Finding the Right Case

Recently Erick & I decided to be a family again. Well let me explain…we’ve always been a family, of course, but I’m referring to our cell phone plan. When Erick moved to Texas (11 months before me) he switched to Verizon while I stayed on AT&T. He wasn’t happy with AT&T’s service in San Antonio which we find ironic because their headquarters was here before it moved to Dallas (quick fact). Erick liked the new service with Verizon but wasn’t happy with the Blackberry. He switched to Verizon before they offered the iPhone so he gave me his iPhone 3 while he started a new love-hate relationship with the blackberry. Meanwhile, I was content with AT&T as I’ve had them since my first phone- the beloved Nokia— in 2000- plus I had the iPhone.  It took some convincing but after the temptation of the iPhone 4s (SIRI!) and a quick poll to my family & friends to find out that most of them have Verizon…I took the plunge. So after almost 2 years being on separate plans we decided to start a family plan again. We are now both happy owners of the iPhone 4s and I have to admit—I have been impressed with Verizon’s full bars in my office (aka dungeon).

As the proud owner of a new iPhone, the next step was to use protection- a case of course.  I’ve had in my mind for a while now that I’ve wanted a clear case. The reason being is that I’ve been inspired since I stumbled upon this on pinterest…

Inspiration found here

I realized this new project was perfect for me. I like to change my idea and style often so the thought of paying for one case but having the flexibility of changing up the design sounded amazing!

The selection at the Apple store wasn’t very great but I was happy to see the Belkin clear case. I had read reviews online and found that some clear cases turn a yellowish color over time. I know that Belkin is a good brand because I have a Belkin iPod case that has proved durable. So I settled on this case:

Belkin Essential 050

The next step was going to Hobby Lobby (my fav store) to pick out scrapbooking paper.  I chose 6 different prints that I liked. I then found laminating sheets that I thought my come in handy with this project. So here are my Hobby Lobby purchases:

 

I lucked out and the Belkin case came with a cardboard insert that was the exact size of the case. I used this as my template for the iPhone case inserts. I had to trim up the edges (especially around the camera) but it worked!

Tracing the template

Laminating sheets

 Triming around the camera

  I used the template to cut out the inserts on all 6 pages. Then came the fun of laminating. I did run into a few hiccups here though.  1) There were only 5 laminating sheets and I had 6 pages. 2) I quickly realized that laminating sheets only had one sticky side.  Therefore the back side needed some additional tape to be fully laminated. Easy solution was that I used packaging tape to laminate the back side. The other problem wasn’t hard to resolve either. The peace sign page is a different texture (more like a waxy page) whereas the other pages are paper. I decided to use the cardboard template to make the sturdy backing for the peace sign paper. Also, since I was short one laminating insert, I just packaging tape to cover both sides of this cover insert. It worked!

Easy enough and this is what I ended up with!

Belkin clear case- $30 (could probably find cheaper online)
Scrapbooking paper- $2.33
Laminating inserts- $4.99
Total Project: $37.32 

Texas Adventures

Okay so it's been a little while since I've updated this blog....I'm working on that! However, in my defense a lot has been going on since I've last updated. In January my beautiful nieces & sister came to visit Texas for the first time (more on that in a minute) and in February I passed the National Counselor Exam (on the first try!) to start the counseling licescure process in Texas. I will have to register as a LPC-i (Licensed Professional Counselor intern) and complete 3,000 hours under supervision before I can be fully licensed...but the exam was the biggest hurdle. After I passed the exam, we went to Dallas for a weekend to celebrate. Okay I've gone off topic...I will update about that later. For now, I want to share the Texas Adventures with my sister & nieces.

When we moved from Florida last year, my biggest fear was to lose my close relationship with Grace (almost 10) and Emma (7). I was blessed to live close enough to them to be able to see them every 3 to 4 weeks. I love every time that I get to spend with them- celebrating birthdays, going places together and slumber parties! Needless to say I was SO estatic when my sister booked a flight for her and the girls to come visit during a long weekend in January. It had been a long 8 months since I had the chance to hug & kiss my favorite beautiful girls.


The Texas Adventures including shopping, Build-a-Bear visits (like they don't have those in Florida!), eating....lots of good eating, shopping for true Texas 'get-up' for Emma, celebrating Emma's 7th birthday, ice skating and lots of Just Dance 3.


Our first stop Friday morning was the Magnolia Pancake Haus. We didn't take any pictures but the food was delicious! Grace couldn't understand why Haus was spelled 'wrong.' We had to explain that it was German. Blueberry pancakes, wheat apple cinnamon pancakes and apple cinnamon waffles...yum! With Erick being at work, we decided it would be best to start the adventures off by shopping! We enjoyed the beautiful weather at La Cantera. Emma picked out a Smurfette that she wanted from Build-a-Bear to use her Texas Money (Christmas gift to the girls).

Grace & Emma

 Saturday we loaded up and went boot shopping! Yes it's winter but we're not talking about fall or winter boots....we're talking cowboy boots...Texas style. Emma wanted cowboy boots for her birthday! Grace wasn't interested in getting any boots but Emma was all about it! She went all out with the pink light-up boots, a bling bling pink belt and a pink cowboy hat!

She fell in love!

Pink light-up Cowboy boots (who knew?)

Even Heather tried some on

Gorgeous blue design

Picking out the right bling-bling belt!

And the complete outfit!

The girls wanted to go ice skating...a new favorite for them! Emma's birthday party was at the ice skating rink two weeks after their visit.

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Grace & Heather

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Uncle E & Aunt Haha

                                        

Emma is wild on ice!

 

Erick & Emma did a lot of Country Dance & Just Dance 3....while we enjoyed watching them!

 

Getting ready for Country Dance

I tried loading the video but unfortunately for your viewing pleasure, it isn't working. I'm sure Erick (and Heather who made an appearance in it) will be very relieved to know that. After Country Dance...they moved onto Just Dance 3.

These are my favorites from the weekend:

My wild (& beautiful) Emma Lou!

My beautiful Gracie Macie!

We also enjoyed a trip to the zoo with Quinton (Erick's friend) and his kids, Trinity (5) and Mason (3).

Animals at the zoo!


Of course you can't visit San Antonio without a trip to the Riverwalk & the Alamo (Emma kept saying the Elmo!). We actually only drove by the Alamo because seriously how much do a 10 & 7 year old care about a history lesson on vacation?!

@ the Riverwalk

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Ready for the boat ride


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Remember the Alamo (however I doubt he wore a pink hat to battle!)

Last stop before the airport was one of my favorite stops. One of the malls here has these HUGE cowboy boots outside and since we've moved here I've told Erick that we're going to take pictures there. I was even thinking of taking a picture there for our Christmas card this past year...well that didn't happen. Plus Erick hasn't been on board with the idea of pictures with HUGE cowboy boots. However, I knew two little girls who didn't mind! They were even psyched to take the pictures...even my sister was a good sport!

 Needless to say we had an amazing time with them during their visit. Here are my last two favorites (yes I realize this post has A LOT of pictures...I know firsthand how long it takes to load them. Thanks for coming to visit Heather, Grace & Emma. Can't wait for our next Texas Adventures!
GOOD TIMES! XOXO, Aunt Haha