Squinky Rescue Mission

She's got a soft heart just like her mama.

 

She is on a rescue mission of her own.

 

There was a flood of tears tonight, no doubt brought on by the 7 o'clock hour which happens with some frequency. But now she has a plan to find her missing Squinky on the bus tomorrow. I had to explain that no, we could not go search the parking lot tonight. And I've already prepared her for the real possibility that her tiny little Squinky may not be found on the bus at all.  

 

Learning lessons about taking care of your belongings is tough when you are seven. Hopefully she will think twice before bringing her favorite things to school in the future.

*Her last two Squinkies miss their other buddie.

At least we ended our discussion with a plan.

 

She asked to go to bed in tomorrow's clothes, to ensure we don't miss the bus in the morning. But I told her that was taking it too far. Instead, she is laying out her clothes to get dressed first thing. She decided all on her own to write down her plan so she doesn't forget what we discussed. There is a real possibility that the bus driver won't let her stay to look very long. She's prepared to stop the search if he says it's time to go.

 

This list is done in much the same manner that she makes plans to defeat the boys at recess

 

I think she feels better now that she has that plan.

She's less distraught and more empowered.

She's a list maker like her mama too. ;)

Finding Mandy

Late Wednesday night, May 1st, 24 year old Mandy Matula
went missing from Eden Prairie, MN.

How do you blog about Mother's Day when one mother is still looking for her daughter?
I don't know. This is all I can think about.
I made dolls recently for 4 girls graduating college last Saturday in Texas.
I took the opportunity to pray over those girls as I sewed.
Every young women, every girl, deserves to be safe and protected.

Mandy was last seen with her ex-boyfriend, David Roe. They were both 2007 graduates of Eden Prairie High School and incredible athletes. That night, she went out to his car at 11pm to just sit in front of her house and talk to him. She wanted to spare her family from having to hear yet another fight. When her mother called David after waking in the morning and finding that Mandy had not been back in the house or gone to work, he told her that he left her in Miller Park at 1am and she was going to walk the less than a mile back to her home. It was 30 degrees that night. She was wearing pajamas and had no purse, keys or phone with her. She did not plan to go anywhere with him. David later told the police he would come in and answer questions since he was the last person to see her. Despite unmarked cars following him and a helicopter in the sky, he made a good-bye video to his family on his phone and proceeded to shoot himself in his car while parked at City Hall in front of the police station. He took the truth about Mandy with him.

Neighbors reported hearing two gunshots that night and a bullet that has been confirmed to have been in his gun (he had just bought it the week before) was found in the church parking lot between Miller park and Mandy's family home.

Our community has been rocked to it's core. This is our backyard, this could have been anyone's daughter/sister/friend who couldn't get away from a controlling boyfriend. Mandy, I wish I had known you. I wish I could have helped you. We drive these roads and enjoy the beautiful wetlands and lakes. The very same that have been searched for 11 days now. Her family attends the same church we do. We have prayed as a church family for the return of Mandy, and every day in between. Not a dry eye in the service on Mother's Day. 

That Thursday I was parked at the High School waiting to pick up Sam from pre-school, watching the girls softball team load the activity bus and trailer for their game that night. Mandy was supposed to be on that bus. She was one of their coaches. The girls weren't told until after the game and they cried the whole way home. Mandy was very well loved. She worked for the City. The Police all know her and are looking for her as one of their own.

Her brother has been amazing with his strength and resolve to find Mandy. He started two facebook pages for community help in finding his sister. The Minnesota United page is for all missing people in MN and will be used long after Mandy is found. Hundreds of people have gone out searching every possible place they can think of (including my husband). There is still more to search.

Just last week both Danielle (pictured ^ left) and Kira (pictured  ^right) have been found. They too were victims of domestic violence by a man that they once loved. It's time to bring Mandy home. Over 150 people gathered in a day long search this past Saturday. Area churches and business provided child care for searchers and food and water to keep everyone going. Even craft supplies for the child care. I am so proud of our community.

If you are in the Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria and Waconia areas and even all the way up to St. Cloud (his cell phone pings show he was driving around all night), please search your property. Especially wooded and swampy areas. Not everyone watches the news so maybe you haven't even heard about Mandy. Please tell your friends and change your facebook profile to the photo at the top here. It's important to get the word out. 

Just two years ago, Eden Prairie was named Money Magazines best city to live in, out of the entire country. We are indeed living up to that title and I am so proud to be part of this great city.

Mandy, we will find you!

 

***All photos taken from the Finding Mandy facebook page.

Rebekah {9 months}

Before you know it, this little sweetie will be one.

I can hardly stand it!

The timing was perfect, between the snowstorm last week and the snow we have again this week, we had three days of 70's, sunshine and a little wind in her hair. Pure goodness! So fun to be back outside.

 

Unfortunately the sun also played a bit of hide and seek with the clouds making it a challenge to get my settings right. I am shooting all manual now and love it, but I could use a ton more practice.

 

What a happy girl!

Their easiest baby yet which is a blessing to {the family} when you are #4.

 

You'll be walking soon little girl. The world will keep unfolding before you like a pop-up book.

So much to explore and do and you have three older siblings that will be great teachers.

As well as a mom and dad that adore you.

Have a happy summer! How could this smiley girl not?

 

My camera and I will be ready for you and your whole family again in another 3 months.

Muah!

Love, Me

p.s. Rebekah at 3 months

 and 6 months

 

 

It's been quite the spring break.

We had such beautiful weather last Saturday that David decided to take the kids on their first bike ride of the season. It ended with a trip to the ER early Easter morning when we realized that under all the cuts and abrasions Allison got from crashing her bike, was a broken arm. Ouch! We are finding out that she has a high tolerance for pain. She had trouble sleeping that night but never told us and the doctor was even surprised it was broken because she was so calm and only rated her pain a six out of ten (on their smiley face chart).

As if that wasn't enough, we then went ahead with the surgery to remove her tonsils and adnoids on Tuesday. Yeah, I feel pretty bad about that right about now. She's had a tough day. Nausea has thrown her recovery off track some, staying late at the hospital and not keeping enough down today. But I think we have turned a corner. She actually gave me a spontaneous hug while I made mashed potatoes for her at 2:30.

This photo was taken as we were leaving the hospital. Trying to time it well enough between bouts of throwing up and anti-nausea meds to make it the 10 minute drive home. We made it! Oh and apparantly three puppy dog stickers will get you smiles too. Need to remember that. She chose puppies over princesses.

I hear the worst is still ahead of us. But Daddy might have just saved the day by bringing home Dream Lites for all the kids mid-morning when he picked up more anti-nausea meds. She keeps checking to see if her batteries are done charging. Honestly we've been really holding off on buying these since it seems like a terrible waist of $90. But none of them have let up in the wanting and this morning when I asked if she was sad, she nodded "yes". Then I asked if it was because it hurts a lot more than she was expecting, she nodded "yes" again. About broke my heart. She's been wearing a constant frown and I know she's hurting. Yet she's able to tell me she's only a two on the pain rating. Very tough girl! So if that Dream Lite tonight puts even a hint of a smile on her face, I can live with another "cheesy" toy they will eventually be bored of, in the house.

By the way, don't ever Google the surgery your child is about to have. Not good, not good. I am looking forward to these next 12 days being over with so I can not think about all the possible bad things that could still happen. Yet I am also enjoying the snuggle time with my girl. She so rarely wants to snuggle with me.

We still need to get a permanant cast on her. She will miss soccer this spring but that's better than swimming during the summer. Next, we will have to figure out how she is going to navigate school after she misses an extra seven days, without the use of her dominant arm (writing, bathroom breaks, lunch, carrying a backpack, switching from bus to carpool, etc...). One day at a time, while trying NOT to worry.

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:24

Final TaDollies {In the Shop}

With only nine weeks left of school I'm running out of time for doll making. When I took them out of the shop a bit ago I had four inquaries about when they would next be available. So in an effort to not do that to you again (stop abruptly, that is), I have devised a plan to let you know exactly how many more I can make.

I have made separate listings for each doll I have time for in my schedule. They are all numbered with "sell by" and "ship by" dates in their titles. Basically I have 7 weeks of sewing time and can make two dolls per week. If any one doll doesn't get ordered by her "order by" date, she will not be made. When they are gone, they are gone. I will not be making anything custom over the summer or until after next Christmas. Life just gets too hectic over here. Plus I have a goal of making two more quilt tops for myself and then quilting all three. Sounds dreamy!

 

So, if you'd still like a doll, hop on over to {my shop} and snatch one up.

You can even order her as a mermaid.  Eeek!

 

p.s. If you have any questions, please note that my daughter is having her tonsils removed tomorrow so it may take me a day or two to get back to you, but I will. Thanks!