Coming soon to bookstore shelves...

...keep an eye out for this sweet photo, sure to grace the cover of my friend Jodie's Mother/Daughter cookbook that she simply must write now that she has this little piece of photographic perfection for the cover.

That's the same face I make, sweet Caroline, when faced with a pile of cookies. Well done.

You two are the absolute sweetest. Thanks for showing me how cute you are in your HHS aprons! It made me smile super big!

If you wanna read more about the incredible Jodie and fam (trust me, you do), click here.

Inspired...

Ok guys. The magic happened. The beautiful Caroline has been united with her adoring parents. I have read and re-read about the magic moment and gazed and re-gazed upon the photos of this beautiful family's first meeting - and wept and re-wept with happiness for them.

And I have been inspired.

Short of being able to wrap my arms around these lovelies, I sewed up something that I can send to be wrapped around them.

I present:

Mama/Daughter aprons for Jodie and Caroline!

Now, lest you think I honor the throwback to the 50's house wife - no, no, no. I do not believe a woman's place is in the kitchen. In fact, I avoid the place at all costs.

But I do believe that Jodie likes hers. Go figure.

She makes beautiful (and yummy) things in the beautiful kitchen that Marc made. She spent hour upon hour in her kitchen crafting that amazing, award-winning gingerbread bird cage (remember that? it was awesome).

I also believe, that if you must go into the kitchen, and if you must cook stuff - you can at least look super duper girlie while doing so.
Wearing a super sweet frilly apron might even make me want to go in my kitchen.



Nah.

I can imagine what wonderful things Jodie will teach Caroline in the kitchen (and everywhere else). Can't you just see them all cute in their aprons, whipping up something yummy?

Mmmmm, I'll be right over!
They have about a week and a half left in China, exploring with Caroline. I am so excited to follow their adventures there and to celebrate as they settled into life as a family. What a wonder.

Magic.

This is a magic moment.

Now, don't pin me down on the exact timing of said moment. The time change is tricky. But sometime very soon, across the world in beautiful Guangzhou China, one of the loveliest couples I know will become a family of three. My dear dear friends Jodie and Marc will at long last meet their daughter, Caroline YueCong.

I've know the beautiful Mama, sweet Jodie, for...geez...16, 17 years. Whoa. She is quiet and kind. The strength in that girl could knock down Gibraltar but she is as graceful and gentle as they come. She has an eye and a talent for seeing and creating beauty. She made this:

and this:
(which can be purchased in her etsy shop, here. Shameless plug).

Oh and this:
...an indescribably amazing gingerbread creation that won her the title of Uber Grand Champion 1st Prize Winner (ok, I embellished the title) of The National Gingerbread Competition last year.

It's worth seeing again:
I mean come on. Jodie - will you adopt me?



And the Proud Papa? He's pretty crafty too.


He made um...
their house. And it is perfection.

He made every stair rail, every cabinet. He even made a climby scratchy play condo for the cats.

He and I collaborated to make their bathroom vanity. Check us out:

When Eric and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this summer at the beach Re-Nup, Marc and Jodie celebrated with us. We spent a week splashing in the sea and sailing Marc's lovingly restored boat - the Kolibri. They played with and loved on our babies.

And now. After an incredibly long and taxing journey, they get to love on their own.

I can feel it. The magic moment is soon.

I can't wait to meet you sweet Caroline. The love that is going to swell from that beautiful house your Daddy built - well - I'm sure I'll be able to see it from here.

Jodie and Marc have not asked me to post this - but if there is any way I can help add ease to their journey, I wanna. The least I can do is share their fundraiser with you all. They have created a very cool t-shirt. It's a collaboration - Jodie's idea, Marc's design. And you can own one and wear it proudly by clicking here:


So, send out some good thoughts all the way to them in China. Wish them safe travels, smooth transitions, and lots and lots and lots of love.