Dona'Scrap

How about this crazy outfit?!?

2009-07-14T16:52:00.003-05:00

Gracelynn just being a cutie!

2009-07-09T23:42:00.009-05:00

Just posting a few Pictures! Summer Fun!

2009-06-17T13:50:00.011-05:00

Fixed the Layout

2009-05-09T20:31:00.001-05:00

I got a chance to fix the layout I wasn't happy with...here it is...

Layout I did from this weekend

2009-05-03T21:57:00.008-05:00

Here are some layouts from the crop this weekend. The first one is a work in progress...still needs some tweaking, but you get the jist..

Updated Pictures of the little Monkey!

2009-04-28T21:05:00.004-05:00

Corey will probably kill me for posting these, but I think they are hilarious! These are of Gracie's Poop Face...she is deep in concentration. haha

Even when she's pooping she is freaking adorable....suddenly I see myself in her with that chin!

Gracelynn's Green bean Goatee!

2009-04-15T21:59:00.006-05:00

Life Leading to a breakdown...

2009-04-13T13:50:00.003-05:00

Ok folks. I'm trying to hold myself together...but it's getting tougher by the day. Last Monday a Friend of Corey's family passed away...way too young. Tuesday, Corey's Mom's House caught on fire and the garage is pretty much toast...smoke damage in the House. Jane was so generously letting me store my boxes in the garage...but we don't have to worry about storing that stuff anymore. (trying to laugh here instead of crying). Thank God they got out safely.

Money is extremely tight now that we have Gracie's new expenses, trying to pay off medical bills from my hernia surgery, and med bills from the birth of Gracie...and now Corey has to have surgery...ug! So, we will have new medical bills, and he won't be paid for days off.... 2 steps forward, 14 steps back.

Car business is sucking...so commission checks have been way down...contributing futher to the money issues. When is it going to end???? I need an escape, but can't afford it!! ug!!

Side note: I'm grateful for my family and my job. Thank you Lord!

Thanks for listening to me feel sorry for myself...we will push through like we always do...but give us a break, please! :)

Updated Pictures of Gracelynn

2009-04-11T23:10:00.005-05:00

Family Photo's and Gracie Mae's Photos

2009-03-22T09:53:00.006-05:00

Ok, first of all I want to introduce you to Melissa Fleming owner of Houston Paparazzi's and photographer (I'd call her a photo-artist!). She did our wedding photos and most recently (Last Thursday) did a family photo-shoot at her new studio.

Ok, can I just tell you how much I love her work? She is great, she doesn't get offended by me showing her samples of what I am looking for, she is amazingly patient (Gracie tested that on Thursday), she is extremely sweet and of course, talented....and on top of all of that she is the most reasonably priced photographer out there.

Her studio was jacked up during Hurricane Ike...so that put her into fast forward mode on to opening her new studio out in Rosharon (not really that far...just off of 288 passed the Pearland area). At first I thought what an odd area to have a studio in, but when she told us her plans...it made perfect sense...She put a really nice building on a piece of land she got...the in-door studio is huge! Her plans are to landscape the land to have different photo opp. areas...like a wooden bridge, an area of bluebonnets, etc. What a great idea that is to have it all in one place...kinda like one stop shopping.

Anyway, she posted our pictures last night....and OMG, I absolutely LOVE them!!! They are EXACTLY what I was looking for. Some of the pictures of Gracie brought me to tears...damn I love that kid to the moon and back over and over again.

Melissa is sending us a disk of all the pictures, and of course I will be showing them off as soon as I get them....but if you are looking for a VERYVERY reasonable photographer...you need to give her a call (832-274-0280). You only have to pay a sitting fee, and then you get the disk and can print whatever you want to, at Walgreens or whatever! How great is that?

We are already planning another shoot with her to get our whole family done together...all the grandparents, great grandparents and kiddos...Can't wait to do that!

Anyway, check her out if you are looking for a photographer. Her specialty is weddings, engagement pix, and I think she did an amazing job on our wedding pictures (posted at the bottom of this page)...but she also does Graduation portraits and all that jazz.

Did I mention how much I love her work? :)

I cannot wait to scrapbook these pictures!!!

Ebay Blessings

2009-02-21T19:10:00.005-06:00

so, some of the auctions have been on ebay for the last couple of weeks in honor of Anita....and Corinna received this email today...

"My name is M****** and I found these punches recently and stumbled upon your auction today, some would use the word accident, but that is not a word I use anymore. I would first like to tell you what a blessing your story has been to me this morning. I have been battling cancer for the past four years. I am currently going through Chemo, my fourth round, and I can speak first hand about how special you are. I can tell you that this would mean the world to me as I know it does for Anita. The Lord has blessed you with a loving and giving spirit. I too have been too ill to do my scrapbooking justice, and would love to donate to your cause... please, let me know what I can do to help. I don't have much but what I do have I would love to share. I look forward to following the story to the end! THANK you for giving others joy and most of all...something other than our illness to focus on,because we are not cancer. Thanks for allowing me to take your time. I look forward to helping"

You just never really know how these things will touch people...but every since we started this project...I am amazed and how generous people really are....and a little bit of faith in people has been restored. Thanks Corinna for making me a part of this...love you.

Grace-lou had her first taste of the real stuff...

2009-02-17T20:33:00.004-06:00

Whatelse would it be about? Gracie-lou, of course!

2009-02-12T08:59:00.004-06:00

My Baby girl is a little over 3 1/2 months old and she is so proud that she can finally reach her feet! It is such a big day for her! She is becoming such a big girl that she sat in a high chair at her Mimi's...am Mimi discovered that she loves to play with spoons. Big news in the Rowe household :)

Gracie's Day

2009-02-09T21:27:00.003-06:00

Gracie spent part of the day with her Aunt Samy, Uncle Aaron and her cousins, Reagan and Alex!

Reagan decided to dress her up in her build a bear costume...it fit perfectly!

Damn she cracks me up!

2009-01-28T19:16:00.004-06:00

Nan Turned 85 today! happy birthday Nan!

2009-01-27T20:43:00.002-06:00

Doesn't she look beautiful???

I'm so lucky...

2009-01-27T14:17:00.003-06:00

To have such a sweet and cute baby. She just makes my heart flutter.

We hit the big time! sorda...

2009-01-18T21:04:00.012-06:00

UPDATE: If you are interested in helping Corinna deliver the scrapbook to Anita please go here: http://www.myscrapbooklife.com/ and hit the donate button. It is a secure transaction through paypal. Corinna and the rest of the yahoo girls working on this project would really appreciate any help to get her there, this is a project that has become really close to all of our hearts and we have grown to love this family eventhough we haven't met them. It's hard not to get attached to them when you are working on something so personal. So, pleasepleaseplease help us finish this...every dollar helps. __________________________________________________________ I would be proud to say our (the yahoo girls) talent got us into Feb09 Creating Keepsakes Magazine, but it wasn't...although any one of us could match those girls in there. But actually, I'm more proud to say it was our hearts, and particularly Corinna's heart.

I wrote about this project a while back, go to http://donascrap.blogspot.com/2008/09/pay-it-forward.html to read the whole story. Anyway, I'm proud of Corrina for making something happen for someone else...someone we don't even know. I am trying to get donations to help get Corinna to Canada to deliver the scrapbook in person. If you are interested, let me know! Every little bit helps.

Thanks!

Daddy's Wiskers

2009-01-18T19:35:00.004-06:00

Today was the first time we heard Gracie crack up laughing.

Gracie's Silly Faces!

2009-01-17T17:26:00.006-06:00

My Baby Girl..

2009-01-16T14:18:00.003-06:00

My Baby Girl has slept through the night for 7 nights in a row!!! We are soooooooooo excited, because you know me and Corey loooooove to sleep. Did I mention how cute my baby is? :)

This one touched me...

2009-01-12T08:39:00.001-06:00

What an amazingly bright kid...would love to know the parents who raised him.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-03T16:27:00.012-06:00

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Christmas this year..

Went Back to work this Past Monday...

2008-12-24T09:12:00.005-06:00

So on Monday I had to come back to work after Maternity leave. I did ok, considering. I took this picture with my phone before I left Monday morning. I must have looked at it a zillion times all day. Isn't she cute?

All I want for Christmas is...

2008-12-15T10:50:00.001-06:00

OK, she is sound asleep and all cheeks in the picture!

"hohoho, Merry Christmas!" from Gracie

2008-12-08T15:43:00.003-06:00

Baby Layouts!

2008-11-23T20:48:00.003-06:00

Ok, so me and Samy went to a crop this weekend...I got 3 layouts done...one i'm still working on tweaking a bit..but here are the other two...

I just love this picture...

2008-11-23T20:43:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure why I love these pix so much...but she just looks so dang cute!! Are you sick of Gracie pictures yet? Well, get use to it! haha.

Baby Grace is 1 month old today!

2008-11-22T16:25:00.001-06:00

Reagan Turned 11!

2008-11-17T12:37:00.003-06:00

It's hard to believe that Reagan is now 11 years old! She's growing up so fast! Here are a couple of pix from her family b-day party yesterday.

A Message For Mimi and Pawpaw...

2008-11-13T21:42:00.005-06:00

People getting laid off, the ecomony sucks..but damn my Baby is cute.

2008-11-12T16:00:00.003-06:00

I don't mean to be flip about people being laid off and the ecomony tanking...It's just making me realize how truely blessed I am. I have a kind, sweet and outright amazing husband...and I have the damn cutest baby ever to "walk" the face of the earth. I have a great family and a supportive group of friends. I'm trying really hard to focus on the positive and pray that the rest will all come together...but my heart goes out to those that are struggling because of layoffs.

Starter Pumpkin?

2008-11-08T18:43:00.004-06:00

Reagan and Alex went to the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago to pick out pumpkins for Halloween. They spent the afternoon sorting through to find the perfect ones, and Reagan found one and told my sister that she wanted to get it for Gracie as her "Starter Pumpkin."

Here is why we call her Princess Piglet...

2008-11-04T16:55:00.004-06:00

2008-11-01T23:43:00.004-05:00

How cute is this? The cats have been great with Gracie. They stand about 2 feet away and wait to be invited to come near the baby. I thought this was so sweet. Gracie was all snuggled up against me and Tanis got on the bed...so I patted on the pillow to tell him to come to me, and he came up beside us and put his paw on her.

Gracie and Dad!

2008-11-01T19:41:00.004-05:00

Here is Corey and his little "Gracelynn Mae Monkey Face, pumpkin butt, burrito"

Alex's views on Hurricane Ike

2008-10-28T19:19:00.004-05:00

I love to see the way kids see things...This is Alex's paper that he wrote on hurricane Ike. He is 9 years old.

Gracelynn Mae Rowe is home! (mom and dad too)

2008-10-26T16:45:00.005-05:00

We made it home yesterday. We've been trying to get all settled in...but here are a few pix for you to see of this little monkey of ours. This sure is fun so far...tired..but fun!

Baby Gracie

2008-10-23T21:00:00.004-05:00

Hi all......Auntie Corinna here again with another hijack of the blog.

Gracelynn's mommy just sent me a photo to share with you all.

Isn't she lovely?

She has a name!

2008-10-22T17:41:00.001-05:00

Gracelynn Mae Rowe. Isn't that lovely? I don't know about the rest of you REAL family members, but this "Auntie from Illinois" can't wait to see her in person! Corinna.....the blog hijacker

The Princess Has Arrived

2008-10-22T13:03:00.005-05:00

I have hijacked Dona's blog again to give you all an update. FINALLY I got the news that Princess Rowe has officially arrived. Details: 7 pounds 11 ounces, 19.5 inches, born at 8:35 a.m., female. :) Would you like to see the photo? It's not fabulous cause it was sent to my cell phone, but she's a beauty!

They haven't told me her name yet!

I will update more when I hear more from mommy and daddy.

"Auntie" Corinna.......

Tomorrow's the Day!

2008-10-21T15:47:00.003-05:00

ok, 8am tomorrow (10/22) is the baby day! We have to be at Memorial Herman Memorial City at 5:30am!! We are very excited! I will do my best to keep you all posted. Prayers please.

An Article about my Cousin Tommy.

2008-10-19T15:46:00.002-05:00

http://www.osan.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123119573 Congrats Tommy!

Letters for Baby Rowe

2008-10-16T11:03:00.003-05:00

I have been/am requesting all the special people in my life to write a letter to the baby. I want to give them to her when she turns 18. I have began to start getting a few, and thought I would share one with you guys... This is from my dear friend Dana, we have been friends since college and she is an amazing friend. Here is her letter to our little muchkin...made me cry like a baby...Thanks for your kind words, Dana. "October 2008 Dear Baby Rowe, We have been waiting for you since long before you were born. The goodness and generosity that your parents embody was meant to be shared with others - to last longer than one lifetime. You were blessed before you were even made because you have loving, God fearing parents. It’s been said that the greatest gift a father can give his child is to love their mother. You have been blessed with that gift. This gift brings many more blessings, such as a loving household to nurture your compassion for others, a healthy self-esteem, a realization of your full potential. You have the ability to bless others with your grace. You have all of the potential in the world, because you have parents and friends of your parents that love you. My prayer for you is that you always remember to keep God first in your life and that you always know that you are loved. Even when the words aren’t spoken out loud, hear the love with every well-meant “no”. Every “You can do it!” Every time-out. Every birthday party. Every time you are made to do your homework and miss your favorite show. Every special treat. Every hug. Every kiss. Every story read before you are tucked into bed. Every day, they take off of work because you are sick. Don’t ever take for granted that you have a wonderful life and that you are loved. I can’t wait for you to get here! Love, Dana Lindsey P.S. If they are ever too mean, you can stay with me. I am on the north side, so you will be safe. "

Family Recipe Book

2008-10-09T20:45:00.011-05:00

This is a receipe book I made for a class I taught at my favorite scrapbook store novelapproachonline.com. I love this book because not only does it include family receipes, but the traditions that our family has revoloving around these special recipes.

My first paper piecing...

2008-10-09T12:52:00.007-05:00

I did this years ago...but I love the way it turned out. At the time, there was nothing spiderman out there in the scrapbook world...so I only had paper piecing to turn to. I think this is probably the only true paper piecing I have ever done. haha.

Repurpose Packaging

2008-10-09T12:49:00.002-05:00

These were clamshell packaging that some scrapbook flowers came in...Me and a friend Nikki did these to put giftcards in.

Arrival Date

2008-10-07T13:58:00.001-05:00

C-section has been scheduled for Oct 27th. So close, yet...so far away...

Aaron, Samy, Reagan and Alex

2008-10-05T13:36:00.001-05:00

look at the baby crocs and soc monkey nighty...so cute.

Jeremy and Heather

2008-10-05T13:34:00.001-05:00

Tanis was helping with this photo...took the Huggies quite literally..

Aunt Betty & Uncle Snapper

2008-10-05T13:31:00.002-05:00

A Diamond Ring for her 16th Birthday!

Granny Goose, Aunt Sue and Uncle Joe

2008-10-05T13:29:00.002-05:00

love it all!

2008-10-05T13:24:00.002-05:00

Lorna, Steve and Holly Miller. Cute huh?

Pastor, Patsy and Nikki Moss. The sweet lamb plays Jesus loves me.

Robin, Hayley, Casey, Faye & Connie

2008-10-05T13:22:00.003-05:00

Don't you stinking love the HAT!!!?!

Granny Jane & Nana's Gifts

2008-10-05T13:17:00.006-05:00

Baby Rowe's first Halloween Costume. This is kinda a joke, because one Halloween Corey was very excited about getting to dress as some mean, cool looking, costume...but Nan and Jane dressed him as a bunny. hehe.

Reagan's Gift to Savannah

2008-10-04T21:11:00.003-05:00

Now this one made me cry...I knew it would. Reagan made her a beautiful card, and got her a baby doll, just like me, Samy and Reagan had when we were all babies...

Mimi got carried away!

2008-10-04T21:08:00.004-05:00

So, I'm going to take pictures of all the goodies we got today...and I started with Mimi's...can you say carried away?!??!?!??!?

Baby Shower Today!!!

2008-10-04T20:58:00.005-05:00

Aunt Betty and the Gang threw us a beautiful baby shower today. It was amazing. Here are a couple of pictures from the occasion. Most of the pictures are on Mom's camera, so we will have to wait to see those! Thanks Aunt Betty, Heather, Jane, Nan, Snapper, and Jeremy for a beautiful day.

Here is the beautiful Cake she made!

The History of...

2008-09-28T17:48:00.004-05:00

We set up the baby cradle today. It's so sweet. Hard to believe that Samy, me, Reagan and Alex all slept in this cradle. Mom said it was purchased at an antique shop back in 1968 and was probably 40-50 years old when they got it. So, at least around 80 years of baby memories right here...and soon little Gracelynn Mae or Savannah Mae...or whetever we decide to name her will be snuggled up in here.

Baby Rowe's Lil' Profile

2008-09-20T18:16:00.002-05:00

Pay It Forward

2008-09-19T09:25:00.002-05:00

Ok ya'll...I know people bad mouth the internet a lot, but I have to say that the internet has enriched my life...not only with information 24/7, but with amazing friends that I would have never met without the internet. One of those friends name is Corinna, who recently saw in an online magazine a story about a beautiful women struggling/fighting/living with cancer...and since Corinna has such a knack for words click here http://www.myscrapbooklife.com/her-name-is-anita/ to read the story and see how see has managed to organize our little yahoo group into 'paying it forward' to this amazing women that we have never met.

Ike and contractions?

2008-09-14T22:22:00.003-05:00

It's been a crazy week...on Wednesday I had some morning sickness (not unusally..a daily occurance throughout this ENTIRE pregnancy)...which apparently I 'tweaked' my back in this process...well that's what I thought anyway....then come to find out that when I finally called the dr. to ask what I can do to relieve the pain...and they instructed me to go to the hospital....so, off we go to the hospital...while 1/2 of Galveston is trying to evacuate for Hurricane Ike. Then we find out I was actually having flipping contractions....not good at 32 weeks...but thankfully they gave me a couple of shots of something that made me shake like a crackhead and the contractions stopped....quite scary. Then here we go on this ride of hurricane Ike plowing through. It's been a sad, scary, stressful event...to say the least...but all of my family's homes faired pretty well considering...and everyone is safe....and the baby is still in my stomach where she belongs. whew. Thank God for answering all of our prayers!

Dona's "Cat"alog

2008-09-12T12:42:00.006-05:00

Love this project...it's using one of those coin books, and I used all of the 'crappy' pictures I had of my cats (all the distant ones with a tiny cat in the middle..haha)

Princess Project

2008-09-12T12:09:00.027-05:00

ok, so since I have pretty much only been using this blog as a pregnancy blog...I decided to post some other projects that I have done over the years. Here is one I did of my neice Reagan when she went to the Disney Princess Tea party. This was actually a class I taught a couple of years ago at my fav store Novel Approach, novelapproachonline.com. We used the pazzle machine (I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this machine) to create the book (go to my friends Klo's blog, http://scrappingklo.blogspot.com/, to learn more about Pazzle). Anyway, you can't get more girly then this...haha..

This may be TMI...so disregard if you don't wanna know..

2008-09-09T13:56:00.003-05:00

I'm miserable in my own clothes today. I know I am 32 weeks pregnant, but geeze.... My shoes are cutting into my feet because of my feet swelling...my trouser socks are cutting into my legs because of being swollen...my bra doesn't fit anymore and keeps rolling up my back, and overnight I have grown some more boobs that are poping out of the side of my bra cups...in addition, my pants keep getting higher and higher on my waist as my stomach expands making them high waters...which looks really hot. Even as I type this, my fingers are going numb from my hands being swollen...and to top it all off, I'm having a crappy hair day. Don't you wish you were me?

Welcome New Peeps!

2008-09-01T15:22:00.003-05:00

Wow, My rubix cube was posted on scrapscene.com and I have had tons of new visitors! Thanks for dropping by! I also discovered a few new sites in the process that also posted my little cube project. So, check them out... http://www.scrapscene.com/2008/08/speedlink-saturday-for-week-of-aug-2408.html http://www.acbaileyscrapbooks.com/phpBB-3.0.0/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=8274 (check out the gallery on this one...awesome work!) A bunch of people dropped by from a website in Tel Aviv...but I can't read that one. haha...but again, thanks for dropping by. http://treasuredscrapbookingblog.blogspot.com/ http://am2happy.blogspot.com/ http://treasuredscrapbooking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15214 check 'um out!

Good News

2008-08-26T08:59:00.002-05:00

As most of you know, I had a 3 hour glucose test done last week. The Dr. was concerned that I had gestational diabetes. Well, I don't. Woohoo!

One of my favorite Scrapbook projects

2008-08-24T13:48:00.015-05:00

I'm so proud of this project for a few reasons...one, this was totally my idea...not a knock off from some magazine or class or something...two, I love it cause I love the idea of this vintage style with this 80's icon toy....and three, I love it cause it's just cool. Dad stole it from me...but someday I will steal it back. haha

3D/4D Ultrasound today

2008-08-23T21:28:00.004-05:00

Just an update…we did the 3d/4d ultrasound. Unfortunately the baby stuck her face in the placenta and wouldn’t come out…so we didn’t see squat. We are doing a second appointment in 2 weeks…keep you posted. Corey's 30th bday is on Tuesday. We celebrated with my family today after the ultrasound. Had a great lunch at one of our favorites (Pappadeauxs). Yum. Celebrated last night with Corey's family over at Aunt Betty's and Corey got one of Aunt Betty's famous tombstone cakes. Fun had by all. PS...Alex said it looked like a sunburst. Reagan said it would be a lot easier to see in color. hahaha.

New Wedding Layout

2008-08-21T19:29:00.004-05:00

...

2008-08-03T17:30:00.003-05:00

So I am pretty much 3 months away from my due date. It's been a rough few days...a bit of an emotional mess...but I'm hanging in there..and more importantly Corey has manged to not shoot me for being so damn irrational. I've been alittle stressed about the finanical aspects of this kiddo, stressed about feeling like crap (although better than I have felt the first 6 months), stressed about work, miserable with the heat here...102 last night at 5 pm!, stressed about making Corey's 30th birthday something cool, stressed about the possibility of a Hurricane coming our way, stressed about deciding if we want to renew our lease here or not (the people upstairs have a toddler that just learn to walk...and it flipping sounds like king kong is up there...i don't want to be mad at them...but it's hard because they wake us up all the time, and it's just near constant...I live for that child to take a flipping nap)...anyway, I'm trying to focus on the positive now...trying to look at this a "only 3 months left"

To Make it all Real...I shopped a little

2008-07-24T15:47:00.007-05:00

This whole baby thing just doesn't seem real...so I went shopping to help me 'soak it all in'

It's a girl...again :)

2008-07-22T20:20:00.003-05:00

My B-day Present

2008-07-12T18:05:00.004-05:00

here is what I got for my birthday from Corey....for all my crafty crap :)

New Additions to the Rowe Household...

2008-07-12T17:55:00.010-05:00

ok, so I'm in a bit of a nesting mode...so we went out and bought some new furniture. It sure is pretty!

Reagan and Alex...just plain funny...

2008-07-12T13:26:00.002-05:00

So Samy, Aaron, Reagan and Alex just got recently got home from Disney World. The kids were staying at my parents this weekend, and came in to my Mom and Dad with all complete seriousness said "We just got back from Disney World and we are completely broke...and need money for groceries and stuff"....so they came up with this brilliant idea to go door to door in my parent's neighborhood and explain this and volunteer to sweep their driveways and sidewalks for money. Needless to say, my mom put an end to that real quick and forbid them to do so...instead they swept Mom's house, back porch etc. to get $5 each. Could you not picture them telling these people about how they can't afford groceries because of their trip...the whole whoa is me spill??...Gosh that would have been hilarious. I can just picture the moment at Disney World when they were misbevaing and Samy says "You need to straighten up..we spent all of our money to bring you here...we won't be able to eat or pay for the house...just for you...and you don't appreciate it."...ok, not that harsh, but you get the pix. hahaha.

My Dream about the Baby

2008-07-10T12:52:00.003-05:00

I almost forgot to tell "ya'll"...whoever "ya'll" is that reads this...about my dream. I dreamt that I had come up with the most perfect boy name...and I was so excited to tell Corey. So, I say to Corey...the name should be "Rutledge Rowe"...and he kinda squished up his face and said (because I always do this with the boys name)..."how will that look on the back of a football jersey?"....I said it will say "Rut"....he said...as in "Rut Rowe?" I woke myself up laughing.

Hello readers!

2008-07-10T12:49:00.002-05:00

I have hijacked Dona's blog! hehe Luckily for her, I can't remember things for very long, so as soon as I am finished here I'll forget the password and I won't be able to hijack it again! LOL There is a new addition to the blog on the right hand sidebar at the top. You can now subscribe to Dona's blog via e-mail, which I have already done because I've been begging her to set it up for ages. So enter your email there and whenever she writes something new, you'll be notified through email. I love modern technology, don't you? And I love you donut! Bobina

Bloodwork Back

2008-07-10T10:27:00.003-05:00

OK, so they have determined that I am anemic. Joy. One one hand, I didn't want something to be 'wrong' because...well..that's obvious...but on the other hand, I'm glad something was wrong so that maybe it can get fixed. I'm soooo tired of being sooooo tired, not motivated, and dizzy. So they have started me on iron supplements for the mean time until they talk further with my surgeon....then they mentioned maybe doing B12 shots instead. So, we will see. So, is true if you have a rough pregnancy that once the baby is here, it will be a breeze? Lie to me...tell me it's true :)

I'm now 37, married, knocked up, and damn tired.

2008-07-08T10:25:00.001-05:00

enough said.

By the way...

2008-06-30T20:24:00.004-05:00

We went to the Dr. on Friday to get some bloodwork done since I seem to be struggling with some fatigue...and the Dr. asked us if we wanted to know the sex of the baby or not, we said "yes, we already know it's a girl"...and that's when the Dr. informed us that the results of the ultra-sound were inconclusive!!! What?!?! The ultrasound chick said it was a girl...and "if I checked again next week, it would still be a girl."...and then reports it to the Dr. as unknown?? huh? what? Looks like we are going to be going back for another looksie...now, in my opinion it is a girl...and she was very lady like and kept her legs together...but hopefully this time we will get a better look. I will keep ya'll posted.

Just a friendly reminder....my birthday is fast approaching :)

HeROWE or SheROWE?

2008-06-17T20:00:00.002-05:00

It's a girl :)

Evolution of a Layout

2008-06-12T14:35:00.001-05:00

Ok, so a while back (maybe 1.5 years ago) I was working on a layout for a contest. I really liked it, but something was off. So, my buddy Klo was online that night, and I asked her opinion. She made a couple of suggestions...and I would work on it, and send a picture...this went on for several hours. In the end, I had a 'diary' of how the layout evolved. I thought it was kinda cool to see. So, I thought I'd share it with ya'll (no laughing at the one with the blue and red highlights...that one was justaweful!) Here is the journaling in case you are into reading that kinda stuff :) Pictures: Space Pictures Courtesy of NASA, Gulf LogoJournaling:From the Earth to the Moon.(label under picture in center)First American in Space – “ I must admit, maybe I am a piece of history after all.” Alan Shepard (lower right hand corner) Houston, We have a good Luck Charm My grandfather, Toke Kobayashi, owned and operated a Gulf filling station on NASA Road 1 in Webster, Texas…just down the road from Johnson Space Center. Throughout the years of being at the station, Toke serviced vehicles for many of our country’s space heroes. As the story goes…On March 23, 1965, John Young went on his first flight, Gemini 3, the first manned Gemini mission. Prior to leaving earth, Young decided to leave his most cherished 1957 Chevrolet at Toke’s Gulf station to be serviced while he was in flight. Young wanted to be sure that everyone knew he was coming back to get his vehicle upon his safe arrival back to earth, but informed Toke that if he did not return, he could keep the valued vehicle. As Gemini 3 was a successful mission, returning safely…the good luck tradition continued throughout all of the missions Young was involved in. Including: Gemini 10, July 18-21, 1966 Apollo 10, May 18-26, 1969 “The Dress Rehearsal” Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972 “Explore the Highlands” Later Toke was featured in an article in Gulf’s national industry magazine as having a customer base that is “out of this world.” Including people like John Young, General Tom Stafford, Alan Shepard, John Glen, and Neil Armstrong among many others. It was even a common scene to see Alan Shepard, the first American to journey into space, cleaning windshields or pumping gas at the full service bay when the station was very busy. Although Toke was not a typical member of the space program by history book standards, all the astronauts considered him part of the "space family,” and most would say that he was the space programs good luck charm, and even asked Toke to care for their families during missions. As young children, Samy & I played at the station and I have fond memories of being there. We often stomped on the hose that made a “dinging noise” inside to let Toke know that a car was waiting in the full service bay. We convinced Toke to give us loose change for the vending machines so that we could eat orange crackers with peanut butter & drink Delaware Punch… Of course, we had no idea of the importance of this little gas station my grandfather ran and how it contributed to the successful missions of our country’s space program.

Sometimes you just have to laugh

2008-06-02T09:55:00.004-05:00

I got this emailed to me this morning...and even though I have already had a rough morning (nothing like coming in on a Monday to 41 emails from your supervisor!) this made me laugh out loud!

The day is quickly approaching...

2008-05-29T19:48:00.003-05:00

So, June 17th is the big day...we find out if he/she/him/her is a She-Rowe or a He-Rowe... Tune in later..

Today would have been my grandmother's 83 birthday

2008-05-28T15:03:00.003-05:00

It's a difficult day being Mopsy's first birthday after her passing away, but we are thinking of her and thinking of Popsy on a day that I am sure he is struggling with. Please send prayers to my family.

The Original Doumentary part 1

2008-05-25T20:11:00.011-05:00

A Hidden talent...

2008-05-25T19:53:00.006-05:00

Reagan and Alex have started making their own documentaries as they explore the 'forest' behind Mimi and Pawpaw's House....check this one out...

my first baby layout...

2008-05-04T12:03:00.003-05:00

Cravings...

2008-05-01T11:10:00.005-05:00

So yesterday, I had a huge craving for Chocolate Cake. I couldn't get it out of my head...every commercial, every ounce of TV I saw...reminded me that I wanted Chocolate Cake. I must have told Corey 15-20 times...The TV would say “drive our 2009 brand new”…and I would scream “Chocolate Cake”…or “On sale this week” and I would scream “Chocolate Cake”…So, I finally resolved within myself that I was not going to get Chocolate Cake ...then I saw Corey at his computer taking notes, and then he was shuffling around in the kitchen. I went in to see what he was doing...he was making Chocolate Cake. aww...what a sweetheart. So, we were watching TV and he said "I hope it's good...we were missing a few ingredients," So I asked..."What were we missing?"...he said "Vanilla, and baking powder"...hum...that doesn't sound good. So anyway, I asked what he used to make the icing...and he said we weren't going to have icing, just chocolate cake. So, I concocted some icing to put on this "cake"...so, once it was done, we cut into it...I couldn't help but laugh...it was so hard and crumbly...then i took a bite, ready to fake it if necessary, but I couldn't even fake it. It was kinda salty...and not sweet at all...and hard...I had to spit it in the trash. However, I wasn't craving Chocolate Cake anymore. hahaha Later we laid down to go to bed, he was so disappointed it didn’t taste good. I went on to tell him how it was the thought that matter and yadda yadda…so after consoling him, I asked him “why didn't you use the Chocolate Cake mix in the pantry...?” and we went to bed in silence. Hahahahaha..... So while my sense of humor isn’t “top notch” these days…my sarcasm is in full swing. :)

We got the beat!

2008-04-28T14:33:00.006-05:00

So, we heard Baby Rowe's heartbeat for the first time today...and tried to video it, but you can't really hear it. but here he/she is...not quite as clear as the last ultrasound, but amazing none the less.

I scrapped for the first time in forever...

2008-04-27T20:33:00.008-05:00

I scrapped yesterday for the first time since probably June of last year...I got 4 pages done (short of adding a pix)....a record for me at a single crop. They are very simple for me, but...it is what it is. I am scheduled for a crop next Saturday too! Trying hard to get back in the swing of things.

There is actually a baby in there!

2008-04-23T20:33:00.007-05:00

lookie...12 weeks...and we got to see that there is really a baby in there...it's little arms and leg were flailing about.

Up and Coming....

2008-04-07T15:32:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited. I have signed up for a crop. Woooohooo! I'm trying so hard to get back in the swing of things. I'm really looking forward to the crop. First I get to go to a new store that I have not been too, second I get to hang with my BFF, Jennifer, my sister, Samy and my Mom. Should be fun. I am going to work on some wedding pages...trying hard to get some done before the baby...otherwise, it will NEVER happen. haha. Stay turned for some new pages....I can't wait!!! (ok, so the crop isn't until the first week in May...but still!)

Got your nose?

2008-03-28T08:21:00.003-05:00

So last night I was laying in bed watching TV, and Corey laid down beside me and started rubbing on my belly. Next thing I know, he was playing "Got your nose" with my belly. It was so dang sweet. Then he looked up at me and said "Does the baby have a nose yet?" haha.. I feel blessed to be sharing this with someone so sweet and special.

Valuable parenting advice

2008-03-10T12:01:00.005-05:00

I found some really valuable parenting advice...right down my alley. Go here and check it out...you don't even need to be able to read spanish.. http://www.makememinimal.com/2008/instrucciones-para-cuidar-un-bebe/

Ok, so I'm not even use to calling him my husband..

2008-03-08T20:58:00.012-06:00

Well folks, I'm not even use to calling Corey "my husband"...I still answer the phone at work "Dona A********"...We just got the wedding pictures today from the photographer. I haven't even done one scrapbook layout about me and Corey...We are going on our 'honeymoon' trip to San Antonio in 2 weeks...I stutter before I say "My Husband, Corey"...I pause when filling out paperwork when I have to check single or married... good grief...how am I going to get use to this? Ok, so I didn't really want to tell the world just yet...but since all 5 of you that look at this blog already know...what the hell? ...we got the big "+"...not once, not twice, THREE times...I figure I am about 6 weeks pregnant (yes, Dr. Dona)...I really thought it would take a while, being that I'm 36...but I guess not. So I guess what they tell you in high school is true...it only takes once. hahaha. I know it's early...and I'm trying to be positive, yet emotionally cautious. Geez...I can't believe this...my Mom called me "mom" on the phone today...how weird is that??

#2 Cancer Killer

2008-01-02T17:28:00.000-06:00

Ok...so Corey and I were watching TV just now, and a commercial came on, at which Corey begin to laugh hysterically. I was a little confused by his laughter...since it was a commercial about Cancer... Morgan Freeman was quoting a statistic about Colon Cancer...stating that it was the #2 Cancer Killer...now think about that a second...#2? Colon?...ok, you have to admit that's kinda funny. You think God's up there saying..."I'm gonna make Colon Cancer the #2 Cancer Killer...and see who notices the 'ha-ha' in the statics?"

The spoon fell behind the bedroom table...

2007-12-23T08:29:00.000-06:00

ok, so my friend Corinna "Bobina" wrote on her blog (http://www.myscrapbooklife.com/because-she-couldnt-say-it-on-the-phone/) about another blog (http://www.dooce.com/2007/12/13/because-i-couldnt-say-it-phone) about depression and anxiety. This got me thinking since I have been fighting it myself...in particularly the last 2 weeks. Now, first of all...it seems ridiculous that I am dealing with this right now. I just got married to the most amazing man. I have a great family and a great set of friends that proved how amazing they are 1000 times over during all the wedding hoopla. I have a nice home, a good job, etc. etc... but I have been in tears at least once a day for 2 weeks. It is all related to being overwhelmed...busy time of year at work, housework fell by the wayside during the week or so leading up to the wedding and the week after being sick, having at least 60 thank notes to write, having no holiday shopping done because I was focusing on wedding plans etc...all of that has stacked up on me. So, therefore it seemed logically to have a 2 hour crying session when the spoon fell behind the bedroom table, and it seemed logical to cry because Corey didn't wrap the presents on Friday (nevermind that they didn't need to be wrapped until Tuesday). I hate this feeling...I mean as I am having a crying fit, I am thinking..."good lord Dona...the gifts don't need to be wrapped until Tuesday. Why does it matter?"....then I'm thinking "because he said he would do it on Friday...although Friday isn't over yet...but he should have known you wanted them wrapped Friday by the time you get home from work...ok, Dona...you didn't give him a time to have it completed...why do you expect him to magically know what you want?...and why do you expect it to be on your timetable to begin with?" I hate knowing in my brain that what I am crying unreasonably about is just that...unreasonable...but at the same time I can't stop the crying....and then suddenly....as if my brain needed to justify me being a complete basketcase, I was crying because there was a huge amount of crap in the corner of the bedroom, and all of the suitcases, and wedding gifts etc. were stacked all over the living room (and not in an orderly way), and the dirty laundry was all over the bathroom floor and not in the nice wicker hamper we got as a wedding gift...granted...I am the one who pulled all the clothes out of it that morning....but that is totally not the point....now apparently, those are reasons to cry about. Anyway, thank God Corey kind of understands this. So he goes and starts taking the trash out, moving the suitcases etc. The presents got wrapped...the laundry was picked up...the corner was straighted up...between the 2 of us and about 30 mins...life was back in control...and least in my head it was. hahaha. Till Tomorrow.. So short story long...read these other two blogs because it made me feel normal again...and the pure fact that one bloggers' post can get over 1100 replies proves that we are not alone in this battle. Thank you God for Zoloft...if I am this much of a basketcase while on it...Imagine what I would be like if I wasn't on it...

Amazing Friends...

2007-12-12T21:21:00.000-06:00

Part of my wedding story that I will NEVER forget...Corinna said it way better then I ever could... go check out her blog for this amazing story about my yahoo girls. http://www.myscrapbooklife.com/ I love you Corinna. You are such a talented writer, scrapbooker, friend, mother...etc...you taught our little group all about "Doing it afraid"...and you taught us by example.