HIStory

Time For A List...

...(long one) of all the things I will always treasure about my experience at Creative Escape last weekend (no particular order)!

• All the amazing people I got to meet and talk to! All I can say is WOW! Came from all over the country and the WORLD!
• The generosity of all those people I met. Was totally surprised AND humbled by all of the incredible gifts I received. Another WOW! See photos below...couldn't fit them all in one! :)

Unbelieveable...right?!?! BIG hugs and thanks to everyone who brought me something...I was blown away...definitely did not expect that and SOOO appreciate you for taking the time to do that! :) Have to give an extra shout out to the Yahoo group...over 75 of them did a charm swap and gave each of us teachers these...I'm running out of adjectives...unique...beyond cool...wonderful necklaces. Will treasure it ALWAYS! Thank you! Thank you!

• Having the opportunity to "share my heart"...my class was titled "Look Inside Your Heart" and taught the concept of "list journaling" using the fabulous Bazzill Lickety Slip Albums! :) Big thanks to everyone for listening to all my crazy stories.
• My wine friend with the boot (you know who you are)...loved talking to you and hearing your "story". Praying your health improves.
• Sitting on the floor of my room with friends Tena, Dana, Carol and Jim (he stopped by for a bit to hang with us girls) "catching up"! :) Always one of my favorite parts during weekends like this!

• Messages like this that I recieved during the week from people who took my class:

  Hi Laurie,

  I so came back and started a book of lists with my Sixth Graders. It is funny to listen to them ask…what list are we doing today? I cannot remember the book that you told us about in class but need a copy of it to help me get through the next 150 days. I am going to bind them and they will have them to keep.

  One little boy had an aha moment and said, if we were to write this list next year, things might be different and we could see how we changed. I wanted to squeeze him. Thanks so much for inspiring me and allowing my 150 6^th Graders the opportunity to benefit from your class.

  Peace and always be grateful!

  Michelle

• The Bazzill staff...what an organized, hard working, dedicated, fun, tireless,and inspiring group! Can't thank them enough for all they did to help me! You guys rock!

• The opportunity to get to know Heidi better. I have always been inspired by her and her work, but the more time I spend around her, the more I love her! What a huge heart she has! At one point during dinner on the last night...when every other person in attendance was completely exhausted (as I am sure she was too)...I watched in awe as she read the names of raffle winners off from the stage (it was a HUGE list)...so much joy and happiness in her face! :) Also totally LOVE the gift she brought me from Beijing (where she is currently living with her family). Had to let her know that Lexi would be very jealous that they got to go to Olympic events every day (attending an Olympic event is one of the things on Lexi's "list" of things she wants to do)! She brought each of the teachers a purse (except Tim...he got something very cool too)...even thought to pick our favorite colors...of course she did! :)

• The volunteers that helped me in my class...Kristan and Janna! Knew these girls from back when I taught at Remember When and LOVE them! Thanks for all your words of wisdom, support, assistance...and especially for listening to all my crazy stories EIGHT times! You're the best! Miss you!

• The opportunity to sit next to the VERY talented Tim Holtz at dinner the last night. It was there that I noticed, for the first time, that he had designed his own shirt using the Creative Escape logo...of course he did! :) He mentioned that he was thinking of donating it to help raise additional money for the American Cancer Society (there was a raffle at the event to benefit this worthy charity as two women closely associated with CE have battled with cancer in the last year...and are winning). He said it might help them get another $50 or so. When it came time to pick the winner, Mr. Bazzill and Heidi brought him up on stage so he could, literally, "give the shirt off his back" to increase the amount that had already been raised from tickets ($6000). The bidding went fast...up over $1000 before you could blink and eye. Watching Tim's face during the process was priceless...especially when the final bid for SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS was shouted out by a woman in the back! Yep...sold the shirt for six grand and doubled the amount donated! Wow!!! As I said before...SO many generous people at this event! Very emotional!

• Getting to know all of the other teachers a little bit better...we didn't get to see each other much, but I definitely felt honored to be a part of this talented group!

• Leslie McFarlane who kept bringing me mints during the trunk show...what a lifesaver (pardon the pun...lol)! She also thoughtfully gave me a package with gum, chapstick and other "necessities" that come in handy when you have to talk for hours straight! :) Trunk show photo below...cause I didn't get a picture of Leslie! Speaking of that...those of you that did take pictures of us together during the weekend, I'd love to see them! Please email them to me!

• Jim coming to "check it all out"...he has never really understood my passion for scrapbooking...I think he has a better appreciation now! :) He was pretty happy he came too. My project in the CE idea book began on page 77 and the spot checked off on the CE class "bracelet" to get my class kit was #7. I had joked during my classes that I should go to the casino (not a big gambler though so knew I wouldn't). He decided to stop there before heading home (event was held at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass...casino is next door). Won $1,500...and came back to my class and gave me $500! :) Sweet!

• The butterflies I was feeling when I walked into my classroom the first day. I've done lots of teaching but never anything this big (the picture taken below was from the second day when over half the class kits were already gone...lol). Thanks to everyone who bolstered my confidence with your kind words and comments about what my class meant to you!

• The "thoroughness" of the CE Staff in planning every detail of this event...room keys with the CE logo...little gifts at every person's room each night...a million other things...but especially serving dessert FIRST at the closing dinner. Absolutely LOVE that tradition! Totally makes sense...I'm one of those people who rarely eats dessert because I am too full from dinner...which is their reasoning behind serving it first! Who says the best should be saved for last! Yum!

• Keynote speaker, Jason Hall. Inspiring beyond words! If you ever have an opportunity to hear this man's story take advantage of it...you will not be disappointed (believe he and his wife Kolette have a yearlong class at Big Picture coming up)! Incredibly uplifting! Jason and Kolette...I accept your challenge to do a better job of finding the good in my life each day and focus on those many things I am so grateful for! I pray God will continue to bless your lives!

• My comfy CE jammies that were tucked in the purse Heidi gave me! :) Love them!

• Janet Hopkins project...as teachers we got an opportunity to create everyone else's projects back on "Preview Day" when the volunteers are trained. Loved hers, so used her ideas and inspiration to create a cool journal to give to special friends of ours as a gift for letting us use their beach house this summer! Has lots of pages where people who stay at their place can share their experiences. :)

• I am sure I have forgotten things that should also be included on this list...but then again...that is the beauty of a list...I can always add to it later! :) All in all a great weekend! Feel so blessed I got to be a part of it!

Hair Today...

...Gone Tomorrow!

Stephanie has been wanting to cut her hair for Locks of Love for a couple of months. When she tried out for Aida she worried she might have to wait a few more (they typically don't want you cutting your hair after the audition). It worked out that for her role short hair was fine so she took the big step earlier this week and chopped it all off! :) Great look for her and she loves it! :)

It is almost time for Lexi to be "gone tomorrow" too! We ship her off on Wednesday and she won't be back until Christmas. She will spend a week in Texas and then head to Malibu to be one of the NSO (New Student Orientation) leaders before leaving for Italy right after Labor Day!

Not to worry...we are letting her fly on a plane instead of taking the shopping cart! lol It was at her request though that we hold a long overdue photo shoot. I used to make the girls endure this exercise once a month or so, but haven't done one in a REALLY long time! SOOO glad Lexi insisted! Not only did I get some great shots...we had a blast doing it! Bwahahaha those girls make me laugh!

Got some silly pics...

As well as some more "serious" shots...

 

But these are my favs...

 

I am SO blessed to have these two in my life! And even more blessed that they are so close to each other! Love you both more than words can say!

Don't Miss...

...Aida!

 

If you live in the valley I highly recommend getting tickets to this show! Valley Youth Theater, which always produces a very professional, top notch production (and had been the training ground for current "stars" such as Jordin Sparks, Max Crumm, Chelsea Staub, and many others) open this year's season at the Herberger with the Elton John/Tim Rice/Disney hit, Aida!

One of Stephanie's friends, Jade Johnson (you may remember her dad, Eddie, who played basketball for the Suns), is playing the title role and she is phenomenal! Stephanie is also in the show (she plays one of the Nubians...if you've ever seen how tan my kids get the summer, this will make total sense to you...lol).

Everyone who has seen bits and pieces of rehearsals says they get "goosebumps" when watching! If you want tickets, they are for sale at the Herberger Box Office.

Almost Forgot...

...some of you may still be waiting for me to post the answers! :) Oops! Here you go...

1. Vancouver, WA

2. The Oregon Coast (a little beach town called Manzanita)

3. Minneapolis, MN

4. Nashville, TN

5. Worked in Vancouver again, but the pictures are from Portland, OR (across the river from work) and Seattle, WA

6. The AZ Diamondbacks game (would have also accepted Chase Field)

7. Celebrating Steph's Birthday (in Scottsdale)...she wanted to go bowling as a family...did you notice who beat the pants off everyone else?!?! :)

8. HOME! :) Actually, I was out and about working quite a bit, but was so excited we got to work on a puzzle...that is a huge summer tradition and we have usually completed more than just one by this time!

9. Las Vegas, NV

10. Home for a few days again before packing for California and another Vegas trip last week!

BONUS QUESTION: somewhere between b and c! :)

Where In The World...

...is Carmen San Diego (aka Laurie)?!? Wanna play a game?!?

Been traveling pretty much non-stop...let's see if you can guess where I've been!

1. Week of June 16th, I spent three days in _________________ .

   

Hint: Meetings at World Headquarters...I've only seen that mountain pictured in the background (bonus points if you can name it) once I think...and I've been there on numerous occasions in the last year! Rains A LOT :)

2. Weekend of June 20, I spent three days at ___________________.

Hint: Jim flew up to meet me when I was done with work and we stayed at friend Jim and Mary's place here and had an amazing time! Very thankful for their generosity in letting us use their home! 

3. Week of June 23, I spent four days in _________________.

 

Hint: I was at a couple of installs for LA Fitness (one of my customers) and a training session at Anytime Fitness Corporate. Stayed near the popular tourist destination pictured above but did not go there. A bunch of the GUYS I worked the install with DID go shopping there...I decided to workout instead. What's wrong with that picture? Had a great time playing golf one night until almost 10pm with a couple of buddies from work too! :)

4. Weekend of June 27, I spent three days in ___________________.

Hint: Jim and I did a couple of college visits with Stephanie there and then dropped her off at a music camp for the week.

5. Week of June 30, I spent four days in __________________.

 

Hint: I was actually TWO places. Had to pick up Alexia where the bottom photos were taken. She came along with me on my trip and went to visit friends Zach and Andy from school for the week while I worked. We had a blast having dinner with their families the night before we left down at the pier.

6. Spent the 4th of July at _____________________.

 

Hint: Alexia and I were a bit tired (we arrived in Phoenix about 8am on the morning of the 4th and had only about 2 hours of sleep the night before after driving back to hotel after dinner with Lexi's friends) but we had a great time at the game...perfect seats for the fireworks after! Only bad part was the car battery was dead when we got back to the parking lot...ugh!

7. Spent the weekend of July 5th _______________________.

 

   

Hint: We celebrated Steph's 17th birthday a day early since Jim and Alexia had to drive to California on Sunday for an appointment with the Italian consulate there on Monday to get Lexi's application for her student visa completed. Steph was beyond excited with her gift and favorite "watermelon" ice cream that I have made since she was little.

8. Spent the week of July 7th at _______________________.

Hint: If I hadn't been traveling so much this would have been brought out MUCH sooner (this was a gift Steph brought me from her trip East right after school got out)!

9. Spent the weekend of July 11th in ______________________.

 

Hint: I tagged along on a road trip with Jim and a couple of his buddies that wanted to go watch NBA Summer League games because I had a customer that was in the process of installing their new equipment! :)

10. Spent this week ___________________________.

Hint: Spending time with the fam and sleeping in my own bed! :) Happy!

Bonus Question: Between June 17 and July 4 how many hours (yes HOURS) did I spend in Arizona?

a. About 12

b. About 24

c. About 36

d. About 48

Hint: The majority of it was spent doing laundry, re-packing, and sleeping.

I'll post answers in a couple of days...before I leave for California and Vegas next week! :)

Just Some of the Reasons...

...you haven't heard from me in ages! :) Not that anyone is even checking here anymore to see if I will come back...lol!

1. I was enjoying listening to Macie sing with Stephanie! Cracks me up that she knows all of the words to Steph's song, "Take That Stand". Wish I had gotten her facial expressions in this video I took on my camera! Priceless! lol  (Note: Ugh...can't get the file to upload...will keep trying...check back...it is very cute)! Here it is: Macie Singing.avi                        
2. I was exploring Paris and the Loire Valley in France (since most of my journaling from the trip...which I did on my Blackberry...is already posted on Kim's blog with photos and video, I will direct you there for more details...click here...and here...and here...and here...and here...and here...and here...and here...and here). She is good, huh?!?                                                                  
3. I was sicker than a dog when I got home! Not an especially fun flight when you have the beginnings of some sort of stomach virus. Got progressively worse...couldn't eat for about a week...ugh...don't even like remembering how awful I felt.
4. I was taking Allison Tyler Jones Big Picture Scrapbooking photography class, "Art That Happens To Be Your Life"...great content and ideas but got seriously behind on the lessons quickly! :)
5. I was meeting with the team at Bazzill to discuss and finalize my project for Creative Escape...so excited they loved my idea!                                                                   
6. I was in Springfield, MA for an LA Fitness install. The new club there is in the original Basketball Hall of Fame building which they have renovated. The new Hall of Fame building is right next door and I got to spend some time checking that out as well.  
7. I was attending the Spring event for The Phoenix Cotillion with Stephanie. The luncheon took place at the Mondrian Hotel (had never even heard about this place before) and included a get together afterward with the moms on the board and our daughters. We hung out by the pool (the place was hoppin', which the girls loved) and got pampered with spa treatments. Ahhh....very nice! :)  
8. I was in Vancouver, WA for a National Accounts meeting. This trip happened to fall during Orthodox Holy Week, so I went to the Wednesday night service (Holy Unction) at the church in Portland. The majority of the service was in Greek, but I really enjoyed it. We also drove up to Seattle for a Mariners game. Fun stuff! This was probably my fourth trip to HQ...just like all the previous visits, it was cold and rainy! :)                                                                                       
9. I was surprised to find out that Stephanie was voted Senior Class President for next year...I didn't even know she was running! lol
10. I was reading a really good book and have become totally obsessed with the concepts in it! The basic premise is that instead of spending a bunch of time trying to fix what we aren't very good at, we should focus our efforts on our strengths! More great info at the website if you want to check it out!    
11. I was jumping for joy because Alexia came home from college! She finished finals on April 24. Jim got her all packed up...was patient through her tearful goodbyes with friends...and they made it home in time for Holy Friday services at church. I can't believe how FAST her first year of college went!!! Yikes the time flew! What an amazing year she had!
12. I was baking koulouria and dying eggs red. It has been a while since I spent time in the kitchen...very theraputic! :)                                     
13. I was celebrating Easter! Orthodox Easter fell MUCH later than Western Easter this year (almost a month after). Always my favorite time of year at church. All of the special services are so incredibly moving. Best is the darkness just before the Resurrection service begins at midnight. Then the light is brought forth as bells are sounded and within minutes everyone's candles are lit as the flame from the original is passed from person to person.
14. I was hiding gifts for the annual "egg hunt"...laughing that my girls still want me to do that for them! I remember wanting to continue that tradition even after I went to college too though...heck my brothers and I would STILL be up for a good 'ole M&M hunt like we used to do!
15. I was eating WAY too much Greek food at the Geotas' house...where we celebrated Easter dinner. Can't believe the little kids got in the pool! It was freezing! :)                       
16. I was shopping for Alexia's birthday present! All she wanted was money to go visit her friends from school that she already missed after being home only a week! I got her a Southwest Airlines gift card! lol
17. I was feeling bad for Stephanie who had to take the SAT exam the morning of Alexia's birthday!
18. I was eating sushi at Sapporo...where went for Lexi's birthday dinner! Yum!
19. I was trying to get my office cleaned up and organized. I can't believe I waited this long...the mess has been driving me nuts since I started work last summer and got so busy I had no time to deal with it! It got to the point that I could barely find the path from my door to the desk! Not good! Felt like I was the character in that Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story about the messy room! lol
20. I was having fun spending time with Lexi's friend, Jane, who came to stay with us for 10 days. I think my favorite memory was climbing the mountain with them one day...they made me laugh all the way up AND down! Also enjoyed Lexi's photo album of their adventures with Flat Kristen and Flat Kendra! lol                                                                        
21. I was spending WAY too much time on Facebook! Totally addicted to the Puzzle Bee application! Have also had fun re-connecting with some old friends from my high school days that found me there. Laughed when one of Lexi's buds (Andrew) from Pepperdine requested me AND my mom as friends (yes...my mom is on Facebook). Lexi about died! SHE wasn't even friends with her grandma before he was! :)
22. I was having my last accountability group meeting with the girls at school. Always a sad day! Feel like I get more out of spending time with them each year than I give to them. Had a great group as always. Love them!
23. I was working out! Been doing pretty good at keeping up the strength training 3-4 times a week!
24. I was attending a reception with Alexia for her Kindergarten teacher who has decided to retire. Lexi was definitely one of the "older" students to come back and wish her well. She definitely appreciated it!
25. I was celebrating friend Tena's birthday at the Melting Pot. Alyssa, Michael, Lexi, Jane, Steph, Tena and I all met up to splurge at one of our fav spots!                                             
26. I was in California attending a technical training session for one of my customers. Quick trip...flew there and back the same day!
27. I was enjoying Mother's Day at my mom's house. Actually it was more than just a celebration for us moms! It was also McKenna's birthday...and we celebrated Lexi and Heidi's birthday's as well. Rich and Priscilla also brought their precious new baby...first time we got to meet Joaquin! He is darling!
28. I was attending the High School awards assembly. Steph told me not to worry about coming because she probably wouldn't get anything. Glad Jim and I didn't listen to her and went anyway! She recieved a national ACSI award for outstanding achievement in Academics, Fine Arts, and Athletics. She also recieved academic excellence awards in US History and Bible, a citizenship award in Spanish, and the Christian Character award in Choir! So very proud of her! :)
29. I was getting a family photo taken for the church directory. Can I just say that I totally stick out like a sore thumb in my family! Can you all sing along to the Sesame Street tune..."Guess which one doesn't belong here!" lol Would share the photo, but we haven't received our copy yet! Honestly...what it really made me realize is that we need to get a "real" family photo shoot done before Lexi leaves for Italy! Kim...can you put that on your calendar?!? haha
30. I was at a baby shower for Steph's friend, Brennan's, sister! Say that 10 times fast! We were a little bit embarrassed when Steph and I both won games...guess we're not too competitive. :) The other exciting news with their family is that Brennan got a role in a new movie that will be coming out in the fall! Big congrats! SOOO excited to see it!
31. I was at school to meet Stephanie's new basketball coach for next year! Really encouraged...seems like a great guy!
32. I was finding it hard to believe that it was already time for Sunday School graduation. Since I teach a dual grade class (4th and 5th graders), it is always a little bittersweet. Sad to have the 5th graders moving up, but excited to get a new group of 4th graders next year! Of course...I always get choked up when it is time to present them their certificates and gifts...and my family always laughs at me that I do! We were trying to figure out how long I have been teaching...think it is about 15 or 16 years!
33. I was attending Steph's end-of-the-year tennis party at the Swift's house. We had yummy Coldstone ice cream sundaes. Steph recieved the Christian Character award for the team! Of course...I didn't have my camera to take a picture! I am really slipping in the mom duties department! :)
34. I was making the graduation party/open house rounds! I think we had more parties to attend this year than we did last year when Lexi was a senior! Especially excited for Alyssa (off to NAU), Thomas (off to USC), Ally (off to U of A), Sophia (off to Missou), and Alex (off to USC)! Congrats to all of them on their many accomplishments!
35. I was shopping for graduation gifts and got really excited when I found a "follow-up" book to the strengths book I read in April. It is called "Go, Put Your Strengths To Work". Love this one even more than the previous one since it gives strategies for identifying specific strengths how to play to them more often.                                                                     
36. I was out of town for a week on business...spent time in Vancouver (cold and rainy...again..with an ever-so-brief glimpe of sun)...Puyallup, WA...and Reno.
37. I was missing Stephanie's first audition ever (see last sentence of #33)! Of course...she has become so independent in the last year she did just fine without me. Was happy to know that me being there was such a big deal to her though!
38. I was texting Steph from the road "good luck on finals". Can't believe that as of May 23rd she is officially a senior! Wow!
39. I was helping the girls to entertain Kelly's son Chase for 24 hours! :) He needs to come for a little longer next time he visits! lol
40. I was attending a Diamondbacks game with the fam...we have season tickets (actually half the set), but this was our first chance to go all together! Fun night even though they lost!
41. I was trying to see some of the latest movies in theaters...but the girls keep telling me I need to stop taking $10 naps! lol Missed key parts of the new Indy flick, Narnia, AND What Happens in Vegas!
42. I was reading! I seem to be able to stay awake for that! In addition to the two Strengths books, I have also read, "Vanishing Acts", "The Shack", "Mistaken Identity", and "Picture Perfect" in the last couple of months! Recommend ALL of them...especially The Shack and Mistaken Identity!
43. I was attending one of Steph's summer league basketball games. Heidi, Mike, McKenna, and Macie stopped by to watch for a bit since it was in their neighborhood. My favorite quote of the day...as stated by Macie (which occured when I took her to the restroom)..."I am going to get a piano for my birthday and sing just like Stephie...and I'm going to make my hair brown!" Awwwww! :)
44. I was watching the LOST finale with Lexi...we are both getting excited for The Mole to return on June 2nd!
45. I was finalizing Steph's summer plans! She is in Washington, DC right now with a group from school and will head to Nashville at the end of June for a music camp!
46. I was attending an amazing event at Banner Children's Hospital in Mesa with Tena, Kim, Lexi, and Carol! Kim posted some great photos from the event, so I am going to send you to her blog again for a recap, but sufice it to say...you can't help but be hopeful when you spend time with these courageous kids!

Loving...

France!

I have a million things to blog about but been a little busy!

Gonna do this the easy way too! Have been in France since Sunday...spent the first few days in the French countryside (Amboise) visiting tons of ancient castles. Have journaled everything on my Blackberry and sent it to to my trip mates...best bud Tena, Kim, and Cori! Kim is in charge of putting all of our blog posts online, so if you are interested in what we have been up to...visit her site by clicking here!

Bon jour! :)

Lots to talk about...

...but no time at the moment!

Just got back from a week in Los Angeles with Stephanie (annual school Mission Trip)! Very powerful week (like last year if you remember my San Francisco stories). Will try to post photos and a recap when I can, but we got back late Friday night and I have to leave tomorrow morning again at 5am (will be gone for the week). Have not had a chance to download pictures, etc.!

Did want to let you know the happy news that Pasta Tuesday has been reinstated! Yay!

Lexi is home for Spring Break so we celebrated Jim's birthday tonight since I will be gone on the actual day (March 5)! It was great having everyone "at the table" for dinner! :)

Not sure why...

...this made me laugh so much, but it did so I decided to share it here.

Pulled these off Lexi's facebook album! She and her friends are a little depressed about a curve ball the Pepperdine cafe has thrown them! lol :)

It really is the little things in life that are important!

Random...

...post!

Nothing really to say...just sitting here working on some projects listing to Steph play the piano and sing downstairs...totally LOVE that...puts me in a happy mood!

We went out for sushi tonight...yum! Walked home...chilly enough here to have cold cheeks and hands, but wonderul!

Not cold enough for this...

...but included two of my favorite things...miniature and snowmen! Can't get much happier than that! :)

Speaking of "happy"...Happy belated birthday (they celebrated yesterday) to Fred and friend Brenda! Hope you both had a wonderful day!

Another "happy" thought...my countdown calendar on Facebook says there are only two days, 22 hours, 50 minutes and 26 seconds until the 4th Season of LOST begins! :)

Happy Monday!