Full Circle

2009-03-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

I had a little boy with me today, my little boy. We were busy, going to the gym, taking swimming lessons, buying more sand for the sandbox. You know, doing things that are IMPORTANT for a four year old.

As the morning wore on, I could see him slipping deeper and deeper into the "I need a nap" zone. He has not taken naps for many months. Over the past few weeks, I've wondered if I should bring them back.

When I suggested an alternate plan for the afternoon, I was met with the sweetest, most heartening, "Momma, I promise I'll be good. I'll be good. I'll listen Momma."

I tried to explain that he was listening but that he really need to rest, that his body was tired.

He furtive please to listen made me so sad.

As his mommy, I knew that the only solution was a nap. That once he woke up, had his handful of m&ms (the only technique I've found so far that will rouse him from his deep slumber and therefore go to bed at night), he would be back to his usual happy, sweet little boy self.

After reading "Horton hears a who" and insisting that I would be quite fine lying in bed with him (little did he know that this mommy needed a nap probably more than him!), he fell asleep. He's still sleeping.

That is my life so often. I have people in my life who look at me and tell me that I need to slow down, that I need to take a break, that I need to spend time in restoration with community, with God. Instead I sound like my son..."I'll be okay, I'll listen, I'll be fine."

When I do stop, it's amazing the complete restorative healing I get. It's not easy surrounding but when sleep does come, it's amazing how perspective on life changes!

5 Things I Really would have a hard time not having...

2009-03-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

when running...

I know, I know...can't seem to get past this theme lately. Trust me, by the time June 7 has come, the Steamboat marathon has been run and I'm a bit sore, I'll move on to a new subject...which hopefully will be a REFERRAL.

But until then, running is my pastime and helps hurry the months along in this adoption wait.

So, five things:

1. Adidas Supernova Cushion shoes, size 10

2. Garmin 305

3. Hydration fuel belt and my new love, Sharkies (gluten free and tasty...just stick to the teeth a bit)

4. Ipod shuffle (for the indoors or LONG alone runs)

5. My friend and favorite running partner, Pam.

I am a lucky girl

2009-03-11T11:05:00.001-07:00

This is my view when running the trails here in the Springs. WOW!

Sing, sing, sing

2009-03-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

I had a running mantra today.

Started out fast.

Convinced myself to hang tight for the next 9 miles.

The mantra? Sing, sing, sing, and make music with the heavens.

Over and over again. For 9 miles.

Finished well, finished strong.

Now that dang song won't leave my head! Guess that's a good song to have running around and around in my head!

Ah, an early morning

2009-03-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Waking up early this morning, with darkness due to daylight savings time (I will thank DST tonight when it's still light) reminds of the many mornings preparing for the Ascent. And I think, do I want to do that all over again?

I believe that some of the most rewarding things in life are the hardest to do! Today marks race number one in the journey towards this new marathon.

The actual running of the marathon is the easy part I think. It's the hours upon hours of time on my feet, running and preparing for the race that is hard.

With all this starting up again with racing, it's made me think about what I'm doing to prepare for when we actually have our adoptive daughter with us. How am I getting ready for this "race" so to speak?

Because what I commit and do now, will be rewarding later, of that I'm convinced!

And so it begins...

2009-03-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

the race season that is.

Sunday marks the first race in this next season for me. (As a side note, we've had 60+ degree weather all week. Sunday is supposed to be a high of 40 and snowing...isn't that how it always goes?) Wednesday is the sign up for the Ascent, which has to be better than last year!

My running partner and friend, Pam, and I will be running the Steamboat Springs marathon this year in early June.

That means that the long runs--the really long runs--are resuming.

I love this time of year. I enjoy the challenge of races, the companionship in training, the wonderful people I meet along the way and the opportunity to work towards better results.

Thinking that we will probably have our baby (maybe) this fall, I am committing to an even stronger and harder race season this time around. I have the time now to train.

But also with the training season comes a lot of fatigue, time away from the family, early bedtimes and sometimes a bit of irritability. That is the part of training that I don't enjoy.

So here's to a better training/racing season!

Cleaning out...

2009-03-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

I am nesting, or cleaning, or something..I don't know exactly.

What I do know is that I LOVE a clean house, the smell of bleach and properly folder clothes in a closet, all closets actually.

I know, no one sees behind the doors but I KNOW what is there, so I like to keep it tidy.

I am preparing for a neighborhood garage sale in a few months. Instead of bringing truckloads to Good Will, I'm attempting to earn some money.

So today, I tackled my closet. I LOVE that I now know exactly what is in my drawers, on my shelves and hanging up.

I know, I'm a sick, sick person who loves CLEANLINESS. Isn't' it funny how God gives you children to undo all your crazy desires?

Is it just me...

2009-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

Or does everyone have a problem finding the library books they checked out?

We just paid off a $9 library fine due to some missing Jack and Annie books (not mine!) and now we are back to $4 for more books.

I love the library but I'm beginning to think that we need to take a hiatus from checking out books until this family can figure out how to return them on time!

On another note, adoption news update.

AWAA, our agency, has been placing kids on a regular basis since January. If the trend continues, we should have a referral sometime in July. Just in time to renew our home study, retake our fingerprints and complete our Hague international training. Oh goodie!

Looking to Refinance Your Home?

2009-03-04T08:17:00.001-08:00

If you are in the market for a refinance of your mortgage here in Colorado, then please consider this opportunity.

We're starting to feel like we're waiting for a bus that's promised to come, but is nowhere on the horizon. God is good and His timing is perfect. We are impatient and grumbling... It's a daily struggle to focus on God's goodness, provision, and promises.

We did receive some unofficial good news that we may be closer to the referral then we had anticipated. On that same day, our friend Sean Buchanan offered us a great fundraising opportunity. Sean is a mortgage broker here in Colorado Springs, and one of the elders of our church, Vanguard Church. He was the instigator behind a group of us coming together at Vanguard to create an adoption ministry.

If you are looking to refinance your mortgage and you end up refinancing through Sean, he will donate 25 percent of his commission/fees to our adoption fund.

If you or someone you know is looking to refinance their mortgage due to lower interest rates, please consider Sean and please make sure he knows we sent you! You can reach Sean at:

Phone: 719.460.5558
E-mail: sean@buchananmortgage.com
Web: www.buchananmortgage.com

Calling for all recipes

2009-03-03T13:21:00.000-08:00

It seems that I'm WAY behind on the going homemade with the laundry detergent. I got some great responses. I'd love to have your best recipes. I ended up combining my remaining Tide with the homemade version for my whites. The original recipe worked well for the darks but my whites came out a bit dingy...Tide solved that but I'd love to not buy it at all.

So, please comment and leave me your recipes.

Thanks!

Did you know...

2009-03-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

that today was Dr. Seuss's birthday?

To commemorate, we watched the Food Network "Challenge" competition of Dr. Seuss cakes...they were pretty amazing.

Caroline had green eggs and ham at school (which she did not partake of).

We read many Dr. Seuss books tonight. My new favorite book is "Red Fish, Blue Fish...." So many tongue twisters and great pictures!

Trying...

2009-02-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

I have a thing for laundry detergent. Tide to be exact.

I like the smell of clean laundry.

I've been getting sick of paying $25 for that smell.

So, after reading this blog, I decided to try and make my own laundry detergent.

I spent $6 for the large glass jar to store my detergent, $4 for baking soda (which I baked at 350 for 30 minutes to become "washing soda"), $4 for Borax and $1.25 for 3bars of Ivory Soap.

I have at least two months worth of detergent...for a fraction of what my monthly Tide used to cost.

So, I've given up on smell and gone for cheap. That smells a whole lot better!

Sweet relief

2009-02-27T15:56:00.000-08:00

I pulled up to my favorite trail today.

There she stood in all her green glory.

My run on this trail just got better.

There is now a porta potty at the beginning.

Simple things people. Ah the simple things that bring such joy!

One beautiful day + one boy =

2009-02-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

A very happy mommy.

Tobin declared at noon today, "Mama, it's a lovely day!" Yep, those were his exact words.

After making over a dozen trips from his room upstairs to the fort outside, he played Star Wars battles for a few hours.

I got a lot of toy cleaning and purging done, a snack with the narrator of the Star Wars battle and a chance to fold a few loads of laundry.

How I love Colorado and these 60 degree days thrown into the middle of winter!

Here's a picture of some of the battle.

The Concert

2009-02-25T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a bit bleary eyed despite my 4 cups of coffee this morning. But this tiredness is worth it.

My dear husband purchased two tickets for us to see Celine Dion in Denver last night. I've been a fan of Celine's (see, first name basis even) for 20 years. Yep, I was one of those faithful and few fans who fell in love with her first album, all in French. I've faithfully followed her career all these years.

I will admit that I too, think she is terribly corny in her hand gestures, chest thumping and really cheesy comments. But her voice. Oh her voice.

My husband, on the other hand, tolerates Celine because of me. We sat among most of Denver's middle aged women. Wow, I've never seen so many in one place before!

But once she started singing, I forgot my strep throat, my terrible coughing (good thing the music was LOUD because otherwise my fellow seatmates would have been very irritated with me) and her corny jokes. That woman has a gift and she is a powerful performer.

Even my dear hubby, who tolerates Celine, seemed to have a good time.

I know I'm old when a bedtime of 1 am seems insane. But then again, I never did go to bed that late, even in college. (I was one of those students who went to bed at 10 pm, every night, including weekends. But I also carried a full load of classes and worked as a house cleaner 30 hours/week...so I guess the early night can be justified a bit!).

Today I'm enjoying all my Celine Dion music in a different light. Ah, a concert is a good thing, especially when you get to go with your best friend! Thank you Matthew!

"My Love" was my favorite song of the night. You could see the emotion all over her face. Everyone sat so quietly.

Month 6

2009-02-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, we have arrived and passed month six since our dossier landed in Ethiopia.

Technically I can claim trimester three now in this endless pregnancy. We are told the wait is still around 11 months until referral time!

On another note, I get to see her tonight. Celine Dion has been one of my favorite singers since my first year in high school when she was only singing in French.

So, I'm stocking up on cough syrup and throat lozenges and making the trek to Denver with my hubby to see Celine in all her glory!

A new sewing project

2009-02-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

I saw this on a blog. I love it. This dress combines my love for Good Will with adorable crafty cute dress. A win/win.

Now I just need to be able to swallow again and then start sewing!

I am a selfish person, take 2

2009-02-22T08:49:00.000-08:00

If anything, this blog keeps me honest. Things I write here will last forever...at least in cyberspace somewhere forever.

I have been battling the worst sore throat/body ache/can't seem to move without being dizzy flu for the past 3 days.

I realized I am so selfish when I told Matthew that I am in great fear that the kids will get this bug and not be able to go to school next week.

Therefore, this mommy will have to be on entertainment/child watch for the week.

I am a selfish person who covets her three hours/morning a few days a week.

Again, another lesson needing to be learned!

My new diapers

2009-02-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

I picked up my batch of cloth diapers yesterday (Thanks Connilee!). I love them.

I am so excited to go this route rather than the 'old Pampers.

I sewed a few "dirty diaper" carry bags with nylon, a zipper and some cute cloth that Caroline picked out (see the pink ladybug pattern).

It has been fun to have new projects to work on while waiting for this baby. Next is to make more nylon bags for diapers, cloth wipes and maybe bloomers like these!

Got what's coming to me

2009-02-20T05:39:00.000-08:00

We have a regularly visiting person in our household. This person has had a habit of constantly clearing their throat. Constantly. Clearing. Continuous.

I am not a morning person (just ask my husband) and the constant clearing of throat causes some inner turmoil for me.

I have tried to gently suggest water, tea, a lozenge. Nope, this person refuses each time.

Well, this morning I woke up with a throat that needs to be constantly cleared.

I think God is trying to not so gently remind me that I need to be more tolerant and patient with our regularly visiting person.

Waiting

2009-02-18T10:35:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking about this word for a long time now. Almost 21 months to be exact.

I looked up the definition of wait.

*stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
*wait before acting
*expect: look forward to the probable occurrence of
*delay: time during which some action is awaited

I came across this verse today.

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Wow, that's a lot of waiting huh? I suppose the writer of this psalm knew a bit about waiting. I wonder what he was waiting for.

So today, I will wait. And listen to this song by Brenton Brown called "Everlasting God."

Hair accessory

2009-02-17T15:23:00.001-08:00

Please look past the greasy, post morning glow and focus on the very cute headband I'm wearing.

I saw these on Jody's blog and immediately went to the Wings website.

I ordered a few and also a nursing shawl for my sister.

This family is adopting two children from Ethiopia and all the proceeds from her sales go towards their adoption expenses.

I am enjoying covering up the bangs that I unfortunately had cut a few months ago (Amy, I relate to your bang woes) and also find them so helpful in the morning with my short hair morning style!

Does a vacation with kids count as a vacation?

2009-02-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, we are back from Santa Fe. I'm so glad that I went into the weekend with few expectations because I was pleasantly surprised.

The car ride was uneventful. No car sickness.

Lesson 1: Don't allow child who gets carsick to watch or read on trip. Instead, audio books on the ipod are the way to go. (And now I have Prince Caspian to listen to as well!)

The hotel was perfect for kids, not so much for adults and kids mixed. We had a hotel suite, that is a king sized bed in a room with a sofa couch for the kids.

Lesson 2: Always book a hotel room with a kitchenette when traveling with kids. We even got a "hot" breakfast every morning. Score on money saving!

Museums for adults are plentiful in Santa Fe. The adults did not partake of said museums but we enjoyed discovering all the kid activities.

Lesson 3: Do research prior to trip with kids. The Santa Fe Children's Museum was amazing. We spent a good 5 hours there and came home with a car of crafts. This mommy was convicted to pull out the glue, magazines and start crafting with her kids at home.

Eating out with kids can be cheap, especially when all they order are tortilla chips and cheese. The adults were able to save money.

Lesson 4: Eat most of your meals in the hotel room with the kitchenette. When we did eat out (once a day), we ended up eating off the kid's plates to justify the adult price tag that came with their meals.

Trader Joe's is my favorite store. We went there daily and stocked up. The children were falling asleep in the cart but I was undeterred. I was a woman on a mission to get all the goodies that aren't available in the Springs.

No lesson here. Just a fun freebie.

We promised the kids a trip to a toy store or other store of their choice if they were good on the hikes.

Lesson 5: Kids don't care that you are in an historic town with treasures to uncover. Nope, just give them a Target and a budget and all is well.

Will we take our kids on a trip again? Yes.

Will we have Mimi with us for that next trip? YES!

As I reminded Matthew throughout the trip, hit them young and hit them hard with culture. (not literally hit them...you know what I mean folks!) We will continue to expose our kids to different parts of our country but the next trip will be adults only.

Since I have a policy of not posting pictures of my children on this blog, you'll have to settle for pictures of me taken by my seven year old photographer!

I've giving it the 'ole college try

2009-02-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Our son is the world's pickiest eater...he basically sustains life on three items...I attempt to supplement with vitamins but my gosh.

I saw this idea on Jody's blog. Brilliant.

I'm going to give it a try this weekend. I'm hoping that Tobin decides it is really cool to expand his horizons while creating! Oh I hope.

Walking together

2009-02-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of spending time with two wonderful women today. One is on the same journey as I am...down to the DTE date for her little girl. The other woman has journeyed to another land and has her babies here now.

I realized again how refreshing it is to be in the company of those who are walking in the same shoes. The journey might take the same amount of time but it sure is less lonely and seems a bit shorter with someone walking with you.

Thank you Lori and Andrea for great conversation and community today!