitude. I laugh when those same words come out of my mouth in the mornings as I am helping you get ready . You still enjoy snuggling with Mom, which makes those difficult mornings worth it! Despite your attitude problem. you are still my baby, my youngest, and my sweetie pie. 

CREDITS HERE

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First Bike Ride of the Year!

This weekend was so fun! The weather was a little warmer so Brett, Garrett and I decided to go for a bike ride to the elk farm. I was excited because I had new bike shoes and Garrett bought and installed some new clips on my pedals for Christmas. WOOHOO - First bike ride of the year!

As the guys were helping me get clipped in for the first time Breanna said "Does Mom know how to ride a two wheeler?" We all burst out laughing. Seven year olds are hilarious! 

Luckily we bundled up so it wasn't too terribly cold.  I biffed it twice before I got the hang of my new shoes. Have you ever had your feet stuck in your pedals and fallen over sideways?! Needless to say, it was pretty funny. Almost like watching cartoons - I'm sure! My knee got pretty banged up and my wrist is sore but after the first five minutes I was getting the hang of the new pedals and locking in and out. All of this practice and experimenting plus the strong wind made the ride to the elk pretty slow! Poor Garrett! Having to wait for your parents does not make for a fun ride!

 Here's Brett and I at the elk farm - too bad you can't see my bloody knee!

This is one of the three of us! Can you see the elk in the background?

Garrett and Brett - I love G's i-phone, because without it we wouldn't have snapped these pics!


While we were out riding, Luke & Kelsey and the kids were getting some cute photos taken out in the yard. Jessica was their photographer!  I scrapped one of my favorite photos.
CREDITS HERE

Of course they got lot's of fabulous photos so watch for more layouts with their fun pics!

Thanks for stopping by.