The Turkey Invasion

We are overrun by turkeys today.

I thanked the turkey for giving up its life for us today as I rubbed the poultry seasoning into his muscle. I had heard before that some American Indian tribes did that whenever they hunted deer or buffalo--thanked the animal for its sacrifice.

More importantly, I would like to give thanks to the greatest Giver I know.

Thank you, Jesus, for your Love, your Grace, your Kindness, your Redemption, and your Blessings--too many to count.

Thank You, especially, for my turkeys...errr...family.



Thank You for their very different personalities that bring so much color to my life.



Thank You for my husband. Thank You for how beautiful You're making his feathers.



Thank You for my three little children who teach me more and more about You.



Thank You for being You.



Happy Thanksgiving from our flock to yours!!!

Note: I made these turkeys (except for Dave's gray and blue one--he made it) from the tutorial on THIS WEBSITE.

New Books for the Birthday Girl

There is not a whole lot more that I love than new books. It's an addiction. I have been this way as long as I can remember. I don't mind used books (they're new to me)--I just love owning books. And now that I'm crafty, I love craft books. Cookbooks are okay once in a while, but craft books are okay EVERY DAY.

My mom and aunt both gave me Barnes & Noble giftcards for my birthday. I made quick use of them online (and got free shipping! and member pricing for non-members--a promotion they're running right now...and I used Ebates and will get cash back), and these are the gems I found.

One-Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Trish Hoskins: 106 projects to make from one yard of fabric. Perfect for me--quick and satisfying. There is a file-cabinet cover in there that I'm excited to make. Our filing cabinet is UGLY (but it was free on Freecycle.org). There are tons of cute projects in this book!!!

Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter: I've wanted this book for three years. I finally own it. Lotta's style is incredible in that European simplistic way, and I love it. There are so many projects I can't wait to get started on, and they're SIMPLE. This lady is a genius.

Kneadlessly Simple by Nancy Baggett: The author's name is enough to sell this book--Nancy Baggett (get it? Baguette?) I hate kneading bread. I would like a bread machine (used to have one, but I let someone borrow it and they never returned it) to help, but with this book, I don't have to knead--the pictures are incredible, and the breads look tasty.

Sew What! Bags by Lexie Barnes: I love making my own purses. This book has 18 different projects, and I can't wait to get started--clutches, messenger bags, totes, drawstring--there's something for everyone.

There are some others I'd like as well:

Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner (along with a pile of her fabric)

Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy)

French General: Home Sewn by Kaari Meng

Do you have any suggestions to add to my list?

(I already have an Amy Butler book, In Stitches.)

Slowing Down

With all the madness and loveliness of my birthday, we managed to wear ourselves out. We traveled a lot, made messes in between our traveling, and now it is time to re-center and FOCUS.

My goal is to get back to normal as quickly as possible so that Thanksgiving can be relaxing. Yesterday, I had a long list of things to do. I didn't get to cross off many (just "shower" and "make grocery list and menu"). We did, however, manage to go to the store and get everything for the week and for Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving food.

Today, Dave went back to work since his vacation is officially over. I love having him home, but if he is home, I don't get anything done. :) I'm glad we're all back where we belong. The house is slowly coming together. Our vacuum is dying. I saw smoke coming out of the bottom. It smelled funny.

I do not like having a canister vacuum. I miss having a bag that I can throw away 0r better yet--BURN (especially when we're having our yearly autumnal battle against Woodrow's fleas). I know that's not environmentally savvy, but it is one of those things that make my skin crawl. I would like your vacuum suggestions.

I have so many sewing and crafty projects in my mind and on my shelf. I need to get going. I keep hopping from project to project. I think my goal this year will be to finish THAT ADVENT CALENDAR I started two years ago. I made a mistake on it, and will essentially be starting from Step 2. Kind of hard to get motivated...but I'm also toying with the idea of inventing MY OWN advent calendar...if I do, perhaps there will be a tutorial to follow.

Do you guys do Advent Calendars? I love the one my friend, Cinthya, has--it tells the Christmas story or the significance of each symbol--all made of felt. I LOVE FELT.

So, here's to nesting and being at home!

I told Dave last night, "I wish that my house was always sparkling and that the kids would dance around me with daisy chains while I sewed." We giggled.

1979 was a good year.

The madness has continued. I have loved it all. Almost.

I got into a stinky mood while we were in the hotel room in KC. I just couldn't bear being cooped up in there during naptime. Naps never happened (as they don't in hotel rooms), so we ended up going out and working on some Christmas presents for the grandparents. I can't say exactly what we worked on because the grandparents read the blog. :)

We were able to go to IHOP (International House of Prayer) in KC and spend some time in the prayer room, worshipping with our brothers and sisters. It was truly a blessed time. Lucy had several people offer prayers for her--which was so special. I look forward to seeing those things materialize in her life.

We went out for dinner with some of my former students (now friends!), Tim and Anna. We took them to an Indian restaurant for their first Indian experience. The food took FOREVER and Maryn broke a plate, but it was some of the tastiest Indian food I've ever had. I think Tim and Anna enjoyed themselves.

We headed to NWA (Northwest Arkansas) for Lucy's birthday party with our families. It was fun and so good to see everyone. Lucy received a lot of clothes and some sweet little toys just for her (not ones she's inherited from her brother and sister). :) I also received some lovely presents. I am so blessed.

The blessings haven't stopped.

Dave distracted me on the way home, and took a detour to Ft. Smith where we stopped to stay the night with our friends, Brian and Megan. He tricked me! I was so glad he was able to...he slips up and I'm too nosy. Not a good combo for surprises! Our kids are having a blast playing with Alice's toys, and it has been fun to visit with our friends.

We leave here after lunch and head home where a few more things await...

This has been the best birthday ever. It isn't the stuff I've gotten but the time and thoughtfulness of my husband that has been the most special. Dave learned a long time ago that my birthday is a big deal to me. So, he rose to meet the challenge!

Lucy Claire is my favorite birthday present, for the 2nd time! She is such a blessing of a child. I can't help but recall the beauty of her birth--the pain I embraced, the lessons the Holy Spirit taught me. You can go back to this time last year on my old blog to read about it. Children are a blessing from the LORD. A blessing and NOT a burden. Thank you, Lord, for my precious children!!!

Thank you, birthday well-wishers (here and on Facebook) who have reminded me that I am loved. I love you, too.

I'm 30!!!!

Birthday week '09

It is that time of year again--time for me to get older. I am turning 30 this year. Kind of a big deal.

I hear old people will respect me more. :)

Dave indulges me beyond reason for my birthday. We celebrate for a week! This year, Dave has spoiled me rotten. I guess it is okay though because forever I will have to share my birthday with our little Lucy.

I have received junior mints and Swedish fish. I received a Joann giftcard and some buttons. I was given an iTunes card to download my own music. I also received a book today as well as a trip to Petit Jean State Park and Kansas City.

I am always reminded of the extravagant love of God when Dave blesses me so much on my birthday. I will be sure to let you know how the rest of it goes, but I must go for now because we're in the hotel for naptime and it is more like a party. :)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Technology is a poor friend.

I thought I would write a post from my new toy--an iPhone. And, in true Geidlbots fashion, I must share what this little machine has already taught me.

What I discovered today was that though I have the world at my fingertips, I still have the capacity to feel alone. Of course, this is incredibly ironic. Humankind's efforts to create a global society is quickly becoming a reality in much of the world. In order to stay in touch, we have created ways of communicating that no longer require audible voices or body language...but wait! It is called "the written word", isn't it?

Texting, IM and its counterparts (Facebook, Myspace, etc) allow us to communicate, but we miss out on the best parts of face to face interaction! We miss out on smiles.
Tears.

Beauty.

Crow's feet, wrinkling up around your grandma's eyes.

I realized this today when I was struck with a spell of loneliness. I spent much of my day interacting with a screen. Yes, there were people on the other side talking back to me, but I missed out on the beautiful people I was surrounded with today.

A red-headed little boy, full of big ideas...
A blankey--chewing girl...
A smiley joygiver...
A bearded lover...

I hope I don't repeat this day in the future. A musician said it best, "Love the one you're with." Don't let your loved ones forget what your face looks like without the screen glare across it.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Before and After Pictures of Our House

I have finally re-sized all these pictures and uploaded them. It was no small feat, let me tell you! Please excuse their poor quality and janky angles. They should give you a glimpse into what our house looks like. We're pretty pleased with how things turned out, but some things remain unfinished, so excuse it all.

The Living Room

Before

After

Before (corner of living room)

After (corner of living room)


The Dining Room

Before (angle looking up into living room)

After (angle looking down from living room)
This is also our "International Art Room".

Left to Right countries represented:
Wall hanging--India; Framed papyrus--Egypt; Table Runner--Uzbekistan; Oil on Wood--Iran; Framed Oil on Canvas--Philippines; Hand-Painted Scroll (Mt. 6:33)--China

The Kitchen
(excuse the lady cleaning!--she was hired for us by our realtor!)
Though I liked the yellow, Dave did not, so we compromised.

Before

After

I had to show you a close up of the cute fabric I used for the curtains.

The Sunroom

Before

After (and I've rearranged since this picture)

Behind the Screen

The Downstairs Bathroom

Before (this bathroom is too small for pregnant women and the morbidly obese)

After (the yellow sink will one day be replaced with a white pedestal sink)



The Stairs (leading up from the living room to the bedrooms)

Before
(When we moved in almost everything downstairs was a gross beige)



After
(We used a lot of medium gray and dark gray)



The Upstairs Bathroom

Before
(This lavender was sickening--especially paired with the scratched hunter green countertop)



After
(Someday we hope to replace the counter/countertop; sorry for the non-matching angle)



Lucy's Room

Before (it was icky)



After
(I still feel like this room is in limbo)



Sam and Maryn's Room

Before (when the old owners still lived here)



After
(I also feel like their room needs more decor on the walls and perhaps some more organization)



Our Room

Before (when old owners lived here)



After
(Our curtains are temporary. I like how dark it is , but I want something that will let in light during the day. Just haven't gotten around to it. I LOVE my bedspread. Thank you, Target.)



That concludes the tour. Whew.

A Few Things I've Been Up To ::Photo Edition::

There are so many pictures I've taken over the last two months that I will have to do several posts to accommodate our goings-on. I'll begin with a couple of sewing projects I've completed.

My good friend and former college roomie, Megan, is going to have a baby in January. Her hometown is about 1.5 hours from my house, so I was able to go to her baby shower a couple of weeks ago. Megan has been sewing for years. In college, she would always say things like, "Oh, don't buy that, I could make it." However, she rarely would actually make it. :) So, when it came time to make her a baby gift, we started chatting, and I discovered she might be needing a diaper bag. I made one for myself before Lucy was born. So, she picked out some fabric, and I made her this cute bag for her baby boy/girl (they're not finding out until Christmas).

I added the red trim for a little pop of color.

Then, I had talked with Marla about making a gift for Marley. She said that a quilt would be fine. Her colors were pink and orange. I had a bit of trouble finding fabric I loved (I prefer JoAnn Fabric to Hancock's, but Hancock's is closer). I got a little inspiration and came up with this quilt.

The colors are actually a little faded because some of the red bled onto the lighter fabrics, so I had to use Rit Color Remover. It worked, but it did fade some of the fabrics. I don't pre-wash generally because I like how the puckers cover up my mistakes, but I probably should have since I used red flannel on the back of the quilt.

We did make our yearly outing to the pumpkin patch. It was fun, and it was really hard to get good pictures of our wiggly kids. I need to work on those pictures, but here are a couple of fall-ish pictures.

These are some pumpkins that I thought were darling. And I liked that they are called "Cinderella" pumpkins. :)

My feet, leaves and green grass. Whee.

This is the creek behind our house. It has been so full and beautiful this autumn. I'm very blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty.

More to come. Stay tuned...

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Well, it was more like the other way around--worst first and then best.

1. Thursday night, we had water pouring into our house thanks to the poor drainage in our yard. We cleaned up water twice that night. Dave got to buy a shop-vac.

2. Saturday, the transmission died in our car. Our only car.

Our friends let us borrow their car (generosity at its finest!!!). Little did they realize that we are cursed in the car department. Seriously. Even when we borrow people's cars things go awry.

3. Sunday, Dave hit a deer with their car.

Like I said, things go awry.

Thankfully, the deer didn't damage their car--unless you count leaving behind some hair in their front license plate and grill.

4. Monday, the best began to happen.

We bought a van.

A mini-van.

A 2004 Honda Odyssey.

With 76,000 miles.

If you know us or what we have been waiting for for the past 1.75 years, then you know that this is a BIG deal.

We are so happy. And thankful. And blessed.

If the mechanic can fix the Acura for less than 2K (if not, it won't be worth it b/c the cost to fix it will exceed its worth) then we'll fix that so Dave can drive it to work. Then we will be a 2 car family again. That will feel weird if it happens.

5. Today, we got DSL!!! I need to get to work on some pictures so my blog won't be so boring!

So, this past week started off poorly, but it did get better.

6. Well, except that I had to call a stone mason (not to be confused with a freemason) to fix the leak in our chimney (which will eventually rust out on the inside anyway and have to be completely rebuilt).

Okay, three out of six isn't too bad...I guess it is just a reminder that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction...or something like that.