April 30, 2011

2011|4|30

If you know me well, you'll know that I'm a bit of a popcorn maker.  On a night when the spring snowstorm is on, there's nothing more cozy than curling up on the couch with your main-squeeze, snacking and watching a flick.

April 29, 2011

2011|4|29

Spent the day touring around with the kids...to the park & library.

And I just couldn't help myself...got up at 3:30am to watch William & Kate's Royal Wedding.
A very memorable {happy} event of 2011!

April 28, 2011

2011|4|28

With the decision my husband & I have made to purchase two local businesses coming up, I couldn't have stumbled upon this book at a better time.

April 27, 2011

2011|4|27

With Mother's Day coming up on the weekend, my sister & I took some time today to get some photos with our kiddos.  Here are some faves from our shoot...thanks so much Christa for capturing us!


April 25, 2011

2011|4|25

Today I took a drive to breathe and reflect.  I came across my Grandfather's farm where he grew up and raised my Mom.  My Uncle Ron & Aunt Frances now reside here and I stopped by to capture the beauty of reflection in the overflowed dugout...breathtaking!

 We received some tragic news today that Jeff Lukye passed away.  Some of you have been following this tremendous story of my friend Keri's husband.  We have sad hearts for the family.  Even though I never had the opportunity to meet Jeff, he's a hero in my eyes!

April 24, 2011

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We were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt at our friends acreage...the kids had a BLAST!

April 22, 2011

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The crocus flowers are poking up...could this mean spring is actually here to stay?

April 21, 2011

Spring Card

I am in desperate need of making a bunch of cards.  These two are a start!

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Stamps - For All You Do
Ink - Melon Mambo, Old olive
Cardstock - Daffodil Delight, Pacific Pointe, Whisper White
Patterned Paper - Ice Cream Parlor
Accessories - Silver Brads

2011|4|21

 Today's photo is in coordination with the Snail Mail Challenge created by my friend Dee-Ann and a package we wanted send to my friend Megan & family.

...But first we stuck it in the freezer for a few days to rid it from germs.

April 20, 2011

2011|4|20

Today is my birthday!  {smile}  Each year I find myself reflecting on the little things that make me, ME.  It's fun to look back and compare each year.

Here it goes...this is me
- love a good stack of magazines
- snuggle EACH of my kids once a day
- serving others brings me JOY
- still terrified of spiders
- I have been blogging for 5 fabulous years
- when I'm feeling fiesty, I squeal the tires of my minivan
- I have found happiness in doing what I love
- juggling kids & a business mean that at times, both suffer
- I rarely leave home without a shower
- I will organize a flash mob dance sometime
- I love the rush of the city but am so at HOME in my small town
- dance music is my fave, country music is not
- I am often asked how do I do it all, I respond with the answer 'I don't'
- I have three mentors, all beginning with the letter 'R'
- it amazes me that just when I think Cory & I couldn't get any CLOSER, we do
- making plans to go to New York, Paris & South Africa
- I don't take my health for granted
- enviornmental cheerleader
- my heart tells me to have another baby, my head tells me to stop at three wonderful kids
- I have lost faith, I hope one day I will find it again...my spiritual quest is on-going
- I  rail car graffiti
- so blessed to have found my passion in photography & creating art
- favorite color right now is navy
- mmmmm, WINE (pound grape)
- love to share and inspire others, just as so many have done for me
- I love red skittles and convince my kids to let me eat theirs
- can feel my ART *spark* revealing itself again
- feel such a belonging in my community
- miss my friends who live a far
- I have found what keeps me going are the connections with people in my life
- when life is too much, I crank up the music

Looking forward to what is in store for age thirty-four!

April 19, 2011

2011|4|19

Took some time today afterschool to decorate Easter eggs with the kids and their cousins.

April 18, 2011

2011|4|18

Oh I was so excited my chalkboard Easter eggs turned out.
Just a few coats of chalkboard paint on these boiled eggs did the trick.
After I took this photo, the kids were anxiously waiting to draw on them...so much fun!

April 17, 2011

2011|4|17

Ace decided to create a storybook for Mrs. Fonstad today.  When she gave her speech on Friday at the school before the walk-a-thon, Ace remembered every little bit of what she told the students.  He said he was going to make her some pictures because she told them 'it would make her happy and that would make her feel better'...my heart melted and I am so proud of him using his talent to make someone else smile.

Here it is, we will send it off to her this week...I scanned the drawings for him to look back on and keep in his school-years keepsake box.  Thinking of printing some notecards displaying his drawings and sending the proceeds to Fight For Fonstad...wonder if there would be an interest?






April 16, 2011

2011|4|16

Oxbow & District Business Association Trade Show

What a huge success!  Over 45 booths took part in this event, the arena was buzzing the whole day.  It gave businesses an opportunity to promote and show that you really can get everything in this corner of Saskatchewan.  I was proud to be part of the OBA who worked hard to bring the show together.

Cory & I shared a booth, half Starlite Studio Photography and half Complete Construction.  He constructed this small building with two mini-rooms for us to have our displays.  It had a roof, siding, drywalled & painted walls, perfect to hang my portrait samples...I was impressed!

The day was great...Justin who works for us, joined me in the booth for the show since Cory was at home sick.  We chatted with many, made business contacts and sipped Tim Horton's coffee all day (they were in the booth beside us).
We each had promotions to present that day for our separate businesses.
I promoted the Mommy & Me portrait session by Starlite Studio Photography...just in time for Mother's Day.
Our construction business, Complete Construction, educated guests of quick, affordable, new homes to build locally as opposed to moving in RTMs and mobile homes, which can be costly and very time consuming.  Our architect did a great job of designing this sample plan.  Many took home the flyer with the realization that a new home could be in their future.  For more information, questions or to contact Cory click here.

April 15, 2011

2011|4|15

Fight For Fonstad Walk-A-Thon
Many many students/individuals raised pledges to donate to Grade 2 teacher Mrs. Fonstad who has recently been diagnosed with a rare lung cancer that targets non-smoking young women.  She is less than 30 years old, has a loving husband James and two sweet girls Olivia & Kaybree.  I have had the opportunity to get to know Megan & family since we moved here 3 years ago; we both sit on two community boards, our kids have been in daycare together and since we both have young children, we see each other often.  Megan has attended many of the crafty classes I put on at EFC and I love the enthusiasm she brings every time!
 
It was so wonderful to see you & your smile today Megan!
 Everyone ready to WALK!  The walk began at OPHS
 Jocelyn taking photos in the helicopter of the overwhelming size of this event
 Mrs. Fonstad's class...leading the pack
 Our son's class...'Hi Grade 1's'
Our niece Kyra waving
 Heather & Regan...some of Megan's BFFs




The walk finished at Megan's house...where the helicopter landed and picked her up for a ride.  Her husband James told me 'it made her day'...what a rush!  You can see awesome coverage of the event on Jason's blog, he did an amazing job of capturing it.
It was amazing to see the support of the students, teachers and community members for this cause...Megan, you deserve it!

April 14, 2011

2011|4|14

Happy Birthday to my ROCK today!
Unfortunately he spent the afternoon in the hospital (not a very fun place to spend your birthday).
Luckily he was set free that evening and came home to some kiddos eager to help him blow out the candles on his freshly baked chocolate birthday cake...just the right medicine.

OPHS Grand Opening


This afternoon I attended the grand opening of the new school, Oxbow Prairie Horizons.  The event was very near and dear to my heart as I have been working on the New School Project Fundraising Committee as Secretary ever since we moved here 3 years ago.  We raised over $1.1 million which was used to enhance the school in many ways.  I would like to thank Ian Cushon for acknowledging each one of us who were on this committee, for we worked very hard and put in much of our volunteered time to accomplish this.  It has been a pleasure working along-side the other amazing women on the committee, they have taught me so much an in return I have gained their friendships.  I am so proud to be a part of something that will enhance our community and school years of the students attend this state-of-the-art facility.

It takes a village to raise a child - African Proverb