Set Free

So, yeah, Ellie is 9 1/2 months old and I'm now just posting her 9 month post!  I've gotten worse at these updates, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse the older she gets and more siblings are added to the fam!  But this month was kind of tricky.  She turned nine months old when we were painting the new house that weekend (and it was the fourth of July).  Then the next weekend we left for a week for family camp.  So now I can finally sit down and take a moment to update you all.  And a nice post to look back on some day. In some ways, Ellie hasn't changed much since my last update on her but in other ways she has changed so much!  She still has a "facial expression" she likes to give but it has changed.  I don't have a picture of it, but got a good video of it on our way home from our unplanned trip to IKEA after Jon's family's family camp!  She likes to bow her head and make eye contact at you at the same time.  It's pretty funny.

So about a month ago I posted this link on my Facebook page. http://gracefilledmess.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-not-to-do.html?spref=fb It's a mom and wife talking about what not to do when someone is facing something HARD.  And as I reflect on it from time to time, there are a few things that I would say are different for me personally.  So, with each person if the grieving is different what's the best way to respond?  Sounds tough if people respond different to grief, and for those who are trying to help, right? Sure.  I was in that boat once.  I had not lived very long.  I was a young, married woman.  I have gone through many different things.  I've had to deal with trusting God plenty of times.  But what I had not experienced yet (something that changes your life forever) is becoming a Mom. It can't be explained.   You just become one, and then you understand. Once I became a mother my heart changed.  Love is different.  Heck, my sleep is different. :)  I

Wait, it's July?  When did that happen?  Oh yeah, we had May weather in June!  I'm so happily enjoying this season though!  I love this weather!  It's so much better than being stuck in the snow.  I love how it's light out so much later at night.  I love how I can just throw on a t-shirt and head outside! We've been getting the house ready to move in!  Spending more time at my parent's house until it has all of our to do list accomplished.... -update and add more lighting -painting -remodel bathroom -electrical stuff (no need to go into details) -buying some new appliances (washer/dryer, and possibly others) And eventually we'll be updating the kitchen. I'm being kinda crazy (working on patience) and allowing my hubby to plan things (believe me I tried taking over).  Now this isn't all that bad.  He's money-cautious and that's great to make the right decisions for our budget's sake.  However if we were in need of making faster