Weekend whirlwind

 My dad started a new job last week, one in which he's returning to drive trucks long haul and will only be home two days for every two weeks he's on the road. The last time he started driving long haul, it became incredibly difficult to see him, never knowing when he was going to be home (they would start sending him home, only to get him close to California before sending him off to the east again), and he lost so much weight that we all worried about him. Well, in talking with my mom Wednesday night, we found out that he was going to be home Thursday before hitting the road again Friday night. Thursday was also my mom's last day of school, and the plan had been that we would meet up in Blythe, Ca for me to give her my kids for almost six weeks. Well, when I found out that there was a short opportunity to see my dad, and let my kids see my dad, I hatched a very quick plan to be there Thursday night. So Thursday morning, I let the kids in on what we were going to do and we packed up and hit the road. As we started hitting the edge of Orange/Los Angeles counties, I had Bailey help me scheme to find out where my mom was so we didn't have to drive to a few different places looking for her. Since it would have been unusual for her to text my mom and ask her where she was, I told her to start with missing her Grandma and easing into finding out what she was doing and where she was. Well, Bailey did a fabulous job finding out where my mom was without my mom suspecting anything, but she had told my mom that she missed her cousin Hannah since my mom had just mentioned she had Hannah with her. So as we're pulling up to the major intersection before my mom's house, my mom called me on my cell phone. I put her off, telling her we'd call back in a few minutes, and minutes later we pulled up to her house. We were trying to be sneaky around her kitchen windows, and we were lucky she wasn't in the kitchen, so we were able to make it to the front door undetected. I got the kids on the top doorstep and had them knock...and boy was my mom surprised to find three of her grandkids standing there.

We had a lot of fun that night, the kids got to play with two of their cousins, and I got to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law, my brother's kids and my parents. But, the next morning I had to hit the road and get back home, so I made a quick visit to my grandma's house--I can't go all the way to my parent's house and not see my grandma--and then hit the road again.

When I finally got home, I was exhausted, and got to relax for about an hour when Jason sprung his surprise on me. Last year, for our ten year anniversary, we had decided ahead of time that we wanted to do something big to celebrate. And then the time came, and circumstances being what they were, we ended up doing nothing. I don't even think we had a date for our anniversary last year. Well, I guess that's been bugging my husband for a year now, and he decided that this year we would celebrate. So the only good thing about living in Arizona for the summer, is that the resorts are super cheap. And since we're used to the weather anyway, it's no big deal for it to be 100 degrees out to us because that's what it's like at home. He was playing in a tennis tournament in Carefree, Az Saturday morning, so he decided that I should join him at the resort and we would stay there all weekend. It was the most relaxing, enjoyable weekend, not worrying about what things I needed to accomplish that day, but just being able to enjoy it, and spending alone time with my sweet husband celebrating our anniversary and father's day. I was happy to have been able to capture some pictures of my husband playing tennis, something I don't get to watch very often, we did some window shopping, saw a movie, went to a great restaurant for dinner where they had a wonderful live band playing. This was the first time in our marriage that we have ever just picked up and left for the weekend on a moment's notice, but I sincerely hope it won't be our last. Having begun our marriage with a child, and having two more join us shortly after, we are so blessed to have family take them in the summer and allow us time to focus on each other and strengthen our marriage. I don't think anyone could have chosen a better husband for me than Jason, who is just an amazing man, a wonderful father, and the most incredible husband.

Anniversary

It's been eleven years since this beautiful June day in Southern California. And as much as we've struggled or gone through trials, I wouldn't change a moment of it. I'm so happy that through this crazy life, I have my very best friend by my side.

Catalog update

I'm embarrassed to have made a mistake, but in my excitement about how early I can get catalogs this year, I missed the announcement by Stampin' Up! that says I can't actually sell the catalog until July 1. I am allowed to give them out for free beginning June 20, so if you want to place a $50 for retiring items, I can get you your catalog on June 20, otherwise, I can begin selling the catalog on July 1. I spent an hour pouring over the new catalog this afternoon, and it is just beautiful! There are some exciting new stamps and accessories that I definitely can't wait to get my hands on! If you have any questions or want a new catalog, just let me know.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Okay, so call me a little crazy, but this time of the year is almost like a second Christmas to me. There's only one month left on the current catalog, which means that it is officially the new catalog transition period. The retirement list came out tonight, and I'm happy to say that I haven't lost many stamp sets. I'm really sorry to see some of the accessories go, though (especially some of the punches!), but I'm hopeful that will mean room for more fun products to take their places. I'm also super excited because I should get my new catalog really soon (one of the perks of being a demonstrator!). For the first time ever, I will also be able to receive my box of catalogs in early June. Please let me know if you would like a new catalog so I can make sure to order enough. They are $5 which just covers my cost on them, or they are free with a $50 order. To view the retiring products, click here which will take you to my website where you can order (you can also call or email me your order). While the stamps will be available through June 30, the accessories on the retirement list are on a first come-first served basis, and once supplies are exhausted, they are gone. I have seen some accessories sell out on the first day in the past, so if you have your eye on an accessory on the retirement list, don't hesitate to place your order. Please let me know if you have any questions.