Thanksgiving Toddler Fun

Being super pregnant these days, trying to entertain a toddler while resting aching bones carrying a baby almost-ready to emerge... this is what we came up with today. 

Lots of creative and interactive play (with some intentional home-educating mixed in) that allowed her to feel accomplished while Momma was able to stay OFF her feet. 

Last week I was anxious for relief of my body to give birth (the irony)

This week I am clinging to these last moments of it being a parent to just one.

A toddler. Eager to work with her hands. A brain that doesn't stop with a mouth that constantly spills its contents. Little hands that rub my swollen belly and gently remind me "Bump is going to be born soon."

S-A-V-O-R these moments. 

These fleeting days when I get to rub her back to sleep during naptime. 

No interruptions. 

Momma + Daughter turkey's

Cleaver kid decided to decorate the back as well.

 The day will be here soon when I can lift her up again, roll around on the floor, go for walks without pain. 

And best of all- horseplay. 

BEST of all {by and by} soon I will watch my little girl grow into a big sister. 

A little mother, as she has been so excitedly practicing. 

New Home {New Hope}

September 14th was the day we closed on our New House Home.

5 months
             hopeful,
                      doubtful,
                                    anticipation filled,
                                                              dreams + money and housing situation put on the line....

The time finally came. 

right down to the very last few minutes. 

"I like New House... New Home"- Abigail Wright

It is like a love story. A battle my husband worked hard fighting for, because let's be real, I'll sign my name on the line but HE is the one who does all of the hard reading, homework, research, phone calls, and emails back and forth and back and forth... and signing more and more extensions. 

Nobody said buying a Short Sale house would be easy. But like love (and I don't mean to compare the two, our home is just an object, walls in which we live, not nearly as important as the people growing inside those walls) it wasn't easy but it was worth it. 

When I stand at my kitchen window (dream #1 come true- windows over my kitchen sink because when you are a homemaker, frankly hours can be spent there) in the early morning, I see the sunrise up over the neighbors vineyard, beyond the faded white fence and rising up the hill 

I feel spoiled.

 Blessed. 

And sometimes I want to cry because it's so beautiful. 

No other house is quite like ours. None have the same view that we do, or neighbors like the ones we have bonded with so quickly. 

Why did God bless us so richly? How can we in turn be a blessing, a radiant joy and Gospel moving family in this community? This home is my workplace. Homemaker, hostess. {My life joys} Overflowing from these walls.

Lip Balm Recipe

Last night I had fun with my soap making/ lip balm order that recently came in. 

I am still waiting for some of the packaging to arrive to put these little "healing ointments" in, 

but figured I could make lip balms in the mean time! 

It was SO fun and easy! 

Equal parts shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax melted together (hot water bath-style) 

then poured into each lip balm tube. 

These are unflavored/ unscented but the coconut oil does give off a slight coconut-fresh aroma! 

These aren't just for your lips! 

It works great on any dry or cracked skin area. I even put some in my hair to keep the rainy-day frizz down!

I'm excited to be making usable homemade gifts this year.

As the projects continue to be a success I will sell some too as a way of paying for our gifting this year. 

(Refined shea butter and refined beeswax, 

along with lip balm tubes were purchased at www.soapgoods.com 

Organic coconut oil was purchased at www.mountainroseherbs.com)