Praise You in This Storm

I'd forgotten about this song until I heard it on the radio yesterday. Beautiful words to remember when difficult things come.

Praise You in This Storm, by Casting Crowns

Here Comes the Sun

Do you know this old song by the Beatles? I remember listening to it while I sat on the deck at the Hotel del Coronado last fall, watching the waves of the Pacific and reading C.S. Lewis and drinking some fancy $12 lemonade. A little reminder from God that the sun will come out and life will go on . . . and someday, eternity. Love this quote I read in Frederick Buechner last week (from his novel Godric): "What's lost is nothing to what's found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup."

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, it's all right

Remembrances

Dear friends and family have given us so many thoughtful gifts in remembrance of David. This week I did a bit of pre-school-begins cleaning: organized the kids' rooms, ordered new photos to print, and found places for the beautiful things we've been given. Several people have asked what they can do to help others as they are grieving...everyone is different, but really if you say something and show up (more Nancy Guthrie advice) that's all you need to do. I think a lot of people are scared to bring up David, but it is more painful if you don't acknowledge the hurt at all. Grieving people need to know you haven't forgotten. I promise, even though it may seem like a person has processed their grief and moved on, the sorrow is still there. While the intense emotions may lessen over time, I don't expect the pain to every go away. However, along with saying something and showing up, these thoughtful gifts (and others I'm now realizing I've forgotten to photograph, like the Forget Me Not cup I drink my coffee from most mornings) are loved and appreciated, too. Find ways to acknowledge the hurt and the joy and the life.

Our church community group made this book for us. It is full of letters they wrote and Scriptures to hold on to.

My dresser top




The children each have a blanket that was made for David. We ended up with five. We buried one with David and gave each of his siblings one to keep.


Sweet mother and child heartbeat necklace


This necklace has a birthstone for all my babies, including my three diamonds in heaven

The David toeprint charm added to my Faithful necklace. Zion and Noel's names are on the other side. I wear one of my necklaces most days.








This blue jar is a thankful jar, filled with words of encouragement from so many who love us. Their words wouldn't all fit in this jar. I have a drawer filled with more!








My desk. My mom has had this picture for years and gave it to me recently. The Blessings sign I found for $2 at TJ Maxx years ago. The cross was made by my Papaw. The mother figure was a gift from a friend.


I blogged about this little cube a few weeks ago.



Before David was born, we made a "David Bear" together at Build-a-Bear. His heartbeat is recorded and we all love to play it. Each child has a stuffed animal or lovey of David's and they trade them around.

Holding Fast

Psalm 145:13b-21
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.
The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Superheroes and Princesses Birthday Party

This party was over six weeks ago and I am finally getting around to posting the pictures. Jacob (6) and Sophie (4) celebrated their birthdays together with a superheroes and princesses party. I went simple this year--ordered pizza and just made cupcakes instead of decorating cakes for each of them. They didn't seem to mind...too much. I did get several questions about what kind of cake I was making them but in the end the cupcakes were a hit. I did have to make three different flavors to appease them. ;) The kids played on the playground, practiced their web-making skills with silly string, squirted pictures of villains with water guns, went on a glass slipper hunt, and built Frozen's Olaf out of marshmallows. We all had a great time celebrating Jacob and Sophie and enjoying time with family and friends. Thanks to all who joined us to party!

At the Lake

We had a family reunion at the lake a few weeks ago. The kids had the best time fishing, driving the boat, and eating s'mores, as these photos will attest. Happy summer!