Note to Blog Stalkers:

Okay, really just my Portland, OR stalker.... Desha... I love that you check me out, and hopefully you can check out my bro's site too... but seriously, having an email address for you would be nice, that way I could keep in contact with you... That's the ultimate in blog stalking power, is remaining un-contactable! So, if you'd like to grace me with your email address, you can contact me at stampinashley@gmail.com and I guess any of you others that would like to contact me via email, feel free to do so. Just don't add me to any of your forwarding lists, I despise "fwd" emails!

Just plain fishy photos

What a bunch of PRINCESSES!! These are the pictures that we had taken while visiting Grandma. My friend Brianne does an absolutely AMAZING job, so anybody in her area, should definitely check her out for getting their pics done. You can visit her website and see her gallery here And if you'd like to see the whole shoot, you'll have to check out my photo album link there to the right. There were way too many fantastic pictures to put them all on the blog. This is just a small sampling!!

Oh yes, and this fish was seriously the most hilarious thing of the day. I won't give away trade secrets or tricks, but I will tell you that my girls were absolutely amazed and astonished! It was truly hilarious! (see the gallery for the whole session of fish pics!!)

My favorite Heart baby!

When doing our little photo shoot I wanted to make sure to have a special picture of Tristan and me. I've tried to take one with all the kids, but I especially wanted one with her, because I found this great poem about having a heart baby that I simply HAVE to scrapbook. I'll put the poem up here... it's very touching.


The Day I Became a Heart Mother

One day my world came crashing down,
I'll never be the same.
They told me that my child was sick.
I thought, "Am I to blame"?
I don't think I can handle this.
I am really not that strong.
It seemed my heart was breaking.
I have loved her for so long.

I will not give up on this child.
I will listen to your advice.
I will give my child any chance.
No matter what the price.
I will learn all that I need to help my child thrive.
I'll even use that feeding tube.
My child must survive!

Will she need a lot of therapy?
Will she gain the needed weight?
Please God, help me do this.
I will accept our fate.

When the monitors beep at night, it serves as my reminder.
How many parents would love that sound.
Tomorrow I will be kinder.
As another Angel earns his wings,
I run to my child's bed.
I watch her sleep for quite a while.
I bend down and kiss her head.
I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.
I look to You wondering why?
Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways....no matter how I try.

And yet, I trust you hold her life, and guide us through each day.
My mind says savor each moment she's here,
But my heart begs, "PLEASE let her stay"!

From pacing the surgical waiting room, to sitting by her bed.
From wishing for a good night’s sleep, to learning every med.
From wondering, "Will she be alright?", to watching her reach out her hands.
With every smile my heart just melts, despite life's harsh demands.

For all who see that faded line.
I look to them and smile.
You see my child is loved so much.
I would face ANY trial.
That scar I trace with my finger (It's the door to her beautiful heart).
God must have known how much I'd love her (Just as He loved her from the start).

A heart mom is always a heart mom.
Now wise beyond her years.
For those who have angels in heaven,
Our hearts share in all of your tears.

Every day I will try and remember,
I was chosen for her (and no other).
I will always embrace that beautiful day.......
When I became a "Heart Mother".

- Author Unknown

fun cuttin'

Alright, so here are a few projects I have successfully cut out... The cupcake is my fave. I actually drew that in the program, and then cut out each piece, then pieced it together (sounds like a lot of work, but it was... a piece of cake...!!!)

Then the "Spring" Title. that was one of the scrollies it came with and a title typed over top, super easy to create, and to cut, and even to take off the cutting mat... trying to run it through the sticker machine so I'll actually be able to use: a little more challenging, but it worked!

Then there's the VW logo... yeah, that's rather dorky, but I wanted to cut something for TJ. I downloaded the image off the internet and traced it, then cut it. I bought some vinyl so when I get it, I'll be able to cut him a real sticker that he can put on his air compressor or something!

That's what I have done with this fantastic machine so far. I know that these beautiful items would look far better on a scrapbook page or you know, somewhere useful (besides that VW sign on my bookshelf...) But for now, I will continue to pile these little goodies on my desk for future use.

We're Back!

What? You didn't know we were gone? That is what explains the constant checking and being disappointed every time that there is no new post here to read. Sorry for you faithful stalkers, I must have failed you.

Anyhoo... we are back, and it feels good to be home. What is it about home that is so much More comfortable? Anyway, the visit with Grandma and Grandpa was great! We got to see some Aunts and some Uncle-in-laws and even a couple cousins. The girls had a blast, despite that we were ALL sick for pretty much the entire duration of our trip. (Note, it was NOT a vacation!)

It was good to get away from the rising heat here in Texas, but to snow? That was a little much for me, but what would you know, the girls loved it! They went outside with Grandma and filled their little bowls with fluffy white snow to eat, and then of course brought it inside so they could start cooking it in their little kitchen. Good thing when it melts it's no messier than water :)

I don't have too many pictures to post from our trip as apparently a camera was MIA for most of the trip. However, I do have a few fantastic photos that a friend and business colleague took. As well as just a few shots from our marvelous trip to the zoo.... good part is that you can't smell the stink through the pictures! So I will try to add those photos later on today.

For now, I must get back to my previous projects.... it seems as though TJ misses me when we are apart so he buys me things (what could be better than this!!?) I came home to a beautiful new Pazzle Cutter (for scrapbooking for any dummies out there!) You can view this fine product by visiting their website. I will post the fruits of my playful labors when I actually cut something out!

It's a commitment

Alright, it's true, I have a commitment problem. You see... I like to scarpbook...(If you didn't know that, we probalby haven't been close friends yet!) So here's the problem: There are so many wonderful, little, sparkley, embellishments and ribbons- that's what makes scrapbooking so darn fun- I have a reason to buy them all. And there begins my problem with commitment. I am very good at finding, picking out and buying the perfect pieces.

The problem is that I can't bear to see them used up. I mean, what if they will match something else BETTER down the road? What if I get to another set of pictures and I wish I would have save X embellishment or ribbon for THAT project?

Truth be told, most scrapbookers become hoarders over time, not being able to withstand the seperation anxiety that might occur if they commit to using that last perfect brad.

As so becomes one of my goals or resolutions rather for the new year. I know, it's a little late to being setting goals... However, I did set this goal, internally back in January, I just didn't want to tell anyone, in fear that I wouldn't be able to stick with it (we are talking about a commitment issue here). Oh yes, so the goal would be to not buy scrapbooking supplies merely because they are pretty AND on sale... to only buy when working on a project. Sounds rather simple if you think about it, but there is a lot of weight behind that goal.

So it turns out that I have actually stuck with it (to some extent at least) I have bought ONLY for my projects, and in turn I have accomplished more pages than I have in a really long time -combined.

I bring this up, because I have 3 more pages to add to Tristan's book, although now we are starting to expand, I did all 3 girls' Easter pages (already!!) So I think Tristan's count is up to... 46 ... that's a lot of scarpbook pages!!

Anyway, for now, I think I will need to write this on the wall of my scrapbooking room, "Use it up, Wear it out, make it do, or do with out." Because hoarding these beauties does nobody any good, not only do I not get to show them off, but I would never get to buy more; and that's no fun for anyone!