My yearly update

When I started this blog in 2007, I planned to use it regularly to record my family stories and memories. I love reading other blogs and think they are awesome. Unfortunately, I have not made blogging a priority.

After reading my last post, I am happy to report that most of my goals for last year are the same as this upcoming year. Is this a good or bad thing???

Some renewals for the upcoming year:

1. Give more
2. Keep GOD in my life
3. Follow through on my to-do lists in a timely manner
4. Exercise
5. Take pictures

6. Update my blog

7. Share fun with others

8. Get out of bed earlier and happier

9. Continue learning new speech and language techniques

Some scrapbook goals:
1. Make some digital layouts
2. Participate in the LOM alumni class
3. Spend more time in my scrapbook room
4. Let go of perfection
5. Journal more
6. Use my monthly idea calendar

7. Work in 15 minute increments

8. Have fun

9. Make Tree of Life ornaments

For the last couple of years I have had a word of the year. Last year my word was generosity, and I feel that I worked hard at becoming more generous with myself, my family, and others. This year, my word is FUN. I already feel like I have an abundance of FUN in my life, so I want to share that with others. Most importantly with my immediate family.

During 2008, I went back to work in the field of Speech Pathology. I started off working at a Head Start center and now I am working in a Private Practice, 3 afternoons a week and 2 Head Start Centers 3 mornings a week. This new work schedule has been quite an adjustment for me. I really enjoy working in the afternoons, but I am still getting used to not having my mornings free to frolic and play.

Now on to family life. Lily has really blossomed this past year. She is now in Pre-K at the JCC. Her teachers are Mrs. Arieli and Ms. Wittig in the GanRichment class. She loves all of the Judaica and Hebrew that she learns. She also loves learning new alphabet letters each week. Lily is quite the social butterfly and enjoyes having playdates with friends whenever possible. Her best friend continues to be Lily Rosendahl and they have such a unique, wonderful friendship. Lily loves playing with her dolls and dollhouse. She is very into Princesses and Fairies. Her favorite Princess has switched from Cinderella to Tiana. Lily loves to color and is into making houses, rainbows, and families. Lily is most comfortable in dresses and seizes any opportunity to wear tights. She twirls and whirls around the house. Her favorite TV shows are Little Bill, Olivia, and Sesame Street. In the Fall, Lily started playing soccer on the Maitland Soccer League. She loved the team spirit and running back and forth across the field. She is still learning the actual concept of the game.

Jason continues to work in the Land and Industrial real estate market. It has been a slow year this year, but he strives to do well in this business. He has also been a huge help with Lily this year, while I have gone back to work in the afternoons.

My sister, Andrea gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Emersen Juliet, on November 13, 2009. Cole is an attentive big brother and Lily is the best big cousin ever. She even says she will babysit and change poopy diapers for free.

My passion for scrapbooking, Mah Jonng and having fun have not changed. In 2009, I was fortunate enough to go on 3 scrapbooking retreats with friends and I loved every single second of those adventures. I was able to bond with friends, create, and relax. I can't wait to go away again this May. We have also started a scrapbook group called GIRLS GONE SCRAPPIN and we meet monthly. I love it!!!

My Mah Jonng friends continue to be a huge part of my life and I relish the time that I spend with them on Tuesday nights. This year, I wasn't able to attend every week, but I love knowing that I have friends who I can share my life's ups and downs with and know that they support me whole heartedly.

Jason turned 40 this year and we went on a fabulous trip to Las Vegas. Jason received a Kindle for his birthday and has not stopped reading since. I think he has read close to 40 books in 6 months. If Jason is not playing with Lily or Bodhi, he is reading.

Bodhi continues to be a puppy. She loves to run around and chew on toys and furniture.

My mom got a new sewing/embroidery machine this Winter and has been learning how to decorate burpcloths, T-shirts, and anything else she can get her hands on at the moment. Andrea is also sewing as well. While the girls are playing, my dad is enjoying reading on his Kindle.

My mother-in-law Judi traveled to Australia and New Zealand this past Fall with Debbie Meitin for an adventure of a lifetime. She said it was the best trip she has ever taken. We loved visiting with her over the holiday break and look forward to her upcoming visit in February.

This has been easier than I thought it would be. Maybe I will write again this year. Happy 2010.

Project 365

I have just finished my first week of Project 365. As most of you know, Project 365 is about taking a photo a day and journaling about it. Becky Higgins designed a scrapbook kit to go along with this project, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to get one before they sold out. I am hoping they make more and I can easily use her kit for all of my pics. If not, I will find another way to display my Project 365.

Below is a collage of the first 7 days. I just can't wait to see all of the pics throughout the year. I have already noticed that I need to be in the pics as well.

Sooo... It has been a year!!

Well, it has been a year since my last update. Interestingly enough, I have many of the same goals as last year and most of my interests are the same. I still love to scrapbook and I have just started dabbling in digital scrapbooking. I love spending time with my family and Lily has grown leaps and bounds since my last update.

My word for the year is GENEROSITY: I hope to be more generous to others by giving my time, spirit, strength, and mind to those I love.

Some renewals for the upcoming year:
1. Give more
2. Keep GOD in my life
3. Follow through on my to-do lists in a timely manner
4. Exercise
5. Take pictures

6. Update my blog

Some scrapbook goals:
1. Make some digital layouts
2. Participate in the LOM alumni class
3. Spend more time in my scrapbook room
4. Let go of perfection
5. Journal more
6. Participate in the 365 project

May it not be a year until I blog again.

Welcome to 2008! I love this time of year. I always think about the past year, and resolutions I want to make for the next 12 months. It is like a breath of fresh air.
Resolutions for 2008:
Personal-
Eat more healthy
Exercise
Update blog on a regular basis
Make naptime a productive time
Continue to decorate our home
More dates with Jason
Journal weekly

Scrapbooking-
Finish Lily's first year album
Finish CKC Buffalo projects
Print photos from 2007
Organize photos
Scrapbook 1 page layouts from time to time
Finish 'A Week in the Life' album
Make an inspiration board

Boy, do I have some lofty goals. I am motivated and excited to accomplish these goals.

Blogs: I love to read blogs, and I am always finding new information and ideas. Here are a couple of ideas I have seen for the new year.

One person who continually inspires me is Ali Edwards. She has a word for a year that inspires her. Check out her blog http://aliedwards.typepad.com/. Last year my word was FUN and this year I have chosen FOCUS. I want to focus on my family, living in the moment, eating healthy, making good choices, being a better me, staying active.

Another idea I saw was the Project 365. This consists of taking a photo everyday for a year. I am going to do it. Check out more info here http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/

Lastly, I am going to participate in the challenge for the month of January: 31 layouts in 31 days. Check it out at http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/janchallenge.php.

Happy New Year to you, and may it be your best year yet. I plan to make mine amazing!!!

This week!

Lily lounging around in her PJ's most of the week.

Having fun with Daddy in the park

This week we spent most of the time hanging around the house and cruising the malls. Lily started to feel sick on Tuesday night, and we found out on Thursday that she had strep throat. After a few days of a fever and overall yuckiness she is back to her normal self. Yeah!! Today we went down to Park Avenue for a Panera's picnic lunch and to play ball in the park. It was beautiful outside and we had a great time.

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon and evening at a crop with the Sunshine Scrappers. It is a crop that is held once a month at a local church. I went with my friend Stacy, and we had an amazing and productive time. I am currently working on completing my "A Week in the Life" album from CKU. I am now done with 3 of my days. Stacy and I have a goal to complete the album by Thanksgiving.

A long time coming

A pic from the local pumpkin stand
Lily as a princess fairy on Halloween

I have been thinking about my own blog for a very long time. Lily is napping, and all of a sudden, I decided to do it, start my own blog. This is big for me, I am usually a watcher and not a doer. Well, times are changing. When things happen in my life, I always think I should document it right away, and then that moment passes, and I am onto the next great part of life. Now I will be able to document my family life on this blog. Yeah!!!



I can't wait to share my stories and everyday life with my family and friends. I also plan on using this blog as a journal for future scrapbook layouts.

Get on board and enjoy the ride.