Catching Up with the Hippie

Before I give an update, I feel it is my duty to confess a secret. Yes, a secret.  I am one of those people. You know the kind. You might call them granola-loving. Or tree-hugging.  At least, to some degree I am.  Why am I confessing this now? Because I feel it's in your best interests to know that I make my own laundry detergent.

If this is is something you want to know how to do, too, head on over to the Thriving Home blog today, where I'm guest posting about my detergent-making skills. Then come on back over here and read the rest of this post. Or comment about how I'm a complete nerd. :)

Back to non-hippie life...

This having Monday off thing...I could get used to it. I guess I should, anyway:). I mean, after Kids Club ends it will be pretty routine for me. I feel like I get so much done. Do you know who is at Target on Monday at 10am? Or Hy-Vee? About 3 moms. That's it. It's a whole new world for me.  Last week I went to Old Navy on Monday with a good friend and her daughter and we had run of the store. We could run and throw balls everywhere and bounce bouncy balls down the aisle. Did I mention my friend has a two year old daughter? No? Well, it makes more sense now I bet. Or maybe you just thought I liked bouncy balls. You wouldn't be all wrong.

We had a busy weekend with family. My darling, way-too-young-to-graduate cousin graduated.  In darling red heels and a bedazzled cap, I should mention.  So we celebrated and enjoyed time with extended family. My grandma stayed with us for the festivities so we had a lovely Mother's Day brunch with my favorite octogenarian (lest you think I am playing favorites, she is my only living grandparent who qualifies as an octogenarian:)).  I also feel I should give a shout out to my mom, who I missed dearly on Mother's Day. No worries, though, my brother rode his motorcycle to visit her and give our love. And he only ran out of gas once:). I know they all had a great time, just like we did here, but it was bittersweet that we couldn't be together.

All that to say yesterday was a good day for rest. I did lunch with a friend. I did lunch. I am serious when I say life just didn't used to look like this. We ran a few errands to quiet stores and I caught up on some work emails. And then? I read a book. Outside. In the sunshine. Oh what a blessing.

Now here's the thing: I have a resolution to finish books this month. I've started about 8 books in the past 3 months and have only finished one. Well, I finished another one yesterday. But then I started another one, too, so there was no gain. Ugh. I don't know why I have such issues finishing books but I promise you I am going to finish books in the month of May. It's going to happen. But probably not today.

And so, I am off to work to try not to feel quite as overwhelmed as I do at the present and learn as much as possible before my predecessor says adieu. And tonight? I'm making more laundry detergent, of course:).

Little Man Monday

Hello, Little Man!

It's been a few weeks, hasn't it?! Well, I started a new job. I love the job! I have to tell you, though, as desperately as your dad and I want you here, it's probably best I went ahead and started this job before you arrived. I mean, it's a pretty big transition.  Your going to love my new office. And by my new office I mean your church.  We have talked about church before, haven't we? I think so. It's a pretty great place. There are lots of kids there and some of them will look like you. In fact, a few are even from Ethiopia. I am hoping you will have some great church friends from Ethiopia and we can all share this crazy, wonderful, difficult experience we call adoption.  Back to church... it's a big place, little guy. Don't worry, though, we will help you feel right at home. You'll start upstairs in the area I oversee with the little people but before long, you'll be taking the big red slide down to the first floor with the big kids. What's that? I've never mentioned the slide before? Well, it's a big hit with kids your age. I have a feeing you and your dad will spend quite a few moments each week going down that slide while I am working.  I can't wait to see you fly down, your hair flowing with the speed of the downward spiral! Woo hoo!!

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  It's a holiday we celebrate here with all moms. Mother's Day can be hard for lots of people for lots of reasons.  I won't say yesterday was hard for me, but last Mother's Day we kind of thought we might at least have a picture of you by now. Turns out, it wasn't meant to be that quick. We won't see you for probably another 2-3 Mother's Days. But do you know what God says, Little IC**? He says He makes all things beautiful in his time. So, even though this wait doesn't feel beautiful, we know he's making beautiful things out of it.  I imagine Mother's Day will be a time of difficult emotion for you, too. After all, while I am sure you and I will have years of special Mother's Day memories, I would be completely misguided if I didn't remember that you and your birth mom will be missing out on years of the same. Hopefully we will honor her and, if she's still on earth, pray for her on this special day.

Little Man, I am off to work in the garden. Know that in weeks where I don't write you I still think of you and wish for you like crazy. The day will come when we meet. Even if it takes years and years, I know He makes all things beautiful in His time. He's making your mama more beautiful during this wait. And I know it to be true that when you arrive on this earth, He's making you beautiful too.

All My Love, Little Man

Mom

**IC is imaginary child. Since Little Man isn't here and we aren't even sure he's born, it's our term of endearment for him. He may be imaginary in real life but he's very real in our hearts.

Old and New

Well, I can officially say I work for my church. Monday was out with the old--last day on campus.  On Tuesday I jumped into the new. And man is it new. And yet, it isn't exactly. I have been around this building for years, pretty much since it was built.  And I have loved my coworkers, even before they were coworkers. All in all, I have to say, it's pretty great.

But. Four days in and I am swimming in details. Newness. Learning.  So good but so much. And that's ok.

On top of all of this, I had the grand idea to have a garage sale tomorrow. So each night I've been coming home from the new and sorting through lots and lots of old. Other people's old. Old clothes. Old shoes. Old kitchen bowls. Lots of old.

If I ever again have a wacky idea like starting a new job and having a massive garage sale the same week, someone please shake me.  Really.

But seriously, it is supposed to be great weather for a sale and we've got a great location. So, I hope to get rid of a lot of this old and focus on a lot more new. Because man, do I have a lot to learn before my dear friend has her baby and I am left to my own knowledge base.

I would love to share more of all the details of life but in all honesty, to quote a woman I once knew, "the brain is full."  Yes. It's full.