Sick and Teething

It's been crazy around here lately! The boys both got sick two weeks ago. And Dustin decided to get two new teeth at the same time. So it's been grumpy/crazy time for us. But they're better now (although Dustin is now getting at least one more tooth and maybe an ear infection). So we're not 100% happy, but we're better.

Different times in life seem to resonate a different lesson for us to learn. Right now I feel my life is full of service. Service done for others as well as service given to myself. Sometimes it's harder for us to accept help from others than it is to offer our service. Even though we're barely surviving the lack of sleep that comes with teething, there's always time to help those around us. Because we all have hard times, we all could use a hand from time to time. And sometimes that person offering you their service is the Lord's way of showing his love and care for us.

While preparing for a funeral for a lady in the ward, one of her pre-teen granddaughters offered several times to help out. At first we insisted we had everything taken care of, but eventually she was given the simple task of rolling silverware in napkins. As we worked, we talked and she eventually turned to me and said "Thanks for letting me do this. I cried yesterday and I just didn't want to again today. I just couldn't sit in that room (where the viewing was taking place) any more." 

What a profound lesson for a 7th grader to have learned! I can think of no better way to forget your own worries than to loose yourself in service. Could we have rolled the napkins ourself? Yes. Would it have been more pretty? Yes, but that wasn't the need. The Lord needed this 7th grader to be distracted from her sorrow.

As serving in the Relief Society I have noticed small promptings of needs to help. Although I've never questioned doing these acts of service for my family and friends, I've previously hesitated to do this for those I am not close to. I feel shy to share my help, worrying that I will offend. Or the call for service comes at an inconvenient time. But if we are doing our best to care for those around us as we would our parents, children, or grandparents, we in turn will be taken care of in our times of need. There always seems to be more time in the day when some of it is spent serving those around us.

So here's hoping the teething will end soon (yeah right, they teeth non stop until 3…). But until then, at least we'll have some fun along the way! We have 3 play dates set up for the next two weeks, so at least Logan will have some fun times. Since I stopped doing day care, he has missed playing with friends two days a week.

New Years Resolutions & Becoming a Man

I don't like to say I'm making New Years resolutions. Maybe it's because most people break them. But I do set goals for myself periodically. Unfortunately this January my goal setting coincided with the new year. So I've recommitted myself to exercise (I've been terrible since I started tending Abby and Maddy), set more clearly defined Scripture reading goals (personal as well as companionship), and goals to work on my rock business.

This weekend we worked more on completing my sewing corner! Dave refinished my newly acquired sewing machine table, he also used some scrap from the shed to build a shelf to go on top of my peg board, and I created a huge ironing board to go on top of the sewing table when it's closed! I LOVE how it all turned out! It makes me want to spend all day every day sewing… this might become a problem. Next project, I want to sew some baskets/crates to go on top of the shelf and help further organize things.

Yesterday Logan told me that when he becomes a man he will be as tall as Dave, be able to sit at his desk, and use the scanner whenever he wants. I told him that was true, but he won't be a man until he is 18. He disagreed. He thinks the age of manhood is 5. So we'll see in a few years what it's like for him to be a man.

Dustin's been learning like crazy lately! He's started saying "bye bye" when waving good bye. He usually does it after the door closes (when someone leaves), but we're getting there! He's also almost walking. He will stand up for a minute at a time and will take little shuffle steps between Dave and I. He also has been climbing everything like a mad man! He climbs couches and even the stairs. It scares me a little, but he hasn't fallen yet.

Dave finished my sewing table this weekend! I've been dyeing to try it out it since I found it, and I love how it turned out. I made an ironing board to go on top when the sewing machine isn't in use. It's huge and just perfect for ironing! I've only used it twice so far, but love the idea.

This is how it looks like open, with my old Singer in it. The table lines up perfectly with my old machine. Sometimes you just need two machines, and when that's the case, I'm now ready.

Christmas, New Years and January

I can't believe it's January 8th already! December was so busy with stuff. Dave took off work from Christmas eve through January 2nd. He had a few of those days off anyway, but he needed a long break! And we were glad to have him. 

We got a good amount of snow Christmas eve so Logan and Dave spent a lot of time outside. It was down to 5 degrees out, so way too cold for my taste. But Logan LOVED it. Every morning he looks out the windows to see if there is snow!

Since it wasn't really packing snow this time, Dave convinced Logan to make a tiny igloo (i.e. mound of snow with a hole in it).

It was small and not packed well, so it quickly broke. Then it became a weapon.

Which lead to a wrestling match in the snow. Which sounds awful to me in such cold weather...

Which of course lead to a snow ball fight. Logan held his own.

Which couldn't be complete without shoveling snow on Dave and trying to burry him.

We also took the boys sledding! We had to break down and buy a second sled this year (the first one came with the house).

Logan was so proud of himself for sledding on his own! He even went down the steep hill by himself. He laughed when he crashed, and got back up and tried again. Dustin wasn't so sure about it, but what can you do!

We also spent a few days down at the Cabin and got to do a little hiking. Yup, this is the only picture that turned out! But we had tons of fun! My parents sold the cabin to someone that viewed the house the day after we left (they haven't closed yet, but should in February). We have loved the Cabin and will miss it like crazy!

While we were out there we got to visit with my Grandparents Yoder. It was nice to catch up with them!

Dave was busy over the break making me a board for all my sewing stuff! He's planning to make a shelf to go across the top where I can put things like the buttons and ribbon I don't want Logan to get into. I love it! And I love that everything is now easily accessible and off my desk. The buckets and magazine holders were from the dollar bin at Target (and the buckets are chalkboard paint, so I can write on them). Now I just need an ironing table.

So I found this on the side of the road for free. It's one of those fold out sewing machine tables! I can't wait to convince Dave to refinish it for me.

It came with a sewing machine (I haven't tried it to see if it works or not). I haven't quite decided what I want to do with it. I envision creating an ironing board cover that slips over the top and can be removed when it's open. And I haven't decided if I want to remove the sewing machine and replace the fake drawers with real ones. Then I could use the big fold out part for a cutting board. Or I could see if one of my machines would fit/work with the table, because it's a really cool concept… So many decisions! I think I'll have Dave whitewash it though. I like having the wood grain showing through.

But I'm basically in love with the table. It's such a cool find!

Holiday Season

Good Heavens we committed to way too much this year! We've had at least one thing on each day of the calendar for the past 3 weeks. Some days have 3 - 4 things… I decided we're committing to less next year. Ward/Family party? Yes. Women's holiday gathering? No. So don't be offended if I tell you no next year.

Saturday night it snowed about a half inch and as soon as Logan saw it he shouted "Dad! It snowed! Let's go play in it! Can we make a Snow Man?" So Dave gladly obliged. They snowball fought, they made snow angels, Logan danced around for joy of snow! But most important they made a snow man!

Logan wanted to help Dave with every step of the process. Dave got the balls started, and Logan pushed them around the yard.

And the cutest part, Logan couldn't help giving the snowman a hug!

Logan and his friend Abby decided to name the snowman Frosty. Every morning, Logan checks outside to see if his snowman "melted small, small, small yet". And at the grocery store yesterday Logan insisted we buy a real carrot for his nose. I guess a baby carrot wasn't sufficient.

Things have also been crazy because I've started up a little business on the side. My Dad has a friend that wanted to sell some of the arrowheads and spearheads he makes, so I've been listing them on Ebay for him. We have had a few busy days, but it's been good (busy means sales). Things are slowing down a bit, which is perfect, since this week is the busiest. It's been nice to make a little extra money for Christmas and to save for this summer!

Other than that it's been parties and Christmas events. Last night we went up to Temple Square and saw the lights. We picked up Dave from work, and walked over. Logan loved it! He kept telling us "LOOK AT THE TEMPLE! It's so pretty" the blue lights were his favorite. We're sure Dustin had a good time too. He kept singing to Dave (he was in a backpack for easy maneuvering). Both boys fell asleep on the way home and woke up ornery, but over all it was a successful night.

The Zoo & Thanksgiving

Last Wednesday was free day at the zoo, so Logan, Dustin and I invited Edison and his mom to join us! The boys had a blast and it was so nice to take a break from all the frantic preparing for Thanksgiving and really enjoy the 70 degree weather. Logan's favorite was the elephants, and Dustin loved the seals! They put on a crazy show "dancing" and jumping out of the water.

It was great to spend all of our long Thanksgiving weekend together! Logan was feeling friend deprived since he didn't get to play with Abby ALL WEEK LONG! We even had tears when she called in sick Monday.  But Thursday we went to my family's house for dinner and he got his fill of cousins!

They had a blast playing together. Max helped all the younger cousins make stop signs and Logan has been playing with his ever since. We had delicious food, and got home with enough time to watch a movie together as a family!

Friday Dave worked like crazy creating a bench for our entry way. He was able to finish it Saturday, and I love it! It has 4 bins, a place for our shoes and goes below the coat rack. He did a great job, as always! Our old coat rack only had 3 hooks. This one has 12! 

It's perfect for our million coats, plus any friends that come over. I also love that each bin has each person's hats, gloves, snow pants, etc. and our most frequently worn pair of shoes fit below the bind. Having such a fabulous entry way makes me want to paint the yellow wall though. I've been looking for an excuse to paint it since we moved in. I don't like yellow (especially not any of the 7 different shades of yellow that was in our house when we moved in).

Saturday we also went to the park and got to do some playing. I can't believe the weather has been so nice! We're down to our last 3 garden tomatoes in the fridge. Who would have thought we would have tomatoes in December? But hey, I'll take it!

Sunday we started decorating for Christmas. Logan was so excited he couldn't wait for breakfast to be over, so we decorated first. The boys had a blast putting the decorations up (and taking them down, sigh). 

Other than that, I've been working like crazy to get everything done for Christmas. I only have a few small sewing projects left, but time is just flying by! There's only one thing left that has to get done by Christmas, but other than that it can all really wait.