Jul. 4, 2008 - Pics of my baby blankets

Here are the finished pics of my baby blankets.  I made 8 total and had lots of fun making them.

This one is narrower than I would like, but very soft.  I used a basic garter knit stitch:

This one is a simple knit pattern in a mint green Glamour blankie:

Very easy crochet pattern Crochet Granny Square Afghan:

Super soft crochet blanket Sideways Shell Baby Afghan:

Another easy crochet blanket Crochet Granny Square Afghan:

I made two of these.  They are really yellow Sideways Shell Afghan:

Star blanket :Beth's Little Star Afghan

Baby hats I made.  I just improvised and guessed at the pattern and sizing:

Now that I have finished these I need to buy more yarn to start more as gifts because my fingers need to be busy. 

I do still have some sewing to do for baby, but I haven't been in the sewing mood yet.  Hopefully soon.  Oh and I'm missing one of the fabric prints I bought for making my nursing covers.  My sons cleaned up our misc room and it's since dissappeared, lol.  So, I guess it's good I'm not in the mood yet, lol.

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Jun. 27, 2008 - Doesn't it feel good

Doesn't it feel good to get the bills paid?  Over the past few months as I've been so sick, I limped along as far as the bills were concerned.  I didn't have the energy to think and because I wasn't cooking, I couldn't afford to pay everything because the grocery budget was way out of control.  It was miserable. 

But today, I paid the bills before the children woke up and sorted through a couple months worth of mail.  I got to toss a lot which eased my stress of the unknown, lol.  Then I went through everything and paid everything up to date.  Well everything except my natural gas bill, I don't have a bill for that.  I'm hoping that's a good thing as I paid two months worth last month, lol.  So next month I have only one more payment to the hospital for my ER visit and that is all paid. 

It is such a wonderful feeling to know that nothing is going to be shut off.  And doing what's right and being faithful in paying things as they are due feels so good.  Even if afterwards you wonder how you can survive on what's left in the bank  I will have to come up with 61 dollars for my doctor visit on the 7th of July to cover my payment and ultrasound copay.  But with my change jar and some checks I earned for taking surveys I think I can cover that, and buy groceries, lol.

And knowing that my Father in heaven is taking care of my family, I know I don't have to worry.  We will be abundantly provided for.

So, I'm feeling pretty good that my bills are paid and I'm finally caught up.  Whew, it was a long time coming, and I don't want to get behind again......ever.

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Jun. 25, 2008 - Diapers, diapers, diapers

With my new little one coming, I have been considering diapers.  I haven't had to do diapers in a couple years now except for pull-ups at night.  And soon, I will be sewing some cloth bed-wetter pants, so I won't have to do those. 

But in preparation I'm considering cloth or disposable for this baby.  For my others I used cloth, but I don't have any cloth diapers left.  So, that means either squeezing out money from my already stressed grocery budget for disposable diapers.  Or buying cloth diapers again.  And  buying cloth dipes again opens up a whole new world of decisions.

There are some really cool cloth diapers out now days.  Of course most of the super cool dipes are out of my price range, lol.  I would love a stash of BumGenius dipes....but, well.....if you have looked at the price you can understand why that probably won't happen.  So, I think I have settled on trying to squeeze out money for 3-6 BumGenius dipes, and then buying just pre-folds or flats and covers for the rest.  I'm leaning towards prefolds right now because there are some really great diaper packages out there that make ordering really simple for me.  As long as I can come up with the money, lol.

So, that means that I need to save dollars as well as cents.  I have been saving up my coins in a jar for a baby swing, and I'm up to $65 now.  I think that's pretty good.  I'm going to have to save a bit more than that though for the diapers.  I'm now considering if I really want/need a baby swing.  Maybe the money I have saved should go towards diapers.  I mean how long do you really use a swing anyway?  Only a few months.  I'm pretty sure I can find a used bouncy seat at a thrift store between now and baby's coming, and I think a bouncy seat with many siblings to amuse baby will work just as well as a swing.

Planning for baby on a shoestring is a bit challenging, but I honestly think more rewarding than just buying anything and everything you want for baby and not using half of it.  I would much rather really evaluate each purchase to ensure that it is something I will really use.

Well, I'm still groggy, so I'm going to catch a few winks before my sweeties awaken.

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Jun. 24, 2008 - My method to dig out of the pit...

The past months while I have been so ill with morning sickness my home has become a filthy mess.  I'm embarrassed and humbled by it.  To get things back together I have come up with a method that I will follow.  The reason I have chosen this method is because I'm a bit anemic and the iron isn't helping yet, I have very limited energy still and tire easily.  Plus, I don't know if you have ever looked into a room so messy that you were at a loss as to where to even start, but that is how several areas of my home are.  Sad to say, sigh.

So, I have a plan now that I can at least think clearly, lol.  I am going to take a spiral notebook and make a list of everything that needs to be done in one area for it to be clean.  Each part of the list will done with small doable jobs.  For instance, I won't put organize the bookcase.  Instead I will put organize two shelves on bookcase.  Small jobs that I can accomplish one or two of a day along with several loads of laundry, meals and daily lessons.  This way I will systematically be getting an area cleaned and organized while at the same time keeping up with my regular daily activities.  And I won't fail because I'm working with the amount of energy that I actually currently have.  Not my mental ideal.

I know it doesn't sound like much.  But this is only my third week of cooking meals again, and doing daily school with the children.   We took a break of about 4 weeks while I was so bad off.  Early summer vacation, lol.

If I was brave I would post before/after pics of my messy rooms.  But I'm not all that brave I guess, lol.

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Jun. 15, 2008 - My list is coming along....

Well, my baby list is coming along really well.  I have a few small items to buy, and a few high ticket items to buy.  I am saving for the Ergo, but won't be able to buy one until about the time baby comes.  And I have a little over half the money saved in my coin jar for the baby swing.  The pack n play would be wonderful, but isn't a super high priority because we have a bassinet and crib etc. 

It turns out I'm anemic, so that explains my complete and total exhaustion.  Last night I fell asleep at 7:30 and didn't wake up until 6 this morning.  Thank the Lord for an understanding husband.  I am supposed to be taking 325mg of ferrous sulfate in the morning and at night, but none of my local stores carry it.  So, tomorrow when I go to the doctor in the "big city" I will hunt for it.  Hopefully it makes me feel better.

On July 7th we get the unltrasound that lets us really take a good look at baby.  And hopefully we will find out if this little person is a boy or a girl.

I have been feeling some little movements every day that I am pretty sure are baby.  I figure that I'm feeling them earlier than I did with my others because I have been laying down a lot more because I'm tired so much.  I really enjoy knowing there is a little person growing inside me.

My emotions however are all over the place lately.  One minute I'm peaceful and happy and the next minute I'm wanting to cry because I feel like I'm the only one excited about baby.  Gotta love all those pregnancy hormones.

Well, it's Father's day today.  So, I need to rally my energy and get some breakfast made for my sweet husband.

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Jun. 2, 2008 - Today will be fun

Today my oldest and my youngest need to go to the pediatrician to have check-ups.  And I need to get my bloodwork done.  We also need to make a Costco stop.  It will be fun, just the 3 of us.  We will also make some stops at a couple thrift stores and a stop at my sisters house.

Going shopping at a thrift store is always an adventure, lol.  I would like to find an Ergo baby carrier at a thrift store, but I know that is a loooooong shot.  My youngest wants a new teddy bear and who knows what my oldest wants, lol.

I hope that you have a wonderful day today doing whatever the Lord has you doing.

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May. 30, 2008 - Baby blankets

I am making blankets for the new baby.  I have two finished using this pattern and this yarn in the powder yellow sparkle color.  My blankets only have one row of edging around the outside edge though, not the three shown.  It took 1-1/2 to 2 skeins of yarn to make each one.  I'll post pictures of all my finished blankets once I finish all of them.

I am also working on this pattern right now, using this yarn in a baby print with pink, blue, yellow, green, white so it can be either gender.  It is coming out so soft and warm.  I think this one is my favorite right now.

Another blanket I'm working on is using this pattern and this yarn in a mint color.  It's actually really soft yarn considering how it's not pricey yarn.  I bought this yarn at Michaels using a 40% off coupon, so it was really a good price.  I enlarged this pattern, because I wanted a bigger blanket for baby.

And lastly I'm making a basic garter stitch blanket using this yarn, in yellow white and pastel green.  This one I'm using smaller knitting needles, so it is taking a really long time.  But, I will have it finished by the time baby comes, lol.

Now, hopefully I will have enough scraps leftover of each yarn to make one more blanket for baby.  And then baby should be set on blankets for a while anyway.

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May. 27, 2008 - Life

Life is certainly busy.  Here we have just gotten back from a trip to Six Flag's Discovery Kingdom, which was fun, and exhausting for this out of shape pregnant lady, lol.  The children all had lots of fun and so did I. 

After we got back, we had a 20 yard dumpster delivered to clean out the garage and back yard.  And the inside of the house.  Hubby and kids quickly cleaned the outside and garage and now I am slowly sorting things inside to get rid of.  It is really wonderful to just declutter and get rid of junk.  Our wooden swingset that was 12 years old had cracked and collapsed, so we had to junk that and many other things. 

Now, I want to get a small area fenced separate from the rest of the yard for doggie to do his business.  Instead of finding gifts scattered everywhere, ewwww.  My boys and I can do that on our own.

I just love having older boys.  Things that I can't do, my boys can and it's wonderful, they are a big help.

Well, it's 6 a.m. here and the laundry is going and the dishwasher is busily scrubbing away.  The family is all still asleep and since for once I feel rested, I will enjoy my quiet time now.

I hope each of you get to have some peaceful quiet time too.

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May. 18, 2008 - I finished...

My first baby blanket for this baby.  It's very cute.  Small, just the right size for a newborn.  And I also made some cute baby caps today.  So baby's head will be nice and cozy.  I'm really enjoying the preparation for this precious blessing.

Tomorrow I get to go to the doctor and make sure that baby is fine.  I am looking forward to that.  I have been a bit anxious about this baby, so the reassurance will be good.  I try to just trust the Lord, but at times it is hard to not worry that I won't get to hold this sweet baby in my arms and nurse him or her.

Well, I need to be off to spend some time with my husband.  Since I am so sleepy lately, the poor man is getting lonely.

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May. 16, 2008 - Having Fun Planning

I'm having so much fun planning for this baby.  Can you tell I'm just a bit excited?  I added a list of my baby buying/wants on the side of my blog and I will update it as I make and buy the things on it.  I'm having so much fun with this.  I am not however having much fun with morning sickness etc.  I will be glad when the early discomforts of pregnancy are over and I'm into the relative comfort of middle pregnancy.

I have been crocheting a blanket for baby.  I should finish it this weekend.  I have the supplies to make my nursing covers, but I just haven't had the time to work on them yet.  Well, I haven't had the time to unbury my sewing machine yet.  Hopefully soon though.

Well, I need to be off.  Enough playing with my blog for today.  I hope you are all doing well :)

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May. 2, 2008 - I have news

I am now 11 weeks pregnant.  We are very excited here.  The girls can hardly wait to meet the new baby.  The due date is November 20th, I am usually around 5 days late so we will see baby somewhere near Thanksgiving.  I went and had an u/s at 8 week where we say a baby that measured perfectly and had a really strong heartbeat.  I have had my times of being worried that something is wrong and I will lose this baby because of my previous two miscarriages in a row.  But I am trying really hard to trust the Lord and remember that He loves this baby more than I ever can and He has this little life in His hands.  And that is exactly where I want this new life to be.

I have been making out my list of things I will need for baby.  Since it's been a few years and most of our baby stuff was worn out anyway, we need lots.  Some things I put on my list I am removing as our finances aren't up to buying those items and since they are high ticket items (fancy cloth diapers, an Ergo carrier with infant insert etc.) I couldn't see keeping on the list for others to buy if they wanted.  I would feel like it's too expensive.

So far I have one newborn diaper courtesy of Pampers, lol.  I also have two newborn gowns in yellow and 5 receiving blankets.  I'm off to a good start eh?  Today I ordered fabric and notions to make a second baby blanket and to make 3 nursing covers.  One for the car and two for use at home.  My babies are big spitters usually so I think I will need a back up for when one is being washed.  I picked such pretty fabrics, I hope they turn out nicely.

Well, my morning sickness is coming back yet again so I had better lay down until it goes away again.  Have a wonderful day!

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Feb. 10, 2008 - Yipee! The Laundry is on the line

Yesterday I found an outdoor clothesline locally.  I was so excited, and it was only $52.  Not sure how sturdy it is in the long run, but it works great right now.  It's a colapsible one, that spins, so I can stand pretty much in one spot.  We also found a retractable single line, which we installed to hold blankets and sheets when needed.  I felt like a kid at Christmas yesterday when we had finished installing both lines, lol.  After we got them installed, I started a load of laundry and guess what?  The washer wasn't working.  I had to laugh because I really wanted the clotheslines so that I wouldn't have to go to the laundromat because I don't like to talk to folks while folding unmentionables.  And here my washer broke so I'd have to.  God has a sense of humor eh?  But He also has much grace.  He brought back to my memory a time when the repair man came out for this same error code, and I remembered what he did.   So, I did what the repairman did, and my washer is happily washing a load of laundry now.  God is good.  The washer does have a tiny leak in the door, but that isn't urgent yet.  I'd like to save a bit of money specifically for a new washer before buying one. 

Because I ran out of laundry detergent last week, and couldn't afford to buy more we are once again behind on the wash.  But I only have about 5 loads this time, so I should be able to get caught up today.  Well as caught up as you can get with Mount Never-rest.

As far as crafting goes, I have been making face scrubbies for my family that work wonderfully.  I'm going to make each member of our family a different color so it's easy to keep track of whose is whose.  And I bought some inexpensive yarn, and some super cheap double pointed knitting needles and when I watch my Mom's house in a couple weeks, I plan to try to learn to make socks.

Well, that is a slightly boring update of what's up in my world these past few days.

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Jan. 29, 2008 -

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,

 3 he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.

 4 Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, 
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.

 5 You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

Do you ever get tired of this chapter?  I don't.  This morning while making pancakes for breakfast, I was listening to Keith Green's version of this verse.  I paused and actually thought about the words, the meaning.  I may be in a valley right now, but I don't have to fear because,

"Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever."

Now, what could be better than that?

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Jan. 28, 2008 - Update on dryer situation

The Lord was faithful, and He gave me creative ways to make drying space for the laundry.  I took and old decorative accordian room screen that we had, and removed the panels.  I stood it up, and now I have a place to hang clothes.  I also found an old wooden doorway baby gate, that we no longer use.  I placed it over two tv tables and I have more indoor clothes drying space.

At night, nothing dries.  But during the day things get almost dry.  So I figure that if I get my wash done early and hang it early, than the next day it will be dry and I can hang my next loads.

Dh and I talked.  We have decided that we will replace the dryer along with the washer that has another leak, sometime this year.  But probably not until July-ish.  They are both old for a bigger than average family, and the washer we have repaired a many times.

So, it's working out without a dryer right now.  And I will save a bit of electricity which is good right now, as dh has been missing about 10 hours at work a week lately.

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Jan. 27, 2008 - A call for prayer

Yesterday my dryer broke.  It's cold, I have about 10 loads of laundry to wash including dh's work clothes that he needs tomorrow.  I hung some outside yesterday afternoon, and now it's raining on them, lol.  The clothes I hung inside yesterday afternoon still aren't dry.  We have less than $100 to get us through 2 weeks until dh is paid again, in which case we will be broke again because we have to pay the mortgage and dh has been missing work because there isn't enough work.  So, I'm saying I can't buy any indoor clothes dryers to put over the heating vents.  I can't afford to go to the laundromat to dry because it's $2 a load there.  We can't fix it right now.  I don't have any movable objects like chairs that I can use to put over the heating vents.  I have a bunch of hangers that scrounged around the house, enough for one load of laundry, and a shower curtain rod and doorways.  After 12-16 hours my laundry is still wet.

My computer screensaver is a scrolling marquee that says, "Trust Jesus ALWAYS".  I am trying to remember that.  If you all could pray that I could once again have that peace that I had yesterday, I would really appreciate it, lol.

This is a wonderful test for me.  And a great oppurtunity to see the Lord work miracles, lol.

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Jan. 26, 2008 - Bundled in Prayer

Christina over at Bundled in Prayer gave me a reason to blog today, lol.  She makes beautiful afghans and shawls.  I don't have one, but from the pictures, they are quite lovely.  She is currently having a contest that ends on January 31st.  You can nominate someone that you feel is deserving to win one of her beautiful creations.

I think it's a wonderful thing she is doing.  So, pop on over, check out her blog and join the contest.  Or buy one her items as a gift, or just for yourself

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Jan. 26, 2008 - Blessed with the oppurtunity to grow

There are some things in this life that are no fun, yucky and downright miserable.  No, I'm not talking about dishes and laundry.  I'm talking about the big things.  The things that cause us pain and to reach out to the Lord desperately and trust Him only.  These things are different for each of us.  And usually they are quite personal.

This past week, I have been blessed with an oppurtunity to grow closer to the Lord.  It has been very painful, and I'm not through it yet.  But through this I can see my Saviour.  And I can see the fruit of Him in my life.  The gentle nudgings in my Spirit that prepared me for this before it came.  The peace and joy in the midst of this pain, that only He can give.  It truly does transcend all understanding, and guard the heart.

Right now I am so thankful for this oppurtunity to grow that the Lord has given me.  I pray that through these thorns, some beautiful fruit will be born in me.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7

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Jan. 23, 2008 - My poor little guy

My son, age 9, who hit his head on Sunday is now feeling sick.  He woke up today with a headache and sore throat with a tummy ache.  Poor kid, he just feels miserable. 

Please if you think of us say a prayer for my little boy.  Seeing him sick is making this mama sad

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Jan. 23, 2008 - Yummy Chicken Recipe

Last night we had some yummy chicken strips for dinner.  Everyone loved them.  These can be made as chicken nuggets, that's what the recipe is for.  However, I don't like to cut up raw chicken, so I buy frozen chicken tenders from Costco, and I use those whole.  Here is the recipe:

Golden Chicken Nuggets

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp salt

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 cup butter, melted (1/3 cup oil can be substitued)

1. Cut each breast into 6-8 nuggets, about 1-1/2 inches long.
2. Combine bread crumbs, cheese, salt and herbs.
3. Dip chicken into melted butter, then into crumb mixture.  Place in single layer on foil lined baking sheets.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes.

The chicken will take longer to cook if you start it frozen, like I am prone to do, lol.  I want to make up a bunch of these and freeze them before baking.  That way I will have my own yummy chicken strips ready to go in the freezer for those busy days.

Enjoy!

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Jan. 22, 2008 - I finished Grandma's scarf

Yesterday, I finished Grandma's scarf.  It came out so pretty and soft.  Here is a picture of it:

I made it from a pattern in the One-Skein Wonders book.  Afterwards, I decided that I didn't want to wrap it clumsily in wrapping paper, and I have no gift bags right now so I made a gift bag.  I loom knit the bag by weaving the bottom, and then knitting it on the red KK loom until it was long enough.  I rolled the scarf and put it inside to get the perfect size.  I bound off by crocheting two stitches in between each peg to make it looser.  I then crocheted a curly bow to go around the top.  Here is how it came out:

I think it came out really nice.

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