What Did I Do Over the Weekend? More than usual!

I took (about 50) pictures of Cecily by the Christmas tree...

I went to celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family and ate more than I needed to (but MAN it was good!)... (Too bad my dad didn't get enough gravy though)

I got really stupid with my little sister. I had a headache and thought the scarf tied tightly around my head would make it feel better. It did actually.

I was reminded... my sister's youngest son takes after her! (and I missed her oldest son who had a school event he couldn't get out of)


I took pictures of "Dearest's" backside. Okay, okay you can stop looking now!

I made my niece laugh! Oh wait, maybe that wasn't me. Hmmmm... Well, somebody made my niece laugh. (It was her 17th birthday!... And you're saying, duh!)

I thought it was precious that my 11 year old niece is so excited about her first year of clarinet.

I saw my sister and her youngest daughter in this pose and said, Ahhhh... and snapped a picture.

I captured my older sister's beautiful eyes on film (well, digital).

I thanked my momma for all the hard work that went into feeding all of us.

I thought it was sweet that Cecily held her Uncle Brad's head up while he attempted to go to sleep. Okay, maybe that wasn't QUITE the story - but it kind of looks that way huh?

I enjoyed watching my dad laugh (that was before he realized there wasn't enough gravy for his dressing).

I went to Abigail's Orchestra concert and was in awe at the amazing job the kids did. Wow! Truly AWESOME music. (I think she's going to put a video up in the next few days). Can you see Abigail next to the red head in the bun?

I was so happy that we all got to see our friends who have been gone for a year in England. They came to Abigail's concert and then had Starbucks with us.

And that's all we did. (Well, mostly.)

O Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree...

First of all, can I tell you how blessed I was by all of your comments yesterday? Well, I was. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to tell me you were thinking of us - praying for us... and for offering such sweet words of encouragement. I appreciate you all so much. ________________________________
Putting up (our 10 foot) Christmas Tree
While I did the most tedious task - putting up the lights...

Silas and Jonas discovered that lights blur when they're swung really fast in a circle.


Kyle and Jared assumed position on the couch - a yearly tradition - to let us labor over the tree while they watch a movie. Usually they watch It's a Wonderful Life, but this year we got started late (due to Abigail's orchestra practice), so they watched Home Alone.


The ambiance in the room was lovely.


Silas and Jonas decorated their room - Oh my.

Harrison had his first (organic) candy cane - and loved it I might add.

Anna got her candy cane too.

The stockings were hung (not) by the chimney with care (don't have one).

The absolute cutest event of the night... Harrison discovered his face looked funny in the ornaments.


It was a very happy and beautiful evening decorating our tree in honor of Anna.
In case you don't know the story...
The year Anna died - the kids BEGGED to put the tree up on the 17th of November. That was a few days earlier than usual for us. Well, we were SO grateful that we put it up early, because if we wouldn't have, Anna wouldn't have been able to participate. We feel God prompted us to put it up early for that very reason.
We all remember Anna standing back and looking at the tree and proclaiming with a sparkle in her eye ...

"It's BEAUTIFUL!"
So, that's why we put the Christmas tree up on the anniversary of Anna's death - in honor of Anna.

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Regarding Getting to know YOU

I need your help.

I've noticed that Getting to know YOU participation is down. What I mean by that is there haven't been as many comments. There are some faithful commenters but I've just noticed that the comments have been about half what they usually are. Since I want our featured bloggers to enjoy their day - I was wondering if maybe we should cut it back to once a week.

I know that you guys are busy and blogging isn't the most important thing in life - and shouldn't be, but so that Getting to know YOU can be a success and the featured bloggers can receive a lot of visitors - I think doing it once a week might be better.

What do you think?

If we go to once a week, which day of the week is your best blog hopping day. Monday and Friday both seem to be days when bloggers aren't on as much, so maybe another day would be better?

Would you let me know in a comment? I love introducing you to each other. I love doing Getting to know YOU. But since I'm doing it for you - I want to do it your way. Will you be open and honest about what you think would be best? THANKS!!

Have a lovely day!

The Day Anna Entered Heaven

November 19th, 2009

Tonight we'll put up the Christmas tree. Why? Because today is the day (5 years ago) that Anna went to live with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We put up the Christmas tree on November 19th in honor of Anna.

Anna's 6th birthday

I'll never forget the morning Anna died.

Excerpt from my book:

"... I had nursed Jonas for about ten minutes when Anna sat up very suddenly and screamed. It sounded like fear more than anything, but I could immediately tell she was sick. I quickly put Jonas on the bed. ... I grabbed a cup that was on the nightstand and put it in front of Anna's mouth. She threw up. She continued to cry out with severe intensity. I immediately panicked.

... She then threw her head back and fell onto the bed. I tried to set her up. I was afraid she would throw up and choke on it. She wouldn't get up. In fact, I couldn't even force her up - her body was arched back and stiff...

...After doing CPR for what seemed like an eternity, Anna's heart began to beat very slowly. Her eyes that had been looking towards us began to look the other direction as though she was looking at something else. Perhaps there was something much more precious to see on the other side. I began to sing to her, "Jesus loves me this I know. For the bible tells me so.... Anna, Jesus is right here with you. Don't be afraid. He will take care of you, honey. I love you, I love you, I love you." Her heart quit beating."

That was the most terrifying morning of my life, but the next morning was honestly the most painful morning of my life.

Excerpt from my book:

"The next day, the first morning without Anna was unbelievably sad. I woke up very early and immediately felt the emptiness and the deep pain. There was a real physical pain involved as well as an emotional pain. I needed Kyle. I knocked on the bathroom door where he was. It was about four o'clock a.m. He opened the door and we both just began to cry. We sat on the bathroom floor together and wept bitterly and said hopeless things to one another. At that moment we both just wanted to die. We didn't even attempt to lift each other up. We just stayed down there together. It was our first moment of mourning together. It was only the Lord's strength that gave us enough courage to get up off that floor."

There we were, and there we stayed for many months (although it did get a tiny bit easier each day).

But the day Anna died it was not that experience for her. The morning she died she was entering her glorious eternal home. She would see Jesus face to face. She would live without heart problems. She would live without heartache. She would never feel pain again. Death was not the experience for her that it was for us. No, quite the opposite.

Once the reality sunk in (and it wasn't immediately), that knowledge gave me a tremendous amount of comfort. I rejoiced for Anna. I truly did.

As horrible as that time was in my life, I have to give God glory because at the same time it was spiritually wonderful. It's very hard to explain this to someone who hasn't lost a child, or who lost one and didn't know the Lord, but in a spiritual sense, I was enlivened. God showed himself to me in ways I never could have known had I not been suffering. My heart was broken. My emotions were raw. My life was at his mercy.

Anna's life was a beautiful blessing in my life and in the lives of everybody that met her. She was radiant - truly beautiful in every way. But her death was beautiful too - beautiful because God was glorified as he carried us through that pain. Beautiful because we were changed, permanently changed in many wonderful ways. Beautiful because God gave us a fresh perspective on life and love. Beautiful because others lives have been helped through the healing that God gave us.

On this day - the anniversary of my precious daughter's entrance into heaven - I just want to end this blog post by quoting the late paragraph of my book:

A journaled prayer:

"Anna serves you perfectly now, that's an awesome blessing! I desire you with all my heart, yet there are days I don't heed to your holy call. It's frustrating, but even that makes me desire you. Everything I am and want to be is a result of your working in my life. I praise you for taking three of my children to be with you because a part of me has gone with them. I find myself holding much more loosely to this earthly place and the things in it. I can truly say I'm thankful for my sorrow because I've gained so much."

I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right and that thou, in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

Our little sweetie - Anna.

AKA: Pookie, Gabi, Anne Shirley, and Cec-Anna (When I tried to call her Cecily)

Anna and Cecily - who were truly inseparable.

Yes, she had a crazy side - I WONDER who she got that from! (Well, actually she comes from a whole family of goofy people - so she came by it honestly.)

This was the very last picture we got of Anna before she died. It was taken about 15 hours before she died. Anna was doing what she loved most - being a little mommy. I continually PRAISE GOD that she wasn't suffering that day and that we didn't know what the next day had in store. Read my journal entry from that night when I went to bed.

November 18th, 2004 "Life is very sweet. I've had my moments where I despair and worry, but God always reminds me to count it all joy. Live today, today. After all, God's grace is sufficient and he may take us to our eternal home at any moment."

I still stand in awe as I see that God was preparing me - whether I knew it or not. I love my Lord so much - and when I see the way he cared for me through that time - well, I just stand in awe all over again.

I know, I already showed you this picture - but I LOVE it so much. So, I put it here again... for me.

Anna Gabrielle Kraft 7/25/98 - 11/19/04 - Pleasures EVER MORE!
*Check back tomorrow for Christmas decorating pictures.
*If you want to read a remembrance from a sister's point of view - Click over and read Abigail's blog post.
Anna - it's all for you baby. Momma loves you. MMMMWAAAAA! (Big kiss)

Just Marveling at God's Provision this Morning

My hubby and I went on a double date with some friends last night. Kyle and Tim eat breakfast together quite often, but Rebecca and I haven't seen each other in quite some time. You see, she's pregnant with her 10th! and of course I have my 6. Mom's just don't get an awful lot of time away do we? Anyway... that's not my topic for today - I just wanted to say what fun we had. I'm thankful for the dinner they bought us and the sweet fellowship we had.

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Since I pretty much tell you guys everything! Well, there are a few things I don't tell... really there are... but I have something wonderful to share.

My hubby and I have been a little stressed about money. I'm sure none of you have that problem (yeah right, huh?) . God has provided money to pay all of our bills. We aren't using credit cards to make payments (as we were about 8 years ago). We have food to eat. We have clothing on our backs. My husband really does make a very good income for which we are so very grateful. But, like almost everybody else, sometimes there just isn't enough extra for the things that come up unexpectedly, especially when they all come up at once.

Well, with Christmas coming - van not running right - bonuses not coming (and haven't all year) - needing more school books, espresso machine breaking (just teasing! but you know how us Kraft's love our coffee!), kids outgrowing clothes (and unfortunately MOM outgrowing clothes - I've gained 10 pounds!!! UGH! Always happens when I quit nursing), needing a few more supplies to protect porch repairs through the winter (until hubby can finish it in the Spring), forgetting to write a $200 AT&T payment in the checkbook between changing registers, ... shall I go on? No - I'll quit here. Point is... I've been a little stressed about money. Just not quite keepin' up.

I've been praying: "Lord, these problems aren't big for you and you've always provided for us. Please lighten the load and just provide a way to meet our needs. Allow us to have some money to buy Christmas presents and fix the things that need fixing."

I've prayed in the morning... on the toilet (actually one of the best places to pray because I'm alone! Well actually sometimes Harry follows me.), while making my bed... every moment I could.

Even our double date was stressing me out because I was like - How are we going to pay for it?

And I was praying - "Lord please provide some money before our date."

Well, to God be the glory!! Kyle gathered our family in the dining room BEFORE our date (prayer answered) and said that he got an unexpected phone call - a phone call that God set up- a phone call that was information about... provision! We didn't ask for money. We didn't apply for a loan. We hadn't even made our needs known to anybody. It wasn't anything WE did to get money - well, other than pray that is. God just provided for us.

Am I surprised? NO WAY! This has happened too many times in our married life. Even the recent gift of a car for Jared was God miraculously providing. Even a financial gift - a LARGE financial gift - that Jared received for a film score he did - was God miraculously providing for Jared.

God has provided vacation money right before vacation - twice. He's provided a new oven when ours was in the backyard (another story for another day). He's provided money for Jared's college - when even though he had a 4.0, he didn't get a scholarship. He's provided money out of nowhere for needs that suddenly came up.

Yes, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and nothing is impossible for him. God's resources are unlimited!

I'm not surprised, but I am rejoicing. I considered not sharing this information with you this morning - you see it affects my pride just a little - Naughty Naughty me ... but I committed long ago to live by this verse.

Psalm 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."

It's so important that we declare the wonderful works of God so that others see our Savior and it's then that HE and HE ALONE receives the glory!

So, there's my story of God's provision - for now. I'm absolutely sure there will be more stories in the future. If you're struggling financially today - just continue to pray and know that God will clothe you and feed you... he will provide shelter for you. He will not leave you comfortless.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

*Kyle has his own added blessings to this story - it wasn't just me praying and trusting - no, God was preparing his heart to receive this provision in awe as well. I can't tell all because - well, I can't - but trust me, it's pretty cool how God lays something on your heart and it doesn't make sense, but then you do it in faith... and God blesses.

REJOICING from Sedgwick today!

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Shoulders

One more thing and then I promise I'm done. Do you ever wish you had a shoulder to cry on? Do you just sometimes want to pour your heart out to someone for some sympathy? Well, there's a new blog called Shoulders. Abigail did the blog design for it. The blog owner wishes to remain anonymous. She isn't doing it for any other reason than to reach out and minister to others.

It's a rather beautiful ministry. She plans to feature people - owners of blogs - who are going through something (anything) and need some encouragement. Her only request is that you leave a comment on the blog of the person she is featuring to offer encouragement (because we all know that comments have a way of doing that).

She will feature people who are recommended by others. Kind of like a nomination.

If you go to her blog and become a follower, then when she features somebody, you just go and leave a word of encouragement - even if it's just "I'm sorry for your trials" or "I'm praying for you" or Keep your chin up!"

Will you be the shoulder somebody else can cry on? I bet it'll feel good! I'm going to do it! Join me?

Childhood Tents - and Merry Christmas Cripe Family!

A Good Day to Make a Tent

It was wet and even a little snowy today - the perfect day to have some indoor fun!

I LOVED making tents when I was a child. Something about my own little private world was thrilling to me. My kids have all liked making tents too. Today my little guys were pretending it was their fort.

Jonas was ready... for....for... something!

Harry was in the lookout tower - equipped with his... bottle!

Oh the joys of childhood!
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Let's Help the Cripe Family Have a Blessed Christmas
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please to put a penny in the old man's hat. If you've no penny, a ha'penny will do. If you have no ha'penny then God Bless You.

(*ha'penny is a half penny (British)) (I've been singing this song since I was a little girl.)

Wouldn't you love to spread the joy this Christmas season! Just imagine how wonderfully blessed you will feel as you make a difference in somebody else's life - a family who is in desperate need of a distraction and some encouragement?

My friend Danielle - sent me her Christmas wish list and I'm so grateful she did. I know that many of us have been considering what we might be able to do for Danielle and her family for Christmas, but we didn't exactly know what to do - well Danielle made it easy on us, she provided an Amazon Wish List!

I went over to look through it today and there are many options to choose from. Just think of the huge smile you will put on their faces - and with all that's going on in their life right now, I for one want to be part of carrying their burden, don't you?

Do I sound like an informercial? Well, I'm not trying to, but I am trying to entice you to continue to reach out to this very special family. Let's team up and do a great work for our Lord - let's help ease the burden of their trials this Christmas season.

Today my little boys drew some pictures for Arwen and Sebastian - and simple things like that will be a blessing to them too.

Here are some ideas Danielle had as well: (financial gifts can still be made here: Donations)

Gift Card ideas: Visa cards are accepted most places, Wal-mart, Meijer, Krogers, Babies R Us (especially closer to our due date June 14th 2010, we donated all of our baby things to people who needed them), Marathon, Shell, BP gas stations, Bob Evans, Applebee's, Pizza Hut, McDonalds or Wendy's for the kids

Kid's needs: Pajamas size 7 for Arwen, 7/8 for Sebastian, Winter snow boots Arwen 12 1/2-13, Sebastian 13 wide, snowpants size 7 for both kids

Additional likes: coloring books, color wonder items, fusion clay, board games, card games for kids 5-8, kid magazine subscriptions.

Kids interests:

Sebastian (5) is into superheros, PBS kids, dinosaurs, books, kids magazines, art, clay or playdough

Arwen (7) is into pictures, cars, disney princesses, Bear in the Big Blue House, Clifford, Tinker Bell, barbie dolls, horses, beads

Danielle's interests: christian music, angel collector, PJ's size 1x-2x for pregnancy, inspirational books or stories, aromatherapy lotions, magazines

Rick: movies, coping books, inspirational things, he has recently loss some weight by diet changes and exercise and could use some blue jeans for work size 35 30, he has a huge load on his shoulders with being the provider for the family and coping with the Danielle's illness and now pregnancy, and Arwen's special needs. He could use some individual encouragment as well.

Also some ideas on what we can do for our kids to make things easier on them would be helpful. Or any memory making event ideas. We have already gone to Build A Bear and made bears for the kids with a message from mama in them. I have been and continuing to make videos for the kids, like 'life lessons', how to videos, reading stories, telling memories about them, etc. Any other ideas would be great. I also have a few videos for Rick and some letters for family members. I still have hope that we won't need these videos, etc, still praying for a miracle on many levels. At the same time I don't want to pass on and not have done these things for the my family, the kids especially.

For Sending Gifts/Cards/Financial Gifts etc.

Cripe Family

PO Box 884

Columbia City IN 46725

***And from the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU For lovin' on this family.***

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{MY CHUMS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

(Big hug to my chums)

Life's Not Always Fireflies and Hummingbirds - Too bad.

I've met some people through the years who I felt just wanted to have one up on me. They didn't just love me for me - and let me be me (and them be them) - they seemed to want to show me up or be better than me. One time we were selling a house and the realtor told a common friend "Lynnette always keeps her house beautifully clean" (let me just take this opportunity to say HA! That was a 960 sq ft house and 2 kids). Anyway... This friend made a competitive response that surprised our realtor friend. You know something like, "I'm even more of a neat freak than Lynnette. My house is NEVER messy." (And she certainly was! WAY better than me at keeping her house clean.) I never understood why she said it though. I never wanted it to be a competition - and my house was only beautifully clean because we were trying to sell it.

Have you ever had a friend who you always felt you were in competition with? What is it with human nature that always wants to do that - compete? I suppose it must boil down to pride, but God instructed us in his word not to compare ourselves with others - which means it's an age old problem.

2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Life is so much sweeter when we just appreciate the gifts and talents - even just the personalities of others. There will always be those who are smarter than us, prettier than us, wittier than us... more disciplined than we are, more committed, more ... more... something. That's how life is. God has given each of us distinct personalities and has called us to a specific calling. It we are good enough for him - after all, he created us "fearfully and wonderfully" - then we are good enough for everybody else!

I'm only saying all of that because I witnessed Harry enjoying a little girl's song on Sunday night and it just blessed my heart. Jenilee's daughter was singing, "No more monkey's jumping on the bed" and Harry just giggled and said, "Again!" "Again!" I thought - if only adults could be more like that. Just enjoy others with admiration and innocence - no comparing - no wanting the attention on us.

Watch this cute video of Harrison watching Jenilee's daughter (and observe his sincere smile and the sparkle in his eye).

We can learn a lot by watching our children. If only we could always do as scripture tells us to: Be like adults in our thinking (maturity)- but be like children when it comes to evil (they just don't seem to have evil thoughts). (I Cor. 14:20)

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If you'd like to be featured some Monday or Friday - just click on the button and sign up! Remember to stop by and visit the featured blogger. You'll appreciate the visits when it's your turn. It makes it much more fun to have a lot of visitors. AND you'll be entered in November's drawing for one of the games offered by The Ash Grove Press. (But make sure you say you're visiting from "Lynnette's Blog" or "Getting to know YOU", so I can be sure to get you entered.
Today lets get to know...
Chrissy!
at


Chrissy's blog just made me smile. It was cute and real. Isn't the blog name cute? Don't you wish life was always Fireflies and Hummingbirds? Heaven will be like that - the good without the bad and the ugly. Here are some things I read on Chrissy's blog:"Every Day Matters""Life is Only As Good as the Memories We Make""Every Good and Perfect Gift is from Above"
Does she sound like an optimist? I think so. So... go and be blessed! I was!

How do closets get messy so quickly?

It never fails - no matter how hard I try to keep my closet clean - it ALWAYS gets messy again. Yes friends, your good pal Lynnette can be a SLOB! Here's proof - this is MY closet (well, Harry and I share).

By nature, I'm organized - With 6 kids, I'm not. I gave up a long time ago! BUT, every now and then I have to get myself organized again (if only in one place), because my organizer nature starts to feel abandoned.
Today I tackled my closet. It was horrible! I didn't work on making it pretty today - just un-messy. I feel so much better now.

I also went through Harrison's clothes and bagged up the ones he outgrew (for Goodwill) and even threw some away. I put my spare purses in the pink crate. Don't you love my brown carpet? ha! When we re-carpeted (10 years ago!!), for some reason we didn't take that out and it is really really really ridiculously UGLY! I think I shall take that out very soon.

Oh, and in case you are all wondering what my favorite main dish is...
It's ...
Beef and Noodles!

Here's how I make it. I take some form of beef - either a roast or some cheap steaks, and put it in a pan with some water and salt. (Sometimes I put it in the crock-pot.) You want a really rich beef broth so don't water it down too much. The beef and noodles won't be like soup - it'll be like beef, noodles and some broth for flavor.
After the beef is cooked (I cook it several hours until it super tender), I chunk it up (sometimes it ends up shredding and that's okay).
I then make my own noodles.
Homemade Egg Noodles
2 1/2 C Flour1/4 tsp. Salt2 Eggs1/2 C Milk1 T butter
Get a pan of water boiling to cook the noodles in. Mix everything in a mixer and form a big glob. (ha!) Roll out onto a floured counter to 1/8" - 1/4" thickness. Use a pizza cutter and cut strips that are about 2" x 1" (or whatever you want). Put the noodles in the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes.
Drain the noodles and stir in a little salt and butter. Then add the noodles to the beef and the broth. Let flavors blend for about 5-10 minutes and serve.
YUM!
(If something didn't make sense, please let me know and I'll clarify).