Getting Ideas

For Matthias' 2 year old quilt. Any help out there? I am probably going to just do some simple stripes...maybe add some bears. Appliqué or quilted? Maybe a fabric with bears on in?

My inspiration so far...




All brought to you by Pottery Barn Kids, who else? (But made by me at a fraction of the cost. =])

Stop subvocalizing!

I bet you're doing it right now...

Taylor and I have decided to learn to speed read.

Average readers (the majority of the population) read about 200 words per minute. Here is a speed reading test. I would suggest taking it when you know your toddler/preschooler will be sleeping/otherwise occupied. My current speed is 238 words per minutes, with talking in my ear, pulling on my arm, and papers put in front of my face. Although, if we're being realistic here I guess that's the speed I should really count. As it is the general atmosphere when I am reading.

After taking this test, I have been paying special attention to my reading and I am a major subvocalizer. By decreasing my subvocalization I have been promised a large increase in speed. Any other suggestions from fast readers out there? We'll keep you posted on our progress!

Just took another test that puts me between 300 and 350 wpm. I'm improving already!

p.s. Even I can excuse this mess...it just shows how much we all love reading!

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful

Conference was amazing as usual!! My personal favorites were Elder Nelson and Elder Ballard...for obvious reasons. But I just loved so many, they cannot all be mentioned here. Looking forward to the week ahead!

P.S. Since this whole post was only 67 words, I should have been able to type it all in less than one minute, right? How's that for blogging efficiency.

Orange, orange, and more orange

Loving these!! In Copper Canyon, of course. And half off.

Taylor called while I was checking out with new curtains for the toy room (since our paper blinds are not "proper" window coverings and are now on the HOA radar) and asked if they had some of 'our' color of orange.

Of course I took that as license to buy enough for the whole room! A definite step up from the much loved shower curtains. Yes, for anyone unaware, those curtains are in fact shower curtains. And I am not being sarcastic...we have loved those curtains. But it was time to move forward.

p.s. the wall color in the above link has been changed twice so far and is about to change once more...up to date pictures will be added.

Excellent Internet Finds

Yes, I have been a total blog slacker lately. Check out the following:

Taylor sent me this great article on motherhood and beautiful, wonderful kids. I still swear to Taylor I will never miss the messy eating, but some very good perspective. I miss my boys after a couple hours, so I know when they are all grown up I will be super sad! I really try to make every minute count!

75 words

Speed test

Reflections of Christ is a beautiful reminder of our Savior's love for us.

Apparently this is spreading throughout the Mormon blogging/email community, so I will do my part if you have not yet received this booklet for kids during conference. Looks fun!

Happy Conference watching!

Guilty as Charged

I can't take it anymore...I am a horrible liar and I have huge guilt issues. Big Fat April Fools!! I am totally, 100% joking. I am still NOT pregnant.

Before any of you think I am completely cruel though, I will have you know I called my mom to warn her it was all a joke. So I am only partially cruel.

Thanks for all your great comments! I'm glad you will all be so excited when I really am pregnant!

12 weeks down, 28 to go...

Turns out y'all were right in your suspicions...=] We are expecting. I am due October 14th. It is earlier than we were planning, but we are so excited! So this baby will be about 22 months younger than Matthias (the same distance between J and M)...although with my history they will probably be closer to 23 months. I really can't decide if I want a girl or a boy...I will put up a poll when it gets closer to 20 weeks so everyone can give my their imput. And no, I haven't felt nearly as sick this time as with the other two, so maybe it is a girl.

You are all great guessers...or maybe you are just suspicious of everyone? Jill, you were at least somewhat right. And as a disclaimer, I technically didn't 'know' I was pregnant when this post went up. So, bask in your rightness. And I will pretend I was at least somewhat convincing while lying to y'all the last couple months.