another loss, & finding hope

Last night, Parker's Grandmom passed away, which was pretty unexpected.
(she was almost 90 and had leg surgery last week, which she never really recovered from). Really, it was just God's time for her to go Home.
We are thankful she did not suffer long but will miss her.
But we know she is dancing right now with Parker's Grandad, who went Home before her many years ago.

It's weird, because loss had already been on my mind a lot this week.

Just processing in my head about how to deal with it, how to think about it...
and remembering losses we have experienced.
Like for some reason this week,
I thought a lot about the little soul we lost in my miscarriage.
I thought a lot about Steve's sudden death (Parker's Dad...we lost him 3 years ago).
And I thought about how awesome it is that they get to play together, and how amazing it will be to see them both someday.
I've thought about Parker's godfather (Steve's best friend) who we lost this year.
I even came across a blessing this week that he wrote for Abigail on her 1st birthday.

I also thought a lot about friends who have had losses.
Several friends who have recently lost the dream of having a baby.
Others who have lost children and family members recently.
Some who are fearing loss as they deal with family disease.
And about my own Grandmom, who is in hospice and is miserable.

I am amazed that though my mind can't wrap around the reasons, the timing, the suffering...
for some reason I can find peace.
I guess it's cause I know Jesus and I believe HE is the author.
Of life AND of death.
And that He tells us that when we grieve, we can grieve with hope.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

wow so many thoughts here swirling around in my head, and I certainly don't have any answers.
I guess I just needed to start a conversation with myself here about grief and loss and finding peace and hope in the midst of it.
Just processing out loud.

I am thankful for each day not promised, and in a way I am thankful when loss does happen, because it reminds me...
that I am NOT guaranteed another day or even another 5 minutes.
This life is fragile. It is important. It is HIS.
And I want to see it that way better, more often.

When we believe what He says is true,
that HE holds all things together,
that he knew our days before we were formed,
that He loves us...
then. THEN. we can have hope and find peace.

Today in the midst of loss, I am finding peace and joy in watching my little girl dance for her Jesus.
I know it may not move you like it does us as her parents,
but I think there is just something so beautifully hopeful about a little child worshipping.


(she does this every morning and every night, at her request.
God has made her a little worshipper!)

Thanks for listening, y'all, to me process.
Please let me know how I can pray for you right now if you are experiencing any kind of loss.
Seriously, I want to.

Hope your weekend is blessed.
love you all.

nine.

8.9.03
The day my life changed forever.

They day we committed to health and sickness.
The day we devoted our faithfulness to each other.
The day we said we'd be rich or poor together.
The day we worshipped together as husband and wife for the first time.
The day that God had ordained for US to start OUR life with Him as one.

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Y'all have no idea. NO idea, what kind of man I married.
(well, if you know him well, you have an idea.)

I had no idea what kind of man I married that day.
I was 20, blinded by love, just wanting a life of our own.
I knew I loved him deeply,
but I had no idea the amazing journey God was about to take me on with this man.

We've been through a lot.
a. lot.

Lots of sickness, lots of financial struggles, several devastating losses, lots of uncertainty.
But also lots of healing, lots of deliverance from strongholds, lots of miracles, and just a journey of faith that has tested us, but also held us together.

I can honestly say that I am broken, just broken, sometimes with feeling like I do not deserve this man as my husband.
Parker...
He loves well. SO well.
He is the most amazing Dada.
He is the most grace-filled person I know, and forgives me well when I act in my flesh.
He leads me well, ALWAYS pointing me to truth and to Jesus.
He dreams with me...big dreams and little dreams.
He encourages my passions and desires.
He works incredibly hard for our family, and allows me the blessing to stay home with our girls.
He isn't afraid to speak truth when it is needed.
He defends his family against attacks of the Enemy and isn't ever afraid to rebuke evil.
He teaches me well, about life and about the Lord.
He is by far the most obedient person to the Lord's voice I have ever known.
He is so incredibly smart.
And so incredibly humble.
(I could go on and on...)

He has no idea the impact he makes on people around him, and on me as his wife.

I am thankful that we are not just married, but that we DO LIFE together.
That's one thing we do get right in our constantly growing marriage...
we do life and share life together really well.

Thank you Parker, for loving me so well.
I am honored to be your wife and am so happy to celebrate 9 years with you today.
I love you baby.

help adopt a little baby girl...

today i get to introduce to yall one of my bloggy best friends, Carina.
AND share something that is near and dear to my heart...adoption.

did you know I am adopted? Well, I am.
And it is a blessing I am thankful for all the time...
every aspect of it.

SO, I ask you to read on about my friend Carina, and about the little girl they are about to bring home!!
ahhh! I have chills because I am so excited for them. :)

- - - - - - - - - -

Hello! I'm Carina and I blog over at a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut.
I am mama to three little rascals, lover of vintage and coffee and chocolate,
among other things.


For the last year, my husband and I have been waiting to adopt our fourth baby.
We have two biological boys, and one adopted, and feel so excited to be adding to the sweet chaos that is our every day.

Two weeks ago we got the call that we'd been chosen to adopt a baby girl due this August.
And we are over the moon.

We know that God is already writing our love story with this little peach
and His hand is so evident in the details.
You can read more about all of that here.

The reality of adoption is that it takes a serious chunk of change to make it happen.
Like $25,000 when all is said and done.

We've saved and saved and had a little pancake breakfast to get the ball rolling,
but we are still well away from that number.
We are not ones to ask for something without offering something in return,
mostly because it makes us feel weird.

I've been making jewelry for my little etsy shop for the last few months and
after a lot of thought, I decided to design a few adoption necklaces to help make up some of the difference.

I am dreaming big here: my goal is to sell 100.
My dream is 200.
300 would knock our socks off and put a serious dent in that total.


{GET YOURS HERE }

Would you consider helping us out?
Spread the word and buy a necklace (or two)...
you'll be helping us bring our baby home, supporting adoption
and you'll even get something pretty in return!

And please come follow along on this super exciting journey -
it's sure to be an adventure!

- - - - - - - - - -
Thanks Carina, for sharing your story and your dreams.
I am so excited to be alongside of you in this!!!

yall, go visit her, get an Adoption necklace (or a few...give them as gifts!!!)
And shop her other stuff too...I have lots of "lovely little whimsies" myself and just adore it all!


Carina, I stand with you in excitement and prayer as we see this precious little girl brought home to your arms.


Thrifty Love Gift Exchange sharing day!

today is the day to share your Thrifty Love!!
If you were a part of this exchange, come link up your post about what you received from your partner! (you can link up on any of the hostesses' sites!)

a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut

I was so excited to get my box in the mail from my partner, Carina!
I LOVE me some Carina. :) She is one of my good bloggy friends, and someone I text with regularly and feel so blessed to know!!
(and come back to my blog tomorrow to read about her adoption story!)

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some precious vintage goblets...LOVE!!
Just waiting to get a bottle of wine so I can use these soon! :)
But for now, they look beautiful in my antique wine cabinet!

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and then a cute, West Elm cream and sugar set! LOVE.
(who would get rid of these btw?!)
I love these, especially now that I started drinking coffee.
It's like a present to celebrate that I'm now part of the coffee club.

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AND some fun new cookbooks I am already looking through to use!
Isn't this all so great!? and she totally nailed it all...it all is very "me".

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SO FUN!!

Thanks Carina!! loved it all and love YOU friend!!!

what did YOU get for your Thrifty Love gift??!
Cant wait to read everyones posts!

LINK UP BELOW with your gift!!
oh, and make some new bloggy friends along the way, y'all!

**my linky is having some issues right now so go HERE to link up your post!!**






Happy Birthday to my Dad!


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Dad,
Hope its great, and filled with peace and joy.
We love you so much and are thankful for the way you love this family so well.
You are an example to us of genuine unconditional love.
You have demonstrated such grace and patience with the different seasons life has brought you and our family.
You have demonstrated dependence on the Father well, especially through difficulties.
You have loved your children and grandchildren in a way that we all can understand the love of our Heavenly Father a little easier.
Thank you for all that you are.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad/John/Hop!!

love,
Parker, Sarah, Abigail, and Bethany