Needles and Pens

My beautiful new grandson, Aaron Zander! Aaron finally made his way into the world at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, weighing eight pounds 9-1/2 ounces, and 22-1/2 inches long. His mom went through a very long and difficult labor lasting 36 hours, but did a simply amazing job. We're so proud of her and little Aaron. May God richly bless them both!

Yesterday my daughter's due date passed uneventfully, so today we decided to take a nice long walk on the boardwalk and see if that would help things along. I don't know if it worked, but she is acting kind of... funny tonight. Our fingers and toes are crossed. We're SO ready for this baby! I'm having a little trouble settling down tonight myself, so thought I'd share a few shots from our walk today. Here's the mommy-to-be, walking the dog (or maybe the dog is walking her ): Taking a little break on the beach: Little brother, watching the waves come in: Lake Superior scenery: A beautiful September day, for sure, but I'd much rather be taking pictures of my grandson! Maybe tomorrow... ;o)

Got the borders on my quilt top yesterday, pieced the backing, AND got the whole thing layered, pinned and marked for quilting. So far, so good: Meanwhile, my house was transformed today into "baby central." On a hot garage sale tip, my daughter and I were out bright and early this morning and scored a really nice Medela breast pump, complete with leatherette carrying case -- very professional -- for only twenty bucks. Perfect for when she goes back to work. This inspired us to start pulling out all the great baby things that people have been passing along to her lately, and get everything washed and ready for baby. I can't believe there are only six weeks to go! I adore the bassinet (here, with the vibrating infant seat, car seat bases, a Boppy pillow and Diaper Genie): Baby swing, stroller and two car seats (one attaches to the stroller): And there's more in the basement yet. She still needs a highchair, though there's plenty of time for that, and is determined ...

I woke up this morning with the overwhelming feeling that I have SO much to do in the next few weeks, how will I ever get it all done? It's a panicky feeling that just hits me every so often, generally first thing in the morning, and the only thing that calms me is to make a list and get all of those nasty little details out of my head and onto paper. So I did. And it helped. After all, I'm here writing, aren't I? The one thing I keep telling myself I have no time to do! Yesterday was my daughter's 19th birthday, and also marked the end of her 33rd week of pregnancy. I can hardly believe there are only seven more weeks until her due date. Of course, to her, time seems to be standing still. (Note the intensely forced smile that was preceded by, "Mom, stop taking pictures of me. I feel enormous!") She's nesting, which is hard to do when you don't have a home of your own. Much of my own to-do list involves helping her create a nest within a nest, in our p...

Well, maybe not quilter's block, exactly, more like ambition-block. This week I have to finish this quilt for my niece's wedding. Next week, we go on vacation, and the wedding is right after that, so this is the last minute. But I just couldn't get excited about holing up in my sewing room with the gorgeous weather we're having, so I brought the whole works outside yesterday, and it did wonders. The quilting is done, the binding is on, all it needs now is a label -- and a nice gift bag. ;o) Another plus to outdoor sewing; keeping an eye on my 10-year-old tree climber. If you look really hard, you'll see him over halfway up this 40-50-foot pine. It's enough to give a mom anxiety attacks...

May is a big birthday month in my family, and yesterday my "baby" turned 10-years-old. No more single-digits in this house, at least until September, with the onset of our "grandparenthood." Time marches on. Hard as it is, I guess I'll have to let him grow up... The "Bear Paw" quilt did get finished in time -- and it was a hit! Ten years is definitely a milestone, but just a week ago, his big brother celebrated a milestone birthday too, turning 21. That magical age where you can finally "do whatever you want to do," relatively speaking, of course. ;o) Mother and son, 2:00 a.m. (Last call, anyone?) Waaay past Mom's bedtime! All in all, it's been a happy -- if somewhat exhausting -- birthday week. Time to rest up for the next round! ;o)

It's Show and Tell day over at Kelli's House , and since I've been on a sewing spree this week, finishing up several long unfinished projects, I thought I'd just share what I've accomplished. (And maybe bask in the glow a little bit. LoL) First, a pair of sweatpants originally cut out for oldest son, now the perfect size for my youngest daughter, Emily. Nice pose, huh? Next, a doll nightie I cut out long ago, to match pjs for the girls. Finished the pjs, forgot all about the poor doll - until now. Finally added a zipper and hem to this dress for my oldest daughter. I started it last winter, but found at the last minute that it was too small. In my frustration, I lost interest in the whole thing. Ironically, she's lost weight since then, so now it actually fits. Couldn't get her to model it for a picture, though. Next, four sets of pajamas cut out by my husband's grandma... who knows when? Probably when my sister-in-law was a little girl. Grandma gave me...

A quiet moment last summer, with my youngest son, Timothy... "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." ~ Psalm 19:14 At times I question whether I've said the right thing, or made the right decision, where my children are concerned. Sometimes years after the fact I wonder, had I done this or that differently, would they be more self-assured, more directed, more content in their lives? These are the times when - if not for my faith - I would drown in a sea of self-inflicted mommy guilt. As much as I would love to be the perfect mother, always knowing exactly the right thing to say or do, I'm only human. So I continue on doing the best I can, in all my human fallibility, praying for God's forgiveness and guidance in all things, but especially in raising my children. The purpose of Word-Filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photos and a verse. Click on the logo above for mor...