Twelve photos from January 2012 digi-scrapped ~ check!
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Easy Morning Muffins
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #13
Jan. 26th - I don't know about you, but I LOVE muffins, especially in the morning, still warm, fresh out of the oven. My kids love them as well and it's nice to be able to change it up for them and give them a reason to detour from the cold cereal or frozen waffles that they seem to like so much. This morning I made blueberry muffins (out of a box...am I a bad mom?). Maybe someday I'll take a run at made-from-scratch muffins but for now this working mama is good with making muffins from a box. Muffin mixes make great-tasting muffins, are super convenient, come in many flavors, and are way less risky for me. The worst I can do is overbake them right? I have been known to do that by the way. So, today I am grateful for EASY MORNING MUFFINS. Another bonus to buying muffin mixes is that certain brands offer the Box Tops For Education labels (which we diligently collect). Can't get that with homeade!
Jan. 26th - I don't know about you, but I LOVE muffins, especially in the morning, still warm, fresh out of the oven. My kids love them as well and it's nice to be able to change it up for them and give them a reason to detour from the cold cereal or frozen waffles that they seem to like so much. This morning I made blueberry muffins (out of a box...am I a bad mom?). Maybe someday I'll take a run at made-from-scratch muffins but for now this working mama is good with making muffins from a box. Muffin mixes make great-tasting muffins, are super convenient, come in many flavors, and are way less risky for me. The worst I can do is overbake them right? I have been known to do that by the way. So, today I am grateful for EASY MORNING MUFFINS. Another bonus to buying muffin mixes is that certain brands offer the Box Tops For Education labels (which we diligently collect). Can't get that with homeade!
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| Blueberry muffins fresh out of the oven! |
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
2012 Take Twelve Photo Challenge
Once again it is the beginning of a new year and I need, yes NEED, some scrapbooking motivation, a project of some sort, a goal, a renewed purpose of why I scrapbook in the first place. I need to be held accountable for preserving all of the wonderful memories that I capture each year. Accountability is the catalyst to turning my "organized" stash of photos into beautiful scrapbook pages and put to good use the amass of product I have managed to acquire. What can I say?? I am a sucker for pretty pretty scrapbook paper.
As yet another package of a couple 100 developed pictures arrive from Snapfish, I am resolute in taking action and thus begin the search for my "motivation". I love Two Peas in a Bucket. Their website is my go-to for inspiration and motivation so I start (and end) there. I have found my motivation...the 2012 Take Twelve Photo Challenge hosted by Ella Publishing. What is Take Twelve you ask? Take 12 is both a photography and scrapbooking challenge. You take 12 photos on the 12th of each month in 2012 and scrapbook them. They even have a Take Twelve Inspiration Kit to guide and inspire you through the journey. How cool is that?! It is exactly what this girl needs. I am officially signed up and plan to dive in this weekend! While it does not necessarily help me with my backlog of unscrapped photos (still searching for that scrap-your-stash class...), it will certainly spark my creativity and provide me with a "project" that is very meaningful to me. I am also hoping to discover new ideas and become a more purposeful scrapbooker through the process. If you are looking for a great project to throw yourself into this year, you should check out the Take Twelve challenge. It may be just what you need, too!
As yet another package of a couple 100 developed pictures arrive from Snapfish, I am resolute in taking action and thus begin the search for my "motivation". I love Two Peas in a Bucket. Their website is my go-to for inspiration and motivation so I start (and end) there. I have found my motivation...the 2012 Take Twelve Photo Challenge hosted by Ella Publishing. What is Take Twelve you ask? Take 12 is both a photography and scrapbooking challenge. You take 12 photos on the 12th of each month in 2012 and scrapbook them. They even have a Take Twelve Inspiration Kit to guide and inspire you through the journey. How cool is that?! It is exactly what this girl needs. I am officially signed up and plan to dive in this weekend! While it does not necessarily help me with my backlog of unscrapped photos (still searching for that scrap-your-stash class...), it will certainly spark my creativity and provide me with a "project" that is very meaningful to me. I am also hoping to discover new ideas and become a more purposeful scrapbooker through the process. If you are looking for a great project to throw yourself into this year, you should check out the Take Twelve challenge. It may be just what you need, too!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Date Nights
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #12
Jan. 22nd - We did it! We finally had a date night and it was wonderful. Grace had a birthday party sleepover so we got to hit the town, just Dan and I. We went to Madison and had a wonderful dinner at Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse thanks to our wonderful kids who gave us a Food Fight gift card for our birthdays. Delicious food, fabulous waitress, awesome atmosphere, great conversation, and the best date ever! There was nothing not to love. We then took a stroll to the Argus Bar for an after dinner drink. Took me back to our days of actual dating...exactly what date nights are supposed to do! I am so thankful for our DATE NIGHTS and I look forward to many more!
Jan. 22nd - We did it! We finally had a date night and it was wonderful. Grace had a birthday party sleepover so we got to hit the town, just Dan and I. We went to Madison and had a wonderful dinner at Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse thanks to our wonderful kids who gave us a Food Fight gift card for our birthdays. Delicious food, fabulous waitress, awesome atmosphere, great conversation, and the best date ever! There was nothing not to love. We then took a stroll to the Argus Bar for an after dinner drink. Took me back to our days of actual dating...exactly what date nights are supposed to do! I am so thankful for our DATE NIGHTS and I look forward to many more!
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| Johnny Delmonico's - downtown Madison. |
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Weekends
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #11
Jan. 21st - Missed my posting yesterday...it was a TGIF day and what a day it was!! Our first real snowstorm and it was a blast. Even the dog had fun and got nice and tuckered out! I went into work for a little while and made it home before the big snow. Got to spend the day with Chelsea, Brandon, Grace and Sammy. My first run ever with our beast of a snowblower thanks to Brandon getting it started for me. Two hours later I had the driveway, sidewalks and our neighbor's sidewalks done so Dan didn't have to do it when he got home. It was very cold which made the snow light and fluffy and sooo pretty falling from the sky. You can see the snow falling in a few of the pictures I took. I love taking pictures of my kids in falling snow!
I am so thankful for WEEKENDS and especially those when we have nothing going on. My favorite part of any weekend is waking up on a Saturday morning and not having to rush to get everyone ready and out the door to school or work. Today is Saturday...I got to wake up, enjoy my coffee, download some pictures, surf the net, and blog a little. Typical. It's going to be a good weekend and I am looking forward to our big "little things" for today...Grace has a basketball game and a sleepover birthday party and I hopefully have a date night with my hubby!! Here's to the weekend!!
Jan. 21st - Missed my posting yesterday...it was a TGIF day and what a day it was!! Our first real snowstorm and it was a blast. Even the dog had fun and got nice and tuckered out! I went into work for a little while and made it home before the big snow. Got to spend the day with Chelsea, Brandon, Grace and Sammy. My first run ever with our beast of a snowblower thanks to Brandon getting it started for me. Two hours later I had the driveway, sidewalks and our neighbor's sidewalks done so Dan didn't have to do it when he got home. It was very cold which made the snow light and fluffy and sooo pretty falling from the sky. You can see the snow falling in a few of the pictures I took. I love taking pictures of my kids in falling snow!
I am so thankful for WEEKENDS and especially those when we have nothing going on. My favorite part of any weekend is waking up on a Saturday morning and not having to rush to get everyone ready and out the door to school or work. Today is Saturday...I got to wake up, enjoy my coffee, download some pictures, surf the net, and blog a little. Typical. It's going to be a good weekend and I am looking forward to our big "little things" for today...Grace has a basketball game and a sleepover birthday party and I hopefully have a date night with my hubby!! Here's to the weekend!!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Technology
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #10
Jan. 19th - I am thankful for all of the wonderful TECHNOLOGY that I can choose to use or not each and every day. What did we do before computers, cell phones, tablets, video games, copy machines, etc? Big picture, they really do make our daily life easier, more efficient and for the most part, more enjoyable. Yes, there are downsides to all of this techy dependency/bliss but I have to believe that the benefits we enjoy far outweigh the negatives. Balance is the key but not always achieved, even for me!I truly enjoy waking up each morning, coffee in hand, perusing the web, checking my e-mail, and my new fav, pinning on Pinterest. Have you checked out this site yet? If not, you must! It is fun, interesting, and inspiring. In fact, maybe you will become a little addicted like me. The best part of Pinterest is discovering all of these wonderful blogs and other places on the internet that you would not easily stumble upon. From yummy foods to raising kids to DIY crafts to inspiring words and beautiful pictures, it's pretty amazing all of the "pinning" you will do and great ideas you will discover!!
For example, today...I'm here, in Maldives sipping a pretty drink and enjoying the spectacular view from my own amazing villa...okay, not really, but because of technology I can picture myself here and that's good enough for me!! It's pinned on my Travel Destination board at Pinterest. Maybe someday, just someday I will go here. For now, I'm good with the beautiful picture...
Jan. 19th - I am thankful for all of the wonderful TECHNOLOGY that I can choose to use or not each and every day. What did we do before computers, cell phones, tablets, video games, copy machines, etc? Big picture, they really do make our daily life easier, more efficient and for the most part, more enjoyable. Yes, there are downsides to all of this techy dependency/bliss but I have to believe that the benefits we enjoy far outweigh the negatives. Balance is the key but not always achieved, even for me!I truly enjoy waking up each morning, coffee in hand, perusing the web, checking my e-mail, and my new fav, pinning on Pinterest. Have you checked out this site yet? If not, you must! It is fun, interesting, and inspiring. In fact, maybe you will become a little addicted like me. The best part of Pinterest is discovering all of these wonderful blogs and other places on the internet that you would not easily stumble upon. From yummy foods to raising kids to DIY crafts to inspiring words and beautiful pictures, it's pretty amazing all of the "pinning" you will do and great ideas you will discover!!
For example, today...I'm here, in Maldives sipping a pretty drink and enjoying the spectacular view from my own amazing villa...okay, not really, but because of technology I can picture myself here and that's good enough for me!! It's pinned on my Travel Destination board at Pinterest. Maybe someday, just someday I will go here. For now, I'm good with the beautiful picture...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Healthcare Providers
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #9
Jan. 16th - Today I had to take Grace to the doctor and as I was driving, and thinking of what I might find today to be grateful for, it occurred to me that we are very lucky to have some of the best healthcare providers just a phone call away. And, not just one or two, but literally hundreds of them. How easy it is for us to take these types of things for granted because we only go to them when we absolutely have to and then we complain about having to go. I began to think about all of the other places in the world where that is not the case at all and, in fact, the exact opposite. How grateful they would be for even a portion of what we have at our disposal is beyond measure. So, today I am thankful for the knowledgable and caring HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS available to me and my family when we need them.
Jan. 16th - Today I had to take Grace to the doctor and as I was driving, and thinking of what I might find today to be grateful for, it occurred to me that we are very lucky to have some of the best healthcare providers just a phone call away. And, not just one or two, but literally hundreds of them. How easy it is for us to take these types of things for granted because we only go to them when we absolutely have to and then we complain about having to go. I began to think about all of the other places in the world where that is not the case at all and, in fact, the exact opposite. How grateful they would be for even a portion of what we have at our disposal is beyond measure. So, today I am thankful for the knowledgable and caring HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS available to me and my family when we need them.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Coaches
2012 Gratitude-Not Attidue #8
Jan. 14th - Today Grace has her first "offical" basketball game with the Upwards Basketball program. I am extremely grateful for COACHES who dedicate their time and talents to our children and who help our children believe in themselves. She seems excited...but not as excited as her daddy who is the assistant coach and who has high hopes for her basketball career! When you ask her what her favorite sport is, she says volleyball, so we shall see. Daddy says she doesn't know what she likes yet:) She's got mad skills in both so who knows, maybe she will end up loving both! She just finished a basketball skills camp series at her school. She was pulled out of the group to demonstrate on more than one occasion. By the end, she finally realized that this was a good thing and came home beaming about it, together with proud papa. Thatta girl!! I'll post some game pics soon.
Jan. 14th - Today Grace has her first "offical" basketball game with the Upwards Basketball program. I am extremely grateful for COACHES who dedicate their time and talents to our children and who help our children believe in themselves. She seems excited...but not as excited as her daddy who is the assistant coach and who has high hopes for her basketball career! When you ask her what her favorite sport is, she says volleyball, so we shall see. Daddy says she doesn't know what she likes yet:) She's got mad skills in both so who knows, maybe she will end up loving both! She just finished a basketball skills camp series at her school. She was pulled out of the group to demonstrate on more than one occasion. By the end, she finally realized that this was a good thing and came home beaming about it, together with proud papa. Thatta girl!! I'll post some game pics soon.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Snow....Yes, Snow
2012 Gratitue-Not Attitude #7
Jan. 12th - Yesterday it snowed, it finally snowed! The first measurable snowfall in Wisconsin on January 12. I knew that Grace was going to be chomping at the bit to go directly outside when I picked her up after school so I even went and bought myself some snow pants during my lunch break (on clearance for $15.00!! I might add). I wish I could have taken a snapshot of Grace's face when I picked her up from the neighbor's house after school. She was sooo happy and excited to finally be able to play in the snow-- to make snowballs, design a snow angel, and give her new sled a whirl. She normally sleds down our driveway because it is so long and sloped (and much easier to walk up than our local "killer hill"). But, daddy came home and burst her bubble right out of the gate because he was going to snowblow the driveway as soon as he got home. She was able to make the best of the front hill and side yard and we had a hard time getting her to come in. I forgot how cute she looks with cold rosy cheeks! So, yes, because of the joy it brings my kids/all kids and for the innate simplistic beauty of a bazillion snowflakes falling from the sky, I am thankful for the SNOW.
Jan. 12th - Yesterday it snowed, it finally snowed! The first measurable snowfall in Wisconsin on January 12. I knew that Grace was going to be chomping at the bit to go directly outside when I picked her up after school so I even went and bought myself some snow pants during my lunch break (on clearance for $15.00!! I might add). I wish I could have taken a snapshot of Grace's face when I picked her up from the neighbor's house after school. She was sooo happy and excited to finally be able to play in the snow-- to make snowballs, design a snow angel, and give her new sled a whirl. She normally sleds down our driveway because it is so long and sloped (and much easier to walk up than our local "killer hill"). But, daddy came home and burst her bubble right out of the gate because he was going to snowblow the driveway as soon as he got home. She was able to make the best of the front hill and side yard and we had a hard time getting her to come in. I forgot how cute she looks with cold rosy cheeks! So, yes, because of the joy it brings my kids/all kids and for the innate simplistic beauty of a bazillion snowflakes falling from the sky, I am thankful for the SNOW.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Good Book
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #6
Jan. 11th - I enjoy reading but I do it in spurts and it usually takes me a while to finish a book. When I do finally pick up my book to start reading I more often than not get drowsy and end up going to sleep. The current book I am reading is called The Help. It is a really good book..caught my interest from the beginning and even has me chuckling out loud at times. I enjoy reading A Good Book whether it be fiction, non-fiction, reference, or self-help. It is a way for me to relax, learn something new and interesting, or simply lose myself for a little while. I am actually reading The Help on my Xoom and to my surprise I have enjoyed it. However, I have not been able to pull the trigger on buying a Kindle or Nook mainly because we already have the Xoom and I think it would be a waste and duplicative of what we already have. I also feel like I would have a hard time buying all of my books. I use our local libraries quite a bit and enjoy going there so I am not ready to go completely electronic yet. Time will tell as the technology advances and they make an effort to support and work with our local libraries-- or if I get tired of carring the heavyweight Xoom around. My current and upcoming reads...
Jan. 11th - I enjoy reading but I do it in spurts and it usually takes me a while to finish a book. When I do finally pick up my book to start reading I more often than not get drowsy and end up going to sleep. The current book I am reading is called The Help. It is a really good book..caught my interest from the beginning and even has me chuckling out loud at times. I enjoy reading A Good Book whether it be fiction, non-fiction, reference, or self-help. It is a way for me to relax, learn something new and interesting, or simply lose myself for a little while. I am actually reading The Help on my Xoom and to my surprise I have enjoyed it. However, I have not been able to pull the trigger on buying a Kindle or Nook mainly because we already have the Xoom and I think it would be a waste and duplicative of what we already have. I also feel like I would have a hard time buying all of my books. I use our local libraries quite a bit and enjoy going there so I am not ready to go completely electronic yet. Time will tell as the technology advances and they make an effort to support and work with our local libraries-- or if I get tired of carring the heavyweight Xoom around. My current and upcoming reads...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Mind, Body & Spirit
2012 Gratitude-Not Attidue #5
Jan. 10th - I am thankful for my ability to have a sound MIND, BODY & SPIRIT. Without one of these, my life would be so completely different and not near the quality that I am able to enjoy each and every day presently. I will continue to try to nurture each one of these on a daily basis - striving for balance and that feeling of "life is good". Some days are better than others so I push through those unbalanced days and try to make the next day better. I will move forward in my present and be thankful for all of the yesterdays I have been afforded. Life can be cut short in an instant, I know this much is true, so we all need to focus on making TODAY a great day and being our happiest selves!
Jan. 10th - I am thankful for my ability to have a sound MIND, BODY & SPIRIT. Without one of these, my life would be so completely different and not near the quality that I am able to enjoy each and every day presently. I will continue to try to nurture each one of these on a daily basis - striving for balance and that feeling of "life is good". Some days are better than others so I push through those unbalanced days and try to make the next day better. I will move forward in my present and be thankful for all of the yesterdays I have been afforded. Life can be cut short in an instant, I know this much is true, so we all need to focus on making TODAY a great day and being our happiest selves!
Safe Schools & Great Teachers
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #4
Jan. 9th - I am thankful for the SAFE SCHOOLS AND GREAT TEACHERS that I entrust my kids to each day. I believe a lot of their work and efforts go unrecognized. They really have a lot on their plate and when I go to parent-teacher conferences or go through my daughter's Friday Folder, I am in awe of all that they do with 20-some kids under their wings each day. Whew! Definitely some unsung heroes in my book.
Jan. 9th - I am thankful for the SAFE SCHOOLS AND GREAT TEACHERS that I entrust my kids to each day. I believe a lot of their work and efforts go unrecognized. They really have a lot on their plate and when I go to parent-teacher conferences or go through my daughter's Friday Folder, I am in awe of all that they do with 20-some kids under their wings each day. Whew! Definitely some unsung heroes in my book.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Hotels & Dependable Vehicles
2012 Gratitude-Not Attidue #3
Jan. 8th - I woke up yesterday at a hotel in Gurnee, Illinois following the Nommensen christmas. I wake up the earliest, of course, and spend some quiet time in the lobby reading my book. All are sleeping and I am enjoying the moment of peace and quiet feeling very thankful that we have the means to stay at NICE HOTELS with all of our kids. I knew that Grace was going to wake up and want to swim and it makes me happy that we can give that to her. It also makes me happy that all of our kids are here with us, rooming with one another, spending time with another, and having a good time. We then load up the car and begin our drive home. We had the entire gang in the Pilot, all 7 of us and a lot of stuff, and as I looked back to see most of them sleeping the ride away, I felt thankful for our DEPENDABLE VEHICLE that fits our family and allows us to travel together safely and comfortably.
Jan. 8th - I woke up yesterday at a hotel in Gurnee, Illinois following the Nommensen christmas. I wake up the earliest, of course, and spend some quiet time in the lobby reading my book. All are sleeping and I am enjoying the moment of peace and quiet feeling very thankful that we have the means to stay at NICE HOTELS with all of our kids. I knew that Grace was going to wake up and want to swim and it makes me happy that we can give that to her. It also makes me happy that all of our kids are here with us, rooming with one another, spending time with another, and having a good time. We then load up the car and begin our drive home. We had the entire gang in the Pilot, all 7 of us and a lot of stuff, and as I looked back to see most of them sleeping the ride away, I felt thankful for our DEPENDABLE VEHICLE that fits our family and allows us to travel together safely and comfortably.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A Wonderful Family
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #2
Jan. 7th - Today we celebrate Christmas with the wonderful Nommensen clan. All of our kids and their significant others/friend are going so we are able to spend time not only with our kids but the entire extended Nommensen family as well. Looking forward to a great weekend filled with a lot of fun and laughter as a very competitive clan partakes in laser tag. I am thankful today for having such A WONDERFUL FAMILY to share my life and world with. Being able to spend time with them makes me very happy! My life is so much richer because of all of them. Are they not just wonderful and beautiful?
Jan. 7th - Today we celebrate Christmas with the wonderful Nommensen clan. All of our kids and their significant others/friend are going so we are able to spend time not only with our kids but the entire extended Nommensen family as well. Looking forward to a great weekend filled with a lot of fun and laughter as a very competitive clan partakes in laser tag. I am thankful today for having such A WONDERFUL FAMILY to share my life and world with. Being able to spend time with them makes me very happy! My life is so much richer because of all of them. Are they not just wonderful and beautiful?
Friday, January 6, 2012
Let's Try This Again...
Out with the old and in with the new...new goals, new dreams, new hopes and aspirations, new experiences and possibilities...the New Year can be such an invigorating moment! I am beginning 2012 with some serious soul housekeeping so that I can better focus on living a purposeful life with a thankful grateful heart. I cannot even begin to count the blessings that surround me each day yet it seems so easy to become moody, overwhelmed, and simply too busy to enjoy even the simplest of blessings. Rather than new year's resolutions for 2012, I am going to try to begin and end each day feeling thankful...thankful for SOMETHING, no matter how little or insignificant it may be. In fact, I might even make it a family project. Why is it so easy for everyday life to get filled up with racing thoughts, time crunches, work and family obligations, to-do lists, and energy-zapping moods that lead us in the exact opposite direction of feeling grateful and able to show gratitude--for anything or to anyone? Even when we have bad days, we all have at least one thing we can be grateful for...we just need to stop, be still, and feel thankful. I am as guilty of this as anyone and it is definitely something that me and my Type-A persona need to work on...and we will! It's a New Year, anything is possible right!?!
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #1
Jan. 6th - Today I am thankful for THE BEAUTIFUL WINTER DAY that will make my drive to work easier, my walk with Sammy more enjoyable, my transporting of Grace to/from school less messy, and my husband a little more happy. The abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures are simply invigorating. The days even seem to be getting a little longer. Today's expected high...50 degrees!!
2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #1
Jan. 6th - Today I am thankful for THE BEAUTIFUL WINTER DAY that will make my drive to work easier, my walk with Sammy more enjoyable, my transporting of Grace to/from school less messy, and my husband a little more happy. The abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures are simply invigorating. The days even seem to be getting a little longer. Today's expected high...50 degrees!!
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