COOL!!!

Cause that is how I roll:)
I am currently trying Adobe Lightroom -- it is for photos --- I LOVE IT!!!! Check these babies out!!!


I think this is my favorite one!!!

Matthew

My cousin Sandra and her husband Sean

Life is not .....

one of my most favorite quotes is:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

I had a series of those moments yesterday.

Brendan started middle school - He did amazingly well considering how freaking scared he was!!! I found him dressed and having already eaten breakfast sitting on the floor next to his bed staring at the wall shaking -- YIKES!!!

I didn't cry (until I got into the van!!!) After school we took in his locker shelf (he has a top locker -- This is where you are suppose to be impressed:)) and he let me take some pictures of him with his locker --- notice there isn't anyone else in the hallway!!!

Here is a layout I did last night and then some candid shots of the kiddos from our traditional first day at Starbucks.

Plopper is 3r's ~ Heather Roselli And Font is MB Pomegranate

I don't know where she gets the open mouth thing.....I think she gets it from her dad:)

September starts with a BEAUTIFUL......

baby!!!!

Yesterday (the 1st) was the BEST BEST day!!! Brendan had this uber-awesome beyond words cool teacher in 1st grade. She really got Brendan and how he worked -- this was the pre-reading Brendan. He hated it so much because he had to struggle with it. She was able to teach him to love to read. And she was Brendan's first "crush". The only strike against her.....she's a COUG!!!! We gladly forget that:)

Anyhow, Ashley married a guy who is equally as awesome as she is -- my kiddos affectionately call him "Mr. Chet" last summer. When Ash told me she was pregnant I was over the moon for them. I took some really cool maternity shots for Ash a couple of months ago. Long story short Miss Mattie was born yesterday at 7:50 am after 26 hours of labor and 1:45 of active pushing. She is BEAUTIFUL - not cutesy but strikingly beautiful like -- watch out world she will bring you to its knees. She is amazing and of course has her daddy wrapped around her little tiny perfect finger.




















Congrats Ash and Chet --- You guys done good!!!!!

24 days... really?

So, much has been going on!!! We are gearing up for school to start on Wednesday --- MIDDLE SCHOOL holy crapolicious:) Brendan is excited!!!! He was invited to the honors program and is in the choir -- singing every single day!!!

My cousin Sandra married a super guy on the 24th.

Lots has been going on I'll be back with more of an update and photos later.

Week ONE....and other stuff

OK so Pam just completed 52 weeks of getting rid of at least 7 things you don't need...You know cluttering up your life. Today is my week one! Starting on week 2 I'll post pictures of what I am getting rid of.

Here is my week ONE:
127 paperback books (donated to local library)
2 computer desks

That makes my week ONE total 129 things........not bad:)

Jeff is still in Pitt --- he can't wait to get home -- the kids have started asking when when when....How far away is Thursday?????

De-clutter de-clutter de-clutter Kids.....not happy.....I am working their butts off AND making them get rid of junk!!!! I had Brendan help take the garbage out to the curb tonight -- he did it but I heard him mutter on the way in....first, I have to help with yard work and now this---just wait until he is doing the yard work himself:)

Anyway have to run I have done 8 LOADS OF LAUNDRY TODAY!!!!!! someone needs to fold it:)

Later.............................

Daddy's gone to Pissburg, South Dakota

No -- I didn't spell it wrong -- if you currently ask Whitlee Jane where her daddy is she'll tell you Pissburg, South Dakota -- he is actually in Pittsburg. I don't know where the South Dakota came from. He'll be home on Thursday and it's not a moment to soon for the children miss him SO MUCH!!!! Our cell phones allow you to send15 second videos and so Jeff sends the kids a video at night and the kids send him one back.

Anyhow I need to run we are CLEANING!!!!!

PLEASE JUST KILL ME NOW:)

ok so we all know that I hate the "it's a small world" song --- it seriously makes me want to jump off the side of a really tall building!!! There is a song that has taken the #1 place away from it........whats the song.......................



and of course Jeff and Whitlee LOVE IT!!!!

So, here is my blog post from the 29th of July --- I just kept forgetting to post it.
I know I know I have said this before but……………..You know sometimes as a parent you find yourself watching your child battle inner demons and you want SO badly to either take them out of the situation or make it for them. Today I found myself in that position.


Today was Jeff’s softball b.b.q. AND Blake’s birthday party --- the intention was to go to the b.b.q. for just a little while and then I would take the kids to Blake’s birthday party. We got to the park for the b.b.q. – yeah I’m not even going to talk about the fact that other than Rick the only other person to be there was one person from the team……where was everyone?? The kids had a blast it turned out to be a beautiful day and the next thing we knew it was 4 O’clock!!! YIKES we missed the birthday party.

So, here is my situation --- as we all know I am NEUROTIC about my kids – not just run of the mill neurotic but we are talking on the edge of certifiable lock me away neurotic. I am sure that I will not be the last parent to be like this and I make NO apologies for this. I do feel that the neurotic nature had its start with the fact of my fertility issues…… Anyhow, Brendan aaahh my sweet young man (YOUNG MAN!!) as he gets older – especially since everything that went on with his migraines I see such a change in him – not who he is but………….I guess it would be how he carries himself. Does that make sense??? Through everything that has happened this year he has really grown and matured. I constantly struggle (almost on a daily basis) with trying as a parent to let him grow, take responsibility and try things on his own. Do all parents struggle with this??? They must right – I mean I am sure mine did. So, not far from our reserved picnic area is a zip line……..you know a cable attached to cables that you hook onto or in this case sit on the seat and hurl yourself towards the end of the cable and what you may ask stops you??? An old tire attached to the end of this thing. Brendan started scoping this thing out almost immediately – it probably took a good hour before he even mentioned it – I saw him looking at it and he was quite interested in it but he hadn’t said anything…….Rick noticed his interest and asked Brendan if he wanted to go on the Zip….Nah the line was to long…..This was the thing that I watched him struggle with the desire to try something new and the fear of a horrible ending…………So, there wasn’t a line…………he decided he just wanted to look at it NOT go on it just look at it AND he wanted both Jeff and I to go over with him. He watched 3 maybe 4 children go before he felt brave enough to even try. Jeff wanted to do the zip SO SO SO bad!!! Uh yeah……..it didn’t happen. Needless to say Brendan tried and decided he was done AN HOUR LATER!!! He loved it just loved it and I probably took at least 100 picturesJ It was difficult watching him struggle with making the decision to do it but the look on his face was something I will NEVER forget --- He is growing up regardless if I like it or not --- I sure hope I am able to get through this first year of middle school.

Whitlee discovered a new and beautiful talent today thanks to Rick….ROCK JUGGLING!!! I am NOT kidding when I say there were rocks flying EVERYWHERE. She loved it and of course there was a lot of dirt – she was SO happy she didn’t even ask to go to the swingsJ Can you believe it.

And I won’t discuss the fact I bought an electric grill thinking it was a gas one --- Hey to my defense it looked EXACTLY the same and it was 2:30 in the morning. I am SO glad Jeff caught that one!!! Could you even imagine YIKES.

Whitlee has an obsession………….with weddings……she must have seen it on a show somewhere. Anyhow in the past 3 weeks or so she has married her dad, the dog, her baby named baby, the fish, her bike, her brother and her favorite blanket – yeah you try explaining to a 3 year old that you can’t marry your dad, brother, dog, fish, baby doll, bike or blanket!!!! So, on Thursday I asked her if she wanted to see the video of when daddy and I got married. It was a bit disturbing to watch……..at the rehearsal dinner out of the 25 or so people who were there 6 of them had died. 6 doesn’t that seem like a large number?? Annie, My mom, Mima, Uncle Rick, Jeff’s Grandma Wilma & Jeff’s Aunt Sharon all of them gone. Those were just the people at the rehearsal dinner – add to that Jeff’s Grandma Ethel, His Grandpa Bill, Grandfather Howard………WOW!!! Whitlee kept asking who was that lady with her Grandpa Gary. Try explaining to a 3 year old that was his wife – her response – “that’s not Abuela” true so true!!! WOW was my hair BIG BIG BIG!!!

It's been a few days but as always we have been busy~~~~

I got and finished the last Harry Potter book....no hints or spoilers from me I just can't wait for Jeff and Brendan to finish the book so we can talk about it!!!!!!!!!!

Kids are doing well---enjoying the summer..........

What..................it's been 10 days:)

So, you say to yourself……..FINALLY…..prepare for a LONG post!! But, before I get to the stuff that has been occupying our lives here are some of the recent scrapbook pages I have done.





















Plopper: Sweet tart - Hunnibunny & Victoria Freeman
Font: MB Pomegrantate





















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font: 4990810





















Frame: #8 - Heather Benson
Font: MB Pomegranate
Paper, Tag & Graphics - Sandcastles - Nit Wit Designs




















Plopper: Bright Eyes - Laura McGee
Font: MB Pomegranate



















Plopper: Bright Eyes - Laura McGee
Font: Mama Wresh Pen


























































Plopper: Old Glory - Mindy Armour
Font: MB Lemonade




















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font: MB Pomegranate




















Plopper: Summerlicious - Kim Higuera
Font: MB Pomegranate



















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font:Vagabond

Plopper - 4th Of July

Font: MB Lemonade

Plopper: Americana 02 - Neverland Scraps

Font: MB Lemonade

Plopper: Red, White & Blue - Sondra Teer

Font: MB Pomegranate

Paper - Sandy Beach Alphabet - Meryl Bartho

Frame - Realistic Shadow - Nancy Comby

Font: MB Pomegranate

Template: DIP Simple Scraps #12 - Dawn Wilson

Paper & Graphics - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Word Art: And I Quote - Athletics -- Mandabean

Paper, Word Art & Tag - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Font: MB Pomegranate

Paper & Word Art - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Font: MB Pomegranate

Frame: Split Screen - Kristy Semess

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: 4990810

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: Ant

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: 4990810

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Fonts: 4990810 & MB Pomegranate

Plopper - Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: MB Pomegranate

Font: MB Lemonade

Paper & Brads - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Baseball - Baseball - Roberta D'Achille

Plopper ~ Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Word Art - And I Quote - Athletics - Mandabean

Font: 4990810

Template: Template #33 - Kimlizzy

Paper, Word Art & Graphics - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Word Art - And I Quote - Athletics - Mandabean

Font: 4990810

Plopper - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: MB Pomegranate

Font: MB Pomegranate

Trophy: Playball - PC Crafters

Baseball Paper - Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Lace - Batter Up - Rebecca Myers

Frame (recolored) - Baseball - Debbie Pearson

Stitch Paper - Take Me Out - Gary Fryns

Jeff just finished his “summer” baseball season – I call it his summer season because in August he will start playing “fall-ball” it’s a Wednesday night league played in BALLARD!!! I guess it’s not so bad since he has been playing mostly in North Seattle.

So, life has been crazy!!! The yearbook was finished and deliveredJ WOO HOO!!! We actually sold out of them! Can you believe it!!! That has never happened before.

School is OUT OUT OUT!!! WARNING…SHAMELESS BRAGGING AHEAD!!! Brendan got a really important award – it is called The Presidential Award For Education Execellence. He got this letter from the president and certificate and a pin with the Presidential Seal. He also made the honor roll. He got an award for playing basketball. But what was his favorite award??? The Safety Patrol Person of the year. He likes that one the best…….why……….because he was the only one to get it!!! He also got something for Volleyball. His big accomplishment?? He made every single AR reading goal since they started taking them at the beginning of 2nd grade. He is very proud of that – He’ll say – “remember when I hated to read” or “I’m sure glad reading clicked for me”. SHAMELESS BRAGGING OVER (for nowJ)

So, now we wait for middle school……….Did I say middle school??? CRAP!!! I will not cry I will not freak I will not cry I will not freak…….who am I kidding I am freaking already. He is looking forward to going. He is a bit apprehensive but still looking forward to it – Change it good change is good change is good. I don’t know if I keep saying it more for him or for me. Who cares I just keep saying it. I know he is 11 and he is really going into 6th grade – he is old enough he is old enough he is old enough he is old enough………..but when I look at him I see him as that little boy who wouldn’t enter the classroom in kindergarten and stood in the doorway…I will not cry…

Whitlee is doing GREAT!!! She is loving her gymnastics class – I think we may try soccer in the fall – I just hope it doesn’t turn out like it did with Brendan. Anyhow, she is growing like a weed. We are thinking about putting her in the ECE (early childhood education) class at Evergreen Heights. She would be a peer model in the class. Am I read for that NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! I simple cannot wrap my head around it ---

Brendan and I went and saw Harry Potter 5 – at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night!!!! YIKES!! We took JC with us. The boys LOVED the movie. Ever the critic I say it was ok. If I hadn’t read the book I would have LOVED the movie also. I was really interested in how they were going to cut the book down to fit into the 2hr. 15 min. time frame. I wasn’t disappointed --- The scene when Sirus died about killed me!!

That is all I can think of for now --- I’ll post more later……………….

Could this be real????

she is actually posting after an entire month!!!!!!!!!!! Well, kinda......since the internet is down on my laptop Jeff is having to "share" his computer with me so I can get online ---- this isn't fun for either of us. I am currently doing a post on my laptop that I will transfer with photos....lots and lots of photos...........SO, as Arnold would say............I'll Be BAAAAAACK!!!!!!

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOser!!!!

OK...OK...I hang my head in shame.........replace the bottle of booze with an iced green tea from Starbucks and that is me.....

We are in the home stretch of elementary school --- YIKES!!! it will be over before I know it!!!!


Can you believe that Brendan will be in middle school next year?!? I can't even wrap my mind around that right now.

What have I learned recently??? I learned at 38 I am still able to function on 1 1/2 hours sleep in a 72 hour period!!!

Why oh why would she be so crazy and do that you ask..............the company (whom shall remain nameless) that in years past we have gone through to do the yearbook screwed us over BIG TIME!!!! I have put the damn yearbook together not once.......NOOOOOOOOOOO........not twice..............NOOOOOOOOOOO but 3 yes 3 FREAKING TIMES!!!!!!!!! This is what I picture myself looking like when Jann told me we weren't having a yearbook this year because they didn't have it...........

You know freaking out on the verge of tears yet still holding it together and managing to look cute all the while ---- STOP LAUGHING MICHAEL!!!! I didn't say it was factual I said what I pictured!!!:)

All the while I am sure that this is actually what I looked like.........


who am I trying to kid this is me on a good day -- and from my good side:) :) I'm telling you add a ponytail and that is totally me:)

I am pretty sure this is what I look like during all the screaming I have done since Friday!!!!!!!

After my breakdown over the yearbook Jann and I quickly came up with some alternative plans..........

Now since we didn't have the yearbook mock-ups I had to create it YET AGAIN ---- this was time number 3. I just could not wrap my mind around them not having a yearbook this year. This is the big year for the 5th graders!!! Who came to the rescue???? KINKO's in Federal Way!!!! They ROCK ROCK ROCK so hard!!! they said they could scan reprint and compile the yearbook to look almost exactly like what we would have gotten from the "other" guys and....................................................for about $2000.00 less!!!! Like I said THEY ROCK!!!!!! And what is the best part of the whole crappy situation???? I got to use my creative skills and create a full color cover for the yearbook!!! That was FUN!!!! There are about 25 or so photos on the front and back cover --- I took the kids of the 4 other ladies who helped with the yearbook and put our kids on the cover since we worked on it and then I just took random shots that were collected through the year to fill it up. I think the kids will really like it.

And so with some minor screaming to get a copyright release this is what I look like now. I pick up the "proof" tomorrow upon approval it will take 5 days for the full and complete order to be ready!!! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I feel so FREE..........deep breath deep breath......and on to my next project!!!

I am teaching a class this month at Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake. It is making a scrapbook album using their new binding system. If you are interested here is the link to my class. http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BFTM&Product_Code=SCL-6885

It should be fun fun fun....

This week marked a birthday for someone!! He needs to update his blog!!! I need an update!!!!

Brendan had 3 games left of baseball ---- he has had a good season -- he went 4 for 4 scored 3 times and had 4 RBI's last night --- the best part no trip to the ER or Urgent Care!!!!!!

Well -- I think that is all for now I need to get ready for a PTA meeting!!! I'll update with some scrapbook pages I have done recently later.................................

UPDATE YOUR BLOG!!!!:)

Bucking the system ----

OK so I know it hasn't been 7 or even 8 days ----

My computer is acting strange -- I think it may be on it's last legs but I'm not sure --- I wanted to get up here to post a layout I did of Brendan.

So, I'll add the rest of the credits later -- the kit however is About A Boy 3 to 5 by Misty Cato.

I'm outta here!!!!

Not 7 but 8

yes, that is right 8 days.....Ah life and it's little sidelines:)

We have had a BUSY week -- Brendan attended 5th grade camp last week -- it was good -- he had fun. There was a breakdown and I freaked but all in all he was home-sick and didn't realize how much he had missed us.

We went to the Mariner game on Saturday night -- It was little league night. Steve let Brendan walk with his team -- It was a BLAST!!!

Tonight Brendan had a baseball game -- he took a line drive directly in the chest -- it dropped him like a fly. I ended up taking him to urgent care per his doctor -- the dr. there said that if you had to take a ball to the chest he picked the PERFECT place:) That's my boy an over achiever:) :)

I'll be teaching a class at the Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake on Saturday, June 30th -- it is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I think that is all for now I am tired and I need to go ---- tomorrow is the school bbq --- it's our last (tear)........................................

Another week goes by..............

It seems like I am forming something of a habit here with only posting once a week. YIKES!!!

We are still fighting the "crud" at our house -- I'm still coughing, Brendan is all better but Ginger has developed a cough -- not a bad one but well....and that is all I'll say about her as she doesn't like me talking about her on my blog. I have to go back to the doctor on Thursday --- I have had a reaction of some kind to the antibiotic they gave me -- heat rash, itching, sweating like a PIG -- aaaahh so much fun:)

Today was a BIG day for us........Brendan left for 5th grade camp today -- he couldn't get out of the car fast enough this morning:) I haven't cried (yet) but am tempted to drive by the camp -- I know I know that is obsessive!!!:) I know he will have a great time. I am just going to miss him so much -- Whitlee has already started asking where he is!!!! Friday will be here in no time:)

Brendan and I went to see the musical RENT on Mother's Day -- it was his birthday present -- he/we loved loved loved it!!!! It was simply amazing!!!

Offically 1 week.............

Can it really be that long since I posted??? Evidently it can........So, I was sicker than I thought -- Jeff ended up working from home on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday --- I'm pretty sure he was thrilled to be back at the office yesterday................

Brendan ended up being sick also -- he ran a fever of 101 and 102 for 2 or 3 days. By Thursday Jeff simply made a statement......either I make a Dr. appointment for myself and Brendan or he was taking me to the emergency room. I had basically been in bed since Saturday:0

The good news.....I only have 5 hays of antibiotics left. YIKES!!!

Brendan had a baseball game last night --- it was awesome!!! Great weather and the team played really well!!!! Jeff's dad was in town and came to see the game.

Well, I think that is all for now ---- I have about 1000 loads of laundry to do..........yum......dirty sweaty socks that have been sitting for a week....................................

Here is a couple of layouts I did recently

Brendan's last choir

performance -

kit - making music by Andrea Gold

Kit - Color Pop

by Andrea Gold and Jessica Alger

pink eye....plague.....baseball....RBI Baby....RUN SCORED!!!

That is what our life has been for the past few days --- I think we may have the upper hand on the pink eye -- I think Whitlee put it simply "Pink-eye SUCKS!"

The plague is currently making its way around our house == it has visited Jeff and Whitlee and is currently visiting Brendan and I ---------- Ewwwwwwwwww

Brendan had his first baseball game on Monday --- 2 RBI and he scored!!! It was pouring the entire time but he loved it!!!!!

That's all for now --- I need more meds!!!!!

Hey Mike................You da man!!! We love you guys!!!!