August 23 - Hat, skirt and T

Bits and Bobs today. Easy stuff. 

 Hat for very blond, thin haired son-in-law. 

I used a button from an old Norwegian sweater.

 Short bias skirt for daughter.Black wool crepe.

T-shirt "muslin" for oldest, to test fit. Used a free T-shirt.

D's visit - SUNDAY

Today was Gare Bear's BIG day! 

He was baptized in the name of the LORD!

D does not attend a liturgical church and I found it fascinating to watch him watch what was going on. The Pastor's wore robes and there was definitely some fancy stuff going on, especially around preparation for communion. He was watching intently. He also thought is was a very fast church, which I thought was hysterical. I have been to his church, it's not THAT long, but then, he also attends Sunday School and this was new and different, always more interesting. D often said stuff like that, that made me smile. Love that boy. Love them ALL! 

Our handsome, precious new grandson! He is one yummy little man.

We all gathered after church to share breakfast together. 

Gare Bear's God Parents, his Aunt Dewey and Uncle N.

D had the BEST vantage point for watching all the picture taking.

Gare Bear's grandparents. We have known them since 1989!

Oldest with her In-Laws and neice.

D being a "baby" with his cousin. What a card.

Giving us a smile. Love these people!!

Dewey with her friend S who came in for our special weekend. 

S getting caught photo bombing, can't sneak anything past D.

Two sweeties, aren't they CUTE! YES!!

Gotta have "the originals" if they happen to be together. 

Son-in-law with his sister, niece and SON! What a lucky guy. 

Gare Bear is LOVED by ALL! 

God Bless you forever.

After an early and long morning, we got back to the house to see if there had been any Easter Bunny action. D had been so patient. The weather made the whole venture iffy, but D checked around and found some eggs hidden in the back yard. The look on kids faces reflects the magic of childhood. You can just tell how he is feeling. 

 

And inside the eggs, D's favorite food group, sugar!

D was also really interested in playing school. It was definitely his version and I just went with it. Apparently everyone in the class is expected to rest and I was always called forward to do some special project with the teacher. 

Here we are putting on a concert.

Then he called his daddy and Grandfather in to participating in a concert.

Then a rousing game of musical chairs. 

Later, Aunt Dewey stopped by after taking her friend to the airport. D had noticed my exercise balls and who better to show him the many uses than his Auntie. D showed his incredible fitness and balance skills. And he had a LOT of fun. 

Velcro watching the action from the sofa, his favorite vantage point. 

Daddy, Grandfather and D gave Grandmother Nanut (me) a little break and went to the play park. Hope to add a picture or two eventually. 

Pizza for dinner. 

And a little after dinner dancing! 

Such a fun and VERY special day with family. Easter, a baptism and plenty of time together. It just doesn't get much better than that. 

A Baptism Ensemble and a Quilt

Our little surprise grandson, who will be "legal" on Wednesday is going to be baptized on Easter Sunday! Many in his family will be present for this auspicious occasion. Oldest daughter brought me her wedding dress, which I made back in 2005 and asked if I would turn it into a little outfit for her son to be baptized in. What a lovely idea. Weddings and Baptisms are very profound and special occasions, with special blessings attached. I am honored to be asked to sew for these occasions. 

 Since I had time and fabric, I made a hat and shoes. 

I was asked to babysit the G-man 

while my daughter had a dentist appointment. 

He survivied! 

Things have settled down a bit lately, so the sewing room is again being occupied on a regular basis, and I am a happy camper. Sewing is something that pulls me in. The business of stitching, designing, producing just fill me in a way nothing else does. Can't explain, just who I am! I make things for people I love. 

This is the beginning of a little quilt I am making from shirts I have made the past few years. My son is the recipient of several of said shirts, so this is for his youngest son who turns 2 in April. Hope it is done by then. Simple shapes and I will put his initials on it as well. 

Baby eyes and kissy lips

This was written several years ago. Amazing to look back and remember, cry, and have hope for the future. I will never stop missing the sweet sweet little boy and the magical spirit behind those eyes. He changed me forever.


This was written in 2009.

Baby eyes!

My daughter and her husband are foster parents to a beautiful little boy. We are enjoying him and will as long as God keeps him in our arms. So hard to trust a higher power sometimes when you have fallen in love! But, we must. We have a new adopted grandson that is part of my son's family and I can now post pictures of him. I don't use names on this blog but do put pictures. Here is the little man when we first fell in love.



And here he is now with his Grandfather!

Kissy lips!

So, today, February 4, 2015, I reflect on the big and little people who have come and especially the ones who have gone, due to " the system" or miscarriage, or just "gone too soon". It seems as life goes along, death and loss is just a part of package. I will never "get over" these losses, but certainly have learned to live with them. I do occasionally remember sadly, but I am ever so grateful for knowing them and the hope that always goes along with new life. The biggest thing for those who have passed on is the joy of imaging them in the Saviors presence. God's presence is with each and every one of us, whether we acknowledge HIM or not. HE is so much bigger than we will every be able to understand, that gives me great comfort. 

So . . . to end on a high note. Since this post was originally written, we have had two more little boys come into our lives. When babies come into your life through foster/adoption there is a special blessing. Just pondering the  process of how a random child could end up in your life, and what had to happen to create that opportunity has both sadness and joy. But in the end, they are put in our families care and I take that VERY seriously. I can't imagine thinking this is just randomness. 

So here are two more little boys who have captured my hearts since this post was written (but not published)

The J-man, lover of life, happiness unbounded.

The G-man. The embodiment of preciousness, 

and undoubtedly the BIGGEST surprise of my life.

Purse and shirt

For Son-in-law's upcoming birthday.

For oldest's upcoming birthday.

Inside room for iPad, Kindle, phone and such. 

This one may be WAY to big for my dainty one. 

Oh, so practical

 An adult apron for the Cook With Your Kid auction basket at church auction.

 A kid apron for the Cook With Your Kid auction basket.

Cardigan for oldest to keep at work. 

 A cardigan for my mom. 

 Jumper for my mom.

Open shoulder with hooks so it is easy to get in and out of.

How clever for when you get older and it is a challenge to dress.

So super pleased to be able to help my mom like this. 

Last project of the year

For oldest, she wears these to work. 

Wrapping up the year

I have the idea that January will involve no sewing. I am planning on focusing on videos and pictures, scanning, burning, editing, etc. I have a pile of photos and such that is ridiculous and intend to do something about it. Get it organized, or something. I do not believe any of my children want to be burdened with boxes and boxes of old photos and such. I am not sure the plan yet, but something. 

So wrapping up this and that, to pack away things for January. By the way, I doubt this will work perfectly, as "the sewing urge is strong in me", but we'll see. 

I made youngest two more little knit skirts. This first one, the gray, had to be altered, I needed to bring in the waist more. Not sure why, as this is how the original was, but I think it is because the knit is not quiet as stretchy. So the second one, black, was altered just that little bit at the waist. She wears these when she is dancing! Over her leggings. Great idea.

This was an experiment. A cardigan for SIL#1. Basic black knit. Keep him warm. 

For oldest. A simple knit skirt for work. 

Jammies for hubby. He is a moose fan.

Nightgowns for me, for these cold months. 

Yeah, a little wild, but when it goes on sale for $2.99 a yard, I think just about anything is acceptable. Actually I really love the purple, and butterflies are always a lovely theme. Love butterflies. Oldest was a Indian Princess with her daddy when she was young. Her name was Flying Butterfly, so lovely, and her daddy was Running Bear, hmmmm. The youngest is very much a butterfly lover, giving her sister and me butterfly necklaces last year. 

I am hoping to make one more shirt waist for oldest and a shirt for SIL#1 before the end of the year, three more days. We'll see. Not much time left and the flu has visited our home, so a super slow down happened this past week. Then, the annual parade of spools. This year I believe I broke all previous records since keeping track. I have a feeling I broke all previous records period! Redunculous how much sewing (and praying) happened this year . . . . smiling!!!!