Christmas

We had a nice day.  Eli was really into Santa and gifts this year more than last year.  He was excited which made us all very excited!  We had one of Santa's Elves visit us for a couple of weeks and watch all of our behavior.  We even had Eli apologize to him a couple of times when he had made sad choices.  What a nice behavior tool.

We made lots of cookies and a gingerbread house this year.  The house was from a kit.  I just wasn't sure how interested he would be in making the house and how long his attention span would be...so, rather than spending all the time baking, building and then decorating, we just had to build and decorate!  And, he didn't finish decorating - lost his attention for awhile.

Mom came over and helped us decorate the tree.  Eli was so cute placing all the ornaments and then Mom and I would move some of them for being too close together or too low to the bottom if they were 'breakable.'  We have a new topper this year - rather than my snowman - and that was the only thing Husband did to decorate the tree.  He was a good observer.  That's okay, though, he helped with the take-down.  (My most unfavorite part!)

Christmas morning, Mom came over at about 7 to watch as Eli found his gift from Santa and his stocking items.  He was so cute when he came downstairs!  He promptly dumped out EVERYONE's stockings and then noticed his Buzz Lightyear!

Husband made breakfast and then we opened the rest of the gifts at our house.  After breakfast and gifting, Mom went home to get ready for lunch and more gifts at her house.

Terry and Kit had come up from Houston so we were all here.  We played for awhile before lunch was ready and then we enjoyed a yummy meal.  Eli had to sit next to Uncle Terry at the table and he even led our prayer!  Good job, Eli!

On Christmas Eve, Eli helped Mom prepare the bread for stuffing.  He was a great helper!

We took other pics on Mom's camera that have yet to be downloaded but you get the idea!  We all missed Daddy and his humor very much, of course, but we're getting used to our 'new normal' without him.

Another delivered quilt

This warm flannel quilt made its way to Ohio.  I understand my father in law is using it on his bed at night.  It really isn't that big but he can use it however he likes!  I enjoy sending quilts to people who will use them, enjoy them and appreciate them! 

Note:  I have other views of this quilt and others that have now been delivered but I'm having trouble downloading pics into Blogger this morning...Sorry!

Book Reviews

One of my new endeavors is to review books for BookSneeze.  My first post is just below this one and they will be posted on this blog.  I truly enjoyed the first book that was sent to me.  Not sure how or if I will be able to continue to keep this up, considering the number of other reading materials that come into the house on a monthly/weekly/daily basis...however, I plan on doing at least one per month. 

Happy almost the end of the year!!

A Book Review: An Amish Love

An Amish Love is a collection of three Amish novellas. Each story is an individual tale with common characters and locations woven throughout. Common themes of faith, love and hope are also woven through these stories much like the fabric of a quilt.


The first story by Kelly Hart entitled “A Marriage of the Heart” finds the heroine named Abigail frustrated and lonely in her Amish life. She soon finds herself married to Joseph and still living with her unemotional father. The complicated story surrounds the young couple as they come to terms with changes in their lives and family.

The second story by Kathleen Fuller is entitled “What the Heart Sees.” This story reveals some information about past events that lead to difficulties in the tight-knit Amish community. Elli, the heroine, has accepted the death of her best friend from several years before but hasn’t told the entire truth about the accident. She decides to tell the entire story as her cousin – who was engaged to her best friend - makes plans to wed another. The facts of the story reveal the healing powers of love and redemption.

The third story by Beth Wiseman entitled “Healing Hearts” tells the story of an older Amish couple and the relationship they have after their children have married and their house is empty. The husband took an extended absence and his wife is left to care for their home and chores on her own. The story takes place upon his arrival back to their house. This story shows that strong faith can be the foundation by which a marriage can be rebuilt.

I enjoyed this collection of stories. I found the faith, romance, and compassion shown by the characters to be sincere and not forced. I also enjoyed the glossary at the beginning of the book interesting in comparing my own knowledge of German and the words sprinkled through the stories. I would recommend this collection of stories to others looking for romance and faithful reading.

** Please note:  I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for writing a truthful review.

Finished sewing projects

Here are some pics of some of the finished sewing projects that have been delivered this year:

Contest quilt for downtown McKinney.  It placed in the top 10.  Yeah for me!!!

Donation quilt for a fundraiser.  Not sure how much money it raised...oh, well.

Pillow sham for Godson Davey to match his cool quilt!

One of the pillow shams for Jen and Jimmy's wedding quilt.

Davey's new quilt - complete with a duck flying the space ship!

Jen and Jimmy's wedding quilt.

Mom's birthday quilt.

Of course, there are other projects in the works and other projects finished that are

not delivered...more to come!! 

Catch-up Post

Don’t fall over from the shock! I’m updating twice in the same month after an extended absence!! Not planning on adding pics to this post, though.  I know you can't really do a catch-up post...too much time has passed.  But here are a few notes...


I’m determined to get ‘back in the saddle’ of blogging and some of my friends (none will be mentioned except for dear Brenda) have been requesting updates by saying, “It’s still July on your blog!!!”

So, without further ado, here’s a little update:

• I became a consultant for Thirty One Gifts last spring. It’s fun and functional stuff that everyone needs! Check out my website to learn more: www.mythirtyone.com/worthy

• We suffered a miscarriage this summer at 10 weeks. It’s never fun but we are hopeful that God will show us the way to grow our family on His time.

• School has started. This is my 15th year to teach special education and it’s never been boring, that’s for sure!!!

• Eli started the year at one preschool and then we moved him the first week of November. Basically, we thought he was being bullied and the staff didn’t think it had ‘risen to that level.’ Eli loves going to his current preschool at our church and we love seeing him come home singing songs like, “J E S U S” and teaching us new meal-time prayers.

• I’ve continued to work for the Plano Parks and Recreation Department with kids and adults with special needs. It’s never dull there, either!

• We’ve made it through the anniversary of Daddy’s death and we did okay. We have become a little somber at times and we always try to remind Eli of Daddy’s love for him and help him with the memories that should be close to his heart.

• My BFF, Jen, got married in September. It was a beautiful wedding and now she’s the mother to three girls! With Jimmy’s girls, her boys and the two dogs, they are almost like the Brady Bunch!

• My mom has had her first Eli-initiated Timeout! We’ve started cracking down on words that we deem are inappropriate to say – or spell. Eli was picking up on spelling some of the words and I didn’t want him going anywhere and spelling one of the words! Oh, no! So, if any of us say one of those words, it’s immediate timeout. Eli has made several trips to timeout and so far we’ve (Husband and I) managed to keep away from that punishment…

A few weeks ago, Mom was over eating lunch with the boys. She said something was ‘stupid’ and Eli told her to go to timeout! Husband saved the day by telling Eli that Grandma gets one ‘freebie’ and that next time she would have a timeout! Then we told her that her timeout would be one minute for each year you are…ughhh!!

Fast forward to Thanksgiving day: We had enjoyed our meal and were playing games. Mom said a word she shouldn’t say with Eli around and he immediately took her hand and led her to the stairs telling her, “You said a bad word. Now you’ll need to sit in timeout. Mommy will set the timer.”

Well, I did set the timer – for 30 seconds! He immediately told me that was too short and to set it again! So, I set the timer for another 30 seconds! When her time was up the second time, Eli got in Grandma’s face and spoke to her just like we speak to him at the end of a timeout. “Do you know why you’re in timeout?” etc…VERY FUNNY!!

Long story short: When you come to our house, don’t say one of the forbidden words!!

• I woke up this morning singing the theme song to ‘Phinneas and Ferb!!’ It’s horrible that show has sneaked into my subconscious!!

• I was taking an order for my new business last month and couldn’t find a pen. So I used a purple crayon instead!

• I am really looking forward to the holiday. We’re staying home and will spend time with family and friends but it will be nice to be on our own schedule.

• More later!!

Where have we been?

Admittedly, we've had another difficult few months. I promise to catch you up with another post this evening. But until then, here's a cute Eli story:

Yesterday, as we were headed out for a bike ride, Eli told me that my car was dirty. I said that maybe he and Daddy could wash it for me. Initially, he said he wouldn't do it.

Then he said it would cost "10 monies" for him to do it. I asked if he meant dimes or dollars.

"Dimes."

That's a great deal!! When do child labor laws go into effect? Guess I'll pay him 10 dimes and make a deposit in his bank account as well!!!

Georgia Trip, part one

School got out on June 4th and we headed out of town on the 7th.  I'll break this post into two so it won't be as bogged down with pics...

Eli sat by the window on the plane and watched a few minutes of his favorite movie 'The Sound of Music,' read his books and watched for clouds outside.  He was a trooper!!  I thought he would talk about Grandad and try to see him out the window since that's what we talk about all the time - that Grandad is in heaven and it's up in the sky...

My cousin, Ed, and his wife, Sue, met us by the airport and drove us around to the Delta offices and training facilities.  They took us into a maze of walkways, elevators and hallways to take us into the training simulator.  We had so much fun - We all got to take a chance with flying the plane and we didn't crash!!!

We then headed to the Red Robin for dinner, the hotel for a rest and the next day, we headed to Savannah!  I hadn't ever been there and we were looking forward to some time at Paula Deen's, the ocean/beach and seeing some of the sights!

We took a trolley tour when we first got there.  It was an open air trolley and Eli slept for about half the tour.  But, he hadn't had a nap up to that point so I was glad for any sleepy time...

We saw the birthplace of Juliet Low (founder of Girl Scouts) and lots of other historical places.  The town is full of rich history but we had to keep movin' along since Eli has a short attention span!  No kidding!

We at lunch at Paula Dean's, ya'll - and I was thrilled with my choice of items.  Mom wasn't as happy with hers.  And as for Eli, give him some cucumbers, tomatoes, chicken and bread and he's happy!

After lunch and some more sightseeing, we headed to the ocean/beach.

Eli wanted to play in these fountains but we wanted to get to the beach...and, isn't playing in sand a whole lot more fun, anyway?

Slacking Blogger

I should stand up and say, "That's me!" 

Just know that since school got out on June 4th, we've:  been on two trips with Grandma (one to Georgia and one to Missouri), we've been swimming numerous times, we've played with friends, Eli's played several Blastball games, we've celebrated several friends' birthdays, been to the park, Eli spent a week at "art camp," I've finished two quilt tops and numerous little projects, we've started cleaning out the spare bedroom upstairs and we've learned that we're expecting baby #2.

Before you get too excited, know that since Saturday, I've been put on bedrest with this pregnancy (at 8 weeks) and the doctor thinks I might be having a miscarriage.  So, please pray that God's will be known and help me remember that God is in charge.  We so want another baby.

We are so thankful for the precious boy we have in our house and all of our other blessings.  We just think our family isn't complete.  God, let us know, will You?

Thanks for praying, friends!

One Year Milestone

Tomorrow, it will be the one year anniversary of when my Gram passed away.  In many ways, it's hard to believe that it's been a year already and in many ways, I'm ready to pass that milestone.  Tomorrow also marks what I've been calling the 'downhill slide of 2009.'

The pic above was taken about two weeks before she passed.  Eli and I would go to visit her after school and he would have his snack while sitting on her bed.  We would sing to her and tell her about Eli's latest 'firsts' and activities of the day.

Even though she hated being away from her house, she loved being with us and enjoyed our daily visits so much.  Honestly, I loved having her here with us.  I hated that she wasn't able to live by herself anymore but she needed to be closer to us so we could help take care of her.  That's just what families do.

Miss you, Gram!

Mother's Day

My brother came up to celebrate both Eli's birthday and Mother's Day.  He had a few jobs to do while he was in town - including playing with Eli and working on the little red car...but, we had a nice visit.

Eli loves cake!

Raisin' him right - UT is the best football team!  Aunt Kit and Uncle Terry got him this new UT shirt!  Now he's ready for some football!!!

Eli is on a BLASTBALL team this summer.  He got his own glove, bat and mitt.  Uncle Terry was demonstrating how NOT to use it!  Notice my brother's face - funny!

Here is Grandma sporting her new shirt.  It says 'Eli's Grandma' on it.  She loves it!

We were trying to get a pic of Eli with Grandma (while she was wearing her new shirt) but he kept knocking her over...

We resorted to getting out the tricycle for the posed pic but you couldn't see her shirt.  Darnit!

Happy Mother's Day to you!

Eli is Three Years Old!!

Eli loves Brittany! 

Eli's a crazy dancin' fool!

FriendSherry made Eli his birthday shirt!  She did an awesome job!

For weeks, I was trying to plan Eli's birthday party.  He kept telling me that he didn't want a party, didn't want to take treats to friends at school, didn't want presents, nothing.  So, I/we didn't plan anything.

Then, a couple of days before his birthday, he said, 'When's my party?'  UH, OH!!!

We had planned on taking treats to school regardless, but what to do about a party?????  Well, I work for the parks and rec agency and Friday was the night of the party.  We have a DJ, lots of music, cake, friends, etc.  It was perfect for Eli's party...So, Eli was a crasher!

This is the boys doing the "YMCA" - hilarious!

He came to work with me and then Husband came to get him by the time most of the kids had arrived.  The boys stayed for awhile and danced.  Most importantly, Eli had a ball!

Whew - crisis averted!  Maybe next year he will appreciate his party that I plan...

Relay for Life

**  This post can also be found on Daddy's blog **

Last night was the Relay for Life in McKinney.  Mom and I joined the team with my school and raised some money for cancer research.  Thanks to all of you who sent money in memory of Dad for this event.  We appreciate you!

We took Eli with us with the plan that Husband would come get him to take him home when he got tired.  He had so much fun!  He got to sit in a helicopter (so did Grandma and I), play catch with my principal, run around with some of the other teachers' kids, walk with us on the track, dance to the music and see lots of people he hasn't seen in awhile.

For Mom and I, it was a bittersweet night. We were both okay, for the most part, and didn't get too weepy with missing Daddy. But, there were a couple of times that we were both pretty sad and teary - during opening ceremonies when they were announcing all the survivor's names and also when some of the music spoke to us very clearly.  We did better than I thought we would, though, seeing as how it was not too long ago (really) when Daddy died.

Eli made it to just past 9 when he was asking to be carried or just sit down.  So, we called Husband and he came over.  The pic below was taken while we were waiting for Husband.  Eli wanted to sit in the grass to wait.  He was so sweet to snuggle with Grandma!  And, Friday morning, he woke up asking for her!  Eli loves his Grandma!  (And so do I!)

After the boys left, we continued our walk for cancer, visited with more friends, had a hot dog, and registered for a cancer prevention research project before we decided to head home.  There were threats of storms but I'm not sure if any showed up...

Praying for a cure for cancer.

Earth Day

For Earth Day this year, we celebrated by adding some plants to the yard and playing some games.  Eli rode on my shoulders around the yard while Husband mowed and trimmed the yard.

Then, we got out the sprinker and Eli wore his new swimsuit/swimshirt.  He had so much fun!

Trike-a-Thon

One of the events that Eli's preschool participates in each year is the Trike-a-Thon.  They teach bike safety all week before the big event and then, the kids all bring their tricycles, bicycles, etc. to ride in the rally.  They take pledges for St. Jude's as part of it, too.

We had so much fun!  It was funny to see all the kids crash (no injuries) and speed around the 'track!'

Riding next to Eli here is his friend Evan.  (His trike has the big, wide tires.)  Not sure how Eli and Evan were involved in so many crashes that day...

Notice that  he had his name on the front of his bike.  He also had a number on the back of his shirt and a 'license' to wear on his neck with his picture on it!  He loved it!

These are some of his teachers who were at the rally that day.  He loves them so much.  We are thankful for them.  They take such good care of him while he's at school!

After the kids rode for almost an hour, they got to have a brunch that was prepared in their honor. 

New t-shirt

I was awarded a grant this year for my school.  Part of it was shirts for the students who work the post office which we run on campus.  I offered other teachers in the building to buy shirts for themselves and then I went ahead and got one for Eli.  He had to put it on right away when I brought it home.

Of course, he had to take off his shorts while he was modeling!

Happy Easter!!

Eli was so much fun this year for egg hunts and all the excitement. Last year, my parents took him to their neighborhood egg hunt and Daddy had to help Eli get the eggs to his basket. This year, Husband and I were there, too, and Eli didn’t need any help. We had to tell him to leave some of the eggs on the ground for the other kids!

He enjoyed all the events from the train ride to the petting zoo.  Except for the fact that the llama tried to 'kiss' him and knocked him into the guinea pig trough...we were incident free.

Oh, and then there was the visit to the bathroom when he put himself in timeout while I was washing my hands...