still me

LOVE-ing-it

WOW…
I have been overwhelmed with the support, encouragement and congrats that I have rec’d! I can’t thank you enough!! Believe me… I appreciate the good vibes coming my way!!! 
I have to admit to being totally stressed out, to the point of GROUCH. I really need to apologize to everyone that has to be around me… especially Emily… sorry!!! It’s the stress/tired/nervous/worried/PREGO/too much to do, too little time etc. etc. etc.
It’s DEEP BREATH time…
It’s ESCAPE time… without fail, when I feel totally backed up against the wall, I have to do something that is completely un-necessary… and I am talking un-necessary to the point that it’s ridiculous that I am wasting my time on something so un-helpful to my current totally-and-completely-behind situation…
i was at recollections a few weeks ago, and picked up these basic paper letters. I am sure you have seen them… I think Michaels and  even wal-mart carries them… I bought the word “LOVE” anticipating the season! So they have been sitting patiently on the floor inside my closet since I got them. I decided to play this afternoon. I even resorted to watching one of my all time favorite movies: “you’ve got mail”.  I am TOTALLy addicted to TIM’s Distress Inks…seriously…how cool is Distress… if you don’t know how to use it- find out.  I may even feel the need to do a tutorial on my blog about how to use it, because I had NO IDEA how cool it was until I had the personal one-on-one instruction with the master (tim).
This was fun. The “L” is frances meyer paper, and the “V” is 7gypsies.
It’s so important to play. To relax. And do something that is not required. I should have been finishing my dark load…giving the boys time tests and working on my BPS class…
i’ll get to it. i feel relaxed a bit. happy.

It’s been a very exciting week for eric.   He has been working for months on a ‘vision’ of his own… for a couple of years, he and his partner have been building an import company for building supplies… particularly iron doors.  Several months ago, his attention and passion settled on iron GARAGE doors. This is a photo of one of their very first garage doors installed. They are stunning. I can’t wait to get mine! It’s such a thrill to see it become a reality! So much work… congrats babe.

And FINALLY… the Creative Escape website is updated with the new info, new teachers and price! Remember registration is Feb. 3rd.  It’s going to be an amazing event. AGAIN.  We have some freaky-cool surprises planned! (I love surprises!)

Well, I am going to go throw in some darks.

24 weeks to go.

This is not an old ultrasound picture of Capri.

Two weeks ago, we got our first look at our 5th child.
(gasp)…
I know.
I’m pregnant. Again!

Today I spilled the beans to my Big Picture “year to remember” class today! So the word is out! my mom was telling me how much she loves telling people the news cause she gets such great reactions! It is pretty fun… so far, everyone that I have told has totally freaked out. not more than my own level of freak out!  We were fairly sure that we wanted to have one more child, so that Capri wouldn’t be all alone with the rest of the kids so much older… but not 11 months later. You would think that by the 5th go around, I’d know what causes this! (wink!)
We are thrilled and excited. Scared and nervous. And sure that if one infant threw off your schedule and makes it hard to run into the grocery store for that one forgotten ingredient, TWO infants… less than a year apart will REALLY present a challenge.
Capri and our new baby will be 11 months apart.  My due date is July 15th. I figure I am a lot better off than I was last year with only a month before Creative Escape… this year I will have what, 7 weeks?  much better!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT 2 YEARS IN A ROW I WILL HAVE A NEWBORN AT CREATIVE ESCAPE????? That is out of control!

I have truly been blessed this go around.
I haven’t been sick at all… I have been a little tired, and a little emotional! (that might be due to reality, and not necessarily hormones!) I feel great… I LOVE having baby Capri around. She is an absolute DELIGHT. Each day she gets funner and cuter and more alert. It’s amazing… and can you imagine, we will do it again!
I am very thankful to be a mother. 
Blessed to have such bright and charming children who love their parents and one another.  i marvel at how different I am as a woman, and  mother than I was 9 years ago when I had my first… I am thankful for my personal growth and how that has allowed me to serve and teach my children.
I am humbled.
I believe that God has a plan. And I trust that He will bless me with the capacity I need.

Yikes.
Only 24 ½  weeks to go.

the "h" word

So I decided that you can’t count holidays as Mondays, even when they fall on a Monday!
no way.
Yesterday was all about goofing off… I wish I would have had a better attitude, but I felt so lousy! I woke up with a headache and it never really went away. And the thrill of being out of school, added to the energy level and it’s ensuing chaos! There was no way Capri could nap cause she could just sense the excitement!  My poor cleaning lady I am sure was freaking out as all the kids were running in and out and all around… I think that there may have even been a  scooter shortcut created from the backdoor through the hallways to the garage door at one point.. but it was kind of a blur! I had to get the kids out of the house.  So we all loaded up and went to see a movie. The goal was to see Eragon at 1:55. We got there at like 1:45 after parking a mile or so away… only to get in and have the movie SOLD OUT. I wanted to die. I still couldn’t go home, and I couldn’t gear myself up for chucky cheeses or anything like that… so we killed time until the next showing by going to eric’s warehouse and letting the kids run and run and play hide and seek in there. SO we head back to the theater, and this time I don’t want to risk it so we get there and HOUR early. (I know- I am insane; mind you I did leave Capri with Emily, so she could at least take a nap!) and we buy treats to pass the time… all the kids go in the theater to save seats and I am left trying to carry all the stuff… which included 4 icees. I got all the way to the theater… and right inside the door, I dropped it all… splattering blue icee from here to next week. NIGHTMARE.  I was SO over it. and I think there was like still 45 minutes until the movie even started!
Deep breath.
After that, the kids were REALLY well behaved. They felt really bad.  LOL. Quincy kept telling me “mom, I feel really bad we didn’t help you”…
I said the “h” word.  Cory keeps reminding me.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the movie. I want to be a dragon rider.
So, I am claiming today as an honorary Monday.
I have done 4 loads of wash.
Planned some meals.
Changed some sheets.
Completed work for a deadline.
Paid bills online
And now I have to go workout.
But I think I am still recovering from the icee incident.

ultimate napping

Today I pushed that “day of rest” thing to the limit!! I had today, what I would categorize as an “ULTIMATE NAP!”. What exactly does that entail? 1. Has to be after a meal: so I made grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch and since it’s so freezing here, it totally hit the spot (low 40’s- that is COLD for here!).  2. Closed all the shutters so my room was totally dark 3. Slept with the heating pad in my bed on low, just to keep warm!  4. I have to slather mentholatum on my lips to sleep! It’s one of my icky quirks! So … I got about and hour and ½ in before I could hear Capri screaming somewhere in the house… so I got up and brought her to bed with me, and we slept for another 4 hours. HELLO!  That, my friends, is an “ULTIMATE NAP”… I am not going to be able to sleep for 2 weeks! I was really tired. We have switched to 8am church, and it’s killer.
I must have had a rough week… but man, now I am ready for anything!
There has been a lot going on!
Last week, I was scrapbooking my brains out! Unfortunately, it’s nothing that I can show off! In fact, it was all on assignment! so everything was stipulated… what products I could use, what colors and papers I had to use.  You know, that kind of a challenge sometimes is totally refreshing! Really pushes you to think… try something new, focus on technique and thinking outside the box. I have to admit, I am very pleased with the results.
Also did a lot of Creative Escape stuff… we are getting ready to update the website with all the teacher info! I am very excited about the mix of teachers and projects that will round out this years event. A lot of the things that didn’t go as smooth last year, we are re-vamping…  we are even bringing back last year’s teachers to help us make our Friday night extravaganza something totally amazing!  it’s so exciting this year as we have so many amazing sponsors lined up and so much enthusiasm! It’s going to be so awesome! I will be sure to post when the updates are complete.
It’s middle of week 2 of my “Year to Remember” class at Big Picture Scrapbooking!
It’s the most amazing experience already! I  can’t get over the enthusiasm that exists in the group. I love the opportunity I have! It’s only 2 weeks into it, but I have been wondering how it was really going to work, and if it was going to feel weird, or be hard to convey my message… and it’s so cool! The power of the internet, and this medium for education and connection is amazing… I love that people can participate at their leisure and work at their own pace… I am loving it! it’s so awesome. 
We are T minus about a week and ½ until I leave for CHA winter… I keep wondering if I am ready! I get so nervous… it’s crazy… 3 days ago I got my  BIG BOX of all my new products—2 skus of everything! Everytime that box comes in the mail, of new stuff… I sit up in my studio and slowly pull everything out and just kind of marvel at  how amazing the process is, and how lucky I am to be a part of it! I am so thankful for the many people that help to make it happen every time. I have an awesome team, that is so committed and willing to do whatever it takes…  I am so excited about the new releases this time… I have let a few sneak peeks out, but trying to keep it top secret for the most part. It’s more fun that way! I did create a little idea book this go around… and I got it in the mail Friday… it’s called “just for looks”… seeing it in real life is always so different from on the computer screen! I was surprised how thick it is! anyway… taking tomorrow off cause the kids are out of school… Katie, my sister and her family are coming to visit for a few days this week! So looking forward to that!  And a big HELLO goes out to the folks sitting in the sun at CABO SAN LUCAS… I am sure they are not having NEAR as much fun without us! (really, really jealous!)

be quiet!

It’s quiet again in my house.
I am loving the silence. Needing the silence.
It’s causing me to think about silence…
I am not your typical silent-lover traditionally! Usually, if you get in the car after I have gone somewhere alone, the stereo is cranked.  And if I am not listening to LOUD music…I tend to be blabbing on the phone! Almost like I am afraid sometimes of just being quiet. Well, all that has changed recently, I can’t remember how long ago… but
I have realized what a gift, what a treasure, silent moments are. Maybe because they are very rare for me.
Life is so loud. Inspiration is so silent.
Even if it’s just allowing your mind to scroll your to-do list… or maybe that complex communication between your sub-conscious with your consciousness…and definitely prayer… it can’t really happen with gwen stephani blaring. (of course there is a time for that!)
I think that my life is so crazy… so much going all the time, that I crave peace. I have realized, that it’s something I can choose. I can turn off the TV, my music… even my phone!!
Can’t turn off quincy… lol. So I can’t try for silent time when she’s around! Seriously, she is a talker, laugher, singer… I think I should have the quiet talk with her! Funny.
Anyway, take some quiet time. you can still do stuff! Fold, clean, exercise, work, scrapbook… try it.  you might be trying to tell yourself something.
Listen.  I am loving that right now.

my pink fridge!

The kids just left for school… Capri is still sleeping, and the house is totally quiet except for the hum of the washer and the dishwasher. I love Monday mornings. My cleaning lady hasn’t come for 2 weeks, I guess 3 now actually since the last 2 Mondays were holidays… my  house is anxiously awaiting her arrival. I hope she comes! This quiet is so nice. So rare. I am really tempted to go back to bed until Capri wakes up… but I made my bed as an effort to keep myself from succumbing to that temptation! There really is too much to do! I have to show you one of my Christmas presents! I have wanted a little fridge up here in my scrapbook room… eric keeps telling me no, because he thinks that I need some kind of motivation to leave the scrapbook room! Sometimes, the diet coke is the only thing that can get me out! well, I got a PINK FRIDGE (from potterybarn teen) for Christmas.. how cute is that! It’s full of mini-diet cokes and some dr. pepper for janet. Janet is in town for a quick couple of days working on a couple intense little projects.  So hopefully the fridge will keep us going! the kids get out everyday early due to parent-teacher conference… It’s hard to get back into the swing. Of things.
I hear Capri talking… she is so fun. She is officially 5 months old yesterday! It’s hard to believe… I think that I forgot how  you  just love them and enjoy them more and more as they learn and grow more and more.  She is such a delight! For all of us…
Well,
Happy Monday…
My quiet bliss is over.

happy new year

Happy NEW year…
I love it… love it love it… I think it’s like the ultimate MONDAY! And, you know that I love Mondays… last night we got back in town close to midnight, and I didn’t even stay awake long enough to ring in the new year… I crashed… the day after Christmas we left and drove from mesa, az to cold, freezing, SLC, utah. It’s about a 12 hour drive. We had such a great time hanging out with my family… full of good food, COLD weather, I even got up on the slopes- turns out skiing really is just like riding a bike!
I had to laugh… my boys (colton, cory and eric) totally took advantage of being in UTAH and boarded every day. eric kept making me promise that I would make it up this year and ski. It’s been a couple of years, and as you know, COLD isn’t my favorite thing. but I consented… Sat (30th) was a clear and beautiful albeit COLD… I had to go and rent skis… and if you have ever rented skis, you have to tell what your skill level is… I kept thinking…do you think they mean my skill level 15 years ago??? When I truly was an expert skier?? Now I am just out of practice and whimpy when it comes to the cold. I ended up having a great time… so much fun. So fun to see my little boys totally rocking the slopes! It was great to spend the day w/ my family. so much fun. The cold was worth it!
After a wonderful week together (thanks mom and dad… cam and rane… Katie and clark…for putting up with us, and just spending time), we began that journey back home. Thank heaven for the in-car DVD players, game boys and that little 20 Question game!
Today, wow… the first day of 2007!
I am excited.
So much I want to accomplish, change, improve and make happen! It was kind of good to have 12 hours in the car just to think.
We came home to a disaster of a house… remnants of a fantastic Christmas!
We all worked together to clean up, do laundry, clean out clothes that don’t fit and toys that are no longer interesting, and put away the Christmas trees and all decorations.
I hate to say it, but I love putting it all away as much as getting it out. (maybe even more) my house looks so clean and nice with everything back in it’s place.
Only thing I didn’t finish was unpacking myself from the trip.
i have been thinking about some goals… even some resolutions…
and I am looking forward to making this year great…
even amazing.
Memorable.
I am always thankful for this new beginning!

those of you in my big picture class... get readY!
check in for the beginning of our ride jan.4