Prayer Request

Well, things are off to a pretty good start with the beginning of school.  I think we are all adjusting okay so far.  And it really hasn't been too hard being back at school which has been a relief.  Hopefully that will continue.  It's exhausting though.  I don't seem to have quite enough energy or time in the day.

I would like to ask for prayer this week though.  My husband will be leaving Tuesday evening and not returning until Monday night to go to an annual silhouette shooting event.  Needless to say - I think that it's going to be a rough week for the kids and I living a single-parent life.  I ask for prayers that we would make it through the week as smoothly as possible.  Pray that my stress level would be low, that my emotions would be bearable, and that my patience would be abundant!

Maternity Photos

I created a new page on Karinne's website where I added a few of our best photos from our maternity session.

A few friends had asked to see some more of them - so here they are.  Click on the following link or on the "Maternity Photos" tab to see them.  And - just click on each photo if you wish to view it larger.

Link to Maternity Photos Page

Prayer Request & New Page

It has been 14 weeks since Karinne's Day.  And tomorrow I return to work after a sorrowful yet beautiful summer.  For those who don't know, I teach high school art and so I have been blessed to have not had to go back to work since losing Karinne.  I am so glad to have had this time.  But I am still NOT READY!

I write today to ask for your prayers as I start back to work.  There are so many aspects of my job that I am not sure I'm ready for.  I won't go into details - God knows my heart and my worries - and I am trying my best to turn those things over to him.  But I know that your prayers would be such a big help.  Please pray also for my family - that the transition back to school would go smoothly and that we would all be able to work through this time together.

I also wanted to point out that I have added a new page to Karinne's site.  Just click on the tab "Karinne's Story" towards the top of the site to read the story of our bittersweet journey with our precious daughter.

As always - I welcome your comments of support & prayers -  it is so encouraging to hear from you!

Like an Unopened Bud

After Karinne's funeral, there were many beautiful flower arrangements filling our home.  Fairly soon, we realized that it would be special to preserve some of the flowers for further enjoyment.  So, my husband and father-in-law fashioned a flower press that my sister and I carefully arranged flowers between, layer by layer.  We also made a few bouquets to hang to dry.  Then as the remaining blooms began to fade in the vases and baskets, I dreaded the thought of throwing them away.  A dear friend of our family and my children's daycare provider, who had also lost a grown child, suggested drying the petals and later creating jars similar to these.  It was a relief to have an idea for more of the special flowers.

These petals have dried far longer than necessary - spread out on trays since May on what is supposed to be my children's craft table - waiting patiently for me to take the time to do something with them.  Today was the day I finally felt inspired - or convicted - to clear the clutter.  And below are the results.

The last jar that I made brought to mind the words our minister shared at the graveside service.  I wish I could recall just exactly what he said or any of the scriptures that he shared during the reference.  Perhaps some others of you who were there could help refresh my memory. 

He likened Karinne to an unopened bud, similar to the perfect little carnation bud at the center of this jar.

She was like a tiny flower bud in God's Garden that was so perfect, tiny and beautiful in its own way.  But she never had the chance to fully bloom in this life - at least not before our eyes here on earth.  When I found this little carnation that for some reason never opened while in its arrangement, I saved it especially for this - to signify a life that was far too short, but beautiful just the same.

Welcome to Karinne's New Web Page!!

I just wanted to post a message to everyone who is viewing Karinne's site for the first time.  Those of you who have been following me on Caring Bridge may find this a little overwhelming.  But hopefully you'll be able to find your way around.  

I wanted to point out a few things that you may not have noticed: 

• There are tabs near the top of the page that you can click on to see more about things like - "What is Acrania" & "Karinne's Garden".  I will be adding new pages as I get them going as well as adding to the "Special Mementos" page.
• You should be able to post a comment at the end of any post if you have something you would like to share.  Click on the "# comments" directly following this post.  That will bring you to view others' comments and also show a box where you can write a comment and post it.  You will have to choose something under "comment as" and if you choose "Name/URL" - I think that should work for most of you.
• There is music with the webpage that should play automatically - so turn on your sound if you want to have the full experience.  These are songs that held very special meaning to me throughout Karinne's time here and since she left.  Sometime I may elaborate on some of the songs.

Okay - Enjoy - Pass it on - And come again soon!  I will continue to add to this site and begin posting journal entries here.