these are a few of my favorite things...

Well....this morning has just been one of those "mornings!" At 7:30 am, I decided I would cook Timmy breakfast and usually when I do this, the girls hear us and wake up. This is very early for them considering that they usually sleep until 9. They either smell the food or hear us talking. The latter is probably the cause because all of you know how loud Timmy is! Anyway, we went ahead and got them up, which resulted in an ill mood. When they are ill, they definitely don't want to share and they are clingy to mommy. I love this, but sometimes you can't hold a child 24/7. That's how I felt this morning, but I made it to nap time and they are now snoozing away! :)


I never rest or take naps. People always say I should, but I can't sit still. I have to keep myself busy or I feel very unproductive. It also keeps my mind from wandering into places it shouldn't. If I stay busy, I don't have time get anxious about "anything and everything," dwell on things that may be upsetting to me, or let my insecurities get the best of me. This is something I deal with on a daily basis....just struggling with worry and fear. I know this is not of the Lord and it is very hard to deal with. Just in the past few months, however, I can see God delivering me from this. I was just telling Timmy this morning how I have a peace in my heart that I have never felt before. Yes, I still struggle with the fear of the unknown, but when I start to feel shaky or as if I can't go another step, Jesus steps in. My mind quickly diverts to thoughts of Him and sometimes I just say the name of Jesus out loud over and over. Satan definitely knows our weaknesses and tries to kill, steal, and destroy us (John 10:10). Don't let him get the best of you. This is a daily prayer of mine (from the book, Prayers that avail much by Germaine Copeland).
....I pray that I can put on the whole armor of God so that I  may be able to stand against the tricks and traps of the devil. God, I stand above all, taking the shield of faith and being able to quench the attacks of the devil with Your mighty power. Today, I stand in faith, not giving any room to fear. Amen, amen! 


Another thing I do to keep my mind on positive things is do something that I enjoy, and lately this has been sewing. I am loving it and I know my nana would have been so proud of me. My technique definitely isn't perfect and the under side of the garment....who knows what it looks like! But, it is the final product that matters, right? I have a list of things that I want to do at some point and this was one of them. I always wanted to learn and through the sewing class at Eastside, Mrs. Deborah Wise taught me! She is so talented herself:) There are many other things on my "want to do" list. First of all, I want to potty train my girls!! :) We are in the process and we were making progress, but now they have gotten to where they want to be like Pate and wear a diaper. I hear this happens a lot when a new sibling arrives. I'm definitely not stressing over it. I know it will happen in time, but it sure would be nice to not have to buy so many diapers every week! Some other things on that list include, learning to play the violin, which I am working on as well. Timmy gave me a violin for Christmas and through a beginner book I bought and youtube, I am trying to teach myself how to play. It is still pretty rough to listen to at times, but I am slowly getting better. I can play a few songs. I especially like to play along with Timmy on the guitar. We can play Wild Thing & Wonderful Tonight :)! Here is a video of when I first started. I am proud to say that I have improved A LITTLE since this day. It is funny that I still have the tag on the violin in this video....

I also want to lead a choir one day and sing a trio of 3 part harmony with my girls. I can't wait to teach them about music! Most importantly, I long for my kids to be as close to me as I am to my mom. I want to be their best friend and I also want them to know that their parents are their biggest fans. 
I wanted to share some photos of my recent sewing projects. They have brought on many late nights and many sounds of ripping out seams over and over, but it is a lot of fun for me. I really enjoy it.

 I am in the process of working on this outfit.... :)

I am so excited about this project. I can't wait to finish! It is going to be a quilt for my girls made out of their old clothes. These are the squares I have cut out so far! Each have a special memory related to it.

I encourage you all to divert your thoughts if they are ones that will bring you down. Believe me, I know it isn't easy, especially if you struggle with anxiety. I struggle so much and I definitely don't always have it together. Thankfully, we can rest knowing who is in control......satan has nothing on my God!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

- John 10:10