Terri Bradford. Life Notes.

Here I am... one year older and am documenting the next year in photos.

Why not?! I was so intrigued by the Project 365 concept that I decided to document the next year this way..

Basically this entails taking a photo a day for one year. For me that also means a bit of journaling about each photo and combining it into a project binder/scrapbook. I was lucky enough to find the CK Becky Higgins 365 project Kit of the Month (from another scrapper who received several by mistake in that whole CK KOTM order fiasco). I just got mine in April and decided that MAY is a great time to start. That is the beauty of your life... there is no "right" day to start a project or documenting your everyday life. It just happens my birthday is May 17th, so I felt like what a great way to see my year unfold in photos.

I added a Project 365 album here on my blog so you can browse what actually makes up my everyday life and see the progression with me on my highlighted photos. I encourage all of you (scrapbookers or not!) to take on this type of challenge/project. It has really opened my eyes to how fast a week goes, how fast my son keeps changing, and compliments carrying over my "Little Things that Make Me Happy" philosophy that I started on my blog not too long ago. 

Yep, it is a bit of work to remember to take the photos, etc. in the beginning, but I am an avid photographer anyhow, and with the help of my iPhone there is NO excuse not to get the one shot I need... I carry it everywhere, and it is so fun to see the candidness that the iPhone allows me to get. Honestly it is about capturing the moment for me, not so much the perfection of the photo - although I am stickler for quality it makes it hard to just let go of that in my process so far. I am overall impressed with the quality of my iPhone photos that I have gotten processed and try not to play with them in Photoshop too much. It is really a challenge to take the photos in landscape format, so sometimes I have to roll with what I have and edit it later.

So, here's to another year of my thirties - I forecast this year will be less stressful, more grateful, and hopefully a new beginning in how I look at myself through 365 days of photos. 

Keeping on top of the big and little things...

My "Little Things That Make Me Happy" this week are:

Bailey's band concert last night. Trevor was able to take a day off during the middle of the week to come (good thing, because everyone we invited bailed on attending - lots of legit stuff, just a bummer that no one could make it.) I just downloaded the photos and the video off of my Nikon and for some reason the sound did not record. I guess it was one of those days. That is why you always do photo AND video to cover your butt just in case. :)

I love the way the kids smile and laugh as soon as Mr. Robles turns to them as they prepare to start a piece of music. I remember all of my favorite music teachers doing just this. It was like an ice breaker, a quick reminder of unique things on this song to remember, a goofy smile or face, or a wink. A total "inside joke" for all of us that practiced so hard to preform. I loved that closeness and smiled (inside and outside) when I realized Bay is having that same experience. Makes me happy and warms my heart to see us have that connection.

Had a great Mother's Day. The boys fixed me some cookies, a handmade card, and I got to visit with my mom. I don't need a lot to make me happy... just some time with family, good food, and time to laugh and relax. I also snuck some scrapbook shopping at Michaels in there, too. :) That always makes for a great weekend.

Had time to create. I did some quick thank you's for teacher appreciation week at Bailey's school. He has a lot of teachers to remember now that he is in Middle School. I grabbed my www.paperposies.com May kit, cut out "thanks" with my Cricut and went to town. I had Bay jot down a few things on the notecards and tucked them with a candy bar inside a library pocket, attached them to a paper band around some monogrammed notepads, and wrapped it up with ribbon. The only male teacher (the music teacher) got a symphony bar (appropriate, right?) and a more manly version. It wasn't much, but wanted them all to know we appreciate everything they do.

Bay also had a Young Chautauqua project at school that was so fun! He had been working on this major project for weeks and finally had his presentation (in costume) at the Celebration of Learning night at school. I was stoked he did it at night with the parents so I could attend and take pictures, etc. My mom and Ron came as well, so that was fun they could watch him. Here he is with his buddy, Luke, all dressed up in character (Reginald Fessenden - inventor of the modern radio)...

On a side note - it was scary to do the mustache on him that night. We laughed when I drew it on and I said that soon he would have his own (literally) and we would look back on this and laugh. He is not a little kid anymore!

Things that make me happy... Feels like summer... Finally!

Just snapped this shot if my shopping cart while waiting to check out at Lowe's. They make me happy. So much rain and snow lately that I decided to pick these up and get started on some planting. :) Happy Monday!

No. 13 - a BIG thing that makes me happy!

No. 13 - is no little thing... it is a BIG thing today!

Bay got straight A's again this year for the 1st and 2nd trimester (of 6th grade)! He rocks! I went to parent-teacher conferences today with him and brought my mom along... she loves to come and hear the teachers comments on Bailey. He never ceases to amaze me. The teachers have nothing but positive things to say, and I am blessed!

I am sure some think it is "just" 6th grade, but the consistency of his grades, personality, and traits are what really impress me... It feels SO good knowing he has done so well in the middle school transition. He is in a gifted and talented class which works at an accelerated pace (they work 1 year ahead of normal classes). It is a struggle as a parent to know your child is GT and to try to keep them challenged. It is even harder when they start to get older and have all the other distractions with girls, friends, and social stuff. We ALL remember those middle school days!

Here is a handwritten sheet they gave us during the conferences with notes and grades. (We get the official one with all his core and elective classes in the mail.) Seeing the comments and grades means so much more handwritten by his teachers, and I totally appreciate the time it takes for them to do this for each kid.

High five Bay!

Details No. 12 - things that make me happy!

Ok, No. 12... getting good mail! Who doesn't like a great mail day? 

I love getting a new magazine or something good to read in the mail (or scrap or craft related is always a plus). I sub to CK and Martha Stewart (got her sub for free instead of using my tiny bit of frequent flyer miles that were going to expire last year... which was totally fine by me). I have subbed to Creating Keepsakes FOREVER and have been sad that Simple Scrapbooks is not publishing any longer. 

You should have seen Bailey's face as he grabbed the mail for me and was SO disappointed that it was a load of girly stuff for me instead of his beloved Lego Brickmaster subscription and new Lego set... and he just said, "Maybe tomorrow?!" with a pitiful (but cute) half-smile. Gotta love being the only girl in the house.

Totally not an exciting post, but definitely one of those little details that made me a happy girl today. :)