Baking Away

I'm a baker.

I love to make breads, cookies, pies, cakes, pastries. You name it, I love to bake it. Actually, I love sampling more, but that's a story for another day.

By far, though, my favorite thing to bake are buns.

As in, the oven.

Hint, hint.



You see that little non-descript blob towards the bottom?

Well, that's MY blob, complete with heartbeat, thank you very much.

Thankfully, he/she won't look very blob like when he/she comes out in February. Oh, no. There will be ten little toes, ten little fingers and hopefully, two little dimples like his/her big brothers. Oh and a head full of hair wouldn't be bad either.

Just putting my requests in early.

Now, I'll get even more of "Are ALL those kids yours?" and "Wow. You have your hands full."

I'm still working on a terribly witty response. So far, I got nothing.

So, if you catch me eating butterscotch oatmeal cookies for breakfast, well, now you know why.

Don't judge me.

PS This Little One already has a story of his/her own. It's long, it's teary, it's God working in our lives. Yet again, a story for another day. I'll share later.

Oh, gosh. I almost forgot. This is linked up to Sharon's Just for the Joy of It Thursdays at The Good, True and Beautiful, because this DEFINITELY brings me joy.

What Do You Think?

It's here!

Notice anything different? Take your time and look around. I'll wait.

(cue elevator music)

Oh, good. You're back.

I'm really hoping that you like what you see, because I do. I even changed the title. As much as I loved Embracing Grace, I consider myself the most blessed lady on earth.

{sigh}

I heart blog makeovers. I heart them alot.

It's Coming, It's Coming

Alright, I'll admit it.

I've been a little MIA this past week or so. Not because I have wanted too. Really, I promise.

It's just that I have a reason. When you hear that reason in a later post, you'll all sit back and say, "Aha. That's a pretty darn good reason."

And then I'll say, "See? Told ya."

Until then though, dear friends, I will leave you pondering. I just know you'll think about this over and over. Probably because you love me so much.

Back to today, however.

Two things are happening this week. Two of my favorite things ever, not counting my husband, four children and other various loves of my life. Although I guess my hubby and children wouldn't be considered things. They are people. At least most of the time.

Golly, I'm on a lot of rabbit trails this morning. Focus, Jamie. Focus.

First thing: Arizona Homeschool Convention. I swear, I hear angels singing everytime I think of it. If you homeschool, I hope you go to your state's convention every year. It is ah-mazing!! It's so amazing, last year, I wrote a poem about it. Oh, yes I did. Little Miss Prosaic was swept away in the passion that is the Homeschool Convention. Unfortunately, it seems to have disappeared from my blog archives. Maybe it's fortunate for you.

I guess I'll just have to show you and write another. Hmph!

It will just have to wait until I get back from the mountain top, though.

Here's why I love convention: Christ-centered everything, friends, books, homeschoolers, eating out, hundreds of books, time with my hubby, workshops, catching up with long lost friends, thousands of books, Christmas shopping, and the need for more book shelves when we get home. Mmmm, it's truly my happy place.

Okay, moving on to the second thing that's a-coming: my blog makeover! It's shabby, it's scrap-booky, it's cheerful and friendly, it's almost too much.

It's me.

Don't be alarmed in a couple of days when you see something different. It's still me! I'm still the same sassy, thought-provoking, self-ridiculing, Jesus and family-loving Jamie.

Only new and improved.

Oh, yes. New and improved. It's a landmark week, I tell ya.

My Son - The Glutton

In case there was a doubt in your mind, I think my kids are seriously the cutest things ever.

Ever.

I know all mothers feel that way. It just happens to be true in my case.

Here's proof:



The quality of the video isn't so hot, but the subject is pretty hysterical, yes?

And I know it's long. Sorry if you got a little bored, but how could I stop?

He's truly his mama's boy. What do you mean you have to stop eating when you fall asleep?

I don't think so.

It's a gift we few possess.

Sisterly Love

This is my sister, Jackie. She's lovely, she's sweet, she's a doting auntie, and pregnant.

Very, very pregnant.



Very soon, she's going to be the mommy of a bouncing baby boy.

Which means.... I get to be an Auntie!!!

Finally, I get to be the fun one. Finally, I get to hug and kiss and spoil and laugh when my sister tries to scold me.

Mwah, ha, ha! It's payback time, Baby!

In the meantime, though, there's some serious spoilage going on.



Ah, just imagining that seriously cute little bum in these size 1 diapers. Can you even tell it's a diaper cake? Hmmm, guess I needed to get a little closer with the camera.



And then there's the formal necktie onesie that I made him. You know, for when he goes to all of those fancy dinner parties most newborns attend.



For more informal affairs, there's the classic bandanna onesie. And guess what? I made this one, too! I, myself, am flabbergasted that I was able to put these chubby little fingers to good use, spoiling my nephew.

New baby in the family + creative attempts that actually succeed =

Very, very joyful Jamie!



What are you joyful about this week? Link up to my friend Sharon's weekly carnival, called Just for the Joy of It over at Good, True and Beautiful and share with us! Tell her Jamie sent you!

PS I am so excited that I got up this morning and found several new visitors had come to my site! Welcome, welcome! I'm not sure how you found me, but I'm so happy you came by. If you'd like, I linked my site up with FeedBurner so that you can get these posts in your email. You know, just in case you can't get enough. I'm looking forward to visiting each of you! And apparently, I like exclamation marks!

America Bless God!

There are no words that can express the love that I have for this country or the appreciation I feel to the Lord for allowing me and mine to be born here.

We are truly blessed!

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.




Happy Independence Day, my friends!

'Cuz I'm Crazy Like That

But you all knew that. Right?

Sometimes, just sometimes, I think that I really love chaos.

Subconsciously, of course.

My life right now could be considered the eye of a hurricane. I'm sitting in the center, striving for the peace I know that God is trying to give me, if I'll only take it and hold on. You know, I've heard that the sun shines, the sky is blue and birds fly around in the eye of the hurricane. Hmmmm, I'm thinkin' that's an appropriate analogy.

And then I go and throw some more things into the mix.

This mama is going to self-destruct in one, two, three....

Because I'm crazy like that.

When we decided to home school four years ago, I was sooooo naive. I was sooooo idealistic. I was soooooo not exhausted.

And yet, I love every minute of it. Well, almost every minute.

Now, I have something of importance to share with you.

Ready? Drum roll please!

This year, I will not be homeschooling one child. Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

There will be three eager, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed little students waiting to hang on my every word.

Oh, yes. Three. One fourth-grader and two kindergartners. Because one kindergartner isn't enough.

Here's the logic, Bubba and Ya-Ya are only sixteen months apart. They are both bright and ready to learn. Why not do both at the same time?

*Hysterical laughing starts -------- now!*

It all seems so... logical. But when the rubber hits the road, will my self-preservation instinct kick in?



And then, I'm completely changing every single stitch of our curriculum.

Because I'm crazy like that.

Every text book, every work book, every art or science project, every math problem will be new.

Oh. My. Word.

There may be days when my children find me shut-up in the pantry, face down in the chocolate chip bag.

Because I'm crazy like that.

If you home school, what are your big plans or ideas for the coming school year?