Wow!

It's Tuesday already. How will it already be October tomorrow?? And Layne will be 7 months. That is just crazy!!
We made our Walmart run yesterday. Always an adventure with two babies. But, we made it in, out, and home in an hour and fifteen minutes. Not too shabby! Of course, they were all settled in the cart and we get inside and they started crying in unison. haha Fun stuff.

I started my tutoring yesterday for a friends two girls. It went well. The first session is always so hard because you are trying to get to know them, but also trying to get *some* work accomplished. I think they did well. We will see if they do their homework. *wink*

Wanted to share some fun pictures I pulled off of my memory card
Just enjoying my time with the kiddos. That is when my daughter isn't making me want to run away. haha Seriously. Something about little girls... I say I cash in all my "time" and head out now. You see, I earn time when I am single parent and Andy is out of town on military something or other. It's just the way I roll. :) Considering we have already done one 14 month deployment and numerous schools and such...I have lots of time banked. hahaha

But, I might just save it until she is 15. I should have enough time when she turns 15 to take 3 years. LOL Because if this is what 7 is like....I don't want to see 15!!

Here is another page I finished. I actually have 4 layouts sitting next to my table that I need to take pictures of and post....but, I don't want to get too ambitious. I wouldn't want to overwhelm myself. hahaha

Idea inspired by a layout at SC done by Caroline Ikeji! :) Love her stuff.

Alrighty, have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

XO

finding balance

I have spent the better part of the last week and the weekend figuring out the balance in my life. Trying to make sure that I enjoy the small things and not put so much pressure on myself to be and do and go.

First step is thisI am gonna be present in my kids lives. I love being at home - just LOVE it. I get to be here to pick Bayleigh up and I get to be with Layne as he grows and starts becoming quite the little man. Gotta balance my time with my kids.

Also thisYep, a budget. I hate the thought of being so rule bound and sticking so heavily to a budget. But, I have learned that that is exactly what I need. I have to have strict rules with regards to money. So, I am finding balance and coming up with a budget for us. Gotta start saving more and paying down debt. Then, I gotta stick to it. :)

Creating balance by creating art
A page about our first family vacation last year to the lake. We had a blast and I am actually almost done scrapping all of the pictures. That will be a first for me. You can click on it to see it bigger. Had fun creating that page with the June Lifetime Moments kit.

In other news....I will hear about LRS by October 1st. So, talk about email box stalker. hahaha I swear I have checked my mail more in the past 2 days than I have in the past month.

That's all for now. Gonna go tidy the house while the boys are asleep. Then, we are making a Walmart trip.

Happy Monday!

XO

catching up

So, we had visitors this weekend. It's always nice to have family in town. What is not nice is cleaning up afterwards. Ick! I am ready to be all caught up. I know I will get there. Eventually.

Been doing absolutely nothing creative. Which makes me sad. Maybe tomorrow. I feel as though I can't sit and enjoy it when I have so many things I need to do. Gotta learn to let that go. haha

Some pictures of Layne on one of our morning walks
Not much else to say. Layne has been waking up at 5 am every morning so far this week. This mama needs a break. I am hoping he sleeps in a little later tomorrow.

I submitted my stuff for the LRS design team. So now it's just sit and wait. I have no preconceived notions about it. Just excited to see who gets chosen. :)

Alright, until next time. Hopefully, I will have a scrappy page to share.

XO

menu

Trying to get my life back in order since the in-laws visit this weekend.

Sunday - Meatloaf, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, cornbread
Monday - Sausage, rice with stewed tomatoes, lima beans
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Pot pie, biscuits
Friday - Pork chops, yellow rice, black eyed peas, yeast rolls
Saturday - Leftovers

Total grocery bill: $108.63

the sillies

I am afraid that my son has an awful case of the sillies. I present to you Exhibit A:And Exhibit B:
I mean, what are those faces?? LOL He is so funny!! I usually get at least one funny face when I am taking pictures of him. It wouldn't be a complete photo session without one. :)

Another one of his latests
I know the pictures is blurry, but that is because he was crying and flapping around. Yes, my son is holding his arms out to be picked up. Whenever I come near him, he thinks his mama needs to pick him up! Doesn't help that he has a sister that will give in every time.

Bayleigh doesn't get much blogging action. She is doing well. We have been at odds lately because she is just so grown. At 7, it's crazy!! Sometimes I shudder when I think of what 16 will be like. Her latest things are watching PBS again, running around barefoot - everywhere!, playing with her brother and Eden in the mornings, and trying to adjust to being in 2nd grade. She doesn't take a good picture when I have to use the flash....so, this is the best that I have got. If this isn't a picture for the ages, I don't know what is.
I do have a page to share, but it hasn't been taken off of my camera yet. I will update with that tomorrow.

Off to finish up my bio and take pictures of my mini album I completed for the LRS design team call. It's going to be pure anxiety once it's in and I have to sit and wait until October 1st. Oh well!!

Thanks for all the love and positive feedback. Ya'll are too sweet!

Until tomorrow...

XO

sharing :)

There is alot to be said about sharing. We try to teach our kids to share from an early age. I mean, no one wants their kid to be the one that can't share, ya know??

I think as adults, however, we must continue that concept. Not just our toys though. We need to share our lives, our faith, our family. I am trying to put myself out there more. You see, I am quite the shy one....I would rather be a wallflower any day. However, I married the class clown. haha Andy will talk to anyone and he can make a friend with just about any person he meets. I think I need to take note.

At church, there have been a few women that were placed on my heart that might need some welcoming - a place to feel at home. Yet, week after week, I just sit in my pew and do nothing. Not this time baby! On Sunday, I *will* share myself with them. Invite them to our fabulous Sunday School class....anything. God doesn't call us to be wallflowers...he calls us to be lights for him. I have gotta be accountable - so I will let you know how it goes. :)

A few other things I need to share with ya'll.

First are some new pictures...
And then a layout I did using the Lifetime Moments kit from July. :)Here is a closeup of the tag at the bottom - which is from a Scarlet Lime kit (both the circle and the regular tag).
And a closeup of the title - which uses 2 different Thicker fonts and some AC letter stickers.
I think I am going to take the plunge and apply for the Little Red Scrapbook design team. It is a kit club!! They have some awesome kits and this would be a great opportunity. I guess keep your fingers crossed. I am so excited - but, can't decide what to write about myself or which layouts to send in for my submission.

Maybe that is a part of being the shy one. Never much to say about myself.

Until next time...

XO

menu Monday

I know it is Tuesday, but I forgot to post my menu yesterday! So, here it is.

Sunday - Turkey Noodle Casserole, corn, bread
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Roasted chicken, corn on the cob, smashed garlic potatoes, fresh yeast rolls
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Chicken fried steak with pan gravy and biscuits, steamed green beans
Friday - *date night*
Saturday - family in town

Total grocery bill: $81.15 (includes Bayleigh's snack for her class and extras for her classroom snacks)

sadness

I know that people deal with death and sadness everyday. But, I don't. I have had a few tragic deaths in my family - from accidents to cancer. Only a few. For that I praise the Lord.

However, on Friday morning a fellow scrapper and "friend" from Studio Calico was killed in a tragic car accident at the age of 41.She leaves behind a loving husband and two beautiful children, ages 7 and 4. So full of life and spice this one was. The world is a little dimmer without her light shining. Please pray for her family. They need all the prayers you can offer. Pray for the girl driving the other car - she is only 22. Her life as she knew it is virtually over as well. The entire thing is so completely tragic.

I think I have been forced to face life. You know?? What I am doing for forever?? I certainly have been hugging my kids alot tighter. Raising my voice a little less. And praising God a whole lot more.

Make sure you take pictures of yourself with your kids and family. Aleida always emphasized this on her blog. You don't know what tomorrow holds....so make sure to capture the now, now.

I love you all. I am spent emotionally. I promise to be back tomorrow with a more upbeat post. Even a picture or two and a layout.

((hugs)) I appreciate every last one of you.

XO

friday!!

w00t w00t!!!! So glad to have a weekend ahead of me. :) Even though Andy will be at drill all weekend, I will just be glad to have some time "off."

I got some really sad news today. I don't know what to say to do it justice, so I am going to wait and compose my thoughts. I will post about it tomorrow, when I can see through the fog of sadness and share some coherent thoughts on the topic.

So, Layne weighs 19 lbs and 6 ozs. He's getting to be such a big boy!! :) And so loving on his mama lately - in a major way. He is clinging to me and has started reaching for me when he wants me to hold him....so cute!! For now, I guess. I can't help but love and snuggle on this sweet little man.

He has also discovered his tongue. So, we see alot of it these days.
And a picture of Bayleigh in her apple shirt. I just love this shirt and had to buy it for her. She had no say - she got it whether she liked it or not. I mean, it's perfect for scrapbook pages. hahaSorry to have such a short post tonight. My heart just isn't in it. I am still trying to make sense of the days events.

I promise to update tomorrow. My family and I are all fine....so no worries.

Have a fabulous Saturday!

XO

better days :)

So, we have had a better day today. Layne was a stinker and wouldn't take naps for me, but that is okay. He is dead asleep now though. Has been since about 8:30. :) This means no middle of the night stirrings...YAY!!

Went to story time at the library. They sing a song at the beginning and go through each of the children's names there...

Layne over the water
Layne over the sea
Layne catch a blackbird
You can't catch me!

For the first time, the little man noticed people saying his name. He didn't quite get it and kept looking from grown up to grown up trying to figure out why they were saying his name. It was mighty cute! Jack even perked a bit when he heard him name.

Here is a picture of Layne on his 1/2 birthday
And Bayleigh decided to dress Layne in her baby dress last night. I was off doing chores, so Daddy was in charge. Needless to say, alot can happen when Daddy is in charge. Including this
And look at this one - the perfect face for being dressed up in his sissy's dress :)
Can't leave off with that one, so here are some baby grins
Tomorrow Layne goes for his 6 month check-up. I am curious to see how much he weighs. And then tomorrow evening is Bayleigh's open house. I am going to be ready for a weekend - for sure!

Here's another page I completed with the June Studio Calico kit - yummy Basic Grey goodies.You must check out their new kit!! Soooo good...and the hints for next month are sounding great as well. :) They never disappoint.

Until next time...

XO

oy!

So, this is how it goes...

Clean up poop out of high chair - CHECK
Change my poopy clothes - CHECK
Pick up screaming baby - CHECK
Watch Layne spit up everywhere - CHECK
Change my spit up clothes - CHECK
Wipe spit up off of every crack and crevice - CHECK
Put Layne down and pick up screaming Jack - CHECK
Smell poopy diaper - CHECK
Change Jack's poopy diaper - CHECK
Change Layne's spit up clothes - CHECK
and
on
and
on

All by 9:00 am. Nuff said!

Things have been out of whack here in the Wildes household. I was sick for over a week with sinus crud. Then, Layne got it. Of course! I mean, there is only so much I can do when I am still nursing.

Friday afternoon was spent in the emergency room because Layne woke up from his nap with a 103 degree fever. Turns out to be a middle ear infection. The 24-year-old doctor informed me that sometimes their fever will spike when covered up during a nap....thanks doc, appreciate it. *rolls eyes* I don't think a 103 spike would be the norm...but whatev. What do I know?? I am no 24-year-old single doctor.

The meds have done a number on Layne. Lots of spit up and poopy diapers. Oh and screaming. Let me not forget the screaming.

*sigh*

Now maybe you can see why I have been mia. :) But, I have hopes that things are turning around for us. Well, I am clinging to those hopes...

Layne is now 6 months old. Gotta share some pictures of him in all his cuteness. Took these about 2 weeks ago.

And as promised pictures of Bayleigh on her first day of 2nd grade. Her cute little outfit was sent to her by her Nana. She thinks her Nana hangs the moon. And picks out the coolest clothes evah!
Trying to think of what else I need to share. Probably a layout. I will add one today and add more soon. Don't want a picture overload. haha

Here is a page using the fun new Making Memories Passport line. Got this stash in my Scarlet Lime kit in June. Also some found in the July Studio Calico kit.
Here is a closeup of the lower right corner. Love me some canvas brads. :)Closeup of the title and the luggage tag with another favorite on top of it - canvas flowers:
Closeup of the upper right with bling on the sticker tag and the fun ribbon that is a part of that fun new MM line:Alright, I better end it here.

Until next time.... (which will hopefully be less than 3 weeks from now - haha)

XO

menu "Monday"

So, it totally slipped my mind that yesterday was Monday since we all were off. Staying home will do that to a person! :)

Here's my menu for this week:

Sunday: Herbed chicken casserole, rice, lima beans
Monday: Husband night - hamburgers, crab soup
Tuesday: Honey glazed chicken stir fry, rice
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Ricotta pasta with Italian sausage and tomatoes al Forno
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Manly quiche, asparagus

Weekly bill: $148.98 (includes lots of drinks and vitamins for Bay)

Be back later to update with new pictures!

XO