A little at a time

I have begun refreshing my website and starting to give my site a makeover. I am still not very happy with the lack of flexibility with the weebly site builder but it gives me something quick and temporary to work with until I am able to create my own from scratch that I really like. I made a temporary one in my web development class this past fall at Virginia Western and I really liked the way it turned out. Unfortunately, I did not make it completely able to transfer onto the web so it is still being developed. Until that point that I am able to get it uploaded and live, I will have to be happy using a pre-made site. It could be worse! I could have no idea whatsoever about designing a website. The next few weeks will be spent designing, creating, refreshing, re-vamping and re-configuring. Little by little it should be done sometime in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled!

On a separate note, our family went to the Down Syndrome support group get together tonight. It was so nice to be able to spend time with mothers and fathers of other children with Down Syndrome who can offer support and understanding. It always leaves me feeling good. Tonight we discussed ways we can help raise money for our support group so we are able to do other things and perhaps be able to help with costs. An idea for next year is to work this year to create a calendar to sell in order to raise some money. I think the idea would be wonderful and I know that I would love for Benjamin to be included on the calendar pages, representing children with Down Syndrome. He is super adorable and just looking at him makes me smile.

I got the bug...

I have not felt like creating anything in a long time. At the resolution of my 8th pregnancy and birth of my 6th child, I was in need of a break. I became so busy in the life of a parent to a special needs child that I neglected my crafty side, and it began to wither. After a year of non-crafting, I even debated about tossing out all my yarn, fabric and accoutrements. Fortunately, I did not and so I was able to pick things back up during the Christmas break from school. I began to work on making things again and although I still do not have a lot of time to just craft, I am making progress. I even set up a sewing table in my room today! I have not had a dedicated sewing area since we first moved to Caldwell, Idaho in 2008! That is a long time! Now that I have that set up, I am definitely anxious to get crafting even more! I have a bunch of things picked out to make, including finishing a test-knit project for a designer on Ravelry. I would also like to re-vamp my website and perhaps begin building my business again in hopes that one day, I might be able to make a bit of money each month by myself. I do not have delusions of grandeur or of making loads of money. I am fine simply making at least 1 sale per month! I sold 2 hats last month, so I am on my way again so to speak.

On a separate note, we have decided for me to withdraw from school while we deal with our little Ben's health issues. Of course, there are other reasons but we feel very strongly that this is the best course for our family at this time. It is not an easy decision, as I was anxious to get my degree. It is hard to focus on that and getting school work done when precious moments with family are slipping away and time is of the essence. I simply could not afford to forfeit those moments. No one knows how many moments a parent gets with their child, especially one with special needs, and so I will cherish each one.

Primary

Last Sunday I was called to be a Primary worker in our church. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been a substitute teacher in Primary for the past several months off and on and so it was not a huge surprise. I was unsure at first if I really wanted to do it. I mean, after all, I have 6 children of my own and not a whole lot of free time on my hands with which to plan and prepare lessons for a group of 4 and 5 year old children. I also had moments of insecurity followed by a confidence that I could do it. Today was my first day and I must say, I way over prepared. I had a laminated story book and cut out flannel board pieces and coloring pages and was ready to deliver the best lesson ever. Too bad the children missed that memo and just wanted snacks, which of course in all my preparation, didn't even think about! Hopefully next week will be better. Overall I would say the lesson was a success, pictures were colored, stories were exchanged and no one left without a smile.

Catch-up is crazy!

So the origami calendar was put on hold when we ended up taking Ben to the hospital following his overheating episode, which although showing as posting today was actually supposed to post 2 weeks ago! He is now doing much better!! He had some kind of virus and it just hit him really hard and was kinda scary! On a brighter note, with all the snow we got in the last few days, Ben had his first adventure in the snow! 

I pulled him around in a cardboard makeshift sled so he could enjoy being outside. He didn't entirely enjoy it though...

But he does make the cutest tiniest snow angel!! 

Overall it was a success and he was able to have some fun too! Look at that smile!!

And look at that snowman! 

On a calendar note, Noah and I had a marathon folding session this morning! He thoroughly enjoyed helping and tried in vain to get me to do more...he was very cute begging though. So here's our shots from this morning! 

Grasshopper:

A kite base:

A baby bunny:

A yacht: (Noah called it a yack!)

Some helpful tips! Aka extra paper...

Easy tree:

Aka weird paper airplane.

Simple penguin:

Very proud of himself!

Helmet base:

Cat finger puppet:

Puppy finger puppet:

Excited to play with his new puppets:

More random (and boring) tips...aka even more extra paper:

And lastly, today's cupboard base:

Nothing too exciting, but the puppy and cat finger puppets were a hit with all and are now exploring the rest of the house...now to go have hot cocoa while the kids go back outside into the snow! One more day off school! 

Monday musings

Last night we were up for a bit with Ben since he was having issues with overheating. Kinda scary but I suppose it's not unheard of for children with Down Syndrome. New to me though! I feel so much like a new mom when it comes to him. I thought I would be fine since I've already had 5 children but boy was I wrong! It's a new adventure for sure. 

Thankfully he looks much better today but still isn't 100%. 

For my origami calendar this morning I was a bit disappointed to see it was just a technique page. Simply teaching a new folding technique. 

So I tried it and it's not fun. 

On a brighter note, today was my man's first day of college!!! I am so proud of him! He was so excited this morning and I am happy for him. He is going to be amazing!

Proud guy with his new student ID!

Better!

Today's origami is perfect! Well not perfect but close! This is the kind of thing I think of when I imagine origami. A butterfly airplane. 

It looks great and although I am sure someone could have folded it better it was fun to make! 

It does look like it could fly...maybe we will take it outside and test it! 

Of the airplanes I have made in my life, this has similar construction so it has a breath of a chance at becoming airborne, even if it's just briefly! We shall see...

Here's a quick cute picture I just have to share!

Random shapes

As I thought, these paper creations are getting strange and it's only day 8! Today's design, a dogs head...

Not sure if this is just part of the filler designs but it's good practice I suppose. Not much to today's folding. 

I will admit it does look like a dogs head. Although the paper choices are great! I love all the different designs so far!!