A Year In Review Part Two - The Last Six Months

July: We started out the month by traveling to the West side for Uncle Ian's 40th birthday party - complete with a bounce house for the kids! The month was full of Sport's Camp and Nature Camp for E which pushed him out of his comfort zone a bit. Lots of playing in the beautiful weather - hanging out at the water park and visiting Nama & Papa with the cousins one final time. E lost his first front tooth and we celebrated the opening of the Farm Chicks store!

August: We sure packed it in this month! Lots of play time and water fights! A fun night at a baseball game, really fun day at Silverwood, play dates with friends, and celebrating family birthdays! Sweet friends and I threw a baby shower for another dear friend and we joined together with extended family at a farewell BBQ for cousins. We ended the month with a visit to Nama & Papa's new place all the way across the state - this included lots of cousin play time and a trip to the zoo!

September: Birthdays, birthdays! We started off with my turning another year with a lunch at my favorite - Chaps...celebrated my honey and Papa and Grandma...whew! We finally made it to the lake cabin and got to spent a fun filled albeit cold weekend with Aunt Reen & Uncle Mike. Aunt Reen helped the kids make the coolest outdoor fort ever! E started first grade and I got to travel to my sister's to meet up with a very special childhood friend.

October: I've officially decided to do Farm Chicks again and spend a few weeks hitting the last of the season garage and estate sales. We enjoy the festivities of the season and visit the pumpkin patch - complete with horse drawn hay rides, pony rides, hay mazes and pumpkin pickin! Greg catches his first fish in ten years! And the children are of course adorably dressed for Halloween! The first year we do a bit of trick or treating!

November: This month brings snow and lots of it! We end up having the snowiest November on record and it is cold! Brrr! I fly to the West side with Q for a little pop culture indulgence with my sister. My newly formed Bible study gets to praying and quilting for dear sweet baby Ella born much too early. We wrap up the month with a trip to see my sister and family and Nama and Papa for a Thanksgiving filled with food, Wii and the sickest sickies I've had for a looong time!

December: This was a month full of crafts and more crafts! E was in his first school play with speaking parts! He did so great! Greg and I celebrated our 9th anniversary by sending the kids on an overnight with Grandma & Grandpa! We welcomed another friend's sweet baby girl with a shower and I got to celebrate the season with lots of fun times with girlfriends. Christmas Eve found us at Grandma & Grandpa's house. We had a fun time opening stockings and playing games. Christmas morning Nama & Papa flew over for a long visit. So nice to have them here as it had been four long months since my Mom's last visit and even longer since my Dad had been here. The kids were spoiled and loved their gifts. It was a long day and A slept on the couch through Christmas dinner! Lots of games were played, books read and hugs given!

*****************

So friends and family - that wraps up our year! We thank you for being a part of our lives, for lending an ear, a warm hug, a laugh. We have so much to be thankful for - God has blessed us with a warm and loving family and a fantastic set of friends! May God bless each and every one of you in the coming year - we look forward to sharing it with you!

Happy New Year friends and Welcome 2011!

A Year In Review - The First Six Months

January: This was the year of the mild winter! Not much snow & mild temperatures...we were really spoiled! I was on the hunt for Farm Chick treasures - still uncertain as to whether we would really have a booth. We visited Nama & Papa and I still had a little baby in the house! I also signed up for my first half-marathon with Team In Training! 2010 was to be the year of dreaming big!

February: This is Addison's birthday month! She turned three - what a big girl. Her cousins visited for her party and Auntie Nicole and I spent the better part of a week prepping for our Farm Chicks Vendor application...nervous times! I had a stress fracture in my foot and my training came to a big, fat halt! The P.T. and I got to know each other just a bit...and I got to meet some lovely blogging friends in person for the first time! Oh - and we got the Aokay for Farm Chicks- the same day we submitted our application!

March: This was Seabrook month! The long anticipated and much planned for girl's weekend away. Lots of dear blogging friends and a once in a lifetime weekend. Downtown Seattle, P.F. Chang's, Pike Place Market, lots and lots of nice cameras snapping beautiful photos! A surprise wedding shower, special times with God and really, really good food! Treasured memories!

April: This month brought sunny weather, more training, more treasure hunting and beautifying for Farm Chicks and my sweet E's sixth birthday complete with a dino themed backyard bash and all his classmates! It also brought a bright pink cast and a new big girl bed for the little girl.

May: E's a kindergarten graduate! A new DSLR camera finds a home in my hands which are still busy, busy, busy, preparing for my little dream of an antique show. Q's first birthday is squeezed in a bit uneventfully but celebrated nonetheless. Flowers are planted like crazy!
And training...it's still happening although not as often as it should!

June: What can I say? Looking back on this month I see it was probably the best one out of the year! Dreams were really, really fulfilled. Amazing weekend at Farm Chicks (we actually did it!), like none I've seen after party at Chaps, great memories with friends and family and to finish off the month - my first half-marathon completed successfully! Lots of fun times in the yard and playing in the water, a wonderful pizza on the BBQ birthday party for a dear, sweet friend, visits to Nama and Papa for one of the last times..

~Thanks for the laughs ~

So I really appreciate the new technology that is constantly being introduced to improve our lives.

Sprint recently came out with a voice mail to text service.

I agreed to a one month free trial.

Here are the highlights of some messages I have received from dear friends lately!

Mom: Hi golf nice not.
(I know, sometimes when Greg plays too much golf - I really think it isn't nice either.)

Laura: This part needs fire. Bye. Don't well with the phone tag begin again. Bye. Really you. Bye.
(Geesh, I hope you know fire is really dangerous Laura.)

Chelle: Hi Cory. It's Sal. I had just was wondering how I sin restrained date height doing any help. I've been praying for you and hopefully turned out. She nothing on you know. Yeah, let's you anyway.
(I'm sorry Chelle, but I think Sal just might stick! And I really appreciate the prayers since sin is apparently involved here.)

Greg: This is Larry hallway source.
(I think he's been watching too many Veggie Tales with the kids.)

Laura: Hey, it's floors involve out after 11 bye. Bye. Did not know the RE/MAX select you know that nah I'll be on my way home by 130 if no. Bye. Will you later. I.
(Are you selling your house? Cause if you are I know a great realtor that doesn't work for REMAX.)

Mom: Yes, according your to our site.
(Mom, quite getting all your information from that website!)

Mom: Good morning obscene Bloom. I have a Cairo 11 you know 1030 and then I'm going to going out to finish what are the rest of afternoon. Anyhow, if you can't reach me, that's what I'm doing. Bye.
(I really hope obscene Bloom doesn't stick...and Cairo? You are going that far for your errands?)

Lisa: ......We're trying to kill together. So maybe on the 28th I trust is coming into town...
(Lisa, maybe I should have you talk to Sal...you know killing is a sin...)

Amy: ......It's Wednesday morning and it's going to say hello and see how you were doing in your preparation for everyone coming and wondering if you thought you were great morning meeting Nick Schultz. I think Chris coach not completely. The down side and everything for so we can go and enjoy yourselves for a few minutes muffin but some alone time then trying to figure out what to wear ......
(I think it's really sweet that you call me muffin and everything but who is Nick Schultz?)

So Dear Sprint,

I rate you Very Poor and give you one star out of five on this newfangled text transcription.

And I love anything that gives me the giggles.

But I think I won't be paying for this anytime soon.

~ nine~

Nine years ago today.

We started our journey.

Four homes.

Three babies.

One dog.

And lots and lots of laundry later ~

We still love.

So thankful for this little family God has given me.

That all started nine years ago today.

Love you honey.

~ Quick & Easy Gift Card Holders ~

My son's school does a special program to bless their teachers.
Parents can sign up for one week a year where they get to "bless" their child's teacher.
This can be anything you'd like it to be: special food, drinks, candy, cards, notes...just something to show your appreciation for all that they do for your child.

This week is our week to bless Eli's teacher.
She has been a wonderful first grade teacher for him.
She is kind and warm but doesn't put up with too much sass from the kids.
She has even challenged Eli in an area that we have been working on with him - and he is growing and changing. I've seen a new maturity in him since school started.

We have loved this teacher and sadly she is leaving at Christmas break.
We are happy too ~ she is leaving because she is having her first child this Spring ~ a sweet baby girl.

We sent some chocolates and a fun notebook for her today.

Tomorrow I wanted to send a Starbucks gift card.

As luck would have it, I ran out of coffee today and the Starbucks Christmas blend was calling my name! Today they offered a free $5.00 gift card when you purchased a pound of their Christmas blend!

In years past they have given you gift cards in darling little packages. I just got the card today and needed something to package it up prettily. I've been eyeing all those felt flowers that are everywhere right now and thought it would be a pretty package topper for a little felt envelope. I saw a poinsettia felt flower tutorial here and quickly put this together.


I used silver embroidery thread to sew my version of french knots in the center of the poinsettia. This holds the three pieces of flower petals together and ties it to the felt envelope. I also added a running stitch all along the outside of the envelope in the same silver embroidery thread. A little piece of Velcro holds the flap in place and the treats safely inside.

These were so fun and easy to make!

"You can give without loving,
but you can never love without giving."
~Author Unknown

A Child's Christmas Craft Not Fit For (My) Children

Source

So I recently volunteered to be in charge of a Christmas craft for my son's first grade Christmas party. My first nostalgia filled thought involved those little clothes pin reindeer ornaments we all made when we were younger. I recently heard about The Crafty Crow though - a blog dedicated to sharing children's craft ideas - and thought I'd start there for inspiration.

I decided on a darling little scrappy fabric ornament courtesy of this blog. I wanted to do a trial run and have an example for the class so I loaded up on supplies, cut out hundreds of tiny scraps of fabric and got my kids to work.

Well, my first grader got frustrated immediately. See, it is a little tricky to get the gluey fabric scraps to stick to the Styrofoam ball before it dries completely. The little pieces of fabric have a tendency to shift around and stick to your fingers.

My three year old really stuck with it though. This craft kept her attention about five times as long as it did her brother's. I guess it comes down to personality types.

The hubs is actually a crafter at heart. He picked up my son's discarded
attempt and quickly got to work.

Here is my finished ornament. I'm just waiting for the glue to dry before I pin on some ribbon so it can hang from the tree.


So my trial run was a success in that now I know it may not be the best craft for fourteen first graders and a one hour Christmas party. I think kid's that have the personality to stick to it would do great with a little hands on help from an adult.

Clothes pin reindeers here I come!

December

Source:
http://happythings.tumblr.com/page/290

I am happy it's December.

It's cold, snowy and decidedly December around here.

So far December has brought:

~ One nasty cold that is lingering a week longer than welcome

~ Reoccurring bouts of pink eye in the little population of my home

~ Christmas decorations 99.9% completed

~ One pre-lit artificial Christmas tree returned to Costco after only two years (bum bulbs)

~ A dining table so messy and so full of crafting satisfaction

~ An Advent calendar the littles are enjoying oh so much

~ A sweet anticipation of getting a REAL Christmas tree again....of making family memories picking it out, cutting it down, wrestling with lights and decorating it ....as a family

**********
I looked at the calendar the other day and was slightly taken
aback at how soon Christmas will be here.

This year I so want to enjoy the moments of this season.
I don't want these next few weeks to rush by in the busyness of it all.
I want my heart and the hearts of my family to be prepared for Christmas.
I want us to realize anew the miracle that is Jesus and His birth.

I've been reading so many thoughts on Advent and seeing different resources that are so inspiring. I am feeling really challenged to put the emphasis on Jesus during these days leading up to Christmas.

How are you celebrating Advent with your family this year? With your children?
I would love to hear more ideas...especially on how to share and create experiences with young children.


For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Sweater Weather

Brrr...it's cold outside!

It is indeed sweater weather around here! We are expecting a high of 7 degrees
and are bundled up inside enjoying a self-imposed snow day!

It's a good day for egg nog coffee, lots and lots of hot cocoa with marshmallows and home made cookies with peppermint chips and sprinkles!

We are already enjoying the Christmas season at our house....
we dug out all the decorations this weekend!
Our tree is the only thing left to decorate and that is only on hold because of some
twinkle light issues.

It's also a good day for some sewing!

Two of the throw pillows I usually have on my couch have been sitting around "naked" for a few days. Their old covers got washed and frankly, I've been hesitant to put them back on.
They have seen a few years of use and are showing how much they have been loved.
Plus, I've been itching to make some cozy and Christmas inspired covers to replace them.

-The front of the pillow-

I ended up using three of my old sweaters and went
a little crazy cutting them up.

My plan was to make two covers but I ended up a little short on material so
I ended up making one cover a little bit too big.

One pillow insert was a little sad so I stuffed both pillows inside and now it is about the size of a bed pillow! I didn't really take into account how stretchy sweaters are when I measured it out.

-The back of the pillow-

Crafting bug satisfied...now to snuggle up with that pillow and watch the snowflakes fall.


"Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when it's mother is feeling chilly."
-Ambrose Bierce

Burlap Inspiration

So I've joined the ranks of all the other like-minded, frugal and crafty Pottery Barn loving Mama's the world over.

I think most of us get the Pottery Barn catalog in the mail. If you are like me, you save it, you look through it over and over again soaking up the inspiration. And occasionally, you see something you think you could take on - and take on for a much more reasonable price!

This Advent calendar caught my eye right away. Some girlfriends and I have recently started meeting for a craft night once a month. We decided our take on this Burlap Advent calendar would be our new project.

(Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn)

It was so fun to see all the different colors of burlap there are out there...I think every one of us girls showed up with a different color!

This project was so fun and simple. I made mine super large like the one PB is selling but it could easily be made much, much smaller!

The Pottery Barn calendar is 34" wide by 57" high. Mine is just a smidge bigger. I wasn't at all exact with my measurements.

Here is a shot of my finished Advent calendar.



This was really easy and fun to make. I found all my supplies at JoAnn's and it was pretty affordable especially if you freehand the numbers.

I chose to buy some small number stencils and then because I wanted some variety in my numbers I bought some larger wooden numbers that I used as stencils as well.

For the black numbers I used a paint pen. After I started "painting" I realized I probably would have gotten a similar result with a black sharpie...which I already owned.

I raided my fabric stash for some fun Christmasy colored fabrics, found some cute buttons at the store as well as some glittery felt. I wasn't sure how I felt about glittery felt as I was buying it but once I cut out the number I realized how much I loved the look!

I attached all of the fabric and felt numbers with a fusible web (Steam-A-Seam).

Once I had a few numbers done I started sewing on the pockets. I tried my hardest to make everything straight and shipshape but it turned out a little wonky anyway! I think it just gives it more of a homespun look!

I didn't worry about my pockets fraying. I sewed up three sides and figure the back stitch at the top of the pockets will keep the top from fraying too much.

Now to fill it up! I am waiting until the night before to stock it up because I know it will be too tempting for my little elves to wait once they spy treats in the pockets!

Some thoughts on filling the Advent calendar pockets:

Candy, candy, candy!
Little notes of promises....rent a fun family movie, go on a walk to the park, do a craft!
Matchbox cars
Small dolls
Bouncy balls
Dollar bills for their piggy banks
Small books

As you can see, the list is endless! I spotted some fun stuff in the dollar bins at Michaels lately as well and hear there are some great finds in the Target dollar bins too!

Do you do an Advent Calendar with your family?

What kinds of treats do you fill yours with?

Do tell! Please share your ideas!

"The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us—give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned."

Life Is an Advent Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONNECTIONS, 11-28-93

Grateful Heart

Feeling grateful the past few days for family, loving when all five of us are home together.
It just feels right.

Grateful for my sweet, kind and maturing oldest son. So proud of him lately.

Loving that the holiday coffee creamers are back on store shelves.

Very thankful that we have power and no damage after last night's big wind storm.

Loving this verse today:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:25

And this one:

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:27

Thankful for the scripture which brings perspective when sorely needed.

Feeling oh so grateful we have a God who loves us through the hard times
and gives us hope for our future.

Ella

So here I am a few days later with no daily posts of gratefulness.

On Wednesday a sweet friend unexpectedly had her baby at 31 weeks.

Sweet baby Ella is struggling and really needs our prayers.

You can read her story and follow her updates here.

What can you do for someone in that situation?

Love, and prayer, and more love and prayer.

And also quilts. Quilts are good.

Dear, sweet friends got together and we poured
all our love and prayers into a quilt for baby Ella.

That is why I have no posts of gratefulness.

But I am grateful for this:

An amazing God who still does miracles and loves us through the really tough stuff

Really wonderful friends

And the beautiful gift God gives us of babies.

Every single one is a miracle.

And Ella is just that, a miracle.

Grateful.....

So a lot of friends are sharing bits of gratefulness everyday in November as part of 30 days of Gratefulness. And even though I am nine days late to the party...I'm joining in!

Day 9

I'm grateful to just be home all day...no big to do list, no errands to run.

I'm grateful for a pot roast in the crock pot, a little less stressed dinner time & a happy husband when he walks through that door.

I'm grateful for two full bags of hand me downs for Addison.

I'm grateful for five full bags of hand me downs for Quinn.

And discounted after Halloween costumes Nama sent home for the kids for dress up.

I'm grateful to all of my family who made it possible for me to fly out of town this past weekend and have some fun.

I'm grateful that it's that time of year again to start baking and decorating and letting my mind wander to making crafts and presents.


“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life.
Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.”
-Margaret Cousins

Watch your tube tonight....

(This shot was taken at the Farm Chicks dinner held at Chaps in June.)

Because one of my absolute favorite places in my little neck of the woods is going to be featured on Diners, Drive In's & Dives!

This restaurant has incredible atmosphere, wonderful food, and the owner Celeste is one of the most sincere and nice people I have ever had to privilege to meet.

Check your listings since it may be on at different times in different areas. I think it airs on the Food Network around here at 10:00.

(Shot of Becca, Jessica & I at Chaps in June.)


(My sister really enjoys it there too...)


(And me, really enjoying it for my birthday in September.)

Tune in and tell me what you think! I'm excited to see the other restaurants featured too -
Greg and I often watch the show together and drool over the food featured...this time we can actually do something about those cravings!

"Chamberlain's Law: Everything tastes more or less like chicken."
- from The Official Rules

a little bit of happy.

Sometimes our lives feel ordinary.

Sometimes they feel mundane, even boring.

Occasionally we walk around with blurry eyes...forgetting to rub them clear
and see the happy that surrounds us.

The little things.

The cute ruffled scarf.

The 100% on the spelling test.

Or the bright orange vest fit for a baby.

God didn't just create the mountains.

Or the vast oceans.

He created the bird that flies over the mountains.

He drew the lines on that striped fish that swims in the sea.

Don't you think we should open our eyes and see the small bits of happy that surround us?

This is my reminder for the day.

I want to see the little bits of happy that God has surrounded me with.

He cares about the details.

He delights in the small joys.

He finds joy in seeing us use the creativity He poured into us.

Coming from someone whose heart sings for pretty things....

I am really happy that God is a creative God...

and that we are created in His image.

Sometimes I forget though that the creator of this beauty, this happy, that surrounds me,
is the One to be worshiped.

Not the happy, pretty things.

And He wants us to remember that He is not ordinary, mundane or boring.

He is quite extraordinary.

Today I am thankful for the small bits of happy.

The cheery polka dots and bright orange gourd.

The leaves in my window reminding me that there is a season for everything.

And a world that is overflowing with beautiful things.

Given to us by a beautiful God.