Cyber Monday!!!

Hey everyone. Today is the last day of all of our blowout sales. I have been so excited about all of the support of my readers that I thought I would say thank you by adding another little perk. On top of these sales prices, anyone who purchases today will be receiving a free gift with purchase. 

 

Don't forget to enter your coupon codes at check out. Thank you all again. You are amazing. 

Click here to SHOP NOW!!!! 

Sale items: 
Artfolios
Bible Sleeves
Spry Rosettes

Thankful

Every year on Thanksgiving we reflect on what we are thankful for. This year has been full of ups and downs for our family. As a whole the year has been great. We are blessed more today than we were yesterday. It seems as though, no matter how much we go through, are days are filled with more love, friendship, faith and well blessings. We serve an amazing God that continues to pour out not only those blessings but promises of more.

This year, I am thankful for Family 

 

And for friends.

 

I am thankful for food on the table and a roof over our heads.

I am thankful for a husband who goes above and beyond to provide for our family.

I am thankful for babies who will snuggle me all day.

I am thankful for all of you.

I am thankful for so much. We have been shown favor and love. It is love that has given us all the things we are so grateful for. Love from eachother; to provide, protect, comfort, encourage. It is love from the Lord to provide these things, to protect us from any harm.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!-1John3:1

On a whole other note. Here is our ad for Cyber Monday! I know I am also thankful for savings :)

What We Wore and Small Biz Saturday

The last time we came to Oregon, I thought for sure that I would freeze to death. This year, thankfully, it was cooler in California. I was more prepped for the cold Oregon weather. Yesterday I was even able to leave the house in a thin long sleeved shirt. I felt like a real life Oregonian. I was proud.

My outfit:
Shirt: Old Navy

Tank: Anchor Blue

Jeans and flats: Target

Headband: Made by me

Rhiannon's Outfit:

EVERYTHING is Target. 

Oh yes, and don't let me forget the Small Business Saturday Sale:

Vacation, Black Friday and Toddler Talk

This week we are in Roseburg Oregon. Enjoying time with family, relaxing and just taking some time to ourselves. We arrived yesterday and are having a blast. As my husband put it, we "Enjoyed a wonderful day of absolutely nothing in-particular." So far we have done just that.


The kids have run around the house playing with our cousin/goddaughter. We have just enjoyed them. It is so important to do just that. Sit back and worry about nothing except playing with your kids. This time goes so fast. They grow up so quickly. Cliche, I know but still true. 


In the blink of an eye, Rhiannon has gone from newborn to 3. Even faster, Talon turned 1. I don't want to miss anything. So we are planning nothing this vacation. Just family and fun!


Wellll...except, we are doing Black Friday. Who could pass up Black Friday in Oregon. There is no sales tax. So on top of the sales, we get an extra 8% off. Woo Hoo!!!


On that note, you know, the Black Friday note. We are having a sale. A big one! Three products a day. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Nine products total. Some up to 75% off. Huge!


Here is what's happening on Friday. Stop back tomorrow to see the next ad.

Also... please link up for Toddler Talk Tuesday, even though I was a bit of a lagger on it. :)

Where did the shop go?

There are some big big changes happening here at Rock-A-Bow.

We have come to realize that the way things are done here at Rock-A-Bow are not what is best for our family. Since Rock-A-Bow has started it has been a made to order shop. If you don't know what that means, Made to order is when a customer comes to shop, they purchase their items and then it is made to be shipped to them.

This has been okay for us. I only make what I need to. I don't have to purchase tons of fabric ahead of time. It just was most doable for us.

With the recent increase of business, in the past 6 months, it's becoming quite overwhelming. I feel like I am always playing catch up. Do any of you shop owners feel that way?

When I have nothing going on, no orders. I sit. When I am busy, it feels like someone has opened the flood gate to customers. It has been such a blessing but so hard on myself and my family.

So...we are changing it up. Starting this week, everything in the shop will be ready to ship. (except dresses and custom orders). That means that everything you see in the shop is already made and will be shipped out within the week. As you may have noticed, the shop is in maintenance mode right now. That is because we are filling it up with LOTS of product.

As for now, we are calling this a trial run. We will see how this goes this month and reevaluate. So please please please give your feedback. I want to know if you all like the new system. Hate it. Or are happy either way.

I feel like this will be a win/win. I get to make product in my down time. Hopefully limiting my game of catch up. And you, the customer will get your items faster. Only time will tell. The shop should be re-opened by the end of today or tomorrow.

Oh yes and you will be wanting to check the blog tomorrow and the days following. We are having HUGE sales on Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday and Cyber Monday. All of which will be announced in the next few days. I think you will be pleased :)

WIWW- More than just an outfit post

In our day to day lives, we (women) wear two different types of... items, for lack of a better word.

::Top and vest- Old Navy.  Jean-Target.  Boots-Ross  Headband- Local boutique with Whippy Cake Clip::

There is our clothing. We wear it for practical reasons. You know, like staying warm and being modest. It is also worn to make us feel good about ourselves. We keep up with the latest fashions. We wear accessories to help out the cute factor. We wear our clothing as an expression of ourselves and our likes.

Then there's the second type of "item". The items that mean so much more. They serve a symbolic purpose.
It's our wedding band representing a commitment between ourself and our spouse. It is the heirloom piece handed down from one generation to the next. We hold these pieces near and dear to our hearts. They stand the test of the trendy times. We cling to them for a life time.

Today I received one of those items from a close friend.

If you know my story or have read my blog recently, you know of the loss of not one but two babies that we never got the chance to hold.

I have struggled so much lately to simply get by. My heart aches for the babies I am missing. My friend Tess was able to capture it all in one gift. To help this hurting mommy on a path of healing. All with this necklace.

::Necklace- Amy Cornwell::

A bar with mine and Stevens initials and our wedding date. Where it all began.
The heart charm. One heart for each one of our children. The two who are here with us and the two who are not.
And then two angel wings.

For the first time there is a visual of our family. Complete. Not just what meets the eye but what truly is.

Beyond that, this necklace represents the support and love of our friends. The prayers that they have poured out on us. The love they have for, not only us, but for our family. Our COMPLETE family. The extent of this gift cannot be expressed. The appreciation for this gift cannot be expressed. The joy that came from this gift cannot be expressed.

Because of what I'm wearing today, I feel a little more whole than I did yesterday.

Let's Dance

For months, I have been trying to potty train Rhi. No hope! None at all. She wanted nothing to do with it. I tried candy, I tried games, I tried it all. A friend said she took her daughter to see a dance class and told her that when she was potty trained she could join. It worked for her. I tried it. It didn't work. Rhi said "I dance at home..."

After 6 months, read that SIX MONTHS of potty training Rhi decided (on her own) it was time to use the toilet. I guess when they are ready, they are just ready. Since we had promised she could do dance classes when potty trained and I secretly wanted her to anyway, we signed her up!

This was the perfect reward for her. You know, once she was actually ready.

She LOVED her class. She talks about it non-stop. She tells me how she is a ballerina and that she loves tap. I ask her what she wants to do today and she always responds "I do ballet".

We knew that she would love her dance classes but had no idea the extent of it. Oh yeah, I am pretty sure that she is the cutest little ballerina that I have ever seen. Ever!

I wanted to make sure that her daddy got to see her all ready for her dance class so we did a little mini photoshoot. It was wild. She was so riled up since she was in her dance clothes that I am surprised that I got any shots. While we took pictures, Talon chased us around spraying us with the water bottle that I use to do Rhi's hair. We were a sight to see. We usually are. We have fun!

Do you love her even more after seeing these photos? I do. She is gorgeous and that is great but I just love how her sweet little heart shines right through that smile!!!!

How was your week? What did you do with your kids?

Baylee's Quilt

A while back, in ::cough: April ::cough::, I gave my good friend Stefani a quilt for her new baby, Brynn. I told her and you that soon I would be making and giving her a second quilt for Brynn's big sister Baylee.

Well it has been almost 6 months. Yes, 6 months. I felt horrible. But Stefani and her husband are forgiving and let it slide. Baylee on the other hand has been asking her mama for a quilt like Brynn's. She had even convinced Stefani to let her sleep with Brynns since she didn't have one.

How terrible is it that I kept this little cutie wait so long?

 I mean she even models for Rock-A-Bow. She helped me out and I lagged on her!!!!

She deserves more than that, right? If Rhi knew, that I made her friend wait so long, I would be in so much trouble!

So, I FINALLY finished sweet little Baylee's quilt. She loved it! I am so glad that it was worth the wait to her.

Here it is.

As you can see, just like with Brynn's quilt, I forgot to take photos until after it had been folded up ALL day. So it is nice and wrinkly for your viewing pleasure.

Anger

I always say that I want to be honest here. That I want to be real with my readers. I shared earlier this week about my recent miscarriage.

I told you the basics. The bare minimum.

What I didn't tell you, is that I am a little bit angry with God. That is a lie. I am ticked off!

I didn't feel this way with my first miscarriage. I wasn't angry at all that time around. This is so new to me.

I was fine (anger wise) to begin with. Then I was talking to someone who recently found out she was pregnant. Someone who has NO BUSINESS having children. I know that sounds so mean and so judgmental but I don't say those words lightly. I would share the details and try to persuade you but that would be gossipy and that is not me. So just trust me.

Enough ranting. I was talking to this woman and all I could think was "Really God? REALLY?!?"
There are so many woman who don't want children. Who abort. Who neglect and abuse. And they have perfectly healthy pregnancies. Completely healthy babies. Why on earth does this keep happening to me? Why does my heart have to be shattered again?

I am angry.

I do not blame God. I just don't understand why.

I know there is a plan and a purpose for all things. I just don't get it. I may never get it.

In most things, I am okay with that. I know He is in control. But right here and right now, I am so angry. I want to know why. I want to know the purpose.

Lame!

I hate that I am here, telling the world that I am angry at God. I hate to be vulnerable. I hate to let people know that as a Christian, a woman who loves the Lord, I still get angry at Him. I think people need to know that though.

I will get past this. I know I will. I DO still have faith that God is with me. He is what I am clinging to, even in my anger and hurt. Do not get me wrong in that.

I am doing my best not to dwell on these feelings. I am reminding myself constantly that because of Him and my salvation through Him, I have these precious babies waiting for me. How can I be angry at someone who would offer me that? Someone who despite everything I have done, would prepare a place for me in paradise. Someone who would hold my babies and protect them while they are without me.

Then I am angry with myself... How could I feel this way?

I am so ready to for these feelings to be gone. I am ready to be okay. I know I will always hurt over my lose but I am just ready to be okay.

Wordless Wednesday- Harvest Fest

Little Pumpkins

Hey everyone! Sorry about the lack of Toddler Talk last week or any posts for that matter. It was a a rough week and a bit of a blur because of this and that. I am still having a rough time but have decided that I NEED to pull it together for my kids. 

I think that I have done a pretty good job of not letting them be put in the limelight. Making sure they still got to have fun in the midst of what mommy is going through. At least I hope that I have. 

Sometime last week, I told you it's all a blur, my friend Gaby and I took our kids to a pumpkin patch. They all had a blast. 

We started off at the petting zoo. Lauren loved on the animals while Rhi woke up a little. She fell asleep on the way there and took a while to warm up.

Next up was the bounce house. We laugh at Lauren and Rhiannon. They are such good friends but SOOO opposite. Rhi is a little princess. Timid about everything she does. She is the safety monitor. Lauren on the other hand is the wild child. NO fear. They are funny. They balance eachother.

 

We talked the girls into taking a couple of pictures before they were right back to running around and bouncing like crazy.

Talon was such a good sport and let me take some pictures of the him while the girls played.

We did convince them to come and take a few pictures all together. If only they would have all looked at the same time. :)

What have you been up to this week?