Today I am sooooo very grateful for a husband who teaches me it’s ok to say, “NO!!!!!”
11.5.2009
11.4.2009
11.3.2009
Tonight I am grateful for successful Cub Scout den meetings and for the ability to use candy to make successful den meetings possible.
I started my scouting experience 6 years ago, when my oldest turned 8. In our church it’s assumed that the boys join scouts because the church uses the scouting program as it’s activity arm for the boys 8-18. My dad had been an avid scouter for years, so I never even gave it a second thought. Get the boy a uniform and a book and send him off to do whatever it is they do. I jumped right in and tried to learn all I could so that we could help Hayden get his ranks.
About 2 years ago I was asked to serve as a den leader in our ward. We’re in a new ward now but I’m still here. I love the position I serve in. I enjoy the process of getting to know these 8 and 9 year old boys, figuring out how to a be friend but still be a leader. I enjoy how silly they are, and that it’s ok for me to be a little bit silly along with them. I love getting to play “Hello, neighbor” tag and building birdhouses. But mostly I love to see my own boys grow and mature through this wonderful program. In a few short weeks Ethan will be moving from Cub Scouts to Boys Scouts. It seems crazy to have three Scouts and one of them should be an Eagle in a year or two.
I hope for and look forward to many more years in scouting. We have one more boy after all. Grayson will be 8 next summer and that gives us another three years of cubs. Maybe we can shave Hattie’s hair again and put a uniform on her. No one will notice, right? I’m totally kidding!!!!
11.2.2009
Well that would not describe my house, Not Ever!! But I love my home. It’s a home full of wrestling, joking, tickling, giggling, chasing, Monty Python quotes, a wall climbing monkey, trumpet & baritone practice, a vast array of sound effects but especially the kind you might hear before being devoured by a T-Rex. It’s a home that never stays picked up and very often needs more cleaning than it gets but we are grateful to have it.
Today I am mostly grateful for motivation. I’m happy when my Monday Ta-Da list has more items checked off than not. It’s not complete, but I never planned on it getting all done. Ok, maybe for a split second I dreamed it would be, but that was one really short split second. I never make lists intending to get them completely done, just to keep me busy trying to get as much done as I can. I love the feeling of accomplishment on Mondays because I know by Thursday or Friday my ta-da lists will have a much greater ratio of undone to done items.
11.1.2009
Here I go with a new project. [pushes up sleeves] I follow an incredibly talented photographer on flickr but somehow her blog has missed getting put on my reader list. [fixed that blunder] This is crazy because the few times I had gotten over to it, I loved it!! Well her photo today was linked to her blog where she announced her decision to participate in National Blog Posting Month. I immediately felt inspired, followed very quickly by fright and then regret that I found out about this project. Because for whatever reason that is still not clear to me, I have joined as well. I know this is going to be rough. I know I’m going to regret this decision many times before the month is up but I was mostly inspired by Dani’s other project of a month of gratitude and the idea of combining the two. Gratitude is the emotion I have felt since about 1:20 this afternoon.
I woke up this morning feeling a little groggy. I’m used to getting between 5 and 6 hours of sleep but with Daylight Saving Time ending and getting to sleep-in, I ended up getting an extra 3 hours of sleep, which left me feeling a little tired. Aaron, my insomniac husband, had actually gotten close to the same amount of sleep as I did. We laid in bed for awhile then he mentioned that I should stay home with Grayson who was coughing a lot more than the night before. I wasn’t thrilled at that, but my heart leapt at the thought that he was going to take the other kids. My husband has also become somewhat of an inactive worshiper. I’ve spent the last four weeks taking the kids to church alone. This has been an off-and-on issue for the past 13 of our 15 years together. I keep trudging my way to church where I WANT to be and I want my children to be but grudgingly because I wish my husband wanted to be there as well. So for whatever reason we were late and I grumpily took the kids yet again. We missed the Sacrament and testimonies. I did my job as bouncer in the 7 year old primary class, which wasn’t so hard because my 7yo was home with Dad. THEN I got to go to Relief Society. I love Relief Society, this is my weekly hour of recharging. I love the sisterhood we have, the opportunities to serve, lift and love one another. And every week I look forward to the heartfelt messages that sisters share.
This weeks message was based on Elder Bednar’s conference talk More Diligent and Concerned at Home. The lesson was wonderful. My grumpy, begrudging attitude melted away as I listened and felt the Holy Ghost bear witness of the truth of the words Aimee taught.
I truly love my husband, every single strength and weakness he has. I know that he is given his trials to overcome, even if they take all of this life. And I know that I have to overcome my trials, especially the ones that may stem from his. I am grateful for my marriage and all that I learn from it and all the growth I receive. I’m especially grateful for the good that Aaron brings out in me day after day. I could very easily be a different person if it weren’t for him.
I know that I just have to keep baring my testimony of the Gospel and of the church by taking our children to church and encouraging him to come with.
And I know that I have to try with all my might to be consistent with my patience and love because it’s my trial to overcome as well.
I m grateful for that hour of uplifting and love.
11.1.2009
“…where there is a specific main color that has to dominate the picture.” Kind of an odd way of putting the theme, but oh well.
Hadn’t given this theme much thought as Halloween pretty much dominated my thoughts this past week. But as I left with Grayson on Friday the morning was absolutely perfect. We walked out the door and a gust of wind blew a bunch of leaves off the roof and as they floated overhead I couldn’t help but raise my arms up to catch them like a little kid. The walk was perfect, cool but not as cold as it has been, breezy with a gust now and then and a thin cloud cover with no rain. We (I) collected a handful of yellow Big Leaf Maple leaves, at least half a dozen kids asked why I had them, to which I replied, “because they’re SO BIG!!” After delivering Grayson to his classroom, I walked back home to get my camera. Then spent some time enjoying the wind, the colors and the cool crisp air.
last.fm playing- Bloc Party- Silent Alarm- This Modern Love
11.1.2009
A beautiful afternoon in sepia:
And one more that Live Writer won’t load for some reason.
Last.fm playing- Ben Gibbard- Home Split Ep- Church Mouse In the Church House
10.23.2009
I am going to give you a very basic tutorial. I have never done this before so I hope it makes sense. A friend from Auburn asked about a bag I made for another friend’s daughter. I made up the pattern based on one I had borrowed from another friend. So here goes nothing.
Pattern measurements meant for a small bag. (Strap about 34”.)
Materials needed:
Outside fabric,
lining fabric and
interfacing:
1 yard each
(If using a heavy fabric you may not need interfacing. How stiff or soft do you want your bag?)
Thread, of course.
To draft the pattern, start with a paper rectangle 6” x 31”.
Use a plate or bowl to draw a curve on the bottom right corner.
At the top, mark 2 1/2” in from right side.
Measure down from top 13” and in from right side 3 1/4”. Draw a small mark.
Then mark down from top 17” on left side.
Draw a nice even curve to join these three marks and form the center opening.
Cut out both curves.
The 14” side on the left is your center front and back. You will cut on the fold for all pieces.
Cutting fabric:
You can cut two ways. Open up your one yard of fabric. Fold both selvages into the center to create two folds on either side. Place pattern on one fold, pin, cut. Repeat on other fold.
Or
Leave original fold, then fold both selvages over to meet the center fold, place pattern on the dual folds and cut both pieces at one time.
Repeat for lining and interfacing.
Interfacing:
Baste or iron interfacing to backs of outer fabric pieces.
Sewing:
With right sides facing, sew two main fabric pieces together around the outside seam (long straight side, small bottom curves and bottom of bag.) Notch curves. Open seams and press flat.
If you want a pocket on the inside, sew it to one of the inside lining pieces now. This one is adorable. I think I’m gonna put a couple on the pinafore I’m making Hattie.
Repeat the same step for sewing the lining pieces together as the outer except leave about four inches open on the bottom for turning.
With right sides facing, place lining into outer fabric. Pin together on long inside curves. Sew together starting about two inches from top and continuing all the way around to other top. Repeat for both sides, make sure the two inches left un-sewn are on the same side (meaning either front or back.) Notch curves. Turn bag right side out using opening in lining and openings at tops of strap. Tuck lining into bag. Press curved openings.
To sew the tops of the strap together, open up the tops where the seams were left un-sewn. Pin together with right sides facing and sew. It’s hard to explain so maybe this illustration will help. This is for a dress pattern but the concept is exactly the same. Just be sure to match seems when you pin.
Press and edgestich around both sides of strap and openings. Sew turning opening in lining closed and you are done.
I know this is not a GREAT tutorial. I have been wanting to make one of these for myself so if I do then I will edit this tutorial and add pictures. For reference, this bag is very similar to what you should end up with.
Good Luck Lenna. Feel free to call if you have any questions.
10.20.2009
I love his stories and he is so into writing.
Made by Grayson
it was halloween.
Jon sees a freaky
Pumpkin with freaky
face and triangle for the eyes
then Jon said, “a real which” he
is scared
excerpt from Jon and the scary Halloween
last.fm playing- Vega 4- You and Others- If This Is It
10.17.2009
Catch up time again
Posted by kelsimad under ADD, Domesticity, Education, Family, Fun, Health and wellness, Music[4] Comments
I’m sitting here in a completely quiet house, well except for the music from my speakers. Kids are off to bed and Aaron went to bed early too. These moments are very few so I’m not going to bed till I listen to this entire album. [turns up speakers to cover up refrigerator noise]
So I haven’t posted much about what’s been going on for the last couple of months. School started the first week in September. That’s going as expected. Hayden is behind but keeps on trying. Forest is doing really great. The kids’ Dr. diagnosed him with mild ADD over the summer and now he’s being drugged up too. Kidding, he told me school is a lot easier, at least the sitting still listening part. Ethan is still a squirrely squirrel, trying to get away with doing as little homework as possible. Grayson is doing good if he gets through a day without assaulting someone. Actually the school councilor has been working with him with a daily progress chart that breaks down his day to very small increments that he gets 
or 
for. That is helping tremendously. We haven’t had any reports of rocks to anyone’s head, including his own, for a couple of weeks now. He is becoming quiet the writer though. He loves making up stories. Their writing time is right before recess and his teacher has had to make him go out to recess a few times when he would rather continue writing.
Hayden started Seminary this year so we get to get up at 5:00 every morning to make sure he’s at the church by 6:05. Forest is playing in Jazz Band so he gets dropped off bright and early as well. Ethan started band and chose to play the baritone. The case is nearly as tall as he is. He wanted to play the biggest instrument he could get his hands on. Baritone was it until he’s big enough to hold the tuba. I tried getting some pictures of him but they didn’t turn out so I’ll try again later.
Grayson started soccer the beginning of September as well. His ability has progressed soooo much since last year, it’s awesome to see. He absolutely loves playing and he’s trying so hard to learn the game. Watching those little guys is a blast. They are still pretty much lost but they’re learning. He has a really small team, only 6 boys and they all seem to have bonded and made good friends with each other. I’ll be sad when he has his last game on Halloween.
In scouting news, Ethan earned his Webelos badge, Arrow of Light and Religious Knot in September but our new Cubmaster forgot the Webelos badge at pack meeting. Technically he should not have been given the Arrow of Light before being awarded the Webelos badge but she didn’t know that. So he’s sporting an illegal AoL pin on his uniform. 
It will be legit next week. Our bishop took pics for me because I forgot my camera, but he hasn’t passed them on yet. I’ll be sure and take it next week.
We had our first Court of Honor since we moved here. All the boys had been busy over the summer and at Scout Camp. Forest earned three merit badges, photography, wilderness survival, and canoeing. Plus he took the BSA Snorkeling Certification. He missed getting one of the requirements for his swimming merit badge so we need to get that taken care of.
I am tickled pink with Hayden’s progress. He went up to Scout Camp with the Deacons and put forth a lot of effort. He earned his shotgun shooting, camping, environmental science, and a second woodcarving merit badge (not sure if that is allowed.) He was also able to get his cycling merit badge finished up a few months ago. All of which qualified him for his Life Scout Rank!!!! I’m so proud of him. I’m ecstatic at how close he is now to his Eagle. Well, he’s 5 Eagle required merit badges and then a project away, but STILL he’s so close!!!!
See, I have the little red heart Life pin on my ribbon now!!!!
Hattie’s toe is healing nicely. The stitches came out yesterday and she has stopped walking on her heel. She loves having her cousins here to play with. Brandy and I each volunteer in our kids’ schools once a week so they get to go to each other’s houses. Then we will sometimes take them to a park on Fridays.
We have been doing reading lessons every day, she loves it and is doing such a great job. When I home-schooled the boys, I used this book to teach them to read and I swear by it. It’s so simple to do and everything is in the book. She was so proud when she read her first story “See me eat.” She was so excited one day that she didn’t want to quit so we did three lessons, one after another.
I think that catches everything up. Enjoy the weekly photos till I update again in two months. I’ll try to do better.
Still listening to: Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard- One Fast Move or I’m Gone
A little too much twangy, country sound but it’s not too bad. I like Ben’s songs more than Jay’s.
