Dylan loved the Merry Go Round

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn! My sweet little honorary niece is 4 years old!

We had a great time camping! We went to Hopeville Pond for 3 nights and the DAR State Forest for 3 nights. We had a party at our site at Hopeville with 17 of the people we love most. It was a good thing my mom brought some emergency hot dogs because we almost every bite we cooked was eaten! We got to swim and go out on the boat while we were there too. Things at DAR were more laid back - and a heckuva lot colder. Due to the elevation, it's several degrees colder there than it is here. The first night we had to have Esme come sleep with us and bring her blankets. Despite the colder temperatures Esme and I still went swimming two of the days we were there. We made the major error of putting the edges of our air mattress up against the side of the tent though, and on our last night there we got a bit wet. I don't mind a little moisture, but I do not like my pillows wet!! We had a great time but due to the rain we were very glad to get to our dry home. We're hoping we can head out into the wilderness a couple more times before Columbus Day!

Esme and I are on a cardmaking tear. I had no idea how much she'd enjoy sitting down with my old, unloved patterned papers and a glue stick and a little glitter. For the last few days she's been sitting at her little table and I've been sitting at mine, and we've been going to town. Here are a few of mine!

Some time ago my mom gave me an old roll of Kodak 126 film that had never been developed. I put off taking it in to be processed because I was afraid I wouldn't get anything back. When I went to get a new flash card today I finally took it in, and amazingly, got some pretty cool photos back! These are the best two - they're all very grainy and my mom isn't big on photography, but these two alone made it worth it for me! They were both taken on what I'm guessing was around my 7th birthday. The first one is my grandmother and me - she passed away in 2003 just a couple months before my daughter was born. On her lap is her poodle, Joy. The second is me with my parents - they divorced about 4 years later, and I've been estranged from my dad for about 5 years. I love two things about this photo - my dad is smoking a pipe, and my mom has an expression on her face that looks so much like my daughter.

Ahhh the last day of Vacation Bible School! I love doing VBS - I went every year as a child and I've been teaching the last three years. The last two years I've been the lead preschool teacher, and had Esme in my class! This week we learned about Obeying God, Worshiping God, Trusting God, Believing in God, and Serving. We had a water park theme so I brought in lawn chairs and beach toys, and the kid's favorite part, the inflatable boat. The best part of the week was when we pretended we are on the open seas and a storm was coming up. We used a fan for wind, flicked the lights for lightning, and had a thunder-maker. We rocked the boat so they felt like they were in heavy waves. A couple little ones were actually getting nervous, but then wanted to do it again and again. Overall it was a great week - I think a few of the lessons might have sunk in, and they kids definitely had fun singing, playing together, and doing crafts.

I am trying to ignore Ethan so he can finish reading Harry Potter, so I am getting some Pink Lady projects done! These papers go beautifully with some of the pre-wedding pics.

**THERE ARE NO SPOILERS ON THIS BLOG**
I was so glad I got to go to the Harry Potter party at the store where Ethan works occasionally. It was so fun to see all the kids full of anticipation for the new book, seeing all the people who dressed up, and just feeling the excitement in the air. The crowd counted down from 30 til the owner waved the first copies in the air. Some people went right outside and sat down on the steps to start reading!

I finished the book at about 3:30 am today. I enjoyed it very much. It was a mix of interesting, exciting, mysterious, with a little bit of obvious thrown in. The obvious bits are no less appreciated than the surprises though.

Perhaps my strangest altered item ever, these guys started with a mishap in the store that forced me to buy them, and then turned into my tribute to a fellow Pink Lady, ellymew. I used the new BasicGrey line, Infuse to cover them. I had so much fun making them! They took forever but they are so darned cute in person. Esme and I are fighting over who gets them.

The past week has been a very hard one for me. The first visit with my dad that I've initiated in five years was Wednesday, I had an emotional night with my nephew on Wednesday, as of Friday I am no longer church school coordinator at my church, and Saturday I had to take my daughter to the ER where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. It has been an emotional roller coaster and very difficult. I am glad this is a new week.

I tried out a new church on Sunday. It went fairly well. They are starting up a new church school which would be an interesting thing to be part of, but on the other hand I think what might be best for Esme is a church that already has a strong education program. I am going to try out a few before I even start to settle down somewhere, so I am going to head to a different one this coming Sunday. The one thing I have decided for sure is that I want to stay an Episcopalian.

Thanks to this quiz posted by Anilu I found out the dessert I am most like is my very favorite dessert, the brownie.

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

There is a thread over at Scraptalk discussing photographic self-potraits. I have to say I have often thought of myself as the queen of the self-portrait. With a husband not interested so much in photos, and a daughter just able to hold up the camera, if I want to scrapbook any photos of me I've really had to adopt at do-it-yourself philosophy. The best advice I was given was to hold the camera at an angle and position yourself at an angle. This photos is one of my recently-taken favorites.

Since my husband went to day-shift for the summer I've been getting to spend a lot more time with him. He is home nearly every evening and I have been enjoying his company so much. I am so lucky to have such an interesting, kind, and fun person to spend my life with. I wish everyone could be as lucky as me.

I was a bridesmaid this weekend in my brother's wedding! I love love love the bride and I am so happy for them! My dress was PINK! Here's a pic of me walking down the aisle with my handsome husband!

At last - wedding pics!

Lisa was kind enough to take a ton of photos with my camera along with her own, and I was able to snap a few here and there, so here are photos from Charles and Kim's wedding! (If you want to see a couple pics of the actual bride and groom together, check out Charles and Kim's Blog.)

We get ready for the wedding tonight and by the time I get home on Sunday I'll have the sister-in-law of my dreams. Kim is a beautiful, loving, incredibly fun person. I have enjoyed getting to know her since they first got together, and have loved being able to watch the milestones in their relationship. She can stand up for herself and keep Charles in his place too. I am so happy that my brother has found such a wonderful person to spend his life with. I am also happy that my nephew, Dylan, will have such a wonderful stepmother, that Esme will have such a great aunt, and that Kim will be a part of my family.

Summertime photos

We're spending time with family, swimming, and having all kinds of fun!

Have you ever developed your own mission statement? I was reading mission statements at various churches tonight and remembered one I'd developed at the Mission Statement Builder several years ago. I decided it was time for a new one, since my life has changed so much since then. Here is mine:

I will try to use my enthusiasm for productive outcomes. I will continue to enjoy my time with Ethan and work toward our mutual growth. I will endeavor to be the best mother I can be for Esme. I will surround myself with the positive people that I love. I will look to see beautiful things through my daughter's eyes every day. I will do my best to discern and follow His calling. I will continue to make my family my first priority. I will continue reading and educating myself to stay interesting. I will surround myself with funny people because I love laughing. I will let Esme guide me through homeschooling by her interests. I will bask in my happiness and the happiness of others whenever possible. I will endeavor to follow His example in my daily life. I will not give up because I feel overwhelmed or underappreciated. I will do my best to give as many blessings as I receive.

Check out this fun site where you can make yourself in Lego! The wedding rehearsal and dinner were this evening and we are all abuzz about my brother Charles and his fiancee Kim's big day! Only a week to go!

Today is my wedding anniversary! I have been married to Ethan for eight beautiful years!

Today is the last day of school!!!! That means for just over two months....

• No students will sigh heavily when they find out I'm they're sub for the day
  
• No entire class will burst into applause when they find out I'm they're sub for the day
• No other subs will condescend to me (that happened a lot this year - I don't understand it)
• I won't be Mrs. Powers
  
• I won't have to listen to 25 recorders in a small classroom
• I will not discuss homonyms or onomatopoeias
  
• I will not be acutely aware of what I didn't learn in 4th grade math and have to teach myself things quickly
• I won't say, "Line up!"
• Chances are no one will call me before 8 o'clock and if they do, I won't be waiting for their call
• No one will ask if I have super powers
• No one will try to convince me to get certified to teach
• I will not make kids I've never met before cry

Ahhhhhh summer!

My second altered monogram - this one was for Esme's nursery school teacher. She and I share a love for purple! Now my mom wants one. I feel funny making her an E though - I'm trying to sell her on M.

My goddaughter turned nine this week. She was the first baby in my adult life and I can't believe how big she is! She is the only person that can get me to try new rides at amusement parks. She got me to go on a water one recently that I'd been too scared of before. Luckly for me it wasn't too bad - just the right amount of thrilling. Thank goodness she's still too little for the really big roller coasters.

First time out on the inflatable boat.....

With her godparents...

Some swimming photos....

Sophia posted a challenge on 2 Peas today to blog what inspires you.

There are two women I go to church with who both inspire me all the time. They are both named Joan. Joan D. is a super powerhouse. If anything needs doing for our church, she does it. If you need information about the church and Joan doesn't know it, you might as well give up because it doesn't exist. She has a very busy life but finds so much more time to give. She was the first person who ever reached out to me from this church, right after Esme was born.

Joan S. is not only an amazing person who has devoted uncountable hours to her community and her church, but is incredibly generous and helped me even from her bed in a long term care facility. Plus she is an extremely interesting woman who I feel I have a lot to learn from. I feel enriched every time I have the opportunity to be in her prescence. I feel so lucky to know these women and I am inspired by both of them!

I can't wait to get this book into my hands. It contains my second published page, and I heard from a few scrapping friends that the book is really good.

Tomorrow my baby will have her last day of nursery school. And at least for a while, it will be her last day of "school" because we are about to begin our homeschooling adventure. I am both excited and apprehensive. She is very much looking forward to learning to read, but asked me yesterday if I will still read books to her.

EDITED TO ADD: The book has arrived! They did a beautiful job and it's definitely a book worth looking at! My layout is on page 109.

Three years ago I taught high school for half a day and decided I never wanted to do it again. During the last few months I've been giving it some more thought and after successfully keeping 4 to 11 year old in control for these three years, I decided I would give it a go. Today I taught my favorite high school subject - history. And I survived! Hooray! Lucky for me I had mostly honors classes, and those kids are the most studious. I am going to do Health on Wednesday.

Today is Kim's shower and I made my first altered clock as her gift.

Life has been crazy the last couple weeks!

End of the year subbing is not so fun. Lots of hot, cranky kids do not want to be in school and some of the teachers are getting fussy as well. Last chance to earn an income though so I am trying to work as much as possible. I am even giving high school a chance next week. I usually only do elementary and I am likely to be eaten alive - pray for me on Monday and Wednesday. I love my job in September. Not as much in June.

We have been out on our little boat a couple times now. Went once to the Mount Tom Reservation and once to Hampton Pond in Westfield. Bray Lake at Mount Tom was fun, but Hampton Pond was wonderful. That is my new favorite place. Unfortunately on Memorial Day some teenagers threw a bunch of fireworks into the pond and killed a bunch of fish, and the poor dead fishies are still washing up on the beach. It's gross and sad. Won't want to swim there for a while yet.

I finished reading Robinson Crusoe (love Defoe, loved it), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (very good story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in poverty in the early 20th century), and Fun Home (a cool graphic novel with very strange family relationships that I identified all too well with) since I last updated my blog. I was talking to a lady at church who said she isn't much of a reader and I said I have to be to stay interesting to my husband. She told me that was a very smart way to think about it. Actually Ethan and I have been reading a lot of the same books lately and he is very interesting to me! We read Treasure Island together and he just started Robinson Crusoe.

My baby's last day of nursery school is this coming Thursday. I have very mixed feelings about this. I am so sad that she is leaving school and won't have the fun little kid experiences I had. On the other hand I am extremely excited and hopeful about staring our homeschooling together.

I am off to worry about the last details that I am responsible for for my sister-in-law's shower. It's tomorrow!!

I just finished altering a big wooden letter for the first time, and I had so much fun doing it, I think this might become one of my standard gifts. I used Anna Griffin supplies for this one - I loved how the one pieces paper was both pink and black and white. It's a gift for our church secretary, who I have come to realize has had a pretty thankless job these long months that we haven't had a rector. I really appreciate her and sympathize with her, so upon the new rector's arrival I suggested a staff appreciation week. It's so important to tell workers how much you value them - a pretty crummy job can get so much better with just a small thank you. Hopefully I'll get to chair up the appreciation committee.

Just finished this page for one of this month's projects at Scraptalk. This is my first time using Crate Papers and I loved them! And with this page I am celebrating! Esme and I have had great difficulties at bedtime since I starting putting her to bed, and as of tonight I am OFF for the summer! Hopefully in the coming months Ethan can get her back into a good routine and teach me how to do what he does! I would be so happy to leave that drama behind us.

On Saturday I got a big box of my grandmother's photos. There are some amazing things in this box, including one this one, which is one of my favorites. The happy couple coming out the door are my grandparents. I am so love photos of people I love, and old photos of my ancestors are one of my favorite things ever. I am my family's historian, and I feel so lucky to have this gift.

I survived two weeks of teaching the gym and science class! Phew! I am not used to working full time and I am WORN OUT. Even though I love that class i am so glad it's over. Now onto my busy weekend! Tomorrow I'll go see my mom and Sunday Esme and I will have the day all to ourselves.

Our new rector has finally arrived! I was on the Search Committee for over 18 months and I was thrilled to go to her first service on Sunday. Then I got to have a church school meeting with her on Tuesday, and I got to go out for a night on the town with her on Wednesday. She is a very nice woman and a pleasure to be around. I am so looking forward to working with her!

Just completed this layout - my first one for my second Pink Lady term! I am loving these Creative Imaginations patterns. I need to find a store that sells this line and buy it up.

Yesterday I had to do lab reports with the second graders. They had to examine fossils and then write several sentences describing them. Most of them wrote about texture, feel, colors, smell, etc. One kid wrote as his last sentence, "it smells like dicks." I was sitting there grading and came across this and was like COME ON why is this kid doing this?!?! Augh! Kids write obscene stuff all the time to see if we're really reading it, but then they have to be in trouble, deservedly so. So I took it to the teacher and said, "Please tell me this is a misspelling or not what he really means." She was disgusted and took it down to talk to him. She said, I love the way you set up your lab report, you did such a good job, now could you please read it to me? He read it to her as written. She said nicely, what did you mean by that last sentence? He said, "Dicks. Where they sell the basketballs." There is a store near here called Dick's Sporting Goods. The teacher laughed all the way back down the hallway, and then photocopied it and passed it around to the other teachers with the story.