2017: Resolutions and My Word for the Year

So clearly I'm a little late to the game, 

but seeing as how it's still technically January and still early in the year, 

I've spent some time thinking about what I want from this year. 

The past three years of my life can be summed up in one little word: 

adoption. 

If I wasn't crying or praying or filling out paperwork then I was fundraising or planning or traveling to Africa. 

The aftermath of that? 

Well, who am I now?

What do I want to do next? 

How can I work towards something that will be as meaningful as that was? 

We don't feel called to adopt again, at least not any time soon. 

And while I would love to buy a one way ticket to the land I love, 

we aren't there yet either. 

And while there is a little something on the horizon (more details to come soon), 

WHAT'S NEXT is still a work in progress. 

Here's what I do know: 

I want this year to matter. 

Adoption (while totally worth it because EVIE) was hard and consuming. 

There are things I pushed aside while spending all that time filling out forms, 

and this year I am playing catch up, which leads me to my word for the year: 

INVEST. 

I want to invest more in my family. 

I want to invest more in my body.

(You try being paper pregnant for three years and let me now how well your jeans fit.)

I want to invest more in my friends. 

I want to invest more in my marriage. 

Here are some others things I'm dreaming about for 2017: 

-More reading time and less TV time. 

-More recognizing birthdays and important events in the lives of people I love. 

-More date nights. (Can  I get an AMEN?)

-More time in the Word. 

-More prayer time spent listening and less time spent talking. 

-More intentional memory making for our family. 

What are YOU resolving to do in 2017? 

Do tell. 

Five things on Friday.

Happy Friday, friends. 

Here are few things I've been thinking about this week: 

1. I got a Stitch Fix today. 

This one was extra special because it included elephants and was styled by sweet friend Andrea. 

Seeing as how my work wardrobe consists of t-shirts (one of my many job perks), it's fun to pick up a piece here and there that I LOVE. 

2. Libby is about to be eleven. I can't handle it. I'm not ready. Somebody hold me. 

3. Hollyn is seriously rocking this whole kindergarten thing. 

It's been the most natural transition for her, and the girl hasn't missed a beat, even with missing three days two weeks ago to have a second set of tubes put it and her adenoids removed. 

4. Our new house-- to put it mildly, WE ARE LOVING IT. 

You know when a house just fits your family? That's how I feel about this one. Throw in the fenced backyard and awesome neighbors (including FOUR other kindergarten kiddos-- how does that even happy?!?), and I'd say this is just about as good as it gets. 

5. I finally finished Gilmore Girls. 

*Insert a moment of silence.*

Loved it and will probably start rewatching it after Labor Day. 

Yes, I'm serious. 

Here's hoping you have big weekend plans. 

Lee and I are hitting the road to do a little post-birthday, no kids allowed celebrating. 

Life Lately

Things have been kind of crazy lately-- 

no normal routine for us. 

I'll give you the short and simple version: 

-Have you ever had a double ear infection for over a month? I have. 

Here's to hope the third round of antibiotics is where it's at. 

-Adoption paperwork schmaperwork. It's basically all a blur at this point. 

-Hollyn went on a day trip with my mom last week to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates

 (and all of his friends apparently) on stage. 

Note: If she tells you she likes cotton candy, she's lying. 

- The new Noonday Collection line launches tomorrow, and I'm all kinds of excited about it. 

-Nothing says HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY like a giant box of peppermint coffee flavored K-cups, am I right or am I right?

-Road trip planning is my favorite, and the girls and I are gearing up to head South in just a few weeks. 

-Speaking of road trip, we have something big in the works. More to come on this soon, but let's just say the girls and I will be anything but bored this Summer. 

Here's to hoping your Monday is all kinds of fabulous and filled with hot chocolate, a movie that makes you laugh out loud, and snuggling with the ones you love. 

'Tis the Season

Well, hello there!

Guess who forgot she had a blog...

Okay, that's not true. 

What it is true is life...just life. 

Things have been crazy busy here lately-- like far more crazy than the normal crazy we typically beat to around here. 

Several extended family members are battling some pretty big stuff health wise. 

That combined with adoption, Christmas, and the busiest time of the year Noonday wise have left me with no time to spare. 

AND-- did you hear the big news????

I'm headed to Congo to meet our daughter in January!

She won't be coming home with me (still no idea about when that might happen), 

but I will be meeting her and caring for her and loving her like crazy next month!

Needless to say, there's a lot that goes into a trip like that. 

More to come on this soon. 

But for now, I just wanted to leave you with a picture of Hollyn 

from last week's preschool Christmas program. 

Is there anything cuter than a group of preschool kids singing Christmas songs? 

I think not. 

Dear Halloween, Thanks for being good to us.

Dear Halloween,


I just wanted to take a little minute to say thanks for being so good to us this year.
We enjoyed every minute of your candy corn, pumpkin spice, costume wearing, Hocus Pocus watching, haunted house, trick-or-treat goodness. Don't tell the others, but you're my favorite holiday. Everyone else is like, 'Oh, Christmas, come quickly!', and I'm over here like, 'Halloween, I miss you already'. Until next year, dear friend.

Love,
McCall

Crazy Crazy Crazy

Things have been all kinds of crazy lately. 

Between sickness, 

big fat out of town dental visits, 

worrying about friends and family who are struggling with various things, 

missing my girl terribly, 

trying to establish a back-to-school routine, 

a birthday (more to come on this soon), 

and just life in general, 

it's been all I can do lately to keep my head above water. 

All that to say, 

this too shall pass. 

Jesus said so, 

and I'm believing Him on this one--- 

partly because He hasn't failed me yet,

 and partly because my other option is to pull the covers over my head in bed 

and stay there indefinitely. 

And let's be honest, 

even though that sounds kinda nice, 

who has time for THAT?

More to come on soon on the biggest surprise about adoption so far and Libby turning ten. 

Come back soon, mkay? 

Smiling {nine reasons I'm doing it today}

1. Have you seen Taylor Swift's new video? I might have sprayed coffee all over my computer screen this morning while watching it for the fifth third time. Maybe. Possibly. I'll never tell. 

2. I'm missing Rwanda terribly these days. That trip. Those girls. That beautiful place. It was one step away from unicorns, I tell ya. I may or may not be secretly planning to go back and daydreaming daily about the land of a thousand hills. 

3. Have you checked out Dot yet? Keep your eyes on Instagram. Big things are coming. 

4. This book. It was awesome. If you love dystopian young adult fiction (which I do. And I feel no shame about it. ), then I highly recommend it. 

5. The She Reads Truth ap. Have you downloaded it yet? It's free, you know. And their study on justice? Can't possibly say enough good things about it. 

6. The hubs. It's almost his birthday. I can't believe he's about to be twenty-seven....again. 

7. These friends-- there's a visit being planned. Get excited. We sure are. 

8. Today is Stitch Fix day! Let's hope this fix is packing something fierce. 

9. Have you heard about our big plans for September? 

Looks like we'll be burying our faces in books for days....literally. 

What's making you smile these days? 

Do tell. 

Life lately.

May has been a whirlwind. 

Here are some of the things that have been keeping me all kinds of busy lately:

1. Reading-- trying to catch up, trying to take in all the goodness, trying to learn as much as I can. A Summer reading list is coming soon. What are YOU reading this summer? 

2. Third grade-- it's over. We said goodbye and walked away. If you need me, I'll be crying in the corner. 

3. Jessica Honegger from Noonday Collection made her way to Mississippi earlier this month. We stuffed her face with pimento cheese, and she shared her world changing stories with my friends. It was so great spending time with someone who followed her dreams, beat the odds, and is working to change the lives of thousands of artisans around the world. She inspires me so so much, and visiting with her was nothing short of wonderful. 

4. Let's talk teachers' gifts. We kept it simple and sweet this year with succulents and Sonic cards.

5. Dance recital-- it's coming soon, as in next weekend. And it's consuming the lives of two little girls who live in my house.

6. In exactly fifty days, I'll be boarding a plane to Rwanda with my best friend. Oh my stars, I can't wait.

7. Sno Cones-- Summer is officially here. And we've welcomed it with open arms.

8. At the age of thirty-four, I think I have FINALLY mastered the curling wand. Ohmylanta, I feel like I deserve a prize or at least some burn cream for my poor fingers.

9. We are still collecting donations for our upcoming Instagram Auction to help bring Emily home. The deadline is May 29. If you'd like to donate a handmade item, simply send a picture and price to me at mccallald@yahoo.com. And mark your calendars for June 2-4.

What's been keeping YOU all kinds of busy these days? Do tell. 

Overwhelmed.

There's dinner to cook, hair to wash, and dishes to scrub.
The dog needs a bath, the girls need to bathe, and heck-- I could use a shower myself.
Are the uniforms clean?
Did I remember to do the 9,987 things on my to-do list today?
When was the last time I talked to my mom?
There are e-mails to answer, texts to respond to, and calls to return.
There is adoption paperwork to complete, funds that need raising, and I have to get fingerprinted...again.

And don't even get me started on the end of the year-- I've literally had to ask Libby when her last day is....twice. I feel like I'm literally crawling over that finish line this year, forehead sweating, heart pounding, knees weak, and clutching my side in an attempt to catch my breath. That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about the end of school (it's Thursday, by the way). I keep forgetting. It's like I have a mental block. In fact, if my planner is not in my hand, please don't ask me when anything is, because I can all but promise you that I won't remember.

 Teachers' gifts?
 Haven't bought 'em.
Something fun to celebrate the start of summer?
Haven't planned it.
I'm doing well to just dress myself and feed my kids these days, folks.

Some days are just like that- I wake up and go to bed feeling overwhelmed.
There are so many things I have to do, combined with all the things I want to do, combined with all the things I need to do-- basically there are just too many things to do.

If I've learned anything from the adoption process, I'd have to say it's perspective. Some things simply aren't worth my time and energy. When I say yes too many times and stretch myself too thin-- nothing good is going to come from that. Would I rather be the girl who can't say no or  the girl who picks her battles? Would I rather be the girl who does 100 things or the girl who does ten things well and still has some brain power left at the end of the day?

While I'll always be that girl who likes her plate fuller than most (yes, this can also apply to my literal plate-- the one typically filled with cookies), I am also the girl who is learning that life's a great balancing act. And part of being a good balancer (real word? I'm gonna say that it is.) is knowing when enough is enough. What things have to stay on my plate? What things would I really like to keep on my plate? And what do I simply need to let go of?

Overwhelmed? It's not my favorite way to feel. But you know what? There's always tomorrow-- and tomorrow is full of all things fresh and new and hopefully well-rested.

Life Lately

*Yesterday was Libby's second piano recital. Man oh man, how my girl has grown.

*This song has been making me happy all week. It has absolutely nothing to do with my life right now, but it's making me happy nonetheless. 

*IF: Equip. Have you gotten in on all the IF goodness? I am loving it. Seriously. 

*I leave for Rwanda in eighty days. I may or may not have already made my packing list. 

*Easter candy. It's gonna be the death of me. It's also gonna be the reason we can't afford to send Hollyn to college, seeing as how we will have spent that money on dental bills. Make it stop.

* Funny thing about adoption-- it takes lots of patience. I have almost zero patience. You can see why this would be problematic. 

*We are currently working on our Summer 2014 bucket list. Anything we need to be sure to add? I'm most excited about snowcones and a trip to the beach to visit our best friends who happen to live there. 

*I'm still coming out of a "The Fault in Our Stars" reading slump. Anyone have suggestions for a book to read next? 

Here's hoping your Monday has been kickin' it. 

We ate lunch at 10:30 this morning, so there's that. 

Shopping for Swimsuits Should Be Illegal

You thought I was gonna post a picture of me modeling a swimsuit, didn't you?

Clearly you don't me at all. 

Today I want to take a minute to be random and share some things I've been thinking about lately. 

Ready? 

Good. 

Let's get started. 

1. This week I've been reading. Let it be known that I prefer to read a book straight through, all in one sitting. What can I say-- I like closure. Apparently I like closure more than I like sleep. And I'd rather stay up late ready than be responsible and go to bed at a decent hour any day of the week. This week I've read both The Antelope in the Living Room and The Fault in Our Stars. Antelope had me literally laughing until I cried. If you've been married for a few years, I highly recommend it. If you've only just recently joined us here in the land of married folks, I recommend waiting a bit on this one. My prediction is that it will be way funnier after the newness has worn off. Think the newness of your marriage will never wear off? Then you've just proved my point; wait on this one. So many truths about old love and what it really means to be married. LOVED THIS ONE. 

Moving on to Stars. I started this book last night; I finished this book last night. I may or may not start crying again if I talk about it for too long. LOVED THIS ONE TOO-- for totally different reasons. If you're an adult who is too cool for teenage novels, then steer clear. However, if you haven't totally lost touch with the younger generation and can still speak teen, then I highly recommend it. 

2. Can I just say that I think the McRib is one the grossest things ever invented. Seriously, the only thing I can think of that grossed me out faster than a McRib commercial is that one time when I was helping Libby clean out her hermit crab cage (may he rest in peace), and we found maggots hiding beneath the coconut bark. That is almost as disgusting to me as the thought of eating a McRib. 

3. I recently started watching 'Nashville'. Yes, I went back to the beginning and watched it from the start; I'm not a savage. Anyway, I'm now living among those of you who can't wait for Wednesday to get here so you can see what happens with Deacon and Gunner and all of my 'Nashville' friends. Tonight will be my first Wednesday night to watch 'Nashville' live. I feel like I've moved up to a whole new rank in life. 

4. One time in college I had two pet alligators living in an aquarium in my apartment. It's a long story, but sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night I can still hearing them hissing at me. Needless to say, they weren't living with me by choice. 

5. Shopping for swimsuits post baby should be illegal. By this I mean, it's a danger to my health...my mental health. And if you're one of those women who just loves your post baby body, we may or may not be able to be friends.....ever. Yes, my baby is four. Yes, my post baby body hasn't existed since 2004. No, I'm not willing to never again eat French fries. Yes, I still miss my body pre-Libby. And all of that combined with the bad lighting in dressing rooms combined with two kids pulling at me and rushing me and all of the above, and it's just not a win-win for me. Needless to say, if you see at the beach wearing jeans and a t-shirt, just smile, nod, and go with it. 

What's on your mind these days? 

Do tell. 

Just a few random thoughts...some happy, some notsomuch

Lots of thoughts in my head these days. 

We are waiting for some adoption news, 

which is a good thing (hopefully) but basically has me on overdrive emotionally. 

Here are a few of the things running through my head here lately: 

* Ain't no way I'm still gonna fit in my jeans when our adoption is over. Who was I kidding when I thought that at least with this baby I wouldn't gain a ton of weight like I did when I was preggars? Ha. Cravings, cravings, cravings. That's the name of the game. Pretty sure my body is taking this whole paper pregnancy thing a little too literally. 

*Libby has to do a science fair project this year. Welcome to third grade, where we don't really DO science yet, but we still expect your kiddo to produce an awesome project, complete with a proven hypothesis. 

*Adoption is confirming what I have always known to be true: I absolutely stink at waiting. I have no patience. I am terrible at it. And it's oober hard for me. 

Basically, I've just invited a major challenge into my life. 

*Some people really just don't know what to say in response to adoption. It makes them uncomfortable. While this is crazy to me, can I suggest they just say, "So, I hear you're adopting?". That works for me. 

*Halloween is next week. It's my favorite. However, it means I only have a limited time left with my beloved candy corn. Better make the most of it while I still can. 

*Christmas will be here before I know it. Wanna know how much time I've spent thinking about presents this year? None. Zero. Nadda. So bascially, it's gonna be awesome seeing as how it's not even on my radar yet, and I'm usually almost done by now, at least mentally in terms of what I'm planning to gift this year. 

*I realize the value of a dollar now more than ever. Spending money is painful for me these days because when I see a dollar, all I can think about is my daughter and how she needs to come home more than I need anything new, no matter how much I think I need it. 

*I need to read. I need time to read. Reading makes me happy, but it's just not something I can seem to fit into the schedule these days. 

*Hollyn has officially outgrown naps. If you need me, I'll be in the corner crying. 

That's all for today. 

Pray for us? 

Pray for good news about our adoption to come this way quickly? 

Thanks, friends. 

The Real Me

Hey, I'm McCall. 

Have we met? 

I mean, obviously you're here....visiting my blog. 

But between the adoption posts and the fundraising posts and the Noonday posts and the giveaway posts, I sometimes wonder how much of who I really am actually seeps through in my posts. If we met in real life, would I be who you expect me to be based on what you've read here? 

How does 'blog me' compare to 'real me'?

So today, I want to talk about 'real me'. 

Not 'here's what I'm working on me' 

or 'here's something that's important that I want to share with you me' 

or 'let's talk about adoption me'. 

Just real me. 

Hope you're not too disappointed.....

*First and foremost, I love Jesus. And my family and I try to live our lives in a way that is different from the world. This means we sometimes have a different view than most of those around us. We are okay with being different if it means being obedient and drawing nearer to Him.

*I am short. Think five foot even. Think three inches shy of needing a booster seat. 

*I am totally convinced that a fountain coke can cure just about anything. Little kids believe in band-aids; I believe in fountain coke. 

*I hate my hair. And by hate I mean HATE. There are many days when I seriously consider just shaving it and starting over, and I've prepared Lee that if shaved heads are ever in style, he can go ahead and sign me up. I just hate having to waste so much time on something that I'm just gonna have to wash and start all over with in a day or so. Boo on that. 

*If I wasn't responsible for my kiddos and their health and nutrition, I would totally eat Spaghetti-o's five nights a week. 

*I am a sucker for an acoustic guitar. Always have been. Always will be. 

*I laugh at myself. Often. Sometimes loudly. And I'm totally okay with that. 

*I don't eat salad. However, after years of dating and getting a salad with my meal, I can fake eat a salad better than anyone I know. In fact, if Fake Salad Eating was an Olympic event, I'd be bringing home the gold. It's a given. 

*I'm clumsy. I drop things. I fall up stairs. And if I'm wearing white, I might as well just go ahead and put food on it before I leave the house because it's only a matter of time before I spill something on my shirt. 

*I love my planner. I write things down sometimes just so I can check them off. However, my desk is a disaster, as is my car. Basically, if my planner is organized, my surroundings don't have to be. 

*I love Mexican food. No one else in my family loves Mexican food. If you're my friend in real life, and I'm constantly twisting your arm to go eat Mexican food with me, this is why. 

*As much as I love Jesus, Halloween is my favorite holiday. All the costumes and scariness and candy corn. Yes, please. Gimme. 

*I'm loud and random and often bust out in movie quotes...preferably 80's movies. 

I plead JustCantHelpMyself.

*My husband tells me that I have the sense of humor of a teenage boy. I'm not sure exactly what he means by this, but I choose to believe that it's a compliment. 

*I try very hard to watch my words. I know that words can hurt, and I used to really struggle with inserting my foot into my mouth. With age, I've learned to be very careful to word things so that they come out in the way I mean for them to. 

*I ask a lot of questions. It's how I learn. I'm sure my teachers LOVED this about me when I was growing up. Or not. In fact, probably not. But it works for me, so I'm sticking to it. 

*I most certainly do NOT have it all together, although apparently I must fake this well because people regularly comment that I do. My response to that? Jesus. Just Jesus. 

And that's enough about me. 

Tell me about YOU. 

What's something that people wouldn't know about you just based off of an online relationship? 

Seriously. Spill it. 

Please. 

And thank you. 

So this one time, when I was 33, I had chicken pox.....

So, the chicken pox. 

Yeah. 

First, let me publicly confess that before having them, I totally underestimated the pox. 

I thought, 'Hey, if little kids can do it, I can too."

Wrong. 

Let's just say that after eight days of fever, more itching than I can wrap my head around, and a big ole' box of banana popsicles, I am finally starting to slowly rejoin the land of the living.
Chickenpox don't play. Lesson learned.
And no, I have zero pictures of me with the pox, so you won't be seeing one here...ever.

So, since I unexpectedly took a little blogging break, let's play a quick game of catch up, shall we?

Fundraising: 

- We ARE still selling shirts. If you haven't ordered one and would like to, you can place your order here: www.aldridgeadoption.bigcartel.com

-Little Houses for Emily is going strong, and you still have five days to request a little house to fill for our girl! Just send an e-mail to littlehousesforemily@outlook.com, and we'll send your little house right over!



Noonday: 

This truly deserves a post all its own, but today marks my first anniversary with Noonday Collection. I wish I could tell you all the ways I've grown this past year and all the ways Noonday has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone for those in need around this world. We had the most amazing ambassador conference call last night, where we were able to hear from several ambassadors who have recently visited with our different artisan groups. I was in tears listening to all the ways that Noonday is working to making a difference in the lives of those in need around this great world. I can honestly say that this time last year, I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up to be a Noonday ambassador. I have loved it more than I ever thought possible and have been more blessed through Noonday than I can even put into words.

The new fall line launches tomorrow, and I simply cannot wait to share it with you!

You can check out my webpage here. 

Sevenly: 

This week Sevenly is partnering with Invisible Children to provide counseling for children who have been forced to serve as soldiers. I am so passionate about this cause. No child should ever be forced to do such a thing; I can't even imagine the long-term effects of such horrible acts, the toll that can take on a child. I would love to see this week's fundraiser break a record. You can shop this week's selection here. 

Ok, folks. That's about all the sitting at the computer this chicken pox recover can take for one day. 

I'll be back tomorrow with some sweet news about Emily and some new Noonday goodness! 

Dear....

Dear Hollyn, 

Last week you got a slinky stuck it your hair. Two words for you: NOT. COOL. 

Love, The Mom Who Doesn't Want to Have to Get the Scissors

Dear Hubby, 

We need to go on a date. 

Seriously. 

It's been way too long.....like since we went to Africa last July. 

If I sell an organ and get some dolla dolla bills, will you take me to the movies? 

I'll wear something other than an old t-shirt.....

Love, The Wife Who Wants a Night Out

Dearest Darling Africa, 

I miss you. In fact, I MORE than miss you. I literally caught myself day-dreaming about red dirt and elephants and little babies grabbing at my long skirt. I NEED plans to come back to you very, very soon. You bring out the best in me. 

Love, The Girl Who LOVES You BIG TIME

Dear Little Baby Libby, 

Come back. I miss you. Where did you go? One day you were singing Old McDonald, and today you came home singing a version of 'Don'tcha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me' that someone taught you at the lunch table today. I miss you wanting to spend every minute with just me and wearing whatever I pick out without bucking the system. I miss the days when you were little and squishy and just wanted your mama. While I love big girl Libby, can I just play with little bitty Libby for a day here and there? 

I'd be forever grateful. 

Love, The Mama Who Wants to Freeze Time

Dearest Darling Coffee

My darling coffee, 

    

               Oh, how I love you. You make me so happy. You comfort me when my kiddos are going crazy and me hold my eyelids open after long nights of not sleepy with Hollyn. You are my go to me-time. Even when we're only together in the midst of one hundred My Little Ponies, a pirate puzzle, and that same stinkin' episode of Backyardigans, I still enjoy my moments spent with you each day. Now if you could only learn to stay warm a little longer and start hiding from Libby so she won't try to steal you when I'm not looking, all would be right in my little morning world. 

Love you 'til the end, 

McCall 

This week I'm linking up to my friend Lauren's open letter campaign. Check out her darling, tender blog. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her and her heart for her two precious bambinos.

And the picture in this post? It came from my happy place pre-Pinterest. 

Loving Lately

See this picture? Isn't she beautiful? She's one of our Noonday artisans in Rwanda. 

She's one of the many lives that have been changed through YOUR Noonday purchases.
And see what she's holding? Look closely. It's a note from me and my family, thanking her for her hard work and for being a part of it all. And the first time I saw it, it made my cry. It seemed to make Noonday even more real to me. I AM working to change the world for even one person. While I love the pretty accessories and the excuse to look cute that Noonday offers, I love these artisans so much more. And tomorrow the new spring line comes out with over seventy new pieces. That's over seventy ways that you can make a change in the life of someone else in this world. AND I LOVE IT. 

This week I'm also loving......

*Monday night, the Noonday ambassadors have a conference call with THE JEN HATMAKER. Ask me if I was excited. 

* A little girl I prayed for what seems like a long time recently celebrated her first birthday. 

*This week's Sevenly Cause. 

*This post on how to show love to a special need's family. 

*My friend Lindsy's new fundraising t-shirts. 

*Super excited about FINALLY seeing this movie. It's about time. 

*This post by Jami Nato on saying no. 

*This amazing post on serving our sisters. 

What are YOU loving this week? I'll be back tomorrow to share some of my favorite new Noonday pieces with you. Are you excited? Good. That makes two of us. 

Confessions 101: Nothing But the Truth

Confessions 101: 

1. I never (repeat never) get ready before taking Libby to school. This means I drive in my jammers and pray like crazy that I don't have a wreck and am forced to stand on the side of the road in slippers and a t-shirt circa 1995.

2. So we made Hollyn give her pacis to Santa. Talked it up for months. And then she got the flu the week of Christmas, so we let her keep one in exchange for our sanity. We vowed that it would magically disappear after New Year's Eve. Here we are, January 24th, and I can't take it away. Not because I'm sentimental or don't want to hurt her feelings (it is, in fact, in her best interest to NOT go to kindergarten or college with a paci in her mouth), but because I need sleep. Terrible, I know.

3. If I am at home and do not need to be somewhere within an hour, you can guarantee that I am in my jammers. I can't stand to get dressed and sit around. If I'm showered and dressed, I feel an overwhelming urge to get out of the house.

4. One night in college, I was having a really bad day. By 'day', I mean month. And my best friends, in  an attempt to make me feel better, asked me what they could do, what would make me feel better. My answer? The beach. So we loaded up, drove all night, spent breakfast in the sand, and drove back. True story.

5. At the age of thirty-three, I still eat spaghetti-o's on a regular basis and turn up my nose at broccoli ...and brussel sprouts....and asparagus....and lima beans....and salad...and a lot of other things.

6. When I see a daddy loving on his little girl, it makes me long for something I never had. Not in a jealous kind of way, but in an 'I truly hope she realizes that is special and appreciates it' kind of way.

7. My car? We bought it on E-bay. For real.

8. In my opinion, watching 'The Goonies' while sipping on a fountain coke is an ideal Friday night.

9. I am genuinely disappointed when I finish a good book. While reading the last Harry Potter book for the first time, I literally forced myself to take a thirty minute break before starting the last hundred pages. I just didn't want it to be over....I still don't want it to be over.

10. I like my music loud. Real loud. Like you can't hear over it to have a conversation kind of loud. And apparently Libby likes her music that way too. Whoops.

11. Sometimes I seriously wish I could wear my daughters' clothes. They are just so darn cute. Totally not fair.

12. The other night I dreamed I went to the movies, met Katie Holmes, and became her bff. It was awesome.

13. Sometimes I just don't cook dinner. Instead, we eat like scavengers on whatever we can find. I like to think of it as 'creative dinner-ing'. This may or may not be the case in my house tonight; I'll never tell.

14. I can talk to you for hours on end about Africa, orphan care, and the poverty crisis, but ask me about reality television and I will just smile and nod. Ain't nobody got time for that.

15. I'd rather eat dirt than have my picture taken.

16. Three years ago, I had a conversation with a friend. She asked me where I'd want to go if I could go anywhere. Africa didn't even enter my mind. In fact, I distinctly remember thinking NOT Africa. My how things can change.

17. I honestly hate my hair. We're talking true detest here. It's horrid. So on the rare occasion that someone tells me she likes it or that it's great, I momentarily question her tastes..and perhaps her sanity. And no, that's not my real hair in the picture at the start of this post. But I kind wish it was.

18. Handwritten notes, coffee, and meaningful conversations pretty much sum up my love language.

19. I played John Mayer, James Taylor, and The Beatles for Libby while she in my belly. She now loves all three. Coincidence? I think not.

20. I'd rather wear a t-shirt, jeans, and my green Converses than just about anything else. You can keep your heels and skirts. I'm perfectly content dressing like a teenage boy, thanks.

Enough about me. Now it's your turn. I'm a t-total funk today, and comments make this girl H A P P Y. Leave a confession in the comments. Do it for me. 

Feeling brave? Leave your name. 

Not so much? Leave it anonymously.

 Ready. 

Set. 

Go. 

Lovin' Lately

I've been doing a little of smiling here lately. 

Here are of few of the reasons why: 

This Etsy shop. My friend Leita is so stinkin' talented. Anyone gettin' hitched soon? Check her out!

This super cute child's journal. I'm thinking Libby needs this, yes?

This song from T. Swift's new album. Makes me wanna shake my junk, if you know what I mean.

This awesome shirt. I'm totally diggin' it.

This amazing post from the talented Jen Hatmaker. Love her.

This fantastic blog...this mama is so inspiring.

This lipstick. It makes my lip feel like butter. And I mean that in the best possible way.

This nail polish. Color of choice? Au natural.

Rewatching all the Harry Potter movies.... and the fact that my mom has recently hopped on the HP train. Welcome aboard, Mom.

Borrowing Libby's new Kindle Fire when she's sleeping. I may just have a future at the Brave version of Temple Run. I'm thinking I may go pro any day now...

The fact that I can't get enough globes in my house. Seriously-- have one stashed in your attic? Send it my way. I'll love it all day, every day.

What are YOU loving these days???? 

Oh, and a little THANK YOU before I go: 

- Thanks to all of you who follow me on facebook. Hit the 200 likes mark yesterday. Wowzers. 

-Thanks to the seven mamas who have already signed up to guest post during my I AM THAT MOM series, coming your way the first week of February. Get excited. These women are all kinds of awesome. 

This Week, I Am Happy

Today I'm home with a kidney infection.

This means I'm :

a.) watching Grey's Anatomy reruns like an addict

b.)chugging cranberry juice by the gallon

c.) wasting time on Pinterest

d.) all of the above

However, I refuse to let one yuck day put a damper on all the things I have to be thankful for this week.

In no particular order, here are some things that are making me smile as of late:



This week I got to spend some time talking with this precious girl. Although she's not going back to Africa this summer, she is doing awesome things, and I could not be more proud of her.

(Note: no, the man in the background was not staged. Sometimes good things just happen; try not to be jealous, mkay?)

So, Libby's tonsils have been MIA for several months now. She's sleeping better, breathing better, and enjoying the day in and day out more than she used to; this makes me one happy mom.

Ever had one of these lovelies? You should. They are amazing.

This week my bff Meagan and I survived our first charity ball. Good times were had by all, and lots of dinero was raised to help local kiddos in need. Love when that happens.

On our recent trip down South, Libby and I got to spend some time with my pseudo little sister, Rebecca (aka Libby's godmother). I'm still smiling about the way these two love each other and communicate. Seriously, there has never been a better match. Sometimes I make really good decisions; clearly asking Rebecca to be her godmother was one of those times.

In the past week, I've read the first two books in this series. I wasn't so sure I'd love them at first; they're a little rough around the edges. But love them I do. Add these to the list of unfinished stories floating around in this here head; the third book doesn't come out for several months....boo on this.

And last on today's list, I am loving watching this precious couple prepare for their upcoming trip to Uganda. If you're looking for a great daily read, I strongly suggest you take a peek at their blog. Pretty sure one peek is all it was take for you to become hooked; it was for me.

Here's hoping your Thursday is top notch and that both of your kidneys are a-ok.

Oh, and do you follow me on Twitter? If not and if you want to, you can find me here.

Hope to see you there soon.

Today I'm linking here and  here. Join me?