Daddy Date Day

Today it was Maddie's turn to go on a special Date Day with Daddy. She was so excited! For her special day she chose to go to lunch and take Daddy shopping (his favorite:). She got to pick out her own outfit -and I let her wear it no matter how bad I wanted to dress her myself, though when it was all said and done I think she did a pretty good job, it was very "Maddie"...

I curled her hair and put it in "a side bun with a pink headband" just like she (very specifically) asked....

I helped her hunt her purse that she "wears across". I painted her nails and helped her remember to stay still while they dried all the way...

Then she stepped out and let Daddy see her! Daddy went on and on about how beautiful she was and she felt pretty and loved and special, and that kind of thing is important in a family. This little person is so very special to us, she is our resident stylist :), our funny girl, our BIG personality, and our compassionate little Maddie.

And she had a good time on her Daddy Date Day. :) By the way, I think Daddy is pretty special too for seeing the importance of these things. Maybe it has something to do with being the oldest of twelve children? Ya think? xo, Sam

Adoption Update

Many of you have asked lately where we are in our adoption process. I know I haven't said much about the adoption lately and the reason why is that there really hasn't been anything to tell. It seems like we are at a stand-still with all of this paperwork (specifically the I-800A). We have also had some papers expire while we wait on others...ugh. I try to stay positive about it, but if I'm being honest, it has really been discouraging lately. If you have ever been in this process or know someone who has, you probably know what I'm talking about. I'm really just trying to be patient and not worry about how long it's taking because I know that God has perfect timing. We feel like part of our family is missing and it's frustrating and sad sometimes....I'm sorry, but that's all I have to tell. There just isn't much to say. I'll tell you this though! When we do have some good news I'll be shouting it so loud that you just might hear me if ya step outside! I am so ready for some good news, so keep the prayers coming. I pray that God will give us wisdom and patience as we finish this long process, and most importantly, that He will protect our sweet children while we are waiting. It really means a lot to us that you guys have asked about this and are praying with us, thank you. xo, Sam

Molly made Claire a shirt and some rambling.

Claire and I slept in this morning so the big kids were up first. When we woke up Molly brought this little shirt in and said "I made Claire something while y'all were sleeping." My sweet girl! She has been telling me lately that she really wants to make Claire something. I asked her for the details about her project and this is what she said: "I used some of my play fabric and some lace that I found. I cut sleeves and a neck hole, sewed it up and sewed on the lace. Sewing the lace on was my favorite part." I am always amazed by what my kids can do when I'm not "helping". I think that we parents may not give these munchkins enough credit. She did a pretty good job for not using a pattern!

I love the age difference between these two. Being nine years older Molly gets to really "mama" Claire, and she LOVES it. She enjoys taking care of her, dressing her, and even changing diapers. I love to see her enjoy her baby sister, and it's so helpful too! I love how Claire fits in so perfectly. God really knows what he's doing doesn't he? (Which reminds me, I will have an adoption update in the next post for those of you who have been asking. :)

This little guy has been a big help too! He is really taking over a lot of the outdoor chores around here. Most days lately he feeds all of the animals (that is a big chore around here), collects the eggs, and brings in things from the garden all on his own. He's loving all of the outdoor work with daddy too. 

He wanted me to show you guys his "moon" pepper that he picked this morning from our little garden. I need to take pictures of him in his big garden!

I'll be back with an adoption update. :) xo, Sam

Filet Crochet

I'm still in decorating mode here, and this morning I remembered a wall hanging that I made a few years back. This was the first filet crochet that I ever made and it has been folded and put away all this time because I wasn't happy with the font or something (I can't even remember now). I think I may use it on a pillow in my bedroom. Finding this got me thinking, I think I want to make another one that says "Caffee" for the living room....

...but in these colors! And I think I want a more folksy font too with folksy flower designs around the edges! I'll just add that to the list of things that I want to do around here. :) Like the couch slipcover that hasn't even been started....

I'm going to blame that on these chubby little legs that have to be squished, and those sweet cheeks that have to be kissed, and that downy hair that has to be sniffed, and......*Love*

Happy Saturday friends! xo, Sam

Read any good books lately?

I am a member of Audible.com (not quite sure if I would recommend them, I'll get into that later) and I get audio books to listen to while I sew or work on projects. I have a credit that will go bad if I don't use it by tomorrow, but I have NO IDEA what to get! I love reading/ listening to Grace Livingston Hill books, Lucy M. Montgomery, and my favorite book of all time is Silas Marner. Those are all old (free in the public domain) and I'm looking for similar books that are newish. Got any ideas?

My mini review of Audible.com:
~They have good customer service.
~They have very good quality audio books.
~They DO NOT have ratings on their books. This is probably the biggest drawback for me. I got a book once that sounded like a sweet little Grace Livingston Hill or Jane Austen (Christian) love story, and I found out I was wrong....very wrong...in the first 10 minutes. Not cool. That's why I only go off of recommendations now. I wish that I could just shop around by ratings like I do for movies.
~If you don't use your credits in their time frame you lose them. I don't like losing something that I have paid for. That's not cool either.

I plan to start on my slipcover tomorrow when I get home from taking all of the kids to the dentist (fun fun). I hope to have a good book downloaded by the time I start! It will probably take me a few days to get it done, but when I am done I will try to answer a few of the slipcover questions that you guys have been asking. I'll answer them better when the project is fresh on my mind. :) xo, Sam

Experimenting

I have fabrics draped over everything in the house! I got a couple of drop cloths from Home Depot to make  my couch slipcover with (thanks for the ideas!), and the other fabrics are going to cover the pillows. Come on in and take a look around. :)

Sometimes I have to experiment with things around the house before I decide. Do you do that? I'm fearless when it comes to dresses, but my home is so personal that I have to make changes more slowly. I have to love everything in my house, I don't even care if it matches or not (I sorta hate for things to match), I just have to love it or it can't stay. So this is how my house looks right now.... I'm just going to let the fabrics lay there for a few days to see if they want to live here or not, after that if I don't love it, it goes back in the stash for another project.

Here is my bedroom. I know that I want a change in here, but I'm still not sure what I want to add or "edit"....

  

My favorite things about my room is the little couch at the end of my bed, the french doors, and the bathroom sink. Oh an the cradle that my Paw Paw made me, I especially love that it's in my room right now and not in the attic! 

This has been so much fun so far! I'm not looking forward to sewing another slipcover (it's such a big job) but I love playing with the fabrics and colors, and moving fabrics around throughout the day to experiment.

What do you think? If you have any ideas throw'em my way! You guys are always full of good ideas! xo, Sam

Spring Cleaning!!

I know it has been quiet here on the blog, but it has been busy, busy, busy, here at home! This week I have finally got to all of that spring cleaning that I wanted to do while I was on bedrest. OH MY GOODNESS. It feels soooo good! I washed all of the curtains, bedspreads/quilts, slipcovers, and pillows. We cleaned all of the windows, baseboards, under beds. I cleaned out couch and chair cushions, closets, drawers, cabinets....You get the idea. My goal was for my house to look as clean and fresh as it did when we first moved in (it was brand new!). I was cleaning cracks with a toothbrush people!

Now that it's done I'm wanting to do a few things to spiff up the decorations a bit. I haven't really done much since we first moved in 8 years ago, and I need a change. I know for sure that I want to slipcover my couch. I have two couches in my living room, one I covered a while back, and the one that's left needs to be done now. It is so nasty! I think I want to cover it in a neutral so that if I want a change all I have to do is change the pillows and I can have any look I want quickly. (Here are a couple of examples.)

I'm trying to find some decorator weight fabric in a khaki or light beige color that is cheap (price not quality). I was surprised to find very few solids in decorator weight fabrics when I looked today. Does anyone know if any of the big stores like Hancocks or Joannes will let you use the 40% or 50% off coupon on that much fabric? I'm wanting to spiff up some other rooms too, cheap DIY style, do you have any favorite projects or links? I can't wait to hear from you guys! This is going to be fun! xo, Sam

Little Girl Blue

I finished Claire's booties and made her a blue dress to go with them! It's just too sweet, and just what I wanted. :) I have had this Aunt Grace fabric in my stash for forever and this was the perfect project for it!

How sweet is that little girl? The dress and booties look so sweet on her! I think that she likes it too. 

You may be seeing this dress again soon... ;) xo, Sam