My Morning In Numbers

4:53 – time on the clock when the alarm went off
4 – number of deer I saw while leaving my house
25 – mph I had to go when I followed the slowest car on the planet . . . at 5am
28 – commercials I saw while on the treadmill
120 – crunches on the ball

5 - pound dumbells
6 – “good mornings” from strangers
17 – seconds for a microwave pancake for JA
2 – cereals for Jack
6 – ounces of formula for Grant
10 – kisses from my husband
139:17-18 – a sweet reminder of God’s thoughts of me

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I

to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Psalm 139:17-18

Psalm for Today

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long."

Psalm 25:4-5

While I think on these precious verses today, I have the privilege to enjoy this adorable face. What blessings abound!

Three Year Old Theology

The other day, Jack and I were in the car on our way to preschool. He had been singing his little heart out about Daniel in the lion's den.

After the song was over, he said, "Mommy, I wish I was in the bible."

Me: "Really? Who would you be like?"

Jack: "I'd want to be Daniel. Wait, no, I wouldn't want to be in that lion's den. I'd be afraid."

Me: "Well, I bet Daniel was afraid, too. But you know what? God was there with him and he'd be there with you, too."

Jack: "Nuh-uh. God wouldn't be there with me in person!"

Me: "You don't think so? Why not?"

Jack: "Momma, God lives in my heart."

I didn't have a response. Other than to wipe the tear from the corner of my eye.

I'm reading a book, "The Ministry of Motherhood" right now. It's one of those books that is reaching in and touching my heart with each chapter. Topics such as discovering your own calling as a mother using the acronym GIFTS --- the five gifts you give your children. This book has entered my life at the perfect time, as I have been seeking answers and direction on reaching the hearts of my children.

The Lord knows that I often need reinforcement and affirmation regularly. He graciously and lavishly pours it into my life just when I need it most. That conversation in the car between a boy and his mommy? I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit was speaking through Jack and his three-year-old theology to reinforce what I am reading, seeking, and praying. Right there driving down the road, He spoke. And I was listening.

Getting ready for Easter

I've been working fast and furious to get ready for Easter outfits. JA's dress is finished and Grant's outfit will be cut out shortly. We're going with pink and blue for each of them. Poor Jack, he's wearing shorts, polo and a vest. No more cutesy outfits for that 100% boy. {snif... sniff}

Summer Smocking

I'm getting started on smocking for Grant's summer clothes. I just finished a new pattern, Jeffrey from Children's Corner and had to quickly make a second outfit so I wouldn't forget what I learned the first time around. These are the first outfits I've made with a smocked insert in a john john pattern. It was easier than I was expecting it to be, once I got started on the project.

The light blue geometric john john was the first outfit I made, with a smocking design I came up with when my original plan to smock baby ducks didn't fit onto the insert correctly. There is always Plan B in sewing at my house!

The monkey john john was project #2. (I didn't add the socks on the monkey as the smocking plate shows, I liked them better plain.) I am pleased with how they turned out - it was the first time I made my own piping and used snaps to close the crotch. (I've used buttonholes in the past or just used a finished seam for Jack's outfits after he was potty trained.)

Both outfits are 6 months and are fully lined. Honestly, it blows my mind when I see these finished outfits! I never would have thought a couple years ago that I would be able to sew, smock or put something together like this. If I can do it, so can you!!

Now I just can't wait to dress him up in these sweet summer clothes!

Welcome, March

We had a mini-celebration yesterday to welcome the first day of March. While the kids were at school, I had an uncontrollable urge to bake something. So I made cupcakes and let the kids decorate them for their after-school snack. They were beyond excited to see what our afternoon activity was!

I think they'll remember the first day of March for a while.