"I Wanna Snuggle With You!"

[Jeff here] Right now, a favorite activity of Ryleigh (and me) is snuggling. Quite often, in the evening, Ryleigh will come up to me with a big grin and say, "I wanna snuggle with you!" Tonight, she came up to me with this afghan in her arms. She was ready to go snuggle on the couch! I love it, because it's special time to spend just with her, usually reading books. Of course, she liberally shares kisses, so I can't complain. To be honest, it's strangely reminiscent of when I was a kid. I remember Mom calling me her "Snuggle Bunny" because I always loved to snuggle. Maybe it's in the genes! Anyhow, no complaints here!

Ryleigh wanted Grant to snuggle with us this time!

Latest Projects

My Mom has always loved to sew. When I was growing up, she often made clothes for my sisters & me. I always wanted to learn to sew, but after several failed attempts & half-finished projects, I became so frustrated with it that I gave it up as a lost cause. I thought it just wasn't my "thing". Even when my sister, Brenda, began making her fabulous purses, I still wasn't motivated to try it again.

But... after coming across lots of tutorials, cute ideas & blogs about sewing, I have been inspired to try it again - & I'm enjoying it so much that I don't want to stop! I'm finding it to be much easier than I remembered it to be &, if I run into a problem, all I have to do is hop online & find the solution.

So, having said all of that, here are a few pictures of what I've been working on:

I made this crayon roll for Ryleigh to use during church. She LOVES it & we have already begun using it. I used this tutorial to learn how to make it. It's as simple as following the directions.

I actually made some burp cloths like this for Grant, but I wanted to make a few more to sell in my Etsy shop & to have on hand to give as gifts. Again, they're super easy to make, very fun to use & much cuter (in my opinion) than the ones you buy at the store.


I used leftover scraps to make these coasters. Too bad they don't match my decor or I'd be tempted to keep them myself.


The purse I made as a birthday gift for my friend, Sarah. I used this tutorial.

I made this apron yesterday as a wedding gift for our new youth pastor's wife-to-be (Christina Miller). They're getting married next weekend & will be moving here soon after. We're really excited about that & I will be posting more on that subject later. Oh yeah, here's the tutorial I used.

When Ryleigh saw the apron I had made, she really liked it & kept saying "For me?". So... being the good mommy that I am (okay, so maybe I just wanted to MAKE something else ;-), I whipped one up for her - literally in an hour or so. It was so much fun!

Playing on the Porch

Ryleigh's new favorite thing to do is play on the porch. She loves to take a few books & toys outside with her & will happily play for hours on end. (Don't worry - I keep a close watch on her to make sure she doesn't wander off!) The other day, she got the broom & "helped" me by sweeping the porch.

Grant @ 3 months

A few interesting facts about Grant @ 3 months:

• a.k.a. Sweet Boy, Chunky Monkey, Bugaboo, Little Buddy, Grinbox, & Mr. Chubbers
• loves to lay on the floor, kicking & squealing in delight
• loves Ryleigh & doesn't (usually) seem to mind it when she squeezes his neck or tries to hold him
• has lots of "chubbies"
• still does his "pouty face"
• HUGE grins
• drools like crazy
• lots of laughing & happy squeals
• weighs 15 lbs. (YIKES! I knew he was getting heavy, but I had no idea that he was that heavy!)
• still has a very pleasant, sweet nature
• eating every 3-4 hours
• chews on his hands constantly

I love you, Dad!

(Jeff here--I don't usually post on here--but this is for my Dad, so . . .)
Dad, I want to take just a minute to tell you how much you mean to me. There are so many special memories that come to my mind on days like this. Like laying in my bed on Sunday afternoons, laughing quietly while listening to you snore. Or the hour-long showers you would take each morning. Like the Christmas morning you were suddenly inspired to clean out the old chicken coop, and we kids couldn't figure out why, until a truck pulled in with a pony for us. And the hunting trips we went on, when it would get so cold at night, and then how we'd fear for our lives as you lit the fire the next morning. Remember the countless Saturdays we spent unloading and re-loading the shed? And the times when Mom would be away for a few days and we'd have "just enough time" to remodel the kitchen, or bathroom, or bedroom, or whatever--only it was about half the time we really needed? Remember the fishing trip to Rama Reservoir, when nobody got any fish, but we all got a good laugh when you tipped over your inner tube in the middle of the lake and had to swim all the way back to shore? I remember one winter day driving up to Fairplay, and bringing home a team of sled dogs with us. And the trip we guys took to Florida, when we stopped on the way at the "1921 Oyster Bar" for the best crabs, shrimp, and oysters, and gumbo ever!

I don't think any of us will ever forget the Christmas after your emergency surgery, when we kids were just glad to have a Daddy. That wasn't the only time that finances were tight, but we learned lots of ways to have fun without spending lots of money. You taught us about family values, and about living for God. You served God when it was easy, and when it wasn't, and you chose to live a consistent life, even when others criticized you and lied about you. You taught us about integrity and hard work. You modeled to us how to treat your wife like a lady, and told us countless times how wonderful our Mom was. I never questioned your love for her or for us children. Even as I grew into a teenager, and we didn't always see eye-to-eye, I always respected you inside, and knew that you wanted what was best for me.

Dad, I'm on the other side of things now, and I've got two kids of my own. I think I appreciate more and more each day all that you sacrificed for us kids. I realize the great responsibility I have for my own family, and I'm thankful I've got a godly example to look up to. I'm a whole lot quicker to come to you for advice now than when I was a teenager--and it's because I've realized that you really have been in my place before, and that you really do know a lot more than I gave you credit for back then.

I've rambled around a lot here, but "hastening on" (: (sorry, I had to say that, Dad!), I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you for consistently modeling the Christian life, teaching me what really matters, and being my biggest hero! I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day!

For my Dad....

Dad, I have so many wonderful childhood memories of you. You rarely complained about living in a "girls' dorm" (except for the times when you couldn't find any soap other than Bath & Body Works shower gel in the shower ;-). Even though we always acted like we hated your teasing, we really didn't & life just wouldn't have been the same without it! Almost every morning, you would greet me by asking me "Did you sleep like a pig in the sunshine?" You also made up lots of silly songs like "While Shepherds Washed Their Socks By Night" & would sing them over & over until we almost forgot the real words to the songs! Yes, you taught us to have fun & to enjoy being together as a family, but you also taught us some other important lessons. One thing that always made such an impression on my young mind was how consistent your devotional life was. Having your personal devotions was the most important part of your day. It didn't matter what was on the agenda for the day -your devotions were always first! I could go on & on, but I just want you to know how much I love you & am so proud that you're my Dad! Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day!

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for being such a great Daddy. Thank you for all of the fun times we have together. Thank you for taking care of us, for playing with us & for teaching us about Jesus. We think you're the best Daddy ever!

Love,

Ryleigh & Grant

Ryleigh sings...

Ryleigh just learned the song "The Wise Man Built His House Upon A Rock" during VBS. Neither Jeff nor I realized that she was up singing her heart out with all of the rest of the kids during the program. I was sick that I didn't know so I could get pictures, so we got her to do a little re-enactment at home.

VBS Photos

This year's theme was "Building For Eternity" (thus all of the caution tape & hard hats).

Sister Baker & Grant really became good friends & had lots of fun together.

Between getting lots of sleeping in & having LOTS of people to hold him, Grant really had it made!

One of the registration tables

Ryleigh had a blast playing with all of the neat props the Bakers had.

I didn't take nearly as many photos of VBS this year, but you can see more photos & fellow bloggers' perspective on our VBS here, here & here.

Summer is finally here!

I'm so glad that summer is finally here Even though I love all of the changing seasons, I guess I'm still a Texas girl. After living in PA for almost seven years, I've gotten somewhat used to the cold weather, but it's sooo nice to be able to go barefoot outside again!

Random pictures

Grant rarely just starts crying. Instead, he gives us this look as a warning that he is about to start the most pitiful sobbing you ever heard!

My little man.

Ryleigh is still very much in love with her little brother. She constantly asks to hold him. Many times throughout the day, she'll stop to kiss him. Then, she'llay her head against his & say "Sweet boy!" Jeff & I share many laughs over the things she says & does.

The other day, Jeff was reading Ryleigh a bedtime story. Grant was fussing a little in his swing. Apparently, Ryleigh was very disturbed that no one was taking care of Grant, so she got down from Jeff's lap & told him to "just wait." Then she went over & put Grant's binky in his mouth & crawled back up into Jeff's lap to finish the story. ;-)

I was rather startled a few days ago when I looked over & saw this. Oops!

It's so nice to have Tia close by again. The kids just can't seem to get enough of her!

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

I just want to wish my husband, Jeff, a happy birthday. I'm so blessed & proud to be yours. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband & father. I love you!

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

Ryleigh is so excited because today is her Daddy's birthday. She has been singing "Happy Birthday" to him off & on all day long (she stops as soon as I get the camera out - but you get the idea). She went shopping with me yesterday to get a present for Daddy & could hardly wait to finally be able to give it to him this morning. Birthdays have taken on a whole new meaning to Jeff (who normally hates his birthday & can't stand to have a big deal made of it)!