What was lost is not forgotten

I am still trying to figure out the size I want my photos, so try to excuse the inconsistency.

I have decided that instead of always complaining I don't have a trade like design or art, I will actually use what I do have, my music. I have really missed playing my violin. Since I have been in New York, it has slowly been shoved to the bottom of my priority list. In fact, sometimes I forget  I know how to play, that is until Christmas rolls around and I am asked to play a little something for church.

Some of my favorite memories have to do with this little piece of wood. Jam sessions, quartet practices, symphonies, almost all forgotten. Luckily the excuse of needing more money has forced me to pick it back up. So this summer, in the middle of June, I am off to Utah for Suzuki training. For those of you that don't know what Suzuki is, it is a method of learning music that trains the ear. I think it is the best method to learn with. I would not have been able to do so many different things with my violin if it wasn't for my ability to play by ear. So, I am going to teach. This fall, or sooner if possible.
This week I had to prepare an audition piece. Initially I chose the simple piece that only qualified me for the initial books, but after a few run throughs, I wanted something a bit more challenging. I ended up auditioning with the Bach Concerto in A Minor. Certainly nothing to hard, but it did force me to spend more hours practicing than I have done in years, maybe 8 in fact.
It felt great. The small red hicki like bruise re-appeared under my chin, my muscles began forming again in my forearms, and my eyes hurt from staring at the music for hours. I'm back!

Easter with the Beans

We had a great easter this year. It was especially exciting because we didn't have to hide the fact we love easter egg hunts. Here are a few highlights from our easter.

Luke's first in the park!

After stealing his friends basket!

Easter morning

This was my easter surprise. I happened to mention to Tom a few months ago that I really wanted a skillet so he could make me delicious veggie omelets. He happens to be the master of omelette making. So he surprised me with this top of the line Le Crueset. Points for Tom, 5 for sweetness, and 5 for creativity! Hope you enjoyed your candy!

Nostalgia

Some of you might recognize these. For me they bring back the memories of my mother cooking delicious meals and serving them in these what I didn't know then, very cool vintage bowls. And now I have my own. They don't actually match my set of Heller everyday dishes  but how could I resist this classic 70's yellow. A pop of color is good for  any all white asthetic. Thank you ebay, when I bid right, you make my dreams come true.   

Almost the weekend

I have a new found love for weekends since I quit Banana Republic. I have never been able to truly look forward to them because a). I rarely had them, I usually worked either Saturday or Sunday. b) even if I didn't work, I was usually on the phone working, or I would be anticipating a big money making day, and have anxiety all weekend, and c). I had anxiety about Monday and couldn't really relax. So, now I love them. Mainly because I get to have Tom all weekend and we can spend time as a family, doing fun New York stuff. Although last weekend was one of the best ever. We layed around and watched church on TV, made breakfast, napped, and hung out with friends. I LOVE WEEKENDS!!!

Some of you may know that we had our car, stroller, and car seat stolen last September. Yeah, my bugaboo, gone. I almost was more sad about that than the car. We had major plans to take many weekend trips now that I wasn't working but those dreams were shattered when Tom walked up and down all the streets of our neighborhood swearing he parked the car right in front of our apartment. Well, the good news is, 7 months later we finally got it back. Not in the best shape, missing windows, headlights, new and improved major dents, and of course it didn't run. But how could it run when it had been sitting in the impound lot since October, yes 6 months. I guess it is no surprise that I spent 3 hours on the phone trying to track it down, when the clever folks changed the plates, ripped out the vin #, and took anything that could trace it back to us. Frankly I don't know how they did, but I am glad it was late than never. The bad news, we can't register it for another month. Don't even ask me why, something to do with our insurance running out, last September, anyway they can never give a clear answer, just that's it, deal with it. I guess another month without a car won't hurt us.

Some sad news, Luke's blog (which some of you might read) has been lost. Not all of it, of course not the pictures that I have back up of, but all of his blog entries that I started week 1 of his birth, gone. I spent an hour with .Mac trying to get it back, but it is lost. May this be a lesson to all of you.....BACK EVERYTHING UP. I could sit and wine about it but it would just make you feel more sorry for me, so I wont, but I am really  sad. So, I am not going to log his months anymore...at least not for now, I can't do it. But I will update you with what he has been doing.

-walking, all over the place....couldn't be cuter, or more stressful. At least he doesn't look like a drunk anymore.
-last night he ate a full bowl of sticky rice at a Korean restaurant. Needless to say, I don't think he has ever had more attention or fun going out to eat. He was covered in it.
-he had a blast at the easter egg hunt. He only found 2 eggs but carried them proudly in his basket, which was way too big for him. Then he stole his friend Ruth's basket, and carried both around.
-obsessing over the computer, he love the mouse even though he can't see what it is doing.  He even knows when I unplug it, I guess the red light is half the fun.
-he has expanded his video repertoire beyond blue's clues to a baby French dvd, right brain creative dvd, and Thomas the Train. Yes he watches them and pays very close attention.
-the only word he can say is uh oh. It is cute though.

Picking up where I left off

Since I started this blog way back in October I have come to realize
that EVERYONE has a blog and I am way way behind. I guess I am more of
a follower, but I only claim that with some things.

If I can try to sum up what has been going on over the past few
months I guess I would have to say it has been amazing. I quit Banana Republic in
October, which I feared would be the end of half of me but really it
ended up being the beginning. I have been able to spend ALL of my time
with Luke, which is something I knew I could never get back. I am so
lucky that I have watched him learn how to clap, eat with his hands,
get into everything, walk, you know all of that baby stuff. It is
really incredible. He is quite possibly the cutest baby I have ever
seen. Although we spend so much time together, he seems to still prefer
his dad. I think he will be the boy that wants to go on adventures with
his dad. Tom can't wait to take him fishing, snowboarding, mountain
biking, and I am sure many other exciting activities. All of them would be
difficult living in New York so we have decided that we will most
likely move back to Utah. It is a bitter sweet. Mostly bitter.....New
York has been our home since we were married. There are so many things
we will miss, but luckily we will gain some space, and conveniences.
Hopefully they out weigh the fun.

I have also started developing a craft of my own. Sewing. I never
thought I would be able to sew anything other than a windmill and
fleece vest that I did in highschool. It especially looked bleak when
my friend Erin tried to help me sew some tote bags for charity. Luckily
she didn't give up and helped me sew my first dress, without a pattern.
Luckily I have gotten smarter and started using patterns but I have
grown to love it. I actually get a little anxiety if I don't have a
project to work on. I will post some of my stuff, no where near
perfection, but if you don't look too close, it doesn't look bad.
Although if I debut a dress at church everyone assumes I made it, which
I am not too sure I love.

Here are
a few of my beginner projects.

One of my first, and probably one of my most challenging projects was this dress. I attempted it with no pattern, only pictures. It is an exact rip off of an A.P.C. dress I saw at Bird.

I love Built by Wendy,cobalt blue, and plaid. This pattern was a cinch.

I love this pattern from the Martha Stewart Baby Special Edition Magazine. Kimonos are great because they can grow a bit with the child, especially if she is a girl. Dress to top. Luke also got one.