SweetPea Castle

Weekend update

First... MY MOM ROCKS!  Well, aside from all of the many MANY things I could write about that say why she rocks... she gifted me with a one year sock club subscription at Little Turtle Knits for Mother's Day!  Of course, she also stayed home with a sick Tabitha today so that I could take Josiah and go to the church ladies' meeting this afternoon.  I am truly so very blessed.

I finished up all of my diapers for my stocking on Tuesday and got all of the orders out on Friday that came in.  I have another diaper that needs to be shipped out on Monday.  My sewing room is officially closed for business for several weeks.  Of course, I have a few diapers I want to sew for my own two little ones this coming week.  But, there's no pressure for those and I'm going to enjoy making something for them that isn't considered a "second".  ;-)  I'm also already thinking ahead to some special things I want to do when I re-open the store.  You'll just have to wait and see!

I am trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of the upcoming surgery.  It'll be "real" enough soon enough.  I don't need to spend the next week stressing over it all and over-thinking things.  I'm going to spend the week cleaning my house and enjoying my family.... oh... and knitting!  I'll post a more detailed update on the surgery itself and what my expectations are for the next few weeks sometime next week.

Right now, I am heading back upstairs to my room to start the heel gusset on my socks while the news is on.  Then I'm going to try to get some much-needed rest while Josiah is sleeping.

It's been a fruitful week

I've actually accomplished quite a bit this week, all things considered.  But, for some reason I still feel like I haven't done nearly enough.  Perhaps it's because I really do still have so much left that I WANT to accomplish before going for surgery.  I think I will take this weekend and re-evaluate what is really important on that list... and work towards those things.

I'm really excited!  I wound two skeins of yarn this evening.  One is a gorgeous sock yarn from Elliebelly and the other is another undyed sock yarn from Plumknits.  The Elliebelly is next to be knit, but i had to get the other skien wound before it got all tangled from hanging on the doorknob to the sewing room.  And, I'm determined to knit quite a bit more on my socks tonight after all the little ones have gone to bed.

I also finished up Christina's order and got it shipped today.  I can't wait to hear how she likes the "B" custom.  I was really happy with how that turned out.  I've got several diapers already finished for Tuesday's MudpieBabies stocking.... and several more in the works.  I'm planning a 9:25pm stocking time to allow a little more time to get all these finished and listed... and a few more west coasters a better chance.

Now, I'm off of here for the evening.  I really do need to get to knitting if I'm ever going to finish these socks.  Perhaps I'll post some pics tomorrow... we'll see how nice it is outside.  ;-)

Whew

I got Ramona's custom, Sara's replacement, the GCDH special, and Noah's homeschool annual assessment test shipped out this afternoon.  I also got a much-needed trip to the grocery store - all by myself while my parents watched the littles.

I now have everything to finish Sue's custom order tomorrow.  Amanda's custom and my item for a charity event on May 1st are the next on the list... along with several instock items.  Then, I've got two more customs that need to be finished. 

I'm really excited to be working on some simple instock items for the next couple of weeks.  I'm not quite sure when I'll be listing yet.  I was hoping to list today, but that just didn't work once everyone got so sick.

Finally, I managed to get a few more rows knit on my socks.  I'm already envisioning my next pair.  But, I have managed to resist casting on and having more than one item in the works.  ;-)

Time to head to bed.  If I'm going to get anything done tomorrow, I need to get some sleep now.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

What do you get?

with all four children struggling with fevers between 101 and 104.5?

Nothing much done and a lot of snuggling required. 

Eliana woke up from a rare nap yesterday with a 104.5 fever.  We got it down finally, but she's still over 101 most of the time.  She's got a stuffy nose and just doesn't feel well.  Noah is stuffy, hot and doesn't feel well.  Tabitha is hot, runny and taking a nap right now.  Josiah was up last night with a 103.5 fever and is still struggling to keep it down.  He's sleeping fitfully in his swing right at this moment.

I have a 2:30pm appointment with the ped for Josiah.  Because he is still so young and has such a high fever, they want him to come in... just to be "safe".  The only "good" thing about having to drive down to Winchester... is that I will just have to stop at Starbucks on the way back.  :-)  I'm also taking my knitting bag with me so that I might be able to get some more rows finished on my socks.

Oh... speaking of SOCKS!!!  ooppss... I forgot... that'll be another post when I can sit down longer to write my praises of these new Knitpicks option long cable needles!  They are AWESOME!!!  More later.  I need to sew while my poor little ones are resting.  I have two orders to ship out tomorrow and another one or two to ship on Friday.

Sick... yet again...

Well, here we go again.  I cannot begin to tell you how utterly sick and tired we are of being sick and tired.  This sucks!

Mom and Daddy came back from a week away at a bowling tournament with a nasty cold virus.  They came home on Thursday and I didn't even see daddy until Sunday afternoon.  We saw mom for a little bit on Thursday, but it knocked her on her butt that evening and I haven't seen her since.  And, unfortunately, I think they "shared" with us... as Jason is now upstairs in our bed wishing he could die.  He's been like this since yesterday.

Both of the girls have been fighting off fevers.  Josiah has been a bit warm and fussier than usual.  Noah seems to be holding his own for the moment.  Me?!?  I don't have time to be sick.  I have a stress headache and side effects from this nasty urinary tract infection that is still NOT going away.  I have to call the urologist next and see what he wants me to do since I am now passing blood in my urine.  I'm sure he'll want me to drive out to Reston to be seen... but that is NOT possible today.  So, I'm hoping they will call in orders to the local lab for a proper urinalisys culture.

I did manage to get two more rows knit on my socks last night.  I'm hoping to get more done tonight.  But, I always knew this would be a slow process.

I am also managing to get quite a bit done in the sewing room.  Since the littles aren't feeling very well, they are laying quietly on the floor in my sewing room while I work.  At least it's fairly quiet most of the time.  I've got two orders shipping tomorrow and several more in the works.

So, while it does suck to have the sickies again... God is faithful and is giving me the strength and extra grace to walk through this time.  I will, however, be very glad to have everyone healthy and stay that way for more than a week at a time.

This week...

Well, it's been productive so far this week.  I haven't gotten more than two rows knit on my socks.  But, I shipped out six custom fitteds yesterday.  And, I'll be finishing two custom AIO orders this week and starting on at least two more.  I'm also getting some instock stuff done while I'm in the sewing room.  It feels good to be accomplishing something decent.

This is what they look like when playing nicely together.  Of course, the children constantly require my attention and love.  But, we're mostly working this out.  Getting anything done while working with Noah on his homeschool every morning is very difficult.  Sometimes I just need to give in and decide that everything else can wait - except homeschool and playing with littles.  Josiah is also getting more active and needs more hands-on time.  He's growing way too fast.  He'll be 3 months old next Thursday.

Please forgive the bombardment with photos, but I just can't resist.  ;-)

Another of my gorgeous little ones sitting together:

 

And a recent couple of Josiah:

  and

Locked in the sewing room

I have a BUNCH of sewing work to get done and will be locked in the sewing room for the next few days.  Well, today, Monday and Tuesday. I really try hard NOT to spend my weekends working.  It's family time.  I have two more fitteds that are almost finished.  Then, those could ship on Monday to Jenn.  I've also got two orders for a total of 5 AIOs that are in the works.  I'm planning to get the embroideries done on them Monday and then finish them quickly after that.  After finishing the fitteds today, I've got to finish cutting the fabrics for the AIOs and prep the embroideries.

I also have a ton of emails that I NEED to get dealt with.  But, sewing comes first right now.  Emails will be dealt with later today or tonight.  So, if you are waiting to hear from me... I haven't forgotten you.  I just HAVE to get through this sewing stuff before I can deal with email.  Especially since some of my email is about further custom work.  It's not fair to commit to anything else until the current work is finished.

My mom and daddy left yesterday afternoon and will be gone for a week.  They have a bowling tournament and are spending some much needed time alone.  I am praying that they come back rested and refreshed... and that they have an awesome time.  Their absence leaves me without my sewing assistant, but this is a good test of how things will be once we finally sell the house and move closer to church.

Bills have to get paid today too.  I have the money and have it allocated, but need to sit down and take care of it all.  Yuck!  But, at least all of my credit cards but one are completely paid off now.  What an awesome thing that is.  Now, my goal is to keep them that way completely and to pay off the last one.

I haven't gotten much knitting time in... so my socks are still fairly early in the process.  I really wish I could dedicate a bit more time to them.  But, perhaps that is what I will do this weekend.  And, I have some soaker shorts that I want to knit for a good friend's son. 

Time to run or I'll never get myself into the sewing room.  I hear Tabitha playing in her crib and need to get Jason to bring her down so that she can eat breakfast and join me in the sewing room with the other children.  Have an awesome day!  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Thursday Ramblings

Things are slowly getting back to "normal" around here.  I had my surgery consult appointment with my OB's office on Monday.  Then, an ultrasound on Tuesday.  And, I have surgery consult with the urologist tomorrow morning.  A LOT of appointments made this week less productive than I would have preferred.  But, that's to be expected and is a step in the right direction... healing.  I am praying that tomorrow will yield a better estimate of when this surgery can be done.  The sooner, the better.  I really want my body and my life back.

The health of my household is a LOT better today.  I am praying fervently that it stays that way for a long time.  It's great to have all of the children healthy.  We are looking forward to the next few months of being able to play more outdoors.

Aren't they adorable?!?  They really are the most amazing blessings and I can't believe how quickly time flies.  Noah will be 7 years old in September!!!

I am also working on my very first pair of knit socks.  I will have to take a picture once I get a little further along.  Of course, that might take a bit because of how much my knitting time is interrupted regularly.  The yarn is so soft and squishy.  I can't wait to finish these socks and get them on my feet!

Sewing is also going really well.  I had a few machine issues to deal with.  But, I'm happy to say that they were relatively easy to deal with and resolve.  I have a really special order that I'm working on right now and plan to have shipped on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.  I want to be sure that it's all perfect.

Time to get off the computer and get everything packed up for tomorrow.  Godspeed...~ Tiffani

Productive Day

It's been a productive day.  Mom and I finished a complete order and our planned in-stock stuff today.  So, I need to get the pics edited and the details up for a Monday MPB stocking.  There won't be any custom slots open yet.  I've still got quite a few in my current list and want to get them all finished before opening any more.  I also have some medical things coming up that will require some downtime.  More about that later.

I have some long circs and yarn that are calling to me... they are calling with a sock pattern that has my name on it.  I can hardly wait.  My mom knit me the most wonderful pair of socks for Christmas and that did it for me.  I have come over to the "dark side" and am going to knit myself some socks.  It's an addiction that I can handle.  It's a small project that is easy to carry with me and it's a nice luxury for myself.

On the downside, Jason is definitely sick.  I am glad that it took him this long and that the Tamiflu seems to have helped a little to keep things from being any worse.  I still wish he hadn't come down with it at all.  It just sucks to have my family sick.  We're still praying that the girls continue to stay healthy.

I'll post an updated to-do list on Monday with my current MPB custom list and status.  I'll be out of town all day Monday at doctors' appointments.  I should have an update either late that evening or the next day.

In the meantime, it's time to play with the littles for a bit before bedtime and then get my store stocked for Monday.  Our family will be spending the day home resting tomorrow so that everyone gets better.  I miss church... but we HAVE to get and stay healthy.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Happy Valentine's Day!

Why yes... I AM really tired.  This was taken on Sunday afternoon after a long day.  Josiah is sporting the longies and hat that I finished knitting for him in the last two weeks.  They fit wonderfully and he was sleeping really well at the time.

Today is Valentine's Day... a day where we take time to celebrate our love for one another.  I was recently reminded just how precious life is and that we should never take a single day for granted... we are not guaranteed another here on earth.  So, that is what I am trying to do from here on out... cherish each and every day as if it could very well be my last, or the last of someone I love.

My husband, Jason, is my soulmate.  He completes me.  He knows me better than anyone else in this world... and he still loves me.  He has seen me at my best and at my worst and is still here.  We have been married for 21 years this coming August.  I truly cannot imagine my life without him in it.  And, as much as I LOVE our children... I cannot wait to grow old with my husband and have more time with just the two of us.  And what's great is that I KNOW he feels the same way.  Honey, I love you the mostest!

Today, it has been six weeks since Josiah was welcomed into this world and truly captured our hearts.  The medicine we got on Monday for his reflux is really making a big difference.  I need to call the pediatrician about adjusting it a little.  But, we expected that and he is doing MUCH better now.  He is beginning to bless us with little hints of a real smile.  And, you should see Tabitha just light up when she sees him.  She is in love with her baby brother and it shows.  She is amazingly gentle with him.

Time to get back to the children.  Eliana wants to watch a movie and we are just waiting for Noah to finish his last page of homeschool work.  I'm hoping to get a little bit of knitting in before Josiah wakes up from his nap, too.  Today is a good day.  Again... Happy Valentine's Day!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ~ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.