thank you

During this past month of sleep deprivation, Stella not napping, my breaking a toe and dislocating another, and Brett's long hours, we couldn't have made it without the help and kind gestures and fun gifts from family, friends, and people associated with Brett's work.

Here is a sampling of the grace and love extended to us:

some of the roses are onesies!

hand-me-down kitchen from Brett's boss for Stella

I didn't get a picture of everything, but people gifted us with meals, gift cards, big sister presents for Stella, books for both Stella and Grace, visits that lifted my lonely and overwhelmed spirits; Caribou coffee; changing diapers while visiting, and outfits and blankets for Grace. I have also received encouraging texts and handwritten notes with comforting Bible verses and promises to pray for us which I/we so desperately needed. There were moms who bundled their kids up in frigid temperatures to drive here and bring a meal and give me some much-needed adult conversation.

This past year, in spite of some very good gifts from God like the birth of Grace, finding renters for our place in Crystal, and finding a house that met our growing family's needs, has been so very challenging. 2013 has been a year of refining my faith and hearing the question from God over and over again: Do you trust me? 

To all of you who have helped or encouraged me in any way in this past year: thank you from the bottom of my heart. I may not get around to sending you a thank you note, but you can know that your reaching out is acknowledged and appreciated!

Honorable mentions go to my mom and sister - helping us in our worst, chaotic moments; cleaning my house, doing laundry, helping me get dinner ready when Brett had to work especially late; making me laugh.

I'd write more, but a certain newborn in my life is squawking and ready to eat. :)