Handmade Love

Grammy (aka Martha) sure can knit.  She's modest about her knitting skills but I assure you there isn't a missed stitch on either of these garments (Dakota's top, Corban's hat).  I keep telling her she needs to sell her stuff but then she might not enjoy it as much.  I'm sure having such cute grandkids is good motivation to keep those needles moving...I think you'll agree when you see below :).  Thanks for the sweet package in the mail Martha.  Oh, by the way, she made the kids coordinating sweaters for Christmas that I still need to photo and post on here but they were gorgeous.   

Prayers for Pappy!

If you're reading this blog please lift lots of prayers up for this sweet man...

Pappy - Dakota and Corban's great grandfather, Jacob's papaw and Sally's daddy - was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the fall.  We know that Pappy loves and serves a sovereign God and we are praying that God will place a healing hand on him, if it's His will.  Will you please pray for him?  Pray for physical comfort, strength and endurance.  Pray for Mappy as she cares for him.  Pray for Sally (Gigi) and her siblings as they serve their parents during this time.  Thank you.

Tuesday Testimonies: Marriage Struggles

So back in November I posted about how I wanted to start sharing what God is doing in the lives of His people.  Remember?  Well, I probably didn't pursue the idea like I should have and I never got it going.  Anyway, I got an amazing email from a friend today who has given me permission to share her story.  I love that she is using her past marriage struggles to minister to other people going through the same thing.  I think you will be encouraged by her Testimony.  I still remember the day that the husband of this story was baptized because it was probably one of Jacob's most encouraging moments of his Christian walk.  Thanks for sharing your story sweet Friend!!

"My husband and I started having marriage trouble around our 7th year - guess it's true what they say about the 7 year itch. I was naive and probably looking for attention and made some poor decisions which led my husband to make some poor decisions...and over the course of like a year and a half we just grew apart. I ultimately kicked him out of the house and was at my low when I just laid it all at His feet. I mean I really didn't know the Lord at that point but I was desperate. I had some friends praying for us and my parents were helping to intervene a bit.

We watched that movie Fireproof and I started realizing that believe it or not all of this – the giant mountain we were trying to overcome in our marriage – was “normal”. And better yet, that all marriages go through struggles like mine and yours but yet somehow everybody thinks that it’s a sign of something being wrong in the marriage! It’s like this big taboo thing that nobody ever wants to admit to – struggling in marriage. Talk about a revelation! I knew deep down that I wouldn’t find anyone better for me or my girls than my husband. So I knew that God and I had to turn things around.

As you can imagine, we had a lot of dirty laundry that wasn't being aired. Lies, deceit, secrets... that just all began unraveling - it was like God was just unfolding it all right in front of us. Initially the truth hurt the relationship really bad. In fact I thought we weren't going to be able to get past it. But in the end, truth was the only thing that enabled us to move forward.

We laid it all out on a sheet of paper - all the ways we had hurt each other. That helped us to see that it wasn't just one or the other - we were 'even', so to speak. We both had to start over - that it had been a two-way street that got us where we were. It was ultimate disclosure.

Then we started having the hard conversations about what we each want, need out of the relationship (I had to take notes during the conversations so that we could stay on track because we would end up arguing and getting side tracked from making progress).

All in all it took us about a year to really recover from all of that. It was very gradual and the trust was very slow to come back. The total disclosure allowed us to monitor and hold each other accountable through cell phone records, email, and Face Book. It was extreme but it was what we had to do to rebuild emotionally.

I attribute all of this to God because He lifted me up to do the work that it took to rebuild. He gave me the words to speak during those conversations because I prayed and asked Him to. He moved in my heart to love again. And the best part is that my relationship with my husband is the best it’s ever been. I know we'll come across more mountains, but next time, I'll know that, through God, it's possible to overcome them."

Such encouragement.  If you'd like to share your Testimony so that others can learn from your experiences, email me triciacartner@hotmail.com.

Classic: The Family Coat

Sometime around 1954 my grandmother and grandfather purchased this little wool coat for my daddy.  56 years and a few moth holes later my sweet (and ever moving) son got to wear it.  These pictures are special because they were taken in my grandmother's front yard over Thanksgiving.  Her face beamed as she remembered her very own little boy wearing it for one of his first Easters over a half a century earlier.   Although it will stay in Brad's family, I appreciate him letting Corban wear it for a season.  Now, I just need my dad to locate the picture of him wearing it and the collage can be complete.   

I'll be back soon...

I'm having a hard time getting motivated to blog because I have a ton of pictures to go through and upload.  Those of you who blog know what a daunting task that is sometimes.  Anyway, I'll get my act together soon.  So now...in addition to the things I said I needed in the last post:

Dakota's First Soccer Season
Thanksgiving
Christmas Decorating
More Videos of Dakota reciting Scripture

I also need to add:

Corban's First Haircut
Christmas
Snowdays
House Pictures (that I've been promising for months!)

I'm going to try and not do anything cool so I don't get behind.  Ha.  Maybe next week will be my lucky week?? 

Things I forgot

I found these pictures on my camera and thought they deserved being posted.  I still need to post blogs about:

Dakota's First Soccer Season

Thanksgiving

Christmas Decorating
More Videos of Dakota reciting Scripture

before Christmas so I don't get too behind. But...I'm not holding my breath and you shouldn't either :)  Enjoy these photos that didn't get posts of their own.

The kids graduated car seats.  That's always a big deal especially for the one that's been looking at the back for a year.  Dakota was thrilled to move to a booster and it makes life MUCH easier getting her in and out. 

We stopped by a fall festival at a church near us on Halloween Eve Eve and Dakota wanted her face painted.  It took about 45 minutes to wait in line and then she said she didn't want it done any more.  I told her she was getting her face painted after me & grammy she waited that long.  Since Gigi likes cats so much that's what she got on her face.  She sure does make a cute one! 

Oliver, Stetson and crew came for Corban's birthday and we got to take them to the zoo.

I found my son in the bed like this one day after Jacob put him down for a nap.  It was warm so Jacob just put him in the crib with only a diaper on.  Guess that was too much for Corban.  Luckily I caught him before we had a situation on hand.

She looks like an angel when she sleeps.

I took Dakota to see Veggie Tales Live with her friend Sydney.  It was a lot of fun and I think she really enjoyed it.  Who doesn't love a ginormous dancing asparagus??  I hope to take her to more shows this coming year.  Especially Beauty & the Beast at the Orpheum since that is one of her favorite movies right now.

Pierced and Pampered

Dakota has been asking to get her ears pierced since before her birthday in August and we kept telling her that we would take her.  Over Thanksgiving we were at the mall with my cousin Jess and her daughter Harlie who is 3 months younger than Dakota.  We walked by the Piercing Pagoda and I said, "ooo we could get your ears pierced now Dakota!"  Long story short, Dakota chickened out but Harlie got hers done instead.  Ha.  I was a little disappointed, not because Dakota didn't get her ears pierced but because I don't want her being afraid of things...especially things I know she really wants.  However, when I know Dakota is scared of something, overcomes her fears and does it anyway, I beam with pride.  Anyway, she has been telling us since that day that she never wants to get her ears pierced until this past Thursday.  Out of the blue she said she wanted them done so I figured I should cease the opportunity and take her.  She also needed a haircut but it's always so hard to chop those pretty golden locks.  So...we went to Sweet & Sassy and took care of both.  What a cute place.  She got her hair cut first and they sprayed it with glitter and a fragrance of her choice (she chose cupcake) and then we did the ears.  I could tell she was a little nervous but she did so great.  She cried a little and told me she never wanted to do it again (which currently she thinks if she wants to change earrings then she has to get them repierced - we'll cross that bridge in 6 weeks).  She got to pick out 2 lollipops and we headed to the grocery store where I proceeded to smash her finger in a grocery cart.  She forgot about her ears hurting...

 Her hair was starting to get really long and stringy and very hard for me to comb so we took off about 2" and it looks MUCH healthier now (forgot to take an after picture).  She's only every had 1 other real hair cut and that was a year ago.

 Watching the Incredibles.

 Little man enjoyed a lollipop while he waited.  I wanted to get him a hair cut too but I figured Jacob would shoot me if I got his son's hair cut at a place call "Sweet & Sassy."  Guess we'll go to Sports Clips and rid him of his mullet.

 Checking out the puppy's earrings while she waits for hers.

 So proud of you baby girl!!

Classic: Daddy's Helpers

This picture was taken in "stealth" mode.  I was hiding on the porch watching my family work in the yard together...my heart was smiling even though Dakota once told me that "hearts don't smile."  I love watching my husband interact with the kids (and dog) no matter what the activity.  Here they were planting our orchard - 4 apple trees and 2 plum trees.  When they bear fruit in a few years, I'll be able to look back at this picture and remember this sweet Friday afternoon.

Classic: Filling Daddy's Shoes

Shutterfly Sees Big Picture

Yep, Shutterfly sees the big picture this Christmas season...it's all about GIVING!  On cyber Monday I started designing my Christmas cards on Shutterfly trying to get a killer deal...there were so many cute options to choose from that I spent all of my kids' naptime looking and never ordered them.  I'm glad I waited because now I will get 50 of them for FREE for sharing their greatness with you!  My favorites are the religious cards because I want my receipients to know that Jesus is the reason I am celebrating CHRISTmas.  Hmmm...which one will I choose??

I'm terrible about getting pictures printed but Shutterfly makes it so easy!  You just upload your photos, select what you want and have them shipped to you.  You can even incorporate your photos into gifts.  I could really use one of these since my scrap piece of paper isn't doing the trick...

And since I just started drinking coffee I could use one of these with pictures of my kids to remind me of why I need coffee to get through the day (kidding)... 

 And I love a good puzzle.  They remind me of my childhood.  Grammy likes to do puzzles too.  Maybe I'll get her one of these one day...

And last, my favorite are their photo books.  They are cheaper/quicker/easier than scrapbooking.  My cousin has tons of these and it makes me want to go back and document the last 3 years of Dakota's life since I never got past her 1 month birthday in her scrapbook.  You can also make them for trips and holidays or any special event... 

So if you're still looking for any Christmas cards or Christmas gift ideas don't forget Shutterfly this December.  They really are a great deal and I love a company that's willing to SHARE.  Have a blog and want some cards too??  Go here ASAP.  Now...if only the USPS would do a promotion for free stamps I'd be set!

Celebrate: Halloween

My daughter made me aware of two things this past October:  1) Halloween isn't about me and 2) Every little girl wants to be a princess.  For the past several years we have celebrated Halloween with Carie and Chris.  Once our kids arrived we started dressing them up in what we thought was cute since they didn't have much say in the matter.  The past 2 years we chose themes (Flintstones one year, Wizard of Oz the next) and we thought we'd do the same this year.  We narrowed it down to either Toy Story or Star Wars.  As Carie and I started planning the costumes we were each told separately by our children what they wanted to be...Sutton wanted to be Batman, Dakota wanted to be a princess and she wanted Corban to be a clown.  It finally hit us both that even though it's really cute to dress our kids up in coordinating costumes, it's really about them having fun and allowing them to use their imaginations.  So...we decided we'd go our separate ways on the costumes.  I began planning out a princess costume and a clown costume and constructed them as quickly as I could.  I've made their costumes every year so far and I'd like to continue that tradition as long as I can.  Dakota picked out the colors for her dress.  She wanted blue and pink...her two favorite colors.  Those of you who know me very well know that I am FAR from the princess kind of girl.  I've never really promoted the princess thing around Dakota and quite honestly I thought we'd be able to avoid it.  I was wrong.  Sigh...I guess there are worse things in life for her to get caught up in and for the time being I'll let her continue calling her daddy her prince.

We celebrated Halloween with a Fall Festival at our church on October 22 (Corban's birthday!). It was a lot of fun and the weather was amazing. I love being with my church family and I love that my children love being with those same people.

 She does make a pretty princess...even if her shoes are on the wrong feet.

 He makes such a cute clown that I just might get over my fear of them.

 First time playing in a ball pit.

 Loving the water table.  Good thing the weather was so warm because he was soaked!

 I was so proud of Dakota for doing the trampoline...

 ...and she never even lost her tiara!

On Halloween night we went to Carie and Chris's annual party, enjoyed some yummy food and let the kids go trick or treating.  So they got to dress up again...

I love this picture.  I think it epitomizes little boys and girls.

 So glad Isaiah (and Chris too) could drop by.

 Dakota and Noelle "trick or treating".  Note to self:  a plastic bag does not make a cute candy collector.  I think I'll add that to my "to-do" list for Critterbug & Cricket for next year.  Personalized Candy Bags!

Seriously the cutest clown I've ever seen.  I just may be a recovered coulrophobic.

Celebrate: Corban turns 1!

This little boy lights up our life.  He is the sweetest, smiliest, most squeezable little thing and I can't believe he's already 1!  Corban turned 1 on October 22 but we celebrated on October 30.  Thanks to the Halloween season, I will have lots of birthday theme options for years to come.  This year I chose Frankenstein because Corban is our little monster and well, I like the color green :).  We had family along with Corban's little friends from the church nursery come celebrate with him and I think he had a good time.  He started walking about a week before his birthday and his little wobble matched perfect with the theme.  Thanks to all of those who have made this little guys first year so special.  P.S.  If you need lessons on how to eat a birthday cake...Corban is giving them for free (just not at our house!).

 Had to start birthday morning off with some french toast just like we did on Dakota's.

 I will not be giving up sewing anytime soon to be a cake decorator.  I guess it got the point across though...

 And that my friends is how you eat a birthday cake!

 Isaiah - 10 months, Stetson - 10.5 months and Caroline - 6 months. 

Proud members of the Bee Bop Band.

 This picture cracks me up.  This is what I think Oliver is saying, "Wait Corban, I just want to run over you with your new Tonka truck." 

My sweet friend Lauren moved to Memphis in September and I am thrilled that we get to spend more time together.  If you remember from this post we go back to high school and have stayed in touch over the years.

Furniture: White Clad Ice Box End Table

Jacob and I bought this little White Clad Ice Box at an antique store several years ago for only $30.  We used it on our front porch at our last house for him to store his roller blades in.  As you can tell in the "before" picture, the weather took it's toll on it.  When we moved to our new house we decided it was too nice of a piece to let go to waste so we refinished it.  Although I couldn't get all of the dark spots out of the doors, I think it turned out really beautiful.  It now makes a great little end table in our living room.  I tried doing some research on this piece of furniture and found that it is a popular item for reproductions.  I have seen pictures of originals and the reproductions and I'm not sure how to tell which mine is.  Either way (original or repro) they sell for over $100 so I think we got a steal (it didn't look like the "before" picture when we bought it).  There was a tacky lamp attached to the back of ours (completely out of style) that we yanked off and told the dealer to keep, that is why there is a small hole drilled in the top.  Anyway, my guess would be ours is a reproduction but I still like the look of it for our house.  It will always be one of those little pieces that Jacob and I bought early in our marriage and put a little love into to make it better.

Tuesday Testimonies: The Idea

I really want my blog to be the story of my life as well as the story of how God works in my life and those around me.  Lately I've been encouraged by several people who have been completely changed by the grace of God and the saving power of Jesus Christ.  I've had the idea to compile these stories for a while and am bolstering up the confidence to ask a few people specifically without offending them...but it's awesome to see the change in them!  I'm hoping to start a series on Tuesdays if people don't mind sharing.  If you'd like to share your testimony on my blog then email me triciacartner@hotmail.com.  Your testimony can be left completely confidential and we can even change names.  Anything you share with me via email will NOT be shared with anybody else unless you so desire.  I'd love to see how many people we can touch by these stories.  Will you share yours??  What is God doing in your life??