Splendid

Christmas is over; but before I get to packing away the decorations, we are still enjoying the last week of this holiday season, partaking in a little merriment with family and friends.

 

At the same time, I am looking forward to the new year and new adventures ahead.  I even picked my one little word for 2014...  can't wait to start Ali's workshop!

fa la la

Three more days until Christmas...
still need to finish up my shopping, get to my present wrapping and then start on my baking.

grateful

Happy Thanksgiving!  It is a quiet, lazy day in this household.  Our families are of town and so we are mostly relaxing today.  Although Thanksgiving will be a small celebration this year,  my heart is overflowing with love and gratitude.

 

"In every thing give thanks" 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In a Blink

Wow, November is here already.  It happened in a blink.  I was still trying to catch up with Halloween that happened; and today, I am happy to say I finished my scrapbook pages.

This is the first year I skipped decorating for Halloween.  To be honest, I don't feel too guilty about it.  The kids didn't seem to mind either.  Their focus was on dressing up in a cool costume and getting candy, of course!

I am intent on decorating for Thanksgiving, though.  I am inspired by Rhonna's chalkboard art.  Since the days are flying by quickly, I have to get my butt in gear, decide on my color scheme and gather my supplies >>>

family first

I may have been gone but dear blog, you are not forgotten.

Some of my priorities changed except the one always in the top: my family.  Crafting and scrapbooking have fallen by the wayside.  I still enjoy them, so I will do when I can do.  Recently, here's what I did:

We celebrated E's birthday at one of his favorite restaurants that has a great seafood buffet.  E has a sophisticated palate for a kid his age.  I wonder if he will become a chef or a food critic.  Time will tell..... but I hope it doesn't go too fast.

(The scrapbook design is by Teresa Collins)

summer still happening

I am embracing these last summer days with my kids, even though school time is around the corner and I'm doing the back to school shopping.  Last month was filled with a trip to Cali, swim lessons, a wine/book exchange night, a birthday party, a day at the beach, get together with old friends, night at Ravinia, mini golf, and visits to frozen yogurt & ice cream shops. And although my kids would prefer to bum around the house or play at the nearby park (which they have had plenty days of), I have a few more activities planned with them.

The problem is my desire to photo document everything.  I realize I need to be more selective in the pictures I take and keep, because I do tend to get snap happy.

This is a mini book of our trip to our friends' lake house back in June.  Always a good time there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used one of the many Amy Tangerine daybooks I have (love them!).

 

 

Well, we are off to the Aquarium today!



Hello Summer

I love the month of June: the start of summer: swim lessons, lazy days, playing at the park, reading on the porch, a trip to our friends' lake house.  The following summer months always fly by so I have some planning to do this weekend. Have to come up with activities with the kids to make this summer a blast!

Truthfully, I'm also biased about June since it's my birthday month :) To document this year of my life, I'm using a small Recollections binder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe next year I will try Project Life but for now this type of scrapbook binder/album works for me.

this & that

We've had many celebrations this month: Mother's Day, my parent's wedding anniversary, my mom's 70th birthday, and recently our wedding anniversary (which the hubby and I almost forgot with so many things going on and guests to entertain).  I did manage to whip up a card for him before the day was over.

I used a paper page from Maggie Holmes' 6x6 paper pad.  Such a pretty collection by Crate Paper; and the bows... oh my, so cute!  I'm also currently adoring polka dots.  These are by Echo Park Paper Co.

The Archiver's store nearby is closing :( so I got a little carried away and bought more goodies.  And because I need to use my supplies (instead of hoarding them) and to get out of my creative rut, I purchased Wilna's art class workshop.  I really admire her style and can't wait to start. 

Maybe M will join me.  She hearts art too.

In My Heart

Even through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of motherhood, I wouldn't change this experience for anything.

makes me happy

Woo hoo! I get excited when I finish a scrapbook page. It helps when I am given a challenge and, of course, inspiration. That's why I love Dear Lizzy's Paper Party blog where four talented designers share their creative techniques.

For this scrapbook page, I used the mask/paint technique Lizzy shared.  Since I didn't have a mask already, I used the heart die cut card from her Lucky Charm line.  The white hearts remind me of cabbage white butterflies which remind me of a poem I had to memorize in school; but I digress...

I was also going to use the "you make my heart sing" card as a mask but I liked the color of the card after misting it so I kept it.  It looks like sunset colors; I love ombré.

But I'll definitely use this for another page.

Happy first weekend of May!

spring birthday

My baby girl is now ten! Every time I look at her I simply adore her; and at the same time, there is this twinge of sadness as I notice how taller she's gotten, how more mature she is acting, how fast she is growing.  I can only continue to enjoy our times spent each day together... and spoil her sweet... just a little bit... but especially so on her birthday.

inspiration from Pinterest

some of her presents ( you would think it was Christmas...)

This year, my son bought M a present with his own money. I love his thoughtfulness and the note he wrote for her.  I simply added embellishments.  M is saving that portion of wrapping paper to add to her scrapbook.

Now to finish some small projects for her bowling party this weekend!

*lucky me*

I am so thankful for my two beautiful children.  Both charm me with their smile, intelligence, sense of humor and little quirks.  They do challenge me in ways that can be exhausting, but I'm open to what I learn from them.

The day I took these photos was one of those challenging times.  My kids don't like to take pictures to begin with, and to top that my daughter's mood matched the gloominess of the day.  She was sad and tearful which did not make for a joyful picture for Christmas cards. It was on a matter we've worked through before.  I tried to talk with her but it didn't help.  Bribes were not working.  Thankfully her brother, who usually annoys her, was helpful in making her laugh.  And when one gets silly so follows the other usually. My husband says they get their goofiness from me.  I wouldn't deny it. Hey, it's another charming quality :)

remember this

I am so excited to finish a scrapbook page in one hour! It usually takes me for-ev-er.....

I used Dear Lizzy's 5th & Frolic as well as her new Lucky Charm line.  This page is a reminder for a few things for me:

- to try new techniques (I'm loving Dear Lizzy's new blog, Paper Party, for inspiration) - such as using paint and layering

- that it's okay to take selfies even though I feel silly doing it - I gotta capture those little moments/my moods/my fave outfits :)

- it takes much longer than I thought for my hair to grow back long so I will think twice before cutting it short again

- this is the only picture of my ugly but warm blanket which I will be parting with soon. I've been searching for a comforter set for the longest time - now's the time to pick one out, decorate my bedroom and make it my new favorite room in the house.

- as much as I love to travel, home with my family is where my heart truly is

Valentine love

All work and little play today but I just had to quick post my scrapbook page of my loves.

I bought books for them as gifts when they get home.  E doesn't like reading as much as M, but hopefully he'll like the book... it's about a boy and football (his fave sport).  M's book is about rocks & minerals.

I also made cards and funny, I end up liking the most simple one.

Yes, the simple things in life give me pleasure and matter most.

xoxo

just us

I don't take as much pictures of me and the hubby as much as I do the kids.  But I'm going to make the effort to do so this year (yes...another item on my list).  The pics may all just be from our date nights once a month, haha.  We'll see... it's sometimes hard to get him to do it, take pictures that is.  I'll have to bribe him like I do the kids.  Donut, honey?

I do love my man and look forward to spending more time together just the two of us.

And Valentine's day is around the corner...hmmm, gotta make some plans for then - what to cook, bake, craft.  I know some people consider it a Hallmark holiday but I enjoy celebrating it.

So long January, hello February!

Year of the Peacock

Happy new year!  I am optimistic 2013 will be great.  My one little word is "perseverance": continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition.

I will look for the beauty in all things/situations, show more love, live with compassion, be at peace and always be grateful for the Resurrection and promise of eternal life.  These are all what the peacock symbolizes, therefore I deem this year as the year of the peacock.  And lately, I have been drawn to its beautiful colors.  I am seeing it in many home decor items (lovin' my new cup).

In addition to above and my usual resolutions of exercising regularly, eating healthy and saving money, I'm making time for monthly date nights, reading, journaling and scrapbooking.  There are other goals on my list which I hope to accomplish.

Come what may, I will persevere.