New project

The girls are outgrowing all their skirts and jeans.  They won't stop growing!  So instead of going out and beginning the search for the long skirts that the girls insist on, I decided to give a pattern I found online a try.  You need two pairs of jeans....they don't have to match, just need one pair to fit well in the waist and have them be close to the same length.  

Then cut them both up the inseam, as close as you can get to the seam.

Cut the top off the one pair that you aren't using for the main skirt portion.

Pin the panels inside the main jeans

And sew!  Here is the finished project...

The girls LOVE them!

Madalyn is easier on her jeans than Marissa is so she has a few more.  I'm going to head to Salvation Army and pick Marissa up some other colors so I can make her a couple more.

These are all Madalyn's laid flat so you can see the detail on them.

And here is mine!

I sewed all 4 of the girls' skirts in about an hour!  This is sooo easy!!!!

Our "Little Boy in a Doggie Suit"

I'll never forget the day I walked into the Morrisville western horse barn for team tryouts and saw the cutest black puppy being taught how to dig a hole in the barn's dirt floor.  It was the fall of 2003.  When I found out it was Doug's puppy I was determined to get him as often as possible.  I snuck him in Jess and my dorm room in book bags, sweatshirts, pretty much whatever we could find.  He peed in my bed, waking me up to that warm feeling, scattered our garbage all over our dorm room many times, and destroyed many stuffed animals.  But I loved him.  When Doug and I moved past the best friend status and onto the relationship status, Case and my relationship only intensified.  He went everywhere with us and we loved it.  In May 2005, we brought Marissa home to him.  He took on the "big brother" role and tried sharing his toys with her and protected her from everyone and everything.  He was always patient with both girls, and all the other kiddos we have had at the house.  As the years have gone by it was hard to watch my little boy getting older.  We tried to prepare ourselves for that day.  Nothing could prepare us.  I know we made the right decision...he is done suffering.  But man this is hard.  I look for him everywhere, I expect to see him laying in his normal places.  But he isn't there.  They say this gets easier as time goes on.  I hope so.  Right now I just want my boy back...

I forgot to add that our next door neighbor came over with these beautiful flowers and a card and had a good cry with us.  So thankful for her!

My little gardener

Three weeks ago, Marissa's Science PACE had a project in it where she was asked to plant some bean seeds in cotton balls.  After doing some searching, I finally located some seeds left over from planting season and the project began.  She was very diligent in taking care of them and watching their every move.  Each day they grew more and more.  At this point in time I'm starting to wonder if we may even get beans!  She has done a great job!!!

Snow?

We woke up this morning to Marissa running in the room yelling that we had snow!  LOL

Winter has officially arrived?  I need to get my butt in gear and find out what my kids have for snow and winter clothes I guess!

New friends :)

Sitting at home everyday with the kids and some extra kids gets lonely.  I think any mom that does the same can share in that statement.  So I'm thankful when God sends people into our lives to give us that "pick me up" that you need.  Especially when they feel comfortable to just stop in and have a cup of coffee with you ;)  I'm so thankful for someone to talk with and someone who understands me for me.  Today I'm thankful for the blessing of having a God who knows just what you need, when you need it!  

Thanks Cari, for being you and for putting up with me!!!

(The girls are thankful for someone who comes and brings them VERY COOL snacks!)

Mrs. Cari brought the girls these suckers...I think they were called paintballs.  They were HUGE!!!  It took Madalyn 2 days before she could get it in her mouth!  Marissa accomplished it on the first day.  They also got to enjoy watching a new movie!!!

First 4H Meeting

Our first 4H meeting was a hit :)  We started out with the boring stuff...paperwork, explaining what 4H is about, what officers were and all that fun stuff.  Then we did a team building exercise. They had to take an egg and wrap it with stuff to keep it safe.  After they were finished, we would take it outside and drop it and their efforts would be successful if the egg didn't break!  

They took the challenge VERY seriously!  

Once they were finished building their "safety net", we headed outside.

The official egg dropper

There it goes!

Now the job of trying to get into the package to check the egg!

They had it protected all right!

Safe and Sound!!!

I can't wait for the next meeting!!!!

Baptism!

Madalyn made the decision to be baptized a week or so ago!  If you know Madalyn, you know that that is quite the accomplishment for her to want to make that decision in front of a church full of people.  It helped that her friend Madison made the same decision.  They were too cute together!

Special Music again :)

So proud of them <3

Crazy Children :)

The videos explain it all ;)