March madness...

So, I've been pretty spoiled this past week. I enjoyed having my husband home for my birthday and the luxury of having my mom in town so that I could let the kids loose on her to have some free time and run errands alone! My mom treated all of us to a birthday dinner at Carraba's. We'd never been but heard good things...and good things there were! Yum! My big gift from my parents was gift cards to Joann's and Hobby Lobby so that I can have a little help with this long list of crafts I've been itching to get started. Christopher surprised me with a day at a cute little spa here in town for a prenatal massage and pedicure. Heavenly...he's definitely a keeper! It's been nice to have my mom in town, though we didn't do as much together as usual. It seemed there was always someone sick or places to go so after much arm-twisting, she always ended up at home with the kids. It was pretty helpful considering Christopher was still on OB/Gyn and I was preparing to perform in our Relief Society production of the Ten Virgins (and you all know how singing and performing in front of people is totally my thing! No stress whatsoever). I also spent some of that time at home while mom refereed so I could finish these little projects:

I used a pattern posted by a friend on her fabulous craft blog! A little hospital homecoming outfit using one of those tiny shirts they give you at the hospital.

And this was an awesome diaper bag pattern I found here months ago. I loved it from the moment I saw it. It has 5 pockets on the outside and 5 on the inside...so much needed storage room for three kids' "necessities".

I made a few adjustments of my own like adding the key clip and using D-rings to give the strap a more finished look. I actually finished it in 2 days! Couldn't have happened without my mom being willing to spend so much "alone" time with the kids.

Though there were some stressful moments, I've really enjoyed having time to do things I wanted and even being a little pampered, too. I especially came to appreciate being able to take part in the Relief Society program. It was a challenge for me on so many levels but I came to really identify with my character (one of the foolish virgins) and see how I need to prepare myself for the Savior's coming. I came away from it hoping to bring that spirit of preparation into our home and into my children's lives.

AND- Thanks for all the birthday wishes and phone calls! They all added to my spoilage! Be on the look-out for upcoming posts about another birthday girl's special week!