Happy Birthday Ruby!

I can't believe that my little Ruby is 6!

Ruby was named after Ruby Haight. The first time Eric and I met Ruby Haight we both walked away in love with her. She was a tiny little lady with a huge heart, a wonderful smile and an incredible strength about her . Not long after that we both decided that if the next baby was a girl she would be named Ruby.
Our little Ruby is such a bright spirit in our home. She too has a huge heart, great smile and is incredibly strong.



Ruby is obsessed with her hair and clothes. She always wears a skirt, carries a purse and often asks after she gets dressed if what she is wearing is "style".


She is our only child that cut her own hair.


Ruby loves to sew and she is really good at it. She knows how to use all the features of my machine and even drops the needle to turn her fabric.

She loves to design outfits and says that she wants to be a clothes maker. I'm just guessing that she will probably go into design of some kimd when she grows up. Last year as I was putting her to bed I had to take a photo of how she designed her shelf. She had arranged all of her favorite things as if she was designing a window display.

Ruby is very creative. Usually her bad choices have to do with art or make up supplies. She is a leader, sometimes for good...sometimes for bad but she is always having fun so

Ruby has a special relationship with her Dad. She has him completly wrapped around her finger.

It is a tradition in our home that when you wake up on your birthday you have the birthday quilt on your bed. Then later that day when we hang the quilt we take the birthday person's photo in front of the quilt. It is fun to look back at past years to see how much they have grown.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!

DONE!

I just come out of the sewing zone.
My house is a disaster, who knows if my kids have been fed or bathed in days... but I finished all 16 of my blocks. Our quilt group is doing a 4" heart (everyone using the same pattern) Valentines block exchange and we are only allowed to use white, red and black fabric. I can't wait to see all the other blocks!
(Before anyone calls CPS, my kids are fine. They are all still alive and will recover quickly.)

Now onto the mermaid skirts!

Star Fall

This is the best site for preschoolers! It's super easy, very fun and educational. My 3 year old is totally hooked on the alphabet game. There are also reading games for kids learning to read.

Mandatory panty inspection

A few month ago as we were getting out of the car after church, I realized that Lucy (3) did not have panties on. I was horrified and thinking “what kind of Mom takes her kid to church without panties on?”.

Today sitting in Sacrament meeting Lucy was cleaning up colored pencils off the floor when I realized... she was commando. WHAT? How did this happen again? I had her clothes out on my bed and was in the room getting ready while she got dressed. Once again horrified that I am THAT Mom. I told the other girls I was taking her to the bathroom and ran home with her to get some panties.

I will now be requiring a mandatory panty inspection before getting in the car for church.

Double Date

Today Eric and I ditched the kids and went on a date with John & Kira. We went to downtown LA to go shopping. It really is like going to a different country. Of course we hit the fabric district where I scored on 10 yards of super cheep green mermaid skin fabric for Ruby's birthday party(I'm making little mermaid skirts for the girls). Kira and I were looking for fabric for a Valentines quilt block exchange, we bought some, but nothing too exciting.


We ate dinner at my favorite place to eat in LA. As you can see from the photo it is really fine dining. The have the best spagetti, garlic bread, and gelato ever.

After dinner we went across the street to The Grove shopping center. There is a huge Anthropology store there that Kira and I were loving. Check out how cute these aprons are. I want to sew one.


We were cracking up at Eric and John reading the books the whole time like they were at the library.

It was raining and cold but didn't matter. We had so much fun and laughed so hard I am going to be sore tomorrow. It was fun to spend the day together kid free.

The kids had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa (Hawley & John). When we picked them up they said "We had fun- they fed us tons of junk" then they listed all the treats they had. Sound good to me!

The road to California

Yesterday was the 1st day of the Road to California quilt show. It is the largest quilt show in Southern California. I have wanted to go every year, but have not been able to.

Yesterday Lucy had preschool so all three girls were in school! I decided that I was going to go. Eric said that he would go with me...WHAT? I thought he was kidding, but no, he said that he would go just to spend time with me ( I realize he has ulterior motives with this, but I didn't care). Husband of the year award anyway.

He will never admit it but I actually think he had a great time. The best was when we were paying to get in, he said to the lady “Do I have to pay for myself, I don’t even want to be here.” Everyone cracked up laughing and a guy behind us in line said “I was thinking the same thing- I just did not want to say it out loud”. All the old ladies (I looked like an embryo in that room) loved him.

We saw some amazing quilts. Here are a few photos of some I thought were cool:

This was made up of thousands of blocks that were all 1/2 inch. Holy cow!

This was called The chaos of the 12 days of Christmas, it was very funny.


I love Halloween. There were only two Halloween quilts, this was my favorite.

I want this quilt! I don't want to make it, I just want it.

This quilt was called "My Garden". Love it! Again, this is only a top section of the quilt.

Love it!

There were several quilts made from children's drawings about hurricane Katrina, so sad.

There was a booth with African embroidery kits. I love the way they look. I have embroidered some art work from my girls on white, but after seeing these I can't wait to embroider one of their pictures on black. I love the look of it. You can check out or purchase their kits here.

Do you know what this is???

It is an orange tree...frozen. You know trees that grow in warm climates because they do not do well in cold ones. It has been getting below freezing here in beautiful sunny southern California. Oranges cannot go below freezing or it does bad stuff to them so the growers spray the trees with water and have sprinklers going all night to freeze the trees (so they do not go below freezing). It seriously looks like Frozone has visited the orange groves all around our house.




It has been soo cold. I swear that our houses and heaters are not built with this kind of weather in mind. Saturday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to roast marshmallows in front of the fire. The fire felt so good. It was the 1st time I had felt warm all day.

Also I wanted to thank Jenny and Rebecca for some good mail that I received. Jenny sent me one of her cute clip boards along with a ton of other goodies (I should have taken a photo before everything was taken by little hands) for myself and for my girls. One of the things she sent was a little journal that I have been taking to church to take notes (thanks to Jill's good idea).

Rebecca sent me the cutest thank you for helping her with her operation B-1000. So creative I feel like I need to send you a thank you for your thank you.

Eric is working the night shift this week so he will be home all day. I am excited to have him around. Now if our weather would just go back to normal...the novelty is gone.

WHAT IS THIS?

Today I woke up the whole house by screaming (no that is not the normal way I wake up my girls). I opened the blinds and it had snowed! We live in Southern California, not too far from Palm Springs it doesn’t snow here...but it did today! We were all so excited about the snow that Eric was late to work (so he could have a snowball fight with the girls). My girls were late to school because when we got to school we realized that we forgot their backpacks, so we ran back home.The car ride to school was interesting-both times. Ruby kept saying you have to send a picture to Grandma Bonnie so she can see the snow (fyi-Grandma lives in Salt Lake). Then Lucy busted out with her story that If you throw a big snowball at a little bumble bee- it will die. Ruby told her that you cannot kill animals, it would make Heavenly Father sad...unless you need to eat them, she added. Lucy let us all know that she did not want to eat a bee.
Glad we got that cleared up. When I dropped of the kids at school everyone was smiling, taking pictures and so excited about the snow. Haley said "this is going to be the best day ever" as I dropped her off at school.

A great idea!

I want to share this great idea for those of you that have an embroidery machine.

Ruby's new Primary teacher called everyone the week before church to find out what their favorite color was. Then on Sunday she handed out personalized scarves to each child in her class (the teacher wore one too). These were a huge hit and all the kids were so proud to be in their new class.

The scarves were just fleece that she had cut. So they were inexpensive, and quick to make, but they had a huge impact on the class.

Beyond gross?

I knew before we had children that they would occasionaly do things that were gross, but I also knew that no matter what they did I would still love them. Since having children we have experienced many things that I would deem undesirable even embarrassing. We have had children eat gum from under the table in a public place...more then once. We have had a child that continually left surprises for me when laundering her panties. I have had one of my sweet little girls pick up a slug the size of a Dodger dog(it's folded in half in the photo) on a hike where we were unable to wash her hands. There are many more examples I could give, but you get the point.


All these were pretty gross, however I was able to get over them. Last night something happened so gross, so disgusting I literally could not speak. I will NEVER get over it.

****Warning- If you are pregnant or have issues with a strong gag reflex, this is your chance to turn away and not expose yourself to what I am about to write.*****




Last night while tucking one of my sweet, beautiful little Daughter’s (I will not say who, on the grounds that it may endanger her life) into bed, she informed me that.........she likes to fry her buggers on the light bulb over her bed, and eat them!!!!!!!!!!

I thought she was kidding, but no she was totally serious. Holy cow! This is not normal. This is seriously the sickest thing I have ever heard. I need counseling.

I was literally speechless so Eric gave her a huge talk about buggers and why you should not eat them. He also reminded her that cooking is not allowed in her room and if she does it again he will remove the “stove”.

The amazing thing is I do still love her...I just may never touch her or her room again.

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's 100 things about themselves so I too decided to do one about myself. It was hard to come up with 100, but here they are:

Who's That Girl? ( Insert Annie Lennox singing)

1. I have a hard time being serious.
2. I love to laugh.
3. I do not eat red meat as a result of my Grandfather taking me to a slaughter house to pick up dinner when I was 8 years old.
4. I do not like Doctors and avoid them at all costs. (except for the one I sleep with).
5. I was one of several on the cover of Richard Simmons 1983 album "Reach".

Front row center, little blond girl reaching in front of her face.

6. Someday I want my own sewing room.
7. I drive fast and take corners too hard.
8. I love telling stories, but hate writing them down. Blogging is good therapy for me.
9. I have had three c sections.
10. I talk to my Sister on the phone every day.
11. One of the best things in my life is my husband, I love that guy.
12. I love fabric. I love making things with fabric. I love collecting fabric. I love holding fabric. I love touching fabric. I love smelling fabric. Okay, I have gone too far.
13. I have tons of uncompleted projects right now and several in my head I can't wait to start.
14. I am reliable.
15. I have never felt that I am smart, but I think I do a decent job convincing people I am.
16. I love to eat corn bread with honey butter.
17. I love to kiss the top of my girl’s noses.
18. I was a total "valley girl", growing up in the San Fernando valley, in fact a missionary in our ward taped me talking to send home to his family.

19. As a "valley girl" I hung out at the Glendale Galleria in my CBH- Camp Beverly Hills shirts.
20. I swam competitively in High School and made it to City championships.
21. I did not make it as a cheerleader- I have no rhythm.
22. I love to dance with my girls, but will not dance in front of others.
23. I have a constant feeling of gratitude for my many blessings.
24. I would rather water-ski then snow ski any day.
25. Watching the 4th of July fireworks from a boat on Lake Arrowhead has been my favorite tradition for as long as I can remember.
26. Watching my Husband and 3 girls watch the fireworks from a boat on Lake Arrowhead was a dream come true.
27. I still miss my Father who died 14 years ago.

28. I love a clean house but hate to clean.
29. I hate smog.
30. I modeled as a child. I was worked for Mattel(Barbie boxes), Kodak print work and others.

31. I burned off all the eyelashes on one eye with a curling iron while waiting for a photo shoot.
32. I loved living in New Orleans.
33. I love Mardi Gras.
34. I am a horabul speler
35. My sewing machine makes me giddy.
36. I am not easily offended (unless # 85 applies).
37. I have traveled to Russia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Checkoslavakia, Germany, England, Canada and Mexico.
38. I am 5 ft 6 in tall
39. I love In and Out Burger, they have a great grilled cheese with grilled onions.
40. I love being around people, it makes me happy.
41. I love doing craft projects with my kids.
42. I am terrible at saying goodbye and avoid it if possible.
43. I love animals.
44. I have to eat something sweet after every meal…dessert is best but it usually ends up being gum.
45. I have a hard time with moderation.
46. I love to scuba dive.
47. I think about scuba diving when I can't sleep.
48. I say "holy cow" a lot
49. I love change but hate transition.
50. I say "Get out of the kitchen" a lot

51. I had my braces go through my upper lip in an accident.
52. I never wear lipstick because of the scar.
53. I drink lots of ice water.
54. I have bad allergies and sinus problems.
55. I have a peeling skin condition on my hands and feet (Dyshidrotic Eczema).
56. I love going to the beach.
57. I love reading blogs, but am not so good at commenting.
58. I like bright, loud Pjs.
59. Somehow I manage to be frugal and wasteful at the same time.
60. I have not had a hair cut or color since June.
61. I am happy that our Disneyland passes expired yesterday. You can have too much of a good thing.
62. I cry when I watch the Olympics.
63. I am blind without contacts.
64. I have a ton of dental work.
65. I am afraid of heights.
66. I love red hots.
67. I want to adopt a child or children.
68. I like country music.
69. I like to sing to Broadway musicals in the car.
70. When my husband tells me about something sad at the hospital, I say a prayer for the person or family when I hang up the phone.
71. I do not like scary movies or TV shows.
72. I like mindless entertainment.
73. I am currently going through withdrawal for Grey’s Anatomy.
74. I have a bum fetish.
75. I make lists for everything.
76. I /We almost never eat out.
77. I worked for Sundance Catalog for 6 years as their Inventory Purchasing Manager.
78. I love artwork and sell things and sacrificed to be able to buy pieces I like.
Louise Richards Farnsworth

79. I want to have Lee Bennion paint my daughters portraits...someday.
80. I love Balboa Island.
81. I took 4 years of Spanish in High School and college.
82. I wish I could speak Spanish.
83. I love mint chip ice cream.
84. I love John Mayer’s music, although I have a hard time looking at him.
85. I am not nice when pregnant, nursing or PMSing.
86. I smile at strangers.
87. I love all fruit.
88. I don't like taking dinner to people.
89. I like dark Chocolate, I tolerate milk chocolate.
90. I sweat when I am nervous.
91. I am impatient.
92. I think I am bipolar- my husband assures me I am not.
93. Family is very important to me.
94. I love onions.
95. I think tomatoes are of the devil.
96. I love to quilt.
97. I have no clue what is "in" and what is "out" in regards to clothing.
98. I wear sunglasses all the time.
99. I had a great childhood.
100. I have a great life.

My 2007 New Years Resolution

I have put a lot of thought into what goals to set for 2007. I love to make goals, but rarely stick to them. I always resolve to exercise, but I have never continued to exercise for longer then a month. I have this ability to keep myself so busy that I conveniently only have time to do that which I want to do (translation that which is fun). So I have decided to make ONE New Years Resolution, just one. So here it is:

I am going to read the scriptures every day. I am going to read them every night with my family before family prayer and I am going to read them by myself each night before I go to bed.

I can do this. I will do this. I know that this will bring more improvement to me personally and my family then any thing else I could resolve to do.

Par-tay!

Ms. Dori and her kids came by yesterday after Disneyland and spent the night at our house. What a party we have had! Our kids got along so well.




Haley taught Melaina how to use the Endo board, Ruby and McKay planned their wedding and Lucy took care of the “baby” that is only a year younger then she is.

I am so thankful for the time we spent in New Orleans, we met some of the greatest people that have changed our lives through their examples. Dori is one of the most amazing Mothers I know. She is so patient and a master of redirection. She finds constant joy in who her children are. We had so much fun with them.

Here is a photo of my Pink Christmas gift from Holly Larson. I wore it to church on Sunday and everyone loved it.
Thanks Holly!



Also on Sunday our Bishop mentioned that they write down their New Years resolutions and put them in their stockings before packing them away. Ours are already packed far far away, but if yours are not this is a great idea.