Chicago!

So excited!  Eric and I are going to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary with a trip to Chicago in June!  My sweetie kind of surprised me with it, even though we had been discussing options and budget.  Chicago was certainly one of my top picks, but we hadn't totally settled on it.  Lo and Behold, today, I open my e-mail and there is an itinerary from Southwest in my inbox!  Hooray!  We've also got tickets for Wicked, and hotel booked (I found out via e-mail on those, too!).  So, what else should we do?  Architecture, and the lake, and art, and food!  So much to do!

I love Egyptian Kings!

We've been watching this commercial over and over again.  The kids love it and so do I.  For me, it shouts of His amazing creation!  And the song is catchy, too.  :-)

Ballerina

So much going on that I feel I can't begin to blog.  Maybe there is a "Bits" post coming soon, but not now?

Mamamade happened and then I hit the ground running with preparations for company and a number of other things.

Can I distract you from my lack of blogging with a picture of my latest linocut?  :-)

"Ballerina"

image size 6"x8" on 8"x10" paper

printed on printer's paper made from mulberry and bamboo fibers

custom mixed inks (in a range of pinks), Speedball water-soluble ink

limited edition of 30

I plan on gifting a few with baby gifts to some Mommies having girls.  (I think a "girl wave" is happening... four people I know have had girls or are expecting girls!)  The remaining prints are available for sale (minus one I'm hanging in Lael's room).

Wise beyond his years

All my children are smart, of course.  But, Dean has this amazing ability to learn things that I didn't teach him.  His colors?  Knew before I taught him- just picked it up.  His numbers?   Started counting them out without much prompting.  His letters?  Um, I kind of taught him- but not really.  Then there are these life truths that he just floors me with.  Every time he talks about something being his favorite, he is very specific about saying it is his #2.  "My number two favorite friend is Teagen".  Why?  Well, "because God is first".

So, last week, Dean and Lael were in the dining room coloring and talking and genuinely being sweet to each other.  It was already a perfect moment.  And then Lael gets up and hides behind her chair.

Dean: Where did you go, Lael?

Lael: I'm invisible [sneaky grin]

Dean: There's no such thing as invisible.

Mom: Well...

Dean: No!  There's not really anything invisible.

Mom: What about the wind?  We can't see it, but it's there.  What about God?  We know He's there but we can't see Him.

Dean: God's not invisible.

Mom: Have you seen Him?

Dean: We can't see Him, but He's not invisible.  He's just invisible to humans.

[Mom remains quiet.  Her son has a point.  And it's brilliant.]

One Year on The List

One whole year ago today, our family officially joined others on a wait list to adopt from Taiwan.  We are expecting to wait another 2-6 months for a referral and can not wait to see our daughter's picture.  In honor of this day, I share with you an entry from my Daily Life journal a few weeks back.  I write in the journal most mornings, after reading my Bible and praying- it serves as a written history of my journey with God and a reminder of His faithfulness and provision.

March 27, 2008- "The Perfect Timing of a Full, Full, Blessing"

This past week we learned that our agency expects it to be another 3-6 months before we are referred a child- before we get the first picture of our future daughter.  Why is God making us wait so long?  We're growing impatient and so deeply desire to have her in our family.  But, knowing that the Lord set out this path for us, we want to trust Him and, deep down, past the emotion of it, we know that it will be far better on Jesus' plan and time than mine.  Reading in Luke, I am reminded that when God's perfect timing is involved, there is full, full blessing.

Luke 5:1-9 (New International Version)

 1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down^[b] the nets for a catch."

 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

 6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

These fishermen had quit for the day and wewre washing their nets (v. 2).  Jesus comes along, and uses their boats as a platform to speak from- a pulpit.  And after Jesus teaches the multitude, he tells these fishermen- these future disciples- to sail further out and cast their nets.  Now, they've had no success all night, but at Jesus' request, they obey and catch such a great number of fish that they have to call in an extra boat and they still both started to sink, even after sharing the weight.  All who witnessed were astonished.

Points to consider:  

1. Regardless of what we've done on our own, God's perfect timing produces full, full blessing.

2. The full, full catch happened *after* the fishermen learned from Jesus' teaching.

3. The miraculous catch caused astonishment.  God's perfectly timed blessings are for the wonder and amazement of people- so they see Him through what has happened.

God,

Our adoption is in Your hands and we trust You with the timing of this miracle.  I pray that we are learning what we need to learn, growing where we need to grow, and using the extended wait to better prepare.  May all who hear of our adoption miracle know that each step was guided by You and was only possible because of Your touch. ~Amen.

I have a three year old- that's how!!!

So, this morning, I'm getting Grant ready for school.  Waking sleepy Dean.  Getting my shoes.  And, out of the corner of my eye, I see that Lael is helping herself to a glass of milk since the jug was still sitting on the counter.  After a moment of holding my breath because she might spill it, I see that she's successful, exhale, and continue to get Grant's folder in his backpack and then FORGET ABOUT THE MILK.  Once we whisk Grant off to school and return, I remember and now we can not find the milk!  A gallon jug of milk with at least 1/4 a gallon of milk left.  And I think, "Seriously?  Are you kidding me?  How?!  How???!!!"

Do I really sound like that?!

The Mamamade interview for Talk of the Town aired today.  If you missed it, encore airings will be on Channel 50 at noon and 4 p.m. the same day, and again at 9 a.m.on the 24th (Nashville channels, of course).  You can now view the segment online, too if you click this link and watch the video titled: Artistically Juggling the Demands of Motherhood and Jobs.  After the into commerical, our segment is roughly 4 minutes long and I'm at the end (Lael is at the beginning fighting over a hoola hoop, and Dean is seated in my lap- Grant was at school and, well, we all know where our other daughter is...)

I feel so blessed that things are going as well as they are- God has had His hand in so much of this and I couldn't be happier.

Not The Call.

We're not at the top of the list for girls with our agency.  I know this.  I know who is.  And yet, when I saw the listing for For Every Child come up on caller ID today, my heart started pounding and in the seconds it took me to answer the phone, I thought:

"maybe they have enough children this go 'round to match a bunch of families"

"maybe someone passed on a referral"

"maybe they're calling us with a referral"

This proves that Adoptive Parent Brain (aka Paper Pregnant Brain) is just as illogical and prone to emotional outbursts as normal baby-in-the-belly Pregnant Brain.  Because, HELLO!, we are No Where Near getting Our Referral.

Carrie, the Waiting Family Coordinator, was just calling to "touch base" and confirmed that we aren't anywhere near our referral.  She also let me know that when we come within 90 days of a referral (their best estimate, anyway) that we'll get a call to say as much.  This helps Eric and I a lot to know that we won't get an out-of-the-blue call shocking us with the news  and requesting the first installment of agency fees (we'll probably still be shocked!).

So, for now, we continue to wait.  We will be patient.

James 1:2-4

"2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Romans 5:3-5

"we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

To our little daughter, yet to be known, 

We think about you, pray for you, and trust the Lord's perfect timing, resting assured that He is protecting you while he prepares us both for the day we welcome you into our family.

Comments

I'm not really sure what's going on with Blogger, but I guess the comments aren't working properly.  (I've checked all my settings, so hopefully they'll get it worked out soon.

Eric, usually a non-commenter, wanted to pop on and comment that the blue door photo is, yes, a beefeater's residence.  BUT, the even better, much more interesting fact is that those apartments were the Royal Lodgings where Ann Boleyn stayed before her coronation (anyone watching The Tudors?) and, ironically, where she stayed while awaiting her execution.  I love my husband and his knowledge of history.  :-)

Another little fun thing about the Tower of London.  The bathrooms had one of the new hand dryers from Dyson.  So cool.  And they TOTALLY work.  Yes, I'm a geek and took a photo. 

England Trip (still!)- March 7, 8, 9

Yeah, yeah... I know that this is over a month ago now.  You can skip the post altogether, feign interest, or just humor me, read through and comment.  :-)

March 7th- MY BIRTHDAY (and Mary's).   I've spent at least two birthdays in England.  It seems that the fares are at their cheapest this time of year and then I have the added benefit of being with the people I love on my special day!  We opted to head for the road and spend the day in Brighton.  I feel confident that I'd been there as a young girl, but I have no memory of the place so it was all new to me.  We found a place to park and came out of the car park to findMama Cherri's, of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmare's fame (the BBC version)!  We love the Gordon Ramsay shows and felt like it was an experience worth having, so we popped in for lunch.  The meal was okay- I got the bell pepper stuffed with a lentil mixture, jambalaya on the side.  The place is super kid friendly- upon walking in, one of the employees gave us some toys for the kids to play with.  BIG, bulky type toys that made noise.  I was horrified each time it would chime or one of the balls would drop on the floor... but I don't think the staff minded and the people seated behind us said it wasn't bothering them.  All in all, not a bad place to eat- but quite pricey.  The kids meals weren't any cheaper than the adult meals, and with the conversion rate, I think lunch set us back $100 before tip!

After lunch, we hit the shore.  I tottered over the sea-smoothed rocks to walk to the water (my back was still hurting at this point) and the kids seemed to really enjoy the ability to run free.  It was freezing out, though, so after a brief frolic, we called them together to walk the pier.  Brighton's pier is kind of like the Santa Monica Pier- kind of carnival-like.  I'm sure during the summer, it is full of games, and food, and loud noise.  During the winter, the indoor arcade games are still available and that is what we did.  Lael rode a plastic horse that controlled a video game, and the boys rode a pair of motorcycles that did the same.  We took a quick stroll down through the shops and I could see that Brighton is quite the posh town: Cath Kidston,Monsoon, MAC and so on.  Probably a shopper's paradise.  I wouldn't know; I'm not a shopper (especially with the previously mentioned conversion rates) but it was nice looking and all the shops had great window displays.  We did make a purchase at Starbucks, though, and continued to stroll on toward the seaside castle-like estate of King George IV.  Pressed for time, we didn't do a tour, but I snapped a lot of lovely photographs.

Upon arriving back closer to London, we met up with my family for my birthday dinner.  My Aunt Jacquie asked if I had requests and I really wanted it to be easy, and family friendly (but not overrun with kids like Chuck E Cheese or something), and I said that I like most things but pizza makes me happy.  Well, I was blown away with how wonderful the Zizzi's Pizza in Banstead was!  Great decor- modern, cozy, clean lines.  Prices were reasonable, and the food was great.  You could see the kitchen staff working with the huge pizza oven, and the place was bustling!  And because of the clattering and buzz of other diners, my children were perfectly fine talking and giggling.  In fact, at the end of the meal, my grandma ribbed the diners at the table behind us because they were louder than us (with four children in our party).  That table had, probably, eight people all in their 30s and they loved my grandma's teasing.  I love that about her.  She fits in just as well with the young crowd as she does her own generation.  People from all groups, ages, and cultures find her to be a gem.

The following day, we ventured out to London via train with my aunt, uncle, and cousin.  We took the Tower of London tour (one of the beefeaters was the same one in all of our pictures from 8 years ago!), ate inside the castle gates at the eatery there, snapped pictures in Trafalgar Square in front of the lions in spite of the demonstration that was being held (a tradition since I was young), and rode the London Eye.  After that, Eric and I felt a bit exhausted and were ready to head home.  No energy for cooking, we ordered fish and chips and called it a night!

Prints

For some time now, I've been scanning in my artwork to keep as a portfolio.  Often enough, I give things as gifts or sell pieces and I want to have them to look back on.  This week, for the first time, I placed an order with a print shop for some glossy prints of these originals and was rather pleased with the result.  I think they are a great addition to the Etsy shop for anyone who wants a splash of color without breaking the bank.  In fact, the same day I listed a print of "Red Tulips", it sold.  Yay!  Tack one to your corkboard, cut it up for use in collage, or cover a book.  Of course, they can also be framed- but that is the obvious choice.  So, I'm offering them on Etsy for $12+shipping, and will be selling them at Mamamade for $10.

The painting I finished today, "Dogwood", is already scanned in.

9x12" 

Yarka pan watercolor on Strathmore (594-1) watercolor paper

The stunning blooms on our dogwood tree in the front yard were my inspiration.  I never stop being amazed at how simple, and beautiful they are.  We also have another dogwood on the side yard that produces pink blooms, but they haven't burst open yet.  Last year, we had a late frost that killed the blooms shortly after they opened, leaving horrible black-brown shriveled foliage hanging from the branches.  Apparently, we aren't yet out of the woods this year, because some pretty cold weather is headed our way tonight.  In fact, some mutterings about snow flurries were circulating yesterday.  And that comes on the heels of 81 degree weather from a few days ago!  Seriously, Nashville?  Come on.

Our Little Daredevil

We've started taking the boy's to the skate park in the neighborhood.  Grant is doing a great job of learning how to turn, and is growing in confidence.  Dean, has all the confidence in the world (not an ounce of fear!) but lacks the skills necessary to stand on the board.  His solution?  Lay on the board on his belly or his back.  He uses this method on the slopes of the park and even in the bottom of the pool.  Watching his style, we've said before that he'll end up doing skeleton or something in the X Games when he's a young man.  Well, Eric found the perfect picture this morning and e-mailed it to me with the message, "Dean in 15 years".

Red Tulips

Well, I decided on two things yesterday.  No, three.  1. I'm going to leave "artist" as the descriptor on my business cards.  Thanks everyone for the input.  I'll randomly select someone to receive a little goodie from me...winner in the next post.  2. I'm not going to post the nest painting to my Etsy shop unless it doesn't sell at Mamamade.  Organizing the event this time has meant a lot less creating time and I don't want an empty booth.  3. I am totally taking Jessie up on her offer to design business cards for me which is a serious relief because she's great with that kind of stuff and I'm not.  Another time I might be up for a challenge, but not in the middle of all I have going on.  I told her it would be a trade so I can't wait to see what piece of art she'd like me to create for her!

When I sent around the Mamamade invite to my friends, a neighbor of mine asked if I might be interested in creating a piece for her mother whose birthday is coming up.  I told her to have a back-up present, but then found that an image solidified in my mind and I had to paint it.  She's seen it, and loves it.  Now I share it with you:

"Red Tulips"

8x10"

watercolor on Strathmore watercolor paper

Untitled Watercolor

Here is a piece I finished recently.  I'm terrible with titles of my paintings, so it is unnamed at the moment.

9"x12"

watercolor and india ink

This was such a joy to paint, and it turned out just how I envisioned.  I think that is every artist's struggle- getting the medium/ one's own hand to perform the way you want so that your mental picture matches what is created.  Grant is even struggling in that area right now with his drawings.  Just this morning, I complimented one of his illustrations from a school project and he expressed his frustration that it wasn't how he wanted it.  It's not a lack of confidence, he just was disappointed that he had trouble making it what was in his head.  I issued the parental advice of "practice, practice, practice" and shared with him that I still have that happen to me.  I'm just so tickled that he's finally having fun with drawing enough to *care* how it turns out!

I'll probably have this painting available at Mamamade, unless it sells on Etsy beforehand.

Cards, Cards, Cards...um, and more cards. (and a contest)

For Mamamade, we ordered 1,000 lovely glossy, gorgeous postcards with Beth Howard's beautiful logo and invite design.  They really aren't meant to be mailed postcard-style, but to be handed out.  The back side shows a sweet map of Franklin, Lillie Belle's and where the Main Street festival will be, along with a list of the participants.  And all of us Mamas are going to distribute them to people we know, and post them in prominent spots around Nashville.  We bought them at a very good price from VistaPrint.  Anyway, in the box was a promo "catalog" of their services with even greater discounts.  Like, 250 business cards for $3.99.  Once you add glossy finish, and uploading of personal images, and printing on the back of the card, you've paid more that $4, but the price is still REALLY good.  So, I'm thinking it's time to upgrade from my home printed, cut-with-scissors business cards to something more reflective of my work and my taste.  If I want it for Mamamade, I had better work quickly.

Here is what I need help on.  My Etsy name is "Tisra Fadely Originals"- that's fine- I'm fine with that and want it on the card.  But, is there some sort of tagline or description that I should have?  My sad little home printer cards just read, "artist".  I do sewing, knitting, painting, linoleum block print, and custom work.  What should I put?  C'mon everyone, get creative and help me out!  I'll toss in a giftie for the tagline I choose (unless I come up with something witty of my own, in which case I'll randomly choose a commenter to receive the prize).  No idea what the prize is yet, but I'll let the winner know here on the blog some time this week.

England Trip- March 5 & 6

Can it be that I'm now a whole month behind?  Yikes.  A lot going on for Mamamade and normal day-to-day family life (as you can imagine....) but I do want to post the rest of our trip before it leaves my mind.

March 5th, I spent in bed.  There were calls to the local doctor to see if they might help me.  We even looked into the forms I'd need to fill out to be covered by the government health plan.  In the end, the nurse was kind enough to tell me that even if I came into their office, they would simply recommend pain medicine that could be obtained over the counter.  That was when we picked up the paracetamol with codeine (or, I should say that my Uncle Steve ran out and got it for me, as I wasn't going anywhere).  I rested, and we made an appointment for me to go to the osteopath in London that my family has used for decades.  The appointment, however, was for the next day.  While I lay in bed, Eric took all three kids to Windsor Castle.  I've been before, but was still sad to miss out.  It is such a gorgeous castle, right in the middle of the town.  And, it is a functioning castle, as the royal family still stays there at times.  You can tell if the Queen is there currently, because her flag is flown on the mast.  No flag.  No Queen.  She wasn't there that day.  I watched Pearl Harbor and the British version of Deal or No Deal (fyi, they use sealed cardboard boxes and not suitcases.  Additionally, there are no scantily clad models holding the boxes, but friends and family members of the contestant.)  The following day, March 6th, was Osteopath Day!  We drove into London proper and I think it took us an hour to go 6 miles.  Busy, busy small streets.  Loads of buses stopping and clogging things up.  It is no wonder they have a congestion fee.  Going to the osteopath was interesting.  The office was an old converted home.  We rang the bell, and the receptionist led us in.  Typical of English homes, there was a main entry hall with closed off rooms (as opposed to an open floor plan).  So, to the right, we were led into what used to be a living room.  I beautiful stately room with carpet and an ornately carved armoire that must have been hundreds of years old.  The receptionist sat at an executive sized writing desk situated in the corner.  No partition, no computer- just a phone and whatever papers she needed.  When I was called back to the patient room, the doctor wore a white doctor's coat and sat with me as I described my medical history (very thorough!) and the problems I was having.  Knowing my family well, he asked how everyone was doing.  A few range of motion tests and then he had me undress.  Thankfully, my aunt had prepared me for this, but they don't do gowns.  There is a screen that you stand behind to undress while the doctor remains in the room still talking to you.  Then, you emerge in bra and panties ready for your adjustment.  It was a bit odd, but, again, I'm glad my aunt prepared me before hand, warning me not to wear a G-string or thong, and actually giving me a new pair of full coverage black underwear for the purpose of the appointment.  Looking past the uncomfortableness, this guy was a real pro and it was a very good manipulation/adjustment and similar in many ways to what my chiropractor at home might do.  It wasn't a miracle, but it gave me a bit more movement and it was certainly a step in the right direction.  I rested a bit more that day, but forced myself out of bed and over to my Grandma's house- determined to not let my back get the best of me or my trip!  The kids had a great time making Fairy Cakes (we call them cupcakes) and decorating them with heap-loads of sugary sprinkles and gummies and candy.  Time in the kitchen with great Grandma is always a highlight!