Back to business

OK, OK, OK...I've been neglecting my blog a bit lately...guess I better get back on track.

I have a couple HUGE bits of news to share with you and this seems like the best place to get that out there!!

First...Last week I received notice that one of my layouts was selected to be published in the March issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine!!! Totally made my day!!

THEN...I was just announced as one of the new Design Team members for SweetPea Scraps!!
That TOTALLY rocks!!!

So I guess you could say that things are good right now.

Life is about the same as always...pre-teen son drama's and 3 year old Daughter drama's...but that's nothing new.

I do have some other "stuff" brewing off in the distance, but nothing that I can get into right now....but it's good stuff....I hope!

The fam is good...busy with work and school and soccer and basketball....and soccer for the other one....crazy stuff I tell ya!!!

I'll be back later with some more....life.

can't get my groove back...

What is it lately with me and my ability to get online....I just can't seem to get on and do what I need to be doing. I even said a dew weeks back that I was going to change this and get back into the swing of things...nope!!! didn't happen. How can one thing upset the balance of my day so much...I just dread it. Anyway...this was just in my head today...I was trying to touch base with some people and found myself sitting here at the computer....not wanting to log in to a few places....bleck!! Little steps I guess!!! Hopefully I will get back to some of my favorite places!!

How many times...

OK...twice in one day...what can I say. This is blog worthy.
The conversation went alittle
like this...

Me - Lily what would you like to
have for lunch today?

Lily - Mac n cheese and a hot dog.

Me - Do you want one hot dog...or
two?

Lily - TWO!! Not cut up mom...
leave them big.

Me - OK...two it is.

**pause for cooking time** While
paused...I realize that I really don't
want to give her the hot dog whole.
She eats a bit like a caged animal and the whole choking thing is a
very big possibilty!!

Me - Lily come eat your lunch.

Lily - OK, mom....Were's my hot dogs?

Me - They are coming in just a minute...be patient!

Lily - UGH!!

Me - Here ya go...you might want to eat your hot dog first...your mac n cheese is still
pretty hot. (as I turn back to the sink...this is what I hear)

Lily - (very loud UGGHHH!) MOM!! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU
NOT TO CUT MY HOT DOGS...I WANT THEM BIG! (I turn around and look at her, and
before I can say anything...i get this) MOM!!! REALLY....HOW MANY TIMES!!!!

Seriously!! If she is like this at 3...what in the world am I going to do in another 10 years??

Needless to say....she ate the cut up hot dog...but complained the whole time!

**the pic is from her first day of school. I felt like I should have pinned some type of warning
for the teacher to her shirt...I hope they know what they have gotten themselves into with
this little monkey!

Fouled out...

So Lately....

I SUCK!!


I have been foul for about a week now....yesterday I decided it was time to get over it....and get on with it. It wasn't an outwardly foul mood...which is a triumph in its self! It was more of an internal foulness...I have been lecturing myself (in my head) and I've been down on myself (again, in my head)....just a personal funk! Not losing the weight I should be these past weeks...Not getting the QUITE time I really needed now that all the kiddos are in school...missing my hubby on a daily basis lately (he started teaching a class on top of his day job AND his freelance business). Just a little post summer drama moment for me I guess. BUT the hubby and I took some time last weekend just for us...It was SOOO nice. We just wandered all day...took some pic's...did alittle shopping...had a nice dinner OUT. We really needed that...or atleast I did anyway. I am happy that the kids are back in school...but for some reason I haven't really noticed a difference in the house yet...I keep waiting for that moment...the one where you suddenly realize that the only noise in the house is the noise that you are making....yeah...that noise!! So far...hasn't happened yet. This has had me down a bit....go figure! Maybe today will be the day...we'll see. As far as the whole weight thing....I am still doing REALLY good (down 30lbs) BUT...or maybe that should be BUTT...These last few weeks...I have not been doing what I should be...I would love to be able to say...I am doing everything right....I am making the right choices....I am moving everyday....blah, blah, blah.....you know the drill. But the fact is I have not been doing ANY of it...at least not well! So yesterday...I was up 1 lb (AGAIN) and I made up my mind to suck it up and GET OVER myself!!!!

So hear I am this morning...trying to get back (nope, not trying...DOING) to my routine...First stop was once again trying to get back to my blog....not sure what's up with me (or maybe I do) but I am having a hell of a time lately meeting all my online commitments....Gotta fix that! I have a ton of new layouts to submit or post...and I finally have some more pictures to work with. I am feeling like today I might just scrap the day away!! and tomorrow too!

sorry for the longest paragraph ever....I have a tendancy to just type what's in my head and not pay attention to proper!

So long for today...

Playing Catch Up

ahhh....lots to catch up on...rather then overwhelm you with a bunch of stuff right now this very minute....I'll try to catch you up in little bits thru the week.

First...took a crazy, impromtu trip to CKC in Tulsa over the weekend. I had a girlfriend in dire need of some help....and I happened to be available. Looking back...it was a good trip. Her classes went very well and everyone seemed to really enjoy them. Actually getting to Tulsa....now that was a whole nother story. We were suppose to leave Bloomington, fly to Chicago...connect....fly to Tulsa...arriving about 10pm. Easy enough!! NOPE!!! We ended up staying in Bloomington about 4 hours longer then we were suppose to...our flight in and out of Chicago was cancelled...booked another flight to Atlanta...then Tulsa....those....they were delayed!! We ended up barely making our flight out of Atlanta to Tulsa...arrived in Tulsa about 3 am....and were up and smiling by 9am teaching a couple hundred woman to Mod podge!! Craziness!!!

The boys are back to school all week this week....I am welcoming the calm in my house...the girlie...well, she starts preschool next week....hmmm!! 5 hours a week....all to myself...what will a girl do with all that time! Seriously...I won't even know where to start!

Brian started teaching his night class...on top of his regular job...AND....his freelance job. Of course he teaches on Monday and Wednesday....GUESS which nights Logan has soccer.....yep...that was a toughy..right. Monday...and Wednesday!! Doesn't it just figure! So any thought that I may have entertained about having a life on those days....nope...shot right out the window. But soccer does make the evening go bye faster with Brian being gone...that part of it is OK with me.

OK....I should go...gotta get the boy ready for soccer practice and do spelling words before we go. Remind me tomorrow to share a little about JR High....and the lunch program! It's a doozy!

woohoo....

TODAY....was the first day of school!!! I can't tell you how excited I was to see those two boys...backpacks in hand...walk out that front door!! TODAY...I get my normal mom life back...as normal as it can be anyway!

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my boys...I love spending time with them...BUT, I am also an advocate of year around schooling!! There is such an age difference with my kids that after a certain amount of time...no one gets along with anyone...they are all in such different places right now...the conflict between them can get intense.

Anyway, we survived the summer and they are all back in school, doing their own thing, with their own friends, and there is a new calm that has been restored in our house!!

In other news...I am taking an improptu trip to the CKC in Tulsa, Oklahoma tomorrow...not exactly what I had planned, but I have a girlfriend that was in desperate need of some assistance...so...I AM GOING to Tulsa!! Never been to Oklahoma before...not sure how to dress...what to expect...you know...the normal, travel to a new place kinda thing. But, I know it will be a fun time...hoping to see some of the new stuff that's out while i'm there. I'll be back sometime on Sunday.

I guess that's enough blabbin' for the night...guess I'll catch ya up on Sunday when I get back!

Today...

Today, outside....

Rainy...
Muggy...
Sloppy...

Today, me...

Tired...
Crampy...
Lazy...


Today, to do

Lounge...
Veg...
Nap...

Tomorrow...

???

A big day...

Today was a BIG day at our house...for
parents and child alike. Today we escorted
our boy to his new home....Junior High!!
I can say that we all seem to be handling
it ok...but it is a big...no HUGE step. I'm
not a hovering mom...so it's not like that...
it's more that WE (hubby and I) have a
child this old. He is really beginning a new
chapter of his life next week....the chapter
that we won't get to be main characters
in....that, I must say, FREAKS me out a little
bit. You spend so much time trying to
teach right and wrong...explaining that
there'll be grey areas to navigate through.
Hoping that they will be able to make the
right choices, if pushed. I feel like all I
can do is buckle up and hold on tight...
this is going to be a CRAZY ride.
FOR ALL OF US!


I took a quick second while we were getting
his locker together...and looking for his
classrooms... to snap a couple of pictures.
You'll notice that the first picture isn't
focused very well....that's because I was
trying to whip my camera out of my purse,
focus, snap a pic, and get it back in my purse...
all before the HUGE red flashing lights and
sirens started above his locker...screaming
"I'm so uncool, my mom's taking pictures"....
yep, we did it, but had to sacrifice focus.
I'll take it...atleast I have...something...to
document the day.

Walking thru the halls I couldn't help but
think about my own Jr. High and High School
years. They were mostly good times...some...
maybe even great!! I remember how independent
and strong I felt...like nothing could stop me...
THEN...the shear horror of what is to come set
in....smacked me in a head like a wrecking ball.

When I was that age NO ONE!! could tell me
what to do...or even suggest it! I was going to
do, what I was going to do, like it or not!!

WHAT in the HELL have I gotten myself into???

Not sure that I am ready to deal with teenage
drama, hormones, and god only knows what else...

This journey...this...is going to be tough.

I can only hope that it's tougher on Mom and Dad...
then on...the boy!

Things...

Just a few little random things from the week....so far.

HOT, hot, hot....it is hotter than snot this week...UGH, I hate to sweat!

Took the boys to see Transformers last night....I was expecting to like it, but I loved it...It was really, really good....of course with super hotty Josh Duhamel in it...how could it not be good!

Gonna go crop this weekend with some girlies...trying to preplan some layouts and get pics printed.

My hubby lost his wallet last nigt...again....(he usually looses it about once a year)...they found it at the theater....only after he cancelled everything in it...of course!!

I have no car to go anywhere today...hubby's car battery died yesterday...so...I've got no wheels at the moment...to hot to go anywhere anyway!!

I've got to go to WW tomorrow....but it's been to hot to get out and walk...hopefully the scale doesn't reflect THAT!!

Got the cutest stinkin' pair of shoes the other day for only 5 bucks...so stinkin cute in fact....that I may just have to post a pic of them later!!

Coffee...is my saving grace today....Just can't get movin'....except to the kitchen for a refill.

Need to fold some laundry today...don't want to, but don't like the mess of baskets laying around either....guess I'll get them folded.

Did I mention how bloody HOT it is!!! YUCK!!

That's probably enough randomness for the moment....But...if you read this and are up for a photo challenge...go to the WHY NOT link on the side of my page and join us for the challenge!!

When did this happen...

As you grow older, there are little signs along the way, that remind you that your youth is passing you by. Sometimes it is the one, mushed up cheek wrinkle that seems to stay on your face for an hour after you wake up. Or maybe its when you realize that the push-up bra you have is no longer an "OPTION" but is now a "NECESSITY"! What ever your signs are...they're right there...everyday, taunghting you with another year under your belt.

Well, this weekend a seemingly simple event REALLY made me feel my age. My hubby's friend was down from Chicago. He came over to the house on Saturday night. We all hung out, drank a bit, and generally just had a good time. We finally made it to bed about 3am. BUT...we were back up at 6:30am with Lily....UGH! Now...here is were the "old" comes in. Used to I could bounce back from a late night out like a champ. I am a night owl by nature, so staying up late and functioning the next day was never an issue for me. WHOA.....talk about reality check. It is now Monday morning and I still feel like I have a lack-o-sleep hangover!!! I spent yesterday forcing myself to walk around so that I wouldn't fall into a coma!! I seriously felt ill all day...just from a lack of sleep! When the hell did I turn into my grandma??? What's next for me....Dinner at 4pm, bed by 8pm, and moving to Arizona to become a snowbird!!! YIKES!

So this morning, while taking my coffee via an IV, I kissed my hubby goodbye as he shuffled out the door. I find myself sitting in my chair, listening to Matt and Meredith report on the news, checking e-mail and blog stalking some fav's. My butt is firmly planted in this chair with little to no hope of it moving for the majority of the day. Astornauts fly around the world from their seat, so today I am mothering my family from my seat...!! Like it or not!

Have a good one!

embracing womanhood...

So yesterday was suppose to run down like this....Fishing clinic with the boys at park, go to Jolene's to p/u new Basic Grey and Tim Holtz Ink container, lunch out with kids....then home.

Didn't happen that way...

I woke up and made the executive decision NOT to shower since we were fishing and since it was going to be 98 degrees out. Thought I would just wait until we got home. The morning hair was slicked back into a pony and didn't look all that bad. The legs....well....they were a good 2 days past needing to be shaved, but we were fishing....my kids weren't going to care. The clothes were a comfy pair of work-out shorts and a tank (that has seen better days) with the built in bra....cause I refused to wear a bra in this heat!! Out the door we went....

then my cell phone rings....it's my FIL saying that the clinic was cancelled!!! WHAT the heck! Now what are we going to do....and the drama from my oldest, who was SO looking forward to this, was at best....horrific!

So we went over to the in-laws anyway....My sister-in-law and her boys were down from Chicago for a visit, and they were going to fish too. So we decided to meet and make a game plan for the day.....ended up that THEY were going to take all the kids to the park...feed them lunch....AND take them to the pool in the afternoon....without ME!! woohoo...I suddenly found myself with a free afternoon and no kids!!

This is were the whole womanhood thing came into play...incase you wondered where I was going with all this....

Remember back to what I looked like and what I was wearing....yep....pretty much a big scum-bag....NICE! But that didn't stop me....I decided that I was going shopping for clothes...I am down 25 lbs so far and things are getting to big to get by with. So I get into the store and immediately see 5 racks of clearance stuff....a big WOOHOO!! Found a bunch of stuff that I loved and headed to the dressing room. Tried on some yes's and for sure no's! Then I found myself standing in front of the big 3 sided mirror in this cute little skirt and halter....admiring 1, how stinkin' cute the outfit was, and 2, that the size of my ass had significantly decreased!! I was in my own little heaven for a moment....until I looked a bit higher and caught my reflection looking back at me....YIKES...crazy hair, hairy legs, and altogether disheveledness....The lady working at the store probably thought I was a shoplifter. BUT THEN, I looked at the outfit again and realized that the bad hair and hairy legs didn't matter. I was posing and twirling around in this outfit like a kid...looking at some long lost curves and shape that I have been missing for a long time....and feeling fantastic about it....I was seeing the woman in that mirror that I had felt like for years, but that never seemed to be looking back at me!! It was a HUGE victory for me, and a reminder that the journey I'm on both physically and mentally are SO worth it. So my lesson for myself today is.....Embrace womanhood....the good, the bad, and the HAIRY....Today I felt the best I had in a long time...despite the need for shampoo and a good razor.

And....the best part....I got an entire outfit for $12!!! Man I love a good clearance rack!!

Weekend rundown...

Here it is in a nut shell....the weekend!

On Saturday we went to my Neice's 8th birthday party! It was a pool party! The kids had a ball swimming. I swear they are part fish. Of course, a family birthday party is always interesting when it's my family. In attendance were my Mom, Grandma, Dad, Sister, and my Dad's newest wife.....now might be a good time to mention that none of them really get along with each other!! yeah! you guessed it! GOOD TIMES. So Brian and I spent most of the afternoon focusing on the kids...oh, I forgot to mention that I finally got to meet my sisters boyfriend for the first time....the one that she has been dating for over a year....and that she can't marry of move in with cause she is still married to her husband....oh yeah!! AND...his loud mouth sister, who happens to be my sisters friend (that I have met before) was there too! I can't stand the site of her. She give the term "poor white trash" an entirely new meaning! UGH! She just goes thru me like a hot knife! But....the kids had a ball and my neice seemed to really love all her presents....so I guess it was a success!

Sunday my wonderful hubby let me sleep in....until 9am!! That just never happens in this house anymore. For us, sleeping in has turned into 7am...tops. We putzed around the house most of the day. I got some scrappin done, alittle picking up, and got my groceries put away too.
We went for a power walk in the evening around the pond (they actually refer to it as "the lake" but I can just about throw a rock acrossed it...where I come from, that makes it a pond). All in all a pretty quite day...just the way I like it.

I do have one funny to share though...

Brian ran to the book store so I took advantage of the chance to get some scrappin done. I was in my room and my cell phone rang....it was Brian. I said hello...nothing....I said HELLO...still nothing. I can hear him talking and alot of rustling, but I can't make out what he is saying....I say again...HEELLLLOO!! Nothing still! So now I am totally thinking he has been kidnapped and forced into the truck of a car...that I am the only person that can save him on his last attempt to contact someone before the kidnappers realize he has a cellphone...I can picture him in the trunk of a car fumbling with hands tied together to speed dial my number...AND I can't make out what he is saying to save him!!! (yep, I know....dramatic, but that is the way my head works) So know I say...with a bit of panic....HONEY...HELLO...can you hear me....HONEY!!!

then.....I hear....with laughter in his voice....hello!!! I say.....ARE YOU OK?? he says...well yeah, I'm fine! I say....well why did you call me and then not say anything....to which he says...I didn't call you....I was standing here at the lumber yard and I kept hearing someone say hello...HELLLO! Then I realized it was my shorts!!! and there you were.

So the long and the "short" of the story. Somehow, he called me from his shorts without knowing it! Note to self....if I find myself in the same situation again, make sure to ask if this is the shorts calling....before I call 911 to report a kidnapping..LOL!! (I so know that this may not be funny to YOU...but I laughed about it for the rest of the day).


Happy Monday Morning to you all.

Reclaiming my space...

These last few days I have really been missing my online Scrapbook community that I was apart of. I took some time away from it due some drama that was going on that really had nothing to do with me. I needed to remove myself from the situation and refocus on why I enjoyed belonging to the community. I even tried to go to another community to fill the void.

But...here's the thing. I am struggling to get back in there and reconnect with people. Why? I wish I knew. I get on...look around...and get right back off. I don't know....maybe I feel alittle jilted by it all....maybe I am resenting the fact that I was "the bad guy" for trying to put an end to the drama.....who the hell knows what it is....It's probably ME....overthinking everything. All I know is, I am practically forcing myself back, and it's no fun.

I miss the inspiration, and I miss sharing the joy and excitement of other scrappers. This was my place that I went to last fall when my life seemed to be falling apart, and it offered me so much "life" . It's the place that brought me to my BFF..M (who funny enough, was so close to my life, and I didn't even know it). I met some many wonderful girls, that touched my life in so many ways. I found a wealth of support and knowledge from people, and it renewed a drive in me to reach for my goals alittle harder!

Anyway....I guess my point is, I feel like maybe I have let others influence my life...AGAIN!! This seems to be my problem...I let people get in the way of me making my own choices...UGH! I thought I was SO over this! Guess not. So, today I am going to get back in the game...whether I like it or not. I'm getting in there, becoming active, and reclaiming my space in the community! Those that are my friends will understand....those that aren't....well, we'll just leave that alone! (side note - this is not meant to sound so dramatic. When I reread it...it does sound alittle on that side....but really it is just a bit of a ramble!) OK....deep breathe....MOVING ON!

the perfect spot...

Today the family decided that it was just to beautiful of a day to stay at home. So we ventured out...picnic basket and camera in hand...the Moraine View State Park. It is only about 20 minutes from our house, but we have never taken our kids there! My hubby and I both had gone as kids, but hadn't been back there in yearrrrs! They have hiking trails, horseback riding, swimming, boats rentals, fishing....all kinds of stuff! So we spent the better part of the day hiking the trails and playing on the play ground with the kids. It was such a great day! As the day wound down, we were all hungry and thirsty so we started looking for the best place to have a picnic. We stopped at a couple of spots but they just weren't right! As we drove along we found the perfect little spot right on the lake...there was one picnic table under a great big tree right next to the lake....Seriously Perfect. So....we get out of the van...start walking over to the
table and THIS is the sign marking the spot!! How perfect is that...and how weird that NONE of us saw it until we had deemed this area as THE spot!! It was just meant to be!!
We were suppose to venture out, hike, play, laugh and spend time together as a family...and finish the day here....having a picnic, watching the sun set over the lake....perfect!!

For anyone that may read this and saw YAH!! SO!! I don't get it!! Our last name is Huonker....which is actually pronounced "honker"....so you see...this is our spot, our perfect little picnic spot by the lake!

Today made me happy...to know that the simple things really are the things that mean the most!

Uneventful...

Bloggity, blog, blog, BLAH!!!! Has my life become so uneventful that I have nothing to blog about?? I have been wanting to blog for the last few days, but there is nothing going on that seems blog worthy...know what I mean. It's not that millions read my blog or anything....I'm not letting anyone down if I don't have a fantastic blog....it just seems that the mundane life of a housewife has gotten the best of me. I could go on about all the housework I've been doing, or the trip to the grocery....maybe even a little tid-bit about something my kids have done....but let's face it....We are not all that exciting! So....we'll just call it a good week and be done with it!

Maybe tomorrow something interesting will happen!! Here's hoping!

Friday the 13th...not all bad

I knew today was going to be a tough day, but wow....I had no idea!!

I get up this morning in absolute dread of the day. We are hosting a family reunion this weekend at my house....(why didn't someone tell me this was NOT a good idea?) So I got up knowing that my day was going to be flooded with cleaning and cooking and all the general going's on of a slacker housewife getting ready for a big event! I had so much to do and 3 kids in the house that I had to work around...YIKES! By 8am I was ready to call in the National Guard for assistance!! SO NOT kidding about that! We made it thru the afternoon and THEN....the family started arriving....insert shrieking, horror movie music here! My Grandma was the first to arrive....BAD MOOD and all....from there as they trickled in her mood only got worse. Now, I love my grandma, but you don't know bad mood like grandma's bad mood! It sucks the life blood right out of you!....and everyone else in the room. Today her reason for the mood...she was tired!! WHAAAA! I didn't get to bed until almost 1am and was back up at 5:30am!!! She goes to bed at 8pm and sleeps until 7am....I so WIN the tired argument today!

I won't go on with anymore of the reunion drama for today, but be warned that they will be here for the WHOLE ENTIRE WEEKEND....so this may not be the end of it!

Now, to the best freakin' part of the whole day!! I got home tonight, got all the relatives tucked in and the kiddos too! I finally got to sneak away and check my email....there was a note....from the pubcalls team.....(i know....the suspense is killing me too!)

My "Santa Baby" layout was picked from their Basic Grey Manufacturer's challenge as the top dog....the holy cannolli....the #1 BEST OVERALL layout of the 136 entries!!! HELL YA!!! I'm on my way baby! AND....the best part is....I get $100.00 in BG goodies!! WHOOT WHOOT! Totally dancing around in my undies over that!!! I can only hope that it is one each of all the new stuff that I just got a peek at!!!

and....I am totally sending out a special "love ya bunches and bunches" to Michelle today...even though she was working today...she checked in with me via e-mail during all my drama and sent me butt loads of good JU JU....It worked M!!! Good thoughts!! Thanks babe!

Whole lotta' nothin' goin' on...

Well...I seem to have been at a loss the last few days when it comes to my blog....so, in my best LIST fashion here is a rundown of what's been going on.

Friday - spent to whole day at home, planning to go scrappin with Michelle, cleaning, and doing some laundry. Took the kids to the pool in the evening.

Saturday - spent the day with Michelle, shopping at 2 LSS's, then stayin' at the doodle to crop for a few hours. Had such a blast, laughing, talking, shopping, and scrappin'....GOOD TIMES!

Sunday - Slept in with my hubby (well, 8am is sleeping in for us). Stayed home, hung out with the family, worked on my circle journal, caught up on some TV...just your standard Sunday at home.

Monday - STILL working on my circle journal (it has to mail out today). Took some fun shoe pictures for my CJ. Talked to m for awhile. Took the whole dang morning to set up as the new moderator of my CJ group...YIKES! All is well now though.

Today I MUST get my CJ finished and in the mail....ugh! I have a family reunion this weekend and it has turned into a cookout at my house on Saturday....for about 25-30 people...not to bad, but that means I now have to scrub my house down only for it to get trashed by the masses on Saturday! YUCK! There should be some ettiquete rule that when you are going to have a house full of people you don't clean until AFTER they leave!! Don't ya think??

It's suppose to rain today, and I am broke so I guess we will stay in and do laundry...I am ALWAYS doing laundry....double UGH!! Other then that there is nothing on the calendar this week. I do have a WW meeting on Thursday so I get to see Michelle, and my boys are going with the g'parents tomorrow to Springfield for the day....but, Lily will be here, so no luck having a day all to myself. Plain ole' boring week.

Maybe I will get my camera out and take some pic's so I'll have something interesting to post!!

The 4th

Seems like lately I've been on a bit of a picture posting roll. Just seems like that is the best, and easiest way to share a little piece of life with you. You can descibe stuff, but being able to see into someone else's life always amazes me. I love to see how others see things, and how they live. Guess I am a bit of a voyeur. Anyway...

I took a bunch of pic's at the fireworks and these are a few that I find myself continuing to go back to...I LOVE the color and the motion that they have.

I was reading the blog of a wise woman this morning who was talking about how patiotic the 4th made her feel...I have to say...ME TOO! I have struggled with this war since the beginning...not going to go all political or anything....just a personal mental struggle. One thing however that I DO NOT struggle with is the need to support our country and our military...reguardless of my own beliefs or feelings. I come from a long line of veterans, my grandfather and my father...married a soldier...and am the mother of a boy with a strong drive to become a soldier. I have been fortunate in that my DH narrowly missed being called up during The Gulf War...and I can only hope that my son will have the same fate.


These men and women that ARE fighting for our freedom and safety need all the support that you have to give! They are taking time from their lives to fight for us...here at home...all comfy and safe. They are missing their own children growing each day...so that our children will have the same future that we've been given. The sacrifice's that they are making are unbelievable.

I know I'm kinda rambly...I guess my point is....as we sat during the 4th and safely watched the fireworks...celebrating our freedom. At the very same time our soldiers are over...fighting for continued freedom...but the fireworks that they were watching...could kill them. I just want to make sure that I am doing my part..to support them...are you??
WOW....that may seem alittle soap-boxy....didn't mean for it to. I just get frustrated at people who forget about the solidiers...and what they are sacrificing.


Alrighty...done for the day...please just get a yellow ribbon, a sign to put out, a flag, send a care package...something to let them know that they are thought of...and that you care!

St Louis Arch

Monday we spent the day at the St Louis Arch with the kiddos. They had a ball. We went to the top....which was a giant step for my poor hubby! He is not a fan of heights...AT ALL! But, being the dad, he had to go up there with me and the kids to show them that it was alright to do. Woohoo for Brian...major fear tackled....whether he wanted to or not! LOL!

I took a few pic's at the arch, but tried to get my own take on the event. The first pic I took standing right against it looking up...the second shot I laid down in the shadow of the arch and took a pic straight up. I think they both look pretty cool.

While we were down at the river, we also took the paddleboat cruise on the Mississippi. The boys had a blast out on the boat....but poor Lily fell asleep on Brian's shoulder. It had been a long couple of days for her with NO NAPS! But bless her little heart, she was such a good girl! We ate lunch on the river too! The kids thought it was cool that we were floating on the water while we ate...not sure why, but whatever makes them happy. We hit the road late in the afternoon and headed home. We all had such a great time, and can't wait to take our next mini-vacation roadtrip!

A Day at the Zoo

So I've not been very diligent about keeping up on my blog for the last week, but I really have been busy. I've got tons of things to share, but I will have to save some of them for another day.....or this blog will go on forever!
We decided to take the kids on a long weekend trip to St Louis. I have wanted to take them to the Zoo forever, and this seemed like the perfect time to get there. So off we went. The day was perfect. It was cloudy, so the sun wasn't blazing on us. It was only about 82 and there was a nice breeze. The perfect weather to be outside ALL DAY LONG!



This Rhino is my favorite pic from the whole day....he just laid there with his eyes open....
You just felt like he was saying...."seriously" QUIT STARRING at me! Not sure why this amused me so much, but it did. We passed
him several more times throughout the day,
and he was always still in the same spot..eyes
still open!! Poor Rhino.



Here is another pic for the Huonker family album! Of course
Brian jumped right in there like a champ. Anytime he gets to
act like a nut....he jumps at it! You can see that Levi was NOT
EVEN amused about being an otter...after this shot, I told him
that I was going to take his picture every 5 minutes the rest of
the day if he didn't start smiling!! After that, he smiled now
and then....I think just to throw me a bone.


We really did have a great time. The kids were soooooo GOOD!
They all seemed to enjoy everything about the day. We went to
the Sea Lion show, which was super fun. Lily cracked up....we
were in the front row and the sea lions came right out to the front. She could reach out and touch them....she was totally amazed at the tricks they could do!

After a very long day, we packed it in and headed to the Hotel for some much needed rest and relaxation. We hit the White Castle on the way....can you say YUMMY!!! We don't have those around home, so we have to stop atleast once when we travel! After a quick bite the kids
hit the pool for an hour. I even suited up to dive in with them....until I felt how cold the water was....seriously the coldest pool I have EVER felt! The kids were blue by the time they were done....not me!! I was toasty warm by the poolside! We got back to the room, cleaned up and hit the sack by 9pm.....ready to start another day fresh!

I'll catch up with the next day's adventure soon!! Gotta run for now!

What's with Rain and Flip-flops??

So...here is my lesson for the day!! DO NOT wear flip-flops in a rain storm!! If you have read my earlier blog about our Target trip, you see that this is a problem for me. Well today, against my better judgement I ventured out to the mailbox...in the rain...in flip-flops! My driveway has an ever so slight slant to it, but when one adds water....and flip-flops....it is not suitable for the upright! Of course I was running, and I swear to god, I hydroplaned like a mother....and DOWN I WENT!!! Not one of my better moments, but atleast everyone was at work when I did it! NO WITNESSES. Anyway, now my rear is sore, and my pride alittle bruised, but otherwise just fine. There will be no more flip-flops in the rain!!

Holy Heck...can you believe it...

Oh My Holy Heck!!! Let me just tell you the high that I am on right now.....So, you know I have made it my mission to get published this year...right?? Well, I was on a huge scrappin role, as you can see in my earlier blog....Well, I submitted so stuff to some pub calls this week and......drum roll please...........2 of my layouts were selected to be published in an online E-zine!! WOO HOOO! Now, this is not quite a print publication, but you know what, I will totally take it. Every little bit helps get your stuff out there! Once it's in there I will put the link here, so you can see it.

Then today, after a very long day of painting, I get home and check my e-mail.....there, waiting for me since 10am this morning is an email from Kelly Goree. For those of you who don't know who she is, well....she is a scrap Goddess!!!! She has an impressive gallery at SB.c under mama2my3princes...check out here work! BUT....she also works for Basic Grey....which brings me back to my point.....she has selected my "SOAR" layout to appear in the Basic Grey July newsletter!!!!! HOW FREAKIN' COOL is this!!! I am flying high right now!!!

Seriously....I know this is just a start, but hey!!! Whatever it takes baby!

I am totally excited about all this and it is just fueling my fire to make my publishing dreams come true!!

All is right with the World..

Do you ever have those days when everything is just RIGHT with the world?? When no matter what is going on, it all seems to be good. Today has been one of those days for me. I went to my WW meeting this morning and found out that I had reached my first goal already!! I was totally stoked about that! It has only been 7 weeks and it is going fantastic! I can't believe how great I feel now...I can't imagine what it will be like in another 7 weeks!

In the last 24 hours I have been a scrappin' fool. I have done 4 layouts and a circle journal page, and they were almost effortless to get done. That NEVER happens. There is always one that hangs me up, makes me mad, or that I'm just not feelin'. Not this time...the mojo was flowin'. I posted a few samples so you could take a peek. I have submitted some to pub calls and a couple Design Teams as well. I am serious about trying to meet my goal of being published! I also submitted to Basic Grey and they have accepted all 3 that I sent them.....woohoo!!

I have been trying to sell this blasted bed that we don't need anymore for a few weeks, and today a lady called to come see it....and bought it!! woohoo!!

My kids, for all intensive purposes have been really good today. They have helped out folding the laundry, taking out the trash and the recycle...all without complaining! Not sure what they want, because they never do this stuff without throwing in a little bit of whining.

I got a phone call today from Michelle that just made me happy (sorry M, that's your word). This journey of new friendship has really hit home for me! It has been a looooong time since I have reached out and made a friend on my own, without some sort of crutch. I may sound crazy, but it has renewed a strength in me that I haven't seen in a very long time. This is right in line with my goal for myself this year. So far I seem to be on track.

I now have enough money saved to have custom....yep, CUSTOM, cabinets built for my scraproom! I have been waiting forever to get enough, and now....finally! They are in my sights! I can't wait to get them going!

Good Karma today!! Maybe I am finely over the struggle to find happiness again!

I, SO ROCK!

OK, right now, I SO ROCK!! I just walked 5 miles!! I am usually lucky to get 1 or 2 in...but 5!! Never happens!!

Now, before you get all excited for me, you might want to hear the back story.....today I my kids have been demons! There has not been one minute of the day that they have not driven me completely up the flippin' wall!! Maybe it was me, maybe it was them, but whatever it was, it was not good. I barely made it thru dinner tonight without throwing forks at my oldest son! All day he has been throwing those pre-teen tantrums...here's an example....today we were at Target (yes, we go there alot). He didn't have enough money with him to buy what he wanted, but had the money at home. So, I had a 20 on me and gave it to him....I told him he could pay me back when we got home...no biggie right....OH NO!.....he spent 16 and change out of the 20. When we got home, he brought me 16....I said, honey you owe me 20! TOTAL freak out...WHAT.....THAT'S NOT FAIR.....YOU'RE TAKING TO MUCH MONEY....and so on! These were all the things he was yelling at me....Like I was trying to cheat HIM???? He got so mad, that my hubby had to intervene and settle the boy! I swear he should have been female! UGH!

So anyway, by the time dinner was over I had had enough, so I grabbed the i-pod and hit the road!! I kept walking, and walking and all I kept thinking was I SO DO NOT want to turn around and go back there to those monkeys!! But, then I decided that would be bad! So, 5 miles later I am home....and the kids are in bed! THANK GOD!

The Garage

OMG I am wiped out today! It was already 95 degrees out this morning at 10am and it only got hotter. I bought my hubby a garage organizer thingy, so today we spent the day in the garage putting it all together and ORGANIZING.....for those of you who don't know me...I have a little of an organizational issue...I LOVE to do it!!! I love all thing containers, and I REALLY love a good organizer system!! Hence, the reason that "I" was in the garage sweating like a pig putting all the stuff up....I think most women would be like....no honey, it's YOUR garage....YOU do it. Not me....I will organize anything! Now we are done, and it looks wonderful...and the bonus is I can get my car back in there again.

I have SO MUCH laundry to do, and I do not want to do it...but. Lily napped in my bed today, and pee'd in it...NOW, I have to do laundry....TONIGHT!! ugh!

As for this week...I am hoping to take it a little easy and maybe, just maybe get some scrappin' done...that would be fantastic...but, we'll see!

Okie Dokey, I'm tired and wanting to put the kids to bed so I can go to bed...catch you all tomorrow!

Day #2

Day 2 of my new blog...I had oddles of things that I wanted to share today, but they all seems to have escaped my mind for the moment...figures!

So today My mother-in-law had a garage sale and I went to help her...it actually turned into me having a garage sale at her house, and her just throwing some stuff out there...why me is all I can say. But, I made pretty good money today so I can't complain to much!

Levi and I had to run to Target tonight to finish up Brian's Fathers Day present, and totally got stuck in a drenching downpour. It was quite the comedy of errors. First, we both had flip-flops on and the parking lot was completly full of standing water. Now, anyone who has ever worn flops knows.....they don't work well in water. So we take off running thru the parking lot like idiots, and both about hit the pavement!! Levi ended up losing a flop and running back to get it...then, we finally get into Target....soaking wet, and cracking up and then I slip on the tile...in my flops....and give all 326 people standing there at the check-out my best Nancy Kerrigan skating moves.....It was not my finest moment....but my dear son nearly pee'd his pants over the whole thing....I don't think we stopped laughing for an hour!!

Hoping to get some new layouts done this week...we'll see if that happens. I am really going to try and work at getting some stuff published, but it seems that you really need to be commited to the cause...which is the problem right now....I have no time...atleast not the kind of time I want to dedicate to layouts worthy of publishing. BUT, that is my goal for this year, and I am sticking to it!! If it kills me!!

and.....if you get a chance....pop over to
Michelle's Blog and tell her HI! ....and that I figured out the link thingy!!!

BWAA HAH HAH HAH!!!! (giggle)

Finally...Jumpin' In!!

So I am finally moving my blog over here! I have waited around for my hubby to get my site up and going so I could blog there, but...no luck! SO, I made a new one here!! Michelle has been after me for a while to get this done and I just haven't made the time...today...making time, and getting it done. Bare with me for a day or so until I can get it all set up. But, for now...here it is...my new blog!