Look out, world!

I know I've talked a lot about my kids and their spring birthdays lately... it most definitely is that time of year! And now, if you'll humor me, I just can't believe that my baby boy will be a year this Saturday. Yes... yes... May 21, 2011 has gotten a lot of fanfare this year, due to the fact that Rapture is supposed to also take place on this day. Oh boy. While the Orthodox don't believe in a rapture, or that one person can prophesy when "Judgment Day" will take place at all, it is indicative of this crazy world that my little man has been born into, and how it's not necessarily getting any better. A reminder of just how much I need Christ and the Church, and the sacraments, both for my own strength and healing, and to strengthen and guide my own children as they grow. Having been raised in a Christian family my entire life, and having been Orthodox for the past 9 and half years, it's so very easy to shrug off the life of the Church as burdensome and taxing. The temptation is strong to question one's devotion and ask if it all just a product of guilt-induced habit. But the truth is, I can't live without it-- otherwise I start to feel so hardened and out of control. This is a refuge from the world, the Hospital for the soul. Jesus came to heal the sick, and I have to remember how very much in need of healing I am. The little church we made one evening, complete with a Bishop (sitting next to the altar), parishioners, and a presvytera at the chanter's stand (behind the Bishop)

Wow, how was that for a diversion? I guess I've been thinking of a lot more than just my kids and birthday cupcakes lately :) We just gotta keep fighting the good fight, you know? I know I get so distracted from that simple truth.

And then, on a lighter note, there's sewing.

This is silly, but remember that dress I made? I actually really like it a lot now. I'm in love with cotton lawn, it's so soft and comfortable to wear, yet has a elegant drape to it.




This is Carrie's dress. The purple marks are just washable marker spots from when I needed to make buttonholes. I have tailor's chalk and water-soluble fabric pens, and two fabric pencils... and yet, I keep coming back to my trusty washable Crayola markers. Go figure.


And here's my "Sunday of St. Thomas" dress, since it wasn't finished in time for Pascha. I felt self-conscious in it at first, but then I got some nice compliments on it, which always boosts the ol' ego a bit and helps me relax. (favorite quote, Michael Scott: Michael: "Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not. I like to be liked. I enjoy being liked. I have to be liked. But it's not like a compulsive need to be liked. Like my need to be praised.")


Here here! A shirtdress that finally worked for me.

I haven't sewn very much since, because, well, my third child has elevated from "bump on a log" status to "active, viable, energetic child" status. And, he's a BOY, and boys get into everything. Seriously, it happened overnight. Now he's eating everything, finding hidden jellybeans and dirt clods in the most forgotten corners of our house. He's also crawling everywhere and quite proud of himself for it all. Now I know why God gave me two girls first...! Yikes. So most evenings are spent either a) accidentally falling asleep early, in my clothes or b) cleaning or c) vegging out. But tonight, I'm hoping to sew. Wish me luck.

Hope you are well! Christ is Risen (we're still in the Paschal season!).