Troy seems to be growing so much.
He was a late bloomer when it came to talking...
he was practically three before we could understand much of anything.
I knew he was the kind of 'talker' that had it all inside,
he was just waiting for the worlds to come.
His fourth birthday will be here in a few months and I love talking with this little guy.
He loves to tell stories.
Often times in the evenings Tony will come home and sit on the couch with him and they will talk and talk...
I love listening to them.
Not just talking but understanding...
He really understands things now.
I used to give direction after direction and wonder why he didn't 'get' it.
He gets it now.
With that understanding comes some new emotions too.
Ignorance is truly bliss...
Until recently Troy didn't recognize when someone was being mean,
he didn't understand when someone was unkind
or when someone wasn't being honest.
He didn't understand that people can hurt one another with their words.
He has been telling me a lot, "people should treat each other with kindness."
Something I've told him for a very long time now,
but now those words have meaning.
He knows what kindness means and he understands when others aren't being kind.
It's a little sad to see him recognize the cruelness in this world
but I am proud of the kind little person he is becoming.
I know there will be many seasons in his life but I hope he never forgets to treat others with kindness.
A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another.
-John 13:34
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
simple faith
My Sunflowers have grown so beautifully...
They aren't my sunflowers though.
They are actually Sophia and Troy's sunflowers.
You see, I was planting them in a straight row along the back of my garden.
I imagined these big beautiful sunflowers growing along the back row of my garden.
The kids were so excited about gardening, planting, chattering about what fruits and vegetables we would get to eat from our garden. Sophia complaining to me about why I was planting bell peppers, which she doesn't like.
Troy wondering when the pineapples would be done.
I wasn't getting much done with them hoovering over me.
I brought out all kinds of toys for them to play with while I worked in the garden,
they wanted their hands in the dirt, "God's dirt" as Troy calls it.
I gave them each a hand full of some extra sunflower seeds and told them to go plant them...
anywhere you want.
I didn't care what they did with them as long as they were away from "my" garden.
They planted them in white sand along the side of the house...
they chattered to each other about how big they were going to grow.
I didn't want to see them disappointed but I wanted to prepare them that those seeds would probably not grow there. That white "play sand" was not good for plants. Sophia snapped back at me "it's all God's dirt mommy! they'll grow!"
She was angry that I told her the seeds she worked so hard with her brother to plant may not grow.
They worked hard to bury the seeds in a straight line, they didn't want to bury them to deep,
maybe I shouldn't have told them they weren't going to grow there...
Everyday while I watered my little garden,
Sophia and Troy joined me... watering their white sand along the side of the house.
They believed that they would grow.
I would hear Troy talking about "God's dirt" and Sophia telling him, "soon, Bubby, soon, we will have plants."
They never doubted that those sunflowers would grow in "God's dirt."
I knew better but decided I would keep my thoughts to myself, I didn't want to upset them.
A few weeks later...
Tony decided to put up a little barrier to protect the little ones from the lawn mower.
The sunflowers I planted in the rich soil with my garden hadn't even begun to grow!? I was shocked!
The kids weren't... they were happy, but not surprised.
They knew all along that their sunflowers would grow in "God's dirt".
I believe that God intended for me to get annoyed with my children that day we began our garden.
He intended for Sophia and Troy to plant those sunflower seeds in that white sand.
It was no accident that I spoke to my children telling them that those flowers would not grow and it was God speaking to me through my daughter when she said, "it's all God's dirt mommy! They'll grow."
No doubt in my mind that God intended to teach me a lesson
while I watched my children day after day come outside and water the white sand
all the while they spoke about "God's dirt"
and believing without a doubt that those sunflowers would grow.
It was no mistake that those little sunflowers grew and have continued to grow and thrive!
The smallest of them is already over 3 1/2 feet tall!!
Imagine the excitement from my faithful children when they woke up and saw this...
So close to their first "real" sunflower
Sophia said, "I knew it! I knew God would give us Sunflowers!"
Oh, and "my" sunflowers... well they didn't make it!
Troy and I went out and picked the dying plants from the back row of the garden yesterday.
Why do we as adults have to be so blind to the obvious? This world has no doubt jaded us, something as simple as this. A child can see it so clearly... seeing that God gave us a Sunflower.
Thank you God for my children,
for their faithful spirits,
for revealing Your hand in all things,
even things as simple as this.
...and Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” -Mark 10:13-16
They aren't my sunflowers though.
They are actually Sophia and Troy's sunflowers.
You see, I was planting them in a straight row along the back of my garden.
I imagined these big beautiful sunflowers growing along the back row of my garden.
The kids were so excited about gardening, planting, chattering about what fruits and vegetables we would get to eat from our garden. Sophia complaining to me about why I was planting bell peppers, which she doesn't like.
Troy wondering when the pineapples would be done.
I wasn't getting much done with them hoovering over me.
I brought out all kinds of toys for them to play with while I worked in the garden,
they wanted their hands in the dirt, "God's dirt" as Troy calls it.
I gave them each a hand full of some extra sunflower seeds and told them to go plant them...
anywhere you want.
I didn't care what they did with them as long as they were away from "my" garden.
They planted them in white sand along the side of the house...
they chattered to each other about how big they were going to grow.
I didn't want to see them disappointed but I wanted to prepare them that those seeds would probably not grow there. That white "play sand" was not good for plants. Sophia snapped back at me "it's all God's dirt mommy! they'll grow!"
She was angry that I told her the seeds she worked so hard with her brother to plant may not grow.
They worked hard to bury the seeds in a straight line, they didn't want to bury them to deep,
maybe I shouldn't have told them they weren't going to grow there...
Everyday while I watered my little garden,
Sophia and Troy joined me... watering their white sand along the side of the house.
They believed that they would grow.
I would hear Troy talking about "God's dirt" and Sophia telling him, "soon, Bubby, soon, we will have plants."
They never doubted that those sunflowers would grow in "God's dirt."
I knew better but decided I would keep my thoughts to myself, I didn't want to upset them.
A few weeks later...
Tony decided to put up a little barrier to protect the little ones from the lawn mower.
The sunflowers I planted in the rich soil with my garden hadn't even begun to grow!? I was shocked!
The kids weren't... they were happy, but not surprised.
They knew all along that their sunflowers would grow in "God's dirt".
I believe that God intended for me to get annoyed with my children that day we began our garden.
He intended for Sophia and Troy to plant those sunflower seeds in that white sand.
It was no accident that I spoke to my children telling them that those flowers would not grow and it was God speaking to me through my daughter when she said, "it's all God's dirt mommy! They'll grow."
No doubt in my mind that God intended to teach me a lesson
while I watched my children day after day come outside and water the white sand
all the while they spoke about "God's dirt"
and believing without a doubt that those sunflowers would grow.
It was no mistake that those little sunflowers grew and have continued to grow and thrive!
The smallest of them is already over 3 1/2 feet tall!!
Imagine the excitement from my faithful children when they woke up and saw this...
So close to their first "real" sunflower
Sophia said, "I knew it! I knew God would give us Sunflowers!"
Oh, and "my" sunflowers... well they didn't make it!
Troy and I went out and picked the dying plants from the back row of the garden yesterday.
Why do we as adults have to be so blind to the obvious? This world has no doubt jaded us, something as simple as this. A child can see it so clearly... seeing that God gave us a Sunflower.
Thank you God for my children,
for their faithful spirits,
for revealing Your hand in all things,
even things as simple as this.
...and Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” -Mark 10:13-16
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Hardest Thing
I'd say the hardest thing about being a Christian and the mother of a child with a chronic illness is the balance between faith and reality.
That balance between the faith of knowing that God has the power to change this circumstance and the reality that these are things we face and God gave this child to us, in the great moments and in the not so great ones.
We live in the reality that our daughter may one day have a seizure and never wake up, that she could end up with brain damage, she could wake up and never be the same person again.
We live with the reality that every day is a blessing and we should count it as such.
The reality that she may never be able to have a baby (even though she says she doesn't want children).
The reality that she will most likely be that independent teenager screaming at us because by law she cannot get her drivers license if she has uncontrolled seizures.
Yet as a Christian I have faith that God can cure her.
Faith that He can take this burden away.
That there is hope that Sophia will never have another seizure again.
That the "growing pains" of cerebral palsy will not affect her.
That she will grow up, go away to college, get married, and have a family of her own.
The faith that tells us God can... and the reality that this is our life.
I am not mad at God.
I wonder why.
I scream and ask him to let her be free from this.
But I am faithful, humbly accepting this that this was always God's plan for my
Sophia, that she is His Sophia too.
That while this is my plan B, it was never God's, He made her, created her to do great things.
My reality is to be the momma to this sweet girl.
To guide her through this life.
To hold her on the hard days and rejoice with her on the good days.
My reality is to be a strong, faithful, Christian momma to this child who God trusted me with.
"And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"
That balance between the faith of knowing that God has the power to change this circumstance and the reality that these are things we face and God gave this child to us, in the great moments and in the not so great ones.
We live in the reality that our daughter may one day have a seizure and never wake up, that she could end up with brain damage, she could wake up and never be the same person again.
We live with the reality that every day is a blessing and we should count it as such.
The reality that she may never be able to have a baby (even though she says she doesn't want children).
The reality that she will most likely be that independent teenager screaming at us because by law she cannot get her drivers license if she has uncontrolled seizures.
Yet as a Christian I have faith that God can cure her.
Faith that He can take this burden away.
That there is hope that Sophia will never have another seizure again.
That the "growing pains" of cerebral palsy will not affect her.
That she will grow up, go away to college, get married, and have a family of her own.
The faith that tells us God can... and the reality that this is our life.
I am not mad at God.
I wonder why.
I scream and ask him to let her be free from this.
But I am faithful, humbly accepting this that this was always God's plan for my
Sophia, that she is His Sophia too.
That while this is my plan B, it was never God's, He made her, created her to do great things.
My reality is to be the momma to this sweet girl.
To guide her through this life.
To hold her on the hard days and rejoice with her on the good days.
My reality is to be a strong, faithful, Christian momma to this child who God trusted me with.
"And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"
Friday, June 24, 2011
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
I was talking with my daughter today while I was making her bed.
She sat on the floor playing with her baby dolls.
She told me she was sad because she knew her Poppa was getting old and she didn't want him to die.
"Baby, no one lives for ever"
She started to talk and I knew just what she was going to say and I cut her off saying, "I know Jesus and God, yes, you are right."
"No, Mommy" she said, "we all live forever in Heaven because we believe, I just meant I don't want Poppa to grow old, die, and live in Heaven because then it will be a long time until I can see him again."
Thank you God for eternal life and reminding me of that today. -In Jesus Name- Amen.
I was talking with my daughter today while I was making her bed.
She sat on the floor playing with her baby dolls.
She told me she was sad because she knew her Poppa was getting old and she didn't want him to die.
"Baby, no one lives for ever"
She started to talk and I knew just what she was going to say and I cut her off saying, "I know Jesus and God, yes, you are right."
"No, Mommy" she said, "we all live forever in Heaven because we believe, I just meant I don't want Poppa to grow old, die, and live in Heaven because then it will be a long time until I can see him again."
Thank you God for eternal life and reminding me of that today. -In Jesus Name- Amen.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Me Disease
I try to wake up early and have this peaceful devotional time, sitting in the kitchen nook, drink my coffee, and reading my Bible.... well 99.9% of the time it just does NOT work out that way.
I usually end up reading my daily devotional when I take the kids swimming. A few weeks ago I was reading a devotional from one of my Women of Faith Bibles and I was reading a lesson about how we have to be conscious and aware of the 'Me Disease'. Instead of thinking about ourselves, our wants, our desires, we should seek to put others first. One of the simple suggestions I read was 'offer to watch a neighbor's child, even for an hour so they can get something done". Being a mother of young children, I thought... oh I'd love one of my neighbors to watch my children, even for an hour...
ME ME ME....
Not a moment later a neighbor and friend joined us at the pool with her young daughter. This neighbor has a 2 year old daughter and 6 month old twin daughters... 'offer to watch a neighbor's child'... I offered to watch her daughter for a few hours the following morning.
What a blessing to enjoy that sweet girl spending some time in our home.
Sophia loves helping with little ones and this little one is the perfect age, where Sophia can help her get a drink, snack, help her color, it was a wonderful morning.
We still left the mommy with two infants, I'm pretty sure she appreciated the 2 year old being entertained, even though it was a short time.
I was sharing this story with my friend and Sophia overheard me talking about the 'Me Disease'. Once I hung up the phone, Sophia burst into tears....
"I don't want the 'Me Disease' will I catch it??"
I explained to her what it meant and how it is important that we do things for other people, we should put others first, and God will smile.
The lawn man was working in the yard and Sophia squealed at the thought she had to make lunch for the "lawnmower man".
He has been cutting our grass for almost 3 years and we didn't even know his name.
That day, Sam enjoyed broccoli quiche, cookies, and juice for lunch.
So, teach your children about the 'Me Disease', warn them of the symptoms, and immunize them so they can fight this illness :)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-John 13:35
I usually end up reading my daily devotional when I take the kids swimming. A few weeks ago I was reading a devotional from one of my Women of Faith Bibles and I was reading a lesson about how we have to be conscious and aware of the 'Me Disease'. Instead of thinking about ourselves, our wants, our desires, we should seek to put others first. One of the simple suggestions I read was 'offer to watch a neighbor's child, even for an hour so they can get something done". Being a mother of young children, I thought... oh I'd love one of my neighbors to watch my children, even for an hour...
ME ME ME....
Not a moment later a neighbor and friend joined us at the pool with her young daughter. This neighbor has a 2 year old daughter and 6 month old twin daughters... 'offer to watch a neighbor's child'... I offered to watch her daughter for a few hours the following morning.
What a blessing to enjoy that sweet girl spending some time in our home.
Sophia loves helping with little ones and this little one is the perfect age, where Sophia can help her get a drink, snack, help her color, it was a wonderful morning.
We still left the mommy with two infants, I'm pretty sure she appreciated the 2 year old being entertained, even though it was a short time.
I was sharing this story with my friend and Sophia overheard me talking about the 'Me Disease'. Once I hung up the phone, Sophia burst into tears....
"I don't want the 'Me Disease' will I catch it??"
I explained to her what it meant and how it is important that we do things for other people, we should put others first, and God will smile.
The lawn man was working in the yard and Sophia squealed at the thought she had to make lunch for the "lawnmower man".
He has been cutting our grass for almost 3 years and we didn't even know his name.
That day, Sam enjoyed broccoli quiche, cookies, and juice for lunch.
So, teach your children about the 'Me Disease', warn them of the symptoms, and immunize them so they can fight this illness :)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-John 13:35
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Memorial Weekend
Wonderful, family filled, Memorial Weekend.
Saturday Sophia had her photo shoot for the CURE fundraising events we are going to be involved in. We went and had lunch with my momma, hotdogs and cheese grits. Then home for nap time, it was already a busy day. We invited my brother, his wife, and their daughters over to swim and have dinner with us. I honestly don't think we have ever had them over like that for no reason. Life is so busy, we are always on the move, seems like we get together a lot but it's usually for someone's birthday, a holiday, or some special occasion. It was nice to get together with no agenda. We went swimming, ate pizza, the kids played and played. We ended up introducing them to our favortie dice game, Farkle. If you never played I totally recommend looking it up. So fun! We laughed until we cried, well Denise and I laughed until we cried. We had a great evening with them.
Sunday was church and then out to lunch. We went to a Japanese steak house called KiKus... yummy! We had never been there before but since then I've been craving sushi!!! We will def go back again soon! Sunday was a lazy day. I finished a final for school, I didn't want to have to spend Memorial Day doing homework, so I spent Sunday doing it. I think I stayed up until 2am getting it all finished.... it was my last bachelors class, I'm officially in the masters program now!!
Monday- Memorial Day- we knew we would be spending the day with Tony's dad, but didn't know what we would be doing. Tony's mom is out of town visiting her family, so we knew we wanted to do something with the lonely dad that day. Marco invited us over for BBQ and that is something Marco does very well, grill. Everything he makes on a grill is delish! I was glad he decided to BBQ. It was weird being at the house without Tony's mom. She is normally running around trying to get the table set, she loves for things to be nice for us when we come. She's be wearing her apron running from one side of the kitchen to the other.... Tony and I both felt out of place without her there, doing her thing. After we ate we went over to the spring, we found craw-dads and some little minnows for the kids to investigate. Tony found a snapping turtle. I was surprised how much Jazzy-Bell loved swimming, she put on quite the show. It was a hot day, I guess she wanted to stay cool.
And not forgetting the reason for the day.... remember our service men and women.
All gave some,
Some gave all.....
Hope everyone had a good and safe Memorial Day Weekend.
Saturday Sophia had her photo shoot for the CURE fundraising events we are going to be involved in. We went and had lunch with my momma, hotdogs and cheese grits. Then home for nap time, it was already a busy day. We invited my brother, his wife, and their daughters over to swim and have dinner with us. I honestly don't think we have ever had them over like that for no reason. Life is so busy, we are always on the move, seems like we get together a lot but it's usually for someone's birthday, a holiday, or some special occasion. It was nice to get together with no agenda. We went swimming, ate pizza, the kids played and played. We ended up introducing them to our favortie dice game, Farkle. If you never played I totally recommend looking it up. So fun! We laughed until we cried, well Denise and I laughed until we cried. We had a great evening with them.
Sunday was church and then out to lunch. We went to a Japanese steak house called KiKus... yummy! We had never been there before but since then I've been craving sushi!!! We will def go back again soon! Sunday was a lazy day. I finished a final for school, I didn't want to have to spend Memorial Day doing homework, so I spent Sunday doing it. I think I stayed up until 2am getting it all finished.... it was my last bachelors class, I'm officially in the masters program now!!
Monday- Memorial Day- we knew we would be spending the day with Tony's dad, but didn't know what we would be doing. Tony's mom is out of town visiting her family, so we knew we wanted to do something with the lonely dad that day. Marco invited us over for BBQ and that is something Marco does very well, grill. Everything he makes on a grill is delish! I was glad he decided to BBQ. It was weird being at the house without Tony's mom. She is normally running around trying to get the table set, she loves for things to be nice for us when we come. She's be wearing her apron running from one side of the kitchen to the other.... Tony and I both felt out of place without her there, doing her thing. After we ate we went over to the spring, we found craw-dads and some little minnows for the kids to investigate. Tony found a snapping turtle. I was surprised how much Jazzy-Bell loved swimming, she put on quite the show. It was a hot day, I guess she wanted to stay cool.
And not forgetting the reason for the day.... remember our service men and women.
All gave some,
Some gave all.....
Hope everyone had a good and safe Memorial Day Weekend.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
CURE:Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
Today Sophia got her picture taken by Brian Williams, an awesome photographer in Central Florida, I was so excited to have him take her picture.
This picture will be used to help us raise money for CURE. CURE is an organization that raises money for epilepsy research. This is an organization that has taught me so much about seizures and has been a real encouragement to me during those dark moments in raising a child with a seizure disorder.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 this year for epilepsy research. 94 cents from every dollar donated to CURE goes back into epilepsy research and that is exciting! Not only that but we desire to raise awareness of this disease. Most people have no idea but epilepsy kills more people than breast cancer. This is a disease that can be cured and we want to be a part of that. We want our story to be heard and we want to help others who deal with this sometimes devastating disease.
Look for more to come, events and donation opportunities, we are going to do great things in honor of our girl.
Here is her story and some of my favorite photos from today.
Sophia was born on September 9, 2005. She was our first child, our little angel baby. Sophia was nine months old when I first recognized that Sophia may be having a seizure. Actually it was her grandmother who recognized it. I thought she was just teething, wincing in pain, I didn’t recognize that those unexplained facial expressions were actually focal seizures. We spent her first Easter in the hospital, EEGs, CT scans, and MRI tests, nothing was conclusive, yet, on a nine month old sometimes that can happen.
During the next three years Sophia had many seizures, many different types of seizures; absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic clonic seizures. Sophia has tried many different cocktails of medications. We traveled from our small town to larger areas with children’s hospitals and neuro-specialists. Doctor after doctor was mesmerized by our girl. They couldn’t believe with her history that she could walk, talk and function the way she did/does. They warned of us the reality of this disease and prepared us for the worst.
Today, Sophia is a wide eyed five year old. She is sensitive and caring. She is living with epilepsy, and for that we are thankful. She takes daily medication and still has ‘breakthrough seizures’ from time to time.
We understand the heartache and lives that are destroyed by epilepsy and while our daughter has been one of the lucky ones, there is a very scary reality that is constant in our minds.
Join us in remembering those who live day to day with epilepsy and those who have lost their lives to this disease.
Amazing pictures... Thank you Brian Williams Photography!!!
This picture will be used to help us raise money for CURE. CURE is an organization that raises money for epilepsy research. This is an organization that has taught me so much about seizures and has been a real encouragement to me during those dark moments in raising a child with a seizure disorder.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 this year for epilepsy research. 94 cents from every dollar donated to CURE goes back into epilepsy research and that is exciting! Not only that but we desire to raise awareness of this disease. Most people have no idea but epilepsy kills more people than breast cancer. This is a disease that can be cured and we want to be a part of that. We want our story to be heard and we want to help others who deal with this sometimes devastating disease.
Look for more to come, events and donation opportunities, we are going to do great things in honor of our girl.
Here is her story and some of my favorite photos from today.
Sophia was born on September 9, 2005. She was our first child, our little angel baby. Sophia was nine months old when I first recognized that Sophia may be having a seizure. Actually it was her grandmother who recognized it. I thought she was just teething, wincing in pain, I didn’t recognize that those unexplained facial expressions were actually focal seizures. We spent her first Easter in the hospital, EEGs, CT scans, and MRI tests, nothing was conclusive, yet, on a nine month old sometimes that can happen.
During the next three years Sophia had many seizures, many different types of seizures; absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic clonic seizures. Sophia has tried many different cocktails of medications. We traveled from our small town to larger areas with children’s hospitals and neuro-specialists. Doctor after doctor was mesmerized by our girl. They couldn’t believe with her history that she could walk, talk and function the way she did/does. They warned of us the reality of this disease and prepared us for the worst.
Today, Sophia is a wide eyed five year old. She is sensitive and caring. She is living with epilepsy, and for that we are thankful. She takes daily medication and still has ‘breakthrough seizures’ from time to time.
We understand the heartache and lives that are destroyed by epilepsy and while our daughter has been one of the lucky ones, there is a very scary reality that is constant in our minds.
Join us in remembering those who live day to day with epilepsy and those who have lost their lives to this disease.
Amazing pictures... Thank you Brian Williams Photography!!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
not too high
I was driving in the car with my little ones.
We were driving to my favorite place on earth. My parents farm... down that dirt road... it is the only place that really feels like home.
Only a short drive from where we live now, a few minutes in the car.
The clouds looked like white cotton floating against the ocean blue sky.
I wasn't the only one who noticed it.
Sophia says, "Mommy, how do we know God is up there? We can't see Him."
She has been asking this kind of thing a lot lately. A question that comes with age, although I wasn't expecting her to ask just yet.
We have talked a lot about faith, about the disciples, evidence that supports Jesus walked with man on this Earth, we talk about heaven, and how God is preparing a place for us, what a joyful day it will be when He calls His children home.
I smiled and told her God is always watching us.
Troy sat quietly and said, "Sophi, He is up there, so high we can't see Him, but not too high so He can hear us."
...mouth of babes.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1
We were driving to my favorite place on earth. My parents farm... down that dirt road... it is the only place that really feels like home.
Only a short drive from where we live now, a few minutes in the car.
The clouds looked like white cotton floating against the ocean blue sky.
I wasn't the only one who noticed it.
Sophia says, "Mommy, how do we know God is up there? We can't see Him."
She has been asking this kind of thing a lot lately. A question that comes with age, although I wasn't expecting her to ask just yet.
We have talked a lot about faith, about the disciples, evidence that supports Jesus walked with man on this Earth, we talk about heaven, and how God is preparing a place for us, what a joyful day it will be when He calls His children home.
I smiled and told her God is always watching us.
Troy sat quietly and said, "Sophi, He is up there, so high we can't see Him, but not too high so He can hear us."
...mouth of babes.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Hand Towel 2 Toddler Bib
I love decorating... and redecorating... again... and again...
I like changing my decor for the seasons. I have fun crafting and creating new and fun things in my home. But with each holiday and season that passes I always have extra hand towels. Hand towels are inexpensive and I love matching them to my different bathroom or kitchen decor.
A few summers ago I had a blue, black and white beach theme in the kids bathroom.
When I switched things up I had a few blue hand towels left over. I never throw things away, I either reuse them in a different area of the house, upcycle them into something else, or give them to my friends.
For the blue hand towels, I decided I could very easily turn these into a perfect toddler bib, for my then 2 year old son. (This upcycle is from upcycles past, but still wanted to share it on the blog.)
Look how short his hair was?? and the hand towel reached all the way to his toes!
So this was perfect. He was too big for bibs yet still needed them, heck he is almost 4 and can still use these. They stay nice in the wash and are super cute. Since then I have made more from old hand towels. They are perfect for art and painting time too.
I just stitched a ribbon to each side of the towel, so that they could tie to different lengths. I also added buttons to the front because this towel was a little boring! You can be as creative as you want with this project.
Have fun with upcycling your old hand towels into cute and creative bibs.
I like changing my decor for the seasons. I have fun crafting and creating new and fun things in my home. But with each holiday and season that passes I always have extra hand towels. Hand towels are inexpensive and I love matching them to my different bathroom or kitchen decor.
A few summers ago I had a blue, black and white beach theme in the kids bathroom.
When I switched things up I had a few blue hand towels left over. I never throw things away, I either reuse them in a different area of the house, upcycle them into something else, or give them to my friends.
For the blue hand towels, I decided I could very easily turn these into a perfect toddler bib, for my then 2 year old son. (This upcycle is from upcycles past, but still wanted to share it on the blog.)
Look how short his hair was?? and the hand towel reached all the way to his toes!
So this was perfect. He was too big for bibs yet still needed them, heck he is almost 4 and can still use these. They stay nice in the wash and are super cute. Since then I have made more from old hand towels. They are perfect for art and painting time too.
I just stitched a ribbon to each side of the towel, so that they could tie to different lengths. I also added buttons to the front because this towel was a little boring! You can be as creative as you want with this project.
Have fun with upcycling your old hand towels into cute and creative bibs.
Monday, May 16, 2011
scrap fabric and old frame
What crafty girl doesn't have some extra fabric laying around?
A few weeks ago this fabric was calling my name. I had no idea what to do with it. So I thought about making another "M" pillow for our couch. I want to make some bigger, squishy pillows for our living room, some pillows that the kids can lay on. I didn't really have that much green fabric though.
I had an old frame in the garage and spray painted it navy blue and decided to combine them for some "M" art in my kitchen. My little coffee corner needed something.
I wish I had a before picture.... but here it is.
I just ironed on the the "M" stitched around the sides, added the flowers with extra fabric (which I've been wanting to try) now, I'm not sure how long this will stay here but I like it for now. I may add some batting between the frame backing and the fabric because in this picture I noticed how 'loose' the fabric looks. But it was fun, easy, quick, and free. Gave my old frame and extra fabric new life. And that's the joy of upcycling because you don't have to feel bad when we redecorate 4 times a year like I do, because it didn't cost much of anything to begin with!
A few weeks ago this fabric was calling my name. I had no idea what to do with it. So I thought about making another "M" pillow for our couch. I want to make some bigger, squishy pillows for our living room, some pillows that the kids can lay on. I didn't really have that much green fabric though.
I had an old frame in the garage and spray painted it navy blue and decided to combine them for some "M" art in my kitchen. My little coffee corner needed something.
I wish I had a before picture.... but here it is.
I just ironed on the the "M" stitched around the sides, added the flowers with extra fabric (which I've been wanting to try) now, I'm not sure how long this will stay here but I like it for now. I may add some batting between the frame backing and the fabric because in this picture I noticed how 'loose' the fabric looks. But it was fun, easy, quick, and free. Gave my old frame and extra fabric new life. And that's the joy of upcycling because you don't have to feel bad when we redecorate 4 times a year like I do, because it didn't cost much of anything to begin with!
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