The way REAL doctors do it

Melody walked in the room the other day with this on her face and went about her business as usual. I waited to see if she was going to say or do something to let me know that she knew she looked silly, but nothing. So I questioned her about it. She responded with, "I'm a doctor Mom and I don't want the germs to get in me so I'm wearing my mask." She said it so matter of fact that it almost made me feel dumb for asking! She put it on again right before dinner and Jared just looked at her. Then he got up and started searching for the camera, really how can you NOT want a picture of this?

She has this really cute obsession with being a doctor. We have an amazing pediatrician who is supper loving and understands Melody so well. Ever since we started going to her Melody has started playing doctor on Katie. She even says things the same way as Dr. Jiawani! She'll tell Katie 'don't worry Katie I'm just going to listen to your tummy, it won't hurt at all'. Then she'll blow on what ever she's using as her stethoscope to warm it up and proceed to listen to the noises in Katie's tummy.

I found a pattern on that pattern sale at Joann's for a doctors outfit. I think I'll try and get it made for her birthday next year, by then maybe Katie will be a more cooperative patient!

Budding artist

I call this Melody's interpretation of figuring out the world around her. Kinda long, but oh so worth it!

Halloween Costumes

Since we managed to not get one picture of last year's Halloween I decided that we were going to take pictures before Halloween this year so I wouldn't have to worry about getting them amid the festivities. I've been working on these off and on for a while but I had to kick it in gear because we actually have several parties this week so I needed to get them done sooner rather than later! I took these outside our building. I wish we had more fall like weather with colorful leaves and what not, but it'll be another month or so before we get that!

These are the bags I put together for them. I found the fabric in a remnant bin and knew I wanted to make their trick-or-treat bags this year. Then I saw this really cute idea to add a monogram in a contrasting fabric. I can NOT remember which blog saw it on so if any of you know please leave a comment. I'd really like to give credit where credit is due! Anywho, I had a ton of fun making these and the kids just love them! All I did was cut a 10X12 rectangle and sew up three sides. Then I folded the bottom corners in 1 1/2 inches and tacked it down to make the bottom more square. For Katie's I sewed in the handle and around the top, the folded it over and went around again. With Mellie's I added the fringe and the handle then just sewed it twice to make sure it was reinforced. The second time I used a zig-zag to pretty it up a little. So simple and so fun! Hopefully they'll hold up and be around to use for a few more years!

If I do manage to get any pictures at the parties this week I'll post them on Sunday (hopefull). Now onto the Christmas projects!

Melody's Dinner Conversation

So Melody often carries our dinner conversations with various random statements if you will. She'll tell us about her dreams from the previous evening, about what she's done that day, or in this case what mom's done or said that day.

Melody: "Is it ok to say shit?"

Mom: "No we say shoot."

Melody: "Ohhhh. Mommy says shit when cars get in our cars way."

Dad: "Hahahahah!"

Making Lemonade

Being poor pretty much sucks, however, I'm discovering that I can do things I never thought possible. I've always enjoyed creating, mostly for gifts or things to decorate the house. In the last year or so I've discovered that my creativity can be a very useful tool.

For example:

• I wanted some new jewelry, but didn't want to pay the price so I (with the help of a good friend) figured out how to make it.
• My girls needed some new church clothes so I found an easy pattern and made some. (this was a VERY big deal for me having never sewn something to wear before!)
• I wanted to dress up my girls hair so I googled hair bows and learned how to make them.
• Needed some new bibs, but I was sick of the cheapy ones that kept falling apart, so I turned some of Jared's old jeans into new bibs!

I don't know how much money I've saved, but I know I've really enjoyed learning all these new skills and watching the things I've made be useful to our family.

Because of all this every time I see something I like, but can't afford I start looking at it to see if I can figure out a way to make it. Thankfully lots of other women in the blog hood do the same thing! I came across some silk flower hair clips the other day that I just loved, but they were $5 a piece! I don't think so! Then I found this tutorial on a blog my sil told me about, Little Birdie Secrets. Walla! I now have my flower hair clips! Not to mention a pin that can be used to pretty up any number of things. Best part...I bought all the satin in the remnants bin for less than $3! I think I may go get some organza and tulle to make a few more because I like the look of hers. All fluffy and full! So pretty!



I know we won't always be where we are now, but I am so grateful that we've had the chance to be here. To have the opportunity to see how creative I can get with what we have and learn new skills to get us the things we don't. How funny the way blessings come wrapped in packages we don't always want to open! I guess you could call it making lemonade ;o)