Memories

My high school friend Jen tagged me for this one...and it sure took me back memory lane! :o)

You're welcome to join in on the fun if you'd like.


The rules were to:

1. Go to your sixth picture folder.
2. Select your sixth picture and post it.
3. Pray you remember the details, and explain what the picture was all about.


We've been saving our pictures onto our computer for a few years now, so when I did the math I ended up here:

Early May 2006



We were at my parents house for a visit and Natalia (4 mos. old) was getting a bath in Grandma's kitchen sink...look at those cheeks and her chub! Love it!
(BTW, today you barely notice her scar from surgery, it's so faded.)


She's still hanging onto those cheeks, but is getting quite tall and really thinning out. (Though I'm glad she still has those elbow dimples! I think they're adorable...except on me. HA HA)

Our sweet baby girl will be turning 3 in a month! God has been so very good to us! :o)

Special Delivery!

Yesterday as our family gathered for Thanksgiving my youngest brother Ryan had a surprise waiting for me...

Remember that empty red wall in our bedroom (our big summer painting project) that's been waiting for it's debut piece?

Well, here's the finished product--and I absolutely LOVE IT!

I gave him a color swatch, a few ideas and said, "think Tuscany", and this is what materialized (with Sarah coaching from the sidelines of course). I wish the photo would have turned out better so you could appreciate the detail. The red patches of flowers really pop against the wall color.

In the words of Natalia this afternoon, "it's bootiful!" don't ya think? She also said, "I want it in MY bedroom!"

Nesting Projects

Since we didn't find out if we were having a boy or girl when I was pregnant with Natalia, we stayed neutral as far as room decor in the nursery.

My mom made a wonderful crib bedding set out of the fabric I had chosen: yellow gingham dust ruffle, leafy printed green bumper pads, and a patchwork quilt of the same with a delicate white print. Here is a picture of a small tabletop I painted to resemble the quilt--it once again will serve as a place to keep wipes and a clock beside my glider.

Since we didn't get around to painting the room this summer I wanted SOMETHING on the walls. Here are some wooden letters I found at Michaels or ACMoore (I forget which one since they're across the parking lot from each other up here!) and painted to bring some "boyish" colors into the scheme of things.

I intend to add a long wooden shelf to the other wall and maybe a framed photo once this little boy arrives.

Fresh-Cut Snowflake Wreath

Fresh-Cut Snowflake Wreath

Turn Christmas tree trimmings into a one-of-a-kind wreath.

(I found this great idea in Family Fun magazine.)

Step 1: Gather six pieces of trimmings from your live Christmas tree. Use shears to cut the pieces to the desired lengths (approximately 13 inches).

Step 2: On a workspace, place two sprigs face down and end to end. Cut a length of 9-gauge wire that measures 2 inches longer than the span of the two sprigs (about 28 inches). The wire will serve as a spine for the wreath. Using pliers, create a loop at one end of the wire.

Step 3: Lay the wire on top of the sprigs with the loop flush with one end. Use 22-gauge wire to secure the sprigs to the 9-gauge wire at various points.

Step 4: Use the 22-gauge wire to secure the remaining four sprigs to the 9-gauge wire in an X pattern as shown.

Step 5: Add evergreen sprigs, such as boxwood and pine clippings, to the front of the wreath near the center using 22-gauge wire.

Step 6: If desired, use jute twine to add a clear glass finial ornament near the center of the wreath.

Christmas Tag

I thought this one looked like fun...join in if you'd like!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both--I reuse my bags from year to year, or buy plain ones and decorate. I know this sounds crazy, but I almost prefer the wrapping part to the buying!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
I love the smell of a real tree, but with little ones in the house, it's not the most practical. For now we use a nice artificial one.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually right after Thanksgiving. I'm typically the one to decorate it, and I always like to have my favorite Christmas albums playing in the background. This year I anticipate a little girl will want to "help".

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually the tree and decorations disappear sometime after New Year's, but I like to keep the white outdoor lights we string around our deck railing a bit longer.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Not really...the thought of the egg in it grosses me out. Oddly, that's not the case in cookie dough, but I digress. To warm up at this time of year I prefer hot cocoa, coffee/tea, or a glass of wine.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Well, since my birthday is so close to Christmas there were years that I received a bigger combo gift. One very special gift was the doll house my dad and mom made for me when I was around 5 yrs. old. My dad is an excellent carpenter and the detailed work that both he and my mom put into this gift is still being enjoyed to this day by the grandkids. Individual shingles, wooden siding, etched window panes, homemade curtains, furniture and plant-hangers...

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My husband (he doesn't give many ideas and always says that he doesn't need anything)

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My daughter (at this age she's constantly growing out of things)

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
I finally found one that is more "ethnically" accurate than most--well, I did change the hair color of Mary and baby Jesus. I especially liked that the wise men in this set truly resembled men from the East. And of course I found it for a great price at a yard sale--still in it's original packaging.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I like to send a photo card and/or yearly letter, but because of the cost and having a blog now I think I'm going to go the email route for most on my list...except for non-computing great-grandparents and a few overseas relatives of course.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I wouldn't say "worst", because I don't think I've ever received a gift in which to use that term. But I do remember being not so thrilled about receiving gloves or some such "practical" thing when an older child. Now I actually appreciate practical gifts I give suggestions for MORE than surprises since I rarely buy things I don't immediately "need".

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
It's not really a "Christmas" movie, but I love the overall Christmasy feeling when watching "Little Women".

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
As soon as we figure out how much we're spending and get a few suggestions. (Usually it's not earlier than October/November though.) I usually do all of the shopping and wrapping.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Only for a "now you have it now you don't" type of exchange.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I have to narrow it down to one thing?!?!? Sorry, can't do that.
(My mom's gourmet mashed potatoes, my mother-in-law's duck, Polish Vegetable Salad, all of the delicious cookies...)

16. Lights on the tree?
YES! Lots of white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Again, how do I pick one? "Mary Did You Know?", "Carol of the Bells", and "O Come O Come Emmanuel" are among my favorites.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Now that we're closer to family we just make short trips--soooooo nice!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
I think so...Santa was never a part of Christmas in our household so I'd say it's only been in recent years that I could say so.

20. Angel , star, or other tree topper?
We've used both an angel and a star in past years. Now, I mostly use the handmade straw star that goes with the other straw ornaments often found on trees in Polish households. I really like the way these ornaments look with the ribbon, glass balls, and beaded fruit I also use.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve is the traditional Polish time to have a meal, go to mass and open gifts, so we usually spend that night with my inlaw(s). Christmas Day is always spent with my side of the family. This year will be spontaneous no doubt--maybe even in a hospital room!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Static electricity and dry air in the house, getting the flu, stressed out people/drivers...

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color?
My favorites are those that are non-gawdy; in other words, natural, organic colors and materials

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
I already answered that...oops! Instead I'll say that the BEST GIFT I received (technically it was on my birthday, the 31st) was holding my baby girl for the first time. She was 4 days old and in the NICU at University of Maryland Med. Center awaiting heart surgery. Can't believe that was nearly 3 years ago and now I'll have another sweet-smelling Christmas bundle!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To not still be pregnant! Sleep! (Hmmm...probably won't get both, will I?)

Brrrrrr...

We got our first look at a winter wonderland yesterday. I just love to watch it snow...

Natalia was sooooo very excited to see it snowing upon first waking up, so when Daddy came home he hardly had to persuade her to go outside to play!

Of course it's nearly melted today, but we received about 3 inches. Maybe we'll actually have a "real" winter this year. (My poor husband will be moaning no doubt, since I'll probably be more reluctant to let him go snowboarding as much with a newborn in the house!)

The Blahs

I know it's partly hormones, the onset of much colder weather that makes me want to hibernate, part nesting, part restlessness, part exhaustion from a lack of sleep, and reaching that "uncomfortable" stage of pregnancy...

...but this week I've been fighting the blahs. Anybody identify?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Realizing that there are not only external forces at work, I've been praying and asking the Lord for a spirit of contentment and joy in the midst of this "out-of-sorts" week. Strength to go about my daily tasks and patience to gently instruct the heart of my daughter (who I believe is also sensing change is a-comin' and has been particularly pushing the limits). Diligence in spending quiet moments with the Lord, remembering Him and His Truth throughout my day, and relying on his grace and provision because He is always there.

When I take my eyes off of myself and my circumstances, and I look at Him, my perspective changes. My situation may remain the same, but I don't.

Take a moment to look at the new header photo I posted. Does it not point to our Mighty Creator? Just as He orchestrates the changing of the seasons, He changes hearts...

Change my heart Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.