thankfulness – The Oaxacaborn Blog

Aveline is amazed by the simplest things. I love that. Yesterday she was amazed because I pulled open the blind and let her look out the window. She stood there for the longest time, just taking it all in, softly jabbering away in her tiny (okay, it’s not always tiny) baby voice.

I love her to pieces. I love to scoop her up and kiss her all over her cheeks and forehead until her eyes crinkle shut and she giggles. I love the way her head smells, and the little microscopic curl she gets at the back of her head when she’s sweaty. I love her sticky little hands and her clammy toes.

Yesterday, she stood up all by herself. Josiah and I looked over at her, and there she was, standing up on those fat little legs without holding on to anything. She wasn’t even wobbling, and acted like it was no big deal, like she didn’t even notice. Then she “jumped” up and down in that cute way babies jump — with her knees getting all bendy but her feet staying on the ground — she jumped three or four times before she plopped back down on her soft bum.

My wee girl, standing.

I don’t know where the time has gone.

I do know that her laughter makes the world go round. I know that when she falls asleep in my arms at three in the morning, and I hear her tiny breaths rise and fall in between Josiah’s sleeping breaths, I am so happy my heart could burst. I know that I prayed for her, and I know God answered with a miracle. I know that she is a gift, and I hold her with open hands.

Aveline Alenka, my little babushka baby, I love you more than I can ever tell you.

Poetry & Words

Exhausted but Thankful

August 25, 2011March 22, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Aveline during breakfast

I’ve been exhausted this past week. I feel so worn-out, but I ~~suppose~~ know it’s my own fault. (Mom, don’t read this next part). I’ve not been diligent about taking my Floravital Iron, and as a result I’m feeling especially anemic. Bleah. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson by now, but noooo.

But, this morning, I’m thankful for so many things.

I’m thankful Hurricane Irene has shifted away from Florida.

I’m thankful the weekend is just around the corner (we have big plans to watch movies and lounge on the couch).

I’m thankful for the sales I’ve had on Facebook and through Etsy.

I’m thankful for coffee, this news that coffee prices are dropping, and a husband who makes me a strong cuppa every morning before he leaves for work.

And of course, I’m thankful for my wonderful little sweet pea.

I could go on and on — what are you thankful for this morning?

Mustard and Taupe Striped Crochet Hat via Oaxacaborn on Etsy

Humanitarian, Travel/Moving

On Thankfulness

August 11, 2011 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

If you’ve been reading Oaxacaborn for any length of time, you know that I haven’t lived in the US my whole life. (I mean, you should know that just from reading the title of this blog, right?) Well, I really believe that everyone should travel abroad at least once in their life. (And sorry, I don’t quite mean to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, although I’m sure it’s a lovely vacation ;-)

Spending two weeks outside of the US has a way of altering one’s perspective in ways that are truly life changing. Necessities like toilet paper, clean water? We don’t give them a second thought, but they aren’t a given everywhere in the world. And those little conveniences like Ziploc bags and breakfast cereal — you know, those things which annoy us if we forget to pick them up at the grocery store — well, those are unheard-of in so many places.

I’m not trying to be holier than thou, or say we should feel guilty for what we have. I just think it’s super important to be aware that we have so much more than most of the world. I need the reminder myself just as much as anyone.

And so, since it’s Nakate fundraiser week here on the blog (just $491 more to go!), I wanted to share some photos my dear friend Shanley took last time she was in Uganda. I don’t know about you, but I instantly feel more thankful just by looking at these.

On the ground in Kakooge, Uganda with Nakate Project