okay, this is the last advertisement

No really, this will be my last advertisement post on my sewing business. This is my new design for personalized baby burpies. This is going in the mail today Sue, so look for it sometime next week.

God provides

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phillipians 4:11-12

I was thinking of this verse today (as I sit here with half of my face numb and sagging) because as of right now my "crown project" is complete. And not because I was able to make up the money for it through my little sewing "business", but because God had a different plan for how he was going to provide the money for us. Our church blessed us with a pastor appreciation gift and we are amazed at everyone's generosity. Not only did I get my tooth fixed (which I know I will appreciate more when my face has feeling again) but Jason was able to get new glasses (which after super glueing it 3 times...it was needed) and I was able to order Ethan's curriculum for next year. Jason and I are in awe of God's goodness to us and are reminded when the discontentment of our wants sets in, that God has provided everything we need...maybe not all of our wants but definitely every last one of our needs. I feel foolish that I even worry about whether or not God will provide....especially because we have so much wealth compared to most of the world. But God is still gracious and knows the perfect timing to allow his glory to be seen. Glory be to God!

Happy Easter!

He has risen!

He has risen, indeed!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia

(Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Charles Wesley 1797)

dyeing Easter eggs

Ethan actually remembered doing this last year with his friends Lily and Sarah and asked if we were going to do it again this year. And since Jude is old enough to participate this year I thought this would be a fun family event. I discovered that you can actually just use regular food coloring (instead of the store bought pellets) and then I cut up a paper towel tube to store the eggs while they dried. On one of the morning shows yesterday they talked about ways to decorate eggs without spending a bunch of money (right up my alley). So they suggested using rubber bands around the eggs while you dye them and then once they're dry it produces great little stripes on the egg. Lots of fun!

happy 1st day of spring

I love Spring flowers. For those that live in Hawaii, Safeway has this bunch of daffodils for $3.

bargain

I just have to say that Target is my favorite store to shop in. And as of right now we don't have one in Hawaii (coming Spring of 09). So when I go back to the mainland that is one request I have....to go to Target. I love to just browse around and look for great deals too. So I came across this comforter set that included comforter, sham, sheet set and bed skirt all 100% cotton. Someone had given us a trundle bed and it needed some bedding so even though it is a little girly for Jude's room it still fits in with the theme. And it will be great for guests. Guess how much it was on clearance? It used to be a $60 comforter set. And I got it for only $15! I love that store.

side-bar addition

Well instead of boring you with every bear I make I decided to add information about my Aloha Bears to the side-bar...in case someone was interested. So this is my last post advertisement...my latest order that is waiting to be picked up.

I love cold winter weather

A lot of people warned me how cold we would be when we visited the mainland in the middle of winter. They told me that I would be miserable and would hate cold weather. Well it was just the opposite. I love cold weather! I love drinking hot beverages because you want to warm up...not sweat more. I love wearing sweaters and socks and shoes. I love not having to shave my legs...yes a razor did not touch my legs the whole 3 weeks we were there. I love that I didn't sweat once while we were there. I love that we played more games together and had more family time because we had no choice but to be inside. I love that my skin dried out and peeled off...I have the softest skin now and didn't have to pay all the big bucks to go to a spa to have it done...not that I would go to a spa.

But then again...having a day like this in the middle of winter...with fresh air and sunshine...maybe I'm okay with not having cold weather.

growth chart

We have a growth chart hanging up in the boys room so that we can chart how tall the boys are at each of their birthdays. So we measured Jude, since he just turned 2, and he is 35 inches. Just to compare the two to see if they are similiar in height at the same age, we looked at how tall Ethan was at 2 years old...we knew he was a tall kid because he always measured off the charts but we didn't realize how tall he was. He measured 37 inches at 2 years old. I think we have a basketball player in the making.

happy birthday #2

Happy 2nd Birthday Jude! I can't believe he is 2 already. We are so thankful for our little boy and look forward to seeing him grow and change even more this year.

Jude picked out the basketball (or as he says "b-ball") party theme this time...and we were able to put the candle in the cupcake rather than a raw potato. Because we're still recovering from jet-lag we had a laid back party over dinner and cupcakes for dessert.

Since we already had a party for Jude, we weren't going to do anymore presents. But Ethan wanted to get Jude something for his birthday, so he picked out this truck at the dollar store and wrapped it in an old valentine's day bag. Jude thought it was the greatest gift and told Ethan "da-do ne-ne" (translation: thank you Ethan).

happy birthday #1

This was Jude's St. Louis birthday party so we could have it with family...and a memorable one it was. The stomach bug had been circulating around the cousins and happened to hit Jude right before his party started...that is why we have a few outfit changes in the pictures below. Poor thing missed his birthday dinner and cake, but we did give him some candles to blow out...they were just stuck in a raw potato so he wouldn't blow his germs on the cake.Ethan was helping with the decorating part of the party. He thought the rubber worms added a nice touch to the Tonka truck theme...so we had worms hanging all around the room. This is me helping Jude blow out the candles using my Scream movie face. Not sure why I thought that would help him...but now we have it on film.

Jude loved to open his presents very slowly and then play with each one before he moved onto the next. After the second "getting sick" moment, he didn't have to worry about any kids trying to play with his new toys. They all kept their distance.

Party #2 is coming when we get home...and hopefully will be bug free. I can't believe 2 years has gone by so quickly.

78 degrees to 10 inches of snow

Ethan quickly realized that diving into snow is way different that diving into the ocean...a little too cold.
Jude could barely walk through it because it was so deep...plus with all the layers he couldn't move very well anyway.

Yes you heard me right. That is mid-west weather for you. On Sunday we were enjoying the warm 78 degree weather and we were feeling right at home. Then yesterday it snowed 10-11 inches! But I'm so glad that it snowed while we were here. I love how crisp and clean it looks and how quiet and cozy it feels. I think I was probably the only 31 year old outside sledding and building snowmen. Of course today was about 40 degrees and a lot of it is melting, but it's probably better that way.

2 more bears

I finished two more orders. Rebecca they are on their way if not already there. I am 1/4 of the way to my crown. I have one more order to fill right now that will then put me 2/3 of the way there. I've been trying to think of a name for my little "business". I first thought Aloha Bears but thought that it didn't sound very exciting. Any ideas?