Jeff and Lisa

I just heard some really good news today. Jeff emailed me from Auburn, Al and told me he was checking out Jacksonville. I really hope he gets the job of his dreams and that they would get to move here. Yeah Baby.
I had some pictures of them when they were here last. We went to the beach and stuff and I cannot find them anywhere.
I swear I would loose my head if it wasn't attached.

Chris Tomlin Amazing Grace My Chains are gone with Lyrics

We played this song at my Grandfathers funeral. My sister called tonight and wanted to know details about the song. I hope yall enjoy. Give me your opinion.

Lynsey isn't the only one that takes pictures of herself. Kelsea would never like to admitt that she does something like Lynsey does but she does. The girls never tell me that they are taking pictures of themselves it just a surprise when I look through the pictures on the camera. It doesn't really bother me, and I don't usually delete them. Its just they don't take 1 or 2 they take like 10 in a row. LOL The little divas.

Amanda's Favorite

This was Amanda's favorite from the group Naturally 7. Naturally 7 was the opening act for Michael Buble.

Why Oh Why

This is Lynsey. She is a beautiful girl. I love Lynsey alot. I believe that she has loved me since the moment she met me. Something about the two of us is just the same. However, can someone please explain to me why she keeps taking pictures like this. I mean don't get me wrong, she is beautiful in this picture. I even have to say that the eye makeup is just right. What I am talking about is the fact that she is taking the picture of herself, and it is in this downward angle. I mean when I say she has taken alot of these I mean ALOT. Like more than 1200. She had over 1200 pictures on her myspace. Most were of herself and most were at this angle. I don't know why this angle. Can someone please explain this to me.

Note to Lynsey: The eye make-up looks good here. I am sure our friends will agree in the comment section??

This one's for you.

So, Amanda and I went to see the wonderful Michael Buble. Oh, I am so tired this morning, but so happy that I saw him last night. He show was awesome. I really wanted to yell out the whole time 'your so cool' 'your so awesome' but I didn't. I did scream alot, and I did shed some tears. This first picture does not do our seats justice. We had really good seats and could see just fine. His first song was 'I'm Your Man'. (Yes Michael you can be my man, for alittle while)

This was us on my sidewalk on our way to see our dreamboat. Two virgin Michael concert goers.

We really wanted to have a nice dinner so we went to St. Johns. We went to Joann's and picked up a few things, and checked out a couple of places to eat. Every place was like a 45 minute wait so we had to settle on this great american staple.

We are lucky to have made it out alive. It was in a bad part of town, and there was some strange people lurking around.

So, after we left crack town we were onto the show. This next two pictures were taken while waiting in line to but our memories. We thought we should show our love for Michael buy pretending that he was real.

The entire show was magic. He sang his songs, told some stories, talked with the people, played around with the band. It was hot. He was hot.

On to the reason I named my post 'This one's for you'

The only sad part about the concert was after everyone was seated and the opening act had sang we realized that the seat 104 c 12 was vacant. It was a ticket never purchased, and a fan never came. So, Gigi this one's for you.

So, we've decided that we want to be groupies. Next, year or whenever he comes back my finger will be on the button ready to buy my ticket.
We want floor seats, heck we want front row seats, and we shall have them.

bye for now

from you tired friend

( I will proof this later and post about the opening group)

Scrapbooking with the girls

Well I went to the Memory Boutique last night and did scrapbooking from 7 until midnight. There was 7 of us. I knew 5. It was so nice to be able to hang out with Karin, Lenee, and Beverly. We laughed and laughed. I guessed songs, and we talked and talked. Anyway, I was working on some pages for Christopher and Noah's albums. I was working with Myrtle Beach Vacation 2007. I was working with the same kind of pictures, however I really wanted to have to really different layouts. Let me show you how they turned out. Let me know what you think. I am alittle nervous about Christopher's because I am giving them to his Grandma to put in his book. She is the one who really is making his scrapbook. She also used to own a scrapbook store in Waycross.

This first set is for Christopher's scrapbook.

This set is for Noah's scrapbook.

Favorite Pictures

I was thinking about the pictures I have taken over the last couple of years. Some are good and some are bad. However, these two that I took in July of 2005 always stand out to me.
The first one is a picture of Josh kissing Jackson. It is on the island on July 4th. Neither of them knew I was taking the picture. I don't even know if Josh has ever seen the picture. I just love the picture. It is such an expression of affection.

The second picture was taken at Salt Springs, Fl. We took the kids camping that weekend. It rained. Noah was so little. We let him play naked in a little tiny pool. I just love this picture. It is such an over expression of delight.

Out of the armoire

We have a large armoire in our living room. It has four drawers and a cabinet for the TV. The bottom drawer is filled with games. Sometimes the kids put so much stuff in the drawer or they don’t put the stuff back correctly. This causes something to fall behind the drawer and then the drawer won’t close all the way. When this happens you cannot take the drawer out. The armoire just isn’t built that way. (Which we think is totally stupid) Anyway, we tried everything and couldn’t get the stuff out. So, we asked Bethany to climb into the drawer again to retrieve the lost items. The first time we had her do this was several months ago and she cried, and was scared, but she did it. This time when we asked her to do it she said no because she didn’t like being stuck in the drawer. Daddy said I will give you five bucks for the mall if you do it. Then she couldn’t get in the drawer fast enough. Instead of crying she was laughing all the way to the mall.

I don’t know what we will do when she is too big to fit in the drawer. I guess Noah will fit but then what?

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!!

Well, last night I went to Amanda's house for a Stampin' Up party. We really should do this more often.

6 women + alot of laughing + good food + crafts = a Stampin' good time.

Let's see there was Amanda who is not only my sister-in-law but I consider her my BFF. There was Karin Pittman, who everytime I am around her I like her more and more. She spoke more last night then I ever have heard her before, and she is really funny. There was Lenee Shinnick, who is a good friend of mine and has been for about 5 years. Our daughters are the same age and good friends. I used to eat lunch with Lenee everyday and then our offices moved and I don't get to anymore. I miss her lots and lots. Then there was Karin Hartley. I met Karin at the scrapbooking place. We used to get together with Lenee and some other girls and scrapbook on Friday nights until midnight or so. I used to go every week. I haven't had the chance to get down there in 9 months. I really miss her. She is so funny. She is just a good person all around.

Alot of people say that I am a socail person. However, I have my days when its just not right. Then I have days like last night. I really feel like all of us were really socail. I don't think anyone felt left out, or singled out, or out of place. Amanda is a wonderful Hostess, and we have some really GREAT friends. I feel so blessed.

Later on that night my husband says 'so what did you buy?' I said 'oh nothing really' He said 'how much did you spend?' I said 'oh don't worry I just bought some markers' He said 'what else?' I said 'I also bought a punch and I got some free stamps'

Now this is what I bought: The marker set, and a punch.

I didn't lie ;)

Dance Dance and more Dance

Well you know Lynsey and Bethany are takin dance. Well, besides for their other class they are doing a Duet. The song we have choosen is 'Sisters' by Bette Midler....it is a remake of the one Rosemary Clooney did years ago. It is also in the old Christmas film 'White Christmas'. I think the lyrics are really cute for them because they are so close.

The lyrics are:

Sisters, sisters

there were never such devoted sisters

never had to have a chaperone, no sir

im here to keep my eye on her

caring, sharing

every little thing that we are wearing

when a certain gentleman arrives from Rome

she wore the dress and i stayed home

all kinds of weather

we stick together

the same in the rain or sun

two different faces

but in tight places

we think and we act as one... uh-huh

those who've seen us

know that not a thing could come between us

many men have tried to split us up but no one can

lord help the mister

who comes between me and my sister

and lord help the sister who comes between me and my man

sister

sister

sister

dont come between me and my man

The Clip It Up!

A couple of days ago I talked about how Chris helped me make our own Clip It Up. We made three. One for Amanda because she does so much for us, one for Lenee because her birthday is at the end of the month, and one for myself to help organize my new craft space. Anyway, I don't have any offical things to hang my stuff so I just used bent paper clips, and it works just fine for now. If you were to go and by the offical clip it up at a store it would cost around

$120.00. However, each one we built ending up costing us $35.00 and our time. You really can't beat that. The offical clip it up things you use to hang your stuff cost $.28 each. My paperclips cost $1.79 for 100. I know that the paperclips are way less expensive but I know over time I will buy the offical clippie things. If you are interested on how to make this, and were to order the parts from follow the link I have posted. Let me know what you think. Also, let me know how much you love it once you've made it.

I just love the idea of my things hanging on a rack that spins. Everything is right there at your fingertips.

http://forum.rockymountainhobbies.com/showthread.php?t=3272&highlight=spinning

Cause you are not alone!

Michael Buble countdown.......9 days left!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvNSI4-PV8s&feature=user


This is one of my favorite songs by Michael Buble. Please take a look, and a listen and tell me what you think.

My Dad and Noah

My Dad James Howard Uphold Jr. &
My son Noah James Kirkland

One day I was opening up an email my sister sent me. She had sent a black and white picture. At first glance I thought were did she get this picture of Noah. Then I read the email and it is a picture of my dad when he was Noah's age. I tried to find a picture of Noah to post beside so that you can really see how much they looked alike at that age. I wish when I first opened this email I would have ran out and got Noah a pair of overalls and made him let me take pictures of him until I got the perfect shot, But I didn't. Oh well. They both have that same Calick in the front. My son has the bluest eyes and my father has the brownest eyes(you just can't tell because of the black and white photo).

Pappy Uphold and Noah 2007 (family reunion)

Some of me being the cutest baby ever!!

These are some pictures of me when I was a baby. The upper left was me with my Grandma Leon (my moms mom) the upper middle was me with a duck?, the upper right was me with my mom at Grandma Leon's, the lower left is me with my dad at grandma Leon's, the lower middle was me with my mom at Tub Run Campground, the lower right is me on a picnic table at Tub Run Campground with my Pappy Leon behind me.

When I look at these pictures I can't help but think about how young everyone is in these pictures, and how we are all older but still look the same. My second thought when I see these pictures is that my parents are not married anymore. and my last sad thought is that it hasn't been a year since my Pappy died. So, I guess old pictures are fun to look at but then sad at the same time. I wish I could go back and tell them, warn them. I guess you can't go back.

echoeve

The Weekend

All the girls love to take my camera and take pictures. The problem is they take the pictures of themselves. So, Noah wanted to take a picture of himself as well. Even though he said he didn't touch my camera. Not only did he take this picture of himself he took pictures of under his bed, and his dresser.

Let’s see. We had a very busy weekend. Friday night the girls left for their Mom’s house, and Christopher came for a visit. Saturday morning the kids and I went to breakfast with Ben, Erica, and Josh at Zigs. Then I had to take Lynsey and Bethany to their duet practice. Then we all went to Emma Mae’s first birthday. It was a cute party and Emma Mae and Maddi had on the cutest little outfits that Amanda made. Then Saturday we just hung out at the house and I organized some of my scrapbook stuff. Sunday Chris helped me build three homade clip it ups. I gave one to Lenee, and one to Amanda, and kept one for myself. After we built them I spent a little more time in my scrap space trying to organize my scrapbook stuff. When I get all my stuff on my new clip it up I will post a picture on the blog.

My scrap space
Well we have a family room in the back of the house. It is a room with a lot of shelving. It also is broken up into three parts. 1st a computer area, 2nd a living area, and 3rd a bar area. The computer area is just that. It is a computer desk, filing cabinet, book shelf and computer. The living space is a couch, coffee table, TV and lamp. The bar area was a bar along the wall and then a bar you could sit at. In the bar area we just had some stuff stored that we didn’t use anymore. It was wasted space. I was really getting tired of looking at my scrapbook shelf in the living room that was not organized and hard to work from. The only place I had to do my crafts was the kitchen table. This was always a problem. It just seemed like once I got all my stuff out and set up my time would be over, or it was meal time, or the kids needed to sit at the table with drinks. It just wasn’t working. So, I haven’t scrapped since like May 2007. I really miss the creative outlet. I like the idea of being able to do all the crafts I love to do. Before I was married I painted ceramics, I sewed some really cute things like vests, costumes, pillows, curtains, I really loved doing crafts. I made grapevine wreaths, and Christmas decorations, and Halloween decorations. Anyway, Chris and I talked about it and he agreed that tearing out the bars in the back family room would give me enough area to set up a craft space. So, he built me a giant cabinet, tore out the bars and set up a desk and a six foot table. He also helped me make the clip it up. I have been busy organizing the space. However, soon very soon I am going to stop organizing and create something. Chris said that eventually he will build the tables and desktops that I want in my space, but for now I am happy. Seven years of marriage and I finally have a space that is mine. Now, if I could just get the music stuff out of my space, but that is the next phase. LOL I have some major ideas for the space. It will be a slow transformation however; it will be well worth it.

So, I will elaborate on Ben, Erica, and Josh
Ben and Erica are getting married on February 29, 2008. Erica has a little boy who is almost three named Josh. Erica and Josh are staying with us until they get married. The more I get to know Erica the more I really like her. I really do think she will be really good for Ben. She seems to have a really good head on her shoulders. I just hope she can keep Ben under control, and it looks like she will be able to. The two of them are in for some big changes and it going to be tough, and I pray they will be fine.



Michael Buble countdown…… 14 days to go until the concert. For more on Michael Buble I have added a link. Check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/Call-Me-Irresponsible-Michael-Bublé/dp/B000NVIXDW/ref=pd_sim_m_img_1

Michael Buble countdown.......

I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait.....

Amanda and I are going to see Michael Buble in 16 days.

We have amazing tickets to see him in Jacksonville, Flordia.

I love his music, He is so handsome, He is smooth like butter baby!

I am sure I will cry through this as well. hehe

I have alittle catching up to do when it comes to the blog. So with that said I want you to know that when I don’t really have anything to say I will try to post a memory and pictures.

So, January 26, 2008 Bethany was in the Peter Pan Production. Her dance studio put in on, and I thought it was really good. Bethany and Lynsey both take dance at the same studio, but Lynsey couldn’t be in the production this year because it was her first year of dance. However, this was Bethany’s third year and was asked to be in the Ballet Company. (Pretty cool) Anyway, Bethany was a mermaid in Never Never Land. She was so beautiful. Lynsey helped with the stage crew and dressed as an Indian. She was also responsible for leading the little mermaids out for their bow at the end of the show.

Bethany did such a good job. She got to have a hair piece so she could have long beautiful flowing hair. She was totally in love with the hair piece. She wanted to know if she could wear it to church and school. I said no. That didn’t stop from asking later in the week. I still said no. Also, when you’re on stage you get to wear heavy make-up so she thought that it was the best day ever. You could tell when you looked at her that she didn’t think she was beautiful, she knew she was GORGEOUS.

Lynsey didn’t get to be in the show but she was such a big help. The owners, and teachers just kept coming up to me and saying things like ‘She is such a wonderful girl.’ ‘She just gets right in there and does it.’ ‘ We just love having her here.’ All the praise really made Lynsey feel good about herself.

Now for my story. It is a lot of work to be in dance. There is practice, pictures, costumes, the list never really ends. I never had the chance to do these things when I was a kid, and I always wanted too. I am so happy that we are able to do this for our children. I cried through most of both shows. I just couldn’t help myself, I was just so excited. (I cried through some of Hannah Montana as well.) I just get such a thrill over seeing my children so happy. It always reminds me of that movie “Stella” with Bette Midler. All she ever wanted was to make sure her Jenny was happy.
I hope my children are happy. I hope that one day they well look back and realize all the work it took to run the family.

Water For Elephants

Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob Jankowski’'s life with this circus. He is in his nineties and living in a nursing home. He reflects on his life from the time he left his veterinary medicine exams at Cornell and joins the circus. The circus he joins is a second rate circus called the Benzini Brothers. It is far below Ringling Brothers. This is during the time of the depression. It has a fat woman, a tattooed man, ect.
I really enjoyed this book. I have to admit I didn’t know what the book was about when I got it. I just sort of liked the off-ness of the cover. I think if I would have known that it was about the circus I don’t think I would have read it. I don’t think of myself as somebody who would enjoy a book about the circus but I guess I am. I will say it is one of those books that wraps up in a neat little bow in the end. I am not complaining about the ending I am just saying its nice and neat. So, in this case I am glad I judged the book by the cover.

Hannah Montana

So, Chris and I bought the girls tickets to go see Hannah Montana in concert. I don't know who was more excited me or the girls. Anyway, the concert was Jan. 30, 2008 in Jacksonville, Flordia. The concert was so good. Before the concert they had a meet and greet with Mitchel Musso aka Oliver on the show. We stood in line for an hour to get the girls pictures with him. The concert was worth every penny and I would totally do it again in a heart beat. The girls were so excited and just kept saying this is the best ever.

Today is the first day!!

Well let's see today is the first day I will start my Blog. I don't know if I will be good at it. I don't even know if I will ever find the time to post either. However, I am going to try and do my best to keep it up. I think that this will be a GREAT way for my family in Pennsylvania, and Utah to be able to see pictures of the kids doing what kids do best.
I ramble alot so maybe this will be a way for me to get it all out.
Right now it is almost 10:00pm and I really should be in bed and asleep, but I just watched some of SuperNanny and that show always reminds me of all the things I should be doing as a parent. Hopefully, I will get this parenting job down before they all move away.