Sewing Class

What fun this class has been. For a few Fridays this summer, various families joined us to learn the basics of sewing. You guys are so cool! As you can see, it was "all hands on deck," as mommas who were there coached, substitute taught while I nursed, fed Littlest while I taught, threaded machines, untangled machines, ripped crooked seams and helped guide straight ones, and giggled right along with us as we did everything from thread the machine, to learn the use of a serger (thank you my sweet neighbor Patty!) to make custom pillowcases, to taking our measurements and choosing a pattern size, to fabric composition, (WHO CAN TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WARP AND WEFT?) to giggling at little brothers who wear Anna's headbands, to finishing our last class with a crazy laundry sorting relay!

Sweet Georgia Peaches...

Our precious friends since before we had our first babies spent a week with us... we're all tired and blessed from our time swimming, "beaching," and wandering our favorite local haunt, Heritage Village historical park. My friend C has four girls, and they're all praying God will bring them the little brother who needs a home - but this week hanging with our boys was a good diversion.
It was a great week of childish giggles, late nights, "family" naps, girly sleepovers (taking turns in the hideout!), Polly Pockets, baby-wearing, and of course (as promised, girlfriend!) "bad" food and good wine... and CHOCOLATE.

Note To Self: Check Children's Feet On Leaving House

I just found this photo (herein lies the danger of digital photography: you take the photos and save them and then FORGET TO PRINT THEM and effectively lose them!) in my files tonight and just HAD to share with you. A while back my sis-in-law came for a visit with her two and we headed to the park. This is how my fourth arrived. Sadly, I did not notice the state of affairs until we had been there a while. He was fine with the matter - both shoes were comfortable, and both were black. Why should I be concerned? Hey, at least this time there were shoes on the feet! A few weeks earlier, his EIGHT YEAR OLD SISTER stood up to give a speech at the speech club I lead, and her feet were completely bare! I really deserve Mother of the Year.

I TRIED to warn you...

So, today I go to my friend M's house for lunch. (Name abbreviated to protect the innocent.) We arrive and she says something like, "I know it's risky, but I put I to bed in just a diaper." (You, dear reader, know what's coming next, don't you! Why didn't we? Haven't we all read my "POOP" entry???) So, her house if full of my 5 and three of her four kids, and we're pretty busy watching crazy boys play swordfight in the pool, and setting out a smorgasbord for lunch, and of course catching up on mom-dom and drinking peach tea, when we hear what might be baby I waking up. "She's fine," she says, or something like it. "She always is content for a bit in her crib - let's finish putting out lunch and I'll get her." (Cue dramatic music.) Famous last words. Well, actually, about two minutes later the REAL famous last words, as she opened her beautiful daughter's door, were, "OH, MY! OH, MY!" And with that, we spent the next hour scrubbing every nook and cranny of that beautifully appointed white crib and the pale green walls of that beautifully appointed princess room. And my friend M will be re-washing the load of VERY dirty laundry a few times, I imagine. Lysol Spray is our friend. That, and Clorox Wipes, and my new favorite product, Dreft Odor Eliminator Spray. Oh, yeah, baby, this is the life.

Trusting Him

Whew, talk about my Daddy asking me for a lot - this month I followed my man's lead and sent my two oldest boys off to 4H camp for a week. Now to clarify, we don't even do overnights for general purposes, so to send them 2 hours away, to the hands of people I don't know, is a BIG deal for me. I love 4H, though, and know our local staff well, and I've always been impressed with the "old-fashioned" sensibility of most 4Hers I've met. It seems there is a government agency that hasn't been tainted with liberal boloney yet, and a great place for my kids to be outside their comfort zone a bit and still be "safe." Needless to say, they had an absolute blast, they had two believers, brothers, for junior counselors, and they even had opportunities to have some truth-of-life wrestling matches way late at night. Plus, they learned some killer camp songs! Let me tell you, though, when we got ready to pick them up, you should have seen the youngers... they were jumping out of their skin with excitement, and my Anna-girl made several frantic trips to their room to get pillows and Bible and comfort objects she just knew they'd missed. And she was right. And oh, you should have seen the reunion hugs between the ones who'd stayed home and the ones who came home with a hint of "I've been out in the world a bit" in their step.

My Sister's Family

Wow, I totally did not expect that after just a couple hours' short visit, my throat would be tight and my eyes would well up when that Kentucky-rented minivan pulled out of our drive. My "little" sister is such a precious woman, growing in Grace and teaching me much about patience and determination. Her boys melt my heart, each so different. #1 is strong and quiet, with deep eyes and a serious expression. #2 reminds me of his mommy, and there's something about his tiny self that makes me want to give him whatever he might ask. And of course precious, chubby cheeked little one I just want to eat for dessert. My brother-in-law is funny and a loving and attentive husband and daddy, and the easy rhythm between them is as comforting as beef stew with red wine and buttered whole wheat biscuits! (Although for you, sis, I think I'd have to leave the beef out of the stew!)

When service is joy!

Recently I had the opportunity to serve with several ladies from our church for a newly instituted monthly senior adult luncheon. Our pastor called us to honor the age, as scripture encourages us to do, and I am so excited to be a part of this awesome opportunity. There is something deeply satisfying about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my sisters in Christ in a kitchen, about seeing little ones interact with their wise elders, and about just watching those who bless us kick back and relax and allow us (none too willingly; they want to jump up and help!) to serve them.