a sewing frenzy...

I have had the bug to sew lately. I think it's because "sewing weekend" is coming up. I always start feeling the urge to sew when I know I'll be visiting Nancy's Notions. The mecca of fabric and all things sewing.

So. On my list of projects...

1. a pillowcase for Calla-girl's (eventually) new room.

2. summer dresses for an upcoming trip.

3. a shoulder bag for same said trip.

4. a thank you gift for the providers of said trip.

Part of Calla's birthday present from me was a box of fabric pieces with the agreement that she and I would sew together. She is forever asking me to sew with her.

I know that the right response would be,

"Absolutely, lovely daughter-of-mine. Let's sit together and sew and bond as mother and daughter over a wonderful hobby to learn."

But, alas, I am not June Cleaver. Or Martha Stewart for that matter.

My response is usually an internal,

"If I have to sit to teach you how to sew, it may drive me bonkers. I am a perfectionist when it comes to crafts. You, my darling 8-year-old, are naturally not going to do it perfectly. This will cause great frustration in your sewing instructor, providing several teachable moments and a great dose of patience."

This internal response is usually verbalized with a simple, "Probably not right now."

But when I give the gift of a sewing lesson, I can't use excuses too long. We finished our pillowcase project in just two lessons. It's not perfect, but she loves it!

I have the thank you gift cut out and ready to sew.

I have the fabric for the dresses in the wash.

I have several bag patterns coming to me tonight to sort through.

I love to sew. The possibilities are endless...

all in 8 minutes...

Sometimes the van rides to and from school spark the most entertaining and memorable conversations. When four people are sequestered to a small space, daily, for any length of time, chatter ensues.

This morning was no exception. Family was the topic of choice.

"Since we have a Mother/Daughter Banquet, I wish we could have a Father/Daughter Banquet." Calla begins. "But, you couldn't go if they had a Mother/Son Banquet, right, Mom? Maybe you could have a Sister/Brother Banquet and ask Uncle Bo to go."

"Mom, do you have a brother?" Amelia asks.

"Yes. Uncle Bo is my brother."

"Are you older or younger than Uncle Bo?"

"I am the oldest."

"No, Amma is the oldest!" Amelia reminds me.

Yes, Amelia, the mom is always older than her children...

arrr...

Avast me harties!

We are working on an 8 year old birthday celebration.

Patch the Pirate is the chosen theme and we are having so much fun planning for the festivities.

Invites go out this week. That means Amma is coming soon! I am not sure which part is the most exciting. The Sissy Seagull cookies. The make-your-own treasure maps. Or the Amma in the house. I'm gonna go with the Amma...

undeserving...

Do you ever think of the Scripture that reminds us of the windows of blessings?

"Bring ye all the tithes into the store house,

that there may be meat in mine house,

and prove me now herewith,

saith the LORD of hosts,

if I will not open you the windows of heaven,

and pour you out a blessing,

that there shall not be

room enough to receive it."

Malachi 3:10

It is one of my favorite things to talk to my 7 and 8 year olds in Sunday School. With full hand motions, we show the closed windows and then we OPEN them to let all of the blessings flow down onto our lives. God has blessings awaiting us. So many "there shall not be room enough..." He continues to love us, even in our sin. But when we are walking in His light, He showers us with more than we could ever imagine.

God is doing this for our family right now.

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

And sometimes, even oftentimes, He gives us wants, too. That's just how much He loves us...

spring cleaning...

I have spent the last two weeks feeling cooped up in a cluttered house. This time of the year can feel very defeating. So I have taken some initiative and begun to reorganize. Deep clean.

My list began with a spurt of ambition in the hall closet. It is so fabulous to purge half of the junk in there and be able to - wait for it - step into the closet.

Then I tackled the bathroom, including reorganizing under the sink and dusting above the medicine chest.

Today was the girls' bedrooms. I even went so far as to dig into the recesses of the toy chest and make sure all toys had their pieces.

My next notion is to paint. (fully inspired by Honour and her fabulously renovated rooms!)

All this is done while we wait for the snow to melt and for the temperatures to rise to a high enough degree to take a walk longer than a block before our fingers freeze...

blessings...

So, I have decided that my contentment is a choice.

Do I desire to feel blessed or wallow in self-pity?

There will always be things I don't have.

I choose to stare at the beauties and blessings

I have been given.

Content.

day twenty...

Today, my dad would have turned 54. I still celebrate his birthday in my heart every year.

My dad loved to laugh.

He was always trying to crack a joke to lighten the mood or make someone smile. He was the life of the party.

My dad loved to cook.

He would try new things in the kitchen. He loved to make big breakfasts. I still miss his homemade salsa.

My dad loved to try new things.

He was never satisfied with a single hobby. His interests were varied and he wasn't afraid to test a new adventure.

My dad loved his family.

He loved his granddaughter. And would have loved each one that he has been blessed with since. He was surrounded by family that he loved and that loved him.

And I love my dad. I miss him every day...