Learning how to sew.....

My friend Frances had her mom recently teach her how to sew. Within the past couple of months I have really have a desire to learn how to. My mom and grandmother were wonderful at it. I can remember them both having the sewing machine on the kitchen table and fabric and patterns would be scattered across the kitchen floor when my grandmother would come visit.

So Frances agreed to teach me! I pulled out my mom's sewing machine with all her stuff she used. It brought back wonderful memories of my mom making me stand on a chair in the kitchen so she could hem a pair of pants for me.

Let me give you some back round on my sewing capabilities. I am not in any way crafty! I rather buy it then make it. I didn't even know how to turn the machine or or sew a button on a shirt! So Frances was in for it. I recently purchased new bedding from West Elm and wanted some pillows that would go with it that would add some color.



I also made my an upholstered head board. The great thing about this is you can change out the fabric on it when you get sick of it. I bought some new fabric that now matches my new pillows. I will post pics of that when I finish that project.

Back to the pillows. I spent a total $35.00 on them. Joann's is WONDERFUL. I am very proud of myself for completing the pillows. Here are a few pics from the night.




My first hem!

Wow 2 years....

Today is 2 years since my sweet mom passed away. She was battling Ovarian Cancer for 5-1/2 years. My dad and mom were on their 29th wedding anniversary trip to Disney the week before. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about my mom. People say it gets easier but it doesn't. The whole in my heart for her will never be filled.

I wanted to share a few of the things that made my mom so special to me.

1. My mom didn't work. The rest of us did. When she would be out and about some days she would always call my work phone to see what I was up too. One day I answered it and all I heard was..."Yes I would like a cheeseburger, fries and a coke." While she was dialing me she was ordering her lunch. Of course she couldn't wait until she got through the drive thru line to call me! :)

2. She always loved a bargain and always found one wherever she was. She went to CVS to buy a few things when she passed by a shopping cart with a sign saying "Buy 1 get 1 free." She decided to buy 10. Yes 10 cans of Cheese Whiz. No one in my family even likes Cheese Whiz! All 10 cans sat in the cabinet for years!

3. Christmas was my mom's favorite holiday and I am not kidding. She would start shopping in July and put things away. Well that has its problems. My mom would wrap presents and put the wrong names on them or hide them and then forget about them and find the presents 2 months after Christmas!

4. She would buy her own Christmas presents and write “To: Mom, From: Santa”. I love it! I guess that way she would get what she wants.

5. Every year for my birthday I would take the day off and she would take me shopping. Birthdays are hard. Really every holiday is hard because she was such a giver.

6. I could always count on her eating an Auntie Anne’s pretzel with me at the mall.

I miss my mom everyday! I would have never thought I would be 25 without my mom. I have so much more to do in life and need my mom to be there with me. I know she is proud of all us. Her and my dad did a wonderful job raising all 4 of us. I am so lucky to have 2 wonderful sisters and a wonderful brother. I have the BEST dad in the world. He would do anything for any of us. Life is never easy and there will always be mountains and valleys that you will go through. I know I will see my mom again and that makes me so happy.

Life is tough...

Sometimes the Lord chooses to bring us closer to Himself by blessing us, providing gifts, & answering prayers. Other times He chooses to bring us closer to Himself by taking away things in our life, to shift our focus back on Him and off of the things of the world that we place our contentment and pride in. But either way, He's bringing us closer to the Father.

The Dream Giver

I have started reading this book someone recommended to me. It basically talks about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. We all have big dream, one that might change our lives. So this book is about rising above ordinary, conquer your fears, and overcome the idea that obstacles that keep you from living your big dream.

I often think my dreams are hopeless our out of reach! The book asks the question “Are you waiting for something or someone to make your dream happen?” Wow that is a big one for me. When I look at my life now I thought I would be in a different place then where I am now. I know that God is in control of my life and if this is where he wants me to be than I need to be ok with it.

This morning was Day 2 of training. I promise I won't update you daily! It was a little bit easier getting up but harder to run today. I know my body just needs to get back into shape.

On another note. I love all kinds of music. You would be surprised if you looked at my IPOD. I have to spread the love around. One of my favorite Christian bands is The David Crowder Band. Here are the lyrics from their new song "How He Loves Me". It is awesome!

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

Well, I thought about You the day Stephen died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

Cause He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

Day 1

Today was my first day of training for my 10K. 5:15am came way to early! I have to say I am very proud of myself that I was able to get up and run. When I have tried this in the past I usually roll over and go back to bed. I am not a morning person. Now I know I can do it. I feel awake and excited about the adventure. It was nice to be able to have enough time this morning to have breakfast and a cup of coffee. Hopefully this will keep up. I will keep you posted on how it goes! HAPPY MONDAY!

My sister came over this weekend and she was able to help me with my blog background and header! YAY! I am so excited we got it working. Thanks Erin

New Adventure

Me and two of my friends in my bible study have decided to do a 10K. After I said yes I thought about it...what was I thinking. I have done one 5k in my life. Yes I said ONE. I have done the Couch 2 5K and right before the race I came down with the flu. So I know I can get up to at least 3 miles. I will keep you updated. Say a prayer that I can stick with it and do it for me!

On another note, on my way into work this morning I heard the new Need To Breathe song on the radio and thought I would share the lyrics with everyone. They are wonderful!

Lay 'Em Down
by Need to Breathe

Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you're lost and lonely
You're Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down
All you sinners
And the weak at heart
All you helpless
On the boulevards
Wherever you are now
Whatever evil you've found
Bring all of your troubles
And come lay 'em down
We're all tied to the same old failings
Finding shelter in things we know
We're all dirty like corrupted small towns
We'll bring our troubles
We'll bring our troubles lay 'em down
All you rich men
And the high above
All those with
And without love
All you burdened
Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down
In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!