Testing, 1, 2, 3!

 I found an app (Blogsy) that may let me blog from the iPad, with pictures!! Let's give it a shot...

 

Found these amazing pillows at Costco. So soft and fluffy, and the most amazing colors. Of course they are $13.99, and there is no way I can spend that on a frivolous pillow, but they are so pretty! 

 

Wyatt is growing at a rapid rate. I seriously need it to slow down. In fact my brain has started to view every milestone he hits as a tragedy, so now I cry all. the. time.  Post-partum anyone? Why can't I just have normal baby blues instead of this weird manifestation? It's like my body is mourning Wyatt's newborn-ness and it's very difficult. I need to stop beating myself up for not being able to remember every minute detail of his infancy. He is amazing nonetheless. His smile makes me so happy, and if I could just play/feed/nap with him very day I would be completely satisfied. 

Sometimes I like to pretend that I am cute. Then I see my double chin and spare tire. Ah well, it's a work in progress to be sure. 

 

Texas forgot to have winter. It's been the strangest thing ever. We rode bikes and took walks all month long, and February looks to be more of the same. Either the world is gonna end this year, or we are gonna get slammed with ice and cold in a few weeks. I'm not sure which would suck worse.  

 

summer means

...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.

life

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?

Holy crap!

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...)

Changes

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!

blogging fail and a birthday weekend!

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...

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

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!

picture of a friday night

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

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?

I think I need to make this.

source

what I made

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.

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

Right now...

...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!

shtuff

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.

An oops and an update

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$

no joke

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!

a few items of business

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

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

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.