New Face...

So I've been wanting to give my blog a face lift.  I found some online tutorials and templates for designing a personalized header.  Can I just say, Photoshop Elements was the best B-day present!  This was fun :o)  I think, for my first attempt, I'm pleased with the results.  I tried to change the background to a funky pattern, but I kept running into snags after I changed the HTML - so the light yellow will have to do!  I think it will be fun to change it up every now and then.  I started with my favorite flower - the Gerber Daisy.  They always remind my of my two little ones.  This pic was taken just the DAY BEFORE I went into labor with Noah.

So, let me know whacha think?

Would You Dare to Believe...

I Still Have a REASON to Sing.  It's been six months today.  Can't believe how the REALITY of my life has changed from what I thought WOULD be.  So I'm sittin'...thinkin'...cryin' today as I remember my little girl...BUT I can say I DO HAVE A REASON TO SING!  So, I choose to continue...even when the tears come...



I've head this song a few times now and I really like it!  I've said this before, but music has helped me so much as I process this thing called grief!  I'm so thankful for the HOPE I have.  When I went to youtube I found a link to the story behind this song...why it was written.  If you have time, check out this 10 min. video.  I love what the mom, Paula, says to her husband..."If we can trust God with our eternity, we've got to trust him with our NOW."  What a good reminder.  God knows right where I am NOW (not so much physically, but emotionally and mentally) and He's HERE carrying me through the hurt.

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming


So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
 My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer


And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture


Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory


Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming


Come on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Thanks for letting me share...

And before you think this blog is only about sad stuff...I've recovered my pictures from the hard drive crash and I'll try to post more regularly :)

Here's a sneak peak of what's BIG in Trent's life these days.

Under Construction...

So I'm gonna go for a new blog look in 2010...but I'm still working on it...just wanted to let you know you're at the right place in case your missing all the GREEN :)

Missing you..

...today especially! 

Boy, 3 years?  Can it really be!  I think it's hitting hard this year because...

I can almost see him here...

following Trent and Drew aroud,
getting into stuff and making messes like his big brothers,
talking, asking lots of questions,
smiling,
carrying around his favorite blanket and stuffed animal,
laughing,
playing with Thomas the Train,
dancing around,
messing up the pieces on the board as his older brothers play Candy Land,

tearing into all his Christmas presents and jumping up and down with delight.

It's the little things that I'm grieving today, not experiencing WITH him.

...today especially...

I Cackled at this Gaggle!!!

I was surprised this morning when I looked out the window!

S-N-O-W!

The pond has frozen over - though I'm sure not very thick since it was not frozen yesterday.  But this morning the geese were STROLLING over to the bank.

Thanksgiving...

We traveled to "Misery" as named by the GPS Missouri to spend Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family.  My grandparents live there and it was great to see some other extended family.  What a godly heritage!  I'm so thankful for them.  I found them both asleep in their recliners in front of the tv one evening with their hands like this...

My mom and 2 of my brothers

Busy cookin'

The boys enjoyed playing with my cousin and 2nd cousin.  They went fishing, hiking, and of course did some Wii-ing!!

I enjoyed taking some pictures of my aunt, uncle, and cousin.  The weather was beautiful, sunny, and warm!

...B-L-I-T-Z!!...

On the way home we stopped to see the St. Louis Arch.  We wanted to go up, but the lines were just way to long!!

On the road again...

Wild for Turkeys!

Trent and Drew went to my friend's house and all the kids got to work! They made some pretty Thankful Turkeys! {Thanks for being so creative with my kids, J!! Her post is here.}