11 Years of Wedded Bliss

This has been an up and coming post. Eric and I have been married for 11 years back on Sept 26th. I can't believe that it has been that long ago already. But to tell you alittle bit about how we started. We actually met on AOL Im. Eric found me in the profile section and instant messaged me to see if I was someone else I answered back no and from there we just started talking back and forth on instant messaging. We would email each other on a daily basis. After getting to know each other alittle bit more we moved on to talking to each other on the phone for hours on in. Eric decided for his Spring Break from College that he would come up and met me. We had not met yet because Eric lived in Ventura, CA and I lived in Fresno, CA which is about 4 hours apart. But he rented a car and drove up to Fresno and met me and we haven't been apart since. We finally met each other in March of 97, by May of 97 we were engaged and by Sept of 97 we were married in the Los Angeles Temple. It was such a special day. I got my endowments taken out on that same day and having my mom, my grandparents and my Aunt Laurie and Uncle Mike there for it was such an experience. Eric told me that his heart dropped into his stomach when he finally saw me in my wedding dress. We had a Ring Ceremony at the Ventura Stake Center that night for those that were not able to attend the sealing at the temple. And a special treat that I got was that my Big Brother Rick sang our first dance song. Which was Me and You by Kenny Chesney. Eric's brother Chris played the guitar and Doug McCoullough played the piano. It was great and is a great memory that we have.

For our honeymoon we spent 5 days at Disneyland. On the 5th day we also went to Universal Studios. It was fun and was great being able to just spend time with each other as husband and wife.

And now today we have 2 great sons who keep us on our toes.

Jake turned 9

I still can't believe that he has turned 9 already. It seems just like yesterday he was a little baby fighting for his life. And now look at him grow up. Jake is 88 lbs and 4'4". He was born at 7 lbs 9 oz's and 18 1/4" long. He has grown up so fast. Jake right before his birthday also lost another tooth. That makes 7 teeth that he has lost since he turned 6. Jake is only a foot shorter than his mother now and I am sure that he is going to be taller than me. Jake had to come home from school and do his home work yesterday before being able to get his gifts but he was very suprised when he walked into his room to see his gifts on his bed.

Jake's favorite thing is Star Wars. So he got a Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet that talks, a Star Wars Spider Droid and a Star Wars Clone Trooper Blaster. He was extremely happy to be able to get gifts. The boys worked so hard on Saturday to get there room cleaned. We told them that there wouldn't be any presents for birthdays unless the toys in their room was picked up they didn't need anymore.

We went to Wal-mart and bought a Chocolate cake and brought it home and decorated it. Eric wrote on it Happy B-day Jake and then put a battle of Star Wars Galatic Heros on the cake. Jake loved the cake and was very excited about it.

We sang happy birthday to him and then he blew out his candles. And of course we had some cake and ice cream. Jake also got to pick out what he wanted to eat. Jake picked Caines Chicken Fingers. They were good.

Crocheted Baby Kimono

I actually made this one for my little niece. I enjoyed making it and then seeing her actually in it.

Crochted Baby Kimono (size 24 months)

Hook size: h

Yarn: TLC (neapolitan)

Back:

Ch 48

Row 1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across. (47 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across

Repeat row 2 until piece measures 10" from beg. Fasten Off

(12" x 10")

Left Front:

Ch 40

Row 1: (RS), Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (39 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.

Repeat row 2 until piece measures 4 1/2" from beg, end with a wrong side row.

(9 1/4" x 4 1/2")

Shape Neck:

Row 1: (RS), Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc to last 3 sc, sc 3 tog. (37 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn sc in each st across.

Rows 3 - 26: Rep last 2 rows 12 times.

Row 27: Ch 1, turn, sc to last 2 sc, sc 2 tog. (12 sc)

Row 28: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.

Repeat last row until left front measures 10" from beg. Fasten Off

(9 1/4" x 10")

Right Front:

Work as for left front, reversing shaping by ending with a RS row before starting next shaping on WS row.

(9 1/4" x 10")

Left Sleeve:

Ch 34

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (33 sc)

Rows 2 - 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first sc, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, (35 sc)

Row 7 - 26: Repeat rows 2 - 6, 4 times. (43 sc)

Rep Row 2 until sleeve measures 7" from reg. Fasten off.

(7" x 7" x 8")

Right Sleeve:

Work same as left sleeve.

(7" x 7" x 8")

Left Front tie:

From RS, insert hook into row below first sc 3 tog on left front and pull up a loop. Make a ch 30" long.

Next Row: Sl st in each ch to end. Fasten Off.

(30" Long)

Right Front tie:

From RS, insert hook into row below first sc 3 tog on right front and pull up a loop. Make a ch 13 1/4" long.

Next Row: Sl st in each ch to end, Fasten off.

(13 1/4" long)

Finishing:

Sew shoulder seams. Place markers 4" from each shoulder seam. Sew sleeves between markers. Swe sleeve seams. Sew right side seam leaving 1/2" open, 1" below sleeve for left front tie. Swe left side seam. Weave in ends. Insert left front tie through WS of right side opening and around back; tie into bow with Right Front tie.

My pattern is adapted from Lion Brand Co.

Crocheted Laptop Cover

Another pattern that I did. I thought I would start sharing my patterns and the projects that I am working on. This will give me stuff to blog about. So here is the Crocheted Laptop cover.

Crocheted Laptop Cover

Yarn: CA - Bernat Camouflage (purple camo), CB - Patons Twister (blue bongo), CC & CD -Simply Soft Tweed (white & black)

Hook Size: H (5 mm)

Special stitches:

Dc Decrease: (yo insert hook into next st pull up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through, 3 loops on hook to complete the stitch.

Abbreviations:

Rnd: Round

Rep: Repeat

DC: Double Crochet

SC: Single Crochet

St: Stitch

Tr: Triple Crochet

HDC: Half Double Crochet

CH: Chain

SL: Slip stitch

FO: Finish Off.

Ch 28 with two strands of CA held together.

Rnd 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 25 ch, 5 sc in last ch; working on opposite side of beginning ch, sc in next 25 ch; join with a sl st in first sc. (60 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, * (2 sc in next sc) 5 times, sc in next 25 sc; rep from * once more; join. (70 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, * (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) 5 times, sc in next 25 sc; rep from* once more; join. (80 sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, * (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) 5 times, sc in next 25 sc; rep from * once more; join. (90 sc).

Cut one strand of CA and FO, remainder of case will be worked with single strand.

Rnds 5 - 7: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join

Rnd 8: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next sc and in each sc around; join to top ch 3.

Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, * decrease over the next 2 sts, dc in next 6 sts, decrease, dc in the next 6 sts, dc in the next 10 sts, decrease, dc in the next 11 sts, * dc in next 5 sts, repeat from * to * join in top of ch 3.

Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, * decrease, dc in next 5 sts, decrease, dc in the next 5 sts, dc in next 10 sts decrease, dc in next 11 sts * dc in next 5 sts, repeat from * to *, join to the top of ch 3.

Rnd 11: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, * decrease, dc in next 4 sts, decrease, dc in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 10 sts, decrease, dc in the next 11 sts, * dc in the next 4 sts, repeat from * to * join to the top of ch 3.

Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 sts, * decrease, dc in the next 3 sts, decrease, dc in the next 3 sts, dc in the next 10 sts, decrease, dc in the next 11 sts, * dc in the next 3 sts, repeat from * to *, join to the top of ch 3.

Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in the next st and in each st around, join to top of ch 3.

Rep Rnd 13 until case measures approximately 7" from bottom changing to CB when joining last rnd.

Next Rnd: With CB, ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each dc around: join, changing to CC.

Next Rnd: With CC, ch 3 (counts as first dc) * tr in next sc, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc ** dc in next sc, rep from * around, end at **; join, changing to CD.

Next Rnd: With CD, ch 4 (counts as first tr), * 3 tr in next tr, tr in next de: [holding back last loop on hook tr in next st] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (tr cluster made) ** tr in next dc: repeat from * around end at **; join to top of ch 4, changing to CC.

Next Rnd: With CC, ch 3 ( counts as first dc), * hdc in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, tr in next st **, dc in next st; rep from * around end at **; join, changing to CB.

Next Rnd: With CB, ch 1, sc in each st aroun; join, changing to CA.

Next Rnd: With C, ch 3, dc in each sc and in each sc around; join to top of ch 3.

Rep last Rnd until case measures 13 1/2" from beg, or until 1/2" less than desired length, change to CB when joining last rnd.

Next Rnd: With CB, ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each dc around; join changing to CC.

Next Rnd: With CC, ch 1, sc in each sc around; joining, changing to CD.

Next Rnd: With CD, ch 1, sc in each sc around; join. FO, Weave in ends.

Finished Length 14"

Crocheted Peachy Queen Baby Blanket

I have had a couple of people that have asked me where I got a pattern for one of the blankets that I crocheted. I made up the pattern myself so I thought I would post it here for others to be able to use and enjoy. Here is the picture of the blanket.

The pattern,

Yarn Needed: Caron Simply Soft, 4 ply, Lt. Country Peach

Hook Size: H (5.00 mm)

Pattern Stiches used:

Slant Stitch: Skip next sc, dc in next 3 sc, YO, insert hook in skipped sc and pull up a loop even with hook, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook. (twice) You just made the slant stitch.

Cross Stitch: Skip next st, dc in next st, working around dc just made, dc in skipped st. You just made the cross stitch.

Blanket Body:

CH. 125 loosely

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (124 sc)

Row 2:(Right Side): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in next sc, *[skip next sc, dc in next 3 sc, YO, insert hook in skipped hook, (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice](slant st made); repeat from * across to last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc's. (30 Slant Sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn; sc in each st across. (124 sc)

Row 4: Ch 3, turn; * skip next st, dc in next st, working around dc just made, dc in skipped st; repeat from * across to last st, dc in last st. (61 Cross sts)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn; sc in each st across. (124 sc)

Repeat Rows 2 - 5 until you reach 43" long.

End with Row 5. Finish off.

The edging you can be anything you want. I used the backwards sc.

Weave in ends.

Abrevations used"

DC: Double Crochet

SC: Single Crochet

Sts: Stitches

Ch: Chain

YO: Yarn Over

Here is a close up of the stictches.

Praxis

I have finally passed my Math Praxis. It only took me 4 times of taking it. I am very happy that I have finally passed it. I can get back to going to school and getting my teaching degree done. I start back up with directed study. I am really excited and glad that I finally have accomplished it.

First Day of School

I know that this post is a little late. But we had a great first day of school. Jake is now in the 3rd grade and Trent is in 1st grade. I wasn't able to walk the boys to school this year due to being a crossing guard and I had to make sure that all the rude parents get crossed. You would think that they would be greatful that we are up there to help them and their kids stay safe.

Anyways Jake really like his teacher and Trent likes his too. Trent was alittle upset that none of his best friends aren't in his 1st grade class. Jake got lucky and some of his Kindergarten friends are in his 3rd grade class. There are even a couple of members of our church in there too.