A week of Ups & Downs

I knew this week was gonna be hard. I had totally prepared myself (at least I hoped I had). I had not expected it to be such a rollarcoaster of emotion though. It started last Sunday (8/13) Justine & Dominic were in town and normally that means lunch after church with Scott, the kids & maybe some other friends. This time we ended up needing to do dinner instead. I decided to leave the kids with Grandma & Grandpa to have a nice evening out with my friends at Olive Garden. I stayed a little bit longer than I should have, and had some ice cream (which I really shouldn't have) but while in Coldstone, Dominic told me that he had just got the ring and was going to propose to Justine that evening! So I went home to get the kids and wait by the phone for her call. I am so incredibly happy for the two of them. Made a page to show my love:

credits: Thanks Mom! Kit by the Scrapmommie Designers, Sketch by Traci Reed WCM freebie, fonts, MA Sexy and Pookie

There was a planned dinner for Scott on Thursday, but I was having second thoughts about going for various reasons, one being that it was going to be all co-workers. I changed my mind when Scott IM'd me Tuesday night to tell me what resturant he had picked. He then followed up Wednesday night with a phone call to give me the time. Dinner ended up being great. I had so much funny meeting his co-workers and spending the evening with him.

Friday night was the big night ... the night I would have to say good bye. Friday night is our normal Bible Study night so I conspired with the leader/host to plan some special stuff for afterwards. We all went to dinner (well the taco stand) and left him at home to decorate. I had picked up the card the week before as well as a cheesecake & fresh strawberries. I also finished up his album - all 16 pages! R put together a little Scott Trivia ... which I won ;) and then we prayed over Scott and anointed him with oil. He really liked the album, noticed him pause at the page with him and I.

The group thinned out a little and left a few of us to play Hilarium, till I had to go home at 11pm. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my sitter asked me to come home so she could go out. I felt bad that she had been at my house 2 weekends in a row so I left early. It was decided that I would bring the kids to the airport to say goodbye to him though. It went really well, I didn't tear up or anything. I was surprised that Ellie had such a reaction to him leaving. She kept trying to go thru security and finally just stood with her little hands & face pressed against the window watching him walk out to the plane. The best moment by far was right before he walked out and he turned and looked right at me. I headed home after that, there was no need to actually watch the plane take off. I shed a few tears in the car, but nothing too bad. I had a wonderful surprise later that afternoon when he signed on to MSN and messaged me to let me know he got in safely.

Sunday morning without him was hard. I don't like having to sit alone in service and then it just wasn't the same with him not helping in my classroom. I tried to keep my mind off him though and went about my normal routine. The kids had a birthday party later that afternoon so we went to Target to do some shopping. How does gift shopping lead to a $90 total at the cash register??

As I was walking out I got a text message from Justine with her new cell number so I gave her acall. We talked for a while about my week, then about wedding plans. Then, she asked me to be a bridesmaid!!! Of course I said yes, she also wants the kids in the wedding. Looks like I definately need to plan a trip to Phoenix now to go to David's Bridal. I did some looking online, but I can't wait to see everything in person. The date is set for March 16th. Hopefully I will have a date with me at this wedding.

The party was LOTS of fun. It was at the Gymnastics place in town so the kids ran & played while I sat and talked with the moms. I love these kind of parties. Then it was back home where I finally felt like scrapping a page of Scott & I:

credits: Papers by Faith True from Toddler Boy at Elemental Scraps; Layered Sketch (altered) by Traci Reed, WCM freebie; Doodle by Holly McCraig blog freebie; Silver heart by Lauren Grier from Punky Mom at Elemental Scraps

A few layouts

I decided I needed to post some updated layouts on here. These are a few of Scott & the kids (well and me). I am trying to get a project finished up for him before he heads over to Iraq, that is what the smaller layouts are for. There are about 10 cards (maybe more) that will make up a little mini scrapbook. It is kind of my going away gift for him, wouldn't want him to forget about us while he is gone. I was rushing to finish it by tonight because tomorrow was supposed to be his last day in town, but his departure date got pushed back a week. Now I have a little more time to get it finished without rushing. Maybe after the weekend I will actually have a picture of us together to post LOL.

4th of July - Me, Scott & the kids. Seeing Red (white and blue) by Sherri Tierney at Scrapmommies.com

Anthony & Scott the same day. Trading Card Album by Amy Bleser at Scrapmommies.com

Ellie and Scott after lunch on Sunday. Trading Card Album by Amy Bleser at Scrapmommies.com

Home Again!!

I am back from my brother's wedding/vacation. I was in Northern CA for 12 days. For the most part I had a nice time. There was some family drama before the wedding, but it turned out okay in the end.
Unfortunately I somehow hurt my back before the ceremony. I had been playing with the kids all morning so I am not sure what did it. All I know is that I went to stand up during the ceremony and could barely move. No one had any pain pills though, so after the champagne toast ... I just kept filling my glass. It never really took away the pain and I didn't really get "drunk" I could walk annd talk and function normally. I was just REALLY happy! About half way thru the reception I snuck out and escaped to make a few phone calls. I *think* I sounded coherent LOL.
And here are some photos of the wedding day:

Grandpa and his girl

My little Mafia Man

Ellie crashed after the first couple photos at the house before the ceremony.

Anthony posing outside of the church.

Anthony and Ellie walking down the aisle AFTER the ceremony (they were not allowed to actually be in the ceremony)

My cousin Tracy & I

Gabrielle with the Maid of Honor's bouquet. This is the one photo I kept trying to take all day long & finally got it.

Oh - and I "caught" the bouquet! I think Angie forgot to actually do it during the reception and there was only a handful of single girls there anyway. So on her way out she tossed it to me.

I have more LOTS more photos from the wedding and from other activities from the past 2 weeks. I am seriously itching to scrap. I tried to on my mom's laptop but it just wasn't working for me LOL.

Bad Blogger

Man, I really didn't mean to go MONTHS between blogs. Life has just been crazy and I have been using my My Space blog a whole lot more. I need to do some updating on this page. First and foremost - I am a SCRAPMOMMY!!! In April I was accepted on as part of the Creative Team there and I could not be more excited. I will post some of my new layouts with the awesome products that are sold there a little later. I will be adding a link to my gallery there as well. On a sad note, with the new responsiblities at ScrapMommies I decided to step down from 2 of my creative teams. I am only at Elemental Scraps and Scrapmommies now. Will update again soon - I promise.

This layout was a scraplift of PicklesMommy at scrapmommies.com. I used Anita Stergiou's Monochromatics Collection :: Pourpre �touffant Paper Pack and Blog Freebie.

This layout was done with the Essentials Collection :: Ribbon Roses Blue Paper & Element Packs bt Anita Stergiou

Rakscraps Blog Challenge

1. What colors do you use the most when you scrap?
It really depends on the pictures I am scrapping. I have used everything from orange, to purple to tan. I have realized lately that when I am buying kits my eyes are attracted to cooler colors.

2. What is your favorite kit theme? (like boys, girls, heritage, special event, etc)
Definately a toss up between boys and girls kits.

3. What are your favorite elements to use when you scrap?
I love using ribbons and bows and I have been on a flower kick lately.

4. Describe your style (even if you don't think you have one!)
I think I would describe my style as "clean and simple" I don't like things over crowed when I do (but love it on others).

5. If you could have one kit made especially for you, what would it be for?
I have HUNDREDS of photos from our Christmas in Hawaii from 2004. A lot of them were taken while we were all wearing out coordinating "Christmas Hawaiian" shirts which have a lot of red & green in them. The Christmas kits just don't have the Hawaiian spirit and all the Hawaiian/Beach kits are typically too bright. See the photo below so you can see an example

my new fav LO of Gabrielle and I in Hawaii.

I just LOVE working with Gina's designs. Everything on the LO is from her.

I guess THIS is my last one, I thought this posted earlier this weekend but I was wrong. This is Gabrielle's Newborn picture. How beautiful is she at 12 hours! Backgound my Gina Miller from her Beautiful Florals, Doodle from Dawn's Doodles by Hunibuni, font 2Peas Blueberry Pie & At Last Greeting

Last upload for the night ... here is my hair the night I got it cut. Not the best pic since I took it myself.

Reworked a layout I did a few weeks ago. It was a scraplift and at first I couldn't figure out how to make the curved dotted line. I figured it out though!! My 1st layout with Tabatha Reed's My World kit. Great colors it is available at www.digiscrappin.biz

My first Layout with Anita's stuff. I am SO excited to be on her Creative Team. This is her Playful Posies kit available at www.NDISB.com

My Sunshine ... Gabrielle this past October in her newest (at the time) Gymboree dress. My World Kit by Tabatha Reed. I SO love creating layouts with her kits.

My 1st Tag

The wonderful Anita tagged me ... It is my 1st so it is exciting for me.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was in my junior year of High School (man I feel a lot younger now)

2. What were you doing 1 year ago?
Just about the same thing that I am doing this year, except last year I was seperated not divorced.

3. Five snacks you enjoy:
Dorito's, sharp cheddar cheese, french fries, apples & carmel, cake

4. Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Beautiful One by ByTheTree, Heart of Worship by Micheal W. Smith, She Let Herself Go by George Strait, Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, and just for fun .... A Sailor Went to Sea

5. Five bad habits:
Posting on my favorite message boards (LOL - it is bad because I do it at work!) staying up TOO late, slacking on dishes, slacking on laundry, eating fast food

6. Five things you like doing:
digi scrapping, shopping, reading, taking pics of my kids, collecting digi scrapping kits

7. Five things you would never wear, buy or get again:
A-line swing dress (come on they look like a tent), stir-up pants, tappered leg jeans, high heeled shoes (not since I broke my foot), anything strapless

8. Five favorite toys:
My new digital camera, PSP 8, can't think of anything else LOL

9. Five people I want tagged - My F&F Girls
Katie
Amy
Yvette
Amber Lynn
Aimee

ER Last Night

Did anyone watch ER last night with the ALS patient?

I watched it and it was really emotional for me. My mother has ALS as does her older brother. By Uncle is already on a vent but we hardly ever see him. Like MAYBE once a year. After seeing the episode last night my parents were talking and have decided to get paperwork drawn up saying that my mom doesn't want to be on a vent when it comes to that point. They have already had problems with the doctor in the ER trying to "push" procedure on them so after seeing that last night on the show it is really prompting them to put stuff in writing. We will of course all sit down as a family and talk everything out in the near future, but it is still hard to think about it.

Shows like this really accurate display ALS patients and are like a looking glass for us to see what the future will hold for my mom (since we really don't see my uncle). She was diagnosed 4 years ago and it has not rapidly progressed, and my uncle was diagnosed in 1992 but he is in the end stages. She still talks, drives, walks functions basically like you and I with some modifications to make it easier for her. For example during long distances she uses either forearm crutches or her motorized chair.

I am kind of rambling here, but I wanted to share with my friends how I was feeling today.

On a totally differnt note ... ScrapMommies is up and running again! YAHOO! Now to figure out which LO's I need to post to get my Kit from last month.

My layout from the block party crop at Scrapbook Bytes this past weekend.

Small Dot Paper by A Wolff
Large Dot Paper by Tania Cordova
Both from the January '06 RAKScraps Mega Kit

Looks like I am going

Well after much debate within myself I have decided to attend the Purpose Driven Children's Ministry conference in April. It will mean 4 days away from the kids but I know it will be okay. Between my parents and Justine I am comfortable leaving them. Of course, my opinion may change as the date approaches.

Still not positive about this new cut and color. The cut is pretty basic it is actually styling it cute that has me on the fence. I really wanted to just blow dry it into my normal style this morning. I took a chance and tried to do the piecey, textured, spikey look instead. It looked okay in the mirror but I didn't have the right products to make it last all day. So tonight I went to go by some texturizer and gel. I was in sticker shock! It has been way too long since I have purchased salon hair products and now I remember why. I just can't justify $15 for a little tiny bottle of this stuff.

Onto the color ... it is really dark, definately out of my comfort zone. I think the last time I was even close to being this dark was my Junior Year in High School and I didn't think it looked good then either. I am hoping that it will fade fast into a shade that is more ME. Next time I am NOT going this dark, unless she does some more highlights.