New LO!

Winner! Winner!!

So, I promised earlier in the month, that anyone who posted a comment on my Shutterfly post would go into a drawing for a FREE 8X8 photobook and 10 5X7 cards.

I did a random drawing at random.org today...and here is our winner!

Thanks for commenting:
Leslie
Krystle
Nancy
Allison Cope

The random winner is....#4!
Congrats Ally! :)

Email me to claim your prize. You have until December 6th to use your codes.
ENJOY!

Check out this cutie!

Here are Carter's 2010/2011 School Pics - age 4. Big Explorers Preschool Class :)

 This pic didn't turn out quite as good...but the look on his face is SO Carter. So, we had to get. It's sort of his "Not again!" look.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving this week in the US! I am feeling kinda bummed that we are celebrating solo (the three of us) this year. The last few years we've always had family here, or had friends over. Regardless, we will make it a fun day!

With the holiday weekend, Carter only has one day of school this week. Today. It's a busy day with school, then the chance to pick up his school pics (can't wait to see them! Will they be silly, cute, or really good?!). After that I am taking him for his first physical therapy appointment for his feet. I think tonight might be a pizza night!

Carter's class made up an adorable Thanksgiving cookbook. When I first saw it, I panicked a bit - thinking I'd dropped the ball, and forgotton to send a recipe. Once I started reading though, it was easy to see these were kid-made recipes.

Here is Carter's:

Chicken Noodle
by Carter Lau

You get some noodles from the grocery store,
then you bake it in the oven for 1 hour.
Then you eat it for dinner.

I see he gets his cooking skillz from me ;). Plus, he forgot to put the chicken in! ;)

Here are a few other of my favorites from the book:

Zucchini Bread

Need milk, candy, bread, yogurt, apples. Mix them up and put them in a bowl. Add strawberries. Wash them up. Then cook for 5 minutes.

Spaghetti

Mix with pancakes and syrup. Mix with pumpkin and then we mix with crackers and then we mix with waffles. Stir it really good. Bake in the oven for 9:15. Then we take it out and eat it all up.

Banana Pie and Cookies (by Carter's girlfriend - Brooke)

Put the banana in it and the dough. Then you get some sugar and salt and then cook it for 1 minute. Then it's done. Then you could put a little salt on it.

Pizza

Slice it up first. Then we give it to someone. You can have delivery or pick it up.

Totally cracks me up! There are tons of other cute ones in the book too!

Some layouts...

I actually got to scrapping tonight! I've been wanting to for a while, but just didn't have the energy. I was inspired by some pretty papers and online challenge...and voila! Pages produced themselves!

(This last one was pretty thick to scan...maybe will have to take a pic later on. The lower right looks ehhh)

Thank yous...

A lot of people really came out to support me and my family after my surgery. I'm not 100% still, but getting there. I've really appreciated all the cards, emails, and love that people have sent. They went a long way to brighten my day. I wanted to do a little something to thank the people who really went the extra mile for me. If you're reading this - I am really grateful for you! I made up these thank you notes/Thanksgiving cards to send out. The pic is kind of crappy - the bad lighting/flash reflected off the embossed flower.

I wanted to do a little something else too, so I made up these holiday ornaments. I've made these before - and perhaps even showcased them on my blog here. They are designed using an "Outlines" stamp. I stamped it on red and gold 6 times and cut out each layer (yes, it's pretty time intensive...but when you're resting in bed...). Use a pop dot for each layer and add some stickles and a little bling. Tada! A pretty ornament!

Having some issues with my blog...but working on it. Ugh!

In the meantime - here's a pic I took last week. The view outside my bedroom window as the sun came up!

I love Shutterfly!

Holly Jolly Story Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly has amazing cards, photobooks, and gifts! I shop there a lot!
Leave me a comment and later this month I'll draw one name to receive a free 8X8 photo book and 10 free photo cards!

Don't forget...

Don't forget to check out Leah's blog for some fabulous giveaways!
Happy BIRTHDAY LEAH!

A Personal Story...

There's a little insight into my life these past few months.

Generally I don't get super personal on my blog. I use it for showing off my scrapbooking layouts, perhaps for showcasing giveaways or fun finds. Of course there is lots of Carter cuteness to share as well. However, I have avoided this subject for the past while. Not sure why overall - because, hey, it's my blog - and I can say whatever I want on it, right?!

So, needless to say, I haven't been feeling that well. In early 2009 I was hospitalized for 2 weeks - gallbladder induced pancreatisis. Believe me, you NEVER want to get this, and if you do...don't ignore the symptoms for a week so it gets really reallllly bad. I did.  I recovered nicely overall, but still kept feeling crappy. I just chalked it up to the healing process.

By early 2010 however, it was obvious it wasn't really healing and I went in for another full physical, blood tests, ultrasounds and more. I got referred to a gyno who specializes in "weird" stuff and had a verrrrry lovely uterine biopsy. I'd always known, since I had Carter that my reproductive system was weak to say the least. However, the results of many more tests not only showed that my uterus was *shot*, my ovaries and cervix were also diseased. Fibroids, adhesions, clots, pre-cancerous cells, severe endometriosis, and adenomyosis. After a few trials of meds and treatments it showed my only real hope to feel really good again was to have everything removed.

And I did - just yesterday! I ended up having to go see a super specialist to have the surgery done (my uterus was so enlarged it measured at 20weeks pregnant yesterday!), and I'm glad I did. I ended up coming out of it all quite well! Now I'm down to a few weeks recovery, and hopefully I'll be back to my old self by Christmas!

I'm looking forward to all those pill bottles going away, and feeling back to my old self!

In this whole process I've learned a few things. First and foremost, respect your body and your health. It can go downhill so fast. I am happy to learn that I've avoided cancer through this surgery. I'm happy that I'll no longer spend weeks of the month bleeding or cramping. It's rough! I've also learned that people say what they think when it comes to your reproductive health. It wasn't an easy choice to just make. I am shocked actually at how many comments I've received from both friends and strangers on this. More often than not I get "well, you can adopt". Yeah, that's not a helpful thing to say. I know it's said with love, but believe me, it's not what's on our minds right now. I've also had a lot of comments on how I'll feel after - not being a "real" woman anymore. Also, not helpful. Just a gesture of friendship is all I need - not endless advice. ;)

I hope that having this personal experience will help me be a better friend the next time someone I know goes though something big. :)

I've also really found out who my real friends are. The calls, emails, facebook posts, small gifts, babysitting offers, and meals coming to our family are a real lifesaver and I appreciate it so much. I really know who I can count on and it means a ton!

My own giveaway alert!

Leah's generous birthday celebration giveaways have inspired me to do my own! My birthday is at the end of November, and I say let's start celebrating NOW!

Every time you post a comment on my blog for the month of November you'll get a ballot for the draw.

If you're a follower of my blog, you'll get an extra ballot!

If you leave a comment on my "Patch" articles, you'll get an extra comment for each comment (one per week)

Once the month is over, I'll randomly draw a name and you'll receive a collection of scrappy goodness. If you're not a scrapbooker you'll receive a selection of handmade cards designed by ME!

Good luck!

Shakin his booty...

Okay, okay...I know I'm biased...but this was easily the cutest little dancer at Sam and Brendan's wedding. The kid can BOOGIE! He couldn't wait to dance!

Giveaways!

My scrappy friend Leah has some fabulous giveaways going on over on her blog. Drop by and wish her a Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH!