The Handmade Dress

The cool weather swept into Bama and got me itching to knit! First up was a super soft striped hat for Daniel's bald noggin. I've heard for ears how cold and sensitive skin is after chemo so I carefully chose the yarn. This stuff was perfect! It's a wool, silk, and bamboo blend called Nuna by Mirasol yarns. You can see my Ravelry notes HERE . My adorable nephew Luke was wondering why just dad was getting all of this special attention and asked for one too! That was probably the fastest knitting project I've ever done! The bulky yarn just made it fly and the pattern was free for all sizes  HERE . Next I went through my knitting bags which were a MESS from last year! I frogged some projects deciding that they just weren't worth the yarn, I found some notions in the bottom of the bag that had been MIA for a while (stitch markers are as bad as keeping up with baby socks, no?) , and I decided to pick some projects back up. This was one of those proje...

"Toots" (our foster babe) is supposed to go to her new foster home tomorrow. This isn't going to be easy for her or us. Please pray for a smooth transition. And peace. Lots of grace and peace. I read this verse just this morning: 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Thank you so much dear friends. xo, Sam   Posted with Blogsy

Hebrews 13:2 " Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."   Posted with Blogsy

Inside my house it looks like an F-5 has hit, luckily I can't see it from here. The view from my hammock chair on the front porch is absolutely perfect. The music (Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire") and giggles are pretty sweet too! We have been blessed with some cooler weather and we are soaking it up! Even Breakfast and coffee happens outside. The School of Caffee Children starts after lunch when it gets warm enough for the bugs to start biting. This weather makes my inner gypsy want to pack up the airstream and hit the road for another big adventure! Soon, very soon. xo, Sam   Posted with Blogsy

What you are about to read is a message from a hurting mama and my reply. My reply is basically my testimony written out. This sweet mama allowed me to share this here in hopes that it could help one of you. If it does encourage you please let her know, and if you have any encouraging words of your own, or a testimony to add please do.   ************************ Sam, I hope you don't mind me asking this, but I feel like you'll understand. How do you remain trusting of God when it feels like He's turned His back on you? We've been trying to create a new life for 4.5 years now, and had our first pregnancy in that time last September. Unfortunately He took that one, and then last month took our second pregnancy. I feel so angry and bitter toward him, and I've lost all desire to pray or read my Bible. Part of me wants to believe that He loves me, but then there's a huge part of me that thinks "love doesn't treat you this way". I know...

To the orthopedic doctor that is! When you have five kids you are bound to have a few casts, right? This little lady climbed on the coffee table while I was in the restroom and jumped off. She broke the biggest bone in her foot and she is in a good bit of pain. "Mommy, it hurts yeally yeally bad mommy." So sad! The doctor said that it may be a rough weekend, and she can't walk on it for 10 days! Oh Heavenly Father, help us keep this child still! Luckily I have a lot of willing hands! Prayers through this weekend would be greatly appreciated sweet friends! xo, Sam  

Brought to you by, what I like to call, a HOT MESS!! She was hamming it up at church yesterday so I snapped a few pictures with my phone. Oh this girl of mine is a mess. She has the funniest personality and the sweetest heart. We call her Claire Bells, even though Bells isn't even part of her name. My Uncle Sterling, who I was very close to, use to walk around singing that old gospel song "Prayer Bells of Heaven..... oh how sweetly they ring!" He died just days before I found out that Claire was coming into the world, so I never got to tell him that all of our prayers had been answered. I like to imagine that they passed each other on the way in and out of heaven. He prayed hard for me during that time and always told me that God would give me more children. He wasn't just my uncle, he was my pastor too. The day she was born for some reason the song kept playing through my mind like this "Claire Bells of Heaven oh how sweetly they ring!" I sang it to her a...