Look Who's SEVEN!

Can you believe our baby has grown into such a big girl?!? Today was the last day of her statewide testing (though Big Sis & I have two more days of it), so she had lots to celebrate!

She received a Barbie doll with a dog and three puppies from her sister this evening, with more presents to come on Sunday at her party. She picked Rib Country for her dinner tonight, and lots of family was able to attend to help celebrate.

Here she is from her party Sunday with her new best friend, a Webkinz cocker spaniel named Brandy in honor of Uncle Reid's Brandy.

New Addition

Guess what we're expecting?



(Notice the importance of punctuation. This question does NOT read: Guess what? We're expecting!)



We're getting a new (fur) baby May 3 (or at least that's the plan and the deposit has been sent). Sorry we don't have a better picture right now.
The girls are having fun thinking up names, and we'll see if they can get in the habit of picking their toys up before the little guy gets here. I've already told them that if they leave it out and he chews it, they're the ones to blame, not him!

Quote of the Week

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

(I ran across this quote today and thought that it was perfect on so many levels, in light of our recent trip, as inspiration for teachers and parents everywhere, and in honor of our "baby" turning SEVEN next week. Here's our big girl sitting with the man himself.)

Spring Break

At FDR's favorite picnic spot on Dowdell Knob and in front of his "Little White House"

Enjoying Callaway Gardens

Quote of the Week

"Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are."
~Mason Cooley

Maybe that explains why I am always reading something- from magazines to novels to cereal boxes! LOL

Happy birthday to ME!

Hard to believe today's my birthday! (We won't mention any incrimenating numbers here.) It has been a nice day topped up with a huge family dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. I am sooooo blessed to live where I do, surrounded by a wonderful family and friends. Thanks to everyone for all my birthday wishes!

Easter Treats

Sweet Easter treats (Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast?!?)

After the church Easter egg hunt and before the Easter feast

(Yes, eating again!)

Happy Easter!

Many blessings to you and yours at Eastertime!

St. Patrick's Day Quotes

A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. ~Author Unknown

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck. ~Author Unknown

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook

Cracked Glass (craft technique, that is!)

Make It Count stamp set
Silhouette paper pack
Black, Bamboo, & Chocolate inks
black brads and photo hangers
Liquid Glass

Techniques: paper tearing, DTP, & cracked glass

The usual cracked glass instructions call for lots of embossing powder, but CTMH makes this technque even easier! Just cover your image with a thick coat of Liquid Glass. When it has dried (may even take all night), pop your image into the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Pull it out and start bending the paper. If cracks don't appear right away, pop it back in the freezer for another 5 minutes. If you'd like, rub a little distressing ink over the cracked piece like I did to make the cracks show up more. Wipe the piece with a tissue to remove excess ink. (For less mess, place your image on a piece of waxed paper before covering in Liquid Glass.)

Mini Clipboard

Go checkout what my cyber-friend and crafter extraordinaire, Rachelle, has made- mini clipboards!

http://theinkboutique.blogspot.com:80/2008/03/clippy-board-tutorial.html

As soon as I can get one made (this weekend?!?), I'll post a photo of mine here. Happy crafting!

My Brother, the Pilot

Check out http://lifeofbell.blogspot.com/ for the complete report!!!!! We are sooo proud of you!!!!!!!!