New Product!

I am revealing a new product for I Believe Designs here first! That's right, you're the first to see what I've been sewing up over here.

Drumroll please...

Reversable Headbands!

They are cute, cute, cute! They can be ordered to fit a child's head or mom's. I can also embroider a name or monogram on one side. Miranda can put it on by herself, and it stays put. I love mine. It feels very secure. Just think....a headband to match your bag! Coming soon....belts!

Feed The Birds

Miranda's teachers had a creative way of making pinecone feeders with a peanut allergy in the classroom. Instead of using peanut butter, they used Crisco (hopefully they aren't dropping dead with clogged arteries ;). The birds have gone crazy for the one we hung a few weeks ago. We noticed today it was bare, so we made 2 new ones and re-seeded the old one. I used Crisco back from cake decorating phase. It was very messy, but fun. I took pictures, and our plan is to keep the camera by the window and take pictures of the birds we see. I'm thinking I can print them and make a book that she can write in. I love nonfiction writing with little kids. We're going to be scientists together! I'll keep you updated on our findings...

***EDITED TO ADD***
We have a customer!

5 Things About Me

Wow, this was hard! My friend, Monica, tagged me to share 5 things about myself on my blog. I've spent a lot of time trying to decide what 5 things to share on the www, so readers...all 6 of you (hi, mom)...here we go....


5 Things About Stacy

1. I am a 6th generation Texan…born and raised, just as proud and boastful as the next one. I have broken that long and honorable chain by having a daughter in Arizona and a son in North Carolina. For the record, my brother followed suit and had two babies in *gasp* Ok-la-homa (winking and waving to Kent and Becky!) I haven’t lived in Texas for 9 whole years. It’s actually not Texas that I miss as much as the people that I love that are still there. I have actually grown to LOVE North Carolina, and would be happy as pig in mud for the family and Monica’s clan to all pack up and move out here. On the flip side of that…

2. So much of what I am is all that I’ve experienced not living in Texas. For instance, I know more about the life cycle of a saguaro cactus than most Americans, I have been exposed to many interesting and different perspectives, I have great friends all over the country, I have lived less than an hour from the Mexican/US border, I have lived within 2 hours of the ocean, I understand AND appreciate the (BIG) differences between regional bar-b-q styles, and I’ve lived in all 4 time zones. The bottom line is, I lived in Texas for 4 ½ years without Ray during college and made the decision that I’d rather live anywhere with him than in Texas without him. I’ve NEVER regretted that commitment, and I’ve since made much peace with my “misplaced Texan” self.



3. I started sewing when I was about 6-years-old, though, technically, I took about a 20 year break. I can remember sewing with my great-grandmother (Nanny). This is a picture of us in the early/mid 80’s. She used to go to Shirley Temple movies during the Great Depression, make mental notes on her dresses, and then go straight home and sew my grandmother’s clothes styled after Miss Temple’s without patterns. My grandmother (Nanaw) was one of the best dressed little girls in Quail, Texas! She also made tons of clothes for my mom and even some things for me. She was a truly gifted quilter and a very patient teacher. I bought my first machine while I was teaching first grade in Tucson, and another USA Baseball wife gave me an all-day lesson. Since then, I’ve been learning as I go. Another interesting sewing fact about me is part of the reason I’m sewing now. The last phone conversation I had with my Nanaw (and I was pretty sure I KNEW it was our last…she was very, very sick) I was very upset and told her I how much I missed her. She told me to “Keep sewing. Just keep sewing”. Now I think of her just about every time I sit down to sew. It’s a nice, warm feeling to know I’m doing something that connects me to the women in my family.

4. As you probably know, my best friend is Monica. I don’t know what I’d do without her! She’s free therapy, style advisor, Christian role model, hardworking, FUNNY and beautiful. There have been countless times that I don’t even have to finish the first sentence of a story/concern/question…she knows what I’m talking about and I’ve got her full attention. We come from the same place. We’re west Texas girls. We are products of people that work hard and try their best to live right. We understand where each other is coming from, because it’s in our blood. We might have only lived together those 3 years in college, but there was A LOT of growing up and growing pains that we went through together. We both have only brothers, so we are each other's sister. She sent me a card for my 30th birthday that I kept, and let me add, I’m not a good card keeper and even worse card finder, but I knew where this one was. It reads:

It seems like we’ve known each other forever…
I can’t imagine life without you.
You’ve always been there to support me whether I need you to cheer me on or hold me up.
We’ve spent endless hours engaged in conversation about “nothing” and “everything.”
I wouldn’t trade those times for anything in the world.
Together we’ve hurt, we’ve smiled- we’ve grown.
We’ve figured out the secrets to life- or tried to, at least.
Your friendship means so much to me…
…and I hope I can always be there for you the way you’ve always been for me.

That kind of sums it up!

5. My family…I started planning this little group when I was in the 8th grade. Ray and I were in honors classes together, and I thought his flattop was oh-so-cute. We started dating during sophomore year of high school, as soon as we got our driver's licenses. That was when we were 16. . .in 1991. . .I’ll be 32 next month . . .do the math. That means that as of this March, we will have been together HALF of our lives.

OK, now wipe away the tears of boredom, and do something productive!

In the spirit of tagging, you can check out my good friend Heather's blog and find out 100 things about her!

The Kindness Jar

Sorry, another teacher/mommy post coming at you...

When I taught first grade (soooooo long ago) I always had a "Marble Jar". The kids could earn marbles for the class by doing good deeds, being cooperative, showing patience, being good friends, etc. It worked fairly well. When the jar was full (usually took a month or more) we had a small celebration. They could also lose marbles if things went south, so that always something I could fall back on ;)

Miranda's teacher has a "Kindess Jar" in their classroom. They earn "Kindness Beans" (limas) and when the class fills the jar, there is a party. There is always much excitement in the van telling me what kindess beans were earned and why. I decided we could do something like this at home if it was working so well at school. I have had to remind her a few times that we don't get any marbles if the "good deed" is pointed out to mommy.....over. and. over. We review the day before bedtime and put marbles in the jar. If I do see something sweet happening during the day, I try to go plop a couple of marbles in the jar right then...the plinkity-plink is noticed anywhere downstairs, and there is much happiness as result. I'm happy to report we haven't had to lose any marbles yet...but that's always an option if things get ugly...bwaahaahaa :)

Yahtzee...It's in her blood!

***Warning: Former teacher post coming up....feel free to skip it if you need to.***

As most of you know, Miranda is quite the reader. She reads VERY well. It's creepy. I would say her math skills are right on par with most 4-year-olds, so I decided to try to make an effort to help nurture that side of her little brain. After playing Yahtzee ALL my life with my parents and grandmother, I decided to dust the box off and give it a try.

I made a modified sheet for her to keep score on. We focused on what would be the top half of the regular score card (I'll save large straights and full houses for another day :) Basically, we rolled the 5 dice, decided what we needed to "go for" and took our three rolls per turn. Then she had to count the dots and write the number in the right box. After we filled all the boxes, I got the calculator out for her to add the total and write it in the box. I was so impressed with how quick she caught on. I flipped my card over during the game and jotted down as many math perks as my dusty teacher brain could think of:

• early multiplication skills (3 groups of 5 is 15)


• one-to-one correspondence


• adding doubles


• counting on (you have 5, so start with 5, and 5-6-7-8)


• calculator


• number writing


• ones/tens place


• chance


• sportsmanship


• quality time with my baby!!!!

Meatloaf Muffins

Here's a very WW friendly, kid friendly, time friendly recipe that has become quite the hit at our house (minus Sam, but he's going through that "phase" of not eating, so he doesn't count). I got the recipe from Half My Size. There are tons of good ones there, so check it out.

Meatloaf Muffins

serves 12- 2 points each

Ingredients:

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1 box Stove Top stuffing mix

1 cup water

2 egg whites

Directions: Mix together and divide into 12 muffin cups that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve with ketchup on top, if desired.***

***I will add that I top them with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup and a good squeeze of mustard before I bake them. They are WONDERFUL cut up and enjoyed on a sandwich the next day, as well.

George Strait....mmm,mmm,good

Santa left George Strait concert tickets in my stocking, and we got to go this weekend. It was my fourth GS concert and the third time I've seen him....um, yeah, there's a story there. I can remember listening to George tapes with my Nanaw in her car as early as 2nd grade. I've always been a fan.

The first time I saw him in person was during my 3rd grade year. We were living in the West Texas spot in the road called Olton. His concert was at Waylon Baptist University in Plainview. It had to have been August, because all I can remember is being REALLY HOT and having to leave before he was done because we were about to pass out in the basketball gym. The second time was in Dallas. I think it was the summer after our freshman year of college. Ray was at home working for the Rangers, so we went with two of our friends. In true Stacy-n-Ray style, we were broken up at the time and it was POURING rain at the outside venue, but we still had a blast.

The third time I went to a George Strait concert was the saddest. We were living in Tucson and the concert was in Phoenix. Now, I NEVER EVER get sick. I'm as healthy as horse. I don't catch "bugs" or "stomach flu", but I was working at a daycare at the time, so.....the entire night before I had thrown up every 30 minutes on the dot. The next morning, with my Gatorade in hand, we managed through the 1 1/2 drive to Phoenix without a yark and got to our seats during Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. I turned to Ray about 30 minutes later and told him we had to go home. We walked out to the breezeway and I lost the Gatorade. The concert officials took us on the little tram to the First Aid area and gave me some Pepto. They then escorted us out the gates where I took 4 steps and threw-up said Pepto on a poor little tree. I had never been so disappointed in all my life.

So, all that made this weekend wonderful. We were about 5 rows up from the floor and it was a a great show! It was also the first time since my 30th birthday that we were away together, ALONE, for an overnight trip. Yes, Sam survived his first night without me.

We *heart* you, George!

Weight Watching and ME!

I know it's cliche, but one of my ongoing life goals is eating healthy. I've been a lifetimer with Weight Watchers for over 6 years. I began this little adventure back in 2000 after getting married, teaching 2 1/2 years, buying our first home, and just eating my way through the stress and happiness that came with all the above. I also knew we wanted to start a family sooner than later and didn't want to add on to the obvious problem of my growing girth. It took me about 6 months to lose almost 30 pounds, but I did it and gained so much in return. Ray and I began hiking, cooking and thinking in points. I started to feel better about myself and really began to understand some basic rules of healthy living.

Since then, I've had 2 babies, moved twice, had several major life changes and many stressful and joyous events. I've never strayed far from Weight Watchers and have never missed a monthly weigh-in required to maintain my lifetime status. I can totally see myself working for WW some day when my kids are in school. I'm going to try to post some recipes from time to time and share some of the things I continue to learn about myself and eating healthy!

The BEST Soup EVER!!!!

If you like soup at all, you must try this. It takes about 10 minutes to make and is absolutely deeee-lish. I must credit my good friend Kristi J. with sharing it with me. It is so easy to make, and it's healthy to boot!

TORTELLINI in TOMATO BROTH SOUP

• 1 can vegetable broth, 14 oz
• 1 cup water
• 14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes (with balsamic vinegar, basil and olive oil [I have used the one with oregano, basil, etc. and it was fine])
• 1/4 c dry white wine (not a must, but adds much depth....highly recommended)
• 9 oz cheese tortellini
• 2 cups of spinach leaves (from the bag, baby!)
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (I've been using the stuff from a tube you can find in the produce section, but fresh is a little better)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• shredded parm cheese for topping

Combine first 4 ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add tortellini and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Place spinach and basil in pan over broth mixture. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Stir spinach, basil and pepper into broth. Ladle into bowls and top with 2 tablespoons of parm per bowl. Serves 4.

Points: 5 points per serving. (If you divide the tortellini up, it's about 16 per bowl= 4 points, 2 T parm= 1 point)

Jumping in to 2007!

This is a picture of my 4-year-old attached to two large rubberbands, jumping on a trampoline in the middle of the mall. This is the child that was afraid to ride her tricyle, much less her bike, 3 months ago. This is also the child that was TERRIFIED of flies for over 2 years. Yes, this is the same child that developed a fear of flushing the toilet a week after this photo was taken. She keeps me on my toes! I never know what kind of curve ball she's going to throw or what adventure we will take from day to day :)

We had a great weekend with the 'rents. Alas, I took hardly any pictures. I guess I was trying to live in the moment and not worry about the angle/lighting/background....like I said, it was fun!

Now, down to business..... What is it about the New Year? I've resisted the urge to write all the "resolutions" that keep popping into my mind. However, I've decided today to sit down and write down some goals for the future. We want to be more healthy, both eating and exercise. I want to watch less TV and get more done around the house. I want to de-clutter!!!!! Not really any different from anyone else's, but I have to figure out what I need to do to achieve them. I'm going to really work on them before posting them, so check back soon :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'm posting this.....I'll be back with more juicy stuff :)
I'm trying to find some good pictures of my mom to make it all complete...

Stay tuned

Out of the Mouth of Sam

Here are some of Sam’s words and phrases we are hearing (and understanding) here at the Darwin household:

• "biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" = bye-bye; usually LOUD and with energetic waving


• "he-ah-doe" = here ya go


• "ah-dun" = all done


• "pooooooopbmmm" = poop bomb (the name we have given the tied grocery bags with dirty diapers that we toss down the stairs to take to the outside trash....gross, huh? This was one of his first words, too :/ )


• "moooooooooooooooooooo"= the sound a cow makes


• "bah" = the sound a sheep makes


• "pah-pah" = the sound a fish makes


• "buh-boo" = bubble


• "woo-woo" = the sound a doggy makes


• "brrrrmmmm" = the sound a car/truck makes


• "uh . . . . . . oooooh" = uh, oh (this is used OFTEN at meal times while things are flying off of his plate and on to the ground and walls around him)
  

I write this cute little passage on my son to remind myself how sweet and funny he is because the TERRIBLE TWOs are upon us. Oh yeah, baby, they are beating on the door. Tantrums, yelling, falling to the floor, kicking, the inability to hold his own body up in a stroller or grocery cart. . . all symptoms I remember Miss Miranda going through at about this age. I pray it passes quickly!

Baby Jesus

Am I making y'all nervous with three posts in one day?!?! Has that ever happened?

I had to share this scene I found Miranda huddled over in the playroom. Santa brought Sam the Little People Nativity for Christmas. I was kind of bummed because I wanted them to have more time to play with it, and then I realized it could stay out all year! Why wouldn't we want to play with baby Jesus in March or September? Both kids have LOVED it. It was left under the tree after all the presents were gone, and when I wondered where Sam was, sure enough he was hunched over the manger with angel in one hand pushing the button so it would play"Away in a Manger".


This scene that Miranda created touched my heart. Not only are the 3 wise men and the traditional animals around the little manger, but also the school boy, bus driver, construction workers and a lion from the ark have wondered over to admire the new king. I love it and had to capture it and share. Enjoy!

8 Years of Wedded Bliss

It's hard to believe it's been 8 years since that very, VERY cold day in Bowie, Texas, in 1999. After 2 kids, 3 apartments, 2 house purchases, weeks apart, and other adventures along the way, I am proud to say I wouldn't have done it with anyone else! I knew in 8th grade that I was going to marry that boy! I'm persistent, and it's paid off!

I love you, Rayball!

Ollie? LuLu?

Kind of left y'all hanging on the adventures of our little friends, didn't I? Sorry about that. The holidays kind of hit high gear, but we didn't forget our dear elves. We woke up the morning of the 24th and found the duo by the fireplace. They had the tape measure, map and phone. Clearly they were getting a message to Santa about the logistics of coming to our house.

Chirstmas Eve night came, and Miranda was very prepared to say goodbye. We had been telling her since the beginning that they would be leaving with Santa, so she wasn't at all upset. I can't say the same for myself...I had grown to look forward to their little adventures, but that's another story. We wrote our letter to Santa, set out the cookies and milk, read Twas the Night Before Christmas, and bedded down for the night. Christmas morning, there was no sign of the elves, so we're pretty sure the big guy got them home safely to the North Pole. They did leave a parting gift, however. Miranda opened a green gift bag and found two of Santa's sleigh bells tucked inside with a note from Ollie and LuLu. It was a big hit after seeing the Polar Express. She and Sam shook them for days afterward.

So, Ollie, LuLu, we miss you, but we're doing OK. Get your toy work done so you can come stay with us again in December 2007!

B-Bye 2006

We've been recovering from the "stomach bug" at our house, though we've thought of a couple of more descriptive names I choose not to share here :)

What was 2006? Here are a couple of things that come to mind:

1. Sam sleeping through the night
2. Miranda embracing 4-year-old preschool
3. saying good-bye to Nanaw (I miss you!!!!)
4. finding the confidence to start a business
5. TWO driving trips to Texas within 6 months of each other
6. truly great friends
7. Sam's multiple trips to the doc, ER, x-rays, hospital, etc.
8. wonderful pediatricians
9. hanging out with the family
10. Sam walking, running, sprinting, climbing
11. Miranda swimming like a fish
12. weight watching (and not-so-much)
13. long walks
14. playgrounds
15. LOST
16. Miranda's 4 year old tea party
17. looooooong phone conversations with friends all over the country (Oh, the trouble we could get into if I lived closer :)
18. sewing!!!!!!
19. cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners without a tear
20. gray hair (eek!)
21. hair color (yay! Thank you Monica)
22. Friday Night Lights
23. Ray's trip to Cuba
24. Miranda riding her bike, be petrified of her bike, and then loving it again
25. Sam turned 1 on the road
26. Successfully nursing
27. Successfully weaning :)
28. painting 2 more rooms
29. learning a few more tricks with my camera
30. down comforter
31. Christmas dishes
32. healthy grandparents
33. NOT going home for Christmas (thank y'all for coming here ;)
34. Ollie and Tallulah
35. Miranda reading, or as we say, Miranda the Decoder
36. Finally hanging pictures in the living room
37. World Baseball Classic
38. Heroes
39. Monkey Gym Book Club
40. Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study
41. teaching Sunday school together
42. Miranda's crushes
43. Sam's giggle when he sees his puppy, sister, sippy cup, etc.
44. trip to New Bern
45. growing tomatoes, basil, chives, rosemary and mint
46. PDL (Purpose Driven Life) group bible study, dinners and birthday celebrations
47. nightly cocoa pebbles with my sweety
48. Sam's squinty smile...where do his eyes go?
49. Miranda's hair is long enough to get into a ponytail
50. cutting Ray's hair (saving him $$$:)
51. growing spiritually
52. mp3 player
53. cooler jeans...bye-bye "mom" jeans
54. Miranda as Mary in the Christmas play at school
55. nursery coordinator at church
56. Miranda's ballet classes
57. mall playgrounds
58. PlayStation2 (grrrrrrrrrr)
59. The FIRM (ouch)
60. new bedding (600 count, baby!)
61. screaming Santa episode
62. learning to embroider
63. fantasy baseball/basketball
64. Daddy and Me Sports
65. New relationships with the employees at Joann's, Hancock Fabrics, and Mill Outlet
66. Holiday Tea Table Decorating at church
67. Dr. Peppers
68. USAB qualifying for Beijing
69. Ray's team beating Cuba in Cuba (go USA!)
70. eBay
71. finding a local babysitter
72. Trader Joe's in NC!!!!!!
73. feeding the ducks
74. sweetly playing siblings
75. tutus
76. Moe's
77. knock-knock jokes (really, just one...over and over and over)
78. crafts with Miranda
79. awesome blog discoveries
80. death of the poison ivy jungle
81. Heather and Momica
82. Visiting Debbie in Houston...finally!
83. Merry Christmas from the Family (Montgomery Gentry)
84. bubble breaker on Ray's new phone
85. Sam's first haircut (it was a whopper...see blog January 2006)
86. Cousin Lawson was born!
87. the joys of Barbie, the Backyardagins, Balls and Things-with-Wheels
88. super fun Halloween with the Seilers
89. New babies!
90. wonderful Christmas with the Darwins7
91. Sam's cast
92. fun in the backyard pool, sand box, slide, grass and dirt
93. sidewalk chalk and bubbles
94. setting up my "studio" in former playroom/former dining room
95. inheriting old family photos from my mom
96. helping Monica celebrate her 31st in Texas
97. Talking to my parents about 6 times a week
98. new traditions
99. better blogging
100. loving our happy, healthy family