Soooooooo...

...did I mention that I went back to work? Yup, after 2 years of being home full-time, I'm working a big whopping 12-15 hours a week and it is AWESOME!

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom and wife and being home at the end of my 3rd pregnancy and for Harper's first years, has been amazing and such a blessing. BUT, there has been some major stress associated with that, and if I can be totally honest...I think I'm a better mom when I get to do something other than playing, cleaning, laundry, and cooking.

Being a mom is a 24/7 job that you don't get to go home from. You don't get to leave work at work, you don't ever really stop thinking about things - did I switch the laundry? What's for dinner? Do we need milk? Are my kids happy? Why is she so crabby today? Am I being too hard? Not hard enough? Crap, need to switch the laundry!

So, what am I doing?? I am working in the office at our church; I prefer office assistant but old-school folks call me the secretary.  We go to a smaller, low-key church and I've been working Mon-Wen. the past 2 weeks and I think the phone has rang 7 times - and 3 of those calls were my mom! Right now, I'm still settling in, answering the phone, organizing some of the office stuff, revamping some of the documents and such. I'll be sending out weekly emails of church happenings, coordinating nursery and children's church activities, ordering supplies, etc. I'm really excited about everything and the possibilities that lie ahead. I love that my family is still my first priority and that my job is secondary to the well-being of my family; my kids are always welcome - Zoe went in with me for a bit on Friday afternoon to finish up a project. Nothing like child labor!

WOW

It has been a whirl-wind of activity around our house lately. I've sat down to blog a few times and have just gotten side-tracked. So here is a run-down of what's been going on!!

• The little girl that made me a mama, turned 7 on March 24th! 7!! Where did 7 years go??? Her birthday weekend was filled with family dinner (with great-grandparents and s'more pizza), 48 cupcakes, roller blades, new clothes, party with tacos (her choice) and double layer lemon cake with browned butter frosting and toasted coconut (her choice again!). What a fun weekend of celebration!
• March 31st marked 10 years of wedded bliss for Duffy and I. My cousin, who is getting married in May, asked if it went by quickly. Yes. Yes, indeed. Duffy and I have been together for 15 years and it still doesn't seem that long. He is my best friend, my confidant, and partner for life. Love you babe!!
• Spring break is coming to an end. The big girls spent a couple of days with grandparents, we had friends over all day on Wednesday, girls had dinner at Grandma Tine (my mom, Christine) and Grandpa Noel's while we went to dinner Thursday, we traveled to a super fun bridal shower this weekend. Ahhh, it's a lazy Sunday at our house!

Amy Butler Birdie Sling - Finished Product

Ok, so I should taken picture as I was putting the bag together, but I was too excited to get it done. Let's just say, I LOVE this bag! I'm already starting on another one!! I've got plans for making a smaller version for some friends who don't love big bags (what is wrong with them??) This bag is HUGE and holds so much and I'm in love with it!

I lucked out and was able to make a copy of my sister-in-laws pattern, but you can find this pattern all over online or at Amy Butler, where there is a variety of ways to find a pattern. I will definately purchase more of her patterns in the future; the directions are easy to follow and full of details.

New Project



Birdie Sling Bag

So, this is my next project. My sister-in-law has this bag and I LOVE it! I borrowed the pattern and am excited to get started! Now, to just have the time to do it! It's hard when 3 little ladies want attention to help!

Here are the fabrics I'll be using for the bag. I'll try and post pictures as I'm working and of the completed project. If it's smooth sailing, some people may be getting them as birthday presents - hmmmm, wonder who that could be????



This will be the outside/inside band and handles




This will be the interior lining



Exterior body of bag - SOOOOO EXCITED!

Project 31, Day 24

What is Jesus teaching you presently?

Patience. Plain and simple.

Patience with my kids - it's been one of those weeks, months...

Patience with my husband.

Patience with others.

Patience with things I can't really control.

Patience with my life.

Patience, Patience, Patience.

It's been a rough week actually, and I've written this post about 10 times and nothing seems right. I'm feeling really tested/challenged and at the end of my rope. My kids look at me sort of weird when I start crying about reading a book - when what I'm really crying about is the fighting about who sits closer to me when I read and who is touching the other person and who can't see the pictures, etc. etc. I cry because what I really want to do is throw the book across the room and scream!

I'm tired from certain things in my life. I know that it's just a season and won't last forever. Things will change and get better, it's just a matter of being patient. Ahhhh, there is that word again. My girl-friend Kristi called this week and we talked about planning a girls get-away and all I wanted to do was say "Now? You wanna go right now? Great! Give me 10 minutes and I'm outta here!!" Again, patience. Patience, Patience, Patience.

Embarrassed

I'm embarrassed to be an American right now.

While there are people in the midst of tragedy in Japan, North Africa, the Middle East, Haiti, etc., the Today Show (and all sorts of other news programs; the Today show just happened to be what I have on this morning!)  is wasting time and money "reporting" on the shenanigans of Charlie Sheen! Who really cares?  All the media frenzy is just adding to his dysfunction and makes us look like fools for continuing to watch!

That's my little rant for the day.
Please don't take it personally if Charlie is one of your friends, favorite actor, etc. Don't send me hate mail.

Slacker

Wow, I have been slacking. Big time. I'm sorry. A lot is going on and I've had a lot on my mind. Trust me, I haven't even been doing much crafting. Here is what's been happening.

• Teething Harper - 4 molars at once. She has had a runny nose, drool, cough for the longest time. I'm also getting tired of all messy diapers, makes cloth diapering a headache. She's a trooper though and is sleeping great. She's just needier and crabbier.
• Swimming Lessons - Zoe and Teagan started lessons last week and are loving it. Zoe has always had a love/hate relationship with the water, so this is great. Their teacher is fun and they are starting at the very beginning and we'll go from there. Teagan keeps showing off and going under-water just because she can and like to show that she's not scared! Silly girls!!
• Wet, depressing weather. After a week of snow, unplanned days home from school, rain, rain and more rain, I'm SOOOOO ready for a break. Like a break from my life. Just some time to do something that has NOTHING to do with kids.
• Laundry, laundry and more laundry, It's never-ending and just when I think I'm caught up, there is another load to do!
• Dishes, dishes and more dishes. Today, alone, I unloaded the DW, reloaded, ran, unloaded and reloaded. I also had a bunch of stuff to do by hand!! How did that happen??
• Reading - If you haven't read Room, put it on your list. Right now. And read it!! It is amazing and a great story!
• Starting to think about birthdays. We don't do big, huge birthday bashes for the girls every year. Last year, Zoe and Harper had the big parties (Harper turned 1 and Zoe 6) so this year, we will do something simple and small with family. Teagan's birthday falls around the same weekend as my cousin's wedding! So, I'm starting to think about a Fairy-themed birthday for a soon-to-be 5 year old! Better get motivated.
• Thinking and browsing the internet for craft ideas. I have some projects in mind to start but life keeps happening and they get pushed to the back burner. And when I do have some quiet time, it's 8:30pm, the sewing machine is in Zoe's room (and I'm afraid to check it out. It's dying and I desperately need a new one, but that's not in the budget right now. Especially since I want a Bernina!)
• Thinking and planning for some upcoming changes in our family. Some of you know what I'm talking about and until I can say more, we'll have to leave it at that! Keep praying that things transition smoothly and for my continued patience and faith that God is in control. No matter what. And no, I'm not pregnant. No, no, no, no, no!!

Ok, enough for now. I'll get back to Project 31 this week. I promise!