Ouch!

So it's been a busy couple of days. I'm slacking on my posts. But nothing too exciting has happened. Well, except for Tuesday night we went to Mystere. The kids really enjoyed it! The acrobatic abilities are simply amazing! It certainly makes a person want to go to the gym more often.
Speaking of working out....
I went back to my torture Thursday class for the first time in about 6 weeks. All I have to say is ouch! I'm really gonna be sore tomorrow. I know it'll be a "good" sore, but definitely sore none the less.
I finally finished the invites and put most of them in the mail...still a few more to do. Here's the final product.
Now I'm just having stress. I'm not sure what we're having to eat. And I just can't seem to get in the grove of making a cake. I've had a real hard time planning this party. Which is very unusual for me. I'm leaning toward Mexican foods. They are pretty simple to put together. I'm going to go tomorrow and try to get inspiration for the party and cake.

I got a new scrapbook toy....it's the Cricut Design Studio. It is computer software that connects to my Cricut (die cut) machine. It allows you to combine different cuts do all kinds of things. I haven't had a chance to really play with it yet. Should be fun though.

Miranda is OBSESSED with a book series by Stephanie Meyer. The first is Twilight, then New Moon and the just released Eclipse. I've started reading the first book and it's actually pretty good. She and a couple of her friends just get together and talk about these books. I figured I'd better read them so I know what she's talking about (all the time)

Ryan is in Reno for the weekend for Safari Club International convention. So the kids and I will be hanging out. There's no school tomorrow so not sure what we'll do yet. (besides do some party planning). Definitely a hot chocolate night for me....I'm freezing!

Busy Weekend

Heather, Nathan and Ian came into town for the weekend so Mom had a family dinner Sunday night. It was fun to chat with Heather...I miss her.
I went out again today to hang out some more and for the card swap. Had a great time and Mom even prepared some dishes from her new autographed Rachael Ray cookbook that I gave her. (Yum-o).
Kids had a good time playing with cousins. Parker got to play with Josh and Wyatt...bonus! Miranda learned how to play Hand and Foot, a fun card game our family plays and "play" with Zane and Charlotte for a bit.
The kids were out of school today for MLK holiday. Tomorrow we're going to see Mystere, a show at Treasure Island. Should be a lot of fun.
Just thought I'd share my card for the swap since everyone has seen it now.
I really have been in the mood to scrapbook.... just need to feel organized enough to sit down and do it. Seems like when my house is out of order so is my mind and I can't concentrate.
I do need to come up with a couple cards for the RS Enrichment night. They need to be pretty simple so any skill level could make it. I do love projects like that.
Well, off to bed...tomorrow kids go back to school so must be ready to wake up at 6am. (goody for me)

Saturday is a special day....

What a fun and productive Saturday I had today. Miranda left around 6:30am to go babysit. I, of course, went back to bed after seeing her off. Ryan left around 7:30 to go to a deposition. I, of course, went back to bed after seeing him off. Parker and I woke up around 8:30. (finally). I took Parker over to play with Brecken (where Miranda was babysitting) and I hopped on the treadmill for my morning pick me up! (pick me up off the floor that is..he he)
Actually, I've been doing very well with the exercise this week. I only missed working out on Weds. I had an appointment with my trainer Friday, but someone double booked, so I couldn't spend all the time with her. Soooo I'm going back next Weds. I'm hoping spending time with a trainer will give me the kick in the pants I need to finally get this last bit of weight off.
I didn't exactly do well with my eating this week, slow and steady right.....

Anyway....on with my Saturday. After showering and cleaning the kitchen, loft, vacuum upstairs, clean bathrooms, starting the laundry,(whew)
Ryan and I took Parker and Brecken to the movies. They went to the Water Horse and We went to the Bucket List (talk about a tear jerker). Miranda went to see "27 Dresses" with a few of her friends (and one of their moms) and then out to dinner. She was super excited all day, and was even more excited and giddy when she came home. It's so good to see her have some friends she has something in common with.
Ryan went to the SCI banquet (Safari Club International) with Byron.
I made chocolate chip cookies today for Ryan to give to his 2 classes he teaches tomorrow at church. (plus one for me before I quit cold turkey on Monday)
So now the kids are tucked in bed and I'm finishing up Ryan's invites (finally)
I'll get pics soon.
This really was a fun and productive Saturday....now I can rest and relax tomorrow!

Popcicle

So here's my other creation for the BBTB contest.
Don't cha just love the yummy colors!!! Makes me long for the HOT days of summer!
I stitched the sides to create the flaps.
There are getting to be a lot of entries in this contest (around 25).
There are many very creative people out there.

4-U card

I'm finally posting my entry for the Bitten by the Bug contest. We had to create a shape card using any Cricut cut. I chose for my first one a Mailbox .
Both the Mailbox, and envelope are cut from the Doodlebug cartridge.
4-U is cut from Base Camp cartridge.
This card is interactive....
the flag moves up and down, the "door" opens to retrieve the envelope,
the envelope slides out of the pocket, and can hold your note or a gift card.
This was super fun to make.
The pattern paper is from Bo Bunny, Bazzill Cardstock , Basic Grey swirl rub-ons and stitching.

Lucky Me!

Why am I lucky? Well...I was assigned new Visiting Teachers and one of them is a Personal Trainer at the gym I attend. Woo Hoo! We spent almost the whole time discussing what I can do better or change in my eating and exercise routine. I have an appointment with her on Friday at the gym so she can show me a few new techniques that may get me out of my plateau. I'm super excited.
Today I had a pretty good workout. I did 2 miles on the treadmill this morning, then 1/2 hour abs class and 1 hour body pump (weights) class. Now I just need to fine tune my eating habits....not as easy as exercising!

Today was the first show of American Idol.... Our entire family loves to watch this show every season. (Quality family time right?) The auditions are pretty fun to watch, but I really like it when they get down to the top 12 and I can zero in on my favorite.
I have a chance to audition this week. Our stake is having a play and my friend is directing it. She's pretty much threatened me to audition. They are doing a Broadway Review Show. I'm still debating about it. Not sure if I want to make one more weekly time commitment.

Heartache

So, I'm on the Enrichment committee in our ward and surprise....I'm over the scrapbook class. We're rotating between, cards, digital, and regular scrapbooking. So this week is our kickoff to promote the activities we're doing for the year and I'm in charge of making a display for the scrapbook class.
Anyway.... I sat down and looked through my scrapbooks to decide which ones to display, and just felt a deep heartache.
I've realized that my kids are growing up so fast. I'm so amazed at all the things they have accomplished, and I wonder if I did or am doing all that I can as their mother to teach them what they need to know in life.
I think they're going to be children forever and that I'll have plenty of time, but I know that isn't true. There are so many things I want/need to teach them. I need to spend all the time I can with them now, because before too long they won't need their mother so much anymore.
(Miranda is already getting more independent).
I remember when they were little we would go on walks and look at the ants crawling across the sidewalk, or spend an afternoon at the park just for fun. Lately, I seem too busy to spend "fun" time with them. I don't think running to Target qualifies as fun for them( so they have told me). I really need to slow down and listen to them.
I get so preoccupied with the things I HAVE to do that I forget about the things I NEED to do.
I have to be there for my children, I have to teach them about the gospel, I have to tell them I love them. So....that's what I'm going to do!