Tatting

 I have been working hard at learning how to Tat.  I am soo excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the new Calgary Temple.  It started as just a chance to have something that I worked on in the temple, but I do really enjoy tatting, and am so grateful for the wonderful women that introduced me to this 'lost art'.

I enjoy working on one pattern more than the other, mostly because it sits flatter, but the loss of circulation in my finger while I work on the first pattern might have something to do with it as well.

Mothers Day

Mothers Day was wonderful!  Skyler had talked to me a couple of times about the store called Dairy Queen where we could buy an ice cream cake for mothers day, and that we should do that.  I reminded him each time that he had to talk to Jordan because Mommy didn't make plans for Mothers Day.

Saturday night the kids made me a schedule for Sunday so that I could get ready and not worry about anything, except doing Ryleys hair of course, and it gave us enough time to walk to church, which I LOVE to do.  Jordan was up early and made good on this schedule, in fact I was chastised a few times for falling behind schedule.  I was given some beautiful flowers, as well as a new workout series, which has been fun working through it.  My kids and husband made me feel great, and I feel so blessed to be able to be a mother.  Life is good, and I am so grateful for my family.

We did some crafting for the gifts for both my mom and MIl.

For my Mom we made a grandkids photo board.  She is always trying to keep up on pictures of the kids at work, but that often includes finding new frames, and then finding someone to help her hang them.  We used an old cabinet door (refuse from my brother in laws last flip) some vinyl and clothes pins.  I LOVE how it turned out, and that she can now easily update her photos and that it will accommodate grand kids that are yet to come.

 

I do need to say though that my brothers really stole the show in showing appreciation for my Mom.  She really loves the beach boys and wanted to see them in concert when they are here during the stampede.  Not only did they get her tickets but they ensured that each of her kids would be there with her. (except Stephen who is still on his mission) She LOVED this, and it is one thing that helps make her feel a little more loved and appreciated.  I have said it before, but I love my Mom dearly, and I am soo lucky that she gets to live with me.  I am able to learn so much from her and look forward to a little talk every night.  I am so blessed that she is my Mom.

For my MIL we made a birthday board.  She now has 9 grand kids, and one on the way, and there are more still to come.  We thought it would be nice to help her keep track of all of the birthdays.

as you can see, a few months are a lot busier than others in our family.  I am so grateful for my Mother in Law, she teaches me a lot,and is a great example of faith and service.  Her family is soo important to her, and I get to watch her as she works to keep us all close.  

A Mother is truly an inspired role to have, and I am so grateful that I am able to fill this role, and that I am able to learn how to do it well, by watching such wonderful women.  Happy Mother Day!

Comicon

I have this brother, who used to be one of my best friends.  He could make me laugh when nobody else could.  He was goofy, and so fun to be around.  When Dad got sick the first time (12 years ago) he started to act out, and although I totally think that it is an excuse, that is when he started making choices in his life that resulted in us growing apart.  This progressively got worse to the point where I could hardly stand to be in the same room as him.  He was angry all of the time.  Jordan and I would come down from Edmonton
and it would take me nearly a week to calm down after we would go home.  Over the past couple of years he has worked really hard to make his life right.  I have worked really hard to be less judgmental, more accepting, and most of all loving regardless of what choices he was making in his life.  We have gotten a lot closer over this past year.

Back in April was the first time that he ever expressed interest in spending time with my kids, outside of the 10 minutes that he would stick around after dinner on Sundays.  This means so much to me.  I LOVE that  he wants to be a part of their loves, and I LOVE that I want him to be a part of their lives. There is so much that they can learn from him.

My brother took my boys to comicon.  They loved it!  It was a sacrifice.  The passes were a birthday gift of his, and he sacrificed some of his good time, and doing all of the things that he wanted to do to make sure that my kids had a good time.  He even gave them each some money to buy a souvenir.
 
 He took Sklyer on a simulated pod race, and they got to meet all kinds of neat super heroes and Star Wars characters.

 

 Skyler packed a little bobble head Darth Vader which he brought out to show him.  He tells me that Princess Leah thought it was nice.
 
 He also tells me that his guy (I have no idea who he is!) let him hold his gun.  How cool is that?

It's Birthday Season

My kids all have birthdays within a few months of each other, so birthday season is about to come upon us.  I did decide last year that my kids were only going to have big friends parties every other year, and while I am still maintaining my position on the matter, the family dinner that we try to have for the kids birthdays is now a little more fun to plan.  I made this super fun birthday wreath this week, and I am excited to put it up to announce to the world that we are celebrating some important days in our house.  This balloon wreath only needed a pool noodle, some duct tape, floral pins and a ton of balloons.

A crush

Dear Julia

I think you look Hot.  I love you.  I love you with all my heart.  Will you kiss me?  Will you marry me.

Love, Skyler

Someone has his first crush.  This is what a letter says that he wrote to her today.  Jordan gets the job of helping him rewrite it in a more appropriate manner, nothing like a marriage proposal from my 6 year old.  Where did my baby boy go?!?!?!

A start on Ethan's room

We finally got started on Ethans room.  We have a ways to go still, but I LOVE this map.  as you can see it fills all of the wall behind his bed.  Jordan and I spent an afternoon and put up the map, and then I painted a bunch of trim, and we added the boarder to 'frame out' the map.  It is so impact full, and lovely.  This is the room that I secretly wish was mine.  I also love that Ethan is learning, he will jump on his bed and show you where Calgary is, and he is slowly learning other places too.  I still need to put some vinyl up on his wall, get him a nice chocolate brown comforter or quilt, and find a dresser that I can paint green and do a fun makeover on, but this is a start, and I am soo excited to see it all finished!