Who's your daddy? (and how'd he get mommy?)

Claire, over at

inspired me to write this post. I think it is one of those things that is slightly unbelievable. It also tells what a different person each of us is now.

Matt, what can I say-- he is H-O-T hot! I dare someone to disagree, I mean look at him:


So, I went to pick up my sister from work at OfficeMax one day in my brand.spanking.new TransAm. What color was it you ask? It was white. It had T-tops and was a RamAir. That thing was faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast. Yeah, it is hot too:


BUT then again, so was I:


(that is me on the left)

Anyway, back to the story...

I asked my sister who the hot guy in the stationary aisle was, then dragged her over. She said simply "oh, that's Matt" and we left.

You see, I was in a relationship, sort of. K had a girlfriend, sometimes. Sometimes we were all together at the same time. I was living with a pharmacist I worked for. Well, she lived with her boyfriend and I lived in her house. Anyway, this is getting complicated...

Fast forward a month or two. I went to see my parents one night and as I was saying goodbye, I gave everyone a kiss on the forehead. Matt was there, drinking with my parents (who are cooler to everyone else than they were to me! lol). My sister said "where's Matt's kiss" So I kissed him on the forehead too (He later admitted looking down my shirt at this point).

Sara then tried to get me to go out with Matt every chance she got. I was too hung up on whatshisface (oh, they have the same name Claire!) to give it a go.

Then one night, I decided to call Sara up. I wanted to go out for my 22nd birthday. I needed her to come and watch my new puppy. Matt came up with her! I was a few drinks in already and told him just what I thought of him (hey, you are really, really hot). So my friends and I took him with us for the night. We went to a strip club, then to a few bars.

When we got back to my house (I had my own apartment at this point), I was all sorts of hot and bothered. There was only one problem... yep, ol' whatshisface. Matt told him in no uncertain terms that he needed to stay out of my life. Well, that sealed it for me.

I definitely put out on the first date. I moved in within a week, was pregnant within a month and married and a mom within the year.

Almost 7 years (OMG, I am almost 29!!) and another baby later, we are still going strong. Good thing we had a lot more than chemistry in common. It is amazing how things work out in the long run!

Made by you Monday (yes, it's Tuesday)

Ok, I am participating this week... but no guarantee I will consistently (you know me, I am easily distracted). What was I doing again? Oh yes...

I made the pants this little sleep bug is wearing. I made her a top too, but she would rather wear her brothers old t-shirt with it.

Lovies

My kids, they do love each other.

Aubrey adores RJ and tries to protect him. We were wrestling on the floor and she came and pulled my hair (ouch!) and told me "get off my bruddah!!" in a very serious tone. Then she, of course, tackled him herself.

RJ is sweet enough to let her win (sometimes) and play babies with her, very tenderly. He plays daddy and she mommies very well.

They both play Star Wars. Who knew it would be popular as ever almost 30 years after the fact? She sings the imperial march:

and he tells her which droid to be, or which darth whatever she needs to kill. It is hysterical, and I know it is only for a fleeting amount of time. I hope they will remember, one day when they are fighting, that they had so much fun together. If not, I will remind them (not so gently).

Morning conversations

Some days Aubrey wakes up RJ and some days it is the other way around. I am not sure who woke up first this morning, but the conversation was pretty darned hysterical.

RJ: "Good morning Aubrey, let's stretch"
Aubrey: "Okay bruddah, jump jacks, jump jacks, fall down"
RJ: "Aubrey, stretch your arms and touch your toes, push up time"
Aubrey: "one, two, five, fourteen"
RJ: "Okay, now jumping jacks again, touch your toes, act like a droid"
Aubrey: "I am a droid!!"

It went on for some time like that. Then they heard me and came running out. I love mornings like this. They are content, they are loving each other. Now they are racing like nascar around the coffee table being silly.

I think I will honor the pancake requests now. What a wonderful morning!

Take that, 12th grade!

I had to take computer science my senior year since I was a transfer student. There were 2 seniors in a sea of freshman. Beau (the other senior) and I had a ton of fun, but never got much done. The teacher let me get away with pretty much anything (yeah I had a DD rack back then too). He told me that I would need to learn all this coding at some point down the road. Yeah... sure! lol

So, tonight I taught myself to make a button to link people to my Etsy shop. Take that!! It took me 30 minutes to do what a teacher tried (unsuccessfully) to teach in a whole semester.

Here it is:

Wrodless Wednesday - nostalgic

Where is my warning label?

I think the warning label must have fallen off. Of my children, that is.

No one tells you when you have kids that they are going to be the single most heartbreaking experience of your life.

Heartwarming, heartbreaking, heart wrenching... yep, all of those. All of those in 2 seconds flat.

I never knew that being a mom would be so hard. Sure, I had a mom. My mom made it look easy. She never let on that she would come in to check on us at least once a night. She never let on that every time we were out of her sight she worried herself into gray hair (or that will be my excuse anyway).

Being a mom is scary.

So, I know that even when my kids are grown and gone, I will worry. I will wonder and I will have to distract myself or go insane.

Mission accomplished

So I did it! Yes, I did it... Matt took care of everything else. So here are the new pictures:

I also managed to get (cram) all (most) of the kids' toys into the closet.

Now I just have to grab my scissors, measuring tape and iron and get to work. I have 25 (nearly identical) capes to finish. The customer requested satin (which I don't usually like to use), but she who pays gets her ways!

I'll let you all know how I am doing tomorrow!

Eeek

I just realized how many hobbies I have!! I have everything out of boxes in my craft room. I need to make 25 capes, by Tuesday. So I have my table cleared... but I can not work in this chaos! Thank goodness Matt said we will tackle it together tomorrow. I love him! By these pictures you can not tell how much I've acutally done!!

This is the view from the door to the room, which is also supposed to be the playroom. I took the non-working TV out today. I need to find one I can mount on the wall (open to suggestion!!) I have 2 sewing machines and a serger. There are 2 totes full of yarn, one full of ribbon, and each of the storage cubes house a different hobby (candle making, beading/jewelry, rhinestones, fabric painting, decoupage, stamping, etc.) The storage on top of the desk has some display items and stuff I use almost every day (glue, scissors, paper). I have a basket containing 100-some patterns. Matt even gave me an old tool chest which now houses paint, cutting instruments and other things that are better locked away from the kids.

This is the other corner. I have scrapbooking, knitting, sewing and other general crafting books on the shelf (along with some other things). The drawers of RJ's old dresser contain fabric (except the top drawer, which has the kids' coloring books and crayons). I have my trusty old Cricut (the original!) and 16 cartridges on top of the dresser. I am not sure what the containers on top of the bookshelf will hold. I have pails on hooks that have Sharpies (I have over 100 of those too), scissors (the pattern-edged kind) and other writing utensils. I broke it up with some page layouts. I also have some star hooks on the wall to hold capes I have finished. I have 2 ottomans (ottomen? haha) that will house kids books and work as seating in this area (where the TV will go when I find one that will work).

I also cleaned out the closet in this room and plan to install some shelves. I am implementing a "one set" rule from now on. The toys will be put into totes by type of toy (Little People, Tranformers, My Little Ponies) and the kids can play out of one tote each at a time. If they want something else, the previous toys have to be boxed up and put away. I hope this works!!

Disappointed?

We brought all of our belongings back from Albuquerque after our annual Christmas visit this year. I am happy to have all of our things here, even if I am discouraged by the sheer volume of items I need to sort through. I am off tomorrow and Friday, so I am taking my time (and yes, I am up at 3:15 in the morning typing this).

So here is where my disappointment lies... I have opened several boxes of things from my childhood (school years). I won Student of the Month several times in elementary school, I got citizenship awards and scholastic awards and was a published author by the fourth grade. I won the school spelling bee with the word "bikini" in fifth grade. I worked on independent studies on grade levels far above my peers. I was a truly gifted and generally well-liked student.

In middle (junior high) school, I won the spelling bee at school level all three years and missed out in the last round at district level in eighth grade to a girl who was later disqualified for cheating. I worked as a junior docent at the NM Museum of Natural History and Science, I was in the gifted program, I took advanced level courses. I had an unsteady life at home, with my mother in school (amongst other things) so I really threw myself at my education with everything I had. I was on newspaper, yearbook, peer counseling, student counsel, drama and every other special interest activity I qualified for (including a very interesting video mural project). I have letters of recommendation from nearly every teacher and adult/mentor in my life. I even found a letter from the state representative for my neighborhood expressing his gratitude that I represented the South Valley (not known for it's education per se). I got into the local Catholic school with a 97% on the entrance exam.

In high school, for once, I was average (well, in the classes I took). It was a relief in some ways, but I wonder if it was just the attention that propelled me forward up to that point. My parents, although supportive, never really praised me the way teachers and peers had. I definitely still maintained my grades (although I got my first B in Mr. Penn's Algebra/Geometry class). I fit in well enough, I never had a problem making friends. I was not able to join many activities until my junior year due to bus schedules and my parents and what-not.

You see, my parents moved to Las Vegas the summer between my Sophomore and Junior years. My mom graduated from Pharmacy School and landed a job in Sin City. They gave me the choice to stay put and live between my grandparents and my mom's best friend, or move. I chose to stay. I was very disciplined and I was, for the most part, very happy. I had a boyfriend within the first few weeks of school. He made me giddy, like the sun shone just for me every day. He was (is) smart and funny and jovial (yes, I said it, jovial). We did math homework on the phone, hung out on the weekends, wrote little love notes in class, the usual high school stuff. I joined Physics club, cooking club, drama (back stage--even though I had a small part in one play) and Speech and Debate. I literally had the perfect teenage life, except that my family was not there. So, what did I do?

I moved to Las Vegas. I did not fit in. I did not join any clubs. I got a job. I made out with lots of bad boys. I drank. I snuck out. I snick in. I skipped school (although I still managed straight A's). I rebelled. I graduated, with honors.

So, here I am at 28. I am married. I have 2 kids. I have an associates degree (or three). I work the same job I had in high school. I never realized all those big dreams everyone had for me.

Some days I am disappointed. Then I remember, I am lucky. I can find something every day that makes me happy. So happy in fact, that the disappointment is reserved for delirious ramblings at three-something in the morning.

Ketchup

... or catch up, I suppose. It has been a while, again. Life has been moving at such a quick pace I hardly have time to think. I have been working 7 days a week for the last 3 weeks in addition to the capes and Halloween. I had a panic attack at work a few Fridays ago (thank goodness my doc is literally in walking distance from there). I never really thought it was something that would happen to me. I don't tend to internalize stress.


Anyway, the Halloween costumes for the kids came out phenomenal (and I do say so myself). RJ had to be a storybook character at school, so I made him a scarecrow at the last minute. I sewed patches on and cut the cuffs off an old pair of pants. I made the shirt out of flannel, sans pattern and the hat out of felt I had leftover from Peter Pan last year. His second costume was also made without a pattern. He wanted to be Darth Maul from StarWars (and not the Mad Hatter as I had hoped). So I made him a long black cloak with a hood and painted his face.

Aubrey had a few changes as well, although only one costume. I made her a green tutu a few months back and she wore it with an adorable shirt and tight set from Gymboree to the Halloween carnival. She wore another tutu, made by our friend Joann to the Halloween party at karate. The costume I made (slaved over) was Alice in Wonderland. Let me tell you, with all the pleating and folding and gathering and basting, it took forever!!!! I followed the pattern for the dress and even installed my first zipper. I made the apron without a pattern and did not complete the bib part. I still like the way it turned out once I added the accessories (and the tutu for fullness). It was a little longer than I wanted, even though I shortened it from the pattern consoderably. She may be able to wear it again next year, but most likely I will sell it and list it for a 3/4 year old.

As for the rest of it, I have been creating lots and lotsof capes. I have had the standard Batman, Superman and Spiderman...

... and then I have had people give me a lot of creative freedom. I get a theme, and initial and a color and the rest is left up to me. I created this set for 3 year-old twins:

I still have a few in transit so I will post pictures of them as soon as they are received. I am still looking forward to more girl capes. I have 2 SuperGirl capes ordered, I just have to work out the logistics and colors. I am not sure if I want them to match exactly or if I want them to be opposite. I remember my sister and I always wanted what the other one had if it was even slightly different. I am also making Aubrey a Thanksgiving dress, my first piece of every day clothing in years. I am desperately looking for an owl-print corduroy (so if you see any please let me know and I will pay shipping!!!!)

It is pictured here:

[img]http://www.craftster.org/pictures/data/500/medium/IMG_27223.JPG[/img]

I wish

Powerful, totally ineffective words. Don't just wish, do.

I will make more time for myself to do what I love.

I will spend time with my husband, out of bed (sleeping people, sleeping) and listen to his dreams.

I will try harder to keep promises and focus on my relationships in life. This means friends, co-workers and acquaintances. People are important to me and I don't want to lose track of that.

I will try and focus on my body and my health and not just on those of my dear ones. I am important too.

I will allow myself to be loved, or hated for that matter, for who I am and not what I have.

Whoooo-wee

I have been a busy, busy bee!! I have made 12 capes and counting in the last 2 weeks. I may have to hire someone or invest in a caffeine IV. I have on deck, 3 batman capes, a party pack of 6 (for a 4 year olds birthday party), a cupcake birthday cape, a watermelon cape (so neat!), a princess cape, little red riding hood, a firefighter AND spiderman (who doesn't have a cape, but what the heck eh?)

Here is a peek of one for a kindergarten friend of RJ's (her mom said pink and green and the rest I just ran with):

So I am also having a little contest (for my whole 6 followers, lol) on facebook... whoever recruits the most fans to my page will win a FREE cape! Yes, FREE! Katies-Capes-and-Crafts

New month, new ambitions

So after a fantastic response to my two most recent capes, I have decided to give Etsy a try. You may remember me making my first set here: super-mom-to-rescue . I have since made two more for other wonderful boys.

This one reached Justin to greet him on his first full week of pre-school. You can see his cute little mug and his adorable siblings over at raisingjustinandnathan. It is blue/red reversible with a hand stitched J on the back.

This one is for my wonderful nephew Gavin. I took him to the craft store and let him pick out what he wanted. He decided on Batman, so I created the logo for that side and then Matt (my husband) suggested Super Grover to inspire the other side.

I would really love to make one for another little girl too (Aubrey is not quite old enough to fully enjoy it)! I am offering them at Etsy for $15 plus shipping, This is going to be a limited time offer to try and get out there. I have a feeling these prices will not stay low for long. Please check me out:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7987068

If you have any questions at all please contact me!

Another one down

Wow, another month has passed. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down a bit. My nephew turned 4 today (yay Gavin!!). I dropped my poor sister at the airport (love you Tiffy-poo). I had lunch with my Aunt (in-law? lol). I worked...

It was a long day, but it was all so short too.

I welcome September and a new adventure.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten. I think that word can stand as it's own sentence today. We were both ready for him to go. Maybe he was a little more ready than I was. We had his outfit laid out last night and he has been eyeing this shirt since I brought it home a few weekends ago (thank you Traci). He got the shoes from his favorite Aunt, Regina. We can walk to the school, I don't even think it is a mile away. He knows a few of the kids from the neighborhood and from Karate, but none of them are in his class. There are 30 kids, 18 boys and 12 girls. His teacher's name is Mrs. Richman. RJ is the tallest boy in his class (measuring at 46.5 inches this afternoon). There was a little girl I didn't see this morning that has even him by a few inches. He was happy to see me after a few short hours and wished he could stay longer. Aubrey missed him a lot, but I think she and I can find something to do for a little while.