Been a While...

Okay, so it's been 2 months since I've posted. It's been crazy around here! We've been sick for the past few weeks, but now we're finally all well. I'll catch up on some things soon. For now, here are two projects I did this weekend.

I almost finished a huge stack of mending the Friday and needed to sew something for some inspiration. I just couldn't resist the zebra and pink. I think it will make a nice gift for my soon-to-be sis-in-law.

I saw some of these that someone else created and just couldn't resist. I made this one for my friend's little girl. I'm still working out the kinks, but I'll definitely be making more for gifts.

Unique Essentials

I love making things for my girls. Anything from clothes to bows and lots of other girly stuff. I also love making baby things and other cute stuff, too. I've had several orders and have decided to branch out a little bit. Here are a few things that I can make for you or your little cutie. All orders are custom made so they will take a little time to create for you. If you're interested, leave a comment, or you can email me at karebear101701@yahoo.com.


Taggie Football $8


Nursing Cover $15 (personalized add $4)


Pinwheel Bow $3.50

Korker Bow $4

Bow Board $25

Overalls $30

Jeans $20


Big Sis/Bro or Little Sis Bro Outfit $25/Shirt Only $15


Purse Pouch $7

Crayon Roll $5 (crayons not included)

Tote with Name $15


Coffee Kozie $5


Bookmarks $3 each


Baby Set: bib $5, burp rags $5 each, diaper and wipes cases $7 (set of 4 $20)


Infant Carseat Tent $25 (with flower accents on tabs add $7)

Boppy Covers $20 (personalized add $4)

Prices are subject to change. If I have to ship any items to you, shipping charges will apply.

Valentine's

I wanted to try something creative this year for valentines for Natalie's friends at PDO. So I made these cake pops from http://www.bakerella.com/.



I also wanted to make these valentines from http://www.skiptomylou.org/.



So, this is what I did...

I made the cake pops and used them instead of tootsie roll pops in the middle of the flowers. I love the way they turned out! It took me a few trys to get the hang of dipping the cake pops. I ended up making the balls and then putting them in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This really helped!




Here are the cake pops waiting to be wrapped. The ones in the background are my first attempts.



Waiting to be put into flower valentines.



Finished!



Now, if I could just figure out how to take really good pictures of my projects. I don't have good lighting in my house so it's kinda difficult. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way!

Big Mamaw

Last week we said goodbye to Michael's great grandmother, aka Big Mamaw. She was a wonderful, godly woman. I've only known her for 7 years. My first memories of her were eating lunch at her duplex on Sunday afternoons. She always made enough food to feed a small army and boy was it good! Michael's uncle and I always fought over who got the last piece of her cornbread. When she got to where she couldn't get around really well, we would tell her we were bringing food over to spend time and eat with her. It didn't matter, she still made food. She was always worried we wouldn't bring enough. She was a very independent woman. I loved to listen to her stories about growing up. After she went to live in the nursing home, we visited her whenever we came into town. She loved both of my girls dearly. We loved to listen to her stories about her latest boyfriends. She said they would chase her down the hals. One time, we asked her about them and this was her response, "Another one died. They just keep dropping like flies." She was always making us laugh. I will miss her. I'm glad she was able to see so many of her great great grandkids. She has 12. Big Mamaw was a wonderful woman who will be greatly missed! I know that we will see her again someday. Until then, we will pass down her stories and legacy to our kids.

We took these when Natalie was about 6 weeks old. This was the first time Mamaw met her.

This was the first time she met Laney back in October. Laney loved her!

This was the last time we went to visit Mamaw. We were all in for Thanksgiving. (We weren't able to visit her at Christmas because Laney was sick.)

First Date

Well, Natalie and Michael are off on their first date. Some of our friends graciously gave us two tickets to see "The Wizard of Oz" at the theater in Tyler. We decided it would be fun for the two of them to go since Laney is still a BIG momma's girl. They're on their way to eat at McDonald's and then off to see the play. I hope Natalie has a wonderful time and doesn't come home terrified! I think she'll really enjoy it. Michael will too as long as she doesn't ask why every 5 seconds.

Laney is content playing on the floor beside me. I think she's enjoying the quiet. Natalie has been crazy today! We've wrestled several times just playing around. I'm not sure where she learned how, though. One time, she was sitting on my head. Michael said, "Toot on mommy's head." The next thing I know, she's really still and quiet and she does it!!!!!!!!! Maybe she'll chase the boys away on her own when she gets older. On the other hand, I really hope we can phase that out soon. I would much rather her act like a lady and have better manners. As long as she just does it around the house with us.

That's about it...Not too much else is going on around here. I'm hoping to get some mending and a few other things finished later when Laney goes to bed. Right now, I'm gonna go round us up some dinner and snuggle with her.

Church or Worship

As I was getting ready for church yesterday morning, I was talking to my mom on the phone. She said they were visiting a new church...again. She and my dad have lived in a small country town (much like GS) for 9 years next month and they still haven't found a church where they can get plugged in. Some of my earliest memories are from being in church with my family. My mom taught preschool choir and my dad helped with the bus ministry. Over the years, we moved churches several times, but we always got plugged in quickly and loved serving. So, it breaks my heart that they still haven't found a church.

During our service at MSBC, I worshiped God with all that I was. We have a wonderful music minister who loves the Lord. Then, I drank in every word from our pastor. We are truly blessed to be at a church that loves God and reaches out to our community. Our pastor isn't afraid to preach the Bible. He doesn't just preach all the stuff that makes you feel good. God uses him to bring us His Word that convicts and changes hearts.

I'm saddened that churches like ours are few and far between in our world today. This is evident in my parents' lives. They are seeking a church that reaches out to the community and isn't content with just playing church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I pray that God will lead them to a church where they can worship Him, be taught from His Word, and find a place to get plugged in and serve.

Sometimes being a minister's wife is tough. Most people don't understand unless you've been there or you are directly related to someone who is in ministry. Even through the tough times, I never regret the profession that God has placed us in. We have always served at churches that love God and reach out to people. We have been truly blessed to serve with wonderful people along the way. It is hard when God says it's time to move, but He has always provided us with everything we've ever needed and so much more. Hopefully, we'll be at MSBC for a long time. I've really grown to enjoy small town life. I've also never had so many wonderful and godly friends.

I mentioned in a previous post that our church is participating in GPS 2020. The first phase is to reach everyone in Texas with Christ by Easter 2010. It can seem overwhelming at times. But as our pastor said yesterday. You just have to obey God. He will work in hearts. Only He can call someone to Him and save them. It's not our job to save people. We just need to obey God. The next four months are going to be very busy preparing for a harvest. When I start to wish that things weren't so busy, I try to remember that this is what God has called us to do. This is what our lives should be about. So many times I seem to get caught up in my everyday tasks of cleaning, cooking, clothes and my girls that I forget God wants me to go outside my comfort zone. So many times I feel like I'm just going through the motions. I want God to work in my heart and life. I pray that GPS 2010 will move so many of us outside of our comfort zones to reach out to our community. Watch out GS, God has amazing things in store for us!

New Year

Okay, so I've been really bad about posting to my blog over the past few months. So, as Natalie watches Cars and Laney plays beside me I'm gonna do a quick recap of the last few months. Our holidays were wonderful! We spent lots of time with family and friends, ate way too much and made lots of wonderful memories! The girls are getting so big and changing more and more each day.

Natalie will be three in less than two months! I'm still trying to figure out where the time has gone. She's way too smart for her own britches! She loves going to PDO, puggles, playing with Laney, playing with her doll house, and playing games with Michael and me. She comes up with the funniest stuff and never ceases to amaze me.

Laney just turned 8 months. On Christmas day she got her first bottom tooth and the second followed close behind. She's learned to crawl and is finally okay with playing on the floor by herself. She is almost fully weaned now, which sometimes makes me a little sad. She's done amazingly well with it. Since she got her teeth, she has started "talking" so much! She is finally starting to become more of a daddy's girl. She is still a big mommy's girl, though. She loves to play with Natalie. I pray that they will continue to have a close relationship as they grow up.

Michael is working hard at the church. We've started a GPS (God's Plan for Sharing) program which keeps him even busier. He loves working at the church and spending time with us.

I think I'm finally caught up on sleep for a little bit from the holidays and the girls waking up at night. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of sewing. I sewed so much before Christmas that it's okay if I don't see my machine for a while. I guess that's about it. I'm just trying to enjoy each day and take things as God brings them our way. God has blessed us so much this past year! I'm excited to see what He brings our way in 2010.