Many of you know that I'm a member of a private online message board for moms. I know that many of you think it's funny, and I'm okay with that. Today, however, I come to you asking for your sincere and honest prayers for one of my internet friends. Her name is Kelly, and she's the wife of Matt and mother of Jackson and Julia. Julia was born on November 26, 2007, even though she wasn't due until mid-March (just last week.) She has fought an incredible battle throughout the past four months, but early this morning, she gave up the fight. She was scheduled for surgery to insert a trachea this afternoon at 12:45 pm. Unfortunately, early this morning, she became very sick and went into cardiac arrest. On the fourth attempt to resuccitate, her parents decided to let her go in peace. It's hard to describe how I feel right now. Kelly and I were due around the same time with Julia and the baby that I lost. I just can't imagine how Kelly and Matt are feeling right now, and I can't imagine explaining to Jackson that his little sister is never coming home. Please just pray for them. Thank you.

Julia's Caring Bridge Website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kellyfarrell

Here are a few pictures of Julia:

**Stepping up onto my soap box and tapping the microphone.**

Hello?  Is anyone there?   *tap tap*  Hello?

Well, friends, today I come to you, because I am frustrated beyond all explanation.  HOW have we let this happen?  Let what happen?  THIS...this struggle.  This tug of war.  This hurt.  This ache.

I'm talking about the "this" that I see in my fellow women's eyes.  I can only speak for the women, but I'd venture to guess that you men might be feeling something similar in a way.

I see a dissatisfaction in many people's eyes.  They are stuck in a position that leaves them longing, aching, yearning, begging, thirsting, dying for more.   More freedom.  More relationship.  More time.  More acceptance.  More love.  More.

Some are stuck because of choices they have made.  Some are stuck because of choices that we made for them.  Some are stuck because they don't know any other way.  Some are stuck because they're scared.  Some are stuck because they're discouraged.

Just stuck.

And me?  I'm frustrated, because I feel helpless.

I want to give them more.  I want to release them.  I want to share whatever little wisdom I possess.  I want to DO something for them.  If they're overwhelmed by the cleanliness of their home, I want to wipe the slate clean and instantly give them the ability to maintain their home.  If they're overwhelmed by their children, I want to teach them techniques and methods that will bring peace and order to their household.  If they're overwhelmed by their finances, I want to share with them what Mike and I have learned through our own experiences and the wisdom of our parents.  If they're feeling stuck, because they're paying some temporary consequences for decisions they've made, I want to offer them hope and reassurance that this too will pass.  I want to broaden their vision.  I want them to see all the amazing things that God has planned for their future...for their GOOD and their PROSPERITY.

I am SO TIRED of not being used.  

Hinani.  Here I am.

Send me.

Ruby had a lump in her abdomen (which turned out to be nothing, praise God!), so I took her in to Dr. Miller to get her checked out. Well, she was 17 lbs. 8 oz. at her 1 year check-up. Yesterday, she weighed in at 19 lbs. 12 oz.!!!!!! That's 2 lbs. and 4 oz. of weight gain in less than four weeks. That's the biggest weight gain she's ever had in her whole life. Maybe THAT'S why I didn't lose any weight while I was nursing...I was keeping all the fat grams and calories for myself!

We think it's due to her starting on whole milk. So, we're going to cut out the high-fat supplements (like butter on her toast and avocado on her sandwiches.) Anyway, we're going to keep an eye on the weight gain. It should slow down a lot. I was just SO shocked at that weight gain. I have NEVER seen something like that with Ruby. No *wonder* she is growing out of her winter clothes.

I am just so thankful that she's growing. She's such a cutie, and we love her so much!

On a different and unrelated note, please be praying for our brother and sister-in-law, Marc and Stephanie. They are nearing the end of Marc's job search, and God has given them a passion for a certain position and town. It is a LOT closer than North Carolina, and that makes us so, so, so happy! Some specific prayer requests are that God would be revealing the plans for their future to them AND to their future church family/employers. Pray that they will have a peace and an excitement when they make their decision. Pray that the end of the school year will be unstressful for both of them! (Marc is a seminary student, and Steph is an elementary school teacher.) We love them dearly, and we are excited to see what God does in the very near future for them. Please join us, dear friends, in praying them through this time!

I'm starting to wonder if God really wants me to do this home business thing or not!  He dumped A TON of snow on Lafayette last night, and only ONE guest was able to make it to the party.    It's all good, though.  We're going to re-schedule the party for a little later in the month, and we're going to remember NOT to put it on MP3 night this time!    Hopefully many people will be able to come. 

As Mike mentioned in his last post, he has launched his new business.  Tonight, I will launch my new business, as well.    I'm conducting my first AtHome America homeshow.

Sarah, my beautiful best friend, has been gracious enough to host my first home show.  I wasn't very good about getting out the invitations, so the turnout may be low.  I have a second party in the middle of March, and I'm hoping that these first two parties will yield me further parties.  I really like the products that I'm selling, and I'm simply hoping that other people will like them, as well.

If you'd like to see what I'm selling, you can view the catalog online.   If you like the products, and you'd like to get some of them free or 50% off, let me know!  You could host a homeshow.  If you'd like to purchase a product, but you aren't interested in a homeshow, that's fine, too!  I can give you directions to order online or I can submit your order with my next show.  (PLEASE talk to me before ordering online.  You will need a little bit of information to make sure I get credit for the sale.)

Anyway, if you know anyone who might be interested in web design or home decorations, please let us know.  We truly appreciate all your support!  We love you!

I have officially launched the site of my part-time web development business, Red Leaf Media. I am presently open to developing sites for clients in my spare time. Obviously I can not take a full-time load, since my schooling takes precedence. However, I hope that this will be a method of sustaining Lindsay's ability to stay home for the rest of my graduate school.

This movie looks very interesting. Thanks to Marc for posting it on his and Stephanie's blog: