Merry Christmas

Whew!

I am just finishing up my last internet orders and packaging them up to take to the Post Office. I cannot believe how much business I have had since Dec. 1! I did not know what to expect this year with the dismal economy, but I am thrilled to report I had my best retail month since I began my business over two years ago. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my little stitching endeavors--I so appreciate each and every one of you!

The hottest selling item this season by far was the collapsible market tote. One customer bought five of them and told me she will be coming back for more after the holidays. Another one received her order for three and promptly ordered three more! I still have some left in stock and also have found a new vendor who makes the same totes but with a drawstring closure on top of them so nobody can peek at what's inside your basket!!!

Now I must confess what an awful mother and wife I have been for the past few weeks. We still do not have our tree decorated--we put it up on Sunday to find it is only partially lit. I had to go to Target to get more lights. My house is in ruins because I have Babycapes and product strewn about, yet I continue to yell at the children if they leave their socks or toys on the floor. I did manage to get some Buckeyes made the other day, but only after Sophie had been begging me for weeks to do so. I still have fudge to make for Mr. Brown at the Post Office and the ladies in the office at Sophie and Max's school.

Christmas cards? Let's just say the picture you see here was from last year's "Holiday Card" that never made it in the mail. I have been using them to write lunch box notes to Sophie. Cookies? Hopefully this weekend. Presents wrapped? Santa does not wrap presents in our household. Pumpkins removed from front porch? Maybe next year we'll have a pumpkin patch in our front yard. Santa's lap? Tomorrow or Sunday.

One thing I have accomplished (which I am so very thankful for!) is I have found a church for our family to attend. We had been shopping churches all summer and finally attended a service with a neighbor several weeks ago. It is Covenant Baptist Church in Shepherdstown. The first service I attended I knew I had come to the right place! The music was INCREDIBLE--it moves me to tears each week! And the Pastor is very down-to-earth. We feel at home there and the children are fitting right in. We asked Max what he did in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago and he said, "I prayed and prayed and prayed!" Sophie is learning a lot and has a lot of questions about God. And Carly...well, we take crayons and doodle pads with us and take turns running her to the water fountain.

All in all, it has been quite a year. We had some rough patches, but our family is as strong as ever. I am praying for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year for all! Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!