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Button choices |
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Hand-sewing the sleeve seams |
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Before Blocking |
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On the mats, before blocking |
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Wet and pinned out- much larger now |
Some
days just stand out for me as perfect days in my memory. Charlotte’s
blessing day was one. Ila’s has been another. I’m about
ready to go to bed now, I’m as exhausted as can possibly be, but I’m in this
peaceful, grateful, lull of bliss. Her gown was extraordinary, Ila, was
even more beautiful than her gown. Ila didn’t cry or fuss during her
blessing, in fact, she stared up straight into her father’s eyes.
Afterward
everyone came to a Potluck BBQ at our house. We talked, we cooked, we
laughed. The kids made messes and ran and played. The 'tweens' and
'teens' played a fierce game of capture the flag. The smaller kids played
with a gigantic cardboard box that we saved from cleaning up yesterday and
pulled out for today. The cousins grew closer together.
People
stayed, and lingered, and the weather was even perfect. I took
some of the little kids out to pet and hold the ducks. It is a
special place, this place where we live. Not only because of this
peaceful, pastoral setting, but because of the spirit of family and faith that
we have here. Today was a day, where we felt so much of the love that
people have for us, and we were so grateful. You don’t get that kind of
support from the rest of the world when you decide to have six babies.
But here with my family and friends we felt so embraced.
I
had a great time showing people the chickens, the barn, and the ducks. A
friend brought a special gift for me, a children’s book called, Annie
and the Swiss Cheese scarf. It’s like the book describes my life
knitting, just perfectly.
I
guess the thing that stands out in my mind after this long day is just how
happy everyone was. I know that life is a
roller coaster of ups and downs, and sometimes those downs are pretty awful, but there’s
really, really, good stuff too. It’s hard to remember the good stuff,
when you are dealing with the disabled children in your life, or sick, or
pregnant and miserable, or dealing with other frustrating realities of life.
But the good stuff really does happen too. I want to remember this
day forever – it was perfect. The last day of summer sunshine for
awhile. (It rained the next morning.) Summer went out with a bang.
I
am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It is a plan of
happiness. I am so grateful for the Priesthood. To have this
marvelous power that blesses every part of our lives. What a tremendous
gift I have that I hope I never take for granted.
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You'd think 'Blessing Day' would be like this. |
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But it's really more like THIS!! |
It was totally worth all the work!
The gown is GORGEOUS!!! But you know, the baby, the family, the LIFE... even more amazing. :-)
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious!!! That is a stunning gown!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful family. That last group photo is my favorite! So fun!
Oh, how wonderfully beautiful! It reminds me a bit of the wedding veil I knit. A true labor of love!
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to tell you how stunning that gown is. Oh my gosh. Such a work of art. And for such a blessed day. My heart is full after reading your post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family you have, reading about this special day just makes me feel happy, too!
ReplyDeleteI am in complete awe! The gown is amazing! Beautiful baby, beautiful pics, and beautiful words! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for the compliments! I hope that in the future I'll be able to make more gowns like this, but for now, it's back to the usual, busy, roller coaster that IS our family :)
ReplyDeleteNancy
What gorgeous work! It's completely fantastic. (My daughter's name is Isla, pronounced the same way. It's not often that we happen across another--what a doll!)
ReplyDeleteIt is truly amazing! She looks so cute in it, and that last picture is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely, just lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning outfit - well done.
ReplyDeleteI Love you beautiful dress! Could you send me the pattern? adamshilary04@gmail.com
ReplyDelete