The Joys of Motherhood

Counting down to the Quilt Retreat

2010-03-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Goodies made - check
Sewing projects packed - check
Sewing stuff packed - check

I have quite a lot more to pack like clothes, bedding, sewing machine and bath stuff but its getting their. Heidi and I leave Friday morning for our weekend Quilt Retreat. It will be an awesome time. We can't wait!!!

2010-02-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

2010-02-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

WOW almost a year and now what to post!!

2010-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Guess it is way past the time that I updated my blog, right everyone?? OK, here it is of course on Valentines day and all so I'm adding pictures of the beautiful flowers from my husband and also the card I made him and the kids. I even stitched on them, it was way fun. I'm not sure they liked them as much as I enjoyed making them. I hope to continue with this technique. Yes, and also continue with more frequent blog posts.

1st quilt 100% complete

2009-04-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, I got my very first quilt completed this passed week. Thanks to my mom's friend Margaret who quilted it with her long arm machine for me. I just loved what she did. I can't wait to see what she does with Ryan's quilt. I really want to take a nap today but have lot of other more important things to accomplish this afternoon. Like working on a baby quilt that really needs to get done, the baby shower is Tuesday night. LOL! I'm sure I will be putting a note in the card explaining its not quite done yet. :O)

Hopefully this week is a fast one!!

Quilt #2 - Ryan's

2009-03-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

I finally have Ryan's quilt done, well almost. I still have the borders to do yet. I was able to work on it today in between laundry.

Here is Lauren to with her latest school project. I thought she did really well on her fish. She really likes to pose, as you can tell here.

Hope to post more later this week, it should be a slower week for me.

Slacking on my blog posts

2009-03-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been slacking big time on my posts. I can't believe it was the 4th of March since the last time I posted. Wow, this month has flew by. The quilt retreat was a success even though I forgot my sewing machine. I did manage to get my first quilt pieced together all but the border. Which is now done and a lady in Albia is quilting it for me. I'm pretty excited but I don't think as excited as my mom is to have me quilting. It is additive and I just love picking out fabric. I am not getting for going another hobby, I will just have more unfinished hobby projects laying round. Oh well, what's one more hobby.
It was nice to have a few days off last week for spring break. We just headed to my parents and got to relax. Its back to work now but excited its Wednesday tomorrow. I hope to have some pictures posted on here by the weekend. It might even be a picture of Ryan's quilt which will be #2.
Have a great week.

Retreat weekend plans

2009-03-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

My friend Heidi and I are heading to a quilt/scrap booking retreat this weekend. We will be leaving Friday night and returning Sunday afternoon. We are excited to get away for a few days. We don't get this opportunity very often, no kids and no husband. Mom will be their quilting with her friends. Yes she talked me into quilting, she did give me a few lessons a couple of weekends ago. She also let me take home her extra quilting stuff and her small sewing machine to practice with. I really enjoy it so far, not that much different that putting a scrapbook page together. I'm sure to get a lot more lessons and quilting tips this weekend. I know Heidi and and will have a blast. I will post Sunday or Monday all about it.

Sunday post

2009-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, I said Monday I would post the picture of the coyote so here it is. We haven't seen it again since Monday. We think maybe the snow scared him off somewhere but who knows maybe we will see him again. Also posted are some pictures of Lauren's V-day party at Hawkeye child care where she goes when Mike is in school. I actually got to attend the party Friday morning and we had a great time! Hope your Valentine's day was great!!! Have a great weekend, at least what's left of it.

Quick Monday night post

2009-02-09T19:43:00.001-08:00

Hey, just wanted to post quick tonight before it is off to bed. Just wanted to tell everyone I got my husband back on the weekends. He no longer is working all day Saturdays and Sundays. Yeah, we are also going back to church on Sundays as a family. It is wonderful.
This weekend was the second one since he has been off the weekend shift. It is kind of weird having him around the house but me and the kids really love it. He is only working 20 hours at his job. Since his spring semester in his electronic engineering tech program at Hawkeye is the toughest. All the upper class men in his program tell them if you can get threw this first spring semester you got it made. He has a lot of homework every night but he is working hard. He goes into in work most evenings and some really early mornings before he has to be at Hawkeye. I'm so proud of him and can't wait until next year when he will graduate.
Oh, we also found out yesterday we have a coyote in our neighborhood. One of our neighbors emailed all of us and said she was walking he dogs on Thursday evening and saw it in the middle of the street. We saw him tonight in the back parking lot of Birdsall park just past our back yard. It looked like a dog but we howled at him and he turned and looked at us. The kids even came out on the deck to see our visitor. They say he is not aggressive at all. I hope to have some pics of him up soon so check back.

Grandpa Ted - forever in your hearts

2009-02-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Mike's grandpa Ted passed away last Friday 1/3o, he was 81. He was such a great man, husband, dad and grandfather. I will truly miss him and his awesome bear hugs. He was one that really knew how to give you a hug. He would always know when you needed one too. I'm so thankful my children got to know and love their great-grandpa Ted. He would always tell the girls how beautiful they were and he loved them all so much. He knew the lord Jesus and is now in heaven rejoicing and for that I'm grateful.
Tomorrow will probably be difficult at the funeral saying goodbye, he was just like a grandpa to me from the first time Mike and I started dating. He treated my just like a granddaughter he always had. It is extra hard as he was the only grandpa left on either sides of the family. We all supporting and sending extra prayers for grandma, she is doing well but will need lots of family support in the next months and years. Elizabeth is already planning weekends and spring break with her.

Happy 60th Dad

2009-01-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

We are in Albia today as my dad's and Alex's birthday party was last night. He was 60 on the 21st. The party was a blast as you can see. Everyone was telling my dad 60 is the new 40. HA! I think that was to make him feel better. He was not taking being 60 all that well. Alex, they guy who was working for my dad this summer, and mom planned the party and both invited a few friends . Alex is going to school in Dubuque to be a pilot so ya know him and my dad flew all summer. The kids had a great time as you can see. Ryan at 6 yrs old up at the bar, I think he was studding the waitress and getting chummy with the bartender. They drank like 4 or more shirley temples and loved drinking out of the beer mugs.

We will be traveling home this afternoon to start a new week. It was fun to come down even though it was for a short trip. Maybe next time Mike can come with since he will no longer be working on the weekends. Yeah!

Post Christmas

2008-12-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

I am blogging from the living room from my 9 year olds laptop! This is so cool. At least Elizabeth lets me use her new laptop. I don't get to use Mike's since he is on it or it needs charged. Yes, my parents, actually my dad, thought she needed this HP laptop for Christmas. I thought it was alittle crazy but it was either this or a cell phone. I knew she wasn't getting a cell phone!

I guess our Christmas isn't completely over yet as we still have Mike's parents on the 3rd. At least I got most of the Christmas gifts we all got on Christmas day put away. It makes me feel alittle better since their will be more to bring home next Saturday.

My family got me a new drafting table for my scraproom with a great lamp that hooks to the side. My prior scrap desk was pretty bad, I think I had it from when I was in high school. They also got me a CuttleBug which I really need to test it out tonight. I probably will have to organize my room before that happens. Maybe tomorrow afternoon as I am off tomorrow as Mike's great-grandma passed away on Christmas Eve day. Her funeral is tomorrow morning which we will all be attending. I'm so happy my children got to know their great-great grandma. She was a very very sweet lady and always told me how beautiful our kids were. She was 99 and lived by herself! She will truly be missed by all.

Here are a few pics of Christmas morning.

Welcome new bloggers Monique and Nichole, love to read the happenings in your world.

1 day till Christmas

2008-12-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

Do you have all your shopping done? Yes
Are you ready for Christmas? Yes
Are you really ready for your kids to stop asking can we open presents yet? Yes

We can not go a day without Lauren, Ryan or Elizabeth asking can we open a present. I say no and point to the countdown to Christmas on the frig. They are super excited and can't wait for the big day, which make me love Christmas all the more. I just which I could bottle up all their excitement and save it when they are older. I'm guessing when their are 18, 15 and 13 Christmas's won't be as exciting as they are now!!
Our Christmas plans are pretty mellow this year. I only took off Christmas day this year. So, tomorrow night(Christmas Eve) we are just going as a family to look at the Christmas lights around town. Then Christmas morning, we have our traditional breakfast for us 5 and we open our presents as a family. Then my parents will be driving up in the morning to have Christmas with us and probably stay around for 2-3 days. We aren't have Christmas with Mike's side until after the 1st of the year so the kids will get to have Christmas a little longer this year. Hopefully I will get our Christmas mess picked up here at home and put away before we bring more Christmas presents home from Mike's parents.

Everyone have a safe and wonderful Christmas and don't forget Jesus is the reason for the season!

Catch up

2008-12-11T19:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have a lot of catch up work to do tonight. Well, lets see we should start with Lizzie's 9th B-day. Her b-day this year was the Saturday after Thanksgiving on 11/29. She took one friend with her to Jiva in CF and got turned into princesses for the day. She told me to get metal tiara's not the plastic ones. I guess she is the princess who knows what kind of tiara she wants. Her friend Leah and her looks so cute and don't just love their nails. My mom and I walked uptown CF with the girls and went shopping in a few stores that morning. All the lady's we ran into just loved the girls and their tiara's and boa's. Then we had lunch at Panera and took the girls back home so they could play until Leah had to head home. We then had a family party that evening. I think her 9th b-day was a hit.
Oh, my sister, newphew and new baby niece came for Thanksgiving. We had a great time being together. My sister,Holly and her kids live in Michigan 8 hours away. I was so thankful they all came and I got to spoil my nephew and niece. Ava, my niece is above.
I also go my Christmas cards completed last weekend. I call them my 5 minute Christmas card, because it really only took that long. I wasn't going to do the photo card from Walgreens this year but I just couldn't help since I could get 40 cards done in a matter of 1hour and 5 minutes. I just download to photo.walgreens.com and select my photo card. I choose to use the two pics above of the kids infront of the tree. They did really good for me this year I was so impressed. Hope you all are ready for Christmas, I know my household is. I only have a few more last minute things on my list. YEAH!!

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, I can say we are done now and have quite a bit of candy. Of course, I forgot my camera when we went trick or treating around the neighborhood. I hate that. Here is the kids after the fact. All and all they had a great Halloween. Now, what do do with all that candy, I know they are not eating it all and neither am I. I have to be strong at least until the morning!! HEE! HEE!

Halloween - the easy way out

2008-10-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm admitting I took the easy way out this year with the kids' pumpkins. I found this really cute Mr. Potato head kits at Target for pumpkins, only $2.98 on clearence. Got Elizabeth the witch and Ryan the pirate one. I don't think they turned out to bad. I hate cleaning out the pumpkin and guts, but really who does. Elizabeth cleaned her pumpkin out at school so thankful none was done at home. Lauren didn't really care about not having a pumpkin this year. She is more excited about her Tinkerbell costume she will be wearing Friday at school and for trick/treaking the neighborhood Friday night. Ryan will be the ever popular StarWars clone trooper and Elizabeth a dream witch. I will post pics of this on Friday night.

Not so plain kids rooms any longer

2008-09-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, my mom and I painted the girls room as well as Ryan's. Wow, the girls when from sky blue to purple, orange and neon yellow. They room is very colorful and looks like Dora's place house. They really love the colors and love the circles we put up as well. Ryan's room when from stark white to purple and neon green. We also had to accent with a skateboard guy too. Have at good rest of the week.

Quick Post - Princess Lauren's birthday

2008-09-23T20:04:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pictures of Lauren's 4th birthday on Sunday. Wow, did she have a great day. She was really happy and loved being the center of attention. Just look at that smile.

Summers End

2008-09-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm still here. I haven't forgotten about my blog. Really. I'm sure you all have wondered if I would ever make it back. My life is getting back to normal so I am promising to post more often.
As most of you know Ryan started having seizures the last part of the summer. We went to Iowa City to the pediatric neurologist on August 7th. God was truly with us ever step of the way. We saw a great doctor their how prescribed Keppra which new drug which only side effect is crankyness. Which we can tolerate. He is taking the liquid for of 3ml/mg three times a day. He takes it at school so we have gotten to know the school nurse really well. What a blessing she is at the kids school. He is doing so awesome on his dose and have not had a seizure for three week. We thank the Lord daily!!
I'm sad and glad to have summer coming to an end. Glad to get back in a routine with the kids, glad to have kids in bed before 9pm and glad to have two now in school full time. We are such a blessed family. Oh, yeah and I'm the only one in our family that isn't in school now. Well Lauren goes to Hawkeye with Mike to their child development center and she call that her school. It is really nice to have Elizabeth and Ryan in the same school this year. Elizabeth is in 3rd grade and Ryan in kindergarten. They both really love school and are very excited each morning to go!! Lets just hope this countines all year!!
Much more postings information to come including some scrappbooking events and pictures of layouts/cards soon!!

4th of July

2008-07-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

We had a great annual 4th of July parade around our neighborhood. We start with a parade at 10am. This year we had a great turn out since the organizers had our parade signs up around the area for a week or so. Mike of course was in the lawn mower brigade. The guys from Abraham Drive have a great time. I also got a picture of the ladies lawn chair brigade. This looks like great fun but I have never participated since usually have my hands full with dog and the three kidos. We usually have a few convertibles, sheriff cars, and a fire truck. My three threw out candy and blew bubbles. I had my nephew Isac come along to help me out.
After the parade, which stops in front of our house the kids get popsicle treats. These are always bomb pops. The kids love them and get good a sticky. We also have bubbles and chalk out for the kids to play with in the street. This year the kids to go in the fire truck and look around. This was a big hit for Ryan. He with two or three times and checked it out.
After the parade we have a grill out at someones front yard. This year we voted to stay home and grill, since Lizzie was over at Lexi's playing.
Then we waited for everyone to come over to watch the fireworks. We love when Cedar Falls has them behind the dome. We don't have to leave home and we have a wonderful view from our back deck. We had Heidi, Brian and her two boys, Mike's grandma and great Aunt Tootie, Mike's Aunt Marty and Uncle Larry, Jan, Dave and Amanda Penn, and Scott, Diane and Alex Bowman all on the deck for fireworks. Heidi and I were mostly in the house on the couch watching CARS with Jamison and Lauren. The neighbors two houses down had some really loud fireworks they let off prior to fireworks starting so that scared the youngest ones. They didn't want to go outside very bad after that. Then to end the evening my husband had to do a few of his own fireworks. Long day but very worth it, the rest of the weekend I could catch up.
Its already Sunday afternoon and don't think this three day weekend was long enough. More postings later in the week.

Update

2008-06-26T17:23:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy couple of weeks. I'm back to work and haven't had time to do much blogging. Here is a picture of my last Friday nights CTMH hostess pages. I added some extra stuff at home and thought it turned out pretty good.
Ryan has now started CF rec T-ball for 4-5 year olds. He is on the red team oviously by the picture. He really loves it and has been hitting pretty good. I haven't attended a game yet as their are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10am. I plan to go the July 15th to catch one of the last games.
Also as of last week, Diane(neighbor, coworker and friend) have started to carpool to work and walk at least 3 miles a day. We go around 9pm which works out as my kids get tucked into bed then I'm off to walk. We are even getting Heidi in on the walking now that she is back from Mexico.
Hopefully have pictures of us three walking soon.

Week in review

2008-06-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

I was off all week from work since this is my normal vacation I take since my 31st birthday was on Tuesday the 3rd. We didn't go do alot but was really relaxing. Got to see Elizabeth's talent show on Monday, did the birthday thing on Tuesday (even took two of my kids to Chuckie Cheese's), my parents came up Wednesday with my nephew I hadn't seen in over a year, Thursday was relaxing day on my deck and Friday got to meet up with people from work for double bubble. Here are a few pictures from my great week off. Back to work on Monday.

More pics

2008-05-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Graduation and Saturday Pics

2008-05-25T14:26:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pics of Ryan's graduation on Friday night. Also are a few of the kids riding Joel's daughters pony. They had a blast.

Wow, I got to do this more

2008-05-17T13:06:00.001-07:00

Here is my page from club last night, I really like the colors I was trying to do these pages for my son, Ryan. It seems I'm always doing pages for the girls. I'm sure I will try this layout with other colors too. I hope to post these too. We have had a busy month. My husband Mike turned the big 3-0 last Sunday. I totally forgot to get any pics of his birthday or his big banner the kids made. He loved it.
We are also going to have a preschool graduate in our household, next week. Friday is Ryan's big graduation ceremony, they even wear caps and gowns. I am sure you have pictures to post of that big night. He is all ready and can't wait to head to Kindergarten at Hansen Elementary in the fall.
I am excited today as I just got my True Blue Spa lotion and foot scrub from bathandbodyworks.com. Wow, they really work and smell heavenly.
Well signing off to go relax on the our deck and catch some rays.

Too long

2008-04-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Here is last Friday nights CTMH hostess club project. I was the hostess. I added the flowers and stuff later at home. Off work today as Elizabeth has had a fever since Saturday night. Hopefully this evening is the end of her sickness. Off to go jumping on the new trampoline. More later!!

Spring means my family will be jumping!!

2008-03-31T19:52:00.001-07:00

We told the kids they would get a new trampoline this spring at Christmas time. Mike ordered it online and it arrived last week. We were lucky this past Saturday and Sunday were a little warmer so we could get it up all except the sides. And oh, yeah the kids favorite part, we also will have a basketball hoop inside. The kids are very, very excited. Ryan and I got our haircut tonight and he was even telling all the girls about our new tramp.

Also are you will see my one and only tag I made tonight. Not my best effort, but wanted to get one done tonight. Of course, did after the kids were tucked into bed.
Have a great week!!

April Shopping Day and Pics of Minnepolis

2008-03-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

The date is set for April 21, we have requested off work since it is a Monday. Mike will be off so he will take care of our three children for the day. We are going to head in the morning to Coralville to a scrapbook store and who knows where we will end up from their. I can't wait and look forward for just a day for me.
Leaving some fun pictures of our trip last week to the Mall of American and a indoor waterpark near their.

Happy Easter Everyone!

2008-03-23T15:47:00.001-07:00

We had a great morning at church and small dinner. We even had time to make the annual Bunny cake. More to come later this week on our fun trip to Minneapolis.
Have a great evening and Monday.

Friday Night - Monthly Scrap Club

2008-03-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

Friday night, I got to go to my monthly scrap club at Diane's. I just love the spring layout, especially the bunny. He is so stinkin cute. I also picked the hollyhock and spring lilac colors which I just love with the background texture paper.

The kids are off for spring break this week and going we are off to the MofA in MN on Tuesday. I will post about that next weekend. Have a great week!

Thursday night - Ryan Talent show

2008-03-16T14:07:00.001-07:00

Ryan, on the right, sang his little heart out at the school talent show on Thursday night. Conner, his buddy from preschool sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Conner's mom made the big stars for the boys and I made the wands. They were so adorable and did a awesome job.

Tuesday Night

2008-03-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

This picture is last summer, but every Tuesday Lauren and I got to Kindermusik in CF. She absolutely loves it and wants to go everyday. She sings, dances, listens to books and plays. It's just for wonderful for kids.

Last week - Monday Night Elizabeth

2008-03-16T13:55:00.001-07:00

Monday night, we have Elizabeth's 2nd Grade Vocal Concert, it was super cute and she did I fine job. Of course I forgot my camera that night at home so all I just get a photo of the program. We wasn't feeling the best that night but made it threw without any problems. Sorry, Lizzie. Mommy will remember her camera next time.

Weekend Challenge - Slice of Life Volume 1 and 2

2008-03-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Yeah, above are my completed my January and February Slice of life pages. I did 8x8 pages because I have this adorable green album just waiting to be filled with these pages. At first, I thought I would do the 25th of each month. I soon found out that the an exact date really doesn't matter just as long as I get a page done a month.
I'm excited to see what March will be, I have a few ideas already. My deadline for this post is 10pm tonight. Yes, I'm 9 1/2 hours early!! Maybe I need to do to splitcoaststampers.com and get fine a new challange for this coming week.

Tag book - I just love these colors

2008-02-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Here is the Tag book, Heidi, Peg and I made on Thursday night. I love the paper and all the word sayings. It was so much fun and got to have some away time. Heidi and I found we did make these backwords but who can tell. I hope to get some stamps with these sayings just love them.
Happy weekend!

Our Snowman - Freddy

2008-02-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

We got ice and 3-4 inches of more snow today. I'm beginning to think spring will never get here. I know a lot of us are real sick of this white stuff. Here are a few pics I took today and of course our snowman Elizabeth, my 8 year old, and I made. We also had some much needed help from our dog, Scout.

Valentine's Day

2008-02-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

This Thursday is Valentine's day. Make sure you tell that special someone how much you love them.
Attached is my monthly CTMH hostess club project. I love the hearts and colors for V-Day.
Have a great week!

Getting Started

2008-02-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

I did it, I got a blog setup. It was super, super easy. Thanks Rachael for the encouragement to get this done. Now, I just hope I can get out here and post things often. My busy family will not slow down but this is super cool and a chance for me to show them off.
More to come from this mom of three.