The Harwick Hubabaloo

2012 - Word of the Year

I wasn't going to pick a word this year - I consider myself a total failure at accomplishing/living out the spirt of last year's word - so I surrendered; however, I recently read a blog (excuse my poor memory b/c I cannot remember which one it was) where the author was talking about their word choosing them... so I started thinking, and I noticed that there was a definite trend in weaving its way through my goals for 2012 ... and that is when I realized that my word had choosen me too... it was starring me right in the eye... begging me to choose it, love it, embrace it and most of all.... live it! And that word was: (this is a snazzie logo I found on the internet through a google search - still couldn't figure out who it really belonged too - I should add that to my list of reductions - reduce internet miscrediting.. or lack thereof - if this logo should be yours - please let me know!) 

Reduce, according to Dictionary. com means: 

1. to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number,etc.: to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.

2. to lower in degree, intensity, etc.: to reduce the speed of acar.

3. to bring down to a lower rank, dignity, etc.: a sergeantreduced to a corporal

4. to treat analytically, as a complex idea.

5. to lower in price.

I think most of my plans include #1..........

To reduce the number on the scale (while increasing the numbers of miles tracked on my eliptical)

(and yes, those are the display photos still in that cute frame that my babysitter gave me for Christmas... can you add "reduce procrastination" to my list?) 

To reduce the amount of my spending...... and debt.... thus INCREASING our capital! 

and one more - To reduce stress... this may require reducing the daily routine (not sure how that works with four children and an absentee spouse, but we will try!) 

(again, not sure where this image came from, it was on my drive from something else, sorry!) 

So, has a word choosen you? Be vigilant and your word just might smack you upside the head! - Mine did! 

 

 

A Special Message for Daddy...

It has been 3 days since we put Daddy back on the plane to a place that not a single one of us would agree to go to willingly.... he works 24 hours a day... sleeps in the equivalent of a wooden shanty, eats what looks like dog food and doesn't get to hug his amazing children each day or tuck them into bed each night... 

All in all, the kids are holding up pretty well... we are slowly returning to our regular schedule - school is back in full swing and soccer starts up the week after next... before we get super busy again, we wanted to take the opportunity to let Daddy know we are thinking about him.... 

Daddy, 

(I lost the link but I cannot take credit for this clever photo idea - I found a photo with a similiar concept on the web recently and thought it was cute - so I mde it work for us!) 

See you soon Daddy! 

Love

Your kids (and wife, too!) 

Interrupting the Normal Dead Blog Space to Announce .....

Those of you who know me know that I have been interested in photography for most of my life; always the one with the camera handy, I have documented most of my youth, young adulthood and lord knows my kids are tired of having the camera in their faces! (They call me the paparazzi and run away when I show up, camera in hand - all except Brody, who has perfected his "cheese face").

I am constantly reading and playing with the settings on my camera - one of my favorite places to visit is MCP Actions. Jodi provides easy to understand information on photography and photo editing and fun to use actions! 

This year, MCP Actions is hosting Project 12. What is Project 12, you ask? 

MCP Project 12 gives photographers the opportunity to take more photos, be creative and have fun. Hobbyist and professional photographers can join us by capturing images based on our monthly themes and share with the MCP community.

At the beginning of each month, for the next 12 months, we will introduce a theme on our blog. You will have up to a month to brainstorm, develop your ideas, and take your photos. If you prefer a weekly challenge, like Project 52, challenge yourself to use the theme in multiple ways.  You may upload up to four images per month.

Am I participating? Heck yeah, I am; but even better, Jodi has asked me to help organize and "lead" the project (moderate, etc)! 

You can check out the theme for January HERE - The theme is RESOLUTION - Did you make any resolutions for this year? 

I always do - and they are pretty much the same year to year... why mess with a good thing, right? 

Resolution #1 

Hope you will join Project 12 at MCP Actions! It will be an amazing journey! 

Goodbye 2011; Hello 2012! Part I

Goodbye 2011; Hello 2012!

Where did the year go? 2011 is a blur. We started the year with cold hands and warm hearts and ended it with warm hands and lots of great memories.

Here are the highlights from our year in photos: 

January 2011 - Brody's "cool man" handshake. This handshake took on various forms from a fist pump/explosion to an elbow bump/high five. The "cool man" handshake continues to evolve to this very day! 

February 2011 - Celebrated Grandma's Birthday and Valentine's Day, complete with homemade Valentines! 

March, 2011 - We celebrated the Luck of the Irish and visited Virginia Beach where we cheered Uncle Brian through his first full marathon finish! 

In April, 2011 - my Holly turned 7, the girls played soccer for Fayetteville Soccer Club and we had a visit from the Easter bunny! 

 

May, 2011 - We busted out the boat and had some fun in the warm Spring air! Brody "graduated" from Preschool and we made our yearly pilgrimage to the strawberry picking farm - this year we tried to make freezer jam - not so tasty - next year we will make the real stuff! 

In June we got out of school! and got busy having fun. We visited Disneyworld, Sea World, Discovery Cove and Grandma's house in Fort Meyers - and then 

July, August, September, October, November and December still to come! (Typepad is hating my photo heavy post and has stopped cooperating!)

What will 2012 bring? I do not know, but I am excited to find out! I am hoping for a little snow to round out the seasons, a smooth school year finish, a relaxing week at the Outer Banks, a restful summer, Aaron's safe return from Afghanistan, a wild trip to Disney and another healthy happy holiday season... not too much to ask, right? 

It's a Paper Party!

 

I have been pretty low on inspiration lately! We are so busy with work, school, homework and soccer that I haven't seemed to sit down and scrap for more than 20 minutes... maybe that is why I am so cranky lately? Anyway, I am hoping this class will kick start me - needing some inspiration? You should check it out too! There are no deadlines and it is a "work at your own pace" kind of deal! I hope to share some of my creations here (that is if I actually complete them... lol!) 

Happy Monday! 

Trish 

Three Sixty-Five Thursday!

Another book that I picked up - from Anthropology, that I had/have/am (depending on time) completing. LOL! (do you notice a trend? seems like I always have good intentions, I just lack the follow through)... This book is full of 365 questions with 5 spaces that allows you to answer the same question each year for 5 years... pretty cool; or it would be if you acutally completed all 5 years.. it could be cool to see where you have been and what you may have been thinking and how your answers might change over time....

In an effort to make good on more of my intentions, I decided to entertain (or bore) everyone with my answers each week.

26th - Today was amusing because _________ 

It didn't start out amusing, but at the end of the day, I definately looked back at all the meltdowns and had a good chuckle!

27th - Do you handle rejection well?

No, really, who does? Rejection sucks, but I do like to get up, dust myself off and reevaluate things following a rejection... it is a good learning experience!

28th - How hungry are you right now?

always hungry for sweets!

29th - Bad news = sugarcoated or straight-up?

Definately sugarcoated! and preferable CHOCOLATE!

Those last two questions definately made me want something sweet! Guess I am off to dig in the pantry!

Night!

 
 

Truthful Tuesday!

  
 I purchased these books quite some time ago with the intention (I have lots of good intentions) of using them as journaling prompts for scrapbook pages, but truth be told, I haven't really touched them.

In an effort to at least complete them (and then possibly use them for prompts later), I plan to excite, bore, entertain and inspire you each Tuesday with my" truthful" testament (list).....

Today's list: List all your Favorite Foods:

1. cupcakes! (I know, cliche these days, but cupcakes have always been a favorite of mine!)

2. cookies

3. ice cream - mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins to be exact!

4. steak - off the grill

5. fajitas

6. pulled pork BBQ

7. French toast - especially homemade by my Mom!

8. She - Crab soup  

Easy, list #1 complete! Feeling inspired? Feel free to join in! I would love to compare lists with my friends! (or even acquaintances!)

oh and I just found out there is a Music version of Listography... I ordered it up! More lists to add to the list of lists!

Happy Tuesday!

Meltdown Monday...

Well, it was originally going to be "Make it Monday" ; however, given the day I have had, I am dubbing today.... Meltdown Monday! I'll stick to the basics....the day went from bad to worse...

See this sweet, smiling, eager boy on his first day of school? He was ready to go! Excited and ready to learn...

unfortunately, we have entered the school of "hard knocks" rather early in the school year. Brody's teacher (who shall remain unnamed) and I did not see eye to eye on classroom mangagement techniques which resulted in a lot of nasty emails, some crying (on Brody's part) and a classroom change.. so now Brody is in Mrs. Parker's class. We are satisfied.. we are familiar with Mrs. Parker because Holly had her for Kindergarten as well... I thought that would cure our morning nightmare routine of refusal, screaming and crying... I was wrong..

Meltdown #1

Who: Brody

What: full blown 2 year old tantrum; threw his shoes and socks off, screaming and crying and the devil made him say that he hated me...

When: Bright and early Monday morning (like 6:45ish)

Where: in the house, in the front yard and at the door to the bus.. are we having fun yet?

Why: Boy didn't want to go to school... he wanted to stay home and play (aka.. I am tired and the teacher makes me write and think)

Meltdown #2

Who: Mommy

What: full blown adult temper tantrum, complete with yelling and a spanking (for him, not me).. as if that was going to make anything better - this was not one of my "Mom of the Year" moments...

Where: um, in the house.. and then I shut myself in the bedroom - cool down time (in case of a round 2)

Why: After re-dressing the boy and getting his stuff together, I walked him to the bus stop and he refused to get on the bus!!! So, after stand there for 5 minutes, I let the poor bus driver go on.. and now what? I had to take him to school, resulting in late arrival to work for me!

You would think the day would have nowhere to go but up, eh? Well, work was pretty easy, nobody having temper tantrums there today.... go home... get the kids ready for activities... and we are off!

Meltdown #3

Who: Brody

What: pouting, complaining, refusal.. although I will say that he held it together relatively well

When: 6:30 ish

Where: the soccer field

Why? After the third time his well-meaning teammate scored on themselves (on the wrong end) and the 2nd time of this other team member pulling on his shirt and pushing him, Brody decided he didn't want to play... good news... he played (half-heartedly) through the end.. although I had to bribe him with Chicken Feet for dinner!

and you think the day is done?

There is no rest for the wicked!

Meltdown #4

Who: Hailey

What: refusal, yelling, wouldn't get in car, another "I hate you" (hey 2/4, still like me, not so bad, right?)

When: 8:00 ish?

Why? Well, my poor girl didn't really want to be a Girl Scout, but her sisters were joining and the Boy Scouts still think that men are better than girls and ban us from their stupid club, so she joined.. tonight, on the way out, the Leader informs me that Hailey has a really bad attitude the whole time and it is rubbing off on the other girls... me.. not happy.. I tried to blame it on Daddy's departure, but Hailey informed me that "no, that wasn't it, she didn't  even want to be a stupid Girl Scout" and she huffs off.. well, mouthing off in our house is grounds for lose of privelges... then she refuses to get in the car

Meltdown #5

Who: Mommy (again)

What: stern talking.... I might have yelled...

When: 8:10 ish?

Why: in response to Hailey's refusal to get in the car and go home and her rude behavior....

The good news is, that everyone is now in bed and I can go drown my sorrows in a nice hot bath! I am going to cross my fingers and hope that tomorrow is "To Do" Tuesday (or something equally mundane) instead of "Terrible Tuesday"...

Night!

Soccer Sunday!

The whole Harwick clan is playing soccer this year for Liberty Point Soccer Club. Brody is practicing one time a week and the girls two times a week; needless to say we are "in it"... Last Sunday was a great day, the girls' U11 team won... we weren't so lucky on Soccer Sunday.....today, the girls got beat like 7 (or 8, who's counting.. I stopped at 5) to 2.... poor girls, a real let down after their 7-1 performance last Saturday!  Let's do a mini-break down of what went wrong......

The Pre - Game "talk" - Do you get the distinct impression that none of them are listening? (ok, maybe my responsible, eager to please #5?)

The "First Half"  or "First Impressions" - Do you see the size of these girls in yellow? I am not sure what they are feeding the kids in Chapel Hill, but these girls were quite obvious bigger, older and much more nimble on their feet..... We spent most of the half defending our goal - I am sure our goalie is sleeping well tonight! The yellow teamed scored 2 times right off the bat... that is where our confidence began to waiver!

At "Half Time" the girls tried to regroup and the Liberty parents (um, including me) got in trouble for sneaking behind the goal.... I was only trying to take pictures... geesh!

The "Second Half" and "Second Chances" - The girls really tried to keep on it... they were hot, sweaty, tired, but determined.... look at my girl's (yes, she is also #5 at the moment because the uniform people are not very bright) look of determination...

Although they got roughed up a bit (our goalie was hurt and we lost some shoes and tripped over each others' feet) There were some bright moments...

 Like Hailey's Fancy Feet......

Caitlin's Goal (and I think Emily or Kira scored the 2nd), some nice defense and some mean breakaways... Here are the faces of defeat......

Today they were humbled... and Tuesday, they will go back to practicing.... Go Liberty Point!

Put on your Fancy Papers and Create!

As usual I have been a bit neglectful of my blog, but I have been so busy living life I haven't had the opportunity to write about it!

We finished out our busy summer with a bang and went kicking and screaming into the back to school rush! I can honestly say that this is the first summer where I was NOT ready for the kids to go back to school and dive into my workload!

Feeling uninspired, I had to find a way to cure the "back to school blues".... Fortunately, I had the new Fancy Pants "Back to School" line and a clever plan..... Here's a quick sneak:

 

Want to see more? The Pocket Chicks at Fancy Pants have created some fabulous back to school ideas on the blog! Check out the  Fancy Pants blog !

Feeling inspired? Fancy Pants is having a Back to School challenge!  - You could win! Here are the details:

Create something that has a school theme. It could be a card, mini album, pencil box, or a gift for your child's new teacher...anything you choose. Make sure to use at least some Fancy Pants products when making your beautiful creation. Then, post it on our Facebook wall between now, August 26, 2011 and Friday, September 2, 2011 September 9, 2011. It's that simple! (deadline extended!)

We will judge the projects and select one winner to receive a prize package. This winner will also have their creation featured on the blog. We will also randomly draw one winner from the remaining entries to receive a prize package.

*We will accept only one entry per person. You must live in the continental United States to enter. Projects posted to our wall prior to August 26, 2011 do not qualify. Entries are due by midnight MST, Friday, September 9th, 2011. We will post the two winners on Tuesday, September 13th on our blog and Facebook, so be sure to check back then to see if you've won.

Check out the blog for more information! Fancy Pants Back to School Challenge!

Best of luck!