Sewing Sewing in My Little Home

I intended to make some Valentine's skirts for the girls...mostly to use up some fabric that I think is a little cheesy. Gianna was dying for a dress, so I made this jumper and shirt. Emily, on the other hand, wanted a white skirt. So, I created this for her. She hasn't seen it yet (or tried it on). I hope it is as cute on her as I imagine!

My Parenting Dilemma

I've often heard the words "strict" when others have referenced our style of parenting. I see it as being consistent. So, when I'm presented with this, I have a bit of a parenting dilemma. I sent the girls to bed. Typically, they go to bed without argument or issue. Tonight, I went in to kiss them goodnight (we have a really funny ritual of hugs and kisses goodnight) and turn off their light, I discovered these adorable cutie pies sitting together and reading and discussing a book. Seriously? What is a parent (and a bookworm herself) to do?? =)

Happy Valentine's Day

Did you know that making 30 unique Valentine's cards is hard work and requires more than an hour? Of course, that's partially because the designer and artist was a 5 year old. We just spent every moment from the time she got out of school until she went to bed creating these lovely works of art...and then deciding which one would go to which classmate at school.
It was a lot of fun. I definitely will try to do better next year and have the creation process completed before the eve of Valentine's Day, but I'm still a beginner at this!
I will also know that I cannot actually watch the creation process. I'm too much of a perfectionist and spent too much time freaking out over the abundance of glue my children used. BREATHE, Liz! It'll all be okay. Glue dries...eventually...
Anyway, we did enjoy the activity and I look forward to more years of construction paper creations with my children.

Explanation

Sometimes discovering an explanation really does empower a person to do/be better.

Amazed by You

I have been singing for quite awhile and have had several opportunities to sing in front of both small and large groups. I have yet to experience one of these events without shaking knees and a tremor in my voice. I wish I was that brave but I just am not. And, it doesn't seem to make any difference the frequency with which I "perform"...it's just always a bit uncomfortable for me.
In what appears to be a complete contrast with me, my daughter just nails it when she performs. The child is amazing and doesn't let nerves get the best of her. She sang very well last night at her school's talent show. This wasn't just an anybody can perform kind of deal...you need some talent to be selected. She was the only one her age that performed and she was one of the best singers last night. She stayed on key, knew her words and music AND wasn't even flustered by the mic not being turned on when her music started.
I'm definitely proud of my little darling girl. She draws her strength from her faith in Christ. She practiced a couple times on the way to the school and kept messing up. She said a prayer for herself and, well, the results are there to see. If you haven't gotten to see her yet, send me a message and I'll email you the info so you can watch the clip.
Emily, I am definitely amazed by you and all you do.

Last Year's Bob the Builder Project Completed

In a struggling economy, it really isn't the best idea to try to sell a house. But, sometimes it just IS the right time to be moving onward and upward. So, what you do is figure out ways to set your house apart from the rest without moving your price point upwards with it.
We decided to build a shed. This isn't some mambsy-pambsy tool shed or something pre-made. This is a built by the sweat of our brows and is wood and vinyl siding (yes, the exact siding as our house...the most expensive part of the project, except we actually already had the majority of the pieces we needed as they were left over from the house being built).
The girls refer to this as "Daddy's house" and it was actually built with the intention that Eric use it as a workshop and as housing for his bikes (motorcycles) for as long as we remain here.