Back from the War!

Our 2nd annual trip to "War at the Shore" was another great time. We are already planning our trip for next year. Easter is in Mid April next year...maybe it will be a little warmer!
This is where we spent many hours this weekend. 15 mats, almost 1500 wrestlers. Josh had 20 kids in his bracket and he wrestled hard. He won his first match 6-2 and then his 2nd match he met up with the NJ state champ. He lost that match 4-0 but his 3rd period wrestling was very impressive. I would of liked to see what would have happened if he had 15 more seconds. That was a tough loss, but we were ready to wrestle on Saturday. Josh lost his Saturday match 2-0 and again it is always tough to lose, but we know we have to work hard at practice and get better, because as Josh said...he will be back next year!

What I love about this trip is the families we go with and it is always great to get to socialize with them, have the boys all have fun and of course our Easter egg hunt! It really is great to see the boys having so much fun, and it doesn't really matter who lost , who won or anything, they are all just kids and having fun!

Kordell giving Josh a piggyback ride!
The pile on begins!
How many wrestlers does it take to get Ben!
Our Gang!
The Hunt!

This is our wonderful gang of kids. We have 6 families that hang out together. I am so blessed to have such a great group of parents and kids in my life. Josh is so lucky to have these boys to grow up with. This is what it is all about, these times with families we love.

So today is Easter and I have been informed that Josh knows there is no Easter bunny and he knows that I am the "bunny". At first I was like ....bummed! But then when I realized he really didn't care who was hiding the eggs.....just as long as they were hidden, I realized, he was still going to be a kid....we don't have to panic just because they find out about the little white lies we tell them about fantasy holiday characters. I like how I got thru this all by myself .

Where is the Egg?
Easter 08
The Prize.....Football Cards!

Caveman Drawings found!

I have been doing a bit of volunteering at the school lately, and I happened to go by this in the hallway the other day. I just love it. The wall is very cool and the drawings were very fun. Josh did a great job on his, I love the leopards. Not sure what everything else is, but can't wait till he brings it home and tells me about it.

Here is the little caveman! He had a pajama day at school last week. Of course he sported his new sponge bob square pants pjs! He is getting so tall, I am thinking we will be seeing eye to eye before he reaches double digits! He is so damn cute....I just love him so much!

Here is a new snack I have been having, I love the crunchiness of the triscuts, the sweetness of the apples and or course there is nothing complete without some cheese, I love this garlic and herb spread. This whole plate, 10 pts on WW, but I actually only eat half of it and I am full. so 5 pts and it is a meal! I just finished my 2nd week of WW and I have left 4 lbs behind me. I love the plan and it is making me more aware of what I am eating. I look at the Calories, the Fat and the Fiber of everything now, and not that I don't eat things that I probably shouldn't , but I eat them less often. I balance it now with good and healthy choices, and it is great to be making the right choices.

The new store is going great, I put some great things in last night and this morning. Almost 500 items now. I am about 1/2 way to my goal of items before I open the door, and right on schedule.

Have a great Wednesday, a little rainy here .....great time to go and scrapbook!

How proud can you be?

It is a question that I keep asking myself, and just when I think I can't be any more proud of Josh, he proves me wrong. I have this amazing boy that I believe will never stop amazing me. Yes I know he is only 8 years old, and yes I know that it is just wrestling, but it goes so much beyond that. Wrestling is just what he is doing, but "what he is doing" goes far beyond the mat.
We have been talking about practicing, and how important it is to achieve your goals. We have been taking it beyond that and applying it to life lessons. Work hard, discipline, and having goals. This is what we talk about.
Saturday Josh showed that he listens and he understands what it means. He took the #1 seed in MAWA Districts. He won his matches 6-0, 4-0 and the championship 4-0 . Winning the championship against a boy that had beat him in a tourney 2 weeks ago. No one scored on him all day. I have never seen him wrestle better. He had a goal to get a 1st place and he told me that was what he wanted to do that day. Proud, doesn't even describe what I was feeling.

Spring .....Come on!!!

Packing for the weekend, War at the Shore here we come!!!
Found that clock that didn't spring ahead! Always forget one!!

Not much else going on, well except I have been working on my new Online store! Yes it is coming true. I have had over 800 hits already, and it isn't open yet. You can bookmark it here . I love seeing what web pages people are coming from. Some of them a little shocking. So glad people are excited and can't wait to shop. Just loaded the new Crate Paper last night and oh this is just so beautiful......I still remember getting the postcard from this company a couple years ago and couldn't wait to go to CHA and see it in person. This is still one of my favorite lines. So if you get a chance check out the store. Shopping should be up and running within a couple weeks.

little of this .....little of that....

Today is the first day since the surgery Kate went to work. So it is kind of quiet here at the house. I miss her, even tho she was a little high maintenance! The dogs are back to their routine of sleeping , barking and whining to go out. Josh is in school, hopefully having a great day learning and playing. ( not at the same time tho!)

I have been busy adding items to the new online store, trying to get at least 50 a day uploaded and stay on schedule for opening the doors, or gateway this month. I have had so much great support and people telling me they can't wait till I get it up and running so they can order and see everything I have for them. So the Corner Store is getting ready for all of you excited customers.

Took a couple hours of a break today and did some creating. I am finding balance in my day, even if things don't go according to my list of things that are to happen that day. I am learning to move on and do other things. So today I decided it was time to create something. Had a layout in mind, printed pictures, and also more pictures for about 3 more layouts, and had fun! The results.....

This came out better then the original vision, so that made me happy. Love the colors and all the fun felt. Crackle paint is also some fun stuff to play with.

So now it is time to get back to work and Josh will be home in an hour. Then it is snacks, reading and dinner. No practice tonight so some cuddle time is on the agenda too! Kinda boring today, but boring is good.

Today is my lucky day!

Because I get to celebrate my wonderful friend Trish's Birthday!!! She is an amazing person with a big big heart!! I met Trish about 5 years ago now and I am so glad she is in my life. She is always there with a funny story, and she has this wonderful thought everyday that the world can be a perfect place.....and even if it is only 6 am when she realizes today will not be that day, she keeps the hope that it still will happen! I keep trying to bring her to reality , but she refuses to come to the dark side.
She is also very intelligent. She can work words on paper like a wizard waves his wand. Her stories of everyday life will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time! She sees people for what they are, and she sees the good in them, unless there isn't any. Even then she will give them all the chances in the world to be the good person. She is patient.
She loves her kids, she only wants to see them happy and productive. She is learning to let go and let them, and she is so excited that it is starting to work too! We have had many conversations, discussing life, people and Popsicle sticks! If I need to blow off steam, or just have someone listen to me and support me, She is the person I would call. Trish was one person I leaned on quite a bit in the last 6 months, and she was always there saying " It is going to be fine" , or " you are making the right decisions" , or " We can make it bigger and better" ....all those things you need to hear when you are doubting yourself. So today is Trish's Birthday and I am so lucky that I get to celebrate another year of her birthday!

The Pictures above are a wonderful present that Trish made for me celebrating my blog of 2007. She took all those pictures off my blog, printed them and arranged them in this old drawer. It is a precious gift, and I will cherish it always. Just another way she blows me away!!!

So Enjoy your day Trish! Oh and how bout that GREAT Gift that Tom got you and thought up all by himself *wink* !!! Love ya Girl!!!

Josh tells me 15 more days.....

Till Spring!!!

Also another conversation,

J: Mom do you know what they say about March ?

M: It comes in like a Lion?

J: And goes out like a lamb!

M: Why do they say that?

J: Because we are in Winter when it starts, and Winter is like a Lion, it is bad and roars and growls.( complete with sound effects) , and at the end we are in Spring, and Spring is like a little lamb, which is gentle , cute and good.

M: Wow that is so cool you know all that!

So in honor of Spring coming I went to Pier I today and splurged on this little #, it is really cute and I am loving it in the house....even if it is dreary outside it makes me smile :)


Now back to my other source of sunshine.....

He loves learning. Last year when he started first grade he was put in the Jump Start Reading program, which was kids that needed a little help to get up to the minimum reading level of first grade. Then this year in 2nd grade, he is in the top reading group, the advanced group of his class with only 3 other children out of 25. He just keeps striving till he conquers things!! He is reading at least an hour a day after school, and if time permits again in the morning!

Today was crazy Hat day to celebrate Dr. Seuss week at school. The kids have earned a pj party at school tomorrow, Josh is very excited. He put in over 15 hours of reading in the past 3 weeks to help his school earn this. I even got him some new pj's to celebrate!

Kate is recouping....alot of pain with this surgery, but I have her on a strict pain killer diet!

Words, to live them and not just say them.

I am not a professional writer...or as I call them storytellers. I am just a woman with thoughts that pour out here on this blog. My one little space I come to uninterrupted, to put my thoughts somewhere other then swimming around in my head. It has been a great thing for me to do for over 2 years now. I am still very happy I have done this and will continue to do it.

While talking to a friend today, who recently shut down her blog....I totally understood her reasons, which I then sat there after our conversation and knew I could have the same reasons to shut down my blog too. Without a long drawn out explanation.....there are some pretty cruel people out there, and they sometimes don't think anything about leaving nasty comments on a blog. Negativity that is just not needed in this world. But then I realized again why I blog....it actually brought it all back into perspective for me. I blog for me. End of sentence. It is something I stated in one of my first ever post. That this was for me, my one selfish act. Well I might be a bit selfish with my cadbury mini eggs too!

Then I found the vinyl letters I wanted with the saying in the picture. A quote I have always loved. I have to say though, words that have become so much more true and important in recent times then before.

Moments happen so fast. They are something you just can't get back. I had to laugh at Josh today as I was rubbing these letters on the wall, and we were talking. All of a sudden he said, "So Mom, we are having a moment to remember right now, aren't we" He hit the nail on the head, right then I felt the light bulb go off.

What is great is you can remember the moments you want to remember. Ones you don't want to ever forget you try and scrapbook about, or at least I do. There are moments you really want to forget, days even. That is ok too. But don't forget the moments, the everyday moments, the life changing moments, the moments that will be remembered even when you are gone. Remember those moments.

Moments like this one. Actually it was a whole day, but it is the moments of the day that I remember. Josh took 3rd place at the Northwestern Tourney this past weekend. Moments of the weekend.

-Josh fought and wrestled harder then I have ever seen him do , while losing the match 5-4 (his first match of the day), he never gave up and I was never so proud of him.

-Convincing Josh to wrestle hard to wrestle for 3rd place, when all he wanted was 1st place. Telling him that 3rd place was his new first, since he could no longer go for first.

- Watching Josh wrestle his heart out in the next 4 matches, winning every one of them to capture 3rd place.

-Josh getting his trophy and asking me to take his picture with it. Knowing then that he was proud of what he had done.

-Being told by 3 different people they saw a t-shirt for me that said " the only thing tougher then a wrestler , is a wrestler's Mom ! Then on the back of the shirt "Psycho Mom" (If you have ever seen me while Josh is wrestling, you would have no doubt why they wanted to get me that t-shirt) Let's just say I get a little intense.

Equally I will remember the moment today talking to Josh's teacher to find out that Josh is in the highest reading group in 2nd grade. I can't tell you the beam that was coming from me. Josh was in the jump start program, (the lowest) reading group just one year earlier. He just keeps amazing me. Besides the fact he has just been an amazing the past few days, almost angelic like....but shhhhhhhh we don't want to jinx it!

So moments, remember them, document them, don't let them just become days!

An Extra day!!!

So today is Leap Day, which is a day we usually don't get. I mean every 4 years we get an extra day. So I thought today would be a perfect day to do whatever you want to do. It is a BONUS day right?? So I have been scrapbooking for 5 hours....oh I love this hobby. I have only created 2 layouts....but heck it has taken me days to create layouts before. I am getting a little quicker, I think because I have a better sense of what I want to do with the story and the pictures. So here is my result of one of my layouts.

Now I have also been working on our trip to Alaska too. We are now going to take Amtrak from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA when we get off our cruise and see a little of Seattle while we are on this trip. I mean it is the home of the first Starbucks! Oh yeah and the space needle!!

So for an extra day, I would call anything you do a productive day!!

Oh and I don't know if you know this but 3 mini cad bury cream eggs have 4 points.

Happy Leap Day!

Soups On!

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup!! Mmmmmmmmm Good!

Wow where did 6 days go?

I can't believe I haven't blogged for 6 days....I have been really working on taxes, the online store and actually scrapbooking! I guess that is where the 6 days went!!

soooooooooo the ick is still here in the house. Kate has got her winter ick and once she gets it , it seems to hold on tight! Josh is nearing the end of his coughing, which I will not miss. He has his energy back and it is a welcome sight.

Kate will be going for yet another surgery this coming month and then next month possibly going for knee replacement. So it will be a very interesting next couple of months. 3-6 weeks on Crutches and then I am not sure what the knee surgery will be like. I hope for a quick recovery and perhaps even a pain free Kate again. It is hard to watch her in pain everyday, but I know it has to be harder to be in pain everyday.

So I have been doing inventory and started entering all the data for the online store. Lots to do there. It will be a slow process, but hope to have things up and going within a couple weeks. I am pushing for it anyway. I am so thankful for the girls offering to help me with this...it is so appreciated! I am truly blessed with great friends!

So this is what it looks like when you get your first good snow day of the season but you have a 101 degree fever. I asked Josh what he was doing , and he told me he wanted to see the snow so he opened the window....it was so sad he couldn't go out and play.

So might be back for a couple days again. Tomorrow more work on the store, then Saturday we have a wrestling tournament all day! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Josh!!!

Foo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So What do you get your 8 year old son for his birthday.....Foo Fighter Concert Tickets...what else???

Josh, Max, Mike and I went to one of the most AWESOME concerts last night. Foo Fighters put on a show like no other. It was a great mix of their old and new songs, and Dave....well lets just say he has AMAZING Energy!!! They played for just over 2 hours. That was after 2 other bands so we didn't leave till after midnight. Now the no school today just fell in place just right! Thanks for the snow!!!

I am so glad to have experienced this with Josh. Back when I was growing up I KNOW for a fact my parents would have NEVER taken me to a Rock concert. I know for a FACT we would not be listening to the same music. IT is very cool to see Josh's love of music, not only that his love of GOOD music...which is so important. I will not forget this night, and I don't think Josh will either. It was pretty amazing, the production was outrageous and when they brought down the second stage out of the ceiling and played their old acoustic stuff....it was just unbelievable. I hope we can enjoy more concerts together, before it is so uncool to be with your Mom!

A big shout out to Mike too....my new concert buddy!! ROCK ON!

Message board down.

Ladies, Proboards is trying to fix the problem, but it may take a while. they are having some script issues (whatever that means). So be patient it should be up again soon! Now go scrapbook something while we wait!!

Thanks!
Rollie

back home!

What a FANTASTIC weekend!!!
I got to see one of my Idols this weekend. Stacy Julian I don't know if the word Idol is too strong, because I think some think of an idol as untouchable. Stacy is far from untouchable. Actually she is so there. I just love her outlook on life and scrapbooking. It isn't Earth shattering, it is simple. It is amazing to me how simple things are the hardest to get to.
So this is a fly by post as I need to get up and get going. But I wanted to share one of my favorite layouts I did this weekend. I LOVE this picture of Kate and Josh, and when I look at this photo, LOVE is the first word that comes to my mind. My love for them, the love I know exist between them and the love I feel when they look at me. Have a great tuesday....more to come on my weekend lessons!

Tomorrow is Friday!

Yes I know today is Thursday, and it is Valentine's Day! But tomorrow is Friday...and that is exciting!

Friday I get to go on a roadtrip with some great gal pals!! We are headed to Scrapbowl 2008!!! I can't really explain how excited I am to be doing this. I love that I get to go and scrapbook, take classes, laugh and have just some silly fun. It is a treat for me, because when you own a scrapbook store and a Scrapbook retreat company...you are usually working these events while everyone else is having fun! Don't get me wrong...I LOVE what I do, but getting to do it on the other end is just really exciting. So Trish, Deena and I are meeting tomorrow morning and we are heading out on our Road trip. We are already plugging a few stops into "Betsy" and I can't wait to visit the Paper Source in Georgetown!!! I have seen some really cool stuff from there and want to go and touch and buy some! Hope to hit a scrapbook store also along the way....then it is on to Scrapbowl! Where we will start the evening with a private reception with Stacey Julian, then she is also the keynote speaker. Class with Stacey in the morning and then another class with Shimelle Laine. Then the rest of the time hanging and laughing and just enjoying! There are 11 of us in our group, I love these girls!!

So I went out to the salon yesterday and got my hair colored....I am loving it!

It was getting just a bit too dark!

I also created a layout!

Feels so good to have my mojo back! I love the all the inspiration out there right now, Girls on my message board have been creating at great rates. It is fun to be able to share our creations with each other and inspire each other. It is like being at a virtual crop everyday!!

I also wanted to let everyone know , THANKS for all the great well wishes for Josh at his tourney this past weekend. He took 2nd place!!! He wrestled harder then I have ever seen him, and he really wanted to win the championship. He did lose 0-2 . He came up againest a great little wrestler that was a 6th grader. Josh only being in 2nd grade....didn't feel so bad after he found that out. He was quite upset he lost tho.

So everyone have a great V Day....but remember there are 365 days a year to show your love.

From Colon Cleaner to an Owl Broom!

What do you get when you take 4 silly girls, a bottle of Colon cleaner, some sunglasses and an Owl Broom?

ONE FUN DAY!!!

Ok so this is one of those "Had to be there" kind of post....but it is one that I am glad I was there.

I have to tell you it is GREAT to take a day and be with your girlfriends for a few hours, just to laugh and forget that the world is out there. To be in your own little world. I have really found out over the past few months that that is important!

So our day started out with a little lunch, and of course when you have a wall of hot sauce bottles with names like "Colon Cleaner" it is a photo opp waiting to happen! Then when you think you can't laugh anymore you head over to Starbucks and find the Owl Broom , and there again, what does it scream? PHOTO OPP!

Course when you have the cutest little 5 year old on the planet with you wearing her sunglasses it just doesn't get any better then that! So here's to you Sydney Lu!!! And I will be back to challenge you in Boxing!! Put your dukes up!

Having a little girl....

Is SO much FUN!!!

I get to watch my little Neice Merideth today and we are having a great day! ( Hi Aunt Kate!!)
We can't wait till you get home to play!
Little girls are just too fun. I am so glad I have a little girl to watch grow up in my life. Josh turning 8 this past week, and then seeing little Mer here just brings back so many memories. She is 4 months now and I remember so vividly when Josh was this age. Smiling, cooing, and drueling! Glad I get to relive these days every once in a while.

On other news....I had the BESTEST Day yesterday cropping with my Gal Pal Ruby! We did some great pages and had great girl time. I just love this gal!

Josh has his Year End tourney this Sunday coming up....he is ranked 2nd out of 14 kids in his division. Not bad for an 8 year old in a division of 64 lbers, that range in age 6-11 . We are hoping he has a great day. He has worked so hard for this, this year. Last year he was ranked 12th out of 12. GO JOSH!!

Ok back to playing with this cutie pa tootie!!

Let Scrapbook season begin!!

So excited to be done with some things that I had to do. Now it is time to do a few things I want to do!

So today was opening day of Scrapbooking Season! Here was my first layout in a long time. More to come!!

Tom Cruise Parody ala Scrapbooking

Just can't get enough of this! This is good CZ TV!

So glad for a little sparkle!

Ok, I am here to admit, I was shaking a little this morning with excitement as I opened the 3 boxes of Thicker Love! Roller Rink ( pictured here) , Playroom...little felt beauties that make my girlfriend Ruby shutter! , and Jewerly box....with just the right amount of shimmer! All IN STOCK at the Corner store....YEP Even before most are heading to CHA next week to purchase them....I will be here already playing with them :) You can be too....just give me a shout and order them! You can email me @ scrappinawayvacations@verizon.net , or Go to the S.A.V.E. message board and see all the current inventory in stock!

3 Coaches albums done!! Banquet tonight, pictures tomorrow.

Josh got sick in the middle of the night last night. There is nothing like your child being sick to remind you how much you love them. He wants to do nothing but cuddle up with me. I just took a little break while he finally fell asleep. Poor little guy is not doing well, he wants to eat, we do a little toast....we do more in the bucket ( repeat) . So I am just trying to keep him hydrated at this point. I see alot of spongebob in my afternoon.

So other then Thicker love and Josh love.....I continue to just love life! Enough said

Happy Birthday my little miracle!

My Little football fan! This is a special Cake I had made for you by a great little baker Maggie. She is starting her own little business and I tasted one of her cakes last week, and can't wait to have more tomorrow.

WOW you are 8! It is really amazing how 8 years have gone by. I have been so blessed to be your Mom. This week I took alot of time to reflect on the past 8 years. I looked at your scrapbooks I have done and I went back thru lots of pictures I have taken over the years. I came back to one word each and everytime....AMAZING! You are just amazing, your eyes, your smile, your thirst for everything. You always want to know EVERYTHING. You have so much passion in everything you do. You love people, and usually go for the underdog. You love school, you love sports. You are an amazing little athlete....you work hard and love to win.
You have taught me to love more. You have taught me that no matter what is wrong with the world, no matter what happens out there...that family is the most important thing. That the fact we get to have each other in our lifes...the rest is so small.

So my little buddy..THANK YOU! I love you so much.


Here is a picture of Josh with his little buddy Griffin. I thought this was so adorable how they were sharing the ipod earphones. Hey Griffin!

one more day....

as a 7 year old. Can't believe this is from only 1 year ago. Can't wait to celebrate another year of being your Mom!

OK ......we have a hint!

We think he has been crashing Weddings!!