Barefoot and, well, not pregnant

Barefoot in the Park is one of my favorite movies. I've always fancied the notion of being a newlywed housewife, setting up her home front, while enjoying the newness of love. Aww, corny, but true. Well, I'm not as young, or as newlywed as Corey (Jane Fonda), but here I am, preparing to be that housewife, setting up my home front in a new land, while enjoying the comfort of faithful and ever-growing love. However, I have not felt as carefree as Corey appears to be in the movie. I had no idea how difficult it would be to quit my job and come home. I'm not only referring to the emotional expense of leaving the boys - I knew that would bite beyond reason, but rather this guilt which has arisen because I will no longer be contributing to our bank account. Most of my friends have either never been the bread winner for their family, or if they are/were, they've quit their jobs to stay home with children. Well, I have no children. So, what can I offer an "empty" home? The stress of this very thought was getting the best of me. Thanks to Bradley {and a few other sweethearts}, I was reminded how important my job is at home, with or without children. Where I've been focusing on what I won't be contributing, they reminded me of what I will be giving to my family. {Soap box moment: Yes, Bradley and I are a family. Whenever people ask if we've started a family, I say "yes, when we said 'I do'." Children do not make a family, they are wonderful additions to an existing family. I don't believe a couple stops being a family b/c all of their children have started their own families, but rather, I believe in the family God created when He united Adam and Eve. As you cannot read the tone of my voice, please know that I say this with gentility, not sass. Okay, I'm done.} Bradley shared that his desire for me to be home is selfish, in a sense, because he doesn't want to have to figure out if he has enough socks or milk for the week. He loves coming home to dinner on the table and a less stressed wife. He cannot wait for me to be able to fully commit myself to my business {Flirting with Fonts --> my graphic design company}, and our home. Honestly, even though I know Bradley's a great guy, I was a little surprised to hear him say all of this. Since I enjoy being unique, I'm always shocked whenever my inner, unknowingly, engrained American-culture shows up in my views.  I've always been a huge advocate for the significance of women staying home, and here I am being the hypocrite. Good ole Miss Liberty snuck her ugly head in, and somehow implanted this perception that my worth will be less once I leave the work force. That crowned stinker. Funny how we're supposedly free as Americans, and yet we still try to cage each other with socially accepted concepts. This week I'm working on fully embracing the role of a wife, and I'm kind of liking it... a lot. My husband is happier; I'm less stressed; more is being accomplished in my household and for my business; and somehow, amidst all of the Cambodia prep, I'm getting enough rest. Although I'm not sure how this is happening, God probably has a little something to do with it all {I've been tugging on His ear quite a bit lately}. Maybe the blessing of pregnancy will come someday, but tonight I thank God for giving me contentment in the state I am in... barefoot, and not pregnant.

Transition and Teeth

The last few weeks have flown by, and several times I have attempted to sit down and blog. Then something happens, it's past midnight, and well, I don't care anymore about anything other than sleep. Now, one month ago, I received an email that made me slightly nauseous. It was entitled: Itinerary for Cambodia flight from LA. For the first time in all of this, it really hit me. I. am. moving. WHAT!?! Although I am a little ashamed, I'm not going to lie, I had a mild panic attack. All I saw was the plethora of home repairs, administrative tasks, and boxes upon boxes of things to be done before the impending move. Then I saw all of the faces of everyone I'll have to hug goodbye for a little while. Ugh. So, yeah, I kind of freaked out. My oh-so-patient husband gently reminded me to hand it over to God. I did, eventually, but not before trying to figure it all out at that very moment. You know, because one can solve every problem in their world in a matter of 25 minutes. Yes, pity and pray for Bradley. I keep telling everyone that I need prayers the most out of the four of us. People think I'm joking. I'm not. Usually, I adjust well to change, but the transition before the change...um...well...not so much. Jonathan would give away his lifetime supply of bread in order to make this move (if you know Jonathan, you know that's a big deal); Marissa is such a faithful, go-with-the-flow type of gal, that she puts me to shame {how many mothers do you know who are completely fine going to a foreign country with little ones = FAITH}; and Bradley, my happy-go-lucky, give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back {literally, he would} type of guy. Oh, and then there's me. Me and my personality that's more along the lines of "why isn't plan A going as smoothly as I want," and "um, I'm going to have peanut butter in Cambodia, right?" I'm leaning heavily on my ability to be entertaining with all of my quirks, 'cause that's all I got goin' for me right now. ;o)  Back to transition: it feels as if everything in my life is in transition right now. My home is a construction zone; the parts of my home not under construction are being cleared away bit by bit; my work week is changing every few weeks as my employers ween both me and the boys from one another {insert tears and heartache}; my business {Flirting with Fonts - totally advertising myself} is in the process of a complete makeover, with Wesley giving my website a facelift, and me trying to decide what goes, what stays, what FwF no longer desires to do, etc.; financial situation --> totally changing; and boxes are replacing decorations.

The week after the tickets were purchased, I was doing well with letting go of the many things I cannot control right now, and was focusing on accomplishing what was within my grasp. Then, sitting at dinner, I bit into a tostada, and felt something strange. I was fearful that I'd chipped my front, bottom tooth, but was hoping it was just the texture of the tostada messing with my senses. However, one look in the mirror revealed that I had indeed increased the gap in my bite. For some, this would only be a minor set back, but for someone who has always taken good care of her teeth, I was pretty frustrated. Although my TMJD has altered them, my teeth are naturally straight, and I've been blessed to never deal with cavities. Plus, I'm one of those annoying people who loathes self imperfections. An "A" for someone else is great, but for me, all I see is that it isn't an "A+." The upside to this situation, is that in this far away country, in which I plan to live, they have amazing dental work. Here's hoping my teeth stay in tact until I can let a Cambodian dentist have their way with these sparkling whitish, slightly chipped beauties. Most people who dream about their teeth falling out are dealing with empty nest syndrome or money troubles. Not me. I'm literally worried about my teeth falling out of my head. On that note, I'm going to grab my extremely sexy mouthpiece and head to bed. Praying for a calm spirit and strong teeth.

My Glass is Half Full

Okay, so I'm a little behind my blog-once-a-week goal. It's okay though, I have an excuse: I've been busy. Lame, but true. Last weekend we traveled with our dear friends, Jonathan & Marissa, to Kansas City for a Cambodia presentation. With 3 little ones in the car, I'd prepared myself to make a dozen stops, but they were little champs. We made it to Daniel and Mendel's home in 9 1/2 hours, including stops. Mendel was a gracious hostess, with a clean house and ready beds, and Daniel nicely filled his role as the stomach filler. It's so fascinating to watch couples in their uniqueness. In our home, I'm the doer, and Bradley's the entertainer. Hungry? Tired? Need to know where something is? I've got your back, although I will often forget to ask you the standard, "do you need something to drink?" However, coffee, and most of the talking and laughing will be provided by my jolly hubby. Every household is different though. My MIL is the entertainer (she provides too, but she knows how to tell a story), and my FIL is always concerned you might starve to death under his roof. ;o)  My mom is constantly cleaning and checking on you, in case you might have become hungry since the last time she asked you (3 minutes ago), and my step-dad is ready to entertain you with his latest antique finds. And it goes on and on with the different partnerships working together to care for their guests.

Adam, Davette, and little Foster came over Saturday morning, and we had a lovely time catching up with one another. The guys played ping pong and discussed future plans, while Davette and Mendel educated Missy and I on essential oils. I so enjoy the friendship I have with so many of the Missouri people, and I was so sad I didn't get to spend more time with each one. {sniff, sniff} We were able to hug necks of more friends, Jeff, James, Christy, their little buttercup {her dimples will kill you}, and the list goes on. Then, after the presentation on the work in Cambodia, a sweet couple, Ralph and Kay, drove us to their home in Houston, Missouri. Except for an hour stop for dinner, we spent about 5 hours riding with this couple, getting to know one another. I feel so blessed to have had so many opportunities to encounter a plethora of wonderful people in my short lifetime. I haven't traveled the world, but I've traveled enough to know that God has an amazing creation in us humans. There are people who choose to deny Him, and even those who desire to do harm to others. Yet, I've been honored to come across many more men and women who simply want to wish you well in this life. Ralph and Kay welcomed us into their home, and they found a permanent home in our hearts. As Bradley has lost his grandparents on his fathers' side, he decided that he's adopting this precious couple, and I agree. I think Memaw and Papaw would approve. After a wonderful Sunday morning worship service, we had to say goodbye to our journey companions, and had the privilege of meeting Marty, Jeri, and their son, Caleb. They treated us to lunch before we hit the road, Springfield bound. Somehow, we were again blessed with delightful company. The 2 hour trip flew by as we discussed their daughter's recent wedding, their personal story, and our upcoming adventures in Cambodia. We met our original traveling sidekicks in a Wal-Mart parking lot, where we said our thanks and goodbyes, and began our final journey home. Thankfully, it was an uneventful trip, with shared memories and laughter. The Lord was extremely kind in not only protecting us on the road, but He managed to help us strengthen and create lifelong friendships. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to go the entire weekend with only taking 2 photos.

Gabe tried to stick it out, but he finally gave in to

Uncle Bradley's warm, cushy arm. 

Saying goodbye to Marty and Jeri.

All in all, a blessed weekend which left me excited for the beautiful people and culture in Cambodia. How did I become so "lucky" in this life? That, I don't know, but what I do know, is that I am a better person for every relationship I create. It's incredible that as a loner-type personality, I still recognize and appreciate the power of God's creation depending on one another for love, even if that love is represented by a simple glass of water. Bottoms up!