Snapshots: Catching Up!

Now that I'm getting back into this, I thought that before tackling some of the topics I want to discuss - fun stuff like ADHD, crazy sports parents, and gun control - I'd at least fill you in on what we've been up to these last few months while I've been out of commission in the blogging world.

Earlier last year, I already wrote about some of the great things that happened to us in 2012:  Anna's adoption being finalized, her first braids, my job change, etc. But we've had a lot of fun since then too!

And because it's more fun this way, I thought we'd catch up in snapshots, so here goes.

My Birthday Wish

Today marks the beginning of my journey on the slippery slope that is the latter half of my thirties, my entry into a new demographic category, as I can no longer choose the bubble for "19-34"......yes, I am turning 35 today.

I am choosing to look at this questionable milestone with a glass-half-full perspective. Just for today, I will try to look at myself through Anna's eyes. So, I have but one birthday wish for myself:

May I always be as intelligent, invincible, wealthy, energetic and impervious to injury as my daughter thinks I am.

Welcome to 35.....

Have a great day, everyone!

Happy Birthday to Kelsey!!

Just wanted to send a shout-out to my stepdaughter Kelsey because it's her 19th birthday! She's the best a parent could ask for and we're really proud of the amazing person she's become. I can't believe she was only 12 when I met her...it seems so recent, and yet also a lifetime away. Now she's a college student. It's just crazy.

You can read more about Kelsey here.

We're looking forward to a celebratory birthday dinner this evening. Till then - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Love you lots!!

Happy Birthday to Uncle Keith!

We at MLWP want to give a birthday shout-out to Uncle Keith, who celebrates his special day today. Uncle Keith is not only one of my very best friends, but he is also adored by Anna and without him this blog would not exist.

So thanks for being so awesome, Uncle Keith, and have a fabulous birthday! We love you lots!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Anna!

Three years ago today, the sun shined a little bit brighter and the world got a little bit more wonderful.  Our Anna Gloria was born.

Looking back now, I can clearly see that taking care of her definitely was part of God’s plan for Heidi and me.  But when I first met her, on her first day of life, I didn’t yet know that.  All I knew was that it was my first time holding a baby that new, and that she was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen.

So, I'm new here.....

The Process of Becoming

She looks at me with that teasing twinkle in her eye, which I know is a reflection of my own.  She dares me to “get” her as she halfheartedly begins to run, only to stop after a few steps so that I will catch her and tickle her.

I know her as well as I know myself, yet I also know she is evolving, growing, daily engaged in the process of becoming.

Self-portrait!