The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ April

 

For Today, Saturday, April 16

 

 

Outside my window...an absolutely beautiful spring day in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley with temperatures almost reaching 70. Unfortunately, the much-needed yard work was postponed until next week, but I did make a trip over to Jonathan's in-progress house today for the first time in quite a while--pictures further down in this post.

 

I am thinking...that Spring is my favorite season. I'm looking forward to pitching fresh mulch in my flower beds, filling the new bird feeders, and planting annuals in the watering cans down the front steps. Spring is a busy season!

 

 

I am thankful...that Sarah and baby boy are doing okay so far and are hanging in there! We traveled to GA to visit them over Easter weekend. Since Sarah was on bed rest while we were there, Hannah and I stayed busy in the kitchen:

Granny and my sister were able to travel with us to see Sarah and Eric's home for the first time and enjoyed getting to see them again. I'm sure Sarah would rather have been up and about hostessing us, but she was being a good girl and taking it easy:

We are praying: that the baby will wait quite a few more weeks (or months!) to be born! Sarah is now in the hospital on bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy.

 

We left Hannah in Georgia with her sister, originally to help out in the home with cooking and homemaking duties, but now she keeps Sarah company in the hospital each day.

 

Please pray with us that the Lord will sustain Sarah and the baby and keep them waiting patiently. Full term due date would be in August.

I am creating...a soft minky baby blanket for our little grandson. My sewing machine came out of hiding to get this finished before our trip:

Granny is creating...a custom basket for a customer. Once she began feeling better after a compressed fracture in February, she again started making baskets. I think it must help her recuperate faster to do something she enjoys so much:

 In my kitchen...well, as you can imagine...once Sarah got married in November and she wasn't around to help in the kitchen, there was some adjusting for me to do!

 

Now...I'm adjusting even more since Hannah has been in Georgia with her sister. A very dear friend and her husband came over and brought the whole entire meal one night recently. Here we are working together in the kitchen. What a fun blessing!:

I am visiting...our local Farmers' Market this morning:

Since the season started the first weekend in April, today was the first time I'd been down to the Wharf. Hannah and Sarah's Spot 22 was looking mighty lonesome, and their two smiling faces were missing since they both retired from vending at the end of last season.

 

I enjoyed walking around and seeing some familiar faces. Here's Farmer Brown's booth where we've made some delicious purchases in the past:

I am hoping...to get a lot more painting done on Jonathan's cabinets this coming week. We moved six over to his house this morning, and Tom worked on installing them.

 

On these six cabinets I've applied the primer coats and the first coat of paint. The final coat will be painted once installation is finished. I've been busy!:

I've been promising some pictures of the house, and here's the open living area with the hardwood floors finished and the painting done. All the paints are from the Williamsburg Color Collection, and all the downstairs is painted Cornice Tan:

I think Jonathan likes his house! He's done a ton of work on weekends and long nights since construction first began in September, 2014, and we're so proud of him:

The upstairs rooms are painted a variety of colors, and this is the beautiful gender-neutral green nursery, a shade called Levingston Green:

The carpet still needs to go down once all the trim has been painted. And there are several other work projects inside that need to be completed. I'll update again in the future.

 

I am learning...to wait patiently on the Lord.   "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waits for him." ~ Isaiah 64:4

 

One of my favorite things...showing hospitality to friends. Tom's best man in our wedding and his wife stopped by last week for an overnight visit. What a very fun reunion and time of catching up. I love new entries in our guest book!:

Whew! I hope that caught you up on the happenings around the Mountain Musings homestead. I've not been very faithful in writing on the blog this spring, have I?

 

But stay tuned...hopefully I won't be away as long next time!

 

~Deb

Comments

[Kathy]

You have a lovely blog! I found you through Daybook. I absolutely loved reading all about your family and what all you've had going on. I will be praying for your daughter and her precious baby. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

[Toni]

Hi Deb! Enjoyed your post. I can just imagine how restless Sarah must be having to stay put all the time. I'll be praying for her and the baby.
How nice to see granny is feeling better, and the basket is really gorgeous. Love the minky blanket!
Have a great week!
Toni

[Jenny]

Dear Deb, Thank you so much for the post with all the updates. I am thankful to hear that Sarah and baby are doing well and getting the bed rest and care needed. Prayers continue to go out to them and hubby and all the family during this time of patience and waiting. I am glad to hear that Granny is feeling better and back at her basket weaving, another blessing. Jonathan's new home is amazing. I love the layout, construction details, and paint colors. What a wonderful family project of combined talents! I'm sure you are missing both girls but are glad they can be together. All good wishes and love to you and family. Love the baby blanket! I'm challenged with quilting Minky so admire you in this! Jenny

[Tammy C]

Again life keeps you busy to keep you away from blogging.What a year makes from the Farmers Market.
Jonathan's house looks so beautiful..Glad Granny is back to making baskets.

Nice that Hannah is able to visit Sarah in the hospital.29 years ago my sister spent many months in and out of the hospital and at home on bed rest with her son.I was on bed rest after having babies for the high blood pressure.

Hopefully you will be able to get some yard work done.We have had cool mornings here but does warm up.Georgia certainly has many windy days though that remind us of Iceland.

[Barbara J.]

Dear Deb,
It's so good to hear from you again. I had not heard that Sarah was back in the hospital but the Center where she is is a great place to be. I know of two young women who spent months there before their twins were born. We think of Sarah (and Eric) daily and keep them in our prayers. I have something of Eric's to put in the mail for them. I think Spring is my favorite time of the year also.

[Linda]

So happy to read new posts, especially about Sarah and your sweet grandson. Praying for them both. So enjoy your blog.

[ANA]

DEAR DEB: QUE ALEGRIA SABER DE USTED, HACE TANTO QUE NO PUBLICABA ALGO EN SU BLOG, PENSABA QUE TAL VEZ SU MAMA ESTABA INTERNADA OTRA VEZ, O QUE USTED ESTABA CON ALGUN PROBLEMA, GRACIAS A DIOS QUE TODO VA MARCHANDO BIEN, EN CUANTO A SU FUTURO NIETO, DIOS ES FIEL, DEBEN CONFIAR EN EL, EL ESCUCHA LAS ORACIONES DE SUS HIJOS Y GUARDA A LOS QUE LE TEMEN. ME GUSTA MUCHO LOS COLORES DE LA CASA DE SU HIJO, ¿ESTA CORTEJEANDO ALGUNA JOVEN? ¿HAY ALGUNA SEÑORITA CRISTIANA EN LA QUE ESTA INTERESADO? BUENO ESPERO QUE SU PRIMAVERA LE DE LINDOS DIAS PARA PODER PLANTAR SUS HERMOSAS FLORES, POR AQUI ESTAMOS CON ALGUNOS PROBLEMAS DE SALUD, MI ESPOSO ESTA PASANDO UN MAL MOMENTO DEBIDO A UN DOLOR MUY FUERTE EN SU CINTURA Y PIERNA, SIENTE MUCHO DOLOR, TAL VEZ SE TENGA QUE OPERAR, ESTAMOS ORANDO, Y POR OTRO LADO, EL 3 DE MAYO LA OPERAN A MI PEQUEÑA HIJA ADOPTIVA DE 9 AÑOS DEL CORAZON, ELLA NACIO CON UNA MAL FORMACION CARDIACA Y AHORA ES EL MOMENTO DE CORREGIR EL DEFECTO, HACE 6 AÑOS QUE LA ADOPTAMOS Y DESPUES DE HACERLE MUCHOS ESTUDIOS POR LOS CARDIOLOGOS, NOS DIJIERON QUE ERA IRREVERSIBLE SU SITUACION Y QUE MORIRIA PRONTO, DESDE ENTONCES HEMOS ESTADO ORANDO SIEMPRE AL SEÑOR PARA QUE LA SANE, Y AHORA DESPUES DE 6 AÑOS, LE HICIERON NUEVAMENTE ESTUDIOS Y PARA SORPRESA DE LOS MEDICOS, SU CONDICION HABIA CAMBIADO NOTORIAMENTE, ESTA MUCHO MEJOR Y AHORA SI SE LA PUEDE OPERAR, Y ASI REPARARAN SU DEFECTO CARDIACO, MEJORARA SU CALIDAD DE VIDA Y TENDRA MUCHO MAS AÑOS POR DELANTE, DIOS ES FIEL HERMANA, SIEMPRE HE CREIDO QUE IBA A ENTERRAR A MI HIJA, PERO DIOS TIENE LA ULTIMA PALABRA, EL ES FIEL, EL NOS CONSUELA EN MOMENTOS DE ANGUSTIA Y TRIBULACIONES, NOS DA ALIENTO Y FIRMEZA PARA SEGUIR ADELANTE, CONFIAMOS PLENAMENTE QUE EL NOS DARA LA VICTORIA, DESDE YA LE PIDO DEB SUS ORACIONES PARA NUESTRA FAMILIA. LE MANDO UN ABRAZO A LA DISTANCIA Y QUE DIOS BENDITO LOS SIGA BENDICIENDO.
Translation:

DEAR DEB, WHAT JOY TO HEAR FROM YOU. WHILE YOUR BLOG WAS NOT PUBLISHED, I thought maybe your mother was hospitalized AGAIN, OR THAT YOU HAD A PROBLEM, THANK GOD that everything is going well. REGARDING YOUR FUTURE GRANDSON, GOD IS FAITHFUL, WE MUST RELY ON HIM, HE HEARS THE PRAYERS OF HIS CHILDREN AND KEEPS THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. I LOVE THE COLORS OF YOUR SON’S HOUSE. GOOD HOPE THAT YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL SPRING days to plant YOUR beautiful flowers. Here we are with some health problems, MY HUSBAND IS HAVING A BAD TIME DUE TO VERY STRONG PAIN IN HIS WAIST AND LEGS, MAY HAVE TO OPERATE, wE aRE pRAYING, AND IN ADDITION, ON THE 3RD OF MAY THEY OPERATE ON MY LITTLE FOSTER DAUGHTER 9 YEARS OF THE HEART, SHE WAS BORN WITH A BAD hEART AND NOW IS THE TIME TO CorrECT THE DEFECT, for 6 YEARS THAT ADOPT AND AFTER the cardiologists made MANY STUDIES, THEY SAID HER SITUATION WAS IRREVERSIBLE and SHE would die soon. SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING THE LORD ALWAYS FOR healing, AND NOW AFTER 6 YEARS, WE AGAIN MADE STUDIES and to the surprise of doctors, HER condition had radically changed. SHE’S MUCH BETTER, AND NOW IF THEY CAN OPERATE, AND SO repair HER FAILING HEART, IT WILL IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SHE’LL HAVE MANY MORE YEARS Ahead. GOD iS FAITHFUL, SISTER. ALWAYS I believed that I WAS GOING TO BURY MY DAUGHTER, BUT GOD HAS THE LAST WORD, HE IS FAITHFUL, HE comforts us in trouble and tribulations, GIVES BREATH AND CONFIDENCE to move forward. We are fully confident THAT WE HAVE VICTORY. DEB, I ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR OUR FAMILY. A HUG TO YOU FROM A DISTANCE AND MAY GOD continue to bless.

[Rose]

What a bumper post Deb! How lovely to catch up on your news. Please tell Sarah and Eric that they and bub are in my thoughts. That's lovely that Hannah is able to be a support, I'm sure her presence will be warmly welcomed.

And Granny what a joy to see you at the basket making again, I feel that way with my knitting -- if I can knit then all is right with the world.

Deb maybe I've said this before but I must tell you that we have the same style kitchen cupboards.

Jonathan your house is looking wonderful, it is exactly what I imagine when I think "rural America houses".

[Danielle]

So happy to hear Sarah and the baby are doing ok and the baby is still growing, what good news! What a blessing Hannah is with her each day in the hospital, they sound so close as sisters. We will keep praying for you all, especially for Sarah and the little fellow... What a beautiful verse from Isaiah. I love Spring too but especially June, since the leaves are finally out on the trees by then... The flowers in the watering cans sound cute, we tried planting shamrocks in one a few summers ago... Your Spring sounds full with so many projects. What special friends, how fun they brought a whole supper over to bless you! Hope you all have a good week, we will keep praying...

[Doris Epps]

Hi Deb
I was so glad when I looked on your blog to see and hear from you and your precious family. So glad to hear an update on Sarah and her precious little boy. I will pray that he stays in the perfect place God made for him until that special time God has for him. I think that was so sweet of Hannah to stay and help during this time. So thankful that your Mama is doing much better. She looks so good as usual. Tell her I am so glad that she is able to get back to doing what she enjoys. Many sweet memories of your Mama when we worked together with those young girls in Sunday School class. I have missed your blog so much. Looked numerous times to see and hear from you. Love you and your precious family.
Doris

[Dorothy]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hearing all your news...especially about Sarah & Eric! I have been praying often for them & will continue. Granny looks beautiful as always, and I loved seeing her smile as she worked on her custom order basket! How sweet of Hannah to be serving Sarah & Eric in such a sacrificial way...will continue to pray for her strength. Jonathan's house is coming along. I love the wood floors! We just had the same floors put in our house last week. Your grandson will enjoy his blanket made with love by Grandma. 💙 I am sure Hannah & Sarah are missed at your farmers market! Spring has sprung here, too! God is faithful as He sustains His creation and gives each person the opportunity to see Him in it. Love to you all!

[Cathy]

It was so fun to read a new post this morning. I continue to check your blog, but I figured (in my mind) that I would continue to see an old post from March 23, so it was sure a nice surprise to see an update.

We continue to pray for Sarah and Eric, and have been praying that God will work, and surprise even the doctor with how long their son stays put. We pray that God will draw this little boy to Jesus at an early age, and we are praying for strength, joy and hope for all of you.

[Amy M]

I love the glimpses into your daybook! Sending prayers for Sarah and her little one from over here on the other side of Afton Mountain, and hoping for a safe and healthy delivery.

[Linda]

Really hoping Sarah and baby boy are doing well and hanging in there. Praying forthem.

[Karen]

Deb! I was thinking about you and wondering how were doing and now I know! :) The Lord put you on my heart so I would come and see all of the wonderful things that are happening. I will definitely be praying for Sarah and the baby! I haven't blogged for ever so long but I am starting to get stirred to it. You look wonderful and so does Granny! I'm so happy for you! :D <3