First Day of School!

Well, for some reason, my posts have decided to go on vacation. I'm not sure where they've gone, but hopefully they're having fun! I've posted twice, showing some recent layouts and giving an update on our lives, but alas, they're missing... So that brings us to today, the first day of the 2009-2010 school year. It's hard to believe Dalton is already in 3rd grade. He's so precious and he's growing so fast. When we visited his teacher, Mrs. Vip, last week at Back to School day, he says to her,

"I hear you're the meanest teacher in the whole school. I don't think that's true. I think you're really nice and I think we're going to have a great time this year."

Oh my stars I could have died when Susan told me this. He has a way of letting you know just what he's thinking eh?

This is Dalton and Mrs. Vip. I'm certain this is going to be a great year. I'm really glad he has Mrs. Vip. I think the discipline and structure will be so good for him! He needs someone like her. He started out today with a bit of a queasy tummy but I hope I quelled his first day fears okay. Poor kid, he's so worried there will be a repeat of last year's emotional turmoil.

This morning we had to get up early enough to fix Dalton's hair the way he chose. We researched men's hairstyles on line and he picked out one he really liked. This is a close as we got it and he was very happy with it. I'm glad for him. He even got really picky yesterday while we were choosing a new pair of jeans. He refused a pair of loose fit Levi's at Ross's because he didn't like the loose fit. He prefers something that is a little less roomy. He was absolutely adamant about it. So we ended up at WalMart purchasing a pair of regular cut Wranglers that he much prefered. He also was quite particular about the color of his jeans. NO dark blue, they look too new. NO bleached out, they look too old. No carpenter pants, doesn't like the side pocket. Medium blue as they look just right... not too light, not too dark. He also chose a new t-shirt that reflected his two sports loves, basketball AND soccer. He didn't want to wear the jeans today as it's raining and a bit to warm in his opinion. He chose a pair of dark blue shorts (don't ask, I don't get it either) and this t-shirt. The new Nike's that Aunt Miss Lisa bought him were a must despite the rain. She really shouldn't have bought them. (God bless her for doing it. She was appalled that the inner sole was coming loose in his shoes and took him and Molly to the store for new school shoes. Both of them got new shoes and he feels so cool with is Nike's. He thinks he'll be great on the basketball court this winter to be sure all because he's got these shoes. Funny how kids get that idea, that a pair of shoes or the right brand name will actually make them better at something. I never really got into brand labels.)





Anyway, 20 minutes to do the hair today (yes, curling iron, gel, wide tooth comb and hairspray...), his new clothes, his favorite waffles for breakfast and the Nike's. We're ready to show out for school! We waited 35 minutes for the bus today but it was fun. Molly's first day was greated with great happiness that Dalton was waiting for her at her bus stop this morning. He was so sweet to her, taking care of her and making sure she had a great seat on the bus. They'll be getting off the bus together this afternoon so she knows just where to go when she gets off the bus at Nana's (Aunt Miss Lisa to Dalton) house. They were adorable together.




No tears this year. I suppose we're all growing up!



That smile is worth getting up for every day...

Thanks for looking!
Peace and blessings,
Lissa

I postively cannot wait for this!!

I swear every time I watch this trailer I get more and more excited about the movie. Having read all the books now, I'm on pins and needles waiting for this movie to come out! I wish I wasn't waiting until November... isn't there somewhere close by that I can watch this in advance people!??? WOW!

Very OT:

But I had to share this. Once again, Linda has given me fodder for my blog. This video is absolutely the funniest thing I've seen in a very long time. I have played it over and over and still laugh so hard my tummy hurts when I watch it!



Hope you enjoyed!

Peace and blessings,
Lissa

Wow have you seen what Home Depot is carrying now?

I can't say as I'm surprised by this but I am excited!

Home Depot is now carrying the Cricut Expression! You can check it out HERE. While this is internet only right now, I think it's about time some of the hardware stores got in on this Home Project DIY master machine! How completely awesome to have the ability to purchase this baby where you're also quite likely to talk your hubby into it while he's looking at his own power tools. Can you imagine his expression when you say, "Hey sugar, let's look at what's on sale at the Home Depot. I see that new Makita drill you wanted is 40% off!" You know he'll rush to the computer so fast he'll knock you off your chair.

So what if you happen to see the toy YOU want while you're "walking through the aisles of the internet". He'll be so in love with his new tool-baby coming soon, he probably won't even notice that you put your own new toy in the cart! And when you tell him about all the cool things this new toy will do for him too, how can he possibly say no?

"But honey, you know you wanted to redo the lettering on the boat. This will make it so professional and beautiful! You'll be the envy of the club. Not to mention the new templates for your fishing lures and wow - the new sign for the Hunt Club! There's just so much you can do with this honey! You just wait until all the guys see what you did... they'll be green with envy that you made it better than anyone there. They'll all want one then and you can say you had it first. Don't you want them to look up to you like that? It's like bagging the first deer of the season! Why, it's a 15 point buck baby!"

Oh yeah - play to his senses... You'll be sure to bag your own new baby then. Just because it's in YOUR scraproom instead of the Man-Cave doesn't make it any less manly! Bwwaaaahhhhhaaaaa..... work it baby, work it!

A wee bit of eye candy

Here are a few of the most recently layouts I've been able to complete. One is for the monthly challenge this month for If It's Groovy. This month we're showing off using office supplies on our layouts. Slide on over to the blog to check out everyone's layouts and projects. Don't forget to send yours in as well. There's a great prize package being offered up this month for submitting!

Big congratulations to the "Zero Angle's" winner, Lisa, too. She created a stunning layout!








Thanks so much for looking!

Peace and blessings,
Lissa

I Challange YOU!

In case you've not seen this, you really really must. It's a scrapper's and journalists dream template really, leading into your Book of Me, a Heritage Album, and so much more! You can find the template HERE:

This is the gist of the challenge...

Where Are You From?
"If you don't know where you're from, you'll have a hard time saying where you're going." Wendell Berry, among others, has voiced this idea that we need to understand our roots to know our place in the world. A poem by George Ella Lyons is called "Where I'm From." I first heard it read by Appalachian poet Rita Quillen. Six months later, we used it as a writing assignment in a class taught by my friend Elizabeth Hunter at the Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. The poem lends itself to imitation and makes a wonderful exercise of exploration in belonging.

I'd like to suggest that you give it a try. The prompts have a way of drawing out memories of the smells of attics and bottom-drawer keepsakes; the faces of long-departed kin, the sound of their voices you still hold some deep place in memory. You'll be surprised that, when you're done, you will have said things about the sources of your unique you-ness that you'd never considered before. What's more, you will have created something of yourself to share--with your children, spouse, siblings--that will be very unique, very personal and a very special gift.

On a board I'm on, (waves to Tara), they brought up this challenge and I was quite intrigued. Several of the gals did it and it was so lovely and so rich, I just had to try. It was tough at first, but once you get going, it just flows out of your mind! Don't let the template get you. Honestly sit down and give this a go. You'll be so glad you did!

Here's mine for anyone interested in "Where I'm From"!


I am from puppy tongue kisses, sister giggles and mommy hugs; from Coca Cola bottles in returnable cartons and sticky watermelon fingers in the garden.

I am from the red clay Virginia mud that still runs through my soul like sock bottom stains of summer, daisies growing freely and innocently along country roads like favorite friends waiting to greet you; from the strawberries growing for fat little hands to pick and pinafores to wear their sweet red nectar.

I am from family vacations arrived from a sleeping palatte in the "way back" while beautiful mother and cherished father worked travel magic only mommies and daddies can make. From Bristow, Gasque, Sandidge and Beatty, heavy on the Nellie and Jeanne.

I am from faith and questioning, from the love of the world that blooms all around, from browns and golds, green and blues, reds and yellows, the colors of His world running through my veins and out my mouth in songs of praise.

From horse drawn carriages to unknown homesteads, from trains and wars and progress, perseverance, from fresh baked bread and coal stockings and brothers stolen socks offered as special gifts at Christmas in difficult times.

I am from generations of believers in His word, His love, His gifts. The beautiful of His world and all it's wonders. The song of the mockingbird, the call of the goose, the newborn fawn and the smell of wildflowers perfect because of their ethereal birth.

I am from England, Wales, Ireland and France; from Huguenot shores and the Colonial Piedmont; from mouth watering stuffing balls at Thanksgiving and Japanese Fruit Pie at Christmas.

From the Fourth of July neighborhood parade with an amazingly talented mother at the helm, leading children on red tricycles with miniature flags, babies in wagons banging pots with wooden spoons and red faced teenagers wishing they weren't both embarrassed and yet in awe of that woman, so free in her spirit; from sisters holding hands in the night to ward off the Boogy-man and music that always seemed to fly on fairy wings, magical, melodious and marvelous from mother's hands. From Daddy's who were stern, strong and soft; who gave you wings to fly, ideas to ponder and faith enough in ourselves to reach for the stars.

I am from old family Bibles, faded tin-plates, from drawers and walls and shelves; from piano tops, worn out wallets and dimming memories of smiles and laughter made bright once more with twice told (or thrice-told) stories from lonely living rooms and long distance phone calls; from cherished letters found in dresser drawers and pretty stationary boxes and in books passed along. From hearts filled with a love that never lets go and a joy with a grip oh so tight. I am from all that was and is and always will be good, kind, generous and joyfilled; beautiful, colorful, songlike and magical.

I am from Pure Love, Unimaginable Love. I am from His Love.

What a summer!

It's been a nutty summer to be sure! We've been to scout camp, Vacation Bible School and home home home. We've been sick, well, happy and busy. Both boys are working at Sonic again, their schedules are hectic and opposite and getting my oldest from work at 1am is crazy. We do what we must, eh?

We've had birthdays and holidays and doctor's appointments. Been to the pool with friends, been swimming alone and made new friends. Dalton learned to ride his two wheeler yesterday and he's got some certain new found freedom. In the past it's taken him ages to get going. Something finally clicked yesterday and his fear (of falling) finally took a back seat to his desire to be able to accomplish his goal. I was so so proud!

Of course, like a good mommy, I've got all the pictures to prove it all, including his two "badges of honor" boo boos, obligatory of a successful learning adventure on two wheels.

I've scrapped a bit, enjoyed myself and gotten new meds to deal with. I'm hoping the new doc (a whole other conversation I really don't wanna talk about) on the 27th of August will get me situated in a new place ready for Uncle Sam to finally decide I'm eligible for disability. I am facing the possibility of neck surgery before that so well see how the next month goes. In the meantime, I'm blown up like a toad on prednisone and I look horrible, but hey, it's the price you pay for being able to be mobile. Thank goodness my mind is..... ou8usab8e39274hkbtgrjk&^&*^* bdkaknbwe dguks,e gtfusiakm egusk,'

Oh sorry... fell asleep again... Yeah, it's been that kind of summer. Sleeping alot but it's the lazy days I guess. Dalton's played a lot of video games, read along side me and given me Mommy's Rest Time. I don't seem to be able to focus much, stay awake long, or sleep for any real length of rejuvenating time, but, well, what cha gonna do? It is what it is.

Today I bring you my photos of Dalton's New Bike Adventure. Tomorrow, something special!

"I did it in the yard I can do it on the street, Mom."


"Off I Go!" (He rode down the road screaming, "WAAHHHOOOOO!" Too cute.)


Obligatory Boo-Boo #1 when he turned too sharply and hit pavement.


Obligatory Boo-boo #2 on the ribs when he bit the dirt in the side yard coming off the road...


Can You Tell I'm Proud of Myself?