everyday Ann

1.  Coming back for another 7, linking up with Jen.  Thanks for the tips and suggestions for hosting Easter!  I have taken to pinterest to find some simple ways to add a little spring in the step.  (My husband warned me that if I do too nice of a job I may be volunteered to host every holiday.)  I am feeling pretty chill about it, that is until I see some kind of forecast that would involve large amounts of snow in April!

2.  Some mothers are expecting a child in their womb for 9 months and as result have stretch marks; other mothers are expecting a child in their heart for years and as a result have stress marks! Although I am not seeing the normal physical changes that happen to one’s body when expecting a child, I see how the adoption process is changing my heart.  It’s through the waiting, the ups and downs of the process, the unknowns and complete abandonment that is leaving me changed.  It’s making me stretch outside of being comfortable, outside of the certainty to a new level of trust and love.

3.  I am working on being grateful for the small things…I had mentioned the other day to my husband that I was having a really rough and stressful day.  With that in mind come 5:30pm, he suggests we just pick up subs for dinner so I don’t have to worry about cooking, thank. you.  I guess this may actually not fall into the “small things” category because not having to make dinner was a huge thing, it’s usually the last thing I care to do after coming home from a long day at work.

4.  Speaking of being grateful, I feel like I need to give a shout out to Mother Nature (just so it’s on the record) for giving us a couple of days of 60 degrees.  It’s amazing to see everyone come out of hibernation and quite refreshing to go for a nice stroll in the evening.

5.  Fashion Find.  I am all about shopping on a budget and finding great deals that also are appealing to the wardrobe.  This find from Old Navy fits the bill for only $19.00!  I almost passed them by, because they appeared a little frumpy on the rack, but look much cuter on.  These pants are super comfy and versatile.  I plan on dressing them up with a blouse and heels for work, but will be a staple for casual wear with a t-shirt and some flats.

6.  Just call us the wildlife sanctuary.  Only a few days after the fox sighting, I woke up and saw four deer bedded down in our yard around 6:00am.  I am guessing it was where they laid their head all night, since they were pretty content in spite of me trying to have a photo session and blinding them with the flash.  I couldn’t get them all to squeeze together to fit in the frame, so only three are included.

7.  Looking for a little consolation on this one and hoping I am not alone.  I was recently in a conversation about temperaments and was sharing about my list making obsession.  I explained that even when something wasn’t on the list, but accomplished that day I add it to the list just for the mere satisfaction of crossing it off.  Other people do this too, right?

Making my debut with 7 Quick Takes!

1.  I have been reading Jen’s blog for years and always make sure to stop over on Friday’s to read all the great takes, so I am thrilled to finally jot down my own 7!  I have never had the privilege of meeting Jen in real life, but she is a fabulous guest on the radio show I produce and I feel like a star having my voice heard in Minor Revisions.

2.  It turns out we are hosting my husband’s family for Easter this year.  I am a little nervous and slightly overwhelmed, you see he is the youngest of 11 and there are about 25 nieces and nephews, but who’s counting.  We have only had about half of the family in our house at one time, so figuring out the logistics to this may be tricky.  Looking for suggestions and tips in meeting the needs of that many people at one time in one place…

3.  Feeling down and discouraged, having one of those moments when you wonder if God is really hearing your prayers.  In that moment of crying out to God, He reassures you right then and there in that exact moment, that He’s got this, He’s in control.  Continue to push on, persevere and keep the faith!  In that moment your tears instantly switch from those of sorrow to those of joy, tears of gratefulness and praise, because once again you’re reminded He’s got this, He’s got you!
“Faith is like a dark tunnel: God gives us the Light to take one step at a time. The Light is not given to see the end of the tunnel.” – Fr. Walter Ciszek

4.  I am not complaining about the weather, but I was looking forward to spending some time with my family this weekend.  Good ole Mother Nature changed my plans with an April blizzard leaving 12 inches of snow in its path!

5.  You know you have a haircut gone bad when the only compliment you hear on it is from your husband, who is just trying to get you to leave the house.  Of course there was the one person at work who notices and the conversation goes like this:

A: Oh you got your haircut?
Me: Yeah, not sure if I like it though.
A: Well, it’s short.

I guess it keeps you humble.

6.  What Did the Fox Say?  Well, just the other morning we saw Mr. Fox frolicking in our back yard in the field behind our house.   Keep in mind we live in suburbia not in the country, this isn’t supposed to happen.  I was sort of freaked out by a fox that close to our house, of course my husband thinks it would be great to have around to help control the mice population.  I can just see myself sitting out on the deck reading a book this summer and all of a sudden being terrified by the sight of it, forcing me to live the rest of those sunny days as a hermit locked up in my house!  (The picture is a bit blurry, our camera wasn’t charged so we opted to use the tablet which does a nice job of pixilating.)

7.  I was writing up my About page and reading a sentence to my husband to get his input, “I like good coffee, good wine and good friends.”  His response with no hesitation, it sounds like you have a drinking problem.  Needless to say I scratched that line.