52 Photos

This year I am taking part in something called 52 Photos.  I am taking one photo a week for 2011.  I stumbled across this on the i love it all blog -- seriously one of my favorite places in Blogland these days.  After doing the Project 365 in 2009, I was a little burned out on the picture taking -- hard to believe, I know, given that I am a scrapbooker but alas, tis true.  I love the idea of the 52 photos though and she shares a prompt or theme each week for your photo which should keep things interesting.

I have been taking my photos but have been late to the party when it comes to posting...story of my life *sigh*  Oh well, better late than never, right?

1/52...Happy New Year 2011

2/52...Independent

My first thought when I saw the theme was 'Independent' was my son.

He is turning 12 this June...I can hardly believe it.  He never ceases to amaze me.  He is so smart and has such a kind and tender heart.  He is a true threat on the soccer field and is just growing more and more independent with each passing day.  I am so proud of the young man he is becoming but I miss my little mama's boy too.

3/52...Evening

An evening out with my sweet girl.  She had been having such a tough time lately, so while Daddy and Big Brother were at soccer practice we treated ourselves to Starbucks goodies, shopping at the mall and dinner.  It was so nice to see her smiling and happy when she went to bed that night rather than the tears of late.

4/52...Shadow

As soon as I read the theme was 'Shadow' I knew right away that I wanted to snap a simple picture of me and my little family.  This was taken at the soccer field.  That's my handsome guy on the left end, then my hunky husband, followed by my diva darling of a daughter and then of course ME, holding the camera.

Superbowl is over, unfortunately the Steelers got beat :(  I am a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan first and formost but since I was born in Pennsylvania I have always cheered on the Steeler as well.  Congrats to all the Packers fans out there...they played a great game.  And now, I can get ready to get my GLEE on before bed and before I start the work week :)

Friday Frustration

Last night was Stevie’s first middle school soccer game. All week his coach has been praising him as goalie and even told him that he was going to be playing for the most of the game. Needless to say, Stevie was excited. Nervous, yes…but oh so excited.


The entire game goes by and the coach doesn’t put Stevie in until the last play of the game. My son is absolutely crushed and his dad and I are left wondering why. I asked if perhaps Stevie had misheard his coach at practice but my husband said no, that he had even heard the coach telling him he was going to play him for most of the game.

To see my son so crushed after his first middle school soccer game was heartbreaking to say the least. Once we got home and dad and Stevie talked, it would seem coach told Stevie at some point last night that he was not going to play him after all because he was afraid of him getting hurt….um…WHAT?!

Yes, Stevie is smaller than most of the kids on that field but Stevie made the decision to go out for the team knowing this AND the coach made the decision to put him on the team. Steve told him from the start that he was going to really have to prove himself and get the coach to see past Stevie’s size and really see his ability. Coach put him on the team and told him he is one of the top goalies on the team.

Now, I realize that he is in 6th grade playing ON a team and AGAINST teams with 6th, 7th and 8th graders on them and I also realize that a lot of time the 6th graders don’t get a lot of playing time…they learn about being a part of a team and the like. I totally get that and I don’t have a problem with it. I don’t have unrealistic expectations.

HOWEVER, I DO have a problem with a coach who tells my kid all week that he will be playing and then come game time tells him he’s not going to play after all…because he doesn’t want him to get hurt. If that was such a concern then why would he have put him on the team in the first place?! I feel like that coach hurt Stevie more last night than any broken bone ever could. Stevie is doubting himself when he never has before, wanted to back out of the team. This guy is the first one to ever make my son actually feel bad because of his size and I can’t even begin to express how angry that makes me. Stevie is a tremendous soccer player, despite being smaller than most of the kids his age and yes, I know I am his mother so I suppose I am a bit biased but I stand by what I say.

I confess, while Steve was talking with Stevie last night in his room, I was eavesdropping… and I have to say, I was so proud of my husband in that moment. He is such a good father and was really there for Stevie last night -- really saying all the right things. What really stood out to me though was when he told Stevie it was okay to be mad and upset for tonight but when he woke up in the morning, he needed to let it go and move forward. He told him not to let this one game define him or doubt himself. He needed to use the anger and frustration to just get even better and when he does get a chance to step out on the field and play he can show the coach what he was missing out on…AND to use it this weekend when his Spartan Soccer team plays their semi-final game.

I probably should have told my husband last night how great I thought he did in talking to Stevie…but I think part of me was a little jealous. Stevie needs me less and less as he gets older and quite honestly…it sucks. I know in my heart though that Steve was the better one to talk to Stevie last night rather than me because I am just so angry at that coach for crushing my son’s spirit last night…I do not take kindly to things like that…but then, I don’t guess any mother would.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I really am a soccer mom...

I tried to deny it for a long time...but I really am a Soccer Mom.  It seems to have such a negative connotation  but these days I am embracing the term with pride!  This past weekend my son and his soccer team played an impressive game and have ended their season undefeated!  They played against one of the best teams in their division and despite the fact that this other team plays a bit on the dirty side, our boys came out on top and won 4-1...it was A W E S O M E !  Stevie plays goalie and I am so proud to say that his half in the goal was a shut out for the other team.  He had some incredible stops...

See him...yep, the one in the orange and blue goalie jersey...he's mine!  He has come such a long way in playing soccer. He has been playing now for about 4 years.  Being the goalie and playing defense is what he loves to do and he has really gotten good at it. He actually just made the team for his middle school as a goalie and sweeper -- he is very excited about that.  He has gained great confidence and developed a NO FEAR attitude...although there are times when I wish he had just a little bit of fear in him...see THIS shot...

You KNOW my heart was in my chest watching my little guy (okay, so he's not necessarily a little guy any more at 11 years old and in 6th grade...) dive for that ball in amongst those players...especially with the opponent's foot coming right at his face! (thankfully he did not get hit in the face!) He made the stop and quite a few more like it throughout the game.  It was definitely his best game ever.  I am SO proud of him...please feel free to call me a Soccer Mom any time ;)

OH...and you see this guy...

the one there in the center...with the glasses and the black jacket...he's their coach...and my hunk <3

(Now if I could just find a way to instill some of that same confidence and No Fear attitude in my daughter we would be good to go...any suggestions?!)

She makes me CrAZy!

Do you see this girl?

She makes me CRAZY!

Don't get me wrong, I love her more than words can say but man how she can make me nuts....and break my heart :(

Last night she cried and cried for over an hour.  It wasn't any ONE thing, it seemed to be a LOT of things.  I guess even at 9 years old, us girls can still have a breakdown.  I have never felt more helpless than when I was listening and trying to console my little girl last night.

I am the first to admit though, that my girl has a flair for the dramatics...hence the reason I tend to call her my Diva Darling...although her Diva-ness only really shows itself at home.  At school she is quiet and shy...tends to be a follower rather than a leader.  I wish I could help her bring out the Diva when she is not home.  I wish I could help her not to give up so easily on herself or let others bring her down so quickly. 

She is emotional and tends to take things too much to heart and too personally.  She takes after her momma in that respect...yes, I can admit it.  Although at 37 years old I think I am finally growing out it...well, for the most part anyway! ;)  She thinks no one cares about her at school, that she is invisible, no one likes her, etc...drama queen, yes?  But at the same time I could see the hurt in her eyes last night...and it broke my heart.

If it is like this at 9 years old...WHAT will it be like when she hits 13?  or 16?  I worry that she will continually feel bad about herself and be miserable.  I can remember what it was like in school...feeling left out...not having the confidence in myself at that time to know that I was just fine the way I was.  I don't think any of us actually hear what our parents are trying to tell us until we are in adulthood and realize they really DID get it...well, at least SOME of the time ;)

I put a card in her lunchbox today telling her how much I love her and promised her some girl time...just her and I tonight while big brother and daddy do the soccer thing.  I am praying she will be feeling better when she gets home from school today and that knowing how much she is loved and cared about at home will make things seem a little brighter.

Almost Famous?

Anyone who knows me knows that scrapbooking is my first crafty love.  I began scrapbooking when I became a SAHM...we lived in downtown Chicago and I needed something to help me keep my sanity.  I don't get as much time to be creative now that I am back in the working world but still, being creative is definitely my sanity saver! 

I am a big fan of using sketches and PageMaps to jump start my scrapbooking and so I was thrilled when Becky Fleck from PageMaps contacted me to do a LO for the January 2011 PageMaps.  I was lucky enough to be asked in 2010 as well...I am so honored and flattered!  I admit, I feel a little giddy exchanging emails with her since she is one of my scrap heroes! (Yes, I AM a dork.) 

Anyway, just thought I would share my LO submission for the January 2011 sketch she asked me to use...

I love the pictures of with my not so little babies.  Sandra Yu did them.  I just LOVE the photos she took of my family this past November.  I recently had them made into a book from Snapfish.  I was able to get an 8.5x11 photo book with 20 pages for just the cost of shipping ($6.99)  It came in the mail yesterday and it was so fabulous!  I will definitley be ordering from them again.

Sandra also took my sister's engagement pictures and wedding pictures...can not wait to see those wedding pics!  Never have I seen my little sister look so stunning.  I will be sure and post a few when we get to see them.

A not so great start...

So, here's hoping your New Year is starting out better than mine. 

Not only did I have to go back to work on Monday but then yesterday I woke up with a yucky stomach bug -- and that's putting it nicely! ;)  I started feeling better late in the afternoon and figured I could putz around and slowly put the Christmas stuff away and then I wouldn't feel like my whole day was wasted.  I have to say, I made pretty darn good progress and was feeling pretty good about it...and then as I was walking in the garage, carrying a big rubbermaid bin to put on the shelf, I sliced my finger.  AAH!  I felt it happen but actually figured it was just a scrape since it didn't hurt initially....then I saw the blood...and left a trail from the garage to the kitchen sink.  Of course it was just me and my Diva Darling home since Daddy and Stevie were out at soccer practice.  God bless my baby girl though, she didn't even flinch...came to check on me then grabbed the windex and paper towels to clean up the blood and then got me the first aid kit.  As much as she can make me crazy, she really comes through for her mommy <3 

Needless to say, once the initial shock wore off, the pain set in.  GOOD GRACIOUS!  It is pretty deep and right on my knuckle...of my index finger...of my right hand...and yep, I am right-handed.  FANtastic!  (Thankfully, I think I can get away without having stitches!) It is all bruised and swollen and I can hardly bend it which has made writing at the office today quite tricky...it is my "mouse-clicking" finger though and  I couldn't even use it when I pulled the hairspray out this morning!  It is amazing how difficult little things we take for granted can be when you lose the simple mobility of one finger...there's a couple other things I could tell you about but that might end up being a little TMI! ;)

Not sure how my scrapbooking and creating is going to go know that I am slightly handicapped -- or would it be fingercapped?!  Crossing my fingers (don't worry, I am crossing the ones on my left hand!) that it will heal quickly and not hamper too many things.  My Diva Darling finished her science project last night so I am free to get back to creating!  Anxious to get my Gratitude Journal put together :)

And speaking of creating...if you are a scrapbooker with a lot of stash (seriously, if you are a scrapbooker without a huge stash, I would love to know your secret!) come on over to The House of Paper for the January Use Your Stash Challenge...who wouldn't love to win a gift certificate to The House of Paper Store so you can add MORE to your stash?!

New Year Resolutions?

You know, I am not really all that big on making resolutions every New Year.  It just sets myself up for failure because it typically doesn't take long for life to get in the way and my focus shifts.  So, my resolution is really NOT to make a resolution, I suppose.

When I came across a THIS blog post from I Love It All though...I decided maybe...just maybe, I might make a small resolution for myself. 

How adorable is this little mini book?  I love that she used scraps and such from her stash and what a great way to focus on the positives throughout the year.  I am tempted to make one for each of my kids in addition to myself since I have spent a lot of time reminding them to be thankful and grateful for what they have rather than focusing on what they don't.

And the timing is perfect.  Beginning January 1st, over at the House of Paper we are having a Use Your Stash Challenge in The Playroom...I am thinking I will be challenging my fellow roomies to whip up one of these babies!

I need to dig through my barricade (as my hubby calls it) around my scrap space and then get to work on this adorable project.

JYC - December 4th & 5th

I am just a TAD behind in getting my entries posted but things have been SO crazy with my little sister's upcoming wedding.  Tonight is the big night though...so maybe tomorrow I will be able to relax and get things somewhat caught up and back to normal ;)

These are my entries for the 4th and 5th...you can click on the pic to see it better and read the journaling.

JYC - December 3rd

(click on picture to read journaling...)

JYC - December 2nd

(click on the picture to read the journaling...)

JYC - December 1st

Journaling my Christmas...December 1st
(click on the picture to read the journaling...)

Happy December!

I am so excited that December is here.  I haven't felt this happy about December is years...well, 5 years to be exact.  This year is going to be different though...I just know it.  I am embracing the holiday spirit and the joy in the gift of every day...sounds cheesy, I know but I am okay with that.

Living in Florida we don't get much in the way of winter and the last time we saw any real "white stuff" was in about 1977 or 1978 I think.  I laugh because my mom and I had just moved to Florida that year from Pennsylvania.  She wanted to get away from all the snow.  Then it snowed in Florida!  LOL!  Of course it was just a light dusting and was gone by about 1 o'clock but it was plenty to make a little snowman with :)

Today it was 42 degrees when I stepped outside.  LOVING IT!  It was the perfect excuse to put on my favorite boots.  Sure, Floridians are known to wear them all year long but when it is actually cold outside we tend to look a little less silly ;)  I had to laugh as I looked at my kiddos this morning -- Alyson dressed for school in jeans, longsleeve shirt, jacket and then bundled up even more with her hat, scarf and gloves. Stevie on the other hand, donned his usual khaki shorts, polo shirt and then a sweatshirt – he is so much like his daddy! It is funny to see how differently we all embrace the cooler weather.

I admit I do miss the real winters we had when we were living in Seattle.  We lived in this fantastic little neighborhood down a bit of a hill.  Where we were at, we didn't typically get a lot of snow so when it did come most people were unprepared.  My neighbor across the street and I would come out onto our front porches wrapped in our bathrobes and holding our piping hot coffee as we cheered our fellow neighbors in their repeated attempts to drive up the snowy hill.  Most had cars not really equipped for the job.  I always felt bad for the ones who would get so close you were SURE they would make it only to have the car start slipping backwards.  Man, do I miss those guys.

Wishing you all a very Happy December!

xoxo.

The Bridal Shower

Well, it is almost a week later and I am proud to say that I pulled off the bridal shower for my little sister.  She is getting married in just 5 weeks!  I can't even believe it. 

I was pretty happy with how the shower turned out despite the fact that half-way through the shower our well pump stopped working and so we were without water -- talk about a panic attack!  (Long story short, it was just the contacts and my hero hubby was able to get things back in working order when he arrived home - WHEW!)  Anyway, back to the shower...I must say that I could never had pulled it off without the help from my best friend Gina and my mom.  Gina really went above and beyond the call of duty on this one, seriously.  Aside from our littlest sister, I got no help from the other bridesmaids so Gina and my mom were only to happy to help make this shower happen.  In the end, it was probably just as well the others couldn't be bothered, as my mom, Gina and I had a blast getting things ready!  It was seriously a good time :)

Since my budget was extremely limited we made pretty much everything...from all the food to the decorations.  Dan, my future BIL proposed to Rachelle at the France Pavillion in Epcot so I thought it would be fitting to have a Paris theme to the shower.  I didn't want to go overboard with it and I think we did okay, but you will have to tell me what you think.  Of course, after the fact, I realize there are pictures that I wish I had taken but since I got so throw off track with that whole "no water" thing, well, you can see how I probably dropped the ball a little, right?  So...here we go...

My mom, BFF Gina and I just before the festivities begin...

When everyone came in I asked them to share their well wishes, blessings and words of advice with Rachelle on notes that one of my fabulous House of Paper friends, Linda,  helped me create.  (These are going to go in a scrapbook I have planned for my sister)

Then we took each guests picture with Rachelle at this little "Paris Cafe" I had set up (each picture will go with each guests' card in the scrapbook)...

Me and my sister, Rachelle

all 3 of us sisters

our mom and Rachelle

my sweet baby girl, the all-important flower girl ;)

Since the Groom dropped her off, we grabbed a shot of them together as well

There was plenty of good food...

We had a special chair just for our blushing bride to sit in, courtesy of our mom...

I made sure to have plenty of pics of the bride and groom all around.  My favorite though was this display I set up near the gifts.  I used some of their gorgeous engagement photos and made a banner that says "She Said Yes!"

Hey look...there's me! ;)

Her pile of gifts...I seriously didn't call everyone and tell them to make sure everything coordinated...but it certainly looks like it!  LOL!

She was blessed with some lovely gifts and in the first shot you can see some of the streamers I sewed and glued using my scrapbook paper and ribbon (close up in a sec)  I also made some hanging circles.

Couple more smaller picture displays of her and Dan over the years.

I made a yummy mimosa punch and of course forgot to take a picture of the bar set up but you can at least see the pretty punch here...this was just a table with flowers as everyone walked in.  I found a piece of scrapbook paper with the eiffel tower on it and Gina cut out a glittery R so we displayed it here.

To thank everyone for coming, Mom, Gina and I made chocolate eiffel towers in brown and lavendar chocolate...so yummy!

My mom with me, my baby girl and my youngest sister, Anna...although I call her Tink (yes, that would be short for Tinkerbell...I have called her that since she was little.)

My BFF Gina and I.  Hard to believe we have been friends now for over 30 years and she is such a blessing in my life.  My mom has joked that since Gina has been around longer than my brother and sisters that makes her family...works for me!

and of course...our "classic" look...

I call this one Four Sisters.  Tink, Rachelle, myself and Christine.  Our little brother is engaged to be married in 2011 and Christine is going to be our newest addition. 

Well, here's hoping everyone had a good time, most especially my sister.  Rachelle has waited a long time for her wedding day and I really wanted her to feel special and be able to shine during her bridal shower.  I couldn't be happier for you little sister.  Much love and happiness to you and Dan.  I love you.