Yes, I know it’s been awhile.  Things are just too crazy and special to find time to blog.  The only time I get a chance to be alone is when the girls’ naps overlap, and all I wanna do at that time is relax.  Sorry.  I will continue to post, but it’s not gonna be every day– or maybe even every week.  If you want to subscribe with RSS, you’ll be able to keep track of my posts better.

Here’s my lazy way of recording memories . . .

• We went to a concert by Josh Wilson.  He is a friend from High School and has now made a name for himself in the Christian music world.  I’m so proud of him; he’s ridiculously talented and a great Christian guy.  So, do yourself a favor and check out his music.  Below is a picture of us in HS and a picture of him at the concert.

• Our family was on the second page of our city’s newspaper last Friday.  Out of the 95 pictures they took at the concert, they chose ours to be featured in the newspaper.

• Abi is potty training.  She’s gone a few days of being completely dry- but we’re having issues with the pooping.  Any tips!??

• Abi melts our hearts lately with the stuff she says about God.  Yesterday, she said, “I’m gonna get the monkey baptized. It goes like this. He goes under the water.” Then 10 minutes later, “I’m gonna lie Rachel down and get her baptized.”  She can say all the New Testament books by herself and sings tons of “adult” Christian songs by herself.

• Lydia is 4 months now and sleeps 11.5 hours at night.  Yesterday, I had to wake her up for church.  Thank you Lord for happy sleepers who fit into our scheduling plans.



• I’m gonna start making Lydia baby food in the next few weeks.

• I’ve frozen my Amish bread starter, so I’m done with that for awhile. I’m happy to say that with 5 different times of making it, I only threw away one starter.  And really, I made Jonathan do it because I can’t stand to waste food- or well, anything.  It’s a blessing . . .  and a curse.
• I’ve been doing lots of crafty things lately

• Jonathan and I are starting to read Crazy Love.  I just finished reading The Last Song, so I’m ready for a new Nicholas Sparks book to come out.  I’m also gonna start reading a Jodi Picoult book and an Ann Brashares book.  They’re on my desk right now, begging for me to pick them up, so I think I will.
  

Walgreens is doing their annual Week of Photo Deals.  For today, Sunday, August 15, they are offering a free 8×10 photo.

Enter FREE_8X10_DEAL code, and be sure to “update total”

If you choose in store pick up, you won’t have to pay for s&h, and your total will be $0.00!  YEA!  Normally, they’re ready in one hour for pick up.

So far, I’ve made these two dresses from old shirts I had.  They are definitely not perfect, but Abi likes them, so I guess that’s what matters.

This was a super simple project.  Can’t believe I didn’t make one sooner.  Here’s a tutorial for you:

1. Lay a dress or shirt of your toddler’s on top of the shirt you’re going to cut.  Make sure the necklines match up and fold the sleeves in on the toddler shirt.
2. Draw around the top item with disappearing ink pen, and then, cut around the lines.
3. Cut around the neckline.
4. Then cut the back side of the dress to be closer to the neckline
5. Sew up the sides with a straight stitch and then a zigzag stitch.
6. Then sew around the arm holes and stitch the back part, too.
7. Then, cut the neckline in the middle on the back part (where the tag used to be), and sew the ends onto the back of the dress, to make spaghetti straps.

You’re done, unless you want to embellish more.  The first one, I decided to make some flowers with the left over fabric.  (I was a little worried that the flowers wouldn’t hold up in the wash, but they stayed perfectly intact!)

For the second dress, I made ruffles.  I’ve cut out 4 other shirts, but I haven’t gotten around to sewing them into dresses, yet.  Any ideas for other ways to dress up the dresses??

Oh, I learned from making the first one that I should’ve make the bottom part of the dress more like an A-line.

I also made these bows to match the dress themes:

Let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any questions.

I’ve been asked several times how I made the following projects:

The answer is with Freezer Paper Stenciling.  It’s super easy.  I’d say the hardest part is cutting out your design with an exacto knife.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Freezer Paper (I got mine at Walmart in the section that has Aluminum Foil, Wax paper, etc.)
• Exacto Knife (also purchased at Walmart, in the sewing section)
• Fabric Paint (I got mine from Hobby Lobby and Walmart.)
• Iron
• Paint sponge/brush
• Cardboard

I’ve made up a video to describe the process for you.  One thing though, at about 50 seconds into the video, I gave the wrong info. . . .  You actually put the middle sheet of paper waxy side UP (not down, as said in video).

Some extra information . . .

• ****I’ve been told by one person that she had a problem with printing her image (the paper got really stuck).  Sooo, you might wanna be on the safe side and trace your image onto the paper side of the freezer paper.
• Freezer paper is rolled up like wrapping paper.  I like to cut mine in 8.5x11 inch sheets, so they can go directly in the printer.  If you don’t want to print onto the freezer paper, you can print onto a normal sheet of paper and then trace the image onto freezer paper.  Regardless of how you print, you want your design on the freezer paper to be on the paper side because you want the waxy side to be ironed onto your fabric.
• Also, cut the image with an exacto knife on top of cardboard, cutting board, or a rotary board.
• I open the shirt and insert a cardboard in the middle, so the paint won’t bleed.
• You can use tweezers to remove the small bits of freezer paper after you’re finished painting.

Any questions?

In honor of your 28th birthday, I am going to list 28 things that I love about you . . .

1. You’re hilarious in a one of one level and group level.

   

2. You are never nervous.  How is that possible!
3. You want to and do serve people.
4. You’ve been my nurse 3 times after I’ve had major surgeries– you know, not like your cyst removal.
5. You pray with me every night.  I love that you love the Lord.



6. You’re normally the first to apologize.
7. You’re handy with technology.
8. You’re not hairy.
9. You don’t worry about things; you are that rock who lets me know I should relax about some things . . . that they will eventually be okay.
10. You’re smart, and if you don’t know something off hand, you want to find out the answer.



11. You give Abigail her bath every night, which gives me a much wanted break.
12. You’re a hard worker.  You don’t want to simply finish something; you strive to complete it well.
13. You do things I would never in a million years want to do: kill spiders and roaches and other nasty bugs, mow/weed eat/edge/blow the lawn, take the trash out to the dumpster, fix the car, sweep and mop the house.  I love that you get rid of the dirty stuff.
14. You bounce your eyes.
15. You get Abi up on Saturdays and Sundays.

    

16. You assumed the responsibility to give Toby his shots, so I wouldn’t have to.
17. You are so good to my PaPa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and Brothers.  They all love you.
18. You love to play sports.
19. You love to watch sports.  I would’ve never dated you if this weren’t the case.



20. You can make up songs spur of the moment that make me laugh.
21. You pop my back for me and never complain that I complain about my physical ailments.
22. You ask for my opinion on issues and compliment me.

    

23. You eat left overs.
24. You love (truly agape love) me.
25. You help clean up the house.
26. You’re confident in yourself and not concerned about what people think about you.



27. You are in a good mood about 360 days of the year.
28. You’re my better half.

Thank you for being the best human being on the planet.  I love you now and forever.  You’re my #1!

After trying some of my friend’s Cinnamon Bread that was so yummy, I asked for the recipe.  She told me there was a starter and she’d bring it over with the instructions.  Anyway, the basic recipe involves eggs, oil, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla pudding, etc.  It’s called friendship bread because you’re supposed to give away the starter to 3 friends and continue baking a starter that you keep every 10 days.

Thinking that the bread might get a little time consuming, expensive, or boring, I went looking for variations.  Here are some good ones . . .

Ways to Save Money

• Instead of 3 eggs, you can use 2.
• You can substitute applesauce for the vegetable oil.
• You can substitute water for the milk.
• And you don’t have to include the pudding.

The cinnamon bread is awesome!  Love it, but I found these other ways to make the bread . . .

Other Flavors, instead of cinnamon and/or vanilla pudding

• add 1-2 cups of blueberries
• add box of instant chocolate pudding, 3 tsp. cocoa and 3/4 cup chocolate chips.
• 1 box of butterscotch pudding and 1 cup of butterscotch chips.
• lemon pudding and add 1/4 cup of poppy seeds.
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, 3/4 cup macadamia nuts and used cheesecake pudding
• 1 small box of strawberry jello, 1 c. thawed strawberries
• see more here
• you could also bake in a 9×13 pan for 35 minutes.

When You’re Tired of Baking

• You can freeze the starter for up to a year.  Thaw it for 3 hours at room temperature when you’re ready to start baking again.
• It can be 1-2 days off schedule, early or late.
• If you wanna say goodbye to the starter but don’t want to throw it out, you could bake all the starter by dividing it equally into 4 bowls.  Then, add the ingredients.  Each bowl would make 1-2 loaves each.  Then, you could give away some of the baked bread.

Soooo, who wants some of my starter?

People often look as me with concern and say, “So, how is Abigail doing with the new baby?”  It’s like they’re expecting me to tell woes about how Abi has mistreated Lydia (and just so we’re clear, she has not), just like when they cock their heads to the side and say, “So, you getting any sleep at all?”  (And I happily say, “Yep, a normal 8 hours, and it could’ve been 10, if I went to bed when Lydia did.”)  I’m not trying to be cocky; I’m just trying to say that some people have misconceptions about how ALL babies and toddler will behave, and I want to clear up one of those today.

Thanks to my super cousin Katie, I got some great advice about how to transition the former only child to becoming a big sibling.  She even sent me this book: Welcoming Your Second Baby, by Vicki Lansky.  So giving and thoughtful!  I love her!

Anyway, here are a few tips I learned . . .

1. Take your child to your OB appointments.  Abi went to all of my OB visits, and when we listened to baby’s heartbeat, we told her that Baby was “calling her”.  Abi would say, “What’s she sayin’?  How you doing Baby?”
2. Read books about what it is like to be a big sister/brother.  Here’s one I love, and here’s another one that’s good, too.
3. Get a baby doll.  We got Abigail this baby doll 3 months before Lydia was born, so Abigail could learn how to hold a baby and be gentle.  This baby doll, who she named Rachel, even cries, so Abi learned that babies cry a lot.  Also there are times when Abi wants me to do something with her, but I’m nursing Lydia, and I say, “Go get Baby Rachel, so you can take care of your baby, too.”
4. Get a doll house. We bought this doll house, so we could “roll play” what it would be like to have a new baby and to be a big sister.
5. Buy or make some Big Sister/Brother shirts.  Abigail loved (and still does) wearing her shirts.
6. Put a picture of yourself and hubby in your child’s room, so they know you’re still thinking of them when you’re gone at the hospital.
7. Hide a few small gifts around the house.  When you call from the hospital, you can tell your child where to look for them.  We hid a toy camera for Abigail in the laundry room, and when I called, I told her to go to the place where she helps me put the clothes in the washer.  This was helpful, too, because everyone wants to take picture of the new baby, so she could join in with her new toy camera.  Also, make sure to take plenty of pictures of your older child.
8. Have a present at the hospital for your child to open; tell the child it is from the new baby.  We had 3 gifts at the hospital– one Abigail could open each day we were there.  The first day, she got a barn with animals.  Day 2, she got two dolls.  Day 3, she got a foam puzzle.  This also keeps them entertained while there.
9. Make sure Mom is not holding Baby when the older sibling comes to visit the baby for the first time.  Your child needs time to warm up to Baby on his own time.  When Abi came into the room, my arms were empty, so I could love on her.  I told her after a few seconds of hugs that the baby came out of my belly and wanted to give Abi a present.  Then, she opened the present.  We didn’t show her Lydia for awhile.  Eventually we said, “Hey, Abi, would you like to tell your new baby sister thank you for the gift?”  And that’s when she met Lydia.  It was presh!
10. We try to refer to Lydia as “OUR baby”, so Abigail doesn’t feel left out.

Abi adores Lydia.  Abi always wants to hold Lydia, touch her, kiss her, hug her, and help her.  Abi has never once tried to hurt Lydia emotionally or physically.  Abi has never acted hurt or unloved by us or Lydia.  We’re so fortunate.  I hope these tips can help you, too!

We have a smart 26 month old.  We’ve known this for awhile, due to Pediatrician appointments where they tell us that she’s advanced and way ahead, but it’s still shocking to watch her comprehend and remember things so easily.  We’re learning that not much is outside of her reach.

A few months ago, we taught her to know the difference between her left and right.  She gets it correct 100% of the time now.  She’s been able to count to 20, say her ABCs, know all her colors, know shapes, quote entire books, say the NT books of the bible, and communicate in paragraph form with us since well before she turned two years old.

What’s the newest thing on the list of her knowledge . . .

Spelling!

When we don’t want Abi to get too excited or disappointed about something, if we decide to not to it (like go to the P-A-R-K  or to take a B-A-T-H), we spell it out to each other.  Sometimes, if I’m spelling, Jonathan doesn’t even know the word, and vice versa.  So, it completely shocked us when the other day . . .

I asked Jonathan: “You want some D-E-S-S-E-R-T?”
Abi: “Oh, I want some.”
Me: “You want some what?”
Abi: “Dessert!  Please may I have dessert?”

Wow, I’m pretty sure we had never spelled out dessert before.  How did she do that!?

I was thinking about that at lunch today and thought it might’ve been a fluke, so I tested her.

Me: “Abi, what does D-O-G spell?
Abi: “Dog!”
Me: “Okay.  What does D-U-C-K spell?”
Abi: “Ummm, umm, Duck.”

I tried B-U-G next, but she said Pig.

She just catches on to things so quickly.  Hopefully her love of learning will turn out to be a good thing.  Sometimes I feel like it’s a blessing . . . and a curse (as Monk would say).

Any neat stories about how your kids wowed you?

I don’t know how to write this post.  So many thoughts going through my head and tears flowing from my eyes.  As a mother of two young girls, this story has really impacted me.

[On July 10] Preslee fell into a canal in Rigby (Idaho). About 2 miles down the canal a farmer who was working in the water saw her and immediately started CPR. His brother was with him and called 911. She was air lifted to EIRMC (Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) and then flown down to Primary Children’s Hospital. . . Her body is healing . . . but her brain is swelling.

Please join me in prayer for this sweet 18 month old little girl.  I’m praying that she grows stronger to live a healthy life with no brain damage.  But above all, I’m praying for peace, strength, and joy for her family and for the doctors to make wise decisions and for God to show mercy and grace to this family.

Do you Swagger?

“Wanna make you smile; wanna be your sunshine!”