Okay, all you scrappers, wish me luck...I am finally jumping on the bandwagon and am going to attempt stitching on a layout (or maybe I will start small and do a card instead.) I love the look but have been too lazy to cart my work upstairs to my sewing machine and set it up...and way too lazy to hand stitch! But I got a good deal on a little mini-sewing machine specifically for paper crafting (under $10.) It is obviously very basic and tricky to use because it doesn't have a separate bobbin...but I'm determined to give it a try!

You all have seen Monster's Inc., right? So tell me how did I never see this resemblance before now...?

Well, I gave others the assignment at The School of Scrap to blog about what they are thankful for, but never did it myself until I got a kick in the rear from Sigmagirl at scrapbook.com. So, here is my partial list (partial, because I could never list all that I have to be thankful for!)

*Jesus Christ, my Savior
*Arnel, my husband, who is patient and generous and strong
*Each of my five children, Julia, Laura, Gabriel, Isaac and Lillian, who bless me daily in different ways
*My four little blessings whom I never got to hold here but look forward to meeting someday
*My extended family who I miss desperately
*Technology that allows me to keep in some contact with my extended family!
*The abundant material comforts I am spoiled with
*My friends who continue to love me even after they get to really know me!
*Having been born in a place and time where I have the option of saying and doing what I believe in
*Books
*Pretty patterned paper
*Lotion
*Flavored coffee
*Closed-captioning on the television
*The Newsboys
*Fireplaces
*Thick, soft, warm socks

And there you go!!

Your Life is 64% Perfect

Your life is pretty darn perfect. You don't have much to complain about. Of course, your life is occasionally less than perfect. But you're usually too happy to notice.

How Perfect is Your Life?

Well, I did it. I shopped on Black Friday. As much as I love shopping (maybe because I love shopping,) this is the one day I do NOT like to shop. But I took my second daughter/shopping buddy Laura with me and we headed out about 9:30, got home about 1:15, so not too bad. I spent maybe $250 (I shop for my mom as well as myslef, if that sounds like a lot,) but got a lot accomplished. Next job is to sort through the things I got today and the things I've been collecting over the past months and get serious about figuring out what I have and what I have left to buy.

I am not really complaining (well, not too much anyway,) but it would feel a lot more like the holidays if it wasn't so blasted warm out. It is sunny and perfectly nice out with just long-sleeves, no jacket. Maybe Arnel will get off work a little early and be able to get lights up today if it stays like this.

Well, Lillian finally has a whole eight teeth, woo hoo! Unfortunately, she also has the cold thing that has been going around. Makes her voice sound really cute, though. ~grin~

Ah, it is Friday! I always love to get up on Friday mornings and come downstairs because I always clean my kitchen on Thursdays! It is just so relaxing to come in and see a sparkling clean sink and countertop. Today is extra special because Arnel helped me clean out the fridge last night. I opened it up to get milk for my coffee this morning and was nearly blinded by the shine, woo hoo!

Are you all familiar with Operation Christmas Child? This is a program run by Franklin Graham to provide Christmas gifts to children in developing countries. Our family has done this for years. You can learn all about it at Samaritan's Purse. Anyway, tonight my big girls and I will be working with the youth group packing shoe boxes for this. We did this last year, too, and it is so much fun to turn this into a party. We will have a Christmas movie playing on the big screen at church and have snacks and just have fun packing and wrapping the boxes.

Tomorrow is a big day for Gabe. Michigan v. Ohio State. Being in MI, we are of course surrounded by MI fans, including many in this house. Gabe, however, is good friends with a boy who comes originally from Ohio, and also just likes to be the rebel, so he is rooting for Ohio State. Both teams are undefeated at this point I think. We are having a football party at the Ohio family's home. Will be fun!

And then...I need to get my Thanksgiving grocery list done and then the actual shopping and then it will be time to pull out the Christmas decorations!

Some photos from our session last night!

Well, I cannot believe the thing I forgot to post was that Julia will be taking Driver's Training later this month! As she will be 16 in 3 months we have actually dodged this milestone for quite a while, considering that they let them take it at like nine or something here in Michigan. Okay, I am exaggerating a little, but they do start it at 14 years 8 months, I think. Remember, we are home to Motor City...we want as many drivers on the road as possible! I guess it is the same mentality that leads us to no smog checks on any vehicles here. If you can get it running, you can drive it! But I digress...

The good thing is that we are a 'graduated license' state for those under 18. She must first complete 24 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours. This allows her to take her vision test and get a Level I license. With this, she can drive only with a licensed driver over the age of 21 in the car. She must drive under these conditions for 30 hours, 2 of which must be at night. Next she must take another six hours of classroom instruction in order to test for the Level II license. To get this she must be 16, pass the driving test, have had her Level I license for 180 days, and have completed 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night. Once she has a level II license she can drive unsupervised except between midnight and 5 AM. At age 17 or upon completion of 12 months of drivin she advances to a level III license if parental approval is given. (All of this assuming no violations have occured.)

Bits and pieces...

I don't think I ever got around to posting here that a hinge broke on my Cricut (die-cutting machine for scrapbooking) and after some deliberations on whether or not to just live with it, I had sent it back for replacement. Well, my new one arrived today, woo hoo!! And to make it even better, I got my first packet of goodies in the mail for being on the Design Team at The School of Scrap! Our sponsors are being incredibly generous and I am hoping you will check back at the site often to see what I and the other faculty dream up using these goodies.

Our pictures went...okay. Lillian just hates that place and will not be her usual self there. But, we got something usable and we actually wound up with a picture of Arnel and I that I am very happy with!

I am sure there were some other tidbits I wanted to mention but they have slipped my brain at the moment. If I remember I will add them tomorrow!

TAG you are it!!! This is for ANYONE who reads this, not the people on my list :) On YOUR blog list 5 people (make someone's day) who inspire you. Maybe you JUST noticed them today or noticed them maybe 2 months ago, maybe their journaling is exceptional or the design is fresh and unique! Whatever your reason is, list it!! So, scope out the gallery and post a link to 5 people's gallery. Then post this same message, you can copy and paste it, on your blog. If you participate, please post below (on my blog's comment page) that you have entered 5 people on YOUR blog, and also notify the people that you listed to make their day.. get it?

1. Chi Mom I have sooo many of her layouts saved in my faves, she has the perfect touch for using lots of pretty things on her layouts without overwhelming the photos.
2. imagine.lilacs She always seems to come up with something that looks new and fresh!
3. punchypoo Someone else who takes up a lot of space in my saved favorites. This stuff is art, pure and simple!
4. mollee She somehow makes her layouts simple but detailed at the same time, I love how she doesn't have to fill every inch to make her layouts look marvelous.
5. thecircleguru She nails every little thing just perfectly every single time!

Today we had Lillian dedicated at church. Here is one of the pictures, taken while we were praying. Not sure what Arnel was peeking at but see how Lillian folds her hands while we pray!
AND...she FINALLY got another tooth! Yep, at 21 months old, that seventh tooth has finally, if barely, broken through. Second one one the bottom right if you are keeping track.

Tomorrow night we go to get our holiday pictures taken. Already! Can you believe it?

Here are 30 easy "peek-a-boo" points for anyone in the November Advanced Math class who reads this post and leaves me a comment!

Your Vote Score: 52% Republican, 48% Democrat

You are truly an independent voter, and you don't fit well with either party. Maybe you should choose one issue to vote on - or look into third parties!

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

In other news...the few extra doses of steroids seem to have been enough to get Isaac over the hump with his hives. And I think Lillian might have another tooth coming in fairly soon...finally!

So, the steriods and antihistamines did a wonderful job clearing up Isaac's hives. So wonderful that we were able to quit after a day-and-a-half rather than go the whole three days. That means that last night he didn't have any. This is what we woke up to...



Needless to say he is back on the rest of the meds but I am nervous what will happen when he is out. It will be Saturday morning and the doctor will be closed.

I also have to say that I got the most awesome news tonight (no, I am NOT pregnant!) and I cannot share it until December! I can't say more but I was going to burst at the seams so I had to get that much out there!

Why Lillian thinks she is "pitty"...

One of my fellow teachers at the School of Scrap has challenged everyone in her class to blog about the school. You may have all heard this from me before but honestly, I can't say enough good things about it. I know I'm not exactly objective but what impresses me is the feedback we are getting from others. Everyone seems to be affirming that our founder, Lisa, has come up with a unique concept that is not only memorable but truly offers something for all levels of scrapper. We've attracted a very friendly and helpful group of ladies, not to mention talented. We are all learning together, having a blast doing it, and receiving so much motivation to keep on going! If you are at all interested in scrapping and haven't checked out this site yet, please do so! You will find the link over to your right!

Odds and ends...

Isaac does just have hives but a doozy of a case. His chest and throat are clear, but it was pretty close to his eyes so we are doing a short burst of steroids. Looking much better this morning.

Everyone seems happy with their Halloween Fairy loot. Isaac got a buffalo and a moose for his animals, Julia got a couple teeny monkeys and some fake nails, Gabe got a Lego Star Wars ship, Laura got some concealer, lip gloss and perfume, and Lillian got a fairy dress with wand.

I fear we have created a monster where Lillian is concerned. She spoke a complete sentence today. "Me pretty."

She had her new fairy dress on and of course we fussed about it. After a while Laura asked her if she was cute. She said 'no.' "Me...pitty."

Should we be concerned?