A peak into the AmyJ Delightful Household...

I've been trying to take more pics of everyday life again...  So here are a few glimpses into the past month and half, here in our home!  ... along with a few random thoughts :)

Let me just start with the fact that my son is stinkin' naughty... and stinkin' cute.  

He exhausts me daily... and makes me thankful for a little boy, daily.

Then let me add that I have a hard time keeping clothes on my children.  I dress them at the beginning of the day... and then clothes just disappear.  I don't know why.  They just do. 

I've been frustrated with my inability to take some good maternity shots of myself....
For one thing, I just can't take the shots that I see in my head!  I wish I could step out of myself and be in both places :)  Jeremy tried to help me a couple times, but it's nearly impossible to convey what I see in my head to him accurately and then have him actually do it in a technical sense with my camera.  not his fault... it's just how it is.  (I might be pouting a little...)

Then the other thing is... I don't like how I look this pregnancy.  ...started out 10 pounds overweight, and just feel pudgy and round.  ha, ha... that makes me laugh typing that.  oh, well, it's true.

So this shot above was taken during my attempt to get a good shot of my belly.  I never really got a good one... and as you can see V interrupted and I gave up.  Oh, well... I still have a couple months to get a few good pics.

A quick snap shot... better than nothing I guess!

V was sick this day...  don't know why I snapped this, but it does show my belly at around 24weeks. Yes, I'm huge :)

Elsie loves to "read" stories to Sadie...

It doesn't get much cuter than a fuzzy headed little girl cashed out in a big chair :)

This was just yesterday...  So typical: Alice doing her school work and V desperately trying to stay the center of attention.

This was today...  V likes to climb up into my computer chair and stand behind me.  He wraps his little arms around my neck and goes from side to sides asking for kisses :)  love it.   ... had my camera on the desk, so I asked him to pose with me.

That's it!
I'll keep trying on the maternity pics thing... hopefully I'll get a good shot or two to show you the awesomeness of my belly in all it's enormity :) 

Blessings,

A Printable New Years Verse for you!

Happy New Year!...  slightly late.
To start this year off, I thought I'd pass along a verse of encouragement for the year ahead.  ... a free 5x7 scripture art print...

It is found in the first chapter of Joshua, when the Israelites are getting ready to cross over into the Promised Land.  It was a new beginning for them, full of hope and anticipation mixed with fear of the unknown challenges ahead.  Just like each new year for us...

So as you face this new year, I encourage you to place your trust and hopes... along with all your fears in the God who holds the days ahead.  Be encouraged by his word and his promises!
Be Strong and Courageous.... for he is with you.

DOWNLOAD as a JPEG ...Click on image above (to see full size/high-resolution) and save to your computer.
OR
DOWNLOAD a PDF Here

Blessings,

As You Wrap those Gifts.... these might help!

I've been wrapping gifts and getting packages in the mail lately...  So I've been rummaging through my Christmas tags, stickers, ribbons, etc. looking for extra little touches to make my packages yummy to the eyes!   For me this also means rummaging through old files on my computer and printing out things I've designed from years before...   I thought I might pass a few of these on to you as well!  Hopefully you'll find them helpful :)


Printable Christmas Gifts Round Stickers (for Avery labels size 1 2/3" or Template 5293) or print on sticker paper or regular paper and cut out...

Printable Christmas Birdie Tag Set

Printable Doodle-style Border Christmas Tags (Print on card stock or sticker paper)

Printable Christmas Patterns for Stickers, Seals, or Washi 
 Tape (see post for instructions)

*As always with all Amy J. Printables... File and finished product are not for resale or profit of any kind.  Please contact me if  you have any questions about usage.


Blessings to you!

Homemade Doll House... a Gift Idea so that I feel cool.

So last year I made almost all of my family and extended family's Christmas gifts.  It was fun, but exhausting.  Last Christmas I just bit off far more than I could chew...  I had Christmas cards in my my Etsy store, was doing freelance graphic design jobs, making gifts, homeschooling, and participating in all the regular Christmas festivities...all with 4 kiddos!  Yeah.

Not this year.  I just can't do all that!  I'm trying really hard to know my limits.  For one thing, I'm preggers and am just plain old tired most of the time.  Secondly, I tend to let the really important things slip to the back when I'm busy.  This year I want... am trying to... enjoy the season, slow down, and talk more about our Savior.  I'm trying to focus less on milking the Christmas selling season and more on staying sane!  Less on an ideal creative Christmas atmosphere and more on keeping up with the laundry and meals! ... So there are no Christmas items in my store, just prints.  I'm not doing any real freelance work during December.  And I'm not making all those fun homemade gifts.

It's kinda sad and hard though...  I'm a creative person!  I'm a business-minded person!  It's hard to turn that side of me off.  I feel like the rest of the people in the world (which is the blog/internet world...a somewhat misleading niche of people who are unlike many others!... you creative Pinterest and Blog people! ) are going on without me.  They are making gifts, sharing creative gift ideas, making fancy holiday treats, decorating out the wazoo!  I know there are so many people who are taking it easy like me... but it doesn't feel like it!   

So to appease my need to be part of the fancy creative people... I'm sharing a gift idea from last year!  I happen to take these pics last year as well, so it didn't really require much of my time :)  I found this simple wooden doll house on Pinterest and asked the hubs to make it for some of my nieces.  We made 2 small ones and a big one for Barbie sized dolls.  They were quite easy to make and turned out really cute...  They just slide together and come apart... stacking in two flat pieces, not taking up much space at all. 

I used scrapbook paper on the small ones and thick wrapping paper to cover the walls on the large one.  I adhered it with spray glue and then sealed it with Mod Podge.   So...  If you are feeling ambitious this year... or next year,  have at it!! 

I made so many other cute gifts last year... and really had wanted to show you those ideas as well.  But I think it's safe to say, I'm just not going to find time to get out my camera and all the stuff I used to make the items and take pictures.  sorry.   Maybe during the year, I'll get around to it...  or maybe not :) 

Blessings on whatever your December holds.  Regardless of the level of your ambitions, may it be focused on God's love and his indescribable gift of his Son... our Savior!

Blessings,

Printable Christmas Tags... sweet little winter birds

Yay!  It's Christmas time!  ... which means it's time for a free Christmas printable :)

I really wanted to print them out, wrap a few pretend gifts, and show you all the fun ways that I imagine using these tags... but alas, there are so many other things to do with my time (and small amount of energy...being preggers).  So I will let you get creative!

You can print these tags on regular paper, card stock, or sticker paper...  you can tape your tags onto your packages or you can punch them and tie with string!  I also imagine cutting slits on either side of the tags (especially the funky shaped ones...) and sliding them onto ribbon.  So I hope you have fun experimenting with these tags.

I assure you they were designed with love and plenty of Christmas joy!  Enjoy!

 DOWNLOAD FILE HERE

*As always...File and finished product are not for resale or profit of any kind.  Please contact me if  you have any questions about usage.



Blessings,

BLACK FRIDAY SALE... in my Etsy Store!

Hello my lovelies :)

I'm offering 30% off ALL ORDERS in my Etsy store this Friday!  No limits... good on customized orders as well!  Just enter this code at time of checkout, on Friday, to receive your discount:
BLACKFRIDAY30

I just recently added several new prints... so go take a look around!

AMYJ DELIGHTFUL ETSY STORE HERE!

 

 

 And there are so many more!  Come take a look... and HAPPY SHOPPING!

Blessings,

19 Weeks... Baby #5

Blessings on your weekend :)