a playground for Cora

I have wanted to post something about The Macs for a few days and it hasn't seemed right, I guess in someways beacuse it isn't my loss. I've been following their blog for quite a few weeks and kept checking it for updates on their baby. When I logged on Sunday it simply said she had gone to be with Jesus. I don't know how you go to the doctor for what you think is an earache and come home from the hospital weeks later with out your baby. I cry at commercials and this has brought me to tears multiple times daily. It seems a little odd to me since I don't know them, but apparently I'm normal. I've read comments others have left and they almost all mention being in tears as well - and the comments make me cry too. I would have a hard time getting myself out of bed and this amazing couple is using the donations to build a memorial playground. I don't know if that makes it easier - or if that's even possible. Not only that, other people who don't know them are making and selling items to help raise money to donate toward the fund (a lady named Julie is selling floral lapel pins). I wouldn't have thought of doing that. It is inspiring to the strength of their faith and to see so many people around the country rally together to try to bring them comfort and support.

I'm still new to blogging and I find many things about it odd, intrestingly odd, but odd none the less. I studied sociology in college and I love watching people interact and connect. But it still amazes me sometimes how much people seem to crave interactions/connections with others. I started reading blogs because some of the people have awesome ideas that make your life happier and easier as far as decorating or crafts or tips to use with parenting (check out the "Special Times" post on 320 Sycamore). I noticed early on that there are a lot of nice, encouraging people out there and its nice to see all the good people and things in the world. Then there are the people you "meet" that have stories that break your heart. There is a family in Kansas with an 8 month old baby they found out has cancer. Lots of bloggers have links to their blog to follow and encourage them. I can't quite figure out how to get the picture to link on the side of my page but I do have a link to their blog - The Macs. But here is a picture of their angel - Cora I copied from their website. It was a day she was sleeping in the hospital near the beginning of her treatment. I hope all the prayers for her pull her and her family through.

I also finished a cross stitch project last night. It's a Lizzie Kate pattern - I love their stuff and Hand in Heart designs. I saw an adorable ground hog cross stitch on another blog the other day and left a comment to the poster to inquire who published it so I could try to find the pattern. I've never seen a ground hog pattern and it would be a cute decoration for spring. Since it's out of print the publisher allows reproduction so she just sent the pattern to me in a link (if your intrested it's in the comment on my Mon post). I went to her post to leave a thank you note and notice she is from Amsterdam. How cool is that when you can meet and connect with people half way around the world. Ithink I'm going to start a St. Patricks day cross stitch first so I can have it done by them and then go onto the ground hog since it's past this year.

And to finish - we have another family birthday- Happy Birthday Lee.