One Day

In one day a life can change forever.

Letter to Marie on her First Birthday

December 6, 2011

Dear Marie,

One year ago at 9:35pm you were born. You came early, you were not supposed to be born until December 23^rd. I guess you just couldn’t wait to see the world. The moment your father put you into my arms and I heard your cries, and seeing your tiny fingers grip mine, I knew I faced no greater responsibility and joy than being your mother. I was so scared; here you were so small and helpless. You needed me for everything and I didn’t know where to begin. I was so worried I would make so many mistakes; I wanted to be the best mother I could for you.

 Well here we are one year later and it has been a wonderful, challenging, wild ride. I did make plenty of mistakes, but in spite of my worries and fears you grew and thrived. You went from a mewling infant to a headstrong toddler. You have the sweetest smile and the most stubborn temper! I have watched you struggle to figure things out (You were determined to crawl in your own way) and had the pleasure of seeing you succeed. My heart broke every time you fell and bumped your head and it sang every time you mastered a new skill. As you leave babyhood behind I face the challenge of finding the balance between sheltering you and letting go. This past year I have witnessed you learn to hold up your head, then roll, then scoot, then crawl and now you run. I have seen your first smile, heard your first laugh and felt your first hug. It is my prayer for you that God will allow you to continue to grow healthy and strong in mind, body and spirit in the next year.

I am looking forward to growing with you.

Love,

Mama

Home Again

M, the Bumper, and I just got back from our first ever family vacation. We went to Skyline Drive in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. We were right on time for all the wonderful fall colors and brisk weather. It was so peaceful and still and calming. M and I learned quite a bit about taking a little one on an extended trip. I will be posting pictures in a day or two. In the meantime I am enjoying being home and getting back to our routine.

God Bless
Kim

Mercy and Forgiveness

I don't believe in coincidences, so when the last three sermons at church were on mercy and forgiveness I figured God must be trying to get me to pay attention. So I did. I have not been merciful or forgiving. I have been on my pity pot crying woe is me. I tallied up all of M's faults, every unkind word, every rude action, every slight real or imagined, and held the against him. I never said anything out loud, oh no, to do so would have been to admit to my own faults, failings and mistakes. It takes two two argue, but I was not willing to see that. Then last Sunday in the middle of the sermon I finally got it. God's mercy and forgiveness are freely given, they are not dependant on our actions. God's mercy and forgiveness are there for M whether I think he deserves it or not. It is not up to me. It is up to God. So I handed our marriage over to God. I forgave.

You know what? I am feeling better and our marriage is doing better.

Kim

Crochet - Show and Tell is on my mind

Ok. Way back in  February I made up my mind to learn how to crochet. I am a complete beginner and started at the begining. Here is what I have been able to make so far:

A complete granny square! Yay!

I have also made a little hat for my daughter, of which I can't seem to find a picture. I am so very excited about my new hobby. It feels so good to make something with my hands. I am currently working on a baby blanket, and I am looking forward to wrapping the bumper up on cold winter days. I hope to have more pictures soon. I am headed to the Shenandoah Fiber Festival for a good ogle at all the pretty hand dyed yarns. I will be taking lots of pictures. Have a good weekend every one.

Teeth, Trantrums, and Toddling

 My little bumper has her first teeth. They were such an awful long time coming in, and they hurt her so very much the poor little mite, but now they are here! To coincide with the arrival of her teeth, the bumper has started throwing temper tantrums. Her crying is now about what she wants as well as what she needs. Lucky me I get to figure it out *grin*. The other big news around our household is that she is regularly cruising the the furniture. She just learned to crawl a month ago, and now she is trying to walk. This would not be alarming except that the bumper has developed a fondness for all things paper. She loves books, and eats them every chance she gets. 

I have some crochet projects I plan to share soon, my first efforts with my new hobby!

Kim

A Quick Note

I'm just popping in to say I'll be back. I have had had some things going on in my life that have kept me from feeling like blogging., but nextday or two I have some things I want to share. See you soon
Kim