Library Day, Swimming, Swimsuits

We went to the library today, and filled our basket with lots of good things to read. That is one of our favorite places to go, and I try to do it each week. We are blessed to have a wonderful library here. These past few weeks have been spent reading about beekeeping, sharks, self sufficient living, Johnny Appleseed, horses, and King Arthur. Pretty eclectic mix heh?

It was really warm this afternoon when we got home(Or maybe I should say warmer, because I know the really warm stuff is yet to be seen this year). So, we let Benjamin play in his little pool. He had so much fun. Of course, he was having so much fun, that before long, he had company! I had my camera set wrong for some of these.

I have been working on swimsuits for the girls. After last year, I knew that storebought suits just werent an option for us. We had the girls putting clothes over them, for modesty sakes, anyway. I know that really wasnt very practical for swimming. So, I designed these. They weren't hard to do at all. I made the top just like a tank. The bottoms are bike shorts style, with an attatched skirt. I didn't want this to feel bulky, so there is no elastic. It has a yoga style waist band. Marendy's is on the cutting table now. I hope to get it finished up in the next day or two. The girls picked out their own fabrics. Marendy's is pink, of course. I will be sure to show hers once it's finished.

Benjamin is getting so big. He is 17 months already. I got these pictures while he was in his little pool today.





Playing Boo with Mama...


Just being cute!

Summer Clothes

The machines have been humming here. First off, I finished these fun Hawaiian print tank dresses. I think they are perfect for really hot days that are on the way. The girls sure are enjoying them. I took a normal tank top pattern and just lengthened it to where we wanted the dresses hem to be.

It sure does feel nice to have my little ladies so excited about what Mama makes for them.

Next was chick tank tops. The pattern is from the Ottobre Design magazine. I think the issue is 02/05. The fabric is buttery soft (think Gymboree), and feels like it will hold up to many washings. This was a coop fabric, I just got in a few days ago. If I had known it would be so soft, I would of ordered a bit more. The skirts are repurpoused dresses. I cut the tops off and added a waist band. Easy Peasy.

Benjamin was busy surfing on the computer chair so we didn't get a still shot of him in his new set. I love the way these board shorts came out. Instead of just hemming the end, I added a band of contrasting fabric and gathered them just a teensy bit. So cute!

Get Behind Me Satan

What an eye opening post. I believe this is something we need to be on constant guard of! This really spoke to me today, I hope it will be to you as well.

http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2009/05/get-behind-me-satan.html

Free DiGiorno Flatbread

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I have been visiting Crystals blog over at Money Saving Mom for
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I try to make things stretch as far as possible. I shop clearance,
frequent thrift shops, and make many, many things. I also
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visit Money Saving Mom!

Croup

Benjamin woke up with a fever and some serious strider in the middle of the night. I immediately steamed up the bathroom and sat in there with him for 10 minutes. After no improvement, we went out into the cool night air. He was still very raspy, and I knew we would have to take him in for some epinephrine treatments at the hospital. After years of treating Marendy with stymptoms like this, I am pretty familiar with what will have to happen. Baylen rode with me, while Gary stayed home with the sleeping children. We went to our local hospital because it was so much closer (20 minutes away), and he was pretty bad. After several hours, x-rays, and breathing treatments, we were on our way back home, and he was a *little* better. We laid down for about an hour. I woke up to more crouping and called his Pediatrician. She said what I knew, he needed to go to the Children's Hospital. I handed out orders to the other kids from the steamy bathroom, while holding Benjamin. We were out the door in about 15-20 minutes. Gary was driving a little over the speed limit, and we ended up getting pulled over. I think this was actually a good thing because the police man called an ambulance for us, that took us all the way to the Children's Hospital. Benjamin was able to get oxygen the whole way there (over an hour) which eased my mind a great deal.

They admitted us overnight there. I was so thankful, because he needed several epinephrine treatments. All together I think he had 6-7. When Gary and the other kids went home, Brady stayed with Benjamin and I, to be a help. That night was pretty scary. Thankfully though, I know someone that's good to lean on. Someone that answers the prayers of worried Mamas during the night. Thank you again Lord. I was able to bring my baby home. The crouping is gone, and he is left with just a cold. We trying to get things back to normal now.

My Place at Home

I am humbled, thankful beyond words, that the Lord has seen fit to place me here. I am truly living out my dreams. When I was a little girl, I wanted most to be a Mommy. To hold babies of my own in my arms. To love them, and care for them. At one time I wanted to be a teacher. To be able to teach children, read to them, help them. There was even a time I wanted to design clothes. All of these things are a daily reality for me. I spend my days with my children, teaching them, and learning alongside them. Caring for them in every way they need. I am the one that gets to joy in their learning to read, understanding a new match concept, and even taking that first little wobbly step.

Some days I go upstairs to my studio and make dresses. Yes, I get to be that designer. After having Madison, the Lord taught me to sew. I am so thankful for that. It is such a joy to create beautiful things with my hands. My dresses have been sold all over the country. Sometimes bringing a profit. Although I enjoy that, I have to say that the greatest reward is using this ability to serve my family. The Lord knew I would use this skill over and over again. Sometimes to dress our own children, and sometimes to sell my goods afar.

I am a teacher. (Although, I am thoroughly convinced that I do much more learning than teaching.) Yes, we do reading, and writing, and math. But there is so much more in our days. Anything that becomes an interested to one of us, is taught. We not only learn it, we do it. Hands on, touching, feeling....living it. We are learning to farm, and garden. To build, and cook. To manage finances, and run businesses. To help and encourage. To be self sufficient. To love the elderly. To love babies. To work on vehicles. To make almost everything we need. To make wise decisions. To trust the Lord. To sing, and play instruments. To be patient. To serve. To give. Yes, we are learning, more, and more everyday.

It breaks my heart to think of my children being in a building of strangers day in and day out, without Gary or I there to guide them, and help them. The years we have to mold them are so short and even now, I think of all the things I hope to teach them. I think of all the qualities, Lord willing, I hope to instill. I think of all the character traits I pray they have. I can't begin to imagine not having all the hours with them I do now, and being able to raise them to be capable young men and women, ready to serve the Lord in all things.

I feel so sorry for the mom's that are waking up only to rush out of their home. To drop their children off in daycare, and schools. Only to go to work for hours doing what someone else (not their husband) asks of them all day. They return home, to only do it again the next day.

I cannot imagine any other place I would rather be than in my home. God has placed me there, and I rejoice in that. I don't take for granted that all my needs are supplied, to do as I wish each day. Lord, help me to make the most of all of these things you have given me. To realize what a high calling I have here at home. To serve you with it all. To raise these children to be honoring to you. To equip them to do anything their life may require. Help me to see each day as it is, a gift from you with many, many possibilites.