my mind is full of cobwebs

I was once told cobwebs were not from spiders but from dust..
is this true?? hmmm

well, a friend.. a dear friend I called Dad as a kid is having a rough night... say prayers for him if you can... he is in the hospital... his dd and I were the best of friends in highschool.. she married my oldest brother... Dad needs prayers and lots of them!!!

because of this my mind is on other things... couldn't get into the grove of scrapping.. or stamping... I started several things only to not finish them up.. I did finally get 2 ATCs done... will put them up for grabs at www.theshakerbox.com

one more try...

The Spooktacular Crop is going on at www.theshakerbox.com
there are so many challenges and contests it will knock your socks off!!
come play with us!
I'm about to upload a photography challenge for all of you photography buffs!!!! come play!

now.. since blogger is not letting me post my creations... you will have to come to the gallery at The Shaker Box and see what all we are doing!!!
don't forget to introduce yourself!!!

Happy Card



scarecrow card

cards for my muse... if blogger will let me post...

ok.. so it took me a little more than a few minutes..
I was inspired by some cards I saw at splitcoaststampers I love these cards and the designs are so cute with all the layering. This Jeanne
I did the Happy one the other night and the scarecrow with Queen V. She and I had a blast while Mr. T was sleeping.. in the backpack... still can't get him into the crib.... go figure...

if you can stop by The Shaker Box starting tomorrow we are having an online crop!!! Yep, there will be prizes... come play if you have a chance!

just one more gal.. her name is Julia- her style is amazing!! Julia's splitcoast gallery

well.. seems I can't upload tonight.. this is a first for me.. usually I get on and post a pic.. but not today.. time for bed.. will try again tomorrow...

such a long time looking

finding myself
finding the teacher in me.... again
finding the mother
finding the wife
finding the sister
finding the friend
finding the daughter
finding the creator... the artist in me...
finding the priorities in life

so many things going on in my life that it's hard to know where to begin...
priorities.. where am I now?

I used to be a sailor, an illustrator, a horseback rider, a dreamer... or was I?

Was it something that other people wanted me to be and I never really got a chance to figure out who I am?? And now that I am a mother and a wife will I find out who and what I really am??? How do I express this to my family? When is the right time to be ME?

Ali E asks us to create a mini book of the 5 things that are our favorites..
things
things
things

THINK

what THINGS are my favorites???

Last summer when we did the summer reading program at the library I had to go ask a librarian to help me figure out what I liked. I wasn't sure. I can read Suess, Carle, or Brown like there is no tomorrow.. a text on Columbus... or some other obscure piece of history.... She led me to Patterson Women's Murder Club . They are quick reads and in between chasing a baby, changing a diaper and pushing a swing I can get a few pages in here and there... I didn't know what really was MY favorite type of story..

I do KNOW one thing for sure.. I like to walk on the beach.. even just sit and listen to the waves. I do have to make myself do this now.. as a kid- a teen- I could lie by the lake and listen to the lapping of the waves and rock myself into complete bliss... It is such my mecca.. God definitely made this for me.. but now... in my stage of life it is locked in my brain for me to listen to... I can't get there for various reasons...

I want my kids to know what it is to get up and GO some where... some where special that becomes special to THEM. For sister it is to go home.. her true home to regenerate her juices.. she seems more alive since she dipped her toes into the Adriatic! How romantic is that!

something someone told me tonight.. I didn't know this man and he for sure didn't know how carefully I was listening to him but this is so true what he said, "if you don't take the time to invest in them (meaning kids) now they will wonder what they are truly worth.... don't just get them any skates- get the ones that are good... dont just get them any bike- spend the money on the one that is really good... make the investment in them.. it will be repaid in their actions... " So true, don't you think...

someone else told me this week, "it's not the money you spend now on them. God will provide for things later. If it weren't for XYZ being in hockey we would have never taken this trip.... gone on this excursion... all as a FAMILY"

so I go back to ask myself... how do I as the mother provide what the kids need? It is the best investment I can make....

my favorites??
I'm still working on them...
it's so hard for me to come up with a list of favorites...
it's always changing

I'm always changing
always searching for something more
wanting more.. not material things for me
answers for the future...

what if I make a wrong move?
what if I should have turned left instead of right?
what if I spent one more moment with my kids??

what if I find out who I am and truly share that with my
family.

I seem to have disappeared

hmmm
why is this not showing up...
my sister told me she is not seeing me...
and now I am not seeing me...
wonder why...

cheshire cat syndrome....
hmmmmmmmmm

and she's back!!!!

hiya!
after some porn popups took apart my computer... dh fixed it.. really, it's his to do some work on but for now it has access to the web for me!!!!!!!!!
yippeeee!

so much going on in our little world but no pics or anything scrappy to share sine I have no more pics- they are stuck in Limbo for now... and no Adobe ps... came to find out that I have elements 5 though- I didn't know that until dh told me what he was going to be putting up on the computer now..

soooooo
for now I will be posting little conversations... per usual.. trying to get my journaling going again...


have you seen this? Making Memories Idol contest
are You the next scrappy idol?

new baby teeth, ballroom dancing, silly faces

we had a lot going on today...
Mr T broke 2 more teeth in- molars.. it was a mess when he got the bottom one to come threw- yuck!

pushed the table in the study to the side for safety issues... I don't like it but it gives the girls a place to practice ballroom dancing.

It RAINED! alllll day! I love it!
it's a good rain that saturated the ground- we need it for sure!
we could only be blessed with more!

can you believe I didn't get a pic of the kids playing in the rain? nope.. not one.. they didn't get to play in it today... I can't believe we missed this opportunity. We don't often get this kind of rain without thunder and lightning so this was a time I should have made time...

oh... just one more thing !lol!
This LO is of my dd NOT enjoying having her photo taken at Halloween when she was little- so sweet! She cracks me up!

moments of clarity

in the last 4 days I have had a migrain that will not go away.
I hate migrains. I used to get them as a teenager..
I couldn't go down a grocery isle where the product hung off of a metal spike.
I couldn't go down the soap row because of the smell.

since Mr T has been born I have had migrains every other week and they last as long as 4 or 5 days. they are the pits.
I hate migrains!

in a moment of clarity I did get to make an altered notebook today.
I will be using this notebook to keep me updated as to what materials I use on what projects.
I hope this will not only get me going on the Mega Challenge at www.theshakerbox.com but also get me to submit somethings for publication.
One can only hope... right?



I had to add to this post since I have not posted due to migrains.. ugh..
this photo is of my dd who is 3 reading to me.. can you believe?? reading! wow!

creative moments

you have to grab them when they present themselves...
reading
drawing
scrapping
inking..
it's all good! lol!

with little fingers reaching up for paper, scissors, glue.. whatever.. you have to act quick!
I am behind in getting an ATC to Kathy.. are you reading this??? I made a few for you to make up for my tardiness- sorty of my life lately.. if it's not for my immediate family it gets on the back burner. I know they come first.

dd said the other day "I don't want to go to school." She is going through another growth spurt and is exhuasted... and hungry! lol! I still can't believe that she said it- she loves school! She is joining rythmic gymnastics... I cna't believe it. Ithought this was a joke in the 80s when it was introduced here but after seeing thises kids do what tey did- stretch like they did- I am amazed. NOo way could I do what they do= so limber!!!

dd #2 fell off a swing- in the hieght of the arc and just let go.. did a flip mid air and landed onher forehead. It reeplays in my mind like a nightmare!!!

ds is walkign all over
has a sense of humor already- ou have to in our family!
eating little- he likes to nurse moe thatn anything... we joke and tell him he can't do it in kindergarten! lol!

gotta run.. a skunk was outside earlier and couldn't feed my pup... I think the air has cleared now!
happy scrappin!!!

find goodness in your day

so I scrapped a card, made a sketch for http://www.theshakerbox.com and hung out with my kiddos today.. a lot..
we read
tickled
giggled
rocked
told silly stories
ds took a nibble of a mandarin oragne
dd read another book from HOP
tried a new recipe- taco junk- yummy (will try and post tomorrow)

just before Queen V went to bed she asked me "will you be in my dreams?"
yes, of course
do you dream of rats?
no, I dream about flying
that's not good to do, Mommy. You could get hurt up on the roof.
I dream about flying with you, sweetie.. like Peter Pan with Wendy. All you need is a little Pixie Dust... from Tink.
oh... I like Pixie Dust... see you in my dreams!

it was a good day

to do...

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That
way, at least you'll get one thing done. ~Author Unknown

went to dd's school for lunch...
found her already in the cafeteria...
eating her pudding first...
delightful...
she's her mama's girl!

scrapped 3 LOs tonight!
whew!
that is almost as good as chocolate! lol!

in the eyes of the beholder...

what do you see???

to my dd
who is 3
she sees
a toy that she can make Mommy fetch


to my ds
he sees
a teething toy


to me...
I see
a summer
well spent
with my kids
catching the rays
not folding laundry
enjoying every snuggle
every sleepy head on my shoulder
every....
just
one
more
jump,
Mommy!

quiet play

quiet play comes in so many ways in our home...

me - scrapping tonight- oh that felt good to grab a silk flower, some paper, some ink.. a brad
dd #1 - horses of any kind
dd #2 - she is way into matchboxes (you know, the cars)
ds- with spinning birds... on a hot summer morning....

some of you know that I lost my camera to an untimely death.. oh woe as me... so I am back to 35 mm which isn't bad but I am sooooo out of touch with it... until I get these pics back of my little boy playing on our back porch... what is he looking at I think??? colors, shapes, the fact that these birds spin and always in the same direction... what does he see??? oh, I love quiet play with a child so intense!!!

1st grade story... she brought home an A+.. yep, and she knows what it means! She is so proud... a plus... she paid attention to detail and her teacher noticed... this is good...
she also looked for just the right dress to wear.... thought she would wear shorts so she can chase the boys.... nope, a dress... to see if it impresses Clint... go figure... it starts early...

and I thought she would be
a
nun


go figure......

she needs to go back to her quiet play... lol!

homework

so we sit down to look at the homework- a book she has to illustrate the cover for and color in the pages of previously drawn artwork by someone else....

c'mom, let's get it done.. (I came to check it all out)
Mommy, this is my space- not yours..... let me do my work.
No problem, I am not here to do your work ...

off I go to download pics from the weekend...
Mommy, I want to watch PBS
Did you finish your homework?
no
Well, go finish- no tv until it's all done.

time passes... found her watching Cyberchase...
Did you finish?
No
Why not?
because it's homework.
Precisely. You have to do it at home and then take it back when it's done.
But it's supposed to stay home- that's why it's called homework.

do you see the problem here? lol! now it's time to clarify what homework is all about... lol!

Homework is what the teacher gives you to finish an assignment, you give it back, she grades and then gives it back. Get it?
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, she'll check to see I made an A and then I get it to keep forever. I got it, Mommy!


whew! glad we got that cleared up- it could have been a diaster! lol!

I love being popular!

our house is rockin' at 6:30 am every day... Friday was no exception....
I am trying to rush and get dressed before the kids need me to button dresses, tie bows, change diapers... (that happens 2 time within a 30 min period for the little guy- he waits through the night and then the flood appears! lol!)

dd #1 doesn't really want to wake and fights for those last few seconds of shut eye asking if I can bring her clothes to her
dd #2 begins to cry just because she can
ds cries because his nutrition is running around and not laying down next to him...

as all this is going on I look at my family all in my big bed and tell dh, "I love being popular!"
dd #1 tells me, "Mommy, you're not poplear... Daddy's poplear!"
"Oh, really, how come?" I ask her...
"because Daddy is the greatest!"

this makes his day... he's POPLEAR!

happiness

"so, what will day 3 bring you today?"
"happiness"

I wait the 7 hours.... swim, meet with friends, talk a little, walk a little, read a little.....

"so, what did day 3 bring you??? were you happy?"
"yes"
"what made you happy... tell me 5 things"

"1. my teacher- she helps me read
2. Spanish class started today (that's my girl!!! que barbara!)
3. running at recess playing 'chase the boys'
4. my friends were there to play with me
5. coloring.. I like coloring
now, that's enough, Mommy."

love our little after school talks...



not that I would forget my other 2... so here they are:

Happiness for Queen V today was
1. swimming with Mommy and friends
2. reading her first words- sun, ox, ax
3. playing Hooked On Phonics with Mommy
4. swimming with Daddy
5. no nap

Happiness for Mr. T
life is so easy for him...
sharing goldfish with friends.... only, he needs to have faster reflex to grab it before they do!
fresh diaper change when he isn't so hungry
seeing Daddy after a long day
walking.. yep, you saw it here first... he is starting to walk!!!

secrets

little ones

big ones

we all have them

what's important to you

why you share

who you share with

shhhhhhhhhhh

don't tell

it's just between us

trying to fit in

making new friends

finding your way

shhhhhhhhhhh

don't tell

it's just between us

since we are in 100* heat it doesn't make sense to sit by and have tea after school to find out how a child's day went in school... so we swim... lots... jumping, spinning, underwater, tag, catch the flipflop, find the icecube... we play for hours... and I wait patiently as my dd tells me of her "secrets" she keeps... who with... why... so curious but not so much I make her go the other way... to stop the communication... I want her close... to be confident in telling me what ever is on her mind....

being a mama is a tricky thing... knowing how far to prod before she dives away..... holding it all in for another day.....

**look for these thoughts and photos to be in future LOs :)

butterlies????

who me??? you would think it was ME going to school! I tossed and turned so much last night... saw every hour on the clock... all the kids in bed with me... nobody hogging space.. nobody kicking... except those darn butterflies in ME!
Well, I finally drifted off and then BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ I set the alarm and not music... won't make that mistake again! lol! It was so loud! The kids didn't even move! I got dressed and then started waking the girls... Queen V got up first- she had to go color her daddy's face in.. I made her stop last night and go to bed.... then woke Lady G. We got her dressed from head to toe, hair brushed silky smooth... and then the baby wakes... great! all 3 kids up and time for breakfast!

We have a great breakfast of "loopty loops" (that would be Fruit Loops for the rest of the world) and OJ dd made yesterday. I took pics (will have to post tomorrow) while she ate and discussed what she thought first grade would bring. She had no idea.. I did... BUTTERFLIES kicking into high gear... so many unknowns... well, we took pics by the front door and had time to swing on the swings! yipeee!

We grab the gear and out the door we go! My car's transmission is going out- go figure- so I have to stop 3 different times to turn the thing off and back on... hoping it will finally shift gears.. it finally does.. whew!

We get to school - say a Hail Mary and Our Father in the car before we step out.. who says there's no prayer in school... LOL! We go to the first grade hall and there's not one person there... so we go to the cafeteria to wait.... good- a few friends there... MY butterflies are disappearing.. I take a few pics of her with her buddy Clint :)

The bell goes off... Queen V grabs her sister and says, "don't go! I'll miss you so!" gulp!
I have to look away.... MY butterflies return.. only in MY eyes!!! oh, why does this have to be so hard?? I gulp and they subside... whew! I tell her to come on... babe in sling, Queen V grabs my hand... but not the school girl- nope, she is leading the way!!!!

We go to her classroom and kids are at their desks, working, it's quiet.. a few mommies there with cameras- not too many and I am surprised.. where are they??? I wanted one more day and I will take all the moments I can suck up!!! lol! I tell her to look in her backpack and take out what the other kids have on their desk and get to it... There is a daddy in between us... I can't get to her... oh... why don't you move to your child... I can't hug mine goodbye....
I finally ask him to excuse me.... he moves and I give my girl a quick hug and kiss. She tells me goodbye. I go into the hallway.. I look over my shoulder.. she is looking at me... not happy, not sad... a scared look on her face.... I can't go back in. She's not crying and the teacher was looking at us to go... it's time....
I do our secret hand gesture telling her I love her... she sees me... does it back..... I walk away...
love you baby girl.....
play nice with the other kids..... even if they don't play nice with you.....

MY butterflies fly away by the end of the day... yep, and I watched the clock to see every hour pass... I knew it would only bring her one more hour closer to home..... closer to ME !

one more day.... I just want one more day

my heart is racing
just one more day
7 hours away
6 hours waking
can't she stay home?
it's such a big place

my heart is racing
did i spend the time wisely?
does she know i'm thinking of her?
wondering
waiting
anticipating....

my heart is racing
what all will she learn?
listen to her
care for her not as her mother but as a friend.....
an angel sent to me... now I send her to you...

my heart is racing
hurry back to me!
tell me of your dreams
is it all you wanted it to be?

my heart is racing
just one more day
waiting
wondering
anticipating


words by me.... a worried mama as her dd starts elementary school

simple LOs...

We had great thunderstorms after Mass today... no rain for us but there was some just north of our place... I so want rain here!!! ugh!
went through ds's closet and put away things that don't fit..waiting for the next baby to arrive in our lives.. you can never be too careful and get rid of them! in my quest I found a box full of handmedowns that have been given to Mr. T that fit hime NOW!!! that won't last the way he nurses... if he would only find other foods interesting! ha! I am also going through Lady G's things.... her closet is a MESS- boy! So we hauled it all out and put it on ds' bed... hey, he doesn't use it yet! lol! and went through to find out what fits and what does not... getting ready for school to start on Wednesday. I am not ready for this at all!!! So hard for me to send her off.... I have had such a great time with her this summer... just hanging out enjoying each other's company and reconnecting. It's all good... and now it's time for sleep.

since I am suffering from migrains I go for simple scrapping.. here are a few from the last 2 days.. enjoy!

This LO is of my dd when she got her first pair of sandals... time flies!


love this LO of dd and my niece. This restaurant doesn't exist any more.. too bad- they had handdipped shakes- yummy!


look at the smiles here!! We had a ball here... #2 was just a little over a year here and dd #1 was 3.5 years. Now we have our own swings.. how much more will we be going to the park?? hmmmmm

Happy Birthday, little one!

yep! My boy is one..... but let me tell you ... he is still a baby! I never have understood why some people think when a person turns one they are no longer a baby...











my boy's favorite things at the young age of one are
boxes on his head
saying "yea!" when I do pattycake with him
sand in his mouth- yuck!
blocks- you set 'em up, he'll knock them down!
cars- and he got 4 today from us! yipee! or should I say, "yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
paper to "distress"
pushing on the mesh of his playpen with his sister on the other side
laughing till he falls down and rolls
ice
puppy kisses- from our Prince Charming and Mom's Paci
swinging- especially on the swingset Daddy made
swimming
Mommy grabbing the keys to go some where- anywhere
Daddy coming home after a long day with the girls... too much estrogen around here during the day!
balloons
remotes
telephones
more boxes on his head
to chew on alphabet puzzles
storytime at the library
walks in the stroller
naps outside
naps in Mommy's arms while she walks in the pool
kisses and hugs from his sisters
Gran's jewelry.... Grandee's jewlry

one more thing... surprises from my kids..
oldest: crawling inside the baby's birthday presents and letting us close the box- hilarious!
middle kiddo: telling my dh, "get into my dreams, Daddy" as she falls asleep
baby: knowing there is a party still going on so he gets up after nursing "to sleep" to play with his Grandpa!!!




*pictures are from when ds is 1 day old and last week...

still zero

yep.. for another few hours my boy is STILL zero.. should have kept him up so he wouldn't turn one!!! lol!
we had a great day of swinging, playing with boxes on our heads (who needs a present... give the kid a box!!!), swimming... and then the girls and dh put up the banners, blew up balloons, and wrapped presents.. I am sure there is plenty of tape on there!!! lol!

I can't believe he is in his crib.. sleeping - still- this never happens... I guess it is a sign of things to come this next year.. lots of changes!!!
Who knew at 4:20 in the morn when I jumped across our wooden floor thinking, "don't leak, don't leak.. not on the hardwood! lol!" that I would have been blessed with such a great little boy!!! He is so awesome words escape me...
I wrote a list of things he likes and dislikes.. will try and post tomorrow during one of his naps :)


one more thing.. this is my self portrait while in labor one year ago... yep, I took it... not too shabby, huh? A smile... had been in labor for quite some time, my doc had walked on me- that's a story in itself- and the baby had gone back towards my ribs.. had to be a boy! lol! He got lost and didn't ask directions how to get out! hahahaha
poor kid, doesn't have a chance with me as his mama :)

ahhhhhhhhhhhh scrappin' with my kids around me...
got this LO finished today... only took me 4 days- lol! who knew it would be so fast!!! hahaha
One asking me if she can stamp
one asking for glitter
and the other terrorizing the room... eating puzzle pieces, wrinkling.. uh, excuse me, distressing patterned paper- that will go in one of his LOs! ha!

and me trying to make it flow.. does it? does it need anything else???

We played on the swings, untangled Prince Charming... and then Lady G rode her bike as fast as she could with me running the other 2 in the stroller.. yep, I can run... this fanny shakes all over the place- must really be a sight from behind- pun intended! ha! and Lady G won- of course! We went swimming with an old friend (are you there yet, Crissy?) and had a ball. She is the type of friend that even if I don't get to see her often I know she is there for me. We pick up where we left off and it's all good. I have a pic of us from 1989 in my bathroom with our BIG 80's hair.. lovely! lol! Anway, it was a good day...

oh and one more thing.. tomorrow is the last day my boy is zero... yep, he turns one on Thursday!!! These pics are taken the day I was bringing him home... I was so nervous but at the same time ready to get gone and be home with MY family... what a wonderful feeling!

struggles

saw a show on TLC that was really interesting.. it's called The Messengers. Have you seen it? It kind of reminds me of this group I belonged to in highschool that was given a topic and we had to make a speech up- on the spot... I can't remember what it was called but it made me all nervous but knew it was something that would make me a better person, speaker.. and well, the guy I had a crush on was in it so what the heck! lol!

Anyway, back to The Messengers. It's a game show where people intereact with a situation.... a handicap that they do not possess and try and make it in life like that. Imagine being homeless for 24 hours in LA or blind in NYC... something along those lines- get it? WEll, this last week the contestants had to go to a farm- strawberry farm if I remember and had to be a farmer- some tough work!!! From this experience they had to create a speech on STRUGGLE. It was really interesting to hear what they had to say.. here is what I walked away with:

1. struggles make weak spots strong
2. Success comes from building a foundation fron the bricks life throws at us.
3. We can be victims or victors.
4. Bring it on. I ain't scared!

Pretty big words and phrases made by these "messengers" .... makes you stop and say... "hmmmmmmmmmmmm"

found this link to making your own journal.. from start to finish- really cool!
http://www.teeshamoore.com/how_to_make_journals.htm

would you like to swing on a star?

I remember singing this song when I was in grade school.. our art teacher put on a production every year for the grandparents to come see us... I never knew if mine would come ... I think they did...

well... grandparents and swinging stars.. kind of go together once again.... We were given a kit for a swing set 2 Christmases ago... we've had funerals, births, school, change of jobs (3times!), and every day things that got in the way of this being built.... until now!!! My sweetie FINALLY put the swing set completely together!!! The kids are extatic as am I :) It can hold 4 swings.. one for Mr. T :) so the girls can have 1 friend over to swing..

big trampoline with net $160
sandbox with playsand $100
+ swingset made by Daddy $$$$
children's laughter while stretching for the chimney PRICELESS

It just doesn't get any better! Thanks, honey, for putting it all together for the kids!

motherhood? is it blasphemy to say it's boring?

I saw this on the Today show this morning and thought this was interesting...

I don't think it is boring.. never boring.. there is ALWAYS something going on.. it might not be the most interesting thing but it has a purpose and a reason... and I am glad I chose it for now :)
I laughed when I had my dd that I went to college to change diapers... lol but there is so much organizing and shuffling to be done... who knew all those late nights would prepare me for late night nursing... and not me with a beer bottle :lol: Nope, gone are the days of me in Rockies (probably only the Texas gals know what these are) and my ropers (flat boots for all you non-Texans that help you slide on the dance floor as you 2 step)...they'll come again but for now I think I am happy :) I need a few minutes here and there to catch my breath but I am really happy with how life is turning out. YOu know?
Now my SIL - she is another things- she cannot stay at home with her kids... 5 min drives her nuts! lol! seriously.. she couldn't do it- not even if she were paid in cash.. I just don't think she would

this lead to the discussion going more towards happiness and what makes one person happy does not necessarily make another happy. Could you spend all that money on an education and change diapers? Well, my education was for me to use just as I am.. teaching my kids a little Spanish, how to read, how to find the real meaning in the story of the day.. how to communicate with other cultures... I think I am also teaching my kids how to be better people. When standing in front of the classroom for 10 years I could tell who had a stay-at-home parent and who did not- for the most part. There are exceptions to the case... there always are but I knew I wanted to be there.. to be a part of my kids' life- being the most important teacher.. from everything from faith to reading to counting...

so what about you?? are you happy? are you doing what you want to? Would you change things if you could?

I know I will not forever be at home.. I think a lot of what I will need to do to help get the kids through college.. (I was just told today that my oldest will now run for the presidency.. . yep, she wants to be the first female president of the US... she found out we don't have queens here so president it is! Nice to have high priorities and standards for yourself- don't you think?) So I dream of what I want to do..... pick up my Spanish again, go back to ESL, teach first year teachers how to make it in the schools today... so much! I think I would like to go back and finsih my masters... maybe even my PhD some day :)

time well spent

so much to do.. but what would I rather do? spend it with my kids!!! I so love to listen to them.. what they like, what they want what they dream..

#1 tells me she wants to teach me how to sketch. She hauls around pieces of paper and pencils everywhere. She made an altered clipboard only to give it to my mom because she wanted to give something really meaningful to my mom for Mother's Day. She she doodles on ATCs, scraps of paper, books.. she doesn't care. So today we doodle together. She thought I didn't know how to sketch. I love to sketch I tell her. WEll, since we thought both of the little ones were asleep we did a project together. She told me what to draw and then she colored it in.. I told her what needed more attention and I am quite proud of our artistic collaboration. I'll post later. :)

#2 tells me today she was never in my tummy. nope, a robot dropped her on the tent at the end of Gran's pool. Yep, a robot.... she talks a lot about robots right now. funny.

#3 kiddo gets so tickled at himself- already has a great sense of humor. He laughs himself silly throwing his head back and forth until he is so riddled with laughter that he falls down only to roll on the floor.

I scrapped today.. yep, cards-- lots of them.. hopefully will start posting on Ebay to make some cash to help out on bills... being paid in hugs and kisses is the best but bills still come. That's the pits... I have to do it.. I feel compelled to do it.. I don't want to gritch (yep, I said gritch) about it... I wanna help.. but on my terms... I love being a SAHM... sacrifices I make will make my kids better- so I think :)

today was time well spent for sure... art, dreams, giggles :) gotta love the end of the week like this one!

I can only IMAGINE

Who knows what cross we bear... a cross to one is a joy for another...
What is your cross?
I think in my life I have had different ones- small ones that really have not mattered to much at the time but have created who I am, who I long to be, who I want my children to see in me...
crosses I have beared in my short life so far:
education- learning does not come easy to me
communication- I was a brat as a kid... longing to be good... it was a stretch and I think I have made it so far
not having children.... when I wanted... God had a great sense of humor.. HE laughed at my plans of when I wanted to have children... on HIS time I now have 3 lovely children. I can only be blessed more if more show up. This was so difficult for me as a young adult... I cursed, questioned... only to be told, "not yet" in my prayers.. oh how that hurt so much

in this video this father has a cross to bear.. or does he? It's not just any ordinary cross it's his son... grab a hanky and watch.. the song is so moving... if we could only be as lucky as this man, to see what is truly a cross... and how to bear it in HIS name :)

CLICK HERE:
CAN

life is like a box of chocolates

well, I like every chocolate in the box... or so I thought....
got to see the doc today for my dd's surgery- she is fine and can do everything she wants! This chocolate I love! lol!

we got to register her for school... I got into it a little with the school nurse. She thought I was nuts for thinking it is fun to get school supplies. I always liked it! Mom would take us to the Treasury (it doesn't exist any more, I think) and we would pick out lunchboxes, pencils, notebooks.. oh, it was great! I don't know how she did it with all of us going in 4 different directions. Anyway, I just loved the feel of new paper, the never been used erasers and the freshly sharpened pencils.. nothing like it!!! Well, the nurse was telling me by 8th grade I would be sick of it because THOSE teachers are sooooo picky.. I guess she didn't know I used to be one of THOSE teachers! lol! I told her that it was ok to be picky but if it couldn't be found- one of the items on the list then we just make do.. you know, if it's not "Prang" watercolors I am sure there are others that will work fine- you know??? LIFE IS TOO SHORT to worry about things like that- YOU KNOW? Well, so here I am telling her this and she says, "Oh, no. They are there to prepare and organize the children... red folder for English, blue for Science.. blah blah blah...." You get the picture... As a teacher, I was happy the kids came happy, excited to learn and ready to please.. Admit it, one way or another we are all looking for someone just to tell us "you're doing a good job!" Even if that is just getting our shoes tied in the morning... lol!
I walked away thinking that she doesn't get it... She didn't get it when my dd told me she felt poorly and she wasn't getting it now... She brushed my dd off like it was nothing in the middle of spring... hello... she is sick... she does NOT pretend to be sick... whatever... that chocolate I would put back in the box for some other slob to eat... no.. I wouldn't.. I'm the kind of person to tell my closest friends NOT to get that chocolate unless it would go smoother with BAiley's hahahahaha Who knew.. melt it down and try again with salted peanuts- yep, that would work. And if not then I would toss it and move on...

Moving on... that is what I need to do with one friend... I always seem to be the person to call this one friend... I try to initiate things and get the cold shoulder. Nope, don't need that chocolate... I think it's stale... time to move on.. what happened to that chocolate??? Maybe chasing her 3 kids and seeing the box and not looking inside..

see, that's the problem I see with communication.. all these wrappers not letting the other chocolates touch.. isn't there a problem with that/???

oh, I am rambling.. talking in code... lol!

dog daze of summer

yep, he ran away.. my pooch took off- after dark!!! the huge home- you know the one with the fence around it- was where I found him...
let's start from the beginning
1. had been at Mom's celebrating her anniversary with the family..
2. enjoyed lovely pina colodas- made my mom- yummy
3. swam way too much
4. went home, got shower and rocking Mr T to sleep
5. girls come out for extra snuggles- how can I say no???
6. dh comes in from feeding YoYo and tells me Prince Charming is not in the back yard any more... whaaaaaaaaaaaaa
7. jump out of pj's and into shorts, tshirt and flip flops
8. grab crappy flashlight that does NOTHING For sight...
9. holler for Prince to come home... I can hear him barking but it's far away....
I figure he's in the pasture rolling in cow manure- lovely... "how nice" (remember that joke Jas??? lol!)
10. can't find him.. going to recruit MOm... bro and his family are leaving (it's 9:30 pm) and they decide to help find our pooch- thanks, bro!
11. get Mom and off we go circling the pasture... we find little glowing eyeballs in the mansion's gated yard... nobody there and I can't get to my dog... who apparently doesn't know his name...
12. did I mention I don't have his tag on him... can't get it to go on! grrrrrrrrrrrr
13. begin to whine
14. whined some more...
15. whined even more....
16. this is where I say... "just one more thing, God... just one more thing... " this is what I get for praying for patience oh so long ago... NEVER, I repeat, NEVER pray for patience! lol!
17. driving "into the forest" as my kids call it - calling his name... can't see, can't hear.. he is nowhere.. where did he go???
18.. we drive down to the creek only to turn around...
19.. drive back towards my house and I call him some more... I hear a BARK!!! yippeee!
20. neighbors tell me he is in the other neighbor's yard.. I go and knock on the door only to ask if I can go around their house... here he comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
he is belly crawling to me.. I pick him up, kiss him, hug him.. he's wet, panting, dirty, heart beating so fast....

oh, what a day... the girls are asleep and never knew the dog was missing... whew!

and here is a picture of my boy and my pup...
going to get a fence tomorrow or so... gotta find one that both dh and I like... I say chain link.. wish it could go around the whole yard but that is a bit much over almost 2 acres!!! lol!

little conversations about and with little people

"I'd do anything for Timmy" a quote from my oldest child
"when I grow up I want to be an elephant" said my second child...

between me and my mom as she held my seond in her arms
"my eyes are just so tired.. out for the entire movie...(my dd)
"how long does she sleep?"
" why? is your arm tired?"
" nope, alseep"

I just love you" my second kiddo says to me as she drifts off to sleep last night
tugofwar with toys: what my mom's dog and my boy do for fun....
he eats the dogs' toys and the dog eas his. The baby has more germs than the dog! lol!

wy are you eating pizza in the pool? it's better that way

avocado for the baby- he likes it!
watercolors for the girls- they like it!we made ATCs together today.. watercolors are so fun!! Dh didn't know I liked to draw.. something new after 14 years of marriage! lol! Why is is it that kids draw the sky tht doesn't touch?? I asked dd and she told me .. "I like it that way. That's why!" lol!
a new magazine for me.. last subscription though- bummer.

Had a great compiment to day from my MIL-- didn't even know she gave me one- ha! I tooka picture of the kids a few weeks ago and gave her one. She tried to make a copy of it and the place clled her telling her it was a $250 fine for colpying professional work! cool, huh? The picture is ok... but it was the paper that I printed it on originally that made them think it was from a professional! lol!

gotta run0 - hope your day was a great one!

wailing and gnashing of teeth to come...

oh, boy, did the little guy let me thave it today!!he cried so much.. must be teeth... I tried everything... he didn't wan tto go to sleep in his crib or anywhere else for that matter.. just in mama's arms.... we didn't get to do much today because of his crying...
finally when the kids went to bed and dh took the baby I got to play with paper, lue, scissors, glitter, stamps, ink.. .oh what fun!
I have other things to do since I snuggle a baby allllllllll day so I will post an run.. enjoy!

#1 is simple stamping and layering- love that!
#2 Fairies is to describe me... this is my life now. It is watercolored and glittered
#3: Oasis: tape transfer adn stmping, masking, texture with he sandpaper... hope you ike it scrapbratmother! :)

Marco..... Polo!

MARCO.... POLO!

remember playing games in the pool when you were a kid? I used to do this for hours on end!!! I taught my kids and some buddies how to play today... so fun! all the rules applied... if you don't remember I will have to spell it out tomorrow night. I am bushed after being outside for 4 hours in the sun! whew!

the kids climbed allll over the tree today- got some shots to show you how it is against my kids- a little perspective.

Mr. T tried his first watermelon today!! maybe he'll start eating real food by his first birthday? lol! His diaper was all pink from trying to grab it... he loved the texture, the taste- I think- and the coolness of it. I had it in ice water to take outside by the pool.

had to just show the pictures of the day :)
I borrowed Mom's camera and took a few to show the elm tree that died in the back pasture... it almost seems like a death in the family.. so long it stood there, providing shade- great limbs outstretched to greet you as you walked up to the creek... gone... first the limb and then the entire tree was finally gone... My brother counted rings as best as he could and got around 150 rings. Wow.. can you imagine? What was life like around here 150 years ago!!! something to think about!



Here is my girl.. I am sure she ran around so fast as the crack of the branch came tumbling down... and then the tree... She is about 30 years old.. see the gray on her face? sweet face... she misses her buddy, Cloud. I do too...
I miss riding her... I watched Spirit with my girls this last weekend and as Spirit jumped over the ravine with the brave on his back I could feel myself jumping and soaring.. the energy one receives while riding is almost uncomparable.. until maybe you look at sailing.. Maybe it's a power unbridled and then for a brief moment you capture it...
oh.... to be yound and energetic.. I am sure her face is saying the same!

we've got an up and coming priest!

As we were kneeling in Mass yesterday and Father raised the Eucharist our Mr. T claps his hands and shouts, "Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I don't know if he liked the "cool magic trick" as my brother put it or is so excited about becoming a priest and following in Jesus' footsteps! lol!

that being said, I found this on another blog.. can't remember who- I was blog hopping...

i wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our
cell
phone.
I wonder what would happen if...
we carried it around in our purses or pockets,
we turned around to go get it if we forgot it,
we flipped through it several times a day,
we used it to receive messages from the text,
we treated it like we couldn't live without it,
we gave it to kids as gifts,
we used it as we traveled,
we used it in case of an emergency,
we upgraded it to get the latest version.

How to say "I love you!"

so many easy ways...

listening to kids music in the car.. and singing to it with them...and dancing in your drivers seat while the lady next to you thinks you are nuts... don't forget to smile at her! ha!
scrubbing the floor of the shower while conditioning your hair... he won't notice but it will make it nicer....
having the right spoon next to the cereal for your dd in the morning
folding and putting it away yourself... don't wait for them- just do it
ignoring the laundry and blowing dandelions in the summer sun
letting them hang on your swimsuit as you walk back and forth trying to excercise in the pool
telling them no.... when it is necessary
hugging.... for no reason
saying, "I'm so proud of you!" when they stay in bed rather than popping up again and again
telling one more story even when they have gotten out of bed 5 times already
letting them help swiffer even if it moves the dust around instead of collecting it
putting an extra blanket over his feet while he sleeps to keep him warm

how do YOU say I love you to those important in your life?

It's a big, big world

well. life lessons for little ones today...
1. even if someone says they want to play with you there are some time alterior motives.
2. watch for friends lying to your parents... parents seem to know...
3. just because you have been through the same class of kindergarten doesn't mean the person sitting next to you heard the same lessons...
4. people look to what you have to offer them... could be monetary, could be something material.. some times it's just what they want and can't have...

dd had a friend over today.. not our idea but the friend's and we said ok. No big deal... well, until the little girl told dd, "I wish this playdate had never been put together." (for her and her mom putting it together... at the last moment...) We welcomed her into our home and thought things were ok... The little girl wanted to play with Mr. T (our baby) and not dd. Now the tides have turned for when she has gone over to other's homes and wanted to play with the younger sibling.. how did that friend feel?? A life lesson in this big, big world!

All this came to me after the playdate was over. What could I say to make it better? I pointed out the shoe was on the other foot... how did it feel? Not so good, huh? I also pointed out that if someone doesn't want to hang out with us then it was no skin off of our nose. We had been doing stuff from
Inspire Me Thursday and having a good time! Things change, we grow and learn. It's tough to let your daughter go through the life lessons.. tough to know when to shut up and let her do her own thinking...
hugs were the answer this time... hope they keep working for a while longer.

As far as scrappy goes.. well, we have the images on tape. We had a great time cutting magazines apart and doing the transfer onto the tape. Now what/? I guess it's time to make some ATCs :) Wanna trade??? If I can figure out how to make a gallery here of them I will.

dead... RIP G2

yep, it happened... my camera bit the dust! dd was reaching for a book- Cowgirl Kate to be exact- and my camera was in the general vicinity- that's all it took.. just to be close..... it took a dive and bounced (ouch!) on the tile floor in the kitchen. I knew that not only was my focus going to be off but so was my camera.. the whole stinkin thing. ugh! so frustrated... I wanted a new camera- a nice one... but not now.. it's just not in the cards... so now what? bite the bullet and get the camera I want? wait for my birthday? suck it up and see if it can be repaired. The G2 is not made any more- too bad- it's a great camera. Wonder what the new one is.. the next step...
Canon Cameras
what would YOU do??? besides keep it out of reach from Cowgirl Kate??? ugh... what camera would you chose next??? repair is $184... do this or go for the next step up?

Canon EOS 350D
Canon 20D.. in my dreams...

would you buy a refurbished camera? oh my.. what to do what to do...

so in my misery I purchased chocolate.. not just any chocolate but Health by Chocolate.. if you can find this get it- I swear, it won't make up for a broken camera- but it makes small things disappear.. well, except for my back end! ha!


ETA: at dinner tonight dd told dh we went to the "crammer store" and there were crammers everywhere!"
dh asks dd, "why did you go there?"
dd replies, " because I boke the crammer."

before dinner.. I dropped our remote to our TV.. in the same exact spot the "crammer" bit the dust... I said, "ok, God. I got the picture!" literally and figuratively... dd asked me, "Mommy, why'd you break the remote???"
sweet justice was hers tonight

ABCs of ME

Tagged by Jaci.. thanks, Jaci :)
these are things that I like or some how describe me now... written as I rock my baby boy to sleep..
Apples, ATCs
Believable
Children, Catholic, coffee, creative, Cherry Pie, chocolate, cards
Door County, diving
Easy going, energetic, ESL teacher
Funloving, "fru fru" cream.. for the coffee!
Giving, giggly
Horses, History teacher
Icecream (Kemps please.. from Minnesota, I found out! lol!)
Jello Pudding- make mine chocolate
Kimbal Art Museum
Laughter, learner, Lake Michigan
Memphis girl, Mama, Mommy, magazines
Not so neat
Organzing.. .always doing this but not very successful at keeping it that way!
Photography, Prince Charming (our dog), PB&J- raspberry jam, please!
Quite the list maker... now where did I put it???
Ribbons and rubons.. how cool are these!
Scrapping, stamping,The Shaker Box , soccer, swapper
Talkative, Texan (now I am), teacher
Unique
Vivid.. dh says he married a cartoon character!
Wanna be Chef and Photographer
Xtra silly
YoYo.. my horse since I was 14... she is now 30 years old
Z.... my family... the sleep I miss... taking my kids to the zoo

what's for dinner: kitchen sink salad, of course!

my friend, Jeanine, asks.. well, tonight it's Kitchen Sink Salad!!! This is my all time favorite dinner- I love it!! First, let's start with FRESH ingredients!

Nothing but the freshest... at least in the summer!
first layer is iceberg or go for the baby spinach, romaine and the other frilly ones
pineapple- these really are so easy to cut up! it should smell SWEET
strawberries- cut in slices for the full affect of the rainbow of color in them!
raspberries because they remind me of Door County
grapes- halved for the juices to flow, green for the color contrast on the reds and other greens
tomatoes- vine ripen if you can get them- don't forget- DO NOT refrigerate them!!!
blackberries- found some really juicy ones in my market :)
croutons- crunchy ones that are baked- delicious
grilled chicken- warm or cold- sliced THIN I girll the chicken after marinading it in KC Masterpiece Steakhouse Marinade or one with garlic in it.. yummy.. watch so it doesn't burn and cook until clear juices run- it doesn't take long to grill... go ahead and do a few extra for the week.. you'll be glad you did!

**some times I will add avocados, olives, mandarin oranges... cashews.. Hey, it's not called Kitchen Sink Salad for nothing! lol!

I use a vinegrette by Brianne's with a strawberry on it- delicious!
so.. bon appetite for those of you willing to try!


my dd told me again today she wants to be a nun... a nun... it's time a new generation pick it up.. not anyone in my generation in my family became a part of the Catholic Church in such a way. I guess my volunteering is a good influence.. and seeing her uncle read and help with the Eucharist is another... it's all good. She also remembers how important it was to her Great Grandpa to be a part of the Mass even when he couldn't get to it.

ok.. you wanted to know about RAW... I will have to write out what I know and then put it all down so you can see it and maybe even try it... get out your manual to your camera and look up RAW.. can you do it? if you want to really capture that one great photo and not let the data wear out over time... then it is for you... more later... gotta scrap!

don't you just love it...

Don't you just love it when you learn something?? I sure do!
well, this is dh's computer.. and I am not supposed to put too much on but after crashing mine years ago (not by me but by dh) I took over playing with this one :) nice, huh?
Well, he wanted me to get into digital photography and scrapbooking. I am not yet into the scrapbooking but am into the photography!
Here is what I learned today:
take photo in RAW- it's more like data and not a photo. (knew this already)
you have to convert this data into another form of file Adobe can read. Done - it becomes a TIFF. What I didn't know is how much disk space a TIFF takes! GEeEZE! it takes a ton! I mean, I have filled and refilled this memory on this computer so much! it is driving dh insane.. so I set out to find out what to do... I went to Mpix and read what they had to say. I have tried to read as much as I can at 2Peas but didn't get what I was looking for at the time...

well, long story short- I have found space by ditching my TIFFs and keeping the RAW. I finally figured out how to convert without using 3 different programs to proof pictures I have taken!!! yippeee! this speeds things up so much!

now here is the next dilema (see, when I learn something another question ALWAYS follows!) I went into PhotoShop Elements and saw how Zoombrowswer was converting my photos- kind of cold but when I did it straight from my files the pictures turned out warm.. I know part of this is because I was doing an overall conversion for a slew of pics but should it really make that much of a difference??? hmmmmm

do you know the answer to my question???
would love to post but it's so late and I gotta chase kids tomorrow :)

I think I can
I think I can
I think I can
I think I can
I think I can
look who can stand! (sorry, used all the disk space again on my harddrive... no pics today.. can't open my Adobe photoshop to make my RAW pics into JPEGS for the blog... will add later :) )
Not for long but he practices every day.. every hour... every chance he gets to be on the floor.

I got a new sling the other day. I love slings.. makes being a mommy so much easier. I am told so many times that my kids don't whine or cry when they are babes.. WEll, it's because they are ON me! literally ON ME! I have been approached by strangers to check out the sling- wish I could sell them for the company and make some extra money! lol! I think for any mom- first time or 3rd time- this is the way to take care of your needs as well as the baby's. The other sling has been worn out and is almost threadbare! When I opened the package with the new one Mr. T was so excited to see a new one- I got the same fabric! He was jumping up and down on his tush he was so thrilled.. the girls said the other one can't be destroyed but then I explained I would tear it apart and make a LO for their scrapbooks explaining my reasoning for purchasing one in the first place.
They make nursing discreet. My brother, who calls me a LaLecheLeagueNazi, can never tell that I am nursing in front of him. HA! It just looks like the baby is sleeping :) so nice! When the baby is small it keeps *most* people from coming up and touching the baby over and over because they then are invading MY space! (doesn't that drive you nuts when someone invades your space?? ugh! that is for another blog another day)
Anyway, if you know of someone having a baby get one of these slings! I got mine from Over the Shoulder BAby Holder. But there are others out there.
MayaWrap makes one without padding. It folds up nicely in your diaper bag or whatever. I just looked it up and it seems as though they are doing one with padding! how 'bout that? hmmmmmm I love the fabrics they use- Guatemalan style- yummy! Maya Wrap is a good alternative to the OTSBH that I have in that it is made from natural manmade weave instead of a machine weave. When I got my first sling I was desperate to get things done in my house. It may not be the most fasionalbe thing in the world but I do use it every day and love it! ok. off my box.. told you I should sell them! lol!

so many thoughts

cake... love it.. love to make it... love to eat it.. .you can tell.. it's on my hips.. I gotta get rid of this hippage I got going on... These cakes are a labor of love.. the cake- Funfetti by Pillsbury is so good! lol! I take icing and add gels until I get the color I want and then play with the piping until itlooks like what hte kids ask for.. Lady G always asks for a mermaid so mermaid it is... This time I went out nd did a lacing kind of thing on the back.. didn't get a picture.. maybe someone at the party did... hope so.. My dd is so happy to see it and the kids all dive in asking for a hip or fin.. so fun! The mommies are impressed that I took the time.. Birthdyas come once a year- shouldn't the cake be worth waiting for?? My mom used to make cakes that tasted tgood. She wasn't creative withthe icing but you aks for a rum cake and it was the best rum cake you EVER ate! loved it when it went in my lunchbox at the Catholic school !lol!

I thought long and hard about this today.. time to get back to WW and get this weitght off so I am healthy.. strong for my kids.. goin go tmake a food journal this weekend and get on it.. time is wasting... my kids want to play!


felt the pains that I had prior to children.. ugh. I hate the pounding in my side.. the ache of adhesions.. why are they back?? not so soon...
I waited so long for my children to arrive and now that hthey have even to think that I might not feel life within me again is hard to believe... I love the feeling of them stirring inside. Knowing I am the one to keep him or her completely safe..

I'm rambling.. must bet my migraine taking over.. I can't seem to finish a thought..
think I need to run...

oops.. missed POTD for July 11

here it is .. what becomes of a photoshoot in my home.. chaos.. kids everywhere... giggles.. asking them to repeat what I wnt them to do so I make sure I get it... do i??? nope... I get this.. he said she said...

11 months...

who knew 11 months would fly by so fast! whew!! like a whirlwind... our little man is growing.. I still see him as a newborn.. fresh.... wrinkly.. soft... now with a little personality shining through just waiting for the right moment to place his bottom lip on top of the top lip and blow like crazy... making a great big raspberry to see if I will laugh, do it back or just what... I love to do it back and hear a great big laugh from him.... he is so silly. I look at him and remember the dream I had of him when I was pregnant... still need to scrap that one... it will be something to tell him over and over again as he grows.. will he be that man in my dreams?? the one that rolled his eyes at his silly mama? Only time will tell.

No scrapping today.. just some shots of my kiddos... relaxing... healing from surgery... just being in the moment with my kids... love this feeling and that God gave me the opportunity I asked for over and over again.



Spoke with a dear friend today... I was telling her about my conversation with Lady G (my dd)about life. She told me the other day she was not going to get married. She is a long way from that age but she is thinking.
I took a deep breath and said, "no?" (she is so kind she would make a wonderful mommy)
She said, "no, I want to belong to Jesus and go to Church.... you know, like Sr. Dorothy (her great great Aunt)"
I replied, "You want to become a nun?"
"Yes, Mommy, a nun."
I thought for a moment. "Do you want to go visit Sr. Dorothy at the Convent again?"
"Yes." she said quietly.
"Have you talked this over with God?" I asked.
"No." she answered.
"You need to ask God if this is what He has planned for you. For your life. Ask Him for guidance."
"I can talk to HIm about this?" she asked me.
"Yes. Ask your Guardian Angel to guide yo towards Jesus... if this is what He wants you to do with your life." There was a great silence as we laid on the bed... she is thinking...

time for me...

I never seem to find the time to get back here...
15 minutes... isn't that what FlyLady says?? you can do anything in 15 min?? welllllll... where the heck are they?? lol!
my breaker box melted 2 of my breakers so we were without dryer and AC in 1/2 of the house
dd had surgery
Grandpa died... 6 days short of his 102nd birthday
dd graduated from kindergarten
met with some 2Peas gals for photography... that was a story in itself.. I still have to get the photos up... I feel like my camera is a throwaway compared to what these gals had! lol! I am learning still... working on the photography.... I hope to learn more from these gals.. I hope to practice to get to a level that I feel comfortable with them... amazing photographs these gals took.. the children played so well together...

I did delve into chalks the other day and it felt good to get my fingers covered in COLOR! the tape was sticky. the glue was smooth. the paper crisp.

time to create again!!!

enough already!

ok.. here we are... everyone is asleep.. for a few minutes..
I am searching for pics to print... I am stuck.. I want to have just the right shot to scrap.. does that ever happen toyou? it's drivingme insane.. just print already and SCRAP!

coming to an end

yep, my girl is going to be in grade school... with grades.. no smiley faces.. there will be numbers and letters associated with her work... I will be the one with the added smiley faces and goofy knock knock jokes on her napkin for lunch..

She's sad when I don't write a little something.. just to let her know I care- even in the middle of the day if I am not around... love that- not that she gets sad but that it makes a difference that I am in her life.

to new beginnings and end of chapters.. .to stories to be continued... to laughter yet to be heard!

just can't get enough...

pictures of my kids
hugs from my kids
laughter in my ears
do it again, Mommy
tickle me again.. it means you love me
listening... truly listening... what are they saying to me... to each other...
pretending with my kids
making plans for the future



just can't get enough...
time to dream.... just can't get enough

high key v. low key

ok.. here is the challenge my group is proposing to take on..
to find what exactly is high key.. so many ideas in so many different circles.. what is yours??




high key information here

so.. did I achieve it? I didn't use lights behind my son but just a white sheet, light colors, natural light and over exposed.. some people say that is wrong but to use MORE lighting behind your subject so that it looks blown out...
I did what I did with limited things.. I need to get out a light and see what I can do with it tomorrow

today was a long day.. field day... dd got 2 blue and 2 white ribbons... and a BIG smile!!! WTG, girlie! You did it!!!

learning.. turning in other directions...

have you ever felt like you just needed to look behind that tree over there to see what is on the other side?? not that you would stray from your path but you know the path your on could need some extra flowers or perhaps a bench to rest on...
well, I am off to look at another tree just to get some extra inspiration to bring back to my path...


happy today....
that I learned how to take a photo in a mirror without being in the photo
showing my mom about WB.. .makes me a better learner when I teach someone
finding out my dd loves me no matter what
teaparties with Angelina Ballerina bring out the best in toddlers
that I am who I am.... always a learner

motherhood

originally I was going to write about who I am.. am I lost or am I found... well... I think I am in Limbo and for now it is ok.. to give of myself only to KNOW that I cannot lose myself.. but this is in part who I am and what I want to teach my children... to be a MOMMY. :)

A Mother’s Prayer

Dear Lord,
it’s such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray
For life’s been anything but calm
Since you called me to be a mom.
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose, -
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week’s mail to read
So where’s the quiet time I need? -
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one’s face,
That you have blessed me all the while--
And I stoop to kiss that precious smile.
--Author Unknown

and so motherhood goes...
who would you like to be goes the survey... or talk to.. .I would like to talk to Mary.. you know, the Mother of God... you know she was running around the outside of the Temple saying, "get down, Son. Don't put that in your mouth. Because I said so that's why. I know they said mean things, maybe they didn't have a good day.. look for the good in them.

I was so excited last night- almost giddy learning how to use my camera better.. love learning- makes my heart sing... I dreamt of how I could learn more, do more with my camera. It made me want to get up and play some more.. but I knew MOTHERHOOD would be calling me soon.
I asked for the dirty laundry, the pile that never ceases to exist in this house, the weeds that never seem to get pulled but the flowers do because they are so pretty to my toddler! :)

Life is good.. no... it's GREAT!

mama... earrings...hugs

not just one more thing today.. .but 3... maybe more! lol!

1. oldest dd got earrings today. She is so proud and calling everyone...
2. baby boy said, "mama" really clear... what music to my ears.. makes my heart swell... can you hear it beating faster... oh... how I longed to hear that sound for so long.. like hearing the heartbeat for the first time.. you never grow tired of it!
3. "I like you." from my middle babe... she likes me... she might not in a few years but she does now... I will have to remember that when we have rocky roads in the future.

kisses from my honey
giggles
grins
children playing with each other
children coming up with solutions to their own problems..
got into a photography group to get better in my skills...

this all makes me happy and smile today!

what made you happy today?

backing into corners

just when you think you have it right... another turn..
trying to teach myself new tricks with a computer with little ones running around is putting my brain in overload... much like this little one trying to learn how to put his legs under him to get to the Fisher Price toy on the floor.. or the Polly Pocket doll under the table.. .

One way or another I will learn how to get a RAW image into the file I pick instead of this bit of wiring in front of me.. and this little guy will learn to put the leg under him and keep it there rather than doing a backwards army crawl..

both of us in a corner.. what to learn first, how does that first step occur.. if we both figure it out we will both be winners ... then again ... there is always ONE MORE THING to learn! LOL!

pain v. reality

look at this.. I learned to make a storyboard! Thanks to some great gals at 2P :) just wonderful :) I know there is more to it but this is a start for me! yippee!
here we go .. a minute to spare...

woke up with a tremendous migraine.. heck, went to sleep with it..
You never know how to compare your life until someone else tells you of theirs... Grandpa's farm was hit by what is being called straight line winds.. it's a mess so my dh tells me. He was going to go back up and help clean but I needed him here to take care of the kids and give me some breathing room. I didn't scrap, I didn't run around outside, I didn't draw... I didn't cook.. I slept, took a bath and heard the cows next door mooing. I looked outside to see the cows looking right in our back yard.. why??? Because 2 huge buzzards- the size of my 3 year old- were hopping around.... yep- big ones.. hopping!!! yikes! I knew I felt like death but seeing them really made me laugh! I needed that.
Anyway, the farm is bad off.. a barn over 100 years old flattened. What a mess. 100 mph winds. Baseball size hail. 5.5 inches of rain in one hour... man! Noah, build that ark!!!

I hope to go up soon and see for myself. It's like a sign "with neon and everything" ... telling us of an ending of an era....

A farm destroyed versus my migraine... the pain of the migraine won to keep my dh here to watch the kids... but I know his heart is at his Grandpa's place... mine is too... wish I could be up there picking up the pieces...


hey... wanna crop? We are going to have a crop at www.theshakerbox.com this weekend... if you haven't gotten out to your LSS or to some friends come join us there and have some fun!!!

been a long time- so many changes...

2 new teeth
clapping hands
big girl panties
sleeping through the night
snuggles for mama when she is stressed
lots of questions to grasp an idea
restating of an idea just to hear her voice
new friends at school
books with more than one or 2 lines on a page
blended consanants
winter squash makes him gag
finger painting and not caring about a mess
RAW photos stuck on the chip
learning, learning, learning
illustration, photography, choosing words carefully for journaling...

MOJO is back! come check out my gallery this weekend!!!

CROP at www.theshakerbox.com