Inchies Christmas Ornaments Swap

I have found a really cool ornament swap. Inchies look fun to make and are a good way to use your small scraps. Go to inchiequilts.com for more information and a tutorial that shows you how to make them. I am joining the swap and I hope you'll join me.

Catching Up

I have been gone for a while. No where special, just dealing with life. I have been going through a divorce for about two years and it is finally coming to an end. The good news is that the ex and I are putting the children first and handling things as friendly as possible. I am so grateful to him for his cooperation. We have awesome kids and they deserve the best.

I am still working on my patterns and have some fall classes scheduled at Fabric Warehouse in Lakeland. I have designed a new quilt called Cupcake Cutie by Abby-Sue Designs. I will be posting a sample very soon and have the pattern in print and available for purchase.

I find one the best ways for me to de-stress is to let me creative juices flow. I will share my journey with you and hopefully you will find ways to deal with your issues. God is my strength and my everything. I am so thankful that He gave me a creative mind a spirit.

Fruit of My Labor

Well, after discovering worms in my corn and being flooded by torrential rains storms and flooding ....we FINALLY have harvested something from our garden. We picked two round watermelon. They are in the fridge awaiting the taste test. Some of my sunflowers are 8 feet tall and blooming. I have discovered that I really like sunflowers. I dont really care for watermelon...but the kids do and that was the point.

They Grow Up So Fast

Sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in. I have known for a while that my children were getting older. My son just graduated from our homeschool ....what a milestone. And today, my baby...number six....is turning seven years old. I am officially out of the baby business. As most moms know...this is all bitter sweet. I just took three of my middle girls on a vacation and it was great. They packed for themselves, everyone carried their own luggage and I even sent them (with a buddy) to get ice from the hotel ice machine. I didnt miss strollers, or car seats or not being able to take my eyes off of them for a second in the pool. But I do miss the baby words, the sweet baby smell and the way they look at you like you are the most awesome person that God ever made.

I guess the best thing to do is ...preserve those memories by scrapbooking and journaling. Talk about the memories to keep them fresh in everyone's minds and be grateful for the freedom that comes from having older children.

To all of my children.....I love you with all of my heart.

And to Princess Faith....Happy Birthday, Baby.

My Bobbin

This is Bobbin, my baby. He is a little over a year old now. I named him Bobbin because I bought him with the money I made from my sewing business. He has been such a joy to me. Well, last weekend he was close to death. Friday nite he was having trouble, walking, crying in pain and vomiting. By Saturday morning he was in shock and near death. It was a very long night. I truly believed he was going to die. I wasnt sure if he was stepped on and had a broken hip or if he had been poisoned. To make a long story short, our vet, Dr. Carrier went ahead and treated him for Addison's disease, even though the test results would not be back for a few days. Now the tests are in and he does have Addison's Disease. It is very complicated and will require treatment his entire life. I am so grateful to know what the cause of his illness is and so very glad that he is still alive.

Happy Birthday, Baby!!

Tomorrow is my daughter, Hannah's Birthday. She will be ten years old, but she seems like 20 already. Hannah is my miracle baby. She had menangitis when she was only 6 weeks old. She was in a Children's Hospital for 2 weeks. The doctor in charge of her case, pretty much told me she would die and not be leaving the hospital. I refused to believe him and I told him that I knew God would heal her. We had people all over the country praying for her. When he saw that she would leave, he told me she would probably be deaf and learning disabled. WRONG!! She hears fine, is very smart and sings like an angel. I am so glad he was wrong. She is a true blessing to me as all six of my children are.

Confessions of a Wanna Be Farm Girl

I confess. I have always dreamed of owning some acreage, having horses, a garden and any other critters I felt like having. Well...I have been growing a vegatable garden for a few weeks now. I am growing the entire garden from seed, so there isnt much to show yet. But, have no fear, I will be posting pictures. Well...today the girls and I went and bought 8 baby chickens. We have raised them in the past...several years ago. Then it was more for fun and learning for the little girls. Now, however, it is for those reasons, plus the eggs. I figure if we are able to have organic vegatables from our own yard...we should have hormone free eggs also. The girls are very smitten with the chicks, now. I am sure when they are feathered and not as cute...they will lose interest and I will have to harrass them into feeding them. Bobbin, my baby dog, loves them...but Whiskers, our outdoor cat...is totally disqusted with the whole thing.