Summer Days

Well, it has been one week today. Summer vacation.

My kids have this reoccuring question: Is it a home day or a school day? They usually ask it and the answer varies. But the past few days, I have been able to say, "They are all home days." That.feels.good.

We have just been hanging in the backyard. Think sprinkler system, the hose, kiddie pool and eating every meal outdoors.

I wanted to paint Nathan's room this week but with the AC broken, I can't. Maybe it is someone's way of telling me to relax for a few days and just enjoy.

Our renovation starts in just a few days so it will get hectic. I am thinking a mini album might be in order!

Getting back to summer days, nothing like ice cream at the end of one!







All supplies are from the July My Scrapbook Nook kit! Wow, does this one make me happy...the journaling cards and buttons and colors. Really, you need to sign up!

I taught a class on how to make this layout, check it out here if you wish!

Off to start a new summer day...can you say Eclipse later?

Happy Sunshine to you!

Monochromatic Monday

Happy Monday!

Happy hot Monday is what I should say. Yep, the AC has broken and it is 90 degrees. I am hot and cranky, but there is something to be said for the hose outside with the kids and later, a book on a lounge chair.

I wanted to share my newest Pink Paislee project for the Monochromatic Monday post. To read about it go here!





Here's to hoping for cooler days!

Transformed

Ahh...I can feel it! Relaxation with no worries about how I am going to fit together life and work. Organization as I finally have time to regroup, catch-up and reconnect.

I scrapped last night and the night before. It felt good. I was really worried this time about my desire for it disappearing forever. But I have my office space now. The computer is on a sofa table and I have a small kitchen table to create on. But all of my stuff is in one room now.

And now, I get to work on creating my own scrap space. I am going with Ikea Expedit. Yellow or green walls. We measured for the wrap around desk! So exciting...if you have any pictures of your space or links to spaces you adore...please share with me!

Summer has a way of transforming you...I can't wait to experience it.

Speaking of transformations, here is a layout I did for the June issue of ScrapStreet.com Magazine. We were lucky enough to work with Nikki Sivils products and they are pure fun!



Hope you have an awesome Sunday!

This Should Cause Some Excitement

So I have been less than thrilled lately with my desire to scrap...it has decreased with all the commotion of the move. I know it will come back! Especially when I have this to look forward to.



There is an amazing deal right now...these kits are just fabulous so you should jump on it!

Also, did you see the Pink Paislee sneaks. I am giddy...really giddy. I still consider it a dream come true to work with them and look at what is coming our way soon...



that is just one of the four amazing collections...see the other sneaks here!

these things should do the trick!

Life.Is.Good

it really is.

I have a wonderful family. We have spent the past two and a half months co-habiting with my mother-in-law and father-in-law. It went soo well.

but as of yesterday, that blip in time is over. It is just the four of us in our new home. And we feel grateful. I have no bedroom furniture right now, just our new mattress sitting all alone in the middle of the room. A year ago I would have hated the thought of that as I like to have things just-so. But today, I am so appreciative that I can sleep on the same floor as my kids, right next to Steve. No bedroom, no problem.

I changed the past few months, learned about flexibility and change. My saying...It is what it is.

It is interesting living with other people. It changes you because you start to see yourself through their lense. You parent differently quite simply because you don't want to look like a raving lunatic...LOL! I lowered my voice a bit and realized my kids responded better to it. I learned to approach things more positively with them. I got that from my mother-in-law.

I also learned from watching Teenie and Tom. They are happy. Live life the way they want and they have a great dynamic. You don't get to see that at family dinners or holidays. But I saw it and realized I wanted to replicate parts of that in my own marriage.

I am a moody person, no doubt. But again, when you see people who are not moody exchanging pleasantries and being happy with simple conversation, you evaluate yourself. I realized the power of a good morning or how was your day, even when you just want to be alone.

And my mother-in-law. She would not let me stay in those moods because she would say something funny or chase me around the house to try to kiss me. And the funk would be broken. She is very forgiving and understanding and she sees the best in me. I will miss her (although not a certain clucking sound or plastic cups with straws...giggle).

I am so not perfect and I will lose it with my kids, will wake up grumpy and will get defensive with Steve. I wouldn't be Stacey Michaud if I didn't. But I have seen a different way, have acted a different way. I like how it makes me feel. So we are going for 90-10.




Supplies: All Pink Paislee mixing Starlight with 365 Degrees!

Life.Is.Good.

Words to Remember

like yourself

be yourself

expand yourself

challenge yourself

defend yourself

protect yourself

forgive yourself

love yourself

and let yourself be loved!


Words for my daughter, my son, and myself.

For My Sister

I was surfing the web the other day and came across this video. I immediately loved it and cried watching it.

Being a mom is the most amazing gift. It can also bring great pain because of the fierceness with which we love.

I was reminded of my sister, Michelle. A year ago today she and Jimmy let James go to Heaven. She handled herself with so much grace during that whole situation. A sister ten years younger, yet with more maturity and strength than I had ever witnessed.

I still don't know how she did it all. Because she almost died too...but pushed forward with the strength of a bull. I can still see the resolve that shone bright in her eyes.

In the days and months following, she could have curled up into a ball and given up hope on all that life has to offer. But she didn't, couldn't really because she had her two girls to watch over, care for and love. She needed to be their role model, their rock and their mother.

She carried on. She is not perfect and she had bad days. She continues to be a source of inspiration for me.

We all miss James so much today, yesterday and every day. But we somehow look for the positive and move forward.

For all mothers today, those who have babies, have lost babies, have had a hard time having babies,if you dream of one day being a mother, if you are a daughter...this is for you.



In spite of it all, being a mother is an amazing gift.

I Hope You Dance

I hoped and hoped
Ella would dance during the Dance Step dance recital

because this was her face when she hit the stage for the very first time the night of the dress rehearsal...



but then she spotted us and perked up...she proceeded to wave the entire tap number

yet chose to dance the ballet...





Last night was the real recital and she danced her little heart out! Soo super cute to watch them...

and I felt like a real grown up, watching my daughter move with independence. She was brave and seemed to have a blast. And she was cute as anything...

even though she was a beast when I was trying to put her hair up (LOL...just keeping it real!).

Waving Hello & Running...

the end of the school year is always so busy and full of hustle & bustle. This one is no exception!

Ella's first ever dance recital is tomorrow evening so tonight we have her dress rehearsal. Making final decisions and ordering cabinets, moving onto the bathroom and thinking about having the home to ourselves

Soon...it will be soon.

Busy at work wrapping things up and getting ready to celebrate the year.

I thought this layout would be perfect for this post! 1, 2, 3,...go is right!





All supplies are from the June Nook kit! which is awesome! and there are fabulous specials going on right now!

I shot the other day for the first time on shutter speed and was able to catch this picture of Ella throwing balloons. To be a kid again and be able to feel good about just tossing balloons in the air and chasing them.

Simple days.

They are on the horizon. Summer is almost here and I need the chance to regroup.

And maybe time to throw around some balloons!

Missing One

We are missing one.

A special someone who should have turned one tomorrow. Would he have been walking? Saying his first words?

I can't help but wonder how big he would have been. I know he would have been beautiful and sweet and kind. I know he would have been loved.

It was only a year ago when I got that dreaded call in the middle of the night and found myself driving to Yale New Haven at 2:00 in the morning. The chance of him surviving was slim. He was only with us on earth for one week. I have been dreading reliving it because honestly the pain is still deep. I have never felt anything so gut-wrenching and terrible.

And I imagine my sister. How she must relive it often. It breaks my heart and makes me want to remember all the lessons we learned from it. All the insight gained.

Funny that I would have an Aha moment today. I will share more on that later, but it was what I was waiting for for a few weeks now. Thank you sweet angel...

We are missing one. Even in this photograph. I made this for my mom as a Mother's Day gift. There are only seven shown. But if you look closely, I have the number 8 on there.



I wonder about him now. Our baby James. I worry about who is watching over him in heaven. What is he like? I wish we got the chance to know.

We will forever be missing one...

Stuff

Life is full of stuff right now.

Stuff at work. Stuff at home.

Most stuff is great so it is all good.

I had "fake" smores today with my kiddos at school in celebration of our camping thems. Graham crackers stuffed with melted chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff. Sweet stuff.

I have some stuff to share!

My kitchen renovation planning is going well and I am so pumped to get it done! Really! It has been an education and a blast finding out about sinks, cabinets and ranges. I haven't scrapped much because my creative energy has gone there.

A renovated kitchen means a new office space...soon.

I will be making a trip to Ikea to get some shelves and really organize my stuff!

Speaking of stuff, here are some projects recently featured in Scrapstreet.com! Our assignment involved using the new Asian bundle embossing folders using our Bugs! It was fun to rely on cardstock to complete these:





I used lots of Cosmo Cricket as well!

Fun stuff! Hope your stuff is going well!

Watching Over Us

In the spirit of yesterday's holiday and simply because I love and adore my dad, I created a layout in his honor. I snapped a ton of photos this past Easter and happen to catch my dad in a couple of them. He had his open heart surgery one week prior to that day. When I got home and reviewed my photos, I came across one that really moved me.

It was him sitting in the background looking at Nathan. Watching over him, proud and full of love. I think he probably felt a great deal of appreciation at that moment. And so did I.

The words hero, protector, and caregiver popped into my head. I started thinking about how my dad has looked over my shoulder all of my life.

How he protected his country when he fought and earned a purple heart during the Vietnam War. I had to create this layout.





It is a simple layout from me, but I wanted it to be about the words! I created it using the heavenly Starlight collection from Pink Paislee!

I wanted to take a minute and let you know about the June kit over at The Nook! It is sooo full of goodies! Check it out!



and look at these specials:

The Nook is running a Special From JUNE 1-15th........

Old members get a friend to sign up and receive $20.10 credit toward the shop or your next billing cycle. The new member must sign up for one year. Email us at orders@myscrapbooknook and let us know yours friends name and your full name so we may issue you a credit. If ...you get 5 friends to sign up you will receive 5 credits!

The NEW MEMBERS will ALSO receive the bonus paper pack and mini album shown here (while supplies last)

Members are also eligible to buy that month's Member Deal- the hottest new lines at 40% off! Shipping on kit add ons is always free, and you NEVER pay full price for a kit- always $28, which is always a 10%-35% discount on retail!

Happy Tuesday!