Knitting Update

I've been busy knitting up monsters for paying customers as well as for gifts. Recently had a friend who is pregnant, so I rushed to finish up some toys for her 20 month old and also her soon to be baby boy. I've just been on a monster kick lately. I've also been working on more face/dish clothes as they are quick and I'm trying to use up my stash. Planning on putting those with some handmade soap and giving as gifts at Christmas time. Socks are still on the needles at all times as well, they are just taking a little longer to finish as my toys are taking the lead.

So long

So sorry that it's been such a long time since I've posted. Things have been very busy in our household and I just haven't had a lot of time or desire to post anything. Hoping to get back into it soon.

I did start my summer class to finish my masters and it's going to be quite demanding, but I'm hoping to get through it with an A.

Girls are awesome and growing like weeds. Brynn is staying active in her taekwondo and Kenzie is learning new things everyday. They start swimming lessons mid-July, so we are looking forward to that. Brynn will actually be in a "real" swimming class, and Kenzie will be in a Parent-Tot class where she will go swimming with either Dan or I.

I have recently started working out at Curves and I'm really enjoying it. Forces me to get out there and exercise since I am paying for it monthly.

Christmas Knitting gift #1 - done

I'm writing this blog because I'm too sleepy to knit right now. :) Staying busy all day can really wear a girl out. Trying to decide what I should make for dinner and nothing super simple is coming to mind.

On the knitting front, I just finished up my first Christmas gift for the year! Yea me!!! Can't tell what it is or who it's for, but I really enjoying knitting it. Now I need to work on one more monster for someone who is buying a few from me then I'll be starting on more Christmas gifts. I will also be getting started on some travel socks soon for our trip to Texas. I need a mindless sock pattern and I'm sure I'll be able to find one soon.

The Beginning of Summer

Finally we are seeing a hint of summer...no snow, temps are rising, and the pools are opening. With summer, comes a very busy schedule, and it just seems to get busier as the years go by and the kids become more involved in activities.

This week marks the end of Brynn's first year in school. Her last day is tomorrow and I know that she can't wait to start attending Susan's again along with Kenzie. I also begin a Summer Bible Study at church this week (Thursday evenings) and I am really looking forward to starting that. I've also taken a big step by volunteering to teach Sunday school classes 2 Sundays a week at our church. My small group will be the 2nd grade girls, so please keep me in your prayers as I start this new and fun adventure! :)

The first part of our summer will be busy with taekwondo and also a trip to Texas later in June. We will be staying with my parents and going to all of my favorite food spots while we are there and we will also be making a family trip to Sea World. Dan and I will be going with Bubba (brother) and Laura (SIL) to a DCI performance (Drum Corp International), while we are there as well, and I'm really looking forward to that.

The rest of the summer will be spent around home and the girls will have swimming lessons in July. Brynn will actually be taking the lessons and Kenzie will attend a Parent-Tot class with either Dan or I. So needless to say we will be staying busy.

I am also planning on starting at Curves (work-outs for women) and I am super excited about that. I go in for my first assessment tomorrow, and hope to sign up and get started on losing some weight and getting my tone back.

Knitting is also keeping me busy. I am still trying to finish up on some monsters that I have promised to people. I am working on my first Christmas gift project, which is coming along nicely and I really like the pattern. My goal was to start Christmas knitting by June, and I started before then,so that makes me feel pretty good. Disclaimer: For close friends and family, many of my gifts to you this year will be hand-knit, the yarn is economical, but the work and time spent on the project is priceless, so I hope you enjoy your gifts come December. :)

Thanks for reading and hope every one has an amazing week!

Flowers for your Neck

I have found my new favorite Etsy store!! Haven't bought anything yet, but I love her necklaces! Very unique and you can find something in her shop that will match anything in your wardrobe. Best of all, you get free matching earrings with any necklace purchase! I also found out that the seller is from Harlingen, TX, so she is a fellow valley girl and I'm all about supporting folks from the valley. You can check out her shop at The Romantic Garden

Goat Farm Visit

It all started when I started purchasing handmade soap from Crowley Manor on Etsy. She has the most amazing soaps and she is right here in Colorado and less than 20 minutes from our house! We recently made a trip to her farm to visit her new baby goats. The girls had a blast and I had fun meeting her and another Etsy/Ravelry friend who I've bought roving from in the past.

Back to the Knitting

I noticed that many of my recent posts have not been about knitting, so here is a knitting post! I've been working on a pair of socks for the longest time and I'm finally going to finish them today! I've had several orders for monsters, which is taking time away from my "enjoyable" gift knitting, so I'm just trying to get all of those orders done. 2 more monsters to go for orders, 2 more monsters to go for my "Pay it Forward" thing, and then I still have so many gifts to make! I am hoping to get started on my Christmas gift knitting in July, and I already have a couple of those projects planned out.

My yarn diet is going really well! I haven't bought yarn (except for the cheap stuff that I had to buy for my monster orders). I am working off what I already have in my stash and it's going pretty good.

I will be getting started on some socks for Brynn soon and I need to get them finished by her birthday, which is in 10 days! Think I can do it?! I sure hope so!

I usually don't talk politics...

Here is a direct quote from Obama...he was speaking to a group of people in El Paso, TX regarding immigration....trying to mock Republicans.

"Maybe they'll need a moat," he said mockingly to laughter from the crowd. "Maybe they'll want alligators in the moat."

Actually Mr. President...I could like some alligators in the moat. The moat is the Rio Grande, and all we need to do is add the alligators! We are set!

Disclaimer: Sorry if I offended anyone...:)

Easter in Pictures (a week late)

Feeling better

So since I've been a bit down in the dumps lately, in the past week or so, I am seeing things looking up. There are still hiccups here and there, and I know that I will have those, but the light is getting brighter. There is a blog I read about a lady who has lost a child awhile back and she and her husband are now enjoying raising another baby they were blessed with. She always has very inspiring posts and I wanted to quote something that really spoke to me.

God is so faithful in meeting us where we are, providing enough grace and peace for each moment, and I know He will do the same for you, too. I know it is in times like this that I look back on God's past faithfulness and am reminded that He will continue to be faithful in the present and the future.

Even though I already "know" this, it's nice to read it in someone else's words for some reason. :) You can check out her blog in my blog list to the right, titled "He will Carry Me".

As for our weekend, it's not going to be as busy as last weekend, but it will still be a good one! Today we need to get some much needed grocery shopping done, then take Brynn to TKD class. We have a 1st birthday party to go to this afternoon and that's about it for the day. Tomorrow we have our parenting class at church, then right after that I am going to an "explore" class at church to learn more about their vision, values, etc. So all in all, it's going to be a great weekend and I'm looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a great one! Oh and I know I still need to post some pictures from Easter, so maybe I'll get that post done sometime this weekend. :)

I'm awake!

I was so excited when my alarm went off at 1:30 a.m. this morning! It's wedding time! I've been looking forward to the Royal Wedding for awhile now and it's finally upon us. As I write this, I am watching the "pre-wedding" show and my Earl Grey tea is ready and waiting. If I could take a web-cam photo directly from blogger I would, so you could see my amazing do that I've done for the wedding, I fondly call it "Sleep-deprived chic". :)

I see many of my loyal royal friends are also up on facebook as well. This will be a great time to get some knitting done, but silly me for not having wound up my lace weight yarn into a cake to start working on a shawl. :) I have a pair of socks I am working on, but I've misplaced another needle, so I can't work on them like I should! Super upset about that. Anyways, I'd better continue watching this, or I will definitely miss something! :)

Spring Monster Swap

I participated in a monster swap on my Danger Crafts Monster Group on Ravelry. It was so much fun putting together my partner's package and monster. I was even more surprised with the package she sent me! I received it today and squealed with joy as I saw what she had sent. It was a monster that she made to look like me, and two little monsters to look like Brynn and Kenzie! It was the sweetest thing ever! She also included some note cards, a piece of her artwork (trading card style), and some Nutella treats. Oh and some super soft yarn!

All to Him I Owe

I was so happy that I got to attend the stations of the cross and Good Friday service last night at my church. The service was very somber compared to their "normal" upbeat services. One of the songs they sang was a hymnal that I used to sing in the church I grew up in as well as the church that I would attend with my Grandma. As soon as I saw the words and heard the melody, all I could think if is my Grandma singing it. I could actually hear her voice singing it along with me and I lost it.

"Jesus gave it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."

I couldn't even get myself to sing the rest of the song because every time I tried to sing, I would start crying. :)I could feel her there with me, just like she was standing right next to me.

It a very moving service and I am looking forward to a more upbeat service on Sunday. :)

Found it!

I grew up Southern Baptist and also went to church for as long as I could remember. I loved and still love that church, but moved away for school, and eventually moved out of state. In between those moves, I tried different churches, looking for somewhere that I could fit in and feel the connection I needed.

I've visited multiple churches here in Colorado and there were some that I liked that are too far away. Then a close friend mentioned to me that she wanted to invite us to her son's baby dedication on Mother's Day. I asked her where she went to church and she said Waterstone Community Church, so I figured I'd try it the following Sunday. I was pretty much hooked at that moment! Seems like after the 1st or 2nd visit, you really know if it's your "type" of church or not.

I've been going there for about a month now. Both girls are enjoying their Sunday school classes, the services are contemporary and the messages are pertinent to issues we are all having in our lives. Dan and I are attending a Parenting class that we are loving so far and it's really teaching us a lot about our parenting styles.

So, I think I've found it! I've finally found a church home! Thanks Sara!:)

Is there a light?

It's just been one of those weeks, maybe months, well I guess it's been awhile. I just can't seem to get out of a funk. Nothing makes me truly happy and if it does, it just somehow gets knocked down. Not sure what it is, but I hope it goes away soon. Just want to get away from everything for a bit and come back for a fresh start, but that's just it. If I get away from it all, then I just have to come back to it and feel the same way.

Completely annoying and unsatisfying. I hope I will find my way soon.

My Girls

Brynn (5...almost 6) and Kenzie (almost 17 months)

Okay I'm bad

I've been neglecting my blog a bit. Lots going on with too little time. Girls are doing good. Brynn is still active in her taekwondo and Kenzie is growing like a weed. I've been staying busy with knitting and have had many requests for monsters, so busy making those as fast as I can, so I can actually do some "enjoyable" knitting for gifts, etc. :)

So little time

Been a bit since I've posted as I've been busy with life and knitting. Speaking of knitting, it seems like I have so many things planned that I want/need to knit and I am having issues prioritizing it all. Been busy with monsters to knit for people by a certain time (my own personal deadline). This is just a busy time with Easter and all and I'm getting orders from others for monsters, etc. It's also a busy time of year for birthdays and babies being born, so it seems like it's never-ending.

Not complaining at all, I just think that I want to do way too much all at once. Hoping for a lull in the knitting after Easter, but I'm sure I'll keep busy at it.

Girls are doing well and Brynn is staying busy with taekwondo and that makes mommy and daddy busy as well. 2 tournaments in the next 3 weeks makes for a lot of time spent at taekwondo. I am volunteering at one of the tournaments, so that is going to take some time, but I think that I will really enjoy it.

Enjoying my weekend

The weekend started off on a good note with Brynn spending some time with Daddy as they went to see Gnomio and Juliet. They both enjoyed it and it was nice to have some one on one time with Dad. :) Kenzie and I ran some errands and met my friend Sara and her baby, Sam, at the mall to do a bit of shopping. I was able to get some spring/summer clothes for myself and for the girls, and it was nice getting some alone time with Kenzie and with a close friend. :)

Today, I am going to get some grocery shopping done and then meet my friend, Liddy, for lunch at PF Changs. She turned 30 this past week, so it will be nice to get together with her and finally get to see her baby bump as she is pregnant with their 2nd child, and it's a boy! Anyways, it's been a great weekend so far and I'm ending if on a good note. Hoping I'll be ready for the busy week ahead!

March 1st is a great day

Why is it great? Because I just booked our flight to Texas this summer! We have a while to go, but I'm sure June will come quickly. I'm already starting my list of where I want to go and what I want to eat.

*Taco Cabana
*Lubys
*Whataburger
*Mom's cooking
*Torchy's Tacos
*Juan in a Million
*Mamacita's
*Round Rock Donuts
*other places that I love!
*Sissy and Uncle D's Ranch
*Sea World
*DCI!
*SWT aka TSU at San marcos
*yarn shops
*I will keep on adding to this list!

If you fellow Texans have any additional ideas, please comment!

Super-Susan

I believe (as I know that many of you do) that people come into our lives for a reason. Whether it be for a good reason or a bad reason. One person who came into our lives just a little over a year ago, came in for a good reason. She gave us a safe home for our girls, field trips weekly to keep kids engaged, a love for reading that she shares with the kids she takes care of, and she gave us piece of mind that our children were going to be loved as if they were her own.

Through her, we also found out our oldest daughters love for taekwondo. She thrives in that environment and we never would have even known, especially since I was the one who wanted to put her in ballet. :)

This woman holds love in her heart for every single child she takes care of and is a gift to all of the families she has touched the lives of.

This person is Susan. She is truly a blessing and a gift for our family and our girls. McKenzie would rather be at Susan's any day than be with Mommy and Daddy, but we know the reason why and that's totally fine with us. :)

Agenda for President's Day

While most of my day alone will be spent knitting, I do have other things that need to get done while I don't have little feet following me everywhere I go.

*Wash all sheets
*Clean toilets
*Clean bathroom countertops
*Start on new pair of socks
*Start new monster

I'm trying to not go anywhere today, although I do need to go to Babies R Us to get more diapers and I also need to run to the grocery store for a couple of things. I'll probably do that right before I have to pick up the girls from day care though. Hope everyone has an amazing President's day! I know I will!

Weekend's Best

Brynn did such an amazing job at her taekwondo tournament this weekend. We asked her for strong moves...she did it. We asked her for no shyness...she did it. What did she get for it? What she always wanted...a trophy! She is so proud of her trophy and we are so proud of her!

Weekend's Best

Not really from this weekend, but from today...Valentine's day...these sweet girls are my Valentines for life.