I'm still here!

Yes! I am still here!!! It has been a hectic couple weeks and just now trying to get life back into some semblance of a routine. Todd just got back into the states this weekend after spending 8 days gone in Germany. Luckily for me, my wonderful mother in law was willing to come into town to help me out with the kids so I wouldn't go completely crazy. She slept downstairs and since I wanted to let this be here 'domain' - I stayed away from the computer and my scrapbook area most of the time. SO.... needless to say... that mess on my scrapbook area has only grown over the last few weeks rather than improved! So I guess it will now be new and improved focus to try and get it picked up so I can actually create! First on my agenda is to complete the baby class pages and get them ready to make kits for them since they will probably be taught in April. Then I hope to actually get some of my own scrapping done!!!

Speaking of Scrapbooking - I spent Saturday with my mom helping out a wonderul program given to 3rd - 8th grade girls that was entitled "Empowering Young Women". What a great thing!!! It was all about showing these young girls that no matter what - they are all special and important in this world! What I helped with was a little 'scrapbooking' section where each of the girls got to create a page using a picture we took at the beginning of the day - to place in the front of their binder. Each girl was given a 8 a/s by 11 sheet of cardstock and two coordinating half sheets of pattern paper. They were also given letters to cut out for their name and some words to cut out to describe them. They were told to decorate however they want but to be sure to use some words or descriptions to show their strengths. Our 2 classes were made up of 6th graders and 3rd graders. It was AMAZING to see how these girls just took off with the little guidance we gave them and just went to town with their creativity!!!! Seldom did they ever ask for our help - nor did they ask their friends or copy from their friends! This was all about what they came up with by themselves!!! It was really fun to see them working so hard to create and the fun and wonderful pages that they made! It was a wonderful workshop and great for me personally to be able to share in (Thanks Mom!!) I hope workshops like these are around when my little girl gets old enough - but I also hope that I do well enough conveying to her at home that she is special no matter what!!!)

Also makes me want to be sure to get my kids into scrapbooking when they are young - to see what their minds can create!! Hopefully I will be posting again soon with something I have made myself - but in the meantime... I am still here and thinking of you guys!