Rick Rack Fun!

Many of our friends and family, are welcoming new babies. It's such a wonderful time. And I want to continue, making them each a gift. I think it's so nice, to make something for a new baby. To go with a cute store bought item.

Recently, I came across this pattern. For the Rickrack Rainbow Blanket. I just think it's adorable! And honestly, a precious blanket, for my baby girl. :)



Out of all of our kiddos, Audrey is the most like me. Appreciates things from yesteryear. When I tell her we're going thrifting, my little girl jumps up and down!! Yes, she loves it that much. :)

I'm thinking of making her, her very own "Wic Wac Bankie." Audrey has walked around for days, saying that. I'm thinking, we need to go shopping, together, for the perfect yarn! ~Maggie

Girly Skirt

Lizzie and I were doing some Pinterest searching the other day. And we happened to see this adorable skirt. "Momma can you make me one? Putty peas?" The girl thinks, her momma can make anything.

I followed the pin here. And was pleased, that there was an incredible tutorial!! Score. In my head, I thought, "Well maybe, I can do this."



I haven't gotten too far on this project. But hope, by the end of the month, to have 3 done!! I know, I might have chewed off too much. But it's for my girls. :)

We've made it to the fabric store. I let my girls each pick out a color. And I've gotten 2 of the 3 cut out. Cross your fingers everyone. My girls now run to the sewing machine, every time that they hear it. I just hope, this project goes as well in real life, as it's going in my mind. ~Maggie

Momma in Red

My hubs and kids, spoiled me this year!! I must have been a good girl. ;) My Mother's Day was so fun!! And relaxing. Filled with lots of love, fun presents, and the people I love. :) First up, are my presents. Because I really didn't expect them!!



Don't you just LOVE this dress? I do!! I like that it's a dress that I can wear casually. Or I can dress her up!! The style of the dress is so fun. So is the name of the dress....Red-y for Inspiration. Late last night, my hubs told me, it sorta reminds him of when I wear his shirts to bed. :)



Oh, and not to be outdone, is this lovely dress!! I just adore the style of the dress. The print is just AMAZING!! Oh, the Red-y for Tea Dress, is my favorite new dress!!

Can you see why I feel so blessed? And spoiled!! On top of all of this, my hubs gave me some beautiful flowers. My kiddos made me the most adorable cards, and a cake. :) My hubs cooked up a yummy breakfast in bed. At church, they showered us Mommas with prayers, little gifts, and tons of love!!

We also had a BBQ at our house. With all our favorite dishes. Cooked by my hubs, my Daddy, and my Daddy-in-Law. :) It was just such a fun day!! And it makes me feel like, I'm doing a good job with my own kiddos. Sometimes, it's just nice to know, that we're not ruining our kids. That we are actually doing a good job in raising them!! ~Maggie

Rain....

We've had some pretty weird weather lately. For over a week now, it's looked like it was going to rain. But it hasn't. :( It's been so muggy. And cloudy. The days are super windy. I just keep thinking, it has to rain. But we never get rain.

It's fooled us more than once. We didn't water our garden for a few days. Thinking, it's going to rain. I just know it! In the end, Jake and my hubs, spent a couple hours soaking everything last night. It was their "guy time." I'm telling you, the 2 of them, like to get away from all of us girls. Not all the time. But you can just tell, when they need a little time together.

While my boys were enjoy outside time together, I decided to work on a project with my girls. I'd seen this picture a while back. For the life of me, I can't remember where. If you know, please leave a comment. I'd love to give someone the credit!!

Anyway, I saw this picture. And thought, it would be a fun project. We enjoy us some rain around here. :) I showed Bri how to cut the raindrops. I already had a nice stack. But knew we'd need about 10 more. We used some felt. Lizzie would hand them to me. And Audrey sat on my lap, and helped me "sew" up some garlands.



In the end, we had 9 long garlands. That we hung on the windows. Around our breakfast nook. When my hubs came in, Audrey rain to him. "Daddy it waining!! It waining inside!!" She just loves our little rain drops. :) ~Maggie

Getting Crafty in the Backyard

Now that Spring is officially here, I've been looking for some projects to work on. With my kiddos. I came across this project. And I just knew, it was perfect for us! Bird feeders for our backyard!



On Friday, I called my Mom. I just knew she'd have the bottles. She had 8 of them. :) And I happened to notice, that Hobby Lobby was having a good sale. This week. On the rest of the pieces! The wooden bits. And I had a bunch of lids. Years ago, I bought a vintage suitcase. When we got home, I noticed it was loaded with old canning lids. I didn't know what to do with them. So they sat in our garage all this time! And we have tons of spray paint. Any color you'd need! I knew this project was meant to be!

This weekend we each made our own bird feeders. We have a lot of birds around here. 6 feeders just seemed appropriate! :) We helped Audrey with hers. And the rest of us, worked on our own. It was really an easy craft! And in less than an hour, we were done! Then my hubs painted them all! Everyone picking out their favorite colors. :)

Jake was so excited! He and my hubs went to buy birdseed. And they came back with a few different kinds. We filled up our bird feeders. And spent the rest of the weekend, watching all the cute birds. It's nice to have some useful projects in our yard. You should trying making one of these too! ~Maggie

Perfect Spring Dress

Audrey is all girl!! She reminds me so much of Lola. Her Godmother. :) Audrey loves shoes. She smiles so big, when you put her in a dress!! And since she was teeny tiny, my sweet baby girl, has liked bows and headbands. Yes, my daughter, is all girl!

And let's be honest here. She's our 3rd daughter. And mostly wears hand-me-downs. There's nothing wrong with that. But I want for Audrey to get some new clothes too! I thought about sewing her something. My mom recently brought me a whole stack of fat quarters. And Audrey is still small. A couple of fat quarters could make her, some cute dresses. :)

But recently, I took to looking for some crochet patterns. It's funny how quickly, I'm becoming a crochet addict!! But I found this pattern, and just loved it!! So I printed it out. Knowing that I'd buy some yarn, when I got my next JoAnn's coupon.

Well, Audrey happened to see it. And just loves it!! Audrey has walked around with this pattern picture, for days!! Telling everyone, that's her dress. :) Yes, I'm positive, that she already loves it!!



My dad just about died from the cuteness! Audrey just loves the idea, that she is going to get this dress. To a HUGE surprise to all of us, he showed up yesterday. With 2 giant skeins. While my sweet girls are napping, I've managed to get most of the headband done. :) And you know exactly, what I'll be doing, for the next week or 2. Quickly trying to crochet this dress. For my sweetest baby girl!! It just makes me laugh, that she things I can make anything. ~Maggie

It's Our Song

I heard this song yesterday. It had been a tough day. Elizabeth was so sick. There was an accident in the car. A long wait in the doctor's office. Horrible traffic on the way home. As I'm trying my darnedest, to get there before the school bus. It was just a tough day.

This song came on. I hadn't heard it before. My brain was in overdrive. Trying to remember if I had fed Audrey lunch. And did I really have that 2nd medicine at home? I hoped that I wouldn't have to go back to Walgreen's. But these words spoke to me.

This song made me realize, I'm not in this alone. I have the most amazing man, who loves me. The man that vowed to be my husband, for all eternity. This man, that I've loved for almost my entire lifetime. We've had our ups and downs. Pretty serious ones. But in the end, we came back to each other. Because life, didn't make sense without each other.

My hubs knew it was a tough day. He'd called at lunch time. When Audrey was asking for a snack. I was pulled over, on the side of the road. Trying to clean up Lizzie. And the car. While I was on hold with the doctor's office. He could tell, it wasn't a good time. He just knew.

My hubs told me, he loved me. It was going to be OK. Did I need any help? I assured him, that I could handle it. And honestly, just hearing his voice, made me feel like I could. While I calmed down Lizzie, he talked to Audrey. Remember, I was on the side of the road. Kids in the car. Mommy trying to hold it together.

My hubs got off of work early. When we pulled into the driveway, my hubs was there. Getting Jake and Bri into the house. I'm sure, they were fully involved in conversations about crayons, kickball, and all things elementary school. :)

But he stopped. Turned to my car. My hubs came and gave me a big hug and kiss. Held me. In that minute, all the chaos was gone. I felt safe. I knew, together we could get through this. Lately, things have been so tough for our family. I just needed my husband.

Kisses around. Audrey was so happy to see her daddy. And a sleeping Lizzie was carried to her bed. By her very own, "Prince Charmin." We walked into the kitchen. Pizza, salad, and dessert waited for us. My hubs tended to Lizzie, before she fell asleep. Then the 5 of us, sat down to an early dinner. He thought of everything!

As the girls and I cleaned up the kitchen, my hubs took Jake outside. They had buckets in hand. It made me curious. As the girls settle into playtime, I went to check on my 2 favorite guys. "Jake we have to take care of girls. Especially our girls. It's the most important thing. We have to love them. Make things better. Safe. Do you understand?" They were having a "father-son talk."

In these little moments, I know that I have the best husband in the world! He's an amazing daddy. I know, our kiddos are going to grow up, and be amazing. Because of the man I love! They show him, how to treat people. And how they should be treated. He teaches Jake how to be an amazing man! And shows our girls, how men should treat them. :)

Last night, long after the kiddos went to bed, my hubs came to bed. Our sick Lizzie, nuzzled into me. Feverish still. "Babe, I love you. I should tell you more often. But I do." "I love you." "I heard this song today. It's perfect. It should be our song." Ya, we'd heard the same song. And thought about each other. I told you, we've had a complicated life together. But I'm telling you, we were meant for each other. 100%!! God gave us each other, for the good and the bad. He's made our relationship stronger. I for one, am so grateful! ~Maggie

Getting Real

I read this, and it just hit home for me!! Like a ton of bricks. For those of you, that personally know my hubs and I, you know, it hasn't always been easy. It's been a struggle. At times, I didn't think, we would make it. It's the truth. A tough pill to swallow, but the truth. And this post, says everything that I was feeling, at a very difficult time in my marriage.

We are high school sweethearts. That didn't skip a beat. We married, moved in together, bought a home, had babies. We did all the things, that we had ever dreamt of. Things that people expected us to to. From the outside, we were the perfect couple. With a boy, and a girl. In a home. With a large yard. My hubs working a successful job. Living the perfect life!!

In Fall 2007, our world crumbled. And fast!! It was all those stresses, that no one tells you about, that just kept piling up. We wouldn't talk to anyone about them. We didn't talk to each other. Just walk around with a chip on our shoulder. Going to bed mad. Hubs and I, started to get resentful. Finances were tight. Really tight. My hubs worked long, long hours!!

Life of a SAHM, is tough. No one told me that. Everyone talked about all the good things. Not about the bad days. When kids were sick, tired, teething, had the runs, wrecked the house, cried all day. No one talked about the days, when you pinched for pennies, to buy diapers, and ate macaroni's for the 10th day in a row. Definitely, no one ever told my hubs or I, about the days when we'd have to pick between food for us, and our kids. Or between house payments, and water. Or gas for the car, and medicine.

Those days, were a dark time. A time when my husband and I, just lived under the same roof. I felt like he didn't understand my life. He didn't get why or how, I could stay home all day, and the house was always a wreck when he got home. I resented him for it. He resented me, for working 10 hour days, and coming home to a messy home. And no dinner on the table. He didn't understand why we only had $50 in the bank, when he worked so much.

Deep in our hearts, we loved each other. The same steamy, hot and heavy love, that we had since high school. But all this other stuff, was killing us! Smothering our lives. Killing us very slowly. Making us miserable. Resentful. And even hateful to one another.

Finally, I'd had enough of it. Enough of the pleasantries, in front of our 2 small kids. Enough of the late night fights between us. Enough of this "fake life" that we were living. I didn't want our kids, to think this was normal. Or acceptable. One day, my husband went to work. And my kids and I, got in the car. I didn't exactly have a plan. I just knew, we needed to get out.

I drove, and drove. Then I called my cousin. I had pulled over. Was sitting at a rest stop. While my 2 sweet kids napped. I had no plan. Nowhere to go. No idea of what was next. I was 45 minutes from my home. Yet, I knew I had to keep driving. My sweet cousin, told me that we were welcome at her home.

Before I knew it, I was unloading my 2 small kids. Over 200 miles from our home. With 2 small bags. Not knowing, what our future held. How long we'd be there. Or if we'd ever go home again. Little did I know, we'd spend the next 9 months living there. Making the 3 hour (one way) trip, twice a month. My hubs and I, didn't want our kids to miss either of us.

It took almost 6 weeks, before we told anyone, that I was living with my cousin. Not even our parents knew. I'm afraid, the only reason we told anyone, was because I was pregnant. For the 3rd time. The timing couldn't have been more crazy!! It seems as thought, during my last week at home, we made our sweet little girl.

My hubs and I spent the next 10 months, evaluating what was best for us. And our family. We had 3 kids to think of. We had a long relationship to evaluate. We tried to make this time, as easy as we could, on our kids. We had plans. That we carried out, to the letter. Every 2 weeks, our kids would stay with my husband. For the weekend. Once a month, we'd ask either my parents, or in laws, to watch our kids. For one evening. So my hubs and I, could talk. Try and make some positive decisions.

This was the hardest time of our lives. I felt so alone. Like no one understood. I know, had it not been for my cousin, we wouldn't have made it. There is absolutely, no way, we would have made it!! She was in college, working, battling her battles. But she kept us going. Was the ray of sunshine, that my kids needed. The support system that I needed. And the lifeline, that my hubs needed.

Our separation was never about dating other people. My hubs and I, made that very clear. We just needed time apart. But we stayed completely faithful to one another. We worked at things. Went to counseling. Tried our hardest.

We planned little activities for our kids. Little trips, that would make them feel safe. And happy. We reevaluated everything. Finances, family, life, religion, parenting. We worked through all those things, that no one ever talks about. All the tough stuff.

It was not easy. Elizabeth was born during this time. I was still living over 3 hours, from my husband. My hubs was able to be there. But after Lizzie was born, I stayed with my cousin. I wasn't sure, what the best move for my family was. I now had 3 kids. A newborn. And was living with my cousin. Jake was just months away from, having to be in kindergarten. We needed to make the tough decisions. Because our kids deserved better. Jake needed a stable environment, as he entered school.

Ultimately, my husband and I, choose each other. We choose to work on this thing. To put us first. To talk about things. Not put them under the rug. Not pretending like we were living a magical life, when in reality, we were both at the breaking point.

This for me, was the toughest time in my life. I truly questioned everything in my life. The only thing I didn't question, was my kids. They were the shining stars, that helped me, to move forward.

The summer before Jake started kindergarten, our family, for the first time, lived under the same roof. Things were different. My husband now understood, that some days are tough. He's going to come home, and the house is going to be upside down. The kids might be crying, or sick. Dinner might not be on the table. I might even still be in my pjs. It's just the reality of life with kids.

I also know, I need to talk to my husband. Tell him, when I'm overwhelmed. When life is just getting to be too much. We need to talk about money. About upcoming expenses. About unexpected things that come up. We need to come to each other, when life is too much. We can't keep these things from one another.



But I'm positive, the thing that really changed, was our relationship. Not just our marriage. But the way, that my husband and I see each other. We go to each other. And know, that the other is our rock. They are there, because they want to be. Not because they have to be. We both know this. We don't have to be here. We've tried that already. But we want to be together. Married. Raising our kids. We want to be a family. And walk hand in hand, through life. Be each other's, shoulder to cry on.

Since we separated, and choose to do this thing together, our lives have greatly changed. We take time to do things together. We ask for help. Yes, we ask our parents to watch our kids. Not all the time. But at least, once a month. Just for a few hours. So we can go on a date. Reconnect. Catch up on each other. Things that easily get lost, when you're trying to navigate through life and parenting.

We also use this time, to talk about things that are bothering us. Or big decisions that need to be made. We talk about budgets. Upcoming expenses. Field trips, bills, doctor appointments, cars, etc. are on the table. We don't hide these things from each other. We talk about them.

Since the Summer of 2008, many things have changed. I've also reached out. To my cousin. Who became our rock, during that hard time. We've added to our family. Welcoming Audrey to the mix, in August 2010. We've simplified life. And become more active as a family.

Now, there are baseball games, dance practice, PTO meetings, etc. Church has become a priority. We make weekends, all about family. My husband and I, are more understanding of each other. I realize, that during the week, when he's working long hours, I need to cut him some slack. I need to be supportive. Because he's the one, that is out there, earning the money for our family.

I'm telling you, people never talk about the tough stuff. Never. They never really tell you, how tough it is to parent kids. How you can go months and months, on 2 hours a night, of sleep. How one kid gets sick, and then it slowly makes it's way through the family. Somehow a small bug, lingers in your family for 2 months!

People never talk about how marriages can become strained. How 2 people that are deeply in love, can begin to resent one another. No one ever talks about this! But I wanted to post this. Hoping, that if someone else is in the same place, they know, they are not alone. Because I always felt alone. Felt like a disappointment, and a failure.

Most of all, one day, I will sit all my kids down, and be honest with them. I want them to know, that marriages are work. Good marriages, are a lot of work. Being good parents, is also a lot of work!! I would never change any of this. I've grown so much, as a person, a mother, and a wife.

Life is not easy. But my struggles, have made me closer to God. It's helped to enrich my family. It proved to me, what real fighting, for the people you love, means. I've learned that spending good, quality time, with each of my children is vital. Nothing is more important, than letting them know I love them. That they are special and unique. One on one time, is so important! Because that's the time, when you really get to know your kids. Make the real connections.

I've also learned, just what a good marriage takes to survive. Listening, communication, reaching out, dates, intimacy. All of those things, are so important. We've realized, that our bedroom, needs to be for my husband and I. No straggling children, in the middle of the night. Mommy and Daddy need their time. And their space. Because grumpy parents, make for a very grumpy and non functioning family.

You are not alone, if you are struggling in your marriage. You might love your spouse to pieces, but can't get it together. Sometimes, it just takes stepping back. Looking at the situation from all sides. Think about your partner. Think about your family. Doesn't it make you wonder, how Cinderella and Prince Charming did it? I do!

I know that this could be a shameful topic. But really, there is nothing to be shameful about. Nothing to hide. It's life. And everything in life, has it's ups and downs. Everything!! If you are willing to work at your marriage, anything is possible. Believe me. There were many dark days, when I thought, my marriage was over. But I had to fight. I had to fight, not just for me and my husband. But for our kids. They deserve a happy, and functioning family. I only hope, that they can learn from their parents mistakes. And realize, that after the "I dos," it's not all sunshine and roses. But it's worth all the hard work! ~Maggie

Fun with My Girls

I like to play with my kiddos. It's not out of the ordinary, to find me on the floor, playing with them. Having a tea party, building a fort, or playing in the mud. I feel like I'm going through my second childhood!! :)

I also like introducing my kiddos to games and toys of "yesteryear." I think a parent can only take so much Disney, Disney princesses, plastic toys, video games, and cartoons. I'm just being honest. I'm not going to apologize for it.

When I was little, my grandma sat on the floor, with me and Lola. Taught us how to play jax, tops, pick up sticks, dominoes, Old Maid, etc. I LOVED it! We also made our own paper dolls. That was one of my fondest memories!!

I found these paper dolls. For free!! And I was so excited. I printed out 4 sets. On Sunday, my hubs and Jake went to help some friends of ours. The girls and I, had baked lots of cookies. For my uncle's funeral, that was earlier this week. And I knew we needed something to do. Something to unwind. That's when I remembered these little ladies!!



I let Bri and Lizzie cut their own. And I cut out 2 sets. One for Audrey. And one for me. :) I printed them out, on some white card stock. And honestly, we played for hours! Until the boys came home!!

And then, for another hour, while they went to pick up dinner. Oops! We totally played right through our cooking time. :) I never realized just how much my girls, would adore paper dolls! Who would have thought?

I'm thinking of investing, a little bit of money. In sheets of magnets. I have the perfect little tins already. And I think, I could print these on magnets. So they'd be a little more durable. Last through lots of playing!!

Anyway that you spin it, we had a fun time! My girls enjoyed them. And haven't stopped talking about their paper dolls. Bri even took her's to "Show and Tell!!" And I'm thinking, this would be a fun theme for Audrey's 2nd birthday!

What are some of your favorite games or activities, to play with your kids? Are they from yesteryear? I'd love to hear about them! Please share! ~Maggie

She Likes Her Hats

Unlike Lizzie, Audrey LOVES her some hair accessories. Hats, bows, headbands, flowers, barrettes, whatever you can find, at the store! Her Nana (Godmother) does a good job at sending her beautiful, handmade things.

Lately, the weather has been extra wonky! It snowed last week! This week, we're in the 70s. I haven't put our winter coats away. In fact, I make sure, we each have a small jacket in the car. At ALL times!

Audrey has been wanting a new hat. To match the jacket, my mom recently bought her. It was a thrifting find. It's the cutest thing ever! White with bright pink, turquoise, and yellow flowers. I thought, why not try and make one?



I in fact, found this pattern. And thought it was perfect! I'm even loving the color combination! I asked Audrey if she liked it. And I got the biggest smile ever! Yes, I'm working on it right now. :) My sweet girl, should have a hat, by tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Oh, and this flower, I might have to make a million! I want to turn some into hair accessories and headbands, for Audrey. Isn't it the cutest? ~Maggie

My Aunt and Empanaditas

Recently, my cousin and I, have been remembering our aunt. She past away, just over 8 years ago. My cousin, was definitely closer to her, than I was. She just spent more time with our aunt. But so many of us, were close to our aunt.

At this time of year, I especially remember, and miss my aunt. She was the best cook ever! Making us tons and tons of food. Yummy food! You never went to her house, and didn't eat. That was just not going to happen.

Unfortunately, many of us, never cooked with her. Lots of the recipes, were just lost. She suffered from a debilitating stroke. Then they found cancer. And she past away, just 5 months after her initial illness. From the day of her stroke, until her death, she couldn't speak. Or do much for herself.

I always regret, not learning more from my aunt. I tell you, she was amazing! A self taught, amazing seamstress. A cook, that no one comes close to. Just an amazing woman!! At this time of year, I especially miss her empanaditas. No one that I know, knows how to make them. Lola and I, have been remembering all the ingredients. I know that she plays with various recipes. Trying to nail the one, from our childhood.

Recently, I took to chatting up a neighbor of ours. And she shared her family's recipe. Not the same savory ones, that I grew up eating. But a delicious recipe nonetheless!! With apricots, nuts and various other goodies. YUM!!

While Jake and my hubs were out shopping this weekend, the girls and I took to baking. :) And let me tell you, we baked!! Some mighty delicious fried desserts. I wanted my girls to enjoy this. And to start a new family tradition. It was a great afternoon!!

Like all little girls, my daughters enjoy playing "make believe" with their kitchen set. Since I've started on this crafty adventure, I've tried to "grow" their supply of play food. And I wanted to find something to make my girls, to remember this day. That when I found this adorable pattern!!



I'm nearly done with 6 of these cuties!! 2 for each of my daughters. I'm positive that they're going to love them! And I know, every time I see them, I'm going to remember our special day in the kitchen. Yes, it took longer than I had planned. But it was so much fun, creating new memories with my daughters. And remembering my aunt. ~Maggie

Making Life Easier

There are not many products in my life, that genuinely make my life easier. Having 4 kids is crazy! And tough. Some days are not pretty. Most days are truly amazing. Magical. But I never get too comfortable. Life is just that way. Some days, I'm barely hanging on. It's a good thing that those days are few and far between!

One of the things that makes life easier is this...



Hubs and I both agreed. And after 4 kids, little really makes us super excited...when talking about baby products. But this little set, well it just makes life easier. And today, we needed that. It's tough trying to pick out and buy plants, when all our kids can think about is ice cream. Note to self, promise them after the shopping is done. Not before. :) ~Maggie

It's Fishing Time!

I've been crocheting for a short amount of time now. But I do realize this much, there are not a whole lot of "boy patterns" out there. It's so unfortunate!! But I want to make Jake something. He's such a sweet soul. Always putting his sisters ahead of himself. My boy, just deserves a little something. Just because he is so giving.

I took to hunting. Then I got a little frustrated. Maybe if I had started crocheting a few years ago, I could have gotten away with making him some of the amigurumi toys. But he just seems a little too old for that. I kept digging. Then I called my cousin Lola. Who is the most amazing crocheter that I know! She pointed me towards this little Fishing Game!



Now I know, I was a little silly. Thinking I'd never find something for Jake. He LOVES to fish!! My son, is his father's son. :) The 2 of them, could fish for days, if you'd let them. Just sit there, with their fishing pole. In complete silence. Waiting for that 1 bite....

I'm still working on the bag. And some of the fish. But I did manage to get 5 fish made. And my hubs helped me with a pole. The 2 of them, have spent hours "fishing!!" Yes, this has to be the best project ever!! I'm glad that my guys are enjoying it so much! ~Maggie