Little Milestone

Gwen learned to clap this Thanksgiving weekend.  It's adorable and there's a spark in her eye that tells you she's proud of herself too!

General Conference Craft: T-shirt refashion

Sitting for 2 hours (4 times over 2 days) is tough.  Sitting for 2 hours while watching something not so riveting is really tough.  Sitting for 2 hours watching something that's not very riveting AND not falling asleep is SUPER REALLY tough.

I stay awake better when my hands are busy.  I like to crochet.  or do something else crafty.

I've included some sites that have tutorials for using old t-shirts and making awesome headbands, bracelets and necklaces.  I have PLENTY of t-shirts that don't fit anymore or I don't wear for some reason or another.  BUT I liked them so much that they've stayed in my closet (mostly for the colors).  And so this conference I've decided to re-purpose that fabric.


No sewing machine needed.  Just a needle and thread, or hot glue gun.

So get clicking and find a project to do for yourself!


For a headband tutorial click here

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/06/repurposing-tshirts-into-5-strand-braided-headbands.html

For the necklace tutorial click here

http://melissaesplin.com/2010/03/t-shirt-refashion-jersey-necklace/

For Bracelet tutorial click here

http://raidsoforange.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-t-shirt-bracelet.html

OR try this one here.

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/03/v-and-co-how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet.html

I think I'm going to try to do all of them.  I don't know which one will me more my style.  And if I find one that I like a lot... I'll probably make some as Christmas gifts for my friends.

You'll probably see me wearing my new things soon!

Have a great (and AWAKE!) General Conference!

Cute Cody Quotes

We went to Costco for dessert tonight.  Blake and Dad shared a chocolate and almonds dipped ice cream bar, while Cody and I enjoyed a frozen yogurt vanilla and chocolate swirl.  We had a wonderful time together and our youngest son made it perfectly delightful.

A young girl, about 18 I'd guess, was standing by a cart.  Our table was about 6 feet away from her.

Cody: grummble, mummble, gggrrr. Unintelligible sounds, coupled with his angry/mean eyes and a little finger pointed in her general direction.

Me: "Cody, say nice words."

Cody: pause...... "Nice words." .....and a cute smile.

We busted up laughing.  Then we kept repeating 'nice words' to each other and busting up again and again.

Cody continued to smile and make shy eyes at her.

Me: "Cody, she's pretty isn't she?"

Cody: "Yeah, nice words."

More busting up... including the pretty girl!

They waved at each other, back and forth, till her mom came around the corner and they started to walk away.

Me:  "Cody, say goodbye."

Cody: "NICE WORDS."


BWWAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Blake's Best Bits

Last night we read from the Book of Mormon and the last word of the last verse that I helped Cody read was "plentifully."
Me speaking to both boys: "Do you know what "plentifully" means?
Blake: "Yeah, it means when you plant stuff in the ground - plant-if....plant-ifly"


Earlier this evening the following exchange happened between Blake and I.

Me: "Sorry sweety, I don't want you playing with this.  I'm going to put it away."
(follows me to the kitchen where I've returned the item to it's place.)
Blake pouting: "Mom, Jesus loves you."
Me: "Yes, He does love me." (I'm thinking what does that have to do with why you're pouting?)
Blake: "But Mom......Jesus doesn't like it when you take away toys."
Me suppressing a laugh: "True, but the screwdriver is not a toy, it's a tool."
Blake: "Oh."

Pulling hair... literally

I have been debating whether or not to chop my hair off.  I was thinking something like this.


I know two women that have a similar cuts and I really like how they look on them.  But I wasn't sure if I would LOVE it if I did the same.  So I waited to see if I would keep feeling drawn to it.

I hadn't felt that way again until this week.  No, it's not gotten any hotter here.

I need to back up a bit.  I think I was just bored with what I was doing with my long hair. It was the same-old SAME-OLD!  Ponytail, curly, bangs back or in front.  So I did a bit of searching and found some cute ways to style my hair.  I've especially been drawn to braids.



What I end up with doesn't look as nice as those, but I'm learning.  Gwen is learning too!
My little princess has learned that my hair is oh so much fun to pull.  Maybe she's been pulling my hair for a while, but because it was just down (curly or straight) or in a ponytail that I can redo likity-split, I just never noticed.

However, when I have taken the time to do (and re-do, and re-do, and re-do yet again) a braid, and she gets her little fingers inside the braid, it's super hard to get her to let go without ruining it.  What am I talking about... it's impossible for her to NOT ruin it.  She loves my hair.

I have thought of two solutions.

#1  Chop my hair
#2  Never hold Gwen if I've done my hair that day

Actually, both are out of the question.  I'm sure my heart would turn to stone if I couldn't cuddle with my cutie.  And my hair stylist is currently HAVING or has just HAD her baby and I am definitely not going to bug her for at least a month.  I've gone through it 3 times and after about a month I was ready to let myself tackle things outside of my child(ren).

I guess I'll have to find some nice, easy, but pretty updo's to do.

And they lived fearfully NEVER after

I'm very proud of how I've never allowed any of our children to sleep in bed with us.

I have nothing against anyone who does, but it's just not a good thing for our family.

I want my room to be a sanctuary for sleep. That can't happen if I have little feet kicking me or a child's head hogging my pillow.

HOWEVER...

I broke that rule. This morning, last night... whichever time it was.

I LOVE thunderstorms. But after who knows how long it had been shaking our house, I finally woke up... TERRIFIED. Just for a second. 'Till my reason caught up to my wakefulness. Then I realized what it was and was very afraid it would wake the kids.

I laid in bed awhile longer... listening (and watching the VERY BRIGHT flashes of light make shadows dance on the walls). The storm was fierce! It felt like it was RIGHT above our roof. I started making plans for all the 'what ifs' that could happen.

What if.... the house catches on fire? Plans for who to grab which kids. Who to grab their phone and call 911. Who to go wake up our downstairs neighbor. What else to grab? Where would we live in the meantime? How would our landlord react?

What if... a house nearby catches on fire?

What if... the power goes out? What if it's out for a long time (I'm imagining charred trees and loose live wires) What would a power surge do to the DVR?

Then after another loud boom..... "AAAAHHHHHHHAAHAHH" coming from the boy's room.

I remember my terror and multiply that by a hundred and rush to comfort my baby (who's not really a baby, but still needs his mommy)

Blake had JUMPED out of bed, RAN to the door and got lost and scared in the corner. I open it and find him behind the door crying hysterically, crouched and SHAKING like a leaf. I hold him long enough for my touch to soothe his franticness, then guide him to my room. I go back and get Cody, who is too scared to even cry. (I think he's scared because of Blake's dramatic reaction, I don't think he even has noticed the thunder).

I thought of my rule for .....hmmmm.... half a second. I realized that they would only be soothed while a parent was with them, so that could be in their small beds, or in our bed. And of course this is only a one time thing.

So all 4 of us (Gwen surprisingly slept through it all.. and she doesn't even have a fan to drownd out the smaller booms) cuddled together, and I could feel peace return to my little one's hearts. They knew nothing bad would happen as long as mom and dad were there to protect them.

We dozed for I don't know how long, before I started falling off the bed. At which point I realized that all was quiet outside. So... my rule jumped forefront in my mind again. I led the kids back to their beds and we all slept peacefully ever after...

'till they woke up earlier than I'd have liked, having blissfully forgotten all about the terrible scare.

Blake's Best Bits

The scene: Blake trying to get food, that is stuck on his palate, off with his finger.

Blake: "HEY!" (with surprised eyes)

Me: "What?"

Blake: "I can feel my brain."