Finally, finally, and finally we are moving. Within the next three weeks, the movers will come and take our stuff, Luke will go to Maryland and learn what the heck this job is, and we will drive down to San Antonio and find a non-scary place to live within a reasonable amount of time. Hours, I hope.
We found out we were moving before Ivy was born, and now she's a little lady that sits up in the tub all by herself. Practically grown up! I know I haven't been blogging much, and part of that is because it's hard to keep beating the stay positive drum when you are waiting and waiting for your life to start. Which is I think why my Facebook posts have all been very snarky lately. I don't hate people who think mustaches are (still) cool. Nor do I hate people who are grateful for stuff. I'm incredibly grateful for stuff.
I'm grateful for patience. The best things in my life have made me crazy with waiting. I think of all the ins and outs that led me to Luke, the 9 months of obsessive anticipation that resulted in Ivy, and now the year of days that mostly ended with some variation of "I'm sure we'll hear something soon" that is finally concluding with a job.
I'm grateful for the sanding and polishing effect that marriage has had on me. It hasn't been hard. But Luke is the river to my rock, slowly carrying away little pieces of my stubbornness and selfishness, and I find myself emerging, just shy of 17 months of marriage, smoother, brighter, and totally content. I'd always thought that marriage would be a rough ride since I can be demanding and high maintenance, but Luke's generous and guileless nature disarmed me completely. His willingness to always put me first makes me see how much my rebelliousness was borne of insecurity - a real lack of belief that love could be unconditional.
I'm grateful for the stretch marks and permanently widened hips of pregnancy. Not because I look at those things and think "Mommy loves you, Ivy" (I don't think I will ever have an inner dialogue where I address myself as "Mommy), but because having a baby has granted me a glimpse into something bigger. Something that transcends my body and even transcends Ivy. A life that doesn't embrace the sacrifice of all things is not worth living, and I will never apologize for what I sacrificed, and I would do it again.
I am truly, truly grateful.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Just Awkward
Luke and I, at the urging of his parents, decided to get some family pictures taken before we head to Texas. JC Penney was doing this promotion where you don't have to pay sitting fees and you get a free 8 by 10 for family pictures. So I made an appointment and bought some purple skinny pants and tried to get some coordination going on and we headed to the portrait studio.
In today's world, everyone knows someone who is handy with a camera, willing - even eager - to snap a few pictures for you at little or no cost. Hence the general vibe of engagement, wedding, and family pictures has been more natural - generally outdoors, lots of candid shots, and plenty of options to choose from. My own wedding was done this way, and I was totally thrilled with it. Chad Keyes, who was more of a friend of a friend at the time, did such a perfect job.
AHHHH. Maybe that's why this contrived, drab, uncomfortable little photo shoot was and has since been the point of much groaning and laughter by Luke and myself. In the days following, Luke has only to say, "Remember those pictures?" and I just moan or laugh or pull them up on my computer for just one more painfully hilarious journey though each and every staged and strained image. I received an email today letting me know that the free 8 by 10 we ordered is available for pick-up. No thanks. Just...no.
If you want to see for yourself, I'll email you an invite to the exclusive viewing club. For the rest of you, I am getting Chad to take new and improved family pictures next week, and I have high hopes. He is the best.
Other news: The movers are coming in 19 days and we are officially leaving this state in less than a month. Ivy hates her carseat more than you hate anything, but we are going to try to make a vacation out of the 4 day drive to San Antonio.
I bought my ticket to Spokane for Christmas. "For Christmas" is a general term, however, because to get the best price (and it was a great price) I had to book a flight that arrives December 18th and one that returns January 7th. I am going to be in Spokane for 3 weeks! A week after our move!
Now here's some pictures of Ivy/St. Ives/Crazy Ivan.
In today's world, everyone knows someone who is handy with a camera, willing - even eager - to snap a few pictures for you at little or no cost. Hence the general vibe of engagement, wedding, and family pictures has been more natural - generally outdoors, lots of candid shots, and plenty of options to choose from. My own wedding was done this way, and I was totally thrilled with it. Chad Keyes, who was more of a friend of a friend at the time, did such a perfect job.
AHHHH. Maybe that's why this contrived, drab, uncomfortable little photo shoot was and has since been the point of much groaning and laughter by Luke and myself. In the days following, Luke has only to say, "Remember those pictures?" and I just moan or laugh or pull them up on my computer for just one more painfully hilarious journey though each and every staged and strained image. I received an email today letting me know that the free 8 by 10 we ordered is available for pick-up. No thanks. Just...no.
If you want to see for yourself, I'll email you an invite to the exclusive viewing club. For the rest of you, I am getting Chad to take new and improved family pictures next week, and I have high hopes. He is the best.
Other news: The movers are coming in 19 days and we are officially leaving this state in less than a month. Ivy hates her carseat more than you hate anything, but we are going to try to make a vacation out of the 4 day drive to San Antonio.
I bought my ticket to Spokane for Christmas. "For Christmas" is a general term, however, because to get the best price (and it was a great price) I had to book a flight that arrives December 18th and one that returns January 7th. I am going to be in Spokane for 3 weeks! A week after our move!
Now here's some pictures of Ivy/St. Ives/Crazy Ivan.
She loves garbage cans. I feel like she loves anything that is not a toy.
Halloween! (and, let's be honest, she's going to wear this on Christmas, too)
This was shortly before she put the cat's ear in her mouth.
Luke wearing his dad's old suit, Ivy being a cookie, and me carrying around a rolling pin for like 5 minutes before I decided that my half-hearted attempt at being a baker was just not worth it.
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