Nineth Year Celebration

My LSS (local scrapbook store) celebrated it's 9th year in business. Actually the store has been around longer than that but my friend and employer has owned the store that many years. She bought it 9 years ago on her birthday so we celebrate both! Usually we have a crop at the store but we are limited on space so it was a first come first serve basis. This year the owners of the park where we hold retreats offered to let us celebrate there with a one night stay. We had more than doubled the attendees we would have had in the store! Our summer employee, Morgan, helped Ray so that Marilyn and I could both go to the retreat. It started Saturday morning and went through Sunday mid afternoon.

I actually did get a little done although I wasn't too sure I would. I had planned all week to get things together to take but I ended up not getting to do that for various reasons and basically threw some things together Saturday morning

I just love this place. It's quiet, peaceful, beautiful and away from almost anything! I've seen this sign many times but it just struck me as funny.

The cottage I stayed in was Farkleberry. I know it makes you laugh but it is actually the name of a Texas plant.

Here is the first 2 page layout I created using paper given to us for a Make & Take. The colors were a bit pale for my liking so I added a bright red cardstock that brought out the hint of red in the design paper from Authentique's "Be(you)tiful collection. As you can see I still need to journal about this event.

These pictures are from 2 years ago when we went to visit our nieces and nephew in the Houston area on Doyle's side of the family. We had not seen them in several years.

Close up of left side.













Close up of right side.











I had another set of pictures from this same trip so with the papers I had left over and some cardstock I created this 2 page layout.

Close up of the left side.

Close up of right side.

I got more layouts done but they aren't finished. I would like to enter these layouts in WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations. Leave me a comment for a chance to win some blog candy (prize). Cat's gives GREAT prizes! Also check out the other great talent that have linked their projects. Got a project you would like to share. Link up to Cat's blog so we can be inspired!

Our slogan this year for the festivities was "Nine is Fine as Wine" We had wine tasting. I'm not a big wine connoisseur but I did have a taste.

Every time I go to Mitchell Park I make it my goal to take a walk and look for photo opportunities. It's good to stretch my legs and I always see something cool!  As I walk outside the building the moon has risen to the East.

 I see rabbits as I'm walking. The other one is just out of view.

It is also a tradition for me to watch the sunset. Clear open sky with no obstructions in the way! I don't get that opportunity every day. I was not disappointed.

I kind of liked this one with the cows silhouetted.

 Look what else I found!



And don't you love this photo on the right?! It's the sun behind the spider! Way cool!

I had fun taking these photos!

Here's another one!

 Side view

Back to the setting sun. These pictures really don't do it justice. It was so beautiful in person.

 

One last shot. On that note... have a good one!

A Little Farther in the Process

The kids had court on Monday in Arkansas for the contempt charges they filed against Remi's mother. Like before I went with them to help care for Kashton. We left church between worship and preaching. It's a 6hr drive without any stops. We stayed in a quaint hotel in the same town as court. We noticed it the last time we were there. It made for a much less stressful morning before court.

After being in the car all afternoon I was ready to walk around and explore a bit.

Each room and one or two rocking chairs. I loved it.

This chair is so inviting to me! I did sit for a minute but it was really hot and I had places I wanted to explore!

This old abandoned building was just interesting to me. Especially with the storm clouds in the background.

A church I passed on my walk.

I walked by a think tree line and found some birds. 

I am not a "bird watcher" but I have friends who are. I think these are both female cardinals. Anyone who knows for sure please correct me if I'm wrong.

We hadn't eaten yet when I went for my stroll so I didn't stay gone long. When I returned back to the hotel the kids were sitting on the porch in the rocking chairs.

Daddy and Kashton just chillin'!

Mommy bought Kashton some new toys to play with.

Court started at 10am on Monday. There were several cases on the docket. We ended up being last because the Judge knew it would take some time. I ended up holding Kashton nearly all day! He did sleep a lot of it.

Aren't those the most beautiful eyelashes!

Me and Lil' Man!

 

It was a long day. We didn't get what we wanted but I do believe that God answered prayer. There was much prayer over this day. Our church prayed, my Bible study group prayed, the kids and I prayed the night before and right before we went inside. Then I continued to pray throughout the day while I waited in the hall with Kashton. Our prayer was for God's best for Remi. We believe that even though we didn't get some of the things we wanted God is about doing what is best for Remi.

 

The Judge did not find Remi's mother in contempt. I am still shaking my head over that one but am trusting that God was just extending her grace.

 

We got to bring Remi home with us although we had to wait until 7pm to pick her up and then drive home. That made for a late night. She will be with us for 3 weeks. Visitation was changed which we had anticipated. Instead of every 3 weeks we will get her for 2weeks ever other month. Although it's not as much visitation, as long as she lives in California it will be easier for all concerned with travel costs. If I understood correctly Keannon will be responsible for getting Remi but her mother is responsible for getting her back home. Remi's mother had also enrolled Remi in Pre-K to prevent us from getting visitation. The Judge said he would not recognize any school other than what was mandatory. That will give us about a year which we are grateful for. 

She was very excited about seeing little brother again so soon. She was also excited to see all of us! See the little white line under her bottom lip? We had stopped so Vanessa could feed Kashton. We used the stop to stretch our legs and use the restroom. While in the store, I asked Remi if she wanted anything and she picked white powdered donuts!

Mommy decided to have a little fun with Kashton by putting Daddy's tie on him.

You're a little young for that buddy!

We didn't tell Kennedy that we were bringing Remi home. It was 2am when we finally got home. The kids stayed in the Peanut Palace so they could be close when Kennedy woke up. When she was awake they sent Remi over. The look on Kennedy's face was priceless!

The girls came over Tuesday night and I cooked dinner then we played in my craft room! 

That catches you up for now. I need to get packing for a mini retreat to Mitchell Park to observe the 9th anniversary of Cat's Creations!

Have a good one!

Crafting with a Friend

Scrapbooking, cardmaking, or any type of crafting is fun but it is even more fun when you can do it with a friend who enjoys it too! Since I started scrapbooking I have acquired many new and wonderful friends! I acquired another one just a few weeks ago. We had met through the store then began to communicate through blogs and Facebook. I don't recall exactly how it got started but our conversation ended with making a date to come craft at my house! I was so excited!

Tuesday was our day. We made plans to meet at my house around 1pm. I thought that would give me time to get home and get a table setup for her before she arrived. Well, I was a little later leaving the office than I intended and she pulled up in front of my house just as I got home! No problem! That just meant we could start sooner! All's good!

Based on a extremely sweet status update she put on her facebook wall she enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did! We spent time getting better acquainted sharing some of our history with one another. We shared funny moments and some somber moments. Most of all we created! I think I must have talked more than she did as she completed 7 page layouts while I only manage 2! It really wasn't so much about the layouts anyway!

Meet Cassandra! Beautiful name for a beautiful young talented woman! Here's her page in progress. She also makes beautiful cards. You can see more of her work here.

Here is the layout I did.

Cassandra gave me the idea for putting the letters for the title on the twine and tying a bow. Thanks for the great tip Cassandra! If these pictures look familiar its because they are! I've blogged about them and scrapbooked them once before. Remember I am making pages for Remi to have a book too. I absolutely LOVE the Carta Bella Giddy Up collection. This is the girl line. This was Remi's first ride.

Here's a closer look of the left side.

A closer look of the right side.

The girls look so tiny on that big ole' horse! They had so much fun that day they were singing as I was leading Clyde. They were singing "itsy bitsy spider"! 

If you'd like to watch and listen to the video you can do that here.

Look who joined us in my craft room.

She's got her little crafting apron on too!

I'm going to link my layout to Cat's Creations for WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a yummy crafting prize! Go check out Cassandra and others who link up to WOW Wednesday. I promise you will be inspired! Better yet, why don't you link up your craft project and inspire all of us!

Cassandra and I had such a good time that we scheduled another "playdate" that hopefully will give us more time to be creative and enjoy one another's company!

Have a good one!

Remi Goes Home

Our three weeks with Remi has gone by so fast! The girls spent the night with me Thursday.

Mom came by to see them and let me get some pictures.

I LOVE these girls!

I pulled out the sleeper sofa. The only light on was the TV. I tried to take a picture and the light from the camera on my phone was so bright it blinded us! We all had a good laugh at how silly we looked!

Friday morning Granddad came home from work!

On Saturday morning the kids brought Remi by to see us before they left town to take her back to her mom. I had made her a brag book of photos taken of her visits with us.

Friday evening, Doyle & I were at PK Lake and saw this pair. They are protected up there so it's not unusual to see several.

On Sunday, Mom (Grammer) took is out to lunch. I managed a pic with the Lil' Man. He's such a sweet little guy! I will get some bonding time with him soon. The kids have court in Arkansas Monday regarding the contempt charges against Remi's mother. I am going with them to help care for Kashton.

Have a good one!

Randomness

Do you remember the Dove that was nesting in our backyard. I wrote about her here. The babies have hatched! Actually I believe they hatched much sooner than we were aware.

After we had discovered the nest in the backyard we looked every day. The other day as I was looking at the nest I saw feathers that didn't appear to belong to the mother.

Do you see the clump of feathers at the bottom of the mother's wing?

I kept trying to get a better angle. I tried not to disturb her but I guess all my dragging the ladder around finally unnerved the mother and she flew away revealing the babies.

Since these photos they have left the nest although they haven't gone far. It has been fun to watch them stay together and mother isn't far away. I haven't been able to get a good picture of them since they have left the nest. They are good about hiding among the foliage of the trees.

I found this guy in my flower bed the other day.

One evening when I went to feed I took the dogs with me and took them on a short adventure to the tank on the property adjacent to where I keep Clyde.

I saw some dragon flies

We finally get to the water and both dogs were very happy!

Kajen doing what he loves most!

A few pretty wispy clouds to end the day.

Life sure is hard for this canines.

Kajen has come to live with us for a little while. Where the kids are right now doesn't have a fenced yard. They have always brought Kajen over to visit when they come but the last few weeks he has refused to eat for them. When he would stay with me, I never had any trouble with him eating.  I really think the problem is more that he gets more attention when he is with us.

I thought these clouds were so cool!

One more sunset to end the day.

Have a good one!