Coming up for air....

Breathe in .......

Breathe out.......

WOW Life can get going and put you in directions you just have to go with. Being someone that likes to be in control ( Stop snickering Kate!) , I have had to let go and let things happen. It is a big lesson to learn , but worth learning. I couldn't have got thru the last couple weeks if I didn't learn this lesson.

I have taken on a bit this summer , and a few times I was wondering what the HECK was I thinking. But when I sit back and look at things I know exactly what I was thinking, I was thinking I want to do these things for Josh and all the other kids that love the game of football and want to play. I have taken on not only coaching but managing the concessions at the football field, which is time consuming , ordering, organizing and making sure it all goes off without a hitch. Working with some parents that don't really get the whole volunteer thing, but working with a lot of parents that do, and that is what makes it great! I have met so many great people during this season, I love surrounding myself with wonderful people , people that care about their kids and that their kids have a great place to play. It is so important in their little lives to get out there and play. Learn great values, how to work as a team and to have fun doing it.

So that is the football part, then there is The Corner Store, which is doing GREAT!!! I am shocked sometimes in this day and time that things are going as well as they are. But scrapbookers have to have their supplies I have found out! I love the customers I have met over the past 4 months. I can't believe it has only been 4 months since I opened the doors on line. I was nervous to start it, but so glad I did!! The response has been just fantastic!! I love hearing from people that I have what they want and need. I have so many new items to add and plan on a BIG , HUGE , Sale in September so stay tuned!!

S.A.V.E. , We just had our August Event, I can't believe that this little idea that started in Oct 2004 just had our 10th event!!! It was such a great time , and with guest teacher Melodee Langworthy teaching her classes, so many of us left loving stamping again! I will be carrying the stamps Melodee uses in class in the Corner Store. They are now a staple in my stamp case!

We are well on the way to planning the January Event already only 141 days away!!! I have already announced the Trifecta of Teachers on the Message board and will be announcing to everyone on the Scrappin Away website very soon! Registration opens September 15th , mark your calendars.....spots are limited and will go quickly! We have some very very exciting news to reveal and let me just say.....the goodie bags will be over flowing. I am so very excited to be doing this event. It will be our 5th Anniversary year this year and I want to do it up big!

Kate is doing GREAT! Today is 5 weeks after surgery and she is already driving, been doing that for a week now, she went to work for a couple hours yesterday , not suppose to return for 3 more weeks! She can ride a stationary bike in physical therapy and is lifting 10lb weights with her legs. She has some nights where they are a bit stiff, but other then that she is doing so great! I am so happy for her and I see that smile back , it is hard to smile when you live in pain everyday, so that is worth all of it!

Josh is enjoying his last few days of summer vacation, football 4 nights a week and games on the weekend. He ran one in for an extra point in our game versus Qtown, we won 27-6 .

So I think I am caught up now...now if I could get the rest of my life caught up!!

Working on it, but as long as I am busy I will not complain. I love being busy.

Are you watching??

I LOVE the Olympics!!!

Josh LOVES the Olympics too!!

We have been camping out in the living room everynight watching the Olympics.

Kate hangs with us till about 10pm and then goes to bed.

Josh asked if we could watch every night that the olympics while they are on!

I said YEAH!

Ok so now I am feeling it as he is actually staying up to watch them. I thought he would bore with them by now. He is so excited cheering for the USA. I really love watching him as much as watching the Olympics. He is asking alot of questions and watching the stories behind these athletes. It is great for him to see these kids have been working for years to get where they are.

Josh being the athlete he is, he is starting to understand that putting 100% into each practice makes a difference. That paying attention to the coach and doing what the coach ask is what you are suppose to do. We have been talking alot about things, and being one of his coaches this year has even brought us closer. I asked him last night what he thought about me coaching and he said "It is actually pretty cool, I like having you as a coach" Well that made my day as you can imagine!

I have been putting in alot of hours to the Concession stand and coaching. Tired, heck YEAH! Worth it , heck YEAH!

I was talking to a Mom that is sending her only son to college in 2 weeks, and we were talking about how fast it goes, she told me to keep doing what I am doing , stay involved and enjoy every minute of it. She said you will be ready when they are to move on....but you will have some great memories and know you gave him all you had as a parent when they are ready to go.

So I am going to enjoy these times, I can't believe that day is only 10 years away, it really makes you think when the first 8 years have gone as fast as they have.

So it is Watch Olympics, Eat, Football, Sleep around here....and we are loving life!!

A new day, A new hope...

To say yesterday was difficult, is an understatement.
To say today was beautiful, is an understatement.

Yesterday there was a family very torn apart for the past 8 years.
Today the healing started.
On the porch of our house sat a Mom, Son and Daughter, a Brother and a Sister.

It might have taken the death of one, again way too early, but He may be just
the angel that will bring this family back together.

I have always said that Josh is the miracle that healed my family in so many ways.
So many years lost, the birth of my son and the magic he carries with him have
preformed so many miracles. Eric may be that miracle for this family. I believe he
already is.

That is how you honor some one's life, you look within and don't let them die in your
heart. Make yourself a better person, let yourself be more caring, let yourself love.

I thank the Lord today for letting me witness this Miracle!

You will be missed....

Eric Stillings June 16, 1986- July 24, 2008
It is always important to remember the good times in life, because eventually that is only thing that matters. We are saying goodbye to Eric today, way too early. I hope for eternal peace for you. Know you are loved.
This was Christmas 2007 when Eric was showing us his skillz on Guitar Hero, it was a great day and lots of fun and laughter. Those are the days we will remember with Eric, and we will think of him often.
Rock on my dear boy!! Rock on!!

It is August 5th, that much I know!

And this is the J.A.K.'s

Yes this is the new sport in our house this summer, ROCK BAND for the Wiiiiiiiiiii! I have to say it is a fun time, I do enjoy it when I get a chance to play. Josh and I Rock out on the drums and guitar! But when A and K come over the band keeps on playing! Sometimes all night long, what are summers for as a kid unless you can stay up one night till 6 am!! Ah the carefree days of summer!
and this is my new baby. Soon to be on the road every once in a while as it has insurance and registration on the way. I can't wait to go for a Sunday cruise to the Football Field in this little Red Roll! It is soooooooooooooooooooo pretty!
ah and the vacation that I still ahhhhhhhhhh over when I edit pictures or think about on a daily basis. Alaska and Seattle, it was a great time, and oh how I might need to visit a Starbucks today!!

Lot's of busy times here right now, but good also. I have been busy with Football already, Coaching special teams and managing the Snack Stand at the field has my hands full. I love volunteering for this organization, knowing it is all for the kids! Volunteering is good for the soul, and it has given me alot of opportunity to talk to Josh about charity and giving for others. He even does his part helping me stock the coolers and whatever I ask him to do.

Also getting ready for the Summer S.A.V.E. event in dare I say 15 days!!! I can't believe it is only a few days short of 2 weeks and we will be having Melodee Langworthy teaching and hanging out with us for 3 days! Her classes are filling up and we all can't wait to create these great mini albums. There are only about 6 more spots left in the Christmas Album Class so don't wait if you want to take this class. Kits are also available by signing up for the class and putting "KIT" in the notes. All Kits will be mailed when I return from the event.

Also busy shopping for all the new items that have come out of CHA Summer! I just purchased all the My Minds Eye Halloween and Christmas Lines and they will be arriving next week! Also coming are the new Teresa Collins Christmas Line, this girl has it happening! So many other things also coming soon.

Oh also just realized that only 4 more weeks and Josh will be back in school, I am really looking forward to doing a few more things this summer with him before that happens! We haven't even made it to Dorney Park yet....have to do some roller coaster riding before it all ends!

So that is about it, I hope to return to blogging more soon, I have lots of scrappin ideas going thru my head, but if I took a picture of the tornado that hit my scrapbook room (AKA , dump zone) it would hurt. Today I hope to pick at it a bit. I want to get some pictures ready for S.A.V.E. and do some great scrapbooking while I am there. Already working on S.A.V.E. in January...have 2 great teachers already lined up and hope to announce them soon. So back to work, lots of ordering to do!