If you need us...

We'll be here.... Big Lake, AZ

Doing a lot of this....

We'll be back on the 29th. Try not to miss us. :p

Dear Daddy

Today is a day to celebrate dad's. I love my dad. He's such an amazing man. He's always been my rock, helping me through the big and the small trials in my life.

Thanks so much for everything you do, Dad. I appreciate it more than words can ever say.

Happy Fathers' Day, Dad. I love you :)

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Today is my little brother's birthday!! Alex is 17 today!! Where has the time gone?? :p

Happy Birthday, Alex!! Prom Night, 2009

One Year...

One year ago this month....my family was enduring trials we didn't think we'd ever have to endure.

One year ago this month....we cried a thousand tears, and said a million prayers.

One year ago this month....we were struggling to understand how and why.

One year ago, June 18th, my stepfather, Fred Laam, lost his battle with cancer.

It was a very difficult time in our lives. Thanks to the loving support of our family, friends, and Heavenly Father, we made it through. I knew we would. It was just hard to remember that at the time. We've all come to terms with it. My mom has met and is dating another wonderful man. She misses Fred terribly, and Tim is very understanding and is there to help her through the tough times.

Fred is missed very much. Not a day goes by that we don't think of him. But we know that he's watching over us. It gives us peace and puts us at ease. :)

*Photo is courtesy of Summer. Pictures are of my parents wedding day*

Completed

Here's my completed Friend Brag Book. Mostly, anyway. I'm debating on how to bind it...but this is what the entire book looks like when you're looking at it all :) I have detail pictures that I'll post later....busy doing laundry and packing for our camping trip :) Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, or constructive criticism! This is the first one I've ever made....and there are definitely things I could've and probably should've done differently :)

Feeling Domestic...

I'm not sure exactly what it is....but today I started feeling really domestic. I don't exactly want to vacuum the carpet....I just feel the need to create something. I've got the urge to sew something pretty. How weird is that?? The last time I touched a sewing machine, I managed to knot it up pretty good. In fact, I think it might still be out of comission. [Oops!] I found a cute girls blog (I don't know how to link to it), and she sews all sorts of cute clothes. she took a onesie and attached fabric to it to make a cute dress for her daughter. Um...adorable! I just look at a sewing machine, and I imagine all the super cute stuff I could make! :) Perhaps I'll attempt to learn how to sew. :) I've thrown myself into scrapbooking, and I like to think that getting I'm pretty good at it :) But I think I'd like to become more crafty and domestic-y. I just want to create cute things for my home, my family, my friends. So far, I'm good for a scrapbook page. That's about all. :p I have a couple other ideas. A cute girl makes what she calls "Big Pages" and frames them. I think I'd like to tackle one myself. For a gift. For someone special. Speaking of making gifts....I've been working on a super cute project for someone special! ;) Curious? Is it bugging you yet? That's too bad. It won't be unveiled until its done. Hopefully, that'll be sooner than later. :) But so far its beyond cute, and I'm super excited to gift it. And I think this person will LOVE it as well. At least, I hope so :) So stay tuned for that, but don't hold your breath. It probably won't be ready till after vacation.

Speaking of vacation...

We're leaving for Big Lake next weekend. Do I need to even tell you how excited we are? Because we are beyond excited. We've been anxiously counting down the days. We're staying the full week, and we can't wait. Last year, we had just gotten married, and we only went for a weekend. We're going the entire week this year. Lots and lots of fishing awaits us. I'm even taking some scrapbooking :D Yes, I'm that much of a dork. But I have lots of cute kits made and ready, so I don't have to take all my stuff. Just the basics. It'll keep me busy. I need to get a book. Still debating reading Twilight. Natalie thinks I should. Half the world thinks I should. I'm still being stubborn and holding out. But I haven't completely dismissed the idea. We'll see. I usually end up taking a couple Harry Potter books. :) But I've read them all numerous times....it might be nice to read something new. :) We shall see :p

So...I can't think of much more to blog on about. We're alive and well. :)

Opinions, Please :)

Ok, so I have a friend who asked me to make her one of these. She gave me the money, and I purchased the materials. Its not done yet....I need to add embellishments and whatnot....But this is the first "brag book" I've ever made. So I was just curious what you all thought of it so far. I think its kind of cute. But maybe that's just me :p So critique away!! :)