SR Sylvan

I LOVED working in San Ramon for Sylvan.  It was a fun and easy going place.  There was stress, but all jobs have some.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  A great boss and secretary.  Amazing teachers!

Jon, Kelly, Me, Joy / November 1, 2012

Just the commute sucked.  I was hoping to move out that way, but the hubby couldn't find a job out there.  San Ramon is truly an expensive place to live.  I tried to wear makeup everyday for the clients. Especially pregnant, I was running out of clothes to wear!

Gift Exchange 2012

I haven't sewn anything since March, when my new job went into full swing.  Now that I'm on maternity leave, I can sew again!  I decided to do this gift exchange to get me started, set a deadline, and actually uncover my sewing machine.

So I did just that.  I mailed it a day late because my stinkin' car battery died yesterday and I got stuck at the dentist.  A friend came to rescue me but I didn't make it to the post office in time.

Here is what I made.  I sent a couple of bags I made for kids too.  My partner in the exchange has two little girls.  I forgot a picture of that stuff. 

I love this combination together!  I hope my gift exchange partner likes it too!
Always wish I could do more, but in the middle of moving, pregnancy, and being a single parent temporarily, I did what I could!

It's not much, but I hope she likes it.  I would list the tutorial I got this from, but I had to make so many modifications that I practically made it up myself.  Plan on making more in the future, possibly with inside pockets and definitely with longer handles.

Five Minute Friday - Quiet

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Quiet…

GO
I am home alone tonight.
I hear the fan of the computer, the clock in the kitchen, the typing of the keys, the traffic on the highway.
This would be considered quiet.

But I LOVE the quiet of the breeze in the trees, the solitude of being surrounded by God's creation.  I have missed moments like that lately, as to be expected when motherhood is abounding with young ones. 

It's nice to have this quiet now.  Husband is 2500 miles away trying to make a living for us.  7 year old is having his first sleep over at a non-relative's house.  Baby in the womb is kicking but silent!

I miss the deep quiet of the mountains, or even the coast where the waves produce a sound but create a silence.

Quiet can be a loaded word at times, though.

TIME

.

Halloween

2012

Halloween was sneaky this year.  Just came right up and practically ran us over.  I got my son's ninja costume at a swap.  I made mine the night before. The longest part was waiting for the glue to dry on the ears.

Both costumes easy, thank goodness.  Been so tired this pregnancy.  Can't wait until next year when I have another little guy to dress up, though!

Homemade Gift Exchange

I don't really have time for this, but I will make time!  I love doing it!  Craftaholics Anonymous hosts a handmade gift exchange twice a year.  I did one last year at this time.  Check out my sent gift here.

I have a long list of sewing projects so it's good that this has a deadline.  I have Christmas gifts to get started on and baby things to sew and just general sewing that I would like to do.  

Yeah for a challenge to get me started!!!!

Now, to clean the sewing corner so that I'm ready to get started next week!

Five Minute Friday - Wide

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!
OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:

WIDE: 

Ephesians 3:17  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I FINALLY was baptized this week!  It is the most amazing, 'wide' feeling to be faithful and obedient to my savior.  My life is still crazy stressful; no new blessings have fallen from the sky; my son still misbehaves at times; I'm still me, as imperfect as ever. 

But I fell in love with my savior a long time ago, 25 years ago actually, and I haven't always been obedient.  I can't describe the joy I feel now!  It fills me beyond full.  It changes my eyes to be wider, to see more of the hurting world.  It stretches my heart to be wider then I ever dreamed so that compassion and mercy can enter and fill me.

But it's not my love, it's not me.  It's HIS love, how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.  There are no words, as Paul described to the Ephesians, it surpasses knowledge.  It can't be explained in mere words or songs or jesters.

I was baptized this week and for the first time I know that I can continue to be obedient to His calling for the rest of my life.  I can't wait to see how "WIDE" my life will be: full of love, grace, mercy, action.

W::

Five Minute Friday - Change

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Change… 

A scary word for many people.  Change goes along with unpredictability for me.  

As we get ready to add a second child to our family, there are a lot of unknowns: Change

As we possibly move away from all we've ever known to another state: Change

As we have no extra CHANGE for new shoes or soccer camp: Change of life expectations

As our neighborhood gets worse with drug traffic, no more nighttime strolls: Change 

As I FINALLY look to being baptized and more obedient to Christ: Change

As our world is more terrifying for 2 little boys to grow up in then it ever was for me: Change

~~Time~~

Five Minute Friday - Connect

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:::

Connect…

GO:

I had a sad morning.  It actually started back in February when I got my new job.  I get to eat breakfast and get my son ready for school, but then I'm off to work until 7:30pm with an hour commute.  I don't get home until he's in bed, waiting for my goodnight kisses before he drifts off to dream land.  I have most Fridays off and work Saturdays.  My son looks forward to after school time with mommy on Fridays.

So, today, as he is making plans over breakfast about what to do with our afternoon, I had to break the news that, even though it's Friday, I have to go to work today because my boss is out of town and I'm in charge.  His response: "Well... that's just disappointing."  Then silence.

 I felt like a connection had been broken with my 7 year old.  I miss being home after school, doing homework, having a snack, and then planning something fun to do together.  I know with Daddy in charge, they have a snack, and do homework.  I just feel like it's a mommy's job.  Oh, I MISS MY SON SO MUCH!  I am thankful for our mornings, but they tend to be rushed and not truly quality time together.

I want more time, before it's gone, to CONNECT with him.  We have a new baby on the way and I fear losing my oldest son to the whims of the world.  I miss him so very much.  

TIME

My beautiful son!  4th of July, 2012.

 

Baby Things - Pinterest

Thank you, Pinterest, for the a place to hold all of my ideas in a visual representation of inspiration.

These are just cute!  I can't wait to make this stuff for baby!

Diaper clutch, a must!
If someone doesn't do this for me, I am doing this for myself.  Such a great idea for those quick trips, already together!
Burp clothes, always a must have!

Adorable shoes!  Keep those winter toes warm!!
I have been wanting to make these for my big kid.  Now I need to make two sets!  Maybe even one for the drivers seat.
I have had this tutorial saved forever!  I wanted one the first time around, so this time is a for sure deal!  I will be making one of these once I pick out a theme!
Can't wait to make some dolls for baby!  My son loves his!  I think I've made him 4.  Might use the same pattern, or get a new one, not sure yet. (This picture is not associated with the pattern I am linking to.)
I REALLY want to make a blanket too.  I have made a few for my son with fabric he picked out and we have 2/3 homemade ones from others.  They are all my favorite!

Need to pick out a theme, but once I do, the sewing machine is going to be busy!!  Cant' wait!

One more picture!  This is just what I want!  Need... to get... sewing... so... very... soon!!!

Diaper Bags - Pinterest

Which bag (see my board on pinterest,) should I make for myself?  Might need to wait to see if we are having a girl or a boy to pick out fabric, but I want to decide on the pattern to get familiar with it!


This one is classic to me.
This one is just cute.  I would pick different fabric, of course, but I like the squareness of it because it isn't classic.

This is just awesome!  Straps can go short for putting on the handles of a stroller as well!  I sort-of like the zebra fabric, but maybe I would go with giraffe or something else.

Any thoughts!?  There are a billion other tutorials out there, but this is what I like and what I think I could do so far.

Onesies - Pinterest

These are some of the onesies I want to make for upcoming baby.  They crack me up, so entertaining!  Courtesy of  Pinterest!

Five Minute Friday - Expectation

Got 5 minutes? Come and spend them writing <—click to tweet this!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back to Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:
::

Expectation…

 My son just turned seven.  What a world he lives in!  So many expectations for the future.  We still have the occasional bed-wetting episode.  We still snuggle like he's 3.  He still needs help tying his shoes and riding his bike. 

I thought we would have outgrown all of these things.  Expectations!  But I am excited for all the other ways HE IS GROWING!  He talks to his friends about Jesus.  He reads on his own every day.  He loves being outside, running, skipping, playing soccer.  I didn't expect these things, but here he is.  My 7 year old, just finishing up first grade.

 

To have another one on the way now is strange.  I expected to have my children be closer in age.  Now they will be 7.5 years apart.  It's how it worked out, not like any of my expectations!  Yet somehow, it's still perfect.  Perfect timing for us, this little family of almost four.  Perfect timing for change to happen in our lives.  Perfect timing for my 7 year old to be a big brother!

STOP

 

Rob is not a Runner

My husband started a new blog with a new life-goal.  I am so proud of him!!

Rob is not a Runner

I can't wait to see how far he goes.  I was gonna start training for a marathon but found out that I'm pregnant instead.  No marathon for me, but it is so amazing to see my husband up and running, having more energy and being excited to be a dad all over again!


If you start from the beginning, his blog posts make more sense.  He is a creative writer with a sense of humor, so check it out and enjoy!

Two Bonnets

My sister and her daughter wearing the bonnets I whipped up. Too cute!

Prairie Bonnet

I made a quick bonnet for my niece. She is going to love it! It's a bit small, but my 8 year old niece is very tiny, so I hope it's perfect. Off to make another one for her mom!

And, trying out this linky party:

Baby Blankets

I wanted to post the baby blankets that I finished today. Pink with hearts and Gingham with Pooh Bear. I think a sweet baby girl is gonna feel special!!

Robot Valentines

My son decided he wanted robot valentines this year, so pinterest was my friend in helping me find a robot idea.

Here is what we came up with. My son LOVED drawing the faces on his robots, making them silly and fun!