just busy.

yes, we are busy around here. i don't know where the days seem to be going. but go they do. i guess its just daily stuff. before i know it we are at the end of another day, or already another week. homework, friends, school activities, sports practices. even our weekends seem full of the same. not a lot of real family time. alex is busy at work. gone a lot these days. he sweeps in and out here and there. i'll try not to complain though, cause at least he comes home and we love that. :)

logan and alex left for a wrestling championship already. weigh-ins were at 8am. i hope logan walks away with a win today. it'd be nice to end the season with a nice fat win!! camille has her basket ball playoffs at about noon today. they were number one and then they lost 2 games. the last one, they lost by one point at the buzzer. what a game.

next up, we are waiting to find out teams for lacrosse. like i said, our days are busy.

isabelle is working on her science project for school.

and trying to keep her grades up and not get involved in all the drama of 5th grade girls.

i am doing my thing. i got a little frustrated about the whole looking for a job thing, and so kinda gave up for now. it was just causing me so much stress and i needed to keep doing my mom/wife stuff too. so thats what ive been doing. house stuff. groceries, meals, errands. house projects.

i am not even close to opening my etsy shop yet. i thought i would be. but, no not yet. the little basket here is where i throw in products i want to create with. and as you can see, it is full. i did go downstairs and create a bit yesterday. i made 2 really flamboyant cards. and 2 scrapbook pages. one of logan and his stuffed puppy. the other of me at my college graduation. it felt nice to do anything scrapbook related. its been a while. if i could ever just organize my time better, i know i could do a lot more with my days. i just can never seem to get it together. maybe one day...

well i gotta get off this dang computer --many things to do before camille's game.

whats everyone else busy with???

xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day

what a lovely happy sweet lil ol day.

so far, camille had basket ball practice, we went to the library, cleaned up (some) around the house, played with henry, finished up valentines to give to kids and alex later tonight...and the girls and i are hanging out now, while the boys are off at a wrestling match.

i hope logan gets a win. he hasn't been doing so hot. he has a good attitude about his loses. and he usually goes to practice and matches willingly. not today however. he was not feeling so good today and so he pulled a nasty tantrum about going earlier. it was ugly, alex carried him out to the truck, kicking and screaming. i had to laugh when logan started punching alex...i mean, the kid throws some narley fits, but never has he hit someone. its just not in him. so i was surprised and it cracked me up. wrong of me probably, but youd have to know how sweet logan is to appreciate it. and how alex and i have been having conversations about how hes just not that tough guy we sometimes wish he'd be. like when it comes time to win wrestling matches. he dosnt like grabbing boys or throwing them down, tackling whatever those moves are called. he tries, but you can tell..its not him. which is too bad, cause my lil boy is just a pound or 2 shy of 90 pounds and thats pretty big for a 3rd grader. he thinks hes skinny and little in his mind....but no, hes a big husky sweet boy. and i sure love him. and thank goodness i have a 6'4" 250 pound honeyman husband who can pick up a 90 pound eight year old like it snothing and toss him into the truck...cause ive had my days of dealing with the tantrums and im afraid that im pretty much matched by the kids now. they are all just about as big as me..or nearly as strong...so happy a big strong daddy was here to take care of things. i love both those guys. my guys--who just happen to look alike bigtime ...and share the same ability to throw a narley fit. :)

oh- yes i love my girlies too. they are upstairs playing a game together..right this minute. and guess what? no fighting yet. but i shouldnt talk about that, or else i'll spoil it and a cat attack wil follow. my girls are not like logan--they have been known to throw a punch or two. and as much as id like to say it came from elsewhere...i have a tiny suspiscion it came from their mama. a girls gotta hold her own--thats all im sayin.

anyways my sweet girls are growing and changing every day right before my eyes. its amazing that God gave me such children to love. i really am thankful for them. they push every nerve and twist every ounce of patience out of me...but i guess i wouldnt want it any other way, ya know? i like days that remind me to feel the fullness of my life, the blessings i have in my day, the love in my heart because of them. isn't that the point of such days.

so--speaking of love and valentines day--alex hates this day. he says he hates the commercialism of it all. and he hates to see the all the hoopla about it...what a dumb day--so he says. I think he just uses that attitude as an excuse for when he forgets each year to get my a valentine. if only hed ever realize id love a lil note from him, or a bunch of yellow daisies-which are my favorite--not expensive roses. its ok though we all have our ways of showing our love, and after 15 years of knowing this man, i most certainly know and adore his. but id still welcome those daisies...

i rather like valentines day. having a husband who doesnt care, doesnt really allow me to enjoy it on the receiving end, but i always like to bake sweet treats and give the heart shaped boxes and something tiny for my loved ones. my dad use to always give us candy boxes on valentines, and growing up without a whole lot--well i really loved those days. i felt special and loved getting my heart box of chocolates. just loved it. and so i like to do it for my family too. i like to take candies and package them up lovingly for them to tear into and make them crazy as they romp around the house happily. yeah--i just love it. it works for me. the kids usually run up and cut me out a heart card real quick cause theyve really forgotten again and thats fine. i get a cute lil love message and it makes my heart full and happy to give this day each year. thats what counts.

happy heart day everyone.

xoxo

superbowl sunday and stuff

so, who else is watching the Superbowl??

we are all being kinda homeyish (not a word i know) today and it is ending nicely. watching the game, eating chips and popcorn shrimp, rice and sausage and cooked carrots for dinner.

camille's basketball team lost their first game today. bummer. but its ok, it'll encourage them to push themselves in next sundays game.

last week we had a snow storm and the kids were off of school anyway, so they got some snow play in. no pictures though i was kinda too lazy. they only went to school monday and friday last week, so it was a busy at home -and stuck at home-kind of time for us.

this is hopefully the last week with izzys cast. she has a big dance recital on thursday night. we thought she got her cast off the day before, but no--its the day after. so...dang it, we'll have to see if we say just do the show with one arm. shes worked so hard. they will be having a spring class so she could do the class again with both arms, and do the next recital. hmm....

i am still looking for a job. no luck so far. i hope soon. at first it was just to keep me busy, but as expensive as maryland is...now its turning into a priority that i get some kind of income. i am sad to say that my hobby of cards is not making me any money. nothing that would help. and because of this, there is a very strong possibility that i will be quiting stampin up for good. it is just not the most cost effective way for me to keep going. i use to get enough orders here and there, and well now not so much.

my thoughts on this have gone both ways. i have been sad knowing things will change for me. but at the same time, i am gearing myself up to open up my own etsy shop. i have wanted to for a long time. it is a online store so to speak where you can sell your own handmade art. ive had my own shop already made for a long time, just haven't jumped into putting any stuff into it. it is my goal to make that happen. and very soon.

i think focusing on that will be a good thing for me. i can use all the loads of products i have from various companies and not feel limited to only using stampin up!. it will all work out. i have faith.

i also have good health news. i was really having some issues that were making me wonky. well after a few weeks worth of doctor visits and results coming in. i am perfectly fine. only thing that changed is i need a new eyeglass prescription. i'd say that is pretty darn good news.

so all the hair falling out, yellow eyes, 15 pounds of extra weight, depression, anxiety, hormonal issues---well, it turns out all of that is just plain ol ME. along with some environmental issues that i just didn't know how to deal with.

the new plan is to breathe, and feel better each day. to try to focus on doing things around the house, eat better, let go of some things that cause me anxiety, pray more....pray a lot more....

i must focus on getting into a routine, check things off my list, create things for my esty shop, find and apply for more part time jobs until someone calls me back--anyone out there need a girl like me from about 830am til 230pm???? give me a call. just kidding. but the job search will continue. it must. alex is relying on me to help with our income now, and as stressful as this has become, i want to as well. i bet lots of my "issues" would go away if i had something good and positive to do with my time each day. a way to help others, grow in my experiences, share my time and talents.

i am praying God can help me with all this as well. He usually does, half the time when i don't even realize it. sometimes I'm slow to His ways. but i eventually get it.

my pictures today are some cards Ive been working on. along with some Valentine stuff that i did a few weeks ago and couldn't find my camera card so i never showed them here.

so, anyway, enjoy my goodies, and send a hug through the net for me, i could use it.

xoxox

Tuesday. January 20, 2009

home with Alex today.

watching the Presidential Inauguration.

i thought it was pretty powerful.

i felt emotional about it. inspired for our country. and with high hopes for our future. my children's future.

as is evidence from Alex's job--we are more than strong supporters of the leader of our country, and are excited with hopes of good things to come. :)

i am pretty open this year. agreeing that it is time for new hope and new change and i welcome that, as i am sure everyone does regardless of political party.

2009 seems to be the year for possibilities for everyone...i hope these promises turn to good true actions.

*don't forget to read below about my own SU! opportunities and goodness in my previous posts. :)

xoxo

STAMPIN' UP!

hello friends.
how's everyone lately?
we are fine around here. today everyone is home for the Martin Luther King holiday. Nice to have a day off to break things up. i try to take special days like this to reflect on history. even for a few minutes. i think today is a big deal since it comes before the inaugration of Barak Obama tomorrow. what a big day for american history.

so.
i am spending my day doing laundry. cleaning bits of this and that around the house. trying to catch up on computer things. like emails and SU! business stuff, and updating my blog for a minute.
if i can find my memory card for my camera i can upload some photos of some valentine cards and candies that i made they turned out pretty cute--lots of pink and red and hearts and little birdies and chocolate. i'll find that later and try to add the picures tonight or tomorrow when everyone is back to business.

i wanted to note on here that today marks the debut of the Stampin' Up! Spring Summer 2009 catalog. i have my copy here next to me ...and it is really good. so much to take in and drool over.
lots of new stamp sets of course. cute new accessories, like crocheted flowers, nice new ribbons, and designer series papers. i was really looking forward to seeing the new dies for the big shot machine i got last summer. my wish list includes a nice butterfly die, a cute leaf, and a billboard alphabet set. i cant wait to get them and start playing around in my little creative area.
if any of you are interested. please clink on the title link above, or my su! site on the left, i have a section for online ordering as well...you know if anyone just has to order something asap (like i did).
browsing the catalog is a wonderful way to be inspired as well. so many cool paper ideas in there. and color combinations...i could go on and on. check it out!!

xoxo

a hair blessing

so, this morning i went out and about and tried finding babygates for henry--our staffy puppy--he needs them, i need them. no luck though. everyone must have given these as christmas gifts or something...and i need a longer than a regular size door one. i left the house first thing, feeling rather annoyed at the dogs, annoyed at having to go out in this very cold weather...and i had quite a headache already from this cold that wont quit.
so anyway...

on a back note** i have been feeling rather yuck lately--physically mainly, cause i am on a quest to feel better mentally ...but my body is not matching up to a picure of good health either....i have a little head cold, added on to just feeling fat and tired and cranky...you get my picture. well throw into that mix a bad haircut. that i have been trying to grow out a bit to re-cut it to my old good style. so...i was out window shopping with a frown...when the guy at starbucks calls out to me--hey i really like your hair! What-me? yup he was talking to me. he said it looked really good on me...well, that was pretty nice. i smile and say thanks. thinking maybe hes making fun of my lame hair....
i continue on to another store...a lady stops me and asks if i get my hair done around here anywhere. what ??? again, i feel guilty saying, oh i just washed it this morning and did a little poof here, straightening iron there. but gee--thanks.
i go to a little craft store next that ive never been in. and the check out lady says--oh, honey your hair is so cute. ok, this is the point where i almost lose it. let me just say that I about cried. i felt my nose burn and when i cry i get red blotchies all over my chest--and i could feel them forming..but i held it in, took the compliment and walked out of that store....

with a bigol' thank you Lord for that one. cause i sure needed that. i mean goodness. here i was feeling frumpy and lumpy and my hairs been falling out again cause of these stupid stress cycles i seem to be stuck in...and 3 different people, in 3 different stores in a matter of 1 hour tell me how cute my hair is...when i have been feeling so crappy about it for weeks. it was just plain awesome. well, it just goes to show you what the kindness of others can do for someone. lift them up--thats what. i just needed that. ya know? and the strange thing is....people here in maryland are not so nice at first. i mean, they are a tad standoffish...so its not like you go walking around town, and everyone is bestowing compliments left and right. so you can imagine, it was a real surprise and treat for me.

that was a little blessing from God just for me. it has kept a smile on my face all day--just in time to help lighten my mood for my husband's return from a few days away.

maybe i should take a photo of my hair today so i can see what everyone else saw??? :)

xoxo

a week into 2009

everyone is back to school and work and life is in a good place.

things around the house are beginning to feel better. i am slowly--very slowly getting rooms clean, keeping up on the never ending laundry--making an actual to do today list and DOING those tasks. yeah....it is amazing what i can do once i actually get up and do them.

on a personal note**ive pretty much decided to let go of some things that have been really making me feel crappy and try my hardest to move forward. hard to do. its like i like being sucked into a fog or something. i guess in a way, ive been letting some things cripple me. not feeling able to see the positive and thats just so lame. i see the good part of doing that for awhile. perspective, truth lessons, etc. but when its enough, its enough. i know i am being kinda vague, its like airing your dirty laundry without actually putting it outside. :)

after months of stumbling around here, letting myself sink into a big chaotic emotional funk... i just feel ready to go-to try-to step forward-to start....all those things. and its about damn time. seriously. its nice that this is coinciding with the start of a new year. back to my fresh start feelings, and new life stories.

time to grow and make some goals of my own and take little steps to work at them. could be exciting really, if i wasn't so dingdang scared to start new things. but, this fear will never go away if i dont do something about it, right? yeah, i finally see that. well honestly, ive seen it in the past, but wasn't ready to do anything about it. im in a weird spot. being a stay at home mom to kids who are in school all day. no one to care for during the day. what do i do with myself? getting an actual part time job is becoming something of a challenge. i still need to be home on sick days, before the kids leave for school and return. so my options are limited as far as time goes. and then there is the story of my skills--or lack of. all of those things are swirling around in my head...mixed with my fears of moving forward, stepping out of my comfort zone. well you get the picture.

i am working on it, and that is a good thing.

i am also going to be opening a little online crafty shop pretty soon. where i will place the things i have made for sale to others...so whenever you may be in the need for a small handmade gift, you can pop onto my site and see if anything of interest is there for you....made by little ol' me.

something i am overly excited about and adding to my list of small personal goals.

and cause i love to add photos in my posts..ill leave you with a pic of me and the gang on a recent trip to DC. it is pretty exciting to be around here right now. esp, with all the hubbub of a new President and all. lots of new possibilities for everyone.

*oops photos automatically go to the top--how do i insert them where i want them????

xoxo