to tell you the honest truth

truly showered

My baby shower was last weekend and I could not have asked for a better celebration.  I am so grateful for everyone who helped and all my friends and family that were able to come.  I truly was showered with happiness and cute girly things!  Thank you to all!  It will seriously always be one of my best memories. 

My sister-in-law, Julie made the cutest invitations!  She was so thoughtful with using my favorite colors.  I loved the glittered paper, the fun wording and such attention to detail!  So sweet.  Diane and Julie mailed out invitations. 

Julie also went all out planning a fantabulous brunch!  Julie made quiche, blueberry muffins, apple cinnamon muffins, lemon glazed mini muffins, almond poppyseed bread and a yummy cinnamon honey butter!  Kirsty and Diane helped by contributing delicious punch and an awesome fruit tray with fruit dip!  All served up in beautiful glass dishes...very classy!  Even the water was in a darling pitcher!  Kerri picked up a cake from Costco that was soooo good with the strawberry filling!  Julie made cute tags that matched the invitations, stating what food was on the platter.  How gourmet!  Kerri brought all the paper products which were of course, red, aqua and pink!  How Martha!  It was all truly divine!  :)  I had the most excellent hostesses. 

Kerri was the decorating queen.  Instead of buying streamers or throw away items, she handmade things that Ava could have in her bedroom to keep!  The centerpeice for the table was an adorable doll quilt, a vintage lamp and some adorable booties.  There were plenty of "oooh's and aaah's" here!

She made a sweet banner and little doll to adorn the window.  Like I mentioned before, the banners are a popular item on Etsy.  When Kerri told me she was making the decorations for the party so that we could also use them in Ava's room, I had to come right out and ask if she was making a banner because it was on my list too!  I am glad I asked or I would have already made one.  I am super happy she saved me the extra effort and it is just absolutely perfect!  The gorgeous quilt she made for Ava hung on my little ladder in the corner and it looked so cute, but no picture. 

Here's a picture I took later of the little doll in Ava's room.

I ended up with a houseful of guests and I couldn't have been more appreciative of the support and how excited everyone is for me to be having a girl!  I know not every person was pictured, but pretty close.  I think Rachel had the camera so there isn't one of her.  I wouldn't have one picture of this shower if it wasn't for Rachel and Amy!  

I truly received the best gifts!  I couldn't believe how generous everybody was!   Everything was A-DORABLEY DELICIOUS!  I have even since the shower received things and I am overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness. 

I had tons of fun showing off the nursery! 

I know, I know, you've already seen it, but it's so cute!  :)

The best surprise was having my sister, Talia and my sister-in-law, Sadie, show up from Spokane!  When I saw Sadie I seriously thought my eyes were playing tricks on me!  So we sorta stared at each other for a few seconds.  Then I saw Talia and then I was like "oh my gosh!" my sisters are here!  It was awesome having them here!  I cried.  I loved seeing their cute little babies!  I wish they were here longer.  They have wonderful husbands to jump in the car and call into work and make the trip! 

I loved all the little cuties that were here at the shower!

Ryder relaxed in the dolly stroller.................

Ashton took a nap....................

...........while poor Amelie was on clean-up duty!

Here's a couple extra.

And a cute one of Julie and Sadie

Julie made up a ton of these sweet goody bags and handed them to everyone as they left the shower!
Too cute! 

I can't say enough thank you's to everyone who helped and came to the shower!  Such a happy fun-filled day.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

(Please forgive me if I forgot something!)

*BABY UPDATE*
My doctor did say that I had to have an amniocentesis if I wanted to be induced before he left town.  He doesn't want to be liable if she by some small chance had a breathing issue or something.  Which I can understand from his perspective.  However,  I decided not to do the amnio because of the small risk associated with the test to harming the baby.  There really is no medical reason for me to do the amnio.  Although I am measuring small, the weekly ultrasounds are showing no need for any concern.  I am just going to wait until Ava comes on her own.  I am feeling pretty miserable now, so hopefully she will still be early like my other babies have been.  Cross your fingers!  :)

christmas '08

The boys were awake at 5:20, but I held them off until 6:00.  During this time, I helped Taylor finish his homemade heatpacks for his brothers.  He is such a thoughtful person.  The boys were so excited and hoped to get a new memory card for their game cube.  Instead, they were surprised to get a Wii!  Pete and I had no idea how cool this system is.  I am thinking of getting Wii Fitness after the baby is born!  The biggest surprise was the dirtbike though, something the boys and Pete have been talking about for about 5 years.  So far they are taking turns getting rides from Pete.  It will take some time and instruction for Caleb and Taylor to be able to ride on their own.  Isaac and Austin both got new scooters.  Austin also got his first bike and Isaac got some rollerskates.  He's been wanting some for awhile.  :)

Caleb and Taylor on the Honda XR 80. 

Taylor playing Wii Sports...I think he is boxing. 



Austin with his Spiderman Jet!



Isaac with his rollerskates on!



Pete also surprised me well, even though I told him not to because I am spending extra on the baby's room.  He's a very sweet hubby that way. 

Although we had so much fun with the presents this year, I think one of my favorite things about Christmas this year is that Austin keeps talking about the "new big star in the sky" that appeared when baby Jesus was born.  It is amazing what things they remember and what means the most.  With the older ones, it is nice to see their faith and testimony of the Savior increase as we talk about the true meaning of Christmas.  It is a magical time of year when the Spirit of Christmas is in our homes.  Pete explained to the boys that if you take off the "m-a-s",  you are left with the "Spirit of Christ". 

Here are some snow highlights:

Austin inspecting the snow on his mittens.


















Austin wasn't too happy after his super fast sled ride with Dad!




Taylor trimmed bushes out of the way for a sledding path!



My little stud.



Caleb is such a sweet older brother, helping Austin get ready to sled.



Having a blast!



Pete and Isaac crashed. 



Caleb and Austin.

  

I had such great intentions with treat making this year, however with my growing belly, some days are just not good.  I seemed to be able to have enough strength for standing for making one treat at a time and by the time I felt good for more treat making, my other ones would be being eaten and acquiring that "day old" taste.  I also kept forgetting an ingredient or the store would be out of something or the snow just kept us indoors.  Anyway, not too successful giving away treats even though I actually made things a few different times.  We managed to share a couple plates and I did take a picture of my dipped pretzels!

We also took NO PICTURES of our evening with Jeff and Julie and their kiddies the day after Christmas.  We feasted on Cheddar Potato Soup, Spinach Cranberry Salad, Cheese Fondue, Spinach dip and Chocolate Fondue for dessert!  This was so much fun!  The boys (big and little) all got crazy with the Nerf guns as Julie and I chatted while doing a little crafting.  We are good at tuning out noise.  :)  A fantabulous evening!!!

Here's also another craft I did this season:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  (Sorry for the super long post!)

insightful book purchase

For a long time I have been reading the blog, Soule Mama...(it's in my sidebar, I hate doing links).  Amanda Soule is the author of a book called The Creative Family.  And for a little while I have been curious about what's inside this book!  I finally ordered it and have already read most of it.  I am so drawn to her approach about art and creating in the home with your family.  Some of it is reminder things, simple things, but still very much needed to be read!   One thing she emphasizes is that everyone can create.  That this isn't something we need to teach our children.  It's more a matter of keeping them believing that their creations are valuable.  Even people who think "I can't draw"...there is so much more to creating art than just a pencil on a paper and doing it the way that the world sees as art.  We all have our own style and are capable of creating.  Whether it be drawing, painting, woodworking, graphics, photography, playing instruments, putting on a show, making up stories, sewing, gardening, planning parties, or even creating business software like my husband does!  (I have now convinced him he is also capable of creating.)  She also talks about creating art for the experience and enjoyment of it, not for making something perfect or something that others would look at as "art". 

The author has 3 young children and 1 on the way, and pretty much lives and breathes this "creative life"  with her children and I think it is amazing and such a good example to me.  However, I am only taking baby steps right now, in redirecting my thinking and providing more opportunities for me and my family to create.  I will probably never be quite like Amanda, but so far the book has definitely made an impression on me.  Here are a few things we have been doing lately.

Amanda suggests not only using quality art supplies even for your children, but also not forgetting to look inside your own pantry.  (Like I said, some nice reminders!)  I had macaroni, split peas, white beans, and used parsley like a "glitter".  We also used some sticks and dried leaves.  My kids liked using paint brushes and q-tips to apply the glue....q-tips were perfect for Austin.  Isaac really got imaginative with his supplies...making "little nests" with the sticks and parsley and using the beans for "eggs".

I purchased a stamp set that is fun and easy for the kids and I make sure it is out and available often if their creative mood should strike....another of Amanda's suggestions.  I've had a little fun with it myself!

Taylor lead a fort building project with his younger brothers and a neighbor over a few day time period.  Normally I would have had some reservations about this mess and probable accidents, etc...but I let him go at it, while still keeping an eye out, and they had a great time.  They actually squeeze themselves happily inside and play in it often!  :)

Pete has a project going with the boys to build some ramps for skateboarding, biking and rollerblading.  He's taken the boys out to Lowe's a couple times and has given Caleb some "hands-on" table saw experience. 

So, like I said, we are taking baby steps around here, trying to implement more of this type of activity in our family.  I was in quite a rut for awhile, so it's not an overnight fix, but I keeping my mind more aware!

Happy creating!

join us!

First of all, I must confess....I have never been very good at serving others.  It really has been a weakness of mine, for reasons I won't get into.  It has been, however, something I have always wanted to get better at and have pondered about many times.  Lately, I had been thinking about it again when my October Ensign (church magazine) arrived.  The cover story is titled "Service in the Community".  In the article, members of the church from various locations share the ways they have served in their communities.  Some are in small ways, others in bigger ways.  The point is, it doesn't matter how, it is just that you take the time to do something nice or helpful. 

I decided we needed to take some drastic measures here in the Horsley home, as far as service goes.  I talked to Pete and he agreed, and we made October our month of doing service.  Maybe it seems like a  normal thing to some, but for us this is, unfortunately, new.  After deciding this, I have had 4 people from church come by with treats, flowers, baby clothes, and kind words or offered assistance to us when we were in a bind.  Is this a confirmation of my feelings or what?  One of the days, Austin was asking for cookies and I told him we didn't have any cookies today.  About an hour later we received some delicious pumpkin cookies at our door!  Anyway, these efforts made by somebody else, in our family's behalf, has been very helpful to me.  It has gotten our family out the door with some goodies of our own to deliver.  I am so thankful for this! 

Last night we took out our first couple deliveries of cookies and candies, with each of the kids doing something to get our boxes ready to go.  We decided we will be doing something every week this month.  We have talked about some different ideas with our kids and they have helped decide who to take things to.  Pete and I talked on the way home from our deliveries about how much this can teach the kids.  We think it is a great way to get to know people.  A lot of times at church, we only have time to say hi as we walk by each other in the hall, but chatting to someone on their doorstep for 5 or 10 minutes creates a different kind of connection, for the whole family.  We noticed how it helped our kids be patient and kind and use manners when we were at someone's door.  Doing this in the evening was a great way to end the day because it was a positive experience and it calmed everyone down for bed. 

One thing we plan to do is join Pacific Fabrics in making and donating handmade hats and scarves to those in need in our community.  I wanted to make sure everyone knows because I think this will be such a fun family activity that I know a lot of you would enjoy doing.  They do have flyers at Pacific Fabrics, but here's the info: 

October 1st - November 5th Donate hats and scarves that have been knitted, crocheted or sewn from fleece fabric.  The goal is for 1000 hats and scarves!  They ask that you keep in mind that most homeless people are men when choosing your colors.  They do have a free instructions for making fleece hats in all sizes though.  You take your things to the Pacific Fabrics near you. (For Puget Sounders).  

Normally, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling other people about "the nice thing I did", it could seem braggy or showy.  The reason I am posting about it though is because when I have read about what someone else has done to be serviceable, it makes an impression on me.  Even if I am slow to respond.  Hopefully, someone out there will want to do something nice this month too!

I would love to hear what you do because I need some ideas!  :)  In the Book of Mormon, it says "by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass". (Alma 37:6)       

spring anyone?

This vintage fabric just says SPRING to me!  Our skies have been a lovely blue lately and even a tad on the warm side...I said a tad now.  It is still really cold though.  Since we didn't really get a gathering of snow this winter to make it seem fun that it is so cold, I think I would just rather get to Spring now.   Then maybe this fabric would be put more to good use.  Although it is kinda cute just sitting there.  :)