From the corner of my world

Menu Plan -Wednesday

2012-01-04T23:43:00.001-07:00

So one of my 3 in 30 goals for the month is to do a weekly Menu Plan. :)

So here we go -

Monday - chicken adobo
Tuesday - steaks, french fries, corn and beans.
Wednesday- tater topped casserole
Thursday- salsa chicken, mexican rice, and beans.
Friday- turkey burgers
Saturday - eat out
Sunday- chicken tortilla soup
Monday - crockpot beef pot roast.

Decided to change up my days. My pasta night has to change to crock pot night since I'm usually busy on Mondays doing Girl Scouts stuff.

Mondays - crockpot night
Tuesdays- pasta night
Wednesday - chicken night
Thursday - one pot dinner night
Friday - steaks
Saturday - eat out
Sunday -grill out or soups

So far so good :)

My One Litte Word and January's 3 in 30

2012-01-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

Last night I took some time to myself to check out my favorite blogs and websites. That's when I remembered I needed to choose my one little word. I took the class on BPC last year but....sadly I didn't participate fully. I am on the fence about taking it this year.

To recap - my word of 2009 (or was it 2010?? oops) was "Finish". I found the perfect picture with a finish line. My idea was to finish things that I had started or will start. Little did I realize that meant my marriage was finished.

My word of 2011 was tenacity - meaning I wouldn't let the bad stuff keep me down. That worked for me really well because I really did bounced back. It took me awhile but I fought off depression and sadness and focused on doing fun stuff with my kids.

This year, I've been trying a couple of words that "feels" right. Some words did jump out at me but one stuck out - "Prosper"

I really LOVE the definition. Now to get me a necklace this year....gotta make that happen.

I decided to take on my 3 in 30 goals this year in blog form. Here's what I decided
1- make a weekly menu and POST IT on my weekly board
2- spend 15 minutes of decluttering SOMETHING
3- write down my to-do lists. Keeping track of them in my head is driving me crazy.

I also plan in restarting my Finish it Fridays goals. I have to figure out what else is needed to be done. That's it for now :) Ending this post with the definition of Prosper.

pros·per/ˈpräspər/

Verb:

Succeed in material terms; be financially successful: "his business prospered".
Flourish physically; grow strong and healthy.

informal LOAD for October

2011-10-04T09:20:00.000-06:00

So I dropped the ball in September -the day after I was nausous and after my basement flooded. I had to get caught up on school somehow, and then next thing I knew it was a week later and there was no way I could get caught up. Maybe I can finish in October where I left off.

So I'm doing LOAD through my flickr site. I'm super excited. I haven't scrapbooked in like forever and ever. This time around I plan on catching up on my yearly albums. I did a to do list last night and here's the albums I plan on working on the next 2 months with the idea of doing one a day.

In the month of October I plan to be caught up in these albums.

Christmas album volume 2
Halloween costume album
A's birthday book
J's birthday book

In the month of November I intend to be caught up on these albums

G's birthday book
K's birthday book
Year in Review for 2010 and 2011

And considering these projects DONE by the end of November

My pregnancy album
homecoming 2009 album
Week in the life 2011
My 5x7 mini Library of Memories 1-5

I have one more week left in November after I get caught up on all of these albums, so I intend to work on my gift albums one per week until it's time to send them. I can think of 3 off the top of my head. I'm super freakin excited about getting so much done!!! I mean really...how many albums is that? I count 15 albums - FIFTEEN!!!! Wow that's so much.

Also in December I'm going to do a December Daily using this tag book I made awhile back with the ABC's of Christmas. With 26 tags,it'll only go from 1-26. Maybe since each tag is a different theme, I can either move them out of ABC order to go chronological, or I can just go by ABC order and pick a different theme to do each day. Either way I intend to have fun fun fun.

In 2012 I intend to kick off the year with my Finish it Fridays projects. Off the top of my head I can think of some projects that need to be done next year. Yes I'm already thinking of next year.

J's ABC album
K's birth book
deployment albums 1-2-3
K's daisy GS album
Christmas cookies album
circle journal - things we've done in HI
Party chipboard album
12345 album
Ilove you album
Hawaii album
Photo album scrapbooking - PCS to Colorado
husband ABC album
all of the self paced projects from BPS

Okay I lied I looked in my Book of stories lol. Well I have to think of more if i want to do 52 -one project a week. I have more PAS in mind like the sports one, vacation album one, I'm sure there's more.

I was so excited about LOAD, and my goals that I needed to write them down - wish me luck!!!!

LSN catch up #2

2011-09-18T23:45:00.000-06:00

#15 = Sometimes Life throws you curveballs
House flooded - disrupting our plans for the day. Had to take a math exam at my college so I went to that. I find it funny that God looks at our plans and laughs and says = that's what you think.

#16-I learned that it's time for me to declutter my life as well as my stuff

#17 - I learned that my kids have loyalty, which I love.
They didnt want to leave my youngest son behind so htey didnt go to the neighbor's house/

#18 - Help comes from unexpected places

my H got us dinner! So nice of him. ANd got to spend time with the kids. He says he will come over often to help me with schools etc.

LSN catch up Day 12-14

2011-09-15T01:47:00.000-06:00

Day 12- My babies' heartbeats are still the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard.

Day 13 - I really LOVE having staying busy and organzing my days on my new calendar

Day 14- One day I"ll be able to look back with fondness and with no sadness in my heart.

LSN day 10 & Day 11

2011-09-12T02:23:00.000-06:00

Day 10 - things go smoother when they're on track.

Did marathon cleaning via Flylady way with my kids. They were troopers. We discussed a lot of stuff all morning, going over new rules, new consequences, and rewards! But it didn't start until Monday. What made me decide on this lesson for the day is fixing my kids dresser drawers. Some drawers just fell off the track and was acting up. So I took the time, adjusting some things, and found out how much smoother things go when they are track.

I need to take this to heart because one of my 30 in 30 is to make to do lists. Being on track with my schedule makes me feel more productive and really things go more smoother.

Day 11- Just because something horrible happened today, doesn't mean we should stop celebrating the good stuff.

Today is September 11. Yes, a memory forever sealed in our hearts and minds as one of the worse days in American history. It's also both of my sisters' birthdays = well one of them was yesterday. Still - we need to remember today had good moments. Such as the brave men and women who helped, people who donated time and money, the babies born on that day. It's a good lesson to remember :)

LSN Day 9

2011-09-09T23:37:00.004-06:00

Day 9 - Time needs to be managed, otherwise you find yourself wasting time.

I have a lot on my plate. With 4 college courses and being a full time mom, I've had way too much time on my hands pass me by. I've spent a lot of time on FB when I shouldn't. Sleep is very important and so I should be able to funcion at 8 if I just slept earlier I saw a blog post on how to manager your time, sort of like the envelope system with cash. I think I'm going to try this tomorrow. That and Flylady ways. Wish me luk!!!

LSN Day 8

2011-09-08T21:50:00.000-06:00

Day 8- things just work themselves out - so don't worry so much.

I got a call yesterday afternoon that my daughter got approved for financial assistance for a new Girl Scouts unifrom. I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to get K's vest and stuff in time. And when I realized I needed to get a new scarf and book for G for his Boy Scout uniform, I was thinking I needed to wait until next Wednesday when we got paid to get it Then I was informed since he crossed over to the next level he gets a new scarf/handkerchief and a book! So whew!

I believe in Law of Attraction. I should've known that all I had to do was think this is what I want, be positive about it and it will work itself out.

So it was good news all around today!

LSN Day 7

2011-09-08T01:22:00.000-06:00

Day 7- When something isn't working , fix it!

My 4 year old is still sleeping on a toddler bed. Decided it's time to get a new bed for my little guy. As it turns out someone had a whole bedset on sale for 75. Talked her down to 65 and it's mine. I had to manuever my funds around just so we could get it.

Also, I have loads of laundry - clean laundry! still lying around waiting for me to fold. I have garbage all over, my kids rooms are ridiculous. This has to change now...

On top of that I have homework to do still...so much homework. I"ll fix it though because this isn't working for me anymore.

LSN Day 6

2011-09-07T00:53:00.000-06:00

Day 6 - Just because you have good intentions doesn't mean it's good for you. But if you decide to follow through (and you should!) remember why you're doing it. And maybe you'lll be rewarded.

I have 4 friends expecting new babies. 2 out of the 4 already had theirs. I volunteered to bring the first one a meal. My set of friends always does this for a new moms, etc. However I didn't realize she lived 30 minutes away from me. Once I realized that I dreaded going there. I almost cancelled twice but I forced myself to go. I didn't want to drive that far out, I didn't want to spend too much money on food, and gas isn't cheap! She would've been fine without me but I made a promise, I already postpone it once. I just couldn't live with myself if I cancelled.

So after I picked up some good food, got my kids made the trek to her house. My GPS took me through a "scenic" route because all of a sudden I'm in houses deep in the mountains. They were beautiful - each and every one of them. I found my new Colorado dream home area. I haven't decided yet which one yet but I know there's where I want my kids and I to live out the rest of our lives. We saw deer in the street that's how far into the mountain we were. I don't know though if it was "bear country". If it is then - it will still be worth it.
So here's my lesson for today - volunteering may seem like good intentions but sometimes you have to decide if it's good for YOU. And the ones you do end up doing it will be worth it in the end.
So that's what I learned, even though we got home at 430-5pm.

LSN Day 5

2011-09-06T01:10:00.000-06:00

Day 5 - Change is good- even if it's just changing the furniture in your living room.

Stayed home after all and vegged out. Had a busy day yesterday, and Sunday is usually our lazy day. There's still a load of dishes waiting for me to do.

I decided on a whim to put my bookcase upstairs. There was a hugely unused space and as it turned out the bookcase fits! I was about to put that bookcase in my bedroom because I have an idea in place for that space.

I also decided to move the futon to the other side of the room and the big couch by the window. I really should just get rid of these couches they are not very clean and shags in places. Anyways I haven't decided if I like how it looks right now. The futon is down so we could lay down. I guess it's going to take getting used to.
My kids seem to like it, or don't mind it. My favorite part is I now have a table for my homework instead of the floor or futon lol. I just need to be sure to keep it clean.

Change is good!

LSN Day 4

2011-09-04T01:33:00.022-06:00

Day 4 - Celebrate YOUR day the way YOU want to.

Today is my birthday. I admit I was disappointed again this year that I didn't have anyone to go out with like an adult dinner, or movie, or going out with the girls. I have friends just not close enough to cal my girls. I intend for next year to be different.

This year however - we did things that I wanted to do. First off, I am so blessed to have such awesome kids. They gave my birthday breakfast in bed -a family tradition in our house. In the spirit of this class I tried something new. Well a lot of things

- breakfast/lunch at the Wafflehouse. My review - breakfast tasted good but didn't wow me.
- SkySox game - first minor league baseball game with my kids.
my review on that - kids thought it took too long, wasn't really into the game, had fun at the kids zone though I thought I needed a cold one to enjoy it more. maybe when I go with adults I will have more fun but I still enjoyed watching the game!
- Dinner at Black Bear Diner - heard good reviews wanted to try it out. My review- the tri tip steak and the mashed potatoes were very tasty. Wasn't much of a fan of the BBQ ribs. Atmostsphere was friendly. Kids behaved well for the most part. The baby grew tired and wanted to wonder around.
- Balloon Glow at the Balloon Classic - we have heard great things and I thought it would end my birthday in a good way. My review - get there earlier to get better seats, and dress for the weather no matter what.

Ending my day with some cake that I picked out at Safeway. My kids insisted I have a cake. I love my babies so much and even though I got mad at them a couple of times I know my kids are rally the best.

So that's my lesson that I learned. It is simple,I know but I get caught up not being able to do the adult stuff when instead I should focus on what I do have. I had a pretty awesome birthday :)

LSN Day 3

2011-09-03T21:56:00.000-06:00

Day 3- In the pizza of life, you're going to have pepporoni and sausage.

Said this to my daughter today because she wanted to take off her sausage and pepporoni from her pizza. She is always like that - wanting pizza, burgers, everything plain. I want her to try more variety, to expose her to different things other than bland/plain/boring.

I myself like to try new things. For example tomorrow is my birthday and we are going to do 3 things I have never tried before 1 - baseball game w/ my kids 2 - dinner at Black Bear Diner (supposed to be really good) 3- Balloon classic is in town and there have a launch in the morning (too early for me) and a balloow glow. we are going to the balloon glow! We have never been and I love trying new things and exposing my kids to different things. Normally I would have picked Red Robin because I have been craving their burgers lately but I decided to try something new.

That's my lesson for the day. I imagine a picture of a pepporini and sausage pizza should go well with this day in my scrapbook.

LSN - Day 2

2011-09-03T02:25:00.001-06:00

Day -2 When something good happens to someone you love, be joyous with them!

One of my friends had her baby today. She was trying to convince at the same time as I was, and got pregnant a year after I did. They went thru fertility treatments etc. And when she finally found out she was having a baby, not only that a baby boy (her family has 2 girls and a stepson) she was ecstatic. I shared in her joy because of the struggles she went thru and she shared it with all of her friends. I know how much this baby was wanted, and was loved from the momen they said she was expecting. Loved even way before that when they were waiting for him to be conceived. I got teary eyed whenever I see her pictures with the baby.

That's what today's lesson was for - makes me want to cry because I'm so happy for them.

Learn Something new 2011

2011-09-02T00:57:00.000-06:00

Day 1 - it's okay to be the mean mommy sometimes - because it's for their own good.

It's so funny how on this day last year this was my facebook status

"2 girl toys and 1 boy toy makes someone very unhappy and throw a fit - so guess what no one gets a toy. yep mean mommy time"

This morning was a tough one - caught my oldest son lying to me not once but twice. He said he ate cereal but when I asked to see his bowl he admitted to lying. Second time was when he said he was done eating and I checked the garbage and found cereal. I noticed he hasnt' been eating much in the morning. Breakfast being the most important meal of the day I needed to make sure he ate his cereal. Despite his complaints about not liking the cereal choices I poured him a bowl of Special K. I threw out his hair gel and he cried. I felt like the punishment fit the crime - for lying to me two times.
I thought about it all day and I actually got out the gel. I decided sometimes being mean mommy is necessary. It's not about what he wants to do but what he needs to do to be a healthy boy.

That's what I learned today and I hope I can keep this up!

WITL- Saturday

2011-07-30T00:22:00.000-06:00

We had such a busy Saturday! Ready for a picture filled day?

As usual, we had swim class at the community center. I usually sit and watch A do his class, while the older 2 do theirs. We usually get there just in time for the class to start.

Here's A just finished his bobs - well his version of a bob.

Here's K on the deep end with her class.

Here's G doing his backwards swimming with his teacher.

Next we rushed to G's baseball game. We actually had time to pick up some snacks for us at home because his game started at 11:30. Got home at 10:40 so had time to clean out my minivan. Finally, because to the kids I was taking forever) we were on our way to his baseball game.

Here's my boy in the outfield (he's in the middle)

This is our last game of the season

Here we are watching the game - don't worry J was really in the shade. She was grouchy this morning.

At bat - he got to bat twice, First time he got out on 1st base. Second time he got struck out.

Afterwards we went to a pizza party at the park. There the kids were awarded their certificates, medals for participation, and this time the kids got their own...

trophy! I'm sooo proud of my boy! We actually got his pictures for baseball too.

After a pizza lunch, the kids got to play. I had to rush them because I knew we still had a busy day ahead of us. They wanted to stay until I told them I was going to the fair.

Couldn't resist pushing this girl on the swing though.

After an hour's drive, we made it to the County Fair. I'm so happy we went with friends I don't think we would've had a good time if we went without someone. Here are my kids recreating a picture I did of them last year when we were at Sea World. J looks sleepy here still.

After the petting zoo, we made our way to the kids corner. It was made of 2 sand boxes filled with dry corn kernals for the kids to play in. Here's all of the kids in our group. They had a blast.

We were walking around looking at the hard work the 4-H kids did on their projects - ranging from cake decorating, to scrapbooking, to pottery. On our way to the carnival we saw a Animal show about to start in 15 minutes. So we waited, being in the very front row.

Waiting for the show to begin.

The show was really a highlight of the day. The kids laughed, and marveled at the animals.

Finally made our way to the Carnival. Didn't think it would be so expensive but it was. Kids had a blast picking which ones to go on.

K and her friend went on this pirate ship ride since G didn't want to join them for some reason.

Meanwhile the boys went to go ride on this easy ride - yea they ended up with a pink car.

One of the last rides we went on was a pink elephant ride - sort of like the Dumbo ride at Disney. K found some extra tickets, which gave us enough to go on this zoo ride which reminded me of the tea cups. Got to sit with all of my kids. J had to sit down flatly on the seat during the ride.

My beautiful girls

My handsome boys

Last but not least, the kids got to fish! It took us about 10 mintues but all of them were able to catch one. I love how it's a clear tank for them to see how the fish catch the bait.

After a quick snack of popcorn, nachos and soda - we were ready to go home. It was already 7 pm so by the time we would be home it would be 8. I decided to get me a necklace, with names on a piece of rice. I had that back in the day. I got two pieces of rice with my kids names on them.

On the way home we picked up some Wendys for dinner. By the time we got home we were all exhausted. Kids went to bed, I stayed up a little bit later but was so tired I did go to bed sooner than later.

WITL: Friday

2011-07-29T23:21:00.000-06:00

It's "boys movie day" at our house! Woke up early than usual, so that the girls can go to childwatch on post. Leaving my baby girl gets harder every time when I see her cry. I tried to go back to sneak a look at her, but she saw us and started crying again. That makes me sad. Dropping off K, on the other hand, was funny because she saw a classmate there. They were surprised to see each other.

The boys and I rushed to see the earliest showing of "Cars 2". We ended up getting there 10 minutes early, so got the boys their own little snack packs. In it was a scoop of popcorn, kids soda, and a laffy taffy - for the very good price of $5! I call that a deal!

Cars 2 was so funny. We enjoyed the spy aspect of it, and Mater is a delight. A decided he is Mater, and G is Lightening McQueen. The boys couldn't stop talking about it on the way to pick up the girls. G even wished K was there - I did feel bad but since I took her to see Harry Potter 2 weeks ago it was only fair. I honestly loved spending time with just my boys.

The boys took a quick run into the fountain in front of the movie theater....

And then treated the kids to some mini cupcakes at the local cupcake bakery....they got orange creamsicle for a dollar each.

We finally picked up the girls. My baby girl was so cute sleeping on her cot. She quickly perked up when she heard her siblings racing to the car. The boys picked out Burger King for lunch.

My baby girl happy to see me, on our way to getting some lunch!

I took some pictures of us at Burger King with our lunch I think just with my phone camera.

I decided to add a line to our AT&T, and give K my pink phone. I was surprised I was able to get one. I'm super excited for the Mango WIndows phone update coming up in the fall. After walking around the PX kids were ready to go home after a long day. So that's what we did.

When I came home I got a couple of packages in the mail! Yay for scrapbooking loot. I added more Library of Memories albums, got my Big Picture Classes Big Festival Kit (say that 10 times), some more scrapbooking stuff on sale, and these 4x4 doodlebug albums that I wanted for my kids. I wanted to make personality albums one for each of them. I got super excited getting my loot but I told myself I won't be opening anything up until the house gets cleaner.

Here's our mail

And my new phone next to my old one

Decided to treat the kiddos to McDonalds for dinner. The kids got their usual - cheeseburgers plain, french fries, and blue powerade. I got a quarter pounder with cheese, fries and a coke. Not the healthiest diet I know.

Kids went to bed and I stayed up late again...really tried not to because I knew we had a busy day the next day.

And that was our Friday!

Thurs- WITL

2011-07-29T02:22:00.001-06:00

I'm really trying hard to keep this up. But my logs are getting shorter and none at all! I need to do a better job.

Woke up the usual way - with A coming in to wake us up. He lets the dog out, but ends up running away from the dog sounding scared. I really don't know why I guess the dog was hyper. Turned on the tv so that mommy can sleep in a little more. Eventually all of them showed up in my room for an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. After finally getting them out of my room and me washing up, this is what I find trying to go down the stairs.

Nothing new - just trying to hang out with the brothers and sister. Oh yea she took off her diaper.

We ate a hearty breakfast. I had my sesame bagel with peanut butter, while the kids finished off their fruity pebbles. Weird we had just gotten it yesterday.

My girl decided she wanted to eat one of my bagels instead. She finished her drink all over her shirt.

I don't know why I resort to going to my laptop all the time. I check FB often enough. I have my top 10 sites I visit every single day and I've only had my internet back for a week!

Poor A had to clean up a spill. I have to teach him to clean up after making a spill. He accidentally spilled orange juice on the floor, then proceeded to slip and hit his head. So he still cleaned it off. I felt bad that he got hurt so I said get a fruit chiller - he ended up getting a push up ice cream.

Since it was hot, I decided all of us should get something to cool us down. J and I got frut chillers while the kids got those push ups J got super sticky icky so guess what time it is...

YES it's bath time!

Anytime you bring in water, the kids gravitate towards it. They wanted to "help" her splash.

Obviously she didn't need any help!

Time to get dry

Glasses down - it's time for our nap. After another late night I really needed one. Unfortunately...

this little girl wanted to play instead of take a nap. So we played the game "hide and seek" with her brothers and sister. All of the kids came in, and nap was a thing of the past. what was I thinking, really a nap??

G picked out lunch for the boys. K wanted another crustable - such a rebel. So while I was making lunch we were still playing in the bedroom.

Jumping in on all of the action - actually jumping on my legs but same thing.

K was right next to me and made a silly face. She accidentally spit on me! We both laughed about it.

After lunch and kids cleared the table, I had to wash dishes. This is the scene I normally see every day I look out my kitchen window. It really warms my heart seeing my babies playing together like this.

Unfortunately they had gotten out the water guns again - making my kitchen floors wet. At least they left the baby out of the water games.

I decided to go start cleaning out my office space. So I started but somehow I got distracted and did the garage instead. Perhaps it was that cute trip to Goodwill. I got rid of some stuff but not too much. I may need to head on back soon. We were having another round of thunderstorms so I dropped the kids in the garage before pulling out. That gave me the space to clean my garage.

After we got home, I started on the garage. It was a mess! Here are my kids "helping'

Really, my kids were a huge help as usual. They did an awesome job!

We decided on something fast since it was already 7. So it's pizza night! Yay for stuffed crust.

This is how we ended the night. I'm ready for bed I may finish this later.

WITL Wednesday

2011-07-28T02:19:00.000-06:00

Today is our usual Wet Wednesday - a day designated for us to head to a spray park, splash pad, or pool. We have done this almost every week this summer. The kids love it and look forward to it every week. If we couldn't do it on Wednesday we'd do it the next day.

Woke up at 9 to find this baby already up and playing. She went to the living room while I was washing up. I found it so charming how she was ready to play.

As usual, the boys had a fight. I know something is up when A starts crying out of now where. It never fails - G hits or pitches A somehow. They were fighting over something silly- over who gets to sweep the floor.

Look at how sad A looks, and guilty G looks.

Our breakfast of champs - cereal.

Kids had to do chores before we head out to the Deerfield Splash park. That's the plan. While Mom had to clean the living room, and J stay out of the way basically.

A did his usual job - "dust panning"

G got to sweep (check out our mini broom - the handle actually broke in half but it's perfect for their size)

K was busy washing dishes to load the dishwasher. (mom gets to do pots and pans in other words the harder stuff)

I decided I wanted to have all of my mopping down before we go. Ended up doing just the dining room before I jumped into the shower. Thought it was going to be a hot day, and knowing I wouldn't go in the water myself I needed to be cooled down somewhat. So we left with towels, change of clothes and lunch packed. I drove my usual route, thinking it would take me 10-15 minutes to get there.

My FB status at noon

"got lost on my way to deerfields...so funny I was drivimg along Milton pkwy when all of a sudden I'm on Academy heading towards the base. I was looking around thinking this doesnt look familiar at all!"

I eventually found my way around luckily. Our playdate friend was also lost but she wasn't as lost as me.

As soon as we got to a bench, the kids took off!

K asked if she could carry baby J through the water.

A, during a rare moment where he was with me. He ran all over the place, playing with everything.

K "it really feels like a massage mom!"

G sat on pretty much every spout. I dont know if it's a boy thing or what.

And now my favorite pose...

my girls running through the spray rainbow.

The sprayground wasn't busy at all! Whenever we go there, the place is crowded with kids. I supposed because the main road is blocked, and there are a bunch of detours. The sun was behind the clouds, so it wasn't too hot it was bearable. Of course when I get the kids changed so we can eat our lunch, the sun comes out completely and it was HOT.

We ate a quick lunch in the car thinking I could run a quick errand and we could buy some food. I had called A's preschool earlier, and found out he isn't registered! So I had to fill out his paperwork, and get his school supply list. Meanwhile the kids were getting bored. The preschool is getting a huge overhaul. It used to be an elementary school but the district decided to combine the schools to open up an even bigger preschool.

G got in trouble for fighting with his brother. They were so noisy compared to the other 2 kids. Plus it was such a quiet hallway. To keep them occupied I gave G the camera to take pictures. It was his turn to start.

A ran around - and here I am in top right corner looking at them. I think I was about to discipline them.

There's J getting into the water. Didn't she have enough water? (Ps G got in trouble for drinking the water and then spitting it out on the carpet...I didnt see him do this but one of the workers walking by did and told him not to do that. I was so embarrassed and G was too. He got a time out for that)

K took this to see if the zoom worked - yea it did.

K taking care of J as always while mommy is busy doing other stuff.

Finally we were done and went to Safeway. On our way there, I had to get gas the light was on AHHH! That always scares me. I forgot my camera but I got a cellphone picture of Baby J in the car cart for the first time. We got what was supposed to be our lunch but we ended up getting 100 dollars worth of stuff! I don't know where that came from but I should find the receipt to add to my album.

J fell asleep on the way home. We got home at 4, a little late for lunch. My poor babies were hungry, so I told them they could eat either their donut or a bowl of cereal or both. I felt bad.

When J woke up, A asked if he could give her a fruit cup. And he DID. That had to be my favorite moment. J didnt eat all of it so afterwards she got to feed herself. This isn't the best picture she was busy eating.

Kids were hungry so I started making dinner - what was supposed to be our lunch. It was kids choice I suppose. Mine is on the bottom. Not a bad deal, 2 for $4. It is cheaper on base but SF is closer.

Unfortunately, kids weren't listening when I asked them to set the table. So they lost out on watching TV during dinner. We were watching one of our favorites this summer, suprisingly - America's got talent.

After dinner, they were supposed to do their chores. Instead the boys were looking at the dog. G tried to pet her, A pulled him back for some reason, so G punched him. Guess what happened next...yes A cried. That's how I knew something happened. So they lost out on dessert this evening. G cried and almost threw a tantrum but I put a stop to that.

We ended up watching our show together. After they went to bed I had mommy tme. Which is go online and look at stuff. I showed the kids (before they went to bed) bunk beds that I could build them - from Ana-white.com. I have visions of building a table for them to do homework. I havent' decided yet.

Also looked at my cell phone that I want again. Checked out my favorite scrapbook sites. Ate a cookie and later a brownie. watched Conan and did this blog. Just relaxed for now. It's been a long day. I have to write down a to call list for tomorrow. Such as make an appt for a physical for A. Call for swim lessons to hold our places. Call for dance class since she missed Monday's. Also realized we missed out on baseball practice. I forget if they said Tuesday or Wednesday. But its okay we did a lot today.

And that's our Wet Wednesday :)

WITL- Tuesday

2011-07-27T01:56:00.002-06:00

Stayed up late again, so I woke up late again. I got online to see what was going on in FB. I'm an addict but usually I'm on to see if my sister would come on. She told me the other day to just keep a tab open so that we can chat. I have been and I never ever see her. So it's frustrating. Anyways, got the kids to eat breakfast - their choice. I had my usual - bagel and coffee.

While I was finishing up changing my sheets, this is what I found in my kitchen. J decided to wreck havoc in my kitchen. I made a deal with the kids -I won't make them clean until after we eat lunch if they clear up this mess! They did their best, K and G even got out the swiffer to mop. THey didnt finish it but they tried. I thought that was so cute they wanted to mop the floors for me.

After lunch the kids played outside. I got a quick shot of them smiling, then thought it was boring so make a silly face. Then K asked if she could have the camera again! Of course I'd love to see how they play. So they got some real gems right here -

So many good pictures!

So here is the Kids To Do List

After they played outside, I had them clean. Mean mommy I know. I also had my own list to clean. Unfortunately, uploading 600 photos to Snapfish took all afternoon. I haven't been scrapbooking and keeping up with the photo prining in so so long. But yes, the kids did clean up a little bit of their rooms, while I did the laundry, uploaded pictures, and consoling a friend for a couple of hours. Today was our down day - stay at home and CLEAN day!

I had the bright idea to start putting photos in my albums, via Library of Memories. In the middle of cleaning the living room I don't know why I thought this was a good idea. I still have to put them away.

TICKLE TIME WITH MOMMY!

Forgot to take a picture of myself yesterday so here's one with my youngest boy. He cried when he thought I was mad at him when I wasn't so I felt bad. He gives me kisses at least 4 times a day. I almost always ask what he's doing and why. He says," I give you a kiss" and "because I love you." Such a sweet boy.

The kids did put away their school supplies. Check off that on their to-do list. K is showing off her new backpack, which we had to hunt down to find the right one.

We had spagetti for dinner! G later announced at the table the last time we had spagetti K threw up - I coudn't believe he said that at the table! While we were eating! Silly boy - he did get in trouble.

Kids went to bed at 9........trying to get to them to sleep earlier but they were awake still at 10. Tomorrow's another day. As for me, I went back online while I enjoyed the rest of my Sonic blast from last night. I don;t lke it when it's all melted so I saved it but honestly..it's not that great like that. I was checking out my usual websites and I was reviewing what Windows phone I wanted to get.

I decided to go to bed early but wanted to get some dishes done. That woke up the baby who was sleeping on the floor. She ended up falling back asleep on the kitchen floor while I was finishing up the kitchen counters. I saw how cute she was and took her picture.

Stayed up later than I intended but the same time as usual lately. So that was our Terrific Tuesday :)

WITL - Monday

2011-07-27T01:14:00.001-06:00

Monday started off late. Woke up at 8:30 but fell back asleep. That's what I get for sleeping at 2. It's okay, woke up to this beautiful baby :) She brights up when I bring the camera out.

Woke up to A talking to me about the dog - which I told him to please let her out. When I got up the boys let her back in, and she basked in their attention. Too cute. Even though my dog Beezus licked my baby girl in the mouth, causing her to want to throw up. Poor J.

Tried to take pictures of us eating breakfast but the kids ate different things, and some ate earlier than others. We need to get back in routine this week. Here's Baby J trying to get into her mandarin oranges with her mouth. That's my fork she's holding, I took that away from her.

We had a playdate at Chick Fil A. Told K that she had to do the dishes before we go, and the boys had to clear the dining room table. Well, she still has some dishes left but I decided I could do the rest. Took us awhile to get out of the house but we did. Supposed to be there at 12:30pm, left the house at 12:20! So we were late. That was fine, the person hosting came later than we did.

Chick Fil A was a zoo! I forgot to bring our cans in for their food drive. We could have gotten a free sandwich. I took cell phone pictures of us eating lunch. Kids got to play in the play area. Our seats was closest to the play area so my friend and I got to watch from outside.

K took Baby J out on the slide area. Every time Baby J saw me she broke out into a huge smile. She loved the slide. K had the bright idea to take pictures of them in the play area. So here's a funny one - she took a picture of the mirror.

G too this one of my girls. We ended up staying there quite awhile. The kids loved it because they played, while I caught up with my friend. Afte we finally left at 3, I went to Target "real fast". I only wanted to get dividers (which I mistakenly got file folders) for $1. I ended up getting more than I came for but that's nothing new when I shop at Target or Walmart. Anyways, I had an Old Navy Groupon to use before it expired on the 31st. Combined that with the 20 gift certificate K got for her birthday we had 40 dollars to use.

My older 2 felt mature enough to get their own dressing room. We were initially waiting for the big room to accomodate the stroller. Baby J was taking her nap. So while we waited A was checking himself out in the mirror and literally talking to himself. Took a quick picture of that. The lady at the dressing room thought he was so cute. I told her he must have drank a lot of Kool Aid. He was acting up more than usual.

K and G both showed me their outfits. G looked so handsome in his white button down shirt that I took a cell phone picture to send to his Dad. He picked it out himself. I think we made it out pretty well, only spent 50 bucks out of pocket. K got a shirt, legging and a headband. G got 2 polo shirts and the button down shirt. While A got a plaid button down shirt and a polo shirt. He didn't try it on, I knew his size.

I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby but it started to rain. When K told me it was raining I said Good because we do need the rain. It's been so hot lately. But she was concerned because well we were going to get rained on. We did. But it was okay we were close, and lucky for them we didn't go to Hobby Lobby. If I browsed I would've wanted to buy.

We got home at 5:30pm and I got online. The kids played downstairs. I didn't realize it was almost 7 when I took out the meat for spagetti. Figuring it would take forever for it to make I made the executive decision to eat Sonic. The kids were excited they love Sonic. Actually G wanted KFC. I didn't want to go that far. So he was disappointed. I felt bad so I got us Sonic Blasts to share. I of course got my favorite, Peanut butter cups. THe kids at the last minute decided on Oreo.

We ate dinner, while I watched Hell's Kitchen. THeir Dad called, and they got to talk to him for a little bit.He asked what we were doing and G said we're watching TV but I dont know what we are watching Lol. I talked to him as well. A fell asleep on the living room floor so he missed out. Kids went to bed while I was trying to figure out how to order my Picaboo albums. I have a Groupon I need to use still,. and I wanted to take advantage of their buy 1 album, get a copy free. So I spent the rest of the night ordering the album, with 40 minutes left to spare on the midnight deadline.

I want to share this great Target find in the dollar section. I got one color for each of us. It wasn't a dollar but $2.50 each. I am thinking we use this for the kids school supplies? I'm not sure yet but the kids already claimed their colors. I'll get to use my label maker for the first time. Just got to know what we are going to use this for....and where to put it.

Went to bed at 2 after watching all of my Monday night shows - Hell's Kitchen, Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition, and Conan. No worries I watched all of these during my Picaboo album making.

And that's our Manic Monday!

Week in the life starts next week

2011-07-21T22:36:00.000-06:00

I recently decided I would like to start scrapbooking again. I found out Ali E is doing her Week in the Life project from Two Peas. I never heard of it before, but after reading about it and looking at her previous years I decided it was the perfect project to get me scrapbooking again.

So here's my to do list for this week
- charge camera
- find my green binder 8 1/2x11
- ~~get baseball card holders~~ CHECK
- find page protectors
- print out Ali's journalling pages
- Look at my week ahead, remember appts, games, playdates, etc.
- figure out design of the album
- find 7 envelopes for memorobillia

To do list for July 25 -31
- take lots and lots of pictures
- journal everything and anything
- save memorabillia

To do list for August 1st - August 5
(don't want to scrapbook during Gabe's birthday weekend)
- pull everything together and finish the album

I can't wait to see how this album turns out :)

My Craft Channel: Our 9th Hosts Revealed: House of Smiths (bonus vid...

2011-07-21T20:29:00.000-06:00

My Craft Channel: Our 9th Hosts Revealed: House of Smiths (bonus vid...: "Wahoo....it's day nine of our 20 Cricuts in 20 Days and our new Hosts reveal, isn't it exciting. We're having so much fun giving away these..."

Decorate Your Life class

2011-02-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

In January, I participated in the Decorate your Life Class from BPC (Big Picture Classes formerly Big Picture Scrapbooking). Darci D is the teacher, and for the first week she sent us emails with things to collect to put into our Christmas bulb holders. I didn't have any, or couldn't find any to buy so I used my muffin tins. I used my circle punch, and wrote the numbers on there.

I had such a BLAST! Currently making a slideshow of everything I made this month. The grand total for the month is 15. The prompts were for 14, but I had a LO that as almost done - just didn't journal or figured out the title.

I just finished the last 2 prompts last night. Will be uploading to the BPC galleries. I took the Baker's Dozen class last year but I didn't actually follow through with the class. I got held up with the fact that I didnt have my egg carton so i didn't do it. I'm glad that I didn't let that stop me this year.

We were supposed to be taking pictures of things that decorate our lives but I don't have any ink in my printer for me to do that project. I plan to take the prompts and complete the challenge this month.

I intend to empty out my Latest layouts album on the last day of every month. It's so much FUN to put my LOs where they belong in my Library of Memories. I did this last night, and decided my albums already need to be expanded into another album. I have to find another album for my "Days we celebrate" album - that was getting full. So was the "All about Us".

Today is the first day of LOAD 2/11. Very excited to get 28 memories down on paper :)

Right place, right time

2010-12-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

I remember when I first caught "How I met your mother". Wasn't interested.

Then I bought one season, and got hooked. By far, this episode from the 4th season called "Right Place, right time" is my absolute favorite. I feel like I need to watch it again and again.

Here's why - quotes from the episode-

Narrator:
"Kids, I've been telling you the story of how I met your mother, and while there's many things to learn from this story, this may be the biggest. The great moments of your life won't necessarily be the things you do, they'll also be the things that happen to you. Now, I'm not saying you can't take action to affect the outcome of your life, you have to take action, and you will. But never forget that on any day, you can step out the front door and your whole life can change forever. You see, the universe has a plan kids, and that plan is always in motion. A butterfly flaps its wings, and it starts to rain. It's a scary thought but it's also kind of wonderful. All these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place at the right time."

Narrator:
So there you have it, kids, theres a lot of little reasons why the big things in our lives happen. If I had known then where all those little things were leading me and how grateful I'd be to get there... well, I probably would have done something like this.

[Ted goes to every person involved and gives them a hug]

Narrator:
Because somehow I ended up at the right place at the right time. And as a result, my life would never be the same.

Amazing.

planner redo

2010-07-31T22:58:00.001-06:00

So I have a thing for planners. I love carrying one in my bag and jotting down things I need to do, my schedule stuff like that. I knew with the back to school stuff going on sale I was going to get one. I found one from Walmart that I liked the cover and was basically everything I had before. Then i went to Target today and found the one whose format I liked more just wasn't in love with the cover.
I may put pictures of both planners at a later date.

I've decided to redo the cover of my better planner. it's teal and white with swirls and I"m not in love with it.

I decided on some pretty paper that has some teal in it. It didn't take me long at all.

In addition to the pretty paper, I added ribbon, pearls swirl and a metal ribbon plate that says Happy day. I ended up cutting the ribbon in the middle to put the plate in. In hindsight I should have cut it in the back so it won't be so lumpy in the front. I thought I could cover the knots with my happy day saying but it made it extra floppy. But that's okay.

I do have a lot of favorites on my planner. I love ribbon, black polka dots, pearls. My favorite has to be this saying - it seems perfect to be on my planner.

That's my latest project. I did the back also I just didn't take it all the way to the edge where the holes are so part of the teal and white is still visible but I figure that's all right it's on the back. But I may decide to fix it later on. I like the seamless look here.

Here's to many happy days that I know I'll fill outin the years to come.

Camp Scrap layouts #2

2010-07-26T00:13:00.001-06:00

Doing another LO dump :) that sounds funny.

I was inspired to do this one when I saw the photo. Makes me feel like I was still there. I love the view. Not loving my big thighs but other than that the view's awesome :)

This is going in my son's baby album - about his first Christmas

Here are some new additions to my Christmas album.; I love how these pages flow together because they use the same papers. Pictures are from 2008. Each year has a section page featuring our family picture, 2 twopg layouts (one about our holidays activities/highlights and one about christmas morning) and the last page is the kids annual photo with Santa

Current layout total for the year - 48 :)

11 weeks

2010-07-16T03:15:00.000-06:00

My baby girl is 11 weeks old today.

So much has happened in the last 11 weeks. First was Grandma's 2 week visit when you were first born. Then school ended for your siblings and summer activities began: YMCA brainy tots class, swim classes, Wet Wednesdays, playdates, baseball games and practices- We are one busy bunch!

Then our trip to San Antonio when you were 1 month old. Grandpa, Great Grandpa & Grandma, Auntie Kimberly and her family all got to meet the newest addition to our family. First bath, first time sleeping through the night, and first trip all got checked off in the first 11 weeks.

At your 2 month check up ( technically 10 weeks) you weighed in at 9lbs 4 ounces and 13 inches. According to your doctor, you are growing well and looking good.

Every day I wake up to your beautiful face, and I savor the waking moments. First thing in the morning, your brother G comes to our room to kiss you good morning. Your sister K always wants to kiss and hug you, and your brother A is adamant about not leaving you behind in anything. (I pretend I'm about to leave and he makes sure you come along). They all helped you with your first bath. G declares you are the cutest baby ever- K corrects him saying she was the cutest baby in 2002, and he was on the year he was born and same goes for A..and that NOW J is the cutest baby. I find them not resisting a quick kiss on the cheek when they find you asleep in your swing or carseat. I get mad when they wake you in your beauty sleep but I know they can't help themselves.

I tell people this was the worse pregnancies of them all. But after living with you for the last 11 weeks, they were worth it. You are a pretty easy going baby. You fall asleep amidst the noise of the tv, the crying kids in the background. You do wake up when I yell though. But otherwise, if you are dry and fed, you have no problem falling asleep on your own.

You already have an extensive wardrobe. Mommy went overboard (hard not to) and we have tons of clothes waiting for you to grow up to wear them. I love how the musical mirror in our car helps you fall asleep. Seems like when you hit your toy in your carseat you are exploring. Sometimes I sing your song in the car to help you fall asleep. From birth to one month I would hum songs to you while in my arms and you'd fall asleep to the soothing hums.

You smile and my heart smiles. I think you are just having gas (pretty good gas if you are smiling) when you crack into smiles for me but then again, when our eyes meet and you give me the biggest smiles I can't help but believe they are for me.

You are sometimes hard to photograph - the flash would bother you or you smile when i don't have my camera ready. You have rolled over (with me next to you so I may have helpled) earlier this week. When you are hungry you let me know it for sure. When I drop you off to YMCA I'm usually told how good you've been - well most times you'd be sleeping.

People flock to you. I can't go anywhere without anyone complimenting my beautiful baby.They say how small you are, or beautiful - most of the time both.

11 weeks old today. I love you Sunshine.

A collection of Camp Scrap layouts #1

2010-07-12T01:37:00.002-06:00

Just a photo dump of my latest layouts, courtesy of Camp Scrap on BPS. I'm so excited to be scrapbooking layouts again.

A layout for Anthony's baby book - about the day he was born. I printed out my blog entry and put it behind the layout in my album.

A layout on the matching tattoos my sister and I have. We got them when she came down for a visit in January 2009.

This layout is about the missing space that's evident in photos since he's been gone. My dd said it best when she said "I know what's missing Mommy - it's daddy".

That's it for now. I made 2 more layouts but I'll post them up tomorrow. Working on one right now, and I already have 2 more in mind.

Camp Scrap LO #1

2010-07-08T21:16:00.001-06:00

I'm finally inspired to scrapbook. I created this LO after this a sketch on BPS blog. I love the use of scraps, and how the paper matched our outfits. We were wearing orange and teal, off of Anthony's shirt. The boys wore orange, and Anthony's had orange and teal and the girls wore teal.

The journalling was about how my family feels complete with 4. It's my first Mother's Day with the baby, and we celebrated it by going to IHOP, mommy's favorite.

The week before I finished a Finish-it Friday project. When I was moving the bookcase, I saw this vacation album (picture to be added later). I finished a vacation pre-made album, documenting our California 2003 trip. It was our first trip together as a family, and K was 1 years old. I added the pictures, picked out the only photo was all of us as a family and it also had my father, and I put that picture in the very front. When we moved to Hawaii, I wrapped up our albums in saran wrap. I haven't opened up this album since. So for the last 4-5 years, this album has been in my library just never looked at, never read, never journalled in. So my Finish it Friday project was journalling this album. It took awhile but I'm so happy to call this project done!

the Cheesecake that made it thru 3 states

2010-07-08T21:00:00.001-06:00

One of the things I did on our San Antonio trip this year was visit the Cheesecake Factory. Me and Kimberly actually made a trip to North Star mall just so I can buy 3, yes count them - 3 cheesecake slices. I picked out the following:
- White chocolate macademia nut: I'll always go back to my first cheesecake :) I love white chocolate, macademia nut reminds me of Hawaii. And anything with caramel is awesome!
- Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple: whoever this Adam is - thank you so much for creating this cheesecake! For some reason I keep choosing Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream (like a blizzard, blast or mcflurry) and so I took a chance on this cheesecake.
- Vanilla bean: okay I wasn't sure about this one. I love vanilla ice cream, my sister Michelle told me to try this one so I did today and wow. It's so creamy and smooth.

Anyways, I finished off the white chocolate one that first night. I was trying to take a couple of bites at a time and save it but a fast paced game set of Scrabble against my SIL Kimberly called for the rest of the slice. I didn't eat the other 2 pieces rest of the trip.

Next thing I knew it was time for us to get ready to go home. I wanted to bring them both home but I knew they couldn't fit in the cooler, not both of them. So I had to choose one to eat. I picked the Peanut butter Fudge ripple. Omg HEAVEN1 I told myself to eat just half so that it can fit in one container. I ended up eating more than half -oops.

I found out that I couldn't exactly fit the container in the cooler so I put it in my backpack with 2 ice packs, and a bag of frozen veggies. When the kids ate their strawberries I finally put the cheesecake on top.

So here it is...the cheesecake that made it thru 3 states. Vanilla bean never tasted so good.

(picture coming soon just wanted to write this story down)

Target finds!

2010-03-15T17:43:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to share my Target finds :)

From left to right

Once upon a time: create your own Storybook $3.24

I got this for my little girl. Possible birthday present? Idk just yet but it's currently in the gift closet. It's a scrapbook where she can create your story book.

ABC glitter stickers - $0.82

Thought this would be a goodaddition to my baby girl scrapbook pages

2 up album that says vacation- $3.48

Nice addition to my album collection. Don't know yet exactly what I will do but I'm sure there's a vacation in our future :)

2 up album (holds 100) - $3.57

pretty colors and as it turns out I need a 2 up album for my Saving my Sanity: Celebrations class

12x12 canvas 3 ring scrapbook album by Making Memories - $5.48 (regular price 21.99)

LOVE this! Decided this will be my new latest additions layouts to my Library of Memories

from left to right

invitations - $0.37

thought it would be pretty good to use for one of my kids birthday. Can't beat that price!

car stickers $0.74

Anthony wanted this airplane set that was for parties but I bribed him away from that with stickers lol

Hello Kitty Marker by numbers $1.48

I should have grabbed the other ones. I decided this would be good for Kayla's easter basket :) Wish they had something for boys though.

flip back binder- $0.71

turns out I need this also for the same class so glad I grabbed it

small journal with strap $1.56

can't have enough journals, plus this was a very nice one.

legal file box $2.48 (regular price 8.99, went down to 6.99 but then went down again to this price)

I need this for my next class! I went there in that area in particular to get it and sooo happy got this on sale.

black corkboard (in the back) $1.67

I was torn between another message board or this and I chose this. Haven't decided where to put this yet.

And to think I went there just to buy pull ups! Now I'm pretty much set for my class, just about. The rest I'm going to have to use my own stash.

The other class I'm a part of right now besides LoM for the 3rd time around is Kolette's Life Tunes. Except I can't decide on my songs so I'm stuck. I'm also going to be using my stash for this class.

At some point I have to wrap up my LOAD experience. I'll do that next blog post but I was so excited about my purchases that I had to share with somebody ;)

My LOM albums

2010-03-11T22:57:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about my Library of Memories albums. Here's what I have so far.

All About Us
People We Love
Places We Go
Things We Do
Days We Celebrate
My Latest
(I have to think of a new name for this album!)

Albums to that I add to every year
Christmas Memories album 12x12 postbound
Halloween album 6x6 postbound
Birthday albums for each kid 9x9 postbound
Christmas exchange album 8 1/2x 11 3 ring

Albums that I want to start
-Photos I Love I have an 8x8 for each kid so far. I am using the albums I got from QVC awhile back when it was a Lisa Bearnson Kit. Each album had their own premade pages I could put together and for 2 of them I have already. But since I decided I would like to use these albums I am going to create thte pages and put them in a different 8x8 album.
I also have an 8 1/2x11 album for those pictures that are not kid related (actually shouldn't be much because most of my favorites are of my kids)`
- School of Life 12x12 post bound
I plan on buying Close to my heart postbound albums for each kid all in neutral colors.
- Family Celebrations 12x12 possible 3 ring
This is directly from Stacy's Big Picture album. This album will collect pages about celebrations in our family and extended family. The sections that she has are Births and baby blessings, Graduations, weddings and family parties/reunions.
- Year in Review album postbound
I have recently decided that do want to create an album like this. I haven't yet decided if I want a 12x12 or what.

I do want to use my stash of postbound albums because I have a ton.

LOM progress - week 2 and LOAD pages.

2010-02-23T15:24:00.075-07:00

So last night I finally got my recent photos in their storage binders. I had a huge stack for awhile. I currently have 6 storage albums (that's all!) and so I bought more online yesterday. 8 more in fact, making my total 14 plus the 4 that I bought before - the ones that are binded together. Those albums were my first purchase, from Costco but unfortunately the wrong ones! Not sure exactly what I want to do with them. Maybe just limit them to the holiday ones.

I decided today would be the day to put my LOAD layouts in my Library of Memories. I thought it wouldn't take so long but it really did take all day. I was second guessing decisions left and right! Luckily the decisions I made are not cemented in stone. I wrote my section pages on blank cardstock of the right colors.

I'm disappointed to find out that my color for things we do - Purple is discontinued by American Crafts. I see that Wolf Camera is having a sale on their We R Memory keepers and I'm thinking about going with the Faux leather albums. Not bad for 19.99 each when they are really $29.99 regular price. So for 5 it would be $100.00 Sale ends on Feb 28 so I still have time to decide.

I also decided to use a 3 ring binder for my Latest LOs album. It was becoming hard to manuever the layouts one by one. I still have a bunch of post bound LOs. Once I feel like my albums are getting full I'll use them. For the time being the smartest thing is to use a 3 ring binder and I so happen to have a black American Crafts Modern album. I even put blank cardstock in my colors in dividers so that I can divide them up in my Latest album. I haven't decided yet if I want to do that. I'll work it all out later.

I asked Stacy J a question in the forums about something that's been bothering me. Under my places album, do I make a seperate album for each Place? As in one for Colorado and one for Hawaii? She has the same dilemma as it turns out and she said she is going to leave it as is. She says her kids know which muesum was where. Same with her Friends. I decided to go with my gut and do a seperate album for Colorado and one for Hawaii, but go her way with Friends because no matter where we go they are still our Friends.

Here are my recent LOAD pages from Day 20 - Day 24

Day 20 - My Word of the Year Layout

I found this photo on photobucket and knew it's perfect for my word of the year. I was going to do an

8 1/2 x 11 page but didn't think it would fit in a regular photo frame. I came upon an old layout I made for a swap that I never turned in or soemthing. The background was baby so I changed that into this pretty green and blue one. I added the ribbon and circle dots that says "Love, joy, faith". For some reason my letter stickers that says "Finish" looks funny to me - like the N is backwards or something but I know it's not..weird. Anyways, the finishing touch was my green ribbon. I didn't plan on green being my color but maybe in a subtle way it's a visible reminder to "go" (green means go)

Day 21- Santa picture 2004

My next project to work on this week is my annual Christmas album. I want to take this album out every Christmas season and relive the previous Christmas with my kids. The last of each section is going to be our annual photo with Santa at the mall. I noticed that I have made pages for the some of the years but haven't journalled on it. I think I'll wait until my DH leaves to work on more journalling. Anyways 2004 was Gabriel's first visit with the big guy and Kayla was of course still scared of Santa. Luckily I had the feeling she would be so I made sure to match the kids. I ended up creating this photo ornament for my DH for his Christmas tree in Iraq. This was our first deployment apart. The nutcracker and journal box are both from swaps and really do help make LOAD easier.

Day 22 - Anthony's first Christmas

This LO is about Anthony's first Christmas. This will be going in his baby album. What started off with 3 photos one page LO that I wanted to use I ended up looking for 5 more to make it into 2 page LO. I had this beautiful handmade page kit but I couldn't figure out how to make them all fit into one page. I'm very happy with the results. Simple and easy.

Day 23 - Santa picture 2006

The challenge for the day was to use scraps. This page is nothing but scraps. Each piece is actually 2 pieces cut into 2 to fit the length of my 12x12 paper. 2 of the papers are actually 8 1/2x11. so talk about scraps! Anyways, the photo is from 2006. Took me awhile to find this photo but I'm happy I did. This was Anthony's first visit with Santa (aww he was asleep). Really happy how the kids got past crying with Santa stage. After I figured out what I wanted to do this page came about easy. I added a sticker with a quote about Christmas.

Day 24- The Accident

This was my latest layout. I was going to do another Christmas LO, for 2007 actually. I was looking in my 2007 Christmas photos and taking out anything I thought I could use. Then I came upon this photo. This was taken right after my little boy had stitches on his cheek. The prompt the other day was to dig deep and do deep journalling. Today's prompt was to copy an idea from an idea book. Knowing Stacy Julian does

8 1/2x11 LOs, I went through my SJ idea books - Photo Freedom and The Big Picture. I was looking for a one photo LO that has lots of journalling. Her Mr. Rogers LO was my inspiration.

When I saw this picture, I wanted to cry. I knew I had to tell this story even though my kids knew it already. I can't believe my little boy was 3 when this happened (what my Anthony is now). I wasn't planning on journalling about the present but I'm glad that's how my journalling went. After the title, I wrote about Gabriel now and how he is now. The ending sentence is "Gabriel is a sweet, energetic, and loving five year old. He has not let his scar stop him and I know it never will."

This was a hard layout to journal because it was one of the worst days of my life. I was so scared and feeling guilty that I let it happen. I still feel guilty to this day. maybe one of these days I'll create a page about how I feel but for now this LO will go in Gabriel's All about us section.

Anyways that's my update on my progress on my LOM journey - the 3rd time around. I'm happy to say we have 4 more days left of LOAD and I can see the finish line from here!

Finish it Friday Week 8 - Kayla's ABC baby album

2010-02-19T22:38:00.001-07:00

Yay for Finish it Fridays! I love having things DONE DONE DONE! This week I worked on Kayla's ABC baby's first year 6x6 album.Long ago I did an ABC 6x6 album swap. I had most of the work done, pictures picked out and attached to the pages. I just needed some finishing touches

I used the silver metal embellishment that Kayla had picked out herself. I am using the same ones on all of the kids. I had to switch this album from a yellow one to this purple one because I decided long ago that Kayla's color is Purple.

Here's my LOAD for the day. I did Kayla's title and ending pages for her album. I picked out some swap items from a long time ago. I loved the angel paper piercing but never found a good reason to use it. As for the ending page I had to dig deep for her first year photo. The prompt today was to recyle a photo and I'm pretty sure I used this picture before. Anyways, this was pretty simple as my LOs have been lately.

Random filler pages

I also finished Kayla's 3rd year album! It just needed some pages done and it took at least 3 days to get it done. I reduced the number of birthday pages I needed to do from 6 to 2. I also journalled the 4 pages that needed journalling. Here's what my last set of LOADS from the last couple of days. These were to help finish Kayla's album.

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19 was already posted above. So that makes the last of my chronological album.

What's next on my list is my Christmas album, and Anthony's 1st year album. Man this LOAD is really helping me accomplish things I wouldn't normally have. We have 9 more days left!!

LOAD Day 15 & 16

2010-02-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

The last 2 days have been very productive for me. I completed 4 albums that had pages that needed to be completed in order for the album to be finished. Wow that's a lot!

I finished Kayla's 2nd year album. All I needed was some journalling on a page when my DH left for his first deployment, 2nd birthday pages that I ended up re-doing and 4th of July page that needed to be done (was done on the 14th I believe).

I also finished my 3 chronological albums - 2005, 2004, and 2001-2003. They mostly needed title and ending pages. My page from day 15 is my dedication page for LOAD

The poem is from a family swap. I wanted to use a sketch of 4 photos but couldn't find the paper I need (paper full of words) that fit the theme of family. So I loosely based this LO on a sketch. I based my color scheme on the poem. Actually used this page kit that I created for May's BPS class

I adore this page kit!

I can't wait to see what else I can come up with. I see a birthday LO, a brothers and buddy one, a springy one. So many options and it's exciting :)

Today I chose to do simple layouts. It matched the layouts in my chronological albums. I picked out some product that I've had in my stash forever - My Minds Eye tags, titles and frames. I bought the kit from QVC or Ebay or something because I have a TON of them. I didn't think I could ever use these family ones because they were really "heritage" looking and I don't do heritage pages. But it all worked out.

I slipped these puppies in their albums and now I've finished all of my chronological albums!

I have to finish Kayla's 2005 album and then I'm all caught up! Definately will be doing that tomorrow.

Current totals- 27 LOs for 2010

7 finish it Fridays projects done

3 journalling LOs done

Day 13&14 on Valentine's day

2010-02-14T22:49:00.004-07:00

Today's been my kind of Valentine's day. First, woke up to my beautiful kiddos saying Happy Valentine's day. Best present in the world - not having to cook alllllllDAY!

Went to IHOP for lunch - had a yummy strawberry/banana pancakes and veggie omelet. Did some shopping for the baby - finally got a bathtub and some onesies. First went to Target and then Walmart. Last minute decided to get Chinese food for dinner. My hubby does love me :)

I got him a shave kit bag to bring to Iraq as well as a computer case. he picked it. I could have gotten flowers but didnt want to spend the money on them myself.

I was so tired last night, and my stomach was hurting after dinner so I didn't update my blog. Just so happens that my LO from last night is the same from today. Last night I did Kayla's 4th of July, and tonight I did my surprise baby shower. They are both the same day.

Pictures aren't the greatest but that's what I had. I went ahead and did a scan of me & Kayla and saved it for a future layout. Used the same kit from the other day (red/white/blue kit). The title was from a swap. I really don't appreciate the adhesive being visible underneath the vellum. Oh well. I had a sketch in mind for this layout but ended up doing something totally different. I like the end results.

Here's today's LO.

I followed this sketch - pagemap sketch July 09

I had picked this page kit out a long time ago. I loved the colors I picked (baby blue, biege and pink). I actually had like 9 photos but in the end I decided I didn't need any other photos than these 2 to tell my story. The rest were random shots of the day, of people who weren't looking at the camera. I'm happy with the way this page came together. I can't wait to try this page kit again. I'm also happy with the sketch. I will definately try this one again!

Since today's Valentine's day, I want to share my 3 loves, the best things that has ever happened to me.

Happy Valentine's day everyone!

LOAD day 12, & Finish it Friday :)

2010-02-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

Today's prompt was to create a LO using a black and white photo since it's Photo Friday.

I was going to do my Word of the year LO but didn't get a chance to go to Walgreens. Had a busy day - dentist appointment for the kids, seperating girl scout cookies to get orders in, and a playdate at McDonalds. I took a nap after I uploaded my pictures. I did remember just in time that I did have a black and white photo waiting to be scrapbooked. It's this layout -

For May's class (Adventures in Scrapbooking - kits) I created this kit (my "love" kit"). I created 3 or 4 layouts using that kit but didn't journal on them (couldn't find my pen). I had this LO in mind for the longest time. I printed out my journalling, but held off on putting it together because I was going to wait until I got a 5x7 photo. I decided to go ahead and put it together and this is the results.

The picture is my favorite picture from my DH's homecoming. My friend Amanda came with us to take photos of that night and I'm so thankful I did. I'll always try to do that from now on.

I added the heart because of scrapbook.com's military challenge for February - LO had to have a heart in it. I like how it turned out and made that otherwise empty space pop.

Today's Finish it Friday!!

My project today is Anthony's birth album. I 'thought' I had finished this album, but after looking through it I didn't have anything in the last 3 pages. Plus, you could see my section pages written in pencil that needed to be erased. (I wrote in pen over it). The easy part was picking the photos I wanted to add. I ended up fixing up a lot of the pages. I found this sticker sheet that I had used through the album and wanted to finish using it on th rest of my pages. Some journalling tags was smeared. I had to get rid of those. I seriously wonder why I didn't just use cardstock but I suppose it's to preserve my stash. I would definately do that differently. Anyways here's the final results

Cover of album - the Baby boy sticker was originally on the title page. I had a differnt sticker on this album but it covered one of the pictures. I took it off and put it on Gabriel's highlights album where it fit better. I like the way this sticker looks on the side.

The title page - I took off the crappy smeared tag that was on this page. Added this sticker (from another page in the same album) and added a title in my own handwriting.

Dedication page and table of contents - I didn't make any changes other than used my pink eraser to take off the pencil marks. I just really liked how this came about.

Filler pages for "first days at home" - I decided to add pictures from Christmas since it came a month after Anthony was born. These were the pages that were missing before. I changed the layout a lot as well. The frame that said baby boy was intended for the back page. The squares on the side was actually along the bottom before I put it to where it looks now. These 2 pages came together well.

Ending page - I really wish the flash didn't ruin the effect. But this is my ending page. I always loved this picture. I had planned on using a wallet size photo from his first photo shoot but ended up using it in the layout above. I was stuck on the journalling, so I just wrote. I added the word "blessed" on the bottom with these alphabet stickers. I love how that looks :)

I'm happy to get this project finished! End results - a birth album that tells my story of one of the days I won't ever forget - the birth of one of my kids. :) I love how I finally did the whole Simple scrapbooks format. I think I did this album back in one of my crops a looong time ago. Probably my very first Scrapper's Jam in Hawaii. That was so long ago.

I would choose my 12 for 12 today BUT I am soo tired, and I have to take Anthony on his first swim class. I didn't look for my bathing suit or his. My older 2 are going with their dad to the gym so he can work out with his personal trainer. Just so happens our schedules got messed up like that. Anyways, I plan on taking Anthony to swim class until April at the very least. Wish me luck!!!

Day 11 - One year

2010-02-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is my LO for day 11. It's Gabriel's LAST page of his highlights album. I should have "saved" this one for Finish it Friday tomorrow but it's all right. This album is FINISHED!

(I feel like I'm calling Dave Ramsey and telling him we're debt free- that's how good it feels!)

I used the same page kit from yesterday. I covered up our last name for privacy sakes. I love how quickly this LO came up. I knew I was going to use this picture for his last page. The journalling block wasn't supposed to have those stars but I accidentally adhered adhesive on wrong side so had to think of something. I was going to use a chipboard "celebrate" along the side where Gabe's name is but decided to just put his name. I knew I wanted to use the boy paper on my last LO but glad I saved it for this. I love how this page turned out!

Tomorrow is Finish it Friday. My plan is to finish Anthony's baby album. I didn't know I was missing the last 3 pages of his album - I thought it was done. I have some more touchups to do (like erase the word dedication that I wrote in pencil) and attach some photos that weren't attached. The circles that I wrote my kids names in were smeared and so is Anthony's stats. I need to replace that too. It's a small project to do but I do still have LOAD so that's why I chose small projects to do this month.

Week 2 of Library of Memories started today. It's a lot different from the previous year's lesson 2. I need to hurry up and do my assignments this time around. I keep thinking, yea I already have my photos in my storage albums but I don't...I have some things that need to print still waiting, I have a whole box to put away and the stacks still waiting in envelopes. This is the year I do the work with the class so I need to get on it. Pictures on my progress tomorrow.

LOAD day 10 using this page kit I made :)

2010-02-10T23:10:00.001-07:00

Back in November (or even October) I took May's class on BPS called "Adventures in Scrapbooking- using kits". The main premise was to use those kits that we all have (either subscribed to or just bought). She also taught us how to make our own. Since I don't subscribe to a monthly scrapbooking kit (yet!) I made a lot of my own. It was so fun putting together kits. I wish I had kept up with her class every week but I couldn't. I decided last night to take out one of my kits and use it up as much as I can. Here's the kit.

I call this my red white and blue kit. I have to double check and make sure I didn't leave behind some embellishments but I used this kit to make these 2 pages.

My first layout (on top) I used a Jana Eubank sketch that I came upon and saved to my sketch folder. I'm on my last highlight page of Gabriel's album. The page opposite this one will be yesterday's layout.

My second layout (on bottom) I used an Ella sketch challenge week 4. I've been thinking about this sketch all week and happy to get this one done. I actually switched the placement of the 4x6 photo because it didn't look right to me...the lightest picture is on the left, and the darkest is on the right. I wanted to put the progression of the sunlight. As you can see, the light was getting darker as the sun went down.

I also used this layout for my least common layout for my week 1 assignment of Library of Memories. I didn't really hit the why, where, what etc. but I did do the People we love. Maybe I need to journal some more about the person.

I really love the Ella sketch and I'll be keeping this one in mind to use again.

I plan on using the same kit for a 4th of July layout for Kayla's album. I may reach for it again as LOAD comtinues.

Speaking about Library of Memories I do plan on keeping up with the assignments. I need to replay the digital stuff again, especially about using Picasa. I've been taking this class for 3 years already and I never understood the digital organization stuff. I'm glad I'm taking this class once again.

K ready for bed!

LOAD 9 - Gabe's first birthday (take 2)

2010-02-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

Today's prompt was to take a timer and do a page in 30 minutes. Ummm, that's what I've been doing? LOL. Okay it would take me about 30-45 minutes usually. This didn't take that long though.

I knew what 2 LOs I wanted to do. This one just so happens to be done faster. Another LO on my big boy's first birthday. This one is for his highlights album - and nothing but the highlights :)

I picked out this pattern paper but ended up using the scraps. Happy to have a whole paper still. I used the same candle in the last layout too. Wrote the journalling all around the pictures, had room in the middle for an embellishment which I love (because it's a cupcake with a candle on top).

That's it for now :)

LOAD Day 8 - 2 layouts to share

2010-02-08T23:38:00.005-07:00

I actually did 3 layouts for today. The first one was of Gabriel's at 11 months. The pictures weren't great, neither was the page kit that somebody did for me awhile back. I put it together reallly fast.

My hubby went to Walgreens for me to pick up my order. I printed out all of the pictures from January. I should have taken more. I did the 2 layouts that I had in mind yesterday.

<-----The tally of how many times
Anthony told me he loves me.

Final count -37 times

19 hugs
24 kisses

Countdown of days left until he goes to Iraq for

the third time--------->;

I had a lot of fun keeping track of all of the hugs, kisses and how many times he says he loves me this much. The layout took less than 30 minutes. The longest part was figuring out how I want to type the title. I saw this cardstock first, and figured out what pattern paper I wanted to use. I'm happy I went with this one it's one of my favorites.

The second one took a little bit longer to do the journalling. After I had it all typed out I used scrap paper to put it together. I always loved that green paper. I had left over strips from a last project that had the same colors and decided that my photo needed a mat. That was it.

Typing out the journalling was hard. I couldn't stop crying...he's really leaving in approximately that many days. I am hoping I have at least one more week with him because it just so happens the kids have spring break that week. It would really SUCK if our spring break starts with us saying good bye. That's what I'm hoping. Anyways...I'm not going to show that layout to him just yet. It freakin hurts too much but I needed to do it and get it down.

LOAD Day 7 - 10 months

2010-02-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

I've made it a week! I'm confident I can keep this up. I've been keeping my expecations low, going simple (which is more my style anyways) and thinking ahead of what layouts I want to do. The prompts do inspire me, and makes me want to do more than what I planned.

This LO is of my little boy Gabriel at 10 months. Actually these 2 pictures were part of this layout.

Well the way the album works is I have a monthly highlights labeled by months - 1st month, 2nd month and again by months - January, February, etc. So I had a June layout , didn't have a 10 months one. Couldn't find any other pictures besides these pool ones taken in June. Soo I did the old switch-a-roo.

On the first layout, I followed an Ella sketch from their 6 weeks of sketches challenges. This was actually their first one, about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I loved it and knew I wanted to use it for this layout. I originally cut a circle out of the baby boy pattern paper to use for this layout, but ended up using the left overs. I liked how it looked better. I cut out paper strips, handwritten my journalling and called it done. Seems it was missing something, so I found a baby boy sticker that says "I'll love you always", attached it and it made it complete.

The second layout was a quick one, the layout was set just had to add pictures. My first idea was to cut all 3 down to fit along the strip. But I wanted to cover the ripped paper caused from me taking off the other pictures, so I covered it with the top 2 and the bottom picture I cropped it a bit (the fence was distracting) and covered the last torn papers. Loved the colors of this layout and how quickly it came together.

Today's prompt is Take some stats from your life and use them for your journaling today! How many emails did you read/respond to? How many miles did you drive? How many times did your toddler say, "But Mommy, WHY?" Make your own list of stats and share it with us!

I thought about it all day and I have 2 layouts in mind. First one would be the countdown of the days of when my husband will be deploying. I believe it's about 35 days left...

Another one would be my youngest Anthony, and how he tells me a million times a day "I love you mommy deees much". Seriously, he just says that to me and gives me hugs and kisses - he's such a lovable boy. I can't find a good picture of my husband, and I can't find a recent one of my Anthony. Sigh. If I do find something right now I'll get it and do it tonight.
I went ahead and printed out pictures from the last month, and will be picking them up tomorrow morning. I just realized I didn't pick out anything for the first layout I had in mind. I will have to see what I have now.
Looking ahead, 3 more weeks of LOAD! Will be getting so much done!

LOAD Day 6- A Boy is a Joy & week 5 of stress free scrapbooking!

2010-02-06T21:53:00.001-07:00

I've been feeling like crap all day. My hubby is too, and so he caved and got us pizza. It's been a lazy cooking day all in all. I could have done my layouts a lot sooner but I was stuck on my first layout.

I had something totally different planned. I had 2 pictures, one from his birthday and one from his birth. But I came across some old swap items. It was of pre-made pages in the baby theme. I love how this says "welcome little one" already and the frogs. Since I long decided that Gabriel's color is blue I wanted to use this for his album. Plus, the color of his album is already blue and thought it would look good when you first open the page. Anyways, I added the letter stickers on the bottom for the subtitle.

I ended up splitting up Gabriel's album into 2 - one regular and one full of his monthly highlights. So this is his title page. This page actually took less than 15 minutes. Found a blog that does 52 stress free scrapbooking challenges, where you do a layout a week and the layout has to be easy, less than 30 minutes. I'm happy I found another place to share my work with others. It will be a lot easier to do than a layout a day.

Here's the layout I did for LOAD. I did both today but don't count the first one because it was a premade thing, and not by me.

I found these paper while looking for a certain cardstock colors. I love the striped paper. I brought these 2 papers upstairs to use on a different layout but went a different route. So I had them in my "go back later" pile. While preparing for this challenge last month, I had picked out the journalling block and a matching title. I found that the colors of the paper sort of match my stuff. I quickly put them together, did the journalling and called it done! This page is going to be the dedication page for his second album.

The picture is from a Walmart photo shoot we did for his first Christmas. I love his little suit. I have a picture of both Kayla and Gabriel with the same background that is one of my favorites. I think I have to add how old Gabriel is there somewhere on my layout.

So that's my 2 layouts for the day!

LOAD Day 5 - "This is me.."& Finish It Friday!

2010-02-05T18:50:00.003-07:00

Planning on doing a couple of more layouts tonight but this is my first one of the night. Here is the prompt from this morning-
"Who are you? Scrap a self-portrait today, use products that are "you," and tell us about yourself. "

This makes me think of this photo, one that I took for Cathy Z's Design your Life class. (one of many that I have yet to complete). This is the result...

Everything about this layout is ME. I love strips, ribbon, brads, flowers, and chipboard - and my favorite color is blue. They are my staples - what I most likely reach for when I do a layout.

I decided to finish the layout that I had originally planned on doing tonight. It's the last page of Gabriel's baby album. I scraplifted myself actually, and did the same layout as I did for one of Kayla's closing pages. I pulled the colors from the picture. This picture is definately one of my favorites- I love his cute little toes, how he's holding the number one, Gabriel's big smile. How can I not love that? Setting up this layout was easy, especially when I was just following a previous design. The journalling took me a good 2 hours to decide what I want to write. I went ahead and wrote what was in my heart.

Next layout was one I needed to just journal. I've been holding back on telling this story ever since I started Gabriel's album. The story still makes me cry but I needed to tell it.

For the longest time this layout was technically done. I had the pictures in place, had the title. I just didn't know how to put everything in words. Tonight I finally opened up Word and just wrote and wrote.

As for my Finish-it-Friday project, I decided to finish my clipboard. While I"m not too happy how it turned out with the pink circle and the rub ons at least it is done. If I am really unhappy about it later I can totally just take it off.

I left the back blank. I thought I wanted to put something but really...no one looks at the back. This is my "workstation" for all of my scrapbooking classes.

The rub ons says Imagine, Inspire and Dream

I took out all of my layouts from this week and put it in Gabriel's baby album. This album is finished! I am so happy that this album is done and that I've had such a great start on LOAD. :)

End results- a clipboard for LOM (finally!) and a completed baby album for Gabriel! No more unfinished albums this year!

LOAD Day 4 - First 12 Months

2010-02-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

Here's my Day 4 layout for LOAD.

When I was looking for the Simple Scheme that I wanted to use for Gabriel's last page of his baby book, I came upon this scheme. I knew it was perfect to showcase his first 12 months. I've done a layout like this for Kayla's and plan on doing it for my other children as well.

I'm really happy how this came out. I picked out both the title and poem ahead of time from my baby stash. The papers and cardstock came later.

I liked how in the scheme they had these strips where you could put a title or journalling on top of it so I put a subtitle there.

The poem is actually a shaker. I got them in a baby boy swap awhile back. The prompt of the day was to use what we have the most of. For me that's letter stickers. I used number stickers to label each adorable baby picture, as well as the subtitle. I'm very happy with how this turned out. The pattern paper I used was actually strips that I had intended to look like strips but with the 4x4 photos all the way across like that, the photos overlapped. I like how it looks as though I matted the photos on pattern paper when they were in fact strips

Tomorrow I'll be working on the last page of Gabriel's album and I can call that album done done done! I found the scheme/sketch I was looking for but I don't think it's right for what I"m trying to say. So I'll figure out something tonight.

Also, tomorrow night is Finish-it-Fridays. Since Library of Memories has started today, it's a good time to finish the clipboard that I started when I was at a crop in Hawaii. I have to add ribbon, and maybe letter stickers, maybe a tag or something. I want it to say something like "inspire" or "joy". Haven't worked that through in my head yet. The back of the clipboard is a blank slate. it's all dark pink but the corners. I have no idea yet what I want to do there..add my kids pictures? a poem? So many options.

K making my rounds and checking out everyone's blogs and pictures on flickr.

Day 3 - First Birthday

2010-02-03T22:25:00.001-07:00

Don't you love it when things just fall into place?

Last night I was looking at the pictures that I set aside for today's layout. I decided to use 5 out of the 9 pictures. I moved them around and envisioned how I want things to be. This afternoon I decided to use this pretty blue background. In my blue pattern paper stash I found this paper - looked festive enough. I saw these 4 tags in sticker sheet that I had set aside for tomorrow's picture but decided to use them for this layout instead. At first I was just going to use the ice cream tag only but saw how the other tags could fit. I already knew I was going to use the deco squares from a Sesame street swap. Found a journal block in the right color. Decided to make the cake pop so I matted it. I added the candle to represent 1, but decided it needed to be matted. Found everything I needed in my scraps binder.

I went through my birthday themed stash and found this "Happy Birthday" title that I had made for my very first swap. I pulled it apart (Happy was on top of Birthday) to make the title stretch out to 2 pages. So the title is the oldest thing that I've put on my LO, circa 2003.

The tag under my son eating cake was blank, so I was planning on writing on it. But I found this perfect epoxy sticker that fits in the theme and space of the tag. From the same collection is the 3 gifts epoxy sticker under the cake. I bought them in October, on clearance at Archivers. So they are my newest things. Everything else I've had in my stash for awhile.

Last thing I did was journalling- always the hardest part for me. I wanted to type it out but since my title overlapped my journal block I decided to handwrite. The original plan was to write all on paper strips a summary of the day. Thought it looked better as a list.

I reallly wish I wrote my journalling neater but other than that I'm done on Day 3.

On my agenda-

another layout that needs journalling (I did one last night)..this time I have to do Gabriel's birth story. I think this story needs to be typed, and be thought out thoroughly. I've held back writing this because I have so much to say......his birth was during my husband's first deployment so my he was gone, his mom and grandma were there in the room, the doctor delivering him never done it before so he was her first (it's a training hospital), how nervous I was to leave Kayla who's been my constant companion since she was born, and how I cried because he wasn't there....so much memories that I want to share.

Tomorrow's LO plan - Gabriel's first birthday portrait picture. I found this Simple Sketch along time ago with a large candle.....can't seem to find that picture now but I'm sure it's in my magazines somewhere. But that's what I am thinking about doing for tomorrow's layout.

LOAD Day 2 - Belly Beautiful

2010-02-02T22:21:00.001-07:00

Day 2 is done! After a full day of grocery shopping (commissary in the afternoon and Sam's Club in the evening) I got this done.

I had this layout completely different in Gabe's album. First, it was a 2 page LO, 4 pictures, no journalling or title. I had 4 strips of pattern paper lined up, and the green border was along the bottom. And it was not done.

I changed this LO to just one page to make it fit better in my album. Then I took out 2 out of 4 paper strips and turned it to the side. Added green pattern paper in the middle (fits the LO perfectly) Took out one picture that didn't really fit (I was facing the other way, while these 3 were facing the same way). Found the perfect sticker as my title, added a little strip under the pictures and thought I was done. After I took a couple of pictures to post up to Flickr I decided this LO really needs journalling. I already had a strip of scrap paper that fits in the border, found 2 stickers to put on either side, did a little journalling and called it DONE.

The prompt today was to dig in our stash for things that was hidden - had this sticker for a long time in my pregnancy album materials file. Plus the photos are old - back in 2004.

Thinking ahead for this coming Finish it Friday project - my LOM clipboard. Also, I was thinking about working on my album that I'm going to use to display my latest layouts. I just need a title page and ending page.

Also need to take a look at what I'm going to be working on tomorrow :) Next on the agenda - 2 LOs that need journalling and a 2 page LO on Gabriel's first birthday :)

LOAD - Day 1 & my fabric for my quilt-along

2010-02-01T21:58:00.001-07:00

Today LOAD begins..

After a long day out and about (first dentist appointments for all my kids, then shopping for my quilt at Joanns, an unsuccessful shopping trip at Target where I didn't get what I was looking for - baby clothes at 75% clearance, then shopping with the family after school), I somehow fit layout into my schedule.

First prompt was to scrapbook about a beginning of something. Pretty cool because I had picked to do my son's Gabriel's title page for his baby book. Found some inspiration online and created this layout - my first in a very very long time. I'm somewhat proud of it, the simplicity of it all. I was going to sporadically spread the buttons along the ribbons but decided it looked better in the middle.

I also wanted to post the fabric choices I made for my very first quilt!!! Without further ado..here it is.

My focus piece is in the middle. I drew fabrics based on the colors of the quilt. I really hope I did a good job because this is my very first try at doing that. I can do it really well with paper but this was a little hard. I am anxious to hear the feedback because like I said this is my first time.

I really liked my focus fabric becasue of all of the different colors that I have pulled from it, from a creamy yellow, dark pink, light pink, green, and brown.

Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!

Project 5 - Done!

2010-01-30T00:30:00.005-07:00

Week 5 - ABCs of Anthony's first year

I finally got an album of my youngest done. So what if it's not his official first year album? I particpated in a swap awhile back. It was a 6x6 page ABC album for baby's first year. I did like 3 or 4 of these, just so I had enough for my kiddos. I worked on this album all week.

First day I wrote down a to-do list by going through the book and seeing what needed to be done. Second day I picked out my photos (took a couple of days). Next day I cropped my pictures to fit. I think I had enough time to fix up my cover. Next I created the pages that were missing and attached the pictures to their pages. All I needed to do tonight was finish up some pages and journal, and last the title page.

Front of album

I decided to keep it simple. I found this metal embellishment that was in fours. I thought they were seperated but turns out they were all one piece so I just cut out each one. I'm actually very happy about it because that meant one metal embellishment for each kid. I added ribbon to the album cover and called it done.

Title page

I'm glad I went this route because at first I wanted a tag, planning on using tags on all of the front covers. But Anthony's tag didn't look "special" enough..plus it was hand written. I ended up using the tag on my front cover and love how it looks. I was going to do an elaborate title page but thought since I already handwritten all of my journalling anyways, it would be more cohesive to just handwrite my title.

filler pages

Flipping through the album makes me so happy..like wow I"m done. I wrote on each page just about. Looking at my baby's pictures and looking at him now..time really does fly by. I didn't really like the small photo mats that some had put on there. If I didn't have to cut the pictures I didn't but sometimes they were just too small but I did it anyways.

(K and L pages)

I was missing letters O and Y. I decided on "On the go" and "You are my sunshine." I loved the background and pictures of the letter Y. I went through my stash and found some 6x12s that was easily turned into 6x6s and decorated what I could but not really, mostly used what was in my swaps stash. Overall I really like how everything turned out.

My favorite page - the letter Y

Ending page

I ended the album with Anthony's 1st birthday picture. I had extra photo cards that I had made up. I just cut it up, and used the picture as well as the "my first birthday". I figured this would be a good place to end the album.

Going through the rest of my kids' albums I discovered Jocelyn's album is going to be exactly the same as Anthony's. So I had to fix that...luckily I had found the toddler 6x6 album swap that I participated in awhile back. While I don't agree with some of the titles, (like pool, monkey, sand, ice cream) this will have to do. I do have to redo some of the pages. We're no where near the beach so sand will have to go. Ice cream doesn't seem to fit the theme either. I already wrote down what I wanted to do anyways.

As far as Kayla's and Gabriel's go I have most of their pictures picked out already, just need to be attached, have title and ending pages, and then last journalling.

Happy to have this one in the books as finished!

End result - a quick and complete look at my youngest son's first year. So many memories all in one spot!

Getting ready for my first LOAD challenge:)

2010-01-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of LOAD? Lain has this challenge at least twice a year and this is my first time participating. Instead of creating new layouts I'm using this opportunity to finish at least 6 albums.

After I fixed my Gabriel's baby albumm I discovered I never finished it. This album fell apart and it was the only one I had used those snaploads. Guess what, they didn't work. Even after I tried to replace it when the ones I had, they snapped in half, Maybe it was the humidity or something but weird right? Anyways, I already know I had too much layouts in his. I did his album by highlights by months, and by 1st month, 2nd months, and all of his firsts. I divided his album in 2, by regular random layouts of his firsts and by monthly highlights. I discovered I stopped during his 10th month in one album and never quite finished his other one.

I went through two of Kayla's albums and discovered some pages that need journalling, as well as pages missing.

Then I went through my 3 chronological albums, and found things that needed to be done - title and ending pages, and of course more pages that need journalling.

And lastly, my Christmas album that needs to be updated. I started it a long time ago, stopped in 2006.

So a total of 7 albums that would be completed at the end of February when LOAD is finished. I know 28 days means 28 layouts but I'm not including the pages of that need journalling.

I bought this box from Creative Memories - called the Powerbox. I'm keeping track of my layouts by writing them in a grid on a regular piece of paper. In the powerbox Im loading up page protectors for each layout, which I"m putting photos, journallings, etc inside. This is how I'm preparing for LOAD.

I took BPS's class Be Organized, Get Insired last year. One of the projects that Aby (one of the teachers) suggested was to do an inspiration binder- one I can put all of the layouts and mini albums I want to do. I decided instead of layouts I'm just going to stick with mini albums. I used business card holders as my table of contents and page protectors as my holders. Everything is numbered, so that it matches.

I fixed it up last night, and organized all of my Finish It Fridays projects. I numbered the projects that I want to do in order by date. That way when i come across a picture or sticker that I think would go perfect with another project I plan on working on I can just go in my binder and add it.

For example, my next Finish it Friday project is Anthony's ABC baby's first year mini album. I wrote that on a scrap piece of cardstock, numbered it #1 and put the date that I want this project complete (nothing like setting goals on paper...it's different when you have it in your head but actually writing it down really cements it you know?). In the page protector that I labeled one, I could have pictures that I plan on using in this project.

I decided not to put any dates on anything after the end of April. I am pretty sure this baby will come around that time and I'm giving myself a month or so to recover, etc. Then I plan on working on my section pages for LOM albums for the first month I start again and then some easier projects.

This inspiration album is going to help me keep track of what projects I want to do for Finish it Fridays.

I just spent an hour looking for the inspiration album online, only to find it in my computer under documents. Funny how I always had it.

Week 4's finish it Friday project

2010-01-23T02:49:00.004-07:00

Week 4 - vacation of a Lifetime

I just finished this week's project. The project that I decided to work on this week was my sister's visit to Hawaii. I just read that her visit was actually from January 15-21, so a year ago today I would have just said good bye to my sister. Makes me a little sad, wish we could see each other more often.

Anyways, truthfully I had the project just about done when I started. When Michelle was here, we scrapbooked together and I had the first 5 or 6 pages done. When I was up for that job at Archivers, I quickly put things in to make the album look complete but I wasn't very happy with the results. Plus, I needed to add more journalling, pictures and stuff wasn't glued down and I wanted to include a picture of us getting our tattoos done. So this album really was an album that needed to be finished completely.

After getting things switched out, adding new pictures, removing some, this project is finished!

Dedication page - for my little sister :)

filler page - Watching the sunset from Waikki beach

Filler page - at Ko Olina lol and us at Chilis for dinner

Ending page - me and my beautiful sister :) Hope you like it sis! Maybe you should let me finish yours too.

Another thing I did today was setting up the wireless router from my laptop. I've had that thing for a month now just never found the time or day to do it. DH was telling me to do it tomorrow no matter what but today's Finish-it-Friday so I had to finish it. Took me awhile to figure it out but I did :)

Today is also Conan O' Brien's last day at the Tonight show. There's been a late night war going on in NBC and it ended with Conan getting about 44million to leave the show. Jay's primetime show got cancelled and they wanted to bump up Conan for 30 mins so Jay can still have a show but Conan did not want to play second fiddle to Jay once again. So he had to leav, after only spending a whole 7 months there. Anyways, they had Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell as his special guests - Tom was the second guest to have appeared on his Tonight show and Will Ferrell was his first so it was like a complete circle. Conan gave a very touching speech which made me cry. And Will sang Freebird , the song that starts "if I leave her tomorrow, will you still remember me.." soo touching and so right for the night. Conan was on guitar too. No more staying up late to watch my Conan. I remember watching him when I was in high school. His interviews with his guests always made me laugh because you know it wasn't part of script it was all improv and he's freakin hilarious. I didn't always like the skits in between interviews, but the beginning skits were very entertaining. I remember recording his show on MSNBC at 6pm and DD would dance to the beginning of his show and jumped when he jumped. His string dance was hilarious! I even got my DH hooked. Conan will most likely go to Fox in the fall so that is something to look forward to.

Anyways, I'm out for the night. Just going to look through my completed project one last time. Unfortunately it's really late (3am almost) so I cant put my stuff back where they go but I should tomorrow be able to do it.

Check out what I won!

2010-01-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

I entered in one of the giveways from Lain's E's blog - I just had to comment in her blog and put what I'd like to see more of . Her blog is called 5 things and most of her posts are labeled 5 things. Here's the link. 5 things blog.

I can't believe I won! I won this great prize - Year in the life

I even had an email conversation with Lain - noticed her phone number is a 408 number and asked if she lived there. She used to.

Next in her giveaways is this book called "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen. I follow her blog too and just found out she is going to be in Denver doing a book signing. Oh man I wish I could go! But I have a girl scout meeting that night, plus no money to even go there.

Anyways, going to read the rest of my free ebook! So funny too - I had that book in my cart because I was planning on buying it later. I wished it was free and guess what I got my wish :)

Project 3 - Finished!

2010-01-17T13:23:00.004-07:00

Week 3 - PAS: From Texas to Hawaii

I finally got this project DONE! It felt good to do to take another project off of my list. I've been meaning to finish this project for a long time. I starated this project probably back in 2006 or 2007. The easy part was the set up. I put the pictures in the order I wanted, I put the stuff I thought I would use in the materials file. I used a pattern paper set that was 8 1/2x 8 1/2. The hardest part and the most time consuming was the journalling. That was what stumped me from completing this project. The fun part was adding the final touches to the pages - the title page, closing page, table of contents and the dedication. These things is what made the project feel complete and cohesive. A project that's taken this long to complete is finally DONE!

This is the front cover. I was going to cover it up with pattern paper but decided that the cover was pretty enough, and looked Hawaiian enough. I added the strip of ribbon on the side and the metal plaque of a palm tree. I've been saving that one for awhile and decided this cover had to much going on to do anything else.

Here is the title page. Found this quote in my scraps stash that's organized by color. I liked how the colors matched my title so I added it. I used letter stickers for the title.

Dedication page. I really didn't have much to say so I wrote pretty big.

Section page

I love how this came out. Every section had it's own color. The patern paper already came like that and so I based each place on their place on this paper. Simple and to the point

Section pages

One the left side I found a picture to represent where we were at and a quote. On the right I did the section title, and then just wrote where we went.

A look into my PAS all spread out.

Each 2 page spread had at least one journalling spot and 2-3 photos. I went through a lot of my swap stuff that otherwise would not have been used, and stickers to make my pages more interesting. I did the first 2 sections awhile back, just needed to do the last 2 this time. The beach ones were the easiest since I collected the most of those. The last page shows a photo of our first home in Hawaii. The journey comes full circle (from our last home in Texas to our new home in Hawaii) and this project is finished!

After I was done with this project (just a little bit past midnight Friday night), I actually put everything away. As in everything in the materials file that I did not use. I had beach stuff, Hawaii related stuff, kids themed stuff and the scraps went into my rainbow binder. I rarely do that but I figured new year, new me. Why not do it now when I had the time. It feels good to fnally have a freed up materials file. I am going to be putting stuff in there for next week's project.

End result- my first real completed PAS (photo album scrapbook), an album full of memories filled with stories that otherwise would not have been told, and an empty materials file.

I'm loving Finish It Fridays!!

Finish It Friday week 1 and week 2

2010-01-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Okay so I didnt' finish this on Friday like I had planned but they are finished :)

Week 1

Here's the album cover for the the Christmas exchange album me and my SIL did over the holidays. I believe it came out great. The Santa is a swap item that I loved when I first saw it. Circles on the bottom were also swap items.

I also created something in the front inside cover. It says Handmade with Love. That way I can distinguish that it is mine. It's an easy project that was on my to do list, something I would have waited to do. I'm glad it's finished and no longer on my to do list.

End result - something beautiful to look out all year round while I plan my next year-in-review layouts for next year :)

Week 2

So okay I may have started a week late on the whole Finish Fridays and so to catch up I wanted something easy to do. I found this project in my self paced classes in BPS. It was a part of a class called "A New Year", and it consists of three projects. The first one is a journal, where I can keep track of my goals of the new year. This is my journal. I found this cute journal at Target at the dollar spot. It's so adorable, with the hearts, apples and froggies. I had no idea what to do with it, and had it by my bed for awhile. I decided to use this journal for my new year album. It's going to keep track of the things I finished. I added a pink with green polka dots ribbon along the edge (love how it matched exactly the pink and the lime green). I had another embellishment in mind for the cover, but it just didn't look right. I came up on this sticker and I love how the saying fits and how the colors look right. So cute and so easy and finished!

End result - a journal to hold all of my accomplishments from the year 2010. :)

2 more Fridays left this month. I have at least 3 in mind.

- My sister's visit to Hawaii 2009

- Christmas Advent album

- PAS album from Texas to Cali to Hawaii

- mini memontos album that I made for me and my SIL for Christmas.

So far, at a good start :)

One Little Word - 2010

2010-01-07T16:06:00.005-07:00

Following Ali Edwards footsteps, I have decided to have a word this year. By choosing one word to focus on throughout the year, I will have a goal, a vision - something I want bring more into my life.

I love this quote for a previous Ali blog post

"A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."

I haven't done this before, but I've heard about it. I have 2 classes that focuses on New years from Big Picture Scrapbooking. They are self paced classes that I never did and decided to start this year right by doing these 2 projects. One has me making a journal and then a box that has my word. The other class has 5 steps. I'm currently on the first step but so far as good.

I have thought about it for awhile, but I knew once it came to me that this word is MY WORD this year. Here it is -

Finish

Why this word??

Because I am so good at starting stuff, but then it somehow get distracted and goes left unfinished. I'm the queen of unfinished projects. I sat down and wrote down a list of projects that are still not finished and so far it's 32.

I decided to do "Finish it Fridays". I mostly got it from a yahoo group I belong to called Scrappers Challenge, and also from Simplify101. The yahoo group Finish it Fridays have me finishing 3 layouts that need journalling. This is a MUST for me. I have tons of pages that are complete except for the journalling. But mostly I'm going to be using my Finish it Fridays on projects that I have started and didn't complete. I plan on sharing my F.i.F project on here every Friday evening, and writing it down in my planner at the beginning of the week so that it's in the back of my mind that's what I have to do.

My word will also apply to my college degree. I keep starting to get my degree by going to school online but then something always happens. It's my fault for not being on the ball and trying to fix it...I let it fall to the wayside. Now I'll be turning 30 this year, and don't have anything to show for it. It's time to focus on my career. I know for now I say I want to be a dental hygenist but I know that's now what I want to keep on doing, that's just something I can do for now. I keep thinking I can just go to school for a different one but then again why not try to get it right the first time? I'm thinking of just doing business administration degree...it can apply to so much stuff.

My word also applies to my procrastination. I can't get things finished if I procrastinate.

I plan on making a layout on my word, and maybe that project. Wish me luck!

Oh yea, update on the December Daily - ugh I had it up to Dec 13 but I stopped. I forgot one night and then it was 2 nights in a row and then it just grew and grew. i wasn't completely happy with how it was turning out. I don't know what exactly what I'll do with my tag album yet. I have a lot of Christmas projects laying around from swaps - 2 or 3 projects.

I also didn't keep up with my journalling on my memory advent but that's okay. That can be done next year. I wasn't very happy with my album choice either so I'm still looking. I can't find the right amount of pages and it frustrates me. then I decided to just update my album every year with a family photo.

That's about it for now.

Christmas Exchange Project 2009

2009-12-20T15:14:00.013-07:00

My sister-in-law Kimberly and I are working on this project together. I got this idea from Stacy Julian. We each do a layout of our highlights of the year and update it every Christmas. Since we started this project this year, we have to do our title pages, section pages and a dedication page. The plan is to scan our pages and exchange it with each other on Christmas Day. We also plan on giving my mother-in-law a set so she can have an album all on her own.

I hope with this project we can look back through the years on Christmas day and look back on our memories. It's especially nice since if my kids wants to look at their cousins, they can take down this book. Also, it's nice to have a chronological album. I was planning on doing a year in review layout every year anyways and now I can.

Here's my section page.

Our dedication page - the blue one is mine since I ran out of the other paper.

My 2009 year in review pages. Kept it simple and ended up doing 4 pages in all. I may just do that every year. I can't wait to see what my SIL has done!

December Daily- one week progress

2009-12-07T11:05:00.004-07:00

Okay so I'm doing this project but none of the "themes" for the ABCs fit what we did for the day. Such as letter D is for "dear santa" but we wrote Santa letters 2 days before. I'm thinking of just continuing to journal everyday but somehow fix it up in a new album. Idk I want things to make sense when I put the photos in. I've been taking at least one photo a day at least.

I'm also doing Stacy Julian's Memory Advent from her blog http://stacyjulian.com/blog/?p=2210

Basically you take 24 pictures from Christmases past, put them in random order, and for each day you look at the picture of the day and write down your memory. It doesn't have to be the best pictures, just the everyday normal ones. I don't have a nice photo album for this one yet (have yet to make it to Target where Stacy got hers). The photo albums I do have don't have enough pages (I need 26 2 sides pages) or have too much. I have checked walgreens but nothing. I haven't really checked Walmart but I like the Target selection so much better.

So every night before bed I've been doing my journalling, and doing my photo a day. So far, so good :)

December Daily

2009-12-02T11:53:00.003-07:00

I started my December Daily album yesterday.

I decided to use my ABCs of Christmas tag book that I got from a swap. Each person had to make 26 identical tags for each person in the group. The tag book itself came out beautiful, except I never had a reason to use it. I wanted to do the December Daily album last year and so I added journalling spots hidden in each tag last year. However for some reason i didn't do the project. I thought I could have done a better job on the album, should have made mine look like everyone elses.So it really sucks, my feelings on the album blocked me from doing the whole project.

So this time I knew I wanted to do the December Daily this year. I wasn't able to work on creating the "perfect" album at all during November. So I decided to go ahead and use the one that I had premade the year before.

I plan on waiting to add pictures. I can't add a picture everyday because i don't have a photo printer. maybe one of these days I'll get a printer that just prints photos. I'll just try to get some prints from Walgreens every week. Wish me luck!

Library of memories update

2009-11-15T20:08:00.002-07:00

So I'm currently working on my class - "adventures in Kits". I love how May talks about making your own kits, and using the ones that you have. I don't subscribe to any kits in the mail (although I would LOVE to) but I do have tons of kits, as in paper layout kits. So I spent the week before last making kits. I should have been working on making layouts but I was sick last week.

Anyways, this has brought me to my Library of Memories. I wanted to update my progress.

I have decided to add another album called "Days we celebrate". Except I want it in a different color than brown. We do a lot of celebrations here so hopefully I can work that in.

I've been working on putting my photos in my storage albums. I have HUGE gaps I am missing Summer 2008, Winter 2008, a little bit of Spring 2008 and little bit of Fall I think. I'm missing a lot of 2009 too. I'm out of photo albums however. I am waiting for the check to clear for one of my credit cards to so I can buy 4 more. At 2 for 20 bucks thats an awesome deal. I ultimately want 12. I currently have 6, plus the 3 that I got that aren't 3 rings. I havent decided what I"ll do with those if I should keep them as my storage albums or not.

Completed so far
- went through my pictures onhand, put scrapable ones in my storage binders
I have them organzied for the most part by seasons and Christmas/December by itself. This is because the year splits off during the winter season.

So here's the breakdown
Winter = Jan, Feb
Spring = March, April May
Summer = June, July, August
Fall = September, October, November
Christmas = December

- labeled storage binders
Almost all storage albums are divided into 2 seasons, with Christmas being in one of my albums that are non binderlike. (2 years in each). I have stickers on some but just recently used my dymo label on the last 2.

- have title pages done for 4 albums. Yay
- have sub titles in my all about us album
- organize photos on my laptops by year, and then by seasons.

Current To-Do List
- re-create title pages (things, places, us, and people)
-create title page for days we celebrate
- create sub-title pages for things, places, people, and days.
- organize my photos online
- upload all pictures to shutterfly so I can have a back up. (in case my computer or laptop dies again)
- upload all pictures on Rudy's external hard drive.
- buy more storage albums
- order rest of the pictures that I am missing
- figure out a new better way of going through each picture and storing on laptop. develop a system that will work for me
- organize my catergory drawers
- make dividers for catergory drawers
...list goes on and on....

I started this journey back in 2007. I wish I could take the alum class again in 2010 and really take it BUT I can't. With Rudy's deployment coming up I am pretty sure I can't fully focus on that until after he leaves but I hope to get a lot of stuff done before the baby comes in May.

September snowflakes

2009-09-11T13:44:00.003-06:00

Sept 11

Doing the Total Money Makeover, and I need to get going.

Here are my snowflakes this month

4.88 - from Safeway when they overcharged me for stuff. Got it back in cash.
50.00 - the money I thought I lost when I threw out the newspaper!!

I'm putting the change in my change jar and hope to cash it out as soon as it's filled up.

Grocery game week 2 (or day 2)

2009-08-23T17:38:00.003-06:00

Today was day 2 of me doing the grocery game. I was planning on going shopping on Monday, however with some deals ended today. So I got the kiddos in the minivan and did the best I could. Dh has duty today, so wasn't home. Otherwise, I would have left them all home and I went by myself.

Good thing he was though, because I wanted to go to the commisary anyways. Some deals were just better there than at Safeway. For example the sausage links were 10 for 10 dollars. They were blue on my list and so they were at the rock bottom price. However, went to the commi and they were 75 cents each, or 4/3 dollars :)

So first stop got 21 items.

OOP 25.90
total savings 5.30
a big whooping 17 percent savings (note the sarcasm)

Next stop - Safeway

I had a budget, added them up as I was going. I thought I had enough. Unfortunately it was 8.50 over what I had thought. Luckily I had a back up. But I went through the receipt and marched up straight to customer service. Bought gum that were buy 1 get one free. I guess I got the wrong second one because I got charged for both. Second thing was I had a coupon for an item to be 0.99 cents. I didn't see any coupons being applied on my list and it was 4.19 cents. He went ahead and fixed it for me as well so I got back 6.50. I saw one of my items was 11.99 when I thought it would be 9.99 so that's a 2 dollar difference. Anyways, I DID have enough. I think I'm going to have to start looking at my receipt right away to be sure things are priced as they are supposed to.

Here's my stats (adjusted with the 6.50)

shelf cost - 174.90
OOP - $80.34
savings - $94.56

savings of 54%

About 10 percent better than I did last week.

My stockpile is slowing growing :)

Total savings since starting GG in August 2009
______________________________________________________________
Shelf cost $399.14
OOP cost $210.77
coupons $ 184.27

Total savings 46%

Grocery game day 1

2009-08-17T14:20:00.006-06:00

Someone from Coloradospringsmommies had posted about this website called the grocery game. It's basically you sign up for 3 months at a time, and every week you get a list (or 2 or however many you sign up for). Each list is for a specific store in your area, and it lists the rockbottom prices items are for sale. You use coupons to save. You buy stuff at the rockbottom prices, stock up before you need them. That way you save when you do need them you don't have to pay the high prices for them.

I know I could explain it better.

Today was my first day out with a list, and some coupons. I don't have yet a hoarde of coupons at my disposal. However I did use 3 Safeway coupons and took advantage of their sales. I ended up buying things off of the list but still on sale with my club card. Here is what I spent.

Safeway
- cost $146.56 Out of Pocket (OOP) $87.29 total savings $59.47 total savings value 41%

Except there was a mistake. I bought some Ocean blue to go (like crystal light packets for water bottles). Sale was buy 4 or more and it is 1.25. Well...I opted to go this direction instead of the other sale of another item of the same thing, 4 for 1.49. But it came up on my receipt as 2.49 for each one - a total of 9.96. Umm no that's so not a deal. I dragged the kids back , went to customer service who tried to tell me it's another deal (Umm no it's not). But she ended up giving me back 4.96 cents. :)

The lady in front of me had a whole basket full of groceries, sort of like how I do it typically. I didn't hear how much she spent but I did hear she saved 60 dollars out of her total.

So in her case she bought about 250-300 dollars worth of food and saved 60. I bought 49 items and saved 59. She may have gotten more food but I think I got the big deals.

I may go back and get the sausage links, 10 for 10 dollars except I think that at the commisary the links are 0.89 cents. Sooo I would save more there.

I had set aside 160 dollars. Spent 82 dollars (already accounted for the 5.00). I have 57 dollars left. On my way to Walgreens to get some stuff. We'll see how much I save there.

*Update*
Quick recap
Today was my first day out. I didn't have much coupons other than the store coupons but I think I did okay.
Safeway OOP- 82.33
savings - 64.43
43.9%
walgreens
OOP - 22.20
savings 25.28
53.2%
Also went to a scrapbook store and scored in the clearance section
OOP 20.18
savings 27.09
57.3%

I really hope I got the formula right. From the previous post I figured out the formula is

OOP+amount of Q's tendered = X
amount of Q's/X = Y %
Y = percentage of savings

Even though I didn't get the job at Archivers, I really hit it big at the clearance section. I got me 2 Doodle bug mini albums 3x3 in pink and green (I now need a blue one). It's the 3x3 accordian ones. I can do the "Colorful you" project on it finally, where I use 2x2's of photos of each kid showing their personality.

I also got the may issue of creating keepsakes for 1.99

2 journalling card die cuts for 8 cents (I should have grabbed more)

a SEI word book - Love ( and it's already covered) got that for 50% off - a steal at 1.98

and 4 sets of stickers for 1.99 each (they had a whole section of 1.99 stuff.

Whew.

I am sort of relieved that I didn't get the job because they only paid 7.50 and the job was really really far. I need one close by to me. I still see myself going there for scrapbooking though and I hope really really really soon.

Earthy Casual - sounds about right :)

2009-08-04T11:04:00.002-06:00

Marygail, you are an Earthy Casual

You're interested in creating a welcoming home where people feel comfortable and happiness flourishes. You appreciate the warmth and individuality of natural materials and handcrafted things and are inspired by colors and forms from nature. You love mixing up different textures and are sensitive to the tactile qualities of objects. Your style is grounded and solid, not flighty or frilly. And you are never taken in by the trend of the moment.

You value order. You feel happiest if your home is well organized. You understand that when your house is in order, your mind feels clearer. Rather than a lot of meaningless objects or overly-designed items, you are happier with a few well-placed things. Your home is your respite from a busy life. Try to avoid letting things into your home that you don't really love.

Putting Your Style to Work!
With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: EXPERIMENT The last mile in decorating is the hardest, because that is when you really take the risk in expressing yourself. As with fashion or jewelry, one bold piece can set the tone, and the others complement the look. Don't be afraid to experiment, drag stuff around and make mistakes. Use what you're passionate about to inspire your home, whether it is a love for patterns, travel, gardening, family or the sea. Consider a collection of books, pictures or objects on your passion. Giving yourself parameters helps you choose things in keeping with your true style—which is precisely the point of HomeGoods StyleScope. But also think of colors, a country, a movie or words you love when you're shopping, so that you can check that these pieces match your unique sensibility before you bring them home.

2. Your Happy Place Make this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!
-Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.
-Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.
-Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!
-Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.

You know your style

Your Happy Home Colors
Putting Color to Use!

You are probably not one to go in for crazy color, and you may want to keep things fairly neutral and sophisticated overall. But try selecting a duo or trio of colors that work well together, and introduce one or more of them into your curtains, wall color or rugs. This will tie the overall palette together in a coherent way.

You could even incorporate your color palette in smaller doses, like in your tablecloths, cushions, throws, or bedspreads, for example.

Recipe book idea for the kids

2009-06-17T17:02:00.004-06:00

I wanted to blog this idea that I have for the kids. I got it from this book.
http://http//www.amazon.com/Life-Skills-Kids-Equipping-Child/dp/0877884722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245279921&sr=8-1

She created a recipe file for her kids and updated with every recipe they learned and could do themselves. I want to create a 6x6 recipe book OR even a recipe lunch box file. Except...I like the idea that they can refill the book themselves with the 6x6 books. And flip through them. I dont know if they would really look through them in a lunchbox file.

So far I want to put in for kayla grill cheese sandwich and how to make tea. Super easy stuff. I hope they take this with them when they leave the house too. Maybe they can show their own kids one day.

For gabe...nothing really. If anything tea only because I showed him how. I want to put things they can do themselves. He hasn't done it himself yet.

On another note...
I created an inspiration binder. I got this idea from the Get Organized, Be Inspired class on bigpicturescrapbooking.com. So far it's an already printed binder. I don't know what else I can do to make it better. I'll keep thinking though. I could paint on the words "Inspiration" on top and add some ribbon and some kind of bling.

I could show pictures.

First is the cover, the before look. After I fix it up I can post an after.

Then the first pages - it's of 2 business card page protectors, that holds a total of 10 per side, so 20 per page. So a total of 40.

I cut out 2x3 3/4 scrap cardstocks. I labeled each one as I wrote down an idea that I want to do. So far it's a bunch of mini albums/projects that I want to do. Number 12 is the idea above.

then I took page protectors and labled each one 1-40. I figured it would be too much to have all 40 page protectors so I only put in 20, with the idea to put papers in front and back. I plan on putting in each page protector a Simple Scrapbook worksheet.

That's it for now. I hope to put pictures up soon.

My monk bag - in progress

2009-06-01T12:06:00.005-06:00

Every month we have a sewing class with the honolulumommies group. We gather at my friend Amanda's house and we sew simple projects together. The group mainly consists of beginner sew-ers like me :) I think there's another word for that. Anyways, this month's project was a monk bag.

Here's the link to the project - http://http//www.purlbee.com/sewn-monks-bag-pattern/

I tried out my new "Project Runway" edition sewing machine for the first time today. It's amazingly light, I was able to place the thread in myself since it has a no goof up plan with the numbers. I am excited to figure out the other features of my new sewing machine

Anyways, wanted to post up a picture of the fabric I chose. The middle part is pink with black/dark pink hearts in place of skulls and glitter of course! The outer parts are black with pink dots. The interior fabric was dark pink.

I actually picked out another fabric choice that I think I'm going to go ahead and make a reversible bag with instead of another monk bag. It's pink and brown, another color combination that I love.

Well we were told that our monk bag project won't be done during class so I'm going to finish it at home. So far I added an additional pocket on the inside and one on the outside. I hope to finish it soon but I want to find something to put on the bottom of my bag. to make it sturdier.

I love making bags. I think that's going to be my thing. I love using handmade bags because they are different. I am actually going to have pants made out of my husband's army pants. I know a lady who can do them. I tried calling her last friday, left a message didnt' get one back. I'll try calling again.

Anyways, I stayed up all night Saturday making a bag for Kayla. I found a tutorial on reversible bags and I made one up using my leftover fabrics so me and Kayla have matching bags! :) I need to practice more because I know it could have come out better. I will get better with practice I'm sure. I'm getting really excited about my new hobby!

I told the kids that they can choose their own fabrics so that I can make them some drawstring bags. That was my 2nd or 3rd project. Now that I have my own sewing machine I can practice my straight lines.

Okay off to get Starbucks. I hope to figure out the bottom part of my bag and to be able to post it soon.

Creating from the Heart!: Altered Tins and ANOTHER Giveaway!!!!

2009-05-19T20:56:00.001-06:00

Creating from the Heart!: Altered Tins and ANOTHER Giveaway!!!!

Great giveaway :)

everyday in May challenge

2009-05-18T20:05:00.001-06:00

I wish I started this challenge earlier as in the first of the month. But that's okay, I'm going to do it now starting today.

I"m challenging myself to do a layout a day for the next 31 days.

Then I'll post it up here.

Wish me luck :)

Library of Memories mission off to a great start!

2009-05-13T04:06:00.013-06:00

I finally started on the title pages for my Library of Memories. I love it! However, after looking at everyone else's I see I could have matted my pictures, could have done so much more. Oh well, simple is somtimes best. I'm sure these won't be the only title pages I"ll be doing.

First our the blue album - All About Us. I chose blue because blue is my favorite color.

I tried to pick pictures that showed all of us, but ended up with 2 family pictures, one of all 3 kids and one of me and my DH. I have to do the dedication page next, just need to find some good quotes.

Here is my section page. Most of these pictures are self taken :) My favorite one is my belly shot with Peanut. I looked huge!

It was so hard to find pictures of Rudy by himself. there was an additional shine to 3 of the pictures. I think it adds character.

my fave is the one where he's getting promoted to staff sgt.

Kayla's section page. Tried to get pictures from a range of ages, and ones that showed her personality.

The youngest picture is the bottom one in pink (she was 2)

and the most recent one is of her on the swing. My favorite one

is of her at the waterpark. She looks like she's having fun.

Here's my little Gabriel. I had an extra picture(notice everyone else had 5) but this all came together so quickly. He was 5 months in the youngest photo (in the middle) and the most recent one is him in the white hat at 4 years old. My fav 1 is the one where he was crying. He didnt' want to get his shorts wet.

Here's Anthony's, my youngest. I can't believe how much he's grown. I still have to start his baby 1st year album (oops). The youngest pic he is 2 days old and the most recent is the picture underneath his name. He's holding his current lovey, Doggy.

My favorite one had to be his recent one - I just love his smile there! Look at all that hair though. Just kept growing and growing..

The green album is the "Places we go" album. 2 turned out to be field trips, and 2 were landscape shots. Green reminds me of grass and trees, and reminds me of places. So I choose Green.

From top left, clockwise - Honolulu zoo 2007,

Manoa falls (when we went on a hike) 2009,

Sunset beach 2009,

Pumpkin Patch at Aloun Farms, 2006 (Gabe looks so much like Anthony it's not even funny).

Next album is "Things We Do" - my purple album. I picked purple because of the Flylady and my cover page of my notebook that I made with my Flylady routine -the color is purple.

The pictures I chose represent all of the things my family does - mostly play, one was celebrate (gabriel's birthday), and one was at the waterpark.

My last, but not least title page is "People We Love" red album. I immediately thought to use red because it reminds me of love.

I had a lot of pictures to put here, but wanted to showcase them on their own page. I have some ideas on what section pages to use, so more on that to come. That's what's next on my to -do list. I'm thinking grandparents, relatives, friends....umm I think that's it. I'll see what else Stacy has.

So that's my great start! This journey actually started back in 2007 when I first signed up for Library of Memories. I had a lot of stuff going on in my life that I couldn't concentrate on scrapbooking, and 2008 I was just busy doing other scrapbooking things and LoM seemed like a hard task. It took me awhile to restart again. I got excited when Stacy Julian's book came out, Photo Freedom. Unfortunately, it took another 6 months before I was invited to a crop at Gabriel's preschool that I decided to start doing my title pages. I'm currently in the 2009 LoM class, but as alumni. I didn't know I couldn't have been an alumni last year otherwise I would have done it. It's a late start (class started in February and ends in June) but I always go by filipino time. At least it's a start. I have a feeling that i"ll be scrapbooking more layouts (rather than doing theme mini albums) a lot more.

Oh yea I forgot. For every picture I scrapbook for the year 2009, I put a penny in the penny jar. Off to count how many pictures I used for these pages....and I used a lot :)

Sewing projects

2009-04-10T15:36:00.004-06:00

I've been learning how to sew!

Amanda from Honolulumommies has been conducting Sewing classes the last couple of months. The first one was back in October. We made a blanket. I wasn't able to finish so I came over Amanda's one day to make mine and it's still not done. Oh well. I have to find it to finish it.

Sewing classes started up again in February. The class project was an easy and cute drawstring bag. Everyone else made theirs for their kids. I made mine for me.

Me and my finished drawstring bag :)

My finished project turned out to be a bit boxy, and I wish I used different type of cording. But it works! I haven't used it for anything yet so I may just give it to Kayla.

I love love love my fabric choice! So did Amanda, our instructor and she ended up going to Walmart to buy the same fabric for herself. She made a drawstring bag for herself and I think a waterbottle holder with the same fabric.

March's class project - a crayon roll.

my finished march's project.

It was my suggestion to do a crayon roll for the next class. Except my suggestion was made after the blanket class and so it was forgotten. But someone brought it u and it soon became our March's class project :)

Again, I loved my fabric choices. Everyone commented on it too. My lines weren't so straight however and at the end I started to rush since everyone (who was doing just one) was getting ready to leave and me (who did 2 at the same time) was the last one to leave.

But I finished and it's such a cute project. When I got home, I thought of an idea I should have thought of at class. We should have swapped fabrics! That way we each would have made different crayon rolls. But oh well too last

Anyways, tomorrow is our next class. We are going to be making this project

http://http//www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/february-jumpstart-2009-entries/how-to-make-a-hanging-book-display-megans-february-jumpstart-project-2009-077231

It's a hanging book display. I bought a Cars theme project and plan on putting this over Anthony's bed since his bed is the Cars theme.

Next on my to buy list - a really good sewing machine.

I really want to buy the Project Runway version.

December Daily 1-4

2008-12-05T03:08:00.005-07:00

Ali Edwards has inspired me to follow along on her December Daily http://http//aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/december-daily-album-2008.html project.

I decided to do this album where I document what we do in December. I took a tag Christmas album that I had lying around from a swap I did ages ago. It was an ABC's of Christmas and added more stuff for journalling in between the tags. I'm going to challenge myself to using nothing but what I have on hand to "embellish" my pages. I am 4 days late but here we go!

December Daily day 1

Today is the Monday after Thanksgiving, and you know what that means....Cyber Monday! Very much like Black Friday in regular stores, deals are posted online all over the internet. So it was a busy shopping day for me. Thank goodness for my favorite deal searching forum - fishingforadeal.com I was able to score some more goood deals!

Kayla was off from school today, but not Gabriel. We stayed home and mostly tried to clean so we can finish decorating the tree, which I put up on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I'm trying out a tradition....maybe it can passed down to my kids when they have their families.

I went to Curves and hula after a long hiatus. It felt so good to have remembered both songs that we did. The last song was unfamilar but it was fun to do.

December daily 2

Tuesday - It was me and the boys home all day. The boys played while I stayed glue to the computer trying to score me a Butterscotch pony - a steal at 79.99 (reg price 499.99). Unfortunatelyf or me, I was too late on the deal and it would have been the sales price of 179.99. Due to the wrong wording on the website, Amazon granted the lower price to some customers and by the time I got to calling customer service the offer "expired". Imagine finding that under the tree.

After we got Kayla, we went straight to Barber's Point commisary for our bi-weekly grocery shopping. We were on a budget, so our visit went by fast and only spending a little over 100 dollars. Not too bad, maybe we'll do weekly visits from now on.

December daily 3 -

Wednesday

5 more packages came in. 4 were waiting by my sliding door and 1 by the backdoor. I waited until the kids were in bed to start opening them and wrapping presents. I went shopping online on Black Friday and most of the weekend, so I was sure I got some awesome good deals. I was so excited to start the gift wrapping and getting the bulk of my Christmas shopping out of the way.

As far as today, both kids had school and Anthony had his morning with his sitter. I bought me a white chocolate mocha from Green Tea and Coffee Bean and went to Longs for gift wrapping paper. Even though I knew we had some at the house from last year, I felt that the gifts from "Santa" should be in different paper. When I got home I took a much needed nap.

After getting the boys and eating lunch, we went to get Kayla.

I also started a Gratitude album for the month of December. This really should have been for November but I didn't get a chance to get started.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately for me, December was busy busy busy. So I wasn't able to keep up with ANY of my projects. I hope next year will be better.

Busy busy weekend

2008-11-24T20:51:00.005-07:00

Man, I was super busy all weekend!

Friday - went to the movies with Angela for the Mom's Club Moms night out. Well..not exactly. Since Twilight sold out (don't know why I thought it wouldn't since it's opening night!) I came up with the bright idea to go bowling.

Angela told me she was in a league, but was the handicap- meaning she was BAAD. I figured, great! We'll be horrible together. But no. She did a spare, and then an almost spare and then 2 strikes in a row, and then a spare. She was like - don't kill me! LOL Me, on the other hand, did 3 gutter balls in a row. Geez. Doesn't help that the 2 lanes that we were in the middle of had somewhat 'professionals" with their ball twisting throws and perfect strikes.

Angela had them print out the scores (hers over 100, me like 46?) so she can show her hubby.

After that, we ended up at Chilis. I got what I had the other day, appetizer wise. That and the ever so delicious electric lemonade. After bonding over how we met our husbands, we called it a night. I went over to Ginger's to hang out for a bit. We had some yummy cranberry and greygoose and I called it a night.

Saturday! Slept in, only to wake up to try to clean. I had a busy day ahead of me. I opted to take a CPR and first aid class. The instructor was surprised. In so many of his classes, his students were required to take the class. We were just motivated out of desire instead of need, and that what makes us different. I like the sound of that. I like that I was the one who was really pushing for the class, when sign ups were being taken from the beginning of the school year I was one of two people who signed up. Anyways, the class was from 12-4. I got Miss Sue to babysit again, and I'm so happy to have found her. I really am.

Sunday - I forgot what we did for SUnday but I'm sure it was busy!

Jack Johnson/Kokua festival 2008

2008-04-25T02:11:00.004-06:00

OMG I was so excited to have gone to this year's festival. I hope next year I can get better seats and somehow MEET him!

I ended up going with my best friend Ginger and we had a great time. We were on the side but got a decent view. First Dave Matthews Band played, then Jack. We could smell the poko loco all over the place.

Jack played my 2 favorite songs together - Angel and Better Together. After that, we left to avoid the crowd.

We met up with Jen Tavern at the Miliani shack. She's Ginger's good friend. Some guy was there and recognized Ginger, and turned out he was another softball coach.

Anyways I had a blast! Can't wait for next year!

So it begins

2008-04-08T23:27:00.002-06:00

This new blog that is! I want this to be a real blog this time. I have started a couple and haven't kept it up to date at all which sucks.

Since I am trying to find a new layout for my blogger, I reserve the right to change my first post anytime I feel like it. I think it really needs something here while I customize it and stuff.