Moving in... and moving on!





Our Welcome sign!
Wow, I really cannot believe it's been almost 3 weeks since our move to Indiana!  It's funny how time is relative when it comes to transitions.  Some people say "it's just gonna take some time to get used to things...", but to be totally honest with you, I feel really "at home" here.  

"Front" view of the church building... parsonage on the right.

Church Parsonage - our new "home".

The changes are obvious:
1.  I now live on a "county road", as opposed to a Street, Avenue, Drive, or Lane.
2.  My neighbors are a "ways" away, sometimes a whole "urban block" away!
3.  I see Amish buggies pass by our front windows daily.
4.  John Deere tractors come by to transport "goods" here and there... (what?  really?  YES... and Joshua loves it!)
5.  The nearest Walmart is "only" 8 miles away.
6.  No commuting to church!
7.  Going to the store is not something you just "hop in the car" and do it.  It's a planned activity.
8.  We'll have a garden without a fence around it (No, I will NOT miss having the deer in our backyard!).
9.  No TV (we didn't bring ours from Ohio).
10.  Staying at home FULL-TIME to be a mom to dear Joshua (and Baby #2).



The boys working the garden

...  HOWEVER, some of the changes aren't so obvious
They're quite subtle:

1.  I can drive 8 miles to Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Panera, Starbucks, Kohl's, and Aldi, which are CONVENIENTLY located almost NEXT to each other!  Yay for proximity within my favorite shops!
2.  The rain and the wind during a Spring storm sound and feel the same... like a breath of fresh air.  I love rain!
3.  Fabric stores galore!!  Love it!
4.  Looking forward to fresh produce around the "hood", I mean, around the "county". 
5.  We have a lovely church family.
6.  I have a garage full of Joel's "toys"... meaning, tractors and more tractors.
7.  The Bunn still brews delicious coffee in the morning, no matter what kitchen I'm sitting in.
8.  Friends are only a phone call away.
9.  We're covered with people's prayers, from all around the world.
10.  God is near me, all the time.

So, as I reflect on my new residence, I am truly thankful for God's faithfulness in bringing us to a place where "home" would be felt so early on.  I can truly say that if it weren't for God's grace in the process, I would still be yearning for a busy life.  That's how I was born and wired to live.  Isn't it ironic how God also calls all of us to BE STILL and to REJOICE in the midst of trials? 

Here's an excerpt from one of my recent journal entries:
"...God has been faithful in providing people to make this transition so much smoother than we could've asked for!... There are really no words to describe how PEACE feels like in times of transitions like this.  I know this is where God wants me now.  Despite having a hard time transitioning to being a full-time mom, I'm at peace, feeling God's hands of grace and protection.  He reminds me... 'eucharisteo' precedes the miracle, as I read in a book recently.  I am enjoying the small moments with Joshua.  I know these moments are precious and I won't be able to take them back once Baby #2 arrives.  Joshua is a gift.  I praise God for gifting me with a healthy, curious, and loving boy.  He's transitioning really well... as much as a 22 month-old can, I suppose." 

Looking forward to what's ahead...

Do you know a TRACTOR lover & collector??




If you DO, join the club!

My husband is a HUGE tractor junkie... actually, he specializes in Antique Garden Tractors... those Sears Suburbans from the 60's... it's insane.

But in honor of his "hobby", I decided to create one of these...



And check out Joshua!  He's truly his father's son
He also LOVES tractors!  Here he is... rocking out his new shirt!



So, do you know a TRACTOR lover? 
Get one of these shirts here
I just added them to my Etsy Shop.

Back from a LONG hiatus...




WOW, has it really been almost 3 months since I posted anything? 

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!!

... AND SO MUCH IS YET TO HAPPENED in the next 3 WEEKS!

In a nutshell, the TOP 5:

1.  I'm 20 weeks pregnant

2.  I'm resigning from my job

3.  My husband got a new job

4.  We're moving to Indiana

5.  Packing, sorting, and cleaning became the daily chores

So, with that said, my time has been very limited.  I haven't done much with my Etsy shop and my blog.  By the grace of God I still get a few sales here and there... and some lovely messages from my blog followers.  Thank you so much for encouraging me along the way.

I haven't forgotten about any of you.  I still keep up with my blog reading (I'm an avid follower of a few...) and still find a few minutes to browse around some Etsy shops.  I'm always amazed by the talent out there!  I've been eyeing and "hearting" some items... hopefully I'll get to post some of my favorites here soon.

I'm also reading some amazing books!!!  So, stay tuned for some reviews.

I'll be back soon... (with pictures), I promise.


Winner of Mama Hoot Designs Giveaway!




Thank you so much to everyone who entered this giveaway!

The winner was chosen via Random.Org:


And entry #2 was from Jessica or Amy from Baby Cakes and Makes!

Congratulations!
Please contact me to claim your $25 Gift Certificate!




Giveaway Extended...




Hi readers!

Due to my being out of town and being a procrastinator, I've decided to extend the Mama Hoot Designs GIVEAWAY until THIS FRIDAY, December 3rd at 11:50pm EST.

Winner will be announced on Saturday, December 4th 2010

Thank you!

Cyber Monday Free Shipping





Just a quick post to let you know I am offering
WORLDWIDE FREE SHIPPING
on Cyber Monday, November 29, 2010 on ALL ORDERS!

Happy Shopping!

Let's end November with a GIVEAWAY (sponsored by Mama Hoot Designs)!




I introduce to you...


Charity from Mama Hoot Designs!



Charity specializes in Quiet Books, Diaper Bags, Personalized blankets and banners.  Charity contacted me back in June to let me know how much she loved my shop.  She was so sweet.  We've agreed to feature each other on our blogs, and... 6 months later, HERE SHE IS! 
(Check out her blog to read her feature on ME)

We did a friendly swap and look what I was blessed to receive!! 



I absolutely LOVE what she was able to create for me.  Joshua needed some "cushion for his tushy", as well as a place to attach his sippy cup.  So I picked the fabric and put Charity to work (THANKS, friend!).  I absolutely love it (and so does Joshua)!


ALSO, another gift I got! 

Fabric Alphabet
She creates these wonderful Alphabet Sets, perfect for different projects you might have in mind:  a kiddie quilt, simple pillows, an ABC banner, or simply to have your little ones learn the Alphabet.  I personally haven't decided what to do with my set, yet, BUT... I'm REALLY open for suggestions.

Anyway...

Charity and I also agreed to "interview" each other, so our readers could get to know us as well. 

Our Question/Answer:
How do you describe yourself?
Christian, work-at-home wife and mom, Army veteran, knitter, cyclist,

How did you get started selling on Etsy?
It was actually a really slow decision, especially compared to how I normally do things. It was just this little idea that started back in 2008, before my daughter was born. The idea faded since we had enough going on at the time (baby, moving, changing jobs, college graduation, etc.). But then after she was born and things started falling into place in our new home, the idea started to grow a bit, so I mentioned it to my husband and we still decided to hold off. Then came Spring and my sewing machine died, when we looked at getting a new one the idea came back to us again, this time we decided to take the plunge and Mama Hoot Designs opened in May 2010!

How do you get the inspiration for your designs?
It varies widely - I am still searching for my niche. Sometimes I see something my daughter needs or would like and I make it then think, hmmm...other kids might like this. Other times it is something in nature or just the fabric itself.

What are your other hobbies?
I honestly don't have time for much else. I like blogging and love reading other crafter's blogs. I am addicted to Ravelry (a knitter's Facebook). I still love to knit but I find that I don't have as much patience for it as I used to.

What is your favorite thing that you've made recently?
A quiet book for a new baby, Karson. I wasn't sure about the main fabric at first and some of the designs were new but it was really fun to create the new animal designs. It was also the most interactive book that I've done - the kangaroo had a little pocket, the rabbit had big floppy ears, the owl had soft, flappy wings.

How do you find balance?
I don't - that's why I'm constantly polling others. I pray for balance daily. I tend to be an all-or-nothing kind of person so it has been a real learning process for me to just put down a project while I tend to a new priority. My husband helps me to schedule my day and determine when it's time to relax, but I still struggle every day to fit in all my "want-to"s and "to-do"s.

What is your favorite thing about the Christmastime?
I love almost everything about Christmas. We do a pretty good job in my family of not getting over run with the commercial aspects nor letting Santa steal focus so it is truly just a time to celebrate the birth of Christ!

Anything I should ask but didn't?
I am starting to add craft fairs into my schedule. I added a tab on my website and will be filling it soon for 2011. In the meantime, I will have Mama Hoot's Virtual Craft Fair starting just in time for Christmas. And don't forget to stop by for Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales!

HOW TO FIND CHARITY, A.K.A "Mama Hoot":
www.etsy.com/shops/MamaHootDesigns
http://www.artfire.com/users/mamahootdesigns
(Check out her shop, as she will be posting Black Friday - Cyber Monday sales on 11/25/10)
 
Some of Mama Hoot's creations:
 
Let it Snow Banner


Custom Multi-Pocket Diaper Bag

 
Here's to the GIVEAWAY!!!
 
Charity has generously offered a $20 Gift Certificate to her shop, to a randomly chosen winner. 
 
How to win:
1.  Become a Follower of my blog. (1 entry)
2.  Become a Mama Hoot Designs blog follower. (1 entry)
3.  Visit Mama Hoot Designs Etsy shop and tell me what you would get with the $20 Gift Certificate. (1 entry)
4.  Facebook, Twitter, Blog about this giveaway (1 entry each)
5.  Visit Helen's Corner and tell me what your favorite item from my shop is. (1 entry)

You have up to 7 chances to enter!  What are you waiting for!
Giveaway will end on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 11:59pm EST.

Winner will be announced on Thursday, December 2nd.