MG Fall 2010

Oh my goodness... I am so ready for the Fall Momma Getaway! What's a Momma Getaway you ask?? Well, let me just provide you with a little bullet list of details...

• Me and a few of my very closest friends. I'm kind of the common denominator among all of the ladies... I introduced them and we all seem to get along great!
• A LOT of scrapbooking. I mean A LOT. We each get a large table, put them in the shape of a large square (so we can see each other when we're talking) and scrap, sew, make jewelry, whatever from Thursday night to Sunday mid-afternoon! It's kind of like the old quilting bees.
• Good food. Each lady is responsible for providing a meal to share. And, we all bring snacks and our own drinks.
• Good conversations... sometimes its deep, sometimes its just funny!
• Staying up as late as we want (sometimes as late as 3:30 am... wowza... we're rebels!
• A lodge-type cabin... complete with a stuffed bear. (for our protection)
• Bunk beds! :)
• A snoring room - I won't say who's sleeping there.
• We have a TV/DVD combo there and we like to have movies playing in the background and we'll bring music too.
• No distractions and no "MOM!!!!!" or "I'm Firsty!!!" :) It's kinda nice to be able to relax a little without being distracted by all you have to do around the house too.
• Great husbands that realize that we work hard all year and understand that we need a break too.

Momma Getaway might seem a little selfish, but this is really the only time of year I get to scrapbook. We have a late winter/early spring one too. During the rest of the year, I'm busy as a Mom, wife, and photographer. Greg travels a lot with his job too, so this gives me a little away time. For like the entire month before, I'm busy organizing my pages (a lot of the fun of the whole thing for me!!) and just thinking about all I hope to get done. This year, we're going to incorporate some devotions in as well. I'm excited about trying to tie that into a scrapbook layout or craft idea too.

Momma Getaway - we're ready!

when I get where I'm goin...

I've thought a lot about the moment I get where I'm going. Now, because I'm a Christian, I believe with my heart that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. So, that means I'll meet Him in Heaven some day. I've thought about that time, walking with my Savior... What I'll ask him. What will matter. Will infertility matter? Will being overweight matter? Will the answer to whoever killed Jon Benet Ramsey matter? (Yes, I really want to know who dun it!)

Well, I don't think I'm going to ask 'why' me for infertility.

Crazy probably for me to think that way, I know. But, also remember, I have dealt with this for many years now - 8 or so. I've kind of come to a peace with it now. I know what my motherhood purpose is - to be a mom to the little boy I hear playing Batman in the tub right now. The little boy who makes me laugh everyday. The little boy that is guaranteed to frustrate me at least once a day. :) And, the little boy I would give everything up for. The little boy I would do it all again for. The hormone shots, the negative pregnancy tests, the waiting, the crying, the waiting, the pain, the waiting, ...

I would do it all again. In a second.

So, I guess it's not going to be one of the things I ask Him "Why?" I know why. Every road led me to Gabe, every tear, every heartache, led me to the little boy who is the center of my world. I could not love him any more than I do. I don't feel like he's someone else's. I don't feel like I missed out on the pregnancy. I feel like I got my own blessings in adopting a child. I don't feel like I was short-changed or cheated in any way. I feel blessed that I didn't experience the physical pain of labor. I feel blessed that Gabe's birth family has become part of our family. My boy has so many people in his life that love him so much.

So, I know why it all came together now. It took me a long time to get here, but I'm here. I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be, and God knew that all along.

So, other women out there with fertility issues, remember God knows what He's doing. And just as a parent looks out for their child (even when they don't think it's fair - something I'm going through with a toddler right now), God is doing that for you. He knows how it will all pan out, and remember, His plans are to prosper you, not to harm you. He will fulfill the desires of your heart. Trust me, I've been where you are. Through great pain, and I mean awful pain, comes wonderful, amazing things. Just trust that He will get you through it.

It's good to be back.

So, after a break of blogging, I realized that I missed it, and well, it's good to be back. I really enjoyed writing about our lives, so I thought I'd try and get going on it again. Life's been pretty busy this summer, but awesome. My sister, Lindsey married her high school sweetheart on Cocoa Beach in FL in June. We had a reception for them at my parents' farm, and it was a great time. We took a few formals by the barn too.

My niece/Goddaughter was born July 24th to my sister, Jenny and her husband, Rene. She is the most beautiful little girl and I already feel such a bond with her. I was able to be in the room when she was born (an experience I will always cherish and be thankful for) and I got to hold her just minutes after her entrance to the world. Jenny and Rene are wonderful parents. She is such a sweet little one with such a calm, easy-going disposition. Love her, love her, love her.

And, August 28th, my little brother, Dan married his sweetheart, Sonya. I was honored to take the pictures at their wedding too. Sonya was a beautiful bride and their wedding was so special. I know I've talked before about how these "kids" (Jenny, Lindsey, & Dan) were all in an accident. Watching Jenny and Rene bring new life to the world, watching Lindsey and Matt say their vows, and watching Dan and Sonya dance to their song brought back a lot of emotion. Believe it or not, I'm not a very emotional person. I feel a LOT in my heart, but for some reason, I'm not a big crier. I sympathize and empathize with many, but tears don't come very often. Tears flowed from my eyes as I watched my brother and Mom dance to Always a Child.

Our family has experienced so many blessings in the past year. I have a new sister and two new brothers. I have a niece. I have a healthy boy and husband.

This adorable one starts preschool up again on Tuesday. He is very excited about it. I have to admit, I'm a little selfish when it comes to preschool starting again! I like having that 2 1/2 hours to get some work done, uninterrupted! I think I am a better mom for it! If I get to work those 2 hours when I'm home, I have more free uninterrupted time to do things with my son too.

On the business front, Wish I Might is staying very busy. I'm in senior picture mode and have several sessions lined up for Sept/Oct. It's been a blessing to have Wish I Might and I feel like I'm learning more and more everyday. In July, I had my first Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep session. I made it through it, but it was very difficult. I cried the entire way home from the hospital. I really was glad that I did it though. And, I had an awesome photographer there to help me through it. Really, emotionally and technically, she was so supportive. She let me take the entire session, but was there when I had any questions. I've really been thinking a lot about the session and wondering if I'll be able to do it on my own, and I think I will be able to. I'd like to be a part of 1 or 2 more sessions first - just to be a little more comfortable.

Greg had his first carpal tunnel surgery Thursday, so I'm playing nurse this week... pretending I know what I'm doing while changing bandages! :) With a mom and 2 sisters as nurses, some of it had to be passed to me too, right?

Thanks all for reading, putting up with my indecisiveness, and for coming back! :)

Memory Keeper

I am a memory keeper. And I am tired. I keep up with Facebook, scrapbooking, Flickr, ordering pictures, and unfortunately, not my blog. I've realized that I'm really repeating stuff. I put a picture on Flickr. I write a description. I usually put it on FB too, because I share a lot with family and friends that way. And then, if I think of it, I put it on my blog and write a brief summary about why that picture is special to me. There is probably some fancy way to link them all together, but I'm not that interested in taking the time to learn it! :) And, lastly, I print that picture and scrap it. Well, enough double work. I am a mom to a busy boy and my favorite of these activities is scrapbooking. I love the homemade feel, I love the personalized handwriting (I very rarely type any text) and I love that it's something I enjoy doing with my closest friends. I will keep up Flickr because I do use that as a site to post previews for customers. I will not, however, continue to blog. I'm not a modern girl. I feel like an old-fashioned, snail-mail enjoying, simple housewife who just isn't up for blogging. If I felt like I had a lot to say that was worthy of reading, I may keep it up, I just think I'm going to save those memories and thoughts for Gabe's books.

I have really enjoyed blogging as a way to express myself and share my thoughts, but at the same time, I kinda just like reading other people's blogs! I don't really update mine that much! So, farewell from GabesMom/WishIMightPhotography! If I decide to pursue photography more seriously in the future, WIM may make a blogging reappearance, but maybe not. Thank you to everyone that's read the blog and thought I had anything interesting to say. If you'd like to keep up with us, friend me on Facebook - I'd love to keep in touch!

Madrina

See this beautiful lady in the pictures? I'm very proud to call her my sister and she is carrying my little niece. I found out yesterday, that Jenny & Rene chose me to be the baby's Madrina, or, her god mother.

I was so happy. I started crying. I'm not one that cries very easily, but I was so touched. I am so happy for Jenny & Rene as they start their family together, and being a Madrina, well, I am honored to have a role like this in their child's life. I've never been a god mother before and I am not really sure what the role entails. I have been doing a little research just so I can help to honor Rene's side of the family. I'd like to share in the culture and history with them. Jenny had a really nice bridal shower yesterday with Rene's family. We played games, had great food, and really had a nice time.

I can't wait for the baby to get here. It's so hard to believe that in less than 10 weeks, she will be!

Quiz Time & Circus Pictures

Gabe & "Mr. Hoover"

Gabe & Billy

Gabe & Garren

Gabe & his future wife - I mean, Maelee

Gabe standing up with some of his class. Doesn't he look cute in his polo and faux hawk?


And, switching gears a bit here...

I thought I'd follow Sarah on this! It looked like fun!

What is your current obsession? garage sales. I can't get enough.

What is your current favorite memory? the day we brought Gabe home.

Starbucks or Peet's? Starbucks, rarely... not a big coffee person. Unless its a mocha.

What's for dinner? Right now, grilling out. Love sitting on the back patio with my guys for supper.

What would you eat for your last meal? hmmm... my mom's roast... complete with a gravy sandwich. Along with strawberry limone as a dessert. And, an ice cold Coca Cola.

What's the last thing you bought? some vintage goodies at a garage sale yesterday... including greeting cards, a chair/stepstool, and vintage Pfaltzgraff service for 12.

What are you listening to right now? I've been listening to Lit... reminding me a bit of college.

What is your favorite ice-cream flavor? Hmmm... vanilla, Hershey's syrup, and crackers

What was your favorite toy growing up? All of our 'school stuff'. We played school for hours!!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Ireland. And I would take my camera!

Which language do you want to learn? I've always wanted to learn German

What is your favorite color? dark brown, green, turquoise, yellow

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? Ugh. I hate my wardrobe. If I had to pick, I'd say my new jean jacket to go over my dark brown beaded shirt.

What is your dream job? photographer - with my own studio.

What is your worst habit? overeating

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on? Stuff for Gabe. I love buying for him.

Do you admire any one's style? Elsie & Rachel, Danielle Thompson... so many more!

Describe your personal style? vintage, retro, comfortable, homey. I buy things that I love - things that are me. Not necessarily because they are in style or not in style.

What are you going to do after this? Go to bed! (which is where I should be right now!)

What are your favorite movies? Oh GEEZ. The Notebook, The Holiday, Love Actually, anything with Paul Rudd, Hugh Grant, or Jonah Hill.

What is your favorite fruit? strawberries & bananas

What inspires you? etsy, music, family, friends, magazines, books

Your favorite book? Any thing by Jodi Picoult - favorite of hers - The Pact

Do you collect something? vintage trivets that read "Cookin don't last, Kissin do" and ribbon - I have TONS of ribbon.

What are you most proud of? Having a wonderful little boy - never giving up on our dreams of having a family.

What do you like most about yourself? I think I'm pretty good in times of trouble or crisis. I usually cook and take meals - to me, I feel like I'm helping... people don't ask you to cook for them, they just eat it when you do! And, I like that for a minute, I can help.

Ok blog readers, if you filled this out on your blog too, leave a comment here on mine! I'd love to read your quiz!

Little Moments

Today is a big day for my little man. Today he's performing in the circus at preschool. They've been practicing for a while now and Gabe is supposed to be a lion and a strong man. (I will post pictures later!).

There have been several moments since Gabe was born that I've thought, "I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I'm finally living one of the moments I've always dreamed of". Today is one of those days. My heart is so full today. I love my son so much. More than I ever dreamed I could love someone.

At times through the adoption, I wondered "what if I don't feel like his real mom? what if I feel like a phony? what if he eventually thinks that too?" I have to admit that I wondered those things. But, I know now that I am his mom - I am his mom 100%. There is not a small part of him that doesn't love me or know me as his mom. He knows he has a birth mom and she will never be replaced. And, she will always mean so much to him (and to me). I cannot, nor would I ever want to change that. But, when it comes to knowing what comforts him, or knowing what foods he doesn't like, or knowing when we're reaching his limit, etc... I am his Momma. I reached this point with help from his birth grandmother. She called me his mom from the beginning. She has reassured me when I've felt insecure. She has really made me feel like his mom. I am so thankful for her - I am so thankful too that they have chosen to be a part of Gabe's life. They are family - to all of us.

So today, I will be a proud Momma. Watching my little boy in the circus. Smiling from ear to ear. Holding back tears of happiness as I watch the grandparents watch him. Little moments - like this.