A Quick Check In

So, since my last post our computer died. In our family this feels like quite a crisis. I have made several commitments to the women's ministry team of our church that requires a computer and I felt like my left arm fell off. All that to say that we have replaced our 6 year old iMac with a new one. It's beautiful and works wonderfully and I'm so grateful. I have a bit of show-n-tell for today, so let's get to it.

• Before we left on our trip to Alberta I decided that Abigail needed her own bag. Mostly to carry her own stuff. I feel like such a pack rat some days and it's time for her to carry her own stuff. Abby was quite enamoured with Bambi at the time, so I decided to try a new-to-me technique: reverse appliqué. I loved the results. I, unfortunately, have to replace the lining - it has torn and continues to tear *sigh*. A project to do after we move.

• 11 days until we move. No, we haven't started to pack yet. This isn't my first rodeo, but it is my first rodeo with children. That overwhelms me a bit, but we are so excited. I can't wait to show you all our new home. That might take a bit of time.
• I want 2012 to be a year where I finish some of my UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) and so, I've begun. I started this little alphabet last year and finally finished it. I chose not to add magnets. I am thinking I might make it into a banner and hang it in Abby's new room, but first I will wash and dry it to promote the edge fraying. I think they're cute, but not super useful, considering there's only one of each of them. Tutorial here.

• I have an upcoming event that I'm planning and whipped up these little cards today. Found on Pinterest from Martha Stewart and adapted for my event. I will share about said event after it takes place. I am really looking forward to it.

• My littles have been sick - it seems like for forever! First colds, then baby teething then the dreaded puking sickness. I can handle dirty diapers of craziness, but puke... ugh! My David, heroically, did a lot of rinsing of bedding and clothes this week. I think they're on the mend, though appetites are still quite small and crankiness is still quite large. Admittedly, I've added to the cranky factor myself. I am going out tonight! It's been tooooo long.
• There are so many babies being born into our church. There is someone due every month from January to August. At what point do I say, I can't keep up with all the handmade goods that I love to give? It feels so cruel to just stop now. One month at a time, I guess. I'm already 3 babies behind as it is. Ugh! Sorry, friends.
• Crazy blizzard the other day. Our littles loved to watch it, as did my David and I. Pictures don't capture it, but I did try.

A New Year - Checkin' In

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and have many good things to look forward to this new year. We spent a very busy 2 weeks in Alberta visiting family and some friends. We're all adjusting back into routines and getting ready for all that's ahead. So, let's get to it!

• Here's some Christmas gift designs that I made this year. I don't have finished product pictures, but I have the digital files. I did custom name signs on canvas. Including one for us.

• Custom t-shirts (again no final pics, but here are the designs). Top: for Steven, a Millwright apprentice. Middle: for Jasmin, his girlfriend. Bottom: for Crystal, soon to be graduated from nursing school. These are a only a few of the shirts I designed.

• The little's got their kitchen when we got home from Alberta. Friends of ours delivered it for us and was a great surprise. The littles received all kinds of dishes and play food for Christmas and they are well set up. I just have to work on creative toy storage solutions now.

• Here's a Christmas card that I did in barter. It was based on a design that Twila found and liked (that makes it so much easier on me).

• Have I told you all that we're moving at the end of this month? That is perhaps the biggest current news. We've been offered an upper duplex to rent. 3 bedrooms, people! That's just the beginning of the good news. I'll likely post more about our new home after we've moved in. This is my first move with children and so I'm sure it'll be a bit of a challenge to get packed this time.
• Oh, funny story: Abigail and Malachi both giggled the entire take-off on our flight to Alberta. I couldn't help laughing myself. They traveled really well, though I can't imagine how we'd do it with a third little. We'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

• I told my David last night, that although I am more tired than usual, I sometimes forget that I'm pregnant. Is that weird? Though I think I might have felt the baby moving today. I think my mind is just more occupied right now. We're 18 weeks in, now.
• David left Computer Trends so we could go on our trip. The company hired him back and he starts next week. We have mixed emotions about that. Mostly I'm grateful for God's provision through the position, but we had hoped for something else to be available. Malachi has become quite attached to his Papa and Abigail has always struggled with David working, so I'm sure it's going to be quite the adjustment for us... again.
• I'm sure there's much more to share, but I'm tired. (Our children are sick and we didn't sleep to well last night). I hope not to leave this little blog so lonely for so long again, but bare with me as we prepare to move.