Hopes for the New Year

Surprise! I’m actually posting something!

These are my hopes and goals for 2011.

1. Spend more time studying God’s word and keep a prayer journal – this was 2010’s top resolution as well… and I failed miserably. But I did learn how God is constantly present and faithful in my life even when I struggle with making daily time for Him. I’m not always willing to answer when He calls me, but He is ALWAYS there when I call Him.

2. Spend more quality time with my family - Yes I’m a stay at home mom, but I need to learn how to make the most of the time I have with my children while they are little and at home with me. This includes setting limits on tv time. I want to make sure my family knows how important they are to me and how much I love them.

3. Bake more – I was given a popover pan for my birthday waaaay back in September and I haven’t even used it yet.

Here are some muffins I made yesterday!

4. Exercise more – I want to have more energy, and I think exercise and good nutrition are the best ways to accomplish that. This year I will work up to 5k races and maybe by next year I will be able to do a ½ marathon.

5. Blog more – This will be easy since I haven’t been blogging at all for the past few months. See... by posting this I’ve already blogged more than I did in November and December combined!

6. Start an Etsy shop and be more creative – I don’t expect to make much money from that, but I think it will be fun!

Now that I've officially announced my goals to the world... maybe I will actually stick to them.

Where have I been?

It's been a while since the last time I posted anything on my blog. You may be wondering if I've given up on blogging, because I was wondering that, too...

I've just been busy.

My sister had a baby!

My husband and I took a trip to Colorado and Seattle!

My daughter had her 4th birthday!

These are the cupcakes I made, and this is the recipe I followed:

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001955313

We also had several of her friends' parties to go to, and I made some initial shirts and hair bows to give as gifts.

I made Halloween costumes!

Alice in Wonderland

and the white rabbit

and this pumpkin hair clip

And our house has been for sale - but (after 40 showings) we are taking a much needed break.

We live in a forest, which definitely has some drawbacks. Here is our house covered with leaves.

But the main reason I have not been blogging is that my 1 yr old spilled coffee on my laptop. :( We have ordered a new keyboard. Hopefully, that's all it needs to work again. I'm looking forward to sharing some fall recipes and crafty things soon!

Song for Sunday on a Saturday

This is my favorite 9/11 song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtkQ9QhgGgE&feature=related

I was a student at Lipscomb during the 9/11 attacks and as the war on terror began, and was blessed to hear so many beautiful prayers for those who lost loved ones, for our country, for the innocent, for our enemies, and for peace. That's how I remember 9/11 - a time of tragic loss and a time of prayer.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Mathew 5:9

We have a winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1

Timestamp: 2010-09-12 00:48:32 UTC

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Erin from Totally Posh wrote comment #1, so she is the winner of my next sock baby! Erin, please send me a message specifying what colors you would like your sock baby to be!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I will be selling these and other crafty things in an Etsy shop soon!

Introducing.... Sock Baby! Who wants one?

From your head to your toes,
You're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be, baby of mine.
- Baby Mine

Meet Sock Baby! He is inspired by a vintage baby rattle. I hand embroidered the "E" and roses. He even has a little bell inside!

This one is for my friend Brigitte, who just had a baby named Eliot. But because I think everyone needs one of these... it's time for my first giveaway!

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. The winner will be chosen randomly. I'll be accepting entries until September 10th.

I can make these in blue, green, pink, yellow or purple, and can use a tan or brown sock for different skin colors. If you don't have a baby yet, but are planning to - I can make a yellow one with your last name initial or just the word baby or extra flowers. If you have twins, I'll make you an extra one to match (because you deserve something extra for having twins, right?). This sock baby would also make a cute gift!

Song for Sunday - Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
- written by John Newton

John Newton was a British slave trader and atheist who mocked others who believed in God. He was known for being profane and a troublemaker. After surviving a storm at sea, he began to question God and wondered if he could ever deserve God's grace. He struggled with what he believed for many years and finally left the slave trade and began to study theology. He became a minister and an abolitionist and helped create the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now is found."
Luke 15:32

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power will rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no man can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9

The Cutest Thing I've Ever Made!

Curious? You should be. Especially if your name is Brigitte and you just had a baby.
It involves this:
...and it's not another sock puppet.
3 days until the big reveal and my first giveaway!!!