Tuesday, June 24, 2014

.nursery details.

It was so much fun getting ready to meet our sweet girl by preparing her room. Which is also our office. And our guest room. We're very multi-purpose over here. Here are a few of the details:

I wanted a color scheme that she wouldn't quickly outgrow, so I went with turquoise and coral.
I made cloth banners that will be easy to move (I love decorations that fold flat and can be hung up with tacks!) Two of the three were made with fabric yardage, but the third I made out of vintage linens - I love how it turned out!
I did a chalkboard with her name on it - it took a few tries, but I ended up using a Sharpie paint marker instead of chalk so it would be a little more permanent. It is one of my favorite parts of her room!
I also used vintage glass doorknobs for a little coat rack and shelf. (These were my parents' knobs and I remember pulling them out of the desk drawer they were in when I was little - I love seeing them and thinking of my own mama and dad!)
There is a slight Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle theme in her room, and one of the pieces is a Wedgewood Beatrix Potter lamp.
I gave an old hankie new life with some fabric dye and use it on a tea tray on her dresser for some added color.
My husband and I found this rocking chair on Craig's List and reupholstered it together - Baby A is our first baby that I have a rocking chair for!
Happy two weeks in our family, sweet June Peach! We love you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, June 22, 2014

.family sunday.

I'd like to start documenting my weeks by taking time on Sunday to reflect on a couple of my favorite things for each member of my family that have happened during the previous week...we'll see if I can keep it up.

B - Watching you cherish your new little girl this past week has been such a blessing to me. You have gone above and beyond each day to make each of your children and me feel special.
J - I have been so impressed by your caring spirit. You watch carefully for the needs of others, especially your brother and sister, and do your best to help them. Your heart for others continually touches mine.
W - Transitioning from being the baby to a little brother and a big brother is a challenge, but you have responded with strength and maturity. I am so proud of you.
A - You have now been a part of our family for twelve days. Your sweet and calm spirit has added a richness to our family that was not present before. We could not be more elated that you are here.  

Friday, June 13, 2014

.baby girl.

We welcomed a sweet baby girl into our family this week...
She is just the sweetest thing.
And even though delivery is hard, and hospital stays aren't restful, I'm cherishing these memories in my heart, for it means one of the most precious gifts of my life.
We are so overjoyed you are in our family, baby girl.
 
Your mama loves you so much.

Friday, June 6, 2014

.d-day.

Have you ever heard a recording of, or read, a copy of President Franklin Roosevelt's prayer for D-Day?

I'd like to share it here to honor the seventieth anniversary of that day. It is long, but eloquent.


"My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home - fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas - whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them - help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too - strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen."

Source


We are still a nation at war, for that is the way of things in a fallen world. The Enemy is still strong, so we pray for strength and courage. As we honor the men who fought so valiantly to free the nations and peoples of Europe, I am struck by the relevance of this prayer today. May we not devote ourselves to a day of prayer, but rather a habit of prayer, a habit of rememberance, and a spirit of strength.