:LIFE: On the road again...

I'm not even really over my cold yet and I hit the road again for my next fall recruiting trip. I'm over the worst of it - the headache, body aches and fever - but still struggling a bit with a sore throat and congestion.

I'm drinking my warm tea with honey and just hoping I'll be able to talk tomorrow! :-)

This time in North Dakota and I'm in Fargo right now for the Fargodome College Fair here tomorrow. It should be a pretty big one.

On Tuesday afternoon, I'm heading to Jamestown, ND for the college fair the next day and am very excited to be meeting a good friend of mine that I haven't seen for a long time who now lives in Bismarck. She is going to meet me there. I don't know what we're going to do yet, but it is going to be great to see her.

:LIFE: Photos from day 1 of Omaha vacation...

A little late in coming, I know, but it's been pretty busy lately and I've been under the weather with a pretty severe cold and sore throat the past couple of days. However, it's hard to sleep for 24 hours straight even when you feel like it, so it gave me a little time to hang out on the couch and do some photo editing. :-)

Here are a few favorite photos highlighting the different things we did on day one.

First we hit the Omaha Children's Museum. They were hosting the Central Art Car Exhibit in the parking lot and we had a lot of fun looking at all the crazy cars.

This car was a little 'beachy'. There was also one covered with with pieces of tires that made it look like a dinosaur, one covered entirely with bottle caps, a truck painted with chalkboard paint and more. Kaitlin was sure to leave her mark...her name and signature heart.

Inside there were all kinds of games, activities and exhibits to explore. That's Justin and Kaitlin in the middle.

The robotic dinosaur exhibit upstairs was pretty amazing. Wouldn't want to be anywhere near one of these in real life.

The it was on to Bass Pro Shops...I knew we wouldn't get away with a trip to Omaha without having to make a stop there.

Justin and Kaitlin thought they should give the camping equipment a test run.

Then they tested their shooting skills...

After getting her very own pink BPS hat with a fish hook for the bill just like Daddy, she decided to take him on in a game of giant checkers.

After relaxing in our hotel for a bit, we went to the Heartland of America Park and enjoyed a walk all the way around the lake. We took a boat ride around as well.

To finish off the evening, we went to the Old Market and Kaitlin got a caricature. We had a late supper at Spaghetti Works and our little girl fell asleep at the table after two pieces of cheese pizza.

It was a long first day...but a good one!

QUOTES: on Life

BERTRAND RUSSELL:

"The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge."

UNKNOWN:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (1929-1968; minister, civil rights activist):

“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”

:LIFE: Two sisters traveling...

My sister's in Jamaica on her honeymoon.

I'm in Ainsworth, NE for work.

So unfair!

:LIFE: My sister's getting married today...

I would have loved to share this little snippet of Kaitlin's flower girl dress sooner, but considering this dress is a close match to my sister's, she probably wouldn't have been too happy with me. What is it with all brides wanting to keep their dress a mystery until the very last minute?

I think it's safe to share in now, though, considering that she'll be walking down the aisle right about the time that this post goes live. Mystery no more...

:PRODUCT: Vita Bella by Little Yellow Bicycle

Little Yellow Bicycle is certainly one of my favorite new companies.

I just discovered them a few months ago and quickly snatched up the Delightful line.

Then, one day I saw Vita Bella and it was on sale for 75% off over at Two Peas!!!

It's even more beautiful IRL with the foil accents and rich colors. I can't wait to get scrappin...anything created with this line is bound to be stunning!

:LAYOUT: 'jr. k'

Here's another one from the Memory Works Scrapbook Idea Gallery 2008 issue. This one was on page 54.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants
Letter Stickers: K&Company
Journaling Spot: Maya Road
Flowers: Prima
Brads: Prima, Making Memories, Oriental Trading Company
Gems: Prima, Other Unknown
Pen: Zig

Journaling:
Here’s Kaitlin on her 1st day of school at Webster. We really struggled with the decision of sending her to Kindergarten or Jr. K, but in the end, we decided on Jr. K. What’s wrong with a little extra time to enjoy youth? August 2007

Comments & Techniques:
The floral pattern on the background is pulled from the floral pattern on my daughter’s skirt that she wore on the first day of school. The layered flowers, gems and brads add to the sense of youth and vibrancy and a few ‘spill over’ the edges to give the sense that the pattern continue off the page. The pen outline around the sticker letters helps the title to stand out against the floral background. The notebook paper styled journaling spot adds to the school theme of the layout.