well.

isn't this interesting? i haven't written on my blog for over 9 months.

i guess i did a quick glance at past posts, and realized that my 'voice' had changed since i had started. then i sort of got lost as to what/and how i wanted to write.

let me know if you're still interested in me writing and sharing my life here. maybe you can state what you liked most about what i wrote. whether about my kids, cooking, crafting, faith, or life in general. :)

my very best to you!

people

i say it again.
people.
it's a new year, and i have a new computer. one that isn't telling me all the things i can't do, taking forever loading programs, and droning about. this new one keeps telling me of all the things it can do and loads everything up (web and programs alike) so beautifully artistically. i almost shed tears. it's like new glasses for the eyes kind of fun. a new computer has shown me what i've been missing. small details that were missed before are appreciated again. what a joy!

enough material glowing reviews- it's a new year!

i just read one of my college buddies blogs (tessa, you're not really a college buddy, but since you married one- i'm totally calling you that), and she talked a bit about reflecting upon the new year. this prompted my post. for reals.

this past year was quite lovely, but also chaotic. we moved, my kids grew (which is so bittersweet!), and we met more people who have blessed our lives and made it more full. along with that i picked up some habits which i will hope remedy themselves this year in 2013. i'm putting a phone reminder to post in march- a quarter of the way through this year to tell of my progress.

my to do's of 2013:

- eat yummier food made at home (i do this, but i'd like to be more fun about it, and keep challenging our food preferences)
- earn some brown boots to wear with my fun dollar/mile run program (something i set up with my hubs to motivate me). i haven't worked out for almost 4 weeks now because i got sick, then we traveled and my in-laws tread broke so i didn't have exercise ability (and i only brought indoor workout clothes. whoops).
- finish a project monthly (three on the docket: 1. a painting. 2. the napkins i started months ago. 3. bathroom refresh)
- get on the photo memory making. i haven't printed anything since kid #3 was 9m. (he's 3 now. gasp!)
- adopt a more 'git 'er done' attitude. i've become a bit lazy in the evenings with my sweet ones wearing me out and i let myself chill every night. i'm done.

i'd be happy with that. if i achieve these, i will edit and update in 3m.

enjoy.
did you guys make any resolutions?

We don't own a cat

But this super cute one hangs out here in our backyard a lot! It's fine with me if it catches rodents 😜

Our hikes

Here we are at the start. The only picture you will get with either me or the baby since we are attached and I carry the camera :)

Here is kid 3 on top of the rock. He is proud

show us your muscles!

muscle mania!

pretty cool, right? i seriously can't believe that these kids are so cute. and they are mine! we had a little dinner here the next time we visited.

the very end of the hike, this guy fell really behind. he is still working on his 'hiking legs.' also hasn't committed to walking a whole hike when he's three (sad face). he needs to start walking, because who in their right mind carries a 13m+ kid in the front pack? (good thing he is light!)

this was from a few weeks ago. i have limited space on my computer (time to delete a LOT of stuff....) and so it is taking me a while to catch up.

two weeks ago

say what?! it was my birthday a couple weeks ago. and i thought it would be fun to take an IG pic of the time that i got to hang out all by myself for a couple of hours. it was fun. i read a book called "the graceling" by kristin cashore (another 'in' kristin! cool, right?!). it was an interesting read, and i read it on my birthday gift from the hubs... an ipad. wow.

anyway- fun triptych for you of what would have been $6.06 but was to the tune of FREE.... so glad they didn't miss my birthday!

sew this is the beginning

i recently decided that i was going to make some cloth napkins for my family. i'm not saying that i'll be saving any money, since i didn't choose the MOST cheap fabrics out there {sigh}. i figured that i wanted to get some stuff that i would be excited to use, and that the kids could be happy with as well (and hopefully not fight over it- that might be a dying dream).

the first two are to appeal to my kids (and myself, quite honestly) and they are designs by ed emberley.

this last one is for the more mature fare, and is for when guests come. i am on the chevron train, but i've recently read of a couple people who are confused as to why anyone like this design. i love zigzags, and how accessible it is getting. we'll see how long it lasts. i would love to spray paint my white mailbox with hot pink chevron. . . first i need the spray paint (i'm serious)

i'm hopeful they won't look too wrinkled after washing, though i'm not really bothered by that look. i personally just want to be able to reuse something and not have to run to the store for napkins. we'll see how it goes. i love the way all the ones i saw online looked. and i might make a border for them as well.

while i have my sewing machine out i have a couple other plans to fully use it to the max for projects. i have two drapes that need hemmed at our new house. if i remember i'll give you guys an update.

have you sewn anything lately for the home? interested in reusing products? (BETH- i totally stole this from  you. i'll let you know if it truly is awesome)

moths, science, and life

when we got home from our trip a couple weeks ago i found this perfect moth on the floor. i panicked for a moment and thought it was alive. seriously. turns out it wasn't, and so i scooped it up for a lesson of teaching with the kids. they totally loved it! first we read a book about moths and butterflies (one of their favorites) and then we talked about what this was. moth or butterfly? they totally knew since we talk about them often, but it was nice to be able to have a specimen for them to actually look at in person.

it survived a couple of days until i bumped it and then things started falling off. whoops. it was pretty neat while it lasted, and i don't think that i've ever had anything happen in my home before, as they are usually all mangled or dried out looking. happy joys for science.