Gettin' All Fancy

In my steps to focus on Serwa Chic and its success in this next year, one of my goals was to dive into the world of advertising! I quickly identified a couple of places I knew I wanted to approach and set to work making banner ads and square ads. You can see them in action at one of the places where Serwa Chic ads are placed: The Playdate Crashers!

It's been fun to feel a little bit more like an "official" business, and I can't wait to start researching other avenues for advertising!

Serwa Chic & Babies Bottoms and More

You may have already seen this photo on Facebook, but I just wanted to share with you a photo Elisa snapped of my Modest Mama nursing covers in her store! Have I mentioned how excited I am to be partnering with Babies Bottoms and More? SO excited!

Exciting News!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so stoked to announce that Serwa Chic Modest Mama nursing covers are going to be stocked in a local store! Elisa from Babies Bottoms and More loved the extra coverage, the velcro enclosure, the handy pocket, and the cute prints of our nursing covers and will now be carrying them as part of her product line!

I'm not sure it's possible for me to get any more excited! I would LOVE it if you could hop over to their Facebook page and let her know I sent you!

That's right. I might just pee my pants. I'm THAT excited!

Perspective

My heart literally aches. “Aches” isn’t even a strong enough word, honestly. I’ve been following Courtney’s blog about her son, Tripp since Patrice first mentioned his story. I’ve put my head in my hands and sobbed as I read about a Mom’s unconditional and never tiring love of her son. I’ve looked at my boys and wondered if I could have the strength to watch them go through so much pain, to watch them slowly – and painfully – get worse.

I don’t know Courtney. I’ve never talked to her, but her life and story have changed me. I hug my boys tighter, kiss them harder, and cuddle with them longer. More importantly though, I have perspective. I understand that so many of my “worries” are really luxuries. I have the luxury of getting frustrated at stubbornness, temper tantrums, disobedience, or picky eating. The fact that none of those issues are life or death in our world is a luxury….a luxury that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Tripp passed away. After months – years, really – of an up and down roller coaster of health, emotions, and pain, he passed away. Peacefully. In his Mommy’s arms.

Since he’s been born, Courtney’s life has revolved around Tripp in a way none of us can fully understand. I say my life revolves around my kids and their schedule, but the truth is I’m allowed to be much more selfish than that. Courtney ate, slept, and breathed Tripp and his needs – and joyfully so. I can only imagine the helplessness I would feel in her shoes. I’m certain she’ll mourn – a profound mourning of her soul that can only be heard and truly understood by her Creator. I don’t know Courtney. I didn’t know Tripp. But my heart will be mourning right along with her.

I can’t wait to meet Tripp in heaven. I look forward to seeing his body without wounds and healthy. Or maybe he will have those wounds, I don’t know. I do know that he won’t hurt. I know that Jesus will be able to wrap His arms around Tripp and squeeze him more tightly than he’s ever been hugged. I know that he’s free of pain and that his years here already seem like a distant dream that passed so quickly. I believe that Tripp is finally seeing the purpose of his suffering, how God used one little life to perform miracles. I hope I get to see Courtney hugging Tripp in heaven.

Until that moment though, God brings Courtney to my mind almost daily. She asked her blog readers to pray in Tripp’s last days that he would feel peace, and I gladly prayed exactly that. I’m now finding myself praying that precise thing for her. That a soul torn to shreds by grief would be calmed by the hands of the Comforter and that even in the midst of her deepest mourning, His arms would be wrapped tightly around her – hugging her, rocking her, speaking softly and tenderly to her. Unconditionally loving and caring for a wounded heart the same way she loved and cared for a wounded boy.

I’ll need a Pinky-swear

{posted by Courtney on 7-15-11}

As he lies in my lap

And together we sway

I rock him to sleep

And meanwhile I pray:

“Dear God, I know you can see us

And you’re watching from above

Filled with sadness for him, as we are,

And equally in love.

I’ve never once asked You “why?”

Nor questioned if You were near.

But I do have one request tonight,

I pray that you will hear.

When it’s time for You to call him home,

And my hope turns into despair,

I will need more than a promise from You,

I’ll need a pinky-swear…

That you will hold him close to Your chest,

And say “I love you” all day long.

That you will rock him ’til your knees get sore,

And sing his favorite songs.

Tell me that You’ll keep him safe,

So I will not be distressed.

Tell me that he’ll will get his wings

And tell me he’ll be blessed.

Let me know he made it safely,

Without a single blister or bleed,

Let me know that you will do MY job,

To fulfill his every need.

I have to know that you will love him,

Just as much, or more, than I do.

And when he finally speaks a word,

That You’ll record it so I can hear, too.

My buddy is going to need Your help,

With so much yet to learn.

Like using a spoon, writing his name,

And having to wait his turn.

God, please be patient when he tries,

For he’s such a sweet and loving boy.

Please give him every thing he wants,

But make sure he shares his toys.

These are things I’ll miss out on,

Like no Mommy should have to do.

So don’t let one milestone go unnoticed,

Please, I’m begging You.

He likes Elmo’s ducks, The Three little Pigs,

Shoo Fly and Counting to Four.

Big Green Tractor, Rise and Shine.

And when they stop, he’ll tell you “more.”

He holds certain toys in certain hands,

And says yes with a big smile.

Please spend some extra special time,

And talk with him awhile.

It breaks my heart to have to think

That he won’t graduate from school.

Or go to prom, or have kids of his own,

Or even break a single rule.

Tell him for me- please don’t forget,

That I wanted him to stay.

That I tried and tried to ease his pain,

But it was only YOU who knew the way.

I know you have a choir of angels,

Who play music while they fly.

And if they need a drummer boy-

Well, my Tripp, he’s their guy!

You’ve probably seen it for yourself,

That he’s one brave kid, indeed.

But he’ll be scared if You have to leave,

So stay with him, I plead.

If he has to go to Heaven first,

I’ll make one promise back to You-

I’ll miss him every second he’s gone,

And spend the rest of my life trying to get there, too.

I hope that’s not too much to ask,

And I trust You’ll do your best.

To fill my spot, just temporary,

And answer my requests.

Thank in advance, Dear God.

Because I know You’re a busy man.

I trust in You and in Your Will

And know You have a plan.”

Words just simply can’t express

To my only son who just turned two-

How very much my heart will ache

If that rocking chair is without you.

So dear sweet angel baby of mine,

If we ever have to say goodbye…

I’ll rock you in my heart forever,

Until we meet again in the sky.

More Fitteds on Clearance!

As I'm sorting through my inventory, I've found that I have several Fitted Diapers I have yet to stock! If you're a Fitted Diaper fan, or have just been wanting to try one out - you're in luck!

These Fitteds - and several others - are all in the Clearance section of the Serwa Chic store! At only six dollars, this is the perfect time to stock up...

New Perfect Fits Coming Soon!

I'm so pumped about the new Perfect Fit 2-Size diapers I'll be stocking soon! These are my favorite cloth diapers because they truly do fit babies from birth to potty training. The Small will fit babies from five to twenty pounds, and the Large fits kiddos from sixteen to forty-five pounds. The diapers feature snaps for the width and the length of the diapers, allowing you adjust the fit based on your child's perfect fit. 2-Size diaper save our family both time and money, and are always first go-to diaper!

I thought you guys might enjoy a sneak peek of the diapers I'll be stocking next week - these are some of my favorite fabrics ever!

price change!

Well, true to my word I've been hard at work on all things Serwa Chic lately! Part of that process included changing my prices to be (get this...) even lower! Every item in the Serwa Chic shop is now even MORE affordable!

I've lowered the prices for the Mess Free long sleeve bibs, the Modest Mama nursing covers, the Perfect Fit 2-Sizes, the All In Ones, and the Diaper Covers!

I wanted to make sure lowering my prices was the first change I made as a "thank you" to my loyal customers. Enjoy your shopping with our new, lower prices! I so appreciate YOU!

new year, new beginning

I happen to really love New Year's. My husband and I typically take it easy and watch the ball drop in our pajamas, cuddled on the couch! I appreciate ringing in the new year with that sense of calm and comfort, and I can't lie - I happen to love resolutions. The OCD organizer in me gets so excited to look over the past year and remember the things I did well, and the things I did...notsowell. Setting goals seems to be ingrained in my DNA, so resolutions are always a little fun for me! And honestly - nine times out of ten I actually keep the resolution and meet the goal. You know, not to brag. But yeah, I sprinkly hearts love resolutions.

As I look back over 2011, I'm a little stunned at how MUCH my family accomplished. 2011 was the year of my family for me. I spent most of my efforts and time helping our family adjusting to an entirely different state, culture, and climate. My husband and I have worked to make communication and quality time a priority, and we're both constantly seeking to sharpen our parenting skills. 2011 also brought a 60 lb. weight loss for me, so I'm sure you can imagine the time I took to work out, plan meals, track calories, and stay motivated.

Oh, and clothes shopping. Everyone knows the best part of losing weight is suddenly "needing" new clothes!

I worked hard with Serwa Chic in 2011 and kept up with the steady stream of orders coming through, but advertising, promoting, and growing the business just needed to take a back seat to my family this year.

Now that my life is more stable (and of course, now that both my boys will be in preschool starting in the fall), I'm ready to take a new look at Serwa Chic. I'll be spending some time praying and seeking God's thoughts on this business and my professional future, I'll be deciding some action steps, and I'll be working towards accomplishing the goals by the end of 2012.

Some of the idea swirling in my head are to register for and attend several craft fairs throughout the year (especially the summer), to aggressively pursue stocking my products locally, to advertise, and to re-calculate some of my prices.

So look out, 2012. Here comes Serwa Chic, armed with a battery of goals and action steps!

Whether your New Year's will be spent drinking cocktails with friends or snuggled on the couch in your pjs, I hope you get a chance to reflect over 2011. Remember that mistakes aren't failures, they're an opportunity to learn and adjust. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to You!

If you're anything like me, this is a crazy week for you. Oh, what's that? You have all your shopping done, your gifts wrapped, your cookies baked, your thank you cards written, and your holly is plenty of jolly?

Hmph. I guess it's just me then.

So because I'm definitely feeling your (theoretic) pain, I have a gift for YOU! Tomorrow is the last day to get free shipping on your Serwa Chic order! Just enter the code "hollyjolly" (no quotes), and you will pay exactly zero dollars and zero cents to ship those last minute stocking stuffers straight to your house!

Now you can stay in your PJs, drink up that egg nog, and Feliz Navidad it all up that hiz-ouse of yours.

Merry Christmas!