my latest LO

I love my yesterday today class from Ali Edwards at Big Picture scrapbooking.

Wow, its been a long time

I realize I haven't blogged for a long time. In my defense, I have tried to blog several times in the past few months and it wouldn't load my pictures.
I am taking way too many classes (sewing, scrap booking and cooking), online and in person, trying to get my house a little cleaner and just surviving being a wife and mother. The boys are good, the older two enjoying school and Grant learning how to destroy my house one room at a time.
I feel like I'm learning and growing and everyday I get to start all over and try a little harder. All in all I think that's what its all about. (BTW, I love that bumper sticker that says..."what if the hokey pokey is what its all about?")

Same sketch, new look

Just thought I'd post another LO. This is one like Land of Nod before but new paper, and mirrored.

Lots to think about

I feel like my stomach is turning along with my head, trying to wrap my mind around many emotional situations in my life. I am trying to fight my feelings to shut people out and to want to run away. I am always amazed at how my kids change my mindset in every situation. The hard things I have to do, the people or things I don't want to face, are thrust in my path as I try to set the right example.
One of the things I am wrestling with is, in this Christian community I live in, some seem to think the best policy for handling conflict is to ignore it or to not tell it how it really is for fear of hurting someone. Maybe there is more hurt in the constant state of glossing over everything. Maybe its keeping us from having the relationships that would really make us better family members and people.
I also have been thinking about how hard it is to be open to criticism and change. When we are kids its hard to be chastised, but as adults we may automatically think the person telling us how to change is just plain wrong. I'm not saying we should all go out and criticize each other, but just be open to listening better. I think most of the time we know that our friends and family are trying to nudge us into the right kind of change. (And with a consensus you'll know that its not just one person picking on you). I hope I can be pliable and become the person I really want to be.
I also want to learn the art of forgiveness. I had thought lately that I had forgiven someone for doing something that really hurt. I had moved on, allowing this person back into my life on a personal level and then had them do the same thing to me again. This time I wanted to say something, hoping I could once again have this person as a friend, but I don't honestly think this person feels what they did was wrong, or could be done differently. So I go on, on guard, keeping this hurt in mind so I don't find myself here again and wondering if things will ever be good.

On another subject, summer is slipping away. We have been doing so much, I almost don't feel like I live at home, but I haven't been on vacation either. I really want some things in my life to come to a close, I really want to see a little into the future to know how to proceed. I wait for answers. I don't know how long I can endure this dull stress that follows me. I try to keep it at bay, try to enjoy things in the process, and hope I am learning from it all.

I love PE6

I have been so busy lately I feel like I can't catch my breath. I am totally excited about Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac. It is so great in so many ways. Here is what I put together this morning when Grant woke me up too early.

One more digital LO

Our backyard campout

Last weekend we had our very own fire, small-sized, for our backyard. There were marshmallows roasted to perfection. I read on the blanket and handed out the food. Jason, Eli and Wy chopped wood, built the fire and did the roasting. Grant ate marshmallows, graham crackers and M&Ms- his hands got so sticky, when he reached into the bag to grab more, he couldn't get all the M&Ms off. He later washed up in the kiddie pool.
When it was time for bed Eli and Daddy stayed in the tent, waiting with the BB gun for the cat that comes into our yard. Hmmmm....
But, truly it was one of our best camp outs ever, especially considering no gas money was spent, I didn't have to pack up the car, and I got to sleep in my own bed!

my new digital scrapbook layouts

Above is all my boys at 1 yr old. I wanted to see the resemblances.
I will update later with real info, but here is what I've been doing lately.

This is the same tire swing I used when I was little. It was in my Grandma's backyard and when she moved I got it. My dad is still the best pusher in the land. ( Boy do I wish my derrière still fit in a space that small.) Eli spends time on the swing almost everyday now. He even has been known to take the phone outside to talk with his friends while swinging. Ahhh... the life.
Grant is quite the man. I don't know how a baby can seem wise, but I swear he knows a heck of a lot more than he shows. I just love his new birthday outfit from his Granny (and Grampy), too.
Finally when had our first game. The boys are playing on the same team and after two weeks of being rained out they played. Eli didn't give me much of a photo opportunity because he'd hit the first pitch every time. 

Wyatt takes this game seriously and you can tell how much he loves by looking at his face.

LOVE THIS

Honestly, this touches my soul.

Create

I hope you like it too.

CHINESE!!!!

There are times when I have chosen a course for my children, not knowing where it will lead or why. 

Last week I went to a meeting for the first Chinese language immersion classes in our district that will produce a fluent speaker by the time they enter Jr. high. I couldn't be more excited for my kids. Eli, because he went to Draper (not our local school) last year, got in  and Wyatt will have priority next year. They will spend half the day speaking only Chinese and half in English. They will do this until they finish elementary school and more will be offered in Jr. high and high school.

There have been many times lately where I have fell my kids have no competing chance in this global world, and I have so wanted something like this to come along. I feel its an answer to prayers. Hooray for Gov. Hunstman who has provided the initial funding. CHINESE!!!!

So, I have a confession....maybe more of a pet peeve I must share. 

I really don't like it when people, and I probably don't mean you, think they are so smart. You know, the people... they just act like when their kids do things they are geniuses, and they (as smart adults) should get paid to breathe? And the fact that they are even talking to you is a favor to you, because truly they could have a much more intelligent conversation with someone else?

I don't know why, but I just had to share....

Onto other things...

We have been trying to play our way into spring- or maybe trying to convince spring to come. The boys got tennis rackets for Christmas so the past two days we have been "tennissing" as Wyatt calls it. Not to be confused with Tennessee-ing.

The other life theme we have been discussing with the kids lately, is that even adults make mistakes, sometimes lie, let people down, say mean things, etc. EXCEPT, when adults do it, they usually get into a lot more trouble. So while you are a kid, you should learn generally to be a good person, so you don't loose your family, your job or end up in jail. Ahhh... if we'd only learn.

staying the course

My baby is getting so big. He is going everywhere, but still needs to keep me in view to be happy. Our family is trying to tweak a few everyday life things, just trying to be a little kinder, get a little more sleep, eat a little better, keep the house a little cleaner and just plain stay out of trouble.