My baby girl had her "real" birthday party at the American Girl doll store.  If you get a chance to visit one of the stores, you should go.  You could easily spend several hours there.  As you can see, her doll Jessica and her friends had a blast, too!  Jessica even had her own birthday cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, baby girl!  Doggone, you're my girl! Pin It

Happy Birthday... to me!

Yes, today is my birthday!  I love to celebrate it each year and decided to treat myself to the sweetest birthday gift ever...

....meet Mr. Tinkles!

 

He is my three month old Yorkie and is just as loveable as can be! He's tiny, just two pounds.  Hopefully he'll stay fairly small, about five pounds.  Mr. Tinkles is timid, but a friendly little guy.  And no, he doesn't tinkle everywhere.  That name just popped in my head before I even picked him out.  And, it just makes me giggle every time I say it!

We put a little bow in his hair, even though it isn't very long and we got so tickled.  He put his little head down as if he was embarrassed!  So, my daughter made this funny little montage:

 

Our cat, Kitty Moo Moo is not thrilled with him AT ALL!  She has already let him know she controls this block.  Fortunately, our older dog, Bear is fine with him.  Actually a little indifferent, but Mr. Tinkles is okay with that because he isn't starving for any affection around here!  We've made three trips to Petsmart for goodies and treats and he's all signed up for puppy classes later this month.  Tee hee, we're having so much fun!

Another addition to our home was from Santa to my son - a precious mini Holland Lop bunny!  He is the softest little thing, loves to be held, and plays great with Mr. Tinkles!  They are about the same age and size, too. He hops around and does this little popcorn twist in the air that is so fun to watch!  My son is still trying to decide on a name for him, poor little nameless fella.

I would like to throw out a special 'thanks bunches' to Mrs. Lavender at Lavendar Dreams for her birthday wishes today.  So sweet!

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season and celebrated the new year safely and joyfully!  It was relaxing around here with the kids all home, presents to wrap, people to visit, cookies to make, lights to 'ooh and aah' over, and of course, new babies in the house.  We are now back in the regular swing of things and I hope to get some sewing in very soon.  (Santa brought me a Bendable Bright LED light for my new sewing machine and a cool book, too!) I plan to start on my daughter's quilt using my new Go! Baby - wish me luck!  In the meantime, I'll be snuggling with this little guy - 

Love. Him.  (singing, fading away... "happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Mona....")

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Where did the summer go?

It flew by, that's what!  I always have great intentions to get so much done, spend tons of time with the kids, swim and enjoy the outdoors, etc.  Then, I look up and its gone.  I feel like I did nothing and even worse I feel like I did nothing with the kids.  Guilt sets in.  Sigh.

We did actually swim and try to enjoy some time outdoors, even with the awful heat wave going on.  Baby girl took swim lessons and now swims like a fish!  We went water park a few times and a few swim parties.  The younger two went to camp and VBS and had lots of fun.  We bowled.  We lazed around.  We went to the movies. 

Still, school starts on Monday and I feel guilty.  My baby girl is starting kindergarten and all of a sudden I feel like she's being ripped away.  What a range of emotions.  I have already warned the teachers that I will exit the building quickly come Monday.  So, that's that.

Now for a quick view of part of the summer...

Fringie flower trim added to a t-shirt.

Some slip stitching on a little dress.

 

I bought some great new books and did manage to thumb through them and daydream a little.  Nothing productive past that.  They did stimulate my creative juices though.

 Started on a major quilt project... and finished!  I'll post on that soon.

 Made some pillowcases to go with the quilts!

 

Played with beads.  More on that later.

Made a good 'ole fashioned chocolate cake.  Yum.

 

Watched baby girl work on her sewing skills.

Learned how to make my own iced coffee.  I'm saving tons of moolah!  Isn't it ironic that it is in a Starbucks cup?  haha

Made a "leather" cummerbund for my daughter's outfit.  She went to the Harry Potter premier as Bellatrix.  For just $20, she thrifted her whole outfit and she looked so awesome.  People were asking for her and her two friends to take pictures with them.  Fun stuff.

 Started a makeover project in baby girl's room... and finished.  There's a hint above.  Yes, more on that later, too.

My last photography class, Light and Lighting II started in July.  I was working with window light here and a little bounce flash.  It was really too early in the day to use this window, but I played anyway.  Once I've completed this class, I can start working on my portfolio.  That will take a little time and effort.  Hopefully, after it is graded, I will be deemed a "certified photographer", for whatever it's worth!  I don't plan to be a professional photographer, but enjoyed the courses and hopefully expanded my little brain a tiny bit!

 

Took a short road trip with the husband and two youngest kiddos to visit family.  I worked on finishing up a little quilt binding during the drive.  Sadly, the visit was primarily to see my sweet Aunt Helen who was battling cancer.  I wanted to go see her one last time, tell her how much she has always meant to me, and hug her tightly.  It was a tough trip for sure.  She was a wonderful woman whom I have always admired so much.  She passed away just several days ago.  I love you, Aunt Helen.

I did get out to have a little fun with some of my girlfriends.  Several of us went to see "Change Up".  So darn funny, inappropriate, but funny.  I'm just being honest.  Then, one of my sewing sistahs and her lovely daughter came in to town and she called up the rest of us sistahs who live nearby so we could have dinner and a movie.  We watched "The Help".  Awesome movie!  Unfortunately, Janice didn't get to come, but we are all going to see each other in October for retreat!

The rest is a blur.  Back-to-school shopping, school registration, meet the teacher, etc.  Another sigh.  I'm going to go love on my lovies a little while.  I'll be back in a few days.

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Saturday Scripture

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

It is hard for me to let go of my to-do list and seek Him first.    I hit the floor running each day with "that" list in mind, but most assuredly need to change my routine.  I've got to simplify things.  With four kids coming and going and all the activities - something has to give.  Where do I start?  I have so much I want to get done, so many plans, so many goals.  Selfish, I know.

Do you ever feel like your life is a "to-do" list?  Get up, eat, go, shop, cook, drive, eat, clean, drive, go, eat, sleep. 

I know there is more and God intended more.  But, it is a different "more" than what I've created and scheduled.  Its time to simplify and get back to basics.

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Queen for the Day

As I posted last year, I have no problem telling people, "Today is my birthday!"  Why not, right?  Yes, I'm older and yes, much better (? questionable - but I'm going with it), but it was another year of living and loving life.  Another year's worth of gifts from God.  So, party on!

 I had a wonderful day and many birthday wishes from friends.  I had a great lunch with my sweet baby girl and two dear friends at a local burger shop that just opened.  They have sweet potato fries that are fantabulous!  My daughters left me little birthday notes about the house and on my chalkboard in the kitchen.   My daughter's boyfriend even brought me fresh flowers - big time points in my book!  And, my husband made sure I didn't cook last night (I wish every day was my birthday!) and brought home my annual birthday cookie!  It was a loverly day!

Ummmm, sorry - I got caught up in the moment and forgot to take a picture of the cookie cake BEFORE we tore it apart!  It was yummy though!

I went ahead and splurged on the Nook color.  I love it and it is a fun little thing to have.  My BFF and I can go to Barnes and Noble (together  - like a girlfriend date) and then sit in silence (together - not speaking) and read to our Nook's content (together - in silence)!!  How fun will that be?!  I, having four children and BFF having two of her own certainly appreciate the "quiet moments" in life!  Even if it means escaping to a public place to have them!

I do feel a little guilty though.  Lots of money for a toy.  So, I've made myself feel better by knowing that it will be there for all the family to use and hopefully I will take the time I should to sit and read God's word on a daily basis.  I know, I can do that with a printed bible.  Don't throw that in my face.  Anyway, I'm keeping it.  I think it is like that gym membership - if you pay good money, you are more likely to guilt yourself into using it use it.  I will be able to purchase some books from the money my sweet mother-in-law sent and I decided to sew my own Nook cover instead of buying the pricey leather kind.  And, who needs an excuse to sew?

Well, I've gotten the grocery shopping out of the way and posted for the day.  On to see the counselor at the local college.  Its time to see what needs to be taken care of for my oldest daughter.  She graduates high school this year and wants to jump into college courses this summer.  I think I've put this off for obvious reasons.  But, she must move on to that chapter in life and I want to be there to guide her, encourage her, and then watch her fly. She has great things ahead of her, I know.

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I made the "Nice" list!

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season and are excited about 2011!  Christmas was wonderful and we had a great time with the kids.  I guess we have it down to a fine science after about 17 years.  We were finished "assisting" Santa and I was in bed by 11:00 p.m.  And, I actually got up on Christmas morning before my husband!  Never happens!

Well, I did it again!  Apparently, despite myself - I managed to make the "nice" list again this year! My family got me what I asked for surprised me with a pink camera!  (The other camera had a small mishap after the four year old was on a photo shoot.  It's  whatever.)  How ever did they know?  This little gal has so many creative controls and makes it convenient to shoot quickie pics when I don't want to get out my big daddy Canon EOS 20D.

Also under the tree were these cool books!  I had Kay Whitt's book on the top of my list even though I don't sew for myself (yet).  I couldn't resist.  It is a beautiful book!  I love the way she added her illustrations and sketches.  I am told that once I stop sewing for my children, I will sew for myself.  Well, maybe I don't want to wait that long!

 

 

 

 

I would love to hear what fun things Santa brought you this year!  Surely you didn't get coal in your stocking!

I put away all the Christmas decorations last Thursday and cleaned the house.  I was exhausted by the end of the day!   As much as I LOVE to decorate for the holidays, I like to start the new year with a clean slate.  It sure makes the house look bare though!  I didn't get much sewing done over the past few weeks, but did make a few small projects which I will share soon.

Christmas break is over and the kids head back to school tomorrow (which will be "today" by the time you read this!)  Why does it always fly by so doggone fast?  New Year's eve was fun and nerve-racking all at the same time.  My two oldest went to parties so it was strange having them gone.  We usually all celebrate together and stay home to avoid the idiot drivers who have been drinking.  So, I was so relieved when they were finally home!

New Year's day was eventful and I finally got something of my to-do list.  I am, once again giddy.  More on that in the next post!

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Ode to Kenneth

I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to a very special man - my father-in-law, Kenneth Landers.  It was ten years ago on Christmas Day that he left this world to be with our Father in Heaven.  We miss him very much.  He was a kind, gentle, hard-working man who always put his family first.

A while back, we were visiting with my mother-in-law, Lynda and came across these pictures of Kenneth.  They were taken when he was quite young.  The first, taken in 1955 was with his father, Les (sitting in the back).  Can you tell that Kenneth was a tall, lanky fellow?  Handsome, too!

The next is Kenneth's graduation photo.  I'm not sure when this picture was taken.  I always teased Kenneth that he needed to go back and put dates and names on his photos!

What struck me so funny was actually on the back of the photo.  He used the back of it to write his mother a note one day!  Apparently while dating my mother-in-law, he was at her house and his car wouldn't start so he took her car home for the night.

Such a man, huh?  I cracked up.  I would have never have written on the back of a photo like this!  Would you?  Well, I'm glad he did as it gave us a little peak of him as a young man!

We miss you, Dad. Pin It