Follow your dreams
March 10, 2010
I finally finished this embroidered wall hanging. I started it several years back and finally finished the quilting and the binding. I love how it came out.
sandi > A Stitch of Mine | Comments (0)
Play ball
Paul loves to throw balls, kick balls, hit balls, bounce balls, hit them off his sister’s head and just about anything else a two year old can think of to do with a ball. Since spring is supposed to be on it’s way I decided we should get Paul a ball and bat. This way he can hit balls in a constructive manner.
Sometimes he hits the ball right off the top and sometimes he hits the tee. Either way it is much better than when he decides to hit the ball than the walls or his sisters. Who knew solving one problem would cause another. Good news he no longer is using balls inappropriately. 
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My gymnasts
March 8, 2010
We enrolled all the kids in gymnastics recently. They each love their classes!
Paul goes to the Mommy & Me tumbling class. He was afraid of the teacher the first day. The second class he was afraid but got over it very quickly. It is times like this that I am reminded how much has changed in Paul’s life. He is still leery of strangers and doesn’t want them touching him until he trusts them. He loves to play and calls his coach Mikey his friend. It is so cute! They give out stamps at the end of class. Because of his very dark skin his stamp never shows up—only a circle of ink can be seen. Thankfully he loves his circle stamp.
Mimi LOVES gymnastics. She had wanted to join dance class again but they are not taking students right now because it is so close to recital time. She hopes to join in the summer or fall. She lucked out and got in a class that only has 4 girls enrolled. Today there were only 2 present. It is almost like private lessons at class prices! Woot! This is very good for Mimi. She still gets leery of lots of people and confusing situations. I am proud of how much she is trying to do everything she is asked. Here she is on the balance beam with her coach.
Kimberly loves being in gymnastics. She is very competitive and really enjoys learning and practicing all the things they show her. Each week she looks forward to her lesson. I know she is going to do well. Kimberly is the one in the purple pants on the balance beam. (These photos are from her trial class and we hadn’t bought leotards until we decided if they wanted to do it.)
Annie is really enjoying gymnastics. She is strong and it is good to watch her try to get her body to do the things she wants it to. She tends to be uncoordinated like her father. She continues to try hard and gets it. Everyday Annie makes me feel her arm muscles. Someday soon she is going to be as strong as she desires. (Annie is the one in pink waiting her turn on the bar.)
Boy! Annie and Kimberly have changed a lot since they first went to gymnastics.
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Yard Sale
Around the 6browns home we have a couple of things we no longer need. We know many may need them and we would like to offer them to you here. If you are interested in something send me an email and I will tell you how to buy that item. All items prices will include shipping charges and will be shipped out the day following the sale.
The first item we have is the babyhawk. This was used for a year after Paul came home. It is in very good condition. It has one small stain on the strap that goes around the waist, otherwise it is in perfect condition.
The front:
The back:
The tag:
The stain:
Paul is still small enough to be carried in this but he doesn’t like it anymore. Since he turned two he pretty much refuses and thinks it is a punishment to be carried in the carrier.
You can see Madeline (3 years old at the time) in it here.
The babyhawk is listed at the yard sale for $70. Let me know if you are interested.
The second item in the yard sale is my Palm Centro. I recently upgraded to an iPhone and no longer need it. It is a Sprint phone and has a couple of small cracks around the buttons (this does not effect the use of the phone). It is worn from normal use. [UPDATE (3/8/2010): SOLD!]
The Palm Centro is listed at the yard sale for $50. SOLD! Let me know if you are interested or have any further questions regarding this item.
sandi > Family News | Comments (0)
Photo moments
Every once in a while I let the kids use my camera to take pictures. (One of the many reasons why I need to replace it sometime soon.) I am always amazed at the photos I find when I download.
Madeline loves using the camera and she captures some very cute shots. Here are some from the other day:
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Paul’s first day at Gymnastics
March 4, 2010
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Somebody thinks we are special
March 2, 2010
I received an email this morning notifying me that I was included in a list of the 50 top Mummy Blogs.
Looking over this list there are some pretty impressive blogs listed. I am humbled and honored to be among them. 
sandi > Family News | Comments (2)
Put it on the list
March 1, 2010
Annie is very distractible and often “forgets” to flush the toilet. This is not nice for anyone who goes in after her. Bill and I get on her all the time about this.
On Sunday, she let us know that she thinks we should get an automatic flushing toilet. 
This child is so nutty! She said that we need one just like stores have and then we wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. I let her know that she is the only one who has a problem with flushing after going to the bathroom.
I researched a little bit tonight and found this sensor for home toilets. So I guess we know what Annie will be getting for Christmas.
sandi > Annie | Comments (3)
Quilted Custom Name Wallhanging
Commenter #6 Michelle is our winner!!!!
Her comment:
I like My Girl – and it would nicely match my daughter’s room we are currently redoing. ALLISON.
Michelle I will create your wall hanging this week and get it mailed out by Friday!
Thanks for all who entered.
sandi > A Stitch of Mine | Comments (2)
In a different light
February 28, 2010
There are times that you just glance over at your children and all of a sudden they are different to you. Not that they really are different it is just that in the hustle and bustle you hadn’t noticed just how much they had matured or changed. A moment like this happened the other week.
Mimi was asking to help out in the kitchen. Madeline loves cooking, baking and even cleaning. She is going to be an awesome housewife and mother someday if she continues to enjoy these things. The only things I needed to do were clear the island and wash dishes. Since clearing the island is a large task I allowed her to wash the dishes.
Mimi got the water going and some soap in the water. She put the dishes in the sink and started to wash. I glanced over at her and saw this:
She just looked so mature to me that I had to snap a photo of the moment I saw her in a different light. There stood my little baby, but she wasn’t little anymore. Her hair is coming in and she no longer has the baby hair look. She stands on the stool on her long legs that seem to have grown several inches while I wasn’t noticing. Her whole being seems more mature and it is clear she is growing up.
She washed the dishes and didn’t stop until all of them were done. When I showed her that some were not clean she wasn’t upset with me, she just rewashed them. She had he stamina and drive to get the entire load done and asked if there was anything else she could do to help out. I thanked her for her work and told her she could go play. She walked away and I stood there in awe of the little lady she is becoming.
sandi > Madeline | Comments (0)
Contrasts
February 25, 2010
This last weekend I witnessed two episodes that made me so proud of my girls (and, by extension, our parenting efforts). One took place at a bowling alley and the other at a McDonald’s. They were the exact same scene, but they played out very differently.
We were waiting patiently at the bowling alley to inquire about getting a lane. The lady behind the counter was helping a gentleman while another customer stood down the counter from us. I don’t know how long she had been standing there. It seemed like she had been helped already and was waiting to ask a question or get more assistance. The employee finished with the gentleman and started to help us as we were next in line.
The customer that had been waiting exploded. Evidently, she was waiting for bumpers to be raised on her lane and it had taken too long. She harangued the employee who then leisurely took care of her. When it came to be our turn again, she apologized for the other customer and I cheerily said that it wasn’t a problem. I asked for a bumper for our lane and she had it taken care of before we even got over there. Something tells me that the irate customer had been difficult in the initial interaction as well.
The next episode occurred because Annie and Madeline wanted mayonnaise for their fries. We let them go together and continued eating. After awhile, Sandi suggested that I check to make sure everything was alright. I looked over and saw them get passed over by the employee at the counter. They were kind of small at the counter and the employee probably thought they were with the previous customer. They just stood there waiting patiently. Sandi told me that they were too polite and went over to remind them that they should speak up to get helped. They did so and came back quickly.
The contrast struck me. I am proud that my girls are so patient and polite. The bowling alley customer’s children will likely be just like her because they have seen (and will likely always see) outbursts like that. Life is too short to live like that: it’s not worth the mental grief to worry about someone being taken out of turn.
bbrown > Annie, Family News, Madeline | Comments (1)
The end of the rainbow
February 24, 2010
The other evening I was driving on the freeway. It was sprinkling but the sun was shining so there was a rainbow. I had to snap this picture with my phone.
It looks as though I am driving right for the end of the rainbow. Never saw anything so neat and never felt so much like a leprechaun.
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Third loaf
I baked another batch of the no-knead bread recipe that I posted about the other day. This time I used warm beer from the pantry and it came out better. It rose higher and the bread was less dense. So delicious.
I also made another batch but I used bread flour. It was not nearly as good. When kneading the dough it was not light and soft. The bread was dense and while it had good flavor it was quite chewy. The recipe calls for all purpose flour not bread flour, but I had this around so I thought I would see what it did. Certainly won’t do that again.
sandi > culinary escapades | Comments (0)
We are never on this journey alone
February 23, 2010
This last week the weekly update from the adoption agency we used for Paul’s adoption suggested that families not tell people they were on the journey to adoption until later in the process. I was stunned by this idea. In life you are never on a journey alone.
There is an emotional attachment we have to people around us. People who we see everyday impact our lives and people we have only seen once. They all make up the patchwork pieces of our life. When I was going through infertility and adoption woes I was an emotional wreck. Never was there something that I wanted so badly that I couldn’t acheive through hard work.
It wasn’t until I finally had Annie and Kimberly in my life that I realized that I wasn’t the only one who’s heart was attached to this happy ending. Everyone around me prayed, hoped and waited for the day that this would be my reality. A blogging buddy made a wonderful post about this and how the people literally cheered when she showed them her son. Nobody around me cheered when my girls were in my arms, but everyone smiled. They smiled deep heartfelt smiles as though peace was brought to them, as well as to me. It was then that I really understood that they were there with me the entire time. Each time a ultrasound showed a still heart, their heart ached. Every single hard step that was made, they were there. I was so wrapped up in my despair that I didn’t see them and their pain. There is nothing in my life that has ever made me feel so alone and yet I wasn’t alone. The waits for Mimi and Paul were so much easier with the knowledge that everyone was there holding me up when I felt I might fall.
I can’t imagine my journey without all the love and support of family and friends. I cannot imagine going through all of this alone. I think that the agency is completely wrong on this one. The only thing that helps to make the wait easy is family and friends. Sure it stings a little when another person asks you how much longer, but the sting is there anyhow, whether or not they asked.
So to all those people who are still on their journeys through infertility or adoption don’t think you have to hide the road you are on. It feels so hard and it seems like you will never get through it, but you will and when you do you will be so greatful for all those who had a hand in your life story. Life is emotional and the things that carry the most emotion are the things that mean the most.
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Heart Warming
Because in life it is those little unexpected things that make your heart swoon. This is what I found on my legal pad this morning.
The kids know I am a list woman and they know where to reach me. Love that! I also love her revisions to her sentiment. Today I did my chores with a little extra love from my Annirific. She warms my heart in ways I could never have imagined possible.
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Custom Quilted Name Wall Hangings and a Giveaway
February 22, 2010
In between all the craziness around here I have been crafting. It is one of the main ways I maintain my sanity. I love to create things.
I came up with an idea to make a quilted name wallhanging. They are surrounded by a pieced border and machine quilted. I write the name in the center with free motion quilting and then stipple around the name. I absolutley love how they came out. They are approximately 10X17 inches and would be perfect hanging over a crib or bed or on a child’s door. They are listed in my etsy shop.
I would love to make one especially for you so I decided to host a giveaway!
There are seven different styles including this fun bubble print.
The giveaway is easy and you have two ways to win. For one entry all you have to do is go over to my etsy shop select a style you would like best. Leave the style name in the comments along with the name you would want written on it and you will be entered. For a second entry go to my etsy shop and pick the style you like best. Post the link to the wallhanging on you blog or on facebook. Come back and comment letting me know you posted it and you will be entered a second time.
I will close comments on Friday night at 8pm MST, February 26th, 2010. Winner will be announced Saturday morning.
sandi > A Stitch of Mine | Comments (8)
2nd bread recipe
Ever since last April when I made the most dense bread possible I have been itching to make a better recipe.
Well, I think I have found one that is tasty and the first time I made it it was not dense, had a good flavor, great crust and the entire loaf was gobbled up by my hungry family. Here is a link to the recipe. The recipe is pretty easy to make. I put the ingredients together the night before, left it out on the counter until the next afternoon, knead it a couple of times, and put it in the oven. The beer in the batter gives it a hint of a sourdough like taste. Trust me it was good. I plan to make another loaf tonight.
I think this is going to be my 3rd recipe to try. mmmm . . . looks so tasty.
sandi > culinary escapades | Comments (3)
Spontaneity—or lack there of
When you become a Mother there are so many things that change about you. Countless things, some you don’t miss and some you wish could come back again. For me spontaneity is one of those things. It is one I miss a lot. I want to find a way to bring it back into my life.
There was a time when I could just pick up and go. With four kids I can barely go to Walmart spontaneously. I have plenty of demands on me, and then working the kids schedules into the equation makes it even more difficult.
This Spring Break I am going to give being spontaneous a go. (Laughing so hard I might fall off the couch here!!!!) I am going to plan to be spontaneous, how ridiculous is that, but is the best I can do. We will leave our house one day during the break and not return for several days. I am thinking about traveling around AZ some, but maybe we will go nuts and end up in another state.
So that’s the plan. Going to try to be spontaneous sometime over spring break and see where it leads me/us.
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Feeling better
Everyone around here is doing so much better. Kids are back at school and we are beginning to find normal again.
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Girl Scout Cookie madness
February 16, 2010
The Girl Scout cookies arrived on Sunday and as the troop leader it was my responsibility to get them picked up. I graciously passed this responsibility to Bill who was more than happy to help out. Once home they needed to be sorted into the individual Girl’s orders. My dining room table became cookie central. The stacks have another row of stacks just as tall behind them. And to think our troop sales were very low compared to most others!
Over half the cookies have been picked up and I hope to get the remaining families over here soon to pick up their portions. Hopefully one day soon my dining room can be reclaimed.
sandi > Annie, Girl Scouts, Kimberly | Comments (7)