School's Out

Yesterday was Ethan's last day of school. He had an amazing Gr 1 year. I am so very very proud of him. He can read at a grade 3 level now, and his math and science skills are at a grade 2 level. He really excelled. And his teacher was a gift. She is what the profession should be. She teaches for the LOVE of teaching and the LOVE of children. So even though I know Ethan is a little brain, Mrs. Ash really helped bring him along!! Everyone deserves a summer off!!

Day 9

This one is all about perception. Very fascinating. You can either perceive things good or bad. Everyone perceives things differently. You can't control that. But you can control how you take it in and process it and then deal with it. You can either focus on what is wrong in your life, or what is right.

Happy Friday!

Day 8

Day 8 already... Where does the time go? The quote reads "The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams". Powerful. Scary.

I hit the jackpot!

The MUSIC jackpot that is!! hee hee I bought XM satellite radio for Marc for Father's Day, and it was installed today. Ya - two weeks later... But it is incredible!! I HATE the radio. I hate the constant chatter and the annoying commercials and the crappy "Canadian content" music selection. Satellite radio ROCKS!! We get 247 chanels (yikes!!) and they are all something different. Today, so far, I have listened to: the 80's; the 90's; old school alternative; and dance music from the UK. COOOOOL!! I really recommend this for anyone thinking about it.

Day 7

Keep in the sunshine. I am trying to do that today. Ethan was up last night just after midnight with a sore throat. Now we are off to the doctor's to get it checked out. And of course Marc is away. It always happens - he leaves town and the kids get sick!! I think it is a conspiracy to see just how much, or how little, it will take to drive me over the edge. Soooo, after getting 4 whole hours of sleep last night, I am up and running again. Trying to keep on the sunny side of life today....

Happy Birthday dad AND Happy Anniversary mom and dad!

June 27th is a busy day in our family. It is my dad's 58th birhtday AND my parents' 36th wedding anniversary! So we have just returned from a family bbq and the kids running around and the mess and my mom stressing out over every move the grandchildren make!! It is hilarious. Meanwhile, my dad just LOVES the fact that these kids run rampant and make so much noise and have so much fun. They all adore my dad - all children do. He is a magnet. He is loving and kind and full of energy - who wouldn't love my dad?!! But for all the hard times my sister and I give my parents, we love them beyond words. They are a testiment to TRUE love - love that is patient and endures; love that changes and grows; love that is happy and sad; love that is real between best friends. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!! Tanti baci!!

Days 5 and 6

Was inspired tonight to journal. Tonight's themes - DO and BEAUTY. Both very different. Both very true.

Day 4

Trust. Ohhhh, another not easy one for me. Trusting others and even sometimes trusting myself. I have been hurt by way too many people in my past. People who claimed to be my "friends". Now, I dont' allow very many in. Once bitten, twice shy... But the greater issue is trusting myself to do the right - to choose the right - to follow through and know that I am right. That is hard.

Day 3

This is all about failure. Or, what would you do if you could NOT fail. Very hard for me. I have a terrible fear of the unknown, and it stops me from doing a lot of things. This layout is all the things I would do if I did not have this fear.

{21} Day Challenge - Part Deux!

So Rhonna has started the challenge again, but she is already half way through. I decided to play along again, and so I have begun. Here are days 1 and 2. I am really keeping this "journal" style. I don't want it to be scrap-booky at all. But I think my first entry failed on that account... Oh well. It is fun to see how the entries evolve over the 21 days. This journal is about my new company. I still can't reveal the details. I am excited, but VERY afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of it being too much hard, hard work. Afraid that I won't be any good at it. Afraid that it won't make any money... Hopefully I will be able to get some of these fears worked through in this journal over these next three weeks.

Time for a change

So I went to the salon this morning for a haircut and decided it was time for a change. Changed the colour and the style. I was feeling "old", and I hate that!! My hair gets really out of control when it begins to get long. It mushrooms. Really unattractive. So now I feel better and it helps my face look thinner! That is always a good thing!! We will see how long this cut will last. I have a feeling by the end of summer I will change it again. But that is the good thing about hair - it always grows back!!

Ohhh Tammy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my bestest gal pal!!! I hope you have a wonderful day and know that I am thinking about you!!! Love you to pieces!!!

Monday Blahs

I am really fighting the urge to give in to the Monday blahs. It is kind of sunny outside, and kind of cloudy. It is a little on the warm side - but if the clouds don't blow away, it will just become muggy, and I really really don't like that kind of weather. It makes me cranky. The weeked was sooo busy, and seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye. Yesterday was Father's Day, and I did a bbq for Marc and his parents. My parents went to my sister's house, where she was doing the same thing. I gave away too many secrets to that little sister o' mine!! And now she is one-uping me!! hee hee She can't help it if she is super smart like her big sister!! ha ha haaa Anyway, Sunday was a blur. I had to speak in Church about the Creation and I HATE public speaking (even though I kinda do it for a living.....). And then I came home to prep and cook food all night kinda thing. So today I am cleaning. I have cleaned all the bathrooms; stripped and re-made all the beds; vaccumed; dusted; done 4 loads of laundry; ran the dishwasher and unloaded it; and now I am going to do some baking. My parents are coming over tonight for some post-Father's Day dessert. Not to mention that we have Taekwondo lessons and homework to get in before my parents come... Mondays are "have to" days in this house. And right now, I don't want to "have to" do anything.

Typical Saturday - swimming lessons; yard work; and XM Satellite Radio

So for Father's Day, we bought Marc XM Satellite Radio for the car. Umm - IT ROCKS!! I "hate" the radio. The commercials are always about condoms or sex or tv show clips talking about sex or how to get money fast, or cash day loans, blah blah blah. The radio programming itself leaves MUCH to be desired. And the radio personnel - PAINFUL to listen to!! So we are going satellite. Marc and Ethan have gone swimming and then are on their way to Best Buy to have the new XM installed. I think I am more excited about this than Marc. I am the one who spends hours, literally, everyday in the car. So this very typical Saturday has turned into an exciting one for us. Sad - I know! But hey, the simple things in life bring the most pleasure!!

On another note, yesterday Ethan tested for his 8th belt in Taekwondo and passed! It was amazing. This time around he knew all his forms perfectly and answered up nice and loud. It was a great moment to watch his face when he was called for his new belt. The kids are not told if they "passed" after they are done their forms. They are graded and then told to sit back down. QUITE nerve racking!! And, if you think this is an easy task to do - Ethan's new forms consisted of 31 different moves that are all done in a sequence. It has taken him over a month to learn his forms. Truly an amazing accomplishment.

Off to prep for a "party" - but don't tell anyone - it is a surprise - for Bruce!! hee hee

Have a good day all!!

Winding things down

Last night was my last PAC meeting. I have been on the board for two years now, and honestly it is enough. I enjoyed serving the school. I really enjoyed knowing at all times what was going on with the school and the children. But it is time I really don't have anymore to devote. So, last night we elected an entire new board, and we are all moving on. A big weight has been lifted from me. I suppose if I was a different personality, this committment would not have been such a big deal. But I am not. Go big or go home. That is my motto in life. I don't do anything with a half heart. I committ and I do it!! But it takes a toll on me. So I wish all the new members much luck and pray that they have the best interests of the children at heart for the next school year.

Creatin' Today

Did a layout from Isabella's birthday from last week. All papers and rub-ons from SEI. These colours are very much out of my comfort box, but it is fun to play.

It has been a long few days

When I went in to work yesterday morning, I was greeted by the following words, "Rosalee is not in. Her mother died". Okay... Now, none of you know the amazing and extremely talented Rosalee. She is our office manager/head conveyancer/head corporate gal/accountant/miracle worker!! She is NEVER away from work. Ever!! And so to not have her there, on top of the very tragic and sudden loss of her mother, was awful. It was not a good day. Which extended to today. I so want Rosalee and her family to know how much I am thinking of them at this time, and how very much I appreciate her. She is so kind and so dedicated. She is bright and literally knows everything there is about law. She knows more than the lawyers in the firm!! She is amazing. And for me to gush about her, you KNOW it must be true!! Many hugs my dear friend.

That party rocked!!

Isabella's birthday party is over. Phew!! It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun!! I actually enjoyed myself this time! I am usually so busy keeping up with the food and keeping track of everyone... The kids seemed to be able to amuse themselves, appropriately! All the adults looked after themselves... Wow. How great!! But I had to post a pic of the cake!! It was DELICIOUS!! Thank you again Marina for your hard work! It was a huge hit - both with the adults and children!!

Happy Birthday Isabella!

My sweet sweet girl is 3!! How did this happen?? I swear she was just born yesterday... Time passes all too quickly. Today is party day, and she is very excited. Of course, it is raining... Which means everyone will be stuck in the house. Good thing we have a basement! But it will be fun nonetheless. So have a wonderful day my little girl!!