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!