New Music

In my class this week we're talking about code-switching. That's when bilingual people use both languages in one conversation, sometimes in the middle of sentences. So when I was paying bills and this song popped up on my Pandora, I was excited.

It's so fun.

Parenting Styles

I found this last night on Facebook--I came out as an "Individual Integrity" (INTJ) mother. Seemed right on the money. I think it's interesting that my "parenting" personality is so different from my "regular" personality. Which person does Anna know?

Anyway, thought you might have fun playing with it.

Mothering Personality Styles

(Why not just "parenting"? Seems silly to exclude the Daddies, though maybe it's because girls seem to like this sort of thing more)

Joy

Joy is not simply a matter of temperament. In the Service of God and souls, it is always hard to be joyful -- all the more reason why we should try to acquire it and make it grow in our hearts.

Joy is prayer, joy is strength; joy is love; joy is a net to love by which we catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. She gives most who gives with joy. If in the work {she is referring to the Missionaries of Charity's work, but this can be applied to all our lives} you have difficulties and you accept them with joy, with a big smile -- in this, like in any other thing -- they will see your good works and glorify the Father. The best way to show your gratitude is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love.

--Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

From: Prayerfully Expecting by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Coffee Bag Sew Along

One of the reasons it took me a long time to finish the Sew Along was that I made two of everything.
I had already chosen my fabric when I thought to use some coffee bags that were given to me.

I couldn't pass up that idea.

I like these even better than the others.

Trash to treasure.

Fall List 2010

First let's look at my Summer List!

I feel awesome about this one. Summer 2010 List

1. Keep up with garden and trees.

2. Preserve something from garden.

3. Make something from Jelly Rolls.

4. Scrapbook Project. Thanks to a free photo book offer from Shutterfly, I made Kiki & Joe's Wedding book!! Only 3 years later. :)

5. Complete the Sew Along.

6. Make a facebook page or group or something for my students. Susan is making a page for me! Kind of cheating, but it is happening...

7. Make Christmas gifts. Also cheating a bit, I made some...

8. Go to Oregon.

9. Go to the Cabin.

10. Make Anna a First Day of School Dress.

11. Make Anna a nap mat.

12. Cabin Book

13. Anna Fans Book I got started. This is going to be an enormous project.

And now for Fall! There's so much to do, but I'm trying to also remember the importance of rest. Sometimes I hate rest. But it's important.

1. Anna Fans Book; three years. I did all 5 years, so that was good.

2. Go through baby clothes 0-6 months.

3. Find baby equipment and clean.

4. Design Anna Room. 99% done.

5. Design Craft Studio.

6. Crochet Tummy Blanket.

7. Finish Cabin Quilts. I finished Susan's, but not mine.

8. Keep up with Bible in a year and Prayer book.

9. SS Gift. Didn't make one though... :(

10. Make Mom's Bread.

11. One Senior Gift.

12. Tummy CD.

13. Re-pot plants.

Thirteen was a lucky number for the Summer List, so here's hoping for equal success this Fall. :)

And Happy Birthday to my Mama, who also liked lists. And Fall.

Politics

Elections are on Friday. :)

Sew along!

I finished the {Make} A Bag Sew Along!

I didn't make it anywhere near the 8 week timeline she established, but I finished!

The Mini Makeup Roll.
The Sunglasses Case. Anna wanted to use her sunglasses for the photo-they fit my sunglasses too.
Here's the zipper pouch-my first zipper ever, with the teeny tiny tote as a zipper pull.

The Bits and Pieces pouch.

I linked to each of the tutorials, if you'd like to give it a whirl. I had a good time, though I'm really happy to be done and ready to start something new. :)

Box redo

I inherited my Dad's love of a good box.

This green one was so nice, we couldn't get rid of it. But it was a little deceiving with that Vera Bradley written across the top.

So I covered it up with ribbon!

Quick and easy and fun and very satisfying. Yay for re-usable wrapping!

Babybel

Ever since I first spotted the cute mesh bags full of baby cheeses at Sam's, I've been wanting to try them.

On Sunday Matthew was also feeling adventurous, so we got some.

First you get to unwrap the shiny plastic.

Then there's a lovely red wax with a pull tab that opens right across the middle.

Like Pac-Man!

The cheese is pretty yummy too.

It was a little salty, but I think with the right cracker choice, it would be delish. Or fruit! It would be good with fruit.

Definitely a fun snack.

Scrap Box

Sometimes I can't sleep because I'm thinking about this.

Is it wonderful? Is it worth it? Could I make something similar myself? Will someone take me to the scrapbooking show when we are in Kansas City for Ben's wedding so I can look at one in person?

Anna's list

We have a notebook for Anna's chores. Most days I write down a few things for her to do-put away clothes, gather trash, etc.

Yesterday when we got home I was tired tired tired so I told her we weren't going to do any chores.

She wrote down her own idea in her notebook.

Translation: Make cookies today.

Sorry punkin, maybe tomorrow?

Blurb

I've been working lately on an enormous and ridiculous project-and using a program from Blurb. As I've been working with it and getting used to it, I'm wondering about using it to make scrapbooks from here on out. It seems silly to choose pictures, print them, and then paste them into another book.

Has anyone used a digital scrapbooking website or program? Any input?

By Special Request

Heeeere's Tummy!

Looks healthy, a little bit small, with a nice heart rate and a good wave, and lots of flipping around.

Once the technician said that she thought for a moment it was twins, but it was just Tummy somersaulting. Whew!

8 wonders of Kansas People

Vote now for your favorite Kansans!

8 wonders of KS people

Today we get to see one of our favorite Kansans for the first time. Sono at 3:30!

I went to a bunch of garage sales...

And all I found was this rad band-aid box.

Is it weird that I've been wanting one of these for years?


I'm really excited about keeping my band-aids in it.

Spanish in the U.S.

This semester I'm taking Spanish in the U.S., a Spanish class focusing on the way Spanish is spoken here in the United States, and the influences and special considerations of the language here. I think it's really interesting and pretty fun so far.

One of the components is "service-learning", so I'm going to be doing some interpreting and working with Russell Child Development on some home visits and other things. It'll be good for me to talk to adults for a change.

The amazing thing I realized tonight is that this is my 6th class, I'll have 5 more after this. So I'm almost at the halfway point! I feel simultaneously excited and sad.

Maybe if I get too bored when I'm done, I can just find an online doctoral program. ;)

Here's a question though--I really really don't want to take a semester off, but I am having this baby next semester. So-how crazy would it be to keep going to school? Keep in mind, I will have all that time off of work...

Awaiting your opinions!

Baptized! Married!

Here's a picture from last weekend. It was a wonderful day.

I've been awfully tired, and trying to dig out from two weekends of fun and the beginning of school. After spending my day off yesterday resting and working, resting and working, with lots of help from my sweet little family, I may be catching up. Here's hoping.