Thursday, August 14, 2008

While The Kids Are Away...

I feel like I'm a bad mom when I say that I enjoy having my kids in school. It's not that I don't enjoy having them around, because of course they mean the world to me. It's just that I feel like I'm a more patient and loving mom when I have that time to just rejuvinate. I feel like I can get everything done that I need to while they're gone so that I can really enjoy being with them when they're home. Besides, they really enjoy school so I think it's sort of a win-win situation. It's just been nice filling my time getting projects done, going out to lunch with friends, going to the temple (thanks Chelsea!), leisurely shopping trips and uninterrupted cleaning days. Some of my projects include finally making the drapes for my loft. They're nothing fancy but I've just been putting it off for like a year. I was also excited to bottle homemade spaghetti sauce for the first time with my friend Mandy (thankyou!). Yes, it is cheaper and less time consuming just to buy it, but there is something about doing it that makes me feel so domesticated and you can't even compare the taste of this 100% natural, no preservative sauce--so yummy! Besides, it's nice just having an excuse to spend all day hanging out with her :). Speaking of domesticated, I just learned how to make homemade bread for the first time (not counting my bread maker) and this isn't just any bread, this is THE sacrament bread. We're talking seriously good. Each Sunday I battle with Jayden as he tries to grab as many handfuls to shove into his face before I can stop him. I even catch Jason eyeing out the biggest piece sometimes. It's in the oven now so I really hope it turns out (thanks Trish)! A couple of us also started a little craft club in our ward. It's not ward sponsored, so it's just a word of mouth thing (this is an invitation to anyone in the ward reading this, so let me know if you want to come!) and it has been so fun getting together once a month to make different crafts. So far we've done these canvas art, hooded towels and holiday decor signs. There are so many cute things planned, I can't wait to make them all. We've got some seriously creative and talented people in our ward, thanks girls for sharing!
We've also been doing some house projects like replacing this entry way light. My neighbor moved (sniff, sniff) and told us we could have her chandelier if we could find a way to get it down. When there's a will, there's a way. We rented this huge 14 ft ladder from Home Depot and then just try to imagine pregnant Jamie up there 2 stories high trying to balance this huge light fixture while Jason did the wiring, not once but 3 different times as we went between houses switching them out. It was pretty scary (and probably not the smartest thing), but Kylie was nice enough to offer to catch me if I fell. She also gave us another light fixture for our kitchen and this electronic basketball thing for the toy room that attaches to the wall (don't even get me started on hanging that thing!) She was such a great neighbor, I'm going to miss her!

So it's been nice feeling productive lately, especially since pretty soon my days will be spent changing diapers and having a baby permanantly attached to my boob.

13 comments:

Janessa said...

I'm totally cracking up at your bleak future prediction. When ever I talk to you on the phone you tell me, "I feel so busy now that the kids are in school but I don't know what I'm so busy with." Hello! Look out Martha Stewart! You certianly have been one busy lady. I love your loft. Those curtains look great and the rest of it is decorated so cute! Your homemade spaghetti sauce sounds so good and I'll have to try out your "sacrament bread". Did it turn out as good as the real stuff? Your "Club Deco" souds like so much fun. I want to go! I'm very impressed with those canvas paintings. Did you just free hand it? I'm so not artistic like that. Your chandelier looks great! I can't believe you were up on the ladder too. I was thinking you were just the ladder holder. Good to know Kylie was standing by ready to catch you:) I love the other little decorations I'm seeing in your entry way too. I need to come visit you and see it all in person. Just so you know, you are invited to a decorating party at my new house next summer (your attendance is mandatory). I'll let you know when I get an address for it:)

ann said...

Cute stuff you've made! I wish I lived closer so I could be apart of the craft club, I need a project now that the kids are in school. Love the hooded towel.

kristina said...

Wow Jamie! You have been busy. It all looks great!

Nichols Family said...

Your house is darling! Oh, I love having my kids in school too...but I'm not as motivated as you. I take naps now though. About my blogbook, I know, I'm totally in for it when I start. I have over a year's worth! Help!

Trish said...

Okay, so you have to tell me... Did your bread work out?! Come leave me a comment and let me know.

I LOVE all of your projects. I always want to come to the craft nights, but so far every single time Shane has been out of town. He is even out of town at this very minute (but I am not complaining... he moved an important meeting in Elko, NV just so that he could be home last night while I did the bread class). He's a sweetheart!

Anyhow, if you finish all of your projects at your house, you can come to mine. I have plenty!!

Kristin said...

You are one busy woman! Everything looks great.

Suni said...

Oh my you are productive....I need to get motivated because I have a lot of projects that I keep putting off! It looks great! I love the Halloween sign...so cute!!

Chelsea said...

you are probably the most productive girl I know, and although it makes me feel pretty lousy about myself, I still like ya too much to stop talking to you. :)

Your curtains look FAB, Love the crafts, the chandelier, and I'm sure I'd love the sauce too, although 7 hours of canning is not really my bag, baby!

Jodee said...

You seem to be filling up that school time nicely! Good job! I am so proud of you with the all natural sauce and bread, good job! Your house is so cute, I love all the new decorations. You will have to come help me when we get into a more permanent house!

Fabulous Fur Babies! said...

Wow, Miss Homemaker, this is impressive! Look at all you are doing, and doing it so well! You are amazing!

Mindy said...

How much fun!! I love the holiday sign you made. Did you just make Halloween ones or more. I would love to know how you made them. It is so true about the baby coming. You will be so tired. It sounds like you are nesting, huh. He's coming soon!

Michelle Y. said...

I am so impressed with your canning and bread making, I really need to be better at that. You are such a great mom, Jamie. It especailly shows in how well behaved your kids are every time I am around them. I love your entry way and I am sad I missed the halloween decoration craft night, but I will for sure be there for the next one, I look forward to those nights! I would love to get our boys together soon and I would love to get together with you soon!

Cammi said...

You are doing all of the things I wish I could be doing while my kids are in school! It all looks awesome!! I know what you mean, I thought I would have a lot of free time and I have been so busy since they started school. I have Mr. Lonely Only though, 2 years old and no brothers to play with. It is apparently a pretty horrible situation to be in when you are two :-)