Crazy Is As Crazy Does

Okay - so I'm sure you're all eagerly await my projects... sorry, you'll have to keep waiting... this will be short.

Wanted to let you know that I'm still getting things done - I finished Beth's sweater a week ago, but I have yet to start the second sock. I'm working on getting a scripture tote finished (seeing as Jeremy's scriptures are all but falling out of his). I had made one for Peter last year, and had the fabric to replace all the other kids' ones, but I hadn't gotten there yet.... so, half way through that... but also finishing up Beth's dress.

Add to that I got a new calling - now Relief Society 2nd Councilor - and I get to coordinate the RS activities not on Sundays formally known as enrichment! It's a completely new presidency, so we're getting our barrings in addition to me trying to work out details for our first up coming RS activity. And though I've been officially released from all of my three other callings (Activity Day Leader, RS Teacher, and Nursery Leader), until someone is called to take over Activity Days, I've agreed to continue to run the program so it doesn't hit a dead end and leave the girls hanging (especially since one girl is my own and soon I'll have two). That's two projects with them this month..... then hopefully the new leader will be called.... we'll see.

I've also been putting together Beth's baptism schedule - asking people to do different parts - and still need to actually get a program together. I've got birthday invites out and (thank goodness) the two have decided to share a party so I only have one cake to make and one chunk of time to worry about. Additionally, I need to get a few baptismal invites together because Beth would like to invite some friends.

I've also been getting our family started with Orthodontic care... I'll do a whole post on that later... but I'm just gonna say - if your children have been diagnosed with an underbite, don't wait until they are 7 to get them in for a consult! All other consults are encouraged at age 7.

AND....

I've just been asked to speak on Sunday - which I agreed to - and am grateful for as it's helping me focus on things that matter to me. I'm excited to speak... should my talk actually be fluid enough for others to follow.

AND....

I'm hosting book club, followed very closely by teaching in RS - just happens to be my month...

BUT... come the second week of February, I think things should be slower and I'll have an idea of what normal is.

So - I'm busy.... but it's good for me.... it's helping me to remember what balancing really is... and IF I find time before the second week of February, I'll post some more exciting stuff.... otherwise, forgive me for taking me time! =)

Oh... and did I say this would be short... just think what the long version would have been! =)

There's Been A Change In Plans....

It matters to Beth that I be the one to make her baptism dress. Needless to say, my projects are set for the month of January - one baptism dress and one sweater to go along. Good thing the dress is half cut out and Jacob goes to bed with his brothers now... I should be able to get them both done by the 29th!

A New Year

I know I have so much to catch up on... I hadn't even posted about Halloween and then I dropped off the face of the web world. It's been a busy year - busy family time - busy in general. And I had forgotten how busy the into everything - on top of everything - toddler stage was.... is! Anyway, it was a really busy and emotionally stressful time for me.... so I decided I needed to make outfits for my kids for Christmas - I hadn't made outfits for all of them in a long time. I know, I'm crazy - who in their right mind would add something like that on top of the chaos of our toddler style life? Certainly not me.... that's why I'm in my left mind.....

I knew this would mean more assistance from the rest of the family especially from the older kids in keeping Jacob away while I sewed..... that was asking a lot... but I also knew that creating things - making things - is emotionally and mentally good for me. So, after getting frustrated in trying to find the right fabric and yarn, and then getting frustrated with the shipping time, I made two dresses, three pairs of pants, and knit three vests. My outfit was cut out, but I decided it wasn't worth the extra stress to sew it up right off (and the zippers on the dresses were done by my mother in law... thanks so much - I hate doing zippers).

I can knit with little ones around, but sewing with little ones around is really asking too much. So with Beth's baptism coming right up, I've made arrangements to have Lynne sew it - I have the pattern and the fabric. I'll cut it out, making the necessary adjustments and then she'll sew it... and I'll spend the month making a sweater to go with it.

I also have wanted to learn how to knit socks for years now... Santa brought me a book to get me started, and I finished my first toddler sock yesterday... of course, I couldn't just follow the pattern, I had to change it even the first time through... something is seriously wrong with me that I seem to think everything needs to be altered. It was fun and I'll make the second one soon.... but it made me think... since there are several things that help me to keep calm and feel good, but most involve creating something, I have decided that I will do at least one project a month and post it on here. So, when I finish that other sock, I'll post how I did it and my adventures along the way. I'll do the same with the sweater for Beth.... I think February will involve another set of socks.... but who knows.... this might be a year of socks - with a few extras.

Of course, this blog is for my family and there will be posts about our comings and goings and the kids and all that, but you can look for crafty posts along with way - at least for this year.

Later on, when I have a few more minutes, I'll try to catch up some on the blog... in the mean time, I have callings to attend to, my bedroom to finish cleaning out, and a house to continue to maintain - seeing that my husband did a great job of helping everyone learn the routine (or relearn it) and get the house in a good starting position over school break!

I'll try not to be so much of a stranger!