Was filled with paints, crayons, playdough, and naps!

~*~*~*~*~For Today*~*~*~*~


Outside my window… it is sunshiny bright… and a tad to hot for my taste. But, for July in a southern California desert- it has been pretty cool! I suppose that means that warm weather will last until at least October.


I am thinking…about becoming a better blogger! I love reading (lurking- hehe) blogs, and I would love to have a fabulously interesting one myself- or at least have a place to journal, but whenever I go to write a post I’m at a loss for what to write about! I’m reading more and more, hoping that gives me inspiration and the gumption to just. do. it!


I am thankful for…oh so very much! On the forefront of my mind is the fact that my little girly (due in less than 3 weeks now!) is doing very well despite the fact that one of her kidneys is riddled with cysts and has gone ka-put on her. Praise God that He gave us two kidneys – yet only a need for one!!


From the kitchen… nothing yet… But I have visions of a rice and chicken bake that Hubby is going to flip over! Lucky me, he is pretty easy to please. Give him some type of meat, a starch (preferably rice), a green veggie and he’s a happy man.


I am wearing… stretchy jersey brown goucho/capris and a comfy royal purple striped jersey tee. At this stage of pregnancy, comfort is the name of the game!


I am creating… headbands for my girly, hair flowers for me, and “Big Brother” t-shirts for my boys.


I am going… to head to the studio/sewing room as soon I post this blog to get some crafting done while the boys are down for their afternoon naps. hmm… maybe I should take a little nap too?


I am reading… my Bible, various devotionals (usually “Streams in the Desert” and “My Utmost for His Highest”), a few magazines (an issue of Country Living and a few Family Circle’s), and various blogs whenever I get the chance. I have not had the chance to devote myself to a full book in awhile. Between being pregnant and keeping up after a 2.5year old and a 1.5year old, by bed time all I want to do (or can do!) is sleep! Hopefully after I get into the swing of things when little lady is born, I’ll be able to finish “Mission of Motherhood”.


I am hoping… to go into labor soon. For the first time- I am actually “ready” (emotionally at least) before my due date! With my previous births- I didn’t want to go into labor a minute before my time. But now? I’m ready to see my baby girl and bring her home already! I wonder if it means that she actually will be born soon… hmm?


I am hearing… the lovely hum of the AC. It makes me happy for so many reasons! 1) I do not tolerate hot sweaty weather very well. 2) I love white noise! Its so hard for me to sleep or concentrate when there is utter silence in the air. I’d rather have a good fan, a dishwasher, the AC, ocean, or foresty sounds instead.


Around the house… sigh. It is cluttered. I should be straightening it up, but I really don’t want to. I wish the cleaning fairies would just stop by instead, so I can blog and craft and nap. hehe


One of my favorite things… baby girl clothes! Such sweetness… ruffles and roses, and pleats oh my! Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed my boys clothes, with their cute plaids and manly prints and styles. But the variety and ease that girls clothes presents is a wonderful change! With my boys, things like t-shirts were tough to sew, but girls? All I have to do is add a ruffle, or a flower to cover up any ah-hem, sewing mishap.


A few plans for the rest of the week… A NST (non-stress test) and regular ob appointment tomorrow. Bless my dear Mom Gill’s heart! She is going to watch the boys while I am at my appointments. I could take the boys, but oh-wonderful-peace and quiet she has watched them any time my Guy has to work and it is such a relief! Thursday and Friday I will just continue will our little routine, busy days at home, waiting for our sweet Naomi Rose to arrive.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing…(add your picture here)

If you would like to join me in writing your own “Simple Woman’s Daybook” journal entry, please click the link HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window… it is deliciously gray and the clouds are hinting at rain.

I am thinking… of my to-do list! Half way through already

I am thankful for… a much needed -and almost here- getaway with my awesome Man!

From the kitchen… nothing is simmering or baking at the moment, but dinner is done since I made enough carnitas yesterday to have leftovers!

I am wearing… an oldish knee length denim skirt that flutes out at the bottom, and a cute maternity shirt my Hubby designed for me on CafePress

I am creating… itty bitty baby shoes for a client (from a yummy japanese import canvas and blue polka dot cotton)!

I am going… to hurry up and finish that project before the littles wake up from their naps!

I am reading… “Power of a Praying Wife”, “Mission of Motherhood”, and I have been enjoying some old issues of “Southern Living” from my Nana- -all reads that are so inspiring in such different ways!

I am hoping… that my Red Raspberry Leaf tea comes in the mail today! I’d like to start drinking a cup or two a day to help baby and myself out

I am hearing… yesterdays Truth for Life Broadcast by Alistair Begg’s titled “Redirecting our Families”

Around the house… toys are strewn about and kitty is lurking… I need to straighten up and spend some time with her before nap time is over too…
One of my favorite things… Dr. Pepper. Silly: yes. Bad for you: yes. Delicious? Oh yes.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Cleaning house, packing clothes, playing with boys, reading with boys, Dr’s appointment (hopefully we get to see baby!) and then vacation with Hubby! I’m crazzzzzzyyyy excited

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

adoring buddies…















If you would like to participate~go to the Simple Woman’s Day Book blog here and do join in!

copied from “My Utmost for His Highest” February 23rd

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . .” – Matthew 20:28

Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “. . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” ( 2 Corinthians 4:5 ). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12 ). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.

Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .” ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.

This really spoke to my heart this week. Somedays it is just tough being a Mother. I’ve been tired. I’ve been whiney. I’ve been exasperated. But this reminded me- I’m not doing this just for my family. I’m not doing it just for my babes. I’m not doing it for me. Its about HIM. “…the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord.” When I’m focused on my Lord then I won’t be focused on myself and all the thanks/love/appreciation I want! And I do receive all of those from my guys… I just wanted more. Thank you Lord for your Love and a renewed perspective!

ministering to my soul today….

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

by Catharina von Schlegel ~ translated by Jane Borthwick

after all, is a word of action.

W. J. Cameron

I’m at the office today with Hubby. I’m basically doing database entries (and sneaking off to blog or check blogs here and there! he he). The boys are spending the day with their Gram and- though it is a welcome change, I feel like I’m missing something. They’re my little buddies! We do everything together. And I’m feeling a little full. Lol. Silas is still nursing full time- so his absence is duly noted! Not sure where I am going to pump though! I don’t really want anyone else hearing the machine… especially since the only employees are guys. And the bathroom is too dirty. And I forgot batteries so the car is out of the question. I guess I will see how things go and see what happens! Ok, off to get some work done. Just thought I would write a little update. 

ok, so I’m not posting more often like I thought I would. I did well for several days initially, but then…. well, you know! On a happy note- my family is not getting neglected!!!! Yay!

Also I don’t have a fast computer all the time like I used to. But Hubby dear is working on that. I could boot up our slow old PC. But I really don’t care for it, and I would have to either move the computer, or sit with a piece of furniture poking me in the shoulder and my wrist would be bent funny trying to work the mouse on the tall desk. Neither moving the computer or being uncomfortable sounds fun. So I wait till a fast and beautiful Mac is brought home for the weekend or the evening from my hubby’s office. Poor hubby.

I am not that great with putting my thoughts down cohesively. It all tends to come out in a jumbled mess… and the whole “grammar” and “punctuation” thing never was my strong suit… I’m a READER, not a WRITER. Perhaps blogging regularly will help? 

 Anywho, so SORRY!!! 

So I’ve been rather absent lately… more than usual that is! I’ve been neglecting my little blog and my etsy shop. But on the plus side- I’ve been spending more time with my babies, my hubs, and our house!

I’m going to take a break from my Etsy shop and I don’t even know when I’ll get back to it! Which I thought would be sad, but I’m rather excited! Instead of trying to sew up an order while the boys nap, I will be able to rearrange a cupboard, or scrub down a grimy spot that has been begging me to tend to it for the better part of 4 or 5 months… Actually, that’s kind of what I have been doing lately. I’m getting energy back and with that I am getting excited to clean up our little house and make it shine and sing! Having two littles doesn’t give me as much devoted time to clean/straighten anymore. I get 5-15 minute segments to get stuff done. And ya know what? I’m learning how to do it! And it helps so much if I don’t have that nagging feeling that I should be filling an order!

I’ve also been trying to take more time out to just play. When I’m not sewing or shipping orders- I get too caught up in making sure people are clean, the house is clean, laundry is clean- that I forget to take the time to make memories with my boys and just enjoy them! Even though they won’t remember this time yet, it sets the stage. And it builds a relationship. And it is simply wonderful! And if I’m not feeling stressed, I have more patience with them. And I am able to be there for my Michael when he calls to talk to me about work (being an entrepreneur is not easy!) or when he comes home from a long day. I’ll have more energy to be cheerful for my guys and keep them smiling

I truly want our home to be a haven for my guys. I want it to be a sweet relief for Michael to come home to. A safe place. A lovely place. A welcoming place.

Soooo… since I can’t seem to do it all, somethings gotta go. And it seems that sewing for my little shop, and replying to emails, and printing labels, and packing and shipping products– eats up a bit too much of my time without a great reward. Oh, oh, and that means that the fabric and goodies that I do have can be used making fun stuff for those I love and sewing can be seen as something relaxing again!!!

I’d love to continue to blog though. And I actually hope to become more faithful at it. I am going to TRY to post almost every day. Ok thats a little too ambitious. However I would like to post a couple times a week. Maybe just pictures sometimes (wait. I already do that.). Maybe just quotes sometimes. Or a little thought. Hopefully some nice content saturated posts will pop up occasionally… I will keep reading my bloggy friends posts, because I’ve already meet such kindred spirits and I couldn’t leave ‘em!

and with that, I bid thee… Adieu!

Anyone have any advice? Or perhaps you’re in the same boat or a similar boat? I’d love to hear about it!