Fearfully and Wonderfully Made....

time marches on quickly!

So, the boys had their surgery and it was a tad rougher than I anticipated! Imagine that!  hehe

Brandt had trouble with his fluid draining and being uncomfortable.  Oh and hearing...he hears everything now!  hehe  It's very distracting for him.

Layne was a rockstar!  The nurse had him take out his own IV at the hospital and he did it without a single tear.  He did have a rough time for awhile and I was concerned about dehydration on day 3.  But, we made it through.  It took him 2 full weeks to finally eat normally again.  And now??  There is no stopping him!!  He is eating me out of house and home.  :)

I feel like I am finally getting back into the swing of life around here.  The kids were away (minus Brandt) at my in-laws place and had an awesome time of pool, beach, and bible school fun.  I had fun starting my next project - the master bedroom makeover.  *grins*  I got the paint about 2/3 of the way up and got some of Andy's grandfather's furniture moved in.  It's slow going, but I love the color and how it is coming together!  

I created this layout during my little blog hiatus and I wanted to come and share it with you.

I adored (no pun intended) this polaroid paper!  I hoarded it and hoarded it and decided if I liked it so much, I might as well USE it.  So, I had these pictures laying around and got to work.

I used my xacto knife and cut out some squares and then placed the patterned paper behind it.  I made my own banner here and added some MME brads and a little bling too.  I punched some confetti and placed it in a glassine envelope and then glued it down to the back of the page as well.  And I just had to use that awesome stamp... and it looks perfect on top of that little confetti addition.

I used the tops of some tags to add a little pop of dimension to the page.  For the twine, I punched holes in the side of the tag and threaded it through, so that the tag didn't pop off the page due to the bulk of the twine.

And finally, I used the Heidi Swapp rubons that come in her polaroid die cuts to add a little more embellishment to the banners on the patterned paper.  Plus a little pop of color with the brads and bling and I call this page complete.

I hope that you are having a relaxing Sunday!  I am off to finish a great book I am reading....while the boys are napping.  Shhhh!  :)

XO

party of 5

Just checking in really quick.  We have had a really rough week with recooperating, so I am still trying to get my head above water.

I did want to share this layout I recently completed.  The first picture we took of our new family of 5 after Brandt was born.

Used some tags to make the banners and wanted to try to use one of those big numbers!  :)  Lots of circles to display some pretty patterned paper too.

A close up of the banner and little embellishment border under the picture.  :)  Lots of mist and lots of little brads, buttons, and doo dads.

Close up of the title and the handmade chevron accent.

I misted a doily in Mister Huey Clay and it was the perfect color.  Carried over the brad, button, thread accents here to create some visual cohesiveness.

A little bit of the journaling close up and I wanted to show the circle with the bling in it too.

Thanks for taking a peek! 

I will be back in the next few days to update everyone on the boys and their recovery.

Have a sensational Sunday, my friends.

XO

hello little one

I wanted to pop in with another layout that I just finished recently.  I hadn't scrapped any pictures of Brandt as a teeny tiny baby, so I had to remedy that.  And here's what I came up with. 

Just look at those tiny feet!!!  Gosh it goes by so quickly.  The bottom right picture is one of my favorite ones from the hospital.  :)

A close up of those fun Heidi Swapp polaroid die cuts!!  Love them!!  And love the little set of rub ons that go with them too.

A close up of the Heidi Swapp resist banners that I sprayed with Mr. Huey dewey mist.  And then I laid the Dear Lizzy banner over it for some added dimension.  A little addition of a button and a couple of brads were added as well with a Scarlet Bird Designs die cut tucked in there!

I used my Silhouette to cut the title.  Then, a little confetti + butterflies = happiness!  I also loved using some of Scarlet Bird Designs' new badges.  *LOVE*

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope that you have a marvelous Monday.  Please think of me and the boys if you will. 

We are headed to the hospital first thing in the morning and they will both be having surgery.  Tubes for Brandt and tonsils and adenoids removed for Layne.  I am a nervous wreck...but, have prayed over each of them tonight.  I know that the Lord is watching over them and will guide the doctor's hands tomorrow.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

XO

Checking in (briefly!)

My computer is still on the fritz...but, should be back home from the "hospital" soon.  :)  Turns out the hard drive was going bad.  So, a long time friend of Andy's is getting all the data and replacing the hard drive for us.  *whew*  A relief for sure.

However, I feel like a limb is missing.  Seriously!!  What did we do before the age of fast computers??  Oh yeah, we listened to the squeals and dings of AOL dial up.  woooooo eeeeeeeee ding dang scraaaaattttccchhh  Ring any bells??  hehe

We got to make another beach trip last weekend and had an amazing time.

Bayleigh was ever elusive and spent most of her time chatting with her friend far out of ear shot of me.  haha  The teenage mama angst has begun.  Full force.  *wink*

The wind was howling when we got there and I was afraid that we would have to head home after driving 2 hours to finally put our feet in the sand and water.  The gale force winds, okay not quite but definitely 20 mph, made it difficult to do anything.  Including see.  The wind was blowing the sand up in our faces, against our legs, and all over our blankets.

I said a little prayer asking that God calm the winds and allow us a good day.  I seriously needed this beach time.  hehe  And guess what?!?!  He totally answered.  After lunch, the winds had died down and it was absolutely perfect.  And my faith was renewed in my Father and the power of my prayers.

Ahhh, the beach is my happy place.  The roar of the waves and the howl of the ocean breeze calms my spirit every single time.

I foresee lots of beach trips this summer.  I mean, I need a calm spirit now more than ever.

Happy Wednesday y'all.

XO

technical difficulties

Well, it has been a long day here at the Wildes house. 

It started off with a computer failure.  My main computer that contains lots of priceless pictures - NYC trip and Brandt's entire existence - is not booting up for me.  *shudders*  Thankfully, I have a family friend coming to take a look at it and fix it tomorrow....*fingers crossed*

Then, it rained.  All.  Day.  And right at the moment that I told Layne it was time for nap, it began to thunder.  He is petrified of thunder.  So, you see, naptime was rudely interrupted today!

To end this "wonderful" day, the scrumptious steaks and kabobs that I had marinating all day for dinner???  They had to be brought inside to cook because the grill wouldn't light a flame larger than a warmer.  I was a bit bummed that I didn't get to grill them, but they turned out just great anyways.

I am hoping to be back up tomorrow with a fixed computer and the layout that I wanted to share with you all.

Have a fantastic Friday and think happy computer thoughts for me!

XO

my babies

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments yesterday.  A little bit of sleep has helped today and snuggling my sweet boy is always the best medicine.

I wanted to share another layout I did this week.  I feel like I am finally in my scrapbooking groove!  Yay for creativity...it always helps keep me focused and sane.

Was totally inspired again by those awesome Studio Calico stamps.  And those Heidi Swapp banners.  The rest kind of just came together as I was going along.  LOVE it when that happens and it actually works.  teehee

The banner was misted with Mister Huey Dewey (my favorite color) and then I added the litte bling on there to top it off.  I used some pop dots to bring it up off of the page and add some dimension to the picture area.  I used the Cosmo Cricket number three and added a bit of twine and paired it with a flair designed by Marcy Penner.

Some of the little details.  I absolutely love those Jillibean Soup letters - they are the perfect size.  I tucked in an Elle's Studio tag to mark the date and it was the perfect addition. The veneer hearts are so nice because of their size and dimension.  So, I used some ink to color it and added it to my page.

I stamped these circles on the page and then went back and added little circles of patterned paper on pop dots.  The Cosmo Cricket paper with the labels spoke to me and I just went with it.  That Lawn Fawn twine?!?!  It is absolutely divine.

And one more close up of all the little bits and bobs on the page.  Patterned paper is great to add along the border of your page to add that perfect pop of color.

Thanks for taking a peek at my new layout! 

I hope that you have a great day and find happiness in creativity today.  I am already working on another layout.  *wink*

XO

handling "those days"

With lengthy deployments comes "those days" every so often.

The thing about it is, they don't jump out and beat you over the head.  They just kind of creep up on you and suddenly you are lost to the overwhelming feelings!

Sometimes the feelings are sadness.  Sometimes the feelings are grief.  Sometimes the feelings are loneliness.  And sometimes, yes sometimes, the feelings are all of those things.

Today was just one of those days.  I was thankful to have some time without the big kids tonight and just have a few moments to cry it out.  It helps to release all of those emotions with one big old ugly cry.  Tonight was that night.

I was feeling sad about Andy missing out on Brandt's life in these early months.  I was feeling overwhelmed with sick children - Layne his tonsils, and Brandt his ears.  I was feeling grief over some lost friendships over the past year. 

I was wanting to crawl into my pajamas and hang out in bed for the day engrossed in a good book.

Thankfully, the kids keep me pretty preoccupied and these moments are pretty spread apart.  Today was actually my first one this deployment.  But, man, it got me good today.

I am grateful that we are heading into another day.  And I get to spend it with this little man....finally getting to the ENT with him tomorrow.

Just look at that little grin...up to no good.  I can't believe that he is now pulling up.  I think I am in denial on that one.  :)

Thanks for letting me get this all out.  I know that these days will come.  I am just thankful for the love of my husband and my Father that keeps me going.  And thankful for my readers that give me my voice through typed words.

Here's to hoping for a better day tomorrow.

XO

love

I am back today with another page that I created recently.  I got these beautiful flowers from Andy for Mother's Day and had to photograph them and create a layout featuring their beauty.  :)

I seriously had so much fun with those circle stamps by Studio Calico.  I had to put them to good use and when I saw them in my stash, I knew just what to do.

Just love these printable cards from Geralyn Sy.  Seriously, had to cut this one out and use it here.  :)

Wanted to snap this close up of this fun, pre-stitched banner by American Crafts.  I made the tags myself with some patterned paper and had to add a little bit of twine to give them dimension.

One last close up of some fun little embellishments. 

Thanks for taking a peek.  I am so blessed by the sweetness and kindness of Andy and this seemed like one small way to display that about him.

I hope that your week is off to a good start this Monday. 

XO

baby boy

I thought I would pop in and share a layout I did last week.  I did it for a challenge over at Elle's Studio and had a blast with it.  :)

(Supplies used: Cardstock - American Crafts; Patterned papers - Studio Calico, My Minds Eye, Sassafras, Echo Park; Index card - Studio Calico; Twine - Lawn Fawn; Washi - Freckled Fawn; Label die cut - Twogirlz; Wooden buttons - American Crafts;  Thread - DMC; Banner die cut - My Minds Eye; Letter stickers - Heidi Swapp; Die cut tags (twenty-two, the details, place) - Elle's Studio; Clock sticker - Bazzill; Resist chipboard buttons - Prima; Brads and stick pin - My Minds Eye; Chipboard tab - Jenni Bowlin; Punches - EK Success (swiss cheese for confetti) and Fiskars (triangle); Ink - Jenni Bowlin; "Noted" Stamp - Studio Calico)

I threaded the end of each button and tied a bow with the twine.  Nice little addition without threading each button separately. 

My own handmade banner!  :)  I was inspired by the printed one and let that be the centerpiece for the featured banner that stretched across my page and provides cohesiveness.  All the triangles were punched with a fabulous Fiskars punch and then inked, placed, and glued down.

I cut the twenty-two off of an Elle's Studio numbered cutouts set and made it into a banner to tie into the main banner featured on the page.

And finally - CONFETTI!!  :)  I handstitched the border and added the confetti to the top and bottom of the page.

I had a blast with this page.  I just had to scrap this adorable picture of Brandt.  I couldn't resist.  :)  And this is where the creative process led me this time.

I hope you enjoy!

Have a wonderful day.

XO

faithfulness friday

Back with another installment...  :)

Today I am thankful for the faithfulness of my husband.  He has been my rock the past year and a half as I have dealt with some very ugly things.  I have been stretched in ways I never thought I would be and he has been there encouraging me every step of the way.

I am thankful that the Lord gave me this man...the perfect man for me.  To care for me, to father our children, and to be the man I love for all my life. 

I am thankful that through my heartache and mistakes, the Lord pressed upon his heart to keep fighting the good fight.

I am thankful that he works so hard for our family.  I get to stay home with my babies because of the sacrifice that he makes.

And even though he is away right now, I am continually reminded of how strong our bond is and how good my God is. 

I am blessed to call this man my husband.  I pray for his continued protection while he is away.

God has been so faithful to me in ways that I never dreamed He would be.

Andy and I have grown stronger over the course of the past few months.  I know it is only because of our commitment to each other and our family.

I love you, Andy!  I wouldn't have picked anyone else.  :)

XO