Monday, November 29, 2010

Giveaway...

...is coming soon! I promise! Hey, give me your opinion. Go to my shop and tell me which bag you think I should give away! Come on. You know you want to! And just to get you even more excited, the bag won't be the only thing in the giveaway! Are you excited yet?! NOW!?! NOW?!

Can you tell that I am?

:)

Sunday, November 28, 2010

I am in love with minky...

...and by 'minky', I mean that soft, super cuddly fabric that is often used for baby blankets. You know, the one that has the dots? I'll give you an example!
The cute blanket you see pictured above is one that is currently listed in my shop. :) How cute is that?! And VERY soft and comfy. I hope that that baby that gets this blanket loves it as much as I do. I think it could be gender neutral, too!

Since I know you are dying to see if I have any other new items listed in the shop, I am happy to say that I will not disappoint! 
That one has minky backing too.  I prayed over these blankets as I made them; for the baby who will sleep under them and for the mama who will tuck them in.  I hope that whoever ends up with these feels the love that went into them!

In other news, my booth at the Christmas open house was a great success! Not necessarily monetarily, as business was slow due to bad weather, but I had alot of fun hanging with the other ladies with booths. I took Baby H and he was everybody's favorite item.

Did you all have a good Thanksgiving weekend? I'd love to hear about it!

Friday, November 26, 2010

My Creative Space

Hi! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving yesturday.  Ours was delightful! Joel smoked a turkey all day long, and I went to the in-laws with a couple of the kiddos.  It was very relaxing. But then, meal time came! That's when ALL of Joel's side of the family that lives in town came and we had a wonderfully chaotic time of fellowship and eating.  Nine adults and six children, and it was so fun.  I did miss my family though. I hope they had a good time around the table with each other too.

As far as "My Creative Space", I have some fun news! Tomorrow, I will have a booth at a local "craft open house" called Home for the Holidays.  It's held in a local reception hall building in town. There are 7 crafters who have tables, as well as coffee,  Christmas music (I am assuming and hoping!) and a cozy atmosphere for sitting and chatting.  There will be a person there selling her home roasted coffee, a Tastefully Simple booth, a booth with seasonal homemade items such as Christmas aprons and a few others. This past week, I sewed a few baby blankets for it with some great minky on the back.  I am really looking forward to it! I will have ALL of my things from my shop there. Pray they all sell please!

And because I can't do a post without some kind of picture, here's one.  My favorite drink in my new favorite mug. Loves it!

Lastly, I'm doing a giveaway this weekend, so make sure you check back! Not sure what I'm giving away, but it will be worth your while!

Have a good weekend, friends.  I'm going to try my best to brave the insanity of Black Friday later for as long as I can handle it. Probably  not long, since I hate Black Friday. Did you know it's called 'Black Friday' because that is when all of the companies who are doing sales get back into the black?

Blessings!

Jenn

**head on over to Kootoyoo for more creative spaces**

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

People often ask me...

"How do you do it?!"

They are, of course, referring to my amazingly clean house and kind and gentle attitude towards all who are graced with my presence.

NOT.

They're talking about having 4 kids, 4 and under, and one with special needs. I joke about my house and my attitude, but they are actually two of the things that I'm struggling with the most right now. You know in the movies or on TV, when someone gets mad, sometimes they make steam come out of their ears to be comical? I feel like that lots of days, only without the 'comical' part.  So picture me, angry, steam coming out of my ears, fed up with the whining, messy house, kids hitting each other, touching everything they're not supposed to touch, and so on.  Do you know what happens next?   Everybody survives.  Yeah, God keeps giving us breath. I'm thinking it's because He wants me to make good choices and praise Him even in the hard times. 

So even in my anger, I desire not to sin.
I do sometimes though. Obvs.  If you tell me you never do, you would be met with 'liar liar pants on fire'.


On the days that arent so hard, the way I live life is simple: Enjoy my family.  For reals. Its that easy. Still bugs me when the house is a wreck, but I decided that my kids are only this age once and if I am always stressed about the kitchen sink or the pee on the bathroom floor (just kidding. Id totally clean that.), I'll miss something that I'd never get back.

I'd be lying if I told you that having a child on the autism spectrum isnt the most difficult, flesh-killing thing I have ever experienced.  If you think thats overly dramatic, then come over here and let me slap you with a wet noodle.  Cuz you don't even know.

That is of course, unless you also have a special needs child. Then, you do know.  So come over here and let me squeeze you tight.   

At the end of the day, when Joel and I sit together on the couch and talk, the things we talk about almost always only consist of how our kids make us laugh and smile. Each one is amazing. Ro may have autism right now, but his personality shines and his progress every day amazes us. Ash is hilarious and quirky and can make anybody smile at any given moment.  Bell is a lil sassafrass with a very cuddly side. And Haven lights up at every person who will engage in smiles with him.  
On a more practical note, having a schedule is one way the days go by with not too much trouble.  4 days a week, Ro has therapy almost all day. 9am-4pm with a break in the middle.  Ash goes to pre-school twice a week. I think when I get a break from the kiddos, it refreshes me a little. Am I the only one? I'm an introvert. I didnt use to be though. If you knew me in high school, you'd never say that, but I think being surrounded by small people constantly climbing on you, it could turn you into one too.  I'm not complaining though! I quite enjoy being an introvert. I think there is something to be said for being able to truly enjoy silence.


So the moral of the story here is this:  Life is hard, but God is good.  He knows it all. He knows when I lose my temper and raise my voice.  He sees when I snuggle my kids and hug them when they get hurt. He knows how impatient I am with a baby who won't sleep at night, or with a 3 year old who wakes up in the night and HAS to tell me that he is going to go pee now.  And He loves me anyway. And He gives me the conviction and the desire to change.  I love that about Him. And that's how I get through my days.  With the Holy Spirit always there, teaching me and keeping me from being complacent. You can't be complacent when constantly faced with your own weaknesses.  In my experience, you can either choose to change, or you can embrace the faults and keep on living for yourself. I choose the first one. (usually reluctantly but never regretting it).
Thanks for listening to my rambling. I don't get this candid on my blog much, but every now and then, it feels nice to let you in on my secrets.    :)

Have a good day, friends, and thank God for it. He made it, and it's a gift for you.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Encouraged.

Just a word of caution. If you tell me that you really like my blog, I WILL tell you to comment more because I didn't know you were there, and then proceed to write a new post about how when you tell me you like my blog, I want to write another post. That's what I'm doing now. My sweet friend Aimee, whose son is Ash's preschool class, told me she thinks I'm funny.   It's ok, Aimee, you can be wrong sometimes. But her compliments did lead me to one conclusion: I like writing my blog and when you say nice things to me, I want to do it more and be even more hilarious. I make no promises though. Being hilarious is very hard! In real life, I'm not very witty. But I heart witty people, so I try to be like them sometimes.

Like this friend. She just posted a super duper funny list that if you are a mom, you HAVE to read. And if you are not a mom, you still have to read it because you will understand moms better. For reals.  I'm going to post her entry here without asking her first (sorry Carla. You know you don't care.) But you have to go to her blog and see all of the really witty things she has to say about life.

You might be a mother if:

-you get adept at picking things up with your toes so that you don't have to bend over with the baby
-you hear your husband say "you can't eat your pants, man"
-you only pee with the door shut when there's company over
-your 2-year old starts saying "I TOLD you...", "Don't touch!", and "look at me!"
-being pooped on doesn't phase you, but watching your kid stick her finger in her ear and then in her mouth makes you gag
-you have to explain to your daughter that your son doesn't have a tail because tails aren't in the front
-there are pen and crayon scribbles all over your "you might be a mother" list
-you realize you've been listening to kiddie songs for the past 20 minutes, but your kids have been asleep for 30
-you've ever had to say "that's not a bathtub, that's my left breast"
-phone conversations go something like this: "yes, I was calling-get down!-to see when you-no more juice, sweetie-were open until? Okay, thank-I said no, sweetie-thank you very much!"
-you hear a juicy burp that didn't come from your child but you check your shoulder for spit-up anyway
-uttering things like "please get your crayons out of your ears" and "petting zoos probably shouldn't have lions in them" are everyday occurrences
-you can breastfeed and cut coupons at the same time
-you open the freezer and a plastic cow falls into it because there are so many toys on top of the fridge in "time-out"
-you finally have an excuse to listen to as many Disney and Broadway songs as you want
-the phrase "don't play with his drool, please" has ever crossed your lips
-you recognize the look on a baby's face that says they're chewing on something they shouldn't have
-you watch a movie or TV show that features a newborn baby and think "pshft, that kid's 3 months old, easy"
Funny, right?! Go here now.

And by the way, Ash had his pre-school Thanksgiving play this morning. He was the best pilgrim you ever did see! Here's a photo of my boy in all his pilgrim glory: (He's leading the line behind the Mayflower)


Bye!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

I am unreasonably happy...

Oh, how I love thrifting.  I get a bit too giddy when I come home with lots of stuff for barely any money spent.  I get home, show Joel all my spoils (even though he only cares a little) and am pretty much flying high for the rest of the day. Ridiculous? Maybe, but let's get to the pictures. Usually, my finds include gifts or things I'll sell in my shop, with an occasional little goody for myself. Yesturday, I was blessed enough to find things for all 3 of those categories!! Check it.  All of this for about $5 total!

some of these things will be listed in the shop later today


Look at that amazing bright fabric on the bottom! It was just too crazy and wild to pass up.

I pretty much fell in love with those green Asian mugs. I left 2 there for another lucky buyer. Keeping those 4 for myself. 
How cute are these soup dishes?!  Again, I left a few there for someone else to love.
Seriously, I sat down to show Joel these things, with a huge smile and ridiculously giddy mood, and he very politely indulged me and at the end said "I'm glad you're happy!"  Plus, this shopping trip, I also managed to find some really great Christmas gifts, not pictured for obvious reasons.  I left there with gifts for most of my family, snow suits for the kids and a little girls' toddler bedside table, a dress shirt for Ash for his Thanksgiving play, and all the things pictured above, for about $50!! Flippin' awesome. I love when the Lord kisses me like that.  Mwah to you too, Lord.

hey you. yeah, you. pssst. just to give you a little heads up, there will be a giveaway coming soon...stay tuned!

Friday, November 19, 2010

5 Things i love Friday - Coffee Edition on Etsy - all under $3







For the rest of November and on through the holiday season, all of my "5 Things" posts will be featuring Etsy products, with each themed list being under $20. Great gift ideas! Everything I choose will be things I like, of course, in case anyone wants to buy their favorite blogger a nice little "I appreciate your witty humor and good looks" gift.
Have a blessed friday, friends! And remember, thank God for today. He made it and it's a gift for you.

Monday, November 15, 2010

For today...

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...   it is a beautiful fall day. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees and are in perfect piles for playing in. Ro especially enjoys running through the huge mounds. I guess that's one of the reasons I'm ok with not having time to rake.

I am thinking... that I need to find a babysitter to my hubby and I can have a date soon. Last time, we got Ruby Tuesday-to-go and rented Date Night (which was HILARIOUS.) but I think we need to get out on the town.

I am thankful for... my mother in law and my sister Kris. While my hubs was gone all weekend, my mother in law came and helped with the kids several times. And then my sis came for a day too. I might have gone insane with out them.

From the learning rooms... Ro is learning how to say "and" statements. Next, we conquer "or"!

From the kitchen... we had Chinese take-out tonite. Again. And it was good. I ain't ashamed.

I am wearing...  My pjs. Cuz its 11 PM and friends, that's late for this mama.

I am creating... a bunch of orders for my shop and hopefully some Christmas presents after that! I do love making things.

I am going... to completely freak out if I don't get more than 3 hours of sleep tonite. Freak. Out.

I am reading... nothing at all. Sometimes I get a chance to read the Word. When I do that, it's usually a Psalm. I love those because they almost always apply to some area of my life every time I read one.


I am hoping... for a nice, beautiful sunny day tomorrow so Ash and Bell can go out and play in the leaves.

I am hearing... the toilet flushing. You asked!

Around the house...  things are starting to become normal again. Hubby was gone all weekend and the house was pretty much a wreck. I think we're good now though. The kitchen looks usable again.

One of my favorite things... is when Hubs brings back candy for me from whatever trip he was on. Lets me know he was thinking of me. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Dinner with some good friends tomorrow, going to visit my grandparents on Wed, babysitting my wonderful neice Thurs morning and then hopefully nothing else for a few days. I'm an introvert.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
always put wigs on your kids and take pictures. you will never, not once, regret it.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

you know you wanna be me.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Life and Link Love

Wow.

It's been a bit since I've done a real blog post! Things have been crazy around here. Haven't had much of a chance to sit at the ol' Mac.  Here's a (hopefully) brief up date (so as to not bore you. And I will try to include lots of photos, cuz I gotta give the people what they want!)

As you know my sister in law got married 2 weekends ago. It was a beautiful ceremony, she was a stunning bride, and Bell made a very cute flower girl (and of course, her cousin Kennedi was equally as cute!).
(Bell is the one with her thumb in her mouth. Very Cute.)
Then, a few days later, we celebrated beautiful Bell's 2nd birthday! Yes folks, my little baby girl is 2 whole years old. I don't even really know how that happened, or if I really believe it yet.  We had a family party for her at my sister in laws house. So happy that Ben, Bek and their little peanuts Kennedi and Nathanael could be there! Here's a few shots from the craziness.



Then of course, you saw the photos of the hubs having all his hair chopped off. That was kind of a big deal, you guys! 15 years of having a ponytail. He was SO ready though, and he really loves not having all that hair. And I have to say, he is still very handsome. :)
(i love this picture of him. Personified in a photo.)

I drove out to my grandparents house yesturday to visit with them and it was wonderful. I have missed them so much.  These are two of the people who invested in my spiritually my entire childhood. I am convinced that partly because of them, I knew that Jesus loved me. Being at their house for the first time in 3 years brought back so many memories. All of the photos, the piano, the things my Grandpa built with his hands, and the art my Grandma created.  It even still smells the same. Such a wonderful, happy smell for me. Like clean and flowers.  And seeing my Grandpa, not able to get up at all due to being quite ill, but still making jokes and talking with me; that was absolutely priceless. I soaked it up. It was so very hard to see him like that, but I was incredibly glad I went. And it was even harder to leave them.  It's not often i'll be able to make that trip but I tell you, I will take every chance I get. My grandparents are still 2 of my favorite people on earth.  One of my favorite things about my short visit there was that my Grandma held baby H while my mom and I ran to the local thrift shop. He slept in her arms for an hour while she sang to him. Grams, I didnt tell you this, but that touched me more than you could know. Thanks for that gift.  I wish I'd taken a photo.

Today, our good friend Ryan Internicola came up here to WNY on a 'tour' of leading worship at a bunch of places here in the area.  He just released a ridiculously awesome album. He's leading at our church tomorrow night and I. Can. Not. Wait. Hubs and I have quite a history with this man of God and his beautiful family.  So excited to worship with him again. Missing his wife though. Soozer, love you!

There really is no shop update. I dont have time to sew right now. I'm working on a few custom orders and some Christmas presents, which I'll post about probably sometime this week. Also, remind me to write about Essential Oils. In the meantime, go here.
Ok, off to hang out before bed. Thanks for reading.

Friday, November 5, 2010

5 Things i love Friday

1.  snuggling with my favorite 5 month old
2.  a hot cup pf coffee any time of day. I used to hate coffee so thats kind of a big deal!

3.  The shows I watch on hulu while I feed baby H in the night: The Office, Psych, Chuck, Castle, and Raising Hope

4.  Newborns!! One of my dearest friends, Lora, just had a healthy baby boy!!

5. Hottie's new 'doL the before and after!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010