Tanis and "Hee"

BIG smiles from me...

Happy Birthday Harold!!

My oldest
Turned 29
TODAY!!


Which makes me realize that there is a reason I have some saggy skin.....

It seems like just a few years ago I gave birth to him.

We marveled at this wonderful, beautiful new human being we had brought into the world and wondered if we could really be parents.

...sometimes I still wonder

And in a few years we were parents of three more and a few years after that we became grandparents.


Funny how that happens.....


Happy Birthday Harold!

Creative Moments

Well there are mounds of scrapbooking supplies all over my desk so I might as well do a few more pages before I clean it all up! Isn't that what a long weekend is for? That and cookin up a storm for 6 people all weekend..... and a few guests here and there.  Greek salads, pasta salads, Cesar salads and lots of BBQing - these summer temps are wonderful.
Happiness

Cutie Pie

Ezio

Family

"The best thing in life to hold on to is each other"

I agree! A photo from 2006.

Stay tuned, I have a few more pages I will scan and post soon ....

Ezio Auditore da Firenze

I am not sure if he is a good guy or a bad guy but I hope he is a good guy. At any rate one of my sons is into anime and off to an anime convention in Winnipeg. This is this years costume.

The detail on this costume is quite something. I am not going to ask him how much it cost him. :)

More pics are HERE

A few more 2003 pages

Happy Halloween

Or is that scary halloween.

I am not into this whole halloween thing. I love to get dressed up and fully enjoy watching the kids in costumes pretending to be something. But this scary and evil stuff.. well I am just not there. And I won't throw any scripture at you tonight but ....why celebrate evil - in any way shape or form.
"Be happy" is my motto.


My son on the other hand loves to dress up and Halloween just gives him the opportunity to do that. So far he has been to see his old buddies at Burger King as Captain James Cook - dread locks and all. He showed up at work today in the full Darth Vader gear - and I mean FULL gear - sound effects, light saber, heavy helmet thingy and all. He WAS Darth Vader. Sent away for both these costumes.

And for tonight he was something....well, very evil. And to add to the effect he bought a fog machine to give the outside of our house a very eerie atmosphere to match that full moon. As a result,  there were not very many very little ones at our door because he scared them all next door, stuttering and shaking crying "ddddid you see that thing with red eyes in the fffffog over there?" There were more than a few chuckling parents. And fortunately no upset ones. The very littlest ones, thankfully came well before my son set up shop.

Yes, my son loves to dress up and even the tough, in your face, 10 yr old boys were a little hesitant to come up the walk tonight - sending their younger sister in first to see if it was safe and the goodies were worth the risk.

So as much as I do not like Halloween and we have never "celebrated" it....

my son does.....

If you want a bag of potato chips at our house, you have to get past this.

One young man told my son "I know Karate you know!"

It took three tries to upload this photo - it just kept uploading blank..... do you think Blogger was feeling like those 10 yr olds?

Allison's and Harold's Birthday 2002

I have a cold - it is the last thing I need or have time for right now so I am laying low - as low as I get.....I took two hours out from house and wedding prep on Sunday aft to scrapbook. I needed to just close my mind from the to do lists and think creatively. I also did some sleeping in on Sunday- something I only do if I am sick! Sleep helps! So does Neo Citron!

Not that putting together all this wedding decor is not creative....but with scrapbooking I only have to please ME....so I can do what I want on a page. YEAH!!

Basic Grey "Bitter Sweet" line, BG chipboard letters, K&Co pink flowers because they didn't get put away from the last page, bling, pebbles (new ones in at JSI - bigger) Creative Cafe rub-ons, white gel pen and voila!

And then Harold's Birthday in 2002 - he turned 21!! This was a fun 2 page layout to do - just pulled out a bunch of stash along with the BG marrakech line and these fabulous Theresa Collins family chip board "charms" I have to get more of those. 

I have been skipping the gym - cause my lungs say "are you kidding???!!" 

But that gives me an hour in the wee hours of the morning when I am awake to get this page done too. 

This is Harold's Birthday 2008 - I finally used that great BZoo paper along with these really fun Fancy Pants chipboard shapes. We have a whole bunch of Fancy Pants paper at the store and these chipboard shapes go with most of them...and with the Bzoo line too!

As you can see, the sparklers loose their excitement over the years, but Mom still insists on a cake and a photo!

Now back to that to do list! Oh yeah..and work!

You are the Graduate

I realized last weekend that I have not done a scrapbook page since November 23rd! Do you believe it? Okay I did 34 Christmas cards a week ago, but no pages for over a month and so at this rate it will take me until 2010 to finish scrapbooking the year 2002 and that is moving backwards so I I put life on hold to get a page done!!

Pretty fast actually - paper, stickers - yup I used stickers, and some rub ons. I have kind of lost my mojo, so when I get it back I may add something else to the page.

You are the Graduate - Harold's graduation picture.

Christmas is here!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (sung to the tune of "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas")

And I love it.

The only thing missing is my sweet kids - Paul and Allie in Victoria (where I hear there is snow!) and Mark in Northern Manitoba - Thompson busy firefighting in minus 40 weather. They will not be home for Christmas. sigh...

But Harold is home and so is Allison and that means Sammy her fiance is around here a lot too - eating... and playing board games with us. You can't marry our daughter unless you love to spend the evening playing board/card games and eating chocolate covered almonds. That is just the way it is. He has passed. Although he prefers taco chips and cream cheese spread which Allison makes for him twice a week!

With about 30 candles lit last night and some goodies prepared, a few friends and neighbours stopped over for some Christmas cheer.

We had fun and it looked very festive around here.

Now it feels like Christmas is underway even if I am not quite ready. But that doesn't matter. It will come anyways and the love of family and good food will make it a great time together.

Then I will hit the gym and try to undo the damage.

I have not yet made my Christmas cards....and should be doing that right now...but I am really tired and so uploading a few pics and a short blog seems a little easier tonight. Heading to bed in 30 minutes with a good book seems even easier. The Christmas cards may arrive after Christmas - I have 40 of them to make. yup...I am running a tad late.

My to do/buy list is getting shorter and my VISA longer...sigh..but they are all, for the most part very practical items for these grown kids of mine. You know... socks and underwear. haha just kidding.. although they do make a good stocking stuffer.

I baked this morning - up at the crack of dawn because they had to be done before work at JSI today...which BTW has a HUGE shipment coming in this Wednesday....give Laura three hours to get it all out though...hear that Laura? Three hours....hehehehe. I digress.


Yes, I made Gingerbread men and shortbread cookies early this morning and I am so proud of myself. And number one son decorated them... because he had the day off and I was flying out the door.

I wasn't going to bake this year...
At ALL!!
No time!!

The plan this morning was to head to the gym and work off a few of the treats from the weekend.

But Harold asked if I could please make some gingerbread men for him to take to his office party tonight. How could I say no??? This was a special request.

So instead of the gym I nibbled on gingerbread dough. mmmm

And since the kitchen was covered in flour and ginger bread dough, well why not make some shortbread too.

So I did.

As soon as it cooled though I packed up half of the shortbread to slip into the ever growing box of stuff I need to ship off to Mark.

I knew it would not last long around here... mmm melt in your mouth shortbread - just butter, icing sugar and a little flour to hold it together.

And Harold decorated the gingerbread men. Did a mighty fine job I think. I mean, really how many 27 yr olds take the time to do this kind of work.

Hahah - love that guy!

David is now eating the shortbread that was not packed... okay I have had a few pieces myself too.

Enjoy the season. Enjoy the small things. Enjoy the moments with loved ones. Give thanks for all the blessings. Rejoice! For we were once lost, but in Christ, found! This is amazing grace!

You did it!

This page took 4 EVER to do. Probably because I have been working a lot lately and not had time. This had been sitting on my desk for a few weeks and every day I would spend a little time moving things about never satisfied with the outcome. I finally glued it down. It started as a one page spread..until I did some journalling, and then it became a two page. Two pages for two little pictures but then add Harolds graduation certificate and the journalling and it grew.
I am not happy with the outcome. It just doesn't feel right or balanced or something. I guess if I knew what it was I would change it. But hey they can't all be a masterpiece. haha

But I am happy that I was able to get Harold's graduation recorded. Home-schoolers don't go through all the hoopla that the public school system goes through here in Saskatchewan. High school graduation is lo key and I like it that way. We celebrated as a family without all the pressures of formals, ceremonies and worries about after grad parties.

What I love about my scrapbooking is the opportunity to look back at my children's lives, their struggles and their accomplishments, and see the big picture. It really blesses me to see what wonderful people they really have turned out to be...despite their parents! :)

This does help when I arrive home from work to a messy kitchen and dishes everywhere when I have just cleaned it up at 6:45am that morning before leaving for work! Big picture, look at the big picture!

Perspective.....scrapbooking gives us perspective and helps us focus on the important things in life; the good things and the meaningful things. Maybe that is why I love to stare at these old photos and put them is my scrapbook. Because even the tough times that I thought I would never get through, seem to always work out in the end. And it is good for the soul to recognize that. There is a scripture from Romans 8:28 that says "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." And He does seem to work things out and bring good out of even the most hopeless situations.

Have a blessed day today! And if you are walking through some dark times, know that He can bring good even out of these dark times. Just ask Him about it. :) He will show you the Light.

Love Who You Are

Be CRAZY, ACT silly
Laugh OUT LOUD
Be Yourself Live your LIFE
Try something new

LOVE WHO YOU ARE

Basic Grey "granola" BG microchip letters (very cool), Thickers chipboard letters, BG element stickers "granola", MME Laundry Line rub ons. Almost all new stuff - yikes! That was fun!

Sweet son

I got up for work one morning last week and noticed these on the kitchen table. A late night gift from #1 son - this guy is a real sweetheart.

Happy Birthday Harold

Dream Street papers, BG Chipboard letters "Wilma", Heidi S. chipboard and Creative cafe rub ons, white gel pen.
I think it looks much better in real life - this one didn't scan too well. Page #60 for the year 2001. I was kind of hoping the year would fit into one album- it ain't gonna work!

Just Listening

This is page number 43 for the year 2001 album - I didn't think there were that many photos - but I was wrong I guess! sigh - I still have a stack of photos about an inch think to get done before I call this album complete.

Simple picture - two guys on the swings at the beach...but they are special guys. I used the new mesh that just came into JSI - great stuff in several colours and very easy to use.

Journalling reads...

Harold and Blair are two of the most unpretentious, shy, quiet, definitely 'not in your face' kind of people. You won't hear much from either of them, although I am sure they have much to say because they are observers of the world. They watch, say little, think - there is a humbleness about them. I wonder what they are thinking when confronted by those who feel the need to just talk.
So, it was kind of nice to catch this picture of the two of them on the swings talking. Two shy, quiet listeners... talking (listening) to each other.

Taste of Saskatchewan

Harold and I biked down to Taste of Saskatchewan two weeks ago now. For you non Saskatchewanites, this is an outdoor festival of sorts, where restaurants set up house and sell their best dishes. You get a taste of all the different restaurants except there are so many of them that you never get to them all. There is also some local entertainment - and I mean local!
I found it a bit pricey for what you get and the people - well this has become a popular venue in the past few years and man was it crowded. I am not a crowds person but enjoyed the outing with Harold.

people, people, people

But we had fun and the bike ride was a work out especially with my camera case on my back with all my lenses - just in case, you know. Got a few shots of the S. Saskatchewan river on the way home. It was my opportunity to stop the bike and rest on that uphill climb over University bridge! whew!! This gal is out of shape.

So who went to Taste of Saskatchewan and did you get caught in a down pour?

Brothers

A 15 min Sunday afternoon page. Used the Basic Grey archaic line and the Brothers rub-on is courtesy of Laura - she gave it to me - said she didn't have any use for it. hehe - I guess not. :) unless Seth's Mom decides he needs a brother. :) ...or you can always wait until you have two grandson's Laura...but by then there will be something far more exciting in scrapbooking to use.

The metallic letters are for my boys names - I suppose if Mark and Paul were to switch places it would be MPH. hahaha

Roses

Harold surprised me with a dozen of these beauties today. He came into the office/den/scrapbook room and said, with a big grin, "Happy Mother's Day!" I am going to take that to mean that every day is Mother's day. I feel blessed. The bouquet is sitting beside me here as I type. Yes indeed I am blessed.

This is the same son who was willing to go for a bike ride with me the other day. Check out my post "Today" on "Make Mine Decaf" for more on our bike ride. That is my new blog (see top left corner of this page for info). Am I crazy??

This is where I plan to take a less scrapbook slant and more of a "what is going on in my life" and a "Hey what do you think of this" and a "wow check out this link" approach to blogging. More chatting and less scrapbook layouts. More theology, more thoughts...still working on all my links and getting comfortable moving around in Wordpress - but hey check it out and leave me a comment - it is brand new!

I have imported some of my scrapbooking post from this blog so you will see some familiar stuff. Put me on your Google reader - I promise to blog regularly.

Don't forget to check out this mornings post of my most recent page of Allison - Sweet. see below.

I was supposed to work today - actually got over to Sask City Hosp for a course early this am and found out the instructor was ill - so I got to go home. No, I don't get paid. I was actually relieved. I have been sick since Sunday - on antibiotics and you know - trying to work and do a million things - like cook a big roast beef dinner Sat and entertain, clean, laundry and get a few pages done (okay that is not work) and then cook a big turkey dinner Monday night (Mark was home for five days and he appreciates my cooking :) ) But I am done wore out -so laying really low today in hopes that I will feel better tomorrow.

I can hear lawn mowers out side - hooray - summer is here. Maybe I can talk my sweetheart into a walk. Speaking of my sweetheart - I have a page I did last Sunday of David with his twin brother when they were 27 yrs old. It will post tomorrow - so check it out - good lookin' guy!

That's all folks!

44 years old

That's how old I was in 2001 - was it that long ago? Journalling reads.. Well I feel blessed! For my 44th birthday Harold made me cookies with Happy Birthday Mom inscribed on them and gave me some beautiful carnations – boy he sure has a soft spot for his mom. The Bergen’s invited us, along with Judy Leslie, all over to their house for supper and surprised me with an ice cream cake. Lucky me!

Ah sweet Harold...when did you get to be 26! And you still brings me flowers. I am blessed!

Captain Jack

Harold loves dressing up but when you are 26, Halloween is about the only time you can get away with it. So here he is as Capt'n Jack Sparrow ~ and not a bad Capt'n either. He ordered the costume off the internet - E-Bay I think. I used the new cordination paper and a bunch of stuff from the pirate section of the store - yes JSI has it's very own pirate section - cool! Used some Jolee and other embellies so it was a more expensive page - but sometimes you just have to splurge and besides prima flowers just wouldn't do it!! LOL

New Car

Harold bought his first car last fall - wow - this is a big thing for him - payments and all - but it is a great solid car to get him back and forth to work. He was thrilled and so was I!

I am treating myself to scrapping a few more recent pictures!! I love the simplicity of this page..lots of rub ons from the stash....you can never have enough rub ons!!

Thanks for letting me share!

Blessings!

Julie