Oh So Long

Well hello world, yet again I have taken a way too long of a brake. I don't know what has happened to me... its like around the time Lucy was 18months I lost all free time and it has just gotten worse since.

The worst part is that I have kept on crafty, baking, building, and creating... but I just have not been posting. But I have a goal that I want to get back into blogging. It was something that I loved for so long and I enjoyed how many people visited and enjoyed contributing and commenting.

So here is a little bit of what has been going on...

Lucy is now 4 and in preschool (it really does go by as fast as everyone says it does)

Calvin in now 1 and walking

We are still in Alaska and Curtis is getting really close to finishing school.... HALLELUJAH!

and as weird as it is, things are actually calm and cool right now. Nothing rocking the boat, no meteor that is going to hit, no natural disaster heading our way. For about 3 years there it seemed like every few months some huge damaging thing was happening. It is nice to have a little bit of smooth sailing.

So hopefully I will be posting again a few times a week with fun stuff... especially now that I have finally discovered Pinterest!!!!!

Curtis and the kids watching "Star Wars" majoring edited, but Star Wars still :)

Calvin's first sink bath and loved it

Us making silly faces on our Utah trip

Lucy's favorite part of the Hoogle Zoo was the dinosaurs. Didn't care about the animals, just dinos

Family camping trip, Grandpa paid for horseback riding for everyone. Lucy was in love with her horse Yankee

Camping

Halloween Race, Lucy was Snow White and Curtis was her Prince

First snow fall of the winter

Lucy as Ariel and Calvin as Flounder... so wish I had posted this Tutorial for Halloween, if anyone is interested email me :)

All Worth Wild

These are the moments that really do make it all worth the spilled milk, poopy diapers, and sleepless nights seem fine.

Crafts, Crafts, and more Crafts

Well, the crafts are getting ready to start coming your way. I have been dying and itching to get more crafts posted, but I haven't been able to get what I want done. We are getting ready to move...not far... not out of Alaska... but we are moving into our new place and I have been planning curtains, place mats, table cloths, and all sorts of home decor that we need.... but since I don't know what we have or exactly how much room we will have... I can't get myself to start. I'm worried I am going to get half my projects done, move there, and then not have them work out. So, I am forcing myself to wait till we get there.... which will be in a little more than a week.

Also, I have finally started reading "The Host" by Stephanie Myer (the Twilight author) and I have to say... that it is king of getting good. :) So some of my spare time has been filled with reading, not crafting, hee hee :) So, until I can fill these blog entries with wonderful tutorials and ideas I will just have to post fun news like.... HOW MARTHA STEWART PUBLISHED A NEW CRAFT BOOK!!!!!.

Um sorry,... if you can't tell, I'm excited.

I already have Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts, which is wonderful! But she just came out with her Encyclopedia of pure sewing crafts. I might have to just pull a "Julie & Julia" and craft my way through her book :)

Do any of you out there have her book yet... I am hoping to get it for my birthday (hint hint Curtis) and am dying to check it out.

Chile Earthquake Survival Story

About a week ago Curtis and I woke up and brought Lucy into bed with us to cuddle and to slowly wake up for the day. We were just laying around and having a silly conversation about puppets and froggie pajamas when we got a telephone call.

Curtis's sister, Jenn, had called and was asking if we had heard from mom and dad (my in-laws). We said no and asked what was wrong.... she then informed us that in the middle of the night an 8.8 magnitude earthquake had hit a little outside Santiago causing mass destruction and tragedy.

We jumped out of bed as fast as we could and immediately start checking emails, calling phones, and looking at Facebook trying to get into any kind of contact with them. Luckily, we received an email shortly from Curtis's father informing us that they were shaken, but safe.

Just by chance they happened to be out of town for a client's wedding that weekend. They were located about 4 hours north of Santiago when the quake hit. They still felt it where they were, but most buildings in that area were safe and stable. There were forced to stay at their hotel for a few extra few days because lines were down, roads were blocked, and mom and dad didn't know if it was safe to head home yet.

Again, their luck continued and when they were able to return home and saw that it was okay and no damage had fallen on their home. Chile has known it shares of earthquakes and most buildings in Santiago are newer from being destroyed by past quakes... so, though damaged, Santiago was a lot more prepared and luckier than other cities.

Curtis's parents have kept us updated and in touch with how things are going down there. With sad stories of looters, families lost, and people going hungry. But a couple of days ago we received an email from Curtis's dad who was finally able to get in contact with a couple of his employees who are living in Concepcion, the city that was effected most by the earthquake. His email reads...

March 5th, Update on the Quake.

There are still frequent aftershocks here in Santiago, but things are much worse in the south.

Yesterday, March 4th was the first time since the quake that I was able to speak with Patricio, my Sales Manager for southern Chile. The phones there still don't work, but I was finally able to each him on Skype. Patricio lives in Concepcion near the epicenter. He and his household are OK. His house suffered some damage, but they are staying there. His parents house was destroyed and what was left was stolen by looters. His aunt and cousin were killed in the quake and two uncles are missing. There had been much looting in the street and it has not been safe to go out. His electricity and water was restored just yesterday (5 days after the quake).

When I asked him if they had food, his voice filled with emotion and while weeping with gratitude he said, "Yes, we have plenty of food, the Mormons down the street have made sure that every house in the neighborhood has food to eat." Patricio's family are not members.

When describing the family situation, he said that it was difficult for the kids. Without electricity the nights are long and dark, (The quake came during the night and there are hundreds of aftershocks, many reach over Richter 7). He said that it was important for the kids to be able to go outside during the day, but with so many looters and thieves in the street it is not safe outside. "So all the kids in the neighborhood got to the Mormon Church down the street and play where it is safe."...

Then tears came to my eye, count your blessing. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

This letter touched Curtis and I on so many levels. We are touched that Curtis's parents are lucky and not in that same situation, saddened by Patricio's loss, by their families state, but also by the kindness of his fellow neighbors. As members of the Mormon church ourselves, it was wonderful to see the love of our fellow members taking care and reaching out to those in need.

The Mormon church (actually the LDS church) has asked for their members to have a year food storage for their family in their home. Curtis and I have been living as college students for several years and have lived in small apartments and are constantly moving around... so, we have not taken the guidance of our church as seriously as we should... with excuses of "not enough space" and "I dont want to have to move all of it in a few months". We have not even gathered any kind of emergency kits for our family.

With seeing how our family and the people around them that have been affected by this earthquake, it has made us realize how important it is to be prepared. Not only so we can take care of our family, but those around us as well.

So, from now on every so often I am going to start posting idea, items, ways to store food for our families, items not to over look, and how to keep it all safe. Whether you are LDS or not this is something I believe is important to have. If you would like some more information now, before I start posting, you can get some storage ideas for a intense 72 hour kit for your entire family here. 72 hour kits are great because in most disasters it takes at least several days for electricity and water to get back on; so having the bare necessities for those few days can make a huge difference.

-on another note-

My sister Michelle over at Scribbit happened to interview our parents about The Great Alaskan Earthquake. Both our mom and our dad were here in Anchorage when it happened and she has a video/podcast interview with them and their experience with it. Not only is it very interesting, but it helps to show the importance of being prepared. I would strongly recommend going over to Scribbit and checking it out. Here is a link to her post... Scribbit: March 27, 1964. 5:36

Candy Melt Image

Okay, so I meant to post this back in October when I made the darn thing, but yea... Mrs. M.I.A. hasn't been posting much. But here is the birthday cake that I made for Lucy's 2nd birthday.

Lucy has a favorite book called "Biscuit" about a little lab puppy that has all kind of adventures and she just loves him. So, I figured I would make her a Biscuit cake. I was able to use candy melts to make a chocolate transfer. The way I made this cake, you can apply it to any picture that you want.

First I took her book and wrapped it in wax paper and taped it in place. Then, I took some white Candy Melts (you can buy them at Walmart or Michael's) and melted them. I set several bowls aside so I could spoon out some of the melted candy melts and mix it with food coloring. USEFUL TIP - the candy melts will change texture and get clumpy if you use too much food coloring, especially if it is liquid drops. You will need to use the food coloring paste. You can get a huge selection at Michael's for fairly cheap. It is easier to just buy the color candy melts needed, then to have to mix the colors.

You can use a pipping bag to put the melted chocolate in, but I just used a Ziploc bag and cut a small corner out. I then traced a nice outline in the color needed and filled in random areas like the eyes, nose, and toe nails.with the color needed. Once everything was dried I then filled in Biscuit with the main color, which helped get everything connected and stuck together. Make sure the last layer you fill is nice and thick to help keep your image from breaking to you lift it up.

When everything is dried, carefully peel the wax paper away from your chocolate image and turn it over so you can see the nice smooth side. Now you can place it on your cake.

What is great about this process is that it really isn't hard and doesn't have to be perfect and it is just fun to see the end process. Lucy loved it!!! She got all excited about her Biscuit and got to eat her sweet puppy, which should probably be a little disturbing, but it was still cute :)

You can copy anything from images online, books, posters, anything that is flat and you can get wax paper on.

Too Long of a Break

As always, I have been gone too long. I never mean to take a long break, they just kind of seem to happen. And then I get upset with myself and make a vow to be better and I start getting great posts together, fun crafts, and sweet stories... just to then take another break from all my hard work. :)

But we have all kind of updates as a family.

First of all, we are pregnant with number 2! I'm about 3 months along and we are excited for Lucy to have a sibling.

My parents are also getting ready to come back from India, which they have been there 3 years doing church/volunteer work. We are excited to have them home. We are excited for them to meet Lucy and to be here for our new addition.

Lucy is 2 and a half now and is super sweet and everywhere.... physically and emotional. :)

Curtis is working and doing school still... he will hopefully be graduating this year. School has been a slow thing for us since we try to make sure as a family school doesn't take over his time.

But things are going well, and I hopefully will be posting some fun new crafts and projects.

Good Day

You know it has been a good family day when this is your child.

Happy Birthday

Lucy had her first birthday this Sunday and wow.... our little girl is growing up. I can't believe that she is crawling up stairs, finally growing hair, and taking HER FIRST STEPS!!! Well, I shouldn't say steps.. I should say taking her first walk. No joke! Her first step was a walk across the room. She apparently is a natural.... but unfortunately a weenie!!!! She will go half way through the room, stop, then just bend down and crawl the rest of the way. Wow... it really does go fast. She will be driving soon, wont she?

It all started with this

Then she surprised us with THIS! (can you believe that I am only 6 months pregnant here!?! I told you I got HUGE)

When she arrived we realized we were blessed

She never did fit into anything, not even the preemie clothes we had to buy

But she did fit in her chair.

And soon, she was fitting into even BIGGER chairs!

It seemed like soon, she didn't even need chairs

I guess they really do grow up

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY GOOSEY!!!!!

Curtis Rappleye - The Stud

Yep.... that is my husband... the apple of my eye. Its funny how I think Curtis would probably still dress like this to get a laugh out of me.... backward Donald Duck suspenders and all :)

p.s. Happy Calender Change Day Shauna!

.

Lucy Goosey

This blog first started off as a way for our family to keep in touch with friends and family, but soon I found myself going more into the mommy blogging world than into family journal. I have had several friends and family members ask for more pictures of Lucy. So, here are some of my top favorite photos of her.

This is such a typical shot of Lucy. Such a happy smile, bright, sitting so calmly playing with her toys. Such a good little girl for her mommy :)

This was our crappy attempt of trying to take a professional looking photo of her.

She loved to sit in the kitchen with me while I cooked. Playing with all the utensiles... she wont any more.. she is too into everything.

I love watching her sleep... what mom doesn't?

I love this photo of Lucy reading, she just looks so grown up.

Lucy joining daddy while he plays video games. She loooves the controllers.

I just love that happy smile of hers. It is almost always that bright :)

Honestly.... how cute is that!?!?

Chillin' in the saucer.

The only sunglasses that she will let us place on her. She looks like she is getting ready to lay out and tan.

We have been trying to ween her off her passie and since she has been going without, she has been looking for other options. Apparently the heads of Fisher Price characters works well.

I love that smile!

Her musical singing mirror. She will dance to the music and then give herself kisses in the mirror.... their are slobber marks every where!

Lucy's first day at some kind of play group, over at a gymnasium.

She could play with her car seat all day long. She loves the straps and rocking it back and forth.

So, there you all go. This is espically for you mom and dad :)