Ring

You never really think about the weight of your wedding ring until all of a sudden, you realize it's no longer there. Then comes the panic and frantic searching, then sweet relief when you realize you put it on your dresser, or in your pocket.

Well, that sweet relief did not come Friday night. I was driving to the Temple and thought that my ring was awfully loose because of the cold outside. It was literally just twirling around my finger. As I parked there was snow falling. I decided to jog up the sidewalk to the front doors. After entering, I was halfway to my destination when I performed my trademark (thank you Stones side of the family) sharp intake of breath, realizing that my ring was no longer on my finger and I KNEW it was on when I got out of the car. Immediately, I retrace my steps, stopping to talk to a little lady, who told me I better look for it. :) Not having success inside, I make my way back outside to the fading twilight. All I see is an empty wet sidewalk, with an occasional leaf, and grass covered by shimmering, freshly fallen snow that glints in the light. Beginning to seriously worry, I knew I needed some help in this endeavor. I went back inside and searched the floor again, after having an emotional breakdown and reporting the loss. (I hate that, don't you?) Apparently, I sparked some concern with others and several people began to help me - inside and outside with flashlights and all. Still no success. It was now dark - too dark to search outside anymore. I'd already combed where I'd walked inside several times and could not find it anywhere. Deciding that I'd done all I could for the time being, I went ahead and did a session and went home - checking one more time as I left to make sure it hadn't been found.

The next morning, I awoke to an inch of new snow, but resolved to go and search the grounds after the snow melted in the afternoon. Lyndsey gathered her roommates and they also searched the grounds in the morning ( thanks!).

Around 12:30, I heard the phone ring while I was upstairs. I thought it was Lyndsey calling again on her way home. After checking the caller ID, my heart sped up because it was a call from the Temple! I hurriedly called the temple and they said they found a ring! It sounded like it was mine, but of course, I needed to go in to identify it.

On arrival, they called Dave, the security guy, who apparently was quite concerned because he'd checked to see if I'd arrived several times. Such a sweet man. He went out and searched with a flashlight even after I'd left!

Dave pulled the ring out and it was MINE! A lady walking into the Temple that morning found the ring on a bush. Amazing.

I am so grateful to have it back. Even more grateful, though, am I to have the knowledge that Heavenly Father does answer prayers. It seems so trivial that of all the things that happen in this world, Heavenly Father cares enough about ME to answer my prayers and get the ring into the hands of a stranger that caught a glint out of the corner of her eye and who had the integrity to turn it in so I could have it back.

The familiar weight is back on my finger and I'm going to look into getting the ring re-sized. :)

Pillow #2

I finished Pillow #2 today. It turned out alright, a little bit lumpy because of the filling I used, but I gotta use what I have! Addison has jumped on it some and that's helped already.

Instead of using foam like the last one, I made a pillow form and stuffed that inside the case. Because I did that there's no need to have the center button support - adds a little variety to the pillow scene.

One more to go and I'm trying for round this time . . .

Chef's Hat

Here's Addie showing off the Chef's Hat I made for her cousin Emmy's b-day. Emily has a matching apron that I made her awhile back. Turned out pretty cute, I think. Ella absolutely loves it and gets mad if it falls off her head.

If you're interested, you can find the pattern here: http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/Chef_Hat.pdf
I made mine a little bit differently and slightly smaller. Addie has already asked me to make one for her.

A fun and easy project if you're stuck inside the house right now!

Quote

Today, while finishing washing up in the bathroom, Addison mentioned that she doesn't have any hair in her nose or her ears, but that "You have a lot of hair in your nose and coming out of your ears, mom."
Well, I never knew I had that much! How come no one has told me this before? I guess I'll just have to pull out the nose/ear hair trimmer. :)

Another cute thing she's been doing lately is telling you to come close because she has a secret to tell you and then whispers loudly in your ear that "It's a secret."

Ella now mimicks spitting while brushing her teeth. She'll be walking around with her toothbrush and you hear her trying to make the nose. I'll have to get it on tape because it's quite cute.

All the Ducks

There are LOTS of ducks at Salem Pond. For some reason they don't migrate. They are definitely hungry though! As you can see from the pictures they flocked to us. Addie's cousins, who were spending a few days with us before moving to Michigan, came with us and we had a fun time.

Addie got a little nervous because the ducks were so close - especially a goose that was about as tall as her!

We will miss the Ford's a lot! Thanks for the fun visit.

One floor pillow down . . .

Three more to go. I finally began and finished one of the three pillows I've planned on making since Addie's birthday back in November. The original plan was to give them to Addie on her birthday. That obviously didn't happen. Then it was pushed to Christmas, and that didn't happen either. Better late than never though! I even completed mending the pile of clothes that's been on my sewing table for quite awhile. It's nice to have that clutter gone!

I like how the pillow turned out; I think it could have used a bit more foam inside, but I was using salvaged foam/filling from an old chair that broke awhile back. For the next two pillows I'll need to purchase some. It will help in the long run to have new foam.

I had extra cording so I decided to make flowers for the center "button." They were time consuming, but I like the look of them!

Sick AGAIN . . .

Only this time it's Addie, not Ella, with the stomach flu. I think it's a virus this time around though b/c Ella and Addie have been VERY gaseous. Ella has shown no signs of throwing up, for which I am grateful. I suppose if they have to get sick I'm glad they're taking turns!

Hopefully we'll get over this quickly. Addie has ALWAYS been the throw-up girl in our house since she was a little babe. It seems to last longer with her. She begs for food and I give it to her, but always regret it because her little body just can't handle it yet. As of right now she can't even keep a little sip of water down. Hopefully by tomorrow morning she can take a little water.

Oh the joys of motherhood!