Doesn't this just say RELIEF and Thankfulness?

I am proud of my brother and excited for him as he starts on the next chapter in his life.
The ceremony was outside and it was HOOOOOTTTT!
It was nice though and we got some great pictures of Mia and Ed and his friends. We had a great weekend, and a busy Memorial Day and I am looking forward to a weekend of not much.

In love with a store . . .

Can you be in love with a store? If you can I am. There is a new store in Plano that is exactly what I have been wishing for. It's called The Scrap Bucket and I LOVE it. It just opened so they are still getting in some stock etc. but the coolest thing is that you can by items individually. I mean if you have been dying for one of making memories ribbon labels but just can't bring yourself to pay for the whole package when you really only want one of them they have that at The Scrap Bucket. They have washer words too. FOR 50 CENTS A PIECE!!!!!! Instead of $3.99 and you only wanted the one that says precious on it. The also have all kinds of rub-ons and I LOVE rub-ons. I am so excited that this store is here.
Tomorrow my little brother graduates from high school. I am looking forward to it, but I am also nervous that I will be a basket case. I know there will be tears. I am so proud of him and excited for him also. I am also looking forward to spending some time with my mom and dad and showing them all of Mia's new tricks. Until Monday. . . .

On my mind today . . . . . .

High school graduates- my friend Taryn (who was actually one of my art students as a freshman) and my brother Ed in particular. Even though it was eleven years ago I still remember that feeling of excitment and anticipation at finally beginning my life.

Finding a dress to wear to graduation- Easier said than done. I just KNEW that at 5 months post partum I would be back into my old clothes (from before I got married not from before I got pregnant), but alas it was not to be so a shopping I will go. Check back tomorrow to see if I survived.

Getting my scrap room organized- it's so close I can taste it. I can't wait until it's done so I can finally catch up on all the photos I have waiting.

Fresh Paint

Don't you love the look of a fresh coat of paint on an awesome garage sale buy? A few weeks ago I found a great place that has great junk, I mean treasures. I got a small book shelf, a large bookshelf and some gym lockers (awesome) for $30. I am organizing and revamping my scrap room. (This seems to be a common think going on right now.) I just couldn't stand the mess and milk crates anymore. I am going with the weathered black and french country enamel look. I'll post pictures when it's done. Saylor built me a really perfect table too. I can't wait to get it all pulled together and get back to scrapping.

Blessed

Have you ever been jealous of someone and then found out that their life isn't that great after all? I mean have you ever looked at someone's life and thought . . .
I wish I had her house,
I wish I had her hair,
I wish I had her luck,
I wish I had her figure,
I wish I had her job
and then found out that she has a child with a terrible disease? Sometimes I have a hard time being happy with what I have until I find out that I really have what is important. I guess that saying "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet" is true. Boy is it true! I keep reminding myself that even though my life is not perfect and I don't have her house or her job or her whatever I do have a beautiful healthy daughter and I am blessed.

I've got the glasses

Have you noticed that several of the newest and most popular celebrity scrapbookers have these cute little artsy black rim glasses. Is this part of a club I don't know about? I should know because I've got the glasses. Had 'em for years. Maybe it means I'm next to be "discovered." Even if it doesn't they sure are a cute accessory.

The sounds of Sunday

I love Sundays. Sundays feel different than every other day of the week. There is something about Sunday that feels lazy and like you are "supposed" to take a nap. I especially love the sounds of Sunday. The ceiling fan buzzing, our neighbor mowing his yard, cars passing in the distance, kids down the street playing basketball, and Mia giggling with her dad. I love Sundays.

New page

Mia and her Grandpa

I Love these pictures! The poem says:

A wrinkled face marked with endless stories of the past.

I am given a great big hug and told that I am growing much too fast.

Joy lights up his face as if there is nowhere else he would want to be.

And I know that the sparkle in his eyes are there because of me.

I have a special kind of love for him, and towards me I know he feels the same.

He has given me a love like no other, and Grandpa is his name.

~by Wendy Silva

The woman I am now

Man was I feeling sorry for myself last night. I think I was having a brief delayed moment of post partum depression. Today I feel better after a discussion with my husband and a few hours of browsing at Target. I came across this poem today and it had me bawling like a baby.

She came tonight as I sat alone..

The girl I used to be....

And she gazed at me with her earnest eyes

And questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans And hopes I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame, All the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height With all its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you And the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad For I wanted her to be pleased with me...

This slender girl from the shadowy past

The girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand

And guided her up the stairs

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay Innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,

And precious they are to me;

That silken robes, is my motherhood Of costly simplicity.

My mansion of stately height is love,

And the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, She smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw the woman that I am now

Pleased the girl I used to be.

~Author Rowena K. Lewis

Figured out the picture thing finally

Here is the pic I wanted to include from last night


Rachel and Mia's first meeting
This makes me smile

lunch yesterday

Past meets present

Rachel meets Mia

Since I'm new at this I am not sure how to insert a picture yet, but once I do a picture will go here.
It was so awesome for my old college roommate (friends for 11 years) to meet my daughter (4 months old). It was even cooler for her daughter to hold Mia. The pics bring tears to my eyes. I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a good friend for so long and that now our children will know each other too!