by Melanie Arntsen of SqueakyBug Specialties

Well it's that time of year again! We finished celebrating our Thanksgiving weekend by putting up our Christmas tree. It is the same tree my husband I have had since our first Christmas together. A little three foot shabby thing I got for $3 at a yard sale because we couldn't afford much. I didn't realize at the time my dear hubby was such a sentimentalist or I might have held out for a bigger tree to begin with. I spent several years wishing and dreaming of getting a bigger fancier tree but, this year especially, have come to love our little "Charlie Brown" tree. It's the simplicity of it really that appeals to me now. The simplicity of not having to stress over hours and hours of decorating it, the simplicity of being able to change how it is decorated each year without spending a fortune to do so. And this simplicity also helps us as a family to focus on why we are really celebrating Christmas at all.


As we decorate, we talk to our children about the symbolism of all that we are doing. We explain to them that the evergreen tree symbolizes the everlasting life we receive by believing that Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for our sins.


We always put the lights and the garland on first. My kiddos have this one down pat, when asked why we do this they remember "Because Jesus is the light of the world!" As we place ornaments on the tree, I like to think of them as symbolizing all the many blessings God bestows on us throughout the year.

Introduction
I am a lifelong Alaskan and currently live in beautiful Wasilla with my amazing husband, four kiddos, and two cats. Homeschooling and raising our kids to be world-changers is my full-time job! We are also in the process of adopting 1-2 children internationally.

How did you get your start on Etsy?
I started selling online through Etsy in September of 2008, after selling locally through boutiques and craft fairs for 1 1/2 years.

How did you choose your shop name?
Baruch is the name of our son, who died from miscarriage on Mother's Day, 2003. Baruch means "blessing" in Hebrew. Baruch's Lullaby was started mainly as a means to help us donate more to the pro-life cause, because after we saw his perfect tiny body, we were convinced like never before that life begins at conception. We continue to donate 10-30% of every sale to our local pregnancy care centers, and the rest is helping us pay for adoption expenses.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for us revolves around homeschool, not business. So, there's lots of reading, some math and journaling, chores, more reading, outside play, a game or two, dress up, legos...I guess I should also mention timeouts, arguments, apologies, owies, and other messes, but that's just not as interesting! I generally knit while reading, watching a movie with my husband, or while we're driving around doing errands (he drives, not me!) and then get the "computer work" (relisting, renewing, editing, answering convos, emailing customers) done in small chunks throughout the day.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?
I'd love to go to Ireland...or see the Maldives...or go to New England in the fall...or see the Pyramids. But as a consolation prize I'd just be thrilled with an undisturbed afternoon at our local coffee shop, knitting and reading Charles Dickens, without anyone asking me to escort them to the restroom the entire time.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
Right now, today - is Romans 8:37...we are more than conquerors through Him who loved (loves!) us. Ask me tomorrow, though, and I'll give you a different one.

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
My favorite item to feature is this scarf, just because I love the picture (so much that you'll see it on my avitar, business cards, and FB profile)! It just makes me smile every time!

URLs to where else we can find you on the internet:
Shop: http://baruchslullaby.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/baruchslullaby
Blog: http://baruchslullaby.blogspot.com