Thursday, July 12, 2012

When Life Gets In The Way

"Life is like a book;
Don't jump to the end to see if it's worth it.
Just enjoy life and fill the pages with
beautiful and amazing memories."
Arthur Unknown

All I can say is "Life" has taken over and kept me from blogging. It has been on my mind and I have been thinking of you all. I tried yesterday for the first time in over 2 months to read some blogs. I guess I am really just going to have to start over it was just too overwhelming. So what have I been doing in the last 2 months, I guess you can say I was making memories.

After my last blog my wonderful husband and I took a trip. It is one that was booked before my BIL passed and the family insisted we still take it and spend some time alone. You see every year in May we take a trip up north to Bellingham WA with some friends. Usually we drive but once we flew. This year they had a great idea, we cruised up. We left Long Beach and cruised up the coast stopping in San Franciso, Victoria and ending in Vancouver Canada. We then took the train to Bellingham where we stayed for a week and then flew home. I did manage to stitch one thing but have not decided on a finish.




We really had a wonderful and relaxing time. We came home and jumped right back into life. Two days later we had Anna's Open House.


And soon after it was her 5 th grade promotion.


With the promotion and her finishing up school in Pasadena that means we started having her full time. That is when my stitching came to a complete stop. I still had to get all my stuff out of the closet and find a place for it. Yes all my wonderful stash had to find a new home. So this is what it looked like for a few days.


I talked my husband into selling our old wicker furniture in the sun room and buying me some comfortable stuff. The piece with the four big baskets was bought to help store some of my stash. Well I discovered I would need about 10 of those to hold it all. So some down sizing was in order. I have looked thru about 65 stitching magazines and torn out only items I knew I would stitch someday. I also did that with some cooking magazines I had in the room. That helped a bit. I think I now have everything in a new home, not sure I can remember where but it is out of sight.

In the meantime we have been to court twice, once for a half day interview to see if we are acceptable parents for Anna. You can give birth to a child and no one cares, take one in and they check everything about you. On June 28, a day before Anna's 11th birthday we received full guardianship of her and now she is all ours.

To celebrate we took Anna on her first road trip. She loves Jelly Belly candy and so we drove up north to the factory to show her how they are made. Our first stop was Sacramento to show her our state capitol.


Then it was off to see the candy being made.


We took the scenic ride back home along the coast and stopped in Monterey, Morro Bay and Solvang a cute Danish town. She really like exploring the tide pools at Morro Bay.


We all had a wonderful time getting to know each other better.

To top off our new parenting, my hubbie and I had an eye exam and took her with us. The doctor did a small test on her and said she needed a full exam. So we took her and discovered she really needs glasses. This should really help her with her school work and reading. She is very pleased with her new glasses and says everything even looks brighter now.


Now that life is slipping back into a normal mode I am trying to get back into stitching and blogging. The only thing I have managed to stitch is the beginning of some ornaments for a church project. There are 40 ornaments that are called the school nativity. Two of us are each stitching half and they will be put on a tree to auction off in November. I have 2 and a half done so far of my 20.


I look forward to spending some quiet time reading blogs in the mornings and can't wait to catch up on your lives.

Always keep love in your stitches,
Teresa












22 comments:

gracie said...

Congratulations to you and Anna on becoming a family. I know it must be such a change, but you seem up to the task. I started to wear my eyeglasses at the same time as Anna and felt the same way...everything was brighter. I suspect for her it has a duel meaning.
Hugs to all of you. Stitching will find it's way back in.

Vickie said...

Oh how wonderful. I am so emotional. Do you know your post made me cry Teresa? She is such a pretty young lady. God bless you all.♥ http://astitchersstory.blogspot.com/

butterfly said...

So great to have you back Teresa I have missed you.
It is a big thing that you have done , I have taken two of my grand children in , in the past , one for two years and the other for 6 months, and I know your whole life becomes up side down. I have had to move my stitching many times , thats why I now have a craft room , ha. You will have many happy times as a new family. You have a heart of gold and someone will be looking down on you, Bless you all.

Deborah said...

Teresa, what a wonderful post. Glad that you and your hubby got to take a trip. Alone time is always good. Anna looks like she is settling into her new life. She looks like a sweet child.Bless you all. Deborah

dixiesamplar said...

How wonderful for your new family! And Anna is such a pretty young lady. Sending you best wishes and happy thoughts as you embark on this new chapter in your lives...what blessing.

Hope you can find some time to stitch...I feel your pain, as I can't seem to get a stitch in myself right now!

Denise said...

You have a beautiful daughter! Congrats to all of you! Taking her on road trips already...hmm, thought about the east coast in autumn?? lol

Glad you found a home for your stash - even if you can't find it all.

CRAFTY STITCHERS said...

Congrats on your new daughter. Maybe she learn to stitch like you. Sounds like you had a great time!

Karen said...

It's great to have you back :) You were missed! And what lovely memories you've been making!!! I never thought to cruise up north. Did you enjoy the cruise?

Tricia T said...

So glad to hear that things are going well! I know what you mean about life getting in the way... My mom had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and I've spent the majority of my days at the hospital and will now start the transition to caregiver along with my sister. Life is definitely a journey! I'm so thankful God plans it, and not me!!! :)

Blessings!!

Tricia

natalysneedle said...

I am so happy to see you back in blogland. I have thought about you many times and I am glad to hear you are doing well. I knew the vacation would give you a well deserved break. Anna looks quite content and I am sure she feels the love you and your hubby are showering on her. God Bless!!
Hugs all around.

Veronica said...

So happy to hear from you and that the guardianship went through. Seems like the vacation has been fun and relaxing. Anna looks like a sweet girl. God bless you and yours.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Anne said...

So good to hear from you Teresa. I've been thinking about you tons! You came to Vancouver!! Next time email me!! It looks like the two of you had a lovely time...I hope it wasn't raining for you (now it's been sunny for 2 weeks!) Looks like Anna is adjusting and all of you are bonding. I'm glad that you found out that she needed glasses! She looks adorable in them!! Take care and many hugs to all of you!

pam said...

Glad to see you are back in blogland!

Mindi said...

Congratulations on becoming a family! The cruise sounds wonderfully relaxing, and you stopped at some of my favorite places on the road trip back down.

Catherine said...

So good to see an update from you!! I am so glad you and your hubby were able to get away together. It sure looks like you enjoyed yourselves. Sounds like things are settling in with your niece. Sending good thoughts and prayers that your love and support will help her blossom!!

Dani - tkdchick said...

That is something so special you and your husband are doing!!!!! It sounds like you're already making Anna a happy girl!

Bekca said...

I'm so glad to read Anna has become an official member of your family. I know it must have been hard with the court appearances, but I'm sure it was all worth it in the end.
Good luck with downsizing your stash! I'm trying to not let mine get out of hand LOL
Best wishes.

Louise said...

Glad to hear that your family is now one member bigger and better of course! Very happy for you and Anna and your family. Enjoy your new life together. Louise

Sarah Beth said...

So happy for you. Anna is such a blessing to you both and I'm so glad you were able to take her. You will love her and help her heal and grieve...and you will be blessed to have her and she you. I am praying for you and her. Will she want to learn x stitch. Maybe she can help with the ornaments. What a great idea to raise money at church. God Bless you.

Sarah Beth said...

Also did you throw out the magazines when finished with them if not I would love to take them off your hands.

Sue N. said...

Welcome back, Theresa. your life is full but your priorities are straight. Great pictures of your well-deserved vacation and lovely young lady. Best wishes to all!

Tolentreasures said...

Congrats on your new family, she is beautiful and looks so happy!
So happy that everything is working out!

Cathy