Providence

We are not talking Rhode Island, here.

definition: control exercised by a deity; "divine providence"

2 weeks ago, I went to my brother and sister-in-law's home in North Carolina. I came home with three large boxes of baby clothes that Taylor had grown out of. I took all the spring/summer to a consignment shop and made some major cash (over $100) that was then used to buy Taylor's fall wardrobe. She will be sporting:

Polka Dot Penguin
Kitty Glamour

Winter Ballerina

and
Super Star

If you have a good store manager who has back-stock, they will pull it for you and it is $2.00- $5.00 (including dresses, coats and boots) and accessories, hats, socks, etc are 80 cents. Last weekend, there was a 40% sale coupon that was emailed, so the sale+20% that is the current promotion PLUS an additional 40% off was pret.ty. sweet. so... 4.99 dress with 20% off is 3.99 and with ANOTHER 40% off, that is 2.39- for a dress originially 29$.

I think the coupons were very limited in who got them (they were sent only by email), but evenso, the +20% is great off already low prices.

Anyway. Jen's store manager is NOT good and literally told her they had none of those lines as Jen was looking at it hanging in the back stock room. Nice, so I took her money and asked what she wanted and my store manager took care of Taylor.

By the way, I would be OVER-JOYED to do the same for you (I did this for Matt's sister last year and got an amazing amount of stuff her her TWO GIRLS, including boots), but I need the money first and a list of sizes and a general idea of what you want. Like I said, the manager in my area is amazing. She sees me and says "what size?" and brings out EVERYTHING on sale from the back. She knows I ONLY buy things on sale. AND! I only buy things super-cheap on sale. If you wait long enough, it WILL happen... now. I did not get anything except a $3 romper for Asher, but I need to sell his fall to buy for next fall and I am hoping he will be able to wear some of last years' steals this year too.

Anyway. Why do I bring this up?

Left over were a TON of things for the winter/fall.

Recently, a friend I have online (Katie), was sharing with a special group of ladies I know about her surprise baby that came right when her husband was unemployed, they just closed on a house that needed a LOT of work and that she was stressing about how to dress this baby.

I have been thinking of all the stuff in boxes for a while. I knew I had her name/address somewhere but I could not remember her screen name and I NEEDED that to look it up. She has been absent from our group for several weeks.

2 nights ago, as I lay awake (pretty normal), I was in prayer and I am not kidding. I heard a voice. "KLang" so I went to the computer and sure enough, in my inbox (on March 8) from KLang was a message with her name and address.

I was so overwhelmed that I could not talk very coherently, but I told Matt about it, and I packed up a box of everything I could- including a Baby Bjorn I wont be needing since I have an Ergo now and we sent it today. What an overwhelming feeling of gratitude of being able to help someone in need. I feel, sometimes, I am more attuned to that because of our needs and if that is one "plus" to what has been happening here, I am so grateful.

To get that answer, then have the feeling I did packing the box just was overwhelming. I wish I could have done even more, but that baby has some amazing things for the fall and spring thanks to Tatey bug and her momma and to a whispering in the dark.