Just Mae…and the Cool That She Is

August 18, 2011 by · 1 Comment

I love my girl…and I blog about her often.

I do spend the majority of my time with her, so I guess this is forgivable, right? 😉

The past few days I have j ust

fallen in love with her even more.

I’m not sure if it’s because she’s becoming more independent and more able to reciprocate love…or maybe it’s just because she keeps getting cuter!

The things she says (or tries to say), the things she does, the way she’s becoming this cool, little person…it’s just amazing to watch.

On Sunday and Monday we had several good walks and lots of time outside, and watching her move and explore was just fun…the few steps turned into many, many more.

She adds new words (or at least things that sound like words!) to her vocabulary every day.

She barks at our dogs, which totally cracks me up.

She sees certain neighbors outside and crawls (or toddles) toward them while shouting at them in her Maelie-talk.

Tuesday we had a date with a friend to get Starbucks and walk to Grafelman Park (our favorite!). It’s an outing we take at least every couple of

weeks, and as I sat there and chatted with my friend, I loved watching Mae explore even more.

She’s not afraid of anything, including eating wood chips…can’t say I’m too thrilled with that one! :) I noticed it again today outside in the yard as she was reaching for a not-very-small bug… total curiosity, zero fear.

I stopped for a moment and thought, My daughter is so COOL!

I love how the qualities she displays mirror exactly what Christ meant when he talked about having the faith of a child…innocent, pure, curious, accepting, willing-to-take-risks.

It’s amazing what children can teach us.

Just where I am with mommyhood…loving it even more and loving my Maelie-girl more than ever, too.

Blessed.

Sig

Filed Under: being mommy, blessings, Maelie, uncategorized, where I am

Little Blessings (Pt. 5)

August 14, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) 19 STEPS! Woot woot!!! I was so busy watching her feet and counting steps that I forgot to actually look at her. That was yesterday.

Today? She’s been all over the place!

:) Watching a friend open a gift I couldn’t wait to give to her. Seriously… as much

as I love presents, I love to give them even more.

:) Having a piano and the music it brings to our house. We are so, so thankful to finally have one. Neither of us can stay away from it. And it’s becoming a tradition for us to serenade Maelie to sleep at night.

Tobin plays and I sing.

Tonight we picked How Beautiful, a song from our wedding…and I had flashbacks of Beth and Melissa singing it.

Good memories. :)

:) A really great morning at church.

We love being part of Immanuel.

:) A two-day headache that is (for now) GONE.

:) Lazy Sunday afternoons with the girl napping, Tobin watching baseball, and me napping and watching a little Netflix.

:) Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. Love.

:) Waiting for a sweet friend to have her baby…any day now!

And I do mean that…she’s, what, 12 days overdue?! Can’t wait for little lamb to arrive!

:) Wagon rides that turn into Maelie training to be a surfer when she stands up while I’ m pulling her.

Wouldn’t it be fun if we were both surfers?

:) The end of the first round of Biggest Loser. I’m six pounds down, which isn’t as much as I wanted, but it’s a start.

Here’s to round two…I’m shooting for twice that.

So proud of all my fellow Losers and thankful for the encouragement they are to me.

:) A new week.

I don’t love Mondays, but they are a fresh start, and I kinda feel like that’s a good thing right now.

:) Grace…given to me when I most definitely don’ t deserve i

t.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life

Little Blessings (Pt. 4)

August 5, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) A cooler, overcast day and a walk to the park with my girl.

:) Drinking coffee with a friend

using my Indonesia Starbucks mugs.

I love the stories that come with each of them.

:) Owning the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical DVD collection. I am so watching South Pacific tonight…and belting out all of the songs. Just ‘ cause I can.

😉

:) A family

date to Sonic.

Mmmmm. I had a Lemonberry Creamslush, just in case you’re wondering.

:) Running further than I have in awhile this morning

and NOT feeling like I was gonna die.

Love progress.

:) Getting a free pi

ano through a connection of couple friends. Oh, how I have missed playing…and oh how much I love music.

:) Watching my girl push her shopping cart all over the house while giggling this morning.

:) Celebrating nine years with my hubby and (both) being able to laugh about the date we had that didn’t quite turn out like we expected.

I’m thankful for laughter.

:) Um…buying a dress today? That would mean Mel actually found one that looks good on her. More progress.

:) Crazy dogs who are so full of life that they almost knocked me over (but didn’t) tonight. Thankful for their energy but not for the huge bruise on my ankle.

:) Looking forward to the Farmer’s Market tomorrow morning and spending time with a friend.

:) A weekend stretching out ahead of us to spend together as a family.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life

9 Years Ago Today…

August 3, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

I married my man.

Wedding Photo

 

To tell you that marriage has been the fairy tale I always dreamed of would be lying.

But to tell you that our marriage has stretched us, shaped us, and helped us grow…that’s better.

Today we are putting behind us the most difficult year of our marriage so far.

I suppose when you throw first-time parenting, transcontinental relocation, and a brand new everything all together, there’s bound to be some stress.

We’ve had some really wonderful times together this year, but some pretty stinkin’ hard times, too.

I don’t say this to sound negative…it’s true. But I think the ways we’ve grown through those hard times are what has strengthened us as a couple and as a family.

Yesterday I was showing a friend one of our wedding albums…not because our anniversary is today, but because I was looking for something else and found it instead.

:) I’m glad we have it because we accidentally taped over the video of our wedding.

Ooops.

But one thing I still have (on my iPod of all places) is this. (Ok, it’s at the bottom of the post because WordPress wouldn’t let me put it here. :))

The song I sang with three good friends just after I walked down the aisle. (I will not publicly identify these friends… unless they want to identify themselves in the comments.

:))

It’s cheesy, but I love envisioning that moment…as I was just about to pledge my life to the man I loved, not knowing what would come our way…but being completely ok with the unknown.

Marriage has brought so much more than I ever imagined, and though at times it would have been so much easier to give up, I’m so thankful we’ve stuck to the commitment we made to each other.

..and chosen to go forward.

Tobin, I love you. I love your strong, provider instinct but also the way you say dorky things to make me giggle like a ten year old girl.

I love the daddy you are to our daughter and the way she lights up when she sees you. While I don’t always appreciate our differences and the ways that you challenge me, I know that you’re good for me…that we’re good for each other. I love so much about you, and I look forward to many, many more years of celebrating with you.

Happy Anniversary. :)

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, family, marriage, Tobin

A Bit of Everything

July 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

It’s just been a little-of-everything kind of day.

You know, the kind that starts with an early morning run requiring me to get up before six. By choice. What’s wrong with me? :)

Then it’s followed, literally, by one of the darkest mornings I’ve ever experienced. Storms, rain, thunder, lightning…and almost-blackness outside.

When I put Mae down for her morning nap, her nursery was completely dark…which I will admit helped speed up the falling asleep process.

So, no complaints.

Then it was just me for awhile…getting a few things done, catching up on a couple e-mails, writing a bit, watching half of Raising Helen, which is one of those movies that makes me laugh and cry repeatedly throughout. It was a good movie for today.

Mae took a good nap, and then it was time for lunch and a game of “Let’s-Get-Into-Everything”. It’s her favorite game. :) Today she discovered Uno cards, the stepladder, the fact that the kitchen drawers pull out, and that she can see her reflection in the oven door. She also tried to climb into (?) the dishwas her, but I

herded her out of there quickly.

We played and read books and played some more. And while I ate the last few pancakes for lunch, she came and stood by my knees, waiting for me to give her bites. I…ahem…think she may have learned this from the dogs.

I should probably not

indulge it. However, it was cute.

And funny. And passed some of the calories on to her instead of letting them go into me.

I decided we should try for two naps today since Mae was up very early this morning, and she agreed.

Nap 2 was a success and gave me a bit of time to do some more things.

Tobin came home early, and I left at five to go get a haircut.

A desperately needed one.

You know how I’ve been growing out my hair?

Ooops…well, so much for that! 😀 She took a good two inches off the back today…which, for a normal person, is not a lot, but when you’re me…it’ s a lot.

Yay for a haircut! I decided that summer is about the worst time to ever try growing out my hair. Maybe this winter… or maybe not.

I came home just as the refrigerator repair guy was finishing up…yep, things just keep breaking.

Mae played for awhile, had her bottle, and then went quietly to bed…that’s kinda rare.

I tried to call Delta to check on some tickets we’re gonna need soon :) but their phone lines were closed already so we played frisbee til it was too dark to see. I strummed my guitar and sang a few songs on the back porch, and now I’m hanging out here, soaking up every ounce of my life.

I’m so blessed.

Tomorrow is park day…AND closing day.

Can you believe it?!

So. Blessed.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, hair, just life, Maelie, random

Little Blessings (Pt. 3)

July 26, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

:) A beautiful, sunny day that was NOT in the 90’s.

:) Taking Mae to the pool for the first time, and watching her love it.

And I do mean L.O.V.E. it.

:) Sharing a sno c one with her

on the above outing.

It was her first one, and I believe there was more L.O.V.E.

:) Being reminded, through other friends’ experiences and losses, that God’s ways

are perfect.

:) Birthday daisies that still look beautiful (mostly) a week later.

:) A good, solid hour of working on the book tonight… I love being productive.

:) A bit of anxiety, but also peace, as we wait (and hope!) for the closing on the house that should happen on Thursday.

:) A slight sunburn… is that a blessing

? Um… no, not really.

I’m just choosing to see it that way.

:)

:) Seeing the body of Christ surround my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in prayer as they watched their nine-day-old son have heart surgery today.

PRAISE GOD…the surgery went well, and Baby Nolan is recovering.

:) Taking a situation I found frustrating and being able to examine my own heart through it.

:) Cooking dinner two nights in a row.

:) Blogging by the light of white Christmas lights strung around our back porch.

(My hubby is SO cool!)

:) Cheez-Its and peanut butter.

Mmmmm.

:) Magnum ice cream bars which they NOW sell in the U.S. Hallelujah! (Go find them…seriously. They’re life-changing.)

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, just life

Being Happy

July 25, 2011 by · 2 Comments

So, in general, I’m a pretty upbe

at person.

I think that’s mostly because I’m an extrovert, energetic, and tend to do crazy things that most people don’t do. Those things (aka: energy) often translate as being happy/upbeat.

I guess that’ s a good thing.

Tonight I was chatting with a friend about happiness, and a few thoughts stuck in my mind. So much that you get to read about being happy instead of a week in pictures…we’ll save that one for tomorrow.

😉

For a long time I struggled finding contentment in day to day life.

This happened mostly once I got married.

Life settled into a routine, and I needed things that would keep it interesting. I guess I get bored easily? A few years later, we headed to Indonesia, which definitely kept life entertaining… and full of surprises, so it was never boring.

Then we moved back…had a baby, moved to a new place, basically started over…and had a year full of change.

Now we are just days away from closing on this house.

It’s exciting, overwhelming, and slightly scary to think about such a commitment.

This is going to be life. And don’t misunderstand me…I love my life.

But sometimes, on those boring days when it seems that routine is trumping fun and spontaneity, it’s easy for me to slump into a short depression.

I’m realizing now, more than ever, that on some days, happiness will need to be a choice I make.

And even if I’m not feeling it, I’ll need to choose to be joyful because of the many ways that I’ve been blessed. And on those happy days when the joy is just bursting, I need to soak up every second of it…and probably spread it to others. (Which usually happens, whether they want it or not!) :)

I also realized that part of happiness is being content with the stage of life I am in.

I’ve had a few good cries lately…weeping.

Literally. (My eyeliner ran…the stuff that lasts all day and can usually handle a cry or two.)

I saw some pictures from Indo that just tugged on my heart, and I sobbed over those people and places that were such an integral part of my life. Tears fell for a time in my life that I can never have again.

The time that was so good, so hard…and so full of memories.

Some days I want Indonesia back…but I still want my life now, too. Funny how we always want more…it seems that way, anyway.

I don’t apologize for crying over Indo…but I do know that I need to appreciate and love each piece of life while choosing to live in the present. Maybe for me, that means not looking at so many pictures of then and focusing on taking snapshots of now. Maybe it means not writing about it so much. (Though I am already working on my book on Indonesia, so we’ll see how that goes.) It definitely means focusing on the many blessings that surround me.

I’m ending this post even though it seems slightly incomplete.

Maybe I’ll finish it another day.

Just my thoughts and where I am tonight.

Love you all.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, Indonesia, what I'm learning, where I am

Love This

July 23, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

I know I’ ve been quiet for the last few days.

Two of my dear friends from Minnesota were visiting, and we were busy shopping

and cooking

and taking walks and watching movies and laughing together.

It was a great three days, and my heart is already feeling the ache of m

issing them.

Here’s a picture I love… and will keep forever.

It’ s definitely blog-worthy.

:)

Mel, Maelie, Naomi, Theresa

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends

Hello, 33

July 19, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

I rang in 33 today.

It was a day that started out a bit rough with some recurring s tomach issues, but thankfully, I have a fantastic hubby who was flexible with his morning and stayed home a few extra hours

to give me some time to recover.

By 10:00 I was better and even up for a short (but HOT!) walk with Maelie.

Mae and I got home around 10:45, and I put her down for a nap, which she protested, loudly, until noon.

Then I gave in, rescued her from the evil confines of her crib, fed her some lunch, played with her, and tried the nap thing again at 1:30.

This time, it worked.

She was still sleeping at 3:45 when Tobin c ame home

and I left to go get a coffee

and pedicure with my good friend, Kris.

Two chai frapuccinos, pretty toenails with flowers, and over an hour in massaging chairs later, we headed to dinner with friends at The Village Squire, and were lucky enough that my birthday landed on half price burger night.

Score.

Then it was back to the house for DQ cake…mmmm. :)

Just about an hour ago, I “officially” turned 33.

It’ s gonna be a great year.

And, oh yeah.

I’m about the most blessed girl on the planet.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends, just life

Never Enough Time

July 17, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

Time is a funny thing.

Sometimes days stretch out, and the hours seem endless. Like those that are just long…when Maelie won’t nap, and it seems like 5:30 will never come so I can have a bit of relief.

Other times it flies. We blink and, suddenly, a year (or more) has passed, and we wonder things…like where our last year in Indonesia went or how our tiny little girl became an (almost) walking, talking toddler.

And no matter what happens with time, it seems like there’ s never enough of it.

We made a quick six hour trip to Janesville today

to visit some dear friends who are home for the summer and about to head back to Indo. We saw them a few weeks ago but wanted to see them again, and today was really the only day that worked for all of us. It was so good…to talk, laugh, process, and pick up a friendship where it left off.

It means so much that they still want to be part of our lives…even though we’re on opposite sides of the world.

 

Toward the end of the evening, Mae was hanging out with Tobin, Gregg, Noah, Jana, and Amie, and Janine and I were having coffee and talking on the patio, and we ended up having one of those deep, I-have-so-needed-this, conversations that happen very rarely. It was a moment I wanted to hang onto forever and prayed that God would multiply the minutes.

 

Of course, those minutes flew…and it was time to go.

So we hugged and said our goodbyes… and that was it.

 

Not enough time…that’s how I’ m feeling after today.

 

I didn’t really cry until we pulled away, but even now the tears brim and threaten to stream down my face.

 

I guess with friends who have walked a path so unknown to most of the people in our lives, there will never be enough time.

 

Just memories and experiences…and the Fa

ther who holds us all together.

And those things have to be enough.

Sig

Filed Under: blessings, friends, Indonesia, where I am
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