Quick Update

Hi everyone! Just a quick update.... Niko and I are currently spending 2 weeks with yiayia and pappou. We are having such a wonderful time. I am busy with some work, but I am enjoying going out at night with some old friends that I have not seen in a while. Father is currently on a 12 day trip - he first went to see an ordination of a friend of ours in Paris. Talk about jealousy!!! We went to Paris on our honeymoon and I absolutely loved it!!!!! I never thought Father would go without me! Anyway, I don't want to think about all the things I missed. After Paris, Father went to Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Mt. Athos. Tomorrow he leaves for Istanbul. He will be back Wednesday. This is such a great trip for him. It is a guy trip - all the people who went were men, so I would definitely not fit in! :-) All I told him was that he better come home with some nice gifts!!! Then I will forgive him for going without me! :-) As for me, it is so nice to see my family. Leaving them this summer when we moved made me realize how much they mean to me and how much they take care of us. Niko is in heaven getting away with everything because yiayia and pappou let him do whatever he wants. It doesn't bother me because while I get work done, Niko is being taken care of. This means I have more time to complete more work. Well, I think I am going to go shopping in the next couple of days to start getting decorations for our home for Christmas. I am very excited! Since this is our first home, I want to decorate it nicely. I don't think I am going to do too much outside, but we will see. If Father has time, then maybe we will. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy time with your family!!!!

New Items in my Etsy Shop - Elona Creations

Hi Everyone! I have been busy the last couple of weeks adding new items in my etsy shop. I would like to show you them and please tell me which you like the best:




The first one is a personalized stationery set with this beautiful winter berry on it.

The second is a personalized stationery set with stick people to represent your family. (this is so cute)

The third is called: "Beautiful Chandelier with Roses Invitations/Announcements"
The fourth one is called: "Elegant Pregnancy Silhouette Baby Shower Invitation or Announcement"
The fifth one is called: "Singing/Calling Blue Bird Invitation or Announcement"
The sixth one is a perfect gift set and is called: "Set of 10 Personalized Calling Bird Stationary Set (folded cards) - This is my favorite!
And the last one is called: "Tea Party with Roses Invitations"


I am also selling Orthodox Christmas cards that are handmade with love. You can check out my shop at http://www.elonacreations.etsy.com/. I am offering 10% off all my items in my shop to all my blog readers. Thanks for all your support!


I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Gatherings and Cleaning

I hope everyone is having a nice week so far. We had the altar boys over yesterday for a little get together. It was a very nice time. Niko was a little confused with all the boys in our house, but he sat with them for a little to watch a movie. The rest of the time he was laughing and playing around them to try to see if he would get any attention. It was cute! The funny thing is that we had some pizzas in the oven and some oil dripped down and everything started smoking up! We had to open the front door and patio door to get the smoke out. On top of that, two of our neighbors were burning leaves so that smoke was coming into the house. It was very comical. Father and I couldn't stop laughing because we thought about what the kids would tell their parents - just imagine: "Father and Presvytera almost burnt their house down!!" :-) I guess there is never a dull moment in our home!!! Well I am pretty much done cleaning everything up. Father left for a couple of days for a clergy laity conference. It is Niko and me for the next couple of days. I plan to get as much stuff done as I can. What I have been working on today is LAUNDRY. I have done so many loads that I stopped counting. When we first moved a laundry machine was the first purchase we made. We did a lot of research in trying to pick the best machine and dryer, and in the end Father made the decision. They were expensive, but they work really well. The only bad thing is that they are noisy. But since the laundry room has a door, you can barely hear them. Anyway, that is how I think I am going to spend the rest of my day - doing laundry! How exciting! I also have some new invitations and Orthodox Christmas cards I am going to be working on for my etsy shop. Once I complete them, I will post some pictures. Well, I am off to check on Niko because it sounds like he is having a party instead of taking a nap. Have a blessed day!

BLOG ANNIVERSARY

Since my blog will have its one year anniversary, I thought I would have a giveaway to celebrate! I can't believe it has been a year already. Boy does time fly when you you are having fun! So much has happened in this year. I want to take this chance to thank everyone for all their prayers, love, and support. I really appreciate it! Well - back to the giveaway. Elona Creations will present one lucky reader with 5 Orthodox greeting cards of their choice. On Saturday I will pick a winner and announce it here. If you are interested in this giveaway, please leave a comment in this post and your email address so I can contact you for your mailing address. GOOD LUCK!

*********THE WINNER IS MIMI - CONGRATULATIONS**********

We have been sick...

Niko and I have been at my mom's house since last Thursday and came home late on Monday night. We had originally planned to go to spend some time with yiayia and pappou (grandpa and grandma). I had a couple of etsy orders I needed to complete, so the plan was for them to watch Niko so I can work. And that happened, but we also both got sick. Unfortunately, we got grandma sick too, SORRY MOM! Anyway, everyone knows how hard it is to be sick and have a little one sick too. Thank God he only had a fever for 2 days and now is better. That is what we have been up to - not much. I have a lot of housework to catch up on - :-(. Lets say I don't look forward to it. I am doing it slowly, but boy do things add up in such few days. Oh yeah, on Saturday night, the church I grew up in had their 100 year anniversary. There were over 1200 people! It was nuts! The speeches didn't end until 11:30 p.m. It was a very nice night and may God bless the parish always. Here is a picture of Niko before we left. I think I am going to use this picture as one of the pictures for our Christmas card. What do you think? Have a blessed rest of the week.

One day....

This post is dedicated to all the mother and fathers in the world who know how it is to be a parent.

One day.....

One day my house will be clean
One day the dishes will be done
One day the laundry will be folded and put away
One day I will be able to go to the bathroom without any interruptions
One day I will be able to shower without hearing someone yelling "MOM!"
One day I will know how it feels to just get up and go
One day I will carry a normal sized purse
One day my purse will not be filled with old lollipops, diapers, wipes, baby powder, snacks, crayons, and anything else you can imagine
One day I will hear Father's sermon and not be chasing my little guy around the Narthex
One day I will sit through Church with no interruptions
One day my car will be clean
One day I won't find little surprises all over the house (food, toys, and so on)
One day I will be able to go on the computer without someone on my lap or trying to jump on my back
One day I will watch what I want on tv and not Barney, Caillou, or Curious George
One day I will be able to go to the store and not have anyone throw any tantrums because they want a toy or something sparkly
One day I will have time to myself
One day I will be able to put all my nice things out that I have without worrying that someone will break them
One day I will do an art project without everything all over me
One day I won't have to change diapers
One day I will actually fill my cabinets with things and not be afraid that someone will get into them
One day I won't have someone dancing on the table and saying "OPA"
One day I won't find someone hiding in the washing machine, in a closet, or in the garage
One day I will eat without getting dirty
One day I will not trip over a million balls that my little guy has all over the house!

But then will I be happy? I don't think so. As much as I want a lot of these things I have stated, I would not give up my present situation for anything! I love you Niko so much! You keep me on my toes, but you make life so enjoyable. May God bless all the children in the world and give all us parents the patience to deal with them!! I hope everyone has a great day~

***** I would love to hear what other parents can add to this list. It would be fun to keep the list going! :-) ****

Happenings in our House

We have been one busy family! The last couple of days have been spent with a variety of activities. Last week we wento to the town of Galena, Illinois. It is an old town where on the main street are a bunch of little stores where you can find some unique items. Father, Niko, and I met another priest family there to spend the day together. We really had a nice time. It is nice to get together with other priest families. They understand everything you are going through since they are going through the same things. The funny thing was that the two Fathers got a lot of stares wearing their cassocks. I don't even pay attention anymore because we are so used to it, but a store owner pointed it out to us and started laughing. I think Orthodox priests sometimes confuse people because they mistake them for either Catholics, Jewish, or Muslim. Then the people are more confused when they see Father with me and Niko. It is kind of funny. :-) I think the Orthodox need to make a bigger presence in the communities, so when people see them they know who they are. Anyway, it was a very fun time! We also have been busy with various church meetings and activities. This past weekend, my parents came over to visit. It was so nice to be with them. Niko was sooooo happy. He wanted to be with his grandparents non-stop. He has been a little sad today and asking for them, but I hope after his nap he will be better. My mom really helped me around the house to get some more thing put in order. I feel better knowing that we got some work done! Slowly things are falling into place. I personally have been busy with some invitation orders, so my mom also helped watch Niko so I can do that work. I miss her so much! Living with my parents for the first years of our marriage was great. Now that I am far away from them I realize how truly blessed I was to have them, especially Niko to see his grandparents every day. Now that they are an hour and a half a way I see how sad it is for all of us. So if you have your parents close, give them a hug and tell them how much their help and love means to you. Thanks mom and dad for all your love, support, and help. I really do appreciate it!!! Well, I am off to get some laundry done. Yeah!!! I hope everyone has a blessed week!