random thoughts... all free today

more scrappy magic :)

I have done more scrapping in the past few days that i have in months.  It makes me very happy but it also makes me NOT want to quit.  it seems if i get to scrap a little i want to scrap ALL THE TIME.  So getting up early or staying up late or ignoring the absolutely GORGEOUS weather just kinda happens because i become obsessed with the next project.  Hopefully i can figure out how to strike a perfect balance.

The LO i did is a photo of Connor's first day of 4th grade.  He's about to finish 6th and will be in junior high next year (godwilling with his crappy grades).  Yes....i'm a little late in getting school photos scrapped LOL)  I totally dug through my stash and used some VERY old Cherry Arte papers and letter stickers that I've been hanging onto for what seems like ages, maybe as long as 4 years now maybe more.  I also used the I-top punches that are supposed to make toppers for their brads.  But i used them as regular ole punches and they turned out SUPER cute.  They totally look like cogs which are perfect for boy pages.

Products:

Pattern Papers: Cherry Arte

Punches: Imaginesce - I-top punch

chipboard: Best Occasions

alpha stickers: chatterbox

alpha stamp: (th) see-d's by stephanie barnard

brads: Bazzill (large silver), Joann's (small silver black and white), Making Memories (pewter) Imaginesce (black with silver)

circle clips: Target office supply

ink: Momento Dew Drop - tuxedo black

pen: Zig Millenium

circle cutter: Making Memories

On a side note we went to the shooting range today with the boys.  We gave Connor his birthday gift a couple days early so we headed out to put it through it's paces.  Not at all disappointed in the purchase.  We also let jackson shoot casey's old .22 rifle that he was given when he was about jack's age.  jackson LOVED IT and now wants to go to the range everyday to shoot.  Photos to come on a scrapbook page soon i'm sure.

Time to get off the computer and get some laundry and chores done.  Goodbye long weekend, hopefully i get another one of you soon.

~h

falling off the wagon

no.......not the way you think.  I'm not taking a lot of photos lately.  I didn't take any yesterday and it was father's day.  Because lately I'm tired of being the one always behind the lens and not enjoying the moment.  Not being able to laugh and joke and enjoy the company of those gathered.  So yesterday I did take my camera to Great Gramma & Papa's house but the thing never saw the light of day.  And you know what?  It was the best time I've had in a long time.  Love visiting with family, love being around those I love.  Don't love how when the camera comes out they all stop being themselves, ready to pose if I want them to.  Which is funny because I *hate* posed photos.  I want to capture the way they are everyday, not the way they look when someone points a camera with the typical "say cheese". 

Of course, me being in the pool with the boys was a big part of why the camera didn't come out.  Could you just imagine me in the pool with the kids and a $1,000 camera strapped to my wrist?  Yeah.  Me neither.  But I don't even care.  I got to play with Jack on the steps as he repeatedly poured water over my head from an empty Jean Nate body splash bottle.  (still ranks the most popular water toy out of the entire bucket that Great Gramma has - some 15 years later)   There's nothing sweeter than to hear that squeaky scratchy giggle of his.  Watched Connor perfect his cannonball dive with the coaching of Papa.  Seeing the pride rise in his chest as he dared jump a little higher, splash a little bigger.  Loved spending time with my family.  And the best part of it?  They are mine.  And God, I'm so thankful for that.

Peace and love,

~h

Just a fabulous quote

Call it a clan
Call it a network
Call it a tribe
Call it a family.
Whatever you call it
Whoever you are
You need one.

Amen.

~h