My hubbs rocks!

My hubbs rocks soooo much! Tonight after work (I worked 8am to 7pm), Mike took me out for dinner. I have been dreaming about strawberry passionfruit pancakes from IHOP since last October, when they took it off the menu. He took me wherever I wanted, so off to IHOP we went! I was going to settle for strawberry cheesecake pancakes, but the strawberry passionfruit pancakes was tonight's special! I was sooooo lucky. But my hubbs rocks because he didn't care where we went, he only cared that I was happy!

Love you Mike!

My Husband Rocks...And On Time!

I really thought I might not make it this week.

I went to the hospital with contractions that were 3 minutes apart and lasting for 70 seconds. I thought it was the real thing. I ended up not progressing anywhere and got sent home. Since, I've been having contractions all day and night that are usually about 10 minutes apart. Sometimes, they are a little closer and sometimes a little further.

Mike rocks because I experience these contractions, he stops what he's doing and rubs my back or lets me squeeze his hand. He's been a trooper and will be such a big...no, HUGE help when the time actually comes to meet our little baby.

Plus...Yesterday was our anniversary, and we have spent 4 wonderful years together!

I LOVE YOU BABE!

Then...
Now...

Sock Monkey Sew-Down

Recently, I decided to make a sock monkey for my little one at the urging of my husband. I thought I'd let you know how I did it.

You will need a pair of dress socks or tube socks in a solid or a pattern (I chose stripes), stuffing, a sewing machine, matching thread, thread in a complimenting color, a hand sewing needle, and 2 buttons (I'm sorry...I only show the first 2).
First, I looked up a pattern. I couldn't find one I really liked, so I took parts of 2 and combined them.
Then, I pinned my socks after I turned them inside out. In the first picture, the blue pins show the legs. I pinned straight across the top so I would remember to stop sewing there. In the second picture, the blue shows the tail, the yellow shows the arms and the purple shows the ears (this picture is a little bad and you can't really see the purple). I did not mark the mouth (heel), since there is no need to sew it. I simply marked where I would sew. If that doesn't work for you, take a fabric pencil and mark it off so you have sewing lines to follow. Again, I pinned straight across the arms to remind me to stop sewing there.
I sewed these pieces on the sewing machine. After that, it's all hand-stitching.

After this, I cut the pieces apart. I cut the first sock straight between the legs and stopped at the pins. Then I cut the second sock apart. You don't have to sew the mouth, so I cut the heel out. Then, I cut the arms apart and the tail and ears apart. On the feet, arms and tail, You will want to cut the square edges off so they are rounded.
Turn the pieces inside out. Stuff the body and legs. Then, sew the hole between the legs shut.

Stuff the arms, ears, and tail. Sew these pieces onto the body.
You can either sew the mouth and nose (using your complimentary thread) onto the mouth first, or you can sew the mouth on the body and then put the mouth and nose on. I stuffed the mouth after sewing it on the body and then I sewed the mouth and nose. Add your button eyes, and you're done!
If you are experienced, it should only take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I took a little longer because I felt the need to reinforce the stitches of the body pieces to the body. Something about the idea of a toddler carrying it around...

Here's the breakdown!
Socks: Target find! $2.50
Stuffing: Yardsale! $0.50
Buttons and Thread: I had it already!
TOTAL: $3.00

Not bad!

Life Simplified

This week's Life Simplified tip comes from a discovery my hubby and I made one night while making dinner.

If you're in a pinch for the oven to heat up, turn the broiler on for about 7 minutes (remember to leave the door open to avoid an oven fire) and then turn the oven on. Your oven should be pretty warmed up. Another option is to broil your meat for a few minutes on one side until just browned and then switch it to the oven until done. Chicken on the bone ends up taking only about 25 minutes this way.

My Hubby Rocks!

This week, Mike rocks because tonight when a little fledgling was found by our Miss Porcia, he was quick and eager to put the birdie back in his nest. With mommy and daddy birdies watching, we decided to leave the baby alone and let his mommy care for him.

But it never fails to make me love Mike more when he shows caring and compassion, even it it's not for another human. He really has a wonderful heart that cares for the world around him.

When I look to the sky...

...Something tells me you're here with me.

Ok, so I love Train, but I think this part of the song can relate to God too.

I love looking at the beauty that is the sky. The silent beauty of the sky can teach us a lot about God. But, I'll let each of you learn your own lessons. I just want to show you some of the ways I've learned some of my own.

My Husband So Totally Rocks!

And I couldn't ask for a better man.

He rocks because almost every night he reads a book to our little girl. He wants her to be smart and to know his voice.

This week's favorite book...

He's gonna be on wonderful daddy.

June is here!

That means...WEDDINGS!

I love weddings. I adore weddings. Weddings are wonderful.

One reason I love weddings is because when I'm writing out wedding cards, I take a moment to reflect on my wedding day and on my marriage in general.

That being said, I read another blog today that posted some helpful marriage tips.
Some can be good for any relationship (not just romantic ones) and some are specific to marriages.
But I thought I'd take the time to try my hand at giving my unsolicited marriage tips (but I don't think it matters since you are reading my blog...)

Tip For Making Marriage Work

1. Remember to tell him that you love him. Of course you love him, you wouldn't be married, right? BUT, telling him that you love him goes a long, long way. Let him hear how you feel about him every once in a while.
2. Let him be your hero...even if he's afraid of bees. Mike is my hero and he knows it. Yes, I get frustrated with him, but I have no problem with him knowing that I think he's super. And being a hero doesn't have to be a bout killing the creepy-crawlies. He's my hero because he treats me (and others) with respect, he loves the Lord, and he's not afraid to tell people what's on his mind.
3. Be willing to forgive his faults. Grace is given to me by the good Lord, so I need to be willing to give grace to my husband.
   
4. Don't be afraid to be upset, but remember to TALK it out. Don't yell at each other. It just makes it harder to hear. Remember that you are an adult, and so is he. You can be upset and not see eye-to-eye and not yell at each other. Remember using your "inside voice" in elementary school? Use it now, too.
5. Make sure he is first. I understand how hard it can be when life and kids get in the way. But, remember that without him, your life would be a lot less than what it is. Your spouse is your life partner, not your today partner. Remember to put him before all other things, except God, and to love him more than any other person.
6. Be helpful, without being asked. Don't be afraid to get him a drink or to take notice of his likes to have on hand. It shows him how much you appreciate him. Really.
7. Initiate once in a while. Guys are wired visually. And they tend to need sex in order to solve issues while we need issues solved in order for sex to come. But be the one to give in because he will likely not be responsive otherwise. And if there are no issues at hand, initiate anyway. It makes him feel good to know that you find him desirable, and it's loads of fun!
8. Pray for him. Maybe this one should be listed first, but remember him and his walk with God and his life in your prayers. Don't be afraid to ask what you can pray for, and then do it.
9. Pay attention to yourself. If you keep yourself clean and presentable for him, he'll know that he's important to you. I have a hard time remember to shave in the winter (since no one sees my legs), but I have to learn to remember that he still sees my legs and that it makes him feel good when I take care of myself.
10. Build dreams together. If you aren't planning for the future and what you want out of life, what do you have to look forward to?
    

My list could go on, but I have a hubby who's ready for bed and I want to spend a little quiet time with him before either of us saw logs.

If you have a helpful tip, leave a comment.