kidding around

Merry Christmas everyone!

I’m taking a break around here, blogland- that is. I’m getting a bit twitchy with all the things I need to do, have to do, and WANT to do…plus, when I look at what everyone else is doing out there I get a bit green with envy. I am just craving time to sew- so, a break is due.

Not sure when I will be back- probably mid-January…but look on me in Flickr. I will for sure be adding photos of our holiday and maybe of some of the baking I am doing at work.

Anyway, I am grateful for all of you kind readers who comment and don’t…I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and peaceful New Year. Be well!

My very best friend and husband received his Masters in Art Education from NIU earlier today! I can’t tell you all how very proud I am of him and his accomplishments. Not only did he finish his degree, but he also kept going as a full-time art teacher, track coach, and most importantly- father and husband.

He is most certainly someone I look up to and I am ever grateful for his humility, perseverance, and desire to care for his family. With this big day I truly share his joy he has with what he just completed. It’s on occasions like this that I do feel that he and I are “one” and that we do rejoice in one another’s achievements.

Well done- Nathan!

I was a proud wife and found myself hanging over the railing to get a shot of him while seated. He is in the foreground…3rd row up and to the left (by 2) of the empty chairs.

The Convocation Center was dreadful to take ANY photos- here he is on the big screen receiving his diploma!

We will be spending tonight celebrating at a local Mexican restaurant with live Mariachis. Then, back to our place for dessert and champagne! Hurray!

…check.

…getting help from eager toddler, check.

…had fun, but glad to take off list…check, check!

…pasta could look this charming.

Did you know that when you play the card game WAR, there is no way you can let your kid win? Yesterday Si and I had an emotional round of cards- I won 98% of the deals and he was not cool with that…

I thought at least these cards would make it fun. Apparently letting him all of the time is best.

Busy weekend with work and family. Even busier week with work. Then weekend work, then husband’s graduation on Sunday (he’s getting his Masters in Art Education). Trying to get gifts in mail by Saturday…whew.

Can’t wait for winter break, who am I kidding? I won’t be taking a break, but a least I won’t have to get up early and get the kids to school by 8!

More photos, less chat this week.

Happy week!

I am slowly putting up Christmas decorations and love opening up my box of fun! Last year I found a lot of great decorations at my Thrift store and it is so nice to see it all again.

In fact, these beautiful lavender/silver ornaments I found last year and for some reason they make me happier than the tree. So they get their own special place, right above our dinner table. Our light fixture is nothing special, but I love to hang all sorts of things from it throughout the year (you should see all the little holes from the push pins!).

I also love to see how the kids react to all the extra decor. Of course they get extremely happy and if it were up to them we would have everything up NOW and much more “stuff” on every surface!

I love this Nativity set. I am of the thinking to keep the Christ child out of the set until Christmas morning, but someone in the house has another idea (check out the little red babe in the background). I’ve left the set on our dinner table for the kids to arrange and re-arrange. I think kids should be able to touch the decor and it also brings up great topics of conversation regarding God, the world, gifts, love…

Happy Weekend!

This past weekend, I did the majority of my Christmas shopping online. Now, I am receiving all the goods and it is so much fun…I feel like I am having my own little Christmas morning every afternoon.

I noticed this book in Magic Cabin’s catalogue recently and knew I needed to get this for Ellie. We have Tina Davis’ Look and Cook and have really enjoyed it- especially all of the illustrations.

I was so giddy with excitement while thumbing through the book. It’s perfect for Ellie and she will be so excited- especially since she is getting a real sewing machine this year. She always wants to sew with me and make projects and I do believe she is ready and the perfect age. I hope she will take this skill and enjoy it for the rest of her life…really, I love to sew and wish I could all of the time.

I highly recommend this book- it’s full of great tips, both machine and hand sewing…whether you have kids or not, it’s just charming and useful. How can you pass it up?

…plus Nathan.

The news of the Kim family has weighed so heavily on my heart. Why is it through tragedy you are reminded to be grateful of those uneventful days? Sometimes I just can not handle the sadness in this world. Please be well!