a few answers...

...to a few questions about the Cora shop

When will you post?

The goal is next week...before Thanksgiving.

I will keep you updated as it gets closer.

Any boy items this time?

We have a swaddle blanket and onesie that would work for a boy.

The burpies could be used for a boy.

Otherwise, everything is pretty girlie.

We are working on some new ideas for the boys.

Sorry boys.

Any dresses bigger than 5T?

No...at least not at this point.

Actually we don't even have ANY dresses in sizes 2T-5T this time.

Bummer, I know.

We are having a horrible time finding NICE, plain shirts to use.

We can't get the Cherokee shirts we were using any more.

Any ideas??

So, you don't have ANY 2T-5T dresses??

No, but we do have skirts this time.

I know it is not the same.

But, they are super cute too...I promise.

A Christmas skirt might be just what your little girl needs.

What else will you be posting?

NB swaddle blanket and onesie sets

dresses 3 month-24 month

skirts 2T-5T

clipies

burpies

Any special/custom orders?

We just can't keep up with that right now.

Sorry.

I wish we could make everyone exactly what they want.

I promise we would if we could.

But that is just not realistic right now.

Hopefully you will get to Cora's in time

to find something Christmas-y for your little one!

water for christmas

On Friday, in 24 hours over $10,000 was raised.

Amazing!

Thank you for joining me.

first gift

Christmas this year is hard.

While everyone is getting excited about the approaching holidays,

this year is so different for us.

Our little girl is not here to celebrate with or buy presents for.

Last year we were discovering all the joys

of experiencing Christmas with a child.

This year our house is empty again.

That is so hard.

So, Joel and I have been trying to think

of some "different" ways we can give this year.

When Megan asked me to share about this opportunity,

I thought it was the perfect way to start out our gift giving.

Today, November 13th...

Today is the day where bloggers everywhere

are joining together in a campaign to buy water for Christmas.

4500 mothers bury their children EVERY DAY due to contaminated water.

That statistic crushes my heart.

It hits very close to home this year.

Because I have been there.

And while it is a harsh reality,

no mother should ever have to bury their child.

The lack of access to clean water

is the leading cause of death in underdeveloped nations.

But we can do something to help.

$10 will buy clean water for someone in Africa for 10 years.

10 years.

$10 isn't much for us, is it?

And your $10 will be changing a life.

Will you join me today?

Click the photo below to be directed to a secure donation site

of the non-profit organization charity: water

All donations are tax deductible.

100% of the profit goes directly to clean water solutions in West Africa.

Share this with everyone you know.

Today.

water for christmas

christmas at cora's

my baby brother

My baby brother is not such a baby anymore.

He is a senior in high school this year.

And he is WAY taller than me.

This weekend we spent a lot of time cheering him on in the bleachers.

That is quite a sacrafice for a pregnant lady.

But it was worth it.

His team made it to the state soccer tournament

and I had to be there to cheer him on.

They did awesome.

They played some tough games.

They made it all the way to the finals and lost by one.

I know it didn't turn out like they had hoped,

but second place in state is still pretty awesome.

The whole family was there.

Fun times.

I got teary eyed when I hugged my brother after the game.

I knew he was so disappointed.

Man am I emotional...I even can cry at soccer games now!

And I don't think you can tell in any of the pictures,

but my brother is still sporting his pink shoelace.

For Cora.

What a sweetie!

I am so proud of you Owen!

eat beef

Several of us stopped to eat lunch at this cute little burger and shake place

on our way to the airport.

We couldn't leave Tennessee without showing some Kansas pride.

You know, like any good Kansas farmer would.

By supporting the beef industry.

Joel showed everyone how to put away a one pound hamburger.

The whole thing.

Gotta love that guy!!

my heart will choose to say

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful,

Where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.

Blessed Be Your name when I'm found in the dessert place,

Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise.

When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say--

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name.

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me,

When the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name, on the road marked with suffering,

Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise.

When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say--

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name.

You give and take away, You give and take away

My heart will choose to say "Lord , blessed be Your name!"

I have always loved this song. It was so easy for me to sing these words at the top of my lungs when my world was all that it should be. I had my sweet little girl in my arms and life was good.

But, as we walk this road marked with suffering and pain, it suddenly changes the meaning. Joel and I chose to sing this song at Cora's funeral because we wanted the words to really ring true in our lives, even in the darkness. I remember singing the words quietly that day, still so numb and in shock as to what had just happened. I remember thinking,

Can I still honestly sing these words even with empty arms?

After a sweet time of worship on Sunday morning of the retreat, we ended our time together with this song. I just sobbed through the whole thing. I wanted so badly to go back to life as it was a year ago. I wanted so badly to not accept the fact that I was spending a weekend at a grief conference. I wanted so badly for Cora to still be here with us. Is this really part of your plan for my life God? Did this really happen? Am I really supposed to say blessed be your name when the most precious thing in my life has been taken away from me?

And during that time I felt Him simply saying,

Yes.

I will never fully understand His ways. And I am learning that is okay. Even though it seems like it would be so much easier if I could just understand His purpose and plan in taking Cora home. I am learning that I have to trust. Because I know who God is, I can accept what He gives and takes away--even when I don't understand. That doesn't mean I like it though! I have to determine to keep walking towards Him in the darkness. It is a choice I have to make every day.

My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name.