Peace

Peace

I think we often view peace as the absence of conflict. We think of wars ending, quiet valleys, and humanity getting along with each other.

I have a verse in Job I go to when I am not at peace with God to remind me that God is to be trusted: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”. Whatever it is that God has planned for my life I am assured that it is for my good, not my comfort, and it will bring Him glory.

Last December we received a call that an infant girl needed a home. This was not the first time we had received a call like that. Two years prior just before Halloween we had been asked to bring a newborn home from the hospital. We loved her for seven weeks before sending her to live with another Foster Family just before Christmas.

Like the time before we said “yes”. Yes we would welcome a child into our home. As I fell on my knees in my bedroom I begged God, “Do not take this baby from me. I don’t think my heart can take much more pain.”

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Peace flooded over me and I knew that we would be all right. I assumed of course, hoped, that this peace meant that God was going to give me exactly what I wanted.

Over the next eleven months there were moments when I felt that God was going to do exactly what I wanted, that we would get to adopt her. Our Sweetie would be a Hamlin and our family complete. 

There were other times too that it seemed that God wasn’t going to let us keep her, but I kept coming back to that first initial peace.

Then the call came. My dreams, my peace, was shattered. Our Sweetie was not meant to share our last name. Where was that peace I had felt?

I am hurt, confused, and angry with God. I want my happy ending. Where is my peace?

For a time I really questioned the validity of trusting God. It would be far less painful if I took my own fate in my hands and took what I wanted, not wait on God. Being a Christian hardly ever gets you what you want, what is the point?

He gave me a new vision of peace. Having peace with God, resting in God’s peace, is not the absence of conflict; it is a raging ocean. On the surface are my raw emotions, what my heart is feeling: hurt, pain, confusion, and anger. Down deep in the depths is the peace, the calm, which comes from understanding and remembering that God really does have everything under control.

My Mom reminded me of a verse in Mark that illustrates this: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

I have peace. Some days I really have to dive down deep to find it, but it is there. His peace reassures me that no matter what happens, that He is in control. 

Happy New Year

I've been away from technology for awhile, which is why there hasn't been a new post. Having an infant re-prioritizes "free" time. Plus, with Christmas knitting needing to be accomplished I choose to use my time by knitting. 

I am going to toot my own horn here for a moment. This is the first year that I managed to knit an astonishing: 4 ribbed hats, 5 fingerless mittens, 3 stuffed animals of various sizes, one pair of mittens, one pair of slippers for the hubby, a fluffy cowl (and another needing to be kitchenered), my Christmas Stocking, and 2 coffee mug cozy's. To be fair, I started my Christmas knitting in January, but the bulk of the knitting I started around October. (pattern links at the bottom of post)

We went to ten Christmas events including a concert, gift swaps, and get-togethers. We technically have one more Christmas event to attend, but it's being wrapped up into a "Pie-Party" at my MIL's so I'm not sure that it counts. Stomper, Our Sweetie, and the two teens we borrow from time-to-time did great at the events they attended. Everyone was as behaved as they possibly could be. I am a proud Mama.

The weather here has been terrible and beautiful. The temperature has plummeted to well below zero for the night and morning more times than I care to count. We have tons of snow. More snow than we have had in a few years. It's nice to have that much snow, but we've all been stuck inside since just after Christmas due to freezing rain and bitter temperatures. My mother heard or read that when it gets this cold that exposed skin freezes in 15mins! I am looking forward to a sunny day to take Stomper out to romp in the snow.

After Christmas we went to Weld to spend time with family and friends at a Mountain Retreat center (like last year). It was great to get away from everything and just hang out. The kids went sledding (not Stomper, 20 mph down the road on a sled is too fast for him!) and had a blast. Amazingly no major injuries. I was telling tales of sledding from my childhood at being clocked at doing 30 mph down the trail and a Mom asked me: "Do people get hurt often?" I assured her that mostly minor bumps and bruises, but no concussions. I worried that by saying that I jinxed us, but the most major injury was from a sprained knee. 

Here is the list of the things I knit off raverly. Some of them don't have pictures, because I wrapped them. The only items I wouldn't knit again is the Hedgehog/Squirrel -- I regret not making it into two animals and the Star Mittens because the chart for the stars is missing on the pattern and I had to make it up myself. Other than that all the patterns were well written and easy to follow.

Ribbed Hat

Fingerless Mittens with Cable

Fingerless Gloves -used this pattern, but didn't put on fingers.

Fingerless Mittens for Toddlers

Fingerless Mittens for School-Aged Kids

Fingerless Mittens

Star Mittens

Mug Cozy with Cable

Mug Cozy with Lace

Tumble Bunny

Baby Bunny but made to look like a Puppy per Stompers orders (it was given to Our Sweetie)

Hedgehog/Squirrel

My Christmas Stocking

Mimi's Tree

My favorite part of Christmas is the adventure of finding and cutting down a tree. Last year we went into the woods behind the farm and cut down a tree. Then we found out that I am allergic to pine tree sap, even in winter time, and we had to take it down. Last year, for the first time, we had a fake tree (purchased anonymously for us by someone at Jason's work). This year I really missed the tradition of hunting down a tree.

Mimi requested that we find her a tree. Jason talked to his buddies and one of them has a wood lot with lots of unusable pine/fir trees already on the ground. Saturday we dropped Our Sweetie off at Mimi's house and then trekked to the wood lot to take a look around. While we scouted out a tree, Stomper played in the snow and slid down a little snow pile he found. It didn't take us long before we spied one on the ground that was just right. Jason hacked off the last four or five feet and packed it into the van. 

At Mimi's house the kids decorated it with garland, blue lights, and ornaments. It was a lot of fun looking at all the old picture ornaments, there was even one of Bumpa! We watched a Christmas movie or two together and passed around Our Sweetie.

I think we have a new family tradition!

Our Sweetie

Things have been a little crazy around here and at times, sleepless. A few weeks ago we took in an infant Foster Child. Stomper calls her "Our Sweetie". For legal purposes I cannot show you her face (just her toes in Stompers jammies), or give you any details. I can say this: we are enjoying having a little baby in the house again.

We pulled out what we had left from Honey Bee, most things I had given away. My philosophy on baby items: clothes, toys, equipment is this--God gave it to me when I needed it. Who am I to hold on to it when someone else needs something? I've kept some of Stompers things that were extra special, but most things, including the expensive baby equipment, I passed along.

The day that Our Sweetie came to live with us I put a note on facebook stating that I needed baby things. I don't think it was an hour before a friend from church sent me a list of things she had available to lend. She loaned us a bassinet, play mat, baby swing, toys, and clothes -- everything I needed. What a blessing! 

Our Sweetie is fitting into the family quite smoothly. The whole family is savoring every moment of snuggling, burping, diaper changing, and baby smiles. Stomper is adjusting as well as a three year old can. Jason and I have been soaking in baby snuggles and reminiscing  about when Stomper was a baby. 

We don't know how long she will be with us, but while she is here we are enjoying every moment!

Yarn Along

I have really been enjoying taking part of the weekly Yarn Along with Ginny these last few weeks. I do not have any knitting photos however. The weather has been a bit yucky and my camera is not working as well as it did when it was new, resulting in really awful photos lately. 

I finished my husbands Christmas present. He's really bummed that I didn't share any details of it last week, he was hoping to figure it out.

I am steadfastly working my way through the last glove. I have promised myself that I will not be knitting another hand related item for awhile. This last pair makes six pairs of hand warming knits. Next I will be making this and maybe this for some Christmas stockings. I whipped up a little i-cord bunny and a backpack basket for the bunny I knit last year. I may ask my SIL to kidnap the bunny so I can make some jammies. I really wanted to knit this for my niece this for Christmas, but it was not in the yarn budget. Maybe it will be my first project of the new year. I have decided what to do with the angora yarn. I will use big needles and a garter stitch. I think that the yarn will be best served with out too much of a pattern.

I read Odd Thomas this last week. It was surprisingly good. I picked up the last book of the Among the Hidden series and the second in the Leviathan Trilogy. Still not certain if I like the Leviathan books or not, but I will probably read them any way.

For some unrelated photos .. we had a bit of a windstorm this week. The wind whipped the lake up into a frenzy and then froze it. Pretty amazing!

Yarn Along :: Christmas Pile

Joining Ginny for a Yarn Along. Reading and Knitting, what could make a better pair?

Fancy Mug Cozy

Ribbed Hat and Spiked

Cabled Mug Cozy

I have been knitting like a maniac lately, okay, maybe not like a maniac because I still manage to read, but I have trying my best to knuckle down.

I am on ribbed hat #4, just cast on today. I really like a ribbed hat. It has a lot of stretch and for growing kids will last for more than one year.

My other stash busting kick is knitting up mug cozy's. Not sure if anyone will use them, but they are fun to use and it uses up the bits of yarn kicking around.

I have at least one more pair of fingerless mittens in my future. Everything I am knitting these days is for Christmas.

I have been enjoying a few books no and then too. My librarian showed me the series Among the Hidden, they are short books, but riveting. The first book I didn't want to finish, I was afraid of what was going to happen! The other series I am working through is Divergent. I stayed up to one in the morning a couple of times reading these books.

Fingerless

I wouldn't want you to think that my fingers have been lazy, so here it was I've been working on. They are all Christmas presents.

Swirling Gauntlets - adult

I made the finger cuff a little long so that they could be folded down. I also used a smaller needle for both cuffs for a tighter fit. The swirling rib pattern of the body knit up a little tight for me so I went up a couple needle sizes.

Bus Stop Mismatched - child

I will be using this pattern again. It was very straightforward and there is lots of room for modification and adaptations. 

Chilly Truck Mitts - toddler

We'll see if he keeps these on. I knit the finger rib long in hopes that his fingers might stay warm in the truck. Thankfully the truck warms up fast so he won't have to keep them on long. I am also hoping he can get at his thumb. Time will tell!

Currently on my needles is a pair of plain fingerless mittens that I will be adding dino spikes to. Including the Star Mittens I made for Stomper it makes the fifth pair of hand related knitted items. I'm a little tired of knitting in the round, but I did get smart and I've been knitting them "two at a time" so that I don't get "second mitt" syndrome. My fingerless mitten making is not finished, I still have at least one more pair to knit before I'm done. After that a few hats. On a positive note, everyone will get a little something knit by me this year!

Christmas List

Seems like I am perpetually knitting for Christmas. I have been trying to knit with more goals and purpose this past year (which is why last year I joined the Year of Projects crew) and it has definately given me more focus.

6 Dish Basic Cloths
A vest for Stomper
Maybe start a vest for Jason
2 Owl Hats one for me and one for Jason
2 pairs of Fingerless Gloves  I'm not quite settled on the pattern(s) yet
mittens for Stomper
Socks for Stomper and maybe Bumpa

Here is what I have knit so far:

2 Ribbed Hats using my favorite ribbed hat pattern.

2 Dish Cloths - no pattern just plain garter stitch. The orange one is t-shirt yarn and the red(ish) one is cotton

1 Hedgehog/Squirrel (Rav Page)

For some ideas of fun things to make check out last years DIY Christmas List. I am working on some really cool ideas for this coming year. I hope people like what I come up with!

Christmas Prep KAL

I almost forgot the KAL today, right up until I logged into blogger to check for comments.

I turned the heel last week on my Christmas Stocking and got bored, so I cast on for the hedgehog/squirrel. I really just need to knuckle down and finish the gusset and the foot, it won't take me that long, especially now that the bottom of the foot is done in just stockinette stitch. I am glad that I extended the KAL until the end of Year of Projects, I don't think I will get both done before the beginning of next month. It's not too late to join me in this Christmas Prep KAL. In last weeks post I mentioned a few easy projects for Christmas that'd be perfect.

If you are joining me in this KAL leave a link in the comments!

Christmas Prep KAL :: Top Five

I am moving smoothly along on the stocking. I bought more yarn at my LYS, but in cream/white. The plan, because I'm pretty certain I will run out of blue, is to knit the toe and heel in white. Then, depending on my mood I may or may not rip out the top and re-knit it in white.

Since my camera's batteries died, and there is nothing really new to show you, I will instead tell you my top five gifts to knit at Christmas time.

1. Little Boy Blue Ribbed Hat

I will be making a few of these this year. One for Stomper, Jason, and myself. The hat is so super stretchy that even without any mods it fits my 2 year old, and it fit him at six months! It's not a real quick knit, but it is rather mindless. Good for watching favorite Christmas shows.

2. Nursery Baby in a Bunny Suit

I have only knit one other doll and the one above. Nursery Baby in  Bunny Suit is my go to if I want to make a doll. The original pattern is for a baby, but I have made it into a bear and a bunny. I have knit this doll at least a dozen times. It is knit flat and seamed, but it could be easily adapted to knitting in the round. When knit with worsted weight it makes a decent sized baby doll, about eight inches tall. I free hand knit different clothing using the measurements from the clothing.

3. Chubby Bunny

This is a quick knit, but a little finicky on tiny needles. I have made this one three or four times, sometimes as bunny and sometimes as baby. Again the clothing is free form, but as a baby she is fine with out a skirt. This little bunny baby would make a great stocking stuffer. I'm thinking of making a pair to look like Max and Ruby for Stomper.

4. Upcycled T-Shirt Dish Scrubbies

I made a dozen of these one Christmas. I'm not certain that anyone used them, but they were fun and quick to make. I think that they would make great coasters. I always enjoy getting the ones family makes me. They are quick to knit up and you can find tons of free patterns for dish cloths all over the internet. When I make one it looks something like this pattern.

5. Susies Reading Mitts

Fingerless mitts are always a good bet, and quick to knit. There are no fingers to knit up or hand to close, so you don't have to worry about the hand or fingers being long enough to fit.  I think I'll be making a pair of these for some people this year too. I made a few pairs like this for my hunter husband and gaming brother.

Those are my top five. How about you, do you have go to patterns.?

Christmas Prep KAL

I am just loving the texture of this sock. There are no cables and the pattern is easy to follow once I get the rhythm of the row. Now I am worried though that I don't have enough yarn. I think though that I can just shorten the foot and all will be fine.

The pattern is: Pomatomus

The yarn is: Plymouth Galway Chunky

How is your Christmas knitting coming along? 

Leave a link in the comments with your Christmas knitting!

Year of Projects

Did some outdoor knitting on Thursday. It was nice to get out in the sun even if my fingers got a little chilly. I am writing my weeks posts ahead of time due to our very busy week (it's school vacation up here). When I took this photo I had just reached the toe. I hope that by the time this posts I will have neared the end of the toe decreases .. I'll let you know.

Per last weeks request ::

The pattern is Susan B Anderson's : How I Make My Socks

and the yarn is : Supersocke 

My next project will be another sock, a Christmas Stocking knit with this pattern. I am super excited to try something a little more challenging. I'm a little tired of stockinette stitch! I'm knitting the Christmas Stocking for my Christmas Prep KAL -- it'd be great if you joined me!

I have two prizes in mind for the KAL check back on Tuesday to see what they are!

KAL :: Christmas Prep

It happens to me every Christmas. October rolls around and I tell myself that I have plenty of time to knit all my projects with time to spare. Christmas Eve finds me furiously knitting to finish up "one last project" and wrapping yarn or partial pairs of socks to give to family. Maybe you aren't like me and you are blessed with forethought and get all your knitting done in time to enjoy Christmas Eve.

If you are a planner, or a procrastinator like me, would you like to join a Christmas KAL with me? 

Put on a little Christmas music, pick up your needles, and make something for Christmastime before the stores start  putting up the decorations.

The KAL will run April 30th to June 4th . Every Tuesday I'll post an update on my list and you can link up with anyone has joined. I will also start a Rav group to handle any questions and a flicker group for non-bloggers or non-ravers who wish to join in the fun. 

There aren't too many rules but for those of you who like them here they are:

1. The post/image you link up needs to be KAL related. You can mention other projects, but the main drive of the post/image needs to be KAL related
2. Positive and reaffirming comments only, spread the love around.

I am ruminating on some prizes for those who join so stay tuned.

DIY Felt Notebook and Crayon Roll

I wanted to give my son a new toy for Christmas Morning to play with at church. It needed to be quiet and hold his attention for more than two seconds. I know he enjoys it when I make him coloring books from images I find on-line so I thought I should buy him a little notebook. Of course, when you have a notebook you need crayons, and if you give a Stomper crayons he will need some place to put them away. If you give a Stomper a container of crayons he will dump them out and step on them or be forever asking you to open and close the container.

Oak Leaf and K for sister Kat

 What to do?

During this time I was looking through DIY projects on pintrest for ideas I ran across a pencil roll that you make and design yourself. Spurned on by a false sense of confidence I started a Cloth Notebook w/Pencil Roll for Stomper and a plain pencil roll for my sister. For my sisters I followed the plans from Soule Mama's book The Creative Family. I finished my sisters up lickety-split with time to spare but my sons languished in the basket. Two days before Christmas it became abundantly clear to me that I would never be finished in time. Naturally things would have gone a lot quicker if I knew how to use a sewing machine, yes, I don't sew, not yet anyway (we'll save that discussion for another post).

Kat's Pencil Roll

February rolled around and still the Notebook waited. I decided that I would finish it for Easter. I found a cute owl template and cut out a little owl for the front and attached it. I finished all the little details and realzied that it was too thick for my needle to poke through with comfort. If only I could sew! Thankfully I live with my Mom and she has graciously agreed to sew the two pieces of felt together in time for Easter.

An Owl for Stomper

I have put together a DIY pdf if you are interested in making one for any little ones in your life. All the measurements are adjustable and if you know how to sew it will go a lot quicker for you.

Click the here for the PDF

Make sure you tell me how it work for you!