Smocked - A Knitting Pattern

I have always loved little smocked dresses: you know, the kinds I wore in the early 80s as a baby.  It wasn't until recently that I realized I could combine my love for the height of 80s baby fashion with knitting.  Thus was born, Smocked.

First off, let's all pretend we don't recognize that sweet baby wearing that beautiful dress. I've only got one baby, after all!

The pattern is written so that you can make it either a dress or a shirt, with simple, perfect smocking across the front, dainty puffed sleeves, yet simple raglan, seamless construction.

Oh, and the button band on the back is off centre, which for some reason I think is oh. so. cute!

Of course I think you all should knit this immediately, but don't take my word for it. Check out the other knitters on Ravelry who have knit it up: 

So, buy it. Buy it now.  Just click on this little button right here to do so >>>>>>>>>>

Family Photos, a year later!

Last September we had family photos taken.  I couldn't share them right away, because the adoption plans were still in the works. But the photos are gorgeous, so I want to share them now, even though these kidlets are a whole year older, and we've added yet another since then.  

 

All of us together:

And, the whole Evans clan. Since this picture, three babies have been added.  It's just a little out of control!

Another Addition

That's right, we've had another! Our sweet little Machen was born 3 weeks ago, and I figure it's time to celebrate.  It's been a tough 3 weeks, and I'm just beginning to feel normal, but managing to enjoy this little bundle nonetheless. I'll be back soon with a birth story, I promise.

FYI: Machen is pronounced Maa-ken. It is also the name of a small village in Wales. The very first Evans in my family line was from Machen, as was my great-great Grandma, Sarah Gibb.  It is a name that honors two great family lines.

Today's the Day

Please Note: I wrote the following blog post, and about 5 more very much like it, over 7 months ago. For some reason, despite the joy we have found in our family, I have had a hard time pushing publish.  There is a level of privacy that I'm worried about breaching, but it's also something that is so intensely personal and raw, that it is hard to share at all.  I've been so inspired by other bloggers as they have shared their experiences through adoption, and I'd like to say that I will share our entire journey, but feel that I have to do so slowly and carefully.  

For some reason I think I should start this post with all the excuses why I am a terrible blogger. I want to tell you how busy this year has been; how stressed I've felt constantly since forever ago; how desperately I want the next
3-6 months6 months to a year to fly by. I want to explain the inefficiencies that Jared and I have witnessed at the hand of the "system" and the frustrations that that has brought on our family, and those it's meant to protect. 

But, despite all that, all I want to do is sing!  I want to praise God!  I want to shout from the roof tops that, as of this morning, this sweet little girl, whom we've loved for so long, is OURS!!!

Meet the newest member of the Wiebe clan.

She is the sweetest, most wonderful, amazing 9-year-old we've ever met, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our family.