Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've updated. But that only means, I have a lot to catch you up on! I celebrated my birthday on June 17th. I actually got to celebrate the whole week...I'm a lucky girl! On Monday of that week, I got my first present, a 3 month old white Persian kitten named Queen Cleo. Bryan told me to go pick her up. She is absolutely gorgeous! So far Roxy, our English Bull Dog has done really well with her. She wants to play with her but Cleo takes off behind the couch. I really feel like, eventually once they get used to each other, they will be great friends.

On Wednesday, I was surprised with a half a dozen red roses from Bryan. He also had them bring me a box of rose petals with a card that said, "even a rose holds no beauty next to you." He also planned for all of our family to come over that night to celebrate with me, complete with an ice cream cake. Since I'm on Weight Watchers, he made a huge chef salad for everyone. He's so thoughtful! :) I guess he thought it would cancel out the cake! My family also showered me with more gifts. It was a special night just having both of our families together to celebrate with me. On Friday and Saturday night, I was able to spend time with two close friends, just to have fun with out having to worry about taking care of the kids. I don't do that often so it was nice to have some down time and catch up with my girls. I've got a load of new pages to upload. I will try and get those photographed and up this weekend! I have 2 hours of work until I am officially off for a week so I'll have plenty of time to get caught up and hopefully much more time to scrap!
Until next time....

Today is my Anniversary! Bryan and I have been married 9 years today. It really doesn't seem like it's been 9 years at all! I am truly blessed that God chose him for me. Here we are the day after we were married, on our honeymoon:

Have a great day!

Wow, I had a lot of catching up to do! I didn't realize I had so many creations I haven't uploaded yet! Where have I been? Here you go! Enjoy!
This is Carley and her friends from school that came for her birthday party.

My nephew Colby and Roxy. He always comes to my house and tells me my dogs are spoiled! I wonder why?

My Carley is like her Daddy and never meets a stranger. This little boy was playing at the park with his popples and she immediately went up and started playing with him. I love that about her. She isn't shy like I always was. They had the best time.

While my friend Kristy was in town, they had a little fun with a mustache Bryan brought to the park!

This is my best friend, Kristy, and I. She came down for a visit the end of March. I hate that she lives so far away but I love it when we get to visit each other!

This is another best friend of mine, Tabatha! We were goofing off with the camera New Year's Eve.

Bryan and I during our Texas Hold 'Em game, New Year's Eve.

Gavin is obsessed with Spiderman! Can you tell?

This is an old pic of my dad and his family.

Another old pic of my sister, Cindy, and I. This is one of my favorites.

This is Carley at the Zoo in Gulf Shores. This was for a scraplift challenge where I scraplifted Lisa Warren. Visit her blog here for a peek at her awesome creations.

When I was little, my Daddy used to ask me if I was his baby. I would always tell him no cause I was a major momma's baby. But to make him feel better, I would always say when he would ask me, "No Daddy, I'm Momma's baby but I'm your Sweet Thing." He used to ask me that up until I was grown.

Gavin at the beach.

Carley on her big girl bike!


LOVE DARE UPDATE:
I am now on Dare 19! I have so enjoyed this book so far. I have learned so much about myself during this process. I can see a change in myself and as a result, I can also see a change in how Bryan is responding to it. He still doesn't know I'm doing this and I really don't want him to right now. I don't want him to think I am doing all of this because of a book. I really think this has been the best book I've read on marriage and the relationship with your spouse. I've watched the movie three times already. I'm sure Netflix wants it back...he!he! Tonight's Dare is to make a candle light dinner for your spouse. If all goes well, I won't be scrapbooking tonight! ;)

I just began reading this book, The Love Dare, after a friend of mine was telling me about it. It is from the movie Fireproof, staring Kirk Cameron. I haven't seen the movie yet but the book just drew me in. It consists of 40 love dares for you to do for your spouse for 40 days. The first day was on having patience with your spouse. Boy did this ever step on my toes. I am not a patient person at all. When I want something, I want it yesterday! So, I have spent the last three days not saying anything negative to my spouse, even when I am frustrated or upset. So far, it hasn't been hard since I haven't been upset with him for any reason. But, I'm sure I will have to exercise this dare really soon...lol. Day two was about kindness and show an unexpected gesture to your spouse in kindness. I baked his favorite cookies, Snickerdoodles, and left them on the stove for him when he got home. Day three was to buy something for your spouse to show him you were thinking of him. I didn't get to leave the house today so I made him a card and wrote him a juicy note like I used to inside. I plan on leaving it in his car tonight so he'll find it when he leaves for work in the morning. I am really excited about these. I don't really know if Bryan has noticed something is up yet but I can really tell that a spark has been lit in my heart toward him. I can't wait to see what the next 36 days hold for us! I'll keep you posted!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter. I know I certainly did! Our Easter festivities began when Gavin woke up at 7am to see if the Easter Bunny had came yet. I talked him into waiting until Carley got up. The both found their baskets on the table. We got dressed and headed to the park for our Church Egg Hunt. We began by telling the true meaning of Easter. Then, we had the our egg hunt and had lunch of hot dogs roasted on the grill. We really had a great morning. Even the Easter bunny was there for pictures.





Sunday morning, we all got ready in our Easter duds and went to church. Pastor Mark did an illustrated sermon with members of the kid's church acting out the parts. He gave alter call and there were 6 who came forward and gave their life to the Lord, including Carley. I was so proud. She had already asked God to come into her heart but had never went up the alter and wanted to do that. I tell you, that was enough to make my throat close up and tears come to my eyes.
Here they are in their Easter attire before church:



After church, we went to eat with friends, came home, took a nap, then got up to dye Easter eggs.





My family came over for Easter supper. We decided to make deviled eggs since it started raining and we weren't able to go outside to hunt eggs again. We really had a wonderful weekend. The kids had a great time. Most importantly, they both understand that Jesus died for our sins and He is Risen and Alive and Well! Happy Easter everyone!

My dear friend Joanieis giving away this awesome RAK on her blog! Go check out her blog now for your chance to win. Be sure to check out her awesome scrap pages, too. She is full of inspiration! Tell her Elisha sent you!

I've been tagged...twice!
One by Joan
Here are the rules-

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Go to the photos folder on your computer.
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Go to the 7th folder of photos.
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Go to the 7th photo.
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Put the 7th photo on your blog along with a description.
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Invite 7 friends to join.
I am tagging Lee, Ali, Nicole, Heather, Lynn, Mara, and Erica!

So, here is my 7th photo in my 7th folder...

This is my Carley on her first day of first grade. Wow, I can't believe how much she has grown since then!

I was also tagged by Erica
Here are the rules:
You must post a pic of yourself right now and tag 5 friends to do the same!
Here I am right now...UGH!!!!

I am tagging Ching, Jackie, Tricia, Joan, and Melissa for this one!

I can't believe it has taken me so long to update my blog...bad me! I have so much to share, I just haven't taken the time to do it. Have you ever had the feeling that good things are coming? Just that feeling that things you have prayed about or hoped for are really going to come to pass. I just feel that way. I don't know if it's because good things are already happening today or if God is really letting me know that good things are headed my way. Don't get me wrong, I am a very blessed lady. I've had my share of struggles and I am praying for some mighty things to happen in my life. But, I have a wonderful family, great friends, and the two most precious children anyone can have. I have a beautiful home and a wonderful job. Although we sometimes struggle financially, our bills are always paid on time. We are just so blessed. So, whatever it is that is causing me to feel this way, I thank God for it now in advance,cause He has always been so good to me.
My best friend in the whole world is on her way to my house to spend the weekend with me. She lives in Kentucky and I haven't seen her in a year and a half. I can't wait for her to get here. It's been too long and I have missed her greatly. Everyone should have a friend like her. She is so caring and always puts herself last and thinks of others first. She is the friend that you can tell everything to and not feel ashamed or worried that she is going to go tell everyone she knows this horrible secret you just told her. She always gives the best advice and her total support. I just love her greatly. Everyone should have a friend like my friend, Kristy! She'll be here in less than 5 hours and I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!
I haven't been able to scrap in a couple of weeks but I wanted to share my latest lay-outs. Enjoy!