Take Time

Just taking a quick moment to reflect on the week and the upcoming weekend. This week was wonderful! Very busy, lots of visiting and feeling happy! This weekend Matt is taking me away to Jasper to simply spend some time together relaxing and reconnecting. LOVE times like these. Nothing but him and I, the beautiful mountains, and conversation. These are my favorite moments that ultimately lead to fabulous memories.

It's Here!!!

What began as a chance "browsing through" on the simple scrapbooks website months ago, has now turned into this!! A layout of mine was accepted and published in the final installment of the Simple Scrapbooks magazine. I still cannot believe it!

I was randomly reading through the site, clicked on the link "open calls" and read the latest postings. They had various ones, and then one about weddings. Being just married a few months, I had slowly began experimenting with a few photos and pages and had luckily had a few done. I quickly snapped a photo, uploaded and off it was sent via email to simple scrapbooks. Who knew if I would ever hear anything really...it was just a try.

A few weeks later, a mysterious, yet familiar name popped up in my inbox requesting my layout to be used for this issue. Needless to say, I screamed...jumped around...screamed some more. I was in total shock and bliss all at the same time. That was a very cool moment for me, that I will never ever forget. I had a perma smile on my face for the rest of the night that's for sure.

This was such an important life moment for me, in so many ways. I think first and foremost, what this moment taught me was the importance of taking chances. Just letting things go, old beliefs, fears, insecurities, and just DOING IT! We all can get caught up in our fears and insecurites, "this isn't good enough" or "I will never be as good as that". We have all been there and I think it is completely natural. We are all human after all. However, we do have the choice to rise above these and take a risk. This may have been a small one, however I never in a million years thought it would turn out this way...but it had. All things are possible, if we just really believe and try. And if some of those risks do not turn out the way we had hoped, I believe that is also for good reason for their is something more to be done and learned.

For that, I am forever grateful and counting my blessings again and again.

So happy I just took a chance and "put it out there". You never know who is listening!

"She loved life and it loved her right back"

~Kobi Yamada

Beneath the pages

I could not have said it better myself. To be reminded of why we all take part in this amazing hobby called scrapbooking, and why it is SO MUCH MORE than just photos, paper, and glue...please check out the most amazing post by Ali here. She could not have said it better. It is really all about what is beneath the pages.

Birthday Snapshots

It's been a crazy busy "great" week! I have been meaning to post pics taken from my birthday days ago, but time just gets away on us and now I was able to find 5 minutes to quickly add them. Spring is such a busy time for birthdays in my family. It begins with my brothers birthday in March, and then the "birthday week in April" as I call it. My dad was born April 14, my birthday is April 15, and my mom's is April 19th. Needless to say, it's a busy month! But always a fun week of excitement and just an overall "happy" feeling in the air. I think it is so unique and special that we have that common bond with our birthdays.

After going through my pictures, I realized I never even took one with my hubby. Oh well, we will have to get one another time...maybe in Jasper perhaps? Matt is taking me away the first weekend in May to Jasper to these beautiful log cabins where we are going to just spend the weekend together, him and I. It was such an amazing and thoughtful birthday gift, I am so looking forward to it. A great way for us to reconnect as always and just enjoy "being with each other".

Well I am off for now, however I have some very exciting things to post so I might just have to hold onto those for a few more days until I have a chance again. It's going to be a busy, but great weekend ahead so hopefully I will get to it sooner than later!

Sentimental Moment...

I was sorting through some pictures tonight, and I stumbled across this one. It really resonated with me, and for so many reasons that it should! It was taken last July, at my bridal shower, of my mom, my best friend and her mom (my 2nd mom). Looking back it is really amazing how fast time is going by, how we are all changing, growing up, taking part in all of the traditions and milestones we once talked about that seemed "...so far away". Like the talks of "...one day when I get married..." HELLO! It has all happened! Where the heck was I? Seriously if I think about what has happened in my life over the past 15 years or so...it is really crazy. Wow...15 years. Hard to wrap my mind around it. I guess this picture really resonated with me because I was talking with Hannan last night, who I basically grew up with since about 10 years old. We were stuck to the hip, always laughing with each other, sleepovers every weekend, hours spent on the phone, living at each others houses in the summer....the list goes on and on. So many ups and downs, highs and lows...but overall so much GROWTH. I just am so amazed. Where we have been to where we have come. All our doubts, tears, heartaches and heartbrakes...and things right now are really great. We have had an incredible journey as friends and I just really love what this photo means to me. And now, she is going to be having her first baby in July and it is really incredible to think of it! She is going to be a mom, and I am so excited for her. This picture just holds so many memories for me. We are standing with our moms, and now, in a couple of months, she is going to be one! And one day, maybe her child will have a memory or a friendship like the one we have shared with each other. I just love how the circle turns...very cool.

me @ 27

Emily's blog is a definite must read of mine. She posts a weekly challenge, entitled 52 Questions and challenges her readers to answer them. I thought that her question this week: "what makes me, me?" would be a perfect birthday post. Hmmm....turning 27. Wow. It's crazy to think how fast time is flying and that I still feel like I am 16 in some way. Often I wish I had the same worries, however I would not change the journey I am on for anything. It has been an incredible, blessed 27 years and I thought I would take the time to jot down 27 things that have brought me here today. What makes me, ME at 27? 27. My love for people. I love listening to people's stories, meeting new faces, making new friends. I believe alot of the relationships I have formed and have crossed paths with have impacted me to becoming more aware, compassionate and understanding. 26. My love for books. I absolutely love reading, and am glad that I have rediscovered this love after my university days! Long gone was the opportunity to read for leisure back then, as I was buried under my text books, courses and projects like any university student was. Any spare time was meant for sleep! 25. The time I spent working with kids affected by autism. That was probably one of the most challenging times for me. It opened my eyes incredibly and taught me some life lessons I know I would not have learned otherwise. It was one of the scariest things I had done in that I literally stepped into an unknown place, facing things I was a stranger to. However, it was worth every minute of stress, heartache, laughter and joy combined. They are such amazing little people and taught me more than I ever expected. 24. My passion for scrapbooking. What began as a tool to relieve stress has ultimately ended up becoming my passion. I live my life with a new awareness because of it. It has brought me to a deeper understanding and appreciation for all those in my life. Scrapbooking has shown me how fleeting time really is, and how important it is to take the time to document it. 23. The places I have been. I am so lucky, at 27, to have travelled to the places that I have been. I have travelled to New Brunswick, Arizona, Oahu, Arizona, Las Vegas, and Puerto Vallarta. Each place was an incredible experience and I am so lucky to have seen so many different parts of the world. Most of these places I have travelled with Matthew to. I think it is so special that we have done these things together. Some of our most precious time spent together has been through travelling. 22.My parents. They have given me so much knowledge in 27 years, I cannot even begin to describe it all. Simply thank you for allowing me the freedom to spread my wings, take chances, and become who I am supposed to be. My decisions and choices in this life may have not always been what you thought was the right thing or way, but you never stood in my way. You unconditionally supported me and that means more to me than you will both ever know. It is the greatest gift. 21. My university days. Long, hard, stressful.....they were unforgettable times. I love what I learned during this period, and even though it was not easy and some days felt like I would never see the light...it all had worked out in the end. Looking back those are days I will forever cherish. I learned so much about life in general. Living on my own was so powerful to me and has definitly had a hand in shaping me to this point in my life. The independence I had gained during this time is something I hold on to and use in my day to day life always. 20. Loss. Losing loved ones has taught me just how precious our time on earth really is. How important it is to be an honest and good person. You never really know when your last day is going to be. A question I always find I ask myself, "How do you want to be remembered?" 19. Simplicity. I love simple living, with less "stuff". Embracing this has made me happier overall. However as I get older the harder it is for me to understand materialistic people who have to "have it all!" It's really only stuff. Does it really make life better? 18. Healing crystals. I think they are just amazing, and I want to learn more about them. 17. Journaling. The more I do it, the more I learn and the better I feel. 16. Companionship and teamwork. My marraige has begun to teach me the value of working together and the importance of being on the same page...even if difficulties arise. Compromise is a powerful thing, and learning to be this way has made me more open minded and tolerant of things I used to be on the defense about. Being married has taught me that no matter what, winning or losing is not what it's about. In the end it is about working together to reach a place where both are satisfied with the outcome. Working together can be a powerful thing. 15. I have a job that I love, and do well at. I take pride in everyday and being as helpful as I can. I have learned so many things and new skills since I had started. Looking back from where I began to where I am now is incredible. It has been a journey with ups and downs, but I am definitly stronger from it. 14. The importance of bubble baths. These are an absolute must for relaxing the mind and soul! 13. Positive thinking. This one is challenging, we all have our days. Sometimes it is easier to put into place, other times painstakingly hard. However, thought forms our reality and the amount of energy we put into thinking (be it negative or positive) is the same. So is not the choice obvious? I believe in the power of positive thinking. It can change your life, I know it has changed mine. 12. My cousins. They have influenced me incredibly throughout my life. They are all such amazingly strong and inspiring women. I love them so much. They are all incredible. 11. My mother. We have our differences, we have our laughs. We have our struggles and tears. However she keeps me going and constantly reminds me of the good things that surround me. She encourages me to grow and move forward. I love her for that. Thank you mom for accepting that life changes and embracing mine. 10. My love for earthy, simplistic, natural elements that decorate my home serve as constant reminders of how important it is to relieve stress and live in a more balanced way. 9. Never taking the "safe" route. Taking chances and going with the flow has led me in directions I would not have experienced had I went the typical way. I am grateful for that and taking a risk. In the future some may not be as lucky, but they are all here to serve as learning experiences. At 27 I am ready. 8.Thoughts on motherhood. Even though I am not at this place quite yet, I do find myself thinking about that day more and more. I know Matt is just going to be the most fabulous father. I am so excited for him. 7. Good energy. I crave positive energy and I find myself being drawn to it and people who exude it more and more. 6. My spirituality. This has grown immensely over the past year or so. It has really been amazing, and I continue to feel and learn so much about it. I am completely drawn to anything that brings positive spirituality and healing into my life. 5. My anticipation for the future. Some people are scared of the unknown. I am too. However, I chose to look at the future as a time for opportunity and new things. I am excited for it. 4. My love for my dreams and goals. They push me forward, they make me want to be better. 3.Cooking. I love to cook, it has been something I always enjoyed doing. It is an important part of my life right now, as well as in the past, and something I will continue on practicing and enjoying with my husband and future family. 2. The realization of how important exercize and other positive outlets are in relieving stress and negative energy from our body. I keep on learning just how essential this is to happy, healthy living. 1. I am a wife. I love being married, I feel so complete and at a place where I am meant to be. I am blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive partner who always tries to meet me half way. Someone who always walks beside me, who never leaves me behind in his dust. When I am weak he picks me up. His compassion and love are two of the greatest gifts he showers me with everday. He continues to teach me how to be a better person. He makes me want to be better...always. Wow.....27 has never felt this good!

Today

“Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.” —Anthony Robbins (b. 1960); self-help writer, speaker

Live Fresh-My Mini

I recieved inspiration to make this little itty bitty 3 x 3 album from this really cool website Beliefnet. When I read the featured posting of the day a few weeks back, I just knew it was something I had to print, cut out and post onto my bullitin board. From that point on, I knew I wanted to transfer the words onto some sort of scrap project, and when I came across this mini...inspiration, creativity and motivation collided into one. From that, voila...here is my little mini that now sits on my desk as a constant reminder of some very important components in "fresh living".

Find- rediscover and honor your creative spark

Reach- expand beyond past versions of yourself

Exhale- make room for your life force

Share- connect with kindred others on the journey

Hug- embrace your guides, friends and teachers

Laugh-open to the great giggle of life

Invent-find beauty in everyday objects

Vibrate-harmonize your body, brain and spirit

Indulge-taste something sweet everyday

Nurture-discover your life's motto

Groove-tune in to the rhythm of love and the music of life.

Is that not just the cutest thing?

Here in my Heart

Here in my heart, I am truly happy today. Here in my heart, I am thankful for so much. Here in my heart, I am in awe of what I have learned. Here in my heart, I am excited for the future. Here in my heart, I am feeling so inspired. Here in my heart, I am loving life today. It is all good, here in my heart today.

Heartwarming Hannah

On the weekend I had the most amazing opportunity to meet and hear the story of an amazing girl named Hannah Shears. Her story is incredible and it really touched all of us who were able to hear it. Of all the lessons and words of wisdom she spoke, ultimately she was reminding us all of how important it is to listen to what our hearts, and our souls...our INTUITION tell us. What our body signs speak to us, how critical it is to stop, listen and recognize. They are sending us big messages that by listening can send us one way...and by not listening in another direction.

When thinking about that though, it is so true. When something is upsetting to me, and my stomach is in knots...obviously this is a body sign telling me that where I am/what I am doing/who I am with is unhealthy for me and unless I deal with it (and fix it) it will continue to make me feel that way and could possibly manifest in illness later.

How important it is to be positive. To savor the sweet and simple moments, to ignore the negative and the unnecessary drama that ultimately just serve to poison our hearts and health. To trust and listen to our intuition. Our intuition communicates to us so many important messages, we just have to take the time and truly listen. The importance of moving forward in life, to accept and be open to change with our arms wide open. It may never be easy, but life never is. That is what is so hard about it initially, but once you are there...the results are amazing! These are some of the critical components to healing ailing health, as well as maintaining it.

It was so great and empowering to be in a room with so many like minded people. Who truly believe in these same things, who "get" it. It was really cool.

After this weekend, I just feel super blessed.

Thank you Hannah.