5 Strengths and Weaknesses

While I am trying to be honest, I wanted to avoid this item on the 30 things my kids should know about me list. Describe 5 strengths and weaknesses you have. I know that I have weaknesses but I like to either think of them as things I am working on or not at all. However, after reading Courtney Palmer's blog yesterday, I decided to tackle this question/task. Seeing as I want to end on a positive note, I will start with my weaknesses.

WEAKNESSES

1. My self confidence. I can honestly say that in the past four years of my life, this has improved. However, I still feel that it is lacking. I went from one abusive situation to another and used to believe my self worth to be next to nothing. I was told that school was a waste of my time, that dreaming of signing on a big stage was a waste of time, and that I wasn't good enough. I was constantly torn down with any little bit of success I saw. I was an emotional eater due to being cheated on, lied to, and abused. I felt alone no matter what I was doing. I finally read one of the most amazing books (It's Called a Break-up because it's Broken) and got in a relationship with one of the most amazing men I knew. This book taught me how to move on in 30 days (or less, I think it was more like 15) from the train wreck of a life I was trying to preserve. The person I saw in the mirror was finally becoming who I wanted it to be. I am still working on it, but I have made huge strides in the past few years.

Georgia Peach Review and Pattern Giveaway

 

Welcome Sweatshop of Love readers!! The Georgia Peach is one of the most amazing knitted sweaters I have ever seen for a man. I have searched high and low for a pattern for a sweater that my husband would actually wear if I were to knit one for him. There wasn't a single one that he said he thought looked cool.

When I knit this sweater, he was the model for the finished product. He looked great in it and he actually said he would want one! I was shocked. This pattern was amazing to knit, but what's even more amazing is that my macho man husband likes it too. I knit this sweater using Knit Picks Swish bulky weight in  Planetarium and Red. It was such gorgeous yarn to work with (but then again, what Knit Picks yarn isn' amazing). I also knit this before Allyson had a chance to create the duplicate stitch templates for the teams, which she added later for me

The construction if this sweater was really well thought out. Allyson thought of every design aspect while creating this pattern. The collar was the funnest part for me. At first I was confused with the construction and why I was being directed to do certain things. At this point I didn't have Allyson's pictures to guide me. Once I saw her pictures, it made more sense. Then once I was finished it completely made sense. Seeing as this sweater followed the vintage look from baseball past, you will see some of the inside of the sweater when the collar was opened. Being the professional she is, Allyson thought of this. It made sense to make this portion look as good as the outside. And that it did!

FO Pocahontas Dress

My sister, Kelli, is a brave soul. She was a part of the Polar Plunge again this year. Her work, Buffalo Wild Wings, dresses in a theme every year. This year they went as Disney Princesses and won best costume! The best part? I get to say that I helped make that possible!

Pocahontas jumping into Reed's Lake

What I love most about Adam.....

In the 30 things my kids should know about me list, I was excited to write about my favorite quality in my husband. Because there are so many things I love about him, it was hard to decide what I love most. He is funny, caring, determined, and loving. I think the thing I love the most about him is his sense of humor.

12 week (and 6 day) Update!

You read that right. After the first doctor's appointment and ultrasound today, our baby has been accurately measured to be 12 weeks and 6 days old today! That moves our due date to August 31st. Knowing me, however, it will be closer to mid August. So I will technically I will be 13 weeks along tomorrow (or today for most of you reading).

FO L and K

Kali and Lily celebrated their birthdays (11 and 7) this past January. We all celebrated as a family on the 3rd of February. For their birthdays, instead of toys, my sister completely redid their rooms exactly how they wanted them (their choice as this for their gift). I knew that I wanted to create something for their rooms.

My Typical Day

My typical day. I wish there was a typical day for me. My days are always different. However, for the sake of the 30 things my kids should know about me list, I will try to describe what I do everyday (because we all know stay at home moms just sit around on Pinterest and watching TV).

WIP Floral Baby Blanket

I have fallen behind on this floral blanket. The good thing is that my friend who ordered this blanket is having a boy so will be packing this away for a while. Nonetheless, I wanted to get this blanket done about 3 weeks ago. The leech that is draining my energy has prevented this.

11 Week (and 3 day) Update

I am late to posting this because I was supposed to have my first OB appointment this morning. On my way there (actually when I was in Grandville about 2 minutes from the office) I got the call that they needed to reschedule. All because there wasn't a protocol nurse there. From what I remember, that part of the appointment with both my previous pregnancies was pretty pointless. I can't imagine the third time being the charm here. Can't they check the records? Yes I am planning to breastfeed. Yes I want a circumcision if I am having a boy. No I am no interested in cord blood banking. Yes to all the tests I had done with my previous two and no to the ones I didn't. Hell yes I want an epidural (two if you can manage and the guy I had with my first pregnancy, not the woman for the second). Maybe all this ranting is just the pregnancy irritability I have been having. Or maybe I just really think that part of the appointment is a waste of time. Nonetheless, I have the appointment rescheduled for NEXT Friday and I am hoping that I can get my ultrasound done then too. Hopefully I will have belly AND baby pictures for you next week.

11 weeks and hubby helped with belly pics this week

10 Influential People

The 30 things my kids should know about me list has taken a back seat for a bit, but I am glad to be moving on to number 9: list 10 people who have influenced you and describe how. I have been contemplating who would make the cut, who has influenced my life, and which people have made the biggest impact of all those who have influenced my life.

1. I decided to be lame and start the list with my mother. Most women will say they have been influenced by their mom's, but I couldn't think of anyone who has made a bigger impact on my life. She has taught me strength, compassion, my morals, and above all, how to just be myself. She endured so much throughout my childhood (abuse, cheating, raising a family practically on her own) and I never once felt that she was lacking. She worked like a dog to provide for my sisters and I. She picked up the slack that the man in her life was more than willing to give. She has shown an immense amount of love, forgiveness, and understanding for my sisters and I. She has been there through our heartbreaks, our successes, our children's births (oh the many births this woman has witnessed), and been more than willing to lend a hand in our time of need. Although I no longer live at home with my mom, I always feel like my home is where my mom is.

FO Twisted Headbands and GIVEAWAY!

It's been awhile since I have shared any finished projects. I have found that time is lacking lately. If I am not taking care of my two toddlers or the one I babysit as well, I am doing a ton of homework or just trying to keep up with life. My blog has thus been lacking. I want to blame this on the little leech in my belly who is swiping all my energy. Nonetheless, just because I haven't been sharing progress on projects, doesn't mean I have been slacking.

10 Week (and 1 day) Update

Yesterday marked 10 weeks into this pregnancy. It seems amazing to me that almost 6 weeks ago, we found out we were adding to our family. The past 6 weeks have gone by fast and painfully slow at the same time. I am ready to hear this little baby's heartbeat (scheduled appointment on the 15th). However, I am finally getting my energy back and able to eat like a normal human being. I have been having cravings. I still have days where nausea is present, but they are becoming less and less.

Decided against editing pictures (due to lack of energy)

All You Need is....SLEEP

This pregnancy seems a lot more difficult than my first two. I mean I haven't had a bunch of complications, but I am having a difficult time. Like I said with my 9 week update, I have lacked energy. I have always been able to survive on about 4 hours of sleep. Usually anymore than that and I am a wreck for the day. Adjusting to the lack of sleep that comes with motherhood has been easy for me. I have been able to get next to now sleep since I was a child.