Remember me?

Gosh, it's been forever since I have visited this thing. Sorry for the long break off. Life has been crazy but great. I can't even begin to summarize everything that has happened so I will only promise to start blogging more often. I'll be back to show you some fun projects I've been working on. Lots of fun stuff is in the works at the Jacobs household.....

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack!

Hey everyone! {crickets chirping}

Anyone miss me? {complete silence}

Well, it's been so long, I won't be surprised if this is simply a letter to myself. To put it simply, life got busy. Baseball, school,baseball, work, baseball, halloween, baseball, birthday parties, and all that fun stuff. Did I mention that Parker played baseball? HA!

Well, baseball is over for a whole 3 months! So, we can get back into our semi normal routine. Yay!. I thrive on routine. Monotony is my thing. Plus, with some extra downtime comes extra craft time for Moi!!! I read blogs all the time and have a bagillion ideas. Now I might actually find the time to make them happen.

Wanna see a few things I have up my sleeve for the holidays? This is our first Christmas in the new house, so I am super excited to decorate the place up!

First off, I guess you would call our front doors "French doors". There's two of them, so I need two wreaths. (Please forgive me if I sound ignorant, I really don't know if you call them double doors or french doors). But I digress...... Eddie Ross posted this tutorial for the ornament wreath. I spied some great bulbs at, of all places, The Dollar Tree. I believe they are plastic but they look pretty darn good, so I am going to give it a try. Our front porch isn't covered so plastic maybe better. I am thinking I can do both wreaths for about $30. Not bad!


Next up, I am going to hit up the local Goodwill for some gently loved sweaters. I want to make these adorable stockings to line my bannisters. life in grace has been posting 12 days to a homemade Christmas and I love these stockings. So cute and so easy! I have been needing to get my sewing area all set up and this inspires me to do just that!

The next thing also comes from life in grace. Banners!!! Banners and burlap are both pretty popular in the world of crafts right now. While I was at Hancock Fabrics the other day, I found that they make it is COLORS!!! Who knew? I got cream and red and cannot wait to use it. I have a feeling I may be going back for more. Here is a picture of the banner that I am going to try:
Don't be surprised if these pop up for all seasons! Aren't they cute???

Well, I think that's is for now. I'll keep searching and report back with more cuteness. For now I'll leave you with this:

Definetly not christmas-y, but I couldn't resist. What is you made the layers green, white and red? How cute would that be?????

Whew! I'm tired

1100 miles
5 iced coffees
8 Diet Cokes
3 Audio books
2 hotel rooms
2 sleepless nights
5 tanks of gas
7 potty breaks
4 100 calorie Cheese It packs
1 pack of double stuffed oreos (Hey, I eat when I am stressed)
1 steak
10 boxes of glassware
4 boxes of photo albums
1 mirror
2 pictures
24 glasses
2 glass pitchers
4 vases
2 2-tier cake stands
8 pillows
18 hours driving time
45 hours total time gone from my boys
2 days off work
and too many tears to count.

I said goodbye to a place where I grew up. My grandparents house sold and I drove to Arkansas to pack stuff up. I brought many, many memories home with me. So sad to see it go. So very glad to be home.

A case of the wants vs. the must haves

If there is one thing this whole moving experience has taught me(beside how important deoderant is) it is this: Be patient for the wants, be gracious for the must haves. As is the case with a new house, I have been wanting everything: new bedding, new decor, new pictures, new towels.... you name it. However, with the state of the world being what it is, I have tried to take the time to stand back and realize all that I do have. In unpacking my scrap room this weekend I was amazed by the sheer amount of "STUFF" I have for that one room. Way more than I think I could ever use in this lifetime, even if I made 2 scrapbooks a week. Again, the wants. The material things.

The must haves: people to love, a roof over your head, health, happiness, food to eat. And you know what? We have that. In abundance.

So, if you come to my house, it may not have the best art on the walls. And yes, I do have a mixture of black, gold, and silver frames above the mantel. But you know what? I have all of the must haves and for that I am eternally grateful. (And no I am not using this post as an excuse my my crappy decorating skills- ha ha. Just make sure to focus on the pictures and not the frames. Or the wallpaper with orange flowers. Or the holes in the walls.... they add a certain uniqueness to the place.)

I'm back

Yikes- moving consumes you. It consumes every waking moment. I have been looking at paint colors, decor ideas, tv's, refrigerators, and drywall repair. You name it, I have google'd it. So, that explains my absence. So many times it crossed my mind "Hey, that would be something funny to blog about. But, I never got around to it.

So here I am. The house is slowly becoming more familiar and things are finding their place ever so slowly. We are getting into routines and life is good. I can honestly tell you that the screened in porch is worth every single penny that we paid for this little haven. I love that room. We have eaten dinner out there every single night. It is peaceful. In the hectic pace of moving, I often found myself out there, in my folding chair, for a 5 minute reprieve.

So, this weekends project is to get moved into my scrap space. I am so excited. I need to get back into playing with paper. I need to paint. I need to have some "me" time down in the basement. It is my top priority this weekend. Well that and touch up the paint around the window treatments, finish hanging pictures, plant some herbs, go grocery shoping, texturize the bathroom walls and repair the two holes in the wall. Thats about it.

I promise to not be a stranger anymore. To return with some witty, entertaining stories and pictures. You know, all that fun stuff that I am known for.
Ok, not really......

Remember me?

You know, that crazy girl who talks a lot and makes things with glue and paper? Yeah, that girl. Except, I am a little lost because my glue and paper are packed away somewhere in one of the bagillion boxes in my house right now. Why?



WELL, BECAUSE WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE OF OUR OWN. YEP, A HOUSE. THAT IS ALL MINE.... TO PAINT, TO DECORATE, TO HANG AS MANY PICTURES AS I WANT, TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR GUESTS TO SPEND THE NIGHT (Yes Jack, I know you are reading this and you will have a new place to stay by Christmas!!!!). More importantly a house to raise our family, to make new memories, to build our dreams and make our own. I am excited beyond belief.

Sorry for the absence. Life has pretty much been a whirlwind for the last month.

Random Tuesday Stuff

So, who is excited about Easter? I am. I can't wait. Not that we have any big plans or anything, but I am still excited. I love the colors, the candy, the eggs, the opportunity, the candy. Oh wait, did I say candy? Silly me, not candy for me, but for Parker. Yes him. Not me. I made the mistake of eating some of those sugar free chocolates last week. Not worth it. Lets just say that there is a warning on the box that YOU MUST HEED. You must. I won't elaborate further.

Nonetheless. I am primed for creativity. I spent a lot of time yesterday looking for cool projects. These play doh eggs look really fun. This easter egg banner looks easy as well. Of course, I had to see what fun stuff Martha was up to. She had some really cute ideas. Envelope bunnies looked easy enough for Parker and I to do together. We need to make some little things for the kids at Miss Maureen's so perhaps we will make those.

And then I happened upon this. Aren't those just beautiful???? But read the directions. Come on Martha. Any project that requires paper and a blender is crazy. Does M really think that people have time to sit and make their own paper and go through the 16 steps (And extra day of drying time)? I just had to laugh.

I am going to make some deviled eggs. I have never done so, but am excited. I LOVE them. I am going to find some yummy, but low in points, snacks for our weekend. We are looking at 12 houses on Saturday. This whole home buying thing is becoming real and I couldn't be more excited.

Life is good. Enjoy the holiday.

Hi!!!! {wildly waving hands above my head}

Hello there! Sorry for my extended absence. Life seems to have gotten in the way over the last few weeks. Mix that with a bit of a creative drought and you get me, Mrs. Absent Minded Blogger.

How bout a quick run down of things over the last month:
- Parker's fun birthday party. Lots of kids, lots of fun, lots of sheet cake leftover. Need I say more?
- Family in town. So very fun. We got lucky and got to see Grandma and Papa twice in March.
- Parker started Soccer. He has been bumped up to the 6-7 league which is quite competitive. Very different from last season.
- It snowed. Yep, Parker got a snow day for a birthday present. Did I get pictures? Some of the snow, but not of Lil P. Shame on me.
- I had to get a mole biopsied. I had a malignant melanoma when I was in tenth grade and have not been the best about getting screened every year like I am supposed to. Lo and behold, the dr. found something that she wanted to check. Luckily, everything was fine and benign. (Hey, that would make a great t-shirt, "Fine and Benign"- i like it)
- I started Weight Watchers. I lost 6 pounds in a week. It works, lemme tell you. I have now gotten the hubs on board so we are point counting fools. Last night, I had Parker hold up a french fry and ask "Is this 10 points?".
- Did some fun crafty things. Didn't take pictures. Will do that this weekend and add them next week.
- Got my hair chopped off really short. I really like it. Did I take pictures of it? What do you think? Nope.
- Settled about $600K worth of cases at work.

That's about it. What have you been up to?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hope you are all wearing green and having a wonderful day! This video has made me laugh countless times so, in honor of this day, I share it with you......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8

My Mini Me

Ok, so I am no picture scanning genius. But, take a look, closely, at the pictures. I am sure you can figure out who is who. Never in my life had I thought that Parker looked like me. It was pretty weird to see this picture because it looks so much like him. I look like him, he looks like me, we look like we.....

So, I got to thinking..... (I do that only on rare occasions), this child is so much like me. Not only in the bog toothy grin, but in many ways that drive me crazy on certain days.

1. He likes to talk. According to his teacher, a little too much, at times. I know it is hard to believe but, I too, have been plagued with this trait throughout my life.

2. He is curious. He asks questions. LOTS of them. Especially if you are in the middle of a good show or if your favorite song comes on the radio.....

3. He is athletic. Ok, this one is not like me. NOT AT ALL. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out where that comes from. The closest thing I have done that resembles being "athletic" is the kickboxing class that Anne, Angie, and I took a few years ago. Even then I thought I was going to die and mysteriously had to take potty breaks every 5 (just to catch my freakin breath). The 60 year old lady next to me kept up better than I did.

Anyways, I digress.

4. Parker loves music. He loves all types. He and I share a thing for the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana. Yeah, that's right. Got a problem with it?

5. The kid can dance. He definetly is in tune with his white boy rhythm. Now, do I think he is going to bust out with a tap dance to New Kids On The Block like a certain someone did back in the day? Maybe not, but he can break it down when he wants.

6. He tends to be a bit dramatic. I might have been like that when I was little... (ok, mike informed me that I still am.... I disagree)

7. He has a crazy sense of style... Who says you can't wear a long sleeved red shirt under a teal short sleeved shirt? Yep, I have some pics of me in the 80's that would show what a killer color combo that is. My kid does the same.

8. He is crafty. Need I say more?

9. He is organizationally challenged. Take a peek into his room and then into my scrap room- you probably couldn't tell them apart.

10. He likes to cuddle.

#10 may be my favorite. Actually they all are. He is. Parker is my mini me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm lucky that way.

real quick

I have been a complete slacker. I have no pictures, not much to say. I promise to update with pictures either tomorrow or this weekend. Gosh, I can't believe it is Thursday!

Happy Birthday Baby!

From this:



To this:



Where in the world has 6 years gone? We are staying in today since the weather is so nasty. We might even get lucky enough to get some snow. Parker has 2 Star Wars Wii games, the Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie, and the entire first season of Ben 10. I think we are prepared.

Have a great day.

Oh Cupcakes, How do I love thee

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Is it just me, or do those frosting shots look like one of the best ideas in a long time?

I've been omnipresent

Is that even a word? What I'm trying to say is that I've been around, but I haven't. I have been sick and had elevated blood pressure for a few days. I haven't really felt like me. My body has a definite way of letting me know when it is stressed. It breaks down.... like a car.

But miraculously I seem to feel better now that our adoption is final. The ol blood pressure was back down to normal this morning so I guess I don't have to worry anymore. I feel better. Just a little sleepy because the sleeplessnights are now catching up with me. That is something I can deal with.

SO, happy news? (aside from the fact that OUR ADOPTION IS COMPLETE- did I mention that?) Parker's birthday is this weekend. He will be six. SIX. Where did the time go? I am excited to see all of our friends and family at Parker's party. I did the birthday shopping yesterday. I am now well versed in star wars stuff and Ben 10 paraphenalia. Storm troopers, clone wars, humongosaur, swampfire figures, alien goop. I got it.

Shopping for kids stuff is really fun. For a fleeting moment I thought of how much fun it would be to work in such a place.... seeing the happy faces of children with their new toys, running, laughing, skipping around.......... and then I thought of the kids skipping too much and then puking on the floor. The angry moms who just learned about the sold out toy they came to buy. Screaming, craziness, black friday sales..... Augh! See, I told you I wasn't really myself anymore.

While in my icky haze, I haven't felt very creative. Nothing significant to show.

I hope that the fog is lifting. I really think that I was more stressed out than I thought. But, it is over. The 6 year nightmare is finally over. And in the end, I have my family.

February 25, 2009

Technically, our wedding anniversary is September 23, 2006. However, our family was truly established on February 25, 2009. It is such a wonderful relief to say that. The Jacobs Family. The most perfect thing I have ever heard.

17 things on the 17th

1. Our adoption hearing was supposed to be today and got postponed.

2. I saw the movie "He's Just Not That Into You" on Sunday and am just so dang happy that I don't ever have to date again. I really didn't like that game. However, I won the grand prize so I am happy now.

3. I was reminded yesterday of the power of friendship. I forget how important girl time is until I have it.

4. My baby boy is turning 6 next week. I am really sad about that. (He was three when this picture was taken at our wedding..... sob.)

5. I will be 30 in 5 months. I have always wanted to be thirty. For some odd reason it was my dream age. Now that it is here, I am really freaked out by it. Don't ask me why.

6. I made a piece of carrot cake last almost 3 days. Seriously, that never happens. I love carrot cake ALMOST more than cupcakes with buttercream frosting. Almost.

7. House hunting is not nearly as exciting as I once believed.

8. I really need to get creative tonight. I can tell when I haven't been. I start getting a little depressed. Art is my therapy.

9. I actually considered downloading the Beach Boys Greatest Hits onto my Ipod this weekend. Don't ask me why, just a whim.

10. I got hooked on this last week. It is one of the most addicting things ever.

11. I am excited about Scrap Chic's two birthday party this weekend. Lots of giveaways and cool people.

12. We had a 30 minute discussion last night about Christmas Elves with Parker. He brought it up, don't ask me why. He said he wants another elf for his birthday?????????

13. This post was originally titled 16 things on the 16th but I never finished it yesterday.

14. I am really excited to see everyone next weekend at Parker's birthday party.

15. Parker starts soccer in two weeks. He got bumped up to the 6-7 team even though his birthday was after the cut off. He is like a young Pele.... ok not really, but he is good. (I also have a feeling we are going to have to buy new cleats- his feet have grown since October- BOO)

16. We got a great report last week from Parker's teacher although he seems to have a bit of a talking problem. As in, talking too much. I have NO idea where on earth he gets that from {insert sarcasm}. Ha!

17. I got Mike one of those music cards for Valentine's Day. It sang "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore". I thought it was by Air Supply, so it would have been perfect for my cheesy music loving husband. Never knew that it was by REO Speedwagon. Equally cheesy enough. We know about Mike's love for Air Supply though.... don't even get me started.

My Valentine

This is by far not the best scan. The entire thing would not fit on my flatbed scanner and I could not get in turned to save my life, but I figured you would get the gist of it. This boy is definitely like his mommy. Look at that glitter, the fabulous use of heart shaped sequins, and a doily(sp?)! I am so proud. Not quite sure what the "and" is for because he made a separate valentine for Mikey. What a sweetheart. How can I have a bad day with such a beautiful valentine sitting on my desk?

Quite simply, I am blessed.

Have a great day.

Confession Time

I hit a squirrel on the way to work. This hurts me. I tried to avoid it but he ran right into my path. Squirrels were my sorority mascot, so that fact weighs on my mind. Do I think twice about killing a spider? No. A waterbug? Hell no. But a squirrel who just lost his way while crossing the street? yes. I think the crushing sound under the tires and the subsequent rolling on the street I witnessed in my rear view mirror make it that more traumatic. RIP little squirrel.

Let's have a moment of silence.

one more thing

I found these goodies and had to post them. I love cherries, I love chocolate, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE real whipped cream. I think these were made just for me.

I know, I know...

I have been a very bad blogger. The past week was a little crazy. One of the attorneys in my office left last week. Seeing as how there are only 5 (now 4) of us in this office, transition is a big deal. So, we spent a good part of last week doing status updates on most of our cases and attempted to figure out this little place will operate in her absence. I know that all will be fine, but she will be missed.
But, now it is Monday. A new week, a new day. Mike is in trial today, so he spent a good part of the weekend working. Parker and I spent Saturday out and about. It was a beautiful weekend, but we had to stay inside yesterday due to the fact that Parker and I had the beginnings of a cold. Luckily, we are both feeling much better today.
Over the last few weeks, I have been finding so many fun projects online through other blogs. I thought I would share a few for you.
These were super easy to make and FREE! Just go to Schlosser Designs to print them out.

Next we have some yummy valentine treats. I love Bakerella's blog She always has yummy stuff. Such as cupcake pops and red velvet cookie sandwiches.



I made the cupcake pops once. They were really good but they take a lot of time to make. If you choose to do these, I would recommend making it a girls day project and have fun with friends while making them. You can buy colored candy melts to coordinate with whatever occasion you make them for. Mmmmmm mmmmmmm good!

Let love fill your week. See what happens......