Birthday Giveaway Winners

Winner, winner chicken dinner!  Who's the winner?  Let me see:

Prize Pack #1 Reimagined Classics -- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies... Melissa Sawvell

Prize Pack #2 Hatter M series -- Volumes 1, 2, 3... Elven Johnson

Prize Pack #3 Willomere series by Candace Camp -- A Lady Never Tells; A Gentleman Always Remembers; An Affair without End... Stacey Sirtak

Prize Pack #4 Immortals series by Alyson Noel -- Evermore; Blue Moon; Shadowland... Janan Cheskis

Prize Pack #8 Fantasy Pack -- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; The Magicians by Lev Grossman... Rebecca Stephen

Prize Pack #9-10 Your Choice Pack

• The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory and The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance... Carol Mallory
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger and The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson... Maureen Morra
• This Book Will Change Your Life and Paradise Lost by John Milton... Melissa Sawvell

Congrats to everyone who won!

My Years Reflection 2011

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2011: No pics of pretty scrapbook pages yet.  I am a little behind on my scrapping...  But 2011 was a year of big changes for me.

• New Town -- In June I moved three states and 10 hours away to Omaha, NE.  It was something that I had been working toward for almost a year.  Even though the population is triple of my hometown, in many ways it feels the same.  Not quite the big city, but definitely with more to offer.
• New Situation -- A huge change in my family structure.  Not exactly what I wanted, but in the end I had to compromise. 
• New Job -- Moved in June and by September I was starting my new job.  To compare, I was looking for work back in Indiana for a year without success.  The economy is doing much better out here.  Very thankful for that.  A job means I can really start making a dent into my debt and start planning for the future.  Plus, I love the people and organization I work for.  It's mission is to help kids and families; what could be better?
• Contentment -- After the funk of 2010, I've started to feel like I'm getting back to normal.  My moods are more consistent.  I'm getting more into crafting and reading.  I really got moving on my blog.  I found someone who I "fit" with.  Things are really looking up!

And now on to my 30s.  I feel like good things are going to happen this decade. 

My Years Reflection 2010

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2010:  A bittersweet year for my teaching family.  We found out right before Christmas 2009 that the school was in danger of closing.  By April, we knew it was a goner.  And we closed in May.  Everyone felt the loss deeply.  But life does that sometimes.  We just need to pick ourselves back up and continue.

Page 1:  Spriits were low in January when the music teacher suggested we in the trailer park (the six modular classrooms out back) through a passing period rave party.  We set up speakers in the walkway and cranked up the dance music every passing period.  By the afternoon, we had main building teachers coming to check out the party and even join in with the dancing.  It really lifted everyone's spirits for a day.  And yes, that is me dancing on my classroom stairs (top right).

Page 2: Because of cuts and staff departures, the musical was canceled.  The Parent Teacher Organization roped (okay I volunteered) me into helped to create a musical theater, auction, spring concert, appreciation dinner for the Keystone family.  We themed it around the Wizard of Oz.  Four of my juniors played the central characters.  We also had appearances by the Wicked Witch, the Wicked Witch in training, the Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch, the Good Witches in training, the Wizard's faithful secretary, and the entire elemetnary, middle school, choirs, and bands.  Whew!  It was quite a preparation, but I think we had a great night.  And we made enough money to cover some of our costs until May. 

Page 3:  With the early closing of the school, graduation was up in the air for awhile.  Thankfully, parents, teachers, and students pulled together to get our kids graduated with a proper ceremony and reception.

Page 4:  In May, I had my first experience at the Indianapolis 500.  I can't beleive I hadn't gone before considering I lived only 2 hours away.  The day was a lot of fun, but incredibly hot.  I think once was enough for a lifetime.

My Years Reflection 2009

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2009:  A big year with lots of adventures...  I just had to add an extra picture.

Page 1:  The boys had their first friends birthday party.  We celebrated at Chuckie Cheese and I decided we were never doing it there again!  Way to crazy.  But they had great fun.

Page 2:  For the Spring Musical, we performed Annie.  Not my favorite musical, but we had fun anyway.  I really got a chance to be backstage again.  Plus, I love the picture above with all my (my sposor class) sophomores in costume.  Tori, Jacob, Dakota, Chelsea, Anna, and Abby did such a great job!

Page 3:  Somehow I let my friend Catharine talk me into French and Indian War era reenacting.  Okay, she didn't really twist my arm, I fairly willingly joined.  This was our first event: Feast of the Strawberry Moon in Grand Haven, MI.  And I loved it!  I would continue to reenact for until moving to Nebraska in summer of 2011.  Unfortunately Nebraska didn't figure in the Seven Years War, so I'm officially done with that activity.

Page 4:  We also visited the family up in Naperville during the summer.  The boys had great fun hanging out with their "Uncle" Ian.  Alex especially loved the train themed restaurant. 

Page 5: Old friends and new celebrated Sarah and Adam's wedding August.  The big event of the night...  reconnecting with J. 

My Years Reflection 2008

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2008: Another year of trying to establish routines.  But we had some great memories in there!

Page 1:  The boys and their class finished Pre-K.  They had an amazing teacher who prepared them for the Kindergarten.  The other picture is a bit weird, I grant you.  My first group of seniors decided to "take" my boys with them to Florida for the senior trip.  They made cardboard cutout bodies and print photos of the heads.  Then, they procedured to take the twins everywhere.  Here's photo proof.  They gifted me the cutouts during senior wills.  I still have them, although they are creased and a bit worn from their adventures.

Page 2: My first graduating seniors, I will never forget them.  We had a trying, but eventually a great year.

Page 3: On to my second year teaching and the boys' Kindergarten year. 

Page 4:  The boys were so adorable at the Christmas program.  Nick spent most of the time with hands in his pockets.  And Alex fidgeted through the whole song.  Too cute!

My Years Reflection 2007

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2007: I reached a major milestone this year and moved to the next stage.

Page 1:  Proof I graduated college with two bachelor's degrees: women's studies and social studies education.

Page 2: In July, I interviewed and received a position as the high school social studies at Keystone Schools.  I was so excited!  Bonus: the boys started Pre-K at the other end of the school. 

My Years Reflection 2006

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2006:  This year was all about exploration.  The boys started really exploring the world around them.  They also exhibited a lot more distinct personalities.

Page 1:  Every September-October a farm close to our house would hold a big Harvest festival with petting zoo, hay mazes, hayrides, food, and farm equipment demos.  The boys loved going every year.  In 2006, the highlight was definitely the petting zoo. 

Page 2:  Look how much everyone is growing!

Page 3:  I just love how I dressed the boys alike for Christmas even though no one can tell them apart.  A part of me things I did this on purpose just to mess with people.

My Years Reflection 2005

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2005:  This year was all about college.  Knocking out those classes so I could (eventually graduate).

Page 1:  Two of my brothers, Cole and Dustyn, graduated from high school!  Woot!  Very excited for both of them.

Page 2: Adorable pics of the boys.  But my real reason for this page was to show off my awesome geekiness.  Yup, those are my college report cards.  I am such a geek that I have kept all of these little pieces of paper that were mailed to my house and I even scrapbooked them!

My Years Reflection 2004

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2004:  Life was all about getting a routine this year.  I was in college, the boys were growing, and we were forging our own path.

Page 1:  So grown-up in their 1-year-old photos.  We had a great little party for them where they played with the cake and icing, but didn't really eat it.  To this day, Alex doesn't eat cake, but Nick will definitely indulge.

Page 2: By summer, we were ready to start exploring the world.  These pics are from our first trips to the zoo.  They absolutely loved it.  Look at those smiles!

Page 3:  More zoo trips (we eventually bought an anual family pass, much cheaper!).  This time Annika and family were down from Chicago.  I absolutely adore the pic of Annika holding Alex's hand.

Page 4:  The boys first real Christmas.  They loved shredding the wrapping paper. 

My Years Reflection 2003

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2003:  Even bigger changes this year!  Well, okay two big changes...

Page 1:  The only picture of me pregnant (actually there are a few others, but I was only 3-4 months so not obvious).  The only sonogram pictures I recieved.  Baby A turned out to be Alex and Baby B was Nick.

Page 2:  Initial pictures of the boys.  They were so tiny (5.6 and 5.0).  To be honest, they kind of looked like aliens with their crazy long fingers and toes and teeny tiny bodies.  I especially love the shot of Nick screaming...  he would get all red and open his mouth really wide, but didn't really let out much sound.

Page 3:  At three months old, we traveled to Naperville, IL, to visit with my dad.  While there, Alex rolled over for the first time, they boy started laughing, and we found out that Annika was going to have a new sibling (turned out to be a boy, Ian).  Annika was so helpful, entertaining the boys and even holding their little hands during car rides. 

Page 4:  Six months old and major changes.  The boys and I moved into our own apartment and I started back at college (albeit the local college IPFW). 

My Years Reflection 2002

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2002: Big changes abound...

Page 1:  My mom got married.  It was a small ceremony attended by close family and friends.  And then she held a smallish reception with cake and snacks.  I loved that myself my two new stepbrothers were the sole attendants and well wore blue-gray clothing. 

Page 2:  Annika was growing up.  Six months already.  She lived (and still lives) in Chicago, but we had a great time playing at a summer visit. 

Page 3: On Christmas Day, my Great Grandma Helen celebrated her 95th birthday.   We held a huge party at her retirement home.  I just loved her cakes: one showing a pic of her now and one showing a pic of her as a little girl.  (Btw...  You can't tell because there are no pictures, but I was 6 months pregnant at the party)

Page 4:  Christmas with family.  Some great pics of Annika, Cole, and Mallory.

My Years Reflection 2001

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2001: Life at college is sweet!

Page 1:  The ladies of Schmidt-Wilson 7th floor know how to have a good time.  Like our impromptu hall picnics, or dancing in the rain, or Chinese and movie nights, or weekly Dawson's Creek viewing parties.  We had such a good time our first year at college. 

Page 2: Noon -- Beth and I are listening to K105 driving through town.  We here an announcement for a free Rascal Flatts concert that night and a signing at one of the Walmarts.  2pm -- We head to Walmart, meet the guys, and get pics.  6pm -- We line up outside the outdoor theater hoping to get in.  We get in, get seats, and see a great concert.  10pm -- Beth and I both head to our 3rd shift jobs.  The best day of the summer!

Page 3: In August, I moved out of the dorms and into an off-campus apartment with three roommates.  It was fun, but a lot of work.  We got a taste of freedom and all the hassles that come with it. 

Page 4:  By Christmas, I was spending the holidays with the family and meeting my new little sister (well, sorta sister) Annika Jo.  She's now 10-years-old!  I can't believe it!

My Years Reflection 2000

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2000:  I graduated high school and entered college.  I became a legal adult.  Such changes abound!

Page 1:  My eighteenth birthday parties with the family and with friends at Joe's Crab Shack.  I even had to stand on a chair and spell my name while doing a cheer.  So embarrassing, but at least the food was good.

Page 2: Senior prom.  My friend Kassi and my dates both ditched us days before, so we just went with friends.  Check out my pink dress...  never thought I would wear pink to prom. 

Page 3: Graduation, finally!  Now off to bigger and better things.

Page 4: Some new friends at Ball State University.  I loved our hall decorations! 

My Years Reflection 1999

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1999:  My seventeenth year!  Near the end of high school and still finding my way.

Page 1:  Check out my amazing birthday tiara... Love it!  My friend Shannon threw my birthday party at her house  We had party hats, cake, presents, and tons of gummi bears.

Page 2: Toward the end of the spring semester, the English/Social Studies students traveled to Stratford and Toronto, Canada to visit the sites and see some plays.  These pictures were taken at the top of the CN Tower. Note the crazy winds!

Page 3:  Another school dance, this time winter Semi-Formal.  I went with Jenny, her boyfriend Thomas, and friend Corey.  I loved my gray shiny dress.  And you can't see, but I wore some awesome 4 inch shiny grey mules.

Page 4:  Christmas vacation.  Some friends and I spent the night at Beth's house making cookies and engaging in general silliness.

My Years Reflection 1998

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1998:  I enjoyed this year... branching out into my own.

Page 1: I was invited to travel with fellow English/Social Studies students to Washington, D.C. I loved every minute of it.  We saw some great sights.  We momentarily got lost (but found our way back by using the Washington Monument).  We had some fun adventures.

Page 2:  Sweet sixteen party.  We had karaoke, food, and presents.  Great friends came and helped me celebrate.

Page 3:  Every year, the Snider theater department held a year-end drama banquet.  It was a time to have a bit of fun, complete with roasting of the seniors and cake.  Everyone loves cake!

Page 4:  Another summer stock production.  This time I was strictly back stage crew.  At the end of the production, we took a one day trip to Chicago to see The Phantom of the Opera and Sheer Madness (improv). We had a great time and I got a Headband Buddy!

My Years Reflection 1997

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1997: Overall a really great year.  Great friends, great events.

Page 1:  Just a few of the friends I made freshman year of high school.  So goofy!

Page 2:  I passed driver's ed and here are the certificates to prove it.  I even mastered those stupid 1950s driving simulators...  didn't think it was possible.

Page 3:  I participated in my first theatre production during the summer of 1997.  I played a chorus member in Oklahoma right along side my friend Beth.  After that, I decided that back stage was more fun than front stage.

Page 4:  I also attended my first school dance.  I went to Semi Formal with a group of friends including Jenny, Crystal, and Rachel.

My Years Reflection 1996

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1996:  Eighth grade to high school.  A year of adjustments and new beginnings.

Page 1:  My fourteenth birthday at Bear Creek Farms.  I always loved dinner and a show for my parties.

Page 2:  I joined the first ever Lane Middle School Pom Pom squad and loved it!  We learned routines and then performed at half-time of the basketball games.  I can even remember at least half of the routine for the school song.  The only thing I wasn't a fan of...  those short cheerleader skirts.  So drafty!

My Years Reflection 1995

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1995:  Seventh to eighth grade.  Such a tumultuous time in my life.  I can definitely say that this wasn't one my favorite years, but I had some great friends to lean on.

Page 1: Lots of crazy friends.  I'm still in touch with a few of them even today.

Page 2:  Scenes from the last day of seventh grade.  We were definitely a crazy bunch.

Page 3:  Spending Christmas with my brother and sister.  They are getting so big!

My Years Reflection 1994

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1984:  Twelve years old.  Sixth to seventh grade.  Parents got divorced.  Mom and I moved to a new house.  Uncle Curt moved in with us.  We all moved back to Indiana at the end of the year.  Crazy crazy year!

Page 1:  Here is our little house in St. Petersburg.  I loved my large room, the cute little living room, and our covered back porch.  Plus, I made a friend in Becky my next door neighbor.

 

Page 2: As the fall semester ended, we made the decision to move back to Indiana.  I had to get pics and addresses of all my friends before I left.

 

Page 3:  Back in Indiana for Christmas.  I reconnected with my friend Angie.  I got a new apartment to live in.  And my dog, Milkdud was right there with me.  But we had to give him up...  Our apartment was too small and he was alone too much.  Fortunately a nice farm family adopted him.

My Years Reflection 1993

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

1993:  This was a life-changing year.  I entered middle school and moved states away.

Page 1:  My father's job transferred him to Florida.  We moved at the end of my fifth grade year to St. Petersburg, Florida.  Such an adventure.

Page 2:  Scenes from my life in Florida.  Notice the tans and the pelicans.  The St. Petersburg pier was full of pelicans.

Page 3:  One of favorite places to visit in Florida was Busch Gardens.  I loved the rides and the animals, especially the Clydesdale horses.  Such beautiful creatures.