Sew Perfect

Allison learned to sew this past weekend at MeMe and Pop's house. I truly mean she can SEW!!! She even has her very own sewing maching at MeMe's house. Hopefully, MeMe took some pictures!! :)

Check out her weekend projects:

Here is the quilt and pillow she made.



She made the quilt with the help of MeMe on the sewing machine! The pillow was started by MeMe, Allison stuffed it and finished sewing it by hand. Yes, I said BY HAND!!!

When Allison got home, she told us the quilt was made by her, but she was giving it to Claire. How sweet!!!

She made a total of 4 pillows...one for Claire, one for her friend Mackenzie, one for her friend Reagan, and one for herself.

I can't wait to see what she sews next!

Great job, Allison!!! I am sooo proud!

They Try

Last week, Cole went hunting. He left Tuesday and came home Sunday. Yes, 6 DAYS. And not just hunting, but luxury hunting. By this I mean, someone is there to cook all their meals and they have the opportunity to get in a beautiful hot tub if they wish after a long day of hunting.

When he got home, he told me he washed all of his clothes.
My response: What?!?!!? HOW!?!?!?!
His response: Yes. In the washing machine.
My response: Why?
His response: Well, because you have been home with 2 sick kids and I knew the last thing you would want to do was wash more clothes.
My response: Ohhh, that is so sweet!!!!!

REALLY! HOW MANY MEN WOULD GO HUNTING AND COME HOME WITH ALLLL THEIR CLOTHES WASHED?!?!?!

Now, fast forward to today. Cole walks out of the closet with a shirt on that he washed and dried while hunting.

He said: I think I shrunk my shirt.

I will let you be the judge:





Now, I know it is not too short, but it was about 2 inches longer before he went.

So, how did I get the pictures?
I told him I wanted to blog about him washing clothes and his immediate response was: No, I am cooking. Do you have any followers?
And of course I said, No.
:)
So he was a great sport and put on the shirt.

Allison then said: Daddy, how can you shrink a shirt?
Cole said: I have NO idea!

Claire's Big Girl Bed

Claire is now in a big girl bed!!!!! Her first night was Jan. 10th.

When Claire and I went to Wal-Mart Sunday afternoon, there was a crib in her room. When we returned, there was a big girl bed in her room! Thanks to Daddy!!

Nothing new was purchased...just some 'switching' of furniture and bedding.
Allison 'moved up' to a full bed that used to be mine---an antique four poster bed my mom gave us when she moved. Claire got Allison's iron twin bed and bedding--since I just bought a new quilt for Allison's room back in the summer that I LOVE.

Claire's Big Girl Bed




Now that it has been a week, Claire has done pretty well transitioning to her new bed. Of course she has had many reasons NOT to stay in her bed, but that is NOTHING new. She had tons of excuses to stay awake when she was still in her crib.

Claire's Top Ten Reasons to Stay Awake:
10. I hungry.
9. I thirsty.
8. I need to potty...BAD!
7. I need to give Allison a kiss.
6. I need to give Daddy a kiss.
5. I not tired.
4. Mommy, you didn't read me a book!
3. Mommy, will you please read me another book?!
2. I need to give Chesney a hug.
And the #1 Reason to Stay Awake:
1. Mommy, ummm...ummm...ummm... (a.k.a. I am out of reason's but will talk to my mom until she is soooo frustrated, that she gets me out of bed and lets me watch tv with her! Unfortunately, this has worked and she gets to get up. I know, I am not proud of this but I do what works sometimes!)

Claire's First Movie Theater Experience

Yesterday was Claire's first time to go to the movies. She is almost 3 years old. My mom and I took Allison and Claire to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel. It was Allison's choice.
Claire really had no idea what she was about to experience. As soon as we bought the tickets, she asked if I was staying...a sign she was getting a little nervous about the 'unknown'. Then we bought popcorn and drinks. I grabbed a booster seat and she was a little uneasy to sit in it, but realized the seat would close up on her if she didn't use it! She was really good for the movie, sat in my lap most of the time, but really enjoyed it! Of course, she did have here moments of wanting to go, but I have to admitt, I wanted to go at times too! (The movie moved a little slow at the beginning! haha) We all had a great time and the movie ended up being cute and Allison LOVED it, so it was a success!
I will definitely take Claire back soon!

Chesney

Chesney, our 2 1/2 year old Boxer would not eat yesterday, threw up, and his stomach sounded HORRIBLE so Cole took him to the vet's office late in the afternoon. We didn't even call to make an appt or see if we could come in! Cole treated it like it was life or death, threw him in the truck and rushed up there! (He would probably tell a different story, but he was really worried about him!)
The vet decided to keep him overnight, just to watch him since he was dehydrated and didn't feel good. She was also going to do blood work and give him an IV of fluids. We were told she would call Cole this morning with the blood work results. WELL, good thing we took him because he has pancreatitis, which would have been fatal if not treated.
Chesney will be ok, which is really great! (I hate to admit this, because before Chesney, I was not a pet lover...but I actually cried when I read Cole's text message telling me he had pancreatitis and read the cost of treatment! I thought Cole would say we weren't going to spend that much on a dog and to put him down. The thought of sitting Allison down and telling her Chesney wasn't coming home was too much and I have developed a love for him!!! Gosh, I just said that!!!)
But, we definitely are glad for the decision we made because Chesney should be coming home possibly tomorrow or Thursday!

New Years Resolutions

I had such good intentions to write down New Years Resolutions BEFORE Jan. 1st and that didn't happen. That seems to be my track record these days...think about it way before the deadline, deadline passes, then think about it again. (And I even have a planner to keep me organized!) I think my procrastination had a lot to do with the fact most people probably don't stick to their resolutions for the entire year and that I probably wouldn't either. At first, people are usually really excited to 'stay on track' but then life happens and there goes the resolutions down the drain. Hopefully I can stick to my resolutions!

Well, better late than never, right?!?! I figure if I type them on this blog, then I will be held accountable for following them this year. So, if you see me slacking in an area, feel free to remind me I wrote them down! :) Peer pressure works!
I am keeping them short and simple...hopefully to stay true to my word!

I usually have the students in my class write at least 1 resolution for the following subjects: School, Self, Family
I think these are great for me as well.

Family Resolution: Go as a family to church MORE.
Self Resolution: Get fit by working out at least 2-3 times each week with my fitness team and Diane, my fitness leader/Queen!!
Work Resolution: Stay positive :)

Ok, done! That wasn't so painful! Let's see if I stick to them!

kris

Memories of My Daddy

Holidays since Sept. 4, 2008 have never been the same. The reason: my Daddy was killed in a car accident that sunny afternoon. Ever since then, we have looked at holidays and really every day differently. Not necessarily because we are unable to celebrate them because of his death, but because we are still alive and need to continue on...for ourselves, other family members, friends and most of all, my sweet girls.

Last Christmas, we were in a fog. This Christmas, reality had set in.

Unknown to me or my sister, my WONDERFUL MOM gave some of my Dad's clothing to my cousin, Kelly. (She is a master quilter!!!) With LOVE, she made a blanket for my mom, my sister, and me. She had enough to make a pillow for Allison, a pillow for Claire, and a baby blanket for Kate's baby, Luke(due in mid Feb.).

So it was Christmas Eve 2009, and it was time to open the last of the pile of presents. My sister, Allison, Claire, and I were each given one to open was from my mom. The card let me know it had to do with my dad...well the tears began to fall as I opened the gift. That is where I saw the blanket for the first time. I was shocked because I thought my mom made the decision to donate my dad's clothing (which she did give some of it away). I will cherish this blanket for the rest of my life, and I truly thank my mom for sharing some of my dad with us.

Thank you, Kelly for making a beautiful quilt with love!!! I love you!!!!

Thanks, MOM!!! I love you!!!!
We will continue to love and remember Dad and get stronger each and every day...


Allison and Claire's pillows


My Quilt