I'mout!

I have let this "little blog that couldn't" go by the way side. I have decided to just keep up with our family blog. So if any of you (if there are any of you) would like to be invited to my very exclusive family blog just email me at projectqueen143@hotmail.com and I will send you an invite.
Love to all, Devron

Soon

I have been a little overwhelmed lately. Why is it that as the day of delivery approaches you feel the need to organize and clean out every nook and cranny of your house. Why at this particular time is that the driving force behind everything you do. Heaven forbid you have the same drive and desire when you are not huge and uncomfortable. Oh, well I guess I should just be grateful that I have it all and that there are places in my house that are organized that every time I think about them I get this really happy feeling. Funny how a clean front closet or a scrubbed down cabinets can do that to a girl. I kept hoping that all of this craziness would put me into labor, but no such luck.
I also know that my cute little baby widget only says two more days, but my very adorable doctor ( I am not being fasicious, he is adorable so it makes it hard to stay really mad), didn't get my delivery scheduled early enough and the hospital was booked for the 20th, so I am lucky enough to have to get to spend one more VERY long night pregnant and we will have our baby on the 21st. I know all of you who just have to wait for your babies to come when they want are not feeling very sorry for me, but that is just one of the "benefits" of having a c-section. You know when you are having it. And you have a daily count down and you cry like a big fat baby when your doctor nonchalantly tells you, you have to go ONE MORE NIGHT.
O.k. I won't complain anymore. Our whole house is very excited for the new arrival, and we are just anxious to have our beautiful little baby in our arms. We are blessed!

GRATITUDE

Right now with so much heartache surrounding us, with the economy and personal suffering of loved ones in so many different ways, it has really made Mike and I take personal inventory of how very much we are blessed.
So many people are struggling financially and just recently two families we know have lost little ones. Hard times, whether they are yours or someone else's, always seem to make you stop and count your blessings.
1. I am so blessed to have a job that helps support my family, and the fact that I truly enjoy what I do is a huge bonus.
2. We have a warm house.
3. We have a fridge and freezer with food in it.
4. We have vehicles that run great.
5. I have a husband who loves me.
6. I have two very smart, funny, full of mischief little boys.
7. And another one on the way.
8. I have the gospel , which right now is the biggest blessing, because it the thing that helps me realize that no matter how hard it seems, I know there is someone who is always watching out for me and my family and rooting for us. Someone who wants the very best for my family. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that everything always work out the easiest way, but it does work out (eventually, and maybe not the way we would like).
I could go on and on, but these are the main things.
Sorry I am so, whatever I am. Maybe it is the extra emotions from being pregnant, but whatever IT is, I am grateful for it. I really think that for me and my family this time is a blessing. I am not saying that that it is easy, I am just saying that I have A LOT to be grateful for.

I have a computer again!!!

I finally have my computer back. I didn't think it would be so hard to be without a computer. I still have a lot of kinks to work ouy and one folder with all of my files in it to sort out, and I am using someone's unsecured internet to do this entry, but sooner or later I will get it all worked out.
In the last 5 weeks have been crazy busy and I think I keep forgeting that I am as far along as I am, until I try squatting over to scrub something or caulk something. I really want to get my tree out and decorate it, but unfortunetly, ths year I can not do it all by myself. I am so excited to be this close to the end, but it sure is making it difficult to get things done. But for those of you who know me, you know that I am doing my darndest to do as much as possible. I will try and upload a few pictures to show you that a big and awkward pregnant woman may be forced to slow down, but if there is a will there is a way, and I will find it.

This is the sampler that I made in my quilting class. That was seriously the most enjoyable thing I have done in a vey long time. I was able to leave my house and go to something without having to be in charge of anything and I just got to learn and create and only worry about myself for two whole hours, once a week for three weeks.

My youngest's christmas quilt. He helped me pick out the fabric, unbeknownst to him that it was for his christmas present. He thought it was fabric for the baby.

My oldest loves cowboys and he is going to freak out over this quilt. You can't tell in this picture, but one of the prints is all guns. His favorite thing ever.

I painted my entry way, because it was a deep red and it did't look so great opening up in to my turquoise kitchen. Although I was quite irritated, because as the paint was drying I realized the ding a ling who mixed it for me, mixed flat paint which I hate (and I had purchased the paint 2 or 3 months ago). So I guess someday soon I will have to do one more coat.

I have a few other things I would love to post pictures of, but they will have to wait, because right now I have to get started on singlr handedly peeling 20 pounds of potatoes.

By the way

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Quilts, quilts and more quilts!

Man how time flies! I would love to say, when you are having fun, but it doesn't really matter if you are having fun or not. And even though our life has been a little crazy, a lot of stressful and and very busy, there has been some fun had.

I have already shared my new obsession with you all, and I am happy to say it has not lost my interest yet. And amidst the many trips to and from the hospital to see my niece and all the other things that my life is so full of, I have continued to steal snippets of time to sit my butt at the sewing machine.

I finished this,

And then finished this,

I finished anther quilt top that is at this moment at the quilt shop being machine quilted, and I will hopefully have it back son so that I can get the binding done, and have my first project completed for our attempt at a homemade Christmas ( I'll explain later).

I then started a class at the quilt shop and actually learned how to piece something more than squares,

I was telling Mike about my class later that night, and I got kind of emotional telling him about my class. It was 2 hours of of pure enjoyment. I can't remember the last time I left my house just to do something for me and only me. I wasn't in charge of anything, or anyone. I didn't have to hurry home or worry about anybody but myself. I loved every minute of it. Who knew a class could be so much fun.

O.K. about the homemade Christmas. I don't know where I get these crazy ideas, but I thought it would be fun to have a totally homemade Christmas. I talked to Mike and we both thought this sounded like a fun idea. Although when I really started to think about it and try and plan a few things out, I realized I am crazy. But I made a decision and I am going to stick by it. I love to create and make things, so this will give me a good excuse to go crazy.

Wednesday

A few of you in the comments have said, "How do you find time?" Well if you saw my house and knew how much T.V. my kids have watched in the last week, you would know. Oh well, at least I am staying some what sane. Although if you asked my husband he might beg to differ.
My niece Tami is hanging in there (somewhere). They are still keeping her so medicated that she is not aware, but hopefully that is helping heal her. Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and words, and especially for your prayers.
P.S. I am binding the baby quilt from the earlier blog and I will have pictures very soon.

My new obsession!

I think when I am stressed about something, I cope with it by taking on a project.

As you all know last Saturday I pieced my first quilt. So on Sunday when I found out about my niece, I found squares that I had purchased a long time ago, and I decided to make Tami a lap quilt. Over the next few days I was able to piece it all together.When I told my mother-in-law that I needed to get it machine quilted, but that I didn't want to wait the 2 weeks that it takes the quilt shop, she said she had a lady in her ward that could do it quickly. I took the quilt to get machine stitched on Friday.

Saturday morning I got up and didn't have Tami's quilt back yet so I decided to design and cut out another quilt that Ialready had the material for, for the baby. I got almost all the pieces cut out and a few of the big sections sewn, and my mother-in-law called about 12:30 and said the quilt was done. I LOVE the sweet women who did that for me in one day.

I got the quilt back and it looks so beautiful. I had spent quite a bit of time searching on the internet for instructions on binding and finishing a quilt. So I felt ready to tackle the binding. I had to improvise with the binding fabric, because I didn't have quite enough . But I am so proud, because you would never know. After about 2 hours, last night, hand stitching the back side of the binding, the lap quilt is complete. And I can't wait to give it to Tami.

I have decided to take a class at the local quilt shop, because I have taught myself or figured it out step by step on my own, and I know it would be easier if I learned the correct and effecient way to make the perfect quilt.

Here are a few pictures...

It has been a crazy couple of days. As I said before, my beautiful niece suffered a MASSIVE stroke on Sunday. She was in the ICU in St. George, but on Tuesday they decided to life flight her to SLC for surgery. I am scared for her. Her body has already had to endure so much and this is just the very beginning.
Isn't their little family so beautiful? They deserve a happy ending., and they damn well better get one.

Perspective

It is amazing to me how quickly your life can get put into perspective.
Last night Mike called me while I was at the grocery store and said that our patio table and umbrella had flown over and shattered all over lawn. I was sick to my stomach. I loved that table. I loved eating dinner with my family on that table. I loved sitting at the table with friends enjoying a nice evening in the backyard.
Makes me feel kind of dumb now. I just got a call from my mom and my sweet 25 year old niece had a stroke today, and is in the ICU in St. George. She is an amazing mother of two beautiful little girls and an amazing massage therapist, who loves her job. And now she is in the hospital and is paralyzed (for right now) on one side. They got her to the hospital quickly and they were able to treat her and we are praying with all of our hearts that she will recover completely.
Now back to me. Seriously a TABLE. I can eat dinner anywhere. I am so grateful for so many things. I don't want to waste time being sad or upset about stupid things. What a waste.
Here's to being grateful for every beautiful simple thing, like the memories that took place around that table. But it was just a table.

Mission Accomplished! (well almost)

I found this darling cradle at a garage sale. Of course it wasn't painted this adorable red, but you know me. A couple a cans of spray paint and a little elbow grease, and I can't wait to put the little dude in there.
And then for some reason I was feeling really ambitious and two trips later and more hours than I thought I had in one day with two busy boys and I have a pretty damn cute quilt top. Who knew I could figure it out. I don't think I have ever unpicked so much in my life. I have decided if I attempt another one I am going to ask a few more questions before I start.

You've gotta be kiddin' me!

There is no picture, but just imagine a very happy mommy. My children are so hard to please when it comes to food. I must say that is really the only part of being a mom that I really don't like,breakfast, lunch AND dinner.
Anyway this morning I turned the tv on while I was making beds, and Nigella was making these fabulous looking pancake things that she said were like a breakfast cheese cake. I hurried downstairs to quickly put the recipe together before I forgot it. I thought I might be able to pull one over on my youngest and he would just think they were pancakes, but I knew my 5 year old would take one bite and he would say, "DISGUSTING"!
Hallelujah, I was wrong they both snarfed them down, my oldest was even ok with seconds.They are super easy to make and they are especially delicious with just syrup. ( I didn't go to the trouble with the strawberries.)
ENJOY!!!
Cheesecakelets
Recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson
Show:
Nigella Feasts
Episode:
Breakfast All Hours
Serving suggestion: 2 cups strawberries, chopped into quarters 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sugar
3 eggs, yolks and whites separated 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon best-quality vanilla extract 1 cup cottage cheese 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Put the strawberries into a bowl and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and sugar. Stir before covering with plastic wrap and leaving to steep while you make the cheesecakelets. Mix the egg yolks with the sugar, beating well. Add the vanilla, cottage cheese, and flour. Then, in another bowl, whisk the whites until frothy with a hand whisk and fold into the cottage cheese mixture.
Heat a smooth griddle or nonstick skillet and dollop the batter onto it make cakelets of about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Each cheesecakelet will take a minute or so to firm up underneath, then you should flip it and cook the other side, and remove to a warmed plate when ready.
Turn the strawberries in the ruby syrup they've made and squish some pieces with a fork at the same time. Serve with the hot cheesecakelets.

Nine years down! Forever to go!!!

I am so glad I snagged him while my breasts still looked so good.
It has been a crazy nine years, but I wouldn't trade it.
I have a husband who loves me and the extra pounds I have acumulated over the last nine years, I have a beautiful eternal family, and we have a gazillion great memories.
Here's to a gazillion more.

Speaks for itself!

Our real ultra-sound isn't until the end of the month, but Mike and I decided to pay $50 bucks and just find out the sex of the baby. And it was worth it. We are so excited to meet our little Stellar R. Lloyd!!!

Project Complete!

Here is a picture of my mom's table all done. She is still working on the chairs, which I am sure will turn out incredible. It turned out so awesome. I wish I could take a better picture. There is so much detail lost in these photos. I wish you could see all the beautiful distressed spots. It looks very well used and loved, just like we like it.

How Adorable!!!

Since I have been at my mom's house I have actually spent a lot of time on my computer. It has been fun, but I realized why I don't get on the computer very often. You can get lost on here. Anyway I found this fun website that lets you design a crib set. So I just thought I would share my fun design. This seemed pretty unisex to me.
My mom's furniture is turning out awesome. I can't wait to post the finished product.

Party at my Mamma's House!

I came down to my mom's for the weekend. It is not very often I get to come down and just hang at my mom's. No agenda, no husband to entertain.
A few weeks ago my mom had a major plumbing flood in her house and I live just far enough away, and have two crazy busy boys, that it makes it hard to jump in the car and run down here to help her. So this weekend I got to come down and even though she already had her house all put together, she decided she wanted to paint her table and chairs, and you all know I love a can of spray paint. Anyway I'll let you know how it all turns out, but for right now we are having a good time just chillin' and projectin' at Grandma's.

best DANG cards ever

I forgot to tell you about my new widget. If you scroll down just a little bit, you will see a box titled best DANG cards ever. You have got to check these cards out. My friend and I laughed until we were crying. Whoever wrote these cards has a great "mormon" sense of humor. I think I will be getting a few sets of these cards. They are fabulous!

Footloose!... and maybe some other stuff.

I know, I know it has been forever. But here I am.


Last night my friend Natasha invited me out on her girls night out, and we went to see the play Footloose at the Scera Shell. Oh, it was so painful. It was totally ruining the movie for those of us that I have seen it a thousand times and knew every word and every song. Needless to say, we gathered up our blanket at intermission and headed off to Blockbuster for the real thing. There is just nothing like the real thing. It was funny to watch this movie with a bunch of grown women. We laughed and reminisced. There was a good time had by all. Thanks girls for resurrecting what could have been an other wise wasted night off.

On to another topic. For those of you who know me, I not only can't say no, but if there is a silence after someone has asked for help in some capacity, I can not just sit there listening to the silence. I know, I know. But for some reason I just volunteer to do it. It drives my husband crazy, and I guess me too, a little. This summer has been a crazy whirlwind of DOING a lot of things I have said I would take care of. Well I got to the end of the list and I just want you know that I said NO, last week and it felt so liberating, I think I just might do it again. I'll let you know how it goes. It may take a little practice, but I am bound and determined to Stop volunteering for everything, and to say NO every once in a while.
Thanking you listening to my banter, and I am going to try to get on the computer more often.
P.S. For those of you who are so sweet to check my blog, I am sure you will be relieved to HEAR I have changed the first song. I am sorry it took me so long. Hopefully you are not as sick of it as I am.

Linguini with Cream Cheese

I ran next door to borrow something from my neighbor and she sent some of this amazing salad home for Mike and I to share. Unfortunately Mike only got a bite or two, because I could not stop eating it. It is so fresh and very filling. My neighbor found this recipe in the Kraft magazine a few years ago. And if you don't already get the Kraft magazine, you should go to their website and sign up. It always has great recipes.
I promise this will be a new summer favorite.

Linguine and Cream Cheese
3 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 pkg. cream cheese, cubed
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. each salt and pepper
2 pkg. linguine (9oz.each)
1/2 cup pine nuts, roasted
MIX tomatoes, cream cheese, oil,basil,
vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in large
bowl; cover. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
COOK pasta as directed.Place in large bowl.
ADD tomato mixture and pine nuts to hot pasta;
toss lightly. Serves 6-8

SERIOUSLY!!!

It has been a while since I checked in. First of all my life is just plain crazy busy. But, I have also been very lucky to not only have, not just morning sickness, but around the clock sickness. I guess I should feel lucky that this is the first time, considering this is the third go around. I also broke out in shingles a week ago. SERIOUSLY!!! This is like the worst thing ever. I have hardly left my house this week and I have let everything go, you should see my house. One day I just laid in bed reading all day long. Just trying to get out of my head and the horrible pain on the back of my thigh. By the end of the day I had read 550 pages and my house had become the city dump. How is that possible in 10 short little hours? My boys had dumped an entire container of Parmesan cheese all over the couch and carpet downstairs with complimentary chocolate milk stains on my recently cleaned carpets. I was so upset. Not only is the carpet truly stained, the family room still stinks so bad from the cheese (vomit) that I haven't been able to go down there. I hope my energy level is back a little by tomorrow, I have got to clean the carpets.
I don't mean to go on and on, but that has been my week. I swear I never thought it would end. Today is the start of a better week. I can just feel it.
Here is one more little story.
When my oldest was about one , he was obsessed with Elmo. I found this awesome Sesame Street video that had Elmo and Stomp. If you don't know what Stomp is, it is this amazing Broadway like show with all of this amazingly talented people that make awesome music with everything from brooms to garbage cans to basketballs. You name it they make music out of it.
Well, I always swore that if the came anywhere near us that I would take my boy. So, today is the big day. I know it is Sunday and all, but this was the only time that worked out. And I am not missing the opportunity. My boys are so good to sit and be entertained, let's hope that they are perfect angels this afternoon. I let you all know how it goes.