Creating 101

Genesis 1:27 (New International Version)
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

This is one of my favorite verses...why, you ask? Because I, myself, enjoy creating! God is THE creator, making me in His image...and here I am creating...(funny how that works!) I mention this mainly because lately I have really been feeling God telling me to create!!! It started around the end of this past semester. My church is doing a series right now called 'Faith comes by hearing'. The second week into the series we covered the Challenge of Perseverance. (Since I do not like to count my chickens before they hatch) I have continued to worry about finances even though I know Mark got his promotion at work- there are also uncertainties about the new jobs, one of them being exactly how his pay is going to work. It was in that sermon that I really felt God telling me that it was time to start sewing some things, and selling them. I even had the notion to start my own business (which makes my stomach turn with anxiety when I say it out loud!!) I made a couple of baby blankets and a taggie and listed them on Etsy.com. Apparently, a taggie is a trademark brand (who would have thunk it??) and they took my listing down. That discouraged me; so, I decided to take all of my listings down. That was that, I was done creating!!!! I had also listed the some items on Craigslist.com. Out of the blue about a week and a half ago, a lady e-mailed me about one of the quilts I made. She said that she really liked it, and wanted to know if I would make 2 full size quilts for her kids. I have never made a full size quilt before, so once again, I put up resistance. As you guys have also seen, I have been thinking a lot about how I want my sewing room organized. Currently we are storing some matresses for Mark's sister in there; so, we were going to wait to paint and put everything in place until after July when she could get the matresses. Some very big bricks have been hitting me in the head!!!! Elizabeth, Mark's sis, called this evening to tell us that she was going to come this weekend to get the matresses. Also, my friend Lori asked this evening if I would be interested in making something for her soon to be niece or nephew (God used you to hit me Lori!!!) Not to mention, our small group session this evening was about spiritual deserts...the place where God puts you when he wants you to shut up and listen. I have resisted selling any of my stuff because we didn't need the money....today Mark's check was VERY messed up (he'll be discussing it with the boss tomorrow) but in the meantime...we need the money!!!!! WOW....I am listening God, you finally have my attention!

Here some of the things I worked on today:

I made this one to sell

I made this one as a birthday gift

There are more to come....

What I have learned, and you should have learned today in Creating 101, is that when God is telling you to do something...don't hesitate...do it...

Cooking with Abi

Abi loves to cook! Then again, what kid doesn't? Last week we checked out a 'Cooking with Kids' cookbook from the library, and since then she asks daily to make something out of it! Because of our schedule, I have had to tell her no many times...we finally had time to make something today!

Ladybugs

silly sandwich

Enjoy the fruit of labor!

Pup pups and more

The past week or so Abi and I have been searching high and low for good storage containers for my sewing room from surrounding thrift stores. We have yet to find what I am looking for, but I enjoy the hunt for that perfect piece that brings everything together. I was so thrilled when I posted a wanted ad on my local freecycle.com and someone responded the next day for a peg board. I also see that my opinion poll is about to close...looks like I will be decorating my sewing room in lavender and green! Just got to get started now!

Today there was not a high percent for rain...sure enough we get loaded in the car to take the dogs to the dog park and the dark clouds roll in. We parked and the rain passed within 5 minutes. Bandit and Peaches were thrilled because they LOVE the dog park. When they were puppies Mark couldn't wait until they weren't afraid to jump into the water after the ball. That day has come, Peaches loves to swim. She splashes and tries to catch the water in her mouth! Bandit will jump in if he sees Peaches in...and then they wrestle in the water. There was one REALLY old dog that creeped up and started sniffing my leg; Bandit, our usually very calm and loving pup, did not like that...he started biting him! It was a great day to be topped of with watching Tinker Bell on the Disney channel! Tomorrow is Memorial Day...God bless our fallen soldiers, I am so grateful for their sacrifice!

Opinions Needed

Hey guys, I am in need of you opinions! I am in the process of decorating my sewing/guest room. I like these options, but can't decide which I like more. I am going to put up an opinion poll, please vote for the one you like best!


Option 1: lavender and light green

SAMPLE

OR

Option 2: Melon and aqua

SAMPLE


Both to also be accented with a dark chocolate and bright white.

Abi's art work and more

That's right, Abi is an artist...and this is one of her many pieces! This morning while I watered the grass, Abi played in the mud. She created this piece with a rock, covered in mud, and then carefully wrapped in a leaf. Before we came inside she showed it to me..."this is my art work mommy, so please be careful with it"! Too funny to pass up for a blog topic...

Abi's art work

On another note, this past weekend we celebrated Mark M's 30th b-day with a crawfish boil and a day in the country. Austin and Abi had never seen crawfish up that close, so you can imagine how entertained they were. When Mark was putting the live ones into the boiling basket, Abi said, "what are you doing?" Mark said, "I'm going to boil them" to which Abi responded with "that's not very nice you know". They had great day, and were very tired when they got home!

Naomi and Me


Abi with her new friend

Austin scooping the crawfish

Abi, Austin, and Grace cruising around the farm

Austin driving Grace around

Before we made it out to the country Abi had another t-ball game...she spends most of her time in the field either playing in the dirt or sitting with her glove over her face! I actually caught her paying attention...once...

Abi on the field

The 7th was Austin's 7th birthday, we celebrated it the day of with cupcakes and gifts. Friday night we let him invite three friends to go to Chuckee Cheese and then sleep over. Only one friend was able to make it...Austin said "at least I get to have one friend over!"

Austin arrived from school to see this!

May 7, 2002

May 6, 2002 started off as a regular day...I was huge, spent most of my day chasing Hunter or cleaning up his messes! I had also been on bedrest for about a month and a half- and my due date was getting closer, May 28. I was nesting VERY badly, bugging Mark because we still had not bought the mattress for Austin's crib. Mark stopped that afternoon and bought it as a surprise. I fixed dinner around 530, we ate, and Mark went out to mow. Sometime around 6 I remember having TERRIBLE stomach cramps, but I thought it was indigestion again since I had that most of my pregnancy too. I laid on the couch, I sat up, I stood up...nothing could relieve my pain. Finally around midnight we called my doc and he sent us to the hospital. We got there at 1230 or so and they said that I was dialated to a 3...Time to get the show on the road, right??? Not so much. We called our neighbor, (and hero of that night) Rachel, to see if she could bring up some clothes and stuff because we didn't bring any! We thought it was indigestion, I would get some more IV drugs, and they would send us packing! She spent all day with us (which I am not sure I ever said thank you for, I was really nervous that being my first kid and all!) The started Pitocin around lunch time, and Austin Jordan Brewer was born May 7, 2002 at 3:36 pm He weighed 7 lbs 3.6 oz and was 20.5 inches long. He also broke my tailbone during delivery, but I didn't discover this for a few weeks...

Austin about 2 months old


Austin about 1 year old with his first pup Hunter

2nd birthday

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!

Clearing of storms

SO, the storms previously mentioned seem to be clearing up! Our electrical problem has been fixed; it ended up being a loose wire in the light switch and a bad plug. Thanks to the Parker family for helping us out on that one...who would have thought knowing about electricity could be so helpful?! Also, our washer took a day and a half in the repair shop, but is now home...washing clothes better than ever! That was a $200 dollar repair, but well worth it...seeing as how a new machine is a minimum of $350! I met with my advisor and have registered for my classes for next semester. I also submitted my paperwork to the VA for my GI bill. I've submitted all of the papers I needed to write and will be taking a final this Wednesday and one on Monday.

Abi had her first and last double header this past Saturday...boy was that fun. She was done after the first game...her first at bat, she told Justin (the guy helping her bat) that she was hungry...and then skipped to first base! I think she liked the idea of getting to wear a t-ball uniform with all of her girlie equipment...because she always anticipates getting dressed for t-ball, but never wants to play! She is also on a kick lately with wearing dresses. She wants to wear one everyday, which is not normal for her!

The latest with Austin is that he has his first loose tooth. Not only that, he has two of his adult teeth coming in behind his loose tooth. Hopefully the loose one falls out soon, he's really excited about it! Austin's birthday is on Thursday, he will be 7!!!! What an old man! He has decided this year for his birthday to have 3 friends sleep over and play video games. I am kind of happy about that, because that means I do not have to organize a party...yeah! Not that I do not like having parties, I just don't like the stress they bring to make them happen...or the clean up! Also, there are about 4 more weeks of school...which I am hoping do not get shut down because of the Swine flu! There have already been two closings in our district, and one of them is not far from us...in fact the preschool that Abi goes to transports kids to and from it!


Abi at bat


Abi and Daddy in the outfield


The kids with their pups