As we approach the Christmas season, I’m overcome with so many conflicting emotions... Thanks, frustration, love, longing- but most of all I’m overcome with hope. This year was a hard one, one that came so unexpectedly. As many of you know, and some may not, last year we welcomed baby Ezra into the world just weeks before Christmas... our seventh child. As we prepared for his birth, I just knew that God had a big purpose for his life. His wasn’t a “planned” pregnancy on our part, but he was always meant to be part of God’s larger design. While nothing could have prepared me for what came on December 11, 2018, God’s plan was set in motion long before that day. I suffered a complete uterine rupture that left our little guy without oxygen and blood flow for a period of time and resulted in damage to his brain. We both could have lost our lives that day but it would not be the end for us.
The hard hospital days in the weeks after Ezra's birth
Instead it was the beginning of a new journey, one we are still learning to navigate day by day. This new experience has brought me (quite literally) to my knees on so many occasions. The road we are on with Ezra is a long one, yet I feel such hope as we get closer to 2020. While the end of last year felt so dark, I’m able to see flickers of light now.
Cousins meeting for the first time
2018 / 2019 were hard years for our Well Dressed Wolf team as well. In addition to the unexpected and traumatic birth of Ezra, the world tragically lost an amazing young man to a terrible disease.
Mason, Beverly’s son, who’ll always be loved and remembered
All of it made working harder for everyone, with our heads, hearts, and bodies all over the place. We struggled through loss and pain, and in doing so watched our team and the amazing WDW community pull together and push through. It was truly an inspiration to behold. When I was unable to see beyond the minute that I was in, Sarah so lovingly and graciously continued on in my absence, all while having a newly adopted baby of her own, supporting and encouraging me along the way. The dresses you see this Christmas season are in large part thanks to her- and I’m so proud of every single piece! Our team has grown in number and rallied together like never before and WE MADE IT THROUGH and I am so grateful for each and every one of them.
As we journey into the new year, I’m reminded of the words from a favorite Christmas song:
“a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...”
I really can see that new and glorious morn on the horizon... and boy, is it beautiful. We are so excited to show you our Christmas collections this year... they remind me that God CAN bring beauty from ashes! We hope you love everything as much as we do ♥️
Having spent the last Christmas in the hospital, I've never been happier to be home for the holidays. We pray that our "Home for the Holidays" Christmas collection fills your heart with joy and hope this season.
* written and contributed by Shannon *
Home for the holidays
God Bless you & happy holidays,
Shan, Sarah, and the Well Dressed Wolf team
Our advent calendar features 25 banners embroidered to represent each part of the Christmas story. Fill back pockets with small treats, encouraging notes, holiday activities, or kind "deeds" to accomplish.
We encourage you to read the Christmas story and discuss the meaning behind each banner. We can't wait to see how you use it to bring the Christmas season to life.
Below is the basic meaning behind each banner:
1- The first Noel: celebrating the birth of Jesus and the first Christmas
2- Represents the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary to tell her that she will carry the son of God
3- Luke 1:28-31 “The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’”
4- 5 At first, Mary and Joseph were scared and confused by her pregnancy. Angels brought them peace with news of the impending birth of Jesus
6- A census was issued ordering people back to their homes in order to be counted
7- Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem for census
8- The journey to Bethlehem was hard and tiresome
9- Mary & Joseph had faith that God was in control. They had no proof that things would work out but they believed.
10- Luke 2:7 “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them”
11- Angels appeared to the shepherds watching their flocks, exclaiming the upcoming birth of Jesus
12- 13- Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
14- The shepherds believe and travel to meet Jesus
15- Jesus, the Hope of the world, is found wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manger
16- 21 The wisemen saw the brightest star and followed it to the newborn king with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
22- Joy of the world- Jesus will bring joy to all of the world
23- The star sat over the manger where Jesus was born- and the wisemen came to worship him
24- Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
25- Christmas Day- the nativity!
For those of you who don't know, Beverly is your go-to for anything and everything customer service related. She is wise and wonderful, kind hearted and loving. She puts her whole heart into her work, but is even more passionate about her number one job: motherhood. Two days ago, her courageous firstborn, Mason, lost his battle with cancer. Like all of you, we wanted to help immediately and felt completely powerless to do that.
But God truly cares about the details. It's beautiful to watch how he weaves circumstances in ways we don't expect or even fully understand. Early feedback on our recently released Fall/Winter maxi dresses was that they were perfect for Spring. It also happened that many boxes were running late in transit. Worried they might not arrive in time for our delivery deadline and armed with the Springtime perception, we made the unprecedented decision to change course and sell the remainder later in the year. In a similar twist of fate, we unexpectedly received an extra shipment of Omi Jo "Magic" tunic sets months after their original release. Those first "Magic" sets were named in honor of Beverly’s precious children when we learned of Mason’s diagnosis.
This season can only be described as Winter for Bev & her family. Yet Mason’s legacy WILL bloom into Spring and beyond. His story, his life, his legacy will live on and on. And waiting in our warehouse is a dress designed for Winter but headed for Spring & a late-but-perfectly-timed tunic (in all three colors) named in honor of the Wilson family.
Many have asked how you can help. Your prayers are coveted. Your kind words are like a healing balm. And if you planned to donate, these dresses have now arrived in full and 100% of net proceeds will be contributed to the family. While it will never heal their unimaginable loss, we hope it will ease some of the burden. We love you so much, sweet Wilson family. Mason will never be forgotten. #masonwilsonstrong
Love,
Sarah, Shannon, and the WDW & Omi Jo team
P.S. 100% of net proceeds on any other Omi Jo or Wildling sales made today will also benefit the Wilson family.
What a year! Your support in 2017 made a difference in so many lives. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!
Life with kids is a wild ride! What if we could begin and end the day more peacefully? Here are some really basic ideas & reminders to get you started!