Life Songs

My friends and family always laugh at me because I can't help naming where I lived when a certain song came out for the first time. Hey, I am sorry! We moved around soooo much when I was younger (my dad was in the army) and although I can't remember all of my teachers and such - I can usually close my eyes and remember where I was, or what I was doing when I first heard certain songs. I can go back to when I was really young and lived in El Paso, TX. I had a stuffed poodle dog and it was a radio. I would blast it real loud when I'd hear "Somebody's Knockin' on the Door", I also remember having a friend whose brother was totally into Foreigner. Whenever he'd play, I think it was called, "Hot Blooded"-we'd all jump up and go crazy and sing along until we collapsed on the floor. Then I lived in Pennsylvania for a little while and remember listening to "Another One Bites the Dust". I lived with my grandparents for a year and it was my aunts record. I was only in the 3rd grade and thought the words were "I neverwanna go to the docta"...what on earth? In Colorado it was "Jessie's Girl" and "Double Dutch Bus". Then we were in Alabama and I remember we'd drive to Panama City Beach in Florida on the weekends. I was allowed to bring a friend and we'd turn up my boom box and sing every word to Abracadabra, Jack and Diane, and Centerfold. I look back now and think that I had no business listening to some of those songs! LOL! Remember Pack Man Fever? Anyway, fast forward to Frankfurt, Germany. I actually lived there for 6 years! A lifetime for me in those days!! Of course a lot of songs come to mind, but I specifically remember getting into the Madonna craze and Prince. Remember the lace headbands and cut-off finger gloves? My friends and I couldn't get enough of Purple Rain - the whole thing, Duran Duran, and what would YOU answer if I said "Who you gonna call?" You know you just answered! We used to go rollerskating on Fridays and I remember skating to Michael Jackson's, "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", on the school bus it was "Cum On Feel the Noise", by Quiet Riot.....Okay well all of those songs are special to me, but now what I will focus on is this last year. It was a rough one! During the summer we were really going through a lot of changes. It seemed to us that we were just forsaken by all...except God. We knew that He was always there. What we learned during those rocky days is that God gave us each other. Everyone and everything else seemed to be stripped away from us. It may have been our decision to walk away from all of it, but it didn't make it any easier! Well, we stuck together and funny thing is - the radio kept playing a song that probably wore on everyone's nerves. It made us smile and became our summer "anthem". It was "Had A Bad Day". Anytime it would come on, my girls would yell - "turn it up" and then we'd all sing it loud and proud. It helped us to laugh. I also discovered a new singer named Corinne Bailey Rae. I heard "Put Your Records On" and I knew this was MY song. It just cheered me up and made me realize that I don't have to try to be someone that I am not! That was sooooo liberating! One more song that really stands out in my mind is "Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns. I had never really listened to the words, just liked the song in general. My husband made some comment saying that it reminded him of our last church and when I really listened it reminded me of a lot of PEOPLE that I know. That is so sad-but true! Oh! One more song that always puts a smile on my face is "Just Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Vassar. Me and my dh get a good laugh from that because we know it is so true!

Me From A to Z!

A - Available or taken? Taken by the most awesome man in the world!
B - Best Friends? I have learned that my family is my best friend. Don't get me wrong-I am not anti-social or anything like that. I've just been through so much and in the end you learn that family comes first. I have friends that I love and am blessed to have, but my best friends???They are the ones that call me mom, wife, daughter, sister...
C - Cake or pie? Usually it's pie. I can eat cake if it's not the buttercream stuff...but I choose pie-any kind of pie!
D - Drink of Choice? Always different now that I am pregnant. Love grape Propel, coffee, and Mountain Dew. I KNOW---they are loaded with caffeine...maybe that's why they taste so good right now??
E - Essential item I use everyday? Internet, chapstick, and the toilet!
F - Favorite colors? I love autumn colors all year round. My next favorite color would be red-not orangy red-but deep red (like CM cranberry)
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? Yum to both!
H - Hometown? Right now it is Rialto, California. I grew up as an Army Brat and never knew where to call my hometown...I've been everywhere man....
I - Indulgence?Scrap and Stamp Stuff. Really, I don't usually buy much else for myself. If it is scrap or stamp related...I can't resist!
J - January or February? February for Valentine's Day!
K - Kids and names? Hannah age 11, Taryn age 7, and Naomi age 15 months-oh and a little one on the way!
L - Life is incomplete without... my Saviour Jesus Christ!
M - Marriage date? August 21st, 1993
N - Number of siblings? Four! Ondray, my brother, is an assistant pastor in Arizona, Esther, my sister, is a pastor's wife in New Mexico, Tabitha, my sister, is a junior at WSU, and the youngest is Deborah, my sister, a freshman at NMSU. I am the oldest of them all and I love them soooo much!
O - Oranges or apples? Oranges. Navel oranges to be exact--oh, or apples if they are the kind you get at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!!!
P - Phobias or fears? None.
Q - Favorite quote? "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln
R - Reason to smile? It beats frownin'!
S - Season?Autumn. Love the colors (not so much where I live, but you KWIM), smells, activities..
T - Tag? You're it.
U - Unknown fact about me: You can read my previous blogs!
V - Vegetable that you don't like? Raw onions. I try to like them but they give me a headache! I honestly think I may be allergic to them!
W - Worst habit? Taking on too much responsibility at once. I get it done, but I practically kill myself over it!
X - Exercise? I do have a tread mill but what had happened was...
Y - Your favorite food? I am just not a picky girl! You would know that if I you saw me, eh-hem. However, now that I am pregnant...did I mention that already?...it could be whatever I just saw on a commercial, or read in a magazine. Heck, sometimes all you have to do is mention it! Any ideas??
Z - Zodiac? Scorpio-that's right I'm bad, uh-huh! Okay, I really don't know much about it.

Well that's it! If you take the time to do one, let me know! I wanna read yours!

5 things you may not know about me...

Thanks to a challenge set by Cowtown Stacy (SS), I was able to do my blog for the day. I am expecting my sister in the morning - as stated previously - and didn't think I would take time to do this. However, one of the reasons I started this blog was so that I would WRITE. I know it may be rough and slow reading now, but I will warm up to it if I keep on going. So, here are 5 things you may not know about me!

1. Although I am usually the loud and boisterous one of the party - I would prefer to be the quiet observer. Now, I know - the ones that know me best are probably cracking up thinking this is just a big crock - but it is true! I grew up being an Army brat and we moved - a lot. The only way for me to cope and make friends was to be the funny one, the witty one, the sarcastic one...and it worked. Well, I carried that personality into my adult life. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I know where to draw the line between fun and obnoxious... But you know, a lot of times, I just want to sit back and be entertained or enjoy someone else's humor. If I am quiet though, my friends will ask what's wrong, am I sad, do I feel okay, etc. That is why I LOVE going to Scrapshare! I can go and read and be a quiet part of the conversation. A lot of the ladies have me laughing out loud-my family understands this now- at first they were worried that I was alone in the library cracking up. Some ladies make me cry and some even make me mad. That's okay...I don't have to do anything!
2. I would rather go book shopping than clothes shopping. I LOVE books. I could spend hours in a library...okay, make it a Borders or Barnes n Noble so I can have my coffee too. Luckily, I have a husband who knows this and we will often go to a book store, he buys me a coffee, and then we will go our seperate ways and browse the aisles. When we have a large enough stack in our arms-we will meet, find a place to sit and lounge for a while, and when we're ready make a purchase and go home. Love it!
3. I am afraid to try something if I am not sure that I can do it perfectly. Some people would say, "ah she is a perfectionist"...others may say "she's full of herself"...but I say, I am scared to fail. Maybe it's a pride problem.... I have had more piano lessons from more people than I can count. I will get to a point and then just FREEZE. I know that part of this is because growing up, I got in trouble any time I made a mistake. Most things come natural to me-piano doesn't. I still get sweaty thinking that my husband may one day ask me to play piano for church...yikes! I can not sew or I guess choose not to attempt much at sewing. I don't want to mess it up. Now, on a lot of things, if someone shows me exactly how...I will try it. Like the border swap I just joined. I have been scrapping for YEARS...but to get approved when I have not ever been in one...phew. But guess what? She approved them (swapcop) and I guess I am hooked. I guess I will just have to get over it all - but it'll take some time.
4. I can still do the splits and round off and cartwheels... you wouldn't think it to look at me now, but I can. I was very athletic once and swear that I will be again....one day!
5. I want to have my own business one day. I am not sure what it would be, but I know it would have to be with something I love and would not have to go back to school for. I would prefer it to be linked to something creative....but then well you know, just go read #3....

Auntie Emm, Auntie Emm...

Okay...I am sitting here at my computer and thinking how scary it will be when the roof of my house gets ripped right off. Yes! I am really thinking that. The winds are so bad right now that the garbage cans that were set out for tomorrow are flying around all over the place-and they are FULL mind you. The worst part is that this house needs some serious insulating! It SOUNDS scary too! Taryn couldn't even walk outside for fear that she would be blown over...anyway - that is not why I am here. I could go on about the bone-chilling, back-breaking wind---but, I won't. I wanted to put into words that I am so looking forward to seeing my sister Esther and her family. I got to see her in May when we went to New Mexico (where she lives) for Deborah's graduation. It was nice, but we were so busy the whole time, we didn't get to just "be together" KWIM? Esther and I have a special bond because I had the priviledge of having her live with Marco, Hannah, and me when she was a junior in high school. It was a rough start - but was worth it all. She graduated from high school and then went on to Bible college and even found a husband! We talk on the phone often, but I just can't wait to be with her. We have plans on going to Disneyland on one of the days she's here. I will post pics afterward!

It's going to be a good day...

How do I know this? I know this because I woke up and decided it would be a good day. It has to be. It is our last day of winter break (I homeschool my girls) and I want to make the most of it. I came to my shiny new blog spot right away to post a few things that were on my mind last night as I was finishing up some swap borders. No, I won't talk about the Cuttlebug cutting pad that broke because it's going to be a good day, remember?


1. I was thinking about how thankful I am for the husband God gave me.


As I sat in my little scrap corner, I was overcome with such a good feeling about my dh. He is such a hard worker. He always puts us first. He is very considerate of how I feel, what I need, etc., and he "gets" me. Sure, we have our moments, but it's usually because I am spoiled and I throw an unnecessary tantrum... I love him so much and am so thankful for him.


2. I think I am actually falling in love with our brand new little puppy.


Some of you may think-"well, what's not to love about a puppy?"....Well, a lot of things in my opinion, but I think I am getting over it. We got our a girls a little Rat Terrier for Christmas. He's only 3 months old. This is our first real pet-ever. The girls are doing a good job of taking him out and feeding him, but I find myself more and more looking to play with him, talk to him. I mean, he's just a dog, right? I think he loves us too! My youngest is 15 months old and she just lights up when he's around. He does still try to jump up, but he is gentle with her. Anyway, I just realized that I am smiling as I type this. Yup, I think it's Puppy Love for sure.

Official Start!

I have been looking to start this thing for soooo long. It is a new year and I have many things that I want to accomplish. They are mostly very simple things. Why is it that so often the simple things are often the things that don't get done? I have been so inspired by the ladies on ScrapShare. One of my reasons for starting this blog is so that I can keep up with the Blog Challenges posted by Cowtown Stacy. After reading this blog, some may think that I have no friends IRL because I know that I will be referring to the ladies on ScrapShare often. The truth is that all though I haven't met any of these ladies IRL, I consider them friends. I know by their posts what's going on in their lives, I know by their layouts what their families are like, I know by their SWAP spoilers what their styles are like. But mostly I know that these are ladies that are REAL. So for my first blog entry here, I would like to give a big thank you to all of you SS sisters out there. You are funny-(Nancy D., Martha in CA, Longaberger Lady) - you are creative (too many to think of!) - you are passionate about what you do (Cowtown Stacy)-you are honest and speak your mind (Cheery Bunny, Sister BDSQ)-you are overcomers and show me your strength (many, many of you)-you always have a kind word (Nadya) - and just as importantly you are enablers (thanks for the sizzlits Katbug, SWAP COP, Biscuit Scraps-my first ribbon swap...) I could name many more of you that have inspired and taught me in some way, but I will save that for another day, another blog...