It's A Family Night Miracle

This morning I came upon Liam "studying the scriptures." I guess our Family Night lesson last night got through to him after all.

The Shacket

I didn't know they were shackets (shirt-jackets) until I put them on the boys and kept trying to get them to not zip them off. I thought the zipper was a cool twist to the shirts.

Tanner says you can't tell I made 'em.

I'm so happy to have a serger! Thanks love!

Cuteness Overload

Last Saturday morning Julian toddled over to Tanner who was sleeping and said "Hi Daddy!" Tanner groaned and smiled saying groggly, "Hi Julian."

"Kith??!" (Which means "Kiss"- yes he says it with a little lisp. This is only because it's the most cutest and sweet way you could ever say kiss.)

Tanner shuffled over and leaned his head off the bed while Julian walked over smiling. Julian leaned over and gave Tanner a huge kiss on his lips, totally missing the timing of his "smack". Julian then turned around quickly saying "Ga-Goo!" (Thank-You) while running off smiling (who knows what he was running off to).

You better believe we ran after him and gave him the biggest kiss and hug we could. This kid is too stinking cute.

(I could have also entitled this post "Torturing Julian's Grandparents That Live Far Away" or "If This Doesn't Make You Wish You Could Visit, I Don't Know What Will":)

Tanner's 30

Happy New Year!

As we face the New Year and run into crazy, sad or upset people realize that they are just that; people, who are struggling day to day. Here's a few things I'm going to try to keep in mind each day when dealing with all kinds of people who struggle, including myself. Thought I'd share as maybe you can relate too:

• Don't judge people, only love them. This is a big one and is what my brother Adam and his wife try to live by with our family. Family members do crazy stuff that we may not understand. Don't let it worry you, just love them not matter what.
• Forgive family, neighbors and friends and give them the benefit of the doubt. They may not even realize they've offended you and people are generally more good natured than not. People are not out to get you; they are just tired and stressed out too.
• Simplify as much of your life and enlist others for help. Focus more on what's really important, not what's not.
• You can't do everything. Just do your best and let the rest go. Remember that letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.
• Don't let others failures be put on your shoulders. If someone messes up, forgive them and trust that they can make it right and not do it again.
• Try to see people in a different light and look to understand them first. Never judge a person's situation. You'll be more happy because of it.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Loving to Sew

This holiday season I ran across a couple nice tutorials that I used for the boys' gifts from Tanner and me. They were easy and fun to make and I thought maybe one of you ladies would be interested in a free tutorial too.

I was looking for something for the boys to take when we go to the library so when I ran across a cool messenger bag tutorial I was so excited. I love how they turned out.

I took Liam this morning and he was all smiles as you can see. He's so grown up!

I hate how the crayon box always gets beat up so I loved the idea of a crayon roll. You can find a ton of tutorials online. I think I found mine here.

For Liam's I just made my spaces for the crayons wider than what the tutorial says and I also ditched the ric rac edging. Instead of tying it to close it up, you can put the ric rac at the end and sewing a button in the middle of the opposite side of the crayons. Liam just has to wind it around the button and it will stay (easier for little hands who can't tie yet).

If I was a quilter and had a bunch of scraps like my sis Mary, I'd cut strips of 15 different colors (red-black) and use that as the backing instead of the levi used here. That way you could use the different fabrics as matching guide to where the crayons go.