365 days

365 days ago I was 15 weeks pregnant and was laid off from my job of nearly 5 years. I was nervous, somehow excited and hopeful for new changes.

6 days ago I accepted a position at the YWCA- Wausau as the Marketing/Communications & Fundraising Director. I am so excited! It's as if the position were tailor made for me. I am thrilled to be working for an organization that shares similar goals and philosophies that I do. I start Sept. 7.

I feel very blessed to have found a job that I'm excited about. It's really tough out there.

It has been a whirlwind year. Spending loads of time with Bennet and Scout. Welcoming Ellie to the world and our family. Trying to keep ends meeting. Nick working extra hard to make that happen. Enjoying lazy days. Adapting to being a SAHM for the first time.

I have loved being home with Ellie for the first 7 months of her life. I only had 6 weeks with the big girls and have been spoiled. I will always look back on my year of unemployment with mixed emotions but am ready for the next challenge.

Matt & Bennet- Paper Bag Mini

Here's another sample I made for ScrapFreaks FREE online class: Cherished Memories

I made this paper bag mini to highlight Bennet's special relationship with her Uncle Matt or as she calls him- Uncle Beer.

Although it doesn't have a lot of journaling I did a little interview with her about her thoughts on Matt and included her words. I will be adding additional photos and journaling into the pockets as time goes by.

I love you- I love you- I love you

This month I contributed to the journaling portion of the monthly Freaky Friday Storytelling Challenge at ScrapFreak.

I am a firm believer that the story behind the photos is just as important as the photos themselves. My challenge to you this month is to create a page with at least 60 words of journaling. It's as simple as that. I know it will be hard for some of you- but I'm pushing the envelope! Handwritten or computer journaling is fine. Get over there and get to it!!


TITLE: I love you I love you I love you
Journaling: I'm not going to lie. At 4 1/2 you test my patience daily. I try not to yell, but I do. You are a great kid but I wish you could listen more. But no matter how much we clash I love you for who you are & who you're becoming. You and I will have our moments but we'll always have each other.
Product: October Afternoon paper & alpha, Maya Road rub on, Heidi Grace rub on, Cosmo Cricket alpha

Cherished Memories- This Place

It's a new month which means we're unveiling our FREE online class: Cherished Memories at ScrapFreak.

This month the push is to get you to document those special memories! This means thinking, planning a bit, and journaling. But it does not mean things have to be serious or deep. Its any memory that you really been wanting to document and are willing to take the time to really capture the details or emotions around it.

Details of the Class
The main focus of the class is the topic - cherished memories. Your host, Bree, will post lots of ideas on several topic areas to get you thinking. Then you have the month to decide what memories you want to document.

I provided a sample for the prompt- PLACE. As soon as I saw the list of prompts I knew I wanted to document what the cabin means to me.

TITLE: This Place
Journaling: It’s the place that I fell for Nick when we started dating. It’s the place that I found out I was going to become a Mom for the 1st & 3rd time. The place that I unplug & escape to. It’s the place that makes me slow down & soak up my family. The place that holds some of my fondest memories of the last 9 years. The cabin is so much more than just a place. It’s an
integral part of the story of us. it’s the place.

Product: Bazzill Kraft, Cosmo Cricket paper, October Afternoon paper and alpha, Heidi Grace rub on, American Crafts brads

WooHoo Wednesday- Popsicle Stick Frames

I recently did some cleaning, organizing and purging of my scrapbook studio. When all was said and done I ended up with a large bundle of popsicle sticks from various rubon packages. At my niece Nicole's grad party Bennet was admiring her popsicle stick frame. I saw that bundle of sticks and the lightbulb went off!

I set the girls up with a bucket full of goodies to use on their sticks- googly eyes, bling, glitter, ribbon, colored pencils, markers, feathers. . .

I hot glued magnets to the backs so we can put them on the fridge.

Wordless Wednesday- Our Sunshine

ScrapFreak August Sketch

Each month Amy at ScrapFreak provides us with a fantastic sketch. This month is no exception. It's based off of a layout created by Monica- the MamaFreak! I was asked to provide a sample and here is what I came up with. Head on over and give it a try!

TITLE: Sun & Fun
Journaling: If you had your way you would spend every day of the summer at the Splash Pad. You are always soaked and smiling within seconds. july 2010

Product: Sassafras Lass paper & alpha, October Afternoon paper, Basic Grey paper, American Crafts rub on, Scenic Route alpha, Bella Blvd. alpha