Bum & Boots

These boots were mine when I was a baby. Yes, I had cowboy boots. They are still way too big for Kate, but Erin couldn't resist putting them on her just before bath time. (In Kate's defense, she had just finished eating right before this photo was taken, so cut her belly some slack).

is anyone buying?

so i finally did it. after many suggestions of "you should sell your quilts, wood letters, baby coats (newest suggestion) online!" i entered the world of online commerce. you can buy my stuff, or just look at it if you choose :) at lilacbloom.etsy.com.

please tell all your friends or anyone you know that might be interested in purchasing my handmade goodies :)

if any of you are interested in procuring your own items, i can custom make things at your request. maybe i'll give you the friends&family discount ;)

girl's day!

thanks to michelle, we had a successful outing with the girls. we got together and had lunch at the cheesecake factory (yum) and dished for a couple of hours about everyone's comings and goings. it was fun to hear what everyone has been up to, discuss the upcoming election, check out emily's wedding pictures, and laugh* laugh* laugh* can't wait to do it again!

life lost

i heard the worst news today. a dear friend lost her husband, suddenly. i can't believe it. all evening since we spoke, i have felt numb and frustrated and so sad for her. i just can't imagine what it feels like to lose your other half.

i am so grateful for the knowledge that we have in the gospel. i am so grateful for the eternal power of a temple marriage. while i cannot imagine what she is feeling, i know that there is, or will be, comfort in knowing she has been sealed to her best friend and partner; that this really is not the end.

while i know this quite possibly provides little comfort in this stunned state, i know when she is reunited with her love that this time on earth will feel like the blink of an eye.

i am here for you, any time, day or night. please lean on me.

i love you.

september's special days

september has a lot of birthdays for us.

ben, my newest nephew, was born on the 5th of this month! he is a tough little guy and, even though i haven't even seen him in person yet, i love him already. i can't wait to see him in 2 weeks!

tom is my only brother-in-law on the cottle side, and is therefore the coolest one :) he had a birthday on the 16th. tom lives in denver with my sister, johanna, and their 3 kids (spencer, andrew, and haley). i lived with them for a few months in 2001 (?) and i still miss dinnertime with tom. that was the guaranteed laughing hour. he has a very dry, cynical, witty sense of humor and he teases constantly. tom is a great dad, husband, and brother. happy birthday tom!

annie, weston's youngest sister, had a birthday on the 22nd. i have known annie for a long time. she was always super nice to me when weston and i were dating. we lived together for a year when she was a freshman in college and we had a lot of talks about life and boys :) i was pulling for you, chad! :) and she was pulling for me and weston - which meant a lot. thanks for your friendship, annie, and happy birthday!

me - i had a birthday on the 23rd. i'm not going to spew on and on about why i'm so great :)
dennyce is my mother-in-law. she had a big birthday on the 28th of the month (but i won't tell you which one) :) i have known dennyce for about 12 years and we have a very close friendship. we have always been able to talk to each other, especially while i'm in her salon chair ;), but i am very grateful for the relationship we have. she is super selfless and would do anything for her family. i love you dennyce - happy birthday!

alex turned the big 3-0 on the 29th! alex is my brother that is not quite a year older than me (we are 359 days apart). alex is awesome because he is always so mellow and, as my mom would say, the peacemaker. alex doesn't seem to get upset or angry over anything - i wish i was more like that. alex is a cool older brother to have because he was always calm about teaching me things or calm about me dating one of his best friends :) he's a great example of marching to the beat of your own drum.

for my mom

i know weston already posted about the coat i made for kate, and i promise i'm not showing off, but here's the 2nd one i made her. don't worry - i'm done :) i had to post this one because a) it's cute and b) my mom will be so proud of me when i call her and tell her to look at the blog :)so thanks to the rest of you for bearing with me while i show my mom how it turned out. :)

Sewing Machine

I am referring to Erin, not the Elna. I just had to brag about this cute pea coat that Erin just made for Kate. Yes, she sewed this - starting last night and finishing it today. She is a sewing machine.

Kate

Just Kate being cute.

fyi

name tag

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)-

spanky saturn

YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)-

coffee oreo

YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)-

e-col (too close to e. coli) :)

YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)-

blue kitty

YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)-

cottle monterrey (i don't have a middle name so the maiden name will have to suffice)

YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)-

coler

YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)-

the red dr. pepper

YOUR NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)-

archie wells

YOUR STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)-

happy m&ms

YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names)-

virginia archie

YOUR TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)-

santibanez st. louis

YOUR SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (favorite season/holiday, flower)-

fall tulip

YOUR CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)-

honeydew skirtie

YOUR HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)-

granola catalpa (yes, natalie - i know what it is and i love them!)

YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)-

the quilting thunderstorm tour

i think this tag is hilarious. i also think everyone should do it :)