Laptops...

.... and I just don't seem to get along. Yep, you guessed it, my laptop is down again and has been sent off for repairs. This is why I bought one that cam with the extra great warranty, so that when I have problems, I can get it fixed or replaced during the first 2 years. It started with my fan... it died so my cool computer started over heating and shutting itself off. Next was my card reader on Sunday... it wouldn't read my cards hence the use of Cloe holding up heart toast for my I Heart Faces entry. Cute as it is I had an even better one of Cloe hold a ribbon heart I had made why giving Ben a kiss on the cheek. I didn't plan it but it was so cute! So yesterday as one of my birthday gifts to myself I got a ride to Visions where I bought my computer and dropped it off for repairs. Unfortunately it might take up to or longer than 6 weeks because they have to send it away! So I did all of my facebook of my cell phone yesterday to say Thank-you to all my amazing friends and family who made the day feel that much more special with your facebook posts and phone calls even though I didn't do anything really great an wonderful. I enjoyed a LONG sleep in, followed by a simple brunch in bed. I watched My Hans Christian Anderson movie again (never get tired of that one) and then caught up on some PVR'd shows before Candy showed up to take me out. I dropped off my computer then went back to her place for dinner and a TV movie before we were to head to the Photography Club here in PG. We didn't make it that far as Ben was struggling with kids at home so instead I was treated to a DQ Banana split and came home to get the little ones reigned back in and settled down to reading all my amazing wall posts over my cell and watching some more PVR'd shows. It was a quiet day really and that was nice. Ben cleaned up the ciaos that happened in the brief time I was gone so I didn't have to do any cleaning. So like I said.. nothing fancy, but still perfect in it's own little way.  So while I am here on Ben's computer I will grab a quick photo off my memory card and share it with you as a post is just not the same without one. This is Matt playing with the same ribbon heart I told you about earlier. How was your day yesterday?

I Heart Faces - Hearts

Oh What fun it is Hearts week! I didn't have much time to take the picture I saw in my head for this challenge but I still have one to enter. Last week when we made our brunch we used a heart cookie cutter to cut out the center of the bread and then toasted the middles. So My entry picture is Cloe blowing her Daddy a kiss while showing him her toast that she spread some red jam on.

Check out the other great entries at



  

  

God Gave Them Knowledge

I have been talking a lot to my kids about how they can be the people they want to be. How seeking out those things that are good, following the rules, and obeying the commandments can help them achieve their goals. I have read them the scripture stories but I found this video on the institute section of Mormon Message on YouTube and it brought the stories to life and they understand it more now. So today I thought I would share with you the story of David that helped my kids gain knowledge.

Heritage Project: Ben's Poem

So I have decided that since I am working harder at completing projects I start I would also share them here. So today I have started and completed (In under and hour!) The canvas print for Ben's poem that is going to be published. Now I could of gone with a poster for him, but since his poem is about painting and I want it to last him a life time (there is a great rebuy program if it doesn't though) I went with a canvas print. It's just a small one, 8x8 but perfect for a student that in a few years will be going to University. If your interested in creating your own masterpieces head over to Lovely Hearts Memories and sign-up for your free account to check it all out no matter where in the world you live.

Photo Story Boards...

Okay, So I LOVE learning new things and for some of you this maybe old hat, but for me this is SOO COOL and EASY!! One of the newest blogs I have discovered is The CoffeeShop Blog. It has been so AWESOME for teaching me a few Photoshop tricks as well as she makes Photoshop actions and STORYBOARDS! I have put photos together before but it has always been a time consuming thing, or I use the merging tool for making panoramic pictures from multiple pictures. But I sometimes want to dress my story photos up and she made that soooo easy for me. Okay... so maybe I am a little over excited, but really how could you not be when it's something that you enjoy? So here are a few of the photo stories I wanted to share with you these past few weeks because I think they are cute.

The first is of our Brunch Mike and I had When Sam was home sick from school on the first day of February. Mike and Sam requested Snake Eyes... I know it goes by MANY other name, but that is what I was taught you call eggs cooked inside a hole in bread so you get you eyes and toast together. I made mine using the heart shaped cookie cutter and took some pictures thinking of the picture of the day project and ended up with some fun. So in the story board you have the Snake Eyes cooking, then you have how Claudia eats hers, and last how Sam eats his. Then as a fun bonus there is a picture of Claudia making kissy faces to her dad while showing him her Red Jam Heart.

Next we have Claudia in the Bath on February 2nd who called me in and insisted a grab my camera just so I could take pictures of her making faces. My favorite is the middle one but all of them are cute.



Okay... So there is 2 of the ones I have been playing with.. I will post more in the future.. but honestly.. Aren't they Perfect!

Catching Up

Yep that's right you heard me, I am catching-up.... on what you say? Well the list is long but I will let you in on just a few.

 1. My house work... Oh I love my husband and kids but after the semi-annual inspection was done, they decided it was time to take a break from cleaning... Hence, it has been a slow process, but slowly the house is getting back to where I had it.

2. My Photo-A-Day Blog I did not have time to do much while I was taking my H&R Block course so there were some days I did not take photos, and others where I did but they just did not get posted. They go back almost 3 weeks so Have Fun!

3. My Heritage Makers Projects. I love that I can scrapbook with out having to fight through mounds of papers and other supplies right now.. because lets be honest in a small house that has 8 people and often time more in it.. there just is no room! Plus it is way more affordable for my family and I LOVE that with it I get free online photo storage! If you have any memory of all my computer problems last year you will know how great that is. Check it out... a basic account is FREE!

4. My Laundry. OK I know I said house work... but the laundry here has a LIFE OF ITS OWN! So it deserves a place on this list all by its self. Now I am not saying we don't have clean clothes.. what I am saying is that when my hubby and kids wash clothes they do NOT fold them... you could not see the toy room through the clothes... and I am sure they multiplied worse than rabbits in there.

5. My TV. OK not a really important part of my list but I have a few shows I love to watch and I PVR'd them all and while I caught up on the laundry I watched my shows... Oh yeah I killed 2 birds with one stone baby!

6. This blog. Yep I have neglected it and for that I am so sorry.  I know you guys don't hold your breath waiting for me to post on here, but I have this little fantasy that some where, some one is just a little sad when I miss posting. ( I know, but remember it is a dream)

8. Reading my Blog list. Oh yeah I have a list of Blogs I love to read when I get on the computer and I am slowly catching up on what is happening with some of my favorite people, friends and family, plus those professional blogs I follow. A few of them are Mayhem with the Morrels, Stay at Home in Suburbia, Life as I See It, Printed Jewels Blog, Clutter Busting with Brooks Palmer, and Shadow House Creations ( He is crazy talented and just shares it all with us. I recommend his desktop calendars for sure)

7. My Photo Challenges. I have one that I do on a Semi regular basis called I Heart Faces. It is for all skill levels of photographers and I have learned a TON about photography and photo processing from them. If you have any interest in taking pictures check them out.. maybe even enter a challenge or two or more. I also have a dream that one day I may actually place in the top ten on week. The next one is more of a workshop but it is also free and a great learning tool. It is called The Joy of Love by Willette. She is an amazing Children's Photographer and even if you are taking just family photos what she has to teach will really help improve your photos.

Yep. Like I said lots... and there is more but really I must try NOT to sit in front of the computer the whole day and you would probably get bored of reading that many thing. Tomorrow I will catch you you on some of my favorite photo stories I have taken these past few weeks bur for now I will end with this photo of Claudia showing me her mermaid hair in her bath yesterday. She asked me to take pictures of her making faces at me. There will be some more posted tomorrow. What have you done lately?