Ok, let's talk about these two awesome parents of

I’m a slow poster these days but we can’t leav

Speaking of new life, last week we got to hold a “mother’s blessing” baby shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of not only a new baby, but a new mother:

This glowing girl at my side 💗.

Inspired by a podcast as well as some conversations about motherhood, the girls and I invited a pretty intimate group of women, mostly aunts and cousins and sisters and close friends who know Abby well, and at the beginning we asked each to share either a favorite motherhood memory or a bit of advice from what they have learned through the years.

That porch was filled up with so much love.

For each other and for the beauty of motherhood, “the career for which all others exist.”

I got a little emotional surrounded by those strong, loving, spirit-filled women. (The ones who were there as well as the ones sending love from afar and from Abby’s side, and perhaps even those who have passed on).

Women who aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in and who have incredible hearts.

I got teary-eyed because I think of that little Peanut on the way, and the fact that she (and Abby) have this small army of goodness to lean into and “hold space” for them when needed.

And then I think about that army of women who I can lean on as well, and I just feel so very lucky.

So grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the power of women as we strive to nurture and love and raise the future in our own unique ways.

Spring is springing around here in the desert at e

Spring is springing around here in the desert at every turn.

I cannot not stop to try to capture the tiny green buds popping out everywhere each time I drive into the neighborhood. #spring #newlife #godisgood

My favorite time of year is right now when the wea

My favorite time of year is right now when the weather pulls me out on hikes.

Not only am I cradled in the glory of Mother Earth, but usually enveloped in good conversations with people who radiate goodness.

Which leads me to my new favorite quote:

“Life is a constant state of radiation and absorption.

To exist is to radiate.

To exist is to be the recipient of radiations.

Men cannot escape for one minute this radiation of their character.

This constant weakening or strengthening of others.

He can select the qualities that he will permit to be radiated.

He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility…make them vital and active in his character…and by these qualities he will constantly affect the world.”
—William George Jordan

There is so much power in what we choose to cultivate!

May we choose well❤️

A couple weeks ago my friend sent me a beautifully

We were all a little apprehensive for Max and Abby

We were all a little apprehensive for Max and Abby to tell Lucy about their baby-on-the-way.

Because, as you may or may not know, Lucy is not a fan of babies.

At all.

I think babies are just not predictable enough for her with her dwindling vision.

She took the news like we figured she would: pretty somber and unsure of how this was all going to work out.

But I am happy to report that that is not the end of the story.

It’s been SO SWEET to watch Lucy gradually warm up to the whole baby idea.

And strangely, the thing that helped her start to come around was when Max and Abby told us they were getting tested to see if they were carriers for Bardet-Biedl (BBS, Lucy’s genetic syndrome).

As a side note, both parents have to be carriers to pass on this gene to their children. Dave and I had no idea we were both carriers, nor that we had a 25% chance we’d pass on that unknown gene each time we had a baby.

Well, Lucy suddenly perked up when she heard about the testing deal, and started asking all kinds of questions.

It was a process, but eventually the results came in: Abby is not a carrier, and Max is.

Which is good news for the baby and their future babies, but lets us know that all their kids will have the potential to be carriers just like Max is.

Lucy took all this in so earnestly and even drew up a Punnett square from what she studied in Biology last year, squares and circles carefully drawn showing who we know is affected so far, and sent it on our group family text.

Who knew a Punnet square could be so incredibly endearing?

Somehow all that BBS talk has endeared Lucy to her little soon-arriving niece.

I mean, she’s definitely not snuggling up trying to feel the baby kicking at this point, but it’s been pretty beautiful to have a front row seat to watch the baby steps of acceptance lighting the way.

Last week I sat in a conference with these two bea

Last week I sat in a conference with these two beauties: Abby and her mom.

I felt so lucky.

Lucky that I get to be friends with my soon-to-be fellow grandma (🤩👵🏽🥰), and lucky that this wise and thoughtful daughter-in-law of mine will get to be a mother in a few short months.

Oh, she doesn’t know the depths of it yet, but she is joining the ranks of the most exciting (and tiring and rewarding and amazing) job force in the whole wide world.

“What other career could claim as its end-product the elevation of a human soul? Not just the enlightening of a mind or the development of a body, but the improvement of every aspect of a vibrant child of God.” (Lia Collins)

Abby is in for the most thrilling ride of her life and little Miss “Peanut,” as we call this baby on the way, is one lucky lady to get Abby for her mama.

Cannot wait!💗

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Home » Body Worlds

Body Worlds

by Shawni May 29, 2007

May 29, 2007

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We took the kids to see “Body Worlds.” Quite fascinating for all of us.

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Shawni

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About Us
Deliberate Mothering
Travel
- Travel
  
  how to make family travel work
  
  March 16, 2023
  
  Travel
  
  a celebration of some new skills in Newport
  
  March 6, 2023
  
  Travel
  
  indoctrinating kids with NYC love
  
  February 8, 2023
  
  Travel
  
  a tiny village, the famous MACHU PICCHU, and…
  
  September 9, 2022
  
  Travel
  
  Alpacas, eye screenings, and hiking a portion of…
  
  September 8, 2022
  
  Travel
  
  An introduction to six quick days in Peru…
  
  September 7, 2022
  
  Travel
  
  a pretty great way to celebrate some graduates
  
  June 16, 2022
  
  Travel
  
  a little unscheduled skip up to ski in…
  
  January 10, 2022
  
  Travel
  
  warm Christmas vibes leading up to the big…
  
  December 29, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  a volleyball recruiting trip to NYC
  
  November 15, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  A visit to experience the beauty of the…
  
  October 26, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  how to see some mighty beauty from above…
  
  October 7, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  The grandeur of the Swiss Alps with my…
  
  September 23, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  two days in the Italian Dolomites
  
  September 14, 2021
  
  Travel
  
  A little introduction to a grand adventure —…
  
  September 7, 2021
Recipes
Good Books
Faith
Keeping It Real

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