I had a very hard day yesterday for a number of different reasons, all my fault. I went on a walk with my next door neighbor and found something that left me so blessed and feeling so loved by God. Over the last year God has been cultivating a desire in me for homesteading. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is living simple life off of your land for all of your needs. I have felt a little dissapointed that living in a condo doesn't lend well to homesteading although there are small things you can do. Anyway, back to the walk. On the walk I found a huge patch of wild raspberries! We went to get our boots and then whole family went back out to the raspberries and picked for about 30 minutes. I felt so filled up in that deep desire to grow and eat from our own land. This morning I am making raspberry chocolate chip scones for breakfast. I can't wait to try them. In the midst of such a tough day, the raspberry discovery filled me up with joy that I needed so much. I felt God loving me through that find and through the pleasure of raspberry picking with my family. Thanks, God!Saturday, June 26, 2010
Yesterday's Blessing
I had a very hard day yesterday for a number of different reasons, all my fault. I went on a walk with my next door neighbor and found something that left me so blessed and feeling so loved by God. Over the last year God has been cultivating a desire in me for homesteading. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is living simple life off of your land for all of your needs. I have felt a little dissapointed that living in a condo doesn't lend well to homesteading although there are small things you can do. Anyway, back to the walk. On the walk I found a huge patch of wild raspberries! We went to get our boots and then whole family went back out to the raspberries and picked for about 30 minutes. I felt so filled up in that deep desire to grow and eat from our own land. This morning I am making raspberry chocolate chip scones for breakfast. I can't wait to try them. In the midst of such a tough day, the raspberry discovery filled me up with joy that I needed so much. I felt God loving me through that find and through the pleasure of raspberry picking with my family. Thanks, God!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Father's Day
Sweating bullets, I mean, picnicing at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. 
Sweating bullets on the walking trail looking for animals. We asked God to show us a really cool animal and we got to see 2 deer just feet away who didn't move when we got up close to them. Thanks, God! It was a great way to teach the kids about answered prayer.
Our precious girls walking down the path hand-in-hand. 
And a big hug...so so sweet!Jill and Jeremy's Visit
Double date downtown at Joss, round 2. 
Dad taking a much needed break. He was cooking all day and made the best ribs I've ever tasted and bought crabs for all of us. It was such a nice day.
Jeremy taking in the whole crab-eating experience...he was a natural.
Ug working hard to keep Lelia fed! It's a full time job.
Me and Jill on a moped ride around the community.
"Sharing" mommy's water...I'm not sure that I got any, but we'll still call it "sharing."
Jeremy on his first moped ride, also a natural.
Dad giving all of us a tour of his home-made wood working shed...almost done.
Jill and Jer.
Think we look alike?Random June Pics
Tom's long-time friend (and one of the men in our wedding), TP, who is stationed in Colorado called one night and told us he was in town and wanted to meet for dinner. The girls and I couldn't make it but Tom went and brought TP home for a very quick visit. It was wonderful to see him!
Have you ever seen a more beautiful princess / prince / ballerina?
We LOVE berry smoothies!
Isn't this a sweet picture...sitting on a blanket, watching the rain together. Melts my heart.
Taking a rest at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Sedona and Pheobe...they have been friends since in thier mommy's wombs!
Make-your-own strawberry shortcakes at Papa's house...they didn't mind this too much!
Gardening with Uma
The girls planted a vegitable / flower garden with Uma. Both girls had their own tee-pee for thier beans to grow on. They marked whose tee-pee was whose by the garden ornaments that they are dancing with in the pics below. So cute!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A Difficult May / June 2010
I debated about whether or not to write this post. My intention for writing it isn't depressing all of you who didn't know about our loss. My intention is honoring the very purpose of our blog: recording our family's journey to loving God and other's. While our last month has been excurtiatingly difficult, we still know that this experience will make us more like Jesus, the One our lives is all about.
In mid-April Lelia was telling both Tom and myself that, "Mommy has a baby brother in her tummy." Niether of us understood why she was saying that. Two weeks later, on April 25th, the day before my birthday, we got the positive pregnancy test that confirmed we were indeed having another baby. We were so excited, we really wanted another child and God gave us one the very first month we began trying!
About 2 weeks after that I asked Lelia where her baby brother was, (patting my belly). She said in a sad voice, "I don't have a baby brother anymore." We didn't understand why she was saying that until another week later. I woke up one more and knew, it was over, we were not going to meet this baby during out time here on earth. Strangly, the first thing I thought was that I would be able to help other women through something very hard after all of this was over.
That morning I was in the car taking the girls to a friend's (the Cantor's) house so that I could get blood work done to confirm that I was miscarrying a pregnancy. As we pulled into the Cantor's driveway Lelia said, "Mommy, the baby is crying?" I said, "What baby, Honey?" She said, "The baby in your belly?" I was speachless. I just simply didn't know what to say. It wasn't until Friday that the tears came...and came....and came.
Interestingly enough, one of Lelia's favorite new songs is Blessed Be Your Name. Part of the song goes like this: "You give and take away, you give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name." I wish I could say that I have succeeded in saying those words to God all the way through this time. I have not been perfect. Have I questioned why this had to happen? Absolutely. However, I know that God loves me and I also know I just don't see everything as clearly as He does. He knows what I need far better than I do.
In mid-April Lelia was telling both Tom and myself that, "Mommy has a baby brother in her tummy." Niether of us understood why she was saying that. Two weeks later, on April 25th, the day before my birthday, we got the positive pregnancy test that confirmed we were indeed having another baby. We were so excited, we really wanted another child and God gave us one the very first month we began trying!
About 2 weeks after that I asked Lelia where her baby brother was, (patting my belly). She said in a sad voice, "I don't have a baby brother anymore." We didn't understand why she was saying that until another week later. I woke up one more and knew, it was over, we were not going to meet this baby during out time here on earth. Strangly, the first thing I thought was that I would be able to help other women through something very hard after all of this was over.
That morning I was in the car taking the girls to a friend's (the Cantor's) house so that I could get blood work done to confirm that I was miscarrying a pregnancy. As we pulled into the Cantor's driveway Lelia said, "Mommy, the baby is crying?" I said, "What baby, Honey?" She said, "The baby in your belly?" I was speachless. I just simply didn't know what to say. It wasn't until Friday that the tears came...and came....and came.
Interestingly enough, one of Lelia's favorite new songs is Blessed Be Your Name. Part of the song goes like this: "You give and take away, you give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name." I wish I could say that I have succeeded in saying those words to God all the way through this time. I have not been perfect. Have I questioned why this had to happen? Absolutely. However, I know that God loves me and I also know I just don't see everything as clearly as He does. He knows what I need far better than I do.
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