I made another bag :). This one turned out much better than the last one (but I still have things I'd like to improve on)

This one is strapless right now.............can't decide if I want a strap, or if I want to just put a magnetic snap in it and call it a clutch.

My purse model :)

My first purse is completed!

(trust me, it looks way better in the picture than it does in real life!) :) The material is actually green....and it is lined as well. I have about 23,489,237,528,347,523 changes I want to make on the next bag, and the next one, and the next one :) (Relatives-are you ready to receive my practice bags?) I actually purchased this pattern from a blogger :), and it came with a pattern for a much bigger bag too. With the purchase of the pattern I have permission to sell the purses, which is nice (if, in about 2 or 3 years I get good enough to do that)

:) Happy sewing.

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."
- Mark Batterson

A quote I read and like :)

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers,
watching snow Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

Cindy Morgan "How Could I ask for More"

Torbett Family photo shoot :)
Yes, we set up the camera on the porch and on the truck (we set it on the timer) and people actually saw us doing this........embarrassing? Nah........... :)

What's wrong with this picture? :)

BIG laughs over this picture :), bright flash and all.
My dear husband styled his hair this way tonight and said it was called the "Trifecta".
Now if THAT doesn't make you laugh, I just don't know what would.

:)
Have I mentioned how I love him, Trifecta and all? (Sounds like a disease name doesn't it) :)

Favorites: A good read (Particularly by Karen Kingsbury, Jenny B. Jones or Francine Rivers) Michelle Obama's style :) Classy, timeless.....stylish, and flattering.

Skinny Cow icecream sandwiches. I saw these and thought to myself "Is there REALLY a way to make icecream less fattening and still taste good at the same time?"
There is.

My dear husband even went for it! :)

He's my most favorite of all. ( Have to brag......he has all A's in two semesters of grad. school so far!)

Took a little trip yesterday......we ate at Bean Palace and then went to Eureka Springs for a while.
it was fun :). Although Brett is driving in this picture and thats why he can't look at the camera, it still makes me laugh :)>
Happy Mother's Day!

Prayers please-I'm fighting off a sinus infection.
Brett is such a dear husband. He stopped at the store on his way home to get something that sounded good to me.

Isn't it nice to be loved?

Chicken and dumplings, homemade! :) I used the 100% fat free chicken broth (with 33% reduced sodium as well) and made the dumplings myself. They turned out great!
Rain, rain, go away....

Three more weeks of Breakout and then my kids and I have completed another year! Breakout is the small group discipleship group I do every other week during the school year. The children's pastor leads a small group, and I lead one as well. We both started year one of the program with our kids, and move up with them through the program each year.
I usually include object lessons, games, activities, and scavenger hunts in the lessons to make it more interesting, real, and fun for the kids.

Tonight we're learning about obeying God. Here's a scavenger hunt I put together to help teach the kids about obedience. The clues will be taped up around the church.....and there will be a treat at the end! The kids loooove this by the way......we've done one other scavenger hunt this year and they requested we do another one so thats why we're doing one tonight! I'll have to let you know how it goes-Enjoy! :)

Obeying God scavenger hunt:
Clue #1-To obey or not to obey?
This man did and everything turned out okay
This was no ordinary boat ride
with plenty of baa’s, honks, and moo’s inside

Go to a very refreshing place for your next clue.

Clue #2-Noah was the man who obeyed
and in God was not afraid
But there was another who didn’t listen
and inside the belly of a whale went a fishin’

Go to a place where garbage lives.

Clue #3-Swimmin’ inside a great whale
Jonah started to look a little pale
God had instructed him for a reason
He needed him to preach for a season

Go to a device that makes voices boom.

Clue #4-If in obedience we stay
Our hearts will not stray
God will lift us up high
Our blessing and favor will reach to the sky

Go to a very high, green, leafy place

Clue #5-When our blessings seem far away
Remember your obedience will pay
God is with you in the dark
Hold tight to His hand on the path you embark

Go to a place with very little or no light

Clue #6-Remember God’s commands are here to guide and protect
The cause-His love,
and our obedience the effect

Go to a place inside that you climb on

Clue #7-Obey your mom and dad
Elders, teachers too
Run for dear life from bad
Let good be all you do

Go back to our weekly Breakout hangout spot!

The Final Clue: Hooray, you’ve finished!
If you keep on obeying
“That’s my treasure” God will be saying
Dig in for a treat
and give a rest to your weary feet

Quilt Show at Elkins! This is momma standing next to her entry :).