Confessions...

Okay, I admit it...  I've been avoiding my blog! 

Things have been a little... intense lately. And I vowed not to be a blog complainer, so I've been avoiding blogging at all. But I can put it off no longer. And I have work photos to share! 

But first, since I can't really start off like that and then not go into any detail, a brief overview of the intensity... 

First of all, the weather sucks! I tend to be greatly affected by fluctuations in the weather, both emotionally and physically. I *need* sun. Like really need it. And we haven't seen a whole lot of it yet this spring. But May is coming!! 

Second, I'm taking this really horrible course this semester on African history. The course is actually amazing and by far the most important course I've taken so far in my college career, but... it's really getting to me. For the last two weeks we've been studying (watching documentaries and reading books about) the Rwandan genocide. I feel like I have been walking around in a Rwandan genocide-induced fog for two weeks. I cannot shake the terrible feeling. I have nightmares about it. And then I feel guilty for complaining about it! I mean... so what, I have to read about it. Hundreds of thousands lived it... 

Third, I have been plagued by migraines almost non stop for months now. I've suffered from them since I was 12 so its nothing new to me, but the hardly-a-days-break in between for months on end is kind of new. I am working with my doctor on this, though, so hopefully relief is somewhere in sight.

Finally, our sweet girl Alice is nearing the end of her time at the school/daycare she has attended since she was 3 months old. Since she will be turning 3 next year, it is time for us to start looking at transitioning her into a preschool environment. As some of you know Alice was born with a brain disorder (officially diagnosed as Holoprosencephaly, although she appears to have a variant of it quite unique to Alice!). Now, we prefer to spend our time focusing on all of the ways that Alice has defied expectations and all of the amazing things that Alice can do despite her challenges. However, the process of transitioning her into a new school environment has required us to once again look realistically at Alice's limitations... and that is always a little upsetting. 

BUT at the end of the day, I have so many things to celebrate: two beautiful daughters who are absolutely perfectly exactly who they are meant to be; an amazing and supportive wife who makes me laugh and completes me in the most perfect way; and a community of friends and family, both near and far, who I know would be there for me at a moment's notice if I needed them. 

So enough with the complaining! Life is so good. And I am so blessed. 

And I don't just fling that word around willy nilly. 

Now the jewelry!

I made a bunch of things last week (mostly because I was avoiding my African history homework)! Lots of turquoise and some jasper.

A ring. Turquoise and sterling:

(SOLD)

Earrings. Turquoise and Sterling again. Matching but not identical:

And finally, some amazing Red Creek jasper:

Both pairs of earrings are listed in the shop now. 

I finished my final paper for the Rwanda portion of my African history class in the wee hours of this morning. On the agenda for tonight: A hot bath and some Bailey's on the rocks.