To me From me...

As I posted on SCS...I bent the rules a tiny, weeny bit...

Today's challenge, make a card with background paper made from stamped words. No Patterened Paper. The Challenge Judges are going to shake their fingers at me. My defense...It's my Birthday. I get to do what I wanna!

Happy Birthday...

to Meeeeeeeeeeeee!

haha...Yep...Today is my birthday. Yippee. I'm pretty partial to my birthday since I even try to celebrate it six months from the actual day. The song that is playing is a song that came out while I was in college that I liked to listen to on my special day. haha.





Here are a couple of pix of me as a cute, adorable baby. You probably know that I was my parents' first (and bestest) child. Here are some things I know about my birth:

My parents announced my arrival to my grandmother on Christmas through a gift. My mom got a small wooden box, placed a small baby doll inside and wrapped it up. The note said: "I am coming down to earth to be a part of your family and this is to keep you company while you wait for me." That is what is said more or less. (You can bet that I announced my #1 pregnancy in a similar manner!)

I was extremely LATE. My poor mom carried me 10 months. This was back before doctors induced babies, I guess. Back at the end of June, when she thought she was going to deliver soon, she was picking Strawberries in Hirum, OH at a Stake Farm. People heckled her a bit and suggested that if I was a girl, I should be named "Strawberry Patch Hatch." (Of course this was before you found out the sex of your babies too!) Meanwhile...Mom had to wait over a month more for my arrival.

I have heard stories that my dad was late in getting to the hospital b/c he had to stop at a car parts store. But in his defense, he has always been a fabulous car mechanic that kept our cars running despite their age and condition. I rode home from the hospital in my great aunt's truck...probably held in my mother's arms. (Before seatbelt laws.)

I know that I was loved and wanted and cherished. My grandmother came over daily to "help my mom." But I'm sure she knew Mom was capable and she just wanted to be around me...her #1 grandbaby! I was practically perfect in every way.

While there are probably other stories these are the ones that I know and love the best. Thanks Mom and Dad for being the bestest parents I could ever have!

Remember this...

A while back I had to list 7 things about myself...




This pix was one of them....well, I'm having the same problem...sleepless. Not too fun when typically, I love sleeping. Sleeping is a good hobby!

Happy Birthday Dear Iva...

Today is Iva Elaine's birthday. While you probably don't know her, I have been extremely blessed to have met her and roomed with her. Even though we live in different states and don't email or talk on the phone...I know that she a fabulous friend. Happy birthday!

Here is a story about Elaine. In college, she got a new car. A small silver car. She is going to have to post and remind me of its make and model. New (even new to you) cars are really special so I make a big deal about it when someone gets one. By the time she got home this this car, it was super late at night and I was in my pjs. But I still ran out there to check out the car, sit in it and admire it.


Another story about my friend Elaine...

Once I tried dying her hair for her...to a much lighter blonde color. Well, I missed the hairline...just a little bit. But of course, even a little bit looks AWEFUL. So she had to run out to the store late at night to get a new box of dye to fix it. (Sorry.)

One summer we had a 3rd roommate who NEVER did the dishes. Somehow we just stopped doing them for her. And soon enough, there was no clean dishes to eat from. So Elaine and I went out to eat 2 nights in a row. K* got the idea and did the dishes! haha.

Fun times which I'll probably jot down more of these silly college memories before they are lost.



Finally got a challenge done...Yeah! Paper from my big sis tracylynn00...Tracy only had me for 1 month...I had 2 other big sisters flake on me. But she made the last package EXTRA SPECIAL. This striped paper is from her.

Winner...Lucky number seven...seventeen that is!

I just asked my fabulous mom to pick a number between 1 and 34...

She picked lucky number 17...

Lucky for Jodene:

jodene said...
"My stlye is crisp and clean. I don't destress must. Thanks for the chance."


Send me your address and name, Jodene. (dawnmercedes at hotmail dot com) And be assured that I do not flake on blog candy. I've had a few "wins" that never showed up in my mail box. Very disappointing!

blog candy

Advertising another's contest:

http://kristinaalewis.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-candy_27.html

She's got blog candy from SU convention!

My needs...

I googled my needs...

1. Dawn needs a tripod. (Well...not really.)
2. Dawn needs to firm up her group's flex time options. (I have already strictly limited the kids' use of tv/computer/video games this summer.)
3. Dawn needs to clone the dogs so they live longer than the chickens. (Ummmm...I'm leaving the dogs alone...don't worry.)
4. Dawn needs to be on TVLand. (That might be fun!)
5. Dawn needs to get out of the house. (No duh! and preferably without kids.)
6. Dawn needs to know where she comes from. (I already know this...I lived in heaven a long time ago it is true...)
7. Dawn needs to be the only or youngest child with a good age gap. (I believe this is what my mom has said for years.)
8. Dawn needs to change. (Perhaps.)
9. Dawn needs a reality check. (Maybe, maybe not...)
10. Dawn needs to do more research. (haha...)


Okay..found this on Barb's blog...did it myself!

Sunday Summary

Okay...I really don't have anything to summarize...haha.

But I wanted to post something. I guess I can say that tomorrow noon is the dead line for the blog candy drawing.

Oh I know what I wanted to ask. I'd love it if you could post a link for your favorite tutorial. I'm looking for a few good ideas of fun/neat things to make. And frankly, I don't really want to spend time looking for ideas. It's summer and my kids need my attention! Oh...and I have a few stamping jobs to do.


Okay...here's good news. I have been leading the music in church for the last few weeks...just a substitute. Today #3 wanted to sit with me on the stand. So I allowed him to do so...he was sitting behind the organ and that helped. I lead 2 songs with some announcements in between and then we sit up there during the passing of the Sacrament. He was very calm and well behaved. Next week, DD wants to sit with me.


I was asked to substitute as choister a year or so ago. DH was home with #3 who was sick. And I asked an older, single lady to sit with us so that when I went up to lead the music, someone was there to watch over my other two kids. But during the closing hymn, my kids walked up and stood beind me and waved their arms around, copying me. It was not cute. Not at all. I have no idea why this grandmother didn't yank them back in to the pew when they got up. Or why no one walked up to sit with them. Even now thinking about it, I am not happy. But those things happen (unfortunately). Enough of the older parents understood. Still...

Today our home teacher came to visit us after church. Lately, the kids do not sit still when we visit with him. So today, I reviewed the rules. "Children are seen and not heard." I explained what that meant and I explained when it would be appropriate for them to talk. DD was perfect. She sat, didn't complain when the adults were talking. DS#1... wanted to interject stories about his pokemon game and whined when I told him he couldn't talk about it. DS#3 was better than usual, but still, wanted to play and cried loudly when I took away the cars.

So tomorrow morning, my sons will help me clean out all the cupboards in the kitchen while their sister plays, watches tv, plays video games...just about whatever she wants to do! Maybe next time, the boys will do better!


Okay...I'm looking forward to seeing some fun links to tutorials or even just pictures from your own blog or gallery!