{family fun}

We had such a great weekend. It started early because Dan and I both had Friday off. We made a trip to Target since we hardly ever get to shop there anymore so that was fun (we are easily entertained :), and had dinner with my parents at Little Sheba's. They got their new car on Friday so they were really excited to show it off...a brand spanking new Cadillac CTS...so pretty!

Dan's aunt and uncle were here from Chicago this weekend so on Saturday we spent some time with them...ate at Chili's and did some shopping. Then we went over to Pete and Faith's house to snuggle with baby Gavin...I can never get enough of that!

Yesterday we went to a few open houses on our street just for fun. I love to see what other people's houses look like inside. The first house was cute, but the rooms were really small, especially the kitchen...it was the smallest kitchen I have EVER seen! The 2nd house is just a few houses down from us and it amazed me how dirty and cluttered it was. The porch was covered with kid's toys and the downstairs half bath was being used as a storage closet...great selling point! ;) We came back home feeling really good about the state of our house, so it was a good self-esteem booster.

After our home tours, we spent some more time with the family and I got yet another baby fix. Gavin was awake and moving all over the place which was fun...he is usually sound asleep when we go over. Here are a few scrapbook pages I did of the little cutie over the weekend.




Oh...and today starts the countdown to my new job..I start a week from today!!! :)

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

xoxo

{Let me tell you about my Dad}

He is funny, down to earth, loving, compassionate, faithful and smart. He is also one of my heroes. I feel so blessed to have him for a friend and role model. For Father's Day this year, we took Mom and Dad out for brunch at O'Charley's and spent some time relaxing at our house. We gave him a gift card to Kohl's (his new favorite store) and a big tub of gum for his gumball machine (that we got him last year.) That man loooves gum. :) Dan took our traditional photo on the porch swing..my favorite backdrop. It was a nice way to spend some quality time with Dad on his day. Here is the layout I did of that photo and another one for fun.





Happy Monday!

xoxo

{creative therapy}

I did some major scrapbooking last night...felt so good to be creative again! I don't know how your creativity works, but when I have a lot on my mind, I can't focus. Now that I have had time to grieve over my Grandma's passing, and know that I'm going to be starting my awesome new job soon, I was finally able to get the juices flowing. :) The graduation photos are from 2001...about time I did something with them!

Tomorrow we are going out to brunch with Mom and Dad for Father's Day...really looking forward to that. With all of the stress Dad has been through the last few weeks, he deserves to be pampered. Other than that, just planning on spending a lazy Sunday hanging out around the house. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

xoxo

{I need to cheer up...}

So here are some random funny pictures that made me laugh...and hopefully you too :)

(can you tell I love cats and babies?!)

{emotional day}

Sunday was full of so many emotions that we were all exhausted by the end of the day. I went with Mom and Dad to Aunt Vicki's ordination in Lexington. It was so fun to see Grandmother and Grandaddy, the cousins and Aunt Vicki and Uncle Herb. The service was lovely and it was so nice to see Aunt Vicki so happy. Once the service ended and we headed downstairs for the reception, Mom and Dad had a message on their cell phone, and it was from the funeral home. Grandma passed away during the ordination. While we were giving thank to God for Aunt Vicki's accomplishments, he was welcoming Grandma into heaven. I've never felt such a range of emotions within a few hours. Thanks to everyone who has kept my family in their thoughts and prayers. We are all sad, but relieved that Grandma is at peace now and reunited with Grandpa. Here is the only photo I was able to gather everyone together for yesterday...and of course my eyes are shut. Oh well...:)

**Updated** Great news! I got a new job!!! I haven't posted anything about my interviews because I wasn't sure who was reading my posts. I'm so excited...it will be a nice pay raise and I'm really happy with the position. :)

{relaxed}

With everything that has been going on lately, it is so nice to enjoy a quiet, relaxing day. Dan and I had lunch with Mom and Dad at Ruby Tuesday's...I had the crab cake burger...loooove that thing! While Dan was napping (he worked last night) I did some bargain shopping at Kohl's and found some really cute earrings for $2 a pair and an adorable top and bermuda shorts (plus a pair of flip flops for $4...couldn't pass those up!)

After my shopping excursion I got a lemon scone and iced vanilla latte from Sacred Grounds...mmmm. The empty box says it all...their scones are so good.

The weather is gorgeous today and I'm planning on spending some quality time on the porch swing with a good magazine and also do some scrapping tonight.

Tomorrow I'm headed to Lexington with Mom and Dad for Aunt Vicki's ordination. I'm really looking forward to seeing Mom's parents and my cousins, but sad that Dan can't go. He has to work tonight and with his hernia he is feeling pretty crappy. We know we'll have to make a trip to Akron soon for Grandma's funeral so we thought it was best if he stayed home tomorrow.

My parents went to see Grandma this morning and it is only a matter of time. She is unconscious and her breathing is very sporatic. Although I've gotten adjusted to the thought of her passing, my heart jumps whenever our phone rings, knowing that we will get that phone call very soon. With all of the ups and downs that life has taken lately, I feel so blessed to have Dan there to support me...he is the best husband I could have every asked for.

And just for fun her is a pic of Dan and Melvin...so funny :)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

{my mind is racing}

I visited my Grandma tonight. It was the first time that I couldn't hold the tears back in her presence. She looked thinner and her skin tone was more yellow. She barely had the energy to open her eyes or speak. As I sat by her with my hand rubbing her arm, I couldn't help but think of how special it is to be with someone during their last days on earth. She has photos of her and Grandpa from when they were young next to her bed, and I kept looking back and forth from her young, beautiful face, to the reality of her tired body, ready to release her soul to God. As sad as it is to witness, I feel blessed to be able to spend this time with her. It is probably more comforting to me than it is to her, but hopefully my presence helps her feel more at peace. It seems like it will be any day now, and I know that she is ready to be with Grandpa again.

There are so many things going on right now that my mind is racing. We're going to Lexington on Sunday for Aunt Vicki's ordination, Dan is going to the doctor tomorrow because we think he has a hernia :(, and we are waiting anyday now for Grandma's passing. I also am waiting on some *hopefully* good news that I can't share until I know the outcome, but please keep me in your prayers.

xoxo

{update}

I just wanted to give a quick update on my Grandma. She has worsened quickly, and is now too tired to get out of bed. We went to visit her last night and she was asleep most of the time we were there. I held her hand for most of the visit which was probably more comforting to me than to her, although I hope it helped her feel a little more at peace. When we first arrived, the nurse was feeding her some pudding which was a nice sight. She also ate a few bites of a chocolate chip cookie and seemed to enjoy that. At one point she asked to be taken back to her room, so she is obviously a little confused. We'll probably make a trip again tonight to see her, and every day that I can until she passes on. Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers!

xoxo

{good day}

Today was a good day...I took a vacation day from work so I had a 4 day weekend. :) Can't really talk about what happened this morning but hopefully I can share soon...not sure who might be reading this. ;) I had a really nice visit with my Grandma after having lunch with Mom and Dad. I had Dad take our photo and she smiled so sweetly which was a nice sight. She hasn't been one to smile in photos in her older age, but these past few weeks her softer side has come out. We're not sure how long we'll have her with us, but I'm going to enjoy the days we have left. While she isn't eating much at all and looking more jaundice, she isn't in any pain which is a blessing. Thanks to everyone who has said a prayer for her and our family.

xoxo

{bittersweet}

Well, the update on my Grandma isn't good. She took a trip to the hospital Saturday night and they did all sorts of tests. What we thought was possibly a blockage in her intestines turned out to be cancer. It is all over and the doctor said she has about 4 weeks. I feel pretty numb about it right now...it feels like my Grandpa all over again. I know that she is 93 and most people don't live to be that age, but it doesn't matter to me. The good thing is that she doesn't know and she is obliviously happy and content now at the nursing home. There really is no reason to tell her and her memory is really starting to go so she probably wouldn't remember. We went to visit her yesterday and she was in good spirits, although she seemed very tired from her late night at the hospital. We watched TV with her for awhile and I tried to take in every second. For all of the grief and stress she caused my Mom and Dad over the years, it is a blessing that she is so calm and easy going in her last few weeks. We really don't think she will be around for 4 more weeks because of her age and the fact that she isn't eating at all. I'm going to visit her again on Tuesday and I'm going to get in as many visits as I can before she passes on. I know she will be happy to be with Grandpa again and whatever pain she has been hiding her whole life will finally be a distant memory. Thanks to everyone who said a prayer for her...I truly appreciate it!

xoxo

{sad}

I'm feeling pretty down this morning. I talked to my Mom last night and my Grandma Orr isn't doing so well. We moved her to a nursing home about 2 months ago and since then she hasn't been eating well and they had to do some blood tests yesterday because she is looking jaundice. I'm praying that there isn't something horribly wrong, but she is 93 years old and we think her body is just giving out. She misses Grandpa (he passed away in September 2005) and I'm sure it has to be hard emotionally being in the nursing home. If you can take a minute, please say a prayer for my Grandma...I would appreciate it. :)

xoxo

{check it out!}

New stuff in the shop :)

{creative release}

It was a nice, relaxing weekend at the Ford house. A lot of sleeping was done, as well as scrapbooking (me), and poker playing (Dan). I feel like the house is really coming together as of late and it makes me smile.

Here are a couple pics of the house...newly rearranged living room, new dining set and freshly installed kitchen lighting. The dining table and bookshelf behind the couch belonged to my Grandparents so they are pretty special. We are so excited to finally be doing some of the changes to the kitchen. We are planning a total overhaul for this year...cabinets, floor, countertop, new paint, sink, faucet...everything!





I definitely felt the creativity flowing from me this weekend. I got quite a bit of scrapbooking done...6 pages! It felt so good to get out all of my supplies and go crazy. Here are a few of them that I managed to scan...its such a pain stitching the pages together, don't you agree fellow scrappers? Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

{a little bird told me...}

I have my new "Sweet Tweet" collection up in my Etsy shop! Check it out! :)

{catching up}

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged! Last Thursday, Dan and I went to a Red's game with his cousin Eric and girlfriend Erica. It was so much fun and the Red's won! Yay! It was super hot and sunny though, and we all got sunburned. Dan has enjoyed following Josh Hamilton's story, so here is a photo of him at bat (and of the couples) :)





On Friday, we got our new kitchen lighting installed and I love it...but I think we need to install a dimmer because at night it feels like we are under stadium lighting. LOL :) Did a lot of cleaning Friday and Saturday because I had a Mother's Day tea at the house on Sunday for my mom and mother-in-law, plus my sister. I had so much fun decorating for it, and was so glad to have my grandparent's dining table instead of our tiny dinette set...felt much more grown up. I had favors for each lady in pastel painted mini pails, filled with chocolate covered espresso beans, with a handmade (by me) button brooch attached to the handle. The moms received a basket filled with a teacup pincushion, lavendar sachet, scone mix, chocolates and a biscotti. We had lots of yummy finger foods and a variety of tea. I've discovered a new favorite...Celestial Seasonings apple cinnamon...mmmm :)






I'm working on some new stationery items for my Etsy store. I haven't had much success with Etsy yet, but I'm going to keep trying and see how it goes. I have bought quite a few things though...so much talent on that site!

Happy Tuesday to everyone!

xoxo

{we're in love}

and his name is Gavin Skyler. :)

He was born today around 12 pm and he is just adorable. He is Dan's cousin's son, but since they are more like brothers than cousins, it feels like we have a new nephew. It was so fun holding him at the hospital, even when he started crying...definitely wound up the hands on my biological clock a little bit more! ;) Doesn't Dan look so cute holding him?!

Until we have one of our own, we'll enjoy spending time with this little guy.

{empty nestle's quick containers}

Yesterday was a day filled with a lot of memories...mostly happy...some sad. Dan and I went with Mom and Dad to Akron to go through all of Grandma and Grandpa's things before the house closing. I had a difficult time with it at first...felt like I was an intruder going through their dresser drawers and closets, looking for something to take home with me. After a few tears (finding Grandpa's hats opened up the water works), I was able to come to terms with what we had to do and actually had fun going through the house, finding treasure after treasure.

Like a lot of people their age (Grandma is 93), they saved EVERYTHING. While going through their pantry in the basement, we found boxes full of empty boxes, boxes full of empty peanut butter jars (cleaned and labels removed) and a box full of empty Nestle's Quick containers (once again, cleaned and labels removed). Some of the NQC's even had smaller NQC's nestled inside! It was rather humorous.

Not everything they saved was garbage can-bound though. I found a great box full of old metal microfilm containers, tons of vintage linens and hankerchiefs, old kitchen utensils, decorative glass vases, a milkglass lamp and most importantly a new dining room table. Dad let Dan take Grandpa's red tool box and I had to bring home one of Grandpa's hats...such a great keepsake. I'm so excited to have all of these treasures to use in our home. I will think of them everytime we eat dinner at our new table.

While we were there, we also made stops at two of our favorite traditional places...Swenson's drive-in for cheeseburgers and onion rings (the best burgers *EVER*), and Strickland's for a yummy waffle cone. Here are some pics from the day...

We had to take a few last pics in front of the house...so strange to think of someone else living there, but I guess that's one of life's inevitable changes, right? Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

xoxo

{mandy needs}

I saw this on Amber's blog so thought I would give it a go...soooo funny! (type in your name and "needs" in google and see what you get)

Mandy needs-->

Mandy needs little introduction, having established herself as one of the funniest and most frequently pregnant comics in the local area.

Mandy needs a 6 ft fence as she can sail over 4 ft fences.

Mandy needs help. cause she's looking less like a young hottie and more like a fugly librarian.

Mandy needs help in ways I cannot comprehend. (I obvously need A LOT of help! LOL :)

Mandy needs to brush her hair, that "windblown" look is just frizzy and nappy.

So, apparently, I am a frequently pregnant comedian who jumps over fences, needs a lot of help, and looks like a fugly librarian who needs to brush her nappy hair.

LMAO!

{relaxed}

Today was a great day...beautiful weather and work has calmed down quite a bit. It was so pretty out that I decided to eat my lunch on the front porch and enjoy the new issue of Domino that was in the mailbox. A good salad and a magazine...can't beat that! Tonight I actually got some scrapbooking done. I've had this layout in my head for a few days now and finally got it finished. I'm so happy with how it turned out...isn't the new Rhonna paper delicious?!



I also finally made a banner for my humble blog...whatcha think? I'm pretty proud. :)

xoxo

{new shoes and brownies}

Today was a nice day...beautiful weather, lunch with Dan at our favorite local pizza place, and a homemade dinner of tilapia, rice and veggies. I also got my first goodies from Jenny Bowlin today and I'm so in love. I got some paper, stickers and journaling tags...can't wait to use them!

I decided to finally make the box of brownies that Dan has been talking about for at least a week. The domestic cooking thing doesn't hit me on a daily basis, and I don't enjoy spending much time in our kitchen so that is a huge factor. Once we get it remodeled this summer it will probably be my favorite room. Anyway...here are the brownie *before* pics...don't you just love to lick the batter off of the spoon?! That's the BEST part!

Oh, and here are pics of my new shoes from Payless. The flats are super cute and fairly comfortable. I think I just need to wear them a few times to stretch them out. The flips flops remind me of scrapbook paper, so of course I had to buy them...plus it was BOGO so I had to get a 2nd item! LOL :)

Right now I'm watching John and Kate Plus 8 on TLC...I'm amazed at how that family handles 8 children and has so much fun in the process.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday evening! xoxo