Finding Time to Focus

Hello All,
How can it almost be September already?! This summer flew by. Next thing we know it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas. Life with two cubs has this Mama Bear busy, busy, busy. I knew it would be different with two but I guess you never really get it until you are actually in the moment. I am getting sleepy at random times during the day and finding that exhausted should have been my middle name. The boy cub loves to eat, sleep, and grunt. I am loving each and every moment. The girl cub is really enjoying being a big sister and is constantly trying to help and hug on her brother. It's wonderful to watch her try to comfort him when he is crying or telling us when he is waking up. We are really focusing on giving the girl cub solo time away from her brother. Which at times can be hard as he doesn't like to sleep in his bassinet as of late...well not beyond thirty or so minutes. So, if the Hubby Bear isn't home I have to take advantage of those fleeting minutes and have some one on one time with the girl cub. Even as I sit here an write this blog post the boy cub is slowly waking up and grunting all the while. Its nice to just hold him and watch a smile come across his little face and watch my girl cub give him kisses and hugs. This Mama Bear's heart is full!

As the days turn into weeks my time is being filled with diaper changes, outfit changes after blowouts, and trying to catch a few zzz's I haven't found time to get back into my crafting groove. I want to just have a few hours of uninterrupted craft time but since the girl cub doesn't nap unless she's truly exhausted-which at two years is rare for her because 'go' is her middle name- I don't see that happening this week. Last night I got about two hours of sleep. The boy cub just didn't want to sleep...I think he was gassy and his tummy was bothering him. So, I don't see myself getting my craft on today. But I will get my Pin on on Pinterest. I love that website. It's amazing and addictive. I find that I will go Pin-crazy at times and the people who follow me must wonder...does she do anything besides pin about card crafting, her kids, when she has a house, organization, or when she can have a drink. Haha. Well, I do have a very full life but when you don't have many free moments going on Pinterest is really a nice five to ten minute escape for this busy Mama Bear. I am planning on visiting a fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator this weekend and comparing ideas and doing a mini swap. It should be fun to swap crafts and ideas. I am looking forward to a couple of hours of crafting with others. I'll post a couple of pictures of the things we create this weekend. :)

Until then enjoy your Wednesday and as the sign above my desk reminds me...."Someday is not a day of the week". Get your craft on! Take some time to be quiet. Pray for someone when they come to mind. Take advantage of those few quiet moments you have before the busyness of the day steals those moments away from you.

Until we meet again,
Mama Bear out!
xoxo
Renee

Here's a Happy Birthday card I made for my Granny last month.  Using my favorite color Blackberry Bliss from Stampin' Up.  Then I used the retired Embossing Folder Flower Garden. I love the folders they add a simple dimension to your cards.  The Stamps are from the Something to Say stamp set. Another simple birthday card! Fun times in craft land.

Naptime equals Mama Bear Time

 Well, our boy cub arrived on August 5th! We have been blessed with a handsome little cub. What a treasure he is to have and to hold each and every day. Our girl cub is such a wonderful big sister! She's very helpful and very protective of her little brother cub. It melts my heart to see her giving kisses and trying to hold her little brother. I thank God for our little family as it has grown from three to four. It's been two weeks of getting used to waking up at 3:30 am for feedings and diaper changes. Living off of minimal sleep because the girl cub is so busy during the day that naps are a distant memory. But today I realized she was just a bit too crabby and those listening ears were turned in the OFF position most of the day...called for one thing the dreaded nap. After a few minutes of cuddles she was off to sleep. Amazingly two cubs down for a nap and I barely know what to do with myself. So, I find myself watching my all time favorite lady Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy and blogging. Why aren't I sleeping you ask? I really couldn't tell you! I'm not sleepy...maybe its the excitement of having two cubs knocked out and a moment to myself. 

Life with two cubs is such a switch from having just one. Before all of our attention was focused on the girl cub and now with two cubs its a balancing act. Granted the boy cub is basically just eating and sleeping; and the girl cub is just as active as always. She is very curious about her brother and always looks at him and if he makes even the slightest noise she's telling me or the Hubby to check on brother cub. Each day is a blessing and I love each moment with them. Learning to parent two cubs is going to be a tremendous responsibility but we are up for the challenge! God is good and we can only continue to thank Him for our two little blessings. 

Next week I hope to get back to crafting. Gearing up for my next class mid September so I will be posting some ideas for the class. Also I am planning on getting a stock pile of cards ready for an ETSY shop. I am really excited yet nervous about getting a shop going so not only will I host classes and workshops to teach people different crafting methods but also sale cards that I've created. I also am getting ready for the holidays. Holidays? Already? Yes, only because if anyone places an order for cards I need to be good and ready! Girl Scouts honor mentions being prepared and that's my plan. Be prepared!! 

Well, dear friends I hope you have a wonderful week. May you be inspired to create sometime this week to rest and relax as you take in the final days of this beautiful summer. God bless you.

Mama Bear out,

Renee

"Patiently" Waiting

Well, we are patiently impatiently waiting for the arrive of our boy cub. He is due today but showing no signs of wanting to enter the world. Funny thing is our girl cub felt the same. She was due on a Monday and didn't arrive until Thursday-and that was with an induction on Wed night. I guess they just like it in the womb. I must admit as we impatiently patiently wait for his arrival I found some time to keep my hands busy and made six cards yesterday!! Six? You say. Yep, six. I was pretty shocked myself. The creativity just started to flow. Fun times.

The first set of cards I made are basically any occasion cards with "Just for You" stamped on them. This one uses one of my favorite stamp sets called Work of Art. I love it because its so versatile. I used stamps, washi tape, and pearls to add a little something some to this card.

The next card was my take on a card I have seen in our Stampin Up Catolog. Using the Stamp "You make me happy" from the Hello Love Stamp set- this card can also be an any occasion card. This one was really fun to make. Cutting out the items after I stamped was a different touch I haven't used before so it was fun to do something new. And I used my new favorite medium washi tape.

And lastly a "thinking of you" card. Using Stampin Up Markers and a little touch of bling with the hearts on the left side of the card! I realize I need to get more markers after I did this project because I need a few more colors added to my collection! And plus who doesn't like to color every so often!!

Well, as we await the boy cubs arrival I guess when I'm feeling crafty I should craft because I have no  idea once both he and the girl cub are home when I will find time to relax and craft on. Until I blog again. May everyone have a wonderful day!!

Mama Bear out!
xoxo Renee