Oh, These Sweet April Days...

 

 

^ The three little ones playing in the sandpit...  Rebekah, Caleb and Sofia 

 ^ Our Oscar...better known as ''Sir Oscar''...

 ^ Eclairs arranged on the pretty party table...

 ^ Chrysanthemums from the garden...

It is early afternoon in South Africa and although the April sun is shining brightly, there is a cool breeze blowing...  I am sipping a good cup of coffee and enjoying some down time after a busy morning at the sewing machine and pondering all that has happened over the last while.
I wonder, how it is that I have had so little to share on my little corner of the web lately...?

Recently, the Lord graciously blessed me with a little part time job at a sweet gift shop nearby.  I work as a shopkeeper two or three days a week and love conversing with customers and doing my hand sewing when the shop is quiet.  It is simply the perfect fit for me in so many ways and I am thankful for the experience as we have dreams of opening our own little shop someday... {{smiles}}

On the days I am home, I like to catch up with the housework I am behind on...ironing, cleaning, hand washing and such.  I also prepare hand sewing for the days I am at the shop so as to use my time productively which in turn means when I am home, I can simply enjoy being a daughter and sister and embrace and cherish each moment...

I do find with working I am more tired and thus, am not always able to write to dear friends or share anything on my blog...  I do miss stopping by though and do hope to resume regular posting fairly soon...

In the evening I find reading to be very relaxing and helps me unwind after a busy day...
The other day whilst at the mall I came across the Rose Trilogy by Beverly Lewis on sale.
I seldom buy books as they are so expensive, but I found all three books for what would work out to only $10 if I did a conversion from rands to dollars.  What a delight!  {{smiles}} 

Our little Caleb continues to keep us on our toes and will be celebrating his first birthday at the end of this month.  Where has the time gone?  If you recall, last year this time we were anxiously anticipating the day Caleb would make his arrival...

We have bittersweet memories of Caleb's birth and praise the Lord for the way in which He intervened and sent loving prayer warriors to hold our family in prayer through such a dark, difficult time.  Caleb has truly made life richer and sweeter!

People who ask us his age cannot believe he is not even a year old...  He literally runs where he wants to go and negotiates slopes and hills like a pro.  We went for a walk in the forest a few days ago, and our little chap insisted on walking for the most part.  Caleb also recognises members of his family and can point to each of us by name which is no small feat considering he has a mom and dad and six adoring sisters!  {{smiles}}  I sewed a pair of pyjamas for him last week and hope to complete a track suit for him as well...cooler days are creeping in...more pictures to hopefully come soon!

Our sweet princess, Gabrielle, celebrated her tenth birthday yesterday.  I sewed her a beautiful (and really very simple) yoked and pleated tunic for her.  It was my first time attempting this particular pattern and I am very pleased indeed with the outcome...  Of course, I cannot wait to see her in it...  Nancy bought her a pair of leggings to wear with it as it is long enough to be worn as a dress shirt.

Gabrielle is one sister I have not made very much for - something she reminds me of regularly!  {{smiles}}  I hope to share a picture of the completed garment next week sometime, as well as a photoshoot which I have hopes of doing with our special birthday girl...

We are currently busy organising our home and doing some major de-cluttering...  Something the Lord has been showing me lately is how little we really need in life.  I have come to realise how unimportant the ''important'' things are in reality...our relationship with the Lord and the ones closest to us is what truly matters in the heavenly realm.  I am learning to embrace the simple pleasures in this beautiful life and cherish each moment for what is...  I am striving to spend more time with Jesus and draw nearer to His heart.

I pray that this week may be a truly blessed and joyful one for you, dear readers...
Thank you for being faithful to visit...your friendship means so much to me and I am thankful to have the privilege of sharing my journey to beautiful womanhood with you!
Which reminds me...I celebrated eight years of blogging on April 9th!  What a blessed experience it has been thus far!  {{smiles}} 

With love in Christ,
Kelly-Anne