cinnamon days

I just made a blanket for Havilah. She was previously blanket-less so now at least I have one girly-looking blanket that's all hers. She could use John's sports or truck blankets but it just doesn't feel right.

Here's the evidence Havilah is growing! One more month until I'll have her in my arms, not my ribs.

Today we enjoyed cinnamon sugar toast and then took family photos. Ack!! We all have cinnamon in our teeth! But it proves our happiness at being together, enjoying treats.

John is so full of life these days. And he is so very almost-two. He's been practicing tantrums today and has found that he can scream really loud for a really long time before he has to stop for air. Of course, he hasn't (yet!) learned that you're supposed to throw yourself on the ground and kick while you scream. So he mostly stares at the wall while he's expressing himself. Go ahead kid!

bless the sun that warms our face

The lyrics to one of the songs that often plays on our laptop these days (by Nichole Nordeman):

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread...
Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .


For some reason, I can identify with her longings and also with the feeling that "whatever God wills, I'll be ok in his hands."