Sew.... What Are You Up To?

Well...for as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed sewing.

So, for a wedding present my sweet hubby gave me my first sewing machine...and it is still serving me well after all these years.  I just love the thing!  (I'm quite sure that it was his sweet mother that put the bug in his ear and helped him pick it out... But, I still give HIM kisses for the blessing it has been to me and our family!)

I cannot even begin to count the many items of clothing that I've used it to make, or the crafts, curtains, or whatnot that I've sewn with it.

Besides diapers, Onsies and the outfits our friends & family gave, I think I made all the rest of our first daughters clothes for at least the first 2 years of her life, haha!

When she was under 2, I began teaching group sewing lessons.  Which I did for awhile.  I love watching people get joy out of creating something with their own hands!

Over the years, I have sewn many things...including a couple wedding dresses, many blessing & baptism dresses..and other items for my family, friends and acquaintances.

Off and on over the years I have taught sewing lessons, and am currently teaching again... It's fun!

Little Girls & Little Curls :)

One of my favorite memories from growing up..is when my mother would curl my hair in those pink sponge rollers (by Goody) after a bath then, I would head off to bed.  I couldn't wait for morning when we got to take them out and I could have bouncy curls all day long...just like Shirley Temple!  I also loved to dance. :)  So, in my little-kid mind I got to be as neat as her...even if it was just for the day!

This memory is even more tender to me, seeing that I lost my mother (to Lupus) 15 years ago, last month....and, that she was the one that helped me develop my love of dancing and Shirley Temple.  Go Bouncy Curls!! ;)

I might add that I was NOT fond of when some hairs got caught in the connection end of the sponge curlers though...Ouch!

With our older girls I used the sponge curlers more (they were a fun yellow color though, yeah!  Yellow..Sunshine...Get it?!!)   Now, with our younger girls we have these handy-dandy spiral, pink, sponge curlers that make it easy for doing the whole sleep/wake-up with curly hair thing. :)

And....when life doesn't always allow you to curl hair before bedtime or, you just didn't plan ahead....OR, you have an indecisive little soul...the curling iron comes in handy!

With that..I'd like to introduce you to my little Shirley Temple at the moment, Sophie!

Our Backyard is Beautiful!!!

Last week was Spring Break so the younger girls & I went on a few adventures...one to Zion National Park, and the other to Red Cliffs.  I won't ever get enough of those two places.  Their beauty is just intoxicating!!

We can't wait for even warmer weather so we can swim & wade in the river here in Zion. :)

 Seriously....does it get any more magnificent than this heavenly place! 

 This is Red Cliffs... Absolutely Gorgeous!!

 We were so excited to get hiking on a fun trail that led us to a fun swimming hole!

 Rocks, Rocks..Everywhere...Just waiting to be climbed!  I think we took a zillion pictures (ok...maybe a slight exaggeration, haha!)

 Simply Heaven. :)    

About Me!

Hello again! :)

 I am back from my break...uh, I mean..finally posting again about this crazy, wild life I live of being a wife of a busy hubby & mother of 7 fun and active daughters!!

First off... My goals with this blog are to share a bit of my life for either your entertainment ;) .... or, so you can relate and feel like you are NOT alone in this Adventure we call LIFE!

 I try to find JOY in all things, and I love nature and spending time with my family & friends!

 I relish every chance I get to be creative and love to do crafts of all sorts! I will be posting my adventures...of all sorts.  If I can play outside, I'm all over it!

I wouldn't complain if I had a maid so that I didn't have to scrub the bathrooms or baseboards...but, that's life so I deal with it, haha! (maybe a little begrudgingly...but, I have good helpers at home...so, Yeah!!) 

 Here's an update on our girls... Can I say how much I love these souls!!!! ♥ 

 Our 1st daughter...Samantha is married to a gentle & good fellow named Shane!  They got married last Fall (..and, I'm sure I'll post a few projects that I worked on for that!)  Sam & Shane have the cutest puppy (shown here..) named Elsa!  Samantha graduated from college and works as a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant).  She is very talented and is a wonderful & thoughtful daughter that plays the piano beautifully...and our first ray of Sunshine!

Our 2nd daughter, Sydnee...graduated from college with a degree in Graphic Design, and stays super busy with work, her photography side business, and so many social engagements, that we have to teasingly remind her to squeeze us into her schedule.  She has an infectious smile and can fix a messed up Rubik's cube lickity-split!  She is super musically talented too!

Our 3rd daughter, Sierra...is a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and almost has her Associates degree, but is currently serving an LDS mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the beautiful state of Kentucky.  She is such a sweetheart, and always looking for ways to help others!  I will be posting things here & there of what I send her to remind her how much we love her!  She plays the piano beautifully as well, and has a heart of gold! 

Our 4th daughter, Savannah...is in the 8th grade and cannot wait to finish grade school so she can get onto college to become a Pediatrician!  Savannah is always learning new things!  She is quite the teaser, and talented in so many areas!  She can make anything out of duct tape and loves reading and plays the violin and piano!

Our 5th daughter, Sicily...is in the 5th grade and can't wait to get out of elementary school, although she adores the teachers that have taught her so much!  She is so crafty and comes up with new & fun crafts to make all the time!  She is a doll, and so loving!  She is now enjoying learning the piano!

Our 6th daughter, Scottland...is in the 3rd grade, and her third year of Spanish in the Dual Immersion program!  She is one smart girl and has an amazing sense of humor!  She is full of life, loves to sing and dance, is learning piano...and makes us laugh all the time! 

Our 7th daughter, Sophie...is a sweetie pie!  She is surely the baby of the family, and my attachment..but also daddy's girl!  She is in Kindergarten, and one of the oldest in her class..so she is super ready to learn everything ALL the time!  She loves to write, and sing, and dance!

Well...that's us!  May you all keep spreading Sunshine wherever you go...!! :)

Big Changes are Coming!!!

Oh...this is exciting!! Hold on to your seats now... Big Changes are coming up right soon for my blog!!! Please stay tuned, and prepare yourselves for some fun posts coming right up! I have a long list of ideas just bursting at the seams to get out! Eeekk!! I can barely contain myself... :)