A Great Week

Happy Tuesday my friends.  We had a wonderful week with our kids. We spent every day with them at Brad and Mandy's house.  Alex and family stayed there because they have so much more room and a floor to themselves. Plus, I don't think Piper and Baby J would have it any other way. They were joined at the hip all week and I love it!

They left for home on Saturday afternoon and arrived late morning, (for us), on Sunday. We crammed everything we could into those four days and, of course, I managed to get sick. Tuesday I lost my voice and I still don't have it back. Negative for covid, so I think it's probably a sinus infection as I still have a very sore throat and find it hard to eat or drink anything. If I'm not better by tomorrow I promised Dennis I would go to the walk-in clinic as my doctor doesn't have any appointments open. No one else seems to have gotten it and for that I'm very grateful.

The sweaters I made both fit "Baby J". Here is the hooded one. The sleeves are a little long, but it will give her room to grow. She also took three of Piper's outgrown sweaters home. She needed these sweaters as it was pretty cold while they were here.

We had snow flurries and she was fascinated as they rarely have snow where she lives in London. Look at that sweet little girl. Sure wish I could show her face, but I truly understand the reasoning of why I can't. For my newer readers, my dear daughter-in-law's job is such that she and Baby J's photos need to be offline for security. They are both gorgeous and I would love to share, but it's not meant to be. And guess what? We have a new little grandchild on the way in June or July! Baby J will have a new little brother or sister. Needless to say, Grandpa and I are very excited over this huge news.

My sister, Melanie, is called "the baby whisperer" by all who know her. She rocks NICU babies two evenings a week when she gets off work at her full-time job. She rocks every. single. baby who is born at church. There isn't aperson under 35 years old at church that she hasn't changed their diaper if they were there as babies! She worked her magic on Baby J on Thanksgiving. I think if you took her babies away she wouldn't survive. I sure love this sister of mine and I'm grateful that we live close together again and get to make up for lost years apart.

On Thanksgiving Eve, Alex, DIL and Piper made dinner for us out of one of Piper's cookbooks. It was delicious. Piper and "T" made appetizers, salad, green beans and desserts while Alex took care of the main dish. He is a great cook and loves to experiement with spices and new ingredients.

I was able to finish two blankets over the past couple of weeks. I crocheted in the evenings when we came home after full days with the kids. I used Bernat Baby in pink and white for both blankets.

They are similar but a bit different.

I also began an "Every Which-Way Filet" crochet baby blanket in blue. These will all be donated to the Open Door Mission.

Last night I started Piper's sweater using Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn" in the Ivory Tweed Colorway. It is again the "Pure Comfort Cardigan" that she loves. She is getting to the age that she picks the pattern and yarn for almost everything I make her. She is almost a teenager! Twelve! When did that even happen?
She was so good with "Baby J" this week. She helped her with her meals. Helped her change clothes and just generally was the BEST babysitter ever! I just wish I could show you the photos and videos we took. The took of them performed a Taylor Swift Era's tour concert for us one night and it was fabulous.

Piper and I exchange advent calendars every year. I knitted 50 baby socks and made them into advent calendar's for each of us. I have so much fun filling hers every year. This was my day 1 gift. Yesterday and today I recieved chocolates. It's so much fun to check every day.

We had a couple of other adventures while the kids were here but this post is long enough. I'll share those next time. Thank you for forgiving me for not checking blogs last week while I enjoyed our family time. I think I'm caught up now. We missed Jamie's family, but this time of year isn't good traveling weather to/from Montana.

Take care and I'll be back soon.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

John Wesley

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.