I know it has been awhile...

It is that busy time of year when other things take precedence over blogging and viewing blogs. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there hardly seems time for anything. Ben, the kids, and I have all been a little under the weather. Hopefully we will be healthy in the coming weeks. We were blessed this Christmas season to be with family and friends. Chloe and Elijah were especially precious this Christmas. Elijah opened presents like a pro and Chloe took great joy in all of her gifts. We are so grateful to be able to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

Lego Towers, Bunk Beds and Thanksgiving... pretty much sums it up

We pray our family and friends had a blessed Thanksgiving including a time of rest. Ours was a day of rest followed by buying a new refrigerator, losing my wedding ring (Laura) and redoing the kids' room. I did however get lots of good deals on Black Friday. I got up at 5 am and made it to 8 stores all before 9 am. It is my favorite time to shop because no one misses me.

Chloe came home with lots of information regarding Thanksgiving from her preschool. She kept mentioning the fact that some people call it Turkey Day and Pig Out Day. She considered that quite humorous. Elijah had no interest in eating his Thanksgiving dinner. He was starving during prayer, sticking his finger in the potatoes and butter, but by the time his plate was full, he wanted nothing to do with the meal. Instead, he pestered Aunt Jenny and I.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Jenny and I saw this movie today in one of two theatres that is showing it in Colorado. It left me asking for God's forgiveness. While I will suggest the movie, keep in mind that it will leave you very heavy hearted.

Grammie's 66th Birthday

Elijah is getting some lovin' from Uncle Scott and Aunt Jenny. The boy reminds us so much of a puppy. He likes his belly tickled like no other and often times, smells like a puppy.

Our little musician. Uncle Ryan can't wait to get him signed.

Finally, this is a picture of the desert I made, a chocolate box filled with chocolate creme and fresh raspberries. It was delicious and it goes to show you that hours of watching the Food Network is not a waste of time.

My Mimes

Our kids dressed as mimes for our church party on Halloween night. Chloe kept calling herself a Smartie.

A few things I am working on: May be hard to tell but this is a reversable bag. The blue one is not quite finished yet but close. I am sewing on my Great Grandmothers 1930 (I believe) Singer sewing machine and I love it. It is incredible to be connected with so many generations.

Here is another reversible bag. This one is finished and I think it looks pretty good... but not give away good. I'll improve as times goes on.

2008 Pumpkin Patch

Cousin Seth tackles his pumpkin. The weather was amazing that day. We were all a little worried the day before when it was 27 degrees in the morning.
Elijah makes a pretty cute pumpkin!

Cousins Ethan (pumpkin)and Avery (scarecrow)
Avery is doing her cute pose for the camera.

All of the cousins together
Tirzah (9) and Seth (7) are the oldest. Then Chloe, Ethan and Avery are all 4. Elijah is the baby, for now, at 2. I must say that all of the cousins are more like brothers and sisters than cousins. They love each other and as they grow older, watch out for each other.

Elijah posing with the mountains behind him.

There is no one so rich, no one so full of joy.

"Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express." ~Joseph Addison

"When you teach your son, you teach your son's son." ~The Talmud

Look at those eyes! Sometimes I wonder if my son provides me more insight into life than I provide him.

Grandma's 69th Birthday

Going Goofy
Happy 69th birthday, Grandma! We love you.

Colorado's Beautiful Fall

It is simply breathtaking.

Reusing my Refuse

This is a picture of my most recent project, a bracelet made from old credit cards. I think it turned out pretty fun and hip with the whole going green idea behind it. Let me know what you think, if it should be turned back into trash or kept as a fun statement.

It must be my lucky day.

Yes, what you see before you is two yolks in one egg... twins! When I cracked open the first egg in this new carton, I couldn't believe my eyes. Some would say that this is the beginning of one good day or others might say the universe is trying to make me fat. I think I'll look at the glass as extra full today:)

What I Did Yesterday

What I didn't do.....

Buddy turns 2

Can you believe our little guy is in the throws of toddlerhood and tantrums?

The Joys of Scar Tissue

We had another scare yesterday. Ben woke up not feeling quite right. By the end of the day, he was walking hunched over like he did when his appendix ruptured. We were wondering if it was possible for someone to grow a new appendix and have it rupture all in 5 months time. It was a rough night and at one point, I was back to taking his temperature and bringing him the trash can, just in case. By morning time, Ben was ready to see the doc. The doctor said scar tissue separated and it is very painful. Ben will need to limit his physical activity drastically. Unfortunately, this possibly means no more IAD in a couple of weeks.

Book Suggestion

I just finished a book by a woman from the FLDS (Fundamental Later Day Saints) community and I thought for anyone interested, it gives riveting details of the lives of the women living in this cult. The book, Escape, by Carolyn Jessop is a fast read because you can't put it down. She was 18 when she married Merril Jessop a man 32 years her senior. Most of what is written is hard to believe. She speaks of Warren Jeffs, the man recently arrested when he was on the 10 Most Wanted List by the FBI.

Matching Bags

Sewing Project Number 2

For my next project, I made matching satchels for Chloe and I. Again, Helen walked me through this project but as I continue to make different things, I am learning so much. This fabric I bought off of the clearance remnant section at a local fabric store. The lining is a yellow that matches the yellow inside the palm branches. Chloe loves having something that matches mommy.

Why do the pictures of our kids always seem to include chocolate around the mouth?

This Time Last Year

"Time goes so fast," I seem to say constantly. But it really does! This picture last year shows Chloe with just a smidgen of hair shooting out above her shirt collar and Elijah with his beautiful, baby curls. My goofy grin says it all, family bliss! Praise God for the joy He has given us in our family.

Learning How to Sew

I have been inspired by several people to learn how to sew. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to take me on as her student. I really have enjoyed the two times we have sewed together. This afternoon she helped me make two pillow case dresses for Chloe.

This is the first dress we made out of a pink pillowcase and I added apricot accents.

The ribbon added a pretty detail to the plain pillowcase (from Walmart - sorry everyone).

This next dress was made out of a swatch of fabric that I found on clearance. It was so colorful that I thought it would look pretty with Chloe's red hair.

Here Chloe is modeling the dress.
I am going to make two more dresses for Chloe and her best friend Chaeli. I picked up a pretty piece of leftover material, also from the clearance section, that is cream with blue flowers on it.

Laura (on Ben's sign on)