Record Players and Sewing Machines

One of my sewing projects. This is Grace in her baptism dress. I made Eliza one and just figured that Grace could wear it. Well, Grace talked me into making her own and it was finished at midnight the night before the big day. It was a fun project and Grace looked amazing. She is such a sweet girl and a great help to me with the little kids.

William LOVES to sew. He'll turn the light on and off (it's burned out now, so I've got to get another one). Then he'll put fabric, paper or whatever he can find under the needle and "sew". Then he pulls the thread through and gets it all tangled up. It keeps him busy for quite a while.

Here is Katherine playing on the sewing room floor with her doll. These are all picyures from the summer and the kids already look different.

I had a great childhood. Some of my best and earliest memories (from the Salt Lake house--so I was about 5) were being in the room with my Mom while she sewed and we listened to records--Mother Goose, Little Black Sambo, and of course, the Cannibal Counting song. I can still sing that song as I'm sure several of my siblings can, too. I remember standing in front of a full-length mirror on back of the door of the room where my Mom sewed and "eating myself all up" just like the cannibal in the song. Pretty crazy, I know. (I"d love to find that record somewhere). Anyway, at the Cannon Junk Jamboree we all got to pick several things from our childhood to take home. An old record player was my first pick--David didn't quite see the logic in my choice, but I use that record player almost every day when I listen to wonderful memories as I sew. I even found the Mother Goose record at a garage sale. I then picked out a few from Grandma Pieper's basement. Talk about pure listening satisfaction. My kids play with buttons and spools of thread as the sound of the sewing machine whirs in the background and the vinyl memories go round and round.

Apple Butter

A few weeks ago, we had an apple butter fest. Our friends have a huge pot. They brought apples and we peeled, cooked and stirred for hours. It turned out so delicious. The morning started out cool, but it turned out to be a beautiful fall day. I think that we made 123 pints. We just split it up with whoever came to help. It was a great day--especially since I didnt' have to do anything--besides make sure the bathroom was guest appropriate.

Giving Thanks and Chickens

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday. David took Wednesday off work so we had several days to relax and be together. Usually, whe he takes work off we are on the go. Traveling across the country somewhere. I am slowing down in my old age! We did have a list of things to do though, which included: movies, board games, crafts, dessert, get chickens, video games, and have a good cry.



On Wednesday David took the kids to get their chickens, I stayed home and made pies. We watched Deep Impact (an older End of the World type movie--this was our "good cry"). Thursday was full of chasing chickens around the yard--I thought they might want to get out and stretch their legs for a while. They did. Then we went up to Emily's for dinner and games. We made lots of food and still have leftovers. She had AMAZING decorations and then lots of fun games--the good old standbys--the flour game and water game. It was so fun to be there. Friday and Saturday were just more movies, gingerbread houses, and fun.



We have lots to be thankful for. We love you all and hope that you are all doing well.

It Worked

Every Monday night we have Family Home Evening. They come in many different varieties--good, better, and best. (Maybe "less than good" should be thrown in there, too). About once every year, we have one that "works". One of the better ones. That happened a few weeks ago. The kids were pretty good, no big fights, teasing, or crying--at least for a few hours. We cut out leaves and wrote things that we were thankful for. Then Eliza went to work gluing them onto tree trunks and making them look good. We had a great time--our hands were busy and David read some of President Monson's Conference talk on being grateful. It was a nice evening to spend together.

One time we had a "best" FHE--the kids were pretty young. I remember we told a story and they voluntarily said that they felt the spirit and liked the story. (Wish I could remember what story we told them). I think those are once every decade, so we are due for one of those soon.

DeBry Family Gone Wild

Parker ready to kick the ball.
Michael in the middle of the action.

I've been trying to "get my feet under me" for the last few years. I am getting better at keeping things simple--but for some crazy reason a few months ago--we went WILD! We got a cat (long story--found on the side of the road by our neighbor on a rainy day, of course. He gave it to the kids. They kept it hidden and fed for a few days--we ended up keeping it.) Then we signed up for soccer--Michael, Parker and Grace. They had fun and it was good to get out once in a while, but definitely cut into our laid back Saturdays. And David signed up for NetFlix--the kids couldn't decide if they should name the cat "Miracle"--because we got to keep him or "NetFlix" --that was also a small miracle. Anyway, things have calmed down a bit. Soccer is over, the cat ran away, and David canceled NetFlix so we are back to a somewhat manageable lifestyle.

David brought home the high-speed connection again--so I am going to do several posts of our last few months. Enjoy--it probably won't happen again for another several months.

Sabbath Day

David here.
Yesterday on the way back from church with Katherine, who is 3 years old, we had the following conversation.

Katherine: Dad, can I play Starfall when we get home? (Starfall.com helps her learn her letters)
Dad: No, we don't play computer on Sunday's.
Katherine: Why not?
Dad: Sunday is a day to think about Jesus.
Pause...
Katherine: Dad, Jesus helps me with Starfall.

Out of the mouth of babes....

I laughed then looked back at her and she wasn't even looking at me...she had a matter of fact look on her face and was playing with something. BTW, she didn't play Starfall.

Escape

I typed this into the computer the other day:
Google Search: What to do in Miami without kids

This was the response:
Did you mean: What to do in Miami with kids?
What is the deal--not even the computer takes me seriously!?

No, I did not mean with kids.
David is going to Miami for work--someone wants him to teach a class--and I am going with him. We will be gone for two nights and have a great time. I am taking books, a good pillow, and some sunscreen.

I have been getting the schedule all set-up for us leaving the kids--they are going to be shipped out to several different places. It is nice to have Emily and Darren here. I'm trying to get them spread out so that no one person gets overwhelmed. It makes me realize how much I do--even though on some days it feels like I get absolutedly nothing done--one step forward, two steps back! We've got some great friends and the kids will have as much fun as me and David.

Happy Trails!

PS. I even got a new haircut--a real one. The lady that cuts my hair is great. It has been a bout year since I was in--she never comments about the self and husband aided haircuts in bewteen her good ones. When I walked into the house, the kids liked it and thought that I looked like Aunt Chris! That was a sweet compliment.