Accomplishment...

About a week and a half ago...I created a 6x6 album. The reason I was making the album was for one of my oldest friend's baby shower. She is due in May and is expecting a boy. All I used was cardstock and some Karen Foster sticker sheets. Everything else was from my stash of stuff. I am definitely not the fastest scrapbooker...and that is why this was a great accomplishment. I created this album in 4 hours on a Thursday night. I hope you enjoy...

My Rock Star!

On February 1st was Avery's 3rd Birthday. We had brunch and a little party at Dan & Adrea's house. Everything was great ~ the food was fantastic and Avery got a bunch of great gifts. Her favorite gift by far was from her grandma and grandpa (Auntie Jill and Uncle Mike) She got a Hannah Montana guitar and microphone. She loves to sing, so it really was the perfect gift. Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are her usual choices. She performed for us and it was fantastic! She is my little Rock Star! 

Family

Here is our newest family photo...all 20 of us. Can you believe it? When I was looking at this photo I realized that right now we have 10 boys and 10 girls in the family! I thought that was very funny. We took this photo on Christmas Eve at my aunt's house. We used the timer and set the camera on top of the TV. It only took 3 takes to get a good shot. Yesterday my grandparents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary! :) I think that is something truly special. I love my grandparents so much! This coming weekend the whole family (Yes, all 20 of us again) is going to Wisconsin Dells to celebrate their anniversary. We are staying at the Kalahari in the Entertainment Suite. Which sleeps all 20 of us. It should be a blast with a lot of good memories. I am really looking forward to it and I know my grandma is too. She loves when we are all together. It is the first time in a long time I can think of that my immediate family all has the day off together. We are leaving Friday morning around 10. I am sure I will have plenty of funny photos to share when I return.

:)

I'm so excited...I have finally purchased myself a new computer. I decided to go with a Macbook Pro. I love it! Although I have to admit that I don't know how to really utilize it yet. I am in the processes of learning all about it. I was always a PC user so it is a big adjustment to switch to a Mac. I love the idea of a laptop...it makes me so happy!

 It has been a crazy few weeks around here, so I have to apologize for not being better about updating my blog. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season! I'm going to snuggle up with a cozy blanket, watch a movie, and have a glass of egg nog!  

1 Month

I have been at my new full time job for a month now. Everything is going well. I am constantly learning new things. I am still training and that is fine with me because there is so much to know. Plus I have never worked with Insurance Policies, so just learning the lingo is work. I am still loving the days. My body is starting to get a little use to being up a lot earlier. I am usually up @ 5:30 AM most days...I do admit to sleep in a little bit from time to time. Who doesn't love the snooze button. I leave my house @ 6:30 AM. My hours are 7 AM til 3PM. I love the hours. I like having my nights to get things done. So overall ~ It has been a very busy, but rewarding month. I have been trying to get adjusted to everything. I think it has been going pretty well. I am still working part time @ The Scrapbook Store. I am there every Thursday night and some Fridays and Saturdays.

Here are some pictures of my new life in an office/cubicle setting...

I just wanted to Thank everyone for the well wishes, encouragement, and support. It has been a great first month so far...and as my aunt would say I am one month closer to retirement! ha ha :) gotta love her!

1st Purchase

Here is my 1st purchase for my new job. I have to dress nice and I can't have open-toed shoes, so I was shopping today and found these. I am so in love with them. The best part is they only cost me $30. Gotta love it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I will be at my family's condo, Fox Hills.

An Emotional Day

September 11 will always be an emotional day for me. I will never forget what happened 7 years ago today. I'm a Bella Artista for my friend Stephanie's scrapbook company, Bella Blvd. http://www.bellablvd.typepad.com/

She asked me if I would be willing to create a layout for September 11. A where were you sort of idea. I said of course, I have always wanted to scrapbook that day. I just haven't yet. So it finally forced me to do it. It is so funny to me, that I can still remember that day so well.

Here is the page I did using Stephanie's paper. I am actually really happy with the way this layout turned out. It was a hard subject so I wasn't sure how I would like it.

Other news for today...I got a real "full-time" job. I start in two weeks. I will be working at Northwestern Mutual at their Franklin campus. I am very excited!!!