Isaac's Blessing

Isaac was blessed in chuch on Sunday. I miraculously finished the outfit I was working on for him. Well, all but the buttons, but I think it turned out pretty good even with no buttons! The blessing was very nice! Aaron and I both had a lot of family who were able to attend. It was nice to have so many of them there with us! Here are a few pictures!

Hey Everyone...

I need a couple more of you to comment on my "Pay it Forward" post!! Come on! I'll make something you'll love! :)

Just an experience I wanted to share...

Sunday, I went to the cemetary to remove the evergreen wreath and replace it with a valentines themed one. The new one probably won't be there for too long, but the Christmas one needed to come down. Anyway, I often see one or two other people visiting the cemetary when I go, especially on Sunday afternoons, however, yesterday was a very wet and rainy day here. I probably wouldn't have gone if it weren't the only practical day for me to go before Valentine's. I really didn't expect to see anyone there in the rain, but while I was hanging the new wreath, someone drove to the next cemetary "block" over and stood by a new grave. I knew that there had been a funeral on Saturday. The man who died has a daughter in my high school graduating class. She isn't someone I knew well, but in a graduating class of only 130 students, it's unusual not to at least know names and faces. It was her that I saw standing by the grave.

One of the things I've gotten out of my experience with Renee is a deep sympathy for others' grief. When I see people experiencing a big loss in their life, I just really want to help them. Of course, I always felt bad for people before, but I think I aproached it differently than I used to. There are so many thing that people say that help so little. In fact there are a lot of things that people say with good intentions that end up just making a person feel worse. The things that helped me were those looks from certain people. I have no idea what some of these people's experiences have been, but there's a look that people who have felt a terrible loss have when they tell you they are sorry about your loss. I don't really know how to explain it, but you just know that they've been through these emotions before. It's a look of understanding and compasion. Those looks, along with brief expressions of sympathy, gave me much more comfort than anything that anyone said. I know that I'll see Renee again. After she was burried, I "knew" that someday I wouldn't feel so miserable, but I couldn't see the end of my grief. I was told that the first year is the worst, but I couldn't imagine waking up after that first anniversary was past and feeling better about my daughter being gone. Seeing that look was a testimony to me that there would be a time I'd feel better about it. It was a look that said, "Yes, what you are going through is terrible, but it will pass. I know because I've been there." I imagine that it's the look Christ would give us if we were telling him about our trials face to face.

So when I saw my former classmate standing over her father's grave, I felt compelled to at least attempt to give her some of what had helped me. I didn't say much. Her grief is still very new, so I doubt she remembers much of what I did say, but I hope that I was able to share with her some of what was shared with me. Some Hope for the future, and, even if it was only for a few minutes, a friend.

Pay it Forward

Pay It Forward----I got this off of a friends blog after I commented. Have Fun!'

The Rules:

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!.

2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your Three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER... it is good... :) Pass it forward.

Isaac is one month old!

Isn't that amazing?! The last 4+ weeks have flown by for me!

Isaac had his 4 week check up today. He weighs 11lbs, 2 oz and is 22 inches long! His head is about 15 1/2 inches around.

The doctor's verdict: One "Healthy Hunk!"

I'd like to add that he's a handsome little hunk as well!

Happy Birthday to me! and other news

Well, I'm another year older! Ack!! I had a very nice birthday. Aaron and I went out to the movies and dinner and the next day I made a cake. William was a bit distressed that we didn't have any on my birthday.

I've been waiting to post because I wanted to let you all know that we did get aproved for the new apartment! I found out this morning, and that's probably the most exciting (late) birthday present! :) We'll be siging the lease and getting keys on the 13th!

Another fun tidbit is that we openned savings accounts for each of the kids last week! William has been very busy finding ways to help out around the house and earn some pennies. I'm hoping that he'll keep it up and be helpful while we are packing up to move!