The Beautiful Life

Meet Edward

Even though he knew he didn’t have long on this earth, he found great comfort in making people laugh with his “pear” impersonation.

Have you played with your food today?

Avocado Mango Salad

Our favorite salad from our favorite cookbook, Rick Bayless’ Mexican Everyday. (And yes, there was a time when we really did eat Mexican every day).

You’ll have to check out his book to get the recipe, but I can tell you that it includes mangoes, avocados and crispy bacon, and is drizzled with a yummy honey-lime dressing. The dressing is worth the price of the book alone. I’m serious!

4:42 AM

4:42 AM

I never knew that this would change everything.

swollen and overdue, pain coming on…fear and excitement…this is it, it’s time.
after all of the heartache of losing one, can it be true that we are actually going to have a baby?
years and months and days of waiting, of preparing.
eager to meet this child of mine who has been kicking and moving…living inside this young wife.
but so unprepared to face the agony of birth.
sweat and blood, fear and pain. hope and disappointment. frustration and impatience. indescribable anguish…then relief.
almost too tired to care after something so intense, so raw, yet I am drawn to touch this new one. my own one.
downy soft hair, still damp. purple-pink skin so wrinkled. puffy eyes a mirror of my own.
a gift.
all of the pain of that moment, all that is yet to come…all of the joy at seeing this one thrive and grow, learning to love and be in this broken world. all of the uncertainty, all of the hoping and fearing and praying and trusting…
I wouldn’t trade any of it.
it’s all a gift.
every tear, every smile, every let down. every whispered secret, every kiss goodnight, every moment.
my life changed that day, and I will never be the same.

Credits:
Clockwork by Linda Gil Billdal at SA
Heartstrings by HGD by Laurie Ann at SA
Live Laugh Love by Createwings Designs at Oscraps
Handstamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman at LDD
Worn Frame by Danielle at Catscrap
Tutti Fruity by Emily Powers & Paislee Press at WST (retired)
Urania Czech Font
CK Ali’s Hand Font

My one regret…

For this week’s Digidare.

The journaling is my own thoughts, interspersed with some verses from Hebrews.

My words (in black, representing my mistakes, and unbelief):

“My one regret is that I’ve said ‘no.’
Busy doing my own thing, I hear you call my name,
and I say, ‘no, not right now, maybe later.’
Every bad decision, every selfish thought, every negative word–
haven’t these also been ‘no’s?”

And these are the verses (in white, representing truth):

“Today, if you hear my voice, do not harden your hearts.”
“With confidence draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entangles and run the race set before us with endurance.”

Credits:
Metal Alpha by ED by Gabi at SA
Stamped Canvas Alpha by Amber Clegg at SA
Background paper from Softly Spoken by HGD by Laurie Ann at SA
Clips (recolored) from Git R Done by beAudacious Designs at WST
Alphabet Soup Acrylic Alpha by Emily Powers at WST
Worn frame by Danielle at Catscrap
Sequins from Purity by Natali Design at SBG
Tab alpha and newsprint circles from Creation 23 by Catherine Designs & Createwings Designs at A5
Jewel flower from a freebie by Vinnie Pearce on her blog
Clock stamp and stitches from Faith by Two Sisters (retired)