On what really matters. . .

So, I've been kind of obsessed with my to-do list lately. And my to-do list is long.
On top of the regular chaos of being a mother of three and full-time homemaker, I got a job. Well, two actually. Fortunately one is a massive writing project which will come to an end in a month or so. The other is permanent, and it's a whole new challenge for me. And on top of all that, we've been thrown into a full-time school schedule this week. Suddenly I have to make lunches, organize book bags and papers and make sure everyone is up, dressed, fed and out the door on time EVERY day! Needless to say, I have to be organized and on top of things.
So, I'm obsessed with my to-do list.
This evening I was trying to catch up on a day's worth of chores and tasks after a day which literally had me run from school, to child's dental appointment, to interview for work, back to school. . . you get the idea. I was quickly replying to e-mails and Facebook messages when a sweet little blonde boy appeared beside me with a balloon. "Hey Mom, want to bat the balloon back and forth with me?"
Honestly? My first thought was "Heck no! Leave me alone."
I put him off for a few minutes so I could read a few more status updates and suddenly it occurred to me: "Are random status updates really more important than my son?" I suddenly remembered my "Mommy first" mantra - a credo which guided me to shelve my career, aspirations for a perfectly tidy home and most of my me-time for the past six years.
It won't be long, really, before this sweet boy can think of a million things he'd rather do than bat a balloon around with mom. So I shut off the computer and headed upstairs with him.
It pained me - really pained me - to walk past the kitchen without stopping to quickly make tomorrow's lunches. But I kept going, took my place in the living room and for the next 15 minutes enjoyed a cacophony of giggles as we swatted that silly blue balloon back and forth.
I'm behind on my to-do list now. And you know what? I think I'm a better mom for it.

8 layouts! 8!

I had a fabulous weekend! I was able to join a great group of girls scrapbooking at Embellished Memories for the weekend. (And as a side note, if you haven't been into Embellished Memories lately, you have to get in there. The projects displayed around the store for inspiration are A-MAZ-ING!)
I spent Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening there and while I wouldn't say it was my most stellar weekend creatively, I was definitely productive! I completed 5 two-page layouts, two single-page layouts and started a sixth two-page layout. I actually finished scrapbooking our trip to Las Vegas - which we took 5YEARS ago! On top of that, I knocked off my daughter's third birthday photos and a couple pages of my boys I have been meaning to do since I took the photos in 2008. Am I caught up now? Not even close, but I feel better knowing I got something done! I thought I'd post a few photos of my work here for you to enjoy. I hope they inspire you!

From the top: The Sophia Workshop on The Go layout. I had the paper pack but not the stamp set, so I did my own thing with a stamp set I did have.

Second is a layout with the older Caprice paper pack, and thirdly is a close-up of the painted and inked chipboard letters I titled the page with.

Happy Scrappin'!

New Catalogue!

So, have you seen it?
The new catalogue is live! There are a ton of great changes - lower prices on stamps, changes to level two paper packs which make them more user-friendly, new embellishments, and the list goes on! Be sure to check out the back pages - changes to the Stamp of the Month program make it more affordable to get your hands on these limited-time stamp sets!
I'd love to hear what your favourite new paper pack is. I am lovin' Wonderland and Dreamin'. What tops your list?
To have a look through the catalogue online, click here: http://www.closetomyheart.com/Home/Products/Online_Idea_Book.aspx

Happy scrappin'!