I just had to share this picture of YUMMY little Everett!!
Isn't he the cutest?!! this is my hubby's cousin's little boy!!
He is SO DANG cute and I cannot wait to meet him and eat
those yummy cheeks!!
---one day soon I hope- since they live pretty far =(

Oh it's that time of year again!! MY FAVORITE!! YAY! we decorated the outside of the house yesterday and put up our tree, but we still have lots of stuff to put out to make our home REALLY christmasy =) just wanted to share these pics I took of the kids yesterday =)
They are growing up so fast! ---I am so blessed to have such AMAZING children! =)

So, here's another 1 hour LO I did for JS! Kinda plain but I was just happy to get to scrap today! I love these pictures of Devyn at age ONE =)

I just had to share this picture!! I LOVE it!! This is my little girl with one of her friends and teammates! Their team had just scored a goal and they were SO happy! =) I just love to see Devyn this way... she just absolutely LOVES life! =) gotta love my happy girl!

Just finished a 1 hour challenge on JS.. This was fun! thanks Cristal! =)Here's my LO -

YAY to getting to scrap some... woo-hoo =)

I FINALLY GOT TO SCRAP! woo-hoo....

I just LOVE using cardboard now... =) thanks to PINKY for introducing me to it.. LOL I think I'm hooked now...

Just reminding y'all to get out there and VOTE!!!! =) God Bless You all!!! =)

GET THE FACTS PEOPLE!! Quit the hatred and educate yourself on this issue....

For all those who are misinformed by lies and cover ups, do the research. YES on prop 8 doesn't discriminate, it redefines.
What's more unconstitutional?
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" or that PROHIBIT THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION...(Separation of Religion and state)
Therefore how constitutional is it that a state law should be able to overwrite the Amendments of our Constitution and force a religion to go against their beliefs and morals or suffer the consequences of being taxed, sued or shut down?
How constitutional is it to force a school teacher to teach something to a child that is against his/her morals or religion? (it WILL happen.. maybe not directly but it will somehow be indirectly taught---)
How constitutional is it that a child, at such a vulnerable age, be taught something that contradicts their religious beliefs or the way they were brought up? Exposing them to thoughts and feelings that would not have been there if it wasn't taught to them that it's normal. Why don't we teach our kids that it's the norm to drink alcohol and have sex before you're married, so therefore it's ok to do? That kind of thinking is IGNORANCE.

How constitutional is it that as a parent I have no control over what my child is being taught in school?

One can argue all they want that prop 8 takes away the rights and discriminates against the gay community but the facts are right in front of their faces.

California law 297.5 ensures that all same-sex domestic partners currently receive ALL of the same rights as married couples. If proposition 8 passes, nothing will change. If prop 8 doesn't pass . . . we'll suffer the consequences.
We are not fighting against the gay community. We are fighting for religious freedom, free speech and the right to raise our children as we see fit.
Vote "YES" ON PROPOSITION 8!

"I would rather "STAND FOR SOMETHING" than water down my values and beliefs in the face of adversity."--Gordon H.

Hmmmmmmm, why is MY freedom of speech taken away because I am not a liberal?
Why do you take the signs off MY yard because you don't believe what I believe? I don't take your signs or BASH you and your beliefs.... yet............ YOU want to muzzle MY voice?! and YOU say you fight for EQUALITY and freedom of speech!! HUMPH!!
OK, so I AM a little upset...... I am tired of people 'bashing' and mocking others only because 'others' don't agree with what they THINK is RIGHT (their way or the highway)......
it is NOT OK to mock or put down or humiliate others only because you do not agree with their beliefs..... it just is NOT!!!
I am tired of keeping my mouth shut because I may not be POLITICALLY CORRECT and I MAY just offend somebody out there..... these 'ppl' don't seem to care if they offend ME in any way when they BASH my religious beliefs or they mock me because they think I am an idiot for voting republican..............................(umm I do live in California ...totally DEMOCRATIC-LOL)
I pray that whoever wins this election is able to make this place a better place for us... and whether or not MCCAIN wins, I AM going to support the President of this Nation.. I will NOT bash him or mock him OR my democratic friends...I will stand by him and I will pray that God helps guide him for the next four years .... after all, isn't THAT what being an American is all about?! supporting OUR President?!!!
As for Prop 8 and California, I strongly believe that marriage was created by God! It is something SACRED and it has consequences and blessings that we receive even after this life.
Prop 8 is not an equality issue.... this is not a gay/straight issue like the 'no on prop 8' commercials are making it sound.. and don't get me wrong, I am NOT anti-gay! Ihave friends who are gay & are wonderful ppl- and I am all for them having RIGHTS! which BTW, they do.. this will NOT take away the rights they already have!.. this is about TRADITIONAL marriage and changing the definition of that..THIS will affect MY rights as a Christian and parent! this is about being PRO marriage, PRO freedom of speech, PRO parental rights,PRO religious freedom! I wish ppl would EDUCATE themselves on this issue instead of just listening to what the 'no on 8' commercials are saying.. those are LIES! I don't think people are aware of what WILL happen if this does not pass... what about religious institutions that are getting sued for preaching that homosexuality is a sin?! what about the doctor who refused to perform artificial insemination for a lesbian couple due to his religious beliefs (which he is entitled to under the 1ST AMENDMENT) He was sued by the couple and LOST. Even though he referred them to other doctors who were willing to perform the procedure... How about the Catholic adoption charities in Massachusetts who had to leave because they were FORCED by the state to adopt to gay couples which they wouldn't do because of their religious beliefs. The last time I checked everyone has a freedom to religion! Isn't that what this nation is based on? Maybe we should all read the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.... Reference to GOD is made SEVERAL times! How about the public schools teaching our young children about homosexuality? that is MY job and those are MY parental rights that will be taken away ......................................
You cannot give everyone the freedom to do what they want because eventually it will overstep someone else's freedom....
So, for now why not.. Love God, Love your neighbor, Keep the commandments and strive to be Christ-like..... *****steppin' off my soap box now****



God bless!! =)

My son, the little photographer...
So today when the fires came over the ridge here in Simi, my son waited for my hubby to get home so he could help him up on the roof of our house so he could get some photos of the helicopters and planes that were circling up above and dumping water on the ridge... He was SO excited!!!
I just HAD to share his photos! =)
he was SO proud!

Here we go Again.... FIRE SEASON...
.. and those DANG Santa Ana's!! geez.... well, the winds have picked up and we have quite a few fires burning right now... those poor firefighters working OT and trying hard to contain the fires...
the winds are supposed to pick up again tonight at around 10 pm... (last night I woke up 3 times they blew so hard) and the 'Porter Ranch' Fire is headed THIS way.... I pray that our brave firefighters contain this fire and that people and their homes stay safe!!!although I know some have already lost their homes.. =(
here's a few pics I took from my backyard.. the air quality is awful here.... but at least we are safe for now...

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE????
OH my Goodness!!!! I was going through some old pictures of my little Drake and just couldn't believe how big he's gotten. I know I'll be saying this AGAIN in a few more years but REALLY??!! how did he get so big? and when exactly did this happen?
I am so very proud of my little man! he is such a kind soul; and even though he can drive my crazy sometimes, I DO adore him!! =)
I made these two layouts for a challenge over at Just Scrappin' and while making these, I totally got nostalgic!! =( I miss my little 'chunkaroonie' now he's just a tall, skinny 'tweener'
but no matter what, he'll ALWAYS be my DRAKEY!!

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!

The kiddos had Tuesday off from school and we decided it'd be fun to head on out to DISNEYLAND and CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE and check out the parks all decked out for HALLOWEEN!!
Believe it or not we had never been there at Halloween time so we were SUPER excited!
Tracy met us there and we had a BLAST!! we got to go on all the FUN rides and the lines were actually pretty good! The only thing that really sucked was that it was 101 that day! UGH!! it was SOOOO freakin' HOT we were melting! BUT it was worth it!!! =)
Here's some pictures from our FUN day =)

I LOVE L.A.
Last night we went to the DODGERS game!! I am not a huge baseball fan, but man when I go to that stadium, it is such a great feeling of PRIDE!! there's nothing like watching a DODGERS game right there at the stadium! =) the kids always have so much fun... although I think they just loooooooooove to get DODGER dogs and have the peanut guy throw them a bag of peanuts.... LOL
anyway, even though it was a school night we went and had a blast! Plus it helped that they kicked the PADRES butt! =) hee hee just wanted to share a few pictures =)

So, I was sitting here thinking of how much hatred this certain 'someone' has towards me and how she THRIVES on showing it on her myspace or wherever/however she can... I'm sure she has all her so called 'friends (who are all online people, mind you) believing that SHE is the victim and I am the horrible nasty bitch... that's OK! But REALLY??? can she stop flattering herself and quit thinking I REALLY am still interested in her life??!! seriously, funny thing is I don't go on her myspace (anymore-c'mon,I'm human and WAS curious at one time) but I hear through friends that she ALWAYS has a nasty, mean message for me(posted on HER page, mind you----yeah.. I know.. loser huh? but she tells ME I need to get a life-LOL) I DO NOT care as much as she thinks I do... really!! C'mon now.. we are all grown ups and when we know that a certain relationship/friendship is TOXIC and 'one-way' then we have the right to END it!!! and that is exactly what I did.. AND I was NICE about it and genuine.. and the payback I get is betrayal -AGAIN, (she's very good at that-betrayed me more than once)) I won't go into the details because it is just so pathetic and I am so done with that whole situation that it's not even worth mentioning... but my friends know all about it...... HA....
Anyway, just venting and what made me think of all this was this poem I found a few years back written by MOTHER TERESA-- it is SO true and something to think about..... so here it is.. ENJOY! =) I know that in the end, God takes care of it all.... as hard as it is to be the bigger person , I know I gotta rely on my FAITH and God!

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Today was opening day for Soccer and Devyn was SO excited to play.... she is on a great team with 2 great coaches and a wonderful group of little girls. They came up with their team name; The Pink Panthers... how cute is that?! And although they lost their very first game, the girls still enjoyed getting out there and playing the game. Devyn had such a blast! She is so full of life that girl... I love watching her play soccer, she absolutely LOVES it!! sooo, here's to a FANTASTIC soccer season....... =)

OMGoodness!! where did the time go?? it feels like I was just sitting down writing about how I couldn't believe my kids were starting 4th grade and kindergarten! NOW I am sitting here thinking where this whole past year has gone?!! OMG!!! yesterday my babies went back to school.. this year Drake is a 5th grader, and my little Devyn, a big FIRST grader... can you believe it? WOW!!!! I am so excited for them~ I know they will have an excellent school year!! =)
now if I can only figure out how to use my time wisely- they are both in school for a whole 6 hours... wheeeew.. first time ever that I will actually have TIME!!! maybe I can keep up with my laundry and house chores for once in my life!!! LOL

Tracy and I were able to get together yesterday for one last SCRAPPIN day before our kiddos go back to school ... woo-hoo... and although I was exhausted from Disney, I was able to get some pages done... mind you they are pretty simple.. just did not feel like spending too much time on EACH page.. LOL

anyway, glad I got to spend time with my SISTAH and scrap a little... sorry the quality of the picture- SUCK...

Well, our summer is coming to an end... it has gone by so fast... and although we missed out on our yearly CABO vacation we got to do a whole lot of stuff.... mostly here around town but still some fun stuff! this past weekend we decided to take off to Anaheim and spend some time with MICKEY and the gang at Disneyland and California Adventure... the kids were thrilled when we surprised them with the news, of course....
we had so much fun and were able to do so much at both parks! too bad it had to end so soon... time always flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?? =)
well, what better way to end the summer?!
we still have this weekend to look forward to before the kiddos go back to school. We are having a great big beach party in Huntington beach with our friends... it's just so 'GIDGET' =) I'm totally excited.....