Saying "Thank You" is an Understatement...

My gosh friends, today is already Friday and another week has already passed through my grubby little hands and right under my nose. How did that happen? Let's see...

It's been a week since I participated in the "Where Bloggers Create" party hosted by Karen and I have to tell you that I am STILL not finished party hopping! If you participated and I haven't stopped by your blog yet...I will and I'll be coming soon! And for those who have stopped by and visited me and Sophie, I'm sending many thanks to you!!!! Your wonderful comments made me smile! I really enjoyed reading each and every one of them. I love the personal and "in detail" comments. That is the kind of comment I love to leave on blogs that I visit. After all, when I am visiting you, I do love the "one on one" devotion time you give me!!! ;) Through this party, I have met some wonderful new friends that I've added to my blog family circle. Ya'll are some wonderful people I tell ya!!!!

And of course, Debbie hosted a baby shower for her little granddaughter Bella Marie. I couldn't help myself sticking my nose in that one too because little Bella has become such a big part of our blog world! They say everything is BIG in Texas and that is true. Bella's blessings were huge as she is preparing to come home soon and be with her family that has been anxiously awaiting her. That's the best news ever! She is a miracle indeed!

I had a wonderful visit from a blog friend Sarah of The Gypsy Mermaid. She spent the day with me and I took her to the 5 & 10 store. After depleting our funds, we came back home and played in the studio...it was so much fun!

And my most favorite part of my week since last Friday was that my little niece Payton came to play with me!!! She stayed two nights and one full day. I haven't seen two o'clock in the morning since I was a new mother 21 years ago. But I have to tell you, I saw the clock strike two in the morning TWO nights in a row and this old body has never caught up since! Having her here and staying up all night was funner (no, that's not a word but I'm using it anyway!) than my first date or any slumber party I've ever attended! We played in my studio day in and day out, coming up for air only twice. Once was the smell of hubs barbque and the other was I had to leave and go to softball practice. (Yes, I am on a softball team and that's a whole other post!) I can't show you any photos of our creations as we made "stuff" for my precious little niece, Ella Jane's first birthday party. We want to leave it as a surprise because sometimes Ella Jane's mom reads my blog. Payton (16) is Ella Jane's godmother and is hosting her 1st birthday party over in Texas. So I helped her out as much as I could and I have no doubt everything she'll put together between now and then will be perfect! After the party, I'll post about what we created!!! The party is August 15th so hang in there, I think you're going to love it!

I signed up for three swaps for Silver Bella. Deadlines are coming up soon and I cringed when I realized it was already the end of July. August is just around the corner and again, another month has flown by! I finished one of the swaps this week and what you are seeing in the photos is a sneak peek of the items I gathered to create it. It's the Holiday Fat Book hosted by Michelle Geller. She's so incredibly talented, I am honored to be in her swap.  I felt joy and a sense of fulfillment as I packaged the box tightly with my Fat Book pages and walked into the post office. One down, two to go. Oh wait, I am not almost done with my swaps...I still have Sarah's Spooky Vintage Halloween Swap and Sandy's charm bracelet swap! So let's rephrase this...One down and four more to go! whew!

So for those of you wondering what I've been up to...this is it. I apologize if I haven't visited lately and I do promise to catch up with you soon. Mostly though, I just wanted to thank each and every one of you who stop here and leave a sweet comment. It's because of you that I keep on blogging. I should mail out each and every one of you a check. Why you ask? Because blogging is like therapy to me and I think it would be better to pay ya'll instead of a therapist! What do you think???? ;)

Thank you for sharing my little (sometimes busy) world. I'm so happy that you always come and visit. You make my life much sweeter and my days much brighter.

Speaking of sweet...Payton called me last night. I asked her if she was still creating Ella Jane's "stuff" for her party and she answered back..."Yes Aunt Jodie I am, but it's not fun without you."

(smile)

Well my friends and my sweet little Payton, that's exactly how I feel about YOU!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!