Packing And Purging

Things are coming along nicely. I can't believe we're preparing to move in just a few short weeks to a home of our own. No more renting, no more white walls, no more crazy neighbors or cigarette smoke through the walls.

Of course this also means we're trading one headache for another. Since everything is our own, this of course means the expenses of renovating or fixing things is OURS too as I'm sure many of you know.

When our son passed away, if you would have asked me about my life I would have told you it felt over. No more joy or happiness. Today, while I'm STILL learning what complete JOY is I can say I never would have imagined holding my sweet girl in my arms and waiting to move into a home of our own.  These hearts desires were WAY out of reach and it was only God who made them exist.

Over 11 years ago I was told I'd never be able to conceive a child.  I not only conceived one, but TWO children.  I have one whom I can bask in the joy right now and one in Heaven to look forward to meeting.  Then there's the house.  Where we're living in New York State, homes are far above what they are worth and much of the time what we CAN afford wasn't really worth what they were asking. We'd have to gut many of the homes.  We just kept open to Gods direction. Lord, we're open to renting somewhere else OR we're open to purchasing a home of our own. We would LOVE to have a modest home in a safe neighborhood with working mechanics and sound foundation...if at all possible with a fence.  Sure enough...just when I started to get down, He provided.  EVEN through the dreaded home-buying process He provided.

I look back at my life and see where God was present in SO MUCH of it.  Even when I didn't know Him at all (and I'm still finding that I have so much further in getting to know Him).  There's not one aspect of my life that He didn't guide looking back.

Where I'm always on to the next best thing...right now, I just feel as though I need to STOP. Take a step back, Thank Him, Praise Him and just back in His glory.  I don't really feel at the moment that I need for anything.  I am content with what He's given me and while there are still hearts desires to be "fruitful", I am asking my Father in Heaven for His guidance and direction. In His time and IF it's in His plans for us.  Right now?  I'm considering this year a "work in progress".

I'd like to plan some Daddy and Me time with my Father in Heaven.  To learn more about Him and understand His will for me through His word. I'm understanding right now that there is much work to be done in my attitude and spirit. Something I'm guessing "may" take a lifetime to work out.  Whether it's attitude, weight, learning to be a help meet or a mother who builds up her husband and child or whether it's learning to be content or how to do things for the Lord in my daily life...I want to "Be Still".

I hope that one day my husband and child will call themselves blessed as I dedicate my life and home to Christ.

In the meantime.  I'll be packing up for a new journey with hopes to pack up some old attitudes and leave them at the Lords feet.

Raw SAUERKRAUT Recipe

I tried making Kraut a few years back and bombed.  I hope it works out this time!

A Home Of Our Very Own

YAY! I can hardly believe we have a home of our own. We closed this past Monday on our beautiful place. God knew exactly what we needed and the features we wanted.  He also knew that there would be quite the mess in between. He overcame every obstacle in the way and we are now packing and waiting to move into our new home in the next month or so.

We will be out of the city. This was a HUGE issue as we were renting in a revitalized neighborhood but the crime has been horrifying.  Not somewhere we want to raise our child.

The home has a nice backyard with a fence, a finished basement, nice sized kitchen with fairly new appliances, 4 bedrooms and in a nice neighborhood.

It's 15 minutes away from church, same amount from Jackson's grave and is 25 minutes from my husbands work.

We are looking forward to this new season in our lives. I can just image raising our daughter in this home and enjoying every little milestone.  Who knows, maybe adding to our family again one day if it's Gods will. We'd like that very much!

In the meantime I'd love for you to see it.

Home Sweet Home!

Part Of The Kitchen. There's a buffet with Table near the door in the Kitchen and a breakfast nook between the kitchen and living area.

Living Room

One Of The Bathrooms

One Of The Rooms

Deck Overlooking Back Yard

Big Fenced In Backyard

We are waiting patiently to move in.  I can't tell you how many dreams have come true and all because God granted them to us. I have a husband who loves me, two silly dogs, a son in heaven, a beautiful daughter here on earth, parents who love us, friends who have been so good to us and even several friends here online who have been with me for years.  It amazes me how good God is that He knows our hearts desires and while not all of them come to fruition, a great many dreams come true because of his loving-kindness.

My hope is that He will continue to do a good work in me, prune this sinful heart of mine and replace it with the "fruit of the spirit".  I am undeserving of it all yet God loves me SO Much that through it all, He gave his one and only begotten son so that because I believe I will not parish but have eternal life. I pray others know this gift and accept it and that they're lives would be fruitful, blessed and pleasing to the Lord.

I can't wait to share our new journey with you!

Baby Quilt from Start To Finish

Fabric Selection and Assembly

Borders (bias or straight cut)

Preparing And Quilting

Trim & Bind - The Final Steps

Basting A Quilt for beginners

Pin Basting

Spray Basting

How To Measure Backing for a quilt

Today, because I'm lonely for Bertie my sewing machine, I'm reminding myself how to measure for backing of a quilt.  Here's a great tutorial from Crafty Gemini that gives an easy explanation.  It's great to re-familiarize myself since I'm still such a newbie.

Mother's Day FILLED With Blessings!

Mother's Day was the first time I was able to celebrate motherhood with the gift of a living child. Some may already know that I have a beautiful son waiting for me in Heaven who was birthed at 22wks and died shortly after. You can find out more on my blog "Broken Heart, Mended Fences".  THIS blog is about the blessings that have now come from heartache.

Doug and I have been planning to have Baby Bear dedicated for quite some time but have finally gotten the spare time to do it. I let Doug call and pick a date.  What we both didn't get until we looked at the calendar is that Baby Bear's dedication was actually on Mother's Day.  What a gift that was!

She was such a delight and was great during the dedication.  Even better during brunch when both sets of grandparents, a great-grandmother and her favorite great-aunt fought to hold her.  She's a little social butterfly!

I'm grateful to God for those in the church who took the responsibility to help raise our daughter to honor and follow Him.  As I said in an earlier post, "It takes a village to raise a child". Especially one who will follow Christ and share His goodness with the world.  We pray that He would guide and protect her footsteps as they are planted on His foundation, that she becomes a blessing to others and would live her life each day as a blessing. Counting all her blessings, trusting in the one who created her when there are rough seasons and that she would know without a doubt that He loves her and so do her earthly parents.

After 10 years, Motherhood is a gift I'll NEVER take for granted. I pray for my sisters who are still Hoping in our Lord for a child and to those like me who've lost a child no matter how old they were.  God continues to floor me with His gift of mercy and grace. I have much to learn about life and I am happy to have a Father in Heaven with which to count on. To Him I give all the glory for every blessing He's bestowed upon us.  

How To Quilt A Sash

Since I've been on bed rest with Amelia, I haven't picked my quilting back up. I've been DYING to pick up my new machine and use it, but just haven't had the time yet. I'll explain more in a few days.

I have been trying to refresh my memory with the steps to quilting.  I was new at it before Amelia and now I'm just trying to remember the steps and how to accurately sew a quilt.  Quilting is a bit different than sewing a garment.

I've taken a liking to The Crafty Gemini.  She's a mommy and LOVES to craft. What I like most about her is that she likes to share her crafting and idea's with those who are interested via her website through YouTube videos. You can also buy some of her patterns if you wish.  I love supporting mommies so this is a good opportunity to learn and help.

For those who don't know how to make a proper sash, I thought I would post a tutorial. This is also to refresh my own memory.  Have a good day and enjoy!

It Takes A Village

Baby Bear is growing SO quickly! I'm enjoying every minute of each milestone. Her smiles, hands that curl with excitement, big jumps in the jumper. Lately she's blowing raspberries. Not just blowing them but SLATHERING them on.  It seems as we ride down an aisle in her new stroller we sound like a car running.

She's getting taller and has more hair now.  NOTHING compares to her bright smiles!  I think the thing that really floors me is the fact that she encourages conversation with others and people stop us mid conversation or while we're in a store just to talk with her and tell us what a happy baby we have.  It honestly happens all the time now. I'm starting to see where our dear girl is not just a blessing to us but many around her.   Oh how I pray for her!  I pray that God will equip her with everything she needs to grow and thrive with the gift of Salvation Jesus offers her.  I pray for her joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, forgiveness but most importantly to know her Lord and Savior and the protection she has with Him.

Which brings me to today.  We picked up her dedication dress today!  It's an heirloom dress made out of Irish Linen.  We had it embroidered. I will share pictures once all is said and done but for now you'll have to wait.  Can you believe by Gods grace that she is being dedicated on Mother's Day?!  Doug picked the date and we both looked on the calendar last week to note that it's Mother's Day.  Yet another testimony to how good our Lord and Savior is!  He knows we've waited so long and what a gift for Mother's Day to know that our daughter will be prayed for, cared for and acknowledged by her church family that we all will attest to her spiritual well-being.  It REALLY gives meaning to the quote "It takes a village to raise a child".  I feel as though some of my dearest friends have been either in the church or my online friends who've prayed for us.  She IS in a sense being raised by the church (Gods people) and is on loan to us. My hope is that she'll be a light in this world. I know God has a plan for her. I have the blessed honor to be her mother and bask in the joys she has brought to our lives.  God solely gets the glory for such a great gift!

"Eat To Live"

Hi Everyone!

There is change in the air.  I'm starting to go vegetarian for health reasons.  My husband has gone Vegan and has already reaped the benefits with a loss of 20 lbs and now is off his cholesterol as well as blood pressure medications. He is following Dr. Esselstyn's book called "Prevent And Reverse Heart Disease".  My husbands grandfather passed away at 40 years old, his uncle passed away early and his dad has had 2 heart attacks and 8 stents put in.  He decided since we have a couple years until we're both 40, he wanted to prevent all possibilities of Heart Disease and watch his daughter grow while growing old with me, his wife.  So far this method has already started working and it's been 3 months.

While it's taken me just a little bit longer to get the grasp the thought of not having the meat as the show on my plate, I'm working harder than ever to change my eating habits so I can get rid of my insulin pump and live to see my daughter grow up.  I am reading "Eat To Live" and it's starting to sink in the scientific basis behind why lack of nutrients in high caloric foods is making our nation fat and sick with chronic illnesses.  Eating a nutrient packed meal filled with fresh fruits and veggies while adding daily exercise is THE only way to lose weight, keep it off and in most cases disease proof your body.  I'm at the beginning stages of this hard yet rewarding journey.

Here is a recipe for raw chocolate macaroons I tried and loved.  It's a great way for a chocoholic like me to get a healthy chocolate dessert without all the calories and is "in the raw".

5 Languages Babies Use

I could have used this 5 months ago, but thought I would share it with other mother's out there.

It's All About Attitude And Faith In Our Heavenly Father

I needed to hear this testimony today.  Life is isn't always sunshine and rainbows but it sure makes a difference with attitude and a faith or confidence in God who is all knowing, all powerful and always present.

This week has been rough and filled with many new decisions.  In the past I've been afraid of changes.  Today I'm looking at God to give me courage and strength to trust in Him as HE directs us.  Listening to this testimony reminds me that I can ask my Father in Heaven for help and guidance. 

Coming Soon

A Whole New Outlook. Yay!