10/15/14

due, yet empty

Today is hard. Writing this is hard. But today is real, and is worthy of my recognition.



The last day of February, I sat impatiently in rush hour traffic praying desperately to see a flutter on the monitor. The week before, I was so sure I’d lost my baby. We spent several hours in the ER as they ran test after test. They had given us hope. No heartbeat, threatened miscarriage, but stable. This would be sono #3, and I was yet to see the heartbeat that would make this pregnancy feel safe. I was a half hour late to my appointment, and so anxious as the elevator doors opened and I wished I had just a few more minutes alone. I laid vulnerably on the table, still praying. But once again there was no flutter, and this time I was empty.

It’s hard to believe how quickly love can be forged.

The following months were a blur. Heartache. Grief. Loneliness. Before, miscarriage seemed so small. Like waking up from a dream and wishing to fall back asleep, but eventually moving on and forgetting. But now that I carry this loss, my perspective of life, of love, of hope, of peace has been shaken.

Today, I am due. My tracker app reminded me this morning while I sipped my coffee, but I already knew. I've prayed for peace over this week for months. Though the Lord has granted me peace and perspective, I also feel the heaviness of grief. I believe it will always be a part of me, but I have come to make room for hope, for love, for joy.






I have found great solace through the love of those closest to me, and from fellow bloggers Amanda (here), Diana (here), and Casey (here, here, and throughout here).

9/22/14

the positives no.7 + a recipe


1. Um hello, it's fall.
2. Fall means baby pumpkins and spicy candles littering the apartment. 
3. Fall means I get to simmer homemade cider on the stove top each morning. 
4. I've finally decorated my newish apartment and this place is so homey I hardly mind it being a third floor walk-up. 
5. I get to see friends and family and the new Harry Potter World addition in less than a month. Hooray!





Easy Peasy Stove-Top Cider

1 quart of 100% apple juice
3 cinnamon sticks (cheaper if you buy them in the Hispanic food section)
2 slices of orange (not entirely necessary, but they keep the cloves together)
10ish whole cloves (pierce them into the orange peel)
4ish slices of ginger (I've only ever used sushi ginger because its free at the Kroger sushi station, I imagine any pickled or raw ginger would do)
2 tbs frozen orange juice concentrate

Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan, bring to a low boil, and simmer on low for at least 20 minutes. I usually let it simmer while I shower and do morning chores because I like a strong reduction. Enjoy clearing your sinuses and making your home smell like autumn!