when i started working with Noonday Collection a few months ago, i thought it would be a fun job on the side, a way to meet people and of course an outlet to advocate for causes around the world that mean so much to me. i did not realize the depth of care and concern i would develop for our artisans that pour their hearts into making beautiful things! i also didn’t realize that i would stay up at night dreaming about adoption, wondering how long our wait will be, aching to meet our children, etc. adoption isn’t a new desire on our hearts, but the urgency is and i…

NOONDAY collection giveaways day 26 HERE & day 27 HERE.

win these beautiful Noonday bangles HERE.

i’m about to launch a MONTH of Noonday Collection giveaways so i thought i’d do a quick photo dump about this darling little creature i get to call mine! head over to http://www.leemeandthegirls.blogspot.com/ on january 1st for the first giveaway!

my soul crumbles when i look into gracie’s eyes, my heart absolutely melts at her smile, and the sound of her laugh is the most joyous sound i could imagine. i am so in love with her. i am beyond thankful for the blessing of having the chance to be her mother. i just snuck into her room to give her an extra kiss while she is sound asleep and am counting my blessings so i thought i would put it in writing 🙂

a great friend of mine gave me a book the other day. i usually don’t do much reading but i LOVE this book. one thousand gifts by ann voskamp is so poetically written. she writes about truly waking up and living in grace by living thankfully. she begins to see God’s hand in everything, the good and the bad, and give thanks. she expresses the JOY that is present in giving thanks. lately i have had moments of pure joy just stopping to rejoice in small thanks, like giggles, or the wind rustling the leaves…simple, yet rich. just the other day, i stopped after receiving one of those phone calls, i was…

lately i have found myself stopping in my tracks to just stare at gracie. we have this connection, it’s fun, it’s unique, it’s love. we have these little games we play with each other and she responds to my expressions with pure joy. oh my goodness, i can’t get over her giggles. we just look at each other and start laughing. i have been overwhelmed with pride over her development, her intelligence, personality, and overall spirit. she is so full of life!

Click here to view this photo book larger Shutterfly allows you to customize your photo book just the way you want.

my sweet summer break is over, i return to work on monday. i don’t feel incredibly rested or healed but i do feel like i have a fight to fight. i’ve got families to support, kids to love and coworkers to invest in. i just learned that a sweet kiddo dear to my heart relapsed. and just a few weeks ago, one of our babies passed away. cancer continues to invade lives and rear its ugly, unforgiving head. i can’t seem to escape the effects of it despite being away from work, my heart hurts for those families, grieves with my coworkers, yearns to hold someone’s hand to comfort…so back…

precious gracie. you have brightened this world. i rejoice in the blessing of you. i love you and i cherish you.