The (long) short version of 2011

January: I was 2 months pregnant and miserably sick day and night. I started using my camera on manual and haven't turned the dial since. Mason turned one and Brandon Heath's new CD came out. Jeremy and I traveled to Detroit to visit family and attended the Detroit Auto Show.

February: I was 3 months pregnant and still miserably sick day and night but I felt him move for the very fist time. We had so much snow and ice that our area was in a level 3 snow emergency for several days. Brandon came home for a couple of weeks! Jeremy and I saw Brandon Heath and Toby Mac in concert with friends.

March: I was 4 months pregnant and (you guessed it) still miserably sick day and night. I endured my first cat-scan and had the crap scared out of me to find out that I had pneumonia. The world was shook by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. Jeremy and I as well as his parents drove to Florida and boarded a cruise ship for a glorious vacation to Jamaica and Haiti.

April: I was 5 months pregnant and starting to feel better but plagued by crazy charlie horses every night in my sleep. My feet started itching and we found out that our Peanut was a BOY!

May: I was 6 months pregnant and my morning sickness was completely gone. My feet were still itching and it was spreading to my stomach and palms. I photographed my first wedding. I set up Henry's crib and had my church baby shower. I said farewell to one job and hello to another that would allow me to stay home during the week when Henry was born. Jeremy also bought Henry his very first gun.

June: I was 7 months pregnant and itching from head to toe. I photographed my cousin's wedding was miserable the entire time, but felt so blessed that she allowed me to do it. Old friends and I wept as a hero I went to school with was killed at war. Jeremy and I made a little weekend trip to Lake Erie. My sister-in-law threw me a fantastic baby shower. I finally convinced my doctor that scratching my skin off was not 'normal'.

July: I was 8 months pregnant and finally diagnosed with Cholestasis, a liver/gallbladder dysfunction induced by the pregnancy that was causing my severe itching. Jeremy and I had maternity pics done (and just in time too). I was going in every other day to have non-stress tests and ultrasounds done and at 36 weeks they found that my fluid was low and I was put into the hospital. Two steroid shots, 3 days of inducing my labor and one c-section later Henry was born at exactly 37 weeks. Brandon was home for a week and got to hold Henry the night he was born.

August: I took way to many pictures of Henry and did my best to enjoy being a new mommy. The world lost a beautiful soul as my grandmother's best friend made her home in heaven. We all went to the fair with Allison and Ethan!

September: I took way too many pictures of Henry and he started grinning that gummy grin that I just love. The world lost a very special man as my Great Uncle Coy made his home in heaven. We made a quick trip to Virginia for the funeral and family time. I went back to work and Brandon left the United States for Afghanistan. I became addicted to Pinterest and Jeremy had some teeth cut out which lead to months of endless suffering for him.

October: Henry went trick or treating for the first time. Jeremy celebrated his 29th birthday and I celebrated my 24th. I started crocheting! Henry laughed for the first time and it was possibly the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. Jeremy and I saw Third Day and Tenth Avenue North at Hobart. The Poop Song entered our lives and Jeremy bought me several new lenses for my camera.

November: I took on my first crochet orders and started my own little business. A kitten followed the dog into the house one morning that we named Biscuit. I got rid of him about a week later. Holly, Allison and I went and saw Breaking Dawn. We celebrated Thanksgiving numerous times and then I put up the Christmas tree.

December: I had my first give-away and so many orders that I still haven't finished them all. Henry and I had a sleep-over at grannie's house. Henry, Jeremy and I made a little day trip to the Newport Aquarium. Jeremy and I celebrated 3 wonderful years of marriage and then celebrated Christmas with our families.

Christmas

I have to say that Christmas was the best that I think it's ever been in a very long time this year. There's something about having your own little family that makes the holidays different and Jeremy and I enjoyed waking up Sunday morning and sitting in front of our tree taking turns opening presents and helping Henry open his. His eyes would light up at the bright colored toys and he would just stare, it was perfect.

He threw a fit the rest of the day. I think it was just to loud at grandma and grandpas for him. We had a great time at both family's Christmas' and we were spoiled rotten this year. Jeremy's sister bought us a new Wii and we each got several games to go with it for one another. His parents bought me two frame sets that will fill every wall in my living room. Jeremy got me a wireless remote for my camera as well as a Snuggie and a mint set from the year I was born. We had bought Henry one this year as well and although we know he won't appreciate it until he's much older, our hope is to buy him some special piece of money each year. Henry bought Jeremy a personalized coffee mug to take to work with him each day and I got Jeremy his concealed carry class. My grandmother got Henry an exersaucer and she got us a new vacuum cleaner. Like I said, spoiled!

We tried out best not to focus on presents this year though. We tried to focus on loving and giving as a family and celebrating the birth of our Savior. I am a little sad that I'll have to take my tree down soon, I feel like it was extra special this year...maybe because I had so much fun putting it up and watching Henry play with the bulbs and decorations. I'm looking forward to the new year and all that it will bring. I am so thankful for all that I've been blessed with and I know God will continue to bless me ten fold.

Anna

I met a woman at work on Sunday that absolutely broke my heart. It took everything in me to hold back tears after our conversation and she was pretty much all I talked about for the rest of the day.

She came in to order carpet. I had a hard time understanding her, she had a thick accent and her English was poor. After repeating herself many times, I finally gathered enough information to help her pick out what she wanted and get her order ready for delivery and installation. In the meantime, she never stopped talking.

She came to the United States in 1985 from the Czech Republic. She married her husband that year, had two wonderful children and then lost her husband in '92. She has a daughter who lives in Tennessee and a son that lives in Piqua. She lives in Pleasant Hill, surprisingly, just a block over from us.

She kept repeating that she was all alone and that while she wanted to do things on her own, she always struggled with them. Her reasoning for getting carpet was that she was getting too old to get down on her knees and scrub her vinyl floor. She was 90 years old. I asked her if her son ever came down to help her and she told me no, he is always to busy.

It broke my heart.

She went on to tell me that she still mows her own lawn and that she's proud to still do as much as she can. I told her that was good, it was good to keep moving and doing as long as she could. We had a great conversation and I learned a lot of about her but before she started to leave, she asked me to come see her. She told me that she was so lonely and would love the company. I told her I would and I will.

I hope to have made a new friend but I hate hearing stories like hers. She is here all alone, her family living overseas and her family to busy to come see and help her. I have to wonder how so many people go on in their daily lives leaving the thoughts of their elders behind. If it were not for them, we would not be here. They nurtured us and our parents growing up, they worked hard their entire lives just to become old and forgotten. It's so, so sad.

I've spent a good portion of my life with the elderly. I make it a point to go see my grandmother at least once a week and while I'm there, we usually try to visit others who are older and can't get out and about or do things on their own. I have seen how their eyes light up when someone walks in the room. I have heard them cry and beg that you come back and see them again soon.

If only more people would realize how much ten minutes can mean to them. If they would just sit to listen to the stories and life experiences they can share with you. It would make your life so richer and rewarding. I am so excited to get to know Anna more. I can only imagine the stories that she will be able to tell, the pictures she can share and the lessons that she's learned over the years. I'm hoping to make it down there this week with a big plate of cookies. They probably won't be as good as hers, but I know that it will brighten her day in the greatest of ways.

That's That

There is a part of my life that I often try to forget. There are years of not-so-pleasant memories that I've tucked away into a place that I try my best not to visit. But then there are days that it becomes completely unavoidable, I am shoved into that back room and forced to stare the ugly situation straight in the face.

Today I was asked to visit my mother. I've been asked to visit my mother before, but I guess it was such a surprise today that it completely shocked me back into the reality that the parts of my life that I have no control over are a complete mess. It's bothered me all day to the point that I'm still awake now thinking about it.

I guess what bugs me the most about it all is that I feel like I have to explain why I've decided to do what I do. I hate that I can't just say no and people will just understand why. I don't hate my mother. I'm not angry at her or upset by her anymore. Sure, there are days that I feel abandoned and saddened by the fact that I don't have a mother to turn to but most days, I'm absolutely fine. It never even crosses my mind.

It's just at this point in my life, I feel like I've worked hard to create a life of stability. I lived for so many years without any stability at all and most of that was not my own fault, but at the fault of my parents, especially my mother.

I vowed that I wouldn't allow that for my own children. I will not put them in situations where I feel sure that they will be hurt. I will not willingly shove them into the instability that I was surrounded by. If that means them having one less grandparent, then so be it. It's better to not know someone than to know and come to love someone just for them to hurt you over and over again.

Eventually putting yourself in that situation makes that hurt your own fault instead of theirs and when it comes to my children, it would be mine.

So there, I've explained myself. No is no. I won't change my mind and I will do my best not to feel guilty when I have to say no. I believe in forgiveness, I believe that people change, but I also believe that the choices you make have consequences. I'm just doing my best to love, protect and give the very best to my children. I mean really, do you blame me?

A Splashin' Good Time

Jeremy, Henry and I went to the Newport Aquarium yesterday as a little day out. Jeremy and I used to do little things like this all the time together and we've been so excited to start showing out little man all the wonderful things there are in the world.

He was just entranced by all of the bright colored fish and aquariums although towards the end, I think he was starting to get bored with it all. He did so well though! It took us several hours to get through and he never fussed once.

The Pufferfish were my favorite and this little guy was so friendly. It followed Jeremy's fingers up one end of the tank and back down the other, if we ever have a salt-water aquarium one day, I will definitely have to have one! There was so much to see and learn and being the people we are (especially Jeremy) we read most every sign through the place.

There was a lot to learn! I loved seeing all the different frogs too although I have to be honest, most of them were huge and disgusting and ugly. I'm so excited to take Henry back in the coming years when he's a little older and can appreciate and learn from the experience more.

The penguins were Jeremy's favorite. He loved watching them jump straight up out of the water and I have to admit that I had a good laugh or two watching them myself. It's amazing how fast they can swim! They're little show offs too. After the aquarium we went to Red Robin for dinner. Jeremy had never been there and I think he enjoyed it as much as I told him he would.

We all had such a good time and it was so nice to get out as a family. I love the life I have, God has blessed me beyond measure with a wonderful husband and son. I look forward to this coming year and experiencing even more as a family.

Christmas: Santa vs Christ

I've had a huge struggle these past few weeks with the thought of teaching Henry in the coming years what Christmas is all about. It's weighed so heavy on my heart and mind that I've decided to reach out to you, my Christian friends, for some advice on how you handled your children at this time of the year when they were growing up.

I want him to know that Christmas is Christ's birthday. I want him to hear the Christmas story every year and know that this is the true reason why we celebrate. I've already decided that each year he will only receive three gifts from Jeremy and I; as Christ received three gifts from the wisemen. I've also decided that I'd like to start the tradition of making cupcakes the night before and singing 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus Christmas morning and allowing my children to each blow out a candle for Him. These are things I am sure of, things Jeremy and I have discussed and agree upon and are excited to start as our own family traditions.

Where I am struggling is how to introduce Santa Claus without taking away and confusing my children with what Christmas is all about. I don't want to take the 'magic' of Santa away from Henry and any future children we may have, but I'm just not sure how to incorporate both into Christmas. One just seems to take away from the other. I hate that. I hate that our country is so wrapped up in things that are so far from the true meaning that I have to seriously worry about how to keep the true meaning of Christmas in my children's hearts without depriving them of what every other child around them is celebrating.

So really I want your opinions. I want to know what you think about it all and how you taught your children growing up what Christmas was truly about while also incorporating Santa into it all. I'll really appreciate any of your input!

Well hello there December!

December has snuck up on us quicker than what I ever imagined it would. Our tree is up and shining in front of the living room window and we've even had our first snow. I suppose every year I get to this point and ask, "where did the time go?" and this year is no different. It seems like every day goes by faster than the last and with a busy life, it's sometimes hard to remember to cherish the small moments.

I've got so many plans and ideas and hopes and dreams for every day, every week, every month and I usually only get about half of them done. There are just not enough hours in a day. I am so excited for some upcoming events though. We are hoping for baby #2 in this next year (like we didn't already have our hands full!) and next weekend will be Jeremy's last day at his second job so he will be home with Henry every day on the weekends. We will be looking at a home that is going on the market this coming spring and taking Henry on his very first vacation. My little crochet business is coming along so well and I've booked two weddings and an engagement session this coming year. I'm sure 2012 will go just as fast as 2011 but I'm looking forward to it. I'm so excited to watch Henry grow and learn and establishing our own little family with it's own little traditions and memories. Overall, life really couldn't be much better. I am so very blessed!

Ovey Creations Give-Away Details

Who's excited?? This girl is!!

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love what I do. I love being able to stay home with my little one and crochet to my heart's desire. I love creating things. I love taking a ball of yarn and making it into something fun, creative and useful. I am just starting out and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. With more and more experience, who knows where the road could lead?

Now to the fun stuff! This month I will be giving away one of my beanies with ears, earflaps and braids. I'll even add a bow if you like! It will be made just for you in the size and colors that you desire. I chose to give away this hat first simply because it was the very first hat that I made. I have now made several for customers and it seems to be a popular choice. It looks so cute on little boys and girls and it can be worn with most anything. Not to mention it's perfect to keep little noggins (or big noggins) warm this winter!

So on to winning! Entering into this month's drawing is simple!

Just 'like' my page on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ovey-Creations/217347141666800 and leave a comment there telling me one thing you love about the Christmas season.

That's it!

But I'm also giving you the chance to be entered into this month's drawing two, three, five...twenty times more! It's really up to you!

Put this message on your Facebook: "Go check out Ovey Creations and tell her I sent you. For every person who 'likes' her page that I send, I'll be entered into her monthly drawing once more. The best part? You'll be entered into the drawing too!"

Simple, right? So for every person that leaves a comment on my page saying that you sent them, I'll enter you into the drawing once more!

Want even more chances to win?

If you've ordered from me before, upload a picture of your little one (or yourself) in one of my products and tag Ovey Creations in the photo and I'll enter you FIVE more times!

If that's not awesome, I don't know what is!

So, overall you have well...as many as you can think of...chances to win!

The winner will be announced on Monday December 5th!

Good luck to you all!