Have you ever.....

heard a song on the radio that transported you back in time? That happened to me yesterday. The girls and I were driving home from dance and a song came on that took me back 20 years. It brought back memories of first love and how 15 year olds view forever. I laughed and cried at the same time as the emotions and memories took over. It just felt good. Know what I mean?

Of course, the girls thought I was nuts, so I tried to explain it to them. But how can you really explain to pre-teens what first love feels like? Or how definite things can seem at 15? Or how happy memories can make you laugh and cry at the same time? I think I just confused them more!

This particular song took me back to a time when I was sure that I would love that boy forever! I loved his family, and they loved me. It was a time when I had found a place with unconditional love, which is what I needed since I lived in a home full of conditional love. It was a time when I just knew things would never change...but, they did. This song defines 4 years of my life. Four great years...there were sad times and the end wasn't easy, but they were still great years.

They say you never forget your first love, and I think that's true. Not that I still want to be with him, but that he taught me what love was supposed to feel like. He taught me how to love without limits and without conditions. He taught me that it's okay to give your heart to someone.....and trust them to take care of it. And he taught me that sometimes you have to move on.

So, today I hope that he is living out his "Rocking Years" with someone who loves him the way he deserves. And I am thankful to be living my "Rocking Years" with a man who loves me more than anything.

Long Time No Type...

So, a friend informed me today that I hadn't posted on here in forever, so I thought I would try to catch you all up on the Stout house! In looking back, I haven't posted since April!! That was 4 months ago! Do you know how much has happened since April?! Of course not, because I haven't been writing here! LOL!Okay, first things first....It was a busy summer! The kids all went to their prospective church camps at some point over the past eight week, and they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Jr had football every day of summer except teh weekends, and then today he quit the team. I could be upset with him, but honestly, he is following his heart and being obedient to God, and I want that for him more than anything.The kids went back to school this past Monday so life has sped up once again. I have a Junior, a 6th grader, two 5th graders and a 3rd grader. Could life be any better? Probably not. They all seem to be adjusting well and enjoying their teachers, and that is a good thing. The busy homework hasn't started yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. My business is taking off slowly but surely. There are a few things I am still tweaking, and I hope to make a profit soon. In addition to my website, I have made a page on Facebook, and I intend to get started marketing elsewhere soon too. I want this to work on so many levels! Mostly just to prove to myself that I can do it, but also to make some spending money and have fun doing it!Okay Crazy, I've posted....hope you read this and get a chuckle. I'll try harder to post something every other day or so from now on!Later Taters!

I Did It!!!!!!

I launched my website today!!!! I am so excited! I still have to figure out how to get pictures on the gallery page, but overall I think it looks good. This has been so thrilling and scary at the same time. Learning how to put the website together was interesting, and then when I went to buy my domain name, I couldn't get my first choice. Talk about causing some tears!! But it is done, mostly, and I am feeling good!

Have you ever had a dream? One that just wouldn't go away? One that you knwo you could make reality if you just had the time, the energy, the support, etc? Well, Scrap-A-Daisy is that for me...it is my dream. About 5 years ago I told my husband that I wanted to open a Scrapbooking Bed & Breakfast. Amazingly enough, he totally supported the idea, but we had no way to support the dream. After 5 years of discussion, planning, crying, more discussion, and lots of prayer, we decided I should start small and work my way up to the B&B. That's where Scrap-A-Daisy came in. I decided to launch an internet scrapping business and go from there. This will lead to the B&B, and I get to have fun in the process.

So, those of you who read my blog, visit my website! Even if you are a scrapper, you might see something you want done, or you might know someone who needs help, but no one to turn to.

So, check it out!!!!

www.scrap-a-daisy.com

Much Love!

Bargains!!!!

Today was 1/2 off day at Goodwill! I love it because all of the middle Tennessee Goodwills have EVERYTHING 1/2 off! Sometimes I find great deals, and sometimes I don't, but it's always an adventure. Here are a few pictures of my great finds today.

First, look at this stack of books! There are some good ones! A couple of bibles that ar eall marked up. I love these because it gives glimpses into other people's lives. There are several books of quotes and sayings, which I love! I also got a couple of novels for my reading pleasure!

Next I got curtains! At 50 cents a panel I am ecstatic! The blue and red ones will go on my big picture window in my living room. The cream colored ones are for the kitchen and dining room. Aren't they great? I am loving them!

Last is a sheet that has a great color and desgin. I think this may become curtains for my scrap room....I'm not sure yet. I'll have to get back to you on that one!

Well, I better finish making cheescakes for tomorrow and get things picked up before bed.

Adios!

Sixteen Candles!

On my son's birthday cake today! I cannot believe that I am the mother of a 16 year old. A nice, kind, generous, male 16 year old at that! Let me just say that I am so proud of this kid. He has been through much in his young life and he still is so kind and compassionate to others. He can be a typical grouchy teenager, sure, but for the most part he is great.

He is a football player and I must say that he is a good one! I love to watch him play and to cheer him on.He loves everything make....fast cars, sports, video games, you name it. But he also understands the importance of family and how to be a good big brother.

So, Happy Birthday Dave! I hope it's marvelous and that you continue to grow into the amazing young man I know you are!

love mom!

I Survived!

My son got his learner's permit this week! He will be 16 next week and has never been that interested in driving until recently. Today he drove his mama to his quiz about 10 miles away....in the rain! I must say that he did an excellent job for a kid that hasn't seen any drive time! I am very proud of him. I know that he will get plenty of practice since I don''t like to drive so much. I only do it out of necessity.

Like his mama and dad he LOVES fast cars! We talk constantly about getting something and fixing it up for him. He of course knows that he has to finance the 'additions' but he is ok with that. So I guess during spring break in a couple weeks we will be car shopping. I hope that he can find something for a decent price that he likes.

In other news.....I resigned from my job this week. My last day is March 6th. SOme of you will probably think I am insane to quit my job in the middle of a recession, but honestly I feel total and complete peace about it. Of course I didn't make the decision by myself. My husband and I prayed a lot about it and we know that this is the right move to make right now. My kiddos need their mama at home. That probably seems cheesy, but it is oh so true, I feel blessed not only to be able to do this, but to know that I am able to grant them this desire makes my heart feel full.

I loved my job btw, it is not an easy decision to make at all.

Well, I better get my day started. I know it's been 2 weeks since I wrote on here, but for some reason I do believe I will have more time soon! LOL!!!

Have a beautiful day!

Valentine's Day!

Today is Valentine's Day....a day set aside for love. Now honestly, I don't think that we need a special day for people to tell each other they love them because if you really love someone they pretty much know it....or at least they should. I will not deny that I enjoy getting presents though! :) And I usually get a dinner out with my husband, sans children, which is nice.

This Valentine's Day, my husband got me the sweetest card. It almost made me cry! I think he is getting sentimental in his old age! He also got me a Wii Fit! I am so excited about this! Now I know that there a few of you out there who think this is crazy, but I really am excited! I just spent an hour "playing" on my new toy! I have it all set up, and I hope to really lose weight and get healthier with it! Maybe that is true love...when your spouse can get you a piece of exercise equipment and it excites you! LOL!

Anyway, single, dating, married or whatever your status, I hope that you have a great day filled with love!

Hello Friends

Hello! This is my first blog EVER! Cool huh?! Anyway, I have a good friend that does this blogging thing and I love to read it. So, I thought to myself, Self, You can do that! So yesterday I set up this blog. Now, like anything I am sure it will improve as I become more comfortable with it and as I learn the ropes, but for this first post I think I am doing ok!

I LOVE to talk! I like to get to know people and to have people get to know me. Somedays there is so much going on inside my brain that I feel like it will explode. So, one of my reasons for starting this blog is to get some of the 'stuff' out of my brain! One of my favorite topics of conversation is my children! I love to tell people how great they are...all 5 of them! So, this will give me an opportunity to brag on them a little!

My second favorite topic of conversation is scrapbooking! I LOVE IT! I am currently setting up my own business centered around scrapbooking and I am really excited about it. As soon as I get the website set up and the details lined out I will write more about this. Honestly though, I love to take pictures and then scrap them! I liek to see my craftiness at work! It is not only something to be proud of, but it is something that relaxes me.

I hope you enjoy reading this and getting to know more about my family and me. I am excited about this "new" thing and hope to meet tons of people who have the same interests I do!

Bye for now!