Pumpkin Patch 2011

Year 5 of the Pumpkin Patch.  This year we had a new addition, Miss Reese.  Not too much to say about it as the kids do the same thing every year.  Run around, look at the pumpkins, throw a few around, listen minimally and smile occasionally.  However, we do have great fun and yes, we will go back next year!

Camera Phone Dump

I have been racking up some photos for a few months now, and I wanted to share some from my camera phone.  Technology is pretty cool because if you don't have your regular camera ready, you can just grab your phone and snap a picture!

Matching in Yard Work

Our Wal-Mart routine

 Jack's new big guy bed!

First day of soccer

Kate and her new Caillou doll

Sweet niece Claire

Safety first in my car!

Kate's Harvest Pillowcase Dress

Kimberly's first sewing experience ever!  And, she made ruffle pants - wow!

Time

I feel like life is speeding by, but in a good way!  The kids seem happy and well-adjusted to school.  Jack says his two favorite things are soccer and school and Kate just loves school in general.  They are also learning so much about God and making good choices - it truly is wonderful.

Craig is busy with work, which leaves me as single mom sometimes, but when he is here, he is primary parent which helps me out tons.  I truly feel for single parents and think the only way they could handle it, would be with God.

I am now working 5 half days/week.  It isn't too much, but definite adjustment from working about 8 hours a month from home!  Along with that, I am helping lead our Visionary Parenting class at church on Wednesday nights and every other Thursday, we have a sewing/outreach group at church called Common Threads.  We sew for organizations, fellowship and do a small Bible study.  In the midst of that, I am still doing my photography business and started a new venture called Style and Sew.  Basically, I do the sewing for people and they get to pick the item and the fabrics.  Some customers have me pick the fabrics too.  This is great for yourself, your kids, your house or someone as a gift!  I also ship to non-local customers.  Check it out!

Some friends have been asking, "How do you do it?".  My answer is God is giving me the time.  He is helping me with time management and structure.  God is order and that is only way I can function.  Oddly enough, working helps me do better time management.  I do need to work on spending more alone time with God and housework issues (don't look in my laundry room), but overall it is going pretty well.  My hobbies/businesses were created in a way, that I determine how much I want to work with them.  If I am feeling overwhelmed, I can promote less or say I need a break and I can put those businesses on hold.

Regarding my Common Threads group, last week we made several dresses as a free gift for a $15 donation to Little Dresses for Africa.  This organization distributes pillowcase dresses to African countries.  They have a ton of dresses, but need funds to send those dresses overseas.  Each box of 50 dresses costs $100 to send.  With a $15 donation, you can get a free dress for some little girl you know.  Check them out here.  If you see one you want OR would like to make a donation without a dress purchase, please let me know!  All donations are tax deductible.

Have a great Sunday and be encouraged that God will provide you with all the time you need if you just give it to Him!

Visionary Parenting

Parenting is hard.  I mean, really hard.  I love it, but those kids can drive you crazy and you have to teach them everything and you have to potty train them.  But........it is so worth it.  It truly is amazing and I am so thankful I was chosen with Craig to be Jack and Kate's mom.  Since I don't have all the answers, I am looking for some and I have found out I want to be a Visionary Parent.  Our church started a study a few weeks back reading Rob Rienow's Visionary Parenting.  This book is amazing.  Read it, soak it up and learn from it.  We did just a few weeks and then we were supposed to move on to something else, but I felt God pulling me back to the book and wanting me to continue the book and review it again.  So, for the next 5 Wednesdays, I will be facilitating this group.  I am so excited and Satan knows that too.  He has been on the prowl lately with sickness in our family, angry feelings and me struggling with my "mommyhood".  He won't win; God always does.

I am excited about this group and if you are local and want to join...contact me and come!  I was also pleasantly surprised the book is applicable to all stages of parenthood - from thinking about having kids to having grandchildren.  To read a biblical model of what God desires for the family is quite overwhelming, but exciting to.  Our goal is to get our children "safely home" to Heaven.  That means we make tough decisions, we don't compromise on our faith and we pray, read, worship and grow.  

Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Get your book here.

First Soccer Season

I have been posting so much lately about Kate and her clothes, I am excited to post about our firstborn, Jack, and start of his very first soccer season!  The season only lasts 6 weeks, but that is perfect for a 4 year old.  We get there at 9, they practice for 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break and then play a 30 minute game.  No weekday practice and minimal work.  He was excited to get there and get going.

He did the drills and participated well and listened to the coach.  We think he did great for being just barely 4.You will notice in a few shots, when he is really into kicking the ball, he will stick out his tongue.  You will also notice that some of the kids seem like giants?  Well, it is a 4/5 year old league and he just turned 4, so we have an average child (dad wanted everyone to know).    

The game started and he seemed a little apprehensive.  All the other players were going after the ball and he was just standing in the background.  We told him he needed to try and get the ball and he joined the clump of 20 other kids running after the ball.  He actually got into the action quite a bit, with his coach referring to him as "the Hammer".  He wasn't aggressive, just determined.  Jack likes to win.  Wonder where he gets that from, dad?  Anyway, I had to leave, but apparently, he scored a goal!  It may have been in the other teams net, but nonetheless, it was a goal.  So proud of our big guy!

Well...

Obviously, I have not blogged in like 3 weeks!  That may be a record for me, but getting into our routine has been kind of different, but I think we are getting there.  We now have school, church on Sundays and Wednesdays, Bible studies and normal life.  All those things are wonderful, it has just been a change for our stay at home mom routine for almost 2 years.  We have been busy, but not too crazy.  Soccer starts this Saturday!  And, I have been sewing and doing our sewing group at church as we use something we love and enjoy for God's glory!

New blanket for Kate - also our project for our sewing group for A Women's Pregnancy Center - I thought the verse went well with the birdies.

Took these two shirts, and made...

...this dress for Kate

And, on a final note, I have found a new obsession - Pinterest.   It is place where you "pin" links of things for your house, sewing, clothing or really ANY ideas.  Love it!

Blog you later...

Kate's First Day of School (well, glorified day care)

Kate waltzed right in on Wednesday, sat down and played with blocks.  She was ready to go.  This year Kate will be going to the same school as Jack, our church, from 9-1 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Just enough for her and mommy.  However, I do think she would go everyday.  She seems to love it there.  Her teachers said she did great and led the class in "Wheels on the Bus".  She likes the "move on back" part the best.





I, again, think it will be a great year for her too!  I see us at our church-school for many years to come.  Great people and they learn about Jesus - awesome!