Missing Old Friends

New Years Eve isn't the same without Susan and Ken nearby. We had started a short tradition of celebrating New Years together - and then they moved to Colorado. There are many times throughout the year that I miss them... but especially today/tonight.
So Susan - Tonight in your honor I make a Smore in the microwave, I will raise my glass to you and the RoTisSueSee - Because... well it WAS a good idea... but GLUE on a Marshmallow melter??! I miss you my friends - come visit soon, and give Jackson a kiss for me.

Completed a JS Photoshop Friday Tutorial and scrapped this picture I've been not sure how to scrap. Love the blurred effects....

I also did my Starbucks tumbler .... I love it!! I'll take some pictures of it tomorrow and post it.

Zach is at my parents house for the weekend. We dropped him off yesterday evening, and he'll be home tomorrow afternoon. It seems so weirdly quiet around here. I miss him but must admit I savored sleeping until 7:40am this morning. Sela happily sleeps in when Zach isn't rousing the entire house at the crack of dawn. When I talked to him this evening I asked him if he even missed me - and he said, "I do. An entsy weensy bit. "

Well that is better than not at all!

Meanwhile Miss Ci is loving having me all to herself. (Mark was working on the upstairs cabinets much of the day) She was all over me today putting toys on my head as hats and giggling, "helping" me take the Christmas decorations down. We had a fun day together. She cracks me up.

Tonight Mark and Sela and I went out to eat and then Sela asked to see Christmas lights again. Our favorite neighborhood to go to was dark - with only a few houses still lit up. Sela said in her sad voice, "Mama is Christmas over?" (I've been telling her this for a few days now - because she keeps asking me what Iwant for Christmas). I got the biggest lump in my throat, as I explained that yes, this was our last time to look at lights this year. I'm ready to put the decorations away... but I can't believe how fast the time rolls past. I swear I blink and the kids are older.

Grut, Grut, Glorious Grut

Christmas Eve would not be complete at our house without Grut. I can't remember a Christmas without it. It starts with a large pot, butter, flour, milk, cream and sour cream. It takes a VERY long time to stir - everyone takes turns, and as it thickens - your arms get stronger.

Finally it will bubble- and it is ready. It is served in bowls - topped with Cinnamon and sugar - which makes a tasty crust on the top.

Nobody I have ever described it to thinks it sounds good - but I have never met a person who hasn't loved it. It is a sprecial part of our holiday traditions, and I hope someday I'm supervising the pot, as my kids make it for their kids for the first time.

So Very Lucky

Happy Birthday to me. Today was my birthday and let me tell you how spoiled I was.... First I got to sleep in - a big deal with two early riser children. Then I got to read the newspaper, sip a latte that was made for me, and open gifts while my mom made me my favorite breakfast - juevos rancheros with new mexico chili. My WONERFUL husband and kids gave me a fancy 55 to 200 mm lens with vibration reduction for my new camera. THEN, my parents gave me a camera bag, and my daughter and son took turns giving me kisses and hugs. My day was great like this all day.

Mid-day I had a meeting with a gal who is into art with re-purposed objects. Not only was she a wealth of information, and ideas, but she was a complete sweetheart. I feel so inspired to keep moving forward with my ReCREATE plan.

This evening we went out for a bit and I came home to find a package of goodies from Cathy and Dusti. (My two incredible crafty friends. The pictures are of the cupcakes and the notebook and cards they each made me. ) They also gave me a starbucks card and a design a tumbler!! I LOVE those!! I also got to talk to my old friend Cheryl - and she never forgets my birthday... the girl rocks!

Thanks to all of you for making my day so special. I am SO blessed to have such a great group of friends and family.

Christmas Carols

Sela sang from her heart,
"Frosty the Snowman had a very happy nose!"

It reminded me of Zach last year. He was acting up, and I starting singing Santa Claus is Coming to town...

"He sees you when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake... He knows if you've been bad or good so be" (and I paused for full effect and absorbtion of the next word....)

To which Zach said, "have" as in ...so Behave!

It doesn't ryhme - but it was the highlight of last years caroling - just like Sela's Frosty rendition has been this year!

Santa Baby - Some new heels?

I've been meaning to make a page about Sela and her shoes... She got these shoes from some friends for her birthday and she LOVES them and often puts them on before anything (see top right pic)... So when we had the Christmas party.... the pink dress went on - and like a flash she was off for her "princess shoes". She would wear these every day if I let her - and often on the wrong foot. You just gotta love her sense of style, huh?!

I better go wrap some presents!

Santa Claus Came to Town!

We had such a nice holiday celebration with the kids on Tuesday. It was my kind of party to host - everyone brought food and yummy drinks - and I really didn't have much to do the day of the party - so I went to the mall and found Sela that sassy dress (The shoes were her addition - and there was no getting them off of her) and Zach his train sweater.
I liked Santa - he was nice - kept asking the kids if they had been good - I LOVED that!!
Zach said Santa looked way to different from the other day... true... so he wasn't too warm and fuzzy with him. He just can't trust a guy who can change his appearance just like that!

Reserving the name!!

I've not been here much this week. Tuesday night Santa visited our house - and there were 5 familes and 11 kids here... great fun and awesome pictures that I promise to share soon. Last night I went out to dinner with a couple of my girlfriends - My mom was kind enough to watch the kids because Mark was in the bay area for the night. Was nice for some adult time - and I am proud to say we talked about more than just our kids!
Tomorrow I am going to file a name reservation request for my potential non-profit. I found out there are some significant grants via the city that would be coming up for possible consideration - with paperwork due February 8th - ACK! I need to have my 501C 3 done by then to be considered... so I guess I will file the other paperwork next week - if I am able to get the name reserved tomorrow.

Scrambling to get a bare bones board put together for me to put the paperwork in. Could so use a clone of myself. Speaking of needing to be in two places at once... I need to sign off and go give my husband some attention!

Learning cool new things again!

Just love the effect of the panes across the picture. Learned this over at a chat at Designer Digitals last Friday - of course by Jessica Sprague. http://www.jessicasprague.com

A Visit From Santa

From Digital Scrap...

Yesterday we went to the Fishers' house for a Santa Claus Party! The kids all were dressed in their PJ's and it was as cute as can be. I think Zach and Ci did pretty good considering it took us almost 3 hours to make the trip there. Sela ended up sitting right next to Santa... and Zach came and sat hiding behind me for much of the time... finally we were able to get him to go to Santa - and when Santa asked him what he wanted - he said a "Wish Box" - like on Little Einsteins. He wants his box to magically turn into what he wants when he opens it. It took some convincing for him to understand Santa DID give him a wish box - because he was wishing for Legos - and that was what Santa brought him. I had to tell him that Little Einsteins was all about Hollywood effects - and that isn't real. It was the first time I tried out my camera for any length of time and I LOOOVVVE it! But I have TONS to learn!

Last night we stayed at a hotel. Zach was asleep long before we got there. Mark just plopped him into bed and he snoozed for hours before stirring. Ci took a little longer to settle down - but she slept through the night - and for that I was thankful!

Watched the end of Survivor - and reminded myself to STOP watching it as they always give the money to the jerks. Oh well!

Santa Can you please help me?

It is inevitable that when December rolls around my kids start bouncing off the walls... it has happens like clockwork. I'm not sure if it is the overabundance of sweets (Which I try to avoid), or the thought of the visit from Santa. Maybe it is the absolute overstimulation from everywhere they look.

I try my very hardest not to say, "Please be good or I am going to have to call Santa." But... it comes flowing out of my mouth for the first time around the 10th of the month when I have tried every other sound Mom technique I know - to no avail.

I don't want to do this - because last year when my son sat on the little digger he wanted so very badly, with a quivering voice he looked at me and said so thankfully, "I WAS good enough!" It broke my heart to think I had led him to believe he might not actually get his present - because December is a hard month for little kids to get through.

I have tried to avoid the malls, and to simplify this season to a few ideals I would like my kids to have in their hearts for Christmas.

So, Santa - for this year, can you please not let ME forget that the number of years that kids think Christmas is magical are numbered, and I need to savor these moments. I need to chill out and give my kids more patience and more understanding of their behavior around the holidays. I need to model calm behaviour in a month where everything else is screaming for their attention.

Thanks Santa - I hope in your eyes, that "I" will be good enough this year - that my kids hold memories from this year forever. I believe!

Holiday Tags

Played with more freebie stuff from the 12 days of Whimsical Wonderland

(Top two gift tags.)

The bottom two are from Jen Wilson's ultra cool freebie. Merry Days.

Can't get over the amount of beautiful free stuff I have collected in the last few weeks. I'll post my Layout from JS chat tomorrow.

Whew! TGIF!

Long day today... not sure why - I really didn't get much done...

Took the kiddos for haircuts this morning, then off to the park, ran home fixed lunch got snacks for school (my turn), shuttled Zach to Preschool, while Sela was supposed to take her nap. I got home and DH said she never settled down... she was in her crib - "playing with her [imaginary] sea otter". Got the presents needed for the weekend holiday party... wrapped a few, picked Zach back up, took the kids to the library, checked work emails, dealt with work stuff for a bit, played with the new camera, read a good portion of the DRY "How to Establish a Non-Profit Corporation" book, went with Mark and the kids to Fry's, fed the kids In and Out Burger while looking at Christmas lights, ran in, got Ci ready for bed, read her 2 books, got her in bed, tucked Zach in got on the Digital Designers chat, and tried to keep up. I never chat anymore, and have lost all ability to keep up with 6 conversations at once! now I need to finish my layout... ok - I'm tired just looking at my day - but somehow I feel better looking at it like that - I did some good things with the kids today.

On another note.. I had my meeting with SCORE yesterday about my Creative Reuse Center idea... the initial body language was hilarious - both were leaning back with their arms crossed, until I presented my plan and rough budget numbers. By the end of the meeting they were giving me some great advice on next steps and ways to make the numbers come together a bit closer, and names of people to contact. I am actually feeling more positive about it. They said I was more prepared than 95% of the people who walk in there, and I felt like I was totally winging it!

So - again... anyone out there who might want to support a creative cause that is good for the earth - we need to talk!

Missing My Digital Classes!

I really have no time to even spend scrapping right now... a million things to do, and yet, I'm wishing I was taking a class over at JessicaSprague.com

I played with this supercute Whimsical Wonderland Freebie collaboration kit today and made this layout.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with SCORE - re: my Creative ReUse idea. I have been crunching some numbers today, and I worry that I am going to really have to work for some time before bringing any moolah home. This is discouraging because I really want to do something both creative and good for the environment... but I am not sure the numbers make sense. Unless of course there is someone out there who'd like to give me a generous grant to get this project going. :)

Things heard before the sun rises

Z: MOOOMMMM!!!
Me: I'm in here. (my bed... obviously... it was 4:56am... and I had already been up a few times because I had been summoned.)
Z: Running into my room. MOM!! I wanted you to come to me!!! I called you to come to me!!!
Me: Trying very hard not to buy into the drama - (as it is 4:56AM - did I mention the time??!) Zach - What do you need?
Z: Mom- why didn't you come to me? I called you to me. This goes on for 5 minutes - I know because now the clock says 5:01am.
Me: Zach, What did you want me for? (for the 50th time. )
Z: OOOOHHH! You made me forget!!
Me: Zach - let's just go to sleep and you can remember in the morning.
Z: :::sigh::: ok... but you made me forget.
Me: Z - Sleeeeeeppp pleeeaaze.
Me ::: back to sleep - beautiful sleep::::
Z: Mom!! I remember! Is there going to be a cake or cupcakes at Kendal's birthday party?
Me: Probably cupcakes. (Proud of myself for not getting grumpy for getting woken up again.)
Z: Oh.
Me: Why - do you like cake better?
Z: YEAH! You get more!!

Little did Zach know that Kendal's birthday party would have both! Cake at the party and a cupcake to take home... Lucky boy! How about that cake? Dusti's talent is amazing to me. Is there anything that girl can't do??!

16 days of Single Motherhood And Grumpy Faces

Mark just got back from his annual 2 weeks a year with the Army Reserve. I think I did pretty good at being a single mom... but on my 16th day - as we were scrambling to get out of the house (late for something as usual)... I lost my patience and raised my voice - and ranted about the lack of focus on getting out the door. I got the kids in the car, took a few deep breaths, prayed for a moment of silence in the car, so I could regain my happy place... and miraculously the kids were quiet. After a few minutes of this, I said, "I'm sorry I got flustered and yelled at you back there. I really don't want to yell - but I get grumpy when you ignore what I am saying."

To which my four year old son says, Mom. Everyone gets like that sometimes... if you don't want to yell, just have a grumpy face."

Conversing with a two year old...

Walking back from dropping Zach off at preschool - Ci is telling me how Zach's best buddy from Class Carson played with her too. Her little arms were so expressive, as she told me, "and we played on the horseys and slide and the other place too!"

Started My December Pages

I have been in a creative funk... as you can see from my blog. I decided to finish a quick page compliments of Ali Edwards, via Jessica Sprague.

Sela and the Christmas Tree. She wanted to be right in there with Zach and I. So... while we were busily putting the ornaments on the tree - she was flinging them out of the boxes as fast as she could. We only lost a few, none that were incredibly sentimental and nobody required any bandaids.

She is sticking to wanting a "Hello Kitty computer" from Santa. Luckily I was FINALLY able to find a toy Hello Kitty computer for Santa to order for her. (I'm certainly not going to let her ask Santa real one - $2995.00 - Who buys these??!)

I love the way Zach thinks!

Overhead on the phone a few days ago - when Mark was explaining to Zach that he was working nights and sleeping during the day.

Zach, "Hey Dad, you know what? You are nocturnal!"

Zach is saying some really funny stuff right now... on my way out to the cookie exchange, he said, "Mom - can you bring us back one of all the cookies you don't like too... so me and Cici can make sure we don't like them too?!"

When I went to drop him at preschool his teacher said, I need to talk to you. I was watching a show called "How do they make that?" and I thought - ZACH would love this show - his mind is always thinking! I felt proud to be his mama and know that he is doing so well in school.

Annual Cookie Exchange

I know I'm a total dork... but I had the hardest time changing the header on this blog... and when I realized how easy it was (My lame error), I got so excited to see my new title!

Almost done with getting ready for Christmas. Last night I went to a cookie Exchange, and we got the CUTEST boxes and recipe books to take home.

I finally finished the Christmas Card. I originally wanted to do an accordian fold card - but at almost 3 bucks a pop it was just too expensive! Thanks to the lovely Miss Dusti for taking our pictures.

Heard on Thanksgiving Morning

Ok.. I'm a bit out of order on my blog - but I forgot to post this and it's funny!

As heard here early Thanksgiving morning….

Me: Happy Thanksgiving Cici.
Sela: Happy Thanks giving to you too!

Me: Hey Zach, Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
Zach: I’m thankful for (looking around) Crayons (The first thing he saw).
Zach: No… I’m thankful for God!
Me: Well that is a good thing to be thankful for!
Zach: Hey Dada… Are you thankful for your fully automatic toothbrush? Because I am thankful for my fully automatic toothbrush. It’s cool!
Mark: Trying not to laugh… Yes, Zach, I’m thankful for my toothbrush, and for my family!

I just got Elfed!

Put the tree up this morning with Zach and CiCi. I had offered to take them out to breakfast, but they wanted to decorate the tree instead. Within 15 minutes there were ornaments everywhere, and I was trying hard to just enjoy the moment - and not freak out about all the breakables.
I'd give myself a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

The bottom half of the tree is VERY decorated... the top isn't so much yet... it still needs work. Maybe tomorrow.
Found the link here today in Jessica Sprague's forum. Clipped up our pics and called Zach over.. he was cracking up and kept saying make it go again!
(click on my title)

Sela was both sweet and defiant today. I keep reminding myself that her behavior is age appropriate... but she really has a stubborn streak! My sweet snuggle bunny is suddenly saying things like "Go away!" "Not you, Mama to anyone else who want to talk to her. " She got mad at me for taking her cup of milk away after she put her hands into it... mean old mama.

Mark said it is snowing in El Paso. Wish he didn't have to be gone for so many days.

Christmas card is almost done and I think I can get them printed at Office Max. So glad I found that Elf - it helped me with my cards and calendars too!

I'm a blogger!

Ok... I must admit this is my second time into the blog arena - I just wasn't good at keeping up the last one... but I would like to have a place for my voice, my thoughts and even for my happy successes!
Speaking of successes... I started taking digital scarpbooking classes with the FABULOUS Jessica Sprague...and here are some of my favorite layouts I made for the class.