A Scrap of Life

I've had such a rotten morning. It was just not good. Kids were slow moving and I had to get them to theater and gymastics camps today. Brian took the van so I could take the car and save on gas but we forgot Carissa's booster seat. I've been grumpy. Tristan and I got into it when he wouldn't get his rear end moving. It was just one thing after another this morning. So I drop the kids off and go for a walk. I come back from the walk feeling a little better. Then I see the package on my doorstep from my good friend Linda. Some yummy scrapbook goodies that I absolutely can't wait to use. YEAH! Then I check email and see a page request from Scrapbooks Etc. Double YEAH!! Not 15 minutes later I get three more pages requested, this time from Scrapbook Trends. Triple YEAH!!! So though things have started quite rough this morning, the day is looking up ...

I can't believe that his 16 weeks has finally come to an end. It seemed so long and in many ways it was. There were a lot of things he missed while away. There were a lot of things we missed about him too. But now, 16 weeks later, we're looking forward to having Brian back home. Graduation was Friday. We went up Thursday night for a family celebration with the other 38 graduates and some of their family members. There was a bit of a delay in starting the festivities, as the class was late getting out. They were participating in the memorial for a Deputy killed in the line of duty. This wall outside of the Academy was surrounded by flowers and was a somber reminder of the danger inherant in their job. I am always struck by the number of names on both the front and back of this memorial wall. But when I look it all I do is hope never to see Brian's name up on this wall. Anyways, graduation was Saturday. We all dressed up and showed up early so we could get good seats. We snag...

OK, so this is momentus for me. It's something I haven't done in forever -- since last June to be exact. One year and not a single haircut. It's one of those Mommy things in me. I don't spend the money on myself. I just don't. But when my Mom gave me money for my birthday I knew that's what I wanted to spend it on. So last Wed. I went to see Keeli, who came highly recommended by some of my friends. She was so nice and spent over and hour cutting my hair, talking with me about what I wanted and how I wanted it then styling it for me. She did have to cut off more than I would have liked - about 3 1/2 inches - but it was in so many different lengths because of how long it had been since I'd had it cut before. After washing, adding a moisurizer and cutting my hair she styled it for me. I'd never straightened my hair before and I like the change from my normal wavy hair. So I walk away from there on Wed. happy with the results and excited about showing Brian,...

You see, my friend and fellow ScrapAddict designer Monica tagged me. I've been wracking my brain for a list of 7 random facts about me and I haven't come up with anything great. But I've procrastinated long enough so I'm just going to fly with it and do my best. These are the rules.... each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. 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. So, time for my 7 random facts: 1. I love chocolate anything except cake. The only way I'll eat chocolate cake is if it is chocolate cupcakes baked with lots of raisins in them. 2. I'm a clothes-hanging organizer. It's one of those little quirky things. All clothes in this house have to be hung up in the proper way. First pants - jeans first than other pants. Next short sleeve shirts in order by color - w...

Baseball is officially over. Tristan and Carissa have played their last game and each walked away with a new trophy. And I've walked away with a greater respect for parents who do this on their own year after year. Wow, it was a handful. And I couldn't have done it without the help and support of all the Grandparents, who each came and helped out when I needed it. THANK YOU! My preschool class had their last day yesterday. Oooooohhhhhhh. We still have a party on Tuesday so we haven't had to say the real goodbyes yet. But it was bittersweet watching them walk out of the classroom for the last time. I've only been with this group since February, but they've sort of grown on me. And I've seen how they've all grown so much in the short time I've known them. Already I can see how fulfilling teaching is. 4 more days of school for the kids. I can't believe the year is almost over and that soon I will have a 1st, 3rd and 5th grader. Wow. But I...

Our time with Jimmy, Virginia and Randal has come and gone. It was great to see them all and to cuddle my new nephew. And it's great to see Jimmy and Virginia starting a family of their own ... they're great parents, as I always knew they would be. Baby Randal is such a sweet thing. I particularly enjoyed holding him and it reminded me how long it's been since one of my kids was that tiny. He was such a good baby. Very quiet but with an adorable smile and little cooing noises all his own. The kids, of course, thought Randal was just a gem. They kept walking up to him and touching his hand and talking to him. And they all took their turns holding him. Brian and I took our turns with Randal too ... And of course, who can forget my little brother and his son. It was so nice to see him interact with Randal and I just can't get over the little things he would say. My favorite was when Randal was starting to get fussy and Jimmy would say "Oh no, not Mr. Grumpy...