Guess what? I opened an Etsy shop - Lucky No. 7! I'm beyond nervous and excited! I've been toying with the idea of selling quilts for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge! Here's my desription of my shop:

I started my shop as a way to channel my inner creativity. I believe in making. I found that there's something so satisfying to have something tangible to show what's been accomplished in a day especially as a stay at home Mom. 

 

My family has personally received so much comfort from the quilts I've made and other family members have made for us. Nothing says love quite like something handmade that can be wrapped around you like a hug. And I wanted to share that.

 

Donating this love to a child in need has been something on my mind lately. I would love for every child to have a sweet handmade blanket to be wrapped in. It didn't seem right to just open a shop without giving back. And so, for every 6 quilts, baby size or larger, that I sell, I will donate a seventh. Hence, the shop name, Lucky No.7. 

 

Thank you for visiting. Thank you for your support.

This sensory bin is thanks to my creative idol, Natalia (miss you!!!). We love sensory bins! I love the imaginitive play that comes from them. Holly gathered all the erasers using her hands and tweezers and then went on to pretend to be Cinderella feeding the chickens. "Breakfast time, everybody up!" And yes, it made a big mess. But I took a deep breath and came to the conclusion that it was okay because I own a broom! Although I can never seem to get it all. I'm always finding grains of dyed rice! Haha! 

I was more excited about this craft than Holly despite the glitter paint I bought. But she did it anyways! And.... she drew her first face! I'm so super proud! And so excited! Holly started at the bottom right hand corner of her page and worked her way to the left and up. The last two pumpkins have no faces, just scribbles because I think she lost her patience. That's my girl.

The original idea with full tutorial can be found here.

First face!!

Yesterday, I made the chocolate cake I visualized. And it was everything I dreamed of and maybe played a small role in why I couldn't sleep last night. Too much sugar! Ina Garten is a food genius and I'm so grateful Jordan posted about it. It's completely possible that I will never bake any other chocolate cake recipe but this one. I've made it three times. One time I forgot the oil. One time I put in whipped cream instead of buttermillk. And every time it turned out! It's a miracle, no-fail chocolate cake. The frosting is divine. It's pudding-ish and not too sweet. The texture is lovely. When I finished icing it, Holly asked me if we were going to eat it. She was really excited. I played good Mom and let her and Greta blow out some candles a few times because they looooove birthdays.

And before we ate cake, we ate our traditional Canadian Thanksgiving Lasagna (a week late). Butternut squash and sage, homemade noodles, cheesey goodness... My tummy was happy!

I did it! I ran my first half marathon! And it was amazing! My goal time was 2:20:00 and my official time was 2:18:57. I'm super proud of myself. My running buddy and I only walked through the aid stations and for a few minutes while we tried to choke down our goo between 9.5 and 10 miles.

Running a half marathon has been so much more than a half marathon. It has been exactly what I've needed at this time of my life. I've gained confidence, some serious muscle and so much more. It's been a really incredible spiritual journey for me, which I know might not make sense, but my physical and spiritual are deeply connected. Doing this half marathon has given me a glimpse of the person I can be. A happy person, filled with faith and not fear.

I suffer from anxiety. Before my first race ever, I got about 5 hours of restless sleep and was experiencing serious panic. This time, I felt no panic and Friday night's sleep was perfect. I worked hard to keep absolutely all negative feelings out of my mind. I continually expressed how excited I was and how awesome doing this is. I knew that if I gave any power at all to negativity, I could lose myself entirely to it. And the best part about doing that, is that I enjoyed it all. It was so fun and exciting. I loved given myself wholly to positive thinking. It was so happy!

Yes, running was hard. My legs are so sore right now! Usually I settle between miles 4 and 6, but I didn't really ever settle as well as I would've liked in this race, I think because of race jitters. I can't even tell you how many times I've visualized running over that finish line, while running my half and at many other times leading up to it (I totally cried at the finish! This has been such a big goal for me). I also visualized the chocolate cake I'm making on Sunday! I burned 1200 calories!

Running across the finish line was exactly what I dreamed it would be. There was my sweet family! All three of them cheering and supporting me. I love my family! It means so much to me that my goals mean so much to them, especially Conor. It takes a family... and I'm so glad I have mine.

Doing this half marathon has been so much more than I thought it would be. And at the end of it all, it's my God that I thank and praise. I am so blessed.