I need to get back to this thing called blogging.

I have been feeling like I need to get back over here. Stay tuned.

Such a busy life I lead

WOW!  Things have just been so busy around here.  Started with my boys graduation and today I don't know if I will make it out of my jammies.  We have been going full speed and I am wiped out.

I did get a much needed vacation alone with my honey.  We decided that we would go somewhere fun WITHOUT our kids.  We went to Disney World.  I have to admit...  Disney was fun without them.  Although we did spend the vast majority of our time talking about how the kids would love this or that.  We put on our pouty faces when we saw something the kids were missing out on and wished they were with us.  We can't help it.  Parents always think they need a break from the kids, but really I think it is more of a need to remember who were before the kids came along. We didn't find that on our vacation. We found that we were parents, taking a vacation and missing the kids period, point blank. We aren't the same people we were before children and I am thankful for that. I did however, need a break and it was wonderful. Thank you to my wonderful, awesome, much appreciated, husband. You rock.

I am actually finishing this post on July 23rd. I started on the 14th and i'll be honest... I am feeling SUPER uninspired. I have not been sewing or blogging. There is just so much going on that I feel crushed by the weight of it all. I am not sitting in a corner rocking back and forth or anything. I'm just trying to decide what the next step is. I need to. I have been invited to set up a booth to share my craft but it seems so overwhelming. I don't know.

So, I hope you like the new blog. I messed with the other one so much that I think I broke it. I really HAD to make this new one because I am not computer savvy and this was the next best option.

More to come soon! Promise.

This post is for my sister

Her name is Melissa and she is 4 years younger than me.  I was born on her due date and she was born on mine.  She is my only sister that shares both parents in common with me (no brothers).  We do have other siblings as well though.  I sure do love her.  I don't get to see her as much as I would like.  We are only one state away but it is still a 10 hour-turned-16 hour drive for me with the little ones.  We tried to move back to her state but it didn't pan out and honestly, the longer it takes, the more and more I don't see it happening.  I know that is not what she wants to hear.  It's not what I want to believe but we are becoming accustomed to being here and there are things we love about being here.  I love my sons preschool and the babies music class.  Emily loves her school and her dance class.  Up until just recently though, I was ready to get the heck out of here.  A recent change of hands with my husbands job though has made me really think that we are probably going to be here for a while so I may as well just get used to it.  That thought, all by itself, is really, really, really hard for me.  I will be 39 next month and I have never lived anywhere for more than 4 years IN MY LIFE.  We have been here for nearly 3 and a half years now.  I. am. itching.  So, I think I will just sell my house and move across town.  It should scratch my itch enough to allow another 3 or 4 years to pass.

In the meantime though, I REALLY miss my sister.  I miss you, girl.  I wish we could have lunch together and cookouts...  girls night out and some therapeutic shopping.  I dream about hanging out at your house with your annoying cute little doggy.  Emily begging me to take her to your house and Owen crying when we have to go home.  Disney world and the water park.  I don't have a sister here.  Great, now I need a tissue.  It is really hard to think too much about the reality of this situation.  That is my defense mechanism... I just don't think too much about things that bother me.

So anyhow, I hope you know how much I love you and miss you.  I am really sad that I won't be seeing you this week although I do understand.  Thats all I have.  I wish we lived closer.  I wish my kids were more a part of your life and we had time to spend together.  Maybe one of these days.  Just maybe.

I think I may be crafty shmafty after all.

Well, a little time practicing and I was able to make 2 new dresses (and an apron)...  I think I could seriously fall in love with this.  The only problem is the kids.  You see, whenever I run the vacuum, it is like my children turn into little tornados.  They run around screaming and yelling like it is some sort of game.  I have to admit, it's cute.  I never minded.  They seem to enjoy acting like I was chasing them around trying to suck them up in the vacuum.  Sorry, back on track.  Anyhow, every time I turn on the sewing machine, it seems to have the same effect.  I need to figure out how to put a stop to that though... it is not cute. AT. ALL.

Here are my newest additions to etsy

1. 

Both come with matching hair bows.

Here is what I have added to etsy

I have also added the hair bow holders.  Please feel free to go take a look!  Let me know what you think.  I am going to work on some aprons next.  Just trying to find my niche.  I really enjoy making the bows though.  Everything is for sale except for the baby.  I need to keep her.  She is my heart.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dianelynn2004

Getting into the crafty groove

Well, I have a few things in the works.  I have some hair bow holders ready.  They are adorable.  I hope you like them.  Let me know what you think.  You can find them at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dianelynn2004.

They were fun to make.  It took me a while to get it all figured out but I have so many other (design) ideas for these.  Hair bows next...  and hopefully some tote bags.  Crocheting is going to have to wait a little longer...  maybe some hats for the winter.

Musical babies

For a little over a year now we have been taking our smallest two children to a music class.  For Jordan right now it is more about singing, rhythm, various instruments (maracas, drums, bells) and a little play on the piano.  For Owen, he is getting a little more into the piano part of it (learning notes and such).  We tease that they will read music before they read words.

Even though this past weekend was the third recital held since we started this venture, it is the first one that our children have been able to attend.  It was fun...  hot, but fun.

A funny picture of Jordie.  The sun was too bright and she couldn't open her eyes.

Some of the kids in Jordan's class

They were saying their names in the microphone.  This point would start and finish Jordan's participation in this music recital.  I, however, participated the entire time.  GO ME!!

I really love the other mommies in our class.

She was glad it was over.

Me and my pretty girl, Emily.

Haha.  He has the same look on his face as Jordan had in the first picture.

Daddy and Owen's turn.

Owen's piano solo.  They tap out a few keys, clap and sing.

Taking a bow.

I had to laugh at this picture...  she bears she a striking resemblance to me in this one! 

I am feeling a little defeated

My crafty side is kicking my butt.  Or maybe I have no crafty side... or maybe the gosh darn sewing machine is just not my friend.  But I sure do like my Mothers Day gift.  I am going to try to make nice with it tomorrow because there really is a fantastically crafty person in me somewhere...  She just needs to come out of hiding.  Here is my gift from my wonderful husband.  Thank you honey.  You are the best husband a girl could ask for.

• 

I'm betting he hopes my crafty side makes an appearance REALLY soon.  Haha.  He told me not to let it collect dust.  Love you, gorgeous.

Moms and muffins

It was Moms and Muffins day at Owens preschool on Tuesday.  Dads and Donuts happened a few months ago.  IT WAS SO INCREDIBLY CUTE.  We got to sit next to our (3 year olds) and we were served (actually, we had to go up and get them) muffins, fruit and orange juice.  I love this stuff.  I am such a sap...  I was on the edge of tears probably 10 times while we were there (a half hour).  I just think about my smallest boy who is about to turn 4 and how fast the time has gone since his birth.  Where does the time go?  Four years has seemed like a few months and I know that it won't slow down any time soon.  So, I get all choked up and have to talk myself out of crying in front of everyone.  I'm a little bit of a freak, I probably will be for life.

So, anyhow, our toddlers made a book...  again, enough to bring tears to my eyes.  I still cry over things the older kids made when they were little too.

My tears quickly turned to laughter though.  Leave it Owen to come up with something like this.  All of the kids were "interviewed" and here are Owens answers

Apparently my name is Sparky.  Haha.   How on earth did he get Sparky from Diane?  And I guess the jig is up...  I go to walmart.  One of the other kids wrote that his mom loves to go to the Dollar Store so I don't feel so bad.

It was a ton o' fun.  After the half hour was over I was beating the crowd out of the door though...  20 some toddlers can really wear you out, even with their moms there.  

A picture of Jordan (she is only 2 and a half).  I will be crying in her preschool classroom soon enough.

My post about a super special girl.

Her name is Rafi.  I started following her (daddys) blog just after they entered the University of Minnesota hospital for a stem cell transplant.  She is just 2 years old.  She has Epidermolysis Bullosa.  I learned about this rare skin disease when I was blog stalking and came across another blog about Jonah (his button is on my sidebar).  I LOVE these kids.  I encourage you all to visit them and learn about this terrible disease.  They say it is "the worst disease you never heard of" and man, words have never rung so true.   There are so many different variations of EB but these precious babies suffer from blisters over their whole body because their skin is as fragile as a butterflies wings.  The slightest bump can cause blisters.  They require bandages to protect their skin.  These wounds are not only external, but internal as well.  Many of them lose all of their fingernails and toenails. They suffer in so many ways.  Some die in infancy.  BUT, if you were to go look at the blogs of some of them...  they are smiling and loving life.  Despite their afflictions, they are happy.  I am in awe.

When I started to write about her the other day it was because I was feeling all sorry for myself for being under par with the surgery.  I just have to think about all that Rafi (and all children living with EB) and all they have to endure... and I realize that my problems are so minute.  She has smiles for everyone despite her pain and me?  Well, I can just be a pain.  Make sure you go watch her videos.  I could just eat her up.  She is just so adorable.  

Please visit her blog.  Please keep these children in your prayers.  Please pray for a cure.  You can also visit the DebRA website to learn more and even donate to this cause.

Thank you to Brett and Jackie (Rafi's dad and mom) for sharing her.  I am inspired everyday when I visit your blog.  I wish you the very best and as always, I keep you safely in my prayers.