33 Going On 70 {I like to quilt}

When I found out (over a year ago) that Brad and Lisa would be gifting me with a niece of my very own, I knew that I wanted to make her something special.  I was very emotional about her arrival into this world for many reasons and I wanted to put my energy, time, and love into making something for Maya that would be warm, pretty, long-lasting... and would secure my spot as her favorite aunt for eternity.

I decided to make her a quilt.

I lugged my sewing machine in from the garage and re-learned how to thread the needle and sew a straight line.

I subjected two of my three sons to a morning at the fabric store that lasted way. too. long.

Clearly the quilt would have to be perfect for my niece, so I was out of control about choosing fabric.  I spent my nights sewing away, listening to music (a CD that I made for Maya...to double secure the favorite aunt thing), and I ended up with this.
(Disclaimer: This was a first attempt...I had no idea what I was doing, but it was made with all the love in the world).

Not too shabby, but then I started thinking I wanted to become a professional quilter (joking), so I began to look at fabrics online.  A whole new world opened up before my eyes and suddenly I wasn't so sure that quilt number 1 was pretty enough for Maya.  Soooo, I ordered more fabric.  Surely my niece would be deserving of two quilts anyway.  Here is quilt number 2 (before I binded the edges).

Here they are being put to good use!

I had so much fun making these quilts that I immediately started thinking about my next victim, who would obviously be my other niece, Emily.  She recently turned 1, so I figured her birthday would be the perfect occasion to get my sewing on!  It was fun to choose fabrics for her.  She already has lots of personality so I tried to find fabrics to match!

Now the problem is there are no more little girls in the family for me to make quilts for, 

but I'm sure I'll come up with someone!

Boys Will Be Boys

The other night while I was toiling away in the kitchen, I thought to myself

"Hmmm, seems a little quiet around here.  The boys must be up to something."

I kept about my business of making dinner and was soon faced with this.

Yep, they were wearing every single pair of underwear that they could find in their drawers. 

Please tell me you know of other children who are this......odd.

Dana Treat!

I love to cook and luckily a lot of my girlfriends do too!  Julie and Ginger introduced me to a food blog awhile back called Dana Treat.  When Dana announced that she was going to begin teaching cooking classes in her home, we signed up right away.  

The first one was in February and it was SO fun!  

It was not only a night of learning some fun cooking tips and new recipes, but a great girls night out too.  

We recently attended our second class.  

Another night of good food, good wine, and good friends!

These photos are a mix from both of the classes that we've gone to.

It was a good mix of watching Dana cook, and doing some of our own slicing and dicing.

And it confirmed my suspicion that I desperately need a new chefs knife!

If you're ever looking for some yummy recipes, you should check out her site.
YUM!!!

What in the world...

...is that thing in the sky??!!

That's right.  The sun has officially been out for more than 2 seconds.  It's a record!

The boys and I have been taking full advantage.

The yard toys and gardening supplies are out in full force!

It's been steadily getting warmer for three days now.

I have a tan line and I couldn't be happier!

The boys love it too...

I think Isaac would be out there digging all day if I let him!

We did have to take a quick break to bake some cookies for the food bank at our church.
Weston is alway there to help when it comes to baking (and eating cookie dough :) ).

In just four weeks Caleb will be home all day to join in the fun!

Hooray for the sun!!!

(hopefully it will stick around for awhile)

A little sweetness for you...

My squishy little boy is 20 months old already!

He is full of personality and provides quite the entertainment for us.

He has started saying "PIGGIES! PIGGIES!" over and over again when he has bare feet.

Now whenever I put his socks and shoes on, he waves and says "bye-bye piggies".

He loves...

-frozen blueberries (eats them every morning for breakfast and has purple hands for hours)

-helping me fold the laundry (he claps for himself after every time he hands me something to fold),

-going outside (he throws a major fit when it's time to come in)


-reading books (he yells "Bible!" for any book)

-chocolate (not sure where he gets that :) )

-climbing up on anything and everything


-leaving a trail of destruction in his path all. day. long.

He also loves to snuggle his mommy 
and that's just fine with me!

The Tooth-fairy Came!

Caleb lost his first tooth!

We had been working hard to get this bugger out.

There were brave tears for a couple of nights in a row.  He wanted it out so bad (it was really bugging him and kind of sore), but this was one stubborn tooth.

On Friday night we went to small group.  All it took was one playful wrestling session with one of his buddies,and before I knew it, he was tapping me on the shoulder with his tooth in his hand.

We were all super excited.

I got to be the tooth-fairy for the first time.  Fun times all around.

He has three more loose teeth on the bottom, so maybe I should invest in some fairy wings?

A Good Reminder

 I've been reminded once again of how good my life is!!!

 Maybe it's the Mother's Day love that's still in the air...I don't know.  At our small group last week, we had to rate our life (success, happiness, everything overall) on a scale of 1-10.  It was such a good reminder for me to step back and look at the bigger picture. 
 I SO easily get bogged down by the day to day STUFF.

Stuff like...

Trying tirelessly to keep my house clean... 

 I have 3 messy boys who make messes around the house every messy day. 

 I need to chill out about the mess!

{We have a roof over our heads and I love my house.  It's warm and comfortable and I have fun decorating it and making memories here.}

Bickering brothers.

{I have 3 HEALTHY boys.  I could not imagine my days without the background noise of them playing together.  I know how much they love each other and bickering or not, it's awesome to watch their relationships with each other grow.}

Feeding all of these mouths.

{We have more than enough food to eat.  I LOVE cooking and baking for my family.  Often times someone will tell me "this is the best thing I've ever tasted" when we sit down to dinner...even if it's grody.}

Keeping all of our busy schedules straight.

{We have awesome friends and neighbors and it's always fun to spend time with them.  My kids are blessed with great friendships that they will remember forever.  I love watching the boys excel in different activities like swimming and soccer, even if it means lots of cruising around town in the swagger wagon.}

Keeping my marriage a priority.

{I am truly married to my best friend and he makes me laugh every. single. day. 

Some day it will be just him and me again and even though the thought of my kids being gone makes me start to hyperventilate, I'm excited about the next chapter with Paul.}

Making sure my kids know how much I love them.

{ I am living my dream of being a mom.  When my sons are all grown up, I will have no regrets about not giving them enough.  They have my 110% and no matter where they are in life, they will ALWAYS know that I love them... times infinity.}

And the laundry...oh, the never ending PILES of laundry!

I could go on.  You get the idea.

Instead of letting the little things get the better of me,

I need to remember to take a step back and look at the bigger picture from time to time.

When it really comes down to it, on a scale of 1-10,

 my life is a solid 9.999999999.

So, take this friendly reminder and look at YOUR bigger picture today! :)

Help me help Africa!

Awhile back I shared that I am running the Seattle Rock 'n Roll half marathon in June.

This will be my second one, and this time I have the privilege of running with Team World Vision to raise funds for a very worthy cause. 

clean drinking water in Africa.   

  I regularly read a blog called Moments With Love.  Love (that's actually her name) traveled to Uganda this past winter.  She took this photo and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind.  

Can you imagine if you or your family had to get water like this...to DRINK?  That's exactly what these people are doing!  And to see the children...

  

it's heartbreaking.

I often have this picture in my mind when I'm out running...

 and I'm tired...

 and the miles are dragging on.

It almost makes me feel guilty to know that after my run, I am able to go home and gulp down as much clean water as I want. 

YOU can help to make a difference by donating to Team World Vision.  

You don't even have to get up from where you're sitting!  I'll do all of the running, you just have to give your mouse a few little clicks and BAM!  You've helped change lives across the world. :)

Every donation helps, no matter how big or small!  

All of the money will go directly toward building wells to access clean water for people just like the ones in the picture above.  

If you are willing to help, then click on this link and it will take you to to my fundraising page where you can donate online.  

Thank-you in advance for your support!

“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. But I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.” -Anonymous

It's still rainy in Seattle...

Good thing I have my own little rays of sunshine!

when skies are grey...

C'mon SPRING!!!