我们将中国！

That's Mandarin for...We are going to China！

In 6 weeks Matt and I...and a dozen more Coleman's are leaving for Beijing. When we were in Seattle for New Years, My father-in-law surprised us all by offering this once and a life time trip to any of us that wanted to go. Heck ya! The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Soldiers...and other amazing sites. We are so excited...and can't believe how soon it's coming!(This will be Matt and I in 6 weeks)

Due to my excitement I'm instituting a random Chinese Trivia Countdown.
Not only fun...but also educational!

6 weeks to go...

Random Chinese Trivia Countdown
(from: China.com)

QUESTION:
The uneven separating of one's disposable wooden chopsticks can foreshadow which of the following?

a) A death in the family
b) A baby is on the way
c) A rocky love life
d) A change in jobs
e) Some bad splinters

ANSWERS:
a) No, of course not. The Chinese never like to talk about death if at all possible (do you?).
b) Not in this one-child environment.
c) Great! That's right, a bad split of the wood is foreshadowing a bad split of another kind. When the break is uneven, it represents an uneven relationship, which we all know is unhealthy and headed for trouble. So, this reminds us all to keep a relationship of equality at all costs, or just be careful when separating your chopsticks.
d) No, unless you are using your chopsticks as projectiles to toss at your boss.
e) That is not foreshadowing, that's the fact, jack!

spoiled....

I'm writing this post to preface my next....So have I ever mentioned how incredibly spoiled Matt and I are? I admit it freely and try really hard not to take advantage of the situation. My family is really too good to us...child care...favors...unexpected gift givers... vacation planners...you name it and they are there for us...it's unbelievable. I know that we are on borrowed time and who knows when or if we will ever have to move...hello reality - that will be a big ol' kick in the rear that i'm not looking forward to. So I'm just enjoying it while it lasts and thanking my lucky stars everyday!

Frames, Paint, Ribbon, & Vinyl

Put them together and what do you get?

I've been needing something for this wall ever since we moved in...but you know how apartment living is...at least in our case...too much stuff...not enough room...make due...blah...blah... well... at least now I can look at the wall without thinking "ugh" all the time. I wish I had a better eye for decorating...I think my problem is that I like too many styles...

Before:

Yes, yes, my shelf is an eye sore....

After:

despite the shelf...I think this wall looks a little nicer now....
The picture doesn't do it much justice...but trust me, it make a nice difference...

Giving Credit when Credit is Due

(Emmie wearing the cute little cherry dress Ceri made for her)

So in my past few posts I have not given credit to Ceri and her awesome Craft list she came up with a few months ago. She has really found some amazing tutorials (Check it out here.) and got me into this whole crafting mode. The past few purses (labeled "pleated tote" on the list) I've made Ceri taught me how to do them....so Thanks Ceri - not just for being a great gather/compiler of awesome ideas...but for showing me how to put them to use!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Growing up, this was one of my mom's favorite holiday...she would be the one handing out pinches if she saw that you weren't wearing green. Anyways....Happy St. Patrick's Everyone!

An Update...with pictures...I know...Finally right?

Yeah! Happy Birthday Mom...Okay...Okay...I'm a bad daughter...and this is WAY past due. My mom's birthday was on March 8th. Can you guess how old she is?

Matt's buddy got a new Marimba and needed a place to store his old one until he could sell this one...so were's the perfect place to store an 8 ft. long instrument??? In Emmie's room, of course! It will only be until the summer and it comes at a perfect time - Matt's recital is in April and he is thankful for the convient practice space (me too...it's nice to have him at home!) Oh...and anyone who wants to...mark your calendars for April 11th for Matt's recital! yeah!

We finally got our new computer!! It's beautiful! We love it!!! I don't really know what to do with all the desk space!
Look at the adorable Pig tails!!! It's the first time she's had enough hair...she's just growing up too fast! And check out the dress...Thanks Heidi...it's so cute! It was a perfect outfit for her first day in NURSERY! (she actually doesn't start for another month...but we're doing the month ahead prep thing and going with her so she doesn't FREAK out!) She had a great time and even sat and listened to the lesson. Her favorites were the toys - and she even shared...my baby's growing up...sniff -tear...
I threw together another bag...I know, I know...bag crazy. My friend needed a good, large bag for going to Maui and she wanted brown and pink. Definately Maui worthy I thought...I'm so jelous!

So this picture is really just for Ceri....I went Cricut crazy this past week cutting out these purses for my mom's Relief Soceity thing....so this is me mocking the picture on the box...I tried to find that picture to post...but couldn't - so next time you're at Joann's of Michaels....stop by the Cricut Isle and look at the box...it will make more sense then!

And all the while we have been using lots and lots of these:

What started out as a little allergy attack turned into ear/sinus infections topped off with some acute bronchitus....what was weird is that Matt and I came down with it all at the same time. Mine turned into an infection sooner...but needless to say Kleenex with Lotion is a life saver!!! I'm feeling really good now and Matt just started his antibiotic so soon he will too!

P.S. I need a 5th taker on the crafting thing!!! It will be a lot of fun! If you are not into crafting...or don't think it's your thing...think small...like cookie's in a jar...or cards...get some fabric markers and go crazy on a onsie or bag....come on it's fun - every one loves a nice crafty surprise!

Long Live Handcrafting!

Here's a little game to encourage the handcrafting to live & thrive!! The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a super handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up (or copy & paste as I did!) a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first FIVE comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!2. It will be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)3. You will have no clue what it is going to be.

C'mon, you know you wanna play!

Accepting Applications

Since my sister and her husband up and ditched me for Europe... I am feeling slightly lonely....I've decided that what I need is a replacement...a sub really. Someone willing to go on the occasional walk with me, watch tween movies with me, and make multiple trips to Joann's with me , maybe even spend the better part of a Saturday crafting with me. If you are interested let me know!