change is beauty

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
~ Maya Angelou

my list

As a kid, I spent a lot of time with my head in the clouds. I was going to be a rock star, an actress, Snow White. I was creative, passionate, and I knew who I was. As I got older, my goals became a little more realistic (I can not sing!), but I still reached for the stars. I did some modeling, I went to architecture school. Slowly, though, fear of failure took over, and I stopped trying. I followed the path of least resistance, did what was expected of me, and chose the easy way. I love where I ended up at, but I think I have lost a little of myself along the way. There is a me that is not a wife and mother. And I am working to find that me, to determine my purpose.

As a mom, I see the potential that my girls have. The world is theirs for the taking. Is that true for me, too? I know that it once was. Being a mom is fantastic, and wonderful, and important, but it isn't all that I am. And I believe that it will be beneficial for my girls to see their mom as someone what has interests outside of motherhood.

With all that in mind, I decided to start a list expressing some of my goals (in no particular order of importance):
1. Write a book about something and promote it on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
2. Learn how to play the guitar
3. Paint paintings
4. Get my Masters Degree in School Counseling
5. Go back to Jamaica with Adrian
6. Finish reading A New Earth
7. Complete heritage album, continue collecting resources on genealogy
8. Learn to surf
9. Volunteer time to a political campaign (maybe my own?)
10. Get over my fear of flying so that I can travel again
11. Learn a foreign language
12. Put in a pool, and have lots of pool parties
13. Volunteer at Planned Parenthood
...

The Sweetest Life

Just over a year ago, I began practicing positive thinking. I've always been analytical, over-achieving, and a bit of a pessimist (wow, that was hard to admit). And I found myself in a bit of a "worst-case scenario" with our business. I was so caught up in worry and blame, that I began to lose my joy. Stress was a euphemism. I knew I had to change. I began searching inside for answers. I began praying that God would help me learn whatever lesson I was supposed to learn so I could just move on. And then Oprah began preaching The Secret. It immediately clicked with me. I realized that while I can't control other's actions, I can control my reaction to them. And I learned that most of our actions, while subconscious, are controlled by our own thought patterns. Most importantly, I learned what it truly means to forgive. I decided that I will be happy again, my relationship with my husband will be strong again and our financial outlook will be just fine. And I learned to find the blessings in even the darkest of times. I am now joyful. And my life is so full of blessings, many that were always there, I was just too stressed to truly appreciate them. When I begin to loose my way, I am always pulled back. My journey brings me to a new book, a new song (see below), a new friend. We do create the lives we desire. And I have the sweetest life.

my song

There's just something about this song! It takes me back to simpler times, and reminds me of how blessed I am. Enjoy!

back at it

hmmm, I think it's time to dust this baby off and get bloggin' again. It's been a while, so I need to update some links, and maybe design a new header. I guess we'll see how it goes...

Happy Easter!

Long time no see! Been busy, been scrappin! Here are some recent LOs...


It's Spring Credits


Four-Leaf Clover Credits


Birthday Princess Credits


My Wish Credits


Who Knew? Credits


Lucky, Lucky, Lucky Credits


Family~Love~Together Credits


And I will leave you with a little youtube entertainment...


...till we meet again!

January update...

wow, has it really been THAT long? I thought for sure I had updated at SOME point during the holidays. Ah well...

I have been busy lately. I have done LOTS of scrapping, and I learned that a mini album I created was requested by Scrapbook Trends Magazine to be published in their Mini-Albums Idea Book II. WHOO HOO!! It is my first time ever being published, I am so excited. Of course, I haven't told many people IRL because I don't know that they would GET how exciting this is, and I also wont believe that I actually got published until I see it, lol!

The chaos of the holidays have also spilt right into the new year for me. I put off a lot of stuff last month so that I could focus on the celebrations. So my To-Do list is huge right now! I have to deal with changing my real estate license, going to the dentist, dealing with our shoddy health insurance agent, preparing our finances for tax season, all such FUN stuff. I guess you understand why I put it off, lol.

Also, Natalie decided she wanted to potty train!! Wonderful news, except we have been stuck at home for nearly two weeks! I don't yet feel comfortable being too far from a bathroom that I know she will use. I am about to go out of my mind with cabin fever!! And I have spent the better part of the last 10 days in a bathroom. FUN. She is wearing BGP.a.n.t.i.e.s all day except nap and bed time, and the only outings we have had were to my parents. The good news is that she is doing really well - she uses the regular toilet with a seat on it, she has only had 1 small accident in the past couple of days, and she went poop in the potty (once)!! But we still have a ways to go... Boy, it was so much easier when Corinne's school trained her :) Our big test is going to be this weekend- we are planning on taking the girls ice skating Saturday, and we have a birthday party Sunday.

Corinne is happy to be back at school. She had nearly three weeks off for Christmas, and I really think she was getting bored towards the end of that time. She is also SOOO excited that her birthday is next month. She is turning SIX *sniff*. I don't know where the years have gone! Just look at what a beautiful girl she is becoming...
Credits:Papers & embellishments from Andrea Burns CT Call kit ~ Sanded overlay by Christine Smith ~ Swirl brushes from sheshido ~ Paper tear action by Atomic Cupcake ~ Font used is 2ps piano recital

Credits: Papers, ricrac, & title from the DigiChick Designer's *Heart and Soul* ~ Flower template, doodles, gem from Christine Smith's *Freestyle Flowers 2* ~ White paper from Heather Roselli's *Key Ingredients*

And this is my Natalie-bug during one of her sweeter moments!
Credits:Papers, alpha and Elements from Heather Roselli's *Sweetie Pie* ~Clothing tag is from Heather Roselli's *Girl Clothing Tags* ~Date stamp from Heather Roselli's *Day Planner*~All are available at The DigiChick. ~ Font used is 2Ps Piano Recital

I would love to say that I resolved to update my blog more, but I think my thighs & butt need more attention right now, lol. But I am going to try and pop in much more than once a quarter!!