Book of Memories

Audrey started a book of memories.....and I think it is darling. Here are the pages that she has completed...

Cover Page

Girl Scout troop playing Red Rover. That is me in the middle.

At the art studio painting pottery

Because That's How We Roll

 

  

My December

I haven't posted in awhile, but I know that family still comes on here faithfully hoping for a new post. So, since my computer is filled with various photos from the past 30 days or so, I thought I'd share a few....

Cuddles while working

My boys loving on each other

Christian enjoying a reindeer cupcake at a Girl Scout meeting

My troop being silly

Zhu Zhu Pet fun

Gingerbread train fun

Oh Christmas tree

Oh Christmas tree

Being silly with the little miss

At The Melting Pot with Tiff for my birthday dinner

Thankful

There is a story to go along with this picture, but it is late and I have to get up in exactly 4 hours to catch a plane back home to Colorado. But on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful....thankful that I was able to spend Thanksgiving with this smiling, strong, amazing woman right here.

November 22, 2010

Narnia Night

We spent Halloween at Calvary Chapel's Narnia night. We went with the Millers, and Tiff, Jen and I were the only adults who dressed up. But, hey, we had fun with it. :D

Audrey went as a cheetah (cheetahs guarded Aslan). Isaiah was a knight, or as he referred to himself, a hero. Christian was Reepicheep, a sword battling mouse.

The kids spent all of Sunday counting down the minutes until it was time to head to the church for the festivities.

Once we got inside, Christian, my little mouse, decided he was too tired to do anything but lay on the floor.

It took me quite some time to convince him to sit in my lap. We cuddled a bit...he ate a bit and then we walked to the children's area, where he received a balloon animal and perked right up. He was all smiles the rest of the evening.

We all had a really nice time. It is always fun when we get to spend time with the Millers.

Day 23 - Leavin on a Jet Plane

Leavin' on a Jet Plane, eh? Funny I will learn how to play that song on my guitar at my next guitar class tomorrow. :D

And this is my absolute favorite version of the song:

So if I were to leave on a jet plane right now, where would I most want to go? Easy! I'd head to Wilmington, North Carolina and spend some time with my dear friend, Andrea. And we'd do a Dawson's Creek tour and find some of the places from our favorite television show. It would be so much fun!

Day 22 - Those Childhood Days

Man, am I behind or what? So, for Day 22, I am supposed to talk about a game that I played often as a child.

Many of my memories from my childhood in Connecticut, involve the outdoors. I was always outside. I would wander around and pick wildflowers for my mom. I would spend hours searching for four leaf clovers in my front yard. My brother and I often played a game involving a tennis ball and the garage door. I did a lot of running, walking and biking.

My mom would write up scavenger hunts for me, and I would spend a big chunk of the afternoon outside, trying to find everything on the list.

My best friend and neighbor, Abby, and I would spend long days playing Snow White and Rose Red. Our backyards were connected, so in our game we would span both yards and even sometimes venture into portions of the woods behind our yards.

I can't remember specifics, but I think that she was always Snow White and I was Rose Red and we would make up little adventures. We would escape from the mean witch or try to rescue our friends who were tied up in a nearby castle.

Our imaginations ran wild as did our little bodies. I remember having so much fun as a kid playing with Abby.

In this photo you can see my mom holding my baby brother. Next to my brother is Abby, then me and then Alan, Abby's brother. My house is the white one that you can see in the background. *sigh* I miss Connecticut.

A Bushel of Daisies

This is my 2010 - 2011 Daisy Troop.

They had about 15 different cameras pointing at them and had to stand for a good 3 minutes...which explains why they are all looking in all different directions.

Just like last year, I have an incredible troop of girls.

I had a mom whose daughter was in a different troop last year, and chose to join our troop this year, tell me how the previous troop seemed to only do "fun" activities and that her daughter struggles with focusing primarily on herself....that is common in this age group.

I assured her that I am very service-oriented and that our troop is going to help many people this year! :D

I truly hope that this year will not only bring a little sunshine into the lives of those we touch, but that it will also impact the lives of these 15 girls. I want to work a little magic in the hearts of theirs, and make this a year that they remember.

Day 21 - Random High School Moment

Let me start off by saying that aside from most of Senior year, I hated high school. HATED IT!

But I'll venture into the recesses of my memory to bring you a random High School story. Why not?!?!

I remember my Geometry teacher, because I strongly disliked her. Math is not my strong suit, it never has been. Well, Algebra always came easily for me, but that's about it.

Geometry was HARD....my brain is not wired to comprehend Geometry. It didn't help that my Geometry teacher seemed much more interested in knowing all about the social lives of the most popular kids in school, than she was in teaching us. And if you weren't popular, and you dared raise your hand to ask a question when a football player did, well you were out of luck. She would help the football player, then talk about an upcoming game and then talk about which cheerleader he was now dating. By the time they were done, there simply wasn't time for any other questions.

I had a D in that class, which was a big deal!  I was an A student, who sometimes received one or two B's, but to have a D was HUGE...especially to my dad! I tried to work on it. I would even go to her classroom after school for help. Unfortunately I would sit there ignored, while she chatted up football players and cheerleaders. It was very frustrating.

Oh and when the big school dances came up, she would cover the walls in her room with paper and list the names of all of the Juniors and Seniors in the school. It was then your job to find your name and next to it write the name of your date. She claimed it was her way of helping others to know who didn't have dates...but really it was just torment for those of us who were dateless...and would remain dateless.

It was like announcing to the school, yes, I am a dork...yes, nobody wants to take me to a dance. Yes, you can laugh at me. I can guarantee you that having my name dateless on the wall, didn't bring me any suitors. So, her plan failed!

I think I ended up with a C in that class, and to this day I still don't understand Geometry and I blame her. :D

Speaking of Bucket Lists

In my last post, I shared 5 items from my Bucket List.

It is always fun when I accomplish something from my list and get to check it off. :D Two days ago I crossed #28 off of my Bucket List. #28 was one of those that I added to my Bucket List for fun, but never in a million years dreamt that I'd ever actually get to do. BUT I DID!

On September 30th, I attended a movie premiere in Hollywood for Secretariat! Not only did I attend the premiere, but I also attended an after party, where I was able to meet with the director, producers and various celebrities from the film...including Diane Lane. I promised my parents that I'd post pictures from the premiere, so here they are:

Me and Janice attending the premiere for 5 Minutes for Mom

A shot of the red carpet

With Diane Layne. I love how half of my hair lost its curl....GRRR!

The movie was fantastic! The premiere experience was incredible. The whole night was amazing. I will NEVER forget it!

We will be posting all about the movie and the premiere over at 5 Minutes for Mom next week, so be sure to check it out.

Day 20 - My Bucket List

Today I am to share 5 items from my Bucket List. I do have a Bucket List and there are currently 40 things on it, 1 of which is crossed off, because I DID IT! Another item will be crossed off later this week. But, I won't share all 40 with you, I will do what I am told, and pick only 5.

Here goes:

1. Go to the Cherry Blossom Festival
2. Kiss at the Eiffel Tower
3. Take my kids to the Boston Childrens Museum
4. Stay the night at a castle
5. Catch fireflies in jars with my kids

And here are the next 5 topics:

21. Share a random high school memory.
22. What was one of your favorite games or activities when you were a kid?
23. What is one tradition that you do with your family?
24. You’re leaving on a jet plane. Where are you headed and why?
25. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Day 19 - Could You Take My Picture? Cause I Won't Remember

Today I am supposed to share a picture. But, I am going to share THREE. And a quick note, I am well aware that my kids need to get trims....yes they have some shaggy hair going on. It is in the plans for this upcoming weekend.

Day 18 - Biggest Accomplishment

So it might sound cliche....but I feel my biggest accomplishment is being a mom! There is NO harder job out there. It is exhausting. It is sometimes thankless. But the rewards are worth it all. Although I make mistakes, I am definitely NOT mother of the year, I know deep down, that as a mommy, I do one heck of a job! And I DO feel quite accomplished, if I do say so myself. :D

Day 17 - My Style

Okay this was fun! For day 17, I headed over to Shopstyle.com to put together a collage or two of styles that I feel are "me".

So here you go:

Shortsleeve Tops by Oasis
Platforms by Pelle Moda

Can you believe that black ruffly dress is over $4,000?!?!?!

Cocktail Dresses at Macy's
Pumps by Christian Louboutin