Fargo and Frila

Darin and I took a long time to jump on the "texting" band wagon. We held out and we held out until we just had to stop paying the fees for the texts that kept arriving on our no-texting-plan phones. When we did cave in and add the plan, the responses from our friends when they first received texts from us, illustrated how behind the times we were.

They said things like this:

"Wow, you can text now?!"

"A text from Erika? I'm shocked!"

"Look who's texting?!"

"Aww, I'm honored to have gotten a text from you!"

You get the point. It's kind of amusing when my baby-boomer parents know/use texting lingo more skillfully than I do.

Last night Darin was here at home and the babies and I were a couple hours away at the home of my parents-in-law while our furnace was being replaced. Darin and I texted back and forth for about half an hour before going to bed. I felt all warm and fuzzy each time I got a text from Darin... kind of like he was my boyfriend again. It was kind of cute. (Am I allowed to say that about myself?)

Anyways, even though I've been texting for about a year now, there are still little things that I just really get a kick out of that show my texting youthfulness. Mainly, I really get a kick out of using the t9 mode on my keypad to spell out people's names and it cracks me up to see the alternate options that pop up while doing so.

So I love the fact that when I spell out Darin's name is also pops up as "Fargo" and mine shows "Frila". I kind of want to start calling Darin "Fargo" now and hope he'll start referring to me as "Frila". I think they'd be charming new terms of endearment. What do you think?

I bet I know what you think... You probably think that the fact that I haven't yet purchased a phone with a separate keypad for letters and that I still have to use t9 to text shows all the more how much of a texting novice I am. And you'd be right. I AM pretty old fashioned with my t9 texting ways. But if you know your "alternate" name using t9 mode, would you humor and tell me what it is in the comments section? I'd love to have a new nickname for you.

Thanks,
Frila

Biter Biscuit

Collin REALLY loves biter biscuits. This video makes me smile. Hope it makes you smile too. : )

Two

Just a little narrative from this morning about my now TWO year-old.

Lucy and Collin were sitting in Lucy's room with me. Things were great, we'd even just finished with a great giggle session when Collin grabbed one of Lucy's "babies". Lucy took it from him.

He grabbed another "baby". She took it from him too. We went through this until there were four babies in Lucy's lap. I grabbed a different toy and gave it to an unaware, happy-go-lucky Collin. Lucy started to take it from him, but mid-grab, I intercepted her arm and told her a firm "no". She proceeded to throw her body on top of the FOUR toys in her lap while Collin sat grinning with his one toy that she desperately wanted. Tears were streaming down Lucy's cheeks and she began wailing at the perceived injustice of the entire situation. I sat, watched her and quietly laughed at her, but then sobered up when I realized how often I surely act like a two-year-old when my Father in Heaven is exceedingly generous and gracious to me.

After Lucy worked her way through the pain and disappointment of not being allowed to take a fifth toy away from her brother, she walked to me, arms outstretched for a hug. Which I was happy to give.

And if only-human-me, was happy to hug Lucy, it makes me confident that the Father is truly pleased to receive those who come to Him for comfort even when their own greed or other shortcomings were the cause of their hurt.

Get Acquainted With Tabitha Designs

Well, after a few years of putting it off and giving lame excuses when people have said to me, "You should try to sell the things you make!", I am plunging in and attempting to start my own grassroots business selling handmade crafts. I am very much learning as I go, but having a lot of fun starting "Tabitha Designs".

The thing is, Darin and I are adequately provided for, so I'm not doing this because I need to earn extra money. In fact, lately I've almost felt strange about all the material excess I truly have. But there has been a part of me that has just wanted to see if people might actually want to buy what I design/make. So I came up with a solution to my dilemma!

Tabitha Designs will be dontating 40 % of all sales to three charitable organizations that are pretty important to me: Ruth Harbor, The ALS Association, and Samaritan's Purse. When customers shop Tabitha, they may select which of the three to designate their purchase towards...

Click on the graphic below and take a peek at my under construction website for Tabitha Designs and let me know what you think so far! (FYI- I don't have any items listed for sale quite yet, but will be trying to get that in order soon!)

Also, you can follow Tabitha Designs on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/Tabitha_Designs

And for those of you who are Facebook users, after you take a peek, do me a favor and leave me a comment here to let me know if you think I should create a Facebook fanpage for Tabitha... I'm trying to decide.

Thanks, friends! : )

Back in the (Creative) Saddle Again

Shortly after having Collin, while I was in the midst of feeling VERY overwhelmed, hormonal and weepy, I had moments of feeling as if I didn't know myself anymore. And while my hobbies and interests don't define me (the forgiveness of my sins through Christ does), the fact that in my low moments I couldn't envision myself ever pulling out my knitting needles, sewing machine or ever hosting a fun party again scared me a little bit.

The fact that I've regained interest in these hobbies as well as gathered the energy to do them again, is significant to me. So I thought I share with you some photos of recent crafting and party hosting endeavors... : )

Baby shower given for my dear friend who is expecting her first child in March! (the first picture is rather dark and not very good).

A tutu for Lucy- just for fun!

Texas Tech themed bib and crinkle patch for Collin (pattern for the bib found in the book One Yard Wonders by Rabecca Yaker and PAtricia Hoskins, "Crinkle Patch" was my idea.

Fun new purse for me (pattern also from One Yard Wonders)

Too-small sweater for Collin : ) Pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Too-big pinafore for Lucy, pattern ALSO from One-Yard Wonders

The sweet babes together in their made-by-mommy garb

Thanks for letting me share what I've been doing during Lucy and Collin's naps during these cold midwest months! It's been a lot of fun.

The Stevenson Sweeties

I thought I'd give the current "lowdown" on the babies. I figure that the out-of-town family and friends would especially appreciate it. Lucy and Collin sure keep me on my toes. This is a very physically demanding stage of parenting right now, but I love spending my days with them and think that taking care of them is a good way to get tired...

Lucy

Hobbies: dancing, playing with Collin, taking care of her baby dolls, chasing Minnie, looking at books, building and knocking down block towers, taking baths,being chased and caught by her daddy, watching "Baby Signing Time", playing with cousins and friends

Favorite Foods: cheese, strawberries, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, ham, raisins, cinamon toast, Mommy's cupcakes

Dislikes: being told "no", having Mommy pick her nose (yes, I do this, and if you're a mother, I know you do it or did it to your kids too), having her clothes changed, listening to Collin cry.

We can't believe Lucy is almost two! She has adjusted so well to being a big sister and plays really well with Collin except for the occaisional times she tries to stuff baby wipes in his mouth. She is the apple of her daddy's eye- she still thinks Darin's the greatest thing since sliced bread and just squeals in delight when he gets home from work everyday.

Here is Lucy dancing to "Cornelius"- the Apologetix's parody of "Cecilia"

Collin

Hobbies: GROWING! Our little mister is 18 lbs and 28 " long now!, playing with Lucy,drooling, giggling, cooing and babbling, chewing, rolling, climbing, trying to crawl, and EATING.

Favorite Foods: aside from still being my champion nurser, Collin likes sweet potatoes, bananas, carrots, and peaches.

Dislikes: baths, getting his nose picked, being in one position/spot for longer than ten minutes, being away from Mommy, being in his carseat.

Some interesting trivia on Collin is that he is cutting two top teeth right now, but not his front teeth. The two on either side should pop through any day now. Apparently, this is how Darin's teeth came in when he was a baby. I'm afraid he's going to look like a little vampire. Thankfully, due to the popularity of the Twilight series, this should only make him more endearing... like a baby "Edward".

Here is Collin's first experience with rice cereal:

There And Back Again: A Mamma's Tale

Last night Darin and I pulled our little "minvan that could" back into our driveway after spending Christmas in Texas with my family. When Darin and I were newlier-wedded we used to think our periodic drives to Texas were rather romantic. That's mostly because when Darin and I were "dating" each other long-distance between Des Moines and San Antonio, we calculated the difference from his house (now my house!) to my parents' home to be just a hair over 1000 miles. Since we both loved the song "500 Miles" in which the singer declares to the girl he loves that he would "walk 500 miles" and then "walk 500 more to be the man who'd walk 1000 miles to fall down at her door", we loved the fact that there was 1000 miles between our homes. So driving there together has always been... you know... romantic!

Well, now that we have a doggie, a toddler and baby in our family, the drive to Texas is a little different. Adventurous? Absolutely. Exciting? Sure. Romantic? Not so much...

Our plan of attack to get to Texas was to drive the 12 hours to Dallas (where my big sis and her family are) straight through the night to keep the babies sleeping as much as possible. Even with the numerous stops for fuel, to nurse Collin and change diapers, that leg of the drive went beautifully. We were albeit, extremely tired when we arrived at 6 AM, but my children were received by a loving Aunt, Uncle and three doting cousins so Darin and I could nap a bit. We had a blast staying with my family there for a couple days. It was awesome for Collin to meet his cousins and uncle-he'd already met Kelly when she visited us back in October!

Here's Lucy with her new pal, Shawnee, the newest four-legged addition to Kelly and Greg's household!

After a couple days, we contined our southward trek to San Antonio in broad daylight. All I'll say regarding the five hour drive, is that the portable two-screen DVD player we bought on black friday proved to be a great investment. Lucy tolerated the time in the carseat with the help of "Baby Siging Time" and "Miss Patty Cake". : )

Christmas in San Antonio was special for so many reasons. It was awesome to finally introduce Collin to my brother, as well as my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins there. Lucy had a great time playing with "Grandpa", "Mamma Gail" and "Uncle Paul" and seeing the other extnded family again as well. It was also special to spend time with the church family I grew up with and participate in the Christmas Eve service there.

Lucy checks out a present from Uncle Paul waiting for her on Christmas Morning!

Collin and Mamma Gail love on each other.

After a great time with family and mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s, we started our trek northward. An unforseen migraine and fever for Darin (that we now know was caused by strep throat!) caused us to forsake our ambitions of driving 17 hours straight through from SA to Des Moines and we crashed at my dear friend's home in Fort Worth overnight. The next morning we plowed ahead and drove the rest of the way home (12 hours), relying heavily on over-the-counter drugs (for Darin), coffee and more "Baby Signing Time" and "Miss Pattycake". We were all on the brink of insanity and over our threshold for fast-food and public potties when we rolled into Des Moines, but we made it.

Darin is unfortunately very sick and sleep-deprived and has had to spend all day in bed today. The babies and I were just happy to get bathed and spend last night and today at home with our regular beds, and familiar surroundings.

So, while this trip wasn't the "easy", light-hearted and romantic experience that Darin and I had in the first couple years of our marriage, having two beautiful children to make the crazy trip with is such a sweet dream-come-true, that it was absolutely worth the extra effort! We're so thankful for the safety that God granted us and the wonderful time of celebration with loved ones!

PS. -Wish we had better pictures to share. My parents and sister did a much better job capturing our time together on camera than Darin and I did!