Thank Heaven for Little Girls

I love the blogosphere because it's so easy to jump into the lives of other moms out there and learn from them, share advice on anything from toddler teething to dealing with disappointment about not making the team or commiserate about the tribulation of cabin fever. It's very encouraging and uplifting to know that others 'get it' and I'm not alone on this ride through motherhood.

And then there are the lives I enter on my knees, in intercession for a sick child or family crisis that I come to know about through a prayer request posted on one of the blogs I read.

That's how I came across Katie's site last year. Her sweet little Reese was born with difficulties that the touch of Heaven would ultimately heal and by the time I came to Katie's blog, it wasn't to offer advice on how to get a newborn to sleep through the night, but rather to convey my deepest heartfelt sorrow over the loss of her precious little girl. Like several other families I've grieved with, I felt pressed to make a memory journal for Katie to write in. It's a place to remember the details of Reese's brief but indelible life, the struggle of letting her go and hopefully, with time, a place to joyfully give thanks to God in Heaven for His gift of little girls. Thank you, Katie, for sharing your beautiful baby girl with so many of us.

Repurposed

I love the idea of taking things that had an original use and finding new purposes for them. Such was the case with this journal. I originally designed it with a green thumb in mind. I am forever wishing I had a gardening journal so I could remember important dates from year to year, what seeds I want to plant again or those I don't think I'll bother with or where I planted the yellow tulip bulbs. So when I picked the floral/butterfly paper, I was envisioning the journal someday being filled with these reminders. Imagine my surprise when it was bought by a lady who works as a MaryKay consultant. She said she likes butterflies and needed a place to make notes during meetings with her clients. So instead of a green thumb, the journal was repurposed for a pink thumb. I love how things wander from my intention to a totally different one!

Happy Camper

My cousin Jess lives with her husband in Wyoming and gets to enjoy some of the most amazing landscapes I've ever seen. I love looking at the photographs she takes during the outdoor retreats that she leads. We don't get to spend time with each other anymore (I used to stay a week each summer on my grandparents' farm and she lived across the field, so along with the other cousins, we had lots of barnyard adventures together.) But I think of her often and decided to make a journal for her to use during her camping excursions. She was kind enough to send me a couple of photos to use, one of which just happens to show her journaling in Costa Rica! Boy, does that sound inviting right about now...we're getting ready for our third winter storm of the year and it's only February 1st. Can't wait for warmer weather to arrive!

There's the happy camper!

Jess writes about journaling...

"As an outdoor lover, leader of outdoor retreats, and nature educator,
I see and experience so many wonders and blessings in nature. Things
that can't be experienced inside. Journaling outdoors allows me to
articulate and synthesize my experience in the natural world, my love
for the beauty that surrounds us, and my connection to something
greater. "

Roots & Wings

A journal for long-distance mother/daughter relationships. Mom gave you roots and then

you grew your wings. While those might have moved you apart, a co-written journal keeps the relationship strong. A fun and meaningful tradition to start when adulthood arrives.

My friend Lori and her daughter Emma use this journal.

Great Counselor

My first sale on Etsy was a camping-themed journal. The lady who bought it said it was for her niece who was going away for the summer to be a counselor at a Christian camp. I remember the years I went away to camp and what great counselors we had. I'm hoping she enjoyed writing about her experiences and the lives she touched.

Initially

Initially, I made this journal without an author in mind. Would it eventually end up in the hands of a Susan? a Sabrina? a Stephanie? A few months later, a friend from high school stopped by for a visit with her family which includes a lovely daughter named Samantha. Today, Sam is tucking away her ideas, musings and dreams in a journal all her own. Just like her mom and I did when we were her age.

Better Than An Apple

This fall, my triplets had a student teacher, Miss Lorenz, in their kindergarten class. She was great fun and made a wonderful impression on all the students. As expected, they were very sad to see her go at the end of the semester. To help ease her exit from the classroom, all the children drew a special picture and answered some silly questions about her. I gathered these papers and secured them in the pages of a kindergarten-themed journal which we presented on her final day. She had lots of smiles as she turned each page and enjoyed the one-of-a-kind memento very much.

Doesn't she look like the perfect kindergarten teacher? We think so!

Welcome, Baby Brock!

My cousin Brianne welcomed her first baby into the family last January. To celebrate his arrival, I made a little boy journal with a "Baa Baa Black Sheep" theme. What a fun way to capture memories of the early days of new motherhood and the joy a baby brings to his mom and dad!

Welcome to the family, Brock!