Auburn Doll House

Craft Hope update

2009-07-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

These beautiful handmade dolls were part of the second Craft Hope project of dolls that were taken over to an orphanage in Nicaragua recently. Women from around the world made these dolls with love. A fellow blogger and momma of three at This Vintage Chica is the one who actually took these dolls to their new home in Nicaragua. This is a beautiful post she wrote right before her travels. God is doing some amazing things!

Project number three is going on at Craft Hope if you want to get involved, it's not too late. Blankets, hats and booties are being collected for the Miracle Foundation. I'm attempting to crochet a blanket for this project, but it's looking like I might have to jump ship and switch to a baby hat (you know I can make those pretty easily.) The baby blanket might take me well into the fall to complete. Project #4 or 5 maybe...

summer fun :: 2

2009-07-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Synchro, synchro and more synchro...

And then there's this other thing... my latest obsession. It's a little thing called Picnik. Photo editing, oh, my!

playing with dolls

2009-06-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

Every time I bag up the baby dolls and think we are done, they get rediscovered and out they come again. Luke is fascinated by "Baby Alive." He loves giving her bottles of real water and changing her diaper. When she talks, he listens and sometimes runs to me for help. It's really very sweet.

So, I guess the babies will stick around for little while longer. It's nice to have such well behaved babies in our house. Too soon these days will be gone.

summer fun :: 1

2009-06-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

:: cousins, swimming and watermelon

:: cake and family

:: synchronized swimming

raspberry mornings

2009-06-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Every morning we sneak outside, in ones or twos... We pick our daily raspberries; the perfect breakfast treat. Sometimes we find there are so many ready that we need a bowl to harvest. This bowl then sits on the counter and frankly, doesn't last very long.

This is an ode to our 2009 raspberries. Soon they will be gone and we can look back fondly and dream about next year's harvest.

God's beauty

2009-06-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

There are blessings to find - even in my own backyard. Have a wonderful Sunday, friends!

overcoming fears

2009-06-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Rock wall at the year end Girl Scout party... Luke really wanted to climb it, but he was scared. Three and half is still pretty little, you know. Even though his shoe size is only one smaller than his 5 year old brother, and he thinks he can do anything that Cole can do, the reality of that big rock wall was a little much.

Anything is possible with the help of daddy, though.

You did it, Lukey! And guess what, mommy did it, too!! I'm hooked - anyone want to go rock wall climbing?

last day of 2nd grade

2009-06-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

It finally came... the last day of school! I was ready. We need a break from the schedule. The closer we get to summer, the harder it is to get Grace in bed at a decent time. "It's not even dark outside, yet!" Yes, well... I really don't like having to wake you up in the morning.

No more running for the bus or mixing tuna at 7am. (I know, I should do it the night before, but I don't. I probably never will.) I would like to say that I plan on sleeping in, but who am I kidding. (I will try, though!)

So, goodbye to the bus - you've been very good to us this year. Next year is a whole new game (more on that later) and I'm painting my car to look like a bus. Kidding. Sort of.

Grace is looking forward to some serious friend time and I'm looking forward to some quality family time. Now begins the summer dance of "balance." Que the music!

A little 'Double Dutch Bus' (a family favorite) for you. I can't remember if I've ever posted this clip - sorry if it's a repeat. This is a great family movie for the summer, by the way!

praise

2009-06-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

We had a little scare with our littlest guy, Luke, and his kidneys. We've been praying and waiting and today we sigh a breathe of relief. Praise God that all is well!

Now it's back to life as usual...

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11

freedom

2009-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

A moment to cherish what was spring. Cool breezes and flowering trees... California Poppies brightening every turn. Perhaps you will cool us with one or two more spring showers.

But I can feel a change coming on... the kids are swarming with summer excitement. School is ending and swimming is in full force. Field trips and parties galore!

It's right around the corner. I can see the it! Sleeping in and staying up late, time with friends and family, barbecues and campfires... Memorial Day weekend gives you just a little taste of that freedom.

And thank you to the service people who protect our freedoms. God bless America.

Hope your Memorial Day weekend was blessed, friends.

a new chapter

2009-05-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Cole is officially a preschool graduate... and so ready for Kindergarten. We talk about it almost daily. Seems as if lately he's ready to tackle just about anything you put in his path. This last year has meant changes by leaps and bounds for Cole. It's really one of the greatest joys as a parent to watch your child overcome their fears and hit the ground running (that's the only way I can describe it.)

We are all so proud of you and excited about the new adventures that await you.

Here's the big question... Is preschool ready for Luke? Jerry's Aunt Cathy jokes about people having their "horns" out. (OK, often she has said this about me.) I thought she would enjoy this shot of Luke that actually looks like he has horns!

So congrats to Cole, and here's to a new chapter in our book! A new chapter for both of our boys.

Alex the lion

2009-05-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

fifteen years and counting

2009-05-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

15 years ago today we were married. It seems like yesterday and then, it seems like so long ago. But really it has gone by so fast. Three beautiful children later, our life is so much what we had hoped it would be (and then some.)

Cheers to my husband of 15 years. I love you, Jerry.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4

Those memories of a day 15 years ago sit on my shelf to serve as a reminder of us and the life we created together. Here's to the next 15 years!

the swing of things

2009-05-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

I'm getting back into the swing of things. With the warmer weather comes a new routine for my days. One of my favorite parts is hanging my clothes on the line to dry. Perhaps it's the satisfaction of knowing my electric bill will be that much lower or maybe I just like doing it... I think it's a bit of both.

Clothes on the line.
Going out to water plants.
Raspberries that I watch daily. Waiting.
Kids outside more than inside.
Popsicles.
Open House.
End of school year excitement.
Synchronized swimming.

I do believe that Summer is upon us. Brew some iced tea and fire up the BBQ - there's fun to be had!

before I was a Mom...

2009-05-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby..
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

This was taken from an email I received - author unknown.

About the photos: Jerry and his mom, Diane, at our friend Troy's wedding (taken recently.) Troy and his mama, Cheryl.

To mom's everywhere, Happy Mother's Day. You are loved.

going back to cali

2009-05-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year we were blessed with snow. The kids were thrilled, school was cancelled and we had a great idea! * Maple Snow Taffy * (I don't know it's official name.)

I got on the Internet and checked out the recipe. We carefully prepared our maple syrup - the real stuff, which was straight from New England.

Jerry and I fancy ourselves as knowing a thing or two about the east coast and dream of a camp in Maine someday. Surely we could take on this little task.

But we missed a step.

And it didn't work.

We ate maple flavored snow.

I guess we couldn't make it in Maine after all.

a bouquet of friends

2009-05-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

First things first... Grace is good. It was one long week, but we are back to the land of the living!

***********************
And I'm all over the place on this next one, try to stick with me...

So, earlier this year I gave in to the time vacuum that is also known as Facebook. I figured it would be a waste of time (and for the most part it is.) BUT (you knew that was coming) it has also been a blessing that I didn't expect. Mostly in connecting with old friends that I didn't even know I wanted to connect with. Go figure.

Recently, a friend and I were talking about "friends" and meeting new friends... finding that perfect friend. We are wonderful friends in spite of our differences. We agree to disagree on some things and on the other hand, I've learned so much from my crafty friend. I know God has placed her in my life for many reasons.

I've even prayed for certain friends that I need in my life. I don't want to say that God is on Facebook, but he does work in mysterious ways ;) He is everywhere.

Tonight we invited an old friend of mine (we re-connected on Facebook, aka "FB") over for dinner at the last minute. I actually found out via FB that she was home alone with the kids and decided to extent a last minute invitation. It worked out beautifully. She came and enjoyed some adult conversation and the kids had a great time. Being a world class procrastinator, this sort of thing if right up my ally. I love spontaneous plans!

After my friend and her two sweet girls left, I randomly picked up a small devotional book that I have called Bouquet of Blessings. I opened it up and read this:

"God has uniquely designed each person he has brought into your life. Some bring balance, while others infuse vibrancy, bring focus with pizzazz, or fill in empty spaces with simplicity. Together, you make a brilliant bouquet. Each person comes to you, intended as a blessing from your Lord."

Wow, how perfect was that? This past year, it seems that God has been talking to me about relationships. I love the visual of a bouquet of friends. (Perfect timing for May Day.) I feel so blessed to have a bouquet of friends that has added something new and wonderful to my life. Thank you for your friendship.

s-i-c-k

2009-04-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

My little "cheerleader" is not feeling so good lately. Strep Throat is the culprit. It's been a long week and every day I think it's going to be better (like go to school better.) But it's very slow going. Say a prayer for her if you would. I know she is anxious to be better and get back to her normal routine of school and playing with friends.

So, if you were wondering where I have been, (all four of you ;) it's in the land of sickness. Hoping to return to the land of the living soon!

little bro

2009-04-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Not to be left out of all the baseball hype, I just had to share the pictures of Luke when he was allowed to get in the back of the truck for the Little League parade. So happy... it made my day. It made his day, too!

And then, the thing of all things... to ride in the parade with his big brother's team. What a big boy and so independent! I won't pretend that it didn't give me a little bit of anxiety, but it was worth it. It actually took a bit of courage on my part to let my three year old have this adventure without me.

I just finished my bible study today, from the book 'No More Jellyfish, Chickens, or Wimps.' "Our children learn far more about courage from our behavior than our words." Paul Coughlin

I'm still reading the book and seriously considering these ideas and thoughts. Some things are easier said than done, but one look at that happy face and suddenly courage comes.

Happy Earth Day

2009-04-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day from "Californie!"

The House that Cole Built

2009-04-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

by Jerry, "blog boy"

Its baseball season and as the Babe did, Cole is building his own house around us! He is Mr Baseball. He has a favorite player (a little controversial) in Dustin Pedroia. He knows that he was last yrs AL MVP and the he has a Gold Glove at second base. Cole is very serious about baseball. I have even caught him telling other players that if your hands are on your knees when you are fielding then your not ready for the ball!

He was also lucky enough to go to a Major League game last week and got to see YES the Red Sox's and his favorite player. We tried to get an autograph but all we could manage was a slap from David Ortiz aka Big Papi!! Everytime he was up after that he would say there's that slappy guy!

Here's a shot of him in action and a few from the game.

Rounding second and safe at third!

Showing respect during the National Anthem

The hot dog!

Cole, Marjorie, Papa and MooMoo

HAPPY EAStER

2009-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

John 19:30

hello

2009-04-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends! I'm still "here", wherever here is... just got back from a wonderful weekend away. Can't seem to find the time or energy for blogging lately. Life is good... hope you are well, too! Happy Easter week!

bad wrap

2009-03-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

In all fairness, it seems that Luke had a small case of the chickenpox. Perhaps this had something to do with his mood last week? I'm going to remain optimistic and hope that things will continue to improve :)

Happy Wednesday!

it's official

2009-03-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

The day has finally arrived. Cole started T ball this weekend. We have been waiting and answering 100+ questions about baseball as of lately. Cole was excited, Jerry and I were excited... heck, even Grace and Luke were excited about Cole starting baseball. And let's not forget my mom, "Moo-moo", who bought Cole a glove on his very first Christmas.

We have been waiting for this day.

A little fact you may or may not know about me is that I played softball up until well into my pregnancy with Cole. I love it. Growing up, I was a softball brat (sorry, Mom, but it's true).

Just getting our gloves out and tossing the ball around... the excitement of it all is more than I expected it would be. I long ago gave up on Grace taking an interest in softball - synchronized swimming is fast approaching and it's her thing for now.

Look at how he keeps his eye on the ball. Even when he misses! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

My little man. He just doesn't look big enough to be starting this new venture. But it's official, Cole plays baseball and he's so proud. We are proud, too.