Just me My Soldier and our 4 little chicks

Documentary Blog Hop!

 

Welcome to the Studio Calico Documentary Blog Hop!

We are celebrating the release of our newest release, Documentary. It's a wonderful collection full of creative, graphic prints, and it's travel themed to boot!

But since I won't be traveling for quuuiiiiite some time, HEE! I decided to show you that it can also be used for non- travel layouts.

Here's the layout I made using the collection:

i'd just like to discuss how much i LOVE this paper. sigh. i love gray so very much. and grey and yellow together? even better. :)

 

the flowers and stems are made from the new FabRips...which i adore:

 

 right now you can find documentary for sale at

TWO PEAS.

And I've got a 24 HOUR COUPON for you...good at the SC Shop. YAY!!!

So here's what you are waiting for.

Leave a comment here by midnight EST (tonight) and you can win the ENTIRE collection. Make sure you hit up all of the DT members blogs as well as the SC blog, so that you get as many chances as possible!

Next stop on the blog hop: Stephanie Wheeler
Don't miss out on every stop, click HERE!!!

question.

what does Memorial Day mean to you?

cookouts? barbecue? cocktails?

a day off work? the beginning of the summer?

or does it mean more?

what does Memorial Day mean to me?

remembering.

remembering the eight boys. eight men. who lost their lives the year my husband was in the valley of death.

remembering how many of them left and never came home.

and of the ones that did, how many were changed.

remembering.

the memorial services. hearing taps. amazing grace.

hearing the guns fire,

roll called, and when they called those soldiers names?

silence.

remembering.

digging my fingernails into my palms out of fear and grief.

fear that it could be, would be, me. next.

remembering.

the way my heart broke for my friends, and the ones who i didn't know, but my heart broke for them just the same.

...who lost husbands, daddies, sons, friends, brothers, soul mates.

remembering always.

the way that year changed me and everyone i knew who experienced it.

and how sad i am for everyone who lost someone.

for all the men who made the ultimate sacrifice.

for their bravery, selflessness, willingness to go.

please don't forget this day. don't lessen it and make it into something it's not meant to be.

of course...have fun! grill. spend time with friends.

but please remember the true meaning. please.

b/c if you don't?
then it trivializes what so many families have been through.

s

May Sponsor Giveaways!

Giveaway One- TWO winners:

Elle’s Studio has released 30+ brand new items that are perfect for spring and summer! There is a new “Sweet Summer” line that contains cute mini papers, journaling tags, and stamps. Make sure you check it all out, there’s a ton of new and beautiful items to see! And, they just turned a bunch of their retired designs into digital downloads! The best part about their digital downloads are if you aren’t into digital scrapbooking you can still use the pdf to print and make your own journaling tags and embellishments at home.

And, guess what they brought back for summer? Automatic FREE shipping on orders over $50! No coupon code required AND it includes international orders, too.

Also, don’t forget to check out their blog and facebook page – they always have something fun and creative going on! PLUS, they are right in the middle of a Design Team call for the July – December term. Make sure you apply for that – applications are due by June 10^th.

They have two different prizes up for grabs today! First, one person will win a bunch of their paper tags from their most recent launch!

And, someone else will win this Birthday Banner that you can print and create at home! Print out only what you need, cut and glue – so easy and simple. Plus, the file is yours, forever... So you can use it again and again. They have them for boys, too! There's even a really pretty patriotic one. :)

 

Giveaway Two- ONE winner

Heartsmiles specializes in boutique quality accessories for you, your children, and photographers. These adorable and unique accessories are designed to give every outfit that extra pop; because afterall, it is all about the EXTRA details that give your heart smiles. 

 

New items are constantly being added to the shop; and we are proud to announce we now carry American Girl doll hats, head bands, and BOY hats!  All items are made to order with love and care and come from a clean and smoke free home. Heartsmiles ships anywhere mail is delivered and custom orders are gladly welcomed.

Heartsmiles is giving away $25.00 in store credit to a Stephanie Howell blog reader!!

******* AND all Stephanie Howell blog readers receive 10% off their purchase by mentioning her blog during checkout in the "message to sender" box. Discount will be refunded through paypal.****

Giveaway Three- ONE winner

One person will receive their choice of Mini Journal Kit from Cindy Ruijgrok

Mini books have always been my favorite to make.
I love that you can make every page different, make it your own.
That's why I want to share my passion and make something unique to keep your memories in.

"Memories in a Binder"
I use binder mechanisms, they are fastened for your convenience to different surfaces.

"Memories in a File Folder"
I use prongs with file folders, I provided scoring lines, so it is easier for you to flip the pages.

I try to mix & match it up and make it unique.

Nothing easier now then to put your
"MEMORIES IN A BINDER" & "MEMORIES IN A FILE FOLDER"

For more Mini Journal Kits please visit my shop here

Giveaway Four- TWO winners!!!

Welcome to My Sweet Sunshine!! You will find unique and hip clothing for Baby through 5T.  We have the perfect Hair Accessories including Headbands for the little newborn on through adult sizes.  And you can always find great Nursing Covers for Mom.

Our New Clothing line,  The AvaDylan Collection, launched just this past spring, now brings Ties  for your sharp dressed little man, a new line of Dresses and Reverse Pinafores for your little lady.  You can find the perfect Hair Accessories and Clothes at My Sweet Sunshine for a special occasion or just for everyday!!

Thank you for visiting and I can’t wait to work with you!!

Visit My Sweet Sunshine at www.mysweetsunshine.etsy.com.

 

Special!!!!

Mention you saw me on Stephanie's Blog and you will recieve $5 off an order of $15 or more

 

 

Giveaways: ONE winner will win a headband:

Headband is shown on a metal headband but can be put on a soft headband for younger ones

And one winner will win a tie!!

Tie is on elastic with velcro and can be made in these sizes:

0-6mo should use the 6-7in
6-12mo should use the 8-9in
2T-4T Should use the 10-11in
5/6 Should use the 12-13in
7-9 Should use the 14-15in

Okay blog readers! Thats SIX chances to win!

Leave a comment by Monday night (midnight EST) to win.

Let me know your favorite if you have one.

Happy Saturday!

s

now that i can form a (semi) coherent thought...

seriously. for the past 36 hours? shock i think.

when we came home from the ultrasound tuesday night, i couldn't get warm or stop shaking.i just kept looking at the ultrasound pictures and kind of zoning out. :)

first, before i tell the story, i want to say THANK YOU to you all. for each and every comment. i read them all. every single one. several times. thank you for the love, the encouragement, the prayers, the excitement...well, just thank you for being YOU. you guys are the best.

okay. so i had my very first ultrasound tuesday afternoon (evening, thanks army..after waiting for hours. HA!). jimmy was there, he left work to be there.

i was worried there would be something wrong...no heartbeat, and i wanted him with me.

all along i've been praying for a healthy baby, a strong heartbeat, and well, those prayers were answered weren't they? but i'm getting ahead of myself...

our doctor was a precious young captain. she spread the jelly on my stomach and said...

"okay, let's see here....there the baby is! yes, this looks like a healthy single intrauterine pregnancy!"

and there was the baby, clear as day, and i said something like
WHEW! I THOUGHT IT WAS TWINS!!!

she started recording the heartbeat and then kind of started to get flustered.

"UH...WHOA...HOLD ON...YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE TWO IN THERE!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!"

she kind of ran out of the room to get another machine...and at this point i'm crying/ laughing/freaking out...total hysteria. and j has the biggest grin on his face and won't stop kissing me.

(background: he has a family history of twins in every generation. his brother was a twin, aunts are twins, etc etc)

the doctor comes back with the other machine...and there they are clear as day.

numero uno:

 

and numero dos:

 

and i'm shaking.

my legs are shaking so hard that the ENTIRE table is shaking.

i don't know what i said.

may or may not have been something requiring a BEEP.

and we were laughing.

and the doctor was laughing...her first twins.

she congratulated us, we congratulated her.

and the girls? were confused. well they know there are two babies, but they don't "get" it. how could they? i'm not sure I get it. HEE~!

harper said " WHAT? THAT'S AMAZING!!!". but i still don't think she gets it.

so there you have it.

i have been referred to a new OB and next week will have a special ultrasound to determine more.

will we find out the genders? yes. i'm only 3 months pregnant, so we have a bit...but yes.

will jimmy be home for the birth? yes...with plenty of time to spare.

due date? dec. 17.

what does j think? he's over the moon . hasn't stop grinning i don't think.

now i'm focusing on a healthy pregnancy. staying pregnant as LONG as possible and getting those babies as BIG as possible.

i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

lots of things going through my (our) head(s).

if it's two girls? FOUR WEDDINGS!

think of the diapers! the wipes...the burp cloths!

new minivan is now a must!

am i going to go crazy? i can't wait...but i'm scared!

we are THRILLED. and still processing.

and crying with joy and disbelief.

thank you for your love and encouragement!

s

not sure how to put this :):)

b/c i'm slightly in shock here

heart racing

hands shaking

but somehow i KNEW it.

 

and this life is about to become two times fuller,

two times crazier

two times more blessed.

help me Lord.

:)

p.s. the doctor thinks they are identical.

excuse me. i have to lie down.

yessss, i'm here :)

ETA: many of you have emailed/left comments asking specific questions about j's deployment...when/where/how long. in our current job, we can't answer these questions due to OPSEC and rules within our unit. i can say this...he's going overseas. :) and not as long as last time.

i'm here, i'm here!

just mia as we are spending lots of family time together before j has to leave.

so as that will be my (our) focus the next little bit...forgive me if i'm absent for a while. :)

i did want to share my sneak peeks for the latest studio calico kit, partly sunny. i got the first add-on!

hope you all have a beautiful day and i'll see you soon!

xxo,

s

 

 

sponsor updates- may

happy Wednesday y'all!

here are my wonderful may sponsors- please make sure to visit each one! note that several have special deals for my readers. :)

be on the lookout for the may sponsor giveaways next week!

xxo

s

Elle’s Studio is getting even more digital on Monday, May 24^th! They are turning a bunch of retired designs and some brand new, never been printed before designs into digital downloads! Along with adding more “Print and Create” banner downloads for birthdays and more! May 24^th is going to be a big day, so make sure you mark your calendar and check them out! The photo above is an exclusive sneak peek, just for my readers, of what’s coming!

The great thing about their digital downloads is... they all come in png and pdf format, so you if you aren’t into digital scrapbooking, you can still print them out at home and use them on your layouts, minis and cards. And, since the pdf file is yours to keep forever, you can print as many as you need for no extra cost! Same goes with the “Print and Create” kits – these are a pdf file (no png), that you print at home. You can reuse the file over and over and make as many banners as you need, when you need them!

 I’ve also heard that you’ll want to be on their newsletter list! They will be sending out a special offer for their downloads, on May 24th, so you don’t want to miss out on that! You can sign up here.

Heartsmiles specializes in boutique quality accessories for you, your children, and photographers. These adorable and unique accessories are designed to give every outfit that extra pop; because afterall, it is all about the EXTRA details that give your heart smiles.

New items are constantly being added to the shop; and we are proud to announce we now carry American Girl doll hats, head bands, and BOY hats!  All items are made to order with love and care and come from a clean and smoke free home. Heartsmiles ships anywhere mail is delivered and custom orders are gladly welcomed.

******* AND all Stephanie Howell blog readers receive 10% off their purchase by mentioning her blog during checkout in the "message to sender" box. Discount will be refunded through paypal.****

 

Welcome to My Sweet Sunshine!! You will find unique and hip clothing for Baby through 5T.  We have the perfect Hair Accessories including Headbands for the little newborn on through adult sizes.  And you can always find great Nursing Covers for Mom.

Our New Clothing line,  The AvaDylan Collection, launched just this past spring, now brings Ties  for your sharp dressed little man, a new line of Dresses and Reverse Pinafores for your little lady.  You can find the perfect Hair Accessories and Clothes at My Sweet Sunshine for a special occasion or just for everyday!!

Thank you for visiting and I can’t wait to work with you!!

Mention you saw me on Stephanie's Blog and you will recieve $5 off an order of $15 or more!

 

I have always been in love with paper... I grew up in paper heaven.... 
(My parents owned a printing company back in Holland). 
 
Mini books have always been my favorite to make. 
I love that every page is different and that you can make it your own. 
 
That's why I want to share my passion with you and make something unique to keep your memories in "MEMORIES IN A BINDER" 
 
I use binder mechanisms, they are fastened for your convenience to different surfaces.  
I try to mix it up and make it unique. 
I also mix up the paper and the rest of the supplies. 
 
Nothing easier now then to put your "MEMORIES IN A BINDER"

 
 

 

what's that? a SCRAPPY post? hath hell frozen over?

heeeeee!!

hey guys! hope you are having a lovely tuesday so far!

i have a few layouts to share, and i thought today might be the day!

first up, here is a layout using the brand new JBS Collection, Play Date!!

 

everything here is JBS, including the cardstock, which is Core'Dinations/JBS.

Next up are a few layouts I've done for Noel Mignon this month, I'm their guest designer.

Funny story, this month's kit is called "Playdate"...just like the JBS line. HA! Lots of Play Date layouts this month :)

 

 

click on the word "playdate" above to see the items used on these layouts.

to see more kit layouts and ideas , GO HERE.

 wow, four layouts in one post? i'd say i broke the dry spell!! :)

have a beautiful day...back today with sponsor goodies!

xoxo

s

life according to us (the chickies)

(as told in more tybee/savannah photos).

1. twirl. always. in public, at home, dance and twirl.

 

never be embarrassed to twirl. even if you look like this (i'm not sure why mommy laughs SO hard when she looks at this, but she does):

 

2. you are never too cool to hold your daddy's hand:

 

3. chickies who play sports are cool!:

 

 

4. reading is necessary to happiness:

 

 

5. be careful when hugging. note that one person will always be thrilled and one will be DYING to be let go:

 

 

6. daddy is your best friend and hero:

 

and secret keeper:

 

and story-hearer:

 

and safe place to sleep:

 

7. funny faces must be used. often. they make mommy giggle:

 

 

8. sisters are the best. even though sometimes we act like they are the worst. we love to laugh together and we love life. is there anything better than that?

 

 

9. a secret from the chickies: mommy was being CRAFTY yesterday!!! she felt good for most of the day, she was even cleaning! the day before she threw up in the bushes at the riverwalk, but we told her we wouldn't tell anyone!

daddy said with her big sunglasses and water bottle (that looked like it had something in it other than water), she looked like she was throwing up in the bushes for another reason, but we didn't get that. over our heads.

have a beautiful monday!

xxo

harper and sadie

more tybee

i thought i'd share a few more photos today.

but first i want to tell you thank you for all of your kind words the past two days. i think you guys are the absolute best, and i'm certainly not going to let a few people who are hell bent on disliking me and needling me ruin that.

no worries. it's life. i am 100 percent clear that not everyone is going to like me. it is what it is!! :)

with that being said, here are a few more photos.

one of the things i loved about tybee island was the colorful walls. i made sure to get lots of photos in front of them:

the wall on the front of seaside sweets (best gelato in the world).

 

nice shag. someone needs a trim. :)

 

one of these two was actually attempting to lick the wall (shudder). i'll let you guess who. HEE!

 

 

 

that last photo was taken at the pier. so was this one...can you tell what sadie thought about the water?

 

she MUCH preferred the beach to the water. she kept saying NO OTTA!

she even ran to the water's edge, chucked a shell at the water and yelled NO OTTA.

pretty sure she showed the ocean who's boss.

 

we LOVED the cottage we rented for the week, Sea Glass Cottage.

it was built in the 30's.

 

my favorite part by far was the front porch. we spent lots of time here:

 

and one last shot...the lighthouse. hmm. who knew that climbing 178 stairs in circular staircases would make me nauseous. hmm. teehee.

 

okay, that's it for today. happy saturday!

xoxo