I finally gave in a signed someone's blog. I don't know why I hesitated, I LOVE to make things and I'm of the opinion that some of the best things are homemade. So, here goes.
There is a great idea floating about lately and here's the drill: I promise to send the first 3 persons who comment in this post something hand made before the end of this year. (Thank you to whoever came up with that rule!) Yup, something fabulous from me, and since I'm fairly spectacular you never know what you're going to get! And you'll receive it before this time next year. Oh the mystery! What will it be? Here's the deal: If you sign up to receive a hand made gift you need to "pay it forward" on your own blog. That is, you'll make a post similar to this and then promise and hand make a gift for three other bloggers. The gift that you send to your 3 friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember it’s the spirit and the thought that count! C'mon, an-y-thing home made by you within the year! You can do this! How fun!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Love for Self
This is a topic I have struggled with for years. Everyday I tell myself the basic "Heavenly Father loves you, Stuart loves you...." etc. But I don't know that I really ever believe it (my husband just read this and as a disclaimer I DO know that he loves me). I've been trying all day to find the lyrics to Michael McLeans' song She doesn't know (I couldn't find them...sorry). I heard this song at a Time Out For Women a couple years ago and it really struck me to the core.
I may on a daily basis fight to think I am worth anything, but I really feel that I am "blinded by the light". I NEVER look at the things I do as something good. Most of the time I feel that the things that I accomplish don't quite measure up and I have to have the affirmation of someone else before I'll even consider something I do remotely good. However, I am trying to change my ways. I have 4 beautiful children and my goal in life is for them to be confident in who they are. If I don't model confidence and a genuine love for myself how will they ever learn that they too should have that confidence in themselves?
The Savior DOES love me for who I am, my short comings, my accomplishments and just me. If he loves me like that, I too need to love myself.
I do a lot of neat things. Unfortunately I often get side tracked with the commotion in my home. I really enjoy scrapbooking, crocheting, playing the piano, and a recently discovered love for making hair bows for my daughters. I of course don't get a lot of time to do these things, however I spent several hours on Saturday (during nap time) making hair bows which I am pleased to say turned out lovely. I have also been practicing the piano not only because I am accompaning my husband on Sunday but because I have some songs that I've been wanting to learn for more years than I care to admit. My oldest son asked me this afternoon after I had stopped practicing "Where did I learn to play so good". Oh how I wish I could see myself through his eyes! I am very grateful for that comment because even if he's not a judge at some prestigious competition, in his eyes what I did was great. And, I enjoyed myself in the process of getting his approval.
I have many talents some of which I am just discovering and others that I've known about for a long time. But loving my talents is a start to learning to love the whole me. And that's where I plan to begin to love myself just a little bit more everyday!
I may on a daily basis fight to think I am worth anything, but I really feel that I am "blinded by the light". I NEVER look at the things I do as something good. Most of the time I feel that the things that I accomplish don't quite measure up and I have to have the affirmation of someone else before I'll even consider something I do remotely good. However, I am trying to change my ways. I have 4 beautiful children and my goal in life is for them to be confident in who they are. If I don't model confidence and a genuine love for myself how will they ever learn that they too should have that confidence in themselves?
The Savior DOES love me for who I am, my short comings, my accomplishments and just me. If he loves me like that, I too need to love myself.
I do a lot of neat things. Unfortunately I often get side tracked with the commotion in my home. I really enjoy scrapbooking, crocheting, playing the piano, and a recently discovered love for making hair bows for my daughters. I of course don't get a lot of time to do these things, however I spent several hours on Saturday (during nap time) making hair bows which I am pleased to say turned out lovely. I have also been practicing the piano not only because I am accompaning my husband on Sunday but because I have some songs that I've been wanting to learn for more years than I care to admit. My oldest son asked me this afternoon after I had stopped practicing "Where did I learn to play so good". Oh how I wish I could see myself through his eyes! I am very grateful for that comment because even if he's not a judge at some prestigious competition, in his eyes what I did was great. And, I enjoyed myself in the process of getting his approval.
I have many talents some of which I am just discovering and others that I've known about for a long time. But loving my talents is a start to learning to love the whole me. And that's where I plan to begin to love myself just a little bit more everyday!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Addicted
For some reason I am ADDICTED to making hair bows. For the last hour and a half I've made 7 of them and the only reason I stopped is because I'm tired of the ribbon I'm using and I only have 4 different spools of ribbon at the moment.
KatieJo has these cute little bows on both sides of her head and I made a third one for Maija to wear once I've made a headband for her.
I tried to make matching ones for KatieJo and Maija since I like my kids to match and since I don't have a headband yet for Maija that is interchangable I've added them to her stocking cap.KatieJo got a couple of silk flower type bows a couple years ago, and I was going to make some then. However, when Maija was born they had a box of hair bows to choose from to put on her head (probably so people knew she was a girl). The hairbows were adorable and I've wanted to make some ever since. So today KatieJo & I sat down and made some. And here are our results:
KatieJo has these cute little bows on both sides of her head and I made a third one for Maija to wear once I've made a headband for her.These green ones were made from some random ribbon I had laying around the house.
This one is meant to do with wider ribbon but I think it's cute anyway. KatieJo likes this one because it's "BIG!"
She is SOOOO excited to go to church tomorrow to show off her new bows! Thank goodness I'll be in Denver next weekend so I can go to a real craft store and get some more ribbon!!!
Happy Valentines Day!
Well, the "most romantic day of the year" has arrived. Although Stuart and I celebrated on Thursday night. He took me to The Ranch which is one of the nicest restaurants in Rawlins. Then we went to see Mall Cop...awesome movie if you are looking for something to see. It was a lovely night and since we very rarely do anything like that it was great.
Last night was the bi-ward dinner/dance. Which turned out nice. Two of my friends' husbands had to work and so the three of us went together. Besides the fact that the night was REALLY geared toward couples it was fun. My only complaint was that the husbands were supposed to serve the wives dinner. Since we were husbandless for the night some nice men did get us our dinner. The dancing was hilarious. There are a couple reasons I choose not to dance in public. 1. because I have 2 left feet and 2. because I look ridiculous! It was very interesting to watch!
I did bring Samuel in for a dance. He enjoyed it and kept saying that he wished dad was there to dance with me. I did too, but I had a great time!
I also realized last night that when Stuart is gone I really don't pay much attention to food. The kids took a late nap yesterday and when they woke up a little before 5 I let them have cake, ice cream and chocolate syrup. They sure enjoyed it even though it sure wasn't healthy. So as we were going to the church at 6 I asked if they were hungry so I could get them something to eat. They weren't and so our deal was that if they behaved in the nursery I would get them Happy Meals. The dance didn't get over until almost 9 and so they ate dinner (After a VERY long wait at McDonalds) at 9:30. They had a great time, and I think they realize that when dad gets back we'll get back into a routine!
I think it's a good thing that Stuart's not in the military, I would NEVER be on a schedule! Ok, I probably would but it's more fun to make it enjoyable when we are all missing him!
I guess the old addage is true...the mice will play while the cat is away.
Hope you all have a VERY happy Valentines day!
Last night was the bi-ward dinner/dance. Which turned out nice. Two of my friends' husbands had to work and so the three of us went together. Besides the fact that the night was REALLY geared toward couples it was fun. My only complaint was that the husbands were supposed to serve the wives dinner. Since we were husbandless for the night some nice men did get us our dinner. The dancing was hilarious. There are a couple reasons I choose not to dance in public. 1. because I have 2 left feet and 2. because I look ridiculous! It was very interesting to watch!
I did bring Samuel in for a dance. He enjoyed it and kept saying that he wished dad was there to dance with me. I did too, but I had a great time!
I also realized last night that when Stuart is gone I really don't pay much attention to food. The kids took a late nap yesterday and when they woke up a little before 5 I let them have cake, ice cream and chocolate syrup. They sure enjoyed it even though it sure wasn't healthy. So as we were going to the church at 6 I asked if they were hungry so I could get them something to eat. They weren't and so our deal was that if they behaved in the nursery I would get them Happy Meals. The dance didn't get over until almost 9 and so they ate dinner (After a VERY long wait at McDonalds) at 9:30. They had a great time, and I think they realize that when dad gets back we'll get back into a routine!
I think it's a good thing that Stuart's not in the military, I would NEVER be on a schedule! Ok, I probably would but it's more fun to make it enjoyable when we are all missing him!
I guess the old addage is true...the mice will play while the cat is away.
Hope you all have a VERY happy Valentines day!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Birthday Celebrations
This is the cake I made for Phillip's birthday. It turned out pretty cute, although it would have been better if I had had black frosting but alas I didn't have any black coloring.
We bought Phillip a litte tikes cozy coupe car for his birthday. He LOVES IT! He even abandoned his cake and ice cream to play with it and didn't stop until bedtime. I can't count the number of times he's "been to the store" for me tonight! And his only complaint is that it doesn't have seatbelts (no seriously). He informs us of the fact everytime he gets into it.
KatieJo & Samuel wanted to give Phillip presents as well. And we decided that they should make them or help make them. So, KatieJo helped make Phillip some jammie pants (she sewed the straight lines). And Samuel gave him rice buddies. We got the idea from my sister-in-law Aimee except Phillip's are in the shape of a car.
We bought Phillip a litte tikes cozy coupe car for his birthday. He LOVES IT! He even abandoned his cake and ice cream to play with it and didn't stop until bedtime. I can't count the number of times he's "been to the store" for me tonight! And his only complaint is that it doesn't have seatbelts (no seriously). He informs us of the fact everytime he gets into it.
KatieJo & Samuel wanted to give Phillip presents as well. And we decided that they should make them or help make them. So, KatieJo helped make Phillip some jammie pants (she sewed the straight lines). And Samuel gave him rice buddies. We got the idea from my sister-in-law Aimee except Phillip's are in the shape of a car. 
And so it began
Phillip turns two today. My mom called me last night and asked how I was feeling. I wasn't sure how to respond. Was I supposed to be feeling sick? I told her I felt fine and she said "well that's good because 2 years ago you weren't feeling so hot." Which is true. Two years ago today I had been in the hospital for 6 days and had been on bedrest for a total of 2 months. I was SOOOO ready to have Phillip come out and be part of the outside world!
Phillip not quite a day old.
On Mothers Day 2007
His One-Year-Old pictures.
What a ham he is! He loves to sing and dance, and one of his favorite activities is to get out the children's hymnal and "Sing". He turns the pages until he finds one he likes and sings "I am a Child of God". Then once he's done he finds a different page and does the same thing. He is an awesome big brother and sometimes a great little brother. (I say sometimes because he likes to bite Samuel...no one else, just Samuel.)
As I think back on his 2 years of life I am thankful for every second I spent lying in my bed or on the couch. He is such a joy to have in our lives! He grows and changes so much everyday and I'm glad that I get to be his mom.
Phillip not quite a day old. On Mothers Day 2007 His One-Year-Old pictures.
First Camping Trip May 2008
Summer 2008
What a ham he is! He loves to sing and dance, and one of his favorite activities is to get out the children's hymnal and "Sing". He turns the pages until he finds one he likes and sings "I am a Child of God". Then once he's done he finds a different page and does the same thing. He is an awesome big brother and sometimes a great little brother. (I say sometimes because he likes to bite Samuel...no one else, just Samuel.)HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILLIP!!! We LOVE YOU!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
I'm all alone...almost!
Friday morning Stuart leaves for the regional high school boys swim meet. Normally not a problem except it's overnight. Also not normally a big deal; however, there is a bi-ward church valentines party Friday night. I knew it involved dinner and so jokingly I asked my friend's husband if I could "be his 2nd wife for the night". He turned me down and said something to the extent of "he was only going to dance with his wife". I had ABSOLUTELY no idea that it was a dinner AND dance or would never had asked him that (I was fairly embarrased after I found out)! On top of that they are having a photographer come and take pictures of "all the cute couples". Everyone is supposed to come in Sunday best and the Young Women are providing daycare (so it's adult only). So, I'm going to be dateless...how sad! I asked someone if I could have Samuel be my date but they didn't think that was too funny. Then I proceeded to ask everyone in Relief Society if anyone wanted to be my date for the night (after EVERYONE encouraged me to come "stag"...I hate that term!). It got a good laugh, but that wasn't my intention. I think I might go, but I fully intend to be a "wall flower"!!!
I'm also sad because Stuart isn't getting home until around 11 on Saturday night. In the 8 years we have had the opportunity to celebrate Valentines day together we have celebrated them in the following ways:
2002: We were driving overnight to Cedar Rapids so Stuart could try out for scholarships as he was going back to school in the fall.
2003: Stuart was in New York with school
2004: I had just had a D & C and was in NO mood to celebrate!
2005: We had steaks after the kids went to bed.
2006: We had just moved to Washington and were working on getting settled and unpacked.
2007: We had Phillip on the 11th and Stuart went back to work on the 14th, and we had only been home from the hospital for a day.
2008: We went to a Costume Party where the vast majority (besides 7 of us) didn't show up. We did play some fun games though. Still, not very romantic!
2009: We are going out on Thursday the 12th because Stuart will be gone.
Someday...probably when I'm 60 because Stuart will most likely be coaching for a long time; we are going to go on an AWESOME Valentines getaway....I'm thinking a Cruise or trip to somewhere terribly romantic although I'm at a loss right now where that may be. Oh, and there won't be any kids (hence the fact that I'll most likely be 60!).
Since Stuart won't be home this valentines day, if you'd like me to watch your kids for the night....bring them over, I plan on having a GREAT valentines day with my kids (and your's if you're close enough for you to take advantage of that offer!). And after they go to bed I plan on watching "You've got Mail" or some other romantic movie.
CHEERS!
I'm also sad because Stuart isn't getting home until around 11 on Saturday night. In the 8 years we have had the opportunity to celebrate Valentines day together we have celebrated them in the following ways:
2002: We were driving overnight to Cedar Rapids so Stuart could try out for scholarships as he was going back to school in the fall.
2003: Stuart was in New York with school
2004: I had just had a D & C and was in NO mood to celebrate!
2005: We had steaks after the kids went to bed.
2006: We had just moved to Washington and were working on getting settled and unpacked.
2007: We had Phillip on the 11th and Stuart went back to work on the 14th, and we had only been home from the hospital for a day.
2008: We went to a Costume Party where the vast majority (besides 7 of us) didn't show up. We did play some fun games though. Still, not very romantic!
2009: We are going out on Thursday the 12th because Stuart will be gone.
Someday...probably when I'm 60 because Stuart will most likely be coaching for a long time; we are going to go on an AWESOME Valentines getaway....I'm thinking a Cruise or trip to somewhere terribly romantic although I'm at a loss right now where that may be. Oh, and there won't be any kids (hence the fact that I'll most likely be 60!).
Since Stuart won't be home this valentines day, if you'd like me to watch your kids for the night....bring them over, I plan on having a GREAT valentines day with my kids (and your's if you're close enough for you to take advantage of that offer!). And after they go to bed I plan on watching "You've got Mail" or some other romantic movie.
CHEERS!
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