Love the calendar! I was preparing to write down all the things for November, so I wouldn't have to get online to see what was coming up, and there was a beautiful calendar page already waiting for me!
That is SO wonderful to hear, Jill - thank you!! I'm at a stage where I need reminders posted everywhere, so having this visual in another format is super helpful here, too. :)
I am already telling myself to not start doing to much or to overstretch in Advent. I am going to be reading carefully through The Art of Living in Season by Sylvie Vanhoozer from Advent. Hopefully, I can see you all again as you chat with Grace.
Once the momentum speeds up in Advent, it's SO hard to slow it down - so I'm right there with you, trying to calm things in advance! I'm excited to have Sylvie's book to lean on through the season...and I'm hopeful I'll be able to see you when we chat with Grace!
Today we are off to our daughter's wedding in a winery region an hour away. We have both children for the entire weekend so I would really appreciate prayers. To be gracious and kind under the stress and excitement of the circumstances. For sleep! It was also my Dad's first anniversary on Monday so it is tinged with sadness and an odd feeling that neither of them are here for the wedding. You have your mother-in-law's anniversary also approaching. Where did the year go to?
Cate, how did your daughter's wedding and the whole weekend go? I lit a candle and kept you on my prayer card for quiet time last week. I know those big, beautiful days can also be so stressful, especially when balancing caretaking! I hope there were restful moments, and CONGRATS to you all!!
Having your dad's anniversary align with that must have also been incredibly complicated. The bittersweetness of life has become more and more apparent to me. My sister-in-law was just recently saying, as we were watching our kids at their baseball game, that her mom (my MIL) would have LOVED seeing all the cousins play together like that...so that sweet time also felt hard.
You're not alone in it, my friend! Sending so much love your way. My mother-in-law passed on Childermas - just days after Christmas - so yes, coming up on that one-year anniversary...it will be a complex time, I'm sure.
I actually saw a photo of your MIL with your daughter dated the 22 December so then I remembered the day she passed away. Iris was sweet at the wedding and said that she was sad for me that my Mum and Dad had passed out - so funny, not passed away - and were not there. Actually, I was so preoccupied caring for a busy 2 year old and Iris for two whole days that I did not stop to think about it until Monday, and then I had a cry. The day was not stressful but very busy and the bride and groom were happy so that is what matters. I felt all the love, support and prayers - it enabled me to stay calm, even when Geoff missed his flight home on the Thursday night and had to arrive late Friday afternoon. Cutting it fine!!! So, thank you.
Passed out instead of passed away!! Kids have the most amazing knack at pulling me out of all my ruminating by turning something completely on its head. I'm glad that you found calm and peace amidst such a busy time - and with Geoff's late arrival, too! That's a lot. I'm thankful God helps us stay active and responsive in those times, with space to have a good cry afterward.
What a beautiful calendar idea! I can definitely see this as a wall calendar with your beautiful color art! 😉
Aw, thanks Sarah! I always think about making a wall calendar or planner, but then I overthink the whole thing and just give up. Maybe someday!
Love the calendar! I was preparing to write down all the things for November, so I wouldn't have to get online to see what was coming up, and there was a beautiful calendar page already waiting for me!
That is SO wonderful to hear, Jill - thank you!! I'm at a stage where I need reminders posted everywhere, so having this visual in another format is super helpful here, too. :)
I am already telling myself to not start doing to much or to overstretch in Advent. I am going to be reading carefully through The Art of Living in Season by Sylvie Vanhoozer from Advent. Hopefully, I can see you all again as you chat with Grace.
Once the momentum speeds up in Advent, it's SO hard to slow it down - so I'm right there with you, trying to calm things in advance! I'm excited to have Sylvie's book to lean on through the season...and I'm hopeful I'll be able to see you when we chat with Grace!
Today we are off to our daughter's wedding in a winery region an hour away. We have both children for the entire weekend so I would really appreciate prayers. To be gracious and kind under the stress and excitement of the circumstances. For sleep! It was also my Dad's first anniversary on Monday so it is tinged with sadness and an odd feeling that neither of them are here for the wedding. You have your mother-in-law's anniversary also approaching. Where did the year go to?
Cate, how did your daughter's wedding and the whole weekend go? I lit a candle and kept you on my prayer card for quiet time last week. I know those big, beautiful days can also be so stressful, especially when balancing caretaking! I hope there were restful moments, and CONGRATS to you all!!
Having your dad's anniversary align with that must have also been incredibly complicated. The bittersweetness of life has become more and more apparent to me. My sister-in-law was just recently saying, as we were watching our kids at their baseball game, that her mom (my MIL) would have LOVED seeing all the cousins play together like that...so that sweet time also felt hard.
You're not alone in it, my friend! Sending so much love your way. My mother-in-law passed on Childermas - just days after Christmas - so yes, coming up on that one-year anniversary...it will be a complex time, I'm sure.
I actually saw a photo of your MIL with your daughter dated the 22 December so then I remembered the day she passed away. Iris was sweet at the wedding and said that she was sad for me that my Mum and Dad had passed out - so funny, not passed away - and were not there. Actually, I was so preoccupied caring for a busy 2 year old and Iris for two whole days that I did not stop to think about it until Monday, and then I had a cry. The day was not stressful but very busy and the bride and groom were happy so that is what matters. I felt all the love, support and prayers - it enabled me to stay calm, even when Geoff missed his flight home on the Thursday night and had to arrive late Friday afternoon. Cutting it fine!!! So, thank you.
Passed out instead of passed away!! Kids have the most amazing knack at pulling me out of all my ruminating by turning something completely on its head. I'm glad that you found calm and peace amidst such a busy time - and with Geoff's late arrival, too! That's a lot. I'm thankful God helps us stay active and responsive in those times, with space to have a good cry afterward.