David seems much better, thankfully! He is still a bit more tired than usual, but happy and silly. Guess what? Yesterday he walked four feet without holding on. I was f.r.e.a.k.i.n.g. out!

I divided all my work into daily stacks. I am halfway thru tomorrow’s stack–yay! I am caught up on email, so if you haven’t heard from me, email again.

I am behind on my email, but hoping to catch up today. I am still taking orders and will try my very, very best to get them to you by Christmas, but if they were place after 12/5, I can’t promise. I’m looking forward to some downtime with snuggling, hot chocolate and vegging out! (Hopefully before Christmas Day!!).

David is home ‘sick’ today (he has been fine except for the awful, 20 minute fits he’s having a couple times day with abdominal cramping. Apparently it’s a bug that’s going around) So, I took the boys to Morro Bay and we walked the path at the Cloisters to the ocean. It was sunny but chilly. We needed to get out and play a bit.

We got some good hand-holding and

back-pack snuggling time in. Put that tongue back in your mouth, young man!
Matty could have run and dug in the sand for another hour at least!

It was a beautiful walk!

And we saw a snake! I’m sure it was harmless, but I didn’t stick aournd to find out.

The winner for the Family Tree Giveaway is Lindsey. Her blog is called Merry Christmas from the Thomspons. I was just reading thru some recent posts and felt so at home with her. She is beautiful and honest and I am so glad she won! Happy Monday!

Not for Mommy or for monkey or anything else. He pretty much thinks he’s got the world figured out!

Matty: I WANT CHOCOLATE CHIPS NOW, MOMMY!
Mommy: Uh, excuse me, that is not how you ask.
Matty: (very sweet, soft voice) Can I please have FORTY chocolate chips?!

I just have to laugh!

i’m thinking about offering hand-stamped, stackable rings. they are sterling silver and lightweight. very sweet, and whimsical! they would be about $28 each. what do you think?

this one is hammered.

I’ve got a big cup of Nutty Bean Coffee and the Christmas Tree lights are on. It’s the kind of day that makes me feel reflective.

Thoughts about David and how he has taught me not to be so self-conscious, but just to play and laugh and dance. Thoughts about Matty and how life is so simple at three. The day is for playing and exploring and the littlest things can be the most exciting. Thoughts about Steve and how blessed and lucky I am to have married such a man. Thoughts about my sweet friends and my dear sisters and how I love to talk and connect and how they’ve touched my heart in so many ways. Thoughts about the stories you’ve shared with me about your loss and hurts and the joy you have experience through it all. I’ve jotted down some thoughts and I’ll share more later, but for now, better get back to work!

Steve has been really picking up the extra slack since I am working overtime for the next couple weeks. He is so great with the boys and pretty darn patient with me. Sorry I hung up on you earlier, babe. You didn’t deserve that! Thanks for loving our family so well and for being so supportive of the business.

Matty took this picture. Not too bad!
Such a good daddy!

and bright hope for tomorrow.

What if David gets really sick? Who will Matty be when he is grown? Will we ever pay off our school debt? Am I the mom I should be? When worry creeps in I am reminded that the Lord meets my every need. The journey is painful, but there is so much joy. This is where I live.

being silly
and making lots of jewelry. we had dinner with old friends on saturday and it was such a sweet time. check out sarah’s blog for pics. david seems to have a little bug or something because he has been extra tired and more fussy than usual.

just a reminder, the cut-off for christmas orders is 12/5. happy monday!

…then just lay down right where you are. Someone will probably come along and cover you up. It’s a good thing