Time to update again, I know....can't seem to keep up, but I'm hoping that some recent changes will make a difference. This is Alanna....Mario chose flowers for each of the girls for Valentine's day, telling them qualities of the flowers that reminded him of them (thanks to an AWESOME idea from the Achievement Days Leaders in our ward.) Alanna received the Hawaiian Hibiscus...she's exotic, unique flower, whose red petals symbolize courage to the country of Malaysia where it reins as the national flower. Alanna is a little mama to the younger girls....I appreciate all her help when things are crazy!


Isa was given Plumeria, a fragrant and beautiful flower....it escapes me at the moment why Mario chose that particular one for her.....She's doing really well in school, and other than the occasional whiny spell, is a real fun girl to have around.


Mario chose the Orchid for Ellie, because he said the flower reminded him of a princess...and that's what Ellie is. She's growing alot right now. We've had some teaching opportunities lately, and hope the lessons are embedding themselves in her heart and mind. She's a sweet girl.

Gabby...my fearless girl. She received a Day Lily for VTDay, but I thought this photo of her doing the bunny hop was so funny, I decided to include it instead. She's been obsessed with bearing her testimony lately, and the two "in church" attempts have failed miserably. She's been practicing at night with Ellie, while they're supposed to be sleeping, and said to me the other night when I was tucking her in, "Mom, I'm ready to bear my testimony." I said, "ok, let me hear it!" and she did! It was 5 or 6 sentences long, and very impressive for a kid of 2 1/2. It will be interesting to see what lies ahead for her!


Mario gave Sophia an Amaryllis because the bloom easily and boldly. That definitely describes Sophia. She's been working out with the track team, working towards getting her driving permit, and preparing to turn in an application for her first real job! It's CRAZY having a 16 year old. She's a good girl and has been an amazing help during this nutso time.


Then there's Sammie Joy. Sunshine in it's purest form. I can't keep her in the house...she slips out every chance she gets. Her vocabulary is pretty impressive...her most used expressions lately are "no," "it's mine," "pen da dough" (open the door) which she screams whenever she wants anything from the door to a bag opened. She says her prayers now, which is a fun thing...and is doing some of her business on the potty. What a girl!


Van Gogh is big, he's huge, he's chewing on everything! He's done pretty well at learning not to jump on people, at least until they talk to him, and then he considers them free game. We weighed him the other day and he was just shy of 30 lbs. We got him 7 weeks ago at 5 lbs...AMAZING!



This is Mario rocking Van Gogh to sleep. Unfortunately, recently, they've hit a speed bump in their relationship. Van Gogh had been naughty and had been disciplined, and when Mario went to pick him up to take him to his kennel for the night, Van Gogh snapped at his face. Mario was pretty mad. I don't know if they'll recover, but I hope so, cause I'm tired of being the go between for them.

Me? Well, I came to a hard decision this past week, and decided to close 2 of my stores down, and remain exclusively at GoDigitalScrapbooking. It will mean 1/3 of the time spent advertising, and 1/3 of the stress. I'm kinda looking forward to that. Now that I've actually made the decision, I'm wondering why I didn't come to it earlier. The picture of Gabby is made with my most recent release, My Heart Sings, which was used this week for the 4th and Final round in the Supreme Team contest. Mario, Van Gogh and Sophia's pictures are made with Lil' Dreamer, which I think has been my highest grossing kit so far. Anyway, I love designing. I love having things come together, and seeing what people can do with them. And the money doesn't hurt either.

I'm kinda a hermit right now...probably the anxiety stuff, but I sure appreciate all those who keep up with us through this blog, and bless us with their love, friendship and support! You are loved and THANK YOU for being YOU!

Way too long.....

I can't believe it's been since the middle of December that I posted! My other blog gets plenty of posts (although not as many as it should probably).

So much news! Mario finally got his boy! Before you say anything about "we thought Jenn wouldn't be able to stop" check out the pic of said bouncing baby boy.....



He is adorable, energetic and definitely TROUBLE!! We're having fun with him, though. He's pretty darn lovable.




This picture is why we will NOT be trying for a boy after 6 girls...can you IMAGINE???? Those girls would have him in dressups all the time!




We've celebrated many events in the last couple of months! Alanna turned 8 years old....she asked for her own quad and bag...



She was also baptized...it was a crazy day...Alanna's baptism in the morning, and her cousin Kobe's baptism at noon. Crazy Day, indeed!



Sophia turned 16, SIXTEEN! Do you believe it? She's going on her first "DATE" this weekend....should be interesting....I can't be old enough to have a 16 year old, can I?



Gabby learned to make faces and tells me "mom, go get the camera, I'm going to do something funny!"



Isa turned 7 years old last week. She asked for a journal and some books...pretty easy to please if you ask me!



The first day back to school after getting the dog, Sammie got into Alanna's paints (that were supposed to have been confiscated for being left around the house....I very nearly went to pieces!



I've also been conducting scientific experiments....like, if I only sweep ONCE a day, how much garbage will accumulate??? It's not pretty....



Through it all I'm reminded that the sun still rises (photo SOOC). How can anyone doubt the presence of a higher being? I don't know. It seems like my lowest days have been followed by the most glorious sunrises. A reminder of the promise that He is there and He is with me.

Well, this is my long overdue update. I may actually get around to doing again sometime.

We;ve been good, but we can't last! Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!!

Finished the front page of our family newsletter, and then I'll print all our news from the year on the back. I had tons of fun with these darling baubles by Irene V. Alexeeva.

It was fun....rushed home from church on Sunday and threw up a length of black fabric over a desk in the kitchen in front of the sliding glass doors and made the kids line up and get their pictures taken before they changed out of their Sunday clothes. Everybody did GREAT except for Sammie...poor thing was discovered to have a fever later on in the day...no wonder she looked so miserable! Then I made Mario come in a get a pictures taken with me....let's just say that the kids were CAKE in comparision, LOL!

I'll update soon with more little nuggets of news!

The Saga Continues......

Yes, I know...it's been a while.

Where to begin? Ah....well, after having a series of health issues, I (hopefully) capped it off by breaking my toe. And before you all think I'm a wimp, ....I wasn't going to go to the doctor...Mario made me. And we found out that it was a pretty bad break and that I'd also done some damage to my foot. I was given the option of surgery, to put a pin in it, or to suffer through a "retraction" which was less invasive???? and wait 6 weeks to see if I was in the 80% of people who were "fixed" or the 20% who had to go on and have the surgery anyway. I, of course, opted for the "wait and see." I'm now just over 2 weeks into my 6 week wait.....I'm tired of being crippled, LOL.

Anyway, although this has eclipsed my life, I actually do have other exciting things happening. In mid-October I opened my second "Dancing Princess Designs" store at one of my favorite places in the cyber world...GoDigitalScrapbooking.com and I LOVE being a part of things there! Anyway, enough about me...

Mario's working hard and enjoying his new company....it seems to have been a GREAT change for him. He's been doing crazy things like moving all of our furniture around, to minimize the chances that I'll kick furniture again, and moving the outside fridge in, and the inside fridge out. Next on the honey do list? Bringing in all the Christmas decorations, setting up the tree, and swapping out the dishwasher!

The kids? Yes, I still have them!

Sammie Sidewinder is definitely the cutest little caboose ever. She's learned to say "please" and will SCREAM it in rapid succession until what she wants is bestowed upon her. She's is picking her nose at this very moment and watching Dora...TOO CUTE (ok, it won't be so cute next year, but for the moment...)


Gabby is little miss VERY TWO. She's contrary and competitive and so much fun...she LOVES puzzles and will chose to play with them over just about anything else. She still loves her Lovey and drags it everywhere we let her. She is my big helper, and every evening when kitchen jobs are assigned, she always pipes up and says "What's my job, mom?"



Then there's the three musketeers. I am THRILLED that Ellie's taken to reading the same way Isa did, and Alanna before her. They are all READERS and spend bunches of time each day reading....if only we had a library....I can't keep them in books!!! Here they are, chowing down on Thanksgiving....and they say BOYS eat a lot!

And then there's Fia....although the "teenage snarl face" is appearing less and less as she matures, you can see I caught it pretty good here. We went as a family and had rootbeer floats one night...the kids had a great time!



Maybe I'll actually do better at blogging regularly in the new year.....and maybe not, LOL!

Hubby Tag

1. Where did you meet? At a dance club. I came home from a very non eventful dinner date and decided since Sophia was spending the night at mom's, that I would go out and do something. I was just heading out the door of the club (I hated going places myself then...now I can't wait to get out the door by myself) when Mario stopped me and asked me to dance.

2. How long did you date before you got married? Do I have to answer this one? Oh, OK. 6 weeks. There...are you happy now? LOL

3. How long have you been married? It will be 9 years in April...time flies.

4. What does he do that surprises you? Holds my hand while we're watching tv or movies.

5.What is your favorite feature of his? His lips. Not that I know the pleasure of their presence nearly enough, but every once in a while when the snoring stops, and I glance over to make sure he's still alive, I remember how much I like them.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His conquering attitude. When he decides something is going to happen, he works relentlessly to make it happen.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Honey Bunny

8. What is his favorite color? Blue, blue and more blue.

9. What is his favorite food? Rice, french fries, and french bread. Preferably all at the same time. And while you're at it, throw in a side of beef. He has discovered a new food love this summer, though. Big Stick Popsicles.....I can't keep him stocked! LOL

11. What is his favorite sport? Do I have to pick just one? He LOVES football, soccer, and basketball. He enjoys gymnastics, and volleyball, and has even been known to tolerate baseball in a pinch.

12. When and where was your first kiss? In the parking lot of my apartment 1 1/2 weeks after we met.

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch a movie, probably.

14. Do you have any children? 6 girls, one angel.

15. Does he have a hidden talent? He's a great cook.

16. How old is he? 43...but he'll never admit it.

17. Who said "I love you" first? He did.

18. What do you admire most about him? He has tenacity in spades. He's a real go getter.

19.Do you think he will read this? Eventually, but only if I don't ask him to. Because then he might feel like I'm telling him what to do and he HATES that LOL!

Be Still My Soul....

My brother complained to my mom the other day that my blog wasn't fun anymore. (Pierced me to the heart). That it was just full of scrapbooking stuff. (He may have a point). So I have resolved....to find more humor in my life. Believe me it's been rough lately. So...I'm going to attempt to fill you in on the latest doings of the princesses, and maybe along the way, we'll find a few laughs.
First of all, I don't think I've mentioned that Sophia made the Sophomore Volleyball Team at the High School! Yeah Sophia!! She's new to the sport but learning really fast and doing GREAT! She's been busy beyond belief the last two weekends. Last week, her school hosted a Tournament and she had to work from the end of school until 10:30pm on Friday, and then 7am-7pm on Saturday. This week she was IN the tournament. Long hours again Friday and Saturday. Last night after her last game, Christy took us out to dinner. Sophia and Maddie (her friend who was with us) didn't have clothes to change into so they were just in their uniforms. You would not BELIEVE the looks they got from old men at the restaurant and in the parking lot. CREEPY!! That's not gonna happen again. I had a REALLY great action shot in here, but just realized that it showed too much info....oh well.


Gabby the fearless. She and Sammie and I have been walking the other girls to school in the mornings, and then stopping at the park on the way home. Gabby started climbing up this little jungle gym thing, and I sat down on the ground to get some GREAT pics with an interesting POV...my friend Liz always takes such interesting pictures with fantastic POV's. Anyway, this shot was taking just moments before Gabby climbed to the next rung up, and THREW her legs off the side and was hanging there...six feet off the ground. Liz asked me later if I'd snapped a pic before I jumped up to help her...darn. She's a lot of fun. She was just sitting next to me and had lined up all her little people and was counting them. I found a giraffe and stuck it on the end of the line..."MOM, that's not a PEOPLE!!!" Ooops.
Ellie, forever the princess. Climbed up on the rocks and yelled for me to come take a picture...I was stuck there a good long time, while children and cousins alike got their photo taken. Ellie is in kindergarten. It's been fun! Her teacher LOVES her! Apparently, she's very focused and obedient when at school. I had to laugh on the first day.....I was waiting for school to get out to pick her up and saw her come out of the kindergarten door all by herself. A second later the teacher came running out..."Ellie it's not time to leave yet." Ellie responded, "it's ok, my mom's already here." Teacher: "Ellie, you need to come back in!" Ellie: "Look, my mom's right there!" Anyway, I was thrilled to have Ellie be the last one out the door when the class finally left. I have high hopes that she will learn to blend in better with all her royal subjects.


Alanna...she's so funny. She's having to actually WORK for the first time in her whole little life to accomplish something....it's definitely wearing on her! She's started Spanish Immersion and although it is tiring (and they told us to expect that it would be) it is also FANTASTIC FUN! I'm so excited for her to learn! She's growing and still loves to read...I catch her with a book in her hands ALL THE TIME! If I can't find her..she's usually hiding out up on the bunkbed under a blanket reading.

We had fun up the canyon on Friday, even though the skies were VERY threatening and rain was about everywhere except the little spot of ground we were on. Isa had a great time playing with Leesa, Uncle Andrew's special friend (who fit in GREAT with the fam). She's coming into her own and loves school...and is thrilled to report 10 our of 10 each week on her spelling...she's a real "go getter" and I rarely have to remind her to do her homework.


And then there's Sammie. Hard to believe she's been around a whole year, as I glance over my shoulder at her going through my wallet throwing my drivers license and credit cards under the bed. Oh, what a year. Thank HEAVEN it is over. It's been a rough one. We celebrated her birthday in the canyon Friday (as previously mentioned) in a combined "Andrew is visiting with his girlfriend from out of state" and "1st birthday party" bash. It was a great time! The leaves hadn't really turned yet in the little spot we were at, lower in the canyon (for weather reasons), and for that I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to get some fun pictures, but the trees and mountains were still beautiful and there was a peace there. Well, other than the naturally occurring family drama that well....NATURALLY occurs at these events. We really missed Mel, and her brood, too.


If anyone has any extra prayers to offer, I have a friend in South Africa whose only daughter is currently in a coma as a result of an accident. She could sure use 'em.

Life has been hard lately. Don't know if that's the natural result (opposition) of accomplishing goals or what. Mario started a new job in July (turned out to be a great move), and I opened my store for Dancing Princess Designs at DigitalScrapGarden the first of September, I've actually had a few sales! But there's a lot of stress and not as much support as I'd hoped for (to some people it's still just a "hobby"). So what do I do? I don't know. I guess take a little advice from my friend "Dory" (Finding Nemo). I "just keep swimmin, just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin', swimmin', swimmin'"....well you know the rest.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'......

Lots going on as always. This LO was made with my Week Four Kit "Springtime Serenade". You can get the kit for free by clicking on the preview and VOTING!! I made the LO for the Quote Challenge over at DigitalScrapGarden. All images are clickable for credit/product info.






This LO was also made for a challenge.Muma over at GoDigitalScrapbooking issued a challenge to do an "Art Journal" page. I do a lot of my journaling in letter form, so even though it maybe doesn't follow "traditional" journaling, it's what works for me.








We had a fabulous time over at our family Pioneer Day celebration. This layout details the traditional "Eat a Cricket" ceremony...and YES, Gabby did actually eat it.











This LO was made for another challenge at DigitalScrapGarden...Mojo asked us to make a LO about where we live. I used my friend, Liz's fantastic French Countryside Kit.








I finally got around to scrapping Alanna's first day of Kindergarten. I tell you what, I don't know that it got any easier the second and now third time around.








This is one of my favorites, probably because it's so different from my usual LO's. This was a fun, fun kit to work with. I made it for Veronica's Quote Challenge at GoDigitalScrapbooking.







And last but not least is this LO showing off our garden produce. We're not "serious gardeners" but it's been fun to see things growing. The kids love it and they plants are Mario's babies. More later I'm sure, and if you would, GO VOTE for my Week Four Kit "Springtime Serenade." Thanks!!