Thursday, August 30, 2012

School Days

We are still adjusting to a school routine. Middle school-more classes, longer days and a girlfriend. Really. My 6th grader has his first girlfriend. Not sure how I feel about that. He's growing up way too quickly. Scholastically, he is off to a good start. We are hopeful that Stephen will continue to work hard in school 
 It has been extremely hot and humid lately. UGH. As much as I love summer, I'm ready for a change. I continue to look for a job-no luck. In my never ending quest for knowledge, I have enrolled in the Quickbooks Pro Advisor certification program. I want to get into the 'what ifs' of Quickbooks. This program is very detailed and challenging. Hopefully, it will lead to some positive results in growing my business. Do you ever look around your house and realize that you need to change things up. That's where I have been lately. I have been donating and throwing away stuff like crazy. I swear it reproduces over night. Where does it all come from????  I have a few projects that are almost completed-pictures to be uploaded soon. Oh, and did I mention I'm feeling old today. My oldest child is 25. Happy Birthday, Vinnie. The years have flown by. 

Monday, August 13, 2012

6th grade

Wow! How did this happen? My baby is now in middle school. When I dropped him off this morning it felt like the first day of kindergarten all over again. I didn't cry, but I was a little teary eyed as I watched him go off to new adventures. He's grown so much in the past year (physically and emotionally). While sometimes I don't appreciate his attitude, I am proud of the young man he is becoming.






Saturday, August 11, 2012

Randomness

I finished the classes for my accounting technician certification with a 3.6 gpa. Not too shabby. I hope to be able to continue at some point and get my AA. For now, my focus is trying to find work. Not an easy task in this economy. These past few weeks of summer have been incredibly HOT. I am grateful that the beach is not too far away. I've been trying to use my camera more and capture random stuff that I think is pretty cool.

This is on the floor of Crushcakes in Carpenteria. Definitely one of the best places for cupcakes. They also have a shop in Santa Barbara. Check it out if you are ever in the area.


In spite of the never ending threat of an earthquake, I love where we live.
We are never too far away from either the mountains or the beaches.






Stephen, Nathan and Logan thought it would be fun to play volleyball with a football.


This is one of my favorites. Thanks for the inspiration Mitzi :)



Summer Wrap-Up (2012)

Wow! I can't believe Stephen goes back to school on Monday as a middle schooler. The summer days flew by. Here's a recap of some of the fun things we did:

Beach Days

Mitzi took us to this great beach in Carpenteria.

 


 Stephen, Vinnie and I spent the day in Santa Barbara to escape the 105+ degree heat
        
Boogie Board injury
                             
             Vinnie is digging a hole to bury Stephen in

 Fun in the water:





                                         
                                                                           Being Silly

                











Spent lots of time with friends:

   
Swimming with Alex
                                 
                                                                   


                         

These 2 are hilarious when they are together.



We saw the weinermobile on our way to bowling-had to stop for a picture


 
We saw Ice Age 3, Spiderman, and Batman.
 Stephen spent a week with Grandma Kempe for VBS. Poor guy, still gets homesick. The biggest change for Stephen this summer..................................
BRACES



Stephen was excited to get braces. Weird, right? In another month, the bottom will be done and in 2 years he will have an awesome smile :)