Happy Thanksgiving

from our turkeys to yours!

Were You Raised in a Barn?

It began as a beautiful story of a brother and sister playing together sweetly.

Then brother wasn't so sure he wanted to remain in the barn.

But sister was having none of that.

Mom: "Good grief, Eveley. Were you raised in a barn?"

Eveley: "Yes I am, mom."

*****

Hmmm. She's got a point.

Productive Week

Life is busy. Really busy. But I have finally finished it. Well, almost.

Remember this lofty goal.

It began as this

The dining room was turned into my craft room.

And after lots of 90-second sewing intervals, my project has finally become this.

I've still got to iron it and then pick out the fabric for the back. But the end is in sight. Maybe it will even be ready for Christmas??

And I had some scraps, so I made these.

I've started taping Eveley's walls, and we hope to paint soon. It's all coming together and will probably be done just in time to sell our house and move. Oh well...

And I'm not the only one with a little creative energy bursting out. We've had a very rainy week. But fortunately, my mother-in-law bought Eveley this awesome art kit when we were visiting. She sent us hone with an old vinyl window shade and told me to tack it to the wall and let Eveley go wild. Great idea!

I'm still working on my hairbraiding skills. But I had to get a picture of her cute kitty jacket!

Happy Fall Y'all!

The Blues

They don't call them the Blue Ridge Mountains for nothing!

This was our Saturday evening sky. Isn't it beautiful?!

We got together with friends this weekend for a Fall Festival. I busted out the overalls and plopped my pumkin down in the grass for his 11-month portrait. Can you believe he is eleven months?
I sure can't!

I am still unpacking all of my thoughts from our Respite Retreat a few weekends ago. It seems there is so much going on in my head and I can hardly process it fast enough.

Grief is a gnarly thing! It has so many facets, stages, speeds, highs, lows. It has the power to pull you to the utter depths of despair and hopelessness. It has the power to strangle or suffocate you.

I have decided, however, it is all about perspective.
Please don't misunderstand me. I have spent a good amount of time in the initial stage of grief -- weeping, confused, angry, cynical.
I think of Robbie every second. Every second.

But we have chosen to trust God. Trust Him with our doubts, anger, confusion, and disappointment.

We have yelled, "Where were you?" and asked "Why?"

That's okay.

As God told Habakkuk, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." (Hab. 1:5)

Through Christ, death is not the end of the story. God promises, at some point, to break through and make all wrong right.

In the meantime, we will try to maintain an eternal perspective. We will change our focus from our overwhelming sorrow to the power and magnificence of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 118:1-2)

Dress Up

My favorite little monkeys! Caleb (2009) and Robbie (2005)

And I couldn't leave out my favorite Elmos Robbie & Parker (2006)

AND NOW . . . INTRODUCING . . .

PRINCESS EVELEY and Curious Caleb

This was our first time doing the actual door-to-door trick or treating.

And Princess Eveley had been practicing all day long.

The princess shoes were for the birds, she decided, and these would be much more comfy!

She was so excited!

The Princess and her Prince Charming.

Glad we get an extra hour of sleep!