Preserving Memories: Part Two

Making photo calendars for loved ones is something I've done for many years now.  I use the website, Shutterfly.com, but there are many photo sites that do the same thing.  I always have given them for Christmas presents, and now they are expected.  If a Grandparent did not get a photo calendar, I cannot imagine the wrath I would receive.  Just kidding.  Maybe not.

In order to create these calendars, I need to take pictures all year long.  Sometimes toward the end of the year, I find myself wondering why I didn't take more pictures.  I also try to take pictures of all the family members because a Grandparent wants ALL of their grandchildren in the calendar.  I try to include a picture of the grandchild on the month of their birthday.  Most of these companies will also include printing the names of everyone on their birthdate.  You can also choose templates which can include many photos on a page or just one big photo.  Other ideas for calendars might include friends, family, school fund raisers, etc.  Maybe you'll be able to use this idea for a Christmas present this year.  Beware, it can become expected. 

Snowing in October

It's October 27 and it's snowing in Texas.  I've got to say, I'm more of a summer girl, but you've got to love this!  Tomorrow it's supposed to be up to about 54 degrees so it will melt quickly.  We REALLY needed the moisture.  Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings!

  

Notice Jack at the door.  He doesn't particularly like getting out in it.

20 Questions. . .

  

I don't think I've filled one of these out before, but I thought it might help you to get to know me a little bit.

1. How often do you go over the speed limit?  Probably a little 
everyday

2. Do you dance like crazy when no one is looking?  Sure, doesn't everybody?

3. If you were going to be stuck on a desert island, which book, which movie, and which CD would you take with you?  Francine Rivers' Her Mother's Hope (I love Francine Rivers' books and haven't read that one yet.),  can't think of a movie I'd even like to take, a CD of my daughter's own music that she has written and sung with her acoustic guitar (She's promised me a CD.)

4. What did you get in trouble for when you were a kid?  Being hyper and talking too much

Amy in her new dress (#18)

5. What really gives you the creeps?  Snakes

6. What was your favorite toy when you were a kid? my dolls, especially the one that you pulled the string and she spoke

7. You run into a friend while shopping. Where are you? the grocery store

8. When you fall asleep, are you usually on your side, your stomach, or your back? on my side, in the fetal position, or sometimes, flat on my back

9. If fat or calorie intake wasn't an issue, what one food would you eat the most?  Pizza
 
10. If you could hire one of the following, which one would it be? Driver, chef, maid, or stylist? Do I have to pick just one?  First, should probably be a chef, since I hate to cook and am not very good at it.  Second, a maid.

11. What movie have you watched the most?  Body Guard with Richard Gere and Whitney Houston

12. What kind of perfume do you wear?  I don't wear just one.  I rotate between several.  My favorites are Beautiful,  Ralph Lauren's Notorious, and Liz Claiborne.

13. What was your favorite sitcom growing up?  Happy Days

14. What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh? playing a game called Quelf with my family

15. What was the very first concert you ever attended?  Petra

16. Who is the fourth person on your missed call list?  my mom

17. How long does it take you to get ready in the mornings? From shower to completion, about 50 minutes

18. When is the last time you went to the mall and what did you buy?  a couple of weeks ago.  I bought Amy a nice dress for a special occasion (which she doesn't have yet).

19. Ever go to camp? Every summer - Camp Good News 

20. Do you collect anything?  Nope

Camp Good News - I'm on the front, far right.  I'm back to the same camp as a teacher. #19

 

Preserving Memories: Part One

I'd like to share an idea with you that you might enjoy, especially if you are a mother of young children.  If you don't fall into this category, maybe you could share the idea with someone who does.

My kids are now in 6th grade, 10th grade, and Freshman in College.  When my first one started school, (Homeschool),  I started this process of preserving some of her school work by binding a sampling of that year's school work into a book form.

I usually keep their best work.  I also keep anything that they have written themselves, such as:  a report, a story, a report, a speech, etc.  Other ideas of things to put into this special book are special awards, report cards, class schedule, class pictures, notes from teachers, art work. 

Having these books cut down on clutter.  I don't have a drawer full of papers. The kids love to go through these books, remember the projects and work they did that year.  I try to get this completed during the summer right after school has ended.  I go through the papers finding the BEST work and the things we would want to preserve, then I take them to a UPS store or FED EX store.  They will bind the papers into a book for a small price.  I don't remember the exact price but I know it's under $10. 

By the way, I will not be doing this for my College student this year.  Sorry, Emily.

Bath Day for Buddy

Today was bath day for Buddy.  Buddy is the white Bichon Frise.   He needs a bath quite often because he gets smelly and doesn't look as nice.  He also goes to the groomer about once every 6 weeks so he's what you might consider "high maintenance".   Boo, on the other hand , rarely gets a bath.  Because of that, she really hates them.  Boo is a Boston Terrier.  Jack is our newest puppy.  He's a miniature Yorkie.  He requires regular baths, and also goes to a groomer about once a month.   We just enjoy snuggling him more when he smells nice.  Plus, he just looks cuter.  I thought you might enjoy these cute wet dog pictures.

Why I Married Him

Today I'm going to talk about my wonderful husband.  Yesterday we had a little scare.  You see, my husband wants to be healthy and in shape (and lose a little weight) so he's been exercising on a regular basis for the past 6 months.  He tried working out with a MMA instructor but now he's resorted to doing Insanity.  This is a video workout that REALLY lives up to it's name.It's 6 days of intense workout.  Recently, he felt his heartbeat doing some funny stuff at the height of his workout so he scheduled an appointment with his cardiologist.  Much to his surprise, he failed the treadmill stress test.  He went the entire 15 minutes (which is impressive) but it did show some depression which can be indicative of heart disease.  He then had to take a thallium stress test which we found out today was negative for heart disease.  We are so thankful and relieved.

   Because of this scare, it has caused me to pause and to appreciate my husband for all that he does for us.  He is such a good daddy.  He really tries to spend quality time with each child. They are much more responsive to him than me.  He is also a sensitive and compassionate guy.  Even though he doesn't always love the responsibility that comes with being a doctor, he is always good to his patients.  Even in the middle of the night, I've been amazed at how patient and kind he is.  He's so good to me also.  Really, he spoils me.   He has really stepped up and become the spiritual leader of our family.  He has a great sense of humor.  He's quite goofy, really.  He complains that I don't laugh at his jokes anymore, but I tell him that I've been hearing the same ones for 22 years now.  

Just a few fun facts about him include:  He's an avid Cowboys fan.  He's afraid of heights to put it mildly.  He sings in a Gospel Quartet.  He loves to golf, and still plays a little basketball on occasion. 

He hates to have his picture taken so I don't have that many of him.  I've already informed him that we are taking family pictures Thanksgiving, so be ready.  He hates to be in the spotlight so he would be embarrassed to know I am writing this.  Oh well.  We'll let it be a surprise!

My Heart

My daughter, Emily, has always encouraged me to write a blog.  The pressure is on now since she wrote such a nice introduction for me.  When I have told her that I wouldn't know what to write, she instructed me just to write about my family and post lots of pictures.  So here goes.  I'm going to try to share my heart with you.  My family is my heart.

Meet My Mom

Hello... again, I am not the author of this blog.  I have come over from Emily is Smiling in order to introduce my mom to the blogging world. 

Blogging can be such a joy.  It's a way to capture moments in life so you can look back on them and smile.  It's a way to share snapshots of one's family and lifestyle.  It's a way to share and gain information and it's a way to open your heart and thoughts to the world. 

I have been blogging for a little over two years now.  My mom is an avid reader of my blog (especially now that I live ten hours away from home at college) and I figured it was time for her to make her own.  Of course, she didn't know how to actually make one, so I did that for her.

I'm probably not the one who should be writing the first post for this blog.  Perhaps because I don't like calling my mom "Pam," which is what a good guest-blogger would do... because she's "Mom" to me.  I suppose I could share about her heart.  My mom and dad have been married for my entire life, which is a rare and beautiful thing.  About fourteen months ago, they embraced my best friend Ali into our home.  Through this experience, I've been able to see the magnitude of love my mom has in her heart.  She isn't just "my" mom.  She has the heart of a mommy and is willing to share her love with those who God has put in her life.  My mom is a stay-at-home-mom, so she's been an active part of my life since I was a baby, which has been such a blessing to me and my siblings.

My family has grown to be fairly big.  It consists of my dad (Jeff), my mom (Pam), me (Emily, age 19), 15-year-old Amy, 12-year-old Luke, and now 19-year-old Ali as well.  We also have three precious dogs: Buddy, Boo, and Jack, who frequently add entertainment to our lives.  We also have an obese cat named Oreo and the occasional fish.  We've been blessed with grandparents who are an active part of our lives, so expect to read about them occasionally as well.

I named my mom's blog "Optimist by Choice" because this is a quality my mom has displayed in her life for as long as I can remember.  She is a big believer in making a choice to be joyful and optimistic.  She is a true example of an optimist by choice.

I'm only a guest writer on this blog... the "real" first post will come sometime soon.  Hope you enjoy your new blog, Mom.