Pondering a Family Weekend as the New Year Begins

A weekend away with family used to mean such a different set of circumstances. With two children under three, venturing out to anyplace not your own babyproofed paradise is...a challenge. There is no relaxation lest your two year old break a precious snowglobe that belongs to your sister in law into a bazillion pieces while your ever gracious MIL attempts to pick up every last piece of glittered glass and your eight month old tries to eat glass fragments. This is only a slight exaggeration of one of the many mishaps that occured in a short three day weekend to visit Scott's sister and her family.

So I am left wondering what I can do to make my family more host friendly. Meaning, how can we become a more flexible family that is actually a pleasure to have as guests? Perhaps when the kids are older it will be easier. For now, I find myself completely slave to my rocking chair for nursing, a crib for containing Wyatt, two separate rooms for my children, a bathroom in our room, a thermostat I control, and the walls and door of our house as a buffer for the noise we create so I don't feel guilty.

That said, I have never encountered a more hospitable environment, especially considering our rude guesthood (I know it's not a word)...delicious meals that never ended, drinks and snacks abounding, clean towels and sheets at every turn, no chores, no dishes, and ever entertaining conversation, a lovely home full of laughter and excitement, beautiful clean air and views of horse pastures and open spaces. Thank you Sean, Julie, Sierra and Matthew for loving us just as we are (sorry about the snow globe). Thank you Grammie and Papa for helping us feel at ease and reminding us that this stage will end. (And we will probably miss it, let's be honest. :))

God is good. Blessings surround us. Peace be with us and with you as the new year begins.

-The Haners

A New Avery Dress Set

The Kya Outfit

I still have to finish the bottom of the top with a matching ruffle to the pant, but I had to share this. It turned out really cute and will be perfect over a brown turtleneck for the winter! :)

Ella's Sweatshirt

The Avery Dress

A present for our friends' daughter, Avery. It is now dubbed "The Avery Dress."

Reversible Lined Christmas Stocking

Zebra Throw--Fleecy Soft and Comfy

Moody Hearts

The Princess Hoodie II

Zebra Pillows and Fleece Throw

Pattern Perfection

I found this picture online and am going to create a pattern similar for Easter and Valentine's outfits. Isn't this so cute? And you could totally put a shirt under the top for cold weather!

Valentine's Outfits

I am taking orders NOW for Valentine's Day sets. I will be making the dress shown below under the Pirate Dress Set entry, which comes with a long sleeve shirt (and looks fabulous with jeans!) and ruffled sweatshirts/long sleeve shirts and matching bows. I will also be adding a ruffle bottomed pant set which is the same as the shirt set but with pants to match (either knit fabric pants or jeans). Since the fabric hasn't been showing up on my email, I am blogging it for people to see here. These are three of the several fabrics I will be using, but I think they are SO cute! :)

Pirate Dress Bow Set

The Haner Girls Smelling The Roses

Our dear friend Kelly took some beautiful shots of Kya and me at my folks' house. We are so thankful to her for her time and expertise. Speaking of smelling the roses, the Haner house has a great feel to it these past few days as we enjoy rather than worry about our circumstances. We are so fortunate to live as we do and to have each new day to glorify God with a positive attitude. Life is good.

Family Christmas Photos

Princess Sweatshirt Set

I just finished this princess sweatshirt set with a black hoodie and matching bows. I think this set is so cute. What do you all think?

Recent Haner Happenings

Kya's newest Cabbage Patch Kid came to us as an early Christmas present from dear friend Kelly Kitchens. She is named Asha and joins her sister Carrie as part of Kya's beloved collection. Here is Kya snuggling close with Asha and Carrie in her room.

Ooooooo was Wyatt mad when he got stuck inside his toy basket while waiting for a bath. I'm a bad mom reaching for the camera instead of rescuing him immediately. :)
Turn your head to the left to see Wyatt wearing his new hat made by dear friend Mary, one of many adopted grandmas around town. :) He left it on almost all the way through breakfast.

This is my bow table at the recent Solera Craft Fair. What fun! :)

A very serious Kya awaits our family Christmas photos at my parents' house. Thanks to Kelly for taking our family photos (soon to be posted.)

Ilona's Dress

Well, I needed a model for the dress I made Rachel's daughter for her birthday. (And for the matching bows too of course.) So Kya struck this "gangsta" pose for me. :) I love to sew and make cute little girl outfits with bows. LOVE it! I hope some of my friends start asking me to make clothes and bows for their girls (hint hint ;) cuz I just think it's so cool to have a custom made outfit that is the perfect color and style for your baby. :)

My Men

This is a picture of my dad, my hubby and my sweet baby boy as well as a picture of my late Grandpa Trev in the background. :) All my men together. Such strength, joy, love, sweetness, and wisdom in one picture.

New hairdo

Today, I went to a new hairdresser named Shane Bodewig at Mirage Salon. I had a 50% off coupon so I decided to check him out! He was so awesome and he did such a professional job. And we had a nice chat as well. I will of course have to put my newly done locks promptly up in a pony tail to avoid pulling and spit up saturation from my sweet babies, but it is nice to have a moment of beauty. :)

Issues with the Haner Babies

We've got some issues with the Haner kids lately. The kids aren't sleeping and Kya is pushing Wyatt regularly despite consistent and swift discipline. I feel like we have tried everything. I am soooooooooo sleepy from getting up 4-6 times a night to nurse Wyatt and/or put Kya back in bed. They both go right back to sleep thankfully, but man oh man, it gets tiring.

Issue two: Kya pushes Wyatt often and his head hits the floor often. I am getting worried that he's going to have a concussion or some other serious problem. We have spanked, time outed, yelled, discussed, and done them all again and again and nothing works. She just keeps doing it! It makes me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO mad and sad.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Early Morning Run

Yesterday morning was the first day of my new exercise plan--running daily. We only went around the block and it was coooold. But, it felt good to be on the track to fitness again! :) Here are some pics of the kids, who had just awakened.

Today, we are going to go after naptime to avoid the snowsuit necessity of the early morning! :) I want to lose at least ten pounds, but I would be happier with about 20-25. God be with me as we go through this pregnancy pound battle yet again. :)

A Loud Dining Experience

The kids started squealing and grunting at each other this evening during dinner. Oh my, it was loud...but very amusing. Wyatt's newest face is this scrunchy smiley expression. He reserves it for Kya and Grandma and Grandpa Mac. It's hilarious. I hope you enjoy listening in on a little Haner Home madness. :)

The New Sweatshirt Line :)

Well, the first sweatshirt in my line for the craft fair is hot off the sewing machine. My little model is a 2T and the sweatshirt is a 3T so it's a little long in the arms, but you get the idea. I am making matching bows tonight! :)

She wanted to sleep in it instead of her coveted "FEETY JAMMIES" (I wouldn't let her) so it must feel soft and cozy! :)

By the way, FEETY JAMMIES is capitalized because Kya NEVER says it softly. When she is ready for warmth and cuddles, she yells, "I WANT MY FEEETY JAAAAMMMMIIIIIES!" She's such a character--and talk about a cheeseball smile! Gotta love it!