Lead Me, Guide Me

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

Some of you will remember the post I did on Sibling Rivalry. At that time, these two seemed to be fighting constantly. Lately though, it seems for the most part I hear laughing and giggling coming from where ever they are at. They play so well together and he loves to make her laugh. Maggie has a hilarious laugh that would put a smile on my face anyplace, anytime.

I love how Ben will stick up for her when she is getting picked on, steers her from danger, and just generally keeps an eye on her. How lucky she is to have a big brother. I know at some point the pendulum will swing and I will have two bickering children. What's nice is, I have pictures to prove what good friends they once were. My hope is after all is said and done, they will always be the best of friends.

A sigh of relief...

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." ~Abraham Lincoln


My dad came home today from overseas. It is such an amazing patriotic feeling to see families gather around to see their loved ones come home from serving our country. Although we are in admist of a war and the starting of all the political back biting at the start of an election, it is important to remember our troops overseas. While we are in the comforts of our warm homes, enjoying our families, our choice of career, and our ability to practice the religion we choose, we must remember the men and women sacrificing so much so we may do and have those things.


We are so lucky to be able to wake up and feel for the most part safe in our homes. That we may send our children to school our husbands off to work with the knowledge that they will return to us at the end of the day. Today I am feeling blessed for the freedoms of this great country and the men and women who sacrifice so much to keep it that way.


Thank you dad for all of your service. I hope you know how proud we are of you. Seriously, you have put so much time and energy into your service to this great country. Thank you for instilling that pride and love for country in me. I'm glad you are home safe and sound.



This sounds silly, but I left out my dad's face for security reasons. I love the looks on Ben's and Justy's faces. They were so excited, a little unsure, and so proud to see their grandpa.

Day 15

One thing I am not is a quitter. So, I am going to put a hold on this whole challenge until Feb.4. I will then continue starting with day 15. The reason for this is:

1. I'm out of pictures. You know that commercial with the kid in the air waiting for his mom to print him out? That is my kids. So I just sent $30.00 worth of pictures to the printer.


2. I'm trying to prepare for a deployment for the guard. We are being inspected and I really need to focus on that.


3. I have a huge "to do" list at work.


4. I'm giving you all a chance to catch up with me. Right? Anyone?

So much to do, definately not enough time. I really am excited about how much progress I made in 14 days. What it has shown me is that I can squeeze scrapping in if I try a little harder. Now if I can only squeeze in exercise I think I will be all set.

Here are a few pictures that I found today. What a stinkin' cute little girl.

Day 14 and yesterday's makeup

I did it. I really didn't think it was going to happen, but it is 11:30 p.m. and I did it. My "to do" list was huge today. I got most of it done.

Here they are...

This layout was designed by Jamie in Arizona. She was also part of the club. I couldn't remember how all the pieces went down so I just did whatever. I'm interested to see what it really is supposed to look like.

Little Maggs.

Day 13

Okay...you will see my makeup layout for today tomorrow. I had guard this weekend and didn't have a minute to spare today. I know....excuses, excuses. Two tomorrow for sure, I will get through this month.

Just wanted to share this picture my brother took from his home in Idaho. I told someone today before I saw this picture, that I think our ranch in Idaho is the most beautiful place on earth. This picture proves it.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We are almost halfway through this unbelievably cold month!

Day 12

This is pretty much a repeat of my Day 2 layout. I just want to set the record straight. I am an excellent copier. I'm really not that original. You give me a recipe, I will make a fabulous dish. You give me a pattern, I can sew a great project. You give me an amazing layout, I can produce a close to comparable one. They call it scrap lifting in the scrapbook world. I'm good at that. So thanks for the compliments but credit where credit is due. I love Becky Higgins' sketches. She sketches a layout and then shows 3-5 examples. I have one of her books and would love the new one. She also does a sketches article every month in Creating Keepsakes magazine. This layout is a product of one of her sketches.

Also the patterned paper I have been using for my girly pages is by Basic Grey. They have beautiful patterns. I'm in love with them. I just wish they would come in a fabric. Now that would be wonderful.

It has become a late night. I'm off to bed!

Day 11

Did I say pink? I really wish these pictures were better. I just don't have good lighting. This layout is very pink. (You gotta love that, right Ad?) This whole scrapbooking thing is great. It just makes you ponder on life. I got teary eyed a few times looking through pictures. Oh, have my kids grown. It is such a bittersweet thing. You want them to grow up...but you can't help but miss that little tiny baby.

My sweet baby, the day she was born.

Today Ben wanted to play in the snow. He had the idea to make a snowman so dad got out there and helped. It was great to see those two working together. Ben was so excited. It turned out to be a handsome snowman. Ben has been going to the back window all day and waving to him. Snow is fun.

Squeeze!

Day 10

Thank you for all the encouragement. I seriously didn't think anyone was paying much attention to my crazy endeavor. I had no reserves today. I was ready to scrap.

I do have some exciting news. Ben's 1 year album is finished being scrapped. I have been working on it off and on for 4 years. Terrible. Hopefully I can finish Maggie's much quicker. I'm just glad I took good notes of his first year. Unfortunately we forget those small details. If I have any advice for you new moms...take lots of notes. That is one reason why I need to get busy with Maggie's. I didn't take very good notes with her. Sad.

Anyone have 12x12 albums to recommend? I bought a Colorbok Perfect Album 4 years ago and have been storing them in there. I tried to put it all together today to show you and I'm not pleased with the post bound. I think I will definitely get a big D ring album. If anyone has one that they absolutely love...please let me know.

Again, thanks for the encouragement. I'm excited to start scrapping PINK! More tomorrow.

This layout was designed by my sister-in-law Jamie. For awhile we were doing a scrapbook club and took turns designing one. She does a great job. I changed it a little to work with my vertical picture. I'm just glad I finally finished it.

Day 9 and getting weary

I'm glad I had a backup today. I just wasn't feeling it. I...don't...know...if...I...can...make.......it.

Day 8

Day 8. One of my old layouts I finished. Not a favorite, but it's done. All is good.

You get a hug from your big brother...

and you get a head full of static. Gotta love it.

Day 7

Wasn't feeling like it today but once I got going I had a lot of fun. I'm trying to do more than one per day so I will have back up for days that are too busy and for the end of the month. Has anyone got some pages done? If so, I would love to see them.

The reason I never posted my Christmas projects was because I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped them up. Oh well. I ended up making 5 handbags, an album, and these stockings for my kids. I think they turned out really cute. I especially like the felt tags with their initial on it. Fun, fun, fun.

Day 6 and My Boy

I finished this yesterday because I knew it would be a busy day. My nephew Trent was blessed today. It was a beautiful blessing and a fun filled day with the family. (Besides the puking here and there.) I hope everyone had a great weekend. Back to work tomorrow! Blah.

I wanted to share this pic of me and my sweet boy. He is the best kid. I adore him.

More tomorrow. :)

Day 5 and My Mishief Makers

Day 5 and still Truckin'. I'm seriously loving this. I love feeling productive. What is really cool about this is my house is clean, I feel like I've spent quality time with my family, and I'm getting some scrapbooking done. All is good.


I wanted to share these pictures with you. One day I was doing the dishes in the kitchen (seriously, I was!) and I could here the kids playing but they weren't sounding out of the ordinary. I finished up and walked into the living room. This was my discovery...



I was shocked at first but then called Aaron and ran to get the camera. My little mess makers.

Day 4

This is another cheater page. I finished the journaling and added a little bit. This is great, I'm loving this.





I went to a funeral of a friend from my old ward today. She died from cancer at 33. Her mom said during the last couple of weeks together one day she was really down and was saying that life wasn't fair. My friend told her mom in her dying days, "mom, life is fair just not equal" (not sure if quoted exactly). I'm trying to decide what this means. And how come someone in their dying days as a 33 year old mother with 2 children and a good husband say that life is fair.

I am grateful for the knowledge of an eternal plan. She was a good and loving person. So friendly. She touched my life and now she has moved on. You can see her obituary here.

Day 3 and Day 1 Catch Up

Okay, you may think I'm crazy, that's fine, but I have 3 layouts completed already this year. How many do you have? Alright...not so crazy now, eh? No, I'm kidding. It seemed like fun and I love doing it. Some might call this cheating but these two pages were already scrapped. I finished them by adding a few embellishments and doing the journaling. They are now completed and can go in Ben's 1st year album. That is how far behind I am. Ben is 4 now. Poor Maggie will get her 1 year album by the time she leaves home, you think?

I think you will witness a miracle this month. By doing this challenge, I think I will finish Ben's album. I have most of the pages done, they just need to be journaled. Imagine that, a completed album. I can't wait.

Here is Jan. 1st layout. I found out about the challenge late on the 1st so this is my makeup for that day.

Here is today's layout.

More tomorrow!

31 Layouts in 31 Days

For those that don't know, I'm a scrapbooker. I have been scrapbooking since 1995. I love it but I'm not obsessed and let's just say, really far behind. I like to read blogs (now we can call that an obsession) and I came across Becky Higgins' blog. She does articles for Creating Keepsakes magazine. She is doing a January 31 Layouts in 31 Days Challenge. She linked the idea from another website.

Well, I decided to jump on board. I need a project (right ladies?), and I need to start catching up on my scrapbooking. I hope I don't bore you all to death. Here is my first post. I am a day behind so I will need to catch up one of these days.

Anyone out there up for a challenge? Let me know. I want to see your layouts!

Sorry for the bad pic. It was night, therefore no good lighting! :)

Happy New Year...hello again!

*sigh* I finally have a minute to breath. Holy Cow! That was crazy but absolutely amazing. The holiday season this year was definately one to remember. My kids definately made it a ton of fun. I have been somewhat overwhelmed with the thought of sharing with you everything that went on. Luckily for me my sister-in-law Jamie did a beautiful summary of our holiday season. You can check it out here. Thanks for doing all the work for me!

There were a few differences. We didn't do any of the Smiley activities (now that would be odd). We spent an afternoon with my mom, David, and Grandmama. It was fun. We love spending time at Nana's house. She was supposed to make us a small lunch because we had a large breakfast and was planning on a large dinner, but of course her "snacky" food was a full dinner. My mother is a wonderful cook and always has delicious Peruvian cuisine. Yum.

We also spent a few days in Malad. It was so much fun. I love spending time with my family.

Anyhoo, here are some pictures of some of our festivities. It's good to be back. :)