Beautiful Life

Despite the craziness and worry of having my mom in the hospital, there are beautiful parts to every day. 

This part is that I know Olivia will nap -- and finishing the dress is up in today's docket! 

And I love watermelon

And I think everyone in my fam got a good night sleep. That's amazing by itself! 

Please keep praying for my mom! She's on the mend! Drs are optimistic ! 

Behind The Scenes

The beautiful Mom

Behind the Scenes of this Blogger is: 

- a sleepless night last night because my mom got a life flight helicopter ride. 

- a worried countenance because my mom was actually in a coma. 

- gratitude for people who practice medicine well. 

- regret that I don't live anywhere near close to my parents. 

- gratitude that my sister is able to be with my dad. 

- gratitude that my mom has woken up, is coherent, and even stood up twice today. 

- sadness because I know my mom's future isn't too bright, even if she pulls out of this. 

- and apathetic about some dresses - my mom means so much more to me than dress designs. 

- peace because I know whatever happens to my mom she has been a wonderful strong person, and I      know I will be able to see her again after this life. 

- gratitude that I was able to spend time ((distraction!!)) with a friend today instead of home alone    worrying

- anxiety because there are many more tests to do and results to learn. 

- gratitude that I was able to talk to my mom multiple times last night before she was taken to the hospital and tell her that is is SMART, IMPORTANT, and KIND. And tell her how much I love her. 

Not the most flattering picture of me, but this is our lats picture together

Memorial Day and Dress Numero One

Happy Memorial Day!

I am that person that has to be reminded that Memorial Day is NOT actually National BBQ Day, but a day to remember those who have passed on. I have to remind myself ALL day why Jake doesn't have to work, and why we get an extra play day. And obviously another opportunity to crash while eating bread ;)

I thought I would show you Dress Try Numero One. I'm a fan. Olivia looked smashing at church yesterday... but I'm super happy I got the pictures before we got in the van. Because once she was in the van she decided the leg warmers should actually be arm warmers, so there was a lot of leg showing at church. Good thing she has nice thighs ;)

So here's what I did - This is the June bug Dress from Jess at Craftiness is Not Optional. So, as you can see from this post, I had some diagonal lines running across the front. I love that look (That was an add on, not in the pattern). Anyways, I had the bodice all done according to the pattern and I took a break because Olivia was up from her nap. Later that night, Jake watched the kids and gave me some time to finish it up. He was doing the dishes and the kids were watching Dinosaur Train on TV.

That is a problem -- My computer is run through my TV. We have a Mac Mini (which we love) and the TV is the monitor for our computer. I love this set up most of the time. Except when I didn't print out the pattern directions and they are on my computer, and my kids are glued to the Dinosaur Show. So I decided I would wing the skirt, and I went to work.

Apparently my winging abilities are not exactly how Jess creates a pattern. So I made it work -- I didn't want to gather the skirt (it's not my favorite thing to do, and I like the look of pleats better anyways). So I did a little french seam on the skirt bottom (I made both the bodice and skirt fully lined because I was using muslin fabric) and put pleats in. Then I connected the bodice and skirt and did a french seam there again so there are no exposed seams. Awesome - I love that :)

But I didn't really like the look of the buttons I had, and button holes scare me (???) so I hand sewed some snaps on the front.

Anyways, it's a bit different than the June Bug dress, but I really love it. Like a lot. I can't wait to try that again with different fabrics too.

I also finished prototype #2 -- and I learned a lot. I modified a bit and finished Prototype #3. So I will be taking some more pictures. I need to do one more prototype... and hopefully I will have all the kinks worked out! Then on to choosing fabrics and working out those issues ;)

Whiplash

I wonder if you will get whiplash will the variety of topics I'm probably going to post here. I don't think I can quite categorize what type of BLOG this will be - obviously to chronicle the journey of making my own clothing line, but there's so much more.

So today is baking day - I have some great ideas for future posts, but the timing isn't quite right, so stay tuned. So I do like to bake. Less than I like to do a lot of other things, but I do bake a fair amount. I have this idea that I don't really like my kids to preservatives. Yes - I am one of those. We do have some preservatives we eat (like what's a good alternative to chicken bullion granules?))

But before you judge me as being all "granola" or something, hear me out. Here's the back story ((I love me a back story)). So when my husband switched jobs and we came to Florida, we had to wait 3 months (still waiting!) for the new job's health insurance coverage to kick in. We can pay to be on COBRA with the old company, but it's crazy expensive. We can do that retroactively if something major happens. Until then, we are not covered to best insurance wise.

SO - that means prescriptions are not covered. I am severely allergic to MANY things. Poor Sam has inherited a lot of those. So when he was 3 years old, we both went to the allergist and were tested. The Dr. had Sam go on Claritin, Singular, and Nasonex. 3 prescriptions for a 3 year old? I wasn't super happy about that. We tried to wait it out, but it was clear he needed Claritin and Singular. So he was on those for over a year.

Switch to moving to Florida with no insurance. Singular (even generic) = MAJOR expensive. Like over $100 for 30 pills. I mean, I would pay that, but only if it were ESSENTIAL. So I decided to try some alternatives before filling his prescription.

1. I bought this air purifier. It had good reviews and wasn't too expensive.

2. I took Sam off 99% of preservatives. No packaged treats, not a lot of candy, whatever. Not that we were eating Hamburger Helper and M&M's everyday, but I started watching it more. Oh - and I took out as many food dyes also.

Guess what??? It's been 2.5 months and he's fine without Singular. YES! I think his body is just better able to fight those allergies when it doesn't have preservatives and food dyes to mess it up.

But Claritin? We still need that. The last couple days I tried to take him off that to see how he would do? Not great. He holds a rag to his face for any sneezing that might happen. So - he just got a dose of Zyrtec. Let's try that out??

So - that's why I bake instead of buy prepackaged preservative snacks.

And this recipe is awesome. I got it from a friend at MOPS when I lived in Nebraska. It can be MSPI friendly, just make sure to avoid soy in the oil. Its mandatory that I eat like 3 of these the first day I make them....

And FYI - they are a bit labor intensive, but they are worth it. I will also add in what substitutions I have made and how they work. (And the calorie count on the regular and my modified)

Morning Glory Muffins

Mix

1 t. Salt
4 c. Flour (I always use fresh ground whole wheat)
2 1/2 c. Sugar (I usually do 2 or a little less)
4 t. baking soda
4 t. cinnamon

In a separate bowl, mix

4. c. grated carrots
1 c. raisins (or dried fruit)
2 c. grated apples (if I don't have these, I add 2 bananas)
1 c. coconut
8 oz crushed pineapple with juice
1 c. chopped nuts (sorry - calorie count doesn't have this in it bc Jake hates nuts in stuff - I never add it)

Mix those two together

Then add:

6 eggs (I usually do 3 eggs and 3 t. chia seed mixed with 9 T. water) ((let the chia seed mix with the water and the consistency will be like eggs - they are a great substitute for eggs if you have allergies, or want to cut cholesterol - and they are a "super" food))
2 c. oil (I usually do 1 c. oil and about 1 or 2 bananas - I'm not a very precise baker, I'm sure are picking up on this!)
4 t. vanilla

Mix everything together and put into muffin tins. (This makes a ton! Last time I made it it makes 48). So enough for now, and enough for the freezer.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

So - here's the info, as I have it. Maybe you will find something different - I used the MyFitnessPal app.

Original Morning Glory Muffins
Calories: 196
Fat: 10.9
Carbs: 22.9
Protein: 2.5

My Modified Morning Glory Muffins (stats for for each muffin)
Calories: 144
Fat: 6.1
Carbs: 22.6
Protein: 2.1


Anyways - Make them today! My kids eat them up, and they are a healthier alternative to something with preservatives and food dyes.

Until next time!

Nap Times

So, I'm sure any mother (or person in general) knows that nap times for little ones are ESSENTIAL. Kids are a handful, and we all need a little down time, right? I was so sad when my little Sam boy stopped taking naps as SOON as we brought Olivia home from the hospital. ((He was 2.5 years old)) Let me take that back - He would nap, but we would pay for it later. He would stay up until 10 or 11 at night because he just didn't need the sleep. So I finally transitioned him from naps, to just quiet times.

Well, Olivia is just barely 2, and a couple months ago decided that nap times were optional. She would play and sing, etc. The other day she didn't want to nap. I waited 45 minutes after I put her in her room and when I heard a noise, I walked in to see what she was up to. Well..... Her mattress was on the floor. (She has a crib turned toddler bed and she likes to take the mattress off). The sheet was off her mattress, and the makeshift curtains were half torn down. She's a firecracker. I have photos to document her craziness, but that's for another blog post and for embarrassment for her later ;)

Anyways - I have found THE ESSENTIAL activity in our life. This activity ensures Olivia will take a 2+ hour nap - AND that she will usually go down without crying. It's awesome. Here's a pic:

I know it's not up close, but you get the whole scenery and the feel of the place. I love our pool. We live in an apartment complex that really feels more like a resort. It's close enough to Jake's work that he even comes home for lunch sometimes and has a minute to jump in the pool with the kids before we have lunch on the pool deck. Wow. When did I ever get so lucky?

** We just moved from Nebraska to Florida a couple months ago, and I am loving it here -- completely and utterly missing friends, but loving what Florida has to offer! **

Lucky for me, swimming even works for Sam some glorious days....

So, I know... you are thinking.... "You have to go to the POOL to make sure you get a nap out of your toddler??" You don't feel at all bad for me, right? Well, I don't feel bad for myself most days either... But unless we swim for an hour or two EVERY DAY, or if she's unusually tired or sick, she won't nap. Even the park for a couple hours doesn't do it.

So - To the pool we will go. With lots of sunshine, and sunscreen, and snacks. I already have more color than I ever did in Nebraska ((or Texas)) ((or Utah)) and it's only May.

But moving on.... This swimming routine leaves me a bit of time in the afternoon for my sewing. And I have made some strides -- The June bug dress from the last post is almost done - I just need to buy some snaps from Joann's/Hobby Lobby and sew them on. (( Tangent -- Why is it that I can take 2 kids 4 and under to the swimming pool for 2 hours, but I absolutely hate taking 2 kids to any store with me?? One run to Walmart - which I try to avoid - with both kids puts me out for the DAY. What?? What brand of sissy am I??)) So until I can get a few minutes alone with myself in one of those stores, that dress will go unfinished.

BUT - I started REALLY prototyping my design yesterday. Here's a sneak peak. Can't wait until it's done and I can work out the kinks and start picking fabrics (besides cheap muslin) for it!

Well, obviously Olivia is napping - because I am blogging. And we didn't swim today.... Maybe that was due to the fact that she woke up at 1:30 crying.... I think she had a nightmare?? She just wanted to cuddle. Then I couldn't get back to sleep until 4. Wow. I'm proud I'm awake myself right now!

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Any solutions for nightmares for little kids?

Do you have an activity you try and do to ensure your kids will nap?

Success

Sometimes I feel like I need to redefine and remind myself what I think SUCCESS means.

To me, success is to never stop trying. I'll say that again... NEVER STOP TRYING.

Do you ever feel like you have tried something over and over and over? Maybe you have tried to tweak it, so you try a different way, but you want the same results?

For example, parenting. My daughter is nuts. She's spicy and fiery, and a lot to handle. And I keep trying to find ways to teach and discipline her that produce the same results = a happy obedient and sweet child. But I have seriously tried so many different approaches. But the main point is: Never Stop Trying. Olivia is worth the effort and the mental frustration. She won't always be a lot to handle (well, maybe that's not true) but one day I won't find her playing with ink cartridges for the printer. Or jumping off the edge of the pool with her puddle jumpers off and saying "I'm swimming! I'm swimming" while she sinks. Don't worry - I'm always there to catch her, but shouldn't she have some fear??

Anyways - I just need to remember to never stop trying. Good results take work. A lot of work.

That being said, I love her fiercely.

Anyways.... On Saturday I went to Hobby Lobby to get me some yardage - I got white muslin to start prototyping (I love that word - my husband's an engineer, and he prototypes, so I can too ;) So bright and early this morning, when Olivia had a stuffy nose and I knew that I shouldn't go to the gym and infect the other kids at the child watch, I started prototyping.

I had a great pattern I wanted to try. It's the June bug Dress from Craftiness is Not Optional. I knew I liked the look of that dress and wanted a starting off point. I wanted to make the dress and discover  how I wanted to modify that look, so I could come up with something of my own. Well, I have the bodice mostly done, and I think I have my idea perfected.

While I do think this dress is awesome - it's beautiful. And the pattern and instructions are wonderful. Super clear and I only had to unpick on seam so far, and it was totally my fault. (Hey - that' s a big deal for me... I'm constantly messing up, I swear!)

Anyways, I realized that while this is a beautiful look, it's Jess's from CINO. It's not mine. I have a different look that I need to produce. But I'm super happy I still get this dress and I'm sure Olivia will look beautiful in it when I finish.

So - I'm succeeding. Because when I get this June bug dress done, I'm going to start my product. Because I think it will be awesome.

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(( Ha Ha side note: My son just asked me for a "small egg" or a "half an egg." ))

What crazy stuff do your kids ask for?

Having Hope and Taking a Deep Breath

I'm notoriously bad at blogging - even writing. But I'm choosing to hope that I can do this. I can have a goal and I can work towards achieving it. I'm taking a breath and writing my thoughts.

I have a wonderful life. It's magical. And it's SO hard at the same time. I'm sure most of us feel that way to varying degrees.

I have two wonderful children. I have an awesome husband. I live in a beautiful place, and we are all healthy and safe. Life is grand.

But I also have a deep hope.

I want to DO MORE. You know, what I'm talking about? I want to have something that I can do that satisfies this need I have to create. And create something I think is beautiful. Last night I realized -- I need to figure out what I LIKE. Not just what everyone else likes. Pintrest is full of popular stuff. Stuff I could make, but it's not what I totally love.

Recently, I met a woman that inspired me a bit. She's a fantastic photographer -- And she kept looking at what other's were doing. What poses were popular, and what lighting they used. Then she stepped back and realized that she wasn't doing what SHE wanted. She ultimately realized that she needed to "Unlock the Art Hidden in Her Heart." I love that phrase. I feel like I have beautiful things I want to make - but I want to make something I feel like is beautiful. Not just what is popular. Or what will sell. I just want to be in love with what I'm creating.

This is a photo Tammy took of my little girl Olivia. 

So I have an idea. Of course, it is similar to other's people's ideas. But this time, I feel like this one can be mine. I want to make kids clothes. More specifically little girl's clothes, but I have a cute idea for little boys too.

So this blog will chronicle my journey. The journey to keep hope - Hope that I can do this! I can blog. I can create something from my heart. And the hope that I can be successful. I want to create a small business. I want to create clothes and other kid's items and come out with a new "line" every quarter. Maybe every six months??

And now I'm just going to take a breath. Because it really does take time to create something beautiful. Take a breath and work diligently.