Puppies First Layout

Can't stop admiring Mr. Snicklefritz McGee... and taking a zillion photos (too many on my phone and not enough on my real camera. Note to self: photo shoot!) I just know that he will be big in a flash and we'll want to reflect back on these days when he was small and clumsy and silly. He's already gotten so much bigger!

I also decided to dedicate a couple of layouts to him already. Why not? He is sort of a family member, after all. Here's one....

So far he is a really great pup. He sleeps through the night without any problems... is relitively quiet during the day (except when we have company)... goes potty outside (mostly. #2, at least. tmi?)... doesn't mind spending time in his crate..... 

the big things we are trying to work on are no #1 accidents inside, and nipping/biting the kids. To be honest the nipping bothers me more. I know he's just being a puppy and is playing but I am worried this could continue for too long and be a problem down the road. Plus, the kids get really bummed out when he does it over and over and they can't seem to stop him. I can't always be there to intervene... I know it will all work out because we are working daily to make these things better and will talk to the vet to make sure we are on the right track. It all takes time and patience. In the mean time, who wouldn't fall in love with this face?!

American Crafts Dreams

Every year I try out for the American Crafts design team. Every year I fail to make it... (still hoping this is my year!... but, it's probably not since they said they would let the team know in early July and announce soon after)... I'm guessing I failed to make the cut. again.

But you know what? That's ok. I always say in life you never know unless you try, and sometimes you have to try, try again. AC is quite possibly my all time favorite scrapbook manufacturer. Certainly so, considering that they actually also now own Crate Paper, Studio Calico (the products, not the kits), & Pebbles Inc. If you follow this blog you know that these are my go to's. Anyway.

I've talked over and over about my love for American Crafts. But what I haven't talked about is how I try out for this team each and every year.... So I started this about 4 years ago, I think, maybe 3. (Ok, so not that many years, really.) 

I tried out because shortly after I began submitting my pages they were picked up for publications & it dawned on me.... hey, I love scrapbooking... someone likes my work enough to put it in their magazine.... maybe I should see where I can take this (this is a whole other tangent and it deserves it's own post... suffice it to say that I have NO idea how to go about marketing myself or growing my blog or getting the attention of manufacturers. I am just a silly girl with a big dream in the sea of scrapbook, clinging to a life vest.)

Now here is the reason I am writing about this... I'm going to level with you.... people will tell you not to go for the big design teams. They will tell you to start small and work with what you get. I say, why not try for both? Maybe you don't think your work is good enough or you don't have enough followers or a strong blog or that you won't make it, so why bother.... well I say that's bull. If it means something to you then go for it (but by all means don't chase AC cuz I don't really need more competition.) (haha, but. seriously.)

Last May I had the honor of being the guest designer for American Crafts. I was over the moon. They sent me this big box full of Amy Tangerine goodies and I almost died, right there on the spot. (& then someone would have had to pry them from my cold dead hands. too dark?) I vowed then that even knowing this is the Moby Dick of the industry I will go fishing each year. Who knows? Maybe one day I'll catch a whopper. 

Heres this years projects.....

I have no idea if it is even couth to post these.... like I said, I am clinging to a dingy.... I know nothing... but I do know you can't get it if you don't try. Do I think I am even really capable of ever making this team? Probably not. But that's ok, because I have lots of fishing gear (I mean, metaphorically, at least.)

Happy Fourth of July

Last years fourth was one of the worst holidays I've ever had, for a variety of reasons. To make a long story short I was 7 months pregnant, Hottie worked a 26 hour day, I attempted to take the kids the the parade and shenanigans downtown in 107 degree weather alone (Cuz sometimes I am under the false impression that I am in fact Wonder Woman.). It. Was. Terrible.

But you wouldn't be able to tell by the photos because these kids are troopers, and if there is icees involved they will endure just about anything.... and forget it before the ice melts...

I, on the other hand, have this holiday trauma forever engrained in my brain. So this year I was determined to make it better. I talked my sis in law into making a trip here from VA to see us. (using the puppy as bait. hahahaha, insert evil laugh here) We don't really have much planned and it is supposed to rain on and off here all day which will possibly cancel the fireworks.... but I have no doubt that having family in town will make it great.... or at least better than last year. (Isn't it awesome when expectations are nice and low? no pressure, whatsoever.)

Call Me Crazy

As if my last post wasn't me-centric enough, here's a layout about meeeeeee!

Really I just had to share it because my birthday is one of the rare times that I use the excuse to make a layout about myself (although I am trying to be better about documenting my stuff too.). and I made it super fast in 5 minute increments between wiping butts and puppy walking and sweeping crumbs off of the floor for the 1,011th time today. Like I said people, living the dream.

...and I hope you didn't think I was really being all... here's my happy life and I'm gonna shove it right down your blog reading throat. It was just what I was feeling, and have been feeling, and so I put it out there... but now weirdly I feel that was over-indulgent and showy, and really I just wanted to keep it 100.... (am I even someone who says, "keep it 100?" suddenly I am second guessing everything.)

...weird news for you is that invariably whenever I write a post about how good something is the s--- hits the fan about any number of other things.. or sometimes, ironically, the thing I wrote about in the first place starts to go terribly wrong... (and now I am knocking on wood and any wood-like surface in my vicinity.. and crossing myself and doing all kinds of other random superstitious acts I can think of and... omg. I named myself "Lucky" for gods sake! I am doomed! My entire life is going to fall apart just when I finally got up the balls to write about how great everything is!)....

... and right now... just as I am typing this I've decided that this is proof. I am crazy. officially. I've always secretly suspected I was nuts..... but now I know. and so do you. Well, this is awkward.

30 Something

So far I have to say the 30's kick major boo-tay.

Yesterday I turned 31. I think there is one very simple reason why I look at this as a great thing instead of a-- holy crap, I'm now in my thirties--- moment. That reason is: I have never been this happy in my entire life. Seriously. My days are full. to the brim. I get to raise my 4 kids (easily the most challenging and equally rewarding aspect of my life.). I get to be a wife to my best friend. I get to own a dog. I get to own a house. I get to live in one of the top 10 US cities to raise a family. I get to scrapbook regularly and put all of my creative energy into trying to turn my passion into a career. I get to play roller derby. (Just so we're clear... I get that saying, "get" in a sentence in grammatically not cool. But I get to not give a s---.) (Besides, if proper writing etiquette is your jam you probably stopped reading at boo-tay.) :)

Beyond all of that, I feel like I finally know myself. I have no doubt about what I want out of this life.... This past year has been one of evolution and self discovery for me. I have embraced my flaws and decided that they are kinda cool because they make me, me. I have found a way to balance my life, finally. I have aggressively pursued all that I can to make me a bigger, badder, stronger, happier version.... I have gone out of my comfort zone countless times. I have stopped hoarding my time. I have learned to give space and take space when needed. I have set goals, realistic and otherwise. I have made plans and stuck to them. I have believed in myself and my family support system.



I'm not trying to paint some rosy picture of my life (although it probably seems like I am... right now you're probably thinking... "who does she think she is? nobody's life is perfect." --- I agree, mine certainly isn't. But it is a happy one.) Here is my disclaimer: I'm not saying I don't have my fair share of hiccups... and wtf am I doing moments... times when I want to pull my hair out... when I fantasize about being on a beach somewhere. alone. stranded for all time..... (but even when I experience those rough moments.. or days... I try to tell myself that they are all just a big piece of the happy picture. without down and out moments would the awesome ones feel so epic?)....

I was telling Hottie last night that I really think these are "the good old days.".... I know that probably sounds a little silly or even ridiculous to say. But, really. I just can't imagine things getting any better. I know in my heart that this is a time period that we will look back on fondly, one that we will cling to and reminisce about.... not to say that it will never be this good again or that it's fleeting.... but it does feel a little like lightning in a bottle, and I plan to soak up every last flash. (except for the ones where my kids are driving me bonkers... like Ev is shouting, "MOM! Will you WIPE me!" from the bathroom and I'm in the middle of changing Dez while the puppy is pooping on the floor.... and Nakiah is asking for a soda for the millionth time while I am furiously wondering why Aidan is not responding to my, "I need help," text..... those are the ones I will quickly block from my memory so I can go write a blog post about how happy and fulfilled I am.)

Bring it on 30's... and may you continue how you have begun. (began? begun? Oh man, where are those English majors when I need them?)

Sunshine

I realized that I never shared this page on the blog like I had intended. What do you think? Aren't the photos adorable? I just can't help but swoon when I see a Daddy carrying his kid on his shoulders. So sweet. 

We are coming out of Puppymonium (pandemonium?). The first two nights were rough (ruff!). Lots of whining and crying and our little dude is a loud hoss! (Quiet, Fritz!) But last night he turned a corner and only 2 times he whined very lightly to let us know he needed to go out. Then he did his business and lazily hopped back into his crate for more sleep. (Good dog, Fritz!) He has been willingly taking naps in his crate, eating and drinking fine, pottying outside, and generally being the cutest and most perfect dog on the planet. He even did amazing at the vet today (cha-ching.). So there's you're update.

In other news.... It's my BIRTHDAY tomorrow!

I'm so excited. (Yes, I am mentally 5 when it comes to birthdays.) Just not sure what a girl with small kids and a brand spanking new puppy can get away with doing for her birthday. (girls just wanna have fu-un!)

Puppy's First Day

Meet Mr. Snicklefritz McGee.

You can call him Fritz.

We were so excited to welcome him into the family that we ended up getting him a whole day early.

It's so strange and overwhelming to have an animal in the house. Like I said before, I diligently read all of the puppy training materials I could get my hands on... and bought all of the necessary items in preparation for his arrival..... but I can't help but feel like... what the heck was I thinking?! a PUPPY!? I really have no idea what I am doing, people! (Maybe we should have started with a rabbit or a cat or something more our speed like a turtle.)

Last night was his first night home and he did ok. He whined and cried most of the night away (which I know is totally normal since he is adjusting and missing his family). He went potty outside. He slept in his crate (a little). He kept Hottie and I up all night. I quickly began to wonder how long this whiny phase lasts and if I am doing absolutely every single thing wrong. (I, of course, convince myself I am.) 

This morning the kids got up extra early (how they slept through all of his racket is beyond me, but I thank my lucky stars.) and wanted to be involved in every little thing puppy. "I wanna take him outside!" "Can I teach him to sit?" "Why won't he climb in my lap?" "I think he has to pee!" Although I am happy they want to help out I can't help but think this would be much easier if I could do it alone. Alas, we are one big happy family. So we will do it together. And it will be a never ending test of my patience and confidence that we can do this puppy raising thing. (Can we actually pull this off? Because I'm not so sure!)