Sweet Finds

The Next Chapter~

The last several weeks have been super busy

for me & my daughter.

Ready or not,  the next chapter in our lives

is here!!!  Eeek!  :)

She's already been to camp & drill team practices

are in full swing!

Which means,  my drill team duties as "spirit & party mom"

have started as well...

parent association meetings, fundraising, party planning

and the fun part,

making spirit gifts like  this soldered bauble.

  
The black dangly charm is an odd ball earring

that I found in my jewelry box.

 I haven't soldered in a while.

Maybe a year or so...  but I think the necklace

came together well.

I have to admit,  I love that my daughter wants me

to make gifts for her friends.   ; )

So Proud!

Typically I try not to brag about my kids.

But please allow me to break my own rule...

tee-hee

I just found out that my daughter

made the Varsity Drill Team!!!   

Mansfield Gold Dusters.

Woo-Hoo!

    I'm still having a hard time accepting the fact

that the twins will be Freshman next year.

Do you know how proud I'm gonna be

watching her strut onto the field

every Friday night??   : )

Way to Go, Kayla!!!!

So proud of you.

Big hugs!!!!

Busted up!

My boy's all busted up!

Two fractured ribs, some bruising,

lots of soreness & shallow breathing...

all a result of football practice.

I'm not upset,  I understand accidents happen.

And I understand there will always be

sport injuries.   The only problem I have,

is that the "B & C" teams are forced to play

those that are bigger, stronger, and faster.  

Which cause injuries!

My hubby says that's the way of the world.

All teams,  all school...  do it.  

Anyhoo, for the time being,  my son is

done with football & baseball.

He has to sit out the whole season.

12 weeks...  no contact sports.

For the last 17 hours,  I've been playing

nurse...   checking on my little patient.

Fluffing pillows, giving meds,

whipping up a scrumptious breakfast.

I have to say...  it feels good to be needed.

There's nothing like taking care

of your baby.  : )

xoxo, Joanna 

loving moments

This past Saturday, the hubby & I

baptized my brother's first born.

 

Here are a couple of my favorite pics.

loving moments + special baby =  happiness!

 

Me & lil' Bella-boo!

 

sweet baby kisses!

  

what a cutie pie!

Have a great day!

Joanna

Way to Go!

I don't post much about my kids...

but I thought this deserved

a little "spotlight" in mom's blog.

 

Last night,  my daughter,

was inducted into the

National Junior Honor Society.

 

She's done an awesome job keeping

up with school, competitive dance,

social life, etc.   Now, if I can just get her

to keep her room clean!   tee-hee

 

We're proud of you, Kayla!

My Man ~

O' how I love thee...

 

"My Man" can sew!

(he's gonna kill me for posting these pics)  tee-hee

For the last several months,

I've been wanting to play around

with the sewing machine.

I just love, love, love all the

sewn tags & journal pages that

everyone creates.

My daughter has an inexpensive machine,

BUT I thought it was broken.

Turns out, it wasn't!

Special thanks to the hubby for

"playing" around with it.  : ) 

Question:

Can I use the same machine

for paper & fabric projects?

My sweet friend Angela has some what

warned me about the possibilities of

small pieces of paper interfering with

the performance of my sewing machine.

But I'm too cheap to purchase another

machine.  I want my cake & want

to eat it too!!!   : )

So, for those of you that sew...

please inform me of your habits,

experiences, personal knowledge, etc.

  Can I use the same machine

for both paper & fabric?

Or is it better not too?

Thanks for all of your help.

xoxo, Joanna

Photos

Photos & baby.
baby & photos.

I thought it would be fun to play around with
the camera...  I wanted to capture some
cute pics of Isabella,
the newest member of our family.

Ok, I have to say that I wasn't as
prepared as I should have been.
Bad Aunt Joanna!  :)

But here are a couple of shots
that are just ADORABLE to me!!!




I just love her little toes,
sock fuzz and all!   :) 




This was my attempt at a "festive" picture.
tee-hee

Can you believe this lil' photo shoot took 4 of us?
me, my sister, my daughter, & my god-daughter

Man, I think I need more practice
before I can call myself a "photographer".  LOL

When I was getting the baby ready,
my god-daughter
Victoria (5), said...
"Oh look, just like the baby Jesus",
referring to the fact that Isabella
was wrapped in a blanket
& laying in a basket.
(the things kids say!)

I just hope that my brother & sister-in-law
think the photos are as cute as I do.

If nothing else,
at least the 4 of us were able
to share a couple of laughs
while horsing around
this Christmas season.

Happy Holidays,
Joanna

Celebrating Bella

 
Celebrating Bella...

I returned home last night from my
"Silver Bella" trip feeling totally rejuvenated
and in great spirits.

I had the most wonderful experience
and met some great & talented women.

I've been on a "bella" high for 5 days now.
And just when I thought it couldn't
get any better...

 I received a call from my younger brother
saying that he & his wife were
at the hospital expecting
the arrival of this lil' sweet pea.
 

Isabella (Bella)

And so,
My "Bella" celebration continues.  :)

Happy Birthday Baby Bella!

xoxo, Joanna

nErdS R us!

WE interrupt this program for a
special message:

"Just Say 'No' To DRUGS!"

This message was brought
to you by a couple of
ummm, well, by a
couple of
geeky nErdS!  :)


introducing the female nErd!


And the geeky Male nErd!


This week the kids have been participating in
the "just say no to drugs" program at their school.

Today is nErd day!
(which is very appropriate given today's date)

Wishing you a nerdy kinda day!  LOL
Happy Halloween,
Joanna

Seasonal Treats

My life has been a little crazy lately!
With work, business travel, sporting events,
and Silver Bella Swaps, I feel like I have literately
been pulled in every direction possible! 

With everything going on, I have yet to
cross off a couple of things on my "to-do list"...
 like decorating for Fall/Halloween.

(which really stinks since Halloween is next week!)

So, to appease the family... I purchased these

scrumptious seasonal treats!
 
Yummy to my tummy!

 

I doubt I'll win the "mother of the year"  award,

But at least I knew it was "all good"
when I heard my hubby yell,
"The pumpkin is mine!"

xoxo, Joanna