Scrapbooking Bug

Okay, I finally started scrapbooking. I have been wanting to for quite a while, but everytime I tried, I would loose interest. This time, it seems to have stuck :-) Here are a few layouts I did while I was sick this past weekend.

Vegas Baby!

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas. It was a work related trip to the Surfaces Convention, and oh my, it was crazy. I have never seen so many products packed into a huge space in my life. Almost every flooring company in the nation was there, as well as a few international companies. We spent the bulk of our day meeting with our reps and buying product for our showrooms. At night we schmoozed with our reps at varios swanky parties and night clubs. Now, I am not a partier, I have never been drunk, and that sort of lifestyle is not my thing. However, I did have a good time, still staying completely sober. Yes, it's possible!

The highlight of the whole trip was going to the famed Tao nightclub at the Venetian. It was amazing. It's one of those places that you only get into if you know someone or are someone, mainly a celebrity. For the rest of us, it costs about $200-$500 just to get in the door. CRAZY!!! Well, one of our flooring suppliers bought out the club for three hours, open bar and all, and treated all of their customers to a free party at the Tao. While almost everyone around us was drinking, I stuck to good ol' water and gingerale with cranberry juice. We danced and sang and just had a blast. Here are some of the pics from our trip :-)

Ahhh, my 1st view of sunshine in over a month :-)

Brandy's room at the Venetian. (Our room, Michele and I, looks exactly the same except there were 2 beds)

It's neat to see 50's modern design with a 21st century spin.

At the show in the Sands convention center!

Lot's of metallics this year!

Yes! That's a pewter plated, working toilet. And you can have one in your home.

A view of the canal shops from the 2nd story window of the Canalleto restaurant. Our supplier, Cronin, rented out the second story as well as the bar.

The pinnacle of the trip, the Tao nightclub. (I didn't take these pictures cause I forgot my camera. But they provide a much better view of the interior)

Michele and I with one of the performers :-)

Bye Bye sunshine!

I Guess it Makes Me Human

Ok, so I'm a woman, and this is no surprise to any of you who know me, but being a woman comes with certain emotions and feelings. Lately, I can't explain it, but I have wanted a baby. I know it's crazy, cause Aaron and I are no where near being ready for kids. But I can't help seeing children everywhere and wanting to add one to our family. Even more strange, as it may seem to some, I am wanting to adopt children rather than have biological children. I have always wanted to adopt, but as I get older I just see us adopting. I have been praying about this a lot and it has been on my mind. I can't imagine what the future holds for us, but I pray that God has a little life in store for us to care for and love. It's hard to explain how I feel. I mean, I'm in no way opposed to having a biological child, if that is what God has intended for us, but I truly long to adopt. My heart has always wanted to have a family that is blended from different countries and cultures. The more I read and study on the subject of adoption the more my heart longs to grow our family this way. I know we have a very long road ahead and probably won't even be able to afford children for about 5 years, but I still think about it alot. I guess I'm at that age where I see babies everywhere and want one of our own. I know it's a long way off, but there's no harm in thinking about things. I know I'm thinking way in advance, but I've always been the type to have a plan of action, even if it doesn't work out. So here's to research, planning, and praying that God has a baby in store for us someday in some country waiting to be born to come home to us. God Bless :-)

*And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body-Romans 8:23*

***Note: Ok, so it's a little ran together, but I had to get my thoughts out there. I've been thinking about this for so long and so many years :-)***

Ain't He Handsome :-)

So, my dad bought Aaron a very nice suit for Christmas and Stu (Aaron's dad) bought him a nice pair of shoes to go with it. Here are the pictures. Enjoy! I think he looks very debonaire ;-)

What a Day!

So I took Max and Leila to the vet for their yearly checkup/ shots. As you can see, it was quite the exhausting morning :-)

We're Back :-)

We had a wonderful trip in AZ. It was so nice to see everyone again. It was a whirlwind trip and now we are home, almost as if it had never happened. But, I have the pictures to prove we went LOL!!! Here they are, enjoy :-)

Leavin on a Jet Plane

Finally, it's almost here. Our much anticipated trip to AZ for Christmas. I am so excited to see our family again, especially Zach, it's just been too long. However, I still have two more days of work before we leave. Luckily, I had plenty of work to keep me busy yesterday, but I finished it. So I don't have a whole lot to do today and tomorrow. Ahhh, anticipation makes time go so slowly. Merry Christmas all!! I'll post pics when we get back :-)

Christmas Party :-)

So we had our company Christmas Party last Saturday at the Embassy Suites Hotel in down town Portland. It was phenominal!!! We had a gourmet meal, free rooms, drinks, and lots and lots of presents. I have never worked for a company that truly rewards it's employees with such a lavish event. Here are some pictures!!

Brandy (left, owner) and her sister Shannon

Me singing ,This one's for you Mom :-)

Chuck ( Right) and Dave (Vice Pres.)

Aaron and me :-)

The amazing spread

Michele (Tigard manager) and Willis

Aren't we cute LOL!

Gina and Chuck

Char and Scott

Dave and Tracy

Just Chatting

Dan and Chelsey

Kathy B and Keith

Cindy and Shannon

Terry and Kathy P

The spread take 2

Ooh, Presys

The whole gang!

It was a wonderful night and I'm looking forward to next years party!!!

Our Niece Ayana

So we saw the first pictures of our niece today. It's so amazing to see her face and her features at only 5 months in utero. God has blessed our family once again with this beautiful baby girl. Check out Leah's blog for the sonogram pictures (they're amazing).

Here is the link to Leah's blog. http://brierrose.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving

This year it was just Aaron, Me, and the fur babies. So I did what any other insane first time Thanksgiving Dinner Preparer would do and cooked. :-) Okay, so I went a little overbored. I must say, everything turned out perfect, no burning, over or undercooking, or any major disastors. We had quite the menu... Turkey, of course, with gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted fall veggies (acorn squash, brussel sprouts, and onions), green beans, cranberry relish, cranberry sauce, and all finished off with the pumpkin pie! It was so yummy and we have a ton of leftovers. Enjoy the pictures :-)

On a serious note, I have so much to be thankful for. God has richly blessed me and my family, pets included :-). I hope you take time to thank God for His Grace and remember everything you have been blessed with.

Just Some Fun!!!

I stumbled on the pseudonym game and had to fill it in. It may be more than you want to know about me but I found it funny :-) Enjoy!!!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Katie Escort

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Vanilla Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY GIRL” NAME: (first initial of first name, first 3 letters of last name)
L-Mar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Cockatoo

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Elizabeth Orlando

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Mar-La

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Sage Smoothie

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
James Roger

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Tangerine Sesame

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names)
Anne David

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Morgan Milan

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Winter Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Cherry Caprisie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Soyogurt Evergreen

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather + “Tour”),
The Fashion Overcast Tour

So much has happened!

So I got the job!!! For those of you who don't know, I am now the manager of the Carpet Place Foster Store. I found out on Monday and I am so thankful for the opportunity God has given me. After a long uphill struggle God has blessed me with a job that I love and that utilises my degree. Thank you God for this job :-)

Here's the gang from back row to front and right to left.

Brandy (Owner), Kathy P, Michele (Tigard Manager), Cindy, Dave (VP)

Kathy B (Financial Manager), Me ;-),

Charlene (Outside Sales), Chuck, and Chelsey