I Hope They Call Me On A Mission...

 

 

 

And they did!

Yesterday wasn't just a huge, momentous day because it was the END of our tax season but because it coincidentally ushered in the beginning of our new future as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
NEW ZEALAND!!

We are so excited!!!!! The title of this blog is the name of a Primary (Children's auxillary in our Church) song that I have sung my whole life without really expecting it to apply to me. But for the last 3 years or so Paul and I have been trying to get our life in a situation where we could leave and serve a full-time mission for our Church. In February we began all of our medical exams to verify that we are indeed healthy enough to go. Then in March we sent in our "paper" (our application) to Church headquarters and we have been sitting on "pins and needles" (anouther quilting term) ever since just waiting to see where we would be called to serve. We will leave for our assignment the first part of August and we will serve for 18 months!!!

I want to write more but we have to go to dinner with some friends who are waiting to hear our good news but I at least wanted to share my life-changing news with you first!

We will survive!

Only about 36 hours left and we will get our life back! Once again we are hanging on by a thread (quilter's term) to our sanity! This is such a CRAZY, intense 3 1/2 months. In case you aren't getting what I am rambling about... tomorrow is April 15th, the TAX DEADLINE! As always, the pressure, frustration and cash flow has intensified with each passing day. The main thing that keeps us going is knowing there is an end and we will make it! I hope all of you out there have gotten your taxes done and I really hope you all got big refunds (or at least just a little something back to soothe your financially strapped souls). Even though I "retired" last summer I have been going in to the office to help out however they need me for the past ten days or so and I have realized that I am out of "office shape". But, never fear, we will survive! I'll get my husband back full time and we have a bright, exciting future ahead! Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Dear!

 

This is a very momentous and noteworthy day! It is Paul's _____ birthday. (I don't think he really wants me publishing any specific numbers on my blog but it is one of those BIG ones like when you sign up for Medicare).
You would never be able to guess his age by watching him ride his bikes (like this foldup one he bought in China) or by looking at the color of his hair. You are setting a pretty high standard for the rest of us, dear! Hope you can enjoy your special day despite all the tax returns you have to deal with today and for the next 7 grueling days! I know you'll survive... the best is yet to come!!

Happy, happy birthday dear! Let's celebrate!!

Quilt of the Week

Nothing like a bright, fun, cheery quilt to make my day! And this one isn't even mine! But I'm pleased to have been included in it's creation.

When Heidi was in China (that sounds really bizarre since she has only been back for a week now) she had some really close friends named the MacKay family. Their daughter, Maddee, decided that she wanted to make a quilt for one of her personal progress projects. Heidi had her come over to her house and check out some of the quilts that I had made for them over the years and see if she could find some inspiration. I guess she really liked the quilt that I had made for Capri when she was born. Heidi, Maddee and Maddee's mom, Hollee then took a trip to the fabulous fabric market where they chose this bold, colorful and perfect combination of fabrics. Then Maddee got going and in no time had sewn together all the blocks. She did such a fabulous job for a "first time quilter". I think another woman in their neighborhood helped sew the blocks together and put on the borders. I got involved when Heidi called me to ask what I thought about how they should finish the quilts. "Should they tie the quilt or have it machine quilted?" My opinion was to definitely have it machine quilted. It just so happened that Hollee's father was over there visiting and he was able to bring the quilt top home with him and pass it off to me. I was so excited to see it and so impressed with what a super job Maddee had done putting it together. I took it to my favorite machine quilter friend, Betty, and she whipped it out in about a week. I just picked it up yesterday and spent the evening sewing on the binding to finish it all up so I can send it back to China today. I just love a beautiful quilt! and I just love one with a beautiful story woven in to it as well. Great job Maddee! and thanks for letting me be involved!

 

Here is a close up of the border and backing fabric...those crowns are so adorable! Betty did such a super job of quilting hearts all around! There is definitely a lot of love in this quilt!