Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Farewell Tiger
Last night I saw him lying on the bottom and knew he was a goner. I went to bed dreading the thought of seeing my little girl experience loss. She cried for quite a while this morning, but then we put him in a pretty little box to bury him in. She is thankful that he is not sick anymore or in pain. She asked if fish go to heaven... well, I told her there were beautiful lakes there, so maybe! I am thankful that I don't have to clean out his bowl anymore, but I'm thinkin' little G is going to ask for a fish to replace Tiger and how will I be able to say no?! I won't.
Today was a farewell hair day as well.
See that beautiful long hair on my middle daughter, Squeaky the Kid? If you've ever heard her in real life you'll know why we call her that.
She's been begging me to cut it for a month now... I was dragging my feet but finally gave in today.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Being frugal is fun!!!
I had an idea about a year ago and I'm not even sure that it originated in me own little head, but it's a grand idea nonetheless! I had fought the good fight with a couple of stains and been beaten... I was sad... these were some really cute clothes of my girls! You know, little white frilly skirts that, for some reason, they thought would be perfect playing-out-in-the-mud garb. Where was I? Oh, probably reading your blog. Then it hit me!
Just dye them! I ran out and picked up a couple of boxes of Cocoa Brown dye and decided to turn them little white frilly skirts into Heehaw brown cowgirl skirts! I will post pics of the final product when I finish! I'm giving meself a pat on the back for thinking frugally and not just running out to replace the clothing.
For a superb post on more frugal tips, hop on over here to my cousin Katy's blog.
I'm curious if you have any more frugal ideas I can steal and call my own! Do share!
~christa jean
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My Worst Enemy.
We are simply having a wonderful Christmastime over here in our little house draped in snow. We've been munching on cookies and caramels and praying against cavities. We've been snuggling in front of fires and reading stories, watching movies and eating comfort food. We did finally buy chains so that we could venture out on the icy roads and finish checking off our gift list.
Everywhere I go, I am asked "When are you due?" And then "What is the sex? Is this your first?" Many have expressed surprise at my size. One sweet lady exclaimed "Mercy Buckets!" when I confessed that I wasn't due till January. To that I replied, "Yes, Lord, have mercy on me!"
But, unfortunately, just underneath my smiling answers and the sweetness of this season is a lurking enemy. My friends, I am in a battle right now and I'm not sure if I am winning. The little shivers of fear creep up and my mind begins down the dreaded trail... what if?
What if this baby is too big. What if there are complications? What if the pain is too much this time? What if my body doesn't do what it is meant to do? What if the baby is posterior and I have horrid back labor? What if I labor for days? What if I labor too quickly and my midwives can't make it in time? What if I am disappointed because I hope for one experience but get another? What if the baby is handicapped? What if I can't be a good mother to four children? What if I fail?
What if, what if, what if!
The only comfort I find are in the Words of Life.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Memories.
The memories will always be with me, some sweet, some sour.
Uh oh, is she following in my footsteps? Ice Ice baby.
~ christa jean
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chewy little chunks of gold.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
I have a disorder.
Contents taken from the stomach of an inmate who suffered from pica.
Vitamins make me wanna gag too. I swear my throat starts closing itself as the vitamin is searching for the way down. But vitamins I must take and this I will do. I don't want all my teeth to fall out, nor do I really enjoy the brain freeze headaches I get from a cup full of ice. Mmm, ice. Crushed ice, I love you.
Somebody slap me!
~christa jeanMonday, December 1, 2008
He brings beauty from our pain.
Megan lost her son Macsen at 37 weeks gestation. He had a knot in his umbilical cord. It has been just about a year since her precious boy flew from her arms to Jesus' arms. That same sweet Jesus has been holding her in His arms and healing her heart over this past year. Through her pain, she found purpose. She now creates memory boxes for mothers grieving a loss. Her boxes are beautifully decorated and filled with treasures.
She decided she would celebrate Macsen's homecoming this year with an Auction. I was able to donate a jewelry set from The Christa Collection with love. My sis donated some super cute aprons (can you make me a maternity apron?!).
All the proceeds will go toward this ministry that God has placed on her heart to fulfill. Read this post of hers to find out more about it and pray for success. Oh, and pop on over to her blog to say howdy too. You won't be able to leave there with a dry eye.
We are all travelers together on this sometimes weary road heavenward.
I also recently tried to win this book "In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me". Alas, I was one of about 80 other bloggers trying to win it too! The author, Lynette Kraft of Dancing on Weathered Ground, just released her story of pain and healing and what a story it is. She is mother to nine children, three of whom are with the Father now. Here you can read a synopsis of her story. Have your tissues at hand.
He really does bring beauty from our pain. These two ladies prove it to be so.
I pray God will use me in such ways as well.
~ christa jean