Watch Out World. . . I'm Crafting!

So this week has been a banner week.  Allison has crafted.  I know, you're all amazed.  I wouldn't say that I am uncreative, actually I think I've got a pretty good eye but I'm not a self-starter crafter.  Good thing my friend Melissa is.  She's always making something and when she finds something really great she'll invite me to make it with her.  And this week we've been crafting up a storm for spring. Here's what I've made this week. 

 On Wednesday, we made these super cute flowers for YW.

The small one is a headband - the big one is on a clip.

 Here's Emma - my model.

 Thursday afternoon (well actually all day Thursday) me and 2 friends made these beauties.  

These fun Spring blocks were very involved but I think they were worth the effort.

 Then Thursday night Melissa hosted a Girls Night and we made these carrots.

Just take strips of orange fabric and wrap them around styrofoam cones, glue as you go then stick in some greenery for the tops.  Easy and cute decoration for Easter.

Sheesh, I'm tuckered right out.  I don't think I've ever been so crafty.  I think I've reached my crafting quota for the season.  I don't need to make anything else at least until summer.  Well I might make some more flowers.  They were so easy and my sister is going to have a baby girl in about a month - I think that girl needs some flowers hand made by Aunt Allison - don't you think?

So Grateful

I just can't say enough how grateful I am to live where I live.  5 years ago while JayDee and I were house hunting, I had some very strong feelings against living in this neighborhood.  They were unfounded feelings but I voiced my strong opinion anyway.  We made offers on 3 houses in other places, plus 1 other offer in this neighborhood, and none of them worked out. I guess it all boils down to the influence of the Spirit.  Heavenly Father knew we needed to live here so this is where we ended up, and I couldn't be happier.   We have the very best neighbors ever, really great friends!  I'm pretty sure the adults in this neighborhood are as good of friends, if not better friends, than our children are.  Everyone is always there to help, to listen, to volunteer to watch kids, and the list could go on and on. 

Last night, for example, my good friend and back door neighbor Heidi calls me up and says her husband is out of town so she wants to watch my kids so JayDee and I can go out.  She even went so far as to plan our date for us, researching movie times and dinner options.  :)  Who does that?  So not only did we get to go on an unplanned date but I didn't have to find a babysitter, which is for me is the worst part of dating.  It was like the best of both worlds!  I love this place!

 Most of us Moms trained for and ran a 5K together.

(Heidi was pregnant this summer so she is couldn't run with us.)

Hayride to the pumpkin patch. 

We even had a triple baptism with 2 of our best friends' families.  Nov. 2008

We've betroathed some children.

Melissa after a rousing game of fox and geese with the kids.

And here's my Heidi, friend and impromptu babysitter.

I love these people.  They're like my second family.  I'm lucky to have them all!

Oh how they grow . . . dogs that is.

So we've had some drama around here, and not the "my daughter was mean to your daughter" drama.  Real heart wrenching drama.  I've been so emotional about it I thought I'd type out some feelings.   Yesterday afternoon all the neighborhood kids were out in their usually spot "on the street" playing in the very welcomed sunshine.  All the neighborhood dogs were out mingling with the kids and all the moms were out visiting and watching the kids and dogs.  Well after a good hour of fun disaster struck.  From out of the clear blue sky, my puppy (and I know you're saying from these photos, that's no puppy, but he really is - only 10 months old) angrily bit our sweet little 4 year old neighbor, Brigham.  And we're talking BIT.  He got him pinned and bit him on the back of his neck. There were 4 distinct teeth marks on either side of Brigham's head. He was whisked away to the doctor immediately and ended up with stitches.  I t was truly awful!  I couldn't help but feel responsible.

I couldn't believe that my sweet, very patient and good natured dog would flip like that and deliver such a devastating blow. I cried all night.  I just felt awful about everything.  My children were devastated by all this as well.  They cried all night too.  They were just sure that we'd have to get rid of Tucker because of this. Brigham's parents are wonderful people and they have been very kind through all of this.  There was a report filed to Animal Control (standard procedure) and one of their officers came and paid us a visit today.  We knew that there was a possibility that he would have to be taken for a while by Animal Control for observation but the good news is that he can stay home on a 10 day quaratine to make sure there are no signs of rabies.  The only reason for the report is for rabies tracking.  

I truly feel blessed by the graciousness of Brigham's family and for their forgiveness.  They have not once blamed us or had any animosity towards us.  I am so thankful for good people!  Brigham is doing well.  He was a real trooper and so brave through all this. When I visited him today he was in good spirits and had lots to tell me about HIS dog.

Career Highs

I just love my husband.  For about 5 years now JayDee has been working for USU Extension as their Davis County Horticulture Agent. He knows everything about everything plant related.  About 3 years ago he was promoted and put on the tenure track, which pretty much means you work your tushy off, get paid very little, keep track of every little thing you do and hope that in 5 years you have proven yourself worthy of receiving tenure.  

 

Sometimes it gets very frustrating for me to watch him work so hard and get very little recognition.  It also is hard for me to play the role of single mom when the busy season hits. (Which, unfortunately for me, lasts from March through October.)  So needless to say, I was just slightly happy (okay I was ecstatic - I actually teared up) when JayDee told me he was being honored with Utah State University's Extension Agent of the Year award.  I just knew there was a reason I never see him!  He soooooo deserves this award. 

 

On Wednesday, we all went up to Logan for the presentation of the award.  I was glad I got to be there to cheer him on.  It is funny though, JayDee HATES the attention.  He actually looked sick standing in the spotlight next to the head of extension.  I wish I had remembered my camera.  (That's why there is no picture with this post.)  I'm just so happy for him.  What a great blessing!  All I can say more is that next year when JayDee goes up for tenure, he better get it!