9 Months Already?

My little bug was 9 months old yesterday! Where did the time go??? It's so hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the one year mark. He's crawling all over the place, pulling himself up to stand, saying "mama" and "dada" occasionally (though not when we want him to), understanding and obeying "No" and he finally got some teeth! I'm really surprised it took so long but kinda cute that he got his two front teeth for Christmas. ;) 

I love you, Bug! And I thank you for the laughter that you have added to my life!

After-Christmas Glow

We had a WON-DER-FUL holiday. It could only have been better if my little mister had not been sick. I so enjoy the cold weather, the decorating and baking, and the warm cozy feeling of bundling up under a blanket and watching the Christmas lights twinkle and glow. It's almost magical. I have always been mindful however, that there is a reason behind all of this fuss and that reason is Jesus. Having just returned from Israel a few weeks ago, this feeling was magnified a hundred fold for me this year.

Now don't get me wrong, the Mister and I did put up twinkle lights outside and wrap our columns with red garland turning them into giant candy-canes. We also put up a tree with tons of ornaments that I've collected over the years, and we hung stockings on the mantle. We even bought a few presents... the difference this year was a matter of the heart. Having visited the land where Jesus was born, reared, where He walked, taught, performed miracles, and where He gave His life for me and for you... I'm not sure I can put into words what that does to a person.

For some reason it seems this trip helped me come to a deeper realization of Jesus the man. It has been somewhat difficult for me in the past to grasp the God and man thing. I took it at face value and didn't question it; I just couldn't quite get that picture in my head. I can now.   

I'm not sure if it was visiting The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where it's believed that Jesus was born, or standing next to 'The Gates of Hell' in Caesarea Philippi where Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-20), or visiting Skull Mountain and the Garden Tomb where it is believed Jesus was crucified, entombed, and where He rose again... but somewhere along the way Jesus the man was revealed to me in a much deeper sense. He isn't a character out of a novel or an exaggerated depiction of a good man. God and Man, Holy and Human; He is our connection and our hope. How else could we relate to a perfect God?  

I am still processing my trip and still discovering ways that I have grown or been changed by it. I'm sure I'll continue to do that for a long time. All I can say for sure right now is that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to visit the Holy Land and I continue to be amazed by God's goodness, by His faithfulness, by His unending love for us. I am so extremely blessed... so intensely happy... so completely soaked in love... so eternally grateful... that I honestly feel like I'm glowing.

Israel - Simply AMAZING!

What a wonderful trip! I can hardly stand myself!! I certainly missed my little man but I was changed by this experience. God told me he wanted to do something in my heart and He did. I saw so much, learned so much, felt soooo much... and the best part about it all is that I returned home with a new hunger for His Word.

I'm sure you're eager to hear all the details so keep reading. : )

Day 1
The day started with a great view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Camel rides were available but we passed on that. We stood and looked out at the beautiful city, the Temple Mount just before us, the hill below lined with grave stones. We learned that according to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will appear here through the golden gate and bring the dead to life. For this reason, this is one of the holiest cemeteries with thousands of graves (estimates exceed 100,000) with all the graves oriented toward the Temple Mount. The earliest tombs are located at the foot of the mountain in the Kidron Valley. One tomb is attributed to the rebellious Absalom and another to Zechariah, the first temple priest.

View of Jerusalem and Temple Mount from Mount of Olives.

Note that stones are placed on graves in Israel not flowers. And yes, that is a cat. 

We then walked down the steep and narrow Palm Sunday Road occasionally hugging the wall as cars tried to get by and came to a stop at the Garden of Gethsemane which is connected to The Church of All Nations or the Basilica of the Agony. The church enshrines a section of stone within the garden which is believed to be the spot where Jesus prayed on the night of His arrest. Unfortunately, the only pictures that really turned out were of the statue of Anna and Mary. I took a new camera and probably should have taken my old one too. The church has some really beautiful mosaics that I would have liked to share with you.

We ended the day at the Western Wall. Women went to the right, men to the left side to pray. Ladies, our side is considerably smaller. You can see the fence that separates the men from the women in the photo below. I managed to scribble a prayer on a piece of paper and weave my way through the crowd and around the women who were backing away from the wall until I was finally able to reach above someone's head to touch the wall myself (so glad I'm tall).

There were so many prayers in every crack and crevice. That alone was pretty overwhelming and it reminded me of a vision I had in church several years ago. I was flying over different landscapes, canyons, green fields, mountains, the ocean -- I could hear the roar of the waters below me -- then there was silence and I was in space looking at the earth from a distance. I began to hear one cry after another, people from all over the world crying out to God for help. Everything sped up and the cries were coming so fast and there were so many that you couldn't make them out; it was just noise, deafening noise. I saw their faces flash before me, elderly women, young girls, broken men, one after another after another... and then there was silence again and one face was before me, the face of a young African boy maybe two years old. I watched as a tear ran down cheek. I could actually hear the tear roll and drop from his face. It was like for just a moment I felt the weight of the world, the pain, the need... and then for just a moment I felt the Lord's response to that. I felt His pain for us and then His love for us. Oh how He loves us! I felt that the Lord was telling me that He not only hears EVERY prayer, but He hears EVERY tear that we shed. It was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced and I was unable to stand under its weight. This is what I thought of as I looked at all those prayers folded and tucked inside this wall. I tucked my prayer inside as well and slipped away.

Croatia??!!!

I just wanted to share that I recently had blog visitors from the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and CROATIA! Can you believe it??? I was so excited. Just in case they pop back in, let me say a big fat W-E-L-C-O-M-E!! I'm so glad you stopped by. Please come in, have a seat, and let's spend some time getting to know each other. 

To be honest, the only thing I knew about Croatia before today is that Goran Visjnjic is from there. Remember him from ER? He played Dr. Luka Kovac. Well I learned today that we can also thank Croatia for Dalmatians and the necktie.

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has visited My Little Lovely. And hey guys, NOT ONE PERSON has left a comment yet so you could be the very first!! I might even have to blog about it. :)
 
YAY!!! I'm just so excited that I'm still getting some traffic!

Happy Monday to you all!

Another Little Pretty

Here's another little pretty that I made with Polyvore for the Anthropologie contest. I'm telling you, it's really fun!

I couldn't edit the text so I added to it in the notes section:

... away from the city, away from the lights, just me and you, a fire and moonlight.

My Escape by Rhyea

Holiday Fashion Fun!

Here's a little something I put together with Polyvore for the Anthropologie contest. I had so much fun putting it together that I'm going to create some more holiday looks. I'm sure I'll get better with a little practice! ; )  Oh how I love Anthropologie!!

Friday Favorites!

I'm working on blogging about my recent trip but that might take a while. So in the meantime I thought I'd share one of my new favorite things with you.

Lalaloopsy Dolls
I saw these in a toy store in the Tel Aviv airport. I hadn't seen them yet although I now know that they are quite the hot item for Christmas this year. I think they are adorable and somewhat reminiscent of Coraline. Right now the only downfall I see is that they aren't true rag dolls. It would be great if they were cuddly soft but oh well... they sure are SuPeR CuTe! : )

I'm trying to decide between Bea Spells A Lot with her funky style and winking owl friend, Pillow Featherbed with her blankie-soft pjs and purple hair, or Peanut Big Top - she has striped tights, an orange tutu AND purple pigtails! : ) And no, I'm not kidding. I really do want one.

8 Days

So my husband and I are leaving the country tomorrow evening and my little bug will not be going with us. I have struggled with the decision to join my husband on this trip since I made it. For a moment yesterday, I sorta worked myself up into a mini panic attack. My mind wandered into a very scary place... what if something happens to him? ... what if he feels abandoned? ... what if something happens to us? ... what if ... what if ...  what if ...  As I'm sure you can imagine, I began to think about canceling. I wondered how upset my husband would be if I backed out and we lost all of our money. Thankfully, I began to pray and I felt like the Lord spoke to me: "Give me these eight days. I love you and delight in you. I want to show you my land and my people. Give me these eight days. I'll protect your son and his heart but I want to do something in yours. Give me these eight days." This of course calmed me for the moment but I know that this trip will be very difficult for me. Agree with me in prayer as I prepare to leave my little guy behind.

Father, thank you for loving me and for blessing me with a wonderful son. I pray that this separation will have NO negative effect on him. Father, I thank you for protecting him -- guarding him physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I pray Lord that he will not feel abandoned or confused but only loved, loved, loved. Thank you for my family who will certainly take great care of my little man in my absence. Bless them, Lord. Thank you for providing the opportunity for me to take this trip and spend time with You. Help me to set aside any worry, anxiety, fear or doubt; help me to put my complete trust in You and be open to what You want to do in me. Father, I give you these eight days because You've given me so much more! My cup runneth over. To You be honor, glory, and praise forevermore in Jesus' name. Amen!

 

Counting My Blessings

The love for a child is unlike any other love. It is instinctive, innate and self-sacrificing. It really is a love that can not be put into words... even though I'm trying to now. Those of you who have experienced parenthood, know exactly what I mean. Having a child is indeed life-changing but it is also heart-changing. It's hard to understand how something so small and so new can take up so much of your heart.

I grew up never wanting to have children. I always said that IF I ever had them, I would adopt, but that was a BIG IF. It wasn't that I didn't like children, I did. I just didn't have that maternal instinct. Honestly, I think I was a bit selfish too. The idea of giving up myself for someone else was a bit beyond my capability. I liked doing things my way on my schedule. Doesn't everyone?

It was really about control for me. I liked being in control of my life. But if you truly love the Lord, then you come to a place where you allow Him to have control. His desires become your desires. You begin to understand that not only does He know best but He wants the best for you. I reached that place, and I began to pray about children. I asked the Lord to give me the desire for children if it was indeed His will for me to have them. That prayer was answered almost immediately. My husband and I were pregnant before we could blink, and I never once questioned it or worried that I wouldn't be able to handle it.  ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13) So I have learned a lot in the past seven months not only about babies but about myself, about who I was, who I am, AND who I'm becoming because He isn't finished with me yet. In fact, I think He's only just begun.

Thank you, Father, for molding me, for molding my heart and preparing it for the incredible gift of motherhood. Thank you for a beautiful, healthy and happy baby boy! And thank you, Father, for allowing me to experience this unexplainable kind of love because it helps me better understand Your love for us - each and every one of us.

Your Vote Counts!

SHE voted.

Did YOU?

I 'heart' U

I AM NOT A QUITTER! I refuse to give up on this blog. There will always be a million other things that I need to do but this is a need too.

Ok, moving on. Here's a little project that I made for a friend's birthday. I thought you might like to see it. It's a needle-felted birthday birdie. I made the hat a tiny bit too small so I had to glue it on after this photo. But I think it's cute. I hope it made her smile!

For those of you who check in with me from time to time, you've provided some much needed motivation and encouragement. Thank you, and I 'heart' u too!

Days Like This

It is a BEAUTIFUL day! My goodness - it's simply gorgeous. The whole family went for a nice walk to start the day off right with a bit of sunshine, a dose of fresh air, and a slightly elevated heart rate. : ) Even Ruthie seemed eager to walk. Normally she zigzags from one side to the other and stops to smell EVERYTHING. Not this morning. She stuck close to Big Bug's side and trotted along with her head high and tongue flapping. It was a nice little romp.

When we got home we opened all the windows and invited the breeze to come in and stay a while. She politely accepted. It's days like today that make me happy to be alive. Growing up I remember my Mom saying that days like this make her want to be a part of the scenery. I know exactly what she means! But what part of the scenery would I be? A great oak with arms raised, a mocking bird singing His praise, or a sunflower blooming in the light of His face? Decisions. . . decisions. What part would you be?

Happy Accidents

As a crafter, I'm always looking for new project ideas or new artists with their own unique bend. Well, I had just a few minutes last night to roam around on Etsy, and I stumbled upon Gravel Alley Primitives: folk art & folly from the mind of pocomedio. Before I knew it my hubby popped his head in and asked "What are you grinning at?" I don't think he understood my excitement, so I thought I'd share this with you.

In case you don't already know, I have an affinity for the slightly off, somewhat rough, maybe even a little ugly, and positively unique! I always pull for the underdog and believe that there is no such thing as unlovable! So with that in mind, here are a few of Pocomedio's works:

Frankie

Cordelia

He Will Mess You Up.

Della. She's Mean and Menopausal.

Pocomedio is a self-described accidental artist. That only makes me love these guys more. You never know what you can do until you do it. Here's to Happy Accidents!

Coming Off A BIG Week

Last week was a BIG one! My husband and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary, our home appraised for $20K more than it did less than a year ago, our little bug got his first FULL haircut (I've trimmed areas several times), mastered the full roll-over and is now sleeping without a swaddle, I bought my first Blythe, and my dear, well-intentioned hubby outed my blog. Whew!

This week has been busy and I'm finding it hard to make time for blogging. But I'm committed to it. No matter how busy I get, it's important that I take just a few minutes to be me before I'm a wife, mother, employee, etc. We all need a few quiet minutes to think, reflect, remember, dream, wish, hope, you name it. So here's what I've been doing in my few quiet minutes this week:

I'm praying for:  Annie and Jade. If you read my post on 10.07.10 then I hope you have been praying too. This week should be Annie's 22nd week of pregnancy. If you read the full story at Annie's blog then you also read that viewing baby Ollie's heart by ultrasound would be best around this time. There is no update yet, but I'm believing for a good report.

I'm meditating on: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:3-4

I'm singing: This isn't a new song but for some reason the fact that He is jealous for me is really speaking to my heart. Oh how He loves us!






Thanks for checking in with me! Be sure to take a few quiet minutes for yourself.  : )

Emotional Snapshot

It has not been an easy day my friends. A low-grade temperature and swollen gums can leave a little man very unhappy. My plans for the day were quickly tossed out and all I've been able to do is try to make it better for him. I've played musical chairs and bounced all around the house in an effort to appease him but everything only seemed to set him off. He cried on the floor, cried in the swing, cried in the glider, cried in my lap. He just cried. He cried when I changed his diaper, he cried when he saw his spoon - I guess solids are out of the question today. When I tried to give him his bottle, guess what? He cried. . . but then he reached for it. He drank it all then cried as I tried to burp him. But I persisted. Holding his little face in my left hand, I patted and patted and patted until I felt him let go. His shoulders slumped and his head leaned into my chest. Sleep had come. I lifted his little body and rested his head on my shoulder. I sat very still not wanting to disturb him and watched the tiny cars on his onesie rise and fall with every breath. Sweet sleep. In an instant I was overwhelmed. All the frustration and helplessness I'd felt all morning vanished and I suddenly felt the need to capture the moment, to breath it in, to take an emotional snapshot so that I would always remember how it felt - his round bottom in my hand, his right foot planted just below my ribcage, his soft hairs tickling my cheek, the weight of his little boy body. I wanted to "be" in the moment as long as I could, to hold him as long as I could knowing that he will not always be comforted by the arms of his mother.

To Blythe or Not To Blythe? That is the Question.

Ok, so I've been eyeing these wide eyed dolls ever since I saw an article in Haute Doll Magazine back in 2007. I was taken with them immediately and began scouring the internet for more information. Over the years I have looked through thousands of images on Flickr and watched hundreds of Ebay auctions, but I STILL have not purchased one of these lovelies. Maybe it's the money (they aren't cheap) or the fear that I'll have a bad overseas purchasing experience. Maybe I feel a little silly about buying a doll at my age, or I worry that buying one doll might lead to a very expensive doll habit. Or maybe it's because I've had difficulty determining which Blythe to buy. Black hair, red hair, side-part or bangs? Do I buy the one that's easy on the wallet or the one that completely melts my heart?

I could go into all the many ways I've over-thought this purchasing or NOT purchasing decision but it might scare you to see the way my brain works. I'll just say that once again I'm very close to sealing the deal. She's there; I can "Buy It Now" and she should arrive in time for my trip next month. So if anyone is out there, if any Blythe owners are reading, tell me: Do I Blythe or Not?

The Wizard of Oz

One of my favorite childhood memories is watching The Wizard of Oz each year at my Grandmother's house. My Aunt Jan made it special. I'll never forget running around with wild anticipation, fussing over pallets of blankets and pillows until they were just right, the smell of buttered pop-corn wafting through the air and snuggling up in front of the large cabinet TV and trying my best to stay awake for the whole show.

I believe my all-time favorite movie moment is when the black and white tornado stops, the house lands, Dorothy rises to make her way to the front door and then . . . she opens it! Do you remember that moment? The bright colors, the wonder, the munchkins and their wonderful flower hats. I loved it! I sang along to every song, repeated every line, snarled and kicked with the Lollipop Guild and danced with the Lullaby League. It was all like magic to me. Oh, to be a kid again! I would of course fall asleep usually around the time Dorothy falls asleep in the poppies, and I would normally wake to the "Oh, We, Oh, OHHH" chant outside the castle a little disappointed in myself. Then I would have to wait a whole year to see if I could do it the next time.

Well two years ago today, I lived out my movie moment. I left a black and white, dusty landscape and entered the most brilliantly colorful life when I walked down the aisle to take my husband's hand. Life has never been the same . . . and I have no doubts about staying awake for the whole show!

To top it off, this year we get to celebrate our anniversary with our very own little munckhin. : )

A Time To Love!

I'm new to blogging but not new to prayer! I saw this story on another blog (Little Chief Honeybee) and I wanted to post it in case anyone happens upon my little space. Annie and Jade need our prayers for the new life they've yet to meet. Tests show a high risk for Downs Syndrome and further testing has revealed a hole in the heart between the two ventricles. Please pray with your whole hearts that this tiny heart is perfected!

To get the full story and to share some much appreciated love and encouragement, go here.

Felted Friday

I saw this little lovely by PhillipaEngland today while searching for inspiration on Etsy. I think she's Bea-U-ti-Ful! Her name is Alice, and she wears a vintage velvet skirt, a lambswool pullover and handmade brown leather mary-janes. Isn't she super sweet?

Thoughts for Thursday!

Little bug got his 6 month shots today. . . poor fella! He's resting now and before I get back to my felting project I thought I'd share a few thoughts for the day: 

1. Fall is taking her time getting here. 
2. Pizza is great even when cold.
3. There's never enough time in the day.
4. My poor little Ruth needs to visit the groomer.
5. New Project Runway Tonight! :-)

A Milestone : )

My little man is 6 months old today! I can't believe it, and I can't believe that he is mine. It is true what they say about having children. It is extremely tough, entirely exhausting, thoroughly terrifying, but amazingly wonderful. God bless you my sweet, sweet boy!