Hadynn Victoria

We welcomed a new baby to our family (well, Matt's family). His sister-in-law gave birthday last Monday, July 18 to a baby girl, Hadynn Victoria. She was just a tad over 5 lbs. This is their third child...Hadynn makes 3 GIRLS. Wow! Matt's brother, Mike, is sure lucky....surrounded by 4 beautiful ladies. 

She has two big sisters, Haley (4) and Hannah (2). Haley is so excited to have another little sister to play with. I truly admire Mary and Mike. Their second daughter, Hannah, had suffered brain damage during the pregnancy and continues to struggle today. You can read their story about Hannah here: http://www.HannahsHope.org/. These two are amazing parents and a wonderful couple. They have remained strong, patient and faithful.

I love Haley and Hannah as if they were my own nieces. I was thrilled when I heard Mike and Mary were pregnant with a third child. 

I was so excited to finally see Hadynn and hold her. She is the smallest baby I've ever held. It was amazing. With every new baby that is born in my life...friends and family, the more I long to have one of my own. "Some day," I keep telling myself. 

Holding Hadynn gave me a different feeling. Maybe it was because of her size. It was like holding a little miracle. I instantly fell in love with her and didn't want to stop holding her. She just rested in my arms. Even changing her diaper and hearing her little whimpers, melted my heart. It made me happy to know I was able to quickly soothe her. 

I felt that much closer to being a mother. I know .  . .  strange. I have always wondered if I'll have that motherly instinct when I have children of my own. I felt a little bit of that holding Hadynn. 

risks

Stress leads me to begin to re-think things and want to make changes. My life has not been one that follows along an easy path (does anyone's?). I have always embraced change, rolled with the punches, and never wanted to do things the easy way.

For example, with Grad School . . . I chose to individualize and create my own Masters program. After graduation this spring, I am ready to make some life changes and possibly take some risks. What will those be? I'm not quite sure yet, but what I do know. . . is I'm ready.

hills and valleys

I have never understood why people get divorced. God puts hills and valleys along our path....our journey in life...for reasons. Divorce is just the lowest valley emotionally and the most difficult hill to climb and overcome.

When someone close to me shared that he was getting a divorce, my heart broke. Just like it did when the words were spoken when my marriage fell apart.

I thought their marriage fell apart for different reasons than mine, but actually, it ended up being more similar....I found out today. I will never "get" why people walk the line...why they take risks in their marriage...why they tempt themselves with what they know to be wrong...to be sinful.

I was at work when I read his email on my phone. I took a free minute to check it in between meetings. I was glad no one was around me. My heart sunk and my eyes began to well up with tears. I have always tried to protect him and in that moment, I felt like I couldn't. I had to the read the words twice to know I read them correctly. She admitted to straying from their marriage (that is the nicest way I can say it). Hearing those words when you're dating someone hurts...when you hear those words when you're married, it kills you inside.

I have been praying for him. I can't wait to see him again (he's in the Navy and currently deployed). I just want to hug him and tell him everything is going to be alright. I understand and know the hurt, anger, confusion, and all the other emotions he is feeling right now.

Divorce is hard and it is not something people go in planning to happen.

I came across a fellow blogger who wrote an amazing piece about divorce. For those of you wondering what it could possibly feel like....to be that friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor going through a divorce, her piece will allow you to see from the inside...if just for a moment....what it feels like.

I encourage you to read her blog post here. It will touch you. It will make you feel for those around you going through a divorce. 

Run

I just love this . . .

We run to undo the damage we've done to body and spirit. We run to find some part of ourselves yet undiscovered. --John Bingha

Pinterest

On of my new favorite things/hobbies is Pinterest. If you haven't checked it out, you should!
Here's mine: http://pinterest.com/nikkig83/

What is it for? I have used it to get ideas for my cottage (decorating and such), as well as new recipes, future (hopeful) baby plans, etc. It's a fun way to gather pictures to brainstorm ideas for future plans, projects, and share with others a little bit about you.

Happy pinning!

Yay! Grad School!

I received some very exciting news today. I got into the Counseling graduate class I wanted to take this fall. Intro to Student Services & Educational Systems! Woo hoo!

I am pursuing a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies graduate degree with an individualized concentration in Student Services (I have pieced classes the University already offers together to design my own concentration). It has been a lot of planning, but totally worth it.

Here are the courses for my concentration:

- Career Counseling

- Ethics in Counseling

- Intro to Student Services & Ed Systems

- Cultural Communication

- Global Leadership & Team Development

- Independent Study: Summer Bridge Programs & Higher Ed Retention

I am pretty proud of myself with the curriculum.  I want to work in Higher Ed Student Affairs. Career Counseling, Academic Advising and teaching are the areas I am most interested in.

My Advisor is AMAZing! She has been such a big support and has given me such great guidance and encouragement throughout the process. I started working on my degree part time last summer and will graduate this spring 2012. YAY!

It has certainly been challenging at times balancing working full time, family, friends and Matthew, but I have a wonderful support system. Matt has been an awesome boyfriend - being patient and understanding about my crazy schedule.

I am really looking forward to hopefully sharing more good news next week. I'll be praying. Stay tuned.

I had mentioned to my friend, Meg, that I love the color, blush, while we were shopping last week She told me one of her friends' bridesmaids dresses were blush for her wedding, so she sent me the link to her friend's wedding pics today. They are AMAZing! I LOVE everything about her wedding . . . hair, veil, dress, photos, bridesmaid dresses, etc. Thanks for sharing Meg!

Check it out: http://sbchildsphotographyblog.com/?p=17227

A little plug for the awesome photography couple: Stephanie & Brock, who took the beautiful photos of Alexis & Ross' wedding.
Check them out:  http://sbchildsphotographyblog.com/