Sometimes thank you is all that can be said.....

We got this note in the mail today. It included a VERY, VERY generous gift among it's humble folds.

The senders?

Anonymous.


Why are we so loved? I'm not sure I have the answer.

But to whomever you are that started this note on it's journey, we feel extremely loved.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

How does one repay such kindness sufficiently. I don't have the answer for that either.

I can only pray that the Lord sees fit to repay it for us in blessings unlimited for the ones who have greatly brightened our home with their generosity. And that we too may be in tune enough with His will that we can pass on this feeling to others in our own small way.

Thank you. Thank you.

Scrooge

You know how Christmas is fun? I personally subscribe to that exact way of thinking.

However, when it comes to my kids, I get all tense and scroog-ie about how much potential mess the fun could cause. When did I become this person?

I LOVED decorating the tree growing up and putting up all the other decorations. I try to let the kids help. I really do. But inside my organs are twisting up because I keep visualizing broken shards of glass and things to clean up. And I find myself biting my tongue (and in some cases not doing such a hot job of it either) to keep myself from completely controlling their every move. I'm really displeased with this aspect of my personality.

I have thought much on this today and have decided that if something breaks....who cares. We will clean it up and never speak of it again. It's not as important as the memories. Kids will be kids and that includes messes....I think it's in the hand book they don't give you. You know the one, Instruction manual on how to raise a child

Sounds good right?

That's what the perfect mom would say.

Words are nothing. Lets see if I can get my actions to prove my change of heart.

Wish me luck!

Moment of silence.....

I just ran out of Buffalo Sauce.


Whimper.

Jobs

The kids have jobs to do every day. They aren't difficult. But they are required in order to keep your membership in the family...OK required is a bit harsh, but I'm sure all you moms out there know what I mean.

The jobs consist of:

Making your bed
Getting dressed
And brushing your teeth

Those are everyday before school

EVERYDAY, and I mean, E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y. Beckham throws a tantrum about how he can't make his bed or he can't remember how to get dressed. And yet, everyday he makes it, by himself, just fine, and somehow manages to pull out from the dark abysmal crevasses of his memory how to clothe himself.

I am not talking about a little whining. This is a full, blown out, screaming, kicking, tantrum.

I walk away.

Everyday.

You would think by now he would "get" that he doesn't get rewarded for such behavior. And yet, it still happens.

I get him needing to be disappointed, frustrated about having to do jobs daily. I feel the same way. So I give him a minute to get it all out.

After that......The Timer.

Oh, the horror!

Not the Timer!!!!

I cannot even begin to tell you the torture the timer inflicts on that 4 year old's mentality! It's like someone has him by the hair and is dragging him down the hall.

It's not that he's in trouble, it's that he now has a limited amount of time to complete his tasks. If he chooses to wallow in his misery rather than get stuff done, he will get more jobs to do. He knows this and has been the receiver of many additional jobs because of it.

What usually happens is another 5 minutes of wailing and gnashing of teeth followed by break neck speed of job doing. Seriously, he can get everything done in 5 minutes if that timer is getting close to the end.

It frustrates me to no end that he can complete things that quickly and yet it takes SOOOOOOO long to get past the complaining.

I've tried having heart to hearts about this with him after he has settled down and finished his jobs.

This is the conversation from this morning, after a particularly fine spectacle of a royal tantrum again closely followed by monumental speeds to beat the timer.

Me: Do you enjoy whining everyday?

B: No

Me: I don't like when it happens either. Does it take you longer or shorter to get your jobs done when you whine?

B: Longer

Me: Is that what you...

B: Yeah, but do you love me?

Me: Yes. But the point is I do not....

B: But, you still love me?

Me: I always love you, but I do not like when you....

B: I love you too. Bye!

And off he runs.

It's like he knows he can be horrible and since I'll still love him, he's cool with me getting a bit angry. Totally worth it to him.

ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Someone please tell me this is a phase.

6 lbs, Buffalo wings, OH and candy

I had my midwife appointment 2 weeks ago. Upon being weighed it was discovered that I had gained 6 lbs in the 5 weeks between my appointments.

Um.......that's not really supposed to happen.

Also something that is not supposed to happen is doubling your overall weight gain in one appointment. I accomplished that as well.

They were very kind and did not make me feel like the uncontrolled eater I have become. I was way more freaked out by the whole thing then they were. But they did mention I probably should try not to do that again.

The problem is my insatiable appetite for buffalo wings. The sauce by itself only has 5 calories per Tbs. So pretty much I can slather it's magical goodness on whatever I want. See that's the problem, it's the wings I want.

It doesn't matter if you are pregnant or not. If you eat boneless, breaded, food-from-all-things-good-and-wonderful, wings and dip them in yummy blue cheese dressing twice a day for two weeks straight proceeding to chase them with a nice after meal of 3 - 5 mini Halloween chocolates you WILL gain some weight. It's even been proven scientifically.

Yes, yes. I know what you are saying. But the taste is so worth the end result. I whole heartedly agree with you.....right now.....when my stomach can't be flat anyway.

But come 5 months from now you can bet you will see a post from me complaining about the difficulty of eliminating the unwanted fat that such glorious food deposited on my rear end. Nobody wants to hear that. I might even feel inclined post pictures of the "Before" me. And that in of itself is enough to keep young children up at night. It's better if we just try and avoid the situation all together.

As I left the office they were all giggling because they realized, and kindly pointed out, that my next appointment comes shortly after Thanksgiving and they have already witnessed the extent of my will power.

Somebody hand me a carrot stick.

Giveaway

Tip Junkie is hosting a Mom-preneur Shop-A-thon. It's one stop shopping for all your Christmas gifts. Not only are they homemade, huge plus, but they are all made by moms. Who doesn't want to support women like that?

Tip Junkie is doing some free giveaways so go and check them out.

I SO want the fabric!!! But the baby bundle would be fantastic as well.

Beckhamisms

#1

Beckham: Mom, will you do me a favor?

Me: Sure.

Beckham: Will you do me a favor and clean the bathrooms today?

Me: (stunned silence accompanied with much biting of the tongue.)


Guess who helped me with the bathrooms.

For the record, they had just been cleaned less than a week ago.


#2
(During FHE)

Kevin: (After explaining the 5th article of faith)
Beckham, what did I just say?

Beckham: I don't know, Dad. I wasn't listening.

At least he's honest.

Crafty

I've alluded to becoming crafty recently. I thought I'd post one of the items I have been making in mass recently, along with my first ever tutorial! Just in case you would like to make some too. Remember this is my first tutorial. There's bound to be some confusion. Just ask questions at the end.

This, is a stationary holder.




It's a darling little project that can be personalized and filled with all sorts of treasures. I got the idea from here.


It's very easy to make. A one hour project if you will.

Buy a 13" x 14" canvas bag at your local craft store.

Cut off the bottom and the sides.



Turn the two cut pieces so the handles are opposite each other. Cut out fabric to fit between the handle seam and the edge (about 10 1/4"--but it depends on how much you cut off the bottom) and half way up (about 5 1/2 "). I cut out a double layer of fabric for each pocket. Set the fabric aside.



On iron-on interface draw or copy the monogram of the child who the holder is for.


Remember to draw/copy it backwards on the paper side of the interface. Cut it out. Iron it onto the wrong side of the fabric you wish to use for the monogram.


Cut out the letter, peel off the interfacing and position and iron onto the front of the holder.


Sew around the edges of the letter to ensure stability. You can do this with contrasting or matching thread.


Sew the two fabric pieces of each pocket together. Then position the pockets onto their correct positions on the holder and sew along both sides and the bottom leaving the top open. (You are going to want to sew along all the cut edges of the canvas bag so that it can fray without unraveling. I incorporate sewing the bottom of pockets in at the same time I sew along the bottom of the bag.)

Once the pockets are in place and the bag has a seam along the top and bottom cut edges, then match the two halves of the bag up, pockets facing each other, and sew them together.



Add some velcro between each handle and your quick and easy project is completed.

Have fun!

Adult Break

I am WAY behind on my posting. I think of things to post all the time, but then I think, "No. I still haven't posted about X, Y, OR Z" And I stop myself. I'm afraid you have missed out on some really, really amazing posts because of this. SO I've decided I'm am going to post as it comes to me and if it's out of chronological order then so be it.

I had the chance to travel to Washington D.C. to spend some time with Kevin the beginning of October. He was there for two weeks on a work assignment (He was actually IN the Senate room when they passed the bailout bill--He said he now knows why people vote on looks. Obama looked pretty smooth and put together. McCain, well, he looked old) ANYWAY. To break up the two weeks we decided I would fly out for the weekend. SANS KIDS!!!

I got to fly first class on the way there and conversed with a young man, 5 years my junior, who's occupation was taking wealthy people around hunting big game. Who knew there was a market for such things.

In D.C. the weather was perfect and the company adorable. We would really love to take our kids there some day. All the free culture. Who could ask for more?

Lake Powell

Wow.

Look at that!

She has her pictures from the end of September already posted on her blog and it's only the middle of November. I just don't know how she does it. I suppose we should just chalk it up to a case of Super Women powers.

It's how you look at it

You know those times in your life when you think,

Seriously?!

Are you kidding me?!

What is the world is happening in the cosmos to create such havoc with my life?!

One more thing goes wrong and it's guaranteed that I will indeed have to be committed.

You know, those moments.

We are smack in the middle of one of those moments and I feel the need to change how I am looking at things. So if you will, I would feel privileged if you would accompany me on a tour of all the really, really good things I have going right now.

I am financially wise enough to know when things are getting close to bad and therefore can adjust our spending and saving accordingly before it gets really, really bad.

My children are amazing. I know, Dear Readers, that I don't write many Holy cow how did my kids get to be so good posts, but they really are and I am one pretty lucky Mama to get to hang out with them every day.

I am really lucky to have friends I can call looking for advice, on the verge of tears because it seems so hopeless and dark, and find myself unable to control those tears (dang pregnancy hormones)and they still love me and don't think less of me for having emotions much less for expressing them. I think they might even still claim that they know me in public. Thank you!.

That is such a rare quality these days. Everyone just expects everyone else to be pulled together 100% of the time. Well guess what, World. I have emotions. Why can't I show them? Who says you have to smile ALL the time? And even with a wide range of emotions I am still able to function in society and be productive.

I am a crier. That's what I do. If I'm happy, I cry. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm frustrated, disappointed, overjoyed, spiritually moved, I cry. Does that make me weak. I don't think so. And if you do, well then I'm sorry for you. You might not want to be around me for the next 5 months. Because there is just no telling when the water works will come..

It's fall. And all the colors are out parading about. It's amazing so many colors can be hiding in one little leaf.

Kevin HAS a job. That he likes. That in of itself is a huge ++++++.

I am growing a new life. Right inside of this amazing body. Could I be any more lucky?

We own a home, two cars, a computer, T.V.s, and can still afford to by food. It may be Ramen (oh and Halloween candy), but we will not starve.

I have many friends. Friends I could show up at their door step and they would let me stay the whole day, with all my kids, just because. I hope they know I'd do the same for them.

My kids love school and delight in learning.

I have a working washer and dryer.

AND a working furnace.

We have food storage.

I have lots of fabric that I can just do all sorts of things with.

I have a sewing machine

I know how to use it.

I get to go to church every Sunday.

I can read the scriptures whenever I want.

The neighborhood is Chalk full of kids who are good influences on my kids.

I am 6 hours away, in any direction, from truly amazing natural wonders of this world.

The cable guy is here right now because our phone are being less then friendly but it's amazing to even have a phone.

I have lots, and lots, of extra/unused paint in my garage. So If I wanted I can repaint a room and it won't cost a thing. It might not be the color I was looking for, but it will be different then what I had before.

I've started becoming crafty and am excited at the direction that is leading me.


Wow! Look at that list. It makes the trials seem a little less monstrous because look at all the Lord had equipped me with to fight against them.

You hear that, Trials, I've got a whole arsenal of blessings that is ready to stomp all over your attempts to cause me to despair. I may be still fighting you, but I'm pretty sure I've already won.

THBBBBBT!

Random pregnant thoughts

Thought #1:

"Hmmm.....I wonder just how good it would taste if I put EXTRA buffalo sauce on frozen buffalo wings?"


Thought #2:

"Wouldn't it be horrible if you could SEE farts?"


For the record, it's beyond good to put more buffalo sauce on frozen buffalo wings.

You should all try it.

I mean right now. Hurry no walking. It's a must run to kind of flavor.


I'll wait.


And it's totally worth all side effects, i.e., burning mouth, watery eyes........

.............insane amounts of gas.

Hence the reasoning for the second random thought.

Pregnancy is so glamorous.

The results are in

The area in question was checked, double checked, and even triple checked.


Officially,





I will be forever outnumbered!

OK not FOREVER. I mean once the boys get married we'll be all even again, but for the next 25 years....

That's right IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!


We are very excited that Tennyson will have a brother so close in age to him. And Karaia and I feel pretty good about being the Queen and Princess of the household long term.

By the way, Karaia was true to her word and she did not cry. Everyone was very excited.

I will admit to feeling a bit nostalgic about not buying cute girly shoes, or dresses, or bows, but if you look hard enough around you can find boy clothes that just melt your heart.

Now onto names.

Oh I SO HATE this part.

Two hours to go....

In two hours we find out the gender of this child!

*Note~ That sentence is to be said out loud with much jumping and boarder line yelling

It is widely known that in my perfect world I would have 2 girls and 2 boys. Seeing that I already have 2 boys you can deduce the gender I am hoping for.

However, I am mostly excited to find out who our little family is going to contain for the rest of our lives. Boy or girl they are welcomed, wanted, and loved beyond measure already.

Here's how the vote breaks up

Kevin says: Boy. Because you are destined to be out numbered by boys due to the fact that you had no brothers. Nice right?

Karaia says: I hope it's a girl, but I won't cry if it's a boy.

Beckham says: One boy and one girl

Tennyson says: Well Beckham says that Tennyson says: It's a girl

I say: I think it's a boy, but would be pleasantly surprised if it's a girl. Then my world can be even. Although last night I had a dream that they found 3 babies during the ultra sound and they were all boys. I think the Big Man upstairs is trying to send me a message.

Final count

Boy: 3
Girl: 2

It's too close to call. Tune in later in the day to find out the exciting results.

Umm......does anyone have a working clock? Mine seems to have stopped and occasionally gone backwards. AGHHHHHHHHHHH will 1:30 never get here?!?!?!?!?!

Now that's love

I promise vacation pictures are coming soon, but first....

It's 10:45 pm and where is my husband?

Out on the hunt for buffalo sauce.

That's right, the baby is feeling spicy.

I must have looked really pathetic wandering around the kitchen, whimpering at the lack of buffalo sauce because the next thing I know he has changed OUT of his pajamas into clothes and he is out the door to score me some of magic sauce.

Ahhhh....I so love him!

And then he was four

What's this?

A new post?

Stop rubbing your eyes.

You are actually seeing new words on this blog.

Why such a long absence you ask?

There has been much vacationing and much laziness concerning loading the pictures from the camera to the computer.

I still have yet to do the latter, so be sure to check this post out later for added pictures. But I have too many thoughts to contain in my head alone. You will just have to struggle through without visual aids.

Now on to the thoughts at hand:

My son, Beckham, turned 4 Sept. 23rd. He has been waiting, for what I am SURE feels like and eternity to him, to turn 4 for quite some time.

In fact, a short time after turning 4 he asked me just how long it had been since this miraculous event took place. I informed him it had been two days to which he lamented, " OHHHHHH! I'm not going to be 4 for very long!" Even pointing out that he still had 363 days left of four-ness did little to console him.

Beckham is a child of extremes. And as with all children, he is a joy and a challenge. His just comes in extreme amounts.

Beckham is VERY loving. If you really want to give him something special all that is needed is an empty lap and some undivided attention. He will tell you amazing stories and observations. Stories sprinkled with truth and large quantities of magic and improbabilities. You will never want for entertainment with him around. I am amazed every day at his quick wit and observations. After all, he is only 4. But Beyond that, he has a way of making YOU feel loved--unconditionally. Not a talent many have, and yet my little man has mastered the gift.

Beckham is VERY stubborn. If you have not done something in the fashion that he feels that it should have been executed you WILL get a tongue lashing and a few well placed tears along with some much dramatized stomping of feet. He is nearly inconsolable when something of this nature takes place and has become accustom to finding himself quite alone in a room to contemplate, and hopefully come to terms, with the fact that there are many right ways to do the same thing. And HIS way is not the only way.

Beckham loves to learn. Especially anything that has to do with language. He has always been good in this area. His current passion is mastering how to sign a sentence. It takes him 3 times as long to ask or tell me something, and I realize he is not using correct ASL grammar, but he is very proud of himself and I try to encourage his efforts as much as possible.

(I don't know how to sign a proper sentence. That's why I can't correct him...Annie maybe you can give me a few tips)

Beckham adores playing with other boys. The more "boy" the activity, the better. Sword fitting is high on the list at the moment. As well as transforming into dragons and pirates in order to scare little girls in preschool. His utensils often find that there is no other possible way of delivering food to his mouth unless they are accompanied by rocket and airplane engine noises. He has also decided that he is a super hero for most of the day and therefor must run, flip, and roll to every destination.

Being the clever mother that I am, I find this super hero identity to be quite useful. Because, as you are all aware, superheros get their strength and speed from vegetables. ESPECIALLY the green ones.

As challenging as it can be sometimes, I would be lost without this little guy in my life. He is forever opening my eyes wider as he himself discovers the world. Being the giving person he is, he turns right around and teaches me of all the wonderful things hen has seen that day, not knowing I have already seen them, but not wanting me to miss out on anything amazing, lovely, or inspiring.

He is a very spiritual person. Who has a grasp on the things of the Gospel that are far beyond his age. As a mother, that is one of the things I am always hoping and praying for, that my children will develop testimonies of their own. I am grateful to be charged with his care and feel blessed he is in our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKHAM!!!!

I love you!

The Drama

Karaia has been kind of shy at school. Opposite of what she's been most of her life, but hey maybe she's decided she needs a new angle. Who am I to judge.

Anyway, she was coming home a bit sad because she couldn't "find" anyone to play with during recess. How that is possible since there are FIVE kids from our street, that she played with ALL summer, and THREE from her soccer team, in her class is confusing. But again, maybe she had some temporary blindness. I wasn't there. It's possible. Unlikely, but I suppose possible.

So we came up with a plan and even role played with it a few times. She chose a friend, beforehand, that she would ask before school started if they would like to play with her at recess. It worked like a charm resulting in her all but floating into the car for a week.

Yesterday, she informed me that the little friend she had chosen was playing with someone else when she got out to the playground. Dun Dun duuuuuuuun

The best solution to that, OBVIOUSLY, was to plop down on the grass and cry. Then, of course, the next logical step is to march right up to said friend and declare,

"Why would you want to do that to me?!"

Oh, the DRAMA! I hear it only gets worse the older they get. I wouldn't know because I'm pretty sure I was a drama free girl growing up........except for those few years between then and now.

I'm in trouble.

Musings

I have a list of things to do today.

I've spent most of the day, driving my children to their places of education, and computer things.....I may have an addiction. Not to chauffeuring but to computer things.

OBVIOUSLY I can't hold myself accountable because I am a very good internal debater and can come up with many reasons why this is not a problem. So I will hold myself accountable to the dear readers on the interweb.

I will only blog, read or post on message boards, and email after the kids go to bed or I have ALL of my jobs done and have played at least TWO games with the kids.

Oh the pain! I can already feel the excuses welling up inside.

But I must be strong because my family needs clean laundry, you can't have grilled cheese sandwiches every night, the bathrooms need a fire hose taken to them, the weeds have formed a union in the back, I have 3 children who are way more fun than blogging, and a person should only be sitting down for so long if they are getting paid at an office job.

Mean Mom

Beckham told me to stop being so mean.

I didn't answer in a very kind manner and promptly put myself in a much needed time out with un-needed amounts of yummy things I should not eat.

I get in these moods where I am astounded and frustrated as to why these knee nibblers cannot stay on task or seemingly even obey simple requests.

Then I go to time out and remember that they are 1, 3, and 5 years old. I can only expect so much out of them despite the grasp on language they have that causes me to view them as older. They are still young and so are my mothering skills.

And do you know what? Sometimes Karaia is going to be extra emotional/grumpy after school. Who doesn't/didn't have days like that. Kindergarten is a big adjustment.

And sometimes Beckham is going to cry about every.last.thing that goes on during the day and I will just have to learn to be more patient in helping him remember there are better ways to express his disappointment....about everything.

And sometimes Tennyson is going to push every button in the house despite being told NO a thousand times, try to open the oven, dip toys in the toilet water and then lick them dry, sprinkle his sippy cup water all over the carpet to see the designs it makes, and run away laughing when I try to take a misplaced permanent marker from him. I will just have to stay on my toes for a few years longer and I'm sure I will look back and laugh--I'll just keep telling myself that--

someday this will be funny
someday this will be funny
someday this will be funny

Right?

It came, I survived

I completed the Bear Lake Brawl triathlon on Saturday while 13 weeks pregnant....without throwing up once!

But before you start calling the local news stations or sending sponsors my way you need to know,


I pretty much came in last.


OK, there were about 15 people who came in after me. ( I just got the official results. I place 198 out 201)

To illustrate how "last" I was:

my best friend, who is also pregnant and due two weeks before me, started 15 minutes after me and finished 25 minutes before me.


A 58 year old man, someone TWICE my age, who ALSO started 15 minutes after me, passed me on the bike as if I was frozen. I couldn't even see him anymore two minutes later.

I cried when I crossed the finish line because I thought I was last.
(I knew I wasn't going to win, but my biggest fear was coming in last)

I cried when I crossed the finish line because I had a lot of family there cheering me on and I've always been a HUGE cry baby when it comes to underdog stories.

I cried when I crossed the finish line because I'm pregnant and, lets face it, I cry at car commercials.

However, I am glad I did it. I'm glad I finished. I don't think I'll do another, but I can't really be sure because it still hurts to walk so who knows what I'll think when my body doesn't remember the pain anymore.

I DO know that I will not be attempting anything like this again while I have young children. I wasn't able to train as much as I need which led to my 3rd from the bottom ranking. Maybe when the kids are older and I have more times that I can get away.

Don't quote me on that....I said MAYBE.

Faith of a child

As we were driving home from spending a great weekend with these fun people, we entered into a torrential down pour that was especially torrential in Weber Canyon. Despite all the wetness we passed a newly sparked forest fire fairly close to the road. A big ever green burst into flames just as we were passing.

The kids started asking many, many questions about why, how, and what. Suddenly Beckham declared, "Mom, I'm going to say a quick prayer."

We all folded our arm (well, not Kevin----he was driving)

"Dear Heavenly Father, please bless that there will be more rain.
Please bless the lightning won't make anymore fires.
Please bless the fireman that they will be able to get to the fire at night.
I think they need help.
Maybe some hoses or something.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Right then my heart burst with love and pride for this little man of mine and the unwavering faith he has in his Father in Heaven's awareness of him.

Then he said that maybe Heaven Father had been taking a break when the fire started because He was tired from using his power all the time.

Even very spiritual individuals occasionally get super powers and omnipotent power confused.

8 years and beyond

This

is my best friend.

We have been married for 8 years today. I can't imagine sharing my life, my children, or my love with anyone better.

He never complains about my lack of homemaking skills rather he compliments me often on how he thinks I am doing a terrific job in that area. Love makes people blind you know.

We've known each other for 11 years and he still makes me laugh.

He is a the human version of Google.

The kids adore him and he has always been a hands on dad. I've never had to ask him to help out more with them.

He thinks I'm the hottest thing around.

He loves me.


Happy Anniversary!!!

Hit by bricks

The door bell rang. We answered the door to find our son, the middle child, on the front porch.

"Karaia is crying."

"Why is she crying?"

"Because she got hit by some bricks." said as if this is a normal everyday occurrence.

"What?!" Random pictures of bricks flying through the air causing great gaping, bleeding, wounds in the middle of foreheads start flashing in my brain. " How did she get hit by bricks?!"

"She turned too fast by the wall and the bricks hit her."

Translation: She turned the corner too fast and ran into a brick wall

So refreshing to hear a classic mishap with a bit of a twist from an imaginative 3 year old.

Rockiosaurus

Overheard by Beckham's mother:

"Karaia, I had a dream last night about a Rockiosaurus. It's called a rockiosaurus because it breaks rocks and sauruses. And they bite people and they are robots. So I roared at them. And they said roar back so I lifted them up on my cold blanket and they turned into people. That's what they do.

And they do what other people do. They smoke and they do cha cha cha cha (imagine karate sounds). Well, that's all rockiosauruses do. Oh, and they ride scary rides like the Tidal Wave"

Karaia, "And?"

"And the spooken house"

In a horse wisper, Karaia corrected "HAUNTED house"

"Right, haunted house"

Coco karate girls

Beckham says that there have been some Coco Ricas in our house. And the occasional Karate girls. Really, they were Costa Ricans. We hosted two dancers from Costa Rica for the local annual Summerfest for 11 days.


They speak Spanish.

I don't.

I got really good at Charades.

The kids didn't care that Anna and Maria couldn't understand them. They talked their ears off anyway. Anna and Maria really liked the kids.

It was a unique experience. One that we will repeat, but not for at least 6 years. As hosts, we were responsible for providing housing (our spare bedroom came in very handy), food, and transportation.

They each brought 8 dresses.

16 dress = 8 hours of ironing

The first day (August 2nd) we took the girls to Antelope Island. They didn't dare walk through the cloud of flies to be able to touch the water but over all seemed to enjoy seeing just how big the Salt Lake really is.

Day 2: We went to church. By we I mean our little family. We invited Anna and Maria the night before, but they didn't come out of their room until we were heading out the door. We left at 10:45 am
- We took the girls to Kevin's parent's house for dinner and a few rounds with the Wii. Maria said Anna kept waking her up that night because she was moving as if she were playing tennis on the Wii.

She was grateful they didn't choose to play boxing.

Day 3: They had a practice with their group and then we had a family night lesson on temples that evening. Followed by a competitive game of boccie ball.

Day 4: More practicing . Their group went up to the local temple and they were excited to show me the pictures because we'd just had a lesson on them. Then Anna and Maria met their group at the local amusement park that evening.

Day 5: More practicing. That evening was the street dance. Kevin took Karaia while I put the overly tired boys to bed. Karaia showed me her dance moves when she got home. I missed out on somethin' special for sure!

Day 6: Summerfest opens. The kids and I hung out there a lot. Karaia was glued to all the different dances. Beckham liked the food. Surprised?

Day 7: More Summerfest.

Day 8: Last day of Summerfest.



Day 9: Church for us again. Before hand we dropped the girls off so they could go on a tour of SLC.

Day 10: Some of the host families took the group water skiing

Day 11: The kids and I took the girls to Gateway for shopping and fountain fun. We said goodbye to our Costa Rica friends at 8:30 pm

It was a long time, but the only stressful parts came when I was shopping with them. They had a habit of going to other stores/departments without bothering to tell anyone. That made it a bit challenging/frustrating when I am hauling around 3 very done-with-shopping kids. Other than that they fit nicely into our little lifes.

Still.....it's really nice to have my house back.

Karaia told me this morning, "Now we don't have all the rooms COVERED in people"

Very well put.

100 Things About Me (Random bits of information that you don't really need to know !)

1.

2. This feels like the last one for us
3. That is a very freeing feeling
4. I was born in Canada
5. I have dual citizenship
6. I played rugby in College
7. In college I ran 4 miles every day
8. I missed the rules on how to play rugby because I was...um....getting better "acquainted" with someone
9. I have a degree in psychology
10. I teach my kids sign language
11. I want to go back to school to learn Sign
12. And interior decorating
13. Someday I'd like to be a doula
14. I've never had an epidural
15. I'm very loud the last 10 minutes of labor
16. I fell in love with Kevin because he is funny
17. I do not enjoy housework
18. I LOVE gardening
19. My middle toes on both feet are crooked
20. I look up to a lot of people ( and no, I don't mean because I am short)
21. I'm training for a triathlon
22. I'm terrified of the swimming part
23. I am looking forward to when the triathlon is over
24. I am not very organized
25. I adore when my house miraculously becomes organized because someone helped me
26. I'm an artist
27. I don't do it enough
28. I love being creative
29. I've recently discovered that I enjoy writing
30. Thought about writing a book
31. My 5 year old is an engineer
32. My 3 year old is a comedian
33. My 1 year old is LOUD
34. It bugs me when people get annoyed by kids being kids (especially if they're mine)
35. I like family gatherings
36. We will have a birthday to celebrate every three months when the baby comes
37. I love Disneyland
38. Sometimes I cry when I talk about it
39. I only cry about it when I'm pregnant
40. Don't ask me to talk about Disneyland for a few months
41. My Dad is a convert to the Church
42. I love girls camp
43. Being a leader at girls camp is almost more fun
44. I do not like heights
45. I like to be helpful
46. If it's important to me, I'm going to talk to you about it
47. I am pretty open
48. I like reading to my kids
49. I like playing games with them too
50. I love colors
51. I dream about remodeling
52. I am a night owl
55. Mornings are not my friend
56. I really don't like grocery shopping
57. I prefer a light breakfast
58. I've apologized to someone for having mean thoughts about them
59. I no longer have mean thoughts about them
60. Kevin has been my best friend for 11 years
61. I met Kevin when he was on a date with my cousin
62. My cousin is very happy for us
63. I am very irresponsible with my time if I have a good book to read
64. I love rainy days
65. I love a good bargain
66. I enjoy painting a room
67. I don't enjoy the prep work
66. My favorite shows are on HGTV and The Food Network
67. I missed the finale to The Next Food Network star
68. Honestly, I was a little bit bummed by that
69. Don't worry, The Next Design Star Finale is this Sunday
70. I won't answer the phone if you call during the show
71. I have 3 cousins born the same year as me
77. We're called the 4 musketeers
78. We have a "reunion" on Jan 1st every year
79. My 10 year high school reunion is in a few weeks
80. I keep having dreams about people from High school that I haven't thought about for 10 years
81. I love the movie High School Musical 2
82. I get many answers to my prayers through my dreams
83. I LOVE a good, deep, conversation
84. I enjoy listening to people
85. I'm a people watcher
86. I notice people's eyes first
87. Then their clothes
88. Then hair
89. I spray painted a car camouflage on a date in high school
90. Most of my favorite friends are years older than me
91. My best girl friend is younger than me
92. I think it would be amazing to be a gourmet chef
93. I enjoy trying uncommon food
94. I'm not a very big steak fan
95. I really like fry sauce
96. I will eat WAY more than is necessary if I have something to dip it in
97. I like how eating healthy makes me feel
98. I don't like how expensive eating healthy is
99. I am not photogenic
100. I enjoying finding the perfect gift

The young and the restless

That is the title of my life every Sunday.

It's as if my children are incapable of being reverent. Although, I'm sure most of it has to do with Sacrament meeting being last. Beckham told me this morning as we were getting ready that, "Church takes SOOOO long. After we have primary, Sacrament meeting is too long!!" I asked him if he thought his classes where long. He told me, "No. Just Sacrament meeting." I couldn't argue.

Now, I really enjoy church....or I remember enjoying it the last time I got to listen.......

But after two full hours of keeping a very loud one year old semi-occupied, because all he really wants to do is go and pull the table cloth off the table during RS or climb up the teachers leg during Sunday School (which of course I don't let him---resulting in ear drum shattering screeches), it's seems a near impossible task to maintain the attentions of two more children, for yet ANOTHER hour. Especially when they have already been reverent (I'm assuming) for two hours. It's in that third hour that they morph into animal like primates.

They can't seem to find the front of the chapel or the bottom of their rear ends. Wiggle, squirm, stare at the person behind you, flop to the floor as if you no longer have bones, whine, wiggle, talk very loudly to make sure everyone can hear, squirm, lament how you are going to die because you are soooo hungry!, Oh and tired!, pull someones hair, blow spit bubbles, whine, squirm..........

This was all before the sacrament was passed around too!

Kevin is gone for a week. He left this morning. So I didn't have a team member to battle the boredom. PLUS, I can't be a hall monitor with Tennyson, which really is the calling of all parents of children ages 1 to 18 months, because I can't leave the other two alone.....I can only imagine coming in to find them literally swinging off the ceiling lights, just to let off some pent up energy. In short, we left after the sacrament.

Which is really a shame because there was a homecoming and a farewell in my ward. AND I finally received a calling as the RS secretary after having been in our home for almost a year. I should have stayed and been set apart but I sure everyone involved appreciates me not bringing stir crazed little people among those who actually got to listen and still have a peaceful spirit in the hearts. Pretty sure we would have sent that feeling home.

Instead, I sent us home. I think it's for the better this time......

Spreading the Word

I post, often, on a message board that I got involved with when I was pregnant with Tennyson. There are about 500 members, all women, and from all walks of life.

It's pretty much like having instant access to just about any survey I want. I can ask a question there, like, "How can I get the kids to come INSIDE to go to the bathroom during the summer?" and I get 30 + responses from those who have already passed that stage in life to those who are in the same dilemma. It's fantastic.

Anyway, someone from the board read this article. She is not of the LDS faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) but she knew there were some of us that posted on the board. So she started asking our opinions about the article.

Then someone else had more questions and it snowballed. I spent the better part of my day, on and off because I do have children I must pay attention to at some point, talking about my beliefs and learning about what others believed. It was amazing.

How refreshing to have the topics of the Gospel swimming around your head for an entire day. And you know the saying, you learn more when you teach? I learned I could discuss what are considered "weird" topics (like us becoming gods and governing our own planet--I don't even know where they heard about that, but they wanted to talk about it.) and do it without apology or defensiveness.

We talked about the Plan of Salvation. I even posted a chart. That's right, I had my own little family night with 500 women in the middle of the afternoon. Doesn't get any better.

I was so grateful I knew the answers and if I didn't right off I knew where to find them. But I mostly knew them. I was grateful I was prepared. I was grateful to feel the Holy Ghost guiding my word choice. I was grateful the conversation was very friendly but very open and honest.

I learned we live similarly to a few other religions. Of course there are differences, but I'm not sure I knew that others were also living the word of wisdom, they just don't call it that.

I learned that music is a BIG deciding factor for a lot of people when they are looking for a new church. If the choir isn't good, they keep searching. Makes being in our choir all the more daunting doesn't it?

I learned that in some religions after you receive the Holy Ghost that is your one and only chance for Heaven. If you sin ONE time afterward you are condemned to Hell. I am grateful for the Atonement and the ability to always return to Heavenly Father no matter how far I stray.

Mostly I am grateful for the chance I had to "get the word out". It's nice to know that now, at least, 500 more people have a better understanding of what us Mormons believe in. 500 hearts are open just a little more.

Ramblings

I'm sure there have been a million things to post about lately. Like when Kevin got up at 4 AM, on a Saturday, so he could be to the temple at 5 AM to do Baptisms for the dead with the priests. Only he didn't need to get up that early because they had canceled it, but he forgot to check the messages until 3 pm Saturday afternoon. Yeah, that would have been a good one to post about. I'm still laughing.

Although, here I sit feeling anxious and discontent and non-directional. I wonder why I get this way sometimes. It usually comes after an unfulfilled day of being a mother because of the choices I made or my children. Or after checking my internal check list realizing I failed to be able to check one single thing off. Yet today was a pretty good day.

I feel this need to be more than I am. More perfect in parenting (if such a thing exists..not that I'm perfect, that is fairly obvious, but that such a thing as a perfect parent exists). More loving. More childlike. More patient. More stop-and-smell-the-roses. More creative in budget decorating. More directional. More frugal. More creative. More not-hiding-my-talent-under-a-bushel. More goal oriented. More outgoing. More caring. More spiritual. More consistent. More organized. More inspiring. More.....just more me.

Do you ever feel as if you are meant to be more than you are?

I often feel this way.

Often.

But I struggle to find the route that will let that "more" come out. It's not that I am unhappy. I am in fact very happy with my life, but cannot seem to shake that I should/am supposed to be more than I am. Not my life, me.

It's as if I keep getting a tap on the shoulder and someone says, "Hey. Remember you said you were going to do this when you got down here?" But I can't for the life of me "remember" what the "this" is. I know I have a specific goal to do here on Earth, it feels silly, foolish, and braggart-y to say it out loud. But I do. That's what this feeling boils down to. It's something I've known since my early teenage years. I just assumed I would know what it is I am supposed to do by now. Or at least have it narrowed down for goodness sake.

But I don't and so this feeling of un-achieved more-ness (it's late) comes with increasing frequency. This desire to be who I was intended to be becomes stronger and never quite fades to the back of my mind.

Occasionally it masks itself as a desire to go back to school and major in different areas; Deaf interpreter, interior designer, getting a PhD in something.......but that never quite fills the void.

Who knows. It's late and that's a dangerous time for me to be thinking.....no distractions and only my mind and all it's wandering ways for company.

Not something I want to see again.

I took Beckham to the dentist early this morning to get some sealants for his molars. They gave him a cocktail ( a combo of relaxing drugs) so that he would just be a noodle and not fight them.

After about 5 mins he started wobbling in his chair so I picked him up and held him. As he flopped his head back to look at me with glazed, drunken eyes, he started laughing in a slurred sort of your-blinking-eyelashes-are-hilarious way. By 10 mins after, anything he said was unrecognizable and he struggled to even make sounds.

They said he did fantastic and just laid there like a lump making their job very easy.

When I went back to the "recovery" room he was completely hazed over. I could tell he wanted to talk, but couldn't get his body to cooperate. I had to carry him to the car, holding his head so it didn't flop back.

He took it like a trooper and is now lamenting because I won't let him jump on the tramp just yet. You'd think he'd be tired of his brain swirling around, but no he'd also like to feel it jiggle against his skull.

The one thing he said as the medication was just on it's last leg was, "I just can't take this any more! I can't take anything any more today!" I'm assuming he meant lying down, but I can't be sure.

I hated seeing him like that. I hope I NEVER see that again especially if it's been brought on by something he has chosen to do to himself. That would be horrible. Not to mention I don't ever what to be the one to chose that for him either. I can't imagine having no control over your body.

Any guesses on what family night will be about on Monday?

Awww....

My cousin's wife, took Tennyson's one year pictures for us. She is INCREDIBLE! They turned out so well. Here's a sneak peek!

http://photographybybianca.blogspot.com/

Oh, I could just die over the one with his finger in his mouth!!!

The strength of a women

I had a doula with my first child.

Since then I have always flirted with the idea of someday becoming a doula myself. I got a little bit of a taste of what it would be like today.

VERY early this morning, 3 am to be exact, I received my third call since 1 AM from my cousin's husband. This time informing me, Sarah, was now dilated to a 6. I rolled out of bed, almost literally,threw on some clothes, and headed off to the hospital.

Upon arriving I found Sarah worn and tired from already laboring for nearly 23 hours with the last 7 being very intense. She was surrounded by her husband, Kyle, and the mid-wife and I could see she was in very good hands. Sarah had asked me to film the birth and I was thrilled to oblige. I'd never seen a birth. I've GIVEN birth but haven't cared to watch as I have labored
Au natural and am usually extremely focused on the task at hand.

I entered the labor room just before 4 am. They checked her again and announced she was now a 7. The contractions started coming quicker and with more intensity. Sarah had chosen to try for a natural birth and as she focused and relaxed through each contraction I was awed by the strength she found within her tired body to continue the journey. I found myself transported back to my own recent labor. I started having to do the breathing exercises as well to calm my anxiety. I felt for her and I swear I was having phantom pangs of labor every time she had real ones. Yet, she remained steady and consistent. Challenging and overpowering the overwhelming urge to give into the pain. The raw power was intoxicating.

There were only 3 contraction towards the end in which she declared her dislike for contractions. But she was doing it!

At 4:53 AM they checked her and discovered she was complete.

3 minutes and 3 pushes later at 4:56 AM I had the unmatched privilege of watching their second child, Henry Norman Brown, a mere 7 lbs 7 oz, enter this world. The beauty of it made it impossible to stop the tears from coming. Sarah was amazing with Kyle by her side supporting her effort.

The strength emanating from a women conquering and surviving the pain was humbling and captivating. A strength that comes from a power all our own. A power that is intrinsically women's. Heavenly Father MUST love us to give us such a gift as helping a new soul enter this world and the strength to accomplish such a daunting responsibility.

Thank you for the experience, Sarah. Way to go!!

Free!

Check out this link for an AMAZING deal for all the Thomas the Train lovers out there!

http://72.3.156.41/txt/thomas.pdf

Seriously?

We went to a local Taco Bell, or was it Taco Time...doesn't matter, last week. We were greeted with the information that they were currently out of chicken and steak, oh and tomatoes, but we were free to chose anything else from the menu. We made our choices, although a bit hard, I kept spying things that looked delicious only to realize they had chicken in them, and placed our order.

Luckily, we were the only ones there and easily found a prime location, if such a thing exists in a fast food joint. Keeping in mind that no one else has entered said establishment since we got there and we are practically right in front of the girl who took our order you will understand our confusion when the girl looks right at us and yells out, " 235." Then timidly follows it with,"Hey is this yours?"

"Um (quickly glancing around to make sure, yes, we were indeed STILL the only customers in there)...yes."

"Oh, good." said with such a sense of relief that I'm sure our faces were prime examples of utter disbelief.

During our meal, which you know didn't take long, they proceeded to run out of the remainder of their beef leaving only spicy chicken (which I thought they said they didn't have any chicken) and beans.

Good times.

late night visitor

Karaia came upstairs around 12:30 am last night in the usual way that kids come in at night. You know, when you wake up to a little face breathing on your eyeballs and you are just so glad your arms are tangled up in the covers so you don't accidentally whack them in the face because someone is in your room breathing on your previously asleep eyeballs?


"Mom, I thought my nose was bleeding. Then my nose felt like it was going to throw up. So I got up, went to the bathroom and wiped my nose.......it feels much better now."

I covered my laughter with a yawn.

(I didn't want to hurt her feelings. It's not every day your nose feels like it's going to throw up and I can only imagine what an unsettling feeling that is)

As I was taking her back to bed I congratulated her on her quick thinking and taking care of such a unique situation.

She agreed by telling me the whole ordeal step by step one last time.

Turning ONE

Tennyson, you turned one yesterday! I cannot believe you have already lived with us for a whole year. We had a big party to celebrate your birthday and Father's Day. You were loving all the attention you got. You were surrounded by loving family which included, Grandma and Grandpa Great Daly, Mom, Dad, Karaia and Beckham, Nana and Pappa, Grandpa Guy and Grandma Emma, Meghan and Alex, Megan and Coltin, and Nate, Breanna, Marlee and Jordyn. I made you a soccer ball cake that you weren't sure about at first. You quickly overcame your shyness as you realized we were offering you unrestricted, nearly pure sugar. At one point you abandoned your hands, eliminating the time lost when you had to lift your hands to your mouth, and just leaned down and dug in!

Yesterday, when it was just me and you in the morning, I was telling you the story of your birth as we came to the exact year mark of time that you were born 8:19 am. I know you don't remember much, but I can vividly remember nearly every detail about that day.

I bonded with you instantly and we've been buddies ever since. You have been the happiest kid. The first 3 month, the months I normally dread and count down the seconds until they are over, I loved with you. You were a fantastic eater, rarely cried, very snugly, and you always went right back to sleep after you ate at night.

There have not been many times that Dad and I have looked at each other and thought, " What is going on with this kid?" The only thing we've really had to work on with you is the screaming. Oh the screaming! Most of the time it was happy, but happy, sad, frustrated, delighted, or mad it was still the same frequency that caused most human ear drums within a 1 mile distance to you to burst with un-matched pain!

At your young age you can:

walk (a bit but still mostly crawl),
almost go down the stairs backwards,
clap,
play peek-a-boo,
color with chalk (and eat chalk),
dig in the sand,
feed your self with a fork or spoon (if we put the food on there first)
roll the ball back and forth with someone,
brush your teeth,
and brush your hair (sometimes WITH your toothbrush!!)

Say: ball, dad (da da) woof (buff), vroom (brrrrr), banana (nanana), dog (da), night night (ni ni),

Sign: more, milk, all done, dog, airplane, ball, cheese, helicopter, eat, book, shoe, and please with pretty regular consistency.

You know how to get your grove thing on whenever you hear any kind of music and you LOVE phones and balls. You have fallen down the stairs once, giving me a heart attack, but luckily we have Nurse Meghan in the family and she made sure you were OK.

You are quick to smile and are ticklish in nearly every spot on your body. You do not like to get your head wet but love to play in the water. You are a bottomless pit when it comes to eating and out eat your siblings at nearly every meal. You love to laugh when everyone else does even though you have no idea what the joke is.

You adore your older sister and brother and love all the attention they give you. You'll put yourself right in the middle, to their frustration, of whatever they are doing just to be with them. They love you so much.

There are two things that everyone always tells me about you, strangers and all, you are so happy and you have sparkly eyes.

You have filled our home with so much love. I am filled with love for you and honored to have you, someday, call me mom.


Happy Birthday, Tennyson!

Love always, Mom

Father's Day

I'm a day late, but I'm sure you'll understand. Yesterday was Father's Day and Tennyson's very first birthday.

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's in my life.

Dad, thanks for teaching me to think for myself and that it's OK to have a different opinion from the crowd. Thanks for disciplining me without any anger. Thanks for loving my children and always making time for them! I hope my children love me they way I love you.

Dave, I am grateful for the role you play in my life. My children adore you and that says a lot about someone! Thank you for all that you do for us and your endless service, time and energy!

Jim, Thank you for teaching Kevin to be a fun dad. The kids can feel you love for them and they just light up inside because of it. Thank you and Happy Birthday yesterday. I LOVE that you and Tennyson get to share your special day!

Kevin, you are a wonderful father. You are always willing to let the kids 'help' you even though it makes the job take that much longer. I have been told repeatedly that you are the "fun" one and although I'm pretty sure I've provided our children with some fun I am delighted they hold you in such high esteem. Thank you for traveling this journey with me and helping raise amazing children!

Just now

Beckham : "Dad, your hair smells just as good as Ryan's."

Kevin : "Oh? What does Ryan's hair smell like?"

B: " Just as good as yours."

Me: " Who's Ryan?" (I thought it an appropriate question seeing my son is talking about the smell of another boy's hair)

B: "You know, Morgan's Dad." (That's my step-brother who recently was, very patiently I might add, a pony for about a half an hour)

Me: "When did you smell Ryan's hair?"

B: "Never."

K: "Then how do you know what Ryan's hair smells like?"

B: "Apricots."

Reunion

It's been nearly 10 years, Braves. They (our esteemed elected peers) have decided the date, time, and place. Check out the Bountiful High Blog for details.

And he's off....

My baby turns one in 4 days.

Apparently, he knows that too.

Let's all vote!

My cousin, Josh, wrote an amazing essay for the Golf Channel and is now one of 5 finalists! The grand prize is a trip to Scotland, with his dad, to play at St. Andrews, the birth place of golf. It now comes down to who the judges vote for and who gets the most votes from America. Lets help them get that prize! You can vote once a day. Here's how:

Click on this link to this link http://www.thegolfchannel.com/fathersday/default.aspx and wait for the little intro to load (don’t’ click skip) after a second it will show the finalists. Up at the top of the page between the Father’s Day logo and the Golf Channel logo there are some words that indicate different links…one of them says VOTE. Click on it.

It will take you to another page where the finalists stories are, I think. (It may take you right to the registration page.) Or when you click on the little arrow by Josh’s that says “open” it will bring you to a page that makes you register before you can vote. You have to provide your name, address, phone, email. They do this because a secondary contest is running where those who vote win a chance to be awarded gift certificates and golf balls, etc.. Then it will play Josh’s essay and there will be a link that says something like Vote for Josh. (I can’t exactly remember because it won’t let me in again today.) After you click it, it tells you “thanks, your vote has been recorded”. You can vote once each day—the next day when you go to vote, since you are already registered, you just give your email address.

Pass this link on to everyone you know!

3 year old's worst nightmare

After the kids had been asleep for a few hours I heard crying. I found Beckham tossing and mumbling in his bed.

"Beckham. What's wrong?"

With his eyes still shut, Beckham sobbed, "There are BIG holes in my bike!"

"Buddy, wake up. See. You're still in your room. Your bike is safe in the garage."

"......huh?" One eye slides open, "Oh. Good night, mom."


I wish my nightmares where as innocent and so easily fixed.

The final quarter

Uppercase Living

Vinyl lettering

Sale!

After 2 ½ years I have decided that this quarter will be my last as an Uppercase Living demonstrator.

To commemorate this change I have decided to offer

10% off anything in the catalog

&

5% off any custom orders

You can view the catalog online by going to

www.uppercaseliving.com

Click on Customer Corner login

In the box on the right type in the

Demonstrator ID: 128570

And Registration Token: vinyl

Or

You can stop by and buy a catalog or borrow one.

But, HURRY! The quarter ends JUNE 30^th and I will not be able to place any orders after that time.

So whether it’s that favorite quote or inspirational saying you keep meaning to display in your home, or you just want to get a jump start on holiday gifts, now is the perfect time!

If you would like to place an order, have any questions, or would like me to provide a free personal in home consultation, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

em.lettering@gmail.com

work in progress.....

Well mine is actually done, but I am just SO proud of myself I had to share. This post is in answer to this post.

I started and FINISHED this project in 24 hours and I made TWO of them!

It's a nursing cover. I, however, prefer to refer to them by the first name I heard for them which is Hooter Hider.

Hilarious.

Anyway, there was a double shower for my sister and my cousin. I went fabric hunting and this particular fabric had, literally, barely been taken off the truck. It was still in the wrapping and just lying unassumingly on the floor. I snatched up my treasured find and raced home. Each Hider cost me less than half of what it cost to buy one, even with the designer fabric.

I have purchased two of these covers and I must say that the ones I made are just as good. I even put the boning in them. That's right. I'm cool. But please no bowing.


(p.s. did you notice the chocolate brown?)



Excuse my boasting, but I am just so tickled that I pulled it off (I am a novice in the sewing department) and more importantly that I actually completed a project. I have a bit of a problem with that.

Just ask Danica about my 2 1/2 year old-less than half completed-quiet book. So sad.