Tricia, look away for a minute...

Okay, now for the rest of you...

You Would Be a Pet Cat

Independent and aloof, you don't like to be dependent on anyone. And as for other people, you can take them or leave them. You often don't care. You live your life by your own rules. And you have deep motivations that no one truly understands. Why you would make a great pet: You're not needy or greedy... unlike other four legged friends. Why you would make a bad pet: You're not exactly running down to greet people at the door What you would love about being a cat: Agility and freedom What you would hate about being a cat: Being treated like a dog by clueless humans

What Kind of Pet Would You Be?

Odds and ends...

we went to a wedding yesterday. I have thought for awhile now that it is interesting that I feel like I went to a lot of weddings as a kid and my children have been to hardly any. Not sure why that is. We also had the honor of babysitting the bride and groom's baby (he's a real cutie-pie, happy little guy, about 10 or 11 months old.) Confirmed what I thought about Lillian's sharing philosophy, which can be summed up in one word: don't. Now, she adores baby Chandler and loves on him and was beyond thrilled to have him here...but she consistently very gently took away any toy he even thought about touching.

On a related note, Lillian was invited today to be a flower girl in the wedding of our friends Scott and Joelle. The wedding is in August and she will be over 2 1/2 by then...gives me plenty of time to talk it up and practice with her. But I still made them agree that they were willing to accept whatever unexpected might happen before I agreed!

Fishing. My family has always really enjoyed fishing and living in Michigan with so much water so close (besided the Great Lakes there are just the resulting little ponds and rivers everywhere) they've been doing a lot of it lately. Arnel doesn't have a license so he doesn't fish, just the kids do (they don't need a license)...but he is kept pretty busy just baiting and unhooking, etc. Although the boys are getting pretty brave about doing that themselves lately so he may need to go ahead and invest in a license for himself soon! Even Lillian likes to go "fishing pole." (Funny how she uses the words together like that; she does the same thing with soccer ball...as in, she wants to go watch Julia's "soccer ball game.") I don't trust the water around here, though, so it is catch and release for us.

Oh, I have to go for a fine needle aspiration on my thyroid nodules, because they have grown a tiny bit since the last ultrasound. Still waiting for them to call with the date. They don't expect to see anything wrong but it is one of those things you just check, you know? Anyway, not worried about the test (in any logical way, the anxiety-prone part of my brain has a life of it's own, of course,) but I just hate the waiting! Ugh.

I also need to find an oral surgeon. Julia needs her wisdom teeth out but I don't want to take her to just anyone as I think having someone good makes a big difference in how this goes. But I really want to get it done while she is out of school for the summer so I need to get on the ball. If you are local, I'm open to any suggestions! Give me the name of a good chiropractor while you are at it!

I can tell you right now, it is the "good guesser" thing...

You Know Some State Capitols

You Got 15 State Capitols Correct You may just be a very good guesser. Or you actually do remember something from elementary school!

http://www.blogthings.com/doyouknowyourstatecapitolsquiz/">Do You Know Your State Capitols?

And...we are officially on summer break (except poor Julia who still has a couple weeks of early mornings.) Arnel is off work until next Tuesday so it feels like vacation! Woo hoo summer!!

Another step on the road to adulthood...Julia filled out a McDonald's job appication last night.

Well, spring fever has officially hit our home and this is how I know. We've got the 'let's-hurry-up-and-finish-school-for-the-year' fever. It happens every year. We get so ready to start our vacation that we do extra work every day and into the evening...willingly...so that we can get through our assignments for the year. Their goal is to be done by the end of the week and I think it will be close. One of the perks of homeschooling!!

I just need to pop in real quick to announce that I am now the mother of a senator! Yup, Julia was elected one of three junior class senators for next year. Must have been all those Political Science classes I took in college...

And on another note....Huh, who even knew I had a "power bird"?

Your Power Bird is a Cardinal

You believe that each day is precious, and you spend your times as best as you can.You see the wonder in small things, and you are often content with what you have.You life an interesting, colorful life - and you bring color to those around you.Confident and expressive, you believe you know how to live a good life. You're living it!

What's" Your Power Bird?

I just thought these were some cool shots I got while playing with the camera, hope you enjoy them!

Me and my babies on Mother's Day...

Our second birthday boy of May, Gabe turned 10 on May 12th.

Julia on the soccer field...

Our first birthday boy of the month, Isaac, turning seven.

Can you believe we let our baby go anywhere with this guy? ~grin~

First...Mom, here is the picture of the entertainment center I keep forgetting to post!!

This was fun...

What was the #1 song the day you were born?

Arnel: "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels

Marci: "The House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals

Julia: "All the Man That I Need" by Whitney Houston

Laura: "I'll Make Love to You" by Boyz II Men

Gabe: "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.

Isaac: "Maria Maria" by Santana featuring The Product G&B

Lillian: "Let Me Love You" by Mario

Back later with pictures!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Lisa from The School of Scrap has tagged me to play Scattagories using the first letter in our first name...so here goes!

Your Name: Marci

Famous Singer: Mel Torme

4-letter word: Mine

Street: Midland Rd.

Color: mauve

Gifts/Presents: museum passes

Vehicle: motorcyble

Things In Souvenir Shop: mousepads

Boy Name: Matthew

Girl Name: Mary

Movie Title: Man of La Mancha

Drink: milk

Occupation: mom

Flower: mum

Celebrity: Meg Ryan

Magazine: Men's Health

US City: Modesto, CA

Pro Sports Team: Marlins

Fruit: melon

Reason For Being Late For Work: missed the bus

Something You Throw Away: matches

Things You Shout: More!

Cartoon Character: Mickey Mouse

You Should Drive a Silver Car

You're the type of driver who doesn't really pay attention to other cars on the road. You are calm, focused, and clear headed. Driving is simply a task for you. And you aren't one to be too fussy about what you drive. Basing your status on a car is a little beneath you.

What Color Car Should You Drive?

Your Life is Rated PG

Your life is pretty family friendly. The worse someone is going to get from you is brief nudity or toilet humor.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatisyourliferatedquiz/">What is Your Life Rated?

Totally still a work in progress, but it is up and it is open!

I am just so excited I have to share with all my scrappy friends right now that The School of Scrap STORE is officially open for business!!

Remember that we are still waiting on tons of awesome inventory to arrive but I hope you will go check it out in the meantime!

Well, today was my second time as a vendor at a fundraiser for a local private school. Like last time, I took Laura along to help me out. Also like last time, there weren't a lot of shoppers in the crowd so I didn't make much money...but as a vendor you get into the all-day crop for free. Besides the fact that they normally charge admission, they also provide lunch and snacks. So, I just try to look at it like having gotten into the crop for free...and then any money I make us just the icing on the cake!

Tomorrow I get to wrap presents for Isaac's birthday. I have yet to really spend any time working with our "new" camera and here it is time to take my first portraits with it already! So I hope to take the kids out somewhere for a trial run tomorrow to work out at least a few of the kinks before I take Isaac's birthday photos on Monday.

Our plan for Monday: Arnel has taken the day off of work so should be cooking us a big breakfast...yea! We want to take Isaac to the zoo but don't know if that will fit in before or after Lillian's nap. And then he wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. And of course there is a cake to make and presents to open somewhere in there as well!

Tuesday: I should receive my new materials for the junior high/senior high girl's small group I lead...which is cutting it really close since we have group at 6:00 that night! I will also receive some last-minute materials I need for the project we are making at the class I'm teaching on Wednesday. I haven't even been able to prepare a sample yet. So there will be a couple days of serious cramming there.

Thursday I can start preparing for Gabe's birthday, which is on Saturday, as is there big birthday party!

Also on the agenda this week--a doctor's appointment (just a check-up so hopefully it will be a quickie,) Arnel has started softball and I'm not real sure on the schedule for that yet, and then finishing up Mother's Day stuff and then getting it to the post office.

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist. People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you. You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words. Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Score: 73%

Your Intrapersonal Intelligence is High You have a great understanding of who you are, and your place in the world. You know what path you're on. And you are excited about your future. You're always deepening your inner knowledge and introspection. And enjoying it every step of the way.

How Does Your Intrapersonal Intelligence Rate?

Your Interpersonal Intelligence Score: 65%

Your Interpersonal Intelligence is High You are definitely a "people person." You enjoy spending time with others. You instinctively understand people, and you are both a good counsellor and mediator. However, there are definitely times when you've had enough. And that's when you cherish being alone.

How Does Your Interpersonal Intelligence Rate?

Duh...I coulda told you this...

You Are a Bad Liar

Sorry, but no one is really believing any of your lies. You're going to have to chill out and practice a lot before you can really deceive effectively.

Are You a Good Liar?

Your Celebrity Style Twin is Mischa Barton

Funky, bohemian, and girly.

Who's Your Celebrity Style Sister?

You Are 36% A Child of the 90s

You are such a child of the nineties. NOT!Back in the day... well, you weren't really paying attention.

http://www.blogthings.com/areyouachildofthe90squiz/">Are You a Child of an 90s?

But...

You Are 68% A Child of the 80s

Not only did you experience the 80s... you are practically an expert.You should be totally stoked!

http://www.blogthings.com/areyouachildofthe80squiz/">Are You a Child of an 80s?

Okay, I don't blog for ages and then bog it down so much all at once that you can't read it all, right? But I just want to share one more link...it was "my" month again at Faith Based Pages so a couple more of my layouts are posted there, just click here to see them: Marci's layouts at Faith Based Pages.

I was able to do yet another layout with the papers the Design Team received from Scrapmode...It is based on a sketch by Ingrid Lingman, whom we are so priveleged to have contributing to The School of Scrap on a regular basis!

Okay, friends, which one do you think? Seriously. Let me know...


Textured Bob


or



Flicked Out

What Women's Hairstyle Is Right For You?

I was tagged by ScrappyChick1967 and by 3DCaliGirl and by Elisa!

Here are the rules...

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to blog about their seven things, copy and paste to post the rules as well . At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

Here are my 7 facts/habits :
1. Though I don't always do it for practical purposes, I prefer wearing skirts to pants.
2. I hate to clean.
3. I consider myself a pretty intuitive person.
4. My husband and I met in high school.
5. I love contemporary Christian music...The Newsboys, Casting Crown, Switchfoot...
6. I keep bottles of lotion and tubes of lip balm handy all over the house and in the car.
7. I majored in Political Science and minored in Psychology, was certified as a La Leche League leader and as a childbirth educator.

Tagged: Vanessa, Linda F, Heather, Cindy, Julie, Linda S, Nicole!

Here I am trying to check in more regularly!

Yesterday Lillian and got to do a really unique thing...she got to be observed for our teenage friend's Human Development Class. Lil got overconfident and went in to the classroom ahead of me with our friend while I stopped in the restroom (and in case you are wondering, high school bathrooms are every bit as thrilling as always,) and by the time I got there was sobbing uncontrollably. As much as I tried to explain it she was caught off guard by all the other people there and wound up spending most of the time plastered to me with her arms around my neck. But that is okay...it definitely showed them one of the normal activities of a 2-year-old! And, there were a couple other kids there, too, so they did get to see how they interacted with their toys, etc. Afterwards, the students got to interview us moms about raising 2-year-olds. It was fun.

I forgot to mention before that Julia was invited to be on the yearbook staff at school. Her English teacher is the one who oversees it and early in the year told her she should join. Julia wasn't particularly interested at the time, or maybe it seemed too far away, I don't know. But...more recently Julia got a ride home from this teacher (she has a daughter on Julia's soccer team and she gave Julia a ride home from a game.) She told Julia that since she had her captive in her car she was going to bug her about it again. ~grin~ For whatever reason, Julia decided to accept this time, which meant rearranging her schedule for next year including dropping a couple of electives she was really looking forward to. (One semester of her Advanced Drama class and a video editing class with a teacher she's really hit it off with even though she's never had him for a class yet.) After the fact she found out that most kids had to write a paper to be selected for the staff. We figure Julia's teacher was already familiar with her writing.

Tonight is the last AWANA meeting for the year, the awards program. Always cute to see the kids get their awards. It is a big night for Laura because she is in her last year of AWANA and will be receiving the coveted Timothy Award for having completed all of her books.

Saturday Laura and I will be going to an all-day fundraising crop for a local school. It has been fun stocking up on new scrap goodies. I'm a bit mixed...I hope I make a few sales and earn a few dollars, but it will sure be hard to say goodbye to some of this beautiful paper...

I also have (finally!) a class scheduled! A woman was looking at the Memory Works website and found my contact information as a local consultant and after a bit of emailing back and forth decided to book a class. I thought I'd be more nervous about it than I am, but it isn't for another week so I suppose there is still plenty of time. It is motivating me to try and get going business-wise again, though.

Julia and I have both been hooked on a book series lately...if you are interested in contemporary Christian fiction you may want to check it out. It actually is 3 series of 5 books each (the last 4 not yet published,) that follow the same families. We started with the middle series and I've only read 4 of the 5 books. Julia has read all but two. They are by Karen Kingsbury and begin with the Redemption series, then on to the Firstborn series, and the newest one will be the Sunrise series. Good stuff!