Getting Printed

Do you ever have irrational fears? I am a bit paranoid. And by a bit, I mean extremely. So, I have irrational fears sometimes.

Let's rewind a few years. Hubby and I work for a company that supplies Environmental tooling. On occasion I work in the warehouse, shipping out orders. I notice that the heavy duty packing tape peels little copies of my fingerprints. Funny...but not really. Kinda creepy. I point out that someone could easily copy my finger prints and frame me for a crime. Chuckle, chuckle. Just kidding.

Back to current times.

This is where I warn you not to laugh. Remember I said it was irrational? Keep that in mind as you mock me.

Today we head to get fingerprinted for Live Scan. Our first big step towards foster care. I am so excited. This is it. It is actually starting to come together. When out of no where, FEAR.

Dude, what am I afraid of? I have committed no crimes. Ever. But wait, those stinkin' finger prints! What if someone seriously took the tape and made millions of copies to place at a crime scene? I could be framed for a serious crime. Like murder or somethin'!

This is for real people. I watch Law and Order. This stuff happens all the time!

I didn't get hauled off in cuffs when they took my prints, so I'm guessing that the fear is indeed irrational and I have not been framed. But really, I was sweating there for a minute.

Do you ever have irrational fears like me? Tell me I am not alone in this crazy little world.

Rainbows

People, I am one proud mama! My daughter is a rockstar.

Let me give you some background.

A few weeks ago Rhiannon started attending Rainbows at our church. Rainbows is a club for preschoolers, ages 3-5. In Rainbows the littles learn bible stories, do crafts, sing songs and play games, all while earning badges along the way.

Two weeks ago Rhi was sent home with homework and her first verse to memorize. My girl rocked it, by day 2 she could tell you the verse and where it was located. This mommy is horrible at memorizing so when my 3yo was able to memorize even a short verse...impressed!

 So fast forward to last night. Since the kids recited their verses and turned in their homework last week, it was award ceremony last night. Baby girl got her first badge!

The group sang their little song and then got their certificates with badges. I cannot wait to get her little vest to attach her badge to.

Oh and how cute was she singing "Jesus is Alive" ?

Wordless Wednesday...kinda

I'm linking up with Angry Julie for Wordless Wednesday but I am unable to be completely wordless with this picture. I will keep it short though :)

 

 These past few months have been so different. Rhiannon and Talon are so close in age. I knew that they would be best friends...or worse enemies. Their age just sets them up for it. Even being so close in age, the younger you are, the larger the gap seems.

When Talon was born, Rhi was 22 months and the difference seemed like an eternity. Rhiannon was my big girl, an almost 2 year old toddler, while Talon was a newborn, obviously. Gradually, the gap has appeared to shrink. They are both toddlers. The 22 months that once kept them 3 stages apart (infant, baby, toddler), now has them in the same category. Two toddlers.  I have two toddlers.

The gap that was between them was bound to send them one of two ways, as  I mentioned, Best Friends or Worse Enemies. The truth would be revealed eventually and I knew it. I prayed for this moment. God listened. Rhiannon tells me daily "Talon my BEST fwend". Talon wakes up and no longer calls for mommy but "Nanny" instead. Their friendship is what I prayed for and it melts my heart.

 

All Caged Up

This weeks big project was finishing up a quilt that I was making for my little niece who will be arriving in May :)

The theme that my sis in law is going with in the nursery is bright and fun. Birdcages and flowers. Just plain girly.

She wanted something simple in layout and the attention to be on the pretty fabrics that we decided on. So I did basic blocks with a solid border.

Since my husbands entire family is big on texture and comfort, there was no option but minky for the backing. Haha. I prefer minky on baby quilts anyhow so it worked out well.

I wanted to actually quilt the blanket (for long lasting purposes)  but my SIL is not a fan of the quilted look, so we met in the middle and I just went with a stitching in the ditch.

I love the way it all came together. The fabrics are so fun and the simplicity of the design really emphasized that.

It was so fun in fact that I decided to make her a couple of pennant banners to go along with it.

What have you been working on?

I am linking up with Sew Chatty for Made with Love Monday. If you did something crafty, you should too!

A week in Instagram photos

This week I am linking up with Jeanette at Life Rearranged for InstaFriday. I haven't linked up in a while and it is always so much fun. So here we are :)

This week while scrolling through my photo reel, I was reminded what a blessing it is to be a momma. Not that I forgot, I mean with kids as cute as mine it is a constant reminder haha. But the photos I saw really show the joy of motherhood.

Let me show you what I mean...

We have been going into the office twice a week. The day usually ends like this. Their snuggles are THE best.

Pop Bottle Science was fun. The excitement in their eyes was even more fun!

She said she NEEEDED this hat. She proclaimed it all through the store.

Holidays are so fun with little ones.

What you can't see in this picture is a squealing Talon ripping tickets out of the machine like a mad man. Priceless.

 Being their mommy is so much fun!!!

 

Penelope Lane Boutique: A Recap

Ok, so I know it has been over a week since Penelope Lane Boutique but I really wanted to give you a quick recap.

I had a totally new setup that I was IN LOVE with! We kept the old shutters but eliminated pretty much everything else. My hubby built me some ah-mazing crates out of old broken pallets. The new look was a hit and I got so many compliments.

I launched a few new products. My leather clutches were introduced. I cannot tell you how many people were shocked that they were handmade. I also cannot tell you how flattered I was by those comments.

I expanded the art accessory line. My original artfolio design has been such a hit that I knew I needed to grow the line. I added the old faithful crayon rolls and designed what I am calling the art-book. These items sold like hotcakes. I had people coming and asking if there were any left all day. Sold out is always a fun way to leave a boutique.

 

It is always so fun to meet readers, followers, fans and on-line friends in real life. I appreciate everyone of you who came out to support me and the other vendors.

Sarah and Nancy did such a great job at organizing and running this show. I cannot wait for the next one. I will keep you all informed and hope to meet even more of you there!

Toddler Talk: Opinions.

Was baby number 2 a surprise? 22 months, that's less than 2 years! You've got your hands full! What were you thinking when you had your kids so close together?

These are all statements I have heard when people see or hear the age difference between my kids. I know I am not the only one with kids close in age. I know there are people with kids much closer together than mine. Is this age difference not as common as I thought?

When people say things like this to me, I'm not going to lie, sometimes I want to blow up at them.

First off, my kids are amazing, well behaved and frankly a piece of cake to take care of. I am blessed. I know my kids are not the norm. I seriously have it so easy. So when people say things like "you have your hands full", it makes me laugh a little. I usually just smile and nod. But seriously people, seriously? When my kids are sitting quietly, laughing and smiling in a shopping cart, what makes you think that my hands are full? Since when is having two kids a handful? Isn't that the average number of kids in a family? I'm a little confused.

Second, was he a surprise? An accident? NO! He was completely planned. I want lots of babies. Babies are a blessing. Why do so many people see kids as such an inconvenience? That is not saying that if your baby was a surprise, they are unwanted or an inconvenience, it is the assumption that number two must have been a surprise that I have beef with.

And lastly, what was I thinking when I had my kids so close together. Well... this:

These moments. The bond. The friendship. I wanted this for my kids. I want them to grow up together. To share moments together as the best of friends. I love the age difference between my kids. I love that the get to experience so many first time memories together. It is fun.

Plus, if I am going to talk my husband into having a soccer team full of kids, I gotta keep them close together, right? You think that I'm joking huh?

Sorry about my rant. Just had to vent to y'all.

Do you have experiences like this? Or am I the only one?