hailey & a different note... or two

Tonight was the 9th Grade Merit & Honors Dinner.

To qualify for the Merit Award at our Jr. High- you have to apply. The application is divided up into different areas that you receive points in. Such as 10 points for musical theatre, service points, academic points, sports points...etc. Each applicant needs at least 50 points. Points can only be earned their 9th grade year. Students also need to have a teacher support their application. Hooray for Hailey who had more than enough points to qualify!!

Hailey is an absolute joy!

She is talented in many, many ways- especially music.

Her & her BFF have been writing & singing music together & it is Fantastic!

(video to come- if she will let me?)

She's a lot of fun to be around & that's sayin' a lot considering she's ...... fifteen- rough age- to say the least. I feel so privileged to be her mom- lucky me!! She is a daughter who is easy to love.

On a different note-

today was our last creative day of the school year- yes on a Wednesday- some of us had conflicting schedules tomorrow. Thank heavens we brought our calendars & planned on meeting throughout the summer- with & with out kids. I am so glad & think I'll survive the summer now. We met here at my house & it was so fun to have the preschoolers playing with the dogs & playdoh & bubbles (I miss preschoolers.) WEnde took some pictures, as soon as she posts them I will stick one here.

On another different note-

Our phone & internet line has been down for a little more than 24 hours- OH MY GOSH- this has been rough for me. It's like taking heroin from an addict. I was a mess this morning, not being able to have my morning reading & email checking. Funny how I got the painted floor scrubbed, a load of laundry done, picked up & made bread for our lunch...? hmmm- maybe my time should be used more wisely on a regular basis? Ouch- reality hurts.

On another different note-

Today is Linda -my wonderful neighbor's birthday! I made cupcakes for her surprise party which was darling- just like her!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA

On another different note-

graduation announcements are finally out- fewww- (just a million & one things going on this month) We are on the single digit count down to school being out. I don't know about you- but this school year has flown by!

I don't like change, but I love cupcakes

A couple of weeks ago my wonderful friend & neighbor Linda sent over these darling, delicious cupcakes! I was going to blog about them... but there were too many school things on my mind.

***

Now that summer is officially here- I am slipping down into the dumps. It's raining, my schedule has completely changed. I have no where to go, but tons of stuff to do that I don't want to do. It all comes down to this...

I just don't like change.

Since change is such a guarantee in this life, I really need to get over it.

These cupcakes are really over the top amazing. Kind of like Linda herself. She's one of the most creative, amazing people I have ever met- she's truly a nice person & cute too! I feel like a better person having her for my friend. Coconut lemon cupcakes mmmm. NOtice the homemade lemon curd in the middle- Linda- WOW!! I feel so blessed & lucky to have such great women in my life. My family, my friends.
This weekend there was a death in my husband's family. A cousin's son died of a drug overdose. Last night I found out a good friend whom I haven't seen in a while, her husband has cancer & it's not looking too good. Her kids are the same ages as my middle four. They were bestest friends & we spent many a summer together back in my water park days. I feel so overwhelmed with saddness for them. I sent a card this morning.
What to do?
All I know is I have been reminded to make the most of all the time I have on this earth- love others- be the best I can be- and love myself enough to let that be good enough.

This is a really weird post, I know. Some deep thoughts to go along with cupcakes.
How's your summer going?

Card Making Class

Yesterday Linda & I braved the weather & drove 45 minutes south to take a card making class we signed up for weeks ago. I was so disappointed when the weather forecast was for 18" of snow by morning, but then went down to 6" by morning, then guess what --- there was no snow in the morning. Don't get me wrong, it came (3-4 inches) but not until we were sitting in Archiver's making these cuties. Archiver's has stores all over the country. If there is one near you- go & sign up for a class. It was so much fun. We used all sorts of ridiculously cool products that I would never buy myself. I just don't scrap that much- even the cards I make... really these products are fun. Specialty tape, ink, new cutting tools, all kinds of cool stuff.
I tell you what. It's a good thing it's 45 minutes away. Yes, we have closer shops, but somehow this one just has it all...

and it's just up the street from Megan's apartment. So after school she met us for lunch at Jason's Deli.
Wow- another great find. Wende has recommended it but there isn't one close so this was my first time there.

The trip home was definitely ICY & WINDY. But we made it. It took a little longer than the trip down but Linda has 4 wheel drive & there wasn't any traffic so it was okay.
Fun day. Now I have to get back to work.

Many Gifts

This morning my dear friend Karen (who never leaves comments on my blog ;) ) stopped by with some Christmas goodies! What a joy!! She even brought my mail in which was so nice since I am still in my pajamas wrapping gifts in a huge pile of paper, ribbons & packages.

I love Karen. She is such a dear friend. She understands me or at least pretends to. She introduced me to blogging even though she doesn't really keep up on her private blog. She has the most darling family & extended family in the world- she's so lucky- and her husband is so great that he has left TWO COMMENTS on my blog this week!! My own husband- whom I love, yes I do- never reads my blog. I guess he's livin' it so, whatever.

In the mail that Karen so graciously brought up to keep me from neighborhood shame were many Christmas cards & a package from my sister in law with some of these!

I didn't even know Ghirardelli made these in small squares. I love the big ones and sent one to her for her November birthday. She loves peppermint for some odd reason I always remember that &... so do I all of the sudden. I took a picture of them but it won't down load....?
Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is one of my favorite places in the world to visit I love San Francisco.

Last week Linda brought me this delightful package...

We are true Grobanites. We have seen him in concert together twice. I was thrilled to get this CD since I refuse to buy anymore CD's since a little red head I know KEEPS BREAKING THEM!!! Is this the greatest way to wrap a CD or what? It's a little pocket of paper decorated. I am going to store it in this pocket always, it will remind me every time I listen to it that she gave it to me. It's a fabulous CD by the way.

Also- last week this met me at a Community Council meeting. I had mentioned to Wende how much I loved her pen and look what she sent to me! So thoughtful.

Busy Days

I haven't posted in a while. I have had some busy days.

Monday was supposed to be catch up day. But, I didn't get much done.

Lately I am feeling stressed & overwhelmed.Why... well just the usual, son leaving on mission, daughter dating someone I hardly know- "seriously," I met with Trent's teacher- he's doing well, but she (just as his first grade teacher) thinks he needs to be tested for Asberger's Syndrome. I am setting that up.

Motherhood~ what can I say?

Brian the missionary in waiting has a fever.

This morning- just after everyone left for school- I heard the lock turn on the front door. Jack was back- naucious. Hailey walked in this afternoon "achy." Chloe has a headache.

Max did get a haircut though- itsn't he cute?

I went to work... here is me & my good friend Linda the AMAZING cook & caterer.

I recycled tons of paper & card board. Looks like I need to make a new sign.

This afternoon the girls have piano group classes.

(do you think I need a new windshield?)

Hailey will want to kill me when she sees I snuck in a picture of her.
I am trying to help chloe with her math homework before her class, but she is really crabby about it so I am not going to take a picture.

*do you get stressed even over good things with your kids?

*are you having busy days lately?

*do you have a child with difficulties?