My Husband, Geppetto

My husband is one of those people who can do everything. Or so it seems. He's handy to say the least. If anything goes wrong in our house, pluming, roofing, electrical, cable and even sewing, he can do it. If the gardening needs done, he does it. He can build a house or build and decorate a cake. No joke. He's great and I am not just tooting my own horn I am just blessed and proud to be married to him.

This year we were invited to his nieces birthday party. She lives in North Carolina with Justin's brother and sister in law and their newest addition James Aaron. Justin's parents and his sister as well as his sisters family were also invited and since we were all able to make it, we decided to also celebrate Christmas together. Justin wanted to make his niece and nephews their gifts, he wanted them to be unique and special because this time that we were going to have together would be just that, unique and special.

The first gift was a three piece puzzle. My idea. I thought of it because Vada often uses puzzles that look exactly like this during her therapy sessions, only the therapists puzzles have knobs that are too large for her tiny hands. So I asked Justin to make two puzzles, one for V and one for his nephew "J".
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I loved how J's turned out. His was the green puzzle. The colors ended up being really vivid but I wasn't too impressed with how I had painted V's...

So I changed her's up a bit and I really liked the final results.

The next gifts were for his two nephews from Road Island, Asher and Fitch.

These two "trucks" had to have taken him the longest. They were made the same because orginally he couldnt thing of what he really wanted to make for J so he was going to make one completely opposite in wood coloring and his two nepphews in RI would have one of each. Then we thought of the puzzle and that seemed to be a better idea for J's toy. I think that it was and I also think that by both of the boys getting the same toy it just helps the arguing that may occur later on. There both the same, no biggie.

I am truly always impressed with what Justin creates. Maybe I should be use to it by now but it just keeps getting better and better. I think by the boys reactions they too were pretty excited with what their Uncle had made for them. Below is Justin's nephew Asher for whatever reason between Justin and I taking pictures, neither one of us got one with J or Fitch and their gifts. Too bad too because those boys are precious and cute, cute, cute!

The final gift was for Louisa, the birthday girl. Justin built her her very first doll house. To put a small twist to it he made it into a puzzle as well. That way, when she was done playing it or if Mom and Dad wanted to easily put it away they could and it would take little room. Justin made it so that it could easily slide under a bed or even a couch if need be.

He used some pink stain and then sanded it off some to make it look vintage-like.

I found a great wooden doll family set online and together that was Justin's final creation. This whole month I have been calling him Geppetto, you know Pinocchio's wood working father.., I think the name fits him well.

Impressed?

Curious as to what Justin's next project is? I need a book shelf for Vada's room. Can you guess where I am going to find that perfect shelf ?

I bet you can.

Nothing a Little Dye Won't Fix

Towards the end of my pregnancy I was going into the hospital twice a week for NST's. My trips to and from the hospital were my only "outings" and my only times that I was able to get out of bed (Besides the obvious bathroom breaks.). Every day that I drove to our local hospital I drove past Toys R Us and Target-two stores that I really enjoy shopping at. I so wanted to go inside the stores and look at baby "stuff". At this point I had done very little baby shopping and I had defiantly begun the "nesting" phase of the pregnancy, well before I had began the NST's. Everyday that I drove past the two stores the "itch" became a little harder to scratch-so to speak.

Finally, one day, on the way home I pulled into the parking lot of Toys R Us and sat in my car contemplating on if I should take the risk and just go on in. I played the scenario in my head. I would only go in for five minutes. No, I would allow myself ten. Scratch that. I would need at least fifteen minutes to properly scan the baby section. (Yeah, right!) I probably sat in my car for a good half an hour before I decided that I just couldn't risk it. I was disappointed but I knew that if something (anything) did happen with the pregnancy, even if it were a week or two down the road, I would blame myself and my choice to shop when I was suppose to be on strict bed rest. The same day that I sat in my car battling with the idea of shop or not to shop, I went home and got online-and I shopped. I ordered Sophie the Giraffe which I had originally seen in the Mothering magazine that I get, a couple of really cute outfits and a beautiful knitted unbleached organic cotton blanket.

Blankets seem to be the number one gift that people give. Everyone seems to find the cutest of cute when it comes to them. I too, have gave my fair share of cute ones and never complain when a new one comes my way! Baby blankets are a lot like shoes-you can never have enough! Over the last two years we have received a lot of blankets as gifts and truthfully, I have kept them all. Justin's Grandmother has made Vada several blankets (and sweet hats and dresses that all go together), my Grandmother has as well. Annie made Vada a sweet heart blanket, Rhonda from Mud Puddle Roo's (ONE GREAT LITTLE SHOP!) also gave Vada a beautiful blanket and there are many others to add to this list. I can easily say that Vada is well stocked on beautiful and meaningful blankets and we use them all or we will use them at some point in time.

 The blanket that I had ordered however, seemed to be the one that was always grabbed (That and one of Grandma's). I used it to lay Vada on. I used it to cover her up while I was nursing her (After I gave my Hooter Hider away.) I used it to keep her warm, to keep the girls warm and to keep me warm as well. It was a well loved and extremely well used blanket!

At one point in time the blanket went from unbleached to bleached and then bleached again...and again. Still being a beautiful blanket-just a bit whiter than its original color, it traveled with us wherever we went. Because we did use it on a very regular basis I felt that it should go to the hospital with us during Vada's heart surgery. I knew it would probably get some stains on it at some point in time but then I figured I would just bleach it again. What I didn't consider was Iodine. Bleach does not remove iodine from fabrics-in case you were wondering-I tried and tried and for the heck of it I tried one more time before admitting defeat.

I hated that I had these ugly stains on Vada's once beautiful blanket. I felt as if I couldn't take it in public anymore because it looked dirty. I knew that I couldn't justify going out and buying a new one because we have so many others to take its place. Not willing to throw the blanket away I held onto it and for the last couple of weeks it has sat on top of one of my dryers in the laundry room.

Two days ago Justin happened to be standing with me as I was doing a load of whites. He noticed the blanket on top of the dryer and asked if I wanted to wash it with the rest of the load. I began to explain the situation  and told him why I was having a hard time letting this blanket go. I guess, the blanket  has become somewhat of a comfort to me-probably more so than I claim it to be for Vada.  After telling Justin why I was holding onto the blanket he suggested that because I liked tie dyed things that I should attempt to dye the blanket. The next day I bought a kit, brought it home and we began the project of saving Vada's/Momma's blanket!

We began dying the blanket around four in the afternoon. The kit said to let it sit for at least twelve hours after completely covering what areas we wanted to be colored.  The funny thing is that this morning around two, when I was nursing Vada, I did the math in my head. It had only been about ten hours! Needless to say, I was excited to see what Justin and I had created together. So, once he got home this morning I asked if he wanted to go out and take off the rubber bands, rinse off the blanket and check it out. He was excited too, so he needed no real persuasion.

 The blanket ended up beautifully! Much brighter and even louder than it once was but its one of a kind and Justin and I did it together for our baby girl and some what for me as well.

On a final note, I want to thank my Jazzy girl for her help with this project. She took some really good pictures while Justin and I were in the dying process and she also pushed Vada on the swing while keeping her entertained so that we could focus on finishing things up quickly. Thanks sweetie, without you we wouldn't have been able to do the whole project..., including this post! You Rock and I Love You!

Our Gift

Truthfully, I have no idea or explanation as to why I chose to do what I did. Origami. Butterflies. A Mobile. Why would anyone think to put them together and for a birthday gift, let alone a first birthday gift. It's weird..., I know, but I like it!

My sister in-law made origami snow flake Christmas cards this last year. That was a pretty cool idea. I was impressed. Maybe she somehow inspired me?

Justin's cousin bought a really neat mobile that you clip pictures onto, but that was well over two years ago. This could have been where I got some of my inspiration?

Regardless of when and where I became inspired, something triggered my creative side. I have always liked butterflies and one day recently I decided to try origami stars. Once I saw how good the finished product looked I began experimenting with different types of origami butterflies. After finding a pattern that I really liked, I thought it would be pretty to have them floating around Vada in a picture, so i began to make multiple butterflies. Once I had several made I really liked all of the color that I was seeing, so I decided to make a rainbow of butterflies.

After having about twenty butterflies made I decided that making a mobile would be the simplest way to get the butterflies "flying" above Vada. I asked my sweet, sweet husband if he would cut me a piece of wood for the top and I began drawing out my ideas for the mobile. What he made was something above and beyond what I asked for! It really helped make the mobile "artsy" as I had intended it to be.

I knew that I wanted something to hang from the ends of the wires, but I was not for sure as to what. Originally, I had planned on doing polished stones/gems. Once I got to the art store and found that my idea was going to cost me around $13.00 per strand I quickly declined and decided that I would need to rethink my original plan over and find something new.

What I found was perfect! In fact, it was better than what I had planned for in the beginning.

What was intended for jewelry making I used for my little weights at the ends of each strand. Each charm had it's own specific word on it and kind of matched up with the color of the butterflies on that specific sting. Wisdom, Hope, Faith, Love and Believe.


I had decided that the center of the mobile needed a little something more than it's surrounding lines of fluttering friends. I found medals that were also engraved with its own unique word. My final touch was to add the charm with the angel wings. Very fitting. Together, I felt as if Justin and I had made the perfect gift to give to our Birthday Girl.


I forgot about this special charm. I just realized it today (3/7/11) while I was negotiating Vada eating dinner. We still have the mobile floating above her high chair. I look at it often as I try to figure out what to do with it now. Tonight was the first time that the angel charm floated by. It was like it was just asking to be announced. So, I am sharing this lonely forgotten charm now.

Yarn Hearts

One of the magazines that I thoroughly enjoy reading is Family Fun. I {heart} the kid friendly crafts and fun meal idea's and I attempt many of them.

Every idea that I use from the magazine seems to spark an interest in both of the older girls and I like doing them too.

Ill admit that I have been "one of those mothers" who sometimes submits pictures of the girls doing the craft ideas in hopes to someday ill open up a magazine and see my sweet girls faces looking back at me. However, we have yet to make it in, but that's okay.

Family Fun had an idea for a Valentine's day craft that was perfect for my house. It was called Sticky Hands, Warm Hearts.

The craft consisted of homemade corn starch glue and yarn pieces. I had all of the stuff right here at home and needed to purchase nothing to do this craft. What more could I ask for?

I followed the directions for making the "glue", but something wasn't quite right because it really didn't hold up. So I think next time well just use some good old fashion Elmer's glue. That should do the trick!
It was a cute idea and we all enjoyed doing it together even if it didn't quite turn out right. I think that we'll do it again for Easter only using balloons. Kind of like paper mache.

Who's Under the Bed

Reading is something that I have always enjoyed doing. To me finding and reading a good book is like watching a fantastic movie that lasts for hours, sometimes even days. I find reading relaxing and I enjoy sometimes living vicariously through the characters that I read about.

Reading is a past time that I also want my children to enjoy, so I read to them nightly. I look forward to the adventures that we share together through reading and I hope that someday they too will enjoy reading as much as I do. I also hope that someday when they are older they will associate reading with special memories that the had with me, Mom.

Each night I read to Kiliegh first. She is the youngest of the two older girls. Plus once her head hits the pillow she's out. So I have to get into her room quickly! Were reading a new book this week. It's one that her grandmother bought for here when her school had a Grandparents day. Its a cute book about a little girl in ballet. Its fitting for Kiliegh, who is the dancer in our family. Plus the character has red hair and freckles, which is something Kiliegh pointed out immediately to being just like her.

After I read to Kiliegh I cross the hall to Jasmines room. We are also reading a new book. We started the first book in the Kids Left Behind series. I personally read the first three in the adult series but then they became a bit redundant and I didn't make it any further. I am looking forward to this particular quest with Jasmine. It'll be a journey worth the travels, for both of us.

Vada usually comes with me into each girls room. I think that its good for her to see and hear us reading together. I read to Vada as well. Usually, it's just later in the evening than when I read to the "big" girls.

Tonight after reading to Kiliegh, Vada and I went into Jasmines room. Vada was a bit too antsy to hold while attempting to read, so we cleared off the floor and laid Vada onto the carpet. I was hoping that she would occupy herself so I could at least get one chapter read with Jasmine.

I was about half way into the chapter when Jasmine and I heard a soft knocking sound. We looked at each other with curiosity and before I had a chance to check on Vada we heard the knocking again. This time we knew where the sound was coming from, it was from underneath the bed.

Vada had rolled right under Jasmines bed. The knocking noise that we had heard just moments before making our discovery was Vada bumping her head on the box spring mattress. She didn't cry or fuss she just looked a bit confused. I easily pulled her out from under the bed and we kissed her all over. This time instead of laying her back onto the carpet we brought her into bed with us and finished our chapter. I guess Vada wanted to go on her own little adventure tonight.

From the Back Pew

Coming into church today was a bit surreal for me. Everything was familiar, yet somehow everything was also very different. I felt like I needed to reestablish who I was, but didn't. I walked to the roped off section in the back and slid the rope up and over the pew so Vada and I could slip in.

I laid Vada on the cushion of the the pew, letting her remain in a sweet little slumber as well as her snow suit while I began to peal off my own winter weather layers. As I removed my coat I took a deep breath and inhaled the smells of the church.

December was the last time that I come to a service, but it felt much longer than that. I kept up on the sermons with the church pod casts, but I was always behind a week and it wasn't the same as being there.

It was over five months ago that we had brought Vada to church. It was the day of her baptism and the day before the seizures began. Up until today, I had an ongoing fear that this moment would never come. I feared that I would never be bringing Vada back with me. Yet here we were..., and I was smelling..., Wood. My church smelled of distinguished polished wood and other welcoming scents.

The sun shined through the stained glass windows as I remembered, illuminating the sanctuary in a way that light bulbs never could. Its glow wraps me like a blanket and warms me from the inside out. It's beautiful and it is one of my favorite physical things about our church.

As everyone began to arrive I felt a strong desire to cry, but I held it in and put a smile on my face instead. There were people coming in who I wanted to hug and talk with but couldn't. We exchanged knowing smiles, nods and even some air kisses and I began to feel more like I was at home and not just a visitor. However there was still a small part of me that ached. These were friends whom I hadn't been there for. I was feeling ashamed and guilty. I couldn't help but wonder if they truly understood our situation or if they thought ill of me.

My pastors voice brought goosebumps to my flesh like it always has. I welcomed that feeling. He is very passionate about his sermons. His words are strong and can cut through anything, because he speaks the truth. Its refreshing and was what I needed to hear.

When the sermon was over Pastor Ed made an announcement as to why I was sitting behind the rope with Vada. It was subtle and nice and at the same time welcoming to Vada and I. I didn't feel like the wizard behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz. He hadn't said to avoid us altogether, just to keep some space as to not over expose Vada.

I sat in our reserved pew for several minutes watching everyone say their goodbyes to each other and then make their way out to go home, or to lunches or whatever else their days may have consisted of. I sat there and continued to breath in the beauty and comfort of the church that I am proud to be a member of.

The people of this church have done so much for my me and my family over these very hard and trying times. There are so many things that I want to tell each and everyone of them. I often rehearse it in my thoughts. I have apologies that I want and need to make to some friends and thanks you's to others. Someday I will say all of these things that continue to linger in my thoughts on a daily basis, but for now, for today, i'll just say that this church is like another home to me..., and its good to be home.
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I had to add these pictures in of Vada napping this morning at church. She was asleep when we got there and then right before we left. However, she was awake and very excited when our choir was singing. It was such a wonderfully proud moment having her there with me.

Our Family Tree

Each year one of my favorite things to do around Christmas is making our Christmas cards. I love taking the pictures and designing our cards (even if I am designing it through the Wal-Greens website). I even like addressing the envelopes and putting on the stamps. I know its crazy but everything focused on or pertaining to Christmas lifts my spirits and puts a smile on my face,besides the crazy shoppers.



This year for my birthday I received a gift card for a family session with a local photographer. I planned on using our family picture from that session for this years Christmas cards. However, there is not one single day between now and Christmas that we can all get together to do the session. Plus with Vada's immune system being so vulnerable I am a bit nervous at exposing her to more people. So the family picture will have to wait until after Christmas.




I did consider doing the photography for our card myself. It is what I have done for all of our past cards and announcements, but I decided against it this year.




Justin's mom recently gave a book from my amazon wish list that was filled with idea's for Christmas crafts. In it I found my inspiration for our 2010 Christmas cards!


It required a little green paint. Lots of messy hands and a whole lot of giggles!