don't even think about it...

trying to steal my mojo that is! I have been on a bit of a scrapbooking roll lately. Whatever's been holding me back is gone...for now! I've so enjoyed the process and the end results as late. I had a blast participating in an online crop at pick of the patch. The ladies there really know how to host a funfilled event. The challenges they came up with were awesome. Some completely out of my comfort zone, which is why I guess they are called challenges, right? I posted some of my favs here and others in my gallery, if you'd like to check them out.

Happy scrappin' .

better late than never...

Sorry it's been awhile but I've been busy. Not only do I have the boys' schedules to worry about and the fact that I am working a bit now, I also have Brian's stuff to look after too. I wasn't aware that when I became his wife, it simultaneously meant I was his secretary too...hehehe. On top of all that, my scrabooking mojo decided to return. I have been scrappin away a little but everyday and having so much fun with what I am creating. I've wanted to scrapbook, a lot over the last year or so but when I've made/had the time, I just couldn't. Call it scrappers block if you will, but I think it's also had a lot to do with all of the changes in my life over the last year and a half. I also think that part of me was so caught up in making every layout or project 'perfect" that I lost touch with how much I love creating and it was too much self induced "pressure". I've decided that I don't care who else likes my work, I do and so does my family and that is all the reassurance I need anymore. Relieving myself of the "every page has to be perfect" syndrome had been so liberating. I am having so much fun with the stuff I have been working on and I finding that more and more ideas are almost oozing from my pores as I find myself writing ideas down in my inspiration journal daily. Now, I just need to continue making time for them all!!

It took a bit to get it posted, but here it is for those of you that have been wanting to see it: the Oilers mini album I made of reilly's first NHL game with Uncle Neil. I used a MR coffee break book, copper/white/blue paint and their tickets (the front cover is one of them). I am wanting to add an Oilers logo sticker to each page, but need to get into the city first to buy some. Reilly loves it! I'll probably make one for my brother too, or do an explosion box for him with the same pics.

Miss Laura....who me?

Well, I survived my first day teaching preschool today. One of the hardest things for me to prep for was what I wanted the kids to call me. I didn't want them to call me Mrs. 'so and so' because to me that is my mother in law and I wasn't comfortable with "teacher Laura", so I asked some great friends and the conclusion was, "Miss Laura". It still sounds funny to me....it'll take some getting used to. Overall, it was a good day mixed with a few moments of, "Oh no, now what am I going to do?" It is going to be a learning process and I may need to make a few adjustments as the days go on. I hope the kids and parents are willing to give the program and the changes a chance, as it will be the kids that benefit. I am excited to go back on Thursday,I hope the kids are too!
I got to see my Grandma today...she is visiting at my Uncles so the kids and I drove the hour to see her. Normally it is a 10 hour drive to her house, so I was much happier to make this trip.
Not too much else really going on...watching American Idol tonight as we all like to see the bad singers...man they are showing a lot of them this time! Tomorrow is hopefully going to be a scrap day for me. That's it, that's all...for now.

{rediscovering} the girl in me...

Over the last few months, I've been focusing a bit more on me. I am not trying to be selfish, the boys and Brian are still my priority, but I need to make more time for me. The boys are older now, so it's a bit easier to make that time. Perhaps the biggest change I've made lately is diet and excercise...this time with some fabulous results so far. I really believe that being overweight has factored into me really not feeling feminine. I didn't feel good in my clothes, or my own skin for that matter, but that is changing...slowly. Since losing 20lbs, I am beginning to get that girlie feeling....for those of you who know me for real...that's scary, I'm sure...LOl. Anyway, this scrapbook page is part of the journey I am on.
Thanks to Tammy @ love2scrap.

time flies...

It's been awhile, I know. I have no idea where the time has gone. Life is just busier than usual lately. Between getting back into the swing of things after Christmas break, prepping for my new job that starts next week and having the kids home for the last 2 days because of the deep freeze we're in, it's been hectic. Plus, today I was totally selfish and scrapbooked. I had 2 pages done by 10am and a third almost complete. I finally decided on my 'word' for the Ali challenge, so I guess that should be next on my list to complete. The mini album for Reilly's Oilers game is also complete...just trying to figure out the best way to post it. I am really happy with it, more importantly, he LOVES it!! I have been really feeling my creative mojo the last couple of days...scrapbooking is almost all I can think about. I'll have to stifle it a bit though as tomorrow I am off to the city and over the weekend Reilly has a hockey tournament out of town. At least I should get some great pics for his scrapbook!! Well, life is calling, so I should run for now. Will be back soon to post my mini album. Take care everyone. Thanks for popping by :)

go OILERS go!!

This was Reilly's first ever NHL game, Oilers vs. Dallas. He was soooo excited all week, he couldn't even describe his feelings. Uncle Neil had tickets 8 rows behind Roloson...what a view!! We went out for pregame supper @ BP's and then Reilly wanted the Pronger crossed off his jersey before he got to Rexall so people wouldn't tease him. They had am amazing time and my brother took some great pics, even of things I didn't ask him too, such as the jumbotron after the first Oiler goal :49 seconds into the game. I've already sketched out the idea for a mini album and am going to get the pics today!

the sweetest thing

I'd like to thank my friend and neighbor, Chrystal, for bringing over some cupcakes the evening of my birthday. She knew that noone in my house arranged for me to have cake, so she surprised me with these. I think it was a really sweet thing to do, and am happy to have friends like her.

a special thanks to my good friend, Jessi

for creating my new banner! I love it...the colors go great with my blog. It's not too girly for me either...hey Jess! (hehehe). Anyway, I wanted to tell everyone how much I love it and that I totally appreciate the time and effort you put into making it as a surprise for me. You are a fabulous friend and I am grateful to have you in my life.

in a nutshell

WOW...I can't believe how busy I/we've been over the last while. Since my last post, I spent the Friday before Christmas in the city shopping for a couple of last minute gifts and groceries...I was in Superstore for 2 hours buying food...I was kinda cranky by the time I got out of there @ 3:30 in the afternoon! Then Christmas Eve, we have special things we do on this night so that was busy. I won't even touch on Christmas Day...I was pretty much on my own, as the boys got a TON of Lego sets, so Brian was building in different bedrooms most of the day. Plus he got the Batmobile set that took him about 8 hours in total to build. It was nice to be home with just the 6 of us though. We spent Boxing day @ our neighbors having a backyard hockey tournament...sooo much fun! We potlucked supper over there too, had a blast. ad big plans to Maybe it'll become an annual event. I had big plans to scrapbook the rest of that week, while Brian was home but it didn't happen. I worked on a project here and there but didn't get it finished. New Years was AWESOME...our good friends, Jessi and Jason came up from Red Deer, and our neighbors came over. We had a fire and skated in the backyard for a bit and then spent the rest of the night eating, drinking and playing games. The kids all stayed up till past midnight too. I had bought one of those New Years Eve party in a box, with the hats, lays and horns. I bought sparling apple cocktail to drink from plastic champagne glasses. Finally went to bed @ 3:30 am!! Enjoyed a brunch in the morning and then we headed off to go skidooing and sledding for a few hours in the afternoon. I am deathly afraid of things like skidoos/quads (don't know why, just am). Zack (13) was taking my brothers skidoo for a drive, so I jumped on the back of it and asked him for a ride. I knew he would go slow for me! Well, we got stuck, so I jumped off, into very deep snow, to lift up the back end while he gave it some gas....we got it unstuck but the metal bar tied to the end of the rope for the kids to hang onto to get pulled up the hill...cut me off at the ankles and knocked me to the ground. I jarred my back in the fall...to everyone watching it looked pretty funny and they all laughed, until we got back and I showed them the instant bruise I had. It still hurts today and is a bit swollen. Good thing I don't start teaching preschool till next week!! I was feeling all proud of myself for trying something new and out of my comfort zone and then I get hurt. Next time, I am sticking to being the picture taker!!
Phew, I know that was a lot to catch up on, but that's basically it, in a nutshell!


so much fun on the 1st...here's a sampling. My Brother brought his skidoo and now the boys are hooked. Gavin wants one just his size!!









Happy New Year everyone....may 2007 bring you health & happiness and all that's best!



playing hockey @ the neighbors on Boxing Day


the boys were totally happy and excited with the gifts they got this year...even the ones they had to only look at a picture of because we couldn't actually get the gift. This is the case with the nintendo Wii (cannot find one anywhere) and Uncle Neil is buying htem a trampoline, but of course they are out of season right now so he gave them a picture of one too. They are old enough to understand so it makes it a bit easier. Brian and I couldn't believe that Gavin wanted to play with the box...all the cool things he got and he climbs in the box....what a goof!


After driving around town to look at lights, we came home, sprinkled Magic Reindeer food on the front lawn, put out the usual snack for Santa...homemade oreo's and coke and cuddled up on the couch to read our favorite book: Santa's Favorite Story. What I love most about reading this book to my kids year after year, is that my Mom used to read it to my brothers and I when we were kids. I was lucky enough to find a copy when my first child was born.
the boys enjoy cookie decorating and building our annual gingerbread house.