JAMSquared

I recently joined the Mothers of Young Children devotional group at SHPC. This spring, we’re discussing George Barna’s Revolutionary Parenting: What the Research Shows Really Works. I’m enjoying the conversations about spirituality. I am hoping my faith will grow.

The group was using the adhesive backed paper name tags. I offered to make long-term use name tags. I decided to make four different styles of name tags. That way if the fall group has new people, their new name tags won’t stick out. The tags are 4-inches by 3-inches and are placed in some horizontal badge ID holders I picked up at Office Max. I thought about stamping something on them also, but decided to go simple and just use patterned paper and bows to decorate. The bows are adhered on the outside of the badge holder.

All the Nametags

Style 1

Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Real Red
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Summer Picnic
Accessories: Stampin’ Up Certainly Celery twill ribbon
Tools/Techniques: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large; bow embellishment

Style 2

Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red, Cameo Coral
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Pink Flamingo
Accessories: red grosgrain ribbon
Tools/Techniques: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large; bow embellishment

Style 3

Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Pawsistively Prints
Accessories: Stampin’ Up So Saffron grosgrain ribbon
Tools/Techniques: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large; bow embellishment

Style 4

Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum
Designer Paper: Stampin’ Up Enchante
Accessories: Stampin’ Up Certainly Celery twill ribbon
Tools/Techniques: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large, Classic Scalloped Circles Large; bow embellishment

The first day of Spring is March 20th, which is still 9 days away, but I think spring has arrived early here in Austin. The skies are blue. Birds are chirping. Trees are blossoming. And the temperature is in the mid to upper-seventies. If that doesn’t say spring, I don’t know what does.

On Tuesday, Jessica tried out her new sun hat on our walk. I let her swing at the playground. She is just too cute. She fell asleep on the way back home.

On the Swing, 3/9/10

Asleep in the Stroller, 3/9/10

Today on our walk, a blue jay flew across my path. Now, I love fall and winter, but this week the earth just seems to be awakening and I am reveling in it.

Tree Blossoms, 3/9/10

Tree Blossoms Up Close, 3/9/10

A few weeks ago, I wanted something quick to make for dinner. This is the result, Cheesy Beef Pasta. James enjoyed it, so I will be making it again.

Cheesy Beef Pasta

Cheesy Beef Pasta

Source: me

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 10.75-oz. can condensed tomato soup
• 1 10.75-oz. can cheddar cheese soup
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups uncooked variegated spiral pasta
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used Monterrey Jack since that is what I had on had, but feel free to use Cheddar or another variety)

Directions:

In skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion until beef is browned, stirring to separate meat. Add soups, water and Worcestershire sauce. Heat to a boil. Stir in pasta. Cover and cook over low heat 12-15 minutes or until pasta is done, stirring often. Sprinkle with cheese.

Yield: 4-6 servings

A baby investigates new things by putting them in her mouth. Jessica definitely is discovering new things everyday. This last week or so while she has been sick and very congested, her super seat has been great. It has allowed her to get some much needed playtime, but still be upright. I shot the below video on Thursday.

Six years ago today, James and I exchanged our wedding vows. He is the world’s best husband. He makes me smile when I am sad. He makes me laugh pretty much everyday. He holds me close and I feel loved.

It may only be six years of marriage, but we’ve been together for a lot longer. We started dating in June 1997, the summer before his senior year of high school and my junior year of high school. My friend Jillan was hosting an end-of-school pool party and she invited some of her boyfriend-at-the-time’s friends, James being one of them. We started talking and really hit if off.

Robert E. Lee HS Homecoming, Fall 1997

Except for about 9 months starting the second semester of my senior year of high school, we dated from the time we first met until James proposed September 26, 2003. I would have liked a fall wedding (my favorite season), but I didn’t want to wait a whole year to get married, so we were married February 28, 2004.

Cutting the Cake at our Wedding Reception

On Our Honeymoon

We have tried to take a trip every year since we were married. Typically, a picture from that year’s trip accompanied our Christmas card. We splurged in 2008 and went to the French Polynesian islands of Moorea and Bora Bora. It is my favorite trip so far.

Moorea Lagoon, Nov. 2008

I’m really pleased with how the card I made for James turned out. He got a big smile on his face when I gave it to him. It uses the Memories of Time sketch challenge. I printed the sentiment out with my computer. I’ve been doing a lot of coloring lately on my cards and I want to get some high-quality colored pencils.

We Make a DINO-MITE Pair!

Stamps: C.C. Designs Eric and Chrissy Go Prehistoric
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Stampin’ Up Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Basic Brown; Stazon Jet Black
Markers: Stampin’ Up Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Blush Blossom, Barely Banana, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Stampin’ Up twill ribbon; dimensionals
Tools/Techniques: cotton ball sponged background