Better than Never...Some Late Weekending

This weekend was loaded with blessings:
a first birthday party with family
cupcakes with pretty pink frosting and little girls in birthday party dresses
little boys in handsome clothes...bigger boys to entertain
good movies, complete with popcorn and cuddles with Papaw
new baby dolls for the babies to cuddle
new babies for the mamas to cuddle
getting to know their apparently, already, quirky wee personalities
babies weighing enough to finally come home!

One Year...and a Yarn Along

One Year ago today our lives were changed forever when this sweet little girl came into our lives at just shy of 6 am, weighing 8lbs ad 3oz, on Thanksgiving Day.

I can't believe that a year has gone by already...too fast.
It feels like it was just yesterday that I was holding skin to skin, examining that precious face for the first time, in awe of just how much she looked like her Daddy and her brothers.

Smelling the top of her head and kissing it, marking her territory on my heart forever. 

A roly-poly ball of pudge, full of those sweet newborn creases, and dark, gentle little eyes that only opened when the lights were dimmed, and soft, sweet breathy coos and sighs, content, full-belly yawns and snuggles.
The middle of the night conversations we'd share, getting to know each other, tying our bond. The whispering in her tiny ears of all my love and promises.

She's grown so much, and has turned into my very own little baby doll. I can't imagine our lives without this precious creature! She brings us such joy and happiness, and it's so rewarding to watch her learn and grow into the sweet, happy little girl that she's becoming. 

I wanted to make her a quick, last minute birthday sweater, something light for early Autumn. I chose the plain vest for it's simplicity and it worked out perfectly. Not too hard, and took less than a day. The decreases were a little tricky to work out since the pattern doesn't specify, but it was a good learning experience.

Lotte enjoyed modelling her new sweater for me, I think she was just about as pleased with her little sweater as I was!

 Mark thought that the sweater better be tested for flight as well, so they gave it a quick spin in the air, in a game of Daddy tosses baby. Normally this game makes me kind of nervous, but trying to focus the camera during this event gave me something else to well,...er, focus on.

I've cast one a new project, and hopefully will be able to get it done quickly. I needed to make something for the two new wee babes that arrived recently, but it took me a long time to figure out what. 

I've decided on the little owl sleep sack, I think i'll be able to get two of those done pretty quickly. I've never cabled before but I've just started and it looks like it's all working out right.

These sweet babies have been gaining well and will be coming home soon and I want to be able to give them their little snuggle bags when they do!

Weekending

Our weekend was loaded, but oh so blessed.
It seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming my new baby niece and nephew into the world. They've grown so much, and are doing so well. They bring us all such joy and laughter, and now I can't imagine our family without these sweet souls.

This weekend we welcomed two more babies, born to my other sister, again boy and a girl-

this time not as early, which is pure relief, but early enough that they still need to *bake* a little longer. I haven't been able to meet them yet because I've had a cold and didn't want to bring them that kind of a present. 

This is a joyous occasion, and our family is celebrating the arrival of two more tiny blessings, however, it is bittersweet. While we did welcome two new babies, there was also a third babe who was scooped up in the arms of God and taken to heaven to live with him, much earlier than anyone can comprehend.

This verse has been in my mind all weekend as I rejoice and give thanks, but also weep for my sister and her husband...

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ~job 1:21

I'm trying to let go, and stop trying to understand.

*******

If we could easily understand God, and all that he does, and his great plan, he really wouldn't be the almighty God, would he?

{Yarn Along}

                         

I decided to avoid the many projects that I have to block by starting another on the weekend. Makes sense, right? However, I feel like I can't take a photograph of my finished projects until they are blocked...so I'm going to try to get that done this week.
I started the Honey Cowl that I wanted to make for my sister. She saw the yarn on my table a while back and while she's not a knitter, she has an appreciation for beautiful colours.
This knit up super fast because I used a much bulkier yarn than the pattern called for, and obviously cast on fewer stitches.
I'm at the very end though, and have half of it bound off. Here's the kicker though. I don't think I have enough yarn to finish binding off, so I'm playing chicken with what I have left. I'm at that point where I think I'm going to rip it back a row and bind off there (which I can afford to do, because I accidentally knit an extra row anyway and left it.)
Or, i could pick up a really close bulky strand and bind off with that...I'm not sure I have anything that would blend well though. I'm going to have to dig.

No massive reading accomplishments here this week. I'm almost finished "one thousand gifts" which is proving to be a slow, but good read.

Looking forward to seeing all your projects this week.

Weekending

Our weekend began on Friday this time

the sew hungry food truck rally was creating all sorts of fun on our street

the mister even took the day off work to help out with reuben's soda sales

zeke was out on the sidewalk busking

both boys made some decent coin while busy at their work

i observed from the sidelines, as i knit, watched the girl

and enjoyed some treats from cake & loaf

lotte tried out her new squeaky shoes and took them for a spin around the block with daddy

i have a video of her squeaky shoes but it won't upload right now

which is too bad, because it's cute, really cute.

later, i promise

saturday was wheelchair basketball practice for the mister (long story)

and zeke, who's decided to play along this year
while reuben and made preparations for mark's evening birthday party

with chocolate oreo cheese cake, veggie samosas, and bruschetta

some thrift store hunting for pants for reuben

while we did find one pair of pants, we also found a gorgeous shiny metal apple bowl

and her baby sister
the largest of the sister had no lid, so she got left at the store

i wonder if we hurt her feelings, or if she'll miss her younger sisters?

the boys found a brand new table hockey set at a yard sale after church, for $1

we've been having some dining room table tournaments

i watercoloured one of my favorite quotes, about my favorite season

i put on a cozy sweater and was happy it was cool enough to do so

warmed up some cider

and followed our tradition of filling the pumpkin with candy corn and peanuts

playing along with Amanda on weekending.

Weekending

farmer's market with a very curious Lotte, who said "hi" to everyone we passed
fresh "honeycrisp" apples that we'd never tried before, weird looking carrots, and baby beets
iced coffee
hot apple cider
which is hard to find this year..apparently the juicing apples didn't do very well. I still have hope
watching the new Autumn clouds roll in
wondering what exactly it is about autumn clouds that look different than summer clouds
swinging a baby back and forth on the back porch
working on some tiny knitted birthday surprises for a little someone..
she's going to be one in less than a month. I still can't believe it
golden yellow split pea soup with yesterday's crusty bread
a family shared family supper
day long craft show with my mother in law and her sisters 
who were sweet enough to invite me on their yearly pilgrimage 
home again to hide the treats and presents i found at the craft sale
grilled panini sandwiches with old cheddar, apple and black pepper
a family game of creationary before bed


joining amanda today in weekending

Yarn Along

I've been hanging back a bit lately...not just here, but in life's activities as well. 
Feeling a bit of angst and trying to cope. Not finding the relief i'd hoped, but seeking.
Seeking God, searching my heart, chiseling away fears and layers of scars that I chose to ignore for so long. 

Sweet Rachel recommended "One Thousand Gifts" last week when we spoke, in our usual hurried conversation that we manage to squeeze in once or twice a week, and i'm so thankful that she did. This book is like a soothing tub of old lady Watkins's salve for the wounded spirit. 

I have managed to squeeze out some knitting this week, mostly in the car, but i'll take it anyway I can get it. 
I have Lotte's lovey dovey up to the point where I get to start the bodice, and the ribbing finished on one of the boys' hats. I don't know who's hat it's going to be yet-I'll see which head it fits better and make the next one accordingly.

 I can't wait to see what knitting and reading has kept the rest of you sweet souls busy this week.


Yarning along this week with Ginny.