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Its snowing! Woohoo! 

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Ready for the cold. 

6 Years

Our little boy turned 6 on Wednesday. It's hard to believe how fast the time has passed. He is transitioning from the cuddling, kissing, sweet boy to the "I don't want anyone to see you kissing me mom", sometimes irritating boy behaviors (that some never grow out of...hehehe), independent, whatever I think is right, big boy. But underneath it all, he is still my little boy and I will continue to  kiss and coddle him as much as I can. He is doing great in school, holding the first place title in the most read books since school started. He has stared reading to Isa at nights before bed. Him and Isa are best buds and are inseparable. Happy birthday son. We love you always.

 Isa picked out a Nerf gun for Sam. Apparently, she was told by him that that is what he wanted the most. When we were at the store, I couldn't find them and tried to suggest something else. She looked me in the eye and with a wave of her finger she said, "NO mommy. He wants a Nerf gun. We need to get him a Nerf gun". Thankfully I found them.

Oh yes, I also had a birthday a few days ago. I turned 29 for the 4th time. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep this up. My present had been waiting for me for about a week and I did everything possible to get the kids to divulge what it was. But they kept a tight lip no matter what I bribed them with. They are such good secret keepers. I had been bugging Rueben for a sewing machine for years and he finally delivered. I'm not sure what he was so afraid of...maybe me sewing the leg holes to his skivvies or the cheesy holiday shirts that I am planning on sewing. I am just thrilled that I finally have a sewing machine and at the same time, I am kicking my butt for not taking advantage of learning when my mother tried to teach me. She is an excellent seamstress and I am looking forward to when she visits. In the meantime, my friend Elena, who is also an awesome seamstress, came over and gave me sewing lessons, along with the material and pattern to make me and Isa cute matching aprons. It was an awesome birthday present. Project Runway here I come...(maybe).
working progress

Yellow Belt

Last Friday, Sam tested for his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. He passed of course, and will be starting on another phase in his training. He has done really well and has established good posture and better body control. At this rate, he'll be a black belt before we know it. These are the tenents that he is learning: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverence, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit. We are so proud of our growing boy!

On another note, this is what Sam does when he picks out his clothes the night before school. I thought it was pretty funny. 

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"this is my happy face!"

My new hobby (for you Shirley)

Girl walks into a beading store and the rest is...

My first necklace and earring combo.

 

I've been working with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, glass beads and sterling silver. The hardest part is combining colors and beads. I can spend hours the bead store and come out with two maybe three projects.

I had originally made earrings with the purple crystals and then decided to make the matching necklace, of course.

This one is Sam's favorite cause it reminds him of Christmas. I'm not much of a holiday jewelry wearer, but I hear they sell like crazy. I think I might start making snowmen, santas, and christmas trees.

I've also been learning different stitches. This here is a simple ladder stitch. 

This is a twisted triple strand with pendant.

Simple wire wrapped earrings. I'm looking forward to more wire wrapping classes.

The top necklace is done with a spiral stitch. It's my second favorite stitch to work with. The bottom is an even count peyote stitch bracelet that I still need to embelish somehow.

Cluster drop earrings. I wear them as much as I can.

And this one is my latest creation. I absolutely love it! Anything is possible when you follow directions. It is a double sided bracelet made with charcoal color pearls and embellished with ruby swarovski crystals (top flowers) and black diamond swarovski crystals on the side. When turned over, all you see is the pearls and side crystals. I can't wait to make more in different colors.