on thursday nights for last couple months we’ve been going to a mexican restaurant in baywood for dinner called maya. it’s hilarious–they get a table ready for us with chips and salsa and a highchair when they see us parking. i get the “lisa special”–an asada burrito with no tortilla, so it’s like platter of yummy goodness (and south beach friendly). then after dinner we run around down by the water. well, matty runs and the rest of us freeze our patooties off! guess i was in a ‘slanted’ mood because almost all the pics i took are topsy turvy!!

thanks to all of you who have placed orders. i really appreciate it! i’ve been busy making fun necklaces for each of you and i feel connected to you in some small way as i create a special piece with your kiddos names. i also really appreciate the feedback on my blog and our family. thanks for taking the time to read about us!! almost all my business comes from word of mouth–so thanks, too for telling your friends aout my blog. so sweet! xxxx

Adjusting to bringing your newborn home is exhausting, but a newborn with special needs is even more difficult. The first few months we were just getting by. We were learning how to care for David, how to feed him and what his preferences were. I had at least two doctor appointments every week so that we could check his hearing, sight, weight gain, bone structure and on and on.

On a Monday morning when David was a few months old, I woke up, got out of bed and the weirdest thing happened. I felt like myself again. I can’t really explain it, except to say that for me, the clouds lifted. I don’t know if the shock wore off or the baby blues passed or what, but I felt like me again. God had been bringing me to a place of accepting the pain and letting it BE. In that place I was so surprised to find JOY! It still took a lot of courage to go to the grocery store and “face the world” but somehow I was back to myself. It was a relief to feel normal again.

David was getting into a routine and started sleeping through the night. He was smiley and grasping for toys. At three months, he had surgery to correct a malrotation of the intestine (the problem had caused projectile vomiting) and was a much happier boy after the procedure. We loved snuggling with our tiny guy and getting him to smile. We introduced him to rice cereal and baby food which he loved. We worked for hours each day teaching him to eat and drink by mouth.

I started a new job as a full inclusion specialist for the local school district. One morning I was standing in a kindergarten classroom reading a poem entitled “my ten fingers” and broke down crying. I was healing slowly but the pain was still fresh. Steve had Mondays off and would watch David and my sister Susan would watch him on Wednesdays. My days at home filled up with therapy, housekeeping, errands and I started making jewelry. It wan’t the life we had planned (cute house with a picket fence, two kids and a dog) but it was starting to feel like maybe this crazy thing could work after all. The next few months seemed like years. Steve and I quickly felt the need to add to our family. We had barely discussed it when we found out I was pregnant again. David was only 10 months old!

Some of you have asked to see more beaded jewelry. I’m having a little sale just for my faithful blog readers. Email me if you’d like one of the pieces. I’m planning to post various pieces over the next few days, maybe weeks.

Pottery shard pendant with african jade and crystal czech beads. Pendant measures aout 1.5″. 17″ in length SOLD

Handmade pewter heart pendant with cream freshwater pearls. So sweet. Pendant measures just under 1″. 16.5″ in length $32

Olive jade pendant with smokey czech beads. Very FuN!! 17″ in length SOLD

Every day I see David push himself a little bit, try something new or take a risk. Yesterday, at my in-laws house, he was playing in the living room. When I came in from the kitchen, this is how I found him. I couldn’t stop laughing–and of course, I had to grab my camera! He’s been putting one foot up on the table once in a while, but this time he put both feet up and straddled himself between the couch and coffee table. He thought it was so cool!

I can’t help think about how I get so comfortable and just want to stay in that place. Lately, I’ve been trying to push myself to risk more. It doesn’t have to be skydiving (right, Erika?!) It could be approaching a new store with my jewelry or making a new friend. But It’s HARD! It’s so much eaiser to play it safe. But it’s so much more FUN to take on a challenge. And it’s okay to fail. That’s the great part.

So, thanks David for reminding me to take risks. What is one way you can get out of your comfort zone?

Tomorrow I am going to post some pics of some fun, new BEADED jewelry–stay tuned!

Happy Mother’s Day to my awesome mom and grandma and to my mother in law–I have to say, I am pretty blessed! Isn’t it funny how when your kids are grown you really want to spend time with them on mother’s day and when they are little you just want a break?! We’ll go to my mother-in-law’s church this morning and then have lunch together as a family. The men are taking us out. Tonight some family friends are coming over to have dinner. I’ve got figure out a way to squeeze a pedicure and some shopping in there–ALONE! Oh a nap would be nice, too!! What is your plan for mother’s day?

Matty dons his fireman outfit (which he refused to wear on halloween, but has been wearing all morning!)

David lays on his tummy and backs himself between two boxes, a bench and a backpack. He thought it was HILARIOUS!

Lauren (our babysitter) saved my skin this week by helping out with a sick David

I model some potential wedding jewelry for a friend. I make the photo sepia to give myself a tan

We are off to Fresno today. We had a death in the family and Steve is going to do the graveside service. I’ll still be checking my emails and I’ll try to post on the blog. What’s your plan for the weekend?

Uncle Matt snuggles David

David gets his first bath at home.

Auntie Ellen gives David a tube feeding.
So we fled from the hospital with our little David–having no idea what the future held or how to best care for this tiny guy. The day we brought him home, there was already a baby shower planned for us with some of our family and friends. We went and brought David with us. I attempted my first tube feeding outside the hospital during the shower. My hands were shaking and I was sweating. I was sure we would somehow pull out the tube or feed him too much. There seemed to be so many questions. But we were relieved to have our family together and begin our lives again. As we pulled away from the shower, David was in the back seat making a strange gurgling sound. We screetched over to the side of the road, sure that he was choking to death, but no he seemed completely content. Why do the make newborns sit in the backseat facing backward?!

We brought David home and placed him in a pack and play we had set up in our bedroom. I bundled him in a blanket and felt certain he wouldn’t make it through the night. I set my alarm clock to wake up in two hours and do another tube feeding. When my alarm went off, I raced over to his bed, amazed that he was still breathing. I was so groggy and just generally exhausted. I kept prepared breast milk mixed with formula in the fridge and would pour an ounce into his syringe. The connector between the syringe and David’s tube was a little loose and frequently his milk would go spilling everywhere. The first few nights went on like this. During the days, we had family and friends visit and help out. Steve went back to work, but would come home for lunch. We ate out sometimes and David would tag along. I got a pedicure. We had a home nurse who checked in everyday. I pumped six to eight times a day, but since my milk never really came in, after twenty minutes of pumping I would have 1-2 ounces. I had accepted a new job as a full inclusion specialist in the local school district. Live was getting back to a state of normal little by little, but I felt so overwhelmed thinking about going back to work–even for just two days a week!

When David was two weeks old we were having dinner with Chrissie and Matt and he had a fever I just couldn’t get down. We finally decided to take him to the ER in Mission Viejo. Of course they did all kinds of test, including a spinal tap. Then they admitted him. I guess when doctors look at a 4.5 lbs baby with two fingers and a fever, they usually decide to play it safe. I was so discouraged, but it ended up being a great stay. We had our own room with a twin bed for me to sleep in. The staff was kind and caring. Their were volunteers who walked around with drinks, cookies and magazines. I kinda felt like I was staying at the Holiday Inn or something! During David’s stay we got a phone call from Steve’s mom telling us that Dave (Steve’s dad) had been in a serious trucking accident. He was going to be OK but would have to be in the hospital for a while. So, when David was released after a couple days, we headed up to Sacramento. We stayed with some of Steve’s old friends and felt so blessed by our time with them. It was good to get out and live life, even in the midst of adjusting to David’s challenges. We were getting to know him and we were falling in love.

Thanks for taking a look at my handmade jewelry! See the end of this post for directions on placing an order and answers to frequently asked questions!

teenie tiny initials. sterling pea-size initials are strung on 18″ sterling chain with a freshwater pearl. so darn cute! two charms standard $44,   add’l charms $10

The Open Circle. A favorite! Has a delicate, organic feeling. Made of pure silver circle (.999, sterling is .925), the pendant measure about 1 1/4″ Choose names or a special phrase. Strung on 18″ sterling ball chain. $48

Mini Open Circle Necklace. So sweet and so simple. Two small open circles (3/4″) are handstamped with words of your choice and strung on an 18″ sterling ball chain with freshwater pearl detail. These circles are also pure silver (a higher quality than sterling). $48, additional open circles, $12

Single Tag Necklace. Each tag is hand wrought. Choose a word or name that carries meaning to you. Maximum 9 characters. Strung on 18″ sterling ball chain with a freshwater pearl. $40, add $18 for each additional tag.

Oval Monogram Necklace. This is not your grandma’s monogram…it’s a fun, fresh take on a classic look. Your last initial sits center stage with your first initial on the left and your middle initial on the right. My formal name is Elisabeth Nancy Leonard, so E L N. I hammered the oval a bit to give it a rustic look. Strung on an 18″ ball chain, $44

True Love Hearts. Now your husband will never forget your anniversay again! Two delicate sterling hearts (about 3/4″ each) are stamped with “True Love” and your wedding date. Or get creative with kids names and birthdates. 5-6 characters max. So, so sweet!! Strung on an 18″ chain $48

The Original Necklace! A 1 1/4 inch sterling circle (so classic!) with up to four names. 1-2 names curved around edge, 3-4 names, each name on a separate line. The perfect gift for you or a friend! Strung on an 18″ sterling ball chain with a freshwater pearl. $44

Petite Original Circle. This necklace has a smaller disc (3/4″) with your kiddo’s first and middle names. Add a petite circle for each kiddo. This is also the perefct gift for a little girl. Comes strung on an 18″ sterling ball chain with freshwater pearl detail. Please request 14″ chain for a little girl. One of my best sellers! $40, additional discs $14

Concentric Circles Necklace. Two circles layered together with words of your choice, combines the original and the petite original. Larger circle is 1 1/4″, smaller circle is 7/8″ Strung on 18″ sterling ball chain. $54

Deluxe Rectangle Necklace. A 1 1/2″ rectangle is strung from a 17″ large link chain and a side freshwater pearl. This piece can fit up to six names! Unique and beautiful!! $52

The Classic Rectangle. Same pendant as the above necklace, but strung from an 18″ sterling ball chain with a finial stamp at the bottom. This piece can fit up to six names! $44

Dog Tag Necklace. This piece takes the single tag to a different level. Each tag is hand wrought and stamped with the word of your choice. It is strung on 26″ link chain so it hits at the bust, and a sweet freshwater pearl for detail. $58 (includes two tags), additional tags $20

Sterling Cuff. This is a great, easy piece that slips on. The cuff can accomodate up to 30 characters, so it’s great for a longer phrase or a bunch of names. Each letter and space count as one character. A freshwater pearl dangles from the end of the cuff. $72

Freshwater Pearl Earrings. These sweet freshwater pearl earrings are a perfect match for the sterling stamped jewelry. Just your basic, classic pearls, that go with everything! Strung on sterling fishhook earwires, they dangle about 1/2″. $16

Polish Cloth. A nifty silver polish cloth to keep your necklace shiny. They last a long time, even when the cloth gets dingy! $5

The keychain. A great keepsake for wedding attendants or the man in your life! Rectangle measures 1 1/2″ $32

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If you would like to place an order…

*Email me at lisaleonard@integrity.com with the name(s) of the pieces you would like to purchase. Indicate what words or names you would like to have stamped on the piece.

*I will send you a paypal link for the amount of your jewelry + $7 for S/H. The paypal invoice will confirm the specific details of your order.

*Your order will ship about 10 business days after payment is received.

*Want to get creative? Email me with your ideas and we can put our head together!

Love this poem!

Billy Collins

The other day I was ricocheting slowly
off the blue walls of this room,
moving as if underwater from typewriter to piano,
from bookshelf to an envelope lying on the floor,
when I found myself in the L section of the dictionary
where my eyes fell upon the word lanyard.

No cookie nibbled by a French novelist
could send one into the past more suddenly—
a past where I sat at a workbench at a camp
by a deep Adirondack lake
learning how to braid long thin plastic strips
into a lanyard, a gift for my mother.

I had never seen anyone use a lanyard
or wear one, if that’s what you did with them,
but that did not keep me from crossing
strand over strand again and again
until I had made a boxy
red and white lanyard for my mother.

She gave me life and milk from her breasts,
and I gave her a lanyard.
She nursed me in many a sick room,
lifted spoons of medicine to my lips,
laid cold face-cloths on my forehead,
and then led me out into the airy light

and taught me to walk and swim,
and I, in turn, presented her with a lanyard.
Here are thousands of meals, she said,
and here is clothing and a good education.
And here is your lanyard, I replied,
which I made with a little help from a counselor.

Here is a breathing body and a beating heart,
strong legs, bones and teeth,
and two clear eyes to read the world, she whispered,
and here, I said, is the lanyard I made at camp.
And here, I wish to say to her now,
is a smaller gift—not the worn truth

that you can never repay your mother,
but the rueful admission that when she took
the two-tone lanyard from my hand,
I was as sure as a boy could be
that this useless, worthless thing I wove
out of boredom would be enough to make us even.

aren’t these sweet? I am finishing up the bulk of my mother’s day orders. i’ve had so many–over 150, i think. which is insane and such a blessing. thanks to all of you who support my business. i truly appreciate it! are you ready for mother’s day?!