My first altered project!

I have finally completed my first altered project and I am so excited! I know it is not as fabulous as some other things I have seen altered but I am loving it nonetheless! I played along in a challenge at The School of Scrap to complete an altered "Thankfulness" project...and this is what I came up with.

It is one of those wooden photo boxes that I found on clearance for about $6. It has a place for a photo on top and then inside are little holders for tons of 4x6 photos. All the patterned papers and embellies are from BoBunny except for the ribbon. Inside each year I plan to have us all hand write what we are thankful for and maybe even add a small picture as well. I thought it would be a nice new tradition for us to start and I know it will be so cute to look back on when the kids get bigger.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving has passed and everything is already full steam ahead for the Christmas holidays...WOW! We had a nice Thanksgiving holiday in NC visiting the Biltmore estate (family pic was taken there) and then in VA with Steve's dad, grandfather and brothers. We also had a chance to visit with some friends in NC on our way home. I think my favorite part was just being able to really experience fall...the changing leaves were just gorgeous (Alyson and I couldn't stop "oohing" and "aahing" over them) and there was just the right amount of chill in the air! LOVE IT!

These are a few of my favorite pics...

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about emotional connections and bonds. You are happiest being around those you love. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in. You think the holidays should be energetic and packed with activities. You'll double up on caffeine and sugar if that's what it takes to get you through them. Your favorite holiday memories strongly evoke your senses. You are vividly aware of all the tastes, smells, and sounds of the holidays.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

I am cast free!

My cast/splint came off for good today. I am actually feeling a bit naked without it! I have gotten pretty used to using my left hand...plus my right is pretty stiff and sore still. I think the doc was hoping I would have a bit more mobility in it than I do - guess I didn't exercise it hard enough these last few weeks :( I go to my first physical therapy appt in a week...and I must admit I am pretty scared of the pain that will be inflicted. I am going to work it as hard as I can over this next week but even attempting to write something is excrutiating right now. The doctor told me it will never be 100% and so I am worried as to exactly what it WILL be...this is my dominant hand we are talking about. Makes me SO angry at this 18 y.o. kid who caused all this. Wish I could just SCREAM at him -- not that it will make any difference but at least it might make me feel better.

My wrist looks so deformed to me now and I know that it will never look the same again...not to mention the scar I will be sporting now. I know it sounds so silly but it makes me feel so ugly right now. I should be focusing and remembering how lucky I am to still be here but instead I am worried about how it looks -- so superficial really. And I always liked my handwriting before but now it may never look as nice...stupid stuff, I know. I was rambling on about it all to Steve today and much to my surprise he was really supportive and even surprised me with a card letting me know he loves me no matter what.

I hate feeling so frustrated and angry about it all...but right now I just can't help it. It just isn't fair. :(

Remember Me

This was made by a 15 y.o. girl. It is so very powerful. I am so thankful for these men and women.

Halloween Cuties!

Okay, so I know I am posting these a few days late but here are my guys all decked out for Halloween...

Alyson was as pretty as ever dressed up as Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) in the beautiful dress that my mom made for her - so proud of my mom! She really does beautiful work and Alyson was just tickled pink to be in that dress (pun, intended! LOL!) She was constantly twirling around.

Stevie was as tough as ever as Jango Fett and as you can see in some of the pics took his role very seriously! LOL!