Zeke is One!

So, you are going to have to bear with me as I overload you with the cuteness that is my baby Zekey!  After a week of seeing my friends Audrie and Nicole post pictures of her new puppies, I decided that I needed to adopt their brother.  On August 18, 2012 I traveled to visit my friend Casey and pick up the newest member of our family.  I can't believe he is already one!  So, take a trip down memory lane with me...

Zeke's first picture!

Zeke hanging out with his biological siblings, Zoey and Zander! (The Z puppies)

Zeke comes home to meet (and pester) his new adopted big sister, Hexe

He's been a snuggler since the beginning

 Zeke thought the crate was just fine as long as he had guests!

 My babies

 The dogs like to sneak on the couch to snuggle with Julia because then they don't get in trouble for being on the furniture.

I lucked out by having another dog that puts up with crap from a toddler and loves her despite it! 

 And here's my baby boy smiling for his birthday treat!

He may be naughty, but I am so happy that I have him.  Hexe is usually happy to have him too! ;)

FIND YOUR VOICE Lesson One: Introduction

Each week will be broken down into three prompts: crafting based, writing based and picture based.  You can participate with 1, 2 or all 3 of the prompts or you can decide each week what speaks to you and do that.  Remember: there is no right or wrong way to participate, do what inspires you!

Prompt 1 (crafting based): Create a project that represents you at the beginning of your storytelling journey.  This is a great time to prep a mini-album; or pull together supplies that you love (or have been scared to use).

For this week's crafting prompt I have pulled out a Smashbook that I have been holding onto since October.  I love that there is an eclectic collection of papers in this book, so I can pick a page that already has a pretty design and just add my story or pictures, or I can add my own elements and embellish the page the way I want.  I will use this for the majority of the workshop, but I may also create 12x12 layouts that I will add in with my regular albums I already have started.

Prompt 2 (writing based): Gather up some of your favorite writing supplies and re-visit the prompts on the worksheet.  Expand upon 2-3 of the questions that you'd like to answer most.

I used Wordle to create a collage based on questions 2 of  the worksheet, "Who are you?"

Prompt 3 (picture based): Start taking pictures every day.  Set a goal (5 pictures a day) and reall work at capturing the little details that happen throughout each day.

I have really been making an effort this week to take pictures of the little things in my day.  My focus this week has been to capture the little things that brighten my day.  You can follow my instagram feed (KimL141) and #findyourvoice to see what other participants are taking pictures of this week.  Here are a couple of my week so far:

Have you worked on week 1 yet?  Please share a link to your posts or instagram feed.  Also be sure to join the facebook group to connect with other participants!

Only 4 days until the fun begins!

Are you as excited as I am for the start of the Find Your Voice workshop?  Before we begin, I want to share a few things with you to help you get ready.

First off, you will be able to find information, lessons and examples in a few places.  This will make it easy for you to play along and use a social media outlet that you are already comfortable with.  This also means there are ways for you to start using other social media outlets that you have been wanting to try!

rukristin papercrafts site

Pinterest

Facebook

Twitter

Search Instagram using #findyourvoice

But, one of the best ways to make sure that you receive each lesson as soon as they go live it to sign up to have the lessons sent directly to your email!  Go here to sign up.

Second, you can link your blog to the blog link-up and find the blogs of other participants.

Next, make sure you check out the FAQs.  This is one of the best resources to get a good overview of how things will work as well as a suggested supply list.  While there are no required supplies for this workshop and everyone's supply list will differ, I find it helpful to start out with a basic supply kit and then add things as I work.  I will post my supply kit this weekend.

Where will you be sharing your story?  Please add a link in the comments section.

Find Your Voice Summer Storytelling Workshop: Coming June 24th

Starting Monday, June 24th

Find Your Voice

a free eight-week summer storytelling workshop

Tell your stories the way you want to tell them. Be the author of your own adventure.

Each week we'll be discussing a new storytelling topic and working our way through that topic with worksheets, creative projects, and group discussions. 

This class is 100% free. Topics and materials will be available Monday mornings starting June 24th at rukristin.blogspot.com and in the Find Your Voice facebook group. 

This workshop is aimed at getting you to find your storytelling voice. Everyone has a story, and you are no exception!  We are going to work together during this 8-week workshop to find your voice and style for you to tell your story. This workshop is for everyone! You definitely don't need to be a scrapbooker to play along. The only thing you need is a willingness to become the author of your own story. 

Summer "to-do" list

I will be starting my internship in September, which means fewer days home with my baby girl.  This makes me sad when I realize that I will not be spending as much Momma/Daughter time with her, but I know that what I am doing is best for our family.  Another good thing is that Julia is going to "school" at Kenowa Hills Learning Center and that has been really good for her.

GRKIds.com posted a list of 92 things to do this summer.  One for everyday of June, July and August.  Not all of them will work for a 3 year old, so I kept some of their list and then added things of my own.  This summer is going to be a little different for Julia and I since I'm working again, but I want to make sure that the days we spend together this summer are fun!  

We will be doubling up a few things and skipping some, so our list will be a little different.  Here is our summer plan:

1. Construction Truck Petting Zoo
2. Spoonlickers
3. Festival of the Arts
4. Grand Haven Musical Fountain
5. Getty 4 Drive In
6. Fulton Street Farmers Market
7. Millennium Park
8. Holland Peanut Store
9. Fredrick Meijer Gardens
10. Radiant Sportz
11. Java Gym Out of business :(
12. Peppler Memorial Park at Rockford Dam
13. Grand Haven State Park
14. Jesters Court
15. Blandford Nature Center
16. Duck Lake State Park
17. Downtown Farmers Market
18. Storytime at Sweet Mellisa’s - (Wednesdays)
19. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
20. Holland State Park
21. John Ball Zoo
22. Ice Cream Month at Dairy Discovery
23. Hager Park (Jenison)
24. Tuesday Night Music Club (Fredrick Meijer Gardens)
25. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
26. Impression 5 Science Center.
27. Binder Park Zoo.
28. Holland Street Performers
29. Leslie E. Tassell Park
30. GR Fish Ladder
31. Michigan’s Adventure!
32. Kent County Youth Fair
33. Downtown Polish Festival
34. Tunnel Park
35. Ride the Grand Haven Trolley
36. Stanwood
37. Grand Rapids Public Museum
38. Potter Park Zoo
39. Detroit Zoo
40. Visit the Residents at Busia's work
41. Camping 
42. Bowling at Westgate (Kids Bowl Free Program)
43. Jazz at the Zoo
44. Spring Grove Park
45. Feed ducks.
46. Play with bubbles in the backyard
47. Fallasburg Park
48. Make (and eat) homemade popsicles
49. Visit the MSU Children’s Garden and get ice cream at the MSU Dairy Store
50. Set up and run through the sprinkler
51. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
52. Find a local food truck and have lunch there
53. Imagination Station Playground in Grand Haven.

54. Get ice cream at a new-to-you location