Six Years Later

Yesterday was Seth's 6th birthday. As I wished him Happy Birthday as he climbed into bed with us that morning, I hugged him. And as I did a wave of emotion suddenly engulfed me and it was all I could do not to cry.

Six short years have gone by and during that time Seth has undergone fifteen or so treatments. His birthmark has faded significantly although it comes back after long periods of no treatments.

He had a treatment in September. Shortly after school started. I was a little apprehensive about how the other kids would react to the spots of the treatment. I talked to Seth before he went back to school and told him to tell a teacher if anyone said anything that hurt him or made him sad. After he got home he told me he had a happy day. He climbed into my lap and we snuggled. After a couple of minutes he told me that a boy had asked him why he had spots on his face. I asked him what he said. Seth said he didn't say anything he just turned around and walked away. He then looked at me and said "Mommy, why do I have spots on my face?" Right then it dawned on me that I had been so preoccupied with making sure that the other students understood why Seth has spots on his face that I forgot to explain it to Seth. I also realized that he probably had no clue what he looked like to other people. I pray that he could always have that innocence. Even though I know it can't be.

My heart aches for him today. I was standing in the shower & suddenly I started sobbing. My body shook & I fell to the floor of the tub. Begging God to keep his life full of love.

I am so used to seeing Seth with his birthmark that I don't even notice it. But I see how other people look at him & hear the remarks. Mostly innocent ones. I know that he doesn't hear them or have any idea what they mean by them. But they cut me like a knife.

I want to protect him forever. To steal him away so that one one can ever hurt him. So that one day when he does understand the remarks, he is not there to hear them.

But I know this can't be so.

His birthday brings back all the emotions. That first night in the hospital after he was born. Sobbing in bed by myself holding him tightly. Wondering what I had done wrong. The nurses and visitors noticing but not wanting to say anything. The barrage of questions we all had. But most of all "Why?"

I ask God that ever so often. Why? Why him? What plan could you possible have in store for him, that is so important that you have to mark him? Why must my child live with the stares, glances and remarks?

I can't begin to understand. I hope that someday God reveals his plan to me. I hope it is worth it.

I'm Not the Only One!

My Son, Still weird

Remember earlier in the year when I wrote this about my son, Seth, being weird. Well the story continues. Only now he has moved on from time and is currently obsessed with dates, calendars, years & directions. Let me share a few examples with you.

A few weeks ago Seth was invited to a birthday party for one of his little friends from school. He was very excited and when I told him the party was on November 27th he quickly responds with, "November 27th, that's a Tuesday. We are having footlong hotdogs for lunch." Very matter of fact. As if the school lunch menu was right in front of him. (Did I mention he is also obsessed with the school lunch menu?)

Saturday the boys were at my parent's house. They were looking at a map of Ohio & Seth was looking at it upside down. He looks at the map & blurts out "West is that way." Pointing in the correct direction. Whenever we are in a car Seth keeps constant tabs on which direction we are going. Which direction Columbus is, as well as Cincinnati, Dayton, & all the other streets and cities that appear on the road signs around here. Did I mention yet that he is not quite 6?

But the one that amazed me the most happened last night as we were eating dinner. Seth will try just about anything to keep from eating dinner. Last night he was counting to himself to avoid eating. He stops sometime after 17 and says "December 21, 2008 is going to be on a Sunday." I kinda laughed thinking yeah right. Then I got curious & got up to look at the calendar. HE WAS RIGHT! This year it is on a Friday & since next year is a leap year it will be on a Sunday! Lucky guess right! So he tells me another one. "December 31, 2008 will be on a Wednesday. " Again, Right! Then this one really gets me! "January 1, 2009 will be on a Thursday just like November 1, 2007 was on a Thursday! I mean who knows this stuff & how is he figuring this out!

I quickly called my parents to share my amazement with them. My Dad replied by asking if he can do Lotto numbers. I plan on finding out! I may be the next power ball winner! LOL!

It's Merry CHRISTMAS!

I need to vent. I am sure most of you noticed the obvious exclusion of Merry Christmas last year with the replacement of the very generic Holiday. It has continued this year with more companies jumping on the band wagon. This just burns me up inside. I got the Pottery Barn Kids catalog yesterday & was flipping through it. When I noticed a strange saying not only on the front of the catalog but on almost every page. "Holiday is ..." and then they would show some classic Christmas scene or gift that everyone knows is really about Christmas. And then to hear the Lowes is selling "Family Trees" instead of Christmas Trees. When I turn on the T.V. I am bombarded by adds for the "Holiday". What kind of generic name is that?

Whatever (excuse my language & cover the eyes of little ones if necessary) a**hole decided that it would be o.k to strip Christmas of Christmas and just call it Holiday, needs to be shot! They say it is all about including everyone. We don't want anyone to get their feelings hurt, waah, waah, waah. What a bunch of whining, conniving, liberals. Don't believe for one second that that is why Christmas has been dropped from just about every advertisement, media story & greeting.

You see it's not about including everyone else. It is about excluding CHRIST! That's right I said it. EXCLUDING CHRIST! God forbid should we have a day to celebrate the birth of our Christ! I for one am tired of hearing the word "Holiday" and will scream from the top of my lungs "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Should someone say "Happy Holiday" to me. So lets not sit idly by while a few people decided that Christmas shouldn't be a part of Christmas anymore. Let your voice be heard! It's Merry Christmas to all!

I've been featured!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Babble regarding my Madelyn Button Socks. They wanted to feature them in their Christmas gift guide. I of course said "Yes!!!" So here they are! Featured in the Babble Stocking Stuffer category! Check it out & remember that each pair is completely customizable! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tree Hunting!

I love hunting down the perfect Christmas tree! It is one of my favorite things about Christmas. There is a Christmas tree farm not too far from our house that we go to every year. The kids love it because they have a family of donkeys & they too love the hunt for the elusive perfect tree!

My husband HATES this tradition. He would much rather "Go to the Dark side" and buy a FAKE tree. I would never let a fake tree in my house! Since Duane hates tree hunting so much he usually stays home and the kids & I take to the tree farm with my parents & nieces & nephews who are also searching for the perfect tree. This year I was unable to go when everyone else could go so the kids & I had to go by ourselves. I did manage to drag Duane along. He came grudgingly.

I forgot my camera though. I was so mad! Taking pictures of the kids in the old cabin and searching for the tree is just as much a part of the tradition as cutting the tree down.

As we stepped into the grove of trees I saw it! The perfect tree! My husband was elated that we had found it right away. He was ready to go before we even got there. The elation soon drained as I decided that it was too short. I proceeded to walk the entire length of the grove as Duane lagged behind pulling all 3 kids in the tree wagon. As I got to the back of the grove I realized that the first tree I saw was in fact the perfect tree. Duane was not pleased that he now had to walk all the way back to the very first tree that we saw. Don't tell him but this was my plan all along!

I got down on the ground & started sawing away. (Duane hates to cut the tree even more than he hates searching for it) I got about halfway through the trunk when the saw just stopped. Elijah wanted a turn but he too got stuck. So Duane had to get down on the ground and finish the trunk. Hee Hee it was priceless! Not only did Duane have to go on the tree hunt with us but he also had to walk most of the length of the grove pulling three kids and he had to get down on the ground and help cut! Now do you see why I was so mad that I forgot my camera! Merry Christmas My Dear!

The twins are here!

Well actually they were born 2 weeks ago. But I have been such a horrible friend that I haven't even posted about it yet! They are absolutely adorable! Danielle did great during the delivery despite the 4 hour lapse between Gabe's birth and Esther's. Praise the Lord she did not have to have a c-section! Grant is adjusting to life as an older brother but I think he really enjoys having 2 babies! Kate got to see them for the first time last week. She was loving it! I literally had to pry the tiny things from her arms. She kept saying "No Mine!" She really wanted to take them both home with her.

Well Danielle, I gotta hand it to ya. You made being pregnant & giving birth to twins look like a piece of cake! God bless you all!

Happy Anniversary

Well today is my anniversary. D & I have been married for 11 years! I can hardly believe it. What an 11 years it has been too! I'll be honest there was a long period in the middle where it just sucked. But by the grace of God we have overcome those issues & are now happier & more in love than when we got married. I know that sounds cliche'. But it really is true. We got married when I was 19 & D was 23. Sure I loved him & he was my best friend but at the time that is not why I was marrying him. It took me 9 years to realize what a wonderful man my husband truly was. He has to be the most patient man I have ever met. God knew what he was doing when he placed us together. Having come through on the other side of all that stuff still in love or actually I guess I should say truly in love. I can actually say that we love each other more now than when we got married.

So I want to let my husband and all of the world (at least those few who actually read my blog) know that I LOVE YOU! Thank you so much for putting up with me and all of the crap that I gave you. You are a great man and I am proud of you and appreciate all that you do for us. I thank God for you.

Loveme

My Newest Product & my Fav!

I am finally getting around to selling my signature Kimonos. I just love kimonos on little ones. They are so cute! I have been making them for my daughter & friends for a while & I finally got around to listing one in my store. I just love it & I have had lots of complements already! Of course the adorable model helps too! Thanks Shantel!

A Summation if my Daughter in One Picture

This one picture sums up just about everything there is to know about my Stinkpot. Nevermind the fact that she can't read. It wouldn't matter anyway.

Look what I found in my kitchen!

There is a stool in our kitchen that I now have to keep on the back of the stove so that K will stay out of stuff. Well this particular morning I forgot to put it away before she got up. This is the result.

These PJ's are the cutest!

I saw these on Etsy a few weeks ago & fell in love with them! I just love Heather Ross's fabric & the bycicles bring back memories! It was finally cool enough last week for her to wear them & I couldn't help myself but to take a few pics. She of course didn't want to cooperate but I managed to snap some anyway. So here is a pick of my Stinkpot in these adorable pajamas! They are made by Heather Hale Designs & I totally want her to make me some more!

Running & headbanging just don't mix

I discovered last night that running & headbanging don't mix. It is very hard to headbang & run (at least on the treadmill) at the same time. I kept getting disoriented each time my head would come back up. Then my feet want to run to the same rhythm my head was banging to & that doesn't work so well either. I am surprised I didn't fall flat on my face & fly off the treadmill! So just as a warning to all you metal headbanging runners out there. Don't try to do both at the same time!

I got some new fabric!

This is the whole reason I sew... Fabric. I love it. I can't get enough. So to justify the money I spend on fabric I sew! That way D can't say anything about the $ I spend b/c I am making $ too! It's all part of my evil plan, hahaha!

I ordered this fabric last week & it came yesterday! I just love Matryoshka dolls. Ever since I went to Russia when I was in high school I have loved them. I have a small but beautiful collection of them. When I saw this fabric I knew I just had to buy some! I can't wait to create with it!

PA here I come!

So my hubby & I went to PA this weekend to visit some friends. It was so peaceful & relaxing. They live in a quaint little town. The kind of place where not only can you keep your doors unlocked when your not home but you can leave your car unlocked & the keys in the ignition & no one will bother it.

Compared to my lovely city where on Monday night, the night we returned, we were rudely woken up by the sound of gunfire a few houses down at 12:50 am.

Tuesday night it was my neighbor's HORRIBLY obnoxious car alarm blasting at 3:30 am. I mean this has got to be the WORST car alarm EVER! It goes off for no reason at least 3-4 times a week and ALWAYS during the middle of the night. Although it's not as bad as it used to be. It used to go off EVERY night! It must be getting to him too because when I was leaving yesterday I noticed a For Sale sign in the window of the car!

Wednesday night we woke to the sounds of my other neighbor having a fight in his front yard. Yelling, screaming, banging, swearing. Actually I don't think there were any words used that were not swear words. Can we say "Police on speed dial!" This of course happened at 3:50 am a mere 3 hours before I am supposed to get up. aargh.

So long story short I am ready to go back to the peaceful small town in PA and stay there. I am packing my bags as we speak! If only it were that easy.

Is she ready!?

So I just spent a good amount of $ on some AIO cloth diapers. Some are new & some aren't so I didn't spend tons of dough on them but still... Anyway my Stinkpot decided last week that she does not want to wear cloth diapers. So she takes them off all the time. I told her that's fine but if she's not going to wear a diaper she has to pee in the potty. "O.K"! She says gleefully! Whatever it takes mom to be able to run around naked! Only she hasn't been peeing in the potty but on the floor! Thank goodness for hardwood floors! Skip to today.

We were out all morning & into the early afternoon. I had put a disposable diaper on her before we left b/c I am not daring enough to venture out in a cloth diaper. Anyway when we got home it was nap time so I wen to change her & it was COMPLETELY dry! Yeah! Since she was dry & had been drinking the whole time we were out I knew she must really have to go. So I asked her if she wanted to go potty. She new I was getting ready to put a AIO on her & then send her to bed for her "nap" so she said "Yes, Mommy, potty" Of course I am thinking yeah right, anything so she can put off naptime for a little while longer.

We walk to the bathroom & I placed her sweet little toosh on the toilet. Most little ones who don't have much experience on the big potty would freak out & cry if you don't hold onto them while they are perched precariously on the pot. But not K. The first thing she says as I am holding on to her chunky thighs is "No, Mommy, no" as she is pushing my hands away. What a stinker! She quickly tinkles a little & then exclaims that she has poopied (her word for anything pertaining to going potty) Not much but hey she did it! I then forced her to get off b/c I too had to go! As soon as I was done she wanted back on. So I placed her back on the pot & that girl peed! I mean she peed more than I did! Whoohoo! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! But wait. I just spend quite a few bucks on new cloth diapers! What a Stinkpot!

Get Away!

I am so excited! I get to go away this weekend! Actually my husband & I get to go away. Without any kids! For 2 whole days! The last time we got away without kids was when we wend to a Browns game in Oct of 2003. Before K was even a thought. I am VERY ready for this!

We are going to PA to spend the weekend with our friends Neocracy. Of course we could really be going anywhere & I would be excited about it. But we don't get to see them very often & when we do it is usually only for a few hours so the whole weekend is something to look forward to!

Naptime for a 2 yr old is not just for naps!

It's just me & the Stinkpot home now. Since both the boys are in school all day (yeah) But now that she doesn't have her brothers to pick on all day she chooses to get into EVERYTHING! She is currently choosing naptime to get into the MOST trouble but she still saves plenty for the rest of the day. For example
Monday Naptime: After hearing some thumping around for a while I heard K crying so I went upstairs to check on her. She had opened S's eczema cream tube & emptied the entire thing ( it was almost a new tube) all over her. It was all over her shirt, chest, legs, face, neck. It was up her nose & all around her mouth & eyes. So I smack her leg & told her no firmly & we set to trying to wash all this greasy thick lotion off of her. She still smells like the lotion.

Tuesday: Non stop orneriness. Too many to mention. Woke her up from her nap to go pick up the boys from school to find her completely naked! Thankfully no poops!

Wednesday: Found her in the bathroom this morning eating the boys toothpaste. It was
covering her face & again up her nose & all around her eyes & all over the front of her. It too was a brand new tube of toothpaste. Now she smells like berry fruity toothpaste (yuck)

Naptime: It was suspiciously quite after I laid her down. There is usually some sort of thumping around as she settles in. This time none of that. So I knew she was up to something. As I opened her door she started whimpering. I looked up & found out why she had been so quite & why she was whimpering. She was in E's bed (all 3 share a room, the boys in a bunk bed & K in her own bed) COVERED in Boudreaux's butt paste! She guiltily looked down at her bed which was also covered in butt paste! As I looked around I noticed both boy's beds were covered in butt paste too! And yes it too was a brand new tube! It took me almost a half an hour to clean that stuff off of her. It was even in her ears! As well as all of the places mentioned before! Aaauugh! She now smells like a lovely combination of eczema lotion, berry toothpaste,
Boudreaux's butt paste & two different kids of baby wash & shampoo!

She is currently asleep but God only knows what she will get into once she gets up. And then there is tomorrow & the rest of the school year! Help! I think I would rather have all 3 of them home! Will there ever be an end to this madness? Lord, help me!

My Son's beautiful hair!

My boys go to a Christian school. Which I am so thankful for. And even more thankful that state vouchers pay for their tuition. Otherwise I would be home schooling which I don't want to do. We live in the inner city & there is NO WAY I would EVER send my kids to school in our school district. Anyway, the bad thing about the school they go to is the dress code. Not the dress code itself (they have uniforms) But the hair dress code.

My oldest son was blessed with his mother's thick curly hair. He loves to grow it out in the summer (thanks to his heavy metal dad). And I love his long curly locks! But for school, boys can't have their hair touch their collar, at least part of ears must be showing & it can't be in their eyes. Which means my son's hair has to go :( Come on. Does it really matter how long their hair is? It's not like they are less of a Christian b/c they have long hair. Aargh. I could go on. But instead I'll share with you my son's beautiful hair, before & after.

Today was the first day of school so here he is ready for 1st gr with his hair cut short. And might I add it is looking kinda goofy.

I ran my first 5K!

I am so proud of myself! I ran my first 5K yesterday! And I ran it in 37min & 2sec. Which is about 7 min less than I was hoping to make it, and 13 min less than what I was expecting. I don't get to train outside, only on my treadmill which is why I thought it would take me longer. I had my Ipod religiously strapped to my arm & pounded the pavement to the fast & heavy tunes of Neocracy I attribute my fast time solely to them! Thanks guys! Much appreciated!

I got there & I thought "oh crap, I am out of my league (even for a 5K)" Dressed in sweatshorts & an old Curves tshirt, I didn't exactly fit in. I was feeling VERY self conscious about being there. I knew I could run the race. I just didn't feel like I looked like I should be there. I will definitely have to get some new attire for my next race. When I was trying to decide what to wear my husband foolishly said to me "It's just a race. Does it really matter what you wear?"
Um, YES!!!! You would think that after being married for almost 11 years that my husband would know by now that it ALWAYS matters what you wear!

My next race is going to be the Air Force Marathon ( but only the 5K part) I am not ready for a marathon YET. That is one of my goals though. To run a marathon. Although as I was driving home last night from my cousin's wedding reception. I passed a mile marker that stated Xenia 26miles. So I carefully watched the road go by until I had driven that 26 miles. I thought to my self. Am I really ever going to be able to run that far? Most of my friends think that I am crazy, but I love the idea of accomplishing something that not very many people have or can accomplish.

My Son is Weird!

I know that sound awful & I don't mean it in a bad way. But my middle son who is 5 1/2 has this uncanny freakish ability to know what time it is without seeing a clock. I brought this to my husbands attention several weeks ago. At first he thought it was just a coincidence but it didn't take him very long to see that it wasn't. It happens ALL the time.

The latest example. Saturday night we had gone out after church to run some errands. We usually get out around 6:45 or so. But service ran late & then we had to go shopping after. So we were not on our way home at our usual time. On the way home my son casually says "It's after 8:30." My husband & I look at the clock (Which my son cannot see from his seat) It was 8:31! My husband asked him how he knew what time it was. He said "It's after 8:30 when the sun is pink like that" WHAT?! Is he telling time by the sun? What 5 yr old can do that? He is mildly OCD especially about time. But how is it that he is regularly able to tell you what time it is, within 2-3 minutes of the exact time, without looking at a clock? See what I mean by weird!

I've been featured!

I have been featured on the cool blog Mommin' It Up! How exciting! I have made several things for Jenny the coauthor of Mommin'It Up! Now she is returning the favor & featuring me! Check this blog out. It is full of hilarious antics about motherhood & pregnancy. I am sure that most of us can relate!
Also mentioned are my nieces (Sassy Sisters) and my sis (Chubby Baby Designs) Etsy is a family affair for us!

The Marriage Meme

Jenny from Mommin' It Up tagged me. So here are 8 things about my marriage

1. I met my husband when I was 18. We dated VERY briefly about 6 months after we met & then broke up, deciding we were better off as friends. About 6 months after that He decided he wanted to get back together & 3 months later we were married!

2. We almost eloped but my Mom found out & wasn't to happy about it so we decided to wait & do it "right".

3. I was 19 when we got married he was 23.

4. We got married at my parents house & I was barefoot because I couldn't find any shoes that went with my dress that didn't make me taller than him.

5. We have never had a honeymoon but dream of taking one to Australia & New Zealand, someday...

6. One of the best things I remember us doing together was going to see the Lord of the Rings Trilogy when Return of the King was released. We got to watch the first 2 extended editions in the theater & then we got to be one of the first to see the Return of the King. It was an all day event & by the end of the night my butt was pretty sore but it was totally worth it!

7. The first car we bought together was a 95 Mustang GT. My hubby had always wanted one so I sorta bought it for him. Four years later when we had to sell it because we had a kiddo on the way I was the one who cried, not my husband. Although in my defense I will say that I was 8 months pregnant at the time!

8. MANY people tried to tell us that it wasn't a good idea to get married. They said we wouldn't make it. Well it will be 11 years this October & we are more in love now than we were when we got married so Ha!

So now I tag Chubby Baby Designs, Sparkle Me Designs & Enchanted Dandelions

New Skirt Outfits!

I just listed these the other day & I love them! They are so cute & versatile! Just pull on a pair of leggings & layer the shirt when it gets cooler! My Model didn't want to take them off when she was done! Right now I only have the 2 sizes listed but I will be listing more styles in custom sizes soon. If I ever get a spare moment to start creating again!

Both sets are one of a kind so snag them while you can!

I made it!

The Stinkpot got her cast off today! Hooray! Although she has been able to walk with the cast I have still been carrying her around alot when we are out to avoid scratching up the cast too much. (We have hardwood floors) I mistakingly thought that this would be the end of that & I could let her walk out of the hospital on her own. I was wrong. I have never had a cast before & it never dawned on me that her muscles that she hasn't really used in 4 weeks would be weak. She can't even stand on her leg! It is good for my upper body strength though!

So much a I want, so little Money

I am soo in a shopping mood right now! There are DOZENS of things that I want right now JUST on Etsy! But alas I have little to no money to spend :(

It has been a very cool & pleasant summer here (knock on wood) & I am starting to get catalogs for fall. Let me tell ya with the cool weather & all the awesome new styles this fall I am going crazy! I am trying sooo hard to be good! It's a good thing I don't have a car during the day b/c I would be out shopping if I did! Of course having 3 kids to drag around (one of which is still in a cast) deters me a bit from going shopping too. That's why I like Etsy sooo much! I get to shop for things that I LOVE, support other crafters & I don't have to drag along my kids! Although my boys will often look over my shoulder while perusing the pages and pages of wonderful items!

New shirt for girls!

I got the cutest ice cream hair clip for my daughter from etsy seller BabyOReally . So cute in fact that I had to design a matching shirt to go with it! And so I present my Yum... Ice Cream Cone applique T shirt. My boys have said it looks good enough to eat! See for yourself.

Can't wait until July 31st!

Not only is that the day that my dear Stinkpot gets her cast off! She fractured her tibia going down a spiral slide at the park in case you were wondering. But....

It is also the day that 300 comes out on DVD! Oh I absolutely LOVE that movie! If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it! My hubby & I have seen it twice in the theater already & would see it again if it wasn't so darned expensive. But now we can watch it at home any time we want! Yeah!

My husband says it is a great way to celebrate the cast coming off & I agree!

I am so done with Ebay!

I haven't shopped on Ebay too much this season. I decided today to try & find some jeans for Kate for this fall. Just to get a head start on things. I forgot how absurdly high the shipping charges could be! It just burns me up to see people charging as much as $8.95 for parcel post shipping for a pair of 2T jeans! Come on what a rip off! They could be shipped 1st class for around $3 or so. Listing after listing of outrageous shipping charges. Most of the sellers were charging more for parcel post than it costs to ship priority! I might as well buy them new! In most cases by the time I paid that ridiculous shipping charge I can get them for new if I wait for a sale!

Ooh it just makes me so mad to see people ripping others off. And the thing is, there are people on Ebay who are stupid enough to pay that. Therein lies the problem. People are dumb enough to pay $8.95 to ship a pair of baby jeans. So those jerks selling them keep raising their shipping rates. I may still buy the occasional item on there but shipping has to be cheap!

And of course I will still sell outgrown clothes & such but you will NEVER see me over charge for shipping!

Ebay needs to make some SERIOUS changes in it's shipping policies!

Look at the surprise I got in the mail today!

I orderd this fabric like 3 weeks ago & never heard back from the website & hadn't been charged for it. So I emailed to find out about it & still nothing. Then Surprise! In the mail today I get this package & whatta ya know it's my fabric! Look! Don't you just love it! Great Ginger Bliss fabric!. It is out of print & SO hard to find! Now if only I can decide what to do with. So many choices! Ideas anyone?

It's Official!

The Terrible Two's have begun! Technically there are still 23 days until my little Pumpkin Head turns 2. But let me tell you she has become Terrible! Every evening she bites, kicks, pinches, scratches & jumps on top of her older brothers. All of which she didn't use to do (except for the jumping on top of them part).

I have never dealt with one of my own children acting like this before! Don't get me wrong my boys went through a rough patch around the age of 3. But NOTHING like this! Aaagh! How long is this going to last! Boys are definitely easier to raise when they are younger!

Guess I need to just buckle down & get ready for the ride! Wish me luck!

New Babies! That's right Babies! Plural

I am so happy! My Best friend just found out today that she is have a boy & a girl! I mean she knew she was having twins but she just found out the sexes today. And as if that isn't enough my other best friend recently found out that she is having her 4th boy! And my other good friend just had a baby girl! There are more but too many to list. I am literally surrounded by babies & pregnant women! So glad I am not one of them again! Watch out Etsy here I come!

My first try at felting

Ok so I have been wanting to try felting for a little while. As if I don't have enough to do right! I finally got around to trying it today, with varying results. This is my first "ball" if you will. I use that term very loosely. Looks more like a little turd on the CPF, of course the color doesn't really help. Mind you I tried this before I read the directions. I was having a male moment.

So I tried again, this time trying a different technique but still choosing not to read the directions, yet another male moment :) Looks like more poo, doesn't it!

Ok so it is at this point that I realize I am waisting my wool & I need to read the directions, so I go back to my computer & slowly read the directions a couple of times. Then back to the sink to try again.

Look! 3rd time is a charm! It's not perfect but hey! For the first time (sorta) I think it turned out pretty good! There was a strange tag of wool hanging off of it that I ended up just cutting off. I hope that I didn't ruin the whole thing by doing that. I guess we will see.

Now the waiting game. I guess it can take a couple of days to dry completely. Guess I'll have to wait to make more to make sure it turns out ok. This is going to be fun!

Don't you just love the quaintness of England

I stumbled across this blog on Etsy, while looking for some lovely wool roving. http://www.simmy.typepad.com/echoesofadream I love it! I have always wanted to live in England (among other places) but my hubby thinks I am crazy & is perfectly happy to stay here in boring ole' Ohio USA. But Simmy's blog is full of quaint little bits of English culture. It makes me smile & wish that I lived in her village. But I am suck here with no hope of ever getting to live there. So I guess I'll just have to get my English fix from her blog.

Great Blog for us Mommies!

My good friend & her cousin just started this blog. It's called Mommin' It Up! It's all about life as a mom & includes some very humurous stories that many of us mommies can relate to. Check it out & let me know what you think! http://momminitup.com/

Sold All my Onesies!

I just sold all of my onesies to someone in the UK! I am so glad to finally have those out of my inventory! I can move on to new projects now! Woohoo!

I've Been Tagged!

http://onegirliegirl.blogspot.com just tagged me! So here are 7 random facts about me.

1. I spent 3 weeks in Siberia in January of my senior year of high school on a missions trip. It was cold but a great experience & I would go back any time. This of course led to my love of Matrioshka dolls (otherwise known as nesting dolls) Which I am slowly collecting.

2. I am the middle child of 3 girls. I was born in California & both of my sisters were born in South Dakota. We now all live in Ohio.

3. I got married when I was 19 & 10 1/2 years & 3 kids later I am still happily married! My Husband is 4 years older than me & is a musician.

4. I graduated with my B.S. in education when I was 26. Now I am getting ready to start my Masters Degree at 30!

5. My middle son was born with Port Wine Stain birthmarks that cover about 60% of his body. Amazingly thought despite all that could be wrong with him he has had very few problems! Praise the Lord!

6. I have one tattoo (althought I wish I had more!) and my nose is pierced & I am a born again Christian!

7. I love Indian food! I would eat it all the time if I could. But my husband & my boys can't stand the smell. My daughter, who is not quite 2, loves the stuff! She eats almost as much of my dinner as I do! She loves spicy food! A girl after my own heart! Or stomach as it may be.

Ok, my turn. I tag...

http://chubbybabydesigns.blogspot.com
http://lemonsandlollis.blogspot.com
http://modcherie.blogspot.com
http://georgannesbaby.blogspot.com
http://dottotboutique.blogspot.com

Have fun!

Ode to Sock Monkeys

I snagged a treasury today on Etsy. It is my ode to Sock Monkeys. I LOVE Sock Monkeys! Check it out. It is only up for a couple of days so don't delay!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php?id=1179391026071U5053279

I want a Gnome!

I found this Gnome shirt today & I want it! My hubby, who is often mistaken for a gnome b/c of his gnome like appearance (short stature, long hair & lots of facial hair), would love to see me in this I am sure :)

Headbands!

I also finally got around to listing my cute custom ribbon headbands. Just like the one pictured on my daughter. Tons of ribbon to choose from. In fact there is so much I couldn't list them all. Althought the listing is for a child's headband I can make them bigger too!

New Purse listed today

I finally got a new purse listed today. It is the same Kelsey Bag style but in cool punk tattoo fabric! Gotta love the tattoos! I know I do! And if you are like most people who have a tattoo, once you have one you just want more! Well blogspot is not letting me add a photo right now. But click on the link to see this awesome purse!

New For The Boys Line!

I just listed the first of my new "For The Boys" line of appliqued t shirts! They are so cute! My boys who are 7 & 5 want one of each in their sizes! Right now I have a Blue Ring Poisonous Octopus T shirt & an Electric Guitar T shirt. Both come in custom sizes!

I'm an addict

Ok all. I sorta had a feeling but now I know it's true. I am addicted to Etsy. It has been down ALL day & I am dying for a fix! I need to shop & list & answer questions. Aahhh!!! It's ok. It will all be over soon. I hope.

Mommy!!

Sometimes I wonder what would my children call me if Mommy wasn't in their vocabulary. Perhaps there would be silence! Oh, sweet silence! I remember with each of my children, that I couldn't wait until they could talk. Now I just wish they would be quiet & listen:) Between the two that are at home all day I think I hear "Mommy" at least 10 times a minute. I'm not exaggerating. My 5 yr old son can't get my attention fast enough & tries to squeeze in as many "Mommy"s as he can before I have a chance to answer & as soon as I answer he has another 2 or 3 "Mommy"s waiting for me. My 21 month old daughter just loves to call out my name. It was so sweet at first but now it just doesn't stop. But she has nothing to say once you respond to her. She just says "Mommy" again and again and again... I need one of those clicker things that you use to count how many people come through the door. I want to use it to see how many times my kids call out "Mommy!" Oh but I love them even if I wish I could change my name :)

The purse sold already!

I can't believe it! I just listed the Kelsey Bag & someone already bought it! I guess I need to get busy sewing instead of blogging!

Another new Product - The Kelsey Purse

Named after my little sister who wanted me to design her a purse. After I made hers I knew I needed to sell them too! I love it! Of course the fabrics really make it what it is. Love the Amy Butler fabrics! Check out the listing & let me know what you think. The Kelesy Bag

New Product!

I have about 75 left over handmade purses from a project I started about 2 years ago. After months of trying to figure out what to do with them I finally had an idea! OOAK stroller bags! These super cute bags hang from the straps of your stroller & hold the essentials close at hand! Great for strollers that don't have the parent tray at the top of the stroller. I just listed the first one! Sock Moneky! My favorite! Check it out! I will be making more over the coming weeks but for the most part no two will be alike!

Do I Sew or Sleep?

Ok, so it is 11:30 (pm) & I just got home from my husband's heavy metal concert. I have two projects on my table waiting to be finished. Do I sew or do I sleep? Hmm. have to get up at 7:30 to go pick up the kiddos from my parents...hmmm. I think I'll go watch SNL & do some sudoku! Sudoku anyone?

I was right

Well, I was right it was too easy. Although it was really more my problem than anything. It's funny how one wrong letter can cause so much confusion. All figured out now. I hope! Well, off to my husband's concert!

Sold a Nickname shirt!

Woohoo! I just sold my first Nickname shirt! I have had so many complements on it but no buyers yet! Can't wait to get started on it & get a new pic listed!

I'm getting it!

Hey, This is easier than I thought it would be! At least right now! I am sure there is some horribly difficult thing that I am missing! But for now I am so proud of myself I can't help but smile!

The Beginning

Alright I admit it I have never done this before. Can you believe it. I am a blogger virgin. But I figure if I am really going to get my company name out there I am going to have to start sometime. I guess I have alot to figure out. Ok, I KNOW I have alot to figure out. Eventually I'll get it! I hope. Enough about that, Let me introduce myself. I am a SAHM. I have been married 10 1/2 yrs to my husband Duane who is a musician & is in the band Gnashing of Teeth he also does recording in his "spare" time. We have three great kids Elijah, 6 1/2, Seth 5 & Kate 21 mo. Kate alone is more of a handfull than my boys ever were! I have been told that raising girls is harder than boys & that is sooo true! But she is my inspiration! My product line has really developed because I love making clothes & stuff for her.I have a BS in Education & am going back to school this fall to start working in my Master's degree. I am looking forward to that although it will leave me less time to sew. But I'm sure that I will manage.Ok, I need to move on & get this thing looking good! I'll be back with bells on! In the meantime check out my Etsy store Pumpkin Head Baby Co. I would love to know what you think!