As My Mom Would Say... I'm A Real Sew 'n Sew

Sew, for those of you who dewn't knew... I got a  sewing machine for Christmas. How does my Mom always know the perfect gifts? I don't know. But she does. Oh and here's a little insight to my father. After opening the presents, my Dad inspects the white case my Mom bought for my sister and I.

Dad (offhandedly): "It's kind of loose in there, isn't it? I bet if you just put a strip of foam along here it would hold it in place".

Nothing else was said. A few days later I go into the family room to a foam explosion. The result? A padded sewing case perfectly fitted to my sewing machine. There's even a cutout for my pedal. How awesome is that!?

My Dad, the coolest, most handy, man I know. Check it out:

My mom is pretty awesome too. She also bought my sister and I each a pattern and material for reusable shopping bags. Figured she would take two hours to whip these out with us and teach us the ins and outs of reading a pattern. I've sewn with my Mom since I was little... but I'd still yet to tackle trying to understand the pages and prints of paper thin patterns. (What? Instructions? Ew.) 

Our 2-hour project may have taken all evening, but hey, they turned out! I've saved several plastic bags from use with my shopping bags, thank you very much!

Please notice the quote. If you are a sewer, especially a newer one... you'll know how true it is. And yes... I did come up with that myself. Experience is the best teacher, no?

Now to get started on some mending I've been putting off...

Memorial Day

Both Dan and I come from extremely patriotic families. I wish I had a more eloquent way of expressing my gratitude to those, past and present, giving their time, families, and lives, for my freedom. These men and women are heroes.

As I thought about what I wanted to share, I thought about several videos across YouTube of soldiers reuniting with their families. They bring me to tears every time. I love how these bring into the focus the sacrifices that our soldiers make. They leave their families so that we can stay with ours.

What I decided to share, however, is a video that I've loved for a long time. Because to me, this video shows how utterly cool the men and women are who decide to serve. You can't escape the emotion of love, support, and pride evoked by the song and images.

I hope you find your own things that stand out to you, but I thought I'd share a few of my own. I've watched this video countless times, and still am just noticing things. A select few of my favorites:

Citizen Soldier - Three Doors Down

1. The depiction of everything from the Revolution, to Normandy, to our own national disasters.
2. The lyrics that refer to us as brothers and sisters
3. A shot of a soldier in war that subtly focuses on his wedding ring. (2:01-2:05)
4. "Hope and pray that you never need me, but rest assured I will not let you down..."

(You may have to go to YouTube to watch the video)

<

PS... the revolutionary war soldier running through the woods... we know him :)

Did I Ever Tell You About My Birthday?

Probably Not. Anyway, it was awesome. And yes, it was 5 months ago. No matter!

It was my *STAR* Birthday! (Where you turn the age of your birth date). For privacy means, I won't share the number. Anyone semi-decent at math would be able to figure out my birth date and be that much closer to stealing my identity. 

Anyway... back to the important stuff. My birthday was awesome. First, Dan bought me a sausage egg and cheese McGriddle (it's been tradition since we first met). Yum. We ran some errands; DI drop off, bank, etc. We ate our McDonalds in bed. Watched some TV, hung out. Opened my birthday present... the guy's got some pretty good taste! No to mention funny stories about him shopping alone in Forever 21. Ha!

For my birthday evening, we went to Boondocks. 

The go carts were FREEZING! If you could look closely, you'd see tears frozen mid stream back from my eyes. Also... I couldn't feel my hands. We had lots of fun driving slowly in front of people and taking pictures.

Why yes, I did get a hole in one! Oh... and Dan didn't really fit in the cave where his ball landed.

Dan made the very last shot where it eats your ball and you get a prize. Except we didn't get a prize. Lame Boondocks. We did make some kids pretty happy by giving them our arcade tickets. Then proceeded to find more in Dan's pocket. Ha!

After Boondocks, we decided to go see a movie at the dollar theater. We may or may not have snuck in Sub-Zero ice cream in my purse. Who knows? We saw RED. And it was pretty dang funny. You have a recommendation from us.  

Between packages from home and birthday dinner from Dan's Mom, I think it's fair to say that it was my very best star birthday ever! I definitely got nothin' but lurve! (Like how I tied in our blog name? Me too.)

Dan: Post #2

A creative title, I know.

Becca has been gone for a while now.  She went to see a "movie" with her "friend," "Brooke."  Whatever that means...

Seeing that I'm too lazy (and mentally ill-equipped) to create unique blog content, I've decided to post another video.  The following video is my all-time favorite Mormon Message on Youtube.  Lately I've found my thoughts drifting towards employment, supporting a family, ways to make lots of money, etc.

Coincidentally (or not...) I stumbled upon this video again.  I'm grateful to have a father who taught me how to work and taught me how to live.  He is the man.  It's by watching him that I have learned the relative worthlessness of money and the invaluable nature of love, service, sacrifice, friendship, and faith.  His example in my life has, and will continue to be, infinitely beyond quantifiable value.

If you've watched this, watch it again.

Wow...

This just came up on my Yahoo news.

This is my all time favorite hymn ever.

Ever.

Plus, I love Carrie Underwood. (If you listen to the live version that comes up after the first video, she almost sounds even more amazing.)

The first is only the 1st and 4th verse with a musical interlude...it's seriously moving. The second is a softer version with all but the 2nd verse. I heart them both.

Miss Us?

Between my lovely family vacation (see here) and Dan's not so lovely finals (though he's done lovely on them) we've been a little MIA! But not to worry... I'm back, and Dan takes his last final today! Graduation tomorrow and he's done!

I am actually very excited about this. Graduating last year was great. Entering the work force. Meh. But at least no more homework. My evenings are mine. However, I wish my evenings contained more of Dan. And now... they can! While we're making studying his full-time job for the summer (good ol' CFA and CPA tests) I'm expecting to have more time together without things hanging over his head. Or maybe I'll start a honey-do list. I've heard your marriage isn't solidified until you have one. :)

Actually, though, I'm mostly just proud of him. I'm sure I'll get flack from him later for bragging, but I don't care. Because he is awesome and handsome and charming and smart. The kid is graduating in the top of his class, nailed an extremely respected job that no undergrad has gotten in 5 years, passed the GMAT in the 99th percentile, and on top of all of that... he takes care of me. Which can be a job in itself. My mother even warned him that I'm two handfuls. But I digress...

Anyway, I'd love to share more details and specifics about how smart he is, but I know I'd get in trouble. Did I mention that he's one of the humblest people I know?

I apologize for the cliche, lovey-dovey blog... but hey, we were just apart for 10 days. Plus check out this pic. Can you blame me?

What A Weekend!

Wow... What a weekend! And you know it must have been given it's Wednesday already! Yeah, it took that much recovery time.

Dan's parent's are out of town. In Hawaii. In Hana, Maui. Jealous? Yeah, me too. But since they are gone, we decided to escape to their house this weekend for General Conference. I had lots of sewing to do for rendezvous, Dan had lots of homework, and we both had lots of laundry. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men, right?

Things we learned, and hence learned from them:

1. Water Heaters sometimes break when you turn them off Vacation...and subsequently flood your in-laws basement. Sayonara Laundry!

What we learned: With Dan on the phone for "fix it now!" duty, and me soaking up water with every towel I could find... we made a pretty good team. My consolation here: Liz, my mother-in-law, had just previously told me a story from her early marriage that helped me to know she wouldn't wring my neck upon returning home. Sorry I can't indulge... that's her secret to share, and you never know who may be reading this ;)

2. Utah is a fan of freak snow storms. One day it's 65...then 8 inches of snow the next morning! Aka Sunday.

What we learned: Matt and Kate are much more proactive than us. We awoke to them shoveling the driveway. Followed by them making breakfast. Mmm! Pancakes, fruit, and bacon. My excuse for not helping was that I was sick. I thought it a pretty good one.

3. Freak snow storms result in power outages from 3am to 4pm. Aka no sewing.

What we learned:  Resourcefulness. Battery powered radio for conference: Check. Grandma Winters for lunch: Check. Stayed there for the second session: check. Luckily the power came back on at 4, so we spent the next 7 hours finishing up laundry and homework.

All in all, still a wonderfully good weekend. There were some other random lessons about car oil and food buffets, but such is our life, really. I was sick, but I've managed to sleep most of it off the past 2 days. Dan's been a dear and doted on me. I couldn't ask for more.

Now for today... to see how much this girl can sew in one evening!