Happiness is....Life

The picture is of some flowers a friend sent me after my surgery. They were so beautiful! They came in a box with a vase and only buds. They next day....Bam! Beautiful flowers were upon us! I can't believe just how kind people can be when you need them the most. My work supplied a weeks worth of food (gift cards.) My friend Jen took Ev to school. I received goodies and cards from so many people. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of everyone.

So...I wish I could say all is well and I'm back to my normal everyday life. But I can't. I went for my check up on Friday to get good news that my tumor was benign. The bad news is I'm still in pain! She did another exam to find out that it is my bladder that has been causing all the pain. I go tomorrow to do a renal ultrasound to see if I have kidney stones or an inflamed bladder. She seemed to think it was an inflamed bladder. I really just hope to feel better before the holidays.

So just to light my kettle a bit more....My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The surgery was set for Tuesday of this week but yesterday he had (what we think) another heart attack. He is in the hospital now and they are still running tests to see what needs to be done. Needless to say his surgery was postponed.

I am delighted to say that Ted and the kids are healthy!!! That has been another on going challenge this school year. Thank goodness they are healthy so they can take care of ME...ha ha.

Life. It can throw so many challenges at you but it still proves to be worth living. I enjoy hearing my children playing and holding them close. Spending time talking with Ted. Enjoying a laugh with my step-mom and dad. Going to a craft show with my friends. So many things can bring me happiness....sometimes I have to remember this when times seem so tough.

Happiness is.... TED

Today is Ted's birthday! He is sooooo my happiness. I love his beard in the winter, smooth face in the spring, his love for our children, his desire to change the education system, his ability to know everything (ha,ha), and of course his strong sexy legs! And they are only going to get stronger with his NEW bike! Finally, he got his new bike. Not sure if you can tell, he is holding it up with one finger...he love how light it is:0) He so deserves it! Happy Birthday my love!

Hapiness is ..... the End of Summer???? What ?

Okay, I'll admit it. When I was a stay at home mom that was happiness. End of summer that is. Kids back to school. Peace and quiet. Ahhhh....heaven. Don't get me wrong I do love my kids but after 3 months of spending everyday together we ALL are ready for a break!
But now that I have gone back to teaching...not so much. Teachers went back on Aug 12 and students didn't start until the 20. Tell me who the heck came up with that idea? So for 1.5 weeks Ted and I have been juggling the kids. Actually, thank goodness for grandparents (you rock!) because without them we'd be in big trouble or debt. My neighbor, Ryah, was a HUGE help too! Anyway, we made it though and Bec has started 6th grade, Alec 10th, and Ev preschool.
Thank goodness I am only working part-time as it has been PLENTY of work. I have first and second graders I service for different disabitilies. I have always worked with older kids and feel like I have NO idea what to do with these etsy bitsy ones! Better learn fast!! I've been reading LOTS to get ready! Ted is still at Sandia this year teaching mostly Latin but does have 2 English 9 classes. He sold his prep.....ugh. I'm not sure that was a great idea but we'll see. I just hope he has time to breath.
So anyway, back to the kids. One of the tasks of going back to school is clothes shopping. My favorite. Most of the time we have little to spend but with Dominic's help we had more this year. So on tax free day the kids and I went shopping!! Target first. As we are shopping, Alec is not paying much attention, not much of a shopper actually, was walking off so I'm firmly telling him to stay with us in the little girl underware section (just were he wanted to be) and wouldn't you know channel 7 news is there filming a back to school report and is filmin US! We'll US and me yelling at him...geez. Figures. The guy was so funny and ask us to do an interview, which I REALLY didn't want to do but did after my kids convenced me (only because they wanted to be on the news.) And Yes, It was on the news! Alec had his 2 mins of fame too! I was really hoping he would use Alec only but not me...oh well.
After the interview we went to Alec's section, the men's section now, to get him some stuff. Can you believe I have to BEG him to buy clothes. He bought one shrit, socks and underware. I have to convince him that his underware was in need of replacing since he had underware in his drawer from 3rd grade! Geez. He did by 2 pairs of shoes from the mall and a few shirts. Becca, on the other hand, has NO trouble shopping for clothes. We got lots of new things but still have to go back this weekend for last minute supplies....
Well, with summer gone it does feel sad but I suppose there is happiness in it somewhere. I'm waiting and hope I feel it soon. Here is a picture of Evie eating blackberries from our bush. That is so summer!

Happiness is ..... Stamp Camp!

I have been saying I'm going to do a Stamp Camp for awhile now and it is finally here! If you haven't been to one of my classes or want to make some super fun projects this is the class for you! If you can only come to one...this is the one:0) The camp it $35 and you make 6, that's right six, projects. Here is a sneak peak. For Stamp Camp I do require payment no later than a week prior to the camp so contact me to reserve your spot. The camp is Saturday, July 18 from 12-8 and is being held at Jackie's home (another demonstrator.) She lives off of Kentucky and Constitution and has a large home to accommodate everyone.
Don't forget you can ALWAYS order online at my website www.superstampinfun.stampinup.net you can also few my future classes.
I hope to see you all at the camp!
:0)

Hapiness is..... A NEW Car!

Finally!!!! We finally got a beautiful new car. Most importantly we can actually get to where we need to go and not worry if the car will make it. We literally drove into the parking lot of Garcia Subaru with it stalling...thank goodness we were able to purchase it and take it home right away. More good news is they gave us $1100 for it! Yippee! Anyway we traded in our 1996 Subaru Impreza Outback for a 2009 Subaru Outback. It is BEAUTIFUL.
Did I say that yet? B E A U T I F U L !!! Not to mention RELIABLE!! We now are planning a last minute trip to Colorado with the kiddos. Let's hope it comes true.
Picture of the BEAUTIFUL new car coming soon so check back:0)

Happiness is...Mom

It has been 14.5 years since my Mom died. With Mother's Day coming up I can't help but think of her. I wish I could see her. Hug her. Tell her how wonderful she is. I miss her but have such happy memories of her. I am so lucky to have other Moms in my life that mean so much to me and guide me to be the mother I am today. Thank you Darlene for being there for me and treating me like your daughter. Thank you Jane for loving me and accepting me and my kids into your life. And thank you to Ryah, Jen, Edie, Portia, Alicia, Sherri, Jill, Kimber and all you Mom's who have inspired me in mommyhood.
Wishing all of you a Happy Mother's Day!
PS here is a Mother's Day card I made:0)

Happiness is....Tennis!

There are moments when the running around, washing of uniforms, purchasing of tennis balls and sorrow and or happiness of matches feels endless but regardless I love to watch Alec play! His high school team, Eldorado Eagles, did extremely well this year. He played a tournament last weekend and won both his matches but the flight didn't win enough to advance to the third level BUT two other flights for Eldorado went on to win the city tournament! Despite what Alec thinks he is an amazing player and is fun to watch. Here are some pictures a dad on the team took....he is an amazing photographer!

Happiness is....Spring Break!

How could spring break NOT bring happiness? Every year we make this a 'family time' together. It works out perfect especially because Ted teaches so he is off and the kids are out of school. This year we went to Conchas Lake just east of Santa Rosa. It was absolutely beautiful! Clean campgrounds, peaceful surroundings, and nice blue lake! We were able to canoe the second day but high winds prevented us from going out the third. Instead we hung out and played at a park they have and checked out the massive dam. We will be returning when the weather gets warmer...btw...we were wearing capris for weeks before we went then a day into our trip it got cold...geez, New Mexico weather is weird! It didn't stop us from having fun!

Happiness is...Ice Skating!

I haven't updated in quite some time....mainly because three kids keep you super busy!! We were able to spend time with my niece, Maddie, yesterday and I took her and Becca ice skating. Kinda a girls day out:0) We had so much fun! Becca had been before so she was like a pro. It was a ton easier then I thought and didn't fall once. Actually none of us had any bad spills...thankgoodness. Afterward we warmed up with a cup o' Joe...yum!