~Itsy-Bitsy Baby Booties~

I just finished these baby booties for my coming lil' one. I had purchased the yarn before we found out we're having a girl. I need to get to the store and get some PINK yarn. :-)



Pattern: Christine's Baby Booties
Yarn: Bernat Baby
Needles: Size 2 DPN's
Modifications: I only knit 15 rounds for the cuff instead of 22 rounds



Kevin called these "futuristic moon boots". LOL The ridges on the sides help keep these booties on...at least that's what the pattern says! We'll see...

~Randomness~

I just discovered that HopiQ tagged me to do a "seven random things" meme. I don't get around to too many blogs these days, so I'm a little late to the party. However, I thought I'd participate anyhow! :-)

Several of my siblings are attending college and the word that has replaced "cool" is "random". So instead of saying, "that is so cool" they say, "that is so random". I guess I'm an old fogey because that just sounds so stupid to me. LOL

So here are some totally random, totally cool facts about me:

1. I have really enjoyed being in my 30's. Much better than my 20's, I think.

2. I enjoy cooking, but don't really enjoy baking. Baking is too nerve-wracking!

3. I hate spiders, mainly because I got a poisonous spider bite as a teenager. But then, I haven't gotten bitten by a mouse or a snake, and I avoid them at all costs as well. So I guess I just don't like creepy-crawly things!

4. I've had the material to make our living room valance for over 2 years. I haven't even started on it. *Sigh* I'm such a procrastinator sometimes!

5. Since moving to Michigan, I can tell when it is going to rain. I couldn't do that in California. Maybe it is easier to tell here?

6. I really dislike sweeping and mopping. Too bad over half our house is hardwood, tile, or laminate!

7. I love to make gifts for loved ones! I hope to make all my Christmas presents this year. :-)

If I were playing by the rules, I'd have to tag 7 more people. But I'm not playing by the rules. So...if you'd like to participate, just go right ahead! ;-)

~Trying something different...~

I decided to switch things up a bit and design my own blog. I still have my template saved, and I must admit that I took a deep breath when I looked at the change.

Happy Fall! :-)

~Etsy Sale~

This morning I've substantially marked down the items in my Etsy shop. Please take a look! :-)

~National Infertility Awareness Week~

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. Infertility effects 1 out of every 8 couples. If you yourself haven't experienced infertility, the chances are very good that you know someone who is going through infertility right now.

This blog post is a little long, but I wanted to take this opportunity to encourage those who haven't gone through infertility to be a blessing and an encouragement to those who are in the midst of it. Please take the time to follow the links and read through the short articles - I'm sure it will come in handy for you some day!

***The definition of "infertility" is the inability to conceive within a year's time.
***The foremost thing to remember is that infertility is a medical problem.

Now, some suggestions for offering support that is appreciated:

First of all: please, no nosy questions! I had to stumble my way through so many questions (and to be honest I'm still on the receiving end of painful questions and comments). It is so hurtful to be asked yet again, "When are you going to have children?" "Do you want children?" "Why don't you have children?" "Whose fault is it that you can't have children?" etc., etc. If it has been asked, I have probably had to answer it and it is not fun! There has been only one time in which I appreciated someone asking me about my situation - a friend who felt led of the Lord to approach me because I was heavy on her heart. In the privacy of her living room we talked and cried together. She listened to the Lord and was able to minister to me.

Infertility has been likened to reverse grief. When someone dies, you mourn for them. Slowly, as time passes, the grief lessens. With infertility, it is the opposite. Slowly, as time passes, the grief intensifies. Going through infertility has also been compared to going through cancer. Please know that the person or couple you are praying for and trying to be an encouragement to is going through times of intense grief and sorrow!

Infertility Etiquette - this article by RESOLVE will help to explain what to say and not say. Please don't blindly hand out advice. "Just relax" is the most ridiculous thing to say to anyone. Remember that infertility is a medical condition. If someone broke their arm you would not say, "just relax and it will heal." No, you would take them immediately to the emergency room.

Also by RESOLVE, Infertility Myths. This article will help you to see that "just relaxing" or "just adopting" isn't what it takes!

Sometimes there isn't really anything you can say that is going to make the situation better. A simple hug and "I'm praying for you" truly goes a long way!

I want to encourage you to be an encourager to a couple/woman facing this struggle!

~Hospitality~

Something that has been on my mind and heart lately is hospitality. The Bible commands us to practice hospitality, so it is something that is important in every believer's life.

There are so many ways in which to be hospitable, I think the most important step is to just start. I recently checked out four books from my library that I have been browsing through. So many ideas!

The Welcoming Hearth by Elizabeth Skoglund: She focuses on everyday hospitality, being prepared for company at a moment's notice, and simplicity in hospitality. There are many recipes throughout the book, including some Swedish recipes, since she is Swedish.

Hospitality with Confidence by Grace Pittman: Not only does this author look at everyday, simple hospitality, but she also branches out with many ideas for fun parties and larger get-togethers. Something I really appreciated in both this book and The Welcoming Hearth is that the authors really stress that hospitality begins at home with your own family: having traditions, special meals, and treating your family with as much care as you would a guest - important and needful!

The Personal Touch by Rachael Crabb: This book is filled to the brim with stories of how the Lord has worked through the author's life to reach out to others through hospitality. It is written with a sense of humility, and seems to be written by an older author. It is very inspiring!

Love You Can Touch by Jane Jarrell: This fun little book is packed with recipes and gift ideas for special occasions.

I have been enjoying each of these books, and hope to incorporate many of the ideas into my own life. Right now I am still dealing with morning sickness which usually doesn't keep itself to the morning, so it isn't practical to have company right now. Especially since Kevin would have to do all the cooking and preparations! :-) But I recognize this as just a season in my life, and anticipate the day when I feel better and we can share our home once again!

~Two Blankets~

I got two more pieces of flannel to make receiving blankets out of, and just finished them last night.



These are both for our baby, and yes, that's correct...the one on the left is pink. =)

~Contest Winner~

And the winner of my 1000th post giveaway is...

...Nikki!

Congratulations, Nikki! Please send me an email with your address and I'll get your wristlet and zipper pouches in the mail to you! :-)

~100 Months~

One day last week, my sweet husband woke me from my beauty sleep. He asked if he could turn the light on and I sleepily agreed. Then he asked me what day it was. After thinking, I realized it was Friday. "But what is the date?" I finally came up with October 3rd. Then he told me it was our anniversary. Now I was really awake. Had I forgotten our anniversary? and our anniversary of what?

Well, it was our anniversary! We've been married for 100 months! That's makes 8+ years sound like a very long time indeed! :-)

Kevin had purchased a book for me that I had expressed interest in, and he handed it to me after he told me "happy anniversary." I thought it was so sweet of him to think of this anniversary! :-)

~1000th Post Giveaway!~

This contest is now closed.

To celebrate my 1000th post, and as a very small way to thank my readers, I am having a little giveaway.

Since it is fall, why not celebrate with a fall theme? :-) To one lucky person, I am giving a wristlet, which is perfect for those times you don't want to carry your purse; a zipper pouch; and a tiny zipper pouch.



All you have to do to get your name in the "hat" is comment. I am willing to ship anywhere! If you do not have a blog, that is fine. But please leave your email address so I can get ahold of you in case you win! I'm leaving the contest open through next Thursday.

~Update~

Just a little update to say "hello!" =)

I am still sick, but not as sick as I was in the beginning. I keep hoping that one day I'll wake up and feel 100% better, but such has not been the case yet! Otherwise, baby and I are doing fine.

This is my 1000th post! To celebrate with me, come back tomorrow to enter in a giveaway!