taking care

We almost made it through this whole season without being sick once. I should have known it would come at the most inopportune time EVER. Last week, we had colds which wouldn't have been a big deal except that Curry's due date was Tuesday (2/21) and I didn't want to subject her or the baby to our germs. I was praying she would go late so we could recover in time to visit for Lucie's birth. We DID get better and Curry DID go past her due date, but I guess I should have clarified in my prayers that we would STAY healthy until after her birth. Anna spiked a fever on Monday and spent most of that day and yesterday like this. 

Poor girl. She's been pretty miserable. Luckily, she's the only one that's been sick. She's fever free today, but our trip to Middletown for Lucie's arrival was still delayed. She was born today and it's KILLING me that I'm still in Louisville. I'm so glad that Anna is feeling better though, and we're planning to head up on Friday after we're in the clear for contagion - as long as we stay healthy!! It will actually work out well, because I think the kids and I will get to go to The Oaks on Sunday. We haven't been since we moved and it'll be fun to see our friends. 

Congratulations Winters family!! See you soon!

using what I got

So, my Yarn Republic orders are really slowing down now that the weather is warming up. Instead of making nothing but scarves, I've actually been spending time making fun gifts for all of the pregnant mamas that I know. It's fun to do something different and I'm finally getting around to trying some new patterns. I have all of these fun new color combinations that I want to try, but I was confronted yesterday by the ridiculous amount of yarn I already have. I mean, seriously, look at this!

Oh yeah, all of those bins are filled with yarn too. When we moved there were like 4 large boxes labeled "Yarn". I think the guys helping us thought I was crazy. And all of that yarn piled on top is remnants from scarves I made this season. Each one takes a bit less than a skein and that's the leftovers. It doesn't matter how cute a different shade of pink or blue might be in a project. I have plenty to work with. I MUST use what I have before I go to Hobby Lobby again. I MUST!

when silence isn't golden

A few years back a friend of mine experienced the loss of her father. His death was unexpected and the circumstances were heartbreaking. We weren't super close friends at the time, but close enough. We had recently planted The Oaks, and it was our first experience having one of our members (and friends)deal with such a loss. I wasn't sure what to say to her, and out of fear that I might say the wrong thing - I said nothing at all. She came to me in the midst of her grief and explained how hurtful it had been that we had not been there more for her and her family. I felt terrible.

Since then, I've had so many friends deal with suffering through a myriad of circumstances - the loss of a parent, the loss of a job, infertility, miscarriage, chronic health problems, etc. I wish I could say that I've loved them better than my friend who lost her father. In some cases i have, but I also continue to struggle with some of the same problems. I'm so fearful of saying the wrong thing to them in the midst of their suffering that I don't say anything at all. I'm fearful that proclaiming Gods truths to them will sound cliche or will only make them feel worse. Im fearful that Ill sound condescending. And even if they struggle with specific sins during their suffering, I'm fearful of calling them out because it just feels wrong to do that to someone who's in pain - even if it is biblical. All of these things have been weighing on my mind as several of my friends currently suffer.

I was also thinking about it a lot back in May of 2010 when I wrote a similar post about suffering. They may as well be my thoughts from today. I also re-read my friend, Jackie's, series, "Loving Your Friend Through Infertility" and Molly Piper's, "How To Help Your Grieving Friend" series. Both are great resources and brought great reminders to me. Sarah Cosper also wrote a few thoughts about suffering that were timely and insightful. And after a recommendation from Kevin I started reading Joni Eareckson Tada's, "When God Weeps",which is currently blowing.my.mind. Here's a taste - "God always seems bigger to those that need him most. And suffering is the tool he uses to help us need him more." phew.

It occurred to me today that perhaps God has placed the subject of suffering on my heart in order to prepare me for something. That's a bit ominous...and probably true to some extent as everyone is pretty much in the midst of suffering, coming out of a season, or heading into one. It's unavoidable, really. I'll be honest, I'm praying against it. Currently, though, my focus is not (entirely) on myself but on those around me that are in dark places.

Lord, I pray that you will give me the strength to love my friends well. I pray that I will be present in their lives and that I will confidently proclaim your truth to them without fear. I pray that you will help me to be a better friend, one that brings the aroma of Christ. Lord, you are the ultimate comforter, but you use flawed people like me to bring some means of earthly comfort in the relationships you have granted.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Cor 1:1-7

casualties

You may remember me posting about Anna's buddies, Ella the frog and Bizzie the Lizard back in November.

If you live in Louisville and have spent any amount of time with us, you've probably seen Anna clutching one or both of them. They're pretty inseparable.

Today was a sad day. Ella lost a foot and her leg busted open....in Owen's mouth incoincidentally. Those little white beads you see in the photo came spilling out into his mouth! Needless to say, it's time to say goodbye. We had a good run, Ella. Thanks for the memories!

And as you can see, Bizzie is literally on her last leg as well... Stay strong!!

waiting for Lucie

One of my very best friends, Curry, is due with her little girl, Lucie, any day now. She's actually due to make her appearance in 9 days, but I'm hoping that she isn't as stubborn as her big brother and make her poor mama wait an extra 10 days! One of the perks of having me as a friend is that you get all of the crochet goodness you could ever want (or probably ask for). These are some things I made for baby Lucie. Now, come on out and get 'em, girl!!
Little boots to keep those tooties warm.

 I'm hopeful that Lucie will not look as creepy my babydoll model :) Little lamb pattern courtesy of Alli Hyer over at Allicrafts.

 V-stitch checkered baby afghan.

you only turn 3 once

Forgot I had these pics on my camera and wanted to put them up to remember Anna's 3rd birthday last week. Earlier in the week, Nana drove down for a visit. Anna loves Curious George right now, so she was super excited about the fantastic cupcake cake that Nana brought. How cute is that??

 Nana also brought some fun gifts for the birthday girl - which Owen was pretty excited about too.

 Enjoying her birthday cake.

 Owen was eager to get in on the cake action too.

Nana, cake, and presents are good, but what really made her big day special was going on an "adventure" with daddy. Kevin took her to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D! She's never been to a movie before and I wasn't sure how she'd do, but Kevin is more adventurous than I am. He talked it up with her for three days. He just kept telling her that they were going to go on a special adventure, just the two of them, and they'd get to eat popcorn and chocolate :) When I woke her up on her birthday the first thing she said was, "I go on an a'venture today with daddy! No mommy and no Owen. Just Anna and daddy." So cute. Here they are before they went out. What a handsome husband I have. And seriously, best dad ever.

And to my surprise, she did SO well. She made it through the entire movie! It probably didn't hurt that she ate a giant bucket of popcorn ;) When Kevin called me to tell me how it went, he said about four time that she'd had a LOT of popcorn. Hey, you only turn 3 once, right??

Happy Birthday, Jackie :)

Dear Jackie, I wish I could squeeze you like this today to let you know how glad I am that you were born :)  You have been such a blessing in my life. I've learned so much from you and continue to as the Lord grows you and refines you. Thank you for the way you love the Lord, the way you love your husband, the way you love your church, and of course - the way you love to bake! Thank you for sharing all of these loves with me and so many others. You give so much of yourself to us- through your blog, through your job, and as a friend. I hope that you know how much this means. On a journey with many ups and downs, I pray that today is one full of joy for you. I love you, friend.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Anna!

Sweet Anna turns 3 today. It's what every parent says on every birthday their child celebrates but it's true - I can hardly believe it!

Here's a brief Anna update.
Favorites: friends Afton, Joseph, Ella, Sally, and Benjamin (those are just the ones she talks about :). macaroni and cheese. Curious George. painting. drawing. play doh. helping in the kitchen. jumping in "tuddles". pancakes and sausage. squinkies. chocolate chips. playing dress up in Mimi's room (the guest room/playroom upstairs). singing. Tangled and Robin Hood (the old school cartoon with the animals - love that!). grilled cheese and tomato soup. Team Umizoomi. Peppa Pig. going to church. visits from Mimi, Pop, and Nana. playing with her best buddy, Daddy.

dislikes: potty training (proving to be a very slow process for all of us). any drink but water. vegetables. having her hair brushed. tubby time - after another unfortunate poop in the tub incident she's resorted to taking showers with the assistance of mommy outside the door! wearing clothes to bed. sharing her favorite person (daddy) with Owen.

Anna, we love you so much. We love your spirit and we love the amazing person that the Lord is continuing to grow you into. It is a privilege to be your parents. Just yesterday, you were like this...

and now.....