In Praise of MIL's......

Sitcoms like to portray MIL's as overbearing, overly opinionated and generally a hindrance more than a help.

I am CERTAIN Meghan would argue that her MIL is more angel and hero.....and no amount of thanks would be adequate for the help she has been this past week.

LaDona thought she was coming for a fun visit...and I was grateful to know there was a Grandma to hug Donovan while we were gone. Who could have guessed that instead of a relaxing time, the week would be full of Dr. visits, cleaning up after one very sick baby and ultimately a hospital stay that shook all of us to our core.

Through all of this LaDona was Meghan and Dustin's support, their mentor and very importantly their "prayer warrior". She was all of that for me too while I was many miles away.

LaDona heads home tomorrow and I know we will all miss her. I think we both feel that Donovan's birth, and now this scary time, has brought us a closeness that we hold precious and dear.

I know a little boy that will miss his Grammie too. No one gives a bottle and burp time like LaDona ....and you can see by Donovan's VERY relaxed posture he loves his Grammie very much.

We look forward to your next visit....one we hope is much less eventful. I know we can't thank you enough for all you have done. Our Donovan has a Grammie to admire and his Mommy has a MIL she can cherish.

For that we all feel very blessed.

Bunnies and Ramblings.....

Our sweet Donovan is recovering nicely. I am humbled by the blessings of God, and reduced to teary smiles when I look into this sweet face.

I think prayers need to be directed for Donovan's sweet Mommy. She needs peace to realize that every sputter and hiccup is not a choking spell and that when he feels warm it is because we have been holding him close and cozy...and it is not a fever.

It will take time.

I woke up at 5am.....I guess my BRIEF stay in Tennessee still has me on East Coast time. I lay there thinking I need to get out of my funk and what is better for my spirit than BUNNIES!!!!

So I went thru my quilt stash, pulled out everything that felt like Easter and have great plans to decorate.

Do I dare admit that I still find Christmas things on display that I have not had time to put away????

So my plan this week is to find that spirit of refreshment that Spring brings. A few chicks and bunnies can't hurt.

Yesterday my Mom said "you ARE coming to knitting tonight, aren't you". I have to admit I felt beyond exhausted and really wanted more than anything to just crawl into bed.

But you never say NO to Mom so I arrived....late, and with no knitting project since they are still packed in the car with my sweet husband who is making his way slowly home.

To greet me were my knitting buddies, all sweetly asking about Donovan. Sweetest of all were a bunch of tulips that Marilee had brought for all of us. She is a huge blessing in my life, and I am grateful for her friendship.

I want to thank ALL of my sweet blog friends who have sent notes of encouragement and let me know you were praying for us. I promise to send you all personal notes...but right now I have to straighten out some quilts and place some bunnies all around the house.

....and most important of all, I need to get back to the "honey bunny" who makes my heart smile with his funny grin. I didn't quite get the vacation I was expecting when I left last week, but my heart still feels renewed.

I guess that is all the vacation I really needed!!!!

How happy are we????

Our baby is coming home......and so are his parents who have not slept in a bed or had a chance to shower for days!!!!

With my thanks to God for answering our prayers and thanks for the wisdom and care of wonderful Drs. and Nurses. I feel as joyous as the day he was born.

Nothing more to write...I am off to go hug our precious little Donovan. Can't thank you all enough for the sweet notes and the prayers. I am beyond elated!!!!

The Vacation that wasn't.....

It was just a week ago that I was helping Meghan set up for a baby shower she was giving for a friend. My Mom held Donovan so we could get things prepared. It all went so well.

The next day I had my 12 hr quilting class, came home and packed my suitcase, because Jim and I were leaving for a two week driving vacation to Tennessee. I gave Donovan a kiss, told him not to grow to much while we were gone, and knowing that his Grammie was going to come visit, I left ready to spend some time exploring the country with my photographer husband.

The first day I got a call from Meghan saying that Donovan had thrown up.....not good news, but no one could predict the days that followed. There were huge temperature spikes, more throwing up, lack of interest in eating, numerous trips to Kaiser, and always being sent home with the conclusion that "it is the flu and will run its course".

A week later, no improvement and even more lethargy had Dustin and Meghan running back to Kaiser...this time with Grammie and our good friend Linda in tow. This time the Dr. admitted this had gone on to long and Donovan has been admitted to the hospital.

All of this while we were more than 2000 miles away. There were constant phone calls from a very frightened Meghan....many into the middle of the night. Yesterday it seemed Donovan was getting better, and then the fever spiked again and he lost all interest in eating.

Today I got on a plane and flew home. Jim will be home in a few days time. They have run many tests on our sweet babe, and no conclusions at this time. I know the kids are surrounded by much love and many prayers and we remain optimistic that our heavenly Father is watching over our sweet Donovan.

I will be sure to update .....hopefully with good news that Donovan is fine and home again. Now that WOULD be an answer to our prayers.

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Leprechaun.....

30 years ago today I held the sweetest and most beautiful baby girl in my arms. My life has never been the same.

I wrote in Meghan's birthday card that this would be the first birthday she could fully realize what she meant to me.....and now she does.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. I love you more than you can ever know, and I am so happy all of your dreams have come true. XXX

Meeting Susan Branch.....

Life has been a LOT hectic lately....two bitty babies to hug keeps us traveling from one to the other. Don't get me wrong because we LOVE it, but there was also a BIG part of us ready for a mini vacation.

When I heard that Susan Branch would be speaking at a quilt guild in San Luis Obispo, it only took minutes for Jim to make our reservations at the Apple Farm.

Our room was serene and cozy with a perfect spot to knit by the fireplace and dream about meeting Susan Branch. I thought about ALL the things I would tell her...what joy she has brought to my life and how much I look forward to her "Willard" letters.

The Inn was all "bunnified" and just adorable.

The gardens were as lovely as I could ever remember. I had a chance to talk to Joseph the gardener and he even shared lots of tips for my garden!

Lots of lovely places to sit and reflect....Jim was off to photograph the lovely coast and I was counting the minutes til I got to become the number one fan!!!!

Monday night we all gathered....my Mom, my SIL and my friend Linda. We found the church where Susan would be the guest speaker. We were so excited to see a room FULL of Susan Branch goodness!!!!

I found LOTS of things that had to be added to my stash.....

....and then when I was making my purchases I asked the sweet ladies if there would be ANY chance that Susan would ( insert a please, please) sign my quilt block ( made with Susan Branch fabrics...of course).

It was then that I learned that Susan Branch was SICK and would not be able to attend!!! Insert a HUGE GASP and a very disappointed look that crept onto my face.

The girls did take my quilt block which Susan will hopefully still be able to sign for me.

So the next day was spent with my husband photographing landscapes.

Which was incredibly fun....and at least ONE of us had their wish come true!!!

Oh well....here is to hoping the moon and the stars align again someday and I truly will meet Susan Branch!!!!

In the meantime I have some cute fabrics to work with, and that will just have to keep me SEW happy!!!!

The Good and the Bad......

Not a whole lot to report. There have been some lovely walks with the buggy.....

....and Meghan and I even attempted a shopping trip with the "little man".

Gramps continues to be a HUGE help with babysitting and I know he enjoys his baby time as much as I do!!!!

Yes...these days have been really good ones. Curious about what is BAD????

How about my TWO Root Canals yesterday....YIKES!!!! But even that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be....or maybe it was the fact that I took something "wonderful" that pretty much knocked me out for the whole thing!!!

Anyway, I thought I would share a HI with all. I hope your week is a great one too!!!!

Birthday JOY!!!!

It doesn't seem possible that our sweet Clare has turned a year old!!!

Our party girl couldn't have looked sweeter...in her ruffly taffeta dress complete with layers of petticoats. She looked like a bitty princess, and in our hearts she certainly is!!!

Mommy made the most delicious Polka Dot cake....

Clare thought that was great fun!!!

We actually had TWO celebrations. Clare was born on her Daddy's birthday....and Dad had his OWN birthday party later that evening.

How touching it is for me to share the joy with BOTH of our birthday celebrators!!!

Clare was more interested in entertaining all the guests, and not as interested in her presents.....

....until she got her "Disney Princess Ball" and she was one excited little girl!!!

Clare's Oma Oma knitted her the most wonderful dress..... with much love in each stitch.

And Clare was very excited to meet the youngest person who attended the party. We were very happy too to hold both of our Grandchildren at the same time!!!!

This past year has been one of great joy. To have experienced Clare growing into such a sweet and fun child has been beyond wonderful.

We look forward to the year ahead. This picture was taken yesterday on our weekly baby sitting morning. You can see from Clare's expression that her world is expanding and she embraces it with all her heart.

She makes us laugh, she makes us proud. But most of all she makes us happier than we thought we could ever be.