Day 199

So...there are 15 days until Thanksgiving...and because I've been consumed with the one area in my life that is NOT going my way, I've decided to spend the next 15 days remembering all the things that are...

Today, I'm jumping out of my undies with excitement...okay not literally jumping, but close! I had a mandatory health benefits meeting, today, at work (boring) (even more boring because our benefits are through Ben's work) and I won a drawing for a FREE 6 month membership to Lifetime Fitness!How sweet is that???? I am super pumped up about it! Watching Ben race over the weekend inspired me to start training for an Iceman mini, called the "Slush Cup," same intensity as Ben's race, but only 8 miles, opposed to the 27! I think I might even try to find some races in the summer that I could do to get my feet wet. All that to say, winter is upon us and I was unsure about my training methods....until today!

I can't wait! My membership begins on December 1st...uh-oh, that doesn't leave much time to buy super-cute athletic outfits!

No belly, saggy boobs, stretch marks OR labor - and now the opportunity for a fit, toned physique? God is too good! He continues to keep my heart distracted with pieces of fun along the way.

Day 194

Today, was Ben's big day!! We are in Traverse City, recovering from the big race. Ben (and several friends) participated in the Annual Iceman Challenge ( a 27 mile point-to-point mountain bike race).

Ben fought nerves as he (and 2500 other bikers) got their bikes ready for take-off.

Mr. 2055...my superhero!

My contribution? Pinning the number on!

Pre-race jitters overcome by toughness!

Me, being a very good wifey, and taking LOTS of pictures (328 to be exact)!

What would an adventure be without our best friends?

Meeghan and I win Wife-of-the-Year awards. 7 Hours outside taking pictures in 40 degree weather in rain and hail! We traipsed through the woods to cheer our men on!

I've seriously never been prouder of my Ben. His finishing time was 2:54:15! I wanted to sing my love from the mountaintops; I was so proud! He was so diligent all year in his training and beat out all but one of his friends!

He was all glory and glamor across the finish line...but this is how I found him immediately after:

Chris, Ben, Corey, Kevin, and Jesse celebrating their finish!

They deserve SERIOUS kudos.

As my heart swelled with pride, my eyes filled with tears. How did I get so lucky? I had the best day watching Ben in his element--so determined...and motivated. If I had to choose between Ben and baby, I would choose Ben every time. He is my Ben. My life. My hero.

Day 188

My girlfriends threw me the most amazing baby shower, yesterday! It was rather large and I didn't take any pictures...but hopefully someone who did will get them to me so I can post some of the highlights! I was overwhelmed beyond belief. Ben and I have been in such a funk over the last couple of weeks. We've been experiencing some non-baby related stress that has made the baby wait even more difficult. The days leading up to the shower I was getting major cold feet. Had I made the right decision to go ahead with a shower, without a match? Were people judging our decision? Did they think I was just looking for an excuse for free gifts?

No matter how many times my friends encouraged me that everyone understood, I wasn't so sure. However, yesterday, I found myself standing in front of all the people I love most, sharing tears and hugs. I have never felt so loved, so surrounded. Every detail of the shower was perfect and thoughtful, from the centerpieces to the cake to the guests. I knew I had opened a lot of gifts, but it wasn't until I got home that I felt the full impact. My living room was covered in gifts! I was so overwhelmed with the love poured out, I could only sit and stare. (Not much putting away happened last night!)

I had piles of the most beautiful books I've read and almost every item from my registry. I am so glad I bucked the agency's recommendation and went ahead with decorating a nursery and having a shower. Most moms get 9 months to nest and plan and dream...why should it be any different for an adopting mom? I know there's risk. I know there's emotion...but a baby is coming.

I loved my nursery before, but now? I can't leave. Really. It's beautiful; it's full. I cry every time I look at the bookshelf. Over the next few weeks I plan on reading every book on the shelf, while cuddled up in my rocker. I know every woman is different and has ranges of tolerances. For some, walking by an empty nursery brings heartache. For me, it brings healing and hope. I love that I've had time to prepare and plan and dream. As I bathe the room and our baby and our birth mom in prayer, I dream about the day when I no longer have to dream.

Here's some updated pictures of the nursery! (There's only two additions that aren't pictured - 1) I have the most gorgeous charcoal gray long taffeta curtains to hang and 2) I have 4 large frames for baby pictures)

Just wait until you see the curtains! (Isn't the pillow adorable?)

No bed is complete without a rock star blanket! :)

My curtains look just like that gray pillow--they'll be beautiful when I finish sewing them!

This candlestick is one of my favorite pieces of the nursery. It immediately took it from baby to glamorous!

I got three beautiful homemade scrapbooks!

A picture of my growing niece, Nya--for extra cuteness!

I'll post shower pictures when I get them!

Day 183

1960

I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

I'm pickin up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
I'm pickin up good vibrations

Close my eyes
Shes somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world

I could totally be a hippie. Everyone was laughing at my "day 2" outfit and wondering where I keep pulling the clothes from. You know what's funny? Today and tomorrow's outfits came straight from my closet! I must be a love child at heart.

Make Love, Not War. Yup, totally down with the 60's.

Tomorrow it's disco fever....You won't be disappointed.

Day 182

So...have I mentioned how much fun working at a college is? This week is homecoming and with it comes all the spirit festivities! The College is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so each day this week represents a different decade. Today, 1950's. Thought you might like to share in the fun.

Don't you totally love the bouffant?

I've had a lot of fun putting my outfits together for the week! I am so thankful for the distraction. Some days it feels like I'm going to die "waiting," it's nice to have something else to occupy my mind! Stay tuned for 1960's...

Day 178

My friend sent me a link to this article, "What NOT to say to a pre-adoptive parent":
Click Here for the Article

I know it's something all of us, adopting, can relate to! I find Kathy's story inspiring and encouraging. She's also here in bloggy world, if you want to check her out: Bring Anya Home.

While I'm sending you all over town, in your reading, please go give some love to a new friend: Pear Dream.

I've been meaning to send everyone over there for awhile, but still haven't! She is at a crossroads right now and deciding how to move forward (continue infertility treatments vs. moving on to adoption). So far, I'm the only one commenting on her blogs and I'd love to share my bloggy friends with her. Check out her story!

Day 175

I heart adventures.

I'm always up for a challenge; I love making memories; I love serving God outside the box. So...when I was asked to chaperone a "Shack-a-Thon" event, at the college I work at, I jumped in without fully knowing what I was committing to.

The premise? Live in a hand-built shack for 3 [very cold] nights with minimal food, the clothes on your back, minus all luxuries of home. Sound Crazy? It was! All the money raised went to a local organization that helps heat low-income family homes.

I have yet to process all that I experienced, but here are the highlights...

The Hilton of all Shacks

My Shack Mate, Kara (talk about co-worker bonding....)

I endorsed the back of the shack with one of my favorite life mantras. Jesus did it, I strive to.

There's a reason so many can be found sleeping on park benches. The nights are so cold, sleep is minimal, but enjoyed in the day's warmth. (BTW "warm" becomes relative. It was 51 degrees here).

I had the privilege of spending time with our students. I love them! My life goal is to live love out-poured and multiply the Jesus in me into the next team of Elishas.

We served at a local organization, sorting hundreds [and I mean hundreds!] of winter coats. We arrived at 10:30, in the morning and the coat line was already forming (they weren't being handed out until 2:30pm). Sadly, families were turned away when the coats ran out...

We went to a down-town, Detroit park and served over 200 meals to homeless and low-income families. My job? Love on the people. I didn't preach, I didn't pray, I just loved.

About halfway through the day I found myself surrounded by a group of black women. I held one of their newborn babies, while the mama ate her meal. I told her that I, too, was going to be a mom and asked for advice. It was amazing how one small question opened the door to the hearts of an entire group of women. Women who had lived harder lives than I could ever imagine. We laughed and shared for over an hour, teasing one another over childhood nicknames and encouraging each other's future dreams. I couldn't help but thank God in my heart. There I was, whitey-McGee, holding a precious black newborn, encircled by black women, in a grafitti-filled community, surrounded by dilapidated and forgotten buildings. I couldn't have been more out of my element, yet I felt home. I dropped every ounce of love I had into that baby and smothered her little face with kisses. Her mother's story was difficult, her little life would probably be hard. I wasn't chosen to be her mom, but I was sent to whisper hope, love, and future. Her name was Nyla and I pray God continues to intercept her path with his people.


I touched and hugged as many people as I could. I went looking to make a difference and I left changed.

I could go on and on, but I'll leave you with a few more pictures and a powerful song by Casting Crowns...

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come

If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

I am signing off, tonight, with a thankful heart. Thankful for my hot shower, my warm bed, my Savior's love, and an enlarged world-view.

I pray that as I search my heart, asking the Lord, what more I can do, that you'll do the same.