The Gorilla and the Pig

This here is my big brother.

His name is Marvin and it's his birthday tomorrow.

Here he is trying to aggravate me...he still does this hand on my head thing.
When I was a little girl, he dubbed me with the nickname "Sow".

So I've been called that my entire life.

Except when he calls me, Sowpig, Swamp Sow (yeah..I dunno about that one, I guess cuz we're from Louisiana), Momma Sow, and my new favorite....Sow Maw, which he is trying desperately to get my grandkids to call me. 

He's not into my fab themed birthday parties I throw.

In fact, he told me this year they're stupid.

So I'm not gonna throw him a party this year. 

Nope. Not gonna do it.

Oh and he really hates that I take pictures all the time

He never cooperates.  

Like this, for instance...

and this..

Oh, and he REALLY hates when pics of him end up on my blog or on fb.

So PLEASE, don't tell him about this one ....

or this one..

 or this one.

Even though he can be a pain
He really is a great big brother.
I love him to pieces.
We usually laugh a bunch when we're together.

And I'm incredibly proud of him and how the Lord is using him.
I mean, everyone who is saved by God's grace is transformed,
but some of our transformations are a little more outwardly noticeable.
Like my brother for instance.
This is before Jesus interrupted his life...

He used to be a high school drop out drug addict.

And this is what God did...

He went from being a high school drop out to seminary graduate.
He delivered him, transformed him, and then called him into the ministry.
That is what grace looks like.

His passion for people and desire to see them know Jesus inspires me.
Don't tell him, but I think he's one of the most awesome guys I know.
We tease each other a lot but I'm so proud I'm his sister and he's my big brother.

Oh....and about the title "The Gorilla and the Pig"...
Well I've had to live my entire life being called Sow right?
So.... when the Lord blessed me with grandchildren, I taught them to call him Gorilla!
And they do!

 
Ahhh...revenge is so sweet.

Happy Birthday Gorilla!
This little pig loves you :)

So Very Thankful

I'm so very thankful.

Last year at this time, this was my view.

Pain had pretty much taken over my life and this chair I was sitting in was pretty much where I lived. It had gotten to the point where it hurt to stand, it hurt to lie down, it hurt to walk, and it hurt to sit. Riding in a car was out of the question.... something about that position was excruciating. 

I even had to crawl a few times because it hurt too bad to stand.

I could no longer put on my own pants,  pick up my grandchildren or bend over to change their diapers.

Tomorrow it will be one year since I had surgery on my back.

I had begun to have nerve damage, so it was inevitable.

So I got my toes did...by my sweet husband no less :)

And got er done! 

This pic was taken a year ago tomorrow...

me a little scared, a little depressed, a little worried.

Being brave for my girls sake.

And this is me now, a year later...

I have to be careful of course but I'm backing to doing stuff  I love..

Like painting.

Riding in the car ...

with my feet on the dashboard.

Driving!

ALL Day Wedding Shopping!!

And most of all this....

I can't pick up all three at the same time.
but I CAN hold them. I can change diapers.  I can give them baths and pick them up one at a time!

Rosalyn always asks about my "bo bo" and this last visit she and Jules tried to kiss my bo bo (scar) away. 

I realize the physical pain I endured for a season, doesn't compare to the pain that some must endure permanently due to diseases, injuries or whatever affliction the Lord is allowing in your lives.  But through mine, He has given me a greater compassion and heart for others.

I love this quote from Streams in the Desert..

"He doesn't comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters"
(2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

"Oh , bless our God, you peoples!

and make the voice of His praise to be heard,

who keeps our soul among the living,

and does not allow our feet to be moved.

For You, O God, have tested us;

You have refined us as silver is refined.

You brought us into the net,

You laid affliction on our backs.

You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But You brought us out to rich fulfillment."

Psalm 66:8-12

Praise God!

A year ago, I had no idea about blogging.

I had no idea of all of the wonderful ladies and friends glorifying God through sharing their talents, sharing their stories and sharing their pain...

And through having extra time while I couldn't move much during my time of affliction,  I discovered y'all.

And I began to create "pretties" to do something with my time.

Started a blog of my own.

Eventually opened my own Etsy shop.

 So, part of my rich fulfillment is this blog which has turned out to be a wonderful vessel to glorify God through the things He is teaching me.......and for the opportunity to meet so many of you..... and for allowing me to "re-connect" with so many of my friends and family that  I don't get to see or talk to often enough.

Yes,  I'm so very thankful.

Stephanie :)

2nd Helping of Handmade Goodness

Here is the second scoop of handmade goodness I promised you.

With sprinkles on top :) 

{here's the first post in case you missed it}

1.  Something I made for others.

These little hats and gloves for my girls.

Super easy.  Super  cheap.  Super fun designing them to match their unique personalities.

Lydia is into cameos {see here}

 Lauren is my bling girl.  She's into anything sparkly..
(i didn't make these gloves though...dirt cheap $2 specials)

And my  Elizabeth, the busy mother of 3 and  probably why I didn't get a pic of her, is my more classic with a touch of funky girl. 

2. Something that was made for me.

This is a dishtowel my sis in law made for me that I absolutely adore!  Ain't it just precious?!  I could just eat the little yellow pom poms :) Thanks Heather. You did good girl :)

3. Something handmade that I bought for others.

I love sentimental keepsake stuff. And when I saw these vintage baby spoons on easy. 

I knew I had to get them for my grandchildren.  

These were made by Jessica of jessica n designs who I have had the pleasure of ordering several things from.  She is so pleasant to work with when ordering custom pieces and ALL of her work is lovely.  I even won some super cool spoon ornaments from another bloggers giveaway.  I adore them!  Go check out her shop.  She has jewelry too....I'm  thinking Valentines Day...hmmmm...

And while we are talking Valentine's Day...I have to share another lady with a shop that I have grown to love and appreciate so much....Lora and her beautiful shop, Eager Hands.

I have had the pleasure of not only buying her lovely jewelry but also getting to know her,  and her heart has made me love the pieces she creates even more.

She prays over each piece while she makes them and 

each one has a scriptural meaning behind the inspiration.

This is the one I bought for my daughter.

It's to remind Elizabeth of how much she is loved by us, her family.  But even more so by her Savior.  

One of her favorite verses is Psalm 63:3

"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You."

My hope is that whatever a day may bring in her often hectic life, that perhaps she will catch a glimpse of this around her neck and be reminded of just that..... that His love for her is greater than all the goodness in her life and His love is greater than anything bad that may happen. And regardless of which one she may be experiencing  at the time...to praise Him. 

I may need to have Lora make me one too as a reminder.

Hope y'all are having a Wonderful Wednesday.

Stephanie :)

ps.  there is more handmade goodness coming soon. Mmmm  mmmm good!

Captivate Us

A little lovely for your Monday...

Woke up with song on my heart and wanted to share it with y'all.
After years of being encouraged, refreshed and challenged as I've listened to it, 

I have yet to grow tired of it's melody.
 It's message resonates within me.

Oh,  that I would be captivated by Him more than anything else....

Stephanie :)

Everyday Gratitude- week 3

This is how I'm embracing the change that this year holds....

Being intentional and finding something to be thankful for each and every day. 

 No matter what.

Day 15: for bedtime stories about saving your kiss for the man you will marry.

Day 16:  for iPads with PBS Kids app when you're babysitting all three grand babies by yourself.

Day 17: for this moment

Day 18:  for the honor of rubbing these feet for the past 23 years.

Day 19: for getting unexpected "happies" from both my girls for no reason... (i think they missed me)

Day 20: for getting some work done today.

Day 21: for this old car and all the memories made in it AND the fact that we found her a new home today!  Sold car = $ in the wedding fund!  Woo hoo!

What have you been thankful for this week?

You can link up anything to do with Project 365...whether you are taking pictures, writing posts, tweeting daily....whatever you are doing to be intentional about daily being thankful you can share it here.

#365thanks

Stephanie :)