In case you were wondering just how AWESOME I am

 My cute friend Andi from Jane of All Crafts tagged me in a post where she answered 11 random questions from someone, asked 11 random questions herself and then tagged 11 bloggers to do the same.  And since I am a complete rule breaker I am following NONE of the rules except for the part about answering the 11 questions.  If you would like to answer Andi's questions yourself- consider yourself tagged. :)  There will be no reward or harm if you choose either path- just for clarification.

1. If you had to eat the same thing everyday for the rest of your life what would it be? Wow, since I pretty much eat the same thing every day NOW, I would probably say I am certain I could live on Ramen noodles forever (since my kids ask for it for lunch every. single. day.)  But if I could choose?  I would have to say ice cream- sorbet specifically.  Love the stuff.
2. If you woke up one day and were an animal, what type would you be? These days in my pregnancy mode I would probably say a sloth.  The rest of the time?  Oh a Unicorn for sure- cuz I'm unique and special like that. :)
3. If you could pick any profession other then your current one, what would it be? I would probably go back to working in Forensic Science.  I loved my toxicology lab job and I'd definitely be doing lab work somewhere.
4. How many states have you visited? 11.  Man I need to get out more.
5. Ever been overseas? If not where do you dream of going? I have been on a cruise to the Caribbean but that's it.  My great-grandfather was born in the northern fjords of Norway- miles north of the Arctic Circle in a home called Sommerset.  I would love to see that lovely yellow house in person one day.
6. If you had to choose, would you rather be an awesome dancer or an amazing singer? It's nice that I don't have to choose- I'm already both IMHO! ;)
7. What is your favorite beverage? (alcoholic or non) Diet Coke. nuf said.
8. What would your dream home look like?  It would be built by my dad.  It would have a laundry ROOM- not just a laundry small pantry sized area.  It would have a front porch and a back porch, and probably side porches too.  Not too big, but just big enough.
9. What trait about yourself do you value most?  My confidence.  I didn't earn it, or work for it, I was born with it and it has carried me through some very difficult experiences.  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a firm understanding that I am AWESOME no matter what any one else says. :)
10. Have you ever tasted the rainbow? ;)  umm. yes, but doing that makes my mouth pucker.
11. Mac or PC?  PC.  Mac is trying to take over the world.  I'm all about freedom. ;)


This has been a lot of fun.  Thanks for tagging me Andi.  And again, since I'm too lazy to come up with new questions, or specifically create a list of 11 other bloggers, consider yourselves all tagged.  If you answer the questions, leave me your url in the comments and I'll create a backlink for you on this post.
Have a wonderful Thursday! (don't you wish it was already Friday?  I do.)
XOXO,
Amy

A catch-up post

I sure hope you weren't waiting on me for super awesome Valentine's day ideas because they sort of fizzled over here.  Oh, the kids still got their candy, but the dressing them up and making them fancy went no further than these last couple.  Really, they didn't care, and I just didn't have the energy so I guess no harm done right?

I did, however, manage to get a couple of skirts made up for my niece.  My sister and I bought the fabric for these before Christmas and I just finally got up the oomph to get them made.  This one I made using my Scalloped Skirt tutorial.  I love that top fabric.  So springy! :)

This is her other skirt.  I am also loving this fabric.  I will have a tutorial up on this blog in the next few days.

I am also trying to get production going for boutiques and things coming up.  It's very slow going, and not nearly at the levels that I'm used to, but for now, it will have to do. :)
And one last little teaser before I sign off today.  I have a giveaway coming up you are going to LOVE!  Riley Blake is sponsoring a fabric giveaway on my blog this week and I am DYING over how much and how gorgeous this fabric is.  You will for sure want to stay tuned!
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
xoxo,
Amy
Linked up to Look What I made at Creations by Kara.

A slight but important shift in perception {Monday is Mom-day}

I have never tried to cover up the fact that motherhood for me has been harder than I thought it would be.  Not so much the being the mother part, but definitely the homemaker part.  And while I would not trade what I am doing with my life right now for anything- I have had a difficult time catching a glimpse of the "bigger picture" of mothering I have been missing. 

This weekend I read a couple of things that have started the wheels turning in my mind, and I think I may have found the answer to what I have been feeling.  The first thing I read was this article that I found through a pin on Pinterest.  In it she tells about her struggles with infertility and how the journey through the pain of not having children has changed her heart to where she is today- and how she is in the process of becoming the mother her children deserve while she waits for that opportunity to come into her life.  And even though I am already a mother, I think that I have so far to go in becoming the mother I want my children to have.  And it's less about doing things like the valentines treats, and more about doing things like leaving them love notes so they know how special they are to me and making sure they know what I know about faith and trust and love and working hard. 
The second thing I read was actually given in a lesson in church on Sunday.  The teacher read a scripture in Matthew 25:34-40.  In this scripture the King is giving his faithful servants reward for being charitable to him, and the servants ask when they did these things for the king.  v.37 "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?  or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?  or naked, and clothed thee?.... v.40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The teacher said she thought it was a perfect metaphor for motherhood.  Often we see naked people and clothe them (as my naked baby just comes down the stairs- perfect timing), we feed the hungry and thirsty of our brood, and care for them in illness.  Before when I would read this scripture I would think of the service I render to those outside of my home as the acts I would do to qualify for the reward from the King.  It wasn't until yesterday that it really struck my heart that these acts of service, performed daily in my home, if sanctified by my love for my children and the willingness of my heart- are also acts worthy to qualify me for that reward I seek.  And that these acts, lovingly performed for these children I have provided physical bodies for, are acts performed unto my King. 
Motherhood, then, is not merely about surviving the different phases of raising children, or keeping the house neat and tidy, or keeping up with laundry and shopping.  Motherhood is a purifying, sanctifying, learning process that takes the mother and refines her into someone stronger, better and more capable.   We all have the opportunity to become the kind of women our children deserve, whether we have children or not.  But being a mother provides me unique opportunities for service and learning that I might not find otherwise. 
So today- I'm off to serve my children, and my King.  With a willing heart and a mind open to seeing the lessons I am in need of learning.  To look at the dishes not as a pain (which they totally are) but as a chance to learn and to teach- one I will try ever harder to embrace.
Have a Wonderful Monday!
XOXO
Amy