Mini Me

Any of you who have spent time with Jak know that he has a speech delay. In fact, it's something that has become more pronounced since moving away from everyone who was very used to interpreting his words. It's on my "to-do" list to contact the school district here and find out what services they have available for him.

So when he came to me a couple of days ago and asked a gobbled question, I let him know that I had no idea what he was saying and sort of left it at that.

But this kid doesn't give up. And he watches a lot of Blue's Clues. He dragged me into the sewing room saying, "Where is it?" Then pointing to the sewing machine he yelled, "Right there!".

Interesting.

Maybe he watches a little too much TV.

Not willing to give up a potential teaching moment, I gave him some fabric, showed him how to put down the presser foot and propped the pedal up on a Tupperware so he could reach. And away he went.Seriously, he thought it was the greatest thing since his introduction to Dino Nuggets.
I am so proud.

My favorite thing about Utah right now

Sunday Skirt

I make so many skirts and dresses for Storey, I really should start doing a "Sunday Skirt" post weekly just to document them all. Wishful thinking on my part. I know I'll never get around to it.

I've seen tulle skirts all over the internet and wanted to make a white one for Storey's first year pictures in a couple of weeks. I thought white on white would be really cute. This morning I made a practice skirt in black just to try out measurements and such. I LOVE it. I may use it instead for pictures because it turned out so fantastic. And it wouldn't have even taken very long except that my machine is having issues again. Really, it would be an hour project tops.

Here's how I made it just in case anyone else wants to try their hand. I know other tutorials can be found online, but they don't really give measurements and I put my skirt together differently (I thought it was easier this way).

Tulle Skirt Tutorial:
Disclaimer: The pink on white skirt is not my favorite. I made it for tutorial use. It's easier to see the tulle vs. cotton when using contrasting colors. And sorry about the terrible pictures-it was night and the lighting is horrible.

For a size 1 skirt, cut a rectangle 41" wide and about 10" inches long. Add an 1"-1.5" to the length for every size up that you are making (example, size 2 would be 11-11.5" inches long). This leaves room for your 1/2" elastic and a hem at the bottom. The width can stay about the same, although for larger than a 3T, you may want to go up to 45"wide.

Hem one long edge of the rectangle. This is the bottom of the skirt.

Using about 1/2 yard of tulle, cut 2" wide strips the length of the tulle.
Set your tension very loose and a really long stitch and run all of your tulle strips through your machine, stitching right down the middle to ruffle the tulle (you may have to experiment with this a little to get a ruffle you like)
Lay the cotton skirt base down and pin the long pieces of tulle in straight lines on to it. There is no right way to distance the rows-whatever looks good to you. On this skirt I have 7 rows of tulle (I was trying to cover up more of the white), but on the black one, I only have 4. Make sure you set your machine back to normal tension/stitch length and then attach the rows of tulle to the cotton following along the stitches you already made.Now fold right sides together and sew up the seam on the side of the skirt creating a continuous circle. You don't have to do this, but I went back and pinked the edges with my pinking shears because A) I don't have a serger and B) my zig zag stitch is not working right. It helps to reduce fraying in the wash.To finish up, make a casing for your elastic at the top. Cut your elastic (child's waist measurement minus 2) and feed it through the casing. Sew the casing up and VOILA!

A NEW SKIRT!
Now if only I could figure out how to make one big enough for me!

Things

1. Technically, we still don't have internet access, although sometimes if I sit in a corner of the living room, with the computer angled a certain way, I'm able to pick up a signal from a neighbor (so neighborly of them). The internet man is taking his sweet time. I've been assured that TODAY is the DAY.
2. I think I am now known as the "crazy new girl." After the first Sunday when no one spoke to me at church, I resolved to make the first move. Unfortunately it feels a little like dating all over again. And I am just as picky. I need a mother who has a child Jakson's age. But apparently, here in Utah, the unwritten rule is "do not speak unless spoken to". I've gotten a lot of crazy looks. The things mothers do for their children.
3. My friend Bridget (from college days) and I have decided to set up a little booth this weekend at the Provo Farmer's Market. I'm going to sell pouch sling kits and little skirts ( I'll also be taking a couple of Zak's platters) and she sells adorable bows and clippies (like the ones Storey always wears). I'm excited for the change of pace.
   
4. Speaking of Storey, she's going to be one in just a couple of weeks. And she is walking more than crawling now. Wasn't she just a newborn?!?
   
5. Jakson is still not adjusting well, but he's making do with a daily dose of a Blue's Clue's DVD we checked out from the library. Who needs real friends when you have Blue and Joe the man-boy?!?
6. In case you care, (probably not, but this is my blog, dang it.) I've made the executive decision to decorate a wall in the loft/playroom like this:Yes, that is scrapbooking paper. And if it's not a total disaster, when I finish I'll post a lovely picture. This rental needs some (non-permanent) color! Stole the idea from here.
   

Adjustments

We're here.

And we're lonely without our AZ friends, but in one piece.

Jakson isn't holding up as well as I would like though. He's never been good with change and this move has spun his world upside down.
He now sleeps with the bedroom light on (the nightlight isn't sufficient) and asks numerous times a day to "Go home" or "Car. Natalie's house."
When I let him know that Natalie lives too far away, he runs through the names of his other friends-"Car. Carter" "Car. Maddie."-it's heartbreaking to tell him no.
He really needs a new friend.
Any takers?

I've decided that this house was definitely designed by a guy.
The kitchen has a fabulous built in spice rack, but it on the complete opposite side from the stove.
He obviously didn't do a whole lot of cooking.
And the master bathroom setup is kind of awful.
Like most moms (I think), I leave the bathroom door open so that I can make sure no one is dying while I'm in there. In this house, from the toilet I will also be able to use the universal gesture for "hold on a minute" when someone rings my doorbell.
Awesome. So convenient.

Other than that, we are settling in and I'm learning my way around.
I got a library card yesterday (I have my priorities straight) and am looking into a Lehi Rec Center membership.
I'm determined to at least be a skinny friendless person.

Last night.

The thing I am dreading even more than unpacking is the title "the new girl."

I am not looking forward to being uncomfortable and friendless for the first couple of months. Especially since I'm coming from a ward (our congregation) filled with so many wonderful, thoughtful friends.

Last night our bestest friends threw a Goodbye Soiree for us.
Sadly, quite a few families were out of town, but it was great to see everyone who was able to come!

It was perfect.
Good food.
Good friends.
Good fun.

Jakson and his friend Maddie.My lady friends
Zak and Nate discussing life's mysteries.A cake just for us.Funny story: Somehow I missed the memo that we were going to be swimming, so didn't bring suits for the kids. Jakson watched as the other kids got ready to go swimming and threw a fit--he wanted to get in.
I snagged a swim diaper from someone and figured that he could just swim in his shorts. He refused to wear the shorts and refused to swim in just the diaper, instead he wanted to wear one of Natalie's swim suits.
At first, Zak refused to allow it (not MY boy!). After trying his hand at coercion, Zak finally gave in with a compromise that the suit was tied around Jak's waist instead of his neck. I guess that way it looks more like a Speedo than a girls suit.
Oh, the blackmail.

Darn.

I just finished posting the Wicked tickets that Zak bought me back in February as a surprise for our anniversary on Craigslist.

The performance is 4 days after we move.
In Phoenix, of course.
What a bummer.

I guess you can't win them all....

**UPDATE-The Wicked tickets have sold. You lucky devil, you.

We're moving!

Moving Day is Thursday.
If you live close, send your husbands over to help pack up the van.

Pretty please.

Our new Utah house!

It is more than twice the size of our Phoenix home.
What will we do with all the space?!?
I've got a lot of DIY projects in the works to fill the rooms.
Mainly because we can't afford to furnish any other way.

And we're going from a backyard that looks like this
to one that looks like this

Celebration

Today Zak and I have more than one reason to celebrate.

ONE-Our 5th Anniversary!!

So young and naive.

#2-Zak finally got a job!

We are ecstatic, relieved, overjoyed, and grateful.

Thank you so much for your well wishes, financial donations in the form of Etsy orders, offers to watch our children, home cooked dinners, but most of all your prayers.
They worked.
The Lord has heard and answered our supplications.

We are very sad to leave dear friends behind, but excited and nervous to be starting this new chapter of our lives
IN UTAH!

Make It Modest

A few weeks ago, my friend Holly asked me to lengthen a few of her dresses with a ruffle or band around the bottom. After tossing around a few ideas, I decided to try out a little sewing experiment in her honor. It's a sewing project that I've been meaning to try out forever and Holly's request gave me the motivation I needed to get it done.

So, using an existing slip and some eyelet lace, I made a slip designed to add length to dresses/skirts (kind of like a Shade, just for dresses). It's cheaper than altering every dress (because it is interchangeable) and looks really cute under Holly's dresses. I was so happy with it, that I added it to the shopMeet the Make It Modest Slip here.