The Beach

I have been enjoying a couple of days of relaxation on the beach. I have taken this trip every year for the past 4 years. I am in Virginia Beach. I'm here for Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squad convention. This is a great time to bring my family along for a mini vacation while I take a few classes for CE credit to keep up my EMT certification. Today we spent some time on the beach and the kids had a blast. They love the water. Jasmine is a little too willing to go out far in the ocean than mommy wants her to be. That child doesn't realize that she can't really swim and mommy isn't that good at it either. We still have a few more days for fun. I can't wait to scrap these shots. Tomorrow I will go and check out some of my favorite sb stores.

Sick baby

After only a week in school, the preschool germs have attacked Jaden. He came home Tuesday with 101.7 fever and a small rash on his forehead. By morning the rash extended to his waist. This morning the rash was from head to toe with 102.2 fever. The cause is a virus, beginning of pneumonia, and an ear infection. The result is the rest of the week at home with a mommy who has a full schedule to balance. He has really been a good sport about it. He isn't thrilled to miss school or be quarantined to his room so he doesn't infect the rest of the family before vacation next week.

The Magic Bus Came

It finally came and I think his smile took up half his face when that bus came up the street. He had to be stopped so I could take his picture. He had a great day. Mommy did too!

My baby started school today

He was so excited to go to preschool today. He has talked about going to school for the past year. The school bus has been the most important mode of transportation to this little boy. In his mind a school bus is the magic chariot. Unfortunately the bus was 30 minutes late and I had to teach a class so he had to ride in mommy's magic mini van. Maybe tomorrow the magic school bus will pick him up.

Calling all Hokies

Look what's here! I will be posting this on the store tomorrow. Ok, so the game against LSU stinks right now but give us a break we are breaking in new people. I still stand proud and shout even as we are losing badly, LET'S GO HOKIES!

What have I been up to...

Earley Circle of Love

CHA Class project

Ok, I have actually been working on some things here and there. I finally finished this layout from CHA. I took a class on scrappin on the wall. It was a great class. I loved seeing the canvas art examples the instructor had. I also got a book on canvas art for sharing my supplies with others. I do play well with others contrary to popular belief. : )

The CIRCLE of Love layout was fun to do. Jeff was complaining about the bare walls. I stained the frame to match the furniture in the Living Room. I love the way it turned out. The frames are pretty cheap to buy and finish. So, I challenge you to get those layouts out of the albums and put them out for all to see.

I have been surfing the boards and blogs for fresh ideas. Wow was I impressed! I can't wait until the kids go down for nap today so I can go work on Jasmine's birthday pages. I am even eager to start on Halloween stuff.

Shoot me an email of what you have worked on lately so I can post it.

Happy Labor Day

My Baby Girl is 5

There was a wild and crazy party at my house today. Give a bunch of 5 year olds dressed as princesses some juicy juice and a bouncer and the tulle will fly. Today is Jasmine's birthday. She is very happy to finally announce to everyone who will listen that she is 5. We had the ultimate princess party. All the little girls were all dressed so cute. The girly girl mentality goes out the windown when you put these girls on a bouncer. I'm pretty sure Cinderella didn't show as much tushy. Jasmine chose not to be a princess for her princess party. Tinker Bell is more her speed. Tink is a girl who has more fun. It seems like such a short time ago when she came to live with us. Wow, she has changed so much.

First Day of School

Just too cute
Waiting for the bus
The girls

Taylor
Jasmine
Today was the day! The first day of school finally arrived. The girls happily bounced down the stairs to get eat and dress. They were even patient as mom took 77 pictures. Yep, I said 77. When you have a Canon Rebel, 77 is a small number. That thing can take several pictures with the slightest touch. They both did great until the bus stopped and Jasmine got on first. She stopped in her tracks causing Taylor to run into her. I think the realization hit her that she was on a bus heading to SCHOOL. Her eyes got really big and I thought she was going to bolt from the bus. Maybe it was a good thing Taylor was behind her. She started to move down the aisle like she had cement blocks on her feet. She finally found a seat for the two of them and gave me a weak smile and a wave. I dropped by the school to check on them later in the morning and they were fine. Jasmine had the problem I expected her to have. That mouth of hers. If I could hook it up to a motor I would get half way across the country in an hour. We had to have a little chat about how mommy could appear at her school when she would least expect it. To reassure her I plan to make an appearance tomorrow. Oh the joys of being a tough mommy!

While Jaden wasn't happy about the girls leaving him all alone, at the end of the day he announced he didn't miss them. After a trip to Sonic for lunch and a few trinkets at the grocery store, he figured out the benefits of not having the sisters around all day. I won't be able to scrap the school pics until the weekend. Until then, Jaden and I will play a few games and enjoy the quiet house.

Happy Birthday Hottie

This was taken when we were at CHA
Today is my honey's birthday. I am so jealous that he just gets better looking with each year. We celebrated the day by spending time at the park with our kids. It was great watching him race through the play ground playing hide and seek with them. Instead of wanting to spend the day doing something for him, he chose to spend the day making his kids happy. Now that is a great daddy. Of course I took pictures I scrap them next week.

I only have 3 more days until I have a small amount of peace in my house. The girls are going to school. I will do a little dance with Jaden. He and I have a little time alone together before he goes to preschool. That is when the real celebration begins. I keep hearing the question what will I do? My answer has been whatever I want but I know that is not true. I will volunteer at the girls' school, volunteer at the rescue squad, and the store takes front burner. I still have to teach cpr classes. There are several rooms that need a coat of paint, etc... It will take me from now until spring break to organize this house. I almost look forward to the challenge because I can do it in peace. Oh wow, I can pee without little people outside the door. I vow to turn off the ringers and sit in silence for a full 5 minutes.

Today marks sad memories for me and my little town. The town of Blacksburg Virginia has had a rough year. One year ago today a chain of horrible events started and we are still trying to stop them. When you work in EMS you become apart of a large family consisting of police, fire, and hospital staff. We lost 2 of our family members a year ago to a mad gunman who wanted to do nothing more than cause death. Derrick McFarland, security guard at Montgomery Regional Hospital, was shot to death by an escaping convict. This convict also took the life of Eric Sutphin, Sherriff's deputy. Having worked with both of these men hours before their deaths made it hard for me and my crew. With those memories still fresh in our hearts we had to deal with the April 16 massacre on Virginia Tech campus. So today our town unveiled the memorial for the 32 killed but 34 will live in our hearts forever.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Sherri Albert !!! Congratulations Sherri your bag is on the way. I have decided to have more drawings. So, keep checking back for the details of the next drawing. Until next time...