Cherished

Today I'm having a go for the first time at "Five Minute Friday", with Lisa-Jo Baker, and it's freaking me out a little! The idea is to write for just five minutes flat, with no editing or thinking too much about it. "why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing." (from her website). Today's word was Cherished - so here we go!

GO

Little blinking eyes, squinting at the world. Head turning left, right, left, right, clunking it's way around my body - shoulder, chin, shoulder. Popping up like a meercat, then down again to nuzzle into my chest.

Baby girl with long, curled up fingers. A little brown birthmark over the left shoulder. Toes so long that they curl around your pinky. Slender legs with chubby skin on top.

A smile that starts from the eyes. It almost looks like she's pretending to wink. Then her mouth opens, the edges of it curl, and it turns into a full-blown, mega-watt, heart-melting grin - eyes twinkling, mouth wide open, utter joy.

Each day, each week will bring new changes. I can see her in gumboots, splashing through puddles, waddling around all crazy-like as she learns to walk. Sitting in the sand pit, exploring this new thing with her hands and then eating it, wrinkling up her face. Running after her brother and sister, screaming, giggling, bellowing. I wonder if you'll be as loud as them, my dear, cherished baby girl.

STOP

xx Sarah

The end of a sewing frenzy

My epic week of sewing is over. I think it's going to take me a while to want to sit down at the sewing machine again!
My final count was 26 bibs and 37 taggy blankets. I had a few more cut out and ready to get started but needed to just stop. And it was probably a good idea, because Shirley made a joke (I hope) about having to take out her underwear to fit them in her luggage!
Some final photos of my bits and pieces:

It's been tiring and my house is an absolute bomb site. But for the first time in I think, ever, I've actually achieved a goal I set for myself at the start of the year. Maybe I'm finally getting over my rebellion against discipline... No, it's too soon to make that claim.
Shirley thinks there will be enough for every baby in the orphanage to have/use one! It's been really special to be able to send a part of myself over to those children. The team leave about now and I know they would appreciate your prayers. 
So this weekend I need to get my house back in some sort of order, plant a mandarin tree plus some shrubs and strawberry plants I bought at the garden centre this week, and try to make sure my hard working husband has a Fathers day. (This sunday, don't forget! As if TV and mass advertising would ever let you)
And I also need to finish my read for the book club I'm involved in. "Blue like Jazz" by Donald Miller. It was my choice this time and very different from the novels we've usually read, so I'm hoping the others don't hate it. Either way, I do love the book - just need to sit in one place and finish it.
xx Sarah