Just cause its been a while....

Everyone is still doing good. Trying to prepare for the big birthday party this weekend!! We are having a tinkerbell party, complete with streamers, tinkerbell plates, napkins and a tinkerbell cake. I can not believe that our wee one is turning one!!

Two Pink Lines

Well. Derrick and I have done it again. We are pregnant!! Due in May! We are both really excited, but I think in shock! It took us almost a year to get pregnant with Riley, so we figured that if we started trying this August, it would take us a little bit. How wrong we were! We are so excited for this little addition to our family!!

Yay! Blogger is normal again!!

Now I can uninstall that Mozilla Firefox, or whatever it is!

So not much going on here. Planning Riley's ist B-day. We are doing Tinkerbell. Should be cute. But then again, anything that involves Riley is pretty cute.....

Hoping to get some scrapping done this weekend. I took a nap this afternoon, just so I could stay up later... is that sad or what??

At least I can post pictures...

But I have no idea why they are all running together!

Here is one from last night. Little cuties!

Creative-ness from the weekend

Started this one before we went out for a girls night last night and finished it up this morning... Am working on another one right now of Riley and Daddy.....

I win,

Holy Crapness. That could not have been any stupider. But here is a picture for everyones veiwing pleasure!

By the way... I had to switch browsers, to firefox. Dad--are you proud, I did that all by myself!! Helloooo-- I am kinda techie!

I am going to win this battle if it kills me.

Or not. I tried to copy and paste. But why would that work. It would be to easy. I checked blogger message boards. Looks like its an issue with blogger. Anyone else having an issue???

Trying again....

Nothing. I still cant post pictures. Help? Anyone??

i think that blogger hates me.

I have tried. Tried and tried. I can not get pictures to post. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. I think this thing hates me. I will try tomorrow. just wanted everyone to know that i am alive.....

New addition pics

1 2
3



<---- 4
<----5


People begged. I promised. I thought about it. I didnt post. But here they are!

1. from the NW corner
2. looking in from the french doors (that are not there yet)
3. looking out our current back door (from the kitchen, into the addition)
4. From the far NW corner of our yard
5. Looking down the SW corner of the addition.


So there you have it folks! In all its glory!!

Weekend Over?

Grrr. I can not believe that it is Sunday night already. I DONT wanna go back to work tomorrow! I feel like I have accomplished NOTHING this weekend. Nothing. I have however, cleaned the entire house. I have vacumed the living room at least four times. And fired up the grill three times. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep! For some reason, these last couple weekends have just draaaaaaged on. Its like they are so long, and yet so quick. Is that even possible? Today after I cleaned the rest of the house, I sorted through some scrapbook magazines, and got some good project ideas, and got rid of some clutter at the same time! Small feat, in my scrapbook room. I guess that Derrick is going to get the inside of the addition cleaned out tomorrow, so that we can discuss "placement" options. Let me tell you how that conversation will go:

me: "I dont want it that way. I want it this way"
derrick: "But Kristen-"
me: (rudely inturrupting) "I dont care. My way.
derrick: "will you just listen to me?"
me: "nope. I know what I want"
derrick: (getting frustrated) Kristen, just liste--"
me: (insert tears if necessary) "but derrrrrick" (said in the best whining vioce possible)
derrick: "fine. we will talk about it later"
me: (perform small victory dance while derrick isnt watching)

Hey it never hurts to win!! Okay so it really isnt that bad. We are just both VERY opintionated when it comed to some things, and it takes us while to work it all out. We are both very visual people, so we want things drawn out, so we can visualize things.

So just a cutie little picture of the wee one. I took this yesterday in the truck. Isnt it a riot? Everytime I put the sunglasses on her, she would beam! TOo cute, my little button....

Well. Have a good week everyone! I am not saying I wont write for the next of the week..... but you know...

Just Cause

I dont even feel like typing tonight, but figured I needed a good picture to share. I know that sounds mean, but I am burnt out. Seriously. Just tired. I feel like I need a good four days of sleep to get back on schedule. Or to de-stress myself. I went through Rileys clothes this week, with her help of course, and we found this cute hat that Amber gave us. We have been wearing it continously the last couple days that we have been home. She is too cute! Alright. Enough said... more tomorrow, I promise!

Poor peanut....

I'm not stupid. I knew it would happen. I just hoped that it would happen when Derrick was home with her! Poor Riley was playing this morning and bonked her little noggin. She has a little mark, and a tiny little goosegg. I checked her pupils. They are dialating and undialating (is that a word??) Just fine. I have been watching her closly, just in case. Poor, poor peanut! Of course mommy had to take a picture of the injury, just to scrapbook......

Just some new creative things from the weekend!!

Holy Crapness. . . .

Amber--I just want to tell you, seriously, I love your pictures! They rock my world. I wish I had half the talent that you do!

Everyone else....doesnt this picture rock? We went to have Riley's 9 month pics taken, and Amber edited and sent me this pic to post. Isnt it amazing?? I was so proud of Riley cause she really wasnt as mean as she has been! We got some good smiles, and had a lot of fun. Plus we stopped at DQ on our way out of town, and who can resist DQ?

Not much else going on around here. We did hear from Matt, he is in Kuwait. *waving* Hi Matt!!!

Derrick is of course, working on te addition every night. Its kind of hard right now cause there are no real "visual" changes. Like he is cutting these peices for the roof, which is great, but you cant tell anything. Knos what I mean? Its getting a little frustrating... He is on vacation next week, so hopefully there will be more accomplished during that time. I cant complain though, we are not having to pay anyone to have all this done!

Well I think thats about it for the night.....

Utter Cuteness

<-----is this not priceless? Is it a ghost? A shodow? Nope. Just my child! Riley has become obssessed with all things bathtub. Get the dogs toy. Put it in the bathtub. Folded laundry. Put it in the bathtub. Half eaten ritz cracker. Bathtub. Cordless phone? You guessed it. Bathtub. After hours on hours of bathtub fishing, the wee one is down for the night. i think that her and daddy have had an enjoyble couple days together! I think that when she is good its so much easier for them to get along! Plus now that she is soooo mobil. Oh. I just realized that it sounds like Derrick and Riley dont get along otherwise. But they really do. She is 100% a daddys girl. The whole way. Loves him like no other. Enough said. Well. I got my new scrapbook order today, so I must get creative....

Okay. I cant get these in any type of order, but they are just some new pages I wanted to share.... I took these pics of Cindy last weekend, and just finished them for her maternity album. The {she} page is of Riley Alayna (of course) and is one I did laast night. The boys are busy outside working, and Riley is (at the moment) sleeping. I have already cleaned house and done laundry, so now its "creative" time. I need to work on my AAM book. (all about me).

The walls are all up, the plywood is being completed as I type. Thank God for all these helpers! I need to post some pictures of the addition, maybe I will do that later today.

Matt left to go back to Ft. Dix. It was so hard (again) to say goodbye to him. Its just so weird to think that he is going to fight for all of us, while we sit here, in the air conditioning, drinking our ice water, typing on the computer. Reading a book. Sleeping in our comfy beds. Its not fair and its not right. We all need to thank our soldiers, and say a special prayer for them, each and every day. We love you Matt!!!!!

Okay. off to be creative. But now, the dryer stopped, so I have to fold clothes, and make the bed. Maybe that will inspire creativity? I doubt it!!

*tap* *tap* is this thing on???

Hello??? Is anyone out there? I keep posting... I get all excited for comments... I get all disapointed when I dont see any.... I'm just sayin'......

One last one....

Loving this. LOVING IT! But I have to go to bed.... its getting late, and I am sure the wee one will be up bright and early...

Its Friiiiday!!

Whooo hooo! The weekend is finally here!

Riley met me at work this afternoon, and we went grocery shopping together. We picked up all the food for this weekends cookout, plus the few necessary toys. Cause you cant go to Walmart without getting toys!

<----- Here is my new "creation" for the evening. I am really diggin' it, although the green scanned waaay brighter than it is. Its seriously not that obnoxious in real life. I am hoping that since I got the creative juices flowing, I will be able to push out a few more layouts tonight. I am not promising anything though....

Wasps....

So Derrick and I have spent the last 25 minutes watching the side of our house for wasps. We have found three so far. Three more than we need. We are afraid to keep ripping peices off the wall, cause we dont know whats behind it. I even went so far as to go inside and listen to the wall to see if I could hear them buzzing. I cant. I dont know what we are going to do yet.

So tomorrow is a half day, then a four day weekend! Whooo hooo! I am pretty excited! I am meeting Jen at work tomorrow, going to go get Chinese, and then go grocery shopping! I am ready to get everything taken care of, so I can enjoy my time off!

Thats it for the night. I have to do something creative. Plus I want some ice cream.

Bloggity, blog blog

I am trying. Seriously I am. Yesterday I thought about it. I got on the computer. I didnt do it. Today I am. Thats right, I'm Bloggin!

So here is a new LO (layout) for everyone. How come I am not caught up? Why am I scrapping months old pics? Its scary. Will I ever be caught up? I actually just printed a newer pic, so I am pretty excited, and hoping that I scrap it tonight. However, Ghost Hunters is on tonight, and usually commands my full attention. I know its a repeat, but still. Cant get enough!

Lisa is heading out to see Brian tomorrow. Everything is so emotional right now, and very stressful. I handle things different I think, cause I never say when I am mad. I never disagree. I just want everyone to play nice. Get along. Share. Share the people in your life. Like eachother. Life is to short to be so angry. Didnt these people go to Kindergarten? PLAY NICE DAMNIT!

Vent over. So not a whole lot else here. Some of the walls are built for the addition, however, they will not go into place until Sunday. Sunday we are backfilling, plywooding the floors, putting up the walls, putting up the trusses, and plywooding the sides and roof. Hopefully. My job, cause I know you were wondering, is cooking out, and making sure everyone is well fed. And comfortable. Thats the extent. This weekend is a four day weekend for me, so I am hoping that Riley cooperates, and I can get something accomplished. I dont know what that something is yet, but I want to get it done. I have this enormous urge to *spring clean*. No, I am not nesting. I promise. I just feel like I want to re-arrange furniture. Clean under the couch. Sort old clothes. Okay I better stop.

Wanna Cracker??

We loooove club crackers! Love them! Much to daddy's dismay, because Daddy loves them too! He will have to start stockpiling some in order to have any of his own!


















We are also a four wheeling mamma! Daddy and Riley took the four wheeler out in Tony and Cindy's driveway last weekend! She had sooo much fun! Derrick said that she talked the whole way!

Okay. Thats it for tonight. Just wanted to keep everyone updated!

Still Alive!!

I can not believe that I have not blogged since the end of May. Here comes my mid-summer resolution! I have to blog more! How are you all going to see pics of Riley if I dont start bloggin?

Speaking of the little one... we are into everything. I say this after cleaning up diet coke from my living room floor, fishing the remote out from under my couch, and finding my cell phone under the coffee table. She is off and, crawling. We are pullin ourselves up onto everything, like there is no tomorrow. Its insane. She will be walking before long, I am sure.

We had our first four wheeler ride last weekend. Riley rode with Daddy, while mommy (of course) took pictures. It was sooo cute. Derrick said that she talked and babbled the whole way. Course they only went up the driveway and back, so I can not imagine she said much.

Everything else is going good. The addition will hopefully be shelled next weekend. I am pretty excited for it. I think that we will be done sooner than we think we will. I am just excited to move in! I told Derrick that i want hardwook floor in my half, and carpet in the other. Then I wont have to worry about dropped ink pads, or the illusive stray adhesive.

Well I can hear talking over the baby moniter, which means our nap, as usual, was short lived. I will try to post pics tonight....

a little something creative....

Phew.... just when I thought I would have to sell all my supplies...

If you are happy and you know it....

Clap your hands! Riley can clap now! She did it several times yesterday and a couple times this morning, however she wont do it for Daddy yet. He probably thinks that I am the biggest liar in the whole world! I can tell him "riley rolled over" or "riley crawled" and she wont do it for him! Stubborn baby!

So no big plans for the day. We are going to Miss Jen's tonight for a cookout. I made pasta salad, and brownies. I currently have eggs cooling in the fridge for deviled eggs. We decided that this would be our "block party". This is easy to do, considering that we are the only two on our whole block!

We have the rest of the "posts" laid in concrete in the backyard. I dont know what these things really do, but something with holding floor joists or something. Derrick is going to go get the wood for the floor today. Should prove to be exciting!

Its so damn hot. Seriously. I feel like I am smothering already, and its only 9:45 in the morning. We turned on the air for a while yesterday, and I am hoping that it kicks on shortly for today. I hate that its pretty out, but we have to have the house closed up cause of the heat!

alright. Hoping for some creative energy today. I really want to get some pages scrapped!

Foward Motion.....

Thats right. We are moving. Rocking and rolling. Crawling. Full speed ahead. Its priceless. Now that she has figured it out, she cant get enough! Today I picked her up off the kitchen floor. Three times. Over and over. She cant resist it. I can. The floor is so dirty, its the last place that I want her to be. Its not that I dont clean, but with the addition in progress, I cant keep that floor dust free to save my life! It sucks. Really sucks.

So let me think. Amber pointed out to me that I have not blogged in 2.5 weeks, so I better catch everyone up..... :)

Brian got married today. To Lisa. I am not sure how long they have been dating (isnt that sad) but they do seem pretty happy, so I am excited for them. Brian goes back out to CA on Monday. He will be back on base for two to three weeks, before coming home, and then going to his "home base" wherever that may be.

We have talked to Matt through email back and forth. We really miss him, but are trying to stay upbeat.

Vanessa and Chandra are backpacking it through Europe. I am kinda jelous. So mom and Dad, when you read this, next time, I want to go. Please? I have this vision of them being "stranded, like Cash Peters", that TV show on the travel channel. Mmmm... love the travel channel.

I am working on the "scrapbook project" still. I thought that my snapfish pics would come today, but I am still waiting. Meanwhile, I am going to alter a journal for cindt, since I found out that she isnt keeping track of pregnancy details for me. THere can not be a maternity album without details! I am thinking that I may have to go live with her when the baby is born, just so I can keep track of things when they happen, for the poor peanuts baby book!

Okay. Long enough for one night. I PROMISE that I will try to blog more often.....

Uncle Matt

We snapped these pics of Uncle Matt and Riley, on his last day here in Central Illinois. Daddy helped Riley into the packing box that Uncle Matt was using. Isnt her expression priceless?

So we are missing Matt, All of us. Its so weird knowing that we cant pick up the phone and call, like normal. I know that the time until he comes back will fly by, but looking at it right now, it feels like an eternity!

Derrick went and picked up the blocks for the foundation tonight. We are rocking and rolling. The plan is to try to lay the block this weekend, in between mothers day visits and phone calls.

I think thats all the gossip for the time being. Kinda lonesome that I dont have more to report! Looking foward to tomorrow, cause its my last day of the work week! I am off on Friday, but am helping to host the nurses lunch. I think that it will be fun, it just stinks that it has to occur on my day off! OKay.... of to find some games for the nurses to play....

Hey! You takin' my O's??

Utter cuteness. 'nuff said. thanks to aunt chandra for talking the awsome picture....

number 2

This one scanned WAY greener than it is. But it was super simple. And fast. Love it!

one down.....

Okay, here is a newbie. Love this kid. love her! love her expressions! I love this paper too! Its so stinking fun! hmmm.. I think I need more! Anyway... first of hopefully many tonight... I just finished sewing on another layout while this picture was posting......

Sigh... its FRIDAY!!!

Summer hours are here baby! Two out of Three docs dont work Friday afternoons, so we get to take Friday afternoons off, on a rotating basis. I was so ready to go today! Stopped by hobby lobby. I got some new "goodies" to play with. I have this amazing project in my mind... i think that I will get started on it tonight! Its a little box, that I will fill with a handmade album. I get all excited thinking about it... alright, thats it, I am off to paint!!

Is it only Tuesday?

So Aunt Chandra came and watched Riley today! I had the oppertunity to take half the day off, but ended up going back to work. There was so much that I needed to finish, but forgot to get things off the computer. I ended up working in the docs bullpen all afternoon, to tackle some of it, and its still not finished....

The concrete has been poured. Now we have to buy the block. Fun. I would rather spend the money on oh, say, scrapbooking?

i think this is going to be a short post, i need to fold a load of laundry, and work on something for work... total fun at my house tonight...

pics from the weekend...

Hmmm... So obviously Saturday night was a lot of fun! Wont go into all the nitty gritty details here, but lets just say that we all wound up with about 3 hours sleep Saturday night. It was really good to get to see Matt, and hang out, like we all used to.

Riley did well at Grandma and Grandpa's. I think that Derrick really missed her, because he was really concerned about when I was going to go pick her up. He is so cute with her, the most perfect daddy ever!

Not much else around here. I am getting ready to either clean or scrapbook. I am really leaning towards scrapbooking. I have a layout almost complete, and will try to post tonight...

Happy Birthday to me!!

I LOVE my birthday. Love it. I have spent all morning shopping! So excited! I got TONS of stuff at the scrapbook store, and am ready to go back for more! Derricks mom got me a new shirt, and a new pair of Jammie pants. I think that we will be headed to the mothership (GAP) soon. I got the cutest shirt today to wear out tonight! i am soooo excited! Cant wait! Ready to drink a little bit. Or a lotta bit. I cant lie! (sorry mom and dad). Its been so long since I have been out in this type of setting, so I am raring to go. Derricks mom is going to keep Riley tonight, so that we dont have to worry about driving home. Thank goodness.

So thats it... off to play with some of my new goodies...

Kyle, Kyle Kyle!

So. Loveing myspace. Seriously loving it. Logged on to see if I could get some dirt on my sisters. (sorry guys...) Ended up finding my little brother! Okay. So maybe you are thinking "hmmmm. Kristen has a brother? I didnt know!" it strue! All true! Kyle and I have the same birthfather. We met about six years ago, after finding my birthmother. We have been out of contact for about four years, but we started talking again on Sunday! Good times. Good times! I cant wait to go see him soon!

So today sucked. People calling in. Here is a message. Serious message. Call into work? Dont get online. It looks bad. Really bad. To sick to work? To sick to play. Vent over.

So here is another issue--I dont get it. I hate Health Alliance. I really do. With a passion. I spent close to six hours today dealing with them on an issue. I had the patient to doctor soordinator tell me "Why dont you understand? Its so simple" Whatever.

Seriously people. Its two days away from my birthday. Give me a freaking break.

I feel like I am struggling so bad right now, just cause I cant get through to people. I say things until I am blue in the face, and still things dont get done right. It blows my mind. These are SIMPLE tasks. Simple.

The sad thing? This entry would be a whole lot worse, but I dont know who is "watching" my blog. Arrrggg.

new pages!

Sadly, this is it so far... well I have some pages for Cindy's album... but thats all! Overall though, I would say it was a pretty productive weekend!

New ones....

Well. I guess my mojo is coming back. Full speed ahead! The three purple and green pages are for Cindy's maternity album. The "Is she your only?" is one of my favorites that I have ever done. I was asked by a woman in IGA if Riley was my only. I replied yep, for right now. I thought about this all day. She is my only. My only girl. My only first child. My only child. My only person in a crib. My only person with the most toys. She is my only. Even when we add another one into the mix, she will still be my only fist. maybe my only girl. she will still be the only one that taught us how to get spit up on. the only that taught us diaper changes. the only one that first taught us our hearts could exist outside of our bodies.

okay getting teary.

there has to be some laundry or something domestic to do around here....