rainy day.

just watching Thomas in the recliner.

church.

Isaiah loves church. we went to an NUIV event for alumni on Friday night & to keep it simple, I told him we were going to church. he got to play with cars & eat snacks & play games & meet new friend's & watch veggie tales & stay up past his bedtime! showing him now that church IS awesome :o)

Yesteryear and Upcoming

We mark one year of our marriage today, and it's a joyful celebration of all that the past 12 months involved. Milestone after significant event after defining decision, we have found ourselves looking back on so much that shaped our first year, and has shaped us in our marriage. Our home use, our debt goals, our sharing of an apartment, our job transitions.

But as we've celebrated all those things, I can't help but wonder and get excited about how we'll continue to be shaped alongside one another. What Year 2 has in store - getting rid of debt so we can look forward to purchasing our first house, traveling, growing to know each other more - all are things I am eager for.

Happily celebrating and looking ahead,
ilymd :o)

one year.

we did it!

one year ago (tomorrow) we were celebrating, with lots of people we love, the promise we made to each other in marriage. wish we could do that all over again, minus the amount of money & time it took to make it happen, plus actually trying the food we finally decided on ;o) it was a really good day, 09.30.11 was.

but in all sincerity, it's been perhaps the most refining year so far. and in the best/hard way possible. marriage has not been just a combining of our individual lives into one apartment, but rather a true synthesis of our selves into an evermore (we hope!) coherent whole. things are slightly easier, more fun than they were those first few months of partially jarring transition. but things also seem more profound; our conversations, our decisions, all those things reach deeper. as if the implications for who we are together & more importantly, who we are becoming, are greater than we've ever known they could be. what's ahead begins now or already has, and i am just looking forward to the ride!

i love you my darling.

rhythm.

i have always loved that this word has no vowels. it's almost like it embodies its meaning a bit when i think of its role in our life. consistency, somewhat predictable - and for me, safety.

that's almost where i feel we are heading now, to a sort of rhythm in our daily routine - not that every day's schedule is the same because it sure is not. but just the decreasing shock i feel in the mornings, the simple knowing that Isaiah is really with us. at least for now.

getting called from the auditorium screen in church to come get the little guy who has been asked to leave for the day due to "flailing about" and "not listening" was definitely disheartening (and may have led me to tears), but just like poopie in the pants every now and again, it's all becoming part of that rhythm.

Joy & Thanks

Something that brings me joy is when I can be involved in connecting people to serve others. I learned it was a passion in college, and it's a big part of what I love in my job now.

Given that, one of the neatest things about hosting Isaiah has been seeing the compassion and generosity of friends. Lunch, groceries, tickets to the game, offering a playful spirit, toys, pants, pre-made dinners.

As friends have generously offered gifts for Isaiah, we have been the recipients of invaluable support, and all in the name of service to others. For that, I'm thankful for this opportunity.

our first weekend

wow, exhaustion is an understatement. it doesn't help that we proceeded with our regularly scheduled program (with a couple adjustments) with a three year old boy.

highlights:
-banana chocolate chip pancakes
-walk to the library to get books about cars, vegetables, & animals
-meeting c's family & then some
-first northwestern tailgate & football game, go 'cats!
-at least three poopies on the potty & none in our pants

"maybe tomorrow."

one of Isaiah's favorite thing to say. mostly when i ask or tell him to do something, like go potty or take a bath or go to sleep.

more personally, i don't want our life to be about "maybe tomorrow"s. instead, i want it to be marked by saying yes. yes to Isaiah, yes to sacrifice, and yes to Him.

"Hi! I poopied in my pants!"

Evening two began with a smelly surprise as I picked Isaiah up from daycare. Fortunately for both of us, the kind older woman took care of clean-up.

We followed that with our requisite bus rides home - Isaiah is becoming quite the little commuter. Our #1 focus on the bus thus far has been scooting all the way back in the seat so we don't fall out. This is mostly simple for him because the multitude of cars, trucks, and bikes make for endless seated entertainment. Oh, and motorcycles. They're the most fun because we can make sound effects to ride along with them.

Let's disregard my personal tendency toward melancholic thought (personality profiles are enlightening)
and review tonight's best successes:
1) eating strawberries with dinner
2) not throwing the cat
3) smoother, faster, no-crying transition to sleep.

Goodnight!

Isaiah, night 1

so, we definitely have a 3 year old boy living with us as of tonight! just two doors down, asleep in his dinosaur pj's. through safe families for children, we get to host Isaiah for about 3 months & it's already turning our priorities upside down a few hours in. what's he going to eat/wear/play with tomorrow? it's all about putting this little guy first now, no matter what. and even though that is going to be very new & likely difficult, i am grateful for the opportunity for us to practice selflessness, for real. my prayer is that we will never be the same after Isaiah leaves, that God would do an incredible work in our lives, our marriage, our hearts. one that makes us look more like Jesus. it's slightly terrifying to ask for, but if it means obedience (His will & not mine), i am all in.

now, since it's (past) my bedtime, i shall conclude my first ever blog post with an important question: what time does a 3 year old wake up? we will soon find out!