• 11.28.2009 Who Are You?
    One Comment

    My dear Number 4, You are no longer a baby. What happened to the snuggles and your eyes of admiration? These days, you are toddling about, trying things out, and making a big entrance into your second year of life with no time to spare! Who are you becoming? I can and can’t wait, all at the same time. I’m encouraged to know the One who has made you is unfolding it to us, one day at a time. -Your Mama

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.27.2009 Legos…Mama…God…and Snakes.
    2 Comments

    Thanksgiving was a blessing with family and friends. So easy to be grateful when surrounded by abundance and laughter. To cultivate thankfulness is to continually add to the list…the other 364 other days of the year.

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.24.2009 10 Things To Remember When Your Child Is Disobedient
    33 Comments

    Here are 10 Things I had to remind myself today when the job of correcting my children felt especially difficult… 1. You disobey the Lord…and He is the perfect Father. 2. His kindness leads us to repentance. 3. God disciplines those He loves. 4. Your child’s disobedience does not measure your value any more than his obedience showcases your achievement. 5. Your child’s disobedience teaches you dependence on God. 6. And sometimes it’s more than dependence He’s after, it’s complete desperation for Him. 7. Your child is clearly a sinner, and needs to hear the truth of the Gospel, and see it lived out through you. 8. Times of correction serve to remind, or establish within your child, his own sense of need for a Savior. 9. It’s not good behavior you really desire…you want his heart. 10. Your child is a person, not a project.

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.19.2009 Number 4 is 1
    2 Comments

    Happy Birthday, Livingstone!

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.18.2009 A Little News
    No Comments

    No, I’m not pregnant. It’s a baby of a different kind…A local fabric store/sewing lounge called Hip Stitch has asked me to be “Artist of the Month” for the month of December! They will feature and sell my handmade goods at their store all next month. Isn’t that fun? Meanwhile, my poor little neglected etsy shoppe will be open {finally} also by the beginning of December. I guess it took an entire year to “welcome baby number 4 into our lives, ” as it says on my shop announcement! The current season I’m in is demanding as a wife, mother, homeschooler, and minister to other women…and those priorities are not changing. This is a special opportunity for me to use my artistic propensities, so I’m taking it! We’ll see how it goes–but, at least for the month of December you will find lots of goodies for gifting either locally or […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.17.2009 I'm No Versace
    One Comment

    My fashion designing dreams proved to be short-lived! Neither of my designs made it to the top 15 of the Shabby Apple Dress Design Contest, but you can see who did make it here. It was fun just to try!

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.16.2009 Morning Light
    One Comment

    …streaming in a {quiet} room at the start of day… …serves as a reminder that no matter what yesterday was, joy comes in the morning today.

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.11.2009 Warming Up A Gray Room
    5 Comments

    I recently redecorated a bit in my dining room. The shuffle was prompted by a pressing desire to lighten things up (resulting in the relocation of the black and white drapes), and the addition of an old (new to us!) china armoire we found off craigslist. It was my birthday present! After last year’s crazy house-calming campaign before the baby came, several rooms of my house adopted a cool, muted neutral palette. The only problem with cool colors like gray, black, and white, is just that–it can feel cold and uninviting. So my goal was to create a more family-friendly dining room that felt charming rather than formal. When every square foot of your house must serve multiple functions: the dining room is also hubby’s study, the schoolroom is the playroom, the master bedroom is the sweatshop sewing corner and the hubby’s library, there’s not the luxury of having just […]

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.08.2009 All Together
    2 Comments

    My entire family was in town this past week. What a treat. 7 adults and 6 children in my house is thoroughly welcomed if it means we can be all together for the 2nd and last time this year. I’m so thankful they all came. Ma Ma, Ba Ba, Eric, Abby, Calla, and Hudson…you are missed and loved!

    » Continue Reading
  • 11.03.2009 Dress Design For Shabby Apple Dresses
    4 Comments

    If you are susceptible to feminine dresses, you will find yourself swooning for the pretty confections offered at Shabby Apple Dresses. This online candy store is having a dress designing contest, and yours truly is entering two designs. If selected as a finalist, my design will be considered for their spring line based on popular vote. What are the chances? Fun to play designer for a day anyhow! Here’s the contest announcement: And, here are my entries: The “Ava”: in natural linen or linen-blend with ruffles in teal or white cotton. A detachable ruffled rose belt and covered buttons finish off this ultra-feminine look. I designed this dress to play off the ruffle trend with a classic, conservative profile. Wear it with playfully hued heels to liven up the tailored look. The “Faye”: in light gray knit on top and crisp gray cotton on bottom for a two piece look […]

    » Continue Reading