A gift for a new baby

What do you sew for someone who has more than her fair share of sewing talent, fabric, and crafty ideas?  I made these waterproof pads for baby Fugate #5 and sent them at Christmas.  I meant to post them then, but wanted to make sure she got them before they were on the web and then life took over and it's almost February.  Better late than never.  They are basically like little quilts...machine quilted and hand bound.  The adorable floral side is super soft flannel and the other side has chenille on one and that awesome "minky" stuff on the other....with a plain jane waterproof pad in between...functional, but not chic by any means.

To be honest, they were hard to part with.  I was in love with them by the time I was finished.  

Our new friend

Known by the locals as a "Texas Speedbump", armadillos are so cute you just might find yourself wanting to take one home with you.  We found this one drinking out of our pond one day.  By the time we ran to get the camera, it was headed for home.  Thomas ran as fast as he could behind the little rascal and caught a few pictures of it.  The last one is just on the other side of the road as it was entering it's "home"...that hole in  the ground.

Family Funeral

It was a sad day in Lemoore, CA when we attended the funeral of Thomas' Grandma's funeral.  She lived just about all of her adult/married life on a farm just outside Lemoore.  Her two children were raised there.  It was her wish that she would never leave.  We are thankful that she was able to pass in the comfort of her home.  We flew out to Bakersfield at a moments notice to be with the family and celebrate her life as well as grieve her death.  It was a quick trip...but we are very glad we had the chance to be there.

Brother and Sister in front of Grandma's casket

Riley all spiffed up at the cemetary

My grown "little" man

A family portrait at the graveside

Seven months pregnant and lovin' it

Riley's latest famous expression for "are you kiddin' me?"

My all time favorite photo so far.  BTW-- that black bump in the bottom half of  the photo is my belly.  Riley loves to hug and kiss what he is sure is his "little sister."  We won't be finding out the gender until his/her birthday, thus Riley, who has never changed his mind about this baby being a girl, will have been right all along or....not.  As  they say, there's a 50/50 chance, but we are just amazed that this three year old has held his position through the months, never wavering or doubting that the mystery in my womb is female.

Park Day in Bakersfield

One of the best parts about visiting Bakersfield is that Riley gets to play with his cousins.  Ayden and Riley are only 6 months apart and they enjoy playing trucks, trains, and cars together.  We always try to get at least one good session in at the park.  Here are a few pictures.

Cousins Ayden and Addyson in Bakersfield

Riley and Grandpa on the slide

Riley and Papa on the slide

On The Road Again

We are flying back to California tomorrow to celebrate the life of a wonderful and dear Grandma.  She passed away at yesterday, at home, just as she desired.  Grandma always had a funny, sometimes provocative, joke to share...and had a good, deep belly laugh that was contagious.  She will be missed by all of us.

God is sovereign.

New Years Eve 2008

Midnight on December 31, 2008

Our Weekend Plans

Check it out here.

O Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic is Your Name in All the Earth.  Psalm 8:1 

An Athesist's Viewpoint of Why Africa Needs God

Read this!!!

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Nothing beats waking up to the warm smell of cinnamon, sugar, pecans, and butter.  Except waking up to that on Christmas morning.  We've started this yummy tradition and it is so nice.  Thanks to Rebekah Gent, we've got an irresistible recipe.  They stay with you most the day, which means these and Christmas dinner (Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding) are enough to more than satisfy.  

The dough rises perfectly the day before.

All rolled up and in the pan, ready to refrigerate and be cooked in the morning.

Yum Yum.

I'm trying to find a way to post this recipe.  Stay tuned.