Portabellopixie

All is Good!

Thank you so much for all the kind words on behalf of my friends last night. Brynnah has been intubated for several days and any movement at all caused her stats to drop drastically. They almost had to resort to chest compressions on Sunday, which needless to say is scary. They needed to replace her tube and were very concerned about the trauma it would cause her body. But she did great! And is steadily getting better! When I talked to Jacqui on the phone today, she had the most energy in her voice I have heard since she found out she was pregnant the first time. She lost that baby and the pregnancy with Brynnah was full of fear so to hear her so energentic and happy was such a blessing. I told her the kind things you had to say and she was so touched! They truly are an amazing family. Thank you for all the prayers, I'll keep you updated!

A Praying Matter

If you are of a praying nature, or feel like sending some positive thoughts in the way of a person in need, I have friends that could use it. 

Our dear friends Ryan and Jacqui fought a long time for a child. When Brynnah was born, she was born with heart and kidney problems. About a week and a half ago, both Brynnah and Ryan underwent surgery so that Ryan could give Brynnah one of his kidneys. Brynnah is not doing well and is fighting for her life. Tonight is critical and if you wouldn't mind sending up a few prayers on their behalf, we would all be grateful.

Pictures from when Brynnah was born...

Thank you everyone.

Prom* (and a bit of a rant)

In my church, we are given what are called callings, which are basically our jobs to help make things run smooth. I am in charge of girls camp this year which is (IMO) a HUGE responsibility. Girls camp is something that I have THE best memories of. So when I was asked to be in charge of it, I decided that I would spend half of my time in the women's meetings and half of it in the young women's (12-17 in age) meetings so I could get to know the girls really well and not have camp be the first time we really spent time together. 

 

Well, I've come to love the young women in our ward. (LDS talk for the church branch I attend.) When Monica was talking about her prom coming up and how her mom was working while she would be going out the door, I jumped up and down and practically begged her to let me take pictures! We took pictures at her house, then went to her mom's work and took pictures there, then went to the park and took pictures there.. It was so fun-training for Eliza's big events. :) 

I love how Monica's dress isn't showing ample amounts of cleavage or skin but she still looks lovely. When I was in Pittsburgh for Market a few weeks ago, prom was going on one night and I have to say, I was appalled at what 90% of the girls were wearing. And the guys all looked like they were ready to pimp the girls out, not take them on a nice date.  I'm no prude by any means but seriously, what is it with what teenagers are wearing these days?  Did their parents really let them out of the house like that?  You mom's out there with teenagers- how do you deal with it? Without causing war at home I mean. I thought Monica looked beautiful and I just wanted to share her with you guys!  And notice Edward's lack of a sideways baseball hat to accompany his tux.  (I'm serious..)

Thank you!!

Thank you so much everyone that has volunteered to help with sample sewing and pattern testing!  I am flabbergasted at the response.  I've had almost as many people volunteer their services as I had people enter my last giveaway.  Over 500 sample sewers have emailed us.  Wow.  You guys know I'm not giving anything away right?

I've got everyone's emails filed away and I'll be in touch in a few weeks.  Maybe sooner, we'll see.

Pretty thread huh?  Gutermann was 50% off at Joannes a few weeks ago.  Once when we were poor and starving I asked Dustin to run to the store to get me some thread.  He came back with some Gutermann and I about died that he spent $3 on thread.  Until I used it and I haven't really gone back.  So silky and the colors they have-top notch IMO.  I'll make sure to send some to the sewers we run with on this round!

xo,

Sandi

Busy Summer...

Whew!  How are you guys doing?  Enjoying summer?  I hope so!!

I knew this was going to be a busy summer.  But I somehow just keep adding things to the list.  Currently in the mix are:

Writing a book.

Writing 9 (!!!) new patterns

Editing colors and launching a new fabric collection.

Pulling off girls camp for church.

MOVING.

Yep.  Moving.  We went to Portland.  We loved it, loved it, loved it.  We saw the dream home and loved it.  At the end of the trip, we looked at each other and had this conversation:

Me:  Wow, it sure is great here.

Dustin:  I know, it's so lush and green.

Me:  Yep.

silence for a bit..

Me:  I think we should move to Missoula.

Dustin:  Huh, I was thinking the same thing.

Me:  Well, I guess I'll look for a place when I go pick up the kids.

Just like that.  But we knew it was the right choice.  We've been planning a move to Portland for two years.  TWO years!  And anytime we would talk about it, I always had this feeling of butterflies in my stomach and anticipation of the adventure.  The second we discussed moving back to Missoula-just peace.  Peace about not going to Portland, and completely void of disappointment over the "loss" of our plan.  It just feels right.  We still love Portland and may yet end up there, just not right now.

So-

I went to Missoula and found a house in .2 seconds.  I'm going back this weekend to look at one more on Monday and hopefully the decision is an easy one!  I love looking at houses!  

Our summer is going to be a crazy busy one, but we are falling into a comfortable schedule all the same.  It's going something like this..

Morning - Breakfast, getting cleaned up, packing 3-4 boxes.

Lunchtime - Lunch in the park (our town has free lunch for kids during the summer at the parks!)

Afternoon - We go to one of the activities in town.  Zoo, pool, kid's movies, etc..

Late Afternoon - Dustin comes home and I lock myself away for a good 4-5 hours of work.

Dinner - I emerge and we have dinner.

After dinner we spend some time together as a family until the kids go to bed and then Dustin and I do something together.  Usually last updates on the house that need done before it can be listed.

Whew!

I'm determined to make it a fun summer though, and to have a feel of relaxation about it.  Tips for getting through?  Anyone want to come live with me for a summer?

Oh, anyone want to volunteer to test the new patterns for me?  A couple of them are nearing that point.  Compensation is a full set of patterns (per sample sewn) and some free fabric.  You can keep the item you make.  I'm going to be looking for some sample sewers in the fall too, so if you're interested, shoot me an email!

  

Pictures?  Workin' on the book.  First deadline coming up pretty soon here.  Must shoo strike offs out the door so I can finish up this round of projects!  At least I can do bits of it outside.  :)

Sandi