Magic Yarn balls found on my doorstep

On Thursday I discovered a rather large box on my doorstep, I pretty much knew what it was since I had been stalking my mail lady all week for my Magic yarn balls from our swap over at Lullabies and Lace. As I opened up my box there wasn't just one, or two balls but THREE balls of yarn, then I spotted the big bag of M&M's amongst the box full of those foam peanut looking thingies. Then of course had to start digging through those and discovered more goodies hidden in there. And a gorgeous handmade card from Anna, our designer and a wonderful friend.

Well of course, Jenna was extremely excited upon discovering that the one ball was for her and we had to get right to it. She was very excited and was full of giggles and laughs while she was unwinding her ball and mommy was winding the ball, and my hands weren't working very well so of course I kept dropping my end, she just thought this was hysterical, It took us approx. a hour and a half to get hers done and was full of little foam picture frames with magnets on them, little foam shapes to decorate with, and glitter paint sticks, barrettes (which she just loves)and a bunch of flower pencil toppers which she decided to share with her sister.

Next was the that medium size light blue ball of yarn, which turned out to be all Paton's Grace, I have always wanted to use Paton's Grace but haven't been able to afford enough to make anything and here I ended up with 2 balls of Light blue and 2 balls of a darker blue, and the whole ball was chalked full of chocolate Hershey's miniatures one of my favorite chocolates, chocolate eggs and a couple of chocolate creme filled bunnies. CHOCOLATE HEAVEN!!!!!! Kaitlynn helped me unwind this ball and just had a blast, and of course my one kittie had come in to check things out and attacked the ball of yarn, it was quite a site. And all the kids were asking if they were going to get any because there was plenty :) Now the little strawberry candies and starbursts you see there were hidden in throughout the Monster Ball of yarn and do have to say sorry this isn't even all the chocolates I did eat some before I took the pic, sorry :) Here are pics of Kaitlynn helping unwind the ball of yarn and Daunte the kittie attacking the yarn. Was too funny not to share.
Thursday Evening before Justin's Spring Concert Andrew started helping me with the Monster Ball of yarn and we spent about an hour on it before we had to go. He really enjoyed it and was amazed that somebody did this for us and was full of questions. But also full of laughs as he unwound this thing and picked on mommy as I kept dropping my end and the kids had to chase my end across the living room and get Daunte away from it as he tried batting it around.

I know he doesn't look full of laughs, he just doesn't care to much for his picture being taken which is why you don't see my older boys in any of the pics, yes they were hanging around watching and enjoying everything but as soon as they saw the cam. they ran. I didn't finish this Monster Ball until today because we were really busy yesterday and when it was time for the kids to go to bed Jenna wanted to help (Andrew stayed at grandmas house) and I had to promise not to touch it until today after breakfast and our morning chores. So Jenna helped with the rest of this ball and it took us another 3 hrs to finish it. I was just amazed at everything that was in it: several little wonderful smelling candles, honey almond body lotion, shower gel, bath pearls all the same scent, gold colored swan shaped embroidery scissors, bath sponge, two crocheted washcloths, two gorgeous mini doilies, butterfly shaped bath fizz and soap, beautiful little craft accessories (bows, roses, and a victorian fan with roses on it) also tea, and not just any tea real Earl Grey Tea, I have never had this before and can't wait to try it, and also Spiced Chai black tea, I haven't ever had this one either and can't wait to try this either, they certainly smell yummy. There was also a great little booklet included in the ball with a thoughtful note inside "My Heart-Christ's Home". Also even though Anna says that her evil twin did this one and I can see that in some spots but also I think the real Anna came through as well, I also got some very thoughtful little notes throughout the ball that brought a tear to my eye, it is so nice to have a wonderful friend like Anna. There were some little funny ones too, that gave me a good laugh too. Just to show how big this Monster ball of yarn was I took a pic to show that it was actually as big if not bigger than my Sarah, she is a dachsund I know she isn't that big but still good sized When all was said and done I had 18, yes I said 18 balls of yarn, and see that green fuzzy ball of yarn, your eyes are not deceiving you I did get a ball of fun fur from Anna, talk about a surprise, LOL. Jenna loved it, the girls actually like the cute scarves that you can make from the fun fur, so hey it works, I have just discovered that it doesn't like being washed very well.

All I can say is thank you so much Anna for being as thoughtful as you were, I loved everything and so did the kids. All the kids send their thank yous, I do have a video of Jenna but can't get it on here and to work right, I'll have to monkey around with it to get it to work. God Bless you.

Now as far as the other part of my day today that I just have to include, Andrew and Kaitlynn's team won yet another game with Andrew playing goalie, yipppeeee, 6-1, I do like to teach them that it's not all about winning it's about doing your best and having fun and I do have to say I am very proud of them for they do have this attitude and don't get upset if they don't win, but Andrew is very excited now that he is finally able to play and he is playing goalie he is doing a wonderful job and even on the field. Kaitlynn is also quickly improving and is losing her shyness and is starting to actually go after the ball rather than waiting for it to come to her. I am so proud of both of them on how they play but also their attitude in and out of the game.

Now that I have my new doggie clippers I guess I should finish clipping my Toby's fur, since every time I look at the poor little guy we all just have to laugh. He's walking around with one side of his body shaved and the other not because my clippers died while grooming him. I hate when that happens.

God Bless You All and hope you all are having a wonderfull weekend.

My Oldest Baby is Growing up on Me

Today my oldest baby is now 17, where ooh where did the time go?????? He has grown up so fast and it only seems like yesterday that I had my first little peanut put in my arms. He is certainly a wonderful boy, of course having some of the usual teenage issues but I do have to say I am very proud of him, since I know that he is always where he is supposed to be and is dealing very well with all the worldly things out there that teenagers today have to deal with. I haven't even had to deal with the heart attack yet of him driving, LOL. Because of his ADHD he is just not ready and he even accepts that and is working on it.


As those that know me, know that we have had some pretty serious issues with our 14 yr old, Justin because of his Bipolar, he has some more issues over the last couple weeks again due to the Dr's messing with his meds but now because of our counselor's helping us, we seem to be on the right track again and he is doing well. He has his ups and downs, but with lots of prayers from our church, family and dear friends our prayers are being answered.


Also we had a pretty rough day yesterday, I rescued a beautiful Husky and the poor old guy was was severely malnourished, had mange among some other infections and arthritis in his hips. We tried to help him for the last couple months and as we thought we were making some progress, and he was so loving and a wonderful addition to our family, he wet downhill this last week and was falling down our stairs outside. We took him to the vet and a decision had to be made as everything was already done medical and holistically to help him, and he was just hurting terribly, so we had to put him to sleep.


April 17, 2007 Scruffy Bear Rest in Peace

Thanks to a wonderful friend, Anna, at Lullabies and Lace, I have been able to see things in a better light and deal with this better and help my kids get through it. I am doing alot of praying as to where God wants me to take my life as we are now looking for homes for my other two bigger dogs, as with my health declining and the toll all the work is taking on my family. I am also able to take alot of comfort in my crocheting and testing for Anna at Lullabies and Lace and really enjoy being a part of her group and being with all the other wonderful ladies there as well :)


Kaitlynn has been playing soccer for the last 3 weeks and is doing a great job, although she is very critical of herself, she is enjoying it, Andrew is very hopeful that his cast comes off tomorrow and the Dr. allows him to start playing but don't know yet. It has been four weeks since he broke his arm and he has been so upset since he hasn't been able to play, he has only had one practice, then broke his elbow right before their first game, the poor little guy.


I am also looking forward to putting all my ideas into action this weekend for our Magic Ball swap over at Lullabies, I just can't wait to get it going. This has been so much fun. I'm just picturing everything in my head and what all I want to do and how it's going to work and how it is going to look, now will it really work out the way I want, guess we'll have to wait and see, hehe

Our Easter was great and hopefully soon I can actually find the time to actually get my pictures off my camera and get the ones from my MIL soon to post. We had a wonderful Church service and dinner with the in-laws that actually went well.


Well got to get off to go pick up my nephew from school, and get ready for my own to get home from school.




Have a wonderful Day !!




Christopher, Kaitlynn, Steven, Andrew,Justin, Jenna 2006

Niagra Falls

Yes it has been a while since I have posted. I have been in one of my wonderful fibro fogs and haven't been sleeping too well but am going with the flow and still trying to think positive. I had been complaining for some time that we hadn't had anything in the way of snow and wanted my snow because it was supposed to be winter, yes I like snow. Well we managed to start getting hammered a little over two weeks ago and hasn't really stopped until yesterday. We have also had our temps drop drastically to where until yesterday we were also under a wind chill advisory because at times with the wind chill our temps were -20, now as I said I like my snow and all but really hate the cold. I get cold to easy and being spoiled with all the above average temps and then dropping to this makes it even worse. YUCK. Well we have probably anywhere from 3-4 ft here now. The lake is now freezing so we are pretty much in the clear for the time being for any more storms right now. There have been lots of accidents in the area and a couple of close calls for us. But we are safe as I attempted to use the passenger side brakes ( they really don't work) and said my prayers to keep us safe.

Unfortunately due to all the cold my son Andrew is have some trouble with his asthma and is home from school today due to having to be close to his nebulizer and needing his treatments, and he is coming down with another cold. Then got a call from the High school that my oldest, Chris was sick and had to go get him so this is the sick house for the last few days.

Justin who just turned 14, boy do they keep growing and getting older on us, is now training for football next year, he just got done wrestling for 4 years and switched up on us. Goodness it took me awhile to get used to the wrestling and worrying about him, this is going to be even harder. Try not to let him know my worries, I tend to be a worry wart. I encourage them to do what they want and to do their best and have fun.

Jenna has just had me watch Cinderella about ten times in the last couple of days, lots of coloring and our latest game is Uno to help teach her colors and number recognition. Although she is still stuck on her ducky game where all the ducks go around in a circle and you have to pick the ones with the matching color on the bottom to match your color of pad.

Kaitlynn keeps practicing her cheers she learned at cheerleading camp and continues to want to be a cheerleader, which is still a ways off yet. She is writing lots of stories and is actually doing rather well with her writing. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up being a writer someday. Yes I know I'm a bit prejudiced but she is good :)

Scary but Chris is going to be 17 in a few months, and Steven has taken him out already before the weather got bad to start teaching him the basics of driving. Chris just hasn't been ready for this yet because of his ADHD but he is getting there and his first time ( which was in a big parking lot) he did do well. I'm just not ready to accept that my baby is getting this old yet, where did all the time go, it seem like only yesterday that he was just being born and being put in my arms. He has is issues but what kid doesn't, but I have to say I am so proud of him as he is beginning to sit down with me and actually shows interest in wanting to study the bible with me and asks questions and is involved in the church. He is very eager to help others as soon as he sees they need help. And of all things he's not even embarrassed to give his good ol' mom a kiss and hug good night or bye while other mom's complain. He's really a good boy or guess I should say young man.

As far as my crocheting well slowly I am working on my test for Anna, getting there and almost done after having to frog the whole thing (well one part of the set), made a baby hat just to change things up a bit, worked some on my 12" squares for the swap over at Lullabies and Lace and some 6" squares for Online Angels. But over the last weekend have done a whole heck of alot, the cold has gotten to me and have just done a little at a time and then snuggled under my blankey on my couch, snoozing or playing games with the kids.

God Bless all and hope all are doing well.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MELANIE ON HER BABY BOY!!!

My Weirdness Within Me Meme

Ok it is been awhile, things have been a bit crazy around here with me and a couple children being sick. The kids are doing better and I'm getting there, I am finally catching up on things and just discovered that I have been tagged by Anna to tell 6 things that are wierd about me. Now this could get scary :)


THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.


1st. I can go all day without making my bed, could careless, just close the bedroom door. But when I go to bed I just have to make the bed and there can't be not one single wrinkle in my blankets or I can't sleep.

2nd. Chocolate Panda Paws is my all time favorite ice cream and will just forget about the bowl, grab a spoon and sit down with the container and eat away, yummms. Atleast I know it's claimed as mine and of course hide it in the back of the freezer :)

3rd. I rewrite my grocery list so it's organized to how the store is set up, so I can go by the list easier (is this really wierd or is my husband just calling me wierd ????)

4th. I love to eat sphaghettio's out of the can cold rather than heating them up, they taste so much better cold

5th. No matter how hot it is I have to have my blanky, yes I have a special fuzzy blanky that I just can't sleep without, it can be 90 degrees out and I am wrapped up in it.

6th. I am afraid of the dark, wierd I know but for whatever reason as I have grown old, I have become extremely terrified of the dark and will freak out whenever my wonderful husband turns out all the lights on me to pick, he finds this very funny

Now I guess I need to find 6 people to tag, hmmmm

The Weekend Begins

I will start this off with one of my favorite Scriptures that I was able to find, it is very inspirational to me and helps when I have a hard day, or just going through a rough period:

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

All I can say and this really helps me in a hard time, is when things are hard is too look to God and lay your burdens down and let him carry you. Don't let your burdens weigh you down, He is always there to carry you through anything. I have trouble remembering to do this, but when I do remember and get down on my knees and look to him, a great weight is lifted from my shoulders.

It is finally Friday. The husband is off work for the weekend, and we are taking down our Christmas decorations, which also calls for a thorough cleaning of the house since it will pretty much be torn apart, and will be packing up the decorations and have to unpack my regular decorations. It will be a rather busy weekend.

Kaitlynn and Justin actually got their glasses this afternoon, being 8 and 13 they were pretty anxious about getting them. Now to see how long these ones last. Unlike their little sister, they don't want their picture taken though.

Have been working away at my baby blanket for my new nephew that still has yet to make his arrival. He is really taking his time getting here. As long as he is healthy that is all that matters, mommy is starting to now get irritatble and quite uncomfortable. So keeping them both in our prayers that all goes well for them.

I did manage to get some pictures of my on going projects.

First is my squares for our seasons afghan swap at Lullabies and Lace:


I have managed to get four done so far and am working on my fifth. My challenge is going to be to decide who gets which one, hmmm.










This picture is of my progress on my baby blanket for new nephew when he gets here:

I am doing it in Bernat Baby Soft, variegated blue, solid blue and white. I am little more than half way done.











This picture is of a blanket for my nephew Dakota that I have been stalling on for some time now. It is a MOEZ graphghan that I designed with PcStitch. As you can see I am not that far on it, but will pick it back up and hopefully have it done in time for his b-day in July.














That is pretty much about it, until I do some more testing at Lullabies :)

Today I also managed to remind myself how to do HTML and add to my Angel's Place website which is a memorial to our son that we lost in 1995. I have also decided that this years resolution is that I am going to begin making small blankets and gowns for preemies and parents that have experienced losses like we have and donate them to our local hospitals. I have a blanket that was given to us, when we lost little Steven and also a gown that he is in, because of someone that cared enough to create items like this. And I have decided that it is now time for me to help someone and give back.

Well it is now Story time and my little stinker bug is getting antsy because she knows it's close to bed time so I will sign off for the evening.

Have a good night all.

Library and errands day

Well today my daughter states that she is a 5 yr old big girl, since she turned five on New Years Eve. She is sporting her new glasses that we went to pick up after preschool this morning. She is so proud of herself that she can now see better and let them alone on her face. She had a pair when she was two and we couldn't her to leave them alone for nothing, and they got broke, but her statement this morning to me was "I'm five now mommy, five year olds don't break things". I just had to laugh and hug her. She is just a little angel and sweet as pie. Wednesday is our Library day, we spend some time at the Library reading, picking out books and movies to bring home for the week. She was having a wonderful time today as she had to show everyone at the Library her new glasses, everyone there just loves when she comes in and tries to help people put their books in the return bin, if we're waiting our turn. After posting this, her movie for this afternoon she picked out is Charlottes Web.

In less than an hour her brothers and sister will be home. Her one brother and sister need to go get their glasses so it will be back to the place again this afternoon. Then homework and dinner time.

Well of course my daughter just had to show off her new glasses and wanted all of mommy's friends to see, so a pic was to be taken. She is wearing a design by Anna, at Lullabies and Lace.com, where I am blessed to be able to test her designs for her. The design is the tank top from the Freedom Belle set.

Have a wonderful day and I am off to spend the rest of the day with my children, we are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new nephew. Our niece has been in labor since 1 am New Years Day. She is at home, and is doing well.

My very first post after a rough weekend

well this is my first time beginning a blog which I have been really wanting to do for a while now.
my first post is after a rough beginning to my new year. Not going to go into anything at the moment other than I really wish that more people really understood the real meaning of Christmas and what God has given us all. I am just glad that I still have a lot of family around me for support to get through this hard time. My husband has been good to me and it has also been hard on him as well.

A story that was just posted on another one of my groups I would really like to share, I think really gets to the meaning of Christmas and is the person that I really strive to be, as I post this tears are streaming down my face, so you may want to have a tissue handy. It is a very inspirational story. And it really spoke to me in many ways and hope that it does to someone else as well.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLE Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend?, Your sister?" "Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly. Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly. Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted. "What is it?" Santa asked warmly. "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but" , the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors, "the girl in the photograph, is my granddaughter... well, you see, she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa, any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa." Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do." When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital. "Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face. Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmohter earlier that day. "C'mon....I'll take you there," Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall. Santa quietly peeked in the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mohter stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her face. THey were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes intact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son--9 yrs old--gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year. As their time together dwindled, Santafelt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels. "oh, ye, Santa...I do!" she exclaimed "Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you," he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he HAD to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could-not dolls or games or toys-but the gift of HOPE. "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him. "My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him. One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember Me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment. "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy--much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes. That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer free, alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"


Well as I end this I do certainly wish everyone health and happiness in the New Year. And of course lots of crocheting and yarn.