I love that my dear, sweet Finn gifts me with leaves while he plays outside!
You all are probably tired of my allergy talk but seriously, while it’s our biggest curse, it’s also our biggest blessing. I’m not going to lie, food allergies suck. They’re scary, require a lifestyle change, and are expensive. But, I’m a believer on making sure the glass is half full rather than half empty. The hard times in life are when we grow and learn the most.
Even though I’ve always known how to cook it’s not something I enjoyed nor did very often. The food allergies forced me to cook and to learn even more. It’s been a huge blessing. We eat better, the food has more taste, and we’re healthier. I’ve learned to cook things I never would have imagined. It’s a blessing to be able to feed my family a delicious and healthy meal. And, I’ve learned to enjoy cooking.
We’ve learned about friendships. It’s easy to be someone’s friend when life is all rainbows and sunshine but those who truly care will be there when life gets tough. While the losses have been painful they are few. We are blessed to have many friends and family that will encourage us and do what they can to keep Finn and Zoey safe.
Perhaps the biggest blessing in all of this has been the compassion and consideration for others that my children are learning. They’ve learned to give something up for the safety of another. They’ve learned that while they could safely drink a glass of orange juice in front of Zoey without harming her it would still be rude and they should consider Zoey’s feelings prior to fulfilling their own desires. Consideration for others is a constant reminder in our home and it’s something that they take into their social life also.
Like I said, food allergies suck but they’ve made us better and I’m proud of the lessons my children have learned from them.
(and here’s the beautiful sunset that God blessed us with last night)
Head on over this way to read about my lovely friend Melissa’s blessings!
Shining bright sides to the whole food allergy business! I’ll probably be hitting you up eventually for some of those recipes – Jane (the baby) is allergic to milk and eggs (and a few other things). Gorrrrgeous sunset!December 2, 2012 – 8:26 am
This is gorgeous April!December 2, 2012 – 10:17 am
Awww, April, what a wonderful and encouraging post… Your babies are blessed with a wonderful Mama!December 2, 2012 – 4:56 pm
Stunning capture, April! Love your words as well– you are a superhero in my eyes 
December 2, 2012 – 5:21 pm
Gorgeous! So refreshing to read your words about how your children are learning consideration of others and putting others first. You are a blessing to them!December 4, 2012 – 6:11 pm
Beautiful post. And just gorgeous sunset shot!!December 9, 2012 – 9:45 pm
April, I love your words here. Isn’t it amazing how such a difficult part of life is also one of the biggest blessings? It sounds like you are doing an exceptional job with your little ones. :hp (I bet you’re a pretty rad cook, too!)December 11, 2012 – 9:07 am
This is lovely, April. Your positive outlook on life and challenges is yet another gift you will bestow to your children. Great job, mama!January 5, 2013 – 7:51 am
I’ve been busy this month. Really busy. And it’s been a long time since I’ve played with macro and I’ve missed it so when Finn wanted to grab some flowers at the grocery store yesterday I was all for it.
Dear Finley,
To say that you’re an Avengers fan is an understatement and Captain America is your all time favorite. I may not be well versed in superheros and comics but you remind me of him with your persistent and caring nature. This month you gave me the biggest compliment that a 5 year old Avengers fanatic could give – you told me out of the blue that I was better than Captain America. Well my dear boy, I think you are better than Captain America!
Love Mommy
Next up in the blog circle is the wonderfully talented Amii Wroblewski!
So sweet! <3 He looks so grown here.November 10, 2012 – 11:40 am
Wow, that IS a huge compliment! What a sweet, thoughtful little guy!November 10, 2012 – 11:49 pm
He is simply adorable!November 11, 2012 – 10:57 am
What a sweet little story, April!! Your boy, and your images are adorable…November 11, 2012 – 10:53 pm
What a fantastic little boy! And, I don’t doubt one bit you are better than Captain America.. you’re his mommy and pretty darn amazing one at that. November 12, 2012 – 12:26 pm
awwww!!! that is too cute! these are really fun, April – love the color!November 12, 2012 – 5:50 pm
From one Avenger’s loving boy mama to another, being better than Captain America? That’s pretty awesome. What a cutie!November 13, 2012 – 10:48 am
What a cutie! I can’t wait to introduce my little boy to the wonderful world of superheros!November 15, 2012 – 9:28 am
My great grandmother was a beautiful quilter – it was her gift. Well, other than whooping our butts at cards and rolling dice anyways. Grandma loved cooking for all of us, spending a day just chatting about life and telling us stories about her and Grandpa, and she loved making us all quilts. Every time we would come over she would show us what she was working on or ask what color scheme we would like for our next quilt, I have 3 or 4 from her in my closet and each quilt is a gift I will treasure forever. She loved making a special quilt for each of us but she loved making those baby quilts for her great, great grandchildren even more. That joy she felt to make her first great, great grandbaby a quilt – a boy from my older sister who was told she wouldn’t have children. Then came another quilt for a little boy from my cousin and then came the need for a pink quilt for Layla (Grandma had a mild obsession with the color pink). She soon rolled out two more boy quilts and then a special red quilt for my adopted niece from Vietnam. And then I got pregnant with Zoey and by the time we found out she was a girl and although Grandma was excited to make another quilt she just didn’t feel well enough. She didn’t have the energy no matter how much she wanted to. I will forever be thankful that Grandma got to meet Zoey before she passed; she got to hold that tiny, quiet, snuggly little baby and savor all that goodness that only a fresh little one can provide. Zoey is the only one in this family without a quilt from her great, great grandmother and that has always made me a little sad. Until this past weekend that is. Zoey had a little too much sugar and too much jumping around Saturday which resulted in several blanket changes, the final one being the first quilt Grandma ever made me – a purple beauty with lavender and green flowers sprinkled all over. That purple blanket brought Zoey out of her funk. You see, purple is her favorite color. She loves it and wants everything to be purple. Watching her gently stroke the quilt and ooh and aah over the color and pattern brought a smile to my face. The very next day, when Zoey was back to 100%, I sat Zoey down and gave her the blanket. It’s now hers to keep. I know she’s still too young to fully understand but the look on her face was priceless and she seemed to somewhat comprehend how special it is. Zoey now has her very own quilt made by her great, great grandma, the very first quilt that Grandma made and gave to me.
This is so sweet and beautiful April. I loved reading your grandmother’s story and Zoey looks perfect in purple!October 24, 2012 – 10:27 pm
Oh, what a beautifully sweet story, April. Zoey is going to cherish that quilt with her whole heart for always. As I’m sure it will bring you terrific joy each time you see her with it. I just loved this post. ♡October 25, 2012 – 5:29 am
Oh so sweet.October 25, 2012 – 8:24 am
What a sweet story, April!October 25, 2012 – 9:27 am
Zoey is so precious! And I know how much love can be felt from a handmade quilt from grandma. I cherish mine as well <3October 26, 2012 – 10:30 pm
[...] Zoey covered in her favorite color purple and a very special quilt from me to her. [...]October 28, 2012 – 11:20 pm
April, I love your beautiful story — very, very specialOctober 29, 2012 – 8:06 am
April, I immediately connected with your story of the quilt. My mother and her sister were quilters who made me a beautiful quilt when I married. I treasure the memories of playing beneath the room size quilting frame as a child when grandma came for a visit and everyone came to help complete a quilt. Zoey is a beautiful princess in her quilt and crown.October 29, 2012 – 2:15 pm
Woww, Sublime April 
November 5, 2012 – 9:53 am
Emily Krbec - beautiful April- love the last one especiallyJanuary 20, 2013 – 3:35 pm