Perfectly Framed

When we got married, I asked my sister (who is amazing with cross-stitch and crocheting) to make us a cross-stitch of the well known scripture in Ruth. During our dating/engagement time (if you know our story, you know they are pretty much the same thing), I found a conference talk called Eternal Marriage by Elder F. Burton Howard. It is a wonderful talk that was very meaningful at the time and in it he refers to this particular scripture in Ruth 1:16-17. I have always loved this story and had a special connection to it, so it was a scripture that I wanted to symbolize our marriage. I remember feeling a bit nervous about what I was getting into, but after reading this talk I felt at peace and made a decision then that I would follow my husband wherever he went. Little did I know what I was really in for, but I am so grateful for that decision and the peace I felt.
Well my amazing sister custom made a beautiful cross-stitch for us for our wedding. It was so beautiful that we had it specially stretched so that it would be preserved and not yellow, but did not have the money to have it custom framed. So we have cared for it for over 7 years but never been able to hang it, until just recently. For my birthday, the cross-stitch finally got the custom frame it needed. It is so beautiful and sits on the wall that people see when they first come in our home. I love it! It is so wonderful to get to hang the scripture that has truly become more of a symbol in our marriage than I thought. Thanks sis-sis-er!

Missing Daddy on a Very Daddy Adventure

Yesterday Caleb and I decided to explore the base a little more. So we got out the bike and went on a walk with Cooper to explore some trails we were curious about. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun, but it really made Caleb miss his Daddy. This is a very Daddy activity. He loves to go on walks and be out and about. So throughout the walk, Caleb had me take vidoes so we could share the experience with dad and he could talk to him. They didn't all turn out but that's ok. It was so cute but it was hard to see Caleb miss dad so much. Yep check out that amazing Texas weather!

The "QUIET BOOK" Project

So if making 6 aprons during Christmas wasn't enough, I had to make 2 Quiet Books. Over a year ago a good friend of mine made these and introduced me to this great website "How to Make a Quiet Book".

I love this website and all the links she has listed. After going through all the websites, I picked out my favorite designs and ways to do things. My mom was a lifesaver and helped me by contributing felt, ric-rac, and other fun crafty stuff. She also helped me by get everything set up and gave me the courage to get started on it. Another sister in the ward also donated felt and that helped a lot. I made the two books at the same time. First I would do our family's book and then cross my fingers that all the mistakes were out of my system to do my sister-in-law's book. They are most definitely not perfect but turned out well. I am excited to add new pages to it. It was really fun to do and Caleb loves it. It made the 3 days of being locked away well worth it!

Our Family's Front Cover

My Sister-in-Laws Front Cover

Flowers with Buttons and Color Matching

Mail Box and Notepad (A definite favorite)

Shape Matching

Counting Beads

ABC's and Word Making

Number Matching and Addition/Subtraction

Noah's Ark

Ikea Fingerpuppets Inside

My Sister-in-Laws Backcover


So that is all my latest craftiness. I am getting the itch to pull out the sewing machine again, so who knows what I will come up with. I might have to work on my digital scrapbooks first though.

You have got to read this!

I saw this post on some of my friends' facebook pages and I just have to post it on the blog. I really, really like it and it rang so true, especially after some of the trials we have faced as a family the last little while. I truly hope that I can teach my son to be content with life and to always have an eternal perspective. I know that this is something Brydon and I really work for and value in life. Enjoy!

"I Don't Want my Children to Be Happy"

My Crazy Projects

So for Christmas I had come up with this great plan to make all the women in the family aprons. I had decided this last spring but was just waiting for us to get enough income to buy the cloth. Well I was really excited when I got my teaching position because then I could start my sewing projects. Of course at the same time we got the phone call from the Air Force and life got a bit crazy. But since I am often a bit too stubborn for my own good, I decided that the Air Force would not change my Christmas plans and I would make aprons no matter what. Well it turned into quite the adventure but they did get done 3 days before Christmas!

I owe the great pattern and mastering of this project to my friend Brenna. She is an amazing seamstress and actually designed the pattern. I had found an apron online that I loved and she designed it from my online picture (so cool, huh!). Then we put one together for me and I tweaked it a little a bit for the gifts and made the mini version. I am always so grateful for amazing people who share their very amazing talents. Thank you Brenna!!



I love this matching set. I made the top one for my sister-in-law and then a mini matching version for my niece. I think they turned out so cute.



These two were made for my sister and other sister-in-law. The top one turned out really cute, even better than I thought, but I was disappointed with the pink apron. I wanted it to pop more and envisioned something a bit different. I think I should have done the sash a different color. Oh well, she claims she likes it but I was sad it the colors didn't look like I had hoped.



These last two were for the moms. The top one is for my mom and has birds to match her kitchen and the bottom is for my mother-in-law. Red is her color and I think it turned out really sharp.

Overall it was a good experience and I really like the pattern. I want to make myself another one and hope I can make some more in the future.

What is that?!

What is that you may ask! Well that is the product of a very busy 4 year old boy who hates to wear shoes. I couldn't believe it when I saw this sock. It is a perfect imprint of his little foot. Got to love that red, Texas mud. So now I have a great mud imprint of my son's foot. You never know what may come out of letting your kids play in the mud, I guess. I sure love that crazy kid!

Our Texas Home

Wow! I am finally posting again. What a crazy few months. We are all settled here in Texas and loving it. We could not be happier. Brydon loves his job in the Air Force and Abilene is such nice town. I recently uploaded all the pictures off the camera and have been anxious to share our new home with everyone. We feel so blessed to have such a great job and home right now. The Lord has truly looked out for our family. So here is the new house. We LOVE it!



We live in a duplex on base. We are in the right side. I love having a huge garage and it is such a beautiful neighborhood.



The Master Bedroom is huge and has a great big walk in closet and a master bath. I feel really spoiled having my own bathroom now.



The spare bathroom and bedroom have come in very handy. Caleb wanted a blue bathroom and so I found all this for a steal during Christmas sales.



Caleb's Room. We have had to start decorating it with fighter jets. No more baby's room. Sad but fun to see him begin to display his own personality.


A view from the top of the stairs to the dining room, living room and half bath.


The Kitchen. I love how open and light it is. There are so many drawers and cabinets.


This room is right next to the kitchen and could be a place for the kitchen table but I turned it into a play room. It has been so nice to have the toys in one place and right where I can keep an eye on things easily.


The dining room and a great spot for the piano.


The living room.


Our backyard. It is so big and it is so amazing so have a backyard. We really want to get a big trampoline in the near future. It won't even take up half the yard. Cooper and Caleb love it!