Project 3 of 52- rice bags

These bags were easy to make and the boys enjoy them. I just sewed around the edges of some flannel. Then made a pillowcase sort of cover. This way when the outside gets yucky I can just toss it in the washer. Who would like a nice warm pack to warm the bed on those frigid January nights? The boys each got to pick out their own print. Tyler helped me match up buttons. He requested the gold buttons special for his penguins. He is such a funny kid. :-)

I am actually excited for 2010. After a very rough year with 2009 it feels like everything will turn around for us this year. It just feels good. Robin has even gotten a much better attitude since the New Year. It was getting really hard to hear a continuous stream of rejection when job hunting. I am not sure what caused the change but I'm liking it. He has made a big effort to fix something as soon as he knows it needs attention. He is upbeat and positive. He just genuinely has been in a good mood. It is rather refreshing.

We have learned a lot during this trial though. I have learned the art of frugality. I have learned that we truly can live on less. I have learned to enjoy the simple things. I have also learned to focus on what really matters. Sometimes we fill life with so many extras that we forget the basics. There can be positive things come out of every trial.

We have lots to look forward to this year as well. Keegan turns 8! He is excited to be baptised. He also gets to start scouts. We will be starting soccer again soon. The boys love this and Tyler gets to start this year as well. I tried to get one of the boys to play fall soccer so that we wouldn't be chasing after 3 teams but they didn't want to. After 6 weeks we are ready to be done with soccer but it is always fun and the boys have a great time. It will also give Keegan another opportunity to improve his social skills. He gets better every year. This is just the activity he needs to learn better social skills and cooperation. Matthew will be starting speech therapy. Right now he jabbers but no words actually come out. He is getting pretty good at signing. We only know a few but he uses them correctly and often. He even had the lady at the deli convinced he knew sign. It was a proud moment for mom.

Looking back....this time last year I knew 2009 would be tough but never though it would be this way for US. Now looking ahead I feel confident in the coming months. This will be a good year, I can just feel it. I don't know what we will be doing this time next year or even where we will be but I do know we will be together and together we will be better for all that we have endured. Our family will be stronger and closer together for it all.

Anyway, just some ramblings. Back on track. Keep watching for more crafty ideas coming up. I have several Valentine ideas in the works too. Plus I plan on adding my 365 pages to view.