Nothing says lovin'....

...like snuggling with a doggie's hiney....

Lucky 7

Seven years ago today was a good day.  

I became a mom.

After a marathon labor, Reagan arrived a month early. 

She was born at 12:10 in the afternoon and was a tiny 5 pounds, 10 ounces.  

She fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a mom.  It's the only thing I ever knew I wanted to be.  

I never knew I could love anyone as much.

It was love at first breath and she has had my heart ever since.  

She made her television debut at 3 months old 

(Hurricane Isabel knocked power out at our church so her dedication was outside and the news thought it was great!)

She has always been full of joy!

And filled us with joy.

(don't you love the long jammies!?)

It's hard to believe that she's seven.  She has grown into such a beautiful young lady, inside and out.

She has such concern for others and a tender spirit.

She's a great big sister and loves to "take care" of them (whether they like it or not sometimes!).

She is my heart. I couldn't be more proud.  

Smart, kind, and beautiful.  

This is the first year she did not ask for toys for her birthday.  It's a sign she is growing up.  While I'm happy to not add more toys to our growing collection, I'm a little sad to see the little girl years behind her.  I know we're not far from the request for cell phones, ipods, computers, and gift cards.  

For now, I will cherish her snuggles.  

And be thankful for her loving heart.  

And pray.

Pray for the calling on her life and that the Lord always keeps her tender toward others. 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I love you to the moon and back.

Friday Funnies

Is it Friday already!? Wow! What a fast week!!

I only remembered to write down two "funnies" this week but they are good ones.

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We were sitting in the family room one night and Bailey started dancing around and twirling.  She said "Mommy look! I Dancing wiffa stars!" The funnier part is that Reagan corrected her and said, "No Bailey, it's Dancing IN the stars!"

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I was chasing Skylar up the stairs and when we got to the top I pretended to trip so she could get away.  She said "Oh mommy, you're such a gooseball!"

I said, "Don't you mean a goofball, ffff,fff, like goofy?"

Skylar: "Mommy, Goofy is a dog!"

Touche'

I hope you have a blessed weekend!!

What do you do if the shoe fits??

I've been giving a lot of thought to the phrases we use lately.  I received one of those "Life in 1500's" emails that gave the explanation and origin of some familiar sayings. (i.e. It's Raining Cats and Dogs, Throwing the baby out with the bathwater, Peas porridge hot Peas porridge cold...., etc).  When I looked them up on snopes.com I found that nearly all of them (all but one) were untrue.

So while I'm still unsure of where most of our slang comes from, I have found myself questioning our language.

While driving today I saw a license plate cover that said
"If the shoe fits..."

hmmmm, ok.

If the shoe fits....what?
    
Maybe you can help me.  This is what I have come up with so far:

If the shoe fits-
      then it must be yours!

      then it's the right size.

      buy it!

      it's on the correct foot!

     

That's all I came up with.  What about you? What do YOU do when the shoe fits?? :D

I'm afraid it's contagious

Remember my disorder ICMTFL Syndrome?
Well apparently it's contagious.  Quite  a few folks have admitted that they too suffer from this disorder so I thought I should inform you that it spreads...or maybe it's genetic.  It seems to "morph" a bit though.  Instead of ICMTFL Syndrome, it's MMCMTFL aka: My Mom Could Make That For Less.  My girls have now started showing signs of the same disillusion that I live under.

I was looking through all the quilts from the Bloggers Quilt Festival hosted by Amy, and the girls were looking with me.  There are so many lovely quilts (that I could never possibly make) and the girls have decided that I can make one for them too.  Like this one.  Or this one (Take note that ONE square on this quilt is made up of 30 small squares!).  I personally love the look of this one and this one.

Of course, folks like my sweet friend Liz don't help matters much either.  She said she suffers from ICMTFL too but the only difference is that she really CAN make it for less.  Check this out.  It just so happens that my girls saw the same exact shirt in the mini Boden catalog and loved it too.

Of course I wasn't going to shell out 84 dollars for a t-shirt with a camper on the front.  But it never occurred to me that I could make it.  (Apparently Liz's disorder is far worse than mine in the best way possible).  Now my disorder has started to include appliqued clothing...who knew?? :D

Just be warned.  I believe this is an epidemic in the making.

My First Bloggers Quilt Festival-Spring 2010

My first quilt was made in 2001 after I got married.  I wanted to make my mom a "throw" for her newly decorated living room.  She had made a quilt for me when I went away to college that I treasure so I knew a quilt would be sentimental to her.  My aunts are also incredible quilters so I figured it was in my genes. :)

Since then, I have made a few baby quilts, always with my own pattern, out of blocks, with straight stitching.  You would think after nine years that I would have more to "show" as far as quilts go but it has only recently become a true "hobby" thanks to my friend Amy (the wonderful, amazing, incredibly talented, and inspiring Amy).  

She hosts a wonderful "Bloggers Quilt Festival" twice a year.  I've watched in the past, but this time I'm actually joining in the fun!! It's open to all quilters, from novice to professional.  I definitely fall in the "novice" category.






If you follow my blog you will recognize this quilt (as I just shared it's completion with you a couple weeks ago), but if you are new here, read on.

Amy asked if I would be willing to test a pattern for her.  I had never used a pattern before but was excited to try!

Her pattern calls for one layer cake and one charm pack (plus 1/2 yard for binding and 3 1/2 yards for backing).  I used the Moda Blush line and love the result!!

Since I was in the mood to try new things, I also tried free motion quilting for the first time.  I'm officially addicted.  I want to quilt everything.  I even look at matelasse and think "oh yah, I could do that." :D

My new quilt is used daily in our family room.  It's the perfect size for snuggling! My girls love it and are already asking when I'm going to make a quilt for each of them.

(The doggies happen to like it too!)

Go check out the Bloggers Quilt Festival and see the incredible talents of others!

Friday Funnies

It's been a busy week! But the girls have not failed in giving me at least a few tidbits to share for our Friday Funnies.
*****************
Bailey has learned to quickly "blame" others (mostly Skylar) for things.  When I ask "who made this mess?" she is quick to reply with "Skylar did." Or when I ask "who is stinky?" she always says "Skylar is." (of course it's ALWAYS her because she's the only one still in diapers).  So, it was really funny the other night when Skylar fell asleep on the couch at 7pm and I said "Who let Skylar fall asleep?" and she replied...... "Skylar did."

*****************
We had a church picnic last weekend (and I still need to post pictures).  Reagan was most excited about the watermelon eating contest.  She was just certain she would win.  We were ready to head home but she begged us to stay longer so she could compete.  And wouldn't you know....she won.

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

One night Bailey came into our bedroom declaring "I've got probbies." It took me a few minutes to figure out that her "probbies" were "problems" and that her "probbie" was that she couldn't get her baby's arm into a dress.

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

We have tried to be encouraging to the girls by saying "Good job" and "high five" when they do something well.  For example, when Bailey uses the potty, I always say "Good job! High five!"  I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised when I opened the door to leave the bathroom and Bailey was standing on the other side and said "Good job mommy! High five!" :D

Friday Funnies

Last week someone (who shall remain nameless) posted as her facebook status: "FYI: your kids aren't that funny."  Hmm.  Well, my cynical, humorless, single, childless, former-facebook friend, I happen to think my kids are really funny! And I'll prove it.

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

A conversation in our house last week while the girls were playing:

Reagan: make sure he has a parachute

Skylar: he does have a carrot suit

**************
Bailey has been citing her memory verse from Ephesians as "Children, obey your carrots in the Lord..."

Apparently we like carrots here.

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

Skylar: Mommy, look! A mow lawner!

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

Skylar while playing with stuffed animals:

"Come on scout, cross the river with me! You can do it!"

"I can't walk on water! I'm not Jesus!"

"It's just a river, not a ocean Scout!"

***********
Bailey came out of my bathroom last week with a Maxi pad and said "Mommy, bandaid?" :D


What do you think about making this a weekly occurrence? Want to link up with your Friday Funnies?

Bigger and Better

There is never a shortage of ways to help others.  Hopefully you don't have to look very far to find folks that are doing something good for others; something bigger than themselves; trying to make the world a better place.

Today you don't have to look very far at all.  A dear friend of mine decided to do something really big to make a difference.  She's walking 60 miles in 3 days to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.  It's a giant responsibility but she has taken it on with perseverance and a determined resolve.  It's getting harder and harder to find someone that has NOT been directly affected or known someone affected by breast cancer. My very own Nana is a survivor.

In order to help raise funds, she has had a few folks offer products for her to auction.  If you can, would you stop by and check out her item of the week? While you're there, leave her a note of encouragement and maybe follow her journey to "Saving Second Base." (How great is that title?!) You can also click her google ads.  Each click earns money toward her fundraising goal.  How easy is that?!




Just click on her button!
Thanks friends!!

I have a Disorder

It's bad.  It's really really bad.
Some might call it an allergy to overpriced items, but I refer to it as the "I could make that for less" Syndrome.  Aka: ICMTFLS

I went shopping on Mother's Day.  Without the girls.  It was wonderful (Thank you for that gift Honey!).  I love shopping with my girls, but I am very focused and on a mission when they are in tow.  When I'm alone, I have the luxury of "browsing".   Unfortunately when I'm alone, my disorder goes into high gear.

I walked through Pottery Barn and found a beautiful quilt for Reagan's bed.  On sale.  For 100 dollars. Plus 40 dollars for the shams.  Plus 60 dollars for the sheets.
Bargain.

Or not.  Not when you have ICMTFLS.  

Thanks to Amy and my newfound love of quilting, I am pretty sure I could make it for less. 

Sometimes my disorder is SO bad that I can even look at something like this:

Or this:

and think "I could make that...for less." 

It only gets worse when I go into the furniture department.  Thanks to one of my favorite new websites:

I'm even convinced that I could make this....for less:

I guess things could be worse.  I could have the "I've just got to have that" disorder where I actually spend the money.  Instead, my disorder is more delusional (and free).  

Anyone else suffer from this? Should we start a support group?

Photos courtesy of potterybarn.com and potterybarnkids.com

A Project!

A few months ago, I tweeted about wanting "a new project."  Amy was quick to jump at my request and asked me to "test" a quilt pattern named Simple Times for her.  (Twist my arm.  Please!)

I was nervous at first because I have NEVER used a quilt pattern before.  I have always done my own pattern.  I also wanted to do her fantastic pattern justice.

I used one layer cake (pre-cut 10 inch squares) and one charm pack (pre-cut 5 inch squares), both from the Moda "Blush" line.  Gorgeous! Three of my favorite colors are Aqua, Chocolate, and Red, so I was drooling when I got the fabric in the mail.

I did choose a coordinating fabric from a different line for the backing (cause I had a coupon), but I think it turned out great!

The cutting and piecing were cake (pun intended), and I love love love the scrappy result.  My girls actually fight over who gets to use the quilt!

Even my doggies love it!

And because I love Amy and she inspires me to try new things, I decided to go ahead and try free motion quilting.  It's not perfect, but I am officially addicted. 

(I know, seasoned professionals are cringing....or snickering).  

It actually turned out better than I thought since my "practice attempts" on scraps had my husband questioning if I was going for the "amoeba" look.  But apparently I have redeemed myself because he has asked that I make a quilt for our bed (a California King size) with a heavier batting.  

Baby steps Honey, baby steps.  

I used 100% bamboo batting on this project if you were wondering. 

I did try to do hand binding, but the process was too long for me (and my end threads kept coming undone) so I seam-ripped the whole side I had done and machine bound it.  Hopefully Amy will do a tutorial on binding soon....(hint hint my friend!). :D

She is offering this FANTASTIC pattern on her blog, so head over there and enter to win a free copy! 

You won't regret it!

Your doggie might thank you too! :D

Thanks for the inspiration and the "project" Amy!!

Word to my mother

I get to blog about being a mom all the time so for mother's day, I thought I would tell you a little about the woman that taught me everything I know and loves my girls as much as I do.  She's my mom.
And she's amazing.

She has always been one of my best friends.  I never went through a phase where I thought she was uncool or I didn't want her around.  On the contrary, I had friends that wanted to come to my house because they loved my mom too.

She's the most selfless person I know (almost to a fault). She has always put everyone else's needs ahead of her own.  She has a wonderful, giving, and loving heart.

She gave birth to me...without an epidural! Of course she had to leave the room when my epidural didn't work with Skylar, but that's a whole other post.  She did manage to be in the room when Bailey was born. (and arrived by plane less than 12 hours after Reagan was born).

She actually picked out Bailey's name.

She works hard at whatever she does and does it right the first time.  She's a peacemaker and doesn't raise her voice (Clearly, I still have much to learn from her).

She's crazy funny! When she and her sister get together, my sides literally hurt from laughing so much.

(She's going to hate this picture!)

She loves to give hugs.

She takes my kids to Disneyland!

She loves her family and God with all her heart.

She's the only woman I know that can come through a nervous breakdown, a brain aneurysm, a stroke, and a TIA (all within a couple years), and come out on the other side with even more beauty, more patience, more grace, and more faith.

I can talk to her multiple times a day and we still do not run out of things to talk about (something our husbands will never understand).

She genuinely loves her grandkids! (and being a grandma).

She has always been my biggest fan!
I'm blessed because she's mine.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you to the moon and back!

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

No really.  I'm not.  Of course, if one were standing face to face with me, I might get a case of the heebie jeebies.  But it's not a fear I have. 

I'm also not afraid of spiders.  Or even most bugs.  

I have no fear of heights, new situations, or flying.  

But reptiles and rodents? Forget it.  I know most people don't like mice, rats, lizards and snakes, but I have an actual fear of them.  I'm working on it though.  Because as you may recall (according to Reagan), Fear is sin.  We are not called to live in fear.  

I have actually been gripped by fear a few times in my life.  It wasn't a good feeling.  

When Reagan was nine weeks old, some friends of ours (that had gone through a parenting class with us), lost their five month old baby to SIDS.  Not only did I feel helpless to support them, but I was gripped by fear every time I put Reagan down.  Through time, and lots of prayer, I was able to get over that fear.  

I've also been gripped by fear when Brian goes away on a trip.  I am convinced that every little noise is someone breaking into the house.  It never is.  (Yet another reason I am not called to be a military wife).  

We have had rodents in two houses now.  The first was rats (and I will spare you details), but it was bad enough to make us move to another house.  Then, we had a few mice work their way into our current home.  Somehow the mice weren't AS scary for me, but I still don't like them.  

I thought we had eradicated our home of the critters (all 4 of them) but when I was cleaning the guest room last week I found more droppings.  Just 3, but still.  I started to get that "feeling" again.  Are these new droppings? Are they old ones that I missed somehow? If they are new, How are they getting in?! Are they in this room right now?! Where else have they been? What is that smell? (turns out 'that smell' was Baileys diaper by the way).  Brian set out traps again, and we went about our daily business.  Of course, secretly I was looking for droppings elsewhere in the house.  I even thought about banning black socks in our house because every little piece of fuzz looked like a dropping to me.  Needless to say, we didn't catch anything.

People have told me "They're just mice." Or "Mickey is a mouse! How can you be afraid of a mouse?!" But that's like telling someone afraid of flying "It's just a giant metal capsule with two tiny engines that have been known to fail occasionally."  Not reassuring really.  

Especially at night.  When I have to go to the bathroom, and I see this:

Yes, it's a harmless stuffed spider that used to be attached to a children's book.  And I'm not afraid of spiders, remember?

But from farther away......

and without glasses or contacts....

It looks more like this.....

You get the idea....

I was reading to the girls from their Children's Bible and in the creation chapter it says very clearly that God gave man "dominion over all the animals." We are not to fear the things we have dominion over.  

Also, the verse in Second Timothy has been popping up in several places lately.

"For I have not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind." 2 Tim. 1:7

With all of that in mind, I walked very carefully over to that rabid mouse in my bathroom, towel in hand, ready to capture him! I threw it over him quickly! I was victorious!! I had conquered my fear!! 

As I scooped up that mouse in the towel, I realized he was not moving.  

I squeezed the towel a bit to see if I could feel him in there.  Of course that was when I realized that I had captured....

a stuffed, 

smiling, 

spider.  

You might be laughing, and I did too.  But then I realized that it was still a major feat for me.  

I may not be afraid of spiders, or heights, or flying, but for today I can also say 

"I ain't afraid of no mouse either!" 

Now....about those lizards....

What are YOU afraid of???

Something about Bailey

I have no idea what this child got in her hair, but this is how she woke up yesterday.  It took more than water and shampoo to get it out.  I had to put a drop of dish soap on her hair to dissolve "whatever" it was.  Today her hair is back to lying flat (and smells lemony fresh).

A Winner!

Thanks to everyone that entered my cleaning contest! It seems like the bathroom is almost everyone's least favorite place to clean.  So I chose the right cleaner to give away :D

Our big winner (chosen by random.org) is:
Number 7: Jennifer@ The Middleton Family
(If you don't know Jenn, you should check out her blog.  She has two adorable, and quite humorous, kids and they are in the process of adopting a child from China).

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2010-05-03 15:50:08 UTC

How appropriate that:

Jennifer said...

Great giveaway Heather! I hate cleaning the bathrooms!!!! Ugh!

APRIL 29, 2010 5:21 PM 

Jennifer, I have your email, so I will email you to get your address.

That was fun! I might have to do another one soon! Jenn, I'd love to hear what you think of the cleaner!!

The sun is shining today and we are cleaning a bit before heading outside to enjoy it.
Have a blessed day!