This one’s for all my blog friends

My two-year blog anniversary slipped quietly by last month.

Last year I was much more intentional about celebrating it. I reflected, I wrote down what I had learned, I had several giveaways to celebrate.

It was fun. Fitting for a first birthday.

This year I have been busy with birth kits (yes, they’re still coming in!) and babies. Oh, mah babies.

Judah, my miracle boy, has been keeping me up all night, every night and my energy reserves are running dangerously low. I’ve cut out many non-essentials in the name of desperately trying to find margin for this sleepless season of my life. (And then there’s the little fact that I keep falling asleep fully clothed at 7:30pm.)

So the occasion came and went – one of many things that slipped through the cracks lately. And that’s okay.

There’s grace.

As difficult as this season has been for me, my heart is full.

Together we have rallied over 5000 birth kits from all over the globe. (I’m not sure if you realize how amazing this actually is.)

I have many stories to share about that. And I will. Soon.

My boy Levi is delighting me to no end with his conversation and storytelling and dramatics. He just keeps getting funnier and smarter and more adorable and sometimes I want to burst just thinking about him. I can’t believe he’s ours. We’re just so, so lucky.

toddler with a messy face

He’s now potty trained and even though we decided to keep him in diapers at night (as grace to us since Judah’s up several times a night) he’s gone and night trained himself. Literally. Such a clever young lad. I couldn’t be more proud of the way he is growing up – not just the potty training, but the developing into a sweet and interesting young person who is just so incredibly fun to be around.

little boy potty training

And my darling Judah has captured my heart in a way I don’t even know how to describe. He literally has me wrapped around his finger. (Perhaps not always a good thing.) He’s a mama’s boy through and through and I am drinking in his fleeting babyhood. (Except for the lack of sleep part.)

mama and baby selfie

At eight months he’s incredibly determined – crawling, pulling up, and starting to cruise, climbing stairs, standing on his own for a few seconds at a time, busting at the seems to be able to keep up with his big brother. He’s so incredibly quick to smile and flash his six—yes, six—teeth. I’m so proud of him too – the amazing little boy that’s starting to emerge from behind his babyness. He is my heart on the outside all over again.

little cute baby

I write this from an island off the shore of our city where we are staying for a couple of days of meetings. Though busy, our work is meaningful and we serve alongside people who love us and love their neighbors and it really is a privilege to spend our days together helping others in need.

In a few days time Ryan and I bundle our babies onto a plane and take them to my homeland. I can’t wait to introduce Judah to the Land of the Free, and Ryan and Levi to the summer of my youth.

The air will be crisp and clean and scented of pine in Oregon. My Oregon.

Together we will stay up late and walk by the river and watch fireworks off the butte and have picnics with people that we love beyond much.

Life has been kinda hard the last several weeks, I have to be honest, but it is also sweet.

The days are long but the years are short so I’m doing my best to breathe deeply and take it all in.

There’s so much to give thanks for in the midst of the pacing and laundry and meetings and matchbox cars and meltdowns and milestones.

And this blog – the one that I love with the name that I loathe – this blog has been so good to me over the last two years. I’ve learned so much through writing, through listening, through connecting, through reading, through imagining.

I will forever be glad for that whim I listened to when I first began to hit ‘publish’.

Through the Memos I’ve made friends in unexpected places. I’ve found community and camaraderie, inspiration, and validation. I’ve been challenged and stretched, entertained and amused. I’ve been shaped and I’ve been strengthened.

Thank you for coming with me – for reading, for befriending, for contributing, for showing support when I needed it most. Thank you for giggling with me and gushing with me.

Motherhood is so much sweeter when we journey together. Isn’t it?

I’m so grateful to have you connected to my creating here.

Dear friends, I’m not going anywhere. I have plenty more to write here. (And here and here and here.) I just wanted to say thank you.

 

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

22 Comments

  • Annette
    16 June 2012 at 11:20 pm

    What a beautiful post, and I especially love that picture of you and Judah in the mirror. What a blessing it is to be a parent–you certainly capture that in this post. Enjoy your visit to Oregon. What joy it must be to relive childhood memories with your own kids 🙂
    Annette recently posted..A Dance Recital, a Baptism, and an AnniversaryMy Profile

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  • Krystle
    17 June 2012 at 2:44 pm

    This is so great! I love your blog, your heart, your pictures of your beautiful family. I’m so thankful I happened upon your little corner of this blogging world and the friendship via the Internet! 🙂

    Reply
  • Rachel
    17 June 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  • Dr. Rupe
    17 June 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Lovely Post. Oregon in June is delightful. I hope you have an amazing trip and visit.

    Reply
    • Adriel Booker
      26 June 2012 at 8:57 am

      hmm….. june in central oregon is historically all over the place. sometimes 80s, sometimes snowing!! july-september is much better. right now it’s colder here that it was in townsville even though it was “winter” there. hahaha. hoping it turns into summer here soon!! 😉

      Reply
  • colleen
    17 June 2012 at 11:46 pm

    This is so beautiful it warms my heart to read it! You sounds full of the joy of motherhood and so very content and thankful for your life. It’s really beautiful to read the love you have for your family in your words!

    Reply
  • Jessica W
    18 June 2012 at 11:13 am

    I love this friend. So much to celebrate. I am so thankful to have met you through the blog world. I am cheering you on through the hard times and the good times. There’s so much for all of us to learn as moms and writers and wives and. . . .

    I pray you have a wonderful time in Oregon. I hate that you are so close yet we can’t meet in person, but at least we’ll share a continent for a few weeks. Enjoy every moment!

    Reply
    • Adriel Booker
      26 June 2012 at 8:55 am

      i feel exactly the same!! one year i will have to plan a trip when i can go to a conference or something. that would be a huge blessing!

      Reply
  • Mama Hen
    18 June 2012 at 1:30 pm

    A lovely post my friend! You just reminded me that my anniversary went by also last month without any hoopla. You look amazing in the picture below! I hope you are doing well! Have a great night!

    Mama Hen

    Reply
    • Mama Hen
      18 June 2012 at 1:32 pm

      Adriel, I am not sure my first comment went through. I wanted to say happy anniversary! I hope you are doing well. Your post is so full of love and happiness! It is wonderful! have a great night!

      Mama Hen

      Reply
    • Adriel Booker
      26 June 2012 at 8:54 am

      oh, happy anniversary to you, too!! x

      Reply
  • Jessica Sliman
    19 June 2012 at 12:35 am

    I’m a new reader – I just wanted to say I found this post very heartwarming! The days are long but the years are short – I love that. I look forward to reading more and commenting more. Motherhood IS a journey best shared. Have a wonderful trip!
    Jessica Sliman recently posted..Things Neva EatsMy Profile

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  • Jenni
    19 June 2012 at 11:13 am

    Beautiful post! Happy 2 years blogging! And, as someone enjoying the Beauty that is Oregon – welcome home! If you ever head towards Portland I know there are a few bloggers who would love to meet you!
    Jenni recently posted..{Guest Post} DIY Flower Decoration Ideas for a Cocktail PartyMy Profile

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    • Adriel Booker
      26 June 2012 at 8:53 am

      thanks jenni! if we come to portland (not the plan for now at least!) i will certainly let you know!! 😉

      Reply
  • Jessica
    20 June 2012 at 1:20 pm

    This is such a sweet post, Adriel. I love keeping up with you on CC5 and here and Grace for Moms, though I’ve been slacking on commenting as much as I want to! 🙁 Congratulations on turning two! We’re both two!! Can you believe it?!? We’re big girls now, right? lol. I hope your trip to America is awesome. I wish I lived in Oregon so we could meet up. Now that would be a dream come true! 🙂

    Reply
  • Megan @ boho mama
    24 June 2012 at 11:12 am

    Happy Bloggy Birthday!! So happy you’re getting some good ol’ American family time – even better, some OREGONIAN family time 🙂 If you come through Portland with any layover or extra time, pleeeeeease let me know! Jenni and I are ready and waiting! (no pressure).
    Megan @ boho mama recently posted..my twin birth story: embracing the unexpectedMy Profile

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    • Adriel Booker
      26 June 2012 at 8:51 am

      if we end up coming to portland i’ll definitely let you know. OR why don’t you come to bend?? you’re a pro at road trips with the girls, right???! 😉

      Reply
  • Danyelle Franciosa
    27 June 2012 at 12:45 pm

    Sounds like you are having so much fun with you little cute one. Happy Birthday even though seems like I am too late. Congratulations and have a another happy blogging year! 🙂
    Danyelle Franciosa recently posted..Go to web-siteMy Profile

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