And then it was June.....

... and HOT! Life with two boys, even as a stay at home, work at home, mom... is BUSY! And, given the rough start to the year, I've needed to stay busy. I am missing Dad terribly, and though I still have moments where I can hardly catch my breath when I re-realize he's gone, there are more moments in between where I am smiling at the happy memories and remembering him for his bigger than life presence and joie de vivre. May 24th was his birthday, and we commemorated in our own special way... I'll let the scrapbook page do the talking :)

Template from Kate Designs at MyLifeAndScrap.com, BG paper from my All Worn Out paper pack (SBB), Photo Matt paper from Amanda Rockwell's Back In Black collection, Journal Tag from Jen Wilson, Leaves from Vera Lim (Daily Digi) and Shabby Miss Jenn, Poppy Flowers behind photo from FotoSusu, Alpha from Shabby Miss Jenn, Butterfly from MissTiina's xoxo kit
Fonts are GiseleScript and Cheapskate


Anyways, the boys are doing incredibly well. I am very proud to announce that I am the mother of an HONOUR ROLL student! Yes, that's right, our boy Blake achieved Honour Roll standing in his second term! He's made huge, great strides in the last few months since officially being diagnosed with ADD, after several (5+) years of different programs, testing etc. We started him on a carefully selected low-dose medication and it is like night and day! He can focus and all the stuff that has been in his head is now able to come out on paper in an organized way, and he is just blossoming in ways we only dreamed of! I was leery of medication, but now so so glad that we (Blake included) made the choice to try it. He is very proud of himself and his self-confidence is making huge gains also! He was selected as part of our school's Environmental Mind Grind team and competed in April against 14 other schools, also! Cole is in the top reading group in his class and is an avid artist. He spends hours drawing detailed sketches , usually Pokemon and other mythical creatures, but we're usually blown away by the intricacies of his penmanship. He's an excellent speller and quite the little math whiz... and he's often bringing home recognition awards in various areas of his school work. *insert beaming mommy here*

I have been quite involved with school activities as well. I am the treasurer for the Parent Advisory Council, and we've been hard at work getting the funds together for our school's new playground. We only have 105 kids in the school for K-7, but we also are a community school, meaning the Parks and Rec Community Centre is located right in the school, as is the Preschool and the StrongStart Program, for kids ages 6 months to 3 years old, so it makes us kind of unique. So, we managaed a $20,000 grant from the BC government towards the playground, and we managed to raise funds to match that, so this next week we meet with the playground company to finalize the designs and place the order so that the playground will be in place by the September start to the school year :) I think it will make for some happy munchkins, considering what is out there now :)

Eric has been enjoying some beautiful riding weather.. my uncle in Newfoundland has been kind enough to customize Eric's fenders and gas tank with some STUNNING custom flame airbrushing, and he's been getting so many compliments already. We are hoping to get pictures taken tonight (if it ever cools down) or tomorrow, so I will post some then!

I better run now, I have kids hanging over my shoulders to get on the computer.. hehe. I will leave you with a couple more pages before I go :)

BG paper, from my paper pack imPERFECTION, Ribbon from SBB's April Mega "Lullaby", Rainbow from Valorie Brown, Stitched Circles from Kate Hadfield, White paper from Gina Miller "BYOBB", Doodled Circles from Lauraskathi "Suzie"


BG paper from Nancie Rowe-Janitz, String from Nikki Beaedreau, Flowers from Lisa Whitney (Beautiful Mess), Cloud from Carrie Stephens, Sun from Valorie Brown, Alpha from Marcie Reckinger (Scribbled and Sketched), Font is Cheapskate

I haven't fallen off the face of the planet!

Let's get business out of the way first! I have been super busy designing and having a great time within the digital community in the last few months. I would like to congratulate Karyn C. on being the grand prize winner of $150 in PayPal cash for my 2 year anniversary contest!!! Also, may I extend my congratulations to Michael for winning the $20 SBB Gift Card and to dgoody for winning the free 8x8 Shutterfly book! Happy scrapping everyone!

Also, I am pleased to announce that today is the GRAND OPENING of a brand new digital shoppe, MY LIFE AND SCRAP!! I decided to take on a new shoppe and I am really excited about it! Stop on over and take a lookie, there's a tonne of challenges, a great gallery and some beautiful stuff in store! Use code MLASblog for 50% off your order this weekend! We even have a February collaborative kit called PURE PASSION

It's a beautiful kit and so much fun to work with! I even made a layout with it here:


But now, on to more important and sad news. On February 4th, at 1:42 pm, my dear father lost his 3 year battle with cancer.. just 6 days after receiving the terminal diagnosis. My heart is heavy.... I flew out January 30 to St Johns, and spent his final 5 days with him in the hospice, by his side the entire time. I wish things could have worked out differently, I really do... but I am just relieved that he is no longer in any pain. He fought and fought up to the final breath, but this wicked disease had it's way, and now we are left with only memories.
It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, I made this page:

.... and now he's gone. I don't think the full extent of everything has quite hit me yet, but I know that it will be difficult not to be able to call him up and hear his voice, to say hello and hear his latest jokes.
You can view the obituary here: http://carnells.com/notices_details.php?id=1499

Here is a poem I wrote the night after he passed away:

Softly and gracefully - on the wings of a dove,
You broke free from the pain - into the arms of love.
With grace and strength - just like in life,
You escaped from the struggle - released from the strife.

Not for a moment - would my heart ever ponder,
That the first man I loved - would be here no longer.
You taught me to dream - to hold my head high,
To keep my feet on the ground - and reach for the sky.

You helped me to laugh - when hope had been broken,
And gave me a voice - when words couldn't be spoken.
You gave up so much - so we wouldn't be without,
And showed me what faith - was truly about.

You embraced each day - with an open soul,
To receive the love - that made you whole.
You were tender and loyal, stubborn and kind,
Not wanting for a moment - to leave us behind.

And now we have memories - to hold in our hearts,
To carry us through - the time we're apart.
Until the day comes, I can hold you once more,
May you rest with the angels - beyond heaven's door.

Written in love, to our dear Dad, and Poppy... by your daughter, Kari

It's my 2 year designing anniversary, and YOU can WIN!

Head over to MY SBB SHOPPE now!

footnote: If the winning customer would rather, they may take a $150 gift certificate to the digi store of their choice instead of the Wacom :)