“We leave the birthing room daily. We want freedom from the ache. We want to control the level of groaning in our life. Our search for relief is utterly foolish, yet we demand it with fervor every time we shut off the whispers in our hearts-the whispers to dream, the whisper to acknowledge a current disappointment, the whisper to remember something or someone lost. We desire the thrill of a newborn cry without the months of anticipation and hours of labor-ridden hell.”
From The Allure of Hope by Jan Meyers

The Allure of Hope: God’s Pursuit of a Woman’s Heart
By: Jan Meyers

I had a few sewing friends over on Tuesday night for a little scrap swap. This is the first time that we had gathered to swap but I think that it may need to become a yearly thing. Eight of us gathered with our heaps of scraps and we pretty much just pillaged (okay maybe not that intense but there was a lot of excitement) the piles. It was fun to gather over dessert and fabric and I cannot wait until we gather again. Thanks to everyone who came and those who could not make it we missed you!!!

So, remember this? It is definitely a reality now as the Prius is parked in the garage! Woo hoo! We spent some quality time at the dealership on Saturday and after actually leaving the dealership and returning eventually we got to bring it home. I am not sure that Brad was jumping up and down at the fact that I wanted to come on the car buying adventure but he was happy to have me along with him because there is nothing like a mid afternoon date at the dealership! We got a great sales person who was not afraid to have fun which I love. He was not even afraid to answer my crazy weird and random questions in the middle of a very heated negotiation. I don’t care for the negotiating part especially where you reach the part when you go back and forth saying the same thing over and over again to me that just feels like it is time to go home which we actually did which as it turned out was sad to leave that cute little car. After dinner Brad had another little chat with them and we ended up with a new car!!! Sis was desperately wanting a silver car for some reason but we brought home a gray car although we did tell her that it is dark silver. I have really enjoyed driving it so far this week and it is actually really fun to drive. It is a bit odd though as normally I have a lead, we gotta get there foot, which I guess I have traded in for a good gas mileage foot. There is just something about the car that makes you want to drive responsibly. I am not sure how I feel about that but Brad is super happy about it. The Prius even made it through the grocery store test in which all the groceries fit in the hatchback trunk! Yipppeeee!

While I was reading this blog the other day I could not resist heading over to this blog to try out these yummy lemon bars. Isn’t that funny how sometimes you start out on one blog and then end up somewhere else. That amuses me for some reason. At any rate these needed to be made as they seemed pretty irresistible and after all Hubby was craving something sweet. They came together easily and smelled so tasty! They really are worth all the hype! Very tasty!!!

Woo Hoo! There is not much of it but we still had fun playing in it! We are all pretty exhausted after being so excited about the snow and spending most of the day in it. So fun!!!

Yep, didn’t need it but I could not pass up fabric at $3.00 a yard (yes, you read that correctly). Just wanted to let you know that J.Caroline is having a sale! I know, I should not of told you but you would of been sad to miss it and you know it! There is a link for the $3 a yard fabrics and then click through the Sale Fabric as well there are some good deals in there as well even though those are not all $3. Just had to share!

We are just waiting for the snow here. We keep peeking out the windows and wondering if it will come. The weather forecasters are not calling for snow but it is just so cold that it should snow! Brother is ready for the snow when it does arrive. He got a new hat yesterday and loves to wear it around the house but not necessarily outside (can’t explain it). We will keep watching for that snow! Surely it will come sometime. . .right!?

The ironing had piled up so nap time found me ironing today (not a normal occurrence at our house hubby was just getting desperate for clothing). I was ironing one of brothers little tiny 2T shirts and then next in the pile was a Dada shirt. For some reason today the size difference struck me and I heard the wee small voice in my heart saying, “It won’t be long before he is grown”. These pictures don’t capture the size difference well but I will post them anyway (what is a post without pictures). I want to capture the days well that I have with the kiddos. I want to be fully present in their lives but sometimes I find it so hard. Sometimes I find myself wanting to invite them into whatever I am doing instead of coming to where they are. I am there but I am not present with them. They invite me often to read and imagine with them but I find myself caught up in the chore of the moment trying to accomplish my list or the things that I want to do. When I do meet them where they are I often hear myself rushing the time. There are times to invite them into the activities that I am doing like cleaning, cooking, etc. but I really want to take more time to slow to be on their level to meet them where they are to be fully present with them. Soon they will be grown!

Brother’s Shirt:

Dada’s Shirt:

Sir Gibbie
by George MacDonald edited by Kathryn Lindskoog

One of my new favorites!!! It is truly an incredible book!