Kid Quote - Teagan

This morning while trying to get breakfast, coffee, and everyone ready, this is the conversation I had with Teagan, who will be 5 (oh. my. goodness!) on Thursday.

T: Mom, I don't have an imaginary friend anymore.

Me: Oh, really. I forgot you had one; what was their name again?

T: Rosietta

M: What happened to Rosietta?

T: She died. She was walking and not paying attention and stepped out in front of a car and got ran over.

M: Oh my! That's horrible.

T: Yeah, well, she was invisible, so it's not like they could see her!

no,no,no

...We have not fallen off the face of the earth. We have just been SUPER busy! The big girls started swim lessons again this past week and between school, jobs, church activities, family and friends, it's hard to even catch my breath!! 

We had a house-full this past weekend, celebrating  Teagan's birthday (May 12th) and Mother's day. Next weekend, we are heading out of town for my cousins wedding and the weekend after that, down to Portland for another busy weekend. I feel like I'm running in 25 directions!

SOOOOOOO, hopefully, in the next few weeks, while traveling, getting laundry done, making a few key birthday presents (Teagan 5/12, Mom 5/24, Kari - sister-in-law 5/25, Duffy and Mom-in-law 5/30), and life in general, I will get some photos up! I promise!

10 Things I Love, April 28

• Random hugs from a sweet, almost 2 year old.
• Hearing Mr. P say, "I love you, Missa" in the cutest 3 year old voice ever.
• We had all kinds of crazy weather today - sun, clouds, thunder, lightning, rain, hail, a little snow, and SUN again.
• Called my hair stylist for appointments for Zoe, Teagan and myself. Thought we'd have to wait until next week. Nope. Going tomorrow! YAY!!  Katie is WONDERFUL!!
• Looking forward to a low-key weekend at home. The next 3 weekends are FULL!!! Let the craziness of spring/summer begin!!
• Got a few great deals at Old Navy - yay online shopping!!
• Silly dancing before bedtime - theirs, not mine.
• Enjoyed a nice glass of wine with dinner.

• The Office made me cry - it was sweet.
• It's supposed to be sunny this weekend - its about time!!

Soooooooo...

...did I mention that I went back to work? Yup, after 2 years of being home full-time, I'm working a big whopping 12-15 hours a week and it is AWESOME!

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom and wife and being home at the end of my 3rd pregnancy and for Harper's first years, has been amazing and such a blessing. BUT, there has been some major stress associated with that, and if I can be totally honest...I think I'm a better mom when I get to do something other than playing, cleaning, laundry, and cooking.

Being a mom is a 24/7 job that you don't get to go home from. You don't get to leave work at work, you don't ever really stop thinking about things - did I switch the laundry? What's for dinner? Do we need milk? Are my kids happy? Why is she so crabby today? Am I being too hard? Not hard enough? Crap, need to switch the laundry!

So, what am I doing?? I am working in the office at our church; I prefer office assistant but old-school folks call me the secretary.  We go to a smaller, low-key church and I've been working Mon-Wen. the past 2 weeks and I think the phone has rang 7 times - and 3 of those calls were my mom! Right now, I'm still settling in, answering the phone, organizing some of the office stuff, revamping some of the documents and such. I'll be sending out weekly emails of church happenings, coordinating nursery and children's church activities, ordering supplies, etc. I'm really excited about everything and the possibilities that lie ahead. I love that my family is still my first priority and that my job is secondary to the well-being of my family; my kids are always welcome - Zoe went in with me for a bit on Friday afternoon to finish up a project. Nothing like child labor!

WOW

It has been a whirl-wind of activity around our house lately. I've sat down to blog a few times and have just gotten side-tracked. So here is a run-down of what's been going on!!

• The little girl that made me a mama, turned 7 on March 24th! 7!! Where did 7 years go??? Her birthday weekend was filled with family dinner (with great-grandparents and s'more pizza), 48 cupcakes, roller blades, new clothes, party with tacos (her choice) and double layer lemon cake with browned butter frosting and toasted coconut (her choice again!). What a fun weekend of celebration!
• March 31st marked 10 years of wedded bliss for Duffy and I. My cousin, who is getting married in May, asked if it went by quickly. Yes. Yes, indeed. Duffy and I have been together for 15 years and it still doesn't seem that long. He is my best friend, my confidant, and partner for life. Love you babe!!
• Spring break is coming to an end. The big girls spent a couple of days with grandparents, we had friends over all day on Wednesday, girls had dinner at Grandma Tine (my mom, Christine) and Grandpa Noel's while we went to dinner Thursday, we traveled to a super fun bridal shower this weekend. Ahhh, it's a lazy Sunday at our house!

Amy Butler Birdie Sling - Finished Product

Ok, so I should taken picture as I was putting the bag together, but I was too excited to get it done. Let's just say, I LOVE this bag! I'm already starting on another one!! I've got plans for making a smaller version for some friends who don't love big bags (what is wrong with them??) This bag is HUGE and holds so much and I'm in love with it!

I lucked out and was able to make a copy of my sister-in-laws pattern, but you can find this pattern all over online or at Amy Butler, where there is a variety of ways to find a pattern. I will definately purchase more of her patterns in the future; the directions are easy to follow and full of details.

New Project



Birdie Sling Bag

So, this is my next project. My sister-in-law has this bag and I LOVE it! I borrowed the pattern and am excited to get started! Now, to just have the time to do it! It's hard when 3 little ladies want attention to help!

Here are the fabrics I'll be using for the bag. I'll try and post pictures as I'm working and of the completed project. If it's smooth sailing, some people may be getting them as birthday presents - hmmmm, wonder who that could be????



This will be the outside/inside band and handles




This will be the interior lining



Exterior body of bag - SOOOOO EXCITED!