Rock-a-palooza!

My parents gave C the greatest gift a truck loving little boy could have: a giant pile of gravel.









Sockapalooza!

I'm working on two options for my sock pal. She likes cables and lives in a warm climate so I'm testing out Lacy Mock Cable Socks in Knitpicks Dancing. The yarn is a wool cotton blend and the lace provides some ventilation. This is the second sock of the pair. The pattern stitch is quite simple but makes an attractive and comfortable sock.

My sock pal is also a Grey's Anatomy fan. During last nights season finale I worked on this Whitby sock from Knitting On the Road. The yarn is Dorchester Farms. Like Meredith Grey they are dark and twisty.

Waiting to Start Waiting

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him. Psalm 62:5

Anyone who knows me personally probably doesn't think "quiet" or "wait" when I come to mind. Well, my first graders probably think of me saying, "Wait! Wait!" or "Let's get quiet people!" Apparently I am about to learn a lot about patience. As if teaching 6 year olds to read isn't lesson enough.

Daddy-O and I had a big talk this weekend. For several reasons having our dossier ready by my birthday just isn't a realistic goal. Sigh...

So as things stand right now we are going to concentrate on getting our ducks in order, so to speak, and start the paper chase AFTER my birthday. At this point it completely and totally stinks, but I know that looking back we will see God's hand and timing in it all.

In the meantime I've set a goal to knit 30 hats for Warm Woolies before my 30th birthday. If I'm not going to China anytime soon at least I can send some hand-knits ahead of me.

On to prayer requests:

Please pray that God will help develop perseverance and draw us closer together as we go through this journey. We also need wisdom as we make several important decisions.

Most of all pray for the Willard family as they fly to China TODAY to get their two new sons Matthew and Alex. (Yes, that's TWO boys.) Pray for their safety and easy bonding. We are so excited for them.

In HIS time.
Seriously... I really mean it...His time...not mine...

Jen

What a Week!
Daddy-O and I started the week off with the amazing Glory Revealed concert at Shades Valley Baptist. Here's Mac Powell and David Nasser.





It was also cool to see Brian Littrell even though I've always considered myself more of a N'Sync kind of girl.
I finished this hat for Warm Woolies on the way home. I doubled the Kool-Aid sock yarn that I dyed last year, cast on, and made the pattern up as I went along.
Big C liked the results even though the colors are way too Auburn and a little too girly.



I cast on this Gryffindor beret during 24 Monday night. I haven't gotten very far though. It's DIBELS week at work and needless to say I've been coming home stressed and TIRED. The good news is that my students performed wonderfully on the test. Now we can take a deep breath and enjoy our last 20 days of school. And maybe, just maybe I can get some knitting done...and possibly clean the house.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
Matthew 13:44

I've decided to post a weekly prayer request on Sundays to outline how you can pray for us and other families involved with international and domestic adoptions. If you have a prayer request leave a comment and I'll do my best to include it the following Sunday.

Pray for the governments of China, Russia, and Guatemala. Ask that the obstacles that are slowing the adoption process in China will be removed. Ask that Russia will reopen their international adoption program quickly. Ask that corruption in Guatemala will end and families adopting from there can feel secure.

Pray for the families who are eagerly awaiting their referrals from China. Pray that God will comfort and encourage them as they wait.

Most importantly pray for the children in these countries and at home who are waiting for a forever family. Ask for them to be comforted and protected until they can come home.

Thank you for your love and prayers. Amen.

Easter Blessings to everyone!

I don't think I can remember an Easter as cool as this one. It was in the 8os when I bought my dress last weekend. The high today was 54 degrees! The temperature didn't stop Big C from finding every egg hidden in my grandmother's back yard. I can't decide if he looks more like Tony Soprano or Tiger Woods in this Easter getup.











I simply adore the Panda Wool socks I finished last night. The bamboo really cools the wool down and gives just a hint of shine. They were originally meant to be Roza's Socks from the Spring Interweave Knits, but I just couldn't get the brioche stitch to work out. I had to hurry up and do a basic ribbed sock, because this pair is a gift for someone special's birthday. *wink*











By the way, in case anyone wonders why I haven't been posting much lately here's Exhibit A.

Strictly for Aunt Julie

C strikes a pose in the "Don't Mess With Texas" shirt my parents brought back from Houston.

Who's that coming around the bend? It's THOMAS!














We spent this morning at Day out with Thomas. We managed to score a seat in the open air cars and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Big C was in a state of shock for the first half of the ride. He was trying hard to take it all in. Finally he looked up and said, "Daddy dwive us to Sodor!" Sure he did baby!











While aboard we posed for a lovely family picture. This one just might go in our home study portfolio. And of course I had to get in just a little knitting. City girls aren't the only ones who knit socks on the train.

These Sleeves are Making me Crazy!














It's not really the sleeves' fault.

First attempt: I should have known that knitting two sleeves at the same time on a circular needle while alternating balls of yarn to prevent color pooling would have turned into A BIG TANGLED MESS. rip... rip... rip...

Second attempt: Gauge issues, should have checked the gauge sooner. rip... rip... rip...

Third attempt: Finished sleeve = 16 1/2 inches long. My arm = 21 inches long. Sigh...

Thank you Terby for my darling Wee Sock. It is too sweet!

Tiny Tractor
Spring is a little early, so C decided to do some yard work.


















Wee Tiny Sock

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM

My Wee Tiny Sock is on its way to my pal a little late. The stomach virus that I have dodged all month at work hit me like a ton of bricks Thursday night. I foolishly took a phenergan Friday afternoon and woke up sometime Sunday morning. What a way to start Spring Break!

Even MORE birthday yarn!
The lovely Julie sent this Koigu KPPPM and Manos Cotton Stria for my birthday packed in a cute little Lantern Moon satin bag. Not only was it my birthday, but she and Farrah are just so proud that I'm wearing eyeliner these days. I think she wanted to reward me.

The green and navy combination is almost too pretty to make into a pair of socks. (Not that I don't LOVE socks, I just don't want to hide the colorway in a pair of shoes.) I'm thinking about combining it with the hand dyed fingering weight Jennifer sent for Dye-o-Rama and make a shawl. I just might have enough for the Landscape patten I bought last year.

February Stash Enhancements
Big C is not the only one who got presents this month.

It's my birthday too so I deserve a little yarny love. It all started with some sock yarn from Taming of the Ewe. I've got to support the local yarn shop. And besides, sock yarn doesn't count right?






Then I found a few bargains on Ebay...














Then Daddy-O took me for a birthday shopping spree to Knit Nouveau. (Is he not the best?) I actually excercised some restraint. No really I did...
The Patagonia Nature Cotton is so lovely and soft. I'm finally going to make the Rustic Ribs Cardi. It is going to be a super spring time jacket.

When I saw the Panda Wool I just had to have it. No, it isn't made of Pandas... it's a bamboo wool blend. The subtile shades will be perfect for a pair of Rosa's Socks.

I'm starting my yarn diet on Monday.

Happy Birthday, Happy New Year!


Our little Valentine turned 2 this week. We had the big party at the house Saturday and attended a Chinese New year party that evening.
It was so much fun to meet everyone in our adoption group. They are such a sweet welcoming group of parents and a bright happy group of kids. Looking around last night not only made me thankful for the miracle of adoption, but thankful for the miracle of family and friendship.


Happy New Year everyone!
 

Girls Love Hats!


Not long after we decided to start the adoption process I got the urge to knit hats, lots and lots of girly hats. A month and several balls of Cotton Tots later I had more than a dozen little roll brim hats. Chinese New Year seemed like the perfect time to share the girly hat love.

At top: Sunni and Jillian.
Bottom: Lisa and Reagan


















Pattern: Children's Cotton Hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Bernat Cotton Tots
Needle: Size 7 Circular and DPN's 

Pebbles looked so pretty when we picked her up from the groomers that I just had to post some pictures.
















Look Kim, she even came home with hairbows! 

Cho Socks Complete!












Before anyone thinks I have dropped off of the face of the earth, here's a finished object.

Cho Socks

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns "Ravenclaw"
Needles: Size 1 Circulars
Pattern: Basic Stockinette Heel Flap over 60 stitches 

And the Bama nation rejoices! I guess I can finally do away with Daddy-O's "Got Shula?" shirt.

Something for my little bear...




















Camo Ski Hat

Pattern: Camo Ski Hat From Knitty Gritty

Yarn: Bernat Camo

Needles: Size 8 bamboo circular and DPN's

Modifications: The original pattern calls for bulky weight wool and size 10 needles. I modified the yarn and gauge to fit
my little guy's head.


I made the last hand-knit of 2006 after Big C asked me to make a hat. Ok, he didn't exactly ask for a camo ski hat. He did toddle up yesterday morning and ask, "C's hat?" while I was in the middle of one of the many cotton baby hats I've been making. Faster than you can say "mommy guilt" I had this little number on the needles. The pompom and braided ties were installed in time for C to wear it to my mom's house for New Year's Eve.

What did I do for New Year's? Totally kicked Daddy-o's butt at Wii Boxing!