You know, sometimes you just feel like the world is dumping its collective poo-poo all over you.  And sometimes, you just want to lay down and cry and let it all rain down on you.  And sometimes you just want to cover yourself up with a blankie and cry and kick and scream "Not FAIR!  I SAID NOT FAIR!"  But, you know the best part of feeling this way, the very best part?  It's when you realize that it's time to stop laying there, it's time to get up and get on with your life.  Time to dust yourself off and get back on the roller coaster.

So, since the last time I wrote, I've had strep thoat, Gracie's had strep throat, Abbie's had an ear infection, Gracie has thrown up in the doctor's office and at least twice in the car, and both girls had fevers that flirted, no, more like french kissed, the 104 degree mark.  We got past that and then last week I had either a slight case of pneumonia or a whopping case of bronchitis - who cares what they call it - it wasn't fun!  Then, this week was Gracie's week for an ear infection.  And, of course, life doesn't stop just because you're sick.  So in the midst of all that, I had two big project deadlines which I made, one big deadline at work which I missed, a photo shoot, out of town company, Mother's Day for which I bought cards but never made, Gracie moved up to the big kid class at school, which she's not particularly happy about, Abbie cut her first two teeth, and oh yeah, my milk dried up.

But you know what - all of that is just part of life, just part of being a mom, just part of working, just part of daycare.  And I really wouldn't have it any other way.  Because my life, even when it's crazy and complicated, is still my life and I like it.  Sometimes, I want a break from it, but I still love it.  So, today, I'm picking myself up and dusting myself off and getting ready to face the world head-on again.  And I feel good!

Even in the midst of all the zaniness of the last three weeks, I still carved out some time to take pictures and scrap.  And, I entered a scrapping contest.  It has four rounds and started out with almost ninety contestants.  We're on the third round and down to 37 contestants and somehow, I'm still standing!  Even if I don't make it on to the final round, I've still gone farther than I thought I would, and I've had a whole lot of fun.  I'm driving Steve crazy, but I think he's used to it! 

Here's my layout for the first round:

Credits:  Andrea Gold - Making Music Page Kit at GoDigitalScrapbooking

And my entry for the second round:

Credits:  Jessica Agler - Paisley Crazy at GoDigitalScrapbooking

I'll save the third round entry until next week....