Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Creative Round Up #2



Here it is for this week! The first photo is from Kathy. These are angel dolls that she has made for her granddaughters- super cute idea! The second is from Dani. This is an anniversary card she made for her husband-love the rick-rack!
Keep'em coming ladies!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Creative Monday



Sorry about my creative tardiness! I have been in D.C for the past week and I am still in the recovery phase of my trip! The above photos are two photoshop projects I have been working on. They are almost complete. The plan is to scrapbook the finished product in each child's book. I am not happy that Issac seems to be floating in the upper left hand corner of his collage and I am still trying to work out some resolution bugs with Claire's project. But these were done "free-hand" without the use of a template so I am pretty happy that I've been able to even do that! A few of you asked last week about image size. If you click on any photo on this blog it will bring up the photo in its own window and it should be larger. I have a flickr account ready for our round-up tomorrow so that will be helpful also in seeing other's work. So send those e-mails!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Creative Round-Up#1



We have two sources of inspiration this week. The first is from Kirsten. This is her "inspiration board" she created this to encourage the creative juices when she is working on something. The second is from Krystal. She made this bouquet as an idea for Mother's Day. Way to go ladies! I look forward to more inspiration next week!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Creative Monday Kick-Off...


Well, here it is. This cute little card was fast and fun to put together. I've been into birds lately, and I love this set of stamps that has all different types of owls. This type of card is called a "triangle trifold" and the tutorial can be found on Splitcoast Stampers at:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/triangle_trifold/
Now, it's your turn!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Expelled....

Jed ran across this article and I found it interesting....thought I would share.

Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists

L. Brent BozellFri Apr 18, 3:00 AM ET

I confess that when the producers of Ben Stein's new documentary "Expelled" called, offering me a private screening, I was less than excited.

It is a reality of PC liberalism: There is only one credible side to an issue, and any dissent is not only rejected, it is scorned. Global warming. Gay "rights." Abortion "rights." On these and so many other issues there is enlightenment, and then there is the Idiotic Other Side. PC liberalism's power centers are the news media, the entertainment industry and academia, and all are in the clutches of an unmistakable hypocrisy: Theirs is an ideology that preaches the freedom of thought and expression at every opportunity, yet practices absolute intolerance toward dissension.

Evolution is another one of those one-sided debates. We know the concept of Intelligent Design is stifled in academic circles. An entire documentary to state the obvious? You can see my reluctance to view it.

I went into the screening bored. I came out of it stunned.

Ben Stein's extraordinary presentation documents how the worlds of science and academia not only crush debate on the origins of life, but also crush the careers of professors who dare to question the Darwinian hypothesis of evolution and natural selection.

Stein asks a simple question: What if the universe began with an intelligent designer, a designer named God? He assembles a stable of academics — experts all — who dared to question Darwinist assumptions and found themselves "expelled" from intellectual discourse as a result. They include evolutionary biologist Richard Sternberg (sandbagged at the Smithsonian), biology professor Caroline Crocker (drummed out of George Mason University), and astrophysicist Guillermo Gonzalez (blackballed at Iowa State University).

That's disturbing enough, but what Stein does next is truly shocking. He allows the principal advocates of Darwinism to speak their minds. These are experts with national reputations, regular welcomed guests on network television and the like. But the public knows them only by their careful seven-second soundbites. Stein engages them in conversation. They speak their minds. They become sputtering ranters, openly championing their sheer hatred of religion.

PC liberalism has showered accolades on atheist author Richard Dawkins' best-selling book "The God Delusion." But when Stein suggests to Dawkins that he's been critical of the Old Testament God, Dawkins protests — not that Stein is wrong, but that he's being too mild. He then reads from this jaw-dropping paragraph of his book:

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

Dawkins has a website. Its slogan is "A clear-thinking oasis."

It's understood that God had nothing to do with the origins of life on Earth. What, then, is the alternate explanation? Stein asks these experts, and their very serious answers are priceless. One theorizes that life began somehow on the backs of crystals. Another states electric sparks from a lightning storm created organic matter (out of nothing). Another declares that life was brought to Earth by aliens. Anything but God.

The most controversial part of the film follows Stein to the Dachau concentration camp, underlining how Darwin's theories of natural selection led to the eugenics movement, embraced by Adolf Hitler. If there is no God, but only a planetary lab waiting for scientists to perfect the human race, where can Darwinism lead? Stein insists that he isn't accusing today's Darwinists of Nazism. He points out, however, that Hitler's mad science was inspired by Darwinism.

Now that the film is complete, the evolutionist prophets featured in the film are on the warpath inveighing against it, and the alleged idiots who would lower themselves to watching it. Richard Dawkins laments how the film will solicit "cheap laughs that could only be raised in an audience of scientific ignoramuses." Minnesota professor and blogger P.Z. Myers predicts the movie is "going to appeal strongly to the religious, the paranoid, the conspiracy theorists, and the ignorant —— which means they're going to draw in about 90 percent of the American market." Myers and Dawkins now both complain they were "duped" into appearing in the movie (for pay).

Everyone should take the opportunity to see "Expelled" — if nothing else, as a bracing antidote to the atheism-friendly culture of PC liberalism. But it's far more than that. It's a spotlight on the arrogance of this movement and its leaders, a spotlight on the choking intolerance of academia, and a spotlight on the ignorance of so many who say so much, yet know so very little.

L. Brent Bozell III is the president of the Media Research Center. To find out more about Brent Bozell III, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Happy Birthday Emma

Happy Birthday Emma!
I love this photo of Emma, Kate and Luke. It truly captures what a wonderful aunt she is. She always makes time for all of the kids and makes them feel loved and special.
We Love You Emma!

Monday, April 14, 2008

All About Me Tag....

My sister-in-law sent me this months ago....so here goes....

1.WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Both of my grandmas, my middle name
2.WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Two days ago
3.DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I don't like it or dislike it
4.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
probably turkey, lately I'm into chipotle black bean burgers w/ pepper jack cheese....
5.DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
4 ,pictured to the left
6.IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
who knows?
7.DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
probably too much, it gets me into trouble
8.DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep!
9.WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Been there, done that.
10.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
currently oats and honey granola and kashi autumn wheat
11.DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No
12.DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Somewhat
13.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Ben and Jerrys :New York Super Fudge Chunk & Dove miniatures (dark cherry royale ones)
14.WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
? Their face?
15.RED OR PINK?
Red!
16.WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My temper
17.WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My grandpa, passed away 6 yrs ago....
18.WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Jeans and red flip-flops
19.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Thai peanut chicken satay w/noodles
20.WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Music on my blog...
21.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
green...Cause it's not easy being green..........
22.FAVORITE SMELLS?
Bread baking, newborn babies, freshly mowed grass, clean laundry, campfires, the woods after a good rain
23.WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jed, always calls on his way home...............
24.FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
On tv- basketball, in person- baseball,love the olympics
25.HAIR COLOR?
Brownish, blondish
26.EYE COLOR?
green
27.DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
yep
28.FAVORITE FOOD?
this is a really hard one....chocolate? cheese? strawberries? bread? ice cream? thai? mexican? seafood? sushi? cheesecake! the list goes on......
29.SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings. must have resolution! too many loose ends in my own life....
30.LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
enchanted (w/the kids)
31.WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
green
32.SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer
33.HUGS OR KISSES?
sloppy kisses from my babies
34.FAVORITE DESSERT?
Jed's cheesecake
35.WHAT BOOK(S) ARE YOU READING NOW?
I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson
36.WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Yoda
37.WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
nothing
38.FAVORITE SOUND?
my kids laughing, Jed singing in the shower, that crunching sound snow makes when you step on it (an alaska thing),birds chirping in the morning
39.ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
40.WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Switzerland
41.DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
That squirrel noise?
42.WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Anchorage ,Alaska


Ok-Now it is your turn....I tag: Kir, Charity, Angie, Amy, Jenni, Emma, Lori

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Sushi Night




Today was a good Saturday. Jed had a lot of revisions on his thesis that he was finishing up. We spent the day doing work projects and getting things done around the house. It was nice to be together even if we were all busy doing things. It has been more of a chaotic week than usual and it was good to slow down. We had a sushi night, and the boys were in heaven. Jared made up his own "eel california roll" and Luke kept eating the picked ginger like it was candy. Afterward we went for a family walk around the temple and got ice cream cones. Isaac announced that we needed to do this every Saturday and I agree. How many times do all the stars align and you have one of those nights as a family that would rival any church commercial? Not very often in our house. So tonight I am grateful for a loving, supportive husband who knows his way around the kitchen and for four healthy, crazy kids who love me. Tonight is one of those nights when I feel like there is no one or nothing else in the world but us....and it's just where I need to be.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Weekend Update

OK, so I think I've figured out all the bugs...knock on wood. I wanted to update my blog with a new fresh, spring/summer look. I didn't plan on it being such a pain in the butt. Credits go out to my friend Rhonda at SoCo Creative at Etsy and Eli for tech support. Now that I'm done obsessing about that I can focus on other things...
So, I have a small confession. This week has been going good with the whole "Buy Nothing" challenge. I have to admit that on Friday I went to the store and fell off the band wagon a tiny bit. I bought myself a Diet Pepsi and a package of fudge striped cookies for the boys. So here is my justification: Jared had a rough week and was having a friend over for the afternoon....So, #1 If I was going to have charge over one more child, I needed some caffeine in my system.#2 We didn't have any good treats in the house and I didn't have time to bake and I wanted to give Jared a boost and let him pick out something special. There you have it. I can justify anything. It is a gift. I suspect it is genetic, but will save that rationale for another day. I will say that I have done quite well in all other respects. I have eliminated things I've thought we "needed" and saved a few bucks here and there along the way. Today, I made cinnamon rolls from scratch. I haven't done that for years. I have made Rhodes rolls a "necessity" for conference weekend. And with the challenge decided I could just make them, after all I do have all the ingredients at home. The boys had a blast and they were super delicious. Go figure. So if anything, it has been a good reminder and eye-opener of needs vs. wants and more money in the bank is always good. It has made me think of all the little things that really are "not a big deal" but do add up in the end. I have found the best defense is just to not go anywhere = no temptation! Maybe that's cheating, but hey, it works. Thanks to Charity, my support for the week! Although Jed has not said much I know he is secretly impressed.
I realized this evening that everyone in our household has been healthy now for almost 2 weeks! It is an amazing feat after such a rough winter. Little Claire is back up to a hefty 16lbs5oz and her cheeks show it. I am sad to report that all the weight that she lost, I found and then some. (sigh) One thing at a time right?

Friday, April 4, 2008

Under Construction...

Trying to tweek some things........having issues..............wish me luck!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Come out, come out ,wherever you are!

OK so I changed my settings a bit and you do not need a blogger account to leave a comment now....so go crazy. But, remember to be kind.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Nana!


Happy Birthday Nana!
We Love You!
Love, Jared,Isaac,Luke and Claire

OK

OK,OK, I really don't think you are all consumer pigs. I just thought I'd get a little bit more response on this. Don't worry it's not too late either...
I had to make a run to the store yesterday. So, in the spirit of the challenge, I went to Target. Bad, bad store: a serious source of temptation. But, I am happy to report, I only got the things on my list and I successfully avoided any clearance type racks and the dollar spot. Yahoo! I know this sounds ridiculous but I do know there are those of you out there that do understand. The rest of you can laugh all you want. You have your vices too...

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Consumer Pigs!

Come on people! I only have one person willing to take the challenge?