Just a spoonful of sugar

helps the medcine go down.

This is what my kitchen counter looks like at the moment. I too have double ear infections, so I am on antibiotics and Mucinex. Fun stuff. I am hoping we are on the road to healthier days, and the boys have perked up quite a bit. I am just hoping that I start feeling more like myself soon. Thanks for the get well wishes. I really appreciate it! :-)

I am hoping to take the boys to the Indy Children's Museum tomorrow for his preschool field trip and to just do something fun after a week of being couped up in the house. I am pretty optimistic that we'll be making the trip. I think I will also take them to the Pizza King in Avon. They love it there, and they love the train that brings us our drinks even more. I am really looking forward to having a fun day with my boys! Hopefully, I will have some fun pictures to post from our day tomorrow!

Coughing + Doctor + Medicine = Happy Mom

Wow, we have been through it the past few weeks. When it rains it pours around here when speaking of being sick. My goodness. I am exhausted.

Gabe started off with a really bad cough 2 weeks ago, but was better in a few days. Then on Tuesday of last week, I thought I had caught his cold. I was miserable. Two boxes of tissues later, I still cannot smell or taste, I am tired, but just congested now. Well, on Thursday, Graedon decides to start running a fever. No biggie. It was a low fever and he was playing and eating. That soon turned to a little lifeless little guy, no eating and a fever that would not break. Called the doctor. She said if it didn't get better over the weekend, then she would need to see him. Saturday, still fever, but spurts of energy, but now Gabe has fever and this horrible cough. He is coughing so hard that he is getting nose bleeds and getting sick to his stomach. Sunday was just a day home to rest. I thought the fevers were getting better, but no. That night included fevers, accidents in bed, cleaning up a bloody nose and washing sheets and pillow cases. I was so tired. Finally, Monday morning and I call the doctor again. Luckily, they could see both boys that day.

She diagnosed them with double ear infections each and a virus. They had not complained about thier ears even once. Gabe even asked how he could have an ear infection if his ears didn't even hurt. All I know is that I am happy to report that the antibiotics have already kicked in. No fevers to report today, and Graedon's appetite has started to come back and he is up and playing. Poor Gabe is just having a rough time with his cough still. She prescribed some cough medicine with codeine, but he got sick to his stomach last night after taking it, so we are just sticking with the Robitussin.

I am still not able to smell or taste. Not fun!

Been Sick

I'll be back after I get feeling better.

Want to party?

Head on over to Feeling Scrappy and wish them a Happy Brithday by joining in on the blog party fun! They offer awesome classes, and they talent there is amazing. You won't be sorry that you checked them out!

Design Team Call...check it out!

Paper Popsicles is currently having a Design Team call, and if you are interested in sharing your scrappy craftiness with others, then definitely check it out. Even if you are not interested in applying for the Design Team, take some time to shop, or even hang out and chat with us over there. It is a great community of welcoming and talented individuals. You won't be sorry!

Want to be on our Design Team ?
We are looking for fun, enthusiastic, and creative paper crafters to join our Design Team. Our design team motivates, inspires, and supports our online community. We are looking for paper crafters of all skill levels, with or without design team experience. Paper Popsicles kits and store products appeal to a wide audience, so we're looking for all type of scrappers... from traditional to chic. We are accepting applicants from the U.S. & Canada. this time.Deadline for Design Team submissions will be Thursday, April 30, 2009. To apply, please send the following items to paperpopsicles@gmail.com.

Full contact information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address, and message board user ID).
3 layouts (1 layout must be 2 pages with multi-photos), 1 altered project and 1 card - these can be previously published items - we just want to see your best work!. Links of your blog, online galleries, or other places where your work can be seen. Please include any user IDs necessary..
Register for our message board and get to know the members of our community and allow us to get to know you a little better..
A short resume of your paper crafting experience, including any current or prior design teams..
A short bio about yourself; including what you consider your scrapping style to be and why you want to be part of the Paper Popsicles Design Team

Design Team Requirements:
Our designers rotate between the main kit and mini-kit assignments. Main kit assignments consist of 4-6 projects using the supplied kit contents. Projects should be a variety of layouts and cards; 3-4 layouts (a multi-photo two page layout is required each month) and a card set (2 or more cards) per kit. All projects should be made with at least 90% kit contents or store product. All items to be submitted prior to the monthly deadline..
Every other month, choose a project you have recently created using store products and provide written directions and photos for an online workshop. Directions should focus on specific steps needed to recreate your project, including techniques used, measurements for cutting, and include sketches as needed. These may be published on the blog as well as the how-to forum..
Each design team member is expected to participate actively on the message board, gallery and contribute content to the Paper Popsicles blog. Activity includes starting new threads, posting questions, tips, responding to threads, and leaving gallery praise..
Every designer is assigned a week each month to post the question of the day on the board.. Participate in any online events that are held during term.. Participate in Design Team discussions.
Commitment to a 4 month contract term May 2009 - August 2009 with the possibility of an additional 2 months or until October 2009.
Design Team Compensation:
Receive a discount on purchases from Paper Popsicles.. Receive monthly Design Team kits as assigned to be used in creating monthly projects. Free shipping on orders shipped with Design Team kits. Other store merchandise as creative work is needed.

Watch the Paper Popsicles blog on May 2, 2009 for the exciting announcement of our new design team!!!

An oldie but a goodie

I just came across this photo. I haven't even printed it yet. That is not a good mommy thing to do. It is just so cute. Look at Graedon's little profile, and Gabe's baby face. Do you ever just stop and ask, "How did I get so lucky?"

Sunday's Seven

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend, but especially a memorable Easter Sunday! What an amazing day....He is risen! I cannot explain the raw emotion that I feel when I think of what Christ did for me, for all of us! Amazing love!

1. My Lord, my Savior!
2. Squealing kids when they are set free to hunt those eggs.
3. Gabe understanding and telling me about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. My heart is so full of pride and joy that he understands.
4. Makeup-I know, a little materialistic, but boy, I've needed that makeup this week. I've been keeping some late nights, and it shows in the morning.
5. High school memories. I've been reminded of some great high school times by some recent photo posting on Facebook. I loved high school...I know some hate it, but I truly enjoyed high school, and at times I miss it. I am thankful that I have some great memories.
6. Be able to drink clean water. I sometimes forget that there are some around this world that do not get clean water from the tap or water bottles. I need to drink more water, and I have beent trying to do that more.
7. Closeness to family. I am close with my family, and I am so thankful that my dad lives only an hour away from me and that my mom is just 15 minutes away still living in my hometown. My boys are growing up understanding how important it is to be close with your family, and I love having them around! Families are so amazing in that way. I don't know what I would do without my family.

New Salad Love

This salad has become my new go to salad. Do you ever just get on kicks where you like to eat the same thing over and over again? Well, that is me with this salad. I hope you give it a try. The flavors go great together.

Spinach Salad, with Feta and Mandarin Oranges

*Bag of fresh baby lettuce
*Thinly sliced red onion (your desired amount)
*Can of Mandarin Oranges
*Feta Cheese (amount to taste)
*Fat Free Italian Dressing (your desired amount, but enough to coat the spinach leaves)

I mixe the bag of spinach, sliced onion, feta and Italian dressing together. I think add the can of mandrain oranges (drained). I sometimes add a little bit of the juice from the oranges. Once you add the oranges, the spinach starts to wilt, so I wouldn't add the oranges until you are ready to serve it. Also, if you don't think you will eat it all in one sitting, only make as much as you will eat. I don't think it is a salad you should refrigerate overnight. Fresh is best.

Let me know if you give it a try! I love it, and I have never had Feta cheese until 2 months ago.

My Silly Boys

I just thought I would share some silliness that is my boys from the other day while we were parked. We had just gotten done eating a chocolate chip cookie. That is what is all over Graedon's face.

Sunday's Seven

I have had a very emotional day today, and I won't elaborate, but it has really made me love the life that I have and know that I am a very lucky woman. I have an amazing husband who loves me and has for over half of my life. Who gets lucky enough to have met her future husband in middle school? My kids fill my life with so much joy, and I am so lucky to try to give them the world! I am truly in love with my life.

1. An understanding and compassionate husband.
2. Two amazing, healthy little boys, who are full of innocence.
3. A family that is there for one another, through the good and the bad.
4. Dependable friends to listen to me ramble.
5. A pastor that I can turn to for guidance.
6. A home that I am happy to return to every day!
7. For a man that loves me!

{Layouts to share

I cannot believe that I haven't posted since Sunday. I've been a bit busy lately. Gabe actually had his first t-ball practice tonight, and I had to miss it due to a prior committment. They didn't call us about his practice until yesterday. Nothing like last minute, huh?

Well, I was so luck to have been the Guest Design Team member for the month of March over at Feeling Scrappy, and March happened to be their Sketchapalooza 3 class! I had the most fun that I have had in a long time, and I am so inspired to scrap and get more layouts done! I actually completed 19 of the 21 layouts!! That is a new monthly record for me. I see that they have their new class schedule up, and Sketchapalooza 4 is listed to start in July! If you are at all interested in scrapping and getting some great inspiration, then you must check out a Feeling Scrappy class!!

I wanted to share a couple of layouts. I will get the others posted periodically. I don't want to overwhelm you! :-)