Happy Easter!

I just posted about Jonathan's Birthday. Today is Easter though. I wish everyone a Happy Easter! This has been a crazy week for me. We were so busy at work, then yesterday I had a DAY LONG of stamping classes. Which was such a great time! My first one at Sheri's they made word albums as you see pictured above and they also made clothespin picture holders. They all loved their projects. Then I headed down to the Scrabookings Inn to teach everyone how to make a whole 6x6 Scrapbook in just under 3 hours out of 1/2 of a Simply Scrappin' Kit. What beautiful books everyone made. I had a blast today. My day was not over though. I was really hungry and Amy asked if anyone wanted to join her at Crossroads for a drink and something to eat. I was all for it. Her Jenny and I went and I was glad they invited me. I always knew Amy was an inspiration to me and something connected us and after a few Toasted Almonds and some conversation it became apparent that we both have a deep connection and share a lot of the same life situations. Even though they are all not good ones, it is still nice to have someone to share them with who can relate and not be judgemental. I was glad Jenny was able to talk to me about some of the things she's been going through this week. It makes you feel better when you talk about what you are going through and your thoughts. It's also better when you have positive people around you to talk you through it. I am grateful for Jenny and Amy to allow me to open up last night because it makes me feel better. Everytime I tell my story it just makes it that much easier to take a positive step forward, that I am a good person. I am so happy to have 2 new friends that I can trust and count on when I need it. I am usually a very quiet person when it comes to my personal life and I just opened up to them like we have known each other forever.

Thanks again girls for a good night!

From there I went home to play Easter bunny and put 3 baskets together. When do kids grow out of this again? Just kidding, I love every holiday and making the kids day brighter. We had a lovely day today. Dinner at my sister-in-laws sisters house, egg hunt with ALL the kids (even my 19 year old daughter.) Then Kayla had to leave to go back to school and here I am updating my blog since I am so far behind. I think I am going to set a goal to post at least 2 times a week. I should be able to handle that.

Today I am thankful for

peeps

my family all together

classes

scrapbooking

friends

Toasted Almonds

Easter

chocolate, chocolate & more Chocolate

Jonathan's 16th Birthday

Kayla getting back to school safely

confiding in friends

life situations

my mom sounded so good today!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Happy 16th Birthday Jonathan!

Today is Jonathan's birthday.We had a racing party for him on Friday night at the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix. Jonathan and 7 of his friends (+ him, Kayla & Tyler) = 10 kids racing. It was AWESOME! They all had such a great time. I was never there before when I booked it. I only saw it online. I thought turning 16, what better then to drive cars(race cars?) We had big family/friends parties for Kayla & Tyler with a DJ, but Jonathan didn't want that, he just wanted a fun night with his fellas. He was always my daring one, Paint Ball Party, Rock Climbing Party. i couldn't imagine anything differently. Today I woke up not feeling so good, my stomach had such bad pains and my husband said well maybe it is second round labor pains, your baby is 16 today.... urrrgghhh So then I got thinking, wow 16 years have flown by so fast. I can still remember them wheeling me down to the O.R. for my surgery to have him and at that moment is when we named him.... all along I was thinking he was going to be a girl and we had the name picked and we never decided on the name for a boy. I looked at John and said what are we going to name this baby if it's a boy? We both said we don't want a John III. Jonathan Haven Allen it was - born at 11:28AM on April 12, 1993 16 years ago today. Haven is John and his dad's middle name so we stuck with that. Today we celebrate 16 wonderful years.

copic markers give away

http://charmedcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-candy-with-twist.html

I am all about the FREE blog candies. You should go check this one out.

My sister

I was just chatting with my sister - Becky on facebook. So my post today is going to be about her. She is my little sister and sometimes I think of her as my older sister. She can be so much more mature then me. I guess I still have the little kid in me. My mom lives with her and her family. I can't even tell you how thankful I am for my sister moving to Florida. My mom's health today is the reason why my sister moved there 3 years ago, I'm sure of it. Mom's health wasn't this bad when Becky first moved there, but things happen for a reason. She was at a point in her life that she could move and I wasn't. I know it must be very tough to keep a marriage and raise 2 small boys while also taking care of your sick mom. God hands us these things for a reason and I am sure it is to make us stronger and teach us a life lesson. Becky is a different person now that mom has been there for almost 10 months I think. Keep up the great work Becky! It is trying, I'm sure, but I am thankful for everything you do!

When Beck and I were younger we didn't get along that well as I'm sure most sisters don't when they are younger. It takes you to grow up and become adults to realize the importance of siblings (sisters especially) We shared a bedroom, bunkbeds to boot. God.... why do I have to share a room with my little sister? I could hear myself saying that. Now I say to myself, I want to sleep in the same room in bunkbeds with my sister again. So we could stay up all night laughing..... at NOTHING!! Before Becky moved to Florida she gave me the 2 most precious things in my life next to my husband and my kids.... my 2 nephews who I love to death. I had the opportunity to be in the delivery with her for both births and i feel I made my bond with each of them at those times just like a mother does. I didn't even see the birth of my own 3 kids (all c-sections). She moved to Florida before Gavin turned a year old. I go down to Florida every chance I can get. It's not always for a relaxing, fun get together time. (usually because mom is sick) At christmas time this past year my whole family went down to spend christmas and it was so nice to laugh and hangout. I reminded my sister how crazy I can be with just a LITTLE bit of alcohol. Those are the times I miss with my sister! (not drinking) Just crazy, laughing for no reason, stamping fun times. Plus.... spending every second I can with Brayden and Gavin. LOVE THEM! That's my long post about my sister. I miss her and Love her so much!

This Sunny Sunday morning I am thankful for:

my little sister

the nephews she gave me

that she is there to care for our mom

sharing bunkbeds

laughing at nothing

my trips to Florida to see them

CUTTLEBUG GIVE AWAY

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/ Check out Melissa's blog. She is giving away a free cuttlebug. I figured I was so LUCKY last week maybe I should try it out. You should too! Good Luck!

What a night....

Well, I had every intention of going to the Scrapbookings Inn tonight. I never called to say I was going to the class, but in my head I knew I wanted to enter Jenn's Challenge so I worked on it at home. I was gonna stop by there really quick so I could get home to watch the last ever episode of ER. hmmm.... how things change. My friend called me at 6PM to see if I was going to a our monthly Varsity W meeting. (that I totally forgot about) She said "you know we missed last month" ok so I felt obligated to go. Well, I thought I could go there, go bring my challenge to the store and still get home to watch ER since it was going to be on for 3 hours. Karen got a call from her daughter's cheerleading coach that she fell out of a stunt. YIKES! Long story short.... I didn't make it to the Inn, I didn't watch ER but I sat in an ER and got to watch a live ER in action. They rushed Kaitlyn in on a squad and we met it there. After a few tests, she has a cervical sprain and has to wear a neck brace for a week. Thank god she is ok. That was scary. The only bad part is she is leaving tomorrow for Ocean City, MD for a national cheerleading competition and now she can't compete. I wish her team all the best and I know they will be able to get it together and win another gold! I posted a picture of my layout for the challenge I missed. :( A little glare on the picture. I had to use alphabet stickers, chipboard, something old and 2 opposite colors on the color wheel. I am so happy to have this page too. This is the day my mom left to go back home last year after being here for Kayla's graduation. It kind of makes me really sad because, it's probably the last time she will ever be up here. Her health is just not good enough to fly anymore. Tomorrow is Friday! I still have some spots for my purse card holder class tomorrow night. et me know if you're interested. I need to get some sleep.

I'm so glad Kaitlyn is going to be ok.