bittersweet symphony

1st page ever and recent pages

I went to Archiver's friday night with Jamie (the assistant band director @ Highland) Within the 1st couple minutes of meeting her at a football game last year - she asked me the question -do you scrapbook? Since then we have shared time at Archiver's, drinking cafe mocha's from Borders (must have the chocolate stir sticks)discussing the Twilight series (I told her she needs to read the books -and she read them in record time)talking about babies,photography, pets,layout details (she needs directions - she has a small goto becky higgins sketch book that she DOES not deviate from- and I give her a hard time about that) It's been fun getting to know her and see Eddie thru her eyes. 

So known as the hoarder among some scrapbooking circles (shelly,marie, missy & erin also make up this group). I have been trying to use up the many Jenni Bowlin kits I am hoarding because they were too pretty to use.

I think this one used Oct kit from 2008 or it could have been 2007...

 

supplies:bazill scapolled cardstock, basicgrey's naked chipboard letters& brown thickers, daisyd's cardstock stickers and journaling spots.

 

i took xmas 2007 to the crop with me. I am trying to work on Brady's baby album also. This was a random piece of xmas paper won from kellicrowe, thickers, 1 7gypsis sticker, some daisy d buttons, ac red journaling pen(i won a set of 5 american craft journaling pen at the crop). The middle picture just makes me laugh out loud. Brady was literally chewing on everything that he could get his hands on - but still was a happy guy.

 

brady's 1st christmas. basic grey's patterned paper, archiver's cardstock, thickers, daisyd button.

 

8x11 layout of baby laney oct 2008. stampin up cardstock,and stampin up card kit circa 2006 used at a stamp camp.

 

before & after (bottom left hand corner of the scan is a little wonky - but okay IRL). I found these 2 pictures in my xmas pictures at the crop. I had this layout in mind and promptly misplaced the pictures. This was my 1st page at the crop- Jamie has this huge box of 12 x 12 paper I forget what mfg. But she has a boy and kept telling to use the girl papers.  I used thickers, misc green ribbon, JB journaling spot, pink puffy hearts from JB kit, and white cardstock and my stampin up scalloped punch.

They aren't magazine worthy - but I love them.  simple and basic. I am glad to be back in the groove again. And Studio Calico could be my motivation. Good thing their June kit is sold out.  I would hoard that too. Serious question out there for any Kit buyers...how do you store your monthly kits? Do you keep it all together or break it up and store with the rest of your supplies?

And over at write.click.scrapbook - they are sharing their 1st pages. Well I remember my 1st page - it was 9 years ago. My future to be sister in law Nancy - had a creative memories party at her mom's house. I remember there being like 20 ladies there! I sat with Susie Souders from church and was excited to play with paper, glue and stickers.  I remember we got to pick out 2 colors - it was strips and triangles class. And I threw the coordinator Brenda for a loop - are you sure you want 3 different colors? Remember the stencils? I used the stencils, deco scissors,corner rounder and the circle cutter all on the same page. With some mrs. grossman birthday stickers. Love the bold pen title.

 

   I used to keep an album count  - 20 creative memory 12 x 12 albums, 1 - 7 x 7 album, I have made 6 albums as gifts and a couple mini albums. I recently made the switch over to 12 x 12 american craft albums - so I can have different sizes all in one place. I am going use the stacy julian way of storing them - people we love, things we do, family, etc.

I will be forever grateful for Nancy and her invitation. It started everything. 

It's almost time to put the boys to bed and hopefully I will have enough energy to get the ideas in my head on paper tonight.  A nice cup of hot tea and some lifetime movies should do the trick.

Is it really June already?

(I started this post on 5-27-09)

I love a rainy day - but this afternoon was mosoon! barely could see the road ahead of me and brady kept shouting -puddle, puddle! And riley kept asking me - can you drive thru it again mama? We have been home 4 hours and it's still a steady downpour. Eddie's new grass will love it but I am not sure our basement will.

It's been a while since the last update...so much going on! Here is a run down for May...

• Eddie's last full month of school - concerts, concerts and more concerts! And a band banquet and a stuffed monkey named poopie (it's a band joke thing) 
• photo sessions have begun again for the season
• Jordan's baptism. Brady & I spent the ceremony outside while eddie & riley videoed the cermony in the balcony. Sorry JD & Joanie if you only here Brady shouting DADDY, DADDY on the tape
• t-ball has begun. Practice on Tuesdays, games on Saturdays.
• Becky & David married 1 year
• Mother's day tea at preschool. Nothing says tea like sub sandwiches :)
• Art show, bike day, field day, birthday day, last day picnic at riley's preschool
• more doctor appointments for the boys - thankfully no strep or the flu - just a cold
• Jd's Birthday month
• new haircut & color
• molly turns 8
• Missy & Ben married 8 years
• brady turns 2
• sadie turns 3
• maya turns 5
• Grandpa M turns a big number
• memorial day picnics and parades

ETA...I added an album over <---- there to recap our may.

So ready for June to begin. May traditionally has been the craziest month on record.  Maybe I will be able to catch my breath in June and post more!

10 on tuesday - cinco del mayo version

is it really the 5th of May already?! I think I will get some chips & salsa at lunch!

1. Figured I better update for my 3 readers out there - plus I really want to see my status updated on erin's blog list.

2. Happy Scrapbooking Day! I actually scrapped on Saturday! I also had a really fun senior photo shoot. Eddie didn't believe me when I told him it was an actually scrap booking holiday - he thought I was making it up!

3. We (and by that I mean eddie) is busy with the never ending list of house projects. We had 2 trees removed, eddie is going to install some landscaping bricks to build up our yard, we had our driveway repaired and the approach re-poured.  And don't ask about the kitchen...it's still not finished.

4. Happy First wedding anniversary to Becky & David! I will have something in the mail to you this week - there is a little story behind it.

5. My baby is going to be 2 this month.  I don't know if I can handle it. Seriously I think this is going to be harder than when he turned one. He is talking so much - this morning it was "daddy...are you?" calling in a little voice -meaning daddy where are you? The other morning I got him out of his crib - put him on the floor and he said: breakfast -  waffles -come mama.  He also loves to climb in riley's bed, pull up the covers and says : I sleeping. And pretends to sleep complete with fake snoring. I have to put together a 23 month post so I don't forget the little things.

6. Riley has his first t-ball practice tonight! I don't know who is more excited Daddy or Riley. Although Daddy is a little nervous since he is the coach.  He has been looking for t-ball drills for practice.

7. Riley's Art Show is also tonight at preschool! So after practice we will zoom over to the Art show and then zoom home hopefully getting everyone in bed by 8:00.

8. I want to go on a beach vacation this summer! Brady has never been in a pool yet. I feel like we are denying him something.

9. Recent movies reviews: The Wrestler(with Mickey Rourke) - awkward.  Slumdog Millionaire: graphic, in your face reality, good ending.  Bride Wars: good chic movie  Marley & Me: I read the book, but the movie was so much better and heartwarming. 7 pounds(with Will Smith) sad, sad and more sad. I fell asleep and never finished it - but eddie said it continued to be sad.

10. I can't wait for summer TV! SYTYCD and Army Wives. I still have the last episode of ER on my DVR - I just can't bring myself to watch it.  Does anyone watch live tv anymore?

I will be back with pictures - my pictures don't live on this computer.  Get prints today! www.scrapbookpictures.com has another great deal going on for a limited time!  

easter recap

He Lives! He has Risen!

and we have survived the easter weekend. (okay a bit dramatic - but this was the busiest weekend on record this year)

+++warning boring detailed recap ahead. Mostly to use for journaling in the future - please feel free to jump ahead for the pictures+++album at left.

Friday - Good Friday. I took a day of vacation to be with the boys while eddie played volleyball with the boys.  I took the boys for haircuts. We got subway for lunch and stopped by Grammie & Papa's to drop off the easter ham. Aunt Becky & Uncle David just arrived also. So we chatted over lunch. Grammie and her tales of making chocolate candy for Easter. Uncle David didn't get much time to visit before RIley convinced him to go play downstairs with him. Thank you Uncle David for playing trains, cars and thomas the train. You are so patient and a good player!   Eddie got home from volleyball, sore and a little sick, but had fun and got some wings afterwards.  I left for scrapbooking at Archivers with Jaime (the assistant band director at Highland).

Saturday : Missy picked me up on the way to Kara's baby shower in the morning. A cool restaruant in Hudson -totally aunt annie from the gourmet mac & cheese to the cupcakes.  Lots of babies and their mamas. It was kinda weird not to have my boys with me - but I got a little baby fix from youngest niece miss laney.  Home for like 1.5 hours to get ready for the next round of scrapbooking at Archivers. This time with missy, shelly, erin, marie & stephanie.  Lots of laughs & bad food was shared. Ohdeedo, good times, good times. Oh wait - but there is more. We met up with nancy & elizabeth at Starbucks after scrapping. Some of us went home (since there was no food) or to look for dora products, or put off more errands to continue the night. Starbucks closes at 10PM - what?  So it was off to Nancy's for more laughs and stories. Then it was 11:00 and really time to go home.  Did some easter bunny chores and laundry before crashing.

Sunday: Eddie wakes up sick, sick and more sick. Boys dig through their easter baskets.  Brady just wants the chocolate. Eddie has to go serve communion at first service but will probably go to the ER after that. Talk about dedication. So I call our 24 hour nurse hotline, call our family doctor on call. Most likely diagnosis: Strep.  A $ 9.40 prescription of anti-biotics called in and ready for pick up by 9:30 am Sunday morning, no $ 50.00 3-hour ER trip. Talk about a tender mercy. Took the boys to Sunday school while eddie got his drugs and went to bed for the day. Poor guy missed the days festivities! After sunday school - ran home to change, pick up some food and camera, send textes about green bean casseroles.  1:00 dinner at Grammie & Papa's. Everyone in their Easter Best. Good food, homemade chocolates and desserts.  The annual marquette cousin easter shoot. 233 pictures later - we should get a few good ones. A fun easter egg hunt. 3:00 Drop off food to eddie ,check on him, give him a kiss on the cheek. 3:15 arrive at my sister chris' easter party.  Another easter egg hunt with capatosto cousins and extended capatosto family. visit with my mom for a bit. 4:00 Mom leaves 5:00 Dad shows up. Visit and have more ham. 6:30 pack up the boys to go home. Riley usually crys as we leave because he can't bear to be away from Katie for so long. But this day - I found him playing Legos with Kody and Luke (kody's cousin) and told him Riley  - it's time to go.  I heard him say - Okay bye guys - I have to go home now.  Wow! I was so proud.  Just as proud when he prayed to Jesus earlier in the day to make daddy's throat better. He told Brady how & why to pray.  My sweet boy. Home again, more laundry. Eddie feeling better. Riley and Eddie worked on the lego dumptruck (complete with lego boulders) from the easter bunny. Brady chilled with Queen (the movie cars). We missed naptime today and it showed.  Bedtime went okay until about 8:30. Brady woke up crying his heart out. daddy rocked him but he kept asking for mama. So I rocked him until he feel asleep and held him for an hour or so. Such pure bliss to hold that sleeping baby boy.

newborn session

 

wanted to share this newborn session from February...Miss Adelynne...

 

I hear she is already losing the wonderful red hair...so sweet and so tiny.

update

did I mention that by Sunday we figured out brady had the flu on top of everything else? This was confirmed monday morning about 1am when I ran for the bathroom. This is not fun. being sick and having a sick baby. eddie & riley managed to have stayed healthy.  Brady couldn't keep his meds down, his lunch down- the only thing he managed was water. So by monday morning...with grammie's help we took brady to the doctor- he was so listless and pitiful. Penicillin shot, and an order if he didn't have a wet diaper in 3 hours to go to the ER.  Eddie came home early and took brady to the ER. I was still too green around the gills. Well the waiting room was full and brady managed to drink almost all of his Gatorade while waiting. So no iv to hydrate - just some anti-nauseous medicine. That seemed to help. Even when eddie called me from the car - i heard brady chatting in the background - which he hasn't done in a couple days. He scarfed down a piece of toast with butter and slept thru the night. He is on the mend. And so am I but alas i am afraid dear grammie might have gotten some of the Montezuma flu.

because someone once said that a post isn't complete without pictures...here is my BFF stacy's little girl Violet at her 1st birthday party in January. Yes there was a cotton candy machine and a pinata at this Dora themed event. I just love the little patent leather shoes. 

 

spring (cleaning)

Spring is in the air. Spring training, march madness, flowers, daddy's fantasy baseball league draft.  We did a little spring cleaning this saturday afternoon...spring cleaned the boys room...it's time too plus Brady has strep throat & an ear infection. Poor little guy.  He was just out of sorts all day Friday, grammie noticed he was pulling his left ear sometimes, and just wanted to be held. So to the doctors we went this morning and sure enough he was sick.  So while we were waiting for prescriptions to be filled, we took some old bread with us to feed the ducks at Chestnut Memorial Park. I didn't bring my camera. But as soon as the ducks, geese, swans saw riley walking with 2 french loaves, they started honking and following him along the fence line. They acted like they were starving.  After that we picked up the meds, and lunch and headed home.  After Brady woke up from his name in a puddle of barf - I knew it was time to get the buckets.   While I was cleaning the boys kept coming in and out of the room - riley with lots of "why" questions.  Nothing like a fresh clean room.

       

I was trying to get a picture of Riley's bed and the amount of pillows he must have on his bed. He uses 2 to lay on then we must make a cave around him before he goes to bed. When we first moved him to his big bed he didn't want to be under the covers - he just wanted his train blanket to cover him up. The same train blanket that grammie made bridget years ago. And maybe around riley's 1st birthday, Bird gave her blanket to riley because she knew he loved thomas. well that train blanket has been well loved. He still has to have it "cold" every nite.  And of course riley wanted to know "why" i was taking pictures he just had to get in the picture.  And there is a happy brady in his 3rd outfit of the day. He was happy because we got to stand on the ladder. I didn't get a picture of his bed since we were washing the linens (he also has a well loved train blanket made by Grammie). But I did get a picture of his picture and letter "B" which will get painted someday.

I will be back to update more on life in general, a recent newborn session and updates on the boys.  Right now it's time to make some brownies since Daddy is now home from his draft.  Then when the boys go to bed - it will be time for Twilight. Eddie rented movies on his way home and surprised me with this one since it just came out.  I have read 2 of the 4 books and can't wait to see Edward & Bella in real life.

happy saturday!

monday blahs

oh monday. Why do you mock me? It seems everything is just a bit more difficult on mondays. And that shopping cart incident at lunch didn't help either!

thank goodness for some great news about the economy. Go check out www.scrapbookpictures.com for your own stimulus package.  Another reason I love Doug and the guys.

10 on tuesday...birthday edition

1. 35 is an odd number -that I do not like much - but I will deal with it. especially when it comes in the cherry chip variety.  I have been alive for 35 years. I have been a mama for almost 5 years, I have been a wife for almost 8 years, I have been an aunt for almost 22 years, I have been a friend for 29 years, I have been an employee for 17 years (at the same company!)

 

2. This is the first year I have worked on my birthday in a long time. The day was so busy that I hardly noticed!

3. Mama Jill never ceases to amaze me with her card making skills. Opening a card like this just makes you feel so special and loved.  Not to mention the gift card too that went with it - stampin up goodness.  I am loved. Thank you Mom & Ron - I love you both so very much!  

4.Happy Birthday emails from your sister in law missy - I can't wait to buy some books on Amazon - thank you so much! love ya! lunch tomorrow?

5. Facebook is becoming a regular site to check in my world - this could be dangerous. But it was fun to read all the birthday wishes posts. I can't link everyone because I am lazy -but thank you all for making my day happy!  And receiving a birthday card in the mail today with a handwritten note from Meem and Pop was priceless

6. I love my family. I am really spoiled. Saturday my boys took me out to Red Lobster and then Dairy Queen for dessert.  They get me. From the squirrel themed birthday card, to the candle (because mama doesn't like it when the house is stinky - just daddy does - said by riley) to the shirt they picked out for me at Kohl's.  We had a good laugh - because I just bought the same shirt a few weeks ago! So I get to go shopping again.  I love it that Eddie took the boys shopping Friday night while I went to the movies with some sister in laws!

7. Brady. This baby is a constant source of laughter! I am so thankful for him. You simply can't be sad around him! he is so funny, such a personality. I haven't felt much like taking pictures so far this year - so I trying to make an effort. And these pictures just make me smile. The first picture is Brady praying. He loves to pray before eating, during eating and after. Sometimes he will reach for your hand and say "God is" and that means it time to pray. The second picture is like an arrow through my heart. I am in love  with this smile (and this baby) when you can see his sweet little baby teeth. And don't get me started on the cheeks or those slightly different colored baby blues. And the last picture is Brady driving the dump truck around because he likes it. Riley used to sit in the back of the dump when he was a baby and we would push him around - oh no not brady -he is driving it -so watch out man.

   

 

8. I do have another son - Riley - this was him today when we got home from the days adventures. He still does this - will pass out at 5 or 6 in the car on the way home, I will carry him inside get his coat off and put him to bed and he won't wake up until the next morning. From the age of 6 months he has always slept 9-10 hours at night.  But he is gettig bigger these days - so I had to put him in the chair to rest before I could take him the rest of the way to bed.  Such a sweet boy. This morning he ran into our room, jumped on the bed - gave me a big squeze and said happy birthday mama, I love you. Who needs presents and cake after that?

9. I had a spur of the moment dinner with my mom tonight. Eddie has a meeting or concert tonight (I can't keep his schedule straight if I don't write it down). So the boys and I were headed for Applebee's carry out, I got a call from my mom so we picked her up and she went with us. We had a good time. It's been awhile that we could just talk and be at ease in each other's company. And the boys are a good buffer. I am hoping this year will be full of more healing. You can't change the past, but you can choose your future. Some things never change - and I am grateful for that - see #1 - homemade birthday cake from my mom. 

10. I even talked to my dad today. He works at Good Neighbors on tuesday & thursdays. And if they have leftover goodies- he always makes a point to share with my sisters and I. I came home to a grocery bag on my garage flag pole holder full of baked goods.  We made plans to have dinner on Monday. He's busy until then! I am grateful for that -he needs to keep busy. I am missing the birthday pancakes he makes for me  this year but maybe we can have breakfast for dinner when we get together.

10 on tuesday

1. Hobby Lobby convinced me it was time to change the way I store my finished scrapbook pages. American Craft 12 x 12 D ring albums on sale for 50% off, refill pages on sale 50% off also. I might let Stacy Julian convince me also how I sort my layouts too.  I had to use my Hobby Lobby 25% coupon on something - so I bought Flipz - chocolate covered pretzels.

2. Riley was at the ER again Sunday morning. That's 2 weekends, 2 ER visits in a row. I must said we were in and out of Children's in 1.5 hours. Fast Service! Riley had an allergic reaction to the amoxicillian they put him on last weekend to get over the strep. Saturday he was breaking out in hives that got worse from head to toe. I called my sister in law, Nancy, who is an expert in strep and she urged me to call the pediatrician. I did - they said bring him in on Monday if you don't feel you need to go to the ER.  Sunday morning we were at the ER. Horrible red, blotchy, itchy welts all over. Swelling of wrists and ankles. It was bad. He is better today after lots of r & r with Daddy yesterday.

3. Both boys will go to the doctors on Wednesday. Riley for a follow up and Brady for a strep test. Will it ever end?

4. I finally mailed some happy mail today at lunch (that's been moved from car to van, from van to house, and from house back to van again I can't tell you how many times since January).

5. 4 errands ran at lunch today - not bad for 45 minutes

6. We now have an exercise bike and huge exercise ball in our living room. Eddie decided instead of paying $45 a month (for residents) to go to the Nat after the boys go to bed a couple nights a week - it would be better to spend a little bit more (okay a whole lot more) and get some equipment so we can both use it whenever we want.  I rode the bike last night for 35 minutes. This is going to be the year we get healthier mind, body & soul.

7. Our Sunday school class is full of good, thoughtful and caring people. I am so glad to be a part of this group.

8. Did anyone see HOUSE BUNNY? you know - the playboy bunny that get kicks out of the Playboy mansion because she is turning 27 - that's 59 in bunny years. She becomes at house mother at a college. OMG - it just cracks me up! Anna Farris is hilarious. and it's a Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandlers's production company) Production  - figures.

9. another reason to look forward to Fridays? Homemade pizza night. 

10. If you have some time - please check out www.mattlogelin.com. I have been following this blog for about 6 months. It's an amazing story and testament to love. It's not for the lighthearted though. Matt lost his wife only 24 hours after she gave birth to their daughter, his journey follows.  His writing is raw, honest, gets you in the gut. His photographs are amazing. His daughter couldn't be cuter. Plus there is a robot. And a good cause. So go read and donate $7 today.  He recently appeared in People and glamour. Become a stranger friend today. He will appear on the Rachael Ray show on 2-11

bonus: Check out www.scrapbookpictures.com they are having a great sale on tons of size prints!