Scrapbooking!!

Well, I've entered a new outlet for my creativity.  It's one I secretly admired, but openly chuckled at: Scrapbooking!  I wanted to keep doing the Treasure Books that Mom does, but with my own little twist.  I wanted to combine photos and journal entries/stories so that when people look through it they really get a better sense of who we are as a family.  I also wanted to keep it in the sheet protectors because 12x12 books are not fun to shelve, and I didn't want Maddie to get into them and pull them all apart.  So...  I began to collect a few things.  I didn't want to complicate my life by getting dramatic about it (simplicity, right?) plus, I want to keep developing some of my other talents, which takes time.  Result... there was a 50% off sale on Scrapbook paper so I bought a few packs (seasons, birthdays, classy, girly) and purchased a variety of colors of cardstock.  I also printed my pictures in 4x6 collages so I could fit as many photos on one page as possible.  Next, I got a scrapbook magazine at the library (they have about 6 years worth), and am reading up on different things.  I have a little station at my desk, and when Maddie's asleep and I need a little rejuvenating, productive project, I spend about 30 minutes cutting with my ordinary scissors, gluing with my glue stick, coloring with my crayons and pencils, writing or typing out a blurb and ouila!  A page is done!  Oh, and I work out of order.  I look through my photos until I see one that inspires me to do a page, and I do it.  Then I put in the right place in the book.  Much better that way!  I did one very complex page (took me an hour) and I didn't scrapbook the next day.  I felt like I had to top myself or do it just as good the next time.  Blah!  I read another issue of the magazine and found some very easy, quick set ups and got two pages done the next day in 35 minutes.  Simplicity!  Moderation!

(I have to say, though, it's a good thing I don't have all the fancy punches, stamps, ribbons, etc, because I'm sure I would jump in over my head and become completely overwhelmed!  But I do get a little excited when i see paper and cardstock on sale, because I know I'll use that!)

Over the last 3 weeks, I've completed 16 pages and a total of 144 photos (yes, I just counted) and two pages that are completely done EXCEPT the photo.  :) 

Favorite pages:  Cutting the Wedding Cake, Christmas '09, Bugaboo, Sledding '09, Bridal Veil Falls Hike.  I'd post pictures of them, but my computer is having some serious memory issues, so.... ;D

Introducing... Madison!!

June 28, 2011, beginning at 7am....

At the Hospital, Waiting for Baby....

Hahaha.... put that camera away!!  :)

 June 28, 2011 about 9pm....                     Madison has Arrived!!!

First time on a scale  :)

First bath!

Matt said she LOVED getting her hair washed!  And look at the hair!  So much!!!

I can't get over it... look at her hair!!!  Sooooo cute!!!

June 28-30, 2011  Hospital to Home....

Family of Three!!!

Daddy burping Maddie

Family Forever!

Daddy's Maddie!

She really never cried at the hospital other than the very beginning.  She mostly loved just sitting there looking around. Especially when Matt was holding her.  If I was holding her we'd both fall asleep.  :)

Mommy's Maddie!

Madison and Mom... oh!  That's me!  I'm a Mom!!!  :D

I just love taking pictures of Matt holding her!  This is one proud father, and one content young lady!

Oh, Madison!  How we love you!!

We're home!

Please keep your pet deer at home!

Thank you!  We appreciate your cooperation!

40 Weeks, 1 Day

Well, we are still waiting on the arrival of our very cute little girl!  I think she's running out of room because she has taken to hitting my hip bones and ribs at the same time.  :)  Her last ultrasound revealed she has some hair on the top of her head!  That's not what they were looking for, but I sure got excited!  It's still a little short, but it is there!

School got out on June 3rd, and since then we've been working very hard to get the house ready for our little arrival!

Due to generous donations from friends and family we were finally able to set up the nursery.  We accomplished this on Thursday.  Her bassinet is in our room, but here are pictures of the nursery.

My favorite thing here on the changing table, is that the monkey's mouth opens!  So, that is my diaper dispenser!  

 Big Bear!!

I like this bookshelf!  We're getting some more drawer organizers.  That's my wedding bouquet on top, and Matt's San Diego temple his mom made for him.  There is a very small collection of board books on the lower shelf, and several stuffed animals that should be on the bed.  ;)

We are so excited to be parents!  And nervous!  :)  Sometimes I go in the nursery and sit on the bed and just visualize changing diapers, walking around, cuddling in a rocking chair, singing, etc.  It is cute when Matt walks by the room, sometimes he will pause and let out the cutest little chuckle, and his eyes light up.  Oh!  How excited we are!

Yesterday, I finished washing all the baby clothes and putting them away!  We're ready... well the house is!  :)

Hope of America --May 6

Well, I'm the 5th grade teacher who is in charge of Hope of America each year for our school.  It is a crazy cool event!  They get a 5,000 voice choir together made up of 5th graders mostly and we sing patriotic songs, etc.  It's been going on for a long time, and has gotten so big, they split it between two nights (a total of about 10,000 5th graders).  They have to perform in the Marriott Center because there are no other facilities around that can accommodate this massive event!

 We're the first two rows of Red on the right side of the flag.  Matt's brother, Gabe, was also there, but I believe his school was on the top on our same side.

This is the final song called "We Can Be a Light."  I love the effect of the flashlights!

My Birthday! (belated)

Well, way back on March 31st I turned 26.  Whew!  But I have to admit that this last year has been the best year of my life!  I went through the temple, married my Dream-Come-True-Handsome-Prince in the temple, doubled the number of people I consider family, learned and am learning how to balance my new life/responsibilities, found out we're having a little girl, had 5 ultrasounds and got to watch her grow a little, finished my 5th year of teaching, and I fall in love every day when I hear Matt's voice.  What a year!!

My students left this for me when I left work for an appointment on my birthday.

And We're Back!

Hello!  So sorry for not staying updated.... AT ALL!!  But I will get better!

Well, 5 months along, and I'm starting to feel pregnant!  We're having a very cute girl and we're pretty sure she has Matt's toes (our toes are very different).  :)  He thinks she has my nose.  How can we tell?  Just from the pictures from the ultrasound.  It has been fun!  They haven't been able to get a clear shot of her heart, so we are scheduled to have our fourth ultrasound!  I get more and more excited each time!  Matt is a lot of fun to watch, too.  We just hold hands and grin and grin.  Wish I could show you my baby bump, but my camera is not working right now.  :)

Students this last week and a half have been interesting.  Everything from religious discrimination to gossiping, to defriending, befriending, and giving up on school.  On the other hand, others are getting more and more motivated and excited to master the material so they can be tutors on Fridays.  Then of course there is my kid who can do 9th grade algebra in his head.... still working on challenging him.  :)

Oh, something cool.  I guess myAunt Carolyn filled out a Mormon.org profile.
They had a real tragedy in their lives a few years ago when her husband accidently ran over their 14 month daughter, Suzy.  Suzy died.
Every time I read about that event in their lives, I am so touched by their faith.

Hi, I'm Carolyn

I love life!  The miracles in our lives are so numerous!   I am so grateful for the plan of happiness and the comfort it brings to me that this life is not the end, and there is such a great purpose to our whole existence!  Oh the joys and marvels that await us!  I am so grateful to have the privilege of knowing these things, that prayers are answered, and that we are never left  comfortless.
How do I know?

Sincerely,
Karen McNeff