Christmas Recovery

well, we're back. we spent the last week in oregon with my sister and her family. my mom was also there so we got some good family time in. it was fun! my sister was amazing and set up three classes for us. she had a lady come teach us how to re-upholster. i mean straight up RE-UPOLSTER, no messing around. (wish i had a before and after picture to post, AHEM, morgan). the next class was a jewelry making class where we brushed up on our wire wrapping skills and walked away with two new pairs of earrings (wish my holes didn't close up for the SECOND time). the last was a felting class which was surprisingly enjoyable. i think i might take it up (wish i needed another expensive hobby). we went to two portland trailblazer games which were awesome. joe walked in as a denver fan and out as a blazer. you'll never believe this but i didn't take ONE picture during the entire trip. i'll have to wait to get some from my sister and mom. in the meantime, enjoy the rhythmics we've been working on:

found here

Merry Christmas

may we all remember the true reason of the season - Christ.

may we all strive to be more like Him.

have a safe and merry Christmas!

ps. go vote on the poll at the right to guess the gender of the baby.

we'll find out in early february.

Brown Baby #2

(if you look rrrreally close you can see five little toes to the right)

all is well in the womb.

A Tender Moment

i thought i'd get on here and post a little personal experience since most of my posts have been not so personal and i really do think of blogs as journals (my excuse for not writing in one). yesterday was not a particularly hard day - just typical. nauseous, tired, millions of things i should be doing but rather lay on the couch, you know, the typical pregnancy stuff (yes i am a sick and pathetic mom!). just after i taped an orange peel over my nose while changing a poopie diaper, my hormones took over and i just burst into tears. i really could not think of one reason i could be crying other than it has been a long time since i've cried. anyway, norah immediately brought her blankie over to me, crawled up onto my lap and repeatedly signed "i love you" while giving me hugs and kisses. it was so sweet. of course, it made me cry even more thinking about how sensitive and pure her spirit is. she amazes me everyday with her little personality and the things she understands and learns. she really is amazing. i imagine that the rest of my life will be filled with tender moments like these with my children.

i love my life.

Family Pictures

one of the nice things about making things is being able to trade goods and/or services with others. i emailed a local photographer and asked her if she would be interested in a trade (headbands for family pictures) and she agreed. how nice! we love how they came out.

and yes, i did make the capelet i'm wearing out of a thrifted men's sweater.

the new header has some of our favorites

but if you'd like to see the rest you can

go here.

(the photographer's website can be found here)

In an Ideal World..

each and every one of my children's toys

would be crocheted

by me,

moi,

myself.

seriously, how cute are these?

oh, maybe i'll get around to it in time for grandchildren.

that's really how far i feel from any projects i want to do.

blame it on the ball of flesh that has taken over my body.

i say that with nothing but affection.

(patterns found here)

Morgan's Charms

My sister makes these super cute charms and she donated a bunch of them to the auction (HERE). Scroll down until you see the hand-soldered glass charms. They would make a great Christmas gift! This one, for instance, says "inside every woman is a queen waiting to be crowned" on the opposite side. I wear her charms on a chain pretty much everyday. Love them. Bidding closes on December 12th at midnight. Go bid people!!

John and Emily Jones Memorial Auction

We spent Thanksgiving in Vegas. It was fun and relaxing. While we were there, I learned the sad story of John and Emily Jones. John (a medical student at the University of Virginia) was exploring The Nutty Putty caves near Spanish Fork, UT during his Thanksgiving vacation when he got stuck in a 10"x14" space. Rescuers worked for 28 hours to remove him but could not and he passed away. He left behind his wife, Emily, their 14-month-old daughter and a baby on the way (due in June). My heart sank when I read the story here. Maybe it's because I have a daughter around that age and am also expecting around that time. Maybe it's because I lost my father at a young age and know the impact it has made and continues to make in my life. Either way, I hardly slept that night, mourning for the Jones family and especially Emily and her children. I have tried to find some way to help, knowing that I am not in a position to donate money to the fund at this time, I thankfully found this blog who is putting on an auction for the John Jones Memorial Fund. I am glad I that I am able to donate some of my talents to this auction. Head on over and find some great Christmas gifts or donate your own items (deadline is midnight tonight to do so).

I am grateful for the blessings in my life and especially for the knowledge that we can be families forever (more on that here).

I am now spending a lot more time thinking about this.

Our Christmas Card

(click to enlarge)

Free Nursing Cover

if you go on over to uddercovers.com

and enter the promo code babykiss at checkout,

you'll get a free nursing cover.

you do have to pay the shipping

and you may or may not think it's worth it,

(i don't because i can just make them myself)

but i just thought i'd share!

ps. i don't know when the offer ends.