Clear Eyes, Full Hearts

I've finished three quilts since the last time I talked to you, but unfortunately no photos until next week!

In the meantime I thought I'd show off one of my favorite projects from back in 2011.  This was originally a little gift for sweet baby James, and I liked it so much I made one for my own baby too.  I like the idea of decorating onesies (or pillow cases or wall hangings or t-shirts) with meaningful quotes, but I rarely come across any that are quite right for what I want to express.  But as fellow Friday Night Lights fans, I knew this baby's parents would know exactly what I was trying to say!

For those that haven't watched Friday Nights Lights, I'm sorry that you haven't truly lived yet, but the tagline for the show, painted in the locker room and repeated before every football game is "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose." It's a nice team-building chant, but I think it's equally appropriate for just about every other challenge you come up against in life.  It's exactly what I want to say to every new baby, new parent, lawyer about to go to trial, or girl working up the nerve to ask out her crush. It's just motivating and confident and forgiving all at the same time.  I imagine when Josie's eight and scared to do something I'll lean down in front of her, put a hand on each of her shoulders and say "Just remember girl:  Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose" and she'll think I'm such an awesome mom for always saying the right thing, just like Tami Taylor.

Anyway, here's J on the way home from the hospital in her own version (this one was done in my own handwriting instead of fancy-font):

Last month, another FNL fan/friend of mine was blessed with a little girl.  They only got a few hours warning that CJ was on the way (don't worry, this is an adoption story, not an "I had no idea I was pregnant" story), and with clear eyes and full hearts they went out to meet this baby and totally won.  Like shutout won (oops sorry, wrong sport?).   I didn't have anything made for them, but then J said "dadaa da doooo dooo da da do!" and I was like, "you are so clever! I will totally dig out your onesie and send it to them!"

So welcome to the world baby girl - in the words of Coach Taylor "Y'all did good!"