Editing....

Editing some tiny, tiny prints tonight. 

A little darling Madison. 

Not even an inch and a half from heel to toe.

Can you hear the audible sigh from here?

The Quiet....

After the storm.

I had to take a break.  I didn't realize how taxing it was to blog every single day.  Not to mention keeping up with regular posts on my other blog.  I didn't want to stop the other, because I promised myself and Jamie, that I would not stop living.  And my other blog is really about me living.  This one is more about grief and my ministry.  

It is strange though.  They are both separate...yet so very intertwined!!!

Things have been quiet.  I received an inordinate amount of requests last month and became overwhelmed that I would not be able to get them done.  But sadly, none have arrived yet!  One mom just emailed saying she was sending hers this week, so my Miss Emore Embroidery Machine is getting excited.  She has been sad!

In the meantime...do you want to see some fun?

Our "Fall" Family Outing a few weeks ago!

That's where I shot this windmill!

Like any farm there were a ton of farm animals...

but I will only show one...so I don't bore you!

Nothing like a playground fort with the Texas flag flying high near the zip lines.

Pretending he isn't just a little nervous.

 

 This one was interested in showing off his "guns" by doing pull ups on the zip line.

And this one handed/armed wonder?  

Loved it!!!  We couldn't tear him away.

Forced by mom photo ops.

Can you just die from the cuteness.......

Daddy, I want THIS one!

Which one isn't a cute pumpkin?

A little bouncing

ALOT OF BOUNCING!!

And a VERY SPECIAL VISIT!!!!!!

They always show at the right time....I was missing her terribly that day.  Then I walked by some bushes around the ziplines.......Hello Miss Butterfly!

Day 27: Share a picture.

Twist my arm, why don't you?

 

Poor followers.....you probably are sick of me!!!  

Only 4 days to go and I will give you a break.

I promise!!!

My Blogger Friend

"I ka 'ôlelo no ke ola"

Translation:  In the language or word is life

Our last night on the island....what a sight!

In June, I mentioned that I had a very "WOW" experience.

We had travelled to the East Coast to witness our nephew (my husband's sister's oldest son) graduating from high school.  He is the first of the youngest generation of our family.

I have known my sister-in-law and her husband for 17 years now.  

I always remembered that her husband's family was of Hawaiian descent. It always interested me because I grew up looking at the uli-uli's and my mother's ukulele from the time when she lived on Hawaii and took Hula dance classes.

The Hula Dancers at the Luau

  My grandfather was stationed there in the early sixties and my uncle was born there.  

I would dream of what a life on a island far away would be like.

Waterfall on the Road to Hana

For the past 17 years, I also have heard about Roni.  

My brother-in-law's sister.  Most of the conversations involved the amount of boys in our family (her 3, my sister-in-law 4, and now myself 4...WHO HAS THAT MANY BOYS IN THEIR FAMILY!)  

Other conversations included how much my sister-in-law loved her!

What I didn't know? 

Oh, so much!  I didn't know that we were, in many ways, kindred spirits!

I remember talking during the visit about how I really was practicing my photography skills with the new book I purchased.  I, of course, do not pretend to be a professional.

Of course, Roni's husband mentioned that Roni is a photographer.  It came out that I was just trying to improve for my blog.  My sister-in-law is a bit of a follower and said she enjoyed my blog.

Then it came out...Roni is a blogger too!  We started discussing blogger speak.  What do you use?  Have you thought of switching? How long have you had it?  Summertime being a slower blog time.  It was like blogger heaven!!

Then, of course, blog spot URLs exchanged.  Off to our perspective hotels, and of course, checking each others blogs, right?

I was flabbergasted and ashamed. 

Her blog is about taking photographs using Macro.  I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY.  Her photos are absolutely gorgeous.  What a joke my photos are! Ha!!

You have to check out her blog HERE.

FROM HER COLLECTION....This is with her camera....HER CAMERA!!!!!

 

  Better yet?  She is an unbelievable writer!

 Her style is so smooth and enjoyable and DEEP!

And I particularly enjoy her choices of music that she finds inspiration from.

And to make the world a bit more smaller?

She is a babyloss mom.  There was a huge hug between us as we bid each other goodbye at the end of the weekend.  If ever I am her way again, I would love to hang out with her for awhile!

For my baby loss moms, the post HERE is her story.

Please go visit her....

After our trip to Maui, I have to believe that the spirit of Pele has gifted her with an amazing talent!

 

If You Believe



One of the MANY pictures I get sent from other babyloss mommas.....for her Name Gallery!



If You Believe

Mary Thompson

(dedicated to Lori and Frank Walsh, and baby Joseph)

He will guide you on your way-if you believe.

Roll the clouds of doubt away-if you believe.

God will hold you in His arms, give you hope when hope is gone.

(He will give you all you need-if you believe.)

He will calm you deepest fears-if you believe.

And dry up all your tears-if you believe.

God will take your broken heart,

In His hands the healing starts,

Then His peace you will receive-if you believe.

For God will never leave your side.

That’s a promise He provides.

He will see you through everything you do-

with His love.

You will feel Him call your name- if you believe.

And you’ll never be the same-if you believe.

God will fill your very soul with the grace

to make you whole.

And His love will set you free-if you believe.

A song written by a beautiful woman.

  For the past 4 years, we have gotten up Christmas morning and gone to Mass as soon as the gifts are open.  We try to make the Mass that we think we "know" that Mary and her family sing.  Just four of them and a guitar.  Every year, I cry.

But last year, I cried even harder.  I don't know how much Mary knows how much it meant to us for her to sing at Jamie Lynn's funeral.  It was comforting to know that she had been there for her own family member that went through a similar experience.  It is a burden and a blessing to carry a child knowing that your first Hello will also be your Goodbye. 

I was driving home today from work and this song (written above) came into my head.

 

I confess, I was tired.  I was tired of everyone asking if I was just ready to have this baby.

I answered, truthfully...honestly...I am great!  I am not uncomfortable at all.

  What I didn't say?  Button can stay in there as long as he/she needs. 

I just want Button to be okay...no matter what it takes.

I need to remember that I need to "believe"

....because that is all that counts in the end.

Baby Button

Looks healthy in there!

No problems with the bone lengths.

No problems with my amniotic fluid level.

No heart problems noted.  Heartbeat strong.

Ribs look like a normal babies.

Moving actively.

Chubby cheeks like brothers and sister.

And sticking his/her foot in mouth the whole ultrasound:

 

Can someone please explain?

WHY THE HECK AM I STILL TERRIFIED BUTTON WON'T COME HOME WITH ME?

Christmas Cards

This isn't the photo we used for Christmas...have this one blown up to hang in our home!
Checkout Kristi O'Connell Photography if you are in the Houston area....we loved her work!!!

I am so sad....This is the first year I am not making a "homemade" Christmas card in (I think) 6 years.  Hubby convinced me to use Tiny Prints for our Holiday photo card.  Normally, I spend a few hours tweaking a photo on photoshop, then a day or two writing my Christmas letter, and then a week or two making about 150 cards for family, friends, and hubby's co-workers.

This year, we had a pretty nice coupon from Tiny Prints (sorry, can't divulge my sources on this one) and he insisted (for the reason that the source would be disappointed that we didn't use it!).  I will have to admit, it was fun to choose a template, but it still stabbed me in the heart!  And if you are interested, they are running a few good deals right now for the Holidays!

So I guess I will have to put my "Heidi" touch on my Christmas letter.  Maybe stamping or something?!?!?

P.S.  Today I finally showed my hubby my wee blog.  Now I have to watch my step!!!!