Everyday Blessings

The weekly counting of blessings...

: : Breakfast with a group of wonderful mamas.

: : Fun playdates.

: : Casting on a little something for myself.

: : 5 more weeks until baby is due!

: : Hand me downs...sorted and put away for later.

: : Fun dinners with family.

: : My sister visiting over the weekend.

: : My children's perma-grins upon the arrival of their beloved Aunt Annie.

: : Stephan rearranging our bedroom to accommodate the FIVE people who will soon be sleeping there.

: : Despite third trimester discomforts, I am extra grateful that this still classifies as the easiest of my pregnancies thus far. That has certainly been an unexpected blessing.

Hope y'all had a happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

Counting my blessings...at least a few of them...

: : 34 weeks...see bump above. :)

: : Healthy me...my iron counts are even really good (which is never the case at this point for me...so far no supplements needed)

: : Baby still in the proper position!

: : A much improved attitude on my part after last week's dip.

: : Mother's day roses from my sweetheart and some handpicked flowers from my two little loves.

: : The realization that this has been the easiest of my pregnancies.

: : 3 naps in 3 days.

: : Knitting needles back in action.

: : The smallest pre-baby to do list ever...I guess that's what happens when it's the third go round.

: : My children still thinking I'm the best ever even though I've been too tired to play lately.


Life is sweet. How about you? What have you been blessed by lately?

Everyday Blessings

That's the 33 week baby bump. It's growing daily. I'm sure of it.

If there's one thing that makes me instantly angry while pregnant and/or nursing it's heat, and since being pregnant causes me to register the temperature at about 10 degrees hotter than it actually is, I have been one grouchy mama lately. I thought that having a baby in June would feel better (i.e. cooler) than having one at the beginning of September. This is not proving to be true. I'm struggling to be pleasant these days. Sigh. All of that to say, this post is much needed to refocus my tired and hot self on the good stuff in life. So here we go.....a few blessings from my week:

: : What we thought was a broken ac really only being a tripped breaker.

: : My husband figuring out how to fix it right as I was about to lose my cool over the extra hot house.

: : A wonderful day trip to one of our favorite spots.

: : Homebirth supplies ready and waiting.

: : Baby to do's being knocked off the list.

: : A cute but not at all relaxing knit off the needles...I should avoid size 1 double points for awhile.

: : Swaddle blankets sewn.

: : Fun with other mamas and their kiddos.

: : A garden growing.

: : A little boy convinced that he's a farmer (and a lumberjack, and a carpenter, and all seven dwarfs....the list goes on).

: : My husband letting me rest as often as he can.

Really, it's been a good week. Sometimes I just need a little reminder.

Everyday Blessings

A few blessings from my week...

: : 4 year old slapstick and ensuing 20 month old laughter.

: : Snack time on the patio.

: : My little boy so excited to go to church.

: : My husband telling me how beautiful he thinks I am (despite the fact that I've already gained as much as I did in my whole pregnancy with Sophia).

: : Seeing Sophia play ever so sweetly with a baby...there is hope!

: : Only 2ish months to go before we meet our new baby.

: : Looking forward to the week ahead...gardening is on the agenda.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

Just a few blessings from my week...

: : Breakfast with friends.

: : The impossible smallness of baby clothes.

: : Yummy and beautifully plated food made especially for me by my wonderful husband.

: : Sewing time with my little fella.

: : Playdate fun.

: : New yarn...wound and already on the needles.

: : Relaxing family time.

: : Trim that much closer to being finished (Oh, renovations, when will you end?).

: : Fun mail.

: : A full but happy week.

Everyday Blessings

Some blessings from the past week...

: : Itty bitty baby hiccups.

: : 10 weeks left to go and baby perfectly positioned...head down.

: : Sophia 'singing' her heart out.

: : Two (almost) always willing helpers running around me.

: : Laundry...clean, folded, and put away. Oh, wait, what's that? It doesn't stay that way? Sigh.

: : Levi's excitement over mama-made pajama shorts.

: : Sophia's new word, "Oooooos". Can't y'all tell that means 'shoes'? She's a gal after my own heart.

: : And, my husband sweetly picking up the slack for this tired, pregnant mama.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

Just a handful of things I am grateful for this week...

: : My God whose love is never ending and who sent His one and only son to redeem us.

: : A peaceful and happy Easter celebration.

 : : The smell of wild roses.

 : : Painting Sophia's nails for the first time...squeal. Having a daughter is fun.

 : : A few more organization projects checked off of the nesting list.

: : A visit from my sister.

: : Time spent with friends.

: : Sunshine, sunshine, and more sunshine...it's good for the soul.

: : 29 weeks.

: : Handmade goodness from a friend.

: : Levi's newest declaration: "Look, Mama, the bubbles are going up to heaven. There will be soooo many bubbles in heaven. It'll be full of them."

: : And, last but not least, listening to and watching Stephan and the kids play....oh, my heart.

Hope y'all had a very happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

A few blessings...

: : Easter egg hunting...Sophia's first.

: : Kiddo joy over spending the night with Nanno and Baw-Baw.

: : Morning snuggles.

: : Queen Anne's Lace bobbing alongside the road.

: : First Flicker sighting and the friend who solved the mystery of 'what is that bird?!'

: : So much sunshine.

: : Kids fascinated by baby daddy long legs spiders.

: : A tiny baby growing, growing, growing and kicking all the time.

: : Hello, third trimester. I do believe that growing baby will be here before we know it.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

This week I'm thanking God for...

: : Whole days spent outside digging in dirt.

: : New life springing up.

: : Flowers thrust into my face by small hands.

: : A sweet boy teaching his sister to ride a tricycle.

: : Sunshine soaking into our souls.

: : New words spoken by a small yet spunky voice.

: : An escape to the cypress swamp.

: : Homemade popsicles waiting in the freezer for tomorrow.

: : The sewing machine getting a little use after months of neglect.

: : And, a husband who is kinder than words could express.

What have you been blessed by this week?

Everyday Blessings

Some blessings...

:: A very restorative evening to myself.

:: Squeals of joy upon my return.

:: Flowers picked just for me.

:: Small pudgy hands collecting twigs and rocks and leaves.

:: Smiles that turn my heart into a giant puddle.

:: Chocolate covered faces.

:: The smell of sunshine in Sophia's hair after she plays.

:: A growing pile of hand knits for our new baby.

:: Casting on for more baby knits.

:: Pretty fabric waiting to become curtains for my girl.

:: Levi's fervent belief that I can indeed make anything he dreams up.

:: And, Levi's newest declaration: "Mama, I want the baby to be a girl like Sophia, and I want it's name to be Levo....Leeevoooo."

It's been a good week. How about yours?

Everyday Blessings

Some things I'm grateful for today...

: : All the rain that was in the forecast got pushed back, so we had a nice weekend with pretty weather.

: : My sister came up from school. It's been awhile, so it was especially good to see her. The kids, of course, went nuts over their Aunt Annie.

: :Springing forward does nothing good for this mama's sleep, but my sweet husband let me sleep in this morning and he just took the kids for a 'give mama a break' outing.

: : The kids and I have been watching the birds enjoy the Spring. They've been hopping all around our yard. Okay, so truth be told, I watch the birds. Levi is way more enamored with the squirrels. "Mama, I'm going to catch one soon." I'm glad he's slower than they are.

: : Stephan's week on week off schedule can feel a bit stressful, but it's oh so very nice to have him around for a whole week at a time.

: :  We had an appointment with our midwife last week. Baby is kicking away with a good, strong heartbeat. All is well.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

A handful of everyday blessings from my week...

: : Signs of Spring popping up everywhere.

: : A fun evening church program for the kiddos (fun for the grownups too) followed by a night spent at my parents'. The kids were beside themselves with joy.

: : A thrifted rug for Sophia's room.

: : A loving husband who calls just to hear my voice.

: : The steady click of knitting needles.

: : A growing belly.

: : Kiddo snuggles.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

The good stuff....

: : A weekend spent hanging out at my parents' house with Stephan and the kids.

: : Soaking up a little sunshine.

: : Short sleeve weather in February.

: : Sophia's new found love for the word "dog". All animals are now dogs to her.

: : Meals cooked by my sweet husband on his days off.

: : Adventures in sock knitting.

: : Two kids spinning circles to "Ring Around The Rosie".

: : Nesting.

: : A little time to myself.

: : A new vacuum cleaner that actually sucks up dirt.

: : Little chats with kind people.

: : Baby stuff sorted and ready...a bit early.

It's the little things.

How was your week? Full of everyday blessings, I hope.

Everyday Blessings

Just a few things that I am grateful for...

: : Saturday's rain threw off my errand running plans, but since I've been working on a mild cold it was just the rest I needed. I spent most of the day knitting, drinking tea, and doing laundry. The laundry monster has been officially tamed...at least for now.

: : This baby's kicks are getting stronger by the day...a good reason to sit around naval gazing. :) Stephan was even able to feel a couple of them on Valentine's day.

: : Sophia grew overnight. She's looking so little girlish now and not quite so babyish....a tad bittersweet. Her imagination is beginning to take off as well. She's been pretending to be a dog lately. She crawls around with a toy bone in her mouth and tries to say "Ruff". I just want to squeeze her!

: : The way Levi and Sophia crack each other up makes my heart nearly burst. Their ease with one another is something I never anticipated and am so grateful for.

: : I've already posted about Valentine's day, but it really was lovely and worth a second mention.

Hope y'all have had a week brimming over with blessings.

Happy Monday!

Everyday Blessings

Is it just me or are Mondays coming around faster these days?
Anyway, happy Monday! Here's my attempt at starting the week off on the right foot...one of gratitude.

I am grateful...

: : that teeth eventually have to surface and no longer cause 3 am wake ups. I'm going for advanced gratitude with this one. ;)

: : that I am very close to finishing Levi's Gramp's Cardigan. It's been awhile since something has sat in my knitting basket for sooooo long.

: : that despite being oh so tired from the many teeth Sophia has coming in, I have still managed to be a not too terribly grouchy mama. I'm pretty sure that was all God's doing because I certainly struggle to be nice when exhausted.

: : that I have a really sweet husband who cleaned the microwave. That sounds so dumb when I type it out, but it had been on my neglected to do list forever. Then I woke up one morning, put a cup of water in, and surprise! It was sparkling. He gets me.

: : that this baby's kicks are getting stronger each day. Little baby kicks make it all so much more 'real' (for lack of a better term). I'm not actually ready for baby just yet. There's still lots of knitting to be done. Okay, and maybe a few other more practical things too. Thank goodness for a 9 month waiting period, but at the same time I can't wait to meet him/her. 

: : that Levi and Sophia love each other so much. They wake up each morning and first thing want to see one another. They hug and squeal and laugh and play. It makes my heart smile.

: : that my mom came over this evening to watch the kids while I went to a yoga class. While she was here she even folded laundry, and got the kids ready for bed! She's a good mom.

I could keep going. It's been a good week, but I think I'm going to knit a bit more on that Gramp's Cardigan and then hit the sack. After all there's a very likely chance of another 3 am wake up.

Dear Teeth,

Please, feel free to take a break for a night or so. We could all use the rest.

Thanks,

Sophia's Mama

So, how about you? What have some of your everyday blessings been?

Everyday Blessings

Maybe it's just pregnancy hormones, but I have been extra grouchy this week. I'll blame it on the return of fatigue...really, though, most of attitude comes down to choice. I haven't been choosing so wisely lately.
I think a little reorienting of perspective is definitely in order today, so here are just a few of the blessings from my week...

: : Tonight's yoga class. Getting out of the house to do something good for my body and soul is refreshing. Also, I came home to a happy, albeit rowdy, house and got hugs all around.

: : Stephan ripped out our old (very beaten up) counter tops and replaced them with new ones. There's still a lot of touch up work to be done on his next week off, but the kitchen looks so much brighter now.

: : Stephan has been busy. On top of home renovations, he sold my old car and his old motorcycle. I admit to getting extra grouchy about all of the phone calls and interruptions, but the motorcycle sold in two days and the car in one. Plus, our bank account looks much happier now.

: : A friend lent me some knitting needles and sent along a bag of clothes and some cute hand knit legwarmers for Fia. Generosity is always something to smile about.

: : I finished knitting the owlie sleep sack for the new baby, and I'm making lots of headway on Levi's sweater. And, I have a swift and ball winder being shipped to me as we speak. I cannot wait. I'm trying to hold off on my next knitting project so I can test drive them on the yarn. I'm glad I can knit again. The first trimester was made all the more difficult because knitting made me nauseated. I'm not sure if this is actually true or not, but in my head I'm a better person when I can knit.

: : That photo up there ought to be enough reason to feel blessed! Sophia loves to give kisses. When she wants to kiss you she makes the cutest fish lips and a little smacking noise to accompany them. The adorableness kills me.

What have your everyday blessings been lately?

Everyday Blessings

Some of the joys and blessings from our week...

: : My kids melt my heart...today Levi said, "It would be fun if I put a crown in your hair. Then you could be my beautiful, beautiful mommy. Let me go get some pipe cleaners." Then, post crown-making, "There! Now you are a beautiful princess!" The resulting crowns (he needed one too) are above.

: : My dad has spent the past two Monday evenings watching the munchkins so that I could attend a prenatal yoga class. It's six weeks long, and he, my mom, and Stephan are splitting the evenings up, so I can go. It's been really great, and I already feel more prepared for carrying and delivering this baby.

: : Speaking of baby. Y'all, there is an itty bitty person inside of me, and it kicks a ton! Squeal! I love baby kicks...especially when they're too small to aim for my bladder or lungs. 

: : For awhile now we've been having some...hmmm...shall we call them challenges?...with Levi. It's been hard, and there have been times when we've been at a total loss. We've prayed and talked and prayed and talked, and finally we seem to have found some things that are working. We've made quite a few changes, and we're starting to see some really positive results. So, yay! Sigh of relief.

: : The pipe cleaners find their way onto more than just heads around here. It's fun to stumble upon Levi's pipe cleaner "installations" around the house. His favorite theme being the spider web...

: : And, of course, I have to mention the van again! We were extra blessed with that one because we didn't have to go into debt to buy it. We were a little nervous about being able to find something good in our price range, but, of course, God pulled through...despite our doubts. Also, we bought it from a preacher who was selling it so that he could afford to go on a mission trip. I love that our money not only got us exactly what we needed but also funded missions.

So, what blessings have come your way this week?

Everyday Blessings

My sister and Sophia

A few blessings from the week...

: : Stephan was off work the last half of the week. He let me sleep in a lot. He's also cooked almost all of our meals. Best of all, he discovered my new favorite food to crave...a giant bowl of tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley swimming in lemon juice. Yum.

: : My parents kept the kids at their house yesterday after church so that Stephan and I could go to the movies. A date! We never get to go on those, so it was quite a treat. 

: : We found a very affordable sit and stand stroller in excellent condition at a consignment shop! Levi is forever wanting to ride with Sophia on walks and at the zoo, so this is perfect.

: : We also bought shelves for a closet I cleared out a few weeks ago. It's well on it's way to becoming our toy library...an idea from Simplicity Parenting. I'm already so impressed by the changes we've made based on that book. Both of the kids have begun to play in a more engaged way, and they seem a lot calmer and happier at home.

: : We're looking forward to lunch with my sister and parents today. Annie is only in town briefly, but it's always fun to see her!

Hope y'all had a blessed week!

Everyday Blessings

Guys, it's Monday already! I had to check the calendar just to be sure. Time for a little gratitude...

: : We had our second check up with our midwife last week. All is well. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat. Even though I still haven't felt any movement we now know that he/she does indeed move. Norma had to chase the heartbeat.

: : We're getting a new washing machine. Our old one died...kind of a bummer since I liked it. But, I've been without a washer for a few days now. I'm thrilled that I should be able to start washing clothes again in a couple of hours.

: : Thanks to Simplicity Parenting (my new favorite parenting book) it finally dawned on me to get a timer for tooth brushing. Why did I not think of this sooner?!! I bought a two minute sand timer, and Levi now thinks tooth brushing is the bomb. He also actually scrubs for two minutes instead of two seconds.

: : Just this past week Levi has developed a love for vacuuming...hard not to feel blessed about that. He's pretty good at it too. Sophia is also very into helping. She tries to vacuum, but her real strength is in putting things back into the baskets she pulls them out of.

: : I finally pulled out the knitting needles again. It's been awhile. I knitted a couple of these balls for Sophia. I had them on my Christmas to do list for stocking stuffers, but the first trimester put quite the kink in that. It felt good to be back to knitting.

Any blessings come your way this week?

Everyday Blessings

I am grateful...

: : For a new year with a new baby on the way.

: : For a family full of adults that recognize how important it is to children to be allowed to help...even when maybe their help isn't entirely helpful. 

: : For energy and the end of morning sickness.

: : For the bags upon bags of stuff that I've been sending off to charity. I'm grateful that I have more than enough, but I'm also grateful for the feeling of peace and calm I get when my house is not overwhelmed with excess.

: : For Levi's willingness to give away his toys. When he found out what I was doing with my own stuff, he asked if he could give some of his toys to kids who needed them. He's done this twice in the past few months, and he has actually filled up a couple of garbage sacks each time!

: : For a fun visit with my sister over Christmas and New Year's.

: : For my husband who took me out shopping the other day for a new rug...totally his idea. Our living room finally looks like grownups might live here.

So, what have you been blessed by this week?