Hey everyone!
HAPPY 100TH POST TO HYDEEN HAPPENINGS!!!
If you've visited my blog in the last week or so, you've seen my new little button for Aria MacDonald.
Here's my connection to Aria:
A while back, they announced in church that a family from New Zealand would be coming to UNMC to wait for organs for their daughter, who has total hirschsprungs disease. She's unable to digest food (I think) and here in NEBRASKA of all places, lies her only hope. She's waiting for a transplant of her entire bowel system (I think). Obviously, I don't really know all the details. I just know that our church decided to take this family and bless them in as many ways as we can, and of course pray for Aria diligently. I have never met the family, but Steve has seen them a number of times and talked to them briefly on occasion at work. There's a lot that I don't know.
But what I DO know is that my little stories about my little life and my little problems that you all apparently find a little amusing for some reason are so insignificant compared to the BIG issues that this family deals with daily. Uprooting themselves, finding new friends, putting their son in a new preschool, a totally new life in a new hospital, being a million miles away from their family, just trusting that God's plan is bigger than all their trials...I could go on and on.
So, in honor of my 100th post, I'm challenging my readers to donate a LITTLE money to make a BIG difference. I'm hoping for at least 100 bucks, since it's my 100th post. And I figure that maybe I have between 20 and 50 blog readers. So, if we're trying to get to 100 bucks, then we'd each have to donate between $2 and $5 dollars. I know in the grand scheme of things, a hundred bucks isn't much of a dent in the amount of money that needs to be raised. But it IS a dent. And the only way to get there is little by little.
So, here's what to do:
just click HERE.
From there they just get your info and you are on your way to raising 100 bucks for my 100th post! I really think we can do it! (if you want to read more info on Aria's story, click on the button on the side of my blog.)
DON'T be embarassed that your little donation is up there with the list of big donations. Collectively, we can be a big donation! I currently have the LOWEST donation amount, and darn proud of it! And I wrote about what we're trying to do. So if you put "I read Andrea's blog" in the comments or something, then they'll be able to see our little donations add up.
Oh, but one more thing. The money is being raised in New Zealand Dollars, instead of USD. So to make it easier for you, I did the conversion! To donate $2 USD, put 2.85 NZD as your dontation. To donate $5 USD, put 7.13 NZD as your donation.
And hurry up, so my little donation isn't all by itself on the donation page.
If you feel led, (and yes, I'm leading you), post a comment on this post telling that you donated, so we can see the teamwork idea working.
I think you probably have $2. And I think you probably have 2 minutes. And I think that we can really raise 100 bucks, which is way cooler than anything else I could think of for my 100th post.
ready, set, CLICK on the button!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Christmas Present Standouts
Well, after ONE month of playing with all our new Christmas gifts, we definitely have a few that stand out of the crowd. Here are the "most something"s of all the Hydeen presents this past year.
Most used: BY FAR, it's my griddle!
Most unused, but really excited to use: my gift card to Michael's (woo hoo!), and Steve's give card to B&N. Although I feel like I should mention that I'm heading to Michael's later today to spend mine!
Most practical: the money and Visa cards we got from Steve's g&g, and aunt and uncle. We bought so much fun "house stuff" with it! :)
Most beloved but annoying: it's a TIE between their recorders and the police SUV, complete with siren noises.
Most kissed: the cousin photo hanging in Brielle's room that gets kissed almost every time she goes to bed. She loves to kiss "ellie" and "nolan." Ellie would be Elliot, and Nolan is the name of every other child that exists in her life, besides her siblings. :)
Most appreciated: my recipe book from Maria! yay for not having to flip through entire cook books to figure out what to plan for!
Most played with: also a TIE, between Josiah's matchbox car filled semi truck, and the memory games, which helped us survive many a snow day this month.
Most admired: my bella blocks that Carla gave me (that Melinda made). They are stroked and admired by every guest that comes in my house!
Most entertaining: TIE between the GPS system that the kids LOVE to watch, even when we know where we're going, and Josiah's red remote control pickup, controlled by Steve, chasing the kids around the basement. :)
Thanks everyone for all the great gifts!
(and please don't be offended if your gift didn't make the list!) :)
Most used: BY FAR, it's my griddle!
Most unused, but really excited to use: my gift card to Michael's (woo hoo!), and Steve's give card to B&N. Although I feel like I should mention that I'm heading to Michael's later today to spend mine!
Most practical: the money and Visa cards we got from Steve's g&g, and aunt and uncle. We bought so much fun "house stuff" with it! :)
Most beloved but annoying: it's a TIE between their recorders and the police SUV, complete with siren noises.
Most kissed: the cousin photo hanging in Brielle's room that gets kissed almost every time she goes to bed. She loves to kiss "ellie" and "nolan." Ellie would be Elliot, and Nolan is the name of every other child that exists in her life, besides her siblings. :)
Most appreciated: my recipe book from Maria! yay for not having to flip through entire cook books to figure out what to plan for!
Most played with: also a TIE, between Josiah's matchbox car filled semi truck, and the memory games, which helped us survive many a snow day this month.
Most admired: my bella blocks that Carla gave me (that Melinda made). They are stroked and admired by every guest that comes in my house!
Most entertaining: TIE between the GPS system that the kids LOVE to watch, even when we know where we're going, and Josiah's red remote control pickup, controlled by Steve, chasing the kids around the basement. :)
Thanks everyone for all the great gifts!
(and please don't be offended if your gift didn't make the list!) :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
one of those days...
Today is one of those days where I don't want my kids to touch me. I can't figure out how to use an "inside voice" when i speak to them. I freak out at the littlest things, and use every ounce of patience within me to get through- moment to moment. I'm not sure why it's one of those days. The house isn't ridiculously messy, which often sparks these kinds of days. None of my usual "triggers" can be found, except for the absence of my best friend/love/partner in parenting. :( Steve's been working later than usual, and when you add all our weekly evening activities to the schedule, and the fact that last night I just had to LEAVE for a while when he got home just to get some sanity back, there hasn't been much time together. That must be the trigger.
It's quiet time now, and all too soon I'll have to wake the kids up to go get Lillian. I have a list about 15 items long of things to cram into this short amount of time. But instead, I have a song playing in my head. It's called "It Won't Be Like This For Long." So I decided to go around the house and take pictures that kind of capture the phase of life we're in. In case you need to read this as much as I need to write it, here are the lyrics, along with a few photos of things I noticed in my house today that made me sad because it really won't be like this for long. enjoy.
It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker (the Hootie and the Blowfish guy!)
He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long
Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long
Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin’
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
‘Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on
‘Cause it won’t be like this for long
It won’t be like this for long
It's quiet time now, and all too soon I'll have to wake the kids up to go get Lillian. I have a list about 15 items long of things to cram into this short amount of time. But instead, I have a song playing in my head. It's called "It Won't Be Like This For Long." So I decided to go around the house and take pictures that kind of capture the phase of life we're in. In case you need to read this as much as I need to write it, here are the lyrics, along with a few photos of things I noticed in my house today that made me sad because it really won't be like this for long. enjoy.
It Won't Be Like This For Long by Darius Rucker (the Hootie and the Blowfish guy!)
He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long
Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long
Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin’
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
‘Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on
‘Cause it won’t be like this for long
It won’t be like this for long
Thursday, January 28, 2010
hoping for sickness
So, I got my first call from Lillian's school today, telling me she's sick. :(
When I went to pick her up the teacher explained that she was also very sad, and that maybe that was part of why she didn't feel good.
And the reason she was sad is that they were counting to 100 with pieces of corn, and it was frustrating for her, and then she got this tummy ache.
SO...
either I have a version of my eldest sister on my hands, who gets sick and stresses out about not doing things perfectly, or she really doesn't feel good.
And here's the thing. She's counted to 100 about a million times. But I"m not sure she's done any sort of one-to-one correspondence activity with it. So that's probably what threw her off. And made her sick when she couldn't do it right.
So even though I never thought I'd say it, I hope Lillian's sick. She'll feel better soon if she is.
But if she's not, then I have the feeling we won't be done with this for a looooong time. :(
When I went to pick her up the teacher explained that she was also very sad, and that maybe that was part of why she didn't feel good.
And the reason she was sad is that they were counting to 100 with pieces of corn, and it was frustrating for her, and then she got this tummy ache.
SO...
either I have a version of my eldest sister on my hands, who gets sick and stresses out about not doing things perfectly, or she really doesn't feel good.
And here's the thing. She's counted to 100 about a million times. But I"m not sure she's done any sort of one-to-one correspondence activity with it. So that's probably what threw her off. And made her sick when she couldn't do it right.
So even though I never thought I'd say it, I hope Lillian's sick. She'll feel better soon if she is.
But if she's not, then I have the feeling we won't be done with this for a looooong time. :(
Monday, January 25, 2010
shopping sucks, part two
Okay, so I'm really excited about shopping. and yes, I really wrote that. here's why:
On Friday at MOPS we had a speaker come and talk about body shape and how to dress the body that God designed for you (good point, huh?) and feel good about it. The speaker, Becky, was sitting at my table, so we got to chat with her a bit more. My table leader was telling her about my "shopping sucks" blogpost, and she told me that I have to check out zafu.com.
So I did it.
I went to zafu.com.
I paid 19.99.
I answered a bunch of questions about how jeans fit me.
I answered a couple questions about my style.
I got a printout WITH PICTURES of all the jeans that *should* fit me really well, and their prices (ranging from $12 to $98), and where to buy them.
I even got a cheat sheet to bring to the stores with me while I shop.
SO, if any of my sisters would like to come to Omaha for a weekend and go shopping with me, then I could let you know the results and write a "shopping sucks, part three" post.
Apparently I got a special deal. I'm not sure if it's really special or not, but I paid 20 bucks, and got the history behind all the jeans, etc. for free. It's an option for an extra 8 bucks, which I chose not to get, but then got it for free. And I think the $20 is supposed to be the half price cost, so I guess it's originally 40? anyway, there's a code for me to pass on to my friends if they want to get the same deal as me. so here it is: 46924. you have 14 days to use the code.
I got LOTS of comments in person and on the blog from that one little post about shopping for jeans. So I know we are not alone ladies! Check back (hopefully soon) to see if any of those jeans actually worked!
*oh, and if you don't want to pay the money to try it, you should still check out the website. there's lots of good info on there that make you feel like less of a fitting room FREAK. :)
On Friday at MOPS we had a speaker come and talk about body shape and how to dress the body that God designed for you (good point, huh?) and feel good about it. The speaker, Becky, was sitting at my table, so we got to chat with her a bit more. My table leader was telling her about my "shopping sucks" blogpost, and she told me that I have to check out zafu.com.
So I did it.
I went to zafu.com.
I paid 19.99.
I answered a bunch of questions about how jeans fit me.
I answered a couple questions about my style.
I got a printout WITH PICTURES of all the jeans that *should* fit me really well, and their prices (ranging from $12 to $98), and where to buy them.
I even got a cheat sheet to bring to the stores with me while I shop.
SO, if any of my sisters would like to come to Omaha for a weekend and go shopping with me, then I could let you know the results and write a "shopping sucks, part three" post.
Apparently I got a special deal. I'm not sure if it's really special or not, but I paid 20 bucks, and got the history behind all the jeans, etc. for free. It's an option for an extra 8 bucks, which I chose not to get, but then got it for free. And I think the $20 is supposed to be the half price cost, so I guess it's originally 40? anyway, there's a code for me to pass on to my friends if they want to get the same deal as me. so here it is: 46924. you have 14 days to use the code.
I got LOTS of comments in person and on the blog from that one little post about shopping for jeans. So I know we are not alone ladies! Check back (hopefully soon) to see if any of those jeans actually worked!
*oh, and if you don't want to pay the money to try it, you should still check out the website. there's lots of good info on there that make you feel like less of a fitting room FREAK. :)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
dear super fan
dear super fan,
I'm the one that was stuck behind you at the concert last night, and while I didn't have the words to say anything last night, I have them now. and there a few things that you really should know.
first of all, we all know you know the words to her songs. most of us do. that's why we were at her concert. in fact, brandi probably already knows that most of her audiences think she's awesome and can sing along. but you don't have to show her. i'm convinced she was UNIMPRESSED. probably because you can't carry a tune and you ruined the sound of her voice. oh, and I was unimpressed as well. quite unimpressed.
secondly, i have never considered myself a homophobe. but I think I am now. the CONSTANT touching, kissing, arm wrapping, and neck smothering was really getting to me. and see, i don't really care that you're lesbians. that's not the issue. there were plenty more there last night that didn't bother me in the least. but you guys were a little annoying about it. and if you were heterosexual I would be just as annoyed. there are places to be intimate, and places to be respectful of people around you. you should look into that.
oh, and speaking of 'respectful,' you should maybe learn a thing or two about personal space, and not just for your girlfriend's sake. see, when I don't know you, and even if I did know you, come to think of it, I DON'T want your hair strewn about my face and my chest when you get the itch to show brandi how much you love her music and throw your head back and "sing." it's gross. and it smells like smoke. and i'm not convinced you washed it yesterday. or the day before. you get my point. keep it to yourself.
and, let's see...Okay, the jumping thing? doesn't work at the slowdown. it's a small venue. everyone's close together. it just doesn't work. brandi's not really a mosh pit kind of artist. so maybe save that for someone else. i understand that as a superfan, you want to be like her, and jump when she jumps, but it wasn't good. i was scared for my toes. and my nose. and YOUR knees, because I was about to do that thing to the back of them that makes you fall. but i resisted. because i'm a christian. :)
alright, I think that about sums it up. please know that if brandi wasn't such an awesome live performer, you would have totally ruined the whole night for me. instead you just changed it. because instead of seeing this (and yes, this close. we were VERY CLOSE):
and this:
I saw THIS, except you were jumping up and down and getting your hair all in my face, which this photo cannot show:
but thank goodness for the cello player.
he's the one who I watched, way off to the side of the stage, so that I wouldn't get motion sick trying to see around you. and I can't complain, because he's a good looking guy, but ya know, I came to see brandi. and this poor guy knew i was watching him the whole time. in fact, he was giving me looks that said, "you poor girl, stuck behind the super fan. i'm not creeped out that you keep watching me, because i can clearly see why. I wouldn't want to look forward either." seriously, you were not only bothering me with your antics, you were bothering the cello player. and brandi. my sister and i are positive we saw brandi giving us similar looks as the cello player did. they all felt bad for us.
so there you have it. a few tips on how to be a better person. i feel like you owe me twenty bucks, but i'll take one for the team. but just know that some day you're going to be in front of someone who's not as loving as me. and they won't save all their mean yet helpful things for their blog. and it just might be a security guard who has the best interest of all fans in mind. and you'll be asked to leave. or you'll be hurt very badly.
and don't say i didn't warn ya.
with angry love,
andrea
I'm the one that was stuck behind you at the concert last night, and while I didn't have the words to say anything last night, I have them now. and there a few things that you really should know.
first of all, we all know you know the words to her songs. most of us do. that's why we were at her concert. in fact, brandi probably already knows that most of her audiences think she's awesome and can sing along. but you don't have to show her. i'm convinced she was UNIMPRESSED. probably because you can't carry a tune and you ruined the sound of her voice. oh, and I was unimpressed as well. quite unimpressed.
secondly, i have never considered myself a homophobe. but I think I am now. the CONSTANT touching, kissing, arm wrapping, and neck smothering was really getting to me. and see, i don't really care that you're lesbians. that's not the issue. there were plenty more there last night that didn't bother me in the least. but you guys were a little annoying about it. and if you were heterosexual I would be just as annoyed. there are places to be intimate, and places to be respectful of people around you. you should look into that.
oh, and speaking of 'respectful,' you should maybe learn a thing or two about personal space, and not just for your girlfriend's sake. see, when I don't know you, and even if I did know you, come to think of it, I DON'T want your hair strewn about my face and my chest when you get the itch to show brandi how much you love her music and throw your head back and "sing." it's gross. and it smells like smoke. and i'm not convinced you washed it yesterday. or the day before. you get my point. keep it to yourself.
and, let's see...Okay, the jumping thing? doesn't work at the slowdown. it's a small venue. everyone's close together. it just doesn't work. brandi's not really a mosh pit kind of artist. so maybe save that for someone else. i understand that as a superfan, you want to be like her, and jump when she jumps, but it wasn't good. i was scared for my toes. and my nose. and YOUR knees, because I was about to do that thing to the back of them that makes you fall. but i resisted. because i'm a christian. :)
alright, I think that about sums it up. please know that if brandi wasn't such an awesome live performer, you would have totally ruined the whole night for me. instead you just changed it. because instead of seeing this (and yes, this close. we were VERY CLOSE):
and this:
I saw THIS, except you were jumping up and down and getting your hair all in my face, which this photo cannot show:
but thank goodness for the cello player.
he's the one who I watched, way off to the side of the stage, so that I wouldn't get motion sick trying to see around you. and I can't complain, because he's a good looking guy, but ya know, I came to see brandi. and this poor guy knew i was watching him the whole time. in fact, he was giving me looks that said, "you poor girl, stuck behind the super fan. i'm not creeped out that you keep watching me, because i can clearly see why. I wouldn't want to look forward either." seriously, you were not only bothering me with your antics, you were bothering the cello player. and brandi. my sister and i are positive we saw brandi giving us similar looks as the cello player did. they all felt bad for us.
so there you have it. a few tips on how to be a better person. i feel like you owe me twenty bucks, but i'll take one for the team. but just know that some day you're going to be in front of someone who's not as loving as me. and they won't save all their mean yet helpful things for their blog. and it just might be a security guard who has the best interest of all fans in mind. and you'll be asked to leave. or you'll be hurt very badly.
and don't say i didn't warn ya.
with angry love,
andrea
Monday, January 11, 2010
my posse
On Saturday I had a baby shower, so daddy was in charge. and when I came back, I found out that these gangstas had a heck of a time here without me. :)
(Josiah couldn't quite get the finger part)
and the best part:
Lillian thought Steve was just going to take a picture, but he really had it on video, and boy am I glad. :)
(Josiah couldn't quite get the finger part)
and the best part:
Lillian thought Steve was just going to take a picture, but he really had it on video, and boy am I glad. :)
Friday, January 8, 2010
craft-lifter
I think it's safe to say that I have absolutely ZERO creativity. Well, creativity as in "thinking stuff up," not necessarily "the ability to create." I can copy, I just can't think anything up for myself. I'm a craft-lifter.
I started the pinkadink because I ordered a bow from someone else, and decided I could do it myself. I sort of have the idea in my head that I can make anything, which is why one of my next projects will be a shelving unit. we'll see how it actually turns out, but I'm gonna make it I am!
I just love making stuff! and I especially love making gifts. Even though it seems a little backward, I feel like if the person who gets the gift doesn't really like it and throws it away eventually, I prefer that they throw my homemade gift away as opposed to a gift that I went out to the store to buy for them. It seems weird, since a lot of time and work goes into making homemade gifts. But I think it's because usually I can create things for cheaper than if I buy them premade. So then I don't feel like I'm wasting AS MUCH money on a gift if it gets thrown away.
anyway...
Just thought I'd share a few pictures of the stuff I've been making lately....
For Christmas I made these towels for my niece and nephews. and then pulled a bonehead move and wrapped the boys' and put the WRONG names on them! ugh... so anyway, I got the idea because Steve's great aunt made something very similar for my kids when they were babies, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that it's not a "baby towel" that is way too small after like 6 months. so I craftlifted her idea and made some!
And then, since I loved making them so much I also made one for the little guy I do daycare for, and also for the baby shower that I have this weekend. Baby Nate's gift is from me and my neighbor, so I thought we could add a couple more items to make it a more substantial gift.
When my niece Hazel was born, she got a bunch of really great bibs as a gift. I have always wanted to try to make them myself. Well, then my sisters' friends (and my friends too) :) started a business and one of their products is the same type of bib! I had just ordered a couple from 'the dotted duck' and since I have loved them after only a few weeks, I thought that'd be a great addition. I almost made my own bibs for Brielle since she feeds herself now, but decided to support my friends' business because it's awesome and because they always support mine! :) So I got two from them, but wanted to just make a couple on my own to match the towel for the gift. SO, here's the gift for "baby nate." (and if you don't have a sewing machine or the desire to make these wonderful bibs, check out www.thedottedduck.com and order some because they are awesome. except they don't have initials on them. but they might do it if you ask them to!)
Another little project I've had the itch to try is sewing dresses. Lots of people have approached me about adding other items to the pinkadink, but I just haven't really been ready for it. In my head I thought about adding dresses like this down the line, but I was just trying to make sure that I had really good products with what I was already doing, and trying to survive the fall. But who knows, a partnership of sorts may develop some time in the future, but I can't really say too much about that until I talk to a certain someone again. :) But now that I've had way more time trapped in this house by sickness or weather than I EVER imagined, I've been NEEDING something to kind of help me escape the feeling of "stuckness." So tonight I made a couple dresses. Here's one for Lillian.
It's called a pillowcase dress, because they are super easy to make with a pillowcase. But if you don't have a pillowcase you want to use, you can just use fabric. These are all over etsy, and I tried to find a good tutorial online, but never really found a good one. I knew the basic make-up of the dress, and just started going. I made a few major mistakes, but learned my lesson for next time. And as long as you don't look too closely, it looks pretty cute!
Lillian, however, doesn't like it. She thinks it looks like an apron, and kept saying to me, "mom, are you gonna make it cuter? did you mess up? it looks weird." I happen to think it's super cute with a longsleeve shirt underneath it for winter, and just as a sun dress for summer. If she still doesn't like it after a few days, then I guess I already have Hannah's birthday gift ready for April. :)
I also have been wanting to try a "cora dress" since I heard the story about the McLenahans. We heard her sotry and began praying for Cora last year because some of her extended family attended our church. They have an amazing but difficult story of losing their daughter and still giving God glory through it all. They also wanted to honor her life by building a playground at their church in her memory, and created an etsy shop to help raise money for it. Cora's mom (Jess) and her grandma are very talented, and make all sorts of adorable stuff that sells out within hours of putting it up for sale. the cora dresses are my favorite. So I decided to make one tonight for Hazel, who's turning one soon. She'll also be getting a pillowcase dress, but since i wanted to try this anyway, she gets both! :) (don't tell her, okay maria???)
I spent the time making this dress tonight in prayer for Joel and Jess and their brand new baby boy and all the changes and challenges they must be going through right now. And also making sure to thank God for my beautiful healthy children. So Hazel, when you wear this, your mommy can remember to be thankful that you are a perfectly healthy little girl too.
I have discovered a new love in my life with this sewing stuff. I think the reason I love it most is because it makes me feel so connected to my mom, which is hard to do as more and more time passes. I find myself thinking that I have to remember to ask her about 'such and such' and then suddenly realizing I can't. But it's a good feeling. I like it when I feel like it hasn't been forever. Like she hasn't missed out on so much of life. Like she's sitting right beside me. My very first sewing experience was the coolest. But since then I haven't felt THAT connected, but I
HAVE noticed myself holding my mouth the exact same way she did when she sewed. Or swearing (and I'm not a swearer) when I totally mess up like she did (and she wasn't a swearer either). :) It's just little things, but it's part of why I love it. So even if I never get good enough to add it all to the pinkadink, it's at least something that I love doing more and more every day. you all should consider buying yourself a sewing machine. :)
I started the pinkadink because I ordered a bow from someone else, and decided I could do it myself. I sort of have the idea in my head that I can make anything, which is why one of my next projects will be a shelving unit. we'll see how it actually turns out, but I'm gonna make it I am!
I just love making stuff! and I especially love making gifts. Even though it seems a little backward, I feel like if the person who gets the gift doesn't really like it and throws it away eventually, I prefer that they throw my homemade gift away as opposed to a gift that I went out to the store to buy for them. It seems weird, since a lot of time and work goes into making homemade gifts. But I think it's because usually I can create things for cheaper than if I buy them premade. So then I don't feel like I'm wasting AS MUCH money on a gift if it gets thrown away.
anyway...
Just thought I'd share a few pictures of the stuff I've been making lately....
For Christmas I made these towels for my niece and nephews. and then pulled a bonehead move and wrapped the boys' and put the WRONG names on them! ugh... so anyway, I got the idea because Steve's great aunt made something very similar for my kids when they were babies, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that it's not a "baby towel" that is way too small after like 6 months. so I craftlifted her idea and made some!
And then, since I loved making them so much I also made one for the little guy I do daycare for, and also for the baby shower that I have this weekend. Baby Nate's gift is from me and my neighbor, so I thought we could add a couple more items to make it a more substantial gift.
When my niece Hazel was born, she got a bunch of really great bibs as a gift. I have always wanted to try to make them myself. Well, then my sisters' friends (and my friends too) :) started a business and one of their products is the same type of bib! I had just ordered a couple from 'the dotted duck' and since I have loved them after only a few weeks, I thought that'd be a great addition. I almost made my own bibs for Brielle since she feeds herself now, but decided to support my friends' business because it's awesome and because they always support mine! :) So I got two from them, but wanted to just make a couple on my own to match the towel for the gift. SO, here's the gift for "baby nate." (and if you don't have a sewing machine or the desire to make these wonderful bibs, check out www.thedottedduck.com and order some because they are awesome. except they don't have initials on them. but they might do it if you ask them to!)
Another little project I've had the itch to try is sewing dresses. Lots of people have approached me about adding other items to the pinkadink, but I just haven't really been ready for it. In my head I thought about adding dresses like this down the line, but I was just trying to make sure that I had really good products with what I was already doing, and trying to survive the fall. But who knows, a partnership of sorts may develop some time in the future, but I can't really say too much about that until I talk to a certain someone again. :) But now that I've had way more time trapped in this house by sickness or weather than I EVER imagined, I've been NEEDING something to kind of help me escape the feeling of "stuckness." So tonight I made a couple dresses. Here's one for Lillian.
It's called a pillowcase dress, because they are super easy to make with a pillowcase. But if you don't have a pillowcase you want to use, you can just use fabric. These are all over etsy, and I tried to find a good tutorial online, but never really found a good one. I knew the basic make-up of the dress, and just started going. I made a few major mistakes, but learned my lesson for next time. And as long as you don't look too closely, it looks pretty cute!
Lillian, however, doesn't like it. She thinks it looks like an apron, and kept saying to me, "mom, are you gonna make it cuter? did you mess up? it looks weird." I happen to think it's super cute with a longsleeve shirt underneath it for winter, and just as a sun dress for summer. If she still doesn't like it after a few days, then I guess I already have Hannah's birthday gift ready for April. :)
I also have been wanting to try a "cora dress" since I heard the story about the McLenahans. We heard her sotry and began praying for Cora last year because some of her extended family attended our church. They have an amazing but difficult story of losing their daughter and still giving God glory through it all. They also wanted to honor her life by building a playground at their church in her memory, and created an etsy shop to help raise money for it. Cora's mom (Jess) and her grandma are very talented, and make all sorts of adorable stuff that sells out within hours of putting it up for sale. the cora dresses are my favorite. So I decided to make one tonight for Hazel, who's turning one soon. She'll also be getting a pillowcase dress, but since i wanted to try this anyway, she gets both! :) (don't tell her, okay maria???)
I spent the time making this dress tonight in prayer for Joel and Jess and their brand new baby boy and all the changes and challenges they must be going through right now. And also making sure to thank God for my beautiful healthy children. So Hazel, when you wear this, your mommy can remember to be thankful that you are a perfectly healthy little girl too.
I have discovered a new love in my life with this sewing stuff. I think the reason I love it most is because it makes me feel so connected to my mom, which is hard to do as more and more time passes. I find myself thinking that I have to remember to ask her about 'such and such' and then suddenly realizing I can't. But it's a good feeling. I like it when I feel like it hasn't been forever. Like she hasn't missed out on so much of life. Like she's sitting right beside me. My very first sewing experience was the coolest. But since then I haven't felt THAT connected, but I
HAVE noticed myself holding my mouth the exact same way she did when she sewed. Or swearing (and I'm not a swearer) when I totally mess up like she did (and she wasn't a swearer either). :) It's just little things, but it's part of why I love it. So even if I never get good enough to add it all to the pinkadink, it's at least something that I love doing more and more every day. you all should consider buying yourself a sewing machine. :)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
shopping sucks
I hate shopping. hate it.
I have tried on about 50 pairs of jeans in the last few weeks, and NONE of them fit like my beloved AE jeans that they no longer make. And I don't think it's because i'm not very far into my "fit again" plan. It's a problem I've had my whole life, even when I WAS fit. Jeans just don't fit me. The waist is huge if the legs fit, and if the waist fits, I wouldn't know it, because I can't get them up past my knees. And I think I have a pretty average size body. Apparently not average shape though, or they'd have more jeans that fit me. And I have a range of sizes that I wear, depending on the brand, and the cut, and all that. So shopping is just torture.
I don't want teenager jeans. I don't want "mom jeans." I just want my favorite boyfriends. they were perfect. (until the upper thigh holes appeared anyway.) they were the only pair I've EVER loved.
and the kicker...
I was out tonight (braving the cold and wind because my need for jeans is consuming my every thought) by myself, browsing through the store, on the phone with my sister. I picked up a pair of jeans for steve that said the right number on them. then I proceeded to try on NINE pairs of jeans in a variety of sizes. And I left with two pairs, not because they fit well or because I liked them, but because I need something to wear on my bottomside.
okay, so anyway, I bought one pair of jeans for steve because they were the right size. and they'll probably fit him, this ONE pair I got. Because that's how it is for guys. They have a size, and that size fits them. and I want to be a guy.
but in the meantime, and forever, I'll continue to search until I find something similar to my favorite boyfriend AE jeans. (and no, their current favorite boyfriend jeans are NOT what I'm talking about.) and I'll cry. big sad teardrop shaped tears over the loss of what will never again be.
and I'll continue to hate shopping.
Oh, but just for the record, I just had steve try on his jeans. and they didn't fit him. Which makes me mad and glad. mad because much of this post (about me wanting to be a guy with a number that fits) doesn't mean anything anymore, and glad because it would have driven me crazy to witness it once again if they would have fit.
I have tried on about 50 pairs of jeans in the last few weeks, and NONE of them fit like my beloved AE jeans that they no longer make. And I don't think it's because i'm not very far into my "fit again" plan. It's a problem I've had my whole life, even when I WAS fit. Jeans just don't fit me. The waist is huge if the legs fit, and if the waist fits, I wouldn't know it, because I can't get them up past my knees. And I think I have a pretty average size body. Apparently not average shape though, or they'd have more jeans that fit me. And I have a range of sizes that I wear, depending on the brand, and the cut, and all that. So shopping is just torture.
I don't want teenager jeans. I don't want "mom jeans." I just want my favorite boyfriends. they were perfect. (until the upper thigh holes appeared anyway.) they were the only pair I've EVER loved.
and the kicker...
I was out tonight (braving the cold and wind because my need for jeans is consuming my every thought) by myself, browsing through the store, on the phone with my sister. I picked up a pair of jeans for steve that said the right number on them. then I proceeded to try on NINE pairs of jeans in a variety of sizes. And I left with two pairs, not because they fit well or because I liked them, but because I need something to wear on my bottomside.
okay, so anyway, I bought one pair of jeans for steve because they were the right size. and they'll probably fit him, this ONE pair I got. Because that's how it is for guys. They have a size, and that size fits them. and I want to be a guy.
but in the meantime, and forever, I'll continue to search until I find something similar to my favorite boyfriend AE jeans. (and no, their current favorite boyfriend jeans are NOT what I'm talking about.) and I'll cry. big sad teardrop shaped tears over the loss of what will never again be.
and I'll continue to hate shopping.
Oh, but just for the record, I just had steve try on his jeans. and they didn't fit him. Which makes me mad and glad. mad because much of this post (about me wanting to be a guy with a number that fits) doesn't mean anything anymore, and glad because it would have driven me crazy to witness it once again if they would have fit.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
drive down dodge
The other day I had to bring Steve's sister and her friend to the airport at like 3:30 in the morning. I actually kind of enjoyed the drive, with barely any other cars (but still way more than I expected...what was everyone ELSE doing at that hour???).
On the way there I took 680, but on the way back I took Dodge. On the way there I was busy chatting away with Christa. But on the way back it was just silent. So I took the time to notice things.
I noticed the instant stomach ache I got at about 24th and Cuming, and was thankful once again that I am a stay at home mom instead of a teacher.
I noticed the breathtaking scene at 30th and Dodge, right by the new Mutual of Omaha area. It's so beautiful with all the trees lit up. Like a winter wonderland. And I was thankful to live in a seasonal state.
I noticed the quiet calm surrounding UNMC (where steve works) and knew that it wouldn't be that calm for much longer. But instead of the negative thoughts that I assumed would be filling my head, I found myself with my hand on the window towards the hospital, just praying for the people who are stuck there and who work there and who visit there. And I was thankful that Steve goes there every day to work his JOB, not for treatments, not for tests, not for sickness.
I noticed that there were a LOT of people working already too, at 4am. Snow plows busy busy busy. Guys shoveling out and salting the bus stop shelters. Cold, terrible jobs, I'm sure. And I thought of their wives at home in bed alone.
And when I got home I was locked out of the house. But I just called my sleeping husband, who let me in from the frigid cold. And then we crawled back in bed together.
And I was thankful first of all that I have a house. And secondly, that even though Steve's job takes a lot out of him, he goes to bed with me every night, and wakes up with me (well, much earlier than me) every morning.
And I am SO thankful to live the life I live. And I loved that little 4am drive down Dodge.
On the way there I took 680, but on the way back I took Dodge. On the way there I was busy chatting away with Christa. But on the way back it was just silent. So I took the time to notice things.
I noticed the instant stomach ache I got at about 24th and Cuming, and was thankful once again that I am a stay at home mom instead of a teacher.
I noticed the breathtaking scene at 30th and Dodge, right by the new Mutual of Omaha area. It's so beautiful with all the trees lit up. Like a winter wonderland. And I was thankful to live in a seasonal state.
I noticed the quiet calm surrounding UNMC (where steve works) and knew that it wouldn't be that calm for much longer. But instead of the negative thoughts that I assumed would be filling my head, I found myself with my hand on the window towards the hospital, just praying for the people who are stuck there and who work there and who visit there. And I was thankful that Steve goes there every day to work his JOB, not for treatments, not for tests, not for sickness.
I noticed that there were a LOT of people working already too, at 4am. Snow plows busy busy busy. Guys shoveling out and salting the bus stop shelters. Cold, terrible jobs, I'm sure. And I thought of their wives at home in bed alone.
And when I got home I was locked out of the house. But I just called my sleeping husband, who let me in from the frigid cold. And then we crawled back in bed together.
And I was thankful first of all that I have a house. And secondly, that even though Steve's job takes a lot out of him, he goes to bed with me every night, and wakes up with me (well, much earlier than me) every morning.
And I am SO thankful to live the life I live. And I loved that little 4am drive down Dodge.
Monday, January 4, 2010
on new years resolutions
I'm really bad at new years resolutions. I've never really made any, because when I try it's just kind of a joke. Oh, well, I take that back. One thing I try to do each new year is see how long I can go flossing my teeth at least once a day. In the last 3 or so years I've done it, I think the longest run was like 16 days or something. I do floss sporadically throughout the year, just not every day. So I like to see how long I can do it daily. anyway, the way this year started off, I didn't even floss on January 1. So that one's kind of out the window.
I'm just really bad at setting goals and reaching them. In my 3 years as a CM consultant, I was always encouraged to set goals and make a plan to reach them and all that. I never did it. I don't like to have set goals. I guess I'm lazy that way.
Or maybe I just like to go with the flow. People have said that about me my whole life actually. It's just my nature to see how things pan out, and not get too worked up about making things happen my way. I think I like that about myself.
usually.
But last year I was inspired by someone who I don't really even know. I have met her twice. She probably has no clue who I am (that was for you Christa) but she has totally inspired me. When I met her she was overweight and beautiful. One of those people who you could tell had a good sense of fashion, and who looked in the clothes she wore. but, she was overweight. anyway, if I remember correctly, she made a motto for herself last year. It was to be "fine in 09" or something. And holy smokes, she did it. She totally changed how she ate, started running and doing other exercises, and she looks CRAZY good. It's incredible. inspiring.
So this year, I decided to not really make any new years resolutions, but I do just want to try to make my life better. I realized for a few months this summer (I think that's when it was), that when I take care of my body and do a little exercise regularly, my whole life changes. My house is cleaner, my laundry is more under control, I pay more attention to what I eat, I play with my kids more, I am a less selfish wife, I have a stronger desire to do daily devotions, I put real clothes on, I might even wear makeup, all sorts of things happen! So don't ask my why I didn't just keep it up. I just didn't.
Part of it was that until recently I had access to C&Cs treadmill and weight set, right here in my home. That made it a lot easier for a cheap-o mom who refuses to pay for a gym membership plus the cost of bringing the kids with me, and probably not being able to take N because he's not mine, and all the complications of doing that route. I think it would TOTALLY work for me to work out at a gym, but it doesn't fit into my life very well with Steve's schedule and my babysitting, etc.
But we recently had Steve's parents bring up his old weight set from high school. After C&C's stuff was out of the storage room, we realized that we might be able to put some sort of exercise equipment in there. So we did. We aren't sure how we want to organize the room yet, but it's in there, and usable.
I'm not going to do anything crazy like forbid myself to drink Diet Coke, or eat snacks, or anything like that. I'm just going to make an effort to get fit. "Fit again in 2010." :) or, if you want to be like Steve, you can say it with a really redneck voice, and change it to "fit in two thousand tin." (yep, I married a comedian.) :) I'm just going to lift weights, and start doing pilates again (if that's okay with you Maria). And the rest will hopefully just happen. And if not, I'll FEEL better anyway. I'm not as concerned about how I look as much as how I feel. I'm ready to feel fit again. okay, and, I guess a little change in how I look would be great. :) As much as I miss my mom, I don't really want to see her body with my head on it in the mirror anymore. She was much older than me when she looked like this...
So there it is. My non-resolution. Hopefully in the first three months there will be especially noticeable changes, seeing as I'll be standing in a little black dress in front of a church full of people in about that much time. But if not, well, then, I just hope I keep going another three months, an another, and maybe even another. and then maybe next year I'll keep "feelin like heaven in 2011" or something equally as cheesy...
we'll see. :)
I'm just really bad at setting goals and reaching them. In my 3 years as a CM consultant, I was always encouraged to set goals and make a plan to reach them and all that. I never did it. I don't like to have set goals. I guess I'm lazy that way.
Or maybe I just like to go with the flow. People have said that about me my whole life actually. It's just my nature to see how things pan out, and not get too worked up about making things happen my way. I think I like that about myself.
usually.
But last year I was inspired by someone who I don't really even know. I have met her twice. She probably has no clue who I am (that was for you Christa) but she has totally inspired me. When I met her she was overweight and beautiful. One of those people who you could tell had a good sense of fashion, and who looked in the clothes she wore. but, she was overweight. anyway, if I remember correctly, she made a motto for herself last year. It was to be "fine in 09" or something. And holy smokes, she did it. She totally changed how she ate, started running and doing other exercises, and she looks CRAZY good. It's incredible. inspiring.
So this year, I decided to not really make any new years resolutions, but I do just want to try to make my life better. I realized for a few months this summer (I think that's when it was), that when I take care of my body and do a little exercise regularly, my whole life changes. My house is cleaner, my laundry is more under control, I pay more attention to what I eat, I play with my kids more, I am a less selfish wife, I have a stronger desire to do daily devotions, I put real clothes on, I might even wear makeup, all sorts of things happen! So don't ask my why I didn't just keep it up. I just didn't.
Part of it was that until recently I had access to C&Cs treadmill and weight set, right here in my home. That made it a lot easier for a cheap-o mom who refuses to pay for a gym membership plus the cost of bringing the kids with me, and probably not being able to take N because he's not mine, and all the complications of doing that route. I think it would TOTALLY work for me to work out at a gym, but it doesn't fit into my life very well with Steve's schedule and my babysitting, etc.
But we recently had Steve's parents bring up his old weight set from high school. After C&C's stuff was out of the storage room, we realized that we might be able to put some sort of exercise equipment in there. So we did. We aren't sure how we want to organize the room yet, but it's in there, and usable.
I'm not going to do anything crazy like forbid myself to drink Diet Coke, or eat snacks, or anything like that. I'm just going to make an effort to get fit. "Fit again in 2010." :) or, if you want to be like Steve, you can say it with a really redneck voice, and change it to "fit in two thousand tin." (yep, I married a comedian.) :) I'm just going to lift weights, and start doing pilates again (if that's okay with you Maria). And the rest will hopefully just happen. And if not, I'll FEEL better anyway. I'm not as concerned about how I look as much as how I feel. I'm ready to feel fit again. okay, and, I guess a little change in how I look would be great. :) As much as I miss my mom, I don't really want to see her body with my head on it in the mirror anymore. She was much older than me when she looked like this...
So there it is. My non-resolution. Hopefully in the first three months there will be especially noticeable changes, seeing as I'll be standing in a little black dress in front of a church full of people in about that much time. But if not, well, then, I just hope I keep going another three months, an another, and maybe even another. and then maybe next year I'll keep "feelin like heaven in 2011" or something equally as cheesy...
we'll see. :)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
ups and downs and lots of links
Wowzers....
It's been quite the couple weeks since my last post. I am not quite sure how to document the ups and downs, but I'll do my best.
The first DOWN, was that we figured out we'd be stranded over Christmas because of the snow storm, while every member of both of our families was home for Christmas in Orange City (minus Will, who will be joining the family in a few months). So we were pretty bummed about that, but headed to the store for some movies, treats, and groceries for a Christmas dinner.
The UP came when we decided that there was a slight lull in the storm, and we just might be able to make it to OC after all. So we frantically tried to pack our stuff (I had given myself an extra couple days to do laundry by then, so of course it wasn't done). I'm not sure how ONE shoe can go missing, and a sweater, and a bunch of other random things we could NOT find for the life of us. And it was "Christmas stuff" so we really needed it. In fact, I'm realizing now as I remember that day of packing, that it probably shouldn't be in an "up" paragraph. Oh well. We made it to OC, that's the up.
We had lots of great times playing games and opening presents and playing games and eating food and playing games. Here are a few pictures of our time. To see more pictures, check here:
making the edible nativities
When we finally made it back to Omaha, it was 11:30m at night, and our streets and driveway were COVERED with snow. That would be a DOWN. I'm not even going to post the picture, because you can't tell how much snow there was. The wind made these crazy drifts all around the house, the driveway, etc, so some areas we could see grass, and on the driveway there were feet of snow. It took us til almost 1 am to just make a spot for our van to park for the night. Then the next day, while Christa was here to watch the kids, we finished the scooping. I had to use Josiah's little scoop, but I realized that actually worked great, besides the back ache. But when I tried to use our big one, it was way too heavy, since all the snow had to be lifted and hauled over to the grass. It was quite the way to get me geared up for my 2010 motto...but that's for another post. :)
It's a good thing we scooped when we did, because another DOWN was that we caught a flu bug, and after we got home, spent the next many days (and counting) recovering. Brielle got it first, and threw up most of the day on Tuesday, Josiah got it Wednesday night, I got it Thursday, and Lillian got it Friday. We're still waiting to see if Steve will come out the champion in this battle, of if it will take DOWN our entire family. For about five days now, we haven't been able to keep anything UP or DOWN. And that's probably way more info than you needed to know.
Thankfully, though, and definitely an UP, is that Steve has had a lot of time off recently. He got to use some PTO, plus the holidays just land on the perfect days this year for long weekends. We've been thankful to have him here more often. And we're SUPER thankful that Christa was here the first few days of the flu. She was a lifesaver, as Steve had lots of extra hours at work this week, from being gone so much, and his company changing over to a different company, or something like that.
Here are a few pictures of Christa with the kids:
a trip to McDonalds:
with sick Brielle:
Now that we're finally on the UP and UP, I grabbed the chance to video tape the kids like we do annually. This is Lillian's third year telling the Christmas story. It's a long one this year, and it's in two parts. :) Josiah has a little version as well, prompted by a few questions from mommy and Lillian. Then, because the kids sang Silent Night for the Christmas program this year at church, they wanted to sing that for the camera as well. Here's the links!
Lillian Christmas story part one
Lillian Christmas story part two
Josiah Christmas story
Josiah Silent Night verse one
Lillian Silent Night verses one and combo of two and three
Lillian Silent Night verse four
It's been quite the couple weeks since my last post. I am not quite sure how to document the ups and downs, but I'll do my best.
The first DOWN, was that we figured out we'd be stranded over Christmas because of the snow storm, while every member of both of our families was home for Christmas in Orange City (minus Will, who will be joining the family in a few months). So we were pretty bummed about that, but headed to the store for some movies, treats, and groceries for a Christmas dinner.
The UP came when we decided that there was a slight lull in the storm, and we just might be able to make it to OC after all. So we frantically tried to pack our stuff (I had given myself an extra couple days to do laundry by then, so of course it wasn't done). I'm not sure how ONE shoe can go missing, and a sweater, and a bunch of other random things we could NOT find for the life of us. And it was "Christmas stuff" so we really needed it. In fact, I'm realizing now as I remember that day of packing, that it probably shouldn't be in an "up" paragraph. Oh well. We made it to OC, that's the up.
We had lots of great times playing games and opening presents and playing games and eating food and playing games. Here are a few pictures of our time. To see more pictures, check here:
making the edible nativities
When we finally made it back to Omaha, it was 11:30m at night, and our streets and driveway were COVERED with snow. That would be a DOWN. I'm not even going to post the picture, because you can't tell how much snow there was. The wind made these crazy drifts all around the house, the driveway, etc, so some areas we could see grass, and on the driveway there were feet of snow. It took us til almost 1 am to just make a spot for our van to park for the night. Then the next day, while Christa was here to watch the kids, we finished the scooping. I had to use Josiah's little scoop, but I realized that actually worked great, besides the back ache. But when I tried to use our big one, it was way too heavy, since all the snow had to be lifted and hauled over to the grass. It was quite the way to get me geared up for my 2010 motto...but that's for another post. :)
It's a good thing we scooped when we did, because another DOWN was that we caught a flu bug, and after we got home, spent the next many days (and counting) recovering. Brielle got it first, and threw up most of the day on Tuesday, Josiah got it Wednesday night, I got it Thursday, and Lillian got it Friday. We're still waiting to see if Steve will come out the champion in this battle, of if it will take DOWN our entire family. For about five days now, we haven't been able to keep anything UP or DOWN. And that's probably way more info than you needed to know.
Thankfully, though, and definitely an UP, is that Steve has had a lot of time off recently. He got to use some PTO, plus the holidays just land on the perfect days this year for long weekends. We've been thankful to have him here more often. And we're SUPER thankful that Christa was here the first few days of the flu. She was a lifesaver, as Steve had lots of extra hours at work this week, from being gone so much, and his company changing over to a different company, or something like that.
Here are a few pictures of Christa with the kids:
a trip to McDonalds:
with sick Brielle:
Now that we're finally on the UP and UP, I grabbed the chance to video tape the kids like we do annually. This is Lillian's third year telling the Christmas story. It's a long one this year, and it's in two parts. :) Josiah has a little version as well, prompted by a few questions from mommy and Lillian. Then, because the kids sang Silent Night for the Christmas program this year at church, they wanted to sing that for the camera as well. Here's the links!
Lillian Christmas story part one
Lillian Christmas story part two
Josiah Christmas story
Josiah Silent Night verse one
Lillian Silent Night verses one and combo of two and three
Lillian Silent Night verse four
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