Annalei's Quilt

Here is my latest creation: my good friend from college, Naomi, had a baby girl last September. Well, I finally got it together enough to finish the quilt I made for her daughter, Annalei. I don't get to do many projects that involve pink so this one was especially fun.

Back to Work!!

I have just completed my third week at SALON ESSENTIALS as a hairstylist. I haven't made any money as yet - but I love the job. The Salon has an entirely different feel than any salon that I have worked in before. Each stylist works as their own boss - we just pay rent on our space - and that seems to diffuse the competetion and general nastiness that happens between stylists at other salons. The salon owner, Sally, also has a great attitude and the environment seems hugely shaped by her. It is hard to leave my boys so often - I have had to shift my perspective about being a mommy. There are benefits and drawbacks to it all. I enjoy not having to tell anybody at all that I am going to the potty and not to open the door or hit anybody while I am in there. But I miss their dope-y from sleep, sweet ways in the morning - and hearing (10 times in a row) "night night mommy, i LOOOOVEE YYYOOOUUU!" at bedtimes.

I forgot how much I loved being a hairstylist. Helping people feel good, not only about their unique character, but the beauty that God has given them on the outside. I only help them see it too. I LOVE that part of my job. It is hard not to color my own hair every week though - to the horror of my husband, who loves me "natural" (natural...what?!?!!?). Anyway I thought I would post my "professional" picture that appears on my business card - thanks to Reeta - so you all can see that I am not always a sweats-clad, make-up from two days ago, frantically runing behind two tornadoes of activity mom. By the way, Hi, Amy.

A deflated balloon and a floppy giraffe...

I don't think that my heart can swell with love any more than in those early morning moments when I am greeted by a sleepy eyed, grinning little boy, draging behind him the two most important things in his whole world: a deflating pink baloon (bobbing along on the ground) and his floppy stuffed giraffe. Sam has been sick for the last week. All disgust with vomit and diarrhea aside, the moments of comfort have been TREASURES. He usually doesn't sit for very long at all, but in his sickness, he has sought out the comfort of being rocked to sleep and generally being held as much as possible. When something is as fleeting and precious as a little boys' heart - it is so wonderful to be able to put your arms out and relish holding this little one close. Isn't it a captivating thought that the Lord desires our hearts this way? My heart is a treasure to the Lord as my sons hearts are a treasure to me...

I am having a brown day today. Not brown like muddy, but comfy, soft brown. Toned down. I spent the morning at an art class with the boys and my mother. While we herded paint flinging little boys around the brightly colored and loud class room - I remembered how much I loved art class as a child. The smells of fresh tempera paint, old molding clay, warm crayons, and drying Elmer's glue brought me back to a much earlier day. I remembered how my little heart swelled with anticipation at what kind of thing I could create next and how proud I was of myself. The Lord has been gently prodding, reminding me that my dear little sons have the same hearts as I did, tender and dewy with innocence. What a heavy burden of responsibility and yet lightness of delight in being a mother to sons. I am relieved to know that it is the Lord that shapes and molds them - I am simply reminded to tread lightly, little hearts are looking to me to see God's face and feel His comfort and pleasure.

Welcome to our blog spot! We are new to this and hopefully it will work out great. I hope to update our pictures as soon as I have some new ones to show. Keep checking back...