Sewing and sleeping...

While my mom was here for Easter, she gave me a few sewing lessons on my new machine.

A couple of months ago, I had free-handed a pattern for a baby bib, and wanted to put dark blue bias tape around the edge. I ended up using a zig-zag stitch instead, because I didn't sew the big quite right to allow for a narrow bias tape. Anyway... here's the finished product. I couldn't get my model to look at the camera.

A long way from Etsy worthy, but everyone has a beginning, right?

Then I learned how to put the finishing border on a quilt, corners and all...

I know, look out Martha, right? (wink, wink)

M insisted that this needed to be his "bankt" at nap time, the same day. Also, he has recently (by recent, I mean in the last month or so) discovered that life goes on after he goes to bed at night. So, he typically stays in his room for about thirty minutes "reading" books or playing with his cars and then quietly sneaks out in the hallway to check on his mom and dad. He must have been very tired the other night, because he did not make it far:

In other news: Owen can almost walk. Check it out!

.blessed.: Easter Week

.blessed.: Easter Week: "My photos are a bit out of order, so this post may be a bit out of order! Easter week was so much fun, and yesterday I had the post-crowd le..."

The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn...

Just need someone to believe...

This morning as I finished up my workout I glanced at the cover of the May 2011 Runner's World Magazine and the title "BOSTON FEVER: Why Everyone Wants In" caught my eye...

It got me to thinking...

I need to subscribe to this magazine. {Wait, that's not the point.}

I just want to run a marathon someday, I don't desire to qualify for Boston. Also, I doubt I could. Oh, and I'm really not sure when "someday" is.

Then I took myself back about ten years. A time when running a mile seemed daunting. When working out was only for athletes.

And, I have never been an athlete. I have always been awkward in sports. I was that girl. You know. The one who was always picked last in PE. {I hated new units in PE for that very reason. The athletic two that get picked as team captain, and then the rest of the class lines up on the blue line. Captains pick. First, most-athletic-kid. And then most-athletic-kid whispers in the ear of captain "pick so-and-so". And then it happens. There are two people left standing on the blue line. And then the awkward, "I guess I'll pick her". Gee... I'm flattered. No, really. And, oh by the way, I'm all grown up now and I could beat you in a race *wink*}

I remember in sixth grade, I really wanted to try out for Cross Country. Running. Even then, I knew that I needed to lose weight (I went to a relatively small school. Kids were mean. Maybe they were mean if you went to a big school, too. I wouldn't know.) and I knew running was a good way to do that! I remember asking the coach how often practices were. And I remember that look. The one that said "you could never run cross country".

Fast forward to college.

Suddenly I was meeting friends who *gasp* worked out - for fun. "Hey, Mary. Do you want to go to the rec today?"

"What is 'the rec'? Oh, the gym. No, thanks, I don't play sports."

But then, the freshman fifteen hit, times two.

Suddenly this working out thing caught on. And, I had people who believed in me. That worked out with me. That pushed me forward. And, I set a goal to run a 5K {without stopping to walk}. About three years later, I finally did it. Because someone believed in me. I just needed someone to believe in me. My husband was with me, every step of that race, and when I felt like I couldn't breath, he believed in me.

Because he believed in me, I ran a 20K a year later. And then, I ran another 20K. And I completed a half-marathon. Because he believed in me, he pushed me out the door when I didn't feel like doing the long run on the weekend. I become doubtful and I become lazy. But he believes in me.

Don't we all just need someone to believe in us?

God did. He knew that we just needed someone to believe in us, because we are undeserving and broken sinners. We don't feel worthy. We are doubtful. We get lazy. We don't believe that we can run the race set before us. We don't believe that we are worthy. But, we have been reconciled to God through his son. Jesus wasn't the embarrassed kid in PE. He was the only son of God, humiliated, beaten, betrayed and crucified to give us hope, to cleanse our sins and to push us to the finish line when we don't believe we can finish the race.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  - Hebrews 12:1-2

Toddler Tuesday: Snack Attack

M is a snacker. He is a rather picky eater, and he does not like to sit in his high-chair for a meal for very long at all. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to snack-y stuff like Cheerios and Goldfish, but lately I have come across some very neat options, that I didn't know about before, that help me to increase his veggie and fruit intake!

Photo via

Revolution Foods Organic Mashups. I found these at Babies R Us. M's favorite flavor so far is the fruit and veggie smoothie carrot mashup, which also contains mangos and apples. I love these for on-the-go, especially. When you twist off the lid the top is a straw and they just suck the food right out of the pouch (think, Capri Sun sans mess). Speaking of on-the-go, I recently learned of Go-Go Squeeze Applesauce.

photo via

I was introduced to these by a friend, who purchased them at Costco. Recently, I found them at Wal-Mart. M really enjoys the apple strawberry flavor and always asks for "treat!". The great thing about both of these products is that they are 100% fruit/vegetable with no added sugars. And again, the Go-Go Squeeze has been awesome for on-the-go. I brought one to give to M after his swimming lesson today and it kept him occupied {and mess free} while I finished getting dressed.

photo via

Another product that we keep on hand are Brothers-All-Natural fruit crisps (plain ol' freeze-dried fruit). They are a good substitute when you the kiddos are in the mood for a crunchy treat. They were another Costco find, for us, but you can order them through the Brothers website (linked below photo) or through Amazon. I have also found the Fuji Apple flavor at Babies R Us. My favorite part about this product is that they partner with Disney...

photo via

M goes crazy over the Buzz Light Year package, now that he is old enough to understand the cartoon characters. The apple and pear pieces are soft enough that I also let Owen gnaw on them.

What are your favorite snacks for the little ones? Where do you find them?

Camera Shopping.

I have been saving for a new camera. I feel like I have been saving for forever. But, the truth is, I have not been very diligent about saving for said camera. But, every time I sit down to edit photos, or go somewhere that I wish I was taking better quality photos, I am reminded of my lust for a DSLR.

I know I want Canon. For no reason other than I have become brand loyal. I love my "point and shoot". I am familiar with the functions. I know nothing about photography.

I know I want DSLR. I know nothing about photography.

In case you have not gathered yet, I know nothing about photography.

So, if you were me, and you wanted a nice DSLR, and you were ordering from Amazon (I have been saving in the form of gift cards and personal funds), and you were willing to buy used, but you were not wanting to save for it until your kids turn 18, and you knew nothing about photography, what camera would you buy?

I only want it for my personal use. But I need recommendations. And I need a visible goal so that I am diligent in saving.

Today I babysat M&O's second cousin. She is 18 months old. That means I had a 2 1/2-year-old, 18-month-old and 9-month-old, and they all lived. And so did I. But, I have to hand it to day care providers because, I'm exhausted. {I told Jon, today was great, but it was good birth control!}

On Saturday I made it Ames to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our sorority. It was so fun to see faces from years past, as well as hear stories from alumna of the 1940s. It was amusing to me some of the rules that we complained about as collegiates, only to hear an alumna of the 1950s talk about being required to wear skirts to class, and if the skirt was tight fitting they had to wear a girdle...

After the anniversary celebration, we decided to head out in campus town. I'm pretty sure we thought maybe we would still fit in. We didn't. Why does 21 now look 18, but when I was 18, 21 looked so mature?

It was so nice to spend time with some of my best friends and get caught up. But, the time is always to short... {I'm thinking that the striped shirt in this photo might be considered for retirement from the closet. I was told, by a total stranger, that my stripes really need to go the other direction. It actually made my cry a tiny bit and jet for the bathroom! Ha, now I am laughing about it but still a little unsure about the shirt!}

On to some other random stuff to blog about... Last Tuesday M's swimming lessons were canceled, so we stayed home (in jammies, most of the day) and did some activities. The first was a little poem about five snow flakes and we worked on some counting...

 

I had also found an Easter Egg Hunt activity worksheet, where you are supposed to color in all of the Easter Eggs you can find. M did point out the various eggs to me, but this turned in to just a fun Easter coloring worksheet, and I printed a few copies.

The same day we broke out the markers and M went to town coloring. I asked him to draw a circle, his attempt is on the left. I'd say he did pretty good. Then I asked him to draw a heart and I got a red blob. I also asked him to draw a boat, and it is tough to tell here, but I am sure he attempted the sail *wink.

Today, we finger/Q-Tip painted. M loves painting, and it is one activity that he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. He's fairly particular about the cleanliness of his hands, but I think there is something about all of the fun colors (that turn in to not such fun colors when mixed together).

While M and his cousin were in their booster seats painting, I made footprints for making little penguins. I think the footprints would have turned out better if they had stood on the paper, but given their ages, this was a much cleaner route!

I could not find the white finger paint {note to self}, so I used white paper and tried to free hand the white portion of the penguin. Sad attempt, I know. But, I am just not type A about this type of thing. I also put their little fins going the wrong direction, they should have been pointed down.

The idea for "Footprint Penguins" came from Meet the Dubiens. Check out that blog, I could spend hours sifting through her posts. So many fabulous ideas!

After nap, we decorated some Easter Eggs. I used the alphabet letters to put names on a few of them and had to help peel the backings off of the foam stickers, but overall they did great!

Here are M's eggs. He chose the row of three bunnies himself. When he was done putting them there he told me "THREE!" Proud mom moment (it's the little things, I tell ya). I am not sure who the second egg is for, but those were the letters he wanted, and the placement he wanted.

M's cousin also brought over a tent, which we put up in the foyer. I put some stuffed animals, a couple of blankets and a stack of books in there. They were in and out of it all day. Duly added to my wish-list for the boys!

Our day was busy, but I found that giving them 10 minutes of something to do, followed by 15 or 20 minutes of free play, followed by 10 minutes of something to do (repeat all day long) really eliminated the need for me to have to give M time-outs every five minutes because he didn't feel like sharing his toys. Ha!

Yes, little O was a part of our day as well - but I think he's a bit young to be finger painting and decorating Easter Eggs. He spent his day attempting to master the art of walking. I had a few people call today, and I ignored their phone calls and sent text messages to the effect of "I have three children, two and under cannot answer!" Sorry.

We were so much more than friends...

A little glimpse in to the life of College Mary...

 

This weekend is VEISHEA, but more importantly (at least in my opinion) it is the 90th Anniversary of the AE chapter of Sigma Kappa...

 

A place where I made some of the best friends, and some of the best memories, in my life.

 

Some of these friends that I see frequently, and some that I go for months {or years, as in the case of tonight} without seeing, but can hop right back in to conversation with and feel as if they have still lived down the hall from me all of this time...

The ones that know me and love me just the same.

 

The ones that, if it weren't for they bond that ties us, I might never have met. That might never have made me laugh, wipe my tears...

Or become my best friends.

My SK Sisters!

I cannot wait to celebrate 90 years of memories tonight, and for a brief moment, relive the college life.

my favorite memories
Pita Pit and a Diet Coke
studying for a final on the Mickey's patio
Going out in an outfit the is comprised of four different closets, none of which were your own 
Starbuck's or Tarracino runs, nearly every morning
the Chitty gang
banana fights
Roll call
candle passings
      Buck burgers in the summer time
facial expressions during chapter meetings
staying up too late solving all of the world's problems
Daisy Head Mazy
how old the alumni seemed {wink, wink}
themed house parties
FAC
class pictures on bid day
 and so many more...

Going Deeper...

I feel compelled to sit down and write at the moment. This morning I met with a group of girl friends, to discuss the book that we are reading "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver.

We started discussing our faith and what faith looks like. One of my friends asked about a story in the Old Testament that she is having a hard time wrapping her head around and really believing is true. It is a story that is well known by most Christians {and probably by a lot of non-believers}. One that I have honestly never questioned, but wanted to have the answers for.

You see. I believe it is true because the Bible is a book that is God breathed and is the inspired Word of God, left to His people as our hand book to life. You know how you get a new TV, or a new iPod or a new cell phone and it comes with an instruction manual? But, you promptly file the instruction manual (or throw it away, if you're me) and you don't look at it again until you need it. Something went wrong. Something isn't working the way you wanted it to. So you quickly hop on Google and find the answer, which many times comes right out of the instruction manual that you thought you didn't need? That's the Bible. Our very detailed instruction manual to life. Call me naive, ignorant or lazy, but I don't question whether or not it is true. I just believe that with God all things are possible - and that is how this particular story came to be.

Faith like a small child. It just is.

On the same token, I also believe that we need to be careful to just believe anything we hear. We need to go back to our Bible and really study it and learn it. If we stand for nothing, we will fall for anything. So, yes, I do believe it is okay to have questions. But I also believe it is okay that we do not have the answers.

During our time together this morning I kept thinking, there has never been a time when I really questioned God. And then the topic of baptism and non-believers was raised. What if someone dies and has never heard of Jesus? What if someone is a good person but chooses not to believe in Jesus? Questions with a difficult answer.

And what is our job? Is it our job to save people? No. Jesus already did that. Can we lead them to the cross? God calls us to tell others about Jesus. To be his disciples. We cannot manifest Jesus in anyone else's heart. But we can let his light shine. We can live a life worthy to be called a son or daughter of Christ. We can pray for each other.

I just kept thinking, I haven't ever doubted him. But, then I remember that one time. Or that thing I didn't understand. Or things I still don't understand. I remember the people closest to me that are hurting. That are longing. That are wondering if God is really there. And I try to encourage them. And I pray that when trials come my way I will be as faithful.

I decided I needed to read back in my journal. And I found this, from a post that I titled "Let the Waters Rise":

I am feeling like a failure today. I feel like I have no clue how to raise these boys. I am feeling like they deserve better than me. I am questioning Him and His plans for some very special women in my life. Women who I know would be amazing wives and phenomenal mothers and why their paths have not lead them there yet.

I just keep feeling like I could throw up because something is off today. There is a mountain of laundry waiting for me, dishes to be done, and other responsibilities to fill and I want nothing to do with any of them. I want to escape from here, for the sun to shine down and for responsibility to go away.

But, that's not going to happen. I am going to pray for contentment. I am going to pray for God to send me a close girl friend to live near me. I am going to pray for warm weather to come back sooner than expected. I am going to pray for Him to strengthen me and lead me as a wife and a mom. I am going to pray that He will show me how He would have me use my time.

Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said 'Never will I leave you. Never will I foresake you.'"


I am not sharing this with you today in need of prayer. You see, I wrote this, and then I kept moving. I kept praying and I counted my many blessings. And then... I FORGOT I even wrote this until I came back to it. And then I remembered that day. And the many deep breaths it took to fight back tears and the sick feeling in my stomach. Satan is powerful. But not more powerful that my heavenly father.

And today, I am joyful. Joyful that some of the unwritten prayers in the above passage have been answered. Today, I am faithful. Faithful that some of the unwritten prayers in the above passage WILL be answered. Today, I am thankful. Today, I am blessed.

Project: Simplify - Hot Spot #5

Well, I made it! Five hot spots later, and I'm feeling really good about "Simplifying" and am going to continue picking at least one hot spot/week. This week, the hot spot was "pick your own". One of the areas of our home that has bothered me since we moved in is the "office" area. We don't have a separate room to hide our computer and the like, so it occupies a wall in our living room.

While I really do love our Crate & Barrel shelving set up, we originally purchased them in white, because the system was in place in the same room as Matthew's nursery, at our old home, and all of the furniture matched. In the living room they clash with the (already tacky) hunter green wall and the dark wooden furniture (which also clashes with the light oak shelving already in place).

Being that our living room is the primary entertaining area of the home, I have been wanting to make the office area look a bit more welcoming or at least a bit less offensive. I wasn't exactly sure how to fix the problem, but I had already purchased a couple of organization items in white, so I bought a few more, and without further delay, here are the before and after photos:

Not exactly phenomenal progress, but I do feel that it looks better. The before picture really doesn't even show the entire mess, because when I photographed the area it wasn't originally for Project: Simplify. Once done, the bins on the second from the bottom shelf are not quite big enough to hold the binders and file folders as I had hoped. I also realized, after uploading these photos, that I need to do something about the visible cords. Ick. {Oh, and the stray laptop hanging out below!}

What are your thoughts on "masking" office space? How would you spruce this up, without spending a lot of money?

.blessed.: 9 months and 2 going on 20...

.blessed.: 9 months and 2 going on 20...: "My baby boy is nine-months-old already. And my other baby boy is growing way too fast. Owen will go to the pediatrician for his well child ..."

Life lately...

No Toddler Tuesday post tomorrow! I have been finalizing a couple of tax returns today and just realized that I did not put a post together... But, I thought I would just post a quick update tonight, before I head off to read for Book Club on Saturday!

We had quite a week and weekend. Wednesday, the boys had their Easter photos taken. I'm not big on formal "portrait studio" pictures, but when there is a time crunch and my favorite photographer friends live a couple of hours away, off to Target we go (and it's not like I mind a really good excuse to peruse the aisles of Target). M is old enough to know exactly why we were there, and old enough to make up his mind that he did not feel like participating in said event. But, the photos are priceless and I wish there was a way to post them here. I was looking through them again tonight and M's facial expressions crack me up. I am afraid that he may have inherited some of them from me (what can I say, we wear our heart on our sleeve). Dear friends, if you think I am giving you a dirty look, I assure you I am not. I just make a lot of faces when I am deep in thought. Sometimes, they are unfortunate. I love you. Really. I do. Once pictures were over, we went to good old Chick-Fil-A and M was able to burn off some steam in the play place.

On Friday, Jon and I were able to attend Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership Simulcast. The day started off very frustrating for me. It was just one of those mornings. The morning was rush, rush, rush trying to get the boys out the door to the babysitter and as I was grabbing the keys, I knocked our key rack down, which hit the bowl of food Jon had poured for the cat and then broke the key rack. No big deal really. Just move on. But, in the midst of the mess, I set the diaper bag on the dryer on the way out the door and never went back for it. So, I drove 15 minutes to the sitter to realize O had no bottle and no food. What should have been a 15 minute drop off, allowing me to be to the Simulcast 30 minutes early, turned in to an hour of driving back and forth and a stop to fill up on gas. All because I got flustered in a single moment. And, I am a prompt person. Sometimes too prompt. Usually the first person to get somewhere. Usually the person waiting when everyone else arrives. I cannot stand being late.

I was humbled on Friday morning. I was frustrated and the lyrics to the song "This is the Stuff" kept playing through my head. And then the husband sent me a funny text message and I laughed. Tears of frustration welled in my eyes, but I never let them out. My blood pressure returned to normal, and I arrived. Before Dave even came to the stage. Didn't miss a beat. And none of this was a big deal. Just one of those mornings that my patience were tested.

I'd be lying if I didn't include that during my drive back and forth between home and the babysitter I wasn't thinking to myself "I am a stay-at-home-mom. I am not a leader. I am not an entrepreneur. I have no business attending this event. What in the world am I even doing right now? Who do I even think I am?"

But, I will tell you... This EntreLeadership event was for everyone. I am a leader. I am a mom. I want to lead (train) my children in the way of the Lord. This event motivated me to really re-evaluate myself as a whole and develop character. I will post more on the event later. But, it was a good one. I recommend.

And, as if digesting EntreLeadership weren't enough... On Saturday I attended the MOPS Leadership Summit with three of my girl friends. Another awesome event that I hope to write about more, in the future. Here's a fun picture, though! My favorite part about events like the summit and EntreLeadership is meeting new people, from all different walks of life!

 Then on Sunday, we had another great message at the church we attended and had a fun brunch with Nana, Pappi, and Auntie Jenna. After brunch we took advantage of some GORGEOUS spring weather and walked along the river.

 

Our littlest man has learned to pull himself to standing and is just all over the place. Most recently he has taken an interest in pulling books off of the shelves. Look out world.

Excuse the poor photo quality on the last two photos - taken with the phone. Excuse the randomness and lack of editing on this post. Last minute, and off to bed!

Toddler Tuesday: Easter Activities

UPDATED TO TO INCLUDE NEW LINKS! 
(then hop back down to my Project: Simplify post for today!)


This week I have been thinking about Easter activities. Related to how to share the story of salvation and reconciliation with the father through Jesus, with the little ones. Also, other holiday related learning activities. Here are my thoughts:



Songs:
Jesus Loves Me

Like so many other mommies, I have sung Jesus Loves Me to M & O over and over again since they were born. I have even changed the words to make a little song for them that ends with my favorite thing, a kiss on the nose *smile*. Over the weekend I practiced the song with M, having him repeat every two words. I love hearing him say "Jesus" and "loves me" sounds like "of ME!"

Other suggestions?

Books:
My First Bible Easter Stories
Owen's Marshmallow Chick by Kevin Henkes
(of course! O got this from his Aunt for Christmas and it is so cute!)

Other suggestions?

Activities:
Construction paper eggs (pretty simple, I am going to cut Easter eggs out of construction paper and then cut separate strips of paper, circle punches, etc and give M a glue stick and some little pom-poms and pipe cleaners and have him decorate away. I love "busy" activities.)

Printables. I am on the hunt for new printables for Easter. If I find some good ones, I will post the resources.

*UPDATE* 

Over at Totally Tots today there are some printables for John 3:16. Some a bit "too old" for the two-year-old crowd, but there is a mini book that can be cut in to flash cards and some coloring pages (print up a few on some scratch paper and voila!). A great Easter, and every day, activity!

Browing Pinterest this morning {oh my gosh, I think I could spend all day on Pinterest but I won't go on and on about it} and a friend had posted a link to Kids' Easter Coloring Pages from Disney's Family Fun (and how have I not known of this site). Check them out!

Dying eggs... I almost bought a kit but I wonder if M is too young. I think we'll give it a shot!

Easter Baskets:
Hobby Lobby. I found the cutest baskets for 50% off. M gets Elmo (EM-oh) and Owen's basket is a monkey. I found three-packs of Dr. Suess board books at Sam's Club, so they are each getting those and their own Melissa & Doug puzzle.

Also, we found the CUTEST Easter Eggs at Sam's Club. One package has eggs shaped like race cars and the other package has eggs shaped like safari animals. The bummer? They are filled with jaw breakers, atomic fireballs, and double bubble. Really? I am going to empty them and put something a bit more toddler friendly in for the egg hunt.

*UPDATE*

These are SO going in M's Easter basket and making their way to the MOPS Easter Egg Hunt.

Photo via No Fuss Fabulous

I also want to make felt eggs that will hold little toys like matchbox cars and include those in the egg hunt.

What are your Easter traditions?

In other news, I was looking for a couple of pictures to add to the post and came across M's 6-mo pictures and thought these were fun to look at (less than two years between these two photos). I love my sweet boys.