Prayer for Shepherd...

I planned a long update today, but my camera won't upload my photos for some reason, and I know most of you don't want to read a blog without photos of Eden:) So today, I wanted to ask you all to pray for a precious little guy named Shepherd. He is the son of a dear friend here who we were in small group with for a few years. She is dear to my heart and their family would appreciate your prayers. You can read his story HERE.

Hopefully, I"l have a blog later this week, once Josh gets the camera in proper working order... lots of Easter and beach pictures to post!

Tampa, here we come....

We are headed to Tampa this week for a little R&R and a lot of prayerful consideration. Many of you may have caught wind already that we may be moving to Tampa this summer! To back up a little, ever since God changed our plans to move oversees after the birth of Eden, the Lord has begun to soften our hearts to state-side church-planting. Until about two months ago, we had no idea where that might be. At the same time, our church was beginning to form two church planting teams, one to D.C. and one to Tampa. Over the course of about a week, Josh and I both felt a strong pull to Tampa and as we began to pray more and learn more about the need in Tampa, our hearts grew. So, here we are, taking a trip to the city which might soon become home. Its so crazy to think about the next chapter in our lives, but so exciting to be a part of God's church in Tampa. You can see the beginnings of the church-plant by clicking HERE.

The past week has been crazy and we are so glad to have a break from here for a few days. Eden had her 15 month check up this week and weighed in at a whopping 17.2 lbs:) Darn weight limit on car seats... she must stay rear facing for now. She got her 1 year shots (MMR, Varicella, and Prevnar) - we held them last time since she was sick... but little did we know, she was coming down with something this time too. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty crummy since she just got her shots. She'd also been coughing all week, which began to get worse. Friday, I thought we were on the uphill and started dreaming of spending our weekend outside, when Josh noticed Eden's neck was swollen... not to mention it was Friday at 5:30, so the office was closed:( We decided to take her to the local hospital's ED since I didn't think it should wait until the next day. We thought we'd get some antibiotics and be sent home... well....

EIGHT hours and a HORRIBLE ER experience later, we went home and took her to Duke the next day. Of course, they said a course of antibiotics would treat what they called lymph gland adenitis. Needless to say, our weekend wasn't spent outdoors :( - but that just makes me even more ready for our trip to Tampa!!!!

So, many of you may have seen our video on my last post, but Eden has figured out how to sit up on her own and starting to pull up a little too... its quite cute:) Here's a few pictures the afternoon I first found her sitting up on her own...

I've got to teach the girl some manners...

And she's stuck again... I have no idea how she keeps doing this...

Have a wonderful week.. more when we return!

Check Out our BIG Girl...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=586452607495

A Belated Birthday Wish

My sister's birthday was two days ago and I had all intentions of wishing her big happy birthday then, but like most of my blogging... its a little late:) So with no further ado...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!!!

And of course, a birthday gave me an excuse for some sewing... I was most eager to share this FREE pattern with you but had to wait until I knew she had received her gift! From the moment I saw this pattern on this blog, I knew I had to make one. It only took a few nights to finish and was really easy to follow. The only problem was it was so cute, I didn't want to give it up... I guess I will just have to make myself one now:)




I don't have many new photos to share... we've been spending most days indoors as its been rainy and dreary... oh how I can't wait for spring! We did manage a play-date last week though with three other girls I used to work with at Jeffers and Mann. It was our first trip to Pullen Park and will definitely not be our last!





Yesterday, I ended up making these homemade Thin Mints which turned out pretty good! MUCH easier to make than the Samoas, but I think the Samoas tasted more like the real thing than the Thin Mints. Either way though, they're pretty darn good cookies!

As Promised...

So, I promised on FB a few days ago that I would post the recipe for HOMEMADE GIRL SCOUT COOOKIES!!!!! I found the recipe HERE a few weeks ago and just couldn't wait to try my hand at them. Well, Tuesday posed a wonderful day for baking! I will first say that they turned out wonderful and taste just like the real thing... but if you want to try - know that you will spend ALL afternoon in the kitchen:) I might try the samoas bars next time. Thin mints are definitely next on my list... 

I also had my first attempt at Risotto. I kept coming across yummy sounding risotto, so I took the plunge this week. It might be a new favorite in my house:) Eden and Josh both approved of this Asparagus and Lemon Risotto. 

We've resumed all her therapies this week and it proved to be a busy one:) We did manage to squeeze in a few playdates though and Eden's first ever Track Meet! I don't think we have any appointments coming up though next week, though come to think of it, I do need to schedule her 15month check up.... crazy! 

Well... don't forget the sale in the shop.... FREE WRIST CUFF with every purchase until Monday. Just mention the blog in Notes to Seller. 

Happy Thursday.

I think I've mentioned before that I was reading "Trusting God" by Jerry Bridges. Well, I am almost done and considering reading it again because there is so much good stuff in there... but it seems like there are so many people in my life right now that I could pass it along to. This past weekend was quite a weekend to trust in God's sovreignty. I decided this morning to go back and reread certain sections in "Trusting God" to remind me where my hope is. I wanted to share a few short passages with you: 

"God does not delight in causing us to experience pain or heartache. He always has a purpose for the grief He brings or allows to come into our lives. Most often we do not know what that purpose is, but it is enough to know that His infinite wisdom and perfect love have determined that the particular sorrow is best for us. God never wastes pain. He always uses it to accomplish His purpose. And His purpose is for His glory and our good. Therefore, we can trust Him when our hearts are aching or our bodies are racked with pain." Jerry Bridges

"I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's though, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest and most precious thing in all thinking." "If we have physical or mental disabilities or impairments, it is because of God in His wisdom and love created us that way. We may not understand why God chose to do that, but that is where our trusting Him has to begin." George MacDonald and Jerry Bridges

I am so thankful that Eden is doing well and has recovered quickly. My request today from you is that you would pray for a few sweet children who have been on my heart this week. I learned this past week Charlotte and Preston's stories.... they both brought back a flood of emotions into my heart that have not been far removed. You can read both their stories by clicking on their names.  We also found out about some heartbreaking news of a family member, but I must get permission before I say anything on the blog. You were all so faithful in praying for Eden - so would you please now pray for them.

I decided to post this today because it is, well, where I am at the moment.... learning and trying to trust God in the difficult circumstances and hoping to provide a glimpse of encouragement to anyone else facing them. I know that God is Good... all the time. I know that you have been faithful to pray for Eden, and I know that these families would appreciate your faithful prayers as well!

she may look just like josh....

but she's got my tastebuds:



So I introduced Eden to the infamous "BBQ Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes and Yeast Rolls" meal this week (since I HAD to make it for Heather when she came home from the hospital). Needless to say, Eden was a huge fan! The *secret* BBQ sauce is a family recipe (my grandma's) that I've shared with only a few people, but has been cooked oh so many times, mostly by Mama Cita and enjoyed by many. Eden finished 1/2 a piece of chicken, a whole twice baked potato and a yeast roll!

Speaking of Heather... I'd like to introduce miss Charlotte to you: Isn't she adorable!!!!

And I got to watch Avery while Heather was in the hospital...

The past few days have been spent mostly outdoors, or inside with all the windows open - the best way to spend the day I think. I've managed lots of photos! Yah! I took this photo today after her visit with Dr. Fuchs... the bandage and stitches are all gone - she was pretty excited about it:) 



As I mentioned in the last post... I've been up to a little sewing lately too ( I know... big surprise!) Here's my latest (and new favorite) creation.... the Mama Chic Wrist Cuff. Its a FREE pattern by JCasa! Its a very simple, easy to follow pattern... I'm in love:) I've already made a few for myself and a few for my neighbor... and I'm offering one to you too!!!! Every order from my shop from now until 3/23 will receive a Wrist Cuff with their purchase! Just mention my blog in "notes to seller"!