Wednesday, May 30, 2012

31 Things Day 3...Read




Day 3:  Read
Hello books, magazines, blogs.  Hello reading!  I think I love you.  I am a reader, an avid, avid reader.  There is basically no type of text I won’t read.  As a child I wanted to learn how to read more than anything.  I can remember being so disappointed after I didn’t learn how to read in Kindergarten.  But, good old first grade was different.  I read anything and everything.  I was reading at a fifth grade level by the end of the year.  I can remember reading the basal texts in my mom’s classroom.  I would read the texts from beginning to end after school while I waited for her to finish up her after school work.  It didn’t matter if it was “Go, Dog, Go” text or the literature from the 5th grade text book.  I read it.  All my childhood, I spent the summers reading.  I would finish up a book a day.  I read through selling fireworks.  I read through troubles, I read through everything.  I finally got old enough to read my mom’s fiction books...Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and Dean Koontz.  In high school and college I savored every reading assignment...The Great Gadsby, 1984, Roll of Thunder...Hear My Cry, Harry Potter.  As an adult, I have read most of Oprah’s book club books.  I don’t care what genre you throw at me.  I will read it.  Currently, my most favorite books are the Sookie Stackhouse Chronicles.  I have read and reread that series...twice.  I am into Vampire/Supernatural romance right now.  I just read 50 Shades of Grey...the banned book.  I loved it...devoured the trilogy in a matter of days.  In my opinion, reading is not to be censored.  Even good old Mark Twain with his “N” words should never be changed.  Writing is a gift and an insight to times.  I would never want to deprive my children of that.  To learn from type, from words.  Reading is POWER and KNOWLEDGE.  It is how we learn things, cherish things, grow more tolerant.
Reading is fundamental in our daily lives.  That is why as a teacher  it is a cornerstone in my classroom.  I teach 6 and 7 year olds, but we read.  We learn about life and characters and feelings.  We learn so much through books.  I am always filled with pride at the end of each year when my students can talk about courage and sacrifice and point out characters and people in history that they learned it from.  They choose reading in their downtime when they finish work or they choose to write in their writers workshop journals.  My love of print and reading has inspired them to pick up a book or to write a story that someone else will read.  
My children, my personal children, as I call them, love books.  Wolfie stays up late at night reading.  He reads and reads and reads.  Maddie had a bit of trouble with fluency, but he knows how much I love reading and picked mysteries to bring home because that is what I like to read.  JoJo on the other hand, is a different case.  He has a short attention span for books.  He won’t sit very long through a book, unless it involves tractors.  
Most of my reading, I do on my phone, Mariphone.  I have the Nook App downloaded onto it.  That way, I have my books with me where ever I go.  I can also purchase new books where ever I am.  That is both a good thing and a bad thing.  Good because it gives me instant gratification and bad because it costs money.  

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

31 Things Day 2: Morning Routine



Day 2:  Morning Routine
Hello Coffee.  I love you.  It doesn’t matter if it’s summer, or school, or Saturday or Sunday.  I must have my coffee.  If it’s a school day, then I make the coffee and get a thermal cup for school.  If it’s a weekday or summer, I get my cup and savor it.  I love to feel the hot cup in my hands.  I relax or just sit by the computer and work on photo editing or check emails.
School Routine| If it’s a school day.  The alarm goes off at 5:20.  Then, I hit the snooze three times.  Shameful, I know but true.  I check my phone to see if I have any texts from Erik or my dad because they text me sometimes in the morning.  Next thing is the shower.  A very hot shower.  
After the shower, I get dressed and blow dry my hair.  Then it’s time for makeup.  I try to be completely ready to go before 6:10.  That’s when I get the boys up.  The boys get up.  I layout their clothes on the couch.  Sometimes they are very grumpy and sometimes they are very cheerful and eager to get the day going.  Those grumpy days are not that fun and they usually involve a lot of whining.  We leave the house at 6:35 for school/work.  
On the way to work, Wolfie usually falls asleep again and sometimes Maddie does too.  JoJo usually says, “Mom, Mom, Mom”  over and over.  I try to listen to the radio in the meantime 95.5 KLAQ.  I have been listening to the morning show since college, and sometimes it might not be exactly appropriate for children but it is part of my youth.  I am holding onto it.  Somewhere along the way, Erik calls me to tell me about his night.  I drop JoJo off at Estela’s house.  Estela watches him all day.  She is a Godsend to us. Then, Wolfie and Maddie and I head to school.  We have to be there by 7:15.  Wolfie heads to his classroom, Maddie rushes to the cafeteria and I run to my room to put my things away.  Then I run to the cafeteria, say hello to Mrs. Smith the assistant principal, the cafeteria ladies, and the kids.  And start my day whatever excitement it may hold.

Monday, May 28, 2012

31 Things...Day 1




Day one
I’m not a big jewelry girl.  I really never have been.  As a young girl I begged to get my ears pierced.  I got them pierced when I was 5 and then I found out the hard way that I was allergic to anything but gold posts.  I could never wear the cute little trendy earrings of my 80’s generation.  Insert sad sigh…not so much...At the time this wasn’t the case.  I also could never keep a pair of earrings.   I lost pretty much every pair.  In fact, now as an adult I wear a pair of small diamond earrings with screw on posts.  I lost the other half to the previous diamond pair without them.  Lesson learned.
I wear two rings.  Of course, the most important is the ring I recently got for our ten year anniversary.  My first ring, my wedding ring, is tucked into a little box that Maddie made me for Mother’s Day last year.  The other ring I wear, is a silver band from the Atocha.  The Atocha,  as in the ship that sank in 1622 off the coast of Florida.  My mom bought me the ring when I was in middle school, maybe.  I don’t know I’ve had it forever.  The treasure hunters had a display at a local jewelry store and that is how we got it.
I don’t change jewelry daily, or to match my outfits.  I’m not sure why.  I just don’t have that much interest in it.  I’m not a big change sort of person.  Once I like something, I pretty much keep it.  And I guess that would hold true for daily life too.  My friends, I have a few really good ones that I’ve had for ages.  I’ve been ordering the same meal at a La Posta since I was three years old.  So, I guess I keep it simple, and choose pieces that are important to me.    

Sunday, May 27, 2012

How Smashing

I had a busy photography weekend...which was nice to try and get things back to normal after everything with JoJo.  Keeping a four year old on bed rest is proving to be quite difficult.  And I find that I am really emotional about this whole thing.  And I feel weird about that, because he is okay.  Things could have been worse.  But it's still so surreal.  (Also, I used some really bad grammar-conjunctions at the beginning of a lot of sentences.  Sorry).  Anyhow, I did photograph this little cutie and I just wanted to share a few photos.




Saturday, May 26, 2012

A Little Card


This card started out innocently enough.  I put the little tag on it, and the butterflies.  And it felt like something was missing.  So I figured there was nothing left to lose and started stamping all over it.  It actually looks pretty good in person.  Which goes to show that you can always make something out of nothing, right?  Happy Saturday!

Friday, May 25, 2012

I still exist

JoJo had to go back to the hospital on Wednesday.  He threw up and we took him back to the ER and they transported us back to El Paso.  We got home last night.  He is on bed rest for two weeks.  If we can keep him contained.  He was pointing out the dog poop to Erik today in the yard.  Then he went in and took a nap because that was exhausting work apparently.

It is summer!!!!!!  I will try to get everything caught up...Week in the Life, Project Life for April and May, and my 31 Things, oh and all of the photos that need to be edited.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.  They really mean a lot to our family.  Returning to school today (on the last day) was wonderful and overwhelming.  We have such a caring staff and they all asked about him.  I will be up and running soon.

And also here is the sneak peek for the June Memory Works Kit....see that's scrapbooking related :)


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Everything


Everything came to a halt on Saturday afternoon.  The world stopped, as least my world did.  The small little space that my family and I hold on this whole big place.  JoJo fell out of the shopping cart at Sam’s and hit the concrete floor.  I was around the corner, Erik was next to the cart but he wasn’t fast enough to catch him.  I heard the most sickening thud in my life.  I knew instantly he wasn’t right.  I could just tell by his color and the the limpness in the way he grabbed me.  When he falls and cries, he grabs me hard.  There was no fierceness to his grasp.  Erik checked him immediately, felt his head for soft spots, turned his head towards the light to see if his pupils were responsive.  And they were.  The first words out of my mouth were, he’s not right.  He just kept on crying and crying.  When we got to the car, he told me he was going to take a little nap.  I told him no, and I told Erik to go to the Emergency Room.  On the way, he told me that his tummy hurt...meaning he was going to be sick.  Long story short, he had a skull fracture and a small brain bleed.  Who would think something like that could happen?  And then almost sheer panic sets in when they tell you they will be airlifting him by helicopter to the pediatric ICU.  They didn’t get a helicopter after all, he went by ambulance.  We spent our weekend in Pediatric ICU.  
And so we missed the eclipse, something I was looking forward too, and we will have to pay a lot of money, I’m sure.  But it means NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING.  I have EVERYTHING.  My boy is okay.  He is home.  I am watching him like a hawk.  I get to hear his sweet little voice.  He started calling me Mommy again, I’m not sure why.  And I will worry over him.  Erik will worry over him.  But we were so incredibly lucky.  And we are lucky to have people in our lives who helped us.  My mom and Josh took the boys.  Auntie Val stayed with us at the ICU and brought us food, and shower items.  My dad brought clothes that my mom packed for us.  Our friends and family, worried and prayed.  My work was wonderful, and my friend Pam too.  I haven’t had to worry about school.
I have EVERYTHING.  I have my family, a little damaged, but whole.  I have family and friends that step up when I need them.  We have everything, and we are blessed, and lucky, and thankful.  So very, very thankful.  

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

31 Things

Tomorrow, I am going to embark on a journey of words with Ali Edwards and her class, 31 Things.  You can find this class at Big Picture Scrapbooking.  The cost of the class is $31.  This class is all about improving your writing skills, and writing about daily things/writing daily.  I can't wait to start.  And I will share what I write....as I get it done.  It really gets incredibly hectic around here.  Though, school is almost over and that will free up some time.  Thank Goodness.  Hope you all have a great night...and how about a photo from the graduation session I did tonight.  I can't leave a post without a picture.  It really irks me.



Monday, May 14, 2012

An Instagram Challenge...and a Mother's Day Weekend.

I guess, I should preface this post with the fact that I hardly used that fancy old dslr camera of mine.  And I have to admit that most times I am a camera snob.  I use my fancy camera for most events of life.  However, this weekend, our camera got left in the car and I didn't have it.  So I improvised with Mariphone...and Instagram.  Those two items go hand in hand, I tell you.


And, so, I am going to share my Instagram photos from the weekend.  And I am going to tell you that it was a breath of fresh air to do so.  It was fun to mix it up.  And I am CHALLENGING YOU to take a day of your life and use only your cell phone photos.  Please share the links in the comment section if you decide to partake.  I will surely visit your post.  

I also have to say that I had the BEST Mother's Day. It started on Friday.  Erik kept the older boys home as it was half day and I didn't have child care for them.  They all cleaned the house, went to the store, and bought me flowers.  


Saturday, we decided to head up to our hometown to go to the lake and do some fishing.











 May Self-portrait...with no makeup and windblown hat hair.


 The fish JoJo reeled in but would have nothing to do with for a photo op.

Wolfie's fish...he has all the luck.  He caught the biggest one.
 This photo took place shortly after the previous photo, and after Erik said this is the calmest storm I've ever seen...as in 30 seconds later we got pounded by a thunderstorm with heavy rain and hail.  We had to wait it out on the lake.  This is the photo I took from the shore before we decided to do a little more fishing.  This is my favorite of the entire weekend.

Our dinner...you eat what you kill.  It's our rule.

 Stevie Wonder...AKA...Rolf who is too stubborn to get prescription glasses so he uses these enhanced glasses from Walgreens or wherever, even if they're sunglasses and it's dark in the house.  

The absolute best message I could ever receive.  I love my dad beyond words and I have seen him grow and change so much since the birth of my children.   He has made me everything that I am.  This meant the absolute world to me.

 JoJo operating the Kubota on his own.  Uncle Kriss turned it over to him and watched him while he worked...along with Uncle Mike and the rest of us.  (The video and photos are on my "fancy" camera.) I told my Dad JoJo was running the Kubota on his own...expecting that might be alarming to a person.  A four year old on heavy equipment.  All my dad said was...at least he can't hit my house.  And that kid loves those things. (tractors...he's obsessed)  And that's when you know that he's a true grandparent.

 JoJo standing in his hole.  It was actually pretty deep.
Me and my Grandma.  She is the most beautiful person I have ever meant.  She is so sweet and kind.  I love her so much.

And so I guess I have to say that I had a great weekend.  It was one of the best Mother's Days I've ever had.  And I can't believe I used a cell phone to document most of it.  Thank you, Mariphone...you rock :)  I hope all of you who are mothers had a great, great day.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I Heart Faces/Hey Girl...



This week's theme...or month's theme at I heart faces is "Hey Girl"  I love this photo.  I love the colors, I love the mountains, and I love the girl...she's my friend and she's expecting a baby girl in June.  I made her boyfriend pull over on the side of the road so I could take this picture.  And that is really just how blue the sky is against my favorite purple mountains.

Have a good day!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Quick Card...and this and that...

I made this card...super quick for Maddie's birthday.  Though, you wouldn't think my office would look like a bomb went off in it.  As an update, I am ordering prints for my Week in the Life layouts, and for my Project Life layout for April.  I'm combining the two together.  

On another note, I have been taking photos like crazy.  I've been editing and burning photos to CD's around here.  This is not leaving much time for crafting.  I do have to say, that I am thoroughly enjoying the picture taking/editing.  Here are just a few photos that I've taken.













I have more words of wisdom to share...ok it's actually my blabbering on.  But I'll do it in another post.  Have a good night.  I'm off to make some fresh salmon...yum!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Week in the Life Day 7

Saturday, April 28:

Today was a lazy, busy Saturday.  That is an oxymoron, I know.  I got up about 8 o'clock.  Erik slept in a bit later because he cannot seem to sleep at night.  Thanks graveyard schedule.  The boys were up and ready to go.  I went to the store and got groceries.  We relaxed for the rest of the day.  For dinner we had a small cajun feast...crab legs, corn on the cob and potatoes.  After dinner, we had a movie night with the kids...Puss in Boots and then Thor.  I'm not going to lie.  I may or may not have read an entire novel that day.


The absolute thrill on Woflie's face about dinner.






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