I am trying to get this thing down.

Really, I am.

Because let's be honest, what's so hard about waiting in line to drop off/pick up your child??

Well there is a lot to it you see, it's a whole CARPOOL CULTURE that I have been unaware of-- until this last week.

And it is blatantly obvious: I am a carpool rookie.

For instance, lets start with the hour I leave my house: 7:15 AM.

Some of you may laugh at the time thinking that is no big deal, but OH.MY.WORD. that is so early for us. We ARE early risers but that doesn't mean we are ready and out the door while it's still dark(ish). Getting two kids fed, dressed, packed is time consuming (not to mention making myself semi-presentable).

Once we are outside the door I come to realize QUICKLY how out of the loop I am on rush-hour traffic procedures. It's been over five years since i have participated in such driving madness. Stop and Go. Stop and Go. What would be a 10 or 15 minute drive to school is now 30 minutes. Pulling.my.hair.out. (and biting my tongue so I don't yell at crazy drivers in front of my kids!!)

Once we are on campus there are three different lanes for traffic that weaves in and out of the parking lot to drop your child off. Don't get me wrong, they have got it down to a science at Jonah's school but figuring out where to go, when to stop, when to merge, when to kiss and say good-bye is alot to get down these first days of school.

Oh and maybe I should mention what happened today in carpool line??? Well remember the stop and go I mentioned from rush hour traffic? well, my carsick-prone daughter felt horrible after jonah got out of the car at school and started screaming for a barf bag. Oh yes, I was gridlocked in slowly moving carpool lanes reaching in the back seat and holding a barf bag for my sick daughter.

And that's just drop-off.

Then there's pick-up. On a few days of the week, I pick Jordan up from preschool and have only 30 minutes until Jonah's school lets out so I go sit in the line and wait for 30 minutes-- my car has become my office on wheels. I pop a movie in for Jordan and I read magazines, answer emails, catch up on bible study (which apparently i need to do more of due to my attitude during rush hour traffic:).

now i can totally relate when moms say they live in their car. because now i apparently do too. But you know what? it's worth it.

Seeing him walk in to school each day with a huge smile on his face, melts this mama's heart (you can barely see him in this photo-- and i had to SNEAK taking this because there's a no cell phone policy in CARPOOL LINE).

So yes, carpool: is crazy. And it's making me a little crazy.

But i'll get it (eventually).

She...

is the perfect mix...

of sweet,


yet silly.


of brave,


yet tender (fireworks on July 4th scared her!).


she loves to dress up as the princess...


AND as the cat in the hat/grumpy dwarf with a purse concoction.


she is our ballerina in the backyard,


yet requests to have her face painted as a "pink tiger"
(umm hello? gene simmons? )


she is not afraid to boss you around...


and then will pop her thumb back in her mouth (and probably cuddle with you).


She is our perfect mix- our sweet Jordan.


she is full of joy, spunk, sweetness, and imagination...


and she starts PRE-SCHOOL today!!!


it's a big day for our sweet jor-baby, and we are SO very proud of her...


and can't wait to see her take off on this new adventure!

Going For It :: Starting Project Life in August

Since the beginning of the year I have enjoyed seeing Project Life pages on some of my favorite and frequently visited blogs. Designers like Ali Edwards, Lisa Truesdell, and Marcy Penner have created truly inspirational albums of everyday moments.

I have considered that this might something I would like to do this next January. There are so many everyday moments I want to remember-- many moments, photos, and odds & ends that never make it to the scrapbook page.

I was just thinking this week as we began a new school year, that August has always seemed like a second New Year. It wasn't until after collage that I actually bought a planner that started in the month of January (yes I still buy a planner and WRITE in it-- so old school of me!). Now that we have transitioned to a new school year, it seems we are starting fresh again.

That is when I had an epiphany.

WHY am i waiting until January to start Project Life? I will probably be burnt out and tired from Christmas when January rolls around. Why chance the temptation of skipping over it again due to a project hangover?

So I am starting now- this week-- with Project Life. This week was the first week of school and I can't think of a better time (aside from January 1:) to start our yearly album.

Yesterday I bought these Pocket Pages on Amazon:

And in the meantime I have been taking photos and will fill out the journaling as the week goes on paper that I already own. Keeping it simple.

In the past I have worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up with Project Life because I don't usually print my photos from home. However I think that using Instax and Postal Pix on my iPhone (in addition to photos taken from my regular camera that I have printed) will help "fill the gap" for keeping up to date in the documentation.

In addition I have quite an accumulation of supplies that i NEED/WANT to use. This is the perfect project to use my well loved stash! I feel really great about starting this project-- and not have the feeling that i need to buy a bunch of materials to do this. I can use what I have.

I am super excited and inspired to get this project going! What about you? Are you doing Project Life? What are some of your favorite PL blogs?

First Day

Yesterday was Jonah's first day of Prep-K at his new school-- and it went off without a hitch.

Honestly the most stressful part of it were the days leading up-- (and of course i am talking about myself here)... he was completely elated to start school.

The night before, he was SO excited as he went to bed. And at 6 am he ran upstairs SQUEALING that it was time for school! bless his little heart. he was so excited--- and he tells us he just wants to go to school so he can learn to read his Bible (seriously? sweetest thing ever).

So as I had flashbacks of rush-hour traffic-- and realizing it's been 5 years since driving in such madness-- we arrived to school, went inside and found his classroom.

He put his school supplies away and said hello to his teacher and new friends, and was ready to dive into the first activity.

as was jordan. :)

after a few minues we left -- he smiled, waved goodbye, and began a brand new adventure of his own.

And his mama couldn't have been more proud of him.

Indiana State Fair

Last night we went to the Indiana State Fair.

We had a lot of fun, rode a bunch of rides, saw a 1300 lb pig, ate fair food, and (I) took a bunch of pictures (i'll share more later).

We ran into family on the midway.

Jonah had to pee as we sat at the top of the ferris wheel.

Jordan clucked at the roosters and hens in the chicken barn.

It was a lovely night for our little family.

However my heart couldn't help but ache for the tragedy that occurred last weekend. And for the people who are still suffering.

It's sobering to ride the ferris wheel and look down to see the excitement of the midway and also see remains of a stage collapse in the background. Unreal.

Last night amidst the fun, I was reminded to truly savor the joys of life. The little things. Don't overlook them, or take them for granted. Be thankful for God's gifts each and every day.

A reminder to keep praying-- and that i am proud to call myself a Hoosier.

Wind of Change

remember that song? by the scorpions (big hair band) back in the 90's? man, i loved that song... had no clue what it was about, but could whistle the intro like a pro.

ANYWAY...

seems like the winds of change are blowin' through the Hufford House lately-- namely for this boy:

who starts school next week. I mentioned previously (i think), that we decided to send jonah to a prep-k program (instead of K) at the Christian School he will attend for K on up. We are confident we made the right decision for him- but it's STILL a huge change to go to "the big school" full day. He really can't wait. I am excited for him too... but it's a big change.

We are also changing this girls bedroom up--- we took her crib down- YES SHE IS THREE AND WAS STILL IN A CRIB UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO. so sue me. she loved her crib. (so did todd). And it was a little sad to pack it up. it's been a great crib. who knows, maybe we will be using it again sometime........

so for now we are transitioning her room from "nursery" to big girl room. her bed is being delivered soon and we are getting new carpet (until then she is sleeping on her little crib mattress on the floor). i am excited to put together her big girl room.... but still, it's a big change.

And me? I am discovering things about myself lately that i WANT to change. For instance this anxiety issue i have mentioned in the past. i am discovering it's the thorn in my flesh. and it likes to creep back in when i least expect it, when everything is going well and i let my guard down. in one quick panic-stricken moment i have the potential to become:

okay, i know i am being silly. and really, that's what fears are when they stand in the light and truth of God's Word. but unfortunately, "anxiety girl" seems to be rearing her ugly head around here from time to time and to be honest, she's not a nice house guest... and i'm kinda getting tired of it. sorry anxiety girl, you gotta go.

worrying is a complete contradiction to faith-- which is something i claim to have as a Christian.

Listening to the wind of change: and ready to make it happen.

Creativity

source

Creativity is not just for the artist, scrapbooker, or designer.

I think every job, relationship, and position could benefit from a little bit of creativity.

It's another word for problem solving, finding a solution, connecting.

It brings joy. It's functional.

It's source connects us back to the Creator Himself.

It has the capability to change us from selfish to selfless.

It is the power behind a successful businesses and economic growth.

Like a puzzle piece it celebrates one uniqueness and individuality, yet at the same time it is only complete when connected and utilized.

Yes, I would say the world needs a little creativity.

Transitions

August seems to be a huge transitional month for us-- we are still in the heat of summer (although we are having a "cool spell" with high's in the 80's- RELIEF! you know it's been bad when you feel like you need a sweater when it's 80!), however with the start of school in a week we are heading straight into the fall season.

Part of me is REALLY sad. I love summer and spending time with my kids (although at times i feel i may lose my mind- ha!), yet at the same time, I am also excited for the start of a new school year and the fall season.

So today, over at Lily Bee, I am looking back AND looking ahead in my layouts and documentation.

Looking back:

This layout, "Ode to Summer" reflects on how much I enjoy spending time with my kids during the summer and all the fun things we do during the day. I punched a bunch of circles and created a scattering of circles across the page and included one of my favorite pics of the kids from this summer.

I also used a hole punch to include "confetti" on the page. Because summer is just one big party- right?! :) I primarily used This & That collection with bits of Hello Sunshine and the new Memorandum collection.

Looking Ahead:

this is a new "type" of layout for me. I branched out from my typical style (whatever that is). i really thought about this post while creating this layout, and more specifically, how layouts "flow" in the album. i decided to allow a photo(s) to tell most of the story. so, I chose an 8 1/2x11 layout with one page as an enlarged photo.

This is one of my favorite photos from last year-- it's just SO jordan-- and i knew it would be perfect as a page in itself- with a touch of embellishment.

I balanced the minimalist page with a page full of layering next to it :) I included many index journaling cards from the Harvest Market collection, as well as paper from Christmas Town and Stationery. A non-traditional (color-wise) Halloween layout, if you will.

Looking Back and Looking Forward-- that's what we are doing right now. And so thankful in the process.

Thanks for swinging by today!!!

affection

my rough and tumble daughter has been showing lots of affection recently, and it melts my heart.

not that she is not an affectionate child, but let's be honest- she IS equal parts sweet AND mischievous. so when her sweet tender heart shines through, it melts this mama's heart.

like today-- she affectionately cried for jonah when he went to his Prep-K "round-up". like last year, it's hard on her little heart to see him off on to new adventures (without her). With jonah starting "big school" this year, i have somehow overlooked the fact that she is starting PRE-SCHOOL in a few weeks. where does the time go?

A sweet moment yesterday where she cuddled up in my arms as we were watching pete's dragon.

She is always showing affection to her two favorite items: her thumb and dee-dee.

and of course don't forget her favorite foods!! here she is showing affection by snuggling with her "sticky cheerios" at Sam's Club. (haaaa!).

But don't worry, she still my silly girl who flashes her goofy grins....

but just with a bit more affection these days.

Savoring Summer pages

Hey all!! Over the weekend I shared my Savoring Summer pages on the Elle's Studio blog and wanted to share them here as well.

So, how is your album coming along? I have to admit, the fast pace of summer made it hard to find time to fill it out, but i am really enjoying reliving our summer memories as I put the album together!

Here are my June pages:

I will probably add more items to the page on the left as I continue putting the album together, but for now, I just included a small circle punched photo of jordan holding a strawberry (from when we went strawberry picking). The circle punch I used for the photo was a 1 1/4 punch-- slightly smaller the punch i used for making the misting mask.

So far, i have included both instax and regular photos in the album. I am really excited about a new app i found on my iphone- postalpix (i first heard about postalpix from the Studio Calico blog). Postalpix app allows you to download and order 4x4 prints of your iphone photos straight from your phone. I am excited to add some of these photos to my album-- i have taken lots of iphone and instagram pics this summer!

Don't forget to collect and include memorabilia from summer events! In this page below I added a ticket from a baseball game we went to.

I took a bunch of instax photos at the game and had a difficult time deciding which one(s) to include in the album, so i chose them all by creating a little pouch out of the Elle's Studio tag from the kit! It peeks out a bit from the page and is backed by another tag, so i adhered it on all three sides to create a little pocket. The photos fit perfectly! I added some artisan tape included in the kit onto the photo to create a "tab" for pulling the photos out.

Have you worked on your Savoring Summer album? We would love to see it! Head on over to the Elle's Studio Savoring Summer Flickr group and upload your album. You never know, it may be featured on the Elle's Studio blog! :)