KI Contest at the Heaven!!!

We are having a KI Memories Contest this month at Scrapbook Heaven!! So, pull out those KI Memories goodies and start creating!! Any kind of KI Memories product will do!

Here's what you need to know...
-The KI Memories will be open for entries as of TODAY, Dec 2, 2007.
-Entries must be uploaded to our KI Memories gallery to be eligible to win. (All entries received through Scrap Submit will be submitted by Scrapbook Heaven DT) The last day to upload entries will be January 21, 2008.
- Each contestant is allowed 2 entries. More than 2 entries will result in disqualification.
- Entries will be judged on best use of KI Memories products. Items accepted will be layouts (any size), altered items, and albums using KI Memories.
- Entries must contain 75% or more of KI memories products. PLEASE list ALL supplies used.)
- Scrapbook Heaven's Design Team members will be judging the contest. Winners will be announced on January 30th, 2008.
- No purchase is necessary to win.
- Winner will receive $50.00 in KI Memories products.
- Please be sure to register on the forum, as well as, the gallery, so that you can be contacted, and so we can get to know you!
- Although, participation in our forum is not mandatory, it may be taken into consideration when deciding on the winner.
- All prizes must be claimed within 30 days after announcing the winner.

Just in case you need to stock up on KI Memories goodies for this contest....click HERE for a load of product to choose from!!

WOOHOO!!!!!

Okay, it's official now so I can shout it from the roof tops!! I was chosen to be on the DT at Scrapbook Heaven!! I am soooooooooooooo thrilled, excited & honored!!!! The link is over there on the right . . . see it??? Please come on over & hang with some of the nicest scrappers on the web!!!!

Peace & love~Terri

Some photos of the kids . . .

Tyler's Winter Concert was last night so beforehand I snapped a few photos. Jilli wasn't being 100% cooperative but I manged to get a few decent ones. I so love the one of them by the rose bush, but wish I had noticed before I took the photo how much Ty's face was covered.

The 12 Days of Christmas Contest at SWG!!!

This month at SWG the design team is working with Tinkering Ink! We think that tinkering ink is such a wonderful company and their products are just over the top…so in honor of Tinkering Ink (our December Sponsor) we have a contest that will challenge you and fill this season with some scrapbooking joy!

Starting on Dec. 12th and going through Dec. 23rd we will be issuing 1 challenge per day! Simply complete as many challenges as you can on the dates that they are issued and upload to the SWG gallery before midnight CST on that same day for it to be counted!

Daily challenges can range from making a certain amount of cards or tags to making Home décor (and of course everything in between). You will also be required to use Tinkering ink products on 4 of the 12 challenges…so head to the store and pick up your tinkering ink products if you are in need! As always, we offer great prices on all of our products!

The Scrapper that completes the most of the issued challenges (and uploaded the same day that they are issued by midnight CST to the SWG gallery) will be our grand prize winner! *If there is a tie between 2 or more scrappers then it will go to a vote that will be open to the SWG members. The scrapper with the most votes will then be the grand prize winner.

However, after the grand prize winner is announced… it doesn’t end there for each challenge that you complete your name will go into a random drawing. We will pull out a winner out during the Dec. Crop (Counting down the last Friday in the year to midnight!) which will be held on Friday Dec. 28th (the last Friday in 2007) from 6-midnight CST!

So what are you playing for:

Our Grand Prize winner this month will win: The entire line of Yuletide

For each challenge you complete your name will go in the hat...at the crop we will draw out 1 name and the winner will receive the beloved line (only paper)

So what are you waiting for…head on over to SWG and get ready to add a little extra joy to your holiday season!
www.scrappinwithgrace.com

Crop Weekend!!!!

Come join us at Scrappin' With Grace this weekend for a fun, fun, fun crop!! LOTS of challenges & games & you can win some pretty cool prizes too!!!

Hope to see you there!! The link to SWG is right over there . . . see it under links????

Love & Peace~Terri

Long time no update . . .

I can't believe how long it's been since I updated here! I can't believe how busy I am every day. There just isn't enough time to do everything that needs to be done on a daily basis. Now the holiday season is in full force & things will get even crazier!

Let's see what's been going here . . . Jilli turned 1 on the 19th- so hard to believe she's 1 already! She's been walking for quite some time now & there's no stopping her now. Little girl is into EVERYTHING & has quite the 'tude when one tells her "no!" Not her favorite word. LOL! She's still my little sweetheart & I adore taking care of her, although she is wearing grandma here out!!

We've had the SWAT team here in our neighborhood twice in less than week. Talk about scary. Anyhow, we can't figure out from the charges listed on the arrest record why the SWAT team is necessary to make the arrests. Must be something more going on, but I'm sure we'll never know what. 19 year old kid. One of the sweetest kids you'd ever want to meet. We've watched him grow up & he spent a LOT of time at our house during the years. Makes me sad. Very sad.

Tyler is growing up way too fast. He's a typical 13 year old boy, but he's a good kid! He's all into his myspace account. LOL! Baseball is done for the fall & his football playoffs are next Saturday. Then we'll have about 6 weeks off before everything begins again! Love how he keeps active & keeps us active!!

So, that covers the highlights. I'm sure there's so much more I'm forgetting, but that's probably a good thing! LOL! Peace & Love ~ Terri

New Contest for November at SWG!!!

Jen has really outdone herself for this contest!! Please come over to Scrappin With Grace & sign up now!!!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hunt for some hidden treasure? Well this month at Scrapping with Grace we will be doing just that! Each week (Nov. 1st (Thursday) and going through Thursday the 29th) You will have an opportunity to find the lost treasure from Paper Trunk.

Some of the lost treasures that Carrie from Paper Trunk has misplaced would be:
Batik Collection
Gigi Collection
And some of the super cool clear stamps!

Each week the lost treasure will change and you will have to search through 100 locked treasure boxes (locked threads on the board) trying to be the first to find the correct locked treasure box.

So how do you get a secret treasure box code?
Simple! For each box you want the code to, you will either have to scrap:

3 cards using 50% Paper trunk Product
1 Layout (8.5x11 or 12x12 in size) using 50% Paper Trunk Product
1 Altered Project using 50% Paper Trunk Product
* Week 2 on...if you use the chosen sketch (that Carrie from Paper Trunk chooses)then you will get 2 secret codes per layout!!!

*Other than the required 50% of Paper Trunk products on each project…there are no other weekly requirements…so you can scrap what you what and how you want!

After you complete this task you will private message to the Cap'n (Special Events Coordinator (Jen)) with a treasure box number and she will private message you back with the code to that treasure box. If you are right…you will put in the code and it will reveal a picture of the treasure…If you are not right…it will give you a “sorry please try again” and you will sign in letting others know you have already been there and then head back to creating more projects!

After the treasure is found there will be a new treasure hidden and the game will start again on the following Thursday. If by chance no one finds the treasure that week…then that treasure will be combined with the next treasure (making a bigger treasure to find for the following week)!

Now if all of that doesn’t sound exciting enough! Carrie from Paper Trunk will be checking in to see what you all are doing and will be picking her favorite layout, card and altered item made during the contest to feature on her site! She would also love to see your sketches! And will be picking a favorite sketch the first week of the contest! So if you are a sketcher submit your sketches between now and Nov.6th! (the chosen sketch will be revealed on the 8th of November!) The winner will then have their sketch used during the contest and will also be featured on Carrie’s Site!

Well see you on the boards! (www.scrappinwithgrace.com)

Blimey! Now that’s exciting stuff!

*Scrappinwithgrace.com reserves the right to clarify any rules or questions that may come up during the contest.

WOOHOO!!!!!

I am so thrilled, honored & proud to have been chosen for the DT at Scrappin' With Grace!!! The link is over there on the right-hand side - see it??? Please come on over & join us! It's a GREAT site with the bestest group of ladies!! I am SO lovin' it there & feel so comfortable!! There's an awesome contest going on right now & we're taking sign-ups until Sunday at noon CST!!!

Hope to see all of you over there very soon!!! Peace & Love~Terri

Jilli's cute little vocabulary . . .

Before I talk about cute Jilli, let me talk to my friend Lisa. Yes, Lisa, that's Tyler. Yes, he has grown up - way too fast for me! He's taller than I am now & growing taller each & every day! He's still the sweetest kid & my bestest buddy!

Now for Jilli. The little girl never stops chatting. I have no idea where she gets it from - LOL! It's really cute to hear her little non-stop chatter. So, here are her words:

PaPa - Grandpa
DaDa - pretty obvious, huh?
Bubba - Brother
MaMa - both Mommy & Grandma
Mooooooo - that's pretty obvious too, right?? She will find any cow that's within a 10 mile range, I swear. If there's a cow in any toy she sees, we have to buy it. If there's an obscure cow in a book, we have to buy the book & she will go right to the cow page in each book. It's pretty darn cute! We can sit for hours looking at all the cows in her books. Her very favorite book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?? doesn't have any cows though. Weird, huh? Anyhow, her little love affair with cows is really adorable.
BaBa - both bottle & baby.

She's just a really fun, cute kid who keeps me on my toes, but I love every single second I spend with her!

Peace & Love! Terri

Sketch Challenge

Renee at Scrappin' With Grace has an awesome sketch challenge going on right now! Above is my take! Sorry for the wonky colors - they do match in real life - I promise! I have no idea why they scanned so weird! All products are Arctic Frog Coffee Break Collection. Anyhow, come by Scrappin' With Grace (the link is on the right over there - see it??) & check out the site & join the fun!!

Peace & Love~Terri

Some Jillian photos

I feel like such a blog slacker :-(

I feel like it's been forever since I've updated here. Life has really been crazy busy around here & there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done.

I had such a fabulous time in Buffalo at the reunions. I especially enjoyed each precious moment spent with my baby sister. We had such fun together & stayed up 4 nights in a row until the wee wee hours of the morning just talking to one another. It was really special & while I've always loved my sister & had such great times with her, this was just different - so cherished! Love ya, sis!

Tyler started back to school on Tuesday & I am not at all embarrassed to say that I miss that kid more than words can say. I did not want to send him home & believe me if I could have gotten away with keeping him, I would have!!! I cried like a baby when he left on Monday & for a couple days I walked around here in quite a funk. I LOVED having that kid here all summer & it made me realize what an awesome kid he is! Not that I didn't know it already, but he just reconfirmed it each & every day!! He sure is one fabulous big brother also & let me tell you - Jilli just adores him!!

Speaking of Jilli - she's a one baby demolition derby!! She is into EVERYTHING!! If you say "no" to her, she just looks at you over her shoulder with a look on her face like she's saying "yeah, right!" She's a pip - what a personality she has!!! She's 9 months old already (where did that time go???) & weighs 18.6 & is 28 inches tall. She's standing by herself now & is taking a few steps before she realizes what she's actually doing & plunks herself down! I love her & am enjoying every single second I get with her!

I'll try to be better at updating! I promise! Love & Peace~Terri

Shufflin' off to Buffalo . . .

We weren't going to attend my family reunion this year, but we've had second thoughts since our trip to MD last week & we decided I should attend. I approached my baby sister who wasn't attending either & she gave in also! So, sister & I will be flying out Friday morning & returning Tuesday evening. Got our flight booked & our hotel reservations made & we'll have ourselves a fun 'sister' trip! Be prepared for LOTS of photos when I get back - I haven't even had time to do anything with our MD/Washington DC photos & now I'll probably have just as many from this Buffalo trip! LOL!

Take good care! Have fun & be safe! Peace & Love~Terri

We're home . . .

from our whirlwind trip. We stayed a couple extra days. Good thing airlines are so nice about changing flights. We had so much fun, but it was also bittersweet knowing this was most likely the last time we'll see Aunt Doris & Uncle Larry.

Anyhow, trying to play catch-up around here with everything & will try very hard to write down the highlights of the trip & share some of my 1700 photos with you ASAP. Don't panic - I'm not going to share all 1700 . . . LOL!!!

Take good care! Love & Peace~Terri

Maryland will never be the same . . .

So, 12 of us are flying up to MD Friday morning & coming home Wednesday night. Ken only has 1 living Aunt & Uncle & they are in their 90's, so we're going to visit them while they are still with us instead of attending funerals. We'll be hanging out with Aunt Doris & Uncle Larry plus getting to spend time with Ken's crazy cousins. For some reason we always manage to get into some trouble when we're all together. I have no idea why. LOL!! ;-)

We'll be attending a rodeo while we're there. That'll be a first for most of us. Yeehaw!! ;-) We'll also be spending a day in DC. It'll be Tyler's first trip to our capitol & I'm very excited to be sharing that experience with him. It just so happens that the Devil Rays are playing the Orioles starting on the 24th, so we'll be going to a baseball game at Camden Yards too! Tyler is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about actually being at Camden Yards & seeing a game there!!

So, this week is busy trying to get things ready to go & taking care of the grandkids. My life in a nutshell! Hope everyone is having a FAB week. Love & Peace, my friends!

My Jilli . . .

I've had Jilli here every day this past week (usually I have her 2 or 3 days a week) & I have just had the best time with this kid. Even though she's just shy of 8 months old, she has such an adorable personality & is quite funny! I cannot wait to hear what comes out of this kid's mouth when she starts talking! She's crawling all over the place & getting into EVERYTHING! She pulls herself up & tries to climb on EVERYTHING & stands for several moments on her own. I don't think it will be very long at all until she's walking. Anyhow, just thought I'd share a couple of my favorite photos from this week! Take care, my friends! Love & Peace ~Terri

Thank you . . .

Thank you all so much for all your thoughts & prayers. You will never know how much all of your support means. Really no news to report except that Jennifer's seizures are more & more frequent. We're not sure exactly what that means in the scheme of things but they are extremely difficult to watch. Extremely difficult.

The photos are Ian with Jennifer, John with Jennifer, Tyler, Jilli, & Jennifer. I feel so blessed to have these kids in my life & I love each of them with all my heart & soul.

Again, thank you, my friends. Love & Peace~Terri

Ups and downs of life . . .

I’m not sure how many of you remember that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were in the process of adopting a child. Well, on Wednesday June 27^th, 2007 we were blessed to have Jennifer Catherine come into our lives. She is a beautiful, precious little girl and we’re all madly in love with her. Almost immediately we all began to notice strange “seizure” like behavior. None of us were overly worried, but we were concerned. All the medical personal at the birth hospital assured us that there was nothing wrong and she was just absolutely perfect! The “seizures” continued throughout the weekend and on Monday Jennifer was scheduled for her first well visit at the pediatrician. She checked out perfectly, but the Dr. was concerned about the “seizure” like behavior and contacted a neurologist who ordered an immediate cat scan. And that is really the beginning of the nightmare which became our lives about 3PM Monday July 2, 2007. The cat scan technician saw something right away, called the neurologist who ordered immediate admittance to the hospital. To make an already long story a wee bit shorter, after much testing our precious Jennifer has been diagnosed with Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy AKA Ohtahara Syndrome, an EXTREMELY rare disorder. You can go to Google to learn pretty much all that is known about it. There is no cure and the prognosis is not a good one. Not a good one at all. We don’t know how long we’ll have precious Jennifer with us, but we do know that God blessed us with this precious child because he knew we would love her and take care of her until He called her home. I ask that you please pray for this precious little girl and our family. Also, please go hug your kids and let them know how very much you love them and how thankful you are for each of them. Thank you.

I remember . . . thank you!

Please take a moment to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

It touched my soul & I hope it touches yours. Peace & Love ~ Terri

33 years . . .

Today Ken & I celebrate 33 years of married life. Who woulda thunk?? 33 years ago when we took our vows, Ken was 20 & I was just 19. What in the world did we know about being married?? How could we possibly have thought we knew what it took to be married & more importantly; to stay married??? We didn't. But we have worked to make our marriage last. Because a marriage is work. Lots of work. I think 3 things that have made our marriage work are friendship, laughter, & compromise. First & foremost, we are best friends & have been since the day we met. This may sound strange, but I can imagine us not being married, but I cannot imagine us not being friends! I love & adore my best friend, who just happens to also be my husband. My husband of 33 years. Today we will celebrate this milestone in our lives. We will celebrate the love we have for each other, the love we have for our family & the love we have for our God who has made all this possible. Happy Anniversary Ken - here's to 33 more! All my love, babe!

Love & Peace ~Terri

Tagged - 7 Random Things/Habits

I've been tagged by Elizabeth! How fun especially since I have never been tagged before! Thanks Elizabeth - you made my day! I'm so easy to please! ;-)

So, here are 7 random things/habits about me:

#1. I HATE, HATE, HATE - did I say HATE?? wearing a bra. 99.9% of the time I am bra-less. Due to gravity & the old age I am smack dab in the middle of, this does not make for a pretty sight. I do wear a bra when I go out into public, though.

#2. I also HATE wearing shoes, but have about 100 pairs. I am a shoe-a-holic as a purchaser, but very rarely wear them - other than my flops which I wear all the time. Even my grandson tells me I need to stop buying shoes that I never wear. LOL! I do try to wear a different pair to church week though. ;-)

#3. After 37 years & at least a pack a day, I quit smoking 7 months ago! I'm pretty darn proud of myself, but I do beat myself up for not doing it so much sooner! I feel so much better & am now walking 3+ miles each day - something I NEVER could have done 7 months ago!

#4. I think I mentioned this someplace before, but I have an addiction to chap stick. I have to wear chap stick pretty much 24/7 because my lips are constantly chapped.

#5. I have a serious addiction to Pepperidge Farm Goldfish. I buy at least one 2 pound box each week. Might help explain the 15+ pounds I've packed on in the past few months.

#6. When I go to sleep at night I have to start out on my right side, rotate to the left side, then do that all over again 2 times before I can finally fall asleep. I have no idea why.

#7. After my hysterectomy quite a few years ago, I could no longer wear jewelry except for watches & my wedding rings. No necklaces, no earrings - nothing. The Dr. said it's a very rare side effect, but he has heard of it before. If I do try & wear something, I break out in a rash. Weird, huh???

Thanks for reading & again thanks Elizabeth!!! This was fun!!!

Kelly's Solace Challenge . . .

Kelly challenged us today to share what brings us solace . . . comfort . . . makes us happy. Whenever I'm stressed out or have tension the one thing that brings me peace is water. All I have to do is sit by the shore & hear the water lapping up on the beach or hitting the rocks & all the stress & tension leaves my body. There's something especially calming when I watch & listen to the waves hitting rocks. I have no idea why, but I can watch & listen for hours - never tiring of the sight or the sound. I'm lucky enough to live in Florida where I am surrounded by water so I can do this on a daily basis if I want/need. I've also been lucky enough to visit the gorgeous waters of the Bahamas & Cozumel several times. I guess being a Pisces (the water sign) doesn't hurt, huh? ;-)

Thanks for the fun challenge Kelly! Below is one of my all-time favorite layouts showing the beautiful water & rocks of Cozumel. Oh, I just realized that I used a water shot of the Bahamas for yesterday's challenge! I guess I really am a water person! Love & Peace ~me

Elizabeth's Journey Challenge . . .

Thanks for the fun challenge Elizabeth!! It reminded me immediately of this layout I created. An oldie, but one of my favorites. If you click on the layout, it will take you to a larger version where you'll be able to read the journaling. Thanks for looking. Love & Peace~ Terri

Getting Baptized . . .

takes a lot out out of you.

More photos & info about the weekend will come soon. Right now, I'm just plain exhausted.

Love you all ~ Me

Busy, busy, busy!

Busy weekend coming up! Yesterday morning my niece & great-niece arrived from Boston for Jilli's baptism on Sunday. My niece, Erica is Jilli's Godmother & they finally got to meet each other for the first time. We had a fun, fun, fun tea party to celebrate my great-niece, Mya's, 4th birthday. Everyone had such a great time with the tea party, even the boys - including Tyler!! Then we set up the kiddie pools, slip-n-slide, etc & just let the kids have fun trying to keep cool in the hot, humid Florida sun. It was just a GREAT day!!!

Today we all head off to Busch Gardens for the entire day & we're all REALLY looking forward to that!! First stop Cracker Barrel for breakfast!! Yummy hash brown casserole!!!

Tomorrow we're all going for a tour of Buddy's fire station & then more swimming & playing.

Sunday Is Jilli's baptism & party afterward, so that will take up the entire day.

Monday we'll have a good old fashioned Memorial Day picnic & just try to relax from all the activity! I'm thinking we're all going to pretty tired, but it will be a good tired.

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend whatever you do!! Love & Peace ~ Me

Growing up . . .

No, not me. I don't think I'll ever grow up.

Talking about the grandkids. Jilli is 6 months old today. 6 months old already. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously waiting for her to arrive. She is such a happy, sweet little girl. Her adorable personality just blossoms more & more each & every day. She has 4 teeth; 2 front bottom & 2 front top. She looks so freakin' cute with her little teeth & her huge blue eyes. She's sitting up like a pro, rolling over like crazy & is starting to scoot around & even crawling a bit! Madly in love with this precious, sweet girl.

Tyler is now an eighth grader. His final year in middle school & then he's off to high school!! My little buddy is growing up WAY too fast for Grandma here. He's as tall as I am (he thinks taller) & just gets more & more handsome each day. He's still shy & introverted, but does seem to be coming out of his shell a little bit. We all went to a reunion at our old church/school last night & he actually had a conversation going with 3 girls who were quite smitten with him. I had tears in my eyes as I watched him. Good, happy tears. Still so madly in love with this precious young man & I cannot wait for him to be here throughout the summer months!

That's my world. Watching & enjoying each new moment with my grandkids. Ken & I are so blessed to have these kids. So very blessed & so very lucky!

Peace & love ~ Me

I love my brother & my brother loves me . . .

Mere words cannot express how much I love these kids & how much they love & adore each other.

The Offense MVP!!!!

Tyler was named by his fellow players as the Offense MVP for football this season!!! We were all just beaming with pride!! WTG Ty!!!!

Saturday again . . .

No football for Tyler this week. He's in the county wide band competition this weekend. He had two performances last evening & scored a Superior on both of them!!! That, by the way, is the highest score possible!! Yes, I'm beaming & so proud of him!!!

Anyhow, I really loved this photo from last week's game, so I'm posting it today! That's Ty in the front of the pack!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

From us to you! May be your day be filled with surprises of love. XOXO

It's football day!!

Tyler's playing flag football now & just loves it!! He's just as good at football as he is at baseball (which starts 2/24!), so we're off to his game this morning! It's a beautiful morning here - bright, warm & sunny! Gotta love Florida in February!

Oh, Ty LOVES his mouthpiece . . . LOL!

You know you're a grandparent . . .

When you go to Club Med for a vacation & you miss your grandchildren so much you can't wait to get home. Ken & I LOVE these kids!