Is Anyone Still Reading??

UGH...over a month since my last post. It has been CRAZY around here! Here's a recap of November:

• 2 kid birthdays...yeah, i was a good mom and did post about those!


• 1 surgery for me...just days after those kid birthdays. It was unexpected, but surgery and recovery went well...i have photos (i had a teratoma in my pelvis)...but they are way too nasty to post.


• Thanksgiving...just 2 weeks after the surgery!

I was recovered by then though...and it was good to spend time being thankful with my family. I was even able to do our traditional "turkey trot". We always run/walk the Ft. Worth Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. For the past 2 years, Jackson has joined us. We have been doing this since 2003.Jackson and Mimi at the finish line.A rare picture of me...and the chickadee! Game playing after a huge lunch! This is scrabble slam. Very fun game...I totally recommend it!
Truthfully, I did not think this photo could be saved...terrible lighting and tons of red eye/glare...so I turned it black and white...it works...though really only in tiny/blog format...otherwise it is grainy and strange. HOWEVER...I could not toss out the rare photo I get of all the kids with Mimi and Poppy!


The day after Thanksgiving, it was off to Nana and Pepaw's house. I love, love, love this picture...

Brooklyn and her crazy Uncle Shane...my brother...yes, i claim him...he makes me look sane! Just kidding bro...nobody could really do that!

This i also love...hello little Megs! (my newbie niece)

Obviously, Megan does not love this...but I do love how clueless B is to her cousin's discomfort!

I made Santa dresses for all the girls. No, we don't "do" Santa...but who can resist fabric that has little Santas in leopard print hats! That is just fun. It took 3 adults, 2 squeekie toys, 2 pieces of candy and 35 minutes to get this photo. I just wanted you to appreciate it!

So...that is November...in a whirlwind. We had so much to be thankful for, that we really did not mind how crazy things were or how behind we got...we were just glad all was well in our world. Now...on to December...keep reading and we'll be caught up before new year's day!

The Genius Built a Rocket!

Jackson finished building a rocket tonight! Want to see....

apparently the rocket has it out for the lizard on his wall! Jackson came up with this project and executed it completely on his own. Fantastic! He is really very creative. Now...who can guess what he used to make his rocket?

...just another look at Jackson being creative...he can spend hours pretending on Poppy's boat! I love this kid!

Jackson is Nine!

Uggg. Seriously...the birthdays being right in a row is getting to me this year! I cannot believe Jackson is nine! I was going to go way back with photos from his baby years...but they are not digital (yes, that was before I had a digi camera)...and my scanner is being stinky. So, we'll go from 2003...this photo was taken at his 3rd birthdaythis is one of my favorite photos of Jackson...this wisteria bloomed in our back yard (the Lago Vista house) every April...it was always so beautiful and it fascinated Jackson.this is from his 4th birthday...just in case you have ever wondered...a collapsible tunnel is a great gift! we still use this 5 years later!

this was around the time Robbie got into going on backpacking trips. Jackson wanted to look cool like Daddy! ....and, like Daddy...he also learned to ski!

big 5 year old. Jackson got really into climbing trees at five...so we have lots of these photos!

6 years old! I didn't get the greatest birthday photos that year...something about being in the hospital having a baby....

...and once again, he proves to be an awesome big brother!

At 6 years old, Jackson was also taking art lessons...and has an amazing talent...this is the charcoal piece he did to give to his great grandfather for Christmas. Love it!7 years old...missing teeth...and still climbing trees all the time!in April of '08, Jackson had the most important birthday ever! We rejoiced as he made the decision to give control of his life to Jesus and accept the sacrifice Christ made on the cross! It was an amazing time for our whole family, and it has been wonderful to see the Lord capture the heart and mind of my little boy!his 7th year was all about getting rid of his inhibitions. Now, some of you did not know Jackson before this point in his life, so just trust me...YES, this is Jackson with fewer inhibitions!Jackson is 8!! The year of fun hair!He also joined the family tradition of the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning...we walked 3 miles together...he is signed up to go this year too....and again, we are in a tree...do you see a theme???

I've been blogging most of what happened this year...a year of going on mission, playing football, making friends, and being a flat out amazing kid! Happy birthday buddy...I cannot wait to see what your ninth year looks like

B is Three!

It is so hard to believe my little girl turned 3 today! She is an unbelievable joy to our whole family. Today I have been dwelling on the blessings of the Lord and Brooklyn is very high on that list! Here's a little trip down memory lane......coming home from the hospital. The pink blanket under her is still what she snuggles to go to sleep....sadly, not so pink now!

yes, she sucked her thumb from the day she was born until around 9 months...one year walker!

B and bunny...this is a staple of her life...she is never without bunny for long. Ahhh...sadly, also not as pink or as fluffy anymore!

sassy little 2 year old!

strawberry sweetie...and just about any other fruit. Brooklyn is crazy about fruit!
Happy Birthday tiny dancer!

Are you ready for some football???

This post has been delayed due to a crazy life...but here is what we have been up to every Saturday!

Jackson is playing on an Upward league football team. He has three friends playing on his team and has been having lots of fun. We had a rough week or two as Jackson worked to find the position where he fits best. His friend is a really good running back, another friend is a good quarter back...turns out, Jackson is an awesome center! He snaps the ball perfectly every time. Lots of other boys have been dropping the ball on the snap, but Jackson never misses. So, last week he played center for the entire game. He was happy to help out his team...but he would still like to make a touchdown himself before the last game. We hope he can, but we did help him see that his great snaps help his friends be able to make the big plays...and that is what it means to be a team. Great lessons!

Jackson sets his friend JD up for the play...then JD in action! Awesome.

Oh...and while we were watching the game, a friend taught me how to colorize photos with just a touch of a button on my camera...cool! We selected the grass and it only picks up things that are green...all else is black and white. I forsee me using this feature lots!

They look so intense! I love it!! Will actually took this picture...way to go, great shot buddy.

It was a super cold day (by Austin standards anyway)...so we were all bundled up...and still cold!

I am sure we will have more to report from Saturday football land...

Lizards and Lilies

I have several posts rolling around in the "to be done" pile...unfortunately, everything around here has to wait its turn...so I may have to do several posts that are compilations of recent events.

Friday Robbie came home from a business trip (he'd been gone since Monday). He's had several of these lately...so this time...he came home with these...

...they are gorgeous. I don't know that I've ever really had a favorite flower...so I now declare my favorite flower to be...LILIES! Beautiful. The bouquet is huge and has several blooms that haven't opened yet. I remembered my manners and did not ask how much it cost or tell him he should not have. I simply found a vase, arranged them inside, and proceeded to enjoy!

So, lilies are beautiful and lizards are not...but lizards can make for a pretty fun afternoon. I found one today in the bathtub. I must say, of all the creatures I could find...spiders, ants, scorpions, crickets, roaches...well, I just prefer lizards. They are actually kinda neat. So, I plugged the drain to the tub and called the boys to come look. Will took a good look and then went back to his lego creations...but Jackson was up for adventure. We found a piece of "earthy" colored paper and Jackson got the lizard to crawl on. Then he took it outside and gently placed the paper on some wood until the lizard crawled off the paper. It was a good 30 minutes worth of entertainment.

Can you see the lizard?? That's some cool camo he has going on...here's a better shot...
Fun! Did you have anything beautiful or beastly that made you smile today?

Funny everyday...really...nearly every single day.

People sometimes ask me what it is like to have 3 kids (though many of you reading never ask me that because you know)! My response is generally...chaos and funny all the time. There are very few days around here that we do not find something to laugh over.

So, this weekend we were having some friends over for dinner. Our friends were running a bit late, so we gave the kids their dinner and had plans to send them upstairs to play while we ate. Here is what happened during dinner.

So, Robbie took her upstairs. However, she woke up and was horribly fussy. Soon the crying stopped, our friends arrived, and Robbie came back downstairs to join us. We talked with our friends, made our plates, sat down together and prayed. After the prayer, Robbie had a look of panic and asked, "Where is Brooklyn"? Ummm...you took her upstairs...isn't she asleep?? Robbie said she was telling him she needed to potty. He helped her into the bathroom and then left her for some privacy. Not uncommon...this is what she is used to with potty time...but she never called us back in to help her finish up. Here is what we found upstairs.Yes, she is asleep. Yes, she stayed asleep all night. Yes, she is going to detest this post when she is older. No, I have not figured out how to make her do this every night!

OK, one more Yes. Yes, I do still have 2 boys. I will photograph them again soon...B has just been particularly entertaining lately.

A funny from Will though...

We were doing a crossword puzzle together this afternoon. I was telling the boys the clues and they would shout out an answer. I give the clue "piece of furniture where you study". Will shouts out "couch"!! Love it. That's my style of homeschooling! However, his next answer made a tiny kleenex moment...

I give the clue "someone who helps sick people". Will shouts out "Jesus"! Yes sir. That is absolutely right...too bad the stupid crossword people think the answer is doctor.

Hope you have something that made you laugh today and every day!

A blog about family...

So, a friend recently said something to another friend about my blog...something like, "Yeah, she has a blog about her sewing that has family stuff on it too"! ACK. NO...family blog with a little sewing. Then I scrolled through my last several posts and it has been more about sewing than I would have admitted.

Not that all sewing posts will be dropped...just getting back on track here.

Sorry for lack of posting lately. Life has been a bit crazy. Lots of travel for the hubster and a new opportunity on the horizon for me (I hope)...will say more when I can. (and no. I am not having a baby. no babies. at all.)

Speaking of babies...I cannot believe how big mine are getting. I want to do a retrospective post and show some pictures of the kiddos from younger years. However, that is for another night when I have time to dig through my photo files. For now...just a quick post to put me back on the map and show you this picture that I love...

Yes, Daddy...we know you prefer color pictures...however, the outfit is pink and brown, the countertops brown and black, you get the idea...busy photo!

These shoes came back from Daddy's trip to Belgium a few months ago. She hadn't really put them on much, but today spent the entire day clomping around in them (and using them to kill a spider)! I love this picture. I love this girl.

Basket of Bunny and Brooklyn

OK, this is fun. Our friend Ritz is staying with us and she has a bunny. Today the bunny (Gerard) was very interested in my laundry basket. I turned it sideways to see if Gerard would crawl/hop inside...but then Ritz just full out put the basket on top of the bunny. Results...a funny video of Brooklyn and the bunny.

Notice how (not on video, but obvious) Brooklyn frees the bunny for the purpose of enjoying the laundry basket herself! Thoughtful of her. (notice the bunny slightly sulking by the cage and watching Brooklyn play)!!

Also, notice Jackson speaking. Will did not believe my camera would take video. The ever logical Jackson is explaining how my camera must take video...otherwise "how would she have gotten that tap dancing video"! Love it...classic Jackson!

Fun day. I hope you had something happen that made you smile today!

Dancing Diva

Brooklyn has been taking dance class this summer. A friend Jen converted her garage into a studio and started teaching classes. She invited us to come last week for the final class of the summer and see what our kids had learned.

Obviously, she did not want me to video her!! I did manage to get a little tapping in there.Moving on to ballet. I learned my lesson on the video and just tried to sneak in a picture here and there!! She is doing first position here.

Here she is in second position (and holding her hand out so her teacher will give her a sticker)!

Brooklyn had a great summer in dance and is looking forward to starting fall classes in a few more weeks.

Last night we had try-outs Jackson's flag football team. Pictures to come soon as practice starts next week and games will begin the week after. And Will...when asked, well, he just really prefers to play with his friends!!

DIY Day...my owl pocket!

I promise not to always blog about sewing! I know I have been crazy blogging about sewing lately. I really do other things...I promise. I will get back to blogging about my life...but right now...

I saw this cute little owl pocket online when I was looking for something to put on my latest pillowcase dress. The lady posting it said she had gotten it from a craft book, but gave no reference to the book it came from. SO......my mama said I could do anything I put my mind to...

Out came the pencil and paper. I started drawing and before I knew it...the owl took shape. It was pretty easy. Really. I did it. Cannot be that hard. Just a few simple shapes sewn onto a pocket.

The dress is for sale in my Etsy store (use the button at the top left to get there) if you know someone who "needs" it! Also, feel free to make a request...I could put this little cutie on anything...jeans, tote bag, skirt, backpack...and in any fabric combination...just ask!

A Surprise Visit!

We had an awesome day on Friday...a surprise visit from Angie, Abbie, and Megan. They were on their way to see Angie's parents and we are a nice stopping place before the final 30 minutes of the trip. Yeah!!!

The cousins had fun seeing each other and Brooklyn continues to be facinated by Megan. She insisted she could hold baby Megan...so eventhough I was not "made-up" for the occassion, I got a photo shoot!Megan almost looks like a baby doll in this picture! I love it.

Brooklyn was by Megan to the very end of the visit when I got this photo...Which reminded me tons of this one...

AHHHH. They are so little in this picture! That is Will (just weeks before he turned 2) and Abigail (at almost 3 months old)!!

Wonderful memories!

I have not been posting as much as I would like because the sewing machine has been keeping me very busy. Use the button at the top of the page to stop by my etsy shop....if you don't see what you would like, just ask...I can probably find a way to make it!