Sew Many Excuses, Sew Little Time

My sewing machine is haunting me. It just sits on the shelf of the spare closet glaring down at me each time I open the door.

Actually, that might be the creepy little wind-up clown toy on the shelf next to it that is haunting me...

It's not that I don't like it. (My sewing machine, not the clown. I hate the clown.) In fact, I love it. I love my little Singer for all of the possibilities it represents: all of the curtains I could sew, the pillow shams I could create, the adorable clothes I could design for Grace.

But for some reason, I continue to ignore its longing gaze. I mean, there's really no excuse. I took the introduction to sewing class at Ft. Huachuca. The sewing machine comes with a step-by-step DVD. For god sake, it even has a self-threading needle. What is my problem? I started this hobby with such lofty intentions. How hard can threading the needle and winding the bobbin be?

This is what happened the last time I attempted to give the machine a little love: I cleared off the kitchen table, got everything out, and set up the machine. Then I got distracted (blame Grace or Griffin), and the machine sat there for 3 days.

Needle unthreaded.

Bobbin unwound.

This has to end. I think it's too soon to give up on my dreams of do-it-yourself drapes and homemade jumpers. My new goal for the month of March is to fire up my mini sew shop (and buy some no sew hem tape- just in case).

Tell the story of trying to learn a new talent or hobby that you only pursued briefly.

Our Week

New this week:

Tuesday

Cole left for his deployment to Afghanistan.

:(

Wednesday

I talked to Cole in Kyrgyzstan. It was snowing and two below zero there. We had sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures in NC.

Thursday

We went to the last day of Baby Massage Class. Grace loved getting her legs, feet and face massaged, but was not so much into the stomach or back massage strokes. Also, I think her umbilical hernia is gone! (Please excuse her lack of modesty)!

I also met up for lunch with a mommy from baby play class. I have to say that I am so impressed by the kindness I see in most people everyday. In a short time, I have met some amazing women who are strong, sweet, funny and generous!

Friday

We napped through rain and tornado warnings.

Oops!

I forgot to ask Cole what to do in the event of a tornado...

Saturday

Griffin, Grace and I ran the Fort Bragg 5K. It was cold and windy, but I'm glad we went. Griffin acted a bit like a maniac in the beginning. He barked at every Rottweiler, German Shepard, child and blowing leaf. Can you say Napoleon complex? However, he seemed happy once we started running and was exhausted for the rest of the day (which makes me happy)!

Grace slept through the night for the first time. She must have been exhausted, too, because she slept from 9pm all the way until 7:30am! I think I only checked on her 3 times during the night.

Weird, she sleeps better and I sleep worse!

Sunday

Cole called this morning, and his group made it to Afghanistan...

only about 8,000 miles away.

I saw this music video today for the first time. I'd heard the song before, but watching the video made me love it even more! Thanks T Swifty!

The official music video for Taylor Swift's "Ours" Copyright 2011 Big Machine Records.

P.S.

Just 4 more days and Auntie Jen is coming to visit!

WE CAN'T WAIT!

I Love You Near and Far

I knew it would happen eventually, but I was hoping it would be later rather than sooner. Cole left today for Afghanistan. He found out early last week that they were moving up his deployment date. We got to spend an amazing couple of days in Myrtle Beach this past weekend, and Cole crossed off everything on my "honey-do" list. He also patiently answered each of my "What should I do if" questions.

"What should I do if I lose my military ID card?"

"What should I do if I set off the motion control alarm and forget the passcode?"

"What should I do if the power goes out and the garage door opener won't work?"

I am so proud of my husband and his commitment to our family, his job, and our country. I wish it didn't mean that he had to leave us for a little while, but it only makes the moments spent together even more cherished. The saddest part for me is knowing that he will miss out on the little moments with Grace over the next 6-9 months. I guess that means I'll have to ramp up the picture taking even more! Grace, prepare to be bombarded like you're Jeremy Lin's grandma at the local market.

If anyone is interested in sending mail to Cole or any of the other soldiers, let me know and I'll forward the address to you as soon as I get it.

Also, this means Big Al's Bed and Breakfast is currently accepting reservations. Griffin and Grace are delightful hosts and entertainers!

Thank you so much for all of the kind words and support during this time. Cole and I are both so appreciative!

Wishing my husband safe travels, all my love, and a speedy return. I'll hold down the fort, but I can't promise I won't paint our bedroom lilac...

Reverse Bucket List

Photo Credit: Pinterest

My Reverse Bucket List

{Top 10 Things I Never Want To Do}

1. Breastfeed triplets

Holy moly. The math just doesn't add up...

2. Backpack around the world on my own

Sure, I would love to travel, but ALL ALONE, no thank you. I would want to share the experience with someone and I get lost too easily and can't do math in my head.

3. Own a snake

I do my best to avoid snakes. Voluntarily keep one in my home? Insanity.

4. Run for office

Politicians are slimy, but I would make a great First Lady...

5. Go to rehab

No, no no.

6. Grow out my body hair

Well, unless it's the second ice age...

7. Give up caffeine or wine or the internet

A vice is a vice is a vice, but sometimes a vice is nice.

8. Publicly sing The Star Spangled Banner

I have nightmares about this. I'm standing in front of a huge audience and everyone is expecting me to sing. I. Can't. Breath.

9. Go to war

Thank you to all of the men and women who VOLUNTEER to serve and protect. You are braver and stronger than I could ever be.

10. Meet Keanu Reeves

Something about him just creeps me out.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Lucky In Love

Wow! It's hard to believe that it is Valentine's Day already. This time last year, I was flying out to Ft. Benning, Georgia to see Cole at OCS and watch his branching ceremony. I couldn't have been prouder of my husband!

This year we are definitely even more lucky in love! Cole got the day off to spend with his family, and I was wrong. I am even more proud of my husband this year.

Our big Valentine's Day "date night" included steak, a movie and popcorn at home.

Griffin drowned his single sorrows with a bone.

And... Boom! Love is assembling that @*#!ing chair for Grace's room. Thank you hubbins! (Now just a few more things to do and her room will be finished.)

As usual, Grace is not impressed.

Sending hugs to loved ones near and far!

XOXO!

If You Give A Mom An Hour...

If you give a mom an hour, she's going to want to take a shower.

When she goes into the bathroom, she'll probably need a towel.

When she opens the dryer, she'll realize she needs to fold the clothes.

Then she will want to put the clothes away, so they don't sit in the basket for a week.

When she looks in the closet, she'll remember she's out of milk. So she will probably go to the kitchen to add it to her grocery list.

When she's finished taking inventory of the pantry and fridge, she'll want to make a quick bite to eat. She'll pop a frozen burrito into the microwave. She might get carried away and make some guacamole. She may even pour herself a glass of lemonade as well!

When she's done, she'll probably want to empty the dishwasher. She'll wipe down the counters, call her sister and let the dog outside, and back inside, and back outside.

She'll probably run and grab the mail. She'll leaf through the magazines and junk mail and then open a card from a friend. When she reads the card, she'll get so excited she'll want to write one of her own. She'll go to the office to get paper and a pen.

She'll write a note. When the note is finished, she'll want put it in an envelope and put a stamp on it.

Then she'll want to address the note, so she'll pull out her iPhone. Which means she'll...check Facebook real fast. (I swear!)

She'll address the letter and put it on the counter to mail tomorrow. Looking at the counter will remind her that she wants to take a shower so... she'll head to the bathroom and turn on the water.

And chances are if the water's hot and she just put shampoo in her hair, she's going to hear baby Grace crying and awake from her nap...

*This post inspired by Mama's Losin' It writer's workshop

Football Fun

While I would have MUCH PREFERRED a 49ers v. Patriots Super Bowl XLVI, I'm still excited to watch the game (and the commercials)! I even made a pool for our family to make it a little more interesting! Come on big money!

Tonight I'm going to be rooting for Eli and the Giants (and if the Giants win, I'll just assume the 49ers would have won too)! Ha! Just think of all the pressure Eli has had to live with having Peyton as his older brother... besides, Tom Brady has Gisele (and 3 Super Bowl rings).

(This always cracks me up!)

Happy football watching day!

My Husband: An Officer and a Gentleman

He's home!

(At Least for a little while)

It is wonderful!

Wonderful to not always haul that car seat around by myself.

Wonderful to have someone to share a full pot of coffee with in the morning.

Wonderful to eat dinner together.

And clean up from dinner together.

Wonderful to lay on the floor and play with our daughter.

Together.

I like the sound of that.