My Love.List

(image from weheartit.com)

***This post is inspired by my friend, Meghan aka MamaMoses aka sweetMegs...

Now, after spending 90+ days in Uganda away from family and friends, their Love.List is jammed full of amazing appreciations and reflections... and the 'roughest' time I can claim lately was when the AC went out for a day. So, just so you know- I respect the guts out of this woman...

That being said, I've got so much to be grateful for... and look forward to.

Wait? Can I change this to a Love.Look.Forward list???

1.) I can't wait for James' first Tball game tomorrow night. Marcus is coaching and they are so excited. He's got the sweetest little team... I can't wait to be a mom in the stands and cheer my men on.

2.) I CAN'T WAIT to meet Moses Matt when he gets home to his new home here in the United States of America... and his vibrant momma, Meghan. It's been such a journey to get him home where he belongs, and I'm flat out ready to partay.

3.) Can't wait for this weekend. Marcus' office is hosting a 'family day' allowing kids and spouses to come to work to check things out. James has ALWAYS begged to go to work with him- so this will be monumental. Can't wait to see Marcus' daily environment and see James' reaction to his Daddy's work stuff.

4.) I'm excited about theDuckling's birthday... and the festivities. I've always said to celebrate milestones, and one full year getting to know this exceptional little creature is certainly worth celebrating. It's another step in the right direction... another year living abundantly... and I'm so grateful for that.

5.) I can't wait to file for this adoption. It's still months away but I just can't help but wish we filed yesterday. I trust that God's timing and our careful planning is what we need to do, but I'm just ready to be a mom again- but this time to a big brown eyed angel.bebe. Like I told sweetMeghan today in an email, I'm obsessed with Africa. Translation: this adoption takes money- so if you have a spare 25k laying around cluttering up things, just let me know. :) *God willing, our little adoption bank account will be fat.and.happy come the end of the year...

6.) I've got a maternity shoot coming up and I can't wait to get this momma in front of the camera. OH! I adore mommas... and I'm waking up at night with ideas. I love mustard.seed.photography and all the opportunity it's opened up for me. I'm so grateful to have it in my life and to have my mustard.seed families cheering me on.

7.) I'm grateful for this time in my life: kids underfoot. dinners together at night. sand table time. laying on the grass with bebies that smell like sunshine and clovers... It will never get old. Ever.

8.) I'm grateful for my friends and sisters who keep me grounded. I'm like a balloon and I'm likely to float off when the wind blows... and my friends call me out. keep me linked. encourage me. They tell me to stop whining... to start working... and to stay open. They don't take me too seriously. They never kick me when I'm down and are the first people to show up or call or email when they feel me losing my way. No matter if they live next door, or states away. Whether we talk everyday or once in a blue moon. We never miss a beat. It's never about what I can do for them- but what they can do for me... and that amazes me. I cherish that kind of generosity. And more than anything, they love my kids. From their mother.hearts, they love my kids. So grateful.

9.) I'm grateful for theHotness. I'm grateful for his tenderness towards me and my feelings. I love the way he plans. Quietly planning, getting things done... making my dreams come true. When he says he is going to do something, he does. All the time, every time. He's a true parent to the boys, never separating parenting roles... He's calm. Quiet. Manly, but not macho. And he's a tireless worker. It's hard to imagine, but he loves me best of all. Still. And I thank God for the gift of his love and devotion to our little family every night.

10.) I'm grateful that no matter what, no matter if I'm happy or sad, good or bad- I serve a living God who shows up every.single.day to help me through things. Sometimes I get these beautiful broad strokes of His presence in my life... but I'm grateful most for the small tangible ways He is with me. When I lose my cool with the kids. When I'm not sure if I'm fit to parent another day more. When James is crying for cereal and I'm CERTAIN that we are out of milk- but yet, there is jussst enough to squeak out a bowl to quiet down the Whine. When I feel lonely or unsure and a Divine Peace comes over my heart- quieting down my head. When my kids do things daily- and have an absolute burst of appreciation and gratefulness that I am who I am, living this life, and that they were given to ME of all people... I'm grateful for the absolute confidence that NOTHING could EVER happen to separate me from my Heavenly Father and His love. No illness or misfortune or tragedy can ever separate me from direct access to my Maker. He meets me just as I am, every.single.day. I have NOTHING to fear... not a thing. I have every reason in this world to Hope. I have every reason in this world to Love and give Love freely.

I think I'll stop there with those...

Oh, is it too late to throw in *I'm grateful for date.nights? Cause my sweetCousin just texted and may kick us out the house soon so she can get kissy.lovey.dovey with her favorite boys... I'm SO ready. :) SOready. Carrie, I'll love you forever and ever and ever. :)

Peace, love, and little.booties.in.baseball.britches.
xo
lmkw