WhiteOut Conditions

It snowed ALL weekend...

this was out my front door...

so apparently it's going to be our first white Christmas in a long time.
The boys were hoping for a snow day...all the surrounding towns, and even the private schools in our town are closed today...but my kids had school.
They were thrilled.
Jack however is home sick.
AGAIN.
I cannot get the boy well. Poor thing.
I feel horrible for him....hopefully the other two avoid the stomach flu so we're ALL well for Christmas.
That would be nice.

I should also add that I never intended for my last post to imply I hate the state of Ohio...because I don't.
I just am not a fan of my town.
I would never judge an entire state by one town...if so then I wouldn't be a fan of NC...and I LOVE North Carolina.
Ohio is gorgeous.
Really.
Cleveland has an amazing park system that can make you feel like you're not even in a city...and Columbus is seriously cool. (and I'm not even saying that to brown nose Missy.)
Hello, they have this....my boys would have season tickets if we weren't moving.
So, Ohio = good....Solon = not so good.
That's all.

Another Random Post

This Thanksgiving we were thankful for many things.
But mostly...
urgent care.
This is Jack on Thanksgiving day...
Strep throat.

And Jared...the day after Thanksgiving.
He is really enjoying the aircast he must wear for 6weeks. A Jared that can't play soccer is a VERY unhappy Jared.

Colten also ended up with strep, but he is fine now.
Jack is home sick AGAIN with strep, and now a sinus infection to go along with it.
Honestly I can't remember my kids ever being this sick....I blame the COLD.

Jack had to do a timeline project for school. It's such fun looking at the age progression in photos. I can't believe he was so little not so long ago...

I was really proud that he pulled out some of my scrap supplies to work on his project...It turned out really cute. He even used some doodlebug stickers to spell out "Jack Benjamin Blaise" across the bottom....Thank goodness SOMEONE is getting some use out of the supplies.

This beautiful tree is making me happy.

As is this beautiful boy who runs down stairs in the morning to turn it on.
First thing.
The tree is never off if Oley is around ;)

And half of the tinytreeforest on my very large mantel...

love it.
even though now when I'm out in stores I think I need every little tree I see. It's sort of like when we were searching for pink and orange things for Gabby's wedding. I still think I need to buy everything I find pink and orange...how many years later?!?

Before all the sickness,
I was going to write about a few different things.
One was about our upcoming move. (I'll save that for another post)
The other was about this town I live in.
I'll just shorten the version I had in my head.
If you know me, then it's no secret that I really dislike it here. I mean we move a lot, so I'm fairly use to different places and different people, and that's one of the things I love about moving. This town however is just emotionally exhausting. Everyone is in a rush, No one seems to care about anyone, except themselves.I have left the grocery store on more than one occasion in tears, because it's so frustrating.I honestly would become so angry and frustrated that I'd cry about my grocery shopping experience. How sad is THAT?!?
I finally decided that this was just unacceptable. I was allowing the people here to impact the way I felt and that wasn't ok with me. I was matching their unkindness with my frustrated unkindness and it was making it all much worse. I decided to look at the people here as though they all were just having a really bad day. Like something was weighing on each of them. We watched a video at my church back in Greenville about something similar, being able to put on special glasses that allow you see into each person that you meets life, to see their struggles. I can't see their struggles but it's enough to know everyone has them, and it helps me to ignore their behavior, and to focus on my own. It's our own struggles and losses that enable us to be the people we are, and to be a comfort for others. It's sometimes hard...and I sometimes think that most of these people have no struggles, they're just crabby and mean, but some probably do...and they're the ones that might appreciate a smile, or a kind word.
So, now when I go to the grocery store here...
I take a deep breath, and say "a kinder gentler me"....
and I go in..
and you know what?
My day isn't' ruined now when I come out.

Love Notes

Cleaning up the spare room/computer room/art room before turkeyday guests arrive...
and coming across many little notes
apparently passed between my children...
this one being the sweetest...
Yeah,
real nice Coley....

Photo of the Day

I remember before I got my digital camera so wanting to take a photo a day like so many people do...
and then I got my camera,
and apparently I forgot I could....
until I was on someones blog yesterday looking at their photo of the day....
and I was thinking how much I wished I could do that....
and then I had a WTF moment of HEY...wait just one second... I CAN.....
What is wrong with me?!?!
So I'm going to....but not today.
Today it's more of a photo-that-could-have-been-the-photo-of-the-day-but-I-forgot-and-now- it's-a-photo-of-a-few-weeks-ago.
My baby can READ...
Unbelievable.
Off to soccer....which could be a photo of the day everyday around here....

Babyfek Shower

This was the most bestest fun day ever. I can not believe I won't see my sister again until she's holding babyfek...well, she better actually be handing the baby off to me, because I can't wait to meet the little man.
The shower was such fun....My sister has the sweetest friends,

everyone humored me and played all the silly games I came up with.

Some with help from my boys....(ok, and the Girls Next Door)...

Dirty diaper game anyone? Melt chocolate candy bars into diapers, number the diapers, and have guests sniff and look around in the diaps, trying to figure out the flavor bar....OH yeah...the boys were crushed when they found out the shower's no boys allowed rule ...

My cousin got all the diapers right...

Helps to have 3 kids that just celebrated Halloween! HA!

Gabby almost scored a 100% on the celeb baby game....who wants to match baby animals w/ their mamas when you can match babies w/ their celeb moms?!?

I didn't even have to tell Gab to wear blue....she's such a good girl, she matched my theme perfectly.....so Martha of you sis.
The favors were white frames that I inserted blue cardstock into that said

"please insert photo of babyfek here....coming soon".

Horrible photos of the event I know. I so wish I had a good one of the table of frames.....

but I was too busy running around.

My boys all picked out their presents for the baby....

again no photos,

Jack got the baby a "baby"....which in jack is a blanket. He is my only blanket baby, and his still loves his fiercely....his is named old baby (A scrap page on that soon)

O got the baby a RockStar bib and some skull booties...that's just SO Coley....

Jared got a soccer ball because really what else could a boy need or want?!? HA!

Colin got the baby butt paste....need I say more? oh, wait...and nipple cream for Gabby.

I got the baby clothes....

because anyone that says boys aren't fun to shop for, well I would argue with them.

I LOVE little boy clothes.

I left Wisconsin wanting

a. to move back to NC so I'm closer to my nephew (oh yeah, and my sister and Mike) and

b. a baby

such baby lust when I see this...

and when my nephew comes out we will have a little talk about not kicking for his Auntie Erika....yes we will....

Just SO excited for my little sister....February just needs to be here now!

Yesterday....

Was a good day....
The mohawk was looking fantastic.....(he's been growing it out)

Darth was looking adorable....
Before the gloves came off, the voice changer came off, and the mask came off...
Jack has yet to make it a whole night of trick-or-treating in full-on costume...
My littles cracking me up....
My gorgeous boy...even w/ the eyeliner, and the piercings....

Most popular comments---"That mohawk looks REAL!" "Can I take his picture?"

Lucky for me the fake rings weren't exactly comfortable, so I'm thinking I'm off the hook there for a couple of years at least...

the tattoos are another story.

My Church is Funny....

veryveryfunny....

Fear and Jell-O

email inbox last night...in part....

"This morning, many of you may have noticed police cars...
your children may come home today with reports that police officers were in the building when they arrived...
The reason for the police presence is because over the last week we received a number of reports about a student having a gun in the building...
that the student has had conversations with other students about having a gun...
our goal is to keep everyone safe..
The student and his locker were searched ...
There was no gun found in either search and no student reported that they actually saw a gun ... A conference was held ...
The police department has been very involved, as a safety precaution, has stepped up security ...
All Middle School staff members have been informed and the student will continue to be closely monitored...

my heart dropped as i read...
i lay awake last night.
and
i sent him to school today.
i don't want to raise my son to be fearful, but it's so hard...

we talked about keeping him home today...
but for how long?
what is safe?
i can't answer that...
so i sent him to school.
middle school...

on to
Happier things...
or
what I had intended to post today...

Jack is home sick today (day 2)
that is not happy.
except for the part of that story that involves me...not having to go to school (aka work).
that is happy.
and frankly Jack is pretty happy too....
webkinz, jello jigglers, and sprite....
his throat is feeling much better thanks to video games?! or...something like that.

I love this photo of the Jack...
love that I captured him giving me the stink eye...
so my child.
I used it for my LSS Rd2 layout....
7 random facts...
which was hard to narrow down...
I had so many...

When you get nervous you wring your hands....Tom and Jerry is still your favorite cartoon...You weigh 10lbs more than Coley....You can quote commercials, tv shows, and movies like no one’s business....In baseball you hit left handed (and you’re really good)...You named your blanket “Old Baby” ....Your nickname is Jack Banana....You’re really good at saving money....You will only wear boxer briefs....Jared gave you one of your middle names (Benjamin)when you were born.(He was in kindergarten)...You love music and have been asking for a keyboard...You are really fantastic with numbers, and telling time...You say "30" and "40" the same (because Coley does).Your favorite color is orange...You cry when you're embarrassed...You would eat mashed potatoes everyday...You love to draw...

so now I think I'm going to do another random fact layout...
for Jack, and the other two...
Love the Dares...
gives me an excuse to scrap...
and sadly,
lately I need one.

Soccer is kicking my butt....literally....
six days a week...
a minimum of five weekend games...
i think i need to figure out a way to make my scrap stuff portable...
so i can scrap on the sidelines...
instead, i sketch....and make lists...and write ideas...
ok,
and i make out my grocery lists, and play hang-man with Jack.....

Quicky

Back from yet another wedding...

this one in Virginia...

gorgeous.

Now I want to move to Virginia.

Yeah, we're clearly not above playing soccer anywhere...

even at a wedding...

even in dress clothes.

Big time

Guess who outgrew their peanut allergy?!?Pretty cool, huh?

My Fanny Needs No Pack

I need to
dedicate a blog post just focused on my babyFek excitement....which is immense.

I need to share Jack's exciting news.

I need to
email
Ashley to tell her she needs this for Marley-Jane....(I love Halloween)Essie to tell her how much I love her and to find out all that's going on...in GERMANY!
Lora
and
Amy
because I miss my friends

I need to
mail
packages to
Alison
Lora
Mr. Merry Mike (your birthday present is coming I swear...)
and
Susie

I need to
call
Ash to talk about Arkansas (yep...you'll never believe THIS one....) and see how her move is going...
Susie
JENNY ROSSER!
and Frani

I need to do these things because I love my friends, and I really suck at emailing, calling and mailing.....I mean, really suck. 10 step program suck.
But I think about them all the time, sooo
I have to work on this.
I do.
It's my back-to-school-years resolution. (which really is the new year for me)

I need to do lots of things....
and
I think I'm going to be better,
I feel it....
but
this week I just needed to adjust to our new school routine.
Meaning less sleep for everyone and more driving for me (both of which make me cranky)This year I'm working at the school, as a monitor.
No, no....it and I could not be any less cool.
I have to wear a whistle....which I so do not want to have to ever use...
and I was told to wear a fanny pack. (what the?!?)
Which clearly by the look on my face was obviously never ever in a million years going to happen, so I haven't been asked to do that again....

I had no idea what I was getting myself in to when I volunteered for this "job"...
I had no idea it was a real job...
and now...
I have to spend two-and-a-half-hours-that-seems-like-twelve with second and fourth graders while they eat lunch and go out for recess.

Frankly I get tired of me...

"No running"
"Be quite"
"Girls...girls....girls.....stop talking girls....GIRLS!"
"Be quite"
"Please don't use that word"
"Be quite"
"Stay in LINE"
"Be quite"
"We are going to be last again because y'all can't be quite"
"Seriously?!? BE QUITE!"

a little girl brought me a flower she picked from the playground today though...
so
maybe it won't be that bad.
And
maybe eventually they'll listen to me.
because
I SO do not want to have to use my whistle
ever.

to Hope

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - AesopI want to let you all know about an opportunity to help,
and at the same time receive some amazing art.My dad (an artist, and professor of art) has created a suite of prints in memory of my sister's struggle. The intaglio prints are absolutely breathtaking, and such a labor of love."In March of 2006, Alex DeVinny lost the most important race of her life with her long time rival, anorexia nervosa. Many of her last years and months were spent getting or trying to get treatment. While she was in-patient at the treatment facility in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Lana and I would visit several times a week, making the trip from Racine "through the country." It is a pastoral Wisconsin landscape with scattered farms, many working, many having succumbed to the ravages of time. After her death those architectural relics of what was once strong and productive, became a metaphor for her life, her struggle, and work was started on a suite of etchings, "the Journey to Hope." These prints are not for sale, but rather will be given to those who will donate at least $500 to the Alex DeVinny Memorial Fund. Proceeds from this fund are used to support eating disorder education and research." -Doug DeVinny

I know that sounds like a tremendous amount of money to a lot of you (like me for instance),
but in reality each print alone is worth that, and you get 10. *(ETA-Actually you get 11, I was wrong...my dad just let me know he added another...)

I know it's out of the question for many,
but
I also know that I'm surrounded by an amazing network of creative people...
and
perhaps some of you are currently on the lookout for some artwork
or...
you know someone that is...

you might consider going in with some friends,
or a few friends...
and then dividing the prints up.

I just wanted to let you all know about this unique opportunity, please let me know if you need more information, or if I can send you a flyer to look over. (ewillard9@gmail.com)
Spread the word. Love to you all. xe

Me Likey

Check out Phil Hansen.
VERY cool.
My dad sent me this link awhile ago
and I just finally got a chance to sit down and check him out w/ the boys.
They loved his work....especially Bruce Lee.
And how about the Value of Blood?!?
Cool guy...
Anyway...
back to your lives...
just thought I'd share.

Crush me...

Gab and Mikey celebrated their 4th last week...(dear lord, look at my babies! CUTE)
Speaking of which....hey Gabby...13?!?
How about a post? I have been quiet FOR SO LONG it's killing me! (Love you)

and my lovely sis-in-law Erin married Pete on Saturday.That is her, at the rehearsal, wearing the cutest Betsey Johnson dress EVER.
Yeah, they're adorable....we like them a lot....
(even if I now must write a disclaimer about this not being a world famous blog, and carefully make sure I don't swear, too much....thanks guys)

Erin holding her bouquet for the first time....Beautiful....(Erin and the flowers)
The blue dress she's wearing there, very cute too I might add. My mother-in-law suggests dresses for everyday wear, because....let me see if I get this right...."they don't get stuck in your whatzit like pants do" (Love ya Jane) heehee....
I was unaware that my whatzit had pant issues, but I'm contemplating dresses from now on.

I had to include a photo of the program, because I'm in love with the tree she used.One of my favorite things they did was since my father-in-law passed away Erin, Colin and their mom, all wore something of his down the aisle, so part of him was with them....
I know...ugh, so sweet. Gosh they're darling, aren't they?
I didn't take the photo below (Tabis did....please don't sue me Mr. Tabis)....
I like it though...I love the way Pete is looking at her in this one....
This was my VERY small contribution to the day...I made the wish cards.
Everyone was to write "wishes"/advice on the cards and hang them on the tree....
Some super wishes and then some drunk wishes ;)
Not that the drunk wishes weren't good advice....just more advice perhaps for bedtime.

The reception was at the Morton Arboretum
( the favors were baby trees to plant....)
ok, that was sort of random, but it was such a cool location, and gorgeous inside and out...
I had to share.

I didn't take the next photo, just tweaked it a little, (yeah, it's Tabis), I wanted Gabby to see the back of Erin's dress though.... (and of course I have nooo photos of it) Meet Mayhem and Chaos....They were quite excited about the dessert bar....which included rootbeer floatsI have no idea what they're doing here...nor did I take this photo (Thank you Mr. Tabis), but gosh they're CUTE! even untucked and sans the ties....I have 2 more rolls of film to develop, so I'm sure you'll get sick of seeing photos from me soon.