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Last night i spend the night with the kids at my mom's house. I wasnt sure how Oakley would do, seeing as our last few times trying to get him to sleep in a play pen was horrible, and he wont sleep with me anymore... so i was quite concerned. But he put my fears to rest as i laid him down with no difficulty. In the morning, he lay so sweetly, completely covered with a quilt. Then every 10 mins or so he would lift it and look at me, stare for a minute, then put his arm back down. We did this for 90 mins or so.

I often go to my mom's with the kids when Thomas leaves, i find it makes it easier for them to say bye because it gives them something to look forward to. And i love the company and comfort of being around my mom.

Minutes ago we dropped Thomas off on the base for his ten day exercise. Having him away has gotten easier over the years. But for some reason, this one seems hard to me. I dont know what it is. It's only ten days. Maybe it's that it feels like he just got back... or that it seems like he is never home, even when he is physically here.

All i know is that i just want to hold him and tell him to never go.

I feel a little like Oakley, pouty and fussy and no one knows why.

things i assumed

Ok, there are a few things i assumed while making this:

• You have some experience sewing.
• You have felted the sweater prior to starting
• You have read patterns before and know that they are MUCH more complicated than it really is to make...

I made two pairs of these pants in less than an hour. The pair in the picture took me about 30 mins... only because i tried to draw out the pattern and took pictures while sewing.... and almost electrocute myself.

Wooly bum cover

Ok... please bear with me while i do this. But here are the instructions and poor pictures to show what i mean. (My machine is still broken, but these are my second attempt, and i love them!)

First thing i did was find a pair of pants and guesstimate how to cut the sleeves on the sweater so that they are the same shape as the pants. If they look like the are going to be too tight, they are perfect!!!



The proportions are this: Waist divided by three (say for ease, 18 inches total, so 6 inches,) then you half that again (3 inches), because the sweater is folded in half, so, two sleeves, two-thirds of the waist.

The final third is the back panel. That needs to be the length of the opening that you created by cutting the sleeves, plus about an inchish... curving slightly all the way around.

You will have to stretch the leg part to make it fit seam to seam, but this adds such a sweet little curve in the bottom. After you have sewn the back panel to the legs, cut a slant down the front so that it lowers about 1/2 inch. Sew the front together.

So the total of the waist now is 15.5 inches because i use 1/4 inch seam allowance. I now measure a two inch (or what every size you want) high rectangle thats 16 inches long, sew it together at the short end and sew it onto the waist to create a waist band. And at this point you can make them as long or as short as you want.

And voila!

so stinking cute!!!

At church we always have 'needs and news' time every sunday. Anyone can share whatever they feel comfortable sharing. Jul went up, whispered in Al's (our pastor) ear and Al handed Jul the microphone. Jul proceeded to pray for Thomas. It was so sweet. I was so proud.

30

This weekend was my 30th birthday. And today i was thinking about how different my life is that i expected 5, 10 and 15 years ago.

15 years ago i was half the age i am now. 15 was not a good year for me. Although from it i learned so much, i would not want to relive it... and if i had the opportunity to do it over knowing what i know now, i would do so much differently. Starting with the best part of my year, meeting Thomas.

10 years ago i was newly married and so eager and full of energy. And within a year we were living with house mates that almost ruined our friendship as 'man and wife'. But we grew up together.

5 years ago i had one child. And Thomas joined the army. He left on Jul's second birthday. I cried as i dropped him off outside Montreal at a huge building called the Mega. I sobbed in the car, and as i calmed enough to drive home, on the radio i heard 'The Scientist' for the first time. I did not marry Thomas in the hopes of being an army wife... in fact i opposed it vehemently!!! I did NOT want to be an army wife.

And now, i am a proud wife to my officer husband, learning and educating mother to 3 beautiful children. My sister and mother both entered 30 with denial. I dont mind being 30. It's a number that only tells how long i have been alive, but not what i have lived.

scary

Ok... so, on Sunday night at Livingroom i was telling how i have been making wool soaker pants and i was asked to post how i make them. Well, as i am sewing and cutting and so on, the kids are playing and talking... and well... i thought the cord was UNDER the cutting mat...

And so what we have learned today:

Be aware!

Be careful!

Sparks are scary!

And finally, cutting a cord is very smelly!!!

So.... pictures and guide for the pants will be coming soon!!! As soon as i can get a new power cord for the machine.

the calm

First, sorry Al. Jul was just too enthusiastic to contain!

Today has been much improved from the previous week of turmoil! Jul's attitude has been up and down, but mainly up. And today, after doing our 'school' work and while finishing lunch Jul wrote a song... i wrote down the lyrics as he sang, and he wants to sing it this sunday....
Here it is!!!

Listen to your Heart

by Jul Peters

Listen to your heart

because your heart beats

if you dont listen

you dont know when God speaks.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord

If you look into outer space

you can see G0d's eye

and he looks into your heart

If you dont listen to Him

you will go to the desert

If you listen to him

He will let you live with your family

And when you die

you will be with Him and play with Him

because He is building a house for you

Praise the Lord!

Despite everything i do wrong with my kids, God fills in the gaps and repairs the damage.

A wise woman once told me that having kids will mean that my heart will forever be beating on the outside of my body. And i'm glad that God is in my heart, where ever my heart is.