Proud Army Wife and MOM!

Christmas & A New Year!

2010-01-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas in our new home was so relaxing and wonderful! The kids let us sleep in, were able to open gifts, make a great breakfast and relax a bit before heading off to family!
I am so blessed with all that I have!
Happy New Year to all and may this year bring you all of the blessings that you could ever imagine!

SCHOOL PICS!!

2009-11-15T09:06:00.001-08:00

My beautiful babies in their school pics!

I am such a proud Momma!!

My Prince Charming!!

2009-11-11T19:21:00.001-08:00

Yep, isnt he wonderful?

And handsome?

And he is all mine!!

Beautiful Belle & Brave Bumblebee

2009-11-11T19:03:00.000-08:00

The kids had a great Halloween this year! They enjoyed going trick or treating as much as they did handing out the candy to their "customers"!

Aren't they just so cute??!!??

My SSK Girls!!!

2009-10-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that title right, my SSK girls! This is my group of scrappy girls. Some of us met on a message board or two, were friends in life but there is no doubt that we were meant to be friends!

We all bring something different to the table scrappy wise and life wise...and we have an incredible time together.

I am so thankful for this group of women...life would just not be the same!

And I have to thank my wonderful husband for taking care of everything for me while I was gone having my girls weekned!

Changes, changes, changes....

2009-10-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

It seems this family is going through the changes lately...nothing bad! I am getting used to having both of my babies in school and the extra work that takes, working 12 hours a week, being at the school three times a day instead of two and Richard working more and more.
Both kids are playing soccer and are loving it!! Cayleanna scored her first goal two weeks ago and Dominic was so close at two different times I thought they went in and was cheering! Oh well, everyone just assumed I was cheering for him no matter what!
In two short weeks, I will be in Sacramento with my SSK girls!! I cannot wait to hit the Scrapbook Expo with them and then scrap the day and night away. Love those girls and getting together once a year just isnt enough!

My mom's foot is healing after her crazy surgery this summer...I am healed up from mine as well.

We took the kids to Disneyland this summer for the first time. I celebrated my 30th birthday there..only my second time being there! We had a great time but I could so do without the crowds and crazy people running you over. It was good we had the stroller for Cayleanna because she was getting trampled at times.
The best rides according to the kids were the roller coasters! They could not get enough of them and had NO DESIRE to go on any of the "baby rides"! Well, look who thinks they are something!

It was a bit hard for me to turn 30...no idea why. Maybe thinking about all the things that I wanted to have accomplished by now but sitting back and "looking" at it more, I am where I am supposed to be. One day I will have my shot to do what I want and to travel where I want to travel but for right now, I am supposed to be wife and mom....

PHEEWW!!!

2009-06-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week of working on the house....we painted and put up a border in Richard's "man room", put a border up in the kitchen, got paint for the downstairs bathroom, rearranged the living room, cleaned up my scrap room, got all my decorations for Christmas and Thanksgiving arranged, hung up tons of pictures, etc. and ended the week with explorative surgery.
Yes, you heard that right surgery...I was to have a hysterectomy but my insurance thought that it would be better for me to have this explorative surgery to see if my doctor was really telling the truth about what I have....and guess what........he was RIGHT!! So I have to have another surgery....ok, lets pray that the insurance approves me having a hysterectomy..I dont want to live with this adenomyosis anymore.
Adenomyosis is described as: a condition that occurs when the cells that normally line the uterus grow into the muscular tissue of the uterine wall. Its painful and not fun for me or the family to deal with..
My mom took the kids with her for a week so I have time to recover and get a few more things done around the house. I am hoping that I can get into that scrap room and have some fun! ALso, I am hoping to have a date with my husband and go see a movie!

2009-06-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

I cannt belive that it as been two months since I have blogged anything! ACK! I got so wrapped up in Dominic's school that I just totally forgot about most everything on the web!
We are finally starting to settle in to the house and staring to get it all arranged how we want...

Dominic finished his first grade year and Cayleanna is going to be going into Kindergarden! I cannot believe where the time has gone!

I have not been able to scrap too much but I was able to get this layout done for National Scrapbook Day...its me and my sis in 1983 0r 84...
Used Sassafrass or this layout!

Easter!!!

2009-04-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Easter was great this year! We had a wonderful morning hanging out at home playing with what the Easter Bunny brought before we headed over to Aunt Candice's house for dinner and more egg hunting.

The smiles on the kids faces, the laughter, the absolute joy written all over them makes all the hard work worth it.

They truly are the best thing about me and the best thing I have ever done!

A new family member!!

2009-03-23T18:14:00.001-07:00

This last Saturday we went and got a dog from a man that was just not able to take care of him anymore....

It was love at first sight for all of us and we are all adjusting to having a dog. Dominic is doing great with him and is starting to understand why he had to be a little bit older to have a dog and what responsibility means....

Shadow is adjusting to us as well, it will take time but we very happy!! He is definatly loving all the attention and walks he has been getting!

And what they say about a boy and his dog is so true!!

AAAAACCCKKK!!! I was tagged!!

2009-03-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

So my wonderful and talented friend Susan tagged me about a week or so ago and I just now saw it....so I better do it or she will be on me like bees on honey!!!!

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and randomly tag 10 people (including me). Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real... nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.Have Fun!!!!!Whew... Here goes:)
1. What is your name: Callie Jean
2. A four Letter word: Cool
3. A Boy's Name: Colton
4. A Girl's Name: Cayleanna
5. An occupation: carpenter
6. A Color: cobolt blue
7. Something you wear: cuff links
8. A Food: cookies
9. Something found in the Bathroom: conditioner
10. A Place: Calistoga
11. A Reason for being late: car wont stop
12. Something you Shout: CUT IT OUT!!!
13. A Movie Title: Care Bears
14. Something you Drink: cold water
15. A Musical Group: Coldplay
16. An Animal: cat
17. A Street Name: Creekside Lane
18. A Type of Car: Caravan
19. Something Scary: cougars
20. Ice Cream Flavor: chocolate chip

Now I am tagging:
Anyone!!!! If you want to do it....then do it!
It is harder than you think....just do it!

Someone turned five!!

2009-03-17T20:21:00.001-07:00

Our sweet little girl turned 5 this last week! She is so excited to hold up a whole hand when asked how old she is!!!

She was so excited to have her best little girfriends over, her Nana come down and of course pink candles on her star cupcakes!

Time has truly flown by and I am proud to say that I will be that mom that is crying when she drops her "baby" off at Kindergarden....I have truly loved the time at home with her!

They say Thursday...

2009-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

Is the day that we will get the keys to our house! I am just praying that they are not wrong! I am so excited about getting the keys in my hand!
Richard and I truly have worked so hard for this, not unlike anyone else, so we are very proud of ourselves for making this step in our lives. We have fallin in love with this area so much that we want to raise our kids here...what more can you ask for?

I have to say....I have never been so excited to actually get out the paint brush and get some paint in my hair! I cannot wait till I have my own scraproom and yes it will be in the color PURPLE!! The creative juices will be flowing....

Pics of our house!!!

2009-01-12T20:09:00.000-08:00

Master bedroom looking into the bathroom

My tub!!!

Half of the kitchen...the inspector was in the other half and said "he wasnt in the picture mood". LOL

Formal family room, dinning room and the butlers pantry.

Staircase as you walk in...

All the inspections on Friday went wonderfully!!! Besides one or two broken sprinkler heads there is not a thing wrong with the house! We are so excited about moving, almost the whole house is packed and the poor kids have hardly anywhere to play. They are ok with it since they know if two weeks, they will have their own room and PLENTY of space to play.

Tomorrow is the day..

2009-01-08T18:42:00.000-08:00

for inspections at the house we are buying. I am so nervous and excited and stressed and every emotion under the sun.
The home is only 3 years old so I really am not anticipating any problems but you never know. Think positive thoughts for us!

House for us!!

2009-01-07T08:58:00.001-08:00

Yep we are buying a house! This process has taken us over two years to get to! We have been looking for a house to buy off and on since we moved here. Prices have been to high, then everything was getting gobbled up, we were outbid, the list goes on and on....but finally we are i contract for a house and are doing all inspections this Friday! We are super excited!

Heres a pic of the outside!!!!

Wish us luck! And now off to pack more boxes..gald I will never have to do that again...told Hubby I was never leaving!!

MMMMM...coffee

2009-01-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Isnt coffee just wonderful?! Put some grounds and water into this lovly maching and Viola! Out comes this inticing aroma and this wonderfully smooth drink....aaahhh and hear that? Silence, yep, love enjoying my coffee in utter silence around me so that I can just sit at my computer drink away and catch up on all my favorite people in cyber space!

A gentle fairwell

2009-01-02T00:13:00.000-08:00

to 2008 that is...
It was a year of many changes, challenges and triumph's for this family. Our son graduated from Kindergarten, our daughter was bumped up in gymnastics, my loving husband joined the Army Reserve and I became stronger. I felt a love for my husband so deep that I was amazed by it. It has shaken me to my core and made me so happy.
This year, I have made many new friends and thankfully I have not lost any. My friendship with few has grown stronger and I think of them as my family here. It is amazing how motherhood can allow you to create such an amazing bond with others.
I still think of those that I have lost, those I didnt get to know, those I wanted to know more. I think of my best friends that do not live near me and wish that with the snap of my finger we all can be together again. But there is a time and a place for everything and only God knows why things happen the way they do.
I have hopes for this new year...2009. Richard and I have dreams for this year; ones we feel are worth working hard for and struggling to get!
I pray for those friends of mine that are hurting right now, those that have found their way, those struggling to find an answer & obtain something special to them. I pray for my siblings for they all have a journey of their own they are on, for my parents that they continue to be happy and healthy and for my nieces and nephews that they grow up to understand the love around them and cherish each other.
I wish for my children to continue to grow and amaze me, to understand the love their father and I have for them, and to still love us unconditinally.
For my husband I hope for him continued success at his career, for his advancement in the Army and for him to always feel the love I have for him.
And for me, I pray that all of my wishes and prayer for those I love come true.
May 2009 bring you many blessings, smiles, laughter, and anything your heart is wanting.

New Layouts!

2008-12-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

Just some layouts that I have done lately! I had a huge rush of inspiration...

To All A good night!

2008-12-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

This was emailed to me and I had to share it.
God Bless the men and women who fight for our freeedoms everyday! May we never forget them! Thank You!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then thesure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's lightThen he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.""It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,The red, white, and blue... an American flag.I can live through the cold and the being alone,Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another,Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..Who stand at the front against any and all,To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.""But isn't there something I can do, at the least,"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,"Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,To know you remember we fought and we bled.Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Keeping busy...

2008-12-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Kristine asked me how to keep herself busy while her husband is gone for nine weeks! He just joined the guard..I know that feeling of what you are going to do when your husband is gone! Since my husband is in the Reserve, I am blessed that he was only gone the once so far! But those five months were enough! What kept me going was lots of playdates with my kids friends, BBQ's with family and friends, and my hobby of scrapbooking! The nights were the hardest, they do get lonly but I came up with a routine that worked for me as far as what I would do once th kids were in bed. I would clean up the kitchen, do some scrapbooking, read or take a bath, call a friend to just chat and email and of couse this blog!
Keeping the kids busy was hard too! I got some great advise of taking the kids to McDonald's for a sundae and then letting them play....my kkids are totally into arts and crafts to we colored, painted and drew a ton! We went to the library more than normal, swam in the pool a bit longer, all the stuff we normally would do just a bit longer or more often. Plus, having those nights that you would just sit and watch a movie together and just relax was great too.
Hope all this helps and I hope others reading this can add to the great things you can do while the husband and dad is gone! Keep in contact Kristine! It will go by fast!

Thanksgiving!

2008-12-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

My Thanksgiving was great! Suprisingly, it wasnt too hectic and we were able to really hang out and enjoy each other! I so love my family and am glad that we got to spend it with them!

My son and his cousin giving funny faces!

My parents....arent they cute!

My and my love before we left for our family reunion.

I am so thankful for my husband, my children, my family, that my husband has a job, for our Armed Forces, scrapbooking, books, my friends in real life and cyber, for Jesus in my heart and life.
I am so thankful that I have the right and freedom to be who I am and to say how I feel!

I have so many new layouts that I have created...I hope to get them up and on the computer soon!

So many new layouts!!

2008-10-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy lately scrapping away! Along with helping at my son's school, carting both kids to school, karate, gymnastics and church!

The third weekend of October, I met up with some ladies I had met at Allyscraps and went to the Scrappbook Expo in Sacramento. We had a great time and I got tons of scrapping done!

Enjoy all my new work... And Happy Halloween!!

My husband came home from his first weekend that he had to report to his unit and when he got home he left his boots our to dry and I took the opportunity to take a pic and scrap it!

My dear daughter and her best friend after a tour of a local fire station.

When my husband came home, the kids didnt leave his side.

My son at the Aquarium...he loves that place!

My dad and my daughter riding my dad's horse...

A fun night at home with my husband giving the kids horsey rides...

That is all for now....

2008-10-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

I created this layout the other night while a friend was here scapping with me while all the kids played and the men watched baseball...

My son had to take this picture for his dad, when we were taking first day of school pictures..he loves his daddy and looks just like him!

Head over to Allyscraps to join everyone for a month long of challenges, games and prizes! It is already so much fun!

One more for him!

2008-09-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

I did another layout and it happens to be another one of me and my husband! You would think that we dont have kids!