The Handmade Dress

#547 When you have two baby beds in your room and a toddler asleep in the next room, you just might find yourself at 3AM patting the wrong baby bottom and wondering why the cry isn't stopping! Bwahahahahaha! I laughed so hard that it took me a minute to get back to sleep! #548 When you do the before-bed-diaper train with the three littles in low lighting (to keep everyone calm and sleepy), little boys may wake up in pink diapers! Hahaha! Sorry little man! I hope you got a good laugh out of our blunders! We sure did! Happy Monday everyone! xo, Sam  

We have the honor of loving up on a new foster babe this week. He and Penny are enjoying playing twins and telling secrets. He is such a blessing this sweet smiling angel! These two wanted to wish you all a happy Saturday! We have lots of snuggly plans today, with a dash of napping thrown in, and maybe an easy dinner and coffee with a neighbor later. xo, Sam  

Are y'all in for another hair flower tutorial? And where have y'all been lately?! I feel like I'm talking to myself! :) Well this one isn't just cute for a hair flower, you can also use them as decorations for gift bags or gifts or a cardigan that needs a little update! If you are like me you have lots and lots of fabric strips around from tearing fabric to find the grain. I have loads! But a few years ago in a hurry to spiff up a gift bag, I finally found a good use for them. I call them scrappy flowers. Get some scraps and lets go! For this flower I used strips torn into 1/2" sections. I've done them up to 1" before and they are still cute, just a little chunky looking. I used 4 different fabrics for this one but more would just make a fluffier flower. Wrap each fabric around your 4 fingers, 4 times. That should be easy to remember! Just pile them on wrapping each one 4 times. Don't worry about all the strings. Now using ano...

My Sunday School boys have been needing a little something to do after our short lesson lately. We have tried card games, board games, and other things of the like but what they really wanted and ended up doing was physical activities. They wanted to race, or arm wrestle, or do something else that ended up just a bit too noisy! Well we also needed a room makeover in a bad way. We had a budget, but they could never decide just what they wanted...until I threw this idea out there! A climbing wall! First off, they thought that I was a rockstar! Second, they have all had training in climbing from their Wednesday night boys class, so they were super pumped about having a wall! At first we thought that we would paint it just one color, then we thought about maybe camo or fake rock....it sounded okay but really didn't spark any interest. Then I had an idea! When we were in Jersey I remember how we loved looking at all of the graffiti! I asked the boys what they thought and yeah! It...

And with very happy hearts, and a whole lot of prayer, PRAISE GOD, we were able to send our loves home with their parents and grandmother! It was a hard fight, and it looked impossible, but God showed off! And now that sAeet mama is holding her babies again. I'm writing the story, it's so emotional so it's coming out of me a little piece at a time. We miss them, but we sure are happy for them!! We were told by the social workers that we probably had one of the most heart wrenching first time foster care experiences that they have ever heard of. Yes, we all came out a little bruised (none more than their sweet parents though), but to see the look on their faces when they were told the verdict made it all worth it!!! So we told the social workers, put us back on the list. We are willing. xo, Sam  

We would appreciate your prayers during this time while we love up on these three sweet Romanian babies. I will check back in when I get a chance. xo, Sam PS. Because I thought you may ask. Yes, Tim is enjoying having more boys in the house. :)    

Hi! This is Melissa West just popping over to post a reminder that the Snap Academy Workshop giveaway will be closing on Thursday the 18th and you can see all the details and enter here . I've extend the coupon code to the 20th that way you can see if you won before you buy :) Here is what you will be entering to win!    

  I get asked ALL THE TIME about modern cloth diapers! There is a lot of great information out there but most people just want a simple explanation. Here it is! If you have any questions just ask!! I will be HAPPY to answer all of your questions in the comments section this evening. My husband will be at the fire station tonight so I'm looking forward to chatting with y'all! xo, Sam  

  Molly played Ben's electric for the first time... Guess what she wants for Christmas now? Yup. My kids are getting too big! I couldn't find a cooling rack, the bread was coming out of the oven....You know, I don't think I need cooling racks anyhow! You know Molly is known for her creative baby wearing ( SEE HERE ), this kid is crazy! (And no worries, I snapped a quick picture and told her not to do this again.) My parents rented a water slide for the fourth! That's my mama standing by it. Ain't she cute? :) Every morning for FIVE days we got up, packed our bags, and headed to Mom's to play until dark! Because I'm an eight year old boy when it comes to water slides, this is how I looked after five days on that thing! My legs were black and blue too! I was sore all over from climbing the ladder, but oh my goodness It was fun!!! This little girl got kicked out of her cradle. She broke all of mommy's cradle rules in one nigh...

     Today I want to introduce you to a friend of mine, I met Melissa West through this blog a while back and we became fast friends! We have a lot in common, one thing being that her family is in the process of restoring a camper, they have plans to become full time travelers! She also sews, crafts, and is interested in all things natural....but one of my favorite things about her is that this chic can take some beautiful photographs and is passionate about teaching photography to others! Her approach is what makes her so unique though! She likes to teach mamas how to take beautiful pictures of their children using what they have, even if it's a camera phone! She isn't into all the confusing stuff (changing aperture, lenses, big cameras, photoshop), she just gives very common sense ways to make your pictures great TODAY, with what you have. She offers this information on her blog with tips and tricks and now she has an entire workshop available! I went through the...

The old blog is getting a much needed make over in prep for some exciting new things! Please excuse the mess! I'll be back very soon (tomorrow I hope) with some news! Have a wonderful July Fourth sweet friends!! xo, Sam