Making Memories. Choosing Joy.

Don't cha

Really. Not much needs to be said. Video was taken after Nicholas' second surgery in June. Obviously, he was feeling fine. Enjoy!

Someday = Sunday

Last Thursday I took the boy's to the Orthodontist...it was Nicholas' first time, so on the way there Zachary and I were telling him what to expect. At one point during the conversation, I told him "someday you may need to have braces" and we explained to him what braces were. I was very impressed with the Orthodontist. He really took his time measuring Nicholas' jaw and making sure his bite was good. Due to Nicholas' hemifacial microsomia we will need to watch closely as he grows to make sure his jaws and bite stay aligned. The good news is that at this time he thought everything looked great! Fast forward to Thursday evening and we were sitting on the couch. He said "I don't want those things on my teeth Sunday. I'm too little for them." Thankfully, I realized right away what he was talking about and assured him that I said "someday" and not "Sunday." After Sunday came and went without a trip to the Orthodontist, I think he finally believed me!

So, the other night was I was looking at the 300+ photos I've taken over the last few weeks and I realized a few things: 1) I need to delete a lot of photos! 2) I need to learn how to use my camera better, because I know that my camera has the capabilities to take fantastic photos 3) I need to learn photoshop and 4) I need to start using my computer for more than email and the internet!

And here's what happened. I decided to read my daily blog favorites and this was my first stop: Ali Edwards. And all last week she had posts on digital scrapbooking. And I got sucked in. I just know the very very basics in Photoshop, and I was determined to figure it out. And without too much frustration, here's one that I've edited:

So fun!

And other way exciting news for me...a few weeks ago I went to the mall during my lunch hour to get my nails done, and instead walked out with a broadband card from Verizon. Right now they are free and you have a 30-day trial to see how it works. Hooked. It works fantastically! I'm really surprised at how much faster the internet is! So, my 30 days is almost up and I'm thinking it's a keeper...afterall, I wouldn't want to hurt it's feelings...I guess I'll have to come up with a name for my new friend!

Yesterday I called and scheduled Nicholas' next stage for reconstruction. It will be September 12th and this is the surgery where they will take a skin graft from his hip and elevate his ear from his head. Unfortunately, he will need to be out of school for a week, but it will be worth it...almost done!

Speaking of skin grafts, here's a picture of his arm from his canalplasty in April of 2007:

And here's a picture of his scars to date (he fell asleep at 6:00 tonight after swimming...I'm thinking he's going to be up pretty early tomorrow!)

Work has been going great for me. I'm surprised at how much I like being in the coporate world, and it has certainly given me a new appreciation for all they do. My days go by very quickly, which is a great thing. If I have to be there, I'd rather be busy!

I purged and am re-organizing my scrapbook area, in the hopes that it gives me some inspiration to do something! If so, I'll be sure to share!

A whole new world...

Isn't she beautiful? Something this beautiful deserves a name, don't you think. Afterall, if I can name a silly vacuum cleaner, I most definitely need to name this lovely.

So, Operation Mac began a few weeks ago when hubby had my sister, Sarah, email me that she had a "friend" that was selling their Dell, and would I be interested. My reply, without hesitation, was "I really want that Mac I've been wanting for at least two years. I think I'll wait." A couple of days later hubby asks me why I always want to have the best of the best. He had hopes of getting a less expensive laptop. And the subject was dropped, never to be heard of again, until I came home Friday and there was this beauty waiting for me.

And how sad is it that I had to get the little instruction book out to figure out where to turn it on at! Pretty darn pathetic!

So Sarah and J.J. took care of me. They hooked me up. This little machine is sweet. J.J. is our family computer guru and he made sure I got what I needed, and helped out with a student discount (someday you'll have to watch the credits of an animated movie, because I have no doubt you'll see his name listed). I've been playing, and having fun, and getting so frustrated that I just need to walk away. I do know this: This machine is fast! I know longer have to wait several seconds for a picture to appear. And I have also been hooked up with Photoshop CS3...sweetneess.

Thanks hubby, Sarah, and J.J. You rock!

Speaking of rocking...can you guess what I've Zach's been playing this week?

Zach opened up Guitar Hero for his birthday. He is getting better at it. He plays two or three songs and then walks away from it. I think that's a good thing!

We were supposed to have his birthday/bowling party last night, but we woke up yesterday morning to this:

Thanks Uncle John for helping us out!

The party has been rescheduled for this afternoon. It's been many years since I've put on disgusting bowling shoes...maybe I'll just take pictures ;o)

Yesterday was the one-month countdown for Nicholas' surgery. His surgery last year happened so fast and we were so busy that I was just on automatic, getting done what needed to be done and not thinking much about it...or at least telling myself I wasn't thinking much about it. But this time is different and I find that I keep pushing it to the back of my mind. But I think it's time to at least start making lists!

Have a happy day!