My mothering day.

This month is so sentimental to me: It's a month full of birthdays. The birthday of my two Irish twins (Yep...12 months apart, baby!) and my Mothering Birthday. I had never really ever thought of it this way: my eldest daughter's birthday is really my day too: the day I became a Mom. And this month it'll be 5 years of mothering. Wow. FIVE. Sometimes it seems like a lot, and other days....I it is just the beginning.

5 years ago:

I was in the middle of my first birth.

I held my first baby.

I felt her soft scalp and understood why they call newborn's hair "velvet"

I found my true calling.

I cried my first tears of joy after a long wait of trying to conceive.

I became amazed at how natural it felt to care for and be responsible for this fresh new soul straight from Heaven.

I felt more heroic then ever before: I gave birth!! My body is incredible and made to do that!

I learned what all parents say they are amazed with: the instant love you have for your child

I gained a love for my husband I'd never known.

I learned a new meaning of 'tired'

It was the beginning of life as I know it. And I love it.

(And I have to comment on this photo walking towards the door: How did I open my own door in those days? Mother's of twins and Irish twins can appreciate those kinds of minor details!)

For more baby love, check out this new favorite movie trailer of mine. Completely awesome.

New beginnings.

Hello, Hello!

Hope you all had a wonderful break for the holidays. I can't tell you how good it feels get away from the computer and other essential electronics for 2 weeks. What a treat! But it is good to be back. We went to California for the break, and as good as it is to be home finally, I do miss the leisurely days.

But it's the beginning of the week. And January. And 2010. And it feels good. I feel fresh, ready to restart. Like trying on new clothes. Or diving into the lap lane. Fresh is always good.

So, I am a big goal setter. Remember this post? And I have already started to round up my resolutions for the upcoming year. But I have learned through experience, to only set a few....too many goals ensures total doom (usually the lose 10 pounds kinda goals!)  I have my own personal and family resolutions (namely to stop complaining about things I can't control and to make sure my husband knows he is the center of my universe), but for my art....

1. Finish the art for my first picture book

2. Draw every single day

You'd think that drawing every day would be rather easy to do...but OH it's hard to find the time...and the free elbow room to even draw on paper when I have 3 other little ones claiming my other limbs! And the book....I've been working on this for a while now, and it's so rewarding...nothing like being challenged doing something you love.

So yes...bring on the new year. Bring on the new vision, the new goals and the fresh start.

What goals are you setting this year? I have a good feeling. It's going to be a great year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Ok. It's official. I am currenly in holiday treat mode and snuggling on the couch with babies mode. I love the holidays, and I hope you enjoying this time too! I'll be back in 2010, but I want to wish you the Merriest of Christmases!

Much love,

sarah jane

Making do.

{claire owen illustration}

Have you seen this flittering around internet land? I have, and it's my motto as of late. Even with the holidays.

I have been off the internet little bit folks, like maybe you have with all that's going on with the holidays!  I have to apologize for the lack of posts here, but we've been in a bit of a transition. All in a week, we sold our car, bought a mini-van, had our 9th anniversary (same day as Nie) and made an offer on a house. Oh, and not to mention Christmas and traveling and and the seasonal cold going around our house. Oh boy....that's enough to want to end the year and start and new one! We are broke and exhausted...but very happy to be moving again and making new changes. We are grateful!

We are still in the last stages of finding out about getting into a house, but I can't tell you how good it feels to be looking forward to that.  I don't mention lots of personal things here on the blog, but we've been waiting to move into a permanent location for over a year now, and I'm really looking forward to settling in to a place we know we'll be in for a while! Not to mention the chance to decorate and really make a house a home. The itch to nest has been getting me for so long now...and I am ready! But it also means that this may be the second christmas in a row where we are moving just around the holidays. Yuck. I will vow right now to never do that again! What was I thinking?

So, this all brings be back here, to say sorry for the lack of interesting things going on. Things will get interesting....and soon:)

Have fun making merry. We are very much in the christmas spirit. Listening to this and enjoying smells from this.

Enjoy these next few days! I am loving the moments of explaining to my kids how Santa gets down a chimney. It's magic:)

Joy.

Hope you are enjoying the last week before Christmas. We're keeping things simple this year, and I am loving it. Especially because it means more time is spent with these chubby cheeks. Happy Holidays everyone!

PS: remember...2 more days to order in the shop for Holiday arrival. Enjoy!

*Photo filtered with Eye Candy actions.

Give.

Last night I decided to tell the children a Christmas story every night until Christmas. Not from a book, just stories that I remember from my childhood, and in my own words.

I started to tell the story of the Gift of the Magi. Telling it aloud, in words that a 3 and 4 year old could understand brought tears to my eyes. What is the story about really? Two people who love each other so much, they are willing to give up their most prized possessions to purchase gifts for the other. This is one of my favorite stories because it illustrates so clearly that gift giving is really only a symbol for pure need we all have of wanting to make someone happy. Some one we love. Someone we care about. And at this season: sometimes it's people we don't even know.

I was introduced to Benson and Claire just a couple weeks ago, and as a mother of 3 children right around the same ages, I can't even begin to imagine the daily struggle their parents have to keep their children alive.

I can't really explain the story in my own words very well, so this is what the parents have to say:

Benson and Claire were born with a rare genetic disease in which their liver produces too much oxalate--called primary hyperoxaluria. Claire's condition has progressed much faster than Benson's. She has been on dialysis since she was 3 months old and is on dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She is now on the waiting list to receive a combined kidney / liver transplant. It is expected Benson will eventually need similar transplants. Over $500,000 is needed for the procedure.

Making it to the hospital every morning with a 2 year old keeping her happy in the hospital for 3 hours takes creativity beyond what I could ever try to do. I witnessed my close friend try this kind of lifestyle with her toddler for 7 months, and it is so hard. Claire has lived in the hospital basically her whole life (2 years) and the family it trying to raise money to give her a transplant. You can watch a video here of what is takes to go through the process day in and day out. I am amazed at this strong mother and her brave children.

There is a silent auction today (December 10-12) and I am auctioning off a$50 gift certificate to the shop. Come and offer what you can, and help this sweet family. I know there are so many people to help this Christmas season, so if anything, you can offer your prayers.

Click here to see more of their story.

Click here for the auction.

Sale.

Hello Friends!

Sorry for all of you who subscribe to my newsletter....this is the second time you'll be hearing this. But I had to let you know!

Prints are priced down now through Christmas! They will be on sale up until the holiday, but remember to check the shop for shipping dates to get there for the holidays.

Oh, and those popcorn balls turned out great. I wish I could fit them in your packages. I might just have to post the recipe soon.

Happy shopping!

xo

sarah jane

PS: PLEASE come visit the silent auction with a gift certificate to the shop here.

For you and you and you....

It has been snowing here. A lot. And I love it! The entry way (our kitchen) is muddy from snow boots, getting out the door with 3 kids and all the gear is going to take some major skills that I don't have yet, and I almost got stuck in my driveway just trying to get the mail. But hazzah! This winter wonderland is really getting me in the mood for christmas.

And keeping in line with the Christmas Spirit, here is the LAST promotional for the year in online Sarah Jane land:

20% off all prints through Christmas (prices are already marked down)

and a yummy giveaway on Bloesem Kids

I'm off now to make some carmel popcorn balls. Here's to hoping they actually get out to the neighbors like I planned...homemade-gooey-warm-and-soft carmel popcorn is on my top 10 "I would be happy dying from this" list. Happy Christmas!