Trying To Keep Warm...

Going to college in northwest Missouri during the winter was brutal. We students affectionately referred to the trek between the residence halls and campus 'The Tundra', due to the cold, whipping-winds that cruelly smacked us in the face. It would get so cold, I remember burying my face in my coat, peeking through a tiny opening just so I wouldn't smack into something

(I learned that lesson the hard way).

This isn't a post of me whining how I walked up hills in the snow both ways to class (although I did). Rather, these frigid Iowa days made me wish I would have had one of these cowl neck scarves to keep me warm back in the day...

(picture courtesy: Shopstyle)

They really are perfect! I pretty much live in them all. day. long. For the most part, they are keeping me from complaining of how freezing I am and wishing I were going some place warm for the winter.

You can find cowl neck scarves (or infinity scarves) anywhere, including some really adorable ones on Etsy, but I'm sort of on a budget, so I decided to DIY my own...

*I broke out my trusty vintage sewing machine, and set to work. I grabbed a scarf I already owned, matched the ends together (if there is a patterned side, flip your scarf over so the seam will be on the inside or UN-patterned side) and sewed a straight stitch across the ends. You will probably want to switch to the sturdiest needle (I think it's purple) to get through the layers without breaking your needle:

To keep it from being a bulky seam, be sure to sew no more than a 1/4 inch. When you are finished, you should have one continuous loop:

Simply slip the scarf over your head, twist once to wrap it a second time and voila!

What's nice about DIY-ing your own, is that when the cowl scarf fad ends (sad face), you can simply remove the stitching with a seam ripper and it's back to business as usual!

*Don't have a sewing machine? You can also do a simple hand stitch across the seam to hold the ends together. Or, if you just want to hold it temporarily for more flexibility, use safety pins.

T.T.T.

Well, Hello boots! Look at you in all your cute, comfy, warmness! (*Picture)

These were one of my, "Are you kidding me?!" Thrift store finds. It was like a bright light was glowing all around them beckoning me to them. They encompassed everything I was looking for in my mental checklist:

Tall zip boots...check

Black...check

My size (kind of important)...check

Amazing condition...double check

Then there was the added bonus, but not necessary, buckle details, giving them sort of a biker look (rawr). The best part was the $5 price tag!

Boots: Nine West via Goodwill

Jeans: Seven via Goodwill

*Ummm....if it looks like this picture was taken in a bathroom, you can just put your pretty little minds at rest...cause it was Ha! I know, ewwwwww...but, in my defense, the bathroom was empty and it had amazing lighting AND a full-length mirror. I know, it doesn't change the fact that it is still a bathroom.

Things I Wish I Knew As A First Time Mom...

Today, I read a post on Facebook from a friend who is a first-time mommy. I really felt for her as I read her post, honestly expressing frustration from lack of sleep and tears shed over a discontent little one. I so wish I could have given her a great big hug right then. I would have taken her for coffee and said, "Oh friend, let me tell you about my mistakes!"

(Behind this smile is a weary mom struggling to make it...)

Over decaf lattes I would tell her:

1) Scrap the baby advice books. Glean the basics, but don't live by it. Frankly, they are inconsistent and full of information and case studies that don't always relate to your baby. Don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole. If it doesn't work, don't force it. --I learned this the hard way. I think my little Mr. would have been much happier if I'd said, "Buh-Bye" to the book and focused on what he needed.

2) You can pretty much bank on getting up in the night to feed your little one. And guess what? So are about a million or so other women! There are the rare few babies who sleep early on, but, like I said, it's rare. When I finally accepted this (as tiring as it was), I could enjoy those quiet moments in the dark cuddling, feeding, and praying for my little ones.

3) Sleep when they sleep. Take that mid-day nap and leave the laundry for later. You need the rest to recover and gain the energy to love your little one. It's hard to love on them when you're exhausted.

(This was obviously a pretty good nap...)

4) You can't hold, rock, or cuddle your little one too much. They won't be spoiled by you, but they will be comforted and assured of how much you love them. Who cares if they fall asleep in your arms instead of the crib? They won't do it when they're 18...and frankly, you'll miss it.

5) Whatever decision you make is the best decision you are making for your wee one and your family. Breast or bottle? Cloth or disposable? Crib or co-sleep? Store bought or homemade? Stay home or go to work? Make the choice and don't feel you need to justify it.

6) Don't compare your little one to your friend's kids. Every child grows and hits milestones at different rates. Unless your doctor has raised a concern about your child's progression, know your little one is hitting the milestones in a manner that is normal for them. Your friend thinks their child is a prodigy? Smile and congratulate them.

7) If something doesn't seem right with your child, then trust your intuition. The pediatrician isn't with your child every day. You are your child's best advocate, so keep knocking on those doors and making those calls until you get the response you need. Oh, and don't apologize for it. You're paying them to work for you.

8) Did I mention to hug, kiss, and tell them you love them with abandon? Go for it. Even in the most frustrating moments, a little cuddle time will soothe both of your fragile emotions.

9) Take that hot bath and let your spouse take over for a bit. Don't suppress that good cry, let it go and you'll feel much better.

10) Get a sitter and go on a date with your spouse. Maybe it's just coffee or a quick lunch. You both need the opportunity to decompress and reconnect. Everyone needs a little break. Oh, and no talking about the little one. Couple time only.

You're not perfect and no one expects you to be. None of us moms are doing it perfectly. We should let down our guard more often and be real with the fact that most of us are winging it. We just happened to find a few things that worked and stuck to them.

And, take heart...I'm sure your little ones aren't nearly as crazy as mine:

Man Up...

I do not like making New Year's resolutions.  I suppose it's a principle thing.  I feel like if I make a resolution, then I have to stick to it because it's sort of like making a promise.  If I don't keep it, then I'm breaking my promise to do what I resolved to do.  Then I feel terrible.  And I feel like everyone's watching...like Big Brother.  Okay, that's not true.  Anyway, I've had more failed attempts at resolution keeping than I'd care to remember.  Like when a former co-worker and I resolved to take the stairs everyday at work in lieu of the elevator.  I was all over that, but I only lasted a week.  There were a lot of stairs. 

Or when I vowed  (for my health) to drink eight glasses of water a day.  That seriously lasted only a day.  Who has time to camp out in the bathroom every 10 minutes when you have a four-year-old and 20 month old?  If you've read anything on my blog about my wee ones, then you know major destruction happens when they are unsupervised for even a second.  So, the water thing didn't last.

Last year, I  purchased The Biggest Loser DVD workout and told myself (and maybe my hubby) That I would do it at least three times a week.  I lasted a couple of weeks.  But, I will tell you, that my abs and buns were burning as promised by the claim stamped on the front of the case.

While resolutions aren't my thing, I know I need to man up (woman up?) and hold fast to a few important commitments.  So, I'm putting it out there for all to see me fail.

Here goes:

1)  Stay ahead of laundry.  I'm tired of Mt. Laundry taking over my basement.  Digging through laundry baskets for my other matching sock is getting old.  May I just add that my laundry baskets were never full before kids?  *sigh*

2)  Workout at least three times a week.  Yes, it's making my 2011 list...for now.

3)  Eat leftovers.  This is going to take will-power.  My hubby is doing the happy dance all over this one.  He's been grooming me to eat leftovers for almost ten years.  FYI, I'm not excited about this.

4)  Blog more than twice a week.  I love the blogging community and forming those common bonds through words.  Of course I can't maintain those relationships if  I'm not writing more.  This means my kids will have to up their antics...after all, they are my creative muses.

5)  Read my Bible everyday.  I wish I already had this one tackled.  But, I don't.  If I want to grow closer to HIM then I have to crack HIS word.  One Year Bible...here I come.

6)  Re-train my children to pick-up their toys.  No more threatening.  No more pleading.  No more yelling.  In light of the massive haul generous giving of our families, we've got to get this under control.  And I don't mean me picking up their toys.

7) Commit to reading the books on the list for book club.  I don't know what it is about suggested reading lists, but something in my brain says, "Don't read them!" It's the only rebellious streak I have.  I've read two books so far.  Sorry girls.  I'll do better.  Catch 22 is on my radar.

8)  Finish our kitchen remodel.  Our budget has changed since B's layoff, but that's no excuse to not put the cabinet doors on for Pete's sake! 

9)  Grow my pet-care business.  What?!  You  didn't know I wore that hat as well?  You can add that to blogger, mom, wife, youth pastor assistant, cake decorator.  I'm a busy girl.

10)  Help my children grow in their faith.  This is a biggie.  My heart's only desire is to see them have a personal relationship with our Savior.  I can't make that decision for them, but I am committed to praying for them, teaching them and helping them understand the sacrifice HE made. 

So, my little top ten is out there on the Internet forever.  Not that anyone would google it to see if I did what I said I would (or would you?), but I think this is a doable list.  It's practical.  It's the RIGHT thing to do.  I can do this. It takes 16-21 times of repeating a task for it to become a habit.  Well, here goes, wish me luck!

I Love These Guys...

I was going through some Christmas pictures on my camera when I came across these:

One of my guys is funny, sweet and a little crazy. The other is handsome, fun and the most sane of the Jackson '5'. He puts up with our antics without complaint...I love him.

I love their faces...  Now, link up to Emily's blog and go Embrace the Camera!

Mmmmmm...Leftovers...

I'm not a big fan of leftovers. In fact, it's sort of a source of contention in our household, as my sweet hubby is usually forced (not by me...it's his own conviction) to finish those few remaining morsels camping out in our fridge. I always know the leftovers have waged war against us when medicinal penicillin has taken up residence. Gross.

Well, I'm not here to talk about reheated meatloaf and my aversion to it. No, I am bringing you a DIY project rewarmed and served three ways using the leftover felt hanging out in my craft box. Yep, it's official. I have a craft box.

Anyway, I originally purchased the felt to make these stockings as gifts:

I had a ton of felt leftover and kept racking my brain to think of what I could do with it, and then I remembered Emily's awesome fabric flower tutorial over at The Anderson Crew . I knew it would be the perfect use for all that felt! Using Emily's simple tutorial, I created a few flowers to grace another stocking (a gift to the little Mr.'s teachers).

They were a snap to make and as simple as rolling the fabric and securing the flower with hot glue. But, I didn't stop there friends...oh, no, I did not.

I loved making these so much that I thought I'd follow Emily's lead and turn these sweet little flowers into a necklace. I attached the flowers to a faux pearl necklace by putting a little hot glue on the back of each flower, and then attached them to the necklace:

If I were a good DIY blogger there would be a picture of the front of the necklace...but, I don't have one...I thought I took one...oh well, I have toddlers and life is crazy. Just take my word for it. It's way cute.

For my final leftover project, I decided to throw together a little something for the kiddos, ala last minute crunch time. I had been wanting to do something a little special to help tell the story of Christ's birth and create some craft where they could pitch in. I decided to go old school flannel graph:

I searched online for clip art of the various pieces of the story, printed them on paper, and glued them to the felt. Then I cut around the pieces and...voila! Instant flannel graph Nativity! It was a huge hit with the kiddos. Last night we sat around our tree and read the story from Luke 2. As we got to each point of the story, my sweet wee ones placed their piece on the board. They loved it, and we loved seeing their excitement over hearing the amazing story of our Savior's birth.

So there you have it! A few felt leftovers. Nothing went to waste, and I loved it so much that I might even eat real leftovers now...or maybe not.

Miss Messy...

There seems to be a strange shift in personality around the age of two. A new curiosity for life and how things work gives birth to experimentation. A squeeze of the toothpaste tube. Flushing a ginormous wad of toilet paper (it doesn't work...just an fyi). Tipping over the dog's water bowl. Removing each wet wipe from its packaging. Using marker as a tool of artistic expression on one's body. Licking the windows. Eating play-doh. Macaroni and cheese hair-dos. Running water in a sink until it reaches the brim (don't ask).

My observation of all these experiments has lead me to one hypothesis: My daughter is a messy, tricky, sneaky little thing. She sets to work and upon completion of her task, claps her hands together and exclaims "WOW!"

She spends her day undoing. And while the 'Pollyanna' in me wants to believe that her motives are pure, I can't help but look at the mess before me and think she had been scheming for a while to achieve something that clever. Success is when preparation meets opportunity. She is very...successful.

With holiday travel comes lots of preparation on my part. Baking, cleaning, laundry, packing. She knows my weakness and tendency toward distraction. So, when I left my neatly folded basket of laundry unattended to answer a question my sweet hubby had, this is what my little opportunist did:

               All. Over. The. Floor. I gasped, and her reply? "WOW!"

                                              wow.

She was 'trying' on clothes and flinging the cast-offs that didn't make the cut. Which pretty much meant everything except for a pair of the little Mr.'s stripped pajama pants that she chose to wear as a bolero:

I tried to remove the pants, but she screamed in protest, so she wore her makeshift bolero the rest of the evening until bath time. Whatever. Choosing my battles. We are nearing the 'terrible twos'...four months until B-Day to be exact. Until then, I am accepting the challenge and trying my hardest to match her sly motives and thwart her advances. Eva-9. Mommy-0

Photo courtesy: http://www.weirdspace.dk/RogerHargreaves/MrMessy.htm