Everything Under the Son

I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves...pumpkin patch, and mini-golf to celebrate Natalie's excellent first report card! :)

Today is October 15 - a day declared the National Day of Remembrance for Pregnancy and Infant Loss. It is a nationally recognized day, with many places holding special activities/ceremonies. They ask, and so I ask, that if you think about it, light a candle at 7pm for all those who have been touched by pregnancy loss and infant loss.

Take a moment today to think about those you may know who have dealt with this type of loss...who have had to say goodbye to their child too soon. Say a prayer for them...a prayer for their pain and grief, and a prayer that God's hands of comfort surround. You see, when you lose a child, your life is NEVER the same. You are forever a different person. God provides the hope we need to walk through each day without them, but we miss them still.

Today, I am remembering. I remember the little pink lines on the pregnancy tests. I remember celebrating Thanksgiving with little Hope in my belly...she died two days later. I remember feeling Carson kicking and moving around...I remember the weight of carrying him in my tummy, and carrying him is something I never want to forget. I remember the joy those two babies brought to me and to Nathaniel...dreams come true. I remember when those dreams turned into nightmares, and I remember the heaviness of empty arms. I also remember that I have hope...I will see my babies again one day. Though it won't be this side of Heaven, we will have the chance to spend eternity together, and for that I am thankful. It doesn't make it easier to live without them now, but it certainly gives me something to look forward to.

What can you do? Remember with us. Call our children by name, acknowledging their lives and reminding us that you have not forgotten either. Give a hug, a smile...and tonight at 7pm, light a candle.

My family and I are going to begin this tradition. I am so excited about the joy that thankfulness will bring. As we struggle with finding contentment, and the 'more bug' (wanting more, more, more and never being satisfied), I am hopeful that being thankful for what we do have will lead us closer to finding peace with where we are. Will you join us?

Have you ever felt like you were running crazy, always trying to get things accomplished, yet never finishing the ever-growing to-do list? Have you ever wondered why God only gave moms 2 hands, and only 24 short hours on a day? (I know I could fill twice that many and still not get it all done!)

Through all of the hustle and bustle, I feel like I am failing miserably at everything. There are so many things to do that I am not able to give 100% to anything. I am doing what I can, but no one thing is getting my best. I hate that feeling. I hate finishing the day feeling like I shortchanged my family, my friends, my God, my self.

Have you ever felt this way? Am I the only one? We have heard the old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none." Being able to do lots of things, but none of them well...that seems frustrating to me, but today, that is how I am feeling. What about you?




And I'm just sayin'

I know, I know. It has been too long since my last post, and the last few times I did hop on here, I was mainly linking someone else. There is just some great stuff out there, y'all! Stuff that is far better than anything I could put together on this page!

The children's consignment sale is over...it was a success, by the way! Now I am working towards putting some structure back into place, and trying to keep my head above water in the mean time. We have finally caught up on the mountain of laundry that had taken over the play room, and now I am trying to get it all folded and put away. I wish that they would all miraculously fold themselves and hop into the right place...does anyone know the number for the laundry fairy?

I am hoping to spend some time this afternoon lesson planning for my pre-school class, as well as menu planning for the week. We also need to pick up the toy explosion from yesterday's sick-at-home fun. Natalie woke up sick, but by afternoon was feeling much better. She is fine today, and we have a sneaking suspicion that she ate something that didn't settle well. Once she 'got rid of it' she has been fine!

I guess if I am to get anything done today, I had better get off of this computer! There are school uniforms to be ironed, menus to plan, floors to sweep and mop...the list could go on and on!

I am looking forward to our time at our home church gathering tonight. We have started attending a home gathering, and are feeling God's blessings in it. Celebrating together as a family is going to be an amazing blessing for us and for our children! If we live our daily lives as worship, every day of the week, then we can celebrate our 'lives of worship' when we come together! We were made for this...

I am chin deep in working the children's consignment sale! I'll be back after it's all over, and things are back to normal...wait, what's normal?!