New Circle Journal

I finished up another Circle Journal today.

(CJ's are scrapbooks that you make. You choose a theme and do one layout that follows the theme and then you pass it on to another person who adds a layout to it and then mails it off to another person and so on until your journal comes back to you. There are usually 6-8 people in a group.)

I did my first CJ for CKU in August. My theme for that one was music. I did it with a group of strangers, but it was neat to get to know each other through out different layouts. This time I am doing it with my Maine buddies. I decided my theme would be HOME. And instead of using a 6x6 or 8x8 album I took an old hardbound book and ripped out the guts. Then recovered the book and added my own pages. I think it looks really cute. I used some bright print paper. Then at the end of the CJ, I made a little section where I want them to add their favorite quotes. I look forward to getting everyone else's CJ and seeing what theme they came up with. I think these will be such a funny activity because some of us have moved away: Me in Utah, Kathy in Arizona, Michele in North Carolina, and the other 3 are still in Maine.

So, I signed up for My Girlfriend's Kitchen yesterday. I am going next Tuesday with a bunch of women from the neighborhood. In case any of you don't know what this is...You go to My Girlfriend's Kitchen and prepare 12 meals for your family. Take them home, freeze them and whip them out on those crazy days. The menu looked pretty yummy and I am all for anything that could help with the night time meal MADNESS!!! I am hoping the kids will like the meals I chose. I will let you know what it is like incase any of you are interested in giving it a try.

Happy Birthday Katie & Becky!!!

MY BABIES ARE 6!!!

We celebrated the twins birthday yesterday. Friday was their birthday, but I had spent the whole day at the Scrapbook Expo (which was a lot of fun!!) We have decided to not have big birthday parties every year, but every other year for the kids. This decision was not privy to the girls and they began to tell people they were having a party. We explained to them that we would just be having a family party rather than inviting friends over. They were okay with that a did not complain (I was so proud of them). Well, I guess Friday while I was gone one of their friends in the neighborhood came by and delivered a gift. Katie said,

"We are not having a "fun" party, just family."

Then later as Steve was picking up the neighborhood kindergartens for school Katie told one of the girls,

"Today is my birthday...Make sure you come over and bring me a present and then leave."

Some more statements for us to add to the "Katie-ism Book". We ended up having fun on Saturday even though it was just family. Mom and Pop came up from Ferron and of course brought lots of gifts. We had a cute "Princess" cake and for dinner their favorite food-PIZZA and CHEESY BROCCOLI, as they requested. They received some cute presents. The neat thing about this age is they are still just grateful for whatever they get and don't complain.

Didn't Make the Cut!!

The winners for the Memory Makers Masters contest were announced yesterday and I unfortunately my name was not on the list. I did not think I would actually "win" Masters, but I was hoping for an honorable mention. I am just proud of myself for throwing my hat in this time. Creating Keepsakes Magazine has already announced their Hall of Fame requirements and the wheels have already begun to church in my head.

I volunteered with picture day at the elementary school. It was kindof fun to see all the children come in and get their pictures taken. The kindergarten are so oblivious to what is going on...The 3rd graders all smile and are excited...We got to the 6th graders it was nearly impossible to get some of them to smile because they are "too cool". Katie and Becky both were so excited to be getting their school pictures taken. Belle was beautiful of course and Zack he was pretty handsome. I had a big fight with Belle this morning about what she was going to wear. It is kindof ironic because it was when I was in 2nd grade that I smuggled a dress my mom did not like to school and changed clothes in time for pictures. BOY!!! was my mother surprised when those pictures came home. And I wonder where she gets her strong will from.

Off to Church we go

We just got home from a good day at church. I say good because it was not so long ago that I would leave sacrament meeting wanting to cry because the kids had been so awful. But now...I am able to really enjoy sacrament meeting. The kids enjoy looking at the Friend Magazines while I pay attention to the talks. IT IS WONDERFUL.

The biggest part of my Sunday's is planning for the week. I sit on the couch and pull out my PDA at put in my notebook my day to day stuff. I leave this on the counter and refer to it through out the week. There is something so fufilling about crossing off each one of my errands. This is what my week looks like so far. It may seem short now, but as the week chugs along the list seems to grow and grow.

MON: Grocery shopping, Katie & Becky's Dance, Zack's Swimming, FHE
TUE: Zack's Swimming, Belle's tumbling,Weight Watchers Mtg.
WED: PTA helping with school pictures, Zack's swimming, a Bead party at Melinda's, Enrichment at church
THU: Pack Meeting (that's it!!!)
FRI: SCRAPBOOK EXPO!!! 8:30-midnight!!! Steve doing all my carpooling duties, YIPPEE!!!!
SAT: Celebrating Katie and Becky's 6th birthday. Make cake in the morning, clean house, prep for Sunday.

If you haven't already figured it out. I am excited to get away to the Expo. A full day of scrapping. The best part is that Steve is so willing to help give me the time to go. He will have to do my carpooling stuff, but he seems to do it with a smile. I am pretty lucky to have a husband that is so supportative of my activities out of the home. I am thinking of having Belle come for a few hours after school and scrap with me. I have never tried to do this with her. I am hoping she will feel like a big girl and make it a good experience and not make me regret doing this with her. I want us to get along much better than we have in the last little while. I sometimes think doing these kid of things together may help.

Just another day

Wow!! I am finally getting back into the swing of things after being gone all last week.

I had some PTA stuff to get caught up on. I am still trying to figure out what else I am suppose to be doing in there other than membership. The kids are so proud that their mommy is on PTA and that makes me feel good. I am still getting use to my new calling in Primary (secretary), and getting use to running the kids around after school. All the kids are involved in their afterschool activities. The twins are taking dance for their second year, Belle is taking tumbling at the rec. center and loving it and Zack (my fish) is taking swimming. And Zack is also doing Cub Scouts on Thursday afternoons and both Zack and Belle are taking piano lessons on Tuesdays. I actually get a kick out of afternoons in our house. We e all gather in the kitchen with everyone working on their own homework assignments or reading. There is just a cool feeling in the house at that time.

So, Belle came home today after having had a "token store" in her classroom. (students earn token for turning in homework and behaving well) She had purchased a small notebook, a dollar store toy, but the thing she was most excited about was the small tube of BRIGHT RED lipstick. As soon as she got home she put some on. All I can say is, "OH MY!!!" (see photo) She is so excited to grow up and be a woman. I don't know what Steve and I are going to do, other than gain a few more grey hairs as she grows up.

I have not been scrapbooking much this week. I am hoping to get some layouts done this weekend. I entered the Memory Makers Masters Contest last month. So I am waiting for the announcement of winners for that. I am not holding my breath, but I am proud of myself for throwing my hat in. If I am not selected, I will share my layouts here. I am pretty proud of each one. My latest project has been school year albums for each of the children. I am doing all the pages so I will just have to add the school pictures, work and awards as we work our way through the school years.

Yosemite or bust

Yesterday I got back from a trip to Yosemite with Steve. We went to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (a little late). We camped at a Lower Pines Campground which was pretty nice. The only bummer no morning fires. We did a 9 mile hike from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Village. My first "holy moly" hike. There were some beautiful waterfalls and the views were incredible. I did survive with minimal damage to my body...(I blew out my knee around mile 9 and both my big toes are pretty messed up.) Even with all that, I am very pleased of my accomplishment. After we completed our hike I knew Dinty Moore stew was not going to cut in for dinner. Luckily we found a pizza place in the village. That TOTALLY hit the spot.

On Wednesday morning as we left the park and headed to Tahoe. Just before we left the park I mention to Steve my disappointment in not seeing any bears. Within minutes we aere pulled over and taking pictures of a mama bear and a cub. TOO COOL!!! Then we continued our drive to Tahoe and stayed at a cute hotel named the Fantasy Inn. I spent most of our time recouping from the hike. There was a HUGE jacuzzi tub for 2 and I spent most of my time soaking my sore muscles in there. Thursday morning we began our trek home with a short stop in Virginia City. That was a fun place to walk around for a few hours and then we drove home on Thursday. It was an awesome trip. I mostly enjoying getting away with Steve and feeling like the girl he met 12 years ago

Ready, Set, GO!!!

Okay...I am joining the ranks of the bloggers.