Keeping Very Busy These Days

As most of you know, a lot has been going on that's been very stressful the past few months. Because of that I haven't had any time to make new jewelry or even update this blog. Hopefully that will all change soon as life changes get easier to deal with. I especially hope to blog more in the future.

Thanks for checking in here! I appreciate you!

Adding More New Jewelry!

I've been adding lots of new jewelry to my website today.

Please check out True Vine Design

You can purchase directly off my website

and I can ship anywhere in the country.

Handmade jewelry makes the perfect Christmas gift!

A Really Great Day!

Today was just a really great day, so please let me count my blessings:

1) I feel good and do not have an allergy/sinus headache! Thank God!

2) I made another jewelry sale on my Etsy site!

3) The kids and I had a blast this morning at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

4) All 4 of us had a yummy home-cooked dinner; meaning that the kids stayed at the table and ate with us!

5) Luke went to bed at a decent hour AND is in his bed instead of on the couch! I was so relieved to not have to sit next to his bed until he fell asleep. I had to threaten him with locking his door if he didn't stay put, and that worked! Here's praying he'll stay there through the night and that I can remain firm and consistent.

6) Lexie was her usual darling self. Then at 8:00 pm, she said, "Want to go night night," so I put her to bed and she fell right to sleep. I'm hoping that she'll always be that easy to get to bed!

7) My sweet hubby and I had a wonderful 7th anniversary yesterday. I feel so blessed!

Thank you, Lord, for the little things in life!

Adding Lots of New Jewelry

I made a large sale this morning, which was super exciting! I'm so grateful to have found a fun hobby which is also a successful home business.

Remember, even if you can't make it to my Holiday Open House, I can ship jewelry orders anywhere in the country.

I added some new, beautiful jewelry to my Etsy site:  TrueVineDesign

Handmade jewelry makes a great Christmas gift!

A Holiday Open House on Dec. 6

Please come to my holiday Open House on Sunday December 6.

I'll be featuring my entire stock of handmade jewelry for sale.

Feel free to stop by anytime between 2 and 6 pm!

Refreshments provided compliments of Pampered Chef.

A friend will be on hand if you'd like to

place an order with Pampered Chef.

A small sampling of my inventory can be seen at

TrueVineDesign

Remember, handmade jewelry makes the perfect Christmas gift!

I can ship jewelry anywhere in the United States!

Thanks to my Loyal Readers!

Sorry I've been so busy these last few months that I haven't had any time to keep up on this blog.

But thanks so much to all my loyal readers who still keep checking back to find out the latest on our family and True Vine Design jewelry. You are all very much appreciated and are such a blessing!

There will be new updates to come very soon...

Craft Supply Sale this Saturday

Kettering Rec Center is having their first every Re-Create-It sale this Saturday from 9-noon. I have a ton of fabric and sewing supplies to sell.

There should be lots of great craft supplies to buy cheap, from fabric to yarn, from scrapbooking stuff to all kinds of paper-crafting items. Here is the website for more info:
http://www.ketteringoh.org/newweb/events/events_09_08_15a.php

Hope to see you there!

Luke Slept Great Last Night!

It truly amazes me that just a few specific rules about where and how Luke can have his sippy cups could have such an impact in only one day! I'm grateful that the doctor carefully laid out the new plan directly to Luke, and he's not really questioning it. By making him sit at the table with his drinks and offering food at the same time, he's actually eating! He's been such a picky eater up to this point that I really had trouble getting him to try anything; he just wanted juice or milk. I realize that he simply got used to always having a drink handy.

Today, he asked for milk on the couch and I simply said "No. The doctor said it's not good for you." And he accepted it as fact! And I really wasn't expecting him to eat better as a result of the 'Plan', but he's now associating drinking at the table with food. How awesome!

So, last night I did have a little trouble getting him to stay in bed initially, but he was asleep by 10:30. I told him there would be no drinks in the night. "The doctor said it's not good for you." Then I didn't see or hear from him until 5:00 am! Truly a record. That's when Marty gets up to go to work and he usually wakes up at this time. The cool thing is that he just climbed into bed with me and never asked for a drink! I changed his diaper in the dark, then we both slept until almost 7:30. Very nice!

And today he's been eating and drinking at the table and even now sits with us during meals. Lots of added benefits with this plan, so I'm highly recommending it for anyone who's having trouble getting their kids to eat or sleep well.

Thanks again for all the prayers and encouragement!

A Gameplan for Helping Luke Sleep

I met with the pediatrician today and had Luke checked out to make sure nothing else is going on. We ruled out anemia and checked his glucose levels. Since he is so attached to his drinks, both juice and milk, she was afraid he may be diabetic. I was concerned he was be a bit dehydrated after a week of diarrhea. Turns out he's almost better and has nothing wrong physically.

I realize I created a monster when I let Luke have a sippy cup in his crib at 18 months. (Hindsight is 20/20.) My advice for all you first time moms is "Don't do it!" No matter how tempted you may be to give your child a bottle or sippy cup in their bed, don't give in. I wish so badly I hadn't started that horrible habit. At least I know better with Lexie; she only gets drinks in her highchair.

Here's the plan: The first thing we'll do is tell Luke he can't have any drinks at night, not even water. He had gotten into the terrible habit of wanting drinks all night long, and once his cup is empty he wakes me up wanting more. Dr. Pipik said we need to simply break him of a bad habit. When he wakes me up I just have to firmly walk him back to bed; and if it means doing it repeatedly I've got to stay consistent.

Next, we're to tell Luke he can only have his drinks at the dining room table or at his small table along with food or a snack. We're trying to encourage drinking only with meals, not while sitting on the couch watching videos, in his bed or even while riding in the car. He's simply too orally fixated on having something to suck on all the time. (He might as well have a pacifier.)

To encourage success with these 2 things, we're implementing a sticker reward chart. The pediatrician said positive reinforcement and staying consistently firm are our keys to success. He'll get a small sticker or checkmark for the following: going to bed without crying, having drinks at the table, not needing drinks in the night, and the biggie will be for not waking mommy in the night! Marty and I are trying to figure out a big reward for getting 20 stickers, or something like that.

I feel very encouraged by this plan, especially since it doesn't involve locking him in his room. Marty and I both feel very strongly that wouldn't help with Luke. We don't want him to be afraid of going in his room or feel trapped in there. We want it to be a comfy safe haven for him.

So, we're trying to break Luke of needing to suck on a sippy cup all the time. It should also help him become a better eater. The good thing is that he gained 3 pounds in the last 3 months and is now up to 29 pounds. He's still a picky eater and has his days where it seems he eats nothing, but it all seems to balance out. Dr. Pipik told me not to worry that I might be starving him... he's getting what he needs.

Thanks again, everyone, for all your feedback and encouragement on helping Luke stay in bed at night. Please keep praying that we'll have success with our new plan!

Learning Patience as a Mom

In the evenings when I sit in Luke's room in the dark at bedtime, I've been talking to God. It's become a great prayer time. God has really taught me patience and to see where my priorities lie.

Even though my son needs me to sit near him while he falls asleep, I realize it's okay. I'm a mom; it's my job. What other pressing needs are there, other than TV or reading a book in the evenings? (I can make jewelry while the kids are playing or during naptime.) My kids must be the most important focus each day. I've learned to show Luke that I'm there for him to offer the reassurance he needs. He's very clingy right now and I believe it's just a stage and he'll soon grow out of it. I'm trying to remain patient and really listen when he tells me what he needs.

Everyone keeps telling me they're only this young for such a short time and to take the time to really enjoy my kids. So, that's what I'm trying to do. Each evening Marty and I head into Luke's room while both kids jump on his bed and climb on the play structure with the slide. There's a lot of tickling, giggling and laughing going on then; it's been great quality family time. We've learned how much how our kids need this time with us. We've learned to let go of other distractions for a little while, especially the computer.

Last night it took extra long to get Luke to bed. He kept getting up repeatedly for over an hour. But I have to remember that many nights, he goes right to sleep. Even though he's still waking up in the night, I just keeping walking him back to bed. I figure it's only a matter of time before he begins sleeping through the night again. He no longer needs a sippy cup to fall asleep, thank God. He only gets drinks of water if he wakes up, and usually will go right back to sleep. And God is helping me endure on very disrupted sleep, even on those days I don't get a nap.

So, I just wanted to remind everyone that God is good, He is always there for us, and when we keep the focus on Him we can get through anything!

Luke Keeps Waking in the Night

I can't figure it out. Why does Luke keep waking up 2-3 times a night and come to get me? This has been going on for a couple of months now, it seems, since he made the transition to his big boy bed (a twin mattress on the floor). But at first, he'd stay put all night. Then all of a sudden, he just starting waking me up, and mostly asks for milk or juice every night.

I'd chalk it up to thirst, but it happens too often. It's usually around 1 or 1:30, then again at 4 or 4:30, and then he'll climb into bed with me after Marty has left for work, usually around 6:30 or so. Needless to say, my sleep is so disrupted that it feels like I have a newborn in the house again. (Thank God that Lexie is sleeping 12-13 hours a night without waking these days!)

I thought it might be because he's a bit dependent upon drinking a sippy cup of milk while he falls asleep. But I've stopped that, and won't let him have one anymore to go to bed each night. He usually gets his last cup of milk around 9 or 9:30.

Luke doesn't always need a drink to get back to sleep, and sometimes he does need a new diaper. But usually, if I just walk him back and tuck him in, he'll go right back to sleep. Unfortunately, it doesn't last for longer than 3 hours.

He also tends to be a very picky eater who prefers milk or watered-down juice to food. It goes in spurts, which the pediatrician said is normal; he'll have his eating and non-eating days. And he's healthy and certainly has plenty of energy during the day.

Is it insecurity? He won't settle for daddy tucking him back in, or even doing the bedtime routine. It has to be mommy. He's definitely going through separation anxiety from me when I leave him with a sitter or in the nursery at church. So I'm praying it's just a stage he's going through. He gets grumpy from time to time, but that's probably because he's not sleeping well at night.

He'll turn 3 in September, and I have discovered a couple other moms whose kids seemed to wake more frequently around this age. I'm open to suggestions, or discovering what has worked for you.

The one thing that Marty and I agree is not an option for Luke is locking him in his room. I tried that a couple of times and he went ballistic... totally flipped out and hysterical. He was so upset that he started choking. Besides, I really believe this has something to do with needing access to mommy right now.

Please feel free to leave comments here or put them on my Facebook Wall. Thanks so much for listening, and I sure appreciate your prayers! (In the meantime, thank God for naps!)

Helping with Vacation Bible School Next Week

I'm excited to be helping with VBS next week at Mt. Zion Church, which is on the border of Beavercreek and Xenia, just off Indian Ripple Road. It's for ages 3 years through grade 5 and should be tons of fun! It will run from 9 to noon each day.

It's free and should be a great time for your kids. I'll be helping teach the elementary crafts... right up my alley!

Here's the website; just click on 'Crocodile Dock' for all the details: www.mountzionchurch.org

Hope to see you there!

Americana Festival Booth Assignment

God is so good! We just got our booth assignment and checked out the location and can't believe how blessed we are!

It will be so easy to find us in Centerville on the 4th of July... Just look for the traffic light on St. Rt. 48 at Iron Gate Park Drive. Turn onto that street and we're the 1st booth on your left. We're right next to the BP station directly on the corner. We'll have a lime green banner in front of our canopy, which should help us stand out.

Booths must be set up by 9:30 am, and the parade starts at 10. The parade route will be on Franklin Street, so feel free to come check us out during the parade before the crowd gets too large.

I'm so excited about this opportunity to show my handmade jewelry to the world. I hope you can all come by to visit!

Ceramic Pottery Beaded Jewelry

I found the coolest beads at Hobby Lobby! I discovered that they have a great selection of high quality glass and semiprecious gemstones at really decent prices.

When I saw these gorgeous glazed ceramic pottery beads in shades of blues and greens, I had to have them. I accented them with copper for a truly one-of-a-kind effect!

A Power Struggle with Luke

There's nothing like a power struggle with your two-year-old. It's all about him wanting to sleep wherever he wants: the couch, the floor of the living room, or the floor of his room, but not in his bed.

We had to put him back in there too many times to count tonight, but he has finally stayed put. It actually took an hour and a half! I thank God for giving me the patience to hang in there, be firm with bringing him back every time, and for not losing my cool.

We absolutely cannot lock him in his room. For some reason, that terrifies him. When I just put the baby gate across the bedroom door, he went hysterical. After 10 minutes of being locked in there, he was crying so hard he started choking. Apparently it scares him to death if he realizes he can't get out of his room by himself. So, we'll be passing on the door locks.

The first hour went well... just a lot of putting him back over and over. As soon as I'd get up he'd turn around and walk right back in his room. But then he started getting hysterical when Marty took over. For some reason, it had to be me to take him back... he kept crying for mommy. I had to hold him until he settled down a little bit, tell him I loved him... then when I put him back he finally stayed put.

Unfortunately, Marty goes to bed early since he's up by 5 am, so I'm the one who has to put Luke to bed almost every night. And he's a night owl like be, so bedtime is around 9:30 - 9:45. (What a blessing that Lexie will sleep from 8:30 pm until 9 am most every night now!)

The crazy thing about Luke is that he'll go right to sleep if I let him stay on the couch. Some nights I had reached the limit for my patience and just let him stay... so, I ended up creating a monster!

But after talking to a couple of friends and hearing what they did for bedtime, I realize that I just had to stay firm... I'm the one in charge... not him!