A recap because I am a slacker....

Ok, maybe not so much a slacker, but definitely have been putting off updating my blog until "later". So, I am gonna recap the last month or so in one posting. Read it if you want, but I wouldn't- rather boring stuff.

The end of January found us scrambling to find new insurance. We decided to let the Cobra coverage we had with Enterprise expire. The main reason being that it was costing us more than our house payment. So began the search for affordable, quality health care coverage. As a result of our researching we have decided to move to Canada...not really! We did have to scramble to get eye exams (only 2 sets of glasses for the 2 adults in our household), and dentist appointments (3 cavities for Tommy, and 1 for Bella) before the end of the month. We found something affordable through Anthem, but will never have what we had before. Oh, the changing times...

On Feb. 12, my guy Tommy turned 5!! We celebrated by having a party at school, a mini party at home, and a family party on Sunday. We got him a new bike (which he rides like he is in the X games), and he also got some new jammies, playdoh, and a couple of other small toys, and the Bee Movie. We are thankful that he did not get a ton of toys...We have too many people in our house to try to room toys also.

Feb. also brought two stress attacks for me. First one being that Tommys preschool teacher showed some concern about Tommy's readiness for kindergarten. She was afraid that he was just not "picking up on things" quickly enough. Tommy's personality is such that he just doesn't care too much about anything. He is very laid back, go with the flow, and very much a boy. I mean, that he is the very example of a boy that you would read about in Dobson's Bringing Up Boys...they just don't learn like girls. He is so smart, but if he feels he can't do something perfectly, or if he feels the slightest bit uncomfortable in a situation, then he won't even try. With a little research, and some great ideas from others, I am sure he will be well on his way to kindergarten in August. What's more, is that I was looking over his Valentines Day cards that he received from his friends at school, and more than 1/2 of the children's parents signed their kids' names, and the others were completely illegible. You should see Tommy's handwriting...I am just wondering if all those kids that can't even write their names are ready for kindergarten...hmmmm????

Aiden also had a talking jag this month. Over the past 2 months his vocabulary has grown leaps and bounds. About a week ago, he started stuttering over he M, and W sounds. A couple of days later that small stutter took over all of his words, and by the next day, he was so frustrated with himself that he just shut down and stopped talking all together. It was so sad to see him so confused with the situation. I of course went into "worst case scenario" mode, and started Internet researching right away. Was it a brain tumor, childhood leukemia, a speech problem that would plague him for the rest of his life? After many sleepless nights, and lot's of advice from friends and teachers, I decided to let it go. It was still exhausting to watch him struggle to speak. Then, just as quickly as it came on, the stuttering disappeared. He is back to his normal, talkative self now. My parent educator said it sounds like his brain needed to shut down to reorganize- and now his vocabulary is bigger and better than before. It's just amazing how God has designed our bodies.

I also finished a couple of Valentines Day dresses for the girls, 2 pairs of jammie pants for the boys, and some Valentines, and birthday gift. I'll just post the girls in their dresses.

New Projects

Hey All! Just wanted to share a couple of the new projects I recently made. This one is some items I made for Casey's baby shower: a diaper wreath, a blankie, a wrap, and a baby food jar party favor.

This is a pillow case dress made for Ophelia- my sister helped me with this one!

The art of being productive...

Yes, it is 1:56 am and my day is just now ending. Why am I not bothered by this? Because I was majorly productive today. As I was showering 10 minutes ago, I reflected on all I had accomplished, and decided to blog it...just so I could see it in writing. So here is my list in no particular order: Got up, changed Ophelia, changed Aiden, dressed Aiden, dressed Ophelia, fed Ophelia her bottle, fed Aiden, Tommy, and Bella donuts ( I know I know). Laid Ophelia down for her morning nap, got myself looking presentable, Ophelia wakes, had a parents as teachers meeting, made pb sandwiches, string cheese, and gogurt for for Bella, Tommy, and Aiden (Bella had a 1/2 day today, so she skipped for a day with mommy!), sent Tommy to school, got Ophelia laid down for another nap, taught Bella how to sew on a mini sewing machine, helped her make a pet bed for Lillie's toy cat. Now this is where the multitasking kicks in, so the next events all happen simultaneously (or randomly as the day progresses), complete 4 loads of laundry, make a taco dinner, start and finish a 20 page wedding scrapbook for Tabithia's sister, change at least 8 more diapers-3 being poopie, give kids snacks, get Bella ready for dance class, feed baby 4 more times, sweep and mop the kitchen, do 2 sink fulls of dishes, clean my craft room, clean living room, and shower...I feel I can now go to bed satisfied. My only question is, how come when I just had Bella, I never got anything done? As I progressively have had more children, I have become more productive- I really don't get it. The key to getting your all your tasks done in one day and still have time to blog is obviously having 4 kids! Woo Hoo for me, Char, Melissa, and Adrienne- you too soon Tina!!!

Late night projects

Well, it's around 3 am and I just completed some more crafty projects that I want to post. I am making my friend Casey's baby shower invites, and came up with a cute design last night. The lamb and circles...I love these colors together. I just thought it was very babyish. The other three cards are for birthdays this month. I also am in the process of making a blankie for a friend of mine who's having a baby (not you Casey!!). I bought the material today at Joann's- OMG! Talk about a circus there! My sister came with to help me find what I needed, b/c I hadn't bought any fabric before. I had Tommy, Aiden, and Ophelia with me (Bella was at school) and for some reason my boys think Joann's is a play ground!! It was mayhem! Then Ophelia started wailing b/c she was so obviously starving!!! Anyway, I got my fabric and decided to play around with it tonight. I thought it a good idea to practice on some old receiving blankets that I was gonna donate so I wouldn't ruin my good stuff. The picture I posted is my practice blankie- ugly/old material, I know- but just a practice. I'll give it to Bella for her babies. I was pretty happy with it, considering it is my first solo project. I even threaded my machine, and wound my bobbin all by myself! I know my sis is proud right now!! I would also like to mention how dedicated my Tommy is to his mommy! While everyone else watched Wall-E for the first time, Tommy sat with me because he "loves to watch you sew mom!" He talked, and played with my tape measure, and talked, and raised and lowered my presser foot, and talked, and poked holes in stuff, and talked. He was kind enough to model my blankie for me. Going to bed now! Good Morning!!

Getting things done...

As a mom of 4, I love when I actually complete a project! I feel like most of my daily tasks are never really "done". I finish the laundry, only to find more clothes on the floor. I do the dishes, and then find a bottle hidden in the living room. I pick up toys, and then see that Aiden has thrown his dinosaurs all over the kitchen floor! It is a never ending cycle. That is why I love to stamp! I can complete an entire project and actually be done with something. Whether it be a scrapbook page, card, or gift for someone...when it's done, it's done- and I feel a sense of accomplishment. So, I decided to start posting my finished projects. Hear me when I say, I am not doing this so you will say, "nice such and such"- it is strictly because I am proud that I actually finished finished something, and want to share to inspire your own creativity!! I would be posting 3 projects tonight, but I deleted them from my camera on accident...shouldn't surprise anyone!!

Good friends, good fun...

I want to say how thankful I am for the good friends that I have in my life. I have made the decision to not let people control my emotions, and attitude anymore. That is a mistake I have made this past year, and it is time for a change. I have come to the conclusion, that if making these changes results in changing some of my friends than so be it. I have enough on my own plate to take on anyone elses problems. With that said, I want to say that I have recently spent time with some friends that have renewed my faith that there are still some normal people out there! Thank you to Marquette and Bill, and Carl and Adrienne for some awesome dinners, and some fun times spent- and for proving that there are still some couples out there who can actually function together in normal society! Thank you to Charlene for spending 4 hours teaching me some basics on the sewing machine, and for being my best friend and confidant. Thank you to Tabithia for excepting me for who I am for the past 13 years, and for being trustworthy (an asset very hard to find these days). That's all- just some ranting after a pretty eventful, and truth revealing (and relieving) weekend!

My new obsession

My sister has been sewing for some time now, and making the cutest projects. So, I decided to follow her lead and ask for a sewing machine for Christmas. My mom bought one for me and until last night was too scared to open it and try it out. Well, Charlene came over last night and gave me a 3 hour lesson! What came of it was a super cute apron for my daughter Isabella! I had a blast learning from my sister, and can't wait to start a new project! I will post my projects here for your viewing pleasure!!! Wish me luck!!