tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33204102024-03-07T19:49:26.129-05:00from the corner tablecoffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-13388555155445762752018-08-06T09:24:00.000-05:002018-08-06T09:25:20.805-05:00It's been a while... AgainOne day I'm going to get consistent with.... something.<br />
<br />
It's been over a year since my last entries and here I am again.<br />
<br />
My main goal in this blog is the have a place that these memories are stored up and an outlet to save my assembled words.<br />
<br />
I have several draft posts I meant to finish and share last year, but looking at them now, the subject matter is either now old news, or about projects I haven't even completed yet.<br />
<br />
I'll just leave this here to remind me that my life is amazing<br />
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even if it's not published in detail on a regular basiscoffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-40283972747841807102017-07-31T19:22:00.000-05:002017-07-31T19:25:55.507-05:00A mom. A broom. A trash bag. A mission. An "I spy" bottle full of colord rice and various small objects was dumped all over one of my daughters' beds this afternoon.<br />
<br />
I sent them out of the room, shut the door, and forbid them from entering it till i could address the situation.<br />
<br />
While everyone else ate supper I took a trash bag and a broom to their room.<br />
<br />
Mom with a trash bag and a broom means whole room is getting swept and reordered.<br />
<br />
Once I started I decided one of their beds needed a new location to keep it from getting so much "lost" underneath (she squirrels things away)...so the whole thing is in a mess right now and they will be getting to stay up a bit later tonight for me to fix it.<br />
<br />
Also...I've told them they will not be allowed back in their room after they get up in the morning without my permission. Let me enjoy the clean room for a few hours.<br />
<br />
Have you ever grounded your kids out of their room?coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-18051014542433247092017-07-26T23:33:00.002-05:002017-07-26T23:35:09.845-05:00Campbelltown, Hamburg, Hammonds Ferry, Hampton Terrace, North Augusta I've been taking in a lot of North Augusta area history recently....through searches online.<br />
Tonight, however, we were able to watch a set of historical talks about who began the town called Hamburg, how the railroad came to the area, the rise and fall of the Hampton Terrace Hotel, who settled here before this area was ever dreamed of as North Augusta and what they did, how they traded, how they traveled.<br />
<br />
These were lectures which someone had videoed and then copied to dvd from vhs by the Nancy Carson Library (North Augusta's public library)...which i happened to see on the shelf while avoiding the downpouring lightning storm this afternoon.<br />
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<br />
I'm so glad to have the resources we do to feed my curiosity about bricks and streets and the really old homes scattered among the midcentury neighborhoods. It really is helping put all these pieces together to understand the land we live on...and how very different it could have been if events had played out differently...<br />
<br />
I'd post some links to sites I've looked at for tales of these places, but I'm not certain of each story tellers validity, so I'll let you Google those yourself.coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-32070056977401733792017-07-21T22:09:00.003-05:002017-07-21T22:14:21.670-05:00I'm thankful for my daughter's food allergies Six months ago I could not say this. Six months ago I was deeply stressed by any event involving food. Grocery shopping litterally left me in tears and social gatherings made me feel so very on-edge.<br />
<br />
Early this year we confirmed that our three and a half year old daughter has a list of foods she should not eat. She has never had a true anaphylactic reaction, though she has had multiple symptoms pop up at once...for which I probably should had used her epipen and made a hospital trip. Thankfully, she did not progress to worse in that instance. I know that she can either get progressively worse, or lesser reactions as she is exposed and either becomes less allergic or more.<br />
<br />
Why would I ever say I'm thankful for this?<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that she has the allergies she does, and not the ones she doesn't.<br />
<br />
I have learned that, unlike peanut allergies, we shouldn't have to worry as much with exposure to others eating her allergens nearby...as long as she doesnt eat them herself.<br />
<br />
I've learned to bake food that feels good to know how to bake. Homemade yeast bread. Fresh pizza, simple tomato sauce, foods that taste good with only a handful of ingredients .... that I can cheaply make the old fashioned way instead of having to rely on expensive specialty products or flour blends.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that it is a very good accountability partner in keeping our budget down. I cannot just grab a meal. I'm required to plan ahead. I think way more than twice before getting food from the one restaurant I trust with her allergies (yes....really...one restaurant)<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for the families I can better serve in the future from the things I'm learning now. I'm thankful for the training I am gaining to help me better care for children in our community who may have similar restrictions. I'm thankful for the moms and dads I can stand with in solidarity and compassion as we face these awful mysteries.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that we are avoiding a whole lot of additives in our home...even though it is infuriating that the labeling can legally be so vague as to not actually disclose all of the things on her list....at least we can take comfort in simplicity.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that one day I won't have to read everything my child eats because one day she will be made whole. I'm trusting that one day the Lord will remove this affliction in His perfect kingdom.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful that as long as we dwell on this broken earth, food allergies and so many other illnesses and afflictions remind us that we need Him. We need His perfection. We are completely dependant on His restoration.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for knowing our brokenness and knowing his mercy.<br />
<br />coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-43494032558568841072017-07-20T22:54:00.000-05:002017-07-20T22:54:40.203-05:00Praise God, our provider! I've been scrambling all over the internet for a few weeks for money saving and money making ideas. Weighing work at home or local part time job options and trying to come up with *anything* to fill in the gaps in our budget. Dreading time-wasting internet surveys and minimum-wage job interviews.<br />
<br />
But God, ya'll.<br />
<br />
God placed one long-time friend on my mind. I sent her a message asking if she would keep me in mind, should she ever need an assistant for her business. Her response was that she had just *that night* said to her husband that she needed someone else to help her with a small area of her business....but that it was an area she needed someone she trusted.<br />
<br />
I met with her tonight to go over the details and I am just in awe at the way God drew us together to help both of our families at just the right time.<br />
<br />
It's not even the first time that God has blown me away by his timing and orchestration with this exact friend. Our God is so amazing!<br />
<br />
I still covet your prayers for Mike and I to grow together in budgeting better...we have a long way to go....<br />
<br />
but I am so thankful for a Father who doesn't leave us in the dark. He doesn't just provide our needs...but provides them wrapped in His love through our community of friendship!coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-69590486973151921642017-07-18T20:56:00.000-05:002017-07-18T20:56:06.746-05:00A reboot. A restart. A renewed drive to remember.I think I'm reviving my blog. Will any of my former readers be notified that I've posted again? Do I have "followers" still? Should i hone in on a certain aspect of our life? It's been years since I updated this - at all - and I never completely updated the parts about Mike's sickness and health. I'm fairly certain I'm in no mood to delve deep into the emotion involved in completing that story.<br />
<br />
Let's just pick up with today.<br />
<br />
Hi! I'm Becca.<br />
<br />
If you stick around I might write about being an at-home mom of three. You might read about being a second-generation homeschool family. There may be posts about my semi-crunchy parenting. I might write about coffee or the geeky or dramatic shows I like. There may be entries about bargain hunting. Could post about music or art or crafts or prayer life.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to compartmentalize my blog any more than I do my life...its just me. If any of those things sound like you, stick around :)coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-10190362558799168762013-09-18T21:36:00.000-05:002013-09-18T21:49:33.208-05:00It Is Not Death To DieIt is such an honor and responsibility to be trusted with raising
our children in discipleship. I am so thankful for the opportunities
God has given us to share with Jennifer the truth of the gospel. She
has been very open in taking initiative in asking really difficult
questions about sin and other things.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tonight at bedtime I read a Clifford the Big Red Dog book about
how he began as the runt, and that the daddy in the story “didn't
think that Clifford would live through the winter” which started us
talking about our former dog, Goldie, and that she died last year.
This was the first time I told her that Goldie had died, and not just
“she's gone”. I said that Goldie had gotten very old and her legs
and hips were hurting a lot, even though she seemed very happy, death
was God's way of making her not hurt anymore.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jennifer's grandpa jimmy also died last year after a long battle
with brain cancer. Jennifer remembers her grandpa being sick, and we
were at his house when he died. At the time of his death, I took
Jennifer into the front yard and told her that Grandpa Jimmy had gone
to be with Jesus. She has remembered this and has mentioned it before
when seeing pictures of him or talking about him.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our conversation tonight turned from talking about dogs dying, to
her asking "will i die?"and then a tender conversation
during our family pray time about the reality of death and that we
dont know when it will happen. i asked her "who knows when we
will die?" and she responded “God does.” We talked about how
we be with God once we do die, and that we'd see Grandpa Jimmy as
well, and about how gloriously beautiful heaven is described in the
Bible. I asked her “who loves you more than papa and I do?” and
she said “God does” and I reminded her that if he loves her that
much, she can know she will be safe here or in heaven. She continued
to ask questions like “will you cry when I die?” and “will you
and I die at the same place?” And Mike and I continued to remind
her that we do not know when it will happen to anybody, but that God
will keep us here as long as he wants us to be, and that as we follow
God's directions for us, we stay right with the one who knows all our
days. She asked us “is Heaven up in the sky?”and we reminded her
about the story in her Jesus Bible Storybook when Jesus rose up into
Heaven and His disciples were staring into the sky waiting for him,
that the angel reminded them to continue about what Jesus had for
them to do on earth then, and not just stare up waiting for him. That
God has jobs even for her to do in life, like learning the right
things to do, and helping other people, and being joyful.
<br />
<br />
<br />
I never would have imagined I'd be having these conversations with
my three year old. She seems to grasp these difficult things so very
well, and I feel that God is guiding our conversations, so that we
have answers that are not confusing to her. I constantly pray that I
will continue to trust God in leading us to disciple our little ones.
<br />
<br />
<br />
After tucking her in, I went to the piano and sang this song:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sna3Fp4LZ9g">It Is Not Death To Die</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">VERSE 1 </span></b>It
is not death to die<br />
To leave this weary road<br />
And join the
saints who dwell on high<br />
Who’ve found their home with
God<br />
It is not death to close<br />
The eyes long dimmed by tears<br />
And
wake in joy before Your throne<br />
Delivered from our
fears<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CHORUS</span></b><br />
O
Jesus, conquering the grave<br />
Your precious blood has power to
save<br />
Those who trust in You<br />
Will in Your mercy find<br />
That
it is not death to die<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">VERSE
2</span></b><br />
It is not death to fling<br />
Aside
this earthly dust<br />
And rise with strong and noble wing<br />
To
live among the just<br />
It is not death to hear<br />
The key unlock the
door<br />
That sets us free from mortal years<br />
To praise You
evermore<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">© 2008
Integrity’s Praise! Music/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)<br /> </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
link to the sheet music and chords for the song, if you need it:<br />
<a href="http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/It_Is_Not_Death_to_Die/10">http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/It_Is_Not_Death_to_Die/10</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I also found this related blog article, I recommend
reading it, too:</span><br />
<a href="http://thepaperthinhymn.com/tag/henri-malan/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://thepaperthinhymn.com/tag/henri-malan/</span></a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-38619496967885773222013-09-11T20:34:00.000-05:002013-09-11T20:34:15.075-05:00a regular entry, instead of part of the series....I miss a home of our own...<br />
<br />
like...today...i miss being able to let my kid have her getting-home-and-its-past-naptime tantrums without worrying that it will possibly needlessly offend my grandmother, who has taken to thinking <i>*every*</i> time jennifer has a meltdown, it is somehow directly related to how jennifer feels about said grandmother.....which everyone else knows just simply has <i>nothing </i>to do with anything more than jennifer being a three year old...<br />
<br />
i don't see this working well with a newborn being added in january...it just will not be good for my grandmother of for me, because i know that she will be worried and/or offended anytime one of my children isn't acting completely happy....<br />
<br />
so i am praying now for the right place to be revealed to us so that we can move into some kind of renting situation sometime in november, possibly....coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-14198987633230491822013-09-07T22:32:00.000-05:002013-09-09T21:14:12.697-05:00part three: from sickness into health (looks like there will be at least four)<a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/longtimecoming-our-journey-through.html">(click here for part one)</a><br />
<a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/part-two-of-our-journey-from-sickness.html">(click here for part two)</a><br />
<br />
I found some prayer journal entries i made surrounding the first surgery<br />
<br />
<br />
October 4,2012<br />
Tomorrow is Mike's consult with the surgeon. His GI doctor truly
has tried to think of every other viable option prior to this.
<br />
Help me to continue to trust not only you, and your leading on
this, but also the wisdom of the doctors you've provided for us.
Knowing that Mike's case has been discussed at hospital meetings and
used as a teaching discussion kind of helps solidify to me that Dr.
Gully is taking this very seriously, not just dealing with the
patient at the moment they are in the building, but carrying his
concern to others to try to solve this mystery.
<br />
At the same time, I don't want to sound harsh, or under
appreciative of some friends' concern and advice at mentioning
special diets and health advice. It is difficult to receive when I
never did fully trust Mike's assigned dietician's advice and
understanding...<br />
Please give me wisdom and knowledge to best feed my husband and
trust you to bring your healing in the best way possible, that you
receive the honor and glory for it all.
<br />
<br />
<br />
October 23, 2012<br />
As of Friday (last week) we have Michael's surgery scheduled! I
think I am so relived to see an end to the medicine treatments that
don't work but that wear on my husband with side effects... This
feels like a breath of fresh air. I realise it will not be all roses
getting from where we are to the new Michael. Its a 3 surgery process
across the span of about 6 months. He still will not function the
same as the rest of us, but if all of this goes as planned, he wont
need to use a bag for the rest of his life, and the outcome, though
not as convenient as someone who's never had UC, will be easier than
his life now. I am confident that this is right. I do not have a
guarantee that all the details will go perfectly, but I feel so at
ease about letting them operate on my dear Michael...<br />
You,God, are trustworthy and faithful. You continue to provide for
us through support financially and in prayer. You've not only given
us a church family to take care of us...but TWO locally, plus one in
Mississippi and one in Texas, all who have been tremendous to us in
their care. I'm trusting you with the doctor and nurses you've put us
with-you have made them and placed them. Help us to shine in our
faith, that they see you in our reactions. Give me wisdom and grace
to accept help and to know what help I need, as friends seek to
assist us in service to you.
<br />
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who made us
and we are his; We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.”<br />
<br />
<br />
October 25, 2012<br />
I keep being drawn to the Psalms. This morning I am at <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20102&version=ESV">Psalm 102</a>,
which feels like it may be the cry of my husband when it talks about
the pain and disheartened stress.
<br />
Help us not to have a false sense of hope going into this
surgery....I mean prepare him for the continued difficulties he will
face even though the worst will be gone. Help me to be patient with
him and compassionate when he gets frustrated with the correct foods
to eat. Give us both extra grace to face these difficulties together
and help each other through them.
<br />
I hope and desire that by the time he is able to consistently face
life out of the house again, that someone will have a job available
to him, preferring someone with the knowledge and compassion to see
us through the next two surgeries and recovery period. It would be
amazing both financially and for him emotionally, to have that
available. Please open now the way in which we should go with that.
<br />
Thank you for continuing to provide more than just enough with our
very little. I feel like the widow with the oil jar, or the boy with
the lunch of what we are able to earn, we should not be able to make
ends meet, but you have been stretching our dollars for the past
three years, never giving us what society would call “plenty” but
never leaving us in need of anything. We have been clothed,fed with
difficult diet needs, kept cars running and bills paid. You moved us
twice and covered all our medical needs,and even provided that we
were able to go to Haiti. Math would not add these up and match our
income.<br />
<br />
<br />
December 18, 2012<br />
Today Michael begins work again! His last paycheck was written in
September 2011. You have not failed to provide for us. This month
took our savings account down to $50. Not enough left in it to cover
our next month's bills. I asked of you, Lord, to provide for us
financially,and you immediately began to give through your people.
1<sup>St</sup> $12 then $50 and now a source of income.
<br />
So I do not forget in the future, Mike is going back to work at
Fast Signs. He will be 3 days a week. It has been 3 years since he's
worked there. 2 years since he asked them about rehiring him (when we
moved back), and 1 ½ years since we found ourselves members at the
same church as Melanie and Miles. Only you could have planned these
circumstances-to place us in fellowship with them, that they know our
situation, know he will have to work and then take off again-and have OFFERED him this at the moment we found ourselves most in need. You
are so faithful. You are great and praised. I remember asking you
months ago,that you would provide a job offer JUST like this at this
very moment.
<br />
You are teaching me the importance of asking for specifics of you.
Acknowledging my need and your power to provide it.<br />
Help me continue to not only trust you to carry us, but to provide
for our wants and needs as we express them humbly to you.
<br />
<br />
<br />coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-58091335045253579432013-09-04T22:28:00.000-05:002013-09-09T21:16:19.947-05:00part two of our journey from sickness into health: When sickness feels like all we know...<br />
<br />
(please read <a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/longtimecoming-our-journey-through.html">part one</a> first) <br />
<br />
<br />
Once diagnosed, his GI doctor prescribed medication for the
inflammation, and his dietician provided supplements to add to his
meals for extra calories. By Spring 2012 he had begun to drop weight.
He had always been thin- lanky, some would say. But in the process of
only a few weeks he dropped about 25-30 lbs. At his worst I think he
came in at near 135 at 6ft tall, and Having about 20 bowel movements
a day had become average for him, and there is just little one can do
to catch up with that kind of loss. He actually had developed sores
on his rear from sitting on the toilet so much with almost no body
fat to cushion it.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Emotionally, in many ways I began to feel like a single mother. I
was the primary caregiver and only worked part-time myself- Michael
at this time was still doing his part-time music director job, but he
couldnt work full-time. He was unable to commit to spending time with
jennifer during her toddler days because he often had to run to the
restroom and might have a mess to clean up afterward, and if that
didnt happen, he just didnt have the energy to enjoy her. She couldnt
sit in his lap, because his insides were so inflamed that they were
painful and tender, so his lap became off limits most of the time He
couldnt sit on the floor. If I went to the store, she went with me or
stayed with my parents. When it came to our intimacy, that was hard
to come by, too. I wouldnt know when or how to simply hug him without
hurting him...I usually had to rely on his initiation for...anything.
I did my best to prepare healthy meals for the three of us, but never
knew if he would be able to stay at the table, or even feel like
eating anything. In April Michael had to step down from his music
position because he just couldnt know he could be in place each week.
We were going to church in separate cars. He had begun having to
leave during church services, or was sometimes unable to show up at
all. It was difficult to delicately explain his reasons, because
usually it meant he had either been up most of the night running to
the bathroom and maybe moping the hallway, or that he had had an
accident on the way to church...or in the middle of church. I was
raising our child, holding our only job (and part-time), keeping up with our
groceries and our bills, leading the hymns at our church, and all the
while keeping a loving and gracious face toward my husband as I
tried my best to be his helper though sometimes i just watched him fade, not understanding how much longer we would have to
deal with not seeing healing...or how much longer his body could last
at the rate it was going.<br />
<br />
<br />
He was on pills, infusions, and steroids for inflammation, for
diarrhea prevention, for blood loss...I cannot remember the number of
times Michael's medications were changed...every month or couple of
weeks...either from a bad reaction to one, or simply not seeing any
result from another. Side-effects ranged from sleeplessness, immune
suppression, thrush, constipation, fatigue, cancer-risk, there was
even one he was on which was known to cause birth defects in
children, if we had conceived during his taking it, or within 6
months after ending it.(that one, I was thankful to move past-i was
so thankful that it didnt work. I remember crying prayers in the
shower during that because I wanted so much to have another baby, and
for jennifer to have a close sibling, as I had grown up blessed with,
and if this drug worked or didnt, it was taking months off of our
being able to try to conceive. I remember releasing it to the Lord
and realizing that at that very moment he could be forming a baby for
us to have later by adoption if he wouldnt have us birth another of
our own blood. So right there in the shower I prayed for that
possible baby and for the struggles the mother may be facing which
might draw her to need adoption down the road.) After trying every
medication and sticking with the low-fiber diet for a ridiculous
amount of time, He. Never. Saw. Remission. Surgery clearly became
our only option. His body wasn't gaining weight back. To me, his body
had begun to look like images of people in impoverished countries,
or in the Holocaust. He wasn't that far gone...yet, but his ribs and
collar bones were more than sightly visible, and his rear had become
concave at each hip. His thighs matched my calves, I think. In my
mind, surgery would seem like a miracle....bringing him back from a
road to an early death which I couldnt bear to think about...and his
dad passed away that June....I had watched Linda watch her husband
fade out of health and into the arms of God, and she and I gave each
other looks that seemed to say how much we understood one another's
pain in loving and caring for someone that you cannot possible
actually help...we had that in common, though I did not want to follow
her entire road just yet....<br />
<br />
We met with Dr Lane, the GI surgeon, in September of last year to
evaluate Michael's candidacy for surgery and what the outcome could
look like. We came loaded with questions, and Dr. Lane seemed to
answer each of them before we had to ask them. We knew that he was
not only familiar with the subject matter, but also very conservative
and cautious in his approach to it. He suggested because of how much
strength Michael had lost, that the surgery be completed in three
parts. (This is sometimes done in only two) He did not want to rush
the decision process or the healing process of the surgeries. In all,
Michael would first lose his entire colon and receive an ostomy his
first surgery, have a “<a href="http://www.j-pouch.org/illustratedpouch/index.html">jpouch</a>”
created during a second surgery, and then have his ostomy reversed on
the third surgery. While we were certainly apprehensive about
surgeries and about the months michael would spend with a bag on his
belly and what that would be like, I felt like this man was offering
me our lives back, giving us the “in health” portion of our
marriage vows which we have so longed to experience.<br />
He put Michael on some extra protein to prepare his body to be
better able to heal after surgery, and then told him to try his best
to put on some weight. We scheduled his first of a three-part surgery
for November 2012.<br />
<br />
Next entry: the surgeries and recovery periods, etc<br />
<br />
<a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/part-three-from-sickness-into-health.html">(proceed to part three)</a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-40342593785825802512013-09-03T22:00:00.002-05:002013-09-09T21:15:36.781-05:00long.time.coming- our journey through sickness and into health: part oneI've been in the process of transferring much of the blog entries
i wrote during my pregnancy and first years with jennifer into a
handwritten journal. Its something i started two years ago and have
not been very good at completing it. I finally am to the point of
transferring the section after her birth. I honestly feel as though
by being so far behind in it, i am missing things i would love to
share with regarding her 2nd and 3rd years, but it has been very
therapeutic for me to have just now rewritten the sections from labor
and her birth. i needed to dive deep into those thoughts again now as
i am just beginning to feel movements of our second little one and
want to learn from and remember jennifers birth now so clearly so i
can be better prepared for this little one. <br />
<br />
This brought me
to realize i haven't made any entries in a year and a half. this
time-span may well be called the most difficult year and a half we've
seen, thus my lack of updates. Even the months before that when
i did post, it was almost entirely chronicling the life of our
daughter, and ignoring the difficult-to-talk-bout health issues of my
beloved. Though we have grown so much...we have certainly hurt
much....i haven't wanted to write about it...because i haven't wanted
to face it in print, or maybe even admit it...in the midst of it. now
that i've been rereading and rewriting the experiences just prior to
it, i am reminded of the huge benefit of having my experiences
written down, and of the great opportunity I have been avoiding to
give God more praise for His faithfulness and stability in our
journey....and i hope that i have not waited too long to engage my
memory in recording what i've been through.....bear with me as I
attempt to recount these skipped-over parts of our family. <br />
<br />
The
year after Michael and I were married, we both discovered running. I
got into it with some friends of mine, and he followed me into and
turned out to be a lot better at committing to it. He would get up
and run in the mornings before going to work, and sometimes would
ride his bike to work instead of driving. About a year into becoming
so active, Michael began to have more and more really irritating
symptoms and we didnt know what they might be symptoms of. He began
to have difficulty completing a run without needing to find a place
to use the restroom. We'd heard that sometimes runners have issues
with that, so at first it was just embarrassing, but sometimes he
didn't make it to a restroom in time... About January 2009, 6 months
before we moved to fort worth, through some trial and error, and
reading about symptoms, we self-diagnosed Michael with Celiac
disease, and because all his symptoms fit (frequent diarrhea, skin
dryness and red itchy patches, vitamin and iron deficiency, mood
swings, etc...) AND it is an illness which is only treated by a diet
change, we changed his diet to test our theory. we removed gluten
from his -and mostly from my- diet, we waited. because of the way
celiac works, we knew it could take 1 to 2 years to see remission, so
immediate results were not expected, nor seen. However, he did seem
to be experiencing fewer symptoms, so we thought we were on the
correct path.<br />
<br />
....Then came our move to Texas. With that, the
stress of job hunting, financial worry, expecting our first child,
school, discovering Michael's dad had brain cancer... Everything you
ever read says that stress aggravates digestive issues, so it did not
much surprise me that as school became more challenging, so did
keeping up with Michael's nutrition (and laundry...) He was working,
or in classes most of the time and coming home to change clothes
whenever he'd have an episode. (that's what i'll call it, its nicer
that way..see why i avoided writing about this previously?)<br />
<br />
This
lead us to need to move back from Texas much sooner than we had
planned, and as we know now, stayed in this same situation for
much longer than we had imagined... refer to <a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/obviously-i-love-packing-right.html">
This entry</a> for more context on our move...and if you add in the
part about Michael's failing health, it makes a bit more sense. i
hate that i wasn't willing to face and admit this gaping need in our
lives for support. it was so very difficult to talk about, so only
those closest to us knew the whole story. i just wish i had written
it out more honestly....for me...and for anyone who may now be able
to benefit from our past struggles.<br />
<br />
So....after we'd moved to
North Augusta, into my grandmother's house, I quickly called to begin
the process of getting Jennifer on SC medicaid...and turns out our
entire family got it, which was something I just wasn't looking for.
This began Michael and myself getting routine Dr exams...which
neither of us had afforded in...decades. Michael began to talk with
his physician about his assumed celiac, and at the same time we
decided to go to <a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/georgia-baptist-disaster-relief-haiti.html">Haiti</a>
with a mission team from our church...thus needed lots of shots and
antibiotics for the trip. the many doctor trips for mission trip
shots kind of overshadowed his need for further testing, plus his
primary care Doc moved so he was shifted around a bit from doctor to
doctor in the practice. also, add to that, once he began complaining
of symptoms worsening after the mission trip, he kept being treated
as though he had picked something up in Haiti, rather than as though
he has been struggling with diarrhea, anemia, and lack of bowel
control for months and years prior. We knew this wasn't a parasite or
reaction to something out of the country. Finally, ended up being
assigned the same Doctor i've been seeing the whole time, whom I had
been very pleased with, and she heard his whole story and immediately
understood his issues needed looking into. from April 2011 to
November 2011 as he was shuffled from doctor to doctor, he also ended
up losing his job due to being late or having to clock out
early...completely due to his digestive issues. In November 2011 he
finally was given testing to see if something else were wrong with
his digestive system. we were immediately told that he had
<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-bowel-disease/DS01195">inflammatory
bowel disease</a> which meant he had <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598">ulcerative
colitis</a> or <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104">Crohns</a>,
While we didnt know till january 2012 which he had, and both take
somewhat opposite diet changes to live with and treat, it was knowing
something, and knowing that we had help getting to the root of it.
knowing that there ARE treatments available...etc. having a tested
diagnosis and medical team working with us was such a relief. Anytime
someone is vying for you, on your team, and helping to find a
solution, it helps carry the weight.<br />
<br />
Due to holiday schedules,
it was January before we got the diagnosis...and found out he had
ulcerative colitis. it meant that almost everything he ate caused his
colon to become and stay inflamed. it is an auto-immune disease, so
his system was attacking his colon. Theoretically, if you can find
out your triggers, once the colon calms down, you may just have a few
foods to avoid to keep from getting sick. I had wondered why being
gluten free had helped him feel a little better....turns out...the
best help to UC during a flair up, is going to a low fiber diet.
prior to going gluten free, we had been eating whole grain
everything, so in switching to gluten free foods, we had dropped a
significant portion or our grain fiber, and were mainly getting fruit
and veggie fiber. still more than was recommended for someone with a
severely inflamed colon, but significantly less than previous...thus
the noted improvement.<br />
<br />
So....recap:<br />
January 2009 assumed
celiac, went gluten free<br />
November 2010 declining health issues and
stress, moved back to north augusta, in with grandma.<br />
April 2011
through November 2011 dealt with not getting tested and not getting
listened to.<br />
January 2012 found out what was the issue. time to
celebrate...right?<br />
<br />
well....Spring, summer, and fall 2012 were
a doozy....i'll get into that part in a later entry....i promise.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://coffeegirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/part-two-of-our-journey-from-sickness.html">(proceed to part two) </a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-46960915968265847632012-01-01T21:20:00.005-05:002012-01-01T21:35:02.989-05:00new years day: and yes, i even made a resolution<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(originally written as i was thinking through a class discussion for the college aged sunday school class i head-up. )<br /><br />My daughter loves to find all of the Baby Jesus’ she can in everyone’s decorations. At home, at Grandparent’s houses, at church, everywhere! (My child also is very aware that there are at least two babies in the Bible stories, and wasn’t quite sure why we don’t also have baby Moses decorations in the house to go with all of the baby Jesus decorations. )<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />It is difficult for my 20 month old to understand that people grow from babies into big kids and then adults. We were watching Tangled this weekend, and because it begins with Rapunzel as a baby, my little one spent the next 45 minutes of the movie watching now-grown-Rapunzel</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">in front of her eyes, while asking where the baby was and wanting to see the baby again. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />But…how easy is it for each of us to also forget that baby Jesus is the same Jesus Christ, our savior. He grew through boyhood and into a young man. He ate, he slept, he walked, he had friends, he cried, he laughed, he felt discouraged, he felt every weight of sin at his death. He really did live, and he really did die.</span><br /><br />Now that my daughter understands that Jesus was a sweet<span style=""> </span>little baby, I have to help her learn to understand that Jesus grew from that tiny baby, into a real man who experienced real life, with all of its messiness…and that He is fully God…and that He brings healing, and peace, and that He did it all to save His people from their sins. <br /><br />Now that those around us have just seen depictions of Jesus all around them and heard his gospel in the Christmas songs in the shopping centers and light shows, How can we help them understand the Jesus who grew up to be their savior? <br /><br />In order to help all of these confused people, though…I first have to look myself at my view of Jesus. The baby. The man who really lived. The man who called me to be holy. He demanded that I leave everything for the sake of following Him. The person who called me to love my neighbors and pray for my enemies. I cannot help my little ones or my lost neighbors understand Jesus unless I live each day for the man who lived and died to save ME. <br /><br />I must confess…I feel as though I’ve “missed” something this Christmas..and it all has to do with the fact that I haven’t taken the time to get alone in the Word on any kind of regular basis during the business of the celebrations. I’ve let the days fly past me. Days filled with plenty of singing and carols and focusing on the truth and teaching my child—and other people’s children—about the importance of Christ as a baby, but I didn’t give Him His proper priority as The King in my heart this December.<span style=""> </span>My new year’s resolution: step away from the manger and follow the man. I’m going to make time in the Bible a priority and along with that, draw nearer to Jesus in humility and worship of Him as great and mighty and more important than all of the grand things He has blessed me with. He is creator, healer, King, ruler, and without Him, I’d be absolutely destitute—in every way possible. <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="Section2"> </div><br />1 Corinthians 15 (if Christ was not raised from the dead, then nothing in our Faith counts for anything)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Galatians 2:19-21 (I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Resolved: 1. read the word 2. Pray fervently</span>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-77226358948810078342011-07-04T21:04:00.010-05:002011-07-04T23:00:21.033-05:00Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief, Haiti 2011Its only been a little over a month since my previous entry, but it feels like i haven't written in ages.<br /><br />We've left for and returned from Haiti. Somehow it doesn't even feel to me that we went to another country....it simply feels that we went to another community where almost everyone speaks a language we dont understand...and we got creative with ministry and creating VBS lessons on the fly, or at least in very little time--praying that the gospel was seen and heard in spite of our stumbling and some grumbling. It was a lesson in letting go of my control on a situation and being extremely flexible--not knowing what was going on from day-to-day very far in advance--trusting each moment to God's all-knowing hands. It was a study in embracing down-time, getting lots of rest--but waking up by the rooster call at sunrise. And even though i wasn't on a trip chaperoning a youth group or anything, It became an opportunity to no longer be one of the youngest adults on the trip, but to have the tables turned to be one of those middle-aged and more "experienced" people. It was my first time out of the country--my first time off the ground, even.<br />That's the short of it...here are some more details:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfV7dLT1Vj4rk5eDOrHwCTqlv6kXluBk4XTUAgUPqmUal_odRhbAgBUOpYj8wmXLh4sbXhiQ4LA1Xn-UsQ7WA6-FULss_ZCoe3D6PQ4qia50U_rnGIG98lHHcwO4fNTjS8D5hEw/s1600/100_0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfV7dLT1Vj4rk5eDOrHwCTqlv6kXluBk4XTUAgUPqmUal_odRhbAgBUOpYj8wmXLh4sbXhiQ4LA1Xn-UsQ7WA6-FULss_ZCoe3D6PQ4qia50U_rnGIG98lHHcwO4fNTjS8D5hEw/s200/100_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625702145307489762" border="0" /></a>On Saturday June 18th we left Augusta about 3:30am. By about 3:30 in the afternoon we were arriving in our home for the week in Leogane, Haiti. During those twelve hours we rode in a van for 2.5 hrs, sat in an airport for 2 hrs, rode in a plane for 2 hrs, rushed through another airport eating and getting to the gate in about an hour, rode in another plane for 2 hrs, waited in lines and baggage claim in the immigration area at another airport for about 45 minutes, then jostled around in a tap-tap for another 2 hrs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6L2APAL00REsEYA-fbzCq9O7AAK0spBQpKoOXnfDmUEhCFBQbYwgo5VzWUQSQ2Four3w45sUErRkb0_nQ3rH3hdmAPeHD63NpFi5pXSWJCjRZsIAf6Vbv9HkwmVU9woWqdyzVw/s1600/100_0289.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6L2APAL00REsEYA-fbzCq9O7AAK0spBQpKoOXnfDmUEhCFBQbYwgo5VzWUQSQ2Four3w45sUErRkb0_nQ3rH3hdmAPeHD63NpFi5pXSWJCjRZsIAf6Vbv9HkwmVU9woWqdyzVw/s200/100_0289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625702155243147682" border="0" /></a>The trip was organized by the Georgia Baptist Convention Disaster Relief. GBC has a house rented in Leogane for the mission teams to use, which includes 1-2 disaster relief volunteers trained to facilitate and supervise all the incoming teams. the house can support about 24 people besides its Haitian staff and the GBC volunteers. This particular week the 24 people were: 8 of us from the Augusta area, a group we'd formed from two sister churches (Lake Park Baptist and Curtis Baptist), 14 GA baptist college students aged 18-27, plus the husband-wife team who lead them. The 8 of us didn't know each other very well, and turns out the 16 of them hadn't all met one another either, so it was a bonding experience all around.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenV-dI9J_mfbFvTBmQdk56vLchQIHD6P4seiUE8fOWvurnrfy_Gtx6wjJIox3caL1YSRV_KAoRDy7ptm80pDj1A4JToXh2VhDaZPWyKOhBuYtGFFEROQP-9w6rrS_qkRWCZKw5g/s1600/100_0110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenV-dI9J_mfbFvTBmQdk56vLchQIHD6P4seiUE8fOWvurnrfy_Gtx6wjJIox3caL1YSRV_KAoRDy7ptm80pDj1A4JToXh2VhDaZPWyKOhBuYtGFFEROQP-9w6rrS_qkRWCZKw5g/s200/100_0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625705461287804594" border="0" /></a>We arrived, rather uncertain what our job would be in Haiti. Not many think of VBS as disaster relief work, but if you stop and think about it, children are deeply impacted by disaster, and very often looked over in the very important things of being shown love and compassion, and more than anything else-they need Jesus. We knew we were "likely" be working with children, but we didn't know how they would be grouped up, if we'd see the same group daily, or if they were churched or unchurched to begin with.<br />Because we were so uncertain what to plan, we didn't plan anything at all prior to our flight, which God allowed to be perfect, because when we arrived at the GA house, we were shown a beautiful stockpile of supplies at our fingertips! craft kits, outdoor game supplies, construction paper, beads, string, evangelism tools in their Haitian Kreole language, you name it, we could probably find it there in the stairwell!<br /><br />Our team of 8 worked with 2 churches. The first was what we like to call the "country church" and the second was the "city church." The country church was literally "over the river and through the woods." because a bridge was closed, we drove through a riverbed! (the rainy season wasn't strong at the time, so the river wasn't a big challenge, but it keeps the story interesting!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyAYhZi2Bg8HCgMIDmSp8wOqMqfyx8MThDq0YY_SSTDgg7XyDNI8iSzj5rFQcARt70nK6AnHCD0cxEnVU-918hfu4-t72UGhnZFDGnDey82VCk9UmggiId5nFkh2UOOtvBN2BxA/s1600/100_0065.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyAYhZi2Bg8HCgMIDmSp8wOqMqfyx8MThDq0YY_SSTDgg7XyDNI8iSzj5rFQcARt70nK6AnHCD0cxEnVU-918hfu4-t72UGhnZFDGnDey82VCk9UmggiId5nFkh2UOOtvBN2BxA/s200/100_0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625705449840132978" border="0" /></a>We spent Sunday through Tuesday at the country church. This congregation has been in place for over 40 years, and their ministry is vibrant. I saw our time there was a great encouragement to the pastor, who is aging and not feeling well, and the other layleaders within the congregation. We were encouraged to meet several ladies who are great at leading the children in scripture memory and a great worship rally. They were a great help to us and I feel good about the future of that church with women like that helping bring up the truth within the children we met. They currently meet in a tin and wood-frame tent type structure, but have a foundation and are beginning the process of brick-making for rebuilding their church building. We saw 25 to 100 kids, depending on the moment.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbUoT1pfkdet4cpoEyUygGYnYgIsANCfe987a_gImfYkfeB0PiUYozKIUH8wSev_e5t5lmbANMkfNjoJlvbNruPn-_yBkZakZT5mxrK8tMWVmN_Fp84e15Db7109xZLUeASrqyw/s1600/100_0069.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_H6S9jWdkmrYzej1zZhNliDLni8M0WX_2DU8QjBqcA3PBrtoaz6B1pyhqP8RhpOfl3pofxg3F-r3MW4IKb0diksP67VWiMJ-JhyXCuwajR1-B_5-QSL2sToPgqIsT3dDgOzUXw/s1600/100_0158.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_H6S9jWdkmrYzej1zZhNliDLni8M0WX_2DU8QjBqcA3PBrtoaz6B1pyhqP8RhpOfl3pofxg3F-r3MW4IKb0diksP67VWiMJ-JhyXCuwajR1-B_5-QSL2sToPgqIsT3dDgOzUXw/s200/100_0158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625702173377168818" border="0" /></a>Wednesday through Friday we were at the city church. The church has about 100-150 members, but hosts a school of over 400 children. The pastor at the city church is the pastor in charge of lining up churches for all the GBC teams to work with each week, but it is not every week that his own church gets missionaries. It is a Save the Children food site, and directly on the main highway through town. School was on holiday during the days that we were there, due to some testing many of the students were attending. We had about the same numbers at this church, but in a much larger facility. Their church was made of tarps instead of tin, but similar construction. there were "school rooms" set up adjoining the "sanctuary" area. We only used the main area for our activities. (we gradually learned that one translator means keep everyone together as much as we can!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSegaK-n1wv_7xQCwDGHCnyMRIv33IdHgi8nqR3fC-X8QRt3X0J-0NGwIcHQf_FQJAWzo8Hi8MHngx92oyOPTYQ9DCrT-7TXp9_RUfKaQtF2xR-uZy8MhV1rqudI_bdw8KfPJ0Q/s1600/100_0248.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSegaK-n1wv_7xQCwDGHCnyMRIv33IdHgi8nqR3fC-X8QRt3X0J-0NGwIcHQf_FQJAWzo8Hi8MHngx92oyOPTYQ9DCrT-7TXp9_RUfKaQtF2xR-uZy8MhV1rqudI_bdw8KfPJ0Q/s200/100_0248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625705439557920962" border="0" /></a>We didn't see mass-conversions or get any life-changing, mind-blowing testimonies from our time with these churches, but we know that the gospel was shared multiple times, and that there is a strong ministry within each of the communities in which we were able to serve. We know that we planted and watered some seeds. God knows the growth which will occur due to our willingness to love these little ones. It could change the nation of Haiti. But even if it doesn't, it certainly will change more than one or two lives.<br /><br />Our work at the churches was typically wrapped up each day by about noon, and the final meal in the house was served about 4, so we had a lot of evening time to bond with the other teams. One night someone decided it would be neat to share testimonies, and it caught on so well that it took the span of three evenings. By the time we'd all shared, it seemed that a theme had formed: invest in the life of someone around you. (testimonies about those who'd been invested in, testimonies from those who'd done the investing, requests to find Christian community now that they've returned from college, etc...)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydNBjv6nw-un-RGQ-u0dgD5dGdIrJ1K87K51fVE00FXCifDxjQi1MhDanpXRlGix6lTpeintWduCyYwFvASEmWiZk_nPyiwEJ-vmX7eqw3ALlkNgxkXDXcMubgBxbDCo28NIpzg/s1600/100_0368.JPG"><br /></a>I think it is interesting that we went to another country to be impacted with the message to put our passion to work right where we are. I think we all-too-often try to push off ministry till we are "on the field" someplace...neglecting the fields all around us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydNBjv6nw-un-RGQ-u0dgD5dGdIrJ1K87K51fVE00FXCifDxjQi1MhDanpXRlGix6lTpeintWduCyYwFvASEmWiZk_nPyiwEJ-vmX7eqw3ALlkNgxkXDXcMubgBxbDCo28NIpzg/s1600/100_0368.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydNBjv6nw-un-RGQ-u0dgD5dGdIrJ1K87K51fVE00FXCifDxjQi1MhDanpXRlGix6lTpeintWduCyYwFvASEmWiZk_nPyiwEJ-vmX7eqw3ALlkNgxkXDXcMubgBxbDCo28NIpzg/s200/100_0368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625705450938103458" border="0" /></a>We left the GA house on saturday June 25th just after breakfast, spent about 1.5 hrs in another tap-tap, about 5 hours in the Port Au Prince airport, 2 more hours in the air, 3 hours on US soil in another airport thankful for trash cans and government officials who regulate their cleanup, 2 more hours in the air, them 2-3 more hours by van--arriving home about 4:30am Sunday--And 3 hrs of sleep, up for reuniting with Jenbug and going to church!<br />I'm so thankful for this opportunity to be able to go. Now I'm eagerly looking forward to continuing and taking up new ministries here through our new church family at Woodridge and through deepening intentional relationships already established. I'm also looking forward to getting some more stamps in this passport of mine within the next 10 years!<br /><br />amazing things: 1. God sustained our family-we made it through being divided for a week. I cannot imagine making it a whole week without my little girl without God having given me the strength. 2. During a particularly unstable/uncertain experience our team was kept absolutely 100% safe. 3. absolutely no fear of flying (i was fairly confident it would be fine, glad i was right) 4. full provision of all our VBS "resource room" needs, even left tons more for future teams use!<br /><br /><br />2 Prayer requests:<br />1. Pray for the pastors of each of the churches we worked with, that they would be encouraged and that workers would raise up alongside them within the community.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbUoT1pfkdet4cpoEyUygGYnYgIsANCfe987a_gImfYkfeB0PiUYozKIUH8wSev_e5t5lmbANMkfNjoJlvbNruPn-_yBkZakZT5mxrK8tMWVmN_Fp84e15Db7109xZLUeASrqyw/s1600/100_0069.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbUoT1pfkdet4cpoEyUygGYnYgIsANCfe987a_gImfYkfeB0PiUYozKIUH8wSev_e5t5lmbANMkfNjoJlvbNruPn-_yBkZakZT5mxrK8tMWVmN_Fp84e15Db7109xZLUeASrqyw/s200/100_0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625702168497888722" border="0" /></a>2. Pray for those of us who have returned, that we would keep the vision we came home with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBvpjdmvpXceoidizWUD755J2Env6kJVYm47nVILHN2oXyowsOmBOqX2wdMIPo7ZHA8R3MwfW5BRBPnB1agkNzGZ-pF8uU0IOT3h2rpGFjaQAUri-8KMeFQGcPCw-YAP65zTjIg/s1600/100_0345.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBvpjdmvpXceoidizWUD755J2Env6kJVYm47nVILHN2oXyowsOmBOqX2wdMIPo7ZHA8R3MwfW5BRBPnB1agkNzGZ-pF8uU0IOT3h2rpGFjaQAUri-8KMeFQGcPCw-YAP65zTjIg/s200/100_0345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625702161134031858" border="0" /></a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-68739953419588292652011-06-13T16:07:00.000-05:002011-06-13T16:07:34.478-05:00Shabby Apple Overboard Dress Giveaway<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2011/06/shabby-apple-overboard-dress-giveaway.html">Shabby Apple Overboard Dress Giveaway</a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-90705935516143845002011-05-27T14:09:00.000-05:002011-05-27T14:10:50.726-05:00from Let the Nations Be Glad-by Piper"Missions exists because worship doesn't."<br /><br />Just started reading this book today. I haven't been much of one for finishing the books I start, but I hope I stick with this one.coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-54898119547765781902011-05-18T10:35:00.005-05:002011-06-09T15:33:15.706-05:00from the corner sewing tableI've been crazy about my sewing corner recently! most of them have been refashions or re-purposing of fabric. so many finished projects i need to post....<br /><br />listing them here, hopefully will remind me to add all of the photos from them soon<br /><br />1. ribbon socks and bows, from ribbon jenbug got for her birthday<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt4agkDZ78PzK7pVr9N0ZovweF1uEvL0Aw8BdJWO0osJ6jlC0sqZVrj5ra3apCVERn4XxwfZiLDywxOmt4juDwdZz3KpO02aSHSAldt11_cBnj4_dABSJs0i1zoNn2x48oTkkbA/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt4agkDZ78PzK7pVr9N0ZovweF1uEvL0Aw8BdJWO0osJ6jlC0sqZVrj5ra3apCVERn4XxwfZiLDywxOmt4juDwdZz3KpO02aSHSAldt11_cBnj4_dABSJs0i1zoNn2x48oTkkbA/s200/IMG_1827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608635454791308530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6lK9BnkYYm1XzKLRWqk2ZHOqFQEWfM5AUprl8xstYUCnbpW1upkOMRSVO9-iUM6zFpVEoLTxQQnPkO6-F4BTYSy0Zx_Hv1ULHsdKbI80T03CIS7KILVMGXfyGOs87ZjDJmMFeQ/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6lK9BnkYYm1XzKLRWqk2ZHOqFQEWfM5AUprl8xstYUCnbpW1upkOMRSVO9-iUM6zFpVEoLTxQQnPkO6-F4BTYSy0Zx_Hv1ULHsdKbI80T03CIS7KILVMGXfyGOs87ZjDJmMFeQ/s200/IMG_1828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608635444174781618" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv-KMIaiApy-XCEEWCGRTAxyCXkrVABwUJgMcvM50T2mj682ZYSu9UARDfRF9VCKlNdSnQwgfH0dbOmzP5Kk_AMHecymuOi_lfZp7MN8mCaYpopGCx_Zh9FNOYdJOqkcUAyBokg/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv-KMIaiApy-XCEEWCGRTAxyCXkrVABwUJgMcvM50T2mj682ZYSu9UARDfRF9VCKlNdSnQwgfH0dbOmzP5Kk_AMHecymuOi_lfZp7MN8mCaYpopGCx_Zh9FNOYdJOqkcUAyBokg/s200/IMG_1829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608635433862307266" border="0" /></a><br />2. breezy tank top turned baby dress<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJhO446hN5Fgr3SV9zuJEqcshDO2Iv1xMkow5cCDX_oL0_wNA_Iewq76xMrBG7xfuZ7coLfpt3KNuvSqywYHjH-Pir8YosV3sEktmqUuK6NTEgMs6_UqMSROa9K3drs1UahARnw/s1600/Image0259.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJhO446hN5Fgr3SV9zuJEqcshDO2Iv1xMkow5cCDX_oL0_wNA_Iewq76xMrBG7xfuZ7coLfpt3KNuvSqywYHjH-Pir8YosV3sEktmqUuK6NTEgMs6_UqMSROa9K3drs1UahARnw/s200/Image0259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608629224403562322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8cixe0jiRaWjlJCfJ_LlmJyVq781f8cS8gzKXcI8J52jAFzjVA0SWuO_KhVWJVtWDN1FNxGSm8uK_qBkGLhIJ_cu3nJCBL_Q0rupBTmJH5NBbuqrZ4VPLjent0G0L7nHrGUVg/s1600/Image0269.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8cixe0jiRaWjlJCfJ_LlmJyVq781f8cS8gzKXcI8J52jAFzjVA0SWuO_KhVWJVtWDN1FNxGSm8uK_qBkGLhIJ_cu3nJCBL_Q0rupBTmJH5NBbuqrZ4VPLjent0G0L7nHrGUVg/s200/Image0269.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608629229469178178" border="0" /></a>(i did not make the flower clip on her headband...did make the headband, though!)<br /><br />3. "Bali Bliss" outfit from online free pattern...made in a weekend from fabric purchased on sale about 8 years ago for a project i never did. will probably make this again with some tweaking..the top is a little too small and the pants were way too baggy...but since jenbug is adorable, she can pull off any look :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH90YyTCZbuwKSNrRpkMv1oqQe7wDL_R7G2YXS-XrfpOhm59sRZmoSC_OAn6FEYi9E3THJOHPeneNNQ4GZeUiCzluiqMbtKphMlgM8dvpCEBrgp6mpdT8VhuVwqqFZPQa1mIOGw/s1600/Image0296.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH90YyTCZbuwKSNrRpkMv1oqQe7wDL_R7G2YXS-XrfpOhm59sRZmoSC_OAn6FEYi9E3THJOHPeneNNQ4GZeUiCzluiqMbtKphMlgM8dvpCEBrgp6mpdT8VhuVwqqFZPQa1mIOGw/s200/Image0296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319658142231474" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8NIPatBxsQxbRdjrXfdShFB0FQ5pkR98WJuy48E0Wug5XxnyqUOngLPYAyTnkjy8SwO6wnNokUuukLK_-eHyrZVEYtedavGwlfECX2VIyXoj9wcNfu0w6J-wezJ9tp-Oxde2UA/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8NIPatBxsQxbRdjrXfdShFB0FQ5pkR98WJuy48E0Wug5XxnyqUOngLPYAyTnkjy8SwO6wnNokUuukLK_-eHyrZVEYtedavGwlfECX2VIyXoj9wcNfu0w6J-wezJ9tp-Oxde2UA/s200/IMG_0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319647338986514" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbRV6mDyt6Rt2Tt8MRUPpcS9x_mrVHkKL3RJuWty1CtzFknQ_qL-KJprgGihTQBbMB4Kzj6DqSzcpzDKjtjPe6E8H_yDzI9-KpRqBcLJYkyhCnwOxFA6brLlEG1xegYu9yVYRjg/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbRV6mDyt6Rt2Tt8MRUPpcS9x_mrVHkKL3RJuWty1CtzFknQ_qL-KJprgGihTQBbMB4Kzj6DqSzcpzDKjtjPe6E8H_yDzI9-KpRqBcLJYkyhCnwOxFA6brLlEG1xegYu9yVYRjg/s200/IMG_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319669650677922" border="0" /></a><br />4. jeans turned skirt....a project i've done a couple of other times. great fix to favorite jeans which have gotten a hole worn in the seat, or to a pair with too low of a rise. This time i added a little flare to the shape...love it! but hope to lose some weight soon so it can be converted to a maternity one for next pregnancy. (i have two more pairs of jeans that dont fit, which i am considering making into skirts to sell...i think they are size 13 or 15...anyone want to give input as to the length they'd like?)<br /><br />(no photo yet)<br /><br />5. long sleeved white cotton nightgown turned short sleeved. (saving the sleeves to maybe make some bloomerish pants for jenbug<br /><br />(project not complete...photo after!)<br /><br />i credit most of my inspiration for these projects to following <a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/">grosgrain</a>. you should follow her blog too!coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-85831149491949487922011-05-18T10:09:00.002-05:002011-05-18T10:26:58.084-05:00The Toddler Dayssince my last entry, my child has become a toddler, much of life has become a series of following and cleaning up after her. Since she is now only a few days fro thirteen months old, I would apologize for the delay in updates, but since she hasn't even had her twelve month doctor visit yet, i don't feel too far behind.<br />Photos may not come soon, but not today because i am posting this from my parent's computer (internet at our house is kinda of in and out recently...working on that)<br /><br />Jenbug turned one on April 22nd, Good Friday. I'd already decided to postpone her party till the following weekend, because i know uncle Nick wasn't going to be able to make it during Easter weekend, due to his own church obligations in Columbia. After invitations had been ordered and mailed, we found out that Grandma Linda was going to be able to come to town from MS for the weekend, since its a school holdiay! So, though the official party wasn't till a week later, plenty of celebration occurred during bug's birthday weekend! Friday night jen got to open gifts from her mississippi family, and practice smashing up some cake, which was a huge hit (great video from that can be found on my facebook!) That Saturday we spent the morning at the Riverbanks Zoo and had a picnic lunch in the wooded picnic area afterward.<br /><br />The official birthday party almost had to be canceled, because jenbug caught something mid-week which had her fever up for a couple of days, whatever it was seemed to have mostly worked itself out by Party-day, so celebration continued- Ladybug birthday cakes and all! i was a little disappointed that the "real" smash cake wasn't as big of a hit as the previous weekend, but overall, it was a great party with good family time had by all. <br /><br />at one year and one week old, jenbug took her first observed steps! 2 or 3 at a time, then a few more the next day during her party. Now she is able to cross whole rooms, though much of the time she chooses to crawl instead. It is lots of fun watching her develop and cheering her on in her successes, even when she falls at the end. <br /><br />only the start of this role of encouragement as a parent...growing up is so full of mostly-successful attempts which may end in a little failure....Lord, help me continue to cheer my children on as they grow. Even if they eventually fall, let me encourage the good attempted!<br /><br />12 month pediatrician appointment is tomorrow morning, so we'll find out how our eager eater is growing. According to wi-fit, she has caught up well to a healthy weight! 19lbs yesterday, which for a 13 month old, charts about 10%! way up from where she was at 9 and 10 months!coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-48022475005581006682011-02-16T12:20:00.002-05:002011-02-16T12:32:03.969-05:00belated 9 month pedatrician appointment statsso, jennifer turned 9 months january 22nd, but got her 9 month checkup on february 14th (happy valentines! have some shots!)<br />i was hoping the delay might make her chart a little higher, cheat the system a bit, you know? but instead, she came in soooo tiny!<br /><br />my child weighs 14lb, 15 oz, (3%)<br />she is 25.5" long (3%)<br />and her head is still big for her size, at 50% (didnt get the inches for that)<br />which means her proportions are still the same, she just hasn't grown much overall. i had suspected that she was a little bit small, but i thought she was in the 16lb range...she wasnt even to 15 yet?<br /><br />otherwise, she is a very healthy and active little girl. due to her teeniness, we're adding a 4th meal to her day (Taco Bell advertises 4th meal, right?) and making sure she gets lots of good healthy stuff in that tummy! though she has always eaten breakfast and dinner very well, lunch has been sometimes hearty and sometimes sparse. so we're working on a fuller lunch, plus a full snacktime too.<br /><br />she got caught up on her hep and flu shots and goes back in may for more stat checks :)coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-44605261014546080812011-02-05T22:14:00.010-05:002011-02-06T00:01:58.672-05:00Valentines from the Corner sewing TableI have been spending a lot of time at my other corner table recently. Last week i set up a designated craft space for my sewing machine and all of my artsy supplies to be at arms-reach rather than in a closet or under a bed. This has been dreamed of for years!<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Being a teacher this Valentines Day, I thought I should get something little to give to my class of 3yr-olds, but since we are tight on finances, i decided to make something for them. After a couple of days trying to think of something which would be fairly simple, made from materials i already have, and look cute...here's what I came up with!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOPso1K5xAGBvG3dWmvFvEu0A0I9klXEbHG_GH6hhmER05-U7cVyrZ4Y8WX4Oc5FZUYO56BkqCfnhVxKmPHEtYgVuPmf3HzhM5-OqS1oLtntd_JNVkarFSR4YBFu8bOJr7x8OsA/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOPso1K5xAGBvG3dWmvFvEu0A0I9klXEbHG_GH6hhmER05-U7cVyrZ4Y8WX4Oc5FZUYO56BkqCfnhVxKmPHEtYgVuPmf3HzhM5-OqS1oLtntd_JNVkarFSR4YBFu8bOJr7x8OsA/s400/IMG_1284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570413299001567378" border="0" /></a>first i cut out the felt. two squares of one color and a heart in a contrasting color. the hearts are 2", the squares were about 2.5"-3" each<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQEctBVlkdJ_rmF9Rvp4rD20zPtJuL6mG7tlAe9AtggRF2YMKuMz_72faUOIvfBDAXu6pCVDyYAs9oRe4m7Iqsx59PZfMDVOnELddmmXA5hozEw7uxl4JT3TFu0uVk4ZWU_5xyg/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQEctBVlkdJ_rmF9Rvp4rD20zPtJuL6mG7tlAe9AtggRF2YMKuMz_72faUOIvfBDAXu6pCVDyYAs9oRe4m7Iqsx59PZfMDVOnELddmmXA5hozEw7uxl4JT3TFu0uVk4ZWU_5xyg/s200/IMG_1256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570419856256361762" border="0" /></a>next, with the sewing machine loaded with a contrast color as the main thread, and blend in color of bobbin thread (white, in this case) I zigzag stitched the heart to one of the squares. be careful as you make turns...with the needle DOWN, lift the presser foot and slightly turn the fabric, stitch a few, repeat as needed. make sure the needle is down when you lift so it doesn't lose your place. go slowly and it will turn out great.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs21VhQ97CnbNslcS-dDK6j8v01By2lhMcuExgfawKTk1fq9UanBLnNt3VRTI-2ksuZsZ_xPC1c6VfupltlO74ZoJiRzJalngHUV6bo7oYxnfq0LJHEjjMiDVLumXxjd9JJYCqw/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs21VhQ97CnbNslcS-dDK6j8v01By2lhMcuExgfawKTk1fq9UanBLnNt3VRTI-2ksuZsZ_xPC1c6VfupltlO74ZoJiRzJalngHUV6bo7oYxnfq0LJHEjjMiDVLumXxjd9JJYCqw/s200/IMG_1265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570419864132786130" border="0" /></a>(photos to show what settings i used...zigzag width and stitch length)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYiqZnQAcan_7FUw9Mstpka-jX0j6-OTDXW_JsLhtW_qKQvUi3EkTYC-i4rtqSGK3nIuRGowK6d5_NEl0xjGTym69a4JyFp2Ij9wXhstH3XSXwMv1W1hsfN84E6X7X85C6bPSmg/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYiqZnQAcan_7FUw9Mstpka-jX0j6-OTDXW_JsLhtW_qKQvUi3EkTYC-i4rtqSGK3nIuRGowK6d5_NEl0xjGTym69a4JyFp2Ij9wXhstH3XSXwMv1W1hsfN84E6X7X85C6bPSmg/s200/IMG_1262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570419861756906226" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcQvJcUu0tFi3yAVO2wk_hq-5LpEZzhRmR7VTDpVYH9uQNSwsGvUSUmCYU0EdXDBbWp0EtkznyYJRSB4xYyyDoPGrQw9kWP3tDKU96c1NOnjE-gLZP6yPKg7iZcqBFxIf3PkTWA/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcQvJcUu0tFi3yAVO2wk_hq-5LpEZzhRmR7VTDpVYH9uQNSwsGvUSUmCYU0EdXDBbWp0EtkznyYJRSB4xYyyDoPGrQw9kWP3tDKU96c1NOnjE-gLZP6yPKg7iZcqBFxIf3PkTWA/s200/IMG_1263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570419858453235410" border="0" /></a>then I trimmed the edges of this square with pinking sheers. I originally waited to trim both layers after finishing, but i thought they looked kind of like ravioli with both edges trimmed, plus it was harder to cut through both evenly...these sheers are not new, and also kind of small. 12 students had me choose to spare my hands the agony.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65PghpD6lgNAddIdYsj3OHElJxJexhI3gzXcOwt2GlewW_EbSZWwPlVcr6kmDk3-P_tvDbBRP2QQa1z5aoBsL5E1gTVC3QMLJEQENaJqP37Nl011B7G156nOg32-FdahBqF_MuA/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65PghpD6lgNAddIdYsj3OHElJxJexhI3gzXcOwt2GlewW_EbSZWwPlVcr6kmDk3-P_tvDbBRP2QQa1z5aoBsL5E1gTVC3QMLJEQENaJqP37Nl011B7G156nOg32-FdahBqF_MuA/s200/IMG_1268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570419867456121842" border="0" /></a>next i reset the machine to a narrower zag and a slightly longer stitch to finish (totally your choice, but these are what i used.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJtJ4bt8FzB0e6-aQpcmbhqOHhHDsmdCsF58owbLuPuB5x6YfwU22kLkYAniohgPoOWBxnl3WZEvBDUYqsdJtEU-_SVO8v_w34CHawracRMTxqsmmwimW2lLlgnuF8FXqLOhO8g/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJtJ4bt8FzB0e6-aQpcmbhqOHhHDsmdCsF58owbLuPuB5x6YfwU22kLkYAniohgPoOWBxnl3WZEvBDUYqsdJtEU-_SVO8v_w34CHawracRMTxqsmmwimW2lLlgnuF8FXqLOhO8g/s200/IMG_1270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424713026113314" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCUKD9i8vp7XK8jTlGpE-GTivpZeuod2Q-yZ9Y2fKjKYcPG21L4bHWLuYHI-hEckzN3fRPNZjn4wlLfU-dnYcf2VrtepBquCRsUF4t7PZH1wuaXMDb56TXIsMkf_IX9hSFoWxLw/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCUKD9i8vp7XK8jTlGpE-GTivpZeuod2Q-yZ9Y2fKjKYcPG21L4bHWLuYHI-hEckzN3fRPNZjn4wlLfU-dnYcf2VrtepBquCRsUF4t7PZH1wuaXMDb56TXIsMkf_IX9hSFoWxLw/s200/IMG_1271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424719945498706" border="0" /></a>sew both squares together on 3 sides, stop with the needle in the DOWN position, but don't remove your work from the sewing machine.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmLCkHpjjXWfFjBi_wnlaP8Vq_q1xwUqY1ryox7imR5_C8vSVesmyopFlDfG6yFNhEq8bxspEYwCtB1ICl-TAO_qDwJWU9Y8AXXRgri3SWxw5Ce5znDcsN-SoZDamSvRFz2vBSA/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmLCkHpjjXWfFjBi_wnlaP8Vq_q1xwUqY1ryox7imR5_C8vSVesmyopFlDfG6yFNhEq8bxspEYwCtB1ICl-TAO_qDwJWU9Y8AXXRgri3SWxw5Ce5znDcsN-SoZDamSvRFz2vBSA/s200/IMG_1273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424723087147378" border="0" /></a>Add a little bit of stuffing (they are tiny, so a little really will do fine)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80gIe5C-ZAXNBT-dBi3Jo1LYJIsdnZj6_GI0YcEH2VcFIpav1IvFuMbfqME_YAjlnWec_nlYsdgIOU0gaM-PmMZDvuErxH3lFkGjAuUdPXjkisnrZNaALKTJRo0kHpVKLdEABKQ/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80gIe5C-ZAXNBT-dBi3Jo1LYJIsdnZj6_GI0YcEH2VcFIpav1IvFuMbfqME_YAjlnWec_nlYsdgIOU0gaM-PmMZDvuErxH3lFkGjAuUdPXjkisnrZNaALKTJRo0kHpVKLdEABKQ/s200/IMG_1275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424730546952194" border="0" /></a> then continue stitching the 4th side.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeBt0aSdLtQU5G-1oZRcjd6T9LazM9UCa2Wr3z4B9r_6MrU8ryd5M6atueshr6tmzq9rENfskVfDbmmvwUqvV4CuZcGmH7ZhOC4O5xjiPhR0XMoK4LfnFUFhYrV91DwgPPHbhBg/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeBt0aSdLtQU5G-1oZRcjd6T9LazM9UCa2Wr3z4B9r_6MrU8ryd5M6atueshr6tmzq9rENfskVfDbmmvwUqvV4CuZcGmH7ZhOC4O5xjiPhR0XMoK4LfnFUFhYrV91DwgPPHbhBg/s200/IMG_1276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570424733550283186" border="0" /></a>trim up any uneven edges.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8UEpNzLx0x5f0ygNge__er9NA6OUFI3VLdFYl2pc5CZITJPXkKqB4crITSwxRnO_rrYl3dVyanRcb85gjWr8gAaAw0lS0SsgqTY04dosoYgkt66ZI4WTl4-e854TlewxI2sERw/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8UEpNzLx0x5f0ygNge__er9NA6OUFI3VLdFYl2pc5CZITJPXkKqB4crITSwxRnO_rrYl3dVyanRcb85gjWr8gAaAw0lS0SsgqTY04dosoYgkt66ZI4WTl4-e854TlewxI2sERw/s200/IMG_1277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570434511428764850" border="0" /></a>lastly, with a yarn needle i stretched the felt and poked a hole in a corner and slipped a piece of ribbon through and attached the card. (I've found it difficult to use a hole punch on felt.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpaY8Lx-5SpJBBfWfR2o1GPIIpRM-eS9e61zfMmc4AG-2dvgcPacawH8d3x2ejR9MOLhdHdvAHOGOGvYwGXFmuLnEfuxlkpTsA3e4-GysbEUedWs4whby29g_se2qPhe5G4dolA/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpaY8Lx-5SpJBBfWfR2o1GPIIpRM-eS9e61zfMmc4AG-2dvgcPacawH8d3x2ejR9MOLhdHdvAHOGOGvYwGXFmuLnEfuxlkpTsA3e4-GysbEUedWs4whby29g_se2qPhe5G4dolA/s200/IMG_1278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570434514612552930" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD1h4vk8-lef_CvyjGP7EuqYUIoJzYSPJ4zcwmtXiDT5vYGFk-03cOmllpgkXgWUjGXzx_JMVDcvrFfylTD1zhv4CGflA0Gc0h95mG2E72y1cgFAwBZMXdT28jWuWan8yn845SA/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD1h4vk8-lef_CvyjGP7EuqYUIoJzYSPJ4zcwmtXiDT5vYGFk-03cOmllpgkXgWUjGXzx_JMVDcvrFfylTD1zhv4CGflA0Gc0h95mG2E72y1cgFAwBZMXdT28jWuWan8yn845SA/s200/IMG_1280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570434520067778018" border="0" /></a>these would also make cute pincushions! This last photo shows what i meant when i said my first ones looked kind of like ravioli! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUizjtrr_5bCA4It3xbTGFTnrPGthLRhwE62U1a85CqDzBFW5zSR2a_yIDortZxPesCc3svKfnMADl98bLQ13p0Tt29dVQ8QeWjYyazW_goS_rWQ6_-30RMCspKMT2dDLPscVHFQ/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUizjtrr_5bCA4It3xbTGFTnrPGthLRhwE62U1a85CqDzBFW5zSR2a_yIDortZxPesCc3svKfnMADl98bLQ13p0Tt29dVQ8QeWjYyazW_goS_rWQ6_-30RMCspKMT2dDLPscVHFQ/s200/IMG_1251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570434522350351266" border="0" /></a>anyone looking to make some toy pasta? that would be an interesting play set....<br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Becca/Pictures/pictures/valentines%20project/IMG_1284.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Becca/Pictures/pictures/valentines%20project/IMG_1284.JPG" alt="" />coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-63044587614365520842011-01-26T12:20:00.006-05:002011-01-26T23:47:36.115-05:009 months and so busy :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWQMJRCSvZVXskl7v8nAwLcoIbppQRXa-XHB_RGxV613umZl0KpPBsxImEKe6T8jWDWzcFNxR9RLyX_YuyR68uu0VxvEVEyCDM8N0JWh0t6RuPr6lyc6yNC-Os8VvHhJmLsLEXg/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWQMJRCSvZVXskl7v8nAwLcoIbppQRXa-XHB_RGxV613umZl0KpPBsxImEKe6T8jWDWzcFNxR9RLyX_YuyR68uu0VxvEVEyCDM8N0JWh0t6RuPr6lyc6yNC-Os8VvHhJmLsLEXg/s320/IMG_1202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566712914650686402" border="0" /></a>Dear Jenbug,<br />You have been outside of my body for as long as you were inside of it! While I will always be amazed at how much of you was pieced together within, you have grown and learned so much in the time you've been out here with us, too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJx1d-t1kCgnGVJJMZ8Ofs4NVGV7eMbH8t_ZCU9_9XO4ozfiw5hHQOw3Qkhb4EqRdKlIpP5CFOsw54_sMORdWWP5fxZti0biazfmoBK4XzH5OlbCIKNLJy9nZGArfNvi5fog4wg/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJx1d-t1kCgnGVJJMZ8Ofs4NVGV7eMbH8t_ZCU9_9XO4ozfiw5hHQOw3Qkhb4EqRdKlIpP5CFOsw54_sMORdWWP5fxZti0biazfmoBK4XzH5OlbCIKNLJy9nZGArfNvi5fog4wg/s320/IMG_1141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566714705839740386" border="0" /></a>You sometimes say "papa" for daddy, though once when he was gone you said "dada!" You say "baby" when you see pictures of babies, or your babydoll, or your reflection. You say "bye bye" when we tell it to you first, and you put all kinds of other sounds together when you have something to say. If only we could understand you now!<br /><br />You can crawl everywhere and stand up when you get where you want to be (while holding on still.) You can dance a little and "sing" and love to play music with drums, shakers, rattles, and bells.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHI3IwNI3V-bOw1dYMDue8q7_ccTAyLnGnQp6bhLR1ITkL5ao_KBrgQUvJRf9Y18CkREYBmozf3iQdGltwgu0HFfWppY0WYEi39MKsh732dFglHEf7zDpP3sRafDGQf6NIop8BA/s1600/Image0194.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHI3IwNI3V-bOw1dYMDue8q7_ccTAyLnGnQp6bhLR1ITkL5ao_KBrgQUvJRf9Y18CkREYBmozf3iQdGltwgu0HFfWppY0WYEi39MKsh732dFglHEf7zDpP3sRafDGQf6NIop8BA/s320/Image0194.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566712916430688050" border="0" /></a>You like to "read" your books, and are very careful while turning the pages back and forth. You enjoy petting the dog and getting doggie kisses (or hitting her in the nose...or using her as a pull-up spot...)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU2mmNtovlWgL_j4zc7FNmClmWN5EuH5orx66eeRpa1AXo7AvaIqNM7B-GE7ExedLCPFRLnL9ek5l3P7KRWp9PTUkORDYY4nAAuy1OQv44aPDSmTlLr1UxSsqgvPAMBEgd_zk2Q/s1600/Image0199.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU2mmNtovlWgL_j4zc7FNmClmWN5EuH5orx66eeRpa1AXo7AvaIqNM7B-GE7ExedLCPFRLnL9ek5l3P7KRWp9PTUkORDYY4nAAuy1OQv44aPDSmTlLr1UxSsqgvPAMBEgd_zk2Q/s320/Image0199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566712921234519378" border="0" /></a>You have recently been playing your own version of chase, or hide and seek...which involves you crawling out of the family room and waiting on someone to come after you, when we find you, you grin and begin crawling quickly away! You just got a swing in the backyard, and love to be pushed fast and high.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHI3IwNI3V-bOw1dYMDue8q7_ccTAyLnGnQp6bhLR1ITkL5ao_KBrgQUvJRf9Y18CkREYBmozf3iQdGltwgu0HFfWppY0WYEi39MKsh732dFglHEf7zDpP3sRafDGQf6NIop8BA/s1600/Image0194.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mTXNEO18YTXNqwFU5ei5sfOo9FLOFR3PNB6KaCvu8BE1f8SZbOn5xqxBj7VhbtjlggaF591iZxHwzMgne4UeW8P5mBd0FKd8LlJr-CEKxCXpuMDy6NaL7Dod1UIIO3Yvldi_NQ/s1600/Image0196.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mTXNEO18YTXNqwFU5ei5sfOo9FLOFR3PNB6KaCvu8BE1f8SZbOn5xqxBj7VhbtjlggaF591iZxHwzMgne4UeW8P5mBd0FKd8LlJr-CEKxCXpuMDy6NaL7Dod1UIIO3Yvldi_NQ/s320/Image0196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566712915760228450" border="0" /></a>You are very snuggly just after a bath when you're wrapped up in your towel, and also when we are out around people you haven't warmed up to yet. I love how you shyly tilt your head in toward me, letting others know you want to stay with your mommy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYvIoe_mYyD6CZ-FQ3LjpCa_tZKj27KFXfJMadk1_M4GsEZE6q1L2nox4nTvyC7nKiow0gelKp0LNsaPpXTpSAT0swzHNemxMsd4aMwjP4xWRBjJAoDb3hesOnVy7eH5BZbireg/s1600/Image0189.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYvIoe_mYyD6CZ-FQ3LjpCa_tZKj27KFXfJMadk1_M4GsEZE6q1L2nox4nTvyC7nKiow0gelKp0LNsaPpXTpSAT0swzHNemxMsd4aMwjP4xWRBjJAoDb3hesOnVy7eH5BZbireg/s320/Image0189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566714702001574418" border="0" /></a>While you still haven't cut any teeth, you are a very good eater most of the time. You still eat lots of purred foods, but also love Cheerios, Kix, pieces of banana, black eyed peas and other legumes, chunks of sweet potato, pieces of crackers or bread, and really got into eating pieces of the apple cinnamon pancakes we had a few weeks ago! You're very good at holding your cup, but still trick us into holding it for you sometimes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVogFDuva9POq-42MPcz_TYcmd6Xq1pmxtu-IrbpoHVTQ3SGJmyHs5FTCz3ZYjUaIZOPQjkx4QITWcxMivVFfoagMqEgVW7pNPMGzONF9fHdWYsUMsHbtFibdxJ1QIYyLeDeVw1Q/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVogFDuva9POq-42MPcz_TYcmd6Xq1pmxtu-IrbpoHVTQ3SGJmyHs5FTCz3ZYjUaIZOPQjkx4QITWcxMivVFfoagMqEgVW7pNPMGzONF9fHdWYsUMsHbtFibdxJ1QIYyLeDeVw1Q/s320/IMG_1129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566714693185844818" border="0" /></a>Your 9 month pediatrician appointment is going to be a few weeks late, so we don't know your growth chart marks yet. We do know that you are smaller than "average." You started wearing size 3 diapers about 2 weeks ago, and while we are starting to pack some of your small clothes away, most of your clothes are 3-6 month sizes. You have some 6-9 month sizes in rotation, mainly because the season change required them! You still have a pair of 0-3 month pants in your regular rotation! I think you weigh between 15 and 16 lbs...we'll find out on Valentines Day at Dr. Davids office (your first trip to see him as your pediatrician!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnT4OOOgQ1CRtquzcpf8C0BG3SZ2tElqAMxKWMSOJfCTnfhb2HevgLlp6SAc1i3Vp8v7y9tICfQRCscgbfAoXyJYs2MEiTkUA8abfKCe8ulJnnZiQyLYB8_7w6d5EFVl4ud9-Hg/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnT4OOOgQ1CRtquzcpf8C0BG3SZ2tElqAMxKWMSOJfCTnfhb2HevgLlp6SAc1i3Vp8v7y9tICfQRCscgbfAoXyJYs2MEiTkUA8abfKCe8ulJnnZiQyLYB8_7w6d5EFVl4ud9-Hg/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566714698718183218" border="0" /></a>Your father and I often find ourselves gazing at you while you sleep in your bed, bragging about what a sweet little baby we have. I look at pictures of you from when you were first born and can't believe how tiny you were compared to now. I know you're growing up, and even in these images of you, you will appear tiny by comparison as you grow into a young lady.coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-78159895997268780382010-12-23T16:31:00.004-05:002010-12-23T17:51:08.863-05:00Christmas 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJDmm1BEyMHMpoOCY6tT7wJl5OFW3p-GG9MxAyO5GDWWHl6cM_J_SZYxNL-6be5OFOYfyK1zfUHiZVXjchoHYwn_EQvF9tajL3yruypuxYOZUANJ6mrr5-jjD6SCb6E1eWr5WJg/s1600/39+-+101206+137.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJDmm1BEyMHMpoOCY6tT7wJl5OFW3p-GG9MxAyO5GDWWHl6cM_J_SZYxNL-6be5OFOYfyK1zfUHiZVXjchoHYwn_EQvF9tajL3yruypuxYOZUANJ6mrr5-jjD6SCb6E1eWr5WJg/s320/39+-+101206+137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554009035307418626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uQHhyoLsfB1n4Bbhyn6etb2vmG5aNqu_-VweQK5bWgoEmwAR7ipA0r2YQdpupvL0F-OqNr-MbbNcUI0c5QPxBzTN_blwC8gW-8G-LSDuZDehRBsnmFm_888_2Zs-A9TaBeJxPw/s1600/39+-+101206+130.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uQHhyoLsfB1n4Bbhyn6etb2vmG5aNqu_-VweQK5bWgoEmwAR7ipA0r2YQdpupvL0F-OqNr-MbbNcUI0c5QPxBzTN_blwC8gW-8G-LSDuZDehRBsnmFm_888_2Zs-A9TaBeJxPw/s320/39+-+101206+130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554006032182126914" border="0" /></a><br />Merry Christmas everyone! We're enjoying spending time sharing Jennifer with her extended family during all the celebrations! She is 8 months now, crawling and cruising around, jabbering, and always the center of attention. Earlier in the year I thought my Christmas note would be about how "Texan" we'd become, but now we're Carolinians! Arrived in North Augusta in November, transferred our cars and licenses to South Carolina a couple of weeks ago. However, we did round out the year with a Texas-born child, and Mike owns a nice pair of Texas boots too! We are thankful for the time we were able to spend in Fort Worth and the many great friendships which the transition brought us. Looking forward to what new things the Lord will show us in the coming year!<br /><br />We hope that you are seeking His face too!<br />Love, The Springsteadscoffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-86312419906929868812010-11-20T21:02:00.006-05:002010-11-20T21:41:33.792-05:006 months...now almost 7 months!(i had meant to post an entry at 6 months, but things got really busy right about then.....)<br /><br />Dear Jenbug,<br />You will be seven months old on monday! can't believe we've had you in our lives over half a year already.<br />You're such a sweet and easy baby...and still healthy too! at your 6 month appointment you weighed 14lbs 3 oz and were 25" long, average for a 4month old, but your head was still big! 17" is average for an 8 month old!<br />You're very smart and curious, so our packing may have motivated you to get moving. You began crawling one week after turning 6 months, the day that we began loading our truck to move to Georgia! every time i'd put something on the floor to get a box ready for it, you'd find your way right to the item! you looked like a little wind-up doll with your perfectly planned arm and leg motions. You also began pulling up on low items the same weekend.<br />About 2 weeks ago you began going back to a seated position on your own from crawling. This skill has made you unstoppable! You are able to crawl to something, sit and play with it, crawl some more...sit some more....<br />You handled the long-distance move pretty well, though you certainly weren't quite as eager to ride in the car this trip than on our visits over the summer.<br />You have recently become quite attached to mommy, which makes sense with all of the changes we've tossed your way. If you're on the floor with several people you know around, you go straight for me most of the time. thankfully, i have lots of extra hands around to help with you, which should also help prevent too much separation anxiety in the near future, thanks to your aunts and grandparents living next door!<br />I like to think that you know you are saying my name when you say "ma ma ma ma ma" but your daddy is quick to point out that you say the same to him, so we really think it is your word for "i need help with something"....which makes me think that must be the baby-talk word for it and is what babies everywhere have named us....<br />I really think that today i heard you say to me "my ma ma" and then you looked at your daddy over my shoulder and i heard you say "...and daddy"<br />You are learning to self-feed cereal and other finger foods, and get frustrated that you cannot eat all of your meal on your own...but seem to not like holding squishy foods, so spoon feeding is definitely required for some things.<br />I started pureeing some foods for you in place of using only store-bought babyfoods, but you seem to dislike the peas and carrots unless they are from the baby aisle. bananas and sweet potatoes are your favorite in any form.<br />One of your favorite "games" since we moved into great-grandmas house has been to make a bee-line for Goldie (the aging dog) so that she pays attention to you and smothers you with licks. You are one frequently-bathed baby by dog-standards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT6mE7nEkx1AaKG7Kkrd_CHigKG8KQ8PMa4iI0Q_vFEIGNvnvLDm76CBLoKTGk9im8s9WzM_H4MTyAJG2-gbg1Jse5rkcaqA8Zc-RjzSuTZL9IaRow2Y0JNGb5qr-lPlG_lraQA/s1600/Image0116.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHT6mE7nEkx1AaKG7Kkrd_CHigKG8KQ8PMa4iI0Q_vFEIGNvnvLDm76CBLoKTGk9im8s9WzM_H4MTyAJG2-gbg1Jse5rkcaqA8Zc-RjzSuTZL9IaRow2Y0JNGb5qr-lPlG_lraQA/s320/Image0116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541825913634224914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBpLCDRmLGEzHGdYruKMOCtJODbFGe4qtN5DhDHKAe95zG-RkxM9SUp_6VNJu2Dsl5z8_-DiXI0oTh1TEzqgS394xpzZLLyX7A6hNdEIaQqu9OThop0WxsfTAdLu6lKYsu3CA8A/s1600/Image0117.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBpLCDRmLGEzHGdYruKMOCtJODbFGe4qtN5DhDHKAe95zG-RkxM9SUp_6VNJu2Dsl5z8_-DiXI0oTh1TEzqgS394xpzZLLyX7A6hNdEIaQqu9OThop0WxsfTAdLu6lKYsu3CA8A/s320/Image0117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541825903667024514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ISpHVbKN7ww9jQimtTVh3LobIHPyo0yy483MykQex2LTikN6of-4JnSmLEyvKrsp1WlvJbHeVgpOhJKcJD9Hdq2376L99V8MFhc1dja-h1WDADlyF35DUhLkLZI82SmLo1xgQ/s1600/Image0118.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ISpHVbKN7ww9jQimtTVh3LobIHPyo0yy483MykQex2LTikN6of-4JnSmLEyvKrsp1WlvJbHeVgpOhJKcJD9Hdq2376L99V8MFhc1dja-h1WDADlyF35DUhLkLZI82SmLo1xgQ/s320/Image0118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541825895787493698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFDCBdpm_QWIuS6VFKOTHYXfOgibF3r0NgJbfbaoRJr0FGOzxZGoEaTYplmh7HzULhXwysXFG_m_z4-egVXVmXnAbn58s7UrZRBnRlDk0OAY_BVAKzvJPfuE1U7TeW9f0bSgQQ/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFDCBdpm_QWIuS6VFKOTHYXfOgibF3r0NgJbfbaoRJr0FGOzxZGoEaTYplmh7HzULhXwysXFG_m_z4-egVXVmXnAbn58s7UrZRBnRlDk0OAY_BVAKzvJPfuE1U7TeW9f0bSgQQ/s320/IMG_0846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541825888077642514" border="0" /></a>coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-3573866787017210412010-10-07T22:38:00.002-05:002013-09-07T22:58:14.267-05:00obviously, i love packing, right?God's plans are so different than our own, aren't they?<br />
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We moved to Texas 14 months ago, and in about a month we will be moving back to the Augusta area.<br />
Our sweet baby was born just before the end of spring semester, which made for a difficult wrap up, and through various occurrences its been quite a rough beginning to this semester. This week it became clear to us that Mike seriously needs a break from school to regroup and refuel, which we realized two days ago means withdrawing now to prevent failing grades at the end of the semester (because failing at this point would lead to a whole year delay in his schooling.)<br />
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We plan to move back to North Augusta, SC for a while to stay with family and save some money to replenish what we've been using up here. Mike also plans to take a few online classes through SWBTS while we are gone. This afternoon Mike submitted forms to completely withdraw from classes, and to reapply for classes (yes, both forms had to be submitted in this circumstance, strange aint it?) He also gave the housing office our 30 day move-out notice. It's official. By November 6th we'll be all packed up again and moving.<br />
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I can not say that this whole year was a waste. I don't feel that way at all. If this had been our choice last winter, I know that I would have felt that we'd wasted our time and money in making this huge move just to go right back, but from where I stand now, I am able to clearly see several amazing blessings which we have received and been able to give through our time here, plus some very important faith lessons.<br />
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1. the life we were living in Augusta prior to moving here was wasteful. We thought we were making just enough to live on, but now that we've been here, i can easily see that we lived in a too-big home with two full incomes, bringing in twice what we really needed to live on and spending out of control and living in twice the space we required (though by many standards we weren't making that much, when compared to the way we've learned to live here, we were living extravagantly)<br />
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2. If we hadn't moved and hadn't had difficulty finding work here, we couldn't have afforded to pay for the birth of our daughter. Being broke has had its benefits.<br />
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3. I think i have learned to better manage wants-vs-needs, and also have begun learning the coupon thing, which will benefit our family for a long time. Even if we ever begin to make more than we need to live on, we want to be able to save and to bless others as we have been so very blessed during our needful times.<br />
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4. God showed us and our extended family that He is faithful when we are obedient to follow Him, even if it is to a strange place where we know no one. I never felt lost or alone here, even with job hunting and pregnancy and having to build new friendships, I always knew that we were in His faithful hands.<br />
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5. We began having planned family devotions here with a through the Bible reading plan and specific prayer for those close to us. I'm not saying that we couldn't or wouldn't have begun that from our previous residence, I'm just saying that it is something that we weren't doing before.<br />
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6. We have been able to be a part of an amazing church family here, where we have been able to grow be taught, and develop hearts for ministry, and to be challenged by what it means to live out the gospel in our lives every day. I learned that there is a group of churches which i agree with strongly in the Reformed Baptists. Its where the Baptist in me and the Presbyterian in me collide and make sense. I also learned more what the church as community should look like through our care group and the love we've received and given there. (This is the part I will miss the most from Texas)<br />
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These are just some of the lessons and blessings we've gained from our time here so far. I'm sure I'll continue to look at this short time and be able to count many many more great things.<br />
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People will ask me in the coming month if this move is temporary or if we'll come back to Texas later, and I can't answer that with any certainty. I thought a week ago that I'd be in this apartment for a few years at least, maybe have another kid or two before we moved again. I cannot plan to settle in one place because I am not in control of our future. This may be a short term restarting to get us focused and replenish our funds, or this might be a longer term settling for mike to take some distance classes while our children get to know their great grandmother, grandparents, aunts, and uncle in SC. It might be that we move back to Texas, or Kentucky, or Asia, for all we can see. If I've learned anything though this, It is that we need to be willing to go wherever God would take us, and live our lives that way.<br />
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Philippians 4:11-13<sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29437"><br />11</sup>Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29438">12</sup>I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. <sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29439">13</sup>I can do all things through him who strengthens me.coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-42090429708403945302010-09-25T17:25:00.002-05:002010-09-25T17:33:06.839-05:00five months old!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifey3BTSQhUJM-Oti75RUgOm3sUXxJ5zarGvc4NNoHHSJBe2_VCIzpMUX_MeYHvpHiG3aVYGAYthdpiC0lPMtp0JBwPXeyh33WFiaSFCuX-4d_otUdB2NBUj2y-KA6oX_HCR3duA/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifey3BTSQhUJM-Oti75RUgOm3sUXxJ5zarGvc4NNoHHSJBe2_VCIzpMUX_MeYHvpHiG3aVYGAYthdpiC0lPMtp0JBwPXeyh33WFiaSFCuX-4d_otUdB2NBUj2y-KA6oX_HCR3duA/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520982771578055154" border="0" /></a><br />Jen turned 5 months this past wednesday. she began sitting pretty well with minimal help about a week ago, and yesterday we began the baby cereals twice a day. she's very vocal and loves to splash in the bathtub. she scoots around pretty actively, but doesnt have direction control very well yet, so she very often ends up scooting away from the toy she wants, much to her own dismay. on tuesdays she gets to go with me to a small moms day out class i teach, where she is the youngest of 4 babies/toddlers in the class. on thursdays she gets to go to another childcare program i work at where she gets to go to a different room with babies her own age and teachers who aren't her mommy for a change. she's still a very good-natured baby who is very easy to take to new places and shop with and such, but she has had a few off-days recently where she was actually fussy in the nursery instead of all-smiles! everyone meets her still falls in love instantly, though. she's quite the charmer :)coffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3320410.post-20956278134012494192010-08-28T18:15:00.000-05:002010-08-28T18:15:42.412-05:00SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/08/silhouette-machine-guest-giveaway.html">SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />found out about this machine on http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/08/silhouette-machine-guest-giveaway.htmlcoffee girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02051376606935543468noreply@blogger.com0