April has been an amazing, crazy month.
Fast recap: Rob and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary, Wyatt bridged to Webelos, I enrolled Chelsea into kindergarten, I had my first canvas art workshop, Rob road in the El Tour De Mesa, we found Anna a new home and I've lost 19 lbs.
It's not that I haven't thought about blogging I've just been putting it aside for things that I deem more important. Today I've had some time to sit and chill so I decided I could do a quick update.

This morning Rob called me outside and showed me this beautiful dragonfly. We don't see them very often around our home so I ran back inside for the camera. Mr. beautiful stayed still for me until I tried to get a picture from a different angle and then he took off. Its so lovely to see the butterflies and all the birds visiting again now that all the flowers are blooming. Rob and I both have so much joy when we come home and see the flowers blooming, smell the jasmine and hearing the birds chirp.
Spring is my favorite time of year, everything is new, fresh and vibrant.
I really don't know how I want to begin in my update or if I just want to move forward. My days this past month have consisted of; dropping the kids off at school, hitting the gym, errands and then home. I work on everyday stuff, have lunch with Chelsea and Rob, pick the kids up from school and then prep dinner before we hit the gym again. Then its home for dinner and usually off to scouts or something else that needs to be done. Most of my free time has been creating which has been so fulfilling.
While on the treadmill or the elliptical I've taken to watching you tube videos to pass the time. I feel inspired, rejuvenated and flat out amazing.
I have started my first Smash book , gotten into mixed media art and I'm just trying all kinds of new things.
My time has run out, ha ha and I'm off on another adventure.
*Carrie*

This past weekend we went to Roper Lake with the cub scouts and had family camp.
This was the first time our family had been there and I must say it was a beautiful campground.
We stayed on the inside of Gila  group campground in tents and there are 9 cabins around us and facing the lake.
The cabins were just adorable, I really want to go back just to stay in the cabin.
We had about 10 families join us and there really is plenty to do. In the morning after our showers, yes they have showers, we hiked around on the trails between campgrounds.

There is a little creek that runs between the cabins and the showers and this creek feeds into the lake. One of the bridges that crossed over was a covered bridge, so cute and I forgot to get a photo.
Anyway, you can swim, fish and canoe in this lake. The scenery was so peaceful. I hope next time we can stay in a cabin so that I can sit on the porch swing and just enjoy the scenery.
We heard coyotes early in the morning along with these really cool, loud birds. they were black with yellow breasts and some had yellow heads. I will post a photo later. I highly recommend visiting if your looking for a quiet place to relax. We saw several families that had brought bicycles and rode around the three campgrounds and the peninsula. Oh and I'm no way affiliated or being paid for this endorsement. LOL. I'm just a satisfied customer.

Seriously, where the heck have I been?
Granted my little world isn't sitting still but to not have posted in a couple of weeks. Insane!
Let's see, all the kids got eye exams and Kelly and Wyatt have perfect vision and Chelsea's vision is better so we picked out cute new glasses that she started wearing yesterday.
Wyatt was accepted into the TUSD gate program and we were given the options to either stay at Ford and only have a couple of hours a week in the accelerated program or change schools and go to Kellond for all day gate. We have gone ahead and enrolled him so that he has a spot for next year. This left us in a bit of a conundrum. Kelly is starting Secrist Middle school this fall and Wyatt is going to Kellond, what about Chelsea? Do we take her to Ford or see if we can also get her into Kellond?
At the kindergarten round up yesterday I had the chance to talk to Fords Principal, Ms. Leman (who happens to be Dr. Kevin Lemans daughter) and she encouraged me to enroll Chelsea into Kellond. Which leads me to more changes. Kellond starts classes at 9:10 am instead of Ford's 7:45. Most people would be cheering because of the chance to sleep in, but our family is usually up and going by 7:30. This completely throws off my day (I know, I'll get used to it). Added to all of this is that all my kids will now be riding buses! The mom mobile is going to an on call basis. :)
What other news can I remember... Girls Scout cookie season is over and Kelly sold 205+ boxes. She earned all the prizes that she wanted so I'm happy for her. Wyatt had his Blue and Gold ceremony at Pinnacle Peak back in Feb. and as of right now has done everything he needs to, to make his next rank which is Webelos (We be loyal scouts). Two more years and then he joins Boy Scouts. oh my goodness.
When I say we're busy, this is roughly what our week nights look like:
Monday- gym, girls scouts every other week
Tuesday- cub scouts
Wednesday- gym and usually free
Thursday- home church
Friday- gym and usually free
add to the mix, I spend 4 mornings out of the week at the gym myself on top of the 3 evenings. I have lost 10 lbs as of this mornings weigh in!
Weekends are a mix of crazy.
Let's see... I bought a smash journal and have been caught up watching you tube videos to see how other people have used theirs, then that morphed into me watching videos on how to do mixed media art journals and canvas. Oh, am I all a twitter and have been playing around with sprays and stencils, paint and markers. It's fun to watch videos while on the treadmill, makes the time seem to go faster and I learn something too.
So this weekend I plan on smashing my book and taking some more photos.
With all the school changes going on I better get the kids' school albums assembled and caught up before the summer starts.
Coming up this month we have our annual Easter Egg hunt and then Rob is doing El Tour De Mesa, Our sweet 16th wedding anniversary, I'm doing the scrapbook convention with mom and Annette, the church wide Beta retreat and then I'm hosting a canvas art workshop. I think next weekend is our only free weekend left unless I have forgotten something.
Pure insanity
At least it should give me stuff to post about. I think I should upload this months photos so far so I can show instead of tell you whats going on.
Tonight is the open house for Secrist, so we are going to go see and get a feel for where Kelly will be going next year. All my babies are growing up wayyyyy to quickly.
*Carrie*

5 things right now

This morning I made some weekly goals for myself.
1. To lose weight. I'm still working out Mon-Fri but this past weekend I wasn't completely healthy in my eating.
2. I saw a motivation board on pinterest and want to recreate one for myself, one with positive quotes and plenty of encouragement.
3. I also want to make a visualization board, goals and dreams, things to strive for, pray for
4. I want to paint one canvas this week, no matter how small
5. To do my best to think and be more positive.
Me, right now?
I want to take my family and go travel, see the world and all its majesties.
I want to have a bigger craft space, space for everything and the kids :)
I want a clear vision of what God wants me to do. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels
And finally, I'm scared and tired.
Working through fear would probably be very easy if I didn't procrastinate. lol
I keep putting up road blocks instead of taking the small steps to move forward.

I dream, but have no idea where to start.
First draft isn't the final draft.
Practice makes perfect.
At one point we are all amateurs.
On the flip side are all the negatives screaming back at me:
Not good enough,
never gonna have it
don't deserve it
its too hard
what if its more than I can handle
what if I fail?.......
In all honesty, I'm going to get this stuff done, I'm just struggling right now.
Please pray for me, OK? Maybe leave me a word of encouragement.

*Carrie*

While I love Valentine's Day for all the red, pinks and hearts, I'm not one of those women who expect flowers and a box of chocolates. Something about this day tends for me to think it's more about a yearly affirmation that my husband still loves me. I don't need that because my hubby tells me every day in lots of little ways that he loves me. While getting a huge box of chocolate sounds really awesome right now, it will just make my butt bigger and I'm really working on making it smaller, and the flowers will just wilt and die in a couple of days. Now plants from the local nursery, heck yeah!
I've dropped a few pounds and am still working out almost every single day. At first it was all about the competition and the money, now it's about me and I'm truly believing that because when everyone posted their weight loss/gain I wasn't comparing myself to others.
Yesterday Rob and I were able to go with Wyatt on a field trip to see a trio of Taiko drummers. It was really cool, we got to ride on a school bus there and back. Oh the memories. The drummers were amazing to watch and great with the kids. Granted at times it was super loud and some of the kids were covering their ears but so inspiring. The men talked about how they met, and when they first started playing the drums and their journeys. Just cool.

We came home from school to find that Anna and Bailey had gotten into another fight. The fights have really escalated the last month or so. In this picture Bailey is on the left and Anna is on the right with Bacon in the middle.
Bailey was bad enough that we had to take her into the emergency vet. We were all crying. She had a huge gash on her right paw that had to be stapled and a sprained paw and on the backside of the left paw she had another gash that had to be stapled. Plus other cuts and puncture wounds. The dogs managed to get her harness off without unhooking or breaking it in any way. My poor baby. We've talked to a couple of vets and we can't find the cause of the fights and we aren't home when they happen.
Thanks to mom, who loaned us the $400 to get her cleaned up and into the e collar,  we packed up the crate and moved her to mom's house to recover. We were concerned about mom's dog Gerdie, but so far it has been going well. We think Gertie, who is pretty much deaf and blind, senses that Baily is hurting and is concerned. Mom says that last night Gertie slept next to the crate while Bailey cried on and off, and this morning the two did really well. As long as Bailey does well and doesn't destroy mom's house, she can stay. We are still planning on keeping Anna on one condition, she can't attack another dog or person, if she does, she's gone.
While this whole situation breaks my heart and I have cried so much, I have to do what's best even when it hurts.
After talking with mom this morning she has full plans on spoiling Bailey in hopes that she doesn't eat her coffee table or her plants.
Believe me, I have prayed and journaled that things will work out for all parties.
Also, I have no plans on taking or posting photos of Bailey's injuries. It hurts too much.
*Carrie*

Last week I went on a field trip with Kelly's class to Old Tucson. I couldn't tell you how long its been since I've been there.
It was Ted Walker Youth day and there was about 4000 people and students running around.
One of the attractions was the chance to read to a horse. This fella was getting a little lippy with his handler and was making all sorts of funny faces.
Out of all the photos I took, this one kept flashing in my mind, except the handlers hand wasn't in the way.
The photo seems to depict my life right now. A little wacky.
I finished the Breaking Free bible study and I received a bunch of insight and strategies for going through life. I've taken a few days off and have begun my Artist Way, Finding Water book. This one is more challenging because now I have to reach out to my support system. Even though these people are family and friends there is still a vulnerability I'm trying to overcome. Plus this also means I actually have to stop talking and start doing.
Guess what? I have also joined the weight loss challenge with some of the ladies from church. This is my second week and although I'm down a pound from my starting weight I gained a pound from my excuse, the Superbowl and leftovers. Today I met with the trainer to set up an exercise plan. Holy cow, I'm both excited and nervous. Tomorrow I am doing my first zumba class! I'm excited.
I truly want to be down to 200lbs. I felt and looked my best then and I'm so tired of being one of the biggest people in the room. In the last year I have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and now hyper tension. I'm not going down this road if I can help it, which I can.
Wanna know what else I'm doing? I've started working on the 52 lists project . Granted I started this yesterday but it fits where I am mentally right now and I can't wait to see what the end of the year will look like. It will be cool to look back and have such a glimpse of me one day.
I was on the treadmill yesterday and I watched most of the Secret. I've always wondered what it was about but didn't want to watch something that was against my faith. HAHAHAHA. It truly is about your attitude and your positive mental walk with God. At least that is what I got out of it. I think I will watch it again because I want to take notes and let the stuff sink in.
Back late last spring I started reading Heart Steps , and the set I got was for my kindle which included Heart Steps, Blessings, Transitions and Answered Prayers. By the end of Heart Steps I had such a positive frame of mind, I was more grateful and was actively looking for God in my life. After losing Braxton I stumbled hard, it has taken me months to get this awesome feeling back. You know, the one you don't want to end and you want to share with everyone?
Yeah, that one.
Because it just popped into my head here is my daily list: Jesus Calling devotional , journaling, getting the kids to school, gym, Finding Water study and fill in on my 52 lists (if needed).
By lunch time, Rob comes home and we eat and talk, if I have any questions or need an opinion Rob is a great sounding board.
Having so many positives sets me up for a better day. To grow, stretch and reaffirm how amazing everyday is.
My suggestions are to find things you're interested in, positive things, and delve deep into them. We all have so much untapped energy, heart and possibilities.
*Carrie*

 This month has been filled with many ups and downs, like most months I guess.
Last week we said goodbye to my friend Karen's mother, a feisty woman who upon meeting you, you became family. I created 3 sympathy cards, one for her dad, one for Karen, and one for her daughter. The service was sweet and it was nice to see some familiar faces.

While it was nice to get into my room and create, it was strongly on my heart why and really wanting to convey some beautiful, heartfelt sympathy. Does that make any sense?

I was able to use my cuttlebug and I must say that some embossing folders brings a sense of elegance to a card as I feel that this one does. I wanted simple and I think I did well.
For Karen's daughters card I wanted something that reflected her and her grandma so added yellow to it. On the inside I put a quote,
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Leo Buscaglia
Have you ever been around someone that just makes you want to be a better person? That was Grandma Jean.

I was back again in my craft room later last week working on making the table place signs for our church banquet. I think I hit the nail on the head with that one. The signs matched the room wonderfully and I wished I had taken a better picture .
I actually used a cricut cart for this one! I pulled out Fancy Frames cricut cart  and selected the second frame. I sized it on my gypsy but the outside of the frame is an 8x10. I even used the photo stand from the cart that I glued onto the back to get them to stand up straight. I had thought about cutting out the easel from the cart but that seemed a lot of work and I only needed 11 of them. Still, they garnered lots of compliments.
It has felt great to be crafty and I have tried to get my room more cleaned up and organized. My lovely friend Julie gave me a 4x4 expedite bookcase and wouldn't you know it it is 2 inches too short to fit where I need it to go. No worries, I talked Rob into letting me put it in our hallway. I will fill it with pretty boxes to hide some of my craft supplies and hopefully make my room more manageable. My craft room is around 8x11 and literally jammed packed with stuff, so much so that I have a very narrow walkway to get to my chair. So imagine crafting and having some companions. Three of my four dogs lay along the path and if I need to move or get out its like herding cats. No one wants to move up or out, or they want some attention and all converge on me keeping me stuck in my seat. Before anyone asks to see a photo the answer is no. I'm just a little bit too embarrassed to show how bad the room looks. I will say that I have made a mental commitment to myself that I will get the bookcase in the hallway and get that room more organized, especially since I plan on going to Phx in April and visiting the scrapbook convention and IKEA. insert evil laugh.

20 random facts about me

To get back into the swing of things I decided to post 20 random facts about me. These are in no particular order, just as they popped into my head.

1. I love mushrooms, sliced, sauteed, stuffed
2. I like grilled cheese sandwiches, the more gooey the better
3. I love most any kind of chocolate, Dove, Hershey's, Lindt
4. I enjoy a good romance novel, especially with some suspense. My favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, Debbie Macomber
5. I really enjoy traveling and wish I could take my kids more places
6. I like to fish, granted I haven't fished since I was a kid in Michigan but I enjoyed it.
7. I like to roller skate not roller blade. When I was a kid, I used to teach the neighborhood kids how to skate. I love it now when the kids' schools do skate night.
8. I like big purses, I'm tired of black and on the search for bright happy colors that fulfill my needs.
9. I like to make casseroles, serious casserole queen here, thankfully the kids are now willing to try them.
10. I am creatively hesitant. I want to make stuff but hold back because the process is either too long or I'm nervous about trying it.
11. I LOVE flowers, especially the kind the don't grow in the desert.
12. I adore bright girly colored shoes, very hard to find in my size, but for Christmas Rob got me these and I love them

     

     
13. I love office supplies, staplers, paper clips, file folders, thank goodness they are now making them in colors and patterns, even more enticing yumminess
14. At one time I wanted to be an entertainment reporter for entertainment tonight
15. I wished I would have continued playing the viola
16. I enjoy listening to most kinds of music, except gangsta rap and death metal
17. I love to learn and understand new things
18. I'm a romantic
19. I really like football, when I was a kid my parents got me a record player and one of my first records was the Houston Oilers fight song along with Queen's, another one bites the dust. I was 7 or 8.
20. My nicknames as kid were; carrot and care bear

*Carrie*

I'm not sure what has brought about this lack of blogging and to be truthful it is really bothering me. I have even gone about searching on how to make my blog more inticing or topics to talk about when I am having a slow period. I'm also thinking about planning some of my blogging
The last couple of weeks I have been working on a couple of crafty projects. One is the black Harbor Freight spinner. Now my dream scrapbook room has happy bright colors and the black sure doesn't fit in, sooo I purchased bright yellow enamel spray paint and went to town. Over the course of several days and several coats, I finally thought I had enough coverage that the paint wouldn't chip off. Alas, I put my first chip on it yesterday when I was cleaning my scrap room. Such a bummer.

In other crafty pursuits, mom bought me a bunch of yarn the other day because I wanted to start making pom poms so that I can string them up around my room. I've made pom poms before but they were all small and the kids had fun with them. This time its all for me. bewahhhhh. I'm in a slightly crazed, happy mood.
Last Friday I picked up the new issue of Creative Spaces Vol 2 . Pure eye candy sure but for me its so inspirational and I love seeing how creative we women are in our spaces. It sure has kick started my desire to get my room clean enough to start making stuff again. It also has helped me to find solutions to a few of my crafty problems, like where to store punches and 6x6 paper pads, oh and my new washi tape collection.
This past weekend was the CHA, craft and hobby association trade show. I get all excited to see what some of my favorite companies are coming out with and how their designers used the product. Mom has asked if we are going to the scrapbook convention in April, gosh I really hope so. I'm learning how to use some new products but they're not cheap and I would like to stock up on other items that I've always bypassed because I felt they were too expensive to purchase. Now if God would just provide the funds, lol, it will be all good. lol
I'm getting more excited because the newest issue of Where Women Create is due to come out soon. I can't wait to see whom they have featured. I'm also on the lookout for their other new magazine, Where Women Create Business.
Now, I must be off, I have to do my bible study for the day and the day is getting away from me.
*Carrie*

Starting a new year is like making a big wish, there are so many possibilities, so much optimism.
This year hasn't started out fantastic. I threw my back out last Friday and I finished up all my muscle relaxers and when my Dr.'s office was closed I went to our local minute clinic at CVS. After waiting for two hours I was told that they couldn't help me. I can't afford the extra cost of going to the urgent care or ER so I waited till my Dr.'s office was open, only to find out that my Dr is out of office until next Monday. My back is still hurting but as long as I take it easy I can get around.
On to the new year.
This is going to be a great year.
I'm working on writing my retreat course and learning and understanding more about me. I will make more time to be creative, I have to because my spirit is just screaming for my creative time. While being laid up I have spent quite a bit of time pinning on pinterest. I have decided that I would like to do one pinterest project a month. I have also expressed my desire to use my cricut carts more. Mom and I are sitting on about 200 carts right now and I would like to get my moneys worth from them. Maybe I can do one cricut cart a week, granted it would take me a couple of years but I would be doing something creative. I want to learn how to art journal and have been checking things out and learning techniques and finding blogs for inspiration.
This year is going to be a great year.
This fall I will have all my kids in school!! Chelsea will be in kindy and Kelly will be in middle school. Wyatt, he has received some awesome news during winter break. He was tested for the gate (gifted) program shortly after school started and we've received his results. My amazing boy scored a 9 out of 9 and a 99% on his test. He will be taking another test in a couple of weeks and this will figure out what services he will get next year.
This year I want to take better care of me. I want to go for more walks and take more pictures. Like so many others I want to pick a word and focus on it for this year. I will check out Ali's blog for a list of one words to get an idea but I think I will also journal and pray about it.
 I have almost finished up a ten week Breaking Free bible study and then I will pick back up on Finding Water with Julia Cameron.
I'm going to be inspired by the good in the world around me. I want to inspire others.
So this year is big wishes, big dreams but also to be realistic. Oh forget realistic, let's go BIG!












*Carrie*

Its 3 hours before midnight and I couldn't let the day pass without any comments now could I?
This past year has been hard for me but I truly feel it will be worth it this coming year.
I will be making some resolutions tomorrow and just trying to get the new year off to a great start.
Off to watch some movies to ring in the new year
Happy New Year!!


*Carrie*

12/12/12

I couldn't let this day past without acknowledging that it will be the last time the date can be matching numerals.
The date is suppose to be a lucky and I must say it turned out exhausting but really good.
To the picture...
I decided to try out a pose I've seen running around pinterest. The kids sure did get a kick out of it. I wrapped 3 separate strands of lights in red, green and white around the kids and Rob had the joy of covering their mouths with the duct tape. I'm not completely sure its Christmas card worthy but my friends have gotten a kick out it.
This month is just flying by I'm cruising right along with it. This Friday is the church Christmas party and on Saturday, Kelly will be walking in the Tucson parade of lights downtown.
December is pure craziness.
I'm gonna stop there. I just re read my post and its a mumble jumble of an update. I'm so tired I can't function right. Here is to a silent night.
*Carrie*

I'm blown away that December is here. I was looking at my blog list and I never finished my thankful #28. Sigh. Such is life. I'm coming to realize that I could never make a living out of writing on my blog.
I'm too flaky.
So now its December. I had contemplated joining the bandwagon and doing December Daily with some of the other scrapbookers and I also thought about doing a December daily photo challenge.
I haven't done either.
This photo was taken a year or two ago.
I will make no promises for this coming month. I want to enjoy December, not drive myself and family insane over commitments or added pressure.
Some people thrive on a busy social schedule and we know I am not one of them.
I think I will look at the photo challenge as a list of photos that I want to take this month not as a stressful, have to get this done, I have to post today, kind of thing.
That is not the reason for the season. Its a beautiful, magical time of year and I want to enjoy and preserve it.
*Carrie*

thankful #22

I've missed a few days but to make it up, I'll say that I'm thankful that I'm feeling better. I've had the flu and lost my voice this week. Rob has been very supportive when I've hurled but he loves to tease me when I squeak.
Today I'm feeling 90% normal and I'm glad so that I can gorge myself on turkey and sides.
Last night we watched both of the Peanuts thanksgiving specials. I love this little tradition. It brings back childhood memories of laying on my stomach in front of the TV watching snoopy and charlie brown. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that all the characters voices kept changing. Boooo
Anyway, today we are celebrating with my sister in laws family, its looking to be a huge group of us. Sadly my mom won't be there because now she is sick. I hope it's not because of Chelsea and myself.
Tomorrow we will be joining with my mother in law for a more intimate thanksgiving dinner. No black Friday shopping for this girl, I think I'll be shopping online mostly this year.
The rest of this week will be filled with good food, great company and amazing smells with a very thankful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!
*Carrie*

thankful #19

Since I started my thankful month so many things have been made very obvious to me, once I actually stopped to look.
Today I'm thankful for the Internet and google.
It sounds cheesy I know, but instead of stressing over finding information, driving direction, music videos, other friends, I just do a search. How often do we just turn to the net for that info nowadays?
I have learned so many good things from the Internet. I sometimes forget that I can google a question instead of trying to hunt down someone who can answer me.
When I have forgotten how to do a math problem, no worries, I just go to google and type in my problem and next thing I know I'm watching a video on how to multiply decimal points. So much less stress.
When I need a little inspiration, no problem, type and search.
The other day I was on the search for a couple of my favorite holiday recipes that I have misplaced in my cleaning. After digging through other cookbooks, I remembered that I had shared both recipes to different women. One was on a message board, so I just looked up a several year old message and there was the recipe. The other recipe was given to a friend on Facebook so I had an idea of the month that I had given it out so I searched her timeline and found the recipe. Easy peasy, took me 10 minutes max.
When it comes to scrapbook or card making inspiration I not only check my favorite magazines but I search galleries or just do a specific search. Same thing goes for photography, my cricut carts or recipes.
I remember in middle school there was talk of the Internet and how it would close down malls because people could shop online and we would never need to go to stores to shop. How the Internet was going to destroy our world as we know it. How funny and a little bit true.
The Internet is like a crazy journey through Oz, you never know what's around the corner but you'll have learned something along the way.

*Carrie*

thankful #18

image found on google

Yesterday I was thankful to be able to attend the memorial of a life well lived.
Our church, friends and family said goodbye to our friend Ron Lamb, our Scottish son.
Rob and I were a part of Ron's home church for a little while. I loved it when Ron began to speak, his voice just drew you in and boy could he weave a tale, you were enraptured.
It was a lovely service complete with a bagpiper playing several Scottish songs and ending with Amazing Grace.
So hauntingly beautiful.

*Carrie*

thankful #17

This morning I'm thankful that our family is able to help out at the Cub Scout aid station #4 for the 30th El Tour de Tucson bike race.
It is such a thrill to watch these guys go flying by and I can't wait to take pictures.
Last night we went to the TCC to pick up the volunteer shirts and while walking around the booths
Rob started jonesen to ride the route again and has made his intentions known that he would like to ride in next years race.
Awesome.

*Carrie*

thankful #16

Today I'm thankful for my friends.
Those friends who end up being more like family. Those friends that are there for you at your lowest low, that will sit and listen to you as you cry and whine until your spent and then give you a hug, look you in the eye and speak straight to your heart.
I'm thankful for those friends who are also there for your highs. They cheer you on and strengthen your dreams, your accomplishments. They push you to go one step further.
For so long I wanted to be a recluse, seriously, I was completely misguided, lol. What I realized was that it was me that was pushing people away or not even giving them a chance to get to know me. I didn't want to hurt or feel because, well duh, it hurts. Then I went through a time where I wanted friends, people I could call, text and hang out with. I would sit here and cry from loneliness and not knowing what steps to take to make friends. In my heart I heard the answer and then my awesome husband echoed the words. When in others company I started to ask questions and truly listened to their answers. I wanted to get to know them. I cherished their wisdom and insight. I became their cheerleader.
I know I have so much more to grow on when it comes to being a true friend. I admit to getting scared when things get heavy. I let my supposed inadequacies, my inner critic, rear up instead of letting my heart lead. I'm forgiven when I've asked for forgiveness and its not held against me later on.
I love how I can pour my heart out and know that they too have once been in the same boat and offer guidance and prayers. I squirm when they tell me I'm too hard on myself or that I need to work on a specific areas of my heart.
At times I feel like I don't have much to offer to people, but if you ask, and I'm able, I will give you the shirt off my back, my car to drive, or my cricut carts to use.
I'm so fortunate, lucky, blessed, humbled and so very thankful to be surrounded by so many amazing people. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you enough, for not only loving on me but my whole family.
*Carrie*

thankful #15

This may sound cheesy but I'm thankful for the people who say thank you.
These are two words that I feel are not used enough in our society today.
I'm not going to rant and rave about the people who think the world revolves around them and we owe them or they deserve it. Please.
I enjoy holding the door open for people whether they are coming in or out. When the door is opened for me, I say thank you with a smile. To the harried server in a restaurant, I say thank you when you take my order, refill my glass or take away my plate. Any courtesy should receive a thank you.
They are not hard words to say yet, the hardest thing for me to learn was to say, thank you when I was paid a compliment. It doesn't matter if I believed the person or not, they are being sincere, at least I hope so.
A little bit of courtesy goes so far and doesn't cost you anything. By saying thank you, you can change a persons whole day. How many times have we heard that each person is fighting their own battle? What does Ellen say at the end of every show, be kind to each other?
Actually as I'm sitting here I realize how ironic it is that we spend a whole month writing about being thankful, but we really don't spend any time be consciously being polite or kind to each other. I know we all fall short, myself included.
I guess I'm ranting and raving, just on the flip side of saying thank you. To those of you who read my blog, Thank you. To my friends and family who put up with me, Thank you.
A challenge I have given myself is to write at least two thank you cards to either people I know or strangers. When was the last time you received a thank you or thank you card?
*Carrie*

thankful #14

I just took a stroll down memory lane. Wow.
Today I'm thankful for all the furry friends that have blessed my life.
I'm not sure how I'm gonna get through this post before tears start streaming down my face.
Each dog deserves his or her own tribute but I truly don't have it in me right now.
I've been very blessed with my animals, with the exception of one crazy dog (not pictured) these guys have brought so much joy and companionship to our lives.
My man Chester. I miss that fur ball, he has such a face. This was the first dog that Rob and I got just before we were married.
Next came Brewtus, our first boxer. I can't find a picture of him, though I searched. We bought him from the pet store at Tucson Mall, I would visit him daily until I wore Rob down enough to get him.

Next came Bubba, our Boston terrier. Kelly loved Bubba, he was quite the character.
We lost Brewtus to cancer and then we were given Braxton by some good friends. Braxton fit in real well with everybody.

This is Gertie, she's moms English bulldog but such a large part of our furry buddies. Gertie is still kicking around even though there are days where we have to check to see if she's still breathing. Gertie has been with mom for through it all.

 We lost Bubba due to cancer and a year later in 2008 we lost Chester. Braxton was lonely and we had friends ask us to take their psycho dog.
After a couple of weeks she was re homed to a great guy and doing good.
To ease Kelly and Braxtons sadness we rescued Bella. While being on the verge of psycho Bella has been a pretty good dog.
This year she blessed us with our newest members who are helping me cope with the loss of Braxton.

 Ana, who is on Rob's head and Bailey who is in his lap are our new crazy girls. Bailey is a cuddly lap dog but Ana is spaz happy.
It really can be nuts around here when you get home and all 4 greet you.
The last picture is of Bacon, the most laid back dog, well until one of the girl dogs tries to take away his bone. Then he means business.
These guys rough house and wrestle like wild animals but if you show them a treat, those butts hit the floor and wiggle till they get their treats, even trying to take them out of each others mouths.

Experts say that owning a dog or cat makes you live longer. They do so much more than that.

*Carrie*