Uncommon Grace

4 January

Happy New Year! I've been wanting to pop in with a post all week but things have gotten away from me as they do.

We had a lovely Christmas when all was said and done. Fun and bright and hopeful in the best of ways. I'm still getting organized for some posts about all the gifts I made, so I'll get those up as soon as I can.

I have a few other things to write about soon, when I'm at the computer and can post links. But right now, I'm snuggled with this little buddy amidst woolens and fluffy comforters, watching snow fall outside my window, getting text message updates on my swimmer from my husband at her meet, listening to my middle two children playing quietly, and daydreaming about making a quilt.

{PS: The right side of the photos gets cut off even more than usual with these phone posts so be sure to click on them if you want to see the full version.}

22 November

Ahh, those quiet few days were just what I needed this week. It felt like a very good thing, in the midst of a life that doesn't give me a whole lot of quiet on its own. We seem to have something (usually good) going on every day, but it's so good to step back sometimes from whatever is possible.

(I can rarely take notes at my class because of the baby, so my husband suggested I photograph the whiteboard with my phone -- such a good suggestion! This is an exciting one because it announces the date of our graduation after four years. So exciting.)

Tonight felt like a good night to pop my head back in, though, on this feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. My husband and I have been going to a couples' bible study this fall, and tonight the topic was tithing. It was a good conversation but gave us even more fruitful discussion on the drive home. Whatever our woes, it is a very good thing to know that he and I are on the same page financially. We have never had a lot of money, but it has never been our priority. We have prioritized other things, that have allowed us to serve others -- whether in our community or under our own roof. And despite our financial struggles lately, we have continued to give to the best of our ability to our church and to a few charitable causes. It's just so important to us. And we have found that whatever we give, we receive in greater measure. Such a testament to trust.

It has been cold and snowy the last few days. As much as October is my favorite month, I love November, too. And all the winter months. It might be weird, but I actually don't mind a gray day in the least. Yesterday I was downtown by myself for a few hours. It was so refreshing to walk down the city sidewalk with icy air in my lungs and snow falling. That was real grace, and I'm so grateful for it.

We are busy preparing for Thanksgiving. I don't know if I've mentioned it here or not, but we are hosting Thanksgiving this year, for 17 people in my husband's family. I'm very excited because I love to host things, but rarely have the chance since all of our extended family lives nearby.

Wishing you all refreshment and rest in the ways you need it most. 

xo,
Grace

11 November

Drat! I almost forgot to post tonight!

This is a picture of baby John from about a month ago.

Here he is tonight, in the same outfit. He is already so much bigger. Sniff.

I think this blog is basically just the baby John channel these days. Oh, well. Here's some tea for good measure.

The winner of the copy of Mingle magazine is Eva, who said: "Looks like a lovely magazine! What a treat!" Eva, I will put you in touch with Stampington to get your magazine mailed out to you!

5 November

Today...

...James had to get a filling (darn genetics -- my husband has had so many cavities and my own dad's teeth are even worse, despite conscientious oral hygiene). I love our pediatric dentist. He and his team are so good, and they're so sweet to our family.

...I voted.

...we went to the grocery store and John rode in the cart next to Fiona. I wouldn't have put him there except Fiona was tired and wanted to ride up top and I figured she'd give John something to lean against. 

...is Elisabeth's namesday/saint day/patronal feast day -- the feast of St. Elizabeth. She chose to have this salad for dinner and to go to candlelight mass later tonight with her daddy. So sweet.

* * *

One of these days soon, I will do a proper post on the computer. But phone posting is quick and handy!

3 November

I'm posting from my phone in my bedroom, where I've been confined for most of today, laying flat on my back as required by what I'm now referring to as my "broken back" (really injured tailbone). I'm not generally a very high-energy individual, but I'm also not a good invalid, and find it exceedingly dull.

So for now, enjoy some baby dancing and flapping. This is the most "talkative" baby I've ever had, but he seems to get stage fright whenever I start recording him, so we have almost no evidence of his many (frequently loud) conversations. Still, what a blessing it is to be able to record some of his babyhood. Sometimes, technology really is a blessing.

(There should be a video embedded below, hoping you can view it. It looks fine from our desktop but now isn't showing up on my phone.)