Determined To Post...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I am determined to start posting more regularly, but lately there hasn't been just a whole lot to share with the blogging world.

So, a few pictures for you follow :)

I found the cutest 2011 planner to help me stay organized. Cute little note cards to keep up with friends and promote my photography business. The Sharpie packs were at Sam's Club. The price worked out to about fifty cents per marker. They have colors that coordinate with the note cards for cute whimsical little notes and with the planner.

If you know me, you already know that anything organizational caused my heart to beat faster. What you may not know is that anything color-coordinated makes me downright giddy!

The employees at my local Half Price Books know both Alex and I. I'm on a first name basis with one of the managers. That's how much I enjoy that store!

A few weeks ago, I began searching for a few books on adoption. I found some great ones for a pretty great price!
James Dobson's book "Bringing Up Boys" was only three dollars! I had been hearing a lot of buzz on the book "The Connected Child" by Karyn Purvis. Karyn Purvis actually does her work at Fort Worth's TCU (Texas Christian University)!

I started stalking the adoption section at Half Price Books and found an almost new copy. This book has tons of insight into an adopted child's mindset. It was really helpful to me in understanding the neurological basis of their fears and reactions.

I still haven't finished them, but I highly recommend all three of these books!

On a different note, I finally broke down and set an appointment for a haircut tomorrow. I'll try to take a before and after picture to post!

Super Excited!

Friday, October 15, 2010
I am so excited! Why, you might ask, is this girl so excited? Well, let me tell you about it...

First of all, I bet you never have those periods in your life where you think to yourself "I know God has a plan for me. I do! I just wish I knew what the heck it was!"

Yeah, I know. Everyone has those periods, but sometimes I feel like my whole life is lived in this period of uneasy, half-hearted trust. I don't think you can actually call it trust when you are holding on to your trembling confidence by the very tips of your fingernails. To be honest, sometimes, I'm just curled up in the corner hoping no one realizes that my confidence level has dipped dramatically!

Anyway...Alex and I have been wondering when we would have the opportunity to get married and start a family. It didn't even seem like a real possibility. It is definitely something that makes me want to throw up my hands and say "So, God, what IS the plan? I wouldn't mind knowing, if that's alright with you. No, seriously. I wouldn't mind. I'm getting a little frustrated here!"

So, we talked about it, and we decided we really needed to start asking God "What's the plan?" or at least "What's the next step?"

Then, this week, like a hurricane of blessings rolling in... I was able to sign up for a photography class I've wanted to attend for about a year or so AND Alex got a call back for a job interview.
Not just any job interview. A job interview with a starting salary that means that...

1) We have an actual chance of getting married
2) We could do it debt-free (which is way high up on our list of goals!)
3) We could live WAY below our means and save like crazy people, which would give us the opportunity to...
4) Adopt way sooner than we ever dreamed!

So, dear friends, I am super excited.
I am requesting that you pray for us that...

1) Alex gets this amazing job
2) I do great in my class
3) I can build my business quickly and
4) We stay excited no matter what happens!

I've already told God that I am accepting that He might have something better for us, but if not, I am humbly requesting that He grant us this opportunity.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Lots of Love,
Your Favorite Ragamuffin

My heart hurts for you, my friend...

Thursday, October 14, 2010
I wish I were in another place.
You see, I have this friend who needs me.
She needs me to be her friend and hold her hand.
She needs me to tell her it will be okay and not to give up.

And it sucks that I can't jump on a plane and be there by morning.

She needs me to remind her that His love never fails.
She needs me to tell her that loving an imperfect human takes work.
She needs me to hug her and hold her hand while we watch High School Musical or something equally mindless.

Because, you see, she's not just a friend. She's a sister in my heart.
My heart hurts because I know she is laying in bed crying and needing a friend.

And it sucks that I'm stuck here.

Just know, friend, that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm coming soon, friend.
I'm coming soon to hold your hand and dry your tears.