Laura's Corner

Not much to report...

...so not feeling like blogging lately.  Pretty much a lot of the same ole' stuff.  Jaime's been gone now for almost 2 months and it sucks.  The girls and I have been just trying to stay busy.  Lots of exercise classes at the gym for me and sleepovers for the girls.  Today probably isn't the best day for me to be updating here cuz I'm feeling a bit bitter.  lol  I just want him home where he belongs.

On a more fun note, my tiny baby turned SEVEN this month.  Yes, my Reganini is growing too quickly and though she still wants to be my baby, there's no denying she's a big girl now.

 

We had a big party for her and, of course, she was in her element being the center of attention.  Happy birthday baby!

The weather has been so crappy!  Lots of rain and still it hasn't gotten about 40 degrees.  The sun is actually shining today which is nice, but the temps could use a boost.  I'm SO ready for Spring.

So, that's pretty much it.  Nothing else exciting to report.  Hope everyone is doing well!  Love ya!

Worst Day Ever

So, it's been a while since I've updated.  Honestly, I just didn't feel like it.  Things have been so tense around here while Jaime prepared to leave for his deployment.  We found out a few more little things about his situation, but still not a ton.  I guess it doesn't really matter what we know, he has to do what his orders tell him to do... which is report to Camp Shelby by Feb. 11.  Since he'll be so close to Louisianna, we decided it would be good for him to spend some time with his family before he goes, so this morning, the girls and I dropped him off at the airport.  It was pure hell... I mean it!  We all cried realizing how long it will be before we see each other again.  He won't actually be in Iraq until June, but still... he's gone all the same.

Scary News

Well, we knew it was always a possibility... after all, Jaime is a soldier... but with his job, the chances of him being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan were next to 0%.  We heard before Christmas that he had been tasked by name to a Unit deploying in Feb, but we had no information and his chain of command was trying to fight it because he is so crucial to the mission here.  Unfortunately, their efforts failed.  We got word yesterday that Jaime will be leaving the 1st week of Feb for training... 4 months in Mississippi... then 12 months in Baghdad.  That's SIXTEEN months... SIXTEEN!!!!  He STILL doesn't know who he's being tasked to, where exactly in Baghdad he's going, or what his job will be once he gets there.  Add that to the fact that he's been given very little time to prepare... we're a little freaked.

Please don't get me wrong.  I would never complain about him having to go.  It's his job and we've been very fortunate that he hasn't gone yet when so many families are on their 3rd or even 4th deployments.  I'm just very worried.  Worried for him of course... scared that he won't be safe while he's there... worried because there is still so much we don't know about his orders... worried because he will miss his girls so badly.  I'm also worried about going it alone for so long.  I feel really stupid even saying it since I'm definitely not the 1st woman to hold down the fort while their soldier went off to war.  And I'm certainly not in the same position as a single mother who has to worry about providing for her children as well as raising them.  But, this is the 1st time I'll be all alone for so long.  All alone in a foreign country.  I've done plenty of short stints while Jaime was on mission, but never for more than a couple months.  Can I do it?  Am I strong enough?  And what about the girls?  How are they going to take having their daddy gone for so long?  They're both old enough to understand where he's going... and they both have friends who's daddy's are deployed, but how will it effect them when it's really happening?  So many things on my mind... gah!

So, I guess it goes without saying... we need your prayers.  Please pray that we get the information we need (where he'll be, what he'll be doing, etc).  Pray that he'll be safe while he's there.  Pray that God give the girls and me peace about the whole thing.  And, please pray that the issues we've been trying to get resolved for MONTHS are taken care of before he leaves so I don't have to deal with it.  lol

Thank you so much for lending an "ear" and thanks in advance for your prayers and positive thoughts.  Love you all!

Lots'a Layouts

Let me start by saying BRRRRRRR!  It's stinkin' cold outside.  It's 9:00 am and a whoppin' 4... yes FOUR degrees.  And that IS fahrenheit!  GAH!  It's supposed to stay below 25 for at least another week with more snow in the forecast.  It snowed a couple days ago, but even with the sunshine, it's still on the ground.  The girls try to go out and play in it, but even bundled, they come in after about 15 minutes cuz it's just too cold.  Nice to look at, but I don't like it.  lol

So, on to fun fun business!  I'm so excited to announce that I made the amazing Traci Reed's creative team!  She had a call and chose 10 girls... I still can't believe I made it.  She's so sweet and such a cool chica.  I just finished my 1st assignment for her a couple days ago and it was such fun.  She just released Punky In Pink with the equally cool Lauren Grier.  It's a "totally" fun, 80s inspired kit that is perfect for all my high school pictures should I ever get around to scanning them all.  I did, however, get one scanned to use and was it ever fun.  Here is Punky In Pink and my LO using it...

    

 

Full credits are ::HERE::

I also had the thrill of posting my very 1st contribution to the Hawt Mamas Blog.  Go check it out... there's a little freebie in my post.

Traci has some super YUMMY stuff in the works which, if we're all lucky, may be available in her store on Saturday.  Keep your fingers crossed that the Photoshop "gods" smile kindly on her this week.

Misty Cato has also been hard at work to bring us some gorgeous new kits.  Last week she released Heartstrings, my absolute favorite kit from her to date.  It's so warm and beautiful.  There are SO many amazing elements that I couldn't stop adding to my page.  Here is Heartstrings and my LO using the kit...

      

 

Full credits are ::HERE::

Isn't that just the prettiest kit?  Misty is on a roll... she has another gorgeous creation coming out this Saturday, so stop by and pick it up.  You can see a sneak peek of it here on Friday.  WOOHOO!

The beginning of the month is never complete without news of the newest kit from Songbird Avenue.  This month the SBA girls have teamed up with the amazing Rhonna Farrer.  Together they have created the very pretty Happiness with proceeds from this kit to benefit the Celiac Disease Foundation.  Here is Happiness and my page using the kit...

 

 

Full credits are ::HERE::
 
Stop by and pick it.  You'll not only get a beautiful kit, you'll benefit a great cause!

My two-month spot on Kay Miller's Creative Team ended with 2008, and I'm sad.  I knew it was only a Guest spot, but it's hard to let go.  lol  Kay's style is so fun and whimsical you just can't help but smile when you're creating with her designs.  I thought I'd show off the pages I made using her new releases from Nov and Dec.  Thank you Kay for the oportunity, I had a wonderful time getting to know you and the other team members!  Here are a few pages using Kay's designs...

   

Full credits are ::HERE::

   

Full credits are ::HERE::

   

Full credits are ::HERE::

 

Full credits are ::HERE::

   

Full credits are ::HERE::

Thanks again Kay, it was an honor!

Now, last but certainly not least... my girl Fee Jardine.  Fee has been on vacation for the holidays, but I thought I'd show you her most recent release since it's so yummy.  Joyful is so versatile because, while it certainly works for Christmas themed pages, it is not a "theme" kit, so it also works for anything!  Instead, Fee created a plethera of element packs to make it more "christmassy".  Check out Christmas Mix,  Joyful Decorations , Joyful Tags  and  Baubles for variations to the kit.  Here is Joyful and my page using the kit and Christmas Mix...

 

 

Full credits are ::HERE::
 
So, now that the holidays are over, stay tuned for something new from Fee very soon.  YAY!

WHEW... that was a lot!  I hope everyone is having a lovely week.  Stay warm and keep scrappin'!

Happy 2009!

I trust everyone had a wonderful and happy holiday season.  We did!  Jaime had a lot of time off so we spent it lazing around with the girls and just enjoying each other's company.  Christmas was wonderful!  We had a little party on Christmas eve.  A few friends and neighbors came over to celebrate with us.  Then Christmas morning it was all about the girls.  They were up at 7:45... not as early as I thought they'd be... and the caos began.  lol  They were very excited about the Wii and Rockband that Santa brought them and equally as excited about their iPods that we got them.  My parents got them some of the Barbie movies they wanted and the matching dolls which they also adore.  Add that to all the different Wii games, CDs and books they received and they were all set!  Jaime made our traditional Christmas breakfast, crépes... and the rest of the day was spent loading music into iTunes and playing the Wii.  Such fun!
 
And as an added bonus... a video of Regan playing Rock Band...

Such fun!

New Year's Eve was a blast too.  Pretty low-key... we spent the evening with our friends/neighbors across the hall.  At about 11:30 we went outside to play with sparklers and a few fireworks, but mostly to watch the fireworks throughout the city.  HOLY COW do the Germans go all out on NYE!  It was like a war zone... explosions and lights as far as the eye could see... 360 degrees around... the entire city looked like it was exploding.  They do it every year, and every year I'm in awe.  lol  It was a lot of fun... but it was COLD!
 

Now, in the spirit of the new year, and new beginnings, I've decided on my resolution.  I hate making resolutions because it always feels forced and I never stick with them.  However, this year, I've decided to making ONE single resolution that will encompass my entire life.  That resolution is...

Self Discipline

Good one right?  With better self discipline I should be able to keep up on my housework, weight loss, guiding my children, blogging, finances, etc.  See, it covers everything.  SO, that's what I'm going to work on this year.

We woke up to snow this morning.  Not a lot, just enough to make everything white... but it's still snowing.  The girls were excited which made their 1st day back to school a bit easier.  lol  Let's just hope I don't slip and fall again.  GAH!

And with that, I'm going to sign off for now.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!