Beautiful Jewelry

My daughter-in-law makes the most beautiful jewelry. Megan has been beading for over 11 years and her experience and creativity combines to make the most exquisite pieces.
Megan has recently started her own business- Wild[e] Designs. You'll find her at craft shows throughout the Midwest, but also at her etsy shop online- Wild[e] Designs.
Here are a few of her pieces.

She still has several necklaces, bracelets and earrings left in her inventory to photograph and post. So, if there is something you're looking for in particular, let her know!
I am sure she would love the challenge of a custom assignment too!

Youth Center

When I was in Kansas I was able to finally see the youth center where Jake and Megan spend a lot of their time and effort.
The board members and kids threw a graduation party for Jake and Megan the day they graduated.

It was very nice.
Jake is the director of Ogden Youth Center. He and Megan have been there for a couple of years now and they have really put a lot of their hearts into the place. I was very impressed.
(Brian was also on staff this past school year.)
Here are some pics of the center. The building has housed many different businesses and just prior to the Youth Center it was a rifle range... lots of grey and cement.
But, Megan and Jake added lots of color!
There is a reading room,
Computer center,
arts and crafts tables (where the party guests are at) And more places for the kids to unwind and stay off the streets, out of trouble and most importantly encouraged and motivated.

Here are some of the kids with Megan and Jacob. SADLY, the center has recently lost nearly every single penny of funding just this week. Jake is struggling to find some funding to keep the center open through the summer. It doesn't look as if even that will happen.
Today is Jacob's birthday and I think the best present you could give him would be to offer your prayers for their future, that of Ogden Youth Center and the youth of Ogden.
Thanks for stopping by!

Friends (and Family)

I took my camera everywhere I went, but unfortunately forgot to use it quite often. Here are a few of the amazing people I got to see though.
I got together with some of my church friends at Abuelos. Here is that group:

(Karen, Kassie, Me, Carole and Anita)
Of course I stayed with Paula (one of my closest friends) and her family.
Here is a picture of her and I:

I had a Chai and a walk with one of my most thoughtful friends, Kristin.

I had dinner with Katie's best friend, Caitlin and her mom, my good friend, Aimee.

And then we stopped in Nashville on the way home so I could spend some time with my friend and Aunt Anna.

Graduation

Just another quick update. I have really been wanting to get the kids' graduation pics posted here. Jake and Megan both recieved their Associates Degree on Saturday, May 9th!
What a wonderful accomplishment! Sadly, Kevin or Katie were not able to go.
Megan's parents and grandparents and myself and my parents were all there for the event as well as several friends. Afterward we went to one of Jake's favorite restaurants- Famous Daves. And then there was a small party for them at the Youth Center where they both work.
(I'll post those pics in another post!)

Jim the Wonder Dog!

Has it really been almost one month since I have blogged here? It's really been a busy time I guess.
I was in Kansas for one week of this last month and I had a wonderful trip. Unfortunately I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, but I did manage to squeeze in a lot of visiting! I drove the many many miles across country. Luckily I had a local friend and driving buddy who also wanted to travel to see family in Kansas this summer, so we took the venture together. Cathy was a great travel partner and we stayed awake and busy throughout the trip with travel bingo, trivia and other games she brought along.

Our first stop was in Marshall, Missouri home to Jim the Wonder Dog and most importantly the home to my sweet friend Lori! Lori showed us her lovely little town which included this adorable little park which was dedicated to what sounds like an amazing dog. You can read more about him at this site should you have the time. He really does sound like a wonder dog! It was Cinco de Mayo so of course we had a great Mexican lunch.

My visit with Lori was way too short, but she was a wonderful hostess and I hope I get back to see her again soon!

I'll try and post more of the trip and the graduation soon!
{baby steps...}

Senior Pics Photo Session

We found a photographer online and had Katie's senior pictures taken yesterday. She had 3 changes of clothes and looked so pretty. She's VERY photogenic. Her face was hurting from so much smiling!
I took my camera along and took a few pictures while the photographer was snapping hers. I know since mine look pretty good, that hers will probably be great! I swooned when I saw her camera. VERY nice. I was very pleased with the location the photographer chose. We actually had them done at the museum here in town. They had great backdrops for photos.
Here are a few of mine (untouched). I can't wait to see the real photos. We should be able to look at them online this weekend!

Blogging

I've been a bad blogger! I'm still alive and kicking... just not blogging!
What's going on? Well, as usual, I have procrastinated on so many things and time just keeps flying! I have been getting up earlier and earlier and there still isn't time in the day to do all of the things I need to do! This morning I got up at 4:30! Seriously!
I've got lots of design work due in the next couple of weeks and since I am leaving for Kansas in ONE WEEK, I have only this week to get it all done!
I had planned on doing Katie's senior pictures myself, but my wonderful amazing aunt and uncle (who are also Katie's Godparents) suggested I get them done professionally and they would help out. SO, I've found a very reasonably priced free-lance photographer and we are getting those done this week. I'll be getting those invitations out as soon as the pictures come back!
And I've also been working on my resume! I've been watching the newspaper and haven't seen any job openings in my field, but I figured it was time to polish up the resume and start the ball rolling. I'm hoping to work part-time and still do my design work on the side. It's what I love, but it just doesn't pay the bills!
And then there are the endless to-do list items.... laundry, cleaning, exercising, meetings, making dinner, getting sunshine, checking email, trips to the post office, bank, pharmacy, doctors, meetings, etc!
WHEW.... There's so much to do!
What have you been up to?