First 9 patch

I attended my first quilting bee this week. It was interesting to say the least. I learned a lot and attempted a patch this weekend. This is it. I'm proud it's finished, but oh it is bad!! The squares are uneven, the grain is not consistent with each patch, but you know what, I did all by myself! I conquered the sewing machine, and won. Meeting some women who have been quilting for decades is pretty amazing. There are lots tricks and patience is required. I really want to create something beautiful, but I guess I have to start with baby steps. Its funny how this applies to life. How often to I want the "beautiful, finished product", but don't want to put the time and hard work required to get that product. I feel my journey to become a parent is like this 9 patch. I want it to be perfect now! God is working on me, he wants me to practice, to be patient, and not give up! That is what I will have to do with my adoption journey (and quilting) if I want to eventually have the end products I dream of!

Sadie, the Mat and a Little Bit of Rain

Covering God Up

If I asked you these 5 questions, What is your FIRST thought? Be Honest.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?(I hit snooze)
What are you doing tomorrow?(watching Texas/OU football game)
What are you doing this weekend?(celebrating wedding anniversary)
What do you want most in the world?(children)
What will make you happy?(I'm not sure)


These were the questions we asked our Junior High youth group on Wednesday. They placed their answers on post it notes.  We then discussed the questions and had them place their sticky notes with their answers on a heart shaped cutout with the word God on it, and guess what? God was covered up by answers like football, tests, birthday parties, and cheese(random, but we did say first thought). This is why I love the junior high youth group. We make stuff very simple, yet can be so awakening to any age. We cover God up with life. Nowhere in my answers did I say pray, go to church, help poor, etc. And really, we are all seeking happiness, yet when asked I couldn't define in the first thought what would make me happy. We are distracted daily on our journey through life. Our activities are not bad or wrong, but sometimes we get off track from what is important.

Sunrises and Stuff

You haven't seen me in awhile, but only because life has gotten in the way. I have been so tired from work that all I want to do when I get home is take a break. I don't want to even look at a computer! I love October. If I had to pick a favorite month this would be it. The weather starts to change, I celebrate my wedding anniversary, youth group at church gets in full swing, Rangers baseball in post-season play, and the smells of pumpkin and apples permeate my house. 

One topic I have blogged about, is what waiting families(including us) should do during our adoption wait. It seems like be the end of this journey to parenthood I'm going to be very well rounded(or have lots of new projects that will never get finished!). Newest activity up is quilting! I plan to start a beginning quilting bee. When the nice woman called to give me options for which bee to pick, I said "I would like the one for people who don't know how to sew!" She paused, but then found a place for me. What a nice lady!  I have a sewing machine from when I was gung-ho about this same activity about 7 years ago. Machine is still in the box and I dusted it off this weekend. I have found that I have the same road block, and that is, HOW DO I USE THIS SEWING MACHINE?  I will update you as this journey continues, lets hope I can figure this out!

Another activity I started about 3 months ago is Crossfit. I get up and go to this workout class at 630 almost every weekday and have really started to enjoy it. For those of you who are looking for a great workout that really improves strength, and doesn't take very long I would recommend this. I will be fit and ready to chase a toddler around when we get to that stage!  Getting up that early can be difficult, but the reward is great! For instance today, the sunrise was spectacular. What a great time to pray and reflect! 

I have included something I saw that made me laugh! Hope you laugh today too...