Storm!

We sure had a storm! On Friday afternoon, Charlotte and I were in the garage putting out some recycling, when she spotted some dark black clouds in the distance. We talked about how it was probably raining at Grammie's house. We went inside and got Ian up. Literally five minutes later, I was running around the house closing windows.

I closed them most of the way, to still let some air in, but keep the rain out. Well, that was a mistake! I had to run around again. The rain was coming in like buckets, even through the small opening.

Then the wind! The hail! It was pretty crazy! We couldn't see out the windows. Sheets of water were coming from the sky, along with hail that was atleast marble size. It was so hard on the windows, I thought the windows would break.

Next the power went out! We got our flashlights and waited.

Finally after about fifteen minutes or so, it began to slow down. We could see out the windows.
Hail covered the garden.
A huge tree branch covered our shed, cracking the edge of the roof.
Another branch blocked the driveway.

But we were lucky.
Only blocks away...
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF 1 Tornado tore through Wethersfield on Friday afternoon. Crazy!

Luckily, my kids and Gordon and I are used to living without lights, through our camping trips and such. They each had their lanterns, we had flashlights and candles in the house.
Once everyone was fed and bathed and down for the night. Gordon and I sat in the dark and listened to the Red Sox play on the radio.

Not a bad night. A scary afternoon, but not a bad night.

Power came back on Saturday morning, although we had no t.v. so we didn't know the extent of this damage, until we took a "tour" of our town. It was indescribable. Trees uprooted, power lines down, homes destroyed. Clean up still continues today.

Definitely not something you see everyday. And hopefully we won't see again for a long time.

No Cash Wallet

Recently I made these "No-Cash Wallets" for my Mom and Gordon's Mom for Mother's Day. I got the pattern from Amy Karol's Bend The Rules Sewing book. I think they are pretty cute.
I even put snaps on them to keep them closed.
There are two pockets, so in one of them I put a clear picture holder and filled each with pictures of kids and grandkids. So they became more of a brag book. I hope they liked them as much as I liked making them.
Now, what's the next project??

Dancing Queen

Charlotte had her first dance recital a few weekends ago and when I tell you it was so "stinkin' cute", it really was.

Not only was it my first experience at a dance recital where they did all kinds of dances, but seeing your child up on this huge stage, having a great time really warms your heart.

She did two dances. A ballet number called Angels in Training where they sang and danced. It brought tears to my eyes. No shock there, right. And the second dance was a tap number called Lollipop. These are the costumes that they wore for both. The only difference was that they wore wings too for the tap number. This is a photo of Charlotte and her friend Reagan. It was all so cute.

I just can't get over how big she is getting. How proud I am of her and the little girl she is becoming. Even though she didn't do all the steps exactly right, and may have seemed a little stage fright. She did great! And now she can't wait to get back on "the big stage".

She is my little girl, who is getting so big, and I couldn't be more proud! My little Dancing Queen!

Surprises

I always thought of myself as someone who liked surprises. Surprise parties, surprise visits, surprise gifts. Whether on the receiving end or the giving end of surprises they are always fun, don't you think?
Well, Gordon and I got the greatest of all surprises about three weeks ago.

We found out that we are having another baby! Yes, it's true! you read it right! Daigle party of FIVE!

As many of you know, we had a rough time having our first two blessings, with many procedures, shots, medications, tests, and doctor visits...and the doctors told us that having a baby on our own most likely was not possible for us. We resided to that fact, and moved on.
Well, I guess the "most likely" part of that is a grey area. This baby is coming without any shots, without any blood tests, without any major doctor visits. This baby is coming all on our own.
We are still in shock, although I am twelve weeks along. Shock because we have lived the last seven plus years thinking this was basically not possible.

We are so excited! Over the moon with happiness...I guess some things are just meant to be.

So SURPRISE everyone!
Another little blessing on his or her way in December.

Can you believe it???

Ten!

Ten years ago I married the man of my dreams!
May 22, 1999, my life became so much more. I join my life with his, and it has been a wild ride ever since.
Gordon is such a special man. He makes me want to be a better wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and daughter-in-law. I don't know how he does it, but he seems to know what I need, sometimes even before I do. He can make me laugh so hard that I cry, and he can make my tears of sadness lessen a bit.
We have been through so much over these last ten years. Some of it happy times, and some of it trying or sad times. But through it all I think our marriage has only become stronger.

He is my best friend.

I can't believe how fast these ten years have gone.

I love you Gordon, thank you for making me the happiest I ever thought I could be.

Here's to many more years of special blessings, surprises, and adventures.

Big Sis.

Yes, another bag. I made this one for my big sis! I was with her for a whole long day about a month or so ago and she commented on a leather bag I had. So I knew for her birthday I wanted to make her something that would resemble that bag. But...I couldn't find a pattern that I liked. So, what did I do? Well, I measured the leather bag I have, and added some cool fabric, and alittle longer handles, and here's the result:
I bought home decor fabric to make it alittle more sturdy.
The inside it is just a bog open bag. She can carry books, magazines, even a bottle of water in it.
I think it turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. Working without a pattern, not easy, for sure. And as it turns out, she could even turn it inside out. It could be reversible. Pretty cool!

Happy Birthday, Char!!!

Jewels

I've gotten jewelry in the past that I love. Like my engagement ring and wedding band of course, or some earrings that stand out in my mind, a Claddagh ring, and I'm sure there's more. Anyway I got this necklace for Christmas and I got a couple of compliments on it again today, that I just had to write a post about it. As you can see it is a simple chain with a couple of small squares hanging on it, along with a pearl. Those simple squares have my kids names. I just love this necklace. And it seems as if anyone who sees it, loves it too. The designer is Lisa Leonard. She has her own website. Which actually when I first got the necklace, about a week later, I broke the chain. I emailed the designer and she sent me a new chain with no extra charge. That just made me want to tell even more people about her. Check her out. Very cool things.

After the compliments I got today, and seem to get everyday that I wear this, I had to tell you all about this designer.
Thanks again Jenn!!
These two names really are my most prized jewels!