Happy Valentine's Day!

Natalie and I really celebrated the big LOVE day yesterday. Her preschool party was yesterday and Jack wanted Natalie to stay with him last night...so we did our heart pancake breakfast yesterday morning, also. Which reminds me, what is the secret to getting those pancakes to stay in a heart shape? I think I had too much batter becausu I would wait to let the bottom get firm, then lifted the heart cookie cutter....but the batter would run over. Anywho, she still had heart shaped eggs and bacon...her favorites.
So, I got Natalie dressed in her adorable Valentine's day outfit and brought her to preschool for her party. Here she is...if you've ever noticed, Natalie almost ALWAYS has a a skirt on. We have compromised and she came up with the idea to alternate between pants and skirts. Not every pant day turns into a pant day, but I am just happy she's wearing some of her cute pants more often. With it being so cold, she must wear leggings with her skirts, which she had a dozen different patterns. I love that she is so girly like this!

Here are the treats we passed out to her preschool friends. I didn't want to do a store bought card and sucker, so we made these marshmallows (Thanks Deanna for posting on your blog) I cut tags from my cricut and stole another idea from AbbieT (Another thank you) I put a tick tac toe board on each tag showing hearts winning...the saying said, "Love always wins" Love Natalie.

Natalie also cut out a heart shape for her BFF Adam. I've noticed a lot of other boys are wanting to give her hugs when she leaves, too...but she kinda resists them, but Adam ALWAYS gets a big hug. Way to be committed, girl! Just kidding! LOL

Simply Obsessed Feb kit

Here are my creations using the Simply Obsessed February kit.

Scrapbook Heaven Feb kit

The kit from Scrapbook Heaven is jam packed with embellies...unique and fun ones at that. Here are 4 projects I created with the kit and I have so much left that I could easily make more.



I also used a sketch from Creative Scrappers for this layout

Sunday is snow fun!

Finally, the temps have warmed above freezing! It feels so "warm" that people around here are going to be putting the tops down on their cars and opeing windows! Not really, but it a lot better than negative temps and teens. Temps made it to the mid 30's today. With the warmer temps the snow is finally wet enough to pack and make a snowman. Natalie and I went out and made two snowmen and then I built a snow "castle" for her. Whew! That's a lot of work moving all that snow around, but well worth it! As always, we had to color our snowmen and fort. The way we make everything colored is by mixing food coloring water in a spray bottle and then spray our snow. It's fun to write in the snow also...great for days when the snow isn't good for packing.


Yes, it's actually sunny out today also...Natalie's eyes are squinted it's so bright out. Seems ever brighter when it's been cloudy for a month.


Natalie's snow castle

Busy, busy, busy...

Things have been quite busy lately. I have been fortunate to be in the same classroom subbing for the past 2 weeks. Such a wonderful group of Kindergarteners! Last week was my monthly crop and I finished a couple layouts using my Scrapbook Heaven kit. As soon as the reveal is announced, I can post pics. Last weekend we also went to a sledding party at church. Here is a pic of Natalie at the top of the hill. It was a very big hill that her and I went down..but becasue the snow is fluffy the sled moved at a perfect rate.


This pic is in front of our Target. Natalie always wants me to take a picture of her in this circle. I was so glad my Mom joined in the picutre, too.


And, this is just a cute one of Natalie with her Hello Kitty earmuffs.


This weekend is a perfect time for crops! Simply Obsessed is having a Super Bowl crop filled with games and challenges.

Mon Ame Memories is also hosting a crop this weekend. Not only that, but there is a design team call going on.

I do have some exciting scrappy news...can't give all the details yet but I'll give you a hint...it's a GDT opportunity.

Week of mourning.

Well, this has been a week of mourning. Jack's Grandpa Schlaack passed away on Tuesday morning after battling cancer for the past couple years. I can remember the very first time I met him back in 1997. He talked to me like he had knowm me my whole life. He had the most wonderful laugh and loved to talk about their travels. I will always think of him whenever I see or hear of Murfreesboro, TN. He told us that whenever they drove to FL. they would always stop there for the night to rest before they started in on the next day of driving. He had the kindest heart and a warm voice and heart. He married Grandma Schlaack after her first husband passed away in a tractor accident...leaving behind 3 teenage children and Grandma. Grandpa was the only Grandpa all the grandkids knew since he came into the picture shortly before grandkids came along. Jack had told me so many wonderful stories about Grandpa Schlaack, how he's play with them and the trips to FL. while they were kids. Even after Jack and I divorced, I still stayed in touch with them. I am so prould to have a shelf that he made Jack and I for our wedding. He worked at a place that made pianos,after the place closed he was able to use some of the wood there and made things wit it. The shelf was one of those things, truly gorgeous! He was such a talented craftsman. You will be missed!

Another piece of sad news from the scrapping community. I woke up this morning to see on Kim's facebook page that she was grieving her friend, Janice. The only Janice I could think of was Janice Nielson, so I popped in at SJ to see if the horrible news was true. Unfortunately, it was. I was so shocked and immediately my eyes filled with tears. Janice was the most loving person. I can remember PMing her so many times about scrapbooking and she gave me so many tips and offered so much to me that I was not aware of. She just PM'd me recently to tell me a funny story about how a kit almost got thrown away. It was the little things like that in which I admired about her. She always saw the glass as half full. She always left the most uplifting and postivie comments on layouts. Her love for her family was so evident in her scrapbook layouts. I am so thankful for this day of technology. I would have never "known" Janice if it weren't for the internet. I never heard her voice or saw her physically, but I truly adored this woman just by hanging out with her on the boards. I will miss you so much, Janice.

-11 degrees F!

I can't believe it is -11F right now! That is actual temp...it "feels" like -25! It's hard to believe it will be about 100 degrees warmer in 6 months! This is about that time of year when I start complaining about the cold temps and wish I lived in Florida. But, I'm not gonna do it! I am just going to appreciate the four seasons here in Michigan.

I have some scrapbook layouts to share from the latest Scrapbook Heaven kit.
I used a sketch from Creative Scrappers for this layout