Tag

4 places I go over and over again:

1. my backyard
2. my in-law's house
3. Church
4. Walmart

4 people who e-mail me regularly:

1. My mom
2. My dad
3. my sister
4. my mother in-law

4 places I would rather be right now:

1. Hawaii
2. Logan
3. The beach
4. Depoe Bay

4 people I talk to on a regular basis:

1. My mom
2. my sister
3. Dave
4. my kids

4 favorite places to eat:

1. The Cheesecake Factory
2. The Macaroni Grill
3. Pei Weis
4. Cafe Rio

4 shows I would watch over & over:

1. The Office
2. Lost
3. 24
4. House

4 people I tag:

I don't tag!

I updated the code for the 3 column layout

I updated the "Three Column Layout" post to reflect an easier way to achieve the three column look. You should now be able to simply copy and paste the code needed to change your blog. I hope it's a little bit easier now!

Blog Designs

I keep treating my blog like it's a child that needs to be dressed in a different outfit everyday! I love creating new backgrounds and figured instead of "dressing" my blog in a new "outfit" I would start a blog design blog to display and share my cute "outfits". So, go check it out! I'm always creating new layouts so keep checking back. And spread the love y'all! I made a special button that you can put on your own blog so people can see where you got your cute blog design. So, without further ado I present:

Layla Kay Designs

Mommy Mush Brain; worse than writer's block!

I've been experiencing some major mushy brain for a while now. Ever since I've had kids, the academic side of me seems to have slipped away. I was in AP English in high school and I loved it! I loved writing analytical essays. I loved discussing and writing essays about the books we were reading. I did well on my essay exams and got A's in that class. I could write, and write well.

But somewhere between then and now, all of that has fell by the wayside. I mean, I read some of my blog posts and wonder where in the world that girl I use to be went. I feel like I can't write anymore. My writing is boring and just plain blah! How can that have happened? Shouldn't I still be able to write? Sometimes when I'm talking or writing I try to use words that I know are in my brain somewhere, but I just can't find them! I feel like I'm stuck in my own head; knowing I use to speak and write so much better and it's there somewhere, but I can't get it to come out now. It is so frustrating! I seriously think that my brain has become mushy with each child I have had. Really! What else can explain it? Okay, don't answer that! Ask me anything about being pregnant, giving birth, or raising kids and I'm sure I can answer almost any question. But what about the part of me that existed before kids? Where did she go?

I want to regain my writing skills and improve upon them. I'm asking for help people! What can I do? I know; write more. But writing about how many poopy diapers I changed and the woes of bedtime routines just isn't cutting it for me. I need some new material. I need some feedback. I need a writing mentor. Anyone up for it? Cheyenne? I know you are a good writer. Anyone else? Maybe we could start a writing club. We could choose a topic each week and then post about it; offer constructive criticism and feedback; discuss what we've learned. Is anyone up for this? Please join my club and help a friend out!

Fixing a day

My cute little chubber bubber. She loves to pinch my cheeks with her chubby little hands! So cute and precious!

I'm taking the advice found here (an excellent blog by the way) and fixing my day. So I'll see everyone later once I've rediscovered the beauty of housecleaning!

What's Up?

So what's going on with photobucket? Server crash? Hacked? My blog is suffering with its absence!

I just wanted everyone to know that you are not allowed to drop by for a visit at my house today (because I know ya'll were planning on a visit). My house is a wreck! I'm still recovering from yesterday (I don't need to go into the details, just imagine a terrible, horrible, no good, really bad day) and I don't plan to make any major improvements to the messy house today. So, just so you know! You're welcome to stop by some other day when I've cleaned the house, showered, and found my sanity :) !

Back by popular demand!

Apparently I have adoring fans who are begging for more posts. I'm not one to disappoint (well, I guess I do sometimes) so here I am. For living in the middle of no where I sure feel like I'm busier than I have been in a long time! There's always something going on. And that means my cute little blog gets neglected.

The last few hours have been a bit rough. But the kids are finally down and I'm de-stressing by laying in bed with my computer, a tall glass of Dr. Pepper, and some chocolate. Ahhhhh!

I've had a few people ask about blog backgrounds. So, while I'm no expert, I thought I would share what I do know. There are a few ways to create a different background for your blog. I've combined the tips I've come across to make my own backgrounds. The first and easiest way to change your blog is to use backgrounds that are already made like from Pyzam, Leelou Blogs, and Cutest Blog On the Block (to name a few). Or you can go to SJH Blog Design and learn how to use digital scrapbook paper, or really any image, as your background. It requires altering the HTML code of your blog, but the instructions on these blogs are very easy to follow. Another way to make your own background is to use a program like Corel Paint, Paint.net, or Photoshop Elements to actually make your own virtual paper. By this I mean taking the paint brush and going crazy with whatever you want to create (on your computer). This is what I finally figured out and I am super excited about it! The Cutest Blog On the Block has a few tutorials on how to do this. If any of these instructions are too complicated, just let me know and I can try to explain things better. I've discovered that I really like designing and am having a lot of fun trying new things. I actually submitted three of my designs to Cutest Blog On the Block and they are now part of their collection. See if you can find them, their names are "White Linen" which is the one I am currently using, "Brownie Blue", and "Pink Sherbert". Cool, huh? I'm thinking of starting a new blog with my blog designs (anyone want to think of a creative name to call my design blog?) Anyway there you all go. Have fun!

Another background!

Look what I did! I'm so excited! I made my very own background from scratch! I did it, I did it! Can you tell I'm super excited about it? I had lots of fun playing around yesterday and this background is the result. Watch out because I know that I am going to be having lots of fun and trying all sorts of new stuff. My next challenge is to create a background big enough for three columns. I love the look of three columns and I found the code to do it.

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

I kid you not when I say that on this day, June 11th. . . let me reiterate that again, on this SUMMER day in JUNE it. . . . . snowed. Yes, you read correctly. Am I wrong to complain about the weather when it snows in June? But the fire is so delightful (it's keeping me warm right now)! I guess I just need to laugh about it and embrace the weather with open arms; rain or shine or even snow and cold.

Do you like my new background? I LOVE it! I feel like I found a great pair of jeans that fit perfectly. I liked the dandelion background, but it got old fast. But this one, I just love the colors and swirls and flourishes. Of course, I'm quite fickle when it comes to backgrounds so we'll see how long it lasts. I'm finally figuring out how to create my own backgrounds from scratch so I'm sure you'll take part of my ever changing design.

Alrighty then, since I have nothing else to entertain you all with, guess that will do.

Disjointed. . .

An update for all my avid readers:

• I went to Park City with my mom, sister, and aunt for a girls weekend. It was lots of fun, as you can imagine. We shopped until we dropped!
• I had my mom cut about four inches off of my hair. Why my mom you ask? Well, for starters, I don't do so well cutting hair as this post would explain. My sister suggested I actually go to a professional to get it done. But people, I live in the middle of no where and I have four kids. That makes getting out by myself really close to impossible. Especially since we are now a one-car-family again. But back to my hair. My mom cut it and it looks good. I just wanted a few inches off to give it a lift and it did! So thanks mom!
• We sold our car! So sad. I loved that car and will miss it! But we didn't have much need for a car. We are looking at getting another vehicle with 4-wheel drive at some point.
• I had my first non-family (as in, not related to me) photo session and I think it went quite well (see the photos on my photo blog).
• It's cold. I know I'm always complaining about the weather. At least it's green, but I really would like to enjoy some warm weather sometime this year!
• I purchased "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer and am enjoying reading it.
• I would like to stimulate the economy and buy Photoshop.

There you have it. And no post is complete without at least one picture!

Sophie and me. My how our eyes sparkle!

Cuteness

I have a reallly cute baby and I made a really cute tutu and I took some really cute pictures. So you should go look at all the cuteness on my photo blog!

More fairies

I told you. So much fun making fairies!

Fairy Fun

I discovered some fairytale brushes that are used in photoshop and have been having way too much fun! Here is just a practice fairy picture. I have big plans for some other photos using these brushes!