March202012
These are my thoughts that were shared at the funeral of my dear brother. I couldn’t thank my husband enough for being strong for me and reading them, when I was not able.
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To say my heart “aches” at the thought of not seeing you again, is not enough. My whole being aches. I always looked forward to trips home to visit family when I knew I would have the privilege of seeing you, hugging you and laughing with you. It wasn’t all jokes and laughter though, it was your deep passion and love for so many things. Your passion for music was infectious, no one can deny that. I wouldn’t love music the way I do today if you hadn’t introduced me to those hits of the 90’s, and I am eternally grateful for the memories those songs bring. I can see your room set up with all your posters of Pearl Jam, Green Day, the UK Basketball team, your dream cars; These things make me smile. I remember being in awe of your collection of funny road signs and the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut rugs that were proudly displayed in your room. I always loved sneaking in there to just get to know who you were when I was just a child and you were in high school. I longed to know you and looked up to you for so many things.
I didn’t know you as well as some, and wish I could change that, but what I do know is you loved and were loved. You loved people so well.
I take comfort in knowing that you can finally experience the fullness of that love you so longed for. I can only imagine and I look forward to the day I can see that love in its fullness with you; with no more tears, no more sorrow, no more strife. I long for that day and I am so glad you are free to see Christ’s forgiveness laid before you at the throne of Jesus.
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You will be missed, until we meet again.
Chris Allen Henderson
I need not say “rest in peace” because I have no doubt your soul has found a rest, a peace and a freedom unimaginable.
http://m.legacy.com/obituaries/nky/obituary.aspx?n=chris-allen-henderson&pid=156143451
Posted by Lydia Sims at 12:18 AM
July202011
For those of you who have asked me how Joel and I make our detergent, here is a recipe below:
6 cups water (boil)
1 bar shredded castile bar soap into boiling water
Whisk this mixture into 3 gallons of hot water (we mix ours in a 5 gallon bucket from lowes)
Next whisk in 1 cup washing soda
and 1 cup borax.
Cover and let sit aprox 24 hours - it may be a little gelatinous in texture. We usually funnel ours into an old detergent container for easy dispensing. We use about one cap full per load.
Borax and washing soda we found at Meijer. Probably can find it at a local ACE hardware or something. Good luck! Let me know what you think if you do it. It really is simple and the ingredients stretch for so long!!! (and are SO cheap). I love the last batch we made with Bronner’s rose castile soap. Smells nice…but clothes really don’t come out smelling strong at all! I don’t mind that though. =)
I use this detergent for our clothes and Brooklyn’s but not for diapers.
June192011
It may seem cliche, but I love having such an encouraging and supportive husband. I feel so honored to have been blessed with such a hard working, selfless and loving man in my life. I am astounded by God’s faithfulness to us and couldn’t be more in love with the little girl we have been graciously given. Last Father’s Day we didn’t expect to have a baby in the near future. After months of trying to conceive and months of coping with a loss before that, we had no expectation of finding out we were pregnant just a few short weeks past Father’s Day and Joel’s birthday 2010. We are both beyond thankful and humbled by God’s goodness. The learning never ends. Happy Father’s Day, Joel. I am thrilled to be able to say that.
June82011
Well, Brooklyn is now 9 and a half weeks old. I don’t know how time can pass so quickly and so slowly at the same time. It is a beautiful thing. She has moved from her constant state of crying into a little person with great curiosity, now trying to simulate all that she observes from those around her. She loves to suck on her fist (hungry or not) and has began to eat on a much more consistent “schedule,” approximately every 3 hours. Her nights are better than before and she sleeps through the “night” - five hours - but I do feed her during that time once (a “dream feed” three hours in)… Not so much through the night, but it is consistent so it works for us for now! She then wakes up around 3:30 or 4 a.m. (this is her 5 hour stretch after her “dream feed”) and she usually eats and is awake for a short time before going back to sleep. On good nights, she goes right back down…I love those nights!! =) Joel is working 9am-7:30pm Tuesday-Saturday right now. That makes for long days/weeks for him, but he is the most humble and sweet husband a girl could ask for. He rarely complains and is joyful about providing for our family. I babysit on Thursdays still for the three boys and Brooklyn comes along. Those can be long Thursdays, but I love it! When Joel gets home from work, he usually gives Brooklyn a bath and swaddles her for bed. I love that he gets this time with her, and it is a welcome break for me. He helps on rough nights too, getting up with her after I feed her and rocking her, changing her or soothing her however he can until she goes back down. I can not say enough about his love for Brooklyn and me, it is beyond imagination. I love him! =) These last couple of months have been very humbling for our family. We are grateful for the challenges and more grateful for God’s grace to us during this time of continual learning and growing. =)
That is all for now. I must feed this baby girl her “dream feed” and get on to dreaming myself! G’night tumblr.
