Bits and Pieces

Piece by piece Kyle's nursery has come together.  I am now waiting on the last piece to be delivered before I can take pictures for the big reveal.  I feel certain that no one is as excited as I am to see the final product, but feel free to humor me and drop by to tell me what you think.  Hoping to have that final piece early next week, you can pop on over sometime next weekend for a nursery update.

Until then, I just couldn't wait to show these couple little crafts Mom and I conjured up this week during a trip to Hobby Lobby.  It seems like we go in phases with that store, and we are certainly smack dab in the middle of an "in" phase as we prepare for Kyle's and Caleb's arrival.  We spent copious amounts of time in there preparing for my wedding, so it only seems fitting that we frequent the store during this exciting time as well.  Plus, you just can't find cuter materials anywhere else.

Excluding the furniture itself, I can't think of anything in Kyle's nursery that isn't handmade or something scavenged from my parents' attic which I've modified to fit the occasion.  Thus, each piece is special because it has that personal touch.

So, we stumbled across these adorable wooden animals, pre-painted and everything for .67 cents a piece.  After pondering for a minute on what we could do with them, I decided to go look at the wooden letters.  I found the perfect size for $1 each (that's why we like short names, it makes the crafts cheaper) and picked out the K, Y, L and E.  I also found this charming giraffe which set me back 2 bucks, but I couldn't pass him up.  He is a good bit larger than the other animals, so I decided to have him as the "hanger." Plus, Kyle's name only has 4 letters and I found 5 adorable wooden animals so, it solved that little problem.

Unfortunately, I can't post a picture of the whole view, because they hang between mirrors and that would give away the rest of the unfinished nursery.  But, obviously, they are hanging by giant brown ric rac.  I painted the letters off-white with some left over paint from the crib, and added the edge details using the acrylics we bought for the paintings Holly did for his room.  The colors and animals were inspired by this panel which we purchased and Mom quilted:

While we were moseying through Hobby Lobby, Mom picked up the pieces she needed to do this "K" she had dreamed up for him a few days before.  It is a large 3D letter with patterned paper on the front and orangey-brown paint on the sides.  We couldn't pass up these darling sticker monkeys with googly eyes.  Don't they look so unassuming hanging around with their bananas?  They are just perfect.

Needless to say, I am pleased with the way things have come together.  I can hardly believe we're just 4 weeks out from his due date.  It seems like forever ago that Jonathan and I were still trying to read the Spanish instructions on the pregnancy test when the double lines showed up.

Me: "What do the double lines mean?!"

Jonathan: "Uhhhhh, positiva!"

I cried a tear of joy.  Little did I know it would feel like a decade before we'd get to meet the little miracle.  It truly feels like a dream still and I'm waiting for reality to hit.  I can hardly wait to quit waddling and sleep on my back again.  But, I get the feeling that I'm gonna miss having him in there all the time.  Regardless, I'm ready to hold him and these next 4 weeks can't go by fast enough.

~Abby

Simple Stromboli

This is a St.Clair favorite which I thought must be shared.  It is so quick and easy, you can't imagine that it tastes as good as it does!

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Start with a loaf (or 5, depending on how large your crew is) of frozen bread dough, thawed.  You can find this stuff with the frozen biscuits in the grocery store.   On a floured surface, stretch and yank the dough until you get it to about 14X5in.  Then, sprinkle cheese down the middle of the dough.

The next step requires much practice.  I have perfected it in a very short amount of time.  But, never fear, I have no doubt you'll catch on equally as fast.  Arrange pepperonis on top of the cheese while eating one for every three you put in the stromboli.  I am convinced this is the secret step, so do not omit it.  Of course, if you fancy italian sausage over pepperonis, you can substitute that (or just add to the calories by using both) but I find that it's not nearly as much fun to eat plain sausage as it is pepperonis.

Top with mas queso.  For all of you non-Spanish students that means, well, Google it.  You should know this one.

Tuck in the short ends like so.

Then stretch over the long sides and seal using a dab of water.  I like to add a little (ok, a lot) flour to the top for that delightful floury crust.  On a lightly greased cookie sheet, bake seem side down for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly brown.

Serve with warmed pizza and alfredo sauces. Enjoy!

(I didn't stop to take a picture before we dug in.  We were in a hurry tonight, hence the easy meal.  So this is the inside shot.  Also, don't mind the plastic tie, I took the picture in haste.)

Sentimental Moment...

Maybe this post is better suited for Father's Day.  But, that would be cheesier than I like to be, so January 9th it is.

The older I get, the less I take for granted.  My dad is no exception.  The countless things my dad has done for me during my life are coming into a new light as I prepare to be a parent myself.  I can only begin to scratch the surface in telling what kind of a father I have.

While Jonathan and I are settling in to have a baby and pursue our options with a mission board, we are living somewhat temporarily in an apartment not far from my parents' house.  While we were able to get a great deal on some used furniture, as well as some borrowed from dear friends, we have not purchased a washer and dryer.  Although it would be nice, we have no intentions of making that purchase while we are here.  Instead, once a week I take the laundry over to my parents and wash a few loads.  They are very gracious to let us use their machines and some water and soap.

Yesterday, when I went to the house with three loads needing to be washed, I promptly put the first load in the washer and started it.  I left and quickly forgot about the laundry all together.  Let's chalk that up to pregnancy brain and not poor wifey skills, shall we?  In any case, a couple hours later I came back down stairs only to find the first load done and in a basket by the door, another load in the dryer and the last load washing.  I don't know many men who would voluntarily do their own laundry, let alone their married daughter's and her husband's.  However, my dad doesn't fall into the normal men category.  He is an extraordinary man.

Never before have I met someone who more accurately defines the word "servant."  He is constantly doing things that may never be noticed or spoken of, and he does them with a cheerful heart.  All my life I have watched my dad give and do things and hardly ever did I stop to think about how incredible he is.  He did not have to spend his Saturday doing my laundry; I never asked him to nor would I have expected it of him.  But, he did.  And you know, he probably never thought twice of it.

He is a constant challenge and example for me and the rest of my siblings.  He is a great husband and father.  I told him the other day that I didn't deserve him.  I know I don't.  I couldn't be happier that God saw fit to bless me with such a fantastic father.

On countless occasions my dad has cried with me and laughed with me.  He has been a great friend to me my entire life and I hope I can show him, now that I am beginning to realize the many things he has done for me, how thankful I am for him.

Summer, 2007

Just before walking down the aisle, 2009

Daddy/Daughter dance

Daddy/Daughter dance

I love you, Dad. 

~Abby

Dinner at Home

I am my mother's daughter;  I love to cook.  There isn't a part of cooking I don't like, except maybe cleaning the burners if something spills over.  As we finish putting the final touches on our new semi-temporary quarters, I figured I'd share a few photos from our first dinner on our new (borrowed) kitchen table.

All set and ready.  We are so grateful to our generous friends for loaning us their table while we are here.  Eating from a table sure beats eating on the floor.

One serving of fresh broccoli steaming, naturally, since I'm the only one of the two of us who will touch the stuff.  I just can't convince Jono that it really IS yummy!  

Four servings of smashed potatoes cooking in another pot.  No, that's not two for J, one for Mom, one for Kyle.  It's one for Mom and Kyle and the rest for J. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu in the pretty green baking dish my Grandmama gave me for Christmas.  Before you get too impressed, I must admit to buying the chicken ready-made.  My favorite grocery (Aldi) sells these little packages of yumminess for 99 cents a piece.  Can't beat that.

As usual, I have lots of help in the kitchen.  And eating my food.

Can you guess who's plate this is?

After cooking for 9 months in Mexico using a toaster oven, two electric burners, a microwave, and about 3.5 feet of counter work space, I feel like my tiny apartment kitchen competes with Paula Dean's. Basically, I'm in housewife heaven with four burners, a full size oven and enough space to cut potatoes without knocking half of them on the floor.   

We demolished this meal. 

~Abby

Deposits, fees, deductibles, money suckers.....

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine life could cost so much.  How do people without a reasonable amount of liquid cash live in this world?  As J and I are trying to get settled in for some unknown period (approx 9 months?) of time, in order to have a baby and proceed with a mission board, I am astounded at how much MONEY everything takes!

We went to sign an apartment lease this morning.  There was a $35 application fee.  That is actually quite low compared so some $200 worth of fees we were told about at other apartment places.  But, really, an application fee?  Wait, you want to charge ME to sign my name saying I'm agreeing to pay YOU hundreds of dollars a month to have your roof over my head?  What kind of crazy world do we live in?  Who in their right and reasonable mind came up with the idea of a fee to charge someone filling out an application?!

While we were signing the lease, we were informed that we're required to pay a $600 security deposit.  Goodie.  I get to hope for the next 9 months that I keep the place clean enough to get my $600 back when I move out.  I promise I'll try my hardest.  I do understand this deposit (and at least it was that and not a FEE) and somewhat grudgingly signed the check.

Ahhh, utilities.  Yes, we all use them.  We have no other choice.  So I called the gas company and spoke with the kindest customer service agent.  Really, she was a doll.  She even waved the $150 deposit after she spoke on the phone with my dad (he has a perfect credit report and has used their service for years) who agreed to cosign for his married daughter and pay if we aren't good for the bill money.  Good thing HE trusts us.  Dear lady did tell me NOT to run the gas unless the electricity has been turned on.  So, I called the electric company.  She told me we needed to come into the office to fill out the application. 

I bet that means I get to pay an application fee. 

Before I hung up, she told me that I would need my Social Security card and driver's license.  Oh, and $500 for the deposit.  Um, excuse me, did you say five HUNDRED dollars?  Isn't that like 6 months of electricity anyways?!  Fortunately, we have good credit and they are going to run a credit report to see if they can graciously wave the deposit.  Jonathan even called back and a different lady told him it could either be a $200 deposit or a $500 one.

You mean we get to choose?  Hmm, wonder which one I'M gonna pick.  

Then there's the refundable $10 membership fee.  Wouldn't having refundable and fee in the same phrase constitute calling that a deposit? Regardless, after that we can either pay $65 to have the electricity turned on today (Friday) or $40 for next day service, which in our case means Monday since they don't flip the switches on Saturday or Sunday.  So, J called back to see how much it would be to turn it on Tuesday.  Same thing, $40.  Obviously, it's not a "next day" fee it's an "anytime" fee.  Seriously?  You want to charge me at least $40 to just TURN my electricity on?

Can I just come down and and flip it myself? 

What kind of money sucking game is this?  I think you have Boardwalk AND Park Avenue.  And I'm stuck in jail.  I quit.

Now we're looking into medical insurance.  We can't get anything to cover Kyle until after he is born.  They say we are declined since we're "expectant parents." 

So, I can just see it now.  As the Dr tries to hand Kyle over to the proud daddy, Jonathan is going to say, "Sorry, can't hold him right now, gotta run find some wi-fi to buy his health insurance!"  It's almost humorous; but, it's NOT!  We're looking at "cheap" plans.  That means we get to pay $185 a month and then still pay for everything else out of pocket up to $10,000 for Kyle if he gets deathly ill.  Jonathan better stay fit as a fiddle, or we're out another 10K.  If we were so bold as it try to get a smaller deductible, we'd be forking out $600 month.  What kind of poor newly weds have money for this kind of stuff?  No wonder people wait ten years to have kids.  Good thing I'm covered on my dad's insurance, or we'd really be up a creek.  Thanks, Obama.  Although I don't agree with it, it sure is coming in handy right now.

Preesh.

So, basically, our entire savings is either caught up in deposits or on hold in case we have to use it to pay our insurance deductible.

Oh, I forgot to mention, when I go for my first Dr visit (yes, I said first.  I'm 7 months pregnant and have only seen a Dr one time in Mexico) they are going to take a $225 deposit in case there is stuff my (dad's) insurance doesn't cover.   With their prices, I can't imagine $225 is going to go very far.  But, whatever.

Sluuuuuuuuuurpppppppppp.

(That's the sound of the money coming out of our bank account.)

~Abby

I Knew I Loved You

For any of you who were at our wedding and remember that Jonathan and I danced to Savage Garden's I Knew I Loved You, you probably made the connection then.  It's no secret that Jonathan and I were very much fond of each other before we ever met face to face.  However, that feeling was not something new to me.  I have experienced this unusual occurrence six different times thus far in my life.

Although I cannot remember well what I felt when my family adopted my sister, Lacy, when I was four years old, I am told that I spoke of her often during the waiting process.  As much as a four year old can love someone she had never met, I assure you I loved her like that.  My mom likes to tell about the time that I told her we needed to "pray for our baby."  That was certainly my first encounter with loving someone I'd never met.

(Lacy's referral photo)

I do remember distinctly the love I felt for Holly before I ever met her.  Before she knew I existed, I yearned for her and loved her beyond understanding.  I was immediately drawn to her, the moment I saw her picture on the flyer from our adoption agency.  During the time we waited to bring her home, I wrote letters to her.  I specifically remember crying as I wrote, as I longed to meet her more than I could explain.  I plan to give Holly those letters when she is old enough to read and comprehend the emotion held in them.   I was 13 years old at that time.  Watching my parents and Ryan walk towards me with Holly in the Atlanta airport is something I'll never forget.  After months of waiting to meet her, it truly felt like a dream to see her precious face.

(The first picture of Holly I saw on the flyer from the agency)

Similarly, I cherished Maggie Rose before she ever came home.  The decision to adopt Maggie came almost exactly a year from the time my parents came home with Holly.  I didn't, however, have any trouble loving Maggie in spite of the fact that Holly was still brand new.  I longed for Maggie and I remember her home coming well, again in the Atlanta airport.  

(Maggie's referral photo)

When Jonathan and I were introduced, within weeks I knew I loved him.  Some people thought I was crazy and a few were so bold as to tell me so.  But, loving someone without meeting them was something I knew well.  After we had the approval of our parents to pursue a "relationship", if you will (more like get married), I remember feeling that I was really close to him, although we were thousands of miles apart.  As with my sisters, we never spoke on the phone before we met.  And like with Holly, I wrote him letters.  Long letters.  Only, this time, unlike Holly, he wrote back.  Oh, how I loved him.  And still do.  More now than I did then, although I wouldn't have believed it if you'd try to tell me it was possible.  So, there was no more fitting song for our first dance than I Knew I Loved You.

(The first time Jonathan and I met - in the Houston airport)

Tonight as I rubbed my rapidly growing belly, I thought of how much I love this child growing inside of me.  This is not a new development, but it is an increasingly strong emotion.  I am certain that in the next 15 weeks until he is due, I will grow to love him more deeply than I could ever imagine.  

(My baby)

Right before we found out we were expecting, my parents began discussing another adoption.  I can't say I was terribly shocked, yet on the other hand it wasn't something I was expecting.  And this time, it's a boy!  I look forward with great anticipation to meeting my brother, Caleb, in another airport I'm sure.  He will be welcomed into our family with open arms.  I love him and he doesn't know I exist. 

(Sadly, I cannot post a picture of Caleb.  But, he's cute, I promise!)

As Jonathan and I dream of our future and the many plans the Lord has for us which we do not yet know, we constantly speak of our desire to adopt.  I am having a hard time waiting to see what God has in store for us, but I am certain that it will involve love.  A lot of love.  And I pray that it includes multiple more chances to love someone sight unseen.

"I knew I loved you before I met you, I think I dreamed you into life;

I knew I loved you before I met you, I have been waiting all my life."

~Abby

Devos with Jade

I am fully aware that I have about a four track mind right now.  The vast majority of my thoughts are consumed by but a very few things.  Baby, kitty, food and sleep - pretty much in that order.  My husband reminds me of this quite often.  Thus, you may be seeing some very clear patterns in my blog posts.  Do forgive my repetitiveness.  If you are bored by hearing about the baby growing in my belly, my intense need for extra calories, or my adoration for a certain black feline, you might as well check back in about 5 months for posts about things that might interest you more.  I will ask tomorrow about whether or not I am allowed to bring a camera into Christ Central, so I can post about what we've been able to do there as we wait for answers regarding future ministry options.  If that would interest you more, do check back.

That being said, I will proceed with my purpose for writing this post.

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions.  They never seem to work out too well for me.  But, as January rolled around for 2010, I made the resolution, or commitment if you will, to read the Bible every day.  That may sound like no huge task to many of you.  However, I will admit to letting life get in the way far too often in recent years.  Being an unashamed nonreader, it is not, or I should say was not, my most favorite thing to do.  I now very much look forward to climbing into bed at night and snuggling up with my Bible.  I am even enjoying reading the Old Testament.  

Many times in the past I have started to read the whole Bible through, start to finish.  I have failed every time.  If I ever got much past Genesis 17, I'd be surprised.  I used to just hop around the New Testament and Psalms.  Growing up we did family Bible studies regularly during the week, and always read from both the Old and New Testaments.  So, many of the stories I am coming across are familiar to me, however some of them have been brand new.  In an attempt to not start in Genesis and fail again, I started in the New Testament and bounced around book to book until I finished everything except Revelation.  I plan to do an in-depth study of Revelation, as it is a very detailed and at times difficult to understand book.  Now entering into the middle of the Old Testament, I am really appreciating reading about the kings and Israel.  During my time in the law books, I had to add a little joy in my reading so I read Psalm at the same time.  

It doesn't hurt that I have a sleepy little reading buddy.  Sometimes she comes and curls up with me as I read.  Other times, I have to scoot her over and out of my spot so I can get in the bed, too.  Regardless, she is attentive occasionally and I believe, learning as much as can be expected.

More typical is a position like this one:

However she wants to learn is fine with me.  I'm still trying to get her to fall asleep on it, hoping that maybe she'll absorb some into that fur brain of hers. 

At the very least, she's pretty.

That's all for now, folks.  My baby really likes banana pudding.

~Abby