3 Songs...

Well, I was at the store tonight, putting together kits for my 100 Things class tomorrow night. I had everything really spread out and I was wishing that I had my camera so I could post a picture here. It looked very cool with all the colorful Reminisce paper, ribbons, etc. So instead of posting a picture, my mind was taken back to three songs that I heard on the radio which was blasting while I was kit-making.
1. Raspberry Beret - Prince - This song took me back to elementary school days...my friend Sandee (same Sandee as the previous post) and I would choreograph dances in her front yard during the summer. This was one of the songs that we loved. We played it over and over again, and I have it memorized to this day! "She walked in through the out door...out door."
2. Saved The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams - This song took me back to high school when I was getting ready to go to junior prom. I had this single on a cassette tape and played it every time I went to the tanning booth. I tanned at The Solarium in Draper, Utah. All of the tanning in high school is probably going to haunt me later in life. But this song triggered that memory in an instant.
3. Lean On Me - Not sure of the band/singer - My sophomore year of high school, I tried out for a singing and dancing group that traveled to elementary and junior high schools to perform songs that would help students say NO to drugs and alcohol. I was in this group for three years and met three of my best friends: Tammy Affleck, Keri Free, and Stephanie Roylance. This song was our Finale dance. What a great time I had within that group....many, many fun memories.
Well, that is it! I challenge each of you "peeps" to post three songs in my comments or on your own blog. Include the reason(s) each of the songs takes you back to a wonderful memory.
And to think these were my thoughts as I was making scrapbook kits at midnight inside Scrapaganza...

April Layouts

Don't Miss The Bus!

Here are the "girl" cousins (Sydnee, Kirsten, Ella, & Breeze) enjoying each other just before bed! Thanks Candi for telling me how to do the video thing....I love it!

{quote from Syd}

"I want my nickel-name to be bubba."

{I am finding some old notes that had stashed with some quick and cute little things that my kids use to say and do.  I thought this was the best place to archive them.}

Look Who Is Here...Cousins!

Spencer and Christian
Sydnee and Kirsten
Aunt Maren and Sydnee

My sisters, Kara and Maren, came to Iowa to spend a week or so with their kids! We are in the middle of it and what fun we are having! We have: visited Nauvoo, celebrated Spencer's 9th birthday, rode some John Deere tractors, drove Uncle Kevin to Chicago, and swam at the YMCA frog pool! That is in the first five days! We still have a week together....so look for some more fun adventures coming soon.....

Inspiration.....

Look at all this amazing stuff! My good friend, L (she would rather remain anonymous), brought me all of these inspirational items to the store last month and I am still creating things with them! I cannot wait to be able to show and share. She can find items in the junk store that I would pass right by and not see the beauty in them. L also gave me some designer portfolios to use for ideas. L is one of the most creative women that I know. She can take the most basic concept and turn it into an album. McDonald's fry containers, coffee sleeves, etc. She is the Midwest Creative Genius! Look out Donna Downey - here she comes...

Sometimes I wish that I could meet several scrap celebrities, but last week I realized I know so many women right here in Iowa that are perfect in their creativity. I am so honored to work at Scrapaganza and be able to mingle with so many scrapbookers that are awe inspiring ....

Thank you!

To all my peeps for your comments on my 100 Things...class/kit. If you would like to order a kit for $35...email me at kimbgarner@yahoo.com. In the kit there will be full instructions and pictures so you can put it together on your own. I will be shipping them on April 30th. I have heard from several friends in the west, that won't be able to make my class. Thanks for all you do and for keeping this silly dream of mine alive.
Here are a couple more pictures from inside the book...

It's Easter, Be Glad!

Decorating Eggs...Ella loved to dunk the egg and watch the dye splash! Christian and Sydnee wanted to find the eggs outside, even though it was 15 degrees!
Look Grandpa Garner! This is my kids favorite Easter tradition. Following the string to find their Easter basket. What fun! Next year we need to tell the Easter Bunny to bring three different colors of string and a larger treat to wrap the string around. One of these years he will remember. They are just so excited that they are winding and winding the string so fast and they just give up and start following it! It was crazy!

Although it is very cold here, we had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Since the Easter Bunny came on Saturday morning, we had Sunday to really remember the Savior and his life & resurrection. The kids enjoyed reading the Easter story and singing Primary songs. We weren't able to get a family photo because the camera tripod is "missing". But I think that these two are my favorites! Happy Easter to everyone!

100 Things....Reminisce Book

100 Things I Love...100 Things That Bug Me Envelope-Flip Book

Here are the long-awaited pictures of the book that I entered in the Reminisce contest (and won!) I will be teaching this class at Scrapaganza on April 27th from 5:30-8:30 pm and May 19th from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. I will also have kits available if you cannot come to the class (especially for my peeps that live far, far away...love ya!) It is $35 and will be helping me fulfill my dream of attending CKU in Anaheim, CA, June 13-16th! Thank you to everyone that has been inspiring, supporting, pushing, me to get my stuff out there. It has been amazing. The class will be super-fun and I am hoping to have some other surprises for those that attend the class and/or those that purchase a kit. Thank you!

*Edit: You can call Scrapaganza @ (563)391-0099 to reserve a kit and/or a spot in one of my classes! Thanks again. (Scrapaganza's website is also on the sidebar :)

Pinewood Derby

Christian and his dad worked on his car for several weeks to prepare for the big event. After they searched the Internet for the design that Christian wanted and Craig cut it out. The sanding and 4 coats of paint were left to Christian. Since this was my first experience with a pinewood derby it was very intense. Night after night they painted, saudered (Sp?) in metal for the weight, and borrowed the neighbor's graphite for the wheels. But it paid off! Dad was very proud and Christian really learned about sportmanship. I also have some great paper to scrapbook the pictures...

Good, Good Week

Me, Sherry, & Sandee

Pedicures

Shopping @ Kuhl's
Sydnee & Sandee

Last week, my friend that I have known since Kindergarten with Mrs. Graham & Mrs. Hill, came to see me in Iowa. Sandee left her amazing husband and five kids in Orem, UT to spend the week with me and my family...to see how it is done in Iowa. I can't even tell you what it was like to look over in the passenger seat of my minivan and see her sitting there! Craig was working nights, so during the day we went and had some fun. We had pedicures one morning with an American Idol recap. We went shopping at Kuhl's Under The Sun & Meant To Be. She came with me to Girl's Night Out and met some of the fabulous women that I have become friends with in Davenport. Then on Friday we drove to Kansas to see her sister, Sherry. And all I can say is that she is also an amazing woman! This was the first person to ever highlight my hair from mousy brown to fabulous blonde when I was in 9th grade. She is an unbelievable cook and we ate some amazing dishes while in Kansas. Salmon, Chinese Chicken Salad, Oreo Shakes, and two amazing breakfasts. Do you know how long it has been since someone has made me breakfast??? It was funny, I was taking notes as fast as I could of all the ins and outs of becoming organized and cooking with style. Sherry knows how it is done. It was an amazing week! I really don't know how to thank Andres' (Sandee's husband) and my husband for really giving us the opportunity to reconnect. It was a good one....When I left her at the airport, we really didn't know when we would see each other again. I kind of lost my breath for a second and then when I was on the long road home I realized that when we did see each other, it would be just like it was yesterday.

The Infamous Picture...

So here it is......if you look close to the left, sitting on the gazebo is our little fairy, Ella.
Look at the previous post about The Scrapbooker of the Year post.
Have a fabulous day!

New Obsession

I have a new obsession that I just cannot contain any longer! Heidi Swapp Products! Yikes....I am kind of feeling like a hoarder of sorts. Last weekend I picked up her idea book Just For Looks and now I feel that I need to have a little bit of everything. I have always loved her products and have purchased some masks, ghost letters, chipboard, flowers, etc. off and on for the past year. Now I am just looking at all my stuff and I must make something! As soon as I get this computer thing figured out I will post some photos.

P.S. Did I mention the decorative tape? LOVE IT ALL!

Computers and Husbands? This is an odd post....

We are finally reconnected to the world through our computer. This weekend was crazy with my work schedule, and Craig was able to get it up and running while trying to keep three children from destroying the house. He ALWAYS does a great job as the dad. For the past two weekends he has really stepped up to be with the kids. Last weekend I was in Kansas, and this weekend I had the All Day Crop with two classes at the store. He did an amazing job! Even my friends and neighbors were impressed.
I know this may sound cheesy, but I do love this man with all my heart. Even though we have our rough edges, we are making it work, and striving to find the joy in the journey. When the kids enter the picture, it sometimes seems that our marriage falls right through the cracks. And don't get me wrong, it has fallen deeply.... But we keep working hard, giving more, and loving beyond any reasonable amount, and it has now almost been twelve years! (April 28th)
Love ya honey.....
***Edited: I wanted to post a picture of my dear husband, but I still haven't figured out how to connect my camera to this new computer! I guess I will have to get out the directions.