To NOT Social Network

Admittedly, Facebook and I have a love-hate relationship.  Many times over the past few months, I've nearly deleted my account.  However, I stopped myself because:  1.)  Ethan's Memorial page is on there and I have to keep my account active to keep his page active.  2.)  Being military, my friends are scattered everyone, and FB makes it easy to stay in touch (though it's my least preferred method of doing so).

Today I decided to take a break from it.  My brain is overloaded and I cannot take being over-stimulated by all of the postings from complaining to prayer requests (which I genuinely don't mind) to this giveaway on this blog, to this and that....BLAH!!!

It's no wonder people are having issues with anxiety, depression, sleeping issues, etc.  We are over-stimulated, and take not nearly enough time to rest and listen to His voice calling us back on to the path He has set for us.  I cannot follow Him and follow 300 plus people on Facebook.  It's simply not possible.  Will I delete my account?  Probably not.  But  will have to be intentional and self-controlled if I'm going to make my goal of being NOT depending on Facebook so much.

Will you pray for me?  Ashamedly, this is a hard habit to break.  I want to hear from my Father.  I need peace and quiet.

On a much happier note, I'm trying to get back into sewing things.  My latest completion was a birthday gift of pot holders.  I used beautiful Texas Bluebonnet fabric by Sentimental Studios, manufactured by Moda which is my favorite manufacturer of fabric!  Don't you LOVE the back side fabric?  I love Bluebonnets!!!

If you really like what I've done with these, please let me know.  I want honest feedback, please! And with Christmas around the corner, these could make great gifts.

Other projects I have lined up are about 101 baby gifts (I am so dragging my feet on this one), a quilt for my nephew's birthday, something for my mom and sister's birthday, and a quilt for Evan's birthday.  Plus, I want to make myself some Fall placemats and fun stuff.  Oh!!!  And I have one birthday gift to sew for a special friend who has a birthday at the end of this month.  Well, I think I'd better run and get something done.

His Adopted Family

Evan truly loves anything nature!  Often, he refers to it as God's Creation, and he is right...God created all of the wonderful things outside for us to enjoy.

We had a delightful pet turtle that Josh found on the side of a country rode on his way home from work one day.  She (yes, we found out from the shape of her shell she was indeed a girl) was just a common land turtle, but the biggest we had ever seen!  She was so gentle and kind and never snapped once at any of us.  Evan took her for rides in his shopping cart and dump truck!  Sadly, she passed away about three weeks ago.  Evan was absolutely crushed.  We all loved Laura.

Underneath and beside our outside air conditioning unit lives a family of frogs.  Evan has adopted them, and goes to see them each morning when he rises and checks on them at night before bedtime.  Today I captured     a few photos of Daddy Frog with Evan.  We got a good laugh this morning when Daddy Frog wet all over Evan's hands!

Nature is a child's classroom.  We must give our children the opportunity to get out in His Creation, to give them the passion and love of outdoors.  The way I see it, there are so many learning opportunities for them out in the wide open spaces.  This early in their life, no set science curriculum is really needed because they can learn so much from observing their surroundings.  One need not live on a farm or on a huge plot of land to become intrigued with Creation.  A city park will do just fine.  But we must consistently expose them to the outdoors and the elements, or the passion to love nature will never be ignited.  Make it a point to get out with your kids daily and see what beauty awaits you all!

Best Friends

There's so much I want to write, yet so little time lately.  Please bear with me as I take this needed time to think, reflect, and learn to rely on my Saviour more and more each day.

Summer has come, and it's not gone yet (at least temperature wise).  But the calendar says fall is just right around the corner!  We are preparing to plant our fall garden here in the next couple of weeks or so.

Evan misses Ethan so much.  Yesterday he started crying about how much he misses him and he wants a brother AND a sister.  If you'd so kindly pray for us regarding adding to our family in a way He sees fit.  It's hard for me to trust Him, but I do know He is faithful!  It's just getting my heart to fully trust and obey and be PATIENT!  Evan is a wonderful son!!!  How blessed we are to have this bundle of energy that wears us out!  It hurts to see him hurt;  and I cannot even begin to imagine what his little world is like.  His hurt must be even worse than mine, because he lost his best earthly friend.  The friend who he played with, schooled with, read with, fought with, ate with, shared a room with--everything.

We all miss Ethan.  Not a day goes by--ever--that we don't think about him and how funny and unique he was, how he always wanted to see the wind chimes at the store, how he loved trees, how he loved to read, how he loved to swing at the park everyday.

If you've had a friend who has lost a child, please give them a call today, or perhaps write them a letter or send a card just letting them know how much they mean to you.  Maybe drop and line or two about their child and a precious memory you have of them.  TRUST me...you won't hurt them!  They are already hurting enough going through the day in and out without their child being here.  Everybody needs to be lifted up.  Grieving parents especially need this, because it's just so hard.  Emotionally, it's very taxing.  We (grieving parents) often hide behind a forced smile and a cheerful voice, when deep down inside we hurt so bad, it's almost unbearable at times.  Thank goodness for Jesus!

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11