{Love, Love, Love}

This is a really cute mini book I taught last weekend at Tulsa CKC. It was designed by Beckie Dryer one of our fabulous Rusty Pickle Chefs. It uses the mini album with the Fair Verona collection. lot's of chipboard, buttons, stickers and I had to add some stickles for a little sparkle.

Still here . . .

Okay so I promised myself I would take these muscle relaxers round the clock this weekend and stay down in hopes for some relief. But as of right now - Sunday morning my legs and feet are still numb. The good news is that the x-rays did not show any disk damage in my lower back. Just some pretty major soft tissue damage. There were some mild disk problems in my neck and I will follow up with that because I don't want to be walking around like the hunch back one day. But when I saw the chiropractor on Thursday he told me there was some pretty major swelling in my lower back lumbar area and it is just going to take some time to heal. So he said rest. This is so hard for me. But I know I need to do it. I have two busy weeks ahead of me. Creative Escape and the Phoenix CK Convention. So i gotta get better. So I have increased my nutritional supplements (have been studying about supplements to help Morgan and look I need them now) I am rotating from my chair to my bed and not leaving my bedroom. This is a challenge for me. My house is such a mess. I ventured out this morning to take my meds and I was frightened. But I guess it is a good lesson for everyone else. "Mom's not going to clean up after you."

I can't do alot of things that involve too much thinking cause I am kinda out of it. But I had fun making a play list. You can tell that I have pretty mellow taste in music. I love inspirational gospel music and could listen to that 24/7. But I have added some of my very favorite classics - Donny, Linda, Ann, Elton, Celine, Donny, Marie, some of my favorite American Idol and the amazing William Joseph on the piano. If you don't like listening while you read just scroll down to the playlist on the right and turn off the volume. But the cool thing for me is now as long as I have a connection I have my favorite music. Love it.

Also been doing alot of Ukraine research and exploring that world. I miss Marissa so much already, but I know she is going to experience so much over the next couple of months. I have downloaded Skype which will allow me to talk to Marissa for FREE over the Internet. Problem being we both have to be online at the same time. Since our days and nights are opposite this will prove to be a challenge. She was online this morning at 5:30 am our time and I just missed her. So I have added the Ukraine time to my blog so I always know what time it is there.

I have happened across a blog of a US family from Seattle living in Kiev. The Melanchuk Family has a lot of pictures on their blog and after reading about their life and experiences over there I am feeling so much better. The church is strong and thriving over there and I know there are priesthood leaders over there to help them in any time of need.

So as for me - I think as I lay in bed today I am going to design a new scrap table and cabinets. My amazing brother is building me a new custom hutch for my desk so when I get better I can have a highly organized desk. So I am thinking I really want a scrap area that looks like Margie's check hers out {HERE}. It is amazing. I only have two walls to work with. But I have this amazing brother who has said figure out exactly what you want and we will build it. So if you have seen any aweome scrap room/areas for people with LOTS of stuff will you forward them to me ? Get in line ladies -don't be asking for his number yet until he is done with mine. So I am excited just thinking about it. Who knows what I will come up with on heavy duty muscle relaxers. Could be quite interesting.

Oh well - time to rotate and get back in the bed. I am sure I will be back later. I am going to have one of my kiddos take pictures of the books from CKC and I will post them tonight. Promise

We interupt this blog . . . .

I know I promised class pictures - but I am down right now with a hurt back and numb feet and legs. I must have picked up that one wrong box this weekend while packing up the show and hurt myself. I went to the doctor this morning and had x-rays done and now we have to wait till morning to figure out a plan. Until then I am on muscle relaxers and anti inflammatories. Oh Joy - how fun (not) But I promise to have pictures up in a few days. Thanks Tulsa - you were awesome.

Tis the season . . . .

I am a really bad blogger right now . . . . I barely have a moment to breathe this week let alone blog. So I have chosen to breathe. But I woke up early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep so I figured perfect time for an update. Lot's of stuff going on here in the Paolacci home. The best thing is Marissa is home until August 26th. So nice to have all my kids home. We have not had her home for this long since she left for college 2 years ago. She is so nice to have around, she has such a genuine spirit about her and I love feeling that. The kids love having her home. There was a BAD storm last night and Logan was so worried about his big sister while she was at the movies with her friends. But everyone arrived home safe and sound.

School starts on Monday for the younger 4. Logan will be in 4th grade, Coleton in 6th, Karleigh will be a freshman and Dylan will be a senior. School is crazy these days. It cost me almost $800 dollars to register Dylan and karleigh for high school. They are both in a sport - Karleigh is doing swim and Dylan is golfing and it costs $150 per sport. Then I have to pay $100 for Dylan to park, $100 for Karleigh to be in advanced choir, $40 each for activity passes, $75 each for yearbooks (no you don't have to buy them now but they are $100 dollars a piece later) then Dylan had his graduation fee of $50, and then there are class fees. Oh my Back to school is more expensive than Christmas in my house.

Morgan is almost finished being registered for college. It is crazy that I have two college kids. Morgan's life is just wild and crazy right now. A couple weeks ago while I was in Chicago Morgan and Andrew decided they needed to start dating other people. The reality was no matter how much they loved each other, Andrew still has about 9 months before leaving to on his mission. He did not need to be tied down and he needed to focus on preparing and serving his mission. Well, Morgan enjoyed singlehood for about 2 weeks and has already being swept away by a returned missionary. I swear there must be a radar out there that tells all available guys "she's single". So she has been dating this nicest guy for about a week and a half. He only lives about 5 minutes away and so they have been seeing each other often. Oh young love !!! Last night we had this horrible monsoon storm and I was already in bed and I thought my kids were too and Morgan comes in about 9:30 and says "Aaron is coming to get me - we are going to play in the rain" Oh to be 19 again. I am glad she is having fun. Today is the "official" back to school shopping day in the Paolacci house - i figured if I held off till the last minute we wouldn't spend as much money (yeah right) but it is better than shopping everyday this week. I told the kids I would trade them school money for a bag of shoes and clothes for DI. I was totally serious but I haven't seen any donation bags surface so they must not think I am serious. I am just amazed when their closets and drawers are jam packed full of clothes and yet I hear "I have nothing to wear". So if you don't wear it let's get rid of it. I guess they must learn from the pro, because I have a closet full of clothes I don't wear either. So maybe it is time I practice what I preach.

Marissa has had her training prep for the Ukraine and now will just be gathering supplies in preparation to leave.

Guess who did start school this week - Jade. She is in kindergarten and they started on Wednesday. I surprised her and was waiting outside her door when she came out and "said hey pretty girl want a ride to school". You know I couldn't pass up those first day of school photos.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN !!!!!

Can you even beleive this was 19 years ago !!!! Oh my how she has grown and turned into such a wonderful young woman. She is a very happy 19 year old with her new guitar.

I am home . . . really

I got home Monday afternoon from Chicago and have been on the go ever since just trying to catch up with life. Hopefully having a Saturday at home I will be able to finally get things under control. I'll be back . . . . soon I hope. But for now I am off to do laundry, clean bedrooms, clean kitchen, go grocery shopping, go to library, in put orders, mail out catalogs, kit class for Tuesday, and so on and so on . . . . . . .

Gone to CHA . . . .

I am in Chicago right now and have just finished a very long day of meetings. Seeing amazing new products and connecting with dear friends - some of which I only see twice a year. I love this amazing industry we work in and I feel so blessed to rub shoulders with the people I do. If you want to keep updated on Janna and I's CHicago happenings you can check in on us {here}.

{Keepin Boys Busy During Summer}

Okay I am sure it is a challenge for any mom to keep kids busy during summer - especially boys- that always want to be busy !!!! Put that with a mom getting ready for a trade show and you have a bit of craziness. So I keep trying to make myself take time out of every day to do something FUN with them. They want to go rent xbox games - I am like "you have a million games - I am not going to pay to rent more" I said why don't you the play the wii. (they really haven't played that all summer) They just moan and groan. So then I find one of those coupons they send home from school "free bowling" for up to 6 people. Perfect - we had Jackon and McKay at our house (because we were watching them while their parents where out of town) so we headed to the blowing alley. Now mind you when it says FREE it really isn't FREE. You still have to pay $4 to rent shoes for each of them. Oh well they had so much fun.

HAVASUPAI

Okay so it has been a busy, busy week. But when is it not a busy week when it is summer and kids are out of school. Looks like it is going to take me a couple posts to catch up.
Havasupai Service Project

Well - I stayed home with Morgan, Coleton and Karleigh and Don, Dylan and Logan had an awesome time at the Grand Canyon. Kelly, They left Thursday afternoon (I took a big ole nap after they left because it was alot of work to get everything ready for this service project and trip) for Havasupi village and waterfalls. They drove up to the canyon and arrived there late Thursday night. The older boys wanted to hike down as soon as they arrived. Sounds a little scary letting 4 teenage boys take an 8 mile hike to the bottom of the canyon at 11pm. But once they ate at the Road Kill Cafe they took off.

The rest of the group hiked down at first sun on Friday morning. They arrived in the village and had an awesome time putting together a 4th of July Barbecue and activities for the people of the village. All the kids knew that Friday was a day of service and they were going to be staying in the village. When the boys left I said "I really want you to bond with the little kids" and become their friends. Take a look . . . I think it worked. They camped in the village right in front of the church and enjoyed spending time really getting to know the people of the Supai Village.

Then come Saturday morning they were free to hike and explore the falls. I guess it was a really good thing I wasn't there. I would have probably had a heart attack and dampened all the fun. Remember what 17 year old boys are like ? No fear - so take a look at a few of their adventures.

Take note of the CAUTION sign - do you think that would stop my son ?????

Marissa take a look at your crazy adventurous brother - he is crazy - NO FEAR - now that worries me !!!!!

They were able to attend church in the village on Sunday and then had a potluck at the church to "break the fast" and just enjoyed spending time with each other and socializing with the native Supai people.

They arrived back home on Monday afternoon and they had an incredible time and made many, many memories. I woke up at 5am on Monday morning and just started praying because I knew my baby was taking on an 8 mile hike out of the Grand Canyon. I am so proud of them.

{Happy 4th of July}

Hope you have a great holiday weekend. I got Don, Dylan and Logan off to the Grand Canyon yesterday. And now it is just Morgan, Karleigh & Coleton at home for a relaxing holiday weekend. Enoy yourselves and stay safe.

{Packing, Packing, Packing}

Just working on getting everything and everyone packed for the trip down Havasupai. I will be ready for a nice long sleep tonight. Looks like Coleton will be staying home. The anxiety is building and he is just to nervous of the unknown. But Don, Dylan and Logan are ready to go. I'll check in later after I see my troops off. I think I might have a weekend of scrapping ahead of me. Wooo Hooo.

{Oh My - It's July}

I could hardly believe it when the calendar said JULY 1, 2008 today. Crazy how time flies. Just busy, busy, busy. I am knee deep in medical bills today trying to get this all figured out and make sure the insurance company has paid everyone - what a pain - matching up bills with insurance claims. Not fun at all. But it must get done. I am tired of having it hanging over my head. Morgan is still struggling with her foot but has made HUGE progress and trying to get back to as normal of a life as she can. She is still in her walking boot, but only wears it to go out becuase she can't fit shoe on that foot comfortably. But around home she walks barefoot most of the time. We see a new specialist next Tuesday so hoping they have some new ideas for us.

Also, finsihing up getting the family ready for the big hike down to Havasupai for the 4th of July Celebration we are putting on for the Supai Indian Village that resides at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Just trying to find some last minute things. I am excited for my boys to have this experience. It will be totally amazing !!!!

Well, I better get back to the bills. I hope everyone has an awesome day !!!