One year

Today is a sad day of remembrance for our family. On April 19, 2103 I found out I was having a miscarriage, our second miscarriage...our third child.

We've made it through all the firsts. Since we passed my due date back in November, I've been thinking of all the things that would be different if a baby was in our family. There have been so many things I've missed and thought of the "what ifs." 

I suppose Easter will always remind me of this pregnancy. Last year Easter was at the end of March, and we revealed the news to Caleb that he would be a big brother with an Easter scavenger hunt. His last prize was a wrapped box containing a big brother shirt. We watched the video of his reactions earlier this week, and I will forever cherish his excited shouts that day. I'm so glad we decided to tell him so he could be part of our happy secret for a couple of weeks.  Then on Easter we went to tell my Mom. Now this year Easter weekend is on the anniversary of the miscarriage.   I remember thinking last year how Caleb would get to teach the new baby how to color eggs and we'd have fun finding them outfits for Easter.

It still is unreal to me that I was actually pregnant again. The pain has eased, but it never goes away completely.  My heart is healing; I've kept a written list of moments I feel were part of my healing over the past year.    Once again, just like after our first loss, I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned through this journey. They've been different lessons from the first time. I still don't understand and have many questions and have gone through so many up and down emotions. I know though God cares about me, and I love Him.  I continue to hold on to that.

Today I remember a year ago and am thankful for those who have supported and loved us through the pain.

Have a day of blessings!

A cross we made

Back at Christmas I read an idea online (probably on Pinterest) to save the trunk of your real Christmas tree and use it at Easter to make a cross.  We saved ours and Caleb enjoyed cutting the branches off of it. 

I remembered this week that we saved it so we made a cross out of it for our family lesson. 

It is a great reminder of the sacrifice made for each one of us on the Cross by Jesus.  He suffered so much on the cross for us, and we need to always remember that He paid the price for our sins.  I think sometimes we forget. 

Happy Easter!

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

As we approach Easter weekend, I have been thinking of Christ's sacrifice.  I'm thankful for the cross and the hope we have because of that. 

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband's meeting being in town this week.  It was at his office and some others had to travel in for the training.  I was thankful it was here so he didn't have to travel away! 

~ my sweet boy working so hard at school and this six weeks making the A honor roll.  He worked hard to bring it up his math grade from the 3 week report as well as from the last 6 weeks.  Also, he received a postcard in the mail this week from his PE teachers praising him for his behavior and positive attitude in PE. 

~ cool days and a little bit of rain.  We even had freezing temperatures again this week.  We are all praying for more rain. 

~ getting to see some of the Robertson family (from Duck Dynasty).  They gave a wonderful talk and Caleb was excited to see Uncle Si. 

~  getting some vegetables for our garden.  I hope they grow! 

Have a day of blessings!

Along Came You

 

Along Came You by Karona Drummond and illustrated by Estelle Corke is a sweet children's book I would like to share with you today. 

Book Description:
Available for the first time as a fun and durable board book, the beautifully illustrated Along Came You is now perfectly suited for little hands and hearts. Ideal for Mother's Day, baby showers, birthdays, or any time a parent wants to express their love, this book's storyline highlights the positive ways in which parents' lives change when they have children. Author Karona Drummond, a certified elementary school teacher, employs storytelling techniques that will appeal to both the child and parent. The simple language and repetitive structure of the phrases make this a perfect read-along book that teachers, librarians, parents, and young readers will enjoy.

My thoughts:
In this sweet book a Mom tells her daughter how her life has changed because of her.  The child in the picture looks like a preschooler.  To me this would be a book that a Mom could read to her child as a toddler that could become a favorite as the child grows. I like the repetitive phrase of "before you" and "after you" used on each page.  It is just the right length as well to keep the child's attention and the right size of board book for young hands to hold on their own.

Children change all aspects of our lives, and this book celebrates those wonderful changes!  A child may not realize the way he or she has caused so many things to change, but this book shares those changes in a positive, loving manner.

Check out this book when you need a gift for a new Mom. 

Have a day of blessings!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thankful Thursday

I have had a nice week and have enjoyed the spring weather.  My heart has been remembering last April, and I'll be doing a post about that soon. I can't believe the year has passed already. 

What are you thankful for today?  

I'm thankful for....

~ being able to communicate with my husband with our free minutes on our cell phones. I don't use many minutes to talk to anyone else, but when I hear the account summary of mobile-to-mobile minutes, it makes me thankful to have that plan!

~ my boy at school in a class I got to sub for this week. I signed up for it last week and had been looking forward to it. Caleb told me last night when I reminded him I'd be his sub....unless it snows!  Last time I was supposed to sub for his class we had a late start so his class didn't come to my class that day.  He gave me a thumbs up sign which I thought was cute.  And I liked seeing him throughout the day in the hall. 

~ having a fun day subbing.  I enjoyed being with the children.  It is always a reminder to me every time I am at the school how much our teachers and schools need our prayers and how these children have so much they are dealing with on a daily basis.

~  receiving a graduation announcement in the mail from one of the 1st graders I taught my second year of teaching.  A few weeks ago I received an envelope from his Mom asking for a letter to him for a scrapbook she is putting together.  I felt honored that she included me.  I found some pictures that I copied to send along with a letter I wrote.  We have kept in touch through the years.  I wish I was in touch with more of my former students from that class.

~ a day being at home all day.  The past couple of weeks I've had errands or appointments or something for at least part of every day.  I had a day home all day this week and am thankful for that!  I was productive and enjoyed my day.

Have a day of blessings!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. When did you last 'shower' attention on someone or have attention 'showered' on you? Did you love it, or did all that attention make you squirm?  I guess my birthday back in February. We ate Mexican food and they sang to me which was kinda embarrassing. But there were not too many other customers so it was not as bad as at some places. 

2. Share a favorite 'spring break' memory. Not talking about just the 'college spring break' thing, but any favorite spring break memory you'd like to share. Keep it family friendly please!  I don't really remember doing anything on spring break when I was a kid. In college our spring break fell in March on my boyfriend's (now husband) birthday. My Mom, aunt, and cousin were going to be in Waco for a PIPs convention that weekend so I rode home with him to meet his family for the first time. We went out to eat and I was so sick. I ended up at the hospital that night!  Quite the memory! 

3. It's National Pecan Month...are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite dish that calls for pecans?  Yes I love pecans. Pecan pie is my favorite. I used to make a pie for the county fair that won a ribbon. 

4.  'Put all your eggs in one basket', 'egg on your face', 'rotten egg', 'walk on eggshells', or 'a good egg'...which egg-spression could most recently be applied to your own life?  I can't think of how any of these apply at the moment. 

5.  In my experience___________________________________.  
It seems if I don't have my umbrella or camera (see #8) with me I end up wishing I did have it. 

6. What's a  favorite song with the word rain in its title or lyrics?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..... From The Sound of Music

7. What does the word hope mean to you?  Hope means haniging on a little bit longer, not giving up, continuing to try even when things don't look very positive. Hope is tied to faith. 

A verse I think of about hope is Hebrews 11:1-- Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Last night when we were coming home from archery practice I saw something moving beside the road. It was an armadillo!  We watched him for a few minutes and were rather close to him. I wish I would have had my camera with me and did not!  It was fun to see one so close!  

Have a day of blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for so many things. Some are private and I won't share here. It's good to pause to remember that I have so many blessings.

Here is my list:
~ my loving husband taking off work in afternoon to take me to an appointment.  I appreciate his support.

~ my sweet boy grinning at me and giving me hugs when he sees me in the hall when I'm volunteering at his school.

~ sitting on the back porch enjoying the breeze. I've done this several times this week.  It is so nice to enjoy the nice temperatures of spring.

~ being able to help at the school. They are appreciative, and I'm glad I can help out.  I enjoy it so much!

~ the military men and women and their families who serve our country daily. My prayers are with all those in Fort Hood, including the families of those killed, the injured, those who responded to the tragedy, and the family of the gunman.

Have a day of blessings!