Hug someone
It’s interesting how the weather tends to appropriately react on such a sad day.
My heart breaks for the families of those who were affected by yesterday’s horrific events. I’ve felt anguished and too stunned to write, so I kept the computer closed and spent the afternoon and evening with the people I love so dearly. My friend Lisa and I took Liv with us to lunch and Ulta, which for the record, may be the worst place ever to take a baby. She was a bit of a cranky pants, and just wanted to roam free and hold/break every tiny object. The whole time we were in there, I was thinking, “She’s my cranky pants. She’s healthy and alive. I have so many reasons to be thankful.” I was too focused on taking care of her to let the reality of what happened settle in, but by the evening, I was pretty shook up.
Those kids were just babies… who woke up that morning and went to school. My heart is very heavy and I’ve been praying and thinking about the children, their families, the school faculty, and sending love to Newtown.
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We spent a lowkey evening here at home,
and all slept in,
a pretty easy morning at work,
lunch break:
A chicken wrap (chicken, mayo, mustard, greens), made awesome by the snowman plate
and this combo, on a spoon.
I told the Pilot I didn’t like the cocoa almond spread very much, but this is what he found when he went to spread some on a banana this morning.
Oops.
Chestnuts roasting:
It was my first time making them, and I have no idea what to do with them when they’re finished.
I’m heading back to work (Zumba!!) and then we’re going to a friend’s house for dinner tonight.
I hope your weekend is spent with those you love <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to think:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” -Fred Rogers
Something to read: 26 moments that restored our faith in humanity this year
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Those poor children. Evan has been in my arms all day and was in my arms all night.
Just babies, so innocent. They should have been waking up today at home, excited about Christmas and Santa coming.
I can’t even com to terms.
Hugs, and lots of them all around.
Agreed with everything you said. On a happier note, here’s my favorite recipe for Brussels sprouts and chestnuts :
http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/roasted-brussels-sprouts-chestnuts-10000001860031/
My heart is completely broken. So many innocent lives taken. Embrace and laugh with the people you love today. That is a great quote, thanks for posting it. On another note, I’ve never roasted chestnuts before, for some reason it intimidates me.
It is incomprehensible… tough to even process. So much love and prayers are with those families now and in the very difficult days to come.
I can’t even begin to imagine how the people involved in that tradgedy are feeling. I want to just go there and give them a big ole southern hug!!!!! SO many prayers are being sent up for them.
This makes me appreciate my little restless wakeupat2ameverynight teething boy even more. At least I’m losing sleep because my child is here and alive. Those parents are losing sleep over their children for a reason I can’t even fathom.
Thank you for this sweet post.
I can’t even imagine what would lead someone to do that. What a heartbreaking act, my heart goes out to those children’s families. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to get a call like that.
I put on my facebook page “no words. Just tears. Tears with 20 families in mind.” If they were bystanders and caught in the gunfire, that would be one thing. Not saying it would be better at all but at least easier to process. This man went to the school purposly to kill children. That makes my blood boil and tears start flowing (crying as I type this).
Here is an article about a 1st grade teacher in the school who was killed protecting her students. I can’t read it without bursting into tears.
http://elitedaily.com/elite/2012/astonishing-story-brave-teacher-died-protecting-students-gunfire/
Thank you for posting that link. I bawl every time I see the story of the Navy couple and their strength. Thank you for helping to remind us that there is good in this world, even in times of sadness.
Prayers to all of those in CT. xoxo
I can not even comprehend what happened yesterday, it is so heartbreaking.
I feel wrong making this transition, but chestnuts are good in a salad with raw spinach, goat cheese crumbles, and roasted butternut squash.
I was a little unsure of TJ’s Cocoa Almond Spread at first too… I think it was the texture? And then it grew on me quite a bit, and I found the jar constantly calling my name back to it. 😉
Hi Gina! Definitely give lots of hugs and kisses to Liv! I live in CT 20 minutes away from Newtown. We have been having vigils all over my town and it has been overwhelmingly sad and emotional for everyone here and nationwide. I have a 5 year old niece and 7 year old nephew and was crying the whole way home from work last night thinking of something like that happening to them. You’re so lucky to have that little angel to hold and love…even if she is tearing down the displays at Ulta <3
I become a complete mess whenever I think about what happened in CT (like now :() The loss of that many lives is a tragedy, but when the majority of them are little kids? Gah. I just can’t handle it.
yesterday was terrible and i was a little bit glued to the news during the afternoon. being a mommy has definitely changed the way i see these tragedies. it’s the truth of the world we live in…no place is truly safe.
Absolutely devastating, definitely makes me appreciate my kids and want to give them extra snuggles.
you should make this soup! it’s so good! http://www.simplylifeblog.com/2011/11/readers-challenge-chestnut-soup-with-prosciutto/
I don’t understand why stuff like that happens (the shooting). To be honest, I wish the media would not report things like this so widely and give so much attention to the shooter. Here (in NZ, half way around the world), it is all over the news and it worries me that some nut might see it and ‘get ideas’ about how to gain worldwide notoriety. Sad day. Makes me desire a return to home-schooling.
Does little Olivia have a shirt with Caroline on it? So precious.
It’s helpful that so many are praying! I spent one of many weeks I’ve been in Newtown there this summer watching my nephews so my sister & BIL could go away. I took my youngest nephew to Sandy Hook 5 mornings that week. That weekend I took him to the baseball field at Sandy Hook to watch his team play – they were in the playoffs! My older nephew played nearby on the adjacent fields.
Thank the good Lord, he was led out of the school in a line like you’ve seen on TV by his teacher, who hid them in a small room off of the library. My sister ditched her new car on the roadside and ran top speed down the road and up the school driveway – one of the first parents there having been minutes away when she heard. She was stopped but found a friend who told her that her son was already in the firehouse. He was holding it together but burst in to tears when he saw her. He was offered to sleep in her room last night with their 90 lb Golden Retriever – a bonus for both because she isn’t usually in their rooms at night.
Today it is sinking in. I feel so angry for the change this makes in what was a wonderful childhood for them – it really is as idilic there as they say on the news. Then I feel quilty for feeling that when we got him back and other families didn’t. It’s confusing, raw, exhausting, numbing and also a time filled with gratitude.
I know all of the families feel the prayers from around the country and we need them. Keep them coming please.
I am a substitute teacher and I was with a grade 3 class when I heard the news. All of a sudden I was so grateful that they had the chance to talk through a lesson and make faces at me when I asked them to work. They had no idea how blessed they were to be writing a quiz.
I can’t even imagine what those parents are going through. I have a kindergartener and first grader. I made my husband go pick them up from school early yesterday. I was so shaken and still am. Those poor babies. I just can’t imagine the fear they must have felt. Lots of tears shed here. Hugging my babies extra tight! Makes you realize just how previous life is. What is the world coming to?!
Thank you for posting the quote by Fred Rogers- I’ve been struggling with what to say to my 8 and 7 year old-and this really resonated with me. I appreciate you.
thank you for posting the link @ the end. i’m still trying to figure out why the little girl would use pizza to try and slap her mom awake! kids can be so (awesomely) goofy!
🙂
I’m completely devastated by what happened on Friday too. I just can’t even comprehend how someone can do something like that…
I’m glad you got to spend the day with people you love though. It’s events like these that make you realize that love and people are really all that matter in life! <3
I don’t think we will be able to ever truly get over what happened at that school. The fact so many innocent kids being attacked is a truly horrific. 🙁
..it’s all too sad for words.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ? 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
What a horrific, senseless act. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and the families who will have to live without their children. My heart breaks for those kids.
A nut butter? Hmm, just eat them? Reminds me of the Christmas song- Chestnuts roasting on an open fire 😉