Missing

My cute cousin called me today. She had good news she wanted to tell me. And then of course, we just had to chat away. I love that girl. Very much.

I hung up with her feeling a bit sad that I live so far from many of the people I love. Sad that my kiddos won't really know some of the people who mean the most to me.

But I am ever so grateful that these wonderful people are a part of my life. That they have helped me become the person that I am.

And no matter how far away we are, I can still call them up and pick up right where we left off.

Just missing you.

Sleep Tight

Tave hasn't made a peep since we laid him down.
I hope my sweet boy sleeps through the night because
last night was tough. On all of us.
Sleep tight, my little man, sleep tight.

I caved

The past month or so Tave has had a horrible time sleeping.
He wakes up screaming at night. Screaming so loud you think he's hurt or terrified or something awful is happening.
He's always been a really really loud crier..so we don't know if this is just him being mad or if he really is scared.
But since he's been teething and sick for so long, we've been going in and soothing him, singing a song, giving him a drink and then putting him back to bed.
This little routine lasts about 1 minute, maybe 2...but it happens about 4 times a night. Which is really hard to go back to when both kiddos have been sleeping through the night for months.
I like my sleep.

So tonight was the night. We decided we were just going to have to let him cry it out.
It has worked with West and even with Tave. We usually have to do it after they are sick and have gotten used to us being there a LOT.
I just absolutely 100% H.A.T.E. doing it. It takes about 2, maybe 3 nights and they are back on schedule, but it is the hardest 3 nights of my life.

But I couldn't do it. I was strong through the crying. Strong through the screaming. I was even mostly strong through him yelling 'momomomomom'. I had to go in at that.
And truly, honestly, I was just going in to lay him back down, not to pick him up and snuggle him and sing to him.

But those little arms reached through the crib to grab me and climb out. His sweet voice kept saying 'up, up, up, mom' and his sobs broke my heart.
So I picked him up, held him close, and he stopped crying in an instant.
His fingers found my face, and he touched my lips as I sang. He snuggled into my arms with his two fingers in his mouth and sighed as he said 'blanket'. (which is always the last thing he says as we leave his room)
And I felt my heart melting as I calmed my little boy.

I am sure I will cave again before the night is through.

Our fun Friday...

Jeff had the day off.
Those days are always a bit of Heaven in our home.
(especially since we were all healthy enough to enjoy it!)

We had so much fun looking at fish, touching stingrays, and smiling at sharks!
It was fabulous.

I love my kids and I love my hubby.

Some Sun

It was a beautiful, sun-shiny day.
We went to the park and took our jackets off!
We ran and played, swung, and climbed.
We fed the ducks, talked with friends,
and walked.
I felt the tender mercies of a Heavenly Father who knew that after all of this rain and sickness and being inside, we just needed some sun.
It came from the sky and from our friends.
What a wonderful day.

Conversation

Jeff and I were hanging out tonight just working on all of the stuff we both have to get done. Crocheting, invoices, necklaces, business cards, homework, studying, etc, etc. (notice cleaning isn't on this list...my house is horrid right now!)

We had been talking back and forth every so often, just casual chit chat.

I realized Jeff had said something and my brain hadn't really processed it so here's the result:

N: What did you say, Babe?

J: (about a minute or two later) hmmm...what, what did I say when?

N: You know, just now, I think I said something back to you but I dont' know what you said. (as I'm still working on stuff)

J: Well, what did you say to make me say what I said? (continuing to read his lesson)

N: I dont' know, what did you say?

J: I think you said something, what was that? Then I might remember what I said.

N: Well, I don't know what I said or what you said. I think this is pointless.

J: Laughs.

So there you go. Our thought provoking conversation of the night.

We both realized we are waaay too tired. But we sure got a good laugh out of it. :)

Pretty cool...

I had kind of put my little etsy shop on the back burner.
Life was busy. I had already put a lot of time into it and just hadn't taken the time (and money) to promote, advertise, and build.
I was okay with that. It was my little hobby. My creative outlet.

Then I decided I really really wanted to try doing a boutique. I have grown up going to craft boutiques with my mom. I LOVE going and have always wished I could be on the other side- the making side. They just look like so much fun. Plus it's fall- the perfect time to showcase my hats, and Christmas is coming. Add to that that I get to share a booth with one of my favorite friends, Trista of Cupcake Chic and it was just too perfect to pass up!!

Fast-forward a few weeks. I'm crocheting like crazy, have put tons of money into something I am hoping will sell and am having a blast. But busy busy busy. Every single spare minute I am crocheting.
Then my friend, Stephanie mentions that the store where she works (Pebbles in my Pocket) has a little shop where select items are sold and they are looking for someone to sell jewelry, would I be interested.
Of course! I love my button necklaces. They are cute, unique, and most of all- fun for me to create.
So I send in pics of my necklaces and guess what? The lady loved them. She wants them in all 3 of their stores. 3?! Whoa. How cool. How fun. How crazy can I be?! Now I have to get THREE displays ready!!!
Busy just got busier.
But guess what, I am still having fun and so excited to see where this may take my little etsy shop.
So, deep breath. Here I go.

Looking on the bright side...

We've been sick at our house.
Yup, the dreaded swine flu hit us hard.
I am the lucky one who never actually had a fever/cough, (two of the tell-tale signs you have H1N1 virus) just the rest of the yuckiness.
We're still coughing and head-aching and basically trying to get completely better.
But this weekend turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We have been so caught up and crazy with life, school, work, and so many other things that we haven't had a chance to slow down and catch our breath.
(Hmmm..probably why we got sick in the first place!)
Since Thursday we couldn't go anywhere, couldn't see anyone, and absolutely had to slow down, get better, hang out as a family, and throw some fun in there when we had the energy. In this case, fun was a walk to the mailbox or playing a game with the boys.
It turned out to be pretty good.
And while we're still on the mend, our little forced break was a bit of fresh air.
Isn't it awesome how He knows what we need.