Yarn Along with baby news and a new bittersweet project

Good morning Yarn Alongers -

I'll start off with the good news.  The twins are....GIRLS!  Two very healthy baby girls growing on schedule and making their parents and all of our hearts soar with happines with every strong heartbeat!

We thank God for these two little ladies baking away in momma's belly.  I can't wait to meet them in January/February.  More baby knitting ahead with more hints of pink (mom still prefers neutrals) I'm hoping she won't mind a little pink in some of the knits from Nanny Liz :)

The bad news is this:  I received a call from my sister on Sunday evening.  She's been diagnosed with a very serious illness that she is keeping somewhat underwraps at the moment until she knows more, but needless to say it's not the kind of phone call one wants to receive from anyone, particularly a loved one. So as I absorbed the news I decided to stop thinking baby knits for the time being and start thinking prayer shawl for my beloved big sister (from here on out referred to as Sissy).

On Monday, with her and a shawl in mind, I picked up this pattern and this lovely merino/silk blend yarn.  The color is silver and it is gorgeous!

I bet many of you reading this have made prayers shawls before.  This is my first and I hope it turns out beautifully - and that my hands will work quickly so she'll have it for those cold Vermont winters.

There are two people in my life that are incredibly unselfish. My sister and my husband.  They are givers. Sissy is a Nurse Practitioner for about 30 years - a calling she worked very hard to fulfill as a single mother 800 miles from home and family.  I could spend paragraphs and paragraphs describing my adoration for my Sissy, but I think I will share those stories for the weeks to come as I make progress on this shawl.  A shawl certainly to be filled with prayer and gifted in love.  Life is full of change and challenges.  It's hard to accept sometimes - especially when the change is challenging.  My sister needs me...those four words are very powerful to me.  I'm the baby of the family, she's the first, I've always needed her.  Well it's my turn now and I'm going to be there for her for however long she needs me.

Reading:  Erika and I discussed this book Bringing Up Bebe.  I've always wanted to read it, even though it's been a LONG time since my babies were bebes (and I think they turned out pretty darn well!)  I understand that it's a controversial read but thought I would give it a try and then pass it along to Erika to see what she thinks.  I'll let you know.  Any of you read this?  If so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about my happiness and my sadness this week.  I hope all is well with you and that you're enjoying your reads and your creative hands are busy as can be creating lovely handmades !  Joining Ginny