tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22594779828693741392011-10-02T05:26:29.636-05:00He has caused His wonders to be remembered --- Psalm 111:4Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-19334729888451843252011-08-15T19:27:00.000-05:002011-08-15T19:27:58.269-05:00

Lots has been happening in the Walters household in the past six weeks....vacations, first trips to camp, new jobs, start of school...  It's been quite eventful and not the least bit dull! The biggest news, however, is that with the "new job" comes a new chapter for the Walters family....in Yankton, South Dakota.  After four years in Omaha, we are moving north!  The company my husband works for

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-52321124114306980562011-06-28T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-28T05:00:07.784-05:00

Can you believe it is day 21? The LAST day of our prayer challenge.  How are you feeling? I am a whole mess of emotions today.  Thankful -- that I participated in this challenge and was able to lead you through it.  Relieved -- it was a commitment!  But a commitment that I intend to renew every day for as long as I'm a mom.  Sad -- that this wonderful challenge has come to an end. What an

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-86589642087358033752011-06-27T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-27T05:00:08.218-05:00

Today's focus is on The Battle: Heart Change.  If you do not see this chapter immediately following the prayers on salvation, check the front of the ebook.  As you read, here is some encouragement from Brooke. "The most foundational thing we can ask God for in the lives of our sons is heart change.  The Word says that what's in the heart eventually comes out.  Bad stuff in the heart?  Bad stuff

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-87811268240627951682011-06-26T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-26T05:00:09.861-05:00

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  - Romans 10:9 There is nothing that weighs on my mind and heart more than the salvation of my children.  There is absolutely NOTHING that I want more for them than that.  Nothing.  I can pray for all sorts of things for my sons -- protection, patience, good

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-70254635116519467792011-06-24T05:00:00.003-05:002011-06-24T22:28:32.400-05:00

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."  -Ephesians 4:31 Sometimes it can come in a flash.  One minute things are great.  You are calm and collected.  And then something sets you off -- or too many things piled on top of each other are suddenly too much to bear.  And like a gurgling, bubbling mad hot volcano, anger comes spewing

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-33881604228351628152011-06-24T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-24T05:00:11.074-05:00

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31 Today is a doozy.  Today, we're covering our sons with prayers for self-control. I told you it was a doozy. Especially when it's something I know I struggle with on a daily basis. And oh, how I wish I could take on that struggle of self-control for my sons.  Anyone else with me? I want to

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-90075032125516530412011-06-23T05:00:00.070-05:002011-06-23T05:00:19.553-05:00

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."  - James 3:17 My husband is tall and built like a football player -- we're talking 6'4" and the ability to lift a truck.  His younger brother is even bigger -- he even cracked his grandmother's ribs with his strong bear hug (true story!). Upon the discovery

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-32120349023846572172011-06-22T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-22T05:00:17.855-05:00

I dream of sons that are responsible and can hold down jobs. I dream of sons who work hard each and every day to support their families. I dream of sons who are faithful and 100% committed to their wives. I dream of sons who are good and faithful to their children. But Brooke pointed something out.  What we really need to pray about is that our sons would be faithful to God. "Doesn't this

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-90706766989836913462011-06-21T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-21T05:00:04.398-05:00

Brooke's encouragement in the LG for today is absolutely perfect.  She originally posted it at the M.O.B. Society.  Enjoy! "What are you aiming for?  When your boys disobey, disrespect, are unkind.  When they seek to understand what's important.  When they notice girls, cheat in school or fight on the bus.  When they're seeking marriage, failing in school or deciding whether to have sex for the

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-7931167925555191362011-06-20T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-20T05:00:11.693-05:00

"Love one another with brotherly affection.  outdo one another in showing honor."  - Romans 12:10 Is kindness something innate in us?  Are we born "kind" people?  My guess is no.  We're selfish, sinful beings who mostly want our own way.  More likely, kindness is a learned art...which means our sons are learning it from us. It's quite challenging to learn how to be kind without receiving

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-73877750245078193032011-06-19T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-19T05:00:04.451-05:00

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant ... " ~Matthew 20:26 I remember so well when my husband and I first met.  I couldn't wait to spend more time with him!  I knew this person was special and there wasn't enough time in each day for us to spend together.  A little later in our relationship, I couldn't wait to get engaged!  After our engagement, that wedding just couldn't

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-60880191184228063532011-06-18T05:00:00.002-05:002011-06-18T21:19:56.334-05:00

Today is another day where I am going to share, word-for-word from the LG.  Today's encouragement comes from Laura Lee Groves, author of I'm Outnumbered! One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys.   "Most of us are actually outnumbered by the males in our households -- for me, it's been five to one!  But it's not just the numbers that bring that sense of being overwhelmed. For the

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-25862094710496568622011-06-17T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-17T21:06:11.133-05:00

Today I want to retype for you -- word for word -- the encouragement in the Leader's Guide that Brooke shared.  Enjoy! "What is joy really?  And if my strength comes from the joy of the Lord (Psalm 28:7), then what does the joy of the Lord really look like? As I write these words, I'm struggling with a deep desire to be grumpy and complain.  Most days I handle my husband's crazy shift-work

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-41197376184874551002011-06-16T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-16T05:00:03.206-05:00

Do you ever feel like God is just trying to subtly (and sometimes not so-subtly) tell you something?  The past year has been that for me -- regarding the Fruits of the Spirit.  For several months, nearly every bible study and book I read quoted (repeatedly) verses about the fruit of the spirit.  My son's preschool chose the Fruits of the Spirit as their year-long theme (yup -- not so subtle).  

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-5127583260772001572011-06-15T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-15T05:00:10.923-05:00

"But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good." -Romans 2:10 NLT These days, it seems that real-life men who rush to defend the honor of women, children, and others in general are few and far between.  But that doesn't mean that we don't want our sons to be THOSE guys -- those rare diamonds in the rough who DO rush to defend the honor of all. In the LG, Brooke shares

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-38520457540703793102011-06-14T05:00:00.006-05:002011-06-14T05:00:02.460-05:00

"The greatest among you shall be your servant."  Matthew 23:11 My mama's heart bursts on Sunday mornings when I see my sons eagerly pitching in to clean up after church.  You see, we are part of a church plant that meets in a local elementary school.  The use of this facility is such a blessing, but requires great service on the part of our members to tear down tables, set up chairs and sound

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-56174745477514516712011-06-13T05:00:00.054-05:002011-06-13T05:00:03.778-05:00

"And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure."  -- 1 John 3:3 (NLT) In this area of cyber-space, "in-your-face instant gratification", it's SO incredibly easy for our sons to simply stumble upon sights and sounds that threaten their purity.  Did you know that the average age of porn exposure is now 11 years old?  It's hard to imagine that is just five

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-24458725481131832932011-06-12T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-12T05:00:03.614-05:00

Encouragement from Melissa Smallwood, creator of Multitasking Mama (as printed in the LG) Praying for my boys has changed as they have gotten older.  Watching their personalities, talents and spiritual gifts emerge provides the opportunity to pray specifically for the men they are becoming.  My mama heart used to pray, "God, help me be the kind of mom they need," but as they have moved into the

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-56255016949385934922011-06-11T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-11T05:00:00.175-05:00

I don't know about you, but I am seeing powerful things happen during this prayer challenge.  It always amazes me how God manages to work just as much in my heart as He does in those I'm praying for -- He is SO powerful! Today's prayers focus on avoiding foolishness.  Brooke's encouragement in the LG is so good that I am literally going to quote it verbatim.  (Why reinvent the wheel when what

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-19867657005294050302011-06-10T05:00:00.000-05:002011-06-10T05:00:01.854-05:00

There are occasions when I look at my sons and see glimpses of them in 10, 20, even 40 years.  I see fleeting moments of them as college students, husbands, fathers, employees. I know what I WANT to see... I want them to stand up for what is right no matter who is around -- ESPECIALLY if no one is around.  I can't think of a better way to describe an example of living integrity than this. In

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-69830558071366114812011-06-09T05:00:00.001-05:002011-06-09T05:00:13.724-05:00

A NOTE ON THE BOOK -- Due to a glitch with the eBook store, not all of you who purchased the book have study questions at the end of each chapter.  If you do not, let me know.  As a result, when I identified pages yesterday, some of you may have been totally confused as to what I was talking about.  SO... I will not use page numbers going forward to eliminate confusion.    As we noted yesterday

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-21511069909701162362011-06-08T05:00:00.007-05:002011-06-08T05:00:01.128-05:00

I have been waiting with bated breath for this day.  I feel like a kid on Christmas morning!  Filled with anticipation and excitement for what I’m going to open with each new gift.  Except this time it means something…more.  This time, the gift is not about me.  It’s about my sons, my future son-in-law, my nephews.  And perhaps why this day, this gift of praying over specific areas for these

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-50449675793614357782011-06-07T08:23:00.000-05:002011-06-07T08:23:53.075-05:00

Can you feel it?  It's almost palpable to me -- the excitement and anticipation for this incredible journey we're about to embark on for our sons!  I am so humbled to lead you through the next 21 days of prayer for our sons. Yesterday, on the Warrior Prayers blog, a guest post by Stacey Thacker (mom of four girls) left me so encouraged.  She said, Psalms 116:2 says, “Because he bends down to

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-7841095732404899992011-05-26T10:14:00.001-05:002011-05-26T10:20:09.216-05:00

With the end of the school year literally just around the corner (JUNE 1!), Samantha and Hudson are bringing home copious amounts of paperwork each day.  Yesterday, in my attempt to "sift and purge" through some of these items, I came across a journal that Samantha wrote on February 16.  I wanted to share it with you because it made me think... (and I retyped it just as she wrote it) "If I won

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-42975431337318506442011-05-23T15:53:00.000-05:002011-05-23T15:53:12.817-05:00

Extra, extra, extra!  Are you up for a challenge?  I mean a really really REALLY important challenge, one that is so absolutely vital for your sons?  If so, please join me as I lead a group through 21 days of Prayer for our Sons. As a mom, I think there is nothing as important as praying for our kids.  I pray daily for our kids, but sometimes struggle to easily connect scripture verses with

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-48619722303509076562011-02-28T10:21:00.000-06:002011-02-28T10:21:48.880-06:00

Books, books, books -- oh how I LOVE thee!  Of the 31 books I intend to read this year, I have already finished 12!  And I'm currently working on Persuasion, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Bringing up Girls.   I have to say that I was blown away by the Hunger Games Trilogy.  I started the first book six times before I finally got past page 10, but once I was in, I was hooked.  Just as

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-70716812029800124312011-01-04T14:48:00.001-06:002011-01-04T15:10:33.300-06:00

Would you believe that I've managed to read FIVE of the 31 books on my list since the start of January?!?!  I finished the entire Twilight Saga (roughly 2000 pages!) in addition to The Atonement Child.  Nothing like reading to take you to places you'd never before imagined.  I read the Twilight Saga at the urging of many friends, and particularly my sister.  While I admit that they DEFINITELY

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-5531581555988279152011-01-02T14:19:00.000-06:002011-01-02T14:19:53.323-06:00

One of my most favorite things about turning the calendar to a new year is the natural opportunity to set some goals for myself.  Most people call these resolutions, but I call them goals -- I do MUCH better when I set goals, with a deadline.  If I have a deadline and a million things to do, you can bet they'll all be accomplished.  But if I just have a million things to do and no deadline, well,

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-46163642865746045782010-12-31T11:49:00.000-06:002010-12-31T11:49:49.331-06:00

As we all look ahead to 2011 with excitement and anticipation, I wanted to take just a minute to look back on the amazing year we were blessed with.   January 2010 brought more snow and bitterly cold temperatures.  This snow stuck around until April!  The kids (especially Hudson) thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be outside in the white stuff.  Matt and I were thankful for the blessing of a

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-2663665755449379792010-12-09T13:40:00.000-06:002010-12-09T13:40:18.531-06:00

bottom front tooth!  Actually, that statement isn't entirely true.  Hudson lost his first tooth over a month ago.  (i'm a bad mom -- November was sort of an overwhelmingly busy month, so I'm just now able to share these pictures.) Hudson's bottom front tooth was REALLY wiggly for a LONG time.  It was so loose it would lean forward, literally hanging on by the root.  Except that teeny tiny

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-31113184709492330332010-12-08T13:14:00.000-06:002010-12-08T13:14:53.484-06:00

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-21480514446317513942010-11-22T14:03:00.001-06:002010-11-22T14:03:36.028-06:00

Joy Sage Story Christmas 5x7 folded cardShop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.View the entire collection of cards.

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-28774453581562921312010-11-18T19:40:00.001-06:002010-11-19T13:23:49.501-06:00

Tomorrow, I have the incredible honor of giving the devotion at my MOPS meeting.  I have been indescribably blessed by the women in this group, and I hope that this devotion can bless them in some small way.  Here is what I plan to share... Someday I’m going to miss this.  You’ve all heard me say it.  It’s sort of become my “coping mechanism”, per se, when I’m having a rough day.  A few weeks

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-81690196532299631622010-10-28T21:25:00.001-05:002010-10-28T22:42:44.649-05:00

I know, I know.  Halloween is still three days away.  How can I possibly be thinking about Christmas cards already?  Believe me -- with four little ones running around, I need to plan everything in advance, and getting a jumpstart on Christmas cards is just one of the ways I can manage the upcoming holidays.  I figure if I plan ahead now, I'll feel more relaxed when the season IS here and that

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-39952381874556712012010-10-20T21:30:00.001-05:002010-10-20T21:35:10.620-05:00

We all have them...those grand ideas we had at age 16 when we pictured our future children. 16-year old dream: "My kids will ALWAYS be decked out in GAP clothes."  2010 Reality: Some days I am simply thankful that everyone has clean clothes on that fit them, and if they match?  Wow!  It's my lucky day! 16-year old dream: "My kids will NEVER act that way in public."  2010 Reality: Thank you

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-72557782807146400462010-10-15T21:46:00.001-05:002010-10-15T21:53:25.591-05:00

With the kids on Fall Break for three days this week and an abundance of FABULOUSLY BEAUTIFUL WEATHER (let me just say that this fall is knocking the socks off of last fall, when we'd had 5.5 inches of snow already!), we thought it was the perfect time to hit the pumpkin patch!  (See the kids' shirts in the picture below?  They are SHORT-SLEEVED!  I think this is the first time they haven't

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-85543105220800092042010-10-11T12:11:00.000-05:002010-10-11T12:11:59.609-05:00

Samantha has spent the last few months playing soccer again.  A week ago, she twisted her ankle during a game and ended up with a sprain.  Do you think that stopped her?  Not Samantha!  She was back in the game defending the goal within minutes, practicing full-out two days later at practice, and scoring goals like a mad-woman this past Saturday!  Here's a few pictures from that game...

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-86902156985675447482010-09-29T15:34:00.002-05:002011-06-20T11:17:40.762-05:00

This is my first iheartfaces photo challenge.

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-455463310701607172010-08-18T10:42:00.000-05:002010-08-18T10:42:28.824-05:00

What summer would be complete without....WATER? In addition to spending time in boats and at lakes, the kids had a great time at a sprayground (aka sprinkler park) as well as at the Mahoney Park Aquatic Center.  The picture above is actually of the kids relaxing in the wave pool there.  (And they NEEDED to relax -- those waves were INTENSE!!)  There were two water slides that the kids went

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-78980970339368251052010-08-17T12:06:00.001-05:002010-08-17T22:02:05.740-05:00

In our house, the last full weekend of July is reserved for one thing -- a trip to Yankton, SD.  Every year, my dad's family (all EIGHT siblings and many of their kids -- it's nearly impossibly for all of us to make it) gather for a family campout at Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area.  Gavin's Point Dam is located here and there's a HUGE lake.  We've been holding this family weekend for so long

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-71868788536542718692010-08-16T12:03:00.002-05:002010-08-16T13:16:24.960-05:00

With summer officially behind us and a new school year in full swing, I thought it was time to take a peek back at the fun things we did this summer.  Each day this week, I'm going to (try to) post about all the adventures we had...starting with bowling. My sister clued me in to a wonderful program called "Kids Bowl Free" (it's a website -- look it up!)  Now I am not a world-class bowler by

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-76865907217243220742010-08-12T10:09:00.000-05:002010-08-12T10:09:26.965-05:00

...to school, that is!!  With barely over two months of summer vacation (thanks to Mother Nature's unrelenting winter), we officially have two kids in school.  It is so hard to believe that Samantha is old enough to be a second grader and Hudson is a kindergartener.  Let me tell you about their first day... It started out with cinnamon bun pancakes (which, by the way, if you have never had...well

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-38759990668296489922010-05-24T14:30:00.000-05:002010-05-24T14:30:17.585-05:00

Samantha's first season as a soccer queen is officially a wrap.  It was amazing to see how much she improved from her first game, when she'd barely touched a ball, to the end of the season when she was able to look at the field as a whole, cut angles across the field to take the ball away from opponents, and block goals, not to mention the game where she scored nine...yes 9!... goals!  She is a

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-6632525374646264382010-05-20T12:57:00.003-05:002010-05-20T13:07:58.885-05:00

{Sniffle}  I'll try to be strong.  I've given my {sniffle} very {tear} last {tear} FIRST HAIRCUT {wiping tears away}.  My baby isn't a baby anymore -- he really looks like a little boy. On Saturday, we took our baby from "baby" .... to "little" boy... I know, Easton, I know -- it's quite the milestone and I know I wasn't entirely ready for it, either, little man! That's better!  Look at

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-72963401539984994732010-04-21T10:05:00.000-05:002010-04-21T10:05:57.874-05:00

I'll confess...I was going through pictures on the computer, and found these from a year ago.  At the time, I was fuming inside.  But Hunter was SOOO proud of himself for using his truck to "work".  And work he did....that child completely cleaned up this mess by himself (using, of course, the dump truck to dump it into the trash can.)  Hey, whatever works, kid!  Enjoy!

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-18901059132526716352010-04-13T10:30:00.000-05:002010-04-13T10:30:38.269-05:00

In our home, April should be dubbed the birthday month.  It starts on April 7th with Samantha's Birthday (which she shares with her Great Great Aunt Bobbie and Great Aunt Carol), and continues on April 8th with my mom's birthday and April 10th with Easton's birthday.  (I know there are others with April birthdays that I haven't mentioned -- happy birthday to you, too!) On Saturday, we welcomed

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-16784117957307266212010-04-02T15:19:00.000-05:002010-04-02T15:19:17.161-05:00

It is hard to believe that on Good Friday last year, that our life went from this... to this... and then this... Even though the dates will probably never line up, Good Friday (already a very special day in our home) will ALWAYS be EXTRA-special.... we're so excited to celebrate two very special birthdays in our house over the next week, and several family birthdays outside of the house, too.

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-77881255426036693902010-03-31T14:35:00.000-05:002010-03-31T14:35:17.457-05:00

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-27907216828239143452010-03-25T13:40:00.000-05:002010-03-25T13:40:32.218-05:00

Last week,  when Matt and I went in to check on Hudson and Hunter before heading to bed ourselves,  we found this.... They'd been asking to have a campout for weeks...and the next morning, they told me that since we wouldn't let them sleep in the family room, they were pretending to have a campout on their floor!  Hunter is sleeping like an angel! And so is Hudson...this picture, in

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-52338080516655554332010-03-24T12:20:00.000-05:002010-03-24T12:20:20.624-05:00

*These pictures are from December....when I came in to get Easton up from his nap one afternoon, this is what I found...

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-16300311446751767142010-03-17T15:18:00.000-05:002010-03-17T15:18:27.022-05:00

I know it's Worldess Wednesday, but when I took my memory card out of my camera to find the perfect pictures, I came across these instead... My boys thought it would be fun to take pictures of THEIR pictures.  (These are from a camping trip with Nana and Grandpa Steve.)  These are just two ... of the 25 I was surprised with!  They're developing a new genre of photography...Photographs

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-80821969559487465942010-03-16T10:53:00.000-05:002010-03-16T10:53:03.354-05:00

On Sunday, Nana and Grandpa Steve (Matt's parents) came for a visit!  (Truth is Steve came to help Matt in a new toilet -- YAY! -- and Nana came to teach piano lessons -- another YAY!) The toilet proved to be more fun for the entire family than we could ever imagine!  Not only do Matt and I have a working, water-saving toilet (that the kids ask regularly to use!), but the kids got a great "box

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-27166098861848677172010-03-03T11:40:00.000-06:002010-03-03T11:40:41.118-06:00

(So not entirely wordless...I'm trying to decide if I like color or black and white better in these pictures, and since I can't decide, you get to see both.!)          

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-53275517686092144522010-02-24T10:47:00.000-06:002010-02-24T10:47:57.375-06:00

         

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-80972109904849577092010-02-22T09:10:00.001-06:002010-02-22T09:12:07.611-06:00

Our baby is ON THE GO!  Truth be told, Easton has been crawling for a few weeks now, and he is definitely happy to be in motion.  Look at the smile!  He has the mischievous, ornery look I know SO well by now!  He is on the move and wonders what he can explore now!   And when he's done exploring...it's time to relax.  And play... because playing is really what life as a 10-month old is ALL about

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-83364743774160784602010-02-18T12:16:00.001-06:002010-02-18T12:16:06.693-06:00

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-24741349791660331542010-02-17T13:10:00.000-06:002010-02-17T13:10:36.927-06:00

  

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-15889699341032940882010-02-15T21:11:00.000-06:002010-02-15T21:11:56.270-06:00

This has been a record-breaking winter for so much of the US.  We are shattering cold and snow records left and right.  Now don't get me wrong; I'm all for record breaking.  For example, watching that Dutch speed skater set a new Olympic Record on Sunday -- pure magic!  But shattering the record (and I do mean SHATTERING) for the longest number of consecutive days with more than 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-62154696686327530952010-02-13T00:11:00.000-06:002010-02-13T00:11:19.708-06:00

Here's another Studio J layout I've been working on.  These pictures are from Samantha's preschool graduation (almost 2 years ago!!!)   It uses the Boom-di-ada paper --- and looks great with Samantha's outfit!  What a fun night we had!   ENJOY!

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-66016822998887414872010-02-11T15:04:00.000-06:002010-02-11T15:04:24.156-06:00

In March, Close To My Heart is releasing their new digital scrapbooking line.  I have spent the past few hours (as in 90 minutes) playing around with this AWESOME software, and have caught up on six wonderful layouts.  These are just snapshots from the computer screen of what the layouts look like, but let me tell you how fun, easy and FAST it is!  You don't download or purchase software -- it is

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-10701713055340386552010-02-08T13:01:00.000-06:002010-02-08T13:02:03.197-06:00

Can it really be time to celebrate my 2nd child's 5th birthday? It IS! Yesterday, we gathered with family to celebrate my husband's 35th birthday and my son's 5th birthday. (The birthday boy is the one in green.) It is hard for me to believe that 5 years ago today, I was baking and frosting sugar cookies while it was snowing, with NO idea whatsover that in one day, ON my DUE DATE of all days

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-42988472463206970412010-02-02T10:19:00.000-06:002010-02-02T10:19:42.874-06:00

Anyone who knows my husband knows he LOVES football. So it should be no surprise that he frequently "discusses" with the boys what positions he thinks they'll be suited for when they are bigger. And oh yes, it starts this young. (Of course, he realizes that football is not necessarily going be to as revered by his sons as it is by him...and he's okay with that. But he still dreams...)So I

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-68217694548305607882009-08-26T09:37:00.004-05:002009-08-26T09:57:47.827-05:00

Our family continues to amaze me by how much we can change and grow in the matter of just two and half months! I can't believe I let 10 weeks go by without a post about our family! Forgive me! Here is our first family photograph taken as a family of 6....we took it this weekend at the pedestrian bridge that cross the Missouri River.Since June, Easton has doubled his birthweight and started

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-67074394730017658272009-06-09T21:47:00.000-05:002009-06-09T21:47:11.967-05:00

 

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-35121357350990113332009-05-28T12:27:00.002-05:002009-05-28T12:30:52.476-05:00

So I've decided that potty-training is like an amusement park ride that never ends. You have your ups -- big great awesome ups like going an entire week wihtout a single accident. And then you have your big drops -- steep drops, might I add -- like going through every single pair of underwear your son AND his brother own in one day. (That happened over the weekend). And then you have this

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-27257643099072721092009-05-19T12:30:00.005-05:002009-05-19T12:46:57.700-05:00

In a family with small children, you learn quickly, and are reminded often, that things change so fast because these little people we live with and care for are just absolute sponges!Just two weeks ago, I still had two children in diapers (which is not unusual for me -- it's happened every other time we've had a new baby!). Now Hunter, our 3rd child, is a potty-trained little boy! The first week

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-70345628396005187762009-05-04T09:46:00.002-05:002009-05-04T09:47:46.710-05:00

You know you're the mom of a newborn when you try to make coffee with baby formula. What can I say?...it's a Monday!

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-87752285331659193332009-04-30T10:54:00.005-05:002009-04-30T11:00:51.621-05:00

Three weeks ago tomorrow, on what will go down in our family history as the best Good Friday we will personally experience, we welcomed our fourth child. Our third son, Easton Charles, was born on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. He weighed a whopping 8 lbs 6 oz (a whole half pound bigger than our previous biggest baby -- where was he hiding?), and was 21 inches long. We are blessed by his

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-14659833212551083502009-02-16T17:26:00.004-06:002009-02-16T17:40:33.859-06:00

Okay, so do you see that "Baby Namey" box to the side? The one that counts down the days to my impending due date? (Which I'm not entirely sure is COMPLETELY accurate?) See the cute little pregnant girl...and those great legs that go on forever underneath that perfect little round basketball she's warming? Why, oh why, can I not have legs that look like that? I'm having one of those "I'm so

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-87661637364604092292009-02-12T08:00:00.002-06:002009-02-12T08:11:55.031-06:00

Okay, so I have had 3 kids in the bitter Nebraska winters where we could never find a good way to bundle them up in car seats...and NOW I find out about the product that Life Starring Ellie and Eve is giving away!If you are in need of baby product, go here for a great giveaway!!!Happy Thursday!

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-28975426233018485042009-01-21T14:07:00.003-06:002009-01-21T14:10:04.823-06:00

Okay, who doesn't love a great giveaway? And who couldn't use a new tote? I know I could -- especially this cute monogrammed one!Check out Monogrammed Teacher to enter, and tell her I sent you!

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-17182836367564114482009-01-12T12:52:00.004-06:002009-01-12T12:59:15.493-06:00

Someone on another blog posted the "Look-a-like" Meter. The boys thought it was funny to see their faces next to mom and dad's this morning, so we decided to share the results. Now what is so hysterical to me is that most people would probably completely disagree with the results in person. I must have picked poor pictures!In reality Hunter looks EXACTLY like his dad and his Uncle Dustin. I

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-41100493493645016732009-01-12T12:52:00.001-06:002009-01-12T12:52:26.078-06:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genealogy research - Family history software

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-24501256149483564632009-01-12T12:50:00.000-06:002009-01-12T12:51:10.318-06:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-37886723417772766472009-01-12T12:47:00.001-06:002009-01-12T12:47:49.210-06:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Ancestry search - Free family tree search

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-68284981745320462882008-12-04T08:35:00.003-06:002008-12-04T09:54:18.873-06:00

Finding Normal posted this fun thing this morning, and I thought I'd participate!1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper (except, of course, in obvious exceptions)2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake (Thank goodness for Yankee Candles that smell like evergreen!)3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving4. When do you take the tree down? The day after New Year's -- Jan. 2.5. Do

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-69934363163491723512008-11-20T13:41:00.003-06:002008-11-20T13:52:38.758-06:00

On Friday, November 14, my sister gave birth to another beautiful (ooops...handsome) and strong healthy baby boy. This marks her 3rd son, the 5th grandson for my parents, and my 5th nephew! Please help me to welcome the adorable Devin Jackson to the world. He weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz, and was 22 inches long. He joins big brothers Drew and Dawson. And we are SO thrilled to be close enough watch

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-61775586006093855992008-11-10T09:36:00.004-06:002008-11-10T09:48:55.728-06:00

Our kids are still young enough that they don't mind mom's homemade costumes, saving us money (although I'm certain time is not saved! but worth it all the same) and giving us flexibility with their costumes. Do you know how hard it is to find a John Deere Tractor costume? Let me tell you, it's far from easy!This year, Samantha wanted to be a fairy ballerina princess (her words). So she's kind of

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-71449194075654056252008-10-27T09:43:00.004-05:002008-10-27T10:45:00.132-05:00

So there's this website called "The Secret is in the Sauce", and it is a group of women who are all about commenting (nice things) on other people's blogs. And they do awesome giveaways. Like the Photoshop giveaway they're doing right now. Click here to win Photoshop! WOWSA! And if you need a new vacuum, click here to win a new Bissell vacuum! Seriously! Enjoy -- and Happy Monday! (And now

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-75058391354025627542008-10-06T11:02:00.004-05:002008-10-06T11:17:30.624-05:00

October is a special month in our family! We celebrate lots of birthday (happy wishes to my Dad on the 2nd, my brother on the 5th, and my brother-in-law on the 7th). Today, October 6th, my husband I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary! I couldn't ask to be married to a better man, and tomorrow I'll post something special about him, but today I'm going to talk about something

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-21373279011132680942008-07-26T15:28:00.003-05:002008-07-26T15:43:26.014-05:00

My husband's grandmother is celebrating her 75th birthday tomorrow! Never before have you met such a feisty energetic woman! We are thrilled to celebrate her birthday with the entire family in Kansas in a few weeks -- it will be a great way to end the summer just before school starts! I was asked to make the invitations for her big party, and wanted to do them in a way that honored her. Her

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-83048752328709431482008-07-22T22:54:00.008-05:002008-07-22T23:20:35.561-05:00

My baby is 2! And to top all of that off, he no longer sleeps in a crib! And he's asking to go on the big boy potty! Can someone PLEASE slow this train down? This child entered our life two years ago on July 13 on the first day of a major heat wave. To say we were surprised to find he would be joining our family would be an understatement -- his big brother (a very strong-willed and loud baby)

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-50586327119689334582008-06-10T23:18:00.003-05:002008-06-10T23:47:25.904-05:00

I received a number of emails today regarding the tornado (and now we have learned it was two tornadoes) that hit our area in the middle of the night on Sunday morning. Thanks for your concern! We're okay, and by God's grace there were no deaths and only 3 minor injuries as a result of the weather. The two tornadoes were literally unpredictable and the sirens in our area of town did not go off

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-51695230876752364782008-06-10T23:06:00.002-05:002008-06-10T23:18:35.089-05:00

Big shout out to Jen at Work for tagging me for this!1. What were you doing 10 years ago?In 1998, I was in college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was performing with the Scarlet and Cream Singers (oh what a blast that was!), and majoring in communications. I had yet to meet my husband (although I would be lying if I said I didn't keep one eye open looking for him).2. What 5 things are

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-64042064403558160632008-05-06T12:48:00.006-05:002008-05-06T13:06:37.017-05:00

It's been nearly a month since we celebrated my daughter's birthday. She's anxiously been awaiting mommy's updated blog with her cake pictures. (Remember, I'm that dorky mom who makes her kids' cakes from scratch....and usually, they look totally and completely homemade -- dork that I am, I actually kind of like that charming quality.) She wanted a "Barbie" cake and we needed to be princesses, so

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-5689170187885488182008-04-23T00:06:00.003-05:002008-04-23T00:15:44.778-05:00

It's that time of the month again -- SWAP TIME! The upcoming May Stamp of the Month has to be one of my all time favorites -- as a card-maker, it will be one I turn to time and time again (as I already have), and as a scrapbooker...well, the possibilities are just endless! It has a sentiment for nearly every occasion I can think of. So, as always, you can check it out here and let me know if

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-64102151496438940012008-04-20T14:57:00.006-05:002008-04-20T15:44:22.833-05:00

My sister-in-law (and brother-in-law) is expecting baby #1 at the end of May, and part of my shower contribution was the invitations. (I'm sure it's hard to believe that I'd want to do that.) They do not know what they're having, which is always exciting, so we decided to go with a nice soft green and chocolate. (Rachel...and I....and okay, lots of other people....well, we just love chocolate, so

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-39485634681751761862008-04-10T16:34:00.003-05:002008-04-10T16:46:40.309-05:00

I was asked by a friend of mine to lead the card-making session at her church women's retreat tomorrow and Saturday. What an honor! The theme is the Chocolate Boutique (can I say YUM?!?!?), and they picked out the adorable papers used in the two cards I designed. The stamps, of course, are CTMH. Special thanks goes to Lisa (check out her blog at http://www.lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com/) for

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-91131671437499333482008-03-20T14:00:00.005-05:002008-03-20T14:42:56.915-05:00

My SBS group decided to start holding challenges, and the first one was to use something we've never used before. Perfect timing! I've been needing to create some pieces with the upcoming Stamp of the Month for April (Express Postage), and this encouraged me to get past the creative block I've had with this particular set! I love this set -- loved it the first time I saw it! But I had NO idea

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-33977117548886146032008-03-14T20:31:00.005-05:002008-03-14T20:53:18.520-05:00

I'm BAAAACK! I know it's been a while. Ever heard the saying, "When it rains, it pours?" That pretty much happened. Nothing major...just so many things all at once. Sick kids, sick mommy, sick computer. (On that note, let me take a moment to remind you to back up your hard drive. We were LUCKY....we only lost a few pictures, and none were worth being upset about. Thank goodness!) And thanks to

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-62260956091787328662008-02-21T11:55:00.004-06:002008-02-21T13:07:03.540-06:00

Just a quick 3x3 card I made a while back -- this is CTMH's February Stamp of the Month. Click here: http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx to see it. Thanks to Marjorie over at Mommy Scraps who (somewhere a little while ago) posted a tip on take close-up pictures. It really helped!Check back later today -- I plan to post the layout we did at my club on Tuesday night. Happy

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-74536105975460568532008-02-13T13:36:00.007-06:002008-02-13T14:01:42.200-06:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost TWO WEEKS!!! OH MY GOODNESS! Things have been busy at the Walters household....we totally remodeled the lighting in our home (pictures coming soon) and we've celebrated three birthdays in the midst of Cupid's pending arrival!First, the birthdays. On February 2nd, my husband turned XX years old (I told him I wouldn't share....but he's still got 17 years

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-25610570321507311842008-01-29T20:13:00.000-06:002008-01-29T20:24:14.817-06:00

A CTMH Consultant named Marjorie (check out her blog -- she's Mommy Scraps under my links to the left -- and she has got to be one of the most gifted card-makers I've ever seen!) posted a color challenge this week on our boards, and I thought I'd try emerging color again using her challenge colors. Now since I didn't have all of her challenge colors, I improvised a little. Can I just say that I

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-89275855865042389192008-01-28T14:34:00.000-06:002008-01-28T14:42:30.685-06:00

Since I'm a newbie stamper, I was very excited when my SBS10 sister, Sara, posted a challenge to the SBS10 to make a card with emerging color. I've never done this before, but it has always awed me when I've seen it and I would love to be able to create something so beautiful. This certainly does not look as amazing as some of the other emerging color examples I've seen, but it's my first attempt

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-37590994070892692272008-01-28T10:04:00.000-06:002008-01-28T10:06:26.233-06:00

What Alyssa MeansYou are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.You are a

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-86461893976907079192008-01-27T21:36:00.000-06:002008-01-27T21:44:02.043-06:00

I know, I know -- I promised I would post something everyday...and I missed yesterday! What can I say? It happens. But I'm back today with something that is kind of fun and spur of the moment. We found out last night that some of our friends are expecting their first child. So of course I went in "card mode" and my brain started cranking out ideas. The card I ended up with is not I expected to

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-90967798296698463432008-01-25T14:20:00.000-06:002008-01-25T14:35:04.325-06:00

I'm so excited to share this layout today -- it's the one I mentioned yesterday! These pictures are from a family camping trip that we take with my dad's siblings every year. (My dad is the 4th of 8 kids, and I am the oldest of the cousins...my youngest cousin on that side was the flower girl in our wedding!) Anyway -- we spend as much time as possible on the lake while we're there. This past

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-82049868389189912772008-01-25T11:33:00.000-06:002008-01-25T15:40:18.866-06:00

Now that I'm officially part of SBS10, let me introduce myself! I am a SAHM with 3 little ones....my oldest will be a kindergartner in the fall, and my youngest is 18 months. They keep my on my toes! And I'm so lucky to be married to a great guy...my husband Matt! He works so hard to make sure I can stay home with our kids.In April 2007, a friend of mine (Thanks, Tricia) introduced me to Close to

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-61417962680899236082008-01-24T19:48:00.000-06:002008-01-24T20:37:52.074-06:00

I was so excited because I finally had a free minute to scrap a few pictures from this summer. (Let's just say that when we woke up this morning, the temperature was 10 below zero. BRRR. I thought the summer pictures would warm me up.) I completely finished the layout, went to print my pictures, and was so sad to find that my printer is OUT OF INK! UGH! So tomorrow, I promise, I will post my

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259477982869374139.post-5429874008015517122008-01-21T22:15:00.001-06:002008-01-21T22:23:46.777-06:00

This is my first attempt at posting my art on the web, so here goes nothing! This is a lovely little milk carton that was posted on Splitcoast Stampers. I saw it and had to give it a shot. It wasn't terrible hard to make, and I'm going to try it again with more colors. But for my first shot, I'm okay with it!Paper used: Cranberry Cardstock, Creative Basics Silhouette (CTMH)Stamps: All My Love (

Alyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08980420274626946405noreply@blogger.com3