Where was my "mommy-tuition"?

This was the day my intuition started to grow.

On this day it grew in leaps and bounds.

Full on emotional involvement in the ins and outs of this little person's life. Mommy Intuition had arrived.

Where in the WORLD was it today?

I knew better than to go. 

Where was my verse?

I'm strongly in place about doing things that are uncomfortable from the start. If my mommy intuition goes off, I'll run with my kids on the other direction. They're still babies, after all. 

I did it anyway though.

We went to the bounce house today.

It is NOT my favorite place. 

I like to go play in places where I can see my kids

pretty much at all times. 

I don't like a lot of "older" kids playing around my littles

for safety reasons. Biggers are just rougher and that 

is fine, but not for a 1 or 3yr old.

Last time we bounced my son got hurt. 

Pure accident, but hurt none the less. 

He wouldn't put weight on his knee for a week. 

Yesterday I knew I didn't want to go. 

"Why did you mention that place? Is that the ONLY indoor play place you can think of?", I thought to myself as we talked on the phone. Why on earth did I mention the bounce house?

I have a membership to the Zoo and they were having a fun event. 

It was a FREE day for the kids and I. 

It was supposed to rain on and off all day. 

We haven't had a drop of rain at my house so far, BUT 

nonetheless we decided not to venture out there 

on the chance that we might get drenched. 

Now I wish we had gone. Really. 

When we arrived I knew I didn't want to go in. 

It would cost money too which I wasn't fond of given that we had a free activity across town. 

I go to pay and realize I don't even have my wallet. Coincidence? Probably not. I had no business going there. 

Cars EVERYWHERE. 

ONE room. 

I went to one in Texas that I LOVED with my friends

Amy and Beth. Separate rooms. Some rooms for littles.

Some rooms for bigger kids. 

Laid out in a way that there was only 1 way in and 1 way out. 

SAFE. 

Not today. I knew yesterday that it wasn't going to go well, but

I hate leaving something on a bad note so I thought

for Abram's sake specifically we would bounce once more. 

I knew again when we got there. "Not for us", I thought to myself. 

I had made plans though and while I usually 

don't mind to bail because my plan- attempting God's plan

for my kids is always first and I have no problem

telling someone:

"I am doing a great work and I cannot come down"

Nehemiah 6:3

If we've had obedience or listening problems we'll stay home.

If we just need play time with mommy and daddy we'll stay home.

If we're tired and I know we can't behave tired, we'll stay home.

I try to avoid places and things that will tempt my 

small children to get into trouble. 

Especially when my husband is gone, I try to avoid going

somewhere that will entice my older child to run off from me 

while I'm caught up wrangling the baby.

 I couldn't bail today though. I wouldn't. "I won't let myself be a letdown", I thought. 

Though now I'm thinking "letdown to who?".

It's a real live friendship. I can say no, or feel no, or change my mind and be my quirky self. It's been 4 years or more. I am who I am right? 

We did go in. It was insanity. A was instantly frustrated because 

I couldn't stand at the baby area with E and still watch him in his

"age appropriate" (joke) area. They had 2 and under in one blow up. 

I get that. The next part is fishy. 7 and under? Really? 7yr olds

should be playing in a rough rowdy setting

with 3yr olds. A's friend isn't even 3 yet and while the 

size of the inflatable was appropriate, the older kids

shoving her down just as she figured out the climbing wall part

was not appropriate at all. 

A wanted so badly to run all around like 

all of the other older kids who's parents weren't watching them. 

When he did though, he realized he couldn't see me

and would start searching and whimpering. 

Three times that happened before he realized

it wasn't THAT exciting of a place. 

He started playing with his little friend though

and her Daddy joined in on the fun. 

"Okay it's been 30 minutes and we are fine....45 minutes now."

And.... cut to my little Evie falling out of the 2 and under 

inflatable FLAT on her nose. 

Blood EVERYWHERE. 

We left.

The point is though, that I have been entrusted 

with two very small very perfect people. 

I've been given a gift of conviction often called

"mommy intuition" that will sneak up in my head

when something isn't right for my child. It comes around when

they are sick, and when they just need love. 

Today I didn't listen to it. 

Today I knew better.

The bloody nose is my fault. 

The stressed out me is my fault too.

I will write the verse in Nehemiah

on my heart and in my mind and remeber

that my mommy-tuition is most always right. 

Make sure you don't forget yours.

xoxo

Courtney

Zippered Pouch-torial

Totally cute Zippered Pouch. 

First I'm sorry about the photo quality. I have the darkest house in the world I think.

What you'll need:

- Sewing Machine

-4 pieces of fabric cut equally

(cut to the FULL length of your zipper. 2 lining pieces. 2 outer pieces. Any size you choose. I wanted mine to hold 4 or 5 diapers so I literally used a diaper to measure and then made it a few inches bigger above, below, and on both ends than the diaper. I also had a 9 inch zipper to work with. )

- Zipper

-Scissors

-Pins

Obviously I embellished my pieces a bit. 

Creativity is a part of the process, but it has nothing to do with 

knowing how to sew. I can teach you the fundamentals of any 

of these projects, but the little extras are up to you.

"Trying" your ideas is a GREAT way to find your creative style.

That said I will ask you to ignore the embellishments and just go with the tutorial.

To begin you will need your zipper and 1 outer fabric piece and 1 inner. 

Make a zipper sandwich. 

So far this shows 1 side of the lining and the zipper laying on top:

I'm laying the FACE side down on the same edge of the zipper. Thus the zipper sandwich.

You'll want the face sides of the fabric facing IN! 

You need a zipper foot for this if using a machine.

If you don't know how to use yours..break out your machine manual. I did!

I used a basic straight stitch. 

It's important to remember that while you do want the fabric CLOSE to the actual zipper,

you need to allow enough space..a few extra hairs will do it..so that your fabric doesn't get 

caught in your zipper when you open and close.

Repeat the same step on the other side of the zipper. 

Then you will have two insides and two outsides on either side of your zipper. 

Unzip your zipper HALFWAY. If you don't do this you won't be able to flip the bag inside out!  Then arrange the bag so that both outside face sides are together and both inner linings are together and pin 3 sides. (yes i pinned 4, but it was for my peace of mind.)

leave the bottom edge of the inner lining unpinned/un-sewn for now.

One side note. If you want the wrist strap. Make one out of your fabric and then you'll want the loop to be INSIDE of the two outer pieces.

I had already cut the excess, but that is how it looked before I cut the ends down. Again the loop is INSIDE.

Stitch all 3 sides (2long sides and 1 short side of the outer part of bag).

I used a triple stitch for this so it would be very durable. 

Flip the bag inside out through the bottom of the liner.

Stitch (again with the triple) the open edge and push down inside the bag.

And there you have it! 

Happy pouching! 

xoxo

Courtney

S.I.X! ... and I know your story...

May 2nd marked our 

6 year first date-iversary. 

May 2005

If you've been reading you know

what happened to our plans. 

Hospital. 

That is okay though. 

As long as we were alone together

(albeit in 15 minute time slots) 

that was all I needed. 

Hubby and I have been talking a lot

lately about his testimony.

He isn't really a "speaker" so 

the thought of sharing it doesn't

bring on relaxed feelings. 

I heard a song that I felt 

would really give "our" testimony 

over the last 6 years.

We pray for blessings

(this is our first home. We bought it and through the loss of out job ended up paying $1300 to someone at the closing table)

We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

(but during losing that job and selling out Condo we had this little guy. Perfect in every way. There were struggles with our insurance during pregnancy and the job that we got and lost all during his short pregnancy and birth paid for it all. God is faithful)

We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

(New Job! New state. New life. Same sweet family of 3)

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

(Hurricane Ike hit our home destroying most everything in it.  After that the economy crash finally hit Houston and taking our salary down a LOT. We also found out around this time that we were expecting our 2nd baby)

What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights

(She was early. We had NO money. Our job was hanging by a thread)

(But God opened the door to move us to a new job in a new state and there he gave us the BEST life. GREAT church, GREAT friends. Happiness. God is faithful)

Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

 

(That job ended way before we were told it would, leaving us unemployed with NO options out there. We had to move back to TN and leave the place where we had found the most joy in our married life. It was like a knife to the heart just to wake up every day and pack up the life I loved knowing that it wouldn't ever be the same again.)

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Now we are living in a family home that is owned. We have help with our bills, and the most beautiful back yard we've ever had. 

Our son goes to the sweetest school and our family is close. Brad has found a new job and is in school currently. It is looking like the steadiest company we've ever been hired by. Somehow our debt keeps going down. Somehow we stay healthy and fearless. We're at peace and thankful every single day. We have hope and faith. 

We've been knocked down enough to know who is catching us.

I guess in our testimony we'd say that "faith like a mustard seed" will get you farther than you know. Trusting God in your marriage will bless you more than your heart can hold. Babies are the only Gold this earth has to offer. Money means NOTHING. Yes we need it to get along down here, but he WILL provide it. Every single raindrop has indeed been a blessing. 

We couldn't have afforded the house that got destroyed with the pay cut that was coming. We wouldn't have been able to keep flying if we hadn't paid to sell our condo. Jobs won't wait. We would have been completely without if Evelyn hadn't been born, and her timing..HIS timing for her was perfect. We wouldn't be able to tell people with certainty that they will be fine when they lose their job. 

We wouldn't have been broken before the Lord and blessed more than we can store had it not rained a little. 

Our ever evolving testimony..

I'd LOVE to hear yours! 

xoxo

Courtney

We're Alive. I Promise.

Last I left you

we were on the verge of surgery 

for my sweet husband.

Since then:

We went to surgery on Friday. 

 

 

And he got cool socks...

 and he was the cutest sick man EVER! 

Our sweet nurse Vickie prayed with him before he went back.

I did a lot of waiting. 

It was super early in the morning. 

and after 45 minutes and 3 of these

I was ready to see my husband.

After all...

 I had something very important of his

that I needed to give back to him. 

He was a star patient. 

(more on that this week)

Thanks to all who prayed for 

THE love of my life! 

All the glory be to God 

for his faithful protection and 

healing hands on Bradley.

On Monday (yes 3 days later) I drove him to 

Nashville and put him on an airplane to Tulsa.

I wont' see him again fro 35 days. 

(Heart breaking)

To feel better we did this...

This is Addi Kate's house.

Her mother has been my best friend for 15 years.

Addi has great toys!

And the same sip cups as us because JennJenn bought us ours.

We went to a museum with a cool tree house.

And Evie was her normal sassy adorable self!

And Jennifer packed light. ha!

Sorry for the blurry ones.

My kids move fast! 

xoxo

Courtney

A little sickness

Sorry to be m.i.a.

but we're suffering from a little 

sickness 

(I am not the one sick, but this is the only "sick" photo
we have and it is too precious not to share. 
I had just had E and A thought I needed his babies to
help make me better. )
  at our house.
And... It's a rainy day. 

so, this little guy and his sister are stuck
staring at their back porch longing to go out and color!

Trying to get it ironed out so 

I can get back to you lovelies. 

Here are some things to check out while you wait:

1. The Shine Project

(yes, that again! GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CITY)

2. Joe McGee Ministries
 Brad and I listen to Joe A LOT! 
He is smart and knows the word!
Practical biblical advice for YOU! 
Joe can also be found on:

Facebook

Twitter

3. Kitts Cafe 
(for those in Knoxville)
Great place for breakfast and lunch
on weekdays, and about to host
an awesome handmade 
shopping event 
Kitts Market
that
your very own

Evelyn's Closet 

 

will be featured at!!!!

If you've ever wanted to shop in 

person. This is the place to do it. 

I will be offering a bit of everything.  

Also....

4. take a moment to visit my

Scentsy site:

 

Scentsy make an EXCELLENT 

Mother's Day Gift! 

All orders placed during May will 

be entered to win a FREE plug in warmer

and bar of their choice! A $25 value!

Since I'm stuck on the couch I might

as well do a giveaway too:

How about a free Scentsy 

room spray,travel tin, AND scent circle

in the scent of your choice? Yes? 

Okay great!

Just:

-follow my blog(only option required for entry)

but you can also:

-follow the Evelyn's Closet FB page

-leave a comment for each of those. 

-Bonus entry for anyone who shares

on their FB and or Twitter for additional entries.

giveaway winner will be announced Friday, 

and free plug in /bar will be announced on the 31st. 

remember ANY order qualifies you to be entered! 

xoxo

Courtney

Gussy Entry # 4

Without a win so far, 

I'm going to have to step it up

in my "Gussy" entries.

So far I've entered about 4 or 5 

giveaways to win 

one of her adorable ruffled bags.

 p.s. This is a button so hop over to her site
and check out these awesome bags!

Today she is teaming up with 

Little Alouette

A company that makes the most darling

wooden baby toys. 

and they are giving away a diaper/wristlet 

and two mustache teethers. 

So adorable! 

Here is to hoping I win! 

xoxo

Courtney

Sing out

Good Morning! 

(our back yard)

This house is stirring and getting ready for church. 

Sometimes when I'm tired I lose sight 

of what the purpose of going to worship is. 

Then I get there and the singing starts and 

in the midst of a couple hundred people raising their 

voices, I find myself feeling completely 

alone with him. Worshiping with my voice

is one of my fav. things to do. 

It does help that he made my voice so he must

like hearing it, even if other people don't! lol

Psalms 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. 

Here is a song I LOVE and thought I'd share with you today.

Need To Breathe - Garden

(video in link :) )

Won't you take this cup from me
Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
I pray you'll save their souls with it

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

In this hour of doubt I see
But who I am is not just me
So give me strength to die myself
So love can live to tell the tale

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

Father let my heart be...
For you

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

Hope you find somewhere to worship with your voice today!

xoxo

Courtney