So I had this baby

The most wonderful thing I made in the past year was this beautiful little boy. Meet Dax. He's 4 months old and a giant "fun size" ball of joy. He doesn't give me much time to sew or do other creative stuff, so I have to sneak in moments between crashing facedown on the couch at 8:30pm and waking up to take care of the family in the morning. But he is SO worth it.

Mimi's tea party

I was beside myself happy when Mimi decided she wanted a fancy tea party for her 8th birthday this year. It seemed so fun and "simple" to do - okay, it was NOT simple, even a little bit, but it was a lot of fun. The eight year old loved it and so did all of her friends. (She's had tea every day since)

Here are some pics.

Birthday pics

I can't believe I didn't show you all the fun pics that everyone sent to me for my birthday! This seriously made my day, everyone. There were people near and far that emailed me and said they had dressed up in my honor for my birthday. I literally laughed out loud at some of the pics I got and cried, too.
Some of you wore stilettos to playgroup, skirts in Chicago winter weather, cowboy boots to the airport... and I did get a number of emails from people who either forgot to take pics or were sick, but thought about dressing up... I am SO grateful. How dear are my friends (both cyber and real)
Here are two collages I made up to represent my birthday gift from you all.

I spent the morning finishing my Timeline quilt and was able to submit it as an entry for the Modern Quilt Guild Showcase.

When the mail came, I realized how many of my amazing friends know that I love mail!
THANKS!

Then I picked up my kids from school and took them through the McDs drive through for ice cream cones. (I know, SO glam!) How much do you love Z's weird eyes-on-you thing in the background?

At night we went out for dinner and drinks with a few close friends and family members in Hollywood and I was happy happy happy.

Thanks for all the well wishes!

Re•Joy - jan 13 - 77 degrees and snowy

After school yesterday, we got a text from a neighbor... "we have snow on our front yard! Come sledding!" I happened to have one extra pair of pants in the car for Mimi, and z just wore his shorts, but we trucked over the 5 blocks and the kids sledded to their hearts' content. Mimi's BFF Tina was with us and had never seen snow before...

I remember seeing a commercial when I was a kid of a family in LA buying snow for their front yard, but how many kids actually ever have that happen???

Our annual Christmas pic

many of you knew to wait for our annual Christmas pic... Yes, the Worths are still silly. Yes, we still know how to have fun.
Peace, Love and Joy, from us to you in this holiday season.

Jumping for Joy

I don't have a specific reason to jump for joy right now, but these photos make me want to.

J took them of our teenaged niece and nephew out on Pismo Beach back in June on our family trip. Aren't they fantastic?

Beautiful Day

J and I were blessed to get a few hours to hang out in Monrovia Canyon today with other couples from our church. One of the highlights for both of us was time together/alone in the forest, by a creek in the sunshine. It was so gorgeous there!

I took these pics with my iPhone and for three of them, I played in apps to make them pretty- but the tree trunk one is as I took it with my phone... I would love this all blown up huge..

(my awesome hubby took the kids home and let me attend the LAMQG weekend sew for a few hours, too.)

642 things to draw

Some days are less creative than others. I recently bought this book with the idea that simply drawing is good for the soul. It's turned Into an awesome family sketchbook... Sketches take 5 minutes to do and are so calming...

Even if I'm drawing a rolling pin, cereal or knitting needles... It does something good inside me to sit  and draw... Especially on a day that seems less creative than I'd like.

Z's drawing here was under the caption "feelings" - so he decided to draw what he thinks are "dog feelings" by facial expressions.

Mimi's page said "Olympics" - so she drew Dorothy Hammill, figure skating in an arena... Now we just have to get Daddy on board...

Hoops for Japan

My kids are really concerned about what is happening in Japan, so they decided to do something about it. Z has decided to have a shoot-a-thon where he tries to get as many baskets in his 7.5ft basketball hoop as he can in one hour. Will you sponsor him?
(keep posted to hear about a painting Mimi wants to auction off on eBay for the same purposes)

-if you want to sponsor, you can either send me an email or post here how much you're willing to pay per shot - we expect him to make 60 or more shots, so consider yourself warned!
 (you can also state a maximum)

We're going to have the Backyard Hoops for Japan shoot-a-thon on April 16th (unless it rains)....I'll keep you posted!

cutest family... okay, they're my family, but they are cute..

My sister and brother in law have the cutest kids. I mean, REALLY.

Victory also has a fabulously talented photographer friend that has come into town a few times this year and snagged flipping awesome pics of the Ludwigs... and I just have to share, because even if you don't know them, you can't help but to love them here. These pics are great.  (FABULOUS JOB, EM!)

awards shows and the glamourous life

this was from the photo booth at the holiday party last december...

Most of my days are spent in the minivan, driving little people to their various appointments... Feeding, cleaning and helping them do life.
Then there are the rare days where J's work has fun events or awards shows where we get to dress up and act all "Hollywood". I laugh when I think about how there will never be an awards show for motherhood, or most of what I do, but it is really fun to see my hubby recognized for his good work... (watch FRINGE on Friday nights on FOX!!!)

Last night was one such night. Though, sadly, J's nomination for
"Undercovers" didn't win an award, we still got to go out all dressed up and have a fun evening together. Considering we are the parents of 3, that's something to be proud of, in my book.

10 years in

  

This Thursday marked our tenth anniversary. 10 years of marriage. Our conclusion as we've talked is that it's not enough. We've asked God for another 40.

 

I am married to my best friend. Through everything we've been through, through the insanity of the past ten years, we've always clung together - constantly reminding each other "I'm your biggest fan!"

J, I love you. You are still my hero, now more than ever. You are an amazing husband and father and the best friend and sweetheart a girl could ask for. Thank you for the past ten years... Ten years is simply not enough time with you.