A Scrap of Life

My oldest, Chase, is a whiz kid. Always has been. Spells awesome, is a wonderful writer, reads like there's no tomorrow, is so inquisitive and just an amazing learner. His state test scores this year were phenomenal, scoring 99% in language and 98% in math. So we decide that we should have him TAG tested. Try to request it and get such a run-around from the school. His teacher told me that he "wasn't gifted, he's just a quick learner". I felt in my heart that he was truly a gifted child but no one would stick up for him. They had to have a whole meeting to "decide" whether he was worthy enough to test. I literally stood on the TAG coordinators doorstep once a week for over a month to finally get the testing done. Well, today was the day. He finally got his TAG test. And you know what, he soared right through it! He didn't just pass it, he creamed it! A score over 116 is considered gifted. You have to have an IQ of over 126 to get the 97% you need in ...

... is not necessarily good news here. I haven't posted lately for a lot of reasons - Carissa's softball, Tristan's taekwondo and Chase's scouts are keeping me busy, the school year is ending and I'm working on all those final details for the year, Brian has been away at training and that leaves me doing most of the works, it's been beautiful weather and I've been spending my free time outside, the list could go on. But it all came to a halt this week when we learned that a boy in Chase's class had died. 12 years old. "Accidental hanging" is what it's been called and we're just all a bit in shock. This was a decent kid, one who sat with Chase at lunch, one who was energetic and loved science. And now he's just gone. It's been a bit surreal. I know unexpected deaths happen, but this one really brought it home. So take a few minutes to be thankful for those kids around you, thankful that they are healthy and alive.

Today is one of those days when I need a little pick-me-up. So I'm going to focus on what makes me happy. Here they are: The sunshine and beautiful weather! "Sadie Hawkins Dance" by Reliant K. That song just makes me smile. (Click one of the videos on the left to hear it). Tristan laughing at the park while spinning uncontrollably on the playground equipment. Carissa smiling again after being sad and sick the last two days. Chase's state testing scores. They were amazing this year! Air Conditioning. It's a marvel of engineering, I tell you. It's how I survive the summer. RitterSport Milk Chocolate and whole Hazelnut candy bars. YUM! A partially clean house. Hey, partial is something. Right now I'll take it. An unexpected night home tonight with Brian. Counting down the last month of school days. I can't wait for summer! Having 2 layouts requested for publication today. The new camera lens that is on it's way to me as we speak. The afterglow of a gi...

Tristan is in the midst of his science experiment for the upcoming science fair. His topic: Whose mouth has more bacteria, a cat, a dog or a human? He's worked hard on getting everything ready and watching the bacteria grow in the petri dishes. We were suprised at the results. Pretty digusting bacteria! LOL

If I were to have a favorite flower, the tulip would be it. I love them. I love seeing their brightly colored petals brightening up our spring. After this long, long winter I felt a trip to see the tulips would help bring spring into our lives. So after shceduling and rescheduling (the fields bloomed late this year because of the weather) we finally took a trip to the Woodburn Tulip Festival. It was meant as a trip for all 5 of us but at the last minute something big went down in town and Brian couldn't get away. But the kids and I carried on. This was only our 2nd time visiting the Tulip Festival but it was absolutely beautiful. Fields and fields of the most gorgeous flowers you have ever seen. And we got there in perfect time because they were all in perfect bloom. We started off by a walk in the fields. We stopped here and there to look around and point out particularly beautiful flowers. I do have to mention this flower. It's the one I'll be buying if I get any bulbs th...

These little frogs are everywhere... in the grass, hopping along the roads, hanging on the garage door at night. The kids love them. They pick them up, admire them, give them silly names like "Blades" and "Daredevil". They start out tiny and fragile and eventually grow large and fat. And every year in late fall they disappear. Yet each spring they return to our world. We're always thrilled to see frog season and enjoy all the little friends it brings with it.

Tonight was middle school open house. Middle School? Are you kidding me? There is no possible way that my smart, sweet, beautiful son should be getting ready to start middle school! Yet our presence at this event assumes that it's true. I'm not entirely looking forward to this move. I was hoping to avoid the angst-filled teenage years, the girls, the friends, the inevitable mistakes. I was hoping to keep him young and innocent a little bit longer. I guess that's not to be, as those middle school days are surely on their way.

Happy Easter one and all! Today was the annual Kiwanis Egg Hunt and, as is tradition, we took the kids. This was a bittersweet hunt, as it was Chase's last one. He's just growing up so quickly. Anyhow ... we took the kids to the hunt this morning . Chase actually went early to do some community service time and help the Kiwanis, our BSA Charter Organization, in setting up the hunt. I picked up Tristan from his friends house, where he spent the night, and brought both of them along with me. We got there early to stake out a good starting spot. The kids waited patiently, just staring at all those eggs ripe for the picking. Finally the time came for the horn to blow. The kids were ready ... ... and off they went. The eggs were picked up within 30 seconds and it was quickly over. We now have a nice little pile of candy and Easter goodies that the kids received. Tristan even won a special prize - a tub of sidewalk chalk. They had a great time and we were thankful that it didn't ...

A huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brian who is celebrating 35 years today! Are we seriously that old? (OK, I'm not that old yet ... I still have a few more months.) Anyways, it's his big day and I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man alive. I love you!

I am totally in love with Uppercase Living right now. They are this company that makes expressions for your walls. They rub on and are so wonderful looking. I had a party last month and here are some of the goodies I have ... This sign hangs on Carissa's door. The butterfly and the name are from Uppercase. I love that you can do customs! This is one of the first ones I bought. It's on a mirror in Carissa's room. I added the crown and pearls in the center of the flowers. This one is on the big wall in our front room. We have family pics on either side of it. It looks awesome and is my fave so far. This is a custom that I made. It's on the wall between in our great room area, sort of by the kitchen. OK, I take it back. This is my fave. No pics in the frames yet, but there will be some soon. This hangs in our hallway near the bathroom and above a cabinet. And just so you don't think the boys are left out, they have their Uppercase items too. For some reason I just hav...

I was at the scrapbook convention today and both my friend Jenn and later my step-mom Linda said they had seen a layout of mine in a magazine recently. It reminded me that I hadn't posted a list of recent and upcoming publications of mine. So I thought I'd throw this list out in case you want to see my work. :) Memory Makers - Jan/Feb 2009 "Puppy Love" "I Love This" Scrapbooks Etc. - Feb/Mar 2009 "Winter Lodge: Scrapbooks Etc. - Apr 2009 "Everyday Violet" Memory Makers – May 2009 “Like Father, Like Son” “Sew Thankful” Simple Scrapbooks - May/June 2009 "Pearls of Wisdom" Scrapbooking & Beyond – Spring 2009 “A Passion for Pet Shop” “Cubs Softball” I already have more scheduled for later this year too. :)

Who could resist this cutie? Certainly not Tyten. He's her first Valentine... Tyten sends notes to Carissa every day. "Will you be my Valentine?" "I love you." She just giggles and shows them to me. Every sticker he earns he gives to her. She says "I don't know why he's always giving them to me," but she smiles while she says it. He insisted on buying her this special bear for Valentines Day. She adores it. He's sweet on her... and I think she likes it.

My baby is 8! Carissa had her birthday on January 29 and turned the grand old age of 8. She had quite a barrage of birthdays this year - at home with us and grandma on her actual birthday, then this party with all her friends 2 days later: followed by grandparents coming over the next day for her and grandpa over the day after that. The girl had more cake that week then she usually gets in a year. But alas, the celebrations have come and gone. Thank goodness! LOL Chase is totally into music these days. He found his MP3 player and since then this is what we see. He's sure growing up and growing into his own person. Tristan got new glasses. He actually ended up with the same exact frames as Brian did. He insisted I take photos of his new glasses. It only took me 2 months (and a reminder from him), but I finally did it. Speaking of glasses, check out these beauties: They donned these 3D glasses for some commercials during the Superbowl. We had a great time watching the Superbowl on o...

You can always tell when I've uploaded and edited photos because that's when I do an update. I just got done editing and I have lots of pictures to share. Here's what has been happening in our lives this past month. Chase got to be a ball boy at the Blazers game. This came about 4 days into the snowstorm and we were so worried about him being able to go. But we took our time and made it their safely. Chase had a great time. He got to rebound balls during warmups and half time and got some primo seats right next to where the TV cameras are. We all went and supported him by being there. It was a SUPERB game and Brandon Roy scored his big 52 points that night. Quite a fun and unique experience for a 12 year old. Our huge thanks go out to Leo Hillyer from Hillyer's Mid-City Ford in Woodburn, who sponsored Chase, and to Grandpa who organized the whole thing with Leo. The kids all had their school programs before the snow hit. Chase had a principle role in the 6th grade pro...