Scrapbook Layouts - Free Time is Amazing.....

I am really enjoying the time I took off from my photography business. Don't get me wrong I love doing sessions, I just feel I need a break sometimes, a little me time.  I get so busy with my kids schedules, working a full-time job, being a wife and then running a part-time photography business that I would loose sense of the days.  Things would run together and I would feel really lost.  Around the holidays I really like taking a break, it helps me to come back re-freshed and inspired.  I never want my photography to feel like a real job, I do it because I love it not because I have to so it's important that I always take that time to sit back and look at the big picture.

This break got my mojo back, I used to scrapbook a lot, I enjoyed it, but I lost the inspiration some where, I still would create and make things but I couldn't get myself to work on an actual layout. I've done a few layouts in Noveber and December but this January is really feeling good.  I accomplished 6 layouts over this long weekend.  Yay me!

Here are three of them...as you will see I don't think I have a style persay, I just let the picture inspire me, it could be fun, colorful, easy going....who knows I just do whatever I feel like at the time....

First time sewing on a layout....

I took it back and shopped my stash, I used some velum and some mulberry paper, remember that stuff?

This one I just went for girly and sweet....lol

Time to take down the decorations...

I'm sad Christmas is over already, it came and went so fast.  I plan to take down all the decorations today and tomorrow but I realized I had not taken pictures of everything.  I'm so sad to see it all come down, it turned out so cute this year. 

I will say this though, it was my first year making pretty much all of my decorations and I am really proud about the way they came out.  I made mini wreaths for each side of the mirror.  I made the tulle covered trees that are sitting on the shelf.  I painted a vase to hold the silver branches and hung some mini ornaments on it.

It's a sad sad day....

I took a dollar store ornament, glued it to a piece of wood I painted then I painted the wooden letters from Hobby Lobby and glued them on the piece of wood too.

My Husband - Day 23 - 25 Days of Christmas

He made Christmas special for me again....

it's when he proposed to me.

When I met Justin I was just back on my feet from a divorce. I had just built a new house all my own, my kids were adjusting well, you could say I was pretty happy alone. But I am not a person that likes to be alone but I knew I needed that time to re-adjust and re-claim myself and my independence. I had it in my mind that I was not going to just settle for anyone, I told myself I would know when the right person came along.

Sure enough it wasn't too long before I met Justin, it was November of 2005. We talked on the phone here and there, it was not a love at first site type situation, we actually stopped talking for a while and then out of the blue we decided to go out. After meeting him in person the bond got stronger, I loved that he was a great father, I loved that his family was so important to him, I loved that god and church was important, I loved that he was a bit old fashioned.

He became a powerful part of my life, a part that made me feel good about myself because he loved me so much. Christmas 2008 was our first Christmas together in our new house, we had just built it earlier in the year and I was really looking forward to the holidays. We had talked about marriage but we both knew there wasn't a rush and that it would happen eventually. He surprised me with the most beautiful ring, he had hung it on an ornament on the tree. I felt so special, yes I cried, lol, but for him to go out of his way o make it special for me just meant that much more. Yeah we could have just bough rings and said "We're getting married" but this was better, it was like the stories you see in the movies. A nice thought out proposal and even though it was not a big dramatic scene it was simple, special and intimate between us.

So, to me Christmas is special for many reasons, he being one of the biggest for me.

When we got married he wanted a nice wedding and I can't lie once I got into the whole planning process I was excited to have one too. During the planning his big concern was the music, he had to have say in all of our music, I gave him the reins I let him choose the songs. There is one song that he chose and every time I hear it, I get lost in the words, it even brings me to tear up. Because he chose this song, I feel like the words are coming from him each and every time I hear it and it truly makes me feel so blessed that he loves me the way he does.

Don't get me wrong, we do not have a perfect marriage, we have our ups and downs and it's hard having a blended family with different discipline ways, we were raised differently and I can respect and appreciate that. He was raised in a definitely southern family, strong in every sense of the word family, his mom and dad are still together and very much happy. It's wasn't just his mom and his dad it's a closeness he share with his aunt, grandmother, grandfather, sister, nephews and cousins, they see each other every Sunday for family time, it's simply amazing the closeness they all have.

Now me on the other hand, I came from a family that consisted of my mom and my brother, my mom raised us. She is an amazing woman, she was my father and my mother. We did have the backing of her parents but as we got older we seem to drift away. I'm not really close with any of my aunts or uncles. We basically had holidays, there were not a lot of lets just all have a great time together as family especially after my grandparents died. Don't get wrong my aunts, uncles and cousins are important and I love them all dearly but it's just not a close family, we don't all stick together, lol.

When our worlds collided I saw what he had and I wanted that his family has made me feel so welcome and I love them all. We may disagree with somethings but I know he means well and I try to understand where he came from, I am a free spirit and I'm stubborn, I know that but there are somethings we have to just let ride and let time work through it for us.

Okay enough with the history, lets get into some pictures. I took this picture of my husband last weekend while at dinner. I love when he wears a hat, not sure why I just do. And below that you'll see a picture of my ring that he had hanging on the tree that Christmas when he proposed, I love my ring.

And remember that song he chose for our first dance at our wedding, well I couldn't talk about it and not post the words for you to read:

Someone by Musiq Soulchild

I never wanted a woman that wanted me for my name or material things, see

I always hoped for a woman that's so sure emotionally secure with spiritual faith

A woman that I can trust with all of my secrets And even listen to all of my issues A woman who never judge me or how I was She deals with me strictly through love

Someone who will put up with the things, loving me can bring And still be there to see us through Someone who would put up with the strange and complicated things

'Cause I would do the same for her too

Someone who I can be real with, ain't gotta be perfect 'Cause loving one another is all that matters It's not hard to explain, so believe me when I say That I found all of that in you

All that I hope for a friendship that's so pure A girl I can talk to 'bout whatever's on my heart A woman that needs me, that trust and believes me

That won't take my kindness as some kind of weakness

A woman who bares her soul, who's willing to let go That wants me to lead her but knows how to take control And when I am feeling down 'cause things are going wrong

She fills me up, make me feel strong

Someone who will put up with the things, loving me can bring And still be there to see us through Someone who would put up with the strange and complicated things 'Cause I would do the same for her too

Someone who I can be real with, ain't gotta be perfect 'Cause loving one another is all that matters It's not hard to explain, so believe me when I say That I found all of that in you

You are that someone who loves me through all my imperfections You know my heart is filled with nothing but good intentions You are the one that told me long as we got us, nothing matters You are the one that sees the joy through the pain

You are my light through the rain, here and now Girl I am saying, it's you, you're my heart, it's you You're that someone I can truly say that I'll never find Another love like you

Someone who will put up with the things, loving me can bring And still be there to see us through Someone who would put up with the strange and complicated things 'Cause I would do the same for her too

Someone who I can be real with, ain't gotta be perfect 'Cause loving one another is all that matters It's not hard to explain, so believe me when I say That I found all of that in you

Someone who will put up with the things, loving me can bring And still be there to see us through Someone who would put up with the strange and complicated things 'Cause I would do the same for her too

Someone who I can be real with, ain't gotta be perfect 'Cause loving one another is all that matters It's not hard to explain, so believe me when I say That I found all of that in you

Our Traditional Early Christmas Gifts - Day 20 - 25 Days of Christmas

A little background on myself and my husband, we seem to give each other gifts early...I think last year was the only year that we made it to Christmas day.  BUT we had already showed each other the gifts we got each other prior, but we wrapped them for the sake of Christmas morning, for all intensive purposes.

I don't know why we do it, I cannot hold water when it comes to a gift and it never fails I can pretty much always guess what some one is giving me.  My brother is the same way, his wife calls us both gift ninjas.

Well this year my husband had to have a gift for me delivered to, guess who, me...{insert evil laugh here}.  So the FedEx package was delivered and I could not help myself, see I already know what it was, but I just had to open it.  It was sitting there calling my name...."April, open me, you know you want to, Justin won't find out, try me out"  And I cracked, I ripped open the FedEx package and eagerly opened my gift and to my surprise (not really) it was my blue tooth keyboard and case for my ipad.  I quickly read the directions, synced my iPad, took it for a quick spin and then placed all back in the box and even slid it back into the Fedex package.  I felt satisfied but then I was mad because I wanted it, how dare he tease me with a gift and not let me have it. lol

Here is text messages back and forth...

Okay so I guess I should show you my gift, right?  I really works great and I am so happy to have it.  Oh, wait how would I know that, it's a Christmas gift and Christmas isn't even here yet........DUH! I got it early, there was no sense in wrapping it up, I mean why waste the paper. :)

My screen looks really dirty in this picture, oops, guess I should have cleaned that first, good thing I don't do product photography, I would suck.

Camera Hog, I mean Dog! - Day 14 - 25 Days of Christmas

Oh...Hi! < ---That is exactly what he looks like he is thinking.

I was trying to get a nice blurry picture of our tree today but some one thought he could be a camera hog.  None other than Mr. Kaos....he is not camera shy...in fact he has been know to go sit himself on my backdrops when am getting set up.

See the evidence below!

Hi !

Case in point -

I was just setting up and here he comes.

The nerve of him....

Catching Up - Day 10, 11 & 12 - 25 Days of Christmas

Okay so the weekend had me busy, I went to a Christmas party with my mom, we took family pictures on Sunday (don't get me started on that).  I was just so busy I never sat down to edit any thing.  I was doing so good too.  Oh well at least I took the pictures, that is an accomplishment in it's self.

Day 10 - Tiffany, My Mom & Me - Headed to the KBR Christmas Party

Day 11 - The Whole Family 

**Quote from my brother about our big family picture " Tiffany and I look like the cracker neighbors that just jumped in the picture" LOL...I love my brother.

And when we did the picture of just the grand kids, my sister-in-law sang "one of these are not like the others...."  My little nephew is the one not of mixed race...

Day 12 - Our Christmas Tree

I'm really happy with how it looks this year, I love the new colors I chose.

My Favorite Ornament - Day 9 - 25 Days of Christmas

If you know me you know I love Frogs, my favorite ornament is the one my son Izaiah got me. It's a round fat frog, I call butterball.

So that's my picture for today...

Just the girls - Day 7 - 25 Days of Christmas

Today was the Volleyball banquet for my girls....it was supposed to be a "dressy" occassion and since we were all dressed pretty I figured it would be a great chance for a mom and daughters picture. 

So today's picture is of me and my girls... (oh and keep scrolling down you can see more of my girls)

I'm not sure why Sonja does this silly face it's her weird smile....she is such a beautiful girl but she says she hates her smile.  She is still beautiful even if she gives this goofy half smile.

 And this one here, oh my she just looks so grown but she's only 17...everyone things she looks just like me, hmmmm I don't know.

Donovan's Christmas Concert - 25 Days of Christmas

Tonight was Donovan's choir concert at Spring High, he was so cute dressed in his little vest, he has to wear a bowtie too but they only put them on the boys right before they go out on stage and they take it off right after they get off.  Seems they don't trust the kids with them, lol.

I'm not going to say Donovan loves choir because he doesn't, don't get me wrong he likes it but only because they take really good trips like Splashtown and Six Flags Texas.

Isn't he just handsome?

More Shopping & More Lunch - Day 3 - 25 Days of Christmas

I spent the day with my husband shopping, going from store to store....we finished all the kids, pretty much. We actually have one more gift to get for one of the kids but we'll need to order it online or check a few other stores.

J and I ended our shopping day with lunch at Red Robin, we love their burgers. Yum!

Now the task of wrapping all this stuff....something I am not really thrilled about.

Shopping & Lunch - Day 2 - 25 Days of Christmas

I headed out to Katy and I met up with my sister-in-law and nephew for some lunch. Then I hit the stores....I can say that as of now I am officially done with the girls. Tomorrow me and hubby start on the boys.

Here's a little picture from today of my adorable nephew.

Alexis "The Birthday Girl"

17 years ago ....I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  I was only 18 when I had her, most people know that her father went to prison just before she was born, I was an instant single teenage mother.  BUT, I had my amazing mother as my support system.

I will have to admit looking back on it all I would have to admit I did a damn good job raising her.  I've done it on my own, the the help I got from her father was basically a year, he got out of prision when she was 12 and was sent back.  He left me with a hurt little girl that I had to piece back together...I hate that I let him hurt her but I think it made her stronger.  She see through his bs and promises now.  I have a strong, smart and beautiful young woman who has such a bright future.  She's in honor classes at magna school for Nursing, she be taking duel credit classes for her senior year and when she graduates she'll already be able to work in the hospital while she continues on to college for Nursing.  She's strong and athletic, she is an amazing volleyball player.

She makes me so proud to be her momma!

All this talk about football......so it's time for some Volleyball pictures of my baby!

Our Family Central Command Station - A Family Communication & Homework Center

This year we decided we needed a better way of communicating and organizing our family.  With four kids all involved in activities and at three different schools we needed a way to organize our life.  In our home as you come up the stairs but before you enter my work area or the game room there is this empty space.  It's about the size of a breakfast room and I figured this would be the perfect place for our Family Central Command Center...

This is the before, I used this area to store and extra t.v. and some boxes filled with props, it was a catch all, basically a dumping site. It needed attention and it needed it bad.

So, I headed off to Ikea.  I love that Ikea is so budget friendly.  I got two small desk tops at $5.99 each, eight desk legs at $3.50 each, two wire bars at $4.99 each, three wire baskets at $2.99 each (only used 2), the package of metal hooks were $1.99 for 10, the white metal hanging file was $9.99 and the metal magnetic board was I believe $12.99.  Then I got the white dry erase board, large calendar and week at a glance dry erase at Office Depot.  The closet maid 9 square shelf came from Walmart and I believe it was $40.00 give or take.

A few things that I still want to add is a chore list, an area to pick up lunch money and a spot to list the daily chores.  I'm still working on that part.  Oh and a shopping list, see each kid has their own bathroom basket (maybe I am a little OCD) with all their OWN personal hygiene items (deodorant, soap, sponge, tooth paste, etc) and a centralized shopping list will help me know what everyone needs before I head to the store.  Because, I am so tired of hearing, "ah, you went to the store? I was going to tell you today I am out of toothpaste". 

And low and behold, what do we have here....my high school junior sitting here doing homework tonight.  I think this was a success!