Sisterhood Challenge #7

Challenge # 7 The Journey called LIFE
The "walk of life" is a journey. Some journeys are exciting and full of fun and laughter...Others are heart-breaking, but yet a great learning experience. Sometimes we will say that at least we got to where we wanted to go, we reached our destination. But, you know, the journey is what gives us all the memories that we scrap from day to day.

Angie's challenge was to scrap a journey.

If you want to try some of these challenges go check them out on Sisterhood of Scrap

I made this layout yesterday for on online newsletter for The Untamed Scrapper & realized that it really is about a journey for me that led me to the life I wished for.

Here is the journaling in case it is too small to read:

When I was a little girl I always dreamed of having a
big family and being the mother of four children. When
people heard me express this wish they would often
say, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get
it.” So here I am many years later and I did get my
wish. Fortunately I am grateful and feel blessed
by it most days. I must admit there are a few
moments when I think to myself...is this what I really
wanted? After those moments pass
I realize it is what I really wanted. I
love my blended family. I love being a
mother of four. I love that my house
is filled with love and energy. I am
glad for my youthful wish and I am blessed that it
came true.

Sisterhood of Scrap Challenge #9

I love this challenge...I had so much fun with it. Loved using the chipboard & stickles. Thanks Gabi!!!

I decided to do a layout for my book of me about "my job" as a SAHM.
Here is the journaling:

Since December of 2005
I have taken on a new job. It is the
most demanding job I have ever had.
I need to be a jack of all trades & the
job requires many skills. Sometimes I
think there are jobs I would enjoy more,
but I am sure there aren’t any more
rewarding.


If you are looking to give your mojo a boost, go check out this site & join the fun!

Sisterhood of Scrap

"Summer Stroll With Sisters" Challenges

Well I have been having fun working on challenges for Sisterhood of Scrap today. I completed Challenge #2 - These Feet were made for Walking!!!


I also completed Challenge # 4-Follow the Leader!!!


I had fun with these today...I hope to get to some more.

If you would like to play...go check it out!!

Sisterhood of Scrap

Gardening Help

I have been working on getting the front gardens in shape. I have a master gardener who comes about once a week to do some weeding & help me to learn what things are & teach me how to keep it looking good. Well after we got the one front bed cleared out I needed to purchase a few more plants. Caleb & Rachel came along to the garden center & we got a few items. We had a great time looking through all they had to offer & choosing what plants we thought would work well.

When we got back I pulled out the shovel & my gloves & got ready to get to work. Just as a started to dig Rachel came up & said, "Can I help?" I was thrilled that she was interested & was really happy to have some company if nothing else. It was about 90 degrees out & humid so not exactly the best weather to be doing that kind of work.

She was so into it that I actually didn't have to do much of anything except supervise. You have to love that. She was so thrilled with being able to do it. Since they were planted she has been going out to check on them & water them as needed. I love that she has some pride & ownership of her work in the yard. It is really starting to look great!

10-Day 10K ~ Caardvark Challenge

For the past ten days I have been making cards for a ten day challenge sponsored by:

Caardvarks

I am seriously card challenged. I have a card phobia as a matter of fact. I love to scrap & make all kinds of things with paper but when asked to make a card I panic. It may seem silly to all you seasoned card makers, but for me it is a real fear.

So when a friend Penny brought this challenge to my attention I just had to give it a shot.

I don't love all the cards I have made, but I think I may have let some of the card fear go. So I guess it is all good!

Take a look at all ten of my creations...not too shabby for someone with a card phobia!!

Almost 10

I did this LO for a blog challenge. If you want to play check out this site...

Sisterhood of Scrap

I love this picture of Rachel she is just curled up in the back of the van. When I see her in pictures like this I can almost see what she will look like as an adult. In moments like that I just want to give her a big squeeze & whisper, "you don't need to grow up so fast!"

Live Earth: The Concert for a Climate in Crisis

On 07/07/07 David, Caleb, Connor, Kailey, Rachel, & I all piled in the van & headed over to Giants Stadium to be a part of the Live Earth Concert. It was an amazing day full of incredible music. I was surprised by all that I learned about how we could do even more as a family to decrease our negative impact on the planet.

If you are interested in what is is all about, please go check out this website:

LiveEarth.org

You can see what your carbon footprint & you can pledge to answer the call & make a commitment & sign the Live Earth Pledge.

Here was the line up of bands that we got to see:
AFI
Akon
Alicia Keyes
Bon Jovi
Dave Matthews Band
Fall Out Boy
John Mayer
Kanye West
Keith Urban
Kelly Clarkson
KT Tunstall
Ludacris
Melissa Etheridge
Roger Waters
Smashing Pumkins
Taking Back Sunday
The Police

It was so incredible to see all of those musicians in one day.

I did not take pictures in the concert. The pictures are from our tailgate picnic in the parking lot before the show.

Celebrating the Fourth!

We spent another year celebrating at the Fazen's annual 4th of July Party. It rained off & on, but that didn't seem to take away from the festivities. This year we brought our friend Gabi & her two girls. It was super fun. There was plenty of good food, friendly people, a neighborhood parade & plenty things to keep the kids interested.

We always have such a great time & it is always hard for the kids when it is time to go home.

A Piece of My Personality...

I was kind of tired of the old look of my blog. It was just one of the blogger templates without any of my personality added.

So today I played around & made my own header & customized one of the templates to compliment what I created.

I am pleased with the results. I feel it now has a piece of my personality added.

Hope you all like the new look!

Got Ink?

I did this LO of Rachel's airbrush tattoo she got in May. She thought it was the coolest thing. It lasted about a week.

I did this LO for a blog challenge. If you want to play check out this site...
Sisterhood of Scrap

They have some cool challenges...really fun stuff.

A New Look...A New Me

I have been having some fun lately searching the internet for scrapbook challenges. I found a bunch this week.

Here is a layout I did as an answer to one of these challenges. I had such a great time with it. This layout is for my "Book of Me." This scrapbook is my art journal where I put pages that are just for me. I use it as my journal. I have always tried to do traditional journaling never could get into the routine of it. This type of journal really works for me. I am drawn to working on it & it is a joy instead of a chore.

Thanks for looking!!

I have been Tagged!!

I have been tagged!

My seven Facts:
1. I am addicted to scrapbooking
2. I will be 39 years old in July
3. I went to Japan on my honeymoon.
4. I owned a hair salon in my early twenties.
5. I am learning to play golf...anyone wanna play?!?
6. I have my belly button pierced
7. My husband and I are dart players.

The people who I am tagging are:
1. Nancy http://www.myfiercewonderings.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle http://www.scrappyshel.blogspot.com/
3. Meghan http://meghansmindlessmuttering.blogspot.com/

I would do more....but I really am new to bloggin & don't have anyone to send it to yet.

People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of their blog list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

Ray's T-Shirt Quilt Project

Sometime in April when I was busy sewing costumes for The Lewis School's play Peter Pan, Rachel got this great idea. She suggested that she would like to recycle some old t-shirts & rags to make a big comfy patchwork quilt. We have worked on this quilt off & on since then.

We are happy to announce that the quilt is finally complete today. I must say it came out pretty cool. Both Rachel & I had never done anything like this before so we figured it out as we went along. I would say it was a huge success!!

A Brand New Smile

Today was a big day!

Kailey got her braces off. It took a little less than 45 minutes total to get them off & get her new retainer.

Kailey kept licking her teeth. I am sure it felt wierd to feel them after such a long time.

She has a beautiful new smile...just check her out!

Our New Outdoor Fire Pit!

David & I decided it would be a nice addition to our backyard to have a fire bowl. So we shopped around this weekend & purchased one.

We also picked up the makings for s'mores as we thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids.

Well, it is a beautiful addition, but we already had our first mishap. While the kids were roasting the marshmallows for s'mores Kailey dropped a burning hot one on her bare leg. OUCH!!

She ended up with a real nasty burn. We got it checked by the doctor & got her some good burn ointment.

It wasn't the best way to end the night, but they still seemed to enjoy the s'mores...even Kailey poor thing.

The Rotary Roses

I just had to post these photos of my roses in the front yard. They look just glorious!

These roses were purchased as a fundraiser from my Rotary club many years ago by my stepmother Marguerite when this house still belonged to her.

I am just amazed with my limited knowledge of roses how well they are doing in my care.

I guess they must be a hardy breed. Thank goodness...because I really enjoy them!

Ginger's Big Shot at Fame

We just got an email notice from Rogers' Rescues, the organization we adopted Ginger from in December of 2005.

They are running a calender Dog contest as a fundraiser. Since Ginger is such a beauty & we would love to support their rescue efforts we entered these four photos. Of course we think she is a calender girl even if they do not choose her.

I think this is such a great fundraising idea & so fun for the families that have adopted a dog. You make a $5 donation for each photo you submit to the contest & I am sure they will sell the finished calenders as well when they are all done.

This organization does such a fabulous job with placing these animals. If you are interested in getting a dog please be sure to check them out.

http://www.rogersrescues.com/rogers_rescues/about_us/about_us.html

So please keep your fingers crossed for Ginger. If she wins she will get a $25 Petco gift card to spend anyway she wants!

New Goalie Gloves...My Online Nightmare!

Rachel & Kailey are playing soccer again this season. They started practice a few weeks ago. Rachel wants to play goalie again. So we wanted to get her some new goalie gloves. We went to about three different stores & tried on numerous pairs. None of them had any in her size. The process though made us confident enough to be able to know which size & what brand we wanted so I decided hey why not order them online. We had two weeks, plenty of time to order them & have them shipped.

Well, we found the perfect pair online at Dick's Sporting Goods. They were in stock & we ordered them. Last Thursday the box arrives & we open them. The packing slip had all the right information, but the box held not goalie gloves...walkie talkies. Yes...you read that right walkie talkies. So immediately I call them to let them know the mistake & they apologized for the error & swore they would mail her out the correct item right away. They also assured me that they would be here in time, they would send me a label via email to mail the walkie talkies back, & they would send me a 10% off coupon for my trouble.

I did get the coupon via email immediately. Well, I called them on Monday to tell them I did not have the label yet. They said they would resend it...still waiting. Also, as of yet there are no goalie gloves here.

Hmmmm....do you think they will arrive before Saturday's game?

Peter Pan~Starring Caleb & Rachel

Rachel as Tiger Lily with her teacher Ms. Herman

Caleb as Captain Hook

Caleb & Rachel just had their school play last Thursday night. The Lewis School put on a production of Peter Pan. Rachel played Tiger Lily & Caleb was Captain Hook.

My mother-in-law made Rachel's costume & provided the hat, wig, & hook for Caleb. She also porvided the luscious fabric that we used to make the fabulous jacket. I volunteered to be a costume mom. I surpirsed myself by sewing together the ruffled shirt for the Hook costume.

The play went as most school plays go. It had lots of little funny mistakes, the kids forgot lines, sets fell over, & everyone laughed. All that being said, it was absoultely one of the best plays I have ever seen!!!

Rachel was fabulous as Tiger Lily & knew all of her lines & made not one mistake. I always knew she was cut out for the stage. She has always been a ham.

Caleb really surprised me though. He was reluctant to play Captain Hook. He even said he thought he might throw up form nerves the night of the play. So I was unsure as to what to expect from him. What happened just blew me away. He was fabulous!! He knew all his lines & delivered them with personality. You would never know he was nerous at all.

I asked them both if they wuld want to be in the play next year...the both said yes right away. I am so excited to see waht they will be next year!!

Help!!! I need to get organized!

No matter what I do I can't seem to keep my studio organized.
It is in desperate need of spring cleaning. There are piles everywhere!

It is funny the pictures are form a month ago. I cleaned this all up, but already it looks like this again. I just can't seem to put things away. If I am in the middle of working on a project everything is everywhere.

I always think I want to be neat & organized...yet I never can seem to get there.

Is there anyone else that was once like me that has now become organized? If so, share your secrets...please! I am starting to think I am hopeless. Maybe I am destined to be the messy creative genius, lol.