Lovely Cruise

I'm still here...

Just checkin' in blog readers.  I'm still here, and have lots to say.  But you'll have to wait until tomorrow, because I'm tired.  This has been a crazy, but good month.  I can't believe tomorrow is May 1st.  These last couple of weeks I kept telling myself that if I held on until May everything would slow down a little bit.  What was I thinking?  This week is turning out to be quite busy, so I don't think I'm going to get a break yet.  And pretty soon my boys will be out of school...  Nope, no break there either.  Oh well.  I guess it's just life.  And I'll take it even if it's a little crazy, and a little busy. 

sixty

She writes too!

A couple days ago I went out to the deck to check on Ella.  The deck is her favorite place these days and it's great because it's totally enclosed and safe.  This is what I found.  A little girl sitting at the picnic table coloring.  What happened to my baby?  This girl is growing up.  I hadn't even thought to give her a crayon yet, but I guess she's watched her brothers enough to know what to do.   Amazing.

Read any good books lately?

Freedom

We let our butterflies go today.  I put them out on the deck all afternoon to get them acclimated to the weather.  After Charlie got home from school, I called the boys to the deck.  As I was about to unzip the top of the "butterfly pavilion" I noticed how many were already at the top waiting, praying, begging to be set free.  So I unzipped and they flew, fast and furious.  Although two of them hung around for awhile, I guess they weren't quite ready.  Sam asked why we had to set them free and I asked him if he would like to be stuck in a cage?  Charlie said he would miss them.  It was amazing to see the butterflies who were ready, just take off.  This made me think about my children.  Will they be ready to leave when it's time?  Am I nurturing, teaching and loving them enough so they will be ready?  Will one of them need more time and want to stay longer?   But then again, I have years before it's time to unzip...   

IT

IT is so exciting.  If you scrapbook you must check out the new IT kit!  Trust me, IT's going to be amazing! 

And speaking of amazing, I took a little trip down to Atchison today with my mom and our good friend Rose Mary.  We did a little shopping at Nell Hill's, the most amazing store in the world, no really it is.  Maybe I'll post a photo of my treasures tomorrow.  We had a great time.  It was a treat to have Rose Mary with us.  She really made it the ultimate Nell Hill's experience.  We even met Mary Carol.  So cool!  That woman is a genius.  So much inspiration, now if I can just remember it all!   

meow

snow snow go away...

If April showers bring May flowers, what the heck does April snow bring? 

On my mind...

**The final season of the Soprano's.  I love that show. 

**Finches.  My mom gave David a Finch feeder for Christmas and they have finally found it.  Those birds are so beautiful and fun to watch.

**Butterflies.  My dad and step-mom gave Sam a butterfly pavilion for his birthday.  The butterflies started hatching yesterday.  It's an amazing journey from caterpillar to butterfly.  I'm hoping we will be able to set them free outside, but it's going to have to warm up!

**The weather.  Geesh, enough of the cold already.  I made it through the winter just fine and with little to no complaining, but this cold snap in April is making me cranky. 

**Heidi Grace patterned paper.  I wanted this stuff for Ella's baby book.  Today I went to Archiver's and they actually had it.  Very exciting.  Now I can't wait to get started on her album. 

**Frozen cookie dough.  Speaks for itself.

**Joy.  Sam was so full of pure joy when he was searching for eggs.  He didn't even care how many he found.  Quite refreshing actually.

**A peep-free Easter.  Seriously, my mom should be ashamed of herself.  We ALWAYS have Peeps.  tsk tsk tsk

**I think that's it.  Here are a couple of photos from yesterday and a layout I finished tonight.

My mom made this centerpiece.  She always sets the most beautiful table.

   

S-A-M L-B-B-Y

This is a layout from my HOF entry.  I love this layout because it captures a sweet time and memory of Sam at this age.  I don't know how many times he spelled his name saying L-B-B-Y instead of L-E-V-Y.  Cracked me up everytime he said it.  This is really the best part of scrapbooking for me.  It's getting all of the little details of life down on paper before I forget.  And whether it's just the words and photos or all the embellishments too, it really doesn't matter.  What matters is the memory.