Happy Day

Hi again! Our date night last night was great! Park City in April is very quiet, (ski bum, USA) so many of the nice restaurants put 2 for 1 entree coupons in the local paper, and we ended up at Ghidotti's. It was a very nice dinner, with excellent service - we were one of three or four couples the two hours we were there, like I said very quiet. Joe and I had a nice time just being together and enjoying a bit of peace without our lovely kids. Owen did great without me, but was super excited when I walked in the room, and then he tested me all night, making sure I was still here. =) He's a sweet, and smart little guy.

The last few days my sewing machine has been calling out to me. So, I pulled it out again, I sew at the kitchen table. I had made a few sketches of bags a while back and decided to see what I could come up with. Bear in mind - I have never made anything without a pattern, and I don't really sketch. I was actually quite pleased with myself as I turned out two complete bags in one afternoon. I am not going to post pictures yet, but in good time, my friend. It would seem to me that I am actually gaining creativity reading blogs and perusing flickr , not only creativity but also confidence in my abilities. I am pretty excited about all of this.
Blessings - Amy

Tackle it Tuesday

Well I have done a lot of housework over the last few weeks, and I woke up with my eyes itching, and sneezing, so I don't dare go outside and weed/prep garden beds. I don't thrive on Benadryl, or I should say my kids/house wouldn't! So my tackle for today is getting sweet little bracelets posted in my shop. =) I have been too busy to create recently and feeling the need to sit and relax with my beads. Here's a few pictures of what I've been up too!Clicking the pictures will take you to my shop.

Also very exciting - Date Night Tonight! Owen is 10 months old and we have not had a date without him yet. He and his big sisters will have fun here at the house with hubby's mom. I will have to tell you more later!
Have a great Tuesday!

Mommy Moments

I have been catching up on all the posts I missed this week with my parents in town. One of the first posts I found - after yours, of course! - was a photo contest in honor of mother's day. Over at 5minutesformom you can get all the details to enter too! $1000 Amex gift card - from Eggbeaters. Why not enter - right?

Two pictures - I had to post the second. We all know that "imitation is the highest form of flattery." And this is one moment where it paid off for me. You always hope and pray that they pick up the good stuff from you not just the bad! Owen was two months old at the time this picture was taken - just waiting for me while I got the girls ready for bed. As the girls were done getting ready they each came to Owen to talk to and soothe him, just the way I have soothed him and each of them. They take it all in, a good reminder to keep myself in check.

This was a moment of joy - about to be tickled! There are moments as a mom that this is how I feel inside, "stop the insanity!" But God always brings back the clarity of the moment and shows me how to slow down and enjoy the moment with them - because it goes sooo fast.
Amy

Fun with Grandpa, Grandma AND Paint!

So it goes without saying this has been a busy week. I have so many blogs to catch up on - but find myself here for a few minutes and thought I would give you a few snipets of what has been going on!

Our girls love Grandma & Grandpa - they always bring presents! Yesterday Emmalie had to help Grandpa get something out of the trunk of his rental car. She was barely able to control herself when she saw a brand new princess bike - just what she "always wanted."
She had a blast riding her bike off and on - as adults would go outside with her. Grandpa even outfitted her with elbow and knee pads - just in case. Now once summer is in full swing (one more month of school) we can go for bike rides. Ella and Emmalie on their bikes and the little ones in the trailer behind my bike. We will be all over this valley!


Here's where the paint comes in -

Grandma came prepared with plastic tablecloth, projects, smocks and new paints. She is very artistic as well and loves creating with the girls.Grandma, Emmalie & Sophia - painting heart boxes for treasures.

Emmalie's completed project!Ella working on a "Thank You" CardSophia creating.

More later! Blessings - Amy

Preparations

Hi again! I have been working all week to get cleaned up around here. =) My parents are coming next week to visit from the Seattle area - it has been almost a year since we've seen them. Nothing like company to get me motivated to really clean up. Since my Tuesday post I have cleared two more shelves and my desk! It feels good - I always breathe a bit easier when I purge.

Another kinda big task was making more baby food. Owen is eating so much that I got my stock pot out this time and made about 3 quarts of each of my recipes. Once again my house smells like soup and Owen will be well fed for the next month - hopefully =)

I hope that you have a good Friday!

Awake

I had been formulating a different post in my head - but now as I am trying to sleep, my mind is full of words unwritten. I started my blog to connect with others and promote my etsy shop, but find myself drawn to sharing more of my personal journey. There is so much more to me, and my family than what has been posted here previously and now I feel so strongly the need to share.

You see in January my husband I were hurt. We were betrayed when a covenant bond was broken in our church. Where he was the pastor and shepherd to a small congregation. When things got difficult a few members of his board decided that the church would be better without him/us and in our "best interest" opted to find a new pastor. In the weeks following, the majority of families left, and then the church was dissolved. We had been committed there for over five years and God had kept us there to see the church through the storm, but we were not given the opportunity to see that through. And to watch as the vision we had been given for this church disappeared was gut wrenching.

As we have been going through the grieving process, disbelief, anger, depression and such, my faith has not been altered. I trust that God is looking out for me and know that He will provide for all of our families needs. I find that my faith grows in the little things each day, not allowing me to get bogged down in anger and resentment. I see His faithfulness in my kids, in the morning light each day, in the friendships that continue to grow outside of church, in my husband, as he loves me, and in the little things that make me smile in spite of the hurt.

I know that He hurts with me, He knows my pain, He knows your pain. Allowing ourselves to grieve our past hurts makes room for His glory to shine in our present lives. In God’s grace we are able to draw near to Him – especially in the hard times and He will carry us through.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

In sharing this my only hope to encourage you to not hide from your hurt, but allow God to work in you. Last fall we did a ladies study with the book “Living Victoriously In Difficult Times” by Kay Arthur – I have gone back to this book in the last few months and been so encouraged by the promises that God has given to us in the Bible. It is a great, quick study!

Blessings to you –

Amy

Tackle it Tuesday

So I have been reading this blog the past couple of weeks and decided to jump on board with Tackle it Tuesday today! With Owen taking a longer than usual nap - I jumped up and grabbed my camera. That's part of the accountability of it all - actually posting what you did - fun =) Since Owen crawls around and puts everything in his mouth - I have to keep the floors clean, and I cannot cook dinner in a dirty kitchen - so I do my best to keep up with it as the day goes, but I have a hard time being motivated to do the other stuff. (btw - I haven't unloaded the dishwasher yet today)

My before shots:
We have this space on either side of the sink and above it that gathers and collects. Anything we don't know what to do with exactly, but want to have handy. . . stuff we want out of reach for our curious almost 3 yo. It just collects, and collects dust too (which I am very allergic to).











My after shots: I actually tossed some stuff - why keep it if you don't love it or use it!























After this I thought about stopping but Owen was still sleeping. And then I saw it - my "pantry" shelf. My kitchen is just not big enough! I am content with what I have been given. =) It still is a full shelf in the kitchen, but at least stuff isn't falling off of it - at the moment! In all it took me about 35 minutes - not bad, especially since I have a little more peace walking into the kitchen.













Happy Tuesday!

A Full Week!

Well this week started with lots of snow but has ended very nicely. Yesterday and today have been warm (mid-50's) and we'll take it! However, I won't be able to plant a garden until Father's Day - too many temperature fluctuations here at altitude.

So with Spring Break, Ella and I, with Olivia and her mom got to make 2 quilt blocks for a simple place mat. We will do the quilting and finishing soon enough. =) I forgot to pull my camera out so I will have pics for you later. We had wanted to introduce quilting in a project that the girls could use or hang up and be proud of without loosing interest. So far so good!

I have been listening to podcasts and searching blogs and websites all week but haven't made anything since the bracelets. I'm trying not to be discouraged, but my stuff just isn't going anywhere in my etsy shop. Patience. Patience. That's what I keep hearing, but it's hard - probably because I need to sell some in order to make more!

I don't know why I never heard about this site before but I am planning to check it out in depth. I want to learn how to better machine quilt - so far I haven't taken the leap, stitching in the ditch. =) But I think that they have lots of info there. I will let you know what I find!

My ramblings sound better in my head! Thanks for reading.
Blessings - Amy

Camera Lessons

Hi again! I had to learn how to use our camera in light (or lack of light) of all the crummy weather around here. We have a nice DSLR but until yesterday I just used the auto features for everything. I built myself a mini studio and enlisted my husbands assistance for getting the initial settings created on the manual mode. Brand new territory for me!

After a lot of trial and many errors I got a few good pictures - hooray! I had made these few bracelets the other day and had to wait until now to get them listed. Aren't the baby ones adorable? I just love how sweet they look. My girls have so many bracelets - I seem to find most of them tucked away where they shouldn't be. =) They are good girls - just too many pretties.








This one is a ladies size - it would look nice on you - hint, hint. =)

If you click any of the pictures you will go straight to my esty shop!

Later tater - =)

Fresh From The Wash

I am so glad that this one is all mine!
Owen likes it too.
Have a great day!

Getting Thicker

We had haircuts the other day for the girls. Emmalie and Sophia are both working on growing lots of hair - my Owen, only boy has more hair than my girls. They were bald until 2 usually and then it takes a good 3 years to get real hair - opposed to the super fine baby hair.



Sophia











Emmalie - loves posing!

Ella needs a trim too, but Owen woke up from his nap before I could get to her. Soon enough!

Spring Break =)

Ella is home this week for Spring Break - unfortunately we woke up to snow falling this morning, again. (big sigh) My girls weren't at all excited. Ella had hopes of riding her bike and scooter outside all day - it is spring break, I had thought about getting bubbles and watching them blow and blow. But once again it is too cold. In the Utah mountains, we get snow off and on through May even a bit in June if we're lucky, but it has been a really long winter with lots of snow and we are really ready to move on.

On the bright side - I was able to complete my quilt! It was too dark all day to take pictures - I will try tomorrow. I love it! It's not perfect, I'm probably the only one that will know, but I like to think that if it was perfect it wouldn't have been as much fun to make. I'm still learning the in's and out's of quilting too. I also made a couple of bracelets tonight that I will list tomorrow in my shop - sunlight permitting.

Until then - blessings.

Yesterday - As Good As It Gets

For this stay at home mom - yesterday was a great day! My mother-in-law offered to take my 4 and 21/2 year old girls for the day. I thought about taking a nap while Owen was napping, then I thought about cleaning the house more than the usual day to day. But in the end I decided to sew! Having a day to myself - with Owen - is a nice change of pace. I altered and cut out a pattern for Ella's dress that was in the same pattern as her purse. It is Simplicity 2993. I was able to sew the bodice before it was time to go for a bike ride and pick her up at school. Also lots of fun - with Owen in a little trailer!

After dinner I finished getting my quilt quilted and then attached the binding! =) I am so in love with the fabrics. I have to finish it before I post any more pictures. But I have been able to complete the dress for Ella - originally she was going to do most of the sewing but was uninterested when it came time to sit down.
I just love it! It looks really cute on - and it is a good fit.

Blessing Box

Hi there! So, yes I have been busy with my quilt, not to mention the kiddos! But I have also been working on a Blessing Box. I'm not going to tell you exactly what it is yet - but I have a favor to ask. Would you leave a comment and let me know your favorite way(s) to "show" love to a child? I hope to have a Blessing Box listed soon - gotta get to it. Thanks for your help!

With my girls a favorite way to show love is with food - especially chocolate chip cookies! And that is just what Emmalie (4) and I did today. I thought I would share our best recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
20 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 C packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/4 C a/p flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 C semisweet chocolate chips

*Preheat oven to 350.
*Cream butter and sugar together, using the whisk attachment on high speed, until they are fluffy and light in color, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low, beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
*In a separate, medium bowl, whisk the flour, soda and salt together. Gradually add this to wet ingredients, using the paddle attachment of your mixer on low speed until no flour is visible. Then stir in the chocolate.
*Spoon onto cookie sheet with teaspoons - bake 9-12 minutes.
*Yields 5-6 dozen - depending on how much dough you eat!

This recipe is better than most - it may be the brown sugar or the extra bit of salt - either way they are chewy and delicious! Enjoy