Closing one chapter

So Josh got his official ETS orders today. As of October 10, he will be out of the army. Scary thought, but I'm so ready. He was lucky enough to have time saved up, so if everything goes well, we will be able to pack up and leave Colorado at the end of August. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. That would work out so much better for us financially speaking rather than waiting until September to leave. Ohhh so much to do. Packing, cleaning, and all that rest that goes with moving from one state to another. Colorado is very nice but I cant wait to go home again. This July makes 5 years we have been away. For the last three of those, we have lived here in CO and have not been home. Both mothers and Sam (my sister) flew out to see Blake, when he was born but that's it. They cant wait to get their fingers on my boy. ohhh its going to be hard sharing that baby love.Josh and I have had him all to ourselves for the last 15 months. So who wants the first kiss from this cute face?


I am trying to get the last couple photos I want to scrap, scraped before we move. I know for a while, couple of months probably, I will have very little net access and scrap time. This is my latest page. Blake wearing his shades finally riding forward in the car. Yay. Ive been starring at this pic for over 3 months now with no clue how to scrap it. On the left is a folded coffee filter and I added these little silver bullet dot things. I dont know who makes them. I still feel the space between it and the yellow ric is empty and needs something, but I'm not sure what. Any ideas?

Getting started

With Josh having his VA appointment today, it has really sank in this is all about to happen. We know it will bring big changes to our life but were ready. We are getting use to the idea, because change can be good for the soul, yet it can also be scary. I know it sad to say this, but the army is like a dead end job. Yes you can move up in rank, but even as a Command Sergeant Major E-9 with 20+ years of service, the soldier would only be making 4,990.50 before taxes each month. After taxes that about $3700 a month. Now that sounds like a lot of money but in today's world its not. Yeah not even $5000 a month after a life time of risking your life. Josh has decided he wants to finish school and earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. He loves all things electrical so I think he would love it.

Tonight we started to clean up and out the garage. It has become to catch all for the old mismatched furniture , the junk, and all the things Blake has now grown to big for. I dont think we even made a dent in it. I wont even post a pic, it is so horrid.

I saw a challenge a few months ago on some site to use scraps only pattern paper wise under 3x3 in size to make a layout. Not sure where I seen it but it stuck in my mind with the upcoming move and my growing pile of scrap papers, that I cant throw out. ( even the smallest pieces are still so pretty) This is what I came up with.

I love this photo of my little man Blake. The look on his little face is so him. He is always smiling and happy and loves to play in the water. This day he could not stop splashing the water. He had such a good time.

Ive been tagged

My sweet friend Jilly just tagged me, so of course I had to do it!!

Two names you go by: Honey and Punky

things you are wearing right now: this really cute tunic shirt with these little gray leggings I bought last night. I love it but Josh thinks I look like a nun

Two of your favorite things to do: Scrapbook and dine out. I love eating out.


Two things you want very badly at the moment: To know Dates from the army and McDonald's sweet tea

Two Pets that you have or have had: Toby and Aspen

Two things you did last night:Finishing touches on my challenge sketch from Lydia, and baby sit the neighbors kids for a few hours.


Two things you did today: cleaned the floors and scrubbed the bathrooms. Yeah they really really needed it.


Two things you ate today: mac and cheese yum! and hot dog and chips

Two people you last talked to: Josh and Blake I think Ive said stop trying to bite me at least 50 times.

Two things you're doing tomorrow: hmm, probably about the same thing I'm gonna do today. I lead a VERY exciting life, lol.

Two memorable vacations: vacations whats that? they don't exist in my boring life.

Two favorite holidays: Christmas and 4 of july b4 PTSD entered our lives.


And if you are reading this consider yourself tagged by me. haha :)

GDT

Happy news.....I'm the guest designer at scrapstars this month. Yay, how exciting. The new challenge is anything summer related. We all love summer and blues, oranges, and yellow make for great water themed pages. Purples, pinks and whites make great fun happy girly pages in my mind. Here is the Layout I created for the site. I hope you all enjoy. It was so much fun to make. The journaling on the bottom reads And it's a great day to be alive I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes There's some hard times in the neighborhood But why can't every day be just this good? A fun, but older country by Travis Tritt that reminds me of wonderful bright happy summer days. Let me hear your honest opinions.


Blake is finally walking all by himself. He loves it too. He will walk from one side of the room all the way over to the other and then back again. Its really cute. He gets so excited and smiles and laughs and just walks and walks.

And of course I had to make a page using these cute photos of him in the freshly cut bright green grass. I really love this page alot. It using products other than your typical scrapbook shelf embellishments....like little girls hair barrettes, lolly pop sticks and needle point plastic. The cute frame on here was made by Tessa Ann Watte. Go check her out if you want your own. She is wonderfully sweet and her products are originals.

Gas prices

Nothing new to share tonight. Ive been in one of those lost mojo moods lately. So instead of rambling on about a whole lot of nothing, I will share this. So when I opened one of those dreadful forward emails that friends and family love to send, I actually liked this one. Here is all that was included. I think the pics speak for themselves.

Good News!

I have tons of exciting news to share. I won the 3rd Going Platinum challenge over at Scrapstars. I was so excited to hear this, and very much surprised. My page just sorta feel together. I love when that happens. So be sure to visit their site, bc I get the pleasure of being their Guest Designer this month. yay. So exciting! Thanks ladies for having me.

Yesterday I received the lovely prize package from the site. It was awesome. It arrived in a bright grass green package, Which I loved. I'm really stuck on greens right now. It was filled with tons of ribbons, trims, and bling. So many cool items I would never think to use on scrap pages. I cant wait to get started on something new. ahhh. With the ease of email and cell phones, dont you just love getting a package or letter in the mail? I know I do.

Well the army days are ending soon. The medical board process is complete and Josh signed the official paperwork yesterday. Now we move on to the waiting for his orders. Its stressful but, I know we will be okay, and we can finally move on with our lives and plant some roots in a family home. Yeah will real paint and color, ahhhh I cant wait. No more drab white boring sterile walls. I can already see beautiful shades of oranges covered with a luxurious glaze. Think pumpkin orange topped with a pancake syrup colored warm glazed dried to a soft slightly shiny calm earth color. Ooohhhhh It will be wonderful. Since I haven't said, I'm speaking of the bedroom. So add bright white sheets pillows and dark brown coverlet. It will be fabulous. Back to my reality now....... Blake loves his kiddie pool. He tries to splash all the water out. Its so cute. This is my latest Layout with his enjoying a splash on the back deck.

Maybe I'll buy a lottery ticket

Oh this must be my lucky week! OK, Let me explain. I won 2 different prizes this week and its only Tuesday night. How exciting and well surprising, at the same time. Remember the Dreamgirls "First" themed challenge.......I won I won Yay. And second, I won a prize over at SBC for simply uploading a LO on the right day. Yay X 2. So exciting for me. I love challenges because they seem to "make" my best pages. Perhaps I'm finding my style. :) Maybe I will play the lottery this week, bc I could really so some scrapping then. hehehe yeah i know my lucky is over.