This week I have been following Ryan Detzel, a blogger while he is visiting children in Kenya, through the Compassion project. I weep daily for the conditions these children live in and what they have to endure. Today, I shared with J some of the photos. My intention was not to make him sad but, to remind him to be thankful for everything we have.
My poor little boy wept and wept and wept some more. He just couldn’t understand how they didn’t have proper houses or running water or food! Let alone the fact that they didn’t have any toys. But, how I made him stop crying was by sharing with him how happy these children were and how they are happy because they don’t know the difference. Of course J asked if some of them could come and live with us and I had to explain again that they had family there or they didn’t want to leave their Country and come to a strange place. He seemed ok with that, but knows now that he is very blessed with all we have. I hope to keep sharing with him that others aren’t as fortunate so that he can appreciate everything from water to a warm bed.
While I was bawling my eyes out for these children in Kenya, I heard the sad news that Layla Grace passed away today. This little girl has been in my heart and mind for a few weeks as she is just a month and a half younger than Apple. My heart goes out to her parents and sibling who are now without their sweet little girl.
Thinking of Layla reminded me of this photo of Apple at three days old, she is so fresh and new and even though she is full of fire now, I remember taking this photo like it was yesterday. I hugged my children a little closer at bedtime tonight.
As I was breaking out the tulle this morning to make a few more Tutus I realized that I never blogged about my homemade Christmas this year, even worse is that I didn’t take pictures of their presents all boxed and ready to go. And honestly I didn’t make a lot, for my family, as I spent way too much time making stuff for the craft show, that I didn’t leave time to get the family stuff all made.
So, I improvised. My Sisters got a mix of hand made stuff left over from the craft show, with a movie, a recipe book and a wine guide for making a date night at home. My nephews got handmade DS cases, made out of neoprene and some money to treat themselves. And my nieces each got a Tutu with some money to treat themselves.
Apple got a Tutu as well. Here, I was thinking she was going to love it and I would have lots of pictures of my sweet little girl dancing around in her Tutu with her princess shoes on. Well, she has worn it once, and that is it. I love the Tutu, it is so fun and fluffy. With a Tutu you can be a ballerina or a princess, the choice is yours. I still remember my Tutu I had as a little girl, I wore it until it was no more.
So for now, all I have to show you is a photo of Apple’s Tutu and hope that in time, she will want to wear it more. Now, back to making some Tutus for other little girls, who apparently love them.
This weekend was just wonderful. The weather was warm, the sun was out and the snow was melting. Not that we did so much outside, but we certainly enjoyed the fact that we didn’t need boots, snow pants, mitts, hats or even winter jackets, it was all about Spring. We may get a shock later in the month, but with the forecast for the next week promising warm weather we are just going to run with it and enjoy.
Here are a few fun shots from the weekend.
Wee little Apple is starting to dress herself, she goes from dresses to crazy mismatched socks and layered t-shirts in two days.
Then there is J, calm, cool, casual.
We broke out the BBQ today, we just did hotdogs, but it would seem as though hotdogs are our season openers here. Can’t wait to start BBQing some fun dishes again.
As the snow melts in the backyard, we are finding all sorts of buried treasures from the last few times the kids played outside and didn’t put things away. I love seeing and smelling the grass again and look forward to Spring blooms. Also broke out the sandals for the backyard, the grass is pretty squishy.
