Infertility: The Board Game

I really was not bitter when I made this.  Promise.  I was just being funny.  Just finding humor in the situation.  That’s all. 

Thank goodness for Spencie.  At least I don’t have to play alone. 

Book Review: Delivering Hope

I am so excited to share an awesome read with you guys! 

I actually was contacted about this book several months ago and was waiting on pins and needles to get my hands on a copy.  I was finally able to read it for the first time yesterday and it did not disappoint.  This book was beautiful.  Meaningful.  Uplifting.  Inspiring.  I read the whole thing in one sitting. 

I don’t want to give too much away, but here’s the synopsis:

Olivia Spencer wants to be a mom more than anything else in the whole world, but years of infertility have wounded her soul and placed a strain on her marriage to Michael.  Now, Olivia finds herself wondering if the life she has built will even survive.

Allison Campbell is a recent high school graduate who discovers that a moment of excitement has led to an unplanned pregnancy and an overwhelming heartache.

As the lives of these two women touch, we see that deep love can pave the way for sacrifice, and we all learn the true source of hope and healing.

I loved the parallels between characters and the beautiful way in which each woman's story intertwined.  Olivia’s character resonated with me so strongly that at times it felt like I was reading about my own life.  The characters may be fictional, but the emotion behind this book is very real.  I truly connected with the characters through their heartache and rejoiced in their triumph.   

I actually had the opportunity to meet the author at last years FSA.  Jennifer Ann Holt is as sweet as they come.  She is giving away a signed copy of the book to two individuals, and a singed bookmark and Delivering Hope magnet to five individuals.  There are a few ways to enter:’

1. Become a follower of Jennifer’s blog:  www.jenshopefulwriting.blogspot.com and leave a comment letting her know you stopped by!
2. “Like” the Delivering Hope facebook fan page:  www.facebook.com/DeliveringHopeNovel
3. Watch the book trailer:  www.bit.ly/peCixw and post a comment on the facebook page telling what you liked about it.

The winners will be randomly chosen at the conclusion of the blog tour and posted on both Jen’s blog and the Facebook fan page by 10:00 am on Saturday, February 11th. 

Delivering Hope will be officially released on February 8th.  I’m dying for you guys to read it so we can discuss!    

Hot Air Balloon Nursery Reveal

I know I have been taking about showing pictures of the nursery for weeks now.  For the most part it’s been ready for a while, but to be honest, there are just a couple little tiny things I’m still working on, so I kept putting this off.  But I decided that I will never get pictures up if I wait to have everything 100% just how I want it.  So… here we are!  Step on in, I’ll give you the tour.   
This is my favorite room in the whole house. 

There are going to be just a couple more pictures in that lovely collage above. We want to put a picture of Baby’s birthfather up, as well as a quote I love.  You might recognize that picture of Tasha from my post here.  I made the “boy oh boy” wall art as well.  I was so pleased with how it turned out!  We have pretty much decided on a name for Baby (and no it’s not Lydio haha).  But here’s a little clue: it does begin with L :). 

I also want to put this printable I made up there somewhere, I just haven’t gotten around to printing it yet.  If you like it, feel free to help yourself to a copy :).

We did a little bit of work on that changing table and were quite proud of the final outcome.  And that lovely old luggage there…I found that at a garage sale for a couple of bucks months ago.  I knew it would come in handy for photo shoots, or in this case for diaper storage.  That little monkey fellow was mine when I was a little girl.  I LOVED monkeys (still do actually) and collected a whole fleet of stuffed monkeys.  It’s been fun to think of Baby Boy enjoying some of my childhood toys. 

I’m sure you remember these little beauties from my post here.  They are perhaps my favorite thing in the whole room.  I’m worked so hard to make them and was so pleased with how they turned out.  We kind of based the decorations for the whole room on those hot air balloons.  

B is for… balloons, bikes, Blake, baby, boy…   I LOVE this little shelf.  That little bike with a basket was a table decoration at my wedding reception!  And I do love that owl baby with his balloon.

The bunting is a bit washed out in this photo, but we love that big window that lets in so much natural light. 

In the corner between the bookshelf and the changing table is the rocking chair that we refinished.  Along with another one of the quilt creations that I made specifically to fit the theme of the room.  The child is going to have quilts coming out of his ears, I tell you what.  It has been SO fun to sew things for Baby.  I kind of can’t stop.   

Honestly, I don’t know how to make the bright colors NOT look funky on a computer screen.  The quilt looks better in real life.  Just trust me on this one. 

Oh, and Spencie gave me this clock as a Christmas present.  Isn’t it sweet?  He was so excited to find it. 
Well, I think that about concludes our tour.  Hopefully the next time you see this room there will be a cute fat baby in there :).

Missing This

Today I’m missing this place:

And these people:

It’s funny how a just a couple of weeks ago I was wearing short sleeves and basking in the California sunshine.  Now I’m wearing two pairs of socks, bundled head to toe in flannel, and watching a grey drizzle out the window.  Sigh… I’ve never been the biggest fan of winter. 

But editing these photos made me so happy!  Sunshine’s always just around the corner. 

The Fords: Help Them Find Their Baby

I had the pleasure of meeting Keira through blogging.  Though we have never met in person, I have grown to love this girl so much.  It wont’ take long for you to see why; she’s such a sweetheart!  Keira has been a wonderful support to me through our adoption journey.  She is one of those people that is very other-focused.  She is always asking how we are doing and what is going on in our lives, even though she has a lot going on in her life as well.   

I asked Keira to share a little bit of her story with all of you:

From the first date that Steve and I went on I knew he was a keeper. He opened the door for me, took my jacket and was a complete gentlemen. He's always treated me with love and respect and is genuinely looking out for me. There are times where I seriously have to pinch myself because I always am thinking how did I get so lucky?  Steve is my best friend. my better half and my eternal companion.  We work hand in hand at everything and I'm grateful it's been that way from the beginning.

Steve and I found out last year that we have infertility. It was a big gulp to swallow. We had always thought that when we were ready to have children we would have children! We tried multiple procedures to help us get our lil' one but none of the tests worked. After prayers and discussing all of our options.We both decided that Adoption was the next right step for us.

The process can be overwhelming at times, but we know that its all so worth it when we as a family can be sealed together in the temple for the eternities. Infertility has helped me to gain a better understanding of God's plan and also of my own worth. Adoption is such an amazing and humbling experience. We both know that we won't be getting just any baby, but we will be finding our baby through this process.

I wanted to share Keira’s story with you for a couple of reasons.  One, Keira is an amazing person and has a beautiful perspective on life.  And two, I wanted to help Keira and Steve spread the word.  Spencer and I have been so blessed by friends who have shared our story and our information.  We have seen miracles in our life because of so much wonderful support.  Could you please offer your support to my sweet friend too? 

Here is their family blog.  Please stop by and say hello! 

Getting Ready

When we were in Califo for Christmas, my adorable sister, Chelsey, took some photos of us.  This one is one of my faves.  It’s definitely going up in the nursery, which is turning out really cute, I’ll have to share photos soon! 

In the meantime, here is the tiniest little sneak peak of my latest quilt and puppy trying out the crib: