Happy Birthday Sam!

Sam always making silly faces in photos :)

My youngest son turns 15 today. Unbelievable. I know I am not alone - every mother can't believe how fast their children grow up. I sit here, yet again, in dis-belief that Sam is already 15. I remember well those pudgy baby arms reaching for me. We have had a tough year full of "teenage angst" but I  love him like crazy and have faith that the coming year will be better. Lots of fresh starts looming - his freshman year in high school starts in two days, he is playing volley ball on the high school team, he will get his learners permit in 6 months and so much more. Happy Birthday Sam! I love you more then you could know and am wishing you nothing but happiness and smooth sailing in your 15th year! 

Vacation! Ashville, NC

I had a hard time getting together a vacation this summer with all kinds of crazy schedules going on but I was determined. Unfortunately Sam couldn't come due to Volleyball practices but Abbie, Jacob and I headed to Ashville on August 13th for 5 days. It was a nice drive (only 6 and 1/2 hours from Richmond) and went quickly because we listened to Harry Potter on audio :) Here are a few photos from our trip:

 

The first night - yummy and sinful pizza - red potato, cheese and bacon.

 Followed by a movie in our room.

 

A few minutes after we pulled into Biltmore Estate we saw this Mama and her babies - so cute!

We took an awesome go at your own pace audio tour of Biltmore. Abbie and Jacob taking a break on the balcony.

Abbie's capture of a humming bird in the gardens.

One of many, many photos of the gardens at Biltmore.

The next day headed back to Biltmore and went horse back riding. It is so beautiful on the grounds!

Some of the horses.

Our last day, we went to a near by State Park and enjoyed a relaxing day in nature.

Abbie and Jacob at the falls.

 

Jacob enjoying the park.

All in all a fun, relaxing, family bonding time! LOVED it! (Thanks Mom and Dad! - This was our Christmas gift from last year - awesome!)

Hello Monday 8/20/12

Hello new project. Super excited about Project 137.

Hello laundry. Lots from vacation.

Hello photos. Need to download and organize.

Hello anticipation. Lots of excitement for the start of school as summer winds down

Hello Sister. Looking forward to a visit this weekend.

Hello haircut. You are needed.

Let's Ride!

For Jacob's birthday back in June I got him a ride in an Indy Car. The day finally came and we headed to the track yesterday. My boy has been crazy about anything with a motor since I can remember and as he has gotten older he has fine tuned his love of cars. It was an exciting day for him and I was so happy to be a part of it :)

Getting suited up for the ride:

Here he goes:

Getting all buckled in and ready to ride at speeds of 170mph (yikes!):

A happy camper after his ride with his new tire (it is a boy thing that I certainly don't understand but I was surprised to see him stopped by several grown men asking where he got that tire and wanting one for themselves! lol)

Have a great weekend!

A few layouts

I have not shared many layouts lately so I thought I would post a couple today. :) I made both layouts as page samples for Feeling Scrappy's Sketchapalooza 7 - I am busy working on more samples for Feeling Scrappy's upcoming Sketch Class.

Lawn boy - based on a Feeling Scrappy sketch by Tracy Kosofsky.

Remember - based on a Feeling Scrappy sketch by me :)

Hope you get some creative time in this week. Happy Wednesday!

Hello Monday 8/6/12

Hello Olympics. Still! Enjoying and watching as much as we can.

Hello School Prep. The kids don't start until Sept 4 but we are already getting things together.

Hello Brie Cheese. So glad my kids enjoy a hunk of good cheese.

Hello Cabin Fever. I know that is a winter term but I am dying for a vacation but am having trouble fitting one in with the kids schedules.

Hello 85 degrees. So nice to see you again.

Here is to a great week!

Hello Monday 7/30/12

Hello Olympics. Nothing like it!
Hello Pierced Ears. Abbie finally got up the nerve.
Hello Volley Ball. Sam is trying out for the high school team. Fingers crossed.
Hello Job Hunt. I think Jacob is finally ready.
Hello Class Prep. Getting ready for Feeling Scrappy's next class.
Hello Laundry. Perpetually on the list.
Hello Apples, Brie and Fresh Bread. Sounds like dinner. Yum!

Have a great week! :)

Top Ten Tuesday

My sassy pup Lucy :) July 2012

And yes- she is on the kitchen table. No worries, I washed it well after we put her down.

My friend Char listed 10 random things she is loving today and I thought I would play along.

1.) Having my kids home with me for the summer. It makes for some crazy days but I know my time with them is dwindling so I will take and treasure every moment.
2.) Little Lu - it has taken me awhile to adjust to this sassy little pup but she has wormed her way into my heart.
3.) Roasted Veggies. I toss whatever is on sale at the store into a high oven with a little olive oil and seasonings and yum!
4.) Creativity. I am spending more time on creative pursuits and I am loving it!
5.) The feeling of strength that comes from being the only adult in the house and having to make all decisions alone. It is scary and lonely sometimes but when all is said and done you realize you can do it and do it well!
6.) Air conditioning - can't even imagine living with out it!
7.) A Beautiful place to walk. I feel blessed to have a beautiful walking trail that starts just one house down from mine. I am making a real effort to use it often.
8.) The over head fan in my room. Never had one before and didn't think I would use it but I actually like the feeling of the air circulating and the quiet noise in makes.
9.) Coupons. I don't actually love coupons but I do love the money they save me which really helps.
10.) Friends - both local and far away- both in person and on-line. They ground me and make me feel connected. They entertain me and make me laugh. The love and support me. What is not to love about friends?!

What are you loving today?

Ahhhh summer! Part of me loves it and the other part is having trouble adjusting to the lack of structure. That will all change next week when Sam starts summer school - he has to be there by 7:30 so we (him and I at least) will be back to getting up early and maybe going to bed at a reasonable time. He is off every Friday so I am thinking that would be a great day to schedule some "family fun days!"

Since my kids are teens now - they are going in all different directions - so I think a designated day will be great :) Today I plan to pin them down and ask each child for input then put it on the calendar (That is key for me - if it is not on the calendar it never seems to happen.)

I love having a map - even if the day just says "be lazy" Here is to a plan!

Hello Monday June 18, 2012

Schools out for summer. Sam is thrilled "YES!" June 2012

Hello Summer Break. The kids are looking forward to 75 days off.

Hello Clouds. It has been sunny and hot here - hoping the clouds mean a little rain today.

Hello 2nd Half of Class. Feeling Scrappy class is keeping me busy but happy :)

Hello Cake Pops. Abbie and I are making them today.

Hello Lack of Schedule. It does not suit me well.

Hello Word Games. Been enjoying a few on the Kindle with friends.

Hope you have a fantastic Monday!

8th Grade Dance

Short Pump Middle School held the 8th grade dance last night and Sam was excited to go. We met his date and a few couples that were going together before the dance to take some quick photos. Then off they went! When I picked up Sam from the after party - he said it was the best time he had had all year! So glad he will have this happy memories. Thought I would share a few of the photos I took (I am sure I will have many more from the actual dance as the kids start posting them online!)

Here are a few with Sam and his date Kaitlyn:

Just the guys:

Just the girls:

The whole group:

Remember when we were that young?

Hello Monday June 4, 2012

Took the kids to the drive-in last night and we all loved it! June 2012

Hello Monday. Where did you go?

Hello Feeling Scrappy Class. We started today with our first sketch of the month.

Hello Broken Air Conditioner. Luckily it is on the 3rd floor so Abbie can sleep downstairs until we get it fixed.

Hello week before school finals. The kids are almost done for the year.

Hello Hamburger. Defrosted now to decide what to do with it for dinner.

Hello Europe. I just registered Abbie for a trip with school to Paris next March!

Hope you all have a great week on tap!

Happy Day :)

Photo taken last week on a rainy day of a little mum in the front yard May 2012

What a great weekend! The weather has been fantastic - you know, the kind of days when everything is just right! Not to hot, not to cold with a nice little breeze - bright blue skies with a few fluffy cloud - just so you can really see how blue the rest is :) Birds chirping - no bugs! Nothing really pressing on the schedule but enough fun things to keep us from being bored. Perfect I tell you! Loving it!!

Have been getting all ready for my first Feeling Scrappy Class since my self imposed break (we start tomorrow!) and I am so grateful and blessed for all the support everyone has given me. Thanks friends!

Life is good today :)

Hello Monday May 28, 2012

Sam mowing the lawn...finally. May 2012

Hello freshly mowed lawn. It looks and smells so good.
Hello BBQ. Looking forward to a Memorial Day picnic with friends.
Hello details. Working through everything getting ready for class.
Hello exams. The kids are entering the last few weeks of school.
Hello research. Looking at which new camera to get for my birthday in June.
Hello summer. Memorial day is your official kick-off!

What are you saying hello to this week? Check out Lisa's blog and link up :)

Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head

Boy, are we getting the rain this week. Normally, I don't really mind it to much but my grass is getting to the jungle stage! Mind you - we had a beautiful weekend with plenty of time to mow. Anyone who has a teenage son will understand what happened next. On Friday night I reminded said teenager that he had to mow the lawn this weekend. Well - I got busy and did not remind him again and guess what did not get done. Right! So, we wait out the rain while our poor neighbors shake their heads at the state of my lawn.

The great thing about this rain is that when we get a few moments between drops and I am out walking the dog I see lot of beautiful opportunities for photos! Here are a few I was able to capture today. (You can click on them to see the full sized image.)

What are you seeing that is beautiful today? Take note :)