a timely word

still patiently waiting. 

ok, so maybe not so patiently. 

we tried all the old "wives tales" on monday and tuesday to get this labor started, and thankfully they didn't work!!

the boys both came down with a nasty stomach bug around midnight on tuesday night.  oh, it was na-has-ty!!!

loads of laundry later, (including one set of curtains), one day of nothingness, and just generally taking it easy and we're back in action.  actually, yesterday was a blessing in disguise, the kids slept most of the day or watched movies and barely ate a thing. so i too sat around and relaxed.  it went through here fast and furious and for that i am grateful. 

Here's my new sign that my sweet friend Aimee made for me!  Isn't it beautiful? She is so talented. 

As most of you know I'm a "wordy" girl and LOVE my quotes, however when it came to choosing this piece, I knew short and sweet was what I wanted.  

Something simple and true. 

It's in our living room. 

Today my bones are sore. 

My mind is weary from trying to work up grace and peace that isn't needed right now.  Ironically, I'm striving for peace.  My Mother heart is longing to see the veil lifted between this sweet baby and our world.  a veil of skin.  So little separates us now.  And yet, as my midwife so wisely says, "it's like a orchestra, everything has to fall into place for labor to happen."

I've been exceptionally irritable the last 24 hours.

heat flashes like mad.

sore.

emotional.

increased heart rate.

these things concerned me at first, but today at my appointment the nurse said, "you're just a body that's ready to have a baby."

ya think??

I read this tonight. 

It was a timely word. 

So we're off for one more quick grocery run. 

then an evening dip in my sister's pool.

then a blessed night sleep, (or so we pray).

My deepest desire right now is to be SURROUNDED BY PEACE, 

and that is NOT something that can be conjured up, it is a gift. Something that is surrendered to, hoped for, basked in.  

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You.  So trust in the Lord, commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock, the Rock of ages."

Isaiah 26:3-4

anticipation and fear.

I heard about a lady in our town who just had a stillborn baby.  
She was 39 weeks pregnant. 
I really don't have words and all the things I'd like to say sound empty and stupid.

And as my mind wanders to her and my feeble prayers go up on their behalf, my heart is shaky.  The unthinkable happens, is happening, has happened to dear friends and strangers alike.  How does one continue to trust in the midst of the "what could be's?"  That's where my thoughts are now, it's here my heart is leaning....how do I trust the unknown in the light of the Known?  

Aside from the anticipation of meeting our sweet baby, (which by the way is so great I think I may burst at times), it's the unknown of each day that can and will drag you under if you let it. 

....because You are my help, 
I sing in the shadow of Your wings.
psalm 63:7

Will my husband come home today, safe and sound?  
Will my babies live to see their next birthday?  

Will our house catch on fire? 

Will.......(you fill in the blank for your own).

  There are several close friends and relatives of ours that are SMACK DAB in the middle of the unknown, (we all are to one degree or another I guess), but the unknowns that they are dealing with are literally moment to moment life altering decisions, (that are not theirs to make). 

How do you keep your sanity? 

How do you keep your thoughts "captive" among the parade of questions that march in your mind and beat their drums relentlessly inside your heart, thump, thump, thumping?

Is it possible to be at peace with your unknowns? 

I want that.

On a piece of paper by my beside I have written:

"STAY CLOSE TO ME ON THE PATH OF PEACE."  I had read it a few weeks ago and it resonated with me.  There are very few decisions I can make in this life that give me control, true control, not manipulative mirages of what I'd like to be or who I would like to see change.   

Thoughts and fears, anticipations and ideas all make their way to me, like fiery arrows and sometimes like baby breath whispers.  

They land and try to bury themselves into myself.  

It is then that I MUST MAKE A CHOICE to TRUST the One that I believe HOLDS MY LIFE, holds my babies lives.  And it's not easy, but it is better than flailing about all alone.  At the heart of each of us is a need to be WITH SOMEONE, to not be isolated or alone or abandoned.

  

My refuge comes on the wings of God.  

I trust that He will cover me. 

Or carry me. 

Or shelter me.

Or teach me to fly. 

Or fight for me.

Or hide me.



...hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
psalm 17:8

I read recently about feathers and the miracle that lies within their structure.  A few key points that stuck out to me:

 "To date, no amount of engineering has created a synthetic insulation as efficient as feathers."


"In all the dives I've watched, I've never seen a feather break in flight.  Wrestling on the ground with prey, sure, but never on the wing."

My soul longs for the place of Insulation.

The Space above the prey. 

...He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings SHALL YOU TRUST and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

psalm 91:4

some commentary's I read that shed light on these verses and my soul:

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible "He shall cover thee with his feathers - He shall act towards thee as the hen does to her brood, - take thee under his wings when birds of prey appear, and also shelter thee from chilling blasts. This is a frequent metaphor. He will overshadow thee between his shoulders; alluding to the custom of parents carrying their weak or sick children on their backs, and having them covered even there with a mantle. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler - His revelation; his Bible. That truth contains promises for all times and circumstances; and these will be invariably fulfilled to him that trusts in the Lord."  Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible "He shall cover thee with his feathers,.... As birds do their young, who cannot cover themselves: this they do from a tender regard to them, whereby they both keep them warm, and protect them from those that would hurt them: this represents the helpless state of the children of God, who are, like to young birds, weak and unable to defend themselves: the tender regard of God unto them,  as the eagle and other birds have to their young; and the warmth and comforts souls have, as well as protection, under his powerful and gracious presence; he comforts them under their tribulations, as well as defends them from their enemies: the word of God also, every promise in it, and doctrine of it, is as a shield and buckler to strengthen, support, and secure the faith of his people, (Proverbs 30:5)."

...LET ME FIND
refuge and TRUST 
in the shelter of Your wings.
psalm 61:4


the darling pictures were taken last week by my talented friend Michelle Walls. She is hoping to print a new line of baby stationery, among other photo prints as well.  here is her beautiful etsy shop. i can't believe the way she captured lovie's room and that black and white silhouette of the two of us.  precious treasured memories. 

Lovie's Nursery Reveal. xoxo.

SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR NURSERY WITH YOU!! 

I put the finishing touches on it this afternoon. 

BEFORE:

 my little helpers. there wasn't much they could do "wrong" as I was priming the entire room white, so I just let them help. 

Here is my pinterest board that held my inspirations. 

Love pinterest.  This was the first picture that started it all!

the fabrics and paint.

The reveal. xoxo.

It is quite a small room, approx. 8 x 10, but that doesn't have to keep you from loving the space you're in! This is my favorite room in the house right now!  Such a peaceful, happy place. 

Some of the pillows were made by Jake's Mom, Grammie.
the blanket by our sweet babysitter, Kaelin. 

Crazy doll that had to come home with me from "home goods".

ended up being part of the inspiration for the room. 

beautiful handmade curtains by grammie. xoxo. 

figured this verse was quite applicable as before i know it i'll be awake day and night. 

my friend jeane' so kindly gave me this vintage rubbing alcohol bottle. it will be used and loved. 

 that picture was made by my sweet friend and neighbor jessica, a very meaningful birthday gift.  the old creamer was jake's grandmother's. 

WHO WILL YOU BE? 

we love you so much and don't even know you! 

xoxo.

found that vintage clock last weekend. 

it glows.

it was ugly brown. 

now it is bright blue. 

essential "i'm settled in" supplies. 

 the pillow fabric, another handmade creation by grammie. 

Paisley and the baby will share a closet. 

wrapping paper i liked from target. 

lined the back of the shelves with it. 

one of the final touches found this afternoon.

i'd been searching for the right one and found it here. 

for free. 

wuvs it. 

  

sharpie meets glass. 

who knew permanent marker could do such great things?

vintage chevron blanket found at a garage sale. 

first baths. 

each of our babies had their first baths in this tub. 

and lastly, the delicious pictures my friend michelle took of this nursery....she's getting together a new line of stationery and photos to sell on her etsy shop.  you simply must check out the way she captured Lovie's room, here you go!  EYE CANDY!!   

and so we wait. 

we wonder. 

we pray. 

we hope. 

and we love. 

37 weeks. 

"Where thou art-

 that-

 is Home."  

~Emily Dickinson~