Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

TGIF!!!!!!!! And if it's Friday, than this must be Show and Tell!! And if this is Show and Tell Friday, you'll need to please go see Mary over @ Canadagirl to get the details to join us for the fun!

We did it!! We started school this week!! WHAT?! I know. Some of you must be thinking...'Does she KNOW it's almost November?'

Yes, I know what time of the year it is. We school through the summer. It's WAAAAAYYYYY too hot in the summer here to do much outside so we do school. That way we can take time to play outside when it seems everyone else is holed up inside!!! It's a trade-off! : }

Here is what I had waiting for the boys on the first day of school...

They loved it. It seemed to make the day very enjoyable!! Kung Fu Panda even commented that they'd never gotten presents on the first day of school before!!! : }

I gave them their school supplies that we had purchased a few months ago when the stores were having their sales. The supplies have been sitting in one of the baskets I cleaned out earlier this year as part of my Anti-Procrastination project.

They didn't seem to care!! The idea of getting their 'stuff' as a gift was a HUGE hit. I'll probably do this every year!!

Well, this has been a great first week of school!! It only seems fitting to end it with a fun Show and Tell!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

What's today? You guessed it...It's Show and Tell Friday with our wonderful host Mary! If you'd like to join or want to visit other wonderful show and tells, please go see her over @ Canadagirl and check it out!!

Well, last Friday, Shani and I decided to take the boys to a  local pumpkin patch/corn maze! There were pumpkins, a bounce house, a corn maze, AND 95 DEGREE HEAT! I don't think that's even right in October!!

We had a great time!!

We started by splitting up to do the cornmaze! Guess who won?! None other that the moms!! WHOO HOO!

Oh, and I must add that her hubby was with us so technically he won too! Even if he IS directionally challenged!! he he he

Next came the 'littles'... don't tell them I said that. They wouldn't like it!

And last, but not least was the big boys...

After drinking MUCH water, IT WAS HOT, the boys decided to do the pedal cars...

I must insert here that Piper is almost 6' tall! It was hysterical watching him! I did get video! he he he

Oh, and he DID lap people!! Must be the long legs!!

Next came Cooper Kid...

...and then Kung Fu Panda...

Yes, that is my son with the BLACK beanie cap on in 95 degree heat!! Oh well!! What can I do?! His dad had just returned from a business trip the day before and that was his present. He HAD to wear it!! : }

And then we have Jigger... I was told he STRONGLY dislikes bikes because he has to pedal.

At one point, each of the other boys were trying to push, pull or 'bumper car' him to the finish line!! It was hysterical to watch!!!

All in all, we had a grand time!! And, it wouldn't be a pumpkin patch visit without this annual picture...

I don't care how old they get. I want that picture!! he he he

Valerie, you will be pleased to know that those around us ALSO had a grand time! (Except for the lady Shani got wet with the water bottle!! he he he)

I just hope it's cooler next year!!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Hello all!!! Welcome. Today is Show and Tell Friday!! If you'd like to participate or see what others are showing and telling today, please go see Mary over @ Canadagirl and check it out!!

Today I'm sure you'll utter the words..."She's a dork." That's ok. Today, I AM a dork!! I'm showing my new refrigerator. Well, it's not BRAND new, but it's new to me.

We have the most wonderful christian landlords. They purchased a new refrigerator and immediately thought of us when wondering what to do with the 'old' one! YEAH!!

Yes, that's the new one, complete w/my 'junk' already on it! he he he

See, I have the most wonderful hubby in the world. Not only did he go get it from them so they wouldn't have to pay a mover, he moved the old fridge out, reloaded the new one AND 'redecorated' for me!!

It's a side by side!! I LOVE THAT!!! (Whoa, you can certainly tell A LOT about a person when you peek into their fridge! ~hmm, maybe I shouldn't have shown this one. he he he  : }  )

It comes complete with an ice and water dispenser! WHOO HOO!! I've never had one of those before!! I'm totally loving it!!! (The kids are too!! )

Well, that's my show for today. Thanks for stoppin' by!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Hello everyone!!! Welcome to another installment of Show and Tell. If you'd like to see what everyone is showing in 'class' today or you'd like to join in, please go see our wonderful host Mary over @ Canadagirl and join us!!!

Last Friday I took time 'off' from bloggland to 'play' with my hubby. It was his 40th birthday and the boys and I planned a surprise party for him!!! Let me tell ya, that was NOOOOO easy task. Just ask Shani ~ She heard my woes practically all week. Love you, my friend!! : }

My hubby is one who wants to be surprised, but has the penchant to dig into things ~ ask questions, make his OWN plans and tell me later, and become suspicious if I deter from what he calls my 'normal behavior' even a microscopic amount!!  Do you KNOW how hard it is to surprise a person like that?! NOT EASY!!!!

Well, let me tell ya.... First, he came home early from work EVERYDAY last week. What?! Ugh!!!!!

Then he decided to plan his own 'get together' with some of our friends. Yep, you guessed it, he started calling some of them to come over for 'fellowship' time on Friday. I had some of our friends come in from Kingman (yes, it was all part of my master plan! : } ) and Ned thought it would be great to have others come while they were here. Of course I'm trying to play damage control and contact people before he does, but low and behold he had beaten me to it. Hmmm, I wonder if he started calling BEFORE he said something to me. Hmmmm. Thankfully people were onto him and told him they had plans and couldn't make it! he he he!!

Then, on the day of the party I planned to get him out of the house by having all of us go to an advanced kicking seminar that our karate family was putting on. It worked allright, but on the way there our friends' vehicle broke down. Just up and stopped. Guess what I did? Laughed. HA HA HA HA HA HA What else was I going to do. If I didn't laugh I would've screamed!!! (or maybe hurt someone!! : } )

Needless to say, it was an adventure. We did go to the class, and we did go to dinner because that was the plan. Any deterring from that would've aroused suspicion! An hour past the scheduled time we arrived home to find my wonderful friends and family had decorated and were in the driveway singing a great rendition of Happy Birthday!! He was absolutely shocked!!!

Here are some of the pics of how great the house looked and the great gifts (insert sarcasm here : }  ) he received!!

We had a great time!!! He actually did get some great gifts!! We'll be eating out for quite awhile!! WHOO  HOOO!!!

He told me how absolutely shocked and surprised he was!! He had NO CLUE!!!! WHHOOOO HHHOOO I DID IT!!! Whew!!! Now I'm free until the 80th!!! he he he

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's what time? It's Show and Tell Friday time!!! Whoo Hoo!!! If you'd like to see what others are sharing and/or you'd like to join in, please go see our wonderful host Mary @ Canadagirl!!

If you've visited with me before, maybe you've caught me bragging on my kids about how well they did in our states first karate tournament. Well, at this same tournament we did a fund raiser forHomes of Hope in Fiji   by having anyone who wanted to buy some boards to break. They could kick them or punch them. Of course there were rules by which everyone had to abide. I'll spare you the details  because I want to get to the good stuff ~ My kids!! : }

I was recently given some pictures a friend took of my kids breaking boards.

This was Kung Fu Panda's favorite part!! He even took some of his birthday money and bought some boards to break!!!

Cooper Kid couldn't be outdone. He had to try a kick as well.

They both did great and we didn't have any broken bones, cuts, or scratches!! We were even able to raise $400.00. I don't think it gets any better than that for a first year!!!

Next year will be even better! 

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Hello everyone!!! I'm glad you stopped by for today's Show and Tell!!! If you'd like to join us or you just wanted to see what others are sharing, please stop by our host Mary's site @ Canadagirl!!!

As I sat down today and tossed around a couple of ideas as to what I would share, my mind started to wander to thoughts of what I have to do today ~ what's going on this weekend~ I better get my run in before the heat of the day kicks in...(remember ADOS?) that's where it stopped. I had an 'A HA'moment. C'mon, you all have them too. I'm not the only one. My 'A HA' was that I could share what I've been doing diligently for the last 8 months!!

Last January at a New Year's Eve party with some friends from church this picture was taken of me...

Now, faced with the reality of this picture,(and motivated by the fact that we were travelling back to my hometown in May for my 40th birthday with my twin) I took matters into my own hands. I started working out and watching what I ate.

Through A LOT of hard work, sweat, tears and many a morning of NOT WANTING TO WORK OUT AGAIN mentality I can show you all this picture ~ taken this morning by Kung Fu and in the same outfit as that fateful first picture...

...43 lbs later and in the best shape of my life!!! I am eating healthier ~and consequently so is my family~I can do more with my kids and not be out of breath. And I FEEL better!!! For me it wasn't a diet. It's a lifestyle change!!! Best change I've EVER made!!! If I can do it, anyone can!!!

Best of all, that morning workout time is my time with my Lord. It's fabulous!!! Now the mentality is 'I can't wait to spend time with Him!!!' I'll do it this way for as long as I can!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's Show & Tell Time again!!! If you'd like to join us or just check out some other Show & Tell's, please join me and other's @ Mary's site Canadagirl to join in!!!

Boy did I have a little 'Christmas' last week while doing my Anti-Procrastination project!!! I found all kinds of goodies I had forgotten about!!!

First there were cards I had made and stashed away (and forgotten :}  ) ...

A pumpkin card...

I would love to take credit for this, but this was an idea from a party I went to!!! I did make this particular example though!!! Doesn't that count?!

This, however, IS my idea..

Yes, for all of you girly girls, it's a purse card!! (Believe it or not, I'm turning into one as well and I'm loving it!! he he he)

And a few more close ups...

And then I found templates.  These are ones I made at parties I went to over the years. I hope to use them in the future!! Some are absolutely adorable!!!

This one is a card that opens differently than regular cards. (Please excuse the crazy decorations and background! I did that just to create the template!:}  )

This next one was given to me as a card!! I just love it! (sorry for the blurriness!! The low light in the craft area is something I'll have to work on!!! :}  )

As you can see, the center of the card opens up into a heart!!! What a clever idea!!

This next one is a little 'box' that the opening twists upon itself.

I also found a template for a little card-made portofolio!!! You could use this for invitations, pictures, recipes... the ideas are only limited by my imagination!!!

And then there is my favorite... I love this little gem...

Yes, you are seeing that correctly!!! It's a shirt! And it's made out of paper!! How adorable is that?!

I wish I could take credit for this as well, but... yes, another party!!! Did you happen to remember what my blog name is? That ought to tell you VOLUMES!!! When it comes to stamping parties, I'm a junkie~ My hubby tells me they have a group at Celebrate Recovery for people like me!! he he

I THINK he was kidding!?! :} Oh well...

See, Anti-Procrastination projects may start out as drudgery, but they can turn up little 'Christmases' like mine did!!! (Not only that, but it gave me a Show and Tell! he he he )

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's Show and Tell time!!! If you'd like to join in on the fun, please go see our wonderful host Mary over @ Canadagirl!!!

I didn't have anything for S& T today so I went to Mary's site this morning to see what her S & T would be for today and I read the first few lines that said...

 "I have to share a long lost treasure that was buried in the cove of future upstairs bathroom... "

Now, knowing what I know (she was referring to her Anti- Procrastination project) I got to thinking..."Hmmmm, I have a few things 'I' found while working on MY AP project. I could show those."

So...here is what I found...

They are now 13 and 10 now. I think they'll love me for this. Whaddaya think?

Oh, there's more...

This is Cooper Kid showing off his 'muscles'. He's 13 now. I can't wait to show his future wife these!! he he he

I had just told Kung-Fu Panda I was going to get him and this was his response. He was 3. Now he's 10. What do you think HIS future wife will say when I  show her these?

These are some of my favorite pics. I had such a wonderful time traipsing down memory lane. (It helped. I was doing that awful AP project and finding these treasures kept me going. I was secretly looking for more. he he he ~ Tina, this is why I started praying for you and your AP project. I kept getting distracted by these 'treasures'!! )

And I saved the best for last...

My mom had originally cut this out when she was doing her scrapbooking. She gave me all of her supplies when she grew tired of doing it. (She'd rather be outside gardening! :}  )  These supplies, thrown together with my own, created a monster that is only part of my AP project!!

This picture shows my kids in absolute joy!!! It can't get any better than that!!

I hope you have fun finding your own treasures!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's time again for Show and Tell Friday's!! YEAH!!! If you'd like to join us, please go see our wonderful host Mary over @Canadagirl and join in the fun!

Today I'm going to brag on my boys! I know I know, surprise surprise!!!

We found a wonderful christian-based kararte called Youn Wha Ryu. Two weeks ago Youn Wha had their first Arizona state tournament. We had over 80 students participate!! WOW!! That's great for a program that's only been in the state for approximately 1 1/2 yrs.

My boys did excellent. Cooper kid took gold in his forms and silver in sparring. Now mind you, he's 13 so he was in the 13 -17 class. There were two other boys, both a foot taller than him. He lost the gold to a young man who also had him by 50 lbs.  We are so proud of him for sticking in there and NEVER complaining!!!

(Sorry for the bluriness! It's the best one during the medal presentation!) That's Cooper Kid in the middle. Yes, he's the smallest, but he made a big statement!!

Kung-Fu Panda also took gold in his forms and silver in sparring. He lost to a red belt, one belt higher than him.  He had 3 minutes between his semi-final fight and the finals. Needless to say he was a little wore out! He also did excellent and we're also very proud of him!

He was soooo excited. They start out by calling out those who received ribbons and then up to calling out gold last. By the time they called bronze he was so excited it looked like he had ants in his pants!!

We prayed long and hard for a christian-based karate and we are thoroughly blessed to have found that and so much more. They have become a wonderful extended family!!

This is only the beginning for us!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's Show and Tell Friday time again!!! To join in on the fun please go see Mary over @ Canadagirl and join in!!

I am one happy mama!!! Kung-Fu Panda has a heart as big as ...... well, it's just HUGE!! His birthday was last month. Of course being the prudent 'tightwad' that he is he still has birthday money! (WHOOO HOOO!!)

My oldest loves to crossstitch. He has made some pretty cool things. Well, KFP, wanting to do EVERYTHING big brother does, decides he would like to learn to crossstitch as well.  I set them both up last year with their own supplies ~ needles, floss, material, etc. ~ and they were off and running. Sometimes they feel creative and pick up their crossstitch bags and make something! Last week was one of those weeks!

Kung-Fu made this for me...

I was completely unaware he was making something for me. He had dad take him to Wal-Mart when he came home from work and he bought the frame it's in and these for me...

...WITH HIS LEFTOVER BIRTHDAY MONEY, NO LESS!!! He picked out these beautiful carnations, which are still alive and thriving today, because he wanted them to last a long time!! I tell ya!! I just love that boy!!! His wife better thank me one day!! he he he

So you can see what a proud mama I am! I have the most awesome kids around! (Yeah, I know. I'm a little biased!!)

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

It's time to brighten up our day, class! It's Show & Tell time!! Please see Mary over @ Canadagirl to join in on the fun! Thanks Mary for hosting us today!!

I want to share a little of my date from last week.

My hubby and I went to the Mill district in Tempe. It is a place where there are MANY restaurants & shops all squeezed together in about a four-block radius! It has it's quaint spots and raucous spots as well. (I learned it's on campus! )

We started out at 'Extreme Pita'...

It's set up like Subway in that you choose your pita and then you go down the line to choose your 'toppings'. I love to try places I've never been. The food was pretty good, but the company was better! :}

We walked the few blocks to where the shops were and walked up and down the 'tree lined street'. (And yes, there was more than one street with trees!:}  )

We found a small courtyard that had many small shops surrounding it. It had a gazebo in the center where we took this shot...

There was also a waterfall in this courtyard. (My hubby took it sideways and I can't seem to get it to come through upright!    Sorry! :{  )

Overall it was an interesting evening!! I learned a lot. I learned that I'm a pretty simple woman. I don't need a lot of glitz and glamour to make me happy. I'm just as content to grab a good movie and some popcorn and watch it from the comfort of my own home!! Ya just don't know until you try and now I know!!

Will I do this again? Maybe not the Mill District, but definitely a night trying new places and doing things I've never done before!!

Isn't that what date nights are for?

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Hey look! Show and Tell Friday is back!! Yeah!! You can take part too! All you have to do is go see Mary over @ Canadagirl and join us!

I'M GOING ON A DATE! I'M GOING ON A DATE!! Ok. For me, this weeks S & T is a little different. I'm going to tell before the happenin'!!   YEAH!!!

My hubby is taking me to the Mill District in Tempe~Arizona for those who don't know~to do whatever my little heart desires!! I get to choose any or all of the following. So sit back and enjoy the picture show!! (he he he )

I could shop...

Yes, we have trees in Arizona!!

Or I could have my hubby take me on a ...

...paddle boat ride!

Yes, we have water too!! We're a very progressive state! (Ha ha ha ! I crack me up!!)

And I could have him take me to a plethora (like that word!!) of choice reataurants!!

Z-Tejas Southwestern Grill.  Or...

Macayo's Depot Cantina.

Or...My Big Fat Greek Restaurant~which is my absolute FAVORITE! Or...Extreme Pita. Or... Are you gettin' the picture that I have A LOT of restaurant choices all within a short distance of each other!!?!

Then to end the night ...

... a walk down this beautiful sidewalk with some window shopping into museums, galleries, and stores!! WHHOOO HHOOO!!

Oh my! Whatever will I wear?

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

If you'd like to join in on the fun of Show and Tell Friday, please go see Mary over @ Canadagirl and join us!

This week I'm going to brag on Cooper Kid! He was at camp in San Diego last week. We picked him up around 6pm on Friday from church and karate testing was @ 10:30 on Saturday. I wasn't sure if I should let him go because of the circumstances, but he wanted to go.

He did fabulous and stuck in there like a trooper. For those of you who don't know, (I used to be one of them) it's an intense 15-20 minutes of doing forms, kicks, and punches that even the most in shape person is panting at the end.

Here he is warming up w/Dad!

Ok, I know this one is blurry, but it shows a great kick.

We are so proud of him! This earned him his green belt, just in time for our state's very first tournament! YEAH!!! (I was a bad mommy and forgot to take my camera to class when he received his belt. A great friend had her's so that's what we used. When I get those I'll post them. ~That'll just get ya to come back and see me again! he he he )

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

If you'd like to join in on the fun of Show and Tell Fridays, please see Mary over @ Canadagirl and join us!!

Ok. I have to brag a little bit. Kung-Fu Panda turned 10 on Monday. We started a tradition that on their birthday, they can do whatever they want-within reason!:} Since Cooper Kid was away at camp, (which he didn't like very well) he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He finally decided to go get the gift my sister asked me to pick up for him. (she lives out of state!)

We ventured to the new Lego store and he came home w/an AT-ST. It's what my kids like to call a 'chicken walker' from Star Wars. Yes, we are geeky Star Wars fans!! Please hold your oohhs and ahhhs until the end. There are pictures involved!!

So here is the first pic-Dad and KFP getting ready to start building. (oh, and the age 'suggestion' on the box said 14 and up!-He's 10!!! I did warn you I was going to brag a little bit!)

...and here Dad is telling him how high he thought it might end up being...

(like the shirt change on Ned? And they say girls like to change their clothes too much!! He He He)

The first leg done!!

Hours later they have now produced this...(did I mention the age 'suggestion' said 14 and up? :} )

Here are the next few stages...

By this time they have spent a total of 5 hrs. 'playing' w/Legos! They stopped for about 20 minutes to eat a quick dinner and then went back to it!! (Ned's 40th is in Sept. I'm thinkin' Legos might be a good gift. Whaddaya think? He He He)

Over the course of the next few days, with an hour here and there, he gets these...

...finally, *whew*, long post, I know, but I'm a proud mama, here is the final product!!

Well, if you stayed with me this long, you are either a great friend, (SS:} ) or I've had a great S & T Friday story!! Yeah me!!

Thanks for joining in my fun today!!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Thanks to Canadagirl for S & T Friday's. If you'd like to take part, please see her!

Hello everyone!! My S & T is the video my hubby shot when he surprised me w/my twin on our 40th b-day!! I had NO  idea he was flying him out here!! It was the bomb!!!

Yes, I know. I'm a dork, but I was SOOOOOOOO excited to see him.

My family was leaving for Mich. to celebrate our b-day so I didn't have ANY clue that Ned would do this for me!!

Oh, and the dance is what my men like to call 'the happy dance'!!!!

They are now threatening to blackmail me with this video. Ha Ha Ha!

With me using it first, I win. They don't!!  Yeah!!!

Enjoy!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

Just wanted to thank Canadagirl for hosting S & T Friday's. If you want to take part, check out her site.

A friend of mine told me of a great make-at-home pocket planner that she had found online. Well, I checked it out; tried one out and thought it was pretty quaint. For those of us who are frugal and don't want to carry around our 3-ring school planners everywhere, I thought this was a great alternative.

For anyone interested, here is the link:

http://www.pocketmod.com/

Enjoy!

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Posted in Show and Tell Fridays

I just want to take a minute and thank Canadagirl for hosting Show and Tell Friday's. Check her out!

This is my first Show and Tell Friday. I want to brag on the Lord and answers to a praying mama! My hubby and I have prayed for direction for our children-where to get them involved. Cooper Kid LOVES  music and drama! We found out last year the new church we started attending was doing auditions for the next yrs. KidStuf show. It's where kids invite their parents to learn.  Cooper Kid was a little old for the age they were looking for, but they loved him. Both boys made it and had a blast.

Here they both are rockin' it out!

Here is Cooper Kid in his element and having the time of his life.

Don't think I've left out Kung-Fu Panda. My hubby and I also prayed for his direction as well. He loves karate and we found a christian karate school new to the area last yr. Youn Wha Rhu. They are wonderful!! They start in prayer. They finish in prayer. (Once again, answers for a praying mama!!)

Here he is recieving his yellow belt!! Oh what a smile of joy!

Here is some of our wonderful karate family. Yes, they've become what my hubby and I like to call our family of choice.

So, for my first Show and Tell Friday kudos go to the Lord for His ever wonderful gifts of answered prayer!!

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