what I've been doing in my "spare" time

I am working on a post to update all that has been going on with Mama the last month, but for right now I'll just say that she is doing great and I am thankful for all the prayers lifted up for her and the rest of our family. 

I don't have a lot of time to post today, but I've been inspired by my friend Donna to share some of the crochet projects I have been working on lately.  I hadn't crocheted in a while until Mama was in the hospital and I was spending lots of time just hanging around waiting and I needed something to do with my hands.  The result was actually only a couple of dish rags done in the hospital, but it re-ignited my desire to do something new.  So, with that said I have tried a couple of new dish rag patterns and yesterday I tried my hand at using thread for the first time and made a small doily.  Let me just say that I really liked the thread and how quickly this pattern came together ... lots of fun!  Now I am going to try to make a bun cover for LB's dance recital coming up in a few weeks.  I have found a pattern that I like the looks of, and I am going to try and get the materials this afternoon.

Before I head out to a birthday party and to take JW to pharisee practice (for a musical with our homeschool group), both of which begin at the same time in different cities (oh joy!), followed by a flying trip back home to get D dressed for his t-ball game, I am going to post a few pictures of my projects ...

the doily



dish rags ... these I am sending to Mama's best friend



this is a dish rag as well ... it doesn't look like the pattern exactly,
but I couldn't figure out the last part of the pattern.  I am going to have to
consult a more experienced pattern reader to help me.

this is a small heart pillow ... the picture didn't turn out too well, but you get the idea.
it is supposed to be a sachet, but I didn't have any thing scented to add.  I still think it is cute.

blessings amid chaos

Everything is up in the air right now.  I have spent the last week at the hospital with Mama waiting for test results and for doctors to remember that patients are actual people and just in general trying to keep it all together.  I have been working on (in my head) a blog post about this time, but I just don't have time to type it right now.  Some day soon, I hope.  For now, everything hinges on the scans done this morning ... if they are clear, she has surgery to remove a brain tumor tomorrow.  If the scans aren't clear, well, then we don't know exactly what will be happening, but then again, I am trying not to think about that right now.


Even though this has been one of the hardest weeks I can remember, I can't deny the blessings we have seen this past week and so I will share some of those here.


The knowledge that no matter what happens over the next days/weeks, my mother is in the hands of her loving Father and that He alone is providing the grace and strength we all need to get through whatever lies ahead.


relief from pain


compassionate nurses


nurses who are willing to keep trying until they get answers from the doctors


sweet friends offering to help in any way they can


my mother-in-law just happening to be in town last week and able to keep the kids


an understanding husband who does all he can to make things easier for me to do what I need to do with Mama


working together with my brothers to help our Mama and Daddy


a new doctor who isn't ashamed to say that he is a Christian


doctors who stay in the room long enough for you to ask questions


Mama's good attitude


Mama's sisters and their availability

Mama's friends visiting and getting to see her interact with her friends who are almost as close as family

the peace that passes all human understanding

knowing that so many people are praying for us