Quote of the Week

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir
(Here are the girls last October at Chimney Rock.)

Another Lost Tooth

My baby lost tooth #8 today! She is one happy snaggletooth.

Virtual Open House

This afternoon is my Close To My Heart Dessert Open House to showcase the new Fall/Winter Idea Book and new products. (Drop in from 3:00 to 8:00!) Here are some of the projects I've been working on in preparation for the big event.

Perfect Day workshop layout

Sanding Possibilities layout
September stamp of the month, Treasure Life

(This is hanging on our front door for visitors to see, with a picture of the girls on the back. I love seeing their smiles as I leave each day!)
Treasure Life "Fall Fun" layout
If you'd like to see more, check out my CTMH website: www.HaleyD.myctmh.com!

How many licks does it take...

to get to the center of the Tootsie Roll Pop? (Remember those commercials?!?)

Our puppy Shadow found this pop and had to crunch down to the center too! Bad dog. LOL

Or is it bad mommie? I couldn't resist snapping a few shots before taking it away from him!

Updates

Life has been too busy to post, but things are going well. School is off to a great start for all 3 of us girls. (Week 4 just finished!) They love their teachers and have plenty of friends, plus the school work isn't too bad either. (I LOVE having Miss A in 5th grade! She gives me hugs when she sees me. I know that probably won't last all year, so I will enjoy it while I can.)

Our dance classes have started back up, and M may even take two this year: the tap/jazz combo she's started and the tumbling class she wants to add. My adult tap class has doubled in size, so that is very exciting. Looks like our recital number didn't totally scare people off.

L's had quite a few generator jobs, so that is wonderful progress. All in all, life is good!

Godmother

My sweet baby nephew was baptized on Sunday, and I am lucky enough to be this adorable little fellow's Godmother (as well as his big brother's). Don't you love his beautiful gown? His mommy bought it when she was in Belgium and pregnant w/big brother.

I told the girls that no, I was not his "fairy" godmother. Miss A wanted to
know if she was now his godsister. Absolutely!

We were privileged to have our dear family friend, Father Wise, perform the baptism. He performed both my sister's wedding and ours, along with our then-priest (and also dear friend) Father Maddox.

Quote of the Week

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~Epictetus

Photography 101

Photo tip #1: Be sure to check the background when posing your subjects.

Don't you love the tree coming out my head?!?





This one looks much better, though the girls were tired of posing at this point.

Picture as Promised

Here are my cutie pies on the first day of school! I had already left for work so DH took the traditional starting day picture. (I usually do them w/the door open, but it really doesn't matter.)

Back to School!

Tomorrow is the first day of school! Where did the summer go?!? I've been back at work since Monday and am exhausted. We had "Meet the Teacher" this evening from 4-6, but since the school next door had theirs from 1-3, guess what? Yep, we had it from 1-6. Oh well. I did get to meet all but two of my students (and out of 28 kids that says a lot).

The girls were excited to get meet their teachers and to see their classrooms. Miss A already knew her teacher since they find out at the end of the year before. She'll be just two doors down from me, which isn't far at all since we're in a corner. It is still hard for me to believe she's coming to 5th grade. Miss M will be a big 2nd grader. Several friends & former classmates are in her class this year. I hope her teacher is ready! LOL

That's all the news here. I'll post pictures from the big day this weekend.

Convention Swaps

Since I can't bring Convention pictures to you (right now), I thought I'd share the cards I made to swap w/other consultants. Swapping is a fun part of any CTMH convention. You create cards, scrapbook pages, etc., and then you find other people to swap your art for theirs. I made about 25 of each set of cards, so I should have a great selection of new things when I get home (in addition to all the fun projects we'll make each day).

Orlando or Bust!

As you read this, I'll be in Orlando for the Close To My Heart 2008 Convention! It is going to be sooo much fun, and I'll post updates as I can. (I fly out early Wed. AM and return late Sat. PM.)

Aren't these photos of the resort gorgeous? I'm sure I'll have my own to update when I return. It will be such a hardship to be away from DH and the girls for a few days! Hopefully they'll manage without me. I'll be keeping busy stamping and scrapbooking!