Joining the Club

Last Friday was the big 3-0 for me.  I am the last of my close friends to turn 30.  It was not something that I was worried about or dwelled on or even fretted over.  It's just another year and another birthday...in my mind at least! 

We had plans with friends to have a get together at our house and then head down to the Central West End to go dancing.  To my surprise, there was a Hummer limo waiting outside to drive us around.  It was a really, really fun night.  That made me realize how important it is to stay connected with your friends and do things together without the kids sometimes.  My husband planned a birthday for me that I will never forget.  Thanks Steve for welcoming me to the club in style!  Love you!   

Feelings for Fabric

It's quite possible that I love the fabric that arrived in the mail for me yesterday.  I bid on this Moda Eden Layer Cake by Lila Tueller on Ebay not expecting to win and I did!  I was actually the only bidder.  There is quite a rush to winning something you really want on Ebay. I got the fabric for under what I was willing to pay and less that all other sites I had checked so that made the buy even better. 

I decided to make a throw for Ava as my first large project.  I thought a Layer Cake by Moda would be good because they are already cut into 42 10x10 squares with all the coordinating fabrics selected for you.  I fell in love with the Eden set and knew those would be great fabrics for her.  I am going to start cutting the pieces over the weekend using these instructions from the Moda Bake Shop for the Snuggly Layer Cake Throw.  It looks like an easy and cute quilt to start with.  I adore the Moda Bake Shop website.  If you are a fabric junkie and haven't checked it out, you should head over there...now!!  There are loads of free "recipes" for all types of projects.  I'll keep you updated on my throw progress.  It should be interesting to say the least.

Christmas in March

We finally had our Christmas with my Dad's side of the family this past Saturday.  We were supposed to host here on Christmas Eve but Ava had a fever and therefore Christmas was put on hold. 

We had a blast.  Ava and her second cousin, Olivia, had so much fun together.  It takes Ava a while to warm up but once we opened Christmas presents there were lots of "wows" and "whoas" from those 2 little ladies.  We then had an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos followed by a crazy dance party.  Good times! 

An Etsy Easter

Lots of serious Easter cuteness these days on Etsy.  If only money grew on trees...or even bushes.

Adorable Bunny Hat from Hookaholic

Retro Bunny Cars & Planes Easter Basket from Twenty Little Toes

Yummy Easter Egg Cookies from Lori's Place

Printable Easter Cupcake toppers, etc. from Monkey Moo Moo

Felted Easter Chick from Bossy's Feltworks

Book Club: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

So I've been reading this months book selection, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and I have to say that I'm glad it was chosen.  It was not something that I would have picked up on my own because I consider myself a pretty happy gal.  It's made me realize that there so many small ways to alter my thinking to put myself in a better mood. 

I've tried out several of her "theories" and found them to be simple and easy to do.  First step was getting rid of clutter.  That was a piece of cake for me because I love to declutter.  My closets are so much more organized now.  I just needed a little kick in the pants to get going.  Second thing I took on was gratitude.  I often take things in my life for granted.  I know this about myself and will openly admit it.  I don't tell Steve often enough what a great husband and dad he is.  I don't tell my friends how much I appreciate them listening to my stories and venting.  She talked about starting a gratitude journal and I immediately thought...ugh.  She goes on to say that she didn't like it either.  She found that she was dreading writing in the journal and it felt forced.  I know that is how I would feel without even trying it.  She mentioned that now she just mentally goes through all the things in her life she is grateful for while her computer boots up every morning.  This I knew I could do!!  I took it a step further and decided to pray every morning as my computer loads.  Taking that time to *thank* God for all the amazing people and things in my life has really started my days off on a high note.  The third thing I've done is really enjoy Ava and Steve.  I have completely lost my sense of humor with my husband.  I've become a fuddy dud.  He jokes and laughs and I remind him of all the things we have to do.  That's not me...at least it didn't used to be.  I now make it a point to laugh with Steve everyday.  I enjoy the moments when Ava is covered in stickers from head to toe and has pink marker all over her shirt and hands.  She's only going to be this little for so long.  I need to savor every moment with her.  There are countless other nuggets of info in the book that I have tried and loved but don't want to bore you with. 

The bottom line is I think the book was worth the $15 bucks I spent on Amazon for it.  I know I have started to appreciate the people in my life a lot more and have made much more of an effort to act the way I want to feel...happy.

Dr. Jekyll and Miss Hyde

After John's funeral was over on Wednesday, we arrived home exhausted.  Thursday morning we woke up to a sick baby.  I just assumed she had an upset tummy from all the cookies that had been handed to her the day before at Sandy's house.  I was wrong though. 

Friday morning we woke up to a very sick baby and a sick husband.  This was the dreaded flu that's been making it's way around.  It was bound to be our turn sometime but I was still holding out hope that our flu shots would save us.  Steve was sick all day Friday and part of Saturday and I was sick only on Saturday.  Ava however is still sick.  I thought she was in the clear as of yesterday because she had not been sick since Sunday morning.  Again, I was wrong.  We woke up today to see that Ava had thrown up while sleeping...ick! This is day 6 of the little lady being sick. 

She has learned how to hold the trash can if she feels sick.  She did this all on her own, too.  It has been very interesting to watch because she is miserable one minute and as soon as she throws up she is tearing around the house happy as a clam.  That happiness lasts for about half an hour and then we're back to miserable.  I'm hoping she starts feeling better soon.  I don't know how much more puke I can take!

Looking for the Glimmer

Sorry to be MIA for a week.  Last week was long, sad, exhausting, and emotional.  Last Sunday Steve's uncle passed away.  John was 49 years old and for all practical purposes a healthy guy.  He went to the doctor because he wasn't feeling well after starting a new diet and was diagnosed with cancer on February 2nd.  On February 28th, John passed away quietly with his wife and siblings by his side.  John leaves behind his wife, Sandy, and his 12 year old daughter, Melanie. 

I haven't dealt much with death in my life.  Three of my grandparents died before I was born or when I was too young to remember.  My grandma is still here and will never die.  That's just how it's going to be!  Steve hasn't dealt with it much either.  To lose his uncle at such a young age was a shock and it all happened too fast.  I know he is in heaven and not in any more pain.  While I know this in my head, my heart can't stop aching for his wife and daughter.  His wife is amazingly strong and did a phenomenal job those 2 long days during the visitation and funeral.  His daughter, Melanie, was so strong too.  She was surrounded by her friends and classmates both days which helped take her mind off all the somber faces around her. 

Both days I was looking for that glimmer of happiness to return to them both.  Just a small inkling that they were going to be okay was all I wanted to see.  After laying John to rest and saying their final goodbyes, I saw the glimmer.  All the family and friends were at their house and Sandy's brother received a call saying that he won a new car.  There was screaming, jumping up and down, laughter, and more screaming.  It lightened the mood and brought smiles to everyone's face.  For those who knew John, this is exactly how he would have wanted his funeral to be.  Happy, smiles, no tears, and a new car!  Sandy and Melanie are going to be okay, it's just going to take time...lots of time. 

You will be greatly missed, John.