It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas...Well Almost!

It's been a long time since I have updated out blog. Busy! Busy! Busy! Seems like we can never get a chance to just slow down and exhale! Whew! We spent our Thanksgiving with Mike and Deborah in Maryland. We had such a great time! We went to the zoo, Deborah and I went shopping and their friends were nice enough to include us in their festivities. I loved this picture of us girls taken after dinner and thought the quote I added was perfect!

Todd's Christmas party for HD was Sunday night. There was a visit from Santa and Karissa sang Jingle Bells again this year with her little friend Jessie. They were super cute! Imagine that...

Karissa told Santa she wanted a remote control unicorn...where on earth can we find that? For some reason she's OBSESSED with unicorns, even though she has no unicorn toys or books. Which are just about impossible to find...TRUST ME ON THAT ONE! Luckily, she has other interests...namely Princesses, Fairies and anything pink or sparkly!

Our Trip to Hilton Head

We took a little trip to Hilton Head last week and had a wonderful time. My Mother and my Aunt Kay met us there. We had not seen them in a long time and won't see them at Thanksgiving or Christmas so it was nice to spend some quality time with them. We stayed pretty busy, although my Aunt Kay did nothing but relax, read and scrapbook. She had just returned from volunteering with the hurricane victims in Texas and really needed a break. Todd, my Mother and Karissa went fishing, we took lots of walks on the beach and also rode bikes. We stayed in a freestanding 3-bedroom villa located along a lagoon filled with turtles, minnows and a one-eyed alligator! Karissa would sing to the turtles and they would swim right up to her. It was the cutest thing! I think I'll nickname her the "Turtle Whisperer." We took some nice pics on the beach. I didn't realize how hard it could be to get a good picture of everyone with their eyes open (the sun was so bright)!

This is the path we took to get to the beach-about a 5-minute walk from our villa. It was filled with the scent of jasmine and we were greeted by some very friendly butterflies. I could have stayed there all day!

Has Anyone Seen My Mojo?

It's been a LONG time since I have scrapbooked or created anything crafty (although I have made a card or altered picture frame here and there). We've been busy with with typical family life and work. But we've always been busy w/those kinds of things. So, my question is: Why have I lost my motivation to do one of the things that makes me so happy? For me, scrapbooking is the ultimate form of therapy. I'm taking a little time out for myself and spending time with my friends, while doing something constructive and positive for my family. Yes, many argue (those who don't scrapbook) that it can be expensive and excessive, but so can any hobby. And YES, shopping for supplies can be addictive, but at least it's not against the law. HA! Right now, I should upstairs in my scrapbook room creating a new masterpiece. But instead, here I sit typing away on the computer. Lately it just seems there are more important things I need to be tending to. Like cleaning my house and working on the pile of laundry that is threatening to overtake the entire second floor of our house. Funny, I was always the one that told my scrapper friends that cleaning and laundry could wait....Go SCRAPBOOK! And now it's my excuse. Let me know if you have any ideas to get my creative juices flowing again. I'm going to go fold another load of laundry. Oh the joy!

Rampant, like herpes, but for positive

I saw this on a friend of mine's blog and just had to lift it! You'll need to turn off my music player.

My How Times Flies!

Karissa's First Day of School

It's official! Karissa is now a kindergartener at Bethel Elementary School. After Bethel, she attends an afterschool day care progam located across the street from her school. Even though it's so close, a little bus picks her up. She really liked it there because they have a BIG playground and two kittens. She had a LONG day-with many more ahead. Up by 6:30, at school by 7:30, home by 5:30. All this with no more naps! Poor thing is worn out and falling asleep on the couch as I type this. We met with her teachers last night and really liked them, as did Karissa. Let's hope they are up for the challenge! LOL

Lordy, Lordy My Brother is 40!

I can't believe my brother is 40! Time flies! Happy birthday big brother!

GREAT NEWS!!

We took Karissa to Duke last week and once again her doctors were thrilled with her progress. They didn't see any signs of active arthritis. So they switched one of her meds to a pill instead of the dreaded SHOT. Hurray! It's the same medicine, just in a much lower dose. She still has to have the Enbrel shot once a week, but one shot is better than two right? Please pray that she continues to improve!



I can't believe Karissa is now 5 years old! We celebrated her birthday at the Jumpzone. It's basically a huge room with a bunch of inflatable bounce houses. The kids had a ball! After playing, we went to the party room, where we ate pizza, cake and Karissa opened her presents. She received so many nice things (including her "Rock Star" glasses shown above). It was like Christmas!

Karissa and I have started a special project for just the two of us. We are painting her sandbox and then her swing set in light pink, soft yellow and honeydew. We started the sandbox last night. So far, so good! Karissa is a great little painter! She was so focused and serious. Todd thinks I'm nuts-our backyard is going to look like Candyland once we're done! Todd and Dale added shingle roofs to her play sets Sunday. Originally they just had canvas tarps on them but the wind constantly tore them up and they looked terrible.

The Littlest Graduate

Karissa had her K-4 Graduation Thursday night. The kids sang songs and Karissa's class 'signed' the alphabet. Afterwards, each child went to the microphone, introduced themselves and then told us what they learned. It was very cute! Karissa got all dolled up in her cute white dress but once we arrived to the ceremony she got to wear a cap and gown...I can't believe she starts kindergarden next year...TIME FLIES!

Our Little Dancer...

As soon as we got home from FL we had Karissa's dress rehearsal for her recital and then her recital followed that Saturday. She was excited to wear stage makeup...I got a glimpse of what Karissa will look like at 16....I almost cried. OMG...She's so beautiful...

I don't have pics from her recital becasue no cameras were allowed...DRATS! But I did get some cute ones from her dress rehearsal and in front of the fountain at Furman.

Karissa & Kaysi's FL Vacation

I'm a little late in posting this, but better late than never...right? Karissa and I went to FL. Originally I was only going to go to surprise my friend Meg at her baby shower...YES--she's having a boy! (Meg was my neighbor in Vero Shores) Anyway, the quick trip turned into a week. We ended up celebrating Karissa's birthday early with our Vero friends and family since we could not make it to the reunion this year. Nanny Carol made her a GORGEOUS cake...check it out...Yes-Karissa's name is spelled wrong-but it would'nt be perfect if Carol did not mispell it...LOL We LOVE you Carol!

We also went to the beach and also....SEA WORLD! My mom and I took Karissa and her cousin Alex. We had so much fun. It was hot, but breezy, so that helped. Check out the portrait we had taken of Karissa and Alex...Too cute!

Updates....this and that

It's been a while since I have updated our blog. Have had a lot going on, but that's nothing new! I have anew, improved scrapbook room. LOVE IT! It's about 99% finished. Just have lots of little things I want to do...Check it out:

Karissa's doing fabulous, as usual. Her arthritis continues to be under control and she's growing like a weed! She still takes tap and ballet lessons and really enjoys it. She had her dance pictures taken Monday night. I brought my camera along, hoping to catch some candid snapshots of her and her little friends all in their tutu's. Naturally, as soon as she saw the camera she turned into a little Cindy Crawford! I tell you, this child is such a ham! A natural entertainer! Check out the pics I took. She posed all on her own. I swear I did not say a word! The photographer there was rolling in laughter. She could not believe her eyes...She's just so stinking cute!

I'm still having issues w/hip pain. I have been to so many doctors. Let's see, first my family practitioner, who thought maybe its arthritis because of Karissa. So I waited almost 6 months to see a rheumatologist and turns out thankfully I don't have arthritis. She ran about a million tests and turns out I'm anemic, low in vitamin B, D, and E. Oh joy. So I've taking vitamins like crazy and yet I'm still. So now I'm getting B-12 shots once a week. Did I mention how much fun all this is? NOT. The doc ran more tests and thinks I might have Celiac disease. This is almost like an allergy to gluten. I also went to an orthopedic who said it was a classic case of back pain and a pinched nerve. He ordered an MRI and referred me to a pain management doc. The MRI came back perfect! Woo-Hoo! But that still does not explain the hip pain. The pain management doc thought it might be fibromyalgia...SO...now I'm right back where I started from. Oh, and I failed to mention every doc prescribed some kind of pill. Well, I've decided not to take any more pills. Enough is enough! But I am taking my vitamins. I'm thinking of trying acupuncture...we'll see. I’ve had it before with amazing results.....Wish me luck...Stay tuned for the continuing saga!

Have not been scrapbooking much because I'm just too tired after working, taking care of house and such. But I'm hoping my new room will get me motivated!

Todd's had some changes at work, but feeling a little stressed. They have an inventory coming up next week, so hopefully things will get back to normal soon.

Poor Karissa wiped out BIG TIME in the street today. She tripped and scraped her knee and elbow and has a big goose egg on her forehead. She's lucky she did not split it open. Poor thing, she has a serious case of ROADRASH! She's whining instead of slepping. Gotta run and tend to her.

Peace!

Color Me Happy!

This is a layout using the "Glee" line from Bo Bunny. They have the cutest papers! Of course it helps when you have an adorable daughter!

Halloween Parade

This layout was fun to make. I believe the paper is KI Memories. The pic w/the ribbon is actually like a mini-album attached to the outside of the page protector so you can flip through and see the 6 other pics it's holding. A great way to add lots of pics to your layout without having to scrap 10 pages! The photo sleeves I used are made by WeRMemory Keepers/Raw Goods.

Dear Santa...

Loved this paper for Karissa's portraits with Santa. I used Making Memories clear glitter glaze to add some sparkle to the page elements. LOVE IT!

Cry Baby...Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl

LOVE the Cosmo Cricket "Dutch Girl" line of paper. It was perfect for this layout! Karissa was throwing a fit, so I thought I would take her pics so she could see how foolish she looked. Gotta scrap the good and the bad right?

I Love You Because...Creative Cafe

This is a layout taught for the Creative Cafe Scrappy Hour class at our local scrapbook store. The pocket holds little "love notes" to Todd.

More Layouts....

This layout was a real hit at the Scrapbook Supply Store. I love all the buttons and how they act as the "patterned paper." This layout used the Bazzill scallop paper and Creative Cafe buttons and elements.

My Favorite Layout...at Least For Today!

This layout is by far one of my favorite. I know I say that about all my layouts, but really...this is it! I love the soft romantic patterns and the paper screams "Spring" to me. I am so tired of Winter...sigh. Anyway, the paper is from the Fancy Pants Botanical line and the buttons are Creative cafe of course! This is a very simple layout, but it looks like I spent hours hours on it! This project will be offered as an upcoming Scrappy Hour class at the Scrapbook Supply Store.

2 of a Kind

I can't get over how much Todd and Karissa look alike. He can never deny being her father that's for sure!

Great News!

We took Karissa to Duke yesterday and the doctor was very happy with Karissa's progress. She is in "Medical Remission" meaning she is symptom free while on her meds. She said if she continues to do this well, they will begin to taper her off her meds in June. It will take about a year to taper her off the meds, but it's a start. Needless to say, we are thrilled! We hate having to give her the shots. It's still very hard on her...and us. Please continue to pray for her and her continued improvement.

It's been a while since I have posted any updates and pics. It seems like we are always so busy. Always something to do. Right now Todd is repainting the downstairs (after 6 paint samples!) He did not like the deep yellow/gold color. Wants it softer, like our FL house was painted. And he hated the window treatments. So, we bought new treatments for the sliding glass door-sheer panels with a garden type print in saiges, gold, rusts and reds. Will hang them with clip rings on a black wrought iron rod. The other two windows will have sheer ascot valances in a silver saige color. We moved the washer and dryer upstairs and now we have a HUGE pantry in the kitchen! HURRAY! Love it! The washer and dryer is now in the master bath where the old shower stall used to be. We removed the garden tub and put in a large custom shower. It's really beautiful and makes such a difference! Dale built it and my brother tiled it. They did a FANTASTIC job!

We decided that we'll send Karissa to public school. We toured the school we're zoned for and really liked it. We talked to other parent's who send their children there it was like a Bethal love fest! They have had nothing but good things to say about it. So, we'll give it a try. They have the multi-age classrooms and lots of extra-curriculear activities. They have a new principal (she lives in our neighborhood-right aound the block!) and she has made MANY improvements in the short time she has been there. If we decide we don't like it, we can always pull her out. We register her next week. I can't belive our little baby starts school in August! She's growing so fast!

We had a great Christmas. It was nice to spend it at home. Karissa received so many toys. If it had a Princess on it-she got it! She still LOVES the Disney Princesses! We went to Orlando for a week in January. We took Karissa to Disney World. It was her first trip and she loved it! She got to meet Cinderella and Aurora. She was so excited she was shaking! I took alot of pics!

Todd got me a new camera for my birthday! It's a red Cybershot and it fits in my purse. I love it! I always have it with me. And it takes GREAT pics! My Aunt came up for the weekend of my birthday. We had a crop at the Scrapbook Store. It was so much fun! My friend Vicky came up from Asheville too. She FINALLY started scrapbooking! Woo-Hoo, I converted another one! We also went to the Ringley Brothers circus. It was an amazing show! Karissa loved it! It was her first time at the circus and she was amazed!

We went to the Melting Pot for Valentines day. We decided to take Karissa with us. She only liked the chocolate. Mmmmmm! I want a fondue set! Todd and I both really like it. Todd got me a dozen red roses, he got a professional whip canister for his cold coffee drinks he likes and Karissa received a little gold chain with a floating heart.

That's it for now! Have a great weekend!

Peace!