Cookie Monster Hat

I got a request on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago from a mom wanting a Cookie Monster hat for her little boy. The pictures she attached with it were great inspiration. I spent a couple minutes looking for a pattern that I could follow (I haven't gotten the hang of writing my own patterns yet), but couldn't find one that I liked or even looked enough like Cookie Monster.

Using Sarah's Gingerbread Man crochet hat pattern at Repeat Crafter Me, I made a baby size hat in Red Heart's Blue Suede. For the eyes I used Sarah's eye pattern for her Owl Hat's. For my Cookie Monster Eyes, instead of starting with a color for the iris and then putting white around that, I made the whole eye white. For the pupils, I started with a Magic Ring and crocheted 6 Half Double Crochets into the ring. I wanted to do the eye and the pupil separately so that I could put them in different positions to give Cookie Monster his "crazy eye" look. The mouth was my own original pattern made up of Double Crochets and Half Double Crochets.

I'm really proud of the way this turned out and can't wait to see how it look on the little guy.

Breakfast for Dinner

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Since James and I started our journey at Fellowship and started living as family and missionaries, we look forward to getting together for dinner and discussion with our MC family almost as much as one would look forward to Thanksgiving or Christmas. With such a blend of ages and backgrounds, I feel like we're getting so much wisdom from those who have been where we are, as well as growing with those who are on the same part of their journey as we are.

This Sunday, it was Breakfast for Dinner night, which is almost like a Southern tradition. Biscuits & gravy, lil smokies wrapped in bacon (because meat wrapped in meat is ALWAYS good), banana bread, sausage & cream cheese casserole...Such an amazing spread! I'm definitely blessed to be part of a family with so many amazing chefs! Oh! Can't forget Gina's pancakes! Those were AWESOME!

Lou & Gina working in the kitchen

I've loved getting to know these people and grow with them on this journey. It's fun to look back at this time last year and see how far we've grown together. God has taken this crazy group of sinners and strangers and really brought us together as a family. We aren't perfect, and we don't claim to be, we just want to live and love like Jesus did. I can't wait to look back in October 2013 and see how much more we've grown.

Praise & Prayers

This week has been rough. The honeymoon is over & real life has begun. God has continued to show his power and strength this week. He's definitely teaching us to trust completely in His purpose & plan; that His timing is good, right, and perfect.

Praise:

1. James has had the opportunity not once, but twice this week, to share the Gospel with friends.

2. We got our wedding bands! Finally! After being married a month without rings, this is a HUGE stress off of my shoulders.

3. My job is going well & James has a lot of prospects. We are young & healthy and have the ability to work.

4. We are slowly but surly turning this apartment from a house into a home. We are surrounded by so many people who have helped us with this over the last couple of weeks and we couldn't be more thankful.

Prayers:

1. James gets into weld school. This is the final step in securing a new job. 40 hours of welding training. Prayers that he not only gets in, but does well. This job would not only be a huge blessing for us, but would give us means to turn around and bless others.

2. Our relationship continues to grow as newlyweds. Pray that we continue to grow together in Christ.

3. Our family just keeps growing! Prayers for all the new moms & dads, and those that are expecting. I'm so excited for this spring!

4. Being a wife isn't always easy. Pray that I continue to grow in my love for Christ & James, that I make decisions that come from much prayer, that I'm slow to anger. Patience is hard for me, but I'm learning.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm looking forward to spending time with my niece & loving on my 1 & 2 year olds in Bible class tomorrow. Coolest group of kids ever!

Officially Official

No going back now!