Maribel's 2 Year Portraits

It was that time again for Maribel's birthday portraits so we returned to Portrait Innovations to have them done. These are the ones that we picked.

She was going to wear her leg warmers on her legs, but she wanted to wear them on her arms instead. Who am I to argue?


I just love how "Rockin" she looks here. Everyone says how 'Maribel' this photo is!


She kept running back to sit in this chair after every picture so I asked her to bring it over to take a photo of her in it. She was oh too happy to comply!


The Carlberg family at the beach, so to speak. LOL


That sailor dress she's wearing is one that Grandma bought for her. Her grandpa was a Navy Chief so I really wanted to surprise them with this photo in her sweet dress.




For some reason, this one is everyone's favourite. I have no idea why but Joe really wanted this picture printed. I guess it is this years "goldfish" photo.


I saved my favourite for last. I so love this photo of us! What this picture shows, is how Maribel is to us! She is the center of our family. We love her so much and her smile makes us smile. She is our pride and joy, and I wonder everyday how I got to be so lucky!


Ahhhh family! My family!

Happy Valentine's Day

~*Happy Valentine's Day*~

Hmmm Just Thinking

I know I know! It doesn't come to much good!

I've been scrapping a lot lately and during an online crop last weekend at Skrapnchat there was this one challenge to doodle on a layout. Well this is what I came up with.


I loved doodling so much that I kept on going on some other pages too.

I got the robots from a mug I bought from Target a couple weeks back. I thought they were so cute that I had to make my own! Then I cut out the tree and put Joe to work punching out the leaves. Heh heh He was happy to play with my punches so he didn't mind. I picked a good one! ;0)

Then I had this idea here...

This was for another challenge that had a bunch of either or's in it. I wanted some journaling and stamping but I could only choose one so I decided to make my own embellies from a Pink Paisley stamp I had and that way I win either way! or both ways.....I dunno. You know what I mean! ;0)

So that got me thinking. I'm sure you can see the smoke back up in Canada LOL but I might take a crack at making my own embellies and selling them on my little Etsy shop. Of course I will have to make some prototypes but that's the fun part! I get inspired everywhere I go so why not put that to some use, eh?

Well I'm off to see what I can create! Ta Ta for now!

I am Thankful for Goodly Neighbours

This morning in Orlando the temperature read -1C (30F –ish) which is uncommon for Florida. This was our coldest morning this winter so last night I made sure I put DD in her footed fleece pjs to keep her nice and toasty.

DH is still out of town, so I have had to make sure I have extra time in the mornings to drop DD off at Gma’s house before work. This morning I woke her up, armed and locked the house and we headed out to the car. It was beyond chilly, it was c-c-c-cold!

Because I was carrying DD in my arms to keep her warm next to me, I opened her door and tossed my purse and keys in the front drivers seat. Totally normal for me. I buckled her all up and placed my winter vest over her to keep her warm (remember we are not used to this cold down here) and shut her door. I went to open my door to get in and start the car only to be denied access because somehow when my keys fell onto my purse, they locked the doors. I stood outside my car, looking inside through my tinted windows to see that yes, my power locks are all in working order and yes, I locked my baby in my freezing car with my purse, keys, and cell phone sitting in the front seat. Totally shocked that I had done this, I took a deep breath and started looking around my neighbourhood.

All was quiet on Justus Dr. Too quiet! Taking more deep breaths as to not panic, I saw that my one neighbour’s house had their TV on. I knocked and the husband came to the door. I relayed my situation and I asked if I could use his phone. Instead, of offering me his phone, he offered his AAA. I was so grateful! I quickly returned to my car so see my smiling angel. She was entertaining herself with her toys and we played peek a boo while I stared longingly at my keys and purse wondering how I could have been so bird brained. Well, while I was waiting, my neighbour came out with a jacket in hand and informed me that he was older and I was not going to argue with him and handed me the spare coat.

AAA came and popped the car locks open in under a minute and all was well. We were a little late but Maribel was safe and totally unaware of what happened this morning. My neighbour stayed outside with me while we waited for AAA to come and save the day. I asked him what I could do to repay him, he just smiled and replied, “Just be happy.”

I felt more than happiness my heart for my neighbour, I felt gratitude and love. Charity is the Pure Love of Christ and I am so blessed to have him for my neighbour.