SweetPea Castle

Ponderings

Thank you both Janelle & Kris.  ;-)

Lamentations 3:22-23 ~ The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 

I am still adjusting to all of the recent health changes.  But, I am doing a little better every day.  I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in Fairfax on Friday midday.  I've actually been seen by this specific endo before and that is a whole other story in itself.  I'm praying that the Lord leads him and that this appointment goes very well.  I know that I'll have to be doing regular glucose monitoring and a whole new eating plan.  I'm also not going to be very surprised if I have to deal with insulin.  But, I'm praying that the Lord would guide this process so that it is the best for me and the baby... and my family.

Tomorrow Noah will take his tests for his 5th set of lifepacs.  Once he completes those, he's completed half of his 1st grade schooling for this year and we are exactly on track.  He is doing amazingly well and I am VERY proud of him!  His reading is getting better and better every day.  I must admit that reading was one of the areas that seriously scared me.  What if I couldn't teach him to read?  What if we still hadn't made any real progress by the end of this year?  Well, God is awesome and laid every single fear to rest about that.  Now, we just have to plan for his end of year state-required assessment.

Eliana is going to run rings around Noah really soon if he's not careful.  She is VERY observant and is picking up a lot from his lessons.  From counting to abc's... she's really doing very well for not being 3 yet.

Tabitha is walking... EVERYWHERE!  She's also got a mouth FULL of teeth.  I was very sad that she weaned so early.  But, now I'm secretely rejoicing.  ;-)  She's inquisitive and full of fun.  Her eyes are doing the same thing that Noah's did... changing.  So far, Timothy is the only one of my children who managed to keep something close to my eye color.  His are true hazel... mine are chameleon.  ;-)  Tabitha's are still changing... but they are definitely going to end up brown at this point.

As for the new little one on the way - he is very active and growing well.  I'm praying HARD for some red hair... and for him to get my eye color.  We are still praying that we make it to January 1st or beyond, but not expecting it anymore.  Of course, I'll have a better idea of that possibility after my next OB appointment on the 19th.

Okay... time for me to get busy.  Tabitha is up from her nap and needs something to eat.  Then, I've got two sets of hemp french terry to cut for large soaker/booster sets before I can move forward with these 6 AIOs that are on my sewing table.  I'd love to get these done and shipped by Friday or Saturday.  That would totally ROCK.  I pray that everyone is having an awesome week and is rejoicing in His tender mercies.

Gestational Diabetic...

Well, it's official... I failed my 3 hour GTT test that I took on Friday.  Add that to the already serious issues with my blood pressure.  I know it's not the end of the world and all of this CAN be managed.  But, honestly this sucks.  I started this pregnancy wanting as little medical intervention as possible and I'm ending up with more than I've had in any of my other 5 full-term pregnancies.  Yuck!

So, now I have to get on the phone tomorrow to either find a local endocrinologist or try to get seen by one of the ones down in the Fairfax area that my OB recommended.  Yeah... like I really want to have to travel 2+ hours each way to see an endo for the rest of this pregnancy and probably beyond.  I guess there's also some sort of GD class at Fair Oaks hospital that my OB wants me to take.  Grrr....

Yet, God knew where I would be tonight and HE is not surprised.... and honestly I'm not really surprised either.  I'm just disappointed that things are turning out this way.  So, now I have to take the time to come to grips with all of this and pray that the Lord gives me wisdom and direction.  I just honestly want to cry that every dream I had for an uncomplicated pregnancy and peaceful homebirth have completely gone out the door and the Lord is going to have to provide more finances to cover all of this.  There you have it.  I'm bummed... but tomorrow is a new day and His mercies ARE new every morning.  I guess I just need to take a nice hot bath and then go to bed.

Quick Knitting Update

I've only got a minute because I'm trying to finish Noah's homeschool work before my dentist appointment this afternoon... and still spend some time playing with the girls.

I finished Tabitha's longies last week and am IMMENSELY pleased with how they turned out.  They still need to be lanolized (all of my current knit work will be done... probably next week.  I still need to do the drawstring for the waistband, but will get to that shortly.  Honestly, I'm a little daunted by the concept of i-cords.  But, it's something that I intend to overcome as soon as I finish the longies I just started for Eliana.

Speaking of longies for Eliana.  She has been so terribly upset that I was not making HER a pair of longies that I let her pick the wool I am using now to start a pair for her.  She is super excited and just loves watching me knit these for her.  And, I LOVE to colorway... it's gorgeous and really soft and squishy!  It's been very interesting having to think through some of the pattern for these since she is long-since potty learned and doesn't need the extra in the rise for a diapered tush.  She has NO tush... it's all boney butt.  ;-)

Anyway... I'll come back to update more probably tomorrow.  I need to get some things done today and have a dental cleaning that is smack dab in the middle of my most productive daytime period.  So, I better get busy.  Have an awesome week!

10/29 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 11/3 1:48pm):

1. Knit longies for Eliana - Merfolk (VERY beautiful!) colorway on Targhee by Mosaic Moon.  Ribbed waist is finished... halfway through the main body.
2. Dispute credit report issues. - dealing with this now in preparation for house sale/hunting in the new year.  Need this resolved right away
3. Take care of bills. - in process
4. MDF Order #1492 (Marie) - due 11/9 - shipped 11/2!
5. MDF Order #1496 (Cheryl) - due 11/9 - shipped 11/2!
6. MDF Order #1497 & 1498 (Melissa) - due 11/9 - shipped 11/2!
7. MDF Order #1502 (Shelly - RM) - due 11/9 - shipped 11/2!
8. MDF Order #1504 (Margaux) - due 11/9 - shipped 11/2!
9. MiddayFaire November Stocking(s) Prep
   • Listings for the month as able.
10. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
11. Supply orders
    • Elastic - ordered 10/30
    • Aplix
    • Snaps?
    • PUL  Checking into co-op

Just taking things easy

My 28 week OB appointment was last Wednesday.  I was officially put on modified bedrest and had my bp meds increased again.  They did the standard glucose test as well as other bloodwork.  I failed the glucose test by 2 points and have to take the three hour NASTY test on Friday.  I'm also a little anemic... but that's always the case for me.  Evidently my PIH panel looked acceptable because they didn't mention it.

Then, we left Wednesday evening for a worship conference on Thursday and Friday in Lancaster, PA.  We being my hubby, pastor, sound man, bassist/alternate drummer and myself.  It was an AWESOME conference, but it definitely took it's toll on me.  My BP was through the roof the entire trip and most of the weekend.

It certainly didnt' help that the children were sick when we left on Wednesday and Tabitha was still sick when we returned.  As a matter of fact, she's still sick, but beginning to show definite signs of improvement.  However, this meant that I spent Sunday home from church with the girls... and I've been fighting this nasty cold off the entire time.

The rest of life is just stressful at the moment and I fear that most of how I'm handling things is horrible due to the whole pregnancy hormone thing.  I'm exhausted and just want to be able to breath peacefully again.

I do know that I will not be taking anymore MPB custom work until sometime well after this new baby is born.  I'm hardly able to get into the sewing room at all anymore.  My mother is an angel, but I really do not want her feeling that this is HER responsibility to maintain.  She is retired and there is more to life than being over at my house every day helping me (either with MPB or with the children).  I truly want her to feel free to take off and live life with her husband however they might choose.

Phillipians 4:8 ~ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

And, because THIS is what I'm striving for today... I'll spare everyone the rest of my "mullygrubs" and go spend some time playing with the girls in the playroom and try to finish this leg on Tabitha's new longies.  I'm struggling with life and what the Lord is asking of me.  But, I know that tomorrow is a new day and his mercies are new every morning.  Perhaps I should just find a way to go to bed early.  ;-)

10/22 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 11/23 8:22pm):

1. Knit longies for Tabitha - Pixie Moss colorway on Targhee by Dashing Dachs.  Left leg is finished... halfway down the right leg now.
2. Dispute credit report issues. - dealing with this week in preparation for house sale/hunting in the new year.  Need this resolved right away
3. Take care of bills. - in process
4. Order email (Shadow) - work in... shipped 10/23
5. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in. - in process (first 7 finished... working in rest this week)
6. MDF Order #1492 (Marie) - due 11/9
7. MDF Order #1496 (Cheryl) - due 11/9
8. MDF Order #1497 & 1498 (Melissa) - due 11/9
9. MDF Order #1502 (Shelly - RM) - due 11/9
10. MDF Order #1504 (Margaux) - due 11/9
11. MiddayFaire November Stocking(s) Prep
    • Listings for the month as able.
12. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
13. Supply orders
    • Elastic
    • Aplix
    • Snaps?
    • PUL  Checking into co-op
    • HFT  In process -- waiting for delivery

10/15 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list:

1. Slow list this week.  I've got an OB appointment Wednesday in the city and a worship conference out of state on Thursday and Friday.  ;-)
2. Knit longies for Tabitha - Pixie Moss colorway on Targhee by Dashing Dachs.  Working on the left leg now.
3. Dispute credit report issues.
4. Take care of bills. - in process
5. Order email (Shadow) - work in... in process
6. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in. - in process (first 7 finished... working in rest after finishing current orders)
7. MiddayFaire October Stocking(s) Prep
   • 10/17 Hayride Themed listings... listing completed!
   • Listings for the month as able.
8. Collab for BGM Anniversary Stocking?
9. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
10. Supply orders
    • Elastic
    • Aplix
    • Snaps?
    • PUL
    • HFT  In process -- ordered

Latest Knitting

This is where I was on the newest longies for Tabitha as of Friday mid-morning.  I am doing a pair of Wooly Wonder Perfection Pants in the Pixie Moss colorway on Targhee from Dashing Dachs.  I LOVE the colorway.  But, I'm NOT digging the Targhee and I've run into quite a few knots in the yarn as I'm knitting it up.  Now, mind you... I purchased this yarn well over a year ago and haven't gotten to it until now.  But, I could do without the knots.  And, the Targhee is just not my thing.  It's definitely too scratchy.

But, I'm totally enjoying the knitting time and am just about to the crotch gusset part now and will go onto the legs from there.  I can knit while I watch the children or watch TV.  Or, I can knit while riding in the car with family.  It's relaxing and fun to watch the item grow as I knit each row.

And, my mom bought me some metal dpns back from her trip out to California.  I can't wait to try them out on my next small knit project.

Okay... time to get myself in gear and get everything ready for church tomorrow.  I've got diaper laundry going right now and I need to get the rest of the diaper bag packed.  I would LOVE to be able to get to bed before 10:30pm and get some decent sleep tonight.  Tabi is teething and will probably be up around 5am again. < yawn >

Struggles

Well, it looks like I've got some more things to pray about.  My PUL supplier has changed their minimum order requirements from 5yard per color minimums to 50 YARD per color minimums starting in two weeks!  The 5 yards I could easily do.  I could even do the recent interim raise to 10 yards per.  I cannot possibly manage the cost of 50 yards per color... PLUS the cost of oversized ground shipping for each of these colors.  And there is currently no other supplier.  I am really trying to see how God is going to work this obstacle for my good... but I must admit that I ain't seeing it right now.

Then, there is my poor hubby.  He has been busting his tail for his employer for 4 years now and hasn't gotten ANY raise in the last three years.  He was supposed to get a promotion... that isn't ever going to happen.  They want him to be available 24/7 and to be a slave driver/taskmaster to his staff... and yet not reward him or give him any ways to reward his staff either.  He HATES it!  And, I really don't blame him a bit.  My heart aches for him... and there really isn't anything I can do but pray.

Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

10/8 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list: (updated 10/13 at 8:19pm)

1. Knit longies for Tabitha - Pixie Moss colorway on Targhee by Dashing Dachs.  Woring on the main body now.
2. Dispute credit report issues.
3. Take care of bills. - in process
4. Order email (Britton) - due 10/5 work in - Shipped 10/12
5. Order email (Shadow) - work in... in process
6. Barby's 18 Medium AIOs order started and worked in. - in process (first 7 finished... working in rest after finishing current orders)
7. MiddayFaire October Stocking(s) Prep
   • 10/17 Hayride Themed listings... listing completed!
   • Listings for the month as able.
8. Collab for BGM Anniversary Stocking?
9. Update fabric options on the website.  In process
10. Supply orders
    • Elastic
    • Aplix
    • Snaps?
    • PUL
    • HFT  In process -- ordered