Scrapbook Happy

I had a very nice Saturday at a crop where I only knew a couple of women previously, but met some new friends too.

I was able to complete 64 pages! I have actually been working on them for a couple of weeks, but got all of them stuck to the pages and in my albums and it felt wonderful to get so much done.

I used to enjoy it when people asked how many children I had. I was always so proud to be able to tell them...whether it was one (in the beginning) or all the way up to six (after Caleb was born).

After Caleb died it is difficult. When people ask the number of children that I have I would never want to leave my precious Caleb out...for he is still as much a part of our family as he was when he was conceived and born...but it presents a problem for me to have to explain that he is no longer with us when people ask the ages of my children, etc.

It happened this weekend at the crop and the conversation ended up with me explaining that my son had died at 17 months old and would be 5 years old, had he lived. They asked me how he died and I told them of the tragedy. Mothers themselves, they were very sad at the news of my loss. One woman came over, before I even knew her name, and embraced me and held me close. What a blessing women can be for one another. I must remember that when my tendency can be to, even in my thoughts, tear another woman down.

I am Christian but most of the women aren't (that went to the crop). I pray that through my trials God can touch the hearts of these dear women and let them see the love of a compassionate and loving Jesus, the Christ. Afterall, what Hope do we have when we don't have God?

Have a wonderful week. Here in the Northeast it is supposed to be warm I heard...in the 60's! Yeah!

With Hope,
Cheryl

Cricut...Create -- How exciting!

My main hobby, is scrapbooking. I have fallen behind and am trying to play "catch-up". I have several friends who have a "Cricut" machine, which cuts paper into letters, borders, die cuts, etc.

I have now officially purchased one for myself. I am hoping that it helps me to zip through many of my projects within my scrapbooks.

How many of you scrapbook? If you do, what do you find is the thing that you enjoy most about it and what do you struggle with?

I enjoy recording my family's activities and physical growth. After Caleb died I treasure my pictures more than ever. I am so thankful that I have the ability to capture my family's images.

I struggle with the organization of my photos on my computer. I take a lot of photos and have problems keeping the pictures organized. It is very time consuming to me because I don't have a good system in place. Any suggestions?

Well, I'll keep you posted and maybe show you some of my handiwork (and that of the Cricut too) once I receive the machine.

Happy Scrapping!
With Hope,
Cheryl

Caleb Daniel Brule 2/26/07-8/20/08

Happy 5th Birthday to my precious son, Caleb. Although I know that your life was complete in God's eyes, I do think about what a big year this would have been for you, had you lived....riding the bus like your older siblings and starting kindergarten! What special times you would have had. Caleb you live forever in Heaven and in our hearts. Miss you so much! Love you, ♥ Mommy

Hug Him Once for Me

A beautiful song that I recently came across called "Hug Him Once for Me"...I am waiting expectantly...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBHEJtqKjkk&feature=share

I wish that I knew how to link a youtube video to blogger without just including the link, but it is a beautiful song that is close to my heart.

With love and Hope,
Cheryl

Encouragement

It has been a long time since I have posted, so I thought that I would pop in and say hi.

I have been encouraged lately, after having gone through/going through many trials, by having a message brought to my attention more than once. God seems to have to remind me multiple times before I actually "get" that he is trying to hammer something "home" with me.

The first time that I read recently about trials and how the Lord allows these things in our lives was on a blog that I follow: http://aftereva.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-have-been-spending-some-time-re.html

The video clip that really cemented the idea for me, after reading the blog, was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3U_FNMtBqw&feature=channel_video_titl It is of a speaker that spoke at my daughter's college. He is a dynamic speaker and is worth the time that you would spend listening to it. Please listen through the end. I had tears, it touched me so much.

On a different note, I was able to attend a scrapbooking crop today and this week I have completed 66 pages! I am thankful for that because I have really fallen behind. I enjoy the craft so much, but try not to let it take over my time too much.

I have also recently read the book: http://www.christianbook.com/used-organized-help-reclaiming-order-peace/glynnis-whitwer/9780891122883/pd/122883 It has really changed the way that I think about organization and has simplified my life quite a bit by making small changes in the way that I do things. I highly recommend the book to anyone who struggles with organization of thoughts, material belongings, paperwork, finances, etc.

My children are on school vacation this week and I'm looking forward to having them at home. Maybe, if the little one cooperates, I can sleep past 6:00 in the morning! She was two in October and is full of spunk.

I will try to post again soon. I pray that you are all doing well and I do enjoy reading all of your posts.

With love and Hope,
Cheryl

Teenagers and Trials

I've been thinking quite a bit about how the Lord works in my life.

I remember with each of my seven pregnancies that by the ninth month the Lord was making it easier for me to want to enter the next stage in my life by making me very uncomfortable in the present stage. By the end of every pregnancy I was really "ready" to birth that baby and to carry it in my arms instead of in my belly.

In my present situation I find that the Lord is working in a similar way. I now have four teenagers. I have found that as my children get to be teenagers, things slowly start to change. I find myself in a little more "pain" as they face challenges (sometimes life changing challenges) every day; as they exert a little more of their independence and make decisions that aren't always the best. My children aren't the kind of children that like to open up and tell us what is going on in their heads during these times.

I end up getting to a point, after much praying, pleading, crying out to God and receiving Biblical counsel about these things, looking forward to the more mature stage that is soon to come for most teenagers. That is what usually happens when they move out and have to "own" their decisions more and they hopefully finally "get it".

It is during these times that I am almost anxious for the children to get out on their own and gain wisdom from their experiences.

It is so much work for children as well as parents of teenagers to navigate these waters.

That being said, I am still their mom. Even though I can't wait to have my babies after a long pregnancy, I worry about them so much once they are in this world. Especially after Caleb died in his crib I know that even as a small child terrible tragedies can happen.

I worry about that too with my teenagers. With the same motherly instincts (that the Lord placed in me when my first baby was conceived) I mother my teenagers. I don't want tragedy to strike and I don't want them to have to experience trials to "get it". I want the not so difficult road for my children, the one with no big bumps or dips of despair.

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As a mother of teenagers I wonder too how much I am responsible for when the children are going through a trial. I know that I have failed in some cases where my children were doing something that I could have prevented if I had looked on their computer sooner, for instance, but I have never blantantly ignored signs that my children have shown me and I am extremely pro-active in monitoring my children. I do wonder when my children are going through trials and I know what they are, if I am doing my best to help them.

I am one of those, lose-sleep-over-it, kind of mothers. I want to do what the Lord would have me do, but sometimes I feel like a deer-in-the-headlights kind of girl. I don't want to have regrets with my children that have far reaching consequences.

I have been trying to be a good mom and praying to God through it all. I am not a perfect mom, in fact, far from it, but I do have a heart for God and I pray that my actions reflect that.

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I am also a really emotional mom and I really can't almost bear the thought of my babies moving out. When my daughter moved out a year and a half ago to go to college, a part of me left too. When my son leaves, most likely, next fall, he will take a part of me with him too. It will not be easy to say goodbye again to another one of my children.

Caleb took a piece of me with him to Heaven too. In a way, when your children start to leave the nest, it is a death of sorts. The end of life the way that you know it. It will never be the same again.

God was there when Caleb died, He was there when I said goodbye to my oldest daughter and He will be there holding me (and my oldest son) when I have to say goodbye to him too.

God is sure growing me and I am thankful for the times that he has carried my family. My oldest son, who will be graduating this year, reminded me that his high school career started the day after we buried his brother Caleb. I am proud that we have even survived, never mind, at times, thrived as a family.

I will continue to draw near to God as he continues to refine me and my hubby and children.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


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On another note, I read the book Courageous. I don't know if any of you have seen that movie, but I would highly recommend the book and I can't wait to see the movie either at a theater that is still showing it, or when the DVD comes out. My husband read the book in three nights and loved it too. I have noticed a wonderful difference in my outlook and in my husband's actions towards me and the children. What a huge blessing it has been in our lives.

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I have been struggling to leave comments, at times, on some of your blogs. I don't know why Blogger won't accept my comments/frequently loses them. I do love reading your blogs!

Thanks for listening and goodnight,
With Hope,
Cheryl

Happy Birthday Sweet Elisabeth!

Two years ago today our family was blessed by God, once again. Little Elisabeth was born. Thanking God for his blessings.

We love you so much Elisabeth...What a joy you are to our family!