I love taking photos of my work space as I’m cooking. This is how my workstation looked as I was cooking Thai Chicken Soup (see my recipes category for the recipe!)
Recently I’ve been reading an inspiring book, and here’s a quote from it that is very reassuring:
I am loving what @christybwright says: “Fear isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong. It is a sign that you are doing something new. It doesn’t mean you’re not capable, qualified, or ready. It just means you’re doing something that matters to you. And fear doesn’t mean you are doing something bad. It means you’re doing something bold.” -Christy Wright on page 14 of #businessboutique the book.
Stephen and I want you to know that we are having a baby in early November! I am almost 17 weeks along, and this morning I felt the baby move for the first time!! While still in bed, I was laying there quietly with my hand on my belly; I could feel my heartbeat, but then I felt more than my heartbeat—a quick dart of movement, like the jumping of a fish, a flash of swimming, and then peace again. Baby Schuh let me feel him or her for the first time, and I got goosebumps and a rush of joy.
Stephen and I are so thankful for this baby! At 9 weeks along we got to see our baby for the first time through an ultrasound, and we could see the baby’s heart pulsing. Baby’s heart chugged away, and Stephen is great at copying the sound (which is like our own heartbeat, but much faster.) Having the picture of the baby has been meaningful and fun to show other people, and so many people are already so excited about this baby!
This is Baby Schuh at 9 weeks old; you can see his or her tiny head, arms, and body. We like to call Baby Schuh “Peanut.”
Last Thursday, I told my students about the baby like this: After they took their last vocabulary test, I said, “We have had another student in our class for the last three months…” Then they started guessing, and then a girl said quietly, “Pregnant?” I pointed at her, and asked her to say it louder, which she did. Then I said, “Yes, I am pregnant!!” Then the whole room let loose with claps, cheers (a dramatic student let out a few screams of joy), and we talked for the rest of class. My students have had a lot of ideas about names, advice, and a few girls said, “I thought you might be pregnant.” My favorite silly name from one guy student, who loves to goof around, is “Bless Schuh”—so it sounds like “Bless you!” Haha.
We are SO excited and thankful for this child. Thanks for sharing our joy with us!
The dog’s skinny, foot-long tail waggled joyfully as his owner carried him into the vet’s office. I glimpsed this scene for five seconds as I drove past, but the happiness shown in that tail made me smile. Continue reading →
How are you going to enjoy this season of your life?
In the Northern hemisphere, it’s almost summer, with watermelon, trips to dance in the waves, and sitting around campfires. Continue reading →
My five foot Christmas tree brought me so much joy, it’s hard to toss it in the dumpster. The ornaments are off, but it gets to stay a few more days because I love having a tree in my home. 🙂
Getting fired from my job sucked, but so much good has happened since then that I could gratefully say, “Thank you,” to those old bosses if I ever saw them again. Because of the flexibility of job hunting, I visited my brother, sister-in-law, and one year old nephew, Jack, about five times this fall. Since I’ve been around more, Jack recognizes me!
My sister-in-law told me, “He even recognizes you in photos! I showed him photos of family in a picture calendar, and when he saw your photo he said, ‘Mare-me!’ ” I even got to hear him quietly say it (he’s all boy, but sometimes he says his words very gently). This made my heart happy!
Seeing Jack’s smiles after he wakes up from a nap and having snugly time for a while is priceless. Seeing how he started talking and can say, “yes, no, ball, Mama, and Dada” so clearly now is amazing! He has been growing up, and I’ve been able to be around for parts of it. I got to be there during sleep training and going to all milk and no formula.
My sister-in-law is one of my heros–by how she delights in her job as a Mom, even though she is talented and could do other things, she chooses to nurture Jack, and can make some of the parts of motherhood that are very slow and hard, quite fun. She tickles her boy, loves him no matter what, and Jack is just blossoming!
I love seeing how my brother has so much fun with his boy, and Jack has great basketball skills for a one year old.
I can not put a price on these experiences–taking Jack to the apple orchard, celebrating Halloween with him, and making hand-print dough ornaments. The little guy that calls me “Mare-me” is such a gift.
The students looked back and smiled when they saw me sitting in the back of Friday chapel time. Yesterday I attended worship at the school where I teacher assisted last year, and when I walked into the room where last years’ students were writing, I got mobbed! “Miss Campbell!!”
A red-headed girl got up first, threw her arms around my waist, then a boy, and in the end probably 17 kids were all around me hugging me and each other. Arms interlocked, jumping, hugging happiness expressed through smiles and saying the words, “Miss Campbell!!” with such joy. This brought more healing to my heart. I have taught students well, and will teach them again.
Picture a mother hen surrounded by her many chicks. The teacher soon had the kids back in their seats, writing again, and I stopped and talked with the kids at each table. Their bright eyes bring happiness, and it was so satisfying to see the progress they are making. Investing in children’s lives is SO worth it!
Ladies, Let’s Break Out of Disney’s Myth of Needing to be with a Guy who is Tall
In the movies, the stunning heroine marries the handsome and TALL hero, and they look perfect together. I’m guessing that in animation, there is some formula to calculate the perfect height ratio of prince to princess; however, in real life, there is no such formula, and we don’t have to give that idea power in our lives!
I’m just releasing myself from a mindset I had of believing I SHOULD be with a guy like my brothers (who are tall and handsome); yes, I desire to be with someone who makes my heart skip a beat, but he might not be the Hollywood version of a hottie, and that is becoming fine with me.
Think about it: If you are with a guy who everyone thinks is cute, you will have to work more at managing jealousy and feelings of possessiveness than if you were with a guy who is wonderful and cute in your eyes.
The world’s standards of handsomeness and beauty change, but the character of the person is what is most important.
I’ve found that as I’ve gone on dates with all types of guys that the shorter guys tended to be more real, more emotionally present, and more interested in me as a person. When a person has to work more for something, character (the values that drive a person’s life) is built, and out of harder situations comes empathy, care, and LOVE. There are many tall guys with these qualities as well, but some shorter guys may have an extra dose, and I value that.
So don’t just write off a guy because he is shorter or the same height as you. Tall does not need to be on the “must have” list; we all shrink as we grow older as well, so maybe you’ll shrink at different rates and even out!
It also can be fun–figuring out who needs to hunch or stand on tippy toes so that in a photo you don’t see the difference.
But seriously, there are shorter men out there with strong character, fun personalities, that are romantic, and if you are open, you could fall in love with one of them!
Trees of Transition 