We spent a great confrence weekend with Andy and Terica. This is Natalie and Jadeyn reading stories to baby Paxton (who is so precious and cute!). Julia and Maddox are our little kissing cousins. They are so cute together. Maddox comes up and hugs and kisses her and she just lights up. Then he was sharing his breakfast with her. It was a bummer to sit down and turn on the TV only to find out that Charter wasn't broadcasting it until the 15th and 16th. But we worked it out and watched on the internet. This didn't stop us from having a fun weekend together. Terica made cupcakes and we sang to mom and Andy for their birthdays.

Natalie was so cute this morning. I stayed the night at my parent's last night and stayed up til 1:15 helping Cami with a project on the holocaust. It turned out really good, but I didn't get much sleep. Anyway, Natalie came in around 8:00 and pulled back the curtains and said, "Mom it's time to get up. The sun is awake and the moon went to bed, so we need to play now. So get up sweetie." Then she stroked my face. It was so precious, I wanted to hold on to the memory forever.
And b.t.w. Cami called me after school today to tell me that everyone loved her poster(I'll see if I can get a picture of it). I helped her write a poem and her teacher said it was so good that she could take it and give it to the people at the holocaust museaum next week. I was happy to hear this because the whole project was making me frustrated and that doesn't happen very easily.

More Bows

So here are some more of the bows I've made, as promised. I haven't been doing the felt ones very long, those are the only ones I've made so far, I don't really have a method for those I just think up how I want it to look and start cutting, then I sew all the pieces together and put an embellishment in the middle. It's kind of hard to explain the other flower shaped ones with the rhinestone in the middle, if I do a tutorial on that I would have to use pictures to show how. Let me know if anyone has interest in learning or having me make bows for you, that would be fun.

Quick bow lesson

I use alligator clips for my bows. I get them at Sally's beauty supply, you can get 100 for $5. You can use almost any kind of ribbon. I buy whatever is on sale. To do the Cork screw bows, take dowel rods and wrap the ribbon around it holding it in place with cloths pins on both ends. Then put it on a cookie sheet and bake it for 30 min. at 250. Then I gather them in the middle and hot glue a ribbon (the tighter the better) and glue it to the clip, it's actually very simple. If you have questions let me know.

I recently got released from my calling as young women 1st councilor. It's been a big mix of emotions. I've been in the calling for 3 years now and it was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun too. I loved the closeness with the other leaders as well as the girls. I do feel like it was time. But I'm feeling a little lost right now, like part of my identity has been taken away. I know that must sound silly, but it's been a huge part of me for so long. It's almost like I need to find something else to fill the gap I'm feeling. The bright side is my house is more cleaner then it has ever been, EVER, and I'm actually doing the dishes every day, which is huge for me. Although I'm trying hard to get things organized at home, it seems like the more I complete on the list the longer the list gets. I've also come to the realization that no matter how hard I try, my house will never be or stay as clean as I want with little ones. I also have a false image in my mind that my house is the only one that's ever messy. Like the cleaning thing comes so naturally to everyone else, but I just don't get it. I have to keep reminding myself that others go through these stresses and feelings. Either that or I have too many OCD friends(he,he, jk). I guess what I'm really saying is now that I have more time, I'm trying to manage it very wisely and try to be better each day. That's what this life is all about right? The important thing is that I have a beautiful family, I love them immensely and I know they love me. I'm so blessed, everyday, to spend time with my husband and my little ones. They are my world, and no matter what happens at least I know I have them forever.

Making bows

So, I started making bows soon after Natalie was born because I decided they were too expensive to buy, but I love having them to match every outfit. I pretty much taught myself how to do it. Now I have lots of bows! These are the newest ones I've learned how to make. I thought they turned out so cute. Our ward had a service auction, but with points instead of money and I made these to bring. I've also been experimenting with felt bows, those pics will follow soon, along with some of the other bows I've made.

This was our fun art day, Natalie loves to paint. You can probably tell which one is mine. Julia had fun watching and eating cheerios. She makes this cute little monkey face that I just love.

Dallas

Marc's best friend Kyle and his family came up for a week in August and we had a blast with them. We did a day at the zoo and one at the Botanical Gardens. As you can see, they had a build your bird's nest, a cute place to wear costumes and be on a screen like you're on TV, and some other fun things. We also went and fed the Japanese fish, and they loved that. We also got to swim in the pool at their hotel and go out to dinner a couple of times. Kyle and Jill have two sons named Dallas(4) and Kyson(about 18 mo.?). Natalie and Dallas had such a good time together. Natalie says she is going to marry Dallas in the temple, where she will wear a white hat and a dress with stars and sparkles on it. When we asked her if we could come to watch, she said no, but we could come and take pictures for her if we want. We were rolling when she told us all this. Dallas said that he was going to "save the day" (like on Super Why) and marry Natalie. We aren't sure where these comments are coming from, but we are OK with this idea since Dallas is such a cute, sweet little boy. Natalie still talks about Dallas almost everyday. Sometimes when we go somewhere, she says "Are we going to Dallas' house, or are we going swimming with Dallas? or can Dallas come to the park, too mom?" I of course have to remind her that Dallas lives far away, but maybe we can go visit. We would love it if they lived close. Thanks for a fun week, I'm glad we got to know each other better!

Happy Birthday Cherise!

Cherise had a birthday party at Andy and Terica's. It was tons of fun. She did a pinata. We also play water balloon games and the m&m game. Natalie and Jadeyn were sitting on Adrian's (Nicole's friend) lap and they were laughing so hard, it was cute. Cherise got some fun things for college and had a great time. Doesn't she look so cute?

Adam in town

Adam and Gloria and Jordan came in town one weekend and we all got together. It was really fun. The last picture in of Natalie, Jadeyn, and Cortland drinking soda at the same time. The others are the family having fun playing rock band on the wii.

Julia burned her finger about a month ago. Doesn't it look so sad? She was wanting to be held while I was making dinner one day. So I picked her up and went to stir the noodles and she stuck her hand over the steam. I was surprised how bad it was just from steam. But it's completely healed now, so that's good.