I've been productive...

And I'm not talking baby-wise, although I'm sure stuff's going on in there to. The heavens have aligned, must be something about leap day, I have a clean house and I got some sewing done. My dishes are done, bread baked, floors mopped, windows washed, pile of jeans mended, showered, my log cabin block is done, and I'm almost finished with a digital project I've been working on for my family.

It's not the miracle I'm saying it is though because I still have laundry to fold and my bathroom needs a touch up but it's good enough for me! Now if I could just get off the stinking internet fabric searching I would be in great shape. I think the girls need this fabric for their easter dresses...

Maybe one in this damask and one in a sheer dot I have and the other child... I'm not sure so I'm still looking.

Or this is would be bright and cheery and totally different than any other dress I've done...

I only have a few weeks left to get them done though so I need to search the internet for ideas and fabric ;o). Have a great Leap Day!

If I buy you flowers will it make it better?

I can't believe it's been 5 days since I posted last, what a slacker I am! I'm like that bad boyfriend from high school, you know the kind- I'm right there in the beginning, like pimply glue, making all kinds of promises and showing up to all your art fairs and going to dances with you and then some months later I peter out. I forget that it's been 5 days since I've even said a word. Is that much to ask for a phone call or a kind bloggy word? I would have made a terrible boy. Anyway, on to better and sane things...




I went to my quilt class tonight and managed to eek out the milky way- isn't it pretty! Dick and Jane forgive me but all kids are quick to forgive ;o) .



Last week class was canceled but the week before that we made the true lovers knot. I chose it for the border so it's supposed to be long and skinny like that. I still need to finish the log cabin and then I'll be caught up.


My sister-in-law had the cutest shirts on her kids a few weeks ago and I asked her where she got them and she made them with an iron on. They were so cute I had to run out and get some for my kids. Hers were a ton cuter, she was a little edgier than I was with the placement and used both the small pea and the big pea on one shirt, I had to do the boring smack in the middle design with the big for Mary and Ashlyn and the small for Kaci but it works for me. I bought enough to make one for each girl and an extra in case I have a baby girl and a baby boy crocodile one- just in case. They didn't have a design grown up enough for Jeremy so I'll have to applique him a shark or something so he can have a new shirt to. I got 6 appliques for 6 bucks and they came with the "peas" and glitter. I love a good bargain!





I have another scrapbook project in the works for a design thing that ends on the 29th and I have 3 Easter dresses to start so I should have a least one more crafty post in me before the week's over. There I go promising things again- in the words of my junior year boyfriend..."I'll change I swear, really, if I buy you flowers will it make it better?" hope he doesn't read my blog ;o).

My poor son.

I think I may have driven Jim back into hiding. He's an elusive guy and doesn't like his picture taken, I had to sneak up on him while he was playing in the backyard to get this one. I think he wears that hat as some sort of scrapbooking deterrent. Yesterday I managed to get him to sit still for a few seconds and get some good pictures of him when I actually had some natural light in my house which is a real miracle lately. I plan on scrapbooking them and the little stinker gave me about 15 pictures of the exact same face, even when I teased and prodded I got the same face. That's my boy.

Today I had to take him to the dentist for his first fillings. I hated having to tell him about the shots and stuff so the ride over was a little rough. He did very well and only one more appointment to get the bottom filled and he's done but I hated being the bad guy, isn't that the dad's job? Next I had to drag him to the store to get butter and diapers, not very fun. Then he had to go with me to my Dr. appointment and sit for 30 minutes. When I go to town I have to pack as much as I can in one trip to make the most of it so there was no turning back once he buckled in the car. Yeah, I think it'll be a long time before he volunteers to go with me to town again. I feel bad.

At my appointment he found out what a diseased uterus looks like. It didn't even don on me that there would be plastic "female parts" laying around the room, I feel so dumb and won't take another one of my sons to the ob that's for sure. He did get to hear the heartbeat and thought that was cool. Our little bean is beating about 162 beats per minute and I've gained 5 lbs. since my last appointment. I really need to stop baking cookies!

I did manage to get another layout finished Wednesday. I'm still 3 behind to keep up with my goal but if I keep doing 2 a week I should be caught up in no time. Kaci's picture doesn't have that much contrast and isn't that dark in real life, she's much cuter. I'm so proud that I have 5 completely done- journaled and all!

Microwave Popcorn

We usually don't have microwave popcorn in the house, mostly because I hate that it stinks up the joint for hours after it's popped and it gives me that greasy film on the roof of my mouth, but lets face it- sometimes it's just nicer to throw a bag in and have perfectly popped popcorn in 3 min. or less without the mess of popping your own.
We had some laying around the house from a movie gift basket Cody got for christmas and I had a big craving for something really salty so I popped a bag and shared it with him. I ate one little bowl full already and was munching on my second when Cody starts eating the rest right out of the bag. After almost eating the entire thing he pulls out a short hair. Let me preface this by saying I'm usually not that squeemish to hairs in food, I'd rather not have them in there but I'm not going to make myself throw up what I already ate because it had a hair in it- oh well.
This time I knew exactly where the hair came from. You see, I had a pet rat growing up. Her name was Tilly and I loved her for over 4 years until I had to give her away and she had the same hair. Wild rabid factory rat hair in my popcorn-I really did want to spew. I didn't but oh my- I will never be able to eat the bagged microwave popcorn again.
While blog surfing on Angry Chicken today I found this link for homemade microwave popcorn which excites me because I know what's in it. Has to be healthier than what I ate last time.

Homegrown CSI

The crime scene: A small home office in rural Oregon on a lazy Saturday. The mother was enjoying a nice hot shower while the father was tending the children. The father decided to get himself ready for the day as well… this sets up our case.
The victims:
Victim 1- unsuspecting paperwork and bills, they had it coming.



Victim 2- mouse pad, desk, and every last sheet of printer paper. The mouse saw the attack but being chained to the desk could do nothing. The desk and printer paper had no time to react before being obliterated.



Victim 3- printer. The printer, having heard the cries of the mouse and watching thus far tried to get away but also being hooked to the desk was helpless. One of many weapons was left here.



Victim 4- The computer screen. Dear sweet computer screen, she was the last to go. She endured the worst of the attack, I believe while trying to save the others. Who could have done such a terrible thing?


The suspects- Jeremy, Ashlyn, Mary, and Kaci. Ashlyn and Mary have a rock solid alibi. Jeremy was a witness and believed accomplice by leaving the door open and watching the happenings unfold. Kaci, our main suspect and possible perp.

The verdict- Kaci, having been found with black permanent marker on her torso and extremities was determined our perp and served life. Well not life but a 2 minute time out. Jeremy escaped with a slap on the wrist (a firm warning).

In other news after the crime scene was cleaned and the perps taken care of we skipped town. I found a few things I couldn’t live without like these eggs. They match my mud room decorations perfectly.




I wasn’t able to do girls night Friday, my heart was freaking out and doing its tachycardia thing and I didn’t want to give anyone a cold especially the baby. Feeling a little behind on my 52 layouts in 52 weeks I did a scrapbook page last night after church. I really need to get out and do this more often.

Happy Mail!

Today is such a fun day for the kids and I love all the happy valentines they get and give but Cody and I usually don't celebrate. Not that we don't love each other (I am having our 5th) it's just not a big deal to either of us. We usually rent a movie and just spend time at home after the kids go to bed and eat a ton of candy. No gifts or anything and tonight we have a parent teacher conference at 6:00 so nothing special today.

I wanted to make the day more special for the ladies I visit and I love giving things away so I've been finishing their mugs today. Just something to brighten their day in case they might not be getting any other valentine today, they'll know I'm thinking of them. When I went to pick up Jeremy from school and get my mail I had a package waiting. Huhh??

I got an awesome suprise box filled with red scrapbooking supplies from Big Picture Scrapbooking! I never entered a drawing or anything so it was really unexpected. That just makes my day- I love it! Red is one of my favorite colors too. There's so much good stuff, lots of embellishments and I *love* embellishments. The note says "Happy "Red" Mail just for you. ~ Stacy". Thank you so much for my suprise valentine box. I think the note is hand written so I might even have Stacy Julians signature- how cool am I??

Love is in the air

My son is by far the sweetest son any mother can have. He refuses to have his picture taken, he keeps his room a disaster zone, and he "falls asleep" during his math subtraction problems at school but he is the most grateful sweetest sensitive kid ever. Not in the cry baby way but he cares for people and how they are feeling. Monday night is usually family night but I was just beat and on the losing side of this terrible head cold I've had so I parked it on the couch and started to doze off right after dinner. I sort of remember Cody telling the kids I didn't feel very well and that we would do family night the next day. Jeremy heard him and came over to me thinking I was totally asleep. He covered me up with one of Kaci's blankets and started to pick up the living room. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I'm picking up the living room because I know you can't relax until the living room is clean and I want you to feel better". Awhh, he is so stinking sweet!

Today is Ashlyn's kindergarden Valentine party. I decided to make a last minute teacher gift for Ashlyn's teacher and stayed up until 12:30 getting it done but it turned out pretty cute. I got the idea from Lisa Bearnson's blog and I found a recipe for 3 musketeers hot chocolate using one 3 musketeers candy bar so it was really easy. I used a Jen Wilson digital kit for the tag. I'm making 5 more for my visiting teaching ladies and Jeremy's teacher today.

Have a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Long time no type...

That title sounds a little chinese or something. I just had time to notice that it's been a few days since I've blogged last. Cody's last living grandma passed away and her funeral was Saturday. She was 101. I hope if I live that long that I can be as happy and as sorely missed as she was. It makes me realize how truly blessed I am to have all my grandparents and most of my great grandparents still around to love and call for bread baking and food storage advice.

Most of Cody's brothers and sisters came up for the funeral so it was nice to see everyone. I got to see my newest niece who's a whopping month old and super teeny tiny. It's been a whirl wind of family activities, sick girls (who shared it with me), doctors visits, insurance troubles, trying to whip up invitations that I promised to send a sample for at least a month ago, and I am literally exhausted. Excuses I know but hopefully the dust has settled and now I can get back into my normal routine of p.j. afternoons, crafting, cooking, cleaning, playing with the kids, sleeping, internet... you know- the good stuff that keeps a mom sane.
Have a fantastic Monday!

My apologies Dick and Jane.

I butchered those two last night. As you can guess the class didn't go to well. It was fun and the teacher is great, I just get lost when it comes to measurements. I love to sew but I prefer using a paper pattern or winging it. None of this 2 1/2 inch" plus take a scant 1/4" then turn sideways, then sew and twist and turn, oh don't forget to press, then match this corner to that strip, right hand on red, left foot on blue, and viola`- I ended up with this.

The corners don't match, it's supposed to be 12"x12" and mine is a trapezoid that's about 11"- 10", and I twisted seems in the back. Oy vay! What's worse is that I tried to give advice to and it was the blind leading the able right there. I just have to keep remembering that I'm there to learn. The teacher asked me politely when everyone was gone if I wanted to start over (I really do know how to sew I swear!).

That's what I'm going to do today. I'm going to try to make ammends with Dick and Jane and redo it. I also tried one with knit abc fabric, chenille, and cherries for Kaci and I'm going to wing that one here at home (shhh-don't tell Colleen). Should be fun.

A little womb watch report- I'm a little down about my newly aquired 6 pack. 6 pack of ding dongs that is. It looks like I'm smuggling a small butterball turkey already. I'm only 3 months! Well 4 months in about a week but still. I wore my first maternity shirt yesterday and I've resorted to the rubberband trick for my pants. Yikes...

We made it past the 7 year itch!

Not that I've ever been itching to go anywhere mind you. Today is our 8th anniversary! We have been married for 8 entire, whole, complete years. 8 down- eternity to go, but I'm looking forward to it!

In honor of today (and because Cody has a meeting and I have a quilting class so we aren't doing anything else) I thought I would blog a few things about Cody. He'll be thrilled- really ;o).

What is his name? Cody Jeremy Baxter, but he calls himself Cody J. Baxter I esq. and even Master Baxter. I call him C.J., Love, and various other names ;o).
How long have you been married? 8 entire, whole, complete years!
Who long did you date? Off and on for 1-2 years, a little foggy at this point.
How old is he? 28
Who eats more sweets? He eats more candy but I eat more sweet junk food- it's a tie.

Who planted the first kiss? He did, and that's another blog post all it's own.

Who said I love you first? He did.
Who is taller? He is.
Who is smarter? I plead the 5th because it is our anniversary.
Who does the laundry? He makes the bulk of it and I wash it. No one folds :o).

Who pays the bills? Bills?? What Bills? We should pay those huh.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do. The side closest to the door is always his, that way he can fend off the bad guys in the middle of the night and I can crawl out the window during the attack- you never know!

Who mows the lawn? He loves to mow, right my love?

Who cooks dinner? I usually do the bulk of it but he will if I don't want to. He's the best steak, grilled cheese, and pie maker.

Who drives? He does, but I do an excellent job passenger seat driving.
Who is more stubborn? I think he would say I am and I think he is so it depends on who you ask.

Who asked who out first? He asked me, shaking with his hands in his pockets and head down the entire time but it was so cute.
Who proposed? He did, twice as a matter of fact.

Who has more siblings? He has 8 siblings and I have 5.
Who wears the pants? Generally I think we fight over one leg and then I give in and let him have it until I see the other leg free. So we both share the pants but only after we've established who gets what leg ;o). The stubborn side of one of us shines here.

So there you have it in a nutshell. I should put this information is from my perspective I guess, but in the great words of Cornelius Robinson- "She's Right!" Love you my Love!!!

Creepy cute, neon pink, and Nautical but nice.

The girls have been incredibly good the past few days and have been playing so well with each other that my house is actually semi-acceptable and I've been able to squeek out the beginnings of a few new projects. Here they look pretty creepy but they were so cute playing "racing" I just had to snap a picture so I can remember what they really looked like during the day, crumbs and all. They would race each other and even though Kaci couldn't keep up they just sat and waited for her, threw a mini party because they all finished, then raced again and again.

I figured out how to cable knit- Whahoo!!!! I didn't even need Cody's help this time, yes I'm that good. If I can figure out my circular needles I might even switch from the practice neon pink yarn to my good baby stuff. Maybe. It might be too good to knit with, yeah, I might need more practice- but hey, I cabled!

I also managed to find a fabric I actually like for me. I never sew for myself, ever. I found this great fabric on sale for 75% off and it's called Nautical but Nice. That name just killed me, had to have it and I think I look pretty good in kelly green. If not it will match my gills. My intentions are to turn it into a maternity dress for myself for spring. I just hope I still love it when I'm done and draped in several yards of it. It should be interesting to sew since the pattern is a shirt for skinny folk and I won't be by the time I want to wear it :o).

I've got my *gulp* quilting class tomorrow. I haven't had the most positive attitude lately so I'm going to try and think positive happy quilting thoughts. The teacher is excellent and just the sweetest person ever, I'm just not sure about the quilting part. I love the fabric I picked this time so hopefully it will go better. Wish me luck.