Family Means Everything

Recital News

2008-06-25T16:27:00.003-04:00

Oh my! At the end of May, I went through the preparation for Emma's first dance recital. It is such a different perspective being a mommy of a dancer instead of the actual dancer. I didn't realize all that went on behind the scenes and all that my mom took care of throughout recital week. Emma had three dances: Twinkle Toes, I Can't Spell Hippopotamus, and Beach Girls. She did such a good job. I will post pics soon. Have a great weekend!

2008-04-25T13:55:00.002-04:00

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:
1. First Grade Teacher in New Bedford, Massachusetts
2. secretary at Jones Electric, my husband's family business
3. Office assistant in the Dean's Office at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth for work study.
4. Office assistant, layaway assistant, up-front supervisor, and cashier at K-Mart.

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
2. anything Disney
3. Wild Hearts Can't be Broken
4. Any historical fiction

Four places you have lived:
1. East Freetown, Massachusetts
2. Rochester, Massachusetts

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Army Wives
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. E.R. (yes I am still hooked)
4. Deadwood

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. New York City
2. Walt Disney World 8 times
3. Pennsylvania
4. Tennessee

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Big Picture Scrapbooking
2. Google
3. Stacy Julian's blog
4. PlayhouseDisney to set it up for Emma to play.

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Clam Chowder
2. Chow Mein
3. brownies – they count as food right?
4. Ice Cream

Four places you would rather be right now:
1. Sitting watching a parade in front of the Magic Kingdom
2. Riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during fireworks at the Magic Kindgom.
3. In my queen sized bed, cuddling with my husband and children.
4. Having dinner at the Stoneforge

Survey for Fun

2008-04-21T19:12:00.003-04:00

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was in the middle of working toward my Bachelors Degree in Humanities and Social Sciences along with a certification in Elementary Education. I was in love with the most wonderful guy in the world and waiting for the day he would ask me to marry him.

What were you doing one year ago?
I was enjoying my three year old daughter and my new born son. I was getting back to work from maternity leave and enjoying the children in my first grade classroom.

Five snacks that you enjoy (in no particular order, as all snacks are created equal):
1. anything chocolate
2. popcorn
3. fig newtons
4. string cheese
5. fruit yogurt, nuts and berries

Five songs to which you KNOW all the lyrics:
1. True Colors Cyndi Lauper
2. Manic Monday by the Bangles
3. Odd and Even Number Chant
4. You are My Sunshine
5. Star Spangled Banner

If I'm listening to them, I can pretty much sing all the words to Pat Benetar, Olivia Newton John, The Bangles, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Beatles, James Taylor, The Dixie Chicks, any song from Annie the musical, any song from Grease, any song in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Dora the Explorer.

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

1. Take my entire extended family to Disney World!
2. Save money for my children's education
3. Help develop an inner city privatized school in New Bedford for exceptional students.
4. Invest, invest, invest.
5. Buy my husband that 65 Mustang Convertible he has always wanted.

Five things you like doing: (not in order of importance)

1. sleeping
2. scrapbooking
3. reading
4. playing with my children
5. kissing my husband

Five things you would never wear, buy or get again:

1. a bodysuit
2. puffy paint for my own wardrobe
3. shoulder pads
4. bows for my hair
5. Daisy Dukes

Five favorite toys:

1. iPod
2. my camera
3. my computer
4. scrapbook supplies
5. Adobe Photoshop

2008-04-13T15:32:00.000-04:00

TEN "essentails" that I cannot scrapbook without:

1. colorful cardstock

2. black pens in point sizes (.08, .03, .01)

3. removable adhesive

4. Creative Memories Corner Rounder

5. beautiful pattern paper

6. large desk trimmer

7. photos from my Library of Memories

8. my computer for fonts and digital layouts

9. quiet time

10. music in the background

NINE words I love are:
Happy, True, Cooperation, Fancy, Beauty, Chocolate, Liberty, Strong, Delicious, Happy

EIGHT of my coping strategies, in no particular order:

1. talk to my husband

2. listen to 80's music

3. take a nap

4. read

5. eat chocolate

6. drive

7. make something beautiful

8. take a shower

SEVEN things I love about my "every day" life …
my children

my husband

extended family

watching Emma coloring

watching Jake use his Handy Manny play set

hugs and kisses

reading to my children

SIX places I'd love to visit before I die:
Hawaii

Acadia, Canada (much of my family came from this area)

Ireland

Paris

Charleston, South Carolina
Alaska (want to do that cruise)

FIVE things I do everyday, without fail:
hug and kiss my kids
read something good
write something (a list, a note, a class, an article, a blog post-lots of email!)
feel overwhelmed, but also very grateful

learn/teach something new

FOUR stores/websites I frequent

1. BPS and SS and blogs I love!!

www.etsy.com

3. shutterfly.com

4. Target

THREE goals I have:

to raise my children to be strong, happy, and repsectful individuals to themselves and to others

to scrapbook memories for my children

to live life to the fullest

TWO decisions I've never regretted
marrying Jeremie Jones (I'm not saying I haven't had my "what have I done" moments, but I could not have found a man more perfectly suited to me! )
having children-there is nothing I have wanted more than to be a mother and it is the MOST fun I have ever had.

To All My Friends

2008-04-10T20:59:00.001-04:00

I can't take it anymore....housework sucks. I so wish we could afford a cleaning service. Jeremie is in the middle of building Emma a new bed for her room and my house is a mess. AAAAAAHHHH! Oh well, it will be done soon.

March 5, 2008- 80's survey

2008-03-30T15:13:00.000-04:00

80S SURVEY

1. How old were you in 1980?June 21st I was 2 years old

2. How old were you in 1989?11

3. Were you a Toys R Us kid?I don't wanna grow up I'm a Toys R Us Kid, there's a million toys at Toys R Us that I can play with. From bikes to games to video games, it's the biggest toy store there is. I don't wanna grow up cause baby if I did. I couldn't be a Toys R Us Kid.

4. Did you watch Transformers?God, no. I do have to say I did have to watch a few episodes of He Man and She Rah thanks to my neighbors: Nyles and Jared

5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen?nope, though I do remember going to see Ghostbusters. There's something weird in the neighborhood...

6. Did you own a Lite Bright?absolutely, I couldn't live without it, and now Emma has one

7. Who is your Favorite Golden Girl? definately Sophia, goodness this brings back memories, I can remember how many Friday and Saturday nights I spent sleeping over my Grandmother's house with my cousins. We couldn't miss this show! Many times we had to wake her up from "resting her eyes" but she would soon fall asleep again and we would put on MTV.

8. When someone says & quote Who you gonna call? You think?GHOSTBUSTERS!

9. What was your favorite toy?Dolly Pops

10. Did you have a Pogo Ball?Yes, it was purple. I also had Pound Puppies, Popples, Cabbage Patch Dolls, and a Snoopy Snowcone Maker (which I still have).

11. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block?YES !!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG is that Joey!!

12. Which New Kid was your favorite?Gee I wonder....

13. Did you play M.A.S.H?yes, probably every day.

14. Did you watch The Care Bears?Yes

15. Did you have Jelly bracelets?oh yeah!! and Jelly shoes LOL

16. Did you have a charm necklace and/or bracelet yes, my mom got it for me at Ann and Hope (Traci this makes me laugh, I guess we are more alike than we probably thought)

17. Did you own a glo-worm?nope

18. Did you ever own a slap bracelet?yes quite a few

19. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles?The Breakfast Club

20. Did you have a crazy hair style?I am still embarrassed by the mullet my uncle gave me

21. What was your first bike?a red Huffy

22. Name one thing you still own from your childhood?sticker books, ET and Garbage Pail Kids included

23. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid?yes Lisa Marie, I brought it with me everyday in Kindergarten

24. Did you dress like Madonna?no, my mother would never have let me out of the house, though I did sport the tied t-shirt and jelly shoes

25. Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?Rainbrow Brite

26. Did you watch Miami Vice?Yes, my brother in law thought he was Don Johnson, white suit and glasses and all.

27. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes?Yes

28. Did you own a Trapper Keeper?Yes and I loved it!!

29. Atari or Nintendo?Atari - Pac Man rules

30. Did you play Pac-Man?yes loved it

31. Which was better: Jem and The Holograms or Barbie and The Rockers!?Barbie and the Rockers, yet why is it that I know the theme song to the Jem and not Barbie: Jem, is truly outrageous its contageous woow Jem

32. He-Man or She-Rah ?She Rah

33. What movie scared you the most?ET

34. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson?yes

35. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear "FLUX"?nothing, I am blank

36. What other colors did Pepsi come in? Which is best?what are you talking about

37. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck?Roger Rabbit

38. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the laser background?nope

39. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is?no, can't say that I do

40. Do you know why people cringe when they hear the word BUCKNER???

41. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies?nope

42. WallyWorld or Europe?Wally World

43. What was your favorite movie from the 80's?The Incredible Shrinking Woman

44. Who puts Baby in the corner?NO ONE! - according to Patrick Swayze

What We Love About Disney in Pictures

2008-03-30T14:59:00.001-04:00

So Here's my Round up for February

2008-03-30T14:57:00.000-04:00

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Unfortunately I did not get to read anything except for magazines and children’s books this month.Reading for the month of February: Family Fun Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, Scrapbooks, Etc., Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Parents, Parenting, and of course the MTA Magazine.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
Grey’s Anatomy! Hubby and I have so much fun watching it whenever we can (uggh) this strike sucks.
We are typical Big Brother fans but we had a bit of a hard time getting into this season. We don’t seem to be missing anything.

What special days did I celebrate and how?Valentine’s Day was spent at the Garden Grille in Epcot. Our Disney trip was so much fun!What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
We were all very healthy but Jake is still working on getting his eye teeth in. Ugh, the poor kid is drowning in drool.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
February was sort of a boring month I guess, we didn’t do a lot. I felt like the weather was going to drive me crazy for most of the month but at least the sun has been out the last few days.
Once February vacation came we were off for Disney World. After much preparation, we were finally in Lake Buena Vista having a wonderful time. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort and had a magical time. We spent most of our time at the Magic Kingdom. Valentines Dinner was at the Garden Grille in Epcot and we spent one day at the park formerly known as MGM (Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

After we spent 5 days soaking up all that Disney has to offer, we spent a few days in New Port Richie visiting Hubby’s parents. The kids had a ball swimming and playing with Grammie and Papa. We also had a lot of fun visiting the Aquarium of Florida. Thank goodness for February Vacation!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
None

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
I mellowed out on my spending in February after I went crazy in for Christmas. We needed to start watching what we spent right before vacation.

What were this month's disappointments?
A little depression on my part, because I have not been able to get motivated to get anything done. The house needs cleaning, no motivation for school work, and not even any motivation for scrapbooking. What is a girl to do? Of course, travel silly !!!!

February 7, 2008

2008-03-30T14:56:00.000-04:00

February 7, 2008

Things that make me happy:

Baby feet

Iced tea

Soft pillows in clean cases

The sound of my children’s laughs

Jeans

Medium point pens

A car full of gas

A cookie and a good book

Laughing with my husband in the kitchen
Clean floors

Good hair days

iPods and podcasts

Finding just the right font for a layout

Conveying emotion in a photograph

Going shopping with my mother

Chatting with friends

Teaching

Walt Disney World

Fluffy towels

Receiving a hand-written letter

Ice cream

Feeling heard

Finding the solution to a difficult problem

Warm rooms on a cold day

Moments when I feel close to God

Hugs

Playing with my children

January 30, 2008

2008-03-30T14:54:00.000-04:00

I got this as an email today and thought it would make a great album with my favorite pictures of the children

Play with simple things...
Do whatever you want whenever you want...
Look for affection when you need it...
Get serious once in a while...
Forget about diets...
Show some affection
Get angry once in a while...
Change your look...
Be happy, above all, regardless of what your challenges may be.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Boy Has it Been a Long Time

2008-03-30T14:47:00.001-04:00

I have been so busy with life that I have not left a blog message in so long. I am in the process of taking a Big Picture Scrapbooking course online with Stacy Julian (my scrapbook idol) anyway, I just realized that a member of my class actually posted my blog as a friend in the class. AAAAHHH! I better post something new, is what popped into my head. I can't believe it. Here is my post:

January 17, 2008

. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Oh goodness, I keep a list of these things... got an iPod which I love, discovered Deadwood, went to Disney World yet again, watched my son grow one year older, watched my daughter in her first year of dance, and actually cooked a few meals.

2. What are your New Years Resolutions?
To actually make time to exercise…ha ha hasn’t been done yet.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
Nope. No babies here...

4. Did anyone close to you die.
Bless the Lord, no.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6 What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Hmmm... my life is pretty happy, I don’t think there is anything that I lacked maybe the self confidence and reassurance as a mom and wife.

7. What date(s) in 2007 will remain etched in your memory and why?
All in all, it was an awesome year. I can't say that any particular dates stick out.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmmm... (thinking here....)... I think that it is my mouth that gets me into trouble some times. I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut about certain things.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Nope.

11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
My darling hubby got me an iPod and a new stereo system for the van.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Emma and Jake really grew a ton this year! Everyone was right they grow up too fast.

13. Whose behavior appalled and depressed you?
Britney Spears, and a few other people who shall remain unnamed.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Electricity, Oil, and Gas. Scrapbook supplies and books. Clothing for the children and of course the Disney Corporation.

15. What did you get really, really excited about?
Jake starting to walk and say “Mama”.

17. Compared to last year are you...

a.) Happier or Sadder? Happier
b.) Thinner or Fatter? Fatter!!!
c.) Richer or Poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had spent more time my friends, made in-person connections.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complaining.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At my in-laws' house in Christmas Eve. Our own home for Christmas morning, day (family party), and night (another family party).

21. Did you fall in love in 2007.
Truly, madly, deeply. Jeremie is an angel. Period.

22. How many one night stands did you have?
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAH! I'm a married lady!

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Deadwood

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't this time last year?
Hatred is the wrong word. There are people I'm working on forgiving. But that's about as far as I'm going to go.

25. What was the best book you read?
Everything by Belva Plain

26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 29. I hung with the family. Good stuff.

32. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2007?
"Fashion concept?" Hahaha! I guess I would say casual. ;)

33. What kept you sane?
Scrapbooking, laughing with friends, Jeremie’s reality checks, and hugs from my kids.

34. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?
Stacy Julian -- grace under pressure.

35. What political issue stirred you most?
Public education, it that a real question for a public school teacher.

36. Who do you miss?
Beth. Still.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned.
You can only serve one master. Once you know who that is, the rest doesn't matter. Read books that you enjoy...

One Potty Trained, One to Go

2007-07-21T13:02:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it she finally did it. Emma is potty trained. Big girl panties all the way. I am amazed at how easy it actually was to get her to go. She had a few accidents but soon learned control. She is so excited and proud of herself. Poor kid she is going to be so embarassed by this when she gets older. Sorry, Honey, but I am such a proud mom. I will tell any parent heading into potty training to skip the pull ups. Kids learn too fast that they can just use it like a diaper. The cooling feel just doesn't work.

People in Canada

2007-06-25T13:49:00.000-04:00

Check this out. This weekend we have been working on potty training with Emma. I warn against Pull Ups. We realized we had gone wrong when she told Jeremie "Daddy I don't need to go potty. I can just go in my pull-up." AHHHHHH! What are we going to do. Anyway, I was taking her to the bathroom and she said " Mommy we have three bathrooms." I told her yes, we are very lucky. Most people only have one." She replied, "Mommy, and people in Canada don't have bathrooms at all." Where she comes up with this stuff, I don't know. I asked her to explain, " Well, Meme said that we needed to make cards for the little boy in Canada to get a bathroom." If you check out the posts this little boy had cancer and we were making birthday cards for him to be in the guiness book of world records, not for him to get a bathroom. OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Last Full Week of School

2007-06-09T15:15:00.000-04:00

As you know I am a first grade teacher in an urban school in Massachusetts. I am really enjoying my class this year and it is going to be very hard to send them on their way to second grade. We only have a week and a half left and I am shocked at how fast the time went. Though, I cannot wait to spend the summer with my two beautiful children. They are the best!!!

A Few New Pics

2007-05-26T14:38:00.001-04:00

I took these pictures last weekend. The kids are growing so fast. Emma had to pick flowers on Saturday. This was her smelling her flowers. After this shot was taken, she called me over to look at her flowers. When I looked at her face it was covered in pollen.

This little guy really looks up to his big sister. We will see just how long that lasts. He gets so upset when she isn't around.

Get Well Soon

2007-05-22T19:50:00.000-04:00

Please keep Zachary in your prayers this week. He went in for surgery last night so the doctors could put a metal plate in his jaw. He has had a tough day and has been feeling quite sick due to the anesthesia and pain meds. The poor guy is in so much pain.

Kim had her wisdom teeth out today too. Many of us know what that feels like. She is in quite a bit of pain too.

I hope that they are all feeling better soon.

Zach and Kim, Emma and Jake send you a great big hug and a get well soon.

A New Way to Email

2007-05-21T11:29:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share this moment with you. First thing this morning, when we were getting into the car, Emma informed me that there were mosquitos flying around. I told her to be careful and her reply was "Mommy, I hope they aren't the email ones. The email ones bite me." I was laughing so hard. I think that our technology vocabulary in the house is rubbing off on our children.

Help Make a Boys Wish Come True

2007-05-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

After talking to a friend here at school, I learned about a boy named Shane Bernier from Ontario who has leukemia. He recently relapsed last summer, yet he is currently doing well. His one wish is to receive cards. He wants his name to be added to the Guiness Book of World records as the person who has received the most cards. His birthday is May 30. My classroom is currently making him many cards and I wanted to share the addresses if you are interested in sending him a card too:

Shane Bernier P.O. Box 484 Lancaster, Ontario KOC-1N0 Canada

Shane Bernier C/O Kiss FM 2100 Thurston Ottawa, Ontario K1G-6C9

Thanks a bunch!!!

My First Post

2007-05-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe I am actually blogging. I guess I can now officially state that I am technology savvy. I am a digital imagin' - iPod usin' - bloggin' fool. I am hooked.

What got me interested in blogging? Well, I have been searching the web for interesting scrapbooking ideas and I realized that all my favorite sites are now using blogs to post ideas. I also realized that some of my favorite scrapbook artists have their own blogs as well. Wow! Automatically I wanted to join them, yet I realized that my time is limited. With two small children at home, a full time job teaching, and a wonderful husband, I barely have enough extra time to scrapbook, my favorite hobby. Then an idea popped into my head. What about a family blog. I can share all the wonderfully funny things my children do with members of our extended families and post photos to share. I have been looking for a way to document these events so why not kill two birds with one stone. Shared Documentation. I was hooked.