I heart sewing.....

I really do..... I fall asleep at night thinking about my fabrics and what I'll do next.... I DON'T like it when I take too many orders and overwhelm myself. It's hard to enjoy it when I feel rushed. I'm going to try something different for a while. I'll only be offering 1 or 2 things at a time..... That way I can still sew but it not take over my life.... I plan to start that back up in a week or 2..... For now, I've been playing with pillowcase dresses made from REAL pillowcases. I love the dainty stripes on this one paired with that pink damask and polka dots. After I made the dress I made Essie a pillowcase for her bed..... I love the way it turned out. When I added the initial this time I placed it over a circle of coordinating fabric, and I LOVE the way it turned out! I plan on making some inital tank/bloomer sets soon.
Happy Friday!!! Have a great weekend!

Happy Easter

This child is hilarious.....

It's so hard to get both of them to look at the same time....

CHEESE!

All four of my Easter Blessings..... Happy Easter to you all.

Happy Anniversary Little Guidant Pacemaker.....

Thank you so much for forcing my heart to beat for 5 years today..... You never bother me.... You're only a pain when I go through airport security. Thanks to you I've had body patdowns all over the place......I'm also alive thanks to you :)...... The scar where you were put in has faded some with time. Someone actually asked me one time if it was a scar from a boob job. Funny, huh? You've also lasted a lot longer than I thought you would.... You're still going strong with no sign of having to be replaced. I may get a few more years out of you before they have to put your little sister in. It is of no small significance to me that I was saved on a Good Friday.... the same day my Savior died for me. He died. I lived. I'm thankful to Him for letting you save me. He evidently had more work for me to do.... Anyway, thanks for the beats. You rock.

Easter dresses, sunshine, and exercise.....

I am ALMOST finished the sewing marathon.... I have about a mile left to go, and I am DONE..... I am so ready for a break and to make some of these lovelies for MY girlies..... Kennedy and Bella are about as close to mine as you can get, and I just finished their Easter dresses. I made Bella's first, and Kennedy surprised us by wanting a matching one.... How could I tell that sweetie no?? SO, these are on their way to Utah tomorrow..... I have one more set and a few pillowcase dresses to do, and I'll be finished.... Whew. I'm ready for a break.

The sunshine has finally come back to Alabama along with some COLD April weather..... We took these this weekend. The girls were so happy to be out running wild in the yard. We were all stir crazy from being trapped indoors from the weather..... My girls are just so beautiful they take my breath away..... I can't claim any genetic link, so I can brag on their beauty all I want! They are gorgeous though and SO sweet. Here are my 2 favorites from the weekend:

My sweet Anne Pearce..... I don't know why I love this picture so much, but I do.......

Essie Baby Cakes..... She is the sweetest little baby ever. She really melts my heart. God has blessed us so with all 4 of our kids. Spring Break is next week, so I should be able to corner my gorgeous boys for some pictures. They look like men.....Until then, if you figure out how to freeze kiddos please send me an email ;)

I forgot to mention this when I published earlier. I have been researching a lot about my health condition (dysautonomia) looking for ANY ways to help with my symptoms. I have read about several people who are in complete remission through exercise. When I think back over the years and how my illness progressed I see how it all started to go downhill when I stopped running and working out. I started experiencing some exercise intolerance and just stopped. That was probably the worst thing I ever did.....As soon as I wrap up all the sewing getting back into shape is going to be the biggest priority after my family. I am so motivated! Knowing I can change how I feel all the time is driving me to whip this 38 year old body back into shape. I know you guys have heard this before, but I'm really ready to make myself a priority. My goal is to run again. I KNOW I can do it. It will take a lot of time and patience, but I am committed. I'll let you all know how it goes....

Love and hugs,

All good things must come to an end (or at least a slow down).....

I love to sew. Really. I do. However, I have become overwhelmed lately with the amount of sewing that I'm doing..... In all my free time I am sewing. Sewing all. the. time. I have decided to take a break from sewing for others for a while.... I want to be a good wifey and mommy for a while without distraction. I want to get creative and make some really beautiful things. I don't want to rush.... I want to go to the library and the park with my babies.... clean my house..... have a long phone conversation.... LOVE on my hubby..... As of today I am taking no new orders. I'm not saying that I won't sew at ALL for others, just not in the capacity that I was doing before. I love all you guys and appreciate all the support..... I realized today that I worked too hard to get my 2 babies here to miss all the fun of them..... I'm getting out from behind those machines and living life. Well, I will as soon as I finish my orders....

love and hugs....

Back from the mountains......

I had a great trip to Utah..... It was COLD! I left 75 degree weather and was greeted by snow when I arrived that afternoon. Essie was a champ on all the flights and charmed everyone she met..... She loved her Utah family and had a great time. Kennedy was baptized while I was there, and I was honored to be a part of it..... It was such a beautiful ceremony..... I cried like a baby. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Mormon religion the child's daddy actually baptizes them.... I'm telling you it was an amazing thing to see. Kennedy is such a special child, and you could just feel the Spirit in the room. AMAZING...... Nat and I just hung out with the kiddos most of the time. We had plans, but it was too cold to do most of them. We did manage to visit my favorite Utah eating spots.... YUM.....

Essie did well most of the time, but I quickly realized we would have to rethink our honeymoon plans. Essie just isn't close to being ready to be away from us..... She had a horrible time missing Andrew and Anne Pearce..... Anne Pearce also had a hard time without me..... Oh mommyhood. Never a break....... I am ashamed to admit that we didn't take many pictures. Nat's camera died, and my camera battery konked out....... I'll share what I do have over the next couple of days......

Here I am with the girls before Kennedy's baptism.

Trying to use the camera timer before we left for the airport....

Man, am I fat or what??? Isn't my NatNat beautiful??

I couldn't resist this one..... Nat's 2 week old nephew had just spit up..... It rolled right down the cleavage which Natalie quickly informed the entire room (full of good Mormon men). I said, "Excuse me Dennis (Nat's father) and went in for the clean up......

Honeymoon, here we come!

Ok. So, Andrew and I have never had a honeymoon or anything close to one..... Everywhere we've gone since we've been together has included the kids. First, we took Logan and Hayden with us everywhere..... We wanted to be a family. Our next trips were to Guatemala! over and over and over and over.....wonderful times seeing the babies but not very romantic. Our 5th wedding anniversary is July 8, AND WE ARE FINALLY GOING ON A HONEYMOON!!!! WHOOO HOOOOOO!!!! We think we are going to Cancun to the Sun Palace..... It's a short trip for us from Alabama, and we can be back in 5 days......close but oh so far away at the same time...... I can't imagine having my honey to myself for 5 whole days..... Can you say smooch, smooch, smooch????? Oh, I can't wait!!!! Just wanted to share....

Another thought: OH CRAP! I have to walk around in a bathing suit for 5 days.... Operation lose 20 pounds begins tomorrow. I want to wear a bikini!

love love love and hugs,

Happy Birthday, Sweet Andrew....

This man means so much to me..... More than words can describe. He is my everything..... my best friend, my companion, fabric folder, diaper changer, food cooker, laundry washer..... Above all else he is my one true love.... I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a blessing. He is such a godly man and is the best husband and father to all the kiddos and me. We are all better people for having Andrew in our lives..... I love you, darlin'....... Happy Birthday.


How gorgeous is this man of mine??

Cute Essie with snotty nose and all.....

This is probably mean, BUT I couldn't resist....

These are the only pictures I took at the Art show today except for Anne Pearce eating a chicken on a stick.... It was TOO hard to pull the ol' camera out while pushing a fussy Essie.... Anyway, when mama and I came upon this dude by himself, in the middle of the road, trying to get people to dance I HAD to stop and click.....

Can you guess what song this is from his action????

A far off shot to show you that NO one (besides those 2 preteens by the blue garbage can) were paying him ANY attention. I ALMOST went to dance with him..... I promise to take more pictures tomorrow when we go back.... I want you guys to see how fabulous this Art show really is!

Kiss kiss kiss

These are what we call Kissy Lips around our house. Anne Pearce is the originator of the kissy lip. When we want kisses she's happy to oblige..... She is so cute I can barely stand it!

Essie's Kissy Lips aren't quite as poochy as AP's, but we're working on it..... They're still sweet though!

Side view of kissy lips

This is usually what we get from Essie......

"Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, Essie... You call THOSE kissy lips??"

Sometimes the babies like each other for a few minutes.....

Anne Pearce likes to take her pj's off every chance she gets....

Night night, folks!

Hello all,

I couldn't help it..... I had to share these pictures of my sweet girlies. Their daddy took them tonight before bedtime..... It's been a very rainy weekend here in Alabama..... no going outside..... we all have cabin fever. Here's hoping for some sunshine tomorrow....

Hugs,

Loulou

Is it wrong to be SO in love with a blog???

Well, if lovin' you is wrong.... I don't wanna be right.... I am IN LOVE with my new blog design by Hannah Craner at Sherbet Blossoms designs... She rocks.... I told her some about me, and this is what she came up with.... I LOVE IT....... It's so......... loulou! Speaking of Loulou... I have been sewing like crazy and will be doing more this weekend... I leave for Utah in less than 2 weeks, and I don't want to have to be worrying about finishing things when I get back. I have A LOT to do. Yesterday I walked (yes walked) to get my hair cut and hilighted. Have I mentioned that Fairhope is fabulous?? We walk EVERYWHERE. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get some fat off of my bum! I go back to my hair girlie today for some kind of Hawaiian hair relaxer...no chemicals, all natural. It's supposed to make curly hair MUCH more manageable and take ALL the frizz away. Believe me. If you live in SOUTHERN Alabama with curly hair no frizz will be like Heaven on Earth. I'll let you gals know how it turns out.

Happy Friday!
loulou

Playing around with my girlies in the backyard....

One of the best things about our new digs is the fenced in amazing backyard. The babies love it..... It's already in the high 70's and low 80's here in Alabama, so we've been enjoying outside while we can..... It'll be in the 90's before we know it..... I've been sewing like a maniac and trying to get all the little things straight in the house...... I'll take some pictures after this weekend when we get some more little things taken care of...... For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the princessas:

Can you just see the attitude this girl has??

I know I'm cool......

This picture cracks me up..... It looks like she's doing crunches!

Yesterday was Kennedy's 8th birthday....

I miss that little girlie.... I AM headed to Utah in 19 days. Essie and I are going for Kennedy's baptism. Anne Pearce is staying home with Daddy and Grandmama.... Andrew couldn't get time off to go with me, and there's NO way I can handle the 2 of them alone on a plane..... I whipped up this little skirt for KT from some DELICIOUS Jennifer Paganelli fabric..... Doesn't it just scream SPRING??!?!?! Jennifer can do NO wrong in my eyes, and I love all her stuff. She's an amazing designer, and is always so nice to people who love her (like me) ;)....... Anyway, I'm rambling.... I just wanted to show you all Kennedy's birthday skirt...... Have a fabulous and fun weekend!

I also made a little skirt for Kennedy's American Girl Doll, Julie...... She LOVED it......

One year ago today...

This is what I wrote on my adoption blog:

Sad, sad, sad, sad day. I hate the give back days. I do miss all my family at home, but it is SO HARD to leave Essiebabycakes. She is an angel straight from heaven. I don't have the heart to post pictures right now. I will after I've been home for a couple of days. You know we need your prayers to make it home without these babies. Our children. I'm leaving my child again.

Oh, what a hard hard hard hard day that was...... I can still remember leaving that sweet baby for the 2nd of many times.... It never got easier. Now she's sitting in her high chair with her big sister eating her breakfast. Wow. What a difference a year makes. Essie has been home over 6 months, and it feels like she's always been here.... The heartache of the waiting has faded, and we are living life..... That's the happy part of this story. The devastating part of this story is still in Guatemala. Donalson. He's still there.... We don't know where, and we don't know how, BUT we believe that the story of Donalson is NOT over..... I truly BELIEVE with all my heart and soul that he is Nat's son. He is a part of that family, and I pray that one day soon he is home where he belongs. It was one year ago today that Natalie saw Donalson for the last time in person. That sweet baby. We love and miss him so......

Last March.....


Little Boy, we love and miss you so. We NEVER stop praying for you and thinking about you.


This morning.


My precious Anne Pearce....

Settling in.....

It's amazing..... I feel like we've lived here forever..... I have most of the house straight with just a few more things to do. The babies LOVE it. No more stairs, and I don't worry near as much. I already feel better not having to climb those stairs OVER and OVER all day long. The boys are happy having their own rooms again and their own man den..... Logan is back in school. THAT is a blessing in itself. When we moved we changed school districts..... That's one of the main reasons for this fast move. Logan NEEDED to be back in regular school, and I NEEDED him back for my sanity. It was SO hard trying to homeschool while taking care of 2 wild girlies and sewing..... not to mention all the duties that come with being a mama..... My parents are 5 minutes away, and they pop over all the time. It's great for me and the babies..... They load them up in their strollers and take them strolling in downtown Fairhope. The girls love it, and so does their mommy. It's great having a break for 30 minutes here and there..... From our house we can hear the clock chiming from downtown. It wakes us up at 8 every morning......much better than a beep beep beep beep of an alarm clock. This is definitely WHERE we're supposed to be. I miss Daisy and her kiddos, but Fairhope's only about 20 minutes away..... I hope to get them down here one day this week for a playdate at the park. One job I've given myself is to find some friends.... I have TONS of friends all over the place but not many here. Ever since Jenny moved I've kinda been lost. I love hanging out with my parents, but I NEED some girlfriends.... I was in such a depression before that I just couldn't reach out..... Now I feel the sun shining again. ALL my children are doing well, and life is better. I have a sewing date tomorrow with a girl I met eating lunch around Christmas. We're going to sew and let the babies play (she has a little girl AP's age). It's a start. I'm also thinking of joining the MOPS group here in Fairhope. We still have to visit some churches to decide WHERE we should be spending our Sundays. We're planning on visiting Fairhope UMC. It's right around the corner from our house..... We'll see..... For now I'm just enjoying my family one day at a time. God has blessed us in some very unlikely ways, and we are thankful for His love and guidance. To all my blogging friends I say, "Come on down!" Fairhope is a great place to visit! I can show you the town.......

On another note I'm getting a blog redo this week..... I can't wait to see it. The girl that's doing it is AMAZING. I don't want a froo froo blog anymore. I want a grown up mommy blog.... Be checking back to see it.....

love to you all,
loulou