Thankful

If you follow us on Facebook or Instgram, you have heard all that is going on in our lives.

Things have been moving at the speed of light. Orders flying in. One show after another. Crazy amounts of appointments for little man. An amazing family vacation, where we forgot to rest...

Oh yeah and this...

That's right y'all, we are expecting. I am a little over 7 weeks. We are surprised and THRILLED. The kids may go for blood if it is not a girl.

Life has been great. God is so good.

We had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. How did you spend your holiday?

Harvest

I have gotten so behind on posting here. I have so many fun things I want to share. A few tutorials, a recipe I whipped up and most of all, I have a ton of posts about the fun we have been having over here.

The most recent was our churches Harvest Fest. So let's start there.

As always, our church put on an amazing event. When it comes to our kids ministries, our church does not mess around. We have an amazing children's pastor and his team is phenomenal. If you are local and need a church, one where you're kids love to attend, email me. Seriously.

Now that I have shamelessly plugged my church :) Let's look at all the fun we had.

 Rhi's Merida costume was amazing. So many compliments on how cute she was and she just loved being her favorite princess. Sadly, my little swat guy wouldn't hold still for pictures. He was so stinkin' cute though, trust me.

 I just read something on Pinterest saying how being a mom makes you feel like a kid again. So true. I love playing games with them. Getting on the floor and in the action.

The kids loved all of the carnival style games. They even brought home goldfish. Yay! Sadly, Merida the fish only lasted a few days and we had to teach Rhi about Toilet Side funerals.

There are so many other pictures that I would love to share with you but we have our little man in them. It was such a fun night with the kids and our friends.

I'm hoping to get a recap of Rhiannon's party up this week. We will see. Just be prepared for some Princess Painting cuteness.

Hatred of Halloween

Costumes and candies.

Trick or Treating and laughter.

Harvest fest. Games. Prizes. Bounce houses and petting zoos.

Halloween/Harvest is a day that brings such joy and fun. For me, it is a day that I am forced to put on a happy face for my kids.

It is the day that my heart physically hurts. Where I feel a sense of longing that can't be filled. At least not now.

I talk about it a lot here. Halloween is the day that my first child went to meet Jesus before I ever had a chance to meet them.

It is the day I learned what loss and pain really feels like.

Some years I feel like having such a significant day being the day of our miscarriage makes it harder. All the very vivid memories flood in. Forgetting the details are impossible. It makes it hurt so much worse.

Some years I love the distraction. Not sure how I feel today. My kids are so excited to dress up and I am truly excited to do that with them but the second they leave the room or it gets quite. I feel like I am going to collapse.

I wish I could explain the pain of miscarriage to those who haven't been there. So many are confused by our pain. Don't understand why we hurt so much all of these years later. Why I cry now that I actually have kids.

I wish people understood why I have to sit in front of a tv eating ice cream and ignoring the world. I wish people understood that I lost a child and not simply a pregnancy.

Right now I just wish this day was over...

Instead, I will put on a smile. Let my kids fill me with joy and remember how God has used this precious child. What a legacy that baby is leaving without ever walking on this earth.

It will still hurt but maybe the sting will be removed enough. Maybe.

Sweet Tooth Safety

The gloom that October brings me has meant two things for this little series.

1. I don't check in often.
I haven't been really posting on the blog. I don't have time and when I do, I just don't feel like doing anything. I hate October. Other than Rhiannon's birthday, that I haven't shared about, this month is nothing but sadness for me. So I neglect the blog and all of the things I know I want to post about.

2. I eat. A lot.
I am a bit of a depression/stress eater. It means bad things for a diet. I have done fairly well considering but the weight isn't shedding as quickly as I would have liked.

So here I am. Finally checking in. With little to no useful info for you all. But I wanted to sign on and let you know I have not quit. Set backs, yes. Quitter, no.

What I can share with you is about not gaining while in a funk.

I have been able to maintain and even slowly lose weight despite the stress and sadness eating. The trick. Don't tell yourself no. Don't make it so you can't eat the things that you need to sit and cry with or the things that bring you comfort. If you are anything like me, if you tell yourself no to a favorite, you will want it more. It becomes the food you sneak. So why not just make it work?

I am a coffee drinker. I love me some Starbucks. I mentioned it in the last post I believe but I have simply been choosing lower calorie options. The taste is a tad bit off but it still meets the craving.

Let's look at the Mocha Frappuccino (this is the part of the blog where you look away if you would like to continue living in denial). The Venti Mocha Frappuccino has a whooping 400 calories. Ouch. That is a third of my daily intake. Not okay. But when we move on to the Light version it is only 190 calories. Less than half of the caloric intake. What the what?!?! New favsie. I can drink this and eat a fruit and we have breakfast. Is this the healthiest option? No, but we will work on healthy when I'm not lookin' for comfort. Don't judge :)

Need a chocolate fix? Go with dark chocolate. Although the calories are about the same, the carbs are not. Now I don't do the no or even low carb diet but when I'm not eating a protein to balance it all out, I try not to eat too many carbs. Makes sense, right? I think so. Haha. Oh and also, maybe it is just me but I feel like dark chocolate tends to be more filling. Don't quote me on that though.

Lastly, ice-cream. Who needs it? Go Fro-Yo.

So those are my tips to losing weight while eating whatever you want.

Mind you, I do not do this every day. It is not a regular thing. But when I need something to meet my "I need sweets 'cause I'm sad and I'm a girl" craziness, these are the options I have used to stay within my limits.

Then it hit me...

Doctors office this is Melissa, how can I help you?"

"Hi Melissa, this is Kristen Murphy, I brought my son in last..."

Heart stops, losing breathe, lump in throat, then tears.

"Ms Murphy, I think we have a bad connection, you were saying you brought your son in, what is your sons name?"

"Umm, he's uhh.. Melissa can I call you right back"

In that moment it hit me, it hit me hard that he is not my son. I clearly have known this all along and have been so good about saying foster child when making our appointments and meetings regarding little man. But I have become so attached.

He is not my son. This beautiful little baby has parents. And I am not one of them. Ouch.

He calls me mama. He's been saying it for about a week. And I feel like his mama. I am his mama for right now. But only right now.

Can I tell you though, as much as this pains me, the blessing far outweigh the pain. Little man has entered our home and brought so much joy. His milestones and development are such a celebration. He is amazing.

Foster care is tough. I won't lie and say its not.

There are more appointments than you would imagine. Weekly visits with our Serenity Social worker, monthly with county workers. There's the doctors visits and therapies. It's a lot.

There is the risk of heartbreak. The pain of knowing he may not always be here. There's the questions from strangers and not knowing how to answer. There's the phone call to a doctor that reminds you he is not yours.

But there is a child. One who needs you. Who was taken from the only place he knew and needed a place to go. Who needs someone not only to take care of him but love him like their own. To be his mama for right now.

As much as it hurts to realize that he may not always be our son, he is right now. This little man is teaching me to love in a whole new way. To love without fear. To love in spite of the cost. What a gift.

Show Schedule

Hey all-

I have been getting lots of e-mails lately about when and where all of the shows that we are doing will be. I thought it would be easiest to post it all here for all of you local readers.

Saturday October 27th-
Product will be at two locations this day!

Queen Bee Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo Conference Center

31 Santa Barbara

from 9am-3pm 

 Fall Boutique & Fundraiser

Home Boutique

14715 Ragan Dr. La Mirada

10am-4pm

On the 27th I will only be attending the Queen Bee Market, so if you would like to visit, come on over. My amazing assistant will be managing our mini booth at the La Mirada fundraiser and she will be able to help you with anything you need.

Saturday Nov. 3rd. 

The Market at SCC

Saddleback Covenant Church

23401 Madero Mission Viejo

from 10am to 2pm

Saturday Nov. 10th

Adoption Fundraiser...

Details coming soon

Lastly... 

The Cornerstone Church Christmas Boutique

This is our first annual Christmas Boutique to be open to the public and I am beyond excited. I will give you all of the details soon. ALSOOOO.... if you own a handmade shop and are interested in being a vendor, email me at Vesselhandmade@gmail.com. We are still looking for vendors. This event has been a week long show in the past that goes along with our Christmas Tea. The boutique has always done very well and are excited to open it up this year!

One Year

When will the pain go away? How long will I feel like this? Does it ever get better?

After sharing my story of miscarriage, a ton of readers have come to me. I have become a person that people feel they can talk to. I love that about our community. Opening up about our pain and struggles allow others to have a comfort in approaching someone.

What I have told those readers, the women who come to me in the midst of loss, is that eventually, you will feel like you can breathe again. Like the world that has just collapsed on top of you will slowly lift itself up. You will never be the same. You will always have a hurt in your heart but things will return to a new kind of normal. One that isn't quite the same but you will be okay. The hurt will ease up a bit.

And then there will be days like today. The anniversary of a loss. The due date you were given. The day you remember sharing the big news of new life. Days that bring you right back to where you were. Right back to feeling like the world is ending. Like you can't catch your breath no matter how hard you try.

As I am sitting here, a year after our second miscarriage, I am trying to think of what I would tell one of you. What I have probably said to many of you in this exact place. And I am at a loss. Healing a hurt of never getting to hold your baby, of never seeing their face or hearing them say mommy. Making that pain go away seems impossible.

I know that relief will come. I have seen how God has used my loss. How God has used their short lives. I know that God has me in His hands and will pull me through. But the pain, the pain doesn't go away.

I want to distract myself. To put myself somewhere where I can't think about this anymore. But then I feel an overwhelming guilt, trying to distract myself from the death of a child. My child.

What would I tell one of you?

I'm guessing that I would tell you that the hurt and pain is real and powerful and will consume you. I would tell you that just as God pulled you out in the beginning that He will pull you out again. That in this moment when it feels like the world is crashing and you can't control it, it is okay to cry and scream and be hurt. It is okay.

But we have to pull ourselves out of it. Not right now, not even tomorrow. But we have to move forward. Still loving, still remembering but moving forward. Reminding ourselves that we will see our babies. We will hold them. And they are in the best of hands right now.

I would tell you that it would get better. That it will never be okay but it will be better. Until next year and then it's going to hurt all over again. But that there will be all of us. All of us who have been there. We will be there to cry to. To cry with. We will be there to eat icecream at 8am with you. To just listen. I would tell you that it's going to hurt for now. It's going to hurt a lot and that it is okay to feel this way.

If any of you ever need someone to talk to, please email me. vesselhandmade@gmail.com There is nothing like knowing there is someone there to listen. Please do not try to do it all alone.

Rhiannon is 4

Four years old. Four. It is such a big deal of a number. No longer can I squeeze her into the toddler category. No sneaking her into the classifications that keep her in the "baby" years. She is a pre-schooler. A little kid. Over night my first born went from baby to child. I hate it a little.

She is at such a fun stage. I love where she is at. But I can't help but feel like time is ripping me off. How did this all happen so quickly? How did 4, sneak up on us like this?

I don't know how today got here but it did. As hard as it is on this mommas heart, Rhi is beyond excited. I think this year is the first that she has really gotten into her birthday. She wanted to plan every detail of her party with me. She counted down the days. It has been so much fun.

This morning I took her on a coffee date. Just her and mommy. We talked about her. Let the focus be just her, that doesn't happen often with two other littles around.

So today, to celebrate her, I thought I would share her with you...

Managing our Home

Lately I have been criticized a lot for being so busy. As one person put it "You really glorify busyness." The little comments have been like daggers. They hurt for a lot of reasons. One, I am not all that busy. Two, even if I was, what would I cut out? And more than anything I don't have "busy work", everything in our lives is called by God. Everything we do is part of the path we feel He has placed us upon.

When I look at our lives, I don't see busy. I see blessings, I see provision, I see the love that our Father has poured out upon us.

Majority of our are days taken up by me playing with the kids. We spend hours on the floor laughing and having fun. We make time for playdates and rarely have to tell anyone we are too busy to come over and play.

When I was done being angry and offended I realized that it wasn't people judging me. From the outside I do seem like I am too busy. That I wouldn't have enough time for what is important.
So I want to show you how I manage my time. Maybe it can help some of the other "busy moms" out there.

A God Story

For weeks, Rhiannon has been telling us that Jesus is in her heart. Asking questions about asking Him to stay in her heart forever. Growing up in a secular home and not getting saved or going to church until I was in college, I didn't know if it was even possible for a child her age to understand. Oh ye, of little faith ;) Steven and I have been discussing how to know if she truly understood. Making sure she knew the truth of Jesus and that she truly understood what she was asking.

Over these few weeks, girlfriend has shown me that she knows her stuff. She looks at me like I am crazy or not so smart when I ask her questions like "why did Jesus die?" or "did he stay buried in a tomb". With answers like "for my sins...and yours too" and "ummm, no, He is in my heart" in a tone like why don't you know this, I knew she was on the right track. Still doubting the Holy Spirit, cause I am oh so faithful in what God can do, I still prolonged it.

Then yesterday, in the midst of chaos, baby girl made in perfectly clear that she was ready. I overheard her telling Talon that Jesus loves everyone and that He was in her heart. She shared with him that in his little bible he could read about Jesus and all the stories. I knew in that moment that she was ready. I mean, she was preachin' to her baby brother, it was time to pray.

So her and I sat down and talked about what it meant. She told me that she wanted Him in her heart and that she wanted to be His princess (we had discussed that He was the King of Kings and being His daughter made her a princess. So we prayed. We prayed the sweetest most innocent prayer of salvation that I have ever heard.

I was there. I got to experience my little one make an eternal commitment. The best decision she will ever make. The biggest most important day of her life. I am still overwhelmed with tears even thinking about it. Oh the joy of knowing my daughter loves the Lord.

After praying, she told me she wanted to tell everyone. We called her daddy and grandmas, we told her bestfriends. It was such an exciting moment. The joy of the Lord was painted on her face. And there was a change in her. Her attitude has changed. Call me crazy but the girl has been transformed. I'm not saying that she isn't still a trouble-making almost 4 year old. But there has been a change in my sweet girl.

I went back and forth about sharing this here but I really wanted to have it documented. With her being so young, I don't want her to forget how it happened. I know she will always remember the decision. It is something she will live by from now on. But the hows, I wanted her to have those. So I asked her if I could post it. She was excited to have her "God story" as she called it on the blog. So her it is Rhiannon's God Story.

25 Pounds to a Better Me: Week 1

So today is my first week of weighing in. I cannot even tell you how nervous I was to step on the scale and have lost nothing or even worse, gained weight. But I sucked up the fear of disappointment and stepped on the scale. Here is were I am at...

Coffee Date

If we sat down for coffee today, I would start with a deep breath. It has been a long week. Not a bad week. Funny how when we say long week people usually associate it with bad. The week was not bad at all. Just lots to do. Full of appointments.

Since majority of the week revolved around little man, I wouldn't be able to share much. For confidentiality reasons. I would tell you though that my heart is heavy.

Twenty-five Pounds to a Better Me

I'm not overweight. Nor do I have any health issues. So how can I say that losing 25 pounds result in a better me?

When Steven and I got married, I felt healthier. I was more confident and much more secure.

After our first miscarriage I went into a major depression and gained about 15 pounds. It didn't bother me much.

Then I had kids. I only gained 15 pounds while pregnant with Rhi. After having her, there were only 7 pounds to lose. I got rid of 5 of them. The last two lingered. All the way into my pregnancy with Talon.

With Talon I gained 17 pounds and then lost all but 5. Leaving me at a grand total of 22 pounds gained since our wedding day.

These last 7 pounds feel like 50 in comparison to the initial 15. Having kids really changes your body.

I don't feel like myself. I have grown to hate the mirror. I struggle daily with what to wear. I will not go to pool or beach events. I'm just not happy with myself. And it is time to do something about it.

You see, by a better me, I don't need a skinnier me. I want a healthier, more energetic, happier me.

So I am beginning a journey. I am not setting a time frame just a number goal. 25 pounds to start, 35 at most if I am not happy when I reach 25.

Here's where you come in. I don't think I can do it alone. I want to but I struggle to stay focused.

I will be using myfitnesspal.com and airing my dirty laundry. My 3 sizes larger than I'd like dirty laundry. I will be sharing there how much I lose or gain. I will even tell you what I eat each day. The only thing I won't be sharing is my actual weight. I'm not that brave.

I will come back here each week, Sometimes more sometimes less, and share how much I lost that week.

I'll be giving tips, sharing recipes and letting you know what is/isn't working for me.

I want you to hold me accountable. You can join in and let me know how your doing, maybe we'll even do some guest posts. If you don't want or need to join in, I'd love for you to still follow along. See the journey and hold me accountable.

What do you think?

Love on

This week has been a tough one. Emotionally I mean.

Being a foster mom is a challenging road. I knew it would be. I know what I signed up for and with it comes challenges and heartache. Knowing that heartache is possible evident, does not make it any easier.

Nothing bad has happened. It's not that at all. It is the attachment. I love this child like my own. But he is not my own. He has parents. He has parents that I hope to help reunify with him. Even though that is our ultimate goal, reunification, it terrifies me.

Yesterday, Rhiannon was asking questions. Asking if she could see little mans house. Asking if she could meet his other mommy. Asking where his other mommy was. It was so hard to put on a strong face. The questions were just a reminder.

I was praying about this all. Praying that God would help me to not attach so much. I want to be there and to love him with all I have. To show him a home filled with the love of Christ. I want to attach with him and not show him an ounce of hurt while he is here. Even if that means I am heartbroken when he leaves. I am doing this for him and for his parents. If I get hurt along the way, that is okay because I helped them through their trial.

While praying for myself and my fear of being too attached, it quickly turned to thanksgiving. That I am able to be a part of little mans life, even if it is just for now. That I get to help a family. That I can help to put the pieces back together if that is what is in God's plan.

This road is full of ups and downs. Instead of praying for protection of my own heart. I want to continue to praise him for what he is doing in Little Mans life. If I get hurt along the way, God will fill that gap with the joy of knowing that we showed a family the love of our Savior.

Pray for us that we will continue to keep our eyes on the right things. That we remember why we are doing this.

Thanks so much for following along on our journey in foster care. We appreciate everyone of you and all of the prayers that are shining so brightly through this child.

Public Service Announcment

{source}

Hey you...mom with the 3 seater Target shopping cart. Yes. I'm talking to you. The mom with only one child. I'm confused as to why a shopping cart with so many seats is in order...

While we are on the topic, mom with a 12 year old and 10 year old. Do you remember when those kids were 1 and 3? Don't ya think they would have needed that cart a lot more then than they do now? If your answer is yes, leave it for those of us struggling to find a way to gather our kiddos.

Getting Ready in Less than 5 Minutes

*This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Revlon for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a mom on the go. There is no doubt about that. I have little time to get ready in the morning and no time during the day to freshen up. I have said it numerous times that being a mommy isn't always glamorous.

That being said, being a mom doesn't mean you have to look frumpy all day every day. What it does mean is that you need to refine your routines. Five minutes in the morning can go a long way. And if you are using the right products, that five minute effort can last all day. Leaving the touch ups to someone who has more time.

So how do we use these 5 minutes? I have found that with a little foundation and some pretty eye shadows, you can transform your look of "I haven't slept in days" to "What do you mean moms have no time to themselves". It is trickery really, letting people think we spent lots of time on ourselves.

Handing it over

Ever have one of those days where it seems like anything bad that can happen does happen? A day where all of those around you are hurting and you are completely helpless?

That's where I am today. So many relatives in pain. Filled with sickness. Fear surrounding. And here I am helpless.

Why is it that when days like this present themselves we always try to figure out what WE can do. I claim a faith in a tremendous God, yet when something tremendous happens I first try to figure out what I can do. How easy it is to forget how small we are and how huge our God is.

Empty Shelves

Today I received an e-mail that went a little something like this ...

"Umm hey, I know you just got a foster baby and all but some of us have addictions to certain products and well the shop is lookin' a little bare."

The e-mail came from a friend and she was totally joking. For the most part. Ha.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

"My turn to pick" 

 "No, my turn to pick"

 "MOMMMMYYY!!!!"

This conversation goes down a lot at our house. My kiddos love tv. They are only allowed an hour or so of television a day. Most days. So when it comes to who chooses the shows, they take it serious. One is two, one is four. One a girl, one a boy. So as you can imagine, their tastes in t.v. are a bit different.


This mom needed some relief. A break from the remote control battles. So you can imagine my excitement when they found a show they both love. You can not even begin to imagine how much more excited I was when I found that the show taught great character traits and had education benefits. Insert big happy mommy face her. Woo Hoo!!!!!!

Coffee Talk Randomness

Today if we were to sit down for coffee, it would feel like the first time have sat all week. Ah to enjoy a cup of coffee. Things have been crazy around here. Good crazy but crazy none the less.

I would tell you how we are adjusting pretty much seamlessly to having a 3rd baby around here. But that it is still a third baby, meaning 3 kids 3 and under. It's a change. I would tell you how shocked I am by how small of a change it is though. I thought I would be so much more overwhelmed. And I am not. I am tired. Really tired. But not overwhelmed.

Creative Headquarters Blog Hop

Hey everyone today I am co-hosting and holding a giveaway with The Creative Headquarters Blog Hop. It is basically a few awesome ladies who are ridiculously crafty, coming together and introducing us all to some other fabulous bloggers. It really is pretty cool. I have found some amazing blogs through the hop, so I encourage you to not only link up but click through some of the other links and find your new favorites.

Oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway, I even included a coupon code for you all. I'll stop talking though, everything I am saying is mentioned below. :)

Polka Dot Nails

Alright, at the last Mani Monday I discussed with you my obsession with gray nails and my fear of color. So umm, this week you are going to be shocked with me. Like for reals.

Coffee Date; Following God's Call

If we were to have coffee today, you would see me beaming with joy. I would also have a party crasher with me. I would tell you that he was our new foster baby and you would be amazed out how beautiful and well behaved he is.

I would tell you how our prayer life lately has been consumed with him and his birth parents. How we are praying relentlessly for them. I would also ask you to be praying for them. That God would do a work in all of them. That He would use this.

Talon is Two!

Last week I asked a bunch of you what the hardest year was for you regarding your kiddos birthday. The reason I asked is that my little man turns 2 today. And y'all, 2 kills this mama. Looking through pictures, I think I know why.

Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse

This past Saturday was Talon's 2nd birthday party. I gave him his choices of different party themes and it was no surprise when he chose Mickey mouse clubhouse. I went with basic black, red, yellow and blue decor. We added a few Printables here and there. Some little figurines and a DIY Mickey centerpiece on each table. We were just finishing setting up when guests arrived so we didn't get many detail shots. I was so happy with how it all came together though.

Back to School Photos

The first day of school is just around the corner, so school pictures were in order. Let me tell you, one thing I do not think I will feel left out on when not sending my kids to Public school is the cheesy kid in front of a stack of books or globe pictures. Instead, I "hired" my hubby, who happens to be a phenomenal photographer, to take Rhiannon's preschool pictures.

The only problem I am having now is choosing her official school picture. You know, the one we send out to the masses.

I am doing a bit of a photo dump here and asking you all for some help in choosing. So do me a favor. Look them over and tell me which one you would choose. Some of them clearly won't work since you cannot even see her face but I love them and couldn't help but to share.  

Oh, and the out takes. Haha!

 So what do you think? What should I use. 

Also, head over to the husbands newly launched blog/website. Follow along. Rumor has it that he will be offering a back to school special for locals who follow his blog. Make sure to tell him that his wife sent you!

Where They Learn

Homeschoolers just chill in their PJs and watch the discovery channel all day right? No, they hike up their pants, throw in their pocket protectors and walk around museums, avoiding other "normal" kids at all costs. 

There are lots of stereotypes. In some cases, people fit into them. But in reality, those kids are few and far between. Not many homeschool moms rely on TV to teach their children. I mean that goes against the main reason most of us homeschool. We want to be the ones teaching our kids.

So what does a real homeschool kid and a real homeschool environment look like? I have no stinkin' clue. I wasn't homeschooled. I didn't see it first hand. What I did know is that I didn't want my 3 year old to be distracted. I wanted the place she learned to be inviting. I wanted it to be fun, so she would associate school with a fun time/environment. So that's what I modeled our homeschool classroom around.

Unfortunately, we don't have a ton of space. We're working with a limited budget, with no extra rooms and basically what we already had. Creating our dream space has proved to be a challenge.

We pulled this beautiful vanity from Rhiannon's room and turned it into her desk. She has her art supplies in one drawer, flashcards and science project stuff in the other. The center holds her paper, personal chalkboard and coloring books. 

This bookshelf was a steal. Only $5 bucks on craigslist. Added a fresh coat of white paint and accented the back paneling in green and it was set. The shelf holds her school books, my homeschool planners and some games and manipulatives. 

As far as making the room look like a place she wanted to be, I let her pick out some fabrics and I made her an alphabet banner. Which a few friends have commissioned me to make for them as well. The chalkboard was an old mirror that we painted a bright color. We pulled out the glass and replaced it with a thin wood that was painted with chalkboard paint.

I took apart an old office chair and jazzed it up for her. Tutorial here.

 

And hung clipboards to show off her work (little brothers too). They are so proud to see their art hanging.

It isn't much. We did what we could with what we had space and financial wise. But it didn't take much. Rhiannon is thrilled. She is counting down her days to preschool. She goes and sits at her desk and asks daily when school will start. I'm hoping to expand and add to the room gradually. 

But for now, this is where she will learn.

Finally Updating

Seems like such a long time since I have done a shop update. I have been sewing my fingers to the bone but things never seem to hit the shop. It is a good problem to have. A very good one. I am blessed beyond measure. 

I have been busy with stocking storefronts. Woot! (do people still say that? I hope so...) You may have seen this shot on instagram. I loved that little shipment and was sad to see it go. 

I have also had a few bridal party orders. Those have been a blast. Working with a bride to make something to give to the girls she loves most. So much fun. If you are a bride or know a bride, email me. Seriously, leather clutches they can always use again? Perfection, right?

Anyway, after the last few boutiques, I have stored up a few things for you. But they are going fast, so hurry over and get your goods. 

Oh and since I have held out on you for so long, how about a discount?

20% off with coupon code ItsAboutTime

Here are some of the new goods in there:

Some Little Lady Purses

A few Artfolios

The NEW Ray of Light Clutch

And I even managed to keep some stock of Chevron clutches

Welcome to the Jungle Baby

You know how when a woman is pregnant she gets a little thing called "preggo brain"? No I am not pregnant. Don't even think it. That's how rumors get started...but I do think I have the "preggo brain". Can being so close to having a foster baby have the same effect? I vote yes.

I have been super forgetful lately. If something is not on the calendar, I promise I will forget it even existed. I will be late. I will be confused. I will not be there.

For example, this post. I meant to write it like a month ago. I thought I wrote it, until someone asked me to see some pictures and I directed them to a blog post that was none existent. I am blaming it on having baby on the brain. Which is convenient since the post is a baby shower. :)

So this lovely couple, is fabulous. They are sweet and caring and just beautiful inside and out. They were getting ready to welcome their 2nd daughter into the world. She happens to be here now...that's how late this post it.

Gaby, the mama, did an amazing job at creating a jungle themed room for their two girls and wanted the shower to reflect the same theme.

We went pretty simple with some burlap accents.

Jazzed up the tables with animal print ruffled runners.

And added a more girly feel to the jungle with some flowers.

Food was just a make your own sandwich and salad bar.

With yummmmmmmmyyyyy cherry lime-aid to drink.

Gaby's amazingly talented sister made up some marshmallow animals to top off the cupcakes. That we placed on my DIY stands.

It was a super fun shower. With lots of laughter. Lots. :)

What is your favorite thing about a baby shower?

Homeschool; Curriculum

The countdown has begun and our preschool year is quickly approaching. Rhi could not be more excited, she reminds me daily that I need to change the number on the chalkboard. I on the other hand could not be more nervous. This is her education. What if I mess up? What if I fall short? What if I fail her causing her to fail at everything? AH!

I know I am over doing it a bit. I know I am freaking out a little too much. This is important stuff though. And I want to do the best I can to provide my children the best education possible.

I did a ton of research on what curriculum to use. We wanted a bible centered curriculum for sure. Something that was structured enough for me but fun enough for the kids. There were so many options. So many reviews. So many things to read and look at and touch.

We finally decided to go with SonLight. I know many of you had questions about what we chose and what we think of it. I can't say too much at this point, as we haven't dove in yet. What I can say is that it eases my mind and my racing heart. My days are laid out for me but because there is so much included that is not "required", I have the freedom to pick and chose what will work best for us and what will meet our needs.

Biggest negative so far? The price. I saw it and saw dollar signs instantly. We are on a budget. A very strict budget. $300 plus did not please me. In fact, it made me nauseous. We are working around it though. We purchased the teachers guide and activity books first, figuring if we couldn't work out the finances we could always hit up the library...a lot. But God provides. This week we purchased the books for Week 1 - Week 15. When the time comes we will see where we stand on the next set of books. If we can't do it we will pull out our handy dandy library card.

We are all excited about starting up with SonLight and adding in field trips to match up with what we are learning. We have a long road ahead of us but I am starting to feel like we are on the right path.