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Sometimes I wish I could just pause my life. Usually it is to catch up when I am so far behind. This is how I am feeling RIGHT NOW. There are so many things that I want to be doing, or should be doing and I am not. Many of them make me feel guilty, or frazzled, or pushed to the point that I just want to yell. And I have....and I don't like it.
I also wish for a pause button because my kids are growing up too fast and I don't feel that I have a handle on it.
This post has no whitty conclusion, or funny ending.
I just want to PAUSE my life. Take a breath. Finish the unfinished. Laugh with my kids. Remember a moment.
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My 'Other' Bookclub...

Tonight is NYOBC {Not Your Ordinary Book Club} at my LSS. It is all about doodling, journaling, & handwritten fonts. The book is titled Scribbles! This is a layout I did with no picture...just journaling.

I used to hate my own handwriting. Now I love it and feel very comfortable writing my journaling. A few years ago I purchased Love Your Handwriting by Heidi Swapp. I read the small book, practiced for a bit in the workbook, and just got a feel for my style. I recommend this book to anyone that has to go home after the crop and type their journaling. Enjoy!

The Only...

I know this is blurry....but I love this picture. This is the first thing I saw when we walked into the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial Park.
Lincoln Memorial
World War II monument. This was beautiful! While I walked, I thought of my Grandma's brother who died during the war. I thought of my Grandpa that fought in the war. It was a good place to think and to be grateful.

This is the only reason I hate traveling. Let me see if I can explain. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity I have with Rusty Pickle. I have never been a traveler. Before I was 30, I had never been East of the Mississippi River. Don't get me wrong. My parents showed me amazing places that exist inside of Utah. By the time I was in 3rd grade I had seen all the National Parks that are in our state. And they are breathtaking! But I have never seen anything like this. A place that memorializes amazing lives. People that have lived. People that have changed the country that my family lives in so it is a better place. A place for freedom. A place for the future. But I want my children to see these places too, and feel what I felt. That is the only reason that I don't like traveling alone, I can't share with them all the feelings I have when I am right there. Just in a few short months I have been in the middle of somewhere very, very cool and I want my kids to see it. Whether it is Downtown Disney, Niagra Falls, or Washington D.C... I want them right there beside me...

Yesterday

Unpacked
Shopped for groceries
Had friends over
Picked up boy from scout day camp
Made dinner
Introduced summer fun plan
Played dodge kickball
Had a popscicle
Took a walk around the neighborhood
Did a load of wash
Read a book until my eyes closed

Home Again

Had a great time with my new Rusty Pickle friend and chef, Brenda. We worked so hard with Eric on Thursday to get the booth all set up and ready to go! I don't have any pics of Eric because he was usually the photographer. We had a great time with a few too many 'inside' jokes. Eric would always keep us laughing.
This is my new friend Kim from Cedar Rapids. We met on the plane to Virginia. We talked the entire flight. She works for Spellbinders. It was Kim's 50th's birthday on Friday and their booth was celebrating!
After one of my fave classes: the Jumbo Card Class...We were able to have a quick photo shoot. These were the few people that stayed just a bit longer {I think they were still painting!}

Hello to my peeps! This is the wrecking crew {minus Eric - he is taking the picture}. They helped us take down our booth in record time. We would probably still be there if it wasn't for them. I am amazed with Janice and her packing skills. You are all my new best friends.

I had a great time in Virginia and hope to see many of you next year! Leave a comment if you are still on a scrapbook high from this weekend. I am!

The winner is....

My hubby just chose the winner for the RAK! I had him pick a number between 1 and 27.

The Rusty Pickle pack goes to....








Comment #11

M@risk@ said...
How generous of you to do this RAK. I'm a great fan of Rusty Pickle products. Thanks again for hosting.
June 16, 2008 12:35:00 PM CDT

Please email me your snail mail address at kimbgarner@yahoo.com
Then watch for your RAK in the mail from Rusty Pickle RAK Headquarters!
Thanks everyone for the comments. It was so fun! Watch for another RAK next month...

Mississippi River

To all those who have called and emailed about our family and the Mississippi town that we live in. Here are some photos of our downtown area. Where we live is about 5 miles inland from the river, so we are fine. We have been blessed. We are thinking and praying for all those people, homes, & businesses in cities and towns close to ours that are still having flood troubles. We want to help and are looking for ways to do so from the area that we live.

First Week of Summer.....SUCCESS!!!!

Today I am giving away a RAK for Rusty Pickle. Please put your name and fave Rusty Pickle product in the comments and I will draw a winner on Wednesday morning before I fly out to Virginia to share the Rusty Pickle love at the GAS Convention! {If you are new to Rusty Pickle products, just leave a comment and you will also be entered.}
****Edited RAK has closed!!!!




Our first week of summer was a success! The kids' have been getting in the habit of a chore a day & a page a day of homework. Christian has also been practicing the piano better than when he was in school. I have been getting in the habit of exercising every day and we also have been having some fun!
Monday: library
Tuesday: pool
Wednesday: movie with friends
Thursday: play at the park
Friday: rented a movie/ played all day with friends
Saturday: swimming at the Y
Sunday: celebrated Dad's day, had a surprise and pleasant visit from friends

{I just have to write it here so when my kids say we didn't do anything all week, I have documentation. Hee hee!}

Happy Father's Day!

To my kids' Dad
To my Dad
And to my hubby's Dad

Hope you have a great day!

Under The Stars

{Click on the pictures for a closer look.}
Here are my layouts using the new Under The Stars paper & goodies from Rusty Pickle. I am in LOVE with this paper for all my summer adventures, past & present. I have been making plans...

Dear Mississippi Valley Fair,

You have had some great concerts in the past. Big & Rich, Poison, Chris Cagle {????} There are several people I know that attend every night of the fair because your concerts are the best. But this year, I am requesting some real talent. I know we have the Ball of Steel, Wild West Follies, Great Cats of the World, & Monkeys on the Midway. Oh and don't forget Dallas, the Fire Guy! But lets go for the big crowds. We have been trying to get to one of these concerts for years and because of school starting and other conflicts we are hoping this year will be it! So here I present our two suggestions:

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Peter Breinholt

Thank you for your consideration
{I have a few songs in my playlist below.}

Just In Case You Need More Convincing....{Don't Forget to Pause the Playlist}

Ryan Shupe and The Rubberband



Peter Breinholt at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics

Drive IN To Summer

Friday was the last day of school. To celebrate, we went to the Drive In Theatre on Hwy 61. It was the perfect night for the drive-in. We were there right when the gate opened at 6:30, and had the perfect spot! The kids played on the swings, in the sandbox, frisbee, catch, etc; and we just relaxed and ate Subway sandwiches. Our friends', The Baldwins and The Poocks {we missed you Ben!}, came with us. We also had yummy chocolate chip cookies....oh the movie! I almost forgot that we saw a movie. Prince Caspian was enjoyed by all....but I think everyone had more fun before the movie even started :). We will definitely go back again this summer!

We Miss This

Cinderfella

Going Back In Time

On Memorial Weekend, my brother {Tay} & his wife {Sherrie}, and two boys came from Florida to see us. We met them in Nauvoo on Wednesday to see all the sites, then I took their boys home with me for the night, so they could spend the day together in Nauvoo on Thursday. Then they stayed through the weekend! I could give you a long travelogue, but instead:

*We had one of the 'best days ever' in Nauvoo. Perfect weather, the kids got to play at Pioneer Pastimes, and the drive home was silent. {Easton is probably the best baby I have ever encountered.}

*Ella has a new friend. Even with a few squabbles, Mackay & Ella played so well. Especially when the kids were at school on Thursday and Friday. Mackay is alot like Easton, very easy-going.

*Poopy diaper & garbage can {Only a few know why I want to remember these sentiments :)}

*I had a shopping buddy. Sherrie and I got to sneak away a few times to shop. I don't get to do that at all, and I hate to do it on my own. We had fun in some of our fav stores.

*Gnats bug. Especially when they are covering you from head to toe in less than 30 minutes. Yikes!

*Craig cannot stop reminding me about how well Sherrie scoops ice cream. I am practicing, really I am.

*Sorry Tay, but you drive like Dad. {But I love being around you. You make me laugh, just like a Burton should.}

*For one weekend I almost felt baby hungry. Easton is perfect. He is so easy going. Then Craig reminded me that he wasn't one of our babies. Our babies are not easy.

There are so many more memories, but I think the best part about it was that we were together. I haven't really spent time with this great couple since they were married. Since they are 'In The Navy' they are moving alot and we only get to see them when the rest of the family is trying to see them so it gets a little crazy and a little hard. But this weekend was easy and really, really fun.

Pickle Classes

Love these ladies! {OK I need to practice taking pics of myself....you gals look great but I am giving the deer in the headlights look}

Gina also took the Love Album on Friday! Hey girl!
These gals were the best! Hi Christa & Shannon...{I am really cheesin' it here}

Volunteers are the best! They help me out so much during my classes. Annette was there for the Love, Love, Love Album! She rocked! Thanks Annette...

Please say hello if you are checking out your picture above! YOU are all the reasons this is so much fun, fun, fun! I loved meeting you....