Shaffer Sisters

May 23, 2012

We're home!

by Scary @ Shaffer Sisters, in traveling with kids

We all survived! Slim Jim decided that this year that he wanted to start the tradition of a yearly family vacation. Since he and the kids had never been to Yellowstone he decided that it would be the perfect catalyst for this tradition. I agreed because Yellowstone is close to home that if something went terribly wrong we were only a couple hours from home, I knew the kids would enjoy being in the outdoors and Slim Jim would love the natural beauty the park has to offer.
I will be posting tips for visiting Yellowstone with Young Children in a couple of days when this migraine from lack of sleep goes away.Until then I will be keeping the lights down low and here are a few sneak peak pictures from our family adventure:

Love the Baby Bison.....so cute.

Norris Geyser Basin

Walking back from seeing the Artist Paint Pots

Love these trees paired with the wasteland of the geyser basin and the dark clouds in the sky.

May 22, 2012

A little sewing in Jo's home

by 5boystokiss, in sewing for girls

Here are some new shorts for #1. One thing I learned as I started sewing for my boys, was that they each had some specific design ideas, but each of them needed functional pockets.

This is #4 giving me the thumbs up, after I added the yellow pocket.

But, now he sees that his red shorts have a green pocket too-so his blue ones might need a green pocket as well.

This is the only picture I could get of # 2 and #3 in their new shorts. They designed them and I sewed them.

These are some bloomers I made to go with a skirt for #5. I love to sew with the selvage edge, as much as possible- because I don't have a serger.

May 19, 2012

Birth Story Part 1

by Al, in pregnancy

You remember my Positive, Peaceful, Pregnancy? Well the wonderful news is that I had my baby (a month ago). Here's part 1/2 to my birth story, sorry to make you all wait.

So my two birth experiences are like night and day differences. I tried to come up with the similarities between them and the only things I could come up with were that they were at the same hospital, my babies were similar in size, and they were both born in the middle of the day.

I count my blessings every day since Heber came that things went so completely wonderful. I have a hard time imagining a more perfect experience. I’m glad everything went so well because it is exactly what I needed to be willing to have more kids. When Power Shoes and I got married we agreed that we both wanted a larger family (6 to 8 kids). Then we realized with various complications in my pregnancy with Ty and then down the road to her delivery that you count each child a blessing and take them one at a time. Before having Ty I had been fearful of labor and delivery, and afterwards the thought of it was practically petrifying, but I knew that in all fairness we should probably give it another try.

This time around we switched to a different provider, took a birthing class (Hypnobabies—I absolutely loved it and I would highly recommend it to anyone), got a doula, and chose to primarily see midwives instead of doctors. I think that all of these were critical changes from the first time around to help Power Shoes and I change our perspective on those last critical moments leading up to our baby’s birth.

Five weeks before my due date I started taking this natural supplement called the 5 Week Supplement or 5W. It is supposed to help ripen your cervix and dilate gradually in the weeks leading up to your due date. I’ve also heard it also minimizes the amount of blood you lose when you have a baby. Which I can say I bled a ton less this time around.

39 weeks: I was dilated to a 2.

40 weeks: I had dilated to a 3 (this was major progress considering that I didn’t dilate to a one until I was nearly a week over last time).

41 weeks: I did the AFI (amniotic fluid index) and NST (non-stress test). Everything was perfect with me and my baby. I was supposed to be seeing one of the midwives, but the one that was working in the clinic was also on call and had to deliver 4 babies that day, so I saw the doctor.

When he came into the room he asked me what I was waiting for. I made a joke and said I was getting my visit teaching done that day and then my baby could come (I can’t believe he didn’t even smile). When I could tell that response wasn’t satisfying I told him that getting induced sucks, and if I could go into labor on my own that would be my preference. He responded by saying that labor is hard whether you get induced or not. I was and am still convinced that getting induced is tons worse than going into labor on your own. I had prepared myself for a natural birth and I knew that it was more likely to go the way I wanted if it was on my terms and I was able to labor a majority of the time at home.

We moved forward in the checkup with differences of opinions. I had him check me and strip my membranes (this was the second time this had been done, the other time was at 40 weeks and didn’t do much). He said I was at a 3 and 50% effaced. I was excited that I wasn’t just dilating anymore, that my cervix was also thinning.

Right before he walked out of the room he said something like, “I knew a girl once that was patient like you. One day her baby had a heartbeat, and the next day it didn’t.” I responded in saying that I thought everything was okay and I felt like I needed to be willing to wait at least as long as I did with Ty (1 week and 5 days past the guess date). After all due dates are really just estimations. When find out a due date I think like the scientist in me, Due Date +/- 2 weeks, and in my case plus 2 weeks is more likely than minus 2 weeks.

On my way home from the clinic I started crying. Why would anyone say that to a woman that is 9 months pregnant? Emotions are already heightened and then you tell her that her patience may result in her losing her baby that she has eagerly waited for. This is what makes me kind of angry about OB/GYN doctors. They seem really concerned with the numbers so both baby and mom are always safe, but because they have so little faith in the natural process things may not always go as well as they could.

The midwives kept a very close eye on me in the last month, but did not want to rush things unless there was a reason to. I think both are good, but think in the way they have been trained to think. Midwives realize that women have been having babies for a very long time with very little interventions and they can continue doing this.

Luckily Power Shoes was able to go out to lunch with me and reinforce my want for this birth. I also got a really sweet and calming voicemail from my doula, Kelly, that further helped me feel good about things. Both Kelly and Power Shoes were so great in supporting me in what I wanted, and their personalities are so calm and relaxed which was just what I needed to regain composure. And stay focused on the birth I wanted.

Part 2 will pick up with the evening of this appointment and continue through Heber's birth.

May 18, 2012

Savory Indian Lentils

by 5boystokiss, in vegan

This recipe came from a friend of mine. She is consistent about using and replenishing her food storage. After a week of vacation, I decided I better make something a little more nutritional/economical for dinner. I loved this dish!

I made the lentils ahead of time(in the morning, and threw them in the fridge). I made about 4 cups worth. (I use the orange and green lentils-because they are prettier to look at on the shelf.

1 tbs butter,
1/4 c water
1 rough chopped(I like big chunks) onion
2 minced cloves of garlic
1 t salt
1 t turmeric
1 t cumin
1/4 t cardamon
1/4 t sugar
juice from one ripe lime

Add all of the ingredients in a fry pan (not the lentils). (I added about a 1/4 of a t of curry- but I love curry, so I couldn't help myself :) - I liked it- but it wasn't in the original recipe) Simmer until the onions are clear. Then add the lentils and warm them.

This has about the consistency of re-fried beans. We ate it on top of flour tortillas. Yum! I loved the lime flavor, and this new way to eat cheep food!

May 13, 2012

Guest Writer - McKenna: Scars and Love

by Scary @ Shaffer Sisters, in parenting

Yesterday when I was doing my laundry I ran into one of my favorite neighbors and a truly inspiring mom. I love reading her blog and being uplifted by her love for motherhood. I realized that I would love nothing more than to feature her thoughts on our blog.
McKenna graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelors in Psychology, shortly after graduation she gave birth to her son and then 18 months later she had a beautiful little girl. She is super talented in cleaning, cooking, photography, and looking super beautiful. She is such a rock star mom and a blast to be around. And now for her inspiring words:

Scars and love

I have always loved that Mothers day is celebrated on Sunday.

In my mind, it always is a powerful way to show how motherhood is such a special, spiritual calling in life.

This Mothers day in particular a thought keeps running through my head, a different spin on Motherhood that came from thinking about this calling in a more spiritual way. Bare with me as I try to explain it.

Before I became a mother 27 months ago, it was hard for me to truly understand an aspect of the character of my Savior. I had a very real relationship with Him, but there were characteristics of him that I knew he had, but couldn't truly wrap my head around. Like his unconditional love for everyone. Even those who hurt, killed and persecuted him. It was just more than I could imagine and understand. He sacrificed his life for those who were the ones who killed him. He saved those who mocked him, persecuted and caused him great pain. He loved them. Unconditionally. And he loves those that today do the same things but in different ways. Unconditionally.

And me. Such a weak mortal. He sacrificed his life for me so that I can be saved, because of his unconditional love. That love that he has for me and all of mankind, no matter their flaws and weaknesses, has always been overwhelming and I have had very sacred experiences where I have tangibly felt that love that he has for me and it overwhelmed my soul.

Fast forward to the moment I first saw my dear son, my firstborn.

Within moments of his birth, I was overwhelmed with a love I never knew was possible.

When they laid him on my chest and I saw his face for the first time, I was able to glimpse the love my Savior has for me.

It took on levels and amounts I never knew my mortal heart was capable of.

And then 18 months later when I saw my dear daughters face for the first time, my heart and it's capability to love increased by 2, and I once again experienced an amount and intensity of love I never knew was possible.

Before I had children:

I always had a flat tummy,

No dark circles under my eyes,

No stretch marks

Stomach muscles that made that flat tummy rock hard.

Perfectly done hair and make-up.

Now:

Never a perfectly flat tummy

Always dark circles under my eyes

Stretch marks

Lose skin on my tummy

No stomach muscles

And hair and make-up done sometimes.

But as I look down at my not perfect body, I see perfection that wasn't there before.

Just as the Savior has marks on his hands and feet from his sacrifice of love, I have marks on my body from the sacrifice of my love for my children. I sacrificed my body in so many ways, real ways, for my babies to be born. I have many physical scars that I have to remind me and my children of the ultimate love I have for them. My scars and marks may make my body different, but it shows to me the love I have for my children, just as the marks on the Saviors hands and feet shows to me the love he has for me.

And the non-physical marks. They are also signs of the unconditional love I have for my children. My constant exhaustion, the worry I have for them that they will be ok, the sacrifice of all free time etc. etc. They are also signs that I love unconditionally.

That I am starting to grasp, in a very mortal way, the overwhelming love my Savior has for me and all humanity.

I have always known that the creation of the family (no matter the size) is a representation of the unit of heaven and a way for our Heavenly Father to show to us how much he loves us. Before I was married, I loved my family so much, and it gave me a small glimpse of how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

As I felt the love from and for my parents, it put a new light on the love of my Heavenly Father.

As I felt the love from and for my siblings, it put a new light on the love of my Savior.

As I felt the love from and for my husband, it put a new light on the love of the eternities.

As I felt the love from and for my children, it once again put a new light on the love my Heavenly Father has for me as his special daughter.

Families. Motherhood. Being a wife.

It is all a way for us to grasp the unconditional love from our Savior and Heavenly Father.

And with my signs, my marks, my scars from being a mother,

The unconditional love from my Savior starts to make sense. I sacrificed my body for my children, because I love them. As a mother not only do I start to grasp the unconditional love the Savior has for us, but also the atonement and how broken things (think my body) can be made perfect and beautiful through the love of my Savior. Through love. The completely overwhelming and all encompassing love I feel for my children makes my scarred body beautiful. And the completely overwhelming and all encompassing love our Savior feels for us makes our scarred lives beautiful and perfect.

And everyday I thank my Savior for the opportunity to have my sweet children.

And the opportunity to be a part of a family. To feel the overwhelming love as not only a mother, but as a wife, daughter and sister.

I have learned a lot as a mother.

But I would say the biggest thing I have learned, is about the unconditional love that my Savior has for me as I feel the same unconditional love for my children.

The crazed look on my kids faces are from extreme exhaustion. Church being right at naptime does that to those kiddos

April 18, 2012

The Shirred & Ruffled Top (Tutorial)

by Scary @ Shaffer Sisters, in tutorial

Boston has recently entered the 3-6 month size and since most of the clothing that her cousin passed down to her is wintery it has given me a great excuse to make some fun spring and summery clothing.
Last night when Slim Jim was at work and the kiddos were asleep in their bed I whipped out this little number. I asked her how she liked her new shirt and this was her response.

I love those smiles.

For a 3-6 Month size you will need 1/2 yard of material (I used some scraps I had)
I started by measuring Boston's chest.
Boston's chest measurement is 17 inches. For Shirring I usually figure 1.5 times the fabric for the largest measurement (in this case the chest). Which would be 25.5", I was a little short of that but probably only by 3/4" so I went for it still. I cut the length at 8.5 inches because I wanted the ruffle to hit her at 8 inches and I knew I would be loosing 1/2" for seam allowance. I wanted my final ruffle to be an 1" in height and I would be finishing the edge with a rolled hem (if I would have been doing a traditional hem I would have made my cut at 2"). I cut my shirt on the selvage edge so I didn't have to worry about finishing the top.

Cut Chart, put the 25.5" edge on your printed selvage edge

I sewed the strips for the ruffles together with 1/2" seam allowance. Then I ran it through my ruffling foot, having it pleating every 6 stitches with a depth of 2, running my stitching at 1/4" from the edge (Don't have a Ruffling foot? Don't worry a slight gather will do the trick, I am just lazy and HATE gathering).

I then set it aside the ruffles sewed 5 rows of shirring with my elastic thread spacing them about 1/4" and starting it with 1/4" from the top of the salvage edge. (Need help with shirring? Ashley from Make It and Love it has a great tutorial for shirring)
After I had completed my shirring I folded the width in half so the right sides would be touching each other, I pinned the sides together so my shirring rows matched up. I sewed them together with my sewing machine and then finished the edges with my serger (if you don't have a serger, just finish your edges with a zig zag stitch).

I then had a tube with shirring at the top and to the bottom I pinned my ruffles. Since I did the pleating and not gathering then there was a little extra fabric that I kept on until I sewed the ruffles around and then I closed up the edges (similar process to the Home from the Hospital Outfit).
Once the ruffle was attached I top stitched the bottom of the shirt to keep the ruffle down and to give it a more finished look. I hemmed the bottom of the ruffle with a rolled hem on my serger.

I then cut 4- 5" straps and attached them with a tight zig zag stitch.

The whole thing took me about 30 minutes, while I watched last night's episode of Glee.
And this morning I had one happy girl who was glad that her mom made the perfect comfortable top to go with her Ruffly pants (Target clearance $1.50).

April 01, 2012

Home-schooling

by 5boystokiss, in

I want to write this post, I guess, just to get it written- so I will have it. It won't be eloquent or witty. So-you can skip it if you would like.

Everyone I have ever talked to about homeschooling says that the first year of homeschooling is just an entire year of getting your feet under you. They all say, it is a learning process.

I decided to read a few books, follow some blogs, and jump in to homeschooling, knowing that I would not make all of the right decisions or do it perfectly. I just felt like it was the right thing for our family to do.

The first thing that I did to proactively learn about homeschooling, was attend a workshop. It was called "Engaging Early Learners". It was put on by a homeschooling store in our area. In the workshop they encouraged us to make a top ten list. This would include the top ten things that we would like our kids to get out of their educations. Being the busy girl that I am, I was quite sure that if I chose ten things, the list would get lost and I would never be able to remember the goals I had set. Some how I got busy and never put the list together. Later I talked with my brother-in-law, and he told me that he had been to a Boy Scouts of America workshop the teachers their asked them to put together a list of (I think) top 5 goals that they wanted to set for their scouts, and then plan activities according to the list. Again I thought I better keep it to 3 things- or I would never remember it. Later I talked to my sister-in-law. This is the one that I bounce ideas off of, all of the time. She is gracious enough to listen to me. After I told her all of this, she agreed with me that I should keep it to 3 things. So here is my list.

We want our family to grow up with a

1) Love of the Lord and his teachings

2) Love of family

3) Love of learning

Now, our focus is set. Julie Beck said, "We have to be intentional about everything we do." I agree. I know that is true. I have set and succeeded at enough goals in my life to know that I need to be intentional. Our focus is these 3 goals. Now, how do I go about accomplishing these goals? I don't have answers, but this is what I am doing currently.

Every morning for goal 1 we read from the George Albert Smith manual. The pure truth of his teachings have captivated my children. I have heard little snippits of testimony blossoming.

We have also been intentional about our family scripture study, by making it a morning study(instead of bedtime ritual) while hubbin is home, followed by family prayer. We also pray and discuss gospel matters through the day, but the scripture study, prayers, and devotionals are intentionally placed and carried out.

OK goal 2, a love of Family. Wow, this one, with 5 kids, 4 boys, seems to be a little more difficult. My personal goal is to teach myself not to yell. I am trying so hard to learn more patience. I am trying to bridal my passions. I am trying to lead by example by showing love. Homeschooling has been a big blow to my ego- I am not as patient and definitely not the pillar of perfection that I thought I was, pre-homeschooling. ;) We have some rules that we follow, to keep the peace.

These are from the Eyer family. I decided they had some experience in the matter- and I didn't have the time to come up with my own, so why re-create the wheel. Here is their website - http://www.valuesparenting.com/about/theeyres.php

Here are their/ our rules

Peace, Respect, Order, Asking, and Obedience

I love that the consequences are built in (check their site) and the rules are boiled down to the basic principles of family unity. Perfect! When there are rules established, love can follow. So love of family. Part of the peace rule, that we have added is that the fighters do each others job. To serve each other after the fight. That is my favorite part of that consequence- and honestly I think it is the kids favorite part too. In my family growing up, we called this the raisin pie theory. Just know that if you got a raisin pie from my mom, you could consider yourself forgiven :) Thanks Mom!

And lastly a love of learning. I can be a little bit of a dictator. I say, "you will do what I tell you to, now, or you will receive a consequence". That has not promoted a love of learning, so I have been scouring the internet for help. I have been picking my mom's brain. I have been comisserating with fellow home-school moms. What I have decided for the present is that kids naturally love to learn. They are little scientists. They learn all of the time. I have noticed this especially with #2. I stop his learning when I require him to work in a workbook. One of the first books about home-schooling I read was called The Three R's by author Ruth Beechick. She sites a study where two classrooms were given separate educations. One of the classrooms was taught hands-on science. Melting ice, growing plants, building, etc. They had books in the classroom-but there was no formal reading instruction. The other classroom received extensive instruction in reading. After 3 years the classroom that did science was far ahead of the reading classroom. This evidence supports another author I have been reading. His name is John Holt. The book I am currently reading from him is called Teach your own. I am also reading The first year of Homeschooling your child by Linda Dobson, The Five love languages by Gary Chapman, two little books I love- Mudpies to Magnets by Robert Williams, and Homeschooling Methods by Paul Saurez. I try to get in a chapter of each every night. The Mudpies to Magnets are super fun! They are practical science projects to do with kids- age 2 and up. On Friday we learned about Calcium carbonate as it reacts with vinegar- using an egg, and watching the shell dissolve. I plan to follow that with some floating raisins, and a volcano. I highly recommend these books whether you home-school or not.

The other books are really informative, teaching me things I didn't know I didn't know.

As I read and learn, our home-school is starting to look a lot less like an 8-3 classroom and a lot more like an eternal life of learning. I love this quote from Bruce R. Mckonkie

“… it must eventually come to pass in the case of those who gain the exaltation and become sons of God; that they must, in the eternities, reach the time when they will know all things. They must know mathematics; they must know all the principles of science; they must be prepared in all things—by learning, by study, by faith—to comprehend these principles of eternal truth, even as our Father in heaven comprehends them; and unless men will put themselves in harmony with him and his Spirit and seek the light which comes through the Spirit, they never will reach the goal of perfection in these things. It is, however, knowledge of the principles of the gospel that will save men in the kingdom of God.”

I love this New Era article from August of 1974 http://www.lds.org/new-era/1974/08/seek-ye-out-of-the-best-books?lang=eng

It pretty much sums up how I hope to facilitate a love of learning in my home. When I learn about the stars, the sea, and even the sanctity of life, I can't help but feel that our Heavenly Father gave us this amazing classroom that my family was missing out on, in a public school. I know homeschooling is not for everyone, but it is working tremendously well for us.

March 13, 2012

Little Leprechaun & the Rainbow Ladies.

by Scary @ Shaffer Sisters, in Ty

I had so much fun with making the kids Valentine's outfits, I decided holiday/seasonal themed clothing would become a staple in our blog.

"What's that?" I told him it was a rock.

Then he turned to Boston and said, "Bubba, look a rock."

What was that mom... you want me to look and smile at the camera? Just way too hard.

Wonder who's in charge?

What have I learned about these photoshoots? Well that Ty will smile and look at the camera and Ryder will look confused and point out every rock, car and truck.

"Truck Mommy."

What is nearly as difficult as catching a Leprechaun? Trying to get a picture of a little boy in his Leprechaun outfit while he is playing at the park.

They were happy to be playing at the park, they didn't even realize they were the brightest thing out there.

We told them if they smiled they would get candy.

Price Tag of this Month's Sewing Adventure: $14 (this is for 3 complete outfits!)
$7 - (6) 1/4 yrd of fabric (all the colors in the rainbow besides green)
$4 - 1 yard of Green remnant fabric
$1 - Tee Shirt
$2 - Bias Tape to finish the Dress
Want to know how we did it? Well here are some instructions, sorry there are no pictures but I don't have the time (reason why I have been up since 4:45 doing this post) to do picture tutorials but I tried to be as descriptive as possible in my instructions.
The Little Leprechaun Outfit

I used a pair of Ryder's sweatpants as a pattern. I folded them in half traced them and then added 5/8" to the sides for seam allowance. And then 1 1/4" inches to the top. To finish the top I folded the fabric over 1/4" and then another 1/2" and then ran my elastic through.

To make the rolled look on the shorts I made a very wide hem (something probably like 6-8 inches?), then I rolled the pant up to show part of the hem. Until the bottom of the shorts were just above the knee. Then I matched up my seams on the fold of the shorts with the seam on the upper part of the short and sewed on the seam ditch (this was done to keep the fold in place)
I used some heat bond to assist me in applique the bow tie on a white shirt. After I got it where I wanted it I just did a small zig zag stitch round and around, until I was satisfied with the results.
(I haven't written a tutorial for this technique because I am not really sure that I am doing this right and there are ton of great applique tutorials out there.)

Rainbow Dresses

Ty loves Boston so much good thing, there will be a baby coming to her house shortly. So that she has another baby to give attention to.

One day when I was sick with a cold, I decided to veg out on Nancy Zieman (aka Sewing with Nancy) sewing videos. One really caught my attention it was her pillow case dress made out of yardage.

After talking it through with Al, we decided this would make the perfect rainbow dress for Saint Patrick's day.

For the Dress for Ty (1 1/2yrs), we used (7) 5" strips of fabric and pieced them together with a 5/8" seam allowance. Using Nancy's Notions Pattern instructions we made a size 3 dress. The only adjustment to the her pattern I made was to only trim off 1/4" on the bottom with the serger and then did 1/2" hem. I serged all seams and each strip was top stitched at the top of the fabric strip. Our dress ended up a little longer than what was stated in the pattern but that is the way Al wanted it. Al has such a hard time finding dresses that are long enough so a long rainbow dress will be able to work for a couple of years.

I love those sweet little cheeks.

For the Dress for Boston (2 months), we used (7) 3" strips cut to a width of 30" and then pieced them together with a 5/8" seam allowance, with all edges finished with serger. I used the same 1/2" hem on her dress.
I loved Nancy's sewing trick to use bais tape and stitch in the ditch to create the ties on the dress (I think I am going to be using that trick from now on out).

I love Ryder's mischievous grin in this picture. That is totally my little man.

March 10, 2012

A little more from Home-school

by 5boystokiss, in homeschool

Home-school is consuming my life in the best possible way. I lay awake at night scheming up creative lesson plans. I browse the internet looking for free educational experiences in our area. I relish the fact that our PE is done with instructors at the Y in a class no bigger than 1 on 4. I carefully comb over the women at church, as possible guest speakers for our home-school co-op.

Here is a picture from a recent homeschool project. This is #2 sporting his workmanship. (the "thing" on his neck)

#2 made this "necklace" from a weaving project we did during our pioneer days co-op. The day he made this, we studied http://www.africanaheritage.com/sweetclara.asp the freedom quilt. this link should take you there.

We also made flour from millet and then made pancakes. Our writing assignment was how does a slaves journey to freedom resemble that of a pioneer?

February 24, 2012

All about # 2

by 5boystokiss, in

apparently we have had a serious lack of #2 pictures up lately, so here yah go. He really lives and loves at our house too. These are all from Jan or Feb.