Committed

We are committed. We bought tickets last night to fly to China. We will be leaving on August 11th. Still trying to find renters and sell a bunch of stuff, but we are going.

Back in the swing of things

Remember when I told you that I have to choose between blogging, reading and sewing for my spare time activities? Have you noticed that I have been pretty good about blogging lately? That is because I haven't sewn in two weeks. I had a project all cut out and ready to go, but then I hit a funk. A strange revulsion every time I sat at my machine. Well, I am happy to say, that is gone now! Much of it has to do with my friend Gina.

Gina found a "sack dress" online the other day and thought that I would be able to figure out how to make it so that she wouldn't have to actually pay for one. I'm glad she showed it to me because in about 30 seconds I could see that it would be an easy project. We got together the very next day with our supplies and 2 hours later I had this totally AWESOME blouse for Avery. (I shortened the dress idea.) It was what I needed to get out of my funk. It was quick and easy and so cute that I felt compelled to get back on the horse and ride some more.

So the next day (today) I finished the project I have been holding on to for a couple of weeks. Shorts for me! Granted, they are not anywhere near as cute as Avery's blouse, but they are sorely needed. Hooray for sewing!

We always say we won't be that parent.

My child will not be the one with a binky at the age of 4.

My child will not have a cell phone when she's 10.

My child will not start getting her brows waxed for her twelfth birthday.

Oh, the things we hope for our children. The plans we make for them. The dreams we hope they have and the ones we dread they will. I am pretty positive that none of the above statements will prove false. What has me worried is that I am sure that at some point in the last few years I saw this very situation and said to myself: My TODDLER does NOT need an iPod.

But since she steals Joe's every time she sees it, and will carry it around with her from room to room swaying to the music, I am a bit shaken in my resolve. Not really, but it does make me see why people with less limited funds than me would buy such a thing for their child. It is really cute to watch.

Chocolate vs. Vanilla

Do you have a favorite? I think of myself as being a vanilla person. I always double the amount a recipe calls for, I love the smell, I think it makes everything a little better. But then I had a baby and discovered that I LOVE chocolate now. Chocolate pudding, cake, ice cream, whatever.

So I made vanilla trifle for Joe's birthday. It was tasty with angel food cake, berries, and vanilla pudding. I loved it. I ate nearly half of the bowl. Don't worry, not in one sitting. Derek and Michelle were over and Derek said that he thought it was his favorite dessert that I had ever made for them. And that says a lot because I'm pretty sure that I make dessert EVERY time we get together.

Derek's birthday was the next week so I decided to make trifle again. I didn't feel like I should make the SAME trifle so I made the chocolate version. Brownies, chocolate pudding, whipped cream and berries. Thanks Jenn for the recipe! And now I am torn. Which do I prefer? The light but REALLY sweet vanilla angel food goodness, or the chocolaty brownie divineness? (Is that a word?) Really, what do you think you would prefer? Chocolate or vanilla?

Just so you are in the loop

Don't be offended if this is the first you are hearing this information. We might be moving to China. I realize that we have said before that we might be moving to Utah or South Carolina or even Texas, and it never pans out. This being the case I think that even I did not take Joe very seriously when he sprang the idea of China on me. That is why I haven't really told a lot of people or made a big deal about it. Well, maybe now I should because apparently it is very serious. How serious, you ask?

Joe has already been offered a job teaching English at the same school as our friend Andrew. If this news strikes you as bad news then you can send all whiny complaints Andrew's way.

Joe has signed a letter of intent saying that he wants the position.

Joe has in his possession a contract to sign saying that he will be in China for work from Aug 15 2010 to August 15 2011. (Or close to that anyway)

We are working on getting our visas.

Avery has a passport.

We are looking for renters and planning what to do with all of our belongings.

Does this sound serious yet?

There are still one or two things that may keep us here. China is the plan right now but if we can't find renters then we are in a real bind. If I end up getting pregnant in the next couple months (no luck so far) then that may change our plans as well. But, for now, we think we are moving to China.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

We have celebrated this once or twice already this weekend, but since today is the real deal I thought I should remind everyone that today is the day (32 years ago) that Joe entered this world. Just one more reason to love the month of May.

Shoe fetish

Seriously, she just can't get enough of wearing other people's shoes. This one is a girl through and through.(My heals that she stole right out of my closet.)

(Swiping Derek's when he isn't paying attention.)

(Killing time while Dad is trying on shoes at Journey's)

Not my favorite "First"

Avery has been picking her nose for a while. She was actually really excited the day she figured out she could stick her fingers in her nostrils. Sometimes I look in the rear view mirror at her and she is just sitting there with a finger in each hole.

The really unpleasant part happened this week when she pulled her finger out of her nose and discovered something on the end of it. This had never really happened before and she looked like she had no idea what to do with the little green thing. So she did what any 18 month-old kid would do; she ate it. Yes, Avery has eaten her first booger.

Crafty Crafty Lady's Night

I finally attended one of the craft evenings that my friend Jax puts on. I always seem to forget they are happening or I am out of town for them. But tonight, for an evening of all things Mod Podge, I made it! And I am so glad that I did. There is something so satisfying about going to one of these gatherings and coming away with a totally finished project.

Tonight I made a small journal. Okay, I didn't bind the book or anything, it is just a composition book made over with cute paper and ribbon, but, darn it, I am so proud of it! Jenn, you would be proud of me too! I finally crafted with paper! I usually stick to sewing for my creative hobby and I always try to write down, plan out, or completely draw up what I will be making as well as its dimensions. I have little scraps of paper floating all around with these types of writings. Now I have a beautiful book that I decorated to hold of my sewing ideas. Yeah, me!