Finally some layouts and a copic card!

Whew!  After working on these LO's off and on for a few weeks; I think they're done  I may still add bits and pieces, but here they are.

This first one is of my mom as a little girl with her sisters and dad, on the first new tractor that was purchased for the farm.  What a treat to have a NEW tractor.  I kept the page relatively simple to reflect the times.  What a proud man with his first three girls! 

This next pic is a LO of my mom with her mom and dad about 6 months apart.  I'm not totally pleased with it, maybe the wrong background paper, but it's done!  :)  My mom is the oldest of 8 kids, so it's pretty precious to have a few pics of just mom with her parents.

This LO is of my mom, her two sisters and grandma and grandpa in front of the house at Easter.  I'm not really thrilled with the black lace; I may change it out.

And the last LO is of my grandma and grandpa's wedding.  Isn't it funny how stoic they look; not a smile to be found! 

And finally....ta da....a card that I made using my Copic markers!  Isn't she the cutest thing.  I've had fun coloring and made a card for my nephew too; but forgot to take a picture! 

Dance results

I am so proud of my girl, she did so well at her feis last weekend.  For this feis, the organizers flipped the schedule so that the older kids dance first thing in the morning.  Now, if you have a teenager, you know how well getting up at 6:45 am goes over.  I especially, have a lovely darling girl who HATES to get up in the morning.  However, this time, she was amazing.  We stayed at the Hyatt, which is a wonderful hotel, and we were to bed at a normal 11pm...(did I mention she hates going to bed too!)  I called her, rubbed her back, slowly got her moving before I hit the shower...when I was done, she was awake, playing on her IPOD, WOW!  I have to say this is not normal!

She got dressed in her dance paraphernalia, complete with wig and a new "pouf" styling for her hair, and we were downstairs for 7:45!  She helped the younger dancers warm up, stretching her self, and being happy!  :)

I am so proud of my girl!  the positive attitude paid off, and she came home with a first place medal, two second place medals, and best of all a 4th place trophy.  I am thrilled with the results, but more thrilled with the young lady and her actions of the day.

We had a great drive home, and a wonderful time together.  I love mother/daughter bonding time! 

A Holy Place

When I was home a few weeks ago, my mom and I were going through some paperwork of my sisters. Mom's intent is to put the "important" stuff in a memory album as a keeper. We sorted, made piles, and decided what to put where. One of the last documents we came across was an essay Cory wrote for one of her Education Classes, based on 'My Holy Place". I knew I had read this shortly after she died, but had forgotten about it. Her "Holy" Place was not a church, not a building, but a place where both had played growing up. Dunvegan! I hadn't really thought about it as a "Holy Place", but it is a place so close to my heart. Not only did we play on the hills and valleys growing up, but I also worked at the Historic Site for two summers while I was at university.

There is definitely something special about the hills of Dunvegan. Over the years when I have driven home, I get antsy as soon as the bridge comes into view. As I drive down the south side of the hill, the anticipation grows; yes! I'm home!!!!! The bridge and valley peeks into my view as the road curves east to west, getting my closer....there it is! Down over the bridge and start the climb home up the north side of the hill....home... 15 minutes away!

I feel a connection there. I only really lived there when I worked at the site, but it's there. Why? Because my dad also grew up roaming the same hills? The years we spent as kids? I don't know, but I do find it amazing that my sister and I felt the same connection, even though we never spoke about it. When I reread her essay with my mom, I told mom that I had the same feeling. I think she was amazed, but then just smiled at me...another connection I have with my little sister! It warms my heart to know we had that in common, perhaps someday we'll have the chance to share our memories together once again.