Thursday, October 30, 2008

October's Update

Since we have found out Alexis is expecting a baby girl, life has been busy. Alexis has OB appointments every other week, has had her official ultrasound, lab work and birthing classes. I accompany her to all of her appointments and classes. We bought a secondhand crib, then this week I was reading on www.parenting.com that it has been recalled. Luckily, I was able to file a claim on online and we are in the process of getting a voucher for a new crib.

Saturday the 18th, Sky View's Volleyball team played in the district tournament. Kassidy and her team did very well. They won the first game but lost the second game with a very good fight to the end.

Alexis and Michael lost their puppy, Deegan, to Parvo this past weekend. Michael had gone hunting and we were caring for Deegan. He started showing signs of being sick on Monday, on Tuesday Alexis picked him up from Michael and we took him to the vet. He was diagnosed and we decided to care for him at home. The vet sent us home with an IV fluids and other medications. Deegan had his ups and his downs for the next couple of days but on Saturday his body just gave in to this horrible virus. I was the only one home with him, and comforted him as much as I could before he just gave up.

One good thing came from taking Deegan to the vet - We took him to a new office and met Dr. Sink at Grand Paws. He welcomed Alexis to do her internship with him. She has worked two days so far this week and is enjoying the time she is spending there. She has gotten to watch an emergency surgery, inject fluids into a cat, feed a three week old puppy and shadow the tech's and Dr. regular office visits.

I had a Close To My Heart gathering on Saturday evening. The first in quite a while. Alexis went with me and we had fun showing a small group of ladies that it's easy to stamp and create scrapbook pages with just a few tools.

This past Sunday, we helped Christa with the Stamp & Scrap show in Glendale, AZ. We had fun helping and chatting with others who love paper crafting! I can't wait for the June show - it will be larger and I'm planning to have a booth with Rhonda for our paper crafts.

Crop Girls only had one crop this month, early in October. November we have two scheduled, Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 22nd. We always enjoy our time at the crops and look forward to the next.

The children all received their first quarter report cards. Alexis and Kassidy had mostly A's and B's. Samantha had an A, with the rest being B's and C's. Zach's grades were a little of everything - he either likes the class and gets an A or hates the class and fails.

Erich has been at his new job for a month now. He is liking it more and more. The hours are good, he leave the house at 8:15ish and is home by 5:30ish Monday thru Thursday, Friday's he normally teaches at U of P.

That pretty much sums up October for us.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Wow, it's been a while...

Life is so crazy sometimes. September has been particularly busy and crazy.

The beginning of the month brought some news that is now finally sinking in for the whole family. Alexis is pregnant - she's known since May but didn't know how to tell us, so waited until we noticed. She is healthy and baby appears to be also. We had a 3D ultrasound done over the week end. She's having a Girl!

Kassidy made the volleyball team at Sky View. She has practice everyday after school until 5:00. She is improving each week. Her games are every Wednesday at 4:15 pm. We missed the first game when we were in Franklin, MA. Samantha made Baby Hawk which is sixth grade girls who are interested in trying out for volleyball - she practices with the team on Fridays.

Zach turned 18 on the 3rd. The 5th & 6th we went to Tucson and helped Christa with her booth at the Paper Gatherings convention. The girls and I had a good time. Erich and John went to the Missile Silo and Pima Air Park and saw retired airplanes.

The 9th - 16th Erich and I went to visit my sister and her family. Mom went with us. Erich and I did some sightseeing on our own, we went to Salem. We took the train to Boston twice (once with Mom & Tam), lot of walking both days. Erich and I found a little Italian bakerey the one day - great pizza and calzones. Too bad we didn't have room for dessert thay had some great looking ones. We toured the Casin Young battle ship and took a Duck Tour while in Boston.

The 19th & 20th was Crop Girls. We had classes and crops. Busy week end!

Erich started a new job on the 22nd with West Valley Pain Management. Same type of job he left except better hours, air conditioning in his exam room/office, full benefits starting his first day of work, no barking dog in the owner/office manager's office and about the same pay.

Alexis and I started redecorating her room, getting ready for baby. We painted, ripped out the carpet, and bought laminate wood flooring. Alexis and I started laying the flooring but Erich and Michael finished it for us. The room is looking very nice (a little cramped but functional). I'll post pictures when we are completely finished.

So that was our September. October starts out pretty busy with Alexis' OB/GYN appointment on the first, Kassidy's volleyball game and then Alexis & I will be going to her frist birthing class in the evening.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Hazel at just over three months. She's growing quickly! Greets everyone at the door. Sleeps through the night with Alexis most nights (last night she slept in our room next on my side of the bed). Just occasional accidents, usually she will push the door open so she can go outside. We still miss Shadow but she's just as cute and lovable.
Posted by Picasa

Where does the time go?

The kids have been back in school for almost two weeks. Last night was Back to School Night for parents. I am once again an officer for PTSO, this year Treasurer. Looks like another busy year.

Kassidy made the volleyball team at Sky View! She went in with the attitude to give it her best but wasn't sure if she would make the team. She was so excited when her friend called to congratulate her. (Kassidy didn't know when they were posting the list.) Her first game is September 10th at Santa Fe Elementary.

The Crop Girls second crop is this Satuday, we are SOLD OUT! We had so much fun at the first one and are looking forward to this weeks. Rhonda and I will debute are classes for September and October. Mine are on the CropGirls.com website and photos posted here, too. Rhonda will have hers finished on Saturday so I can post them on Sunday.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Time flies when you're having fun!

WOW! Summer is almost over, the kids go back to school a week from today. I don't know if I'm happy or excited, it's nice having the lazy days with the kids at home but I really need to get back to work on my projects, Close To My Heart business and promoting Crop Girls.

It's only five days till the first Crop Girls crop! We are all looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends. Donna and Christa will be bringing some great products. I will have the brand new Close To My Heart Fall/Winter catalog (I am currently waiting for the UPS man to deliver them!) along with retired paper and stamps and I don't know exactly what Rhonda is bringing but I'm sure the kits she has available will be great.

Hazel is growing, she enjoys playing with Deegan when Michael brings him over. She's doing pretty good with her potty training. She sleeps with Alexis and wakes her up around 5:30 AM to go outside to potty.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Mini-Vacation


We are getting ready to take a mini vacation up to Munds Park/Flagstaff. Erich has the annual AZ Nurse Practitioner Conference which is being held up north this year. We'll be staying at my parent's cabin, the girls and I will make the most of our days by scrapping and hanging out. Kassidy has plans of a scavenger hunt for her and Samantha. I plan to work on a baby gift, a back to school layout to sell and a design team project for Scrapper Shop. We'll be taking Hazel with us. Alexis and Michael will come up on Thursday afternoon for the week end, they'll bring Deegan with them. They plan on going fishing on Friday and taking Kassidy and Samantha with them.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Shadow


Fourth of July Shadow ran out after the fireworks. We looked for her for hours and finally found her on the side of the road. She had been hit my a truck. The driver was a friend of Alexis' and apologized but that didn't make it any easier. We cried all week end... and then today we went to the Humane Shelter to look for a new dog. Didn't find one there so headed to the Maricopa Animal Control. That's where we found ...

Introducing Hazel...

Posted by Picasa

Friday, June 27, 2008

Crops - Scheduled

Christa, Donna and I are doing bi-monthly crops, the first will be August 8th! Check out our website at: www.cropgirls.com

I'm sure the website will change (I just created it tonight) but for now it gives the basic information.

I hope to see you soon!

We're Back!

The girls and I had a great time visiting family and riding roller coasters! I met nieces, a nephew and a couple of my cousins' children for the first time. Others we haven't seen since they were babies. We visited with my Dad and Ann, uncles, and aunt, sisters and brother and cousins. It was the first time in probably ten years that almost all of us were together.

The weather was wonderful, I don't think it was over 80 degrees while we were there and the humidity was low. A little rain but not enough to ruin the day.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Vacation

Kassidy, Samantha and I leave in the morning for our trip to Cedar Point. We will be meeting my family (parents, siblings, aunt, uncles, cousins, cousins children) for a reunion.

The girls and I get into Detroit late tomorrow night and then plan to hit Greenfield Village and/or the Ford museum on Sunday before driving down to Sandusky, OH. Monday during the day we will be going to Castaway Bay Water Park and maybe walk on the beach before our dinner with the family at 6PM. Tuesday we will all go to Cedar Point. Kassidy wants to hit as many roller coasters as possible, there are 17 in the park. Wednesday the girls and I will head back to Detroit in the early afternoon and arrive back in Phoenix by 10PM.

I'll let you all know when I'm back and share a few pictures.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Watch for upcoming Crops!

Christa, Donna and I are working on creating a bi-monthly crop. Watch for details as we know them!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

June 18th - Open Studio

10am-5pm: Bring your stuff - Enjoy time with other Scrap & Stampers

Enjoy a day out - creating with other paper crafters.

Bring your projects and supplies!

My studio has the Cuddlebug and Accucut Die Cut Machines for use with lots of dies for both and idea books, Christina's creative advice, stamps and ink pads!

Room for 10! RSVP suggested but not necessary.
623-878-0878
cjwidemark@earthlink.net

I am currently accepting cards for Hospice of the Valley - Thinking of You group. This month is Red, White and Blue theme - any birthday, thank you or thinking of you cards accepted.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

June - Dad's Box of Cards

June 11th, 6:30-8:30
Come create this quick but thoughtful gift.
Mini box filled with 8 cards- just add your favorite pictures, quotes and/or memories
at Christina's studio in Peoria. Cost is just $20 or just $7 with a $15 purchase!

Don't forget - June 3-30 is Stampaganza
Buy 2 Stamp sets get the 3rd for FREE
(some restrictions do apply)

RSVP now to reserve your spot, limited to 8! 623-878-0878
or email cjwidemark@earthlink.net

Welcome!

I have decided to join the blogging world. We will see how I do...

I plan on sharing my creative projects, my class schedule, special events and daily life in the Widemark household.

Please, check back often - you never know what I may have in store for you!