Good morning, Neverland!
So much to say, so little space, and I’ve been sitting here for two hours staring at the screen trying to decide what in the world to write, so I’ll just cut to the chase. I’m back and all is well!
Here are the past four months in a seriously compressed nutshell: we had a baby (lucky fifth!), survived the “fourth trimester,” baby’s sleeping through the night (hallelujah!), we close on our new house next week after losing contracts on 3 others in totally not-meant-to-be complications (aka God protecting us from getting the wrong house), AND our older kiddos just started a new school last week (not at home!).
Sweet swirling onion rings, I FEEL LIKE A NEW WOMAN! [insert gif of me twirling in the rain, face to the sky] Seriously though, what an intense year. A little time to hibernate was just what the doctor ordered for this mama, and I highly recommend it to any of you going through a crazytown life transition. Log off, unplug, pray, go to counseling, pray more, exercise, kiss little cheeks, eat chocolate and renew thy soul!
Say hello to my new squeeze!!! This is Ruby Lynise, born October 22nd, weighing 9 lbs 2 oz.
![IMG_3421[1]](http://www.stitcherydickorydock.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_34211-568x640.jpg)
Delivery went great (and by great, I mean HOLY CRAP WHAT WAS I THINKING PUSHING OUT A NINE POUND BABY WITHOUT DRUGS!). Just kidding (not really). It was gloriously empowering, in a can-we-not-and-say-we-did kind of way ;-p Love this girl. Worth every second.
Time has flown by and I can’t believe how mature she’s gotten! Seems like just yesterday she was a sleepy newborn, and today she’s grabbing at toys and laughing out loud. We’re are completely smitten. Don’t grow up too fast little girl!
I’ll post more about the new house once we get those glorious keys and get moved in! It’s not a farmhouse. Not in the country. But we absolutely love it and can’t wait to share pics. It’s old. And it’s cute. And it has a walk-up attic that’s perfect for adventures (cough…master suite…cough).
I’m thinking about writing a post later on about our school journey and how/why we ended up choosing to send our two eldest to school instead of teaching them at home. Granted, it’s been a massive emotional journey for me and the last thing I need is to solicit critical public opinion, but I’d really like to try and be an encouragement to other moms out there who are struggling with education options. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom, it’s the fact that we need to cut each other (and ourselves) some major slack. Momming is hard. Trying to make the best choices for your family is hard. And it’s going to look different for everyone.
Anyway, with the girls at school, I’ve been enjoying the major blessing of getting to spend some extra special quality time doing preschool with my little guys at home, and I will tell you what- it’s been absolutely 100% joy. There’s no other word to describe it. Baking and reading and pasting on googling eyes…the simplicity and sweetness is such a gift that I needed right now.
Well, that’s the update from over here! After such a long absence, it’s just so great to be back, and I have so much more to share with you…furniture makeovers and baby sewing and yummy recipes. So excited for this year, and all that’s to come. Getting settled in the new house and setting up my studio….mmmm….can’t wait.
Grateful for the journey. See you soon!
XO
Hi Amy
Oh it’s such a joy to have you and your family in my inbox today – many congratulations on the birth of baby Ruby – what a little poppet and haven’t all the others grown up since your last post. It was truly lovely to read and the photos have made me smile so much. Thank you xxxx
Hi Amy and family, so glad you are back! Praise God He is settling you in Virginia! I am sure that will be better for you, having family there. The house for us did not sell here in upstate NY because it is such a depressed housing area Mom, brother and sister still in Manassas and Unionville, Va. Be happy and be well. Blessings to you all!
Good to have you back and sounding on such good form – the new baby is such a sweetie. Fingers crossed that your house goes through OK.
So lovely to hear all your news and to see all the photos. Many congratulations on the birth of Ruby. She looks adorable. What a lot of changes but as you indicate God is good and pleased to hear how everything has worked out for you. Exciting and I suspect at times challenging. Your family are lovely and love hearing your news too. So inspiring to read. I don’t know what it is like in USA but in England moving is really stressful so I am praying things sort themselves out for you soon. Thank you for your blog.
Good Morning Amy – So happy to hear that you and your family are doing well. Pretty new little one and a new house too. Hope the move goes well. Hope to see more of you in my email inbox. Have a good day.
Congrats on everything!! Can’t wait to hear and see what’s happening in your world.
This is where I put a heart emoji. Thank you for checking in. I love your honesty and hearing about your life with all the twists and turns it makes. Your family is beautiful.
Congratulations Amy! So many new experiences for all of you! It was a wonderful post to read this morning! Thank you.
-Jean💟
Welcome back Amy. What exciting times…so happy for you and your family for all things new in your life. Ruby is adorable and is lucky to have such a beautiful family to grow up with. Congratulations and it’s nice to see you back .
Good to have you back! Good luck with your move and congrats – it looks like you’ve made it to the other side :)
I just love seeing you grow and your family is so sweet, not the fake Christian sweet I mean real Mom real Dad making the best choices for YOUR family not anyone else. Every time I look at my quilt I made with you when you were carrying your twins makes me smile. It was your Craftsy class. Cut yourself some slack, eat chocolate and sneak in a nap now and then.
Love and Peace from here in NH
Judy
So nice to hear from you! Congratulations on all the milestones!
What a pleasant surprise to see this today! I’ve been wondering how you all were doing. It’s great to see things falling into place. God always has a way of making things work out-not necessarily how we would but better. Congratulations on little Miss Ruby! You and your husband have a beautiful family!
Let me just say, first, I think you are totally amazing!! So happy to have to you back – I do see you on IG but looking forward to your shares here. Your precious Ruby is just such a gift to your already fabulous family, and also looking forward to hearing about those adventures. We are on the hunt for a new home also, and I could use some tips!! Now that you’re plugged back in, and took a deep breath, welcome back.
A joy to see your post and the pictures of your beautiful family this morning! Congratulations on all of the exciting changes in your lives! Gosh … We have had a few educational bumps in our journey as well! We chose not to swim with the current, but rather sought the best fit for our needs. And … well … it wasn’t always easy. And, at times, I did have to eat my proverbial hat. But, my kids are happy. And, in the end, I think my kids have learned the value of thinking outside the box. And, maybe even more importantly, if something isn’t working in life … change it.
Amy! I was so excited to see an email from Stitchery Dickory Dock!!! It’s really wonderful to see your family and new little Ruby…and really so glad things are getting back on track for you. Life is challenging enough without all the extra “stuff” that moving, having a new baby and trying to make sure the children are getting their education…no matter what you choose, it will be right because you pray over it. Sending prayers and blessings that you will soon be in your home and finding the new normal for your lives.
Amy I’m a newer subscriber and I wanted to say congratulations on your beautiful baby girl Ruby!!!!
Just looking at all your precious babies you can see how loved they are.
I look forward to reading more from you and may God bless you today and all days!
I was just thinking of you and your family yesterday! So happy to hear all is well and welcome back! Ruby is gorgeous like the rest of your crew! They all have those beautiful eyes!
So very glad to get your post this morning. What a beautiful new addition little Ruby is to and already awesome family. You are VERY blessed. What challenges you have had and are going through. But as long as you are letting God lead you can’t go wrong. So glad you are back. Looking forward to seeing more posts. God bless!
Amy, thank you for sharing your latest adventures. I love your family portrait.
I am absolutely so happy for all of you.
Best wishes on the move!!!
I am so happy to hear from you!
Love❤️
Lovely to see you in the inbox again, and great to see you very nearly in your own home at last! Your girls are looking so grown up now, and you know that as they set off to their new big school you have given then a great start to their education by everything you did for them in homeschooling. Enjoy the fun preschooling now with Ruby and the twins. I bet with her brothers to show her the way, she’s going to breeze through learning to get sticky, gooey, and having fun on the way!
Very best to you all!
What a wonderful surprise when I checked my e-mail today. Ruby is adorable, the boys are so grown up and the girls. Oh my I don’t envy Dad in the future. So pleased that life has calmed a bit for you and you are enjoying family and the daily life joys. God is good all of the time. So glad you are back. Take care and skip, twirl, and leap through the day.
Oh my goodness what an adorable family you have. And such a beautiful smiley little ruby, what a blessing. What an exciting year you have to look forward to. I’m in dark cloudy England already looking forward to seeing your updates 😀
Loved your post! So happy to see you back!
Don’t let the trolls get to you! Like you said, everyone’s journey is unique. I never thought I would send my kids to public school, but my two oldest ended up there for high school. I was terrified, especially since our high school for the freshman and sophomore years is considered almost an inner city school; but we trusted that God could see the bigger picture. It turned out to be the right thing! Both of them really needed the structure and grading system (?? Really?) to give them confidence in themselves! Now one is a published author and runs his own tutoring business, and the other just graduated with a degree in psychology, and she and her husband are expecting their first baby.
You have a lovely family, and I can’t wait to hear more from you this year!
Yes, did mss ya! I don’t always leave not but had too this time..first to welcome you back. Second God blessed you wish a Beautiful bundle of joy, Ruby…Omg she is adorable and she loves the camera! Lol
Welcome back! And another beautiful baby! Looking forward to hearing more from you. I actually just checked your website a couple days ago, feeling that I may have fallen off your follower list somehow. So happy to hear everything is coming together for you.
What a lovely family! Congratulations.
I was so happy to see a post from you this morning. Seeing the post is like getting a letter from a long time friend. Your post is very inspirational.
The photos are wonderful! You have a beautiful family.
God has watched over your family and has guided you through many decisions over the past year. I is good to know that you and your family are doing well.
Amy so great to hear from you. what great pictures. I have been thing about you the last few weeks and praying that all was well with your family. We should not judge others about their school choices. We need to make choices that we feel are right for our family. Why as women and mom’s do we feel we can do it all for everyone else. We need to take care of ourselves.
So glad to hear that you will have a chance very soon to spread your wings in your own home. Ruby Lynise has the most sparkly of eyes and such a beautiful smile. What a joy it must be to wake up to her ever day. Looking forward to hearing more of your journey.
Congratulations on your new bundle of sweetness!!! And on the new home – both are so very exciting…and stressful!! On you choices for educating your children…you do what is right for you and your family and ignore all the opinionated folks walking different paths! Only you can decide what is right for you and your children. Enjoy your time with all your kids…don’t blink cuz they’ll grow up in a flash! These are the best days of your life…totally crazy, but the best!
Welcome Back Amy!
It is so good to be receiving your updates again.
Good luck with everything the future holds for you and your family.
And don’t let the naysayers get you down – all the decisions you make about your family are for them and the reasons behind any decisions made are your’s and your husbands alone.
So please stay strong and I am certain your God will help with your inner strength.
Best wishes to you
Alison
Your return to blogland has been much anticipated by many. Oh, my goodness, you’ve been a busy mom! You are making the right choices for you and your family, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Embrace each moment……you’re already making it a grand adventure! Welcome back! Your family is precious! Thanks for the pics!
Here’s what matters: loving your husband and children in the best way you can. Only you can choose that! Thanks for your courage in sharing your truth. And blessings, blessings with those sweet kiddos!
Ruby is gorgeous! Congratulations! I worried about you while you were gone. It’s great to have you back.
Schools – you do what is best for your family every week, every year. I raised 4 children who were all home schooled at one point or another as well as spent some years in private or public school. 2 graduated from public school and 2 graduated home school. All have college degrees :)
Each child is an individual and has their own needs. Each parent as well. Don’t let anyone give you smack. You made the best decision for you and your family for now.
So happy to hear from you. Was just thinking a couple days before that I would love to just know you were all doing ok. Sounds like you are flourishing. Can’t believe how much the boys have grown. The girls are becoming young women. Don’t know how you manage to keep up with all that you do besides rasing your beautiful family. I know you will love and enjoy your new home. Beautiful baby Ruby. Can’t believe she is already nearly 4 months old. You have a lovely family.
Welcome Baby Ruby💚 Glad all is well and things have worked out. Have a wonderful 2018.
Blessings on this new part of your journey.
Aussie Gina here. A big ‘Welcome back’ Amy. It was such a joy to see those gorgeous pictures of your family. You have had a very tough journey but it was wonderful to see you took time to come back after allowing yourself to breathe. Am looking forward to reading your blog and create fabulous things.
Good luck Amy. God bless
Welcome back, so glad to read you and your family are OK. Look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
SO happy to see all your smiling faces!!! Congratulations on taking a break!
Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear you and the family are doing so well.
So glad you’re back. Have loved the glimpses of Ruby on Instagram! She’s adorable and fits right in with your whole adorable family. Congratulations! Can’t wait to see pix of the new home!
I check your sites often to get the status and boy was I happy to see this post. Welcome to new wee one and congratulations to you and your family. I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing more of you as you settle in but do take your time. I have tried to sign up for your newsletter but I am taken to a site that says I’m trying to log into an admin site! I promise, not trying to hack you. 😄 Just want to receive your updates. Take care of you and your gorgeous family and enjoy the journey on your terms. Nancy
Congratulations on baby Ruby! Sharing your journey about the good and not-so-good is really brave. So many things written online make it seem like everyone’s life is blessed and always perfect. Your transparancy is so refreshing. i homeschooled my children. The year my father died, however, my oldest 3 spent the year in public school. I did not have it in me to give them the education they needed that year; I was just their mom. And, you know what?, they were just fine. We went back to homeschooling after that, but each year we evaluated whether or not it was the right decision. I gave myself permission (without guilt) to choose each year. They all 4 have bachelors degrees and one masters degree, so I am looking at it from the other side. I just want to encourage you to free yourself from any guilt about your decision. You seem like a great mom, and you have no one to answer to in “internet-land.” Hang in there, enjoy them while they are young, and have fun fixing up your new house. BTW- LOVE the Quilt Block Cookbook!
Life does not always go as we planned, but so glad you are getting to be a mom to those kids. Such sweet smiles from the whole family. Love that wide eyed baby. And to hear you will have a new home soon.
I have thought about you a lot since your last post and I am so delighted to see you and yours so well. Baby Ruby is a sparkler and she clearly adores her big sisters and brothers. What a lucky baby to have such a loving family!
You are entirely right to in taking the educational choices you have made. Your girls will hugely benefit from the challenges and stimulation of school.
Best wishes
As I m making dinner thinking about the Sunflower quilt pieces I can’t wait to get back to.. and I couldn’t find any blog.. unt I googled “what happened to Amy Gibson”. And got this blog.. thank goodness… have missed you so much… congrats on your new Ruby( 9 lbs is ack very difficult to push out!!!), love hearing about all your adventures, thoughts, ideas…wishing you the best for your new ‘ old’ house, kids schooling, quilting—do you think you were burnt out on sewing??? And needed a break?? Eagerly awaiting more blogs
Hi Amy,
congratulations on your little bundle of joy, she very pretty. I have missed you very much and I was just on Craftsy watching one of your tutorials and was wondering how we were doing. I decided to check your website and saw your update. I’m really happy that you and your family are doing well. I can’t wait to see more tutorials. Take care
Congratulations!!! And welcome back. Ruby is so PRECIOUS!!! Praying for all of you.
Congratulations! Your children are the cutest ever! Glad you’re back and good luck in finalizing all and getting the keys to your new nest!
Hi Amy! You have an absolutely beautiful family, you really do!! How do you find the time to work on your patterns, teach and sew? Us women have many hats, dont we?! :-) I took your Craftsy courses and you taught me quite a bit. Thanks and good luck with everything to come! Cindy
Amy, I may have commented already but it’s been a few months and I just wanted to say…good for you! You’ve enlarged your family and hung in there through the rough times. Like any parent knows, you sometimes have to roll with the punches and take the journey wherever it leads. I adore your photos of Ruby with her big siblings. As I’ve told many friends, the baby in the family just seems to be the easiest cause they know they have to be! I miss your blog posts but totally get that you have your priorities elsewhere…as they should be of course. I was just reading a post today that mentioned one of your books (http://www.gigisthimble.com/2018/04/in-meadow-blog-tour.htm , so I thought…”what is Amy up to lately?.” I’ve been sewing little doll’s clothing and oh…with a new baby…the fun you could have!! I’m sure your little one is blessed with lots of blankets and love. As for homeschooling your kids, you do what you feel is right. It is good for them to meet neighborhood friends but also, for you to have some separation to bond with the younger ones at this current stage. By now, you’re probably used to the schedule. You also know that you can always revitalize home schooling if the need arises. Enjoy the mommy time.
Hi Amy. You have such a beautiful family. I so enjoy watching them grow up. What happened to those little twin baby boys LOL. Such handsome tykes they haved grown to.
Hope the house and allof you are doing well.
Blessing to all
Hi Amy, I’ve been making my 3rd quilt for my mother using your Quilt Block Cookbook and I am really loving it. I discovered you on Craftsy when I took your Block of the month class last summer. And now I’ve discovered your Sugar Block Club from this website but what I am interested in is patterns from way back in 2014. Is there still any way I can get those patterns that you mailed out month by month for it? I am especially interested in the Joy block. You do such beautiful work and I am loving becoming a quilter through your tutoring/teaching. Thank you so much and congratulations on your beautiful family. I have five kids too including triplets!!! Agh!!! That was a surprise!! We were praying for one more and I got 3!! God Bless you and your family.
Hi Dear One,
Just realized I hadn’t heard from you in a long time so I checked out your website again. I enjoyed Reading your latest post from back in February. Wow! So much going on. You’re an excellent writer. Can understand your need for time away from us. BUT LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AGAIN WHEN YOU ARE READY.
You remind me of my daughter-in-law who wrote a wonderful little book called Christ in the Chaos – How the Gospel Changes Motherhood. You can get it on Amazon. I think you would enjoy it & wouldfind it encouraging. (Not another how-Roy book)
Look forward to hearing all about your new home.
In His care,
Linda
Amy, I keep checking for your blogs.. .. thank you so much for filling us in on what s going on with your family..you have shown such transparency in your life and I ve appreciated how brave that is of you. Please keep us posted on what you are feeling, going through and when quilting gets back in your busy, busy life!
So it’s the end of another school year and I am planning to do some serious sewing, especially after the summer break. My daughter, who has been home for the last 3 years for school, will be back in school, high school. I have so missed my time, as when we were done with school and the kids were in bed, I have just been to tired most nights to sew. I am sure you have had the same issues, but on a different perspective. I hope to see you back on your blog soon. I want to do the blocks in your Quilt Block Cookbook. I like to make quilts and then give them away. Thanks for the inspiration in your book. Enjoy your time with your little ones, the time passes way to fast. Mine are 27, 25, 21, 15, &10. With 2 granddaughters, 5 & 6, I feel time passes even faster.
So very good to see you back on. Congrats to your precious little angel from the Lord. Take care of yourself!!! You will survive.
Missed you! That’s why I googled what was up 😆. But honestly I was wondering how you “do it all.” So glad you’re getting that needed rest. I homeschooled too back when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. My twins are turning thirty soon. I understand the struggle. Wish I knew then what you know now!
Hi Amy Congratulations on being such a ‘true to yourself’ person.
Congratulations on your beautiful family.
Congratulations on what must be a wonderful man and marriage.
Congratulations for your honesty about being ‘true to who you are, taking a break and being the woman you are.
You are a great role model, a woman who trusts God and I am sure is following His plan for your life.
All God’s blessings on you and your family.
I’ve just gone back to have another look at all your lovely photos of your family – just because I can…..
They are so adorable
k x
What a great family you have. Congratulations on your new addition. She is so adorable!