Creating and Baking

Though I still have yet to find a job, I never seem to have any trouble filling my time. My sister is amazed at how I fill my days and she is still adjusting to working full-time at the job she has had a few years and being a new wife. The Bishop who has been in town from Kenya, told one of my friends, that I should just get married. If only it were that easy! To that I'm sure he would say "I'm trusting God for a husband for you, Laura." I often enjoy being domestic and though it was something I have hardly considered, I think I could enjoy being a stay-at-home wife. This comes after spending a weekend with my brother and sister-in-law, who told me about their friend who is a stay-at-home wife. After getting over the 1950's stigma, it think it could be fun.

Yesterday morning I got up and went for a run. I talk with God as I run and it keeps me going strong. I have been exercising more and it really helps me sleep. I dream most nights these days too, (without meds) which is a big deal for me. When I got back I got on the computer, checked email and checked on jobs. After a shower, I finished the last few chapters of a book, then returned it and 4 others that I read back to the Library. I then ran to the store to get my brother a birthday present (a digital camera that was on clearance) and was back to make chocolate chip cookies and wrap a few birthday gifts before my brothers got off the bus. Then I helped with the kids until we went out to celebrate Ethan's 10th birthday with my family at the Olive Garden.

Today I felt really domestic. I got up before my alarm and spent some time reading my devotions and the Bible, sipping tea. I watched the baby in the morning and boy was she busy! Little "Mia Maria," as my mom has been calling her, is one of the busiest babies I have ever watched, (which has got to include about 1000 babies by now) and we think she may have ADHD. It's quite probable since we have been told her birth mother may have used drugs during pregnancy. Anyway, while she was napping, I searched for jobs, emailed a contact, made my sisters husband a mocha mouse birthday cake that my sister picked up after work, and made a Ball Baby Overall, Mei Tai baby carrier for Mimi. She didn't sleep that long, but she did through most of my productiveness. I have read that babywearing is a really good way for adopted/foster babies to bond, so I thought I would attempt to make one for my mom to use with Mimi, to keep her safe and my mom (or I) can get more done without the "help" of a very busy 21 month old.

I was working on the carrier and the cake at the same time. They both turned out well. I was told the cake tasted great too. :) The baby carrier looks really nice.


It was kind of a simple pattern, which I found online for free, but I was hesitant to make it since I have never made anything like it before. I started warming up to it a few weeks ago by sewing some baby bibs for Mimi, using an old bib my Grandma made for my little brother 22 years ago, as a pattern. Anyway, after I finished the baby carrier, I went online to see how to wear it. There are many ways to tie a Mei Tai, and they say it is one of the most comfortable, versatile carriers. The Asian inspired carrier is a basic square with four very long straps on the corners, which can be used from birth to age 3 or 4. I didn't realize any of this til I already made it and I discovered the same Ball Baby Overall I had just made sells online for 90 to 100 dollars! I shopped around for the fabric, because I needed to use thick, cotton home deco fabric, but I ended up spending about 13 dollars on cute paisley fabric with brown towns, pink, yellow and green and the thread at Walmart. I could have spent around 30 on the fabric, but I can't imagine any more or their would be no point to making it myself! It did take a few hours to sew, but I was amazed at how much money I saved by doing it myself. Now I really do sound like a stay-at-home wife/mother! So when my friends have babies, baby carriers and bibs may become the gift!

These are the things keeping me busy lately. Since I don't have money coming in, I can't shop or go out for coffee often like I usually would with my extra time, so this unemployed period is awakening my creativeness with a sewing machine and with baking. I have also been reading a whole lot more, and really am thrusting for more literature. Just because I'm not in school anymore does not mean I am going to stop learning. I'm enjoying this cooler weather and am so happy it's apple season! I made a HUGE pot of some amazing applesauce and an apple pie the other night with 2 dollars worth of drop apples from a local farmer. That was 2 dollars well spent! There is little better than eating farm fresh crunchy apples in the fall while reading a book.

I'm starting to sound like I belong in a Little House on the Prairie book, so maybe I should stop. But I am trying to make the best of this time in my life. God is really talking to me lately, and though I am not where I would like to be, he keeps asking me to trust him. He is answering some of my big questions and making me think twice about where I think want to go next. I would like it to be elsewhere, but I think my ministry for the moment is to my family. I know I need to be here now. So I am making the most of it, and my family has been enjoying some tasty creations. I am able to live rent free, and my parents get help with the younger 4 kids. I guess that's what you call family. And thanks to the Internet, I have not only learned to sew baby carriers, but learned to sew hair flowers, and made one to match the orange in my brown and orange African dress, which I will wear this Sunday to speak at another church about Kenya. Creativity is seeping out of me.

Life is not so bad. I think my joy is beginning to return. That makes me happy.

Laura