Quilt Loving

So I am loving quilts these days.  I have a few in progress including one for Denise that I am hoping to finish any day now for a house warming present. One for my mom that was a christmas present like two years ago (oops)- the top is pieced, so I don't know what my problem is.   And a third one that I just started for Samarah so that I could follow this quilt-a-long.


But what I am really itching to take part in is an online quilting bee like this and this.

You can read all about online quilting bees here.  All of the quilting bees that I've found though are full :(  so that leaves me to start my own (intimidating) or wait until another one opens up.

Does anyone else want to start a quilting bee but is without a group?

I've missed...

Wow.  It has been such a long time.  I didn't think so much time has past since I gave up my blog, but apparently it has been longer than a year.

So much has happened since then, but I won't bore you with the details.  I miss blogging.  I like being able to look back and see what I've done, and the blogs out there are so amazing these days.  It seems a shame to lurk and not contribute, so I am back.

Moving Forward....

...One Stitch at a Time

Time brings change,
unpredictable change.
And with blind faith,
we move forward
integrating life's many lessons.
As summer's heat gave way
to the wayward winds
of winter,
hesitancy yields to frustration,
born from the uncertainties
of the future.

And Still,
time brings change,
unpredictable change.
And in silence,
we wait,
incorporating love's many revelations.
As winter's winds give way
to the bountiful beauty
of spring,
frustration yields to optimism,
despite the uncertainties
of the future.

life uncommon

You. You are why I have faith in Gods will, and not government bureaucracy.

And, though we are tired, I, and we, will set down our chains. Until only faith remains. And we will no longer lend our strength to that which we wish to be free from.

Smile babies. Retribution just like redemption is in Gods hands.

God is watching us.




All you unbelievers, there is a new army coming. And we are armed with faith.

I'm Having an Affair

My goodness sex...I mean spinning is fun!! Seriously, I could do this for like, I don't know.... six hours at a time!! I love how soft, and sensual it is. And the love, man the love. I can't get over it. Mix it with some nacho's, chocalate almond, and some size sixteen's for the bottom (18's for the top of course) and I am good to go.

Happy New Year

A predictable new years post of course would include such things like resolutions, and contemplations- all of which I am incredibly good at. I can think of a few. This year especially, is great for contemplation. After all, isn't that what big break-ups, and major life changes are about?




Without digressing into my usual dismay at the amount of waste being produced through confetti, streamers, horn blowers, along with the sheer amount of electricity required to light that damn ball, and the thousands of kilowatt hours required to light every single thing in the country until well past midnight I will attempt to sum up the past and the future succinctly.

Past

1. This year I turned 30, and didn't grow a single whisker!
2. All of my gardening work, blah. Now maybe I can uproot Stepford.
3. Freedom comes with a price, but it is worth paying.
4. Friendship and love change everything.
5. Spinning is seriously adulterous.
6. Anything important is worth the wait.
7. There really is power in saying it out loud.
8. Thank you.


Future

1. More nachos
2. More dreams
3. More fighting
4. More standing
5. More loving
6. More faith
7. More knitting
8. More spinning
9. More belief
10. More eggs


And because I can't resist.......

Less waste, more recycling!!!

Forgiveness

This Christmas Eve has been one of reflection for me. A lot has happened this past year, which has completely changed my life, through which, my faith, has been both, strengthened, and challenged. Most recently though, I've been wondering about forgiveness.

This holiday, Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ, is essentially about forgiveness isn't it? Christ came to save us from our sins, to show us His grace, to forgive us, didn't he?

What are we supposed to learn from that? I googled forgiveness and Christ, and found many, many pages talking about getting forgiveness. Believe me, I am all about getting, and needing forgiveness, but what about giving it? What does it really mean to give forgiveness? And if we are willing to ask for it (repeatedly) shouldn't we be just as willing to give it? I think, in many ways that this is one of my major life lessons; getting and giving forgiveness. This week, I've had a major lesson in forgiveness.

So I step out, in faith, not forgetting- but doing my best to forgive, so that I can ask as I have given.

I forgive you.

Please God forgive me.

Merry Christmas

130 Days to a New Day

It took exactly 130 days for the county to pick me to mother my amazing children. But who is counting right? Now it is a new day. We are changed forevermore. Healing, loving, and becoming a family. Yay, for we are The Quinns

Thank you God
Thank you Monroe County DHHS
Thank you Denise
Thank you Marie
Thank you Mary
Thank you Sarah
Thank you Stacy
Thank you SPCC
Thank you Syed Children
Thank you Evelyn, Laura, & Irene
Thank you Tiffany & Adam, Dana, Mom, Catherine & John, Jeff & Brooke, Tyna
Thank you Village Yarn Knitters
Thank you Dreams

Fingers crossed, prayers praying for the long and bumpy road ahead (filled still will legal woes and impending visits, but in the end 100% sole custody).

Fear no more

rest here under my boughs
let the canopy of my love
comfort and protect you
from the tempestuous storms of life

feel the winds calming now
as I lower my arms to you
soothing your fears with velvety leaves of truth

sleep here, my child
on strong roots that
have withstood the test of time
under the shelter of my branches
you will fear no more

On Responsibility

Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." ~Anonymous

Water Fun

You've got to love a hot summer day!

Happy Birthday

Zakariah and Samarah, I hope you both have a great day!! 

Note to Self

Crunchiness at its best.

So, as most of you know, or could probably guess, I am anti-plastic bag. For these reasons.  The last time I went to the grocery store, I was completely crushed to realize how many produce bags I still use used, despite using reusable grocery bags. As vegetarians, you can imagine that we buy a lot of vegetables, which means upwards to 15 produce bags or more.  This totally negated the whole purpose of reusable grocery bags. 

Exciting news!!! I found someone on etsy who makes reusable bags for produce, and I bought a whole bunch. Now I can't wait to go grocery shopping!!! Finally, bag free!!!  Aren't they pretty?

Birthday Fun!

My little hula hoop pro!

Is He a boy, or a fish?      

Arturo and his new fish. Our family's first fish tank, wish us luck!

Happy 5th Birthday Baby-Man!

Ugh!!!!!

Seriously?  18 mpg?  And they advertised it?  I don't know what else to say but, UGH!

Now that is a whole bunch of ....

Purpose.

I never was very good at tag....

Apparently I was tagged by Ms Denise.

It could be worse, I could have been tagged....

I digress.

Maybe that is why I was never

         very good at that game.    

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Maybe it was this.......

 It was definitely this.

Headed 

        

           

 toward

                    

                    

        this......

and wanting lots of these....................

But somehow, despite being a little like this....

knew to wait for this 

and along the way, when the time was right, somehow ended up lucky enough to have this...





What are the five things on my list to do today?
Five? Oh, right this is a game, (play along Channyn!)

1. Go to church
   
2. Go to a family picnic 
3. Wash laundry
4. Get ready for Monday
5. Love my children

Snacks I enjoy

1. Cheese
   
2. Almonds
3. Chocolate 
4. Cheese
5. Ice cream
6. Cheese
7. Chips with green salsa
8. Cheese
9. Cappuccino
10. Oh, and cheese now and then.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

Probably this....

don't forget this...

and, come on fitting into these wouldn't be to bad.....

5 people that I would like to learn more about:

1. Alanna 
   
2. L2
3. Tyna, and
4. Brooke.  Get a blog will ya........
5. Alexandra, who is also bloggless

you are all it.........

Weekend Fun

This weekend we took the kids to a school picnic. Lots and lots of fun....





Cute babies......




















Bouncing.....










Horseback riding....












All the boys even volunteered as dunkee's in the dunking booth













Even Arturo, my brave boy.....










All this makes for some very tired babies.....



Yes, he really is asleep!