winding down, catching up, and breathing...

God gives us what we can handle at certain times in our lives and He gives us the grace to get through. For what seems like over a month of a teething, fussy, sleepless baby season, the molar finally broke through only to give way to a horrible diaper rash and the constant diapering needs that go with that. We've been busy, busy, busy full of people and places and ministering, but we are finding ourselves exhausted. And at the brink of all that, I had a family disaster take place that has rocked me to my core, made me cry and cry so much, that I am all cried out now, I am mentally and emotionally and spiritually exhausted. It's hard when a brother decides to try and throw everything God has given him away and revel in his own trash instead. It is frustrating to hear and see the pain on his family's voice and hear my own parents heartbroken and weary voices. And when his repentence comes you find your doubts but begging God that this whole thing be final and resolved and be different this time. Oh life can get to it's hardest point and when you think you're about to break, the Lord gives a brief reprieve and low and behold, the baby is sleeping through the night again. I find comfort in my husband's arms and his understanding, in the laughter of my children as we sit around the dinner table telling cheesy jokes. As my husband reads to our family the book of Job (which we've been going through for some time oddly enough) and having the words wash over me, strengthen me and I feel the Lord's arms around me hugging me tightly and soothing my soul and I finally take a deep breath...

In the midst of this, I also find comfort in the kitchen. I know, different things for different people. For me, I just need to bake up a storm or cook up a storm or something. Just to be doing, and not thinking over and over again and getting all caught up in my thoughts and how they can spiral.

made a year's worth of jam: blackberry, strawberry, and blueberry strawberry and some ginger mango granola.

Cooking tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes for two days and then canning them.

 Making sun-dried grape tomatoes

 Large quantities of zuchini muffins to freeze and have on hand for any occasion...

Stewing all the heirloom tomatoes I got at the market. I love them fresh, but there were just too many to be able to enjoy all at once.

And here I am at 21 weeks pregnant, so excited she's a girl, that I'm over half way there.