SweetPea Castle

Surgery Follow-up and more

The doctor's report was a mixed review.  He is happy with the repair itself, but not confident that we won't still have problems... either now or later.  Jason and I are taking this to the Lord and taking one day at a time.  I am still in regular pain.  We'll see what God does over the next several months as to what (if anything) we do.

The pups... Ace and Dash are doing great!  They were nuetered on September 10th and are healing nicely.  They get their staples out a week from tomorrow and we can hardly wait.  They are STINKY boys and seriously need to be bathed and groomed.

Homeschool is moving along.  I am looking forward to getting back into our "normal" routine in the next two weeks and being able to maintain it without all of these appointments and stuff.  The SOS curriculum is working for Noah, but I'm just not sure it's what is best for us.  We'll see how the rest of the year goes.

Noah, Eliana, and Tabitha have dentist appointments next week on Wednesday.  This will be Tabi's first visit.  We've also got her speech therapy on Tuesday.

Mudpiebabies... I'm going to start sewing (well, the cutting and prep-work anyway) for my next stocking this coming week.  I have some bills to pay and get under control.  So, I am praying that a few nice big stockings bring back the customers and bring in some new ones.  I need to see if I can get someone to do some banner ads for me.

Knitting... I recently finished a lovely test-knit shawl and will be purchasing yarn for several more.  I frogged back a pair of finished longies for Josiah and added to the rise.  I'm just about to start the legs again and need to be sure they are longer this time.  They would have fit perfect... for about a month... as they were.  But, I wanted them to fit the season.  I've also got another shawl on the needles and a child sweater.  I'm waiting on some handspun yarn to start knitting a sweater for Noah.  And, I just saw a perfect pair of fingerless gloves that I think I'll cast on for next.  I LOVE knitting!

I have a bunch of things to get done today... so I best be getting off here for now.  I have some serious menu planning to do.  If anyone has some recipe ideas that might work for picky littles, please feel free to share.  Between their pickiness and Jason's diabetes... I have my work cut out for me.  But, I am determined to start making proper meals again.

I am most grateful for the place the Lord has me right now.  It isn't comfortable... but I know that He is growing me and drawing me closer to Him.

Healing is a time-consuming process

I am doing well, considering that I'm just over two weeks post surgery.  I am still tired out very easily and hurt if I'm on my feet too much or do things that I shouldn't.  It's the Lord's way of keeping me right where I need to be... resting in His presence.  I've got another 3 weeks before my follow-up appointment with the doctor to see how things have healed.

I started knitting a shawl just before surgery and am making steady progress on it.  It's really going to be lovely.  But, I realized that I need proper fitting longies for Josiah before it starts getting cooler.  And, I have PLENTY of yarn to make them with.  So, I frogged something that I started last winter and started it over.  The yarn colorway coordinates perfectly with an ooga booga shirt that A-Squared Designs custom made for me in the spring.  The set will fit Josiah perfectly for the upcoming fall/winter season.  I'll work on more after these are finished.

I have a pair of socks (or two or three) that I'm itching to cast on for, but they are on hold while I wait for word on doing a test knit for an awesome fellow knitter.  I'm excited about that and the socks can wait.  ;-)

In other news, it looks like things with the CPSIA are starting to work themselves out... in one form or another.  I've still got some intense changes to make this fall... but perhaps I will manage to keep MudpieBabies open yet.  I'm itching to get back into the sewing room.  I've got some new embroidery designs to stitch out for some really cute diapers.

The pups are doing well.  They flunked out of their puppy training boot camp.  But, we've rescheduled it for Mid-November - once they've been neutered and matured a bit more.  They are doing awesome since being home.  It's definitely time for them to be neutered though... talk about testosterone fights.  ugh!

The children are doing fantastic!  I rejoice in every day that I get to stay home and train them up in the ways that they should go.  I am amazed every day that the Lord has entrusted such precious jewels to my care.

Have an awesome week everyone.  God is SO good!

Monday Monday...

This is going to be a very busy week for our house, so not much time to update.

I am finishing up 12 small AIOs for a very dear friend this week.  Then, I've got 12 more and some fitteds and covers to finish next week.  She is due "any day now" and I'm WAY behind.  The next batch will have some embroidered AIOs... the current are just plain PUL.  I'll post a seperate update sometime in the next few weeks in regards to the future of MudpieBabies.

My brother-in-law (and sister-in-law and nephew), as well as my father-in-law and step-mother-in-law, are visiting us this week.  I've got to finish my sewing so that they have enough room to crash.  ;-)  Then, this is month-end weekend for Jason at work.  And, we've got a family cookout to head to after church on Sunday.

I'm working on a pair of beautiful pink x and o knit socks.  Next are some longies for Josiah and a shawl for me... and a few other things that I need to get busy with.

This morning was started with prayer and study in the Psalms.  Now, I'm listening to some Bible teachings on my iPod while I'm busily working in the sewing room.

What?!?  You are wondering how I am sewing and posting?  Me too... so, I'm outta here before I lose complete track of my time today.  Have a wonderful week and I really do hope to post some more updates soon.  God is doing awesome things in my home.

Busy times...

We are still overwhelmed with a multitude of symptoms around my home.  Seriously, we are all really overwhelmed with this cold virus (still... yet again?  I dunno).  But, we are doing our best to get plenty of rest, eat well and keep hydrated.  We are also trying to focus on God's mercy and provision during these times.  Sure, we are all feeling quite lousy.  But, we are all at home and not in the hospital.  The Lord's grace is sufficient.

During this time, I have tried to keep on top of things and not allow idleness to bring my affliction to the forefront of my thinking.  I find that I am MUCH more overwhelmed when I sit still long enough to dwell on how I feel.  I haven't been able to accomplish nearly as much as I would like.  But, I am doing what the Lord wants me to... my best in Him.

Today, I finished my latest custom diaper order.  This wonderful mama has been SO very patient while waiting on this order.  Erika, these are shipping tomorrow.  They weren't "promised" to ship until the 17th, but I had so expected to get these done well over a week ago or more.

And, my flickr galleries have both been updated!  Erika's order is in the MudpieBabies gallery and my latest knitting is in the SweetPeaCastle gallery.  Of course, you can also find my latest knitting projects posted on Ravelry.

I am also VERY excited to have gotten MOST of my knitting supplies that are needed for my latest knitting projects.  I've got one more pattern that I'm waiting on.  It's shipping from the UK and probably won't be here until after Christmas.  But, that's okay.  It will be a sweater for my nephew's birthday in February.

So, let's see here... I've got the following knitting projects in the works:

• Fuzzy Elf socks from the November LTK Sock Club
• Monster Longies for Josiah (might need to frog these and start over)
• Warrior socks from the September LTK Sock Club
• Ridinghood sweater for Eliana
• Ridinghood sweater for Tabitha
• Sweater for Josiah
• Sweater for Trevor (birthday in February)

I also want to do some sort of sweater/cardigan for myself.  But, I think I've got MORE than enough knitting on my plate right now.

As for sewing and more specifically MudpieBabies... well, I have to wait and see how the CPSIA issues work out.  The truth of the matter is that unless something changes I will have no choice but to shut everything down.  This is a really HUGE issue.  The legislation is quite necessary to protect our children.  However, the protection wasn't needed from local domesticly produced items.  It is needed for those items that are imported and had problems.

In the meantime, I'll be doing as much custom work as I am able to handle over the next two months or less.  If you've got something that you want, please feel free to email me directly.

Right now, it's time to go get the baby from his room.  He's finished his nap and wants some attention RIGHT NOW.  ;-)  Enjoy your upcoming weekend.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Temper Tantrums

I'm still around, just very busy and trying to get a handle on my personal attitude these days.

I find that I am struggling with emotions that are rather foreign to me right now.  I feel very out of sorts.  So, I am taking this time to be quiet and study the Word of God for His guidance and healing.

I'm also working on a custom order... getting the fabrics pulled, cut and prepped.  Then, I've got four embroideries to get done.  I'm also planning my instock sewing plans.  I want to have a bunch of instock diapers ready for November.

Knitting is also going along well.  I've got a bit more done on Cheyenne's Swing Thing.  I really dislike this yarn though.

This UTI is kicking my butt.  Yes!  I have ANOTHER UTI... the second one in the month.  Unless they didn't kick the last one with that round of antibiotics.  I've got 10 days of this antibiotic and an appointment with the urogyn office in two weeks.  She will test again to see if it's all gone.

Time to run.  I've got two more PUL cuts to take care of... and I want to get some stuff ready to leave for the ladies meeting this afternoon.  Better get it done while Josiah is still napping.  And, I need to take Tabi to the potty... she's doing AWESOME at potty learning!

In a knitting flurry

The Ravelympics end tomorrow and I'm no where near where I wanted to be with my knitting.  But, alas sometimes life just happens and you rejoice in what is given to you.  There is still hope that I will finish with one of the three projects that I had intended to finish.

Eliana was most helpful in modeling my current progress this morning.  Right now, the older three are begging for snack and juice... so I will make this quick.  ;-)

Josiah isn't sleeping well these days.  I'm not quite sure what it's about.  Two nights ago, I gave him his first real cereal.  He wanted it and sucked it off the baby spoon.  But, I'm still not sure that his system is ready for this.  He is usually such an awesome sleeper and hasn't slept hardly at all for the past two nights that he's had cereal.  Perhaps we'll wait and try something else in a few weeks.  We're not in a rush and are following his signs.

Tabitha is doing fantastic.  She is really flourishing being back in her own space.  She's trying more sounds and vocalizing a lot more.  I'm using the antibiotic drops for her ears and she isn't pulling at them anymore.  Her temper is something else that needs to be worked on.  When life is good... it's really good... but when it's bad... it's awful.  And she lets everyone know!

Eliana is getting better every day.  Her attitudes are getting much better and consistency has been the key.  She knows what her boundaries are and knows what the consequences are every time.  She needs this in her life.  Homeschooling is going to be an adventure with her.

Noah is doing great.  We'll start our regular homeschool schedule again next week and I think he's sort of looking forward to it.  He has enjoyed the break though.  Right now, he's begging for us to rearrange the rooms so that Josiah sleeps in with him and the girls are in another room together.  We might manage that this coming week.

This coming week is going to be busy.  I've got sewing, cleaning, homeschooling... and studying... to do.  But, I'm looking forward to every part of it.  I'm going to take time Monday morning to plan/schedule my week and see how well we do by the end of it.

Time to run... or I'll never get this knitting done.  Tomorrow we are spending the afternoon with a family in our church.  Well, I think we are.  I have to check with them this afternoon and see if the stomach bug has completely left their house.  That's something I'd rather not share.  ;-)  Have a great weekend!  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Ready to head home...

If you don't see any posts from me for a while... it's because I'm heading home without my laptop.  Don't worry, God-willing it won't be far behind as my parents are going to overnight it to me on Monday.  I have a ladies study to finish and it would help to have my laptop for that.

Today we spent at my sister's.  She was hosting a birthday party for my oldest neice, Mikayla.  She turns two this coming week.  I've uploaded a bunch of new family pics to my flickr gallery.  I'm glad that we got to spend a little time with the family.  I just wish it could have been more and a bit easier for all of us.  Probably next time.

Tonight, I've got all four of my littles snuggled into their beds early with dreams of tomorrow.  We will get up and have baths and pack up everything for the trip.  We'll also organize everything else that is coming home with my parents.  Our flight leaves SFO at 9:45pm PST.  We are ready to be home.

I know that the Lord has us perfectly in His hands.  However, I have no problem admitting that I HATE flying.  I will covet all prayers for my peace and our protection.  Either way... I trust that HE is perfectly able to keep us wherever we are meant to be.

And... on that note... it's time for me to snuggle into the bed with my knitting and the olympics for a short bit before I go off to sleep too.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Admission of defeat?

Sometimes true freedom comes when we admit our own defeat... or at least our inadequacies and mistakes.  Last night was that night for me.  Today is MUCH better.

Last night, as I faced the outcome of another meltdown of my entire family on this trip, I realized that I had made a huge mistake and needed to fix it.  This trip is just too much for my youngest children.  It's just too much for my children and my parent and me right now.  So, what am I supposed to do to fix things?!?

Well, after praying and talking with my husband... the answer is clear...

Fly home instead of driving home!  That's the solution.  My four young children and myself will be flying home on Sunday night (taking the red-eye) and my parents will be driving my van the rest of the way home from California by themselves.  Is this what I wanted... or my ideal?  No.  But, it IS what is best for my children.

We are going to spend the rest of the week with my sister and family... and see the sights that are out here.  Then, we are going to fly home and get back to our own home, beds, and routine.  I am sad... and yet VERY relieved.

So, please keep us in your prayers throughout the week and this coming Sunday night.  It's going to be a very challenging task for me to manage these four littles by myself through airport security and getting onto the plane... especially since I'm not supposed to be lifting anything more than Josiah.  We are going to do our best and let God take care of the rest.  I'm going to pack very frugally and leave the rest in the van to come home with my parents.

Today... we are relaxing in our hotel room.  We are going to go play in the pool this afternoon after Josiah's nap.  And, we are going to meet with Judi, Eli and the girls for dinner.  I think we're going to the Discovery Museum tomorrow.  And we are going to the Monterey Aquarium on Thursday.  Saturday is the birthday party.  I am uploading some fresh pics to my flickr gallery right now.  But, I smell something funny and I think someone might need a diaper change.  So, I'll update more later.

Have a great week!  I'm off to play with my children and enjoy some more knitting for the Ravelympics.

Summer Colds

It's the worst time to get a cold... in the dead heat of the summer.  Yuck!  And, our entire household is feeling awful.  This is a nasty sinus cold.  We are praying that it passes quickly and without too much drama.

I've been re-arranging my sewing room this past week so that I can actually get back into it and accomplish anything.  We moved one of the sewing tables and half of the machines over to my mom's house so that she can work over there.  Mind you... "there"... is right next door.  But, this way she doesn't feel like she comes over here to work in the sewing room and can't because of the chaos which seems to reign in my home these days.  Small children make a LOT of noise.  :-)

So, now I've got the sewing room set up so that I can actually get some meaningful work done in there each afternoon during the littlest ones' naptimes.  And, I've got the pack-n-play in there for when Josiah decides he's not going to nap.

We've also been working through Noah's first homeschool set of lifepacs.  He's going to be taking the final tests this coming week.  Then, we're taking a break from "official" homeschool bookwork until the end of August.  I decided that I just didn't want to bring all of his curriculum with us on this trip.  Instead, we are planning homeschool fieldtrips along the way.  We've got him a cheapie little digital camera and a notebook to keep track of where he takes pics.  He's going to have to write a report on each of our major stops... complete with pictures.

For now, I need to get off of here and spend time with my grumpy littlest man.  He's teething AND got this cold.  His second bottom tooth broke through on Wednesday night.  He is NOT a happy camper and needs some time and attention.  I've also got 10 more sets of soakers to cut from HFT that I'd like to get done tonight before heading to bed.  And, I'd really like to knit a few more rows on my socks.

We have to leave in the morning for my post op check in the city and will be gone all day.  We were supposed to go down to spend the rest of the day hanging out with our Pastor and his family.  But, we're being stingy and not sharing our germs with them.  So, my wonderful mother is watching the oldest three while we go to the doctor.  We are looking forward to good news from the doc and will update here sometime after we get home.

Back to "normal"?

Things are slowly but surely getting back to "normal" around here.  Of course, this is our new normal.  I have my follow up with the surgeon in a week and cannot wait.  The Lord has been good to me and has shown me many valuable lessons during this trial.  I have a lot to work on.

Josiah is crawling!  My littlest man has decided that it's time to take it upon himself to get where he wants to go.  He is still very uncoordinated and definitely not crawling the "normal" way... but hey... what would I expect?!?  He has a well check on Wednesday that I'm trying to decide what I really want to do about immunizations.  I'm very torn on this issue and confess that I feel rather uneducated.  I've been pretty content to go with whatever was "recommended".  But, I'm not feeling the love for that lifestyle and outlook anymore.  Perhaps I'll muse further on that subject later.  Pappy decided that he would look fabulous in the 'shades before we left for church on Sunday.  I think I agree.

Noah is doing really well with the start of his second week of 2nd grade.  We are adjusting well.  I just ordered the needed science supplies today.  We have some experiments to do.

I'm working on the cuff of my May LTK socks.  I'll update with some pics later this evening.  Right now, I feel the urge to get back to some knitting while I can.

Have an awesome week!