KrystaSolaris... Designer

Fall is in the Air

2010-09-01T22:55:00.002-04:00

Well, almost. I have put up my fall decorations already in hopes that it will bring in the cool weather! It is has been a long, hot, dry summer, and I am ready to be done with it. I think my sewing has experienced a dry spell too. Not much motivation.

It always amazes me how a little spark can light a big fire. For me, this came from a homeschooling mom at church asking that I teach her daughters a sewing class. Absolutely. Well, after ironing out a lot of details over the last few weeks, classes should begin Tuesday, September 21st, 7:00-8:30pm, at Fairfax Baptist Temple, and is open to all girls ages 12 and up. The class will end with the school year on May 31st. I hope to have at least five girls, but no more than ten. We will be using the A Beka Academy Home Economics Sewing curriculum (with supplemental material) to learn all the basics of sewing while making a skirt, blouse, and more.

I am really looking forward to this!

Major Alterations: Before and After

2010-05-27T21:11:00.008-04:00

Before front view:

Before back view:
After front view:

After back view:

Mistakes

2010-04-06T14:40:00.002-04:00

I hate making mistakes. I find myself kicking myself every day over
stupid mistakes. Not only do I first make the stupid mistake, but
then, I make another mistake while thinking about the last mistake I
made, and the one stupid mistake suddenly becomes a pattern of stupid
mistakes, which then I spend double the time fixing all the mistakes
on the mistakes! The Apostle Paul put it in these words:

"For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
~Romans 7:19

The dilemma: I have to move on from my mistake to move forward, but,
I must not forget my mistake lest I make it again. Do not dwell
on, but remember and learn from my mistakes.

Is it not wonderful to know that our Lord Jesus Christ NEVER made a
mistake, never sinned, and never fell short of His Father's
expectations.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
~1 Corinthians 5:21

Life is Short

2010-03-18T21:06:00.002-04:00

Work hard
Sleep less
Talk little
Listen more
Eat moderately
Exercise willingly
Dress modestly
Think critically
Ask for little
Give much
Praise often
Complain seldom
Take suggestions
Give advice
Repent Daily

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Changing Seasons...

2010-03-16T18:00:00.006-04:00

The winter in here in NOVA this year was pretty fierce. Seemed much colder than usual, we got our first snow in early December (that one was 10"), and the month of February was distinguished by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd "Blizzard of 2010", dumping over three feet of snow in our area. I have always liked the winter season but this year, with two little kids to bundle up every time we stepped out of the house, winter has seemed especially long.Well I am happy to say that the last pile of snow at the corner of my street is finally gone!

SPRING IS HERE!

Well, not officially until Saturday, but it is 61 degrees outside and that is good enough for me. In celebration, here are some neat spring things I ran into on Etsy:

Purity earrings - White Jade Lilies and Sterling Silver by FirebirdJewellery

Mounted Wall Print- Flourish 8x10 by StillimagePhotos

Wall Mounted Reed Diffuser - Strawberry Roses by MelroseFields

Decently and in Order

2010-03-15T17:42:00.003-04:00

I really love organizing. But I have such a terrible memory that if I did not label everything, I would spend (and have spent) hours looking for the things that I spent hours putting away. Kind of defeats the purpose.

So I have found that a sharpie and some 3x5 cards just do the trick. I try to label all of my boxes (mostly Sterilite plastic containers from Target... the absolute cheapest but still good quality) by writing out what the box contains, and taping it to the front and back of the box with scotch tape. This way it doesn't matter which side is facing out.

I also try to be descriptive with the labels. For example, I don't just label a box "Patterns", instead, it gets labeled Women's Patterns - Dresses and Skirts, or Women's - Vintage Retro. This way I don't spend a bunch of time trying to find the pattern I need. This especially helps if you have a lot of something. Like my buttons used to be in one large tub, and I sometimes had to dump the whole things just to find what I needed. I now have them in a little container with three slide out drawers, and they are separated by colors: light and white buttons, dark buttons, and one for metallic and multicolored buttons.

This works great to for other things besides sewing... when the kids outgrow their clothes, each of those boxes get labeled with the gender, size range, and season. Labeling the Christmas stuff this way also makes finding things next year that much easier.

So maybe I'm crazy about organizing and labeling things, but I guess to me it is really about saving time. How do you like to keep things organized?

Ahhh, Finally Friday...

2010-03-12T11:51:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you, but this has seemed like a really long week to me. Good, but long, and I'm sure glad it's Friday.

I guess what inspired me most this week was just the fabulous energy that I get from being at the gym. Not only from the actual work-out, but from being with a lot of other moms who work just as hard as I do, or harder. Being with other people who work hard motivates me to push myself even more. I think the more you do, the more you can do. The more you work and push yourself, the better you will become. It applies to working out, sewing, cleaning, or whatever I'm doing.

Even though I have fallen into bed exhausted every night, it feels so good to know I have given it all I got.

Pressing Around...

2010-03-09T17:00:00.014-05:00

I am really proud of this one.

A couple of weeks ago I was trying to make a hat to go with a dress I had made for my daughter. Well, the shape and size of these tiny baby hats just makes pressing the seams utterly impossible and I was very upset at the unfinished look that hat had... all the seams bubbling and curving in weird ways. So I looked around my sewing room and around the house for days, just trying to come up with something to hold the hat's shape so I could press the seams from the outside at least. Nada. Then, I had a brilliant idea. Ok, ok, not so brilliant, put practical and cheap. So here it is.

I dug a sturdy scrap of fabric I had used for some curtians out of my scrap box and pulled out the pattern I had used for the baby hat. I cut out the crown pieces, adding 2 1/2 inches to the bottom of each piece, and sewed them together, as if it were another hat. Then I set the "hat" up right on a single layer of the remaining scrap and traced a circle around the hat, giving myself 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Then I stitched this bottom to the "hat", leaving 2 inches open. I turned the whole thing right side out and, viola!Now, what to stuff it with? Rice! Don't know how I came up with this but I had a huge bag of it in the pantry and it was cheap, heavy, and seamed like it would last a long time. I placed the hat in a bowl to catch what fell and started pouring away. I just kept filling (it does take a while so be patient) until I didn't think I could stuff another grain of rice in that thing. I got a hand needle with some thread and closed it up tight with a simple blanket stitch. Lastly I added a covered button to the top to aid with pressing the seam junctions.

It works great, and not just for pressing, but shaping, decorating, and to put on display. And it didn't cost me a cent.

Aprons Ready to Go!

2010-02-18T21:48:00.009-05:00

Completed custom aprons for Lucy... hope you love what you see! Will be shipping them Saturday.

Aprons for Lucy

2010-02-17T22:29:00.004-05:00

Some pictures from a custom Etsy order. Hope you like what you see so far, Lucy! The colors might be a little brighter than real-life... the lighting was not very good.

Trip to the Mall

2010-02-16T22:28:00.002-05:00

I just came back from the mall for the first time since Christmas. I have to say I was a bit discouraged at first, walking through all the isles of beautiful spring dresses, all set for Easter and beyond, at prices lower than I could ever hope to match. What makes my clothing any better? I thought to myself. Why would anyone pay the higher price just to get something handmade?

First, I think, because of the same reason I have ordered from Etsy. To give budding artist and designers, like myself, a chance to do what they love. Our work is worth the extra money. I put so much thought and love into each of my garments, I could never put a price tag on all of the hours I spend dreaming up each of my creations. Whether I borrowed from another design, giving it my own flair with different colors and textures, or a design I created from scratch, every detail is thought out, drawn out, reconsidered, and planned carefully from start to finish.

That is not to say that every design is perfect the first time I try it. Why, just this weekend I made an embarrassing mistake on something I was making for myself. But I learned from it. With each creation I learn something new: a faster or better way to get something completed, an alternative design for next time, or just how not to do a certain thing.

These are the very things that make Esty artists so special. We are each unique, our work present something you have probably never seen before. It isn't necessarily flawless (by the way, neither is store bought stuff. As a seamstress I often find myself fixing store bought clothes!). But your can know it came from a real person. My designs come from real life experiences. I often design to fill a need I have myself. That's what makes me different from all the mass retailers with the huge price cuts and mega clearance sales.

So after leaving the mall feeling very out of my league, I remembered that I sew because I love to sew. I remembered that God gave me the gift, the passion, (and the patience!) to design and sew: for myself, for my children, for my friends, and for all I the friends I have yet to meet!

Snowed in

2010-02-10T17:55:00.004-05:00

A delightful predicament for a seamstress. Very few outside distractions, a cozy hot cup of coffee, my favorite Pandora station playing. All very conducive to creating new things. Ironically, I am working on a very springy dress for GiGi, that I hope will become my newest baby/toddler pattern. It has very puffed short sleeves, a bit of lace at the neckline, a full skirt with a laced ruffle, and a back button closer (as always!). Over that will be a pinafore with ruffled straps that ties in the back. Short, lace covered bloomers (I'm trying to create a circular rosette style pattern for the lace on the back), and a hat with a pinned up brim (I'm really excited about this part!) to top it off.

I'm making this one from scraps I had lying around, but if the design turns out well I hope to buy some similar fabric and make several to sell. I'd hope to get that all done by Easter, but with the number of projects I've got right now I doubt it. Maybe by Mother's Day.

Another thing I'm really excited about is the names I've chosen for my children's clothing designs. I plan to use names and titles from classic children's books. So far I have: A Rose in Bloom Dress (a novel by Louisa May Alcott), The Heidi Dress (inspired by the book Heidi, by Johanna Spyri), The Madeline Coat (a favorite series by Ludwig Bemelmans), and this design, that I plan to call The Anne Shirley Dress (from of course, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery). What are some of your favorite book characters?

The Heidi Dress - Variation in Wine and Cream Toile Faux Jumper

2010-01-28T17:24:00.009-05:00

I love toile. It has sort of a Victorian vintage feel that lends itself to dreaming. Toile is french in it's origin, and traditionally used in home furnishings, though it has seen a comeback in clothing only recently.
I just finished this toile dress for GiGi, complete with pearl buttons, eyelet and an extra-large bow to top it off. Head to my Etsy Shop to get one of your own!

The Perfect Afternoon

2010-01-26T20:43:00.003-05:00

While still in my P.J's, I got both of the kids to nap at 2:00, right on schedule. I heaved a deep sigh of relief and felt very pleased with myself. I skipped down the stairs and filled up the tea kettle for a cup of tea. Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea, my favorite. Grabbed my laptop and headed over to my sewing nook. Hmm, what to listen to...? Andrea Bocelli Radio on Pandora. Perfect.

So I continued to work on my latest project, a burgundy and cream toile jumper dress for GiGi, which I plan to post to my Etsy page as soon as I get pictures taken. Italian singing in the background, a strong cup of tea, and creamy cotton fabric under my fingers.

I suddenly realized I was basking in the delights of The Perfect Afternoon.

Design

2009-11-02T13:22:00.002-05:00

This is who I am. I am alive when I am designing. Patterns, fabric, buttons, thread. I love bringing it together to create a whole new thing. I enjoy seeing each element come together, and it is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Plaid is in this year. I've always loved it, but these days it has taken on a whole new meaning. Textiles that used to be primarily utility fabrics have become chic: buffalo checks, tartans, and patchwork.

Currently working on a tartan plaid I've had for a few years. It feels like linen, although I'm pretty sure it is mostly cotton. I've got about 10 yards and I've got some special thing planned... pictures to come!

New Directions!

2009-09-15T23:20:00.004-04:00

I am now claiming this blog for the promotion of my designs on Etsy. Watch for my latest projects and ideas... feel free to comment, ask a question, or make a request. So check me out:

www.krystasolairs.etsy.com

I'm excited.... are you?

Sad-Puppy-Dog-Faces

2008-06-10T10:27:00.007-04:00

Everyone says that the first three months with your first child are the hardest. I beg to differ. Those first few weeks with such a tiny helpless little bundle were, for me, precious and wonderful. Yes, he was dependent on me for everything, but as I changed him, fed him, clothed him... having a child of my own seemed so simple. He was so small and adorable!

And then I woke up one morning and realized my helpless little bundle had become an 18 1/2 pound five-month-old who can bite, scratch, pull hair, roll around the room tearing things as he goes, and bounce to the moon. He eats like a horse, squeals like a piggy, makes "messes" like a dog, scratches like a cat, jumps like a goat, and has a commanding enough voice to run for public office.

WHAT HAPPENED!?!?!?

The scary thing is, the bigger he gets, the cuter he gets.

So no matter how annoying he is at the moment, his sad-puppy-dog-face always wins the battle. Mommy loses again.

Bad Habit

2008-04-08T23:06:00.002-04:00

11:05 pm. Still up. Bad habit thanks to being married. When I was a kid (which wasn't all that long ago, though it seems forever) I couldn't imagine life without at least 10 hours of sleep. I remember wondering how some people stay up very late and then still get up in the morning and get things done. And now I'm "some people". And not only do I get up in the morning and face the day, but I get up once or twice a night (on a good night) to feed the baby. And I'm not dead yet. How about that.

Song in my Heart

2008-04-08T22:50:00.005-04:00

Lord You are
More beautiful than diamonds
Lord You are
More costly than gold
Lord You are
More precious than silver
And nothing I desire
Compares with You

Frustrated

2008-04-07T12:59:00.003-04:00

It seems that so many things in my life frustrate me. I get frustrated when I make a lousy dinner. Frustrated when I realize how skinny I used to be and how heavy I am now. Frustrated when my house is messy. Frustrated when I'm trying to tell someone my feelings and they don't understand. And very frustrated when I feel like I might start getting my sewing business off the ground and then someone or something keeps me from getting anywhere.

Of course, it's not the food's fault it tasted lousy. The scale only mirrors the raw reality. My house is messy because I let it get that way (although certain other persons who help make it messy never seem to be around when it's time to make it "un-messy"). I should probably just keep my feelings to myself; who wants to hear all my rambling thoughts anyway? And maybe it's better that I haven't had any sewing jobs lately. Could I really keep up with it all?

Another big frustration. Church is not what it should be. The sermons are a good, but not inspiring. The people are very friendly, but all the activities can be very demanding and it seems you're not really "part" of the church unless you work in the nursery, sing in the choir, participate in gospel blitz, and attend all the business meetings. Or does it just seem that way? Our church does a great job of getting the gospel out and funding missionaries and such. But Josh and I just don't seem to fit in without really just overlooking all the, shall I say, issues we have. I'd really rather not have my baby in the nursery, although I don't think he minds. At the same time I really don't want to go looking for another church. I like the friends I've made (and am still making) at FBT, and I feel like I need some friends these days, different though they may be. What shall we do, Lord?

Thanks!

2008-03-31T19:29:00.003-04:00

Hats off to Kelly (my sister-in-law) for the new and improved blog template! Thnx Kell! Also be sure to check out my portfolio (link on the left) for those interested in seeing my work. That's all for now folks... laundry calls.

My Baby

2008-03-24T10:30:00.001-04:00

Thought...

2008-02-22T14:42:00.004-05:00

In the past couple of years or so I have found myself becoming quite tame, so that I truly never yell, and pretty much never get angry or "violent" when I don't get my way or get frustrated. I do not pat myself on the back for this because I know it is not me who has tamed my negative emotions, but One who is much greater than I.

However, as untouchable as I am when it comes to others making me mad, I have realized that I, Krysta Solaris Langner, make MYSELF furious on a daily basis. Particularly about what I SHOULD BE doing instead of being on the computer.

Like right now. I'm very sleepy, so I should be taking a nap. The bedroom's a mess and there are clothes to fold. I have about ten sewing projects that I'd like to have done in the near future and my sewing room needs serious attention in the organizational department. The floors all need vacuuming, and oh, did I mention the kitchen is dirty and Chip will need feeding in about fifteen minutes? Not that I MIND all this work, I actually enjoy it...

When I get around to it.

Me Again

2008-02-15T15:16:00.002-05:00

How I've changed since last year! Or was that just a pregnancy-hormonal personality?

Valentines Day

2008-02-15T14:09:00.003-05:00

My from scratch cheesecake:

Other than the cheesecake we didn't do anything special. I've always hated Valentine's Day for some reason. Hasn't changed now that I'm married. I forbade Josh from buying me chocolate (as much as I want some!!!!) because I have a weight loss goal by my birthday and I refuse to let a stupid thing like Valentine's Day ruin it. For the record, I had one piece of cheesecake and that is all I'm going to have. I made brownies the other day and made Josh take them to work (I can NOT resist brownies lying around!).

I'm amazing myself... never had so much self control in my life! Every girl who seriously wants/needs to lose wight should just have a baby. Works like a charm. ;) I've lost 30lbs since Chip was born 7 weeks ago (so encouraging!). Still got 20 more to go before I reach my pre-pregnancy weight. Yeah, I know, I gained 50lbs. But who was counting?

Quick Post

2008-02-13T18:16:00.001-05:00

Wow. I haven't posted in forever. Bad me. Well, I've planned all my dinners for this week and the next two weeks. Let's see if I can stick to the plan!

Thankfulness

2007-11-26T11:57:00.001-05:00

Ask and Ye shall receive...

I have only two requests, Lord.

1. That Mr. Wiggly will behave himself and settle into a nice head-down position and stay there.
2. That he will be born before Christmas.

And lots of praises:

1. We had a great weekend! I did not burn any food and it was ALL good. Even Josh said so. YES!!!
2. Our tree is all decorated and the house looks beautiful (promise to post pics soon)... Thank you Lord for our abundance.
3. I have not thrown-up in one week.
4. Mr. Wiggly is doing very well... he had hiccups several times this weekend! It is always so reassuring to feel him happily moving around in there.
5. My pregnancy is almost over!
6. Josh and I have been married for (is it possible?) almost a year. It gets better everyday.

Dear Friends...

2007-10-30T11:53:00.000-04:00

...who seem to think that my blog is a great place to chat with each other...

Why haven't I posted in ages? I guess sometimes the sewing machine is a better creative outlet for me than the computer. So sorry. I promise to put some pictures of what I've been making soon.

My Opinion...

2007-09-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

So yesterday Josh and I sat in a Lamaze class for 8! hours with a bunch of other couples who said that the first word that came to mind when they thought of childbirth was "scary", "painful" "anxious" "unknown", and other related words.

My tail bone still hurts from sitting in that chair.

What did we learn? Not much. I've read too many books that gave the same information for it to have been helpful. Glad I took it? Not really. Hey, I'm not saying other people can't benefit from it, but for me, practicing how to relax makes me tense! I'll relax when I get there because I make a conscious decision to do so.

We heard a lot about the ways doctors can "help" you:

Give you an epidural to remove the pain:
-which can also slow labor down so you need petocine
-which raises your blood pressure so you need extra hydration so you have to have an IV
-you'll need a catheter to catch your urine since you can't walk
-makes you lose feeling in your legs and you can pinch nerves in your hips while pushing and not know it
-makes you not be able to feel contractions so your nurse has to tell you when to push and then you can push too fast and need an episiotomy or you can tear badly
-can slow the baby's heart down so that you "need" a c-section

So, that's my take on the situation. I hate needles (especially in the back!) so I'll stick with the pain that's normal, and natural, and God designed.

But, it was required and now it's over and we'll never have to do it again.

Full Moons

2007-09-26T17:04:00.001-04:00

Does the full moon tonight have anything to do with the fact that I threw-up TWICE this morning? Ok, so that's far-out but I'm running out of answers.

*SIGH*

Twelve and a half weeks to go... PROVIDED he isn't late. *cough cough, hint hint, ahem, ahem!*

Movie Hall of Fame

2007-09-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

(My Personal Opinion ONLY!):

Best Political: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Best Christmas: White Christmas

Worst: King Kong (new one)

Corniest: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Funniest: The Court Jester

Stupidest: Who Am I (Jackie Chan)

Best Musical: Phantom of the Opera

Most Intense: Lord of the Rings

Most Ridiculous: Indiana Jones

Most Popular: Star Wars

Saddest: Nicholas Nickleby

Best Digital Animated: The Incredibles

Best Animated: Beauty and the Beast

Best Historical: Gods and Generals

Best Soundtrack: Pirates of the Carribean, Curse of the Black Pearl

Best Actor (before 1970): Jimmy Stewart

Best Actor (after 1970): Christian Bale

Best Movie Singer: Bing Crosby

Am I missing anything?

Fall

2007-09-17T12:22:00.001-04:00

It's Fall now. Had to change the background.

Why I Love Josh

2007-09-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Top Ten Things I Love About Josh:

1. The way he will make decisions and take the lead (and the blame if it goes wrong!) for just about everything.

2. Believe it or not, his dorky jokes. He just wouldn't be Josh without them.

3. His uncanny ability to predict things before the happen. Sometimes it's scary.

4. He can (and does) admit when he's wrong. Usually.

5. He's taller than me.

6. His eyes. I still don't know if they're blue or green. Wonder what color Mr. Wiggly will have?

7. His designer abilities... although sometimes I wish he wasn't so opinionated about clothes!

8. He never complains about my cooking unless I ask him.

9. The expression of appreciation on his face when I've made the house nice and clean and done all the laundry and made dinner and look nice myself (I won't say how often that is).

10. I love the way he sings!

The one thing that I envy of him: HIS EYELASHES!!! I spend a lot of time and money and mine still don't look that good! Why does God give guys such perfect lashes, anyway?!?!?

Random Thoughts

2007-09-11T16:39:00.000-04:00

I swear this kid is trying to kick my belly button out. Hasn't succeeded yet! I still have an "in-e".

Well, I've made it to the third trimester. With it has come a few new feelings. I get hot more than usual. I have been more emotional than EVER in my life. I caught my first cold of the year. I feel more tired and anxious to have this over with than before. I'm looking forward to Christmas more than in the any other year I can remember.

I'm scared. Being pregnant is one thing, but having a little itty-bitty person depending on me for everything... now that is scary. Deep down inside I know I will do just fine, but every once in a while a little thought bubbles to the surface, sounding something like this: "Ahhh! I can't do this! What were you thinking?!?! I can barely keep myself showered and fed every day let alone take care of a little baby!"

But then again, some nights I just want to have that little person in my arms looking up at me, instead of in my tummy doing karate! I can't wait to meet him. I wonder how big he will be? Not too big I hope. I can't wait to use all the adorable little clothes; the little socks and hats and wunzies (or however you spell that word).

What will the months ahead hold for me? Only God knows.

Josh has been so good to me lately. I don't know what I would do without him. We really are perfect for each other; we balance each other and keep each other from falling. This is really what I had been waiting for all my life. The most intimate friend and companion for a lifetime. The feeling is irreplaceable. I wish everyone could understand that.

A rainy system has just come through. I'm convinced that that is why I have thrown up today and yesterday. But we need the rain so I will not complain.

And just to be completely random... This is the coolest CD ever!

Best One I've Read

2007-09-07T10:16:00.001-04:00

This is my favorite pregnancy book that I've read so far (and I've read a bunch!). Right on the money as far as what I believe. Not radical, just conservative. They sell it on Amazon for any of you who might like to get one: www.amazon.com.

So this is me... The Advocate

2007-08-30T11:53:00.001-04:00

Be Prepared

2007-08-23T17:31:00.000-04:00

I learned something very important last night.

Be Prepared*!

So Josh tells me he's getting home late; around 7:00pm. Then suddenly, at 4:42pm he says to me over IM:

"Hey not working late tonight."
"Really?" I say. "What time are you coming home?"
"Leaving now." he says.

Eeeeek! He never leaves that early. Especially on days when he says he has a lot to do.

Ok, so I was procrastinating until the last minute to tidy up the house and take a shower. So I hurriedly made dinner. No tidying of house, no shower.

Oh well, Hakuna Matata.

I need to be...

2007-08-22T20:28:00.000-04:00

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband...

Proverbs 12:4

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengthenth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth her hand to the poor; yeah, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her houshold: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is know in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in a time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favor is decietful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Giver her of the fruit of her hands; let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

A startling discovery...

2007-08-17T11:52:00.000-04:00

I made a startling discovery yesterday... my 3rd trimester starts in 3 weeks!!!!!!! Ahhhh! How did that happen?!?!? What happened to that glorious 2nd trimester everyone was telling me about? Did I miss something!?!?! Where did summer go? Can Christmas really be approaching that quickly?

I just feel like saying, "Okay, everybody, stop the clocks just a minute so I can figure out where on earth I am and what I'm doing and what I'm supposed to be doing."

The Home Stretch is rapidly approaching...

Mr. Wiggly's Facial Profile

2007-08-16T19:19:00.001-04:00

Adorable picture frame mom! Thanks so much!

Tired

2007-08-15T22:08:00.000-04:00

I wonder if I will ever sleep again? My tummy just keeps getting bigger and bigger and then comes Mr. Wiggly who will find it very necessary to get fed throughout the night. Oh well.

Thank God for nappy-time!

I have finally returned to my sewing. I didn't realize how much I missed it! Fabrics, and zippers, and threads... they were calling to me. But I was too sick to hear. But I have returned to them now, and the projects shall be tackled and conquered one after the other until they are all nicely pressed and hung.

I can't work at my sewing as fast as I used to, and I have to stop to eat and drink and take naps (and *cough, cough* other things) but it doesn't matter.

Off to bed I go...

All three of us

2007-08-12T14:51:00.001-04:00

Josh and me and Mr. Wiggly (we just can't see him yet)!

Poor Me...

2007-08-10T09:56:00.000-04:00

Guess where I got to go yesterday? The Emergency Room... again.

I was there last Wednesday because I was totally dehydrated and I couldn't stop throwing-up and some other things. Yesterday I went because my heart was racing out of control (this has been happening to me for the last five years). The good news is that we finally got it on EKG! When the nurses hooked me up the monitor started beeping because my heart rate was so high. They called all the other nurses in to see it because they had never seen anyone that high before. It was 240 beats per minute! Thankfully, they were able to stop it rather quickly, but not without poking a hole in my left hand (they had made a hole in my right hand last week).

So far no one has a clue about why this happens... they just want to keep it from happening again, so I go in to a cardiologist on Monday. I suppose we shall see how he handles the situation...

Only Half-way There

2007-08-09T09:36:00.000-04:00

So I've gotten over the vomiting (for the most part) and now I can't sleep. My tummy feels like it's gonna bust, and finding a comfortable position is impossible. How am I going to survive another 20+/- weeks of this!?!? I feel like I've done my part and now it's time to get my baby-reward out of all this. But alas, we would not want poor Mr. Wiggly to come any sooner than he should just for my sake.

I shall endure.

Hurray! I made Dinner Today!!!

2007-08-07T20:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, so it's not that exciting. But I haven't made dinner in three months because I've been so sick! So maybe I'm just excited about being well enough to make dinner. I made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas and corn. Not exactly gourmet, but it's a start.

I've been reading the "Love Comes Softly" series by Janette Oak and I was thinking abut how much harder life was back then. The women really had to cook even if they didn't feel well because there was no Wendy's, no grocery stores, no canned spaghetti-o's. They didn't even have paper plates! Sheesh, they didn't even have running water to wash their plates! It made me feel so spoiled when I think about it; but very thankful as well.

It is amazing how being sick for that long can make you thankful just for having the strength to be able to work.

Pictures from Chincotegue

2007-08-07T12:19:00.001-04:00

I moved all these pictures to a my web album at right. Plus I added some more!

Sunset at the Jefferson

2007-08-06T21:49:00.000-04:00

My favorite picture from our honeymoon

Day by Day

2007-08-06T16:26:00.000-04:00

Yes, I finally have a blog. I wanted to have some way of sharing my life with others through pictures and posts. Nice for me to look back on too.

So much has changed for me this year! New husband, new house, new city, new church, new decade (I turned 20 in April), and most importantly, new BABY! Well, new baby in the making, anyway. And best of all...

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Josh and I both wanted a boy. We just found out last Wednesday. The ultrasound was a great experiance; I'm so glad we did it. All is well now and I am feeling so much better this week.

This hymn seemed to put into words the feelings that I want to show here everytime I make a post:

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each what he deems best --
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord himself is near m
Witha special mercy for each hour:
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Power.
The protection of His child and treausre
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Your hold Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

--Carolina Sandell Berg