Getting Crafty

Our ward has a tradition of having auctions to support our youth in the various money-costing activities they attend over the summer. The Scouts had a cake auction a few months ago and I was totally in shock over how much money people paid for a cake mix and a can of frosting!! But, I suppose it all goes to a good cause. They did have to make the cakes or whatever dessert they brougth, but still, $40 for a couple dozen frozen cookie dough balls seemed a little outrageous.

Anyway, now it is the YW turn and they have a service and basket auction. They passed around a sign up sheet on Sunday asking members to donate small things that the YW would then put into a basket, or you could sign up to make a basket. Since I have nothing else to do (ha ha) and wanted an excuse to make something, I signed up to make a baby shower basket. Plus, I had found this pattern on someone's blog and wanted to try it out. So, I made a hooded towel, a receiveing blanket, some 'thank you' notes, and this little pair of soft-soled baby shoes. They turned out to be really easy. A little time consuming, but totally worth the effort since the leather ones run $20 to $30 and I think that is ridiculous for a pair of baby shoes. I think I spent maybe $5 making this pair.


I tried to make them pretty gender neutral, but I am sort of boy minded so maybe they are a little more boyish than girly, but anyway... Here's a side shot.


And here's my finished basket. I really did try to keep it neutral. Probably the most gender specific thing is the shoes, but I think I'd put them on a little girl in a yellow or teal shirt with some bows or ruffles.


Anyway, that's how I'm trying to pass my time. At least I'm not focusing on why this baby won't come! Oh, wait, now I'm back to that. Time to make curtains for my bedroom!

Tipping the scales

So, I officially have seen the largest number ever when weighing myself. I really shouldn't have looked but my doctors office has this nice digital scale and the readout is right in front of my face. How can I not look? I like the old fashioned ones were they move the weights. I could ignore those.

And here's a sappy note. My husband is wonderful and terrible at the same time. Terrible because I made the mistake of having him guess how much I weigh and he about fell out of his chair laughing when he finally got high enough. Brat. But, wonderful because on conference Sunday morning at 8:30 I suggested we go to one of the sessions at the church so the boys could really focus (HA!) on one of the sessions. Well, at least it was the main event instead of the background noise. Anyway, we had plans already to watch the afternoon session with some friends so he said we'd have to move. Now. The morning session starts here at 9:00. Now, in the past when I have made the suggestion the response was much that of Laman and Lemuel, but he was so great about getting moving and getting boys dressed while I packed every snack imaginable and we actually made it! We were 10 minutes late, but we both really felt like it was important. We are raising boys that we want to grow with a knowledge of their Father and a desire to serve missions, so we need to do everything we can to invite the spirit. Anyway, I was really... pleased, ecstatic, proud, overwhelmed, none are quite right...that we were on the same wavelength about it. I think I'm doing a pretty good job training him :).

And finally, about my friends. I have been blessed with wonderful friends. I'm not the greatest corresponder in the world, but still I have some longtime friends who are so wonderful and loving and I love you all very much. I don't know what I would have done without all of you.

Too Funny

Sterling has said some of the cutest stuff lately. Very honest and and with total childhood innocence, but hilarious none the less. Here are my two favorite.

The other night Brandon went on an overnighter with his 11-year-old scouts and the boys and I had a movie night. When it was time to go to bed Sterling asked if he could sleep on the couch, and I figured "what the heck." So he got his pillow and a blanket and went to sleep. About 12:30 I have a little boy standing beside my bed saying, "Mom, I fell off my bed. Now what am I supposed to do." Of course, I was in a stage of half alertness, but I just cracked up! "Now what am I supposed to do." What kind of four-year-old says that?

Then, last night Brandon was in telling Sterling a story before bed, sitting close, rubbing his hair, when Sterling says, "Dad, could you move back a few feet? Your breath... is pretty bad." Pause and everything!

Fortunately we haven't had any public humiliations yet. Kids are too funny.