Running on High

Well, July has come and almost gone like a freight train! There were times I thought it was going to hit me, but we've made it through! LOL. I made it home from EXPO with my wallet a lot lighter and sleep deprived, but it was a wonderful break and so much fun! I couldn't even tell you all the things we laughed at, but suffice it to say that I even wet my pants! I don't have a group pic of our trip, but Vicki does so you can check out her blog at sisterhoodofscrapbooking.blogspot.com. These are some of the few I have:

Can you believe all the STUFF?! This is mine and Gina's. I think this was after EXPO!

Brenda kept things rolling with her practical jokes. I hope you finally got some Excedrin for that "monster" headache, Brenda!!

I went straight from the Stamp and Scrap House to the church to decorate for VBS. Monday morning we hit the ground running and we did crafts for 200 kids every day that week. It was a great week. We were very concerned that we would not have enough craft projects each day, but as Beth Smythe said, "the Lord is blessing the craft department the way He did those 5 loaves and 2 fishes!" It's the truth too! The kids had fun, but boy were we tired.

It may have helped that I had 3 Uppercase Living shows that week! Business is booming, and I'm going to have to do some recruiting or start turning people away! I think my husband is starting to miss me, but he has been a great sport. I have 4 more this week! (2 down, 2 to go)

School has been at the "0" scale these past two weeks, but we will start full force the 1st of August. I'm looking forward to sitting down with some quiet time to map out a loose schedule. We've gotten a good start, and I'm looking forward to getting into the "meaty" stuff. I hope the kids are!

I'm planning on being much more regular in the upcoming weeks, so for the 2 people that may read this, stay tuned!! LOL.

Expo or Bust!

Woohoo! I'm leaving in about 3 minutes to go to Duluth for the Scrapbook Expo and a weekend with my scrappin' girls. I hope to get a lot done! I'll have pics to post when I get back. Got to go change a stinky diaper (my last one for the weekend!).

Talk soon!

Reentry can be tough

Every Monday seems like Reentry! I always look forward to it though. Christy and I agree that Monday is one of our favorite days because we get to get back to normal stuff and our routine. We haven't landed since Thursday evening around here, so I am looking forward to a home day.

Friday we celebrated the 4th and Laura's birthday at mom's. We started out, though, by walking in the parade with the church that morning. It was fun to see friends along the way. I took pictures of those we saw - or tried to, some were blurry from walking while I snapped. I think the kids had a good time, but they were exhausted. It was so nice for everyone to be able to come to mom's. That's the life. When family is together doing nothing - just hanging around. We got in the pool and Michael and Jason got to shoot some fireworks (all of us are too young or too old to stay up late enough to start at dark, so we start after supper! LOL). Enjoy the pics!

Time Marches On

Whew! Time really flies whether you are having fun or not! LOL. Things have been busy here, and I think about posting, but that time thing just gets me. First! I got pictures of my closet. It is wonderful, and we are enjoying it so much! It is like our own little dressing room, and almost nothing is on the floor. It cleaned out our dresser of clothes, and we have room to spare!

To update: The baby birds have left the nest. What a fun experience to watch them grow. We didn't lose one, which was good. I was a little concerned about what would happen to the girls if we found one had fallen out of the nest. As a matter of fact, they even chased one around the front yard Saturday. It wasn't flying well, but it was working on it, and it mostly hopped and ran everywhere.

Yesterday I was an absentee mom, I believe. I had an Uppercase Living show closing and spent a good chunk of time on the phone. I am pondering how to set my schedule. It takes some time for me to commit to "life/lifestyle" changes because I don't want to start something and restart. I have issues on following through, so I balk at starting something new so I won't fail or change it 10 times before I get it right. Is that a pride issue? Something else to ponder.

I cannot believe today is July 1! Happy Birthday Laura! This month is crazy schedule wise for me. That may be another reason I am shy about "setting" a new schedule. I do get to go on a scrapbook retreat in the middle of the month!!! I am so excited, and I've been playing in my scrap stuff trying to organize and list what I have and want to get done. I took Graycen to the last one I attended, but this time I get to go by myself. It will be nice. I wonder, do all moms have the huge guilt trip I do for leaving my babies? I know some do. We talk about it, but some just don't seem to at all. I guess it is good for me. My guilt comes from them missing me though. Boy, does that sound conceited when I write it! LOL. I just want them to have a good time and be good for their daddy! Some of it comes from him being so "beat down" sounding when I talk to him while I'm gone. I guess I could take it as a compliment, but truly, it makes me feel guilty and a little resentful that he can't just enjoy some time with the kiddos. I know it is hard for him, though, because he is not used to having them on his own. I need to start praying now that it will be an enjoyed weekend by all.

Later in the month, I have a zillion Uppercase Living shows. I let them book any day because of the July promotion going on with the triple points. Surely they won't all hold, but it is going

to take some patience and finesse to get through the end of the month with my sanity! OH! And on July 19th my DSIL (Dear Sister in Law) and I are going to Intimacy! Woohoo! It is her birthday trip and DH gave me a nice gift certificate for Christmas that I still havent' used. It will be a good month, but I'm going to have to mind my manners.

That's enough ramblings for now. Hopefully, I will be more consistent and talk to you soon!