Out she comes, from under a rock

But only for a moment... my rock is cozy and warm, and I intend to crawl back underneath :)


Early pregnancy brings out the hermit in me, I tell you. And yes, I am posting a pregnancy announcement online... Forgive me! BUT *shrug*... what can I say? It's my fourth. So, here it is: Ta Da! We are happy... nervous... thrilled... blessed! :D Thank God, I did not get too sick during my first trimester. I'm just a couple weeks into my second trimester now (due in later September!), and I'm mainly just tired. Any words of wisdom out there on life with four kids? Of course, I humbly ask your prayers throughout the pregnancy-- thank you in advance! Glory to God, so far so good :)

Spring break was windy and rainy for us... a bit of a disappointment. Fortunately we got to see family, and the girls got to play with their cousins. I FINALLY got to work on some sewing projects, after a (seemingly) long hiatus! Pascha dresses are up next... I need to finish 3 in the next two weeks. Well... I don't *NEED* to, but I'd like to. And I really, really cannot wait to sew a few more maternity-friendly items for myself! I'm bursting with ideas... just wish I had the a) time and b) energy.

Although the kids managed to find fun in the little, everyday things to do, our spring break gave me plenty of time to reflect--unapologetically, mind you-- of how utterly boring I am. There, I said it. What? You already knew that? :D I don't think I've ever been "fun." If I meet a new person and they cheerfully/unknowingly label me as "fun", I sort of panic and think: "Uh oh. I'm about to disappoint you." *another one bites the dust!*

Along with going to church and raising small children, I am able to sew. Draw. Talk, listen, talk. Go for walks, window-shop, thrift-shop, fabric shop, eat scones, eat anything, visit cafes/ restaurants, people-watch, go to the beach, visit people. Watch movies, read books, pore over magazines/ blogs. Other than that, I'm a homebody. Maybe it's the fourth pregnancy, or maybe it's me just getting older and becoming more comfortable in my own skin. Or perhaps life just brings enough adventure, day by day, on it's own; I don't have to wait long to put out another fire, kiss a boo boo, work on another task, then another, then another... :) My idea of living on the edge is occasionally bringing all three kids to a church service without Job!! And I'm okay with that.

Lent is almost over-- I can't believe it! Just one more week, then Holy Week (Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter/ Pascha on the 15th this year), then we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. I'm looking forward to it, even with all of the busy but blessed preparations. I had hoped to get some new Pascha greeting cards up for sale in the Etsy shop and the bookstore at Church. Even though I designed some and edited them for printing, I just had to "let go" of that expectation this Lent. I love doing it, but I just couldn't muster the energy this year... I gave myself permission to "let it go." Soon, though, I'll get back in the game! Just not now :)

And literally, LITERALLY, the day after I read a quote from St. Silouan saying, "Do not attach yourself to animals..." (or something in that vein), we suddenly became the surprised owners of a new cat. Ha! Some friends from church weren't able to keep her, so we took in their sweet kitty, "Serenity." She's a good cat, and she puts up with the kiddos (and all of their constant doting) quite well, all things considered. Here she is, being a cute. I just love it when she looks like a limbless clump of cuteness.