It Only Took 2 Months

In February Zoe got a big girl bed.  I got the bright idea to handcraft some artwork for her walls.  I had some cut-outs that matched her bedding and thought I would create scenes like her bedspread on fabric and then wrap that fabric on canvas. 

I'm pleased to say, 2 months after starting this little project it's done.  I was in need of a staple gun.  I totally didn't think to ask my mom about one until yesterday.  Of course she had three for me to choose from.  She LOVES tools. She had a semi-automatic type staple gun that worked great.

Here's the fabric and the canvas that I used:

I put some fusable web on the back of the fabric and cut out shapes to match Zoe's bedspread.  Then laid out the design on the yellow background fabric that I had laid over a canvas.  You don't want to make bigger art than you have canvas.

Once I liked the layout, I ironed on the pieces to the yellow fabric.   Then I sewed around the edges of the design with my sewing machine to 1) ensure the design wouldn't peel off and 2) to give it a cute, handcrafted feel.  My sewing machine has a blanket stitch that I used.

Then came the assembling part, 2 months later because I'm efficient if anything.  I pulled the edges to the back of the canvas, folded the fabric once so it was a nice edge in the back (and it strengthens the fabric too) and got my semi-automatic staple gun ready for action.

Once opposited edges were in place, I worked on folding the other edges into place.  It took a few before I knew how to not make it so bunchy.

Then I folded the fabric edged again, like I was wrapping a present and to reinforce the fabric.

Because I like secure and semi-automatic tools, I stapled and stapled and stapled until nothing moved.

Because some of the staples were sticking out a bit, I hammered down the ones that didn't get in far enough.

Viola!  Art!

I have to say I'm pleased with how they look in Zoe's room.  She even helped hang them up. 

Now if I could just hang some pictures on the other wall, we'd be golden.  I'm pacing myself.  I hope by Labor Day!

It Was An Overnight Phenomenon

At beginning of fall D, E & I planted over 100 bulbs of flowers in the backyard.  It was exciting to see how the flowerbed would look in the spring with all the pretty flowers and signs of better weather.  I was secretly hoping that hole in my thumb was worth it.

One evening, after talking to the ladies at work who said their crocus were blooming I decided to check it out.  This is what I saw:

Signs of life were beginning.  Most of my tulips were up and with small buds on them.  My crocus were totally through, but didn't have blooms on them.  My hyacinths were coming in too.  That hole in my thumb was worth all the effort.  It was so pretty.

Then fast-forward to a week later and this:

The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming. It was like a little patch of spring right out my door.

But it doesn't stop there. There's more beauty just a couple days later:

They are so pretty.  I have a vase on our dining room table that is full of tulips.  It's wonderful.

Except that my crocus never bloomed and only two hyacinth ever bloomed.  Now, I'm sad to report that all my tulips have lost their petals and it's almost time to uproot them and plant some summer flowers.  I can't believe in 2 weeks all my effort is gone. 

The good news is that my rose bush is bigger than it's ever been and my hydrangea bushes are coming back!  I'm sure I'll be seeing more color in no time.  It just means that I'll have to dig and plant some more.  I'm sure I'll have three helpers to get the job done.

I can hear the hallelujah chorus in the background

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

When N and I bought the house in Puyallup we made two rookie mistakes. We aimed higher than our pocketbook and didn't seek any counsel. We were trying to live the dream and were convinced we were smarter than we actually were. In reality the house became a way to drift the focus away from some problems in our marriage we weren't willing to work on.

Then two things happened. Zoe & I got sick and N got out of the military. All the goals, thoughts, dreams we had for the future built on a cracked foundation were challenged by these two events. We made the decision to leave our first home and move back to Spokane to be near family who could help us.

Instead of looking years into the future our scope became smaller. It could be guaged by days or hours rather than years. When you start looking at life in smaller increments all the cracks start to show themselves. You either face them or they break you. Which only leaves you the option of dealing with them. One way or the other.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. N and I were to the point we were separating assets and trying to figure out how to live separately and still maintain that Puyallup house. There was no way to do that. We had to stay together. We didn't like each other. There were days we barely spoke. My poor mother probably regretted the decision to let us move in with her. A decision had to be made.

Instead of living in anger and dislike, we sought the help of our pastor. My Dad B. His counsel, prayer and accountability helped get N and I on the right track and remaining under the same roof. I know God used him in my life in many ways, but none was more evident than through my marriage.

Once N and I were on God's path, the Puyallup house became a symbol of what we had overcome. We have had two realtors that I would've preferred not to have. We've had two realtors that were/are a God-send. The most recent gentleman, Ryan Lex with Skyline Properties, is the man that I believe God has been waiting for us to find. Within a month of working with him we had a buyer. Ryan is ethical, honest and willing to give advice, which is much needed. His faith isn't something he wears on his sleeve, it's something he lives. There is no one else I want getting this commission than him.

Now we're in Bellevue signing the paper, saying good-bye to the past and hello to God's plan. We're meeting Ryan for the first time and celebrating all that God has provided for us.

As I look back on the last 18 months it's been the best of times and the worst of times. Yet God has remained faithful through it all. He's surrounded N and I with a family that shares our trials and joys, a church family that ministers to us and new friends. While I have no idea what the next hour, day or even year holds, I know the foundation is strong. It's not built on false wisdom or pipedreams, but on Him. On His plans yet unknown.

While His plans will include trials and joys, we can rest easy knowing that we are surrounded by family that won't let us fail and are willing to pray with us, helping N and I stay focus on God rather than all the other noise.

As N and I see the many blessings He has been bestowing on us, may He provide the same for you. May He be your guide in the best of times and the worst of times.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May His face shine upon you.

May His countenance be with you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

The Little Things Edition

With family coming into town this weekend, we've been trying to get the house in order and unpacked as much as possible. While I know the family won't care what the house looks like or how much we've unpacked, they've given us a reason to unpack fast. If you ever saw our garage in Puyallup, you know that's exactly what we need!

Yesterday my mom was kind enough to take Zoe on a trip to the dump with several of our boxes and trash. Apparently it took some bribery with cookies, but it gave me a rare opportunity to be home alone. In my pre-motherhood life, that would mean watching a re-run of Friends, eating cereal for dinner and perhaps reading. If I felt ambitious, I might do a 30-minute workout. Might.

Now it consists of cleaning floors, unpacking boxes, scrubbing toilets, cleaning dishes and organizing. It's amazing what I can accomplish in 35 minutes.

We now have pictures up on the walls and one of our vehicles can fit into the garage. We are making progress!



It also allowed me time with Zoe last night watching some Tigger & Pooh the Christmas Movie. The girl loves her some Christmas movie. She will actually bring the DVD case to me so we can enjoy the Super Sleuth adventure together.

I know Zoe and I both needed that time. As I was putting her to bed, she ripped the bottle out of her mouth and started telling me stories. They were apparently very funny because she cracked herself up. It took 45 minutes to get her to settle down because she had so much to tell me.

While it's great having the house in order and cars in the garage, but the best thing, for me, is seeing my child fall asleep with a smile on her face.

The From the Back Edition

It was another productive weekend at our house. We got through another large share of boxes. We're onto the ugly ones. The ones you have to go through and decide what needs to stay and where to put it or where it needs to go: trash or Goodwill.

This process takes longer, but I know it'll pay off in the end.

You know what's worse than having to go through year old food that the movers packed or your husband's clothes from high school? A BBQ that has been sitting for over a year.

Praise the Lord for S.O.S. pads.

Zoe helped clean it off by holding onto the hose. She is amazed that water comes out one end. Her world is full of life's mysteries.

Now that the BBQ is up and working, I thought I would share with you our backyard. Especially since it'll have a fence around it before too long and this type of picture quality will be lost.

The Cardboard Edition

I've been swimming in a sea of cardboard for the last 96 hours. There's still plenty more where that came from, too. I've got at least another 96 hours of swimming left.

I'm not complaining. It's like Christmas. I haven't seen our dishes since April 2007. I had no idea I had such cool stuff. All of those people that came to our wedding and brought a beautiful dish or set of glasses, thank you. They are lovely.

It's like I'm seeing them for the first time. Again.

All that painting I did before we moved in totally paid off. The rooms are cozy and cute. Except the master, it also has to be kinda manly. N doesn't like anything too "cute."

I'm actually a little giddy with excitement. It is so nice to have a home, with a place for all my shoes. The bottom of my closet is like a little nod to Noah's Ark. They're all lined up two-by-two ready for me to wear.

N has been such a trooper. He's hung blinds, curtains, moved heavy boxes for me to unpack and hooked up the television for Zoe.

It would be totally uncool of me to also not send a BIG thank you to all the guys who helped us move on Sunday. When it was 103 degrees. In the shade. Josh, Robbie, Chris, Dave, and John - thank you all so much for your help. Once N gets the BBQ up and running, you will have to come over for some grub.

Also a big thank you to Mom for bring sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks for the guys. We got about 612 thank you's for the food.

Without further ado, here are some pictures of our pad.

Zoe playing in the living room.

Living and dining rooms. With Tigger and Rabbit.

Zoe's cozy room.

Zoe's room (the other side).

The girls' bathroom - complete with Roxy shower curtain.

N and Zoe with the two ladies who helped make our home a reality. Thank you Grammy and Aunt Mer. We owe you so much.

Because I'm a little over the moon about the house. Expect more pictures. LOTS more pictures. Especially since the yard was put in yesterday!