More hats

Thought I'd show a few more hats I've been working on:
1st ear flap hat with stripes

Custom order of ear flap hats - sent to Manitoba

Newsboy hat

One of my favorite color combinations :)

Some crocheted clips I've been trying out

"Do not worry about tomorrow...."

For anyone who knows me really well, or not even too well, they know I worry. I worry about so much... I know that God desires me not to worry and to give Him everything... but my human nature fights against that regularly.
Lately I've been worrying about money. I'm sure that everyone worries about money at some time in there life. Well I've been worrying about it because in less than 2 months I am no longer getting mat leave. So of course we have been discussing about how we are going to live on several hundred dollars less each month, especially when there are so many things that we want to do next year.... like travel to Manitoba at least once... and hopefully in the future move to a home with a back yard for Kelsey and our future children (Lord willing) to play in. Of course I desire to stay at home. I've always dreamed of being a stay at home Mom and now more than ever I don't want someone else raising our daughter and knowing our daughter better than we do. I have spent the past several weeks worrying about where the money was going to come and how I could make several hundred dollars extra a month but still stay at home. I wasn't coming up with much to say the least. Most of you know that I have been making crocheted hats and selling them. This hasn't brought in tons of money but I would like it to bring in some but wasn't sure if the need/want/demand was out there and yea.... worrying.... then last night I received an email with an order for 9 hats, then shortly after that I heard back from a Mom that I had talked to a few months ago about babysitting her son while she goes back to work. She was still very interested in having me care for her son. Nothing is confirmed yet but just the fact that there is a chance gave me hope. And as I was telling this all to Brian I started crying. I realized at that point that GOD was in control and that HE would ALWAYS take care of us. Somehow or someway we would be cared for. God just reassured me of that last night. God is so good and His Love is forever, and I know that He will always care for me!!

.... for tomorrow has enough worries of there own!"

Loving my life!

I just have to share how much I'm loving life right now!! I love being a wife and a mother!! I have a fantastic husband who loves me unconditionally and I have a beautiful daughter who has a wonderful personality! I love taking care of her and being her Mom.
That's all... just wanted to express what I'm feeling! :)

7 Months old

I can't believe our little girl is 7 months old. I was just telling Brian today at supper that these have been the fastest 7 months I've ever experienced! They have also been some of the most trying and most wonderful 7 months I've ever had!
Kelsey is growing up so much. She doesn't even feel like a baby anymore and has such a personality! Her favorite thing to do (other than eat of course) is standing and walking. She loves to be helped to her feet and to walk around the house. I'm sure that this is part of the reason that she gets SO excited when Daddy comes home. Because he does a lot more walking with her than Mommy does! But that's ok, she only gets a few hours with him and I have her all day! She isn't crawling yet and this is most likely due to the fact that all she wants to do is stand and walk, when she's on her tummy she just gets mad and frustrated because she can't go anywhere. I'm sure that once she figures out that she can move on her hands and knees nothing will stop her... and Mommy will have her hands full!! As excited as I am to see her learn this I'm also glad that it's taking awhile because I can get so much done now that she plays on her own, but once she's moving I won't be able to take my eyes off of her.
Other than that....
I've been busy busy busy crocheting!! I'M LOVING IT! I love having projects to do and am having so much fun creating this little business. It really was the perfect time of the year to start it up with it being winter and all! I was really excited today because I sent my first order off to the States and off to someone I don't know! (most of my hats have been people that I have some acquaintance with)
Brian's been busy at work, it's actually busier than it normally is at this time of year so that's been great!
We are really looking forward to this Christmas. This will be the first year as our little family. I'm really excited to start our own traditions and to begin teaching Kelsey the reason that we celebrate Christmas. This year comes with excitement but also with some sadness as it will be the first year I will not be celebrating with my family and I am sad about that. I love the traditions that I grew up with and it will be hard not to have some of those things this year. But I know that this is part of growing up and leaving home and also that we will make new memories and traditions together. I'm really glad for Wonderful friends and family here that will make the season special.
Well, I should sign off now and go to bed and hopefully get rid of this cold!




I should also mention that we have a new addition to our household. She's an 8 yr old Shepherd cross dog named Keesha and no we did not name her, that was the name she came with. She loves to sleep, sleep and sleep a little more. Her favorite spot is either on the couch (were working on that) or in front of the fire place.

PIZZA

Today I made homemade pizza for the first time from scratch. I know, I know... I've been a wife and a mother for how long??... and I haven't made pizza yet??!! I know.. it's horrible, but I've been cheating and buying frozen pizza. But a few weeks ago I bought a pizza crust and put our own toppings on it.. and WOW I forgot what I had been missing... it was SOOO much better than frozen... then I decided to try the crust too. I know, it's not really that hard, but I'm a chicken when it comes to yeast.. I don't know why but I just am!
Well, I did it and I have to say... I think it turned out pretty good. There will have to be a few adjustments but overall it was a great pizza...
here's a few pics of the process, just for fun! :)

Putting on the sauce




Before going in the oven :




The final product!


One half was Brian's - Green pepper, Banana peppers, mushrooms and pepperoni
My side was the same minus the banana peppers... I don't do hot! ;)
Well, it was yummy and I will definatly do it again... and even though I love homemade pizza, I'm sure I'll always have a frozen one from the freezer "just in case"! :)

Piano

Ever since I've moved here I've been missing my piano back at home. I didn't realize how much I missed playing and singing till I didn't have a chance to do it anymore. I've casually been looking on craigslist for a piano for the past 2 years but usually it's too far away, or it's been spoken for already or my hubby doesn't really want to insure the truck to go pick it up. The other day at Bible study we were talking about pianos for some reason.. not really sure why... and I said yea, that's on my wishlist for sometime in the future. Well... my dear friend Ginni said that her in-laws neighbors had one that they wanted to get rid of.... and was sure that if we wanted it we could have it. One thing led to another and our wonderful friends even helped Brian pick it up... with there truck and deliver it to our home!! (we have such wonderful friends!!!)


So it came and now sits in our basement. It needs A LOT of TLC but even just a quick cleaning has made it look a lot better already. Not sure if we will completely redo it as it would be a ton of work but it needs a really good tune and then it will be good for the playing that I want to do.
As I was cleaning it though I was thinking to myself..... if only this piano could talk! I wonder how many hands have played it's ivory's and how many songs have been sung with it. At one point in time someone will have made the splurge and spent the big bucks to buy it and it will have been a treasure but now so many years later it's been neglected and forgotten. It made me ponder about our spiritual life. When we first accept Christ it's so wonderful and exciting and beautiful... but if we neglect it it doesn't take long and it gets dull and worn out. But if we take care of it it can stay that beautiful and becomes even more valuable.
Just something I was thinking about ....

Learning

Its been so fun to see Kelsey learn. I have really enjoyed seeing and watching her learn how to learn! :) She has recently learned how to pull herself up on things. This has been a lot of fun for her. To watch her face has been priceless. She furrows her brow and starts this grunting noise as she strains to get herself up. Then her feet slide out from under her and she ends up hanging from whatever she's holding onto, with her head only a few inches from the ground! but she is so determined not to let go! I know that this determination will be a good thing in the future but I also know that it will probably bring us some challenges while raising her. I'm sure we will spend many hours on our knees praying for wisdom as we raise her...
but as I was saying... it's been fun to see her learn and grow and explore the world!



Learning how to crawl




Yes, she pulled herself up!