Dreams (of sewing)

Usually when I think of dreams I think of big ones like the ones that have to do with family, happiness, bright future, health, and well-being, etc.  But there are also little dreams. One of my little dreams that's been budding and budding in my head for a while now is to start sewing. Yes, sewing! For those of you who know me, it's kind of hard to believe it as I never had any inclination, talent, or desire whatsoever for this kind of stuff. I always admired those who did, my sweet late maternal grandmother being one of those, mamaie Dutu. She sewed so many dresses for me and my cousin, my mom and my aunt, made alteration after alteration to pants, skirts, and dresses throughout our childhood and teenage years. My mom too made a few things for me! One of them being my 8th grade prom dress! :)

And then I have this other very sweet childhood memory from my paternal grandmother, mamaie Teia who although did not sew herself, had a good friend who did and always had her make these beautiful nighties and PJ's for me and my other cousin. I remember the cute patterns and soft fabric she would get for us!

So, I'd really love to be able to sew simple things like skirts, nigthies, blankets, maybe bedsheets, pillow cases, etc. [I think I can or at least I should be able to, with a little effort!]

I recently bought this pretty little skirt I'm in love with. It's chic, easy, yet a bit dressy. My perfect kind of skirt.  I was looking at the cut the other way and it seemed (key word here!!) very easy to make.

I've only stepped foot in JoAnne's a couple of times in my life but the multitude of pretty fabrics, patterns, and textures has stuck to me. Plus, it sounds like there are so many online shops you can order from nowadays, like this one.

Do you have any favorite shops, free pattern websites, or other sewing resources you'd like to share? :)

(First things first, though! I need to get myself a sewing machine! Any recommendations? I want to start simple, not too fancy or too pricey.)

Do you belay??

This is what Hrishi is getting certified for tonight.

be·lay   /bɪˈleɪ/
[bih-ley]
verb, -layed, -lay·ing, noun

–verb (used with object)

1. Nautical. to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear.

2. Mountain Climbing (this is the definition we're interested in!)

  a. to secure (a person) by attaching to one end of a rope.
  b. to secure (a rope) by attaching to a person or to an object offering stable support.

3. (used chiefly in the imperative)

  a. to cease (an action); stop.

  b. to ignore (an announcement, order, etc.): Belay that, the meeting will be at 0900 instead of 0800.

A belay device:

With Hrishi being certified, now Ella will be able to climb all of the walls belayed by daddy. :) Way to go, hon'! I know baby girl will be in good hands! :)

A few snapshots from the training class tonight. (Ella was Hrishi's climber for the class. She took the opportunity to climb to the top of a new wall she hasn't tried before. This is the 4th wall conquered so far, and the 2nd one this week. She amazes me!)

A man who knows his stuff:

Reaching higher and higher:

Made it to the top!

A very cute little victor!

And this is how Hrishi feels about it: "What a great way to rediscover my youth!"

(... and what a delight for me to be there and watch it unfold. Love you so much!)

(Me, watching in delight! Camera/phone in hand, of course. He-he!!) :)

                     

{All in all, you guys rock! I'm so happy and proud to be a momma and wife to you! :)}

Weekend happenings

We had a pretty relaxed, laid back weekend. My kind! Needed a break, for sure. As much as we love having friends over, I have to admit that preparations sometimes tend to take a toll on our otherwise free time. So this weekend, we stayed home, just us and got to do some of the things we love: swim, splash, rock climb, work out, eat, sleep in, go to church, and just hang out together.

Washed the cars.

Rocked climbed.

Did some back-to-school shopping:

(Our little kindergartner is all ready now... I think!)

Practised swimming. Happy to report that after watching a couple of folks swim effortlessly in the outdoor pool at the gym, I conclude: it can be done!! Ha-ha! Seriously, both Hrishi and I were almost staring at those folks from underneath our sunglasses in hopes somehow their breathing/swimming skills would rub off! :) After watching them swim a few laps, I jumped into the lane next to them and tried. And it was not all that bad (I only swallowed a couple of mouth fulls of water while turning my head (mouth open) back in the water! DUH!) It just takes lots of practice and staring (just kidding)!!

Helped mommy prepare the lesson visuals for nursery:

(Thank you so much, sweetie! You did an excellent job!)

And while she was picking the colors, she said something that almost made my jaw drop:  "Mommy, we don't know how Moses or Noah were dressed, these colors are fantasy but the stories are not!" Can't really tell how happy this made me! To hear my baby's testimony that the scripture stories were true and not fantasy! It humbled me at the same time. 

Cuddled with daddy. (I just love these two so much!)

Did some more drawing (Angelina Ballerina.)

Summer is quickly slipping away. So glad it's been so full and fun. I love the hot and sunny days and with living in Texas, we can sure hope to enjoy another good two or three more months of great weather.

On commitment and a favorite scripture

From the July edition of the Ensign, the First Presidency's Message, by Elder Uchdorf:

"Commitment to our covenants with the Lord is a fruit of our conversion. Commitment to our Savior and His Church builds our character and strengthens our spirit so that when we meet Christ, He will embrace us and say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

"There is a difference between intention and action. Those who only intend to commit may find excuses at every turn. Those who truly commit face their challenges squarely and say to themselves, “Yes, that would be a very good reason to delay, but I made covenants, and so I will do what I have committed to do.” They search the scriptures and earnestly seek the guidance of their Father in Heaven. They accept and magnify their Church callings. They attend their meetings. They do their home or visiting teaching.

"A German proverb says, “Promises are like the full moon. If they are not kept at once, they diminish day by day.” As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have committed to walk in the path of discipleship. We have committed to follow the example of our Savior. Imagine how the world will be blessed and transformed for good when all members of the Lord’s Church live up to their true potential—converted in the depth of their souls and committed to building the kingdom of God.
"In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, “I’m committed!”

I know this principle to be true: that only when we truly put our 100% into it and work at it (whatever it may be, spiritual or temporal) every day, we succeed and we show commitment to our Heavenly Father. I have so many things yet to get better at that sometimes I feel overwhelmed... I have tons of good intensions like making it to the temple at least once a month, making my prayers and scripture study more meaningful, and getting my visiting teaching done, etc. In reading this inspired message, I realize once again that I need to pray for strength to commit and consistently turn my worthy intentions into actions. And when I feel overwhelmed the Lord gently reminds me of the things that I do very day (i.e. personal and family scripture reading, family memory making, testimony bearing, personal and family prayer, testimony bearing, etc.) Although we do always need to strive for doing and being better, I know it's important to recognize and acknowledge our daily victories and feel good about ourselves. On that note, I close with my newly adopted motto: "Life is great!" I truly think it is.

And a favorite scripture that's been on my mind lately from Ether 12:4

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with asurety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Moments worth capturing

I think this is one of those: Ella climbed her 3rd wall (50 ft tall) at Lifetime last night; this was the "red-horn" wall, how she calls it. She has been eyeing it for a while and been practising to get to the top but she would never get past the red-hold ("red horn".) Although she was tired after a full day at summer camp, piano practice and all, she still wanted to go and she did. And not only did she go, but she conquered. The happiness and excitement she exuded last night as she walked into the kitchen and announced her victory were absolutely PRICELESS!

[On a funny note, both her and Hrishi were climbing side by side, and at some point when she thought daddy was going to make it to the top before her, she reached over and slightly pushed his arm off the hold he was hanging onto, and grabbed onto it herself, moving ahead and leaving daddy behind... :( ]

I really want for her to remember these precious experiences (the "reaching to the top" part, not the pushing daddy off...ha-ha!) These are some of the things she'll draw upon when things get tough and I'm sure they will.  Baby, I hope you can learn now that nothing is too hard when you work hard and give it your all. 

You fill our hearts with joy! I am so happy, grateful, and honored to be your mother along this wonderful earthly journey and in the thereafter. You make it so exhilirating and worthwhile! Love you, love you, love you now and forever, my sweet child!

Karekars: the Olympic Family... (Fun and funny!!!)

Since we have so much fun every Monday when we go in for our swim classes, changing in the family locker room, cracking up jokes about our swim caps and goggles, and just messing around, we decided to snap a couple of pictures just to capture the moment :) We think we look really funny with our matching gear!

One more: with goggles on!

Seriously, the whole entire family LOVES their swimming classes. And while we're still beginners, I have faith that somehow someday we'll make ok swimmers!

Yesterday I realized that I can swim almost half lap while holding my breath. How can I possibly fill up my lungs even more so I can do a whole lap without taking a breath?? You see, when I turn my head to the side to take a breath, I mess up everything: stroke, kick, and overall body balance. Ughhh! Both Hrishi and I are currently having this same little problem. We're going back tomorrow to practise and will report at a later date on the progress, if any is made! Ha-ha!!!

What is love?

Love is smelling your little one's hair or breath and feeling like you're on top of the world.

Love is snuggling together as a family on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Love is telling and being told "I love you" or "I'm so proud of you!" or "You are wonderful!" or "So happy to have you in our family!"

Love is making dinner together, or singing together.

Love is doing each other's hair.

Love is giving backrubs until  when you feel like your hand or arm is going to fall off.

Love is reading or talking together before bedtime.

Love is bearing testimony of the small miracles you witness every day in the details of life.

Love is taking your time to hug and talk even when you're late getting out the door for work and school.

Love is when you want to share all this and more with another soul: we have started on our path to become foster-to-adop parents. It's not a quick or easy process to get to the point where we can actually welcome a new child into our home but we look forward to that day with much joy and excitment. Since we have made this decision, I have spent many hours reading and learing about how many children out there (all ages) long for a loving and safe place they can call home. Children who long for stability and permanency. Children who long to have someone who cares about them,  about what they do, what they think, and what they dream of. Children who long to love and be loved. It has soften my heart and entire being and made me realize how much more I (we) can give this world. And although we are just at the beginning of this journey, I want to document it and mark it here in our family history as I know it will change our lives forever. For us it is the answer to prayers for opportunities to give more of ourselves, to serve, to make a difference. I often pictured us going out and getting involved in a lot of community service but how? and most importantly, when? as family life as it is, keeps us busy and involved. But soon had my answer that this was a way to do just that. And in mind, it is more than service, it is service with love, a parent-to-child love and vice versa.


... Love is splashing together in the kitty pool in the backyard on a scorching HOT Sunday afternoon.

Love is simple... .