New Year Celebration Giveaway @ Calleigh's Clips & Crochet Creations

Calleigh's Clips & Crochet Creations: New Year Celebration Giveaway: First of all I just wanted to thank all my fabulous fans and customers for making this a beyond successful year! I never would have imagined...

Goodbye 2011... Hello 2012

This has been a really great year for me filled with travel and fun. Jeff and I were able to spend more time together, I was able to see family I hadn't seen in years (twice!), Jeff became an ordained minister and we are expecting our first child in April. So for giggles, I would like to briefly remember some of these fun events from 2011!

March 20, 2011, Jeff was ordained as a minister in our Southern Baptist Church. He has grown so much these last 9 months as a husband and man of God. I love him and I am proud of who he has become. While I was unsettled about taking on the position of "preacher's wife", I have also grown into this place and I feel that this has helped me grow as a person and a Christian.

In May we took a trip to Washington state. This is where I grew up and where all of my family is located. It had been 6.5 years since I had seen my family; with the exception of my dad, step mom, mom and little brother who have been down here to see me. We left Arkansas during a rain and thunderstorm filled Sunday after noon and found the beautiful sun above the clouds as we made our way to Dallas. I couldn't have been more excited for this trip.

We had a great three days filled with family, friends, food and fun! The first day was the busiest as we flew into Seattle to spend time with my sister and oldest nephew before driving three hours south to my Dad's home. We ate at IHOP.

Being there was surreal... I didn't feel out of place... I felt home. Once we got to my dad's house we had a big pot luck with most of my siblings, my parents and a few other family members. I got to see my little sister 7-8 months pregnant... the only time I have ever seen one of my sisters pregnant! I spent time with a very special cousin of mine... and I watched as my husband (who had never met any of these people with the exception of the ones who have been here) was accepted and loved as part of the family. This brought tears to my eyes... I was so thankful!

 I spent time on day 2 with my best friend! We hadn't seen each other in 12 years.

 We visited tulip farms... these amazed me! They grow thousands and thousands of colorful tulips every year!

 On day 3... our last day. We had a pizza party.. so yummy! This turned out to be a surprise party for my sister and I who would be having a birthday in 1 month... we haven't celebrated our birthday together in 7 years.

Before the pizza, we had a fun family photo session thanks to my brother's awesome girlfriend.

And then we went home... we were so exhausted and spent almost an entire day sleeping once we were home!

I went back in August for my sister's wedding.

I found out I am pregnant the Monday before the wedding. We are thrilled. At this point our Little One is being stubborn and after two attempts to determine the little boogers gender we still do not know if we will be expecting to hold a little boy or girl come April. I had several (6-8) weeks of morning sickness and have felt really good since all that went away.

We spent time on little mini vacations in Hot Springs, Mountain View, Petit Jean Mountain and at home. Its been a very enjoyable year!

I did not make gifts for my family this year... crafting was slowed by my travel and pregnancy. I am starting to pick up and have plans to donate baby blankets to a local home for teenage mothers at Christmas time next year; this will be in place of my blankets for seniors that I have done for 3 years now. I hope to make some clothes, a blanket and a Christmas stocking for our Little One... we will see how that goes!

I am thankful for my 47 followers who have stuck around and even began following my little blog during this very slow posting time for me. I hope to have more time for blogging when I start my new position at work in three weeks because I will have an earlier shift. I hope I can share more than just my crochet and knitting adventures as we move from a couple to a family this spring.

Happy New Year!

Giveaway at tangled happy: Yarn Blossom Boutique Giveaway

tangled happy: Yarn Blossom Boutique Giveaway. Visit Tangled Happy for a crochet pattern giveaway. Such adorable patterns available!

Charity Blankets Finished

I finished my charity blankets about a week ago and dropped them off at Walgreens for the "Be a Santa for a Senior" donation box earlier today. This was my third year participating and I didn't finish the 4 blankets I wanted to finish but I did get two done and I think they are quite beautiful. However, I did forget to take a picture of them before taking to Walgreens to Hubby was a dear and held them up for a quick photo shoot. Hope you like them as much as I do!

Happy Thanksgiving... and updates

I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I can't wait to sit down with family tomorrow for dinner.... and to be honest... I have been dreaming about Thanksgiving for at least a week now!


We had our Operation Christmas Child packing party at church this last Saturday. We had a goal of 100 shoe boxes to fill and somehow we filled 107 boxes!! God is GOOD and that means 7 more children will be blessed this season!

I crocheted three bunnies and knitted one bunny for the boxes and there is a picture below

I am 18 weeks along and most of the morning sickness is gone... not even sure what I am having is morning sickness... I just cant get too hungry in the mornings and I cannot gag for any reason... if I do... its all over! I've been feeling the baby move more and more lately... and I really enjoy it... I just hope Jeff can start feeling it soon too. We got to hear the heart beat for the first time on Monday and I recorded it on my phone... I have to say... I listen to it a lot! Next Monday (5 days from now) we go in for our level 2 ultra sound and hopefully we can get a looksie at the gender! Thats about all for now... Happy Thanksgiving!

tangled happy: Crochet Dreamz Giveaway

tangled happy: Crochet Dreamz Giveaway: Awesome give away for baby patterns on this blog here. Such cute items!!!

Update: Towel Toppers

My manager at work asked me to make some towel's for her step daughter so she bought some towels, I bought some yarn and got to work! She loved them! The green buttons were my favorite part.

Also, on the baby front, We are excited to say we have reached the second trimester! We saw our Little One on the ultra sound yesterday and saw his or her face. In about 5-6 weeks we hope to determine the gender! I'm already a proud mama!

I'm still alive

I'm still alive... Just busy!  I've spent the last 4-5 weeks battling morning sickness... Yes, I said morning sickness!  Jeff and i found out i am pregnant on 8/22 and i am now 10 weeks and 2 days along.  We are very excited about our little one and hope it's a girl.
So I have not been crafting as much as I would like but I was able to make this cute hat. For a guy at work who just had a little girl on 9/23! I hope to begin making somethings for our little one to share with you soon!

Sharp Crochet Hooks

Came across this website while entering a giveaway for one here... check out the website!

Sharp Crochet Hooks

Taking knitting to a new level

Recently I decided to try my had at knitting socks.  This is one of the socks in a very simple baby sock pattern. So thrilled with the outcome!

Busy, busy...

I took a bit of a break from crocheting between about March/April "ish" to May/June "ish" to catch up on some reading. I do this every year because I work so hard through the summer and fall to get things finished in time for Christmas that I really just need a break.

So when I sat down to actually see where I was in my projects for charity this year I realized I am very behind. This year has been busy with my trip back to Washington in May and learning to knit... and of course my reading-vacation... I just have slacked off way too much. So I have spent the last couple... or few weeks getting caught up. Here is where I am at...


Green Ripple Blanket... about halfway done and I really should focus some on it too.

Crochet Along Square Blanket #1 (Purple and Green)... I am caught up to June! Here are some of the latest squares...

Crochet Along Square Blanket #1 (Dark and Light Teal)... I am caught up to June and working on July! Here are some of the latest squares...

 My knitting is coming along nicely. I have 7 squares done with that and I've learned to knit in the round with Double Point Needles!

I will share more pictures later. I am also working on some small stuffed toys for Operation Christmas Child! So stay tuned because these bunnies I've made are super cute!

Its been 6 years...

I've been wanting to write this post since I returned from my trip to Washington in May but I wanted to wait for the right time. This trip was about more than seeing my family I hadn't seen in many years... it was also about saying goodbye to my Granny. I wasn't there to say goodbye before she passed away July 25, 2005 and I wasn't there for her funeral. I have always felt bad about that but I couldn't afford the trip up there and my mom and I couldn't come to an agreement on the amount of time I would spend up there if she paid for my flight. So Jeff and I spent the afternoon of her funeral together here in Arkansas.

I was never given a photo of the niche my Granny and Poppa's ashes are in and I really didn't know where they were at in the cemetery either. So the day before I left Washington Jeff and I took some time to drive out there and say my goodbyes.

The feeling of walking through the mausoleum was unexplainable... it was like searching for someone in a crowded place not knowing where you are going to find them. I remember sinking to the floor when I did find them. Jeff sat with me there for a few minutes and held me while I cried broke down... and then he left to get the car while I took some time to talk to them.

 I will spare you the details of my conversation... mostly because they are words only Jeff and God will hear me say because they are so personal... and also because I can't bear to repeat them at this moment. But I saw this beautiful niche and thought my mom and sister did a great job setting it up. And I thought how much that picture of my Granny reminded me of Judy Garland and how strong and handsome my Poppa looked.

 I thought of how much I love them... and how much they loved me. How much I miss them... her laugh... her smile and her amazing hugs.

 It was raining when we left. Kind of fitting for how I was feeling. And while Jeff was waiting for me in the car he took a moment to find my favorite radio station - KLOVE and we just listened to the music.

But what I found most amazing was that God chose that day to open my heart to hear the words of a song that I had been listening to for weeks in a totally different way. The song is "Homesick" by Mercy Me (another one of my favorites). I don't think I need to go into detail about how I heard these words that day because if you read the lyrics you will understand.

Yarn Giveaway!

Delusional Knitter is having a giveaway to celebrate the grand opening of her yarn shop on etsy! To enter... go here... I already know which one I want!

Giveaway Winners!!!

I sincerely apologize for the delay in this... Its been crazy here with overtime and such that I just haven't had the time to blog. My followers increased by 1 so I guess that is a bonus. I do not want to keep y'all waiting... so the winners are...

Mary and Jamie!!! Please email me at sarah.crochet@gmail.com with your mailing address... each of you will receive some yarn and 1 pot holder made by my sister, kari!


Thanks to everyone who participated!

Happy Father's Day

I have so many things I could tell you about my dad and why I love him so much. Aside from the fact that he is my dad and that all children should love their parents. I have to say that what I love the most is the way he builds me up, the way he makes me stronger. If you ask me who my hero is, I will tell you it is my dad. 

My dad is amazing and strong. You should not underestimate him just because he is balding, has gray hair and uses a cane. He turns into a super strong super hero when needed… like when I get stung by a bee. I am allergic to bees and when I get stung I freeze and can’t move. Dad can pick me up and carry me to safety. 

My dad is one of my best friends and has been since… forever. I could and do spend hours talking to him about nothing… that’s why he calls me “Gabby”. Being 2000 miles apart provides some challenges. Challenges we work through by talking on the phone at least once a week. 

I have learned so much from this man and I love him so much. 

My First Giveaway!

I know I am so far behind on this. Ever since my vacation in the first week of May I have been so over loaded with things. Job applications for new posistions at work... that I didn't get. Trying to get my house cleaned so we can have someone come in and see whats up with our air conditioner. Trying to spend more quality time with Jeff.

I promised a giveaway would start once I hit 40 followers back in April during my A to Z Challenge to help me get to 50 followers. Well I got to 44 followers... I've lost two of them but we are still on for the giveaway. I will post pictures of the prizes once I get around to loading them on my computer. These prizes are a set of black hot pot holders my sister made just for this giveaway and 8 skeins of yarn I recently got for free! I may even throw in something extra as a surprise! On to the rules!

1. Since my sister, Kari, made one of the give away items, I will ask that you become a follower of her blog  Kari's Kuddly Kreations.
2. You must be a follower of my blog.
3. Leave a comment sharing with me the thing you love the most about your craft and please include your email address so I can reach you if you win.

This giveaway will run until I hit 50 followers, so spread the word! 

Happy Birthday.... to ME!

Today I turn 27. Seems like it would be forever before I turned 27 and now its here. 

While I was in Washington, my family threw my sister and I a surprise birthday party at the pizza parlor before Jeff and I went to the airport to come home. I still have a stack of cards sitting in my... one of my... crochet bags. 

Even the cake was pink!

We both bawled like babies... But we had a lot of fun and ate some good pizza. 

Happy Birthday, Sister. I love you!

Happy Memorial Day

Jeff and I attended the Memorial Day ceremony here in our town this morning with his parents. Jeff's dad is retired Air Force and he served two tours in Vietnam. I had a realization as we watched and listened at today's ceremony and that is that I never fully realized the importance of this day until I had someone so close in my family who served in a war for my rights and freedom. More recently we had two of Jeff's cousins serve in Iraq and Afghanistan both were injured during their tours.

Today we honored the 115 Arkansas soldiers who have died in the war for freedom since 2001... and all those before and those in other states. Today I thank you for making those sacrifices for our country.

Looking for testers - FOUND

I finally got around to typing up my snowman pattern I wrote for the snow man I made last Christmas. I made two so I think my numbers are right... but I was hoping I might have 2-3 people willing to test this pattern out for me! I will be offering it for free on my blog once I ensure the numbers are right. So leave me a comment with your email and I will get the pattern to you! It requires an H hook and some WW Yarn! Thanks!


I have a pattern for the hat which I will try to get typed up before I give it to testers... unfortunately, it doesn't look like I wrote down the pattern for the scarf!

I miss my Nephews...

There hasn't been much on the crochet front lately... just some plain granny squares and a couple more bunnies for my Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. I have also crocheted some boring blue washcloths for those boxes. I wanted to share more about my vacation the first week in May... the one where I got to meet all my nephews for the first time. It was amazing... I have so much love for these little boys. I'll share some of my favorite photos...

This is Xander. He is almost 5 and so cute!

This is Taylor. Soon to be 3, he and Jeff hit it off well playing cars together.

This is Noah, Taylors's little brother. Soon to be 6 months old. He and Jeff also hit it off real well as seen in the picture below... Apparently Noah doesn't sleep in peoples arms too much... but he loved Jeff's!

Sleeping sideways too!

 This is Colton. He is 1 1/2. He is adorable with his red hair and big brown eyes!

And this is Nathaniel. He will be 2 the day after Christmas. I think he took to me more than the others did. My sister says he misses me and asks where I am often. I can't wait to see him again in August when I go up there for my sister's wedding.

Miss Me?

Its been 2 weeks since I have written an entry for my blog. Part of the reason is I was on vacation and out of the state from Sunday, May 1 to Thursday, May 5. I took that trip back home I have been talking about. The trip was wonderful. Other than not eating pizza at my favorite pizza place... I think I did everything I wanted to do!

This was Jeff's first commercial flight... and my first time bringing him home to meet the family. I have been having a hard time explaining the feelings I had as we boarded our first flight in Arkansas... and the feelings I had once we landed in Seattle. It had been 6.5 years since I had set foot in Washington. I can't say that I was nervous... or extremely anxious as I had expected myself to be. I just tell everyone who asks that it felt like I was going home. I have explained to Jeff that Arkansas is my home now, I love it here... the summer heat, spring rains (minus tornadoes, please)... even the "hills" they call mountains here. Washington is the place I spent more than two thirds of my life... its the place that holds my past.

We had arranged for my sister to meet us at the airport and stay in the hotel with us to save $350.00+ on a rental car... and she was crying before she even saw me! I plan to share more of my visit soon... with more pictures than the ones that don't need captions... like the ones below.

Z is for "Z" End!

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 Its been 30 days already? I can't believe I followed through with this challenge. I have to say it was difficult to stay on track most days... but I got a post for every letter. I had so much fun and gained some wonderful new followers. 

 

I am going on vacation tomorrow and when I return I will start my giveaway... right now my sister, Kari has made some cool pot holders to be given away and I will find more items to give away too, so stay tuned!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!

Y is for Yellow

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 If you don't know already... my favorite color is pink. I recently went shopping for an Easter dress and when asked by the attendant at a store what I was looking for in a dress I blurted out "NO PINK!" I explained that this was because about 75% of my wardrobe is pink and I would really like to branch out a bit. Two stores later I found a pretty dress that had big black and white flowers with splashes of yellow and a cute yellow bolero. I LOVE IT!

 

I have incorporated yellow into my knit blocks for the KAL I am doing each month... or rather the one I say I am doing and have only gotten through one of March's squares. 

 

I think I am going to find more room for yellow in my closet!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!

X is for eXcited!

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 I am super excited because in just over 48 hours I will be seeing my sister for the first time in 6.5 years... I am trying not to make Jeff crazy with how excited I am. I plan to have lots of pictures to share when I return! Also... I am up to 43 followers... I will begin the giveaway process when I return as well!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!

W is for Weather

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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I have been in Arkansas for about 7 years now... and I don't recall having such crazy weather in a 4 months span! We missed 6-7 days in January and February for snow and then this week I spent an hour hiding in a stair well at work! I do not like tornadoes... I do not like being away from my husband during tornadoes. No damage other than my car now looking like a big black golf ball. I am praying for the people who lost loved ones on the storms this week.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!

V is for Valentine

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 I married my Valentine on Valentine's Day. We have been married for 7 years and I love him more and more each day! I thank God for my Valentine!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

U is for Unicorns and Glitter!

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!    

T is for Tomorrow

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 When I asked Jeff what I should do for my T post he gave me a list a mile long that included several dinosaurs, truth, trust, and a big word that I've never heard before... transubstantiation... I'll pass! 

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days... Easter! Its the day we celebrate the trial, death and more importantly.. the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Why did I say more importantly? Because without the resurrection... then His death would have no meaning. If He didn't rise on the third day then He wouldn't have concurred death and saved the world from their sins.

I am forever thankful for the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for me and for you. As you celebrate Easter tomorrow, don't forget to celebrate Jesus!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!    

S is for Samaritans Purse

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 Samaritans Purse is one of my favorite organizations. It was founded by Franklin Graham. There are many parts to Samaritans Purse; they provide ponds, schools, hospitals, cattle, chickens, toys, mosquito nets, etc to countries around the world. Samaritans Purse also runs Operation Christmas Child... my favorite Christmas charity. 

For the last three Christmases Jeff and I have packed shoe boxes to provide to OCC and our boxes mostly have been sent to Africa. I have told Jeff before to put the money he is going to spend on me into my boxes... because that is what gives me the most joy!

Last Christmas, our church packed 50 boxes! I told Jeff as we were delivering them to the drop off place that I wanted to do 100 boxes this year. He didn't think we could meet that at first. But with some great organization and a few people who also love these boxes, we are well on our way to reach 100 boxes. We are collecting a new item every month or so until we reach about 100 of them and then we change items. This year promises to be an exciting year for our church's packing party.

I have crocheted some wash cloths in the past and this year I plan to crochet some while Jeff and I are flying to Washington next week. I am also knitting some rabbits! I am having a ton of fun and can't wait to share photos!

For more information on Samaritans Purse please visit www.samaritanspurse.org

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!   

R is for...

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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I don't know what R is for. Roses, reaching, romance, religion, roller coasters, rice, raisins.... goodness! I could list so many "R" words... but I couldn't write about any of them! I feel that religion or having a religion or being religious doesn't necessarily mean that you are saved. The pharisees were religious and Jesus said they were like white washed tombs... nice and pristine on the outside... but dead on the inside. They toted the scriptures around their necks and prayed loudly when people were around so that they could show off just how religious they were. But they showed no compassion for others... even praying "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." (The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14)

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

Q is for Question

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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Leave a comment with your questions about me and I will pick some to answer!

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

P is for Prayer

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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How do you pray? When do you pray? I have to say, I am a conversational prayer. I can't say I am a constant prayer but my thoughts go to Him several times a day. I consciously pray when big things happen... good and bad.

I believe that prayer is an essential part of being a Christian. It is part of the relationship we should have with our Lord. You need to build your relationship with Him in the same way you would build it with your husband or wife. Conversation is important. I know He hears them and that sometimes his answer is no or not yet... or maybe its yes... but not the yes I expected. It's like having your best friend with you every moment, every second of every day. 

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

O is for Original

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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When I write my posts, I try to do so in an original manner. I don't want to seem like I am copying anyone's style or ideas. I think I do a decent job with that. I have seen my followers grow over the last few months and I am excited about it. 

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

N is for Nephews

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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 So I am totally stealing this N post from my sister. I have been mulling over what to write about that begins with N since I was supposed to do my N post on Saturday. Good thing she came up with Nephews or I was going t be clever and do "N is for Nothing!"

So I have 5 Nephews... not counting friends children that I have adopted as mine. Xander (Michael), Taylor, Nathaniel, Colton and Noah. I will get to meet each of them for the first time in 10 days! I will meet Xander first in Seattle. His Dad has been good enough to let my sister, Debbie, have him that day so that we can meet him. He will be 5 in October. I haven't had many interactions with him, but my family assures me that he knows who I am... probably from all the crocheted goodies he gets for Christmas!

Taylor will be 3 in September. This little boy is adorable. My sister-in-law tells me that he adores my crocheted goodies as well and even refuses to wear any hats other than the ones that I have made him. 

Nathaniel is going to be 3 in December. This little man is the one I am closest to. We talk on the phone at least once a month. I love hearing him say "I love you so much!" I've been told that this little guy can pick me and Jeff out of  photo. He knows my voice. I cannot wait to meet him. He had a conversation with Jeff the other day...

Nathaniel: I go bye bye in daddy's car go see Jeff and Sarah.

Jeff: Do you know where I live? its a long drive!

Nathaniel: I go bye bye in daddy's car go see Jeff and Sarah.

It was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard. 

Colton just turned 1 in January. I don't hear a lot about him since his parents don't have internet to keep in touch in the way Kari does. I've been told he is a beautiful child. He will get a new baby sister in July. 

Noah.. Noah was just born in January. We were all hoping he would be a girl... but God made him a beautiful little boy. Taylor is his big brother and they are so cute together.

I have 10 days to go until I get to see my family. I hope the next 10 days go by quickly.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers!  

M is for Memories

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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As it comes closer and closer to May 1 when I will make my first trip back home in almost 7 years I can't help but to think about the past... think about all the memories I have either cherished or somehow forgotten. 

I remember staying up late with my sister, Kari, when we were kids playing barbies. It would be so late and we would be so tired so we would tuck the barbies under our pillows and lay down to "rest our eyes". Somehow we always managed to fall asleep and wake up with barbie imprints on our faces. 

I have a step-sister who is about 3 months older than us and the three of us had so much fun together. Sun bathing in the backyard in our under clothes or camping on the front porch... and then having it rain on us! In the last week or so I began to remember the memories we wrote on the wall inside our bedroom closet as teenagers... Yes.. ON THE WALL! I spoke with my step-sister, Debbie, last night and we talked about the wall. It contains all our declarations of love for boys we went to school with and who knows what else. She told me our parents know about it now and laugh about it... they probably would have skinned us for it back then! I told her I have to add my new and only love to that wall when I come up there. I can't wait!

Today's memories though center around Jeff's Grandma Duncan. She passed away and went home to her Lord two years ago today. Her passing was hard on me as she was a second granny to me. I loved her as my own since I had lost all my grandparents by 2005. I sat with her through most of her last days and I truly miss the woman. I cannot wait to reunite with her in heaven some day. 

There she is on the left... this was Christmas 2007... one of the last we had with her because she spent her last Christmas at the nursing home... refusing to come and celebrate with us in 2008. I miss her smile, her laugh and her hugs.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look because she will be having a giveaway when she reaches 20 followers! 

L is for Love

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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The bible tells us that we only know love because God first loved us. God has love us before we were ever conceived in the womb... before the foundation of the world. He chose to love me even when He knew that I would sin and the bad choices I would make.  

I've learned a lot about love in the last 7 years. Jeff and I went to a marriage conference held by Dr. Gary Chapman, Author of "The 5 Love Languages". This conference was amazing and I learned that loving someone is a choice. Marriage is hard and learning to live with someone who was raised differently than you is extremely tough. But loving that person is a choice you make.

Jeff and I had a rough start. We separated two weeks after we got married... or rather, I left him. I was gone for almost 6 months. We had to learn to communicate and to love each other... even when one of us ground on the other person's last nerve. Jeff has been by my side as I dealt with deaths in my family and his, an illness that almost took my life and many other rough patches. He has honored his vow to love me in good times and bad, sickness and health. I make a conscious effort to love him daily... because that is what God has done for me.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look!

K is for Kari

I have joined the A to Z blogging challenge. During the month of April I will write a post each day with the exception of Sundays and these posts will correspond with each letter of the Alphabet. You can join by following the link above.

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I am sure I have talked about her some here on my blog... but I would like to tell you a little more about my twin sister, Kari. Kari was born 3 minutes after me almost 27 years ago. I would say she was a surprise to my parents but really we both were the surprise since the doctor told her she was going to have one big boy... not two small identical girls! 

so identical I can hardly pick myself out of this photo!

We were best friends as children. I felt her pain... all the time. My earliest memory was when we were just toddlers... I don't remember how old but Kari was really dehydrated so Mom and Dad took her to the doctor. Since I tagged along I remember the doctor having to give her IV fluids through her foot! I screamed and screamed because it hurt ME!

 

Kari always wanted to pose for pictures... (that's her on the left right)

 

 Somewhere along the way we grew up. When we were 17 she had major back surgery to correct the scoliosis that threatened to cripple her. Two titanium rods were implanted along her spine... she grew 4-6 inches in height during that surgery to become the same height as me! This was a hard thing to deal with. We knew the risks that the slightest wrong movement from the surgeons could injure her spinal cord. I felt her pain as a dull ache that spread down my spine. I spent that night and many other nights with her in that hospital as she recovered from multiple surgeries due to infections. I am thankful she doesn't remember these days as they were very scary.

 

We went to different high schools and her surgery kept her back so we did not graduate the same year...

 

My sister and I have a lot in common now as adults. We both crochet and I think she does beautiful work! She has a 2 year old and a fiancee... I have a husband and hope to start a family soon. And we both will do anything we can to help the other. I love my sister... I am thankful God spared her when she went into respiratory distress the morning after her first surgery.

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My sister, Kari, decided to join the challenge, so be sure to take a look!