my 2010 project

I am finding that my scrapbooking time seems to get less and less as time goes on. I do have a lot on my plate this year, and even when I say, "I'm going to go down and scrapbook tonight after the kids go to bed," that often doesn't happen because I don't have enough energy by then. I created a yearly scrapbook back in 2006 that I absolutely love and thought maybe I could tackle something similar this year. For that one, I had printed out a calendar page of each month and wrote on some of those dates things we had done. On the opposite page, I placed 4 or 5 pictures of highlights from that month. It was easy to keep up with as I had already decorated each page with a monthly theme at the beginning of the year so all I had to do was print out the pictures each month and update the calendar. It is so fun to look back at the year's progress all in one place as I now don't necessarily scrapbook chronologically and I have my scrapbooks set up more topically than chronologically. So when I saw this adorable notebook (I'm a sucker for cute office supplies) I thought it'd make a great 2010 photo calendar. It just took a little time one evening to decorate it (I kept it pretty simple) and now it's just waiting to be filled!

the front

I used a DCWV stack to do all of the pages. I wanted them

to coordinate, but I wanted to stay away from a monthy theme

this time. The left side has a pocket so it will be easy to store programs,

ticket stubs, flyers, etc. in each month.

Here's a couple inside shots of some of the pages.

These monthy tabs are by Jillibean Soup. I thought they were so cute and

had them bought before I had decided to put this together. They went

perfectly with the paper I chose.

I am hoping to get my Scripture challenge #2 done this weekend. Things have been hectic around here lately (as usual) so the days go too fast. We had over 4 inches of snow and blizzard conditions yesterday so the kids were home from school- yet again. We had an ice storm last week and had a day off last Wed. as well. We are now going to school until June 11 or something crazy like that. And I doubt winter is finished rearing its ugly head around here yet. So those of you in warm sunny places (we did see the sun briefly this morning, but otherwise I think it's been almost 2 weeks since we've seen it) BE THANKFUL! My seasonal affective disorder is about at its peak!

Been a busy week

Ahhh... 11:17 PM on a Sunday night and I should be enjoying the peace and quiet of my home. But no, my kids are still up because, once again, there is no school tomorrow. It seems to be a regular thing now. If it weren't 30 degrees with piles of snow on the ground, I'd think we were on summer break! Thankfully this the the last day off (I think) before spring break. I love my kids, and I love having them home, but we need more readin, ritin, and rithmatic and less X Box and Call of Duty!

Last week was finals for the high schoolers here so I tutored every night until about 9. I had several homeschool visits in the morning, and began leading a ladies' Bible study on Tuesday morning. We're doing the book My Heart's at Home by Jill Savage. I know that God is definitely using it to teach me (in fact, I was just reading in it this evening about using patience with my kids as I'm presently trying to break up their fight they're having over a cat's toy while trying to form a coherant thought here!!!- sorry if this makes no sense!)

The working out has been going well. This week was not good- only worked out twice, but every other week we've made it 3 or 4 times per week. Unfortunately I opened two packages of peanut butter M&Ms that had been in the pantry and that obviously was more than I could handle apparently. I stopped trying to count all of the calories after one point. Thankfully they're almost gone, but I'm afraid what might replace it as my nemesis this week. I MUST BE STRONG!

Gary has been full force in the CPA studying. Every night he comes home from work and heads down to the cat pan suite (ie- my scrapbooking desk) and sets up shop for the rest of the evening. And then class all day on Saturday. I have been training the boys to stop asking, "Where's Dad?" - the answer is "either downstairs studying," or if it's Saturday, "in class."
We're all slowly getting used to the new normal around here. Gary was pretty tired after this week. I can't imagine how weeks on end of this is going to be.

Alright enough for now- I'm going to try to wrangle the boys to bed.

Scripture challenge #1

HOPE

Here is my first scripture challenge. The word given was "Hope." I used my new New Living Translation Bible I recently got and just searched the Word for all of the verses containing "Hope." I had several favorites, but this one was the one I chose to do my page on. I loved how it reminds me that God will always keep His promises. After doing my Scripture search, I discovered that the Bible basically tells us to have HOPE in our Saviour and HOPE in God's Word- that was reiterated over and over in several verses I read.

I am putting all of my Scripture challenges in an 8x8 KI album I've had for awhile. I bought this little scalloped clipboard on clearance and I will display each one in my scrapping area on this clipboard until I complete the next one. Since the new word comes out every other week instead of every week I am really hoping to keep up. It doesn't take long to put together an 8x8 page, and one of my goals this year is to try to scrap some every weekend. During the weeks it's very difficult to get anything done with all of my other responsibilities.

I'm very tired tonight. I think I might even be in bed before 10 tonight! That hasn't happened for a LONG time! After only being back in school for 3 days after a 2 week break for Christmas, the boys had Thursday and Friday off for snow, blowing, and cold temperatures. So it'll be a 4 day weekend for them. Ugh! Too much TV, laying around, and X Box!

Gary and I have been doing a lot of researching and investigating about houses. We are leaning towards building right now, so we're asking questions, looking at model homes, asking about upgrades, looking at floorplans, and PRAYING for wisdom to do the right thing!

And on a happy note, I have been very faithful in working out these past couple of weeks. I finally bit the bullet and joined Snap Fitness here in town and I LOVE IT! I love the convenience of the 24 hour availability, the fact that it's right here in town, the 4 large TV's right above the treadmills to make my time on there go faster, and the weight machines for strength training. I got a joint membership for Bradley and I. He is wanting to lift more and get ready for track, so he is helping me. I enjoy us being able to go together. I have been increasing my time, elevation, and calorie burn on the treadmill each time. I have really reached a point with my weight that is at complete unhappiness. I have tried to work out at home, and the reality for me is that it just doesn't happen. Knowing I have PAID MONEY for the next 4 months helps with the accountability. I had been doing pretty well with my eating this week until I made a hot fudge chocolate cake for Bradley's birthday and discovered it has 440 calories per piece!!!!!! But... on the positive side of that, working out on good treadmills where you program in your weight, etc. has truly opened my eyes to see how long it takes to burn that 440 calories!! I think that has been the biggest revelation for me. I have no intention of cutting out sweets. That is simply not realistic. But I do think it has helped me rethink whether my 60 calorie chocolate pudding cup (or even 2!) or that birthday cake is the best choice for me!

And Gary officially started his CPA review class today so for the next 5 months every Saturday from 8-5 he will be in class, and every evening after work he will be studying for his tests. I know this will be a good thing in the long run, but dreading it now. When he can't go to the library, he will hole up in my scrap area with headphones on to block out all of our ruckus. Tonight at 5:30 he headed down to start working, I served him his supper down there, he came up for about a 10 minute break a bit ago to help me with something, and is still down there now- 3 hours later. If you are a friend or family member reading this, please pray for him- for strength, physical and mental stamina, and the ability to remember all he studies so he can pass his tests! Thanks!!!

Happy birthday to Bradley

14 years ago to this minute I had been a mom for exactly 1/2 hour. Bradley Scott Hydorn was born on Sunday, January 7 at 8:02 PM. He weighed 6 pounds 4 1/2 ounces and was 20 inches long. That morning when I woke up I had no idea I would become a mother before the night was over. I carried Bradley high throughout the whole pregnancy. I was always pushing a hand or foot out of my ribcage. We didn't know whether it'd be a boy or a girl, but I was completely convinced he was a girl- and we had the name Alexis Dawn picked out. I sang to HER, rocked in HER rocker in HER room, and planned for my little girl. Thankfully I did not go so far as to buy pink clothes because I would have been returning them!

I noticed that morning in church that I could breathe a little easier, but I really didn't think much about it. I was over 3 weeks away from my due date so I wasn't planning on anything to happen yet. After church we came home to our apartment, had leftover pot roast for lunch, and I even got an afternoon nap in! After my nap, I went to the bathroom, and my water broke on the toilet!!!! It took me a bit to realize that my water had actually broken! I wasn't having any contractions at that time. That was about 2:30 in the afternoon. We called the Dr., headed into the hospital, and they started me on Potocin. Then the pain kicked in - hard and fast! I dilated quickly, and pushed for only 5 minutes or so. He was beginning to get in distress so they had to suction him out. His cone head only lasted a day or so! But he was beautiful! And once I had him in my arms, all thoughts of a baby girl were gone.

This photo was taken by my mom as soon as we got home from the hospital. My mom and dad were at our apartment with supper all made. Does he look a little orange to you?? He developed jaundice and had to wear the light band for 8 days. That was a long stressful 8 days! For the most part he was a good baby. I thought he was a little fussy, but after having Brennan, I realized Bradley was an angel!!!

He LOVED to be read to when he was little. He was always dragging books to Dad and I and he'd sit for a long time flipping through his favorites. And even when he was little, he showed a liking for sports- golf clubs, bats and balls of all kinds.

This was taken when he was 3. His little smile just melted our hearts! This is one of Gary's favorite pictures of Bradley- I think he still even carries it in his billfold to this day!

He was a great big brother and helper for mom. This picture was taken right during Brennan's colicky phase, so I'm surprised that he's not screaming in this shot. That's what he did during all his waking hours! Bradley tried so hard to make him happy during those rough days- shaking toys in his face and singing to him.

He loved sports from when he was little. He was SO excited when we went to our first major league game when he was 3 or so??? He used to watch Sportscenter in the mornings instead of cartoons. We could tell from when he was very young that baseball would be his game.

I'm not sure exactly which birthday this was. When he sees pictures in this stage, he cringes at his hair. He hates how it was parted and slicked back! But of course, I thought it was adorable.

Looking older and more mature!

After a football tournament game in Carlisle. He didn't want to play football for several years, but now this sport ranks as one of his favorites!

This is one of my favorite pictures of him.

In the last few years, he has become obsessed with golf. I got him a membership at Countryside Golf Course this last summer, and we would go every chance he could.

Bradley has had a good day- it started at 6 AM when school was cancelled due to blizzard like conditions. He played his new X-Box that he got for Christmas pretty much all day. His friends Trevor and Payton came over for awhile in the afternoon. Tonight we had tacos for supper, he opened his new Call of Duty game, and right now is talking to his friend on X Box Live. We're going to have cake in just a few minutes. He's anxious to get his permit. I, on the other hand, am not so anxious!

I'm so thankful for you Bradley- I'm proud of you and love you bunches! (I know he'll see this post because he is a faithful blog reader of mine!!!)