Meeting Ann

This past weekend, I had the unbelievable chance to hear my (living) spiritual hero, Ann Voskamp, speak. She spoke to a group of one thousand women at a church in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday night and Saturday morning. I still can't believe this really happened. You see, I have been reading Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, since early 2007. Her words have inspired, encouraged, challenged, and wrapped me in Jesus' love daily since then. I have the link to her blog on the sidebar. I had always said that if I ever had the opportunity to meet Ann in this life I would take it. It didn't matter the cost. This was on the top of my bucket list, friends! Well, God worked it out that Ann, who lives in Canada on the Pacific Ocean, would speak at a church 2 hours north of me on the Atlantic Ocean, and tickets were, get this...$15!! I sat at my computer the day the tickets went on sale to be sure to get mine. I told all my friends about the conference. I was so excited for this special trip!

Two friends, Kimberly and Jennifer, were able to make this trip with me. We got a room at a beautiful hotel on Daniel Island, 5 minutes from the conference. Friday night before the best meeting of my life, the three of us had dinner at Queen's Revenge, a nice restaurant near the hotel. I got delicious she-crab stew. In an hour I would be in the same room as Ann. I must explain that this was not like celebrity jitters. I do not think of Ann as a star, but as a dear sister in Christ, whom I can't wait to meet and thank. We lined up at the church before the doors were open and quickly, several hundred women were in line behind us. As they opened the doors to let us find a seat, I snapped a picture of the line:

We sat in the fourth row, to the left of center stage. Worship began, and it was wonderful. The hymns were beautiful and filled with theology and the thousand-woman chorus was high and sweet. During the second song, Ann was led into the front row, to find her seat, directly in front of me. As her mic was being hooked up, she never stopped worshipping God.

She talked that night about her story, that is found in her book, One Thousand Gifts. She has the most intense yet gentle voice I've ever heard. Filled with urgency, yet reverence. Sometimes she sounded almost Southern, and other times the Canadian came out. She was much taller than I had imagined, but she was undeniably, unmistakingly, the Ann of her writings.

After the meeting there would be a meet and greet! My friends got out to the lobby quickly and got a great spot in line to meet Ann. I met them there and waited only about 15 minutes to be able to talk face-to face with her. As I got closer, tears started filling my eyes and as I stepped forward to speak, I was crying. I told her how long I had read her blog and she said, "Oh! How did you even find me back then?" I got to tell her thank you. I told her how her words have been passed on through me to countless others. ("Yes, yes, be the gift.") I told her how the story of Jonathon on the banks of the Amazon had wrecked me. ("Yes! John!") I told her she was my sister. I thanked her for introducing me to the music of David Nevue. ("He says thank you, too!") She hugged me twice. Then she signed my book:

After she signed my book, she placed her had on it and whispered something to God (a blessing?) and closed it. I can't remember everything else, but I had at least 2-3 minutes with her, including capturing the moment forever:

Thank you to Kimberly for taking the photos. I'll treasure them forever.

The next morning we were able to sit in the same place, except one row forward. Ann spoke more truth, about fear and pride, about humilty and bowing low, and about bridges made of "thanks-planks." I took notes and will read over them for quiet times.

After the meeting, Kimberly, Jennifer and I went into Charleston to eat and had a wonderful time! I snapped photos of our walk, our resaurant, and our amazing food. I'll blog about that next!

I *MADE* a beach robe!

Dana from MADE has inspired me again to sew... this time a very cute and extremely practical beach robe! This will make leaving the beach much easier. Instead of wrapping my toddler in a big towel that just falls off, I'll give her her very chic polka-dot beach robe to ride home in! I downloaded Dana's super tutorial and pattern for $8 and then hit Target for a cute beach towel...they were on sale for $4! Then I came home and grabbed all my double-fold bias tape remnants...you wouldn't believe this; they matched the towel! I totally lucked out. I just love it when everything comes together! So, here's what I started with:

And here's the finished product! How awesome, right! It took me about three hours, but I was doing other things throughout the the afternoon, so I could make these quicker.

I love the little belt that wraps around the middle, the folded-up sleeves, the hood- everything! And it was so easy. I am proud to say that this is the first time I made sleeves and attached them the correct way the first time! Woohoo, progress!

I also loved using five different colors of bias tape for the trim. So cute! Alright, Kate, thanks for being my model again, you are precious!

I will definitely be using this pattern again and again.

My New Camera

It's a Canon Powershot SX 210 IS. And I love it. It has 14.1 megapixels, so everything's really clear, but the best part is the zoom, 14X! Last Friday when I was at the beach, I snapped two shots from the same location. This one is normal mode:

And this one is zoomed all the way:

What a difference! It's amazing. I've been taking pictures of everything. I can't wait to get more acquainted with this baby and see everything it can do. I feel like with this and Photoshop, I can do anything I want, photographically.

"Under the Pier" PW Black and white Photoshop action used.
Many thanks to my mom, who always knows the perfect birthday gifts for her girl! I love you!

Simple (?) Woman's Daybook

First of all, before I get started I would like to say that my life is absolutely not simple. Yet. I'm working on that, though. My focus for fall is to cut away the busyness of extra tacked-on activities. I want to get to a point where I have some quiet, down time each day in which to really slow down and contemplate an inner life. I want to be fully present with my children throughout the day. I feel like life has been whizzing by lately and I intend to slow it down a bit. Or at least watch it more carefully as it goes. I have become keenly aware that all things "good" are not always "best" or "right."

Outside my window... We're painting the rails and window trim on the porch. Should be finished this weekend, fingers crossed.

I am thinking... about ways to calm my mind, read and pray more, go to bed earlier.

I am thankful for... this time schooling my children. They love to learn. They love our read-alouds. They are growing their minds, bodies, and spirits, and I get to be right here to watch!

From the kitchen... I've dusted off the bread maker. Warm, fresh bread is a must for a Simple Woman.

I am creating... priorities. A rhythm. A home.

I am going... to stay home. I do not need to leave every night.

I am reading... For the Children's Sake, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, and Moccasin Trail, with the boys.

I am hoping... that everything works out with the court date I have set for these two citations. I'm trying not to worry.

Around the house... lots of laughter. I so enjoy my boys during the day. They are crazy and good and funny and interesting. They are my friends, not my job.

One of my favorite things... Kate's smile.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... The porch. Finished.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

**UPDATE** We never even touched the porch this weekend!

Juxtaposition

Ok, normally I would say that I lead a pretty average American housewife kind of life. I manage our home, cooking meals and doing laundry and caring for the children, while my husband goes to work at his 8-5 job. But then there are times when I think my life is a little weird. Like some things just don't normally go together but find their way into my schedule somehow. This week has been one of those times. We started our homeschool year on Monday. It's fantastic teaching these kids. Here's our pic:

I'll have to do a whole blog post on the whats and hows of our homeschool days! It's fun.

And then there's this:

Most likely if you're reading this you have never heard of Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog, or the huge cult-like following this web-based short musical has. It's funny. Really funny. Neil Patrick Harris gets to sing his head off, and that's a real good thing. It's by the director of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Joss Whedon, and it was created on a miniscule budget during the writer's strike a few years back. It's available on Netflix instantly, or you can find clips on Youtube. Anyway, I'm in a live version of it this Friday and Saturday and I've been at rehearsals every night this week. And while it wouldn't be rated R, it's got (a little) crude humor so it's not for the kids.

Homeschooling during the day, arguing over solos with wanna-be villains at night (you'll just have to see the live show)-- my life feels like it doesn't match up right now. But I'm having so much fun with BOTH. And I have to thank Ben for being the reason I can enjoy this crazy ride!

Water

Over on Pioneer Woman Photography, she's having a "water" themed photo contest. Judging from the selections she's already made, there's no way I'll ever make the cut. Seriously, check out those photos. Breathtaking! But who needs her recognition? I have my own blog! So I'd like to share with you some of my favorite water shots from my barely-works point and shoot camera:

Kate always has loved bathtime

Baker just baptized

Wet footprints on hot concrete, two seconds later they've evaporated

This picture captures motherhood for me. My children are holding up treasures for me to see: shells, drawings, projects, questions, dreams, heart-fears. Mothering well means not brushing aside these things, but taking time to really see what the child is holding and responding with love. I try to create a relationship with my children where they won't ever think I don't care about what they care about, find important, or have to say. Anyway, I love this picture.

And my all-time favorite water picture:

Totally Random Tip

If you love Indian food like I do, and I LOOOOOOVE Indian food, then I have something to share with you. There is a company named "Kitchens of India" that makes the best prepackaged Indian food. Ever. I am very picky about the way my Indian food tastes, and frankly, I've never liked any of the stuff I've been able to find in the grocery store to make at home, until I discovered these packets one day in my stepmom's pantry! (Sally, I'll be eternally grateful for introducing us!) She had been able to find it at Super Target, but they no longer carry it.

Here in Savannah you can find this stuff at only two places (that I'm aware of yet; I keep my eyes open every time I'm shopping). Brighter Day health food store carries the bigger pouches you see in the photo, for around $3 each. They are awesome alone or with protein mixed in, and really spicy. BUT, I just discovered to my absolute delight that Food Lion on Eisenhower has the whole line from Kitchens of India!!! And, they are cheaper than I've ever seen them! I was beaming in the ethnic foods aisle, y'all. The best thing I ever tasted is the butter curry chicken sauce pouch in the photo. It tastes just like it was prepared by a restaurant. Yummmmm. Perfect seasoning.

Well, I wish you luck finding this stuff in your town. Make sure you pick up some Basmati rice and Naan bread to go with it; it makes a huge difference in authenticity!

Love,
Trish

P.S. I will try to make my next post about something other than food or Kate. No promises, though!

"Thirty" Things

Here's a list of things I have done so far while being thirty:

1. I learned how to use a sewing machine.
2. I sewed clothes for my daughter and (rarely) me.
3. Played Edith Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank."
4. Joined the Savannah Philharmonic.
5. Sang Beethoven's 9th symphony with all my heart to a packed Lucas theatre.
6. Discovered Guiness ice cream.
7. Went to Disney World.
8. Watched one of my best friends marry my brother in a beautiful ceremony.
9. Lost 30 pounds.
10. Said goodbye to one of my best friends who moved to Alaska.
11. Had a good friend move in next door.
12. Served my first year in leadership at Kingdom Builders Co-op.
13. Performed in the Children's Theatre's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

I have a few more months of being 3-0... we'll see what I can add to this list! I know what I WANT to put on it. I'll let you know if I reach those goals when I turn 31.

Mommy's Girl

So, I finally decided to sew something for me to wear. I've made Kate a lot recently and she's not even getting to wear it all. I love Bohemian-inspired summer skirts, and since I've got the elastic-waisted skirt-making thing down, I thought I'd make one just for me! But what to do with the scraps? Oh, okay, Kate, here's a matching skirt for you too! I just couldn't help my self!

It's our first mother-daughter outfit. I love how they turned out. We're so cute in our skirts!
I'm thinking we'll need lots of matching clothes from now on. 'Cause even if she doesn't look like me, she can at least dress like me right?

This Mother's Day

For Mother's Day this year, I'd love fabric from this site. It's called Fabric Worm, and they sell designer, ahem, fabrics.

It's a whole lot different from all previous Mother's Day wishlists. I'm completely obsessed with fabric. What has happened to me? Oh yeah...


She did:

And then my mom went and bought me this for my 30th birthday:

Oh, Singer Confidence, how I love you! And now my craft shelf looks like this:

Trust me, that is not enough fabric. I see LOTS of space up there.

Happy Mother's Day, friends! Hope you all feel extra special this year.

Love,

Trish

I Have "Fat Clothes" Now!

I'm really glad I have a blog right now because I feel like shouting from the rooftops, but typing is far less dangerous:

I have now lost a total of 30 pounds since I had Kate!!!

It's unreal to me, because I have never lost weight before... Seriously, in my life, I've gained weight every year and no "attempt" to exercise has ever lasted long enough to make a difference on the scale. But now, there's no denying it... I've succeeded! Okay, okay, I have 24 more pounds to go until I reach my goal weight, but I'm so proud to have lost so much so far!

Here's the coolest thing: I now have a stack of clothes that are now too big for me! They just... don't... fit! The size 16(eek) and 14 pants fall to the ground; the XL shirts and dresses look loose and frumpy.

I love having muscles, too. I just feel so much stronger inside. I feel happy and excited!
Can't wait to see how I feel when I reach my goal!

Our Tenth Anniversary

Ben and I had such a good time together playing the tourist in our city. Savannah has got to be one of the world's best cities and I'm so happy here! We went to a B&B on Jones Street called The Eliza Thompson House for the night.

The evening began with wine and hors d'oveurs in the Victorian parlor room. We met the bellman, Kevin, who was so friendly and welcoming. We discovered that we knew a few of the same people.

Then our horse-drawn carriage picked us up and we rode around the historic district, stopping by a gazebo to exchange cards and a kiss. The horse's name was Bennet. The carriage ride ended in front of our restaurant, The Melting Pot. We had fondue. Mmmm. Fondue! Then we stopped by a pub called Circa, saw a couple of friends of Ben's, and then walked ten or so blocks back to our B&B. The walk through downtown was so nice and beautiful!

We had dessert and coffee in our room and then decided to check out the Robert Redford Civil War film being shot one block over. We saw several extras all dressed up in 1800's garb and the set! It was like going back in time. Have I mentioned I love Savannah? It has such an interesting history. Well, in the morning we enjoyed the best hotel breakfast I've ever seen...egg casserole, grits, french toast, sausage, potatoes, and so much more.

We checked out and walked around some more, stopping by E. Shavers, a sweet little tucked away bookstore. We spent some time in there, wandering through the rooms filled with books, noticing some great titles that we want to buy someday. The one title that jumped out at me was Being Dead is No Excuse: A Southern Woman's Guide to Hosting a Funeral. Hahaha! The problem with bookstores is that I want to buy so many books! In fact, I wouldn't mind at all if my house looked like this:

Of course, I could never find the time to read so many. Maybe one day...

Next we ate lunch at Firefly Cafe, outside, and I had a Rueben. Then it was time to go home to my mom and four children.

I had the most wonderful time with my husband on our tenth anniversary. The romance will (have to) last me for another ten years! I'm so thankful for Ben. He's just right.

Turning Thirty

Ok, I admit it, I've been freaking out a little bit about turning thirty years old. For a while, I wasn't even been able to get the words out without my chest tightening up. This past Saturday, I started randomly yelling, "I'M TURNING THIRTY IN ONE WEEK!" to no one in particular in my kitchen.

Why, you ask? Well, my guess is because once I turn thirty I won't feel like such a young mother anymore, and for nine years now, that has been my "thing." People would ask how old I am and I would say, "Twenty-five." And they would say, "Wow! With three children already? You're such a young mother!" See what I mean?

Also, I've always been "mature for my age," whatever that means. "You're only 21? Wow, you're so mature for your age!" Now, when I tell someone I'm thirty-something, they'll think to themselves, "Yeah, that's about right."

So I had this plan to celebrate the day before my 30th birthday, the last day of my twenties. Then, on the actual birthday, I'd wear black and not accept any presents. Something dramatic like that, because I've always been dramtic and wanted attention and by-golly turning thirty will not change that!

So here's where the story changes. I'm doing this play, The Diary of Anne Frank, and also it's October which is breast-cancer awareness month, so I've been thinking a lot about people who die too young. People who never see thirty! How sad, how awful, never to get to turn thirty! To have life cut so short by war or hunger or cancer.

And so Sunday, yesterday, God changed my heart. Now I feel amazingly lucky to turn thirty. I want to; I want to see 40, and 50, and 60! I want to see my children grow up! I don't want to stop time and miss out on all the things life has for me next. I'm so grateful that God opened my eyes to this. He did it just in time- I only have 6 more days until I'm... th--thir--thirty.

There, I said it.

A Picture Story of My Day

I am so blessed.

And busy.

But mainly blessed. Look at what my day was filled with:

They are so worth it.

Two Firsts

Thanks to Pioneer Woman, I've learned how to cook! Well, I'm learning at least. This week I made two very basic things that, believe it or not, I've never made in my life! Beans and cornbread! The beans were from a bag of dried beans. I usually use the cans, but now I know how to do a pot of dried beans too! Can we say cheap sustenance? And cornbread, made with real buttermilk! Yay for cowboy food. My men certainly liked this dinner.

Girly Things!

There is a club I've always wanted to be a part of, but I had been left out. Forgotten. The Mother-of-a-Girl Club. I wanted a daughter so badly! It all looked like so much fun. But I was destined to press my nose against the window and stare in, longingly. An outsider. Banished to the land of pirates, dinosaurs, Nascar, NBA, and still-up toilet seats.

But then you arrived! Oh, Joy! What love fills my heart. What a feeling of sweetness. I belong to the club now. And here are a few of the things I've always wished for, that now I can do, all because you are here:

Pillowcase dresses
Ballet classes
Tea parties
Hair brushing
Decorating with flowers
Butterfly wings
Princess stories

My mind is racing with happy daydreams of arts and crafts I'll do with you one day, Kate. I can't wait to cuddle up with you and talk long into the night about boys and relationships and Jesus and what's important. I can't wait to just sit back and appreciate how God created girls so different from boys. So soft, so tender, so pink.

Having you in my life has helped me remember all the fun things I did with my mom when I was a child. Things like dancing in the living room until we fell over with laughter. Making holiday meals special by putting the same decorations out year after year (Remember those Jack-O-Lantern placemats, Mom?). My mom used to let me lie on her lap and she'd play with my hair. It felt so good and so safe. I can't wait to do that for you, Kate.

The only word I can think of to describe how I feel now that you are a part of my life is FULL. My heart is full to the top with joy, love, tenderness, loyalty, and yes, a little trepidation. But that's a whole other topic for another day.

Sensing My World

Familiar Sounds:



coffee pot brewing, beeping

PBS Kids shows

Noah- "I'm ready for breakfast."

Cell phone rings

Kate "honking" at my breast, nursing, sighing

Mother tones- high pitched for encouragement, low for enforcement

Glenn Beck and Dave Ramsay on the radio

Noah humming

Jacob running through the house

Baker practising piano- Take Me out to the Ball Game, Forest Drums

Kate's shriek

Dishes clanging

Bath water running

Dryer buzzing

My boys: "I love you, very, VERY much." "You're my favorite girl in the world."

"After you use the computer can I use the computer?

Shouts from the backyard as kids play

The Star Wars theme song (hummed constantly)





Smells:



Coffee

Ben sweaty

Kate's poop (not bad)

Lavender baby wash

cereal

peanut butter

Baker's feet (ugh!)

Jacob's bad breath... but I like it

butter sizzling

flip-flops slapping

Random Thoughts on Having a Daughter

I just loved being pregnant with Kate. The more I think about my time with her growing inside me the more I love it. I wish I had known that it was a girl while I was pregnant. It would've given me just that much more time with her in my heart. I can't get enough.

I watch young girls with their mothers now with a special interest. I imagine Kate as the delicate eleven year old who just came in and ordered a caramel latte for her mother and a strawberry smoothie for herself, acting all grown up. My Kate will be there in a flash. All grown up and beautiful.

I get to have this. This mother-daughter relationship. I'm no longer only on the receiving end. I get to be on the giving end, which is a hundred times better, I have to say. No matter what she does or how she feels about life, or me, I get to just love Kate forever. I don't have to figure her out or blame her for anything, I just get to watch in amazement as she grows. And love her, oh, how I love her. That is the gift of a daughter. To have *this much* love in my heart.

A girl is just so precious. So sweet and such a treasure. I feel the same way about my boys, but with boys I don't have permission to protect them from everything. They need to be tough. They'll be men someday. But Kate, I get to keep her. Keep her heart safe, keep her sweet and gentle. That's something precious.

Facebook Status Updates

This was the longest two weeks of my life! Read how I was feeling each day:


11/15 Trish is still pregnant.



11/17 Trish is still pregnant! Any day now...



11/18 Trish made it to her due date! Ok, now what?



11/19 Trish is, you guessed it! Still pregnant.



11/20 Trish is trying to think of things to do to keep my mind off going into labor, besides stare at the computer.



11/21 Trish is awake at 3am.



Trish is 40 weeks and counting. What. The. Heck.



11/22 Trish is still extremely pregnant. The baby loves it in there.



11/23 Trish is done with Sunday and baby isn't here yet.



11/24 Trish is deciding to wait patiently. All is in God's hands.



11/25 Trish is thinking that today's the day!



Trish is nevermind.



11/26 Trish has family coming today to stare at me and wait for me to go into labor. No pressure!



11/27 Trish 's baby likes to be fashionably late.



11/28 Trish is a watched pot that will never boil.



11/29 Trish likes her steaks AND her babies well-done.



11/30 Trish thought her due date was wrong; I'd be early. Hahahaha. hohohoho. Ha. Ho.


11/30 Trish is in LABOR!!!


12/1 Trish is at home snuggling with her baby girl, Kate.

Waiting for Baby