Beckham and Blogs

Anyone else think David Beckham's voice is way way too high?

It doesn't seem to match.

He opens his mouth and out comes Kermit the Frog with a cold.

Of course, I'll forgive him.

Because he looks like this.


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In other news. My amazing friend Candice let me know that she loves my blog. Candice was kind enough to forgive my not getting to visit her while in Utah this month. The wedding craziness took me down. Hard.

Here are the rules.
(1) The winner can put the logo on their blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated

My nominations go to... (drumroll please)...
1. Elizabeth. Posts really cute and funny stuff on her blog. Love her taste in children's books. Signed up for her most recent online class and you should too! It's gunna rock.
2. Elizabeth. Yes, another Elizabeth. Always hilarious. Love her music and the antics of her spouse. Adorable girls and amazing photography.
3. Emily. If you read my blog, you know I love this girl. She asks the best questions on her blog that could jumpstart some amazing scrapbook pages. Her taste in clothes is perfection.
4. Mandi. Love her most recent post about her husband. So true. Always has the most amazing projects on her blog. Being her cyber-friend makes me feel that I am kind of still young and marginally hip. (this may be a delusion)
5. Kimberly. Amazingly honest. Gorgeous art. Always uplifting.
6. Reyanna. Her writing is so brilliant, quirky and true. Love her sense of humor, her zest for life and her love of little red shoes.
7. Heidi. Of course, how could I leave her out? Her cards and scrapping projects are always fab and her photography inspires me daily.

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Wedding No. 2

My girls were flower girls.
I made these dresses.
Not sure why I added stress to a stressful month.

But it was worth it.
Aren't the girls adorable?
I could eat them up.
I am going to keep Fifi's, add some leaves, berries and some wings and she can be a Woodland Fairy for Halloween.

Heading back to DE today.
Home sweet home.
I miss it.
More photos and wedding details to come.

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{ splash! }

He took her out of the bathtub.

Dried her. Dressed her. Combed her hair.

He thought I was watching her.

I thought He was watching her.

I heard a splash.

I ran into the bathroom.

This is what I found.

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Tina Fey for VP?

Today John McCain announced his running mate for the Presidency. Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, who looks exactly like Tina Fey. Check it out.


This makes this race very interesting. And although I do not want to state who I will be voting for, I do find it fascinating that regardless of who wins we will either have the first black President or the first female member of the Presidency.

This election will make history.
And that's exciting.
And even more exciting if who I vote for wins. LOL!
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Today is the Day

Are they not the cutest?



Congrats Michelle and Tron!
We LOVE you!
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Checklist Update

- Wax eyebrows done
- Iron full length "Kermit the Frog" colored Bridesmaid gown done
- Apply fake tan decided to go pastey on this one
- Highlight hair sun streaked and glorious
- Sew two flower girl dresses done
- Unpick flower girl dresses done
- Cry over flower girl dresses done and done
- Re-sew flower girl dresses done
- Pick up hubby from airport done...YAY!
- Shave legs set for tomorrow morning in shower. (cross you fingers)
- Find missing deodorant bought a new one. you don't want to risk that!
- Decide if ultra-cute new grey shoes match a green dress yep
- Sew decorative ribbon on flower girl dress to hide where the serger ate the hem done
- Fill out and mail in forms for Simple Scrapbooks published layout done
- Trim hair done
- Clean out car done
- Pack car with snacks and distractions for the very long and nap-less wedding day with the girls done
- Make 4 matching hair-dealies for flower girls using bobby pins and orange gerber daisies done

I can't believe it!
I got it almost all done.
And I even took a nap!
If I remember to shave my legs tomorrow morning I am home free!

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Bridesmaid Prep Checklist

- Wax eyebrows

- Iron full length "Kermit the Frog" colored Bridesmaid gown

- Apply fake tan

- Highlight hair

- Sew two flower girl dresses

- Unpick flower girl dresses

- Cry over flower girl dresses

- Re-sew flower girl dresses

- Pick up hubby from airport

- Shave legs

- Find missing deodorant

- Decide if ultra-cute new grey shoes match a green dress

- Sew decorative ribbon on flower girl dress to hide where the serger ate the hem

- Fill out and mail in forms for Simple Scrapbooks published layout

- Trim hair

- Clean out car

- Pack car with snacks and distractions for the very long and nap-less wedding day with the girls

- Make 4 matching hair-dealies for flower girls using bobby pins and orange gerber daisies

The wedding is tomorrow morning.

Think I can get it all done?

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More Than You Think

I am surprised at how much I miss scrapbooking. It's been three weeks since I was able to create something with paper and glue and I guess it may seem strange to others that a hobby may be such a part of some one's life. But here's the thing. It's not just a hobby. No, I am not changing the world with a scrapbook page, but what I am doing is much more important than just gluing photos to some pretty paper.

Someone asked me once if a fire ripped through my house and destroyed all of my scrapbooks, would I ever scrapbook again? The answer? An emphatic YES! The finished project is just a small portion of what makes scrapbooking so great.

In the act of creation itself we are feeding the soul. Think about it...a woman who, a few times each week, makes time to do something she loves. To create something beautiful. To reflect about the stories that make up her life...both large and small. Who constantly reflects on and records who she is at that moment in time. Through this process I come to know myself, come to know what matters, come to cherish the small moments that make up a largely blessed life.

I want to live forever.
I want to tell my story.
I want to know myself inside and out.

This is why I scrapbook.
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I {heart} NPR

I love listening to National Public Radio as much as anything I can think of. Saturdays on NPR are a delight. Car Talk and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me followed by This American Life. I often wonder what people think when they observe my driving down the Highway, alone in my car...laughing hysterically.

This week NPR offered me a laugh out loud moment on Saturday when they recapped the following News story from last year.

In June 2007, Iranian news agencies reported the capture of 14 squirrels equipped with espionage systems along the border. Robert Baer, who worked for the CIA in Iran, intelligence expert James Bamford and wildlife professor John Koprowski, who co-authored the book North American Tree Squirrels, discuss the likelihood that the U.S. or any other country could count on squirrels to retrieve any useful information.

The Iranian state-sponsored news agency IRNA said: "In recent weeks, intelligence operatives have arrested 14 squirrels within Iran's borders. The squirrels were carrying spy gear of foreign agencies, and were stopped before they could act, thanks to the alertness of our intelligence services." This story is completely true. If you don't believe me click here to read more about it on MSNBC.

Is this not hilarious?!!

What kind of madness will this war bring next?

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A Wonderful Day

Yesterday I got to go to a very special place with a very special person. I got to go the the LDS Temple with my Sister-In-Law Michelle.

I sat there, in that beautiful building, next to my sweet Sister-In-Law and my wonderful Mother-In-Law and felt all of the beauty there is in the world. There is such a feeling of love, service and peace in those sacred buildings that it provides a refuge from the world, a spiritual renewal and is an opportunity to leave distractions behind and feel the pure love of God flow through you like electricity. Could any worldly gratification or reward be better than this? No.

I love the attending the Temple and it has been a very long time since I have had the opportunity to go. But yesterday I was blessed moved measure. I felt peace, guidance, direction and clarification about certain questions which have troubled my mind recently. the Temple is a little piece of Heaven on earth.

For more information on LDS Temples click here.

**I also must add as a small sub-text that I could not have experienced all of this joy ad spiritual renewal had it not been for the amazing kindness of Emily Foley and her family. I called this morning, with no notice, and she agreed to watch my girls for 5 hours. Yes. 5 hours. I would have missed out on this special day were it not for them. Thank you so much! It means so much to me. I'll be asking the "Big Man" to send extra blessing your way.

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The Wisdom of Madeline

This morning I was watching Madeline: Lost in Paris with my girls.
At one point all of the orphans start to cry because Madeline has no family.
And Miss Clavel answeres,

Mes enfants, do not forget.
We are not only born with family,
we can also find them.

Rock on Miss Clavel.

I have many "found" family members.

And their love means everything to me.


Matt Meese.
I would tell him anything.
Who we have the greatest talks with.
Who accept my flaws as a part of me...not something wrong with me.
The guy with the best snacks in his cupboards.
Who carves the best pumpkins.


Heidi Sonboul.
The one I call to bawl my eyes out to.
The girl who loves me unconditionally.
Who offered to be my Sister last month when I needed one the most.
Whose offer I accepted.
The only living person who knows how much I weigh.



Emily Foley.
Who never judges me.
Who tells me I am a fun Mom.
Who still thinks I am a great person, even when we disagree on a topic completely.
Who embraces my loudness.
Who I trust completely to watch my kids.



I have good friends. And great friends. But these friends are family.

Who is the found family in your life?

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The Fake-Out Olympics

Dear China,
Why did you have to ruin my Olympic dreams?
I gave you my time, my viewing commitment and now this?!

I was already traumatized by the fake fireworks, the fake little singing girl, and the fake gymnasts' passports. Not to mention the clearly skewed Women's Gymnastics scoring where apparently a fall made by Chinese Gymnast scores higher than a well executed routine by American Gymnasts. I looked forward with giddy anticipation to each time Bela Karoli appeared in the interview chair so we could at least get the real deal. No smoke up the patootie, just true, belligerent, defiant...honesty. So what if he is the Bobby Knight (ask your husband..he'll know) of women's gymnastics? I like the guy!

But yesterday's revelation is the worst one yet: the Chinese government is allowing protesters to demonstrate in designated "protest zones" during the Olympics, as long as they apply for permits.

So 77 people obediently went and applied for protest permits. How many got them? Zero! And what happened to at least 6 of the applicants when they went to the Public Security office to try to apply? They got arrested! And sent off for "re-education through labor".

This clever plan to make the government look like it allows civil dissent while using the fake permit system to detain would-be dissenters hit the press yesterday when two elderly women were sentenced to a year of re-education for applying for protest permits. These ladies probably won't be sent off to the "Big House", but could be detained and, as the Times says, "forced to confess their transgressions."

The worst part is...I am one of those starry eyed, hope filled, couch cheering, Olympic enthusiasts who tunes in to watch countries come together in an environment of brotherhood and celebrate the greatness that we humans can achieve. If it hadn't been for Michael Phelps and one kick a** Women's Beach Volleyball team I may have never recovered. Have the Olympics always been this shady and I just didn't realize it?

I'm not gunna lie, China totally ruined the Olympics for me this year. I guess that whole "Communist Regime" thing ain't no joke. These cute little fluffy characters almost made me forget.


Is anyone else as disappointed as I am?
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Recently

scrapping with




living in




listening to




devouring




missing




really missing




dying without




loving all day lipcolor with




playing




visiting with




gearing up for SIL's




thinking of wearing

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i love my...

newest sister.
or should i say hermana?
kind. loving. beautiful. fiesty. happy.
perfect.



my in-laws are so very literally my famiy.
i love them.
they are wonderful.
our family is almost complete.
bring on tronny.
then bring on some more nieces and nephews.
oh yeah.

do you consider your in-laws literal family?.

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Lady of the Horses

Did you know that the name Ahern means Lord of the Horses? It does. And yesterday we proved it. Emily, Ali and I took our kids to a petting zoo (which was a total bust) and pony rides (which were fantabulous!)

Check out Ella and her mad horsing skills.



I also caught these cute shots of Isaac.
He's hard to get a smile from so this is a true moment of triumph.

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And check out these cute kids enjoying each other's company.
A fun candid moment captured...my favorite.

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Recipes That Rock: PB&J Cookies

Posted this on my Freeze Happy site this month and thought I would share it here too. It's a winner!

Remember how much you loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when you were little and remember how often you ate them? Why do we stop eating them once we pass a certain age? Well, that's about to change because I am sharing a classic cookie with you that even the most adulty adult will love!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies
4-5 doz.

Cream Together:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. butter flavored crisco
1&1/2 c. crunchy peanut butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. lt. brown sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Sift Together and Add:
3 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. bkg powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1&1/2 tsp. baking soda

- Combine all ingredients to form a stiff dough.
- Scoop out onto cookie sheet.
- Dip a fork into white sugar and use it to press down on the cookie. First one direction and then in the opposite direction.

To Freeze: At this point you can flash freeze cookies on sheet pan for 2-3 hours and transfer to gallon size ziplock until ready to bake. Add 3-6 minutes to cook time if cooking from frozen.

To Bake:
- Bake @ 350* for 8-10 min. Remove from oven and drop pan (as shown in Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe). Fig. 1
- While still on pan and warm, use thumb to press indent in the top of cookie. Fig. 2 & 3
- Transfer to cooling rack.
- Fill sandwich size ziplock baggie with 2-3 T. raspberry preserves. Cut corner off ziplock to create a piping bag. Fig. 4
- Pipe raspberry preserves into indentation on cookie. Fig. 5
- Cool and eat. Fig. 6

Not diggin' the jelly action? Leave it out and just make these amazing Peanut Butter Cookies for the entire family.

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Conversation with a Toddler

Me: Ella, you're as cute as can be!

Ella: As cute as a bee?

Me: No. As cute and CAN BE.

Ella: As cute as candy?

Me: No. As cute as CAN....BE.

Ella: Can I have some candy?

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Torture

Pure torture.
Being seperated from my scrapping supplies for 3 weeks.
We've never been apart for this long.
{sigh.}
I miss you.

I like digi scrapping, but it's just not the same as my papers and glue.
You know?

Here's my layout for my 12 of 12 for the month of August. Special thanks to Emily Foley for being my activities coordinator on the 12th and allowing me to annoy all around me with my camera. She's wonderful.

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You MUST

go to the ScrapFaith blog today.


This challenge was by far our most difficult and personal and whether you are a scrapper or not, these womens stories are amazing.

Please leave a comment on the ScrapFaith blog, since these amazing women have shared something so personal. I am so proud of this team and the ScrapFaith website.


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Wedded Bliss

We attended the first of our two August family Weddings this past weekend. My brother-in-law Aaron married his sweet wife Carolina. Carolina is from Spain and it was one of the most fun weddings I have been to. Filled with fun, food and salsa dancing until dawn!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures.

Chicken and Fifi were flower girls. Chicken loved it. Fifi hated it.



There was a Temple Ceremony followed by a ring exchange ceremony in a beautiful garden. The ring exchange was preformed in Spanish and then traslated into English. It was so beautiful to hear the languages intertwine.



The girls did well, but by the end of the day...they had had enough of the Wedded Bliss.



Captured this shot of my SIL and her fiance. They are getting married on August 29th. They are such a fun couple and I'm excited for their upcoming wedding.



And here's a picture of Ella and the beautiful bride, and my new sister, Carolina.




And since love is on the brain I pose to you a Love Question:
What is your favorite romantic song?
Mine is My Funny Valentine (as sung by Chet Baker).
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