What I Want to Try...

I would love to try ThIs... if I had the TiMe, not to mention the KiTcHeN set-up. I have a longing to just cook. Is it the time of year? I know it's not nesting, but this is my desire.

Wide World of Sports

Well, we couldn't hold off any longer. Ethan is now enrolled in wrestling, the first sports activity any of the kids have participated in. I think it will be good for him to learn something new with the discipline, not to mention the physical activity, that goes along with it.

You Know Your Child Needs a Pet When...

This weekend the kids and I stopped by the home of some friends. They have a retriever who is laid back and LOVED the attention Braelyn lavished on her. After we left their home, Braelyn informed me that she was getting a Dalmation. "Oh, really," I said. " And what is your Dalmation going to be called?" Without skipping a beat, she answered in the exasperated voice that only a three-year-old can do, "Blue Rosie." I then proceeded to quiz her about who would feed Blue Rosie. "I will," was the reply. I then asked the big question, "Who is going to take care of Blue Rosie's poop?" Again, the exasperated voice answered, "I will. I will flush the toilet for her when she's done." How do you follow that one?

The Kids

Here are some recent pics of the kids. Ethan is getting so big - 4th grade this year. Kirsche is still girly-girl through and through. Braelyn chose the beenie hat at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago and really wears it. I didn't think she would. The girls got their hair fixed at a salon for the "Princess Tea Party" at the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam. (We didn't make it to the party, but the girls were thrilled to be dressed up.)

Braelyn's Dress

I finally finished Braelyn's dress. I picked up the fabric and pattern from The Quilt Shoppe in Rigby. I'm really happy with how it turned out - especially after picking and redoing the shirring twice!

So Sweet...

I dug up this photo of Ethan and Kirsche at my sister, Lisa's wedding from nearly 2 years ago. It makes me smile to see them holding hands. There was a point in the procession where they had to go down a few steps and Ethan assisted Kirsche with her dress to make sure she didn't step on it and trip. Love it!

Pure George (with a little Blake and Julianne)

Becky, Lisa and I made it last month to SLC for George Strait.
Here I am waiting ever so patiently for the concert to start.


Julianne Hough was surprisingly good. She has such a big voice packed into that small little body. Blake Shelton followed Julianne. Sorry, I didn't take pictures of Julianne.


Finally...look how close we were!

Some Confusion...

Kirsche had to give a talk this Sunday on faith and prayer. I found a story about President David O. McKay when he was a boy to tell during her talk. On Saturday evening, I was going over her talk with her and when I told her about President McKay's story she looked at me in a quizzical manner and said "President McKay? Wasn't he against Barack Obama in the election?" It took me a minute to understand that she was referring to John McCain. I didn't realize she paid that much attention to the media! I then proceeded to explain to her the difference between President McKay and Senator McCain.

Mom Mama Mommy Mother

I had a great Mother's Day with gifts, hugs and kisses from the three best kids and husband ever, but my thoughts this weekend have been on my own mother, Paula, and the things that I have learned from her. I don't know why, but as I grow older, I see more and more wisdom in the things she taught me, maybe not with words, but definately by example.
To be concise, I have listed the things that stand out to me most about my mom:
1. She's not terribly outspoken, but when she speaks her mind it's eloquent, logical and pure testimony.
2. When she did speak up against something or someone, it always turned out to be right.
3. She is the hardest worker I can think of - in the home or out.
4. Rare is the occasion that I can remember Mom uttering a complaint.
5. Stoic comes to mind when I think of Mom. Not that she has had a great deal of trials and adversity in her life to make her stoic, but she has weathered unpleasant situations with dignity that I would have moaned and groaned my way through.
6. She may just be starting to realize it, but her love of sewing is starting to awaken in me. I hunger for her talent to create beautiful things while sitting at the sewing table.
Mom, I love you and your great example in life! I hope your day was great!

What I've Been Up To...

Gosh, has it really been over a month since I last posted? Well, I have a lot to update on what's been going on lately. Yes, these adorable little boxes are my kids teacher gift from Valentine's Day (I know, that was two months ago!) I had so much fun making and filling these little cuties with treats.

This is my first quilt - actually it's my first quilted quilt, as opposed to a tied quilt. It was so much fun that I have been gathering cute material from my new favorite fabric store in anticipation of quilting some more. I do have some in the works, but it's slow going with kids, work and life moving at the speed of light.

I have also started putting scrap fabric to good use. I made a girl's burp cloth and soft square with some ribbon taggies for a friend of my mom's. The little boy's set on the right doesn't have a home - yet. I know lots of women who are expecting this fall!

Sorry, this pic is a little out of focus. I made Braelyn and Kirsche each a quick little springtime dress out of pre-smocked fabric (amazing invention!). Braelyn's has pink and purple ladybugs on it and Kirsche's is black with red cherries. For some reason I can't catch Kirsche with her dress on to snap a fast picture.

Organizing has also been near the top of my list. My ribbons went from this above . . .

to this. I inserted two 5/16 inch dowels into a wooden base and presto, a ribbon spool holder that is so much more economical than the fancy ones at the craft store for purchase.

This is the wedding gift that I will be putting in the mail tomorrow for my friend, Jen, who just got married. Post is their last name and the letters come from my sisters, Tara and Becky, business, Love Letters Photography. I think it looks amazing! I hope Jen and Ashley do, too. (Sorry, Jen, if you see this before it arrives!)

Watch Out...Here It Comes

Okay, I apologize ahead of this posting because I need to vent a bit. 

I, in good faith, subscribed to a publication that claims to support working mothers with their juggle and work/life balancing acts, etc.  I need support and ideas and suggestions and all the help I can get!  But, I must admit that I am thoroughly disappointed.   It seems, from reading the articles in issue after issue of this magazine, that the majority of working mothers have a) a nanny at home watching the kids, caring for the house; or b) a husband who works from home or stays at home while his wife has a high-powered career that rakes in the dough for both of them.  Is this the norm?  It can't be the majority of real life scenarios, could it?  How about some articles on how to manage the schlepping of kids from school to daycare to scouts to home on your lunch hour while taking calls on your cell phone from you boss who needs documents brought down to the courthouse and flights rebooked and calls/emails returned all the while trying to inventory your freezer at home to determine what can be thawed, cooked and eaten before the home teachers come at 6:30? I think I need a vacation.

Truly Great Friends

Over the last several months I have been spending a lot of time thinking about friends - my friends, in particular.  I have truly been blessed in that area.  Recently I reconnected with my childhood best friend, Jen, who now lives in Florida.  It has been so nice to re-enter each other's lives after a long absence.  In fact, one of my best birthday presents this year was a long telephone call from her!

Also in the forefront of my thoughts lately have been my best friends from jr. high and high school.  These girls are truly amazing and I am so glad that we still continue on in our friendships!  Yesterday, as I sat with Hilary and Jennifer at Cheryl's mom's funeral, I thought back over the last few years with different trials that each of my friends have had to face - Jennifer's sick baby boy, Hunter and her subsequent health and adoption issues; Hilary and her car accident; the loss of Cheryl's dad last year (how I used to wish he were my own dad growing up!) and now her mother; Molly's motorcycle accident; Heather's son Quincy and their kidney surgeries, etc.  

As I sat there in the funeral, I realized several things:  1) even though I am not the greatest at keeping up with communications with my friends like I should, in the event that I ever need my friends or their support, whether in Arizona, Florida or across town, they will be there for me, no matter what; 2)  these are individuals, sisters really, who have helped shape who I am today.  I seek their examples in living and admire who they all are; 3) I truly love each of you, my friends!

No. 1 Fan, Seriously!

When Everett and I were first married, I told him that there were only 2 concerts that I would die to attend - Vince Gill and George Strait. I saw Vince in Spokane in Spring of '96, I think, but George Strait doesn't tour very close to Idaho Falls so I haven't had the opportunity to see him YET. I heard George is coming to SLC in July so I called Lisa and Becky and we made arrangements with my other sisters for a girls' weekend in Utah. Lisa, Becky and I are going to see George at the Usana Amphitheater. We got great seats even though the tickets are going fast. It's a splurge, but hey, what can I say? It's George Strait, after all.

What...Tagged!?!?

Yikes, I thought I might escape from this, but I've been tagged.  I am supposed to list my three favorite indulgences and then tag other individuals.  For those of you tagged, after listing your items, please list the instructions and feel free to tag others!

3. (I'll count backwards for more effect) Lately it's been such an indulgence to get out of the house by myself and browse through Porter's Crafts' quilting fabric.  I love the patterns/prints people put together and daydream that maybe one day I can put together a beautiful quilt pattern of my own design.

2. Having all of my family, i.e. parents, sisters, brother, nephews, kids, brothers-in-law, all together for family dinners.  It is so gratifying to have everyone in one place enjoying good food, good company and realizing after all these years that we really do like one another, despite what my mom and dad probably thought while we were growing up!

1. Harry & David's chocolate covered Bing cherries!  Nothing more to say there. (If you ever need to bribe me....)

Heather, Michelle, Lisa, Sky, Julie, YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!