My 1st Valentine

We've knitted hearts for cards, hearts for washcloths, so why not a heart for that little one that has stolen YOUR heart? In keeping with a Pair of Projects for the month, i've added this little Heart Bib pattern for your new Valentine!

Based on the Tried and True "Basic Washcloth Pattern", this simple little bib is a great way to continue using up your stash.  All you need is a little button to sew on the end of the strap and in no time you could have an assortment of bibs that would rival any Whitman's Sampler!  (with fewer calories as well!)

Just click on the "Au Pair Project" tab at the top to get started on this sweetheart of a design ..... and try not to grin next time you catch a glimpse of those sweet cheeks, covered in carrots, but wrapped up and covered in your love!

Don't you wish that YOU could be the recipient of such a covering sometimes?  What if we ALL wore those bibs like we get when we eat lobster (i personally have never eaten lobster, but have seen enough friends adorn those lovely plastic bibs that protect them from themselves while they are dining!) .....  Wouldn't it be nice to be able to toss the mess we make into the washer, revealing a clean and ready-to-go persona just waiting to be uncovered beneath such a bib? 

Do you ever have those days when 'making a mess' almost feels more comfortable than "getting it right"?  Those days where dropping your phone in the toilet was one of the 'better' things that happened .... relationships seemed wonky, tones were misinterpreted, traffic created chaos to start the morning, too much on the To-Do List made the day loom ahead with no hope for checking it all off . . .

I find that on those days when i am more concerned about ME than about helping others the chaos just seems to snowball!  All of a sudden i am consumed with why "i always have to be the one to _____" and my list of noble acts of kindness and selfless deeds of servant hood suddenly propel me up on the Mountain of Pity ... and the party begins!  Please tell me you have those days too?  Of course, when i am at that pinnacle of selfishness i am not really concerned about YOUR location ....  i am so engulfed in my own despair and the VAST AMOUNT of injustice at the way i'm being treated ......

Clearly i AM the one that needs a BIB .... because i am acting just like a Big Baby and i'm sure that there is NOTHING pleasing to my Father during those 'party' moments!  NOTHING!  Rather than panic over life as i view it momentarily, rather than sit in the highchair that is called the Front Desk - or my Car -  or the Sofa -the Kitchen Sink - or while waiting in line and just whimper pitifully, rather than take my toys and go home opting to retreat and hide and sulk (and knit) .....  Why don't i RUN into the arms of a Heavenly Father that is fully aware of all the Carrots i've smeared on my cheeks!  A Father who sees the Spinach of the Day and still chooses to love me!  A Father who has enough Plum Pudding to make EVERYTHING right in the world again! 

For me, i have a tendency to Wear my dinner so many times.  Perhaps if i talked less and focused more on the task at hand i might actually hit my mouth!  AND if i applied this same mindset to the rest of my day i might just find that God's Promises are True .... He LONGS to care for me and is willing to clean up the messes i make all along the way!  When i focus on things that i don't understand i find that i have failed to rest in Him .... This is what i know to be true:

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!   Eph. 3:20-21

For NOTHING is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He restores my soul. . . . He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  He anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Ps. 23

His love is a banner of me ... a Bib of forgiveness that His death has provided so that on "those days" His love makes it All Better!  Think it's time for a nap ....  after all, You make me lie down in green pastures . . I will fear no evil, for You are with me!   When's the last time you were rocked to sleep ... you felt sweet dreams sweep over you as you were tucked into a place of security .. and forgiveness ... calm and quiet, content to know that you were loved .. just as you are!