A Scrap of Life

Today is Tristan's 8th birthday. 8 wonderful years with this little fellow. 8 years filled with his laughter, his smiles, his joy. He's such a wonderful, wonderful son and we are thankful every day that he is in our life. For his birthday we went bowling as a family. Tristan was on a lucky streak and by the 5th frame he already had 2 strikes and 2 spares. This from a kid who has only bowled 3 or 4 times his entire life. He and his lucky star ball rolled their way into victory with a score of 117. Grandma & Grandpa, Grandpa & Linda and Great Grandma came over that evening to celebrate over pizza, funfetti cake and chocolate chip cookies. It was just a great day and the birthday boy was happy with all the fun.

Few things throw me into fits of panic. I've dealt with all sorts of scary things without getting upset. Most recently I dealt with Tristan screaming about his mangled arm and remained calm throughout the ambulance ride, surgery, etc. But yesterday I sort of lost it. Yesterday I went to the Sheriffs Department to get fingerprinted for my concealed handguns license. The fingerprint ink and gooey stuff you use to remove it are all sorts of messy so she told me to take off my wedding ring so it wouldn't get inked. Well I did and then put it on my purse so I would remember it. Unfortunately, that's not how it happened. When I was done I grabbed my purse and left, totally forgetting that my ring was on top. About 1/2 an hour later we were in Hillsboro on our way to Grandma's house for my Dad's birthday dinner (Happy 55th Dad!!!). I subconsciously feel for my ring and then it dawns on me... it's not there. I start screaming words that you normally would never hear fro...

Just a special message to my Dad ... Happy Birthday Old Man! 55 years and counting. And here's the pics my sister requested of Dad's new bald look. Noogie ... Grandpa Torture...

I was working outside in the yard and needed to walk in a dirt area, but I hadn't put on any shoes. The kids were all on the trampoline so I thought I would use a pair of the boys sandals that were on the lawn as a bit of protection. So I slipped on Tristan's sandals - AND THEY FIT. Not fit as in "hey, I'll wear these around town" but fit as in "I can squish my feet in here without too much discomfort". But the fact is, my 7 year old son has feet nearly as big as mine. And before long I have a feeling they will be a lot bigger. *sigh* They are growing way too fast ...

Brian and I both felt uneasy. You see, we had left to go camping on Sunday and had checked the house for the cat. Not seeing her we closed the door and went on our way. But neither of us were convinced that Violet was outside and we knew that she had been eyeing Peach, Chase's pet rat (whom I secretly love ... she's very social and fun). But we had convinced ourselves that all would be well when we returned - boy, were we wrong. We walked in the house to see Peach's cage all over the floor. Her aquarium had shattered on the fall and the top portion of shelves and ramps was covered in glass and bedding debris. The good news is that Peach wasn't in the wreckage and we didn't see signs that she had become Violet's dinner. The bad news is that Peach was somewhere loose in our house. The worse news is that if we didn't find her the kids would be devestated. Now Peach is a very social animal and just before we left to go camping we had been working on call...

but now it's confirmed. See, evidence! Who are these kids? Well, they're actually street kids - my street kids. Chase and Tristan covered in dirt and wearing tattered rags for their parts in the River City Childrens Theater production of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. The kids were so adorable. They sang songs and had their own lines to memorize. And they both did it absolutely perfect. Afterwards Tristan said he had stage fright but that it went away as soon as he got on stage. Chase, the vetran actor (this is his 2nd year), practiced extra every day just for the love of the story and the music. I sat in the front of the theater and couldn't help but get choked up. I was so proud of them and I could see that they were equally proud of themselves. I have to say that the RCCT is such a wonderful program for the kids. They go to day camp for a week where they learn their lines, songs and stage directions. Then on Friday night they have the big performance. Such a wonderful progr...

This girl is the most loving person I've ever known. She is always in the center of it all, wiggling her way between us or sitting on our laps or hanging onto our backs. She's always rubbing our arms and telling us she loves us. She's always giving hugs and sharing kisses. And if she really likes you she'll kiss you on the nose and then giggle. She's a fountain of love, this girl, and I couldn't imagine life without her.

We have had such a great summer as a family this year. (OK, except for the broken arm.) We've been able to spend a lot of time together doing fun things. We camped at the beach several times and are headed there again this weekend. We went hiking. We went biking. We played at the parks and went to movies. We swam in the pool and shot with water guns. It's just been a wonderful summer for our family and I'm sort of sad to see that it's quickly coming to an end.

If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? Right smack in the middle of Disneyland. OK, that would take away from the magic. *sigh* Guess what I'd REALLY want is a nice house and barn on acerage in the country so I could have horses again. What's your favorite article of clothing? I'm so not a clothing horse, but I guess I would say my "booty" jeans (as Brian calls them) because they hug the booty and make it look nice. And when I look nice I feel nice. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? I like my men big ... a nice hunk of man (like my studly DH is) is exactly what I love. What's the last CD that you bought? I don't really buy CD's. We download what we want and burn CD's on our own. But I'd have to say my recent fave band if Five for Fighting. Where's your favorite place to be? Disneyland with the family. Or Disneyworld. I'm so not picky. Them + Me + Mickey = Happiness. Where's your least favorite place to ...

Well, we're home and still recovering from the trip. Did you know that dorm room mattresses are the cheapest quality, foam-feeling things they can find? They were HORRIBLE. Ugh. We're SOOOO glad to be back home in our nice, comfy bed in our own house, with out own stuff and our kids. Really made me appreciate home and all the comforts here. We've hardly settled in back home but decided to take the kids yesterday to finish the school shopping. I've been working on buying things as they go on sale here and there and I've done a pretty good job. But I was done with that ... I just wanted the school shopping to be finished and out of the way. So yesterday we did just that. A few pairs of pants for Carissa and Chase and a whole new bunch for Tristan, who outgrew everything from last year. New shoes all around ... tennies for them all (2 pairs for the boys, since that's all they wear) and cute dressy boots for Carissa. Finished shopping for school supplies ...

Seriously, do you ever think back on your life before kids and try to remember what you did? Because I can't remember. How did I fill my days? What kept me entertained? I've been a Mom for nearly 10 years and I can't remember life before. I wish I could because I could use some of those ideas right now. I will say that this has been relaxing. We're not sleeping much ... it's just not home. And there is no TV (although I did watch this weeks Rockstar reality episode online this morning). I've been reading, which I love. And while it's been beautiful here I just don't go outside to read because I don't want to be baked and burned in the sun. But I did finish one book and am looking forward to starting the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 book. Besides that I've just been scrabooking. I've done 4 pages and have a 5th almost done. I'll have to finish the journaling at home but the pages are designed and pasted and waiting for th...

On the 1st of each month ScrapAddict opens their galleries to the public and shows them the upcoming kits. Tomorrow is the 1st so I'm sneaking this in a bit early to show you my layouts. I've been changing things up a bit and have messing around with a new size, 8.5x11. I LOVE doing something different so expect to see much more of that from me. But for now here are this month's layouts from the kits I was assigned: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: GEISHA GIRL: This is an altered bookmark box and bookmarks that I made for my Grandma, who loves to read as much as I do! As always, you can visit www.scrapaddict.com (username: pixleyyy) to see the layouts and read the journaling (always the best part!).

Without kids I am so lost. I don't know what to do with myself. This morning I spent walking around the campus then came back to our room to scrapbook for a while. Brian and I went to lunch and then he returned to classes. I went shopping ... as much shopping as I could manage to find here. First a used book store, where I picked up the 2nd book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Then to Wal-Mart to pick up a book by one of my favorite authors, Christine Feehan. Now I'm back at our room trying to scrapbook but finding it difficult. I'm not used to so much *quiet*. No kids running around, no one wanting a popsicle or needing help settling a disagreement. Just me and my scrapbook supplies. WIERD. I'm sure I'll become more accustom to it in a few days. So, we're staying in a dorm room. Let me tell you, dorm rooms weren't like this when I was in college. These are "suite" rooms. There is a front room, mini kitchen and bathroom...

Today we take the kids to Grandma & Grandpa's, where they will be staying for the next 7 nights. Yes, 7 nights all to ourselves. We won't know what to do ... we've never been away from the kids for longer than 3 days or so and it will be a wierd change for us. But it will be time away either way. I'm going to miss them though. :) I'd like to say that Brian and I were going to some exotic destination ... Hawaii or Mexico or something. Heck, I'd even take Vegas. But alas, no such luck. Brian is taking a Summer Arts course at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. That means we're not even leaving the state. And it means that all day long I will be by myself ... not exactly "time togehter". *sigh* Maybe one of these years we'll actually be able to take one of those exotic vacations, but for now we'll have to settle with our dorm room at EOU.

Tristan got his cast off! Today he had his appointment and all looked well so they removed the cast and pins. Let me tell you, that kid SCREAMED when the Dr. pulled the pins out. He was anticipating that it was going to hurt and started screaming before the Dr. even started. He didn't stop until a few minutes after the 2nd pin came out and Brian was finally able to convince him it was over. He stopped screaming immediately and said "Oh, that didn't hurt much." Sheesh! So he's out of a cast and spending the next month learning how to bend the elbow again. We didn't keep the cast this time (EEEEEWWWWW ... 1 month in the same cast should be outlawed!) but we did pay to get copies of some of his xrays so that he could take them for show & tell next year.

I rarely treat myself to anything special. I've never had a manicure or pedicure, I only get a haircut once or twice a year and I don't spend money on fancy clothes or shoes, all of which made todays experience that much more enjoyable. *happy sigh* Today I had my first ever facial today and I am just in heaven! My wonderful friend Angie (who I miss) left some gift certificates with me when she moved away, including one for a 60 minute facial. I finally found the time to go today and it was such a treat! Not only was it a facial treatment but she massaged my neck, shoulders, hand and feet too. I came away all clean and soft and mousturized. I felt like an absolute princess. It was so wonderful and relaxing and left me feeling mellow all day long. So thank you Miss Angie for the wonderful experience. And thank you to whoever created facials... you are my hero!

Just a fun little blurb for today. Most of it sounds pretty right on for me, especially the absolute genius part. ;) Your Birthdate: June 1 You are a natural born leader, even if those leadership talents haven't been developed yet.You have the power and self confidence to succeed in life, and your power grows daily.Besides power, you also have a great deal of creativity that enables you to innovate instead of fail.You are a visionary, seeing the big picture instead of all of the trivial little details. Your strength: Your supreme genius Your weakness: Your inappropriate sensitivity Your power color: Gold Your power symbol: Star Your power month: January What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

The blog challenge for this week is to do a list of your favorites. Here's some of mine: 5 favorite foods Pepperoni, pineapple and black olive pizza Mon Cheri (little chocolate candies filled with hazelnuts and chocolate) Baked Lays Homemade chocolate cupcakes with raisins inside Double chocolate brownies and cheez-its 5 favorite people Brian Chase Tristan Carissa Ummmm ... I love you all so I can't possibly pick just one more! 5 favorite songs of all time Brighter than Sunshine - Aqualung 100 Years - Five for Fighting Jack & Diane - John Cougar Life is a Highway - Tom Cochran The Dance - Garth Brooks 5 favorite places Disneyland DisneyWorld Agate Beach Home My bed 5 favorite movies Beaches Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Dirty Dancing Havana Nights Sweet Home Alabama Notting Hill

It's a baby! No, not me! I'm DONE ... but my brother and sister-in-law are pregnant! I'm so happy for them. They are SO wonderful with my kids and I knew one day that they would fill their home with the love and laughter of children. Jimmy called today to say that they are due in late February 2007. I'm just ecstatic. It couldn't have happened to better people. Jimmy and Virginia will make great parents and I'm so thrilled for them. Wish they were closer (they're stationed in Italy for the next few years) so that we could be more a part of it all, but we'll do what we can from here and send all our love out to both them and the baby. CONGRATS Jimmy & Virginia. We love you!!!

Sometimes there are moments in life that are just perfect. They're the kind of moments that you want to fondly remember 40 years from now when you are reflecting back on your life. This moment is one of them... Brian and Chase in the street playing 2-on-2 basketball with our new neighbor Andrew and his father, Carissa and Andrews sister playing Dora on the front lawn and Tristan and I sitting on the sidelines together yelling for the basketball players and drinking ice water. *sigh* I love summer and I especially love moments like this.