crafty

I guess I'm kinda crafty, when I want to be. We needed curtains in our bedrooms. We have no budget for window coverings. So I took our old flat sheet, cut it in half lengthwise, folded together to double the thickness, and sewed 'em shut! I know, I wasn't expecting it to work either! Then I did the same thing to Aydan's room with her new sheet set so her curtains match her bedding. I'm pretty proud of myself. Got some cheap-o curtain rods and hung the bad boys up all by myself.

The first is our bedroom the second is Aydan's.

Which you probably could have figured out on your own...

Not bad eh?

I also hung up the kids pics that Alesha Faye Photography

and my buddy Crystal did for us.

I think they are just fabulous!

And the last one is a new crochet project I have on the go.

I really want to get this one done soon,

but only have 2 completed squares.

I think I have another, oh let's say, 23 to go.

Yeah, I guess I'm crafty!

dedicated to crystal c

We have some truly wonderful friends. Here is a little background... Our church welcomed Don and Crystal in as youth pastory people some time ago. We met for home groups at their house, and when Aydan was born she came along those Tuesday evenings. Don and Aydan hit it off right away and have been buddies ever since! Just ask her! Crystal does wonderful black and white photos and did Aydan's first infant photo shoot as a gift for us. Here are some of my faves...

When Crystal decided to go to a black and white photo class I, naturally, volunteered any of my kids as models. Aydan likes having her pictures taken so it wasn't a huge stretch for her. The shoot was an hour long, 2 rolls of film, lots of blown bubbles, ending with a few tears.

It was worth it!

Crystal, you have captured our little Angel in such a

beautiful light it's hard to find the right words.

Thank you... is all I can say.

best saturday ever

We really had a great Saturday. The kids helped me with the grocery shopping. And had no bad attitudes about it. They listened when I said no, they didn't need any new toys. They helped with the finding of all our winter jackets. After realizing the bag they were in was ripped and they were smelling funny, the kids helped with the laundry. I love it! It really has been a spectacular Saturday.

And now...

...they watch Spongebob... perfection!

aydan's new friend

Aydan has a plethora of baby dolls. She loves all of them in their own special way. People can't seem to not purchase new baby dolls for Aydan, myself included. This post is dedicated to the old, the new and the 'fallen' baby dolls that have weaved their ways in and out of Aydan's life.

This is just a sample of the many dolls Aydan has collected. Let me remind you about the dolls that are not pictured, they will not go forgotten or unannounced.

All this said, Aydan only has eyes for 'Sally'...

(for now...)

changes

School starts up in a week or so and Liam will be a grade 4-er and Connor a grade 1-er. I don't know how this new year will look with starting a new school, Connor having whole days and Aydan, my only baby at home. It will be different but I have a good feeling about it.

I was a little nervous until I talked with my Gramma L about it. She said it's an exciting new stage! Aydan is potty trained and becoming more and more independent, Liam is growing into such a man and Connor is starting his full time school career. It is a very exciting time to come out of the baby things and into a whole new level of parenting and life. I don't feel so nervous about it anymore, I'm happy to enter into the next chapter!

Here's to an awesome new year with these crazy people!

family photos

I love family pictures. Jeff doesn't like to have his picture taken and the kids would rather run around than stand still for a shoot but, we got it done! It's something that's important to me and we haven't had a picture done since last year. I figured it was time. Alesha Faye Photography did these shots and I just love them. I can't wait for Christmas when I can hand out photo cards.

aydan joy

This post is dedicated to Aydan...

Aydan was born December 20, 2006. Again, with myself having the best uterus in town, she did not wish to get out any time soon and I was overdue. Only by 1 week this time. Christmas was on it's way and our lovely doctor induced me a week early otherwise I'd be in the hospital on the 25th. The labour was o.k this time, I felt confident and in control. My water broke on it's own and that was when it started getting serious and intense. A short while later Aydan made her way into our world. I could not believe that she was a girl! Our doctor held her up in the air and said, "Here she is! Here is your baby daughter!" we all cried out in shock. Aydan was 6 lbs 14 oz and was 19 3/4" long. Such beauty in such a tiny body! We named her Aydan which means Born Of Fire and Joy which is kinda self explanatory! She has so lived up to her names. Aydan has such a fiery personality and she is such a happy girl. She has brought so much joy to our family and when people talk to her they have a hard time not smiling! Aydan was the easiest baby with sleep as her speciality. I thought there was something wrong with this happy, sleepy, smiley baby. Turns out Aydan was just content with most everything! She was sleeping 8-9 hours at night when she was only 1 month. Nursing her was no problem at all and I found it hard to quit just before she turned 1 year old, but she took a sippy cup and the transition was flawless. Aydan is such a determined little girl. She is 2.5 years old right now and she is learning and growing so fast I can't keep up! She is such a little lady yet has no issue getting into the mud and scrapping with her brothers.

My heart for Aydan is that she would always follow the heart that God has given her. That she would hear His voice and never waiver. I pray that God would grant her great understanding of who she is in His eyes. He has made a wonderful masterpiece when He created Aydan. She is His great Joy.

God bless you Aydan, we love you so much!

Cheers!