Avatar Photos

Beth and I went outside today to take some bio pics for our Etsy shop. Of course, we didn't want to wear our huge bulky coats, so half the shots look like we're freezing. 'Cuz we were! Mind you, it was all the way up to 0 F today. So pretty warm, comparatively... But still...

Jake took 'em for us, and he did a very good job.

Here's the shot we're using for now... We're not completely satisfied, but it's good for now. We're hoping to get a warm weather one when Spring comes in a couple of months. Half the shots of Beth look like she was asleep, and half the shots of me look like I was laughing my head off... Here we at least look pleasant, relaxed and not angry.

Our Sign!

Beth and I have known since we started selling at Farmer's Market that we had to have a sign. People have said it, other venders have mentioned it, we've said it to each other. A sign had to happen.

However, it is EXPENSIVE to have someone make you a nifty vinyl sign.

So we decided to paint our own.

Figured it was cheaper, and more likely to be something we'd be happy to live with for a while if we did it ourselves.

We've talked about it. FOREVER. Ad infinitum.

We knew what we wanted- a butterfly for me, a bird for Beth, and some pretty green vines to kind of pull it all together.

Since we are talking about an Etsy store, we wanted to have our sign for the Etsy Storefront be the same as our sign for Farmer's Market. Which means we've finally gotten our butt's in gear! YAY!

So, we finally got the wood at the end of last season, and slowly got started... First we did the lettering, based off our business cards (Thank you Valette!)

The sign is NOT complete... Still got to slap some vines on the right side to finish it off, but I think we might just be happy with where it's going. =)

I painted my butterfly, and Beth painted her bird. And I think we're happy.

Sick Girls

Haven't posted 'cuz the girls have been sick. I've been beading and painting and caring for sick girlies.
Need to at least post 3 times a week! Of course, I should be posting every day! I know that, but yikes. I can't seem to even get on here a couple times a week.
I will try to do better.
Also, I just haven't had anything to say... Nothing negative, nothing fantastic. Just kinda blah, blah, blah.

I'm Back!!!

YAY!!!
We have internet again! =)
And I'm a happy girl.

I'll be back to do some blogging, but I just had to express my joy.

No Internet Connection

Through a series of very frustrating events, we lost our internet connection at home this last week.
I'm GOING INSANE!!!
I write on line. I contact my friends on line. I play on line.
Do you have any idea what it's like?
I feel like I've been stuck in a room without lights.
Arrgh.

So, I've been trying to get to the library, but that's difficult with the whole 'I'm a mommy' deal.
We've all had a mild case of flu this last week, so Deborah's been home every day, and Abigail's been home a couple days.
Which means I've had a lot more mommy time, and a lot less 'free' time.

Anyway, we should have it back in a couple days, and I'll finally be able to TALK to everyone!!!
(Oh, yeah... and I'll be able to do my JOB!!!)

Etsy Storefront

We have an Etsy Storefront! Woo-hoo!!!
But there's NOTHING there yet.
Will post when something magically appears. =)

The Tooth Fairy- by Abigail

Last night Abigail was sitting on Jake's lap, and she ended up telling this story to him. I'm trying to remember the whole thing 'cuz it was cute...

I love fairies, but fairies aren't real. Except the tooth fairy.

She lives on Pluto, and she digs holes, lots of holes. And there's WORMS! Lots and lots of worms.

And she goes through a lot of teeth.

So she comes and she gives you money for your teeth.

And she digs and digs.

Two things you need to know-

First, they recently saw The Lion King 1 1/2 about Timon and Pumba. Their favorite song from the movie is 'Dig-a-Tunnel'.

Second, I'm pretty sure she means that the fairy uses the teeth as shovels to dig in her tunnels, not to replace the ones in her mouth...

Etsy

Beth & I have a goal of having an Etsy page before her school semester starts!
And I'm the hang-up right now...

So no blogging til we have the site up. =(
But then we'll have stuff available for anyone to buy anywhere! Even if you're not a Fairbanks local, or can't make it out to the Farmer's Market! Plus, you'll be able to see our new stuff even when it's not Farmer's Market season. =)

FOUR Days!

I've gone to the gym for the last four days! I'm so proud of me! =)

Or really I should say, Didn't Jake do good?! LOL. Plus, all my family is encouraging me, 'cuz they know how much I want to make this happen. I didn't make a resolution at New Year's, but my weight and general unhealthiness has been really getting to me. I'm not really into resolutions, but I am into making healthy changes. And when I've been physically active and fit I've LOVED the feeling. So, I am (with God and my family) making it happen!

I've been SO tired this week, but it's been worth it.

Working it!

For Christmas I requested a gym membership. =) I checked it out and explored the place. It just makes sense up here. Since I can't/won't go outside and walk every day. And I am getting FAT.

And Jake gave it to me!!! YAY. He was sweet and asked me a very serious question, "But if someone were to give you a membership to a gym, wouldn't you think they were saying you were fat?" And my response, "Not since it's what I asked for. If I hadn't asked for the membership that might be a different thing... I know it's what I want. I want to exercise, and I hate being cold."

So, for the last 2 days, I've dropped Abigail off at pre-school and gone a couple of blocks over to Planet Fitness. The first day I did 30 minutes on a treadmill, and the second day I did 30 minutes on a stationary bike. And now I am tired.

But I have kept my goal! (only 2 days, but that's okay, 'cuz every day counts.)

Beauty Will Rise

I have been a Steven Curtis Chapman fan for a long time. I don't remember when I first heard his music, probably in college sometime around '92 or '93. He's written some okay stuff, but the majority of his music is excellent. And a couple of his songs contain lyrics which connect to my walk with Jesus in ways that are amazing.

Until around 3 or 4 years ago, his music has reflected my relationship with Christ- close, passionate, peaceful. Right around then I entered into a dark period of of questions and doubs, and I've mostly been listening to the radio since then (KLov is the only Christian radio we've had up here until recently).

I don't know why the radio has worked for me, but it has- I guess I don't get deep enough into one artist's material to start questioning where God is, what He is up to, or why we are here. I've been pretty surface in my relationship with Christ- Kind of going through the motions, kind of 'just getting by'. I don't listen to very much non-Christian stuff right now though, 'cuz I get SERIOUSLY depressed if I listen to more than one or two non-Christian songs.

But Chapman's latest album, Beauty Will Rise, has resonated with me. In May of 2008, Steven and his wife Mary Beth lost their youngest daughter, Maria in a car accident. Beauty Will Rise was written during the year after her death. The songs on the album reflect his journey through grief and loss- doubt, sadness, anger, hope...
Although I haven't lost a child, I have found peace and healing as I've listened over and over and over to this album.
One of the songs from the album-


I Will Trust You
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I don't even wanna breathe right now
All I wanna do is close my eyes
But I don't wanna open them again
Until I'm standing on the other side

I don't even wanna be right now
I don't wanna think another thought
And I don't wanna feel this pain I feel
And right now, pain is all I've got

It feels like it's all I've got,
but I know it's not
No, I know You're all I've got

And I will trust You,
I'll trust You
Trust You, God, I will
Even when I don't understand,
even then I will say again
You are my God, and I will trust You

God, I'm longing for the day to come
When this cloudy glass I'm looking through
Is shattered in a million pieces
And finally I can just see You
God, You know I believe it's true
I know I will see You
But until the day I do

I will trust You, trust You
Trust You, God, I will
Even when I don't understand
Even then I will say again
You are my God, and I'll trust You

And with every breath I take
And for every day that breaks
I will trust You I will trust You
And when nothing is making sense
Even then I will say again God,
I trust You
I will trust You

I know Your heart is good
I know Your love is strong
And I know Your plans for me
Are much better than my own
So I will trust You, trust You
I trust You, God, I do
Even when I can't see the end

And I will trust You
I will trust You, I will
Even when I don't understand
Even then I will say again
I will trust You, I will trust You,
I will I know Your heart is good,
Your love is strong,
Your plans for me are better than my own

Yeah, Your heart is good
Your love is strong
Your plans for me are better than my own
And I trust You
You are my God
And I will trust You


To hear bits of the songs: http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Will-Steven-Curtis-Chapman/dp/B002O5Y25I