This was our first Christmas, just the three of us.
It was wonderful! We actually had to wake Jer up at 9 to get him to open his presents. The poor kid hadn't seen his pillow before 11 three nights in a row! Once he finally woke, he s l o w l y opened each gift. We had to prod him to rip the paper! Jerek received gifts from Santa and Rudolph this year . . . out of the blue he became obsessed with Rudolph and was more excited about him coming to drop off gifts then Santa!
We also celebrated Christmas with my parents on Christmas Eve. My sister and her boyfriend (and their dog) joined us from Atlanta. We had a great night of eating, opening gifts, and playing.
Christmas with Jason's parents was Christmas day. We left our house around 11:30, snacked quick, and then opened gifts with his parents, 3 brothers, grandfather, and a brother's girlfriend. Then, lots of family showed up to eat and play with the new Wii.
We had such a blessed and joyful Christmas. We couldn't have asked for much more!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
a little bit of Christmas fun
We have been extremely busy, getting ready for Christmas, at home, at church, and with family. Last weekend was jammed packed with 3 Christmas parties, a baby shower I hosted, church, and a beautifully terrifying snowstorm. One of the parties was the annual Beamon Christmas party that the in-laws always hold. Below are some pictures. We had a ton of fun.
I also finished another baby sweater yesterday. Pictures will be uploaded soon as well as pictures of the almost finished baby sweater for Bethany and the hat!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
One Month Later
My, what a busy month. Went straight through November without posting. I subbed quite a bunch, we were much busier over Thanksgiving because my dad came to town, busy with church, lots of 31 parties. BUSY! I also got some knitting done. A sweater for my cousin Kate, which I neglected to get a picture of, a hat, and more work on Bethany's sweater and hat set. I also finished that hat over Thanksgiving.
We also got to put our very first Christmas tree as a family of three! Having lived with the in-laws for the past 3 1/2 years, our Christmases were always celebrated with them and we never had our "own" tree. This year we got an almost brand new one, for only $10 from a friend, bought the decorations and lights on sale and spent the day after Thanksgiving decorating!
We also got to put our very first Christmas tree as a family of three! Having lived with the in-laws for the past 3 1/2 years, our Christmases were always celebrated with them and we never had our "own" tree. This year we got an almost brand new one, for only $10 from a friend, bought the decorations and lights on sale and spent the day after Thanksgiving decorating!
Jerek decided that decorating was boring and just ate the candy canes for awhile!
Lighting the tree MY way; every branch wrapped.
It took forever, but it turned out beautiful!
BEAUTIFUL!
Happy Family!
Monday, November 1, 2010
trick or treating and a sweater!
Monstrous Nightmare from How To Train Your Dragon
blowing fire!
roaring
with his best buds; Ariel and the Flash
sweet lil pumpkin
he got tired
reading his new halloween book with Mana
In addition to all of our Halloween festivities, I was able to finish knitting Jerek's sweater! All that is left is to sew on the zipper and the buttons. I have also been working on Bethany's sweater again.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
busy
Busy, busy, busy week last week. Subbed Tuesday through Thursday, which we were so thankful for, but sheesh, I didn't get anything done! Then Friday showed up and I had to hustle to try and do some minimal cleaning and get packed for the weekend in addition to taking a trip to the zoo to see an old friend. We spend the weekend at my hubby's grandmother's house so that we don't have to make the drive back and forth to church 4 times. Then Saturday was a FULL day with women's Bible study in the morning, grocery shopping, a Thirty One party, and then church. We got back to Grandma's and I crashed on the couch. Sunday was a fun day of church in the morning, an afternoon spent with good friends, and then dinner with the in-laws. Phew! Needless to say, not much knitting happened.
I have also decided to stop working on Bethany's sweater and finish up Jerek's. I have realized that 90-99% of what I have knit has been for others, not my family or myself. So, the baby sweater is hibernating as I finish up the sleeve for Jer's sweater and then finish assembling. I was hoping to finish it this week, but with having to sew up some dragon feet for Jer's Hallowen costume, it may wait until next week.
Here's some fun pics of week last week!
I have also decided to stop working on Bethany's sweater and finish up Jerek's. I have realized that 90-99% of what I have knit has been for others, not my family or myself. So, the baby sweater is hibernating as I finish up the sleeve for Jer's sweater and then finish assembling. I was hoping to finish it this week, but with having to sew up some dragon feet for Jer's Hallowen costume, it may wait until next week.
Here's some fun pics of week last week!
Making Pizzas
Making Scarecrow Jerek and Painting a Pumpkin
Monday, October 18, 2010
20 hours in
I think that is how long I have been working on Bethany's baby sweater so far. Frogged 5 times, completely. I finally have a gauge right and I have about 2 inches knit and it is looking good. I decided to do a hem instead of leaving the cast on edge as the bottom edge. I learned how to do this from this pattern. I made it for a friend's daughter last year. To date it is my proudest knit. It makes the knit piece look more professionally done and finished.
So, I continue on this little journey of creating my own pattern and design. I plan on taking some pictures of my progress this afternoon. I hope she loves it!
I also began up-cycling some sweaters last week that I bought from Goodwill. The purses I intend to sew from the felted sweaters had to wait though. Our drain on the washer plugged and flooded the garage. I was mortified, thinking the sweater "turds" (as I call them) had plugged the drain. Luckily for me, the plumber said that the drain had been clogged for a long time, probably long before we moved in. PHEW!
Of the three sweaters I bought, only 2 felted and the beautiful cream 100% mohair sweater only shrunk. What disappointment! It was that sweater I had planned on being the bulk of a cream, square purse with a red flower accent. Unbeknown to me, the sweater was either superwash (meaning treated to prevent felting) or the chemicals to make it cream-colored prevented it from felting. But it did shrink down to a nice size, just right for me! I plan on wearing it rather then carrying it.
So, I continue on this little journey of creating my own pattern and design. I plan on taking some pictures of my progress this afternoon. I hope she loves it!
I also began up-cycling some sweaters last week that I bought from Goodwill. The purses I intend to sew from the felted sweaters had to wait though. Our drain on the washer plugged and flooded the garage. I was mortified, thinking the sweater "turds" (as I call them) had plugged the drain. Luckily for me, the plumber said that the drain had been clogged for a long time, probably long before we moved in. PHEW!
Of the three sweaters I bought, only 2 felted and the beautiful cream 100% mohair sweater only shrunk. What disappointment! It was that sweater I had planned on being the bulk of a cream, square purse with a red flower accent. Unbeknown to me, the sweater was either superwash (meaning treated to prevent felting) or the chemicals to make it cream-colored prevented it from felting. But it did shrink down to a nice size, just right for me! I plan on wearing it rather then carrying it.
Turds I pulled out of the washer
Those yet to be fished out . . .
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
frog, rip-it
Stitches are too far apart using the size 9s for the 1x1 border. I am going to make another swatch in 1x1 rib and use smaller needles. Figure out how many stitches I need to equal 19 inches, cast on, knit the border (not sure how big I am going to make it yet) and then decrease the stitches to get them back down to 96 for the body.
I took some measurements of a newborn size jacket my friend (Bethany's SIL) has for her baby girl. Although, it is newborn, she says her daughter still swims in it, so I figured I could add a 1/2-1 inches to those measurements. I took bottom to armpit measurements and sleeve measurements. Hopefully these will work out.
I took some measurements of a newborn size jacket my friend (Bethany's SIL) has for her baby girl. Although, it is newborn, she says her daughter still swims in it, so I figured I could add a 1/2-1 inches to those measurements. I took bottom to armpit measurements and sleeve measurements. Hopefully these will work out.
Monday, October 11, 2010
cast on
Bethany's sweater is officially cast on! I did some math and figured that I needed to CO 96 stitches as my gauge was 5 stitches per inch and I need 19 inches. I am starting with a 1x1 rib in hopes of achieving the "triangle border" that the gap page highlights. After talking with some people on ravelry, they all explained to me that it is just a small 1x1 rib that is making the triangle looking border. So, that is where I begin.
Picture to be posted soon!
Picture to be posted soon!
Friday, October 8, 2010
5 years
Today is my 5 year anniversary. It is strange to think at just the tender age of 25, I have already been married for 5 years. It feels more like an eternity.
I have changed as a person. I have grown up and matured. The hardships we have had to endure have changed who I am, my character. But it has all been worth more then the struggle. My selfishness has been diminished and I now understand (at least to some degree) what it means to sacrificially and unconditionally love. To put another before yourself and love that person wholly and completely even when you want to scream at him. I have learned that in order to make a marriage work, my time and energy has to be devoted to loving and upholding, respecting and honoring, and placing the needs of my spouse far above my own. And God has so richly blessed me with a spouse who does the same for me. When we are both striving to love the other, we end up receiving far more love then what we need to carry on.
I have been challenged and strengthened, as a woman, as a wife, and as a Christian more so in the last 5 years then at any other time in my life. I was halfway through my pregnancy with our son on our first anniversary. Not only were we still learning to live with each other, learning to identify our wants and needs in view of the other, and learning how to love each other in the context of marriage, we were bombarded with the fears, anxieties, joys, and hopes of becoming parents. My body was constantly changing and I struggled with how my husband might perceive me as I got bigger and bigger.
Being a mother has proven to be the hardest and most beautiful experience I have ever had. It has shown me what it is to truly love and also the heart retching disappointment my Father must feel when I have sinned. I have the most wonderful son in the world. He is smart and intuitive. He is loving and affectionate. He is a blessing. He also pushes the limits as far as possible and drives me crazy! But I love him more and more each day, waiting expectantly to see how God will mold him and use him.
We have struggled financially, constantly having to deal with lay-offs and company closings. I have had to learn how to make do with little, humble myself to accept help from others, and ask Jesus to comfort and strengthen my heart when my hope and joy seemed unreachable. I have had to learn to be content in whatever situation God places us in, knowing that His plan and purpose for our lives is far greater then any of our dreams, knowing that the journey is just as important as the end.
I am looking forward to my anniversary next year. To see where God has placed us, how he is using us, and how much more he will mold us. I am hoping that in another 5 years, who I am now will be just another memory and that I will be more conformed to the image of my Jesus.
I have changed as a person. I have grown up and matured. The hardships we have had to endure have changed who I am, my character. But it has all been worth more then the struggle. My selfishness has been diminished and I now understand (at least to some degree) what it means to sacrificially and unconditionally love. To put another before yourself and love that person wholly and completely even when you want to scream at him. I have learned that in order to make a marriage work, my time and energy has to be devoted to loving and upholding, respecting and honoring, and placing the needs of my spouse far above my own. And God has so richly blessed me with a spouse who does the same for me. When we are both striving to love the other, we end up receiving far more love then what we need to carry on.
I have been challenged and strengthened, as a woman, as a wife, and as a Christian more so in the last 5 years then at any other time in my life. I was halfway through my pregnancy with our son on our first anniversary. Not only were we still learning to live with each other, learning to identify our wants and needs in view of the other, and learning how to love each other in the context of marriage, we were bombarded with the fears, anxieties, joys, and hopes of becoming parents. My body was constantly changing and I struggled with how my husband might perceive me as I got bigger and bigger.
Being a mother has proven to be the hardest and most beautiful experience I have ever had. It has shown me what it is to truly love and also the heart retching disappointment my Father must feel when I have sinned. I have the most wonderful son in the world. He is smart and intuitive. He is loving and affectionate. He is a blessing. He also pushes the limits as far as possible and drives me crazy! But I love him more and more each day, waiting expectantly to see how God will mold him and use him.
We have struggled financially, constantly having to deal with lay-offs and company closings. I have had to learn how to make do with little, humble myself to accept help from others, and ask Jesus to comfort and strengthen my heart when my hope and joy seemed unreachable. I have had to learn to be content in whatever situation God places us in, knowing that His plan and purpose for our lives is far greater then any of our dreams, knowing that the journey is just as important as the end.
I am looking forward to my anniversary next year. To see where God has placed us, how he is using us, and how much more he will mold us. I am hoping that in another 5 years, who I am now will be just another memory and that I will be more conformed to the image of my Jesus.
5 wonderful years ago
03/22/07
us today
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
pulled just a little
I feel like I am fairly decent knitter. My mere 3 1/2 years of knitting has taken me far beyond the dilapidated scarf that was my first attempt. The poor thing was twice it's size in only 20 rows! I am good at taking a pattern and changing the stitches or the gauge to get what I need. Which is why I love knitting baby wear. I love making something for a new baby that can be played in and yet passed down to the next generation. I love the gratification of finishing a product quickly. But I especially love how easy it is to change things is a pattern to make it mine. With a baby pattern, I am only working with small numbers of stitches and the math is fairly easy.
But I want to do more.
I have decided that just messing with someone's pattern isn't enough for me. I want to design my own stuff. So, almost a year ago, I ordered this book for 5 little pages. But I have a feeling they are going to be well worth the $20 or so I spent on it. Those pages teach you how to build a sweater. The math that is involved.
Then I freaked out because of my fear of failure and my obsession with perfection (thank you first born syndrome). So, the book has sat, unused. It's wealth of knowledge only pondered over, never explored.
Until now.
My dear friend Bethany is preggo. She is a fantastic photographer and takes our family pictures every year. This year we had her drive AAAALLLLL the way out to our new town to take pictures of our family at the county fair. You can see them here. It was a long drive and a long evening for the poor mommy-to-be. So, I told her I would knit her something or a few things as props or for the baby. She asked me to knit her this. Super cute and I totally thought that I would be able to find a similar pattern, fudge the gauge to make it 0-3 months, and possible have to change the edging.
Boy was I wrong.
I have searched, and searched, and searched ravelry.com to try and find something similar, to no avail.
So, I have finally pulled out the forgotten book and I am now going to start the process of designing a pattern for Bethany's baby. It will be my first totally original pattern and I have promised to name it after the baby, which means it won't have a name until the end of February when she has the baby.
I plan on posting my progress and my finished product. Hopefully I can put pics up here of little baby in it as well.
But I want to do more.
I have decided that just messing with someone's pattern isn't enough for me. I want to design my own stuff. So, almost a year ago, I ordered this book for 5 little pages. But I have a feeling they are going to be well worth the $20 or so I spent on it. Those pages teach you how to build a sweater. The math that is involved.
Then I freaked out because of my fear of failure and my obsession with perfection (thank you first born syndrome). So, the book has sat, unused. It's wealth of knowledge only pondered over, never explored.
Until now.
My dear friend Bethany is preggo. She is a fantastic photographer and takes our family pictures every year. This year we had her drive AAAALLLLL the way out to our new town to take pictures of our family at the county fair. You can see them here. It was a long drive and a long evening for the poor mommy-to-be. So, I told her I would knit her something or a few things as props or for the baby. She asked me to knit her this. Super cute and I totally thought that I would be able to find a similar pattern, fudge the gauge to make it 0-3 months, and possible have to change the edging.
Boy was I wrong.
I have searched, and searched, and searched ravelry.com to try and find something similar, to no avail.
So, I have finally pulled out the forgotten book and I am now going to start the process of designing a pattern for Bethany's baby. It will be my first totally original pattern and I have promised to name it after the baby, which means it won't have a name until the end of February when she has the baby.
I plan on posting my progress and my finished product. Hopefully I can put pics up here of little baby in it as well.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
just for inspiration
Found this site on accident. Fell in love with this guy's photos. I would love to have an eye and a perspective like his.
Here is one of my favorites:
http://inphotos.org/boy-all-alone-on-the-street/
Here is one of my favorites:
http://inphotos.org/boy-all-alone-on-the-street/
Thursday, September 23, 2010
a little something for me!
Spent some time (too much time really) the last two days searching Ravelry for a gauntlet and cowl combo to knit for myself for this fall/winter. I decided that when I finish the sweater for Baby M, finish Jer's sweater, and finish re-casting off the cuffs on the sweater I made for him last year, I may just have time for a little something for myself. That is, if I can squeeze it in before the next round of baby knitting (and yes, pun intended).
Anyway, here are my two patterns of choice, for now . . .
Cabled Fingerless Gloves - gotta love the cute little beads! I have the perfect little silvery-white seed beads to use for these.
AND
Fresco Basket Whip Cowl - I already plan on having to make this longer, I want the "hood" look to be higher on my head.
I am thinking that I am going to use the Naturally Caron Country yarn I picked up at Hobby Lobby, on clearance for 2 bucks a skein. Can't walk away from that! I have 3 or 4 skeins in a very sultry and elegant Claret. I am in love with this yarn, even though it is flawed and I get frustrated every time I use it. It is splitty, but the sheen and colors and softness are scrumptious.
My biggest feat to overcome? Pulling off wearing both . . . .
Anyway, here are my two patterns of choice, for now . . .
Cabled Fingerless Gloves - gotta love the cute little beads! I have the perfect little silvery-white seed beads to use for these.
AND
Fresco Basket Whip Cowl - I already plan on having to make this longer, I want the "hood" look to be higher on my head.
I am thinking that I am going to use the Naturally Caron Country yarn I picked up at Hobby Lobby, on clearance for 2 bucks a skein. Can't walk away from that! I have 3 or 4 skeins in a very sultry and elegant Claret. I am in love with this yarn, even though it is flawed and I get frustrated every time I use it. It is splitty, but the sheen and colors and softness are scrumptious.
My biggest feat to overcome? Pulling off wearing both . . . .
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