so this is it

Now that the sign is up I guess it's for real. It makes me a little sad but at the same time I know that Heavenly Father has other plans for us. This is just one of those technicalities that needs taken care of first then the rest will fall into place. At least that's how it's happened before.

I'm having Faith for supper. 

>^..^<

WARNING she's 3

Three years ago today we held our precious little girl in our arms and gave her a name.

Maribel Lee.

She stole our hearts that very second and has held a ninja grip on it ever since.

We celebrated her special day on the weekend with some family, friends, presents, oh and sugar of course. The weather warmed up and we all got a little sun which was so nice. I think we all are ready for spring but not before cake ;0)

It was a good thing that she had her own. As she made her wish and blew out the candles there was one that was stubborn and so she made it go out with a little something extra. Mmm mmm. And that there people is why we have separate cakes. Happy Birthday little princess!

>^..^<

3rd time's a charm

We had Maribel's 3 year portraits done today and just wanted to share a few of my faves =)

 

When I saw this, I cried. I didn't care who saw because it didn't matter what they thought. I could only think of how much I love my little one and how incredibly lucky I am to be her mom.

I'm still in denial that she's turning 3 next week. Where did the time go? This time around we managed 104 photos and it was reeeeeeally tough to get it down to even a top ten, but we did it.

Barely.

Of course there will be more photos to come but they will be complimented with pretty paper and glue.

Then of course, not every pic was um...picture perfect??

Coming to a LO near you ;0)

>^..^<

only the beginning

I have this little problem.
When I get inspired I have to drop everything I'm doing and start creating or I can't function until I do.
I'm starting to wonder if it's a disease...

I saw a spool doll while browsing online and thought, hey I could totally do that! So after a quick trip to M's and $2.13 later....Voila!
I was so pleased with the results that I gave her to my super sweet mother in-law. She loved it!

Not only are these spool gals adorable but they are reusable too. When you use up the ribbon, just replace it with some more and sit back and enjoy. It's kinda like changing outfits ;0)

I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you that this is only the beginning...

>^..^<

a craving

Have you ever wanted something so much that you ached?
I have.
I do.
Everytime I see a women with child, a little part of me aches inside.
I have wanted a baby for so long.

When Maribel came, she was our miracle. There were so many things that could have stopped us from adopting her into our family but Heavenly Father had other plans for her and for us. She was meant for us and we know it. She's ours. I even nursed her with an SNS (Supplemental Nursing System). But even after all of that there is still a small part that ached for the experience of being pregnant longer then a few weeks.

I have learned over the years that it isn't always our time that is best for us, but that it's the Lord's time. Man I wish those were the same sometimes.

But I've had an experience, a confirmation that I will have my chance but not before we open our hearts and home once more to another sweet soul in need.
He's coming.
We've been told.
We just don't know when or how, but he's coming.
Our boy.
Our Morgan.

So for now I take joy in the joy of others and I share their excitement of the first kick and yes, I will take the blame for those uncontrolable left cheek sneaks that creap out threatening to wipe out every living thing within a league. Because when it's my turn, I can only hope that someone would be willing to do the same for me.

>^..^<

my 1st sketch evah

I am a huge fan of sketches and use them on most of my scrapbook pages so I thought I would give a go with creating my own. I created this sketch for our monthly sketch challenge over at SkrapnChat and here is what I created using my very first sketch =)

For the snow I used this product called Snow Marker by Marvy. Basically you shake it like a polaroid picture and colour the desired area you want all snowy then use your heating tool and watch it puff up. It's so cool to watch pun totally intended

>^..^<

lovey dovey

starting to wonder

While sitting on my bed preparing my sharing time lesson, little maribel snuggled up beside me and began to draw her family. She started with Daddy, then her auntie and uncle, and then she flipped the paper to draw me...

I like that she started with my huge eyeballs and many mouths. I'm guessin' I have a lot to say or something. Then she drew my nose. Cool. Everyone needs a nose. But she kept on going.....

So I asked her "what's that?"
M replies while continuing with her masterpiece, "Oh, dat's your moustache."

If you remember this post, I'm starting to think maybe there is something there that only others can see. Either way I have an appointment next week...Oh and the scribbly on my chin are my feet, not a beard.

Happy Friday ;0)

>^..^<

hey cupcake

With the busy holidays in November and December I got caught up with the hustle and bustle of the holiday crazyness so I couldn't post my fab finds and before I knew it January came and went. But this month I can't seem to get enough of cupcakes. I really have to contain myself from buying all the cupcakes I see as I've yet to meet a cupcake I didn't like. Yes, I love them that much.

I found some super cute material and trim for an upcoming project for little m&me; Hello Cupcake book with some awesome techniques for succulent cupcakes that are bound to woo any crowd coming to a plate near me; making clay cookies that I since turned into earrings heehee they are so fun; Valentine M&M's that I have to hide from the ever so sneaky almost three year old, I swear it's like they are born with a spidey sense or something for detecting sugary goodness; making dishwashing fun with a cute cupcake tea towel; serving JoeJoe some love toast on a heart plate; and of course some scrappy yumminess with some Doodlebug cupcake brads, Basic Grey Nook and Pantry paper, and a dollar cupcake stamp sprinkled with buttons. Ah L'Amour!

It's all I can do from not enjoying the sugar rush of creamed icing spread over a sponge of baked battered goodness everyday so I found that the more permament kind are the way to go. Plus they won't pass my lips straight to my hips *wink*

***My Fabulous Finds were inspired by Elizabeth Kartchner's blog entry called Monthly Merriment. She is very inspiring and it's such a fun blog to read. Go check her out here.

>^..^<

so sweet

I love buttons. I have such fond memories laying on the livingroom floor with my feet swinging back and forth in the air sorting through my mom's button box. I would have little piles of my favourites and pretend they were a form of special currency that only queens and princesses would carry. 

So what do you do when the dear husband has control of the tv and watching really out there Japanimation? Why go blog hoppin and get inspired of course! I know. Silly question. While going through my blog list I caught this super cute button bracelet tutorial.  I tried doing other things but couldn't not have woa double negative there-oops mother daughter button bracelets for church today.

And since I was creating, I also did a little scrappin'.

I knew when Vic sent me this photo, I couldn't just let it sit on my hard drive. Seeing my niece hug that baby bump is sweetness at it's best.

>^..^<

it's a start

I have always wanted to make a baby blanket but seeing that I never got into crocheting until well after Maribel was born, I now have an excuse to try my hand at baby mankies because my sister is expecting!!! We all are super excited especially Aidan and Sherry. But this time they get to see the tummy grow instead of being on the inside and when Aidan and Sherry told their mommy that she was getting fat, poor Vic retaliated with
 "Well that's because I've got a human growing inside of me! Sheesh!"

<< Heehee growing human bump!

Don't worry Vic, you won't look chubby forever.

Remember, big sisters are the crab grass of life. No matter how hard you try you can't get rid of me ;0)



>^..^<

almost 3

I see this look oh too often, usually right before she gets into something she's not supposed to. But I guess that's part of becoming 3. I can't get over how fast she's growing and how amazingly worth it she is!
I really can't imagine my life with out her in it. 

Last week I had a pretty traumatic dr visit where I had to soak my foot for several hours a night and she could see that I was in pain and would very gently caress my arm and say, "Iss'alwight mommy. Don't cwy, iss okay." She then got on her knees and prayed to our Heavenly Father that he would bless her Mommy to feel better followed with a kiss and a hug. Of course that made me cry even more but not because of the pain but because of her caring sweet nature.

Right now her favourite food is yogurt and orange juice. I guess chocolate milk has taken a back burner for now, but if I'm not careful she will sneak a sip of my Diet Coke and tell me approvingly, "Mmm, I like soda."

As any mom could list why they love their child the best, I will end here with the number one reason why I love my little Boo so much; because she is mine.
Oh how lucky I am.

We've been practicing on sticking out only 3 fingers and well... we still need some more practice =)

>^..^<