clearframe

photo friday

This week was busy, busy, but somehow, we finished a few projects.

Finally, after 7 1/2 months, we got the mural up on Thea's wall. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.

Thea seems to enjoy it too:

And, I finally finished my mom's birthday present, just over a month late:

The initials are for Thea and her cousin Baker, who is 2 months older than our sweet girl.

Here I am modeling the necklace:

 

And, John has posted a series of photos of Thea trying her first avacado!

Have a super weekend!

giving thanks.

for a warm house...for healthy food...for a sweet puppy...for optimism...for knee socks...for a window into so many inspiring lives...for old friends....for new friends...for my nephew (and my brother and sister-in-law!)...for understanding...for good books...for facebook...for morning naps...for my camera...for sweet potatoes...for my MacBook...for trust...for passion...for mementos...for shared meals...for tea...for honey...for mindless ways to escape...for the sweet and the salty...for baby hats...for diapers that hold in the mess...for honeynut cheerios...for friends who share their yummy recipes...for generosity...for change...for possibilities...for nightime nursing...for my mama...for baby laughter...for this moment...for this man...for this girl...

Many blessings to you and yours.

feeling grateful

Another week, and my heart is full with gratitude.

I am grateful for life.

I am grateful for my health.

I am grateful for sunshine and shadows.

I am grateful for surprise gifts.

I am grateful for old friends.

I am grateful for time spent with family.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

I am grateful for my capacity to hope.

grateful monday + a new direction

 

It's been quite a week.

The downturn of our economy has hit very close to home. Last Wednesday, my dear husband was laid off from his job of 12 years.  The layoff wasn't totally unexpected, as we had known for a bit that his company would be reducing their workforce. Still, it has been quite an adjustment to realize that our family's income has suddenly dried up. I am very grateful that he was at least given a severance package that will {hopefully} carry us until we figure out what comes next. I know that many families finding themselves in this situation have not been so fortunate.

I've been wrestling with some very big emotions around the whole situation. Right now, I feel somewhat overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, and anger. I'm also feeling a bit helpless and frantic. I feel sad at how abruptly John's time with his company ended - that there was no time for goodbyes, no celebration of his many successes, no time for questions or for closure.

John is positive and optimistic, and really, truth be told, I am too. He's already working so hard - looking for more traditional jobs, but also keeping himself open to whatever opportunities might come his way. He is one of the smartest, most talented, most resourceful people I know. {And I'd say that even if I wasn't so lucky as to be married to him.}

I am trying my best to stay present in the face of fear and to remember that sometimes the most challenging circumstances open you up to unexpected opportunities. I am reminding myself that sometimes you have to let go of what you are holding onto so that you can grab hold of something else. I am trying to trust that things will work out - in one way or another.

Finding ourselves here certainly helps to put things in perspective. Times like these quickly clarify priorities, and the wants fall starkly away from the needs - the house, food, health insurance.

I am so grateful for the support that our family has already received. The kindness has been overwhelming, and the encouraging words and gestures make it impossible to not be grateful for what we do have. And most importantly, we have each other.

We're trying to make the most of this time. In addition to a rigorous exploration of all possibilities in front of us, we're trying to make room for other things too. We're hoping to finish a few lingering home-improvement projects, and of course, spend some good quality time together. We're also trying to make sure I get some time in the jewelry studio, as I've been really aching to get back to work. Below is a little something I finished today - a gift for a friend. I think I might just make one for myself too. It's funny how I keep coming back to the "hope" necklaces.

So, today, my grateful Monday post feels all the more important. Because despite the challenging circumstances, there are countless blessings in my life. I have so much to be grateful for. Here are a few things making my heart swell today:

I am grateful for my amazing, big-hearted, handsome husband.

I am grateful for my sweet daughter. And her laugh, which can cause every wall around my heart to crumble.

I am grateful for the support and generosity of our families - for the endless encouragement, faith, hope, and love that surround us.

I am grateful for the support of our friends and community, for all of the opportunities and opening doors.

I am grateful that my daughter is soothed by my embrace.

I am grateful that we have health insurance for the next two months.

I am grateful for time to indulge in creativity.

I am grateful that each day, this is what is waiting for me:

What are you feeling grateful for today?

kindness

Did you know that tomorrow is World Kindness Day?

The amazing Patience has some ideas of how to celebrate over at the PBS Supersisters Blog.

Go spread some kindness!

a new day

It’s been a week since the election. Despite the cloud of joy and hope I have been floating on since last Tuesday night, my heart still feels heavy with the weight of the recent political season. You see, the divisiveness of political races causes me an enormous amount of anxiety. I am saddened by the way our disagreements overshadow our shared struggles and joys and our common humanity.

* * * * * * *

Over the past few years, as John and tried and tried to grow our family, I made deep and lasting connections with other women throughout this country and around the world. Similar challenges, experiences, and dreams caused our paths to intersect, and journeying together forged strong bonds – bonds built on understanding the heartache of babyloss and infertility. We mourned together and dreamed together and hoped together. We were a secret sisterhood – fiercely loyal and offering unwavering support.

And now, with Thea here safe and sound, new connections have emerged and old relationships have risen to a different level. We mamas [of living children] gather around each other too, at times offering guidance, at times simply providing support and encouragement. We share our experiences, our strategies, our struggles, and of course, our joys.

In both circles, we corralled around each other, our differences not as important as the bonds and shared experience that brought us together. And yet the differences were always there.

* * * * * *

I have a confession to make. Sometimes, for brief moments, I catch myself forgetting that not everyone else is just like me, that we are all so very different. I know, I know. I’m working on it.

But seriously, I sometimes find myself a bit startled when those who I share so much in common with  - philosophies of parenting, for instance – end up holding starkly different opinions on other matters.

And yet the differences were always there.

We can travel a similar road and see the scenery in dramatically different ways. We can be fiercely loyal to each other, yet not see eye to eye on certain things. [Once again, this amazing post rings true.]

We all have our own history, our own journey, our own stories.  Our similarities and our nuances are woven together into the complexity that is the human experience.  Isn’t it the differences that add depth and texture to our existence?

* * * * * *

Elections have a way of magnifying our disparity, causing us to draw lines in the sand and huddle in our camps. But I think that what we have in common is of much greater measure than the disagreements that could divide us. Despite our differences, we all want similar things – to be safe and healthy and happy – to have our needs met – to protect those that we love and the values that guide us. We all want understanding and for our voices to be heard. We all want what is best for our children. We all want to mother them in the best ways we know how.

* * * * * * *

Since I first heard them, Barack Obama’s words -  “We are not as divided as our politics suggest” – have deeply resonated with me.

With all of my heart, I believe these words to be true.

So, in the days ahead, I will choose to look for ways to connect.

To listen.

To understand.

To heal.

Won't you join me?

feeling grateful

I have so many things to be grateful for. So many.

Here are a few particularly bright spots:

I am grateful that my friend pointed me in the direction of these diapers.

I am grateful for naps that last longer than 20 minutes.

I am grateful that after a couple of long months, my sweet daughter seems to be feeling a bit better.

I am grateful that I have been able to nurse my daughter for nearly seven months.

I am grateful for a super-generous friend who has shared nearly all of her daughter's baby things with us.

I am grateful for my darling husband, who is my best friend and biggest supporter, and who continually surprises me with his kindness and understanding. 

What are you grateful for today?

photo friday

moments in a week

feeling grateful

My Mondays seem to slip away before I can post my grateful Monday lists. So, here you have it, a day late.

pssst...

On Tuesday, you can make history. Yeah, YOU.