{capture the moment}

ten year reunion...

I noticed a banner for classmates.com this morning while checking email.  Decided to head over and take a look.  I had never been before and was a little curious at what I may find.  After I had logged in, I was prompted with a message that one of my classmates was organizing our ten year reunion for 2007. Had it been that long already?  Then I started thinking about how much I’ve changed in those ten years.  I dug out my senior yearbook.  My priorities were so different then.  Hair, make-up, clothes.  Where I fell on the popularity scale.  I was going to get out of rural Maine and find myself in New York or Boston.  Live in a hip studio apartment, all my own. I was going to be involved in the fashion industry and work my way up to the top.  Marriage & children were not for me.  I wanted to focus all of my energy on career and an ample social life.

Then while in college, I met David.  He changed everything.  I suddenly yearned for marriage, a house in the country and children.  And that is where I find myself today.  Do I ever wish I had gotten the opportunity to live out those teenage aspirations? Sometimes.  But I know I’m far happier now than I ever would have been in that type of environment.  Listening to the birds and the breeze rustle through the trees makes me happy and feel connected to the Earth. Quiet evenings at home reenergize me.  Seeing the smiles upon my children’s faces feeds my soul.  And of course there’s David.  Having the opportunity to share every aspect of my life with someone I adore so much is just about as good as it gets.  Without all this I would be empty, incomplete. Something I know now, that I didn’t know then.

I’m looking forward to my ten year reunion.  It will be so interesting to see what all of my friends have done with their lives.  What careers they have chosen, who they married, how many children they have, how much they’ve changed.  It will definitely be a trip down memory lane.  And a reminder of how far I've come.

Sarah Vrolyk original...

Guess what I got in my mailbox the other day?  I can now say I am the proud owner of a Sarah Vrolyk original!  She even signed the back!  Sarah is an amazing stamper whom I gain SO much inspiration from (you'll have to check out some projects I will have coming out in the Spring 2007 issue of Stamp It!, she inspired me to dig out the paper piercer!).  Simple clean lines.  Re-inventing what was old so it is new.  I can pick out one of her projects a mile away.  A perfectly blended, signature style.  And she sent ME a birthday card!  It will be permentantly housed on my display board in my studio.  I have entitled it "A Tribute to Paisley". Tours will be available in the late fall. LOL :)

flip flop album...

Go here, scroll to the bottom and click on Stacy Julian's free summer project at Big Picture scrapbooking.  Love, love, love this project.  I finally finished my version up.  It was such a fun little project.  I love having it out on display right now.  I devoted mine to childhood summer memories.  I plan on having it out during the summer months to remind me to savor summer and how short it is.  The rest of the year I'll probably have it put away for safe keeping. 

For my version, I covered the top of the flip flop with patterned paper.  It took a little trial and error, but I finally executed it.  The easiest thing to do is to cut the "thong" from the flip flop from the underside.  Pull it out.  Trace pattern onto paper, including holes where thong originally resided.  I adhered my paper with Mod-Podge. I then applied crystal effects down inside the original thong holes, replaced thong, allowed to dry.  Since I'm not WEARING the flip flop, I suppose it will hold well enough for my purpose!  The prima flowers are stuck to the flip flop with brads.  They pierce the foam perfectly and stay in place (thanks Melissa!).  The "incident #" stamp used on the photo tags is from 7gypsies.  I wrote the years in the designated space with a white gel pen.    The back side of the tags was the perfect place to allow my journaling to reside. This project was so fun!  Pick up a pair of flip flops for yourself to make this colorful project before summer is over.  You might even be able to find them on clearance since it is the end of August!  Post a link to your version in the comments section.  I'd love to see what you come up with!

Circle of Life

I have been thinking a lot lately how quickly life comes full circle, especially after sending Owen off to Kindergarten yesterday.  It reminded me of my parents journey thus far in life, and how they have just now come full circle regarding family and child-rearing.  My mother & father got married in August of 1977.  In their pictures they look so young.  (I guess it is always funny to think of your parents having a life before you were born!)  I’ve heard stories from them about how much fun they had together.  How much they loved spending time with one another. 

…

In 1979 I came into the world.  Now that I have had the experience of a first born, I know what a huge change it had to have been for their relationship.  Now their world was focused around caring for a baby.  I know from watching my mother interact with my children now, that her nurturing, loving, patient character traits were brought to the fore front when I came into the world.  While at the same time, my father’s silly side came through.  He always makes everyone smile.  I can only imagine what we did together when I was a baby!  As my mother has always said, life is never boring when he's around.  I have heard that money was tight, as is the case with most new families.  But from pictures, I know we were never short on happiness. 

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This family photo was taken around 1987.  Now that I have three children, I know how hectic things must have been for my parents.  We were all so happy together.  I remember how fun and carefree my childhood was. And that is  the way my parents wanted it to be.  They allowed each of us to explore our interests and helped to foster our individual personalities. Family was an important foundation.  I remember how important it was to my mother that we always had dinner together, which is something I have made a priority with my children as well. My parents always encoraged us to do our best.  Taught us to compassionate about everything we do. All the while, showing us how to love through the relationship they had as husband and wife. 

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So that brings us to 2006.  My parents now have an empty nest (although my brother comes back once in a while to clean a few more things out of his old room & catch up on laundry!)  It is just the two of them.  Just like it had been when they first got married 29 years ago.  They have been going for long drives, spontaneous trips upcountry, enjoying dinners out.  Going to the fair.  Evening motorcycle rides.  Random visits to see family & friends.  They have come full circle.  They have raised their family and are now able to rediscover the luxury of the term “just the two of us”.  I have learned so much from them and their journey.  Through them I have learned traits to make my marriage stronger and stand the test of time.  I look forward to my life coming full circle, but I’m not ready any time soon.  My circle has just begun and I want to enjoy and savor the journey.  The circle of life.  What an amazing ride.

Bus stop

To Owen, my baby boy:

You just got on the school bus for the very first time, on your way to Kindergarten.  It was raining, so I pulled the van to the end of the driveway so I could wait with you.  While we sat, I went over everything you needed to remember.  Sit near the front of the bus.  Take your backpack off so you can sit all the way back in your seat.  I reminded you how to get to your classroom after you arrive at school.  Don't forget to give Mrs. Underwood your lunch money.  You were so excited.  I could see it in your eyes.  You’ve been waiting so long for this moment.  I can hardly believe it is already here.  Then we saw it.  The flashing lights of the bus stopping ten houses down.  All of a sudden, like a huge wave crashing over me, I felt an immense amount of emotion.  It was all I could do not to cry in front of you.  I felt like the bus symbolized you growing up.  You are no longer my baby boy, but one step closer to being an adult.  I got you out of the van and held an umbrella over our heads.  You held my hand as we waited for the big yellow bus to stop.  The lights began flashing, the door opened and your new bus driver beamed down at you.  You hesitated, just a moment, let go of my hand and than climbed those big steps up into the bus.  And the tears started coming down.  I just couldn’t hold them back.  And the bus pulled away with you on it.  I was standing in the rain, holding tightly onto my umbrella, watching the tail lights disappear through the tears in my eyes.  I am getting ready to go over to your school and wait in your classroom for you.  To make sure everything goes smoothly for you, and to reassure you that everything will be great.  This moment will soon be a thing of the past.  Your transition from baby boy to school boy.  My heart is overflowing with pride at what a brave person you’ve become.  You have overcome your previously shy ways.  You are excited to try new things.  You’re so smart and imaginative.  I am so blessed to be a witness to all you are and everything you will become.  Love you. -Mommy