Monday, April 13, 2009

Monday Miscellaneous..

So, I haven't done a Not Me Monday for awhile.. Partially because I haven't been blogging much lately.. Also because Stellan, MckMama's (host of Not Me Monday) sweet boy has been in the hospital with a heart condition, the same condition he almost died from in utero. They've had a rough go of it and are on week four in the PICU. Things seem to be stabilizing out a bit but Stellan still needs cardiac care and will eventually need an ablation. You can click on the "Praying for Stellan" button in my left sidebar. Anyway, I've been following their struggle, praying for Stellan and his family and it's hit, at times, a little close to home..

So, I re-did the blog to make myself feel a bit better.. Turns out that wasn't completely necessary as Easter, and our Lord, helped me feel a LOT better. But what do you think of the new layout? It's starting to feel a bit more like home!

And then there's this:





I FINALLY got my act together to participate. Lynnette, at "Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground" is featuring a blog every Monday & Friday, just to give us a chance to get to know each other a bit better. I LOVE the idea! You can get to her place by clicking on the Getting to Know You button (above or in left sidebar). Go, sign up! It'll be FUN!


And, last but CERTAINLY NOT least, I've won my first ever blogging award! How fun is that? I was totally surprised. But the sweet ladies at The Suite Life of Lucy & Ethel honored me with the "Friendship Award." I "met" Lucy, also known as Helen, when I won her book "The Jeffrey Journey" from Loni at Writing Canvas. I left a comment on Loni's post, Helen emailed me and it went from there. I read her inspiring book and have followed their blog a bit since. So they gave me the award with the comment:


We're sharing this award in the hope that you'll keep up the blogging :)http://thesuitelifeoflucyandethel.blogspot.com/2009/04/straw-wrappers-awards-and-prayers.html ~Lucy


How encouraging is that?? (Very!) And here it is:



And if I understand correctly, MY job is to pass "The Friendship Award" onto 8 blogs.. Here goes:

1. My friend Cathey who blogs at: And That's the Truth... Cathey and I have been job partners for almost two years, She & her husband, Keith, lost a son 20 years ago to Leigh's Disease. When Seth was in the hospital, they graciously came alongside Leland and I and walked that path with us. Words can't tell them how much they meant to us! I think they know... I couldn't pass on a FRIENDSHIP blogging award and not mention Cathey first!

2. The previously mentioned Loni at Writing Canvas Loni was one of the first bloggers I met who reached out and encouraged me. I commented on her blog a couple of times, emailed her when something she had written resonated with me in my grief. She emailed me back with sweet encouragement.

3. The also previously mentioned Lynnette at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground Lynette has also written a book, In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me, about the 3 children that have preceded her into Heaven. And she was an encouragement to me, as much as Loni.

4. Lauren Biggs who blogs at That Girl. Lauren is young but wise beyond her years and a sister in Christ. I enjoy her blog quite a bit.. finding myself wishing she would blog more often.

5. Jess who blogs at Mourning into Dancing. Jess is also a sweet sister in Christ. I enjoy her blog and appreciate her transparency and vulnerability! I'm not sure she'd consider ME a friend but I certainly consider her one!

6. Millie who blogs at Colin~HLHS Warrior. Millie and I met on the HLHS support group I was on before Seth went to Heaven. Millie still reads and comments on my blog. She recently checked in with me on my Facebook page and I appreciate HER friendship as well!

7. Emily at Stepping Stones: a path to healing after losing a child. I can almost guarantee that Emily doesn't know who I am. I check in with her blog frequently and appreciate her heart to help moms who have suffered what she has suffered.

8. I'm pretty sure this last person won't acknowledge this award but I've decided not to let that stop me! I'm going to pass it on to our lead pastor, Glenn Teal. Glenn blogs at Fully Devoted. I find his blog to be inspiring and helpful in pointing my focus upward to Christ. In addition to that, Glenn (and his wife Nancy) did a pretty amazing job coming alongside and supporting Leland & I when Seth was dying. We felt really supported and cared for by them, and still do!

Well.. given that this post about miscellaneous items may turn out to be one of my longest posts ever, I think I'll call it a night! I hope you enjoy meeting some of my new friends. Let me know if you find a favorite among them. I think they are all gems!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks Kathryn! I don't put the awards up on my blog - I just don't have room! BUT, I always feel so blessed to receive them. :) So, thank you!

I have enjoyed getting to know you a bit through blogging and I have felt privileged to be able to pray for you through your days of grieving. I just prayed for you again.

Have a lovely week and thanks again for the award!
Love,
Lynnette

Emily said...

Yes, I know who you are ;0) I check in to read your blog, too. Thanks so much for the award. Just what I needed to wake up to this morning.

peace-
emily from stepping stones

Cathey said...

Wow - the top of the list! I'm blessed by your friendship, too!! Please do keep blogging - you are an encouragment to many! Love the new look and look forward to many new posts. Love you, my friend!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much!! I consider you a very dear friend. I always said it is amazing to me how close you can become with someone and their family without ever meeting them. I'm so glad you have shared your journey with us. Your faith amazes me.
God bless,
Millie and Colin

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I don't know what's going on with my blog. I can't get my old signature off either. I ereased it off where you normally put your signature, on the 'post template' thing, but it is still there, and since I ereased the pic that was with it on photobucket, it's really bad. I don't know what else to do. Someone said maybe it's embedded, I don't even know what that means. LOL Thanks for letting me know though. :)

Holly said...

The Getting to Know You thing seems like an awesome idea! I love discovering new blogs to read! :)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Tried to leave a comment and I think it did not work...the first time...hope this is not a duplicate....but love your blog...Hope you will visit me.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I am stopping by to say thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a message! I am posting some pictures of my Temari's later if you want to come on back see them! Blessing Shi~

Emily said...

Hope you are having a better week. Thanks for your name suggestions for my site, I appreciate them so much. ((hugs))

Jess said...

oh, k - i DO consider you a friend...! this made my night - thank you so much...

now - i have to figure out how to post it!!!! ahhh!!!!

love, love, love,

jess

Emily said...

Hope things are well with you and your family ;0) Thanks for your post on Stepping Stones

The Burgess Family said...

Hey Kathryn,
Just wanted to say thank you so much for your ideas for the Duke Children's hospital. We are having lots of great feedback on it and love all of the ideas!!! I am so sorry to learn of your loss with your son... that is something no parent should every have to do. My prayers are with your family as you continue to heal and grieve.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I enjoyed reading your blog today.

I am still new to the land of blog, but so loving reading others stories. Everyone has a story and so many of them are so touching....
Hope you will stop by for a visit.
The May give-away has started and this month there will be 10 winners. I will be blogging from Disney World soon...

Lauren said...

Hey Kathyryn--I will be praying for you. Even as I type this I believe a day is coming when you will be able to stand up and be able to read it yourself. His 200 days mattered.


My prayer is that you grow to see the Kingdom impact baby Seth has on eternity a little more each day.

Love you!