Bonjour from the Manoir

The kids and I have had three days at the manoir to just enjoy and take it easy.  We have gotten lots of school work done, laundry, and even made Ina Garten's Sausage Lentil Soup from her Barefoot in Paris book.  We all highly recommend it!!  We had never tried it before - but thoroughly enjoyed.  Even little Halle who is rather picky with her soup eating liked it. (see recipe below)
Update:  Chris' first two classes went really well!!  He has had some good discussions with students and faculty from Caen and from other countries that are here teaching as well.  He is looking forward to his third class on Monday.  So thankful for this opportunity for him to have this experience. 

Ryan & Halle helped unwrap all the chicken broth cubes to help make dinner.

Apple cake (check) baguette (check) hot stew for dinner (check)!!!

Love my simple French kitchen!!  Had to show a little bit of the decor

 Here is a bowl of the Sausage Lentil Stew (sideways)!!

Here is a link to the Sausage Lentil Soup recipe!

Here is a sneak peak at today's adventures at the manoir.  Chris taught the first two days we were here and was home this afternoon for some fun games outside with the kids.  He took some photos & videos on his phone & we will try & update the post later today :)

Futbal at the manoir

 For Narnia..... they had swords & played some kind of hide & seek/tag game in the courtyard

Love her sweet smile - the kids had a great time on the gocart around the driveway

A video of Ryan & Rebekah using the go-cart

 * a little blurry on the iphone - but shows our fun ping pong table outside *

Grocery Store Visit

We met Chris at the grocery store around 4:15pm yesterday.  To back up about 15 minutes, the kids and I tried and tried to no avail to use the bluetooth on my iphone with the stereo in the car to listen to Christmas music.  After tossing in the towel, we decided to venture into some tunes from the radio.  This was most definitely the right choice, we had such a blast driving down the motorway listening to the different stations, most of which were American songs of the latest pops stars to classic songs of decades ago.  We listened to Michael Jackson (Thriller), Jason Mraz,  Mariah Carey (Hero), some rap song that the kids had heard of that I knew nothing about, the Beach Boys (Surfin' Safari).... they liked 96.3 not country music like in DFW but called the FUN channel.
We got to the store and I realized I had forgotten our grocery sacks at home.  No paper or plastic here - you either bring your sacks or pay for new reusable ones.  We opted to keep it simple and buy new ones.  Thankfully, they are pretty decent & lots of fun green & pink colors.
We ventured into the store with our "chariot" key in hand and got inside with little delay.  Hooray!  It's always a comforting thing when I have moved to a new city when I finally get the lay of the land in a grocery store - it just helps.  It can be so daunting to have a grocery list and not know where a single thing is....then add in a foreign language.  The main points to point out is we made it through with little need for external help from employees (ok well we needed help twice - but were met by friendly people).  The first was when we needed chicken broth for a stew we are making.   So after a couple loops around the canned food aisle and an aisle with all the soups with no luck - I found a lady with a small child and asked, "pardon madam, poulet bouillon?"  She quickly, showed me where to find bouillon cubes and was so kind and gracious.  She smiled and said, "anglais?"  "oui, madam - Merci, beaucoup!!"  Then we felt like we conquered a major hurdle in finding the type 65 flour, the brown & white sugar, vanilla, but where was the bicarbonate de soudre (baking soda).  Chris went off to find it with a few of the kids, while we went to find some toiletries.  You should have seen them as they returned.  Picture Meet the Parents with Ben Stiller returning with the fake Mr. Jinks in the cage from the animal rescue shelter.  That was Chris with the baking soda in hand coming down the aisle - the hero of the store!  Although thankfully it wasn't fake - but the actual ingredient we needed to make apple cake.  He said he had to ask the lady behind the seafood counter & she asked him in French if it was for washing clothes or for eating.  I would have been totally lost - so thankful he knew what she was asking.
We counted our venture a success and sat down to a good ol' fashioned bowl of, spaghetti.  Well actually tortellini with spaghetti sauce - but spaghetti in our Blocker lingo.  It was fast & easy after a few hour journey to the store.  :)

Farewell to Autumn with Apple Cake

I couldn't resist posting a recipe as I finish up our grocery list.  We first became enchanted by Apple Cake after visiting our favorite tea room in Knoxville - Apple Cake Tea Room.  One of Ryan's preschool teachers gave us a recipe for apple cake & we have been devouring it every fall since then.  In case anyone is up for a final few tastes of fall this week - here is a tasty one to try:

Apple Cake
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups apples, peeled & chopped
1 cup pecans

Mix dry ingredients (note:it will be a thick batter).  Add oil & eggs, then add apples and nuts.  Pour into a greased & floured bundt pan.  Begin with a cold oven.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk

Mix and boil 3 minutes - pour over cooled cake once removed from bundt pan.  Get a big glass of milk & you are on your way to a happy fall ending.  :)

** If in France - some of the ingredients that I have heard are good substitutes:
65 organic flour is what I hear is the closest substitute for all purpose flour.
Sucre Cassonade - brown sugar -- light (cuivrée) or dark (ambrée)
Clear Crystal free flowing cassonade for white sugar
Bicarbonate de soudre - baking soda

Monday the 26th

The kids and I had a day at home doing school and Chris had his first day of teaching in Caen.  So proud of the kids and their hard work today & making progress on their classwork.  We look forward to hearing from Chris and how his first day of class went for him. 

We are making a list of things to get at our weekly store visit tonight (but before 8pm when they shut down shop).  I've done lots of reading up on ingredient names this week & hoping I can find a few more than last week.  Everyone wants soup to warm us up.  We have had a bit of a winter dip in temperatures, which is cozy, but our house thermostat won't seem to climb out of the 60s.  We are thankful for hot water, down comforters, long johns and a working stove to make hot food.  All part of the French adventure fun, right?!

Oh and did I mention - coffee - it has become an even closer cozy friend in the morning.  The kids have something hot to drink on the grocery list - so they can partake in having something warm to drink in the morning.  I think we will go for hot apple cider for them and save the hot chocolate for the cafe professionals to make - there is no competing with that. 

Hope you all have a good day! :)

Honfleur, Trouville & Deauville

Honfleur - The village the Blocker's loved!  Here is a you tube video by Rick Steves about Honfleur:

We set out early on Saturday, hoping to find a quaint cafe to have breakfast.  Boy oh boy did we find one!  If ever taking a trip to France, and if ever going to the Normandy region - do not miss this one!!   After a few circles around the village trying to find a parking spot - we made our way to the city centre. We found ourselves at a picture postcard cafe having warm crossaints and drinking hot chocolates & a cappucino. Our cafe was the one near the flags with the bright red awning.

 We could see right off why a handful of impressionists used it as inspiration for many of their paintings - Monet being one of them. For some it is considered the birthplace of impressionism.  We attempted the Boudin museum, a master of painting the sky, and a friend to Monet.  However, we arrived 15 minutes before closing (at noon believe it or not) and they wouldn't let us take a quick peek.   Little background history:  Boudin met Claude Monet who spent several months working with Boudin in his studio. The two remained lifelong friends and Monet later paid tribute to Boudin’s early influence. Boudin joined Monet and his young friends in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.

 

This is Monet's painting of Rue de la Bavolie

We made our way through the Saturday market in the rain.  The smells, the sights, & in the chilling rain.  The only mention of the rain is due to the fact that it made taking photos limited.  However we did get a few snapshots prior to putting the camera away.

We couldn't resist this chocolate shop as we walked through the village.  Mimi & Grandad - you would have loved it - we didn't know until after we bought them - the chocolate on the right side of the picture is chocolate covered malt balls - all different flavors.  Our favorite flavor was cinnamon & sugar.  

The kids purchased 12" chocolate covered marshmallow sticks.  You just can't make this stuff up - such an amazing day!! 

This was my friend in the market who let me take a photo with him.  He was dicing, shredding, slicing all sorts of vegetables.  I was totally sold, although I am sure I could find it in the states, he was selling them for 3 euros a piece & I was quite taken with all the gadget could do.  QVC - you need this guy on one of your segments ;)

Chris is in love with the French cheese - he saw a fromage shop & called it a chocolate shop.  It really is amazing how delicious it is.  We came home with a big slice of cheese - I am sadly blanking on the name.  

We ended our time in Honfleur with a visit to Erik Satie's house (a composer), which has been converted into a very unique museum.  He was a very eccentric guy with lots of unique thoughts & ideas.  We loved visiting his house & hearing his life story.  

Link to more information about Erik Satie

Erik Satie Video #1

Erik Satie Video #2

 

We then drove down the coastline to Trouville and Deauville.  We were in the midst of a steady stream of rain and crisp winds that did limit our exploring in these towns.  We walked down the streets and found a friendly cafe which specialized in galettes (our best description is a savory crepe).  The kids had egg, ham & cheese & Chris and I had one with vegetables and cheese, and another with ham, egg, cheese, & potatoes.  They were delicious and most definitely warmed us up for the trek home.  We attempted two more towns but unforunately were misled by a guidebook of activities there.  So we made our way home for a movie and dinner.  

  A  couple things before closing out this post.  The kids have been making their way through the original Love Bug movies.  On Saturday we watched Herbie rides Again - love watching their faces enjoy something both Chris & I loved to watch as kids.  They have all 4 original movies in a gift set in the cheap movie section at Target in case anyone else wants to purchase.

One final thought - we have wondered multiple times what goes through the mind of a four year old visiting France with her family.  This video is sheer delight to watch as she enjoys her breakfast in Honfleur.  I hope you enjoy! 

Click here for Halle video - Bon Appetit! 

  

 

Caen Memorial Museum

We have had 30mph winds over the last few days with rain & very spotty internet connection.  It reminds me of the book A Year in Provence when the winter winds blew into town.  The book is by Peter Mayle & then BBC made a video version of it that is long but fun to watch their adventures.  We'll have to make a list of French inspired books/movies that we have read over the last year and post it in case you are interested.

On Friday - we spent the morning doing school work & Chris went up to his new office on campus.  He begins teaching on Monday.

* Check out the Baylor pendant on the wall - they had it up there when he arrived.

After our morning, we met Chris at the War Memorial in Caen.  We didn't know what to expect with the kids in exploring this more indepth look at the history surrounding the World Wars.  The museum is on the pricier end with a family pass for 48 euros.  However, I would say the lessons and insight gained, it was well worth the price.  The museum begins with the events surrounding the end of World War I and takes you through step by step with pictures and insight, thankfully in English so we could tell the kids what was going on.  We did not take many pictures

--> due to being so captivated by the moment and soaking in all the information.  --> 

Chris said, "It put everything in perspective around the war.  Specifically on the historical and cultural elements that made the war come about and how important ideas can shape history."  For the younger kids, specifically Jacob and Rebekah, understanding what happened to the Jews during this time, was very moving for the both of them.  Halle was taking lots of pictures with her purple camera of baby dolls and toys and pictures of little kids.  It went completely over her head that around 1.2 million children were killed during Hitler's days in power.  Seeing their faces and toys and understanding, even if in small ways, what occurred was very hard but impactful for Jacob and Rebekah.  As much as we totally understand the ache they felt seeing the faces, and our hearts were not to scar our children with insight into war - we just wanted them to understand a slice of history and taste the freedom that came at a very severe price for so many.  We sat down and talked through it and continued to process at dinner.  For Ryan, the amount of people who lost their lives during the war - somewhere around 50-60 million people died.  He enjoyed seeing the videos with Chris and understanding a bit more of the history of WWII.  He kept commenting how young the soldiers looked as they were entering into battle.  As a mom, it was sweet to see him process with Chris and watch the two of them go around the museum discovering more about the war.  **If we have any history experts reading this - please add any insight into this or where we may have our numbers off.  We tried to soak up as much as we could, but doing so with 4 kids (10 and under) adds a different dimension - one I am grateful for - but maybe not as in-depth as if Chris and I had been there just the two of us.

 

-->

For me, I really enjoyed the memorial museum and walking through the timeline of WWI up to the conclusion of WWII.  It was heartbreaking to see so much of the devastation and pain in each of the pictures.  My favorite photo was of 300 women who had been set free after being imprisoned.  Look at the expression on their faces (you can click on photos on the blog to make them larger).   My favorite is the lady on the far left - sheer jubilee in that smile and leap.

 

Then this picture is following their release - dancing in the streets. 

 Can you imagine what that must have felt like?  After walking through the journey and the loss they experienced – freedom busting forth from the war torn cities.  

 In so many ways – I cannot fathom what this must have felt like and yet I sensed the Spirit of God showing me application in my own life? Have I not been set free?  Not only literally living in a country of freedom, but also spiritually.  Haven’t I been unlocked from the chains that bind me by my faith in Jesus?  Am I not free in Christ to run free in His love and grace day to day?  How often do I wake in the morning and choose to bind myself to the sin that feels so natural or is so natural and not walk in the Spirit living inside me?  I began to read in His Word -

-->

Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

1 Peter 2:16

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Romans 8:1-4

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 6:22

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Romans 6:18

And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Isaiah 58:6-7

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

We are so grateful for anyone who is journeying with us through our time here in France.  Please know, this is mostly to document the day to day events or explorations.  However, I can't help but share those moments that are moving not only in the adventure - but internally as well.  This picture was so moving for me that I couldn't help but share it with everyone.  I have been set free by the grace of God and isn't it or should I say shouldn't it be my desire and the choice I make each morning to say, "Here I am LORD, use me according to your plan today.....You have anointed me to bring good news to the poor; You have sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.  

**Rebekah said - "the song that comes to mind when thinking through being set free is the one when the Isrealites were set free from Egypt - in the movie Prince of Egypt."   There is a song of celebration in the movie based on Miriam's song in Exodus.  

  

* More posts to come of our Saturday adventure (Honfleur - the village the Blockers loved).  We stayed home today (Sunday) - lots of things closed.  I'm enjoying watching the owners of the manoir raking the last of the fall leaves.  We had wondered if they would do that today since they did it last Sunday.  It's fun to see a bit of rhythm into our week.  The first week - everything felt so new & out of place.  It's fun for this to have a flair of home even if only for a few more weeks. 

Thanksgiving Recap

 We cut up our pastries & had a small bite of each.  We each got more of our top two flavors.  The pastry with raspberries & the one with the powdered sugar (a vanilla creme pastry) were the favorites.  The pear pastry was a close third.

We all declared the dinner a tasty treat for our French Thanksgiving. We roasted the dinde for an hour and a half. Half the time we had it covered and half the time uncovered. Prior to baking - we rubbed the whole piece of meat with butter and generously salt & peppered to taste. Then we laid about 6 pieces of thin bacon across the top. To help with the gravy - we poured a thin layer of cream of vegetable soup in the bottom of the pan. It was by far the biggest hit of the day. The mashed potatoes, green bean & corn casserole as well as the cranberry compote were tasty sides. Instead of a baguette, we went for a braided brioche (butter) bread from the bakery - delicious. Now to the radishes... Although beautiful in appearance - I'm still wondering what all the fuss is about. Maybe its me or maybe I just didn't prepare them right to dip in salt - but in the future - I think I have had my fill and seem to have the same consensus from the rest of the crew. Thumbs down on that one.

As I cook....

As I cook - I couldn't help but share some more links to fun articles about turkey for Thanksgiving in France and how to buy baking ingredients for Americans in France: 

Design Mom's Thanksgiving Turkey

(Side note:  Gabrielle has been so kind to email me with tips for lodging and places to visit.  We even exchanged emails this week about ordering turkeys at a boucherie - the butcher shop)  Thankful for her insight into the Normandy area.

Baking Tips for Americans shopping for ingredients in France

This may sound nuts as to why anyone would want to look for American ingredients we commonly use in the states while in France.  True & I agree.  However, you get to a day like Thanksgiving and you are craving a homemade whatever, a tradition long been on your holiday table. Where do you find the ingredients for these items?  For us, we enjoy the change in tradition this year and eating some French inspired foods.  But what for the expat that longs to make mom's chocolate chip cookies or  that pie you have been craving that grandma used to make.  Well, David Lebovitz to the rescue with his thoughts on ingredients.  You will find insight into what ingredients to buy as well as the difference of sugars, flour, measurements, etc....  This is a life saver of an article for one who attempted to purchase Cream Cheese and found bon courage to ask a store employee, "Creme fromage?" Which was met with a puzzling stare and multiple sentences in French trying to inform me where to find it.  Ryan and I politely smiled, said "merci" and went on down the dairy aisle praying that Philadelphia Cream Cheese had gone world wide.  Believe it or not - we found it and then bought the French version. 

 

Photo courtesty of Food Network.com

Ina Garten shares in Barefoot in Paris about eating radishes with salt alongside baguettes with butter.  I do not recall ever eating a radish - but in our exploring the store - the bright red bulb and the green leaves were too hard to resist to give it a whirl at our thanksgiving feast.  We will update you with our radish review later.

Bon Appetit!!

Happy Thanksgiving & Comments

Happy Thankgiving from the Blockers!!

We are staying at home today & making a "turkey melon" or le dinde.  Pronunciation - not (dind - with a long e) like how I thought it was pronounced.  You should have been at the store with Ryan and I earlier this week - the amount of giggles from me trying to communicate what I was looking for at the store. It is pronounced (dawn) -with a short d sound at the end - or so we think - French language experts feel free to correct if we still are not pronouncing it correctly.  ;)  They do not begin selling turkeys like what many of you will be roasting today until mid December.  I have read how unpopular they are, which it has been speculated to the fact that lean meats traditionally weren't so much in favor in France until recently (David Lebovitz).  You can read more of his journey of purchasing and roasting a turkey melon here:

Turkey Melons by David Lebovitz

We will be making our turkey melon (picture a melon shaped turkey), a make-shift Shoe Peg Corn Casserole with the ingredients I could find, mashed potatoes, cranberry compote of some sort (couldn't find similar ingredients for the actual casserole), brioche bread, and a box full of pastries from the town of Falaise.  We are looking forward to our celebration.  If anyone is in need of last minute recipes - the following are always a hit at our thanksgiving table as we celebrate the goodness of the LORD.  The pralines were a small taste of the Christmas season to come - lots of memories of wax paper covered counters and mom & dad making the pralines.

     
 
* My apologies - it keeps flipping on its side and posting the recipes all over the post.  But it was worthy of posting as they have become some of our absolute favorites to have each year.

With a houseful of noise each day, I need Jesus' perspective, His peace, His joy to go about each day.  I was wrestling this fall through the 'how LORD?' do we come into your presence and I stumbled across this video.  May you find encouragement in the verses and quotes from various authors - May you join us as we come into the LORD'S presence today with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Wishing each of you whether in a bright sunny season or a dark and stormy one - praying that the God of hope would fill you with His joy and peace today in believing, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

One more video that was a powerful illustration of the day to day choice to express our gratitude to God despite our circumstances:

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

In regards to comments - I have received emails saying blogger is giving you trouble to writing a comment on a post.  I found this morning that the default setting requires the commenter to have an account with blogger, wordpress, gmail or a site similar to those.   I have changed the setting to where anyone can post and you don't need to have an account with any of the above.  If it still gives you trouble -  email me & I will look into it more. 

Chateau Guiliaume-Le-Conquerant

We spent the morning in the village of Falaise, home to William the Conqueror's castle.  Click this link to read more about the castle history:

Chateau Guilliaume-Le-Conquerant

Here is a snapshot of Falaise from the castle wall:

To drive up to the castle was met with lots of "oo's & ah's" from our Volvo window.  To see something in photographs and then to see it in person is rather enchanting for the

kid's eyes and ours as well.

We had heard of this castle because every winter they illustrate the story of Sleeping Beauty throughout the castle rooms.  In honor of our sweet Aurea Hope, named after Aurora in Sleeping Beauty - we wanted to be sure and visit to see the story reenacted.

When Aurea Hope died in the fall of 2006, we were wrestling through what to name her to remember her sweet short life.  Chris came across Charles Perault's story of La belle au bois dormant.  Chris was reading in his study in Tennesssee and stumbled across this part in the story:

This was the note Chris sent out after our sleeping beauty died:

"Like so many parents we know - our little girls are the sweet princesses of our home.  Rebekah wants more than anything to be a princess - to have tea and cookies with Cinderella and visit her castle.  Her sweet, joyful smile could turn a thousand frowns into bashful grins.  Rebekah loves to twirl her dresses, dance, and even wanted to name her little sister 'cinduh-wella."

Today, we have lost our baby princess.  And yet we have in us this hope of heaven and the wonderful sovereignty of our God.  In our family's loss, we set our hope on Jesus to tenderly care for our sleeping beauty.  We have named her Aurea Hope.  Like most names, Aurea is linked to many meanings including "golden," "the morning" or "dawn," but has been most associated with "Sleeping Beauty" from Charles Perrault's fairy tale "La Belle au bois dormant" he penned in 1696 long before Disney.  As I came upon the following line from the original story, where an angel from the throne of God blesses the little infant princess, I began to weep...."Be assured, King, and be assured Queen, your daughter will not die.  However, the princess will fall into a deep sleep.  Her sleep will last a hundred years, at the end of which the son of a King will come to awaken her."  In this, we simply realize the value of stories to help us connect to a much grander story we are all a part of where redemption and resurrection have the final say over death and loss.  Her second name "Hope" reminds us of our hope in Heaven.  We will remember her always, and it is with much grief and hope that we celebrate the brief little life of Aurea Hope Blocker and hand her back into the arms of Jesus."

One of our favorite moments today, as parents, was to watch the wonder and adventure in the kid's eyes.  To see a staircase climbing high to the sky, opening doors to towers, or figuring out what a noise is around a corner - they were completely present to experience each part of the castle and story.

The kids in the tower with the sleeping princess.

Here is a link to the story told throughout the castle today:

Sleeping Beauty in the Woods

At the end of the castle tour - there is a visitor book and I found Chris writing this:

The kid's exiting the castle walls and entering the town of Falaise.  We went to the patissier to pick up some yummy treats for our celebration of Thanksgiving in France tomorrow.

Here is a church outside the castle walls.

A statue of William the Conqueror outside the castle.  The boys got swords from the gift shop, Halle got a figurine of a princess & Rebekah got a medallion necklace with the emblem for the castle.

We are loving the final colors of fall in each town!!!

A final few stories as we remember our daughter today:

One morning right after her death, as Ryan was thanking God for our breakfast, he said, "Thank You God for Aurea and that You know where she is."  As I wiped my tears, a flood of emotions rolled.  Immense peace that our four year old son was blessing us with a truth I needed to hear, despair and anger in the awareness that I cannot find her, cannot reach her, and thankfulness for the eyes of a Father who never loses His children.   - Chris

Rebekah Joy at the age of 3 said in her simple, sweet high pitched voice (about 8 months after Aurea died):  "Mommy & Daddy - I had a dream about Aurea Hope.  She is alive and not dead anymore!  But she couldn't play with me because she's in heaven - she's a princess just like me.

 

Hallelujah Grace was named in honor of her sister - The LORD was gracious and kind to bind up our broken hearts and bring healing to the pain.  As we approached the birth of Halle - we didn't know what to name her.  Chris was on a run and as he was running began to think about our daughter being born.  He came home and said, "I think the only thing I can say after she is born is Praise the LORD - I think we should name her Hallelujah Grace.

**After reading this - Jacob said, "What did I say?"  We affirmed him that he was there and very much a part of our family finding healing in the Lord - he was just one & not a whole lot of talking as of yet.  He brought lots of his Jacob grins & giggles that was and still is medicine to anyone who hears.

We are thankful to the Lord in the midst of walking through the grief that we can truly say, "those who sow through their tears, will reap forth with joyful shouting." He has truly brought "beauty from ashes!"

**D-Day post updated with family thoughts.