Happy {Heart} Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! My Valentine's this year also included a picture of the kids, and Walter dog. Look at Walter's face... he's so ticked off that I made him get in the group photo. He wanted a solo shot. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of my homemade Valentine, but I did remember to photograph the gift I made.

 

I made some really cute lavender filled sachets for gifts.  

 

Each muslin bag was stamped with hearts on the front and back. Then, I filled the bags with dried lavender. I used a tapestry needle to attach the felted balls to the strings of the bags. They turned out really cute and smelled heavenly!

 

Then, I wrapped them up in a pillow box, tied with satin ribbon and attached my own personalized sticker. 

 

I think the gifts were a hit! I love to make stuff, and I think it's even more fun to give the gift when a friend isn't expecting one. How did you spread the love this Valentines Day?

Happy Easter

From our family to yours,

many blessings for a happy Easter!

March in a Nutshell...

The month of March seemed to fly by for me. It was busy to say the least. So, here we are on the first day of the new month... a few things to share before we head full steam into April:

Our beloved yellow lab, Wrigley had to have some surgery to remove a tumor. Sadly, he has cancer and we found out that the tumor will grow back quickly. He has nerve cancer and it's apparently a fast growing type. He is doing well now and isn't in any pain, so needless to say, this is going to be his best summer ever! I love that big, furry Mama's boy!

I am continuing with my running. Yesterday was the last leg of the Louisville Triple Crown with the Papa John's 10 miler. It was a tough race through a very hilly Iroquois Park, but I finished strong and my brother, Adam kept me going. I beat last years time by almost 20 minutes- that's HUGE!

April 28 will be the Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon. I'm ready... running has become a part of my life and a part of my schedule. In March alone, I have run over 68 miles! I will be training all summer long with super long miles on the weekends to prepare for the Columbus, OH Marathon in October. Here I am in my first Marathon in Chicago, an experience I will never forget. 

Mac participated in the St. Baldrick's head shaving/fund raiser again this year at his school. He raised $525 and went over his goal to fund research for childhood cancers. We are so proud of him and his tender heart makes all of us smile! Here's a before and after picture... no teeth and now, no hair!

Lastly, I got a part-time job. I was offered a position at Paper Source. I'm only working 1-2 days a week and I took the job because I felt like I needed to be around creative people. I gain inspiration and gather ideas every time I work! Not to mention a really great discount! ;)

So, it's been busy. My stationery business has also taken off quickly in 2012. Lots of new designs and I plan to have a 20% off discount code as soon as the Facebook fan page reaches 200. If you're on Facebook, click like on the Paper Doll Stationery page!

I did some scrappin'! I know you are surprised... it's been a while. This is Elan and some of his many hats. He loves hats, helmets, hoods, and plays the part when he has one on! I captured a picture or two for every season from last year and it was so fun to compare how much he has grown.

Supplies: White and Kraft cardstock, Smash polka dot tape, Studio Calico cloud chip shapes and Mister Huey in white, AC Dear Lizzy paper garland, Fiskars punch, SEI letter stickers, Chipboard letters, and

October Afternoon stickers and letters.

I hope to scrap some more very soon! I have pictures printed and everything! It's just finding a couple hours to make something wonderful! Hope you find some time this weekend to create.

Enjoy, and GO CARDS! ;)

GROW

I haven't shared a layout in sooo long! I took these pictures of the kids while they played outside in the tree last August. When I saw the colorful tree paper from Little Yellow Bicycle in September, I knew exactly what I was going to do. Sadly, the paper and the photos sat on my desk until just yesterday.

I added some other papers, fringed the green to make it look like grass with my Martha Stewart scissors, and a Dear Lizzy glittered chipboard "grow." The little embellies next to the pictures are from Fancy Pants.

I always say how fast the kiddos are growing up. I want them to grow, but just a little s l o w e r. I miss the days where they just want to cuddle on a lap and read a book. Now, they play soccer together in the mud and have to strip down in the garage before even thinking of coming in the house. Anna reads to Elan and Mac is loosing all his teeth. Elan makes himself a snack without wanting any help and they all go on "path hiking" adventures together. I sit home and wait for someone that needs a hug or kiss... and I'm not ashamed to say that I bribe them with treats so they will sit and talk to me.

Grow on little buddies...

Oh Joy!

Like I promised... our Christmas card for 2011. I send out over a hundred cards every year- they can't ALL be handmade! So, I order some photo cards and the handmade ones get the same photo inserted.

I love the most recent comment from someone that received our card, "I love how you don't match your kids in holiday outfits and don't make them pose!" Not sure if I should be offended or not! :) I like to send out photos that express who my children are- not what they are pretending to be, with cheesy smiles and stiff poses, cringing at an outfit that I made them wear for 10 minutes and will never wear again! And actually, they do match! And this is who they are... darling, toothless, playful and full of Christmas JOY!

Halloween Recap!

We had a ball on Halloween night! My brother, Nate and his family always come to our house for dinner and trick-or-treating since their closest neighbor is over a mile away! As usual, the kiddos got loads of candy and were worn out at the end of the night...

Anna was an owl, Mac was The Grim Reaper, and Elan was a hunter.

We watched Goonies with the kids the Saturday before Halloween, so they wanted to carve the pumpkin like "One-Eyed Willie." 

 The sweetest kid being something scary!

Anna looked precious as an owl!

This is Elan's mean hunting face.

Here's a nice group picture of the kids...

My dad is putting Claudia in the photo and really, she wanted to have no part of it. Elan looks like the biggest buck just got away, and the girls, well, they just look so darn cute! They were ready to fill their bags with loot!
I hope you all had a safe, happy Halloween. Now that it's November, I'm frantically getting stuff together for my holiday show and thinking ahead to the Christmas crafts I want to do! Enjoy the weekend!

Happy Sketch

Good morning, friends. Happy first day of November! Can you believe it's already November? I know... Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! I am trying to squeeze in a little craft time for myself here and there, between filling stationery orders, working on a big holiday card commission, and chasing the kiddos around! It's only going to get busier! ;)

This week, I really liked the Sketchy Thursdays sketch. It was CAS and inspired me. So, I used this picture of my mom and dad that I have had sitting on my desk for months. We were in Hilton Head and also at my cousins wedding. We had so much fun and this picture of them really does show their happiness with each other.   

My parents have been married for over 40 years!!! Sure, they have their moments, we all do, but for the most part, they have a solid relationship that my three brothers and I really look up to and strive to have in our own marriage. They brought us up right with strong values, and for that, I am forever grateful. They make me so happy! 

And, if you want to play along with this weeks sketch at Sketchy Thursdays, this is what you have to play with:

You have until Wednesday night at 10pm to link up! :)

Happy 7th Birthday, Anna!

My oh my, how fast seven years has passed. Anna, sweet girl, you have grown up so much in just the past year that it is frightening. You are too old for bows and precious cotton dresses, you want to dress like me and have sparkles in your ears. You still have a taste for adventure and excitement and seem to fear so little.

Holiday World, August, 2011

You continue to excel in sports, soccer being one of your favorites. Maybe it's because daddy coaches and your bestie, Molly, plays too:

Fall Soccer, 2010

You are still a great runner and you sometimes ask to go with me on my runs. I hope you still like running in a few years so we can do a quick few together. You'd be great company!

Rodes City Run, March, 2011

All I ask of you is to be the best you can be, by your own standards. Be yourself, be unique. Never be ashamed of who you are and always stand up for what you believe in. Do what's right. Be smart. You are such a blessing, and every time I think of you, I smile.

Layout: November 2010

Happy Birthday, darling daughter. I love you.

26.2 Layout

I feel like I haven't done a layout in so long, but looking over all my race day photos that Stephen took, I felt inspired to create. I used this weeks Sketchy Thursdays sketch and really liked the design. So, here was the starting point:

And this is the layout that came to be:

Sorry about the crappy photo- it has been raining all day and I couldn't get outside. Had to use my flash. OK- there are a lot of happy goodies on here: Smash tape, Glimmer Mist paint, rhinestones, a faux Polaroid stamp from Lawn Fawn, felt, a fussy cut camera from some wrapping paper I got at Paper-Source, number stickers (26.2), and star embellies. Whew!

The journaling reads: He said I couldn't do it. I was determined to prove him wrong. It took courage, commitment and determination. I was scared and nervous, but also excited and anxious. I trained, and I trained hard. It all paid off because now I can say, "I did it." He was so proud... "

Thoughts from my first marathon- 26.2 miles of trying to beat myself. I won.

My First Marathon...

My first marathon was this past Sunday in Chicago. I am still in awe that I actually did it. I set a goal and accomplished it. This race was an unbelievable experience- the city, the crowd, the 20 minute crawl to the start line, the miles and miles of hilarious posters made by the spectators. It was a new found energy at this race. I enjoyed (almost) every step. To share with you, here's the day in photos...

Wake up call at 5 am. I head down to the hotel lobby after getting dressed and have 2 cups of coffee and some oatmeal. I go back up and do my Trigger Point stretching/massaging. It's 6:15 and time to meet everyone else in the lobby to start walking to the start.

This is where Stephen leaves me. He can't get into the area that is just for runners, so he snaps a picture of us and gives me a kiss before departing.

 My brother, Ironman Nate, sister-in-law, Lara and me.

Stephen had his day mapped out and planned to see me at several mile markers. He had a backpack full of my nutrition, just in case I got hungry, weak, dehydrated, etc. He was at every spot he said he would be at plus a few and navigated the city by train by himself! This is where we see him at the first spot... mile 4.

Nate took his camera and took so many pictures along the way- it was cracking us up- we really had a lot of fun!

This race was packed with runners... about 45,000 to be exact. It was crowded and the weather was hot- a sunny, almost 80 degree day. The heat didn't bother me much since I trained all summer long and lots of days the heat index was well over 100 degrees. Stephen got a picture of this guys running outfit...

Someone must have paid this guy $2K to run in that awful outfit.

Hi guys! I run into my brother, Adam, sis-in-law, Erin and Stephen again at mile 21. Adam is hootin' and hollerin' cheering me on! I stop for a minute to say hi, laugh and ask if they think I can finish in 27 minutes. Um... I don't think so...

Adam says, "LULU, You can do it! You look great! Keep going! Woo-hoo!"

Later, guys! I have about 5 more miles to go. See you at the finish line... 

By the time I reached the 24th mile, I really felt like stealing this guys shirt:

I did have a goal to finish in 4:45 or at least under 5 hours. Already, I had been running for about 4 hours and 50 minutes. I knew I was getting closer to the finish, and I also knew I wasn't going to make my finish time, but never during the entire race did I say, "I don't think I can do this" or, "I need to stop" or "I just can't go any farther." I never hit a wall or ran out of steam. The only thing going through my head was, "I trained so hard for this, I can do it and I am not going to give up." And by God, I didn't. I came across that finish line with a smile, saying to myself (or I may have said it out loud) "I knew I could do it!"

showing off my bling

My reward, immediately after the race... 

replacing lost carbs

I reunite with Nate and Lara, they were about 20 minutes behind me. I was so proud of Lara for pushing through. Not only was she running a marathon with an injury (shin splints), but she also has colitis. She did awesome! 

The sweat, the tears, all the self doubt, 16 weeks of training, over 300 miles of running, sore legs, blisters, narly toenails, 4 am wake up calls on Saturday mornings, running through 2 states in one day before 7:30 am, music malfunctions, carb loading and obscene potty breaks... it all paid off.

 The best running buddy and friend anyone could ask for, and I get a bonus because she's family!

Will I do it again? Absolutely. 

I'm Leaving...

I am bustin' out early in the morning to go to Chicago. My first marathon is Sunday. I am excited. I am nervous. I have worked and trained so hard for the past 3 months, I am ready.
When I started running, just this past January, I was elated that I could run 1 mile without stopping after "training" by running around my measly little court a few times. I set some goals, stuck with my training and here I am... headed off to conquer one of my biggest accomplishments. A 26.2 mile race. I can do this.

I hope to give you all a play by play when I return Monday night and share some pictures of the experience.
Wish me luck! ;)

Ironman Nate

This blog has been left unattended for a very good reason. My brother, Nate competed in the Ford Ironman this past Sunday. He has been on a rigerous training schedule for the past 14 weeks just for this event. For those of you that don't know, an Ironman is a triathlon that athletes swim 2.4 miles, bike 114 miles and run 26.2 miles.

My younger brother, Adam and I were a team for the day. He picked me up at 5:30 am to head down to the start of the swim. I also might add that brothers do not change as they get older- he immediately started ragging on me for not being in the driveway waiting for him and packing a backpack with way too much stuff in it. He changed his toon when he wanted some coffee out of my carafe, not to mention that I found 2 wicked awesome parking spots.

We found Nate in line, waiting for the swim to start. They swim 2.4 miles... in the Ohio River.

Adam was also Nate's "Coach." 

The National Anthem was sung before the event started. Nate takes it all in, beginning to focus and trying to breathe. The cannon is about to go off and all the athletes prepare themselves for a long day.

Cool as a cucumber, ready to swim...

Nate finished the 2.4 mile swim with no problem. I see him get out of the river and run up the path to get ready for the bike ride. The crowd was going crazy. Nate goes off to get his bike and gear up for the 112 mile bike ride. We sprint to see him ride down the shoot. Again, the crowd was insane... he was so pumped up, he was even cheering!

We get back in the car and drive to LaGrange, KY where the bikers make two laps in this one area. Adam is an insane driver. I can not believe I survived the day being his co-pilot. We steak out a spot to cheer him on at this point in the race. I figured it would be a good time to get a picture of all the signs we made.

Here's Nate on his bike after the second loop...

Now that he finished the second loop, we get back in the car and head back downtown to see the bike to run exchange. I caught this picture of Nate dismounting off his bike. He quickly drops his bike and gear and gets on his running shoes. Easy ladies, he's taken.

Run, Nate, run! You only have 26.2 miles to go.

My two brothers and I cheering him on every step of the way. Eric is on the left, Adam is on the right. It went downhill fast from this point with the sibling banter. 

Seriously, Nate is a machine. He only has 12 miles left to go in this race and he is smiling, high-fiving, and running like he's being chased with a knife.

Nates two older kiddos, baby Claudia is home cheering. Kendall and Daniel named Nates bike: "Zig-Dad" and "Blue Steel." We are all waiting at the finish line...

Here he comes, down the stretch...

"Nate Norrenbrock, You are an IRONMAN!" 

Unbelievably, Nate finished 140.6 miles in under 12 hours. He's freakishly amazing...

Mom and Stephen... they love to cry over everything. The Ironman was worth every tear, very emothional. 

Our Ironman Nate! We are so proud of him and his awesome accomplishment. He did amazing and look how great he looks!

After 140.6 miles, now Lara gets her husband back.  Nate is wondering what he's going to do with the extra 20 hours a week he has now that training is over. :)

One last hug and "good job" from Coach.

Nate, you are amazing. An inspirartion and a freakishly amazing athlete. You set your eye on the prize and went after it. You never lost focus and went after your dream. Your determination and will got you there. I can't wait to run my first marathon with you in October. I can't think of anyone else I would want to share my goal with than you. Love you, big brother. You 'da bomb.