A Grand Day

So, I have had some pretty HORRIBLE birthdays in my life. Most of growing up were pretty good, but starting at 16, there was a string of really very terrible birthdays for me. My husband gives me a hard time because I bring this up every time my birthday comes around. He has to remind me that since he's come around, I've always had great birthdays. It's true. But that's just 4 years of good birthdays, with 7 bad ones behind it (my 21st and 22nd were in alaska and on my mission, respectively, and were both splendid) so it's going to take some time getting used to not being worried that my birthday is going to stink.

This year was different. Jason was not able to make my birthday all that he usually does because his class load and stress level are above and beyond what they ever have been. Just the thought of my birthday at this point in time made Jason feel terrible and just more stressed. But it all ended up being fine because my parents who have been trying to come for a visit, were able to come that very weekend! My parents are the greatest! They came and entertained the kids, had fun, cooked good food, and made it possible that Jason could study all day on my birthday and I still had a fantastic day! It worked out perfectly. Plus, I don't think I washed a single dish the whole time they were here - it was lovely!

In the morning we went to a pumpkin patch and we got some really cute pictures (I don't know why we didn't think to get more pictures of Grandma and Grandpa).

On the way home we had lunch at Dairy Queen (it's all about the Blizzard), then we went to Kohl's and I was able to go shopping without the kids and even found pants that made me feel good (that's a hooray! on any day) and then went home and watched a movie while the children napped. Yes, they napped. It was a beautiful thing. And Addie sang Happy Birthday to me about 100 times - it was very cute and she gave me a hug everytime she finished singing.
Then the next day was Sunday (Jason's day free from studying) so we continued the celebration with yummy ribs and chicken wings made by my talented father, and finished it off with a cake from Coldstone. I think the streak has ended; it was another great birthday.

Oh, and thanks to my husband and in-laws we have a camera again.

What I've Been Up To

So, it's true that we haven't had a camera lately, but there really hasn't been much to post about either. We've been keeping very busy, but the normal-boring kind of busy. One thing I've been doing a lot of is sewing. I even get together every Monday with some friends and we sew while the kids all entertain each other (to be honest, I don't get very much done at these gatherings, but it's fun with some of my favorite people and it gets me motivated to get more done before the next monday and we share ideas with one another).

So here are some of my projects. This is the one I'm most proud of because I made it up out of my head. I saw something similar for sale at a fair in Utah for $40! My first thought (after "that's a ridiculous price but a cute skirt") was "I can make that". So I made up a pattern, found some cute material, and I like what came out:

Then I had to make a bag to match since Addie has recently been using any bag she finds as a purse and I thought it was time she had her own:

Then I found some really cute halloween fabric and made these:

and halfway through, I realized Halloween will be on a Sunday and so I went ahead and made another skirt for Addie:

The rest of what I've been working on is going to be Christmas for some of you out there, so I can't share . . . but I'm really excited about it.

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm bragging. I just have had SO many sewing disasters in the past, that to have this many successes makes me feel really good. Also having something that I can see the end result and feel accomplished at the end of the day (despite having a 2 year old that refuses to nap and a kitchen that seems to be messy no matter how many times I clean it) has greatly improved my attitude lately. Keeping busy is always a good thing and I love all (ok, most of) the things that I am busy with. Life is good.