Too much going on!

Have you ever had so much going on it nearly paralizes you? Well that would be my last month. We had three birthdays, an anniversary, a near trip across the country that was cancelled at the last minute, and our usual tons of doctor appointments, homeschool, and several trips doing some great outdoor fun. I have really wanted to keep up my blog, and sure, it has been a month since my last post. I apologize to my faithful few that have tried to stick with me. And then I ask, after I post, have you seen my post? And everybody is like a deer in the headlights - my fault, as I am not consistent yet. I tend to post for a few weeks every few days and then go through a dry spell. I digress. I am going to post from most recent to back to the beginning of March. I do have much to share, so I will do my best. Recently I have been busy getting back to sewing. Our little girl, Sweet Sis, has been growing so fast. Seriously. She had her well-child check up, which she LOVED getting all the great positive attention from our sweet Dr. W, and she is now 95% for height and 83% for weight. Hard for me to believe in weight as she is our smallest child, but I guess she is our only girl! How differently they are built! Back to sewing. So, I have been doing a little bit every few days. And I mean little. I just finished up a dress for her last night but I cut it out nearly 3 weeks ago. Some days I only get one seam done, etc. I am ok with that, but I do like to finish projects in one sitting! I also stitched up a great little "bubble" for my friend, who is expecting her 3rd boy in a week. I did some shadow embroidery on the collar, frogs, and it turned out very cute. The bubble has snaps underneath and buttons up the back. I have a dress cut out for myself and would like to tackle that within the next month. It is a nice linen blend dress for spring, and a new design. It is actually a very easy pattern as it is one of Simplicity's See and Sew, which are for beginners. I like the design as it is longer and modest in the front. I am lining up an apron project in my head. As soon as I finish the pinafore for the dress I just made for Sweet Sis (I am embroidering a small bear with a pink tutu on the front), I am making each of the children an apron. Each apron will be an animal; the pattern conveniently has 4 different animals, good for me! Here are some pictures to keep you entertained as I drone on: I am often asked how I find the time to sew. For me, it is my only time to myself. My only time. I spend my late evenings doing a bit of stitching or cutting. Usually nothing more than an hour, and more likely for just a half an hour, after the kids are in bed. My dear husband, Professor, is desperately working to finish his PhD. He is up late every night. I cannot be up as late, but I do enjoy sitting with him while he is working. We don't talk too much as I can't distract him, but he enjoys being close. So sitting and stitching is my time to keep him company and get something done. Some people watch tv. Some people read, which I do after I stitch, while in bed. Some people shop. I sew. I find it very satisfying and fulfilling - and productive. I get something very useful and practical after I am done. I rarely sew for pleasure - meaning, something to just make for myself. It is almost always for a purpose - a gift, a piece of needed clothing, mending. I have some projects in mind for the future (if I ever get to it!), like a toaster cover. I am really wanting to start piecing that quilt that my MIL and I are supposed to be doing together. Let's just say we committed to starting in August of 2012. Well, neither of us were ready then! I hope we will be ready this summer, though!