I was so very excited to get this back. My most favorite piece of jewelry. Heck, one of my most favorite things… period. But I was also incredibly nervous. When I received the new charm for my necklace for my birthday last year, I knew it would include the name of our newest little bug, Miss Tallula. But I wasn’t… Read More
Sunday Snapshot: {my favorites of 2011}
Here are my favorite photos of 2011. In chronological order. 1. Sophie Lu in her silks at Chinese New Year. 2. Vivienne loving the snow. 3. Asher, growing up. I thought he seemed big in this picture but man, has he grown since then. 4. Remembering – and missing – Esther. 5. Chris at his fini flight getting soaked. Much… Read More
a reminder
I miss you, Esther. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. And wish that you were here. My sweet friend Kim sent me a precious little reminder of you. That looks like you. With a verse that reminds me of you. That I can squeeze when I am missing you. Thanks, Kim, for making… Read More
Esther’s day
Today I am filled with thoughts of Esther. You see, today is her birthday. She would be turning two. As y’all know, we were so blessed to receive a package from Esther’s orphanage after her death. We had requested to receive any of her things and were completely amazed when, one month later, we received a box containing many of… Read More
an answer
A lot of y’all have asked me about So Loved. Wondering if there would be any more. That you had a friend, a daughter, or someone special in mind for one. And I didn’t answer. But it’s only because I didn’t have an answer. Honestly, it was never our intention to use So Loved beyond our fundraising efforts. But God’s… Read More
speechless
We received an unexpected package the other day. Seems a traveling family brought back a package from China. For us. From Esther’s orphanage. Right after Esther passed we requested to have some of her things. Anything, really. I wasn’t even sure what to ask for because I honestly doubted that they would – or even could – honor our request…. Read More
bittersweet
When we got the phone call about Esther, time seemed to stand still. It was like I was moving in slow motion. Everything around me seemed to have shifted somehow. And in many ways, it still does. But that’s okay. I don’t want to be the same. I want to be changed. By having loved Esther. And by continuing to… Read More
thank you
… Amanda. The blankets for Poppy and Esther are just beautiful. I will definitely be taking Poppy’s to China. And Esther’s? I’ll definitely be snuggling up with. Tonight. And to y’all who have prayed for us, lifted us up during this time, and reached out to us – by card, comment or FB post – thank you. I have read… Read More
Sunday Snapshot: {Esther}
My first glimpse of Esther. But her name was Ava. Our agency had given her that name on their photolisting. I have always loved the name Ava, but it was that face. Those eyes. Those pouty lips. She stayed with me. I have shared our story to Esther. It was admittedly hard to write, but I really, really wanted to… Read More
Esther’s Flowers
I miss her. Funny how you can miss someone you’ve never even met. But you can. And I find myself wishing desperately that I had something, anything of hers. It would bring me such comfort. But I don’t. We’ve received several absolutely beautiful flower arrangements in memory of Esther. And I find myself entranced by them. They remind me of… Read More