Our tablescape

the hostesses with the mostess

Amanda working hard on last minute details

My friend Amanda and I worked together to create our tablescape for The Bridge's first DelecTables event. It was such a fun evening of girly foods, decor and fellowship.

Our table was called Caffeinated Christmas. Coffee-themed, of course! I thought I'd share with you guys this idea, as it was fun and cheap! We used burlap for the tablecloth (really inexpensive!) with red napkins. Our centerpiece was a glass vase filled with coffee beans and springs of holly (clipped from my own yard) adorned with small green and red ornaments. Coffee beans were also sprinkled around the table like confetti. We used small glass votives for some mood lighting. Casual ivory place settings were set on gold chargers (borrowed from a friend). Above each plate was a chocolate dipped spoon that had each guest's name tied to them for place cards. The favor we gave were hand-made gift tags (by "we" I mean, a whole bunch of ladies made them on the women's retreat - and they were SO CUTE!). We put those in cardboard boxes and just wrapped some gold and red ribbon around them.

We served Cappuccino Mousse Trifle (in individual trifle dishes), Oreo Bon Bons, chocolate dipped strawberries, pirottes, and coffee.

A few other pics for you...

[Thanks for the pictures, Abbie!]

gettin' my shopping on

My husband has given me the gift of shopping BY MYSELF two Mondays in a row. Mondays are his day off. It is amazing the level of productivity I have when I don't have to tote around my son!! I love that little boy beyond words, but he is NOT a great shopper. Yesterday, I went to the mall for the first time in ages. Not that I oppose the mall. I would like to go more often. But Jack does not do well patiently walking with mommy in stores. He does okay when strapped in a cart for short periods of time. Armed with snacks. (hooray for cheap, yummy popcorn at Target!)

I ventured into a maternity store yesterday for some much needed items. Unfortunately, I was the only one in the store, and the extremely pushy sales lady hounded me everywhere I went. She didn't clue in when I said, "just want to look around" when I came in. Isn't that the international code for "please don't hassle me - I'll call you if I need assistance"?? She even stood outside the dressing room berating me with questions the entire time I was in there. I had to tell her multiple times that I was fine and no, I did not need a bra, coat, pant, pajamas, or to join their discount program. My tone began to change with each irritating question. I left shortly after without purchasing anything.

I did, however, have sucess finding some gifts for several peeps on of my christmas list. Pregnancy sickness have put me a little behind schedule for my shopping. I still am using my anal-retentive chart (read about it here). It's a lifesaver.

The rest of my shopping, or at least a good chunk of it, will be done on Black Friday. By the way, if you too are a crazy wake-up-at-ungodly-hours-to-save-some-bucks person, you might enjoy checking out this site -- www.blackfriday.info. This is my favorite site that lists many major stores and their friday sales that will be advertised on Thursday in the paper. I like how it gives me extra time to research the sales, compare prices, and check customer ratings for products. And, trust me, I don't go out with the other crazies unless the deals are really worth it.

We Believe in Miracles - Part 3

The lessons we learned in 2004 about trusting completely in God helped to pave the way as we followed His lead to start a new church in '05 & '06. Church planting is truly a faith venture that stretched me in every way imaginable! And yet, God continues to provide, bless, and direct us as we wait on Him. We have praised and trusted Him through some of our darkest days, and we have praised Him in our greatest moments of joy, like today...

I’m happy to say that, Lord willing, our next miracle is on the way – due May 31st, 2009.

We Believe in Miracles - Part 2

At last, the paralysis stopped rising and VERY SLOWLY began to recede back down his body. We waited to find out what toll this syndrome might have left on my husband’s body – as it often will leave people with permanent neurological damage and paralysis. Physical therapy began. Several days later he took his first steps with the help of the therapist, me and a walker.

I wrote a new Bible verse each day on the nurse’s dry erase board filled with hope and God’s provision. We were clinging to Him with all we had. Each day we seemed to get a new miracle, as his condition gradually improved. We received TONS of cards, packages, and calls that were such a source of encouragement. People literally all over the world were praying for my husband’s recovery.

One of the most touching things was how our youth group back home responded. Mike was a Youth pastor at the time. Due to his illness, he had to miss their summer mission trip. One of the college students made t-shirts for the whole missions team and for us. The front read: “We Believe In Miracles, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” Ephesians 6:10. And, the back of each shirt looked like a jersey with our last name at the top and the number 04 [the year]. The youth were also learning firsthand about God’s mercy and miracles!

I worked hard to convince the doctors to release Mike and allow him to finish his care back in NC, where we are surrounded by great medical facilities and our support system. We had been in the Cape Canaveral Hospital for 2 weeks. As I pushed my husband in a wheelchair through the airport, I felt relief and yet so much fear of what the coming weeks/months/years would look like. The verse, “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14) was my constant prayer. I had no control over what was happening. I could only trust in Him, and as it turns out, that was the best thing possible.

Mike began to progress rapidly once we were home. In fact, the day after returning home he was no longer in the wheelchair OR walker. Every day he regained more strength and feeling. It ended up that he never even had to do physical therapy at all in NC. A month later, he was practically fully recovered. Doctors were thrilled with his progress. God was more than blowing us away with His faithfulness.

That December, I gave birth to Jackson. Our birth announcement repeated the phrase from the T-shirt that had become so dear to us – “We Believe In Miracles”. Both of my guys are my miracles!

To be continued…

We Believe in Miracles

In Spring of 2004, we found out that we were pregnant with my son, Jackson. Having endured a very difficult miscarriage and over a year and a half of trying to get pregnant, we were thrilled and scared at the same time. We had decided not to tell anyone at that point.

We went ahead with an anniversary cruise to the Bahamas that had been booked months before. Halfway through the cruise, Mike got very odd symptoms. I knew it had to be bad when he wanted to go to the boat’s medical clinic (he NEVER goes to the doctor!). As his mysterious numbness and pain progressed, they ran tests. It soon became apparent that he needed tests that they could not perform at sea. They were concerned that he might have a form of meningitis and would need a spinal tap.

The Captain was called and we made the decision not to go to a small Bohemian hospital (translation: clinic), but to push the boat to full speed back to the States. As I rushed back to our cabin to franticly pack up our things, I heard the Captain’s announcement over the PA. Hearing him inform the entire boat of the “medical emergency” threw me into a whirlwind. I had no idea what waited for us once we docked.

Once we were back in port, an ambulance waited for us to rush Mike to a hospital in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The ER doctor examined Mike and told us with certainty that Mike had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He was going to do a spinal tap to confirm. I struggled with being strong for my husband, and yet my mind went crazy with what this diagnosis meant for him and the rest of our lives. It all was happening so fast. Two days before Mike seemed perfectly healthy. Mike had always been very active and in love with sports.

Several hours later that same doctor came in and casually announced that it was not MS. No apologies were given. He did not know what was causing Mike to lose the ability to walk. He simply told us that Mike would be assigned a room and a Neurologist would take it from there. It was quite the emotional roller coaster for my pregnancy hormones.

Our neurologist had Mike go through what seemed like every test imaginable over the next day or two. Finally, it was determined that he had Guillain-Barre syndrome. This is a disorder where one’s immune system starts to attack the nervous system, mistaking it for a virus. In Mike's case, it stemmed from a stomach virus he had 2 weeks before we left for the cruise. After getting over that sickness, his immune system turned to his nerves and started to attack them. It’s nicknamed “creeping paralysis” because your body literally starts to go numb and paralyzed, starting with the feet and progressing up the body.

The following days were crucial as they pumped Mike with immunoglobulin as fast as his body could take it. Mike spent 3-4 days in ICU when the paralysis rose up into his lungs and began to affect his lung capacity. It was a very difficult time. The primary danger lies in the potential for the paralysis to ascend to his lungs or heart, where it is potentially lethal. I “slept” in a small chair in the counseling room just outside the ICU with our luggage (I was eventually able to send most of it home with family a few days later).

Trusting in the Lord became much more real to me in those weeks. Not only was I praying for the life and health of my husband, but I feared what all this stress would mean for the little one growing inside of me. I had to push back all my OB appointments and just trust.

To be continued….

beware the birthday cyclops

Homemade birthday cards: Free

Adorable picture inside drawn by son: Priceless

In Jackson's defense, Mike said that he sneezed while drawing the 2nd eye - giving me the cyclops look. Not sure what that is hanging off my nose. I love the horned look of my hair. Jackson told Mike when he drew it that I was "having a bad hair day" (a phrase he is saying WAY too much lately).

Obviously, he gets his art skills from me.

Mike helped with "the body". Clearly, not drawn to scale. :)

What a fun way to be greeted by my guys this morning!

I am breaking my own rule. We pulled out some of the Christmas decorations last week. Typically, I am the one insisting that we wait until after Thanksgiving. But, I have a good reason this year ....DelecTABLES!

Our church is doing a tablescape event for women this weekend, featuring beautifully decorated holiday tables and desserts. All very girly and fun! I'm looking forward to it! So, I've been sorting through what I have, as well as searching the stores for little Christmas must-haves for our table.

Amanda and I are doing a table together - "Caffeinated Christmas". It's a coffee-themed holiday table. A twist the the traditional holiday table that is both very much our style. I will post pictures next week.

In my defense, our home is not yet decorated for Christmas. Although, I am doubting we can wait until after Thanksgiving this year... Christmas boxes are flooding our garage and playroom!

trusting God with our country

"the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes" - Daniel 5

I vote. I pay attention to what is going on in our country. I have opinions. But, it all boils down to one thing. I trust. I trust that God can use all things and people for his glory.

Please join me in praying for the newly elected officials - whether you voted for them or not. Pray for wisdom, for direction, and for their hearts to be sensitive to God working in and through them.