Quilting Buddy

As my mom and I were kneeling on the floor today, pinning, pinning, pinning
we discussed how fun it would be to live close by each other. We would definitely be quilting buddies.
Today she taught me how to lay out and pin a quilt. And the details of quilting. We tried out a few patterns on some scrap fabric and I learned that I am not great at free motion quilting.
What was I thinking-- trying out a detailed wave pattern on my very first quilt?!
Yeah, so not happening.
Instead we're going with a swell...you know, those smaller waves that kind of roll along. Yup, that's what my first quilt will be filled with. Simple, easy, and very beginnerish.

As she took me through the steps of how to use her machine (since every machine is a little bit different) I was reminded of the many many times she would patiently teach me how to do all the things she did.
Sewing, toll painting, doll making, skirt creating, cooking, cleaning, the list goes on.
My mom is amazing.

She never minded setting aside her own project when I showed an interest in learning. And she always took the time to help me accomplish what I set out to do.

I hope that out of all the things she taught me, I learned this the best.

Sewn

Well, a very happy moment of my day was finally, finally finishing the back of Jeff's quilt.
It is looking beautiful!
Now I just have to:

• Pin the top, middle, and back together
• Quilt it
• Bind it.

No biggy, right?!
I love creating something that will be cherished by our family (and hopefully my hubby) for years to come. It is so rewarding.
My mom is going to teach me how to quilt it and we're coming up with a cool wave-ish pattern to do. LOVE it!
So here we go. Let the sewing continue...

little pieces

My baby went to preschool today.
It was hard, and sad, and just plain weird to say goodbye and leave his learning to someone else.
Little pieces of my heart were left with him and the only thing I wanted to do was take him home with me and keep him in the safety of my arms.
But his smile, his excitement, and his joy at going to school with new friends helped to keep a smile on my face. (amidst tears, but it was there)
I was reminded that this is just a small little step toward him becoming the person he will be.
And when the day is done, I am still his mom, and he is still my little boy.

Road Trip

We've been out of town for the holiday weekend.
We had a wonderful time full of nature and family, good food, and relaxation.
The boys gave me a great gift today.
They were absolutely awesome in the car. Of course we had a few moments of crying and frustration (what 15 month old likes to be strapped in a carseat for 4 hours) but overall, it was an extremely pleasant drive.
My dreams of fabulous family vacations via road trips to national monuments, theme parks, and visits to far away places are now seeming possible.
It's really hard to see my little babies grow up.
But they showed me today some of the perks that come with that.
I can't wait to see the rest.

These are a few of my favorite things

A hug
A kiss
A dozen I love yous
I sure love all my boys

Notes to

Dear Mom,
You have been staying with us for a few days now. I love it. I love having you to chat with and hang out with. Picking fabric colors is so much fun because it's with you. Thank you for listening to my endless chatter and for always loving me. Thank you for helping me with projects and being willing to teach me anything. Thank you for playing with my boys. It means the world to me. I am going to pretend that you live close by so it won't be as sad when you leave.
I love you.
Love,
Your daughter

Dear friends,
Thank you for coming to visit us today while our car was stuck in the shop. You brought us a yummy lunch and a little bit of sunshine. We loved talking and playing and catching up. It was wonderful and so are you.
Happily,
Your friends

Dear Autorepair Guys,
Thank you for taking especially good care of our car. Thank you for giving us wonderful service and explaining things carefully. For us non-mechanical people it is very comforting to have someone honest to trust. I have never been more impressed with customer service, speedy repairs, and overall quality in my car-maintenance.
Sincerely,
A satisfied customer

Dear Big Black Toy Spider,
Today you were Weston's best friend. You sat at the breakfast table, went on some pretty crazy adventures, took a few bites out of some bad guys, enjoyed a Diego episode, and were a pretty hilarious prop in a 3 year olds imaginitive play. Thanks for lasting through it all...you helped me get a lot of stuff done.
Sincerely,
A busy mom

Dear Darling Sweet Little Niece K,
You celebrated your second birthday today. We had a lot fun partying with you. You have so much spunk and excitement, you constantly make us smile and we just love you to pieces. Weston & Tave are always thrilled to visit you and I love your hugs and laughs.
We love you,
Your loving aunt, uncle, and cousins

Dear Blankie,
I don't know what I would do without you. My kisses paired with your soft silkiness can calm down Tave in under 1 minute. Every. Single. Time. You have become a favorite of mine because you are his. I have a feeling you'll be needed a lot during these next few months as Tave learns about all the new tricks he can (and sometimes shouldn't) do.
Yours,
A loving mom

Dear Professor,
I understand that my husband is getting his masters degree. This means he is gone a lot. And I'm supposed to be okay with that. Which I am (even though I hate it) It will all be worth it in the end. You did something wonderful tonight. You let class out early. Me and my boys were so happy to see Jeff an entire hour early. You really made our day.
A thousand thank you's
From,
A very grateful wife

Dear Hubby,
You are lying in bed waiting for me to lay my head down next to you. I am so excited to do that. Thank you for being the person who I get to spend forever with. Thank you for loving me and helping me want to be a better person. Becuase of you, because of us, I will get there.
Love,
Your wife

(ps so I'm giving credit where credit is due- I got this 'letter' idea from my friend, Noelle. Her blog is private or I would link you there. But I just had to try it out, you should too, it's so fun to change things up!)

All by me-self

I love how Weston says 'myself'.
He says me-self.
Which I just can't bring myself to correct. It's so stinkin cute.

Anyways,
Tonight me and my mom went to the grocery store sans kiddos.
Jeff offered to take them on a jog while we shopped. (Thank you thank you, babe!)
Once at the store we decided to divide and conquer.
I slowly meandered down the isles to browse before hitting the hard-core grocery side of stuff.
It was bliss. I can't remember my last trip to the grocery store all by myself.
And while I definitely missed Tave's huge grin as he says Hi to every single person we pass, and Weston's stories about what Superman and Spiderman eat for breakfast...

I loved every minute.

Somehow...

I have managed to let 3 months slip by without a single post.

I am sorry my dear, loyal readers. (Which really means 'my dear, loyal friends) I know you're out there.

When I checked my sitemeter I had 24 visits this week.

24!

I was shocked and surprised that despite my horrible lack of postings you would still check in on me.

I feel loved.


And so today I am beginning anew my daily thoughts on the beauty that surrounds me.

The past 3 months have been wonderfully busy and full of the crazy things that summer brings.

I have had lots and lots of high moments and some lonely ones. Some dissappointments in myself, in others, and in life. I was silly and didn't recognize that those are the times when I especially needed to focus on what was good, what was beautiful, and what was blessing my life. I let my frustrations keep me from here. I just didn't want to write some of the things that I felt.

But I was wrong.

Not because I was keeping the difficult and bad from this journal, but because I was letting it keep me from the good. From realizing all that I am blessed with, daily.
How often do I have to learn that lesson?

So here I am, Grateful:

For long days and weeks and months that show me I have and am more than I thought possible.
For a husband who never, ever gives up on me and tells me constantly how much he loves me.
For little boys who laugh and smile and run with open arms for a kiss and a hug. Whose excitement for learning and life make me so glad that I am their mom.
For new babies and new life and the complete joy they bring to families.
For Moms and Dads whose visits last long enough to make it feel like we *almost* live close by.
For family who visit and make my day by playing Ticket to Ride. Yeah, it's that awesome!
For friends. Those angel people who come in the form of sisters, moms, neighbors, phone calls, notes on my door, emails, cupcakes, and surprise gifts.

You are the beauty in my past 3 months.
And for that I thank you.