Baby Jonathan
Mood:  sad
Topic: Me!

Today, I attended the funeral for a dear friend's baby boy, Jonathan.  My heart hurts.  My mind aches.  My body is drained.  C gave birth to her perfect baby on Sunday, August 10.  He passed into God's hands as he emerged from her body.  14lbs.  24 inches long.  He looked just perfect.

The doula organization that I belong to here in Oklahoma City had a meeting last month to go over helping clients through losing their baby.  I attended the meeting, as did she.  It wasn't my favorite topic, but we listened and learned.  I prayed that I'd never have to help a client through the loss of their infant, but I never thought that I'd have to help a fellow doula through the loss of her's.

As I took pictures for them today, I found the strength to remain strong.  When my aunt lost Nicholas, I was but 6-7 years old and didn't truly understand the grief.  As a mother. . .I now understand the unbearable feeling.  I saw C as she craddled the baby in her lap, kissing his cheek, stroking his dark hair.  I watched as she sobbed and also comforted her other boys.  This week, I'd been unable to wrap my mind around this.  I'm still searching for words.  Trying to understand.  Praying for something, anything.  I keep wondering why this baby was taken. . .so loved. . .so longed for.  At the same time, there are babies being born in this very city that have nothing. . .no family. . .no love. I'm not saying trade one for the other, I'm just trying to figure it all out.

I know that I don't know what the big plan is now.  It is something that I may never know.  God has a reason for everything. . .I pray for strength, patience and peace for C and her family.

Along For The Ride Contest
Topic: Babywearing
Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)

A message to me
Topic: Me!

A friend gave me a message.  Take as you will.  I'll be praying about this one.

"Prepare your heart.  She is coming." 

My quiz
Topic: Me!

Ya know, there are tons of emails floating around in regards to information about the sender.  However, I like this little quiz due to the fact that I made it up and these are specific things about me :)  So. . .should you read this and not be on MySpace or Facebook, take it and see.

And don't be a weiner and not put your name. . .that's just WRONG! :) 

Jason
We got word yesterday that my brother-in-law Jason is now in Iraq. He arrived on Thursday after spending a couple of weeks in Kuwait. I'm not sure what his job will be there as they keep getting changed and I'm not sure when I'll talk to him next, but I do know that his leaving has had a tremendous impact on my sister and our family.

I received this in an email today and wanted to share it. Found the timing remarkable, but it's a great tribute and gives you something to think about. Regardless of your thoughts on the war, there are men and women over seas right now. One of them is Jason. A man, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a teacher, an artist, a United States citizen. You can pray for them. Each and every one. And they truly appreciate it.

D.R.Y.
Topic: Me!

As I read through old blogs tonight, I realized that it had been awhile since I'd blogged myself.  Then it hit me. I used to be witty. I used to be sarcastic. I used to be. . .dare I say funny??  At least entertaining to myself. However it seems that I've been sucked dry of my quick humor.  Where did it go? Have you seen it?  If you do. . .please send it back. I really need it. Maybe I shall post a reward for found said humor.  At least tell it that I miss it and promise to use it more often and not take it for granted.

Maybe a bribe of chocolate would work???  Always works for me

The infamous "Oh Oh" song!
Topic: Pruitt
Remember when I mentioned Pru's love for Rob Thomas' "Lonely No More" song?? Well. . .ladies and gentlemen. . .I give you Mr. Pruitt singing the chorus. Please ignore the brief interruption where he shows me Easton's car (you'll hear him say E's car) and also ignore the fact that he is sitting on the potty. . .he sings best there LOL

My epiphany
Topic: Me!
As I watched Pruitt run around this morning, I coughed and sputtered, but realized I felt better today than I did yesterday.  Then this thought hit me. . . .Sickness is not something that you get because there's germs or because you don't take adequate care of yourself.  Sickness is God's way of reminding you how good life was before you got sick and to not take it for granted.

Ok. . .so it may have *something* to do with germs, but still. . .when you've felt bad for a few days and finally feel better, you feel invinceable don't you!?!?

Woo!!!!!!!!!!
Topic: Banjo Pickin'
I sit here still totally blown away. Last Thursday, at my banjo lesson, I received the music to Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Pretty simple song really, but I'm nowhere near up to speed on it. And when I get new music or want a boost of banjo energy, I usually go to Youtube to search for good bluegrass. I've seen homemade videos, self-made videos and even Andy Griffith! LOL But THIS one blew me away. . .and Steve Martin. . .loved him before, love him even more now!!!

Tatee

Today, as Carly and Easton went to spend Family Day in Guthrie, one of our local news channels was there to film it.  Granted, Jason has been in two news stories: one in May when he painted a downtown mural for Oklahoma's Centennial and again in June, when he first got word that he'd be going to Iraq. 

Today he reported, his flight for Texas leaves tomorrow morning.  All prayers and good thoughts appreciated.  And I wanted to share the link to his video.  You can see him, my sister and my nephew, Easton, doing what he learned from my boys LOL  And the last voice you hear in the piece is my sister. . .she did so well!!!  Check it out here.  God be with all of the soldiers.