So we are having a baby tomorrow,

Wow! We are having a baby tomorrow!! Yikes!! And like any seasoned mom, I've waited till the last possible moment to get things ready. You know like the hospital bags for us and rereading the manual for the car seat I haven't used in a year and a half when it was Miss Ms. But there seems to be anti interest in what people bring in their bags. Thought I would share what's in mine! 

I also forgot to picture our toothbrushes and deodorant (since we are still using them) and the small throw blanket and pillow I'll be bringing for Daddy. (Those are being used by Miss M) 

I'm nervous about having two and the effect it will have on Miss M but I'm blessed to have such an amazing support system and that should help to make the transition easier. 

We go in at 6am tomorrow for Miss C!! 

Quilting: Why People Should Do It and Slow Down a Bit

Life is going too fast. Like woah there kinda fast. My daughter just turned two. I just turned 26. My husband and I are hurtling towards three year anniversary. The days are flying by with such speeds sometimes I forget to blink.

Then I sit down to quilt. I can't go fast...well, not if I want it to look good.

There's time in measuring and double time in measuring twice.

It takes time to decide on a theme and to pick out all the right colors.

It takes time to plan out the pattern.

It takes time to cut....every....single....little....piece!

It takes so much time to lovingly piece it all together in a way that is beautiful and pleasing.

All this before you even begin the actual quilting process. When you start that, YOU MUST SLOW DOWN! You can't quilt quickly. Even the best of the best take their time and though it seems they're going fast, they're not. They are slowly and sometimes painstakingly (if you're me) working their way around the fabric doing the straightest lines they can or the most perfectly placed stipples. Unless of course you're doing modern quilting then you're just going which ever way willy-nilly style. Which if that's you, rock on!

This is why I quilt. It gives me time to focus on something. I can't multitask and quilt. I can only sew and pray. I use my quilting time to pray for my family, my husband, my kids, and just to be thankful that I can be sitting in my comfy chair in my comfy house and do something I love.

Honestly, when's the last time you just stopped and thanked Him for what you have? Or even for what you don't have! Sometimes that too can be just as big a blessing as what you do have.

This week, I encourage you to pick up a hobby that forces you to slow down. Knitting maybe? Paper crafting perhaps? Beading? I heard that's one that requires a lot of attention!

Just remember to breathe a little more often. Stop and squidge your toes in the grass/sand/mud/whatever you have. Thank God more often. I heard He likes that! ;-)

You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you!
Romans 5:8

Sara Lambert

Children's Birthday Party Expectations...for goodness sake!

Madeleine is turning two next month. Yikes! Well, yikes for two reasons I guess...that my baby is going to be TWO next month and that my baby is going to be two NEXT MONTH! I started thinking about parties in January and my mom told me I was jumpin the gun so I put it out of my mind for a while...then hullo! May pops up and I've nothing done.

So, I start brainstorming and getting excited and there's nothing like Pinterest to make you feel totally and utterly defeated inspired. :-/

I've wanted to do a tutu theme since I had her because she's turning 2 and I like plays on words. However, her 1st party was Pink...that's it just pink everything was pink. Tutus aren't much further from that and then I started getting anxious over my TWO YEAR OLDS BIRTHDAY PARTY!

No one comes to see what theme I have...and if you do, kindly head back out. They come to see my daughter and celebrate another year with her. Themes are fun but I can't let it consume me.

However...the kid loves Blue's Clue's so I may just go with that. I'll keep you updated (as if you're all waiting with bated breath on the theme of her second birthday party but humor me).

Anyone else at odds with childrens birthday expectations? Do you put them on yourself? Your kids put it on you? Your husband? Your mother/in-law? I'd love to hear how you deal with things like this!








Picture from Birthday Express so don't be surprised if you see these come June 8th. :-)

5 Ways to Not Be Like Chickens & How to Thank God You're Not One

blah blah blah that's a mouthful I know. One of my favorite things is gardening with my husband after dark. Its mysterious, the weather is cool and lovely, and the heat lamp in the chicken coop creates a rather romantic glow on everything...

well, that last bit is reaching but the lamp does allow for some EXCELLENT chicken TV. I was watching them suddenly feeling very grateful I wasn't a chicken.

Now, I know most of you (despite your camo wearing) are city folk and haven't seen a chicken outside of shrink wrap but I highly encourage you to find someone outside city limits and take a peek at their chickens. You can learn a lot from them.

Here are 5 things I noticed they were doing that I have a tendency of doing and how I plan to stop being chickenesque.

1. They don't stop to savor their food.
They peck at their food source like they are going to lose it at any second. Its abrupt and harsh and how I often eat for fear of being interrupted by something. I don't want to eat like chickens, I want to savor the food that I work so hard to grow and prepare for my family.

2. They step all over their "friends"
They literally walk all over people without regard to what their doing. Some of my hens step right on other hens heads! Their heads! Now, I don't walk on people but I do tend to talk over them. I interrupt them or sometimes I don't even listen to what they're saying because I'm thinking about what I'm going to say next. That's not being a good friend and just as bad as stepping on them.

3. Chickens have no regard for their living quarters.
It could be because they're still young "teenager" chickens and not laying yet but chickens do not seem to care about their abode. Which, 6 weeks into this second pregnancy, is about how I feel about my house at this time. That's not exactly honoring to my husband who works so lovingly hard to make sure I can stay home with our children. So I plan to have a detailed plan for my day that includes a lot less media time, cleaning time, and nap/rest times. I can't do more than I can do right now but I can do a lot less of what I dont need to be doing...that made sense in my head.

4. Chickens don't play with their kids.
Neither do I. And that confession makes me very sad. Well, I dont play with her as much as I should/used to. I promise to schedule in playing time with my daughter as it arises. In 8 short months there will be a second Lambert baby and my time will be again cut short. Madeleine does not need to suffer for that.

5. Chickens don't whine about being chickens.
I whine. A lot! It's something God and I are working on. I'm trying very hard this pregnancy to be thankful to God that he's including me in the making of this miracle. I have made the commitment to God to stop whining about my husband. Sure, he irritates me sometimes. I irritate him too. It's what happens when you live with someone in close quarters. My husband is a wonderful wonderful man that I can't seem to get enough of. So, enough whining about my husband...ever! My home is secure, just the right size, and getting homey-er every day. So many chickens don't have homes. Or they have homes without a door...like mine. I could be living in a lean to like my chickens so no more whining about my house.

Dearest Heavenly Father, I ask you, when I start behaving like a chicken to remind me that I am SO NOT A CHICKEN. You have instilled within me your wonderful heavenly spirit which I'm pretty sure you don't do and that in itself is enough to make me thank You that I am not a chicken. Help me to take the time to eat all food and thank you for it, to be a better friend, to take care of this home you've provided for us, to play and remember this time with Madeleine for she won't be this age ever again, and to stop whining about anything. I will need your strength to do all these things and it is through your Son Jesus Christ that I can come ask you for this. It's in His name I pray to you, Amen!