“Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading…” -Ginny Sheller
I finished this shrug yesterday, blocked it out, seamed up the arms, and then decided that I want it about 3 inches shorter. So I have a bit of ripping back to do this next week, but it really won’t take too long. I’m certain with the growth that happened with the blocking that this small ripping back will make it exactly perfect. I just cannot wait to share this pattern with you.
Once again I find myself quite backed up with some knitting pattern writing to complete. I got behind schedule this last week…two weeks in fact, as my “work time” has been sucked into “real-work time.” I’ve had such a hard time as a mom these last 2 weeks. I don’t want to go into details mostly because I don’t want to share too much on the internet, and also because I don’t want to remember these last 2 weeks in the long term. It’s not exactly scrapbook worthy stuff. Let’s just say it’s been hard. Very hard. The last time I showed up at the library for my scheduled alone time to finish up writing a pattern, my mind was so tired I just sat there, and knit here and there, and stared into space. I have spent a lot of time on my knees these last few weeks.
It’s hard work, this parenting business, isn’t it? We have reached outside our home for help these last few weeks, and I’m certain that we have identified the problem now are over the worst of it. All the experts we reached out to kept saying, “Keep doing what you’re doing.” My husband found it encouraging, but I found it discouraging, as though this was going to be our new normal. I did come around as I saw improvement bit by bit.
After all of that, I feel like we’re finally starting to get back to normal after harvest. My husband will be soon, though I can tell he’s still not back to normal since the intense harvest season. Tomorrow is my knitting-business afternoon, and I feel like I’m finally back in a spot where my brain will be able to be all in it. Through all the stress, my house hasn’t been this clean in ages. As a family, we’re learning how to work hard, and there has been ample work around us to help us practice. Through it all, I feel like my relationship with my kids has grown deeper, and stronger these last few weeks, as the trust between us and the unconditional love was put to the test. These hard things are sometimes good things. We have had lots of long talks on the couch by the fireplace, and huge portions of our hearts have been poured out to each other, as we have been taking some intentional time with each one of the kids. These things have demanded my attention, as they should. Sometimes you have to put aside the writing, the activities, the hustle and bustle and just work it out until it’s done.
Yesterday was our weekly trip to the library, and it wasn’t until we got there that I realized that it was closed due to Veteran’s Day. I knew it was Veteran’s Day, but I hadn’t connected that with the trip to the library. So the kids were disappointed, but I told them we could go to the used book store instead. It totally did the trick because my kids love that place. I’m so glad we went, because I got so many books that were on my home-school wish list that I had never seen there before, and I still had store credit there to be spent. Plus they sell books by the pound, so I got them for barely anything. You can turn in used books to this bookstore for store credit, and I take advantage of that as often as I can. I had forgotten that I still had credit to spend from a few months ago.
I’ve been reading a bit of Educating the Whole-Hearted Child once again, like having coffee with an old friend. The Clarksons have mentored me so as a mother through their books, and conferences. I think this time I picked it up to read it again because I needed the reminding of what my calling and goals as a mother are, and how to take my children’s personalities and unique design into consideration. I needed that down to earth, practical advice. For anyone considering homeschooling, this is the book to look at first. Oh the heartache and money I would have saved if I had only started here!
Linking up with Ginny’s Yarn Along.
Those cables are gorgeous! Sorry you’ve had a difficult couple of weeks; you’ll get through this!
It looks so beautiful already! I can’t wait to see the rest of it.
I am so amazed at the wisdom God has given you as a mom. Your outside source was right! Keep doing what you’re doing. 🙂
I love the color of that shrug as well. I reminds me of hot chocolate with little multi-colored marshmallows floating at the top!
Your knitting is looking absolutely gorgeous! The cables are fabulous and I am in love with the yarn. I can’t wait to see the project finished.
And I wish you the best of luck at home! There are always ups and downs, and I hope this down goes by quickly and resolves itself well.
Gorgeous shrug! Keeping you in my thoughts!
May God bless you and all your children! It’s enough to say what you did for us to know to pray…and I must say the communication you’ve all had with your family is HUGE and seriously, well done, you are serving your family well in hard times. We do go through things, no doubt. The about-face quick decision to go to the bookstore was brilliant and SO Glad you have good books to mentor you and that you found books on your list! sounds like a great bookstore! I will be praying for you esp. today…
Thank you so much for the book recommendation! I have always been encouraged by Sally Clarkson. 🙂 Praying that you will be encouraged in these days! Yes, parenting is hard! The cables…oh, my. Just amazing. Can’t wait to see the end result! *hugs*
those cables are beautiful, so intricate looking
Gorgeous shrugs – I love cables. Educating The Whole-Hearted Child is one of my favourites. Definitely a go-to book when you need some inspiration and encouragement.
Even though the past week has been tough, you were able to use the calmness of knitting to calm you through it. It is just gorgeous! mari
I’m impressed you brought the kids in to Biffley’s. That place is so “close” that I never bring more than one or two inside with me–or I just send big kids in by themselves. 🙂
I’m so sorry these past weeks have been so hard–I’ve thought of you often, and honestly, I’ve been struggling mightily myself, which is why I haven’t been good at “talking” with you lately.
Also, my jaw dropped when I saw the picture of Sally’s book—I thought you were going to say you got that at the book store, too, and I was going to say LUCKY DUCK!!!!!!! That book has been on my wishlist for a long time now. You sure did find some good ones, though!
Sending you moral support as a mother and praying for your family. I love a good second hand bookshop myself