Tuesday, November 29, 2011

inquiring minds want to know...

Word on the street is that there are people wondering what's going on here with all the animals..... let me enlighten you.

Darla

Thor




Toby


Noah
I guess everything and everyone learns new things.  Some of those things are worth celebrating.  For example, the dogs sit on command, the cat poops himself in the box, Noah speaks in sentences now....  But sometimes when a new trick is learned, instead of celebrating you feel like you've lost a part of your life that you'll never get back.  Do you laugh?  Do you cry?  The dogs can get anything through the top of their boxes and can shred it in no time at all.  We got through a roll of paper towels a week just for them.  Also, they eat the rawhide sticks (that promise hours of enjoyment for your pet and are made out of pure beef...ie: pork liver) in as little as 20 seconds.  The cat can/does stand on my arm like he's a little bird because I want to enjoy a nice treat while sitting on the couch.  Noah learned how to make fart noises with his arm, during sacrament meeting.  He also learned that when he wakes up in the morning he can get out of his bed and come right out of his room.  We used to depend on his patience to wait in bed until whatever hour we chose to wake up.

All of these creatures came into our home out of a love of creatures.  This may be a new found love for me.....kind of.  I've always loved the thought of pets and such but I was never capable of letting them stay very long.  I think all this boils down to the fact that 2011 was a banner year for me.  I learned to commit.  I don't just commit.  I crazy commit.  Some days, I may qualify to be committed. 

p.s.  Abbi is an additional creature in our home but she's well-trained on many levels.  She makes us laugh but it's hardly ever at inappropriate times.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving Thankfuls

JANUARY
I'm thankful that although Jake maybe was taken back by my surprise text on January 1st, he responded.
I'm thankful that Jake didn't abandon me in the mountains on our reconciliation drive.
I'm thankful for his forgiveness, second chance, and love.

FEBRUARY
I'm thankful that Jake didn't wait until March to propose.

MARCH
I'm thankful that I have had the temple for 3 years to go to for peace and refreshment

APRIL
I'm thankful for all the support I had during our engagement.
I'm thankful for the Spirit that helped me make the right choices even if I was a little scared.

MAY
I'm thankful for the day I got to marry my best friend, Jake, and become a mom for Abbi and Noah.

JUNE
I'm thankful for lots of support and modern medicine.

JULY
I'm thankful for the things I got to do with the kids and see what a miracle it is for those little minds to grow and learn so quickly.

AUGUST
I'm thankful for the support and patience of my family and friends.
I'm thankful for the re-instituted FMC.

SEPTEMBER
I'm thankful for the Labor Day picnic that was perfect timing for our last family party with Grandpa Stone.
I'm thankful for the knowledge and testimony that Grandpa is very happily reunited with Grandma.

OCTOBER
I am thankful for conference and the advice, "It's better to look up."
I'm thankful for Pinterest, a.k.a. Pininterest.

NOVEMBER
I'm thankful for a homey feeling home and people in it.

I really can't list everything I'm thankful for in one post.  I hope, that if by chance anyone was a repeat visitor to my blog, they would realize I am very thankful all year for all the good people I have in my life.  As this momentous year begins to wrap up, I am relieved, yet anxious, to move on.  I've accomplished more, and learned more, in the last 12 months than in the last 10 years.  I'm excited to take what I've learned forward and appreciate the experiences I have had as memories. 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sewing Hoops Wall

sewing hoops + fabric scraps = new kitchen wall

I'm not sure if this is still in progress or if it's done.  I have a really long wall in my kitchen/living room so I'm trying to break it up.  Jake said he would never decorate like this but he doesn't hate it.  I felt bad for a nano-second that he wouldn't want it on the wall but then I remembered how much I liked it.

It's just nice to meet another human who shares my affinity for owl culture.

I made this little guy today.  I love him.  This project could have gotten slightly better or a lot worse so I'm pretty pleased with the results.  I loved owls before it was cool to love owls.