checkin' in

I am surprised that anyone still reads/checks this blog anymore.  See, I knew that I shouldn't have made any new year's resolutions...I just can't keep 'em!  It was a noble goal though....writing more often on this blog and all.  Oh well.  Life keeps trucking along, and even though there is isn't anything amazing going on in my life, and I couldn't tell you what all I have been busy with!  There have been lots of poopy diapers, quite a few loads of laundry, trips to the grocery store, walks in the park, and not as much vacuuming and mopping as I used to do. 

Big news?  Well, my folks are officially moving to my little town!  It's true, which must mean that pigs really CAN fly!  I thought there would never be a day in which my mother would agree to move to our part of the South.  I moved away from home 9 years ago and except for a few summers in college, I haven't lived near family since.  I am totally excited and totally nervous to be this close to family.  Growing up I never got to live anywhere near my grandparents. It is something that I always wished could have happened.  I am thankful for this opportunity for my son.  To be able to run down the street and meet up with Grandma and Grandpa will be amazing.  I am excited to be able to meet up with my dad for coffee dates, just like we used to have when I was a teenager. I am looking forward to spending time with my mom and just living life with them.  It is going to make our holiday scene SO much easier.  I can't even describe how excited I am about not having to split our holidays between four different states.  It is going to be fun to feel connected with them on a regular basis besides just phone calls and a twice yearly visit.

Other big news?  Jason has only 4 weeks left of school! PRAISE THE LORD!  We are both feeling the effects of how busy he is.  He's been traveling a lot lately (another reason it will be nice to have my parents near by) and it gets quiet sometimes at night.  Obi goes to bed, and it isn't like I can just pop out and meet up with a friend for coffee or something.  Jas has been super busy with work and he's on a city board, and he has some new opportunities ahead of him (can't spill the news yet...but it isn't a job change).  So between all of those things and then homework on top of it, well....it is hard to sometimes not feel like Obi and I are on our own.  We aren't, and he does make us a priority, but there are only so many hours in the day.  Needless to say, we are counting down the days until his master's program is over.  I am so very proud of him!  It has been an uphill battle at times, but he has stuck with it and it is a huge accomplishment.  We are heading to Chicago in June to watch him walk across the stage and be given a piece of paper that signifies just what an enormous thing he has finished!

Really small news?  I bought a bag of bird seed a few weeks ago at Lowe's. I don't have a bird feeder, but thought...hey, why not just put it on my front porch railing?  Yeah, the birds may poop on my porch some, but I can wash it off.  I am SO glad that I have food out there.  A pair of cardinals come stand on my railing throughout the day.  I get to watch them eat and, in some small way, I feel like I am being used by God to take care of two of His little creatures.  I love it that they know there is food for them at my house. I love it that they feel safe to come and rest and eat.  There is a robin that is starting to join them, and that robin is also starting to build a little nest over my front door.  There is a pile of twigs that showed up this morning on my porch. Messy?  Yeah.  But, I don't really care.  I'd rather watch the nest develop and the eggs be taken care of, and the babies be born.  After all, it is spring! These little birds don't care about the cost of gas, or the latest idiotic thing that our government has just done, or how the world is falling apart.  They just do what they were created to do....live life, sing, and in doing so, they worship their Creator.  I know that a human's life is a little more complex, but the basic gist is still the same.  We are to live our lives as a sweet smelling offering to the Father, and in doing so...we worship Him.  How humbling that we, a little lowly human, can worship the Creator of the world. How humbling that sometimes a tiny little creature, like a cardinal, can be more consistant at that than I. 

Well, if you made it to the end of this rambling post then you deserve some sort of award.  :-)  Sorry it wasn't terribly interesting, but there are my thoughts on this fine Monday morning.  I'm off to grab a quick shower before my baby boy wakes up from his nap.  I do have to say that I LOVE being that kid's momma.  He is a gift and a blessing, and I am thankful for him from the moment I wake up, to the moment I fall asleep...and even in my dreams.

a new hobby

For the last couple of years I have grown a tomato plant or two and a few herbs.  I have a tiny little "plot" that is under neath my window sill.  Last year I had grand plans of putting in a huge garden, but the reality of being hugely pregnant and being busy with work and grad school meant that I just didn't get around to it.  This year I am not going to let Spring get away from me without  planting.  So, I've started my seeds and for a total of $45 I now am the proud owner of over 124 little seedlings.  I have a ton more seeds, so any friends that want some, pleast let me know and I will gladly share!!  Wanna know what I am growing?  Here is my list:

Herbs:
Rosemary
Thyme
Fennel
Dill
Parsely
Sage
Mint
Oregano
Basil

Veggies:
Carrots
Corn
Peas
Snow Peas
Green Beans
Jalepenos
Jelly Bean Tomatoes
Butternut Squash
Zuchinni
Green Leaf Lettuce
Endive
Mixed Greens
Radish
Broccoli
Bell Peppers
Pickling Cucumbers (hence the reason I planted dill)

Ambitious? Yes!  Over my head?  Probably.  Excited?  YEAH!!  I am gonna have my man make me a few square foot garden boxes and I I think I get planting my seedlings in the next few weeks.  I am not sure that I have a green thumb, but I would like to think that I can cultivate one for myself.  Only time will tell I guess.  Either way, I am totally pumped.  Wanna see my success so far? (some of these I planted a week ago, and others I planted yesterday afternoon). My Growing light does weird things to my pictures...sorry.

In other news, I am going in TOMORROW for braces.  AH!!  I've had the spacers in for a few days, and honestly, they have hurt so bad that I thought I might not be able to do it.  But, I am trying to occupy my time and take a lot of advil.   If I don't look horrid after the braces I will post a picture.  Just want to warn you that I will probably look like a sixteen year old.  Told Jason that I would really rather NOT get pregnant again while I have those things on.  I can just hear the jokes coming from my brothers.

I love this man...

Here is my sweet husband...dead asleep at his laptop tonight. He has been putting in so much effort with work and his grad program. He gets up early to get stuff done at work, and then he comes home as soon as he can from work and spends time with both Obi and I.  He is a good provider, a huge encouragement, a leader in our home, a fantastic dad, and my best friend.  We are counting down the weeks (only 7.8 weeks left!) till he is done with grad school.  What an accomplishment. I am so very proud of him. He is setting goals left and right and is achieving them! Am I a luckly/blessed girl or what?  I don't thank him enough for all that he does for our little family.  He is the shiznit!  (I am pretty sure that is like saying he is "the bomb" only better!)

when it rains....

it POURS!  To say that the past day and a half have been crazy would be a gross understatement.  Besides our normal day to day activities, there has been a plethora of other things.

#1- last week, we found out that that my dad has been offered a job at my alma mater!!!  We are super excited and beyond thrilled. It is an answer to prayer and the Lord has so clearly paved the way.  It has been neat to see the Lord provide and so specifically answer prayer.  My entire family is just praising God for this opened door.   It is going to be so strange to have my folks living in town.  After living almost 9 years away from family it is really going to be nice to spend some time with them on a regular basis.

#2- on Thursday night about 1am, my phone rang.  And, when your phone rings at that hour of the night it is never a good thing.  But last night it was both sad and good.  My mom called to say that my Grandma had passed away.  We shared some tears together and then whispered goodnight. I didn't sleep more than 4 hours last night.  My mind was full.  Full of memories of my Grandma.  Full of wondering what she was up to now that she has crossed into eternity. Full of sadness and gladness at the same time.  My Grandma has been sickly for years, but the last two or three have just been so terrible for her.  She was admitted to the hospital about two weeks ago and my Grandpa knew that he wasn't going to be able to care for her when/if she got out of the hospital.  She was in dreadful pain and was so miserable. The funeral was today and I so wished that I could have been there.  To say a goodbye, and to be supportive for my mom. 

#3- my dog is under "house arrest", well, I guess the pound calls it "home quarintine", but still...until next monday every time he goes outside he has to have a muzzle on and we have to be with him.  It is a long story that involved roller-blades, a screaming kid, a scared dog (our dog), an ambulance, the animal control, a crying baby, the ER, a frustrated husband, a frustrated me...and a BIG headache.  It wasn't Pooka's fault, it wasn't the kid's fault, it was just an accident. A frustrating accident.

#4- all the books say that it is usually quite a few weeks/months between sets of incoming teeth. However, I do believe that my Obi is getting some new little toofers. :-)  Today at noon his nose started running like a tap, he is crabby, he has a slightly elevated temp, his is pulling at his mouth and his appetite is SUPER low.  The exact same symptoms from when his bottom teeth came.  Even though he is in pain and just isn't quite right, he does his best to be cheerful.  He's a sweet one that kid of mine!

Anyways, there is a picture of the stuffs going on in our lives at the moment.  Good and bad, and as the scripture says, should we not praise God for both?! 

mid feb

yeah, so here I sit and it is the middle of February.  Or, since February is so short...it is basically the END of February.  My little boy turns 7 months next week and I am just flabbergasted with how quickly time is zooming past.  In no time he will be heading off to kindergarten, high school, college and let's face it...he is almost "done growed up" (as they say in my neck of the woods).  Jason jokes all the time about the fact that soon my Obi will be in high school and too cool to hang out with his momma and he will be interested in other girls. I tell him to "hush up and let my baby be my baby".  One day I will have to let him grow up, but today is not that day.  Today he can be my snuggly, giggly, wiggly baby!

We've been busy lately.  Way too busy.  Busy enough that I haven't had much time to write on my blog, or even really think about anything fun, deep, or interesting to blog about. That is about to change though.  Starting this coming week I don't have much of anything on my calendar (save a fun trip to OK on Monday to spend the day with a best friend and do a little celebrating over some precious news in her life).  I am looking forward to actually reading my baby-food-making book, be a good mommy, and just be focused on taking care of my kiddo.

Anyways, I can barely keep my eyes open so I am heading to bed tonight.  I'll be back dear blogging world.  But not tomorrow, or Monday, but I'll be back. And, when I get back hopefully I'll have something fun to write about.

to my valentine

Sweetheart,

Six years ago tomorrow you and I started this relationship that has turned into one of best-friendship, love, and marriage. I can't believe it has been that long, but at the same time when I think of all that has happened it feels like forever.  A good kind of forever. Your kisses are still as sweet as the first one. Your hugs are still comforting and tender. Your friendship is still as fun and crazy as it was when things were new and exciting. But, you want know what has changed? The depth of our love for each other. Though your kisses are still as sweet as before, they are now much more cherished.  Your hugs provide that tender comfort, but they are also a source of strength. As a friend you still make me laugh and you will always be predictably unpredictable, but your friendship has been tried and tested and found to be solid and steady.

Babe, we've gone through ups and downs in life together. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster, other times it feels like a thrilling sail boat. Throughout it all you are a rock of courage for me to lean against. Your patience is unending and your gentleness never ceases to amaze me.  Your faith is both spoken and quietly lived out, this is something I love so dearly about you.  God knew that I needed you in my life. I am thankful to be on the receiving end of the blessing that is YOU!  So, here is to you babe. To another 6 plus 60 years to us! May we constantly run together in this race called life. Running towards our Lord and Savior.  And, as I have joked before, when we get to the end of the race, I hope that Jesus has our mansions next door to each other.

I hope you know that I treasure who you are. I wouldn't change anything about you (except maybe the fact that you turn ALL your socks inside out when you take them off).  Thanks for picking me to be your wife. I am pretty sure that I got the better end of the deal.  As someone famous once said, "You are the butter to my bread, and the breath to my life".

I love you.

Liz

more felt

ah...it has been so long since I last posted. What have I been up to you ask? Well...nothing and a lot all at the same time. I don't have anything super interesting or fun to write about tonight, so instead I will share some more pictures of the felt food that I've been making for my niece. The felt is so fun to work with because it doesn't fray.

Breakfast food: Dollar flapjacks with blueberries and bananas.
A complete and nutritious breakfast.
How about some veggies?
Maybe some bow tie pasta...
Sausages! I know these are bad for you, but I love sausage....so I couldn't resist making the play version.
The whole shopping bag full of "food".
Well...that is it for my sewing for a few weeks. I am heading out to CO to visit my family and spend some time with them. If we do anything amazing, I'll let ya know!