Knit Two Together

Dear Leslie, and Family,

As you know, this weekend we (my husband of 15 years) and I had the privilege to attend a marriage retreat. Even though we have attended one before, somehow, this time, I did not know what to expect. My Love and I have been living apart during the week for nearly 3 years now (he is home every weekend, and naturally, during that time there has been the week here or there, that he is either here, or I am there! LOL). So, going in to the weekend, I was tired. Emotionally and physically. And marriagely (yeah, I just made that word up).

Ephesians 5: 21, 22 "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery..."

A great mystery indeed.

The time at the marriage retreat was so refreshing for me. I encourage every husband and wife to MAKE the time to go (and I am willing to come babysit when you do!) We attended the one in South Atlantic Conference. It is always wonderful. There were 189 other Africian-American couples there, married from 6 months to 50+ years. The love, sharing, encouragment---having other couples surround us and pray for us, our marriage--it all touched me so deeply.


I have struggled, at times, to see God's design for marriage from the beginning. I know His plan was perfect. Some days I wonder what happened! But, it was good to be reminded at the retreat how difficult these years can be at times, years 4-25 or so. So much of life happens---career building, childbearing and rearing, running to everything, and that couple time is often put on eternal hold. After all, these things are important, right? Well, I am learning I have to make, well, demand time for just US---and I see my Love doing likewise. We must tell other things no, so that we can have time for just the two of us.

So, in our away time together this weekend, he helped me roll my yarn into balls---and I, in turn, helped him with his balls. (Yeah, OOC, huh?) We laughed, we talked, we shared---some things we seldom get to do in our real world time, because there is always some child, dog, or church situation requiring our attention.

Most importantly, I had time to humbly thank the Lord for giving me the gift of my husband. And I reflected on God's plan for our marriage, and how He is continually weaving the two of us into one.

Who knew God was a knitter!

Sewing Olympics

Dear Emilie,

As you know, the Olympics started on Friday and with that the race for gold!  I was reading on Alex's blog about the Sewing Olympics.  I thought is was a cool idea.  I've been reading about different Knitting Olympic Challenges as well on a couple other blogs.  The idea is to create/complete a project during the two weeks of the Olympic Games.

I can't say that I'm participating, but then again, it might be nice to try something.  If I do, I'm leaning towards the Sewing [crafting] Olympic Challenge as there is plenty for me to choose from with regards to completing projects around here.  It's left up to me what my "events" will be.  (Now that I'm thinking about it, I should have started a "Clean-up-your-house" Olympic Challenge, as that's really what I need to be doing here!)

I simply wanted to share this with you.  Perhaps you'll want to participate or make plans to do this for the next Olympics (I hear this is a regular thing).

I hope you had a great weekend!

Sunday, February 7

Dear Emilie,

We got a lot of snow over the weekend.  Like 12-18 inches!  WHOO HOO! The kids have had a blast playing in it and I've had fun watching them.  It's kept us in--which I'm so not mad about! ;-)

It's also given me some time to think and rethink about the things/projects I want to tackle this year.  In January, I took the time to write about all of those things.  You can read about it here.  But yesterday, as I sipped on hot chai and watched the kids from the window, I decided that I'm going to give myself a clean slate.  In looking over all the projects I've started, I have to be honest and tell you that I really don't want to complete most of them.  I'm still loving the yarn I've chose, but not so much that project.  And that's ok.

I took additional time to look through some of the knitting books I currently own--even took a moment to browse through the Ravelry site for more ideas.  With that, I'm thinking I'll be "frogging" most of this unfinished work and reworking it into something else.

I'm excited!!

What things are you working on?  Have you complete those baby gifts?  I'm currently working on a soft gray scarf and another lap quilt.  I'll share some photos soon.

Happy Weekend, my friend!

Leslie

128!

Well, here I am, again. Finally. Today is my birthday. So many people have reached out to me today, including my sister-friend, Leslie, and for that I am grateful. And blog was on my list of things to do today. I am back, baby! I am blessed, and grateful for life. And I am working on complaining less this year. I'll share more about that later.

My knitting keeps me sane, relaxed, and the Serotonin levels at even, normal levels!

I feel transition in my life---and since I enjoy knowing ahead of time what is going to happen, so I can plan for it, I find this place to be uncomfortable---well, at least unsettling. My son's feet are as big as mine, and my daughter is driving! Where have the years gone? So, I am working on enjoying today, embracing now, embracing change and reminding myself that God is here too.


EMbracing,
Em~

Happy Birthday Emilie!!

It's a special day for Emilie!
It's her birthday we've been told
God has cared for her the whole year through
And today she's another year old!

I am blessed to call you my cousin...and honored to call you my friend!
Have a wonderful day!!!
Love you

Happy New Year & A Give-Away

Happy New Year to you!!

What a nice way to begin this new year, here, by sharing with you a give-away I found out about at Natural Kids.  There is a beautiful stack of fabric squares being offered by Cloud9.  I've just entered and decided to share the information.  Yeah, it may lower my chances of actually becoming the winner, but this would be great for anyone who sews.

If you're interested, click here for more information and to enter!

Wishing you well in this new year!!

Where My Stitches At??!

So there is good news and no news! LOL!

Let me start with the 'no news:' We haven't been here in awhile (can you tell?)!

Now for the good news: We have been knitting and working on a multitude of projects during our "time out." We are also in the process of updating the look of this blog and have plans for a weekly blog post for the new year.

I've completed school and am now a Massage Therapist (in addition to all the other titles I hold-lol!). Emilie is finishing up her schooling this week! YAY!! So we are making a commitment to ourselves that in the new year we will take care of our needs too! I read on Sarah's blog that needs are needs--no matter whose they are--they are needs! As wives and mothers we something lose sight of that until things get in a bad place and then we quickly try to back peddle. Well, no more baby!

We wish each of you a peaceful holiday season and invite you to check back with us in the new year. We'd love to have you along for the ride--it's gonna be a ride! LOL!

(If you want an update on my projects--click here.)