Project 365

Is a great way to visualize capture all that 2009 has in store for us. My photography friends let me onto this project and then I read about it in Creating Keepsakes. I'm gonna jump on board and participate. Now I just need to think of a creative way to scrap this challenge; perhaps I will check out Becky Higgins' blog for ideas or make up my own, that I'm not sure of but what I will try to do is post the pics here.

I've been busy this past week thinking of ways to make my crop events exciting for my gals. I've put together some awesome make-n-takes and am developing monthly sketch challenges. I cannot wait to reveal them at the crop this weekend.

I've really enjoyed my maternity leave. Obviously spending quality time with my girls is the best but I'm at the point where, although I'm still tired from waking up for feedings, Reese doesn't have me up quite as much. So I've hit the gym to work off these baby pounds (and there's a lot to work off) but the fun part is that I am scrapping while she is sleeping during the day instead of napping. With all this extra time to scrap I am finding my creativity is flowing again. It's been a while since I've had the mental freedom for this. Between work and children it seemed like that projects I was doing last year were good but not FABULOUS and many were scraplifted. I was under a lot of stress. So I am enjoying the changes I've experienced now that my mind is less cluttered. I am going to make a promise to myself to not slip back into the rut. I have January's sketch in my head. I will post it once I draw it.

I'm signing off to go take my picture of the day.

Make Life Happen

That's my new motto. I haven't posted since before Christmas because there was so much going on ... from crafting to shopping to family and of course Santa's big visit. While the fam was in town my husband & I had a date night. We went and saw Yes Man. It was pretty funny but most importantly it actually made a profound impact on me. I work FT, have children and have a small craft business. I have just realized that my kiddos are suffering from it. When we could be going to the museum, park, zoo, etc. we are usually at home de-stressing (sometimes playing enthusiastically, other times half-heartedly). That's not always bad but they need some culture, damnit. So I will be saying "yes" more often than "no" from here on out and see where it takes us. If the weather stays nice this week I think I'll pull Rheagan out of pre-K for the day and take her and Reese to the zoo. If it's cold, we'll go to a museum.

I'm also going to say "yes" to myself more often and find more time to feed my passion for scrapbooking my girls. I think I'm going to start with a mini album and maybe I'll even win some cool items. Check out this cute album and the Cosmo Cricket giveaway.

So, are you a yes man or no man??????

According to Rheagan

it's officially Christmas-time! About a week ago I was driving my 5 year old, Rheagan, to school in the morning and she asked me when it was going to snow here in Houston. I told her that it probably wouldn't snow here because well, it pretty much never snows in H-town (the last time it snowed was Christmas Eve 2004). Rheagan said, "Okay well, when it snows it'll be Christmas-time" and we left it at that. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon and what do you know? It snowed! Rheagan was at school so I quickly put Reese in her carseat and jumped in the car to go pick up Rheagan. I had no idea if it was snowing at her school and if so, would they take the kids out, nor did I know if it would be snowing by the time we got back home, about 40 minutes later. All I know is that I couldn't take the chance of denying a child's innocence that it was officially Christmas-time. Luckily it did snow at school and they did take them out to see it because by the time we got home, it had stopped snowing and none of it stuck to the ground. Rheagan said to me, "Mommy, it snowed today so it's Christmas". My heart just melted because what some people take for granted, my little girl found such joy, if even for just a moment. This snow symbolized that Santa was here. We decorated the tree last night and by the time we were done, it was snowing again. I was in another room when daddy announced that it was snowing and what I heard as I saw a little 5 year girl running towards me was joyful squealing. Rheagan was so excited as she threw on her shoes and coat. Thank goodness I bought the Gap "warmest jacket" that I thought we'd never use. We got all bundled up to go out and catch snow on our tongues. Of course I captured the moment for Rheagan and Reese. So you know I will soon be scrappin' the day it snowed in Houston and made the promise of Christmas come true for one little girl. I'd like to ask everyone that if this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, what will?

Since I haven't told anyone about my blog I'll just ask myself right now. And I know the answer.

I started my own blog ... Now what?

I'm not sure why I started this blog, perhaps to have my place on the Internet? No, I could care less about that. Maybe to track all my favorite links and blogs? No, that's why we have "Favorites". Everyone else is doing it? No, I wouldn't jump off a bridge just 'cause everyone else is. To express myself? No, I don't need the WWW to do that but it seems like the most logical reason for now. I guess I will discover the reason once my blog evolves (or dies) over time.

For now, I think I will make this as a landing site to share my passion for my kids and hobbies with whoever is interested. I'm most passionate about scrapbooking the life of my children so I'm sure I'll share some ideas on that. I also love to scuba dive. I go on a big diving trip 1 - 2 times per year so I'll chronicle that. I want to learn how to make jewelry - we'll see how that turns out.

Oh and I guess I should share a bit about me. I am married to a wonderful man, who would literally do anything for me. I'm a working mommy of two beautiful girls. I also have a really great step-son. I live my life for my kids, although I have not forgotten about me. I still know how to have fun! My girls are 5 years and 6 weeks old right now. My oldest ADORES my youngest and I am sure the admiration will be returned when our youngest gets a bit older. I work as a marketing manager for the world's largest technology company, HP. I really love my job but that doesn't mean I want to work the rest of my life. That may change in the next 6 - 7 years but that's all I'm gonna say about that for now ;)

I'm not sure how often I'll update my blog, maybe daily, weekly, monthly and I'm still not sure what my blog will focus on. Let's just see what happens ...