getting ready

Since my sister's departure it's been non stop or at least that's how it feels. I keep thinking I will at some point update my blog and share all that we did, but I don't think that's going to happen for a while, which means I probably won't look at my photos for some time. I'm beginning to realize how blogging keeps me photo efficient.

So among trying to catch up with all the house stuff I missed while I was on my 2 week in town vacation, I have a lot of last minute business to get to before school starts...i.e filling out forms for school/activities, back to school night, dentist appointments, getting school supplies etc. Despite all that needs to get done and watching my two nieces this week my list is getting smaller. It feels good to be on top of it and crossing things off.

One thing that we did cross off the list last week was the back to school hair cuts. Bella has been asking me for a very very long time to cut her hair. I've been reluctant, for reasons unknown, but finally decided to just let her do what she wanted. So last Thursday she cut it all off.



I'm not sure how many inches came off, but it was a ton and quite a drastic change. It has taken me some time to get use to. It's not that I didn't initially like it, I think she looks so cute this way, but I didn't love the way the girl cut it. There is I believe a few mistakes (can't be seen in photo) I'm hoping in a few months can be fixed or maybe we'll be lucky enough it won't be as noticeable in a few weeks. I guess all I really care about is if she likes it and she does, she loves it. I for one find it so much easier to do and think it makes her look older, it's like she's grown up over night.

Tess also got her hair cut, but in a different style. With her thin hair I just had the girl cut it in a boob (she did add a layer at the bottom) and leave it long enough so I could still pull it back in a pony tail. I think it looks adorable on her.



Besides her cute cut she has also lost 2 more teeth in the last 2 weeks. It's too bad her silly posing ways (I could get her to cooperate and I haven't tried taking a picture since...haven't pick up my camera since my sister left) left me unable to capture that new smile. I must say I'm a bit worried, in her little mouth I see no room for two more teeth. Yikes!

So a bit of an update I guess. We've had some changes and they've been good. Around here everyone's looking forward to the new school year, although, I think I am a bit sad to see the summer fade away. It's been a good one.

weekly tidbits

It's crazy how a week can go by and not much will happen and then another week will go by and you feel like it was so full you could hardly breath. Well, I sort of feel like my was full, but not with scheduled things I had to do, besides swim lessons, it felt full because of all the stuff I wanted to do.

Saturday I attended Amy's book binding class, which I just loved, and have been dreaming of making books ever since. My minds flooded with ideas. It's funny I got home and showed Adam what I made and he wants me to teach him how. Had I known he could have come to the class with me. Perhaps next time we can do it together.



I woke up one night or I should say early one morning (2am) and made this felt book.



Amy, Hannah, Jenn, and Michelle all have one and I couldn't wait to have a cute little book to hold all my needles. Thanks ladies for the inspiration, and Amy thanks again for a fabulous afternoon.

We went Miniature Golfing as a family on Monday night for Megan's bday.







It's what she really wanted to do, but had to wait because Adam and the girls were camping on her birthday Friday night. The kids raced through the course as I knew they would, the heat was unfortunately still beating down on us at 7pm, but we had a lot of fun or at least I know Megan did.

I've had this hankering to scrapbook again. I always want to, but it seems I never really do find the time. The other night I was up late working on these (one still in the works).


[inspiration came from makingmemories blog in their design album, it didn't specify the artist.]


[8x8 layout - song lyrics]
It's interesting as I was thinking about scrapbooking so was Bella. She was asking me tons of questions the other day about it and wants to start doing it with me. I was actually really excited about the two of us playing together in my studio. Perhaps scrapbooking will be her way into the creative world...it was mine.



Thursday night we went to a bbq with our neighbors. It was a low key night where basically the kids played and we talked for hours. Once it got dark we did a few fireworks with the kids and I brought glow in the dark sticks for everyone to play with (hence the photo) that went over huge. I'm at a really great stage where the kids can easily be entertained and I don't have to watch them 24/7. It's so relaxing.

have a great weekend.

weekend update

Friday after making suckers with Megan the girls spend the majority of the day playing outside. Ah, it's working already. I was in the house cleaning up our lunch/sucker mess when they requested I take pictures of them. I can't remember the last time they asked me to pull out my camera, but I was grateful for it as often I need reminders to photograph the normal everyday.



That night was spent at Jill's for game night. We played one game of Catan, which seemed to last a long time (Randy won), and then watched Flight of the Conchords for the rest of the night. Such a funny show, but I agree with Lucy, it's not for everyone.

Saturday Adam and I enjoyed an entire day to ourselves thanks to Jill who offered to have our girls over for a sleep over. Delightful. I slept in and read in bed for an hour after waking up. We finally got ready and headed out for the day. We waited 20 minutes to have lunch at Cheesecake Factory where we enjoyed a good meal and conversation, despite the crazy people next to us that insisted on a booth. We also took home with us a jar of Thai peanut sauce, which made for a delicious meal yesterday (did you know you could buy their sauces and dressings?). We then went to a movie, 21, it was the only thing playing that wasn't rated R and we were both in the mood for darkness and entertainment, but it wasn't that great. The popcorn and company were good though.

Sunday I told myself I wasn't going to nap because it often messes with my schedule, but I couldn't help it. I was so tired I just had to. So about 3pm after dinner I laid down and Adam came in about 5:30pm to wake me up. Drat...that's way too long and too late to be able to recover from and go to bed at a decent hour. Aargh, another poor choice. At 7pm I had a youth conference meeting, which I wasn't happy about having to go back out for, but it unknowingly saved me from a sleepless night or so I think (just the act of going out made me exhausted). I came home, read for a couple hours and then went to bed at 10:30pm. It was nice (for once) waking up this morning at 6:30am feeling refreshed and ready to go.



I even ran this morning with a goal in mind. Apparently Adam's family wants to do a 5k with the whole family...kids and all. I'm not sure how it will work out with my girls. I don't think they could walk a 5k (without complaining) so I need some pointers to help them get ready. I am glad this morning to have something to work for to push me. I ran/walked 3 miles in 45 minutes so hopefully in a few weeks running will stop hurting and become more enjoyable.

last week busyness

I can't believe it's already been almost a week since I updated my blog. I've been so busy with YW (12 days of Christmas project), trying to find Christmas gifts, wrapping gifts,


working on Christmas cards,




family activities (ie gingerbread houses & cookies),

and fighting AMS that I haven't even thought about blogging.

I did, however, managed to listen to A Thousand Splendid Suns (probably not the most uplifting book to read right now), while working on a few projects of my own, which I can't share at the moment because they are gifts as well. I also painted a painting that didn't work out so well. I guess you could say I didn't know when to stop. 1499 to go.

Question: I need an idea for neighbor gifts, preferably low maintenance. What are you doing?

my thoughts....an update

1. Finally was able to get my dryer working. Can't believe how badly I needed it considering the events of the weekend with kids vomiting and such. So I have an enormous pile of laundry just waiting for me to do...along with boxes cluttering my path.

2. I may get a chance to be in this house without workers all around. Yesterday the electricians came in and made a huge mess, which I cleaned up and took 1 hour. Today they came and did the same thing. The problem is I feel really crappy (I fear I am getting the kids sickness) and all I want to do is lay down, but these guys are everywhere. There is no peace and no quiet.

3. I haven't even begun to work on my studio. Its just sitting there full of boxes. I am planning on working on it next week while Adam is out of town. Yes, lucky me! Adam is leaving for a week. Not looking forward to that.

4. Really grateful that all is well with my sister-in-law Robyn who had her baby on the 20th. Must say I am very jealous she was able to deliver on her due date. I suppose I will never know what that is like. Click here to see pictures of her adorable little girl they named Ashely. I can't believe the first time I see her she will no longer be a new born or baby for that matter. I hope it is not that long.

5. I haven't got my mail in over a week and never realized how much I miss it. I mean I never get good mail, but I do have magazines on the way and I am desperate for something. The mail was suppose to resume yesterday, but still no mail box.

6. Weeks ago even months ago I was quite excited about the 25th, but now I don't really care. It doesn't really seem that important to me anymore. I suppose with my life so out of wack I just want it to be normal again and haven't thought about anything else. Even last night I was just begging to be at my old house again. Normalcy...I am craving it. Don't get me wrong I love this house. Love what we've created. Its just is not home yet. Sort of unfamiliar territory and I am not quite sure how to live here yet.

7. I miss TV/Tivo. Did I just say that? I am not really addicted but last night being tried and feeling low I just wanted to crash in front of the screen and watch something. Alas it was not happening. I don't want to say it is impossible and I do have something set up, but there is not chair to sit in but our wooden dinning room set. Not very comfortable for just lounging.

8. I love being so close to bella's school. 2 minutes away. She even said to me yesterday what a quick ride it was.

9. Tess has been sleeping in her very own room since we've lived here. Many doubted but she is doing great. She likes the big bed. Bella loves having her own room as well. She said she is excited because Tess snores.

1o. Still am unable to download my photos as my computer is not yet hooked up. I am hoping it will be soon. Waiting for the cable to be connected on our addition. Looking forward to blogging 100%.

Just a few things that are going on and going thorugh my mind.