Life with these 3 kids

8 months

2011-11-22T06:14:00.001-06:00

Tried to capture the sweetness of my little man at 6:00am today. I can't believe he is 8 months old. The time has flown by, but on the other hand I can't imagine my life without him. He is so special! (will post more details of his little self when the sun is actually up!)

Sunday morning snapshot

2011-11-20T07:14:00.001-06:00

The light is dim. The big kids are playing legos quietly on the floor. Wyatt is sitting and smiling and playing on the bed. Mama is tearing up at the beauty of it all. (and taking a crummy iPhone picture to document the moment)

Funny little photo shoot

2011-11-14T08:16:00.001-06:00

I love this silly boy!

Blogging from my iPhone...

2011-11-14T06:59:00.001-06:00

Is this gonna work? Here are some cutie pie pics I have on my phone!

1. Wyatt listening to Brady read.
2. Sitting up all by myself!
3. All bundled for the cooler weather.
4. First time in the shopping cart like a big boy!

ketchup

2011-11-13T20:37:00.000-06:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been two months since my last post (confession??). Time flies when you are raising three kids! Let's see, what has happened since I last posted?

My big sister, Sarah, got to come and visit for a few days (not nearly long enough) and it was amazing. I won't lie, it has been a long time since I have seen her (Brady had never met her, if that gives you an idea of how long!!) so I was so nervous. Looking back I have no idea why I was nervous! This is my big sister, of course it was going to be like I had just seen her a week ago. She fit right in to our family, the kids absolutely ADORED her and Natalie cried for days after she left. We hung out, she took the kids to the park, we took her to her very first IKEA visit, and just enjoyed being together! We need to get a webcam so we can begin some skyping! (We love and miss you Sarah!!)

My sister, Erin, moved in with us. She is staying here for awhile before taking off on her next adventure, whatever that may be! She has been a joy to have around, and I am not sure that I would have been able to survive the last few weeks without her help! Why? Because...

Keith broke his foot 5 (or 6?) weeks back and has been in a walking cast and crutches since then. There is something terribly sucky about being on crutches. Keith has one good foot, and both his good arms are occupied with the crutches. This means he is pretty much good for nothin'. Ha! He can't carry anything (even though he tries, freaks me out that he is going to drop or break something else, and subsequently gets yelled at. All in good fun though.), and he really needs to be elevating the foot at home during the evenings because he is unable to elevate it at work and school. So it's been tough. Hard on Keith because he is so active and loves to be moving and helping and feeling healthy. Hard on me because I have been man down for a month and a half. (I will never again take for granted how nice it is to have someone else take out the garbage and recycling, move the sprinklers, change my flat tire [thankfully a good friend stepped up to take care of me there] )

Kids have been doing GREAT at school. Brady is learning so much and is really growing in leaps and bounds with his math and reading skills. Now we just need to work on the whole "keep your hands to yourself" thing and the "stop when your teacher says stop" thing! He is such a good boy at home though, it's hard to get super mad at him when he changes his card at school! Natalie has been cruising through school like it's no big deal. She catches on very quickly, and for this I am ever grateful. She loves participating in her Girl Scout troop and takes dance lessons 2 days a week and is a member of the competition team. She is amazing and watching her dance makes me cry every time!

Wyatt is now 7.5 months and is the most joyous baby of all time. Every single person in this house is madly in love with him, and it's easy to see why. He will get ya with his adorable smile, his sweet baby coos, and his chubby cheeks/thighs/belly and his giant blue eyes! Love love my baby boy! Around month 7 he really started getting "mobile" in that he scoots backwards. He loves to back up! He will push up to his knees, but he hasn't quite figured out where to go from there, and I am not encouraging it! Just in the last few days he has really started sitting up on his own, he still weebles a lot, so I don't leave him unattended, but he's getting it and I am not too worried! No need to have him grow up too fast! Oh, and he hates baby food! We have tried so many types and he just isn't into it yet. He does love these little rice cracker things, but other than that? meh. I do keep trying though, because our goal is to have him eating at least one "meal" a day by Christmas! I will try and get a video of him attacking his cracker, it's hilarious!

And here are some random pictures to go with this random post!

My cutie pies at the pumpkin patch in Flower Mound.

Brady has always been one to sleep if he needs it. I think this day he was sent to a time out and when I went to check on him he was crashed on the bed. He is such a big boy now that I just love to see him all sleepy and vulnerable (and quiet).

Wyatt LOVES books. He will listen to stories as long as you have the patience to read to him.

I realized most of my good pictures are on my phone! Oh how times have changed! I will try and do another picture post soon with some more sweet ones of the kids!

On my trip to crazy town

2011-08-31T07:27:00.000-05:00

Pretty sure I am going crazy in my old age. I am completely touched out, except it isn't people, it's things. Misplaced things. Things that are in my way or under my feet, but shouldn't be. When these things (ie. a sock, or a stray bathing suit, or any manner of toy) touch me or I step on them, it's enough to send me around the bend. This even happens when my clothes are too baggy (sweats and dresses)! My body literally cringes and I want to hit something. This can't be good. My solution is that I am constantly picking these things up, but then I am still having to touch them, and then I cringe! Ack! It's a deadly cycle. My only solution is that the children pick up their own things. Maybe I need a maid to help cure my craziness? Think Keith would go for that? Doubt it.

Oh and my ears are...listened out? Is that a thing? It should be. If someone talks too loud or too close to my ears it feels like an icepick down to my ear drum. Literally painful. Wyatt and I have lots of quiet time at home. I feel badly because I don't talk to him too much, I like to think we talk with our eyes. It's nice and quiet and everyone is happy, especially my (crazy) ears.

Told you. Cuckoo!

chicken pesto stuffed shells {yum!}

2011-08-14T20:57:00.001-05:00

I have been very proud of myself lately in regards to my actions in the kitchen. I have been cooking "from scratch" a lot more, and trying new things instead of the same old enchiladas/tacos/nachos/spaghetti/whatever-else-I-make-but-could-never-name-even-under-gunpoint meals. Pinterest has helped peaked my taste buds in many of my cooking endeavors (jalapeno popper dip, stuffed bell peppers, cheesecake lemon squares, s'mores bars) and the other day I saw a picture of stuffed shells. Checked out the recipe, but it was too complex, or at least for this hectic Mama! So I made my own version, crossed my fingers, and prayed that the kids would like it (they hated the stuffed bells, of course).

Much to my surprise, they gobbled it up. I am talking dinner was over in 10 minutes, max. I call that a success, and they were relatively easy, I will definitely be making them again! I had to share my recipe here just in case you are looking for another easy, healthy-ish meal to serve your family. It also makes a lot, I made an 8x8 and put another 8x8 in the freezer, and I still have a bowl of the stuffing left, I just ran out of shells! Here is the recipe, I tried to write measurements, but when I cook as I go I mainly wing it. You can tailor it to your families tastes if you try this out!

Chicken Pesto Stuffed Shells
Makes 3-8x8 pans, or 1-9x13 and 1-8x8 (great for freezer meals!)
Prep time: 30-45 mins (or less, I am just a slow cook)
Bake time: 30 mins @ 350*

1 box large pasta shells
1 jar (or batch) of your favorite smooth spaghetti sauce (I think the absence of chunks in the sauce made the kids love it more)
16 oz grated mozzarella (use the block and grate your own, makes a WORLD of difference in taste)
1 small jar pesto (or make your own, but seriously? Who has the time?)
16 oz ricotta
1 1/2 C. (more or less depending how "meaty" you want it) cooked and shredded chicken (I did this step before hand, earlier in the day and it made the meal prep so much faster)

First step, cook and shred your chicken. Set aside. Set a large pot of water to boil for the noodles. In a large bowl combine ricotta, jar of pesto, 1/2 of the mozzarella. Mix well. Add the chicken and stir till all mixed together. Taste and make sure it's how you like it, you can add salt and pepper here if you so desire. I felt the pesto added enough flavor. Set this aside and finish cooking your shells, cook until tender, but not soggy, you want a bit of firmness to them. When noodles are done, drain and rinse with cold water. This helps them stop cooking and makes them manageable for stuffing (you don't want to burn you flesh off on boiling hot noodles!)

Set out your pans of choice. In the bottom of each pan pour a small amount of sauce and spread around to make a thin layer (I did one pan at a time so that I didn't have a sauced pan that I didn't use). Begin stuffing shells, each shell takes a heaping tablespoon or so of filling, you have a lot, so you can afford to be generous. Lay shells touching in your pan. (I got 15 shells in one 8x8). Top stuffed shells with a small layer (1/3 C?) of sauce and then top with 1/3 of the remaining mozzarella. Bake uncovered. Devour!

Of course the putting it together part is all how you like it! Your family likes sauce? add more! Cheese is your thing? Pile it on. It's the pesto in the filling that makes the dish! I hope you try this out and let me know what you think! Oh, and when I freeze mine, I completely assemble, cheese and all, and then freeze in your preferred method.

Not a great picture, but yeah, we dug in before I got the camera out! Yum, yum, yum! (If I do say so myself)

Celebrate freedom!

2011-08-07T21:23:00.000-05:00

The fourth of July is my MOST favorite holiday. I love everything it stands for. I love seeing crowds dressed in red, white, and blue. I love seeing all the waving flags. I love singing our National Anthem, and getting teary eyed every time. I love the food, and the friends, and if the opportunity arises, the family. And I LOVE the fireworks! Here are some pictures from our morning at the parade! It's become a yearly tradition and even the high temps couldn't keep us home!

Doesn't this smile just melt your heart?

Let's address this chunkiness. As soon as we unleashed the chub he fell right asleep.

Love this big boy! And his crazy sunburn on his forehead. You can see where he missed a few spots with the sunscreen, so funny!

The rest of the day we spent at home relaxing and preparing for our trip out to the country to see fireworks with some friends. We were able to do this same thing last year, and we were so excited to be invited for a second time. Great food and great friends, and a spectacular fireworks display right in front of us. So close it was scary a few times! It was a long and fabulous day, and one I want to remember!

Picture dump...

2011-08-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

Natalie with her 1st Grade teacher, Mrs. Cook, on the last day of school. (6/3)

Sanaa, Emma, and Natalie at the last day of school.

Brady at his first T Ball game! So cute! (6/4)

He is such a big boy!

Wyatt's blessing day! (6/5)

Natalie at her Girl Scout camp.

Family dessert surprise! We had been watching a lot of Man v. Food and the kids really wanted to do a challenge so we made this monster cookie sundae. Told them to close their eyes....and....

...voila!

They couldn't believe it! And we had so much fun eating ALMOST all of it!

Way late, but finally took pictures of Wyatt in his blessing outfit. He looks so dapper! (6/26)

The kids wanted to have their pictures taken too. Posers!

tiny dancer

2011-08-07T20:40:00.000-05:00

Just a few pictures from Natalie's dance competitions this Spring. She did a wonderful job and each time I saw her up there on the stage it brought tears to my eyes! Some of those competitions were hard core, tons of people in the audience and she just got up there under those bright lights and danced her heart out! She has grown into a most beautiful young girl and I couldn't be prouder!

A real wild child! This is her in her jazz getup, they were so cute with their wild hair and animal leotards!

Before recital. I think I was more nervous than she was, but she did fantastic!

Gorgeous!

Turning seven

2011-08-07T20:32:00.000-05:00

Tonight is picture dump day! Here are some pictures from Natalie's special day (way back in March!!)

A special breakfast! We had just had Shipley's for Brady so we decided on cinnamon rolls and cuties. Look at her with that long hair! And her new birthday headband (which is lost now...). Love that girl!

Opening presents that night in her Mama made birthday shirt! She was so excited, and everyone pitched in to get her some fun gifts!

"Girly" Legos just for her! And Brady got her sparkly nail polish.

This girl sure gives me a run for my money, but I couldn't imagine my life without her. She is my heart and soul and pretty much a mini (cuter) version of myself. I love my sassafras girl. A few things about her that March:

* She was gearing up to compete in her very first dance competitions, she put a lot of work into her dance and it showed. She has the drive to be good, and it's fun to see her find something that she loves to do.
* She loves to sing (to Taylor Swift) and write songs. If I let her have the iPod all day long, she would listen to it all. day. long. She loves her music!
* She is very bright, she ended the year with straight A's and she was very consistent all year. She makes her Mama and Daddy very proud!
* She couldn't have been more excited to get ready for baby Wyatt to make his appearance, and to move into our new house!

4 months (ish)

2011-08-07T20:18:00.000-05:00

4 months

um, it's sideways, but I love this one bc he is smiling at Natalie. (4 months)

3 months

2 months (still so tiny and SLEEPY at this age)

1 month (how was he ever this tiny?)

summer means

2011-08-05T13:16:00.000-05:00

...being grateful that my kids are old enough to let me sleep in. (Which I took full advantage of today, didn't come out fully till 9:30. thankyouverymuch!)

...an embarrassing amount of large/rt 44 sonic cups littered about the kitchen/car. All from ice waters of course! (RIP Diet DP)

...Friday becoming the worst and best day of the week. Worst because by the end of the week I am sick of the kids and they are surely sick of me. Best because of the obvious reasons, it means we get Daddy for two whole days!

...too much boredom eating. I have the munchies all. day. long. And I can't seem to shake this urge to bake. Which isn't good because Keith has given up sweets. Punk.

...too much TV/movies/Angry Birds/computer time or "screens" as I like to call them. I can't help it! Some of my favorite trashy shows are summer shows (Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, and lots of Real Housewives!)

...lots of playing hard, which means BIG messes. But it's worth it to see the kids using their creativity to turn Brady's room into a pet store, or Natalie's room into an apartment in NY, or the playroom into the city streets (using folded blankets as cars).

...lots of swimming. Not as much as I want, since we have Mr. Wyatt and all, but still plenty to go around. Enough that Natalie is turning a nice shade of brown. She has the cutest tan line on her bum!

...Texas heat. Seriously. One of the hottest summers ever, and surely the hottest I have ever lived through. 30 something days so far of 100+ temps and counting. Give me a break Texas, one can only take so much sunshine!

...settling in to our new place. Though it has it's flaws (a few too many if you ask us), we still feel truly blessed to be in this house. So much space to live in, and I can see us growing here! I love this house!

...play dates galore! For Mama and for the kids. We are lucky to have some of the best friends in the whole world and we have been able to play so much this summer! There have been sleepovers, girls nights, guys nights, play dates, swimming dates, dinner dates. Just tons of fun! I will miss this most of all when summer is over.

Cards for Daddy

2011-08-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

Today Wyatt was being super needy due to his baby cold (and probably a bit from the shots he got yesterday) so the big kids had to fend for themselves a little more than normal today. Every so often I ask out what they are all up to. This afternoon Nat was in the craft area making a card for Keith. She put all of our ages on there, our favorite colors, a few games (cross word and mazes) and some math problems. She made him a little book. And on it she wrote "Dear Dad, I made you a book over sckool and work so you can remeber us! P.S. bring it to your office!" For some reason that made me so sad! The kids don't get to see Keith very often and she wants to make sure he doesn't forget us!

Of course, then Brady wanted to make a card too. He came up to me and asked if I could spell "once upon a time..." uh. No. I could see that route would take an eternity so I wrote down his story for him. "Once upon a time there was a little kingdom. And the King was named, Dad. And his family names was Brady, Natalie, and Mom, and Wyatt. They were having so much fun. They were doing a dance. First Natalie and Brady then Mom and Dad. They were having so much fun doing dances. The End" He even illustrated it. So cute.

I am grateful that my kids have a Dad that loves them and plays with them and provides for them. And I am grateful that my children love their Daddy so dang much!

In other news, Wyatt sounds like a baby Wookie when he cries now because of all the gurgly wetness in his throat. Makes his crying extra pathetic.

A checkup

2011-08-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Today was Wyatt's four month check up (can you believe it??!). It went as well as can be expected. He has a bit of a sniffle and is congested, but Dr. Bishop said all will be well, as long as I watch for warning signs of something more serious. He had to get shots and since he was already down in the dumps the shots didn't go over well. He cried so durn pathetically I thought my heart was gonna break. I had the big kids with me too and they hated that he was sad!

As we were leaving the nurse let the big kids pick out a sticker (they were SO good for me) and after digging through the bucket full of transformer stickers and Spiderman stickers Brady picked out a big needle that says "I was Brave" for Wyatt. Kill me with sweetness why dontcha! That boy is constantly thinking of others, well, when he isn't crying or rolling his eyes at me!

I love my kids! Oh, and Wyatt's stats today were 25" long (25-50th percentile) and 14.1 lbs (25th percentile). She said he is growing great and to keep doing what I am doing! By the next appointment he will be trying solids! Eeek!

Date night with Natalie

2011-06-18T20:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight Keith took Natalie to Chick Fil A's Daddy Daughter Date night. I love that this fast food restaurant does all sort of fun things like this! They went and ate, there was a guy playing the guitar, Natalie got a rose, and they got free dessert! The best part though was the carriage ride. How cool is that? It was a horse drawn carriage through a neighboring parking lot.

Afterwards Natalie asked Keith if he rode carriages when he was little, since in the old day they rode carriages. Wondering if they had cars when he was little. Ha! I Had a good laugh over that one.

I am glad that my kids have a Daddy that likes to take them out on fun adventures. I remember doing fun things like that with my Dad, and those have become some of my cherished memories. It's so great to see my kids doing activities that will become memories for them down the road.

The big 5! Oh...

2011-05-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

So, three months ago Brady turned five. It was a fun day! I don't want to forget, and I am sure family would like to see what we did!

We started off with our traditional donut breakfast at Shipley's. Yummy!

And messy! As Brady is showing here in his Mama made birthday shirt!

The rest of the day included school, where we took muffins for birthday treat. A picnic at the park with his closest friends. And then moving over to a house so that we could eat cupcakes without getting blown away! It was windy windy that day!

That evening after Natalie got home we finally had birthday dinner and then to the best part...presents! Want a cheap and entertaining gift for a five year old?

Musical greeting cards! Especially one that sings "shake your groove thang". I still hear them dancing in the bedroom to the card every now and then. Both kids love these things!

Work it Brady!

This kid was convinced, CONVINCED, all leading up to his birthday that I was gonna get him the "episode five lego set". Of course, we did. He was over the moon thrilled. He loves Star Wars and he loves Legos. Combine the two? Childhood bliss!

Poor kid only got 4 candles on his cake, but we drew a 5! He didn't care, he got cake and he got to stay up late! It was a good birthday, if low key, and I think he felt how much we love and adore him. He has truly transitioned into 5 with flying colors. No longer is he my soft and squishy 4 year old that will snuggle on my bed with me and watch PBS kids. He plays so wonderfully on his own, creating imaginative scenarios and wonderful stories. He loves art, and is proving to be a very good artist! He is so sensitive and loving, yet isn't afraid to get his cranky on. We love our Brady boy and he will always be my sweet baby!

Blood and Gore

2011-05-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Brady has a habit of coming in to our room in the middle of the night complaining of growing pains. It ranges anywhere from his ankle hurting to his legs to his head or neck. Friday night the kids were a little wild and feeding off of each other so we let Brady start in the spare bed. It's a little taller and a little bigger than his normal bed (can you see where this is headed?).

Sometime in the middle of the night Brady came crying into our room cry-saying, "my head is hot". I put my hand to his forehead and pulled my hand away wet. I was like, this kid is burning up! So out we go to get him out of his hot jammies, maybe get him a drink, and as soon as we get into the dim light of the kitchen I can see that what I thought was sweat was BLOOD. ALL over Brady's face. ALL. OVER.

My initial reaction was bloody nose. He gets them often enough that I figured that's what it was, so I take my gore covered child to the bathroom and we start cleaning it up, all the while keeping his head tipped back to stop the flow. While I am trying to clean the blood that has clotted on his eyelashes and shmeared on his forehead I realized, CRAP. Not a nosebleed. He had a quarter inch gash on his forehead. The kid had fallen off the bed and smacked his forehead on the night stand! Yikes! Apparently he was saying that he hit his head hard, NOT that his head was hot. (I blame sleep deprivation!)

Now I begin flipping out, because there is a visible bump and this gash is wide. I whisper called Keith to come help and together we began cleaning up Brady. Thankfully we had some butterfly bandages because I certainly didn't want to take him in for a stitch or two (which if it would have been Natalie, we would have! Can't have a giant scar on a girl face!). It was actually so bloody and gory that I had to go sit down because I was feeling faint!

Anywho, Brady took it like a champ and never cried after he got me up. Afterwards we found a super heartbreaking blood trail across the house. What a brave boy! How scary to fall out of bed, hit yourself and then feel blood oozing on your face. It breaks my heart to think about it! He is gonna come out of this with a pretty gruesome forehead scar, but hey, chicks dig scars, right? I sure hope so!

All bandaged up. He got lots of attention at church today with this sucker on his head!

And just because, a current pic of our little Wyatt. He is getting quite chubby, and I absolutely adore it!

Stacie Eldredge Photography

2011-05-03T20:45:00.000-05:00

I have this friend. She is amazing! She takes amazing pictures, she has a great eye for soft, natural pictures. She took our family pictures at the beginning of December and I somehow never linked up to them! See them here: Family pictures pre Wyatt.

She also came over (after a serious last minute call from me) to take some newborn pictures of Wyatt. She even came the day before she jetted off to Utah. I am ever so grateful for her coming then. We captured such a sweet age! See Wyatt's newborn pictures here.

And just in case I didn't link to them, you can also see the amazing shots she got of Wyatt in the NICU. I tell ya, she is a great friend (for more reasons that just the pictures, obviously), but these are memories I will cherish forever! NICU pics here.

If you are in the DFW area, I suggest you stop by her blog and check it out. Then schedule your photo session post haste!

One month: 4/22/11

2011-05-03T20:30:00.000-05:00

Hopefully I can get a better picture next month! Little monkey wouldn't look at me!

Easter pics

2011-05-03T20:28:00.000-05:00

We had such a fun Easter weekend! It was supposed to be the weekend Wyatt arrived, but he was already a month old. Grandma Lori was sick when Wy was born so we planned on her still coming (and spoiling us) for Easter weekend (but that is a whole nother post). I tried somewhat to get our clothes to match. These are the best of the pictures. Brady is in his new, serious. crazy. face. stage. And as you will see below, they are pretty funny, but not so much good for family photos!

His face in the below picture? Priceless. Funny enough to allow the picture to be posted, even with my triple chin!

Keith and my genes mix really, really well. Love this beatiful girl!

And a few fun jumpy pictures!

Surprise!!!

2011-05-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

*I started this post in the hospital, and yes, it has taken me a month to sit down and finish. Such is life with a new baby, no?*

The best laid plans, right? All throughout my pregnancy I have been telling everyone that I wanted to wait to go into labor instead of scheduling a C section. I knew I was gonna have a C, but I wanted to wait to do it until Wyatt was ready to come out. Little did I know...

So Monday night (the 21st) after a long day Keith and I settled into bed pretty early due to a pretty big lineup of repair men and doctors appointments and carting kids to this school and that for the following day. Basically I was dreading Tuesday like no other. I think lights were off before 10 for sure. I woke up around 12:30 and had to use the bathroom, but didn't want to because that meant traipsing through the house to go potty, seeing as how our toilet was ripped out of the floor the day before for repairs! As I laid in bed trying to talk myself into getting up I felt myself go a little bit. My first thought? Sweet. Pregnant lady wets the bed. *sigh* But, I couldn't stop it. And it happened a little bit more. FINE body. I am getting up. Sheesh.

So I waddled myself into my bathroom to check out the damage and clean up and as soon as the clothes started to come down, the liquid did too. Whoa nellie. Wasn't expecting that. Took me all of a half a millisecond to realize something big was happening. My. Water. Just. Broke. and broke and broke and broke. Seriously so much waters! (Which makes sense seeing as how at every doctors appointment they told me baby had plenty of cushion!) And it took me about five minutes to calm down long enough to realize..."hey, instead of letting my water break all over the floor, maybe I should get IN the shower." Ha! Had a good chuckle at that one.

So, since I was completely unprepared for what had happened, and Keith and I were pretty much out of it (seeing as how I woke him by yelling, "Um Keith?? I am pretty sure my water just broke!!") , the first thing I thought to do was call my friend Danielle. She is seriously my maternity whisperer. So she told me what to do (call the doctor, duh) calmed me down, and assured me she would take the kids. Ok, we can do this. Basically the next 30 minutes were spent cleaning up, packing the rest of my hospital bag (or at least what we could find and think of!) and waking the kids. It was crazy. And all during this I was still gushing. Eventually, through all the madness, we got everything packed, and together and in the car and on the way. Only thing we forgot was my pillow and clothes to wear after the birth, I even remembered my blankie!

Oh, and I should pause to mention that the kids were such troopers! We had to wake them up, and pack them in the car in the middle of the night. Brady was so sweet, once he realized what was happening he said, "Wyatt is coming tonight!!" They were very cooperative, especially since we seriously hadn't talked about what we were going to do when the baby came AT. ALL. They had no prep! In all of our minds Wy wasn't coming for another month!

After we dropped the kids off at Danielle's (serious. life. saver.), we headed over to the hospital, they took us straight up to triage and there I got all settled while they got in touch with the on call doc (who told me, "oh, I remember your call! I was hoping you would just come in, because your message cut off" Not surprising since I was probably freaking out while leaving the message!) . Oh, and all through this I was still draining! (SUCH a weird feeling. Like someone turned a faucet on inside of me)

So much happened the next three hours. I finally finished draining, which brought on contractions (not so much fun, those) which prompted the doc to go ahead and do my C then (instead of waiting for a more reasonable hour of the day). I was surprisingly calm the whole time, probably somewhat of a chatterbox because I was in such shock! The worst pain was the IV (3 tries this time), and then they wheeled me into the operating room, sat me up for my spinal (way less freaky this time) and soon it was time to take him out! I honestly love the pressure that you feel when they are moving the baby out, because you are so numb you can't feel anything else! I asked Keith if he was watching and he said he started too, but since it was 3 in the morning and he had no food in his belly, he thought it best to look away as they cut his wife's stomach open (sounds like a good plan).

At 3:37 am on Tuesday, March 22nd our little baby, Wyatt Ernest Bowers was born! He was 5 lbs. 4.6 oz, 18 inches long. And seriously amazing! What an unexpected, amazing adventure that night turned out to be!

Woot!

2011-04-17T19:44:00.000-05:00

We finally have Internet in the house! I have so much, so very very much to write about! Crazy things have happened since we have moved into the house. Not the least of which is that we had Wyatt one month early!

So soon, be on the look out for posts about the new place, the new babe, and all the stress that has accompanied those things.

It's been a wild and wonderful last few weeks, that is for sure!

It's time

2011-03-18T19:42:00.000-05:00

As I sit here at the computer, giving my hips a brief rest, and fighting off tears, I realized...I am gonna miss this house. I really am! So much has happened, and so much growth has taken place inside these walls. It was our first house. I clearly remember the excitement of moving out of an apartment to a place with our very own yard! and garage! and 3 bedrooms! and bookcases as far as the eye can see!

It's quiet now. The house is pretty much a shell filled with boxes and furniture. Keith is gone taking a van load of odds and ends to the new place. The kids are both fast asleep, in their naked rooms, ready to wake up early and play at a friends. Not really grasping that this is it. The last night in their special rooms, their first rooms. That the dinner so lovingly prepared by a friend was the last dinner. That tomorrow it will all be gone, whisked away by friends and family off to a new place. With new beginnings.

Natalie told me that she already misses this house, that the new place doesn't feel safe. That it's...different. I told her it would become safe when we are in it. We will make it comfortable and turn into into a HOME and not just an empty shell of a house. But I get exactly what she means. We have a routine here. It's all we've known for 2 years. Pretty much all Brady really knows at all. It will be hard to leave. Harder than I thought it would be.

I know that soon the sad feelings will pass. When the boxes start getting unloaded and the walls filled with pictures. But right now I wonder why, with every new and exciting thing, does there always seem to be a bit of sadness mixed in? I assume part of it is my maternity hormones kicking in to full speed, but I know that a part of it is the moving on. Growing up we moved a lot. A LOT. And every time it was hard. Hard to leave friends, and familiar streets. Hard to meet new people, and be the "new kid" again. I am so grateful, so very very grateful my kids don't have to change schools. That would be too much. I don't know how I ever did that so many times as a child.

I guess this post has no real point. But I want to remember how I felt. That I did love it here. This house was good to me, and good to my family. And now we get to move to a house of our very own, and I hope it will treat us just as well.

today

2011-03-10T13:38:00.001-06:00

5:30 am: get awoken by Natalie saying she is hungry and can we get up now.
5:31 am: tell her to go back to her room and DO NOT come out until at least 6. for. the. love.
6:00 am: go get Natalie and head to the kitchen to cook my food and start getting everyone up and ready for the day, lunch packed, hair done, clothes put on, check blogs and fb, etc.
6:45-7:15am: proceed to melt down with tears and general hysterics over the rude responses and mean looks being exchanged between kids and directed at me. Make the kids sad because I am sad. Meh. Maybe seeing Mom cry over their meaness will make it stop? One can only hope.
7:15 am: kneel down for family prayer, asking for patience and kindess and obedience and the like. Can't we all just get along?
7:20 am: out the door and off to take Nat to school.
8:00 am: arrive back, send Brady to his room to play, hop in the shower.
8:15-8:45: rush around frantically trying to get B dressed, myself dressed, my hair actually dried and styled(a sure cure for some morning blues) and out the door for preschool.
9:00 am: drop Brady off for preschool, head to Target for prescription pickup, a few things for the baby, a gift for a birthday girl, a 12 pack of Diet DP.
9:45 am: off to first Doc appt. of the day. *sigh*
10:15 am: pee in a cup, get to see the baby, listen to the nutritionist tell me how to read the labels, listen to the doc tell me that my blood pressure is a bit high (first time ever for that) and that I need to cut down on activity. ha. hahahaha. ha.
11:15 am: head to Home Depot to set up an appointment for a window guy to come and measure our windows for an estimate.
11:30 am: Talk to very nice man about our options for window coverings.
11:45 am: Cry a little inside at the guesstimate costs of putting shutters and/or blinds on all of our windows.
12:00-12: 30 pm: fill out paperwork, blah blah blah. (wonder if we really NEED window treatments, I mean, who cares if the neighbors can see our every waking and sleeping move...)
12:40 pm: Leave store with an arm full of temporary shades and a slightly lighter pocketbook.
1:00 pm: pick up Brady from preschool, rush home to get him some food, use the bathroom for the 20th time today, and sit down for a few seconds.

and here I am. Still to come?

2:15 pm: Second doc appt, this time with OB. The last of the in and out appointments. Next week? Pelvic exams begin. Yay.
3:00 pm: pick up Natalie from school.
3:30 pm: plop kids in front of the boob tube and curl up in my bed for some rest (see previous mention of cutting down my activity)
5:00 pm: prepare dinner...oh man. Dinner! What on Earth are we gonna eat for dinner....
6:30 pm: kids in bed. or. else. Seriously.
7:00 pm: turn on MY boob tube shows and hopefully start chipping away at packing the kitchen.
8:00 pm: glance up to welcome Keith home. Maybe a hug, if he's lucky.

We shall see how late I last.

*sigh*

Oh yeah, and I still need to unload/load the dishwasher and fold the whites sitting in the dryer. There's time for that, right?

seven.

2011-03-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

random Brady

2011-03-08T08:06:00.001-06:00

Yesterday Brady says to me, "Mom, we are having a baby soon, and moving into a new house, and I just turned 5 and Sissy's birthday is coming up! That's 4 miracles!" He is just too sweet. These kids are so darn excited for the baby. Brady is constantly saying he is much more excited for Wyatt than for the new house, and then quickly reassures me he is also excited to move.

Right now he is in his room making his bed and cleaning his toys so he can check off some boxes on a little chore chart they sent home with him from preschool. I think I need to jump on that excitement and make a chore chart for the new house. I mean he is So. Excited. to put a check in that little box! 5 can be such a great age, but it's also hard because he is truly transitioning from a toddler to a child.

I think Natalie forgets sometimes that Brady has his own imagination too, it will be good for Brady when the baby comes because I think we will all start to view him as a kid, not "the baby". We haven't had any teary moments lately where he cries to me that he doesn't want to grow up, and wants to be my baby forever. Those are heartbreaking, and I always reassure him that he will ALWAYS be my baby. If only we could keep them small and sweet forever.

life

2011-03-03T17:05:00.000-06:00

1. I think I am slowly losing my mind. You know when you go to the grocery store and you think, "do we have any of this at home?" and you hem and haw until you buy it, and you get home and low and behold, you DID have some of it at home? I keep doing that with tortillas. I think I have about 50 tortillas in my fridge. Seriously. We also have far too many cans of diced green chilis, but at least those aren't gonna spoil on me!

2. Natalie is currently in her room listening and singing along to Taylor Swift. Granted it's not the newest CD, full of songs about her current and past relationships, but still. Hold me.

3. Brady told me he is WAY more excited about Wyatt than the new house. I agreed with him. I can't believe we've only got 6 or so weeks left. And between now and then the amount of work that needs to get done is insane. I try not to think about it. I know it will get done though. I am pretty great when I procrastinate.

4. My girlfriends and I have been on this amazing crafty kick. It's certainly fun and keeps my mind engaged. I feel like if I don't do something where I have to think on some level or another I start to get blue. It's hard to fill blue when you are in a house full of amazing women and adorable kids. I wonder what our next project will be...

5. Danielle and Karen threw me my first ever baby shower last week. I about died. They did so so much, and I loved every bit of it. D wrote up a whole post here, aaand since I am too lazy to steal the pics you can go there to check it out. I can't believe I never had a shower with the big kids. Makes me sad. I think I may be getting another one for Wyatt though (spoiled? yes!), so then I will consider myself properly baby showered!

6. This house thing is like, really happening. IN. SANE. I drove by today and I saw that they had started fixing some of our requests (putting the storm windows and screens back on) and it's super exciting. Packing is going, slowly, but going. I am kind of an expert at it by this stage in my life. I have moved far more times than any person ever should.

7. Peanut Butter and Dill Pickle Sandwiches. Seriously. These are my new best friend. It's not even a pregnancy craving thing, they are just good. It's like the ultimate in salty/sweet combo and you MUST try it. At least once. Get your favorite bread, thinish layer of PB on both sides, and then a few slices of dill pickle in the middle. I get the pre-sliced pickles and it takes 3. Oh my goodness. It's so fun, and so good, AND GD approved! Yay!

8. I have started packing my hospital bag. Too early, probably. But, I don't want anything that I may need in the hospital to get packed and then not unpacked in time. Plus I found a cute bag at a recent trip to Sam Moon with Sarah, and I couldn't just let it sit there empty! Any tips on what I should take? I don't want to forget anything! So far I have a potential first outfit, a bunch of teeny socks, my little toiletry kit for Wyatt, the first blankie I bought him, and I think that's it. I need to get some cute slippers or socks for me, regular clothes will go in right before we leave. But what else do I take for baby?

diapers and mail (and a few sneak peeks)

2011-02-28T11:36:00.000-06:00

Years ago when we made the "big trek" from Portland to Charleston one of our neighbors gave us 50 12x12 priority mail boxes to help us pack. He ran a business from his home and had a surplus of these "free" boxes, and we gladly snatched them up. Over the years with our moves we have lost a few here and there, but for the most part they have stuck around. So every time we move it looks like I am running a post office in my house! Please do not ship our stuff, we need it! It does make me smile though, all those many many tiny little boxes stacked around the house. They sure are easier to carry than huge boxes filled with books!

We also learned early on to save, save, save those diaper boxes! So right now the corner of our living room looks like a certain aisle at baby's r us! Diapers as far as they eye can see. Slightly embarrassing when our friends come help us move, but again, we didn't have to pay for the boxes...well, at least nothing beyond the necessary expense of covering our kids bums! Hopefully we aren't the only ones that have packed things in crazy random boxes! Cardboard is cardboard, right? Right!

Oh, and I know so many people have been asking for pics to the house, well of course all the listings have been taken down (eeep!) but I did save a few, and I will take some of my own, and hopefully a walk through video, as soon as I can get back in there! We have to sit back and wait now for all the minor repairs to be taken care of. Until then here are a few from the realtor listings. They really don't do it justice, but it's so hard to photograph an empty house! And...I realized I copied mostly pictures of the kitchen, my favorite room in the house!

View from the street. It's on a nice quiet street, and right across from a historic graveyard, creepy and kinda cool!

View into the kitchen from what will be craft area.

Cut out over the sink looks right into the den, no more doing dishes all alone in the corner of the house!

Sunroom at the back of the house, this will be the baby proofed play room. I can't wait to fill this up and let the kids go to town! The cut out in the wall on the right looks into what will be our eating area. So when I am cooking, I can see the kids playing. I love that. (Plus a little peek at the pool and Keith's basketball hoop!)

Fireplace in the den with another cut out looking into the playroom. When they remodeled they cut out all the walls to really open it up. Now every room looks into this central den. I love an open floor plan, but so many older homes don't have that. I was so thrilled to find a house with all these "half walls" to keep us connected no matter where we are!

And the eating area. Can't wait to fill those shelves with all my kitchen stuff. No more rummaging around under the stove or pulling out a chair to look above the fridge! Finally my vintage bake ware can be out and about!

I seriously have to pinch myself about a thousand times a day that this house is ours. It doesn't seem real, or possible. But Keith has worked so hard and it has finally paid off. I just never thought the day would actually come!

I need...

2011-02-22T16:36:00.000-06:00

...this sign in my home. Found here. But I am wondering how easy it would be to make it on my own (is that bad?).

Etsy finds {Friday} Saturday

2011-02-19T07:33:00.001-06:00

I feel like I have been a real Debbie Downer on the blog lately. Well, last time at least, since I haven't blogged in ages. One of the blogs I read features a bunch of cute things from Etsy that she finds "window shopping" each week and I have certainly been doing my fair share of window shopping! I thought I would lighten up the mood by showing some of my favorite baby finds. Because, who doesn't love baby things? No one, that's who!

Seriously. This hat is the cuteness.

I LOVE these natural wooden teethers you see all over, but this design is just over the top. There is a little hedgehog one out there too, but the mustache is by far the cutest!

Love this little see through "ouch pouch". So much better than having everything floating around in the bottom of your diaper bag!

I love these simple grey shoes! Soft and comfy for newborn feet. And I just love shoes on babies!

Only a few more weeks (sounds better than 2 months) of waiting and we will have our little bean to hold and snuggle. Looking at cute stuff keeps me sane. Especially on an early Saturday morning when I had to force myself to get up and eat my breakfast at my assigned time of 6:30 am. *sigh*

Stressed because...

2011-02-17T17:22:00.000-06:00

1. House inspection. For those of you that have ever purchased a house, you know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you that haven't? You aren't missing much! Basically a guy comes into your dream home, spends a few hours poking in/under/around your home and then proceeds to sit you down and scare the crap out of you. And also make you cry...or maybe that is just if you are pregnant. And then you cross your fingers and pray like crazy that the seller will repair the things that need to be repaired so that ~~your husband~~ you and your husband will feel comfortable enough moving in to said dream home.

2. Medical bills. Seriously. I miss the days of medicaid. Oh, to be a poor college student again! It was so nice to get off free and easy with our first two pregnancies. Now we are repaying our debt to society, forking over tons of money for insurance, and in turn paying 20% of all bills accrued. Holy crap. 20% is a lot. Especially when you have to have a C section. What does insurance do again??

3. Gestational Diabetes. Not only do I have to pay for all my testing supplies this time (see above), it's still a big pain in my patootie to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day, all at the same exact times. Every. Day. I also have to poke my finger 4 times a day, and test my keytones each morning (I will spare you the details on that). Oh, and don't forget that the meals and snacks I am eating? All regulated with a certain number of this or that, and very little room for processed foods. Which to me equals TIME. Which I have very little of anyways. I forsee lots of scrambled egg sandwiches on english muffins and salad with chicken and lots of veggies in my future. *sigh*

4. School participation. I have totally slacked in helping out at Nat's school this year. Last year I went and helped twice a week with her lunches, this year? Nada. Not a one single time. I just can't! I can't break away from the house, I barely have the energy I need to keep this place in some semblance of order, let alone spend time up there wrangling juice boxes and fetching napkins. Maybe next year. Maybe.

5. On top of all of this, on top of being 31 weeks pregnant (and feeling and looking like I am 38 weeks), on top of Keith working up to 50 hours a week and going to school 4 nights a week (and trying to find time to read for said school) we are trying to move! Are we insane?? Some may say yes, but I do know this is what we are supposed to be doing. Everything is falling into place, but it's still a lot on the table, and all at once. packing. moving. unpacking. BABY. Oh dear. Wish us luck!

five.

2011-02-16T09:38:00.000-06:00

So...

2011-02-15T06:53:00.000-06:00

I am hoping that I can find my blogging groove again, and soon, because LOTS of changes to come around the Bowers house in the next few months.

Here's a clue to a biggie. And I mean a BIGGIE.

Keep an eye out for more pics and hopefully more documentation of our daily doings. You know, all the real fun stuff. ;)

I did it!

2011-01-20T18:39:00.000-06:00

It's been a banner night. I have to record it for posterity's sake.

I made dinner. REAL dinner (enchiladas, rice, and corn).

Cleaned the kitchen. All the way clean.

Bathed the kids. BOTH kids. They smell like vanilla cupcakes now. Yum.

Helped finish homework.

Presided over family scripture reading and prayer.

Got the kids into bed, BY BEDTIME. Which is 6:30. Woot.

and the best part? NO. SCREAMING. Not a single bit. From Mama or children.

I have done all these things before, but all together, on the same night, without Keith, AND with serious belly button pain (how weird is that??!). Truly epic. I am so. very. proud. of myself!

nice.

2011-01-03T07:22:00.000-06:00

This morning as we are all sitting on the bed basking in the glow of Daddy being home, and actually still HOME this morning, Natalie looks at me and asks sweetly, "do you have time to shower?"

Um, what?

I asked her why, and she just smiled sweetly. It didn't take long for my mind to flash back to a previous conversation she had with me when she mentioned that, "I love when you shower and get dressed to take me to school, Mama."

Boo.

It's not like I take her to school with curlers in my hair and bunny slippers on my feet! Shoot! I don't even get out of the car! No one can even see my pajama clad bottom half.

But, I love her, so I told her that even though, no, I am not showering, I will actually put a bra and a normal shirt on. She then asked for jeans. Tough luck kiddo, sweat pants it is.

Some favorite Christmas moments...

2010-12-26T17:36:00.000-06:00

1. Keith heading to the kitchen immediately after presents are done being unwrapped so he can set up his new, beloved, toaster oven. And he thinks I didn't notice all the 1,000 times he mentioned how cool it would be to have one.

2. Natalie singing the Gloria chorus from "Angels we have Heard on High" in the bathtub, at the top of her sweet little lungs.

3. Brady singing, "It's a pillow! It's a pet! It's a pillow pet!" All. day. long.

4. Feeding my family this easy and delicious chicken for our Chinese food feast! yum!

5. Natalie telling me that Santa must really know her, because he sure got her just what she likes! Ha! If only she knew...

6. Getting to be surprised! Keith always has one trick up his sleeve and this year it was a Nintendo DS. I have long had a love with the Nintendo hand held systems, from the time I was in 5th grade and forked out my own money to buy the big gray game boy. Now I have my very PINK one!

7. No fighting between the kids. All. Day. Long. It surely was a Christmas miracle, and I loved every minute of it!

8. Brady's face when he came out to the living room and saw his new Buzz Lightyear bike from Santa. I don't care who you are, getting a bike under the tree for Christmas is pure awesomeness!

9. Being able to share our Christmas with Erin for a second year in a row. It's so nice to have another family member in our home to share the day with. Next year it will be the baby!

10. Speaking of the baby, we also had a little family conference and decided that we are officially going with Wyatt Ezra for our little bean's name. Of course, it may change before he comes, but this just feels right, and for know is what we are sticking with!

Holy crap!

2010-12-16T09:20:00.000-06:00

1. I am pregnant! PREGNANT! As in, expecting a THIRD baby! Yeah. Wow. (just in case you forgot...)

2. I am married to a lawyer. Which is crazy, because my parents are lawyers. And they are parents, you know, like, old and stuff. How did I get old enough to be married to a lawyer? A real honest to goodness, people-ask-him-for-lawyerly-advice lawyer. Craziness.

3. Speaking of old. I am 28. TWENTY EIGHT. Um, how on Earth did that happen? For reals.

4. I made these:

(with a little help...)

Why I...

2010-12-14T13:54:00.000-06:00

...thrift! Because today, for less than the cost of one baby sleeper from Target, I got all these cute clothes for our little man. Each one is like new, and all I had to do was dig through a few duds to find some gems! It helps that some of them, already priced low were an additional 50% off. Yay!

Gerber monkey romper (.99), Circo "party in my crib" sleeper ($1.98, the most expensive I will ever pay, but it's cute, and seriously never been worn), Just one Year monkey shirt (.50)

Carter's itty bitty outfit ($1.50, also brand new), Dwell studio onesie (.50)

All that for $5.50! Makes me happy inside. Is that weird?

Changes

2010-12-13T10:36:00.001-06:00

I was thinking today how awesome it is that life changes so much year to year. So many things have happened, for the good, in our lives this past year. And we are in such a different place now than we were then.

Some of the more noteworthy things to happen between last December and now...

...a slew of new, wonderful girlfriends. Seriously. The women in my life right now constantly amaze me with their realness and sweetness and just plain awesomeness. I have said before that I feel that the Lord knows me, and thus has always blessed me with great friends. Right now is no different. And I feel that I am making more special bonds that will last for ages.

...the baby, of COURSE! Last year I was in that sad, never gonna happen to me stage, and it was awful. How to celebrate anything when all I could think about was the fact that the baby Keith and I had been praying for was not yet supposed to be joining us here on Earth. How happy am I this season knowing that in a few short months my life will, yet again, be turned upside down by the arrival of a new little man!

...Natalie is in first grade. Seriously. FIRST GRADE. She has grown so much since last year. She used to be timid and shy, and still mourning the loss of her first school. Now she is beautiful and brave and sassy as can be. Keith and I will look at each other sometimes and just marvel at the fact that this little lady is OURS. And she is just getting better (albeit sassier) with time! I can't believe that next year she will be in second. That is a big milestone for me. Second grade was a tumultuous year for me, and to have a daughter that same age, an age I remember well, will be noteworthy for sure.

...Brady is...well, Brady. He is so so old, but he wants so badly to stay the baby forever. I have been trying to wean us from each other. That is what you get when it's just the two of us, every day, all day. We are the best of buds, and he knows how to tug my heart strings. On more than one occasion these last few weeks he will start to tear up and say how he never wants to get older, and wants to stay little so he can be with me forever. If only those feelings would never go away. I know though, that I will always be his special Mama, and he will always be my special Buddy. Somethings never change though...the kid still loves his Star Wars and Legos!

...Keith is back in school. Last year I never would have thought that we would be doing this stinking school thing AGAIN. Ugg. I hate it, I really do. I am happy now though, because the semester is over and so all Keith has is work and us! And maybe even some free time to hang with some friends. I will be very grateful in a few years when he is completely done, but I know that sticking it out and getting his LLM will be beneficial to steady career placement and to our well being in the future! Gotta think about college and missions!

... and me! I almost forgot about Bits or Bobbins... oops! I can't believe how good opening that store was for me. It gave me something to do, and really validated the use of one of my "talents". It was good to have so much positive feedback on something that I always question the value of. I did put the store on hold in September and it has been nice, though it's constantly nagging the back of my mind. I have decided to open up the first week of January. that will give me time to take pics of new items, and maybe think about putting some of my fun vintage and thrifted finds in a new special section.

Pretty much life is good. Ups and downs appear of course, but it's never something a good long nap or time out can't fix! I feel so blessed. Oh, and I promise a picture post soon!

chilly!

2010-12-07T09:44:00.000-06:00

It is finally starting to feel like winter around here. We are constantly bundled in socks, slippers, sweats, and piles and piles of blankets, and we even have the heat on! Ha! We have been living in Texas so long our bodies aren't used to the cold. Sad day.

All this cold weather makes me want to cook WARM things. Though I would prefer to eat a nice hoagie sandwich every night, the family gets sick of it. Enter chili. I have never been a scratch chili maker, we always got the good stuff in the can, or jar and were satisfied with that. I have seen the error of my ways and have now been converted to the ease and yumminess that is crockpot chili. It's different every time, but always good.

I have a batch going right now that is:

1 pkg Jimmy Dean's breakfast sausage, browned well
1 lb. hamburger, browned well
2 cans chili beans, undrained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can tomato sauce
1 pkg of fajita seasonings...I didn't have a pkg of chili seasonings! Yikes! Smells good though, and I think the lime in the fajita stuff will add a little something special.

Throw it all in the crockpot and let simmer all day.

Best part about chili is you can serve it a million ways. We have eaten it over rice with cheese, over Frito's with cheese and sour cream, topped with cheese and a side of cornbread...the list goes on!

How do you like your chili? And do you have a favorite, easy recipe? Please share!

window screen shopping

2010-12-06T10:44:00.000-06:00

Of course the first thing I did after we found out my growing bean is a boy, was find some time to do some online window shopping! Keith and I were able to look together one night, and that makes it even better. We found a bedding set we both love, and then I went a bit wild from there. Here are some cute things that are inspiring me for this baby boy!

Here is the bedding we like. It's a little muted on the colors, so I don't know if we will get this, but we both love the idea of the little woodland creatures. Plus of course, it's semi-unisex...just in case! ;)

And I have had these clothing dividers in my favorites on Etsy for ages and ages. They are so clever, and especially adorable! Such a smart way to keep tabs on what you have and what you need!

And I am so in love with these prints from Lee ArtHaus. I love almost every single one, these are just a few of the many I have my eye on. Wouldn't these add such a bright whimsical touch to a nursery? And they are cool enough to grow with him, at least for a little bit!

And maybe a little something something for mama! I love these "chomping necklaces" specially made for teething babies. So cute! I know a few Mamas now that would benefit from these...hmm...very good Christmas ideas. :)

blogging fail and a birthday weekend!

2010-12-04T17:05:00.000-06:00

So obviously, posting every day in December isn't happening. Whatever. I have been busy ~~sleeping~~ working hard on keeping the house clean...ish.

Anywho. Yesterday was my birthday. The big 2-8. And I have to say it was probably the best birthday (including today) that I have ever had. Ever.

The day started out with sweet birthday wishes from my kids and Keith, and a surprise present in the form of a mix "tape" made just for me by my honey! He actually listened to me this year! I told him, he didn't have to spend money, just time, and it would be fabulous. I love the CD, and it's nice to know that he hand picked each song for a special reason.

After dropping Natalie off at school and napping with Brady for a bit we headed to the OB for the BIG ultrasound. You know the one. Where we check to make sure the baby is healthy, and the spine is straight, and the palate is formed, oh yeah, and the SEX OF THE BABY! I could barely sleep Thursday night, I was so nervous! After a very thorough US confirming that I am growing a healthy, whole, baby the nurse told us it was time to check. As soon as she put that wand where it was supposed to be and those little legs and tushy popped up, I knew. Ain't no mistaking those "boy parts" (as the tech called them). Anywho, it is a boy! 100%. To be honest I was sad. Really sad. But we were happy about the health, and after a few sad moments and a check with my OB we headed out.

Keith had to go back to work and Brady and I headed over to my friend's house for lunch with a few of my most favorite ladies. Which is where I broke down and cried it out for my hopes of having a girl being dashed. I would have preferred to cry it out at home, in private, but such is life! It was nice though to be surrounded by friends that get it and didn't judge. After crying they proceeded to spoil me by making me lunch and pretty much treating me like a princess. Love you girls! Thanks for a wonderful birthday afternoon!

Then...after all that excitement, Brady and I picked up Natalie, told her the news (she was neutral) and headed home to get changed for dinner out at Red Robin. But not just any dinner out, dinner with friends and spouses and kids. 17 in all, I think? It was a crazy fun time. And that was definitely helped by the fact that all the men sacrificed and squeezed into a corner booth with ALL the kids, sans a few babies. Seriously. And all for me. They rock! Proof that there are great men out there! It was a nice night, with lots of chatting, seriously good food, and just what I needed.

And, since I am making this post the longest one ever I will sum up Saturday morning as fast as I can. Keith let me sleep in, then I headed out for a little Christmas shopping and breakfast, by myself(!!), while he stayed home and cleaned. And not just cleaned, but CLEANED, the bathrooms. I almost fainted with delight. I was also granted a nap, with lunch ready when I woke up, AND he mowed the lawn. I told him he was setting himself up for failure every other year because he truly outdid himself this year. And he didn't have to spend a dime! That is my kind of birthday.

Oh, and this morning I am totally excited about the fact that it's a boy kicking it around in my stomach. I even bought him his first pair of shoes! Now it's time to get ready, only a few more (quick) months till he makes his arrival.

Baby's first photos:

profile shot. button nose!

Looking right at the camera!

Do you see what I see? Yep! It's a boy! (I like how she wrote "boy parts". Ha!)

My heart is full...

2010-12-01T22:02:00.000-06:00

I have decided that December for me is going to be the month that I kick start this bad blog again! My own personal BloPoMo (or blog posting month, if you aren't weird like me who knows that such a thing exists...). Anywho.

Tonight my heart is so full! And what a great way to start off a wonderful, spirit filled month. I hope to do a little something to serve the Lord and his children each day this month. I have been blessed beyond measure in my life, sometimes I wonder to myself, "why me?". Why do I deserve all these blessings? But we all deserve to be blessed! I just need to remember to be grateful and show that gratitude more often and to spread the wealth around with service!

I was able to be surrounded by some wonderful ladies tonight at my church's Relief Society Christmas party. We ate good food, heard good words, and had a rousing game to top it off. It's fun for me to see the Sister's in my ward grow closer together, and it's really fun for me to get to spend time with my awesome friends! I have been blessed with beautiful friends, that love me even if I get snippy or sassy, and they make me smile on a daily basis. Some say that good friends are hard to find, but these ladies fell into my lap and I scooped them up and don't know what I would do without them! Love you girls!

As I was driving home I had to say a little prayer of thanks or I thought my heart would seriously explode. *enter cheese here* I have a husband that is my perfect help meet, puts up with all my crap and my ups and downs, and lets me know when I need to simmer down. He is proof that the Lord loves me, because without Keith...let's face it, I would be a mess. My kids are pretty much made for me. They know how to drive me crazy, but I just can't get enough of them! I love to watch them grow and think and interact with each other. It pretty much doesn't get old, well, unless I am tired and cranky, of course, but even then, when they come in the room I can't help but smile, and I am always up for a cuddle! And don't even get me started on my little bean! (Yes, I am pregnant!!! That is definitely a major factor in my recent disapearance, all free time was spent sleeping the last 3 months, rather than writing) I just can't believe it's finally my turn, AND we get to find out what we are having on Friday! It's hard to contain myself actually, and I am surprised my friends are still talking to me. Ha!

Anywho, I know this post is quite possibly incoherent and downright rambly, but I had to put down all these thoughts before I fall asleep! I guess my point is, that even through struggles and hardships (and I do have those, don't get me wrong) there is always always something to be grateful for! And right now for me it's a beautiful family, blossoming new life, wonderful caring friends, and a Gospel that has helped me to fill my life with love abounding!

sweet November rain

2010-11-02T19:39:00.000-05:00

I have been hit with the Holiday spirit! Seriously, I don't know why it has taken me so long to realize that November is for sure my favorite month ever! All the anticipation of the holidays, but none of the rush. Today was rainy and cold and blustery and thundery and perfect. I drank hot chocolate, read my book, snuggled in bed, and dreamed of holiday crafts to come. I know you are due a catch up post (so many MANY things happened here in the last few months!) but I just had to share some of the fun inspiration that I found surfing the nets.

I can't wait to get started!

I want to make a thankful tree on our kitchen wall (along the lines of this, but more ME). I have so much cute fall-ish paper I can't wait to cut into it!

Something beautiful to hang on our nekkid living room wall like this! (found here) so so pretty! I don't have ANY Thanksgiving decorations, so this might be a great way to start.

And I am definitely gonna hit up the hardware store so I can make one of these lovely banners! (tutorial found here, posted by this lovely lady. Both are some of my favorite blogs these days). Alas it won't let me upload the picture, but follow the link, it's adorable!

What is inspiring you this November? I just LOVE the holidays!

I'm (almost) back...

2010-10-26T17:50:00.000-05:00

...soon! I promise. Very, very soon. Every day I feel like this is a time when I really should be documenting our day to day lives, and I think I will get my rear in gear soon, like tomorrow. So if any of you still read this, stay tuned for greatness...uh, yeah. Or just stay tuned!

free stuff

2010-08-13T09:01:00.001-05:00

I swear everyone is in giveaway mode in blog land! I don't often enter them, because they take too much work, but there is one going on over at Natalie's Sentiments that I had to try for! It's for a pair of SANUK vegan shoes. They are so cute, and too pricey for my blood, so I had to give winning a try!

Head over here to enter yourself (while you are there check our her blog, it's one of my favorites...no clue how I found her, but I sure love reading it!) and head over to Sanuk to check out the cool shoes. I want to get a pair for Keith if I win!

stop the presses!!!

2010-08-10T23:03:00.002-05:00

I actually digi-scrapped something! It's been MONTHS since I have done anything, but I got the urge this past week when my favorite designer had a huge sale in her shop. (One of the things I bought is still available here and actually the other kit I bought is here!)Spent 8 bucks, got a TON of mini kits and now I am weeding through them to see what I can create.

Here is my first foray back into the world of digital scrapping, I forgot half my shortcuts, and couldn't figure out how to add the drop shadows without doing it a seriously round about way, but at least my desktop is a bit cuter for the rest of the month. I am not wild about it, but it's a start! The kids picture obviously makes it about 300% better!

Grandparents feel free to snag this and make it your desktop too! How can you not love those cheesy grins?

Crafts I want to do...

2010-08-09T19:57:00.000-05:00

I spend a lot of my free time perusing the Internets and bookmarking fun craft and gift ideas. Here are a few that I WILL make...one day!

Paper dress banner in a shadow box. How cute is this? I love all the little details, and it is so feminine! Would make a great piece of art in a little girly room!

I WILL make this fabric monogram! I am really into monograms lately, I think they are just so fun and so personal! This one is truly almost TOO easy for a tutorial, but hey! I am just sad I didn't think of it first!

When Mindi comes we are TOTALLY making some of these wet bags! I need to work on my zipper skills...these will be perfect for Min because she does cloth diapers! Plus, any new Mom should really have a bag in her arsenal for all those blow out clothes! No one wants to be stuck with stinky clothes and no where to put them...been there, done that!

and a few more links...because I am too lazy to do the pictures! Ha!

Handmade baby blocks...what a great Christmas/birthday/baby shower gift!

Noodlehead's gathered clutch...a perfect way to practice my zippers!

Sketchbook caddy...with kids that love to draw as much as mine do I am actually ashamed I haven't made these yet. I smell a Christmas present in the works!

Toddler and crib sheets...somebody PLEASE let me make you some custom sheets! The possibilities are endless and I am dying to try this out!

So much to make so little time!

Mini bedroom makeover

2010-08-03T15:38:00.001-05:00

For the longest time Keith and I have neglected our poor bedroom. We had a white down comforter bought at least 4 years ago on black Friday, mismatched pillow cases and nothing on the big wall above the bed (there is a mostly before pic in this post, but the bed is in a different location). I have been wanting to remedy this for a long time, but short of buying a whole new bedroom set I was stumped, and since a new bedroom set is not in the works for us just yet...I was stuck with what I had! Which was bugging me! So I have been on the constant thrifty hunt for something just right for us, look wise and budget wise.

On a recent trip to Joanns with a friend we spotted these HUGE cardboard letters, and an idea was formed. On that same trip I found the perfect scrapbook paper in all of my favorite decorating colors, and a date was set to get to mod podging...one crafty afternoon later and voila! Some personalized wall art, made by me! I love the sconce things too. I got those AGES ago at wal mart and recently spray painted them cream. Much better than the original black.

Please ignore our teeny tiny pillows...I am too cheap to buy the big King ones, and another reason I never do is because I am holding out hope that we will get a smaller bed sooner rather than later!

The bedding was another great find! $27 for a King comforter, 2 shams and a bed skirt (thank you Ross! Love that store...)! Woo hoo! And I love the color, it's the perfect shade of aqua. We already had brown sheets, and then I used some of my Kohl's cash from school clothes shopping to get a frilly white sham and a super soft brown throw pillow. I would love to have a headboard, and actually I would love to have a queen bed, but for now, I love it! It looks like a real grown up bed, haha, and not so ho hum.

Now if only we didn't have so much clutter in our bedroom....hmmm...I smell another project in the works!

Giveaway!

2010-07-27T07:01:00.000-05:00

If you haven't gotten your hands on some of my stuff yet..now is the time! I am sponsoring another giveaway on a fun Etsy loving blog. Etsy it Up!

Head over there to find a discount code and enter for a chance to win $15 to my shop.

picture of a friday night

2010-07-23T17:17:00.000-05:00

1. Jack Johnson on Pandora.

2. My Mom's chili egg puff in the oven, and fresh fruit on the table.

3. Missionaries coming over for dinner.

4. Gloomy rain storm outside.

5. Fun new (used) video game for later on.

perfection

Shtuff to do

2010-07-17T22:50:00.000-05:00

Summer is FLYING by for me. I have just finally gotten into the lovely groove of sleeping in, and it's blissful, but it also makes for shorter days. I have been trying really hard to plan fun things for the kids and I to do, but more often than not we stay at home and entertain ourselves. I figure if they are playing nicely making elaborate Lego cities and not fighting, why disturb the (relative) peace just so we can go out somewhere and possibly have crankiness and whining on the agenda. No way. Not gonna happen. Even if I have to break up fights at least 3 times a day, it's still been pretty smooth around here (with the occasional forced morning nap). I think most siblings get sick of each other and need to be split up once in awhile, and mine are no exception!

Anywho, I have a whole list of things I wanted to get done this summer, and though some have been crossed off, many have not! Here are a few fun things I have planned, I would love feedback or ideas from you!

1. Creative Hands paint your own pottery studio. Heck I think this stuff is fun, so I know the kids will love it. And they have a great range of prices on the things to paint. That's a plus.

2. Going to a local pool. Like our favorite Howard Moore. I can't believe I haven't taken them to the pool yet, it's just too hot to really play outside! I am such a wuss when it comes to heat.

3. At home painting projects. One I am most excited for is some small canvases I am going to have the kids paint. I got a few colors that match my "color scheme" and I will let them each create a work of art, then we can display them proudly! I also got a few super cheap, like 50 cent, ceramic figurines that they can paint. I do love that they are old enough to paint paint paint! And to them it's such a treat.

4. Picnic and sprinkler party with friends. Hopefully this week! It won't be so unbearable sitting in the heat while the kids play if I have some Mama's to chat with!

5. A few more trips to the Fort Worth Museum. I still haven't actually taken JUST the kids, we always go with friends! I think I need to take them alone once...I don't know why, just for quality Mama time? Eh, I am probably just being weird on that one.

That's all the big stuff I have lined up this far. What are you doing to make the rest of the summer really great?

under construction!

2010-07-15T12:03:00.002-05:00

I really wanted to change up the look of the blog, but of course it takes up so much time! So it's gonna look a little crazy around here until I can sit back down to fix it...gotta get back to real life for a bit!

I think I need to make this.

2010-07-13T19:46:00.000-05:00

source

If you're bored...

2010-07-10T13:14:00.000-05:00

Head over the Etsy Fort Worth blog and enter this weeks giveaway! Up for grabs is $10 to spend in my friend Julie's shop Coco1981. She has tons of super cute knit and crocheted stuff, seriously something for everyone. Check it out and tell your friends!

How to: keep your kids entertained

2010-07-08T09:43:00.002-05:00

1. Pull all of the desks and tiny chairs from around the house, remove Mama's desk, and place strategically in the craft area to create a school, filled with coloring books and paper and crayons and markers galore.

2. Be sure to set up an art table complete with paper, glue, scissors and pencils, let them go to town.

3. And the teachers desk (for "learning time").

4. Leave the other half of the front room for sewing and messiness (wow! that is really messy, it's organized chaos I promise) and laundry.

5. Get to work (and play!)

Everyone is happy with this set up and we are all together beating the heat under the fans. Plus it's so fun to see the kids playing school, when I remember loving that game so much as a child!

what I made

2010-07-07T08:50:00.003-05:00

It appears as though this is gonna be a weekly thing for me. It is good, though, because it gets me sewing each week so that I have something to share with you on Wednesdays AND so that I can stay motivated and sewing to boost inventory! I have a HUGE craft fair coming up in September and I want to make sure my shop is stocked!

This first one is the same old stuff I normally make (ruffled bibs and burpies) but I just LOOOOVE this fabric so much that it has become one of my favorite items ever listed! I love the gray (grey?) with the bright floral pattern. So untraditionally girly. I hope this one gets snatched up soon, or I may decide to keep it myself.

This one is another take on my pink ruffled set, but I did the more traditional fluffy ruffles rather than my preferred flat ruffles. I ruffled a tube of fabric though, so that in the wash this one wont fray. Pretty cute, I'd say.

This burpie stands all alone, but I adore this fabric! I have fun finding things that aren't normally thought of for baby use and making them into baby things. It makes it more special than something you can buy at Target or WalMart (though that stuff is very cute too!).

And lastly a handful of onesies that I need to add to the shop this afternoon. The goldfish bowl was such a hit I made another, slightly different version. I tried my hand at a dino, but it's a tad wonky, so it will be cheaper than normal. And my fave top this week, a hand tie dyed onesie. My first time with tie dye and I love it!

Next week I promise to show what I have been creating that is NEW. I get in ruts and have to force myself to step outside what I normally make!

Linking up to my favorite blog parties this week!

A few open letters to those on the road.

2010-07-01T10:46:00.001-05:00

To the guy holding the cell phone 4 inches away from his ear,

   I don't care what you are doing, you are doing it wrong. If you are on speaker...you don't have to hold your phone like that, SERIOUSLY. That is what speaker is for! If the person on the other end is loud? Turn it down! Either way you look like a ~~douche~~ idiot and I am sick of having to stare at you while following you on the road.

                            Sincerely,
                                  the woman (not so) quietly making fun of how ridiculous you look.

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To the girl driving with the earbuds in,

   Pretty sure this is illegal, if not it's very dumb. At least it was back in the day of headphones, and earbuds are even worse (better...at blocking out sound). I want you to be able to hear me when I honk at you because you aren't going at the green light, so kindly take out the ear buds and use the radio.

                           Sincerely,
                                the woman laying on the horn behind you

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To the guy tilted back in his seat,

   Pretty sure the fact that you are listening to what sounds like polka music cancels out any street cred you think you may be earning by driving while practically lying down in the front seat of your car. Sit up. And change the channel while you are at it. You look (and sound ) like a fool.

                          Sincerely,
                               the woman wishing for earbuds

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To all the various ladies in the giant vehicles,

   If you can't drive it/park it/maneuver it, you don't deserve to have it. You aren't the only person on the road. Get over yourself and your ugly truck. I kind of ~~hate~~ strongly dislike you. Ugg. Oh and if you cut me off one more time, so help me....

                        Sincerely,
                             the woman in the van that she knows how to handle (except for that one time pulling into the
                             garage...)

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And lastly

To the old person driving 10 miles under the speed limit,

    I am sorry you are old, I really am. I have a soft spot in my heart for you, but honestly...if you can't drive, please don't. Because it is taking all of my willpower not to honk at you and mutter not so nice things under my breath. My kids don't need to hear that. So for their sake, pick up the pace!

                     Sincerely,
                           the woman trying really hard to cut back the (Mormon) swearing

A bit of sewing

2010-06-30T21:43:00.002-05:00

It's been a bit of a slow week over here as far as sewing goes, but I did manage to crank out a few new items. I try and only make things that I have fun doing, and I definitely enjoyed both of these projects!

I have so much fun coming up with fabric combos for these gift sets. I sold out of them at the craft fair (squeee!), so I only have this one listed right now. I have a stack of fun fabrics waiting to be turned into burpies and bibs, and hopefully I can tackle it this week! The colors and prints on this one have made it one of my favorites!

I originally bought this fabric to turn into a blankie, and I will, but I had some extra and decided that it should be bibs. And not just plain old bibs, monogrammed bibs! I have 3 waiting to have your babies monogram on them...or a baby you know ;) This H was for my friends little man, he's one of the cutest test subjects I know.

If I can get my rear in gear, next week will be a big update week! A few blankies that are done and waiting to have their picture taken and some really cute onesies, including some tiedye!

And don't forget to head over the Etsy Fort Worth blog before noon on Thursday to enter a drawing for $15 to my shop! Anyone can enter, and there are a few ways to get extra entries! Good luck!

I am linking up to these crafty parties! If you have time click over and see what all these other amazing women are up to!

Oh dear.

2010-06-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

I love to bake. Love. But since I started weight watchers I haven't really had the chance, because if I bake something I eat at least half the pan. Keith is more an ice cream guy, and of course I try to limit my kids servings (if only I was that diligent for myself!). A friend of mine is hosting a craft night tonight and told everyone to bring a dessert. Yes! That means I had the opportunity to peruse through my favorited recipes and pick the most decadent one, because I can take it to the party, have my ~~five~~ one small piece, and let everyone else eat it too!

I settled on these Fudge Revel Bars from Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen website (I can waste hours on that site!). The blog showcased a plethora of bars and brownies last week and I about died looking at my computer screen. These ones SCREAMED eat me, and the ingredients are very simple!

They are cooking right now, and I am pretty sure I gained about 5 lbs just from making them. I am thinking I may have to take any leftovers to our neighbors to keep the temptation out of my house!

Weekend (thrifted) spoils

2010-06-27T12:27:00.006-05:00

I was FINALLY able to get some garaging done! Our weekends have been so jam packed that it just hasn't happened this summer for me. Saturday after WW I called the house to see if anyone was awake, and since they were all still sleeping I headed out! I found some great treasures! It was definitely meant to be!

My spoils. All of this stuff for 18 bucks, which is way more than I normally spend, but one woman was selling out her house because she has to move into a care home, and there was no way I was gonna haggle her!

Acorn candle container, brand new ($1), bath and body works white candle holder plate (10cents), 2 brand new boxes of jar lids (25 cents for both!), hand crocheted collar and doily ($3-from the little old lady. Way more than I would normally pay, but it was for a good cause!), amazing pink jump rope (75 cents), 2 dorky yet fun CD's...both Simpson sisters (25 cents each), white jar lid..for which I have the perfect fruity glass jar(10 cents).

brand new recipe tin filled with recipes from Sandra Lee ($2), Lady and Sons dessert book ($1!!), bag of pony beads ($1)

AMAZING E.O. Brody Co. milk glass vase ($1). This was a STEAL! And I am thrilled about it!

And my favorite purchases, by far, three gorgeous vintage sheets. The blue ones are a set, twin I think and the pink is just a flat. I have never seen the pink pattern before and for that reason I was willing to pay the old lady $2.50 a piece. It will make for some great crafting...now I just have to be brave enough to cut into it!

I absolutely love garaging, it's such a thrill when you find a steal or something great for your home. And I have no shoppers remorse when I buy second hand!

P.S. If you haven't entered yet, be sure to head over to the Etsy Fort Worth blog to enter my giveaway! Only 10 people so far, so your chances of winning are HUGE! Anyone can enter, so feel free to spread the word!

I am linking up the the Thrifty Linky Party at Southern Hospitality. Click over to see other's great finds!

Giveaway!!

2010-06-25T07:11:00.000-05:00

I am sponsoring a giveaway on the Etsy Fort Worth blog. Up for grabs is $15 to my shop. Head over and check it out, and follow the blog too, the team members all write on it and there is everything from How To's to updates on where local artists will be peddling their wares. It's pretty cool!

Welcome Home Onesies

2010-06-24T09:20:00.002-05:00

I made a few new things for the shop last night, and I am so excited about them! I remember when my babies were wee little things that I LOVED having something that actually fit them. Back then I didn't sew, so the only things I had for those first few weeks (well, days really...they sure grew fast!) were the tiny clothes from the store. Nothing special, cute, but not special.

So I picked out the smallest of my thrifted onesie stash and got to sewing. I call these my welcome home onesies, because they are small enough to bring baby home from the hospital in something handmade and cute!

Let me know what you think! Find them in the shop here. I love that the long sleeved ones have the built in hand mitts, it's the little details that are important! Don't want baby scratching her face!

the kids 6/22/10

2010-06-23T08:01:00.000-05:00

I realized it's been ages since I took pics of the kids. Yesterday I took advantage of the sun and shot a few. The dappled light is annoying, but the sweetness of the kids make up for it. Love these guys so much!

Whatcha dooooin?

2010-06-20T21:35:00.000-05:00

1. I pretty much LOVED Alice and Wonderland, we just watched it tonight. Took us forever to get to see it, but it was lovely! The costumes were divine! And the Red Queen was probably my favorite. Helena Bonham Carter has some major crazy talent. My kids would be too frightened, but I may need to own it, if just to admire the clothes every now and again.

2. Girls camp..check. Scout camp...check. Dance camp...check! Camps all done and accounted for and now on with our regularly scheduled summer programing! I see in my future lots of laying around and crafting and reading and watching TV, but we are making a To Do list so that we don't waste away the whole summer without doing some of the really fun things I have in mind.

3. I have decided I HATE custom orders. Bleh. I like to sew when the material....um, speaks to me. Which sounds weird, but if I love what I am working with, it's much more pleasant. I have a few custom pieces I am working on, and after that. Nope! Unless I really, REALLY like you!

4. I have decided that I LOVE spray painting things. LOVE. I was afraid at first, but once I found primer it became very unscary. My first thing was the yellow fruit basket I used at the craft fair, then the other day I found a cute silver owl trivet. I was hoping to polish it up, but when that didn't work, out came the spray paint. It's very cute, though I don't like it yellow...may have to buy some aqua paint. Shucks.

5. I have been somewhat quiet about Weight Watchers, because I had a few slow weeks, then camping and such, but I am still proud to say that I have lost 15 lbs thus far. And even with my horrible eating the last 2 weeks, I straightened out my act towards then end and come weigh in I had only gained .2 lbs...which is practically zero! If I stick to the plan I lose weight, if I don't...I don't! It's as simple as that! I am happy with my 15 and on my way to another 15!

...Oh, and I ADORED Toy Story 3. The first one was so incredible, the second one was delightful as well, but the third one was perfect! The perfect way to wrap up the trilogy. They couldn't have done it any better. The ending was amazing, I was laughing and crying and just having a grand old time! The kids loved it too ;)

Off to live some more life! Hopefully this time with pictures. I need to dust off the old camera and document this crazy summer!

Craft fair booth

2010-06-17T22:10:00.001-05:00

My first craft fair was a blast. Not a lot of people showed up, I think we had something like 22 stop by my booth, but it was a great experience! It was so nice to have Erin there, I doubt I could have done it without her. I shmoozed the customers and she worked the transactions. She was also crucial in helping me get the look I had in my head to come out in real life. I love the way my booth turned out, and will pretty much be setting up like this every time. It has a cozy feeling with a bit of vintage thrown in. And little sprinkles of birdies here and there.

I was SO glad that so many friends stopped by to see me. It was such a pleasure to look and see a friendly face. I hope the next one gets a bigger turn out, but I will always be grateful for my first fair!

Here are some pics from the booth...

We shopped the house to find little bits of furniture we could use. It was surprisingly easy, as my style taste is finally evident in my home!

Loved the way the onesies looked all hung up, and my favorite thing made especially for the fair was the yellow fruit basket we used for the coffee cozies and coasters.

Bibs and burpie sets were my best sellers! Gonna have to make some more, because I almost sold out!

Erin finally completed a project I had wanted to do, but never found the time. She mod podged some super cute green hounds tooth fabric to my thrift store wooden tray. It became a perfect place to display her little button hair clips.

I am so sick of looking at these dang bow holders, we were practically giving them away! Erin hung them up all pretty like and made them look fab! (can you tell she was a life saver??)

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to lug my yellow dresser to the fair, and I am so glad I did. It really brought the booth together.

As a side note, sorry for the sparseness in posts. Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since before school got out. Lots of stuff happening, not a lot of pictures being taken. One of my summer goals is to dust off the camera and document our adventures once more!

Come one, come all!

2010-06-02T13:57:00.000-05:00

I realize that I have been a bad girl this week! I forgot to blog, but that's because I have been sewing my little heart out, as well as sitting for a cutie patootie, hanging with Erin, enjoying a Holiday weekend with Keith home, and many other wonderful things!

This week though, it's back to business, all sewing all the time. I finally got the flyer for the craft fair this weekend, and it's made me want to sew even more! Look at some of those vendors that will be there!! Even face painting and a bounce house, makes me sad my kids will be out of town and not able to come.

Anywho, if you are in the area, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and it's free! And of course, I would love to see you there!

new this week!

2010-05-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

{If you are coming from Everything Etsy's linky party....Welcome!!}

I threw out the question, what should I have in the shop, to my "fans" on facebook, and they said gift sets! And I realized how right they were! I always buy one yard of cute fabric and turn it into a blankie, when I should have been getting a bit extra all along to turn into matching burpies and bibs.

I gave it a shot this week, and I am pretty happy with the results. And a nice plus, you save money on the gift set rather than buying a bib and burpie separately. :)

Pretty polka dot gift set. (my favorite)

blue flower patch gift set.

AND, there is one swaddler in the shop that coordinates with both sets of bib/burpies. Cute, huh?

And of course the ever looming stack of thrifted onesies waiting to be turned into treasures had to be tackled. I did one, only 23 more to go. ;) This is my pretty posie brooch onesie.

Thanks for taking a peek into my shop! I am really trying to get this thing off the ground, my mind is full of ideas and I sleep dreaming of fabric and patterns. It's probably not healthy, but it's fun!

Right now...

2010-05-23T17:39:00.000-05:00

...rice and pot stickers are cooking in the kitchen. Mmmmm.

...Natalie and Brady are running around with their light "savers" playing Jedi and defeating General Grievous and their paper "roger rogers" that they drew earlier. (They took 3 sheets of paper, stapled them together and drew huge pictures of the droids, complete with guns. So clever, and so cute.)

..Keith is watching Myth Busters and chillaxin on the couch.

...Mama is taking a break from doing some leisurely sewing and getting ready for an update tomorrow. Trying my hand at matching gift sets based on some advice from a friend.

...we are all savoring the last little bits of what became a whirlwind weekend that included the Uncles and a friend coming to crash while attending a single adult weekend activity in Dallas, browsing art and getting faces painted at the Art in the Park in Arlington, grocery shopping, eating (too much) at Red Robbin (LOVE Red Robin), playing playing and more playing, and lots of family time. Basically a delightful weekend with a few spats here and there, but nothing too big to spoil anyones day!

Giveaway day!

2010-05-20T07:53:00.000-05:00

Check out my bib on super, duper cute baby B today on Under the Sycamore, and then enter my giveaway! And then tell your friends! Up for grabs is $25 to spend in my shop any way you want!

shtuff

2010-05-19T23:10:00.000-05:00

1. Brady told me the other day, "Mom, talking is my favorite activity." I sooo believe it buddy! The kid never. ever. stops. I tune him out half them time and then when he needs me and I say "what??" he goes, "never mind...*sigh*" Poor guy gets no respect.

2. Last summer and the summer before that Natalie had some super cute "heels" from Target, little espadrilles with closed toe and strappy back...anywho, she loved them. And they have both gotten too small and she has been begging for another pair of "heels". Then her best school friend Avery came to school in these DARLING little wedge sneakers...beloved "heels" if you would. And Nat was smitten. Honestly so was I, and after much debate and even taking the question to facebook, I caved and ordered Nat her own pair. Different fabric than Avery's, but same style, and sooo cute.

3. I have been sewing. every. day. It's become a sickness, I need to stop, but I can't seem to make myself stop. I have this need to make things for the shop. I want it to be nice and full on the off chance that someone stops by to browse they have lots to look at! I guess this will be good to have lots of inventory for craft fairs too.

4. Speaking of craft fairs, bits or bobbins will be at a craft fair June 5th at the Family Crossroads Church in Fort Worth. I will let you know more details as I know them, but it's from 9-3 and I would LOOOOVE to see you there! Um...anyone I don't know, that reads this and comes to the fair? Mention my blog and get like a billion percent off....or 15%, whatever. ;)

5. I got Brady some new striped Old Navy pajamas, and I can't get enough of his little legs in them. It was bad before, all the squeezing and hugging, now it's just ridonkulous. The poor kid is gonna have a complex. I need another baby to give some of my love and squeezes too.

6. Brady's spring program is Thursday. I will be the only one there to cheer him on. Poor kid. It actually makes me really sad, but I am gonna tape it and we will watch it as a family tomorrow night.

7. Natalie's Kindergarten graduation and spring recital is next week. Um...I REMEMBER MY KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION!!! How do I have a kid that is graduating from Kinder? It doesn't seem right, still feel like I am playing house some days. And then I realize that I am kinda playing house, but it's for keepsies!

8. Keith is for sure going back to school in the fall. Cool. And scary. And probably a bit crazy. But it will only take 3 semesters and he will have a few more letters behind his name (fancy pants!) and hopefully a new degree that will open up some doors for a good, permanent job.

9. Erin is coming to visit us for a week, in 2 weeks! Super! Excited! She will be here during the craft show, and at the end of the school year. We are gonna have so much fun. I love family!

10. Weight Watchers is going really good! Really really good! I have lost about 14 lbs (had a bad week last week and didn't lose), and I am really excited about this new eating lifestyle. I have to remind myself I can do it, but it's worth it!

So, basically life is good...hopefully I didn't just jinx it. But knowing me, I totally did.

featured!

2010-05-18T08:33:00.000-05:00

I woke up to a nice surprise this morning! An Etsy conversation from a user that featured one of my blankies in her treasury. A treasury is a user produced group of items. Everyone can make one, and good ones are chosen to be on the front page of Etsy. It's really an honor for someone to like my stuff enough to use it! And I love how hers turned out. Check it out at Etsy here.

Shop update

2010-05-17T12:28:00.004-05:00

I am trying to do quite a big update this week in the shop in preparation for my giveaway on Under the Sycamore on Thursday (mark your calendar!!). Here are two of my newest creations.

I am in LOVE with this freestyle ruffle bib. LOVE.

And a pretty posie button flower onesie. Size 3-9 months. So so darling. In my opinion!

I am linking this post up to Everything Etsy's I made it blog party!

I made this too!!

2010-05-14T09:11:00.002-05:00

I made that!!

2010-05-13T08:12:00.000-05:00

Check out my most favorite blog! Her daughter "Baby Sister" has a super duper cute bib on...made by me! I love Ashley's blog, her way of life, her views on raising children, and her pictures! Add this one to your list of blogs to read (not reader, because Google doesn't pick her up...weird) and you will not be dissapointed. I love her so much she has her own button on my toolbar! ;)

Ashley Ann Photograhy

An oops and an update

2010-05-11T20:48:00.000-05:00

Just realized I haven't posted in ages! So many websites to keep up with, so little time! A quick recap of the last few weeks? We got sick. Really, really sick. And that is pretty much it! It's surprising how behind you get in daily life chores when all you want to do is lay in bed or camp out in the bathroom. All of our garbage cans turned into potential puke catchers. It was loads of fun, not to mention loads of laundry. Heh. Oh, and of course Nat missed out on her school Field Day. Which sucks, but luckily she got over it, and now it's all smooth sailing till the end of the year! I can't believe Kinder is almost over! Wow!

I did, however, have time to update my shop with some new products and a few new blankies. I tried my hand at some fabric coasters, which I think turned out pretty well. And they work good too. I layered them with batting and some cotton duck inside so it really stops the water from getting on the furniture. I am getting ready for a smallish craft fair on June 6th, so I really need to start sewing and get some inventory stocked up! I am also having to redesign my play mats...don't get me started. But hopefully I can get them relisted in my shop soon!

Sweet cherry fabric coasters, 15$

You're a hoot! snuggle blankie, 25$

Modern stripe fabric coasters, 15$

Young Master!

2010-04-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

I am just so proud I can't stand it! Natalie was chosen as one of forty kids in her school that gets to present a work of art at the schools Young Masters Art Show! What they do is take one of her works of art, frame it up all nice, and then they host an art show in downtown Arlington. What's great is that people can "adopt" a work of art for $100, and they get to keep it for one year. Then next year we will get the framed art to keep!

I knew Nat loved art, and this is just so good for her. She couldn't be more proud of herself and I love that! I hope anyone local can come to The Coffee Haus in downtown Arlington, April 30th from 4-6:30 to check out all the kids works of art, and to see Nat's too! Woo hoo!!! I am one proud Mama!

no joke

2010-04-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

1. Apparently last night my allergies were so bad, it made me snore like a..how did he say it? A racoon on a motorcycle, I think was what Keith said. Anywho, bad enough that poor Keith went out and slept on the couch, not before he got his cell phone and got some video of the snoring. Ha! Seriously, I have never had allergies like this, I cough and drip all night long, and today when I was trying to have a conversation with a friend I was so congested I could barely talk. Ugg.

2. Natalie has decided that being kind and speaking nicely is overrated. I know it's just a taste of my own medicine, but she is making it really hard to stay patient. Holy crud she is soooo sassy. She likes to end the last word of her statements with an extra syllable (ie. o-k-ay, or I'm go-ing-ga, or I know-o). It's trying to say the least, and there are lots of eye rolls from me, but so far I have held my own and not yelled at her. But she does need to watch it. Why is it that kids treat the ones that love them the most, the worst?

3. I made a big sale this week in my shop, sold a $40 play mat! But the excitement quickly evaporated when the buyer all but disappeared off the face of the planet and hasn't paid or responded to any emails. So I am gonna have to cancel the sale. Boo.

4. Babies, babies, babies. EVERYWHERE. At least 7 Moms I know with newborns that I can think of off the top of my head, and more to come. So hard not to be jealous. So. Hard.

5. Cooking for weight watchers is MUCH easier than I thought. We just eat lots of yummy veggies, and basically I cut out fast food. It's not nearly as hard as I thought it was gonna be, and I lost 4.4 lbs my first week. I would LOVE to be able to keep that kinda loss up, haha! I will be happy as long as I lose anything each week. Here's to finally making a change!

become a fan...

2010-04-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

I finally decided to stop boring my facebook friends with posts about Bits or Bobbins, and I started a fan page! It's neat because I can post all I want there, and only people interested can see it. I am super excited for my shop, and I am really gung ho, because I have made a commitment to myself to see this through! I want to see great things come from all this sewing I do, and I love bringing smiles to peoples faces!

I have been working on some really great things, and trying hard to make everything more proffesional and yet still affordable! That is tough work, let me tell you, some "designer" fabric out there is PRICEY! But if I shop the sales, my customers get great stuff at great prices.

Here is a little sneak peak of a new item I will be listing. Gift sets of two coordinating, chenille backed burpie rags.

a few items of business

2010-04-13T19:36:00.000-05:00

1. I joined Weight Watchers yesterday. Today was my first meeting and I am really pumped. I did a LOT of thinking about joining, because I really want to find something that will become a lifestyle for me. I know, after the meeting, that this was the right choice for me. I can eat whatever I want, they have SO MANY tools to help me find healthy foods that I like, that will help fill me up so I am not hungry. And the support system there, and with my friends, is going to be that extra boost I need. No way will I post my starting weight, but I will keep track here, maybe, of my loss!

2. It's getting warmer, I can't even say hotter, because hot here is 100+, but it's been in the low 80's and I. HATE. IT. Ugg. All I want to do is stay inside and lay. And sew. And watch TV. *sigh*

3. Speaking of Texas and it's ills, the allergens in the air are KEELING me. I cough all the time because of that unquenchable tickle in my throat. The nose is runny, the eyes are watery. Sheesh!

4. On a more positive note I am super excited about the fabrics I got for some new swaddlers for the shop. We are talking hedgehogs, mushrooms, pirates, rockabilly tattoos, modern zoo animals, purple paisley, and teddy bear toile (for a special order!)...such cute stuff! Keep an eye out!

5. And last, but sadly not least, the only thing that got me through the painful experience that was early evening, was the fact that I knew while Keith is at scouts I get to watch Glee and Parenthood and sew to my hearts content. It's the little things, sometimes, that get me through the rough days.

Behold

2010-04-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

The Cuteness.

Natalie lost BOTH her top teeth this last week! I can't stop smiling at her toothless smile, and I want her to read War and Peace (or something equally as long) to me, so I can listen to her adorable new lisp.

Two days ago I told Brady he could have some gum if he cleaned his room, which actually worked! Then he went in there to play and I didn't think anything of the quiet until Nat came and told me he was asleep! He put himself down for a nap (probably so tired from keeping me awake all night...) and still had his gum in there. He also fell asleep listening to his old musical toothbrush. So sweet.

thinking about friendship

2010-04-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

The other day a friend said to me that she liked me, because I am calm. After I laughed for a minute or ten, I asked what she meant. She said that I don't bring a lot of drama to the table. That got me to thinking. Is there ever a point in a woman's life when the drama stops? I highly doubt it! I attribute this to women having so many emotions inside our bodies. That's what women are good at, emoting! Wouldn't it be lovely if we could just tell how we are feeling, without fear of being ridiculed or laughed at. Sure, sometimes we can, but most often, if the feelings are negative, I know that my initial reaction is to keep it inside (until it bubbles out!).

I think for me, the hardest part of human interaction is that I am always afraid of insulting or offending someone. Wouldn't it be nice if people could say, "Hey, you really pissed me off when you..." or "Wow, that was seriously offensive when you..." without the recipient getting their feelings hurt? Ha! In a perfect world, right? There is such a fine line between letting your feelings hide and blow over or letting your feelings hide and fester and turn into a broken friendship or worse!

I know that with a mouth like mine I often say things that come out wrong or are easily twisted. I am constantly asking Keith after we have any sort of group interaction, "Ok, what stupid thing did I do/say this time?" And luckily we are married and he knows I have to love him, so he has no qualms about telling me, and then I feel foolish for the rest of the day/week/month.

I have had so many friends in my life (a side effect of moving around a lot) and I have learned how to be adaptable, at least I think so. I love having good friends, ones that you can call up and they want to spend time with you, it makes life so much more enjoyable! I have lost too many friends along the way, so that now the friends I have are precious, and I try very hard to keep the bonds that I have made in my adult life strong. As you get older it seems that good friends are harder to find!

All pretty pictures found via weheartit.com

I guess this is a super random post, but it's just something I have been thinking about. I have been truly blessed my whole life to always have close friends, and I am really grateful for that. Without friends life could get pretty lonely! So to all of my friends, thank you for loving me, even though I have a big mouth and say dumb things! And to all that I may have offended, I am sorry, I probably didn't even realize I did it (side effect of big mouth and short memory), and in that case, tell me! So I can appoligize and life can go on as normal.

Easter fun!

2010-04-04T21:27:00.000-05:00

Ok, first let me point out that I am actually posting about a holiday when it actually happened! Instead of waiting weeks or months to do it! We had quite a busy weekend, two easter egg hunts yesterday, and lots of church. This week was General Conference for us Mormons and it's a great week to really feel motivated again to be living the way we should be living! Hard not to feel inspired when you are listening to the Prophet and the Apostles talk all weekend.

Anywho. I snapped some pictures of the kids at our first hunt, but my setting button got switched so they are all grainy, which is super irritating, because otherwise I know they would have been so perfect! I was so glad we were invited to share in this family's hunt (thank you Grimmetts!), since we have no real family around. I am learning that we have many friends that I can consider family, and that makes holidays much sweeter.

Natalie with both front teeth! The top left one fell out later that night after MUCH wiggling and twisting and one last tug from Mama!

I hate you grain!

Poor kid got about 2 hops into the sack race and toppled over. That's ok! Maybe next time!

Best. Kids. Ever. (at least best kids I have ever had! ha!)

Brady chompin' on his black sprinkle covered easter cookie. This kid was in sugar HEAVEN!

Pretty and Sassy!

Here is a pic of their loot. I really wanted to get them more meaningful, useful stuff this year instead of a bunch of junk. So they got books (thrifted of course), something to color/draw with, goldfish, cookies, and one package of candy bugs each. Oh, and a slinky for B and some chapstick for Nat.

Later that night we went to another friends house for a hunt, and of course I forgot my camera. It was nice to go now that the kids are old enough to really play on their own. Brady had so much fun running around with some big boys, and I hardly saw him except when he needed something! Natalie sat with me outside and wiggled and jiggled her tooth to the point that it was barely hanging on! Sweet pea couldn't even talk right because that tooth was a dangling.

After we got Brady in bed she let me check it out and this was the result! Of course I couldn't get a non cheesy pic from her, but those aren't any fun anyways. Enjoy! And I hope you all had a Happy Easter too!

Oh, and this is my 700th post! WOOT! I am actually gonna do a giveaway, very soon, of course it will be stuff from my shop, so keep your eyes peeled!

what I have been working on

2010-04-02T08:41:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine had a baby recently and she is the kind of person that is just deserving of so much! I bought some cute fabric for her and planned on making her a swaddler and an activity mat, but then I couldn't stop sewing and threw together as many things as I could with the leftover fabric. The result was a pretty spectacular layette! At least in my opinion!

Some chenille backed, personalized burpy rags. I am definitely gonna add some burpy rags to the shop. They are so practical!

A bow tie bib, of course!

A summer swaddler (and she sent me a picture of baby in it, and it's so cute, and they work!). I just got a bunch of new fabric, and will be adding more to the shop next week. I am so excited about these blankets!

And of course, my go to baby shower gift, and activity mat. I really love this jungle animal fabric, and the brown hides so many stains. I just made 2 more mats for my Monday update and I am really excited about them, really bold and bright colors as opposed to pastels. Very different!

These last things are for Natalie's school fundraiser. They host an auction every year which brings in most of the extra money needed to make up for a small budget. I had some extra minky and whipped together a super soft cuddle blanket and some matching ruffle burpy rags. I had a hard time parting with these, but I hope they bring in a lot at the auction! I really have to make some of these girly burpy rags for the shop (and all of my friends with baby girls!) they are just too cute! (sorry the pictures are sideways!)

P.S. Sorry for all the shameless linkage, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

Also linking up to everything etsy! And V&Co's linky party :)

fabric sale!

2010-03-31T08:15:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite Etsy shops is having a spring cleaning sale! Everything in her shop is 20% off, which is amazing for some of these designer fabrics! She is also having a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to her store. Wowzas! If you are in the market for some pretty, colorful fabrics, now is the time to test the waters!

a few new things

2010-03-29T17:14:00.001-05:00

Here are a few of my most recent additions to the shop. I just finished a huge layette for a friend, and am thinking of adding pics to the shop to offer custom orders. The only problem is that it's different when you spend hours on something out of love for the person rather than hours on something because someone is buying it. How do you put a price on your time? That is my constant struggle with pricing!

short sleeve onesie with tie, $9

short sleeve bright blue onesie with lime bow tie, $9

purple and magenta ruffle bib, $7

and I know I already showed it, but I did manage to get this in the shop. :)

custom initial diaper and wipes case, $15

baby steps

2010-03-29T12:51:00.001-05:00

Today Brady and I took a walk to the Post Office rather than drive. I am so proud of us! He rode his little trike and was definitely feeling tired near the end, but he did it! It's been hard to really push myself to get outside, I am very used to being inside. All the time. But it's nice to feel some sunshine on my pasty skin, though I could live without the sweating, haha!

Of course as soon as we got home Brady begged to watch...you guessed it, a Phineas and Ferb. How can I resist him when he curls up on the couch like this? So sweet.

what we are watching and watching and watching....

2010-03-28T16:32:00.001-05:00

Behold! The Phineas and Ferb (inator)!! Ok, seriously, if you like funny, clean, humor then you will LOVE this show. We can't get enough. It has everything, repeat gags, same basic plotline each episode (2 young boys making crazy inventions and filling their summer days with fun), the fact that the boys love their big sister (even though she pretty much lives to "bust" them and tries and fails each episode), witty one liners, crazy random cartoon stunts, seriously everything you could ever want in a cartoon! We watch at least one episode a day...
Here is a funny clip I found on youtube. Just know that Keith does a perfect Dr. Doofenshmirtz, and pretty much anything is funnier if you add {inator} to the end. Think....grilled cheese-inator, clean your mouth-inator, no more arguing-inator! Haha...maybe just to us!

I know this is a super random post, but I just had to document this, because it seriously takes up a part of every single one of our days. Not to mention the fact that I am pretty much constantly singing any number of the songs from the show in my head.

And this is long, but it's our favorite episode of late. Hilarious.

starting over {again}

2010-03-27T07:56:00.000-05:00

I am just not sure I am cut out for this blogging thing on top of this sewing thing! Trying to start a "business" is hard work! My goal for my shop is to stock it full, full, full of stuff and then I can slow down as I add a few new pieces here and there, but this has kept me VERY busy, and off the computer for anything more than a five minute interval here and there (to check facebook, of course).

I miss my blog the way it used to be! All chock full of random pictures and stories, some pictures of my crafts and cooking. I was trying to figure out why I don't post much, (which isn't anything new, I am constantly trying to figure that out) and I decided it's because I am intimidated by all the other blogs out there. With their crystal clear, perfectly edited pictures, their wonderfully creative homes and crafts, their beautifully photographed kids, and then I realized that some of the blogs I read DON'T have all that stuff, and I still love them! I love the catching up, and knowing the small day-to-day details I wouldn't normally get to see.

So I am trying (again) to start blogging more. For the sake of documentation for me, and for others who can't see us every day, and just to keep the creative juices flowing! Maybe this will get me back in the groove of taking pictures of the kids again too, since they seem to have decided that getting your picture taken is basically equivalent to having your fingernails pulled out with pliers!

And just because I can't post without a picture, here is one of a diaper and wipe carrier I made for a friend. She challenged me, and I think I delivered! It's big enough for at least 3 diapers, which is always nice when you are on the go. I am gonna offer these up in the shop, with personalization of any letter the buyer wants.

about creative writing

2010-03-11T15:58:00.000-06:00

My absolute FAVORITE thing that Natalie does at school is creative writing. They get a sheet of paper with area for a picture and a place for words underneath. They are encouraged to spell the words as good as they can, just by sounding it out. Her stories are priceless and they are the only thing I keep every single one. Here are a few of the best ones.

"Yesterday it wus my birthday. I got a hlooecitee reel sowege msheg. It was grat. I love it!" Yesterday it was my birthday. I got a hello kitty sewing machine. It was great. I love it! 3/10/10

"My teacher Ms. R came to my house. We playd Hnana Mtann. We had fun." My teacher Ms. R. came to my house. We played Hannah Montana. We had fun. 1/20/10

"I love skool. My fafrite thage is haveing fnte. My fafrit pothet is math. I have soe muth fun at skool!" I love school. My favorite thing is having friends. My favorite project is math. I have so much fun at school! 3/10/10

"Dear Ruru, I hope you have a safe mevee. I will woch you on the TV. Evreebudee like me. Duss evreebudee like you? Love, Natalie." Dear Aurora, I hope you have a safe movie. I will watch you on the TV. Everybody likes me, does everybody like you? Love, Natalie.

"Win my dad get home I giv him a hug. I love my dad and my mom! Thae are the bist peirit uv all!" When my Dad gets home I give him a hug. I love my Dad and Mom! They are the bes parents of all! 3/11/10

"I wint to the prke. I sae a applechree. I pik one off the chree. It was sweet. I mad a apple pie." I went to the park. I saw an appletree. I picked one off the tree. It was sweet. I made an apple pie. 2/10/10

about being grateful

2010-03-08T19:15:00.000-06:00

If there is one thing you read today, make it this. Ryan is a Pastor that traveled with a group of people to Kenya, he is documenting his travels as they are connecting with some of the children that are sponsored through the Compassion program. It's heart wrenching. We are so so so SO blessed to live in America.

about starting an Etsy shop!

2010-03-01T10:08:00.000-06:00

Lots and lots of things for me to catch up on, but the main thing that is happening right now (besides Brady turning FOUR last week) is that I actually opened up my Etsy shop! It's mostly blankets and things, perfect for baby showers or gifts. I am hoping to really find my niche, but for now I am putting pretty much anything in there!

Here are a few of the things I am selling :) Feel free to tell your friends! And check back often because now I am feeling the crafty fire and have lots more things in the making!

Flannel snuggle blanket with funky monkeys

A new play mat in polka dots

Barrette holders

about me, right now.

2010-02-18T12:28:00.000-06:00

overwhelmed

a tad bit jealous

sleepy

busy

AND

blessed (far too much)

happier than I may have ever been

loving my little family

loving my ever expanding circle of friends

pretty darn grateful for what I have.

about our weekend

2010-02-14T08:43:00.000-06:00

*no power for 48+ hours

*11 inches of snow

*sleepovers

*fast food

*millions of blankets

*many, many layers

*pictures to come!

about some cuteness

2010-02-09T20:41:00.001-06:00

*possibly the cutest Nat has ever looked for school, but of course she wouldn't pose for me. I love her hair in those buns, and she has a white button up under her navy cardigan*

*Brady slid this giant stack of books all the way down the hall on his belly. Cracked me up at the time, he does such goofy stuff sometimes.*

*Last week Natalie decided to use her imagination (for once! Yay!) and started playing Salon in the bathroom. She named her shop Rainbow Hair Cut. You can see her old singing toothbrush standing up near the flowers, she would turn that on for music. So clever! And the prices are great there, kisses and hugs for an original style!*

*It took her all afternoon to organize her drawer. We were both so proud!*

*Open for business!*

about complaints

2010-02-08T16:56:00.000-06:00

Lately all I find myself doing is complaining to myself. It's so easy to get wrapped up in all the so called bad things going on in my life right now, but then I realize that is dumb, and my blessing always outweigh my trials. Though sometimes I may have to stretch it a bit, or at least I feel like I do. So instead of ranting about the things weighing on my mind I am determined to focus on the positive, if not for my sanity then for the sanity of those that have to listen to me.

Including, but not limited to, having two healthy children, Keith having a job that puts food on the table, a warm and cozy roof over our heads, two working cars, family that loves me, friends that love me (or at least put up with me), and the gospel to keep me grounded and keep things in perspective. And still important, though significantly less serious, chocolate chip cookies and milk to munch on, Internet to inspire and distract me, lots and lots of socks to keep my feet warm, plenty of blankets and pillows to snuggle up with when I don't feel like getting out of bed, and TV to keep me company when the house feels very lonely, but being around real live people doesn't seem appealing.

about keeping it real

2010-01-28T10:17:00.000-06:00

I realize that with all these projects I post that it must seem like I craft all the time, which I sort of do, but not every waking moment! I just have a few things going for me. Firstly my kids are old enough that they play on their own a lot of the time, of course if Brady comes out and says, "Mommy I want you to play with me" I drop everything and go. But I honestly don't like to interrupt him when he is being creative because then he looks to me to run the game, and I don't want to hamper his little ideas!

Secondly the house has a nice enough set up that I can start something, walk away to change laundry or make lunch or wipe a bum, and come right back to it. Though that leads to my house looking a little, shall we say, CRAZY, for most of the time. Especially when I am knee deep in a new quilt. I will admit, I LOVE a neat house. Too much clutter and I tend to go from 0-60 in terms of sanity. I took a few pics this morning to show what the house looks like when I am working. Please excuse the gloomy day lighting.

To the right: sewing maching pulled out so I can watch TV with Keith and sew at the same time after the kids are in bed, ironing board and iron pulled out for easy access (currently home to yesterdays's lego creations), folded quilt needing to be shipped, unfolded quilt leftover from snuggling, dishes left on the table from breakfast, toy remnants from last nights adventures strung about the room, and grocery bags needing to be folded and packed away. Oh, and don't forget three balloon pumps for Keith's Deacons to blow use to set up for the Valentine's dance.

To the left: My snuggle quilt waiting to be basted and sewn, fabric scrap basket pulled down and strewn about in the search for cute things to be made into fabric flowers and such, laundry basket of clean and ready to put away clothes, bag of a bajillion balloons awaiting the pumps, and multiple piles of fabric for various projects in the works.

In a word, a giant MESS! It only stays like this for a day or so before I go crazy and can't take it anymore. But this way there are no grand illusions of perfection over here. Sewing this much takes a toll on the house, but I am always sure to put down the fabric, step away and take care of business as needed. I think that's the most important part, and the fact that my kids go to be so dang early (have I mentioned that? I have? Ah well, it's because I love it so! Is that bad?).

Now excuse me while I go clean. Haha, no really. Must. clean. now.

about some pictures

2010-01-27T14:59:00.000-06:00

Right now I am sewing every free minute. It's fun, I have lots of projects lined up, and since I have decided to steer this blog in a different direction (more creativity and more kids, less randomness) here are a few pics from the last few days.

This is my stack of fabrics I just picked up for a quilt a long I am doing. It's for a special someone and I just know she will love it, I guess this is kind of a sneak peek for her!

Yesterday was so lovely, but I had so much laundry to do that I set the kids up outside with crafting supplies and a picnic blanket. It's nice that we live in a quiet neighborhood where I feel safe enough to let the kids outside without me. Of course the front door and window are wide open so I can see and hear them, but I think they like the sense of freedom to really be out there alone.

Last week while Keith was at work and scouts I put together this BIG quilt for him as a surprise. We each have our own special blankets on our bed and Keith has been sleeping with a fleece one that generates LOTS of static, especially in this cold weather. Needless to say it was time for a new blanket and I had gotten my hands on this awesome bright fabric and couldn't wait to put some of it to good use. I have officially decided I like to tie my quilts, they are so much more flimsy and cuddly when tied.

Luckily he loves it. The back is a super soft flannel. He has to be careful or I may steal it back, I really love this blanket!

about me right now

2010-01-21T16:43:00.000-06:00

Getting to know you...getting to know aaaaaalll about you (or me actually)...

1. Favorite food of the moment: Costco berries. Cheap and super delicious. Oh, and I am constantly craving Chik fil-A chicken nuggets, though I don't eat those as often as I would like.

2. Things I watch first on my DVR: Bones new and old, How I met your Mother, and Vampire Diaries (don't judge).

3. Favorite accent color: Yellow. It goes well with all my aqua/teal/brown stuff, and it just makes me so happy to see a pop of yellow here and there!

4. Reading: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Keith got it for me for Christmas and I am trying to get started on it, should be good once I can get my brain back into a semi-thinking mode. I have been reading too much fluff!

5. Loving: this mild weather! I would love to live in a place where the weather never gets colder than 60 or hotter than 80, it's just magical here right now!

6. Running: a sweatshop in my home! So far this month I have completed 3 quilts from start to finish and tonight after the kids are in bed I will probably start on a fourth. I also just got some new material (JoAnn's just restocked their shelves, SUCH cute stuff there right now!) for a girly play mat for a friend.

7. Favorite songs on the radio: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, What do you want from me by Adam Lambert, I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (that one just doesn't get old).

8. Very happy about: Feeling good in my skin, and knowing that I AM a good Mom, even if I yell sometimes and even if I probably get a little too excited about my kids 6:30 bedtime. Yes, SIX THIRTY! (It keeps getting earlier!)

9. Also loving: the regularity of our days. We have somewhat of a routine going now, and it helps me with my stress levels. It's nice that Keith gets home semi-early most nights, and I seem to be much more productive now that Brady is in school twice a week.

10. Putting off: doing the mountain of laundry that is threatening to take over my bedroom. I think I will make some peanut butter cookies instead!