plain and simple

super fast

I've got a sick boy today so this has to be quick...

one of my favorite websites lately:

Design Mom

I went to California for almost a week (so nice and warm!), to CHA, and worked the Sonburn booth. I love going to these trade shows- it is so fun to create new stuff and then see everyone's reaction.. I also love seeing all my friends- ones I only see three times a year at these shows. I had a great trip, but it is SO good to be home!

Probably the coolest part of my trip was the cab ride to the orange county airport when I was heading home. I sat up front with the driver (I was feeling a bit gaggy that morning, so no back-seats for me!), and I had the best conversation with him (I'm going to call him TD because I don't want to use his real name). TD is from Eritrea (which is bordered by Ethiopia to the south), lived there until he was 17. He moved to Sudan for a bit, then went to Italy for a year. He finally got a sponsor in the US and moved here, got picked up by a professional soccer team his second day in the US. He talked almost the whole way to the airport about his family, his education, his life now. I loved it. He has 6 brothers and 4 sisters, all live in Africa except for one sister that came to the US after he sponsored her. He has traveled all over the world and is so happy with his life!

The story of his wife and daughter totally made me cry it is so sweet- TD's best friend in Eritrea, had a niece that he wanted married to someone good, so he called on his good friend in America, TD, to marry her. After spending two months in Eritrea getting to know his future wife, TD was married. His wife is almost ready to come over to the US with their 3 month old little girl. Right now, he is coaching soccer for 10 year olds and driving the taxi, waiting for his family to arrive.

We only had a 20 minute drive, but it felt more like hours- I could have talked to him forever! TD gave me the biggest hug at the airport and wished me so much luck with the baby and traveling to Ethiopia- he was so excited about our adoption and about us visiting Africa.

And speaking of the adoption, we are waiting on our 171/797 letter to come in the mail.. for some reason, I am so patient about this right now- not sure what is up with that! Maybe because I know once we receive that letter, I have to take almost all of paperwork down to the state courthouse to get it authenticated- that will be a full day :-)

Ok, since I love to have pictures to post.. here are some from CHA that my sweet friend, Becky took...

Here is Becky- she is just the most gorgeous person I know, inside and out, love her..

My friend, Lori and I...

My great friends, Leslie & Jenn (and there is me- with my bra strap)

ok ok i'll do it

I'm not sure I have ever been tagged before, and believe me I was thinking of not doing this one (sorry, Leslie !). As I was making dinner for the kids last night, I was giggling to myself about my strangeness when it comes to eating (I think I am rather normal, other people do not). So, I decided to dedicate this *tag* to food/eating habits :-)

7 random things people may not know about me (and may not want to know!)

1. I eat my cereal dry. no milk.

2. I cannot stand to look at raw meat before I eat it. Somehow, I manage through cooking dinner and then eating afterward, but blech! And places like Morton's where they bring a whole car-sized platter of raw meat for you to check out before you order?? GROSS!! I do NOT want to see that.

3. I cut all of my meat and vegetables up before I start eating. My friend, Lori, laughed at me last week because she said it looked like I was making the plate for my kids. nope, just me.

4. I like to smash my bread/rolls before I eat it. Not sure where this came from, I just know I have been doing it for as long as I remember. (Aislin now does this!)

5. I do not like to eat popsicles.. or ice cream. The one kind of ice cream I will eat anytime- Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

6. I hate eating meat off the bones. ick.

7. my favorite snack?? popcorn and M&M's of course :-)

now I would like to hear about everyone else's eating quirks... come on, tell! Instead of me tagging other people, I would love if you would just comment here if you post something on your blog, I would love to read :-)

not for my *tomboy*

Aislin has decided that she wants to be a tomboy; wear jeans and t-shirts and NO dresses. Yes, it makes me sad because I LOVE cute little sun-dresses!! Love to buy them, love her to wear them. I'm hoping this phase will pass (like the phase where all she wanted to wear were skirts and tights), and that by summer she will want dresses again. But, if she decides on no dresses for good, all I have to say is that I am so excited that I will have another girl to dress soon! Because *new baby* will be wearing some dresses :-)

Look at these cute little Old Navy dresses- LOVE them all!!

This last one is my favorite!!

I'm going *where* this month??

(photo of Turtle Bay Resort beach)

Thanks to my generous sister, Michelle, I'll be spending 6 nights on Oahu at the end of this month. Michelle is taking my mom and me on this trip and I just cannot wait!

I absolutely love Hawaii, and the last time Michelle and I were there together, we had a crazy fun time!
Hard to believe that was over 11 years ago!! yipes!! A few photos from our Maui time together..

more...

Now that I have a few minutes, I thought I would post some layouts of all 5 new Sonburn collections and also show some of the very cool Story Strips- our new embellishments- I love them!

Story Strips

Jezebel

Rogue

Reigning Cats and Dogs by Helen Naylor

Frolic by Lori Scroggins

Cool Sunnings by Helen Naylor

All layouts by Lori Scroggins :-) (thanks Lori!)

more tomorrow!