Not long after Jonathan and I were married I decided I wanted to learn how to crochet. So, I bought a "how to" book, some crochet hooks and yarn and taught myself to crochet-sort of. Then I decided to learn how to knit, so I researched and taught myself how to knit -sort of. Every now and then I would pick up some yarn and say I was going to make a blanket; or, I would work on something (a scarf or baby blanket) in the car when we traveled. But, I confess that until this winter I had seen very few crocheting/knitting projects through to completion.
For whatever reason, this year was different. It started with wonderful, soft, and super "on sale" Italian yarn that I happened upon one day in Tuesday Morning. One thing led to the next and I had whipped out 3 scarves (pink for Hannah, blue for Madeline, and yellow for mommy).
For weeks it seemed like every spare moment (and there aren't many around here) was filled with crochet hooks and colorful yarn. After the initial three scarves I swore I would learn to make something that wasn't in a "straight line" . . . but, then came another scarf for Hannah. . .
. . . another scarf for Madeline . . .
. . . a scarf for Audrey Ann . . .
(Audrey Ann shares her owner/mother Hannah's since of style--eclectic, European, mix-n-match . . . sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!)
. . . a scarf for Jesse (because all cow girls should have a scarf!) . . .
. . . and a birthday scarf for a dear friend's American Girl Doll-- Julie.
When I finally started on my orange scarf (in first picture-top left), I made myself promise ("for real" this time) that I would not make any more scarves this winter. I was determined to learn to make something else, a hat, or a wrap--something, anything that wasn't a straight line.
Now it's warming up, and I confess . . . I haven't finished my orange scarf. I think, however, crocheting/knitting has become something I enjoy. Maybe now that I have moved past the painful slow stage (you know where you drop a stitch on almost every row or can't keep your stitches even) I will not save yarn work for winter. I find that I can now carry on a conversation or watch a television program while I crochet. . . .so that's a bonus! And, call me crazy but I even find it relaxing!
Madeline: Can I have a ruffle mommy?
Madeline Grace, my sweet Boo Bear, you are four! How did that happen? Didn't we just take you to see Dora Live for your second birthday? Wasn't it just a short while ago that we celebrated the age of three with Abby, Elmo, and Cookie Monster? You are growing and changing so fast! I know . . . I say this every birthday, but it's true. And, though I am with you every day--watching you blossom, learn, evolve, and grow older, I am never prepared for the shock of another year gone by. So much has happened in the last 365 days! You learned how to spell your name and then to write it. You became a big sister--a great one at that! You started learning how to read; and, now you read a new story each week. You learned how to ride your first big girl bike, how to sit in "big church," and how to make your bed. You are such a big girl.
You bring Mommy, Daddy, Hannah, and Emerson so much joy! We love you and hope you have a wonderful year as a four year old. I am so glad that we get to share it with you. We are very blessed and thank God for putting you in our care four short years ago!
We live in a world that confuses love with lust, greed, romance, and covetousness. Children are bombarded with bad examples of "what love is" and wrongly taught "how to love" from the time they are born. I say these things recognizing the enormous plank in my own eye. I often speak of loving inanimate objects when I really just like them a whole lot. I have been known to love others with selfish intentions, and I do not always love unconditionally. And, I confess that I have a very hard time loving "hard to love" people. 
For the last two 
This Valentine's Day I pray that my children will know God--that they will abide in love, and that God will abide in them. I pray that God will have their hearts long before they put it in the hands of another. And, I pray that by God's grace Jonathan and I will always display godly love in our marriage to the little eyes and ears that are always watching and listening. I pray that our marriage will demonstrate selflessness, loyalty, romantic affection that increases and deepens with years, and unconditional love.
