Saw this ad in a Tidbits newsletter yesterday:
Now tell me, would YOU want to go to college somewhere that includes typos in their ads??
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
redneck holiday
So apparently the Autauga county probate office celebrates Confederate Memorial Day. What's that about? Some of us have car tags that expire this week, and our off day is Monday, and we don't necessarily have time to drive all the way downtown only to be turned away by a sign posted on the door that the office is closed. BOOOOO. It should be a rule that government offices only close on WELL-KNOWN holidays.
Serenity now!!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
writer's block
I am having a hard time coming up with anything to blog about that isn't related to my miscarriage. Hopefully soon I will have some more enjoyable posts for my readers. Please hang in there with me for awhile!
I wanted to share this e-mail I got today. I found this website, Sarah's Laughter, which provides support for infertility and loss. I registered to receive their "Daily Double Portion" e-mails. So far, just about every one I have received has spoken to me in a different way. Anyway, I felt the urge to share this one from today...
If you are one who has lived through the horror of the death of your baby, Sarah’s Laughter offers you our most heartfelt condolences. Maybe no one ever told you they were sorry you lost your baby. We are so very sorry. We are sorry that you lost your baby, and we are so sorry that others have not recognized your hurt. If there is anything this ministry can do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Even in the face of such a devastating loss, there is great encouragement and understanding for you found within the pages of Scripture. God knew you would search for answers to the questions that bounce around your heart like a million ping-pong balls. Perhaps the most vivid example we have of someone surviving the death of a precious baby is found in the life of David.
If someone asked you who David was, what would you say? Would you call him a giant-killer? A king? A scoundrel? A man who danced before the Lord with all might? A man after God’s own heart?
A grieving parent?
In 2 Samuel we see a portrait of grief hanging on the walls of David’s home. He is facing the imminent death of his baby, and is stricken with pain only a bereaved parent can know. The prophet Nathan has told him that God has revealed the baby will die, and although David does all he knows to do to change God’s mind, in only seven short days, David’s baby slips into eternity.
What about your baby. Did you know death was inevitable, or did it sneak up on like an unwanted companion? No doubt, you begged and pleaded with God for the life of your child. How your story parallels David’s!
David’s baby has died. There is no going back. There are no more doctors to call, no more treatments to try. The baby’s life on earth is completed. What does David do? What did you do?
Somehow through his grief, David found the road to recovery, and began to walk in it right away.
How was David able to enter into the worship of the Lord? This is the same Lord who could have changed His mind and saved David’s baby, but chose not to. How could David worship?
I believe the answer lies in 2 Samuel 12:23. It’s a profound truth found in only five words:
I will go to him...
God surely pulled back the curtains of time for David and revealed to him just a smidgen of His plan for humanity. We know that Jesus went to prepare a place for us so that we can be with Him for eternity. David lived centuries before the cross and the empty tomb. He had no way to know that God had planned eternal reunions with lost loves.
Somehow, David knew he would see his baby again. It wasn’t a cliche to David. He knew-in reality-he would see this baby again. Not another baby that he and his wife would soon conceive. Not a child born to him at another point in his life. He knew that he would see this baby again. The unuttered promise of a glorious reunion with his baby made this painful, but temporary, period of separation bearable.
When your heart aches for your baby, remind yourself that as a child of God, you will see your baby again. Not for a moment. Not until death steals him/her away again. Thank God that death will never enter Heaven’s gates! You can be reunited with your baby and with your God for eternity! All that is required is the salvation freely offered you at the foot of Calvary.
When you arrive in heaven, perhaps you’ll sit down for a while with David. Maybe you’ll share how your hearts broke. He’ll tell you what it was like to see his child again. You can tell him what it was like to see yours. Together, with the children you’ve both loved and lost, you can join with David, the master musician, and and pen a new song. You’ll add a verse. Your child can dance as you all sing the praises of our Heavenly Father for all eternity.
What a beautiful song.
(c) 2008 Sarah’s Laughter-Christian Support for Infertility & Child Loss
I wanted to share this e-mail I got today. I found this website, Sarah's Laughter, which provides support for infertility and loss. I registered to receive their "Daily Double Portion" e-mails. So far, just about every one I have received has spoken to me in a different way. Anyway, I felt the urge to share this one from today...
A Glorious Reunion
2 Samuel 12:23
I will go to him...
2 Samuel 12:23
I will go to him...
If you are one who has lived through the horror of the death of your baby, Sarah’s Laughter offers you our most heartfelt condolences. Maybe no one ever told you they were sorry you lost your baby. We are so very sorry. We are sorry that you lost your baby, and we are so sorry that others have not recognized your hurt. If there is anything this ministry can do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Even in the face of such a devastating loss, there is great encouragement and understanding for you found within the pages of Scripture. God knew you would search for answers to the questions that bounce around your heart like a million ping-pong balls. Perhaps the most vivid example we have of someone surviving the death of a precious baby is found in the life of David.
If someone asked you who David was, what would you say? Would you call him a giant-killer? A king? A scoundrel? A man who danced before the Lord with all might? A man after God’s own heart?
A grieving parent?
In 2 Samuel we see a portrait of grief hanging on the walls of David’s home. He is facing the imminent death of his baby, and is stricken with pain only a bereaved parent can know. The prophet Nathan has told him that God has revealed the baby will die, and although David does all he knows to do to change God’s mind, in only seven short days, David’s baby slips into eternity.
What about your baby. Did you know death was inevitable, or did it sneak up on like an unwanted companion? No doubt, you begged and pleaded with God for the life of your child. How your story parallels David’s!
David’s baby has died. There is no going back. There are no more doctors to call, no more treatments to try. The baby’s life on earth is completed. What does David do? What did you do?
Somehow through his grief, David found the road to recovery, and began to walk in it right away.
Scripture tells us that when David was alerted of the passing of his baby, he arose from the ground where he laid, wept and prayed, he washed himself and changed his clothes. Then he did the most amazing--and perhaps the hardest thing. David worshiped.
How was David able to enter into the worship of the Lord? This is the same Lord who could have changed His mind and saved David’s baby, but chose not to. How could David worship?
I believe the answer lies in 2 Samuel 12:23. It’s a profound truth found in only five words:
I will go to him...
God surely pulled back the curtains of time for David and revealed to him just a smidgen of His plan for humanity. We know that Jesus went to prepare a place for us so that we can be with Him for eternity. David lived centuries before the cross and the empty tomb. He had no way to know that God had planned eternal reunions with lost loves.
Somehow, David knew he would see his baby again. It wasn’t a cliche to David. He knew-in reality-he would see this baby again. Not another baby that he and his wife would soon conceive. Not a child born to him at another point in his life. He knew that he would see this baby again. The unuttered promise of a glorious reunion with his baby made this painful, but temporary, period of separation bearable.
When your heart aches for your baby, remind yourself that as a child of God, you will see your baby again. Not for a moment. Not until death steals him/her away again. Thank God that death will never enter Heaven’s gates! You can be reunited with your baby and with your God for eternity! All that is required is the salvation freely offered you at the foot of Calvary.
When you arrive in heaven, perhaps you’ll sit down for a while with David. Maybe you’ll share how your hearts broke. He’ll tell you what it was like to see his child again. You can tell him what it was like to see yours. Together, with the children you’ve both loved and lost, you can join with David, the master musician, and and pen a new song. You’ll add a verse. Your child can dance as you all sing the praises of our Heavenly Father for all eternity.
What a beautiful song.
(c) 2008 Sarah’s Laughter-Christian Support for Infertility & Child Loss
Thursday, April 09, 2009
not-so-random acts of kindness
Last Monday, as I was thoroughly enjoying my newfound freedom in my Mondays off, I went to check the mail. Usually we know what to expect in the mail, but that day I had an unexpected package. The return address was some place in Canada, so I was definitely confused. {Did I order something online & forget about it? That’s always fun cause it’s like getting a present! Even though I paid for it…I digress.} I went inside & thoughts of “don’t open any suspicious packages! Anthrax!” went through my head. Of course I opened it anyway. There was a small jewelry bag wrapped in bubble wrap. {Ok, now I am definitely confused because I know I haven’t ordered any jewelry.} Inside the bag was this necklace:
And this card with the sweetest poem:
I immediately started bawling. This was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me since the miscarriage! I looked through the small package to see who it was from, and finally found a card with a note from my good friends Judy & Stacy. Stacy had a miscarriage during her second pregnancy, and someone had given her a similar necklace, and she talked to Judy about it…you get the idea. I was so touched. I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t sure if I would wear the necklace much, as I am always concerned about coordinating my jewelry with my outfits {superficial, I know, but it’s true}. But I have worn the necklace every day since I got it, as a reminder of the beautiful life that once was inside me. Thank you, friends, for my lovely gift! {Click here for the jewelry artist’s website – she also makes memorial jewelry, baby jewelry, and custom jewelry!}
And while I’m on that note, I should share my two other favorite gestures from friends during this difficult time. First of all, I should point out that every single card, e-mail, Facebook message, text message, phone call, blog comment, flower arrangement, and even gift card that we got meant so much to us. I will always have memories of how much love has been poured over us during this time. It is SO encouraging! Ok, back to the two other favorite gestures. The night of my D&C: Ashley cooked dinner for us. I know this sounds like a small gesture, but I cannot express to you how much this meant! I have never had a “thinking of you” meal cooked for me, and now I know how helpful they are. I had an especially rough time that day because I had to spend about 6 hours longer at the hospital than I expected, due to a long wait for my doctor…long story. Point is, I should have gotten home by 1:00 & I got home after 6:00. Ashley cooked THE BEST comfort food EVER – poppyseed chicken casserole, green bean casserole, Sister Schubert’s rolls, and chocolate chip cookies. YUM. MERS. I wasn’t supposed to eat “real” food that night but I snuck in a few bites because I couldn’t resist. J Third favorite gesture: a woman from my small group ordered a book for me titled Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg. This is a GREAT book for people who have had miscarriages, stillborns, or infant loss. The author uses scripture, short prayers, introspective questions, personal stories, and journaling to walk you through the grieving process. It’s written like a devotional book, to be read small sections at a time. It is wonderful! I highly recommend it.
The point of this post is for two purposes: (1) To share with you all the wonderful acts of kindness that I’ve experienced through my family and friends, and (2) To give you ideas of what you can do when you have a friend or family member who goes through a similar experience and you don’t know what to do for them. If you can’t afford to send a flower arrangement, or order a book or piece of jewelry; or if you don’t have time to cook a meal; a simple card or e-mail that just says “I’m praying for you & I love you” speaks volumes. Seriously. I will forever cherish ALL of the precious gestures that everyone has sent us! I love you all!
{A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17}
And this card with the sweetest poem:
I immediately started bawling. This was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me since the miscarriage! I looked through the small package to see who it was from, and finally found a card with a note from my good friends Judy & Stacy. Stacy had a miscarriage during her second pregnancy, and someone had given her a similar necklace, and she talked to Judy about it…you get the idea. I was so touched. I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t sure if I would wear the necklace much, as I am always concerned about coordinating my jewelry with my outfits {superficial, I know, but it’s true}. But I have worn the necklace every day since I got it, as a reminder of the beautiful life that once was inside me. Thank you, friends, for my lovely gift! {Click here for the jewelry artist’s website – she also makes memorial jewelry, baby jewelry, and custom jewelry!}
And while I’m on that note, I should share my two other favorite gestures from friends during this difficult time. First of all, I should point out that every single card, e-mail, Facebook message, text message, phone call, blog comment, flower arrangement, and even gift card that we got meant so much to us. I will always have memories of how much love has been poured over us during this time. It is SO encouraging! Ok, back to the two other favorite gestures. The night of my D&C: Ashley cooked dinner for us. I know this sounds like a small gesture, but I cannot express to you how much this meant! I have never had a “thinking of you” meal cooked for me, and now I know how helpful they are. I had an especially rough time that day because I had to spend about 6 hours longer at the hospital than I expected, due to a long wait for my doctor…long story. Point is, I should have gotten home by 1:00 & I got home after 6:00. Ashley cooked THE BEST comfort food EVER – poppyseed chicken casserole, green bean casserole, Sister Schubert’s rolls, and chocolate chip cookies. YUM. MERS. I wasn’t supposed to eat “real” food that night but I snuck in a few bites because I couldn’t resist. J Third favorite gesture: a woman from my small group ordered a book for me titled Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg. This is a GREAT book for people who have had miscarriages, stillborns, or infant loss. The author uses scripture, short prayers, introspective questions, personal stories, and journaling to walk you through the grieving process. It’s written like a devotional book, to be read small sections at a time. It is wonderful! I highly recommend it.
The point of this post is for two purposes: (1) To share with you all the wonderful acts of kindness that I’ve experienced through my family and friends, and (2) To give you ideas of what you can do when you have a friend or family member who goes through a similar experience and you don’t know what to do for them. If you can’t afford to send a flower arrangement, or order a book or piece of jewelry; or if you don’t have time to cook a meal; a simple card or e-mail that just says “I’m praying for you & I love you” speaks volumes. Seriously. I will forever cherish ALL of the precious gestures that everyone has sent us! I love you all!
{A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17}
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
extreme makeover: doghouse edition
Toby needed a new dog house. We don't have a covered porch, or any trees, so Toby's only shelter is his dog house. The one we had originally purchased did NOT keep the rain out. Toby was usually dry, but his "bedding" got wet every time it rained. I finally BEGGED Baron to let us buy a new one, even though all of the ones we found that would fit our needs were expensive. We finally decided on one that was perfect. Well...almost perfect. It was this hideous bright gold-yellow. They called it "Tuscan" style to make it sound good. I couldn't leave it that color, because our house is on a hill, and Toby's doghouse sits on the deck, so all of the neighborhood can see our deck...you get the picture. So, we decided to paint it...to match our house. Yep, we're dorks. {Actually, we really did that because we just happened to have the paint left over from when our house was painted when it was built.} So, Toby's dog house got a makeover! Dogs all over the neighborhood are envious.
Before:
After:
Sunday, April 05, 2009
By Your Side
If you have a couple of minutes, please take the time to watch this video. {It's really just for the song; I thought an accompanying video would be more interesting than just listening.} This song means a lot to me right now. The day we found out we lost the baby, I got in the car to drive home from the doctor's office, and this song was playing. I wasn't paying much attention, as I had so much going through my head, but the first line I really heard was "why are you crying?" and that got my attention. I tried to listen to all of the rest of the words at that time, but I was just too overwhelmed - I only heard bits & pieces, but they were like God speaking directly to me, at that very moment. The next time I heard the song was on my way home from work, my first day back after the loss - it had been a very hard day & God once again chose to speak to me through the lyrics of this song. Please take a minute to listen to these words...maybe God will speak to you, too.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
I NEED TICKETS!!!
Joey.
Jonathan.
Jordan.
Danny.
Donnie.
May 29th.
Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, Alabama.
Free tickets, Y102.
{I've been trying to win all week with no luck!}
NKOTB website
Y102 contest info
Jonathan.
Jordan.
Danny.
Donnie.
May 29th.
Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, Alabama.
Free tickets, Y102.
{I've been trying to win all week with no luck!}
NKOTB website
Y102 contest info
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