Serenity now

Can't wait until March!!!

2010-02-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

to save your spot

only 8 seats left!!

It's Official!!!!

2010-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

As of Friday I have taken over Enchanted Events, Children's theme parties and event planning.

It's a huge step for our family. We are now small business owners!!!! I'm so excited to be staring this new adventure. It's something that I will be able to still stay at home with the kids, and be able to work!!! I'm just in the process of designing new theme parties for the kids, and buying all the props!!! sooooo much fun!!!! I'm also planning the summer camps this year.

Check out the web site at www.enchantedevents.ca to see the new baby!

If you know anyone with small children pass our name along to them. We have a over 500 sq foot party and cake room to host the party! Bring the party and mess to us and we clean it all up after! what more could you ask for!

Bed Rest!!!!

2009-11-29T10:35:00.000-08:00

It's been 6 days 1 hr and 7 min since my surgery and since bed rest started, not that I'm counting or anything!!

The first few days were ok, since I was on some good drugs, but I have since come off the "happy pills" and the boredom has set in.
I've come up with a top 5 things to do while on bed rest:

1. Catch up on emails and facebook. I still can not get into the games on facebook, but catching up on the feeds has been fun!

2.Watch trash tv, it's been a while since I've been able to watch trash tv. Wow! there are some really screwed up people out there. I now know why I don't watch day time tv.

3. Catch up on all the movies I've missed. I've watch The Proposal, great funny movie (laughing so much did not do good for my stitches) but it was a good movie. My life in Ruins was a good romantic, funny movie. Does anyone have any other suggestions??? I still have a week of rest to go!!!
4. Plan my daughters 9th "Spa"tacular Birthday party. Megan's party is next Saturday so I've been planning and making lists for the party. I don't think Tracy is going to be too happy when I give him the list of all the things he needs to buy for the Spa party.

5. Why not plan a scrapbooking weekend in January!!!
Baby It's Cold Outside Weekend Crop Escape

If you want to join us email scrap4it@gmail.com to save a seat. There are only 30 seats for this crop, so sign up early!!!

All the proceeds from this crop will go to help the Performing Company from Axis Dance compete in Banff in May 2010.

Crop 4 Kids is Sold Out!!

2009-11-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those up and down days!!

I should have known it was going to be one of those days when my kids were up at 4:30 am yesterday!

In the afternoon I had a very unpleasant conversation with someone that wreaked my day and had me thinking why am I am doing Crop 4 Kids again. I then had to pick myself up and remind myself that I do Crop 4 Kids is for the Hospital, I do it for all those kids who have "one of those days" everyday, to bring a smile to the kids faces who don't get a chance to leave the hospital and see a play. That's why I do it!

My good friend Allison wrote on my facebook wall:

"In as much as you are able, keep the peace with everyone". Just keep doing what you know is right and lay your head on your pillow each night at peace with that... you can only control yourself.

It's such a great verse, It really made me think and evaluate the situation, and I know I can lay my head on my pillow at night and know I am doing the right thing, thanks Allison!

So when one door was slammed in my face, another door opened! and another opportunity for Crop 4 Kids opened up!

So just when things seem to be looking down, the up happened!

I am so happy that Crop 4 Kids is sold out for 2010!!!! It's going to be so much fun!

Scrap 4 it November Crop!!!

2009-11-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

See you there!!!!!

We have only 9 seats left for the November Crop.

To sign up email scrap4it@gmail.com to save a spot!!!

In the spirit of Christmas Giving,

All the proceeds from the crop will go to buying toys for kids in need!!!

Welcome to the Family Earl!

2009-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

A new puppy joined our family yesterday! Ok not my house, but my dad just picked up a new puppy yesterday! He is the cutest little guy, almost makes me want to get a dog, ALMOST! For know we'll just be it's suraget family, he can come visit, but has to go home when he's bad!

The kids and I went to the airport to meet him when he arrived from Toronto.

All excited waiting with treats in hand

Where is he!

Still waiting!!!

So we find out we're in the wrong spot, he's in Cargo holding area waiting

There he is waiting, in his crate

There he is, everyone is excited!!!

Dad's new buddy has arrived!!

Crop 4 Kids is 50% Sold out!!!

2009-10-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am sooooooo excited Crop 4 kids is 50% sold out and Public registration opens tomorrow Morning!!!
Everyone that joined us last year, was given early registration, and we are now 50% sold out!!!!! Yeah!!!!
It's so heart warming, all the people that want to help the Children's Hospital.

Go to www.crop4kids.org to register, before it's too late!

Christmas Wreaths anyone???

2009-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Megan is loving Company dance this year! She dances 4 days a week and loves every minute of it. My van on the other hand could drive it self to and from the studio.

This year the Company girls at Axis Dance Centre will be preforming in Banff at the Banff Performing Arts Centre. in order for them to go to Banff we are doing fundraising!!!!!

Just in time for Christmas they are selling Nova Scotia 20" Balsam Fir Wreaths and 15" Centerpiece.

The Wreaths are $38.00 and are adorned with weatherproof red velvet gold back bow, seven natural pine cones, nine crabapples and five holly berry clusters.

The Centerpieces are $45.00 it is encircled with four 10" red candles gracious red velvet puff bow six natural pine cones, nine crabapples, six holly berry clusters.

They can also be delivered anywhere in Canada and the US for just $8.00 extra. with a personal gift card message.

If you are interested and want to help Megan fundraise for her Banff trip please e-mail me at jrowsell@telus.net and we can make arraignments. Order deadline is November 7th

I also have pictures of what they look like if you are interested

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

What a crazy weekend!!!

2009-10-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Kick off to Crop 4 Kids crop!!!!!
And what a blast we had. 25 ladies scrapbooked from 10-10 on Saturday, we enjoyed fun games, make and takes, laughs and great food!!!!!! and I think some scrapbooking got done????
I had such a great time I forgot to take pictures.....
The registration for Crop 4 Kids 2010 started today and registrations are pouring in. I'm glad everyone had such a great time last year that they are exited to do it again.

I know some people are asking why the registration is so early this year...

there are a few reasons:

With the crop being in March if I opened registration a few months before it would be just after Christmas, and if your life is as crazy as mine just after Christmas is busy.

With the down turn in the economy it may be hard for people to afford the crop seat just after Christmas.

If people would like to make payments for the crop seat let me know. I would hate for someone miss out on the crop because they can't afford the $99.00 all in one payment. Please email me at scrap4it@gmail.com to make the arrangements

The forth reason is kind of a selfish one... In my family my kids health can turn in the blink of an eye. Last year Ben was in the hospital, having an IV inserted 3 days before the crop. So I like to do things well in advance so I can prepare for any health"hick-ups"Right now everything is some what calm, Ben just had surgery on his left ear, and is doing great!

So I know it's early but Registration is open and your not going to want to miss it this year!!!!!!

Did you hear??????

Crop 4 Kids 2010

Featuring

The "Creative Goddess"

From Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine

Lecia Forrest

I am sooooooo excited and can not believe Lecia is coming....

Go to www.crop4kids.org to register!!!!

Count Down to Crop 4 Kids 12 hour Crop!!!

2009-10-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

I can't believe registration for Crop 4 Kids is just around the corner!!!

Advance Crop Seat Registration for 2009 Crop Attendees will begin on October 19th 9:00am

on the web site www.crop4kids.org

Open Registration will start on October 30th

What better way to To kick off Crop 4 Kids registration then a 12 hr crop!!!!

There are only 5 seats left!!!

If you would like to reserve one of the last 5 spots email me at scrap4it@gmail.com

Wow it's been a while!!!!

2009-10-05T15:01:00.001-07:00

Sorry to all my bloggers. I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog entry.

It was a busy September with the kids going back to school & the start of Scrapbooking "season".

Megan started Grade 4 this year.

Kaitlin is in Pre-k this year and my

baby started pre-school this year.

The GREAT CANADIAN SCRAPBOOK CARNIVAL was so much fun!!! Those ladies from Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine know how to put on a party!!!

I was honored to help out with the layout contest at the shows in Calgary and Edmonton.

At the Calgary Show We raised $400.00 for the Alberta Children's Hospital. and the Edmonton show raised $656.00 for the Stollery Hospital. YEAHHHH! to all the winners and thanks to everyone that donated to both the hospitals.

Sooo much Fun!!!!!

I have a big announcement coming up for Crop 4 Kids this week!!!!

We have an AMAZING TEAM of instructors this year, I'm so excited to have one very talented lady joining us this year.. she's so much fun and I can't wait to tell you who it is..... Can you guesses???? I'd love to hear who you think it is...

The Breast Crop Ever!!

2009-08-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

Need to get away with the girls for some Crop time?

Join me at the Breast Crop Ever in Red Deer September 19th!

Hosted by Tiffany Lichti.

For more information and to register go to http://www.thebreastcropever.blogspot.com/

I'm going to be teaching a two page layout class at the crop, talking about what we are Thankful for.

Here's a sneak peek at the layout:

The picture does not do the page justice! ( If I do say so myself)

Celebrate what you are thankful for!
Instructor: Jennifer Rowsell
Project: 2 page layout
Class length: 2 hours
Cost:$30.00 ( $5.00 from each seat sold will go to the Breast Cancer Foundation)

Description:
What are you thankful for? Sometimes when were faced with a loved one or yourself having an illness or cancer. It's hard to remember what your thankful for. Using paper from Paper Loft and Core'dinations, This class will help you discover what you are thankful for in your life. You'll discover just how fun core'dinations paper is to use, and a funky new way to title the page! Class comes with complete instruction and color images. Class sponsored by Scrap 4 It's: CROP 4 KIDS.
Thanks to the Crop 4 Kids sponsors every class participant will receive a free goody bag filled with great scrapbooking treats valued at over $20.00! ( You must attend the class to get the goody bag)

Hopefully some of you will make the trip up to Red Deer for a Great Crop for a Great cause!

Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival 2009

2009-08-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

The crop seats at the Carnival sold out in 30 min! If you were one of the lucky ones See you there! But if you didn't get a seat, the classes still have room! check out the fabulous classes at http://www.canadianscrapbooker.ca/CMS_2008/?page_id=81. While your there taking a class and checking out the great booths, drop off your layouts for the layout contest! I'm so thrilled to be helping the Canadian Scrapbooker team with the layout contest, I am even more thrilled that 100% of the entry fee ( $2.00 per entry/ day) will be donated to the Alberta Children's hospital Foundation!

WIN BIG!!!!
Come to the show and enter your layouts for your chance to win BIG!!!! Prizes are sponsored by Stampin’ Up!, Green Tree Shows and Canadian Scrapbooker Inc.!

PRIZES: Daily prizes of $250 CASH and a BIG SHOT, Dr. Bag and die at each show!
o A daily draw will be made from all the layout entries for a chance to win the $250 CASH prize! Sponsored by Green Tree Shows.

o A daily opportunity to have your layout published in Canadian Scrapbooker and win this BIG SHOT, Doctor’s Bag and Die from Stampin’ Up! ($250+ value)

Layout Contest Details:

Layout contest is open to all show attendees, and is not limited only to those individuals registered for the crop. So, come on down and bring your layouts to the Canadian Scrapbooker booth to enter!
$2 entry fee per layout per day. 100% of the contest proceeds in Edmonton will be donated in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. 100% of the contest proceeds in Calgary will be donated in support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
o There is no limit to the number of layouts that may be entered.
o Layouts can be entered for 1 or both show days, but may only win once.
o One daily $250 cash prize will be drawn from the entry forms that are completed when each layout is entered at the event. (1 entry form per layout entered)o Jackie Ludlage – Editor in Chief & Co-founder of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine will be judging the layouts for one daily prize of being published in Canadian Scrapbooker magazine along with the BIG SHOT with Dr. Bag and die from Stampin’ Up! All layouts must be original and unpublished.

I just finished this layout of Kaitlin's first Dance recital, Since I can't enter the Layout contest at the carnival I thought you might me able to use it as inspiration!
See you at the show!

Only in Calgary!!!

2009-08-05T12:38:00.001-07:00

This is what I woke up to this morning!!!

Just kidding, but it felt about this cold this morning! Where did summer go? It's hard to imagine that just Saturday the kids we're enjoying the water slide at the farm in the sun and now it's barely 15!

I'm taking comfort that the weather man says the warm weather will return next week.

we were out at the farm in Sundre over the long weekend, the kids had a blast, as always.

We were woken up by the storm early Monday morning, WOW what a light show and hail the size of golf balls. I always thought people were exaggerating when they said that, how could they ever get that big? but it's true! Here are some pictures we took Monday morning after the storm when we went out to see what damage had been done. My mother-in-law was lucky, she didn't have too much damage on the farm. a few tree's down including this one that fell on the power lines. Tracy was able to get it off, with out electrocuting himself!

This is the back deck with all the hail on it!

Count down to kids going back to school: 22 days ( not that I'm counting or anything!)

Summer time fun!!!

2009-07-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

We've been having so much fun this summer. Summer finally arrived in Calgary.. and we've been enjoying the sun!! Lot's of Waterpark and lake visits. the kids started swimming lessons last week. Megan passed level 3. Kaitlin passed preschool level 1 and Ben,,, well Ben got in the water...... Since he's had so many problems with his ears he has missed out in swim lessons every summer, so this was his first time in lessons. We're still having problems with his ears, but I put ear plugs in and he seems to do well with that.

On a scrapbooking note.....

I'm so excited to see the new product that will come out at CHA this week. I can't wait to hear all the details, from everyone that is there.....

I was on Canadian Scrapbookers web site today and noticed that all the details are up for The Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival. check out the details at http://www.canadainscrapbooker.com/. I'm going to be there to help them out with a few things. I hope to see some of you there, it's going to be a blast!!!!

How amazing is this... They are having a layout contest each day, with amazing PRIZES: Daily prizes of $250 CASH and a BIG SHOT, Dr. Bag and die!
A daily draw will be made from all the layout entries for a chance to win the $250 CASH prize! A daily opportunity to have your layout published in Canadian Scrapbooker. Check out the web site for all the details. you don't have to be at the crop to enter ANYONE can enter!!!! They have $2.00 entry fee, and 100% of the proceeds from the Calgary event will go to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation!!!!! So Let's see those layout ladies, I know we have some talented ladies out there!!!

Speaking of the Hospital Foundation. I have extended the deadline for the teachers call for Crop 4 Kids until September ( summer is just too busy.. I don't know what I was thinking!!!). check out the new crop 4 kids web site for the details.... http://www.crop4kids.org/

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!!!!

It makes me smile everytime

2009-07-15T21:45:00.001-07:00

I have these 12 x 12 canvas's of the kids hanging at the font door. Today the kids were fighting all the way home. and I had, had enough!!! When I walked in my front door and looked up at the pictures I had to smile. They are cute when they are not fighting.... It made me think that I can't sweat the small stuff... the 15 min they were fighting in the van was wreaking my day, but it was only 15 min out of 24hrs in the day. I need to remember to cherish the fun and cute stuff they do not just dwell on that 15 min....

Black River Designs

2009-07-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of this Canadian Company?

Scrapbook Pantry here in Calgary are selling there paper and it's amazing!!!!

I love how Christine has designed all the paper lines, they coordinate so perfect together. I'm a huge fan of the double sided papers, they make creating so much easier!

If you have a chance check out their web site http://www.blackriverdesigns.ca/blackriver/ or stop by Scrapbook Pantry and pick up some paper.

here's a few layouts I've created with the Black River Designs paper

Crop 4 Kids Teachers!!

2009-07-11T21:37:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited to announce that we have opened the call for teachers to help us with "Mega Make & Takes" at Crop 4 Kids this year.We are looking for 7-8 enthusiastic, creative and talented Scrapbookers to participate as members of our teaching team.

Do you love to create and teach your passion?

Do you want to be a part of the amazing Crop 4 Kids team?

Do you want to help raise money for the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation?

For more information go to:
http://www.scrap4it.citymax.com/crop4kids_teachers.html
I can't wait to see all the talented scrapbookers we have out there

New MNC layouts!

2009-07-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

I've been battling low iron for over a year now and can't seem to find the energy to do much! But I love to scrapbook, and being a Jr designer on the Monday Night Class Team has encouraged me to get some layouts done, even if all I want to do is lay on bed and sleep!

I had so much fun on Canada day with my family it inspired me to create this layout EH!

Megan and Kaitlin we're so cute at there dance recitals this year I can't wait to put the pictures into this layout! You can't really see in this picture but I used tulle at the bottom of the page on the left it's so cute!

I know i know no one wants to think of back to school yet but.. I was in the mall the other day and the Children's Place already had back packs, lunch kits and they said all the Fall line is starting to come in! Who are these people! Maybe the crummy weather is throwing them off and they think it's fall!

Don't forget the new kits are up on the Monday Night Class web site. www.mondaynightclass.ca.
I'm excited my first kit "Wishes in the wind" is up this month check it out, it's perfect for the little girls in our lives!

I was in the Stampede Parade!!!

2009-07-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well sort of...

That's me in the pink hat, with my back turned

( never have your husband take the pictures)

During the pre-parade one of the square dancers grabbed me and up I was dancing!!! It was soooooo much fun!! but as my family pointed out when I came back white girls can't dance! I didn't care I had fun!

We had a great time at the rest of the parade. we saw Mike Homes, Henry Burris (check out that ring!) and so many floats, bands, and of coarse cute cowboys!

Happy Canada Day!!!

2009-07-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

We can always count on Ben for a good time!

I love Canada Day!!! Tracy and I take the kids to Heritage Park every year to celebrate Canada day. We put on our new Canada Day shirts and off we go. This year we were joined by my Mother-In- Law and our two nephews that she was taking care of, and my father-in-law. It's always an exhausting day! But so worth it!

They do love each other.. I have proof!!!

LUNCH TIME!!!
The kids wanted to go for a spin!!!

Then Daddy had to out do Mommy and spin them at the same time!

Heritage Park had some great entertainment this year. the kids loved to dance and watch the guy that went inside a balloon!!!

Take note the guy had to take his pants off after he put it on his head!

We ended a great day with a BBQ at my mom's house!

Ben's favorite was the cupcakes!

School's Out For SUMMER!!!

2009-06-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Let summer vacation start!!!!

Megan had her last day of grade 3 today! Where has the time gone?

I know all parents say this but.. it seems like only yesterday that she started Kindergarten!

I have to say this was a great year!

Megan had a great teacher again this year! It makes school so much more fun when you have great teachers, and our school has some of the best teachers!

If you were at Monday Night Classes Scraptacular a few weekends ago ( and if you didn't go, you missed a great crop!), you saw the accordion album that I did as a "classete". I re-designed it and made it bigger and created one for Megan's teachers gift. i went into the class and had the kids write: The top 5 things I liked about grade 3 and then a little thank you note to their teacher. I then put their picture on one side of the cardstock and the note on the other side. I love how it turned out!

tomorrow night is Scrap4It's Summer Salsa Scrap! I better brush up on my summer drink mixing! Hope to see some of you their!

Also plans have already started for Crop 4 Kids!!! I have such big news to tell everyone!!! but you'll have to wait.. ok I'll give you hint.... She's tall and ozzzzes scrapbooking talent!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend we had. The girls had their dance recital on Saturday. Then we went to Heritage Park on Sunday for Fathers Day. WOW! has it ever changed since last year. The entrance has been completely re-done and you no longer have to walk and up the GIANT hill. I hated that hill!

It's our family tradition to go to Heritage park on Fathers Day. Rain or Shine! Yesterday was rain, (just a little bit of rain,) but the sun did come out at the end of the day!

Since Megan was a baby we take a picture of Tracy and the kids in front of the signs at Gasoline Ally. This year we had to change locations a bit. Gasoline Ally has changed, but we still found a place to take our annual picture!

I didn't have time to scrapbook anything for fathers day this year, (After doing 61 preschool books for Kaitlin's school) So I did a video for Tracy and my Dad for Fathers Day! My very talented friend Caroline posted one for her husband on Facebook, and I thought what a great idea! Thanks Caroline!

This is the Video I did for my dad, I also did one for Tracy.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there!

Thanks Tracy for being such a great Dad to our kids! You never know how much you really love someone until you see them with your kids!

The end of June....

2009-06-20T20:40:00.001-07:00

AHHH summer is almost here(tomorrow in fact)... June is the month for everything winding up. Kaitlin had her year end show at school on Friday. It was so cute they sang a few songs for the Mom's and Dad's.

including the bubble bee Song!!! I'm licking up my baby bumble bee.....

All the teacher are great at the school. Kaitlin has had the same teacher for 2 years and we just love her! ( Allison is that a blue speedo in the back ground.. I just want to know if that guys thinks I'm taking his picture..) I love Photoshop... I'll photoshop him right out.. later.

Kaitlin and her Best friend!

The girls had their dance recital today
What a great show.. I'm so proud of them to get up and dance in front of all those people....
Kaitlin was sooooo cute in her costume...

Megan has blossomed so much as a dancer.. I'm sooo proud of her. She made company dance next year, so she'll be competing next year... I know she's going to be awesome!!

Megan danced in two shows this year, and was amazing in both.

(more pictures to come, my computer is having a few problems right now!)

What an inspiration!!!

2009-06-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Megan's School Spots day was last Friday.. Yes in the pouring rain, good thing our teachers were nice enough to have it held indoors!!

At the school the kids all year have been learning about the Circle of Courage: (taken for LBES web site)

“The circle is a symbol of life…individual parts within the circle connect with every other; and what happens to one, or what one part does, affects all within the circle.” (Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve)
Lake Bonavista School embraces the Circle of Courage philosophy. The Circle of Courage is based on the work of Larry Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg, and Steve Van Bockern. As a school community we support a safe and caring learning environment for our students by creating conditions that promote the following areas in each child:

The Spirit of Belonging:The universal longing for human bonds is cultivated by relationships of trust so that the child can say, “I am loved”.

The Spirit of Generosity:Character is cultivated by concern for others so that the child can say, “I have purpose for my life.”

The Spirit of Mastery:The inborn thirst for learning is cultivated; by learning to cope with the world, the child can say, “I can succeed.”

The Spirit of Independence:Free will is cultivated by responsibility so that the child can say, “I have the power to make decisions.”

I think this is an amazing philosophy for the kids to lean, Megan has embraced it and learned so many things this year with it.

So back to sports day, using the Circle or Courage the kids were split up into the 4 color groups and were encouraged to use what they had learned about the circle and encourage their fellow students during the day. At the beginning of the day they had an assembly to get everyone excited about the day.

I didn't think I would ever cry at a Sports day assembly but... they had a boy from the local High School come and speak to the kids, and what an inspiration he was.

He was born with Cerebral palsy and is in a wheel chair, but he talked about how he never let that stop him from doing what he wanted to do. He will graduate this year from grade 12 and will be attending McGill in the fall. WHAT an accomplishment, his parents should be so proud!

When I think I'm having a ruff day all I need to do is think of this boy and know what ever is put in my way, know matter how frustrated I get, I can and will accomplish it!

I CAN DO ANYTHING!!!!

Signs of Spring

2009-05-28T08:23:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung here in Calgary....

I am looking forward to it more this year then ever! I think it's because winter was long and COLD this year!!!

We had some little visitors in my back yard yesterday.

I was getting dinner ready and I looked out my kitchen window to discover a momma duck and her babies.

I watched as they walked around our yard looking for a way out.

As I watched her I wondered how she trained her babies to be so obedient. Every time she stopped the babies stopped and sat down behind her, when she moved they followed right along behind her. Maybe I need to take a lesson from a duck. When I stop my kids keep going and when I go my kids go the other direction......

Happy Spring everyone enjoy the nice weather!!

Scrapbook Your Heart Retreat!!!

2009-05-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

I think I'm finally caught up on my sleep from the weekend!

Once again Allison and her team put on a fabulous retreat! If you ever have the chance to go to it . YOU have to go!

This year's theme was Princess Warrior. I'm still trying to absorb all the great information!

I thought I was a strong woman, but really I want to be a "Woman of Strength"!

I thought I would try a top 5 things I learned at Scrapbook your heart:

5. Kim is worried about Rabbits being left outside...

4. I never thought I would have such a great time crying all weekend!!

3. I need to have more weekend away to rejuvenate and reflect on my family.

2. Scrapbookers are really the nicest women in the world. Get a group of scrapbookers in a room and no one knows each other and you would have thought they were friends forever!!

1. I have really great friends!!!

My kids can't wait for me to leave.. their helping me get the van packed

Late night scrapbooking!! Kim's excited to be there!!!

Kim and I trying to find the WARRIOR side!!!

May Long!!!

2009-05-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

The view from the farm

Is it true... is summer FINALLY coming?

As a kid May long weekend always singled to me that summer holidays were almost here, only a month and 1/2 of school left then two whole months of doing nothing!!!!

Now as a mom I look at it different... Now it's ONLY a month and 1/2 till the kids are out of school for two WHOLE months..... I love having the kids home all day for summer, but it can get wearing. Good thing we live in a Lake community and we spend almost the whole summer at the lake!

Our May Long Weekend was an eventful one this year. We drove up to my mother-In-Laws farm in Sundre on Saturday morning. The kids were soooooo excited they love going to the farm!

Ben saying Hi to Grandma!

We had a great day playing on the tramp, riding the Gator and the ATV, meeting the new horses and donkey's that have come to the farm. We also saw the the baby fox's and the mom that hide under one of the houses.

Then the eventful part came. While Tracy and I were getting the kids ready to go home, my Father-in-Law decided to take our truck to get gas, so we didn't have to stop on the way home. While I appreciate the gesture.... he hit a deer on the way there and wrecked the front of the truck! He was fine a little shaken up and felt really bad, but fine. The deer died and our truck has over $3000.00 damage to it( if we're lucky). Good thing Tracy works in a body shop!

We had an unexpected sleepover at the farm.. The kids loved it!!! The next morning Tracy was able to fix the truck enough to get it home and we're home safe and sound.

Overall it was a great weekend I took a TON of pictures of the kids and the kids and a BLAST!!! that's all that really counts

I hope everyone had a great May long and is home safe and sound!

Presentation of the Cheque!

2009-05-18T14:52:00.001-07:00

Kaitlin, Ben and I were up at the hospital to present the Crop 4 Kids cheque to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

We were up there at the end of April, but... someone set my camera to RAW format and I just now was able to re-format the pictures into .jpeg.

Crop 4 kids was such a great time! I'm so glad I was able to do it, I know it sounds corny but it was a life changing event for me. We spend so much time at the hospital it was so great to do something to give back. The money that was raised at Crop 4 kids is going towards Storybook Theatre performing at the hospital. I'm so thrilled that we were to raise the money to have the performers come and entertained the kids. I hope it will bring a smile to the kids faces that are facing so much and help them forget for maybe just one minute that they are in the hospital.

That's a wrap!

2009-05-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

The best ladies to work for... even though I've heard rumors about TONS of rules!

Yesterday the lovely Kimberly invited the Monday night class team out to her farm for a photo session. What a blast we had!

The ever so talented Allison Orthner was our photographer for the day and what an awesome job she did. check out her blog at www.allisonorthner.blogspot.com she has an amazing picture of Kimberly on it.

The Monday Night Class team knows how to have fun, even if it was cold, and windy out.

The "Crew" waiting for our next instructions

In my mad rush to get out the door I forgot to grab my camera so Kimberly took a few pictures to document our "Photo shoot".

I was "trying" to work it.. look out America's next top model here I come...

This Picture is for Tracy. Because I knew if I told him there were old trucks out there he would ask me a million questions about them, so I had Kim send me a pictures so he could just look at them himself.

OMG

2009-05-13T10:02:00.001-07:00

I love the Biggest Loser show. Last night was the season finally and what a great show, I can not believe the dedication the contestants show the oldest contestant 63 year old Jerry lost 177 lbs. WOW!!!!! That gives me a kick in the butt, if he can change his old habits I should be able too???
Tracy and the kids know I love Jillian, so they gave me Jillian Micheal's workout for the WII for my Birthday and OMG I am sore today!!! but I did it again today and she kicked my butt again. She yells at you to keep going I just imagine she's behind me yelling at me!!!
we'll see if I can move tomorrow.. maybe I'll do Yoga?

On another note:
I'm excited to announce that I booked the location for Crop 4 Kids for next year!! Save the Date... March 20, 2010. I have so much to do before then, but it is soooooo worth it when I see how much fun everyone has and when I had the donation cheque to the hospital, I get all chocked up ( I think a few tears came to my eye when I gave all the money to them this year). A few of us are planning a Crop 4 the cure for the fall so stay tuned for more details.... www.scrap4it.ca

I better get to bed, all of us lovely ladies from Monday Night Class are having our picture taken tomorrow, I don't want bags under my eyes.. or bigger bags then I already have.

I'm done I'm done..

2009-05-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to finish my layouts for Monday Night Class and I'm DONE...check them out

Watch for them coming soon....

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

What a great day here in Calgary, the sun is finally shinning and the kids can get outside to play & we can finally fire up the backyard fire pit!!! I love a good wiener roast

Uncle Matt in the bouncy house!!!

My mom and aunt sent me this link from CNNBC who knew I was Mother of the year!!! lol

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=e4VnrW2Hqk3kdSIPpUoCgTI4ODU5MzM-&referred_by=16283397-8B_U9Bx&p=moveon

I hope every Mom out there had a terrific Mothers Day!!!

It's one of the hardest job's in the world but worth every Kiss & Hug I get!

Ben's Big Day!!!

2009-05-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

The day finally came!!!! Ben's infection has cleared and he was given to green light to have his PICC line taken out. YEAH!!!!!!

The poor little one had one more hurtle to go over.. getting the PICC line out!!!!

I've never heard him scream so hard it broke my heart. The nurse kept telling me it will be ok, he's so young he won't remember this....

Little does she know his mother is a crazy scrapbooker, and I've taken pictures of the journey so he will remember it! I just hope he doesn't remember the pain.

Death by Chocolate Crop

2009-05-08T08:36:00.001-07:00

What better way to celebrate National Scrapbook month then a Death by Chocolate Crop!!!! Join me on the Last Saturday of the month (May 30th) and dare to be put in a chocolate coma!!!
RSVP to Scrap4it@gmail.com

Happy National Scrapbook Day!!!!!

2009-05-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

Kim's excited it's National

Scrapbook DAY!!!
Did you know that yesterday was National Scrapbook day? What did you do for the day?

I enjoyed a f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s day with Allison and the GBC scrapbookers.

I had a hard time getting anything done...... Kim made me laugh too much & I talked too much with everyone!!!

Christy Looking sexy as always

This is the layout I tried to work on all day!!!

The wonderful Christine aka Craft diva, doing the make n' take

This is how a rolled yesterday!!!! Yes all my scrapbooking supplies fit into a smart car!!!

wow it's been a while!!!!

2009-05-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

I was so busy updating the Crop 4 kids blog site and web site I forgot about my own... so now it's time to get back to me...

It's been a long month. I know some of you have been asking about Ben. so here's the scoop...

At the end of March ( 3 days before Crop 4 Kids) Ben went in for surgery to have a PICC line put into his arm so he could get IV antibiotics 24 hours a day. He was so amazing. I am soooooo proud to have a son that can go though so much at such a young age and still have such a smile on his face!

Everything was going great with is line and him getting his antibiotics. Every day he would come and sit in the living room and get his line changed. I know lot more about nursing than I ever wanted too...

Then it happened, the thing they told me hardly ever happens.... his line broke.....

On beautiful Tuesday morning, my lovely husband had just left for work when I hear..... MOM!!!!!! I see Megan and Ben at the end of my bed(it's 6am), Megan has Ben's line in her hand and Ben is no longer attached to it. I jump out of Ben and spring into auction. Remembering what they told me to do... "If anything ever happens to his line just put heparin in it and come to the hospital." It wasn't till I was half way back up the stairs that I realised the line that the Heparin is suppose to go into to.. is in my hand.. what do I do now!!!! I hear the MOM!!!! scream again when reach my bed room there is blood all over my bed, Blood is now coming out of Ben's line... So I did what every mom does... I called my mommy....

So to make a long story short we got him to the hospital and we tried to repair the line. but after 24 hours he had to go back into the OR and have a new line put in. Once again my brave little 3 year old was a trooper. He had not eaten anything since the night before, and they finally got him back into the OR at 5pm... he kept screaming he wanted scrambled eggs.... when he woke up from the OR the first thing that came out of his mouth was "Can I have scrambled eggs now?"

Fast forward to the End of April.. We made it!!!!

He's done 4 weeks of caring around a 20lb backpack 24hrs a day.....

we were at the hospital on Wednesday and we have stopped his IV but.. they have kept his line in just in case his infection comes back.... lets cross our fingers it doesn't....

we'll keep you posted...

Ben walking the halls of the hospital with his back pack

One of our favorite nurses in the ID clinic

Ben getting his x-ray to make sure

everything is in place

What a great day!!!

2009-02-28T11:04:00.001-08:00

I appeared on the Global Saturday Morning show this morning!!!

It was so much fun. I thought I'd be nervous but I wasn't at all. It was great to promote Crop 4 Kids!

Speaking of Crop 4 kids, everything is coming into place. The count down starts today we have one month till the MEGA event! I have to say I couldn't have done it with out my Partner Mary, she has been a life saver, her late night work on the web site is Very much appreciated.

We have the count down to Crop 4 Kids tonight, just a really fun event to count down to another fun event!!!

100 things to do before I kick it!!!

2009-02-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I found this list a while ago.
I thought it would be a good way to start my new blog!!
The ones in bold I've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
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 ............ I will never do this one either !
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- no but I'd love to go to the Birthplace of Tracy's ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language-attempted, not considered succeeded
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke- on my first date with Tracy, a comedian made me get on stage and sing with him... go figure Tracy still married me!!!
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- does charcoal sketch count?
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- not intentionally
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.had a tour of 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
100. Read an entire book in one day

go ahead and ask yourself these questions. It's like a fabulous bucket list......