35? REALLY?

(currently irate - please keep it in perspective)
oh my feeling old right now.
alright. I admit (openly) that I don't have the best teeth in the world, and that I do have a little roll just above my hips and maybe I slouch when I walk and YES there are streaks of grey at the top of my head. But 35?? Seriously?
I'm sure you're all laughing and thinking I'm over-reacting and if it had been just one individual I could get over it. Today, in the mall, not one, but TWO survey people approached me to do an interview for thirty-five and older women. The first girl I just laughed at - trying not to be insulted. I figured she was young and not tactful enough to find a more appropriate way to ask a woman her age. I explained in simple, easy to understand terms that I was not old enough to participate in her survey. Then I scurried off to the other end of the mall, trying to forget the entire incident. But then, on the way back through that horrible stretch of commons - the second survey lady - she was at least 35 - asked me to participate as well. Well, she was approaching me and starting to ask the survey questions and I just yelled across the mall "I'M NOT THIRTY-FIVE!" and practically sprinted - stroller in tow with Sarah wondering why the heck her mommy (her young, spry, athletic(?),capable mommy) was running through a public place.
I know I should let it bug me, but seriously here people, I'm just getting over turning twenty-seven.
I did, however, find exactly what I was looking for - a super cute blue and brown w/ rhinestones t-shirt. So not something a thirty-five year old would wear! :)

oh, and for the record.

I swear I'm like the only blogger in the world who actually updates the thing on a semi -regular basis. Maybe I just spend too much time in the virtual world and not enough in the real one. details. I should be rewarded for my effort with lots of comments, don't you think? I know I've got stalkers reading this thing. :)

random thoughts from the day

MOPs started this morning. Whew. What a breath of fresh air. I just felt so recharged and ready for at least another two weeks of mothering. :) I love MOPs - it is the best organization in the world and I seriously don't think I would still be staying at home if it weren't for this group of internationally united women. You can go anywhere in the country and find a group and find a home. I was uneasy to commit right away to this group, only because different groups have different personalities - but as soon as I walked in the door I knew without a doubt that it was the group for us. So welcoming, I can tell I will make friends super fast and I totally need that right now. They have a book club (yay!) and a scrapbook group (double yay!) and a walking club (my roll says yay!). I am just excited to really plug in. Even in Ozark I held back because I knew how short term we were there. So this morning was really awesome and I am thankful for a new support system. but an aside - I felt like a huge dork hacking up a lung all morning long - I can't believe how long this cough has hung on. I feel fine other than this terrible deathbed cough. grrr.
New Subject. Read on a message board this morning someone asking if "Do your opinions of people ever change?". Like if you write someone off as a jerk do you ever reassess your opinion of them later? Can they get off your list or move back on if removed? I was sad for this lady, it seemed she thought not. Wow. I live for second chances. I've said and done so many stupid things in my lifetime I would hope people wouldn't just write me off for an idiot and move on. But maybe they do? Anyhoo, I want to encourage you TODAY to rethink some of your relationships - or lack thereof - maybe you've misjudged (ooh painful word) someone and they need a re-evaluation. Why don't you give them that opportunity to prove you wrong. Sometimes, they are just having a bad day. Here's to second chances.

happy birthday baby
Better late than never. We kind of did birthday all weekend, starting with dinner on Thursday, then Six Flags (with no camera) on Saturday and then lunch at Red Lobster on Sunday with a birthday bash on Sunday night. I'm a bit birthdayed out. :) But it's over and he's twenty-nine and we survived.
Been a weird day. Lots of mental going on - just some big relational stuff that I don't want to share here, even though it would probably make me feel better. I'm always surprised at people's power to hurt me. And my ability to feel like poop about myself - even though they are the one's doing the hurting. grrr. I wish I would grow up and find (and retain) my worth in God and KNOW that that is enough. YES, I am a terribly flawed person and I make mistakes (daily, unfortunately) but NEWSFLASH PEOPLE - I'm not the only one. double grrr.
I'm just tired of hurting. Sometimes I just want to stop loving people because I think that's about the only way it will ever stop. But that's not what God has called us to do - in fact just the opposite. But lately I feel myself pulling away - for protection, I guess, but it still hurts and now I just feel more lonely. Sometimes I think, I'm never going to be good enough on my own. Guess I just need more of God. Maybe I just need to realize I'm enough in Him and rely on that. We are focusing in Sunday School on Day 2 - being created as an object of His affection. I still need to understand that I am exactly who I am because He made me that way. It still hits me hard once in a while - big nose and all - I am who He designed me to be. Ok, now I'm rambling. Time to konk on the couch with Rob. toodles.

I *heart* expotv.com
Gives me an oppertunity to earn some money and feel like I'm making a difference. Check out my videos. I'm funny. :) Totally makes me smile when I'm making them. good feeling.

Superbowl '06
Have to admit my complete and total lift here. You'll find practically this exact same layout in Elsie Flannigan's new book 52 Scrapbooking Challenges. Totally the best scrapbooking book on the market right now - in case you were wondering! :) I was perusing her blog today and found a link to a radio interview with her. I felt bad for her, she just sounded nervous! But she's a brilliant scrapper and I'm so excited to hear and see all about her new line - debuting at Memory Trends (January - I think). Anyhoo, she's totally inspiring and I lifted this page and I hope you enjoy it a tiny bit cause I did a ton!!!

Get Your Groove On
This picture just cracks me up and I had to do something crazy with it! Love the chunked out letter stickers in a giant circle.

Summer 2006

Just a fun happy page with a couple photos of the kids from the summer. Love the pics, not too crazy about the page, but it worked.

the power of significance

Love this photo, Rob took it the first day of school. It's so symbolic to me. We really do enjoy the walk every day. This page is a lift from something from the 2peas gallery, but definitely my own take on it. Proud to be using some of my old stash - you'll see that a lot in my current pages.

Congrats, we are so proud of you!

Worked on these pages on Wednesday. I'm starting to see a crazy trend of tourquise/lime and sky, Not sure what that's about! Love the hambly on this lo. Glad I finally got these scrapped - all the way back from may.

a quick update
Lots on my mind today. Spinning in a hundred directions as usual. But first I want to tell you about yesterday. Thursday, or date day, is quickly becoming my favorite d
ay of the week. Rob and I started the day off by sleeping in crazy late - 7:40 - just late enough to feel really refreshed but not so late Eli misses that first bell! :) He took Eli to school while Sarah and I got ready and then we headed to the golden arches for some breakfast with a bam. Off to the library and then Walmart from there, and we realized that last night would be the night to do his birthday dinner since tonight we thought had a rally and tomorrow we'll be spending the day at Six Flags in honor of 29! So he decided he'd really like prime rib and I can't believe I found it! He chose to get new car stereo speakers for his birthday gift and spent the afternoon installing them and messing around with the car. When we picked Eli up from school and decided to do a family art project - life size cut outs of each of our family members. We had a blast!! They are now hanging out in our stairway - that wall had been so empty and forlorn before. I love being artsy with the kids! So now we have these happy people decorating our house.
Today Sarah and I ran to Target because Lori had told me all their fall circo clothing was on sale. I spent $42 and she is set for fall - three pairs of jeans, three long sleeve shirts and one sweater. Very happy with that. All she'll need now are some church clothes. whew. I've got a pie to bake for the church bake sale tomorrow and chicken soup to start for summer. Funny, it's warmer today but I sooo feel like fall! toodles!

PS- I took the picture of Sarah when I woke her up from her nap yesterday. stunning, isn't she??

it's been too long

since I blogged.
since I hugged a really close friend.
since I laughed so hard I almost peed.
since I've seen my parents.
since I've played on the floor with my kids.
since I've spent quality time in my studio.
since I let it all hang out.

I wonder how many of those things I could change today?

Tuesday. First day of the week. It's really throwing me off. I have nothing 'huge'on the calendar. I'm finally starting to feel a bit better. Just not sure what to do with my day. Oh sure, there are last night's dishes in the sink - I'll get to them. And a Walmart list on the fridge. details. But what do I want to do with my day? Not really sure...
Long weekend. We worked a lot. But it's not really work. I love hanging out with teenagers - they keep you young. I just wished I had felt better - you know how when you are that sick you feel like you are walking around in a fog - it's hard to hear, hard to think, hard to talk. I started teaching my Sunday School class, it was fun (and terrifying) and I think we are all going to get a lot out of it. I'm very excited to get to know the people in the class - to learn their story. I had them fill out a questionaire - just random questions like the mindless ones I post on here. Their answers were fascinating. I just want to call em all up and ask em more questions!
Last night I went to see "the Devil Wears Prada" at the cheap theatre with Nae and Nettie. We had a great time. The movie was a feel-good movie and just what I needed. I love hanging out with those ladies. We missed Kyndall though.
Anyhoo. We may hit the library tody. I am for sure going to play with the kids. And I'm going to hide out in my studio after lunch while Sarah nappies. good times. Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

awash with inspiration
Does it ever just hit you in waves? And you get a little egotistical and start to think you are all that? Well, I don't think I'm all that, but I've had a couple brilliant ideas lately.
I forgot to mention that yesterday I found this beautiful antique tablecloth for a DOLLAR at a yard sale. Oh my goodness. I love vintage tablecloths - they just look like they tell a story. Anyway, I have one, haggled over it - eight dollars - a couple years back. Haven't done anything with it, but I still find it beautiful.
So anyway, I had no reason to buy this thing, but I couldn't resist. I brought it home (Rob thought it was awesome) and it was laying around all day yesterday. In my random pile-moving it wound up in the studio and it occured to me what neat curtains it would make. So, ta-da!! No sewing required - my kind of curtains. I know it doesn't really match or anything, but it's so vintage and random and beautiful. Very happy. I love the eclectic feeling of my studio, it's exactly what an artist's home should be.

mmmm. coldstone.
Have you ever had Coldstone Creamery? If not, you are seriously missing one of God's greatest creations and it's just short of a sin not to search out a Coldstone Creamery and try it. You will never look at ice cream the same again. mmm.
Well, so we are all sicko here. Sore throats abound. So I (being the loving wife and mom I am) suggested coldstone to cure what ails us. Definitely worth the fifteen minute commute out there. So good. So my favorite way to spend a friday night with the fam. The kiddos were in rare form, it was wonderful.

today's pages

Wow. Can't believe I actually scrapbooked today. I've wanted to for a while, but I've just felt so stinky. But today was great, even though I really didn't have any real chunks of time, I just kept coming back to them, pushing things around and adding embellies. Love the way they turned out - such fun colors. And I love these Heidi ghost frames, I'm sad they are almost all gone now, I'm down to one piddly tiny sad baby frame. Also using up my heidi plastic letters, but that's ok because I love them and they make me happy. The dots are cut out of SEI's Kaboom line, which I just noticed, very retro and fun.

happy feet

I found these this this morning. I tried to be a good girl and restrain myself - but Rob agreed - they were the last pair and I had to have them. (grin) Oh my kelly green shoes. They'll only go with EVERYTHING in my wardrobe. At least nearly everything. I had almost successfully talked myself into walking away, but payless was having a BOGO event and we had found the cutest brown and pink strawberry shortcake mary janes for Sarah. They were insanely expensive, but this way it was like they were both 25% off. Plus, I just got paid for more Expo TV reviews - so I just used that money to completely and thoroughly justify it for both of us. Every girl *needs* totally cute shoes. I tried to find here shoes online here, but no luck. I'll take a photo later for you, they are to die for. Even Rob said she had to have them!
So we are one step closer to being ready for fall. Eli is nearly there, I have to go through his winter stuff, but I think most of it will work. Sarah has nearly nothing, she's grown so much. But I'm finding she is SUPER hard to shop for, being so round and short. I've returned most everything I've bought for her, and lately with this cooler weather she has nothing to wear. Next week we are going shopping for her, it can't wait too much longer.
We spent the morning out with Sarah, Rob took the day off and we ran to the mall for shoes and a set of 'books of the bible' markers for me. We had lunch at Mama Mia's - a tiny little mom and pop italian place we love in Wood River. It was just a nice quiet paced morning, I loved it.
I'm still really struggling with this cold and not winning, unfortunately. And even more unfortunately, Sarah picked it up, so she's pretty cranky now.
Oh, the other two pictures. One is my new fun hair-do. I got it cut a few weeks ago, and it's ok, but yesterday I discovered wearing it like this and I love it! Also, the hat. Katelyn made it for me - I wore hers at camp a bunch (to keep my hairline from burning again) and she and Rob loved the way it looked, so she made me my own! I love that she signed it!!
Off to play in my studio if I don't decide that a nap is more important. details. :) Happy Thursday!

happy saturday

Used to be Saturday was one of my favorite days. Anymore I'm pretty anti-saturday. Rob generally has to work, either finishing his sermon or worship slides or we have an event. Today we have both. But we did squeeze in some time together this morning and I'm thankful for that.
I've gotten a lot done today, which is good since I've generally been a huge slacker lately. Nae brought over Sarah's birthday gifts, some jewelry, a couple dolls and a barbie car. Sarah was pretty enthused. She put on her tu-tu and twirled for Nae. I, of course, had to take some pictures. Nae and Jim are some of the wonderful people here that love our kids. We are super blessed.
Well, off to get ready for tonight. We have Cribz at Kyndal's, but Nettie's coming here to watch our kids, so I need to hurry up and undig out the living room. tehee.
Oh, and I almost forgot. We were headed to the Christian bookstore and Walmart this morning when we saw an old van driving down the road with an airconditioning unit sticking out the back. Eli says - and I quote - "I wish we had an air conditioner in our car." Ha ha. Rob and I busted up!! I just pictured our Intrepid headed down the highway with a 5200 btu window air hanging out the passenger's side. SOOO wish I had my camera with so you could picture this too, we were just dying, this van was a decrepit old thing mostly rusted out and the driver had the window down despite the air conditioner. I guess it goes to prove the old saying - grass is always greener. very funny.

I made a new photo ticker. Check it out!

isn't this the happiest bird you've ever seen?

Now maybe you'll understand why it had to come home with me to next in my studio, if nothing more than to sing sweet tunes with myMP3 player and me. I know, I'm crazy, but it works for me. And this bird just sang it's way into my heart.
[Seriously though, Heidi Swapp with her pink craziness NEEDS a bird like this. :)]

Hump Day
Wow. Amazing what a little rest will do for a person. I'm still struggling with allergies big time (I guess everyone is) and a headache to end all headaches, but overall my perspective is a lot better. I just need to remind myself how very much I love my life. I love my kids, my husband, our home, our lifestyle, our church. I guess it gets hectic, but I really love it overall.
This week has been refreshing so far. I miss Eli during the day, but it's so stepped back three years to having one child again. I forgot how much easier it was. Sarah and I went to Walmart together this morning and it was so not a big deal! I am realizing, however, how very empty my house will be when Sarah starts school, but thankfully that is still three years away. I can tell that she and I will really enjoy our days together, and I'm thankful for it - having had three years home with Eli alone.
I've got an ever growing to do list. Because it's me and that's how I function. My house is pretty disastrous right now, but I'm just enjoying the slow pace for a bit. I think Rob is getting worried. :) Maybe tomorrow I'll start to tackle it. Maybe not. I'm in no hurry, the mess isn't going anywhere. As long as the dishes are done and the trash is out, that's what gets out of hand.
I do need to get booking on my sunday school class. It starts (gasp) next Sunday - ten days from now. I need to write a letter and come up with a class name. I was thinking 'Next Generation' but Rob thinks it sounds like we are getting ready to take over the church. details. I thought I'd peruse online at some big churches and see what they are naming their thirty something groups. Not that we are all thirty something, we've got everything from nineteen year olds to newlyweds to married with children and married with teenagers. Now I'm starting to wonder if "the Melting Pot" wouldn't be a better name. :) Still praying about it. I'm really excited, we are going to start with Purpose Driven Life, which is one of my absolute favorite books in all the world. Very excited about that.
Tonight I started co-teaching Friends (jr high girls Missionettes) with Tanya. Oh, I'm so excited about this class, we had six girls tonight already. Very fun. I'll be so glad to get some one on one time with these girls and really get to know them. Things are changing at church and I am excited to see the change.
Tomorrow I'm thinking Hobby Lobby. I've been putting together some 'quiet bags' for church and I need some canvas type bags to put all the goodies in. I'm so (sillily) excited about this project. :) Plus there is a tiny pink bejeweled bird at Hobby Lobby that has been singing my name for about a week now! te-hee.
Anyhoo, off to get some busy work done. I love busy work. :)