Obsession with shoes....

When I was a kid, I was lucky to have one pair of sneakers, one pair of dressier shoes and a pair of boots for the winter.  Andrew has an obsession with shoes.  Everytime a new type of sneaker comes out, he MUST have it.  Nike IDs, Zigs, Jordan's just to name a few.  Most times, we don't indulge in his whims.  That's what birthdays and Christmas are for.  Today, however, during a trip to the Wrentham Outlets, we did indulge.  He was eyeing a pair of Zigs - he had been asking for these for months - and it was a buy one get one 1/2 off sale.  I tried on a pair - so comfy - and decided that these would be nice to add to my pale-in-comparison sneaker collection of one. He was so excited when I told him he may as well get a pair since they would be half off.  He threatened to hug me right in the middle of the store - a little PDA from one who is normally way too cool for that.  Now his sneaker collection is eight strong - add to that his snow boots and work boots and this kid has some happy feet!

New Year again.....

I love a New Year! It's like an empty page waiting to be written on....an empty memory card waiting for images...a new beginning, a clean, fresh start. A time for renewal and new promises made to yourself. Most of these promises are easily broken but it doesn't stop us from feeling the need to make new covenants with ourselves anyways. Here's mine....I resolve to make time for myself daily and use that time wisely to be creative. I will write something everyday - even if what I write is nothing. I will take a least one photograph everyday - I won't promise that I will edit everyday but I will take at least one picture. That's all but it's enough.....Happy New Year!!

Fall bike ride 2006 layout #18

You are my reason #2 (layout 17.5)

And this is why I love digital!  Color changing with just a few clicks of the mouse.  I think I like it better in yellow....

You are my Reason (layout # 17)

Two Faces (layout #16)

On a roll.....

Snow boy (layout #15)

My little charmer...(layout #14)

OK - so here's 14 - if you happen to notice - I don't think this is cheating.....

Swing away....(layout #13)

Zoo Day (layout #12)

OK - so the year is more than half over and I only have 12 layouts done...48 more to go....Game on!!

Sisterhood

Love Willow Tree figurines....love my sisters.....so blessed!  (Layout #11)

Creating with Snow....scrapbook page # 10

Even though this looks a little like winter 2010-2011, this picture is from 2005.  I believe, that too, was a snowy winter.  This year, with all the snow we have had - well over 3 feet, I have asked the boys many times to please go build me a snowman or go and make snow angels.  I just want to take some cool snow pictures.  They would not participate in these snow activities.  Only little kids do that.  When did they become too big or maybe more accurately "too cool" to play in the snow? 

My Goal....

This year's goal is hopefully an attainable one - to complete 60 pages - just a little more than one a week.  Simple, right?  Maybe now, when it is bitter cold outside and the boys are snowboarding/skiing and the house is quiet and I get the oh-so-rare "me time" AND I use that time wisely, this is an easy goal.  But what about when baseball season gets underway and we are out every night - what about when the pool is open and I want to be outside?  Will it be that easy then?  I guess we'll have to wait and see.  I struggle with making time for me and what I want to do.  I get so wrapped up in making sure that everyone else is all set that I forget about me and what I want.  Well this year, I plan to venture out and take some time for me - not a selfish amount - just a small amount of "me time" to scrapbook and write.  This will keep me happy and energized.  In doing this, I will be a better, happier wife and mom. 

So as of now - I am right on track!  Maybe even ahead of schedule...Yay!  9 pages completed!  Here they are - in no particular order.....

Total Focus

It has been too many years since Andrew has done karate.  He LOVED it.  He always aced his belt tests and often got the Award for Excellence in testing.  A few years ago we took the baseball season off and then the dojo moved out of town making it inconvenient to go.  Unfortunately, he never made it back.  Andrew often talks about going back to karate....maybe this year will be the year that happens.

Dreaming in Cooperstown

Anyone who takes pictures knows that you can easily take 100 pictures and have only one or two be great pictures.  Sometimes you take a picture that is phenomenal and tells a story.  To me, this picture of Tyler is that picture.  He was sitting in the stands in Cooperstown N.Y. waiting for his next game to begin and I snapped this picture.  Tyler - caught daydreaming, completely oblivious to the conversation that he was physically right smack in the middle of.  Cooperstown is the field of dreams.

Dreaming In Cooperstown

This is a page that I created from a sketch challenge on Scrapbook Heaven last summer (check them out at Scrapbookheavenga.com).  This is a picture of Andrew when he was about 2.5 years old.  A baby bird was learning to fly and had taken a break in our yard.  Andrew was fascinated by this little creature and so excited to see a baby bird up close and personal.  The picture was taken with my very first digital camera - it was 2.1 mp that probably cost about the same as 10 mp camera today.  The picture wasn't great (colors were off and the picture was very grainy) so I had to do a lot of editing. 

Hello....again....

Been a while....New year, again....Maybe this year will be my year to scrapbook and blog.....So far the scrapbooking part is going really well.  I've created 5 pages so far this year.  I am retaking my digital scrapbooking classes (from Jessica Sprague - love, love, love her!! - check her out at JessicaSprague.com) in CS4 and learning/relearning a ton.  My fab sister walked me through posting pictures/pages to a blog - this is where I stopped last year.  I tried to upload a picture and it appeared way too big - who knew you had to resize it - probably everyone but me. But now that I know how to do it - I'll be posting a lot - at least that's the plan......

Brotherly Love (at least most days)

 

A Nightly Bedtime Conversation

Here is my favorite conversation; I get to have it every night with one of my favorite people.

OK - let's say prayers.

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guide me through the starry night, wake me when the sunshine's bright. Amen.

Five little angels around my bed, one at the foot, one at the head, one to watch, one to pray and one to carry my sins away. Amen.

God bless Mommy, Daddy, Tyler, Andrew, Sammi, Nibbles, Redshark and all those who I love. Keep them healthy. Amen.

Good night, sleep well. I love you. (me)

I love you, more. (Drew)

No, I love you more. (me)

Nope. I love you more. (Drew) Smiling because he knows how much I love this game.

Of course, he can't possibly love me more than I love him. He has no idea how far my love for him reaches. It's so nice to know that he thinks he does!

100 Things I Love

My sister put me up to this challenge. Something about it being a blog chain that she was going to do and I should do it to. Nobody reads my blog but her friend Kayla, (Hi Kayla! Thanks for stopping by!) and sometimes Michelle does too. Mostly, it's me reading it to her after I call her to tell her I posted. I can't wait for her to read it herself so I read it to her instead. Incidentally, I just checked out her blog and didn't see anything about 100 things she loves. I couldn't get inspiration from her on this one so this is all me. And .... kudos to me for doing this before her! So, in no particular order, 100 things I love......

1. Chocolate
2. Lobster
3. Listening to my boys sing along with the songs on the radio. They don't do it often enough.
4. My camera - it does a fabulous job capturing life.
5. My laptop
6. My iPhone
7. Digital scrapbooking - no clean up and if I need paper or elements they are only a click away 24/7
8. Watching the birds that visit my feeder
9. The first snow
10. Music - all kinds - except Jazz
11. The feeling I get after a good walk on the treadmill
12. Freshly painted walls
13. The first trip to the beach in the summer
14. Watching my boys play baseball
15. Playing board games
16. Walking the Marginal Way in Maine
17. My bed
18. Reading a good book
19. Blogging - wish there was more time to do this.
20. A completely clean house
21. Watching the sunrise
22. Watching the sunset
23. When Andrew laughs and it comes from his toes
24. Snuggling with the boys
25. Sammi (my Yorkie) at the top of stairs greeting me with smiles when I come home
26. Bubble gum - I'm one of those obnoxious bubble gum snapping people
27. Vera Bradley bags and accessories
28. My wristlet - I haven't lost the bank card since I got one of these babies
29. Clean crisp sheets
30. The scent of Lavendar
31. The end of PMS
32. Sarah Jessica Parker perfumes and body lotion - Lovely and Dawn
33. Watching Tyler take the shot and get nothing but net in a basketball game
34. Going to the zoo
35. Jumping in the leaves
36. The smell of Spring
37. A warm rain
38. Looking at pictures of the boys when they were little
39. Campfires
40. Grilled cheese sandwiches
41. Having a heart to heart with Mike
42. Taking the once in a lifetime picture
43. Goat cheese and strawberry salad - so yummy
44. My Land's End slippers
45. Sweatpants
46. My life
47. A thunderstorm on a summer afternoon - I don't like them at night though
48. Marachino cherries
49. Walking the beach with Mike and the boys
50. Coming home from vacation - there's no place like home
51. A great report card
52. Snowmen
53. Fresh cut flowers
54. My Creative Zen mp3 player
55. The color yellow
56. God
57. Raisin berry lipstick
58. Watching videos of the boys
59. Jessica Sprague's classes and products
60. Tigers and lions and bears
61. Manicures and pedicures - never had a pedicure but I know I would love it!
62. The smell of a new baby
63. Aromatherapy oils
64. White noise when I'm sleeping
65. Hooded sweatshirts
66. Singing in the shower
67. Jim Polito's radio show
68. Glenn Beck
69. Dr. Pepper
70. Hiking in Purgatory
71. Living in a small town
72. Waterfalls
73. My husband and children (I originally thought "that goes without saying" but then decided to include them - that's why they are number 73 instead of number 1) - like I said - "in no particular order"
74. 1/2 decaf, 1/2 hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts
75. Tyler's developing wit and and sense of humor
76. When the boys play nicely together and it doesn't involve electronics
77. Money in the bank after the bills have been paid
78. Remembering something I learned in Photoshop when I am scrapbooking
79. Watching the clouds
80. Learning something new
81. Popcorn
82. A cold room when I am sleeping
83. Bananagrams
84. Playing Rummy 500 with Andrew
85. When a week goes by and we realize that we didn't eat out at all
86. Almond Joy
87. Hanging with my nephews
88. Dancing like a fool
89. Amazon.com - no lines, no waiting
90. Avacados
91. Memories of my Grandparents
92. A warm hug
93. Holding hands with Mike
94. Christmas Eve at Doris and Bernie's house. Always a fantastic time!
95. A day trip to Foxwoods with friends
96. Opening the windows on the first warm day at the end of the winter
97. Spaghetti pizza
98. Watching my boys sleep
99. The songs we sing in church on Easter
100. Frogs - strange but true
     

Learning Life Lessons

I am a firm believer that a person can do anything they put their mind to. If you want it bad enough and work hard to achieve it, the sky is the limit. I encourage my children to always do their best. I tell them "If you are not going to give it at least 110%, then don't do it at all." Sometimes they listen to me, mostly they don't.

My oldest, a lover of baseball, tried out for an AAU team in the fall. He is a very good ball player. But he is big fish in a little pond playing town ball. I wasn't really sure how he would measure up once he stepped outside our small town. Tyler has an April Birthday and the cutoff for baseball is May 1st. He is always one of the youngest and one of the smallest players. Some of the kids are almost a full year older and let me tell you the size difference in a preadolescent and a adolescent can be pretty significant. He made the team. It was bittersweet. I was happy that he had the ability and skills to compete but now we had a large bill to pay. But it was all worth it because it meant the world to Tyler.

The organization he would be playing for was trying to put two teams together and in the end they did not get enough kids to field two teams. On Friday night the kids from both proposed teams practiced together and we were informed that the two teams would be merged. I was a little concerned about the amount of playing time that Tyler would get with so many kids on the team. But Mike told me not to worry - "Ty is one of the better kids on the team, he will get plenty of playing time. They will be playing double headers on Saturdays and Sundays so there will be plenty of games." I went to bed - feeling a little better about the whole thing.

Six thirty Saturday morning - Mike calls from work (he works nights) and tells me that we received an email from the organization that said upon merging the teams cuts had to be made and, unfortunately, Tyler was one of the kids who was cut. Now what? How was I going to tell my baby that he had been cut? My heart broke for Tyler. When the news was broken to Tyler he was devasted. It was his first bitter taste of rejection. I love the saying, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." I was hoping that this experience would make Tyler stronger and better. I was hoping that it would make him work all that much harder. He had something to prove. He loves baseball and I was hoping that this would not break his spirit.

What do you do if you live in Massachusetts and your child gets bad news - you go to Friendly's of course! We could have filmed a commercial for Friendly's that morning! Funny thing is, the MM pancakes and a little pep talk from Dad and Mom seemed to make it better for him. By Sunday morning, 90% recovery. Although Tyler was better and on the road to hard work, I was still feeling his pain. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

We asked the organization for feedback on their decision to cut Tyler. Where did he fall short and what area(s) was he weak in? The feedback was great - only one area - strength. His skills were great but he needed to get stronger. And there it is - the problem with being the smallest/youngest kid on the team. We gave him the choice to help build his strength - steroids or work out with Dad. Thankfully, without hesitation, he chose to work out with Dad.

So at the ripe old age of almost thirteen, Tyler learns a very important life lesson. The competition is fierce and you need to work hard to make yourself stand out in the crowd if you want to succeed. I pray he will take what he has learned and incorporate it into all aspects of his life. I want him to always have that phenomenal feeling you get when you work hard and you succeed. There is so much greatness in him; if he works hard, the sky is the limit for him!