The Fig

I have not been taking a lot of pictures lately. I need to start practicing for when the new baby arrives. When I was in the mountains in North Carolina last summer my auto focus stopped working and I stopped taking pictures. I guess I depend on the auto focus too much. After looking at some of the pics I took yesterday of the cat I came to the conclusion that I need to get my eyes checked and get the auto focus fixed.

God's Gifts To Me

 I have a list of "God's gift to me" that I started after reading  "One Thousand Gifts..." by Ann Voskamp. The list was made up of simple memories; how the air smelled one night, a kid smiling and laughing, going somewhere or doing something unexpected... I can't remember everything on the list but whenever I read through it, I always cry. They truly are gifts. 
  
    (My list is just a simple line, hundreds of simple, little lines. When I read those lines it will remind me of what was going on at the time, like: having an extra lollipop. When I read that line I am reminded of a time when someone gave my three older kids each a lollipop and the youngest was so sad that he didn't get one. I rummaged through my bag and found one lone lollipop sitting on the bottom. He was so happy. The look on his face was priceless and it was a beautiful gift for me, too.) 

 I went to grab my phone to add to my list this morning when I realized that this is a new phone. I got the new phone because my last phone died a horrible, tragic death and took with it my list. 

 That list was 2+ years of my life. Simple, everyday things that I recorded that I would never remember otherwise. When I start thinking about and getting overwhelmed with life, I would read over the list and things was fall back into place. When I start thinking "I will never get my dream house" I remember that what ever space I live in with my family is my dream house. Same thing with dream vehicle, all I need is something that works and fits us all. Sometimes I forget that.   

 Keeping a list like "God's gifts to me" is very important to me and I will start a new one. I will try to add some of the things I remember from the original one and life will go on. I think this time I will stick with pen and paper. 

Shopping Spree

 

  I am 15 weeks pregnant now and I am dieing to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. I really have no preference either, I just want to know! I am chomping at the bit to shop for Baby. 
  Today I decided to shop! I needed expert advice so I asked my 7 year old to help me pick out a stuffed toy. We picked out two because they were both so cute.
  The first one Jakey chose was this Shaggy Plush Bear (medium) from Restoration Hardware.





 




















  Then he really liked the Shaggy Plush Bunny (small). We sat there looking at them until I finally decided that Baby must have both!

  I am happy to report that I have felt great for the past couple days. Hopefully the morning sickness is behind me for good :o)

And Six Becomes Seven

Here is another sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God, and the body in which it dwells is worth all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant….Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother’s heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her life-long prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wonderfully blessed

-Elizabeth Prentiss

Bell Pepper Pizza

I was inspired by this recipe I found on Pinterest

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/08/recipe-for-grilled-zucchini-pizza.html

Bell Peppers (red, yellow and orange)

Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Pepperoni

  First I cut the bell peppers on either side of the stem leaving the middle section to use elsewhere. The pepper sides were kinda like shells. I placed the shells on a cookie sheet, lined with foil, skin side up and broiled them until they looked good to me (a little bubbling and a little black). I, then, flipped the shells over and filled them with mozzarella cheese and topped each one with a pepperoni. I popped the pan back into the oven, under the broiler and checked every minute or so until the cheese was melted and a little brown.
  These were a big hit with my family. I think next time I might add some fresh diced tomatoes and basil next time.

Summer Dress For Paris

   

I made this Boho Maxi Dress out of super soft super light jersey knit fabric I found on clearance a long time ago. The belt is just some brown fabric I folded so the raw edges were inside. The hem, sleeves and neckline are all raw edges. No hemming, yay!!! 

For the tutorial on how to make this dress click on the link below.

                       http://sweet-verbena.blogspot.com/2011/07/boho-maxi-dress-tutorial.html

Diastasis Recti Part 2

Today is my first time trying the The Tupler Technique. I have to say that I'm a little frustrated because I'm having a hard time keeping it in place. The splint keeps riding up. I'm kinda curvy so in order to have it close the gap I have to have it tight but my waist is much smaller then my hips so my hips (or my fat, LOL) are pushing it up. I'll keep trying to make it work and I'll update again.