Unrealistic expectations?

Well I am not going to lie. I have unrealistic expectations most of the time. There I said it!

This is a good and bad quality. For example, I always think I can do more than I can and end up disappointed that I didn't get it all done. But on a positive note, I am a little too optimistic with this as well (which is sometimes nice). I know everyone can not always be on their best behavior me included, and I give forgiveness quickly...don't hold a grudge really ever...and can kiss and make up quicker than anyone I personally know:)

But lately I wonder.......when is it that you are expecting too much from someone else, or setting too high of expectations vs letting someone walk all over you?

I feel like a quality I have, and also huge part of my character is this ability to forgive quickly and give second chances often. Sometimes third and forth chances even, okay maybe endless forgiveness and chances.

But when is enough ENOUGH? When are you able to be okay with yourself saying "no more." Why if I feel like enough is enough, do I have this pit in my stomach about it? Why does it bother me and keep me tossing and turning at night about it? Is it that I want to make others happy? Is it that I don't want to be the "bad guy"?

Then on the other end, how much more can I handle? How much more disappointment due to my expectations (whether realistic or not) can I endure? When am I just enabling and encouraging disappointment?

I know, I know.....a lot of questions without a lot of answers. I guess when I sit here tonight I am really thinking about this fork in the road.....and would love some up above guidance about it.

But I know there is not a single right answer, it's a mixture of mind and heart.

And in the end, I know whatever decision I decide to go with will be the right one for me......which is very realistic indeed.

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Alarming oven = no baking;(

Well, with the big move into Mr. Big Dog's house, we together have found a couple "need to fix" projects. Ever since my first time over, the oven has been on the fritz. Now for a single bachelor this might not be a big deal, but you know I like to bake and cook...so it has become kind of a sore spot in our eating habits. You don't realize how much you use an oven until you just don't have one.

Being Ms. Fix it, I did give a valiant effort to repairing the oven sensor via web searching, wiki answers, and a trip to an appliance repair store....however it still alarmed when it hit 350 degrees and then shuts itself off:( And even though I replaced a burner coil, it was still not working:( I started to fantasize about a gas stove, but they don't have gas in our neighborhood (and yes I called the gas company....) so I started to dream about a new oven......

This purchase was not something we wanted to take lightly. They just don't make things like they use to and we don't want to spend a lot of money without doing our research. We discussed options, ideas, craigslist, and in the end decide we are staying in this house for awhile and would like an appliance that is going to work well and look nice;)

Appliance shopping was actually our date night a couple Fridays ago. I know, I know, so romantic...but really I think I can officially have fun doing ANYTHING with MBD:) He just has that affect on me;)

Back to our search, we had done our research on consumer reports.com (I don't recommend that website at all....plus you have to $$$ for it) and then looked at websites.

We found a great deal at a local appliance chain, got our prices and fell in love with the entire set (stove, micro hood, dishwasher)....our jaws dropped at the grand total. Funny how as an adult you like spending money on these more useful lasting things, but no one wants to spend a lot of money on anything us included.

Well after picking up our jaws, we headed to dinner to discuss our pro/con list. And of course we had to shop around prices so we then headed to Sears.

MBD then promptly warned the Sears appliance salesman: "buddy watch out because she is going to work you over." I of course smiled:) and started in with my quotes from the competitor.

This lead to three days calling and talking between Sears and the other guys:) And in the end we feel we got the best deal, did our research and worked great as a team to get what we really wanted. Sears all the way, they definitely have the best warranty/protection plan for sure!!!

And look at the before and after pictures....so pretty and I am really breaking them in tonight with a family dinner. I can't wait;)

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A sister to be proud of....

I know being the older sister, I am suppose to be the more mature and really be that have your stuff more "together" one. However, in my family it has always been my sister who has been the more sensible, organized, planner, and realistic one. I'm the more scattered, take the hard road with all the red flags screaming stop, and speak before I think one of the family. She has been not only my sister but my best friend for years. She sees everything in a better light, and has really helped me through a lot in my life. So to say she was amazing already would be an understatement. I have envied her life over the past 4 years especially with my her awesome little family she has started. I really feel blessed to be part of her life and to have her as someone so close to me.

However, now she has earned sainthood. She has done something I honestly don't know if I ever could have done. She has loved a little man without even knowing him, she has opened her arms and life to someone who needed it most. She has fundraised for Ghana's orphaned children and big heartedly been change in this world we live in and made a huge difference in a person's life. She has shown patience and trust in God, even when really frustrated, through the entire past year waiting for everything to fall into place. The waiting has been the hardest part I think and she has used her frustration for things like silent auctions, presentations to organizations for donations, and blogging with other adoptive families out in cyberspace. She conquered her own adoptive marathon over the past year without any training, she just rocked though it.

So I am over joyed and happy to tell you all my new nephew has arrived! It has been a whorl wind four days since he arrived after a year of waiting...all the way from Ghana, Africa. I was able to get the day off of work to be at the airport for his arrival. He came toddling down the corrordor with my sister and her husband and it will be forever a beautiful memory burned in my mind. Just seeing my new nephew for the first time coming into Portland and really being here was breath taking. The life and possibilities that lie ahead of him, the excitement of having a new family member is just amazing.

Coen Kwasi Roberts is here, and my sister is the mother of the year in my book. My mom has talked a little bit about it here as well.

She is not naive, she is prepared for the struggles that can come with adoption but geeze she makes it look flawless and easy. She just amazes me and I am so proud of her and her husband Chris, they are role models on how to love without reserve and really do things to impact others in our world.

Did I tell you SHE IS MY SISTER???? I just love her to pieces:)

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Autumn in the air

Even though the weather is still in the nineties here in the beautiful pacific northwest, you can feel fall coming. It's just a different smell, a different kind of wind, a little colder air in the early morning:) I don't know what it really is but you can just feel it. I remember back to the past falls and I have to say I wasn't' really excited for them. I actually dreaded summer leaving and wished it would always stay a little longer. This season is different. I was remember last fall with our picnic to sparrow watch:) And all of our evenings sitting talking by the fire. So maybe that's why I am excited for this fall. Excited for the weather to turn and start baking and cooking soups. I am also starting to think of fall house projects to tackle and how to dress up our home's front porch.

Growing up my mom always decorated for the seasons throughout the house. This included the front porch being covered in pumpkins. I have found so many awesome ideas on Pinterest lately!!! It's actually my new addiction......so more to come;)

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