Blessings Abundant - Even in Hard Times

The last month and a half has been the hardest in my life.  The pain and anger I have felt have outweighed any other emotion at any given point in my life.  This period of time feels harder on me than when my brother died.  I don't feel like I am myself right now.  My concentration is shot.  My focus on any given task seems fleeting.  I've been shot emotionally and it feels like I'm just waiting to bleed out.  I don't like this sensation.  I want to find me in all this.  I want to see the happy things again and not just wait for the next heart wrenching e-mail to come my way.  Most of all, I want my family back the way it should be, but that doesn't look likely.

I'm thankful for my husband through this all.  He has been so strong, loving, and accepting of me through all this.

My mother, she is one amazing woman.  She has every right to be mad, angry, or bitter in this situation, but relying on God, she is choosing to love.  She is a woman that I aspire to be like.  If I am ever considered a fourth as fantastic as my mother, I will feel that I achieved much with my life.

So I want to take some time today to focus on the positive.  I have several friends who have told me recently that they are expecting.   One is even expecting twins and another is starting their adoption process.  It truly is excited.

A dear friend of mine recently proposed to his beloved and she said yes.

Another friend just tied the knot and there are a few more planning on getting married later on this year.

My sis-in-law has made an offer on a house she loves.  Bevan and I plan on house hunting later this year.

My brother is starting to do really well in school.

My youngest sister is one smart princess.

My middle sister seems to be loving her job, dog, and place over on the west side of the state.

My brother is finding that God is providing for his family even when it looks like his current job will end soon due to city budget cuts.

My youngest brother is full of life and always knows how to make me smile.

My sis-in-law is enjoying her job and motherhood suits her very well.  She loves her daughter so very much and my beautiful niece is growing healthy and strong.

My mum-in-law is an amazing woman and I am greatly thankful for her kindness to me.

My father-in-law is a man of integrity.

I have a roof over my head and food in the pantry.

The sun has decided to come out and it is finally starting to feel like Spring.

I enjoy my job.

I have many talented and wonderful friends.

God is good and He provides for me.  He comforts me in my time of pain.  God is in control.

Shattered

Shattered

Bang!
The shot gun sounds,
That turns my life upside-down.
Crash!
There goes the mirror,
That used to show those I held dear.
Sob.
Here beats my heart,
In pieces as it is torn apart.

Sigh.
The splinters cut and tear,
As I gather them from everywhere.
Shattered.
The mirror will always be,
As time tries to heal the wounds in me.
Thud.
To my knees I fall,
To cry to Him who hears it all.
                            -Natalie R.

Interesting Reads

I've been on a reading kick lately.  Here are some of the books I would recommend.  Clicking the link will take you to descriptions of the book on Amazon.

Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Likable characters, deep friendships, harsh lessons, court intrigue, colorful magic, and an abundance of perseverance make for a fascinating tale. Kaye Thornbrugh weaves a vivid world dancing just beyond normal sight. Flicker is a great read. I look forward to reading future works by this author.  This is Kaye's first novel and I think she did fantastic!

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Science Fiction

I had been told by several people that this would be a good set of books to read and I am glad that I listened.  Katniss' story was artfully and often gruesomely described.  The tale highlighted both the highest and lowest points of humanity.  Courage, hope, despair, love, heartache, and revenge are all evoked within the pages of this tale.

 ~*~*~*~

I have many more things to say about these books, but I will save them for other posts as I fear they will need spoiler tags as warning.

More Roxas Blanket Progress

To View All Progress On The Blanket

I finished the head in time to give it to Bevan for Valentine's day.  It's huge!  I was hoping to have the entire thing done, but it is taking longer to connect all the squares than I thought it would.  Still, I'm excited to see it coming together!

"Be careful. He messes with your head..." - Cloud [Kingdom Hearts II]

Inspirational Quotes

My new quote board.

I love a good quote and am always collecting them with the intention of eventually displaying them some how.  I've got a few files on my computer for inspirational quotes and I finally decided to do something with some of them.  Enter pinterest and a growing collection of ideas of things I want to do... eventually.  I've pinned a lot of dry erase picture frame ideas.  Today, it donned on me that while I don't have a use for another dry erase calendar in my house, I do have a use for a pretty board that I can write quotes on and that can grace my bathroom wall.  When I find a new quote I like - it's as simple as erasing one of the current ones and writing it in.

The best thing about it.  I made it all with stuff I already had in the house: empty matted picture frame, scrapbook paper, tape (so the paper doesn't slide), quotes, and a dry erase marker.  I like it.  What do you think?  What is your favorite quote?

Inspector Kaylee.

Checking to make sure I spelled everything correctly.

She takes her job as inspector seriously.

Sorry about the glare.

Hanging on the wall.

For My Scrapbooking Friends

Cami is one of the many crafty bloggers that I follow.  She has found, what looks to be a pretty awesome scrapbooking software called Creative Memories and is currently hosting a giveaway that ends on Jan. 26th.  If you like to scrapbook, check it out.  Don't forget to browse Cami's blog for awesome craft ideas while you are there.

You Seriously Made That - Creative Memories Giveaway

Roxas Blanket Progress

1/18/2012


Here are some progress shots.  I even arranged the squares for the head to take a picture.  Progress is being made.

Can you see the hair and face?  So excited!

The box holds squares with tucked tails.  The popcorn tin is full of squares I still need to tuck in.

The squares draped over the edge are already connected.

Kaylee, my cute little craft inspector, at work.

Roxas head.

 "Only you could have made it this far in one piece, Roxas." - Saix {He's not in one piece yet, but he is getting there.}

"That's really getting old." - Sora