For many of us in Canada, school has just started. I have always had mixed feelings about this time of year.

I love having the boys around home day after day (even when they get on each others nerves), but I love the routine that the fall brings. As a parent, I know my kids thrive on routine and structure. In fact, just last week our youngest (15) indicated that he was excited for school for the sole reason that he will be back to a regular routine.

This year however has the added emotions around the fact that we have a grad in our home. Yes our oldest will be graduating in June! So it is with a tinge of sadness I say goodbye to our last full summer all together. (sob sob)

As for first day of school photos,

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary.



I have had the marvelous pleasure of being married to this amazing man.

He isn't perfect, he doesn't NEED me and he is whole and complete without me.

You may think that is pretty strange for me to say, not to mention unromantic. But let me explain. . .

I am so excited. There is a very lucky scrapbooker in Finland who is going to win a Project Life kit.

I have sponsored a Scrapbook Challenge for the months of August and September on the only

Color = Happiness

I have yellow walls all through my house, because white is just to boring. I have red serving platters because I love how it looks with the Spanish Gold on the walls and feels kind of 'Tuscany' - don't ask me why, I have never been there, but they are the colors I envision. And yes Italy is on my 'bucket list' to visit.

Becky Higgins has been sharing her trip to Finland and it got me thinking... Out of all the places in the world, when I think of bright, vibrant colors, Scandinavian countries come to mind. Maybe I have Ikea to thank for that impression, but I have always envied the use of bright mixes of color and have tried to incorporate that into our home.

So I was thrilled when

One of our members, Barbra, asked a question in our Project Life forum about a photo taken of the contents of a purse:
 
". . . did you artfully arrange all the stuff from your purse or did you just dump it out? . . ." 

So I tested out the two different methods and this is what I found:

My birthday is this coming Saturday and I want to share the fun will all of you ALL WEEK LONG - so this is what I am going to do.

For this week only - Monday, July 12th to Sunday, July 18th you can receive 10% off the Project Life Kit. I have less than 60 kits left of the 2010 design, so you will not want to delay. This is only until Sunday or while  supplies last.

Just use this coupon code BIRTHDAYBASH2010  at the checkout and pay regular shipping and handling and you will receive 10% off your kit purchase (unfortunately Canada Post wasn't in a festive mood to join in too).

And yes this is open to

Happy Independence Day!

We are celebrating in our family too. 4 of the kids in my family were adopted from the US, so each year we celebrate along with you.

YEAH for the red and white - we love our country and feel very blessed to live here and enjoy the freedom we have.

Our celebration today included hanging out with our family, watching football (GO Stampeders and Roughriders), and of course the fireworks.

I wish all my fellow Canadians a HAPPY CANADA DAY!

My sister added this maple leaf to my toes to help us get into the spirit!! 

A couple weeks ago, I received word that a friend of mine welcomed to this world her first grandchild. She was early and tiny, but strong and doing great.

We are so excited for our friends, their daughter and her family.

There is nothing like a baby to bring everything in this world into perspective.

Sorry for being so quiet during May. It turned out to be a very crazy month. Here are some photos that will give you a little glimpse into some of the happenings in our little piece of the world.

First we held a book party for my father. We all dressed up and had it catered/hosted at a golf and country club in our area.



Games Night is a weekly thing around our place. And lately the game of