Wishing all my dearest friends near and far a blessed Christmas and lots of new and exciting adventures in the New Year. I love you and will miss chatting with you for the next few weeks. I look forward to chatting with and seeing you all again in 2008. I love you all very much.

Its Monday again

and I am manic. Only 4 days left until we leave for home and I have a MILLION things that need to get done. Today is laundry and packing day. It would be a ton easier to get things done if the kids weren't both home sick with colds today. Good thing its a quiet week at school and they won't be missing much. We had a nice weekend tho. We spent some time with a friend of Chris' and his wife. Darren and Chris have been friends since they were 16 - they even lived together for awhile. So having them in Edmonton is pretty cool - feels like home.

I am kinda nervous and excited today - I have a job interview with Edmonton Public Schools as a Teacher's Aide. I REALLY hope I get this - its pretty exciting. I figure with my experience with Autism, ADHD, ADD, GAD and SID I might actually have a shot. It's this afternoon - keep your fingers crossed for me please!!!

Here are my seven for the day. You might see a theme here today - I am like a little kid when it comes to Christmas. It's my favourite time of year so alot of my thanks today is Christmas related!

1. My girlies - I am so thankful for all the girls that I get to crop with every month. Went to Urban on Friday night and had a wonderful time exchanging Christmas gifts, eating and laughing.

2. Coffee - waking up in the morning to the smell is enough to get me out of bed in a REALLY HAPPY MOOD!!!!

3. Traditions - the comfort of Christmas traditions and the good memories and feelings that come with them.

4. Wrapping gifts - the excitement of knowing that you got someone EXACTLY what they wanted and how excited they will be when they open that special gift.

5. Chocolate - there is nothing better than comfort food - especially at Christmas. That's when the best chocolates come out.

6. Christmas carols - filling my house with the sounds of Christmas makes me feel all comfy and cozy inside

7. Going home - there is nothing better than spending Christmas with family. No matter what happens during the year, its the greatest place to be!


Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

Another week is coming to an end

and I am very happy about it. It has been a crazy week of finishing Christmas gifts and getting the kids hither and yon for all their activities. The kids had their Christmas concert at school last night and they had so much fun. Kiana and Malachi both love being on stage and being the centre of attention. They did really well and it was a wonderful evening.

I am very excited as well. I have a job interview with Edmonton Public Schools as a Teacher's Aide. I figured that since I have experience with Autism, ADHD, ADD and a variety of other disorders and disabilities I might as well try and put my knowledge to good use. I applied yesterday and got an interview for Monday afternoon. Please keep your fingers crossed that this works out for me.

And finally, I am hanging out with my girlies tonite - Urban Crop!!! Haven't seen them in almost a month and I'm going thru withdrawl. It'll be the last crop before the holidays. I can't wait to hang out, exchange gifts and just get some good scrapping in!!!

Have a wonderful weekend all!!!

Good Monday Morning

The start of another week is here. Only 15 days until Christmas - are you ready yet?! We certainly are. We are heading back home to Winnipeg for Christmas this year again. Because we are, we did Christmas early at our house cuz we didn't want to fill the car with all our gifts for the kids and then bring them back again. Just doesn't make any sense, so we did Christmas with the kids this past weekend. The kids figured they are lucky because they get 2 Christmases this year. They loved all their presents and got spoiled terribly. I, of course, got spoiled from dh as well. Got a diamond heart pendant necklace and my new tattoo. Its an autism symbol that I had done on my ankle. And yes, it is EXTREMELY painful to get a tattoo on your ankle. But I love it and it was TOTALLY worth it.

And seeing that it's Monday - here are my Monday 7:

1. Coffee - I love the smell of coffee in the morning. There is nothing better than a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

2. Bath bombs - I got some yummy bath bombs from Lush Cosmetics . What a wonderful luxury.

3. My relationship with the kids - I am so lucky that I have such a wonderful and trusting relationship with my kids. I realized yesterday that they are comfortable talking to me about all sorts of stuff. It isn't a big deal now, but as they are entering the teenage years I am setting the stage for it continuing as they get older.

4. Nieces - I have the sweetest nieces ever. They called from Winnipeg to tell me that they were excited that I was coming for Christmas and staying with them. I love them and miss them terribly!

5. The Weather - I LOVE that its only -5 outside today. It is sooooo warm. This part of winter I LOVE!!!

6. Christmas - I love the feeling in the air that comes about 2 weeks before Christmas. I love the smell, the sounds, the spirit. I love it all.

7. Work - I am looking for a job for the first time in 10 years and I am thankful that I had the ability to be a SAHM for as long as I was and that hopefully I can get a great TA job with EPS!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Missing Ma!

See these beautiful wall hangings? My dear friend Ma gave them to me for the past 3 years as Christmas gifts. She was such a gifted quilter and she blessed me dearly with her craft. I put them up in my house this week as I'm getting ready for Christmas. I think that's why I miss her so much - I feel her love in every stitch. She spent looong hours making these beautiful gifts for me because she knew that I would love and appreciate them. I really wish that I could have just 5 more minutes with her just to tell her how much I love and miss her.

Christmas has come

to our house. We decorated the tree on Friday and the kids had lots of fun. I love these two pictures of my kids. I have the greatest kids ever. We had the IKEA Christmas party this weekend too. It was alot of fun - didn't win any prizes but free food and wine is always fun. It was snowing when we left the party last night and it hasn't stopped yet. We will definitely be having a white Christmas this year. And Kiana had her 10th birthday yesterday too. WOW - I have a tween - man, that makes me feel old. I can't believe it!!!

Well, since it's Monday, here are my 7:

1. My amazing tween. I can't believe I gave birth to my little girl 10 years ago. Wow, is she growing up. She has an amazing heart for everyone around her. She is loving and giving. And she has a prayerful spirit. If anyone or anything comes to her mind she prays for them or prays about it. She has taught me so much in her 10 little years. Blessings my little girl! Thank you for being my heart.

2. Malachi is happiest for the little things. He thinks that I am his new hero. I found him the Bumblebee Transformer and he told me I was the best mom in the world. What a $15 toy can do.

3. My husband is amazing. He has a work ethic and a selflessness that warms my heart. So that his employees could have a good time, he worked during his Christmas party so the disturbances going on wouldn't affect everyone else at the party. Everybody had a great time and they barely even noticed that he was gone and dealing with a potentially dangerous situation.

4. Christmas is coming and I am so blessed by the season. I put out my Nativity scene and now I really feel Christmas. I feel thankful that my kids love and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

5. My amazing friends. I know this is an oft commented thing, but every day I am blessed by the messages, phonecalls and thoughts that they send my way. God has truly blessed me with a plethora of love and support. Just a phone call to say "Hi" or "Oh no, what happened to your windshield?" always brings a smile to my face. Love ya my girls!!!

6. Finding a new church. I always hate trying to find a new church, but for the first time the kids are EXCITED to go to church. They love it and that's reason enough for me. They are meeting the needs of my kids and that's the most important thing.

7. Love of family - my parents and nieces and nephews called Kiana on the webcam yesterday and sang her "Happy Birthday" It makes it feel like they can be here for her party even if they aren't physically here. I LOVE technology - it makes you feel not so far away. I also love that my dad is (in his own little unchanging way) changing just a little and adopting some of this technology!

Hope you have a wonderful day! Love to you all!

It's Monday again

and MAN is it coooooold. Its -25 with the windchill. It's amazing how the temperature can get sooooo cold so quickly. And we have snow - so I guess the winter is officially here. On a sad note, my Blue Bombers lost the Grey Cup yesterday. Our guys were great - they gave the Riders a run for their money, but it just wasn't to be. Maybe next year guys! And Milt - here's to praying that you'll put in one last year with the Blue and Gold. We're not ready to lose Turtleman yet!!! Please come back!

Today is Monday, so here are my 7:

1. I am so grateful for Kiana's enthusiasm. She had her singing competition last weekend. It didn't phase her that she was the only one in her voice class, she was thrilled with the fact that her certificate had 1st place on it. She scored an 83 on both her pieces and did quite well. Her confidence is soaring. She is ready for her next competition - I think we have created a monster.

2. I am so pleased with Malachi's determination. In June of last year he was at a grade one reading level, even though he was in grade two. We tried to encourage him to read more and in 5 months he has improved up to a grade three reading level. I am so proud of him and his perseverance.

3. I am so grateful for a God that loves me no matter how I screw up. Without grace and mercy I don't know where I would be.

4. Sherri is an amazing woman. In the last month she has been sweet and loving and supportive and bringing me out of my shell again. I love you for the person that you are!

5. Kelly is an amazing and encouraging friend. She is funny and makes me laugh. She is an inspiration to me and I love that I can tell her anything on the phone and she just listens. I love you too girl!!!

6. I so admire my husband's work ethic. I'm not sure that I could get called into work between 1:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and still have such a positive attitude about it. He is a far better person than I

7. I appreciate the teachers and teachers' aides that work with my kids. It's Parent Teacher this week and I so appreciate all the understanding and support they give to my kids. So much of how my kids are is because of the teachers they work with. They have so much love and compassion for the kids - it just fills my heart.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

It's Monday again

and I am a happy camper. My Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made it - they are going to the Cup!!!! We are ONE WIN AWAY!!!!!!



Alright, now back to my sane side. Since today is Monday, here is my list of 7 things I'm thankful for:

1. Chris is still healthy and bloodclot free after 2 years. We had a scare last week that he might have another bloodclot, but his health is good. He has to make a few minor changes in his life to be healthier, but that is much easier than worrying about bloodclots and the like.

2. Kiana has her voice competition on Saturday. God has blessed her with a gift and a natural ability and I hope she does well on Saturday. Please keep her in your thoughts this week.

3. Mom is getting better every day. She is still really sore and really bruised but she is getting better every day. She can't go out in public yet because she scares small children with her bruises, but she says that she is feeling much better.

4. My favourite season will soon be upon us and I can't wait. Christmas is such a wonderful time of celebration. Its a great time for me to contemplate the past year and the blessings God has bestowed upon me. It also gives me time to ponder what the next year will hold. I am grateful that God has given me another wonderful year with my family.

5. How is it that your friends always know when you need them? Thanx to Joey for being an amazing man and friend to both Chris and I. We love ya man.

6. Malachi is my soft hearted little boy. He and his best friend Polar(a stuffed puppy)sat in my lap and cried because he didn't want to grow up, get married and move away from me. I asked him what he wanted to do. He said "I want to grow up, live with you and Polar and just be myself. " What a kid!

7. my coffee - I cannot live without it. There is nothing better than waking up in the morning and smelling my coffee brewing.

What a weekend!

My friends Heather and Rhonda have done there 7 things on Sundays, but since I started mine on a Monday, think I will continue with my thankful list today.

1. I am grateful to all the military men and women who have served and are serving at home and abroad for their incredible sacrifice to me and millions of other people all over the world. Without your bravery and strength, we wouldn't have the life we have today. I watched a video called "Somebody's husband, Somebody's son" yesterday. I wasn't aware that my cousin Paul was included in this video. He was killed in Afghanistan 20 months ago. Remembrance Day has become a much more difficult day for our family since his death. Check out the video here.

2. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers won the semi-finals in the CFL East yesterday. We are one step closer to the Grey Cup. GO BLUE!!!!!!

3. I have an unbelieveable circle of friends that truly blessed me this week. Marguerite, Kelly and Sherri I want to thank you for your love and support. Thanks for having my back and letting me know that you love me.

4. My faith in the Father. I have really felt God has been with me this week and that he's taken care of me and only wants His best for me.

5. My mom had a fall down 25 concrete stairs last week and only has bruises. No concussion, no broken bones. I am so grateful that she is going to be okay and is healing well.

6. My children have such empathetic hearts. I am touched by the love and care that they show to the world around them. They weep for those who are less fortunate and want to help everyone they can.

7. It doesn't matter how I look at myself, Chris loves me passionately every day. I may not like what I see in the mirror, but my unbelieveable husband makes me feel like a queen. He sees me in the best light always.

Daisy D's Design Team

I am very excited - got an email from Jodi Stacey at Daisy D's. I am a finalist for their DT!!!! Can you hear the excitement in my voice?! So, I'm off to choose 2 of my favourite layouts and a favourite altered item. Keep your fingers crossed for me please?!?!?!

My amazing little girl!

Well, Kiana taught me something again this week. Every day when we drive Chris to work, we pass a small bush behind Superstore. In this bush is a tent where some homeless people live. Kiana pointed to it the other day and asked what it was. I explained that there were people in Edmonton who didn't have money for a house or clothes or even food and that they lived in tents to try and stay warm. Well, her little heart was broken and she cried. When she got home she wrote a letter to God in her diary and prayed for the poor people. Later on she came to me and said that it was sad and unfair that people didn't have a home and beds and fun things like we did. I explained to her that we were lucky because we had money for all the things we needed plus the extra snacks and toys that we didn't need. So she decided that it was our job to help. She asked if we could spend some of the money that we would use on toys and games for food for these people who lived in the tent. SO, today we are going grocery shopping and buying food for the people who live in this tent and then Chris is going to bring it to them. I can't believe the heart beating inside that little girl. She is teaching me to look past my "ideas" about these people to see that we need to help out once in awhile.

Another week!

So, my friend Rhonda inspired me today. I love reading her blog and her lists of the stuff she's thankful for and the stuff she loves. So, today I decided to focus on that myself.

1. I am thankful for Malachi's compassion. He has the softest heart imaginable. While watching "Meet The Robinsons" he started to cry. He was touched by the happy ending and he was crying because the little boy finally got his own family.

2. I love that Kiana wakes up in the morning with a smile and an excitement to face the new day. It doesn't matter what she is facing in her day, she always does it with a grin and chattering 100 miles a minute.

3. I love that people love my kids. People who watch and really see them can see their amazing gifts and love for us and each other

4. I am thankful for the things that Chris and the kids show me everyday. Their amazing capability to love me - especially when i am unloveable is such a gift to me.

5. I love my friends - both online and at home. I have such a circle of amazing supportive people that encourage me, inspire me and love me. Juanita, Sue, Mylene, Sherri, Rhonda, Carmen, Jayme, Anne, Lisa, Lisa, Joey and Julie and Paul - you have all been strong and supportive. I am truly blessed.

6. I am thankful that I am learning new things every day. I was reading my friend Mylene's blog and she inspired me today. "I count myself lucky to have hurt so deeply at so many losses - I feel them all, I miss them all, I love them all still."

Busy week!

What a busy week this is turning out to be. Chris has been gone since last Wednesday. I spent the weekend getting our place ready for spraying yesterday - bugs again!!! Why do people have to be such pigs. So I spent Saturday and Sunday moving furniture, emptying cupboards and getting everything away from the baseboards in the whole place. Today I am busy putting everything back. UGH - what a job. Thankfully Chris will be home tomorrow night.


I am also working with Kiana to memorize her music for the competition. She is such a little smartie - she's got both songs memorized. Now its all about expression. She is determined that she wants to win this thing!


I was pretty excited too as I got to be the October Guest DT for my dear friend Kelly at Memories in Motion. The kit included the Jack and Abby line from Love, Elsie. It was so much fun - I loved the papers. And this is what I came up with:

It was cool to work with this. Not something that I would be drawn to or something that I would have picked up on my own. Kelly was so sweet to choose me - I love her to bits.

I am working really hard on Christmas stuff this week. I have 2 - 12x12 calendars on the go and some ornaments as well. We are fortunate that we get to go home for Christmas this year, so I have to get busy and get stuff done. I can't believe that there are only 63 days until Christmas!

Love ya - have a great week everyone!!!

A new week!

So, Thanksgiving is over and done and a new week has begun. It was a wonderful weekend. Saturday I spent the day at Scrapalicious at "The Park" church scrapping. Got to hang out with some great friends, scrap a little, eat a little more and laugh a whole lot. It was great to see Renee, Sherri, Marguerite, Dawn and Kelly. And of course I got barely any scrappin' done. But I bought some cool new stuff from Kelly and had a ton of fun just hanging out.

We are also looking for a new church so we tried one on Sunday. And then it was Turkey Dinner. I ate WAAAAAAAYYYYYY too much and probably put on a ton of weight. But it was worth it - especially the pumpkin cheesecake. I LOOOOOOOOVE thanksgiving - especially the leftovers the day after.

Now its back to the daily grind of laundry, dishes etc. And my dear Chris is on holidays this week, so its not as quiet at home as it normally would be. We are hoping to get the kids costumes this week. Kiana has decided that she needs to be Princess Aurora/Sleeping Beauty and Malachi's life will not be complete if he doesn't get an Optimus Prime costume. So, that's what we need to find this week. And I am working on Christmas stuff too: cards, ornaments, 2008 calendars, etc.

Kiana got some exciting news last week too. She has been taking voice lessons at Alberta College for about a month now. Well, her voice instructor informed us that she is ready for competition. So, the week of November 20-24 she will be competing in the 12 and under category. She was given the option of whether she wanted to compete in one category or in two categories. So she will be competing in two categories: Classical Piece(a Royal Conservatory piece) and Pop and Television Piece(Disney's "Bambi" movie piece). She is so excited and I, of course, am being a proud mama!

Busy Busy Busy!

Life has been nuts the past few weeks. Getting into the swing of things with school and activities has been crazy. Kiana started voice lessons at the Alberta Conservatory of Music through Grant McEwan College last week. She has a natural ability and she LOVES to sing so I think we may have found her niche. But her ego has ALREADY become almost impossible to deal with - LOL!! She is convinced she will be the next Canadian Idol or something. She thinks she is DEFINITELY all that.

Fall has come and its only a little better than a week until Thanksgiving is here. So I have been thinking about all the wonderful things in my life.

I am thankful for a God who loves me no matter what stupid things I do.

I am thankful for a devoted and amazing husband.

I am thankful for autism - brought to me in the shape of my two beautiful angels

I am thankful for my friends - both at home and online - who have supported me, hugged me, cared for me and carried me especially in the last month.

I am thankful for the ability to be creative.


So, tell me, what are you thankful for?!

The weekend!

TGIF - I am so happy the week is over - its been a long one. This weekend is going to be kinda quiet I think. My girlfriend is taking me out for lunch tomorrow and my kids and husband have something planned for me, but I'm not sure what. I would rather forget that I am turning 37 - that much closer to 40.

I got a pretty exciting offer today. Since getting my new SLR I have been taking ALOT of practise photos as well as putting together slide shows for different people, organizations and for our church. I guess somebody saw the work I have been doing and has asked me to do a slide show for a conference. Its a Christian organization that is doing something called an "Urban Plunge" and they want a slide presentation done for their conference presentation. Its not a paying job, but at least I get to show my work and who knows where it could go from here. I know its not much, but I am pretty excited about it!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

I Love you!

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

You have been my strength, my support, my champion, my lover, my friend and my soulmate. You make me laugh so hard my gut aches, you hold me when I cry and need to fall apart, you encourage me when I can't take another step, you lift me up when I am down, and you love me no matter how ugly I can get. Thank you for an amazing 11 years. I love you!

I'm back again!

So, I am home from Winnipeg again and I just wanted to post a photo of the woman whose life I went to celebrate. I thank God for the opportunity to have this amazing woman in my life.

NOW to get busy and get ready for the fall. I cannot WAIT until Tuesday of next week - whooo hoooo - school is coming and the Scott household is busy getting ready. I can't believe that my little ones aren't so little anymore - Kiana is in grade 4 and Malachi is in grade 3. Unbelieveable!!! And we are busy enrolling the kids in their new programs - Kiana is starting voice lessons at the Alberta Academy of Music in a couple of weeks. I don't know who's more excited, her or me.

And you need to go check out the new Memories in Motion website. Its a cool new site with a great forum and cool stuff. Check it out, will ya?!?!?

And finally, I have not forgotten the RAK. My ds Malachi randomly chose a name out of a hat and the winner is: CARMEN!!!!! Whooo hooo girl - email me your snailmail and I will get that out to you ASAP!!! Have a good day all!

Goodbye Ma

Yesterday my dear friend Marie Horsman died of cancer. She was my friend, mentor, confidante and ma. She let me cry on her shoulder when I needed it, she yelled at me and kicked me in the butt when I needed it, and she took my advice seriously when she needed it. She held my hand when I was dealing with and accepting my kids disabilities and she allowed me to hold her hand and give her a shoulder to cry on when she became estranged from her son. She was a strong, feisty woman with an attitude yet she was very soft-hearted. She was generous and kind and loving. She loved God more than anything and that was apparent in every part of her life. She was a gifted quilter and my family has been the recipients of her wonderful handwork. I am the woman that I am today in large part because of her. My life will never be the same now that she is gone. There is a large hole in my heart now that she is gone - she was an amazing woman who will be dearly missed. I love you ma!

I AM BAAAACK!!!!!

So, I am back from Winnipeg and settling into life in Edmonton once again. We had such a wonderful time in Winnipeg - despite the heat. It was 49 degrees (with the humidity) which made it difficult to breathe. But that didn't stop us. The kids had such a fabulous time and we got to do alot of fun things. We took the kids to Fun Mountain Waterslides by 9 a.m. so that by 1:00 in the afternoon when it got too hot we could go home. We also took the kids to Birds Hill Beach. In the heat we found that the best place to be was in the water. The kids didn't come out of the water all morning. They loved it - but my poor husband got 2nd degree burns on his shoulders and back(even with sunscreen).

We also took the kids to the car races. Malachi LOVED it - the Alcohol cars scared him a little but he loooooved the races. But I think the best part of the trip was my dad's surprise 65th birthday party. I can't believe we pulled off the surprise, but 3 months of planning and almost 200 people later we did it. And he loved it. I was lucky enough to be the person who gave a speech about and for my dad. What a wonderful day that was.

And now its back to regular life. My parents will be here this weekend to drop the kids off and then its time to get ready for school again.

So, post a message to me telling me the best part of your summer. Then I'll get my kids to pick a name for a RAK!

Have a wonderful week!