Sorry, too tired to come up with a good title!

Is it sad that I look forward to reading the blogs as much as I do? Its like having friends when I don't get to leave the house. Oh well, if it is sad, so be it! Life has been so busy the past few weeks this may be a little of a long post. Sorry 'bout that!

My poor little TJ has cut 3 teeth in the past 2 weeks. He has not been a happy camper. He hates eating food from a spoon, so he usually eats what I am eating. Lots of fruits and veggies. (Sidenote: This is actually working well because I'm really watching what I eat knowing that he is going to eat it too.) However, when he is teething, he doesn't want to eat anything. He always loses some weight, which he doesn't really have to lose. To add to that, he has had a nasty little cold for a week or so now. I love him, but he is oh so very cranky. He was a little better today, but only a little. I'm hoping this new trend will continue and he will be back to his happy little self soon.

James was home last week, so that meant we were INSANELY busy. He had about a billion doctor apointments. He has had tonsilitis 4 times this past year, so he has to have his tonsils taken out. He already had a specialist appointment with an ear nose throat specialist when he comes home next time, so Dr. Smith just added a note to why he was seeing him. The original appointment was to see if he can get his deviated septum fixed. Then he had an appointment at the sleep apnea clinic. He has a loaner machine to use while he is at work this week to see if it helps. He was supposed to have a dentist appointment, but it didn't get approved in time. He also has to have lasik surgery before he can be a cop, so he was supposed to have an appointment at the eye dr. However, the dr. ended up having to be out of town for a few days, so that got postponed til next time too. I have a full time job just keeping up with all of his appointments!

I made a cake for a little girls first birthday. She really loves frogs, so they wanted a frog cake. That was pretty much the only direction they gave me, so this is what I came up with.

We have been busy little bees getting ready for the wedding. We had the invitations made within a couple of days and then mailed out, but they got sent back because the guy at the post office told us they weren't oversized and they were. Now, they are re-stamped and back in the mail. Other than that, we have done some guest book pages, bought the dress, veil ect., had a bridal shower/bachelorette, planned the decorations, meal and servers and a whole lot of other stuff. Next week I'm doing the bustle in her gown, making a jacket for it, and a dress for the afterparty. That is assuming that Amanda gets better. She has been really sick for the past 2 weeks.

Other than that, my time has been almost completely consumed with class, sewing and mommying. Class is going really well. Its been pretty easy so far, but it is early on. I have taken the first load of bags to Anna Banna. I'm super excited about them. I've got two more styles I'm finishing this week and then have one or two more to figure out. The ones I've done so far have all been based on patterns by Amy Butler. Of course, I couldn't use her patterns because they are copyrighted, so I looked at her bags online and made my own pattern based on that. I'm so excited about how they turned out. I'm going to make change pads, burp cloths, blankets and bibs to match. Everything but the bibs will have the fabric on one side and co-ordinating minky on the other. That should all be done within the next 4-5 weeks. I'm still waiting on my minky samples and then I'll have to place my order. Otherwise, it would be sooner. Its hard to believe my business has actually gotten up and running. Things are going well and seem to be falling in to place nicely. I'm going to have some pictures professionally done once I have everything finished, but here are a few I took in the mean time.

This is the "Manda" bag.

This one is the "Jesi"

Ok, this won't rotate no matter what I do, so here it is sideways. This is the "Kelly".

And I couldn't do one more post without a picture of my cute little guy. This is one of the few times he was happy this past week. I can't get this one to rotate either. Stupid new computer.

Well, thanks for reading! Hope it wasn't too boring for you!

Wedding Info

Ok, so in response to the several responses/questions I've gotten since my post, Manda's fiancee is very nice. We like him, although he is shy, so he doesn't fit in so well yet. He is from Nigeria. No, they are not getting married so he can stay in the country. His name is Tem, actually its Temitope. His dad is a recently retired CEO for Unicef and his mom is a nurse. He has siblings, but I don't remember how many. I think he has two sisters, both married, and at least one brother, who is a lawyer. I think. They me through her roomate, who is dating Tem's friend. We all wish they would wait longer, but they don't see the point. They love each other so why wait. Oh, and, to clarify, she is not prego;) (She gets asked that all the time!!) The wedding will be relatively small, so if your family/you do not get an invite, please don't be offended. We are working on a very limited budget and time schedule. Any other questions, I probably don't know the answers!!

I NEED a Break!!

Ok, so I can`t see straight because I`ve been staring at the sewing machine forever, so I`m taking a break. I found this on another blog, so I`m copying it! It quite funny! Enjoy! (I really like exclamation points today, hmmm.)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Patches Equinox

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Strawberry Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) TGIL

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Magenta Bulldog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Lynn Lethbridge

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Gilti

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Red Shirley

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Brian Eric

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Vanilla Toffee

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Eric (Ok, so I don`t think this one really would work for me. My mom has no middle name)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Wolsey Washington

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Summer Lily

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Mango Socky

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Peanut Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Sewing Lightning Tour (ooh, sounds intimidating!)

Update

Ok, so I know I said I'd only post once in January, but we've had a big happening in our family that just couldn't wait. Amanda has gotten engaged and is getting married February 23rd! Ah! So now, I have even more craziness to deal with! Life is a complete gong show, but it keeps moving along, so I guess I have to move with it!! Oh, and did I mention that I`m taking a class at the college. Actually I`m taking two classes. One is a pattern drafting class and one is a living healthy class. I`m excited about both. I actually haven`t started the living healthy class yet. It starts this coming week, but I`ve been doing really well in the pattern drafting class. Its super exciting. Ok, so thats more than I actually have time to write, but there it is.

New Year's Revolution

Ok, here goes. As this is most likely going to be my only post this month, it is going to be a big one. Lets start with Christmas. It was fantastic, for the most part. While we were at James' parent's house Christmas Day, I got a cold from James' mom, what a great gift. Sadly, I have not been able to get rid of it since. Today, I almost feel human, but am not quite there yet. Fortunately, the rest of our Christmas went very well. TJ got spoiled like crazy, as did the rest of us. TJ loved opening presents. He especially liked helping Uncle Terry open his presents. Terry, however, was not so sure about this.

This is actually Terry's present TJ is opening. Terry just gave up after a little bit.I just like this one!

For our present, my parents took our family on a vaction to Disneyworld!! It was very exciting. I have decided I found where I want to live. I LOVED Florida. I know I will never get to live there, but a girl can dream. We had a blast. The only part that wasnt great was that it got COLD. Not just wimpy cold, but 1 or 2 degrees celsius cold. Not fun!! Oh well, we all survived and had a great time doing it!

TJ loved giving EVERYONE kisses!! If he couldn't get to them, he would blow them kisses!

His first mouse ear hat!

Playing peek-a-boo with Scar

As you probably know, I LOVE the Muppets, so I was thrilled to go to the Muppet 3D Theater and find this GREAT fountain!! And no, I am not wearing the poncho because of the fountain. This was the day it started getting cold and it poured rain. I was soaked because Jessica and I went looking for ponchos for all of us. Yet I still put the poncho on afterwards, hmmm.....We went on a backlot tour at Disney MGM (soon to be Disney Hollywood) on one of the days when it was cold. We we all bundled up. But it was SO worth it because I got to see the COSTUME SHOP!! I told James that someday I will work there. Wishful thinking again, but I can't help it!

We spent New Year's Eve in Disneyworld, then headed to our hotel and went swimming. It was lots of fun. And now, here we are, more than a week into the new year. This year is going to be a big one for me. One way or another, things are not going to be the same this time next year. I have decided that I am not making resolutions this year. Rather, I am hosting a revolution. I have let myself dissapper over the past few years and I am going to find me again. I am making several drastic changes in virtually every aspect of my life. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will tell you some of the major points. I am doing this mainly so I can have someone to report to who keep me accountable. So, here goes...

Revolution #1 my health

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have changed the way and what I eat as well as increased my exercise time. The doctors think they have finally pinpointed why my body won't let me lose weight, so I am now on a special diet to try and kickstart things. Most importantly though, I making time in my life for this part of my life.

Revolution #2 my spirit

I have become very lax in spiritual matters and it stops now. I am going to get back in the habit of really studying my church materials and sincerely praying. Simple primary answers, but the change they can bring is phenomenal!

Revolution #3 my business

I am starting my own line of materntiy clothes. Right now, I'm making diaper bags for a local store and saving every penny to fund my line. I'll keep you posted, but things are looking really good right now in this area.

Revolution #4 me

I am taking time to find myself. I am playing the piano more and seriously considering starting lessons again. However, my business has to be more established before I do too much learning new things! So, I'm focusing on setting aside a little time each day to read, play piano or relax. I have also set up a scrapping day with some of my family every other week. Finally, I'm in the process of getting a playgroup together, more for me than for TJ, but he'll have fun too!

As you can see, I've got a lot on my plate, but I love it. I feel alive and excited. I'm seeing progress in many areas already and can't wait to see what the year brings!!

Happy New Year

Women...

I had the unfortunate opportunity to attend the funral of the mom of one of my closest friends this past Thursday. As funerals usually do, it got me to thinking. I didn't htink of what I wanted said at my funeral, or wonder who would be there. Instead, I wondered about the woman that lay before us and the extraordinary life she lead. She wasn't rich, famous or a great adventurer, but she was an amazing woman. She was one of the best examples of faith, love, motherhood, friendship, charity, service, hard work, laughter and joy that I have known. Not only was she an example of these things, but she raised her daughter (and seven other children) to be as well. Since I met her daughter back in high school, both women have been a source of comfort, strength and inspiration to me. I, along with countless others, was always welcomed into their home and treated with an abundance of kindness. I have shared laughter and tears with both mother and daughter throughout the years. This great woman raised a daughter whose faith and testimony have helped restore my own, who has loved me unconditionally, helped me through the darkest times of my life and celebrated the happiest times with me. As I sat listening to the service for this great lady, my thoughts turned to the many women I have been blessed to look to in my life. I have an amaing mother. She is one of my best friends. I know I can tell her anything and she will still love me. She has dropped everything, driven through the night and spent money she didn't really have to spend to be by my side when I needed her. She is such an example to me of what a mother ought to be. I have been SO blessed to have such amazing friends. When my life was flipped upsidedown, they were there for me. I know I can always turn to them and look to them for an example. I have great sisters and a fantastic, close-knit extended family. How lucky I am to be a part of such a great family. How blessed. I am so greatful to all of these great women and I pray that I can be worthy to stand among them. I can only hope to offer them a small portion of what they have given to me. To all of you, thank you. Its not enough, but on paper (or screen!) I can give no more.

Where did November go?

Apparently, I lost a month somewhere. Has anyone seen November anywhere? It must be lost because I don't remember it coming or going really! Life around the Gilbert house has been crazy busy over the last while. So many things have happened, here are a few of the most noteable...

1. We bought a car. I love it!! I don't love the payments, but its going to help our credit so we're not having to pay a zillion dollars in interest on our house! Yippee!

2. James found out he has to get lasik surgery. Of course, he found this out AFTER we drained our savings for the aforementioned car. Oh well. He'll be getting the surgery in the early part of next year.

3. I quit my job at the school to stay home full time and get my clothing line up and running. I'll keep you posted as it develops, but keep your eyes out for my new maternity line debuting early next year!!

4. I have taken on a million different sewing jobs. Its amazing, really. I had ads up forever about my custom sewing and alteration business, hoping I wouldn't have to go back to work. No results, so back to work I went. Then, I decide to do the clothing line full time, and suddenly I'm swamped with orders and alterations! Its a good thing I love to sew!

5. I have been called as a primary teacher. We'll see how long it lasts. Last time, I taught two lessons and then they changed me to pianist. I don't know what age or anything I'll be teaching b/c I don't actually start until January.

6. TJ... well, what can I say, he keeps me busy, but he also keeps me smiling. Yesterday, he almost made me pee my pants I was laughing so hard. He started walking around the furniture 5 or 6 weeks ago and now he thinks hes ready to try it on his own. (He's not!) He was holding on to one of the tables, turned around, leaned on the table, looked up at me, smiled and launched himself forward! He flopped right on his face. At first, he looked startled. Then, he looked up at me and went into hysteric fits of giggling!! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

This was at Trevor and Cheri's place. TJ LOVED the singing snowman!!

7. Ok, I saved the best for last!!! Things are FINALLY finished with cancelling my temple sealing and our little family is going to be sealed on December 22!!!!!!!!!! If you could see me right now, you would see smiles like crazy!! It has taken almost three years, but it is finally here!! Hip hip HOORAY!!!

Ok, now I'm off to continue preparing for the festivities at hand! (Man I am a nerd!!) I will talk to you all much sooner than last time!!