What makes me happy...

I know that life is an exercise in focusing on the beauty and ignoring the dirt. Pouring yourself into eternal things and not getting tangled up what doesn't really matter at all. Being a glass overflowing rather than a glass with a few drips. (Yes, I'm skipping right over the 1/2 - full / 1/2 - empty.) I KNOW these things, yet it takes effort for me to not look at the mess that surrounds me...and see the smiling faces that greet me at 6:15 every morning. So, I'm focusing on what makes me HAPPY.

My azalea. My mom bought this for me when I moved into my first apartment. It lived in a pot by my front door. I've managed to keep it all these years...in spite of the newspaper kid who always managed to get my neighbor's paper stuck in my azalea...in spite of the kiddos in my yard now who like to use clippers and don't know the difference between precious plants and weeds. My azalea is blooming right now. I can see her from my knitting chair. That profusion of hot pink makes me HAPPY.

I love the deep purple of these iris. These were in the yard when we moved here...so it's always a pleasant surprise when they bloom.

I almost ripped this sedum out when we moved in...it was a little burnt on the edges of the leaves in August. But in February every year...look at these pretty little stars.

Look closer....Those little stars make me HAPPY.

And I don't like to do dishes...and we make a lot of them. But, I love my kitchen sink. It's in the corner. And these windows look out to the driveway and front door. I LOVE my little IKEA tree and decorate it for the seasons. I've just changed the decor...but last week I took this photo of my Valentine's day decorations. You can barely see my heart flag hanging out the right window. But, this little corner...makes me HAPPY. And I can tell you, it's not the overflowing sink of dirty dishes.

And this was a MOPS craft that I wasn't able to finish during our table time (probably because I was nursing 2...not that she's still nursing...but this craft is probably 2 years old.) Anyways, I found this with all the supplies and partially put together. I added some scripture that I'm trying to memorize. And this makes me HAPPY.

We had a field trip on Wednesday. That made me HAPPY.

Now...what makes you HAPPY? Maybe this will turn into a little contest. But, I'll surprise you on that one. =0)

aDayInTheLife: Red's Version

I had a hard time convincing Red to get out of bed. I think he would rather sleep in like 4.

But, once he saw what was for breakfast, he was wide awake.

Eggs, Sausage, and TJ's Cinnamon Swirl bread. With fruit & veggie juice (I know that's a little sneaky on Mom's part.)

See that big latte....that's how Mom wakes up.

And Red wanted to stay close to the candy. I'm not sure if he was keeping the kids out of the hearts, or if he was sneaking them for himself.

We were getting ready for our Kenya day, and the kids made sample Zulugrass necklaces for me using straws. Red of course was right in the middle. (This photo came out great. He's just sitting in a Rubbermaid bowl...but I love how it softened the image.)

Here's Red with the kitties wearing their Zulugrass. (I first heard about Zulugrass here. I bought some for myself at LoLo...a boutique in Fullerton. This made a good craft for little fingers. I used cut up straws for the grass and pony beads in between.)

Then Red played blocks with 2 & 4 while 6 headed off to do some school.

Red came out to help 6 with his reading. I think 6 works better with a little buddy. Maybe Red will be our little helper.

Then when 2 went for a nap, Red helped Mom look through the mail. Red chose a good day to follow the family around. Look what was in the mail.

And look at this. The sweater on the left is in Boden, and the one on the right IK. If I didn't have so much in my que (no it's not all up on Ravelry...I wish it was)...then this is the sweater I'd make for myself this spring.

Red was tired from our busy morning...so he stopped the documentary just after lunch. We'll try again soon. I love this record of our busy days.

I CO for one...

And I might just CO again. Today is one of those days when being MOM sucks. My 2 has been wearing underwear proudly since Valentine's Day! And today, she decided that she was to scared to let her #2 out. So, I sat by her in the bathroom...and let her wander around a bit...for 3 HOURS. I let the boys out into the backyard. I even gave them a picnic lunch. It's so great when they decide they love each other and want to play nicely together. So, I sat on the floor by the bathroom. And NOTHING. I just put her down for a nap, and in a few hours we'll try this again. I'm just not letting 2 weeks go and giving her a diaper back (although she is wearing one for the nap). I thought potty training was supposed to be easier for girls. My boys were a piece of cake compared to this. And speaking of cake...how did I reward myself? I CO for a Square Cake. =0)

What can I say...

If I wait until I take the photos from my camera I might not get around to posting at all.

Kidwise: 2 has had another fever and a cough...thank God we're on the clearing side of this one. We just might make it to the park today, and then we've got a field trip planned for tomorrow. We're about to have another birthday in this house and then I'll have 6, 5, & 2 for a little more than a month. When did they all get so big?

Momwise: I'm still loving my Monday Night Bible Study, but Tuesday mornings come too early. Why doesn't Starbuck's deliver?

Knitwise:

• I've been working on washcloths during my Bible Study. I've finished 4 1/2. I want to have 2 for each of the kids' Easter Baskets, and I'm well on my way.
• I'm working on the Clapotis while I watch movies with M. I knit through 'No Reservations' on Saturday Night. Cute movie. I've dropped 3 or 4 times, and it's so fun to watch. I know there's a long way to go on this one, but it's perfect for when I want to knit and not count.
• I've finished M's hat. He's worn it a few times. I looked at the label on my yarn and it's a Merino/Cotton. Good choice for So. Cal. I really want to get out to buy another ball of the Zoom in a darker color so I can try the 2 color hat, but I have to go to Laguna Beach for the yarn as that's where I originally bought the Zoom and I don't want to search for another store that carries it. I really would like to go to the Beach...but life seems to be in the way. I wish the yarn would just arrive at my house. I did take photos of the FO, but had to use 6 as the model. Maybe before I get to posting the photos I'll get some with M.
• I think I'm ready for toe decreases on my Jaywalker. The pattern says to start the decreases when you're 2" from where you want your sock. Is that 2" from the end of your big toe? Is there something I should be reading to tell me where on my foot to find these measurements?
• I really want to CO for so many things again. My top 3 are the Square Cake, V-Neck Tee, and the Lily. Maybe I'll start all 3. =0)
• And just maybe I'll take some pictures.

So, this cup is empty...time to head back to the kitchen for a refill.

Gram Knits 2

When my Gram was feeling a bit stronger, she wanted a knitting project but didn't want to spend any money because she wasn't sure she would finish the knit before it was her time. I had started this blanket when I was pregnant with 2. I didn't finish it before she came. I gave the project to my Gram...and she ripped back to fix one of my mistakes. Then she knit on this until she was in hospice.

My other mistake is in the first 5". She would have ripped it all out. I figure that it just shows my process as a beginning knitter. I couldn't count to 4. And I couldn't "read my knitting." I knit Row 1,2,3,2,3,4. You can see it here. It's not a dropped stitch. And it won't affect shaping. And the chevrons still line up. So I wanted to leave it.

So...what I love about this one. Half of it was knit while I was expecting 2. And half was knit by my Gram. Someday I'll finish this one for my little girl. Right now it's 46" wide and we've knit for 26". I have plenty of yarn to make this about 60". That's big for a baby blanket. But I might finish this by the time she's 5. And by then, the blankies she sleeps with now will be needing a replacement.