Digital Scrapbooking

Tomorrow I'm hosting my first Ice Cream Social on my blog for all my digital scrapping friends! If you love to digiscrap or want to just get started, come check it out. There will be some fun games, some fun challenges and lots of free product. There are already two kits with download links for free. If you're wanting to try it and don't know where to start, I've heard that there is a free program called "Gimp" that is great for getting started. You can find it here to download:

http://www.scrapbooksgonedigital.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22_23&products_id=53

All of my product is saved in a way that it will work in any type of photosoftware program. Anyway, just wanted to share and let you know if it's something you've thought about trying, now's a great time or even just come check it out to see some of the cute layouts others will be posting!




I almost forgot, here is the link to my scrapping blog:



http://browniescraps.blogspot.com/



And here is just one of the free things, already posted that you can download and use to create a layout!

Hope to see you there!

Where is the summer going?

I can't believe my kids go back to school in just over 2 weeks! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. I mean, they haven't been to school (not real, public school) in about 2 years. They are excited and nervous. I'm nervous that I've taught them well enough! No teachers to blame here, if I haven't. I've been making them review their math and read every day. Hopefully I didn't do too bad.

I'm excited to have a little more time to myself, but I'm sad too. We've had some really good times homeschooling! It's a ton of work and takes more patience than I had some days, but I would have never read the Odyssey if it weren't for them, even if it was an abridged version. I learned more about Ancient Egypt and Mesopatamia and Africa than I ever imagined. We took some amazing field trips, had some incredible discussion and discovered so many things together. It has been the hardest thing, between a new baby, a toddler facing all sorts of issues and trying to keep up with three bright children, the last few years have been...well...interesting.

I know they are going to do great on their new adventure. And I'm loving my design work which will be nice to have some quiet time in the day to devote to it. Not to mention that maybe my house will stay clean for more than 10 minutes at a time! I'm just hoping that between evenings, weekends and school breaks, we can continue our amazing adventures!

Super Bunny!

I have a Super Bunny in my home! How lucky am I! Now, you are probably asking yourself, who exactly is Super Bunny. That is the nickname Olivia has made up for herself. It started about a week ago, when she put 3 dresses on at once and then added Mitchell's scouting scarf (or whatever its called) and walked around the house saying, "I Super Bunny". I have no idea where this inspiration comes from, other than her very active imagination! Now, out of the blue, she'll say, "Super Bunny" in a voice like she's about to save the world!

She also has an imaginary friend that she talks to and calls "honey". She mostly talks to this friend when we are driving, its either "honey" or today she was calling to imaginary puppies to come see her.

All of my children have a fairly active imagination, as most have probably witnessed a time or two, but I'm beginning to think she takes the cake! I mean, she's barely two. Does this start already? LOL! I can only imagine what's next!

The Memory Game

Okay, I'm taking these instructions from my dear friend, Wendy's blog. So, in the comment, write a favorite memory of you and I together! Then re-post these instructions on your blog! I can't wait to see what everyone remembers!

It's Sunday

And I'm so excited to go to church today. It's been a few weeks, between the family reunion, sick Sam and church being cancelled, I feel a little lost!

Things are going well here. We absolutely love our house and feel a little more moved in each week. I am amazed at all the friends my kids have, and loving their excitement. I found Olivia, the other morning, at the window by the front door crying. When I asked her what was wrong, in her cute 2 year old voice, she said, "I want friends". She's always had her big sister there to dote on her, and I think she's just a tad bit jealous that her sis has a whole new set of friends these days.

The other highlight of the weekend has been my neice Mykayla staying with us. The girls have had so much fun! From catching butterflies(moths) in the yard, to reorganizing Abby's bedroom, to our trip to Ikea yesterday! I love little girls, so one extra, has been a real treat!

Thank You, Bethany!!!

I want to thank my very dear friend, Bethany for doing my background and header for me! I am so bad at this sort of stuff! She used a kit I designed for my shop, but she did all the work and even emailed me exactly what I needed to put in the box! She is such a wonderful friend! Thanks Beth! I love how it turned out!

A beautiful blog

It is 12:30 in the morning, John is down in Alamo for work. The other kids are asleep and it is very quiet here. I have been reading a blog that my friend Bethany posted about on her blog. I have been crying for a good 30 minutes! I just wanted to share this, but be warned, it is beautiful, heart wrenching and life changing, all at once. This woman is amazing for being so open and letting everyone out there into what I think would be any mother's nightmare. She is truly inspiring.

http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50

Sam's Blog

Although my other kids may not find this the most fair, I have turned our homeschool blog into a blog for Sam. I want a way to document things, but also a way to share with everything how he is doing. This blog will continue to be the family blog, but if you are wanting an update on Sam, everything will be in his blog! The link is at the top of the list! My hope is that this will be a way for everyone to feel connected and informed during this whole thing! I've already posted there, so check it out!

A Diagnosis for Sam

Well, today has been quite the day, but I wanted to post here the latest on what we've learned for Sam. Information is always a good thing (I think) and so I am grateful to know what we know. I'm a little overwhelmed and emotional, but there are many reasons for this.

Several weeks ago, Sam was hospitalized for viral pneumonia. This was nothing new for us, and as crazy as it sounds, everything seemed very "routine". While we were there, the doctor ordered genetic testing. I think she was hoping to find a link or reason to all of the challenges that Sam has had over the first years of his life. I didn't think much of it. Honestly, I feel like we've been through so many, what's a few more? Right?

Well, we got the results today from our pediatrician. Because of our move, she had to tell us over the phone. Apparently Sam was born with 2 extra chromosomes or 48xxyy syndrome. It's very rare and only affects 1 in every 17,000 boys. In fact, I read that many parents who learn of this during pregnancy through an amnio, abort. That makes me very sad. Not that I want to debate this issue, but I look at the joy that Sam brings me every day, and his incredible capacity to love, that I couldn't imagine not having that.

I will post a link at the bottom to a website we found about this condition. It explains it better than I can, but something I want to say, before anyone reads it. Sam is who he is and no diagnosis will change that. I refuse to allow myself to be freaked out about the "what if's" and "what won't be's". He is a charming child that loves everyone he meets. He is happy and loving. I am grateful for who he is and what he has brought into my life. I firmly believe that Sam has this challenge for a reason and no statistic, no symptom will change who he is. I'm thankful for answers, because it gives us a direction and the ability to find a support group, but I will not let this "name" define my son. And today, I feel overwhelmed a bit, by the future and the work that will be involved, but to be honest, I feel that on most days! But, I am grateful for the challenge, I'm grateful for the blessing it is to be his mother and I will do everything I can to give him the very best life possible! The most valuable lesson I have learned since Sam entered our life, is that there are no guarantees. We only have today and we only have what we can see and touch and feel in the here and now. So we need to enjoy it and not worry about what the future brings. I am also grateful to know that this life is not the end, and who Sam is now, in this life, is merely a challenge he must face. Underneath it all, is a very sweet and special spirit, who will be my child forever. And for that, I am blessed.

Here is the link: http://www.xxyysyndrome.org/

I have very exciting news!!!

And no, we aren't expecting a baby! LOL!

I just got my first job as a designer at a real online store! I'm so excited. I've only got two products in so far, but more will be coming. (It's a lot of work to organize and upload, etc.)

Anyway, click HERE for the link and see my new store!!!

Top 10 things I learned at the laundramat

1. That this is a harder word to spell than one might think.

2. Go early, beat the crowds.

3. That 10 loads in 2 hours can be quite a nice thing to accomplish.

4. That at $20 for 10 loads on a Saturday, saved over the course of 2 years could buy me my dream washer/dryer set:

5. 95% of the clientel there are men.

6. Not so smart to leave your detergent there, it won't be waiting for you when you return.

7. Bring your own reading material.

8. Bring your own snacks.

9. By leaving the kids home with dad, 2 hours of laundry alone can actually be quite relaxing.

10. And last of all, even laundramat dryer's eat socks!

As you can tell, from the important life lesson's I learned today, I spent 2 hours at the laundramat. We didn't have room for our washer and dryer on the moving truck, so we have to wait a few weeks before we get them. I've been doing laundry at my mother-in-law's house, which she was so kind to let us use, but it was still backing up very quickly. I guess that having 7 people (5 of which are still in the "use my clothes" for everything mode) means lots and lots of laundry! So, I decided to take a trip to the local laundramat and catch up!

Happy 4th of July

I am finally updating our blog!! I hope that everyone is staying cool, enjoying this wonderful day and spending time with families! I love the 4th! It has to be one of my favorite holidays. We even bought our grill and got it hooked up just in time for this festive day. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch of steak and grilled veggies!

We absolutely love our new home, our new neighborhood and everything about our new life here. The kids are adjusting well, making lots of new friends and in many ways it feels like we've been here longer than just a few weeks.

We had a wonderful weekend, last weekend for our family reunion. We got to see all of John's family, and it was the best. We hadn't all been together in several years. I love them all so much and enjoyed everything so much. From lunch at Training Table to the wasp adventure to taking pictures at the castle, it was all a blast! The highlight, though, was being present when Richard and Merilyn's baby was blessed. It was a very special moment. He is a precious baby and having all of us there together to celebrate the occasion brought tears to my eyes. I love you guys!