Monday's Musings: It Seems Like So Long Ago

I know I have posted many times about how fast time is going by...

The kids are growing like weeds, life is crazy busy...it is a whirlwind.  I am scrapping many photos right now of events or moments that happened only a few months ago.  Yet, they feel really far away.

I have blogged here before about how great it has been to meet my family on my biological father's side.  Steve and I continue to look back fondly on our trip to DC and the time spent with my brother, his wife and daughter. 

When I look at this photo, it seems like it was so long ago.  It feels like forever since I went to Georgia.  Everyone is well...thank goodness for Facebook.  Scrapping these moments allows me to return in time.  Think about those feelings and reflect.

This was a great day...a great experience.  I am so thankful.

(Supplies:  Scrapbooking From the Inside Out October kit)

 

Knowing the importance of these moments as well as feeling like time is moving reminds me to hold tight.  I feel so compelled to have at least one strong bonding moment with my kids each day.  Not just homework and dinner and showers.  But reading books and cuddles.  Conversations about what they worry about or what makes them happy.  Tickles and jokes even when it is time for light's out. 

 

Because I know that these moments are amazing...yet, time will go quickly.  I don't want to be left feeling like it was so long ago...

 

Although I know that is inevitable, I am determined to make memories so strong...they won't soon fade.

Monday's Musings: Farewell Scrapstreet

Four years ago, I stumbled upon a very different and very fun website.  I found a call looking for new staff members to write for an online magazine, Scrapstreet.com Magazine.

Now...you must know that I once had dreams of being a writer.  An author.  I have often thought of writing for a scrapbooking magazine or other publication.  Maybe even a self help book.

Just like that, there was this call and I was excited.  Could I grab a spot on that team? This new scrapbooker who was just refining her style?  I remembering reading the scrap book, Find Your Groove right around the same time.  I was not in my groove back then.  But the girls saw something in me. 

I met the women who would serve as my mentor and, more importantly, my friend.  Dora is wildly creative and would dream up all these cool challenges and contests.  I dove into it all and fell in love with this hobby.

When I made the team, I knew I wanted to write about journaling.  I developed, wrote and edited over 50 articles about how to enhance journaling.  It is my passion in this hobby.  To me, a layout is a layout...until you put the story down.  Then it becomes a record, a treasure.

Through Scrapstreet, I have met many friends.  Some still in my life as acquaintances, some good friends I can't live without, some forever sisters no matter the distance time and life has provided.  Each summer, I get to make a trip and spend time with these girls.  I know it is the best thing to come from Scrapstreet.

(Supplies:  October kit from Scrapbooking from the Inside Out)

I went looking for one thing...

yet walked away with so much more...I will miss you Scrapstreet!

Monday's Musing: Proud of Who He Has Become

My little guy turned eight years old yesterday.  How can he be 3/4 of my height?  I tried to pick him up yesterday, baby style and had a hard time.

He has those goofy eight year old teeth that are adorable.  He is so curious about learning, non-fiction and how things work.

I am so proud of his character, his nature.  Both are pure and kind.  Considerate and selfless.

I can really learn from him and feel like it is a gift that I get to be his mom.

He was three in this photo.  There he is with Ella...he looks after her all the time.  It is in his nature.

 

One year later. 

 

 

And last year.  Notice how it has changed a bit.  They are walking away from me...symbolic, huh.  They are more independent. 

 

This is another layout from my guest designing gig with Scrapping From the Inside Out.  I used the October Journey kit from to make this layout.  I adore this kit!

 

They are two together.

 

 

I trust in the man he will become.  I know he will be kind and giving.  Considerate and selfless.  I know he will look after Ella.  As a mom, I take great comfort in that fact.

 

 

Be My Guest: SFTIO

I was just thrilled when I was contacted by talented designer and fabulous design team leader, Melissa Elsner, from Scrapping From the Inside Out.  She invited me to be a guest designer for the month of October using their Journey kit.  I enthusiastically said yes!

The kit arrived and I was in love.  A mix of Basic Grey and Echo Park with very cool embellishments.  Using the theme of "journey", my mind went wild.  I easily created five layouts, all of which I will share over the next couple of weeks.

Here is the first one.  It tells the story of my personal, life journey.  My mom keeps saying that my life has come full circle.  I have mended and healed the wounds of the little girl who lives inside me.  It is a story I needed to tell.

I love this woodgrain paper and wanted to use the Kraft circles from the kit to create monochromatic texture.  Of course, the circles fit my theme.  The bird represents freedom and the ability to soar.  I simply layered other pieces to give my black and white photos a place to rest.  The punch of pink represents the girl inside.

 

This kit rocks!  On top of that, I love the whole idea behind SFTIO.  It isn't just about the page, but its about the stories.

 

 

Taking Time to be Silly

...it is so important!  To laugh and giggle.  To find time everyday to not be so darn serious.  I have been in a rut.  And I want out...

maybe silly will help!

Any ideas for how to make that happen!?

Silly for my kids is relatively easy to accomplish!  Nathan has an easy laugh that just rolls out of him throughout any given day.  Ella likes to be a clown so it is a perfect match.

Silly kids, nieces, nephews below:

I thought that Easter Sunday would have been the perfect day to get a photo of the grandkids.  But Nathan had allergies and wouldn't stop squinting.  So I got desperate and told them to just make faces!

At least it is something...

I pieced this layout with all of the varied patterns of Basic Grey papers featured in the Nook May Kit.  I love the brightness!

Wanted to share a FAB deal with you regarding the Nook kits (which you know I adore!):

Sign up for a min. of 6 months and you will receive the May kit for free! Great deal !!!!!!!
Tell a friend and if they sign up email us at orders@myscrapbooknook.com and give us your friends name and we will give you a $5.00 store credit. Good only while supplies last.

Awesome, huh!  Do it, do it...if you don't, you are just silly....get it!

LOL!

His Winning Smile

His winning smile...

brings joy to my life...

it is present every day when he gets off the bus and heads into school, everyday when I get him a snack or let him go on the computer.

His heart is so pure.  I would like to take credit, but neither Steve or I can.  Because he was just made that way...pure of heart, loving, considerate.

He made the school nurse a card tonight...on his own because it was school nurse's day.

He reads people and offers hugs or a kind word freely.

Nathan is a special guy.  He makes me proud every single day.  Because he is pure and wonderful in the biggest way that counts.

I used the May kit from My Scrapbook Nook for this layout!  Love the Basic Grey...it is fun mixing patterns!   Be sure to check out our virtual crop starting tomorrow and going until Sunday evening!

My son.  My Nathan.  He gets the ribbon for the winning smile!

I wish I could Smirk it Off

when paperwork is late or laundry is piled...

when there is no fresh fruit in the house or we are out of milk...

when I am running from deadline to deadline...

I wish I could smirk it off.

Wouldn't that be easier than feeling stress or being so blurry that I can't even think of an attack plan.  It really is just that time of year.  I need to ride it out.  But it has sucked away my creative energy.

I got nothing...LOL.  (insert smirk here)

Actually, I have something.  Something that was fun to make.

And it features a world class smirker:

I used the May kit from My Scrapbook Nook to create this as well as some add-ons from the shop!  It features Basic Grey...haven't played with that in a while and I missed it!

Off to imagine life without stress...

smirk...