A couple of years ago a dear friend of mine lost her brother in a tragic accident.  Within a couple days I watched a mourning  family have to plan a dear son, brother and twins funeral, select music for the ceremony and choose some of his beautiful art to display.  There are many memories from that day that resonate with me…mostly memories of my sweet friend’s sadness and her strength.  Not strength within herself but strength from God.   During the pain and  heart ache…she was determined to give God the glory.    To this day I cannot hear  the song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns without thinking of that day.  I cannot hear that song without crying.  Not only because it reminds me of her tragedy but also because it reminds me of the  love she displayed for her heavenly father.  Her commitment to glorify Him despite this pain was an example to me, an example to many.  This song has since become a favorite of mine.  I hope I can always listen to it and remember that no matter what pain, no matter what sadness I might endure…I must glorify Him.

“Who am I?

That the Lord of all the Earth

Would Care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?

That the bright and morning star,

Would chose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart.

Not Because of who I am

But because of who you’ve done.

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I’m calling,

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,

And you’ve told me who I am,

I am yours.

Who am I?

That the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love,

And watch me rise again.

Who am I?

That the voice that calmed the sea,

Would call out through the rain,

And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you’ve done,

Not because of what I’ve done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind,

Still you hear me when I’m calling,

Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,

And you’ve told me who I am,

I am yours.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Who shall I fear,

Who shall I fear.

I am yours.”

-Casting Crowns

I have to confess something…I have a piece of furniture in my house that was someone else’s trash.  This past summer I was out walking and spied a ton of furniture laying by the road.  I saw old antique trunks, a large wood framed mirror…and the most adorable table.  Just the table I needed for my side room.  Feeling a little strange scoping out a pile of “trash” I continued with my walk.  But I could not forget the little table.  I got home, jumped in my car and headed back to the roadside pile.  The man who lived at the house just happened to be outside.

Feeling like a complete idiot I asked him if I could take the table.  He was happy for me to have it and said to help myself to anything else.  I told him that all I wanted was the table (what a lie…I still think about those beautiful antique trunks), had a nice little chat with him…and drove home.

I sanded the little table, painted the base and stained it.  Here’s what she looks like today.  Her legs might be a bit wobbly but who cares?  After all…she was just a piece of “trash.”

There are many reasons I love my husband but like I have said many times…one of the greatest reasons is because, he makes me laugh.  He makes me laugh every day. No matter how grumpy I might be he can make me collapse into giggles.  As far as I am concerned…he is the funniest person I know.

Last year Justin went to have his annual eye exam.  Because they dilated his eyes he needed to wear plastic shade inserts underneath his glasses.  On his drive back to work he discovered something…he was no longer bothered by the sun’s glare. He came home that night excited with his discovery…and promptly grabbed some scissors and trimmed his plastic shades to match the size of his glasses.  Now they worked to perfection…as a home made pair of “sunglasses”.  And I kid you not, my husband wore his “sunglasses” the entire summer, until one day they vanished.

Last night as I was in our bedroom and I spied these laying on the bedside table. I started giggling remembering last summer.  Justin quickly informed me that his “shades” are no joke.  He was happy he had found them and would be wearing them tomorrow. Sure enough, off he went to work this morning…plastic inserts in hand.  I called him to see how the “sunglasses” were suiting him.  He said other than a minor scratch on his face (caused by the sharp plastic corners) his ride was lovely…not a bit of sun glare.

I found these sunglasses in the dollar spot at Target…and of course could not resist buying them…how they made me laugh last night!

And here are some more pictures of Cora from this past weekend.  The weather was warm so we had her outside.  She loved it.

I have become such a stroller snob and I feel justified in my snobbery.  Before having Cora, I babysat…a lot.  I tested many strollers and I discovered that expensive strollers are worth the money.  Strollers can be like bad shopping carts…swerving to the left or right…the wheel wobbling and making all sorts of obnoxious noises.  Or better yet, they may have the swivelling wheel…nothing more irritating.  Another reason I feel I am “entitled” to a nice stroller is because I have bought or received them all second hand.

My sister-in-law bought Justin and I the Britax Preview.

It’s a great stroller/car seat combo.  The car seats always rank highest for safety and the stroller is easy to use.  I also have enjoyed the pouch on the back.  I can throw diapers, pacifiers, toys, blankets, my wallet in the back pocket and leave Cora’s diaper bag in the car.

My most beloved stroller would have to be the BOB Sport Utility.  I am an avid runner and knew that I would need a good and reliable jogging stroller when Cora was born.  I did a lot of research and found that the BOB has the highest ratings for joggers but is also very pricey.  One day while scouring Craigslist, I found the exact jogger I wanted and for a fraction of the price.  The woman we bought it from was not a runner and therefore had never used it.

The other stroller I adore is the Maclaren Volo.  My sister who lives in New York recommended this brand.  I knew she was a reliable source as she pushes her children through busy Brooklyn streets on a daily basis.  I had registered for this stroller at Babies R Us but my mother-in-law happened to find it on Craigslist.  The family that sold it to us had moved from California and found that they no longer needed it.  It was in perfect condition and inexpensive.  It is the lightest, easiest to use stroller. I love it and so does Cora.

Our fireplace mantle is long…lots of room for displaying pretty things.  I have changed it quite a few times.  This past spring I found some old, beat up windows at a local antique store.  They cost $5 each.  I bought two.  One is displayed here:

I found the two urns and the iron decorative balls at Hobby Lobby during one of their 66% off clearance sales.

Not only do I love fresh flowers in my home…I also love real plants.  The ivy are perfect for a place that does not get much sun.

She is 6 months old today. She has been…6 months of joy, 6 months of laughter, 6 months of growth…6 months of fat cheeks, of fat wrists, or fat legs…6 months of smiles, 6 months of laughter, 6 months of blessing.

In 6 months she has learned to…smile, laugh, roll over, sit up, play with toys, eat an assortment of food, make all sorts of silly sounds…cough for attention.

At 6 months she has cut her first tooth! (goodbye sweet gummy smile)

In 6 months I have…changed. For the better I hope. I have been sanctified. In 6 months I have learned…to love sacrificially. I have learned that I must put two people before myself.  I have learned to function without sleep…and to try to do so with joy.

In 6 months we have gone from two to three.  6 months ago I feared this transition…now I cannot imagine life without her.  These 6 months has shown that three is better than two.  As two was better than one.  Cora, mommy and daddy love you.

“Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into here.
Where did you get your eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?
Some of the starry spikes left in.
Where did you get that little tear?
I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?
A soft hand stroked it as I went by.
What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?
I saw something better then anyone knows.

Whence that three cornered smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.
Where did you get this pearly ear?
God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?
Love made itself into hooks and bands.
Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?
From the same box as the cherubs’ wings.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.
But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.”

-George MacDonald

There is so much on my heart right now. Lots of stress…lots of big decisions….Life. When did it get to be so complicated? Often I am full or worry…worry about Cora, worry about spending money, worry about what our future looks like…Worry. Worry. Worry.  Where does this disease come from?  Ugh.  I am officially and adult.

This is what I need to do.  I need to memorize these beautiful words of wisdom.  Jesus understood…he understood our human worry and he understood my human weakness.  “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food (insert a million other things), and the body more important than clothes (insert another millions things)?  Look at the birds of the air; they do no sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:25-27

Does anyone else ever miss being a child and only worrying about where there next toy might come from…or what flavor of ice cream to choose?  Childhood is an untouched period in time…one of beauty and of comfort.  How blessed well loved children are.

Maryanne surprised us with a visit yesterday.  For the first time Will and Cora were interested in each other.  We plopped them down side-by-side and this is what took place….big grins and some lovin.

Poor Will was cold…so we decided he needed to borrow Cora’s gown.  Unfortunately all she had was purple and pink.  Sorry Pat.

I love black and white photos…they’re elegant and easy on the eyes.

Before Cora was born I had a frantic nesting fit…I had to have black and white photos of family.  I spray painted my brown frames black and filled the shelves with adorable faces:

For our first Christmas, Justin gave me this wall easel.  He framed pictures of our honeymoon.

And since Cora has been born.. I’ve replaced pictures of us, with pictures of her.