Project Life Update Continues

Okie dokie..here are the rest of the pictures from my Project Life Album (weeks 4-8). I will try to post an update every week.
whimp

 week 4 leftweek 4 insert frontweek 4 insert back

week 4 right

week 5 left

week 5 right

week 6 left

 week 6 insert1

 week 6 insert back

week 6 insert 2 frontweek 6 insert 2 back

 week 6 right

 week 7 left 1

 week 7 right 1week 7 left 2

week 7 right 2

 week 7 left 3

 week 7 right 3  week 8 left

Project Life Update

Project life is going great! I am learning that I love this style of scrapbooking and documenting our everyday life. The little stuff I want my kiddos to remember and cherish. Life goes on we have discovered, and we are living it right now. It may not be glamorous or filled with outstanding vacations or activities, but we are together, happy, and healthy. That is all that matters.
Here are the weeks I have completed so far.
(one-three)

 week 1 left

 week 1 insert

 week 1 back of insertweek 1 right

week 2 left

week 2 right

week 3 left

week 3 right
 

 

 

Hello World....and 2013

This is a new year, a new start, and new memories. I am starting a new scrapbook approach this year. Project Life. I want to scrapbook the little moments, the big moments, and all those in-between moments. I want to leave proof of these memories behind.
I will be sharing my pages here on this poor, neglected blog. Hopefully it all goes as planned this year.
Here is my 2013 title page.


Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Wendy

So much loss this year...

Our family has had so many losses this year. We lost our mom in January, Ron in May, and then just 2 weeks ago we lost my mother in law, Pat. I have been so blessed to have had her in my life. I was one of the lucky ones. A lucky one who had a true friend in her mother in law. I valued her friendship and enjoyed her tremendously. As we live our lives, we don't realize how much someone has impacted our life, until they are no longer there. This is how I feel. I wish I would have stopped by her house to see her more often, instead of calling. I wish I would have told her how very much she meant to me, more often. She was a wonderful woman, who always had a smile on her face and a kind word for your heart. She sent the best cards with a message you always needed to hear, to lift your spirits or so you simply knew she cared. She loved her husband, children and grandchildren unconditionally. Riles has been having a very hard time with this loss. Grandma was her very best friend, and she doesn't quite know what to do with her time now. She doesn't like to talk about her, and today was in tears because she couldn't show her her new Huskers hat. We were cleaning out some drawers today and came across cards we had saved, written in her handwriting. We sat and cried for awhile, then wiped our tears and carried on as we know she would want us too.
We love you, we miss you. Your absence is felt everyday in everything we do.
whimpy

Losing You

Losing you...was one of the hardest things we have gone through as a family. Losing you...we are no longer the 8 of us (here on Earth...our hearts we will be 8 of us forever). I can't look at your picture. I can't believe I will never hear you say "Love ya!" at the end of a phone call. I miss you. Oh how I miss you. You have been my hero for so long, it's hard to imagine my life goes on. I know you are at peace. I could see it on your face. Your struggles on Earth were many, yet you were always willing to help, no matter what the task.
As summer has appeared I look at people's gardens and wonder what you would have planted this year, I look at people fishing and wonder what you would have caught. I worried and wondered at the end of your life hoping you felt our love for you. It's taken me awhile to write these words for you. You deserve so much more than what I can say here. So, I will just say to you...
I miss your daisy dukes and chicken legs this summer. I love you Big Brother. whimper sue.

You will be missed so very much.


My heart is heavy right now. I want to pick up the phone and call you, but I know you won't answer. I won't ever hear your voice again. I won't ever see your smile, or hear you tell me you love me. (this is all about me you know ;) I walk into your house and look for you in your bed, but you are not there. You left us, and I should be comforted by knowing you have joined Dad, but I am selfish. I want you here. Here with me, so I can physically touch you, hear you, talk to you, and love you.


I miss you mom, and I will everyday for the rest of my life.
whimp

Merry Everything...
No, I haven't fallen off the earth. I was just taking a break for a bit. Our lives really haven't been that interesting, and man it sure seemed like 2011 flew by. We have had some sad news in our family recently. Around Oct. my oldest brother was diagnosed with cancer. It was located on his tongue and safely removed. Cancer, however; wasn't finished with our family. My mother (a 2 time cancer survivor) was informed in Dec. the cancer we thought she beat in 2008, was indeed back. It is inoperable and they cannot do radiation. They will treat it with Chemo, and hopefully it will keep it from growing.
On with info on the kiddos..Danny has grown 2 inches since school started, he is now in men's clothing, and will be shaving soon I am sure. He is slowly adjusting with a new school, and is still his fun loving self. Riles loves her new school, grew an inch, lost five pounds and went back a size in jeans. We had to buy a belt to keep her pants from falling down. She is still as spirited as ever, but I cannot imagine my life without either of them.
Our Christmas was pretty low key and the kids managed to score lots of things from their Christmas lists. As for me, Chris gave me money for christmas and my birthday and I bought myself a Silhouette Cameo. It is simply the best machine. I am sure I will find things I am not so happy about, but for now..it cuts way better than my cricut. I haven't decided if I will keep the bug or not. Anyway, here are pictures of our christmas fun.
Happy New Year everyone.
wendy

Birthdays 2011 (better late than never :)

Since the kiddos birthdays are just days apart, we always celebrate together. This year they decided on a bowling party. It was so much fun and I loved watching all the kiddos have so much fun. We are so blessed to have so much family live near by. We (family) are always commenting how very blessed and lucky are kiddos are to grow up and form such lasting relationships with their cousins. Sure they fight as all kids do, but the bond they share is simply amazing.
whimp

A freshman, a third grader, and a new district...
The kiddos started their new school last week. Things seem to be going well. Riles loves "her new friends and we don't have lots of kids in my class. My teacher can answer my questions instead of ignoring me." Danno has said "it's cool. The kids are nice here too." I was worried he would not adapt well. He is a creature of habit and likes a specific routine. A routine without change and a familiar environment. (He is smiling when he comes home and loves going to grandma's.)  Riles on the other hand, craves for activity and change. She has to perform tasks a certain way, but doesn't mind if you change things up a bit. I love to see the light in her eyes when she talks about learning. She loves Diary of a Whimpy Kid and any world record book. :)
I am also back to school with 18 new little ones. I forget how hard it is in the beginning, but marvel at how well the little ones adapt to changes and quickly settle into a routine. I love teaching them. I love to see their eyes shine bright and hear my name called loudly as they run into our room each morning eager to share their news. The pride I feel when they master a new task must equal one of a parent.
I cannot wait to see how we will all grow this school year.
Whimp

Meet Ellie
This past May, our dog Tucker had a litter of pups. Seven little bundles of fur, ok so one wasn't so little. His name was Frank. Anyway, as the weeks progressed, Riles and one little female puppy formed an incredible bond with each other. When Riles would call her name, she would come to her, and when Riles walked in the door, here she would come. Soon it was time to say good-bye to the puppies and we listed them for free on craigslist. In 24 hours all the puppies had homes. Riles sobbed. and sobbed. and sobbed. She didn't want to say good bye to Ellie. She was her best friend in the whole wide world, and she would miss her for her whole life. (riles words). So, the night that the last puppy left and Ellie was the last one remaining, Papa (Blackie) said to Grandma Pat, "If the Riles wants to keep Ellie, I guess we can keep her here." So, that's how we became the proud "foster parents" of Ellie. Riles' best friend in the whole wide world. (Danny thinks she's pretty cool too.)
Whimp

My Wish...


I had a moment today. A moment where I realized, yet again, I couldn't just simply "go ask my Dad" a question. Even after almost 8 years, these things sneak up on me and bring on the tears. Something as simple as an old family recipe, something that wasn't written down, brings on the melancholy.
It makes me wish I would have had the foresight to ask him questions and have him write his stories down. It doesn't matter if I had heard them all a thousand times before, I will never hear them again. What brought this on? My sisters have been talking about my Grandma Coates' recipes for baked mac and cheese and her baking powder biscuits (which is something I cannot make, no matter how many times I try). My dad was an only child. There isn't anyone to ask these questions. No one to give the answers.
I miss my dad today.
whimp

Saying Thank You, isn't enough...
The kiddos and I went to see The Wall That Heals, the traveling Vietnam Wall exhibit. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I hope my children understand the significance of those names and what they represent. I hope they understand Freedom isn't free.
Thank you to all who have fought, or are fighting for our freedom. The sacrifices you and your family make are honored and appreciated in our home.
Peace,
whimp

(Blackie's Cousin, he was just 21 years old.)

Foodie...
That is what I am becoming. I love to watch the Food Network, Cooking Channel, and my new favorite love is to read food blogs. My new favorite: Mennonite Girls Can Cook.
whimp

Excitement:
So incredibly excited for tomorrow. The sisters and I are going to see WICKED! I saw it last year (from the nose bleed section) and it was phenomenal, so I can't wait to see it tomorrow (from the orchestra floor), with some of my favorite people. My sister Dianne absolutely loves the Wizard of Oz, (and so do both of her grandbabies) and I think I am more excited to see her reaction to it than to see the show!  :) 
I will be sure to blog a follow-up post
wendy