Plan A

Steve and I became parents this week.  It was fairly quiet, as far as entrances to parenthood go.  We received an email informing us of the joyous, long-awaited, news. 

I called Steve at work.  "So, I guess this means we're parents now," I said. 

"Oh yeah...congratulations!" he said, sounding surprised. 

I dare you to come up with a less exciting intro to parenthood story. 

 

But for us, it was very exciting.  We've been working to complete an international adoption for longer than I care to think about and we have almost made it to the finish line.  This time next week, we'll be on an insanely long plane flight, on our way to a pair of chubby cheeks that I can't wait to squeeze.  I can't wait for so many things about getting to know our son. 

 

I can't wait to tell him all the stories about the crazy past three years we've spent, trying to get to him.  I can't wait to tell him about how we rushed out to buy a fire extinguisher so we'd pass our home study; how we spent an afternoon at the Secretary of State's office, whispering in the lobby about different ways to alter legal documents; how we sped around town to three different banks, trying to find a notary that would sign our paperwork before 5pm and how we treated ourselves with ice cream when we managed to do it. 

 

But mostly, I can't wait to tell him about how much we wanted to adopt.  We've dreamed of adopting a child since before we were married.  I know that's not how it is for some people.  I know that for some people, adoption is a sort of last resort.  Everyone who adopts comes to the decision in a different way and I don't actually think that there is a wrong way to get there.  I mean, orphans need families, right?

But for us, adoption was never Plan B.  The process has been long and rocky and not at all what we expected and we would choose to do it all over again.   And it's not because we're "good people" or any of those other things that people tend to say when they hear we're adopting.  It's because we love children, because we want a family, because there are so many children in this world who need both love and a family.  It's that simple. 

Understandably, I'll be taking a bit of a break from blogging.  And sewing, and shipping, and probably a few things I'd rather not give up, like sleeping and washing my hair.  I have a few posts scheduled for next week with some pictures of the bedroom I've been working on for our little guy.  The dresser, the bookshelves, and many of my other projects from the past two weeks have all been for him and I'm so excited about how his room is turning out. 

I hope your weekend is wonderful.  We'll be packing and enjoying our last bit of time as a family of two!

choose love

One of the most valuable life lessons that I have learned and am still learning is to focus my energy on things that I can change, as opposed to things that are out of my control.  I think that this lesson is especially pertinent on Valentine's day. 

 

I can't make anyone love me, but I sure can spend the day showing love to others.  And it's almost impossible to have a bad day when you spend all your time thinking about how you can make the people around you smile.  Just try it- I bet you'll love it too. 

Steve and I cooked a special breakfast together yesterday morning.  He was in charge of making mochas and I made the eggs. 

Then I dropped him off at the train station and set out to run a bunch of errands and drop off treats and surprises along the way.  I was, of course, wearing red. 

During my few minutes at home, I set up a table by the fireplace in preparation for dinner.  The daffodils are from our yard- they just bloom earlier every year!

After a lovely afternoon that included more friends and raspberry almond bar deliveries, I picked up dinner and my sweetheart and we headed home.  We feasted on fancy cheese, blue cheese meatballs, cajun sweet potato wedges and lots of other treats from Whole Foods while we sat by the fire in our pajamas. 

The best thing about the evening was being unhurried.  We lingered over each course and caught up with each other and drank lots of sparkling water and tangerine soda. 

It was a great day and it ended with a canoli.  We didn't even get into the fancy chocolate that I bought, so it looks like we have a fun weekend ahead as well. 

 

In between chocolate, we're painting (ick!), running errands, and Steve will be getting a much-needed haircut.  Luckily, Monday is President's Day, so we have an extra day off to get everything done.  I'll meet you back here on Tuesday, hopefully with a successful painting story!  Hope your weekend is full of opportunities to share love (and chocolate)!

thankful

I looked back over our pictures from the year today and I found so many reasons to be thankful.  There are always reasons to be thankful, but sometimes they're right on the tip of your tongue and, other times, you need a little reminder.  I'm glad that we take so many pictures, because I needed the reminder. 

 

I'm thankful that I get to run a business that I love and sew and sew and sew.  Sometimes I can't believe that's my job. 

 

I'm thankful for every meal I cook.  I love that I can provide healthy meals for our family and I'm grateful that there is always enough to eat. 

 

I'm thankful for all of our family members.  Steve and I are lucky to have a whole passel of parents and siblings to love. 

 

I'm thankful for my best friend, Natalie.  She is by my side (mostly via phone) for every frustration and every joy.  There are days that I doubt I'd make it through without her voice. 

 

You probably could have guessed it, but I am so thankful for Steve.  His kindness and care for me are much more than I could have dreamed of and he has the heart of Christ.  My cup overflows. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.  I hope that you are able to see all the ways your cup overflows too. 

 

"From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another."  John 1:16

                                                                                      

 



only today

Steve is working from home today and I am glad that he will get to enjoy the leaves with me, all day long.  It's true- sometimes I catch a glimpse of our back yard, all red and yellow, and I feel guilty that I am here and he is not. 

Lately, I've been in super think-ahead mode.  I guess almost everyone is with the holiday season upon us.  (Is it really upon us?  I still can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week.)  How do you approach the holidays one day at a time when it seems like everything requires pre-planning?  Meals, gifts, travel, parties, everything has to be thought through. 

 

Sometimes all the thinking makes me weary. 

 

So today, I am giving myself the gift of thinking only about today.  We need clean socks, we need something for dinner, and there are little threads all over the living room floor.  I'm looking forward to working my way through that list and, when I'm done?  Feeling done.  Feeling ready to enjoy the weekend and the fall air and my trusty companion. 

 

Tonight we're trying this new recipe- I'll be sure to report back here next week and let you know how it was!

moon walk

We chased the moon around the neighborhood the other night.  I love walking in the fall.  There is nothing quite like the crisp air to make you feel healthy and alive. 

 

I think that I have an extra appreciation for my health in the fall because one year I missed it.  I got sick and stayed sick right on into winter and I remember how sad I was to watch my favorite season pass by outside the windows without me. 

 

So now I wake up some days and I'm just so excited to be climbing out of bed and getting dressed.  I'm excited that I can sew and take care of the house during the day.  And, at night when we walk, I'm so thankful for the energy to put one foot in front of the other.  It's easy to take for granted the fact that we live and move and breathe every day- like it's a given.  But it's not a given, it's a gift. 

 

This week has been....crazy.  I can't think of how else to describe it.  And yet, this morning I am making soup and doing laundry and preparing to sew more tote bags.  I'm comforted by the consistency of these things.  I'm thankful for the routine of stirring something on the stove- I know how to make soup. 

 

I'm also thankful that Steve has been taking lots of pictures with our new camera lens- I don't think I've taken one all week!  I did, however, get some pictures last weekend of our newest dessert obsession- stop by tomorrow and I'll share the recipe!







life is like a lemonade stand

Earlier this week, I passed a lemonade stand while driving through a neighborhood.  A lemonade stand!  I don't know how long it's been since I've seen one.  I didn't even know kids did things like set up lemonade stands anymore.  I thought they were all too busy texting. 

Of course, I had to stop.  I could see them all sit up a little straighter as I slowed the car down.  By the time I'd pulled over, they were at the passenger window.

"We're selling lemonade!"

"It's only twenty-five cents!!"

"YOU'RE OUR FIRST CUSTOMER!!!"

"Would you like one cup or two?!?!"

Their shrill little excited voices got louder and louder as they tried to talk over each other. 

I bought one cup, but paid for two, and got back in the car.  They waved and yelled goodbye and waved some more as I pulled off with my plastic cup, half full of pink lemonade and grass clippings. 

I know exactly how they were feeling. 

 I am thrilled every. single. time. somebody buys something that I've made.  It's just so gratifying.  I think we all feel that way when someone appreciates what we have to offer- whether it be lemonade or tote bags or a hot meal or a listening ear.  It's great to feel validated in our efforts, no matter how old you are. 

My efforts today include more sewing and lots of food preparations for the weekend ahead.  We have houseguests coming (yea!) and are expecting beautiful weather as well!  Hope your weekend is a happy one!

peace in my heart, peace in my soul

Happy Monday, friends!  Did you have a nice weekend?  We sure did. 

We ate delicious meals- with friends, at restaurants, and, once, out of the back of the car like we were tailgating. 

There was a brief moment on Saturday when I lost track of time.  Does that ever happen to you?  I don't mean like you thought it was only 3pm and really it's closer to 5, I'm talking serious time.  Years, even.  We were in the car with the music cranked up and I was surrounded by people who have been a part of my life for years.  Years upon years.  And, for just a second, it was unclear to me if I was 18 or 32 or somewhere in between.  It didn't matter.  It never does, with them.  The years bring marriage and relocation and babies and job change and our friendship just grows sweeter. 

Yesterday, Steve and I were discussing kindness and we were talking about how nobody ever looks back and says, "I wish I'd been less kind."  I've been mulling it over today and thinking how that principle applies to so many things- generosity, patience, honesty.  I want the peace that comes with treating others well.   

It's been a peaceful day around the home front- lots of laundry, plus nine checkbook covers, five market totes, several yards of fabric ribbon and fish tacos on the menu for dinner.  I can't wait for my dinner partner to get home!      

if we didn't have birthdays, you wouldn't be you

My feelings about birthdays can best be summed up in the words of Dr. Seuss from, what I consider his greatest book, "Happy Birthday to You!"

"Today," laughs the Bird, "eat whatever you want.  Today no one tells you you cawnt or you shawnt.  And, today, you don't have to be tidy or neat.  If you wish, you may eat with both hands and both feet."

"If we didn't have birthdays, you wouldn't be you.  If you'd never been born, well then what would you do?  If you'd never been born, well then what would you be?  You might be a fish!  Or a toad in a tree!"

"Come on!  Open your mouth and sound off at the sky!  Shout loud at the top of your voice, "I AM I!  ME!  I am I!  And I may not know why, but I know that I like it.  Three cheers!  I AM I!

Today you are you!  That is truer than true!  There is no one alive who is you-er than you!  Shout loud, "I am lucky to be what I am!  Thank goodness I'm not just a clam or a ham or a dusty old jar of sour gooseberry jam!  I am what I am!  That's a great thing to be!  If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!"

I'm so excited to be spending the day with my sweetheart, doing some of our favorite things.  Every day is a gift and if we're just willing to open it, doesn't that make each day a little like a birthday?

Hope your weekend is full of gifts, both seen and unseen. 

something to celebrate

On what was possibly the least traditional Easter Sunday of my life, we moved plants around and dug beds until every muscle was sore, and then finished the day with Chinese food. 

Sometimes it's good to break from routine. 

The tradition is not the celebration and I was reminded of this early Sunday morning as I stared into the wide eyes of a five year old who asked me to connect the bunnies and eggs with Jesus on the cross. 

And I could not.  But I looked out at the crowd, more this Sunday than usual, and told them that because Jesus died for us, we celebrate.  Our celebrations may look like baked ham and biscuits, or egg hunts and candy, or bunnies and chicks.  Or they may look like dirty fingernails and wheelbarrows full of dirt and riding home from dinner with the windows down and the music turned up, holding hands. 

And while Steve took the older ones and offered the cracker and the juice, I gathered the youngest ones around and I told them about the freedom.  The freedom from sin that we all have now and the new life that is ours in Him. 

Later, I searched for signs of life in the yard.  I looked hard for bits of new life, poking up from the earth, seemingly back from the dead.  It still amazes me how they always come back. 

It still amazes me how He came back, for me. 

I thought about it all day and, in the end, it made total sense- life is the celebration.  Sunshine and spring rolls or hymns and ham- it's a heart full of freedom that makes a happy Easter. 

every day is a gift

We had dinner out and stayed up late talking and then said our goodbyes after a breakfast of fruit and muffins.  My grandparent's visit was short, but full. 

I loved showing them our home and the quilt I'm working on and the bird feeder and all the other things that I just knew they would like. 

We asked a few questions and did a lot of listening and I found myself wanting to write it all down because I don't want to forget any of the details.  About how they met in Paris, how Grandpa proposed over the phone, how they moved all over the world and had babies and adventures and ended up here together, still. 

Their visit left us talking about if we are taking enough risks and doing enough big things.  I want to have stories that will fascinate my grandchildren.  And I may not ever live in a tent in the jungle, but I want to do my own big things.  Our own big things. 

And when Memaw squeezed my hand and said, "Every day is a gift", I knew it- sometimes older really is wiser.  This thing that I've been trying to learn, this discipline that I've been working on- she gets it.

This morning, I loaded up my journal with ways that today is a gift: because I'm home, which is exactly where I want to be; because I have projects to work on that I enjoy; because we're both healthy right now. 

Hope today feels like a gift to you as well. 

*ps- I've posted the sesame chicken recipe.  Enjoy!

book report

I rarely buy books without reading them first.  We don't have unlimited bookshelf space and I want to make sure each book is worth its width on the shelf, so to speak. 

So you can take it as a glowing recommendation that as soon as I finished my library copy of "One Thousand Gifts", I decided to purchase it immediately.  It is a book with so much truth on every page, I knew I'd need to read it at least a dozen times over, just to take it all in. 

The main idea behind the book is so simple, you'd almost wonder how it could fill up all those pages: thanksgiving.  In everything.  All the time.  Everywhere. 

And this-

"The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world."

This makes me want to keep trying hard and honing my focus and couldn't I be a change agent?  Wouldn't I love to bring more Light to the world? 

Yes and yes. 

The author, Ann Voskamp, starts keeping a list of all the gifts and it changes everything for her.  She counts up to one thousand and then keeps counting because she just can't stop. 

And I know how she feels because I've started my own list.  What used to just be four red cardinals in a tree becomes #42.  I love red cardinals- what a treat to see so many at the same time.  What used to be a day wasted by sickness and lack of energy becomes #72- having quiet time to plan out new sewing projects. 

You see how it goes. 

The more I look for things to give thanks for, the more things I find...

#9- the smell of chestnuts roasting in the oven

#34- a baby bouncing and wiggling with joy

#69- every single sale in my shop

They're stacking up like planes over Kennedy and I can't stop and I don't want to stop.  The thankful life is the full life. 

So my recommendation?  Read it.  Then do something about it.  Because I will warn you, it's the type of book that requires action.