Waiting

I am anxiously waiting for my sister & mom to get here.

They are going to stay with us for a few days. It's the first time I have seen them since February.

Distance DOES make the heart grow fonder. I miss them so much.

I wish all families were as close as I am to mine. Especially my little sister. I have a whole bag full of goodies I have been buying her. It will be like Christmas when she gets here!

God's Timing is PERFECT

God's timing is perfect.

I once read in a Max Lucado book that in God's plan, every life is long enough and every death is timely. We shall all face death, but thanks to Jesus, we only face it's shadow.

That is entirely hopeful to me as I continue my life without a Papa Bud.

Last summer, I couldn't bear to think about moving to Richmond while Papa was so sick. But I knew in June that it was inevitable, and by September we would be in Richmond and our in home in NC would be for sale and there was nothing I could do about it.

In July, me and the boys traveled to Richmond to look at some properties. Mama Jo and Papa Bud took care of Tate & Ashton for me the morning we left.

Papa was not having a good day. He looked so weak and disoriented. As I drove the almost 4 hours to Richmond my mind could not accept that this was going to be where my new home is and that I would be so far from Papa.

What if I got the call that he was dying and I couldn't make it in time? I imagined myself trying to make the 4 hour drive safely and I knew it would be the hardest thing to do.

But God, in His infinite wisdom, took Papa home before I ever had to face that obstacle.

We moved a month after his death. I never had to face that dreaded phone call and tortuous drive.

God, in His perfect timing, made sure that Papa was safe in Heaven before I left home.

And now, almost a year to the date of Papa's passing, we will be welcoming Baby Bean into our family.

This was not a planned pregnancy. AT ALL. It is still quite shocking to me. I thought our baby days were behind us. But God, in HIS timing, knew that our family could use some love and hope come August. And instead of dreading that month, we almost are looking forward to it. Thanks to Baby Bean. Thanks to God.

I find out in a few weeks, God willing, what Baby Bean is. I'm hoping, praying for a little boy that I can name after Papa Bud. Of course, only God knows right now if that will come to pass but I truly want and need to pass Papa's name onto a living creature so that the circle remains unbroken.

I am still a little nervous that something could go wrong, I am trying to give that fear to God.

His timing after all, is perfect.

I am ready for spring! Me, the girl who loves winter and 32 degree days is ready for 70 degree days (as long as there is a light breeze).

Papa loved warm days. His favorite thing to do on nice days was to sit on his front porch and let the sun warm his bare belly.

It's hard to believe he has been gone for three seasons already. When he died last August, the weather had turned so hot. It was almost unbearable. The humidity and dryness just made you feel overwhelmed.

Now, after a long, cold winter, I am ready to feel the sun on my skin again. Every time I am outside I think of Papa and how much he enjoyed being outside.

I haven't felt Baby Bean move yet. I am almost 17 weeks so any day now I should feel that wonderful flutter. I have ate like a pig the last couple of weeks so I am dreading being weighed at my next appointment.

And March Madness is just around the corner. I filled out my bracket online at CBS.

Every year I pick DUKE winning. A few times I was right. lets hope so again this year!

Lets go Duke!

Ebay Scores

Spring is the PERFECT time to search Ebay for Christmas finds.

The variety is always good and the best part is the prices are much lower than what you will pay in the fall and winter.

Last week I won a set of pinecone elves and vintage mica houses for 10 bucks.

These sets were going for over $35.00 this past Christmas.


Aren't they cute? They just make me smile.

Last winter I scored on some vintage Easter stuff that is currently going for about twice than what I paid for these items just a few weeks ago:

Vintage Knickerbocker Baby rattles, I won this set for 2.99.
They are currently going for $15 and up


Vintage plastic Easter toy. I won this last winter for $5 and currently selling for $15 and up.

On Ebay, timing is everything.

Prayers for PawPaw

Pawpaw, Justin, Mawmaw and Jonathan 2000

Pawpaw with Ashton 2006

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.

When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)

I have been blessed with a wonderful group of in laws.

My husbands side of the family has been a powerful blessing to me for over 10 years. Everyone from my sisters-in-laws to my brothers-in-law they are wonderful people.

They took me, Jonathan & Justin in as one of their own and have always treated us as though we were all the same. In this day and age, that means so much.

Earl and Georgia Hanson, or as I call them Pawpaw and Mawmaw are kind, giving and devoted parents.

These two exemplify what it is to be parents. If a child could dream up their ideal parents, Mawmaw and Pawpaw would be at the top of the list.

We were alarmed last August, while we were still in the hospital with Papa Bud, that Pawpaw had not been feeling well. After looking up his symptoms online, my sister in law Barbara urged Pawpaw to go to the doctor.

In September it had been confirmed that Pawpaw had a brain tumor. The tumor was removed and it was found to be cancerous. The cancer had originated in his lungs. Chemo and several rounds of radiation were started and hopes were very high that we could win this battle.

Yesterday we received the news that the chemo had failed and new spots had been detected on his spine and liver.

It is hard to hear those words. We just lost Papa Bud, and now we may very well lose Pawpaw.

My family is very hopeful and we will not give up. Prayers are being requested for a complete healing. We pray that whatever God's will is, that Pawpaw will not suffer needlessly. That clear decisions can be made and that the best care be found.

We love our family, it is hard to say goodbye to the ones you cling to. My faith is strong. I just don't want to lose anymore beloved family members before Baby Bean gets here. Baby Bean has already lost the chance to know and love Papa Bud, and I don't want to see us lose Pawpaw too.

Today also marks the 8th month since Papa Bud journeyed to heaven. Time is a bittersweet component of healing.

Please pray for our family. Thank you!

Baby Bean

Baby Bean is growing right along!

At my appointment yesterday his little heartbeat per minute was around 150.

I am so nervous about this pregnancy and would appreciate your prayers.

For some reason, I cannot shake the feeling that something could go terribly wrong.

This baby means so much to me. He/she is due at around the one year anni of Papa's death. So this birth, this unexpected miraculous baby's birth, is going to bring so much joy into a family filled with so much sadness.

I am trying to trust God's will. I just pray that God's will for Baby Bean means a healthy baby.

Some Easter things I bought last week

Vintage Eden Rabbit

I am ready for Spring!

Normally, I am a devoted winter fan. I like the cold. But this winter has been far colder than I am used to and I am really excited about Spring!

Hopefully, Baby Bean will cooperate with my plans to fully clean this house from top to bottom! This hasn't been done since January! The morning sickness is truly dreadful and is a 24/7 deal that I am hoping goes away now that we are in our 2nd trimester.

Here are a few things I bought thrift shopping last week that make me smile!

Vintage cupcake picks (Raini & I split this bag--she found them)

Vintage lamb planter

Vintage 1960's plastic candy tray w/lid

Vintage Hallmark Honeycomb Paper decor

Voice Mails from the Past

I knew there would come a time when he would no longer be able to call.

So I saved every voice mail he ever left me. I have over three years worth of them. Most are on my land line answering machine as he didn't really like calling cell phones.

I listen to them every now and then just to hear his voice.

It makes me happy and sad at the same time. But to hear his voice is comforting. He called me every day. I would usually call him back in the afternoon once I had all the chores caught up.

We would talk about the weather, sports and sometimes he would sneak some politics in. We didn't agree on politics or sports but for the most part we agreed on the weather.

He is the only person in my life who called me every day. He is also the only person in my life whom I would want to talk to every day.

I miss those phone calls so much.