Another Passion

I rummaged through my box and found a collection of fabric that I bought over a year ago. I think I will use it for a mystery quilt that I will be making at quilt club next month. But that's next month. remember, i have an itch and have to scratch! so i rummaged some more and discovered Christmas fabric that i purchased back in October. I thumbed through my patterns and searched online and within minutes came up with a project. Before I knew it i was slicing and at the same time ignoring dinner.

The next morning i began sewing blocks and rows and in a couple of hours my top was complete. Well, almost. It's kinda boring if you ask me. There's something that goes on top. It's really cool and I'm excited about it. When it's done I will share.

PS. I know, Christmas is over. I really wanted to do something Valentine-ish but didn't have the right colors on hand. Maybe I'll start something pink and red right before Easter!

What's you're passion? Wipe away those winter blues and get busy!

Passion

My passionate husband made this birthday cake just for me. A very chocolaty cake. Chocolate is one of my passions. David isn't passionate about chocolate however. but he made it for me because he loves me. He is passionate about me, that is for sure, and many other things. One is a creative challenge. Anything that will stimulate his brain. Weird.

Everyone is passionate about something. Like my sis-in-law Venita. Her passion is thrift. My friend Linda's passion is Disneyland. My friend Michele's passion is her husband Todd and art. Just last weekend I discovered that my 7 year old niece Abby is passionate about avocados. Who knew? My daughter Josie is passionate about reading. So is my friend Jenn. Another friend, Pamela, is passionate about her Dogs and lavender. Lately my sis-in-law Aimee is passionate about getting an uninterrupted nights sleep. Heaven. My sister Kimmy and I have similar passions. But I don't think she is as passionate about chocolate as I am.

Just yesterday i had an itch for another passion of mine. I will tell you soon but I'll give you a hint. It involves a box of fabric and a free Amy Butler pattern that i found online!

A Treasure

A BIRTHDAY

just can't be a birthday without cake!

Honestly.

And with Grandma Judy living just around the bend, you can't have a birthday without a personalized cookie bouquet!

And a Celebration Banner...

of course!

And Wait..........
mini cupcakes for fine fingers!




Rachel's been waiting patiently all year for this.

A rag dolly named Ann

that Grandma Judy stitched

with love.

All the grand girls received this

birthday treasure this year.

13 Years ago

I received a Treasure.

I was on a girls night out.....a fine Italian Restaurant in downtown Milwaukee Wisconsin, lakeside. A Saturday night. Thanksgiving weekend.

Sydney said, "You're not eating Jill"

"I'm having contractions, but I'm fine." I answered calmly. I wasn't fine.

A couple more minutes into appetizers Irene said, "you're still not eating or drinking."

Before I knew it Sydney had the waitress boxing up our meal in a flash. We borrowed the house phone to call the daddy.

All eyes were on our party as we stood up to exit in a hurry.

The man sitting next to our table smiled and asked "Now, which one of you ladies is in labor?"

Irene was only a couple of weeks behind me, calmly gestating, while my gestating was stirring havoc.

Sydney quickly ushered us out of the restaurant and into her red mini van.

We beat daddy to the hospital. All the nurses in the ER were just as confused as the diners at the restaurant.

"Which mother will be admitted tonight honey?" the nurse asked us sweetly.

I crawled into bed just as david came into my room.

"Ready to have a baby tonight?" he asked as he walked to the bed and kissed my forehead.

"This baby is ready" I answered as I looked up into his eyes wanting to cry.

Standing just outside my door Syd and Irene waved goodbye.

A couple of hours later Rachel,

a beautiful round pink baby girl

was born.

We were so

HAPPY.

What a girl can do.....

for a teenaged boy.

uplift
teach
motivate
inspire
bring happiness
friendship
create laughter

ultimate boy party

My youngest child, my baby, turned 10 years old last week. To a child this age, birthdays cannot pass without flare. A big boom. A blast. A bon fire! Well, that is, according to Jeffrey. While mom was out of town doing girl things with sisters and friends, Jeffrey and dad were home doing guy things like.........

collecting wood in the canyon

chopping wood

eating steak

ditchin' school

searching for bmx bike

eating burgers and shakes

planning the ultimate boy party

that's what I call quality time!

As soon as I arrived home the party began. fire and apple pie...... friends and presents.... little smokies and marshmallows. the end

They serve us in return for scraps

All is Quiet while mom does the dishes.

everyone has vanished.

dishwasher humming.

warm soapy water

one last bit of casserole for Gus Gus.
what a good helper!

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."

~Roger Caras

Stop this train

Today I am 39. Yesterday I was 29, preparing to give birth to my last baby. Two days ago I was 19 and engaged to be married to the man of my dreams. The day before that I was 9, in the fourth grade adjusting to my new school and new home. And the day before that, I was born on my mother's 27th birthday. Tomorrow I will be 49. Won't someone stop this train?

Next month my dad will be 69. My grandmother will be 99.

I love John Mayer. His song sums up exactly how i feel these days. Time is traveling too fast for me. I'm a passenger sitting in a window seat watching life pass before my eyes in a fast motion. Life......please slow down. I love watching my kids learn and grow and experience new things. But at the same time i want to push the pause button, pull the brake, lock the door, stop feeding my children milk! I know that one day my children will be grown and out of the house. I remember my fasination with my first newborn baby in my arms. I wanted him to stay a baby. I called my mom and asked her if she misses her babies. She told me that she still has them, but in a different form. She said that the joy never ends as they grow and become adults, having babies of their own. I said "ok" and hung up the phone and had a good postpardom cry. Don't stop this train. Don't for a minute change the place your in. she seemed to say.

i love President Monson's talk on Finding Joy in the Journey. I really needed to hear his words and sweet reminders.

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today."

The most important part of my day are the people in that day. My husband and children, family and friends.

"My sincere prayer is that we my adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

So what. I'm almost 40. I have so much to be grateful for. Everyday blessings fill my life. I have joy and love. Now i see i'm never going to stop this train.

Happy Birthday MOM!! don't get any older....i don't want to celebrate without you.