Hello from Virginia!

Just checking in to say hello. We are all moved in to our new home and are in the middle of the huge job of unpacking and settling in. We finally got phone, cable and most importantly internet hooked up so I am trilled to be back among my cyber friends! :) I will be catching up on emails, blogs and message boards as time allows and will share some photos soon. Hope you are all doing well!

Merry Christmas!

I hope your day is filled with JOY!

A couple more layouts :)

Both of these layouts are from Feeling Scrappy's last sketch class. Our next class "From Mess to Success!" starts January 15th! You can check it out here (be sure to have a look around while you are there!): http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/

This layout was done using a sketch by me and is of my oldest son and his skateboarding.

This one is based on a sketch by Stacey Lokovic and is of me and my friends on a scrappy weekend. SO fun!

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season and having fun with all the preparations!

Layouts

Thought I would do a "scheduled" post while I was on the road to Virginia to share a few layouts with you :o) These are two more from the last Sketch class.

This one was a sketch by Stacey Lokovic and is of the Omaha botanical gardens.


This one uses a sketch by Amy Bell and is of my daughter on her 10 birthday.

Thanks for looking :o) Have a great day!

Heads up!

Just wanted to let you know I have a little Christmas blog candy up for grabs on the Feeling Scrappy blog. Check it out here: http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

Choose Joy - Hitting the Road

We will be leaving Omaha behind tomorrow and heading toward a new future in Virginia. We are all very excited about the possibilities that await us and sad at the same time to be leaving a city that has been a good home to us for 5 years. I find JOY today in the fact that our family will be all together again soon!

I will be away from the computer until after the holidays. Need to get settled in Virginia then will be entertaining family for 6 days - I hope to get the Internet and phones hooked up some where in there. Anyhow, I will check in when I can and until then I hope you are finding JOY this holiday season!

Choose Joy - My oldest son

Jacob Jones - July 2008

Jacob has a sensitive soul. He cares about people and I know this move is hard on him - what 7th grader wants to move across the country? Today was his last day of school and before he left I gave him a big hug and told him I was sorry he had to go through this. Do you know what this boy said? "Mom, this will only hurt for awhile. My family is what is important and I will still have you." It brings me JOY that he knows who he is and what is important in life. I love you Jacob!

Choose Joy - My daughter

Abbie Jones - photo taken July 4, 2008

Abbie brings me JOY everyday. Sometimes it is a sweet smile or a warm hug, other times it is a kindness she does or the way she cares for the dog...today it was a report I read about her. Her gifted teacher at school wrote a report about Abbie for us to take to the new school. It was a glowing account of her accomplishments both in academics and behavior. She is and I quote "a teacher's dream" I am so proud of you Abbie - you are my dream come true! I love you.

Choose Joy - Packing Done

All the packing is done and the movers will be here to load everything bright and early in the morning. Having a huge job checked off the list brings me JOY today!

Choose Joy - My song bird

Sam Jones - photo taken Sept 2008

Tonight we attend Sam's Christmas Concert. He absolutely loves to sing and watching him is a joyous thing. When he is singing, he is so animated and full of joy himself that you can not help but be caught up in it! Sam, I am so happy you have found a special thing that makes you happy - may you always give yourself fully to the music in your soul! Love you baby!

Choose Joy - My Mom

My mom and Sam - Florida April 2008

My Mom is coming today! Joy, Joy Joy! I am so happy and relived that she will be here in a few hours. She is coming to help me finish up getting the house ready, then she will be driving across country with the kids and I and finally helping me unpack a little on the other end. Even though there is a lot to do and a lot of it is not fun stuff - it will be so much better because she will be here with me. She is always here whenever I need her - without fail. And somehow we will manage to laugh through it all. I love you Mom!

Choose Joy - My husband

Don and Jayne - Photo taken June 2008 Omaha Botanical Gardens

Talking with Don this morning about our move and realizing in less then two weeks we will be together again brings me JOY! Six months is to long to be apart - I miss him. He is feeling badly that he can't be here to help with all the last minute move details. I won't say that I don't wish he was here to help but knowing that he wants to be is enough for me. 10 days and counting!

Choose Joy - My puppy

Our sweet puppy, Zoe brings JOY into my life every single day. She is a lap dog in every way - she loves her family and is especially attached to me. She is so well trained and such a good dog. She keeps me company during the day when I am alone, she is my side kick in the car while running errands or getting the kids to and from school, and when I do have to leave her - she greets me like a long lost friend when I return (even when I have only been gone a few minutes!) and best of all she is full of personality and always makes me smile at her little antics. I love my little white ball of fluff!

Choose Joy - My Sister

My sister Kristin and her dog Blue taken in on the 4th of July this year.

We don't get to be together as often as I would like (she lives in Indianapolis) nor do we even get to talk as often as we could - busy, busy - but today we had a nice long talk about everything and nothing at all. It was so nice just visiting with my sis :0) I am really looking forward to seeing her in Richmond over Christmas! So thanks for bringing me JOY today Kristin. I love you!

Friday Mish Mash

Wishing you a Happy Friday and I have a few things to share.

Be sure to check out Feeling Scrappy today. Stacey just put up a nice quick challenge and the prize in a free "Year of Cheer" card class in February! You have until next Wednesday to complete the challenge so maybe you can fit it in over the weekend.

A few more layouts to share from the Sketch class last month:

And finally a Friday "Fill-in" :)

1. Snow is so beautiful when it first blankets the ground.

2. I'm looking forward to my mom coming on Monday!

3. Zoe is the best dog ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Happy Days.

5. I'm done with cleaning out all the kitchen cabinets.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is spending time together as a family!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Abbie play soccer, tomorrow my plans include more cleaning and packing and Sunday, I want to sleep in!

Choose Joy - Mail

I love mail :) Always have. When I was younger, I was the first one home from school and I would always get the mail even though most of the time it wasn't for me. Then, when I went to high school and college I really got into mail - loved writing and receiving letters (yes - this was before I owned a computer or before I had even heard of the Internet much less e-mail!) Now, even though letter writing has sadly gone by the way side for the most part there is still that part of me that gets excited everyday to check the mail. You just never know what will be in there and it is like a little surprise at the end of every day! So...mail gives me JOY! Hmmmm - wonder what is waiting for me today?! Better go check!

Just Fabulous Darling!

My virtual friend Lee chose my blog as one of five to receive the Fabulous Award. Thanks for thinking of me Lee! :o)

Here are the rules for this Award.
#1 - You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
#2 - You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
#3 - On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

Here are my 5 fabulous addictions:
#1 - I am addicted to scrapbooking - need I say more?
#2 - I am addicted to Christmas music this time of year!
#3 - I am addicted to the world of blogs - love reading them and writing them :)
#4 - I am addicted to working toward bettering my health (for the first time in my life!)
#5 - I am addicted to travel - I am always thinking about my next trip.

Here are the 5 Fabulous Blogs I'd like to pass this award on to:
#1 - Amy - All the Trimmings

#2 - Shirley - ----Shirley----
#3 - Stacey - Scraps of my Life
#4 - Stacey - Curry Chaos
#5 - Becky - My Cre8tive Place

Choose Joy - Music

Sherry put up a great December challenge - to choose JOY! From her blog challenge post: "Look for JOY each day and blog about it. It might be something as big as attending a wedding or as small as how cozy your slippers feel...it's up to you. CHOOSE to find joy.each.day." What a great idea!

Being in the midst of moving I will not commit to blogging everyday but I do commit to taking a few quiet moments to reflect on the simple joys in my life each and every day this month. I will try to share them here and there with you :)

Today while waiting in the car to pick up Abbie from school, I was looking at all the houses decked out in their Christmas finery and caught myself feeling a little sad that our home is not decorated with Christmas fun but with cardboard boxes. Then I flipped on the radio and the sweet sound of Christmas music greeted me. Wow - a total turn around! I love Christmas music. The music fills me with JOY!

Crazy Busy

Whew! What a weekend! Don came home on Tuesday and we have not stopped except for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. We have done tons of cleaning out and finishing up projects here at the house before the big move. It does feel great to have gotten so much done! Don goes back to Virginia tomorrow (I have to take him to the airport at 3:30 am :::faint!:::)

My Mom will be here one week from Monday and then the mover will be here from December 9th - 11th. Then we will deep clean the house here in Omaha and set out for Virginia (we plan to stop in Indiana for a day or two on the way.) The movers will deliver our things to our new home on December 18th!! Then we will spend the weekend unpacking some things before my Dad, sister and Uncle join us for Christmas.

I won't have much time to be on-line until after the first of the year but will try to check in when I can! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Here are a few layouts that I made for the Sketchapalooza Class at Feeling Scrappy - which was SO much fun thanks to all the ladies who shared the class with us!! {{hug!}}

This one uses a sketch I made and is from our trip last spring to Florida.

This one uses a sketch by Stacey and is of the kids 1st day of school :)

Some things I've done...

I found this on Lee's blog. If you want to play along, just copy the list and highlight all the things you've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Friday Fill In

Whew! What a busy week and I don't think it will slow down anytime soon! Just busy making lists, cleaning out and generally getting ready to move. Thought I would try a "Friday fill-in" today :)

1. The last band I saw live was Kenny Chesney.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is having my husband home with us.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is not even near being done.
4. Thoughts of moving fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear contacts but I am to wimpy about my eyes.
6. Bagpipes are odd to me but I did enjoy listening to them when I have been overseas.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading in bed, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in, playing at Feeling Scrappy's class graduation and cleaning out some cabinets and Sunday, I want to watch a movie with the kids!

Get Real :)

Marie Antoinette Award
"The Real Person Award"

My super sweet friend Char, has given me the "Real Person Award"! I am honoured to receive this from Char - she is not only a REAL person but she has one of the biggest heart I know! Thank you Char!

I would like to pass this Marie Antoinette award on to...

Stacey C

Kari Ann

Becky
Denise

Rachel

Gwen

Jeanne

Of course there are more - many more - but a few have already been giving the award and I was only suppose to list 7 :) I love the web - it has opened up the world to all of us enabling us to met and become friends with people that in the past we may never have had the pleasure.

The rules for this award are to display the icon, and pass it along to seven (7) other bloggers that you feel are real in who they are.
Be real!

More house details

Whew! What a whirlwind of a trip! Glad to be home (after being in the air and airports from 9:00 am until 6:30 pm yesterday.) After taking my mother-in-law to the airport, I spent the day unpacking and getting quotes from three different movers.

We bought a home that is still under construction so I don't have any great pictures yet but I will at least share the outside and what will soon be my scraproom! We hope to close on the house on December 15th and plan to move in on the 18th so my "to-do list" is well over a mile long! I am a little nervous about everything but know the time will fly by and everything will somehow get done and then our family will be all together again and living in our new home :o)

Anyhow - here is the outside of the house - (sorry about the poor photo quality!!)

And here is my future scraproom:

How awesome is that window?! I am so excited to have the natural light! I have big plans for this room but first things first - I gotta get packing!

Home owners x2!

After a busy week Don and I made an offer (which was accepted) on a new home here in Richmond! It is a brand new house - actually still under construction so I was able to pick out some flooring and a few other items which was really nice. I will share some pictures when I get home. We are both really excited about the house but most of all being together again as a family! Our closing date is suppose to be Dec 15th and we will be moving in a few days after that so I am sure it will be a crazy couple of months for us! I promise to fill you in more once I get home this coming weekend :)

I also wanted to remind you about the challenge we have over on Feeling Scrappy. You can check it out here: http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenges Hope you will give it a shot - we have a great prize up for grabs! Here is the layout I made for the challenge.