To Germany We Go...

This summer, the kiddos and I have decided to travel Germany and Europe alongside Uncle Michael. Over the next 11 weeks, as Uncle Michael visits a new country in the EU, so will we. We will read books and try their food. We will listen to videos of how they speak and see how they dress. We will learn about the landscape and agriculture. We will read about their history. Every Monday, we will enter a new country and on Friday, we will depart after a family dinner eating native foods and sharing our favorite facts. Uncle Michael will also be helping us out by sending pictures and passing on neat information that he finds...

This week, we are beginning with Germany. We have borrowed books galore from the library and have already read through most of them. Last night, we read about their food and learned that hot dogs (frankfurters) originated in Frankfurt, Germany. We also learned that with every meal, there is a bread and potato dish. They also eat a lot of raw cabbage!

On the menu this week is Hot Dogs on Buns, mashed potatoes, and a raw cabbage salad. We are not really stepping out of our comfort zone this week, but it is also our off week for grocery shopping, so we must use what we have!

I look forward to learning more this week and finding out where next week's adventure will be!

Home...



At 0445 Eastern Time Tuesday morning, we backed out of our driveway and began the 600 mile journey to Mississippi. We woke the kiddos moments before leaving, had them potty, and brought them to the van with the high hope that they would fall back into a restful slumber until the sun made an appearance - how wrong we were! They never closed their eyes again until they laid their heads down in the camper that night, a mere 19hours after they woke! This set the tone for the remainder of the trip - late nights and early mornings! Suffice it to say that Mommy and Daddy are still playing catch up!

The reason for our pre-dawn departure was because Daddy was taking the kiddos to see the Mississippi Braves play the Jacksonville Suns at Trustmark Stadium while I attended the Baccalaureate Mass with my parents and siblings. While at the stadium waiting for the game to begin, Robert and Hannah were asked to be the Honorary Bat Boy and the Play Ball Girl! This meant that they were able to go on the field and do 'special things' prior to the games beginning! However, shortly after it began, Wesley decided to get sick, throwing up everywhere resulting in a rapid departure from the game - luckily he was fine!



Wednesday came and was a HUGE day. That morning, we took family pictures (not an easy feat when you are organizing the different schedules of 20 people - great job, Aunt LaLa!), followed by a celebratory lunch/dinner, a short rest period , and finally Mollie's Graduation - even Aunt Maura's pig and Aunt MooMoo's Maura bear attended! It was a crazy day, yet one full of SO many memories and good times!


Thursday came and we just had family time scheduled. We started out by visiting the cemetery and then heading over to get Mississippi Brave's hats for the kiddos. Once we were done with that, we headed to Grammie/Grampy's house to get some lunch and get ready to go swimming at Uncle Will's Daddy's house. We spent almost 4 hours swimming and having a great time! Grammie helped Hannah build her swimming confidence. Lil' Robert learned how to dive to the bottom - 9 feet deep! Wesley learned that when he jumps into the deep end without floaties, that he WILL sink to the bottom, and Mommy will jump in fully clothed - shoes, glasses, everything - to save him... and then we will both be inconsolable for the remainder of the pool time! Once we arrived back to the house, we learned that Grampy was in an accident on his way home from work - he was doing 77 on the interstate when a deer ran in front of him. He had no option but to hit it, which resulted in a good bit of damage to his car, but he was fine - All Praise Be to God! Once he arrived home and we saw that he was safe, Mommy and Daddy went on a date to Keifer's and Target while Grammie and Grampy watched our kiddos! It was another incredible, exhausting, memory filled day!

Friday, I woke up and took Grampy to the body shop so that he could begin the process of getting his car repaired. Once I returned to the house, we all got ready and went to the MS Children's Museum where we met with Mommy's good friend Mrs. Hailey and her kiddos, Hank and Gus. We had a great time spending the late morning/early afternoon with them! Once we went back to Grammie/Grampy's house, my other good friend, Ms. Jordan came by where I learned that she was engaged! We had a great talk and loved catching up on life. Once she left, Aunt RaRa and Uncle Bret came by and we enjoyed drinks and a fabulous dinner! Once dinner was done, Grammie took Hannah and Grampy took the boys out on an ice cream date while daddy and I worked on packing the van...

Robert's Farm just outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Saturday morning, Grampy made us a big breakfast and we enjoyed spending our last bit of time together before leaving. Around 10am central time, we loaded into the van and began the 598mile, 12 hour drive home with a little something extra in the van with us...

This trip was hard. It was very emotionally draining - I did good keeping my brave smiley face on while around others, but in the privacy of the shower, I would lose it. Coming home is hard. Coming home is very hard. But, coming home is full of memories. It helps to strengthen relationships that have struggled. It helps me emotionally. Although hard, it is good to go home ....

The Riker's Have A...

DOG!

Uncle Michael... and Wesley!

Now let me back up a bit... My little brother, Michael, has a 5year old Australian Shepard/Black Lab Mix, Jazzy Belle. Michael is heading over to Germany to work for the Army Corp of Engineers for 10 weeks and upon hearing this, we offered to 'try it before you buy it.' Daddy and I were quite surprised when Michael agreed to let her travel the 598miles from his house to ours....

 

Daddy and I chose to not tell the kiddos that she was going to come home with us and instead just have her jump in the car and drive! Well, on our way out there, they all had the idea to steal Jazz, so we went along with it! At points, they even told Uncle Michael their plans! Hannah did become suspicious when she saw the bag of dog food in the vans trunk while we were packing, but Uncle Michael quickly covered!

 

Finally, Saturday came and it was time for us to leave with Jazz. Uncle Michael and Aunt LeLe had gone out of town, so we decided to write a ransom note and have some fun! The kiddos were so excited, yet VERY confused!

"We have Jazz - If you want her come to Florida and find her - Bring small/unmarked bills - The Riker 5" (Yes, we signed out note!)

After snapping a picture, the 5 humans and 1 wannabe human jumped into the van and began the journey home! The kiddos were so excited and have been having a great time with her. They are frequently fighting over who can walk her or throw the ball. Or seeing who she will listen to when they are all talking at the same time - we definitely have some work to do on our end and how better to learn than a very well trained, obedient, easy going dog!

We are so very grateful that Uncle Michael trusts us enough to care for his baby!

Thoughts on Ceserean Deliveries

Lil' Robert, Hannah, and Wesley were all born too early. They were all born in a cold, sterile, very rushed, invasive manor. Not at all how I ever thought it would be...

When Daddy and I married, we spoke at length about family. Being one of 9, I wanted to have that big family, full of love and blessed chaos, and he was all for it. Together we decided, that we would have baby #1 in the hospital and the remainder that God blessed us with would be born in the comfort of our home...

On April 8, 2005, when I was 36wks along, part of that dream forever changed. When the doctor told us that we would require an emergency cesarean section NOW or risk losing our baby, I knew that having home births would be difficult to come by, especially since VBAC's were quite taboo at the time...

When we became pregnant with Hannah, all of our doctors agreed that a VBAC was okay to try and we were so excited! However on March 2, 2007, at just 35wks, that dream was crushed. While at work, I began having very strong, very painful contractions - not just the uncomfortable early ones, but doubled over, cannot walk, one does not end before the next begins kind of contractions. On the way to the hospital, things changed for the worse and 15 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Hannah was on her way to the NICU for a few hours of intense observation...

After this, I knew 2 things: 1.) A home birth would never happen and 2.) An eventual VBAC was unlikely. It took a lot of self affirmation to know that this would be okay. That never having the natural, family centered, non medically invasive birth was not the focus, rather having children that survived. I will not say that I was ever okay with having c-sections, but I did eventually accept it...

Until March 2, 2009 when Wesley made his hasty entrance into the world at just 32 weeks with my 3rd emergency C-section. I was mentally prepared for a planned, calm, following my birth plan type of C-section. I was not at all prepared for what happened and all that followed...

Months after his birth, when he was healthy and growing and I was recovered from all of the complications/surgeries following his C-section, all of the guilt and emotions that I had overcome had returned in full force. Part of this was due to the fact that a full term pregnancy would never happen, if we were even able to have another, which never would happen due to the hysterectomy on March 3, 2011...

I am writing this because I don't understand this huge rise in C-sections. I do not understand why anyone would choose to have one for convenience. Emergencies, true life or death emergencies are one thing, but to choose major surgery just because is something I will never understand...

C-sections carry the same risks as any other major surgery - infection, blood clots, blood loss, anesthesia complications, damage to bowel and bladder, and of course death. There are also risks to the baby - they can be cut by the scalpel, lose oxygen, etc. I know many families of full term newborns who have suffered collapsed lungs requiring NICU stays, chest tubes, ventilators, etc solely because of the C-section. These babies would have been healthy and would have gone home with their parents instead of fighting for life had it not been for the C-section...

I know that they save lifes, my 3 children are perfect examples. I know that there is good behind them, but this huge rise in C-sections for convenience or because of a failed, non medically necessary induction, is saddening. I hope and pray that one day they will not be as common...

Here are just a few of the research articles/news links of what I have seen lately:

• http://news.msn.com/videos?videoid=acd9ef4c-b4c8-be25-e887-73624b8a1b0d (the link between obesity and C-sections 15 years later)
• http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-01-20-c-sections_N.htm?csp=34 (statistics on the risks to mom)
• http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/512946_4 (long term/short term risks to mom and baby)
• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130211134842.htm (info on the gut bacteria that is influenced by type of delivery)
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2277046/Babies-delivered-Caesarean-section-higher-risk-asthma-allergies.html (link between asthma/allergies and C-section)
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110651/ (National Institute of Health article)

Home Sweet Home

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Typically, many days before we are to leave for vacation, I have the kiddos packed and ready to go. However, this time, as I prepare for our trip home in a few days, I have not even started. In fact, I have piles of laundry that need to be folded, ironed, and put away. I have chores and preparations galore and not a single 'free' day (No Mass, birthday parties, nursery, etc) in which to get everything done...

Yes, I could get things done right now instead of writing (and being distracted by the kiddos on the slip and slide!), but honestly, the desire is not there. I want to go home. I want to see my family. I want to have the reassurance that just because our trip home 4 months ago was hard, that the others will not be. I want the reassurance that my parents and siblings are happy and healthy. I need this trip, but like I have mentioned before, I am terrified...

In a few short days, I will drive through small town in Mississippi. The same small town that we would stop in on our way to/from Jackson to see Maura Anne. This was Maura's home for almost a decade. She loved it, we loved it. She was so happy here. As we drive through the town there will be a McDonalds on the right hand side. This McDonalds has a playground. On this playground, I said farewell to Maura as we moved away from Mississippi. On this playground, Maura held her nephew, Lil' Robert so tenderly and lovingly; showering him with kisses and too tight squeezes. It was here that she met her niece, Hannah, for the first time. Sadly, when Wesley made his entrance, our trips home lessened and they were short and busy. We traveled at night and did not stop. I carry great guilt for this...

Later on in our stay, we will take a trip to the cemetery to visit and place flowers at both Maura and John David's gravesites. We will say our prayers and shed our tears. The reality that this is where now not only one, but two of my siblings reside (I know their soul is in Heaven....) is scary. Last time I was there, I was on autopilot. I was making the motions and doing what I was told. This time, it will be by choice. There will be no autopilot. I will be me, Mary Pauline, making the decision to go...

I know there will be great joy and celebration on this trip - Mollie is graduating High School, Clare is graduating Nursing School, Will is entering his 3rd year of med school, JoJo is graduating 8th grade, Michael's upcoming Germany trip, Rachael/Bret's 3rd anniversary, professional family pictures,  etc etc. However, I cannot move beyond my selfish fears. They keep me up at night and fill my little sleep with nightmares. They have me on edge and procrastinating during the day...

Even with all of my fears, I am confident of 2 things - 1.) That this trip will be a huge success, even if nobody has matching clothes or must wear the same outfit the entire time because I did not pack appropriately! and 2.) Once I am surrounded by my brothers and sisters and Mama and Papa, that all of my fears will be forgotten...

It will be a good, reassuring, trip home...

PS, When we return from MS, the kiddos will be in for quite a surprise! I will not open my mouth here, but very soon you will find out - stay tuned!** Click here to see what we brought home!**

Wesley Can...

...ride a bike WITHOUT training wheels!

For the past year, Wesley has been riding a balance bike that we borrowed from a friend. He adored this thing and was just incredible on it - doing all sorts of tricks and stunts. Giving mommy a heart attack nearly every single time he was on it!

Daddy and I have been using this bike as an experiment of sorts. We were wanting to see if it would make a difference when it came to transition to a 'Big Boy Bike.' Given the fact that he was quickly outgrowing the Strider, we decided that the time was now. However, there was one big problem - Wesley had no idea how to pedal! Because of this, we decided to leave the training wheels on until he knew how to pedal...

This afternoon, I decided to give it a go and let him truly ride for more than the mere 2 minutes he had done prior. Within a few minutes, I realized that Wesley pedaling was not happening as the training wheels were to high, preventing the rear wheel from touching the ground - making it near impossible for him to move. Therefor, the decision was made to remove the training wheels and hope for the best...

Once the training wheels were removed, we made sure that Wesley was fully padded - knees and elbows - and then onto the bike he went. I was fully expecting to hold onto him as he balanced and tried to pedal, but Wesley had other plans...

He literally climbed onto the bike, asked for a push, and took off down the street before I could process that my 4 year old was riding a 2 wheel pedal bike for the very first time with absolutely no help! Within 20 minutes, we had made our way around the block 2 times, as well as showed off for every single neighbor that was willing to watch!

All of us, Daddy, Lil' Robert, Hannah, and I, are SO very proud of him. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to just take off like he did! I am still quite shocked with just how simple the transition was from the 2 wheel balance bike to the 2 wheel pedal bike!

I would say that our experiment was a success!

Maura's Memory Bear

 

11 years ago, after the death of our brand new baby brother John David, we were introduced to DD's Memory Bears. She used her incredible talents to create not 1, but 2 bears using the hospital gown that Mama wore... {I am not able to upload a picture to this post, but if you click on 'bears' and 'hospital gown', you will see the gown and then one of the two bears...}

 With Maura's death, we all knew that Maura Memory Bear's were a must. After Rachael, Clare, Aunt Mary, and I cleared our her room and brought home all of her clothes, the search began for memory bear materials. After they were chosen, we placed our items in a ziploc bag with our name so that they could all be shipped together. Honestly, that time was such an incredible blur, that I had forgotten what I had chosen!

Finally, 10weeks, 8 bears, and 1 pillow later we have our Maura Anne Memory Bears! They were all shipped to Mama and Papa's house, which as much as I want mine N.O.W., I think it will be more beneficial to get her surrounded by my parents and siblings...

Without further ado, here is my memory bear...

The main fabric was a long sleeve cotton shirt and the colorful fabric was a zippered jacket that she picked out all on her own! Maura Anne had a love for color and patterns that was all her own! I ADORE the hood/bonnet that was created!

Mother's Day 2013

Today was incredible! Today was exhausting. Today was a Mother's Day that I will forever remember...

Around 11:45 last night, my head finally hit the pillow. Prior to that a certain 8 year old could not fall asleep.  During his in and out of his bed, he woke a certain 6 year old who became too scared to lay down by herself. {Now, let me back up a bit and say that all 3 kiddos, for the past 3 months, have been sleeping in the same room. The boys in their beds with Hannah on a crib mattress under Robert's loft bed.} This resulted in Robert making his home in Hannah's horse bed while Hannah made a pallet on the floor...

After almost 30minutes of snuggling with Lil' Robert, he was finally asleep. As I tried to sneak out of the room, Hannah woke. I laid with her on the floor for nearly an hour and, of course, every. single. time. that I tried to leave, she would wake up, cry, and beg to snuggle longer. I would lay back down, only to repeat the scenario a few minutes later! OYE! Eventually, I gave her my Kindle and told her to read the horse books and I would return to snuggle in a bit...

This worked until 1:15 am when I was awoken by a finger poking me in the forehead! Once again, she woke and was scared. In came her blanket and pillow so that she could make a pallet next to me bed. Back to slumber land she went until 6am...

At some point after 3, Wesley came running and screaming into my room. He needed his mommy 'nuggles'! I pulled him in bed between daddy and I and we all fell back asleep!

As soon as the clock strikes 6am, Miss Hannah woke and needed food! I tried to convince her to lay down that it was not wake up time, but this did not go over well. Tears quickly followed and before I knew it, Lil' Robert, Hannah, Wesley, and I were wide awake and starting the day. Breakfast was served to the 3 kiddos and they were told to sit quietly and eat - Mommy wanted to lay down again!

This worked for a very little bit - maybe 5 minutes - until I was back out here breaking up another fight! So our day started out early and abruptly - but with PLENTY of Happy Mother Day's thrown between the arguments!

Just before 8, we woke daddy so that we could get ready for the nursery. As I was in the bathroom getting ready, daddy, Lil' Robert, Hannah, and Wesley presented me with a beautiful picture. (see top of post)

The rest of the day was spent at the nursery, watching as the police pulled over speeders in San Marco, taking (or attempting to take) naps, Mass (where daddy and I both received Holy Communion with Lil' Robert AND he received the Precious Blood for the first time ever!), and dinner with Grandma...

It was an absolutely fabulous day full of little things from my children at every turn. I truly think this might be the first year that they understood the value of today!

Gratitude...

Today was an incredible day. Every Mother's Day since 2005, I have been in complete awe at just how miraculous life really and truly is. Today, that hit home in a big way - a friend on Facebook asked for urgent prayers for a little 9 month old boy who, after waiting his entire life, would finally receive a double lung and heart transplant. While I rejoice for this family, my heart breaks for the other family who lost their little one today - A pain I pray that I never have to experience...

As I read, I shed many tears for this family. I then dropped to my knees praising God for my children, my alive and very healthy children. A reality that I so very often take for granted...

Today, my eyes were opened to just how incredibly blessed I am. God has given us Robert, Hannah, and Wesley to love and raise. To cherish and guide. To be there for with open arms, always and forever...

 

Love

I took this from Daddy's FaceBook page...

"LOVE that when I told Robert and Hannah to stand next to each other so I can take a picture of the rapidly reducing height difference, they instantly stand next to each other, and take the others hand...."

HomeSchooling Success

For the 2013-2014 School Year, I am hoping to do something a little different...

I am wanting to create my own curriculum this year! It only took me 3 years to gain the confidence to do this, but I am ready and so very excited!

I am also going to do some tweaking with Robert and Hannah's 'grade' level. Right now, we have them 1 year apart in school - for 2012-2013, Lil' Robert is in 2nd and Hannah is in 1st. Math is about the only subject that they will stay separated by grades. All of the others, we will combine which, I believe will help them greatly since they love to help each other and work together!

Here is how our curriculum will look:

• Our outline will come from Easy Peasy. She has created an incredible curriculum that is available to all. She even has a pre-school outline that I am using, with great success, with Wesley right now!
• To supplement reading comprehension and spelling, we will use K12 Reader.
• For extra practice with reading/phonics, we will use Progressive Phonics. They also have a handwriting section that I am sure we will use.
• Time4Learning will be used to help fine tune math skills and help with English. There is a science and social studies section on their site, but I am not convinced we will use it yet. 
• I will use WorksheetWorks to create worksheets.
• For Religion, we will use their CCD Books.

I am so very excited about the 2013-2014 School Year - good or bad, it will be one to remember!

Fears

 In the very near future, we will be heading to Mississippi and I am terrified...

You see, Maura never traveled to Florida. It was never expected or anticipated for her to come. Therefor, not having her here or expecting to see her on a certain day kind of makes her death something I do not have to face. In a way, I can push it to the outer recesses of my mind and pretend that it did not happen...

However, traveling to MS, I WILL have to face this reality. I cannot pretend any longer. I must deal the emotions and feelings that I have suppressed for the past 3+ months. There will be no stopping at her residence to pick her up/visit her. There will be no watching my children interact with their aunt that is as childlike as they are. There will simply be no Maura...

There will be a visit to Lakewood Memorial Park to view her headstone and visit both Maura and John David's graves. There will be receiving my Maura Anne memory bear that has been created using some of her clothing and a Rosary made by an elderly Nun using the roses from her funeral.  There will be memories made and memories shared. At most, there will only be 7 of the 9 Gray-Lewis physically there at any given time...

Today, I was sharing these fears with my father. Speaking them out loud and not feeling (or being made to feel) crazy was so very nice. In fact, Papa told me that he had a hard time with the drive out here on Friday. But it is a fear that I cannot allow to control me...

Unfortunately, I feel like that is exactly what is happening - my fear of going home is consuming. I am able to push it aside during the day, but in those quiet moments, it takes over. At night, the fears associated with facing reality are horrifying. These fears are what make up my nightly nightmares...

Over the past few months, I knew at some point reality would slap me in the face. I knew that although my head knows that Maura is in Heaven, my heart still holds out hope that this is some bad joke. Even when I relive those 6 days we were in MS after her death - going to the funeral home, putting on her make-up, painting her nails, brushing her hair, her wake and funeral, her burial, etc - I still wonder...

This trip will be a maiden voyage. It will help my heart heal and understand the truth that she is indeed with John David in Heaven. It will let me know that I am stronger than I think and can make it home and deal with the multitude of emotions that will come with it. It will allow me some much needed time with my brothers and sisters and parents - and not because we are gathering for a funeral, but rather a joyous occasion - my sisters (Mollie and Clare) graduation from High School and Nursing School!

My prayer is that my fears are for nod and that the result will be healing...

"Have no fear of moving into the unknown Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence."

~Blessed Pope John Paul II

First Holy Communion Pictures

 

My heart is bursting with pride as I sit here. My oldest son has just received Holy Communion for the very first time! He has experienced the joy of receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ! He has officially received his 3rd Sacrament!

When it was time for communion, Lil' Robert approached the altar and bowed before the consecrated host. He told Father Thanh 'Amen' - I Believe - as Jesus was presented to him. Then, Jesus was placed in  Lil' Robert hands and he stepped to the side, made the sign of the cross and returned to his seat - 4 seemingly simple steps that have so much meaning...

 Daddy and I had tears in our eyes as we watched. However, Lil' Robert had a grin that I rarely see spread across his face. He knew just how special today is. He understood the importance of receiving Jesus. He showed Daddy and I that he was truly ready for today. That he understood its importance...

Reflecting on this morning, we are so proud. We are joyous. We are grateful.



Lil Robert's First Holy Communion

Tomorrow morning, Lil' Robert will receive his First Holy Communion. From now on, at Sunday (and any other day) Mass, we will no longer have 3 children receiving their special blessing. Instead, we will have a child receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord, along with us. Instead of allowing our oldest to be the Communion line leader, he will stand in front of Daddy and I as we receive the Body and Blood...

My heart is so full of emotion tonight. Tomorrow, my oldest will make, in my opinion, one of his most important of the seven sacraments. Tomorrow will be a day of rejoicing. A day of memories. A day of watching our oldest grow up...

Robert Edwin, III, Mommy and Daddy are so very, very proud of you. We love you and cannot wait to watch you receive Jesus! I am so grateful that your GodParents are here to watch you as well. You know, your Grampy drove over 600 miles be here? Your Grammie wishes she could be here, but will be praying for you. In fact, she called tonight to talk to you, but we had to put you to bed early because you have such a busy weekend! Your Grandma, Aunt Jeanine, and Aunt Sandra, along with your many cousins will also be there to celebrate with you. We are all so very excited!

Robert, we love you so much! Congratulations on receiving your 3rd sacrament!

XOXOXO

 **To prepare for tomorrow, he has gone through 2years of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Classes, including a First Holy Communion Retreat. He has also had 8 years of Catholic upbringing and 3 years of Catholic Home Education. **

Wesley's Wisdom

Tonight, Wesley and I were planning on snuggling in my bed. As such, I asked him to crawl into bed and lay down so that I could get a glass of water. When I return, he is standing next to bed, looking quite perplexed. I ask him why he was not in bed and he informs me that there is someone under the covers and he is scared. I ask him who could possibly be under the covers and his response completely surprised me...

"Mommy, I think Aunt Maura is hiding in there!"

At this, I reminded him that Aunt Maura was in Heaven. With that, he looks at me, hands on hips, and announces:

"Mommy, I know she in Heaven. I think she come to 'nuggle' with us"

We decided to pretend that Nicky Bear was Aunt Maura and snuggled with him...

God's {Ever So Mysterious} Timing

God's timing is incredible and always works in mysterious ways!

Daddy is the president of our HomeOwners Association. Because of this, he has different signs made and keeps them here at the house. The majority of these signs are delivered by the wife of the owner of our management company (did you follow that?!)...

Friday, she dropped off a new 'Yard Of The Month' sign. Since she had no kiddos and mine were playing quietly (!)we took the opportunity to catch up and chat. At one point, she mentioned her sewing room and bells went off in my head and I ran to m room to gather my supplies....

Aunt Maura's Nightgown created be her niece and nephews

As some of you may know, I have been searching for nearly 2 months for someone to help me create a blanket of sorts using some of my Maura Annie and John David's materials - most importantly the nightgown my kiddos made and the blanket John David used. Everybody that I have asked, does not feel comfortable with such memorable items. There was one lady I called that wanted over $150 for a simple small blanket. Because of these constant road blocks, I pushed it back to the dark recesses of my mind thinking that if it were God's will, the perfect opportunity would arise...

I returned and laid all of my goodies out for her to seep. She looked at the stuff and immediately had the idea of a memory quilt - something I had never thought of! We chatted a bit more and she asked me to gather a few more things and then we are a go!

When she left, I sat in my closet and sobbed. What she is envisioning is far better than anything I could have ever thought of! It was the glimmer of light that I needed after a very difficult week! God is SO good and His timing is so perfect - always!

Memory Quilt Exmple

Later that evening, I emailed my parents about this. I wanted to let them know about the incredible kindness that is still being shown. Well, my mom wrote back that she also looked into one, but the lady in MS wanted to charge well over $1000! Because of that, mama pushed it out of her mind. But, when I saw this, my wheels got to turning!

Since I live so very far away, there is not much I can physically do to help my family, but THIS was something I COULD at least try to help with. I thought about asking mama's approval first, but then decided not to in case it was not able to happen...

So, I thought of different ways to get the word out as to what I was looking for and decided upon social media - a.k.a. FaceBook!

This is what I posted at 5:09pm...
My Dear MS Friends: my mama is wanting a memory quilt with some of Maura Annie's special things. Do any of you sew or know someone that would be willing to help her out in this endeavor? She found someone who could, but wanted over $1000 - no bueno! This gift would mean the absolute world to her, and the entire Gray-Lewis family as well...
By 5:14pm, I had my first offer. Then, at 5:16 came the second!

Papa and Miss Hudspeth 2012

I called mama and informed her that I had 2 people willing to make a quilt! She was speechless - which NEVER happens! It meant the world for me to be able to help with this, however little my part may be! Hearing my mother full of joy is so incredible and after all that she does for us, being able to help in some way with this special project makes me SO very happy!

Mama and Maura Annie loved to snuggle...

During this call though, she informed me that had I called just 30 minutes later, she would have nothing left of Maura Annie. She had all of her clothes packed and waiting by the door and she was going to drop them at GoodWill when she out later!

God's timing is always perfect!