Happiness Is . . .

. . . having your handiwork put right to use.
Do not block.
Do not steam.
Just let me wear it Mama!!
I love knitting for this girl!

Pattern: Child-sized Pinwheel Sweater
(with after-thought heel version sleeves)
Yarn: Peruvian wool from elann.com
Verdict: Easy-peasy, fun little sweater to make!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Lest you think we've gone totally white trash . . . the chair was returned to the house after the photo shoot!!

Happiness Is . . .

. . . being married to your best friend!! Fourteen years ago we said "I do" and made vows to one another before God. Our wedding (well the making vows part) was one of the most intense spiritual moments I have ever had in my life.

We've been friends for almost 17 years now. And that friendship, my friends, is the glue.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Socks: hand-knit by the Queen +
Yarn: hand-dyed by JDMS (Sailor's Sky colorway)
=
Heaven for my toadies, just wish it was sock-wearing weather.

Overheard at Fred Meyer . . .

Stranger: What a pretty dresses you have on!!

Princess #3: Thank you.

Princess #2: Thank you.

Stranger: Your mom must keep busy keeping your dresses so nice.

Princess #2: Well, yah, but my mom is a firm believer in *not* ironing.

As most of you already know . . . nothing is sacred (or secret) in my castle.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Princess #2 circa 2007

Parlez Vous Francais?

Princess #2: You've lost your bah-ty pahts!

King: Bahty pahts?

Princess #2: BODY PARTS, it's french!

Spell What??

Princess #3 has been enjoying being a part of a preschool age singing group at our church the past couple of months. They worked hard on several songs to sing for Mother's Day. When I asked her what songs they were going to sing she told me the titles of two songs I was familiar with and one that left me perplexed after she described it like this: "It's a song about God and dogs and how they are spelled the same and are the same and dance and stuff like that. That's why I have to bring a stuffed dog to church on Sunday Mama."
Suffice it to say, I was interested to hear that last one!! And imagine my surprise when it was this little gem. She knows the words by heart and now so do I. I think you'll be blessed.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Best use of garage sale money ever.

A Decade

So today marks Princess #1's 10th birthday. She got her ears pierced the minute the mall opened today. The long-awaited, much-anticipated rite of passage (in our family) has been completed. Whew. She is now living proof to her younger sisters that you really can make it all the way to 10 without your ears pierced. Who knew?

What can I say about this oldest child-of-mine? She my right-hand gal. She is my seemingly tireless reader. She is my artist. She is the go-to brother watcher, always ready to report for "Prince duty". She is a faithful friend. She loves to shop. She loves to be the boss (I can relate). She loves to be right (I can relate). She loves.

A fellow homeschool mom (who recently adopted her 5th baby), and I were talking earlier this year. And she confided that if she had to care for that many kids without the help of her oldest, she would be sunk. I feel the same way. Sure our relationship is rocky at times, what mother-daughter relationship isn't? But at the end of the day, I'd be lost without her.

She came into this world as quiet as a mouse. Seriously. Not a peep. (Until I met Princess #2 I thought all babies came out that way. {grin} ) However quiet, her presence woke me up for good 10 years ago, and I've been awake ever since (not literally, although some days . . . ). I am so thankful God chose me to be her mom.