A Precious Wedding

On Saturday, June 26, a very special friend of mine* got married. We drove from one side of Missouri to the other and back again in one day to be there, and it was so worth it to see Katie and Craig get married!

I finished nursing Andrew shortly before the processional began, and didn't want to go in in the midst of it, so I waited in the back, watching through the big windows and taking pictures of the wedding party.

The beautiful bride with my adorable nieces, Abigail and Chloe, who were her flower girls. My sis-in-love Beka was her matron of honor, but I somehow missed getting a picture of her.

Katie's dad, Dan, died five years ago after a battle with cancer. Before her brother Mike walked her down the aisle, the song "Daddy's Hands" was played as a tribute to Dan.(that's our nephew Isaiah on the other side of Katie, and Beka's dad in the background)

Ethan (Eric & Beka's oldest) played Cannon in D for the processional, and did a terrific job. Instead of the two times through he planned, he played it over and over, about six times, as there were some hold ups in the back. He handled it like a professional, and I was so proud of him!

One of the things Katie and I share is a love for the color purple, and purple abounded at her wedding. It was gorgeous, and I wish I had taken more and better pictures.



The guys entertained themselves during the reception. I'm guessing Katie didn't guess that her pretty sparklies would be used for battle strategy, but boys will be boys!
Davey and Josiah
Ethan and Barak
Jonathan figuring out a math formula





^When I was in eighth grade, I found myself rather lonely and without any close friends at our small Christian school. I starting praying for the Father to bring me a friend. It seemed rather daring to pray such a thing. But in the middle of the school year, along came Karla (Katie for her initials K.T). Nervous about switching schools, especially in the middle of the year, she was praying that God would have a friend ready for her. And He graciously brought us together!

We shared many years of laughter and tears (mostly laughter), and I often think of Katie when I think of answered prayer. Over the years and miles, we haven't done a good job of staying in touch, but she will always be precious to me.

Linkage

I'm not able to embed it, but a trip to see the video for Andrew Peterson's "Dancing in the Mine Fields" would be well worth your time. It's terrific.

Part 2 of Ann Voskamp's series on Rest. An appetizer: These are right and necessary, pauses. Who can make a song without rests? There will be more song in the morning, fresh mercies, and God will let us again undertake the unfinished work of the Kingdom and this is good. The winds lilts and lifts the branches of the spruce trees. I think about tomorrow. It's work and refrain and the dust. Rest is never how a body relaxes, but how a mind lies down into Jesus. No matter how the hands fly, there is always rest when our interior gazes on Jesus. He is our rest.

An article everyone should read - Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Debt Free is Beautiful - I'm definitely checking out this smart lady's stuff!

Can You Really Save Money With Cloth Diapers? - detailed cost comparison

Some common sense from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada:
"Physicians should no longer automatically opt to perform a cesarean section in the case of a breech birth, according to new guidelines by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.
The new approach was prompted by a reassessment of earlier trials. It now appears that there is no difference in complication rates between vaginal and cesarean section deliveries in the case of breech births." Read the rest of the article here

On the other end of the common sense scale when it comes to birth issues is this product whose ad showed up on my facebook page this week - CervilLenz. Using a speculum and a long stick to determine whether a woman is really in labor. Brilliant? Not so much.

Katie's Birthday Party (catch up post)

We had sweet Kate's birthday party on Friday, June 25. She turned 9, and now that her birthday is two weeks past, she's often heard to say, "I'm almost 10." What a hoot she is.

So, better late than never, here are some pics from Katie's bday party:

Gratitude

I've started writing down my thanks in a journal, but would like to post them here as well. The first 10 of these are from back in the spring. I then got away from writing them down, and picked up again last week.

One Thousand Gifts (#s 1 - 46)
~ The varied greens of spring
~ Redbuds blossoming/"leafing"
~ Curtains blowing in the breeze
~ Talk of birds as I lay in bed waking up for the day
~ Comforting touch of his hand on my face
~ Blessings I have birthed
~ Bleassing growing inside
~ Pilates - exercise to strengthen my body
~ Praise - exercise to strengthen my soul
~ Reminder that God doesn't require me to be perfect; He asks me to praise

~ Eternal hope
~ Early morning birdsong at Dayspring
~ Nursing sounds
~ Wildflowers outside the cabin window
~ Opportunity to share the Good News
~ Companionship of my beloved
~ Visits from family
~ Babe sleeping on my chest
~ Birth of that babe in our home
~ Legal midwives
~ Hammering of a pileated woodpecker
~ Blessing of being at camp, working with kids
~ Fellowship
~ Chronic stomach pain
~ Trip to town by my man to get stuff for my stomach
~ A Daddy on guard when lifeguards were distracted
~ Grace with us
~ Cool breezes
~ Blessings' artwork
~ Art supplies from a sweet sis-in-love
~ Baby breath on my neck
~ Bum knee
~ Reading/thanking with the Blessings
~ Being made in the image of the Creator
~ Being challenged to create faithfully
~ Garden growing
~ Homestead lessons
~ Sunflowers
~ Clean counters/floors
~ Messy counters/floors
~ Rolls of baby fat
~ Wedding for Katie - faithfulness and endurance rewarded
~ A republic
~ Celebrations with friends
~ Swimming pools
~ Fireworks


(a bit late posting these)


I've joined Ann at Holy Experience with many others in expressing gratitude to God, the giver of all good things. Grab the button here and join the gratitude.

Linkage

Here's a terrific article on the risks of eating soy. Please read it!

And in case you haven't heard, "according to Information the manufacturer of this vaccine presented to the FDA prior to approval, if a person has already been exposed to HPV 16 or 18 prior to injection Gardasil increases the risk of precancerous lesions, or worse, by 44.6%" Yes, that's the vaccine that is touted to prevent cervical cancer and that has been mandated by law in several states. Read more here.

"All I need, I already have. It just requires me to be flexible enough to put away what I believe to be the simplest path, and be willing to lead with either leg.
All He asks is that I trust Him enough to jump." Read more

"He wants us to say with the Psalmist, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14b He wants us to give back to Him what He has given to us. He isn’t asking us to be something we are not. He only wants us to be faithful with the things He has given us. He only wants all of us!" More on Comparing from my friend Angela

The Practice of Rest, Pt.1 from Ann Voskamp

How to make covered buttons from scratch

Misc. Good Stuff

An interesting article about the Khan Academy, a non profit organization founded and run by Salman Khan, who has a free online library of over 1,500 instructional videos on various topics, especially math. I haven't watched any of the videos yet, but plan to check them out.

I just found Pink and Green Mama this weekend. This artist mom has some terrific projects that she's done with her little ones. I need this kind of inspiration, so I've added her to my blog reader.

I'm looking forward to trying some of these 14 Ways to Enjoy Ripe Tomatoes once our tomatoes are ready.

And here's a feel good song I've been loving lately.

Davey's Birthday Party - June 18

Way back on June 18, we celebrated Davey's birthday. I've just been a bit slow about blogging it since I've generally not been on the internet during the day lately. Nevertheless, here are some pics from our young man's 14th birthday party!

Stephen's Birthday Party

We had Stephen's birthday party on Friday the 11th. We had salad and pizza for supper, and banana cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. As you can see, traditional birthday candles had been purchased since Grace's party.

Stephen thoroughly enjoyed the evening, as did the rest of us. Fun times!

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day to the wonderful Daddy of my children. I'm thankful to have Jonathan as the leader of our home. You're a great Daddy. Love you, Babe!

And Happy Fathers Day to my wonderful Papa. I'm so blessed to continue growing with you to encourage and cheer for me. I love you.

Papa sent me a link to this song last week. It's usually my job to write or link to stuff that makes him cry, but he got me good with this one! Enjoy...


Rom 8:14-39
(14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(15) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
(16) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
(17) and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
(18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
(19) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
(20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
(21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
(22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
(23) And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
(24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
(25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
(26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
(27) And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(31) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
(33) Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
(34) Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
(36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
(37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
(39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

100 Toes

I was amazed tonight by the realization that we are a family of one hundred toes. I'm feeling overwhelmedly thankful tonight for my wonderful husband and the eight lives God has entrusted to our care.

The Father has been steadily renewing my affection for my children lately. In the busy-ness and challenges of my pregnancy, I had gotten into a rut that found me not treasuring my Blessings. Or perhaps I wasn't treasuring them before the pregnancy and had not realized it. But my heart is being drawn back into communion with these precious lives God has given us, and I'm thankful.

Last Monday (June 7), I began a new phase of life that is helping to facilitate my desire to draw closer in heart with my children. The internet is now considered to be "off" to me during the day while Jonathan is gone to work. And this decision is helping me to change my life.

The first couple of days of this new habit brought the head-bowing realization that I would have to go slowly as I worked my way back into my children's daily lives. My pregnancy was quite debilatating physically, and I ended up spending most of my time in my room. My children became acustomed to me not being around very much. But we're changing that for the better, and while I still have a long ways to go (and always will, because that's the way growth works), I am thankful to find my relationships with my children growing and deepening.

The Father seems to be working on my heart in a lot of other areas right now, including toward my beloved man, but instead of typing more, I think I'll get off the computer and get back to my family. Tonight is Davey's birthday party and our traditional Friday night family late night. Fun times!

Sweet Smile!

I caught this wonderful smile Sunday on Dad and Mom Smith's camera. This little man is unspeakably precious to us!

"Yesterday" update

Just did a major update on my "photo a day" blog while nursing Andrew. Most of the pics are ones I haven't posted here. Enjoy!

Grace's Birthday Party

We had Grace's birthday party on Friday the 4th, and went outside for her cake & ice cream and presents (because we only have a flash-less camera at present).

Everyone else was outside first, so we sang to Grace on her way from the front door to the party table:
And we were out of birthday candles, so we gathered 7 candles from around the house and lit them instead:
She had fun opening her presents
And Andrew even stayed awake for part of her party!

Saturday night (the 5th), G'pa and G'ma Smith, freshly home from a trip to North Carolina, came over for supper (with their flash-equipped camera). (Yes, that's their dog on a stool at the table)

Grace got to open some more presents
And Stephen delivered an almost open-eyed smile (his current trend is the squinty eyed smile)

The Meeting of the May Day Babies

Some of you may remember me mentioning in my labor progress reports that friends of ours also had a baby on May 1st. Darling Elisabeth was born at home just after midnight and was taken to the hospital right away because she was born with spina bifida. She has the most serious type of spina bifida, but the weeks since her birth have been full of miracles, and she is doing remarkably well.

We were thrilled to get to meet Elisabeth this past Sunday at the FoMM picnic. Here are some cute pictures of our treasures together:
About the same weight, but the long and the short of it!

They're both gazing at Jen in this one - so cute!
Jen, Elisabeth, Andrew, and I
Beautiful Blessings!