2012 Year in Review

I hadn't planned on writing a post on all the events of 2012 or making resolutions for 2013.  However, I spent the morning browsing Flipboard (my go-to iPad app for keeping current on the blogs I follow) and I was inspired by all of the 2012 wrap-ups and 2013 resolutions.  Some of my favorite bloggers spoke very honestly about their triumphs and failures and plans for the new year.  I sat on the couch for a long time drinking my morning coffee, reading, and reflecting while my five year old daughter brushed my hair and filled it with bows and colorful braided extensions.  Its hard for me to believe how many changes we went through in this past year alone!

This is the New Year's card we sent out instead of a Christmas card.  Partly because I didn't get my act together in time to send out a Christmas card.  And partly because I like the idea of updating distant relatives and friends on the highlights of our year.

2012 Year in Review (The Long Version)

January
24th-  Ryan and I celebrated my 30th birthday by having dinner at a fancy restaurant in Tulsa.  We enjoyed a quiet evening without our two daughters in tow (a rare treat!) and were completely unaware of the life changing phone call we would receive the next day.
25th-  Our DHS adoption case worker called with the news that we were chosen to adopt a young child who was waiting for a forever home.  Life stood still as I tried to comprehend what she was saying.  You can read more about that here.

February
The adoption process progressed and at the end of the month our little guy moved in and began his new life with us.  I wrote a little about that here.

March
We adjusted to life with three little kids (two two-year-olds and a four year old!) and remodeled the kids' bathroom.

April
Little Bean turned three!  We celebrated with a rainbow birthday cake.

May-June-July
My memories of summer are a blur.  We went on a big family vacation in Florida and took the kids to Disney World.

August
V turned 5!  We went away for the weekend and celebrated at a fun arcade called Andy Alligator's.
Another big change; I switched schools and teaching positions.  I left first grade after 7 years to teach second through fifth graders in a gifted and talented program.  This was a scary leap but I've settled in and I absolutely love my job!

September-October
Where did those months go???  We spent our "free time" chasing kids and running.

November
Little R is officially ours!  We went to court and finalized!
Ryan ran his first marathon and I added another 5K to my list.

December
Little R turned 3!  Between his birthday celebration and preparations for Christmas the month was busy and flew by in a blur.


2013 Resolutions
I'm not really one to make new year's resolutions.  The first of January feels like a regular old day to me.   I'm more the type that randomly sets goals as the inspiration hits.  Ryan says, "Life is short.  If you want to do something, do it."  Then he'll give me a gentle shove in the right direction to help me get out of my comfort zone.  So, with all that said, I'm going to share some of the goals that have been swimming around my head lately.

Run a 10K.  I've run a handful of 5Ks, finished a sprint triathlon, and even completed a 50 mile charity bike ride.  Why am I so intimidated by races longer than a 5K?  I have no idea.  Maybe its because I know how much time I'll need to spend training.  Maybe its because I don't really like running.  But regardless of my hang ups I know running is so worth it physically and emotionally.  So come March I'm going to check this one off the list.

Improve my photography.  I got a fancy new DSLR camera for Christmas.  I'm only just beginning to learn how to use it.  I love taking pictures and my goal is to practice more often and get better at it.

Blog more often.  This past year was so crazy that I took an unintentional break from blogging.  I continued to do crafty stuff around the house and with the kids but I was horrible about sharing online.  As my photography improves I'd like to share more of my daily life on the blog.  I have a list of projects (some items almost a year old) that I'd like to finally finish and share.


I have more goals I'm still turning over in my brain but this is a good start for now!  Thanks for following me on my journey!

A Sweater for Bruiser!

Earlier this month we got Bruiser, a Boston Terrier puppy.  Bruiser was just a little thing when we got him and he shivered every time he went outside.  Potty training a puppy in December is not my idea of a good time.  Apparently, Bruiser agrees.  He doesn't like the cold and prefers to leave me "presents" in the corners of my living room.  {Good thing we have wood floors.}  Being the problem solver I am I got right to work crocheting a sweater for our little pooch.

Boston Terrier Crochet Sweater

I promise, he really is thrilled about it.

I made this up as I went, so I'm sorry I can't provide an exact pattern.  {I learned to crochet watching YouTube tutorials.  What can I say?}  If you would like for me to describe how I created this sweater please leave a comment below and I'll do my best.

Boston Terrier Puppy Crochet Sweater Back

Boston Terrier Puppy Crochet Sweater Belly

Boston Terrier Puppy Crochet Sweater 2

Now all we need is snow!

Happy Birthday Little R!

Life at Feathers and Fingerprints has been crazy busy!  I have so many crafty things waiting to be shared!  First on the list is a birthday celebration for my son!

A couple weeks ago Little R turned 3!

Being the lazy busy mom I am, I sent out an invitation via email.  Some family came to town to celebrate so we kept the party super small.  That makes an email invitation acceptable, right?  I made this invite using the iPad app Red Stamp.  If you don't have this app you must go download it now!  It is a wonderful app for making and sharing cards for every occasion.  Red Stamp will even print and mail your cards for you!  How sweet is that?

Transportation Theme Birthday Cake

This was Little R's first birthday as a VanZant.  I was so excited to finally get to make a little boy's birthday cake!  We chose a transportation theme and bought a new dump truck and back hoe for the cake.  Little R kept pointing at his cake all morning wanting to play with the trucks!

Construction Theme Birthday Cake

I sent my husband to the store late the night before to get small trucks for the cake.  He brought these home, not realizing they have batteries and make noise.  No big deal, except when I washed all the icing off I must have gotten the inside of one of the trucks wet.  After everyone was asleep that night I kept hearing BEEP BEEP BEEP rumble rumble coming from the living room.  (Imagine the beeping noise of a truck backing up and the rumbling of heavy machinery.)    Did I mention the broken truck was hidden somewhere under the furniture and only sounded when I was out of the room?  I didn't find the crazy thing till the next morning...

Overall, Little R's birthday was a big success.  I'm looking forward to many more little boy birthdays!

Happy Birthday Little R!

A Rockin' Dragon

For Christmas my husband Ryan built a rocking horse for our horse-obsessed girls.  He also built a similar rocking horse for our little nieces.

Homemade Rocking Horse

He promised our nephew in Indiana he would build a rocking dragon before our next trip out to see him, whenever that might be.  {My nephew is obsessed with dragons the way my girls are obsessed with horses.}  My father-in-law ended up driving to Oklahoma to meet our son a couple weeks ago so Ryan had a promise to fulfill!  Here are some pictures of the rocking dragon we sent back with Grandpa.

Homemade Rocking Dragon

Ryan altered the original design of the horse by adding teeth, claws, and a dragon tail.  Instead of a yarn mane he added "spikes" made from vinyl.

Homemade Rocking Dragon

We heard the dragon safely made the long drive to its new home and is being enjoyed by its new owner.

Trees Don't Wear Skirts!

"Tree's don't wear skirts!"  At least that's what my three year old daughter told me when she asked what I was working on a few weeks ago.  I was covered in hot glue and burlap fuzz constructing a new skirt for our Christmas tree.

My inspiration came from Pinterest.  I was browsing one day and saw this pin.  

Source: doneoverdecor.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

I followed the directions at Done Over Decor.  I hadn't planned for mine to look so Minnie Mouse like, but we're all big fans of Disney so I'm OK with it.

Ruffle Burlap Tree Skirt 1

I also hadn't planned on a furry new addition to the family.  Let me tell you, raw burlap edges and a young puppy aren't a good combination!  I've had to chase the puppy away many times and I'm forever picking up stray threads.

Ruffle Burlap Tree Skirt 2

From this angle you can see the black felt base under my ruffles.  I used a large piece of black felt cut into a circle with a hole in the middle.  I think I found directions for making the base on Google.  I made mine fairly small since our trees are usually skinny.  I used hot glue to attach the fabric strips. By the way, hot glue and burlap are a horrible combination.  The glue oozed right through the burlap sticking to and burning all my poor fingers.  But regardless, the end product was worth the temporary discomfort.

Ruffle Burlap Tree Skirt 3

This is our tree.  Its a cedar my husband cut down.  Cedars are not good for the Oklahoma prairie so we have cut one down every Christmas for the past 5 years.  They aren't the prettiest trees but my husband is proud of his efforts to help the Oklahoma environment.  You can read more about cedars on the Pioneer Woman's blog.  

Ruffle Burlap Tree Skirt on Cedar Christmas Tree

Usually there is a recliner living in this corner of the house, hence the pictures hung high on the wall.  The United States map is another project I hope to share soon.

Here is our new puppy, Bruiser.  He is a white faced Boston Terrier.

Boston Terrier

I got a new DSLR camera for Christmas and Bruiser has been my test subject as I practice shooting in manual mode.

Boston Terrier Bokah

I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

And Then There Were Five

Yes, we are officially a family of FIVE!  Last month we went to court and finalized our adoption!  We are so happy!  

If you would like to know more about our adoption story please read Our Adoption Story Part One and Part Two.

How To Sew a Changing Table Pad Cover

I've been busy getting Little Brother's room ready.  Tonight I sewed a new cover for the changing table pad.  We have some very nice pink covers from Pottery Barn Kids.  I looked to them as a starting point, but altered my pattern to make the project easier. My cover is made from one large piece of fabric.  I used no-pill fleece from Hancock Fabrics.  My changing pad is a standard contour pad bought at Target about five years ago.

Add 

Changing Table Pad Cover Pattern

I started by cutting out my fabric.

I sewed together the cutout edges, right sides together. (Working at night my lighting isn't the best so the color is a little off!)

Then I folded and pinned a generous hem of 1.5 inches.  This is so the elastic will fit inside the hem.

When I stitched the edges I left the sides open (between the pink pins) to insert the elastic.

My stitches were an inch from the edge to leave room for the elastic.

I used two elastic bands, each 22 inches long.  

I pinned one end of the elastic and threaded it through the hem.

 Then I stitched both ends down.  Last, I closed the open hem.

Changing Table Pad Cover Tutorial

Finished!

Changing Table Pad Cover

This project was very easy and took about an hour total.  I hope to whip out a few more covers this week!