A Perfect Quote

Hey guys and gals, I am still not up and running officially. We are sifting through boxes and getting rid of items that are not needed. However, we've been to the park a few times and the weather is fabulous. But I just wanted to post this great quote that came from a new friend that I've met through blog stalking. Her name is Jen and she has great site and she also offers really cute blog templates as well. Check it out. In the mean time, here's the quote....."I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with the children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." -Marjorie Hinckley

TODAY IS THE BIG MOVE

Okay, we are moving today, so give me a few days to get back on track and hopefully have our Internet turned on soon. Here we come PAYSON, AZ

Happy Valentines & Pneumonia

Kyla has been super sick with Pneumonia which the school nurse diagnosed as an anxiety attack. She really had a collapsing left lung that she could not breath out of, and that was being attacked by a killer sickness. But after some amazing care from our doctor, she is on her way to recovery. Thanx to Sharon Holmes and Grandma Bonnie for the popsicles. She has been in heaven with those. Kyla also got some great stickers, letters, and phone calls from her friends and family. That has really helped brighten her days. We can't wait for her to be on her way again.

It's Official--WE ARE MOVING to PAYSON, ARIZONA

We are moving, and are super thrilled to be relocating to Payson, Arizona. The climate is perfect and the outdoor activities are awesome. I will post pics of the new home very soon. The move is taking place on Saturday. Wish us luck!!
Payson, Arizona Nestled among the majestic mountains of the Mogollon Rim-a 7,000-foot, 200-mile-long escarpment, lays the breathtaking and serene town of Payson, Arizona. Graced with spectacular natural beauty, this small town is located between the Sierra Ancha and the Mazatzal Mountain Ranges. Giant saguaros march up the low hill, forests cover their higher slopes, and rivers run rampantly through surrounding canyons. Residents like to brag that their town is situated in one of only three, pure air ozone belts in the world.

At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the area enjoys a mild climate that accommodates year-round outdoor exploration, but not at the expense of missing out on seasonal changes. Residents and tourists alike enjoy snow covered, fragrant pine trees while cross-country skiing in the winter and extremely pleasant temperatures in the spring, summer, and fall while they hunt, fish, camp or hike. The surrounding Tonto National Forest is a major recreational draw for outdoor enthusiasts, hosting the world's largest stand of ponderosa pine trees. Just minutes away from town are several beautiful rim lakes, countless trout streams, and miles of mountain biking, hiking and horse trails.

Payson is a friendly community where people know each other and enjoy getting together to socialize at many of the areas special activities and events. The back drop for many of these events is the spacious 40-acre Green Valley Park. This park is an excellent fishing, picnic, and recreation destination.

Although Payson is a modern town with an array of first-class accommodations, dining, and shopping opportunities, it also boasts a downtown main street rich in Western Heritage, featuring art galleries, antique stores, and first-rate restaurants. Complete with a casino, museums and other attractions, there is something for everyone in Payson.

Payson hosts the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, as well as other rodeos, festivals, and activities that showcase the Old West. The Old Time Fiddlers State Championship and the Beeline Cruise-In Car Show both draw countless visitors each year.

With more than two dozen art galleries, jewelry makers, and specialty retailers such as the unique Swiss Village Shops, there’s no reason to head to the big city for fine arts, crafts, and antiques. In October, the Payson Art League’s Fine Art and Craft Show offers locally made artwork to thousands of visitors.

Whether you are looking for an extreme outdoor adventure or a peaceful getaway filled with history, beauty, and rustic charm – Payson delivers! We hope to see you soon.

Do-it-Yourself Magnet Board

This last week was my beautiful mother's birthday. She works in a CPA office and basically deals with a TON of paperwork. So I thought it would be nice to have a giant magnet board. So I took pictures all during the process so you can learn and do it too. By the way, it was so fun, and when I was finished, I totally wanted to keep it because it was so adorable.

For your project, you will need 12"x12" scrap paper, Mod Podge(I use matte finish), Sponge brush, Magnets, Buttons-Glass Beads-or Flowers, Hot Glue Gun(preferrably high heat), a frame, rustolium spray paint, and sheet metal. Now I've seen some stores have 12"x12" cork board, and I know they sell 12"x12" sheet metal too, so you could stagger the look, however, I just purchased a 24"x24" piece of sheet metal. It fit inside my frame just a little short. Like by an 1/8 of an inch, so I went to HD and them cut me a real thin piece of ply-wood to place behind the metal and I liquid nailed the metal to the wood.



So the first step is to spray the sheet metal with Rustolium, this is so the rust from the metal won't seap through your paper. If your using a dark paper, this might not matter, but I was using light colors. After that is dry, cover your work surface with paper or plastic, whatever you have. Then place your 12x12 scrap paper on the metal and arrange it the way you want it. After you have the placement right, take all the paper off and start Mod Podging. I did section by section, so the Mod Podge wouldn't dry too quickly. So I did a 12x12 area with the Mod Podge and then placed my first piece of paper on it, working from top to bottom slowly, avoiding air bubbles. If you get air bubbles, correct them immediately by running a straight edge over it until it is worked out. Be careful though, you could rip your scrap paper. Then your going to Mod Podge right on top of the paper you just layed. Do this until your metal is covered.



Then I picked a border to go around the edges of the paper and and a center piece. I Mod Podged under and over these pieces. Then let it all dry. Instead of using Scrap boarders, you could use ribbon and it will work just as well.
So while it was drying I hot glued the magnets on the back of flowers. For the really large flower, I used a really large magnet.



Now my magnet board is dry, My husband Dave liquid nailed it to the ply wood and then placed it in the frame. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it with the magnets on it, but it looked so awesome. Then I took the remainder of the scrap paper, cut out the flowers on the paper and then Mod Podged those onto a small metal star to sit on a shelf next to the Magnet board. Anyways, all in all, she was in love with it.

A few more pics from Saydee's B-day

A few more pics from Saydee's B-day, ps her cake was scooby doo, how cute.

Saydee is 5

Our sweet Saydee Lady turned 5 yesterday, and I seriously can't believe it. Time has gone by so quickly and she has matured just as quickly. She will be attending school this next year and it blows my mind that little girl that was my baby for 4 years is so grown up. Thank goodness she still cuddles and hugs, or it would be so hard. But she still comes to give us big hugs and kisses and cuddles with us during movies, and that reminds me of my little baby she once was. Saydee is such a good girl, she always makes us so proud. She always chooses the right and really thinks hard about her actions before moving forward. She has one of the greatest loves for barbies known to man-kind. Playing barbies is her all time favorite hobby, favorite past-time, and basically just her favorite thing to do. Saydee is a wonderful sister and loves both of her sisters unconditionally. She loves dress-up, and tells me often that one day she is going to "have all her own stuff, all her own hair stuff, make-up stuff, and her own keys to her own car." I just love her so much. She is an incredibly ambitious learner and her smile is accompanied with two of the most adorable dimples ever. She is my Saydee Lady.

CRAZY STALKER

Okay, So am I the crazy stalker, or is it you. I saw this funny line on photo bucket that said, "I am not a stalker, just curious!" And due to Dave's laptop being down, I still don't have much time to blog, however every once in a while I might do a little blog hopping here and there. Now I KNOW for a fact that I am not the only one!! IF YOUR A BLOG HOPPER, aka....STALKER....or just curious, don't be shy, say Hi when you stop by. I have lot's of room for new friends. So let's kick it Home Skillet.