Wanted to post this really quick too. It's the tag I'm making for a swap I'm in at 2 peas. Heidi's Swapp to be exact lol. I hope the girls like em and I can't wait to get theirs! 15 of us, a few different from last time but the rest are the same. Can't wait to see the ideas, I get so motivated by them.....

Steve Irwin Tribute Page....

Felt really good to finally get this completed. Hopefully it will mean a lot to his family. There are 85 of us over at Two Peas doing this tribute album, and I think it will turn out nicely. I hope that the journaling is visible on here, if not I'll come back and add it as I won't be keeping the original copy. First layout I've ever completed for another person's album, but I thought it was so important, I had to do it. I know if my father had passed away and I got to look through a bunch of photos of how he touched others' lives, I would love it, so hopefully they will too. Or at least it will bring a bit of comfort maybe.

My wedding is totally turning into a disaster. Finally, finally, after many many delays.....3 weeks before the wedding...... we get started on the invitations and I can not get them to print correctly. I must have already wasted 50 sheets of vellum. It's ridiculous. I'm getting very frustrated and it makes me just want to call the whole thing off. At least for a little while.

I have been so busy I haven't been able to update. Was out of town at Ceasars Poconos Resort for this beautiful gal's wedding last weekend. That's her and our best man Christopher Robin (her brother). The cremony was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately the reception got a little messed up. Big miscommunication between the resort and the bride and groom. Shuttling entire wedding between two different resorts. The bride did not even get to dance with her father or new husband. It was very sad. But she made a BEAUTIFUL bride!

I had to go and pay for the retreat we're going to this weekend in Livonia, so since the Scrapbook Zone is only ten minutes from there, I had to stop in. I didn't have long because I was on my way to class, but boy did I do some damage. They had EVERYTHING! And good prices. Rhonna Ferrar stamps for only $14.99! The place is huge and they have a dollar section. Another bonus? Coupons every month. Yeah buddy. I'm all over that place. I've found my new favorite LSS. (Of course I'll still be visiting my other faves lol)

We will never forget...... may God bless and bring peace to everyone affected. Five years later, it still seems like yesterday.

Suri Has Finally Arrived

Ok, as much as I hate (absolutely despise) Tom Cruise...... his daughter is just gorgeous!!! And doesn't Katie look just great in this photo? I'll have to go dig up the ones of Brad and Angelina's baby because I just love them and it wouldn't be right to showcase Tom-who-I-hate 's baby if not showing beautiful Shiloh :)

Now Shiloh is one cute baby! Look at those lips! Ooh, also wanted to add this here for the future generations. Gas is finally back down! After reaching the all time high of $3.05 around here this summer, we're finally back to a much better $2.48. Still a ripoff. I'm only 27, but when I started driving at 16 gas was like $1.05 a gallon. You could put $3 and be good for a few days lol. You're lucky now if that will take you to the next city.

Steve Irwin, the Crocadile Hunter, was killed today while filming a series about the Ocean's Deadliest. He was hit by a stingray barb in the chest and it struck his heart. What a tragedy, he was so full of life and loved what he did. At least that's some comfort. He died totally in his element. Rest in Peace.

2 Peas Challenge: What would you do today if you could do anything you have a deep desire to do? If you had the means, what would you do?

There are a few worldly things I'd want to take care of. As in, bring the troops home, end hunger...that kind of thing. But if I'm thinking more personally, then I would get my brother out of the slump he's currently in. He's at a low point right now and he just needs a good bit of help to get him out of it. I'd also hook my mom up with all kinds of good stuff. She is an awesome, awesome person and deserves only the best. She really does not give herself enough credit. She's like an angel on earth. Such a huge heart.

Yeah buddy, it's football season! Last year we went to the Homecoming game, and we were wanting to go so badly to the Michigan/Ohio State game this year, but unfortunately it's not gonna happen. I love Michigan Football. I think it came from the years growing up where we'd visit Aunt Ronda and Uncle Jim. There would always be a Michigan game on, or a Michigan decal on the patio door, license plates....the works without being tacky. Uncle Jim and then my cousin Jimmy (his son) attended U of M. I think this is the reason I've always wanted to attend myself- I never actually thought I'd be close though. But, right now I'm rockin a 4.0 so hopefully I can at least keep it close to that and be able to transfer in a few years with no problems whatsoever. The thought makes me want to jump for joy. I mean, there isn't really a feeling that compares to being at a college football game. Even if you don't go there, if it's your team, you enter with a huge sense of pride. It's almost overwhelming. Go Blue!!!!!!!

2 Peas Challenge- What did you think life had in store for you? Where did you think you'd be today? What surprises has life brought you?

Ooh I love the interesting questions.... I am now at the ripe old age of 27. I thought by now my life would include a husband, and two little kiddies. I thought I'd be a stay at home mom, with a small side job that was more meaningful than necessary. I'll never forget a lady at work asking me one day what my goal was in life -and when I responded with 'I want to be a stay at home mom' -she laughed and said 'honey, that's not a goal'. There were a few that came to my defense, and I do honestly believe it is a goal. It's something that you have to fight hard for. In this day and age, families are barely making it on two incomes, let alone one. So I do think it's a goal. I want my children raised by me. If that means I have to cut back on this high speed internet connection, and on the frivolous things I purchase, then so be it.

Alas, it is not heading the way I'd planned. Tom and I have spent many, many nights discussing this. He just doesn't think we'd be able to make it. He wants to be able to provide our children with things we'd missed out on- vacations every year, the newest clothes, the best cars. He's not a very materialistic person, but it's important to him that our children don't miss out on that kind of thing, so we're trying to meet halfway. It's such a hard thing to back down from what you've wanted all along. I love our parents, but I don't want our children raised by them. I want them raised by us.

I'm not saying I wanted to stay home for their entire lives. Just until they were all safely in school during the day. Then I'd go back to work and be a teacher. But it doesn't appear that is going to happen. I mean, who knows, right? Maybe, down the line, we will be in a financial place where we can do that. We are just preparing for that not being the case. Not that I think our incomes will be amazing as teachers. But at least there will be two of them.

Wow. I finally have all of my thank you cards done. That was a lot of writing and I'm sure that some of it is just not pretty. lol. I also started school for Fall Thursday. Tom got stuck in traffic and couldn't make it :( Bummer. But our professor seems really really cool. Very bohemian, gypsy-ish looking woman. Very smart. Dr. McKeand. Prounounced Mccain. Uber cool. Tomorrow we have two classes back to back. Here's to hoping that we don't have some horrible assholes. I really wish we'd have gotten on the ball a little earlier and registered. We completely missed out on online classes, which is a huge disappointment. We do surprisingly well in them.

So Dr McKeand was talking to us about how we grow up hearing certain types of language and how it's natural for us to use that same vocabulary. Interesting. Will start to work on bringing my vocabulary back up to par because otherwise I'm in for a world of trouble. Lol, words like worsh or ain't. Sorry mom, love you, but you use them alot ;) She was also talking to us about how deep, analytical thinkers write better. This absolutely makes sense. I've been so caught up in internet and chat writing for the past few years that I've really let my thoughts just turn to mush. I just don't think you get as deep usually on the internet. Lots of words like LOL and not so many good words like omniscient or ubiquitous. Mmm. Those are two of my favorite words. Say them aloud.....don't they just sound awesome?

Anyway, she wants us to start thinking about our mini-research paper that she's having us do to prepare for the 132 course. She's very cool in that she wants us to write something that we feel strongly about, assuming we'll write better when it's something important to us. Absolutely true. I'm not sure what I'm choosing yet, but I've tossed a couple of ideas around. Stem cell research, breast cancer awareness, the lack of good health benefits in the US, Walmart and how I wish they'd go under with all their evil practices, why with all our technology no one can come up with a pill to make you lose 100 pounds overnight.......you know, the important things.

Wow. Sunday was my bridal shower. I absolutely had an awesome time. There was a few times I thought I'd pull my hair out because my aunt was being a bit demanding about how she wanted things, lol, but other than that it was so so nice. My mom, Jennifer, aunt Rhonda, Uncle Jim, Debbie and Uncle Jim's sister were there at 9 a.m. to get the food going and set up the tables. Cheryl and Karen arrived at 11 as planned. Dawn was running a bit late, so since I was picking her up and my mom and Jennifer back up after they'd stopped home to have a shower- we were all late. But still early. Just not as early as Rhonda would have liked.

People started to arrive, and of course I was meeting everyone at the door and introducing my mom to his family and his mom to mine. Had to pop an ativan to get through that one. I was really so nervous. It was horrible at first, and then I finally started to loosen up a bit. We played a couple games, which were really fun. Actually, the game that Rhonda thought that no one would like- everyone loved. They had a lot of fun with that one.

The food was so good. And there was so much of it. Chicken, ham, mostacolli, salad, bread and rolls, corn, veggies, fruits, cheesy potatoes, buttered red potatoes and the deserts were insane. Chris' mom made our cake....beautiful...will add pics. On top of that, we had three different kinds of brownies, 3 cheesecakes, pineapple upside down cake, apple pie, banana bread w/ cream cheese, ambrosia. It was just endless.

As were the presents. I swear it must have taken me so long to open all of them! But they played Bingo while I was doing it, so at least that took off some of the pressure. Rhonda wanted me standing up (NO!) and kept coming to tell me that no one could see me and they were complaining. Debbie Laginess (not cousin Deb of course) actually stuck up for me and said, hey, it's your shower, you do what you want. I swear, if I'd have had to open them standing up I'd have probably passed out. Seriously.

There were probably about 50 people there. The guys came at the end and we got pictures with them and everything. I need to go into the gifts and post some pics but I am beat. Will update tomorrow.....

2 Peas challenge: Summer questions

1.What was your favorite summer event? The Taylor fireworks. It's the one fireworks set that we all get together for and never miss. Much fun.
2.Favorite picture of the summer? This one I took of my best friends' daughter Shannon. What a little angel...
3.Favorite movie of the summer? Click, for sure. I'll say it again, see this movie!
4.Best song of the summer? Mmmmm.... good question. I'm a music nut so there's probably a ton of songs I loved this summer. But, I can name a summer fave - Kenny Chesney's Summertime.
5.Did you go on vacation, where? Unfortunately no. We were planning on at least going camping at Lake Michigan like last year but Tom ended up going back to work before we worked anything out.

I'm so excited! I reserved my room at the Hyatt for CKU-Detroit! I've never been to a CKU so I had to jump all over that. It's in April and I can not wait. I hope I don't somehow miss registration. That's my luck. Wouldn't that just stink!

2 Peas challenge: If you could go back in time, what moment in your life would you like to re-live?

Wow. What a thought provoking question. There is one moment from my childhood where I hurt my grandmother's feelings that I wish I could go back and change. But I can't write about it without having a mini-breakdown, crying jag so I'll think of something else. Probably the day I decided I'd had enough and dropped out of school. I thought I was so smart and I would never regret it. But, of course, I do. I went back for my G.E.D. and got that, but it's not the same. I wish I would have stuck it out and went to college right from high school. Being in college now, while taking care of a billion other responsibilities is HARD.

In other news-

My bridal shower is Sunday. I'm really, really getting excited. And nervous because I really don't like opening gifts in front of people. :) Guess I don't really have a choice!

This poor guy has been hanging around our house for a while now. He would disappear for a few days and then come back. He was clean and everything, but something wasn't right about how often he was outside. Well, he hadn't shown up in a few days and so we decided he must have went home. But here he was again three days ago.

Poor thing was just starving. We fed him and kinda kept an eye out to see if he was heading anywhere else too. We brought him in today and got him cleaned up. He slept most of the day, then checked out the house and the restroom facilities (hehe) before trying to get close with Sabre. Hopefully they will be good friends.

My father also said that tomorrow is the day. Please God. Please. We could all really use that.

Awesome, Unbelievable opportunity............

This is probably the most exciting thing that's happened to me this year (being that Tom proposed at the end of last year lol)..... So, he's working at the magazine now with Greg. He's a project coordinator -did I blog about this at all?- I forget. Well, regardless, he's been there for a few weeks now. He's really doing well and enjoys it immensely. Much better than sweating his butt off in two shirts at good ole ProCoil. Anywho. Polo's and khaki's are his current deal, and he's really digging that.

Okay, we're at the bar for John's birthday and Tom mentions to Greg that I'm supremely jealous because he's working at a magazine and I've always wanted to write for one. Greg offers me a deal to write a few articles. I'm thinking 'okay, he's drunk, he won't even remember this on Monday'..... low and behold, the next week, his editor sends a package home with Tom including two projects (assignments), a deadline, and a contract. Can I cuss here? It's mine, right? Holy Shit!

Never thought I would have an opportunity like this and I'm totally doubting myself. I mean, I've become so used to 'internet writing'.....you know what I mean, where it's all casual and funny and you don't really check that everything is precisely right. So jumping back into writing the way it's supposed to be done is going to be jarring. Who knows if I might bust in on an article with a LOL! Wouldn't that be embarrassing for my editor to see? Wow. That in itself is awesome. Saying 'my editor'. She's not mine, but she's editing my work so I guess I can say that?

The contract is currently only for two projects, but hopefully if she doesn't have to totally re-write everything I send in, there will be more. This is beyond exciting. What a crazy opportunity. I never thought I'd have one of those 'it's good to know people' moments...... but this is as close as I'll ever get. THANKS A BILLION GREG! And thanks Tom for having the faith in me to even suggest it. You never stop amazing me. I love you.

2 Peas challenge- what helps you get through a Monday?

Not working, for sure. Now Monday is just another day, other than that Tom goes back to work after the weekend. Getting through a Monday when I was working though was drinking tons of coffee and hanging out on the internet most of the day ;)

2 Peas challenge: what is your favorite restaurant, and what makes it great?

My absolute favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. MMM, the breadsticks, the salad.... I don't get anything crazy or special either. I get spaghetti using penne noodles and meatballs. Oh, and a couple strawberry daquiris. No one makes one better. No one.

It was John's 30th birthday yesterday. We all met up at Cavill's to celebrate. Hole in the wall bar, for sure, but we had a crazy good time. The boys (John and Chris) did their Kaoroke favorites and we all watched, too chicken to join lol. Dawn and I decided that we will start practicing red neck woman so we could do that on bar trips from now on. John was so so drunk, he messed up two of his songs. The DJ called him up for the Humpty Dance and he didn't make it through. So he played Ice Ice Baby instead to see if John could get through that one, and John started with the right song, and then totally started singing the previous song in the middle of that one. He was looking at the monitor too, just must have been to damn blurry to read. Good times. ;)

Very cool to have Greg and Lisa come out too. Great, awesome people. Greg is one of Tom's best friends and the director of operations at the publishing company Tom now works for. He's loving it and they have big plans on branching out. Tom even brought up my writing to Greg to see if I could free lance for the magazine/book. Too cool. I'm going to do a couple free articles to have my name published and then take it from there. Awesome oppurtunity. But it was good to see them in general as I hadn't since Superbowl 04.

Towards the end of the night, Tom showed Greg a pic of Fenny on his phone.... and then John kept apologizing to us for the loss and I couldn't help but get choked up again. I've cried alot the past four days, and it seems like everything makes me miss Fenny. While Tom's at work, the house feels so SO empty. Even little Sabre noticed that Fenny was missing and goes through the house letting out little 'meows'. Damn does it hurt.

Anyway, it was good to get out of the house last night and get it off my mind a little. And John, if you ever read this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I'm texting your wifey right now to find out if I won the bet. I know you got sick, I know it. So you owe me $5 punk!

Our Fenny dog passed away sometime overnight. I woke up at 6:45 to check on him as he had a rough night and he was gone. Thankfully, Tom had gone in the middle of the night into the den to lay down with him. Our baby, who last night could barely lift his head up, managed to turn himself all the way around and had his head next to Tom's pillow.

I sobbed and sobbed last night and then again this morning. Really, he's in a better place. He's running around, fully mobile, barking and playing with his rope baby. He's in no pain. But my God, even knowing that, I am hurting. Crushed. he was so young, we were gonna have him still while having babies and going through life, planned on him being around for a long time.

................ RIP baby