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. :)