What I've been needing...

I've mentioned before that this was a terrifically difficult year for me. I don't like to focus on myself but I've been doing quite a bit of soul searching over the last few weeks. As summer is fast approaching (can't wait....can't wait.....can't wait) I've been pondering whether or not to continue my life as is or whether some things need to change. We need change.

This year was too busy.

Too busy for things that REALLY matter to me. One big thing is time to spend with those I love. I have really missed my friends this year. I don't want to lose them over lack of time. I'm bound and determined to MAKE time.

I spent a short amount of time today with my good friend Val and her lovely children because I needed to measure her son's baptismal outfit (pictures to come...I PROMISE). I had the loveliest time building Lincoln logs with the kids and talking with my friend. What a simple joy. One I must repeat over and over. Thanks, Val. I needed that.

Just bought...

Life Beyond Measure by Sydney Poitier. I've been hearing the interviews with him each morning on NPR as I go to work. His stories are amazing. I don't usually buy books for myself. I'm a library kind of girl. That being said, if anyone wants to read it after me, I'm happy to share.

In other news I've been sewing a baptismal garment. I had to rip the whole thing apart because I sewed the back piece on backward! I've got it back together. Pictures to come soon.

Summer is on the horizon. We are so excited. Less than three weeks of school (for me...2 for the kids) left.

Make your own laundry detergent

Quilting

I haven't really been in my sewing room since Christmas. Ok, I really have been but only to pile things onto my sewing table that didn't have a home. We were invited to a baptism at church and I had really wanted to make a quilt. Over Christmas I started two quilt tops but never got any further. Since I had all the materials for the Beatrix Potter quilt I set to work. I finished the top and sandwiched the quilt last Sunday. I started quilting during the week and really did most of it on Saturday. Sunday morning 6am I finished sewing on the binding and threw it in the washer and dryer. I still can't believe I got it finished! Of course finishing one quilt makes me itch to do some more sewing. Another good friend asked if I would make her son's baptismal outfit and since that is at the end of the month, I'd better get in gear!

The hat

Nolan came home the day the muscial opened and was very excited. "Mr. S. gave me his grandfather's hat to wear. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't know myself. I thought I was looking at one of my ancestors!" He then proceeded to ask me if we had any pictures of our ancestors from when they were young. Nolan looks like my side of the family and I don't think we have many pictures of my grandparents when they were young. He used the hat to his advantage during the musical. It was so darling to see how he got into his character.
The musical is over now but the memories (and the songs in our heads) continue. The end of school is nearing and we are ready for a break. Overall we had a good year but it was very busy and we are ready to rest and enjoy each other without all the hubub of this year. We have some big decisions to make this year. Financially school is really taxing our family and we may (once again) have to change schools for the boys. Keep us in your prayers as we make this difficult decision.