working hard/ hardly working

 

This is what my counters looked like most of the weekend.

The results:

 

I'm having WAY too much fun with all of this... dreaming up projects, trying to make them work like I picture in my brain, seam ripping, trying again.

I signed up for our church's craft fair.

I'm really nervous about it, if you want to know the truth.

But- I'm really enjoying doing this right now, and if it happens to, well... pay for itself- ha! (I think I have a fabric addiction), then that's swell.

=)

That's about all I've got right now... other than two sick children.

Oh!
And running water!

(In case you didn't hear- we were without for FOUR days, ladies and gentlemen. FOUR days, the same week that our breaks went out in our van and our furnace went out in our house. I'm happy to report that God provided yet again, and we somehow managed...and are extremely thankful for family nearby and faucets that now expel water.)

 That's all.

This post was brought to you by these two cute faces:

 

Okay, fine, not really. But what's a picture post with no kiddos? =)

One more thing:

WELCOME, MARCH!

Your arrival has been long awaited!

Adios, Winter and welcome, spring.

Now- if Indiana could just get the memo...

Goodnight!

light and momentary

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

And Amen!
[2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Peter 1:6,7, 1 Peter 5:10,11]

the view from here:

 

is cold.

Sadly- this is a picture of my thermostat, in my hallway, displaying the coldest temperature that it reads. I'm confident that it is, in all actuality, much colder. That's fun, right? Especially since we ran out of wood, since we live in Indiana, since it's winter time. Thankfully, however, our van is fixed and we took a nice long stroll through Target. And thankfully, we have space heaters in all of our bedrooms upstairs. And lastly, thankfully, I have a handy husband who knows how to fix lots of things.

It won't be cold forever, right?

At least it looks like springtime in my kitchen! :) 

My husband had these delivered to me late last week and I am tremendously enjoying them. I don't think I have ever appreciated flowers as much as I do right now. I don't think I've ever appreciated sunshine or warmth as much I do would right now, either. This has definitely been the longest winter of my life. I nearly cried when I checked the 10 day forecast on Sunday and there were zero days above freezing and seven of the ten expecting snow. Thankfully, the weather man got it wrong and it hit 36 degrees today!

Oh, and the flowers are sitting on (for photographing purposes only) a sweet vintage sheet I found at goodwill today. It was screaming my name, and before I got it home I decided that it belonged, somehow, in my kitchen. We'll see what it ends up as, but I'm excited!

 

And here, just because I like them, are my children dancing to the Veggie Tales theme song. That's kind of like sunshine, right? 

=) 

 

And my son, looking proudly at his creation. He's got an incredible imagination, loves to use his hands and build and dream. I wish I could bottle up that curiosity, zeal... I hope he's always like that. I hope he's not always mean to Cate, and not always challenging every word I say, however. We've had some rough days... but some good moments, and right now, I'm treasuring those.

What a random post! Just snippets of my day, I guess. Off to snuggle up in my down comforter and snooze for a few minutes while waiting for the kids to get up or Jordan to get home.

heart

 

Cate Taylor, 13 months old.

 

21 pounds 8 ounces

31 inches tall

 

 Oh what a day, what a ride this life is. 

-

We found out in August that Cate has the same heart condition that I do; Long QT Syndrome. We started her on medicine immediately and began getting things in motion for genetic testing. 

-

We completed the genetic testing before Christmas and got the results a few weeks ago.

Not the results we were hoping for, as they were inconclusive. Seventy-five percent of genetic LQTS cases are a mutation found on one of six (I think) genes. Knowing which gene the mutation is on enables you to more accurately and effectively treat the condition- certain medications are known to be effective for certain types.With ours being inconclusive... it seems as though treatment is more of a guessing game, more trial and error. We were supposed to follow up with an electrophysiologist March or April.

-

Last Wednesday, I had the scariest moment of my Mama history. Long story short- I watched Cate pass out. She fell, was doing the 'silent cry', I picked her up, she let out a little wail, was limp as a newborn baby, eyes rolled back in head, came back to just as quickly, took her paci and that was that. Needless to say- it scared me. It was one of two things: her crying so hard that was holding her breath and passed out, or she had a heart episode and passed out. We'll never know which it was, but it was enough for me to move our appointment up to as soon as possible...which ended up being today.

-

We saw our new cardiologist, who is an electrophysiologist- one who specializes in conditions that deal with the electrical flow of the heart. I was very comfortable with him immediately and really liked him overall. I'll spare you the details of the whole appointment, but the gist of it was this: the episode concerned the doctor as it did me. We're increasing (again) her dosage of her beta blocker- considerably more so this time, and she's on a 21 day, around the clock monitor. I've got to be honest- all of it freaks me out. This is my baby... my baby girl... This monitor, all these wires and the probes, the little box stuck to her chest... it makes me feel like she's sick, like something is wrong. It's hard for a Mama's heart to take. But I am thankful and glad that we are monitoring her- I was going to ask to do so, but the doctor insisted before I even had a chance! I'm confident of the care we'll receive and glad that we're being proactive. 

-

As far as where we'll go from here- we'll see. I'm taking this one step at a time. Let's get through these 21 days of monitoring first. What I've thought over and over is that none of this has surprised God, no finding will. He made that little heart, created it just as it is... He knows each and every beat it will take; He's not caught of guard by this. 

My baby girl is in good hands, of that I'm sure.

 

As far as the rest of my day went... well! How about... brakes going out on my way home from her appointment, being stuck at the gas station for over an hour, waiting for the tow truck for 40 minutes. Finally picking up Corban from my friends house, hurrying home so I can study for the Bible study I was supposed to teach at 3:30. (It was after 2 when we got home from her 10 a.m. appointment after all the brakes nonsense). I finished my studying, put Cate in Jordan's car (which has a spare tire on it since the other one blew as he was leaving church last week). Go into Corban's room to load him up, expecting him to be sleeping, but instead find him painting his desk after having finished painting himself head to toe, shirt and pants, legs and arms with DIAPER RASH CREAM. Hurry up and change and wash him off, trying not to crack up, put him in the car hurriedly- as I'm now 10 minutes late for leaving, throw the car in reverse and what do yo know if I don't get STUCK in my driveway. I mean, stuck stuck. Like it's still sitting there perpendicularly parked stuck. 

I might've sat and cried for a minute, then gathered my children and went back inside.

-

I've probably had better days in my lifetime, but that's alright. We got through it, and tomorrow is a new one. I was prepared to teach on Philippians chapter 2 today, and when I came inside from sobbing in my car, all I could hear over and over is "Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus... Do everything without complaining and questioning...Hold fast the word of life..."

Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"

I've found that to be so true. 

God's taking care of us- still, always. 

=)

oh you know

 

Sometimes we like to make things around here. Jordan was home from work yesterday (thanks for the snow, God!) and he made a delicious deep dish pizza for lunch. I made some yumcity coffee and the headband on my head. I also sewed the new blue pillow and I like it. Jordan made the rock wall in our garage. He's almost done. It's been 2 years in the works, my friends. My son... he arranged his animal magnets on my fridge and told me it was Daddy's rock wall. I see it, don't you?

Sometimes, though,  God makes really beautiful sunsets in the middle of winter.

Beautiful.

What a Creator we have, huh?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other news, the Colts lost. We're going skiing this weekend, except I'm not skiing. Just chaperoning. I've got some fun projects lined up waiting to be made. I've begun attacking my mountain of laundry today and it feels good to make headway. This will be Jordan and my 10th Valentine's Day together. That's fun. I'm seriously ready for warm weather, and for running outside. I despise doing laundry in the subarctic my garage because it's so cold. That's probably part of the reason for the aforementioned mountain. (The other part is probably laziness). My daughter has 5 very visible teeth and 6th popping through. It's so weird to see a mouthful of teeth all of a sudden. Corban is really really funny, like make you laugh out loud funny...kind of like that Dad of his. I started reading Parenting is a Ministry yesterday and there were some pretty simple yet profound things that really made me think. I'm thankful for that.  I can't decide whether to paint the top half of the play room that buttery tan color or make the bottom half brown instead of yellow. Lastly, it's probably in my (and everyone I'll see tonight)'s best interest that I bathe instead of waste time on the computer. Just sayin'.
Happy Wednesday!

why I say.. GO COLTS!

 

From the top: Gary Brackett with JD,  Bob Sanders talking with JD, Justin Snow with JD,  Peyton Manning with JD

These men- on their own time, free of press, free of payment, nothing in it for them, came to the hospital to make a boy's wish come true. When JD found out that his time left on earth was short, he had three things he wanted to do: be baptised, meet professional football players, and see lots and lots of people. Praise God- all of those were able to happen, and to the extreme.

The Indiana Wish Foundation and some other sources had arranged a day for JD and 10 guests to be limo-ed to the Colt's game, meet players, go into the family lounge, and have dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. Devastatingly, however, JD was too sick to make it happen. He was ambulanced to the stadium, wheeled in on a wheelchair, put on a stretcher, and put back into the ambulance to be taken back to the hospital. His pain was tremendous that day, and it took the remainder of the day to get on top of it. The few minutes he was inside of Lucas Oil Stadium, though, the Colts staff was doing anything and everything they could think of to accommodate. I was extremely impressed.

Fast-forward to Monday, the day after the wish trip didn't happen. We caught wind that we may be getting some special visitors... JD hadn't been awake at all that day- none of us could get any reaction from him, but you better believe he shot right up when Gary Brackett walked in the room. And the look on his face when just a few hours later his all-time favorite Bob Sanders came strolling in... a memory I'll never forget. Let me tell you about this man, how he handled himself, the character we saw.. JD got so excited (and probably nervous too), that he tensed up...which sent him into incredible pain- screaming pain. They had to lower his bed completely flat, adjust his meds, the works. Bob asked if it was okay that he was still there, and once permission was received, he pulled the stool aside, sat down on the ground to be eye-level with JD, and continued to hold his hand and talk to him through his pain. He could've left, no questions asked, and no one would've blamed him... It is hard to see someone in pain like that, but he stayed. He stayed and comforted JD.

The next night, 7 full-course Ruth Chris dinners (along with dessert) were sent to the hospital for my family...from the Indianapolis Colts.

Justin Snow, the long-snapper for the Colts, came on numerous occassions to the hospital, and continues to communicate with the family. He came one day with the Colts chaplain. Justin sat in tears as the chaplain prayed, and then prayed himself for my little brother.

Jim and Meg Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts sent a giant horse-shoe shaped blue and white flower arrangement to be displayed at the viewing and funeral. Justin Snow and the chaplain came to the viewing. After JD's passing, my parents were able to go to a regular season game and into the family lounge afterwards, and then Jusin Snow got them tickets to the first round playoff game.

Sure, it may be 'just' a football game, but the people who make up this organiziation, the Indianapolis Colts, have touched my family in an incredible way. A team made of some of the most talented football players in the nation, yes, absolutely... but also a team made of men of character and full of heart- who gave more to this family than they could ever know. 

Can I get a 'GO COLTS!!' anyone?? 

Superbowl champs 2010...here we come!

week in review (of the picture variety)

 

This is what it looks like right now outside my front door. And sadly, this is not a black and white photo. Now do you see why I have a teal living room? Joking...well, sortof. Anyway, just wanted to post some pictures from the week. 

(featured: beautiful little girl with tooth and all, my kitchen table centerpiece [filled with tangelos], banana crumb muffins [delicious], concentrating children, Corban's feet [size 8], leftover mess from Mommy group, and bundled up kiddos for a 45 minute walk on a 27 degree day.)

Happy Weekend!

goodness

 

I love to drink coffee. And I love to drink coffee in this mug that my dear friend Hopey made for me. What a sweet reminder it contains- a verse that has meant so many things to me over the last year (which is a whole 'nother post that is being written in my brain), but today- it was the kick in the pants that I needed.
I've been downright grumpy this afternoon. I was playing the woe-is-me game as I poured my mid-afternoon cup of coffee and stopped actually just to take this picture. (I'm trying to learn the manual settings on my camera and have been taking pictures of inanimate objects to help me do so.) Anyway, as I loaded it onto the computer, I read and re-read the verse as words that I said to my son today ran through my head... "You can choose to do the right thing right now..." Ah. Yes.

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

You see, I can choose to focus on myself and all the things I wish were different and how I wish there were more hours in the day for me to just do whatever I want- the 'woe-is-me' game... or I can choose to see the goodness of the Lord in all that He has surrounded me so obviously with, that He's placed me right in the middle of, that He's given to me to take care of.  And so right now, that's what I'm doing. And I'm sharing my list of goodness with you. Nothing earth-shattering, just the simple things that remind of the goodness of God... that remind me how good I really do have it, how blessed I really am.

- That precious son of my mine, the way he grabbed my face with both hands and snuggled right up next to me as I held him in his bed.

- Cate's tender heart. As silly as it seems, her tears over hurt feelings. I love seeing how God has made her, wired her, created her, to be sensitive and gentle.

-my home, this house. Way more than we ever dreamed possible and slowly becoming ours, just as dreamed of from that first time we stepped foot in here.

-and along that same line, my bedroom, which I think will soon be becoming my favorite room in the house. I'm dreaming up the finishing touches that I've put on hold for so long (over 2 years, ahem). I'm talking, new curtains and throw pillows made by me, decor on the wall, finished trim and then a sewing area.

-finding the exact french press that I wanted (after I broke the one I received for a gift 4 days and 1 use after getting) on clearance for $7 (down from $30)

-nap time, which enables me to sit and drink my coffee and read and write (and cook and clean, but, well, this is my list, right?? joking, joking)

-my church. and more specifically, our youth group kids. Guys, I've been blown away by their hearts- to love and serve and follow after Jesus. We've got a group of kids who come early and stay late just to PRAY. Seriously. What a privilege to be a part of their lives, to watch them grow, to encourage them. Also, we started a girls Bible study last week and I'm really excited about that, too. Exciting things are happening!

-yoga pants and hooded sweatshirts. We can call it my work uniform, if you want.

-my camera. Let's be honest. Easily my favorite purchase of all time.

-Coffee. Yum. This vanilla carmel creamer is just okay, but otherwise this cup is good.

-Fresh air. So what if it was 27 degrees when we took a walk yesterday?! We bundled up and it felt good just to get out and move.

- Encouragement from the Word right when you need it. :)

I've got a lot to be thankful for, a lot of little things that make me smile, two beautiful children who bring me more joy than ever imagined, a God whose mercy remains despite my failures, whose grace doesn't run out when I get grumpy, whose love doesn't change with my mood or actions. A lot to be thankful for, indeed. 

I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Happy Thursday!

 

...to the rescue!

 

Seriously. Melt my Mama heart.

I've dreamed of these days... of superhero capes and fighting bad guys for years, from before I knew those blue eyes and scrumptious cheeks, when all I knew was kicks and stretches felt from the inside. I've imagined these days, and oh, how I melted (okay, fine- and giggled) when he looked up and said:

"Mama. I are Batman. I fight. Where da bad guys?"

Seriously. Those were his words after putting his fresh-from-my-sewing-machine cape on for the first time.

And then he runs off, to find his weapon of choice... the Spiderman baseball bat, naturally.

My Corbanator. The Superhero.

Have I mentioned lately that I love 2 1/2?

Because I do.

=)