I'm Back....

I'm not quite sure what makes today the day I return to the world of blogging but I am all alone in my friend's kitchen in Israel and I decided it's now or never!
My hubby left last night and should be landing in Toronto in about 40 minutes and I have spent the whole morning on the computer while everyone here is at work or school.  I cannot remember the last time I did that - I actually have a bit of a headache but I am determined to finish this. I have been catching up on other people's blogs, clearing out my various inboxes and sending out emails to those I need to be in touch with. The weather outside is pretty yucky - raining and windy - so it seemed to be to put it quite frankly the perfect opportunity to get off my ass and do something!
Those who have followed my blog have asked what's going on and why I haven't written - so many stories, reasons, and excuses that hardly seem important now so I won't bother going into them. I hope you will pick up with me again and that I can perhaps entertain you a little while I publicly share some of what goes on in my life, which as a scrapbooker was why I started blogging in the first place - to preserve my most precious memories...

Here is what the last year has looked like - very briefly!

• was working full time for my dad until now, went down to part time to pursue other opportunities
• continued my scrapbooking workshops at home
• oldest daughter graduated high school and was accepted to an excellent photography program at a University here in Toronto - 1 of 60 accepted - so proud!
• youngest daughter graduated middle school and began high school in an arts program majoring in drama - 1 of 60 accepted (I think, maybe less) - proud of you too!
• son has continued to amaze us with his involvement in school committees, holding down a job (even if it ended up being seasonal ): ) and keeping up with his school work
• had an incredible experience hosting a shinshin - Young Emissary - from Israel and got involved in the UJA committee that oversees the program
• another great summer with my hubby, cottage on the weekends with great friends and even another canoe trip!
• took a life transforming course  (for lack of a better word) in the summer  and have continued with this education to create new ways of being for myself and share with the people in my life - this does not really explain anything, but as I said, it's a brief overview
• started on a new life path in the area of Nutrition, Exercise and Well being with Newtopia - more on that another time, but I am fit, thin and feeling great! This is also my new career path and ticket to financial freedom.
• will begin teaching classes at a Michaels near my home - excited about this new opportunity to share my craft in a very different retail environment.
• In Israel again for the first time in 24 years - creating possibilities for myself is my game this year!
• have committed to living a full life - no more hibernating all winter and longing for summer! I will get together with friends more, make plans, continue to run during the winter with my Running Room group, and have date nights with my hubby!
• I have ordered Project Life which I avoided even though I was intrigued because I was afraid that like so many other things, it would sit in my office untouched- but I am doing it alongside a friend who I know will inspire me and keep me accountable -  I have already agreed to forgive myself if it's not 'perfect'

In Adamit Park, Israel 

So that's it in a nutshell and I will continue to write about life, the ordinary and the not so ordinary. I will post layouts and share ideas - hopefully you will join me again.  That's all for today - this took me forever to write and I am posting it without my Hubby's editing as part of my commitment to being confident! Shalom from Israel! 

The return to blogging kind of day...

When did you grow?

This past weekend oldest daughter turned 18 - I know,  freaky. So I figured this was as good a time as any to post a layout I did recently, as well as to reflect. It is hard to believe that I am the mother of an 18 year old. I remember when she turned 16 and got her G-1.  After she drove to school, I called my best friend and had a little cry. That was huge (btw - oldest daughter is rolling her eyes right now). Wasn't that just yesterday?
In about 2 months my son will turn 16 and we'll have another driver - Yikes - and youngest daughter just got accepted to the Drama program at Earl Haig - high school! I really feel like time is passing so quickly and I'm not sure if I'm ready for what's to come.  It means we're all getting older, including our parents and even though they are all healthy (thank God)(KH, BH), I can't help but think about our immortality. Too morbid - I'll move on.

But seriously, when did they grow?? I see my clients who scrapbook with me starting their families and I remember so well the joys of that stage and all those little milestones and how big they seemed.  All those firsts; first smile, sleeping through the night, first bottle, first solids, first steps, first day of school... the list goes on.  I'm sure I've said it before but it's amazing how easy life was then, well maybe not right after youngest daughter was born, but in general. University, first overnight at the cottage without adult supervision, prom... Different milestones and different parental stresses.  It's all good - just different.

These pictures were taken in August 2009 after the kids all came home from camp and I discovered that youngest daughter was taller than me - not hard to do as I'm not quite 4'10" - but still somewhat shocking. They weren't my babies any more - they were almost all teenagers and I needed to capture the moment. It took me a year and a half to scrapbook it, but I knew I would.

The reflective kind of day....