the main point of my blog is to keep my family updated and for me to just post randomly whenever i want, whatever i want. so really, if you’re looking for something that will be mind-stimulating, you may want to check out www.peopleonahill.org  That one won’t disappoint!

I have recently done something that, in the past 2 days, has revolutionized my life.

I put Asher on one nap. Same time as Rowan.

Let me tell you, i feel like a free bird for about 3 hours midday! I can spend time with the Lord, clean alittle, and even rest! Or, I could make phone calls, chat on the porch with a friend, do a craft. I mean seriously, I’m not even positive Asher was quite ready for this change, but I sure am! So we’ll see how this goes, but for now, I LOVE it.

Today at Mom’s Club, we talked about how we as mothers are ‘home builders’, and how our home is meant to be a place for the presence of God to dwell.  We talked with each other about what keeps our home from being a peaceful place, and I realized that I’m pretty sure the main factor for most of us is our attitudes.  We listed off other things, but I just kept coming back to attitudes. If our attitudes are full of complaining, ‘dealing’ with our kids rather than enjoying them, lack of prayer, etc, our home isn’t going to feel peaceful at all. Anyway, i came to the conclusion that everything affects and is effected by our attitudes. So the music we play, the tv we watch, the websites we go to, how we spend our time, all that stuff plays a part in how we build our home. I really want to make more of a conscious effort to be wise with those things and think about what the Lord would have me do.   Now, dont go getting idealistic, which is a very easy thing to do when talking about ‘how to live’. But you really do have to think about these things. And those of us mom’s out there, all of those things I listed above have a profound effect on our children and how they will relate with God.

So if you see me, ask me how I’m making my home a more peaceful place for the presence of God to dwell. Keep me accountable! (well, only if you’re my friend. if you’re not, i might just get mad at you and flick your ear.)

this is what happened today in my entry way…

Big mess, but quite a happy baby. He loved playing in the paint. He ate some too.  Oops!

I love sewing stuff! I’m having so much fun sewing things for my friends. And sometimes for money haha. Seriously, it’s way more motivating and exciting for me to finish a project if I know who it’s going to and that they’re going to enjoy it.  The first picture is a nursing cover I made for my friend Susanna and her new baby boy Brighten.  The one below  with the stripes is a nursing cover I made for Bri and her little boy Malachi. I loved doing this!  The other picture is a 3 piece set I made for Racquel, which includes a mini diaper tote, nursing cover and changing pad. 

My etsy shop, www.makemineblue.etsy.com, definetly hasn’t taken off yet, but I’ve not had much time to make things to actually sell on there since my projects have been for my friends. But feel free to check it out, I will probably be making more things soon!

I really did open an etsy shop this time. :-)  it’s www.makemineblue.etsy.com.  (my seller name is Make Mine Blue.)  I will actually start posting things soon! Today I’ll be putting that cute little apron up there. yay!!

Right now I’m almost finished with a nursing cover for Susanna, and then I’ll be starting one for Racquel.  And I have so many ideas for other things to make.  I think the Lord is really blessing me in this and getting my creative juices flowing.  But I really want to glorify Him with my hands.  Try to do that whole ‘proverbs 31 woman’ thing. It’s exciting to start doing something that makes me feel productive!

Anyway, check out the shop, put it in your favorites, and keep checking it. I have a feeling that a few times a week there will eb something new up there.

on a more personal note, I’m feeling great.  I’m around 17 1/2 weeks along, starting to feel some movement, and getting more and more psyched to meet this new little one.  I have to wear maternity pants already because nothing else fits haha!  Joel and the boys are doing great.  They are a delight to me every day.

God bless!

I made this apron last night. I’m getting motivated! Tell me what you think!

I’m so excited, I have had time and motivation to sew! I find that I am only motivated if it’s a gift for someone. Below is a picture of a nursing cover I made for my sister in law, Bekah, who just had her first baby last night! A little girl named Kennedi Rachel.  Exciting! I get to go meet her in a few minutes, but I thought while I had a precious 5 minutes, I’d post a picture. I hope she doesn’t see this before I get to the hospital haha. What do you think??

Sorry it’s been so long! Life has been quite busy lately! Well, not really.  By busy, I mean that when I have a free second, I spend it by being busy sleeping. I will now give you a brief update on each family member. Go:

Joel- He’s doing well! He shaved his goatee off, I’ll have to post a picture sometime soon. He looks real good!  He is loving ZHOP still, can’t imagine living any other way. He’s obsessed with prayer and worship. I love my husband!

Jenn- I’m doing much better than I was a few days ago. It seems that my nausea is mostly gone and I’m not quite as tired. Still tired though.  I need at least one short nap a day to function past 6 PM. If I dont get that, you can call me a zombie.  My allergies are going CRAZY which drives me CRAZY. I’m allowed to take Claritin though, so that helps a little bit.  Joel and I are getting ready to take a little romantic getaway next week, so I’m pretty much counting the hours till that.

Rowan-  He’s 2 and still as delightful as ever! He has so much energy and is learning lots of new words. He’s not too interested in really talking yet.   He is getting really tall, which makes me remember when he was just a little baby. 2 years ago?! wow!

Asher-  Still our pleasant little boy, he now has 5 teeth with 2 more about to poke through. He loves to point at things in books, and make loud happy noises when he sees Daddy. He just decided that he hates apple peels, so when he eats an apple, he manages to get all the apple off of the peice of peel, and then very discreetly spit the peels all over the living room carpet. I guess thats what I get for letting him walk around the house with an apple. He’s just so cute! And, get this. He is no longer crawling. My little baby boy is walking everywhere and so excited about it.

So there you have it.  The latest Greuty update. I love you all!

I decided to get alittle personal here…

Well, for anyone who really wants to know, I am in a whirlwind right now. It’s a good whirlwind, but kinda scary and really emotional! Being pregnant has definitely changed my previously harmonious hormones into a big ball of messed-up-ness. But it’s not only because of that aspect of the pregnancy, but rather the pregnancy itself. I am THRILLED that we are going to be welcoming another little life into this world shortly, but if I’m being honest, I am a bit nervous. No, I’m a Lottabit nervous. 3 kids under the age of 3 is not what I expected when I first began this mothering gig. And mind you, I’m certainly not complaining, because I wouldn’t give my kids back for anything. I’m just saying, I’m dealing with preparing my heart for this crazy season! I know most moms can say this, but sometimes I wonder if I’m any good at this job!  I find myself asking these questions:

Will I be able to handle 3? (especially if it’s another boy. whoa!)

Will I EVER clean the house again?

How will we afford this?

And the Lord tells me every time: “You were made for this.” So, there it is. He’s in control and I need not worry. Oh Lord give me grace! Why do I think that I can’t afford 3 when God owns everything in this world? It’s not hard for Him to provide. I have no doubt that we’re in His will by having lots of kids, but I need some help with my unbelief here! And the cleaning thing. well. I think I’ll hire someone. haha!

Anyway, all that to say, God is good and He knows what He’s doing. I just need his Holy Spirit to help me be still and know that. Ya know?

On another note, the family just getting over a ‘bug’. It’s not fun. Luckily I dont think we’ve given it to anyone else, but pray that we all get over it soon! I’m not having morning sickness too badly, just a bit of a loss of appetite. If you’re wondering, I do crave one thing: Taco Bell. Yes, I know that’s bad and i try not to give in, but oh, it’s so good!

Easter is coming!! Is anyone doing anything fun?!!

To all who haven’t heard already, (and if you live near me, I’d be utterly shocked if you haven’t!), I’m pregnant!! yay! We’re thinking I’m due sometime in early November. So there ya go, peanut #3 is on the way. Pretty cool huh? At first we were really at a loss for words, seeing as how Asher isn’t a year old yet.  But we know that God is in total control and so we’re excited to meet this new little arrow in our quiver.

It’s gorgeous down here in Fort Mill as of late. It finally feels like spring may be here to stay! Today, it was almost 70 degrees, so we took two walks, and even visited the lake where we saw lots of duckys! Rowan made sure to point them all out, and really wanted to get out of the stroller to play with them. Not such a good idea.  They stayed buckled in and watched the ducky’s from a a distance. They were thrilled, nonetheless!

And, I know it’s late, but I am going to post a random photo.  Who said I couldn’t do it on a Monday!

yes friends, this is ryan internicola, the scariest masked man ever.

I changed my username on etsy! It is “jennerbenner” (an old nickname from my daddy :-). I”ll post a link to my shop as soon as I get something posted to sell on there.

I’m getting really inspired to sew! I’m working on something for my sister-in-law that I’ll post after I give it to her (for obvious reasons). Super psyched about that! I hope that I can get really motivated to keep sewing after this project is done. I love making things for people!

On another note, my whole family is finally out of the woods in regards to that dumb cold going around. My ears are still plugging up, but it’s much better than the way we were.

I had a delightful visit with my mom, dad, sister and brother when they came down. I’m mad that I didnt take any pictures! They were only here for 2 days, but duh, what was i thinking! The boys really enjoyed them being here, and I was so pleased to spend 2 whole days with them. I miss my family a lot.

check out my sister-in-laws blog at www.laurengreutman.blogspot.com to read about our recent trip to the Dairy Barn. Fun!