A Profound Moment

Apparently I'm 'nesting'.  Although I have to say it's entirely my husband's fault.  I could totally have managed to put it off another couple months but he decided to clean out his closet, then started suggesting I clean out mine, then pressured me to start organizing a storage closet packed full of all kinds of nonsense... Ah, yes.  He flipped my internal 'nesting' switch prematurely.  And now my adorable little reading room is a total disaster with piles and piles of junk strewn about in every direction. However, we've already gotten rid of loads of stuff and are almost ready to take an entire truckload of random odds and ends to goodwill.  I have to admit, purging is SO nice!  Organization makes me feel like I can conquer the world!

While I was going thru crate after crate of craft supplies and old notebooks I came across a little gem, one of my very first journals.  Welcoming a distraction I started flipping thru it, marveling at my adolescent concerns and notions.  A few pages in I was stunned to read a page dated June 18th, 1994, just a few days after I'd turned 12.

"...I think I want to become a writer.  I'll write from home because I want to get married and have children.  Yet there's also an urge to travel, meet people..."

I went on to note that I'd recently been notified that a poem I'd written was going to be published in Boodles children's magazine in June of the following year, 1995.  

I was amazed.  Barely 12 years old and I already envisioned myself writing, traveling, getting married and having babies, even though I had absolutely no idea or knowledge of how that lifestyle ever actually could/would come togehter. Profound.  That speaks volumes to me.

With my own little one on the way, reading that journal entry so affirmed my heart. One of my many prayers for our little girl is that from the moment she enters this world, she'll have a deep, innate knowing of who she is, who she's called to be.  That she'll know beyond all else that she's been destined with power and purpose, placed on this planet for a very specific reason.  I pray that though she walks in a natural place, she'll know she's called to a supernatural place, that her life has great and profound meaning.  I want her to know without question that she was knit together in my womb by the very hand of an adoring God, fearfully and wonderfully made, her each and every day ordained. (Psalm 139)

More than who she becomes when she enters this world, I pray that she know, undeniably, who the God of the universe has purposed her to be, that she know Him first. That matters to me more than anything else.  

Perhaps my own mother prayed a similar prayer.  Perhaps that's why at barely 12 years old I already knew with confidence what my strengths and passions were.  Or perhaps... perhaps it was entirely the whisper of God to a tender young heart that already trusted Him deeply.  Who knows.  What I do know, looking back, is that He has always been with me, ever near.  And that confidence gives me the greatest assurance that He'll do the very same with my little girl.  He'll never leave her side, even for a moment.  Because though I may already love her beyond words, she was His first.  His creation, His daughter, His love.  And she always will be.  

There's more comfort in that knowledge than anything else I can possibly fathom.

Sandwich Love

This sandwich is completely and utterly delightful.  It actually started as a pizza.  Let me explain...

Last night we had friends over and cooked up a few homemade pizzas on Josh's beloved granite slab.  I wanted to try something a little different, so I opted for the Pioneer Woman's Fig-Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula.  Sweet fig spread in lieu of sauce, peppery baby arugula, salty prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan... Oh.  My.  Can you say delish?  It's easy breezy to whip up and cooks in mere minutes.    

It left such an impression on me that I kept remembering it fondly today and wondering if I could manage the 42,000 lb granite slab on my own to make another.  Wisdom finally won out when I conceded that I probably shouldn't risk it, you know, being pregnant and all.  So I whipped up this yummy sandwich instead!  And I assure you, it was equally delicious.  

Warm, buttery millet bread (though you could use whatever you prefer), organic roasted chicken breast, sweet white fig preserves, piles of arugula, just melted goat cheese...  Oh yes, friends.  It was heaven.

Give her a try!  There's no way not to love her... ;-)  Oh, oh!  And don't forget to try the pizza, too.  Man, that Pioneer Woman is genius.

SURPRISE!!

We went in for our 20 week sonogram yesterday to really get a glimpse of the baby for the first time and find out the sex.  Well, honestly we went in to confirm the sex because we already knew without question that it was a boy ;-)  We've known that for months and months, before we ever even tried to conceive in the first place.  

I climbed up on the table in the darkened room and the technician went right to work, immediately striking up a conversation about everything appearing on the screen, all the measurements and little body parts.  I asked her if she had kids, which she did.  I also asked how long she'd been doing this to which she replied, "About 15 years now."  Josh was standing over me with a giddy smile on his face and coffee in hand, glancing at me occasionally and winking. 

The technician confirmed again that we did in fact want to know the sex before asking if we had any names picked out.  I laughed, "Well yes, one name.  We only have a name for a little boy."  She laughed in response, "Well okay then!  Moment of truth..."  She pressed a bit more firmly on my abdomen and paused momentarily, "...okay... it looks like... it looks like you're going to have... to pick out another name.  It's a little girl."  I waited for her to correct herself or say she was joking.  "No.  You're kidding."  She continued to study the image for a moment, "Nope.  It's definitely a girl."  I shifted my eyes towards Josh.  His face showed exactly what I was feeling, complete and utter shock!  I tried to hold back but I couldn't help the stream of questions that came flooding out of me, "Are you sure??! Wait, are you positive??  I mean, how long have you been doing this again?  You're absolutely positive?  There's no margin of error??  Have you ever been wrong before?!?"  

She laughed, entirely amused at our stunned responses, "Well, 15 years and I haven't been wrong yet.  But her little legs are crossed... let me see if I can get her to uncross them..."

Her?  Her little legs??  The word sounded so entirely foreign I couldn't wrap my brain around it.

She moved the wand around a bit, over and back a few times, and sure enough those tiny little legs uncrossed and started kicking up a storm.  "Let's see here.  Hmm...  Nope.  Still a girl!"

I started shaking my head, "Are you absolutely positive??  I mean, really really certain?  I just... I just can't believe it.  We haven't even discussed names for girls!  I haven't even considered what life would be like with a little girl!  I mean... I just don't know what to think!  I feel like I'm finding out I'm pregnant for the first time all over again!"

She proceeded to show us a dozen different angles, punctuating every one with the same statement, "Still a girl...  Yep, still a girl... Yep, definitely a girl!"

I laid my head back on the table and started to laugh.  I looked at Josh and shook my head, incredulous, stunned, and he started to laugh which of course prompted the technician to laugh at us.  We all laughed and laughed and laughed until I finally pulled myself together and wiped the tears streaming down my face, then turned to the technician very seriously, "Okay, so you're really really sure?"  This went on for another 15 minutes...

As we stood to leave still entirely shocked, she offered to do a second sono if a few weeks free of charge just to give us peace of mind, which of course prompted another round of "Wait, does that mean you think you might be wrong then??"

She smiled kindly, "No, I'm confident it's a girl, but I'm still happy to do a second if you'd like."

~~~~~

We spent the next hour laughing and chattering and trying to wrap our brains around the idea of a baby girl.   We'd gotten so used to the idea of a little boy that the idea of a girl never even entered the realm of possibility.  We both still know without question that a little boy is in our future.  We've prayed for him, we know his name, in fact we feel like we already know him.  But now, having a girl?  Well that's just crazy sweet icing on the cake!  Josh and I have both wanted a little girl for as long as we can remember, we just never once considered it this go round.  It immediately brings one specific scripture to mind that's been rolling around in my heart for the last few weeks, "A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul..."  Proverbs 13:19  Looking back on it now it's almost like divine foreshadowing, like God has been whispering to my heart again and again trying to give me a fun little hint.

Our God in His magnificence never ceases to amaze me.  Day in, day out, this pregnancy has been an adventure of epic proportion.  We've been surprised at every twist and turn and this is certainly no exception.  From the very beginning the only thing I've known for sure (well, except that thinking it was a boy!) is that this is not about me.  Apparently, it still isn't ;-)  SHOCKER.  And I have to say, I'm still so looking forward to one day meeting our son.  He has a place in my heart that just won't go away.  God is ever faithful to His promises that's for certain, and He's promised us a little boy.  (though the mystery of when and how remains a mystery for now, as does God in all His ways!) But in the meantime we get the indescribable, unbelievable joy of falling head over heels in love with a beautiful baby girl!  Best.  Surprise.  EVER.  It's like Christmas!!

We're still adjusting to the stun, but I simply couldn't wait to tell you.  Ladies and gents, to our utter shock and unspeakable joy, we're thrilled to announce that we're having a little GIRL!!!

For the Love of Tea

I have a crazy affection for tea.  Add to it a dash of cooler weather, the holiday season looming, lots of reason to sit and introspect, and my affection intensifies to full blown enchantment.  

Sadly this past summer in Texas was so unbelievably hot that I strictly avoided turning the oven on for cooking, muchless drinking any kind of hot beverage.  The absence certainly made my heart grow fonder.  As soon as the first big cool front rolled thru providing brisk mornings and chilly evenings, Josh and I made a mad dash to Whole Foods to stock up.  A couple of our favorites weren't available, so we ended up trying a few new and let me tell you, I am in l-o-v-e!  In case you aren't familiar, I simply must introduce you.  That's just all there is to it.

First up, this decadent goodness:

Red Velvet Chocolate.  Are you kidding me??!  It's a caffeine-free rooibos blend with chocolate, vanilla, and beet root.  A splash of cream, a little sweetener (I prefer stevia), and man... it's like drinking a warm cupcake!  I'm not kidding.  It's delish.

Moving on!  (If that's possible):

How about a little Double Dark Chocolate Mate?  Yes, please!  I must say it's pretty rich, not like a mug of hot chocolate rich, but not light like most teas.  I love it sweetened with a bit or cream or especially coconut milk.  So yummy.  Great substitute for dessert.

When I'm in the mood for something lighter I opt for this guy:

Sweet Thai Delight.  Hands down a new fave.  Rooibos, cinnamon bark, anise seed and carob pod, with coconut and butterscotch flavors.  Oh my...  It's truly delightful!  I'm certain it was made for me.  A little coconut milk, a little stevia, and I am in loooove. Oh, and it's also caffeine-free! (that's important for pregnant momas to be aware of)

Then there's this:

Rooisbos Orange Vanilla Creme.  Remember creamsicle popsicles when you were a kid?  Yep, that's exactly what this will remind you of, though more like melted in a mug ;-)  It's also caffeine-free, organic, and at $4.99 for 40 bags it's an excellent value, too.  (about 12 cents a cup! Starbucks what?)

And finally, we can't forget chai:

Fire Light Chai.  I'm always up for chai.  I love the spicy flavors.  I'm finding lately that I particularly love rooibos chai blends.  Again this one is caffeine-free and organic, and I always add extra ground ginger and loads of cinnamon, plus stevia and cream or coconut milk.  It's so sweet and spicy and warm and wonderful!  Makes me happy.

And speaking of cinnamon, I usually buy it from the bulk bins because it's so much cheaper, but because they were out I ended up grabbing this little guy:

Oh man!  I'm definitely a cinnamon snob and this is unquestionably the best I've ever had.  Vietnamese Cinnamon, I have a crush on you.  Thinking of you warms my heart.  Makes my salivate.  I love your rich color, your warmth, your decadent aroma, the depth of flavor you add to my steaming cup of morning/midday/evening tea...  I vow to never go back to anyone else.  I will never forsake you. *sigh*

Yes people, I love it that much.  Cinnamon and coconut are my two great loves.  Total bonus that they both stoke metabolic rate.  (I also add organic coconut oil to my tea on occasion.)  

SO!  There ya have it.  I realize they all essentially sound like dessert, and honestly for me they are.  Since I've been pregnant tea has become my go-to as far as sweet is concerned.  Actual desserts and sweets in general have lost their appeal.  Tangy and sour however, well that's a different story.  Or spicy, oh spicy... I could eat salsa or fiery curry or hot dill pickles all day!  (Josh even requested 'his and hers' salsa recently ;-)  He can't handle my demanding heat level, poor guy.)  But the thought of a brownie or worse yet ice cream, ugh, no way.  However after all the spice and tang, a warm cup of dessert-ish tea is quite nice!  I'm loving it.  And it's the perfect compliment for falling leaves and scarves and blankets... atmosphere is half the allure, you know ;-)

So have you tried any of these?  Do you love them??  Any other suggestions you think I'd like?

Inspiration

What better in Fall than a picnic on a blanket in beautiful weather, followed by a walk down pumpkin-lined walkways with someone you adore?  Very little in my book.

It's no secret that the Dallas Arboretum serves as a constant source of inspiration for me.  I never cease to marvel at the perfectly manicured lawns and sprawling gardens simply waiting to be wandered thru.  Despite my endless photos of the grounds, I can't seem to stop snapping pictures.  Ever.  I feel compelled to somehow capture the beauty each and every time I set foot there, which is quite often.  

What can I say?  It's a love affair.

A beautiful, perfect afternoon.

What's inspiring you lately??

Buffet Redo

You might remember this little treasure hunting adventure several months ago that resulted in a handful of beloved finds.  Among them, though not pictured, was a vintage buffet console we scored for an amazing $34! She's been sitting in a corner waiting for a bit of a redo for months now, and with the weather lovely once again and new baby on the way, we finally kicked ourselves into gear.  

Here's a before shot (minus a drawer undergoing surgery):

She was pretty scratched and beat up in a few places, one of her drawers was broken, and she had a few water stains as well.  Nothing a little sandpaper and wood glue can't correct though!  A little love, a little paint, a nice place to sit and look all regal...

And after:

I want to paint the handles a shimmery, light gold-ish color, but Josh likes the more antique look of the brass. I may still paint them, or better yet, get the most gorgeous antique glass handles I found at Anthropology!  But at $18 a pop, those might have to wait awhile.  In the meantime, she's doin' just fine, already packed full of beautiful serving utensils, table linens and platters, and an old record player that's been waiting for a home for several months as well.

She's a lovely addition to the dining room, sure to serve us well for years to come!

Have you tackled any fun projects lately??