Checklist

I was looking at the list I made in October, the list of crafts to do. I did finish about half of the items. That's pretty impressive as far as completing my lists go!

1. Hat for a little friend (done)



2. Hat for another little friend (done)



3. Baby quilt (done, and I love it!)



4. Pillowcase for Mae (I know this sounds simple, but I'm doing something a little more elaborate!) (done, and posted in an earlier post)
5. Waldorf doll for Zee...I finished Mae's earlier this year. Thank goodness for foresight! (done, and now I'm making several more for friends)

And that is what I've finished. And below, what I still need to do, if I ever get to it.

6. Hat for myself
7. Clothing to make for Zee from our new book
8. Doll house to put together...hopefully in time for Christmas!
9. Zee's quilt...that I started two years ago....


But add to that list....

10. Finish spinning my Zen Strings fiber. I've almost finished the singles, and I can't wait to see it plied! From this:



To this:



11. Lace Shawl. It's pretty good considering that it's my first lace! There are a few mistakes, but nothing major.
12. Far Away, So Close shawl. I'm still waiting on the wool for this one. This will be for me, and it will be the very first item I've ever knit for myself! I'm making this with Sugarbubbie superwash in the Chrisalis colorway. I'm so excited!
13. Spinning fiber I ordered from Nurturing Threads. Planning to make beautiful Ridinghood Sweaters for the girls for next Christmas (in Glitter for Zee and Ancient Grove for Mae).
14. Several more Waldorf dolls for friends. These are so much fun to make!




That list is in no particular order. I'm getting to each project as I find the time for it. Which is slow-going with my kidlings! But I like writing out a list to help keep me on track.

Oh, I forgot that I made Owlet sweaters for the girls for Christmas, and they were such a huge hit! So now I'm planning to knit them sweaters for each Christmas.

So there it is! A lot done but still a lot to do. And speaking of things to do, it's time to put the girlies down for naps!

Thankful for able hands, loving hearts, and happy girls.

A little more time....

In the Springs!



Yes, Jay has decided to extend his contract for a year.

Well, it wasn't so much that he wanted to, but he thinks it is the best decision for our family. You see, he was on the promotions list. But in order to actually get promoted, he has to have one year left in the Army. So he either had to extend for a year and get promoted, or decline the promotion...which would effectively end his Army career. Now that wouldn't be terrible in itself, but if something should come up in the next several months...we need to have the option for him to stay in. So promotion it is! I will be pinning him next week!

We are actually in the midst of another huge decision regarding the Army. As an E-6, he will be eligible for a rather large reenlistment bonus. The problem is that his unit will be deploying. So if he reenlists, we will receive a lot of money, but he will have to leave the girls and me. It sounds like a no-brainer, don't do it. But it's a large sum, and it could set us up for financial freedom. Jay thinks it's a good idea, but a piece of me dies thinking of him overseas fighting. It was hard enough the first time he did it, when we had only each other and no children. But now...I don't think I can let my girls' daddy go. It's too much to even think about.

In other news, I attended a DONA workshop two months ago, and I am currently working on certification to become a birth doula. I pray that this is the start of my journey towards midwifery! I feel such a calling in that field, and God has really given me a heart for all things childbirth-related. I'm taking it slowly. I know I have written earlier about the possibility of medical school, but after much thought and consideration, I think my goal is to become a certified professional midwife. Though I'm still not ruling out medical school in the (distant) future.



My girls are absolutely the heart that pumps my blood. Their smiles, giggles, the sweetness that they emanate...it defies description. Mae is learning to talk, and she has a fiery temperament to match her flaming hair. Her hair that is turning curly as she grows. She is proving to be a petite girl, but so was her red-haired ancestor (my great grandmother). So it makes sense to me. Zee...she is awesome. She just started taking a dance class, and can I say that it's the cutest thing I think I've ever seen? And her sense of humor is really developing. She is also a bit of a sneak. The unfortunate (for her) part of that is that she's not a great sneak. Her hiding spot seems to be under the dining room table. It's hilarious to see her crouched under there though. And when I ask her what she's doing, she inevitably gives it away..."Nothing!" Ummm hmmm. And to see these two girls together? Pure joy. Zee really takes care of Mae, and Mae worships the ground Zee walks on. And as much as Jay and I wanted another child, this is the real reason we did it. Not for ourselves, but for them.



My crafts are coming along well. I've taken up a new craft though (imagine that!): spinning. As in spinning fiber into yarn (the picture above is my own handspun, from Corriedale roving). It's amazingly meditative. And well, I'm doing something not a lot of people know how to do. And I like that! I've also been working on a lace shawl that I've promised to Zee (she won't mind all of my mistakes). My sewing machine has been fairly neglected these last few months. It's the ebb and flow, knitting versus sewing. Soon the call of my machine will be too strong to resist, and I will leave all of my fiber and needles for the sweet hum and steady stitches that make sewing so satisfying.

Thankful for: snaggle-toothed toddler grins that melt your heart; random hugs and snuggles from Zee, who knows exactly when you need one the most; Jay taking care of us and putting us first, showing us how much he loves us by making the right choices, even when they are hard. And for God who is constantly giving us strength to continue on this path we call life.