Paper Obsessed

I just absolutely love patterned paper. My problem is that I never want to use it all up. It's just so silly to just hang onto it and not use it. Why do I buy it if I don't use it!? I guess part of it is that I never feel like a can really do the paper justice in a scrapbook layout. However, I have been trying to find ways to feature the paper prominently but show off my photos too. It's harder than you might think! I have got to get organized so that I can use my time and my scrapbook space more efficiently. I get so overwhelmed by the chaos that it is difficult to focus on creating. I need one of those professional organizers that they have on T.V. Not the ones that make people throw out everything they love, but the ones that make a system that works! HELP ME!

Back to the Scrap

I hadn't scrapbooked in about a month and I was getting grouchy, so I made time to make a few pages.

Partying baseball style

These pictures are from the birthday party of Parker and Jack's friend, Luke. He is the son of my very talented photographer friend, Jenna. As usual, Jenna always manages to capture those pictures and moments that I would never think of. Don't you just wonder if Jack is taking that ball from Parker of if it is a nice little brotherly sharing moment. My money is that Jenna snapped the picture right before Jack hit Parker or vice versa! It was a very nice party and they especially loved their awesome "L" baseball hats. Good job Jenna!

Well, we set up the new pool today and as soon as I get a chance I am going to empty it and return it to Walmart. Apparently it must be on absolutely, totally level ground or it simply will not work. I put it on what I thought was level ground, but definitely isn't. The problem will be convincing Parker that we need to trade it in for something else. This could be ugly.

Summer begins!

I'm not crazy about this picture--at least how I look, but Parker looks adorable. We took this of ourselves before his graduation. That kid just contstantly cracks me up. We bought one of those little vinyl pools that have a filter and pump and he is just dying to set it up. I think he is going to be disappointed when he sees how small it is--I think he is picturing jumping in and swimming. Then again, maybe he will just be happy to get wet. For a child who is overly cautious about most things, he has never been afraid of the water. I signed him up for swim lessons and he is SO excited. I thought he would freak out (which is what he may do when we actually get there) but he can't wait. We haven't really tried to get Jack in the water too much. I guess we will find out this year how he is going to be. It just feels like summer to me this week. I love not being on the school schedule and being able to go where we want when we want. I also think that Jack behaves better when Parker is around. Or maybe he's just as naughty but Parker takes the edge off for me. Well, I just heard an entire basket of toys being dumped upstairs, so I had better go see what the little scoundrel has done now. I need a laptop upstairs, don't you agree?! Have a wonderful and hopefully sunny Memorial Day. I will be remembering my Grandma and Grandpa Graumenz who just would have gotten the BIGGEST kick out of my boys--Parker especially because he looks soooo much like my dad. They were special people who believed that family is the most important gift you are given. AMEN!

The Graduate--Part I

Parker "graduated" from preschool last night. Of course, he will be attending preschool again next year so this is Part I of preschool graduation. He was so funny. He started to get nervous right before they went up front, so I told him that all he had to do was stand there--he didn't have to sing if he didn't want to. I thought that maybe he would loosen up once he was with his friends and that he would go ahead and sing. No such luck. He went up there and stood as stiff as a board and didn't sing a note. He kind of moved his lips a few times, but definitely no singing. Afterwards we asked him why he didn't sing and he said, "you said I didn't have to." Oh well, at least he went up there which is an improvement from last year. And, perhaps even more important, he was dressed appropriately for the occasion. This is pretty big for him. He broke all his "rules." He had on "church pants" (that would be khakis to the rest of us), a "fancy" shirt, and a tie no less. WOW!!! He looked so handsome.

I'm a WINNER!

I had mentioned several weeks ago that I was entering my first scrapbooking contest. It was on a website that I love www.acherryontop.com . The rule was that you had to use 75% Scrapworks products to create a layout. Obviously this is a gimmick to get you to buy Scrapworks products, but it is fun anyway. Anyway, they picked one grand prize winner and 3 additional winners and I was one of the three runner-ups! I think there were about 40 entries, so there was some competition out there! I won a $25.00 gift certificate to the website and I promptly spent it and more. This was a very nice little confidence builder for me.

Baseball boys

Travis' baseball season has begun so we never see him anymore. I had no idea it would be this time consuming. They have practices or games pretty much everyday. It is Little League for heavens sake. I would be much more understanding if one of my kids were actually on the team. The other problem is that my otherwise fabulously healthy children turn into sneezing, runny-nosed, red and itchy-eyed monsters this time of year. I am so spoiled with their good health that I feel somewhat paralyzed by these insidious allergies that they both have. I am hoping that they outgrow them. Parker's have been slightly less traumatic this year, but that could be because we've had a pretty wet spring. Who knows?
Parker only has 3 weeks of school left. How is that possible? I actually kind of enjoy having him all to myself and not having to get up and get him to school. I am planning on making a conscious effort to really enjoy our last full year of before he starts kindergarten. I really feel that this year we are holding him back is going to be a bonus for him--and me. He is soooo entertaining! Speaking of entertainment, the more Jack speaks, the more I fall in love with him. He is turning into a very funny little boy. Knock on wood, but he has been fairly good the past few days. Of course, I haven't taken him in public either, but maybe there is hope yet!

Losing Steam

I don't know if it's the nice weather, or just a lack of interest, but I am definitely losing steam with my creative interests. When I sit down to scrapbook, I look outside and think, "why am I inside on such a nice day?" Tuesday night I had my first experience with having a "booth" at our preschool craft show. I did not get one single order and most people did not even look at my books. Now, let me just say that I don't really care because I have decided to scale back my operation. But, man, no one was even looking! Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted and I still plan to take orders from friends and family. I was really in it more for the fun of it anyway. Live and learn, right!?

The Allergies have arrived!

Parker is miserable with his seasonal allergies. His eyes drive him crazy so then he drives us crazy. He flat out refuses to take medicine which makes the whole thing that much worse. I try to sneak it in when I can, but he's not stupid. He can usually tell when something is up. I am really excited about scrapbooking right now. I have been so inspired by Kim Lillpop's pages. Seeing what she does makes me want to experiment more and be more creative. Yeah! I love that. We have some very busy weeks coming up with all of the end-of-school activities. I sort of dread that kind of chaos. We shall see what happens!

HAPPY EASTER

These pictures are from the Severe's annual Easter egg hunt. There must have been a million eggs--more than the kids could even carry! Parker loves it and Jack is sort of getting the hang of it. He still wants to pick up a few eggs and then quit. A beautiful day and great family fun. Oh yeah, and lots of melted chocolate!

LIttle Terror

Oh. Jack. That child is driving me CRAZY! I am really at a loss as to how to discipline him--particularly in public. Yesterday was a shopping nightmare. (Magnified by the fact that he threw up all over himself when we arrived.) I had to strip him down to his diaper in the parking lot and take him into the store in just a diaper and buy him a new outfit. Then I went back to the van and used the shopping bag to clean up all the puke. That is motherhood! It isn't those sweet, cuddly moments when your child is adorable and sleepy. It's these nightmare moments that define motherhood. It's these times that I thank God for making me love my boys so, so much--otherwise I would want to leave them by the side of the road! :-) Anyway, I did this scrapbook page to enter my very first scrapbook contest. I probably won't win, but I kind of like a challenge. Have a great Easter and remember why we are celebrating. Thank you God for sending Your Son--how blessed we are by Your sacrifice!

No Cuffs

If you know Parker, you know our ongoing battle with his clothes. He has these crazy ideas about what he will and won't wear. The cuffs thing is probably the weirdest and worst. It is remarkably hard to find boys shirts without cuffs. Hopefully now that short-sleeve weather has arrived, this will not be an issue. However, knowing Parker, he will come up with some new clothing demand to torment me. I remember the old days when I used to dress him so cute in such trendy clothes. Boy are those days gone. Luckily I still have Jack to play dress-up with, but he is beginning to assert his own preferences too. I am such an agreeable person, how did I get these demanding children!? :-) I have nothing new to report for now, but I promise to be a better blogger and post more pictures and more info. Have a great day!!!!

What's the secret to a good day?

We went to the mall today and Parker and Jack were SO GOOD! It was actually fun to shop today. I wish I knew what the key was. I did tell them before we ever went inside that any bad behavior like temper tantrums, begging or getting out of the stroller would result in an automatic timeout when we got home. Parker understands that, but Jack either doesn't get it or doesn't care. I haven't found a good way to discipline him yet. So far, nothing works. It is just a lucky day when he behaves. How's that for great parenting!?
The temperature is just awesome today, but it is WINDY. I trimmed the bushes on the side of our house and I am feeling invigorated right now. I really enjoy doing yard work. In fact, I am much better at yard work than housework.
My parents are currently in St. Louis babysitting Stella while Tracy and Ryan are on a cruise. They say that Stella is being a little angel--she even slept through the night which she doesn't do consistently for her mommy. I'm sure Mom and Dad are LOVING having Stellabella all to themselves. She is soooo stinking cute!!!!! To anyone who is actually reading this, have a great weekend!

Spring?

Here are a few pictures of Parker and Jack. Both of the pictures were taken last summer. These layouts are part of my "portfolio" of color choices. I have submitted a few layouts to a website called www.acherryontop.com It's kind of fun to see my pages out there for the whole world to view.
We spent about an hour outside yesterday playing in the snow. Happy Spring! My feeling is that snow in March is actually kind of fun because you know it isn't going to stick around. However, my arms ACHE after shoveling it all off the driveway. Parker and Jack had so much fun playing in the snow and they looked so cute with their rosy cheeks. I grabbed the camera to take some great snow pictures and the battery was dead. Oh well. Hopefully our next snow won't be until next December so I'll take some pictures then.
My best friend Heather is coming to visit this weekend and I am so excited. We always have a lot of fun doing the most mundane things--like shopping at Worn Again and going to LaGondola. These have become our traditions when she visits. Anything can be fun when you do it with a friend!!!

The Springfield Tornado--and I don't mean Cooper McCue

I have finally managed to do a mini-page of Parker and Jack. I am trying to work on my "portfolio" which I plan to use to let customers make their color selection. I am so paper obsessed. I just love all the different patterns and colors--the choices are endless. Just when I think they can't possibly come out with anything cuter--they do and I have to go buy it. I am definitely spending all my little profit on more scrapbook stuff! That was not in the business plan, but this is really all about fun and creativity so who cares, right!?
Tracy, Stella, the boys and I all went to Springfield on Sunday to visit Allison, Mark, Molly and Cooper McCue. I just fell in love with their beautiful, new home. It's so open and bright--everything that my house isn't. I need LIGHT!!!!! The boys had a great time--especially Jack. He and Cooper really hit it off and actually played together! If you know 2 year olds, you know just how amazing that really is. If you know Jack and Cooper, you might wonder if they joined forces to burn the house down or tie Parker and Molly up, but they really behaved themselves! Parker keeps telling me, "We are going to have to go back there soon." That is the highest compliment Parker gives. Unfortunately, not long after we left, the McCue family and the rest of Springfield got walloped by a tornado. Luckily, everyone at their house is fine but I hear their swingset is history along with everything else that was outside. Yipes! Parker was glued to the news all evening and kept saying, "we were just in Springfield". I think he just couldn't imagine that something that bad could happen to a place where he had been. Reality bites!

You Go Baby Girl

Just another cute picture of Stella. I can't get enough of "scrapping" her. Obviously I am fulfilling my desire for pink pages.

Now THIS is talent!

My lovely friend Jenna took this picture of her youngest daughter, Paige. Doesn't she just look like a porcelain doll!? At the beginning of 2006, Jenna and I both decided that we should follow our talents and start our own little "businesses." She is an amazing photographer and she has started doing photo shoots for clients. She is able to capture those special little things about children that make them individual and special. For lack of a better word, I call her pictures "glorified snapshots" because they are professional quality candids. I JUST LOVE HER WORK! I can't wait to have her take Parker and Jack's pictures. I know I will come away with photos that I will always treasure because they won't be portraits where they are wearing their Sunday best, they will be my REAL, rotten, messy, rough-and-tumble, adorable, BEAUTIFUL boys! She is open for business so if you want more info, just e-mail me and I will put you in touch with her. I plan on scrapping more of her photos, so keep checking in to see what I've done.
Here is my past week in a nutshell:
- Monday was great--lots of errands and the boys behaved extremely well.
- Tuesday--the day from hell. Parker refused to get dressed so I didn't even take him to school. (Bad mom moment!) Then we went to the bank and the mall which were both MAJOR disasters. I should have known not to leave the house when it started out so bad!
- Wednesday--I went to Target BY MYSELF! Enough said!!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!
- Thursday--Rainy, gloomy day.
- Friday--beautiful, sunny day. Flat tire on van. Dad to the rescue. Played outside. GOOD!
Tracy and Stella are coming for a visit this weekend. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that baby girl. I can't wait to get my hands on her. Of course, she is very much like her mother and gets a bit annoyed when I love on her too much.

S is for Smiley Stella

When she smiles she is ALL Montgomery! I love doing pink pages and I have been looking for an excuse to use the big flower.
Parker had an awesome field trip to Wal*Mart yesterday. They really treated the kids extra-special and they had a great time. Although Target will always be my favorite, Wal*Mart is running a close second. They just keep improving on everything--especially home goods and apparel. Tomorrow is the Mt. Zion Legion Pancake Breakfast and I am sooo looking forward to that awesome breakfast food. They do a great job and I love community events. I am such a Mt. Zion dork. I love this town! (Well, not always, but don't get me started!)

page after page after page....

It is really my intention to use this blog as a "showcase" of some of my scrapbook pages so that anyone who might be interested in ordering a scrapbook from me can see my "style" and get an idea of what I do. The bonus is that I get to show off my cute boys and my sweet nieces. These pages include Macie's 2 year old picture. Look at those curls. She is so precious! It is very easy to scrapbook when I have such cuties to inspire me.

Scrapbooking Stella

Would you believe these are the first pages that I have made of Stella!? She is just so stinking cute. Obviously her mommy is having a lot of fun dressing her and taking pictures. Do you see why I NEED a little girl! Of course, I'm not complaining though. Look at the sweet, loving faces on my boys. I love this picture of them because they are actually this close and not hurting each other!
Today was such a beautiful day that we were able to play outside for a while. That is such a treat this time of year. Unfortunately, it got me looking in our garage at all our toys and I was reminded of the daily summer ritual of dragging everything out and then fighting with all the kids to take them back in at the end of the evening. I love being able to give our kids so many things, but there are obviously many disadvantages in doing that. Do you think they would notice if I got rid of everything except one kickball?!