.shop sale.

.shop sale.  I know I said I was going to have my shop closed until mid -October.  I wanted that to happen - trust me.  However, 1000 markets threw me for a loop.  They recently got bought out by a company called Bonanza & all the sellers from 1000 markets have until September 30th to transfer over to Bonanza or find a different venue to sell on.  Bonanza doesn't really look like a good fit for me.  So, I will have to find a different venue to sell on. 

Since I don't want to transfer all my items I am having a sale.  Every item is 10% off + Free Shipping! (refunded after purchase).  This sale is until 1000 markets goes offline, which we are told is September 30th.  After that Simply Simon will be closed until mid-October.  That should give me time to scope out different online places to sell.  ***If you have suggestions let me know, right now etsy and big cartel are looking like the front runners. .shop sale.

Again that is 10% off all items + Free Shipping at Simply Simon! (discount given back after checkout)

.learning.

.learning.  There are two little ones around here and we are all learning.
*Aaron and I are learning that we don't need sleep to function on a basic level.  But the more we have the more patient we are.  And to get to an average level we need at least 3 hours each. 
*We are learning that boys are difficult to change.  And it's not a matter of IF he will  pee on us - It's when. 
*We learned that having a changing table in Miss. L's room was a mistake - hello what do you do at night?
*We are learning that jaundice babies are tired - except at night when they need to be held from 9pm - 4am.  - Although this is also due to day/night reversal. 
*We are learning that 18 month old's transition fairly well, except when they wake up and need their mama to themselves. 
*And we are most definitely learning that having more children = love multiplied and not divided (something I worried about for the past 9 months). 

Everyday we are learning.  .learning.

.it's a boy!.

.it's a boy!.  IT"S A BOY!  Last Wednesday Asher Michael was born.  He is only 5 days old and has already captured our hearts forever.  He weighed 7 pounds 13 oz at birth and hasn't really lost much since.  He looks like his sister a little.  And looks like his daddy, as a baby, a lot!  We are all doing well and loving life here at home.  .it's a boy!.

*more pictures to come when we get more sleep*

.compassion in guatemala.

.compassion in guatemala.  Yesterday four bloggers left for a trip that I am sure will forever change their lives.  They are part of Compassion Internationals blogger team and are learning about those in Guatemala by first hand experience.  They are going to be seeing the difference Compassion really makes in the lives of the children and families there.  I know that mission trips impact lives, even if they are short.  I know that spending one day in another country can be eye-opening.  It can change you.  It does change you. 

Please follow the blogs with me and let your hearts be open to change.  Please also pray for these bloggers, their families, and all who support them.  Pray especially for their safety while in Guatemala.  There has been severe flooding lately and massive mud-slides.  Pray that they stay safe as they are on this life changing journey. 

If you don't know anything about Compassion... let me tell you a little.  Compassion is a Christian child advocacy ministry that helps to release children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty so that they may become responsible Christian adults.  They help more then 1 million children in 26 countries.  Compassion is amazing at what they do.  My husband and I sponsor a child in Ghana, Michael.  We love getting letters from him & have loved watching him grow throughout the past four years.  Honestly it means so much to us that we are able to sponsor him and help his family.  Sponsorship doesn't cost a lot ($38.00 a month) and you get so much in return. Consider sponsoring a child today.  .compassion in guatemala.

For more information on Compassion International go to their website.  Or their blog.  To sponsor a child go to their sponsor a child page.
Follow the Guatemala bloggers:
Ann Voskamp (her words are straight from the Lord, if you read one post you will forever be hooked to her wisdom and incite).
Amanda Jones
Lisa-Jo Baker
Lindsey Nobles

And the leaders:
Shaun Groves
Patricia Jones
Keely Scott

.call me crazy.

.call me crazy.  Friday I thought it would be a good idea to start a sewing project.  I know.  One week away from my due date, I layed three yards of fabric on the floor and started to cut out pattern pieces for another mariposa dress (which is found in Anna Maria Horners Handmade Beginnings Book).  I wanted one more for when the baby comes, because this style dress will be perfect to nurse in.  Aaron gave me time to work on it Saturday & Sunday without that many interruptions from Miss L.  It was nice to sew again & I am glad that with my time I got it done.  Minus the hem, that I am waiting to do after the baby is born.

I made the dress with some adjustments that I learned from the last time.  I made the modesty panel taller with shorter straps.  This actually worked out quite well and the top fits better then the first dress I made, and I don't have to use pins to hold the panel in place.  I also wanted a long dress for fall, so I made the length about 20 inches longer and as wide as I could make it.  This length seems perfect & although I still have to hem it am pretty sure it was the exact right amount. 

The fabric I used is from Ikea.  I bought three yards last fall & have been meaning to make it into this dress since the last time I made the mariposa dress.  I am not sure that I am in love with the print & will probably make a solid fabric one next time, but it will be perfect for fall.  Call me CRAZY but I got it done and am excited to wear it in the near future.  .call me crazy.

.labor day.

.labor day. It is cool and rainy around here today & that is a welcome notice for fall.  I love cold rainy weather and believe Seattle would be perfect for me... I have never been there I can just picture myself splashing in the rain all year round.  Along with this cool weather, I am going to enjoy today with Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand and my husband home :) Perfect day.... And who knows, maybe I will even have my own Labor party.  .labor day.

.shop closed.

.shop closed.  With one week away from d-day, I am officially closing .simply.simon. until mid-October.  I want to be able to enjoy this little ones arrival and first precious weeks without the worry of shipping orders.  .simply.simon. will re-open sometime mid-October! .shop closed.

.slapped silly.

isn't this the cutest love note ever!  what a wonderful husband & daughter I have :)

.slapped silly.  I know I have been talking about this little one, but my word.  Why did it not click in my brain that I will be having a baby soon.  Like really soon.  I woke feeling like someone slaped me and finally said, "GIRL... you are 39 weeks pregnant.  Get your sh*t done.  Get prepared.  ASAP". 

At 38 weeks!

So with that attitude I plan to clean today, right after we go on our playdate and eat lunch.  And possibly look at websites... NO girl - CLEAN.  I really am excited to meet the little one.... but until then there is so much to do.  And I need to get my list out, right after I make it, and start to check things off.  Go girl. GO.  .slapped silly.

Miss L. already loves him or her.

One day when Miss L was napping, I discovered that I can balance my camera on my belly.  The baby and I had a great time taking pictures - I was cracking up taking them. This baby is already so much fun.