Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thankful for...


Well, here it is...Thanksgiving. I love this holiday, although it got alittle tainted 8 years ago. When I think about giving thanks, I can't help but think of all the wonderful little things or even big things that I have in my life. I decided to focus on the happy things this year. What makes me tick? What makes me thankful? What are the things that make me who I am? Humm...it got me thinking.

I came up with this list of five things I am thankful for this year:
1. My husband and marriage---Gordon, you are my best friend. I would not be the same without you. You make me smile everyday. We are truly partners in this marriage. We look to each other for guidance and strength. Equal partners, equals in every way. You are the most special gift that I am thankful for. Thank you!
2. My Kids---There was a time in my life when I thought I would never be a Mom. Well, God just had a different plan for us. Now I have the most wonderful little ones. I remember when I was pregnant with Ian, good friends told me that it is amazing how much love you have for kids in your heart. I worried I wouldn't have enough for two...but boy do I!
3. My Family---Mom G, Mom D, Dad D, Char, Sue, Chuck, Keith, Eric, Andrew, Amy, and Sarah!!! Plus all the wonderful nieces and nephews I have, and extended family...aunts, uncles, cousins. I am surrounded by people who love me. Even if I don't see or talk to them everyday, I feel their love!
4. My Friends---I am so lucky to have many great friends in my life. Each one of you teach me something about myself everytime I see you, talk to you, or just think of you. Each of you contribute to who I am...make me stronger each day. Thank you for your love!
5. My Health---I recently had some scary things related to my health, that I will continue to struggle with, but for the most part I am a healthy, happy 35 year old. I need to remember to be thankful for this too.

I'm sure I could go on and on about my gifts in life that I am thankful for, but these are the ones that are foremost in my mind. If I kept listing, I'm afraid you all would stop reading.

So, tell me what five things are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Look what I can do....

Well, I finally did it. Something different with my sewing machine. Something different than quilts and potholders. In a previous post I wrote about winning some new books and fabric on ebay. These are two fabrics I won and a pattern from Amy Butler's book Little Stitches for Little Ones.
The fabric is from Amy Butler's Belle line. So pretty...don't you agree?

I actually had this bag finished for alittle while, but I didn't want to post about it until I was able to give it to it's new owner.
I love these fabrics! It is the Everything Bag pattern by Amy Butler. I think I am becoming more and more of a fan of hers.
It was the first time, not only that I made something like this, but the first time I used interfacing, and made elastic pockets and dividers. It was fun for sure!
But even more fun to give away!

Friday, November 21, 2008

My Dad

Well, it's been eight years, since the darkest day of my life thus far. My Dad passed away suddenly. I have never been the same since. I can't seem to forget the events, the different specifics about that day...that sometimes I wish I could forget. I don't know if it ever gets easier. I think about him so much, especially this time of year.
One of my best friends said something to me about losing a parent that has stuck with me. She said it doesn't get easier, it is just something we learn to accept. I miss him so much. I have lost a number of people in my life, but there is nothing like losing a parent. And a father daughter relationship is something special. Or atleast it was for us.

I want to take this post and remember how wonderful he was. He was so much fun! A great sense of humor, and a way of making people feel comfortable. He knew how to have fun. Many people tell me that I am like him in that way, and I can only hope that is true.

I remember when Gordon, my Mom, my Dad, and I all went to Washington D.C. to see his favorite team the Washington Redskins play. We even got to go on the field before the game. One of my best friends had gotten us the tickets. My Dad was beaming the whole time. I will NEVER forget his face, and how excited he was.

He knew how to live life. How to love life! I know alot of people say things like this about people after they are gone, but those of you who really knew my Dad, I think would agree.
I would love to hear any and all memories that anyone out there has of this remarkable man that I miss, and I know many of you miss as well.
Please tell me.

I love you Daddy, and miss you everyday, not just on November 22.

PS I just posted this at 9pm, and a commercial came on the tv, when I hit "publish post" about Johnnie Walker...coincidence, I think not! :)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Another Chance to Win!!

Another way to win! I can't get enough of all the talented people out there. I have been following the Old Red Barn blog for awhile now, and this extremely talent person is giving away three quilts! I can't even imagine how great it would be to own one of these works of art. She is so talented!! Just look at these...
I can only hope to be as talented too one day. I'm working on it. :)

Sunday, November 9, 2008

First Steps!


Today Ian took his first steps! Just eleven months old. How fast he has grown? Almost one year old, climbing everything, and now beginning to walk...too fast.

He literally is too fast, it is hard to get a photo of him, and he seems to be growing even faster.

He took his first steps the same spot Charlotte did. It, of course, made me cry. I am a sap, or I like to think of it as sentimental...sensitive, but in a good way. Such an exciting thing, learning to walk.

First steps. Where will they lead? It makes me think of his future. What does it hold? How will I keep up? How can I be sure to savor these small steps, when soon they will be so big!

Off and running...now just try to keep up! (photo from www.marionderrett.com)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

There are no words...


I recently learned of another giveaway that I had to check out. But in checking it out I found it is so much more than a giveaway. I have no more words to say than what is written about Baby Mia on this A Mama Drama Blog

Also there is a blog just about helping this sweet baby and her family.

Check it out. It's a tear jerker. Consider donation.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

The Vote!


It's funny how living in the USA gives us so many freedoms that we take for granted. Of course today is election day, polls closing here in CT in approximately 5 minutes from now.

As I waited in line for my paper ballot, I was thinking about who to vote for. What are the things that matter to me and my family? How will this election effect the future of our country? The future our children will inherit? I took my ballot to my little partitioned desk. Picked up the marker. And stared at the names on the ballot. I stared for a while. Thinking about everything that I have heard on the tv, radio, read in the paper, magazines, etc. Trying to make sense of it all again in that moment. These names on the paper can effect my life and the lives of my kids, my Mom, my "other" parents, my sisters, brothers, everyone I know and love. Do you think they know that the little people like me struggle with giving them that power?

Ok, I know some of you are thinking..."Karen, you're one vote is not that powerful". But to me it is. I am an American. Proud to be one. I have the freedoms that come with living in this country. And the responsibility to vote for the leaders that are in charge of our country and our states.

So, it's out of my hands. I've picked my candidate. Now we watch and wait.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Sickness...


We have had sickness in our home for almost three weeks now. We seem to keep passing it back and forth between us all. yuck! I think I started it all with some sinus allergies, or was it more. Then taking a ten month old for a chest X-ray...as you might imagine...not so fun. Came back negative, Thank Goodness..but ear infection instead. Then just when we thought we were all on the mend, my three year old spikes a fever...bronchitis. Ugh! It is no fun seeing little ones sick. (almost as bad as a grown man being sick... :))

And to top it all off, I end up back with it and a sinus infection.

So, now that I am feeling a little bit better...I am cleaning like a mad woman. All the sheets, all the towels, everything. I need to get it out of my house!
We are now all hopefully on the mend!

It is amazing how much you appreciate your health, after you've been sick. One not so small thing to be thankful for, but we take for granted when we are healthy. hummm...