Boys + Quilts

This is way too good not to share. 

So, our church has this "quilt ministry". A bunch of lovely ladies got together earlier this year and cut,

and cut,

       and cut

                  little squares of material. 

The goal was to make quilt kits that others from church would take home, and many quilt fronts would be sewn. Once the tops are done, they will assemble all of the quilts, do the necessary quilting and finishing and donate them to those in need in the community.

I kept thinking about grabbing one, I mean I do have a sewing machine.

I have learned how to use it. 

Kind of.

But I wasn't sure I would know what to do, or get it done in a timely manner, with everything else going on  in my life.

I finally grabbed a bag of various quilt squares last week and brought it home. The boys were ecstatic. Anything crafty/creative is like a vacation to these dudes. They.love.it.

Yesterday, as I was getting ready for church, Noe asked if he could get the squares out and begin designing a quilt with them. I consented.

This is what our living room floor looked like for the next hour.

He had very specific idea about what he wanted this quilt to look like. A cross in the middle was a must. 

When I complimented him on his mad design skills he said:

"Mom, it's like, there is always art in my head, and I can't wait to get it out of my head"

Hello child with mama's heart beating inside of your body. I love you.

There's always art in my head too.



So, then Jay hears that Mr. Noe has designed an entire quilt top while he had gone to church early with Dave, preparing for the worship service.

We can't have that.
We just can not have that.

So, he picks his own quilt bag that very morning, and begins his design right away.

      

(Sorry babe, I had to put these up. I just had to…)

 And that is how they all came together. *grin*

Snapshots of a {♥} day

I used to stress about my role as a wife and mom- as in, thinking that I had to have it all, do it all, and put a cherry on top. I would read Proverbs 31 and immediately begin to sweat.

Images of some unrealistic composite of Martha Stewart, Mother Theresa, and a compilation of personal friends, who I admire and/or am jealous of would dance in my head and taunt me of all that I am not.

And then, through a series of small, large, and freeing events, I began to truly see that God made me unique.

Me.

Wendi.

 I am not Theresa, or Martha, or super organized, remembers snack day more than 2 hours before preschool lady. I'm not.

I re-read Proverbs 31, and several other Scriptures, and can honestly say that a new excitement and joy bubbled up inside of me.

I didn't feel condemnation, and exhaustion, and this "I'll never measure up" heaviness.

No, instead - I took away this message.

"Your job is to love. Love big and completely and without limits. Be warmth in your home. Use your gifts. Watch out for laziness, but don't push yourself for things you weren't designed for. 

Add color to your family's lives! Splash it all over. Surprise them. Be there for them. 

Be there.

Maybe the pots and pans all fall out of the cupboard when you open it. It's okay right now. There will be time to work on that some day. Right now? - Bang on the pots and pans with a wooden spoon when they fall out.

Giggle about pots and pans.

Put God's word all over your house. Paint it, speak it, proclaim it, live it. 

You will never, never, have victory over the dirt while your kids are young. It's okay. Keep it as tidy as you can, make it presentable - and then giggle at the dirt.

Draw smiley faces in the dust. 

Bring the light, bring the love, bring the color, bring the warmth. Let them remember you for this. It will be worth it. Every second."

And so, here I am - living that balance of being orderly and planning well, while not stressing and obsessing {trying, trying, trying...}. 

I am learning more and more how prominent my attitude and presence is in our home.

 I set the tone: I'm stressed: they're grumpy. 

I'm upset: they're nervous.

I'm living in freedom and Joy?? They are relaxed, open, loving. 

So here are a few snapshots of this sweet, colorful, life on our Valentines day.♥

 

Valentines

I'm kind of freaking out over how cute these are.

And no one is here, over the age of 4, to do a happy dance with me.

Not that doing happy dances with one and four year olds is not good enough - it is quite fun, but I really wanted to share the adorableness.

So, do a happy dance with me??

Thanks.

Idea stolen from Inspiration received from Lindsay 

And if you haven't read my previous post - go do it and enter to win a book and some coffee!

And I thought I was a multi tasker...

Ends up I am not the mutli tasker I thought I was. Big sigh.

See, I used to pride myself in my ability to make mac 'n cheese while talking on the phone and nursing - simultaneously. What is it they say about pride? Something about falling.... Anyway, as the mom of 4, multitasking is pretty much a given. But I found out this week I just can't quite do as much at the same time as I thought I could.

I can't get all of my laundry done while planning/emailing/calling for several different events that I have chosen to be involved with.

I can not write blog posts while designing a  blog.

I can't do much of anything while I am in the middle of some intense "sleep training" with the wee one. {"Sleep training": He goes to bed at 8 and then cries to nurse at 10:30. I let him cry (thus the "training"). I cave after 10 minutes (who is training who?). I have a stern talk with him about how he is almost 6 months old and has plenty of chub rolls. He doesn't need to be nursing through the night like that. He looks up at me like he understands. I try to go back to sleep. We have this "training session" again at 1am. And usually again around 4:30...)

 I can't mop my floors while doing serious crafting with my ever so creative Jay. He has been all about crafts lately and every day he is just so excited to paste and cut and invent. We have been painting rocks, making pandas out of toilet paper rolls, crafting flowers from scrapbook paper and paper plates, and dipping cheerio krispy bars in chocolate and sprinkles.

So much goodness, no?

Oh and the weather! We are finally getting pretty sun and we are getting warmth. I can't multitask with this either. I have to just be out there in it. Watching Dave build our deck + ramp for Caleb's walker. Pushing the boys on swings and just generally laying down on the ground and rolling in the beauty that is spring (not really... but I am in love with it).

So, this is me under the laundry pile, learning the html codes, wading through the pretty paper, crayons, paint, and baking supplies, and keeping my eyes open. And can I just say that life really does look pretty from here.

I'm no Bezalel - but check it out anyway

Imagine my delight last night when during the course of our Bible reading I made the surprising discovery that one can have the spiritual gift of making crafts!! Who knew? But there it was - right in Exodus: "...I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs..." Exodus 31:1-4 Oh Bezalel - must be so great to be you! All of this to say - such a gift has not been imparted to me. However... I do love to pretend that I am some kind of a Bezalel. Crafting makes me a bit giddy. Some of my crafting creations - most assuredly - appear to be the creations of someone between the ages of 2 and 5 - but that does not take away from the joy I get in the process. My latest endeavor? - A little bit of decoupaging. Isn't that a fun word? Decoupage, decoupage, decoupage. Say it - it's fun! Annnywayyyyy... I digress. So, I started out with some square pieces of wood that my hubby cut out for me - just some old scraps he had in his garage. Noe "helped" me get my project started with some painting fun. Then we had to wait for them to dry. The following day we Mod Podged (using Mod Podge as a verb - getttin' all kinds of crazy) some scrapbook paper onto them. Watch out for the Mod Podge. It can be addictive. After a little magic from the cricut - and hittin' the Mod Podge again (of course) we, once again, had to wait for everything to dry. The next day I did some sanding - for a bit of a distressed look - and voila - the first decorations to hang on or "new" bedroom wall. Would Bezalel have come up with some thing more beauteous - undoubtedly. Am I satisfied with the finished product - most definitely!

A blessed life

So many reasons...

Really happy that every one here is HEALTHY!

Little boys who are cubbies in AWANA for the first time...growing up! Seeing them in their vests and loving it.

Delighting in a morning with friends! The first Mom2Mom meeting for me this season. Learning so much from these lovely ladies.

This give away, which I love and hope to win!

Kisses from Dave. A quick lunch date of fresh sweet corn and grilled steak (really seriously wow) while the kids napped.

Cleaning, organizing, and lots of busyness.

Sunshine in abundance!

Excited about helping out with the silent auction fundraiser for the crisis pregnancy center where I work once a week.

Getting in touch with my creative and crafty side again and being nearly giddy over it.

Learning more about life. Learning how to laugh more. Learning more about my deep need to be in the Word daily.

Delighting in my K. Remembering when every ounce of nutrition was prayed for and agonized over. Loving that he is our biggest eater right now. Haven't used the G-tube in a couple of weeks. Watching the new skills of walking longer distances unassisted and standing for much longer periods of time. Rejoicing.

Praying for the right words as I plan on speaking at our hospitals infant memorial walk.

Kissing chubby feet.

Thanking God for breakthroughs in obedience. Seeing some positive outcomes from intentional parenting. Small, but light at the end of the tunnel evidence nonetheless.

Feeling more of a sense of contentment and completeness than I have felt in a long time.

I am blessed!

The 100th Post - Motivation for Domestication

This is my 100th post! It really snuck up on me. :) I didn't realize I was quite up to 100 yet. So, I am going to interrupt my regularly scheduled posting for my own little twist of the 100th post celebration. :)

I've seen many different bloggers do many different things. All very cool! I've seen the '100 things about me' post when they have gotten to post #100. Fun to read other people's, but that would not be a captivating read on this blog. :) Some have thrown little parties, and some have done a give away. That last one is my favorite! :) So, of course that is what I will do!

Friends I made you something! I'm not kidding! I got out my husband's grandmothers old sewing machine and I made this bag:

Can I say - I think it turned out very cute? (I guess I just did...) Yes, little Miss Wendi has a domestic side. I'm no Martha mind you, and the project has to be very simple - like something my five year old could do simple (this project took all of one hour last night), and likely will have a mistake or 2 (dozen), but that domestic side is there!

So, I am giving away my handiwork to a randomly chosen commenter on this post. But wait, that's not all! You may or may not like the bag, but it is what is in the bag that no sane person could turn down. :)

Oh yes it is - chocolate!

If you want to participate in this Bag O Chocolate giveaway simply leave a comment on this post. I will leave it open until Thursday night at 7:00, at which time a random number will be chosen by someone other than me. The corresponding comment number will be the winner. I will contact you, get a mailing address, and send these goodies to you!

Have fun!

Earth moving passion

This morning I can say something I have never said in my life and kind of hope to not be able to say again. An earthquake woke me up. My bedside table rumbled next to my ear for about 25 seconds and it actually moved a little bit. We are very far from where the earth quake actually happened, but felt some of the rumble nonetheless. Such a strange way to start my day. Makes me wonder what this day has in store...

Several months ago I found a blog that inspired me. It was part of the reason I began my own blog. Leslie is so real in her writing. Her outlook on life was so similar to mine and she helped add fuel to that little thought in my head telling me - maybe, just maybe I could do this too. :) Her photography is amazing!

Leslie has challenged her blogging buddies to go deeper in their thinking and writing. I am taking her challenge to reveal what I am passionate about. She has started such a neat thing with this. Check out all of the sweet ladies who have written about the things that drive them and matter most to them!

As I let these thoughts of my passion in life steep in my mind three questions came to me: What do I live for? What would I die for? What energizes me? I just addressed some of these issues in a post not too long ago. I wrote of my desire to have more passion. I loathe apathy. Unfortunately some of that loathing is self loathing because I know that I have been apathetic too much in my life. This subject is so relevant to where I am in life right now. I have been exploring my purpose in life and have been discovering some really exciting things!

I am passionate about sharing the peace in my life with others. Showing people how important they are to God, as I come to a more full realization of that myself. I love to encourage, listen, and show compassion. There is not a whole lot more satisfying to me than truly connecting with people.

I am passionate about my marriage. Protecting it, nurturing it, working at it.

I am passionate about my boys. So, so fiercely passionate about these little people who have captured my heart!

I passionately believe that every life is precious! That the creation of each life has been orchestrated by God and has a purpose and meaning. We were given a unique look into the life of creation not yet meant to live outside the womb. That has ignited a fire in Dave and I. We saw life at 25 weeks gestation...They cried, they sucked their thumbs, they removed cotton from between their toes :), they pulled breathing tubes out. We faced tough decisions regarding these lives. These experiences have built on existing passion and snowballed into greater passion. Entering the world of children with special needs has also opened our eyes to precious life, which some would deny. My work at the crisis pregnancy center increases my awareness of life issues as well. I find a great passion behind the walls of that building that I strive to bring outside those walls.

Our life experiences have also made me passionate about reaching out to other's who have experienced the heart break of losing a child. I pray for opportunities to come along side other mommy's who are grieving. Just being there. Telling them I know their pain, it's okay to grieve, and they will be okay. Along with that thought I also have loved the opportunities I have had to minister to other mom's of special needs children. It can be isolating, it can be heart breaking and exhausting. Some of the passion I feel for these ministries comes from a deep desire that our experiences not be in vain. Very little drives me to tears of joy with an intensity like the thought of J.D. having a legacy. A purpose, a reason behind our suffering.

Passions of much lesser degree...

On a lighter note, I love beauty, creating, designing, & colors. You'll get this if you have ever been giddy over a completed scrapbook page, assembling an outfit that just makes you feel so darn together, choosing a wall color that makes a room feel amazingly inviting, or looked at some thing you have crafted and couldn't believe you actually did it!

I can share a picture of my latest place mat purse now that I know my sis received it in the mail and the surprise won't be ruined. The significance here is that I am seriously not a coordinated crafter. So this is really cool to me

I also love planning around our budget. I am pretty organized with our money, always recording what is coming in and what goes out. Perhaps bordering on obsessive with it, but that's another post altogether. There is something so satisfying about taking something very small (yes, I am referring to our income here), and seeing how creative I can be with it. Case in point: I needed a new swim suit. Last night I went shopping. Check it out!

Do you see it?! Do you see the $106 original price tag?! I, personally wouldn't ever pay that for a swim suit, but regardless, I brought it home for $19.99. Plus there is the whole cuteness factor. Yeah, I get a rush from a deal. :)

I also really enjoy writing. I know it's a surprise, but I thought I would go ahead and come out of the closet on that one and just announce it.

There is so much more I could write on this subject, but life waits to be lived. :) Why write about passion when you can experience it? My janitor is coming home from work early and will be here in about 3 hours, so I'm distracted with passion. :)

Move over Martha and other weekend moments

This is so cool guys. I am by far not the most crafty person you will ever meet. I am creative and enjoy these types of things, but the level of difficulty has to be pretty low for me. :)

Our Mom2Mom group had a blast with this craft Thursday. We each brought a place mat and 1 1/2 yards of ribbon.

This one's mine. Isn't it pretty?

This is me telling the place mat that I'm bigger and I will succeed.

Okay, so we pounded in the grommets, sewed two seems, added the ribbon and here is my lovely purse:

The options are endless. Every one had such cute ideas. The fun thing I noticed is the uniquely individual purses that each of us made. I think we almost could've guessed which purse belonged to which girl with out seeing them together or being told.

************************************************************************************
Move Over Martha; Easter addition:

Dave had Friday off from work and we had a great time as a family. We made Easter candy and colored eggs.

Making candy:

The finished products:

And coloring eggs:

The finished products:

Really fun stuff!

We enjoyed a great church service yesterday morning. The only draw back for me was not being able to sing some of my favorite songs at church because I am losing my voice again. My cough is getting worse and speaking is more like croaking for me these days. Beyond that, it was a wonderful morning! We had a great celebration.

Easter is my holiday to host Dave's family for dinner. My sisters in law and I each have a holiday. We enjoyed having Dave's parents and sister's family over for the day. The cousins, all boys, had a blast together! They were all sugared up and had all of the toys out. Does life get much better than that? One of the boys favorite things was coloring eggs again. This time it was with Grandma though, so that made it all the more fun.

One of my most memorable moments from yesterday was on the way home from church. My contemplative three year old, Jay, said, "Mom, we dyed the eggs and Jesus died on the cross. So we dyed the eggs to remember that Jesus died, right?" I love those moments of sheer childhood brilliance. :)

Today I will be thinking about a very special day seven years ago. My first kiss... Our wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a really special day for us. There is so much that I could write about this man, this marriage, this journey we've been on for the past 7 years. But for once I am at a bit of a loss for words. I know, big shocker! :) Our marriage and commitment to one another is so near to my heart. It means so much to me that I don't have adequate words. I don't want to detract from the sacredness of it with flowery words and overused adjectives. It has become so much more than I ever thought it could be. Romance isn't butterflies in my stomach and trying to impress. This is so real. It's caring for a sick child together, going through disappointments and telling each other it's going to be okay, working through the hard stuff and knowing that we will never leave. It's a firm foundation built on Christ. It's not a feeling, it's a choice. The choice leads to the feelings. Feelings of security. Feelings of passion. Feelings of common goals being reached for by someone who respects you. I never knew it could be like this.

Can't wait till you get home Sweetie!

Painting fun

I have this really great network of friends. We meet at church every Thursday morning from 9:15-11:15. We call our group Mom2Mom. We hire babysitters for all of the kids (and there are alot of kids!). We try to do each of these things once a month: Bible study/discussion, out to breakfast or bring brunch in, service project, and craft or cooking. We all look forward to this time together alot. I have missed several weeks (months?) because of illnesses. This morning it felt great to get out and enjoy the company of these lovely ladies

Today was our day to do a service project. We painted the 'fireside room' at church. The Sunday school class that Dave and I attend meets in this room. It's a great room, but really needed freshened up with a new coat of paint.

We felt much satisfaction at the end of the two hours we spent doing just that today. You go girls! We are wives, we are mothers, we are painters, and I am so glad we are friends. I did get a little bit of paint of my nose...and it wasn't really while I was doing any work ( yes, this picture was totally staged).

Thanking God for friends, health, full sunshine pouring through my windows, 51 degree highs, and grilling for the first time in 6 months.