My mother is a SAINT...and my kiddo was a pig.

This last week Kaden had a school musical he was performing in.

His choice of costume was a pig.

I was aware of this, well in advance. But I was positive he would choose to wear only the snout and ears, not a whole PINK outfit.

And so, I didn't put a whole lot of thought into it. I decided if he wanted to do a whole costume, I would just pick up some footie pj's and call it a day.

Well low and behold...2 days before, it comes out that he is planning on a full fledged piggy attire.

I panicked.

It is 80+ degrees here in Texas.

There was not a footed pj to be found.

But I did, however, have a giant pink sheet I bought at a thrift store years ago.

I know it doesn't look like much--and I am well aware it's a tad bit girly...

1- I was going with an easy outline. 2- These are now Jenna's pj's. :)

While I was in a panicked frenzy trying to throw this all together before nightfall, he (and others) would come in and check on things and make little comments here and there, "mom, I want it to look like this way. Mom, Pigs this...I need ears...mom, pigs have hooves.Mom, Spencer took something from me. Mom, We should add hooves. Mom, can we have dessert?"

Inside, I was thinking in a yelling voice...

"DON'T YOU SEE?! I am working like a madwoman to hand make a costume for you!?"

As I sewed and threaded elastic through and finished seams the thought ran over and over in my mind...

MY MOTHER IS A SAINT.

She has 8 children. 8 children who had last minute papers and projects and a need for ideas and creativity.

She had 8 children who all needed, often at the same time, SOMETHING that was very involved.

She sewed countless costumes...in fact, she sewed popcorn costumes for my entire kindergarten class way back when. She planned parties and gatherings. She stayed busy sewing dresses for dances and outfits that matched hairbows...

And all the while, I am certain I was there, asking questions and expecting that life carry on as normal--completely oblivious of all the hard work going into whatever the latest project was.

Did I have to sew something for Kaden? No. I didn't. I am well in tune with the fact that kids don't always get what they want. But I saw his excitement...I saw how PROUD he was to say his line and be a part of something really special...

And it made me want to show him that I would move mountains (or sew pig costumes) for him.

Because I love him.

And because I care.

And because what's important to him, is important to me.

And if that's what he looks back on and sees 26 years down the road...

then it was worth every stitch. :)

I think I should blog...

About so much that has happened! It's been a weird kind of busy around here...like, enough time to hop on Facebook throughout the day, in between to-do's...but not really enough time to sort out feelings and thoughts and events and pictures...

First off...

Easter.

It happened. :) It did.

A friend of ours had a brilliant idea to color eggs and cookies at the park--with oodles of other kids. It was SUCH a fun time. 

As always, we did our "fun" Easter stuff on Saturday. I know it sounds silly, but I am pretty attached to our Easter traditions. This is how it was for me growing up--and I really value what I learned having it this way.
We never do traditional baskets...and we have no Easter Bunny. Just us, hiding "baskets"--which are always something that can be used to hold items. Example...all the kids got "Crocs" this year--1 marshmallow bunny (so I wouldn't be tempted!) and one other little surprise (Kaden and Jenna both got a watch in their shoe, and Spencer got a new Sunday shirt. Carter got a toothbrush...he's still too little to notice much and hey, he loves to brush his teeth! Brandon got a new pair of shoes he needed for work, and I got a new strainer. For Abby, we got her a mini Penguin pillow pet with a bag of those delicious red jelly beans tucked inside.) Easter baskets are ALWAYS a hunt. The kids love that part.

Sunday was church--and our traditional Easter dinner. I am realizing now that I forgot to take pictures, but Abby and I made dinner rolls to look like ducks.
It was hilarious...
And it was a beautiful day...where nobody wore matching outfits and there were no new church clothes. And we didn't even get a family picture. But the message of the meetings we attended were very touching...





In the midst of life, I decided it was time to look into planting some things...
time to make up some raised garden beds.
So I headed to the store and picked up what we needed and went to buy plants...
And that's when I realized that the first week of April isn't the most ideal time to plant in Texas...
It's more like February. Or September.
Who knew?! WHO? KNEW? I still am so stunned. How did I miss that gigantic memo?
I know now...for next year.
But we did manage to plant some tomatoes and bell peppers...and if we ever go get more dirt and put our other raised bed in the ground, we may grow some carrots and watermelon.
:)

We've been busy playing...
Legos...always, always legos...

And just being silly...

And we started babysitting a little guy on occasion...

I got bit by the sewing bug. I forgot how much I love to do this...it is VERY relaxing...when you're not cursing a pattern or missed step in something. :) And even then, it kind of still is.
I made Jenna a nightgown after church the other day. I used knits--which I am quite unfamiliar with using. I inherited a hand-me-down serger, and LOVED using it for this!
Get rid of fabric I have on hand? Check.

And I took this picture the other day...Carter loves, loves, love to read. And so, before church, he climbed up on Brandon's lap and listened and turned pages...

He's just getting to be such a grown up little guy. Everyone is changing, getting older, moving on in life.
I want to pause time. I want to say, "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"
I want to write every little thing down. And I want to soak in every little detail of every day.
Because tomorrow is different...a new stage in life. A new word. A new trick.
Life goes so fast, don't you think?

Dear Abby...

And no, I don't mean the advice column... :)

Dear Abby...

I cannot believe the past 3 months are already over. It is as though the time just packed up and flew away. :) I have been very grateful for the chance to get to know you--as a person, as an aunt, as a sister. While we never really got the chance to know each other growing up, I will always feel that this was a sacred time in my life to know you in a way I never would have.

Abby, I want you to know that I am proud of you. I know that packing up your life and putting things aside to come to Texas to work for 3 months was a big leap of faith. I know it was scary and unsure. But I am proud of you for coming and sticking it out and working so hard! A lot of people assumed that us having you here meant we could go out all the time and that you were here at our every call...but I stand as a witness that you were working almost ALL the time! ;) It was a great example to me of your willingness to get in and get done whatever was needed to earn the money necessary for school.

The past several months have been such a learning experience. I would be lying if I said I did not have days where I wanted to pull my hair out! (I am certain you thought the same thing!!) It is often difficult to mesh two very different sets of lives and have them work flawlessly right out of the gate. And of course, as you said the other day, you were just feeling like you were getting things down here...and now it's time to go. And while I am THRILLED to have my car back every night...and get people switched back to their rooms and sleeping arrangements...we will miss you SO much.

The kids...oh, the kids will miss you. I cannot thank you enough for taking them to see Hello Kitty, and read them stories, and take over when I needed a few minutes. I can't thank you enough for babysitting for me on Tuesday morning...it was a lifesaver, and I have no idea what I am going to do without you here! Thank you for helping out and listening to my endless rambling about curtains and picture placement and wall color--all things I KNOW don't mean to you what they do to me! lol

Thank you for our Chick-fil-a runs and for introducing me to the goodness of the lemon pie shake.

Thank you for your making sure I am in the loop of newsworthy events...

And thank you for teaching Spencer about the presidential candidates...it's going to make a great home video. :)

The sky already had a good cry on Sunday...but today, Abby, it's only smiling. It's happy to see you take a new step and get back to friends and family and school--and the things that you really love! I know you've had some uncertain times--it's always hard to take a step in the dark and know where to go next in life. I know you don't want to make the wrong choice or live a life full of mistake. But I can tell you this...your time here in Texas...that right there was a miracle. I watched it unfold. I watched you come here with hopes of just babysitting to get by. And then, I watched as that plan was shaped and molded by a gracious Heavenly Father--I watched those doors and windows be opened and the blessings that poured in.

And I know that He will work that same miracle again...as you take each step closer to following the path you feel you should take. He loves you. He cares about you. He wants you to be happy.

And I do too.

I love you Abby. I am forever grateful for this time I had to learn from you, watch you, and KNOW you for YOU.

Love, Rachel

Taking a break to post about {Spring} break

While I have been busy the past 3 weeks, the truth is I didn't make it a priority to blog about Spring break. But I really want to write it down before I forget. It was a great week!!

Monday was a wee bit boring--we got our new floors that day so we were just hanging around the house trying to stay out of the way of the installers. But we spent some time in the gorgeous sunshine blowing bubbles and playing on the swingset...

Tuesday was spent trying to put our house back together...and most of Wednesday...okay, so the floors consumed more time than I thought. :) However, Wendesday we went to lunch at Chick-fil-a for their .91 cent sandwich day. Fed me and all the kids for less than $7. MMM....love Chick-fil-a! :)

Thursday Abby had the day off as well, so we were able to spend some time with her. I am thankful for Ikea for providing us with a funfilled Spring Break day--free lunch for the kids, facepainting, balloons, a Science craft, and free childcare so Abby and I could get the last of the good to finish putting together my toy room. :)

We hit up Steak n' Shake for half price shakes on the way home---yum!

I have one question....who took my baby and put a little boy in his place?

Friday morning we got up to make breakfast and I got a spontaneous little idea to jump in the car in pj's and all and take everyone to Shipley's donuts for breakfast. And so we did. :)

The kids were THRILLED!

Later that afternoon, we were able to go as a family to see the movie The Lorax, thanks to some half price tickets...we've taken the kids to the movies very few times, so this was a really big deal. Even Carter went and was a trooper! The kids loved the movie and have talked about it over and over since we did.

Saturday it was time to burn off some of those calories we ate during the course of the week! We had a blast at the St. Patrick's Day fun run...

We really had a great time--but as much as I love breaks, it was nice to get back to the routine of things come Monday morning! :)