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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Project Kitchen Aid

Here's what I'm working for! I am really dreaming of having one of these overseas, it would be oh so beautiful. If you want to help me purchase this beauty I'd be happy to custom create something for you or just check out my Etsy shop. I'm thinking of putting this picture on some business cards for my craft show next weekend, what do you think? Or should I just stick to the norm?
I'm only slightly stressed right now. Thankfully I have all my baby shoes finished, now it's on to finish last minute things and I think I'll actually get to those diaper bag tags after all. Start praying for a beautiful day next Saturday. It would really stink if it rained.
I'm ready to focus more on packing and let that overwhelm me for a while. The Word has been true blessing to me during this crazy season of our lives. I hope it helps calm your anxious heart as well.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Not your typical Wedding Present

We are going to a wedding tomorrow and I can't wait. I just can't wait to see these two become husband and wife. I love it when God draws to people together. Both these sweet people we meet while we were overseas which makes this such a special wedding.

I had a hard time finding the right fabric but was happy to find the fabric I finally choose. I just love them and thought I'd share them with you. So what do you think? I know when we got married there were things we received that although we were was grateful for made me wonder why they would give it to us. I hope they don't think this, or at least humor me and my sewing machine.

Almost finished...with children's aprons

I have two more child sized aprons left to finish today!! I can't wait to be finished with them so I can move on to my baby shoes (I've already prepared my fabrics for this project. They are ironed and backed in interfacing ready to be made into adorable little Topichkiis).

I have discovered that I'm a little craft ADHD. I've enjoyed making each apron, but there is something that I learned, I don't enjoy making more of one of each apron. I like to move on to a different fabric and doing the same thing again and again gets a little tiresome. I'm really thrilled how they turned out though. My favorites include the "Super Chef" It's complete with a cape on the back. I just love it. I also love the one I'm finishing up today, the fabric really makes me happy. I'll have to post it when I'm finished with it.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Other BIG News!!!

Well Wednesday was crazy for another reason, we wanted to wait until today to share it with you all. No, we aren't expecting another baby, but we are expecting to leave sooner than we thought. This was not at all on our radar, we didn't think our status would change, but we got a call on Wednesday and due to the generosity of so many we will be able to go this year, like DECEMBER!

This means we have so much to do between now and November. We are hoping to spend our last month in the states with family. WOW between getting things ready for my craft show, packing and helping my mom out with my dad we're going to be a busy bunch. YIKES. But a good kind of busy! We are so amazed at how faithful Father is to us.

Oh and my dad doesn't know yet so if you see him, don't mention it.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Unpacking the last few days

Wow. I'm so thankful Calvin & I are home for a few days. The last few days have been utter chaos. Something that my poor husband does not thrive in. Our plans were constantly changing but thankfully the Lord provided for every need.

Wednesday was just a crazy day. We had an evening event at church and I was busy trying to get my aprons finished. After dinner at the church we had to run home to get cookies Calvin and I made earlier that day. Thankfully my phone was sitting right there and I noticed I had a message. My mom called to tell me that they were on the way to the hospital, there was a liver that was a match and they'd keep me posted on whether it was a go or not. (Often they will send you home if it's not a good match.)

So around 10:00 pm we found out that the liver was a good match and that surgery was scheduled for 4:30 a.m. So we rushed around packed a suitcase, ran to Dillons to get some food, washed Calvin's cloth diapers and we headed to KC around midnight. Calvin woke up around 1:30 am and stayed awake until 5:00 a.m. We were a tired bunch. Thankfully we were able to get maybe an hour of sleep before people started coming into the waiting room.

The surgery went well and my dad is doing about as good as you can do after such a major surgery. His new liver is functioning and so far shows no signs of rejection. Now it's just finding the right balance of anti rejection drugs. They basically suppress his immune system so that his body doesn't start rejecting this new organ.

Unfortunately since my dad is still in ICU Calvin can't go visit him, which makes for some shuffling and it's much easier to do with Marvin there. We came back home last night and I'll tell you it's so nice to sleep in our bed or not have to feel like a pack mule for the day. We'll head back after he is released from the hospital to help my mom with some of the care he'll need so she can return to work. Which means I have to work like a crazy woman this week.

I thought I'd share some ways God's hand has been seen in the midst of this crazy situation:
-My dad got the news when he was visiting his mom at the nursing home and shortly after he left my uncle came to visit my grandma and got to comfort her during a scary time.
-We were able to see my dad before they took him to surgery. Thankfully they were behind schedule by 30 minutes.
-My dad got to see Calvin briefly when they wheeled him down the hall to the elevators.
-God provided a place for us to rest our heads, even for 30 minutes in a smaller private waiting room.
-Calvin didn't melt down at the hospital. He really enjoyed the attention from everyone and loved having someone play with him at all times.
-My dad was very nervous before they took him into surgery, but he said once he was taken back he felt very peacefully.
-The surgery was a success! There were others at the hospital who did not have the same story.
-My brother, who recently moved to Houston, already had plane tickets to come back to Kansas for a wedding. He was able to see my dad a day after the surgery.
-We are borrowing my parent's truck for the time being which gives us some flexibility if Calvin and I need to head to Kansas City.
-For a sweet friend who met us at a park one afternoon. Thank you so much Marie, Calvin really enjoyed it and it was such a blessing to give him some time outside, not to mention catch up with you.

God is certainly Good. We are thankful how he has provided recently.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

I'm 2 T-Shirt

Our ancient camera just me load pictures to our computer, unfortunately the quality isn't that great, but at least I can add pictures. Here is a preview of the "2" shirts I've been working on, the boy version of course. Girls version to come, but I need more shirts.

Oh and I was so bummed to see a very similar idea on another blog, because it was original folks, came straight from my brain to paper. Oh well I guess great minds think alike.

Where did the time go???

Oh my goodness I have less than a month before my 1st craft show and I'm not as far along as I'd hoped to be on my sewing projects. I'm excited for the things I'll have at my booth, unfortunately many of them are not yet made, yikes. I had hoped to get all my aprons done this weekend, but I've been distracted, the good kind, by my family and wiped out by allergies, boo, both have slowed production. I have a stack of about 8 aprons I'd like to finish today. I don't know if it's possible but I'll work till midnight and then we'll see how much I've accomplished. In case you're dying to know what my little 10x10 booth will have here's my list:

  • 4-Snuggly Clippy Blankets (can attach to your stroller, carseat, baby carrier (baby bjorn, ergos, etc.) I love these and wish I had one when Calvin was little. I love that they work for a variety of things so you don't have to buy different muffs for various strollers, baby carriers and car seats.
  • Fabric flower hair accessories, hair clips & headbands. These turned out very cute. I have about 15 made and I'm hoping to make a few more.
  • Diaper Bag Tags/Luggage Tags (yet to start)
  • More Baby Booties. I'm hoping to make about 15 more in a medium size, 6 more in a size small and 10 in size large.
  • Aprons, children's, women's & nursing (need to make about 15 more)
  • A few t-shirts. So far I've done a "2" shirt and hope to do a "3" shirt and "1" shirt. They are pretty darn cute, I can't wait for Calvin to wear his on his birthday. I love how he can wear this after his birthday too, unlike the "It's my birthday today" shirts out there.
  • Hot Pads (haven't started)
  • Maybe some Christmas Ornaments with a place for a picture, we shall see how much Christmas fabric I have leftover after my aprons are done.
  • I spy fish (thankfully I already have these made)
Some days, like today, this is a little overwhelming, I'm only slightly behind schedule but feel a little overwhelmed. I just hope I finish my sewing machine projects before my dad has his surgery. I guess I better get working.

We are still having computer issues and can't load any photos which stinks because I can't add anymore things to my Etsy shop until it's figured out. Anyone know of a good computer guy in Wichita for a decent price? I think it's time we take our little computer in for a check up.

Well dinner's ready so I better go feed the family!

P.S. If you know of anyone with a 10x10 foot tent I'd be very grateful if I could use it on October 3rd.