Stories of a Seamstress

I have a very heavy heart today.  Not, however, for the reason that most might think.  Today is the day that we had confirmation that our fourth child was, indeed, in Heaven.  We had been told just three weeks earlier that I would miscarry that pregnancy.  As sad as that day was, I had a peace.  At that time, I didn't know whether our family would remain a family of 5 or whether He would choose to bless us yet again with another little life.  I just knew that drawing closer to Him was my only choice.  One day, as I was having my quiet time with God and studying His word, I felt Him speak to me more clearly than I have ever felt.  He told me that this was not "MY promised land".  He told me that this miscarriage was just a stop in the wilderness and He would lead me through if I just kept my eyes on Him. Today is bittersweet.  You see, I am rejoicing because, Lord willing, our family will welcome another child into our lives in just a few short weeks.  I couldn't be happier about that.  I love feeling this sweet little one growing inside me and will never again take that for granted.  I had someone ask me once if being pregnant again eased the pain of the loss I had experienced.  I didn't really know how to answer that.  Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about that sweet little baby of mine in Heaven.  However, I am also feeling incredibly blessed that God gave me the opportunity to experience this pregnancy and prayerfully another little life to take care of here on earth. 

Despite the fact that I am rejoicing over this little life growing inside me, here is what I struggle with from time to time.  I struggle with the fact that even though our family had plans for that baby's future, I never got to meet this little one.  I struggle with the fact that some people may not consider my loss of a child as great as the loss of someone that held that child or spent years with their child. I struggle with the fact that I don't know how to answer the question..."How many children do you have?".  I am not telling you about my struggles to make you feel sorry for me.  I am telling you in hopes that it will help if you too have experienced such a loss.  There is a song that came on the radio a few days after my miscarriage (as I was sitting in the parking lot at Goodwill :)).  The song is "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin.  The first line in the song states, "There's a peace I've come to know, though my heart and flesh my fail"...how true those words were and are to me.  As much as I may struggle, I still have peace.  I have a peace that God is in control of my life and a peace in knowing that I WILL meet this child one day.  To finally see that face of that precious one I so longed to hold.  To see the face of the one that I saw as part of our family here on earth. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c

While visiting my parents a few months ago, I walked in the bathroom and saw this... I am a daddy's girl to the core. Now, I am completely aware that this note was note for me. It was intended for my mother. I have no idea how long it had been there, but when I saw it, tears immediately came to my eyes. You see, my daddy did a lot of things for me growing up. He cooked pancakes for me every morning and if I needed something during the school day, he would bring it to me. I was admittedly spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it. However, he gave me two of the most precious gifts he could have ever given me just by being himself. He loves the Lord with all of his heart and never strays from seeking His will or doing what is right. In addition to that, he loves my mom and always puts her desires above his own...and making her happy, makes him happy. That's what this note is about to me. After almost 53 years of marriage, she still "lites up his life ":). What better gift can a father give his daughter than to love her mother and serve the God of all creation. Thank you, Daddy for being the best father a girl could ask for!

My middle child recently turned eight. While pining away on Pinterest (my new favorite love), I saw a party idea for a little girl turning seven. It was called Sew Seven. At first, there was a hint of disappointment as I feared I had either missed this party or would have to wait another two years to do it for my youngest. I almost mailed the link to a friend, but then decided I would just change the wording to "Sew Long Seven". It pretty much made my day to realize I would able to have a sewing party for her. She was equally as excited!


And so it began...



Now, if you'd like to check out the original and much cooler party idea, please do so. She has more creative ideas that I abandoned for budgets sake. Regardless, it was alot of fun and I had a happy little girl at the end of the day.

I had a blog post in waiting (you know, because I blog so much these days), but because I am such a good friend (said while laughing), I have decided to help a sister out. Here is a template for the flower petals. It is in PDF form, so most likely you will have to use Adobe or a similar program to open it. I'm typing as if I know what I'm talking about. If you have no idea what flowers I'm referring to, check it out at Playing Sublimely.

Download template here.

Well, I made a mistake yesterday of going over to a friend's house. My mistake lies in the fact that I saw her making the most adorable flowers, which she had sent me the link for but I didn't want to take the initiative to try it. I felt pressured (not really pressured, but I like to place the blame on her:)) to make them too. So, last night, I stayed up way too late and made these little pins. Sorry for the poor picture, but it was late and I only had my phone nearby. A phone which had a dead battery which meant no flash, but I had to document these cute little things. Also made a precious hair bow out of these flowers for my 1st grader to wear on her first day of school. Stuck these pins on a piece of Sassy & Co. cardstock and sent them on their merry way. For a tutorial...because we all know I didn't come up with this on my own...click here. Don't be intimidated. Super easy, so give it a try. The possibilities are endless.