End of the Year Ceremonies

Okay, so I said that I would try to update this more often than every two weeks...and it looks like I've lied, it's now been almost 3 weeks, but for some reason I just feel like I've been slammed lately.

Anyway, today was a jam packed day...my DS graduated from preschool today, and they put on the cutest little concert...I have to say that my DS was not shy at all!! And you'll have to pardon the shakey video recording...my DH was having a little too much fun listening to them sing:)

You can view a clip of one of their songs here...

And here are a few pictures that I took during the graduation ceremony...

In the middle of one of his songs he knocked off his cap, but being the professional singer that he is he just smiled and kept singing along...then picked it up and placed it back on.

Here he's receiving his "diploma"

Monkey and his teachers...

Monkey with the happy and very proud parents...

So, not to be outdone by my DS...my oldest DD, who is just finishing up grade 1 was nominated as the student of the quarter for her class...so she had little ceremony and ice cream celebration today as well. I was running between classrooms trying to make sure that I didn't miss anything...oh, what I would have done for a DH with an eye for a picture!! Fortunately, I made it to the gym just as her class was being called up, so I got a few pics...not the best lighting, but I had to make do. So here's a picture of her award...

And here's a picture of her doing her "ice cream dance"

Then I had to sneak back in to Pumpkin's classroom to snap a few pictures of her and her classmates because I haven't gotten any this year:(

Pumpkin and one of her best friends...

And finally one of Pumpkin and her teacher

Wow...this post ended up having a lot more pictures that I had thought it would. But anyway, that was my day. I was happy with the pictures that I got, and my kiddos had a great time. I couldn't be a prouder momma!!

Terrible at this!

Okay, so I'm not as good at this as I had hoped I would be...but who am I trying to kid, I work full-time, then rush home to take care of my kids, cook, clean (which often gets pushed to the side), wash the kiddos and get them in bed. And by the time that's all done, I just want to sit and relax/regroup before going to bed. So, here's to trying to keep this blog updated a little better...keep your fingers crossed for me!!

So, I had a pretty good Mother's Day. The best present that I got? Well, all 8 handmade cards were very sweet, and the pictures were beautiful...but Monkey's "borrowed" roses were the best. While I was taking a shower at my MIL's house, he apparently, climbed the fence and picked off the biggest and most beautiful roses for me. Yeah, my MIL's garden is looking a little barren, but it put the biggest smile on my face. Unfortunately, the roses wouldn't last the trip home, so they had to be left at MIL's house for her to enjoy a little longer. Here's a picture of them...love the yellow one!! I'm a sucker for yellow roses.




On another note...I passed my licensing exam!!! Yes, you are looking at the newest PT on the block!! Let's just say that I'm so totally excited, mostly because I don't have to take that exam again! But also because this is just the biggest turning point for me, I've been working towards this for almost 16 years...and it is SO sweet to finally be here!
So, hopefully it won't take me 2 weeks to update this again...until next time!

Might as Well

Well, it seems like everyone else is doing it...so why not me? Yes, it's true, I probably would jump off a bridge if all my friends did it. Actually, I'm just reflecting on my upcoming 30th birthday next month, and I realized that I haven't told my story. I mean, "I" know my story, at least I remember the big important parts...but it's the little daily things that seem to slip away. And those are the things that I most desperately want to remember...the way my oldest daughter, Pumpkin loves to sing, and truly does make every song her own...the way my son, Monkey, is this sweet little soul wrapped up in a non-stop ball of energy, the way my youngest daughter, Sweet Pea, crawls in to my bed every night around 3:00am with a smile, a hug and a kiss, how excited I get when I hear Mike's keys in the door after he's been away for a couple days, and just about every other little detail of my day to day life that otherwise I would forget by the time I turn 31. My DH, Mike, keeps telling me that I need to write things down because I have a terrible memory...so here I am!! And there's also this standing argument between Mike and I about things that were done or said between us...so now I'll have written proof!! :)

So, what is it today that I want to remember? Well, I just finished taking the biggest, most important exams of my life!! I graduated with a Master's of Physical Therapy in January...which only means that I finished all the academic requirements. Unfortunately, I can't actually work as a PT until I pass the National Board Licensing Exam...and yes...it is as terrible as it sounds!! I'm talking a 5 hour multiple choice exam on everything that you've learned over 2 1/2 years in school...and to top it off, another 1 hour long MC exam on the laws and regulations of CA. It was nervewracking and LONG!!! I was totally freaking out the day before because I felt like I didn't remember anything...and now, I have to wait...yes, there is no automatic gratification or depression...you have to wait for the results. Hopefully it'll only take a week or so, but still, I was really looking forward to just knowing one way or the other. So, until next week I'll be this nervous, anxious wreck of a mother/wife. So keep your fingers crossed!

Just yesterday Sweet Pea said the sweetest thing to me!! I just have to share it with everyone!!

Sweet Pea: Mommy...are you my mommy?

Me: Yes.

Sweet Pea: Ummm...am me your sweet pea?

Isn't that just the cutest little thing? She just melts my heart!! Anyway, enough rambling for my first post...I've probably bored everyone to the point where they don't ever want to come back! I have to say before I sign off today, for people who don't know me too well...I am a scrapbooker at heart. I love taking pictures and I love the little stories of our day to day life, so it was just natural that I would love scrapbooking. I am fortunate to be a part of several creative teams and I have to mention them here:

TaylorMade Designs

Leiko Beck Designs

Fei-fei's Stuff by Sharon Bobis

So without further ado...I'll post a few scrapbook LO's that I've done recently.

This is one that I had to do about a daily ritual that Sweet Pea used to do with me....unfortunately, it doesn't happen that often anymore...which is why I'm SO glad that I was able to scrap it and remember it forever!!

Here are the credits for this LO:

Papers & Word Art- Paislee Press (oscraps) Happy As a Lark

Alpha - Zoe Pearn (scrapartist) Fuzzy Knitted Alpha

Frames - Katie Pertiet (designerdigitals)

Brush - Obsidian Dawn

Font - Century Gothic

This second one is of a series of snapshots...that I took (sidenote: the majority of the picture that include me are taken by me...yes I've become a pro at holding the camera out in front of me with my hand contorted just to say that "Yes! I really was here!!". Anyway, it's a series of pictures of how Sweet Pea gives me "Eskimo Kisses".

Here are the credits for this LO:

Papers - TaylorMade Designs & Paislee Press (oscraps) B-Side Collab Kit (recoloured)

Brush & Fabric Template - Leiko Beck Designs (leikobeckdesigns.blogspot.com)

Tag - Katie Pertiet (designerdigitals) Tailed Frames (altered)

Design Inspiration from Kellie Mize's (designerdigitals) Tortuga Template #85

And lastly, a LO of Monkey. I just love this picture of him...his sweet little smile, the tilt of his head...this is so him!! I LOVE how this turned out. If you like it too...and would like to get the same effect, check out the credits for how to!!

Here are the credits for this LO:

Paper - Touch Of Grey Paper Pack - Slate

Word Art Overlay - Fading Emotions Vol2 - Spirit

Heart Brush - From The Heart Brush

All from TaylorMade Designs available at Oscraps!!

Like the look of this picture? Visit TaylorMade Designs Blog for step-by-step instructions on how to achieve it!!http://www.taylormadedigidesigns.blogspot.com/

Journaling Word Art - I am so motivated by your spirit.

So, that's it for now...until next time!!