Just a few Sunday afternoon projects...

I am so happy that my sewing machine is working again (can't you tell?) I would have spent Saturday doing these but we had a guard competition in Kaysville all day long. (3rd place in movement- great job, team!) Here are a couple projects from yesterday afternoon:
Left: Some burp cloths for a friend who is having a little girl soon
Center: Sophie seems to like bright colors so I made some color cards with the word on it. She may be a little young for it now, but she seems to like them anyway.
Right: I'm sure you can't guess what it is. It's an iPad cover for my brother-in-law. He's working on a project involving children with autism and using iPads to help them learn and communicate. I'll have Craig post more about that soon. He knows much more about it since he's helped Kirk on it a bit.

Because someone asked me to say it like it is.

I hate being a "stay-at-home" mom. There. I said it. Happy?

Yup, another one of "those"

This is one of those "random thoughts" posts. Just feel the need to share with the world that:

• Sophie and I were dressed, fed, diapered (that would be Sophie) and out the door to an appointment by 9:45 this morning. 
• Visiting teaching is set up for the month
• I cut my hair (WOO!!!) 
• I wore a brand spankin' new pair of pants that Craig got me last night. I haven't bought a pair of jeans since I was a freshman at BYU and actually, my mom bought those. I guess these pants might be the first I've ever bought myself. Hmmm. I have a hard time finding pants that fit correctly so I'm REALLY excited about these. :) 
• I have my to-do list for the rest of the day ready to go. Interested?

Before Craig comes home from work Sophie and I will:

1. Wash 3 loads of laundry
2. Email the guard audition posters to the team
3. 2 independent study lessons
4. Make dinner
5. Clean out the Passat. (Heaven help us all :/) 

No pictures of my haircut but I did include a picture of the new pants that fit both my waist and my legs (at the same time!) 

As long as I'm just writing whatever I think of... If you haven't yet, you should take a peek at the spring clothes at White House, Black Market. We all know I'm somewhat obsessed with black & white, classic silhouettes and quality clothing so this store (and style) is perfect for me. 

A Big Day!

I LOVE Saturdays! Especially non-competition Saturdays. Craig and I got to spend the whole day together resting, walking around furniture stores and going on various adventures together. Love it. We ended up at Ikea (of course) had some yummy lunch together and then wandered around. Ikea was running a special of sorts yesterday where if you ate at the cafe that amount would be deducted from any purchases from the main store. We were planning on looking at a bed for Sophie after a little lunch so that was a nice surprise.

We ended up getting Sophie a little toddler bed since she will not sleep in her pack & play or much in her swing anymore. She will, however, sleep quite soundly when we put her in the middle of our bed. She is currently snoozing very happily in her new bed.

On our way home from Ikea, we stopped at JoAnn Fabrics (after some casual conversation, Craig's idea. Yes, I do have the coolest husband.) Craig and I picked out some fabric to make some outfits for Sophie. The pattern that I wanted was sold out so I sort of made up my own. I even did some smocking for the very first time on the bodice. It needs some more little finishing details but it was cute on her anyway. (Sophie wore it to church today). Next time, I'll just buy a pattern. :)

Happy Birthday, Liz!

Just wanted to post a few pictures from our fun little shin-dig tonight. Grandpa told us it was Liz's birthday and since she was going to be in town from Fillmore with Melissa (rehearsal tonight and such) we thought it would be perfect to invite her siblings over for some dessert. We had my version of strawberry shortcake cupcakes and a chocolate/strawberry cake. (Can you tell that Liz likes strawberry?) Tani, Liz's daughter, is back from her mission and going to BYU so she's close by. Best part of the day? Tani came over and we had some serious fun playing with frosting and decorating cupcakes and the big pink & green cake. Hopefully we'll be able to play again soon!

A Preview of Coming Attractions...

Just a small preview of my latest project. More pictures to come once they're all done :)

I'm going to say it...

**Before reading this, please remember that I am NOT a bra-burning, man-hater.**

During the last several weeks it seems like all I have heard about is motherhood and careers and having to choose one or the other. I've read some very interesting things and points of view from both sides (thanks for the latest article, Lydia!) but I do not believe that the only way to be happy and fulfilled is to go the "all or nothing" route. I completely respect other women who decide not to work once their children are born. I think it is wonderful that they have the opportunity to make that choice. At the same time, I am also really disgusted with the people I have heard condemning those who have to work, not by choice but by necessity. And what about those of us who want to work? I guess some really believe we're the worst breed of them all.

I am fairly certain that people know I'm not your typical mom. Never have been (in the whole 3 months I've been one) and with any luck, never will be. Compliments of my mom, I have always believed that I could do and become whatever I wanted. I've wanted to teach since I was in elementary school. Before going any further, know that part of my plan has been to be a mother. However, I don't want that to be my only role or have that define me. Surprise! I do not find fulfillment in scrubbing toilets. I enjoy having a clean house (which, by the way, IS possible to have with children, but that's a topic for another time) but it's not the same kind of joy I derive from creating or teaching. I'm tired of the snide remarks, judging  and unsolicited advice. I'm not choosing to let someone else raise Sophie, I have a husband who supports me and encourages me to do the things that I find joy and fulfillment in. We are going to do what is best for our family. So, to the rest of the nay-saying world, I politely ask you to buzz off.


(Picture above is Sophie before a guard competition)

Oooh, Grandpa Merrill!

After a veeery long day yesterday grandpa asked if we could go to dinner. I was absolutely relieved knowing that I wasn't going to have to go home after a rather difficult trip home from Spanish Fork with Sophie, clean a bloody sliced finger and then have to cook. We decided on Brick Oven. I love Brick Oven. Last time we went, Bryan came with us (remember the funny root beer story?) and it was really fun. This time, grandpa forgot his hearing aids. We had a little girl from Provo as our waitress, it was her first night, and grandpa was in a particularly spunky mood. In addition to harassing her about the pitcher of red cream soda (apparently another of grandpa's favorite treats) not being completely full -"we're going to get a free refill on that, right?"- he also confused her about a menu item. After she went through the specials for the day, grandpa said, " oh, that sounds good. I'd like the topless pizza." She had no idea what to do.

Life is always fun with grandpa around!

Demotivated Friday

So it's been three weeks since I've posted. Give me a break- it has been a LONG three weeks. Between working with teenagers (what a mess sometimes) and just trying to keep up with the day-to-day, there just aren't enough hours.

Sophie has transitioned from her 0-3's to her 3's to 3-6's (dress to the left) and this very moment is wearing an outfit intended for a baby who is 6 months old... mainly because I'm just too darn tired to go upstairs and mess with the laundry and all of her clothes that fit now (albeit snuggly) are in the washer or dryer.  She is a tall little girl. She'll be 3 months young on Monday.  Wow.

Remember that time when I was pregnant and made those exceptionally long weekly goal lists each week? Remember when most of the time, they'd be completed? I wonder what happened. I am still working on my independent study class that I've had access to for 10 months. Yes, 10. I am still working on lesson 4 (of 18). For the last two weeks I have just been trying to finish a 1000 essay. An opinion essay. I don't know what my problem is. I have opinions. Just ask. Actually, don't. I'd probably end up offending.  I have until April 27th to complete the class. Think it's going to happen? At this rate, not likely. It's a whopping $20 to extend for 2 months, but I just don't want to do that. Grumble. I am 2 papers, a midterm and final away from having my expensive piece of paper. I'm having a really hard time caring.

In other news, I've had Sophie's baby book pages set up in the sewing/craft/guest room in the basement since the beginning of February. Guess how many pages are finished? 0. Guess how many have the journaling done? 0. Pictures attached? 0. At least I'm consistent, right?

In other other news, sometimes making life choices is hard. Who knew that part of this whole "agency" thing meant having to make some choices on our own? When the answer you get is, "sure, sounds good" to every option, you sort of feel a bit... lost? Trusted? Both? In any case, grandpa is right. Each one of the options in front of us will take us in very different directions, of course. None of them are bad choices, but I've been assuming that one would be the "best" choice. Grandpa shared with us that he's learned that sometimes there really isn't a "best" choice. Apparently part of this whole agency thing is actually making choices, moving forward and sticking with them. Go figure. If there is something truly wrong with a choice and we've been asking and living how we should, then of course we'll know.


See? I told you I had opinions.