sneek peeks

Ok, here are a couple of things that I have done. Most of what I have done have been gifts, but I am also selling some here and there. So if you like something that you see let me know!!



Snow Gems. Isn't this little clip adorable?! I made two of them, one of which was for Jenna, for the little flower girls in my sister Ashley's wedding. The middle is an antique earring. I love how they turned out.



Elliot Elephant. I love the fabric for the elephant. I also used it to make a tie shirt on a dark blue tee, so cute!(I forgot to get a pic of this one before I let it go) BTW this one is still available. I believe it is 3-6 mos if I am not mistaken. Ps. The coloring on this pic is a bit off. I apologize. The shirt is actually stark white.



Going Green. Love the green in this shirt! The tie is too cute! I love the colors of the stripes. I kind of wish this one was 12 mos, I would keep it for Eli :) It is 24 mos and is available also.

Ok, I have more to share but it will have to wait until next time. Hope you liked what you saw :)

long time no post

busy, busy, dreadfully busy....

it has been quite a while since i've posted, but all is well. i have been busy sewing, although not quite as busy as i would like. trying to put together some of the cutest little things that you have ever layed eyes on :) it started out as me wanting to make gifts, i love to do this. i love being able to put not only thought into my gift, but a little bit of heart too. anyway, after seeing these little shirts that i put together i have had requests "make me one too," or "you should definitely sell these." sooo this is what i have been doing. i assure you i will be posting pics soon.

through the process, i have discovered how much i love to repurpose things. they don't have to be old necessarily, but i just love it when i find a treasure that i see potential in and get a chance to recreate it into something awesome.

i have also discovered that i am the queen of starting too many projects at once. that being said, at the moment projects on the list of things to do: sewing quite a few shirts, curtains for eli's room, mending various items of clothing, recovering a cushioned bench that is also a storage box, painting some little wooden boxes that i intend to be storage for books/toys. i am sure that there are some that i have left out.

i find it difficult between all of the cleaning, cooking, and childcare to have the time or energy to accomplish any other task, but every once in awhile i sneak it in somehow. i think the key is to have a designated spot to create in, so that you are not packing and unpacking projects constantly. that is yet another project :)

on a totally different subject, i just finished a book called "hunger games." a goodie if you are in need of something entertaining to read. it's definitely book reading season for me! a great way to enjoy the fall weather, curled up with a blanket and a good book.

well, i must run. maybe i can sneak in a project or two while the kiddos snooze?

We like to Party

Party info and pics as promised...

Eli, lucky little guy that he is, had not one but TWO birthday parties this year. We thought 2 parties were necessary, silly us. Since we were going to be out of town on his actual birthday and we wanted to have a chance to celebrate with our family that is here, this now seems a little over the top and silly for a 1 year old but we had fun.





So Party #1 was held at our house. A small hot dog roast (don't worry I bought kosher, no mystery meat for us) and just some good old hang out time. I made a super yummy extra healthy cake and icing, I am talking 3/4 cup of sugar total- wow! You make think that such a cake couldn't possibly be tasty, but you would be wrong! There wasn't a smig left of my Pumpkin Apple Harvest Cake with Raisin Cream cheese Icing. If you want the recipe you can find it here http://www.grizzlybird.net/2007/01/babys-1st-birthday-cake-recipes.html , along with some other healthy choices (fyi the icing recipe has no sugar and is in the comments). It was casual and low key and a great time was had by all.

Party #2 was like a mini Kiker family reunion with a sprinkle of Nunes and McElroy. It was a little chaotic, and at a very questionable restaurant (I do not take credit), but we got to see lots of friends and family that we have been missing. We had a great time. It was too short, but it was so good to see everyone. Thanks to everyone for traveling such a long way to celebrate with us and thanks to my mom for putting everything together.

ok, for some reason blogger and my computer aren't cooperating. all the pics from party #2 and more from party #1 will be on facebook shortly.

My little guy turned 1

Eli's birthday was this past Saturday. I can't believe that he is already one, so crazy!! It feels like just a month or so ago that he was a tiny little bundle that slept and ate all the time.

Stats.... Teeth: 6, with 2 more on the way. Words he can say: Dada, Mama, Denna (Jenna), Yeah, all done (he signs this one at the same time), ma (more, signs this one also), whosat (who's that), and "ta da." Other milestones: Walking and practically running, climbing, peekaboo, drinks from a cup, drinks from a straw, eats all solids, throws a ball, stacks mega blocks.

Things that he loves: animals, being outside, things with wheels, pushing buttons, bath time, exploring, getting into everything, singing, dancing, sister, mom and dad.

Things that he doesn't love: diaper changes, putting on clothes, having his nose cleaned (who would love that?) and anything that slows him down when he is on a mission.

Things that are scary: swings, loud noises.

His little personality is developing everyday. He is definitely independant, but still loves his cuddles. He doesn't like when he doesn't know where Mommy and Jenna are. He loves when Daddy comes home and playing with Daddy. He gets frusterated when he can't accomplish something that he has set his mind to (opening something for example). He is a bit shy around strangers and takes a bit to warm up to people he hasn't been around in a while. His current favorite songs are "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (or "bitsy bitsy spider" as Jenna says), "Patty Cake," "God is so Big," and "Jesus loves me." He likes books, but mostly to turn the pages. He still nurses 3 times a day. I have already been asked about a bzillion times just about when I plan on cutting the nursing off. Isn't it funny? He hits one year and immediately people expect that it's just the end of nursing. Nursing, besides being healthy for him, is a bond that we share. It wasn't that way with Jenna, but it is definitely important to Eli. I don't want to pressure him (or be pressured) to wean ASAP, we will just take it slowly and see how it goes.

It has been a wonderful year of new life. There have been challenges and victories, joys, happy times, and some tough ones too. Happy Birthday Eli!!

Birthday parties and pics to come.

the thunder rolls

Last night after the kids were in bed, an amazing thunderstorm rumbled over us. I LOVE thunderstorms. Growing up in West Texas they were quite plentiful and as far as I can remember I never feared them on the contrary I revered them. I have fond memories of sitting out on my porch listening to the tip tip tip of the rain... Watching the lighting burst in the sky in the most awesome light shows ever as the thunder rolled surrounding every tree, every house, every blade of grass. It rattled every window on our house and sent shivers up my spine. Coming from a small town on the rolling plains, far away from any ocean or mountain, this was one of the awe striking signs of the presence of God. Amazed I sat and pondered just how big my God was and felt so comforted in knowing that he was with me, in me, and all around me.

Poor little Jenna found it difficult to fall alseep in all of the commotion last night. I went to sit with her for a bit and our conversation went something like this:
Jenna- "Mommy I afraid of the thunder."
Me- "You know Jenna the thunder is just a big noise. You don't have to be afwaid of it, it can't touch you. I know that it's really loud, but it won't hurt you."
Jenna-"I don't wike the noise. If the thunder comes down and touch me I will be weally afwaid."
Me-"It can't touch you because it's just a noise. (snapping my fingers) See this noise can't touch you either."
Jenna-"but it can come down in touch me if the house brakes."
Poor baby, the windows were rattling so hard she thought the house was going to come crashing down. I then went on to explain that Jesus sent the rain to water the plants so they could have a drink and grow. She then said "like the potatoes are growing?" She meant the tomatoes that she helped me plant earlier this season. I know she was scared but I couldn't help but smile at her knowledge and wonderment of how everything was fitting together. We prayed. One bathroom break later she was down and out for the count. Thank you Jesus for watering my Garden :)

Fab-U-lous

Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!
I just stumbled upon these super cute sling bags. I am going to have to invest in one of these babies! You can use them as book bags, diaper bags, or laptop carriers, or just the good old fashioned purse. Check them out.

curiosity has got a hold on me

i just can't fathom the wonderous excitement that is a POWER CORD for an infant. why? why is a long thick plastic string that is often a drab unstimulating color so interesting. why do you long to chew on it? yank on it? toss it happily up and then down waving your arms madly? just what is so great about a power cord?

i can understand the buttons on the tv, although it infuriates your dad when you play with them. cause and effect... you push a button and something happens. the picture changes, or the volume goes up and down.

if anyone has insight into the depths of this little guys heart, please let me in on it.