Thankfullness and a little more sewing....

Lately, I have been feeling really thankful... no particular holiday or reason... just really thankful. God is so good and so real in my life. I have these little conversations in my head with Him and I have to stop and tell myself "stop that catastrophizing~ things are good. God is good." So yes, ~ I am so thankful! In these, now pardon the cliche, "hard economic times and troubled economy" I am thankful for my family- especially for my wonderful husband. He is such a great father and friend. He works hard every day and always has time and patience for the kids and me after a long day. I am thankful for my husband's job which seems pretty recession proof at the moment. I am thankful for my good health and that my kids are in good health. Actually I am working hard to improve my health and make it more of a priority...

And speaking of making myself a priority... my good friend, Danielle, and I just finished our first boot camp. You know how it is... everyday I say I am going to make some changes and get myself in shape... well 6 years of excuses later we did it with God leading us the whole way. Let me tell you a little bit about boot camp... It is probably the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have done besides have children. Our instructor, Elizabeth, is the best. She has really intense and creative workouts that you simultaneously love and hate. She pushes you to be your best even when you think you might pass out! I signed up for this thing 6 weeks ago blindly when Danielle called me to say it started the next week at 5:45am. Well, let's just say she forgot to mention the class was designed for the "advanced exerciser" (ahem- I would barely call myself an exerciser). We had great teammates who encouraged us the entire time and it was actually fun. And would you believe I am a little sad that I can't sign up for the next session because my hubby's work schedule is getting crazy and child watch is not open at 5:45am? Maybe I will have to go the later class even if it will be hot as Hades. I think we might become boot camp junkies afterall...

Of course this was the perfect opportunity to make a few bags for our instructor and team leaders.... You need these little backpacks for all the running around we do... I love to make these with a swivel key fob holder and a pocket in them and longer straps than those cheap ones the kids get from camp....


We visited my inlaws this past week and the boys had such a great time visting and playing with their cousins. Of course I brought my sewing machine and made a few things while we were there... Matching skateboarding shirts for my youngest son and his cousin, an airplane outfit for my nephew, a few bags, and a few boxy bags for presents.




This Boxy Bag is so fun and easy to make. It is a wonderful tutorial from a really talented Sewing Mama, Stacy, found here
http://patchyapple.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/patchyapple-boxy-bag-tutorial/

An of course I still love this reversible retro style Emmaline apron...they aprons make the perfect gift- even if the recipient is not a cook! It just is fun to wear. So I finally made myself one too- in my favorite Joel Dewberry aviary pattern for fall and summery floral print on the reverse side...