One lucky girl

2010-01-31T17:57:24Z

winding down

Hard to believe that summer vacation is quickly coming to an end. I will attend staff in-service next Thursday and we all go back the following Monday. It goes so fast. Here I thought, I will be off work and have all this time but life is just so busy and summer is no exception. I think with the blog it's a catch too because I will take photos or have some updates to share but then I can't find the time to get on to post and then more time passes and it just feels so overwhelming to recap weeks and weeks. Plus then it's old news, right?

so I am caving in and going to look back on some of our summer and finally try to look ahead at all that is to come and sadly that is coming to terms with my Beeba going to High School:(  I never remember my mom feeling emotional about the transitions of my life or having a hard time letting go. I look around so often for others and wonder are they struggling too? I just want to freeze time and keep him here with us. Now all I seem to tell myself is that I only have four more years , like he is going to fall off the Earth but to be honest I think he will go far and I have big dreams for him yet can't imagine waking up to have him not here everyday. I want to enjoy this four year journey and soak in every memory. Friends of ours that we have gotten to know well up here have a son Jacob's age but they also have an older son that will leave for college this month. I have empathy so her, thinking she is facing all those fears right now. She commented on the fact that he is gone all the time now and it feels like he already left. She said she continues to pull out 4 sets of silverware to set the table and then realizes with a lump in her stomach. I think your kids try to prepare you too. This summer Jacob is gone all the time. He seems to be so antsy if he is home for even a short while with no plans. In the school year he always has practice after classes and evenings of games or homework but i can only imagine that our weekends to come will have many social outings for him.  He is so excited about High School which then makes me excited:) We have a friend who will remain nameless that was able to get me a copy of Jacob's schedule a little early this summer so he was so excited to see that and we also peeked to find that he has lunch with several friends.. that part is so important you know;)  I just realized recently that once you enter high School the school supply lists also cease. Where was the big announcement that 'oh, hey.. that too is over'  {sigh} so we bought folders and papers and pens and so Jackson made up for it with all the hundreds of things he thought he needed that WEREN"T on the supply list.lol!  He is also excited but I think he is worried about a teacher and mostly just excited about new supplies and new shoes and that sort of thing. He has loved staying up til the wee hours and sleeping in. He is my night owl and keeps up with me. He watches the golden girls marathon most nights:) He has recently become a huge sports center fan. He never really watched that when it wasn't on already for Jacob and Shane .. which is often. I could always count on Jackson to watch anything I wanted to watch and i love to covet the remote when the older guys aren't around! Jackson is keeping up on sports scores and player news and is really becoming more focused on improving his game. Football is in full swing and jackson is trying to earn a spot as quarter back.

He is really good at football and I don't know the game at all but I have got to learn because they are both playing. Jackson has practice five days a week and during the conditioning they used Jackson for examples to all the players. Saying, ' Doyle, show em how it's done'. Jackson would bear crawl down the field or push the sled, etc.  He should have a position as a starter so I'm excited for his season which begins in a week! Jacob has been conditioning all summer but they are now in 2 a days which go from 7-1pm .. 6 hours in the heat which now has reminded us of summers in the midwest.  Makes it hard to go to Magic waters because he gets done around 1pm and Jackson has to be to his before 5pm:(  We really haven't gone this year like i hoped but maybe we can squeeze in a few weekend trips before they close to at least get our money out of it.

The boys have been swimming quite a bit at the neighbors and they love to play neighborhood whiffle ball games.  They painted a field and they have lights out to play in the dark;)   I have loved being home this summer to catch up on things during the day like laundry, phone calls, errands, etc and then feeling like when shane comes home we have lots of time to be together with nothing taking a priority like it does when I work full time.  I love playing cards together, staying up late.. Sunday nights are the best in the summer. They usually are a bummer because there is so much to do to get ready for the week ahead and work and school, etc so I will miss that! We have visited the shaved ice shop that our neighbors own quite a bit. She may give Jacob a job there next spring/ summer so that will be great if it works out!

Baseball season was crazy busy and I am readyfor a new sport to begin but have to say that I am so happy that we made the switch for Jackson to this league. He had a great year hitting 14 homeruns and 4 of them grand slams!  He crushed the ball and built so much self esteem.  His team went all the way to the championship game and it went into extra innings with Jackson hitting his 4th GS! It was such an exciting game and we ended up losing by one. 

 

Shane's dad made Jackson this cool display for the team bat he was given with all the players signatures and his stats. He loved it!

Jacob also played great defensively but really struggled to take any help from Shane and try to hit the ball better. His team did win the league and advanced to the divisionals but lost. Making the switch to a travel team may prove to be the best decision too if it helps him make the Hononegah team. I feel bad for Jacob because he hasn't had the best summer with all his commitments. He had weight lifting every morning and football conditioning and basketball practice and games as well as baseball all the time. whew! makes me tired to write it.lol!

The boys both did basketball camps and seem to really love that sport!

shane took a week off in July when we were going to originally travel to virginia to visit his brother but with the boys still in playoffs we couldn't make it work. We have come to realize that summer vacations really have to take place in June and they just have to miss a couple regular season games because otherwise we just can't get away. remind me of this for next summer:)

shane and i were able to get away for a couple days to Lake geneva. We love it there and it was so fun!

I would love to rent a boat out there and go tubing.. maybe in the coming summers!

I love the long road that leads to the cottage...hate to say goodbye.

My sister inlaw came from denver for a quick visit and we spent the day at Sandpark pool. My sister came in from Chicago too and Stacey was able to get the day off so we had a fun day and dinner together. I took a couple pics of my sister and Jackson racing:)

Jacob was trying to be quick and whip the towel so I couldn't get a picture!

So far August has been super eventful. Jacob's birthday was a great time. We had tons of teens here again for a party but no one slept over so it really was pretty smooth. We  sent many invites out

and many showed up for food, drinks, volleyball, bags tournament and a bonfire.

We had family come the next day for a celebration.

We also went to visit my grandma for her birthday. She was happy to see us.

We then ran to a going away party for our friends.. they are going to England for a year.

Sunday we left for Gurnee mall and did a lot of looking and a little shopping. Jacob spent a little bday cash and we picked up a couple school things. I love the gap outlet and so miss our local Gap. I found a few staples there for work and then I found archivers scrapbook store in there?? totally forgot that was there and so that was a fun surprise. I left with a super tiny bag and used my coupon so I must say it was my smallest purchase ever:)  We stayed free at a Marriott right there. We earned a bunch of points when we stayed at a pricey one in June for my brother's wedding so we had a free stay and indoor pool so very nice night. Jacob brought his close friend that has never been to six flags and he loved it.  We went right away and were in before they opened on monday. We had great weather and we stayed til just about closing ..12 full hours:)

I did brave the Demon but I just can't do those coasters. I loved the water rides but I think I enjoyed watching them go on everything. Jackson was so scared last summer without Shane and this year he rode it all.. superman, viper, Eagle, raging bull, batman.. everything! They loved it!

 Shane and Jacob rode the Giant drop! My camera battery died right after we got there so these were taken with the phone:(

 

It was a great way to spend Jacob's birthday and Jackson earned a free ticket reading so we always plan to go and it was pretty easy for them to get on rides on a weekday.

Shane bought Jackson this mug for braving raging bull... the biggest  drop! He was so brave;)

I read two books in the last few weeks. I finished My sister's Keeper in just two days. A really good book and a twist I didn't see coming. I am anxious to see the movie now. I also read the Time Traveler's wife and plan to go on a date Friday night to see it!! It was a great book!

 

I had a scrap night recently and it was so fun to see friends and catch up. I wish we had those like say, every week. They really make we happy;) So excited to be creating. I finally got samples done for new classes and I am really excited about the next couple months. I hope to pull out the kids school scrapbooks this week and add to them.  I am looking so forward to my scrapbook convention/workshops next month in Vegas for Inspiration Unlimited and then I will spend the weekend scrappin' in October with the girls and then I am going to take this  six hour class in November from Donna Downey.. I am so excited to meet her and take a class from her! It's going to amazing:) My scrapbook celebrity!lol! I also will have a booth here in Rockton at the Dome for the Peppermint swirl show.. looking forward to a successful show and hope to make lots of goodies for that in october!

This last week has been rough. family matters going on and trying to pull myself out of my pjs most days. All I will say is that it makes me want to hug everyone I love and tell them I love them and remember to stop sweating the small stuff.

Life is short but it is a gift.

throw in the towel??

hmm.. I thought I might hop on here to say I'm done with the blog but I guess I feel like I should give it one more shot before throwing in the towel, right?

so we have been off for well over a month and you would think with not working I would have all this time to blog. nope.

I think we just may be busier than ever right now. Jacob and I are up every morning way too early for summer.. about 7am. Except on the the real good days when shane has to leave around that time and he tells me to sleep in.. I love those words:)

Then i have to grab him before 9am and then take him back for hoops practice when they have it. This week jackson is in basketball camp all day at Jefferson and that hike back and forth twice a day is CRAZY! 45 minutes each way so about 3 hours in the flippin' car a day. This morning Shane took him and I was sooo excited! good thing it's just the week.  I hate driving for long periods .. I've been spoiled with that too because Shane takes on most of that always.

so late mornings and early afternoons have been filled with house work- trying to keep it clean and all laundry caught up, scrapbook class stuff, photography workshop, and any errands. This part of the day goes so fast. I try to fill it with productive tasks. You know during the school year when you would have that snow day or a day off you just weren't counting on, it was like i felt I could accomplish a thousand things and this summer I just feel like it is so packed with sports commitments that there isn't as much getting done or all the real fun stuff. We are busy in the day but have games every night and usually we are split up with the boys or the real lucky nights when we have an early game for one and then the late game for the other and we spend 5-6 hours at the ball park. We haven't even been to MW yet! crazy! I thought Jacob and I would go a day or two this week and then grab Jackson from camp but it's been so damn cool and rainy this summer. such a bummer.

Candi and Troy have come for dinner and to ball games- so good to get to know the guy who is responsible for all this happiness:)

Jacob has hoops in wisconsin two nights a week.. two games each night so that's fun but it also takes 45 minutes just to get there too:(

He looks so grown up in his Indians jersey..

 

Baseball is coming to a close and lots of tournaments will fill the rest of this month. Jackson has had the BEST season we could've asked for. He has had over 10 home runs and last week he hit his second grad slam!!He was asked to join a Bronco game this week {the older league} so that was a great experience. He hit a two run bomb when we came back from denver and I finally remembered the flip.

 

 

Jackson plays his end of year tournament this weekend, Shane is in a softball tournament all weekend in Byron, and Jacob has a basketball tournament in wisconsin this weekend. Next week Jackson plays in a tournament with the travel team that he made. That will be out a at Roy Gayle. Next weekend Jacob will be playing his Regional tournament.. they won for the league and advanced without having to play state. Jacob has struggled to hit the ball this year in this upper division but he has made some unbelievable plays defensively. His games are so exciting to watch!

I feel like I am trying to remember what has happened and what i should share..

Shane had a great father's day and we went to visit his dad and had a cookout..

We went to Denver the end of june for my brother's wedding. We left at 10pm and drove straight through. Shane drove til 5am and I drove til noon.  We had great food, a really nice hotel right downtown and enjoyed pool time daily. Friday we went to a street mall and that was a great time and then we went to the 'night before the big night' party and  had pizza, drinks, and yummy ice cream sandwiches. Lots of family and a really good time..

   

 

 

Saturday was the wedding and it was beautiful outside. The view from the ceremony-

My favorite part was during the vows, my brother pulls out a guitar and sings to her. I of course was crying:) managed to still try to take some pictures. I took hundreds but sharing a few...

They were married outside at a pavilion and then we went to Lodo's for the reception, a rooftop restaurant/bar  right across from coors field. They had lots of unique spins and the photo booth was a huge hit with Jackson all night! He was in there or on the dance floor all night! So very glad we could all make it there. It was wonderful but ended too soon. We were all feeling a little bummed to have to head home without really hanging out with them or having more time to spend in Denver. Shane and i love it there.  My dad was there and so that was the only down fall of the evening but he only approached me once and my kids were okay so I was okay. A few drinks helped me to eventually lighten up too:)

at 10pm the bar was then open to the public to join us and so technically the boys were not of age to be there. My favorite is when the police came up and wanted us to leave, my sister who was hammered tells the cop off.. '"listen, this is our brother's wedding and these are her kids and they aren't leaving" It was great. The cop actually bought the boys each a red bull and let us stay. We chose to leave pretty soon though because it got packed and a rowdy crowd to watch your kids in.

I want to remember:

*Jackson asking ten thousand questions

*Shane getting a speeding ticket.. just somethin' about Iowa!

*Swimming in the rain and getting caught in the POURING rain while downtown at the street mall

*Hearing the hotel hairdryer going off all the time and realizing it was Jackson upstairs in the loft, blow-drying the little hair he has. made me laugh outloud EVERY time;)

* forgeting my camera battery at home in Illinois and Shane driving me all over to get one and not being crabby about it one bit.

*playing cards together at night

*Jackson begging for the loft bedroom

* Jacob saying he loves when people call him sir.. makes him feel like a man!LOL!

*playing the alphabet game in the car with Jackson and he fell asleep on letter J.

Started the game over when Shane was awake and I found letter Z and finally beat him:)

*Going to get breakfast each morning, just me and the kids still in our pjs

*Learning that Michael Jackson died and feeling so shocked.

*loving that shane is so relaxed when he is on vacation

*people watching while eating outside at the street mall

*Jackson begging us not to cut his hair for the wedding.. he so wants long hair. only 8 more years kiddo:)

*loving Denver and wishing we could stay just a few more days

* Shane sitting in the only shaded spot, ready his magazine while I soaked up the sun and the kids lived in the water

*Jacob and Jackson wearing Kevin's sunglasses most of the night at the reception and thinking they looked so cute!

*Silly photos in the photo booth with everyone I love

*Jackson tearing up the dance floor

*Jacob too cool to get out and dance with all those 'old' people:)

*Shane calling me soldier all weekend for sharing the drive

*wishing we took road trips more often

great trip!

 We had our nieces over night last week. Gabby is talking so much now and she is the princess of the house!

We went to Shane's aunts house for a 4th party

Jackson lighting his first little rocket. the highlight for him:)

{ i made Gabby's hair festive for the occasion:)}

then headed to party at our friends and then scooped up Jacob's friend before dark and headed downtown to watch the fireworks. my favorite tradition:)

Jacob, the teenager that he is, was focused more on the cute girls in front of us and texting.

My photography class is in full swing and it is a ton of information to take in but I have this binder to fill and it's huge and then each lesson is in audio form which i love because i can fold laundry and still hear all the info:)

Shane is off all next week.. we are all looking forward to that. Jackson has baseball going into Monday if they make the championship game so we had to move our Lake Geneva reservation from the weekend to mid week. Can't wait. We are staying here in the cottage suite. It's beautiful there.

Jacob and I have been working on invites for his birthday. We are letting him have another big bday party. yes, we are crazy. No sleepover this time but we would like to get a few couples to come and help us 'supervise' so let me know if you can help. anyone?? c'mon:)

14. I am in denial of course and can't even think about next month and his high school journey. not yet anyway.

I have been busy gearing up for another month on my website and classes/kits. I got some of these cute goodies that arrived from back order.

They are for an upcoming kit..I can't wait.  I also need to take some time this summer to get a jump on the fall craft show here and add to the Etsy shop.

I hope to get out the boy's school albums and have them help with last years photos and papers and finish Jacob's DC book and hope to make a little book from our Denver trip. maybe at scrapnight?

We are going to go to Great America in august and St. Louis the next month for Labor day softball tournament with the gang. looking forward to a few more getaways this summer.

Hope you are all enjoying summer and maybe I can try to jump on here again soon before giving it up. lots of my friends have gone away from the blogging but they are also addicted to FB.. I can say that i mostly update from my phone and only get on there every once and awhile. I would like to dig up some old pictures though.

Jackson was supposed to have a game that was rained out but they still scrimmaged so I ended up at home when I didn't plan to be so stuck some baked potatoes in the oven and hopped on here.  I wonder if any of you are even checking here anymore for posts.. this may be too late:)lol!

for the first time in a LONG time..

Shane came home yesterday and asked about our day, what we did, etc. - I was searching for a productive answer. hmm, I did laundry. I sorted a few piles of papers that were needing attention. Other than that. nothing really. I spent time running kids around and my guilty pleasure- Y&R. But I can't remember the last time I was searching for something to fill my time. nice. really nice;)

Then we played cards on the deck and he asked if i had plans or if i was coming to his softball game later. nope- no plans. He of course looks shocked. no plans? where is my wife??

Looking so forward to a great summer. We have magic waters passes so I hope when the temps climb to oh, maybe the 80's? we can make it out there. I do love the cooler temps for now though. Our electric bill has never been this low.lol! plus I love having all the windows open 24/7! Shane says it instantly relieves his work stress coming home to a clean, airy house.

Jacob has football training everyday at Hononegah.. lots of running and he described the puke buckets that surround them. YUK! I pick him up from that at 9:30am and then I am walking with a friend. Get Jacob back to hononegah by 11am for basketball til 1pm! I think he can miss a few here and there but otherwise it's keeping him busy til evening when his baseball kicks in! Yesterday I felt guilty having him mow- he looked like he was about to collapse;(

Jackson had a thrilling weekend! He and jacob were in tournaments all weekend and Shane and I split up with each. Jackson ended up winning the entire tournament and he played awesome. Ready? several homeruns, including a grand slam in the championship game!!:) He is crushing the ball this year! He got a big trophy and I think he's still smiling:)

Jackson is signed up for a basketball camp in July and I think we are going to send him to a football camp too.

We are going to denver in a couple weeks and we aren't going to be able to take our road trip out East in July because of state tournaments/playoffs for Jacob so we are looking at the beginning of august now. Jackson would be in football training and have to miss a week but Jacob would have a break from football at that time and baseball would be over for both. Crazy trying to plan anything all year when you have kids in sports. I hear it gets worse in high school if you take a vacation Christmas or Spring break that they sit after, etc. highly frowned upon here is the rumor. Not good news for our cruise.

We are going to a  cub game in august and we also got tickets for this tour that is coming to Milwaukee..

perfect place to go since my guy is from there!! We gave the boys the surprise tickets right when the finale aired. We are center stage on the floor so it will be a great concert. I have always wanted to do this since we watch together every year. Can't wait!

to back track a little - Jacob had a very nice graduation ceremony. Grandparents were all able to get tickets so that was good news. I only got chocked up once when they referenced the children we handed off in august of 2000 and the young men/women we are sending into high school. {sigh}

Jacob sent we a very sweet text message that morning thanking me for all i do and reminding me it is a small step and lots more to come and enjoy. Nice when your not so little guy helps put it in perspective.

 

After pictures i took Jacob to the banquet for the dance. I left him outside to wait with the others in line and went in to finish last minute prep with the other committee members. The hall looked great, the slide show was a hit and the DJ rocked.. they were on the floor all night! Jacob tearing up the dance floor like his dad used to:)

We left there around midnight.

My last work day was the next day. Jackson had a picnic and I ran over to grab a few pics for the scrapbook..

 

The Lia sophia party went great. I don't have parties too often but i really have to recommend this- I got a $128 glass bead necklace I wanted for just hosting the party then two pairs of earrings for two bookings. I had lots of family and friends here and the party went well and now i chose close to $600 in free jewelry and some bonus items.  Well worth it. should be here by Friday too! My friend could use the business too so let me know if you are interested in tons of free jewelry;)

sunday we had family and close friends over for dinner to celebrate for Jacob.  I placed a picture from his first day of Kindergarten out and his last day before high school.

we had good food and lots of drinks:)

love having people over too. makes me happy!

Matt and Carla came and hung out on the deck. good times.

monday was our anniversary. 13 years. I was thinking back and it's funny how you can remember little details and emotion. Kids with so much we were trying to accomplish. both in school and working. taking care of Jacob and getting our first place.  Then trying to be the supportive spouse and not slip through the cracks to divorce when the times got tough.. and there were lots of tough times.  So very proud of us.  so glad we made it and so glad I had you by my side through it all.

We are hoping to sneak away to lake Geneva for a day/night at our favorite spot- French Country Inn... maybe in July??

Jackson plays tonight. Tomorrow i am going to Archivers with the girls:)  and Friday Jacob has a game. looking forward to getting a few things done this weekend because the following June weekends we are out of town. and then I teach sunday afternoon.

oh and I have lost 25 pounds. I bought a pair of size 8 jeans at Ann Taylor loft a few weeks ago and now are already a little big;) I hope to hit 30 pounds by the wedding!

Enjoy the sunshine today~

we're friends again

I had really lost touch with my SLR since taking on the 365 project last year and feeling forced to have my camera EVERYWHERE - everyday but recently I am reaching for it again and loving the great pictures that this camera takes. I have had fun clicking away. My memory card has over 400 images on it just from this last week. Back to my usual picture loving friendship:)

I took tons at Mags Graduation and I'll share a few favorites. Very proud moment for her and all of us who love her and feared this may not happen at one point over the last couple years.

 

 

 

Her boyfriend who was Validictorian

 

I'm so proud of you, Jessica!

{ a nickname that stuck after too many blonde moments:)

Jackson had his baseball game this week and I was able to get lots of pictures of the team. Jackson pitched and played first.. he had a ton of strike outs and a great grab or two. He also had some big hits and scored. They won!! He is having a great start and I'm so happy that he is happy!

 

 

 

 

 

and this one of jacob that is classic.. texting away..

 

Thursday was field day for both the boys at school. They came home so cute with their headbands that i had to get a picture or two. Jackson was on the pink panther squad and had to get a pink shirt from cait.

Jackson won the sportsmanship award for the entire school for field day.. He received an MP3 player and was announced for special recongnition .. he was so happy and I am so proud of him! 

 

 

 

worked on several projects this week- this one is for a friend to give her daughters brownie troop leaders.. it's a book of songs for camp outs. Turned out pretty cute.

 

Friday was Jacob's last day at Stephen Mack. Hard for me to believe we have been here three years and he is now headed to Hononegah. Once your kids are in school, the years fly by and I know he has made so many friends. He is at a wonderful school and for that i am so grateful. I will miss knowing lots of teachers and feeling like an involved parent, volunteering,etc. i think that will change in high school with so many kids and rarely seeing them. There will be so many exciting new experiences ahead of him and I feel like i want to stop time yet i can't wait to see what great things await him.

To celebrate the last day of middle school, I went in on a limo with another mom. The boys thought we were picking them up for pizza with friends. Instead they were shocked to see this SUV limo. Truly a great surprise that I know they earned!

 

Cheers to you Beeba:)

Friday night we went to Garrett's and had all the boys there for pizza and hoops. Girls came over later and we had a bonfire. Shane and I left there for an hour or so and went to see his sister's band in roscoe again.

 

lots of family and friends there and we were bummed to have to take off but I went back for Jacob and even though it was supposed to wrap up by 9pm it went on til almost midnight. I had a few margaritas with Becky and we sat by the fire chatting about our great kids. good times.

Jackson has been checking on the nest daily.. the babies are here:)

 

 

lots of family time this weekend. We got our screens repaired and up, we ate meals on the deck and played cards, we went to a friends for bags tournament and beers, we slept in for the first time in weeks! We enjoyed the beautiful weather and Shane finally put in a new screen/storm door1 I've wanted that for 3 years so I'm thrilled to have it up:)

spent the rest of tonight doing laundry, catching up on projects and updating my june scrap stuff:blog, website, and newsletter!

Jackson is going to the zoo tomorrow and he has a baseball game tomorrow night if it doesn't rain. Jacob's graduation is tomorrow night. I am off early to go decorate the hall. I have been working on a slideshow for it for a long time and can't wait to see it up on the big screen;)

It will be a long night though because the dinner/dance is right after the ceremony and goes til 11pm BUT then Tuesday is my last day of work and we are off for the summer!

Grateful. the best gift my husband gives me every year to have these summer's with my kids.

Welcome June! have a great week:)

Week eight weigh in and some other stuff

okay so I should start this by sharing that the diet was pretty much non-existent this week. Sad but true.. I did not exercise at all:(.. life got in the way of any 'me' time and then this weekend really kicked my butt. I ate junk at the mall food court instead of the wheat sandwich from subway followed by a trip to our little ice cream shop friday night.. homemade ice cream, had to have some. Then the ball park all weekend- that says enough {nachos, taco in a bag} it's all very depressing and to be real, I have trouble looking at my nutrisystem food there in the pantry but back to it and some kind of exercise this week.. I am determined.  I did manage to still lose a pound though so think if i gave it any effort. :)

other stuff: Busy life ya know!

Jackson had his first baseball game of the season and it was awesome! He pitched and did fabulous! He had a game winning grab and he hit a home run.. well, he really hit a double but the outfield made a couple errors and he scored on his hit so..in the park homer;) We also played his teacher's son and so she was there cheering him on too..she loves him and he will sure miss her. So happy he had a huge 1st game!

forgot my zoom lens so better pics next time

Jackson is also thrilled about the bird nest right outside his window.. checking on the eggs daily.

I was able to go on a field trip with Jackson this week. We went to see a play and it was fun to spend the day with him. He is a great kid- 

 although I will say it felt like i was working. I went right away in the morning to Jacob's school to run 8th grade grad copies and then right to Jackson's school for the trip and then as soon as that was over i went to my mom's school for my big craft projects with moms and kids.. lots of work but fun and i am already thinking up things for the fall.

Friday i came home to a spotless kitchen- even the stove. i HATE to clean the stove, one of the worst jobs and my husband cleaned it all and he brought home roses and a mushy card. what a great way to start the weekend! thanks babe!

I finished Maggie's board for her party.. lots of fun looking through 18 years of photos. so many memories. I love how a picture takes you back in time.

She had a good party and I'm very proud of her. Her actual graduation is this wednesday afternoon.

We went to her party after Jacob's games then we met him at the coach's house for the team pool party. Did i mention I also had some margaritas?? bad weekend.bad.

Jackson and I went back out to the mall this morning so I could grab a few more things.. a super cute dress from AT loft and some dressy stuff for the boys. zoomed out to Roy Gayle to see a great game. Jacob's team won the entire tournament and Jacob hit his first home run out of the park this season.. he needed a big hit as he's been in a little slump. so, so happy for that. The team trophy is taller than me.. seriously! very cool.

Shane left right from the game to go to Wrigley with his Dad for the cub game.

The boys and i were home tonight.. i have been creating all afternoon/night. worked on the week of summer mini book

and the book for jackson's teacher as well as a little album for his math teacher who recently had a baby.

I also made a thank you card and sorted product kits.  did a little laundry and watched some monday tv.

Busy rest of the week. baseball every night and making a bee hive cake tomorrow night for a teacher that is retiring.  more creative work for classes. hoping to squeeze time in to tan and workout. Jacob's last day at Stephen Mack is Friday. can't talk about that since i'm over tired and will get to sappy.

Hope you had a great weekend and enjoy the week.. it's already Tuesday..love that;)

Monday weigh in week 7 and more

so the blog is feeling like a huge weight lately..no pun intended but just another thing I want to keep up with but I know i can push to the back burner when life gets busy and lately it's real busy. I find myself writing a few to-do lists a day..totally unreasonable and I am searching for extra hours in the days just to feel like I am accomplishing things off those lists!so.. my apologies for the bad blogging BUT I will say this, it's a crazy time of year for my family and school and sports so I know that in umm.. 9 more work days that I will feel like I have more time for this blog because then school commitments will be over and work for the next three beautiful months will also be over!

{sigh} I can feel the stress getting better already;)

until then this is a peek at my to-do list which has to be completed between the hours of 3pm and oh, midnight in the next week  if I'm lucky:

*finish up kits for Washington Academy projects/craft day.. that is this Thursday!

*complete mini book class sample and post pics on creative blog and make a newsletter email for it

*run boys to practices and open gym

*boys haircuts

*Jackson's first game..tomorrow night:)

*make hair and eyebrow appt for me for june

*make baseball calendars for the summer for family

*ship etsy item that sold

*buy postcard stamps and finish addressing and sending out for Lia Sophia party {June 4th.. please come and have munchies and a margarita and check out my friend, Amy's stuff}

*make invites for Jacob's friends for their last day of school.. something WAY cool in the works but hush for now on here!

*make a girl scout book for a friend to give to her daughter's leader

*finish stalking the kids in Jackson's class to turn in their pages for the special book for the teacher gift

*Finish the teacher scrapbook

*make a baby mini book for Jackson's math teacher.. she just had a baby;)

*make project 12 layouts and kits for class

*make samples with new product for June

*sort the HUGE piles of new product in my studio

*June newsletter and site update

*work on assignments for the photography class i am in

*finish slideshow for 8th grade graduation party

*buy a display for Maggie's graduation board for the party

*search through pics for board and make displays

*get tables and chairs to moms

*get a gift

*get to the mall and grab a few things including a graduation outfit for Jacob

*groceries

*laundry

*Jacob- five baseball games this weekend

*get a new screen door and get it up

*yard work

*plan cards and treats for teachers/office for end of year thank u's

* tan and get to the Y

*return way over due movies

OMG.. r u tired yet? lol! I know we all have lists or think of them anyway but it never ends and so the blog suffers.

Mother's day was good. spent the day with my kiddos and I even splurged and had grill and a hand full of doritos.. my weakness and after six weeks.. they tasted so good;)

We also visited family

We have been to lots of baseball games for Jacob and he also was honored at Hononegah for awards night.

lots of work on my Washington project.. my living room is a mess-

Stacey helped me last weekend to get flowers and plant them in big pots for the porch and I am hoping to keep them alive;)

We cut down a tree.. a little one and cleaned up others..trimming them down. I also got my new little birdhouse in a tree out front.. so cute.. thanks Maggie;)

stopped at jacque's for her graduation open house and that was so fun to catch up with the girls from COL. too long but funny how after years you can fall right into place and it feels like no time has passed?

as for the weight.. I have lost 23 pounds as of Sunday night but I have been too relaxed about it and eating off plan too much so the scale tonight.. Tuesday,  did not say 23 pounds any more:( so.. back to the grind!

I think we will be finishing what food we have in the pantry for Nutrisystem and then we are going to try to continue but buy healthy and try it. We have more than a month left of food still.

my size ten jeans are so baggy on me.. looks like i dont have a butt and they fall loose to my hips. .where they were too tight two months ago and had a very ugly muffin top bulging out the top that was squeezed right at my waist.. that has to be better than the number on the scale for me.. feeling it or feeling less;)

Shane joined me at the Y last week and it pushed me to go and work harder so i hope we will try to go together as much as possible.. maybe early before he goes to work this summer. than kgoodness for him through this diet..pushing me. He is adding sit ups to his routine. I haven't felt the desire to do that. hate sit ups!

it's after 1:30am but i will add this to a late tuesday night post. I have to try to get a little sleep.. up even earlier tomorrow than usual becuase i am signed up to bring monkey bread to work for staff breakfast. Lets see how that will power holds up tomorrow. yikes:)

Have a good rest of the week! Please know i am thinking of you and this damn blog even when life gets in the way of my posts

Monday weigh in- week six

blackjack!

21 pounds in six weeks..pretty happy with that. I had a goal of twenty pounds by the end of June.. maybe by then, it will be thirty;)

More everyday stuff soon!

monday weigh in week 5.. just a day late;)

It's probably no surprise that I am late sharing..  busy and this diet has me feeling frustrated. I ate off plan a couple times this last week.. a healthy sub sandwich in place of my lunch and then we went to a family dinner at a restaurant Saturday.. I had a little salad and half a pork chop. I also only ate breakfast Saturday ,knowing i was eating out. BUT I only lost one pound this week. has me feeling weak. I am also struggling with the monthly enemy that hung around this week so I  hope to be down more next week.

We have the pig flu going around up here so Jackson's baseball was canceled for the beginning of the week. Jacob's game tonight was canceled and that is allowing more time to catch up on things around here.  thankful for that.. the overwhelming feeling of being behind was getting to me.

I let Jacob stay home from school yesterday. He had a horrible sunburn and didn't sleep much and couldn't move his neck.. it's a bad one. He was out at the park all day Saturday and after shutting down the sale I went out for his game and as soon as I saw him I knew it was too late. He was sooo red;( Then he was out in the sun again all day Sunday for eight hours.. loaded him with sunscreen all day but he is now blistering and peeling. So I call him in on Monday morning and I'm asked about 50 questions about his absence.. forgetting about the pig flu (one of the few around here who doesn't think about it non stop and actually thinks they are over -reacting.. it's the flu people!) How silly I felt to have to say umm.. keeping him home for a severe sunburn? crazy.

I dropped him today after school at Hononegah for open gym hoops with all the high school players. I would have felt so nervous but he was fine and said he met the coaches and ended up playing with David Brown.. a senior who is pretty great up here.  He said 'Nice moves, man' .. that's about all he told me so I guess he will be back Thursday to do it again;)

In day two of my portraiture photography class.. learning some new things that may help me for my brother's wedding next month. OMG.. my brother is getting married next month. so surreal to write that.

going tomorrow night to get my french pedicure at Asha.. Candi gave me a certificate for my bday.. much needed and I am looking forward to cute toes;)

off to read and wait for my husband who needs a reminder that I love him with all of my heart.

where did the week go?

It's Sunday and way too late to give you a long post so the quick recap of the last few days..

*work

*errands

*baseball games and practice

*Prepping for our annual garage sale

*good sale.. $$ to go to a new screen door.. and anyone who has been here in the last ,oh, three years knows we need a new one;)

*mid terms

* registered for another photography class.. it starts tomorrow..how am I going to find time for those lessons and assignments?

*exercising

*preparing for May classes

*updating creative blog

*updating website

*creating online newsletter

*watching Jacob's tournament.. they won it all, playing all day today and yesterday  and he is sooo sunburned.

*softball tournament for Shane

*mowing the lawn with Jackson

*out to dinner with my inlaws and extended family

* watching shannon and her band play

* laundry

*homework

*still having a LONg to-do list.urgh! hoping to get tons done tomorrow because Jacob plays Tuesday and Thursday night. Jackson plays wednesday night and practice tuesday.

My weekend goals for NEXT weekend are to get a new screen up and get our yard cleaned up with fresh mulch, make a mini book, make Jacob's graduation invites, finish graduation slideshow, and bills, groceries, laundry... pretty sad when you are already trying to figure out what you can accomplish the next time you have a chance to breath!

Have a good week:)