Hangin' with the ladies in Celina...

It's Sunday and I'm hanging out on the couch...I've got a terrible head cold and it's knocked me down a notch today.

Yesterday, I really enjoyed the Power of Purple Crop (supporting the Mercer County Family Crisis Network - domestic violence) in Celina, Ohio. Jillibean was asked to attend and teach a class.   I have lots of stuff going on this month and next so I wasn't sure we would be able to attend at first.  I'm so glad we did.  Who knew it would be such an emotional afternoon! 

We had a great card class with ladies from all over Ohio...some who came just to meet me...awww, shucks.  Thank you for supporting Jillibean Soup and me! 

The guest speaker was Lisa Bearnson who is the founder of Creating Keepsakes magazine and a super sweet person.  She shared some photography secrets, a family album (that was created by having a photographer follow her family around for 24 hours), and inspired us to continue to keep preserving our family's memories.   I found myself missing my family and feeling sorry for the little things I've been missing out on. 

Chiara, the woman organizing the event shared some of her own personal experiences with domestic violence and had all of us do an exercise with different domestic violence incidents.  I found myself thanking God that I have such a wonderful husband and support system.  Chiara and her sister have amazing voices and sang the song "For Good" from the Broadway show "Wicked".  It was beautiful and I had to try really hard not to cry (it was right before my class). 

I had no idea that I would walk away from this event with so many new friends and a renewed faith in myself and a praise of thanks for my family.

Thank you Karen, Alecia and Patty for helping with my classes and booth! 

Have a great week everyone!

Jilsy

First Day of School Pics...

Thank you Karen for asking for these.  I'm so glad you're still checking the blog.  I know my posts have been few and far between - I just haven't had as much interest in posting (or time).  I'm going to make it a point to sit down on Sundays and try to get a few things in here...that way you can see what's going on with the girls every once in a while. ;)

Leah started the summer with two missing front teeth (which are now most of the way in)...

Leah and her best bud Emma. Ahhh, they both wore purple too!




Brooke and Kams started school in September. 

Look at that forced smile on Brooke!  Cracks me up!

Their school bags are bigger than they are! 

Have a great day!

Jill-o

My Monday...

It's Tuesday, right?  Well my Monday was - can I say - absolute MADNESS! 

Aaaahhhhhhhhh

To set the tone, I came home Sunday from an exhausting but awesome weekend with friends Stephanie Hunt and Nikki Sivils.  We had a great time creating and talking!  Talking into the wee hours of the morning, that is.  My 6 hour drive on Sunday was increased to 7.5 hours when I had to swing by the in-laws and pick up my children.  Hubby left Sat for work so the kids were with Grandma and Grandpa all weekend (thank you) :).  Soooooo, we were all tired.

Monday morning comes and it's time to get Leah to school at 8:50, Brooke and Kami to school at 9:15.  This is both Brooke and Kami's first full days of preschool (full meaning 2.5 hours).  I was late for both...how does that happen?  I had fifteen minutes to get Brooke and Kami to their school that is 2 minutes from Leah's school.  I decided I had time to go get my favorite morning diet Coke from McDonalds.  Love my fountain drinks.  Ooops, guess I didn't have enough time.  Last kids in both classes.  Oh well.

In my short 2.5 hours of time at home, I'm doing everything possible to stay ahead but it's MONDAY and this was just a CRAZY Monday for us.  Returned phone calls, e-mails, orders, orders with specific instructions and in the back of my mind I know I still need to get my kits done for my Netherlands classes so I can get them in the mail.  Oh yeah, somewhere in this crazy day, I need to make a 3 hour trip to my warehouse, I keep reminding myself.

11:20 comes and I go to pick up the girls...I'm early.  I didn't need to be there until 11:45.  Ah, crap...I had more time I could have been working on stuff.  15 minutes of quick e-mails from my phone. 

11:45 take Brooke and Kami to the babysitters.  Pick up some packaged product at M's house.  Thank you Missey! 

12:15 head off to my warehouse with the packaged product.  I made plans with a friend to pick up Leah just-in-case I would not be back in time.

12:45 I'm headed back home.  There seems to be a fire somewhere on the highway (can only see the black smoke) and cars are stopped.

1:15 phew, got a few minutes to myself.   Then, more e-mails, phone calls, think about designs for minute,  e-mails, answer questions, e-mails.

3:25 off to get Leah.

3:50 off to the bank.

4:00 stop at a store (it's a secret - something I'm working on)

4:55 pick up Brooke and Kami at the babysitters. 

5:30 cook dinner - which consists of mac n' cheese, grapes and carrots :)

6:30 hmmm, can I sit down for a minute.

8:00 everyone is in bed and it's time for me to answer more e-mails.  That's what I get for taking the weekend off.

Happy Anniversary to my Dear Hubby...

Wow, 10 long years with me. :)  12 years total!  I can't believe it! 

This man is such a blessing.  He's the best father, the best husband and he completes who I am. 

Happy Anniversary Hubby! 

Love you bunches!

They're Bathroom Books, Mom...

We're potty training Miss B.  As most of you know, she has a mind of her own.  We've been trying since the beginning of the summer but haven't pushed it.  When we got the tuition bill for Preschool, I realized we only have a couple of weeks get this done!  So, we started hitting it hard last week.  We went straight to Dora undies and it hasn't been so good.  I spent the other night searching the internet for tips about potty training.  Leah and Kami were done in a week...not Brooke!  Soooo, with the help of microwave timer, Nick Jr's Dora potty chart, lots of suckers and books...we're on our way! 

By the way...according to Brooke, those are her bathroom books. ;)

Have a good one!

Jill

These didn't make it on the Bean Talk blog...

We can't have ALL seriousness at CHA or we would got crazy!  Ahoy there matey!

The whole crew...we look thrilled, don't we. :)  Karen - what's up with that face?  Thank you chicas...appreciate everything that you do!!!!

Clean up....you think I'm happy?  Actually I was thrilled because our crates showed up right away!  Last time, it took 3+ hours for them to arrive and we sat around waiting and waiting.  Teardown went soooo quick in Chicago!  I had lots of help too - thanks girls!!!! 

Brown paper scarf?  Little loopie at the close of the show?  Check out Kimber in the background.  Peace!

And here are a couple of cards of mine that didn't make it into the booth.  Not a big deal.  I would rather use the team projects before mine.  I always make some to stick in here or there but we didn't need these. 

I really enjoyed the show this time.  It's always a TON of stress but I had more fun giggling with the girls this time.  Poor Kristen and Carson over at Lilybee had to put up with us during set-up.  During the second day, I burped out loud and I burped soooo loud that everyone was shocked.  I was even embarassed....so much so, that I bent down behind Jen to hide so that the Kristen and Carson wouldn't know how disgusting I am! 

If you looked at the Bean Talk blog then you saw this pic of Jarred...

I kinda feel bad for this guy.  We had SOOOO much fun harassing him!  It was our last night in Chicago....show was done...no stress...just good fun.  I decided we were celebating at Gibsons.  Mind you, Gibsons is a bit pricey - $42 for a steak.  Anyhow, this poor guy.  We (the crew) all decided we were going to guess how old he was, so everyone wrote a number on their hand.  The next time he came back to the booth we asked him how old he was.  He said "take out a sheet of paper and write down your guesses".  We all showed him our hands - I think he was beet red (low lighting - couldn't really tell).  Anyhow, we just had so much fun on that last night!

Thanks for visiting!

Jill

Is Anybody Out There?

Really?  June 15th was the last time I posted?  Oh my...didn't know it's been that long!  Sorry.  I just can't seem to keep up.  It's a good problem - right?  I also have this preconceived notion that I need a photo every time I post.  So, here's my photo...

This is a photo that Tracy Thompson took of the crew in our visit to Maine (back in late June/early July).  Quite a colorful family - aren't we?  We had a really nice visit with my in-laws in the York Harbor area.  Beautiful beaches, trolleys, birthday parties, lobsters, quaint little New England towns, vintage finds, family time...what more can you ask? 

I'll get more photos up of CHA later this week. 

Thank you to everyone that keeps checking in - I appreciate the support!

Jill