New Year, New Thoughts Kind of..........

Last night by daughter, Amanda (17), and I stayed up late together watching Snow Bird and the Secret Fan and then we talked and talked about friendship, family and LIFE.  She asked me questions about my childhood, my marriage, experiences, basically my life until now.  I had an oppurtunity to share stories I had not thought of in years.    I was able to share the stories of how I had all 4 of my beautiful children and to tell the stories of my brothers and how they're so important to me.  I shared stories of my parents' young escapades and told what my grandmas were like.  I was reminded that my husband has been so incredibly supportive to me throughout so many rough patches, and despite the ups and downs of any 20+  year marriage, I am so lucky to have him on my "team!"  As I spoke I realized I truly am a product of all those things I had experienced- bad or good.

After our chat, some laughs, and some tears, I came to an amazing conclusion.  If I were to die right now, today, I know I have already made my mark on this planet.  As a teacher, mom, aunt, sister, daughter, I know for a fact I have made a positive impact on lives that will continue to reach into future generations.  Yes, I am sure, there are people that don't think I am all that, and that is OK because I am just a regular person.  It is only by touching lives, sharing love, finding our calling to serve humanity that we are able to contribute any lasting effect on this ever-changing planet.  While we can discuss our religious beliefs and debate everlasting life that is not what I am thinking of as I write.  So many times people want to "find themselves" and want to find "purpose" but I have already done that and I am only 40!  I think that's pretty amazing.  Now, that does NOT mean I want to die anytime soon and it does NOT mean I am "done" but it was very comforting and liberating to think that from here on out it's just "icing" on life's cake!  I pray and hope I can continue to grow and learn and be the best at anything I try.  But most of all, I am eternally thankful for every experience and person that has helped make me who I am right at this moment and I can't wait to see what's next.

Big Picture Class!!

Ok I have no internet except on my phone and no access to scrapbook stuff but I signed up for a class!! I can't wait! It is entitled "move more eat less" and I am hoping it will combine my crafty hobby with my weight loss/ health goals!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ok, right now in this house is my whole family: my hubby, William. and my 4 kids: Anthony (20), Amanda (17), Alex (8), Addie (2) AND my little brother, Tony.  Now I say "little" but he is actuallu 32 but we havent spent the Holidays together in years, so I am so thankful he is here! 

William and Anthony just got into town last night and it was CRAZY to see the presents they added under the tree.  It made me picture what future Christmases will be like as my children become adults.  William and I have always tried to give generously for Christmas and I see it coming back to us- I guess we paid it forward.  While being together has always been our favorite, and most important way, to celebrate Jesus' birth, we have always tried really hard to get our kids what they ask for during Christmas, even if at first it may seem a little out of reach.  Now we are not extravagant people and we don't spoil our kids throughout the year too much, so Christmas is extra special and I imagine it will be HUGE when I have 4 adult kids.  I pray we are all alive and healthy to enjoy this beautiful holiday for decades to come.  I can't wait!

We're about to start all our Christmas traditions with church at 1pm, a little different than midnight mass, but I am ok with it!  Can't wait because our church (The Summit near downtown Orlando) is awesome!  Now tonight is our traditional Cuban/Peruvian/American mesh of a Christmas Eve Party and this year it will be pretty small.  However, EVERY year these is always someone new, and this year it will be Tony!  My best friend's family and my family and friends prepare a traditional Cuban Pork Roast and beans, rice, and other goodies and we open 1 present @ midnight.  Also at midnight we eat Panetonne and drink hot chocolate like in Peru.  We dance, and hang out, go to bed way late and the American part comes in the morning when we let the kids wake up early to open presents.

The BAD part is I have to clean up and put away all my crafty stuff that's on the dining room table!  No worries, it will be back out tomorrow!!!

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone!

Ok, I am probably the ONLY crafty girl that has not sent out Christmas cards yet, but I am working on it!  The way I look at it is that anyone that really knows me and loves me knows about my life and will appreciate the card when it finally arrives!  I am off work from school till Jan 3 and no 'Ohana for a few days, hubby and oldest son coming home, so I am hoping to get craftin' those cards out ASAP!  The hardest thing for me is DECIDING what I want to do! Do I keep making those nativity cards or make a new design?  Hmmmmm.........

For now, I have errands to run, but I am so inspired by all the beautiful blogs I perused this morning that I can't wait to get back to my Cricut!!  Then Hanukkah PARTY tonight!  Happy Christmas Eve Eve!!

Nativity Cards Revisited
Well, I really loved that Nativity Card tutorial but mine not so much.  So I decided to purchase some better cardstock (Bazzill Basics Paper & Tim Holtz Core'dinations), dig out my distress ink, and got some sandpaper.  I used a GLUE Stamp Pad, My Pink Stamper stamps, and GLITTER for the sentiment on the cover.  I also tried this new Martha Stewart adhesive you sponge on and it worked great on this project. Here are the steps and results.  I wonder who I will send these to??  Please comment!

Christmas sights around the house make me happy.

These beautiful jars are a great inspiration to me to create something! 

I adore lovely Christmas decor!

I recently purchased this Creative Memories Everyday Display and I love it!

Gift giving is the BEST!!!

Nativity Card



Ok, so I thought this tutorial by Angela at http://www.scpapercrafts.com/was super cute and I tried to make my own.  I found out I need to splurge on better quality cardstock, but I think it still looks pretty cute!  Except my donkey is as big as my camel...oops!  I actually spent more time figuring out if I wanted to use the Cricut Craft Room, my Gypsy, or Cricut Design Studio with my new Cricut Expression 2 than I did actually making this card.  I have so much to learn with my toys!  Oh, and thanks to my friend, Tara, for letting me borrow the Cricut Paper Doll Dress Up Cartridge- I think I love it!

Christmas Tree Link Up Party!

Ok, I have never done this before, but looks like a cute idea- I am joining a Christmas Tree Link Up Party hosted by Docerela Creations!  Check out her super cute blog!

 My hubby and oldest son were home this weekend for Thanksgiving and before they headed back out to Alabama, where they're currently working on a work project, I made sure the Christmas tree was up and the house was decorated.  It wouldn't be the same without them to enjoy (and help)!   One of my very favorite traditions of Christmas is choosing and decorating our natural Christmas tree.  I absolutely love how the scent of the fresh tree fills the air!

Yummy cupcake cards for teachers!

Vacation

I am on vacation right now, in a very quiet condo......baby sleeping, Anthony out, the girls in their room, Alex and William went to a baseball game..... and I am alone. This very rare quiet moment I use to peruse my favorite website- www.twopeasinabucket.com. I know some may consider this quite lame, but I love seeing others' creativity. Strangely enough, looking at scrapbook pages, design team layouts, and other fun creative stuff makes me happy. And this moment of happiness make mes me think about what else makes me happy...and right now just being at this amazing ocean, spending the days playing in the sun with my family makes me truly content.

It took me probably 2 days to remember how to even slow down, enjoy the quiet moments, enjoy being STILL, and remind myself how to simply RELAX. This quite simply my "control + alt + delete" where I can reset myself, look at my daily life and think about how I will handle life when I go back to "reality." As a wife, mom of 4, teacher and server at Disney, I never seem to just STOP. I jump from call to call, project to call, to cooking or cleaning, paying bills and/or worrying about it ALL THE TIME. It doesn't overcome be all at once, but as I get consumed by life a little at a time, I let it all get to me.

So, while most people make a New Year's Resolution, I will make a Vacation Resolution. One of my goals for this coming year is to RELAX at least once a day for at least 30 minutes and either do something creative, read, or just simply take a breather. I know this may seem so silly, but if you knew me, you'd know how hard this will be for me! You see, I am a little hyper!!

The other goal I have for this year is to stop worrying so much. I can only do so much, and I can start leaving more up to God. It doesn't mean I will just be a bystander in my life, but that I am not going to worry about stuff over which I have no control.

Another goal for myself (and for my husband) is to know every item on my credit report and by Dec. not owe anyone except the mortgage and student loan.

Lastly, I want to take time to be more creative- whether it's my scrapbooking or photography.

My family is waiting for me to watch them play Jenga, so this will have to wait as I am also resolving to spend more fun times with my kids!

Happy Easter!

This beautiful and very significant season makes me spiritually fall to my knees and humbles me.
May Jesus' sacrifice for me not have been in made in vain. I can't help but want to beg for forgiveness:

Lord, help me to be a better follower of your son, Jesus. Help me to lead by example, and let me always make choices out of LOVE- the same kind of love God has for me. May the Lord use my gifts in a way that brings glory to HIM. Allow me to learn from my faults and failures. Help me overcome strife and struggles so I can be the kind of woman the Lord wants me to be. Let my actions, more than my words, speak volumes about the amazing God that created us. Help me to overcome fear and worry so I can lead the life of ultimate freedom that Jesus has ALREADY claimed for me. When I bask in success may the glory be to the most HIGH- Jesus, the one who died for us and loves us still.

May Jesus' sacrifice and love for you give you peace.

Happy Easter 2011

As we drove into the parking lot at school, Alex said: ""Mom, I want to go to UCF because it is a good college and I can live at home and visit elementary whenever I want. I can see all the teachers, if they don't get cut.."

I am sure he has no idea how many messages I heard from the one simple sentence, but this is what I thought:

1. He is 8 years old and planning for college. This is so "Alex" simply because he is a my little go-getter. I don't doubt he will be my overachiever!

2. The teachers in his life have had a huge impact on him already! His Kindergarten teacher went to UCF and is a big UCF fan, so he has talked about it since he was 5! So, I am confident UCF will still be in his "Top 5" when he is actually going to apply.

3. The fact that we are such a close family right now makes him believe that he will actually want to live at home- even when he in college. I first thought this displayed his innocence, but in our family, I am wondering if anyone will ever move out.....but I am ok if they don't.....well as long as they're in school and/or doing their share.

4. He loves his elementary teachers. His school, Sunrise Elementary, has been a part of his life since birth. He knows people there love our family and are wonderful and supportive to him. How cool is that?

5. He understands, to a certain extent of course, that when he is adult he will make his own choices, thus the "whenever I want" part.

6. The state of our economy is part of his daily life- a childhood marred by reality...or is this part of his package? He knows teachers can be "cut" just like a stray thread hanging on his shirt sleeve. Then I chide myself thinking that his reality is such a great one compared to others.

Lunch with one of favorites- Addie!

It has been so long since I even thought about blogging, I totally forgot I had this. Lately my life seems to revolve around work, kids, house, "OMG what's for dinner?" and repeat. One day turns into a week and that turns into a series of months. I am NOT complaining, it's just reality for me right now. I am acutely aware it will not be always be like this so I appreciate the many true blessings that surround me. If only I had a few more hours in a day.....

Last weekend I spent a whole day at the Scrapbook Expo- all by myself- and had a wonderful time. I even took 2 classes and my favorite was "Thirty Minute Pages" and it was presented by Prima marketing- you know the ones that make those amazing scrapbook flowers??? Above are the pages I made in that class.

Yes, I missed my regular scrapbooking buddies, but this solitary experience made me reflect on my own creativity and where it can and should fit in my current reality. I will be honest and tell you I have no innate creativity- it is all learned! I am not the bestor greatest at anything, but I love doing it! It is an area in which I'd like to grow and continue to work on- today- not tomorrow or next year. I have let my creative hobby get brushed aside because of "life" but I realized I really miss that part of "me."

So, my wonderful husband set up a table for me in the family room and there I have 'camped' for the time being. I was a little worried Addie would be all over it....I mean what 20 month old wouldn't just LOVE to play in all those 'toys?' But it only took a few "no's" and she is now happily playing with her toys beside me which I think is totally da bomb diggity! I actually can't believe it! So, the last few evenings all I have actually done is mount cards my kids received for their birthdays and graduation, and even worked on organizing some Christmas cards. Not too creative, is it?

Well, the reality is I cannot create a single thing when I have stuff everywhere. I have pictures and cards and "stuff" jammed in my scrapbook stash so I have to organize and clean up. After I organize & clean up, then I start to reacquaint myself with my tools and supplies and I peruse all kinds of creative things on www.twopeasinabucket.com. All of a sudden, I become "inspired" and that's when there is no stopping me! But it's a process that can't be rushed or forced, it just happens....... and I can't wait to get there. :)