Saturday

It's just Saturday. But I have done all my important things today and it feels good.

This morning Steve was the last one to get up. When he walked out I was in the kitchen. He came in and asked if I saw Madi. We both crept down the hall so we could both peek. She was on the other side of her bed reading a chapter book aloud...it was just funny...she was all alone and content.

Tonight for dinner we made Pioneer Women's enchiladas. They were alot of work but were soooo yummy and worth every minute.

I had not been very motivated to run lately. It's hard right now. I was doing so good...that's gone and it's HARD! But the other day I was really motivated. My cousin betsy has 5 kids. They are 8, 5, 3 and twins that are 4 months. She has been running everyday and started training for a half marathon...and she had a c-section to get those twins 4 months ago. So if she can put forth the all that effort I can too. I have been running everyday since! Thanks Betsy!!!

looks like Valentines

I can not function...for two days now!!! Why? Sometime soon we will have to move. We are stationed at Ft. McPherson (Atlanta, Georgia) which will be closing July 2011. So within 16 months we have to move. Yesterday some overseas choices came out. We have already spent 7 years overseas and loved it, but here are our choices:

Youngson, Korea...we would go as a family for two years. We have been to Seoul and liked it...we are big city people. They even have brand new housing there. This is Steve's first choice.

Kadena, Okinawa, Japan...LOVE Japan. I was stationed at Yokota AB (Tokyo) but both Steve and I spent plenty of time down on the island. The base is huge...it's a fighter jet and tanker base, they have some of the nicest facilities in the whole Air Force.

3 bases in Germany...but we just left Germany 3 1/2 years ago not sure if I am ready to go back.

Vicenza, Italy...it's an Army Base only 45 minutes from Venice. Steve would work lots and most likely deploy 2 times out of the 4 years we would live there. Italy has lots of crime...base housing made garages to protect cars from theft and they are not very friendly towards Americans like the people in Germany...I just couldn't go shopping easily at flea markets and stores like in Germany. But it's hard to say no to Italy. Plus we have never been to this base.


So We are not sure what we want to do!!! I can't function because it's all I am thinking about.






Thank goodness on Monday I put all my Valentines decorations out before all this talk about moving distracted me! Ben has been home all week...poor guy still doesn't feel well. We went to the pediatrician yesterday, no need for antibiotics, just time and rest I guess.

I am NUTS about you!

Ben and I finished his Valentines. He likes them...and that is hard to do! Poor Ben woke up in the middle of the night with a fever so he stayed home from school today. It was nice having one on one time with him. We enjoyed a lunch of fried Bologna sandwiches together.

I also finished a small quilt/table runner for Valentines. This is my best sewing yet! I am getting the hang of this. There are SO MANY things I want to make.

I hand stitched the binding on...but still learning. My corners are good though.

14 Days of Valentines

The 14 Days of Valentines idea came from my friend amber. I LOVE it and am doing it too. It will be one small gift everyday for Steve. I can't wait to get February started.

1. reese's cup.....There are a million 'reese's why I love you.

2. socks.....You knock my 'socks' off.

3. almond joy.....Thank you for 'almond joy' you have given me.

4. can of beans.....'cool beans' you're mine....inside joke

5. hot tamales.....you're 'hot'

6. smoothie ingredients.....you're 'smooth'...Ben's idea

7. velveeta.....you 'melt' my heart...Ben's idea and for Feb. 7th Superbowl Sunday to make rotel dip.

8. pop rocks candy.....you 'rock' my world

9. lucky charms.....I am 'lucky' to have you

10. jr. mints.....we were 'mint' to be together

11. nuts.....I'm 'nuts' about you

12. sweethearts.....you're my sweetheart

13. olive oil.....'olive' love you forever

And for the 14th...still working on that one.

Steve is working late tonight so I was just working on the tags for these. Two of Madi's little girlfriends are over here...their favorite is the lucky charms because there is a kiss on the tag...they said I should do that on all of them.

Pioneer Woman inspiration

It seemed like everyone I knew had the new Pioneer Women cookbook but me. So I had mentioned wanting to get the book to my friend susy and she said to order it from amazon.com...it's only $11.50 there. So I did. It has helped me get out of my cooking slump. For the past week I have been making the best dinners with homemade pies, rolls, yummy salads with homemade dressings. One of Steve's favorites is apple pie. Not that they are hard to make but I stress over trying to get it looking picture perfect so when I saw Pioneer Women's flat apple pie I knew it was for me. I used my grandma kiehl's pie crust recipe and my mom's/Pioneer Women's filling recipe....there were only two differences. All I had to do was roll out the pie crust, lay it on a cookie sheet, pour pie filling on top and fold up the edges...it was perfect tasting. Steve is always very nice...if I don't have dinner plans he always offers to pick up Subway or something on his way home from work. But, if I have a yummy home cooked dinner waiting there is a twinkle in his eye. Tonight's menu is Pioneer Women's Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Pentagon

The kids in Ben's SAGE (gifted) class were given the assignment to pick a world landmark to write a report on and build a sturdy replica of...holy moly is kinda what I thought. Ben chose the Pentagon. Some of his friends picked the Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Pyramids...makes me a little grateful for the Pentagon. Steve thought and thought how we could do this and then asked for my help...we used all my craft stuff. The foam board I use to make explosion books,the flags I use in tasty treats, my glue gun...that he has never used and my elephant gray paint. Our family learned alot about the Pentagon from this project. The neatest being the interesting fact that the Pentagon was dedicated on September 11, 1943...58 years to the day before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

cozies

I already finished making these cozies that we are going to give the kids teachers for Valentine's Day. Ben picked white for his teacher and Madi insisted Mrs. Kave once said red was her favorite color so red it is for her. I got a kit with the supplies to make these from sweetwater...I enjoy all their products. Their line of fabric authentic is one of my favorites. I think I am going to go to Starbucks and get empty cups to wrap these around and stuff a small gift card inside.

My "under the sink"

It all started when I found this wonderful scented dish soap at William Sonoma...spiced chestnut. I was talking to my friend Susy who is the everyday gourmet...and the queen of William Sonoma all about this new favorite product of mine. So in return she sent me the link and a coupon to get some more yummy scented dish soap. I stocked up and love having a basket full under my sink...and countertop spray too.

My other new fad is pretty dishtowels and washcloths I crocheted myself.

One of my friends moved and so for a little gift for her I sent my new favorites...gourmet dish soap with crocheted washcloths for her new kitchen.

Today I had the BEST day! My legs hurt so bad...I LOVE self-inflicted pain from exercising!!!. One night last week I was at the gym (LA Fitness) and they had a local radio station playing overhead. I take my own music but as soon as I got there they were announcing the number 1 downloaded song in Atlanta...the Avett Brothers...I had never heard of this number 1...they played the song and I had been craving to hear again ever since but couldn't remember the name of it. So today I was outside in our beautiful 65 degrees running over at the Salem lake and in my ears the radio played this song...I am a sucker for songs that have an anthem tune. But when it was over it was a commercial so I switched stations and then the Judds 'Love Can Build A Bridge" came on...I busted into tears in the middle of my run because I was thinking about what is going on in Haiti and the people who are down there trying to help. It's so sad.

yummy flowers from Madi

Madi and I just finished these cute valentines for her class just a few minutes ago. We found the idea on another blog. Madi went through my paper and picked what colors she wanted to use, she put the paper in the printer, cut a few of them and poked the yummy suckers in the flowers. She and I both are excited to give these to her friends next month.

January x 4

This past week has been AMAZING! I spent my week substitute teaching in Special Ed...where some kids can't walk or talk or feed themselves or go to the bathroom by themselves. I have taught in there before, but this is the first chance I have had to be in there this school year. If you have lived with or taught these kinds of kids you know how I am feeling. Since I have to be at school early and stay a little late my own kids come in the classroom with me...they are amazed and are learning to accept and enjoy these kids too. We crack up because one of the kids in my class calls me Ms. BB (Ms. Jeni). Steve doesn't know any of the kids but Ben, Madi and I have been talking non-stop about them all week. After my experiences this week and watching the devastation in Haiti my heart is overwhelmed.



I am thankful for all I have and the things I get to experience...January has been good to me so far. I have 4 different sets of month stitcheries. It is so fun to change them at the beginning of each new month.

This crow one is my newest one and now my favorite. Tonight I am working on the February pattern.

Happy January!!!

iMpOrTant

I made myself a pretty (red and aqua) reminder of my word for 2010...important. This is on my kitchen counter, I am always in there.

What color?!?

We could not believe that this year's (our 3rd year at the same place) uniforms for basketball were blue and orange. Have you seen the movie The Blind Side? Remember when Sandra Bullock says that awful (Tennessee/Florida) orange was not in her color wheel. My kids like Ohio State and Georgia...they don't typically wear orange for a reason. I had to go buy ribbon that had orange in it for her hair...it's not in her color wheel.

They are nice uniforms though.

There is Ben #34. His game was so close and a fun one to watch and he won.

The Lady Mustangs.

Someone messed up. Madi's team played against a group of girls that had 4 players taller than the tallest on her team. Look at Madi guarding someone my height and looks to be 120 lbs...the Lady Mustangs tried so hard but just didn't have a chance to get the ball much. It was still fun and we have been giggling about it all night. There is nothing more fun than watching your kids play.

Merry Winter...No school in the state of Georgia!

I bet if you live in the state of Georgia your kids have no school today. It's not a snow day...we only have a dusting of snow. But it was 16 degrees and has warmed up to 20 now at noon. There is ice. Anywhere else this wouldn't be a problem but here in Atlanta they don't have enough trucks and equipment to salt the roads...this weather is very rare. It's perfect timing though...my family always wonders why in the world there is work/school the day after the National Championship (college football) that doesn't end until midnight. Last night was a good game. I spent my last year and half of high school in Enterprise, Alabama (Ft. Rucker) and graduated from Enterprise High School...so I was rooting for the Tide to win. I did go to Kindergarten in Kileen, Texas (Ft. Hood) and spent three of my Air Force years in San Antonio but still...Alabama.

Here is a picture of the white dresser in my living room...it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture...got it free back in my junking days in Germany.

I printed 'Merry Winter' and framed it. Printed 'snowflakes' and stitched it. I love free and cheap crafts! Merry Winter!

Snowflakes

My friend amber can do anything! She has 3 small kids, her husband is deployed and she still whipped out hundreds...I don't know...150 or more Christmas cards with homemade crocheted snowflakes on them. My card was just beautiful. Amber also made some extras for me to use as ornaments...I {heart} them very much and will every winter. I have this tree and snowkids displayed by my front door for our very wintry January.

Atlanta is FROZEN right now. We are expecting the temps in the teens for another week and snow is on the way. N. Atlanta schools are already letting out at noon tomorrow. I don't like it...I have lived in cold weather places...Washington State to name one, that is where I met Amber, so it's fitting she gave me snowflakes.

Getting back to normal after Christmas

All the Christmas decorations have been put up. You know that song "I cried the day I took the tree down" from the Forgotten Carols...that is me.

But I am THRILLED I got a big or at least a bigger clock for my living room. My kitchen has a big arched window and this is my view from in there...I can see the clock and the tv.

Snowmen and homemade stitched snow heads help me get through January.

On my table I have been burning the yummiest gingerbread tea lights Ben got me for Christmas in the sweetest tea light holder Madi made for me out of glue and kidney beans...I will love that little thing forever!

Happy New Year

My friend amber was my inspiration for this new pillow.

New Year's...Atlanta style

Back in June while Steve was in Iraq he emailed me and said he got a really nice place for us to spend 3 days over the New Years holiday... WHOTEL-Buckhead. I thought I had been to some nice places but this place ROCKED!!! It's ranked Atlanta's 7th nicest hotel. I had just painted my living room and dinning room gray and am in love with red and aqua...and would you look at the color scheme of this classy hotel.

There are Steve, Ben and Madi relaxing on those signature wish beds. I LOVED the BLISS products they had to use. After getting the hotel reservation on priceline.com and getting $50 of bliss products it was a cheap romantic family New Years getaway.

Out of one of our windows we saw Lenox Square Mall. Out of another this beautiful sight.

Downstairs in the living room/lobby the kids got to play with the games. We were getting ready to leave the hotel to go eat and this man wanted to play a quick game with Ben. When Ben was done we left but Ben had accidentally left his brand new DSi there. A few hours later when we realized it was missing we drove back to the hotel to see if anyone had found it. They did....we are still cracking up...security(looked like FBI or Secret Service), two guys with long black coats and earpieces on brought it to us. We had never been to a hotel with valet only parking, living room dress codes and FBI looking security. We liked the 5 star hotel but not the 5 star service...it's too much.

It was a wonderful New Year's to remember!

It's January 1st and I have picked my word for 2010 - IMPORTANT. Steve is always on me to think about and do what's IMPORTANT. When I have been busy and not gotten house work done or gone to the gym that day when he gets home at night he always says housework is not important...he can tuck the kids in bed it's IMPORTANT for me to go to the gym. I am grateful to have Steve and that he knows what's IMPORTANT and gets on me to get me thinking. So in 2010 I want to learn, know and do what's IMPORTANT for me.

I finished it!!!!!!!!

All I have been doing since Tue. night is crocheting this scarf for myself. This takes hours and hours. Of course my new favorite color combo red and aqua! I just finished this a few minutes ago and am ready to start something new. For a few of my Christmas gifts I gave to my friends and family I crotcheted face clothes to go with a yummy bar of soap...I can't get enough of this fun new habit.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve!!!

My friend amber has a tradition of getting Chinese take-out for dinner on Christmas Eve...now the Harmon's are doing it.

The restaurant didn't give us chopsticks...that's okay...when I was in the Air Force I was stationed in Japan and have 100's of chopsticks!

Now you would think my kids could use them...they had fun at least.

We are all the way ready for Santa to come. When I was younger we always got to open one fun present on Christmas Eve so I let my kids. Tonight they opened Guitar Hero for their Wii...we are having a rocking good night...Steve too.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Enjoying the holiday week

This is the most I have enjoyed the week of Christmas. All my shopping was done early, I made my Christmas cards during the summer, so now with the kids out of school we can just play. Yesterday and today the kids have been playing with all their friends here in our neighborhood. Today it's almost 60 degrees. They play out back on the trampoline then run through the house to the front yard to have a game of football, then upstairs to the Georgia room for toys and video games. My house needs vacuumed after all the kids playing but in the meantime I made these cute little mittens...they can be stuffed, used on the table to hold silverware or like mine are right now just snuggled on branches on our tree. I had ordered the pattern kit from sweetwaterscrapbook.com. I LOVE their fabric line Authentic...I have more in the mail on the way to my house right now!

Yesterday while we had half the neighborhood kids over to play I got my thank you cards made while controlling all the fun chaos around here.

Christmas in Savannah

This weekend all of Steve's family met in Savannah to have Christmas together. First we met "the cousins" over at Nana's house and then everyone gathered at Great Grandma's house. I love this picture I got of all the kids with Teresa and Great Grandma in the mirror.

Ben got some new shoes he needed, but he lucked out Nana did the shopping...did you know they make $95 shoes for little kids. They were just what he wanted...Nike Shox.

Teresa sitting back watching the kids opening their gifts.

Madi got an AJ Green jersey...Go Georgia Bulldogs.

What'cha got cookin'

Tonight I am in the kitchen baking sugar cookies. Madi's 2nd grade class is going to decorate them at school on Friday.










I have enjoyed having this tree to brighten up my kitchen.

These little snowheads fit perfect all nestled in the crate under the tree.

O Yo-yo Tree

I love yo-yo's and made this shirt for Madi...she wore it yesterday and it was cute.

whipped!

I am enjoying this Saturday night home alone. Today my boys had plans to go watch the Georgia High School Football Championship. Madi got really upset that she couldn't go even though we had plans for one of her little girlfriends to come over and play. Steve took her in her room to chat with her and to explain why she couldn't go. After a few minutes he came out looking pale saying they were all going...he had gotten whipped by Madi. I guess that cute little football loving face and tears was just too much for him to handle. So they are all downtown Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. Well at least I got a nice evening to myself out of the whole thing!

Last Friday we went to to see Northside (Warner Robbins) at Newnan. Not only does Madi like to watch and play football, her new thing is running. Would you look at her down on the track in the starting position. Do you see #39 on the end...it one of the Ogletree twins...both brothers played for Newnan but are both going to Georgia next year. Steve was all over the fact that the University of Tennessee recruiters were there trying to steal them.

We got to the game almost 2 hours before it started to be sure to get good seats...then the band from Northside came and sat RIGHT next to us. Last year all Madi wanted for Christmas was a drum set and Santa brought her one. So she was so in awe of the drummers...and look one of them was a girl!!! It was a fun night.

Deck The Halls

I sure am enjoying having my house all decked out for Christmas. This year I went with a black and white theme for my gifts under the tree. Hobby Lobby sells huge rolls for $4.

For some reason when I am sitting in the dinning room this is the view I have from the table and like it.

I was going to use my antique chip clip to hang my Christmas cards on but couldn't find a good place to hang it. So, instead I am using a shutter I leaned against the living room wall.

This is my favorite nativity.

My Jim Shore Santa's are one of my favorite things every Christmas.

Here is my new Christmas cross-stitch for 2009. Boy does it take hours to make and it's small but I love that primitive look.

13

Saturday was our 13th wedding anniversary. Steve's mom came over from Savannah to watch Ben and Madi so Steve and I could go celebrate together. Saturday was also the college football game of the year right here in Atlanta...Florida #1 vs. Alabama #2. We did not get the $1000 tickets to attend the game but did go enjoy the spirit of college ball at the area around the CNN Center. We waited almost 3 hours to get seated at Dantanna's to enjoy some nice food while watching the game in there. That place was packed!

There are some Roll Tide...

CNN Center couldn't hold anymore Gators or Roll Tide. They said there were 100,00.

ESPN's College Gameday was outside at Centennial Park. It was such a fun time with Steve all day. Teresa and the kids went shopping while Steve and I were out celebrating. They had gotten the sweetest anniversary gifts and had them wrapped and waiting for us on our bed when we got home. I can't believe I have been married for 13 years!!!

Elephant Gray

We have lived in this house 3 years and 3 months and are on our 3rd color of paint. We had tan then brown and now elephant gray. I love it. It looks so pretty in person with the white fireplace and trim and my color furniture. We aren't done but had to show my friends. The house is a mess and nothing on the walls. We had a quilt hanging behind the tv but Steve said he likes it better without the 'blanket' on the wall. So now what do I do? Yes that is my small 7ft tree...it looks so tiny in there with the 13-15ft ceilings but now the year I buy a big one the Air Force will move us so I am sticking with this one. I hope you can tell it's gray. Suggestions for what to hang on the wall welcome! Oh I was thinking a big clock....Bethany are you reading this? I LOVED how in your living room in Germany you had just a big clock on the wall and that was it...it was stunning and thought about that. And curtains...what do you think I should do. Do I need them? Poor Steve just got home and is doing all this for me...I had no plans on doing this...I sure need to be nice to him.

Merry Christmas 'deer' friends

My sister Cary asked me if I would make her tags to attach to her goodie plates she is handing out at Christmas to her friends and neighbors. They say 'Merry Christmas deer friends'. I am happy I finished them and they are in the mail and it's still November!

My new favorite color combo is red and aqua..I LOVE them! Nothing in my house had that color combo but I finally worked some in. Aqua bulbs and candy canes. Now I want more!

Time with dad

We have been having the time of our life with Steve! We went and spent Thanksgiving with Steve's side of the family and they did all the cooking...thank you! My kids had never been to Build A Bear and Madi has been asking for a long time...so Steve told her when he got home he would take her.

Now our family is ALL about sports. So this week went and enjoyed the new movie Blind Side...it was a great show!

In Atlanta there are over 200 High Schools. Over a quarter of those are 5-A...just unbelievable to me. Last night we headed to the northside of town to watch Lassiter vs. Collquit Co. (a team from the Valdosta area). Lassiter looked like USC...nice uniforms and look at that scoreboard...looks like college...I hope my kids go to a High School like this.

Next weekend Northside (from Warner Robbins) plays a team here near us...the kids and Steve are already making plans.

Tonight we have Georgia vs. Georgia Tech. We wish we were at the game!

So Thankful....HE IS HOME

A new round of pj's for all...just for dad

To start this story...I am not one for tank tops or very short shorts (Capri's..the greatest invention ever) so that is what my kids are use to. So last week after I did a little shopping Madi noticed my new spaghetti strap nightgown laying on my bed. She was like what's this for. I told her it was my new nightgown so I will look beautiful when dad gets home. Well she new this was not my normal style and wanted me to try it on. So i did...it's silky and long...she said I looked pretty and it made me look skinny. After staring at me for a minute she jerked and blurted "What am I going to wear"? At first I was shocked, but said we could go shopping again so both her and Ben could get some nice new pj's for when our dad gets home. So we finished our shopping today and don't they look cute in their pj's...okay now we are ready, he can get home any day now!

Santa 'chex' his list twice

I am trying to get as much done as I can before Steve comes home...only like 3-4 days!!! I have been busy subbing a little this week and working on these treats for my kids to hand out to their classmates at Christmas. They are small bags of Chex mix with a tag that reads " Santa Chex his list twice to see who's naughty or nice".

Family and Friends

For the last 8 weekends we have either had family or friends to come visit us. This has been so nice for us...when Steve is deployed, weekends can drag on and on. Thank you to all of you. This weekend we went to Macon for Haley's birthday party at the skating rink.

Steve's mom got out and showed her stuff on some skates. There she is wearing her souvenir from the Foreigner concert she went to.

Ben and his big cousin Hunter.

Teresa came to stay with us too. She helped get our backyard cleaned up and the kids really enjoyed burning the leaves. Teresa also helped me learn how to crochet. I did crochet as a kid but had forgotten...Thank you Teresa!!!

Airman Kiehl to Mom

Before I was a mom I spent 7 years in the Air Force. Those were my glory days! That's how I met Steve. Now whenever people hear I use to be in the Air Force they seem stunned...I like to think it's because of my artsy tendencies or my talent of baking yummy homemade cookies and not my ever-expanding backside.

On Monday goldencorral.com/military/ lets all Vets eat for free. This the only reason I have ever needed my DD Form 214 (separation papers)...they don't really check but I take mine just in case. This will be our third year going. It's so fun. The place is PACKED, the line weaves through the parking lot. All the Vets come dressed with their hats and medals and suits and flag scarfs...it's a sight. So tell everyone you know.

Okay so I am happy! I just had my hair cut.It gets shorter and shorter every time...last time Steve saw me it was halfway down my back. I am trying to get ready for Steve to come home. The other day I went shopping and found some pretty new pj's (wink wink) and a few new winter clothes. We have done so good...it's been 6 months with only 7 phone calls. I am almost nervous to see him. Plus, all of a sudden the time is slowing down. Ahhhh

Plymouth or Jamestown?

As sad as I was to put my Halloween decorations away, I sure am enjoying my Pilgrims and Indians.

Crosstitching use to be my love and daily habit. But ever since having kids I have not done any until now. It took me forever to do this harvest pattern last month...but think it's so pretty I have already started a new Christmas one.

There is Ben...author of the title of this post.

Legend of the Indian Corn

Just finished making 'Legend of the Indian Corn' treats to hand out for Thanksgiving. I have spent the last month substitute teaching in Kindergarten. Last week we made placemats for their Thanksgiving Feast coming up. This is the poem we used on them...I thought I could use it in a scrapbooking way and it worked.

Some Favorites!

This past weekend we had some of our favorite friends from Germany come to see us. The Friesen Family...Susy from the everyday gourmet, who is now stationed at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. We had such a fun time together. We always do. This is the third time we have gotten together since February. There are the girls playing rock-n-roll with Steve's old guitars. The boys were on the side jamin' on the piano and beating on the drums.

Susy was so sweet to treat me to two cases of my favorite soda pop...Vernors. They do not sell it here in Georgia. The stash I brought home with me from Ohio last summer is just about gone. Also in the photo is my FAVORITE book. I am not a big reader but this book captured me from the beginning. It only took me a few days to read it it was SO good.

Gobble Gobble

Madi wore her new turkey shirt to school yesterday. She of course helped me make it. She picked out the fall fabrics and traced her hand.













This picture of Ben and Madi was quickly snapped this morning before heading out for school. Madi was dressed up in her new Georgia skirt with lots of polka-dots all the way down to her toes and Ben in the same colors but showing spirit for our Atlanta Falcons. Steve sure is missing out on these two, they are so fun. But not too much longer....only a few more weeks!!! My kids have been so wonderful this whole time Steve has been gone. I am lucky to have such good Air Force kids.

Our Thankful For Tree

Ben and Madi were out of school today. So this morning we took these cool tags and the kids wrote some things down they were thankful for. I stapled them into circles and hung them on my silver tree strung with brown ribbon. I LOVE it and love their sweet handwriting....I will love it even more as the years go by.

Halloween with a visitor

We just had a really fun weekend. My dad came to spend the spooky weekend with us. My dad flew in from the Washington DC area. We were laughing because the time it took him to try to fly here he could have driven. He woke up at 0330 to catch an early flight to Atlanta, but he went to the wrong airport...there are 3 in DC. So, he didn't get here until 2:30 pm but just in time for some fun. We had a fabulous Fall Festival Friday night. Madi and her bestest friend Haley had their faces painted.

On Saturday afternoon my dad treated us to a very entertaining and delicious lunch. When this thing lite up the kids flew back in their seats...that's some flame! But boy can that guy cook.

After lunch the kids and papa burned off ALL that food at the skating rink...I think my dad might like that place more than my kids.

On Halloween night we got to spend it with the fair Tinkerbell and the coolest transformer... Bumblebee.

Caramels 2009 style

I love trying new things...crafts, decorating ideas, recipes, but sometimes it's all about traditions. My grandma always made these caramels. For the last 12 Halloween's I have. The only thing about them that changes is in the way we give them out. This year I made drawstring treat bags to stuff them in.

I

I put my-most-prized-recipe here on my blog last fall. It makes a 9x13 pan full of caramels.

This cute little enamelware pot is filled with caramels for the ladies who work in the office at my kids school...I can't forget them.

Baby Deedee

This past weekend my sister-in-law and 2 of her kids came for a visit again. This time our goal was to make Deedee 13, a Halloween costume...she wanted to be a baby. She is going to wear a t-shirt underneath this but 5 yards of white fabric later it turned out PERFECT!!! She looks so cute.

Kids, kids, kids

My weeks are flying by!! Most of last week was spent subbing in Kindergarten and every day of this was too. There is just something about Kindergarten...I LOVE being in there. And after two weeks of the same kids you really fall in love with them. But now I am pooped...a classroom of active kids ALL day and then coming home with my own two and Steve still deployed...phew!

The other 3 teachers I worked side by side with were so kind and helpful. Last night I baked the yummiest Iced-Pumpkin-Cookies to share as a thank you with these ladies. Ben and Madi also LOVED these. After school I told them I was making pumpkin cookies, but they were so confused because they don't have pumpkin faces, but they woofed them down anyways.

Southern Belle Farm

This past weekend we had a house full of visitors. My mother-in-law, sister-in-law and kids, Steve's cousin Matt and my mother-in-laws sister...Steve's Aunt Ramona all came to visit us. It was a party at our house! On Saturday we went to the great Southern Belle Farm for some fall fun. It was cloudy and 50 degrees....we froze! But this week it is back to sunny skies and 70's thank goodness.

We saw pig races.

The kids playing games at the water pumps.

Ben's favorite...the corn maze. There were 3 different ones. Hard ones...I got lost.

Tunnels to crawl through.

Ben shot corn cobs.

Madi played and made corn angels in the corn pit.

And out of the whole pumpkin patch my kids found and liked a green one?

What are you wearing?

I have been substitute teaching a lot lately! It's fun and when I grow up I think I want to be a teacher. The other day I wore my new homemade broach on a brown shirt. When I walked out of my room dressed and ready to go my kids looked at me and said mom what's that? I asked them what. They said that thing on your shirt. So I told them my new broach and they cracked up asking again it's a what? Anyways you just cut circles, sew an X in the middle and attach a button...I liked it.

Crow and pumpkin pillow

This holiday season issue of Create & Decorate is stuffed with some fun creative ideas. Last Friday night we had some friends

over for a pizza and craft party. As I was cutting out the pieces for my pillow Ben sat at the table with us and drew his own version of the crow and pumpkin pillow.

Here is my finished project. I like this felt/wool stuff.

Pumpkins everywhere

I am not sure why or what my mother did to make love Halloween and this time of year so much but I sure do love it! This is my favorite Holiday and season to decorate for.

See the pretty table runner under my silver tree in the living room...yep I made it out of leftover scraps from a project last fall. I just love that turquoise mixed in with those colors.

My 4ft. black tree is one of my favorites. Even though Steve is deployed to Iraq the kids and I are still trying our best to enjoy this fun time of year and for me decorating makes it LOTS of fun.

Today was my first...

MAMMOGRAM! Today's appointment has been on my calendar for 3 agonizing months. When I walked in the lady said forget everything you have heard about mammograms...she knew it was my first. She was right! It was a little uncomfortable but nothing to whine about at all! My Dr. said by the age of 35 you need to get a baseline mammogram done. If all is well with this first one then you can go on with you business until age 40.

Mr. Bones

Target had the girls t-shirts on sale for $2.98 so I bought a bunch to play with! Madi has a pair of vintage looking jeans that I think this little homemade t-shirt may look cute with. Another jackpot sale I found was at Michael's...all the pirate birthday stuff was 80% off or more. A bag of 36 skull suckers was only 59 cents and we turned them into a pile of Mr. Bones for Halloween treats for Ben's class and Fall Festival.

Happy October!

I am so excited that October is here. We can finally say Steve should be home next month...of course it will be the very end of November but it's still next month. Today the kids started the month off with Halloween spirit. Madi picked out the fabric for this white pumpkin t-shirt and she even ironed it on with heat and bond with my help. Ben wore a glow in the dark spider shirt from Target so no picture...but tonight is our school skate night, so he will look cool when the lights go out and they skate.

Cousins & Crafts

This past weekend my sister-in-law and the girls came for a visit. A few weekends ago we did meet in the middle of our two towns at a Burger King so the kids could be together and stayed for 3 hours. When it was time to leave the kids cried. Every week my kids BEG to get together with their cousins. So this was such a treat for all the kids to be able to play and Alicia and I had a great time making some beautiful crafts. We made the younger girls matching/opposite dresses/shirts. Bows to match and some for Halloween too.

A few weeks ago I found these Camp Rock nightgowns on sale. I bought two so Madi and Haley could have matching ones when they were together...just makes it extra fun.

ahead of my Halloween game

Today was my craft day with Michelle. I started and finished Halloween treats for Madi's class. We had done this before but Madi asked for these again so I had to. They are decked out caramel apple suckers. Now Ben on the other hand wants something totally different. I am just glad these are done and it's not even October 1st yet...I will be busy enough closer to Halloween with parties.

homemade thank you's

Tonight I made these yummy oatmeal scotchies...the recipe was on the back of the bag of butterscotch bits. They are for the kids teachers and the ladies who work in the office at Ben and Madi's school. I owe the ladies in the office so much. With Madi having Type 1 Diabetes she is up at the office a few times a day. She has to have her blood sugar checked before and after PE, before lunch and anytime she feels she has low blood sugar. Madi is such a quiet little girl but these ladies know how to lovingly handle her. At home Steve calls Madi loudmouth but anywhere else she barley makes a peep. Last year on her birthday my dad was here visiting and we went to Logan's for Madi's birthday dinner. Well to surprise Madi, my dad told the waitress it was Madi's birthday. So all the people came over with cake and singing....Madi cried, buried herself in my dad, almost threw up and we have never been back to Logan's.

Both Ben and Madi are being awarded Student Of The Month for September. So they do get recognized at school and eat free pizza up on the stage with their parents. I can't believe they both ended up getting it the same month but their lunches overlap so I will be a proud mama up on the stage tomorrow with one on each side of me.

Fun Friday

Yesterday my friend Michelle came over for a fun craft day...and the kids got to play. This beautiful fabric candy corn was what we were making. But then Michelle also made me a white pumpkin after I oohed and awwed over hers. The candy corn smells like fall and would you look at that button stem on that pumpkin...I had so much fun...can't wait until next week for another craft day.

Last night the kids and I had planned a date to go see the new movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. So for dinner...what else but meatballs before heading out to the theater. The kids really enjoyed their movie but the funniest part was looking over at Madi smiling with no front teeth and those huge 3D glasses on.

Ben and Madi have been on Fall Break all this week. One day we went to some craft stores and all left with some sort of craft goody. Here is Ben with his sand art.

Madi picked out a paint your own Hello Kitty piggy bank.

Since I had been working on Halloween cards the kids and their friends wanted to make some too.

Art Happens Here

In my room.

We have this seating area in our bedroom and it's my craft area.

Everything in here is old. My desk...a deal from Cindy at The Plum Tree...I think I ended up paying $38. It's old with an enamel top and boy do I love it.

This brown dresser was free...my junking days in Germany. My friend Amber made me the "art happens here" decoration for my craft area.

Here are the fun filled shelves in my old white hutch.

This is my new red basket I just picked up at Hobby Lobby...all baskets were 50% off. It's more than filled up with some beautiful fabrics.

Now this is just a picture of family pictures that hang over my bed. I had seen this in magazines and pottery barn and thought hey I can do that with some white $1 ribbon.

This old Toms chip clip was given to me by Cindy at The Plum Tree. For now it's peppered with my favorite family photos and sits at the top of my craft table.

Come on Fall!

Steve and I share the same favorite season...Fall. I can't wait for him to come home. His favorite Holiday is Thanksgiving too. Ben and Madi are out of school this week for their Fall Break. I have already busted out the pumpkins and witches and all things fall. Here is a fun stick tree on my dinning room table. Many many years ago my friend Leslie (aka decorating queen) gave me the idea of using sticks and now I do for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines and Easter to make all kinds of festive trees.

Yesterday was cloudy and cooler...I loved it. So late afternoon we hit a local park. This is the coolest park with lots and lots of toys to play on. There are also these little roads and little street signs weaving in and out of the park so kids can ride around on their bikes like it's a real road....so cute. Madi looks like Forrest Gump...if she was going somewhere she was running.

My brown-eyed girl.

Ben and Madi LOVE to swing...and high.

Some very special Sweethearts

Last week while shopping at the Commissary on Ft. Gillem, I picked up these patriotic Sweetheart candies. I made tags with a very memorable quote from President Bush on that day I remember. Today while at my kids school doing Madi's insulin shot, I snuck these treats of remembrance in the teachers mailboxes. After school Madi's teacher called and asked where I had gotten these cute treats...she wanted to go buy some for all the kids in the class for tomorrow. Knowing that she could not get on Ft. Gillem, the kids and I packed up in a hurry and went straight there. Now we have enough of these yummy red, white and blue treats for all the kids in both of their classes. I think it's very important to teach my kids in the simplest way of what happened 8 years ago and to always remember.

Dawg skirt and more

Yesterday morning I walked the kids into their school. One of the teachers stopped me and was raving over the Georgia outfit Madi had worn to school last Friday. She asked if I could make something for her little girl. They are big UGA fans too and her husband was a football player there back in his college days. So last night after dinner and homework Madi helped me piece this skirt together. Mrs. Parker was so happy when Madi and I hand delivered the skirt this morning. Now Madi wants one...she said she would like to wear one when we pick our dad up at the airport in a few months.

Last month I made a handful of Halloween skirts. One for Madi and two for two of my little nieces...the two big ones will have to let me come up with something special I can make them later. Usually I am not a big reader. It takes me a long time to finish a book. Well yesterday while sitting in the car rider line waiting to get Ben and Madi I finished a book. So finally last night I snuggled in bed at 9 to start on These Is My Words...The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories. Heather from {Unwrapped} listed this as her favorite book. I was hooked on page two and couldn't put it down last night.

Brains and quilts

This weekend Ben had to make a brain for a school project. It is so gross and real looking. All we have left to do is stick the the little toothpick flags we made in it that will identify each part of the brain.

We are all enjoying our day off today. It's cool, we have the french doors in the dinning room open. Ben is sitting out here giggling while playing with a fuzzy caterpillar. Madi is still in her Camp Rock nightgown, playing with her Polly Pocket and watching Camp Rock. I am enjoying myself by working on this quilt this morning. We so needed this easy Monday.

1/2 & 1/2

A house divided? No we love them both...Ohio State and Georgia...really. Tomorrow is D Day for college football. Although we tuned in to a little last night. Today Madi went to school sporting her Georgia spirit and Ben showed some of his new found love for The Ohio State University. I know Steve is ready to come home and relax in his g-crib. For the last few weeks every time we get in the car the kids ask me to turn on the Ohio State music. I love that they love the sport and the music...as you know it's in our blood and has been for generations!

Here are some fun yummies for gameday ohio-state-buckeyes.

Here is something neat my cousin Natalie emailed me the other day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3Z52GKONPc

Atlanta is host to ESPN's College Gameday tomorrow. I want to take the kids down to Centennial Park but there is a marathon, Braves vs. Reds, Nascar race, Virginia Tech vs. Alabama and all the Gameday stuff so that means thousands and thousands of extra people all trying to find their way in downtown. I sure wish Steve was here he is good at getting around in those types of masses.

Have a super fun football weekend. We are so excited to get the party started!

using up my scraps

All you need is a cheap floursack towel and a scrap of fabric. I used a piece of the cute tree fabric left from Madi's shirt and then stitched 'fall'. Here I thought I had an original idea but then peeked at the Moda Bake Shop and they were making towels too....so check them out for other ideas.

Years ago I stitched these cute blocks for each month. But mine was really primitive so I redid September and used scraps again from Madi's shirt and my purse I made last week to make a more modern September. Stitching is fun for all but especially easy for moms of little ones....I stitch while sitting on the toilet watching my kids play in the tub, I sit in their rooms and watch them play and stitch, if you can find a McDonald's with a park...that's at least an hour jackpot, sitting in the car waiting to pick up kids, gymnastics....I never just sit at home and stitch unless it's late at night and I am watching TV. So look for all that stitching time....it's there.

trees, trees and trees

Another free pattern...just google pillowcase dress and find one you like. This is suppose to be a pillowcase shirt to be worn with a brown t-shirt underneath and jeans on Madi. I loved and bought this tree fabric last spring...before Steve left, and I have been waiting for September to arrive to enjoy making this for Madi....but with our cloudy day and rain I couldn't wait any longer.

4 Things about me:

1. Hot Tamales are my favorite candy

2. I have watched General Hospital everyday for over 13 years.

3. I love old music...from the 50's and 60's....country and rock from those good old days. Here in Atlanta they have a radio station named The Legend and I love it.

4. When I was younger I wanted to be a Park Ranger in Yellowstone or Grand Canyon.

after school bag

This is my new purse. It was SO easy to make...no pattern needed. At this link thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/04/32-minute-messenger-bag-tutorial.html is where you can find the directions...it's just 2 cuts of 1/2 yard of your favorite fabrics. I made this on my dinning room table one day after school last week while Ben and Madi sat with me doing their homework. They were actually impressed seeing this bag come together.

Back in my skinny days

The other day my Aunt Bonnie emailed me some of my pics to make sure I had copies. Most of them I have hard copies but these already scanned ones are great. I have the most wonderful Aunts...and quite a few of them too. My Aunt Bonnie is my dad's sister. In my dad's family my Aunt Linda was born first in the month of December. The very next December my Grandma gave birth to twins...Brenda and Bonnie...can you imagine! Then came my dad and two more. I posted about my Grandma here my-love-of-lemon. I wish the kids and I could go to Ohio again this weekend...everyone is gathering to celebrate my Grandma's 82nd birthday. Okay so now onto my cute and skinny pictures. And my goodness...how many Olan Mills pictures can a girl have of herself?

Me at age 3

Me turning 2.

Me turning 3. I have this dress too.

My Aunt Bonnie set up this photo shoot. We got the peppers out of my Grandpa's garden. This is me and my 3rd red headed cousin Michelle I mentioned in a previous post.

Me, Michelle and our Aunt Bonnie.

Halfway done and stuff

Yesterday morning I asked the kids what they might like for dinner. In half a second Madi spoke up and requested Cheese Chicken. So last night when she smelled it baking she was happy. When I first got out of the Air Force I used my medical skills and got a job working at Spokane Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic...this is when we were stationed up in Washington state. I worked with the sweetest lady named Nancy and this is who shared this favorite family recipe with me.


Cheese Chicken

4 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 TBSP butter
2c. grated cheddar

mix soup and cheese in baking dish
lay chicken in mixture
top with sliced butter

Bake 350 for 1 1/2 hours
Serve over rice

I have been doing so much sewing lately my paper crafts had been forgotten. So last week I had my paper fix and made some cards. The cool stamp I used is from Studio Calico. For the last few months I have ordered Studio Calico's kit of the month and LOVE them.

Well we have made it halfway through Steve's deployment to Iraq. He has done 1 tour in Afghanistan and is now on his 3rd tour in Iraq but this is the worst one as far as getting to talk to my guy. He has a satellite phone in his office but that is a hunk of junk! No DSN phone near him so we have to pay for phone cards...okay but the stupid PX over there is out of them...can you believe that. So I need to go buy some phone cards to mail him but right now it doesn't make me feel better because it's going to take at least 10 days for him to get them. We have only talked 4 times since he has left. But I am doing okay. I can't believe we are halfway done! My lifesaver has been my crafts. I have totally immersed myself in my favorite crafts and have accomplished so much these last few months. So thanks to all those wonderful crafty blogs out there for sharing so many wonderful ideas and motivating me!!!

It's a HAPPY Friday

I am so relieved right now. Yesterday I went to the dreaded dentist. No cavities!!! But today I had to go to the Periodontist because I had an issue with part of one of my gums. I was so scared of what it might be. Well....when I was younger I wore braces and they made my tooth move right through the bone. So the area that bothers me is where my root is not in bone and only protected by thin gum tissue. NO PROBLEM. The guy I saw today was so nice and said I had good teeth and nothing was wrong but I can go back for a gum graph to thicken that area that bothers me...no thanks. I was so happy I went straight to my quilt store to shop. I got this sweet fabric to make Madi something to wear for Christmas. I love this sewing stuff. Even though it's expensive Moda fabric I can make Madi an adorable skirt for $7 or less.






Last month while in Ohio I fell in love with this ABC fabric and brought some home with me. I made this little back to school quilt and let the kids right on it too. I LOVE it.

Here are some birthday gifts we gave away. I wanted to share my monogram idea and the Army looking one. All the kids friends know there dad is in Iraq so I thought these cards looked so cute on the camouflage wrapped gift. TGIF!

All about teeth day

Ben got his braces on this morning.

Here is Hillbilly Madi. Her tooth was hanging by a thread this morning but she couldn't get it out before school. While dropping Ben off at school after he got his braces on, Madi's teacher walked through the office and told me her tooth came out. I am about to see her....I go up to the school to give her her insulin shot everyday at lunch. It's the first tooth she lost on the top. She is going to look so cute.

Here we go again

It's hard to believe it's Sunday night again and we are ready for our 2nd week of school. This weekend we had a super fun getaway! Nana and Great Grandma drove from Savannah to Macon and we also went to Macon to have a fun-filled weekend full of family and those beloved cousins. Aunt Alicia's house has a pool and so tonight we are all a little pink and very tired. Here is a picture of B&M last Monday on the first day of school. I used an iron...well I printed from the computer 'second grade' and ironed it on for Madi.

My tradition has always been that at the end of the first week of school the kids give their teachers an apple with a homemade card. These are what the kids took in last Friday. Click here to see last years cards....easy-saturday.

My love of lemon

I love lemon and I know where I got it from. My Grandma Erwin. As a kid I LOVED being with my grandma...and still do I just don't get to see her very often. When at her house, after dinner and bath we would sit on the couch under the big window and watch TV while sucking on quartered lemons.

While living at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany my friend Susy introduced me to one her friends...sweet sweet Alyssa. She made the best Lemonade cookies. She got the recipe from allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lemonade-Cookies/Detail.aspx. But every time I make them they are Alyssa's Lemonade cookies. These are such a yummy summer cookie.

Here is my beautiful Grandma Erwin...my kids Great Grandma Erwin. There are Ben and Madi with their Papa (my dad)too. My grandma is so smart and filled with stories. She too was a military wife...my Grandpa retired from the Navy...he was on the U.S.S. West Virginia on Battleship Row when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. As a young boy my dad lived on Hawaii before it was even a state due to my Grandpa's military assignment there. My Uncle Ronnie was born at Tripler Army Medical Center...that huge pink hospital on the side of the mountain that overlooks Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. I love to hear about all the places and stories.

Growing up I was always with these 2 red heads...my cousins Christina and Kelly. We share on the same side of the family another red headed cousin Michelle who is in Indiana and couldn't be there. This was so fun seeing them. I have lots of cousins, 26 to be exact(I needed more time because there are a few I didn't get to see). Ben and Madi can't believe that when we went to this restaurant that the whole section was our family.

On our last day in Ohio we ate out breakfast with some relatives and then went to Gantz park to play basketball. Papa and Uncle Ronnie got their game on with Ben and Madi..they played horse.

Ben looking handsome with his new Ohio State jersey he bought at the campus while there.

The hoop was really high so Uncle Ronnie tried to help Madi get a shot in.

Ben won the game of horse. Papa held up Ben's hand and was loudly chanting his name...it was so funny.

I had to get a picture of Aunt Linda the picture taker over there.

While the kids played ball at the park Grandma Erwin and Aunt Viv visited while watching the action. I love my Grandma so much...she was my first and last stop on my visit there.

The Boys

Yesterday was Ben's much anticipated Fantasy Football Draft with his dad. It is just amazing how things work today. Steve is all the way in Iraq and Ben sat at our dinning room table and together they had such an enjoyable afternoon. Steve got a league set up with his friends who are all over...Shaw AFB, several in Iraq, Cleveland, Fairchild AFB, Germany and a few other places and of course Ben. Ben is really good at using a computer. Yesterday for over 2 hours, he had his Yahoo Football page open, with his dad close by in a small window on google talk so they could chat while waiting for their turn to pick.

Getting ready for another school year

Ben and Madi start school on Monday! Boy did summer vacation fly by! Our school schedule is 2 months off for summer vacation and then during the school year, every 6 weeks we get 1 week off and boy do we like and need those weeks during the year.

Okay so I took a quarter yard of these 4 different Michael Miller fabrics...cut strips, sewed them together and added elastic...so easy, didn't even need a pattern. Plus there was enough fabric leftover to make a matching hair ribbon and another project...so, cheap and easy. Madi looks so cute in this new little skirt for school.

Columbus Zoo

On the first day of our family reunion we all met at the Columbus Zoo. From my cousins and aunts even to my Grandma Erwin...they are very proud to have their zoo be America's #1 rated zoo this year. Growing up we went to the Columbus Zoo every summer and it was always good...it's Jack Hanna's zoo. Can you believe Jack Hanna was there the same time we were and my sister and her family got pictures with him. He asked Cary and Brian where they were from and they said Salt Lake City and Jack Hanna said he was just there the day before. Ewww...the kids touched the snake.

Claudia and Madi sitting in the shade trying to catch a break from the heat.

There were so many of us at the zoo...it was so fun. After the zoo everyone went to Aunt Laurie's house for a pool party and dinner was catered by China Bell...mmmmm.

Since we don't ever have everyone together at Christmas, Aunt Onalee thought we should celebrate it in July. She had HUGE OVER FLOWING bags of gifts for each of the kids. In the picture above you can see she even had some for all of us adults. What a fun memory of having Christmas in July at a family reunion and pool party.

Ben and Madi with their huge bag of Christmas in July presents.

There is Cary and Caty sitting with Madi.

Some of the girls...Rachel, Claudia, Madi and Lora.

Everyone enjoyed the pool party and being together!

For just 50 cents

This week I have been busy making lots of gifts for people. Last night I finished some of them and wanted to get them in the mail today. We have to drive right by my favorite quilt store to get to the post office so we made a not so quick stop....the kids were so good for me in there so I could look. At the end while paying, in the scrap bin Madi found herself fabric she just couldn't live without. We came home, ate lunch and then got busy making this cute little bag....for just 50 cents. It's just big enough to carry her wii remote in when she walks to the neighbors to play with her friends. It's fun to be a mom on days like this!

TBDBITL...

(tabittle) is what we use to refer to The Ohio State Marching Band. It stands for The Best Damn Band In The Land.



This past week has been the best medicine for a lonely girl...we went to Ohio for a family reunion. We could hardly miss Steve when we were getting hugged and kissed by at least 75 or more family members we haven't seen in a long time.



In 1946 my Grandpa Moseley was the Drum Major for The Ohio State University. This past weekend we got the royal treatment....because of my grandpa's wishes to take us on a tour of the university's bandroom they opend up the gates for just us. It was so cool being there with my grandpa and for my kids to be there too.

We even got to go into the stadium! There is Ethan, Claudia, Ben, Madi and Caty.

Look at the sweetest little Buckeye ever...there is Aunt Laurie holding baby Eva.

Update: the baby buckeye is Eva Onalee...I was asked by ummm... you know who(Aunt Onalee)...to correct my blog. :-)

We got to go down the hall in the stadium that shows pictures of each of the Drum Majors from the beginning to present day. And Uncle Richard being funny taking my picure while I was doing theirs.

In the trophy case they have an old picture of my Grandpa (Bev Moseley) doing his thing over 60 years ago. My Grandpa is still one of the judges when it comes to Drum Major tryouts...he is 82 and still loves loves being a part of action.

Me, Ben, Madi and Grandpa Moseley in front of the trophy case in the hall.

Oh there is Ethan...Eva's big brother....looks like a future Buckeye to me.

This was definitely one of my favorite stops during the reunion...Steve wants to come back for a football game when he gets home from Iraq.

a mistake

Today is garbage pick-up in our neighborhood. So last night I was gathering up all I could find to set out at the curb. From underneath the kitchen sink I pulled out our sharps container/milk jug. When I saw all the syringes from the past few weeks it took my breath away. Can you believe how many shots Madi gets.





Madi gets two types of insulin. One night last week I gave her Novolog at 10:30 at night instead of Lantus. I give Madi her Lantus at night while she is sleeping and she doesn't even wake up. After giving her her shot I went back to the kitchen to document the shot and put the insulin away. I went to put the vial up in the cupboard and there it was sitting on the shelf...my heart stopped as I looked down and saw a very similar vial in my hand but it was the Novolog...the fast acting stuff. I had to call the Dr. We have the best children's healthcare here...we even have the phone numbers to the Peds Endocrinologist to call at any time we need 24 hours a day. I have only had to actually call the Dr. twice but every time they are so kind, helpful and even want you to call them back to let them know how things went getting through whatever situation you were dealing with. Well that night I had to wake Madi up to eat over 100 carbs and was up until after 2 am. She ate a Snickers ice cream cone, an oreo cookie, 2 juice boxes. 12 sugar pills, smarties....poor thing wasn't even hungry and was crying trying to eat her ice cream. I felt so bad/mad that I had made such a mistake. So now we have put a red band around the Lantus and every night the kids and I double check which medicine I set out on the counter to give each night.
Of course I had to email Steve about what happened and he was so nice and just replied that it was bound to happen. When Madi was first diagnosed with diabetes in March I was so scared to take care of her. Then when I found out Steve was deploying to Iraq I was really upset and scared to be alone with Madi. I thought I should either have to deal with Madi's new life style or with my husbands deployment not both at the same time. But here we are...still kicking, enjoying our summer...mistakes and all.

We are at the end of another fun week of swim lessons.

Both Ben and Madi are becoming quite the swimmers...I love watching them play in the water. And look at those nice sharp arms she has...they have learned some new strokes this summer.

Camera strap

I had been seeing pretty camera straps everywhere and even thought about buying one. Sure glad I didn't...I made this one for a dollar or two. I padded it and it's much softer on my neck now.

By printing USAF (for US Air Force) onto and iron on and placing it on a piece of white fabric I made a fun patriotic decoration.

Here are my fun patriotic kids on the 4th of July.

Red and white

My goal this summer with Steve gone was to make sure I got to the gym most days, give the kids a fun summer and learn to make some fun crafts. I have never been much into sewing. So this summer I told myself my sewing machine was going to live in my dining room. That way I could really play around with it while being with the kids. My kids have always like to be right next to me. So while I watch them play wii, with friends and even watching some fun tv I have been sewing. One of my favorite kinds of quilts are the ones with the triangles so I thought I would try a small project and it was so fun! I would love to one day make a quilt this style for Madi's bed.

This red apple fabric is my favorite this summer. I used some in my quilted project above and made Madi some cute capri pants with a matching ribbon for her hair.

fabric necklace

We have been swimming everyday this week. Ben and Madi have done so good at their lessons. They are in level 3 and 4 now...American Red Cross. This morning they have been begging to go again today. I said we could this afternoon if they were good this morning so I could clean house and make a fabric necklace. I LOVE it. You can use any colors and make them any length you want....I know I will be trying a few more of these. Rachael over at p.s. i quilt had this fabric-necklace-tutorial on her blog the other day.



It's just 3 strips of fabric.

summer mornings

I love summer. Getting to stay up later then normal. Sleeping in. Being together. My kids are so fun. They enjoy some of the simplest things in life. This morning they each enjoyed a bowl of grits...Madi in Georgia red and Ben Carolina blue.

Last week in the mail I got a $10 coupon for JCPenny. So one night after gymnastics we went shopping and Ben and Madi got matching wii pj pants.

Black bird and Father's Day

I loved this crazy fabric with the black bird on it. So I made Madi a simple dress...it looks cute with a black tee and her green crocs. And get this, I had a coupon so this dress only cost me $1.29...makes me love it even that much more.

We are thinking of Steve since it's Father's Day. He did email us today. He said work was busy and someone was sick so he is covering an extra half of a shift so he can't call. But the kids and I are enjoying the day. We just finished dinner...pancakes! As soon as it cools off just a little we are going to go to the same park we did with Steve last Father's Day. Also just like last Father's Day I started on my Christmas cards this afternoon....I guess that's my new tradition.